ecp begins islamabad
| |

ECP begins Islamabad local polls preparations

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has started the delimitation process for holding local government elections in Islamabad.

The commission said the formal process will begin on August 1, 2026, and will continue until October 13, 2026. The delimitation of constituencies is a major step before announcing the election schedule.

An ECP spokesperson said that after the completion of the delimitation process and publication of the final constituencies, the commission will consult the federal government regarding the date for Islamabad’s local government elections.

The spokesperson also shared updates about local government elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

In Punjab, delimitation authorities have been directed to submit their decisions to the relevant committees by August 7. The final delimitation list for the province will be published on August 17.

The ECP said it is fully prepared to conduct local government elections in Punjab after completing all necessary legal requirements and consultations.

Regarding Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the commission said delimitation has been completed in 23 districts, while work is continuing in seven more districts.

The spokesperson said the ECP held discussions with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief secretary and local government secretary on July 14 about the election schedule. Provincial authorities were given additional time after requesting support for completing arrangements.

The commission said recent amendments to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Local Government Act created legal issues that affected the delimitation process. The ECP informed the provincial government about these concerns and sought cooperation to resolve the matter.

The spokesperson said the commission has faced delays in local government elections because federal and provincial governments often change local government laws close to election dates.

He said the ECP has repeatedly completed delimitation exercises and prepared election schedules, but changes in legal frameworks affect the process.

The commission recommended that major changes to local government laws and boundaries should be completed at least one year before elections. It said this would help ensure a smooth and timely electoral process.

Similar Posts

  • | | |

    US military reports diverting 35 ships amid Iran m…

    The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has reportedly stated that 35 commercial vessels were diverted as part of ongoing maritime operations involving Iran, according to media reports citing an official statement. The reported developments have drawn attention to maritime security in the strategically important Gulf region. According to the statement shared by CENTCOM, the U.S. military continues to enforce maritime measures that were reportedly reintroduced last month. Officials claimed that 35 commercial ships had been redirected during the operation. The statement also alleged that two vessels were disabled, while two others were boarded for inspection or brought under operational control. These claims have not been independently verified. The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, serving as a major transit route for global oil and gas exports. Any military activity or disruption in the area has the potential to affect international shipping, energy markets, and regional stability. As a result, developments involving the waterway are closely monitored by governments, businesses, and security analysts worldwide. Separate reports indicated that Iranian officials denied speculation regarding any change in policy concerning the Strait of Hormuz. According to those reports, Iran maintained that there had been no new decision affecting the waterway and that its existing policy remained unchanged. Independent confirmation of these statements is limited, and official positions may evolve as the situation develops. Tensions between the United States and Iran have periodically affected maritime security in the Gulf over the years. Military deployments, sanctions, and regional disputes have contributed to an environment where commercial shipping operators closely follow official advisories and security updates before entering the region. As the situation continues to develop, additional information from official government statements, international maritime organizations, and independent reporting will be important in providing a clearer understanding of events. Given the strategic significance of the Strait of Hormuz, any confirmed changes in maritime operations could have broader implications for global trade, energy supplies, and regional security.

  • Over Half Of Juvenile Crimes In Thailand Linked To Narcotics

    CHIANG MAI, Thailand — Drug abuse among children and young people in Thailand has reached a critical level, with more than half of all new juvenile criminal cases now directly linked to narcotics. This alarming trend has prompted urgent calls from health experts and social advocates for stronger prevention measures and community-based interventions to protect […]

  • |

    Punjab shifts Journalists’ Colony Phase-II to Charbagh

    Lahore: In a significant move to provide residential facilities to the journalist community, the Government of Punjab has decided to relocate Journalists’ Colony Phase-II from Katar Band Road to J Block of the Charbagh Scheme. The project will be developed in accordance with the previously approved master plan. A high-level meeting was held at the Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA), jointly chaired by RUDA Chief Executive Officer Imran Amin and Secretary Information Punjab Tahir Raza Hamdani. The meeting reviewed the relocation of Journalists’ Colony Phase-II, the progress made so far, and the future roadmap to ensure the timely completion of the project. The meeting was attended by Lahore Press Club President Arshad Ansari, General Secretary Afzal Talib, Punjab Journalists Housing Foundation (PJHF) Deputy Managing Director Adnan Rashid, Assistant Director (Administration) Asad Hussain, RUDA Director Public Relations Colonel Abid Latif, and other senior officials. It was decided that, in order to expedite the project, the Punjab Journalists Housing Foundation would immediately provide RUDA with the list of eligible journalists for Phase-II plots. Upon receipt of the list, RUDA will issue formal allotment/intimation letters to the eligible applicants so that the remaining stages of the project can proceed without delay. The meeting further decided that the Charbagh Scheme (J Block) project will be implemented under the previously approved master plan. Advance payments and installment schedules will remain unchanged and will be collected in accordance with the original agreement. Development charges will be collected directly by RUDA, while all the rules and regulations applicable to Journalists’ Colony Phase-II will continue to apply to the eligible allottees. Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Information Punjab Tahir Raza Hamdani thanked RUDA CEO Imran Amin and appreciated his efforts in line with the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to provide housing facilities to journalists. He expressed confidence that RUDA would complete the development work, hand over possession of the plots, and finalize all remaining stages of the project within the stipulated timeframe, enabling journalists to construct their homes. Lahore Press Club President Arshad Ansari thanked Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Provincial Minister for Information Azma Bukhari, Secretary Information Tahir Raza Hamdani, and RUDA CEO Imran Amin for their commitment to fulfilling the government’s promise to the journalist community. He said that the relocation of Journalists’ Colony Phase-II to the prime location of Charbagh reflects the Punjab Government’s dedication to the welfare of journalists. He added that the entire journalist community appreciates this initiative and congratulated all eligible journalists included in Phase-II.

