PESHAWAR: In the lead-up to Pakistan’s general elections on Thursday, a concerning reality emerges regarding the inadequate prioritization of women’s representation within political parties. According to the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN), which monitors polls in the country, out of a total of 6,037 candidates competing for general seats nationwide, only 275 are women, reflecting a mere 4.6 percent participation rate in the elections. This falls below the legal requirement of a minimum five percent representation mandated by Section 206 of the Elections Act, 2017, extending to elective offices, including seats in the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) and Provincial Assemblies. FAFEN’s…
Author: Sajjad Ali
Sajjad Ali
Sajjad Ali is ‘Online Web Editor of Khyber News. He is a journalist by profession and working in field for the last ten years. Previously he worked for national media organizations including ‘The Nation’ Daily Pakistan Today, Khyber News. He also worked in media development sector. He can be reached at sajjad.sovereign@gmail.com
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ISLAMABAD: As Pakistan prepares for general elections on Thursday, over 127 million registered voters are poised to exercise their fundamental right to vote. This crucial democratic exercise will empower citizens to choose their representatives for both national and provincial assemblies, shaping the future direction of the country. However, how to prevent your vote from being rejected? In the aftermath of the 2018 elections in Pakistan, numerous votes were left uncounted for various reasons. Media reports indicate that approximately 1.67 million votes were excluded from the final tally. The Elections Act of 2017 stipulates conditions under which votes may be rejected,…
Voting commenced at 8:00 (GMT+4) for the presidential election in Azerbaijan, with seven candidates vying for the position, among them the incumbent President Ilham Aliyev. The Central Election Commission (CEC) Secretariat’s Information Center is tasked with providing updates on the voting progress and results. Of the seven candidates, five represent political parties while two are running independently. Candidate registrations closed on January 9 for this significant electoral event in the Central Asian nation. Notably, President Ilham Aliyev, representing the New Azerbaijan Party, is seeking reelection. The other candidates include independent contenders Zahid Oruj and Fuad Aliyev, Fazil Mustafa from the…
ISLAMABAD: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan wife Bushra Bibi has filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) challenging the notification declaring Banigala as a sub-jail in the Toshakhana case verdict. In her plea, Bushra Bibi requests to be transferred to Adiala Jail as originally ordered in the Toshakhana case. She also urges the court to revoke the January 31 notification issued by the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration declaring Banigala as a sub-jail. In related news, Bushra Bibi was arrested by women police from Adiala Jail in connection with the Toshakhana reference case. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB)…
LAHORE: Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi has been elected unopposed as the new chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for a term of three-year. The decision was made during the PCB Governing Board meeting held at the National Cricket Academy. The eagerly anticipated announcement followed a significant gathering at the esteemed National Cricket Academy, where representatives from various regions and organizations convened to participate in the electoral process. Notably, the Governing Board, comprising influential representatives from diverse regions and organizations, emphasized the inclusivity of the election proceedings. The responsibility of overseeing the election process was assigned to Election Commissioner…
PESHAWAR: Two terrorists were neutralized in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) conducted in North Waziristan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as reported by the military’s media affairs wing on Tuesday. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement said that security forces launched the operation following intelligence reports of terrorist presence in the area. “During the operation, a fierce exchange of fire occurred between security forces and terrorists, resulting in the elimination of two terrorists, including terrorist leader Ayubullah Mansoor,” the ISPR stated. The operation also led to the recovery of weapons, ammunition, and explosives from the militants, who were involved in…
RAWALPINDI: Soldiers from the Pakistan Army have commenced their deployment in major cities across the country in anticipation of the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 8. This strategic positioning is aimed at ensuring the peaceful and secure conduct of the electoral process. As per the Punjab Home Department, troops have already been stationed in key cities such as Lahore, Kasur, and Sheikhupura. Additional reinforcements are expected to arrive in districts like Mandi Bahauddin, Chakwal, Jhelum, and Sargodha by tomorrow. The Punjab Home Department has underscored that maintaining law and order during the elections is of paramount importance. They have…
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) filed a review petition in the Supreme Court on Tuesday, seeking the return of the party’s election symbol, the ‘bat’. The petition requested the the apex court to reconsider its decision made on January 13, which upheld the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) ruling from December 22, stripping the PTI of its symbol. Highlighting that the Supreme Court’s decision did not adequately consider the intricacies of the party’s intra-party elections, PTI argues that revoking its election symbol violates the fundamental rights of voters. The party asserts that citizens have the constitutional right to form political parties…
ISLAMABAD: Today is the final day of campaigning for the upcoming general elections on February 8, in accordance with constitutional provisions. Candidates are making last-minute efforts to garner voter support until the stroke of midnight. Simultaneously, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has successfully distributed 260 million ballot papers to the district returning officers (DROs) for the impending polls. The ECP spokesperson has warned of legal consequences for any breaches of election regulations after the deadline passes. Emphasizing the necessity of a valid national identity card for voting, the spokesperson clarified that individuals with expired cards can still cast their…
The US administration has raised apprehensions regarding violence and limitations on freedom in Pakistan ahead of the upcoming general elections. Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, US State Department Principal Deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel expressed concerns about incidents of violence and restrictions on media freedom, freedom of expression, including internet freedom, as well as peaceful assembly and association. Pakistan is gearing up for general elections on February 8, with journalists and experts expressing worries about political affairs and violence in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Over 128 million people are expected to cast their votes on Thursday, marking the fourth…
