AJK elections, vote counting and unofficial results continue

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has said that a meeting with the party’s founder is essential for improving the current political situation. Speaking to reporters near Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, Gohar said political tensions could not be reduced through the registration of cases and continued confrontation. He was responding to questions about a case registered against Noreen Bibi. Gohar said statements made by Noreen Niazi should be viewed as her personal opinion. He added that she had already clarified her position. He also stressed the importance of Kashmir for Pakistan, saying the region held a special place in the country’s national interest. The PTI chairman criticised the political approach of the country’s two major parties. He said their political activities had contributed to the current situation. Gohar also defended PTI’s decision to boycott the recent Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections. He said the party had called for a better political environment before participating in the electoral process. He stressed that free and fair elections were necessary for Pakistan to move forward. According to him, political parties should avoid unnecessary point-scoring at a time when the country needs stability. Gohar also made PTI’s position on terrorism clear. He said the party would not support the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan under any circumstances. He described TTP members as terrorists and said action against terrorism was necessary. At the same time, Gohar said peaceful political protests should be handled differently. He emphasised that peaceful demonstrations should not be treated in the same manner as acts of terrorism or violence. He said PTI would also hold discussions with Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai. He expressed hope that allied political parties would stand together on August 5. Speaking about national security, Gohar referred to the recent conflict with India. He described Pakistan’s response as a matter of national pride and said the country would respond strongly if India attempted similar action in the future. Gohar also commented on Aleema Khan’s political activities. He said PTI’s important members of the National and Provincial Assemblies were supporting her. He again defended the party’s boycott of the AJK elections. Gohar claimed that voter turnout remained very low, estimating it at around 5 to 7 per cent. He said PTI had decided not to support demands that it considered against the state or the Kashmir cause. He maintained that the election boycott was a carefully considered political decision. Gohar said the current situation required politicians to listen to the people instead of focusing solely on political competition. He stressed that public concerns should remain at the centre of political decision-making.

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti on Friday announced that the provincial government is ready to hold political dialogue with those willing to abandon violence, while making it clear that security operations against armed militant groups will continue until peace is restored. Speaking at the passing-out parade of the Anti-Terrorism Force’s 20th basic training course in Quetta, the chief minister said individuals who surrender and renounce militancy would be given an opportunity to rebuild their lives through a comprehensive rehabilitation programme. Under the government’s reintegration plan, former militants will be offered government employment, educational opportunities for their children and access to healthcare facilities to help them become productive members of society. He said the initiative aims to encourage peaceful participation in the province’s development. However, Bugti warned that those who continue armed activities would face firm action. He said the provincial government, Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps, police, Counter Terrorism Department and Anti-Terrorism Force were working together to eliminate terrorism and restore lasting peace across Balochistan. Referring to the recent rise in militant attacks, the chief minister acknowledged that the province’s security challenges had intensified in recent years but expressed confidence that ongoing counterterrorism operations would defeat militant groups. Bugti also urged political leaders to avoid linking political disagreements with acts of terrorism. While criticism of the government was part of the democratic process, he said attacks on the country’s security forces should not be justified or politicised. Addressing the newly graduated ATF personnel, the chief minister praised their commitment to national service and described them as guardians responsible for protecting the people and maintaining peace. He added that the government was reviewing measures to further strengthen the professional training of security personnel to meet emerging security challenges. The chief minister also announced Rs150 million for improving the Anti-Terrorism Force training school’s infrastructure and highlighted recent steps taken to enhance benefits and welfare packages for police personnel and the families of martyred officers, reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthening law enforcement institutions.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Salman Akram Raja has said he had no authority to remove Mashal Yousafzai from the Senate. He said he chose to overlook the matter to prevent divisions within the party. Speaking to the media outside the Supreme Court in Islamabad, Raja said Mashal Yousafzai was not acting alone and had a group supporting her. He said the facts would eventually come before everyone. He added that he would not further fuel an issue that had already been given unnecessary attention in the past. Raja also said he did not know who had made Mashal Yousafzai a senator. Speaking to journalists at the Adiala Jail factory checkpoint in Rawalpindi, Raja said that allegations should be backed by evidence. He said false allegations remained false regardless of who made them. He said he had been practising law and continued to do so. He described some of the statements made against him as completely baseless. Raja said such allegations would have to be answered. He added that the party would take action over the matter. Comments on political developments Speaking about the political situation, Raja said September 27 was not a distant date. He said political activity was continuing on a daily basis. He said time passes quickly and described September 27 as an important date. Raja also said that a revolution could not be brought about by a single political party. He said it required the participation of the entire nation. On negotiations with the government, he said there was currently no formal offer from the government. However, Raja said PTI had not rejected negotiations on principle at any level. He described reports of an alliance with the Pakistan Peoples Party as premature. He said two parties could have similar positions on a particular issue without forming an alliance. PTI denies link with terrorism Raja strongly rejected any alleged connection between PTI and terrorism. He said PTI had never had any association with terrorism. Referring to the person killed in Rawalpindi, he said the party did not know which group the man belonged to or what activities he had been involved in. Raja described PTI as a peaceful political party. He said the party opposed terrorism and had never been part of any violent activity. He maintained that PTI was continuing its political struggle within the framework of the Constitution and the law.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested four individuals in Karachi for their alleged involvement in preparing fake documents for Afghan citizens. According to FIA officials, the arrested suspects include employees of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and other individuals allegedly linked to the illegal activity. The FIA said the suspects were involved in creating unauthorized and forged documents for Afghan nationals. Officials believe the network was operating by misusing official systems and resources. The arrested individuals include a NADRA Assistant Director and Deputy Assistant Director. A NADRA security guard and another person were also taken into custody during the operation. FIA officials said the arrests were made after an investigation into the illegal preparation of identity documents. The agency is now conducting further inquiries to determine the scope of the network and identify other people involved. The investigation will also examine how official procedures were allegedly bypassed and whether more officials were connected to the document fraud. The FIA has intensified action against individuals involved in making fake identity documents, saying such activities pose serious security risks and undermine the national registration system. Further legal action will be taken after the completion of the investigation, officials added.