  • | |

    IShowSpeed’s 60M celebration ends in horror

    Popular YouTube streamer IShowSpeed’s celebration after reaching 60 million subscribers took an unexpected turn when a balloon stunt inspired by a Disney movie ended in a dangerous fall. The content creator planned the unusual celebration as a tribute to Disney’s animated film “Up”, in which a house is lifted into the sky using thousands of balloons. Speed attempted a similar stunt by attaching himself to a chair connected to large helium balloons. According to reports, Speed and his team prepared the stunt gradually. They added smaller balloons during his journey toward the subscriber milestone and later replaced them with much larger balloons for the final attempt. At the beginning of the stunt, crew members helped keep the chair stable as Speed slowly moved upward. After officially reaching the 60 million subscriber mark, the streamer became emotional and asked to be released to experience the flight on his own. However, moments later, several balloons reportedly burst while he was in the air, causing the setup to lose balance. The failure of the balloon system resulted in Speed falling to the ground. The incident was captured during a live broadcast and quickly spread across social media platforms. In the footage, Speed appeared shaken after the fall, breathing heavily, while blood was visible on his forehead. The livestream was immediately switched to another camera angle following the incident. The stunt attracted mixed reactions from viewers. Some fans expressed concern over the risks involved and questioned the safety measures taken during the attempt. Others reacted with humour, comparing the failed stunt to the animated film that inspired it. Some social media users also questioned whether the incident was staged, while others defended Speed and said the fall appeared genuine. The incident has renewed discussions about the safety risks involved in extreme online content, as creators increasingly attempt unusual challenges to entertain millions of followers.

  • | | |

    PM Shehbaz orders urgent flood relief nationwide

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to intensify relief efforts and ensure maximum assistance for people affected by ongoing monsoon rains and floods. The prime minister issued the instructions during a meeting with NDMA Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik in Islamabad on Saturday. He ordered authorities to utilise all available resources to support flood-hit communities and provide immediate relief to those facing difficult conditions. Shehbaz also stressed close coordination between the NDMA, provincial governments and Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) to ensure relief operations remain effective and reach affected populations without delay. During the meeting, the NDMA chairman briefed the prime minister on the latest weather conditions and the flood situation resulting from heavy monsoon rainfall. He also provided an update on relief operations and ongoing measures to rehabilitate people displaced or affected by the flooding. According to the briefing, federal authorities are supporting relief activities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Rescue and assistance operations in these areas will continue with the cooperation of the federal government. The prime minister also praised the NDMA’s use of artificial intelligence and modern technology at the National Emergencies Operation Centre, saying advanced systems could strengthen disaster monitoring and response. The latest figures show the growing impact of monsoon-related incidents across the country. The NDMA reported that at least 155 people have died and 460 others have been injured in rain-related incidents between June 26 and August 14. Pakistan’s monsoon season generally lasts from June to September and plays an important role in replenishing water resources. However, intense rainfall can also cause flash floods, river flooding, landslides and displacement, particularly in vulnerable communities. The situation could remain challenging in the coming days. The Flood Forecasting Division of the Pakistan Meteorological Department has warned of possible high-level flooding in storm-water channels connected to the Chenab and Ravi rivers between August 15 and 21 as water levels continue to rise.

  • | |

    PM Shehbaz orders expansion of digital services fo…

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to expand digital consular services for overseas Pakistanis, improve facilities at Pakistani missions abroad, simplify the complaints system and speed up the digitization of document attestation and official transactions. According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the directives came during a meeting chaired by the prime minister in which officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistani ambassadors serving in various countries, and senior representatives from the Ministry of Interior, the Federal Investigation Agency, the Ministry of Information Technology and other relevant departments briefed him on ongoing reform efforts. Shehbaz said overseas Pakistanis represent a valuable asset for the country and that providing them with every possible facility remains a top government priority. Officials told the meeting that a QR code system has already been rolled out to simplify procedures for power of attorney, property transactions and document attestation for Pakistanis living abroad. The prime minister welcomed the initiative and directed authorities to prominently display the QR codes at Pakistani embassies and missions worldwide to improve access to the digital complaints registration system. Shehbaz also instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to launch a dedicated awareness campaign encouraging overseas Pakistanis to use the QR code based system when filing complaints. The meeting was told that the ministry has recently introduced an evening shift at its Islamabad office to make services more accessible to citizens, and that document attestation services have also been launched at the Asaan Khidmat Centre in Islamabad. Officials further reported that the ministry has introduced courier based attestation services and linked its verification system with databases maintained by the Higher Education Commission, the Inter Boards Coordination Commission, the National Database and Registration Authority and the National Police Bureau, a step that has significantly cut processing times. The meeting also heard that the apostille system has reduced document attestation to a single step process. Officials said work is now underway to fully digitize the system, with the National Information Technology Board developing a mobile application that would allow digital verification of documents including birth and death certificates, marriage registration certificates and family registration certificates, among other official records. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar attended the meeting alongside federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal Cheema, Attaullah Tarar, Chaudhry Salik Hussain and Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister of State Awn Chaudhry, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa and other senior officials. The push to digitize consular services reflects a broader effort by the government to modernize public sector delivery and reduce bureaucratic delays, an initiative that has gained momentum in recent years as authorities look to integrate various state databases and cut down on the paperwork burden faced by citizens both at home and abroad.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *