Category: Politics

Presidential elections will be held tomorrow to elect the 14th President of Pakistan for next five years.

Asif Ali Zardari, the joint candidate of PPP and the PML-N, and Sunni Ittehad Council’s candidate Mahmood Khan Achakzai are vying for the office of President.

The President is elected by an electoral college comprising members of the Senate, National Assembly and the four provincial assemblies.

Voting is held through a secret ballot.

A joint session of the parliament will be held at the parliament house in Islamabad tomorrow in which the members of National Assembly and the Senate will exercise their right to vote.

Similarly, the provincial assemblies will hold their sessions tomorrow for the election.

Polling will begin at 10:00 am and continue till 4:00 pm.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Pakistan Navy’s key maritime exercise Seaspark-24 has been concluded in Karachi with the demonstration of practical actions of all naval combat assets.

Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf was the chief guest on this occasion.

During the exercise, combat assets including ships, aircraft, submarines, air defense radars were used in the context of war.

Meanwhile, the successful demonstration of live missile firing and practice to target the enemy fleet through joint operations at sea were also presented.

The Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Operations) made recommendations regarding the prevailing strategy in the context of exercise activities.

The personnel of Pakistan Navy as well as Pakistan Maritime Security Agency, Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force participated in joint operations of the exercise.

The Naval Chief expressed satisfaction over the operational preparedness and the successful conduct of the exercise.

The closing ceremony of Seaspark-24 was also attended by senior officials of the relevant m
inistries and the Pakistan Armed Forces.

Source: Radio Pakistan

President Dr. Arif Alvi has granted remission in sentences to women and children on humanitarian grounds.

He approved the remission under Article 45 of the Constitution.

The remission is for those women and children who are sentenced to 2 years or less.

The remission by President is not applicable to those convicted for crimes like murder, espionage, kidnapping, theft, robbery and crimes under the Hudood Ordinance, Anti-Terrorism Act, Foreign Nationals and Narcotics Control law.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has said that Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz will vote for Asif Ali Zardari in the Presidential elections tomorrow.

She was addressing the joint Parliamentary Party meeting of PML(N) and Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians in Lahore today, along with Chairman of Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

Maryam Nawaz said that Asif Ali Zardari is the joint candidate of both PML(N) and PPPP and expressed hope that after tomorrow’ elections, the President House will act as per constitution.

She said that serious minded political parties are united for the nation’s interests. She said that all of us will have to be united as a nation, to solve the issues being faced by the country.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch says as the world observes International Women’s Day on Friday, we would like to remember the strong women of Kashmir who have faced the brunt of Indian atrocities in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

At her weekly media briefing in Islamabad, she said the women in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir have endured widespread devastation and confronted obstacles that impede their access to essential needs and their capacity to lead a dignified life.

She said the Kashmiri women widowed and orphaned because of fake encounters by Indian forces do not even get time to mourn for their dead husbands and fathers and are forced to become the sole breadwinners for their families.

The Spokesperson said women heading households face additional difficulties in the society and face hurdles in finding respectable jobs.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said women activists including Hurriyat leaders Aasiya Andrabi, Naheeda Nasreen and Fehmeeda Sofi remain incarcerated
in different jails of Indian illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and India.

She said the Kashmiri women deserve to live their lives as they choose and enjoy their rights and freedom including the right of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.

The Spokesperson said Pakistan will continue to extend political, diplomatic and moral support to our Kashmiri brothers and sisters for the just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will pay a day-long visit to Muzaffarabad on Friday.

During the visit, he will meet Azad Kashmir Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq and interact with the rain and snowfall affected people of the area.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will also distribute relief cheques among the affectees.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Pakistan has voiced opposition to the G-4 model for UN Security Council Reform, as presented by India on behalf of the Group of Four during the IGN meeting.

Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations Ambassador Munir Akram expressed these views during the Fourth IGN on Security Council Reform (Model Presented by Group of Four – G-4) in New York.

Ambassador Akram criticized the G-4 model, labeling it as undemocratic, unaccountable, and inequitable, asserting that it does not serve its intended purpose.

During his remarks at the fourth IGN meeting on the UNSC Reform, Ambassador Akram questioned the rationale and intentions of the G-4 countries in proposing this reform model. He raised concerns about the involvement of aspiring new permanent members in addressing conflicts such as those in Ukraine and Gaza.

He said as a member of the Uniting for Consensus (UfC) Group, it is evident that our position has consistently opposed the issue of the creation of new permanent members, and this notwith
standing would be different from the distinguished representative of the United States.

He said the G-4 model would direct us in the opposite direction. It would expand 6 new permanent seats, but only 5 new non-permanent seats. It would reduce the proportionality between permanent membership and non-permanent membership by half and reduce the chances of representation for the rest of the 182 countries who will not be permanent members on the Security Council.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Army Chief General Asim Munir has said success of Balochistan is the success of Pakistan.

During his visit to Awaran district of Balochistan, the Army Chief said people of Pakistan are proud of the brave people of Balochistan who have stood tall against all odds.

He said Armed Forces of Pakistan and Law Enforcement Agencies will continue to render their services in support of the people of Balochistan for peace and prosperity.

The Army Chief interacted with the local elders, farmers and families of Shuhada and assured them of the Army’s unstinting support for their security and welfare, while paying rich tribute to the sacrifices rendered by the Shuhada.

While interacting with the notables and farmers of Awaran, COAS emphasized the importance of agriculture and Army’s commitment to the Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI).

He said that farmers will be provided with all kinds of agricultural facilities, including the provision of easy agricultural loans, seeds, fertilizers, solar tube wells and guidance by ag
riculture experts, so that they can cultivate their lands and become partners in the progress and development of Pakistan.

Later on, COAS inaugurated Cadet College Awaran and interacted with faculty members and students. The Army Chief appreciated the establishment of yet another Cadet College in Balochistan for the people of the area.

He reiterated his commitment that Pakistan Army will continue development and relief activities in Balochistan in collaboration with the concerned civil departments.

Earlier on arrival, COAS was received by Corps Commander Balochistan Corps.

Source: Radio Pakistan