School Takes Strict Action After Senior Students Attacked Junior with a Gun

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: Pakistan observed Kashmir Exploitation Day on Wednesday with political leaders across party lines renewing their support for the people of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, while condemning India’s constitutional changes of August 5, 2019, as unlawful and contrary to international law and United Nations resolutions. Messages of solidarity were issued by senior government officials, provincial leaders, parliamentarians and political parties, all reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to supporting the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination. Rallies, public gatherings and awareness events were also held in different parts of the country to mark the occasion. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan would continue extending its political, diplomatic and moral support to the Kashmiri people until they were able to exercise their internationally recognised right to self-determination. He described India’s unilateral decisions of August 5, 2019, as illegal and urged New Delhi to reverse all measures that altered the disputed territory’s constitutional status. Pakistan’s Foreign Office Pakistan’s Foreign Office also reaffirmed the country’s unwavering support for Kashmiris, paying tribute to what it described as their courage, resilience and sacrifices. A spokesperson said Pakistan would continue highlighting the Kashmir issue at regional and international forums and called on the global community to uphold international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz paid tribute to the families of those who lost their lives during the Kashmir conflict and appealed to the United Nations and international human rights organisations to take notice of alleged human rights violations in the region. She said August 5, 2019, represented an attack on the identity and rights of the Kashmiri people and maintained that Pakistan would continue raising its voice on their behalf. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah also termed India’s constitutional changes a violation of UN Security Council resolutions. He urged the international community to play an effective role in ensuring the protection of human rights in Indian-administered Kashmir. Chairman Senate Yousaf Raza Gilani Chairman Senate Yousaf Raza Gilani strongly criticised India’s actions, saying attempts to alter the demographic composition of the disputed territory and undermine the identity of the Kashmiri people were unacceptable. He stressed that the Kashmir dispute should be resolved in accordance with the aspirations of its people and relevant UN resolutions. Governor Faisal Karim Kundi In Peshawar, a solidarity rally led by Governor Faisal Karim Kundi marched from the Civil Secretariat to the Governor House. Government employees, civil society representatives and citizens participated in the event, carrying Pakistani and Kashmiri flags while expressing support for the Kashmiri cause. Addressing participants, Kundi said Pakistan would continue standing with Kashmiris and expressed confidence that the people of the region would eventually determine their own future according to their wishes. Sindh Interior and Law Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar Sindh Interior and Law Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar said force and restrictions could not suppress the desire for freedom among Kashmiris. He alleged that India had violated international law and reiterated Pakistan’s solidarity with the people of Kashmir. Sindh Assembly Speaker Awais Qadir Shah Sindh Assembly Speaker Awais Qadir Shah also urged the United Nations to play a more active role, saying Kashmiris had been facing serious human rights challenges for several years. Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman said the Kashmiri freedom movement would continue until the dispute was resolved in line with United Nations resolutions. He described the revocation of Kashmir’s special constitutional status as a challenge to international law and the UN system. Senator Sherry Rehman Senator Sherry Rehman praised the determination and resilience of the Kashmiri people, saying their struggle had continued despite years of political uncertainty. She maintained that India’s constitutional changes were aimed at ending the region’s special status. Federal Minister Amir Muqam At a separate rally in Islamabad, Federal Minister Amir Muqam said Pakistan marks August 5 every year to express solidarity with Kashmiris and condemn India’s actions. He alleged that demographic changes were being introduced in the disputed territory through settlement policies. PPP Parliamentarians Secretary General Nayyar Bukhari Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians Secretary General Nayyar Bukhari said the revocation of Kashmir’s special status had failed to weaken the freedom movement. He warned that policies pursued by the Indian government could further undermine regional peace and stability. The observance of Kashmir Exploitation Day concluded with renewed calls from Pakistan’s political leadership for greater international engagement on the Kashmir dispute. Leaders urged the United Nations and the global community to work towards a peaceful resolution of the issue in accordance with international law and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.