He said the Third Front was going to play a vital role in the state politics. “Given the voter turnout in the first two phases of polls, the conventional family rule will soon end. Instead the third front is going to play a vital role in the state politics,” he said. “The third front will not only give new direction to the politics but change the political dimensions of state.”

Mir said that eradication of unemployment was the foremost priority of his party and if voted to power, it would announce a 30,000 crore employment package for the youth of the state. “The biggest problem of state was unemployment, which had frustrated the youth and as a result of which they found their future bleak. But employment is our thrust area. We have a 30,000 crore package for eradicating unemployment from the state,” he said
“Of the 30,000 crore, he said, 5000 crores would be provided by the government while remaining 25,000 crores would be provided by various financial institutions, “he added.

The unemployed youth, he said, would also receive the unemployment allowance from the government, till they were employed. He said other parties too were making promises of removing unemployment. “But their promises are vague. They have always exploited the youth,” he said, adding, “Ours is a practical policy.” Mir condemned the killings of youth by police and CRPF in Varmul and Sopur. “We condemn such incidents and urge government to ensure that such incidents do not recur,” he said.-SANA

As police didn’t release the arrested youth hundreds of people defied the undeclared curfew and took to the streets in old town this morning seeking their release, and demanding action against the erring troopers who killed two youth on Saturday. One of the youth, Mansoor Ali of Khanpora, was shot dead allegedly by a bodyguard of a Congress candidate. Later another youth was killed when troopers opened fire on mourners carrying Ali’s body.

Policemen and paramilitary troopers who were deployed in strength in the area resorted to baton charge and fired numerous tear smoke canisters to disperse them. Youth formed small groups and retaliated by pelting stones, triggering clashes. The pitched battles between the angry youth and force personnel continued throughout the day.

Life remained crippled in this north Kashmir town for third consecutive day as policemen and paramilitary CRPF troopers didn’t allow people to come out of their homes. All the three bridges connecting civil lines with the old town were sealed.

A resident of Mohalla Jadeed, Abdur Rasheed Bhat, blamed local administration for the prevailing tension in the town. “Officials should not have allowed the Congress candidate to pass from the town on Saturday. They (officials) knew it very well that situation is tense and anything can happen. Had officials shown presence of mind these unfortunate incidents could have been avoided.”

Residents of old town accused paramilitary CRPF men of barging into the houses and beating up the inmates. “In past two days they (troopers) smashed window panes of nearly 60 houses. Whenever they enter into the town, instead of chasing away the protesters, they start thrashing innocent people and ransack the houses,” said Ghulam Rasool of old town.

The divisional commissioner Kashmir, Masood Samoon and inspector general of police- Kashmir zone, Dr Sriniwasan visited the town this afternoon and held a meeting with the senior citizens including the presidents of Varmul Bar association, Beopar Mandal and Auqaf. “We had a detailed discussion with the divisional commissioner and asked him to get the arrested youth released immediately. We also demanded setting up of an independent commission to probe the killings of innocent youth. We apprised him about the reign of terror unleashed by the troopers.

The officials assured us that our grievances would be looked into and stern action would be taken against erring troopers,” said one of the participants who attended the meeting.-SANA

Many polling and presiding officers in Ganderbal and Kangan constituencies expressed displeasure over the government’s failure to issue the cards in time, leading to chaos. “The government issued some cards in these constituencies, but not all. Had all EPICs been issued, it would not take us much time to identify a person,” said a polling officer, wishing anonymity.

He said the possession of an EPIC by a person saves time besides curb the illegal practice of bogus voting. “This time, we have to go through many records to see if a person is entitled to vote. The EPIC is a verified and authentic document. Its possession means that the voter is entitled to vote,” the official said.

Reports said that in the absence of voter cards, mobile voters were “active” during the first phase of elections, a charge refuted by the Chief Electoral Office. “The Election Commission has given a special concession to people of Jammu and Kashmir that they can use alternate official documents like passport, driving licenses, ration cards or any other government document during voting,” said the CEO, B R Sharma.

The EPICs, Sharma said, are being issued as per the priority. “The elections are taking place in a phased manner. So the cards are being distributed accordingly,” Sharma said, asserting that “no bogus voting was reported from Ganderbal and Kangan constituencies.”

