logo
Murad Saeed, Faisal Javed among 6 PTI-backed senators elected from KP

Murad Saeed, Faisal Javed among 6 PTI-backed senators elected from KP

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) secured six out of 11 Senate seats from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) as voting in Senate elections concluded on Monday amid intense political negotiations and a seat-sharing arrangement between the ruling party and the opposition, Aaj News reported.
According to unconfirmed and unofficial results, PTI-backed candidates won four of the seven general seats, while the opposition clinched the remaining three. PTI's Murad Saeed, Faisal Javed, Allama Noorul Haq Qadri, and Mirza Afridi emerged victorious on the general seats, while the opposition saw wins for PML-N's Niaz Amir Muqam, JUI-F's Maulana Attaul Haq Dervesh, and PPP's Talha Mehmood.
On women's reserved seats, PTI's Rubina Naz secured 89 votes to defeat PPP's Rubina Khalid, who received 52 votes. Among technocrat seats, PTI's Azam Swati bagged 89 votes, while JUI-F's Dilawar Khan secured 54.
Polling began at 11am in the KP Assembly and was extended until 5:30pm to accommodate all voters. All 145 members cast their votes, including Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who was the last to vote.
The election saw a total of 22 candidates vying for 11 seats; seven general, two technocrat, and two reserved for women. Despite efforts by the PTI leadership to unite its ranks, internal rifts persisted. While some disgruntled candidates stepped down following negotiations, Khurram Zeeshan remained in the race.
The voting took place at the KP Assembly's Jirga Hall, which was declared the official polling station by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), with two booths set up for the process.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Imran's release unlikely, sons won't come to Pakistan: K-P Governor
Imran's release unlikely, sons won't come to Pakistan: K-P Governor

Express Tribune

time6 hours ago

  • Express Tribune

Imran's release unlikely, sons won't come to Pakistan: K-P Governor

Listen to article Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has said that the release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan from prison appears unlikely, adding that his sons are also not expected to return to Pakistan. Addressing senior journalists in Peshawar on Saturday, Kundi dismissed speculation about the involvement of Khan's sons, Sulaiman and Kasim, in PTI's upcoming protest campaign. 'It is highly unlikely they will come back,' he said, reiterating that prospects of Imran Khan's release remain slim. Earlier this month, Khan's sister Aleema Khan claimed that both sons would join the party's anti-government protest movement, expected to begin in August. She had also stated that the former prime minister would lead the campaign 'from inside the jail'. Reports suggest that Khan's sons have held meetings with key figures in the United States ahead of their possible visit to Pakistan. However, Governor Kundi appeared dismissive of these developments, describing them as political optics rather than reality. On the broader political and administrative front, the governor stressed the need for a tribal jirga to address unresolved issues in the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). He proposed that the jirga include tribal elders, ex-parliamentarians, and political stakeholders from the region. 'The merger of FATA with K-P cannot be undone without a constitutional amendment,' he said, urging the federal government to release the development funds that were promised at the time of the merger. Turning to the security situation in the province, Kundi painted a grim picture. 'The law and order situation is dire. Extortion is being collected openly — even in broad daylight — from traders, local leaders, and ordinary citizens,' he said. 'In Dera Ismail Khan, people avoid stepping out of their homes after Asr prayers due to fear.' He also criticised what he termed the federal government's Punjab-centric approach to national initiatives. 'Schemes like the laptop programme, youth development projects, and Daanish Schools have excluded the youth of K-P,' he said. Commenting on the state of sports infrastructure, Kundi described the renovation of Peshawar's Arbab Niaz Stadium as substandard and said the lack of quality sports facilities was one reason why Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches have not been held in the province. On PTI's internal politics, the governor claimed the party was facing deep factionalism in K-P. 'They cannot even bring out 20 vehicles for their planned protest on August 5,' he concluded.

Mohsin Naqvi reaffirms federal support for Balochistan's anti-terror efforts
Mohsin Naqvi reaffirms federal support for Balochistan's anti-terror efforts

Express Tribune

time7 hours ago

  • Express Tribune

Mohsin Naqvi reaffirms federal support for Balochistan's anti-terror efforts

Listen to article Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has reaffirmed the federal government's unwavering support for Balochistan in its fight against terrorism, during a high-level meeting held in Quetta to review law and order. In a statement released on Saturday, Naqvi co-chaired the special session at the Chief Minister's Secretariat with Chief Minister Sarfraz Ahmad Bugti. The meeting focused on the overall security situation in Balochistan, the performance of law enforcement agencies, and ongoing operations against 'Fitna-e-Hindustan' – a term used for Indian-sponsored terrorists operating in the region. Attendees included the Balochistan IGP, Frontier Corps (North) IG, Counter Terrorism Department DIG, Special Branch DIG, Levies DG, senior officials from the Home and Tribal Affairs Department, and other representatives of law enforcement agencies. Read: Three Indian-sponsored terrorists killed in Swat: CTD Chief Minister Bugti briefed the meeting on the current security scenario, progress made by security forces, and updates on the implementation of the provincial action plan against terrorism. He also identified obstacles impeding the plan's execution and invited suggestions to overcome them. Addressing the gathering, Naqvi declared that the end of 'Fitna-e-Hindustan' terrorists would be a disgraceful one. He stated that India-backed militants and their facilitators 'have no place to hide in Pakistan' and vowed that they would be brought to justice at any cost. 'Those challenging the writ of the state will be dealt with with an iron hand,' he added. He assured the complete cooperation of the federal government to restore peace in Balochistan. He said the centre stood firmly with the provincial government and that a strong coordination mechanism existed between the two. Read more: Three bodies found near M-8 highway in Khuzdar CM Bugti stated that the war against terrorism was not only the responsibility of the security forces but of the entire nation. He said that action against subversive and terrorist elements had been further intensified. He added that all state institutions in Balochistan were fully active and working in complete coordination to restore peace and order. He stressed that the sacrifices of the people and security personnel would not go in vain. He also highlighted the resolve and confidence of the nation, expressing optimism that Pakistan would overcome the threats posed by its enemies. Earlier in the day, Naqvi arrived in Quetta for a one-day visit. He was received at the airport by provincial ministers and senior officials. Upon his arrival at the Chief Minister House, he was formally welcomed by CM Bugti. The two leaders also paid tribute to the martyrs and offered prayers for the security personnel who had lost their lives in the line of duty.

