The blasts at the offices of Jamiat Ulema Islam-F in Qila Saifullah and an independent candidate’s office in Pashin were sharply denounced by Interior Minister Dr. Gauhar Ijaz on Wednesday. He prayed for martyrs and conveyed his profound grief and sorrow over the lives lost in the two explosions. The minister expressed his condolences, stating that those who caused disturbances during the elections with the intention of discrediting Pakistan will face harsh consequences. He declared that every effort will be made to keep the peace and uphold the rule of law throughout the electoral process. The minister expressed that his administration sympathised with the martyrs’ families’ sorrow.
Pakistan is firmly dedicated, according to the Foreign Office, to promoting an inclusive democratic process, preserving the rule of law, and defending the fundamental freedoms and human rights that are enshrined in the country’s constitution and laws. In response to the UN’s concerns regarding the general elections, the spokesman for the Foreign Office, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, stated on Wednesday that Pakistan had concluded its security arrangements in accordance with its electoral rules. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights voiced alarm about violent incidents the day before the general elections, which are scheduled for tomorrow, February 8. “We deplore all acts of violence against political parties and candidates, and urge authorities to uphold the fundamental freedoms necessary for an inclusive and meaningful democratic process,” Liz, spokesman, stated.
On Wednesday, Murtaza Solangi, the federal minister for information, broadcasting, and parliamentary affairs, stated that the caretaker government had adhered to its promise to hold general elections on the date set by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). Speaking at the opening of the Media Coordination and Facilitation Centre, which the Press Information Department has created here, he announced that tomorrow morning will see the beginning of voting, with half of the polling completed by lunchtime. He stated that people had uncertainties and worries about the elections, alluding to rumours. Murtaza Solangi insisted, “We stood by the promise of holding polls and elections are being held, putting aside all fears and rumours.” The minister declared that every effort had been made by the interim administration to guarantee free and fair elections.
Hamas has responded to a proposal delivered last week by mediators from Qatar and Egypt, who are supported by the US and Israel, with a ceasefire plan that will silence the guns in Gaza for four and a half months until the war ends. Three 45-day-long phases are envisioned in the Hamas counterproposal, according to a draft paper obtained by Reuters. Under the idea, Palestinian women and children would be released from Israeli prisons in exchange for Hamas releasing Israeli women, men under the age of 19, the elderly, and the sick. In the second phase, the remaining male hostages will be freed, and by the third phase, Hamas anticipates a deal on a cease-fire.
Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, the prime minister, declared on Tuesday that despite many obstacles, every effort had been taken to guarantee a smooth and tranquil electoral process on election day throughout the nation. He was speaking with a Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) group that had paid him a visit, according to a press release from PM Office Media Wing. The trip was led by former Nigerian President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. The gathering was a part of the COG’s outreach to different stakeholders in advance of the general elections scheduled for February 8, 2024. The prime minister greeted the COG group and expressed Pakistan’s pride in upholding its duty as a Commonwealth member by allowing impartial foreign observers to watch the national elections.
During his official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for the 2nd World Defence Show, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), met with Prince Khalid Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, the Minister of Defence of the KSA. They talked about security and strategic matters as well as ways to improve defence cooperation between the two friendly nations. The CJCSC inaugurated the Al-Fatah-II Missile stall at the World Defence Show on Tuesday and also visited the booths of several Pakistani organisations, according to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR). The Chairman also had discussions with Lieutenant General Fahad bin Abdullah AL-Muter, Chief of the Royal Saudi Land Forces, and General Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili, Chief of Staff, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
According to Interior Minister Gohar Ejaz, every preparation has been done to guarantee a transparent and peaceful general election on Thursday. Speaking at a press conference today in Islamabad alongside Minister of Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi, he underlined that everyone should use their right to vote on election day without feeling intimidated or afraid. According to him, the administration, police, and civil and military armed forces are working nonstop to create a favourable climate on election day. According to Gohar Ejaz, 90,700,77 polling places have been set up around the country. Out of these, 44,000 polling places have been classified as normal, 29,000 as sensitive, 29,000 as highly sensitive, and 26,000 as highly sensitive.
Pakistan vehemently denounced the terrorist attack on the Courthouse complex in Istanbul on Tuesday. “We hope for the speedy and full recovery of those hurt in this horrific attack and send our sincere condolences to the government and friendly people of Turkiye. The lost families are in our thoughts and prayers,” a representative for the Foreign Office stated in a statement. Turkish media said that two gunmen who were trying to storm an Istanbul judicial checkpoint were apprehended and killed. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya declared on X that “there has been an attempted terrorist attack at the security checkpoint in front of the C Gate of Caglayan Courthouse” following the incident that injured six individuals, including three police officers.
Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, the acting chief minister, was elected without opposition to serve as the 37th chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for a three-year term. At a special meeting of the Board of Governors (BoG) on Tuesday at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), Gaddafi Stadium, Shah Khawar, the Election Commissioner, conducted the election. “I am deeply honoured and humbled to have been unanimously elected as the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board,” BoG head and current PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi declared. “I am fully committed to upgrading the standard of the game in the country and bringing professionalism in the administration of cricket in Pakistan,” I said, grateful for the trust and confidence that have been placed in me.
The sixth tranche of relief supplies was organised by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in partnership with Al-Khidmat on Tuesday. This was done in compliance with the Government of Pakistan’s instruction to offer humanitarian aid to the Gaza population. At the send-off event at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, attendees included the Palestinian Ambassador to Pakistan, Ahmed Rabai, as well as representatives from the Al-Khidmat Foundation, the NDMA, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA). The flight carrying humanitarian aid is scheduled to land at Al-Arish, Egypt. The Pakistani Ambassador to Egypt will accept the portion of the cargo for further distribution to the Palestinian people. This sixth relief shipment contains seventy tonnes of medicines and food products in cans, as well as thirty tonnes of blankets and specially winterized family tents to meet Gaza’s needs.
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