Islamabad: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued the schedule for by-polls on four vacant and one reserved seat of the National Assembly.

As per the schedule, the process of filing nomination papers for by-polls began today which will continue till Saturday while the list of candidates will be published on Sunday.

The ECP will scrutinize nomination papers by 17th of this month.

Candidates will be able to file appeals against approval and rejection of nomination papers by by 20th of this month.

Polling for the by-polls will be held on 25th of next month.

The vacant constituencies include NA-22 Mardan, NA-24 Charsadda, NA-31 Peshawar and NA-45 Kurram.

New York: The United Nations said its team in Pakistan is stepping up efforts to assist millions of people impacted by the recent devastating floods in the country.

This was stated by Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Stephane Dujarric while responding to a question at the regular briefing in New York.

He said the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Julien Harneis, who is leading the efforts, visited the flooded areas last week and met with officials and affected people.

The spokesperson said in addition to the UN’s rapid needs assessment, the World Food Programme is providing cash to affected communities, along with mother and child nutrition, medicines, mosquito nets and blankets.

Lahore: On special instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, the process of rehabilitation of flood victims and provision of relief materials is underway in flood-affected areas of the province.

In a statement today, the PDMA spokesperson said 29 flood relief camps were established in Mianwali and DG Khan Divisions.

He said treatment facilities including meals and clean water to all persons in the relief camps are continuing and so far 31933 people have been provided medical facilities.

He said six relief camps have been set up for animals.