Sources, however, said that there was confusion and lack of planning while preparing the cards. “There was jumbling of photos and spelling mistakes in the forms collected by the authorities. The exercise was not done in a planned manner. So it very unlikely that all voter would be getting the cards before the polls,” they said. They said the prime reason for delay was that it took a lot of time for the authorities to verify the photographs of the people.-SANA

Obama, who has been using rhetoric on the issue of capturing al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden even if it meant crossing into Pakistani territory, said he never suggested the US invasion of Pakistan. He also stipulated his proposal on unilateral hunt of top al-Qaeda militants on the Pakistani territory, saying that the U.S should do so if Pakistan is not willing or able to act in the case of actionable intelligence.

Obama held the Bush Administration partly responsible for the situation in Pakistan. “We have a difficult situation in Pakistan. I believe that part of the reason we have a difficult situation is because we made a bad judgment going into Iraq in the first place when we hadn’t finished the job of hunting down bin Laden and crushing al-Qaeda.

“So what happened was we got distracted, we diverted resources, and ultimately bin Laden escaped.” He said the terrorists are now raiding American troops in Afghanistan, destabilizing the situation and are stronger now than at any time since 2001.

And that’s why I think it’s so important for us to reverse course, because that’s the central front on terrorism”. They are plotting to kill Americans right now. As Robert Gates, the defence secretary, said, the war against terrorism began in that region and that’s where it will end.

The Illinois senator argued that part of the reason it’s so important for us to end the war in Iraq is to be able to get more troops into Afghanistan, put more pressure on the Afghan government to do what it needs to do, eliminate some of the drug trafficking that’s funding terrorism.

But I do believe that we have to change our policies with Pakistan. We can’t coddle, as we did, a dictator, give him billions of dollars and then he’s making peace treaties with the Taliban and militants.

What I’ve said is we’re going to encourage democracy in Pakistan, expand our nonmilitary aid to Pakistan so that they have more of a stake in working with us, but insisting that they go after these militants”.

And if we have Osama bin Laden in our sights and the Pakistani government is unable or unwilling to take them out, then I think that we have to act and we will take them out. We will kill bin Laden; we will crush Al-Qaeda. That has to be our biggest national security priority.

Retorting to Obama’s suggestion, Senator McCain warned against talking loudly on the issue.

In fact, he (Obama) said he wants to announce that he’s going to attack Pakistan. Remarkable. You know, if you are a country and you’re trying to gain the support of another country, then you want to do everything you can that they would act in a cooperative fashion. “When you announce that you’re going to launch an attack into another country, it’s pretty obvious that you have the effect that it had in Pakistan:

It turns public opinion against us.” Instead, McCain called for cooperative efforts with Pakistan in the ongoing fight against terrorism and help for its government in going after militants. “Now, our relations with Pakistan are critical, because the border areas are being used as safe havens by the Taliban and al-Qaeda and other extremist organizations, and we have to get their support”.

“Now, General Petraeus had a strategy, the same strategy—very, very different, because of the conditions and the situation” but the same fundamental strategy that succeeded in Iraq. And that is to get the support of the people.

“We need to help the Pakistani government go into Waziristan, where I visited, a very rough country, and—and get the support of the people, and get them to work with us and turn against the cruel Taliban and others. “And by working and coordinating our efforts together, not threatening to attack them, but working with them, and where necessary use force, but talk softly, but carry a big stick.”

Retaliating to McCain’s criticism of his Pakistan position, Obama said he never proposed invading the South Asian country. “I want to be very clear about what I said. Nobody called for the invasion of Pakistan. Sen. McCain continues to repeat this. “What I said was the same thing that the audience here today heard me say, which is, if Pakistan is unable or unwilling to hunt down bin Laden and take him out, then we should. Now, that I think has to be our policy, because they are threatening to kill more Americans.”

He attacked McCain for proposing bombing of Iran. “Sen. McCain, this is the guy who sang, “Bomb, bomb, bomb Iran,” who called for the annihilation of North Korea. That I don’t think is an example of “speaking softly.” “This is the person who, after we had—we hadn’t even finished Afghanistan, where he said, “Next up, Baghdad.”

Obama also stated that the popular opinion of America “had diminished in Pakistan was because we were supporting a dictator, Musharraf, had given him $10 billion over seven years, and he had suspended civil liberties. We were not promoting democracy. “This is the kind of policies that ultimately end up undermining our ability to fight the war on terrorism, and it will change when I’m president.”

For his part, McCain rejected Obama’s salvo on his Iran bombing idea as untrue and assured the Americans that he will get hold of Osama bin Laden. “I understand what it’s like to send young American’s in harm’s way. I say—I was joking with a veteran—I hate to even go into this. I was joking with an old veteran friend, who joked with me, about Iran”.

