Seoul: South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol's approval rating sank below 30 per cent in the wake of the disclosure of a controversial text conversation with the ruling party floor leader, a poll revealed on Monday.In the poll of 1,003 voters nationwide conducted by pollster Korea Society Opinion Institute (KSOI), 28.9 per cent said Yoon was doing well on state affairs, down 3.3 percentage points from the previous week, while those who gave a negative assessment rose 4 percentage points from a week ago to 68.5 per cent, reports Yonhap News Agency.The result came amid leadership turmoil at the ruling People Power Party (PPP).Last week, PPP floor leader Kweon Seong-dong apologised after the text conversation he had with Yoon was caught on camera, in which the President was heard talking about suspended party chief Lee Jun-seok.Kweon took over as acting leader of the party in early July after the party's ethics committee suspended Lee's party membership for six months over allegations of sexual bribery and a cover-up.On Sunday, the floor leader offered to resign.The incident also prompted three members of the party's Supreme Council to quit amid speculation the party could switch to a collective leadership system from its one-man leadership.On views that Yoon's opinion could have affected the disciplinary measure against Lee, the KSOI poll showed that 68.8 per cent agreed with the claim, while 25.5 per cent dismissed it.In a separate poll of 2,519 voters nationwide conducted by pollster Realmeter between July 25-29, 33.1 per cent said the President was doing well on state affairs, down 0.2 percentage point from the previous week.Those who gave a negative assessment rose 1.1 percentage points from a week ago to 64.5 per cent.A daily breakdown of the poll showed that Yoon's approval rating fell sharply from 38.3 per cent on July 26 to 28.7 per cent on July 29.The pollster said it was its first survey in which the South Korean leader's approval rating fell below 30 per cent on a daily basis.—IANS

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol's approval rating sank below 30 per cent in the wake of the disclosure of a controversial text conversation with the ruling party floor leader, a poll revealed on Monday.

 Yoon's approval rating dips below 30% after controversial text disclosure

Islamabad: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman expressed displeasure over recent meetings held in Dubai between the top leadership of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Dawn reported on Monday. Speaking to reporters, Rehman also the chief of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) -- the ruling coalition -- said questions were being raised within the alliance regarding the "scheduled" meeting between the two major government allies.  "PML-N is a part of PDM. How is it possible if it was not a scheduled huddle," he wondered, asking, "Why the PDM was not taken into confidence regarding the huddle with the PPP, which was not part of the alliance?" Questioning the "international support" for PTI chief Imran Khan, The JUI-F chief stated, "Those who desecrate our religion [Islam], those who burn [copies of the] Holy Quran are raising voices for Imran Khan. We put up a serious fight against him [Imran Khan] and we [also] fought against the recognition of Israel". Maulana Fazl also said that the tenure of the National Assembly would end within a month and an interim set-up would be appointed ahead of polls. The term of the National Assembly, along with the provincial assemblies of Sindh and Balochistan, is set to expire on August 12 and elections are required to be held in October this year. In an apparent reference to the PTI's supporters, Fazl hoped that they "would not push the country towards destruction", Dawn reported.  Talking about the no-confidence motion last year, that led to the ouster of former PM Imran Khan, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief said that his party was "against the no-trust vote as it favoured street protests to compel the then-PTI government to step down", Dawn reported. "However, the PPP, PML-N and other opposition parties said the no-confidence resolution against Imran Khan was ready to be tabled," he added. Maulana Fazl also claimed that former spy chief, retired Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed, in a meeting with him, offered him the membership and chairmanship of the Senate, but he refused the offer since the former general "wanted a change within the system", Dawn reported. On being asked about the trial of civilians in military courts, Fazl said the military itself was a complainant in that case. "The military is a complainant in the cases against those involved in attacks on installations on May 9, 10 and it wants a trial of suspects in their [military] courts," Dawn quoted Fazl as saying. While talking about attacks against the JUI-F leadership in Bajaur and other tribal districts, the party chief said 18 religious scholars were targeted in attacks over the past 18 months in Bajaur and some five active members, including public representatives, were targeted in North Waziristan. "Why Al Qaeda and Daesh [the militant Islamic State group] could not be eliminated," he questioned. The JUI-F said that security issues were the domain of the military and the army discussed such issues only with the prime minister. (ANI)

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman expressed displeasure over recent meetings held in Dubai

Pakistan: PDM chief expresses displeasure over PML-N, PPP meetings

New Delhi (The Hawk): Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science &amp; Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, who is also a renowned Diabetologist, said today that Digital healthcare can be an effective preventive tool against a host of diseases ranging from lifestyle disorders like Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus to infectious diseases like Covid.  The Minister was speaking on the topic of “India's digital roadmap for Healthy India for accessible and affordable healthcare” at the 3rd Healthcare Leaders Summit in New Delhi.    He said, digital healthcare with a focus on prevention will be the focus in the years to come.  Dr Jitendra Singh said, public-private partnership (PPP) model for healthcare services is the need of the hour especially to put an end to the urban-rural dichotomy in healthcare services.  “So, I think, larger integration not only helps in technology sharing, in digital sharing, in financial resource sharing, in human (resource) sharing, (but) it also acts as a huge mutual stimulant of energies, of the positive vibes flowing and also learning from each other and also at the same time gives a feeling of belonging and the ownership to the goal you have taken up whether it is innovation to health or any other sector,” he said.  “We can leverage science and technology to bridge disparities between the urban and rural divide with a dedicated focus on affordability, inclusivity, and accessibility,” he added.    Lauding Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for the high priority given to healthcare, Dr Jitendra Singh said that it was because of the personal interest and intervention of PM Modi that within two years, India not only managed the Covid pandemic successfully better than much smaller countries, but also succeeded in coming out with a DNA vaccine and providing it to the other countries as well.  Dr Jitendra Singh said, India has made progress over the years in bettering the overall healthcare infrastructure of the country, and that there has been “a transition over the entire disease spectrum as well as the evolution of therapeutic and the preventive modalities available to us over the last half a century or so”.  “After the Eighties, there was globalization or the so-called ‘democratization’ of diseases, so we also started having the lifestyle diseases, coronary diseases, etc, and coupled with that also the change in life expectancy,” he said, pointing out that the life expectancy has gone up close to 70 years of age.    Dr Jitendra Singh said, following PM Modi’s vision in the last more than 9 years, healthcare has been given top priority by the government.  By bringing in Ayushman Bharat, the first of its kind health insurance scheme in the world, he said, India has moved from sectoral and segmented approach of health service delivery to a comprehensive need-based healthcare service.  “This is possibly the only health insurance scheme in the world which offers the option of seeking insurance cover even for a pre-existing disease, like for example, if today a person is detected having cancer, he can thereafter go and get himself insured to receive the financial support for treatment,” he said.  Dr Jitendra Singh said, Science and Technology are crucial tools in addressing the unmet needs of society and addressing the global challenges that we are facing today.  “The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) Bill will nudge companies to invest in Research and Development. The Government is planning a unique PPP entity for which Rs 36,000 crore of the research funding is to come from the private sector whereas the Government will put Rs 14,000 crore for the same, to ensure greater participation of industry,” he said.    The Minister said as India is in the frontline of diabetes research in the world, the prevention of diabetes in the youth and pregnant women is a priority.  “In a country with 70% population below the age of 40 and the youth of today are going to be the prime citizens of India@2047, preventive healthcare and widespread mass screening will help achieve our economy the expected rate of growth set out by PM Modi,” he said.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO

PPP model is the need of the hour in healthcare sector to put an end to the urban-rural dichotomy: Dr Jitendra

