Senate polls: PTI bags six, opposition wins five seats in KP
Although the distribution of tickets had created err in the ranks of the PTI in the province and candidates including Irfan Saleem, Khurram Zeeshan and Ayesha Bano had refused to accept the decision of the party leadership. However, at last the matter was settled down with the withdrawal of the candidates from the polls.
The ruling party and joint opposition were agreed on a formula of the election of 6-5 formula and efforts were also made to elect their due share unopposed. However, the internal rift in PTI over the awarding of tickets and dispute over the oath taking of the members of the KP Assembly elected on women and non-Muslims reserved seats created hurdle in the election of the candidates unopposed.
Senate elections on 11 seats of KP today
All 145 members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, the Electoral College for the Senate poll, cast their votes and after counting the Election Commission of Pakistan issued Form-58, the Certificate of Election to the elected candidates.
The successful candidates including Robina Khalid (PPP) and Robina Naz (PTI) on seats reserved for women, Azam Khan Swati (PTI) and Dilawar Khan (JUI-F) on technocrat seats, while Muhammad Talha Mahmood (PPP), Niaz Ahmad (PML-N) Mirza Mohammad Afridi, Murad Saeed, Noor-ul-Haq Qadri, Faisal Javed (PTI) and Atta-ul-Haq of JUI-F were elected on general seats.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
20 minutes ago
- Express Tribune
Social media and U-16s
Listen to article The Senate is considering a groundbreaking bill to ban social media access for children under 16, citing mental health risks, cyberbullying and predatory content. The bill would impose fines up to Rs5 million on non-compliant platforms and even jail time for adults aiding minors in setting up or using social media. But while safeguarding youth is a laudable goal, this proposal suffers from fatal flaws in enforcement and overreach, risking privacy and digital rights. Proponents rightly argue that social media exposes children to several harms, including anxiety and depression, vulnerability to exploitation and distraction from studies. The bill also aligns with global steps such as Australia's recent under-16 ban and the EU's General Data Protection Regulation, which mandates parental consent for minors to use several types of online services and products, including social media. The problem, however, is that the mechanics of age verification pose severe practical and ethical challenges. Requiring platforms like TikTok or Instagram to authenticate ages could force 16-year-olds to submit government IDs or biometric data. As seen in EU trials, such systems create honeypots for hackers and normalise surveillance. Meanwhile, Pakistan's own history of internet bans has made almost everyone familiar with VPNs. Tech-savvy teens will almost certainly find ways to circumvent age gates whenever they want. At the same time, PTA would need to audit millions of accounts — a herculean task for an agency already struggling with enforcing politicised censorship under PECA and related laws. The bill also overlooks nuances such as parental autonomy. Many argue that monitoring children's online activity should rest with families, not the state. Instead of unenforceable prohibitions, the government should invest in digital literacy programmes for schools and parents, including encouraging family rules for responsible social media use, and work with platforms and international partners to encourage platform accountability via transparent content moderation.
Express Tribune
2 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Shah Mahmood Qureshi acquitted, Yasmin Rashid sentenced to 10 years in May 9 case
Listen to article An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore has acquitted six Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, including Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Hamza Azeem, in connection with the May 9 riots, while sentencing 10 others, including Dr Yasmin Rashid and Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed, to 10 years in prison on Tuesday. The court delivered its verdict in the case concerning inflammatory speeches and vandalism at the Sherpao Bridge. The court, which had completed final arguments from both the defence and prosecution, reserved its decision before announcing the ruling. The verdict stated that the ATC acquitted Qureshi, Azeem, and four other accused individuals due to insufficient evidence. However, the court found 10 others guilty and handed down 10-year prison sentences for their role in the violence that followed the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan. The case involves violent protests and damage caused to public and private property, including incidents of arson and vandalism, that erupted on May 9, following the arrest of the former prime minister. Earlier, an ATC in Sargodha sentenced Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly, PTI's Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachar, and other party workers to 10 years in prison each. They were found guilty of involvement in creating law and order disturbances, anarchy, and arson during the May 9 riots, which erupted following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan. The ATC judge delivered the verdict after hearing detailed arguments and finding that the prosecution had established its case. The defence counsels argued that the accused were not involved in the charges brought against them, claiming that these were politically motivated cases. May 9 Riots The May 9 riots erupted nationwide following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan, after which PTI leaders and workers staged protests targeting both civil and military installations, including Jinnah House and the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. The military condemned the events as a "Black Day" and decided to try the protesters under the Army Act. As a result of the unrest, many PTI members were arrested and tried in military courts. In December, a military court convicted 25 individuals, including Imran Khan's nephew, Hassan Khan Niazi, and later sentenced 60 more. In January, 19 convicts had their sentences pardoned following successful mercy appeals, although PTI expressed dissatisfaction over the limited number of pardons. The military trials had initially been halted following a Supreme Court ruling but were resumed following the court's instructions to finalise pending cases and announce judgments for those involved in the violent incidents.
Express Tribune
2 hours ago
- Express Tribune
PM reaffirms security of Chinese nationals as top priority
Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reiterated that the protection of Chinese nationals in Pakistan remains a top priority for the government, underscoring its significance in the context of the country's economic future and bilateral cooperation with China. Chairing a high-level meeting on security arrangements for Chinese citizens, the prime minister said that creating a safe and business-friendly environment was essential to maintaining the confidence of Chinese companies operating in Pakistan. 'The confidence of Chinese companies in the Pakistani economy is extremely important for our economic future,' he stated. Read More: UN adopts Pakistan-sponsored resolution on 'peaceful dispute settlement' He highlighted ongoing efforts to bolster security for Chinese nationals across the country, including in the federal capital, citing Safe City projects as a key component of this strategy. These surveillance and response systems, he said, were being implemented nationwide in accordance with international standards. 'China is our friendly country, and the safety of our Chinese brothers is our foremost responsibility,' PM Shehbaz said while noting that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) had entered its second phase, focused on business-to-business collaboration, further increasing the importance of secure conditions for Chinese citizens. In view of this, the premier directed authorities to take special measures at all airports to facilitate the arrival and departure of Chinese nationals. He also called for the inclusion of Safe City-standard surveillance systems in all upcoming housing projects. Also Read: Punjab opposition leader, PTI supporters sentenced to 10 years in May 9 case During the briefing, the interior minister and senior officials updated the prime minister on security protocols in place, highlighting that special arrangements had been made nationwide in light of potential security threats. Chinese nationals are currently being provided with security escort services for travel, the meeting was informed. The federal and provincial governments are working in coordination on these measures, the briefing added, noting that Safe City projects were being expanded across multiple urban centres. The meeting was attended by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, State Minister Talal Chaudhry, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi, and other senior officials.
