Pakistan regulator denies issuing schedule for Feb. 8 national election

Security personnel stand guard at the headquarters of Election Commission of Pakistan in Islamabad on September 21, 2023. (AFP/File)
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Updated 11 December 2023
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Pakistan regulator denies issuing schedule for Feb. 8 national election

  • The statement by the Election Commission of Pakistan came after a ‘fake’ schedule circulated online 
  • ECP spokesperson voices concern over dissemination of ‘false’ information about polls by section of media 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s election regulator on Sunday denied issuing a schedule for the upcoming national election, which are slated to be held on February 8, Pakistani state media reported. 

The statement by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) came in response to the emergence of an election schedule on social media, with an ECP spokesperson expressing concern over dissemination of “false” information about the polls by a section of local media. 

“The Election Commission of Pakistan has denounced the election schedule circulating on social media as fake,” the state-run Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported, citing an ECP spokesperson. 

“No official schedule has been issued so far.” 

The development comes days after Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja said the schedule for the upcoming elections would be issued “in few days,” assuring the masses that February 8 would be the polling day. 

Elections in the South Asian country were originally expected to take place in November after Pakistan’s national and two provincial assemblies were dissolved in August before reaching the end of their tenure. 

However, the ECP decided to redraw hundreds of national and provincial constituencies based on a digital census carried out in April, before arranging the electoral contest. 

As Pakistan gears up for the elections, many analysts expect the polls to lead the South Asian country to some stability after more than a year of political turmoil, following the ouster of ex-prime minister Imran Khan in a parliamentary no-trust vote in April 2022. 

Last week, Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi also said the interim federal cabinet did not have any “second thoughts” about holding the polls on February 8. 


Pakistan calls for advance food imports before Ramadan to ease pressure on ports

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Pakistan calls for advance food imports before Ramadan to ease pressure on ports

  • Ensuring food security during Ramadan a national responsibility, says maritime affairs minister
  • The Islamic month of Ramadan is expected to start in Pakistan after mid-February

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhary on Sunday urged importers to import food items in advance and avoid last-minute delays to ease pressure on ports as Ramadan approaches. 

Muslims around the world fast during the holy month of Ramadan from dawn till sunset. They break the iftar meal with various food items such as fruits, dates and fried items. Thousands of people shop daily during Ramadan for iftar meals in markets across the country. 

In a message released to food importers, Chaudhry noted that the demand for edible oil and essential food items rises during the month of Ramadan. 

“Import strategies should be planned in a timely manner to reduce pressure on ports,” Chaudhry said. “Pakistani ports operate on a first-come, first-served basis.”

Chaudhry said delays in berthing of vessels and cargo lead to congestion at ports. He called on importers to share their import schedules in advance so that the port system could operate more efficiently. 

He said the timely supply of food items was possible through coordination between the public and private sectors. 

“Ensuring food security during Ramadan is a national responsibility,” the minister said. “Advance import of food commodities ahead of Ramadan is essential.”

A central moon sighting committee in Pakistan, the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, determines when Ramadan begins. 

The Islamic month is expected to start this year after mid-February, around Feb. 17 or Feb. 18.