Snatching public mandate tantamount to enmity with country: PTI Spokesperson

ISLAMABAD, FEB 13 /DNA/ – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) demanded the public mandate must be respected because it was pre-requisite for survival and strength of the state and PTI Chairman-for-life Imran Khan should be released instantly since he was the only leader who could pull the country out of the prevailing quagmire of problems.

PTI Spokesperson made it clear that the elements who were hell-bent on desecration and snatching the mandate of the people to impose the criminals were enemies of the country because such attempts would further wide fissure between the state and the people, which would further weaken the state.

He hinted that there was possibility of talks with everyone to bring political and economic stability in the country provided the stolen mandate was returned to the real representatives and rightful people of the country.

PTI Spokesperson stated that the people, especially the young generation, under the leadership of PTI Founding Chairman, gave PTI the right of their representations in unequivocal manner, ignoring it would be tantamount to the enmity with the county.

He went on to say that the nation had given a clear and unwavering expression of Imran Khan’s leadership with their power of votes and only he had the ability to bring Pakistan out of the current untold crises.

LAHORE, Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday that independent candidates backed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) can form a government in the Centre if they have the required number of seats.

Addressing a press conference at the party secretariat in Model Town, he said that if PTI-backed candidates could show majority in the National Assembly then they were welcome to form a government. “The PML-N is ready to sit in the opposition if PTI-backed candidates prove their majority in the lower house of parliament. The PML-N will accept the government of the PTI-backed independent candidates but if they fail to do so, then the PML-N will use its legal and constitutional right as the PML-N has a majority in Punjab and is the largest in the Centre in terms of party,” he added.

The PML-N president said that after independent candidates’ induction into the party the number of elected members was now 80, adding that more independent lawmakers would join the PML-N in the coming days.

He said that despite PML-N failing to secure a majority in the elections, PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif was still the party’s candidate for the slot of prime minister. “Nawaz Sharif will become the prime minister for the fourth time,” he added.

Shehbaz Sharif said that the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz would invite everyone to form a coalition government in the Centre, adding that all stakeholders would have to move forward together in the country’s larger interest. He said that the PML-N was in contact with the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (Pakistan) MQM-P, and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) while deliberations were underway to make an alliance under the leadership of PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif.

In terms of policy and governance, Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed a dedication to national prosperity, stressing a commitment beyond individual terms or titles. He reflected on the pledges made by Nawaz Sharif in 2013, specifically regarding tackling the energy crisis, and asserted success in diminishing corruption levels during their tenure, as indicated by Transparency International rankings.

He also rejected the allegations that the polls were manipulated in favour of his party and recalled that his party members had faced intimidation and false cases during the tenure of PTI, adding that the country was facing the biggest challenges in its history today and called for making sacrifices in the country’s interest.

To a question about the power-sharing formula between the PPP and the PML-N, Shehbaz said a consultation process was underway for the formation of a government. Despite having the majority, Shehbaz said the PML-N Quaid decided to hold consultations with key political players. He said that it was not about forming a government, but to save Pakistan and then put the country on the path to development and progress. The PML-N accepted the public mandate, he maintained.

PML-N senior leaders Khawaja Saad Rafique, Ishaq Dar, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, Attaullah Tarar, Marriyum Aurangzeb and Azma Bukhari were present.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 13 (DNA): The swearing-in ceremony for the newly elected members of the National Assembly is expected to take place in the last week of the current month, as the National Assembly’s inaugural session is likely to be convened on Feb 29.

The inaugural session will be presided over by Speaker of the National Assembly, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, who will also administer the oath to the newly elected MNAs, (Members of National Assembly).

According to regulations, newly elected members must submit details of their election expenditures within ten days of their victory; failure to do so will result in the withholding of their success notification. The success notification will be issued within 14 days of their victory. Following this, the allocation of 60 women and 10 non-Muslim seats will take place.

Following the announcement of the official results, independent MNAs will have a three-day window to join any party in parliament of their choice.

According to Article 21 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the National Assembly session must be called within 21 days of elections, though it can also be summoned earlier.

As per Section 91(2) of the Constitution, the president is required to summon the session of the National Assembly within 21 days following the official announcement of election results or the issuance of its notification.

Following the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, the selection of the new Prime Minister will take place via secret ballot. The newly elected Prime Minister is expected to assume their responsibilities in the first week of March.

To elect the Prime Minister, the assembly will be divided into two sections, with members tallied accordingly based on this division.

According to Section 91(4), the prime minister “shall be elected by the votes of the majority of the total membership of the National Assembly, provided that, if no member secures such a majority in the first poll, a second poll shall be held between the members who secure the two highest numbers of votes in the first poll and the member who secures a majority of votes of the members present and voting shall be declared to have been elected as prime minister, [and] provided further that, if the number of votes secured by two or more members securing the highest number of votes is equal, further poll shall be held between them until one of them secures a majority of votes of the members present and voting.

