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BAGH: Voting is underway at 23 polling stations in two constituencies of Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s Bagh district as authorities conduct re-polling following the suspension of results from the earlier phase. Polling began at 8am and is scheduled to continue until 5pm. Security arrangements have been strengthened around the polling stations to ensure voters can cast their ballots without fear or disruption. The re-polling covers parts of LA-15 Bagh Central and LA-16 Eastern Bagh. Voting had earlier failed to take place at nine polling stations in LA-15 and 14 stations in LA-16. The AJK Election Commission subsequently withheld the results of both constituencies and ordered voting at the affected stations. In LA-15, Pakistan Peoples Party candidate Sardar Ziaul Qamar had secured 16,637 votes in the polling that took place earlier. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidate Mushtaq Ahmed Minhas was second with 15,015 votes, while Jamaat-i-Islami candidate retired Brigadier Dr Muhammad Khan received 12,259 votes. In LA-16, PML-N’s Sardar Mir Akbar was leading on the basis of votes already counted. He had obtained 19,515 votes and held a lead of 3,225 votes over PPP candidate Sardar Qamaruz Zaman. The contest in both constituencies has remained tense. Candidates have levelled allegations of large-scale rigging against their political opponents. AJK Chief Election Commissioner retired Justice Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said adequate security had been deployed at the polling stations. He said sufficient police and other law-enforcement personnel were available to provide voters with a secure environment. The re-polling is part of the third phase of the AJK elections, which has been conducted amid concerns over law and order in parts of the region. The third phase was initially scheduled across Poonch Division, covering 11 constituencies in Bagh, Haveli, Poonch and Sudhnoti districts. However, the Election Commission limited polling to Bagh and Haveli because of security concerns. Polling was held earlier in both districts, but the commission withheld the results of two Bagh constituencies after voting could not be conducted at the 23 affected stations. The commission had already announced the result of LA-14 Bagh-I, commonly known as Dhirkot. Jammu Kashmir Awami Dast-o-Bazu Party candidate Sajid Iqbal Abbasi won the seat by securing 40,522 votes. Another closely watched contest was LA-17 Haveli, where AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore was a candidate. The constituency became embroiled in controversy after the returning officer declared Rathore the winner. PML-N candidate Engineer Mohsin Aziz challenged the result and claimed that an assurance had been given that the result would not be announced before his complaint was considered. The AJK chief election commissioner heard arguments from both sides and later reserved his decision.

LAHORE: More than 317,000 Pakistanis travelled abroad for employment during the first half of 2026, as economic pressures, unemployment, inflation and limited professional opportunities continue to push workers towards international job markets. Official figures show that 317,436 Pakistanis left the country for employment between January and June. Saudi Arabia remained the most popular destination, attracting 183,951 Pakistani workers during the six-month period. The United Arab Emirates ranked second with 50,773 workers, followed by Qatar with 34,025. Bahrain received 13,329 Pakistani workers, while 4,673 travelled to Türkiye for employment. Several other countries, including Cyprus, Greece, the United Kingdom and Malaysia, also attracted Pakistani workers. Of the total number, 316,848 workers completed their overseas employment registration through the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BE&OE). Another 588 workers secured employment through the Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC). The overseas workforce includes professionals from a wide range of sectors. Doctors, engineers, IT specialists, software developers, technicians and paramedical workers are among those seeking better employment prospects abroad. Experts say the continuing outflow could have both positive and negative consequences for Pakistan. Remittances sent by overseas workers provide an important source of foreign exchange and support millions of families in Pakistan. However, the departure of skilled professionals could also create challenges for sectors already facing shortages of qualified workers. Economic difficulties are being cited as a major factor behind the growing trend. Rising living costs, unemployment, heavy taxation and limited career opportunities have encouraged many young professionals to consider leaving the country. Experts have also expressed concern over Pakistan’s technological infrastructure. They argue that inadequate digital facilities, slow or disrupted internet services and limited research opportunities make it harder for professionals and businesses to compete internationally. The high cost of higher education is another concern. Young people seeking advanced qualifications often face significant financial pressure, while limited employment opportunities after graduation can encourage them to seek careers overseas. Thousands of additional Pakistanis are reportedly preparing to leave for employment and are currently completing documentation and other formal requirements through government offices. Workers travelling abroad have also reported difficulties during the departure process at airports in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad and other cities. The trend is not limited to blue-collar workers. A significant number of highly qualified professionals and students are also considering international opportunities. Some Pakistani students who travelled to Canada, Europe and the United States on scholarships have expressed a desire to return after completing their studies. However, they say their decision will depend on whether employment, research and professional opportunities improve in Pakistan.