ECP rejects PTI plea to recount votes on PP-7 seat

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday rejected PTI’s plea seeking a recount of votes in PP-7 Rawalpindi-II — which it lost to the PML-N by a razor-thin 49 vote margin.

The decision was announced by a five-member bench headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja.

In the brief ruling, he said that the petitioner, PTI candidate Shabbir Awan, could neither prove any fraud or irregularity during the polls, nor was he able to state the reasons for the recount.

Immediately after it was announced, PTI leader Shafqat Mahmood took to Twitter, calling the verdict “against the law”. “Loss of neutrality and integrity by the ECP has far reaching consequences for democracy,” he said.

During the Punjab by-elections on Sunday, PML-N’s Raja Sagheer had won the by-poll on the provincial assembly seat with a margin of just 49 votes, defeating Awan. The PTI had also raised questions over the delayed announcement of the result in the constituency.

Subsequently, Awan submitted an application to the returning officer and requested a recount. His plea was, however, rejected drawing criticism from the PTI.

He had stated that the difference in votes between him and the winning candidate “falls under the prescribed threshold of five per cent of total votes polled and 10,000 votes pursuant to Section 95 (5) of the Elections Act, 2017”.

Later, Awan had approached the Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi bench assailing the RO’s “illegal decision” of rejecting plea for recount in PP-7.

But on Wednesday, the court restrained the RO from consolidating the result of PP-7 and converted Awan’s petition challenging the RO’s decision to reject plea for recount into an application to be taken up by the ECP.

“In order to streamline the process, the petitioner is directed to appear before the respondent [ECP] on July 21 at 10am when the needful shall be done,” it had said.

The PTI’s petition claimed the results were uploaded on the RTS system.

During the hearing today, CEC observed that the PTI had not filed any application until 5pm on the day of the election.

“You submitted a request to the R&I department but withdrew it after 10 minutes,” he noted, saying that even after that the PTI blamed the ECP.

The CEC then called the officials of the R&I branch and asked them to submit a written account of everything that happened on the day of the polls, adding that all the matters should be clear.

Here, Awan’s counsel said that his client was present in court at the orders of the LHC.

Subsequently, reading out PTI’s petition which was submitted to the high court, ECP’s chief refuted the party’s claim that the RTS system was used during the by-polls.

At the outset of the hearing, Awan’s counsel said that they had approached the court as the margin between the votes of the two parties was very thin.

“Our law states that if the margin is less than five per cent, a request for a recount can be filed.”

He contended that as soon as the results were announced, his client had immediately approached the RO and later the court for a recount.

For his part, PML-N leader Raja Sagheer’s lawyer called PTI’s request “baseless”. “They failed to prove their point even in front of the RO.

“At first they were talking about the entire constituency. Now they are talking about 21 polling stations,” he said, adding that PTI’s stance was invalid because it kept changing.

 

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Abdullah Shafique headed for top after Galle masterclass: Babar Azam

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam on Wednesday said that Abdullah Shafique can become one of the world's best Test openers after his epic century against Sri Lanka in Galle.

Shafique hit an unbeaten 160 to steer Pakistan home in a record chase of 342 at the picturesque venue as Pakistan won a tense opening Test in the final session on day five.

The 22-year-old batted for just under nine hours and five sessions against a spin attack led by the in-form Prabath Jayasuriya, who took a match tally of nine wickets.

"As a youngster, when you prove yourself and perform in tough conditions and difficult tracks, then it's good," Azam told reporters.

"His confidence was high after performing against Australia so he was on a different level. And to perform against quality bowling, your confidence goes up higher."

Shafique, who made 136 not out against Australia in Rawalpindi in March, recorded his second Test ton in just his sixth match since making his debut last year.

The right-handed batsman blocked, defended, drove and attacked in his 408-ball stay laced with seven fours and one six to win rich praise from the captain.

"The way he plays, so clean and with his focus, he will get many, many more such knocks," said Azam, who was involved in a key third-wicket stand of 101 with Shafique to set up the chase.

"I hope that he becomes one of the best openers in the world."

Shafique, who now averages 80 in 11 Test innings, put on 71 runs with wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan (40) and then an unbeaten final stand of 41 with Mohammad Nawaz, who made 19 not out.

The 27-year-old Azam also kept up his prolific run-scoring with a defiant 119 in the first innings and then 55 in the second to push Sri Lanka on the backfoot.

Azam rated his century as "special" among the eight Test hundreds he has hit in 41 matches.

"It was kind of special because the team needed it," said Azam, who batted with the tailenders in the first innings to help the team recover from 85-7 to 218.

"It was one of the best hundreds in Test matches (for me) because it was difficult. To play with tailenders you need double concentration to guide them and watch yourself as well. And I am happy that I did that."

Azam also lauded opposition spinner Jayasuriya for being their "main weapon" in just his second Test for Sri Lanka.

The second and final Test begins on Sunday, also in Galle.

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Aftab Sultan appointed NAB chairman

Former director-general of Intelligence Bureau Aftab Sultan has been appointed National Accountability Bureau chairman.

Sources privy to the matter said approval for Sultan's appointment was given in today's federal cabinet meeting.

The allied parties had opposed the suggestion to appoint Sultan as the NAB chairman. However, the PML-N held consultations and finally made the decision for his appointment.

Sultan has served as the IB DG twice and has remained associated with the police department on senior posts as a grade-22 official.

The coveted post was lying vacant since last month after then-NAB chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal on June 2 relinquished charge of his office on expiry of the ordinance through which he was given an extension till the appointment of a new chairman.

The four-year-and-eight-month-long tenure of Iqbal — who was appointed as the anti-graft body’s chairman in 2017 — was one of the most controversial eras of the bureau.

Constitutionally, the term of chairman NAB is four years while Iqbal completed his term in October 2021, but the PTI promulgated the NAB amendment ordinance through which he was given an extension till the appointment of a new chairman of NAB.

However, the PTI government did not start the process of consultation with the opposition leader for the appointment of a new chairman.

Now, under the National Accountability (Second Amendment) Bill 2021, which was passed by a joint sitting of Parliament — the NAB chairman, who completes a four-year term, cannot be appointed to the post for a second tenure.

The bill has also reduced the four-year term of the NAB chairman and the bureau's prosecutor-general to three years. The power to appoint the deputy chairman will rest with the federal government.

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Aftab Sultan appointed NAB chairman

Former director-general of Intelligence Bureau Aftab Sultan has been appointed National Accountability Bureau chairman.

Sources privy to the matter said approval for Sultan's appointment was given in today's federal cabinet meeting.

The allied parties had opposed the suggestion to appoint Sultan as the NAB chairman. However, the PML-N held consultations and finally made the decision for his appointment.

Sultan has served as the IB DG twice and has remained associated with the police department on senior posts as a grade-22 official.

The coveted post was lying vacant since last month after then-NAB chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal on June 2 relinquished charge of his office on expiry of the ordinance through which he was given an extension till the appointment of a new chairman.

The four-year-and-eight-month-long tenure of Iqbal — who was appointed as the anti-graft body’s chairman in 2017 — was one of the most controversial eras of the bureau.

Constitutionally, the term of chairman NAB is four years while Iqbal completed his term in October 2021, but the PTI promulgated the NAB amendment ordinance through which he was given an extension till the appointment of a new chairman of NAB.

However, the PTI government did not start the process of consultation with the opposition leader for the appointment of a new chairman.

Now, under the National Accountability (Second Amendment) Bill 2021, which was passed by a joint sitting of Parliament — the NAB chairman, who completes a four-year term, cannot be appointed to the post for a second tenure.

The bill has also reduced the four-year term of the NAB chairman and the bureau's prosecutor-general to three years. The power to appoint the deputy chairman will rest with the federal government.

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Protesters reject new Sri Lankan leader

Anti government protesters have returned to the streets of Sri Lanka’s capital and say they will continue their weeks long uprising after parliament voted in acting leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as the country’s new president.

Hundreds of protesters gathered at the GotaGoGama site in Colombo, where only last week they had celebrated Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation as president.
Addressing the crowds, protest leaders refused to accept six-time Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, 73, as the new head of state, holding him partly responsible for the country’s unprecedented economic and political crisis.

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PTI body to work on withdrawing cases filed against members

PTI secretary general Asad Umar on Wednesday announced that his party has formed an "Anti Victimisation and Accountability Committee" to get criminal cases filed against party members following the "Azadi March" on May 25 withdrawn and identify officials who "tortured" protesters for legal proceedings.

"No one should think that we have forgotten May 25. Neither have we forgotten it nor will we let anyone forget it," he said on Twitter.

Former prime minister Imran Khan's march for haqeeqi azadi — true freedom — was preceded by the authorities invoking Section 144, a measure used to curb gatherings. Shipping containers were put in place on major thoroughfares to block their path.

A night before the march, police raids were reported on PTI leaders' residences. On the day of the march, party supporters and workers in Punjab met the worst form of atrocities.

In one such incident, ex-minister Hammad Azhar suffered injuries after tear gas was fired at him. On the other hand, the windshield of former provincial health minister Yasmin Rashid's car was smashed.

Separately, after the protest ended at the D-Chowk, an avalanche of cases was registered against Imran and other PTI leaders such as Rashid, Fawad Chaudhry, Azhar, Imran Ismail, Shibli Faraz, and others.

In a tweet today, Umar said that the party had constituted a committee that would oversee all the first information reports (FIRs) and "identify the fake cases".

It would be headed by former education minister Shafqat Mahmood and comprise PTI leaders Aamer Mehmood Kiani, Yasmin Rashid, Aon Abbas Buppi, and Raja Basharat.

Umar outlined that the purpose of the committee would be to collect all fake cases registered against PTI members in Punjab and take legal steps to get them withdrawn.

Furthermore, it would "identify officials responsible for illegal and criminal action" against party members and initiate legal proceedings against them.

The development comes after the party had a sweeping victory in the crucial Punjab by-elections after winning 15 out of 20 seats in the province.

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PAC summons NAB chief as Row deepens

The ongoing tussle between the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Tuesday worsened when the chairman of the former expressed his displeasure over the latter challenging its mandate in the Islamabad High Court.

During a meeting of the PAC, its chairman Noor Alam Khan while hinting at taking action under Article 6 against those NAB officials who had not declared their assets or presented the record of closed cases, issued notices to the anti-graft body’s acting Chairman Zahir Shah and  Lahore Director General Shahzad Saleem to appear before it on Wednesday (today) at 1pm. He also directed that if they did not appear before the committee, police should take them into custody and present them before the body.

Earlier in the day, the NAB acting chairman moved the IHC against the PAC, arguing that the committee issuing  notices was beyond its jurisdiction.

The PAC chairman remarked that if the accountability courts considered the public spending watchdog to be an ineffective body, it should tell the parliamentary committees to wrap up and go home, adding that NAB officials were trying to evade accountability.

He also said the PAC would take action against the NAB acting chairman and Lahore DG under Article 201 of the Constitution.

Article 201 reads: Subject to Article 189, any decision of a High Court shall, to the extent that it decides a question of law or is based upon or enunciates a principle of law, be binding on all courts subordinate to it.”

The PAC chairman noted that the NAB Lahore DG had sent a letter to the PAC over the case of a woman named Tayyaba Gul, who had accused the former chairman of the anti-graft body, Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal and other officials of harassment and also presented video evidence.

He added that the matter was related to corruption and he would summon all the NAB officials involved in it.

“I can’t understand why NAB officials are trying to run away from accountability?” he questioned.

Noor observed that the PAC had no personal grudge against anyone but it would take action against any public-office holder involved in corrupt practices.

“The PAC can hear public petitions under Article 201,” he added.

PAC member Sheikh Rohail Asghar from the PML-N said during the meeting that the committee could listen to matters pertaining to corruption but the background of the Tayyaba case also  needed to be taken into account.

“it needs to be asertained whether that woman and her husband are involved in corruption or not. It’s easy to taint a person’s reputation,” he added.

The issue related to the sports channel of a private TV media group was highlighted by the committee member Wajiha Qamar in the committee.

The information secretary told the PAC that a fact-finding committee was formed on the matter of PTV sports channel.

On the findings of that committee, the matter was sent to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). Wajiha would be provided with the details of how the copyrights of the PTV were given to a private channel. A report has been requested from the auditor general of Pakistan in two days.

Noor noted that irregularities had been identified in this matter and the inquiry report of the fact-finding committee should be submitted to PAC.

Earlier, the NAB acting chairman had moved the IHC against the PAC, clsim7ng  that the committee was acting beyond its jurisdiction.

The petitioner made the NA  parliamentary affairs secretary, PAC chairman and others as respondents in his plea.

The IHC registrar fixed the acting chairman’s petition for hearing on Wednesday, despite objections. A single-member IHC bench headed by acting IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq will hear the case.

The petitioner said the PAC had exceeded its jurisdiction in its meeting on June 24 and requested the court to declare the minutes of the committee’s meeting released on July 7 as null and void.

The petitioner also asked the court to restrain the PAC from any action against him until the court gave a verdict in the case.

Earlier, the NAB Lahore DG had also challenged the notice issued to him by the PAC in the Tayabba  harassment case before the IHC.

The official had made the federation, PAC, and others as respondents in his plea.

The petitioner had contended that the PAC was exceeding its jurisdiction. He had maintained that the PAC did not enjoy any sort of jurisdiction in this particular case.

The petitioner had claimed his summoning along with the ex-NAB chairman raised a lot of questions about the PAC chairman’s impartiality.

 “It cannot be ruled out either that the committee chairman member of the National Assembly (MNA) Noor Alam Khan might have himself asked the woman to file the complaint against me and the ex-NAB chairman only for his own vested interest because he is already facing an inquiry by the bureau,” the petition had read.

Tayabba has sought permission to become a respondent in the petition filed by the NAB Lahore DG against the notice issued by the PAC.

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