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Third phase polling starts in AJK Bagh, Haveli

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Polling for third round of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) general elections has been started in four seats of Bagh and Haveli districts with over 460,000 registered voters empowered to cast their votes.

Polling started at 8am and would go on without any break till 5pm, Election Commission officials said.

In the third phase, LA-14, LA-15, LA-16 and LA-17 constituencies will be going to the polls where 82 candidates are in contest.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) are likely to give a close fight.

Polling in seats of Poonch and Sudhanoti districts has been deferred, the Chief Election Commissioner has announced.

The Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has changed the schedule for the third phase of the 2026 general elections, deferring the polling in Poonch and Sudhanoti districts due to the prevailing law and order situation.

Under the original plan, polling for 11 seats in four districts of Poonch Division was to be place on August 10. But the Election Commission announced that third phase of polling will now be held only in Bagh and Haveli districts and the polling in all constituencies of Poonch and Sudhanoti has been rescheduled.

The Election Commission said the updated schedule has been given in consideration of the security situation. It added a new polling date for the postponed constituencies will be set after analysing the prevailing conditions.

First and second phases of AJK general elections were held in Mirpur and Muzaffarabad divisions on July 27 and August 2 respectively.

According to unofficial and unconfirmed results, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is leading the elections. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah claimed the party had got a simple majority and was ready to form the next government in Azad Kashmir.

The second phase of election was held in 21 constituencies including nine seats in Muzaffarabad Division and 12 reserved seats for Kashmiri refugees residing in Pakistan. Unofficial results indicated the PML-N had obtained 15 seats and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had taken six.

Provisional and unofficial results showed the PML-N bagged nine constituencies in the first phase of the elections, with the PPP winning four seats.

The PPP was involved in rigging claims and violence in both phases. Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the elections were neither free nor fair and highlighted massive irregularities.

The PML-N dismissed the claims, with Rana Sanaullah asking the PPP to provide evidence to the Election Commission. “Rigging allegations should be backed by proof and not political claims,” he added.

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IHC direct Islamabad administration to issue domicile to Lakki Marwat citizen

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The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the Islamabad district administration to issue a residence certificate to Hamadulla, who lives in Lakkimarwat, within five days.

The order was issued while considering the citizen’s application for Islamabad Domicile Certificate.

The court also expressed strong displeasure over the district administration’s decision to send a lower division clerk (LDC) to represent the deputy commissioner’s office instead of a senior official.

During the proceedings, the clerk informed the court that a domicile certificate is issued one year after obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the applicant’s previous district. Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar questioned the official about his appointment and asked why the junior officer was being sent to represent the district administration.

Expressing indignation, the Chief Justice pointed out that the Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent and Assistant Commissioner were not present in the court. He questioned the rationale behind making citizens wait for a year after issuing NOC and directed the government to complete the household registration process within five days.

The court also warned that if the residence certificate is not issued within the stipulated time, the Deputy Commissioner will have to appear in person.

After issuing the directions, the IHC adjourned further proceedings until next week.

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PM Shehbaz to address COP31 summit in Turkiye, hold key meetings with world leaders

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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will address the high-level climate conference COP31 in Antalya, Turkey today as he begins a busy schedule of engagements with international leaders.

The Prime Minister will attend a high-level meeting titled “Clean Energy Transition 2035: Powering the Future” hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He is expected to deliver an important address outlining his vision for renewable energy and the transition towards clean energy.

During the COP31 summit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will also present Pakistan’s National Statement, highlighting the country’s position on climate justice and the challenges faced by nations severely affected by climate change. The announcement is expected to underline Pakistan’s concerns about the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable countries and to emphasize the importance of global cooperation and climate justice.

In addition to the planned address, the Prime Minister will hold important bilateral meetings with several world leaders throughout the day. Discussions are expected to focus on strengthening bilateral relations and addressing common environmental and climate-related challenges.

Later in the evening, Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif will attend a gala dinner hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to meet world leaders. His participation in the summit provides an opportunity for Pakistan to highlight its climate priorities and strengthen diplomatic engagement with the international community.

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Saudi delegation eyes Karachi port investments as Pakistan expands maritime trade

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A Saudi business delegation led by Prince Mansoor bin Mohammed Al Saud has expressed interest in investing in Karachi’s port infrastructure, logistics links and green initiatives, Pakistani authorities said Monday, as Islamabad seeks to expand maritime cooperation with its longtime Gulf ally.

The visit comes amid efforts by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to expand economic partnership from traditional trade, remittances and financial support to investment-based cooperation in infrastructure, energy and other areas. Pakistan is also seeking to modernize its ports, improve connections with land transport networks and expand transshipment operations to strengthen its position in regional trade.

Prince Mansoor, Chairman of the Saudi Arabian Chapter of the Saudi-Pakistan Joint Business Council, led a high-level corporate delegation to Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Port Qasim and South Asia Pakistan Terminals Limited, where officials were briefed on investment opportunities and ongoing modernization projects.

The briefings focused on the proposed 140-acre Maritime Business District in Karachi and the development of Manora Shipyard.

“Prince Mansour expressed keen interest in KPT’s Maritime Business District, Green port initiatives, terminal infrastructure expansion and connectivity initiatives, recognizing their scope for mutually beneficial Saudi investment and joint ventures,” the KPT said in a statement. The Saudi-Pakistan Joint Business Council serves as a platform for companies and investors from both countries to identify commercial opportunities, develop partnerships and form joint ventures. Prince Mansour has led several delegations to Pakistan as the two governments seek to translate their long-standing political and defense ties into greater private sector investment. In June, KPT signed a memorandum of understanding with its Saudi Arabian and Pakistani partners to explore the development of a maritime business zone on MT Khan Road in Karachi.

The proposed development involves the Saudi Arabian Business Council – Najd Gateway Holding Company, Arif Habib Dolmen REIT Management Limited and a consortium of Pakistani companies and is intended to accommodate commercial and maritime businesses.

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