Live Updates: Shehbaz Sharif elected as 24th Prime Minister of Pakistan

The counting of votes for the Maharashtra and Jharkhand assembly elections, along with several bypolls, has begun, and early leads suggest a major shift in the political landscape.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is on track for a landslide victory in Maharashtra, while the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) appears to have surged ahead in Jharkhand.

After nearly three hours of vote counting, the NDA in Maharashtra is securing a decisive mandate, outpacing the opposition.

Exit polls had predicted a tight race, but the trends indicate a clear win for the NDA coalition, which includes the BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) under Deputy CM Ajit Pawar. The Mahayuti alliance, which the BJP leads, contested 148 seats, followed by Shiv Sena with 80 and NCP with 52 seats. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is trailing, with Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Bal Thackeray), and NCP (Sharad Pawar) fielding 102, 96, and 86 seats respectively.

The election is particularly significant as it marks the first contest since the splits in both the NCP and Shiv Sena, following political upheavals in 2022. The results will have a lasting impact on the future of these parties, especially with leaders like Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde competing for the legacy of Balasaheb Thackeray. The NCP's internal division also adds weight to this election, with Ajit Pawar now part of the ruling coalition.

In Jharkhand, early trends suggest a tough battle between the ruling JMM-led alliance and the NDA. The JMM-led government, headed by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, is banking on its achievements, while the NDA, led by the BJP, is targeting the state's governance issues, including tribal rights and infiltration concerns.

The election results will have far-reaching consequences for local and national politics. In addition, votes are being counted for several bypolls across the country, including the Wayanad by-election in Kerala, where Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is contesting, and several seats in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has disqualified Adil Bazai - a former Member of National Assembly (MNA) from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) - following a reference sent by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.

The ECP's decision declared the NA-262 Balochistan seat vacant, as Bazai's actions were deemed to have violated party policies and directives.

Adil Bazai, who initially joined the PML-N after being elected as an independent candidate, caused a stir during the budget session when he defied the party's instructions.

In a move that caught the attention of his colleagues and party leadership, Bazai shifted from the government benches to sit with the opposition, a clear breach of PML-N’s position.

In response to this breach, PML-N President Nawaz Sharif had sent a reference to the National Assembly Speaker, urging for action against Bazai. Subsequently,

Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq forwarded the matter to the Election Commission, which took up the case and ultimately ruled in favor of disqualifying the defected MNA.

The Election Commission's ruling also highlighted that Bazai had failed to vote in favor of the 26th Amendment, further emphasizing that under prevailing laws, all parliamentarians are required to adhere to their party’s instructions.

This disqualification comes as a significant blow to Bazai’s political career, as the ECP's decision ensures the Balochistan seat will now be contested in a by-election.

Election tribunals — comprising retired judges — have commenced hearings on cases related to the General Election 2024 in Punjab, including Lahore and other cities.

The Election Tribunal is set to hear significant cases today, including those involving Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Hamza Shehbaz, and other constituencies. Retired Judge Rana Zahid Mehmood is presiding over the tribunal sessions.

The legal team representing Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz appeared before the tribunal to present their arguments regarding the election disputes.

Opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) claimed that the incumbent ruling alliance snatched their mandate, a claim yet to be proved in the tribunals and demanded re-election.

President-elect Donald Trump’s choice of Tulsi Gabbard as U.S. intelligence chief has sent shockwaves through the national security establishment, adding to concerns that the sprawling intelligence community will become increasingly politicized.

Trump’s nomination of Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman who lacks deep intelligence experience and is seen as soft on Russia and Syria, is among several high-level picks that suggest he may be prioritizing personal allegiance over competence as he assembles his second-term team.

Among the risks, say current and former intelligence officials and independent experts, are that top advisers could feed the incoming Republican president a distorted view of global threats based on what they believe will please him and that foreign allies may be reluctant to share vital information.

Randal Phillips, a former CIA operations directorate official who worked as the agency's top representative in China, said that with Trump loyalists in top government posts, “this could become the avenue of choice for some really questionable actions” by the leadership of the intelligence community.

A Western security source said there could be an initial slowdown in intelligence sharing when Trump takes office in January that could potentially impact the “Five Eyes,” an intelligence alliance comprising the U.S., Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The worry from U.S. allies is that Trump’s appointments all lean in the “wrong direction”, the source said.

Trump's presidential transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Inside and outside the U.S. intelligence network, much of the anxiety focuses on Trump’s choice of Gabbard, 43, as director of national intelligence, especially given her views seen as sympathetic to Russia in its war against Ukraine.

While Trump has made some conventional personnel decisions such as that of Senator Marco Rubio for secretary of state, Wednesday’s announcement of Gabbard, an officer in the U.S. Army Reserves, surprised even some Republican insiders. She is likely to face tough questioning in her Senate confirmation hearings.

Gabbard, who left the Democratic Party in 2022, has stirred controversy over her criticism of President Joe Biden’s support for Ukraine, which has prompted some critics to accuse her of parroting Kremlin propaganda.

She also spoke out against U.S. military intervention in the civil war in Syria under former President Barack Obama and met in 2017 with Moscow-backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, with whom Washington severed all diplomatic ties in 2012.

The selection of Gabbard has raised alarm in the ranks of intelligence officers unsure of how tightly she holds some of her geopolitical views, whether she is misinformed or simply echoing Trump’s “Make America Great Again” followers, one intelligence official said on condition of anonymity.

“Of course there's going to be resistance to change from the ‘swamp’ in Washington,” Gabbard said in a Fox News interview on Wednesday night. She said voters had given Trump “an incredible mandate” to move away from Biden’s agenda but offered no policy specifics.

ALLIES ATTENTIVE

A senior European intelligence official said agencies in European Union countries “will be pragmatic and ready to adapt to the changes.” “No panic in the air for now,” the official added.

A European defense official described Gabbard as “firmly" in the Russia camp.

"But we have to deal with what we have. We will be attentive,” the official said.

Some analysts said concerns about Gabbard could be tempered by Trump’s choice to head the CIA: John Ratcliffe, a former congressman who served as director of national intelligence at the end of Trump’s first term.

Though close to Trump and expected to offer little pushback against his policies, Ratcliffe is not seen as an incendiary figure and could act as a counterbalance to Gabbard in his post atop the No. 1 spy agency among the 18 that she would oversee.

But some analysts said that by attempting to install Gabbard with other controversial loyalists, including congressman Matt Gaetz for attorney general and Fox commentator and military veteran Pete Hegseth for defense secretary, Trump is showing he wants no guardrails to his efforts to remake federal institutions.

Democratic critics were quick to pounce not only on Gabbard’s views but what they see as her lack of qualifications and the potential the new administration could deploy intelligence for political ends.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence was created after the Sept 11, 2001 attacks to fix what was seen as a lack of coordination between those organizations.

“She isn’t being put in this job to do the job or to be good at it. She’s being put there to serve Donald Trump’s interests,” U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, the ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, told CNN on Thursday.

SUPPORT FOR ISOLATIONIST POLICIES

After leaving the Democratic Party, Gabbard became increasingly critical of Biden and grew popular among conservatives, often appearing on far-right TV and radio shows, where she became known for supporting isolationist policies and showing disdain for "wokeness."

Shortly after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Gabbard wrote in a social media post: “This war and suffering could have easily been avoided if Biden admin/NATO had simply acknowledged Russia's legitimate security concerns regarding Ukraine's becoming a member of NATO."

Rubio, a former Trump rival turned supporter, defended Gabbard’s nomination, describing her as a “revolutionary pick that has a chance to really make a positive change.”

But some other Republicans were more non-committal.

Asked about Gabbard's qualifications, Senator John Cornyn, a member of the Intelligence Committee, said: "We're going to do our job, vet the nominees and make a decision. That's a constitutional responsibility of the Senate.”

To become director of national intelligence, Gabbard must first be confirmed by a majority of the 100-member U.S. Senate, where she could face headwinds.

Trump's fellow Republicans will have at least a 52-48 seat majority in the chamber starting in January, and have in the past been eager to back the party leader, increasing the likelihood that she will secure the post.

“Our friends are watching as closely as our foes, and they are asking what this all means for the pre-eminent player in global intelligence collection and analysis,” said one former U.S. intelligence officer who worked in some of the world’s hotspots.

China's President Xi Jinping congratulated Donald Trump on his U.S. presidential win and urged both nations to find the "right way to get along", as looming U.S. tariffs threatened to return them to the days of a trade war years ago.

Stable, sound and sustainable China-U.S. relations serve the interests of both, Xi said on Thursday, adding that the international community would expect the two powers to "respect each other (and) co-exist peacefully".

Xi also called for strengthened dialogue to properly manage differences.

Ties hit a new low after clashes over issues ranging from trade and security to the future of Taiwan and the South China Sea, only starting to improve in November 2023 after Xi and President Joe Biden met for four hours in California.

Trump's win could revive issues from his first presidency, when he started the bruising trade war with the world's second-largest economy in 2018, though striking a truce just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit in January 2020.

The Republican, who has vowed to adopt stiff tariffs, recaptured the White House with a sweeping victory over Democrat Kamala Harris in Tuesday's election, and will take office in January.

Echoing Xi's call for stability, the commerce ministry said China was willing to jointly develop healthy economic and trade ties the United States.

China is willing to expand co-operation to benefit both countries, a ministry spokesperson said, when asked at a regular press conference about the prospect of more U.S. tariffs, setting aside for now any suggestion of potential retaliation.

Xi's congratulatory message to Trump was more subdued than when the latter first won election in November 2016.

At the time, Xi called for "greater progress in China-U.S. relations from a new starting point", saying both economies should shoulder responsibilities in areas such as world peace and stability, global development and prosperity.

Still, in an editorial on Wednesday, the state-run China Daily portrayed Trump's second presidency as a potential "new beginning in China-U.S. relations, if the chance that has been offered is not wasted".

U.S. policies and misconceptions towards China had posed challenges for ties, it said.

"A pragmatic approach to bilateral relations is essential in navigating the complexities of global challenges," it added.

The Biden administration did not dismantle Trump's trade policies and continued to target China's state-driven industrial practices.

In September, it locked in steep tariff hikes on Chinese imports, such as duties of 100% on electric vehicles, 50% on solar cells and 25% on steel, aluminium, EV batteries and key minerals, in a bid to protect strategic American industries.

But Trump's threat of tariffs of 60% on U.S. imports of Chinese goods poses major growth risks for China.

They would be much higher than the 7.5% to 25% levied in his first term, and come at a much more vulnerable time for the Chinese economy, as it battles a steep property downturn, the burden of local government debt and weak domestic demand.

Pakistan's Foreign Office has affirmed the nation’s commitment to strengthening ties with the United States following Donald Trump’s recent election victory.

The President and Prime Minister extended their congratulations, with the Foreign Office spokesperson highlighting the decades-old relationship between Pakistan and the U.S. and expressing optimism for further improvement, stating that the change in U.S. leadership would not impact bilateral relations.

Upcoming OIC conference

In other developments, Pakistan’s diplomatic focus remains on Middle Eastern affairs. During the upcoming OIC conference, the Foreign Office confirmed that the Prime Minister will engage in discussions regarding the Gaza situation, with Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar accompanying him to meet OIC leaders on the sidelines of the summit.

Read more: 

Shehbaz eyes close work with Trump administration to strengthen Pak-US ties

Global reaction to US Elections: China calls polls as US internal matter

Donald Trump elected 47th president of America in stunning comeback

Aid to Lebanon and Gaza

Amid escalating regional tensions, Pakistan has sent humanitarian aid to Palestine and Lebanon, showing solidarity with affected communities. Additionally, the Foreign Office expressed concern over the health of Hurriyat leader Yasin Malik, urging India to provide him immediate medical care and calling for his release.

COP29

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s climate concerns are set to be highlighted at COP29, where the Foreign Office underscored the urgency of addressing climate impacts affecting millions of Pakistanis.

Further strengthening regional ties, Iran's Foreign Minister visited Pakistan, meeting with Pakistani leadership to discuss mutual interests and cooperation. The Riyadh Summit in Saudi Arabia was also attended by the Prime Minister, underscoring Pakistan’s active diplomatic engagement in the region.

In the ongoing US presidential elections, Pakistani-American candidate Salman Bhojani celebrated a victory as he was re-elected as a member of the Texas State Assembly.

Bhojani, a Democrat, secured his seat with a commanding lead over his opponent, reinforcing his strong support base in Texas. Known for his commitment to representing diverse communities, Bhojani’s win highlights the growing presence of South Asian Americans in US politics.

Another Pakistani-American candidate has been successful in the US presidential election. Suleman Lalani has been re-elected as a member of the Texas Assembly by dealing a major defeat to his opposing candidate with a big margin. 

While Bhojani and Lalani’s victories marks a positive milestone for Pakistani-American representation, Republican Aaron Bashir, the only Pakistani-American candidate running for Congress, faced disappointment. Bashir, who ran in Pennsylvania, was unsuccessful in her bid for a congressional seat, falling short in a competitive race. 

Moreover, Pakistani-American candidate for the House of Representatives, Ayesha Farooqui, faced a defeat from Michigan. 

Bhojani's re-election is a significant achievement, reflecting the increasing engagement of Pakistani Americans in US public service. First elected to the Texas State Assembly in 2022, Bhojani has worked on issues important to his community, including healthcare, education, and business development, and has been a vocal advocate for immigrant rights.

National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub said on Tuesday that the incumbent government was “petrified” of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan.

Expressing his thoughts during the NA session, Ayub stated: “The rulers are merely having one target. This is not the government but the anarchy.”

He criticised the incumbent government without the presence of the ministers, saying, “These people are hiding their faces and are not daring enough to face the masses.”

The PTI leader’s speech had sparked uproar in the NA session.

– PTI threatens to pour onto streets again –

PTI leader Asad Qaiser said on Thursday that the party will finalise the plan of pouring onto streets against the government after holding talks with the deposed prime minister.

Speaking to media outside Adiala jail, Qaiser said: “We are the elected representatives and having an entity as the political party. So how can we not hold talks with the PTI founder?”

“We are also taking the other parties on board from all the provinces in our cause of holding the protests,” said Qaiser.

He averred, “We will not come under pressure, no matter whatever the tactics the government will use.”

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Popular podcaster Joe Rogan, who recently interviewed Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump for nearly three hours, said on Monday he has endorsed the former president in the race to the White House.

Trump faces Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in the Nov. 5 U.S. election in what polls show to be a tight race. Harris has got multiple celebrity endorsements.

"For the record, yes, that's an endorsement of Trump," Rogan said on X while posting a clip of his interview with billionaire Elon Musk, who has also endorsed Trump. Rogan said in his post that Musk made the "most compelling case for Trump."

Trump's recent interview with Rogan lasted about 3 hours and was released on YouTube and Spotify in late October. The two discussed a range of topics and the interview got over 45 million views on YouTube.

The former president criticized Rogan in August on Truth Social, his social media platform, after the podcaster praised then-independent candidate Robert Kennedy Jr. Kennedy has since pulled out of the race and endorsed Trump. Trump later called Rogan a "good guy."

Trump and Harris have courted voters with appearances on podcasts, in addition to more traditional rallies and media interviews.

Spotify said in March "The Joe Rogan Experience" had 14.5 million followers, almost triple the platform's second most popular program. Rogan also has more than 19 million followers on Instagram and 18 million followers on YouTube.

A poll by YouGov last year found that 81% of his listeners are male and 56% are under 35 years old, a demographic that tends to support Trump over Harris.

Harris' team had been in touch with Rogan's program about a possible appearance but her campaign said in late October she will not appear on his podcast.

Rogan joins a list of celebrities like Musk and wrestler Hulk Hogan to have endorsed Trump.

Harris has a much bigger list of celebrity endorsements - ranging from basketball superstar Lebron James and actress Meryl Streep to comedian Chris Rock and former talk show host Oprah Winfrey. Superstar singers Beyonce and Taylor Swift have also endorsed her.

The National Assembly (NA) and Senate approved on Monday the bills to extend the term of the services chiefs following the approval of the bill to increase the SC judges' seats amid opposition protests.

According to details, Acting President Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani had given assent to the six bills passed by the both houses of parliament to increase the number of judges and extend the tenure of the services’ chiefs.  

The NA session, which was presided over by speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, saw a surge in tensions, resulting in a physical altercation between the members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the ruling party.

As debates escalated, scuffles broke out, with PTI members clashing with government officials, leading to a chaotic scene where Sergeant-at-Arms intervened.

Prominent politicians, including Federal Law Minister Atta Tarar and other members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had exchanged heated remarks with the opposition members, prompting security personnel to intervene multiple times.

The NA session was adjourned until 11 am following the scuffle.

Earlier on same day, the NA approved a Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) (Amendment) Act, 2024 to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) to 34, despite strong opposition protests.

According to details, during the NA session, presided over by speaker Ayaz Sadiq, the opposition members had voiced strong objections. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, while presenting the bill, emphasised the importance of increasing judges in the SC and the Islamabad High Court (IHC), which will also see an increase from nine to 12 judges. 

On this occasion, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq had advised Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan to allow other members to speak in a bid to maintain decorum.

Tarar said: "We listen to Barrister Gohar if he will listen to us."

The bill proceeded through clause-by-clause approval and was ultimately passed.

– Reactions from opposition, others –

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan criticised the recent passage of bills outside the parliament, asserting: “Today, democracy has been changed into a monarchy.”

Echoing the sentiments, PTI’s leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub Khan, expressed his disapproval regarding the government’s actions. He stated, “The service chiefs’ tenure is not a good thing for the country.”

The discontent is not limited to the PTI, as other political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) had also condemned the legislative moves.

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The government is set to push through critical legislation today as both the National Assembly and Senate convene for high-stakes sessions.

The National Assembly is scheduled to meet at 4pm, followed by the Senate at 6pm, with agendas packed to address vital amendments and bills, including important legislation related to the Supreme Court. 

