ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party on Saturday demanded the return of its “stolen mandate” through a nationwide protest against the Feb. 8 general elections’ outcome, which it believes was altered to favor its political opponents.
Last month’s national polls in Pakistan were marred by a countrywide shutdown of cellphone networks and delayed results, leading to widespread speculation of election manipulation.
Several political parties, including the PTI of ex-PM Khan, who remains incarcerated on multiple charges since August, have held protest against alleged rigging in different parts of the country since the electoral contest.
Pakistan’s caretaker administration and election oversight body have consistently denied their allegations.
“We voted for Imran Khan and our [state] institutions want to make a man responsible for ruining the country during his 16 months in power the prime minister,” Asad Haider, a protester in Islamabad, told Arab News while referring to the previous tenure of Shehbaz Sharif.
Sharif took over Pakistan’s top political office after Khan was driven out of power in a parliamentary no-confidence vote in April 2022. He will once again contest for the post as the candidate of the country’s new coalition administration tomorrow.
“This is unfair since it amounts to plundering the right of the people [to choose their representatives],” Haider said, adding the situation was likely to lead to further political and economic instability in Pakistan.
PTI supporters gathered in different cities including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Chakwal, Lahore and Karachi following a protest call from Khan despite torrential rains and hailstorm at many places.
“Our vote is stolen ... We will come here [to protest] in the sun or rain until we get justice,” Mudassir Ahmed, another protester in Islamabad, told Arab News.
Heavy contingents of police and other law enforcement agencies were also deployed in the federal capital and other cities to prevent unrest. The police also arrested some PTI supporters and leaders in the eastern city of Lahore during the protest for blocking the roads and traffic.
Khan’s party condemned the police and state machinery for disrupting the “peaceful” protests.
“The public’s elected majority is turned into a minority by manipulating the clear mandate given to Imran Khan,” the PTI said in a statement.
The party vowed to continue its “peaceful struggle” until the restoration of its mandate.
Ex-PM Khan’s party holds Pakistan-wide protests against election outcome
https://arab.news/j9tw6
Ex-PM Khan’s party holds Pakistan-wide protests against election outcome
- PTI leaders took out protest rallies in all the major cities, including Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi, despite heavy rain
- Khan’s party believes its mandate was compromised in the Feb. 8 national polls that were marred by delayed results
PCB sets Feb. 11 as date for player auction for Pakistan Super League 11th edition
- The squad composition would be a minimum of 16 players and a maximum of 20
- The number of foreign players would be five to seven depending on the squad size
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday announced that the player auction for the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will be held on Feb. 11, setting the stage for franchises to begin assembling squads for the country’s premier Twenty20 tournament.
The development came after a workshop regarding PSL player auction at the Qaddafi Stadium, which was presided over by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and PSL CEO Salman Naseer.
The workshop was attended by PSL officials, all eight franchise representatives, members of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad, PCB officials and other capped players.
“The HBL PSL management shared a detailed presentation on the mechanics of the retention and the auction process and consulted with all the participants,” the PCB said.
“It was agreed that the HBL PSL player auction will take place on Wednesday, 11 February.”
The squad composition would be a minimum of 16 players and maximum of 20 players per franchise. The number of foreign players would be five to seven depending on the squad size, according to the PCB.
It would be mandatory for the franchises to play minimum of three and maximum of four foreign players in the playing XI. The teams are also required to have minimum of two uncapped Under 23 players in the squad and one in the playing XI.
Players either retained or picked in the auction will be engaged for two-year contracts with their respective franchise teams, the board said, adding that franchise teams will be able to retain a maximum of seven players for the 12th edition of the tournament.
“I’m delighted that a consultative and productive session was held between the franchises, players and management today resulting in informed and strategic decisions which will pave the way for bright future for the HBL PSL,” Naqvi said.
“The Player Auction model is a landmark step for the HBL PSL, offering players better financial opportunities through an increased salary purse and a transparent acquisition process, while making the league more competitive and attractive.”
PSL CEO Naseer said the player auction system modernizes player recruitment by promoting fairness, transparency, and market-driven value, strengthening the PSL’s appeal for both players and franchises.
“Today’s workshop saw all views being taken into consideration and this rich feedback will be reflected in our execution of a successful player auction scheduled next month,” he said.
PSL has become a key pillar of the country’s cricket economy, providing financial stability to the PCB and serving as a talent pipeline for the national team. The 11th edition of the league is set to begin from Mar. 26 while the final is expected to be played on May 3, as per the PCB’s schedule.