“But the point is that I know how to handle these crises. And Sen.

Obama, by saying that he would attack Pakistan, look at the context of his words.

I’ll get Osama bin Laden, my friends. I’ll get him. I know how to get him.”

Obama also slammed the Afghan government for not being responsive to the people’s needs.

“We’re also going to have to work with the Karzai government, and when I met with President Karzai, I was very clear that you are going to have to do better by your people in order for us to gain the popular support that’s necessary”.

I don’t think he has to be a dictator. And we want a democracy in Afghanistan. But we have to have a government that is responsive to the Afghan people, and, frankly, it’s just not responsive right now.-APP

In the debate held at Oxford, Mississippi, Obama said $10 billion in aid to the Pakistan government over the last seven years had failed to rid the border region of al Qaeda and Taliban militants. “If the United States has al Qaeda, (Osama) bin Laden, top-level lieutenants in our sights, and Pakistan is unable or unwilling to act, then we should take them out,” he said.

McCain called for a quiet policy.
“You don’t say that out loud. If you have to do things, you have to do things, and you work with the Pakistani government,” he said. He said support from the Pakistani people was necessary. He cautioned that newly elected President Asif Ali Zardari has his “hands full” and said “this area on the border has not been governed since the days of Alexander the Great.” “I’m not prepared at this time to cut off aid to Pakistan,” he said.

The debate also saw a little role reversal. It was Obama who seemed more aligned with President George W. Bush’s current policy of authorizing American Special Forces to cross the Afghan-Pakistan border into Pakistan’s tribal areas.

In one of the more heated moments of the debate, Obama argued that he would take the war to Osama bin Laden’s cave door, whether Pakistan cooperated or not. And it was McCain, who argued that without Pakistan’s cooperation, any such operation was doomed.

At its core, the candidate’s argument is about the “central front” in the war on terrorism. Obama said it was, and always has been, Pakistan’s tribal areas and the neighboring areas of Afghanistan.-SANA

Khurshid Ahmad said that restoration of the judiciary and its freedom is a burning issue in the country. The APDM boycotted the general elections for restoration of free judiciary and establishment of independent Election Commission, He added. “Justice Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui is a symbol of the resistance movement that compelled Musharraf to oust.

Abdur Rahim Mandokhel independent judiciary was the focal point of all the political parties in the February 18 elections, but the present government is not upholding its words regarding reinstatement of the judges. He blamed the government of dividing the judges by appointing certain judges. Mandokhel said they support Justice Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui so that all the judges could be restored. National Party President Dr. Abdul Malik said that they are determined to support Saeeduzzaman as a Presidential candidate. To a question he said that Asif Ali Zardari disappointed the people of Balochistan.

Furthermore The All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM) has announced its support to PML-N candidate for next president run Justice (Retd) Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui. APDM leaders Professor Khurshid Ahmed, Abdul Rahim Mandokhel and Professor Ibrahim announced this while addressing a press conference at Parliament House here Friday. They said the alliance has decided to back Saeeduzzaman as he represents the lawyers’ movement, adding that nine Senators belonging to the APDM will cast their votes for him.-SANA

He welcomed the ceasefire announcement made by different Baloch organizations and asked the government to ensure implementation of general amnesty to warring Baloch people. The presidential candidate said issues should not be made ego problem. He said strong provinces could guarantee stable Pakistan.-SANA

The improbable coalition with former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League (N) has fallen apart. With the object of their attacks (Musharraf) no longer around, it seems nothing more was holding them together, Washington Post said in an article by Shuja Nawaz. If the current political math holds, Asif Ali Zardari, the co-Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples’ Party appears to be a shoo-in to succeed General Pervez Musharraf as the next regular President of Pakistan on September 6. But he will not have much time to exult.

But the prize of the presidency will not be the end of the road to political redemption for Zardari and his party. He faces huge hurdles before he can proclaim victory and enjoy its fruits. In the run-up to the presidential elections, Zardari’s opponents raised anew all the charges of graft, cronyism, and misgovernment that had dogged his earlier political career. The apparent coup de grace was a report in The Financial Times that cited his serious mental problems, including depression and dementia; his lawyers produced this report as evidence in a British court to excuse his failure to appear in one of the cases against him. For a man who may shortly be rising to head the National Command Authority of Pakistan, the master of the country’s nuclear arsenal, and who may inherit the vast presidential powers that Musharraf had accumulated, any hint of mental instability would be a serious drawback. No one seems to have focused on the fact that the medical report by American doctors represents one of the sorrier aspects of U.S. legal proceedings, whereby “expert medical witnesses” can be hired for princely sums to offer exactly opposite views on the same subject in any court of law.

