ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s election oversight body has extended the time for candidates to withdraw their nominations for the upcoming national elections, scheduled for Feb. 8, it said on Friday, the last day to take back the documents.
The Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) deadline to file nominations expired on Dec. 24, with 28,626 candidates submitting their nominations for national and provincial assembly elections.
It was followed by the process of scrutiny of nominations till Dec. 30. The process of receiving appeals from the candidates continued till Jan. 3, which were finalized by Jan. 10.
The ECP had set 5pm on Jan. 12 as the deadline for candidates to withdraw their nominations, however, it extended the time period by a few hours.
“To facilitate political parties and candidates, the election commission has extended the time for withdrawal of nomination papers,” the ECP said in a statement.
“Now, the candidates can withdraw their nominations till 9pm tonight.”
Elections in Pakistan were originally expected to take place in November after the country’s national and two provincial assemblies were dissolved in August before their tenure expired.
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.
The South Asian country is finally headed to polls in Feb. that analysts say would bring some stability and put Pakistan back on path to the much-needed economic recovery.
Pakistan regulator extends time for election candidates to withdraw nominations
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Pakistan regulator extends time for election candidates to withdraw nominations
- The election commission previously set 5pm on Jan. 12 as deadline to withdraw nominations
- The time has been extended to facilitate political parties and candidates, the commission says
Pakistan leaders wish Saudi King Salman well after hospital admission for tests
- Pakistani PM and President express concern, pray for the King's swift recovery
- The official Saudi media has not shared the nature of the King’s visit to the hospital
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s prime minister and president on Friday expressed concern over the health of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz, offering prayers and well wishes after state media said he had been admitted to hospital in Riyadh for medical examinations.
The Saudi Press Agency reported the King was undergoing medical tests at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, with no further information regarding the nature of the visit or his medical condition.
In a post on X, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistanis held the Saudi King in high regard and were praying for his recovery.
“Deeply concerned by the news that Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is admitted in hospital for medical tests,” he said. “The people of Pakistan hold His Majesty in the highest esteem. We join our Saudi brothers and sisters in praying for His Majesty’s swift and complete recovery.”
President Asif Ali Zardari also conveyed his wishes, saying the entire Pakistani nation was praying for the Saudi King’s health and well-being, according to a statement issued by the presidency.
Pakistan has longstanding diplomatic and institutional ties with Saudi Arabia, and its leadership has consistently expressed deep respect for the Saudi royal family, particularly in view of the Kingdom’s religious significance and its role in the Muslim world.
