Pakistan General Elections 2024

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MQM-P to vote for coalition’s candidate for NA speaker, deputy and PM​

Speaking to the media outside Parliament House, PML-N’s Ayaz Sadiq said that his party, PPP, Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) met with Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan’s (MQM-P) Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui.

“We asked them for their vote for [the election of] NA speaker and deputy, speaker, the prime minister and the president,” he said. Sadiq said that the MQM-P had assured the delegation of casting its vote in their favour for the NA speaker and deputy speaker, and the prime minister.

“We will come to them again for the vote for [the election of] the president and the Senate chairman,” he said. Sadiq further said that the PML-N would work on the MQM-P’s demand for a constitutional amendment regarding the distribution of the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award.

Meanwhile, MQM-P’s Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said that the party had affirmed its support in exchange for the NFC Award to be fairly distributed in “every district and to every local body”.

Siddiqui added that they made this request “keeping in view the people’s rights in the constitution” and they wanted a place for those rights in the constitution.

“Democracy is the only way forward in Pakistan,” Siddiqui added, emphasising that the people should participate for democracy to take root in the country.

 

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Nomination papers for slots of NA speaker, deputy accepted​

The nomination papers for the slots of National Assembly speaker and deputy speaker have been accepted, the NA Secretariat says.

PML-N’s Ayaz Sadiq and PTI’s Amir Dogar will compete for positions in the election which will be held tomorrow.

Meanwhile, PPP’s Ghulam Mustafa Shah and PTI-backed Junaib Akbar will be competing for the slot of deputy speaker.

 

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Election of prime minister to be held on Sunday: NA Secretariat​

The election for the coveted slot of prime minister will be held on Sunday (March 3), according to the National Assembly Secretariat.

As per the schedule issued by the NA, candidates can submit their nomination papers till Saturday, 2pm. The scrutiny of the papers will be completed the same day.

It added that the procedure for the election of the premier had been provided to the MNAs.

It must be noted that the PML-N has nominated Shehbaz Sharif for the slot of the prime minister while Omer Ayub Khan is the PTI’s pick.

 

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PTI-backed lawmakers don Imran Khan masks in NA​

PTI-backed lawmakers donned Imran Khan masks as they attended the maiden session of the 16th National Assembly.

 

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PTI-backed Suraiya Bibi elected KP deputy speaker​

Suraiya Bibi of the Sunni Ittehad Council, an MPA from Chitral backed by the PTI, has been elected as the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly deputy speaker.

She has become the KP assembly’s second woman deputy speaker.

The PTI’s Dr Mehar Taj Roghani was the first ever woman to take up the post in 2015.

She secured a total of 87 votes while Arbab Wasim Hayat, the opposition’s nominee, got 19 votes.

 

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Balochistan Assembly Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai takes oath​

Newly elected Balochistan Assembly Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai has been sworn in. PML-N’s Achakzai was elected unopposed earlier today.

 

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Khawaja Asif waves wristwatch in response to commotion by PTI-backed MNAs​

The maiden session of the 16th National Assembly witnessed commotion as PTI-backed lawmakers chanted slogans and PML-N’s Khawaja Asif waved a wristwatch in response.
PTI’s Barrister Gohar said on the NA floor that “no crosstalk was allowed during the point of order” he had raised. After that, Asif was given the chance to speak but slogans against him erupted.
He then took off his wristwatch and waved it towards the opposition — an apparent reference to the Toshakhana case against ex-premier Imran Khan.

 

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Speaker Raja Ashraf adjourns NA proceedings till 10am tomorrow​

Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf has adjourned the National Assembly session till 10am tomorrow (Friday) following a ruckus in the lower house of the Parliament.

Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf chairs NA session.

 

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No one can ‘sneak’ into NA, says Gohar Ali Khan​

PTI-backed MNA Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has stated that despite the obstacles the party faced in the run-up to the polls, the party had “succeeded” in the Feb 8 polls.

Speaking in the National Assembly, he asserted, “They took our symbol, stopped us, convicted our leader three times in five days […] but the people know that Imran Khan is the popular leader”.

He also referred to a Supreme Court judgement, saying that no one could “sneak” into the House. He further said that this House was “incomplete” as 23 PTI-backed members elected on reserved seats had yet to take their oath.

 

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https://twitter.com/x/status/1763201012695801905

 

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https://twitter.com/x/status/1763090549697872038

 

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‘You have put democracy’s future at stake’: PTI’s Sher Marwat on alleged poll rigging​

PTI’s Sher Afzal Marwat has said that alleged rigging in the Feb 8 polls has “put the future of democracy at stake”.

Speaking outside the Parliament House, he said, “Have you ever heard that Hamza, Nawaz Sharif ever brought forward their Forms-45?”

He said there was an “important lesson for the public” in the Feb 8 general elections.

“Today, you twisted the ROs (returning officers’) hands and made them win. When there would be elections again after five years, who would go into the public? Everyone would run after the ROs to twist their hands.”

“You have put the future of democracy at stake,” Marwat added.

Sher Afzal Marwat speaks to media in Islamabad

 

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JUI-F to boycott elections of premier, NA speaker and deputy​

Speaking to the media, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that the party would not “use its vote” for the prime minister’s election.

“Will you sit in the opposition?” the reporter asked, to which Fazl replied in the affirmative. He also said that the JUI-F would not participate in the election for the National Assembly speaker or deputy speaker.

“JUI-F will not take part in a parliament the results of which is not in the benefit of the people,” he said.

 

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Ali Muhammad Khan, Sher Afzal Marwat attend NA session donning ‘Imran mask’​

Feb 29, 2024
In a display of solidarity, key figures from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) including Ali Muhammad Khan and Sher Afzal Marwat made a notable entrance into the National Assembly today donning the mask of their party's founder and former prime minister, Imran Khan.

The inaugural session of NA was chaired by Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf. During the session, newly elected members of the assembly took oath.

The House echoed with slogans in favour of Imran Khan, with lawmakers, including Ali and Marwat, wearing Imran’s face mask and carrying his posters.

 

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MQM-P did not ask for any cabinet positions, says Siddiqui​

Party's focus not on governorship or ministries, but on delivering benefits of democracy, says party leader

Our Correspondent
February 29, 2024

MQM-P Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD: Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui clarified on Thursday that decisions regarding cabinet positions had been finalised, but the party had not sought any specific roles.

Addressing the media ahead of the National Assembly session, Siddiqui emphasised that the MQM-P's focus was not on governorship or ministries, but on delivering the benefits of democracy to the people.

The return of the MQM signifies a genuine mandate, and despite expecting more seats, the party is prepared to voice its concerns about electoral irregularities on appropriate platforms, he added.

Furthermore, Siddiqui underscored the persistent nature of the issues, stating that the circumstances today mirror those of 75 years ago. He highlighted the significance of a democracy that truly benefitted the public, highlighting the imperative to grant rights to Pakistan's 230 million citizens.