ISLAMABAD: Pakistanis go to the polls Wednesday to elect a third straight civilian government, with more than 12,000 candidates vying for 272 seats in parliament and 577 seats in four provincial assemblies.
Under Pakistani law, separate seats are reserved for women and non-Muslim minorities, which comprise about 4 percent of the country’s more than 200 million residents.
The election comes amid controversy surrounding former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who recently returned to the country from England to face corruption charges even as he has sought to return his party, the Pakistan Muslim League, to power. Meanwhile, popular former cricket player Imran Khan hopes to become the next premier.
Here is a look at contested seats in the National Assembly and four provincial assemblies and the number of candidates running.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
The National Assembly in the capital Islamabad is comprised of 342 seats, of which 272 open seats are being contested. The remaining 70 seats are reserved for women and non-Muslims, with 60 for women and 10 for non-Muslims.
Punjab is the largest province and key to the formation of a new government with 141 assembly seats being sought by 1,623 candidates. For the 35 seats reserved for women from Punjab, 73 candidates are listed.
The party obtaining the majority of seats in Punjab will likely form the next government. The three major parties — Khan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf, the former ruling Pakistan Muslim League and Bilawal Zardari’s Pakistan People’s Party — are focusing on Punjab. Khan, Zardari and PML-N chief Shehbaz Sharif are campaigning for multiple seats. (Pakistani law allows candidates to run for multiple seats).
In southern Sindh province, there are 61 National Assembly seats being contested by 824 candidates and 48 candidates are vying for the 14 seats designated for women.
For northwestern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, where there are 39 National Assembly seats, there are 725 candidates in the field. There are eight reserved seats for women with 35 candidates listed.
In southwestern Baluchistan province, 16 seats are up for grabs with 287 candidates running for them, and three seats for women with 16 candidates.
The capital city Islamabad has three assembly seats and this year 73 candidates are in the running.
There are 12 assembly seats being contested in the tribal belt along the Afghan border and 289 candidates are competing for those seats.
PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLIES
— Punjab Assembly: It has 371 seats, of which 297 are being contested by 4,036 candidates. Vying for the 66 seats for women are 174 candidates and for the eight seats for non-Muslims, 32 candidates are lined up.
— Sindh Assembly: For the 168-seat body, 130 seats are being contested by 2,252 candidates. For the 29 seats for women, 91 candidates are listed and for nine reserved seats for non-Muslim minorities, 39 candidates are listed.
— Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly: In the 124-seat assembly, 99 seats are being contested by 1,154 candidates. The election of one seat has been postponed due to the death of a candidate in a suicide attack in the provincial capital Peshawar. For 22 women’s seats, 79 candidates are lined up and for three minority seats, 20 candidates are in the wings.
— Baluchistan Assembly: There are 939 candidates in the running for 51 general seats. The contest for one seat has been postponed due to the death of a candidate and 148 supporters in the district of Mastung in a suicide bombing. The attacker blew himself up as provincial candidate Siraj Raisani held a rally in the Drin Garh area of Mastung.
For the 11 seats reserved for women, 42 candidates are in line. For three reserved seats for non-Muslims there are 22 candidates.
A look at the seats up for grabs in Pakistan’s elections
A look at the seats up for grabs in Pakistan’s elections
Pakistan’s army chief vows full support for hockey team after silver medal win in Malaysia
- The national hockey team reached the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup final for the first time in 13 years
- The Pakistani players were also hosted and praised by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif this week
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s army chief General Asim Munir vowed on Friday to fully support the national hockey team while meeting with its players and applauding them for winning a silver medal in the recent Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia.
A day earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also hosted the Green Shirts in Islamabad in recognition of their outstanding performance at the tournament, where they reached the finals for the first time in 13 years.
Sharif praised the team’s performance and reiterated his administration’s commitment to promoting sports, particularly hockey, in the country.
The army chief also praised the squad during the interaction with its players in Rawalpindi.
“The hockey team has brought immense pride to the nation, and we are committed to providing them with comprehensive support to ensure their continued success,” he was quoted as saying in a statement released by the military’s media wing, ISPR.
He also extended his best wishes to the players for their future endeavors.
Cricket has generally overshadowed other sports in Pakistan, including hockey, in terms of popularity and media attention.
This is despite the fact that hockey is the country’s national sport and has a rich history of international success. Yet, it has not received the same level of sustained interest or investment as cricket, with the disparity impacting its development and visibility within the country.
England captain Buttler buoyed by return of ‘superstar’ Archer ahead of Pakistan series
- Injuries have blighted Jofra Archer and he has not played top-level cricket for the past year
- Buttler says he relies on Archer who has a trick up his sleeve in every cricket tournament
LONDON: England white-ball captain Jos Buttler is glad to see “proper superstar” Jofra Archer back in action following the fast bowler’s wicket-taking return to action for Sussex’s 2nd XI.
Injuries have blighted Archer’s international career and he has not played top-level cricket for the past year.
England, however, have recalled Archer for the defense of their T20 World Cup title in the United States and the West Indies next month, with the paceman also selected for the upcoming warm-up series against Pakistan.
Archer continued his build-up to the four-game series against Pakistan by turning out for Sussex’s second string on Friday.
He was parachuted into the match on day four, taking the new ball and returning figures of 1-11 in six sharp overs in Kent’s second innings at Beckenham.
The 29-year-old, previously playing domestic cricket in his native Barbados, hit home opener Ekansh Singh on the helmet and then had him caught in the slips.
Archer will join the England squad in Leeds ahead of the first Twenty20 international against Pakistan at Headingley on Wednesday.
Buttler, who returned early from the Indian Premier League to oversee England’s World Cup preparations, told Britain’s Press Association news agency: “It’s a huge encouragement for him to be back and see him ready to play.
“Everyone knows what he is capable of and the attitude he possesses. As a captain he is someone you can always turn to in a game because he always has a trick up his sleeve.
“It’s great to be able to call on him but it’s important to manage expectations. He has been out of it for a while now so we will need to look after him and realize that it might just take him a little while to be the Jofra of 2019.”
Dynamic batsman Buttler added: “He is a proper superstar but we do have to be smart with him. It’s a jump in intensity from what he’s doing now to international cricket and you can’t really replicate it.”
Leading fintech outlines vision for affordable remittances for Pakistani users at Dubai summit
- Unencumbered by traditional banking infrastructure, top JazzCash official sees fintechs offering greater financial inclusion
- Murtaza Ali says women already constitute 30 percent of JazzCash customers and 17 percent of its lending users
KARACHI: The top official of a leading Pakistani fintech told a summit in Dubai on Friday financial platforms offered by companies like his could boost remittances to the country, making these transfers more affordable and remotely accessible while making the platforms pivotal for millions of local households.
JazzCash, a mobile wallet and branchless banking service provided by a major telecom operator in Pakistan, was originally launched as “MobiCash” in 2012 before it was rebranded four years later.
Earlier this week, it announced a partnership with the United Arab Emirates-based financial service provider, du Pay, for smooth cross-border payments, saying the collaboration, powered by Western Union, would allow Pakistani nationals to send money directly to JazzCash mobile wallets.
According to a statement issued by the company, the JazzCash head, Murtaza Ali, spoke about the financial inclusion provided by fintech organizations while discussing their impact on the country’s economic landscape.
“Detached from traditional limitations like bank branches and agent networks, digital remittances can reach even remote, low-income households, empowering them to participate in the formal financial system,” he told the participants of the Dubai summit.
The Gulf nation hosts a vast Pakistani expatriate community and holds the distinction of being the second-largest contributor of remittances to Pakistan after Saudi Arabia, with $548 million transferred to the South Asian country in March.
Ali also revealed that women constituted 30 percent of JazzCash customers, 17 percent of lending users, 23,000 merchants and 6,000 agents.
“These encouraging numbers reflect the company’s ongoing commitment to enhancing female participation in its services,” he added.
The statement informed he also praised Pakistan’s central bank, telecom authority and financial regulatory agency for their collaborative approach that propelled digital and financial inclusion across the country.