In the National Assembly, a seven-point agenda includes the presentation of the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Amendment Ordinance. 

Additionally, a call-attention notice will be introduced regarding Pakistan’s judiciary ranking of 129th globally in the Rule of Law Index, underscoring calls for judicial reform.

Also on the assembly's agenda is the potential passage of the Anti-Terrorism Amendment Bill, as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen national security frameworks.

Members will also consider moving a resolution to express gratitude for the presidential address delivered during the joint parliamentary session. MNA Aliya Kamran will also move a call-attention notice highlight the grounding of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) aircraft.

The Senate’s 39-point agenda on the Private Member’s Day includes the introduction of various bills by senators Anusha Rehman and Saleem Mandviwala. Senator Shahadat Awan will present two bills approved by the National Assembly. 

Also Read: Senate committee okays increase in SC judges to 25 amidst debate

A report of the Standing Committee on Law on the Under-Custodial Investigation Bill 2020 and a report from the Human Rights Committee on the Factories Amendment Bill 2023 will also be presented in the session. The session will also see a bill presented for the establishment of a Pakistan Animal Science Council and review reports related to the Criminal Law Amendment Bill 2023 among others.

Parliament is also expected to consider a bill increasing the number of Supreme Court judges to 25, following the Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice’s recent approval.

On Nov 1, Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice approved a proposal to increase the number of Supreme Court judges from the current count to 25, including the chief justice.

The committee members debated on the rational to increase judges’ number in the apex court as treasury benches members advocated the need for additional judges to manage the high case backlog. Senator Hamid Khan and Senator Kamran Murtaza opposed the increase, with Senator Murtaza arguing that recent vacancies were strategic and that the Supreme Court should be consulted on the necessity of more judges.

Senator Hamid Khan raised concerns over financial constraints and suggested focusing on the efficiency of existing resources, particularly as Pakistan faces economic challenges.

On the other hand, Senator Shahadat Awan voiced strong support, noting that with an estimated 60,000 pending cases, at least 21 judges are essential.

Here is a timeline of events related to the election between now and Inauguration Day in January.

Nov. 5: Election Day

- Later in November: It could take days for the election result to be known, especially if it is close and mail-in ballots are a factor.

Nov. 26: Trump, the first sitting or former U.S. president to be convicted of a crime, is due to be sentenced in a Manhattan hush money case where he was found guilty of falsifying documents to cover up a payment to silence a porn star. Trump has denied wrongdoing.

Sentencing was originally due to take place on Sept. 18.

Dec. 17: Electors, who together form the Electoral College, meet in their respective states and the District of Columbia to select the president and vice president.

Dec. 25: The electoral votes must be received by this date by the president of the Senate - a role held by the vice president, currently Harris - and the archivist.

2025

Jan. 6: The vice president presides over the Electoral College vote count at a joint session of Congress, announces the results and declares who has been elected.

Ahead of the count on Jan. 6, 2021, then-President Trump lambasted his vice president, Mike Pence, for refusing to try to prevent Congress from certifying President Joe Biden's victory over Trump.

On that day, the U.S. Capitol was attacked by Trump supporters trying to stop the count. Biden's win was certified early the next day.

Congress has since passed the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act of 2022, which requires approval of one-fifth of the House and Senate to consider a challenge to a state's results – a much higher bar than existed before, when at least one member each in the Senate and House of Representatives could together trigger a challenge.

Jan. 20: The inauguration of the election winner and their vice president takes place. At this ceremony, the victor and the vice president are officially sworn into office.

New York - As the US presidential election approaches on November 5, the stakes are high not only for American voters but also for foreign powers, particularly Russia. The battle between Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump has rekindled concerns about Moscow's involvement in U.S. electoral processes, reminiscent of the contentious elections of 2016 and 2020. With accusations of Russian interference gaining traction once again, the implications of the election are being closely monitored from the Kremlin.

Recent reports indicate that social media platforms are rife with disinformation, including a viral video falsely claiming to show Haitians voting for Harris. Georgia's Secretary of State has attributed this fake content to Russian troll farms, highlighting the ongoing effort by Moscow to sway public opinion and influence electoral outcomes. U.S. officials have once again pointed fingers at Russia, suggesting that the Kremlin has an interest in seeing Trump return to the White House.

However, the dynamics are more complicated than simply favoring one candidate over the other. While a Trump victory might seem advantageous for Russia, analysts caution that the Kremlin's calculations are nuanced, shaped by the former president's first term in office. Initially, there were hopes in Russia that Trump's presidency would usher in a more favorable U.S. foreign policy. Yet, the reality proved otherwise, with Trump imposing new sanctions on Russia and approving lethal military aid to Ukraine, something his predecessor, Barack Obama, had refrained from doing.

Under President Joe Biden, military support to Ukraine has escalated significantly. Trump's recent musings about potentially reducing or even cutting off aid to Ukraine resonate with some segments of the Russian population. Many in Russia perceive a Trump win as a potential path to peace in Ukraine, believing that U.S. financial support for Kyiv might be curtailed.

The Kremlin’s official stance towards the U.S. election has remained measured. Recently, President Vladimir Putin made a lighthearted remark suggesting his support for Harris due to her "infectious" laugh, but officials later clarified that this was merely a jest. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov added that the current state of Russo-American relations is such that it may not matter who occupies the Oval Office. He suggested that key foreign policy decisions are made by the "deep state," implying continuity regardless of the elected president.

The contrasting foreign policy approaches of the two candidates could have far-reaching implications for Russia. Analysts indicate that a Harris presidency would likely maintain the Biden administration's robust support for Ukraine, continuing military assistance and potentially bolstering NATO and EU alliances. In contrast, Trump’s approach appears more unpredictable; he has publicly blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the war's onset, suggesting that he could swiftly negotiate peace if re-elected. This unpredictability is seen as a double-edged sword by Moscow, which may prefer the stability offered by a more predictable Harris administration.

Given these complexities, the Kremlin is likely weighing the potential outcomes of the election carefully. While a Trump victory might create opportunities for Russian interests in Ukraine, the challenges posed by his first term remain fresh in Moscow's memory. Conversely, a Harris win would mean a continuation of the current U.S. stance towards Russia, which could lead to increased military aid for Ukraine and further economic sanctions.

As the election nears, the geopolitical landscape continues to shift, with Russia's involvement in the electoral narrative serving as a stark reminder of the intricate interplay between domestic politics in the U.S. and international relations. The outcome on November 5 could redefine not only U.S. foreign policy but also the balance of power in Europe and beyond.

National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has written a letter and submitted nominations from parliamentary parties to the Supreme Judicial Council on the issue of formation of a Judicial Commission for the appointment of judges to the superior judiciary.

The nominations were made following consultations with Senate Chairman and parliamentary leaders.

Sadiq’s nominations include members from both the National Assembly and Senate. PTI's Omar Ayub and PML-N's Sheikh Aftab will represent the National Assembly, while senators Farooq Naik and Shibli Faraz have been chosen to represent the Senate.

Additionally, Roshan Khursheed Bharucha has been nominated on the women's seat in the commission.

These nominations, forwarded to the secretary of the Judicial Commission, come after the passage of the 26th Amendment, which allows for five members of parliament to join the Judicial Commission, with equal representation from the government and opposition. The commission is authorised to appoint judges to the Supreme Court, high courts, and the Federal Shariat Court. 

The Supreme Court has confirmed receiving the nominations.

A spokesperson for the National Assembly stated that Speaker Ayaz Sadiq sent the names to the council after consultation with the Senate chairman and all parliamentary parties. 

Sources reveal that the government and opposition had finalized their nominations for the Judicial Commission after National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq wrote to the leaders of parliamentary parties to nominate their members. The opposition members nominated from the National Assembly and Senate were approved by PTI Founder Imran Khan.

A recent amendment to Article 175-A has expanded the commission to a 13-member body, including the chief justice, the three most senior Supreme Court judges, the senior-most judge of the constitutional benches, the law minister, the attorney general for Pakistan, a nominee from the Pakistan Bar Council, two members each from the National Assembly and Senate, and a representative from a minority or female from outside parliament. 

Under Article 175-A, the commission will nominate a candidate for each vacancy of a judge in the Supreme Court, a high court or the Federal Shariat Court by a majority vote. The nominee will then be forwarded to the prime minister, who will recommend the candidate to the president for final appointment. 

Additionally, the commission will assess the annual performance of high court judges. If a judge’s performance is deemed inadequate, the commission may allow time for improvement. If, after this period, performance remains unsatisfactory, the commission will report the issue to the Supreme Judicial Council, which addresses cases of judicial misconduct.

The 26th Amendment also grants the commission authority to establish performance evaluation standards, and one-third of commission members may request a meeting by submitting a written requisition to the chairperson, who must then convene the meeting within 15 days.

The federal government has introduced a bill to amend the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997, aiming to beef up security measures in the face of rising security threats.

The proposed legislation has been introduced to give security forces the power to arrest anyone they deem to be involved in terrorism.

The bill, which was presented in the National Assembly by Federal Minister for Law Azam Nazir Tarar, seeks to grant increased powers to the armed forces and civil armed forces, allowing them to detain individuals involved in terrorist activities for up to three months.

According to details of the proposed legislation, security forces would have the authority to arrest and detain anyone suspected of engaging in terrorism-related offences. The amendment, if approved, would be in effect for two years from its date of enactment, at which point it may be subject to review or renewal.

Following its presentation, the deputy speaker of the National Assembly referred the bill to the standing committee concerned for further examination. 

Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump's end-of-campaign arguments to voters choosing between him and Democrat Kamala Harris have focused on an old standby in U.S. politics: Asking voters whether they are better off now than they were four years ago.

He may want to check his dates. In 2020, the last year of Trump's presidency, U.S. life expectancy fell by 1.8 years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a National Center for Health Statistics review of the year, and more than 350,000 people died from the virus, which made it the third-leading cause of death.

The U.S. economy experienced one of its worst-ever quarters, when gross domestic product plunged at a 28% annual rate from April through June. Despite a startling rebound in the three months that followed - largely the result of federal deficit spending on benefits approved by both parties to keep households afloat through the health crisis - the U.S. economy was smaller in the final full quarter of Trump's term - the fourth quarter of 2020 - than it was at the end of 2019.

To be fairer to himself, Trump might want to dial the calendar back a year to 2019, but even then the record is mixed. If one thing stands out about now versus then it is how similar many aspects of the economy look, a testament, many economists feel, to the success of the largely bipartisan effort to keep a health catastrophe from becoming an economic one.

THE TALE OF THE TAPE: GDP

Data released on Wednesday showed the economy continues to grow above trend and close to the 3% rate Trump in his first term set as a barometer of success.

After adjusting for inflation the economy overall is 11.5% larger now than it was at the end of 2019, when output under Trump reached its peak. Growth rates were comparable: From the third quarter of 2023 to the third quarter of this year, inflation-adjusted output rose 2.66%; in the comparable pre-COVID quarters, comparing the third quarter of 2019 to the third quarter of 2018, the economy expanded 2.8%.

INFLATION

For many Americans, the outbreak of inflation from 2021 through last year was something they had never experienced. At its peak prices were rising faster than at any point since the 1980s, an era when economic malaise undercut the reelection campaign of Democratic President Jimmy Carter.

High prices have been a centerpiece of Trump's campaign, and one which Harris has had trouble rebutting even as inflation itself has declined. The fact that "disinflation" has occurred without the usual blow to economic output and employment is seen by policymakers as a historic victory, but seems to have registered only weakly, if at all, with households.

INCOMES

Another point that has registered weakly among U.S. consumers is that incomes on the whole have kept pace with all that inflation. Economic surveys have consistently found that this doesn't really matter when it comes to attitudes about the economy: High prices are high prices, and if food costs 10% more consumers don't really care if their wages went up enough to cover it and then some.

Nor do averages capture every household's experience.

Still, while the bumps along the way were dramatic as federal spending boosted incomes for a while then rising prices cut into purchasing power, inflation-adjusted income per person was about 10% higher as of the third quarter of this year than it was in the third quarter of 2019.

UNEMPLOYMENT

Perhaps no economic statistic shows the U.S. success in skirting the worst economic impacts from the pandemic more than the unemployment rate.

As Federal Reserve officials have noted, the labor market was strong under Trump before the pandemic. It snapped back afterwards under Biden as well.

Ignoring the sharp up and downs of the pandemic years, the unemployment rate was slightly lower on average from 2022 through this year than it was from 2017 through 2019.

WEALTH

Not every American invests in the stock market and not everyone owns a home.

But for those that do the post-COVID years under Biden have added steadily to household net worth.alth

THE MISERY INDEX

Combining the unemployment rate and the rate of inflation into a thumbnail description of economic trouble has been used by politicians as a way to pummel their opponents, particularly during times of high inflation. With the decline in inflation, it is back to roughly where it was during much of Trump's pre-COVID time in office.

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) elections concluded with Rauf Atta from the Asma Jahangir Group (AJG) winning the presidential seat by a narrow margin.

Rauf Atta claimed victory with 350 votes, edging out his rival, Hamid Khan Group’s (HKG) candidate Munir Kakar, who received 331 votes.

Out of 769 registered voters, 682 Supreme Court lawyers cast their ballots at the principal seat, reflecting a high turnout for the association's annual elections. 

He also secured 558 votes in Lahore, outpacing his rival from the Hamid Khan Group (HKG), who garnered 484 votes.

Early reports from Multan indicate that Rauf Atta received 125 votes, surpassing HKG candidate Munir Kakar’s 85 votes by a margin of 40.

In Islamabad, 682 of the 769 registered lawyers cast their ballots, where Atta also leads with 190 votes, while Kakar follows with 160 votes.

Rauf Atta's influence extended into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where he swept the polls, winning by narrow margins across multiple cities.

In Peshawar, he achieved victory with 127 votes compared to Kakar’s 123. In Bannu, Atta secured 21 votes against Kakar’s 10, and in Dera Ismail Khan, he led with 25 votes over Kakar’s 11.

In other key victories, Atta won by 7 votes in Abbottabad, 11 in Bannu, 14 in Dera Ismail Khan, 8 in Swat, and 4 in Peshawar. In Hyderabad, he claimed 50 votes, outstripping Kakar, who received 34.

The government has initiated steps to increase the number of Supreme Court judges from 17 to 23, with sources revealing that an official bill will be introduced in the National Assembly soon in this regard.

According to sources, after the private bill, an official bill to increase the number of judges will be tabled soon. They said the official bill to amend the current structure of the Supreme Court is expected to be presented in the National Assembly session on Friday. A private bill has already been tabled by PML-N's Daniyal Chaudhry on Private Members’ Day. 

According to the proposed bill, the total count of Supreme Court judges, including the chief justice, will go up to 23. Discussions are also reportedly underway to finalize additional amendments to the Supreme Court’s Practice and Procedure Act.

In light of this development, the National Assembly session, initially scheduled to conclude today as per the revised schedules, has been extended until Friday to facilitate the bill's tabling. 

On Monday, Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar had firmly dismissed any speculation regarding the introduction of the 27th constitutional amendment.

Also Read: Govt dismisses speculation over 27th constitutional amendment

In a conversation with Samaa TV, he stated, "The 27th constitutional amendment is merely speculation at this time. There are no new constitutional amendments in the pipeline."

Tarar highlighted the government's commitment to implementing the already approved 26th amendment, asserting that it will yield positive results for the nation. "The 26th amendment has been enacted, and its implementation is our focus," he added.

Earlier that day, the government decided to maintain the special parliamentary committee to oversee discussions on potential constitutional amendments and to ensure parliamentary stability. 

Sources within the government indicated that future decisions regarding proposed amendments, including the 27th, would ultimately lie with this committee, which was tasked with finalising proposals. 

The government aims to engage all political parties in discussions surrounding constitutional matters. Ongoing consultations among coalition partners, particularly the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), are expected to continue, with a commitment to build consensus across the political spectrum.

The annual elections for the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) have begun, with polling taking place across high court and circuit benches nationwide.

Key candidates from the Asma Jahangir and Hamid Khan groups are contesting for prominent positions, including president, secretary, and vice president.

Apart from the central cabinet, there will be competition for the vice president from all four provinces. Executive members will also be elected from all the provinces. 

A total of 4,021 lawyers will cast their votes, with 516 voters from Karachi participating at the New Bar Room of the Sindh High Court. Polling will continue from 9am to 5pm in Karachi, while in Lahore, voting is scheduled from 8:30am to 5pm, where the highest number of voters, 1,014, are registered.

A total of 17 candidates are vying for five slots of the Supreme Court Bar Association. 

In the race for president, Mian Rauf of the Asma Jahangir Group is competing against Munir Ahmed Kakar from the Hamid Khan Group. For the post of general secretary, Malik Zahid Aslam Awan (Asma Jahangir Group) is up against Salman Manzoor (Hamid Khan Group).

Meanwhile, Chaudhry Tanveer and Mir Aurangzeb are vying for the role of finance secretary on behalf of the Asma Jahangir and Hamid Khan groups, respectively.

The SCBA election will also see lawyers selecting vice presidents and executive members for all provinces. In Sindh, candidates include Malik Khushal Khan Awan, Muhammad Nadeem Qureshi, and Yousuf Maulvi for the post of the provincial vice president. Executive member hopefuls for Sindh include Aamir Jameel Virk, Ahmad Ali Dewan, Naveedul Haq, and Rizwana Jameel. 

Muhammad Aurangzeb Khan and Muhammad Zubair Hussain are vying for the seat of additional secretary. 

In Lahore, Rana Bakhtiar and Rana Ghulam Sarwar face each other for the seat of Punjab vice president. 

In Islamabad, the SCBA’s principal seat, 769 lawyers are eligible to vote. As the polls unfold, the competition between the Asma Jahangir and Hamid Khan groups remains a focal point, with high stakes for both factions in securing leadership positions within Pakistan’s Supreme Court Bar Association. 

With the 2024 U.S. general elections just around the corner, everyone's talking about the presidential battle between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Quietly within all this national noise is the high-stakes battle brewing within the U.S. House of Representatives, where control hangs precariously in the balance.

With their present narrow majority of 220 to 212, the Republicans are gearing up for what looks like a very tight and close fight in several key congressional districts that may tip the balance into Democratic hands.

Unlike the Senate, where only a third of the seats are contested, all 435 House seats are on the line this cycle and could result in a massive shift. Experts pinpoint 34 House seats as potentially vulnerable to flipping, with both parties pouring significant resources into the tightest contests. Here's a closer look at five critical races that could decide the future of the U.S. House of Representatives.

New York might be a stronghold for Democrats at the state level, but its congressional districts tell a different tale. Long Island, to take one example, is as politically diverse an area as they come, and both sides have taken home victories in the last few elections, guaranteeing another close finish here in the 4th District. The district that stretches into the rich, affluent suburbs near Manhattan has toggled between blue and red in recent years and looks to be no different in 2024.

Incumbent Republican Anthony D'Esposito, a former police detective who has been a sharp critic on the Hempstead town board, is seeking to retain his seat against Democrat Laura Gillen, a pro-enforcement candidate eager to show she's willing to fight hard for stronger border security measures. The two have carried on a bitter feud with each other since Gillen was Hempstead's supervisor. This contentious history has turned the race into a heated rematch, with D'Esposito emphasizing his record and Gillen targeting a broader appeal on crime and security.

In North Carolina's 1st District, incumbent Democrat Don Davis squares off against retired Army Colonel Laurie Buckhout in a contest that may determine whether the state's new congressional map has had too great an effect. The district is part of the U.S. South's "Black Belt," where the presence of large numbers of Black voters has traditionally given it a Democratic tilt. Yet boundary changes have left the area open to voter-dilution complaints, since several neighborhoods of color were swapped out for white-majority precincts.

The last Republican victory here dates back to 1883, and all representatives since the 1990s were Black. But in this November, it may finally be different. Davis, who comes from the Air Force veteran background and is known for a strong bipartisan stance, among many other votes against his party on various issues, goes into a tight race. With enough support built for his campaign among the more divided demographic of the district at present, the Republicans would make history by claiming that rare win.South of San Jose and abutting some of California's most affluent and trendy enclaves is one place Republicans have managed to keep an especially strong foothold-in many cases, even as-and paradoxically, because-they voted for former Vice President Joe Biden when he took the presidential vote here in 2020.

Seeing opportunity in California, President Donald Trump campaigned in Coachella Valley this October to raise support in Republican-friendly regions. Both parties have heaved their weight into the election, which is highly decisive regarding the balance of the House. Democrats are hopeful about the demographic shift where they will get a better result due to new young infusions of progressive voters to swing the momentum. Conversely, Republicans want to be in their stronghold position under changing times.
Another hotly contested race is the Washington coastal 3rd District, where incumbent Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez faces Republican Joe Kent. Gluesenkamp Perez won in 2022 by only 50.1% of the vote and is looking to increase her margin this time. The Blue Dog Democrat has often voted against party lines, such as against student loan forgiveness and for temporary government funding, branding her as a centrist.

Kent, a former Green Beret and ex-Trump advisor, is a strong conservative voice on issues ranging from immigration to fiscal policy, leaving him well-positioned in this fight.

However, recent statements on working with Democrats on border security seem to signal a pivot toward the center, as he edges out in the competition for this particularly diverse district.

The at-large district is the whole state, and with Alaska's only at-large district, there are certainly electoral idiosyncrasies. There is ranked-choice voting here, one of only two in the country, and it played a pretty big role in Democrat Mary Peltola's historic 2022 win as the first Alaska Native and the first Democrat in five decades to represent the district.

He has a challenge this year, this time from Nick Begich III, a Republican tech entrepreneur and scion of an Alaskan political family. Ranked-choice voting, too, means the race might actually head to a runoff if nobody is able to secure a majority in the first round; that adds an extra layer of unpredictability. Completing the field is Eric Hafner, currently serving a prison sentence; he managed to secure his spot under the state's unconventional rules. Whether his presence makes a difference or not at the end, Begich's last name recognition is likely to be a re-election battle opponent of Peltola.

Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris told a town hall in Pennsylvania on Wednesday her administration would be different from that of President Joe Biden's, as Republican Donald Trump campaigned in Georgia, another battleground state.

Harris's attempt to distance herself from Biden comes as several polls show the president is a drag on her candidacy and that voters are eager for a new direction with less than two weeks to go until the Nov. 5 election.

Harris has mostly brushed off questions on the campaign trail over how – and to what extent – she would break from Biden on policy.

"My administration will not be a continuation of the Biden administration," Harris said during a televised CNN town hall. "I bring to this role my own ideas and my own experience. I represent a new generation of leadership on a number of issues and believe that we have to actually take new approaches."

Harris's town hall in Chester Township was an attempt to persuade the dwindling number of undecided voters to support her in a closely divided race where even a small percentage of votes could be critical.

Fielding several questions from attendees, Harris vowed to tackle high grocery prices, said it was time to end the war in the Middle East and called Trump a fascist and "danger to the well-being and safety of America."

The vice president also tackled questions on her changing position on policies such as fracking, saying she does not believe in having "pride associated with a position" when the important thing is to build consensus on issues.

Harris has repeatedly said she wouldn't ban fracking if elected president, a reversal of her position during her first presidential run in 2019.

Asked if she was in favor of expanding the Supreme Court to 12 justices from the current nine, Harris said: "I do believe that there should be some kind of reform of the court, and we can study what that actually looks like."

RECORD EARLY VOTES

Nearly 25 million voters have already cast ballots, either through in-person early voting or mail-in ballots, according to tracking data from the Election Lab at the University of Florida.

Several states, including the battlegrounds of North Carolina and Georgia, set records on their respective first day of early voting last week.

"The votes in Georgia are at record levels," Trump told a religious-themed "ballots and believers" event in Zebulon, Georgia. "The votes in every state, frankly, are at record levels. We're doing really well and hopefully we can fix our country."

Trump in recent days has sought to rally turnout from Christian evangelicals, hoping they will set aside any concerns about his frequent off-color commentary like his tale about Arnold Palmer's anatomy.

Trump, who made campaign rallies a staple of his political career starting back in 2015, said in Zebulon that "in many ways it's sad" that his time as a political candidate is coming to a close. If he wins on Nov. 5, he would serve his second and final term.

"We've been doing this for nine years, and it's down to 12 days," he said.

After Zebulon, Trump was speaking in Duluth, Georgia, for a rally with former Fox News star Tucker Carlson and former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Also present was country music star Jason Aldean, who encouraged attendees to vote early, a message that Trump is slowly embracing after denouncing the practice for years.

Pennsylvania and Georgia are among the seven battleground states that will decide who wins the presidency, and both candidates are likely to spend much of the rest of their campaigns visiting them.

Earlier in the day, Harris seized on comments by Trump's former White House chief of staff John Kelly, who told the New York Times that the former president met the "general definition of fascist" and admired dictators.

Harris called Trump's remarks as quoted by Kelly "deeply troubling and incredibly dangerous." Trump's campaign has denied Kelly's account, calling them "debunked stories."

The vice president tried and failed to push Trump to agree to a second presidential debate on CNN after she was considered to have won the first and only presidential debate between the two candidates, which took place in September on ABC News.

Harris held a marginal 46% to 43% lead nationally over the former president in the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari lamented that the judiciary had "unconstitutionally assumed powers.".

Expressing his thoughts during the National Assembly session, the former foreign minister said: "The judiciary has become a mockery of our legal system globally." 

He described former chief justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Chaudhry, as a "black snake" threatening the foundations of the Constitution and democracy.

He went on to highlight the need for constitutional reforms, referring to previous threats by Chaudhry to discard the 18th Amendment, which could further undermine democratic progress. "We are on the verge of establishing a constitutional bench that will prioritize the people's interests," he added.

Bhutto-Zardari urged all parties, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), to support crucial amendment proposed by JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman. "Let’s come together for the sake of the constitution and democracy," he implored.

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The ongoing discussions regarding the 26th constitutional amendment have led to repeated schedule changes for Senate and National Assembly sessions.

The Senate session has now been rescheduled for the third time, with the latest notification from the Senate Secretariat indicating a new start time of 6:30 PM, previously set for 3:00 PM. The National Assembly will convene at 7:00 PM.

The Senate had been adjourned yesterday until 11:00 AM today, but the timing was quickly adjusted to 12:30 PM before yet another change pushed it to 3:00 PM.



This continued back-and-forth reflects the complex negotiations surrounding the proposed constitutional amendments, which have not yet garnered sufficient agreement among the parties involved.

Read here: Mengal refuses to support 'forceful' constitutional amendments

Senator Irfan Siddiqui of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) stated that the draft for the constitutional amendment is prepared and awaits approval from the federal cabinet before it can be submitted to the Senate.

He stressed the need for a broader consensus, recalling that post-thirteenth amendment, it became customary for all political factions to agree on such matters.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif echoed this sentiment, asserting that while the numbers are in favor of the amendment, reaching a collective agreement remains a priority.

RELATED: PTI top guns meet Imran in Adiala Jail to discuss constitutional amendments

Adding to the concerns, Akhtar Mengal, leader of the Balochistan National Party (BNP-Mengal), criticized the government's approach, asserting that the amendments are being pushed through in a secretive manner, devoid of robust consultation.

Meanwhile, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari held discussions with delegations from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and BNP-Mengal at the residence of Maulana Fazlur Rehman, head of Jamiat Ulema Islam (F), indicating ongoing negotiations to build a consensus.

In a previous Senate meeting, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) Senator Maulana Atta-ur-Rehman highlighted the missing presence of several party members, expressing concern over the tactics employed in the discussions surrounding the constitutional amendment. Irfan Siddiqui assured him that the issues raised would be addressed.

As the political landscape remains charged, Syed Khurshid Shah, chairman of the special committee formed to deliberate on the constitutional amendment, claimed that the draft has received general approval.

However, the constant postponements raise questions about the government's ability to move forward with the proposed changes.

Despite previous announcements indicating the government's intent to introduce the constitutional amendment in the Senate ahead of the National Assembly, procedural delays have pushed this timeline further into uncertainty.

As it stands, the approval and subsequent presentation of the 26th constitutional amendment bill remain pending, with political stakeholders navigating a complex and often contentious landscape.

Key items on the National Assembly’s agenda include the presentation of the Legal Aid and Justice Authority Amendment Bill 2024 for approval and call-attention notices regarding alleged large-scale malpractices in the collection of general sales tax.

Also Read: Constitutional amendment: President Zardari, PM Shehbaz hold key huddle in capital

Another call-attention notice is likely to be presented regarding non-payment of pensions to retired employees of Radio Pakistan, while a discussion will also be held on the president's address to the joint session of parliament. 

It is worth noting that the special parliamentary committee on Friday approved the draft of the constitutional amendments. According to details, the development came after efforts were made to reach a consensus on the draft among multiple parties. 

The federal cabinet, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is set to meet today to discuss the critical constitutional amendments draft.

The session, originally scheduled for 9:30am, was first delayed till 12 noon and later till 1:30pm, and is expected to approve the draft of the 26th Constitutional Amendment. Moreover, important sessions of the National Assembly and Senate will also be held again today with the constitutional amendments likely to be tabled in both houses for approval.

Meanwhile, the government has given the green signal to the National Assembly Secretariat for getting the amendments approved today. 

According to government sources, the Legislature Department has prepared a supplementary agenda related to the introduction of the 26th amendment. This agenda will be presented in both the National Assembly and Senate for approval as soon as the government and speaker give the green signal. 

The constitutional amendment is anticipated to be introduced in both legislative bodies by suspending the parliamentary rules. However, the amendment is not currently included in the agenda released for either the Senate or the National Assembly sessions. 

Also Read: Parliamentary committee finally greenlights constitutional amendments draft

The Senate session, initially scheduled for 11am and then pushed to 12:30pm, will now be held at 3pm and will be chaired by Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani. The Senate's six-point agenda has been issued, but the constitutional amendment bill is still not part of it. 

It is likely that a supplementary agenda will be presented to introduce the bill during the session with approval from the majority of the House.

In addition to the potential introduction of the constitutional amendments, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar will present the Banking Companies Amendment Bill 2024 for Senate approval, and a motion will be moved to suspend the question-hour in the House.

Also Read: Bilawal vows to get amendments approved with two-thirds majority

The National Assembly is also set to convene today at 3pm under the chairmanship of Speaker Ayaz Sadiq. The Secretariat has released a nine-point agenda, which, like the Senate, does not yet include the constitutional amendment bill. However, it is possible that a supplementary agenda could be introduced later during the session.

Key items on the National Assembly’s agenda include the presentation of the Legal Aid and Justice Authority Amendment Bill 2024 for approval and call-attention notices regarding alleged large-scale malpractices in the collection of general sales tax.

Also Read: Constitutional amendment: President Zardari, PM Shehbaz hold key huddle in capital

Another call-attention notice is likely to be presented regarding non-payment of pensions to retired employees of Radio Pakistan, while a discussion will also be held on the president's address to the joint session of parliament. 

It is worth noting that the special parliamentary committee on Friday approved the draft of the constitutional amendments. According to details, the development came after efforts were made to reach a consensus on the draft among multiple parties. 

The committee meeting was chaired by PPP leader Syed Khursheed Shah.

Polls opened for early voting on Thursday in North Carolina - a critical battleground in the Nov 5 US presidential election - just weeks after Hurricane Helene left some residents still without power, running water or phone service.

North Carolina could be crucial in determining a winner in the race between US Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat, and Republican former President Donald Trump because its voting preferences could swing either way. Polls show a very tight race overall with a handful of swing states likely to determine the winner.

Hurricane Helene, which killed more than 200 people across six states and caused billions of dollars in damage, has sparked questions on how it might impact voter turnout.

Harvey Neal, a 71-year-old retiree, voted at the lone early voting site in Hendersonville, North Carolina, as a steady stream of voters filed in and out of the center on Thursday morning.

Neal cast his vote for Harris. "She's young, she's a Democrat," he said. "And, you know, what's the alternative?"

Neal considers himself relatively fortunate following the hurricane as nothing hit his house, though he had been without power for four or five days.

First-time voter Trevor Miller, a 21-year-old student, said he voted for Trump. "I just want to be able to live the best way possible, and I felt like with my vote that that could happen."

Trump and Harris are in a dead heat in North Carolina, with Trump showing 48% support in state polls, versus 47.5% for Harris, according to poll aggregator FiveThirtyEight.

Some of the state's hardest hit counties lean both Republican and Democratic. For instance, Buncombe County - home to the city of Asheville - supported President Joe Biden in the 2020 election versus Trump, while neighbouring Yancey County favoured Trump.

North Carolina's state elections board has spent weeks assessing storm damage to polling locations. On Thursday, 76 early voting sites were set to open to voters in the 25 western North Carolina counties listed in the federal disaster declaration. That compares to 80 planned before the storm.

Early voting has been the most popular way for North Carolinians to cast a ballot in both the 2020 and 2016 elections, according to the state. Early voting started on Tuesday in Georgia, another closely contested state that was hit by storm damage.

Still, near polling sites in western North Carolina were reminders of the destruction the region has faced, with trees uprooted and debris piled on the sides of roads. In Swannanoa, buildings still lay reduced to rubble and a house-sized chunk of the ground was caved in along a main street.

Gene Dickinson, a 75-year-old resident of Asheville, said he had been planning to vote for Trump this year but has been too busy helping run supplies to those in need since the hurricane to think about voting.

"With everything that's going on, I haven't even thought about that," he said outside of a FEMA recovery centre. "I've heard about it, but we don't have any TV or anything."

In Burnsville, Tina Veitch, a 49-year-old graphic designer, said the road to her family's house was destroyed by the storm. But one of the reasons she has stayed in the area, instead of seeking refuge with family in Florida, is so she can vote.

She said on Wednesday that the process to vote by absentee ballot was too arduous, adding: "The amount of hoops you have to jump through to just do it was not worth it ... So we were like, 'We're just going to stay 'til tomorrow at least and vote'."

Democrat Kamala Harris will campaign alongside former president Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama in separate events next week ahead of the November elections

According to details, this marks the first time the Obamas will hit the campaign trail this election cycle, aiming to galvanize the Democratic base in critical battleground states.

Polls indicate a tightly contested race between Harris and her Republican opponent, Donald Trump, underscoring the importance of voter turnout among loyal Democrats in states where margins are razor-thin.

Michelle Obama will kick off the campaign appearances on Saturday, October 26, in Michigan, leveraging her immense popularity and powerful rhetoric, notably her recent speech at the Democratic National Convention that criticized Trump for fearmongering.

Barack Obama is set to join Harris in Georgia the following Thursday, continuing his extensive tour of battleground states, including upcoming events in Tucson, Las Vegas, Detroit, and Madison.

His previous campaign appearance drew mixed reactions, with some critics expressing concern over his remarks directed at Black male voters regarding the acceptance of a female president, suggesting it could alienate essential Democratic supporters.

As an early backer of Barack Obama's 2008 presidential bid, Harris has received support from the former president behind the scenes as she positions herself as the party's standard-bearer for the 2024 race.

Meanwhile, U.S. regulators are investigating Tesla's full self-driving software, adding another layer of complexity to the political landscape as the election approaches.

As the US presidential election approaches, escalating violence in the Middle East is casting a long shadow over Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign.

With Arab voters expressing deep frustration over the Biden administration's unwavering support for Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, analysts are raising alarms about the potential repercussions for the Democratic candidate.

Historically, foreign policy has not been a primary concern for the majority of American voters. However, the ramifications of Israel's military actions, including its intense bombing campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon, have ignited critical questions regarding America's role in these conflicts.

With less than four weeks until the election, many observers caution that the expanding military campaigns could severely dent Harris's chances against former President Donald Trump.

The Biden administration’s steadfast backing of Israel has resulted in fractures within the Democratic base. Many voters, particularly within the Arab American community, are becoming disillusioned and turning away from the party. According to Jim Zogby, co-founder of the Arab American Institute, the dynamics have shifted significantly.

“This is a constituency that, by the second term of the Obama administration, identified as Democrat by a two-to-one margin,” Zogby remarked, highlighting that party identification has now nearly evened out at 38 percent for both parties.

The devastating toll of the conflict is palpable, with more than 42,000 lives lost, including countless women and children. Much of this violence has been facilitated by approximately $20 billion in U.S. military aid. As Zogby noted, many Arab American voters are not necessarily shifting towards conservatism but are instead aiming to hold the current administration accountable for its role in the escalating violence. “There’s a sense that Palestinian and Lebanese lives don’t matter,” he stated.

Recent polling data underscores the precarious position Harris finds herself in among Arab voters. A September poll by the Arab American Institute showed her in a near tie with Trump, garnering 41 percent support compared to Trump's 42 percent. This represents a notable rebound for the Democrats, considering Biden's approval ratings among Arab voters plummeted to just 17 percent following the outbreak of the war in Gaza. In contrast, Biden secured 59 percent of the Arab vote during the 2020 election.

With Biden withdrawing from the 2024 race due to concerns about his age, many had hoped that Harris would offer a new perspective. However, her failure to distance herself from Biden's policies, including her reluctance to call for an end to U.S. weapons transfers to Israel, has drawn ire. In a recent interview, when asked if she would diverge from Biden on any issues, Harris responded, “There is not a thing that comes to mind.” Such statements have left many voters yearning for a sign of empathy and understanding.

The Democratic National Convention in August further exacerbated tensions within the Arab American community when party officials denied a Palestinian American speaker the opportunity to address the plight in Gaza. Zogby emphasized that “people are looking for the slightest gesture of humanity,” suggesting that the campaign's lack of responsiveness could cost them valuable votes.

Despite foreign policy not being a primary issue for most voters, over 80 percent of Arab Americans indicated that it will significantly influence their voting decisions. A large concentration of this community resides in critical swing states, such as Michigan, which boasts the second-largest Arab population in the United States, with nearly 392,733 Arab-identifying individuals out of a total population of 10 million.

Polling averages in Michigan indicate a razor-thin lead for Harris, at just around 1.8 percent, which falls within the margin of error. Analysts suggest that her precarious position could be further complicated by third-party candidates like Jill Stein, who are actively courting Arab and Muslim American voters in the region. “The situation in Gaza has complicated Democratic chances in Michigan,” stated Michael Traugott, a research professor at the Center for Political Studies at the University of Michigan. He warned that a significant turnout of the Arab community staying home on election day could be detrimental to Harris’s campaign.

Nonetheless, it is essential to note that Michigan’s Arab American population is not monolithic; there exist stark divisions within the community over how best to leverage their electoral influence. As Harris navigates this complex political landscape, the evolving situation in the Middle East will undoubtedly continue to shape the discourse in the run-up to the election.

 A session of the National Assembly is expected to be convened on October 18 or 19 to approve the proposed 26th constitutional amendment.

Sources revealed that the National Assembly Secretariat has been directed to make preparations for the crucial meeting.

The amendment aims to bring reforms to the judiciary, a move that has sparked significant opposition from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Despite this resistance, the ruling coalition is pressing ahead with its legislative agenda.

The constitutional amendment bill requires a two-thirds majority—224 votes—for approval in the 342-member National Assembly. However, the ruling coalition's strength currently stands at 215 members, falling short of the required number.

The breakdown includes 111 members from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), 70 from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), 22 from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), five from the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), and smaller contributions from other allied parties such as the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Pakistan Muslim League-Zia, and the National Party.

In light of the ruling coalition’s numbers, political experts suggest that the recent Supreme Court decision on Article 63-A, which allows the votes of dissident members, could play a pivotal role in achieving the required majority.

The government may attempt to sway members aligned with PTI to secure their votes for the amendment.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, has emerged as a key figure in this political equation. His party’s support could prove critical in ensuring the bill’s passage.

Yesterday, Maulana Fazlur Rehman stated that consensus had been reached on the draft of the constitutional amendment. Today, he is expected to meet PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and will meet PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif tomorrow to further consolidate his party's stance.

Democrat Tim Walz and Republican JD Vance clashed over the Middle East crisis, immigration, taxes, abortion, climate change, and the economy on Tuesday at a vice presidential debate that was heavy on policy disagreements but light on personal attacks.

The two rivals, who have savaged each other on the campaign trail, struck a cordial tone, instead saving their fire for the candidates at the top of their tickets, Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump. 

Vance questioned why Harris had not done more to address inflation, immigration, and the economy while serving in President Joe Biden's administration, mounting a consistent attack line that Trump often failed to deliver while debating Harris last month.

"If Kamala Harris has such great plans for how to address middle-class problems, then she ought to do them now - not when asking for promotion, but in the job the American people gave her 3-1/2 years ago," Vance said.

Walz described Trump as an unstable leader who had prioritised billionaires and turned Vance's criticism on its head on the issue of immigration, attacking Trump for pressuring Republicans in Congress to abandon a bipartisan border security bill earlier this year.

"Most of us want to solve this," Walz said of immigration. "Donald Trump had four years to do this, and he promised you, Americans, how easy it will be."

The debate at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York began with the escalating crisis in the Middle East, after Israel continued its assault on southern Lebanon on Tuesday and Iran mounted retaliatory missiles strikes against Israel.

Walz said Trump is too "fickle" and sympathetic to strongmen to be trusted to handle the growing conflict, while Vance asserted that Trump had made the world more secure during his term.

Asked whether he would support a preemptive strike against Iran by Israel, Vance suggested he would defer to Israel's judgment, while Walz did not directly answer the question.

Walz, 60, the liberal governor of Minnesota and a former high school teacher, and Vance, 40, a bestselling author and conservative firebrand US senator from Ohio, have portrayed themselves as two sons of America's Midwestern heartland with deeply opposing views on the issues gripping the country.

Trump, watching on television, was posting furiously during the debate, sometimes twice a minute, on his Truth Social site.

Seeking a moment 

The rivals each sought to land a lasting blow at the last remaining debate before the Nov. 5 presidential election. 

Political analysts say vice presidential debates can be fiery but generally do not alter the outcome of an election. That said, even a slight shift in public opinion could prove decisive with the race on a razor's edge five weeks before Election Day.

Walz was asked about a report this week that he was not in China during the violent 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, as he had previously claimed.

"I'm a knucklehead at times," he said. "I got there that summer and misspoke on this. So I was in Hong Kong and China during the democracy protests, and from that I learned a lot about what it means to be in governance."

Vance, meanwhile, defended his running mate despite having criticized Trump ahead of the 2016 election.

"I was wrong about Donald Trump," he said. "I was wrong, first of all, because I believe some of the media stories that turned out to be dishonest fabrications of his record. But most importantly, Donald Trump delivered for the American people."

Walz also criticised Trump for his role in appointing three US Supreme Court justices who joined the court's decision to eliminate a nearly half-century nationwide right to abortion, an issue that has proven damaging to Republicans.

"Donald Trump put this all into motion," Walz said. "He brags about how great it was that he put the judges in and overturned Roe versus Wade," the 1972 Supreme Court decision protecting a right to abortion.

Vance, known for his deeply conservative stance on abortion, struck a more moderate tone on Tuesday, saying he did not back a national ban despite having previously done so. He said Trump's view is that individual states should decide whether to limit abortion.

In a social media post, Trump said he would veto a national ban, weeks after he refused to say whether he would during the presidential debate.

Despite Vance's having written "Hillbilly Elegy," a popular 2016 memoir, US voters have a negative view of him, Reuters/Ipsos polling shows, with 51% of registered voters saying they view him unfavourably, compared with 39% who view him favourably. Meanwhile Walz was viewed favourably by 44% of registered voters, with 43% reporting an unfavourable view in the Sept. 20-23 poll.

Harris was widely viewed as the winner of her sole debate with Trump on Sept. 10 in Philadelphia, which was watched by an estimated 67 million people and was far more chaotic than Tuesday's affair.

That square-off did little to change the trajectory of an extremely close election battle. While Harris has edged ahead in national polls, most surveys show voters remain fairly evenly divided in the seven states that will decide the November election. 

Donald Trump on Saturday (Sept 28) deployed some of his harshest rhetoric against immigrants who have crossed the border illegally and committed crimes, especially against young women, while he also escalated his personal insults against Kamala Harris.

In the battleground state of Wisconsin, Trump called Democratic Vice President Harris, who on Friday visited the US-Mexico border for the first time in her 2024 presidential campaign, "mentally impaired" and "mentally disabled".

The Republican presidential candidate was flanked by posters of immigrants in the US illegally who have been arrested for murder and other violent crimes, and banners saying "End Migrant Crime" and "Deport Illegals Now".

His speech was unusually devoted almost entirely to undocumented immigrants. He called those who had committed violent crime "monsters," "stone-cold killers" and "vile animals".

Trump is locked in a close race with Harris ahead of the Nov 5 election. Immigration and the southern border are one of the top issues for voters, according to opinion polls.

Sarafina Chitika, a Harris spokesperson, said after Trump's speech: "He's got nothing 'inspiring' to offer the American people, just darkness."

The former president blamed Harris and Democratic President Joe Biden for allowing undocumented immigrants into the US, accusing some migrants of wanting to "rape, pillage, thieve, plunder and kill the people of the United States of America".

At one point Trump admitted: "This is a dark speech".

Trump's speech was in the small Wisconsin city of Prairie du Chien, where a Venezuelan in the US illegally was detained in September for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman and attacking her daughter.

Some seven million migrants have been arrested crossing the US-Mexico border illegally during Biden's administration, according to government data, a record high number that has fuelled criticism of Harris and Biden from Trump and fellow Republicans.

In her visit to the border on Friday, Harris outlined her plans to fix "our broken immigration system" while accusing Trump of "fanning the flames of fear and division" over the impact of immigrants on American life.

Harris also called for tighter asylum restrictions and vowed to make a "top priority" of stopping fentanyl from entering the US.

Trump also repeated his false claim that his 2020 election defeat to Biden was fraudulent. If reelected, and "if allowed", Trump said he would prosecute people he blames for his loss then.

Studies generally find there is no evidence immigrants commit crimes at a higher rate than native-born Americans and critics say Trump's rhetoric reinforces racist tropes.

Trump typically focuses on young women allegedly killed by Hispanic assailants to drive home that message, eschewing cases that involve male victims.

Trump's opponents accuse him of cynically exploiting grieving families to fuel his narrative that foreign-born, often Hispanic, arrivals are part of an invading army.

But some of the families of the victims have welcomed Trump's focus on the issue of violent crime and the death toll of teenagers caused by the opioid drug fentanyl, much of which crosses into the US over the southern border.

Several parents who had lost children to attacks by immigrants in the US illegally, or to fentanyl, spoke in support of him before Trump's remarks on Saturday.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who is the Republican presidential candidate, said on Friday he will seek the prosecution of Google if he wins the Nov. 5 election, claiming that the company only displays "bad stories" about him.

Trump, in his post on Truth Social, gave no evidence for his assertion about Google.

"It has been determined that Google has illegally used a system of only revealing and displaying bad stories about Donald J. Trump, some made up for this purpose while, at the same time, only revealing good stories about" Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, Trump said.

"This is an illegal activity, and hopefully the Justice Department will criminally prosecute them for this blatant interference of elections," Trump said. "If not, and subject to the laws of our country, I will request their prosecution, at the maximum levels, when I win the election, and become president of the United States."

Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump made a similar claim about Google in 2019, according to the Washington Post. He alleged in a series of posts on Twitter, now known as X, that Google favored negative news stories about him in the 2016 presidential election, according to the Post. Google dismissed the claims at the time.

However, in recent weeks, some supporters of the former president have renewed the allegations. In July, days after an attempted assassination of Trump, billionaire Elon Musk, in a post on X, accused Google of having a search ban on the former president.

Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris holds a narrow lead over Republican rival Donald Trump in six US swing states and is tied in a seventh, according to a Bloomberg poll of likely voters released on Friday.

Her leads in individual states are within the poll's statistical margin of error, underscoring that the Nov. 5 contest could be decided by the narrowest of margins, it said.

The Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll shows Harris leading by seven percentage points in Nevada, five points in Pennsylvania, three points in Arizona, Michigan and Wisconsin, and two points in North Carolina. The two are tied in Georgia.

Across the seven states, Harris is ahead by three percentage points among likely voters, a lead that is two points higher than last month.

In a sign of her recent momentum, some 47% of likely voters think she will win the election, regardless of whether they back her, compared with the roughly 40% who said Trump would win.

A new Reuters/Ipsos poll earlier this month showed Trump's campaign vow to increase tariffs on imported goods has the support of a narrow majority of voters, illustrating his economic advantage over Harris.

A New York Times poll of battleground states released on Monday showed Trump was narrowly ahead in Arizona, Georgia and North Carolina.

The Bloomberg poll said Trump still maintained an advantage over Harris on who would be better at handling the economy, but his lead is narrowing. His advantage was just 4 percentage points in the latest poll, down from 6 points in August.

On the question of immigration, Trump enjoys a 14-point trust advantage among likely voters, even though during a Sept. 10 debate he amplified a false claim that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating residents' pets.

The poll surveyed 6,165 registered voters in seven swing states and was conducted online from Sept. 19 to Sept. 25. Likely voters totaled 5,692. For both registered and likely voters, the statistical margin of error is plus or minus 1 percentage point across the seven states.

For the individual states, the margin of error was 3 percentage points in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, and 4 points in Nevada.

US Muslim advocacy group Emgage Action on Wednesday endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris despite its ongoing concern over the war in Gaza, saying former president Donald Trump posed a greater danger with his promise to reinstate travel restrictions affecting majority-Muslim countries.

The endorsement comes as the 2024 race between Harris and Trump remains very tight ahead of the Nov 5 election. Arab American and Muslim voters may play a decisive role in the outcome in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia and other battleground states. These voters helped President Joe Biden defeat Trump in 2020 by thousands of votes.

Many Muslim groups, including Emgage Action, have criticized the Biden administration, where Harris serves as vice president, for its support of Israel's war in Gaza. Harris has urged an immediate ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza, saying she supports Israel's right to defend itself as well as the Palestinians' right to self-determination.

"While we do not agree with all of Harris’ policies, particularly on the war on Gaza, we are approaching this election with both pragmatism and conviction," Emgage CEO Wa'el Alzayat said in a statement, adding it sought to provide "honest guidance to our voters regarding the difficult choice they confront at the ballot box."

Emgage Action, which endorsed Biden in 2020, said it mobilized a million Muslim voters in that election. The group said the Harris endorsement reflects a "responsibility to defeat Trump and defend the community against what would be a return to Islamophobic and other harmful policies."

Trump's campaign had no immediate comment.

His campaign has held dozens of events with Arab Americans and Muslims in swing states and plans another event this weekend in Michigan, Richard Grenell, Trump's former acting director of national intelligence, said last week.

Trump has said he will reinstate the "travel ban" that restricts entry into the United States of people from a list of largely Muslim-dominant countries. Biden rolled back the ban shortly after taking office in 2021.

The Harris campaign welcomed the endorsement a week after another big voting bloc, the pro-Palestinian grassroots organization Uncommitted National Movement, said it would not endorse Harris, Trump or a third-party candidate.

Harris has already won the backing of smaller Muslim groups, including the Black Muslim Leadership Council Fund and the American Muslim Democratic Caucus.

The US, Israel's biggest ally and weapons supplier, has sent Israel more than 10,000 highly destructive 2,000-pound (900-kg) bombs and thousands of Hellfire missiles since the start of the Gaza war in October, U.S. officials told Reuters in June.

The war in the Gaza Strip began on Oct 7, 2023, when Hamas gunmen stormed into Israeli communities, killing some 1,200 people and abducting about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Since then, Israel's military has leveled swaths of Gaza, driving nearly all of its 2.3 million people from their homes, giving rise to deadly hunger and disease and killing more than 41,000 people, according to Palestinian health authorities.

US Vice President Kamala Harris said on Wednesday she would offer tax credits to domestic manufacturers and invest in sectors that will "define the next century", as she detailed her economic plan to boost the US middle class.

Speaking at the Economic Club of Pittsburgh in the battleground state of Pennsylvania, the Democratic candidate in the Nov 5 presidential election said she would give tax credits to US manufacturers for retooling or rebuilding existing factories and expanding "good union jobs," and double the number of registered apprenticeships during her first term.

Harris also promised new investments in industries like bio-manufacturing, aerospace, artificial intelligence and clean energy.

Harris' speech, which lasted just under 40 minutes, did not detail how these policies would work. She highlighted her upbringing by a single mother, in contrast with Trump, the wealthy son of a New York real estate developer.

"I have pledged that building a strong middle class will be the defining goal of my presidency," Harris said, adding that she sees the election as a moment of choice between two "fundamentally different" visions of the US economy held by her and her Republican opponent Donald Trump. 

Also Read: Can Kamala win over middle class with new manufacturing incentives?

The vice president and Trump are focusing their campaign messaging on the economy, which Reuters/Ipsos polling shows is voters' top concern, as the election approaches.

The divide between rich and poor has grown in recent decades. The share of American households in the middle class, defined as those with two-thirds to double that of median household income, has dropped from around 62% in 1970 to 51% in 2023, Pew Research shows. These households' income has also not grown as fast as those in the top tier.

Trump, Harris said, is "only interested in making life better for himself and people like himself, the wealthiest of Americans."

She said she was committed to working with the private sector and entrepreneurs to help grow the middle class. She told the audience that she is "a capitalist" who believes in "free and fair markets," and described her policies as pragmatic rather than rooted in ideology.

Also Read: Biden: All-out war is possible but not inevitable in Middle East

Harris in recent months has blunted Trump's advantage on the economy, with a Reuters/Ipsos poll published on Tuesday showing the Republican candidate with a marginal advantage of 2 percentage points on "the economy, unemployment and jobs," down from an 11-point lead in late July.

Trump discussed his economic plan in North Carolina on Wednesday and said Harris' role as vice president gave her the chance now to improve the economic record of the Biden administration.

"Families are suffering now. So if she has a plan, she should stop grandstanding and do it," he said. While Trump has proposed across-the-board tariffs on foreign-made goods - a proposal backed by a slim majority of voters - Harris is focusing on providing incentives for businesses to keep their operations in the US. 

Boosting American manufacturing in industries such as semiconductors and bringing back jobs that have moved overseas in recent decades have also been major goals for Biden. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act - all passed in 2021 and 2022 - fund a range of subsidies and tax incentives that encourage companies to place projects in disadvantaged regions.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said on Thursday that Jewish-American voters would be partly to blame if he loses the Nov 5 election to Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate.

During comments to the Israeli-American Council National Summit in Washington, the former president lamented that he was trailing Harris among American Jews.

Israel would likely cease to exist within two years should Harris win the election, and Jews would be partly to blame for that outcome because they tend to vote for Democrats, Trump argued.

"If I don't win this election - and the Jewish people would really have a lot to do with that if that happens because if 40%, I mean, 60% of the people are voting for the enemy - Israel, in my opinion, will cease to exist within two years," Trump told the crowd.

Trump was citing a poll that he said showed Harris polling at 60% among American Jews. He also lamented winning less than 30% of the vote among American Jews in the 2016 election, which he won, and the 2020 election, which he lost to Democratic President Joe Biden.

It was not clear what poll the former president was citing, but a recent Pew Research Survey found American Jews favour Harris over Trump by a margin of 65% to 34%.

Trump made similar comments at a separate summit earlier in the evening, also in Washington, which was dedicated to fighting antisemitism in America.

The Trump campaign has made winning over Jewish voters in key battleground states a priority. U.S. Jews have leaned heavily towards Democrats in federal elections for decades and continue to do so, but just a small shift in the Jewish vote could determine the winner in November.

In the crucial battleground of Pennsylvania, for example, there are over 400,000 Jewish people, in a state Biden won by 81,000 votes in 2020.

"Preemptively blaming American Jews for your potential election loss does zero to help American Jews," said Jonathan Greenblatt, national director of the Anti-Defamation League.

Morgan Finkelstein, a spokesperson for the Harris campaign, criticized Trump for at times associating with anti-Semites. Trump has rejected all accusations of anti-Semitism, noting during his speeches on Thursday that he has a Jewish son-in-law.

"When Donald Trump loses this election, it will be because Americans from all faiths, ethnicities, and backgrounds came together to turn the page on the divisiveness he demonstrates every day," Finkelstein said in a statement to Reuters.

During his comments, Trump did not address a CNN report published earlier in the day regarding the Republican gubernatorial candidate in North Carolina, Mark Robinson.

That report alleged Robinson once called himself a "black NAZI!" in comments posted on a pornography website and that he advocated for the return of slavery.

Americans began casting their first in-person votes on Friday in a presidential election six weeks away that both Republican and Democratic leaders call the most important in generations.

The stakes are high: Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and other party leaders have described Republican nominee Donald Trump as a threat to democracy, while Trump has said he must win to save the country from Democratic rule.

In-person voting marks a six-week stretch to the Nov 5 Election Day. It means the end is now in sight to the bitterly divided campaign which in just the past two months has seen Harris take over from President Joe Biden as the Democrats' nominee and Trump narrowly escaping one assassination attempt in Pennsylvania and a second apparent one on Sunday at his Florida golf club.

Most states offer some form of in-person early voting. The first in-person voting was in Virginia, Minnesota, and South Dakota with several more states to follow by the middle of October.

While Trump has frequently expressed scepticism about early voting in the past, the Republican National Committee has embraced the concept this year as an important way to pile up votes in advance, since weather and other factors can impact the turnout on Nov. 5 Election Day.

Democrats have taken advantage of early voting options in recent elections, banking millions of votes in the process.

In 2018, Democrats accounted for 41% of early votes in the 24 states that provide partisan data, compared to 35.1% for Republicans, according to the U.S. Elections Project at the University of Florida.

In 2022, that gap widened, with Democrats accounting for 42.5% of early ballots and Republicans 33.8%.

The National Assembly Secretariat has released the latest party positions, according to which the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has effectively ceased to exist.

Once a dominant force in the National Assembly, all 80 of the PTI's members are now recognized as part of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC).

Following is the updated party distribution:

- The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leads with 110 seats

- The Sunni Ittehad Council includes 80 former PTI members, emerging as a significant player in the new alignment

- The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has 69 seats

- The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Pakistan holds 22 seats

- The Pakistan Muslim League (Q) has five members

- The newly formed Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) is represented by four members

- The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) retains its presence with eight members

- There are eight PTI-supported independent members also 

Other parties in the assembly include the Balochistan Awami Party, the National Party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Zia, the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP), Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP Mengal), and Majlis-e-Wahdatul Muslimeen (MWM), each with one representative.

Notably, an independent member from the opposition benches has joined the PML-N.

Pakistan's financial situation remains precarious despite an improvement in the foreign exchange reserves, with the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Finance told that the country requires $100 billion in external financing over the next four years. In addition, an extra $12 billion will be needed in the next three years to address ongoing economic challenges.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is expected to provide $7 billion, while another $5 billion will be sourced from commercial banks and various other financial institutions. Furthermore, the country will need to roll over loans from key allies, including China, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE in the coming years. 

The committee was told that in the last five years, there was an average annual increase of 14% in loans taken. Despite receiving the proposed new bailout package of $7 billion from the IMF, Pakistan's external financial woes will not ease.

Ministry of Finance officials informed the standing committee about the future roadmap. In the in-camera meeting, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb briefed the committee on the stringent conditions attached to the proposed $7 billion bailout package from the IMF.

He outlined a roadmap that indicates a continuous struggle to secure additional financing, with the IMF estimating that $12 billion must be acquired by 2027-- $7 billion from the IMF and $5 billion from other channels, including commercial banks.

Also Read: Pakistan will have to pay Rs49 trillion in local loans by 2030

Minister of State for Finance Ali Pervaiz Malik noted that Pakistan's debt management will be critical, with the need to address $100 billion in debt over the next four years. Loans from China, Saudi Arabia and the UAE will also have to be rolled over in the coming years. 

The country’s foreign exchange reserves have increased from $3 billion to $9.5 billion, which only covers two months’ worth of imports. Despite a decrease in the debt-to-GDP ratio -- from 75% to 65% -- the external account remains unstable.

The meeting was also told that over the past five years, government debt has risen by an average of 14% annually, with total loans increasing from Rs36 trillion in fiscal year 2020 to Rs71 trillion in fiscal year 2024. Of this, 66% is internal debt, while 34% is external. In the last five years, the debt-to-GDP ratio has come down from 76.6% to 67.2%, which is the lowest rate in five years.

Current financial obligations include external payments totaling $18.83 billion for this fiscal year, with additional repayments scheduled through 2029, including $9.23 billion in 2026, $8.71 billion in 2027, $7.68 billion in 2028 and $6.88 billion in 2029.

The government is also faced with repaying deposits received from friendly nations.

Ali Pervaiz Malik also told the committee that the first economic review will be held six months after receiving the first instalment of the new loan of $7 billion from the IMF. 

Committee member Omar Ayub Khan said that due to the geopolitical situation, the dollar may become expensive, and oil prices increase in the coming days. The upcoming circumstances cannot be countered from the foreign exchange reserves of $9 billion.

Hina Rabbani Khar expressed concerns about the lack of a long-term economic policy due to which the country's economy is constantly in the "ICU". Officials from the Ministry of Finance confirmed that efforts are underway to formulate a sustainable long-term economic strategy, emphasizing the need for stability in Pakistan's financial landscape.

National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said on Thursday that there exists no chance of implementation of the Supreme Court's (SC) verdict in line with the reserved seats after the constitutional amendment.

According to details, Sadiq penned a letter to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). "The Election Act has been proved following the SC verdict on August 7 and came into effect following the signature of the president."

The NA speaker said: "The lawmakers who will become part of any of the political parties, their affiliation cannot be changed. The apex court's verdict was in line with the act in the past."

"The reserved seats should be allowed considering the self-independence of the parliament. The electoral watchdog needs to implement the law made by the parliament," Sadiq stated.

"There is a need to implement the process for the supremacy of the parliament and democracy. It is the constitutional duty of the ECP to respect the law made by the parliament. The amendment of the parliament in the Election Act has been implemented," he maintained.

'Centre gets strong with good working relations between national, provincial assemblies'

Earlier on Wednesday, Sadiq said that the centre gets strong with the good working relations between the national and provincial assemblies.

According to details, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) lawmakers and officers called on Sadiq in Islamabad. The participants commended the efforts of Sadiq to reduce the political situation.

“I would like to welcome all the respected guests at the parliament. The skills of the lawmakers are vital for the sake of the democracy and serving the masses,” Sadiq said.

"It is great opportunity for the lawmakers to attend the workshop for experiencing different aspects of the parliamentary process," he said.

The year 2024 has been labeled as the year of elections as major countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, and the United Kingdom held general elections. Now the United States (U.S.) presidential election is set for November 5 and is only weeks away.

Only three criteria are required to become a U.S. president, including being a natural-born citizen, at least 35 years old, and having resided in the country for 14 years.

The U.S. election process can be divided into four phases.

The first involves the primary and caucus rounds, where voters select delegates.

In the second phase, the Republican and Democratic National Conventions are held, officially nominating candidates for president and vice president.

The third phase involves the general election, where citizens cast their votes.

While the U.S. presidential election is indirect, the most significant part occurs in the fourth phase, the formation of the Electoral College.

What is Electoral College?

On November 5, voters will elect 538 electors based on state population and representation in Congress. A candidate needs 270 electoral votes to win the presidency. 

The United States registered voters will vote for electors and then the electors will make an Electoral College to elect the new president.  

Both parties will once again focus on swing states, which are crucial in determining the election outcome. After Congress certifies the results on January 6, the newly elected president will take the oath of office on January 20.

Throughout U.S. history, the Electoral College has been criticized for not being entirely democratic. Three instances have occurred where a candidate won the presidency despite losing the popular vote, including Donald Trump's victory over Hillary Clinton in 2016 wherein Donald Trump got three million fewer votes than his rival Hillary Clinton but still managed to become the POTUS because he got more electoral college. 

National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said on Wednesday that the centre gets strong with the good working relations between the national and provincial assemblies.

According to details, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) lawmakers and officers called on Sadiq in Islamabad. The participants commended the efforts of Sadiq to reduce the political situation.

“I would like to welcome all the respected guests at the parliament. The skills of the lawmakers are vital for the sake of the democracy and serving the masses,” Sadiq said.

"It is great opportunity for the lawmakers to attend the workshop for experiencing different aspects of the parliamentary process," he said.

– Talks underway with PTI on constitutional amendment: Sanaullah –

Separately on Sunday, Prime Minister's Adviser on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah said that the talks were underway with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on the constitutional amendment.

Expressing his thoughts, Sanaullah said: "We have anticipated that Maulana Fazlur Rehman will extend support to us, but he is having some reservations. The president and premier had also held meetings with Fazlur Rehman." 

"Fazlur Rehman is an old ally. By adding his votes, our number will reach 211. The consensus will be held with the completion of the number of games," stated the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

Sanaullah said: "Right now, we are not having the complete number of games, due to which the consultations are underway."

In a bid to push through constitutional amendments related to judicial reforms, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto has once again engaged with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-JUI-F (JUI-F) Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

The PPP delegation, led by Bhutto, included notable figures including Syed Khurshid Shah, Naveed Qamar, and Murtaza Wahab.

On the other hand, JUI-F's top brass Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidari, Maulana Abdul Wasay, Asad Mehmood, Kamran Murtaza, Usman Badini, and Maulana Misbahuddin were also present during the huddle.

According to Syed Khurshid Shah - a spokesperson for JUI - the meeting was part of an ongoing dialogue to align various political stakeholders on the proposed amendments.

Khurshid Shah stated, "We have taken Maulana Fazlur Rehman into confidence and discussed the previously contentious issues. We have removed provisions that faced objections."

The seasoned politician stressed that the right to legislate for the country's supremacy and the parliament’s authority cannot be obstructed. He assured that the PPP and its allies are committed to advancing the bill through parliament after consulting with all political parties.

Earlier, Bilawal Bhutto had engaged in crucial discussions with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif regarding securing support for the amendments.

In the meantime, the government has postponed the National Assembly and Senate sessions indefinitely, delaying the consideration of the constitutional amendments. 

Former US President Donald Trump narrowly escaped an alleged assassination attempt on Sunday, according to the FBI as quoted by the New York Times.

The suspect, identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh, was arrested after Secret Service agents opened fire near Trump’s Florida golf course. A high-powered AK-47-style rifle equipped with a scope and a GoPro camera was recovered at the scene.

Routh, reportedly hiding in shrubbery near the property, fled in a black car after Secret Service agents fired shots. Authorities were able to track down the vehicle after witnesses provided critical information, leading to Routh’s arrest. "We have somebody in custody right now that is a potential suspect," Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said during a press conference.

Who Is Ryan Wesley Routh?

Routh, a former construction worker from Greensboro, North Carolina, has no formal military background but has expressed a strong desire to participate in armed conflict. He made headlines in the past for his online posts, including a declaration of his willingness to "fight and die" in Ukraine following Russia’s 2022 invasion. He also advocated for civilian intervention in global conflicts on various social media platforms.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Routh expressed his commitment to join the Ukraine conflict, while his Signal profile bio suggested that "civilians must change this war and prevent future wars." His WhatsApp bio further reflected his global activism, advocating for human rights and democracy.

Routh had also reportedly traveled to Ukraine in 2023, claiming to support the war effort and recruit Afghan soldiers, according to The New York Times. His criminal history includes a 2002 arrest in Greensboro, where he barricaded himself inside a building with a fully automatic weapon. The outcome of that case remains unclear.

The investigation into the alleged assassination attempt is ongoing, and authorities are continuing to gather information about Routh's background and motives.

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has revealed that Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rehman did not support the government regarding the crucial constitutional amendments.

Speaking to reporters outside the Parliament House on Monday, Khawaja Asif commented on the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the passage of the constitutional amendment.

"It seems the numbers were not complete," Asif stated. "I was present in the National Assembly since morning, so I am unaware of the details. However, the legislation did not pass due to insufficient numbers."

Mr Asif's remarks followed growing speculation over the delay in legislative proceedings.

Meanwhile, the Senate and National Assembly sessions, which were convened to deliberate on the constitutional amendments, have been postponed until 12:30 PM tomorrow. The reason for the delay remains unclear.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led government's proposed constitutional amendments have recently been revealed with several key points emerging including changes to judicial procedures and structural reforms.

However, a notable omission is the amendment to extend the tenure of the Chief Justice of Pakistan, a proposal that had been anticipated.

Sources privy to the matter said that the proposed amendments will encompass several critical areas. Among these, the establishment of a constitutional court is highlighted, alongside a fixed procedure for the removal of judges.

RELATED: NA session on constitutional package delayed again

The proposed constitutional amendments include several key points:

• Establishment of  constitutional court: This court will handle cases related to constitutional matters. It is proposed that cases under Articles 184, 185, and 186 will be adjudicated in this court, with appeals from its decisions also heard there
  
  
• Removal procedure for judges: The amendments will detail a standardised process for the removal of judges, aiming to bring clarity and consistency to the procedure
  
  
• Restoration of 19th amendment's appointment process: The amendment concerning the appointment of judges, previously omitted in the 19th amendment, will be reinstated
  
  
• Transfer of high court judges: The draft also includes provisions for the transfer of High Court judges
  
  
• Amendment of Article 184: A proposal to amend Article 184(3) concerning suo motu notice is included
  
  
• Reorganisation of judicial appointments body: The draft suggests merging the Judicial Commission and the Parliamentary Committee to form a new committee
  
  
• Ad-hoc judges: An amendment to Article 181 will facilitate the appointment of ad-hoc judges

The proposed changes also reflect an effort to streamline the judicial system and enhance its efficiency. For instance, the creation of a constitutional court aims to centralise the handling of constitutional cases, potentially reducing delays and increasing clarity in the adjudication of such matters.

The federal cabinet and both houses of Parliament were scheduled to meet today to discuss and potentially approve the constitutional amendments. However, both the National Assembly and the Senate sessions have faced delays.

Read also: CJP tenure extension dropped as govt accepts Fazl's proposal

The ruling coalition, comprising the Muslim League (N), PPP, and MQM, has instructed their members to remain in the capital to ensure quorum for the legislative sessions. PPP sources noted that MNA Nafisa Shah was advised to stay in Islamabad, despite her plans to celebrate her father’s birthday in her hometown.

It is noteworthy that the retirement age for Supreme Court judges is proposed to be set at 68 years. This change, along with other amendments, is expected to be formally presented to the National Assembly shortly.

Additionally, Speaker National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq recently established an 18-member special committee to address the Charter of Parliament. This committee, which includes 12 government and 6 opposition members, will work on proposals, including those related to the amendments discussed today.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman, Barrister Gohar Khan, has raised concerns about the government’s approach to introducing the proposed constitutional amendment, claiming that no one was informed about it in advance.

Speaking to Samaa TV, he questioned the process, saying, “Is this how a constitutional amendment is brought?”

Khan stated that over 80 members of the National Assembly (MNAs) are aligned with PTI. He warned that if any PTI members vote in favor of another party, their votes would not be counted, and they would be disqualified under Article 63A of the Constitution, which deals with defection laws.

The PTI chairman further asserted that voting against party directives could lead to immediate disqualification for the concerned members.

Barrister Gohar also claimed that JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman would stand with PTI on this matter.

Meanwhile, a PTI delegation, including senior members such as Asad Qaiser, Umar Ayub, Shibli Faraz, and Sahibzada Hamid, reportedly visited Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s residence.

According to sources, this visit occurred when a government delegation, comprising Punjab's caretaker chief minister Mohsin Naqvi and Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, was already present at Maulana’s house.

A special meeting of the federal cabinet has been scheduled for Sunday, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif set to preside.

The primary agenda for the meeting is to approve the draft of a proposed constitutional amendment.

Sources indicate that the meeting will take place at the Parliament House, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sharif. Once the cabinet grants its approval, the Constitutional Amendment Bill will be presented in both houses of Parliament for further consideration.

In line with this development, the National Assembly session has been scheduled for Sunday at 11:30 AM, while the Senate will convene at 4:00 PM on the same day to deliberate on the proposed changes.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday expressed strong disapproval of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Founder Imran Khan’s alleged statements targeting Chief of Army Staff Syed Asim Munir and Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa cautioning that such actions would have serious consequences.

Addressing a National Assembly session chaired by Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah, the PPP chief praised the people of Rahim Yar Khan for rejecting divisive politics, stating, "The people of Rahim Yar Khan have defeated the politics of hatred, division, and backbiting. I extend my gratitude to them."

Bilawal further noted the victory of the party’s candidate in Punjab, attributing it to the defeat of "the politics of backbiting and hatred." submission.

Turning his attention to Imran Khan, Bilawal alleged that the deposed premier had attacked constitutional institutions to further his political interests.

"Prisoner number 804 has attacked every institution in the country to secure personal relief," Bilawal said, referencing Khan’s criticism of the judiciary and military leadership.

PPP's Bilawal warned that if the PTI founder’s alleged statement was authentic, the consequences would follow, as mandated by the constitution. He urged PTI leadership to clarify whether the statement came from Khan or was the work of someone else within the party.

"Imran Khan and his party will be responsible for the consequences if the statement is proven to be his," Bilawal stressed, adding that the democratic system would withstand such challenges.

As the National Assembly session continued, reports emerged that both Houses of Parliament had been summoned later in the evening, only an hour apart.

Though the official agenda for the National Assembly session did not mention the proposed constitutional amendment, such matters are typically introduced through supplementary agendas.

Among the scheduled items is an MQM attention notice concerning capacity payments to independent power producers (IPPs) and a notice regarding the proposed privatization of Pakistan Development Minerals Corporation.

Party sources revealed that PPP MNA Nafeesa Shah had been asked to remain in Islamabad, despite her plans to travel to celebrate the birthday of her father, former Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, indicating the ruling coalition's focus on ensuring maximum attendance for important legislative matters.

Despite today being a designated holiday, both the Senate and the National Assembly will convene for their regular meetings. The agendas of the sessions have been issued.

The proposed constitutional amendment related to judicial reforms is not officially on the agenda for either house. However, it may be introduced as a side issue during the meetings.

The government’s push to legislate judicial reforms has reached a critical juncture. The Senate meeting is scheduled for 4pm at the Parliament House, focusing on a five-point agenda, while the National Assembly session will begin at 3pm with six items on its agenda.

Sources say the proposed constitutional amendment, which includes changes to articles 179 and 195 and a potential increase in the retirement age for government employees from 60 to 68 years, could be tabled as a supplementary agenda. 

If approved, Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa could remain in office for an additional three years. The government asserts that it has secured the necessary numbers in both houses for the amendment’s passage.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi is actively involved in ensuring parliamentary support and has renewed efforts to secure votes from Maulana Fazlur Rahman of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI). The government has contacted the Maulana once again to convince him on the constitutional amendment. 

The JUI does not agree to an extension to the tenure of the chief justice's services, and Maulana Fazlur Rahman has once again rejected the legislation for certain individuals. He has also advised the government to introduce a package of judicial reforms. 

Sources said any constitutional package will be tabled on the acceptance of Maulana Fazlur Rehman's proposals after the treasury has the required number of lawmakers in its support. 

In preparation for the potential vote on a constitutional amendment, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has invited lawmakers from coalition parties to a dinner at the Prime Minister's Office in the evening. This event aims to bolster support and ensure full attendance for the upcoming sessions of the House where the government is likely to present an important constitutional amendment. All coalition parliamentarians have been instructed to remain in Islamabad until Monday. 

The government’s efforts to finalize the constitutional amendment will hinge on gaining the support of at least four more members, including those from JUI, to achieve a two-thirds majority. The amendment is anticipated to be presented in parliament on Sunday, contingent upon the outcome of current negotiations and the support secured.

US Vice President Kamala Harris said on Friday she will cut college degree requirements for certain federal jobs if elected president as the Democratic presidential candidate and her Republican rival have been making economic pledges to woo voters.

Harris and Republican former president Donald Trump are in a tight race for the Nov 5 US elections. Harris has previously said she will aim to pass a middle class tax cut, while Trump has advocated for cutting taxes on overtime pay. Both candidates have supported eliminating taxes on tips.

"As president, I will get rid of the unnecessary degree requirements for federal jobs to increase jobs for folks without a four-year degree," Harris said in her speech in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

More than 62% of Americans age 25 or older did not hold a bachelor's degree, according to data released by the US Census Bureau in early 2023. Americans without college degrees made up three out of five voters in 2020.

The Democratic presidential candidate said on Friday the US should recognize the value of paths to success beyond a college degree, like apprenticeships and technical programs.

A degree does not necessarily indicate a person's skills, Harris said. She added: "And I will challenge the private sector to do the same."

A survey by Gallup and Lumina Foundation released earlier this year found that many Americans are skeptical about the value and cost of college. Over half of U.S. adults who have never been enrolled or once were enrolled said the cost of education was a "very important" reason for them to not sign up or return to college.

Interruption from protesters

Harris' speech faced some interruption from protesters opposing U.S. support for Israel's war in Gaza that has killed tens of thousands and caused a humanitarian crisis.

Demonstrators in the U.S. have for months demanded an end to the war and restrictions on shipments of weapons to Israel.

Harris reiterated her support for a ceasefire and hostage rescue deal. "Now is the time to get a hostage deal and ceasefire," Harris said when interrupted. "I respect your voice, but right now, I am speaking," she added.

Harris has pledged support for Israel. Observers have said that if pro-Palestinian Americans including activists as well as Muslims and Arabs, who overwhelmingly voted for the Democrats in the last presidential election, withhold their vote, it may hurt Harris' chances. While those groups are unlikely to tilt toward Trump, some activists have pledged support to third party candidates.

The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered last Oct 7 when Palestinian Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel's subsequent assault on the Hamas-governed enclave has killed over 41,000 Palestinians, according to the local health ministry, while displacing nearly the entire population of 2.3 million, causing a hunger crisis and leading to genocide allegations at the World Court that Israel denies.

Following a high-stakes emergency meeting, it has been decided to convert Parliament Lodges into a sub-jail for the arrested National Assembly members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

The decision was announced after a series of emergency meetings held in the chamber of Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, which included key figures such as Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and PPP leader Syed Naveed Qamar.

The meeting, which aimed to address the situation of PTI members currently in custody, concluded with the agreement to use Parliament Lodges for the detention of these members.

Interior Minister Naqvi subsequently visited the speaker’s chamber to inform Speaker Ayaz Sadiq about the decision. All arrested PTI members were also present in the speaker’s chamber at that time. The production orders for the detained PTI members will remain valid for the upcoming 16th session of the National Assembly.

Speaker Ayaz Sadiq approved the decision to use the Parliament Lodges as sub-jail for the PTI MNAs, after which all the arrested PTI members were made to sign relevant forms. The PTI members are likely to be transferred to Parliament Lodges today.

Earlier, an in-camera meeting of a special committee, chaired by Syed Khurshid Shah, also took place to discuss and streamline the proceedings of parliament. Key participants included Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, federal officials, and members of various political parties. However, Dar and Naveed Qamar left to attend another important meeting where they were joined by Mohsin Naqvi also. 

In the meeting, the issue of the production orders of the PTI members of the National Assembly was considered. The meeting also discussed possibilities of granting facilities to the PTI members in case their bail was not approved by the court. 

Also Read: Apology 'not good enough' for PTI leaders' arrest: Barrister Ali Zafar

The meeting also discussed the possibility of placing the draft constitutional amendment before the special committee of parliament. PTI lawmaker Aamir Dogar commented that they can only comment on the draft once it is presented to them. "The PTI will take its decision after going through the draft," the party chief whip declared. 

The government sources said that the entire parliamentary committees would be taken into confidence on the constitutional amendment. 

On being asked by a journalist if important legislation or constitutional amendment was on the cards tomorrow as both Senate and National Assembly sessions had been called, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said for now, the problem of the opposition MNAs is being discussed. 

He further said that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has also been called for the same purpose. "The production orders will remain intact if the National Assembly is in session," Tarar remarked. 

Also on Friday, the Islamabad High Court invalidated the eight-day physical remand of several PTI MNAs arrested after a recent rally in Islamabad, sending them all to jail on judicial remand.

Also Read: IHC invalidates physical remand of PTI MNAs, sends them to jail

A two-member special bench, comprising Chief Justice Aamir Farooq and Justice Saman Rifat Imtiaz, delivered the decision, which had been reserved following petitions filed to annul the physical remand of the detained PTI MNAs.

During the hearing, Chief Justice Aamir Farooq made strong remarks about the arrest of lawmakers from the Parliament House, expressing concern over the arrest of MNAs without proper procedure.

"The National Assembly speaker may be doing his job, but the court can also look into the matter. They will not let the dignity of any institution remain intact, what are you doing? Parliament is the mother of all institutions," the CJ remarked. 

He questioned why parliamentarians were apprehended from within parliament, stating, "Look at the situation in the country, and you entered parliament and arrested the members."

The prosecutor general argued that "terrible anti-state speeches" were made in the Islamabad rally of the PTI, to which the chief justice responded, saying: "Even if the allegation is accepted as true, what about the right to a fair trial, which is a right for everyone regardless of the severity of the crime?"

The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has emerged victorious in the by-election for the National Assembly seat of NA-171 in Rahim Yar Khan.

According to the official results from all polling stations, PPP candidate Makhdoom Tahir Rashiduddin secured 116,429 votes, defeating Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate Hassaan Mustafa, who received 58,251 votes. The election was contested by seven candidates, but the race mainly centred on the competition between the PPP and PTI.

The constituency, which has 526,973 registered voters, saw voting take place at 301 polling stations set up for the by-election. Out of these, 88 polling stations were meant for male voters, 88 for female voters, and 125 combined stations. Moreover, 62 polling stations were declared sensitive, and special arrangements, including CCTV cameras, have been made to ensure the election is conducted peacefully.

This win is seen as a significant boost for the PPP in the region, where political rivalry with PTI has been intense in recent years.

Party workers and supporters of the PPP celebrated the victory across the constituency, as Makhdoom Tahir Rashid expressed gratitude for the public's confidence in his leadership. 

Also Read: NA-171 Rahim Yar Khan by-election: Polling begins under tight security

Incidents of violation of election code of conduct were also reported in the constituency, as videos of people casting their votes started being shared on social media. A voter shared his video of a stamped ballot paper in a polling booth as well as while casting his ballot. 

Some voters even took pictures inside the polling booth with their mobile phones, while the administration said taking phones inside polling stations is banned. 

Moreover, the administration even got a political party's camp removed that had been set up within 100 metres of polling station 241. Police said putting up camps is not allowed within 100 meters of polling stations. It asked the PTI to move its camp to another location. 

The by-election was held after the seat fell vacant due to the death of PTI MNA Mumtaz Mustafa back in August. 

To maintain law and order, Section 144 was enforced in the constituency, prohibiting large gatherings and processions. Additionally, 2,700 police officers and personnel were deployed for security, ensuring a peaceful election process. 

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Thursday voiced strong opposition to the extension of service terms in the judiciary, military, and bureaucracy, calling the practice fundamentally wrong.

His remarks came during a National Assembly session in Islamabad, where he also critiqued the extension of the retirement age of judges under the regime of General Pervez Musharraf.

The JUI chief questioned why those who criticized such extensions in the past are now supporting them. “Whether in the army, judiciary, or bureaucracy, the process of granting extensions is flawed,” he said. “If this continues, tomorrow the parliament could also demand extensions.”

Fazlur Rehman further pointed out inconsistencies within the justice system, noting that judicial cases drag on for generations. He argued that the current judicial system, inherited from the British, is outdated and in need of change.

“The retirement age of judges was increased during Musharraf's era, but now the situation is such that everyone wants 'their' Chief Justice in place,” he remarked.

In response, Speaker of the National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq stated that while the constitution does not allow for discussions against the judiciary and army, there is room for reform. He acknowledged the JUI chief’s concerns and emphasized the importance of a balanced approach.

Fazlur Rehman advocated for the establishment of a parliamentary committee to oversee the appointment of the Chief Justice, stating that such reforms are necessary. He also called for the abolition of the 19th Amendment, saying it should be replaced by the 18th Amendment, as he believed the judiciary had used the 19th Amendment to exercise undue influence.

Speaker Ayaz Sadiq invited Fazlur Rehman to participate in an ongoing committee on reforms, mentioning that the meeting was currently being held in Committee Room No. 5. He encouraged the JUI chief to contribute to the discussions aimed at addressing the nation’s pressing issues.

The 10 arrested members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) were brought to the Parliament House during an ongoing National Assembly session after the speaker issued their production orders a day ago.

The detained lawmakers, including Sheikh Waqas Akram, Zain Qureshi, Yousuf Khan, Owais Jakhar, Malik Aamir Dogar, Ahmed Chatha, Zubair Khan, Shah Ahad Khattak, Syed Naseem Ali Shah, and Sher Afzal Marwat, were escorted by a heavy contingent of police.

All arrested members were handed over to Acting Sergeant-at-Arms Farhat Abbas upon arrival. The detainees later met with Speaker Ayaz Sadiq in his chamber. "Arresting within the confines of parliament is against the law," said the PTI MNAs.

The speaker replied that he had formed a committee to investigate the matter. The meeting was also attended by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar, Omar Ayub, and Ali Muhammad Khan.

"Why were we arrested like this, were we terrorists?" some members questioned, while others expressed dissatisfaction over the speaker's explanations. The speaker also informed the members of the proceedings in the case so far, sources said. 

The members also criticized the security officers of the assembly involved in their arrest, stating, "Those suspended are still present in plain clothes."

They further expressed frustration at the speaker, asking him not to give them childish reasons, as the whole world saw what happened, the sources added. 

MNAs sent on judicial remand

Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court sent the arrested MNAs to jail on judicial remand. Chief Justice Aamir Farooq, during the hearing, questioned if the court issued an order, would the suspects be sent on judicial remand and that this order of physical remand cannot be maintained. 

The petitioner's lawyer argued that the court should not hand over an extended physical remand, adding that the trial court did not mention any reasons for the remand in its order. Suspending the physical remand decision would leave a bad impression, said the prosecutor general. 

The chief justice asked the prosecutor how he would defend the order for the physical remand. The prosecutor read out the FIRs against the suspects, and the chief justice scheduled a hearing for the case by a two-member special bench at 10am the following day.

In an important development, the government and opposition reached a consensus on the proposal for a “Charter of Parliament,” while a 16-member committee has been formed to oversee parliamentary proceedings more effectively.

The motion, put forward by Information Minister Atta Tarar, was approved by the Lower House of the Parliament.

The committee is tasked with submitting a detailed fact-finding report on the incidents of September 9 to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ayaz Sadiq, as soon as possible.

Speaking in the assembly, the minister assured that the committee would have equal representation from both the government and opposition.

He also addressed the recent concerns about arrests made inside the Parliament building, clarifying that no individuals were detained within the premises and video evidence supporting this claim is available in the Speaker’s office.

“In the past, Asad Qaiser was frequently criticized from here. Now, we are providing transparent evidence that no one was taken from within the house,” Tarar stated.

Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker of the National Assembly, emphasized his commitment to uncovering the truth behind the September 9 incident, asserting that it is crucial to maintain the honor of Parliament.

“The demand from government whips was that they represent two-thirds, while the opposition is one-third. The opposition must have its voice here in Parliament,” Sadiq remarked.

In response to a security lapse on the night of the September 9 incident, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq took swift action by suspending Sergeant-at-Arms Ashfaq Ashraf along with four other officials for four months due to their negligence in ensuring the security of Parliament.

A four-member committee has also been set up to investigate the security failures in detail. Additionally, five Capital Development Authority (CDA) officials, including two electricians involved in cutting off the power supply to the Parliament House on the night of the incident, were suspended for their role in the disruption.

National Assembly Speaker Ayuaz Sadiq has called for the establishment of a ‘Charter of Parliament’ to encourage cooperation between the government and opposition, stressing the need for a unified approach to running the House.

"If the opposition will not speak here, where will it speak?" the speaker Ayaz Sadiq remarked, urging both sides to engage in constructive dialogue.

Ayaz Sadiq expressed his determination to address the issues facing the Assembly, stating, "What my conscience said, what was my responsibility, I did."

He further highlighted the importance of transparency, adding, "I will try to get to the bottom of what happened."

He was referring to the incident of PTI MNA's arrest from the Parliament and so far five security men of the Lower House of the Parliament have been suspended.  