Islamabad [Pakistan]: In a clear message as to who holds the cards in the country, Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, has said that the country needs stable hands and added that a unified government of all democratic forces will adequately represent Pakistan's diverse political and pluralistic landscape, Dawn reported. He said, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), that elections and democracy are means to serve the people of Pakistan and not ends in themselves.
"The nation needs stable hands and a healing touch to move on from the politics of anarchy and polarisation, which do not suit a progressive country of 250 million people," Dawn quoted COAS Munir as saying. "Elections are not a zero-sum competition of winning and losing but an exercise to determine the mandate of the people. Political leadership and their workers should rise above self-interest and synergize efforts in governing and serving the people which is perhaps the only way to make democracy functional and purposeful," he said. In a statement issued by ISPR, Munir also praised the caretaker government, the Election Commission of Pakistan, and political parties following the completion of polls. The results of the polls are awaited, however. Meanwhile, as the COAS continued, he also underlined how important it is for the political parties to reciprocate with "political maturity," according to Dawn.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.thehawk.in/posts/pakistan's-jailed-ex-pm-imran-khan-claims-election-victory-after-rival-nawaz-sharif-says-he's-won" target="_self">https://www.thehawk.in/posts/pakistan's-jailed-ex-pm-imran-khan-claims-election-victory-after-rival-nawaz-sharif-says-he's-won</a>&nbsp;
"As the people of Pakistan have reposed their combined trust in the Constitution of Pakistan, it is now incumbent upon all political parties to reciprocate the same with political maturity and unity," he went on to say. According to Geo News' unofficial provisional results for 241 of 266 seats, independent candidates, largely backed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), led with 97 seats. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which has emerged as the single largest party, trails with 72 seats, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has 52. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), Jamiat-e-Ulami-Faizal (JUI-F), and Balochistan National Party (BNP) are expected to win 15, 3, and 2 seats, respectively. The counting for the elections held on Thursday is underway, and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has emerged as the single-largest party but is trailing behind the independent candidates, mostly backed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI).
Meanwhile, amid the Election Commission of Pakistan drawing flak over the delay in declaration of the results of the general elections, former PM and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan on Saturday released a 'victory speech' in his AI-enabled voice, saying that the 'London Plan' of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif failed with the massive turnout of voters on polling day, as he also claimed victory in the general elections. Moreover, Nawaz Sharif also announced his intention to form a united government with the help of his former allies - Pakistan Peoples Party, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (Pakistan) amid a fractured mandate. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari met in Lahore on Friday. The meeting took place immediately after Nawaz declared victory in the general elections conducted the day before and urged his partners to form a coalition government. The PPP and PML-N were both members of the PDM administration, which succeeded the PTI when Imran Khan was removed from office as prime minister in 2022.
—ANI

COAS General Asim Munir emphasizes stability in Pakistan's political landscape. Election updates, Imran Khan's victory speech, and PML-N's coalition plans unfold.

Pakistan Army Chief calls for "stable hands, healing touch" as polls throw up no clear winner

Islamabad: The number of rejected ballots was greater than the margin of victory in at least 24 National Assembly constituencies, according to an interesting statistical nugget from Pakistan's recent general elections.
The difference potentially opens doors for legal battles as several losing candidates have flooded the courts with petitions to review the results.  According to a report in the Dawn newspaper, 22 constituencies with a greater number of rejected votes than the margin of victory fell in Punjab, with one each in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh province.  The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) won the electoral race in 13 of these constituencies, five were claimed by the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), four by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed independents and two by other independents.
Going by their numerical strength, both the PML-N and the PPP are in a position to form a coalition government in the Centre. However, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif announced that all parties except PTI should join hands in the upcoming coalition set-up.  According to the results announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) till Sunday, of the total 265 National Assembly seats, PTI-backed Independents bagged 93 seats, followed by PML-N at 73, PPP at 54, MQM at 17 and others at 19.  The highest number of rejected votes was in the NA-59 (Talagang-cum-Chakwal) area of Punjab where Sardar Ghulam Abbas of PML-N secured 141,680 votes against his closest rival PTI-backed Muhammad Ruman Ahmad, who got 129,716 votes.  The margin of victory was 11,964 while the number of ballot papers rejected was 24,547.
It was followed by NA-213 Umerkot (17,571 ballots). The lowest number of ballots excluded are reported from NA-236 Karachi East-II (51 ballots).  In total, around two million ballot papers have been excluded from the count from the 265 National Assembly constituencies.  As many as four constituencies have more than 15,000 excluded ballots each. Another 21 constituencies have excluded 10,000 to 15,000 ballots. A large number of constituencies (137) reported excluded votes in the range of 5,000 to 10,000.  A total of 67 constituencies have reported fewer than 5,000 but greater than 1,000 excluded ballots. Only six constituencies have reported fewer than 1,000 excluded ballots each.
—PTI

Explore the aftermath of Pakistan's recent elections, where rejected ballots challenge results in 24 constituencies.

Rejected ballots exceed victory margin in 24 Pakistan constituencies

Karachi: At least two persons were killed and 14 others injured in an armed clash between the supporters of two political parties during a vote recount in a constituency in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province, police said on Thursday.
Supporters of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) clashed outside the office of the returning officer in the industrial town of Hub, bordering Karachi.  In the elections on February 8, BAP’s Muhammad Saleh Bhootani had claimed victory after unofficial results were announced but the PPP’s Ali Hassan Zehri sought a recount of votes to overturn the result.  As a result, the Election Commission of Pakistan ordered a recount of votes.  “The clash took place when the recounting was taking place on Wednesday with votes of 39 polling stations being recounted, and fights broke out between supporters of both candidates,” SSP Hub Manzoor Ahmed Buledi told reporters.
Gunshots were fired, leaving two dead and 14 injured.  The PPP supporters claimed this was a ploy to delay the announcement of the results.  A doctor at the Jam Ghulam Qadir Memorial Hospital said the injured people and two dead persons received multiple bullet injuries.  Buledi said the Frontier Corps were called in to control the situation.  There has been unrest in the province of Balochistan since a day after the general elections were held last week, with at least four political parties blocking main highways and enforcing a shutter-down strike in Quetta and other parts of the province against alleged rigging in the polls.
—PTI

Violent clash during Balochistan vote recount claims two lives and leaves 14 injured. Political unrest escalates, prompting Frontier Corps intervention in Pakistan.

Two killed, 14 injured in firing during vote recount in Balochistan of Pakistan

Islamabad: Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday became the prime minister of Pakistan for a second time to lead a coalition government after he comfortably won a majority in the newly-elected Parliament.
Shehbaz, 72, who was the consensus candidate of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), received 201 votes in the 336-member house.  Shehbaz's challenger Omar Ayub Khan of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) secured 92 votes.  The session of the new parliament convened amid ruckus and sloganeering by PTI-backed lawmakers.
Shehbaz will be administered the oath of office on Monday at the Presidential mansion, Aiwan-e-Sadr.  Shehbaz earlier served as prime minister of a coalition government from April 2022 to August 2023 before Parliament was dissolved to hold general elections.
—PTI

Shehbaz Sharif re-elected as Pakistan's Prime Minister in a coalition government, winning against PTI's Omar Ayub Khan. Set for oath taking at Aiwan-e-Sadr.

Shehbaz Sharif elected Pakistan's Prime Minister for a second time

Islamabad: Amidst serious concerns over the continued disruption of the social media platform X in Pakistan for over a fortnight now, a member of the Senate has demanded a permanent ban on all social media due to its negative impact on the younger generation.
Senator Bahramand Khan Tangi, who was recently expelled by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) after he moved a resolution seeking the delaying of the February 8 polls, in the resolution called for a complete ban on all social media platforms, deeming them detrimental to the future of the young generation, Dawn News reported.  The resolution is listed on the agenda of the Senate session for Monday.
 Also Read: <a href="https://www.thehawk.in/posts/shehbaz-sharif-elected-pakistan's-prime-minister-for-a-second-time" target="_self">https://www.thehawk.in/posts/shehbaz-sharif-elected-pakistan's-prime-minister-for-a-second-time</a>&nbsp;
 Senator Tangi, who is set to retire on March 11, said: “Social media platforms are adversely affecting the young generation in the country… [and] being used for promotion of norms against our religion and culture, creating hatred among people on the grounds of language and religion.' The resolution notes with concern “the use of such platforms against the interests of the country through negative and malicious propaganda against the armed forces of Pakistan” and calls upon the Senate to recommend to the government to ban Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, X, and YouTube to save the young generation from their negative and devastating effects.  The X website has been largely offline since February 17, with occasional service restorations, mainly after former commissioner Rawalpindi Liaquat Ali Chatta made a statement in front of the media claiming that the “elections were rigged”.  Separately, reports said authorities are considering a blanket ban on all Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), prompting the IT and services sector to express concerns that such action could severely harm the cash-strapped country’s economy.  A majority of users are using VPNs to access the platform.
 Also Read: <a href="https://www.thehawk.in/posts/pml-n's-shehbaz-sharif-set-to-become-pakistan's-prime-minister-amid-vote-rigging-allegations" target="_self">https://www.thehawk.in/posts/pml-n's-shehbaz-sharif-set-to-become-pakistan's-prime-minister-amid-vote-rigging-allegations</a>&nbsp;
 Numerous posts have been mocking the authorities, including caretaker IT Minister Umar Saif, for using a VPN. Saif uses a VPN as his current location in recent tweets is showing Hong Kong.  So far, no authority has taken responsibility for restricting the services of X, which activists see as a dangerous trend.  “This way, those in power are saying that they can ban any platform without any reason or being answerable to anyone,” said Nighat Dad, a digital rights activist and member of the UN Secretary General’s advisory board on AI.
She added that such a blanket ban on any platform is a violation of fundamental rights, and those in power are not considering the reputation of the country worldwide, especially concerning those who are being invited to invest in Pakistan.  Rumours that even VPNs will be banned in the country have rung alarm bells in the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA).  P@SHA, expressing concern, said such a proposal for a blanket ban on VPNs would have detrimental consequences for Pakistan’s economy and its burgeoning reputation as a tech and innovation hub.  P@SHA said that a VPN ban would not only disrupt business operations but also stifle growth for companies and individuals heavily reliant on dynamic IPs for their work.  “The banking sector, in particular, faces severe financial repercussions due to restricted access to VPNs, hindering their ability to manage international transactions effectively,” a statement by P@SHA said, adding that such bottlenecks would obstruct the government’s vision of achieving the $15 billion exports target for the IT and IT services and also undermines the extensive endeavours of SIFC to facilitate the ease of doing business.  “Without losing reputational credibility, competitive advantage, and clientele, we advocate for the formation of a joint working group with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to ensure the uninterrupted operation of internet services while addressing regulatory concerns,” P@SHA said.  Currently, all commercial users are mandated to get their VPNs registered at PTA in two categories for companies and freelancers. Organisations and companies are required to undertake IP Whitelisting for call centres and video conferences.  Today, more than 3,540 VPNs and 25,085 IP addresses have been registered with the PTA, but there is no bar on individuals using VPNs for non-commercial purposes.
—PTI

Amidst disruptions, a Pakistan Senate member calls for a total social media ban, citing youth and security concerns, as VPN ban fears alarm the IT sector.

