Sourav Ganguly breaks silence over death threats

BAGH: A total of 199 polling stations have been established for the election in LA-17 Bagh-4 Haveli, with 10 security personnel to be deployed at each polling station. According to a notification issued by the Returning Officer’s office, 117,514 registered voters will be eligible to cast their ballots in the constituency. Polling will take place across 12 union councils and a town committee. Election officials have also completed arrangements for transporting election materials to remote areas, including Bheedi, Halla and Kairni. Haveli has been divided into 16 sectors to facilitate the distribution of election materials and manage polling arrangements. Of the 199 polling stations, 50 have been classified as sensitive and 25 as highly sensitive. Ten security personnel will be deployed at every polling station to maintain security during polling. Preparations have also been completed for the third phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections, with polling scheduled in four constituencies across Bagh and Haveli districts of the Poonch Division. The transportation of election materials to polling stations is currently underway. Elections in five constituencies of Poonch and two constituencies of Sudhanoti have been postponed. The upcoming electoral contest also features three former prime ministers among the candidates. Former AJK prime ministers Sardar Attique Khan and Sardar Tanveer Ilyas, who lead the Muslim Conference and Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party respectively, are contesting the elections. AJK Prime Minister Faisal Rathore is also taking part in the electoral contest. Authorities have stepped up security and logistical preparations ahead of polling to ensure a peaceful voting process across the constituency.

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has said that the groups holding sit-ins had attempted to disrupt the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections but failed to achieve their objective. Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Rana Sanaullah said the people of Azad Kashmir had exercised their right to vote and given a mandate to their chosen representatives. He said the process of government formation in Azad Kashmir would begin after the completion of the third phase of the elections. Rana Sanaullah expressed hope that the groups staging protests would now recognise the situation and end their sit-ins. He said the government was willing to review the legitimate demands of the protesters. However, he warned that individuals who take up arms or act against the state would have to face legal action. The adviser also rejected allegations of widespread election rigging. He said those making such claims had so far failed to present evidence to support their allegations. Rana Sanaullah accused the Pakistan Peoples Party of using allegations of rigging to cover up what he described as its electoral defeat. He said the PPP was still raising concerns about alleged rigging, but the intensity of its claims had decreased compared with earlier stages of the election. He expressed hope that PPP leaders would eventually accept the results and congratulate the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz on its performance. Polling in the third phase of the Azad Kashmir elections was continuing, while authorities reported that the overall voting process remained peaceful. Rana Sanaullah said elements that had attempted to prevent people from casting their votes had failed in their efforts. He maintained that voters were freely exercising their democratic right and choosing their representatives through the ballot. The prime minister’s adviser also expressed confidence about the formation of the next government in Azad Kashmir. He claimed that the results available so far indicated that the PML-N was on course to form the government with a two-thirds majority. Rana Sanaullah described the elections as free, fair and transparent. He said the democratic process had allowed the people of Azad Kashmir to give a clear mandate to their representatives. He added that the government would focus on addressing public issues after the elections. According to Rana Sanaullah, the completion of the third phase will pave the way for the formal process of government formation in Azad Kashmir. The remarks came amid political tensions surrounding the elections and protests. The government has repeatedly called for the continuation of the democratic process, while opposition groups have raised concerns over the conduct of the polls.

ISLAMABAD: A 25-year-old man died while taking part in a physical test for recruitment into the Islamabad Police. The deceased was identified as Ishaq. He had travelled from Sarai Naurang in Lakki Marwat to participate in the recruitment process. According to police, Ishaq was taking part in the running test when he suddenly collapsed. He reportedly became unconscious during the physical activity. Police officials immediately arranged an ambulance to take him to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad. Ishaq was shifted to the hospital’s emergency department for medical assistance. However, doctors said that he had already died while being transported to the hospital. The young man could not be revived after reaching the medical facility. The incident occurred during the physical testing stage of the Islamabad Police recruitment process. The test requires candidates to take part in physical activities as part of the selection procedure. The sudden death of the young candidate has raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding the incident. However, police have not yet provided further details about the exact cause of death. It was also not immediately clear whether Ishaq had any previous medical condition or whether he had undergone a medical examination before taking part in the physical test. Authorities are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident. Further information may emerge after the relevant medical and official procedures are completed. The death has brought attention to the physical demands placed on candidates during police recruitment tests. Candidates are required to meet prescribed physical standards before progressing to further stages of the selection process.