President Alvi emphasizes use of electronic voting machines amid delayed election results, rigging allegations

President Alvi emphasizes use of electronic voting machines amid delayed election results, rigging allegations
Election officials count ballot papers after polls closed at a polling station during Pakistan national election in Lahore on February 8, 2024. (AFP)
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Updated 11 February 2024
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President Alvi emphasizes use of electronic voting machines amid delayed election results, rigging allegations

President Alvi emphasizes use of electronic voting machines amid delayed election results, rigging allegations
  • Ex-PM Khan planned to employ EVMs in electoral contests with a stated objective of making them more transparent
  • His plan was shelved by Shehbaz Sharif administration that said the EVMs had high potential for misuse, tampering

ISLAMABAD: The adoption of electronic voting machines (EVMs) could have averted rigging allegations following the recent Pakistani elections, said President Arif Alvi on Saturday, referring to former prime minister Imran Khan’s initiative to rely on technology for enhanced transparency, which was scrapped following his removal from office.
Pakistan’s general elections on February 8 were marked by considerable delays in vote counting and result compilation, fueling suspicions of electoral fraud and prompting protests from various political parties who claimed their mandate had been violated.
In a social media post, Alvi expressed regret that Khan’s endeavors to reform the country’s electoral system were obstructed, contributing to the current situation.
He recalled the extensive efforts for the adoption of EVMs, saying: “Remember ‘our’ long struggle for Electronic Voting Machines. EVM had paper ballots that could be counted separately by hand (like it is being done today) BUT it also had a simple electronic calculator/counter of each vote button pressed. Totals of every candidate would have been available & printed within five minutes of closing of poll.”
“Had EVMs been there today, my dear beloved Pakistan would have been spared this crisis,” he added.

Subsequent to Khan’s government being overturned by a no-confidence vote roughly two years ago, Pakistan’s National Assembly passed the Election Amendment Bill, 2022.
Azam Nazir Tarar, the then-law minister, later elucidated the decision by Shehbaz Sharif’s government, which succeeded Khan’s, mentioning the high risk of misuse and tampering associated with EVMs.
This perspective was also shared by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), which is constitutionally tasked with ensuring free, fair and transparent elections.
The Sharif government also decided that Pakistani citizens living abroad would not vote in the elections by using the Internet.


Pakistan’s white-ball coach Gary Kirsten resigns over selection rifts with PCB— report 

Pakistan’s white-ball coach Gary Kirsten resigns over selection rifts with PCB— report 
Updated 28 October 2024
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Pakistan’s white-ball coach Gary Kirsten resigns over selection rifts with PCB— report 

Pakistan’s white-ball coach Gary Kirsten resigns over selection rifts with PCB— report 
  • Pakistan Cricket Board appointed new selection committee this month, removing coaches and captain from it
  • Kirsten’s resignation comes days before Pakistan play white-ball away series against Australia in November

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s white-ball Head Coach Gary Kirsten has resigned from his role barely six months after being appointed, cricket website ESPNcricinfo reported on Monday, citing disputes with the cricket board after it stripped the coaches of selection powers. 

Kirsten and Pakistan’s red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie have reportedly been at odds with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after it announced a new selection committee following Pakistan’s humiliating innings defeat to England in the first Test at Multan this month. 

The new selection committee, the third in three months, comprised former Pakistan fast bowler Aaqib Javed, Aleem Dar, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq and Hassan Cheema. Kirsten, Gillespie and the captain of the national squad, who were previously part of the selection committee, were removed from the panel. The new selection committee, Javed in particular, seem to have risen in influence after their initiative to produce spin-friendly tracks in Multan and Rawalpindi helped Pakistan win the three-match test series against England 2-1.

“Gary Kirsten has resigned as the head coach of Pakistan’s ODI and T20I sides. Kirsten, who was appointed by the PCB on a two-year contract in April 2024, lasted barely six months in the role,” ESPNcricinfo reported. 

The development takes place a day after the PCB announced central contracts for 25 cricketers and the announcement of wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan as the new Pakistan white-ball skipper. 