Assuming Zardari sweeps into the presidency, he will face another uphill task. He has little or no direct institutional or management experience. His political management style is not dissimilar from other political leaders in Pakistan: highly personalized and based on oral briefings and rapid-fire decision making. Some have described it as government by cell phone, referring to the two mobile phones that he carries in each pocket of his jacket and that ring non-stop, as he snaps orders to his party minions. Will he devolve responsibilities, as he should, or will he try to run the government and the country from the presidency, as Musharraf did?

He will also need to battle history. Most civilian successors of autocratic or dictatorial regimes in Pakistan have found it hard to divest themselves of the concentrated powers of the preceding dictators. They became civilian dictators. Zardari’s biggest test will be whether he lives up to his pre-election promises to the country to rid the country of the 17th Amendment that gave Musharraf sweeping powers. Doing this would restore Pakistan to parliamentary democracy and make the Prime Minister the supreme executive, with the president as a symbolic head of state. Zardari’s sycophants will clamor against any such move. It will be tempting to accede to their wishes. But he must remember that any accumulation of unfettered power in the past, even by Nawaz Sharif, created equal and opposite forces within the country. The results were never pretty. Gravitas, not hubris should be the key word of the day. Moreover, Pakistan today has a range of countervailing forces at work: the powerful army, as always; a rising news media; an energized civil society, epitomized by the lawyers’ movement that led to Musharraf’s departure; and the market forces of the globalized economy that will make Pakistan pay severely for political turmoil and instability.

Zardari must also pay attention to other realities. The army still remains a key player in Pakistan. While the return of civilian supremacy is a devout wish of the people of Pakistan, any government that attempts to make changes in the civil-military relationship by fiat and with contumely rather than consultation with the army risks a confrontation with unhappy results. The recent ill-conceived notification about the placing of the Inter Services Intelligence agency under the Advisor to the Ministry of the Interior brought back memories of Prime Minister Bhutto’s ill-fated and abortive attempt to remove the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff by notification in 1989. President Zardari would do well to take the time to read some of the recent history of civil-military relations in his country. President Musharraf apparently did not.

Another key lesson from the Musharraf presidency relates to the political deal-making with the Islamic parties by which their votes were bought in return for concessions. Musharraf’s deal with the Islamic parties allowed them to acquire undue power in parliament and ushered in militancy, even in the heart of Islamabad. Today, the PPP seems to have made arrangements with the Islamic and regional parties to garner support for the presidential elections. If in return, Zardari halts the increasingly successful military operations against the militants, there will be a serious loss of momentum in the effort to control the Taliban and other extremist elements in Pakistan. A pause in the military pressure will give them time to regroup and recover their strength. He must rescind rapidly the so-called Ramadan cease fire. Otherwise the army and the country will pay dearly for this move.

The challenge for Pakistan’s next president will be to restore the country back to political stability. The best way forward would be for him to take on a role as neutral non-partisan and uniting figure rather than a party-oriented activist. As a clean, statesmanlike, and deliberative head of state, he could bring Pakistan back from the abyss of economic and political tumult and chaos. Is “President” Zardari ready for that challenge?

Dar clarified impeachment motion would not cause any instability in the country. Answering a question, he said that impeachment motion could not be challenged nowhere including the Supreme Court.

While Federal Information Minister Sherry Rehman said Sunday that preparation of charge sheet was underway while ruling alliance has obtained the support of 350 members for impeachment. Talking to media, she said that impeachment motion would be historic and solid. Members of PML-Q have also contacted us for the success of impeachment bid, she revealed, adding PML-Q and other parties were also against the use of 58(2) b. She further said, “One more meeting will be held tomorrow to finalize the draft of the charge sheet as it is historic and long. Regarding Amin Fahim, the federal minister said he would not support the dictatorship in the democratic struggle.

Interestingly Ex-Servicemen Association has said on Sunday that President Musharraf should not be given safe exit after the impeachment and should be tried. Talking to media, Ex-servicemen members Salim Haider, General (Retd.) Mahmood and others hoped that decision taken by the ruling coalition on August 7 would be implemented. They demanded that President Musharraf along with his loyalists should be penalized and added they were against any safe passage for the President.

Ex-servicemen Association extended their full support and solidarity to the political parties, civil society and lawyers for the betterment of democracy and impeachment of President Musharraf. We are fully aware of the challenges faced by the country internally and externally, it said, adding they were assessing the law and order situation in FATA and other areas. Answering a question on General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, they said the Army Chief had declared clear policy to be neutral and nobody should have any doubt in this regard.

