[🇵🇰] Pakistan General Elections -- 2024

[ghazi]

Allied parties clinch speaker, deputy slots in National Assembly​

Nadir Guramani | Dawn.com
March 1, 2024

Newly elected National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq administers oath to Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa. — DawnNewsTV

A day after more than 300 members took oath as lawmakers in the National Assembly, MNAs on Friday elected PML-N’s Ayaz Sadiq as the speaker of the lower house of the Parliament and PPP’s Ghulam Mustafa Shah as his deputy.

Sadiq, the Sharifs’ loyalist, and Mustafa defeated PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council nominees Amir Dogar and Junaid Akbar for the coveted slots.

They were the joint candidates of the allied parties — comprising PML-N, PPP, PML-Q, MQM-Pakistan, Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party, PML-Zia, National Party, and Balochistan Awami Party — for the office of speaker and deputy speaker.

Out of the total of 291 votes cast in the house, Sadiq secured 199 against 91 bagged by Amir Dogar. Mustafa got 197 votes while Junaid of the SIC received only 92.

As the outgoing speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf announced the results, the house was abuzz with slogans from both the opposition and treasury benches.

 

[ghazi]

Bilawal hopes MQM-P secures ‘undecided’ posts in coalition govt​

Updated Mar 01,
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has conveyed optimism about the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) securing key positions in the coalition government, where agreements between PPP and PML-N could not be reached.

Speaking to reporters outside the Parliament House in Islamabad on Friday, Bilawal addressed questions regarding the ongoing discussions about the power-sharing formula for the coalition government at the Centre. He acknowledged that certain positions remained undecided between PPP and PML-N, and expressed his hope that MQM-P would be considered for these roles.

"We have not reached a decision on certain positions with PML-N, and for those positions, I hope that MQM-P will get a chance," stated Bilawal.

Responding to queries about objections raised against Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, Bilawal emphasised that the PPP has no specific issues related to any individual. This stance aligns with the party's commitment to focusing on policy matters and broader political cooperation rather than personal disputes.

 

[ghazi]

Sarfraz Bugti elected Balochistan CM unopposed​

Mar 01,
Sarfraz Bugti, a member of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and a Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA), has been elected unopposed as Balochistan Chief Minister.

The nomination was made by the PPP, marking a significant development in the political landscape of the province.

Taking to X, he thanked PPP co-chairman and chairman, Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari for the nomination. “May Allah guide me and help me to do justice with this heavy responsibility,” he added.

 

[ghazi]

Nawaz woos Fazl to join coalition​

Updated Mar 01,
In a significant move preceding Sunday's premiership elections in the National Assembly, Nawaz Sharif, the supreme leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), paid a visit to the residence of Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F).

The meeting underscored a dialogue between the two former coalition partners as they navigate the political landscape.

Welcoming Nawaz Sharif along with other prominent members of the PML-N, including Ishaq Dar, Ahsan Iqbal, and Rana Sanaullah, Maulana Fazlur Rehman extended a warm reception. Representing the JUI-F were Ghulam Ali, Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, and Noor Alam Khan.

 

[ghazi]

ECP releases schedule: Presidential election set for March 9​

Mar 01,
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has officially announced the schedule for the upcoming presidential election, marking a crucial moment in the nation's democratic process. According to the released timetable, the polling for the election of the president is scheduled to take place on March 9.

As per the outlined plan, interested candidates must submit their nomination papers by March 2, initiating the formal process leading up to the election. These papers will undergo a meticulous scrutiny process until March 4. Candidates have the option to withdraw their nomination papers by March 5.

On the same day, March 5, at 1:00 pm, the ECP will reveal the final list of approved candidates who will be contesting for the highest office in the country.

Notably, March 6 marks the retirement of the current senators, paving the way for new leadership in the upper house.

The climax of this electoral process will be reached on March 9, with the actual polling for the election of the president. The Parliament House in Islamabad and the four provincial assemblies will serve as the key battlegrounds for this democratic exercise.