As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the two attacks since Thursday, which police said they were investigating. A senior police officer said that the "Customs officials were present for checks... when unknown persons opened fire".
The Pakistan government announced that cellular services would remain temporarily suspended in specific districts of Punjab and Balochistan during the by-elections. It claimed that the request for suspension was made by the election commission.
Pakistan's latest revelation confirms the long-suspected Twitter shutdown in the country after the general elections held on February 8. The interior ministry said that the platform's failure to address misuse necessitated a ban on the microblogging site.
Zardari will replace Dr Arif Alvi, who stayed in office for five more months despite completing his five-year term in September 2023.
Though the military chief did not name any political party, it was directed at jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which has been alleging that the powerful establishment had supported the PML-N party to steal its mandate.
President Arif Alvi will administer the oath to Shehbaz in a ceremony at the President's House at 3 pm. Army Chief Gen Asim Munir, caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar, Chief Ministers and governors of all provinces will attend the ceremony.
Sharif returned to the role he held until August when parliament was dissolved ahead of the elections and a caretaker government took over.
Nawaz said the upcoming coalition government will prioritise on fixing the economy of the cash-strapped Pakistan and remained hopeful that all members complete their five-year tenure. He asserted that Shehbaz Sharif was the best choice under the current circumstances.
Since the general elections were held on February 8, the presidential election is required to be conducted by March 9, just two days before the retirement of half of the 100-member Senate.
Gohar on Thursday announced that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party’s next chairman nominee is Barrister Ali Zafar and that internal elections of the 71-year-old former-cricketer-turned-politician’s party are scheduled to take place on March 3.
Independent candidates, most of whom were backed by Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, won 93 out of the 265 National Assembly seats that went to polls on February 8. Pakistani poll official resigned on Saturday and claimed "responsibility for all wrongdoing" in the general elections.
Notably, the polls did not return a clear majority for anyone, but independent candidates backed by Imran Khan won 92 out of 264 seats making them the largest group. Khan ruled out alliances with the three largest parties, which means his candidate currently lacks the numbers to form a government.
Pakistan New PM: As the general elections in Pakistan concluded on February 8, discussions about government formation have intensified, particularly within the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP).
Pakistan election results: Party insiders say Nawaz isn’t suited to a coalition because of his temperament. His younger brother, Shehbaz, led a coalition after Khan was ousted from power and is regarded as more accommodating.
Pakistan elections result: The result of NA 88 was withheld by the ECP due to complaints of fraud and it would be announced after redressing the grievances of the aggrieved. Election to one seat was postponed after the death of a candidate.
The nation of 241 million people voted on Thursday in a general election, as the country struggles to recover from an economic crisis and battles militant violence in a deeply polarised political environment.
Barrister Gohar Ali Khan of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced that President Alvi would invite the party to form a government following their reported majority in the National Assembly. Despite securing 100 seats officially, the PTI claims victory in 170 seats, with 133 needed for government formation.
Addressing his party workers in Lahore, Nawaz Sharif said that he has told his younger brother Shehbaz to reach out to the PPP’s Asif Ali Zardari, JUI-F’s Fazlur Rehman and MQM-P’s Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui for the formation of a coalition government.
Pakistan elections 2024: Pakistan temporarily shut some of its land borders on Thursday as it beefed up security for voters in a general election that has been preceded by a surge in militant violence. The borders with Iran and Afghanistan were also shut.
Pakistan Elections 2024: The government's decision comes amidst a rise in militant attacks in the run-up to the election and a day after jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan urged his supporters to wait outside polling booths after voting until results are announced.
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