The President of Muslim League-N and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has increased his activities for the success of impeachment motion against President Pervez Musharraf. Mian Shahbaz Sharif has become a shuttle between leaders of the ruling coalition Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif. He traveled several times between Lahore and Islamabad during last few days and visited Islamabad twice or more. He came to Lahore with the message of Asif Ali Zardari for Nawaz Sharif. He did not talk to media at airport.

According to resources a meeting was held at the residence of Federal Information Minister Sherry Rehman in which 8-point charge sheet was considered. And Ruling coalition’s special draft committee has ended its meeting on Sunday which will resume today. President Musharraf’s October 12, 1999 military coup against Nawaz Sharif government, suspension of constitution, imposition of partial Martial Law, Lal Masjid operation, judges’ sacking, weakening of the federation will be the main points of the charge sheet, sources say. Apart from these points; allowing the foreign powers to intervene in the country’s politics, missing persons, Dr. Qadir issue and PPP slain Chairperson Benazir Bhutto’s assassination were also under consideration, it said.

In addition, members of parliament elected from the FATA are demanding to add military operation in FATA in the charge sheet while Baloch nationalists are also demanding for addition of Balochistan operation in the charge sheet. Minority member are also demanding to add the points regarding withdrawal of direct election for minority members, sources say.

LAHORE: Speaker Punjab Assembly Rana Mohammad Iqbal has taken oath as acting governor of Punjab. Chief Justice Lahore High Court Syed Zahid Hussain administered the oath from him. Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif, Senior Minister Raja Riaz, PPP leader Qasim Zia, Excise and Taxation Minister Mujtaba Shuja Ur Rehman and other senior government officials attended the oath taking ceremony.

PML-N’s candidate for the Speakership of the Punjab Assembly Rana Muhammad Iqbal has been elected unopposed on April 11, 2008. He has taken oath which was administered by outgoing Speaker Afzal Sahi. Provincial ministers, MPAs and the members of the Pakistan Muslim League (N) and the Pakistan People’s Party in a large number were present on the occasion of the oath-taking ceremony.

Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan, son of Rana Phool Muhammad Khan (former MPA and Minister) was born on April 20, 1945 at Gumthala Garhu, Tehsil Pehowa, District Karnal, India. He obtained his early education from D.B. High School, Bhai Pheroo (now Phool Nagar). He graduated from Islamia College, Civil Lines, Lahore in 1968 and obtained the degree of LL.B. from University of the Punjab, Lahore in 1971. He is an advocate and agriculturist. He served as Secretary, Tehsil Bar Associate, Bar Association, Chunian during 1975-76. He started his political career from Markaz Council and served as Chairman Markaz Council and Union Council, Phool Nagar during 1979-83, remained Vice Chairman, Zila Council, Kasur during 1983-87; functioned as Chairman Zila Council Kasur for two consecutive terms during 1987-93. He was first elected unopposed, to the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab in the bye-election in 1993, but before he could make oath as a Member, the Assembly was dissolved in June 1993. He was elected to the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab and served as Member during 1993-96. He returned again to the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab for the third consecutive term in 1997 and served as Provincial Minister and held the portfolios of Livestock & Dairy Development, Forest, Wildlife, Fisheries and Tourism during 1997-99. He has returned to the Punjab Assembly for the fourth term and is functioning as Speaker since April 11, 2008, having been elected unopposed as such. He has visited United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, India and France. He belongs to a noble family of politicians. His father was elected as Member for six consecutive terms, to Provincial Assembly of West Pakistan during 1965-69, Provincial Assembly of the Punjab during 1972-77, 1977, 1985-88, 1988-90 and 1990-93, and also served as Provincial Minister during 1988-90 and 1990-93. His cousin, Rana Muhammad Hayat Khan remained MNA and Parliamentary Secretary during 1990-2007. His another cousin Rana Muhammad Ishaq Khan is a sitting MNA. He is an elected member from PP-184 (Kasur)

Following the hearing, Deputy Attorney General, Raja Rahman told media that he has counseled SC for giving primacy to the people’s opinion in matters of Nawaz Sharif. He said that he viewed Nawaz Sharif eligible for contesting by-election and added that Nawaz Sharif ineligibility case was not only the issue of ineligibility, but a matter of legal clarification as to whether High Court could give decision on it or not.-SANA

In Sindh, out of three constituencies of bye-poll, two PPPP candidates were already elected unopposed and one remaining one seat was also secured by PPPP. In NWFP, out of seven constituencies, two each seat was secured by the PPPP, ANP and Independent candidates with one going to PML-N. In Balochistan, out of three seats of bye-polls, one was secured by PPPP and in two constituencies the independent candidates remained successful.

According to constituency-wise details, in NA-11 Mardan-III Khanzada Khan of PPPP won the polls by securing 20896 votes, in NA-52 Rawalpindi-III Muhammad Safdar of PML won by securing 54917 votes, in NA-55 Rawalpindi-VI Haji Pervaiz Khan of PML-N won by securing 25237 votes, in NA-131 Sheikhupura-I Rana Afzal Hussain of PML-N won by getting 119,180 votes and in NA-147 Okara-V Khurram Jehangir Wattoo of PPPP won the polls by bagging 79195 votes.

Details of polls for Punjab Assembly show that in PP-59 Faisalabad-IX Qasim Zia of PPPP won the elections by securing 32,915 votes, in PP-70 Faisalabad-XX, Rana Sanaullah Khan of PML-N won the polls by getting 23,070 votes, in PP-99 Gujranwala-IX Qaisar Iqbal Sindhu of PPPP won by getting 33,943 votes, in PP-118 Mandi Bahauddin-III Major ® Zulfiqar Ali Gondal of PPPP won by getting 20,859 votes, in PP-124 Sialkot-IV Rana Shamim Ahmed Khan of PML-N won by getting 24,994 votes, in PP-154 Lahore-XVIII Syed Zaeem Hussain Qadri of PML-N won the seat by bagging 8,211 votes, in PP-171 Nankana Sahib-II Rana Muhammad Arshad of PML-N won the seat by securing 22,715 votes, in PP-219 Khanewal-VIII Karam Dad Wahla an independent candidate won the seat by securing 38,098 votes, in PP-229 Pakpattan-III Sardar Wajid Ali of PML-N won the seat by getting 24,989 votes, in PP-243 D G Khan-IV Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa of PML-N won the seat by getting 27,829 votes, in PP-258 Muzaffargarh-VIII Makhdoom Haroon Ahmed Sultan Bokhari an independent candidates won the seat by getting 23,829 votes and in PP-277 Bahawalnagar-I Mian Fida Hussain of PML-N won the election by getting 32,706 votes. In PP-295 Rahim Yar Khan-XI Syed Abdul Qadir Gillani of PPPP was already decalred winner unopposed.

For Sindh Assembly, PS-30 Khairpur-II Pir Syed Muhammad Bachal Shah of PPPP won the election by getting 23548 votes while two candidates Pir Amir Ali Shah and Sharjeel Inam Memon belonging to PPPP were already declared winner unopposed from PS-44 old Hyderabad-II and PS-62 Tharparkar-III respectively.

In bye-polls for NWFP Assembly, in PF-20 Charsadda-IV Muhammad Taimoor Khan of ANP won the polls by getting 8,351 votes, in PF-59 Battagram-I Taj Muhammad Khan Tarand an independent candidate won the polls by getting 16,528 votes, in PF-75 Lakki Marwat-II Dr Muhammad Khalid Raza Pir Zakori Sharif an independent candidates won the seat by bagging 24,997 votes, in PF-81 Swat-II Sher Shah Khan of ANP won the seat by getting 7731 votes, in PF-91 Upper Dir-I Muhammad Anwar Khan of PPPP won the seat by getting 14,445 votes and in PF-92 Upper Dir-II Badshah Saleh of PPPP won the seat by securing 11,997 votes.

In bye-polls for Balochistan Assembly constituencies, in PB-9 Pishin-II Asfandyar Khan Kakar of PPPP won the elections by getting 15,182 votes, in PB-32 Jhal Magsi Old Kacchi-III Nawabzada Tariq Magsi an independent candidate won the polls by getting 56,261 votes and in PB-44 Lasbela-I Pir Abdul Qadir Al-Gillani an independent candidate won the election by getting 16,911 votes. The overall results situation shows that out of total 28 National and Provincial Assemblies constituencies, the ruling coalition secured 22 seats with six going to independent candidates as none of other parties could secure any seat in bye-polls.-SANA

In the NWFP, National Awami Party, Pakistan Peoples Party and Independents have won two seats each. The winners are: Mohammad Taymour Khan and Sher Shah Khan of ANP, Muhammad Anwar Khan and Badshah Saleh of PPP and Dr. Mohammad Khalid Raza Pir Zakori Sharif and Taj Mohammad Khan Tarind Independents. Pir Syed Mohammad Bachal Shah of PPP has won the only Sindh Assembly seat. The result of an Abbotabad seat is still awaited. In the Balochistan Assembly Independents have won two and Peoples Party one seat. The names of the successful candidates are: Nawabzada Tariq Magsi and Pir Abdul Qadir Gilani Independents and Asfandyar Khan Kakar of PPP.-SANA

Talking to media, Nawaz Sharif said that he wanted peace in the tribal areas and he would lend support to whatever efforts were made for this. On leading in the by-elections, he thanked the voters of these constituencies. Mian Nawaz Sharif said that he would not sit in peace until the restoration of the real judges and would not appear before any PCO judges. Punjab Chief Minister, Mian Shahbaz Sharif, PML-N’s central leader, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Pir Sabir Shah were also present on this occasion. -SANA

By-elections were held in twelve constituencies of the Punjab Assembly; seven of the NWFP, three of Balochistan and one constituency of Sindh Assembly. The turn out in the morning was slow but later on it gained momentum. Several people are reported to have been injured in a firing incident between two rival groups during the polling process at PP-219 Jehanian. There are also reports of some clashes between supporters of rival candidates in Charsadda and Bahawalnagar. However, overall situation of the polling in the country remained peaceful. To keep law and order intact Police made some arrests.

In this regard Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan Kanwar Dilshad has said that the polling in all the 28 constituencies of National and Provincial Assemblies was held smoothly and not a single complaint has been lodged with the Election Commission about any irregularity. In an interview, he said a team of the Canadian High Commission visited polling stations in Rawalpindi while another team of US-AID visited Central Control Room of the Commission in Islamabad and appreciated the arrangements made for holding of by-elections.

He has said result of by-poll for National and Provincial Assemblies would be officially announced in two to three days. Talking to Pakistan Times he said that the announcement of the results will be postponed to two days as delay in out come of the polls results from certain areas in Balochistan are expected. He said that the elections results could be displayed at Mobile Phones as well. On disturbance during elections in certain areas he said that strong notice has been taken and grievances would be removed as per rules and regulations.

Punjab Government Thursday said the polls for by-elections were held in a free, fair and transparent environment. The team of Canadian observers also termed the by-elections as transparent and the independent media too witnessed no interference of the government in the polling process, Punjab government spokesman said. He said the government had taken strict note of a couple of unpleasant incidents and took action without any discrimination.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Thursday took serious notice of the armed clash occurred between the rival groups at a polling station in Jahania and directed the provincial Chief Secretary and IG police to take immediate action against those involved in the incident. Polling had been suspended at polling station number 10/110 R in PP-219 in Jahania after a severe clash and trade of fire between two rival groups that left several people killed. The clashes created panic among the voters. Police reached the scene after a long delay. Several people were arrested after the clash. However, taking advantage of chaos many armed men managed to flee

Regular hearing of the case will be held from next Monday. Talking to a private TV channel, Attorney General Malik Muhammad Qayyum said that the petition filed by the federation has raised the major objection and important question of the competence of Lahore High Court (LHC) hearing that whether or not LHC had the authority to give decision on this writ petition.

While National Assembly session would be held on July 14. According to the sources of Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, the lower house session would be started on July 14. The ministry would be sent summary to President about the NA session and the constitutional package would be presented in the assembly.-SANA

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the government has decided to file an appeal in the Supreme Court against the order of Lahore High court disqualifying Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif from contesting forthcoming bye-elections. Making a statement in the National Assembly this afternoon, he said they would also make a request for the postponement of by-elections of NA-123 from where Mian Nawaz Sharif was a candidate, till decision of the appeal.

The Prime Minister said he spoke to Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan, Javed Hashmi and Ahsan Iqbal and held consultations with the law Minister Farooq Naek and the Advisor on Interior Rehman Malik about the options available to the government. He said the government had only one option that is to file the appeal. Gilani said PPP and PML-N respects each other’s mandate and the PPP-led government will stand by its allies.

In the National Assembly the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) parliamentary leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan raised the issue of disqualification of Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. He on Tuesday said an independent judiciary is of vital importance. He was of the view that PCO judges are being protected through unfair means. He hoped that the PPP would not compromise on the principles for which its leaders sacrificed their lives.

Mr. Ahsan Iqbal said it is a defining moment and the coalition partners will have to prove that they are committed to implement the Murree Declaration and Charter of Democracy. Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Syed Khurshid Shah said the government is committed for ensuring supremacy of the constitution and sovereignty of the Parliament and would take along the coalition partners to achieve the goals.

