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Pakistan

A tale of two by-elections

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"Sialkot district administration has joined hands with PML-N and pre-poll rigging is underway," blared a private news channel known for being pro-government.

Imran Yaqub Khan Profile Imran Yaqub Khan

When I saw this breaking news on the TV, I was startled. Then, when Firdous Aashiq Awan came on to the channel to confirm the news, I was astonished.

 

In my long journalistic career, I have not seen a representative of the government admit on television that district administration is not in their control. Who were Firdous Aashiq Awan's allegations directed at? The Chief Minister? The Chief Secretary and Secretary Interior her own government had appointed? The entire political and administrative leadership of the province? The news item made things clear even before polling had taken place. I became aware that law and order will be disrupted on the day of by-elections but even I could not have predicted that two lives would be lost to violence. I wonder who is responsible for destroying two families in the merciless game of thrones.

On polling day itself, videos surfaced on social media, showing motorcycle riders firing into the air indiscriminately in different areas of Wazirabad and Daska. Opposition was quick to allege that the miscreants were members of the ruling PTI. A few SHOs were named as being in cahoots with the miscreants. One video showed a few men firing into the air in the company of a PTI MPA, challenging their opponents.

There was more to come. When polling ended, Maryam Nawaz posted various videos on twitter, depicting alleged rigging. The bombshell clips showed opened bags full of votes. Is this the sanctity of the ballot? When PTI was in opposition, it cried afoul when ballots were torn, snatched or disappeared. What change has come about now that today they are in power?

Perhaps only this much change has materialized that they could allege 35 punctures without proof but today, there are videos of votes being stolen.

The icing on the cake arrived next morning when ECP released a letter about the situation in NA 75. Its contents are well known by now, a tale so incredulous that it is almost unbelievable. When I read the statement, I was forced to ask myself what remains to make us a complete banana republic.

If either the opposition or the government becomes this emotional about a single seat, then it is understood that they are fear something bigger. The opposition cannot do much with a seat or two but for the government, this panic denotes a deeper problem.

Whatever government ministers and representatives say on television, the situation on ground no longer suits them. Defeats in by-polls one after the other, the desperation for the federal senate seat and losing Nowshera after almost eight years of rule are no trifling inconveniences.

Nowshera was expected to be a tight race but perhaps even PML-N did not expect a win. It was confident of victory in both Daska and Wazirabad. In Balochistan, last week's by-election result was not unexpected but it did encourage PDM unlike any rally could.

Perhaps it is time for the government to assess how popular it is among the voters. If they acknowledge their waning support then their panic is not without reason. PDM has indeed achieved one of its targets.

Recent developments are cause for plenty of concern for everyone. Violence in elections is not a new phenomenon but the intensity of this week's polls are reason to be afraid of what the future will bring.

If the ruling elite does not reject such extremes and refuses to listen to each other, then instability cannot be avoided.

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Entertainment

South Indian Awards: Aishwarya Rai wins Best Actress award

Aishwarya also won the Best Actress (Critics) Award for her performance in the film 'Puniyan Selvan 2'

Published by Noor Fatima

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Dubai: India's leading actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan won the Best Actress award after playing the magic of her lively acting in the South Indian film industry after Bollywood.

According to Indian media, the South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA) 2024 ceremony was held in Dubai on the night of September 15, in which Aishwarya Rai Bachchan along with her daughter Aaradhya Bachchan attended.

Aishwarya Rai and her daughter walked the red carpet of the award show and then took selfies with their fans gathered outside the venue.

At the South Indian International Movie Awards 2024, Aishwarya also won the Best Actress (Critics) Award for her performance in the film 'Puniyan Selvan 2'.

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by SIIMA (@siimawards)

The pictures of Aishwarya Rai receiving the video are going viral on social media, in which it can be seen that as soon as the actress reached the stage to receive her award, her daughter captured the beautiful moment of her mother's success on her mobile phone camera.

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by SIIMA (@siimawards)

It is pertinent to note that Aishwarya Rai Bachchan played two roles in the film 'Puniyaan Selvaan 2', directed by Mani Ratnam and based on the famous five-part novel series by Kalki Krishnamurthy.

The other cast of the film 'Punyan Selvan 2' included Trisha Krishnan, Vikram, Karthi and Jayaram among others.

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Pakistan

Tarar says any proposed legislation would be in collective interest of nation

Info Ministers says government would secure the necessary numbers in both Houses 

Published by Samiullah Farid

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Islamabad: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Sunday dispelled concerns about any “person-specific” legislation, saying the government is committed to deliver speedy justice for the people of Pakistan.

While talking to media in Islamabad, Tarar stated, "Reforms are overdue to ensure that the people of Pakistan have access to swift justice," 

In response to a query, he maintained that the government would secure the necessary numbers in both Houses for the new legislation. "It is incorrect to believe that there is any person-specific legislation. Our focus is solely on the greater good of the masses," he reiterated.

Tarar stated that all political parties are united in their goal to provide speedy justice at the doorstep of the people. He also mentioned that a special committee, consisting of allied parties, is currently in session.

"Cabinet would convene shortly to discuss the matter," he maintained while giving the importance to these reforms.

Speaking to journalists, the minister assured that any proposed legislation would be in the collective interest of the nation.

He surther said that the judiciary has faced delays in resolving cases for many decades, making it imperative to implement measures for quicker justice.

Tarar highlighted that all coalition parties are represented on the special committee formed to address this issue. He also mentioned that Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar had discussed the Charter of Democracy as a framework for judicial reforms.

“Any amendment on matters of national concern should benefit the entire Pakistani nation,” he stated. He pointed out that legal gaps have often led to issues such as unissued cause lists, unserved notices, and delayed orders.

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Sports

High mountain permit fees increase for climbers

Permit fee for mountain climbing has been fixed at $2500 in autumn and $1500 in winter

Published by Noor Fatima

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Gilgit: Gilgit-Baltistan government has increased the permit fee of two highest peaks.

The notification stated that the fee per climber has been increased by up to $5,000, while the permit fee for other mountains above 8,000 meters has also been increased from $9,000 to $28,000.

The permit fee for mountain climbing has been fixed at $2500 in autumn and $1500 in winter, while the permit fee for Pakistani climbers has been increased from Rs30,000 to Rs100,000 and the trekking fee for foreigners has been increased from $100 to $300.

A climber will be able to undertake only one mountain adventure on one permit. Separate permits will be required to undertake more than one mountain adventure.

According to the notification, the number of group members should not exceed 20 and the insurance amount for high-altitude porters has been fixed at Rs2 million.

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