“ESPNcricinfo has learnt part of the delay in announcing a squad and new limited-overs captain was down to animated discussions within the board, with Kirsten keen to have his input taken into consideration,” the website said. 

When the announcement was made at a press conference, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi was flanked by Javed, Ali, Rizwan and newly appointed vice-captain Salman Ali Agha. Kirsten was notably missing. 

Kirsten’s resignation comes days before Pakistan take on Australia for a limited-overs away series next month. The green shirts will play three ODIs against Australia on Nov. 8, 8 and 10 while it will play five T20Is against the Aussies on Nov. 14, 16 and 18. 


Pakistan vows full support for Saudi investment in country— minister

Pakistan vows full support for Saudi investment in country— minister
Updated 28 October 2024
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Pakistan vows full support for Saudi investment in country— minister

Pakistan vows full support for Saudi investment in country— minister
  • Privatization Minister Abdul Aleem Khan holds follow-up meeting on bilateral agreements, MoUs with Saudi investment official
  • Pakistan and Saudi Arabia this month signed over $2 billion in agreements and MoUs between businesses of both countries

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will ensure all possible support for Saudi Arabia’s investment in various projects of the country, Privatization Minister Abdul Aleem Khan said on Monday, as he held a follow-up meeting with the kingdom’s Assistant Minister of Investment Ibrahim AlMubarak regarding the various agreements signed between the two countries this month. 

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia this month signed over $2 billion in agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) between the businesses of both countries. The agreements were signed during the visit of Saudi Investment Minister Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih to Islamabad earlier this month, who arrived leading a high-level delegation of Saudi businesspersons. 

Khan held a follow-up meeting with AlMubarak via video link to discuss the agreements signed between the two countries, Khan’s ministry said. Both sides also discussed Pak-Saudi joint ventures and MoUs in various fields. 

“We will ensure all possible support for Saudi Arabia’s investment in Pakistan,” Khan was quoted as saying by his ministry. “This investment will reach its completion in the light of Saudi Investment Minister Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih’s visit.”

The privatization ministry said Saudi officials agreed to continue follow-up meetings on the agreements between the two countries and expressed the desire to yield “practical results” from them. The Saudi officials also invited Khan to attend Saudi Arabia’s expo scheduled to be held from Nov. 25-26, the ministry added. 

During his visit, Falih reiterated the kingdom’s commitment to increasing its investment portfolio in Pakistan, particularly in mining, agriculture, food security and infrastructure development.

Pakistan has increasingly sought in recent months to strengthen trade and investment ties with friendly nations, particularly the kingdom, whose leadership reaffirmed its commitment this year to expedite a $5 billion investment package for Islamabad. 


Pakistan begins nationwide anti-polio campaign to vaccinate over 45 million children

Pakistan begins nationwide anti-polio campaign to vaccinate over 45 million children
Updated 28 October 2024
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Pakistan begins nationwide anti-polio campaign to vaccinate over 45 million children

Pakistan begins nationwide anti-polio campaign to vaccinate over 45 million children
  • Pakistan has reported an alarming 41 polio cases this year compared to only six in 2023
  • Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries worldwide where polio remains endemic

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government kicked off a nationwide campaign to administer anti-polio vaccine drops to over 45 million children today, Monday, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported, amid an alarming surge in cases in the South Asian country this year. 

The countrywide campaign will be conducted from Oct. 28 to Nov. 3, especially in areas where the poliovirus is rampant. Polio volunteers aim to vaccinate over 45 million children under the age of five years old during the week-long campaign, the state-run media said. 

This is Pakistan’s third nationwide campaign against polio this year, launched in response to an alarming increase in polio cases with 41 reported so far across 71 districts. Last year, Pakistan reported only six cases of the infection. 

“Anti-polio vaccination campaign of varied duration begins across the country on Monday,” Radio Pakistan said. “Special teams of health department will go door to door to ensure that every child receives vaccine drops.”

Ayesha Raza Farooq, the prime minister’s focal person for polio eradication, reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment, saying that under PM Shehbaz Sharif’s guidance, the government is “re-energized” in its efforts to combat polio.

“Starting October 28, our polio workers will reach every corner of Pakistan, delivering the vaccine and securing a healthier future for our children,” Farooq said in a statement. 

She urged parents to prioritize vaccinations, warning that the virus was now present in 71 districts of the country. 

“The Government of Pakistan is bringing this vaccine directly to your doorsteps,” Farooq said. “Please welcome and support our dedicated health workers by ensuring your children are vaccinated.”

Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries where polio remains endemic. Since late 2018, Pakistan has seen a resurgence of cases and increased spread of poliovirus, highlighting the fragility of gains achieved in the preceding three years.

Pakistan’s efforts to eradicate polio have suffered due to frequent attacks on polio vaccination teams and security personnel protecting them.

Many in Pakistan believe the conspiracy theory that polio vaccines are part of a plot by Westerners to sterilize the country’s population. The masses’ doubts regarding polio campaigns were exacerbated in 2011 when the US Central Intelligence Agency set up a fake vaccination program to gather intelligence on former Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.


Pakistani, South African armies conclude joint counter-terror exercise ‘Iqbal-I’

Pakistani, South African armies conclude joint counter-terror exercise ‘Iqbal-I’
Updated 28 October 2024
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Pakistani, South African armies conclude joint counter-terror exercise ‘Iqbal-I’

Pakistani, South African armies conclude joint counter-terror exercise ‘Iqbal-I’
  • Two-week-long exercise aimed to refine drills, procedures and techniques used in counter-terror operations
  • Pakistan’s Special Services Group, army and South Africa’s Special Forces group took part in exercise

ISLAMABAD: The closing ceremony of a joint counter-terrorism exercise conducted between the armies of South Africa and Pakistan in the northwestern hill station of Cherat concluded on Sunday, the Pakistani military media’s wing said. 

The two-week Iqbal-I exercise was held from Oct. 15 to Oct. 27 at Cherat in which combat teams from Pakistan’s Special Services Group (SSG), the Pakistan Army and the Republic of South Africa Special Forces took part, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the army’s media wing, said. 

“The exercise was aimed at refining the drills, procedures and techniques involved in CT operations through joint training, besides harnessing the historic military-to-military relations among the friendly countries,” the ISPR said. 

The commandant of Pakistan’s Special Operation School attended the closing ceremony as chief guest while the chief of staff of South Africa’s Special Forces, Col. SS Lechoenyo, also witnessed the closing ceremony. 

“The troops displayed the highest standards of professional excellence during the conduct,” the ISPR said. 

Pakistan routinely holds joint air, ground and sea exercises with friendly nations to foster interoperability and joint deployment concepts to counter threats to global peace.

Several cadets from these nations annually visit the South Asian country, which has fought back militancy for decades, to undergo specialized military training.


Australia rest Test stars for Pakistan T20 series

Australia rest Test stars for Pakistan T20 series
Updated 28 October 2024
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Australia rest Test stars for Pakistan T20 series

Australia rest Test stars for Pakistan T20 series
  • Selectors rest Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head
  • T20s follow a three-match one-day international series against Pakistan beginning on Nov. 4

SYDNEY: Australia on Monday left out their Test stars for the home Twenty20 series against Pakistan, with a new captain set to be named.

The three-match T20 series next month will conclude only four days before Australia embark on the first of five home Tests against India.

Selectors rested fast bowlers Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, along with other Test players Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head.

All-rounder Cameron Green is injured and will miss the entire Australian summer.

Marsh is the usual T20 captain, leaving Josh Inglis, Adam Zampa, Glenn Maxwell and Matt Short in the mix to take charge against Pakistan.

Fast bowlers Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis and Spencer Johnson all return after injuries for the matches in Brisbane on November 14, Sydney two days later and Hobart on November 18.

The first Test against India begins in Perth on November 22.

“This group of players have all represented Australia in T20 cricket, so we look forward to them continuing to enhance their international experience throughout this series,” said chief selector George Bailey.

“We are excited by the mix of experience combined with those closer to the start of their international journeys.”

The T20s follow a three-match one-day international series against Pakistan beginning on November 4.

Cummins, Hazlewood and Starc were included in the one-day squad announced two weeks ago, but Marsh and Head will be on paternity leave.

Australia T20 squad: Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa