Swinging between the victor and the vanquished – Newspaper
‘Swing constituencies’ are those that can be won by influencing very small changes in voter preferences. Map Design: Farooq Dawood “Thus do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat” — Sun Tzu, The Art of War GIVEN the complexity of Pakistan’s electoral dynamics and unpredictability of the role the various ‘external’ stakeholders […]
Nine grenade attacks rock Balochistan towns – Pakistan
QUETTA/GWADAR: At least nine grenade attacks, targeting election offices of candidates and polling stations, were carried out in various areas of Makran division and the provincial capital, on Tuesday. According to police reports, individuals riding motorcycles threw hand grenades at a government school in Killi Ahmedzai, located on the outskirts of Quetta, late in the […]
Barriers for women, attacks on candidates irk UN panel – Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: As the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights voiced concern over the violation of law requiring political parties to award five per cent of tickets to women, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday sought reply from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) over the matter. Ahead of Thursday’s general elections, the UN […]
Poll campaigns conclude after lacklustre run – Pakistan
HYDERABAD: Personnel of the Pakistan Army, Rangers and police carry out a flag march, on Tuesday. Two days before the nation goes to the polls, security has been beefed up across the country to avert any untoward situation during the Feb 8 vote.—Umair Ali • Nawaz woos youth in Kasur; Bilawal makes tall claims in […]
Govt hints at shutting down internet over ‘security’ issue – Pakistan
KARACHI: Caretaker Interior Minister Gohar Ejaz on Tuesday hinted at the possible suspension of the internet service in case of security issues in any area on the election day (tomorrow) while Amnesty International called for uninterrupted internet access across the country during the polling process. The minister said the government would consider suspending the internet […]
Tall claims or astute plans? Big promises made by political parties in their election manifestos – Pakistan
In the five-year marriage of the ‘hukamraan’ and the ‘awaam’, manifestos are the wedding vows. With just two days to go for the February 8 general elections, mainstream political parties have finally unveiled their rather ambitious election manifestos — a list of mostly empty promises. An election manifesto is a list of policies that a […]
Return of alienated leader bolsters PPP’s prospects for clean sweep in Jamshoro – Pakistan
With Dr Sikandar Shoro’s re-entry into Pakistan Peoples Party, the party must be feeling complacent about its… Murad Ali Shah With Dr Sikandar Shoro’s re-entry into Pakistan Peoples Party, the party must be feeling complacent about its prospects for electoral success in Jamshoro district on Feb 8, and shrugging off opposition from rivals, chief among […]
Disquiet on Karachi’s western front: Orangi a tough battle to win – Newspaper
More than 250 candidates are in the run for District West’s 3 NA and 6 PA seats. WITH total population of more than 2.67 million, Karachi’s West district can be described as a mini ‘metropolitan city’. From diverse cultures to multiple ethnic communities, the district is home to people from all across Pakistan who have […]
Hazara’s young voters in a state of confusion – Pakistan
HARIPUR: As the polling day draws near, the young people below 26, who constitute about 19 per cent of the total voters in eight districts of Hazara division, seem perplexed about whom to vote for in the absence of Imran Khan, who is now out of the elections race. History of the previous two elections […]
PTI serves notice on ex-minister for contesting polls against its nominee – Pakistan
KOHAT: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf president for south region Shahid Khattak has served a final show-cause notice on former provincial law minister Imtiaz Shahid Qureshi, asking him to withdraw from elections as an independent against the party nominee in PK-91, or his basic membership would get terminated. A letter issued here said: “We are informed that you, […]