Hamza returns for ‘key role’ in PML-N’s Punjab election campaign

LAHoRE

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Hamza Shehbaz, vice president of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has returned after spending three months with his family in the United States and Britain, according to reports in the media.

According to ARY News, the former chief minister of Punjab arrived at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal airport early on Tuesday and was received by local party leaders. His return comes after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced the elections for

Punjab Assembly on April 30. Citing sources, ARY News said that Shehbaz is expected to be given a key responsibility for PML-N’s electoral campaign in the province. The parliamentary board of PML-N will start awarding tickets to candidates from March 15. Party’s Punjab President Rana Sanaullah Khan has directed all divisional and district organisations of the party to ensure active interaction with the public. He further said that all regional organisations should ensure the submission of nomination papers of the “best, most competent, and people-friendly”

Fawad showers ECP with praise for ‘defying pressure’ to delay polls

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Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry appreciated the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for not “succumbing to pressure” aimed at delaying elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

The change in the manner and tone of PTI Vice President was witnessed when he appeared before a bench of the ECP members in a contempt case in which PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Asad Umar and other party leaders are also nominated.“We have praised your role but didn’t notice it. Whole nation has trust in two institutions, the election commission and Supreme Court,” he told the ECP members, adding that only these two institutions can save the country from crisis. “We want to strengthen the institutions and we respect you all”. At which, ECP member Babar Bharwana said: “Our priority is Pakistan,” adding that the electoral body was playing his role as per the law. The former information minister made the dramatic political volt-face weeks after he secured bail in a sedition case filed against over criticism of ECP boss and members over delay in announcement of election schedule despite dissolution of assemblies in the provinces. It is on the record that he has been accusing the chief election commissioner of acting as team “B” of the ruling Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM). Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) sought a comprehensive report from the Punjab Chief Secretary by Wednesday (today) regarding the alleged ban on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) election rallies and the imposition of Section 144 in Lahore.

SCCI urges traders to provide special relief to poor masses in food prices during Ramazan

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President, Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Muhammad Ishaq urged traders’ community in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to provide food items on subsidized rates to inflation-stricken masses during the holy month of Ramazan, calling it as a vitreous deed and also a great source for gaining great reward in this blessing-full month. In a statement issued here on Tuesday, Shah said that spiraling ‘price-hike’ has broken the backbone of the poverty-hit people of the society, the SCCI chief noted. He added the purchasing power of the common man is rapidly dying owing to unprecedented surge in food commodities prices. Keeping in view the prevailing circumstances, Ishaq said traders’ community across K-P province should provide maximum relief in food prices to inflation-battered poor masses so that all essentials would be available to ‘underprivileged’ and ‘downtrodden’ segments of the society and they would perform the sacred religious obligation in Ramazan. The SCCI chief mentioned that traders’ communities belonging to other religions sell essential food items during Ramazan at subsidized rates in Pakistan and different countries around the world. candidates in provincial constituencies.

Meanwhile, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb announced that aspiring candidates for the upcoming election under the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) banner must submit their applications to the party secretariat in Lahore.

In a tweet, Aurangzeb emphasized that the deadline for submission of applications is March 18. She added that in line with the party’s decision, all candidates are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible.

Punjab assembly polls: ecP extends deadline for nomination papers filing

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The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday extended the deadline for filing of nomination papers till March 16, to facilitate candidates vying for general elections to the Punjab Assembly. According to ECP spokesperson, the extension was granted in response to the demands of candidates, providing ample time to complete the nomination filing process.

The ECP has also extended the deadline for filing nomination papers on reserved seats for women and minorities till March 16. Political parties have been asked to submit their priority lists of candidates separately to the office of the relevant returning officer, the Punjab Election Commissioner said. It is important to note that schedule for the elections, which was issued on March 8, would remain unchanged. The polling was set to be held on April 30, and political parties were expected to comply with the ECP’s instructions to ensure a smooth and transparent election process. ‘report on alleged ban on ptI’s electIon rallIes’: Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) sought a comprehensive report from the Punjab Chief Secretary by Wednesday (today) regarding the alleged ban on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) election rallies and the imposition of Section 144 in Lahore. The decision was taken during a meeting held to discuss a petition filed by PTI leaders – Dr Yasmin Rashid and Dr Babar Awan, challenging the imposition of Section 144 and stopping of PTI’s election rally bythe caretaker government in Lahore. The ECP underscored the responsibility of the caretaker setup to hold transparent and peaceful elections, and directed the Punjab Chief Secretary to submit a detailed report by Wednesday. The PTI leaders have accused the caretaker government of imposing a ban on their election rallies and violating their democratic rights.