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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Sunday said the party should consider rejecting the results of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections and boycott the third phase of polling, alleging widespread irregularities and electoral misconduct. Speaking at a press conference alongside PPP leader Sherry Rehman and other party members in Islamabad, the former prime minister clarified that the proposal reflected his personal opinion, adding that the final decision would be made by the party’s central leadership. Ashraf alleged that the elections were neither free, fair nor transparent, warning that such results would fail to gain public acceptance. He said political workers were well aware of constituencies where the party had strong support and accused the authorities of manipulating outcomes in areas where the PPP expected to perform well. Expressing disappointment over the second phase of the AJK elections, he said the PPP had already submitted documented evidence of irregularities during the first phase. He referred to one constituency where polling could not be held because election materials allegedly failed to reach polling stations. Ashraf questioned the explanation, saying election materials are normally delivered a day before polling and not on election day. He argued that such failures reflected serious administrative shortcomings. The PPP leader also alleged that party workers were assaulted and forcibly removed from polling stations during voting. He said the PPP had formed a joint committee with its coalition partner, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), after the first phase in the hope that the Election Commission would ensure greater vigilance during the second phase. However, he claimed that similar incidents were repeated despite those efforts. While acknowledging that the PML-N remains a coalition ally, Ashraf questioned the party’s role in the alleged irregularities. He asked whether such conduct was consistent with democratic values and said transparent elections were the Election Commission’s foremost constitutional responsibility. He further alleged that the Chief Election Commissioner had failed to take action on any major complaint and accused the Election Commission of acting under the influence of a political party. According to Ashraf, the overall conduct of the elections suggested that the process had been pre-planned. The former prime minister also alleged that current AJK Speaker and Acting President Chaudhry Latif Akbar was physically attacked by PML-N supporters. He claimed that Akbar was abused, assaulted and punched during the incident, criticising attempts to describe the episode as a mere verbal altercation. Ashraf further claimed that a long-time PPP worker was killed in the Khawra constituency and questioned the credibility of an electoral process in which, he alleged, violence had overshadowed voting. He also referred to the Kotli constituency, where polling reportedly could not be completed because election materials did not reach polling stations, saying it was the Election Commission’s responsibility to ensure timely delivery. He added that voting was also suspended at several polling stations in the constituency of Bazil Naqvi.

Islamabad: A Government backed programme designed to help Pakistani nurses qualify for international jobs came under strong questioning in the National Assembly after lawmakers raised concerns over the transparency, student selection and results of the NCLEX Nursing Training Programme. The National Assembly Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training questioned how a Rs 150 million programme selected its training partner and why only seven nurses had cleared the NCLEX exam out of 500 trainees so far. The committee supported opportunities for Pakistani nurses to work abroad but demanded complete transparency regarding the programme’s planning, the selection of the implementing partner, and the use of public money. The issue was discussed during the 25th meeting of the committee, where members reviewed the performance and implementation of the NCLEX Nursing Training Programme launched by the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC). NAVTTC Executive Director Muhammad Amir Jan informed the committee that before this initiative, Pakistani nurses had to travel to countries such as Dubai, Bahrain, Turkey and Thailand to appear in the NCLEX examination. He said that with support from SIFC, NAVTTC was given responsibility to bring the examination system to Pakistan for the first time through Pearson VUE during 2024 and 2025. Officials informed the committee that the programme was designed to train 500 nurses. The training phase has been completed, 182 nurses have applied for the NCLEX examination and seven nurses have successfully cleared the test. However, members questioned the low success rate and asked whether the programme was producing the expected results. One committee member pointed out that seven successful candidates out of 500 trainees represented a very small percentage and questioned whether the programme needed improvements before more public funds were spent. NAVTTC officials defended the programme, saying that NCLEX is a difficult international examination and nurses who pass the test still require additional time before moving abroad for employment. Officials said nurses might need eight to eighteen months after passing the exam before they can travel for work opportunities. The committee also raised questions about the selection of the implementing partner, the Institute of Contemporary Studies. Members questioned whether a public advertisement was issued before selecting the organisation or if other institutions were given an opportunity to compete. They said programmes funded through public money must follow transparent procedures to maintain public confidence. NAVTTC officials explained that the programme was developed under an industry led model and was based on a proposal received from the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council. They said such programmes do not always follow open advertisement procedures because they are based on specific industry requirements. However, members questioned whether a government body could recommend a specific private organisation without a competitive process. The committee also raised concerns about the role of the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council. Members noted that in previous discussions, representatives of the council had stated they were not fully aware of the nurse selection process and training arrangements. NAVTTC officials responded that the council had formally approached NAVTTC for the project and that decisions taken by government bodies should be accepted by all stakeholders involved. Financial matters also came under discussion. NAVTTC informed the committee that the total project cost was Rs 150 million and that Rs 87 million had been released so far. Officials clarified that the remaining funds would be released only after achieving agreed results under a performance-based payment system. They said a bank guarantee was also available to protect government funds. The committee also questioned the quality and locations of the training centres. MNA Dr Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro raised concerns about some training locations, including Matta in Swat, and asked how proper facilities and monitoring were ensured in those areas. NAVTTC officials responded that Khyber Medical University conducted training in Matta and promised to provide complete details of nurses trained there. Questions were also raised about trainer qualifications. Members asked how individuals with nursing degrees could provide NCLEX preparation training. Officials explained that trainers must themselves be NCLEX qualified according to programme requirements. The committee further discussed the selection of nurses for training. NAVTTC officials said their role was to set eligibility criteria, not directly select candidates. They explained that under the pay for success model, the training provider selects participants because the provider is responsible for results. At the conclusion of the meeting, the committee decided to invite the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council in the next session to clarify the selection process of nurses and the appointment of the training partner. Chairperson Mahtab Akbar Rashdi said that every concern must be properly addressed because public funds were involved and the programme was created to provide international opportunities for Pakistani nurses.

Islamabad: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) came under pressure in the Senate after lawmakers raised concerns over complaints from customers, including Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), who faced difficulties with commercial banks and alleged delays in resolving their issues. The Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue questioned why banks and the SBP failed to establish clear and uniform procedures despite earlier directions to create dedicated officers and better complaint handling systems. During the meeting, Member National Assembly Muhammad Moin Amir Pirzada informed the committee that his bank account was closed in April 2026 and despite repeated communication with the concerned bank and the State Bank of Pakistan, he did not receive a satisfactory response. He told the committee that such situations show the need for a proper yearly data update system and clear banking procedures so customers do not face unnecessary difficulties. The committee learned that no common Standard Operating Procedures had been developed across the banking sector despite previous recommendations. Governor State Bank acknowledged the concerns and informed the committee that rules for dealing with Politically Exposed Persons already exist. He said the problem occurred at the branch level and assured lawmakers that steps would be taken to improve implementation. The Governor informed the committee that a backup officer had already been assigned and a dedicated focal person would also be appointed to handle such matters. The committee stressed that all banks must follow the same procedures so customers receive equal treatment and complaints are resolved quickly. Federal Minister for Finance also supported the need for standard procedures and said proper systems are necessary for better customer service and effective complaint resolution. The committee meeting, chaired by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, also discussed wider banking issues including customer charges, investment policies and employee matters. Members raised concerns about banking service charges, especially SMS alerts and card transactions. The State Bank Governor informed the committee that SMS alerts are optional, allowing customers to choose whether to use the service. He said banks are also introducing alternative options such as mobile application and email alerts for customers. The Governor clarified that Visa card transactions conducted within Pakistan would not be charged in US dollars. He also informed the committee that banks are currently covering around Rs80 billion annually under the Pakistan Remittance Initiative. Committee members appreciated the reforms under the initiative, stating these steps have helped save significant costs. The committee also discussed complaints regarding dress code instructions in some banks. Senator Dr. Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur raised concerns that some female employees were allegedly pressured to wear abayas. Senator Sherry Rehman stated that no employee should be forced to adopt a specific type of clothing. The State Bank Governor informed the committee that previous recommendations had already been communicated to banks. He clarified that the committee had only recommended a modest dress code and had not ordered banks to impose any particular clothing. The committee directed all banks to submit their human resource dress code policies and instructed SBP to issue updated guidelines to ensure employees are not placed under unnecessary pressure. The committee also reviewed concerns related to investment protection policies. Senator Manzoor Ahmed suggested that incentives provided to the Reko Diq project should also be considered for other investment projects in Pakistan. Finance Ministry officials informed the committee that only one project currently meets the existing criteria and the government’s financial position does not allow similar benefits for all projects. The Finance Minister assured the committee that future proposals would be reviewed according to available resources.