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Express Tribune
7 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
FAFEN gives Sialkot by-poll all clear
During a by-election at Sialkot PP-52 constituency on Sunday, observers belonging to the Free and Fair Election Network (Fafen) documented persistent instances of illegal campaigning near polling stations, isolated violations of voter identification, ballot processing, and counting procedures. In a three-page report issued on Tuesday, Fafen, however, noted that the general environment around polling stations remained largely peaceful on the polling day. PML-N's candidate Hina Arshad Warraich received the highest number of votes in the by-election held after the seat fell vacant because of the demise of her father Arshad Warraich. Both the PTI and the PPP had later accused the ruling party of using state machinery to win the polls. The report said the by-election was marked by a slight decrease in voter turnout and a reduction in the number of invalid votes compared to the 2024 General Elections amidst isolated procedural irregularities, including the disruption of the counting process by police officials at a polling station. Despite a decline in turnout – from 50% to 45% – the margin of victory increased significantly, from 8,535 votes in GE-2024 to 39,684 in the by-poll. The Provisional Consolidated Statement of the Results of Count (Form-47) was finalized at approximately 1:15 am, well within the legal deadline of 2:00 am. The report cited a particularly serious incident, in which a police contingent entered the premises of Polling Station No 169 when the count of ballots was underway. "They removed the party agents and observers present in the counting hall and took the election materials and polling staff away with them without waiting for the process to be completed. Fafen was unable to obtain a copy of the result of the count of the polling station for the by-election." The report noted that while voter turnout in the by-election was lower than in GE-2024, it was slightly higher than the turnout recorded in the recent NA-213 Umerkot by-election held in April 2025. Female voter turnout dropped from 47 percent in GE-2024 to 39 percent, while male turnout decreased from 53 percent to 50 percent in the by-election. "According to Form-47, the PML-N's vote share rose from 41 percent in GE-2024 to 59 percent in the by-election. The runner-up independent candidate, backed by PTI, saw his vote share decline from 35 percent to 29 percent." Fafen had deployed ten trained observers including seven men and three women, who observed voting and counting processes at 39 of the 185 polling stations established in the constituency. According to Fafen observers, around 79 percent of the observed polling stations had party's/candidate's camps in the close vicinity of polling stations while 85 percent polling stations had banners or flags of contesting candidates or parties displayed in their surroundings. The party camps around polling stations were also displaying campaign materials and distributing voter chits and food to visitors around 23 percent of the observed polling stations. Party-supported vehicles were seen providing transport to voters outside 46 percent of the observed polling stations. It said the polling officers were observed to be checking the National Identity Cards (NICs), marking the thumbs of the eligible voters with indelible ink, obtaining their thumb impressions on electoral rolls and striking off their names on the electoral rolls at almost all of the observed polling booths. "However, they were observed to be skipping to loudly call out the name of the voters so that the polling agents could know the identity of incoming voters and match it with their copy of electoral rolls at 49 percent of the observed polling booths," it added.
Business Recorder
23-04-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
CM chairs 25th provincial cabinet meeting: Punjab Cabinet approves ration card for 1.5m workers
LAHORE: Punjab cabinet, which met here Wednesday with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif in the chair, accorded approval for an amendment in the Food Grains (Licensing Control) Ordinance, 1957, to ensure 25-percent wheat procurement by the flour mills. After this amendment, the licenses of those flour mills which do not purchase 25-percent mandatory wheat can be cancelled. Deregulation of the wheat sector was also approved by the cabinet to protect the rights of wheat farmers. The cabinet also offered 'Fateha' on the death of Member of Punjab Assembly Arshad Warraich and uncle of Provincial Minister Sohaib Bherth. The provincial cabinet congratulated Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on undertaking a successful visit to Turkey. The cabinet commended Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif's vision for girls' education. In the meeting, proposal for the implementation of the Electronic Warehouse Reset System (EWR) was approved, which will facilitate the farmers to store their wheat and the government will bear the storage costs. The cabinet took in-principle decision to introduce Pakistan's largest ration card to 1.5 million workers and labourers. It was agreed to provide workers with Rs. 10,000 per month through ration cards. Owing to the strives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, important decisions were also taken for rice farmers in Punjab. The cabinet approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Rice Research Institute, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China and Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad. The Chinese institution will assist in introducing hybrid rice seeds in Punjab. The Chief Minister said on the occasion that the benefits of agricultural research should directly reach to the farmers. She directed to ensure immediate payment of dues of water supply schemes. The meeting approved amendments to the rules and regulations of the Children's Library Complex, Lahore. Pakistan's first Nawaz Sharif Early Education Centre of Excellence will be established in the Children Library Complex. The cabinet approved the operation of eco-friendly electric buses in various cities of Punjab. The CM also directed to start operation of electric bus service in Rajanpur. She directed to enhance capacity building of WASA along with Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA). The meeting approved feasibility study of mass transit system in Faisalabad under the vision T-30 of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. The feasibility study of mass transit systems of Yellow, Blue and Purple Lines in Lahore was approved under the vision T-30 of the Chief Minister. The feasibility study of mass transit system in Gujranwala was approved under the vision T-30 of the CM. The cabinet approved amendments to the Punjab Motor Vehicle Rules 1969 to regulate rickshaws in Punjab. Additional funds were approved for payment of dues for the purchase of medicines and drugs. Approval of funds was granted for the purchase of furniture and equipment for tertiary care hospitals in Punjab. The Chief Minister directed to provide required funds for the purchase of furniture and medical equipment in hospitals. The cabinet approved the proposed amendments to the Punjab Consumer Protection Act 2005, under which the Additional Sessions Judges will be delegated the powers of consumer courts. Approval to the draft of the Punjab Labour Code 2024 was also accorded, which will also include workers from construction, agriculture and other sectors. The meeting approved relaxation of restrictions on recruitment in the Punjab Agricultural Research Board (PARB). Approval was also given for recruitment in the Punjab Public-Private Partnership Authority (PPPPA). Approval for extension in contracts of employees of the Office of the Chief Drugs Controller, Provincial Quality Control Board Lahore was also accorded. The cabinet approved the change in status of 97 posts approved for 'Establishment of Meter Testing Lab and Additional Electric Inspector Offices' along with purchase of 07 vehicles. Relaxation in the rules and regulations for appointment of teachers regarding acquisition of professional qualification was accorded by the cabinet. Notification for appointment of inspectors under the Punjab Minimum Wage Act 2019 was approved. Harmonization of regulatory framework for the minerals sector – Mines and Minerals Act 2025 was approved. The meeting approved proposed amendments to the Punjab Employees Social Security Ordinance 1965 to expand the scope of social security scheme. The proposed bill regarding the establishment of 'Centre of Excellence' for the prevention of extremism was approved in the cabinet meeting. Approval was given to provide 30,000 acres of agricultural land to the families of martyrs, injured and other deserving military personnel. The meeting approved the proposed amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, as the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Act, 2025. The cabinet approved ex-gratia assistance to the families of those martyred in a terrorist attack in Balochistan. The proposed amendment to the Provincial Workers Social Security Ordinance 1965 was also okayed. Amendments to the Punjab Workers Welfare Fund Act 2019 and the Companies Profits (Workers Participation) Amendment Act 2021 were approved. The establishment of a new affiliated institution 'Climate Policy and Technology Centre (CPTC)' by merging the Environment Policy Centre (EPC) and the Environment Technology Centre (ETC) was also approved. The meeting approved amendments to the Punjab Specialized Medical Institutions Act 2024, Punjab Judicial Academy Act 2007 and E-Transfer Policy 2024. The Chief Minister directed strict implementation of the Wedlock Policy. The cabinet approved the provision of supplementary grant to Koh-e-Sulaiman Develop-ment Authority for the construction of jeepable tracks in the Koh-e-Sulaiman area. Approval was granted for the construction of a hotel/hostel at Nishtar Park Sports Complex, Lahore for the accommodation of players. Reserve price was approved for the bidding process of precious metals (placer gold) along the Indus River in Attock District. Approval was given for converting the Environment Policy Centre and Environment Technology Centre into Climate Policy and Technology Centre. Approval was given for incorporating scheme of Computerization of Police Stations (CPS) project in the ADP 2024-25. Approval was given for the inclusion of new development schemes and the modification of 03 previously approved development schemes under the Chief Minister's District SDGs Program. Approval was given with regard to the application for including seven development schemes of Lahore in the ADP 2024-25. The acquisition of 187 kanals and 8 marla land for the Government Technical Training Institute, Kasur was approved. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