In this regard Members of the National and Provincial Assemblies of Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) Tuesday staged demonstrations to protest the disqualification of PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif from contesting by-elections. The protesters gathered in front of Parliament House here and chanted slogans against the decision of the Lahore High Court’s bench which disqualified Nawaz for contesting the by-polls. Addressing the demonstrators, PML-N Parliamentary leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said his party is willing to lay any kind of sacrifice including quitting of the Punjab government for the restoration of judiciary.

President Musharraf was behind decisions of the PCO judges before February 18 but now the present government is responsible for the recent verdict of the LHC, he said.PML-N Information Secretary, Ahsan Iqbal alleged that President Musharraf after sensing fear of his impeachment had Nawaz Sharif disqualified through PCO judges.He said the future course of action will be decided in a meeting of Parliamentary party and Central Executive Committee.

Meanwhile, The PML-N Members of National and Punjab Assembly staged a demonstration outside the Assembly Chambers in Lahore Tuesday afternoon to protest against the verdict of the Lahore High Court under which PML-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif has been disqualified for contesting the by-elections. The member said this decision is a conspiracy against the democracy to keep Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif out of the Assembly. Thos who spoke on the occasion include Khwaja Saad Rafique, Abdul Ghafoor Chaudhry and Tanvir Ashraf Kaira. Some PPP MPAs, lawyers PML-N workers and members of the civil society also joined the protest.

Information Minister Sherry Rehman has said that there should be no restriction on Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to contest elections. Talking to newsmen outside the Parliament House here on Tuesday, she said the federal government is going into appeal in the Supreme Court as announced by the Prime Minister. She said the Election Commission is also being approached to postpone elections in NA-123 till disposal of the appeal. The Information Minister said this is indeed a difficult moment but emphasised the need to demonstrate tolerance so that the democratic mandate given by the people remains intact. Replying to a question she said the clause relating to the strength of the Supreme court judges was inserted in the Finance Bill at the instance of a senior member of PML(N). To another question, she said Asif Ali Zardari had made it clear at the time of signing of the Murree Declaration that no judge would be dislocated. She said the government wants restoration of the deposed judges but does not want to trigger another crisis by disturbing the present judges.

The Law Minister Farooq H. Naek made it clear that the federal government had opposed the petition for disqualification of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Nawaz Sharif in the Lahore High Court. Responding to points of order raised by the members of the House he said the Deputy Attorney General in his arguments took the plea that the petition is not maintainable and submitted that the matter should be decided by the Election Tribunal.

The Law Minister said it is regrettable to blame the PPP or the federal government regarding this decision as the government’s stance was very clear. Farooq H. Naek said it would be unfair to blame the PPP for protecting the PCO judges as it is opposing the decision of the Lahore High Court. Later on in an interview Law Minister Farooq H. Naek said that Federal Government with the consultation of Coalition partners will file a petition in the Supreme Court Wednesday against the verdict of Lahore High Court disqualifying PML (N) Quaid, Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.

The council of Shahbaz Sharif said the decision of LHC is not the one made independently and there is ambiguity in the verdict. The PML-N workers chanted slogans against the government outside LHC after the announcement of the decision. Earlier, a three-member re-constituted full bench of the Lahore High Court reserved its verdict on the case of the petitions filed against the eligibility of PML (N) Quaid Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and President of PML (N) Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif to contest bye-elections scheduled on the 26th of this month. The bench comprises Mr. Justice Shabbar Raza Rizvi, Mr. Justice Abdus Shakoor Piracha and Mr. Justice M. Bilal Khan.

Spokesman of Muslim League-N Siddiqul Farooq Monday said Lahore High Court’s verdict to disqualify Nawaz Sharif was unacceptable. Talking to Geo News, he said PML-N rejected the decision, adding it was politically motivated and does not fulfill basic requirement of justice. Responding to question, he said Punjab government was pursuing the case. He further alleged the judgment was result of conspiracy hatched by President Musharraf.-SANA

He said it is also the moment of honour for the people of Pakistan, who gave clear verdict on February 18, and defeated the forces supporting the dictatorship. The newly elected member said the resilient struggle made by ‘my Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif’ is laudable which paved way for the establishment of democracy. He also paid homage to the services of the PPP leader, late Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto who rendered for people’s deliverance from dictatorship and added that people still moan her death. Hamza Shahbaz said it is dire need that we march on the same footisngs to change the destiny of the people.-SANA