High expectations from new government to stabilize country’s economy: Saqib Rafiq

Rawalpindi: /DNA/ – Saqib Rafiq, President of Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), has said that it is hoped that the new government will work for the improvement of the economy. Many challenges are faced, there is an IMF program, and 40 percent of the population lives below the poverty line, inflation has skyrocketed to more than 30 percent.

It is hoped that a coalition or national government will be formed through consensus, which will restore the confidence of investors.

Saqib Rafiq demanded that the new government should consult with the stakeholders to formulate a medium and long-term economic plan and continuity of policies should be ensured.

He said that we hope that the new government will take immediate steps to solve the problems of the business community; the country has to facilitate business to move on the path of development and prosperity. The scope of business facilitation centers (BFC) should be spread across the country, he added.

The cost of doing business has increased manifold, it needs to be addressed, the prices of electricity, gas and petroleum products have to be reduced.

Regional trade should be promoted, and non-traditional sectors such as IT, gems and jewellery, marble, poultry, tourism and service sectors should be given preferential treatment.

ISLAMABAD, FEB 12: (DNA) – Pakistan strongly condemns Israel’s military aggression against Rafah city in Gaza and the resulting destruction and massacre of the Palestinian people.

Israel’s offensive in Rafah violates the provisional measures indicated by the International Court of Justice to protect the people of Gaza from genocide. It will further aggravate the humanitarian disaster witnessed in Gaza over the last 4 months and jeopardize the ongoing efforts for a potential ceasefire.

We urge the international community, especially the UN Security Council, to take urgent measures to bring an immediate end to Israeli aggression and its incessant crimes against humanity.

ISLAMABAD, FEB 12: (DNA) – A delegation of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, comprising of Mr Rauf Hassan and Mr Umair Niazi, called on President Dr. Arif Alvi, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, today.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf delegation informed the President about the alleged rigging in the General Elections.

The delegation also apprised the President of the party’s position regarding the alleged irregularities in the election process.

They opined that Form-45s issued in different constituencies reflected the actual facts of the election results.

“Despite the suppression of the party, confiscation of the election symbol and arrests, the Party has achieved success in the elections”, the delegation added.

It was highlighted that despite the excesses, the people of Pakistan had expressed confidence in the party’s candidates in the General Elections.

Says next government to take charge in 8-10 days; avoids question about his future plans; admits PTI enjoys sizeable support

Ansar Mahmood Bhatti

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said Monday defended the delay in election results, noting that mobile services were disrupted — which hampered the gathering of votes — due to security threats.

He further said that US, UK, EU or any other country had no right to interfere in Pakistan’s internal matters. The PM said this in reply to a question about the concerns of these countries about the manner in which 2024 general elections were held.

The prime minister expressed these views while addressing a press conference at the PM House, on Monday.

“We could afford delay, but terrorist attacks, we could not delay does not mean rigging,” Kakar, whose government was appointed to oversee the country through elections until an elected set-up takes charge, said during a post-election press conference.

Moving on to the allegations of foreign governments, who deplored the disruption in connectivity and the events that transpired in the lead-up to electrons, Kakar said they would be probed if need be.

“These friendly countries, unfortunately, frame their initial assessment on the fabricated and fractured information available on social media and the digital space.”

“A responsible government should take time and then have a position; that would have been better. If we have to investigate, we will not do it on the demand of the United States, United Kingdom, or the EU.”

He added, the next government may be formed in next 8 to 10 days depending on the outcome of the negotiations currently in progress among various political parties. To a question about his future plans he simply said ‘no comments’.

He said there was no doubt that the PTI enjoys public support. He hoped the PTI leadership would act in a responsible manner and play its role in the nation building.

Political parties — including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), whose candidates contested as independents, the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) — had deplored the delay in the results of the election, claiming that it was tantamount to rigging.

The complete election results — despite the passing of more than three days — are still awaited as the total vote count from 264 constituencies is in, but one seat remains. Amid the delay, PTI, JI, and JUI-F held countrywide elections, with the former two warning of more demonstrations.

Kakar, recalling instances of election results’ delays in Sweden and Indonesia, wondered whether their polls were “rigged”. “We are a country of 240 million with 92,000 polling stations […] this entire process had to consume some time, which should and can be explained.”

The prime minister informed the journalists that in 2018, the entire result-gathering process took 66 hours; however, in 2024, it was completed in 36 hours — however, the official Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) deadline was around nine hours.

Kakar noted that Pakistan has its law and will deal with it accordingly. “We did not ask a judicial inquiry on Capitol Hill riots. It is not for us to demand it and it is not for them. For me, the demand of a PTI individual than the US, UK, and EU combined.”

The premier noted that these nations have their own issues in elections, but that’s not for Pakistan to comment on, and neither should these countries issue statements on Islamabad’s domestic affairs.