Why are Thailand and Cambodia fighting along their border?
Why are Thailand and Cambodia fighting along their border?

Business Recorder

time8 hours ago

  • Business Recorder

Why are Thailand and Cambodia fighting along their border?

BANGKOK: Thailand and Cambodia are engaged in their worst fighting in over a decade, exchanging heavy artillery fire across their disputed border, with at least 16 people killed and tens of thousands displaced. Tensions began rising between the Southeast Asian neighbours in May, following the killing of a Cambodian soldier during a brief exchange of gunfire, and have steadily escalated since, triggering diplomatic spats and now, armed clashes. What is the current situation? Clashes broke out between the two countries early on Thursday along a disputed area abutting an ancient temple, rapidly spilling over to other areas along the contested frontier and heavy artillery exchanges continuing for a second straight day. Thailand recalled its ambassador to Phnom Penh on Wednesday and expelled Cambodia's envoy, in response to a second Thai soldier losing a limb to a landmine that Bangkok alleged had been laid recently by rival troops. Cambodia called that accusation baseless. Both sides accuse each other of firing the first shots that started the conflict on Thursday, which have so far claimed the lives of at least 15 civilians, most of them on the Thai side. Cambodia has deployed truck-mounted rocket launchers, which Thailand says have been used to target civilian areas, while the Thai armed forces despatched US-made F-16 fighter jets, using one to bomb military targets across the border. Thailand, Cambodia exchange heavy artillery as fighting rages for a second day Some 130,000 people have been evacuated from border areas in Thailand to safer locations, while some 12,000 families on the Cambodian side have been shifted away from the frontlines, according to local authorities. Where does the dispute originate? Thailand and Cambodia have for more than a century contested sovereignty at various undemarcated points along their 817 km (508 miles) land border, which was first mapped by France in 1907 when Cambodia was its colony. That map, which Thailand later contested, was based on an agreement that the border would be demarcated along the natural watershed line between the two countries. In 2000, the two countries agreed to establish a Joint Boundary Commission to peacefully address overlapping claims, but little progress has been made towards settling disputes. China says it is 'deeply concerned' over Thailand-Cambodia clash Claims over ownership of historical sites have raised nationalist tension between the two countries, notably in 2003 when rioters torched the Thai embassy and Thai businesses in Phnom Penh over an alleged remark by a Thai celebrity questioning jurisdiction over Cambodia's World Heritage-listed Angkor Wat temple. What were previous flashpoints? An 11th century Hindu temple called Preah Vihear, or Khao Phra Viharn in Thailand, has been at the heart of the dispute for decades, with both Bangkok and Phnom Penh claiming historical ownership. The International Court of Justice awarded the temple to Cambodia in 1962, but Thailand has continued to lay claim to the surrounding land. Tension escalated in 2008 after Cambodia attempted to list the Preah Vihear temple as a UNESCO World Heritage site, leading to skirmishes over several years and at least a dozen deaths, including during a weeklong exchange of artillery in 2011. Two years later, Cambodia sought interpretation of the 1962 verdict and the ICJ again ruled in its favour, saying the land around the temple was also part of Cambodia and ordering Thai troops to withdraw. What's behind recent troubles? Despite the historic rivalry, the current governments of Thailand and Cambodia enjoy warm ties, partly due to the close relationship between their influential former leaders, Thailand's Thaksin Shinawatra and Cambodia's Hun Sen. But nationalist sentiment has risen in Thailand after conservatives last year questioned the government's plan to negotiate with Cambodia to jointly explore energy resources in undemarcated maritime areas, warning such a move could risk Thailand losing the island of Koh Kood in the Gulf of Thailand. Tensions also rose in February when a group of Cambodians escorted by troops sang their national anthem at another ancient Hindu temple that both countries claim, Ta Moan Thom, before being stopped by Thai soldiers. An effort by then Thai premier Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin's daughter, to de-escalate the situation in a call last month with Hun Sen spectacularly backfired after a recording of the conversation was initially leaked and later released in full by the Cambodian leader. In the call, the 38-year-old prime minister appeared to criticize a Thai army commander and kowtow to Hun Sen, drawing public fury and a complaint from a group of senators, which led to her suspension by a court order on July 1. Have there been any resolution efforts? After the May 28 clash, both countries quickly promised to ease tension, prevent more conflict and seek dialogue via their joint border commission at a June 14 meeting. The neighbours have issued diplomatically worded statements committing to peace while vowing to protect sovereignty, but their militaries have been mobilising near the border. Cambodia, meanwhile, said existing mechanisms were not working and it planned to refer disputes in four border areas to the ICJ to settle 'unresolved and sensitive' issues that it said could escalate tensions. Thailand has not recognised the ICJ's rulings on the row and wants to settle it bilaterally. Since Thursday's clashes, Cambodia has written to the United Nations Security Council, urging the body to convene a meeting to stop what it describes as 'unprovoked and premeditated military aggression' by Thailand. Thailand, on the other hand, wants to resolve the conflict through bilateral negotiations but says talks can only take place after Cambodia ceases violence.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store