Pakistan Senate to take up resolution seeking permanent ban on social media sites

Islamabad: Voting began on Saturday in the Presidential elections in Pakistan in which Asif Ali Zardari is set to be elected for a second time.
Asif Ali Zardari, the 68-year-old joint candidate of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and Sunni Ittehad Council’s candidate Mahmood Khan Achakzai, 75, are vying for the office of president. The voting began at 10 am and will continue till 4 pm. The new president would replace the incumbent Dr Arif Alvi, whose five-year term ended last year. However, he has continued since the new electoral college was not yet formed.
According to the Constitution, the president is indirectly elected by an electoral college comprising federal and provincial lawmakers. Achakzai is the head of his Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) and is contesting from the platform of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), which came to prominence after independent candidates backed by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) joined it. Zardari, a businessman-turned-politician is the husband of slain Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto. Zardari, the co-chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is supported by the coalition government led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) which has the necessary numbers.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.thehawk.in/posts/imran-khan's-party-terms-oath-taking-of-members-on-reserved-seats-%22unconstitutional%22" target="_self">https://www.thehawk.in/posts/imran-khan's-party-terms-oath-taking-of-members-on-reserved-seats-%22unconstitutional%22</a> This is part of a quid pro quo deal after the February 8 polls delivered a fractured mandate: PPP supported PML-N’s candidate for prime minister’s post and also got to form the government in the Punjab provincial assembly while Zardari got the support of PML-N and his party got to rule the Sindh province. Zardari, who served as the president from 2008 to 2013, will also be the first civilian to be elected for the second time as president. The ruling coalition is confident that Zardari will be elected as president for the second time as the parties have a majority in the Senate, National Assembly, Punjab Assembly, Sindh Assembly and Balochistan Assembly. The opposition enjoys a majority only in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa assembly. Just hours before the presidential elections, Achakzai demanded the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) postpone the polls till the electoral college is completed. In a letter written to Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja, Achakzai stated that the electoral college as 'prescribed by law and Constitution' for a presidential election was 'still incomplete' because 'some reserved seats' in the National Assembly and all provincial assemblies are still vacant. "...As yet no one was elected on those reserved seats and without nominations and proper election on these seats, if the presidential election is conducted as per the schedule that would be a denial of their votes, which otherwise is against the fundamental rights, law and constitution," stated the letter, written by Achakzai. The PTI-backed presidential candidate added that the electoral college cannot be completed till the seats are filled. He added that till the seats are not filled the presidential polls would be 'illegal, unlawful and against the spirit of the Constitution'. He also mentioned the Peshawar High Court (PHC) stay order on the reserved seats which he believes would give a 'clear verdict' in favour of the PTI-backed party. The parliament buildings and buildings of the provincial assemblies have been designated as polling stations to let the lawmakers vote. The PML-N-led ruling coalition has calculated that its candidate Asif Ali Zardari would get more than 400 electoral votes. As many as 325 members of the National Assembly, 91 senators, 354 members of the Punjab Assembly, 157 members of the Sindh Assembly, 117 members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly and 65 members of the Balochistan Assembly are eligible to cast their vote.
—PTI

Voting for Pakistan's presidential elections kicks off, with Asif Ali Zardari aiming for a second term against Mahmood Khan Achakzai.

