Author: admin

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday to discuss the country’s political, security and economic situation, including the upcoming PTI’s protest march on August 5, Senate elections for 11 seats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and the possibility of a change in PTI-led regime in the province.

The prime minister was accompanied by senior cabinet members, including Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah.

A source privy to the meeting told Dawn that the president and the prime minister agreed that no one will be allowed to harm peace in the country in the name of ‘political rally and sit-in’.

It was decided that PTI protesters will not be allowed to enter the federal capital and will be stopped by any means necessary.

A suggestion also came during the meeting that a specified place away from the central parts of the capital could be allocated for the protest of the main opposition—PTI, which is coming out for its main demand of the release of its jailed founder Imran Khan.

The source said that Presi­dent Zardari, widely regarded for his political acumen despite PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s formal leadership, is known for securing support from non-allied parties during critical political moments.

According to the source, the president assured the prime minister of his cooperation in making efforts to win the maximum number of Senate seats from KP.

Earlier this month, the Election Commission of Pakistan had finally announced the schedule for the long-overdue Senate elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, setting July 21 as the polling date.

The much-delayed but suspenseful exercise will see elections on 11 seats — seven general and two each reserved for women, ulema and technocrats.

Experts believe the outcome will hinge on how PTI-backed and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F (JUI-F) members vote. If the opposition remains united and PTI-backed members strictly follow party discipline — with JUI-F support — the ruling coalition may win only one general seat.

However, the scenario would shift dramatically if some PTI members defect and JUI-F strikes a deal with the ruling coalition. In that case, the coalition might bag around five seats, potentially gaining a two-thirds majority in the upper house of Parliament. JUI-F already holds five seats in the Senate.

Currently, the ruling coalition has 54 members in the 96-member Senate — 10 short of the two-thirds majority (64 seats).

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2025

ISLAMABAD: In a surprising twist ahead of the forthcoming Senate elections, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday sparked outrage among its most loyal supporters by overlooking veteran party workers in favour of controversial wildcard candidates.

Despite steadfastly backing their party founder through thick and thin, the party’s die-hard loyalists have found themselves sidelined once again.

Instead, Mishal Yusufzai, who was previously removed from her role as adviser on social welfare to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, has been chosen to contest the Senate seat vacated by Dr Sania Nishtar.

With 13 seats from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at stake this July, all eyes are on PTI’s ticket distribution. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has scheduled voting for 12 seats on 21 July, with the final seat’s vote due on 31 July.

Sources claimed the final decision came directly from the PTI founder during a high-level meeting with the KP Chief Minister’s adviser on information, Barrister Saif. The KP budget was reportedly also a key topic of discussion.

They said in addition to Yusufzai, the approved Senate candidates include PTI leaders Murad Saeed, Faisal Javed, Mirza Afridi, and Pir Noorul Haq Qadri. Azam Swati has been nominated for the technocrat seat, while Robina Naz will contest on the women’s reserved seat, said sources.

The allocation of Senate tickets has ignited a firestorm within PTI ranks. Loyal cadres, who have campaigned tirelessly for years, are fuming at what they see as blatant favouritism. “It’s disheartening to see those who bled for the party pushed aside in favour of political manoeuvring,” said one insider.

Whispers also suggest that some familiar names like Faisal Javed and Mirza Afridi only emerged once the pressure eased – raising serious questions about PTI’s so-called meritocracy.

According to a PTI loyalist, “These repeat picks show PTI is no different from the old guard, where loyalty is sidelined and politics plays favourites.”

Political analysts suggest that these decisions may signal deeper factional divides within PTI, raising questions about the party’s unity as it heads into a crucial electoral test.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

ISLAMABAD:

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday disqualified Member of the National Assembly Jamshed Dasti on grounds of possessing a fake academic credentials.

The commission accepted a reference sent by the Speaker of the National Assembly along with two petitions seeking Dasti’s disqualification.

A three-member Election Commission bench, led by ECP Member (Sindh) Nisar Durrani, heard a petition filed by Ameer Akbar concerning the assets and liabilities of MNA Jamshed Dasti.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) member of the Election Commission questioned whether MNA Jamshed Dasti possessed any undisclosed property.

In response, the petitioner’s lawyer argued that Dasti had listed an FA (Intermediate) qualification on his nomination papers, despite not having completed his matriculation.

The petitioner’s lawyer added that Jamshed Dasti had only submitted his matriculation certificate from the Karachi Board in response. Upon hearing this, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) member of the Election Commission remarked that the ECP held the authority to disqualify him.

The decision followed the approval of two petitions against him, one of which was a reference filed by the National Assembly Speaker seeking his disqualification.

The Election Commission has also directed authorities to initiate legal proceedings against Jamshed Dasti.

In May, the Election Commission decided to have Jamshed Dasti’s academic credentials authenticated by the Karachi Education Board.

Jamshed Dasti, elected from NA-175 Muzaffargarh in the previous general elections, faced legal proceedings under Articles 62 and 63, as well as Sections 4, 9, and 137 of the Elections Act, 2017. Petitions seeking his disqualification were filed by Ameer Akbar, Zulfiqar Dogar, and Sardar Faizul Hassan.

Meanwhile, the ECP rejected opposition leader Omar Ayub’s request to drop the assets-related case, and adjourned the hearing until July 29.

A five-member bench, led by the Chief Election Commissioner, convened to hear the case concerning Omar Ayub’s assets.

Representing the PTI leader and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, his lawyer contended that asset and liability details are mandated to be submitted by December 31.

According to the rules, the Election Commission is authorized to initiate a complaint against a Member of the Assembly within 120 days of receiving inaccurate asset declarations. However, in this instance, the Commission issued the notice after April 29 this year.

Omar Ayub’s counsel contended that the Election Commission’s notice violated procedural rules and urged its withdrawal. However, the Commission dismissed the request.

Election Commission member Shah Mohammad clarified to Omar Ayub’s legal counsel that the initial notice was issued within the prescribed timeframe and affirmed that the Election Commission had ensured the provision of a fair trial.