“With a large unbanked population and a cash-dependent SME [small and medium enterprise] sector, we anticipate exponential growth,” it quoted Ali as saying. “Our roadmap involves leveraging data for risk assessment, venturing into Insurtech, and further integrating financial services into everyday transactions.”
Government says eight entities interested in Pakistan’s debt-ridden airlines amid privatization drive
- The deadline for submitting expressions of interest to participate in PIA’s divestment ended at 4 PM on Friday
- The Privatization Commission is now carrying out the pre-qualification process in line with the laid-out criteria
KARACHI: The Ministry of Privatization on Friday named eight business entities that have expressed interest in acquiring stakes in the state-owned Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) that has faced significant financial difficulties and repeatedly urged the government for bailouts in recent years.
Pakistan agreed to overhaul its public sector entities under a $3 billion short-term loan package it signed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) last year to avert a sovereign debt default.
The IMF recommended the government privatize the state-owned enterprises (SOEs) whose losses were burning a hole in the country’s finances amid its already precarious economic situation.
According to the ministry, the deadline for submitting expressions of interest to participate in PIA’s divestment process ended at 4 PM today.
“In response to the Invitation of Expression of Interest (EoI), for Divestment of Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL), published advertisement in leading national and international newspapers on 2nd & 3rd April, 2024, Privatization Commission has received Statement of Qualifications from (1) Fly Jinnah, (2) Air Blue Limited, (3) Arif Habib Corporation Limited, (4) Sardar Ashraf D. Baluch – SHANXI CIG Co. Ltd. (China), (5) Gerry’s International (Private) Limited, (6) Consortium Lead by Y.B. Holdings (Private) Limited, (7) Consortium Lead by Pak Ethanol and (8) Consortium Lead by Blue World City,” it announced.
“Privatization Commission will now carry out the pre-qualification process in line with the criteria laid down in the RSOQs [Requests for Statement of Qualification], under the PC Ordinance 2000 and rules & regulations framed thereunder,” it continued. “Accordingly, the pre-qualified parties will be invited for the next stage of bidding process.”
The privatization of SOEs is proving to be a challenging process. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated earlier this week his government would not sell public entities it deemed “strategically important.”
Prior to this, the newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, while chairing a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Privatization, affirmed the government would continue to retain essential or strategic SOEs.
Contrasting these views, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, who is negotiating with the IMF for a fresh loan, declared that there was “no such thing as a strategic” public entity, indicating his intent to keep the privatization process comprehensive.
Shaheen Shah Afridi quells team discord rumors, says Pakistan eyeing T20 World Cup victory
- Afridi briefly served as Pakistan’s T20I captain following the team’s underperformance in last year’s ODI World Cup
- The leadership change at the helm followed contentious statements, triggering debate about solidarity within the team
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani speedster Shaheen Shah Afridi on Friday dismissed concerns about unity within the national cricket team ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup, saying there was no discord within the squad where every player was focusing on winning the big tournament next month.
Afridi was appointed as the T20I captain after Babar Azam announced his decision to step down following the team’s underperformance in last year’s Asia Cup, hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka, as well as the ODI World Cup played in India. However, his tenure was brief and ended in March 2024, following Pakistan’s 4-1 defeat in the T20I series against New Zealand.
Azam was brought back to lead the national team, but the leadership change was surrounded by contentious statements that triggered a debate about the lack of solidarity within the team.
“If there are ever small misunderstandings, these happen in every family,” he said during his appearance on the Pakistan Cricket Board’s podcast focusing on his career and the team’s ongoing dynamics. “And when there are brothers, they also sometimes have disagreements over little things. But thankfully, there is nothing like that in this team.”
“Our effort is always to play with unity,” he continued. “This is not the time where there can be argument or discord. This is a time when everyone has to be involved in one process, moving together with unity toward achieving the same goal.”
Afridi said he had fully recovered from his injury last year.
He maintained it was the team’s “job to play cricket and bring joy to our nation.”
“We are also tired of telling people that we will win the World Cup,” he said with a smile. “But God willing, this time we will make this happen.”