The House unanimously passed a resolution to form a 16-member committee aimed at improving parliamentary proceedings.

The committee, which will have equal representation from both the government and opposition, was announced by Atta Tarrar, who emphasized the need for collaboration.

Ayaz Sadiq reiterated that the successful functioning of the House requires the joint efforts of both the government and opposition, declaring, "Neither the government alone nor the opposition alone can run the House."

National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has suspended key security personnel in the House, including the sergeant-at-arms, for negligence in their duties following arrests of PTI lawmakers inside the Parliament House.

Sergeant-at-Arms Ashfaq Ashraf has been suspended for four months over negligence in the security of the Parliament House.

In addition to the sergeant-at-arms, four other security staff members have been suspended for their failure to uphold the security protocols of parliament. Those suspended include a security assistant and three junior assistants: Waqas Ahmed, Obaidullah, Waheed Safdar, and Muhammad Haroon.

These suspensions come after Speaker Ayaz Sadiq had on Tuesday formed a high-level investigation committee over the arrests of PTI MNAs from the Parliament House. The committee was to be led by the now-suspended Sergeant-at-Arms Ashfaq Ashraf. 

Also Read: Over a dozen senior PTI leaders arrested in overnight raids over SOPs violation

According to sources, the committee was tasked with conducting a thorough review of the incidents that led to the arrests. Sources indicate that the committee was ordered to compile and present a detailed report on merit to the speaker, outlining the findings and suggesting appropriate actions.

The speaker issued clear directives to the committee, emphasizing the importance of identifying any individuals involved in activities outside the Parliament House that could undermine its dignity. He instructed the committee to gather all available evidence, including CCTV footage from within the House. 

“The dignity of parliament is paramount, and anyone responsible for compromising it will face severe consequences,” Speaker Sadiq was quoted as saying by sources. 

Also Read: Speaker wants measures for release of arrested PTI members

On Sept 10, the Islamabad police arrested several key leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) following the alleged violation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) during a rally held in the Sangjani area of the capital and not following the allocated deadline to end the event.

The police action took place late on Monday night and arrested PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar, Sher Afzal Marwat, Shoaib Shaheen, Zain Qureshi, Sheikh Waqas Akram, and 12 other members.

Marwat was detained while returning from a National Assembly session, Shoaib Shaheen apprehended from his residence, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan arrested outside the Parliament House in a coordinated operation. In addition, Marwat's private security guard was taken into custody for allegedly resisting the police during the arrest. The arrests were carried out at the gate of the Parliament House and inside it. 

Also Read: Speaker forms inquiry committee on PTI MNAs' arrests from Parliament House

Among those arrested were also PTI MNA Maulana Naseem Shah, Aamir Dogar, Owais, Ahmad Chattha, Syed Shah Ahad, and Yousuf Khan. Another MNA, Zubair Khan, who represents South Waziristan, was also taken into custody shortly after exiting the Parliament House.

Authorities had sealed off Islamabad's Red Zone, sparking fears that more PTI leaders may be detained. Police officials stated that the arrests were linked to an FIR filed after the Sangjani rally. Arrests of more key figures, including Omar Ayub and Zartaj Gul, were expected.

Law enforcement officers cited a range of charges, including non-compliance with rally regulations, clashing with police personnel, and making anti-state speeches during the gathering.

In response to the recent arrests of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers from within the Parliament House, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq took decisive action by forming a high-level investigation committee.

This move comes amid rising concerns over the sanctity and security of the legislative body.

According to sources, the committee, which will be led by Sergeant-at-Arms Ashfaq Ahmed, has been tasked with conducting a thorough review of the incidents that led to the arrests. Sources indicate that the committee will compile and present a detailed report on merit to Speaker Sadiq, outlining the findings and suggesting appropriate actions.

The speaker has issued clear directives to the committee, emphasizing the importance of identifying any individuals involved in activities outside the Parliament House that could undermine its dignity. He has instructed the committee to gather all available evidence, including CCTV footage from within the House. 

Also Read: Speaker wants measures for release of arrested PTI members

“The dignity of parliament is paramount, and anyone responsible for compromising it will face severe consequences,” Speaker Sadiq was quoted as saying by sources. 

On Tuesday, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq convened an urgent meeting in his chambers to address the recent arrests of lawmakers from within the Parliament House.

Also Read: Over a dozen senior PTI leaders arrested in overnight raids over SOPs violation

During the meeting, Sadiq expressed his strong displeasure with Islamabad's Inspector General of Police Ali Nasir Rizvi over the arrests, demanding an explanation for the actions taken inside the Parliament House. He directed to take measures to ensure the release of the arrested members, sources said. 

"Why the members were arrested inside the Parliament House? This is intolerable. Conduct a detailed inquiry into the entire matter," the speaker directed.

The speaker made it clear that while the police holds the authority to detain individuals outside the parliament, any arrests within Parliament Lodges and the Parliament House are "unacceptable" and will not be tolerated. "I will not stand the ridicule and humiliation of my members," he told the police chief in a stern conversation.

National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq convened an urgent meeting in his chambers on Tuesday to address the recent arrests of lawmakers from within the Parliament House, an event that has sparked widespread concern.

During the meeting, Speaker Sadiq expressed his strong displeasure with Islamabad's Inspector General (IG) of Police Ali Nasir Rizvi over the arrests, demanding an explanation for the actions taken inside the Parliament House. He directed to take measures to ensure the release of the arrested members, sources said. 

"Why the members were arrested inside the Parliament House? This is intolerable. Conduct a detailed inquiry into the entire matter," the speaker directed.

Speaker Sadiq made it clear that while the police holds the authority to detain individuals outside the parliament, any arrests within Parliament Lodges and the Parliament House are "unacceptable" and will not be tolerated.

"I will not stand the ridicule and humiliation of my members," he told the police chief in a stern conversation.

IGP Rizvi assured the speaker that he would look into the incident and provide a detailed report on the matter. "I will investigate the incident and submit a report," he responded.

Following the meeting, Speaker Sadiq agreed to the opposition's demand to issue production orders for the detained members. He sought an application from the opposition members regarding the issuance of production orders.

The speaker also ordered the necessary steps to facilitate the release of the arrested lawmakers. 

Following the meeting, Ali Muhammad Khan told journalists that the speaker had issued production orders for the arrested members. He has also assured that an FIR would be registered. "The speaker has also called for CCTV footages," Khan remarked. 

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ali Muhammad Khan has denounced the recent events in and outside the parliament, likening them to an attack on democracy comparable to the events of May 9, 2023.

Speaking during a National Assembly session on Tuesday, Khan condemned the arrests of PTI lawmakers, declaring that September 10 will be remembered as a dark chapter in the history of Pakistani democracy.

"Article 6 should be imposed on those who attacked parliament," Khan stated. He further asserted that democracy, Pakistan, and its Constitution were attacked when masked individuals took lawmakers away from the parliament premises.

Ali Muhammad Khan clarified that his concerns were not solely for the PTI, but for the broader cause of democracy in Pakistan. "Today, my proposal is not just for PTI's founder; it is for democracy," he added, underlining the gravity of the issue. He further said PTI Founder Imran Khan was fighting his own case. 

Also Read: National Assembly speaker vows action over PTI leaders' arrests

He further narrated that PTI leaders Sahibzada Shafqat, Aamir Dogar and Sheikh Waqas Akram had sought refuge in the Parliament House last night, but Maulana Naseem was picked up from the mosque. "September 10, 2024 will be remembered as a dark chapter in the history of democracy," he remarked. 

Meanwhile, PTI leader Asad Qaiser also condemned the arrests, particularly of Barrister Gohar and other members, calling it an outright assault on parliament. He questioned whether National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq had authorized these actions.

Qaiser warned the government, saying, "The rulers are thinking that someone will be afraid of their tactics. Shehbaz Sharif's days are numbered." He stressed that those responsible for the "attack on democracy and parliament" must be held accountable. 

National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has called for decisive action regarding the events that transpired in parliament last night regarding arrests of multiple PTI lawmakers from allegedly within and outside the Parliament House.

Speaking during a session of the assembly on Tuesday, Sadiq said: "Action will have to be taken over what happened in parliament last night."

He also said he had has ordered the retrieval of CCTV footage from all entry points and within the Parliament House, including gate numbers one and five, the cabinet side gate, and inside the building.

Expressing his dismay, Sadiq remarked that he feels "unlucky" as he has witnessed significant disturbances in parliament during his tenure. He recalled the 2014 alleged attack on Parliament House, in which a party, aided by its "cousin", was involved. He recalled he had personally filed an FIR against the involved party back then and stated his intention to do so again if necessary.

The speaker then summoned Ali Muhammad Khan, Syed Naveed Qamar, and Azam Nazeer Tarar to his chamber for a discussion. He urged them to engage in dialogue to address the situation, stressing the importance of resolving such matters through conversation. 

Also Read: Over a dozen senior PTI leaders arrested in overnight raids over SOPs violation

PTI MNA Ali Muhammad Khan also provided all the footage from last night to the speaker. Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party President Abdul Aleem Khan is also part of the consultation, along with JUI-F's Noor Alam Khan, Aminul Haq of the MQM, Rana Sanaullah, Shandana Gulzar and Sahibzada Hamid Raza. 

The speaker also summoned the Islamabad police chief to Parliament House, along with the DIG and SSP. Sources said that the speaker has instructed the police officials to bring along the details of cases against assembly members. 

Law minister says any excesses will be admitted to

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said if seeds of poison are sown, the flowers that bloom would be equally poisonous, adding that similarly, ideas and discussions will elicit reactions. He said this is a problem of the House and no one will back out. 

Tarar called for restraint and emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law amidst escalating political tensions. He also stressed the need to control emotions and work towards constructive solutions. "There are brothers on both sides; we have to control our emotions," he remarked, advocating for a measured approach to the current political climate. 

Also Read: Gandapur's brief disappearance sparks rumours amid mass arrests

He warned against the potential for increased divisiveness pledged to address any wrongdoings and work towards a resolution. "I will accept the wrong done and correct it," he declared. 

Rana Tanveer questions PTI's commitment to democracy

Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain delivered a scathing critique of the PTI, questioning the party's commitment to democracy and the rule of law. Referring to past incidents involving PTI members, he recalled how the dignity of parliament was compromised.

"Yesterday, when PTI members were attacking parliament, we warned them," Hussain said, recalling his prior caution not to take actions that would damage the institution's reputation. "Where was democracy then, when women were being harassed in hotel rooms at midnight?" he questioned. 

Naveed Qamar condemns PTI leaders' arrest

PPP MNA Naveed Qamar, speaking on the floor of the House, said the allegations that are being made were a "serious matter”. Referring to the 2014 sit-in by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Qamar said: “When Ali Muhammad Khan and his colleagues came to the gate of parliament, we declared it an attack.”

“Whatever happened last night was done by entering parliament and it's like crossing all the red lines. If you don't take action today, there is no limit to this,” Qamar reminded his party's ally, the PML-N. 

The National Assembly has passed the Elections (Amendment) Bill 2024 and the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Bill 2024 by a majority vote, amidst strong opposition protests.

During the session, opposition members voiced their concerns, standing on their seats to demonstrate their disapproval as the bills were passed. Aamir Dogar, an opposition PTI member, criticized the government's haste in passing the bills, particularly pointing out the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Bill, which he said would be used for political purposes.

He said the bill was reminiscent of the British era, adding that tomorrow the party was going to hold a rally, but the government wanted to punish them by passing the law. He also likened the situation to the repressive measures seen in past regimes. 

Dogar argued that there is already sufficient legislation in place regarding public assemblies, and expressed concern that the new bill would erect further barriers against the opposition's activities. He urged that the bill should be sent to the relevant committee, adding that the PTI wanted to suggest certain amendments. 

In response, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar defended the bill, saying the capital city of Islamabad had been turned into a prison. He said disruptions are caused by large gatherings here, and if the opposition did not find anything appropriate in the bill, it could bring in amendments. 

Main points of Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Bill

The Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act 2024 introduces several strict measures, including:

- A three-year imprisonment for organizing or attending a public gathering or rally without prior permission. Repeat offences could lead to a 10-year prison sentence.

- The bill designates specific areas like Mauza Sangjani or any other government-designated space for public assemblies, for which a proper gazette notification would be issued. 

- Even after permission is granted, a police officer could disperse a gathering any time. It grants the deputy commissioner the authority to allow a gathering, which if not granted could be appealed with the chief commissioner in 15 days. The commissioner's decision could be appealed with the interior secretary for a review. 

- The government can declare certain areas of Islamabad as red or high-security zones, restricting public access and assembly. Organizers of public gatherings must submit a written request to the district magistrate (deputy commissioner) at least seven days in advance, detailing the location, time, number of participants, and purpose of the meeting. The district magistrate has the power to deny permission if valid reasons for the event are not given, and he will then issue written reasons for his decision.

- The district magistrate will assess the law and order situation and obtain security clearance from the law enforcement agencies before allowing a rally. He can amend the permit issued by him on the basis of a national security risk, fear of violence, or a fear of deterioration of law and order situation.

- If a gathering disturbs law and order and is not dispersed, the police officer concerned will be able to disperse it by force.

- The bill also proposes arrests and detention of members of illegal gatherings. Such people could be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and with fine. 

Main points of Elections Bill 2024

The National Assembly also introduced significant changes to electoral procedures through the passage of the Elections Act Amendment Bill 2024. Key provisions of the bill include:

- Candidates are now required to submit their party ticket to the returning officer within a specified period. Failure to do so will result in the candidate being considered independent and not associated with any political party.

- Candidates must also submit a party certificate to be recognized as part of a political party. If a member fails to submit this certificate, they will be regarded as independent, regardless of their previous affiliations.

- Once a candidate declares their affiliation to a political party within the stipulated period, this declaration is considered final and cannot be changed. This measure is intended to prevent candidates from switching parties after the declaration.

- A person who joins a political party must remain with that party for at least three days. They are prohibited from joining another party within this period, preventing last-minute changes in party affiliation.

- The bill also impacts the allocation of reserved seats in the legislature. A political party that does not secure a seat in the election will be ineligible for reserved seats. Furthermore, if a political party fails to submit its list of candidates for reserved seats within the prescribed period, it will lose the right to those seats.

In the National Assembly session on Thursday chaired by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, the alarming rise in mental illness in Pakistan was highlighted.

The Ministry of Health presented disturbing data revealing that over 80 million people in the country suffer from psychological problems.

The ministry's report emphasized that all major hospitals across Pakistan are equipped with psychiatric treatment facilities, and departments of mental health and psychiatry are active in 126 medical colleges. Despite these provisions, the scale of mental health issues remains a significant concern.

During the session, Rai Hasan Nawaz raised questions about the closure of health card services initiated during the previous PTI government. He suggested that political motivations might have influenced the suspension of these services, which were designed to facilitate public access to healthcare.

Federal Minister Jam Kamal addressed these concerns, stating that the government had not discontinued any services for political reasons. He explained that the health card services were suspended in Islamabad and Gilgit-Baltistan due to irregularities discovered in the card processing system. Kamal assured that efforts are underway to restore the services, following a recent meeting with State Life Insurance.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday called for a political approach to address terrorism and regional unrest, criticising the current emphasis on military solutions and foreign blame.

In a recent session of the National Assembly, Rehman challenged the prevailing narrative that places the burden of terrorism solely on Afghanistan, arguing that Pakistan must confront its shortcomings.

"We are sitting on the borders, not Afghanistan," he asserted, emphasizing that the focus should shift to internal responsibilities rather than external accusations.

Rehman criticized the lack of serious consideration given to attacks on Pakistan's armed forces and institutions.

He expressed concern over the emotional escalation on both sides of the conflict, with one faction advocating for secession and the other responding with force.

"Such statements and actions only exacerbate the situation and question Pakistan's security," he said.

The JUI chief stressed the need for political solutions to these issues, suggesting that experienced political leaders should be entrusted with addressing these challenges rather than new and inexperienced youth. He argued that sidelining seasoned politicians only complicates matters further.

Rehman highlighted the growing proxy war in the region, noting the impact of foreign interests and projects such as CPEC on local stability.

He pointed out that areas like Balochistan are struggling with development due to ongoing conflict and obstacles to major projects. "In some regions, the national anthem cannot be sung and the flag cannot be hoisted," he lamented.

The JUI leader also criticized the state's handling of missing persons, stressing that it is the government's responsibility to inform families about the whereabouts and status of their loved ones. He urged for transparency and accountability in addressing these issues.

Rehman recounted his own efforts to address the situation, including a visit to Afghanistan and consultations with various departments.

He expressed frustration with the tendency to blame Afghanistan for attacks occurring within Pakistan, questioning why responsibility for border security is not more rigorously enforced.

The JUI chief concluded by urging the government to involve parliament and political leaders more actively in resolving these issues, suggesting that the current approach is leading to increased hatred and division within the nation.

"As long as we continue to place blame elsewhere and neglect the role of our own political institutions, the cycle of violence and instability will persist," Rehman warned.

Senior PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Rafique has expressed deep concern over the resignation of Sardar Akhtar Mengal from the National Assembly, describing it as a troubling development for the federation.

In a statement shared on the social media platform X, he said that Mengal’s departure, as a respected Baloch politician who actively participated in the democratic and political process under the constitution, is alarming. He urged that this resignation be reconsidered and thoroughly discussed.

The PML-N leader highlighted the importance of engaging with prominent Baloch leaders such as Dr. Malik Baloch, Lashkari Raisani, Akhtar Mengal, Abdul Ghafoor Haidari, and Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman, emphasizing that their voices must be taken seriously. He called for genuine support for those who adhere to constitutional and electoral politics in Balochistan.

