Category: Politics

The Election Commission has suspended the training sessions for District Returning Officers (DROs) and Returning Officers (ROs), citing a directive from the Lahore High Court as the basis for its decision. According to the commission’s spokesperson, immediate correspondences have been issued to the Election Commissioners of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan in line with the court’s order.

Manzoor Wassan’s press conference shed light on his perspectives on key political figures and issues, outlining his predictions for Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s personal and political future while also criticizing federal policies impacting Sindh’s agriculture and economy.

Discussing the accusations related to Panama, Sharif asserted that when nothing incriminating was found, attempts were made to disqualify him from the premiership. He pointed out the irony of being denied permission to present the Panama case, emphasizing the need for accountability to ensure justice and fairness.

The Toshakhana case revolves around irregularities in the receipt of gifts, with the court noting apparent discrepancies in the acquisition of luxury items at Toshakhana (state gift depository). Judge Muhammad Bashir, in his ruling, emphasized the systematic irregularities in the receipt of gifts at Toshakhana, prompting the arrest of the PTI founder.

Later, the court deferred the decision on declaring the trials in military courts void to October 23. Justice Masroor Halali expressed dissent, leading to a division within the six-member bench

Bilawal remarked, “If, God forbid, he becomes Prime Minister again, we will once again confront personal interests and old politics, leading to conflicts with those who bring him into power, followed by the familiar narrative of ‘why was I ousted.'”

During the proceedings, NAB prosecutor mentioned that JIT head Wajid Zia had analyzed the evidence and concluded that Nawaz Sharif was the actual owner. Chief Justice Aamer Farooq remarked that Wajid Zia himself stated that he had no proof of ownership, and the case relied on assumptions, asserting that punishment cannot be based on assumptions alone.

Prime Minister Kaka underscored that he has no evidence to suggest pressure on members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and refuted any allegations against them. He cautioned against undermining democracy within political parties, stating that discussions about a “minus-one” formula only arise when democracy is lacking within the parties themselves. Once parties embrace true democratic practices, the concept of “minus-one” becomes obsolete.

The case, titled “Imam Qaiserani v. Mir Badshah Qaiserani,” was taken up during the hearing on disqualification due to electoral discrepancies. Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa directed a committee of judges to determine the duration of disqualification, and the proceedings are set to unfold in early 2024.