Voting begins in Pakistan's presidential election: Asif Ali Zardari set to win

Islamabad: The voting in the presidential election in Pakistan concluded in the National Assembly and all provincial assemblies at 4 pm. The counting process is now in progress. In the Balochistan Assembly, the coalition government's nominee, Asif Ali Zardari, secured a clean sweep, with all 47 members casting their votes in his favour. None voted for PTI-backed Mahmood Khan Achakzai, while 15 members were absent from the assembly, Dawn reported citing unofficial results.
In the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, PTI-backed SIC candidate Achakzai garnered 91 votes, surpassing PPP's Zardari, who received only 17 votes. Out of 118 members, 109 cast their ballots, with one vote being rejected. In the Sindh Assembly, Zardari secured 58 votes, while Achakzai received three votes. According to preliminary results, Zardari won 246 votes in the Punjab Assembly, while his opponent Achakzai managed to only get 100 votes. Out of the 352 votes cast, six were rejected. The counting of votes took place under the Election Commission of Pakistan's presiding officer, Nisar Durrani, according to Dawn. Several parties, like Maulana Fazlur Rehman's Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) and Jamaat-e-Islami boycotted the election of Pakistan's 14th president. Two prominent candidates, Asif Ali Zardari, the joint nominee of PPP and PML-N, and Mahmood Khan Achakzai from the Sunni Ittehad Council, are the contenders for the presidential office. The current ruling coalition, comprising PML-N, PPP, and MQM-P, has thrown its support behind Asif Ali Zardari. The president is chosen by an electoral college consisting of members from the Senate, the National Assembly, and the four provincial assemblies. A joint session of the parliament is being conducted at the parliament house in Islamabad, where members from both the National Assembly and the Senate will cast their votes, according to ARY News. Simultaneously, provincial assemblies are convening their sessions for the presidential election. The Election Commission of Pakistan has designated all four assemblies as polling stations for the smooth conduct of the electoral process. The breakdown of voting members includes at least 162 from the provincial assembly in Sindh, 353 in Punjab, 65 in Balochistan, and 115 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, all contributing to the election of the new president. With a majority in all assemblies and the Senate, Asif Ali Zardari, the co-chairman of PPP, is poised to secure the presidency for the second time.
—ANI

Voting for Pakistan's presidential election concluded, with Zardari poised for victory. Preliminary counts show a clear lead against Achakzai. Results in progress.

Pakistan presidential election: Counting begins as voting concludes; Zardari sweeps Balochistan, Achakzai leads in KP

Islamabad [Pakistan]: Asif Ali Zardari, co-chairman of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), has been elected as Pakistan's 14th President, Geo News reported. Zardari became the head of the State for the second time as he served as the president from 2008 to 2013.
Zardari, the joint candidate of the ruling alliance, secured a remarkable 255 electoral votes in the parliamentary election, beating the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-backed Sunni Ittehad Council candidate, Mahmood Khan Achakzai. In contrast, Achakzai garnered 119 votes in the combined National Assembly and Senate, with only one vote being rejected in parliament, according to Geo News.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.thehawk.in/posts/pakistan-presidential-election:-counting-begins-as-voting-concludes-zardari-sweeps-balochistan-achakzai-leads-in-kp" target="_self">https://www.thehawk.in/posts/pakistan-presidential-election:-counting-begins-as-voting-concludes-zardari-sweeps-balochistan-achakzai-leads-in-kp</a> PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, in his post, announced, "In the presidential elections, his party's candidate and father, Asif Ali Zardari, secured a total of 411 votes against the candidate backed by the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), Mehmood Khan Achakzai, who only managed to garner 181 votes." In a post on X, the former foreign minister said Zardari received 255 votes from the National Assembly and Senate, 151 from the Sindh Assembly, 246 in Punjab, 17 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and 47 in the Balochistan Assembly. The results clearly favoured Zardari, leading to jubilant celebrations by PPP workers outside the Punjab Assembly. The victory dance to the beat of Dhol marked the party's triumphant moment. Zardari, the joint nominee of PPP and PML-N, and Achakzai from the Sunni Ittehad Council, were the contenders for the presidential office. The president was chosen by an electoral college consisting of members from the Senate, the National Assembly, and the four provincial assemblies. A joint session of the parliament was conducted at the parliament house in Islamabad, where members from both the National Assembly and the Senate exercised their franchise, according to ARY News.
—ANI

Asif Ali Zardari elected as Pakistan's president again, securing 255 votes against PTI-backed Achakzai's 119. 

The Hawk

Tag : PPP

Yoon's approval rating dips below 30% after controversial text disclosure

Pankaj Sharma

Tag : PPP

Yoon's approval rating dips below 30% after controversial text disclosure

Pankaj Sharma

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