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Govt releases over Rs17bn to ECP for election arrangements

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  • “This brings the total released amount to Rs27.4 billion.”
  • Development comes after ECP voices concerns over funds.
  • Govt says it remains committed to hold free and fair polls.

ISLAMABAD: A day after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) raised concerns over the non-provision of funds, the Finance Division released Rs17.4 billion to the electoral body for poll arrangements.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Finance Division said it has released Rs17.4 billion to the ECP in addition to Rs10. billion released in July 2023.

“This brings the total released amount to Rs27.4 billion for holding general elections. Finance Division remains committed to the provision of funds as and when required by the Election Commission of Pakistan,” it added.

On Monday, Finance Secretary Imdad Ullah Bosal assured the electoral watchdog that funds for upcoming general elections will be released in a day or two.

Bosal was summoned by the commission after the Finance Ministry was irresponsive regarding the provision of funds, allocated for the polls, in the budget.

Addressing the ECP’s concerns, caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi had said there is no crisis in meeting the financial needs of the election commission.

In a post on social media platform X, he said the cabinet has approved Rs42 billion for the budgetary needs of the ECP and notably, Rs10 billion have already been disbursed.

The minister said whatever budgeted amount is needed by the ECP, it would be released as per its needs accordingly.

Solangi reaffirmed that the government stands firmly behind the ECP in holding free and fair elections.

General elections 2024

Pakistan is now approaching elections with polls scheduled to be held on February 8 2024. All political parties have geared up for a face-off in the run-up to the elections, while the ECP has notified the final list of delimitation of constituencies of the national and four provincial assemblies.

The electoral watchdog is also expected to announce the election schedule, later this month. It had earlier stated that the final list of delimitations would be published on December 15 but it was later revised to November 30.

In its notification, the ECP said that according to Article 51(3) of the Constitution, the National Assembly consists of 266 general seats, with 60 seats reserved for women and additionally 10 for non-Muslims.

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Prior to the Lahore demonstration, PTI seeks LHC against arrests.

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The petition requesting protection against the arrests of its workers and leaders prior to the event set for September 21 was submitted by Sheikh Imtiaz and Yasir Gillani.

The petition asserted that law enforcement is apprehending party members throughout Punjab, infringing upon their fundamental right to assemble for a rally.

The petitioners sought a court order to compel the authorities to cease arrests and for the march to occur peacefully.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is set to have a demonstration in Lahore on September 21.

Previously, multiple PTI MNAs, including party chairman Barrister Gohar, were apprehended by Islamabad police subsequent to the Sangjani demonstration in Islamabad.

Barrister Gohar and Sher Afzal Marwat were apprehended outside, while Zain Qureshi and Sheikh Waqas Akram were detained within the Parliament House.

Furthermore, law enforcement apprehended Owais Ahmed Chatha, Syed Shah Ahmed, Sahibzada Hamid Raza of the Sunni Ittehad Council, Yousaf Khan, Maulana Naseem Shah, and Ahmed Shah Khattak.

Sources indicated that Speaker of the National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq permitted the detention of PTI Members of the National Assembly outside the premises of the house. The situation occurred after police submitted a copy of the FIR filed against the PTI legislators for breaching SOPs during the public protest on September 8.

Furthermore, three complaints have been filed in Islamabad under the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Bill, alleging breaches of the event’s NOC. The FIR identifies 28 individuals, including PTI officials Barrister Gohar Ali, Sher Afzal Marwat, Shoaib Shaheen, Omar Gul, Zartaj Gul, Aamir Mughal, Seemabia Tahir, and Raja Basharat.

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When PPP Delegations Meet with the Prime Minister, PPP Leadership Reveals Complete Confidence in Government Policies

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The Pakistan People’s Party, according to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is a significant ally that has consistently supported the Government in every move it has taken to boost the national economy.

Within the presence of Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, he was having a conversation with a delegation of the Pakistan People’s Party, who had visited him in Islamabad.

During the course of the conference, questions were asked about the current political climate in the country.

A proposal called the “Charter of Parliament” was submitted in the Parliament by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. The Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for the initiative, stating that it will further improve democracy and the government.

The PPP Delegation expressed their appreciation for the economic policies that the government has implemented in order to boost the economy of the country.

As a result of the PPP Delegation’s unwavering faith in the policies and initiatives of the government, the Prime Minister found this to be encouraging.

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An eight-day physical remand of PTI leaders has been approved by the ATC Islamabad. PTI leaders have been arrested.

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An eight-day physical remand of PTI leaders who were detained on allegations of terrorism was authorized by the Advanced Trial Court in Islamabad.

Judge Abu Al Hasnat of the ATC made the announcement of the verdict.

Among the leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) who have been taken into custody are Sher Afzal Marwat, Amir Dogar, Zain Qureshi, Nasim Shah, Ahmed Chattha, Sheikh Waqas, and Shoaib Shaheen.

An additional judicial remand of Shoaib Shaheen was also approved by the court…

Barrister Gohar, the Chairman of the PTI, was ordered to be released from the Sangjani Police Station, where he was the subject of a complaint.

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