سردار اختر مینگل کا قومی اسمبلی سے استعفیٰ وفاق کیلئے بُرا شگون ھے-

آئین کے تحت انتخابی جمہوری اور سیاسی عمل میں حصہ لینے والے مستند بلوچ سیاستدان کا قومی اسمبلی سے استعفےٰ تشویشناک ھے-اس استعفے کو موخر کیا جاۓ اور بات کی جاۓ -

ان حالات میں ڈاکٹر مالک بلوچ ، لشکری رئیسانی…

— Khawaja Saad Rafique (@KhSaad_Rafique) September 3, 2024

Acknowledging that his views may not always be popular, Rafique firmly stated that the issues in Balochistan cannot be resolved through force alone, nor by relying solely on negotiations or favored political figures. He urged the ruling coalition and state institutions to come together to find a sustainable solution for the province.

The former minister also questioned why former allies have now shifted to opposing camps, warning that foreign powers are actively working to disrupt the progress of CPEC. He pointed to the resurgence of violence and terrorism as evidence of this interference, while expressing concern over the absence of a comprehensive political and military strategy to address these challenges.

Saad Rafique further stressed that while Pakistan’s unity will ultimately prevail, the ongoing unrest in Balochistan is a growing concern. He called for urgent efforts to find a remedy to the rising tide of hatred and division in the region.

Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) MNA Barrister Daniyal Chaudhry introduced a bill proposing an increase in the number of Supreme Court judges arguing a backlog of over 54,000 cases in the Supreme Court.

National Assembly speaker Ayaz Sadiq referred the bill for further consultations to the NA standing committee. Ayaz Sadiq postponed the debate on the bill after a heated discussion in the assembly and emphasized the need for careful consideration of all proposals related to judicial reforms.

Opposition leader and PTI chairman Barrister Gohar rejected the bill and argued that such a bill should be introduced by the government, not as a private bill.

Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar acknowledged the need for judicial reforms but clarified that the government had not yet decided on increasing the number of judges. He also noted that the issue of extended vacations for judges, which originated in the Senate, is under consideration.

The National Assembly session has been adjourned till Wednesday 11 am.

Noor Alam Khan introduces bills

Noor Alam Khan proposed a bill that public cases in the Supreme Court be heard by a bench comprising at least nine judges, ensuring a more comprehensive review of matters of public importance.

The bill allows the affected party to file an appeal against the Supreme Court's decision within 30 days. Additionally, it mandates that the appeal be heard by a bench larger than the one that issued the original decision.

The amendment seeks to regulate the powers granted under Article 184/3 of the Constitution, which allows the Supreme Court to take suo motu notice of matters of public importance. The bill aims to prevent the misuse of this authority by requiring larger benches for such decisions.

MNA Sohail Sultan presented the bill, which was also referred to the Standing Committee on Law and Justice.

The National Assembly witnessed the introduction of a significant constitutional amendment bill concerning the judiciary's suo motu authority. The bill was presented by Noor Alam Khan, a member of the assembly, and was promptly referred to the Standing Committee on Law and Justice for further deliberation.

During the session, Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar referenced the 2023 Practice and Procedure Law enacted by the House, highlighting that the Supreme Court had affirmed Parliament's authority in such matters. He also cautioned against overcomplicating the Constitution by writing everything into it.

Opposition to Contempt of Court Repeal Bill

Barrister Gauhar raised objections to the proposed repeal of the contempt of court law, arguing that amending the law rather than abolishing it would be more appropriate. He also expressed concerns that sending the matter to a committee would result in unnecessary delays.

Overseas Pakistanis' representation

Noor Alam Khan presented a constitutional amendment bill aimed at allotting special seats for Overseas Pakistanis in Parliament and Provincial Assemblies. This bill was similarly sent to the standing committee for further consideration.

Sardar Akhtar Mengal, MNA and head of the Balochistan National Party (BNP), has announced his resignation from the National Assembly, citing deep frustrations over the handling of issues related to Balochistan.

In the absence of the National Assembly speaker from his chamber, Akhtar Mengal submitted his resignation to the assembly secretary. 

Mengal, speaking to the media alongside Mehmood Khan Achakzai outside Parliament House, expressed his disillusionment with the indifference shown by the government and fellow parliamentarians toward the ongoing crises in Balochistan. "I had decided to raise the problems of Balochistan in the assembly today," Mengal said. However, he lamented that "people are not interested in the issue of Balochistan".

In a stern remark, Mengal stated, "A parliamentarian himself said that Balochistan is slipping out of our hands," but he went further, declaring, "Balochistan is not getting out of your hands, but it has already gotten out."

Mengal criticized the government's failure to address the bloodshed in Balochistan and called for unity among political leaders to tackle the province's problems. "Everyone should come together on this issue and a meeting should have been called to discuss it," he asserted. 

Mengal also expressed frustration that discussions about Balochistan are often "blacked out" when raised in the assembly, adding, "Whenever you start talking about this issue, it is blacked out."

He challenged his critics, saying, "If you disagree with my words, then listen to my words with patience. If I'm still wrong, I accept any punishment. Eliminate me in an encounter outside parliament or kill me, but at least listen to me."

The BNP chief further remarked that blood was spilled in Balochistan and the politicians who took an NRO were responsible. Reflecting on his political journey, Mengal spoke about a meeting held at the Prime Minister's House in 2023, where concerns were raised about the youth of Balochistan.

He recalled, "In the meeting, I said if our youth switch to other parties or go towards militancy, don't complain."

In his emotional address, Mengal said he did not even take his party into confidence about quitting from the National Assembly,. He also said he had no faith in any institution of the state, and ended with a poignant metaphor, "I sell mirrors, in the city of the blind." 

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of seeking a National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) in a heated exchange during a National Assembly session on Monday.

Minister Asif claimed that PTI leaders are pressuring for relief from the establishment, with party member Raoof Hasan purportedly urging for an NRO.

In his remarks, Asif took a jibe at PTI for allegedly seeking concessions and lamented the party's refusal to engage in dialogue with political adversaries.

He posed a question regarding whether other political figures such as Mehmood Achakzai would negotiate with the military implying that PTI's demands are misplaced.

Khawaja Asif further stated that any discussions regarding the May 9 events—a reference to the violent clashes that took place—would be contingent upon a full accounting of the incident.

He sharply rebuked PTI members who, according to him, have repeatedly invoked past military support, noting that key military figures such as General Bajwa and Faiz Hameed are no longer in their positions.

Addressing PTI's approach to negotiation, Asif suggested that if the party is serious about dialogue, they should engage directly, otherwise they should resort to alternative measures.

His remarks were met with sharp criticism from PTI's Asad Qaiser, who labelled Asif's statements as disgraceful, given his senior age.

Kamala Harris vowed a tougher approach to migration along the U.S. southern border and said she would not withhold weapons to Israel, in her first interview with a major news organization since becoming the Democratic nominee for president.

In the interview with CNN anchor Dana Bash, Harris sought to show she is in command of the issues and give Americans a sense of her policy positions with little more than two months until Election Day on Nov. 5.

 Kamala Harris vowed a tougher approach to migration along the U.S. southern border and said she would not withhold weapons to Israel, in her first interview with a major news organization since becoming the Democratic nominee for president.

In the interview with CNN anchor Dana Bash, Harris sought to show she is in command of the issues and give Americans a sense of her policy positions with little more than two months until Election Day on Nov. 5.

The National Assembly on Monday approved the Islamabad Local Government Amendment Bill 2024 with a majority vote.

The bill, presented by Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir, sparked a heated debate between government and opposition members, leading to a walkout by Tehreek-e-Insaf.

Speaker Ayaz Sadiq presided over the session, during which Law Minister Azam Nazir clarified that the Judicial Commission and Parliamentary Committee can appoint senior High Court judges as Chief Justice, in response to a query by Barrister Gohar.

The Minister emphasised that the Chief Justice can only proceed with Supreme Court matters in accordance with the Constitution.

Text of Islamabad LG Amendment Bill 2024

The Islamabad Local Government Amendment Bill 2024 introduces several changes to the Islamabad Municipal Elections Act, significantly increasing the number of elected representatives at the Union Council level.

Previously, the Union Council had only two positions: Chairman and Vice Chairman. Under the new bill, 15 additional representatives will be elected alongside these two positions, bringing the total to 17 representatives per Union Council.

The composition of the Union Council now includes nine general members, one representative each for farmers or laborers, minorities, and youth, as well as three women. This amendment aims to ensure broader representation within the local government structure.

During the National Assembly session, reports from various standing committees were also presented. These included the Standing Committee on IT’s report on the Telecommunication Appellate Tribunal Authority Bill 2024, the Standing Committee on Defense's report on the Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority Bill 2024, and the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs' report on the Apostille Bill 2024. Additionally, the report of the Standing Committee on Privatization on the Privatization Commission Amendment Bill 2024 was presented.

Minister for Law Nazir Tarar introduced the Federal Capital Local Government Amendment Bill 2024 for approval during the session. The Law Minister explained that the proposed bill would increase the number of wards in Islamabad from six to nine, with representation expanded to include youth, farmers, and technocrats. This amendment is part of the ongoing process to conduct local government elections in Islamabad, aiming to enhance the effectiveness and inclusivity of local governance.

PTI walkout over Balochistan incident

The session, presided over by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, saw PTI members, led by Umar Ayub, walk out in protest. The PTI voiced strong condemnation of a recent incident in Balochistan, criticizing the Speaker for conducting normal proceedings without addressing the issue. Umar Ayub demanded that the situation in Balochistan be discussed for two days, emphasizing the gravity of the incident.

Government-PTI exchange

The walkout did not prevent a robust exchange between the opposition and government members. Opposition member Atif Khan questioned the government's commitment to holding elections on time, referencing the last local body elections in Islamabad, held in 2015, which faced numerous challenges.

In response, government representative Tariq Faz Chaudhry acknowledged the difficulties but downplayed the impact of a slight delay in the elections.

Criticism of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi

PTI member Asad Qaiser also criticized Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi during the session, questioning his ability to manage security and calling for his resignation. Qaiser attributed recent security failures in Balochistan to Naqvi's incompetence and called for governance in line with the constitution and law.

Government’s response

In response to Asad Qaiser’s remarks, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ata Tarar accused PTI of contributing to the rise in terrorism, citing their role in bringing back the Taliban. He expressed solidarity with the martyrs and injured, attributing the current security challenges to PTI's policies.

The federal government has released the agenda for tomorrow's National Assembly session, which includes key discussions on the legislation related to Islamabad’s local elections.

According to details, the incumbent government is set to introduce a bill concerning the establishment of local government in Islamabad. Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi will present the Islamabad Local Government (Amendment) Bill.

Moreover, the 23-point agenda for the session also includes a notice from the lawmakers highlighting concerns about the spread of MPox.

Additionally, reports from various standing committees will be presented, including those from the National Economic Council and the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC).

The session will also cover appointments to the Federal Board and the National Book Foundation, and address rising drug abuse trends in federal educational institutions.

A joint session of Parliament is expected to be convened on August 28 to discuss significant amendments related to the Supreme Judiciary.

This development comes as the government prepares for crucial legislative changes that could impact the judicial system.

According to sources, members of the National Assembly and Senate have been informed about the anticipated session, with government and coalition MPs directed to ensure their attendance. The joint session is seen as a critical moment for potential constitutional reforms.

In preparation for this, the President of Pakistan has scheduled a National Assembly meeting on Monday, August 26, followed by a Senate meeting on August 27 at 5 PM. These meetings are likely to set the stage for the joint session and the discussions that will follow.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has also called for a meeting of its parliamentary party on August 26 at 3 PM in the Parliament House.

The meeting, led by prominent PTI members including Umar Ayub, Barrister Gohar, Asad Qaiser, and Zartaj Gul, will focus on formulating the opposition's strategy for the upcoming National Assembly session. The PTI parliamentary party will also discuss its stance on matters involving the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI).

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari recently held a significant meeting to discuss key alliance matters and the government's economic policies.

The meeting, attended by prominent figures including Sherry Rehman, Pervez Sharif, and Naveed Qamar, focused on several critical issues.

A major point of discussion was the implementation of the written agreement in Punjab, reflecting the coalition’s ongoing efforts to maintain unity and ensure smooth governance in the province.

The leaders also exchanged views on upcoming legislation in the National Assembly, underlining the importance of cohesive decision-making as the government navigates through challenging times.

Additionally, the meeting addressed the ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts for flood victims in Sindh. PM Sharif expressed his full support and commitment to assisting Sindh in its recovery efforts, emphasizing the federal government’s dedication to providing necessary resources.

The premier hosted a dinner in honor of the PPP delegation, featuring a menu of local chicken and other traditional dishes, symbolizing the strong bonds within the coalition.

The Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Major General (retd) Hafeez-Ur-Rehman has finally addressed the ongoing debate surrounding the installation of a firewall system, confirming its existence in a carefully worded statement.

“It is not some new firewall system, but rather an upgraded version of the web management system introduced during the PTI government,” he clarified in a heated session of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on Information Technology.

The committee members were seeking clarification as to what the system was and what its purpose would be, leading to intense discussions.

He further reassured the members that this is the very web management system that was approved in the year 2019 under the PTI and not some new firewall being presented.

The PTA chairman went on to say that the system was not designed to infringe on privacy, stating that social media platforms are end-to-end encrypted, and there is no technology in place to access private information. He went ahead to add that though VPNs are not being closed down, registration is required.

Chairperson of the committee, Aminul Haque expressed his concern about public awareness and also sought transparency as far as internet disruption is concerned.

The PTA chairman expressed that due to the fallout of the fiber optic cable and the extensive use of VPNs in recent times, the slowdown of the internet was noticed, adding that its old pace would be restored by August 27.

Further pressed by journalists, he denied the existence of a firewall, insisting that it is just a web management system designed to control gray traffic.

His comments drew a debate from committee members, with Opposition leader Umar Ayub questioning just how far-reaching the system is and if secret agencies could block it without oversight. This brought up a shouting match with government member Zulfikar Bhatti, who objected to the repeated questioning of the system's purpose.

The Balochistan Election Tribunal has de-notified the provincial Home Minister Zia Lango as the Election Tribunal ordered re-voting at seven polling stations in Gizag and Johan.

The Election Tribunal led by Justice Abdullah Baloch heard the case invalidated the appointment of Zia Longo as the Ministry of Interior.

Mir Saeed Longo filed an election complaint against Zia Lango in the Election Tribunal.

Balochistan CM constituency case verdict

Separately, the Election Tribunal of Balochistan dismissed the petition filed against Sarfraz Bagti. Nawabzada Ghoram Bugti challenged Chief Minister Balochistan's eligibility from PB 10. Know more from Mohammad Atif.

The tribunal announced the reserved decision against the competence of Balochistan Chief Minister.

The Election Tribunal consisting of Justice Rozi Khan had reserved the decision on the completion of the hearing last day.

On behalf of the government, Advocate General Balochistan Asif Ali pursued the case in the Election Tribunal.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti's eligibility for PB-10 was challenged by Nawabzada Ghoram Bugti.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) has dismissed the votes recounting the plea of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Ali Gohar of constituency NA-97.

PML-N Ali Gohar Baloch moved the apex court against the annulment of a recount in NA-97 but the court rejected the plea.

Ali Gohar Baloch's lawyer could not show the application to the returning officer in time. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) also confirmed that the application was not received in time.

“There is no such application on record,” DG Law ECP apprised the SC.

Read more: Punjab Assembly Results 2024 - Live updates

A refreshed Democratic Party reintroduces itself to a divided nation this week, having been transformed by the money, momentum, relief and even joy that followed Vice President Kamala Harris' rise to the top of its ticket.

The whiplash of the last month culminates in a convention that begins Monday in Chicago. Above all, the four-day gathering of thousands of activists and party leaders from across the nation is designed to celebrate and strengthen Harris as President Joe Biden's replacement and boost her campaign to defeat Republican Donald Trump in November.

Just beneath the surface, real questions loom about the depth of Harris' newfound support, the breadth of her coalition and the strength of her movement. Not even a month ago, Democrats were deeply divided over foreign policy, political strategy and Biden himself, who was holding on after his disastrous debate by suggesting he had a better chance than any Democrat — including Harris — of beating Trump.

Far from the formality that many modern party conventions have become, this week's event will bring many Americans their first extended look at Harris and her new running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. How the Democrats present Harris and Walz will be critical, especially with Trump launching a weeklong effort to cut into their message.

A potential distraction will be thousands of progressive protesters who are expected to descend upon Chicago to decry the Biden-Harris administration’s support for Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. Harris’ allies are hopeful that the pro-Palestinian protesters will not overshadow the official program, which features a slate of current and former Democratic stars.

“Democrats are walking into that convention enthused, excited and unified,” said one of those stars, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who was a finalist to be Harris' running mate. “And it’s critically important that we prosecute the case against Donald Trump and the chaos that he would bring — and leave that convention even more unified, even more excited, even more enthused for the final 75 or so days of this campaign.”

Shapiro said he welcomed protesters during the convention — “provided the protest is peaceful, provided the protest follows the rules of the community.”

Part of introducing Harris and Walz will be first giving a graceful exit to the 81-year-old incumbent president, who is slated to deliver the keynote address Monday.

The Democratic Party likely would have been in a far worse state if Biden had continued to cling to the nomination. He faced growing concerns about his mental and physical acuity after struggling to complete sentences at the debate.

By deciding to step aside and endorse Harris, the 81-year-old president will instead receive a hero's welcome in his final turn in the spotlight 52 years after being elected to the Senate from Delaware.

Biden is planning to give a lengthy endorsement of Harris and sharply criticize Trump before he leaves Chicago and makes way for the program to focus on the vice president he chose four years ago.

Trump has tried to inflame tensions over Biden's exit. He called Biden’s Monday speaking slot “convention death valley,” suggesting that the president would get lower ratings than speakers on other nights. And as he has for weeks now, Trump described the convention itself as “rigged” because is was Biden, not Harris, who won 14 million primary votes and collected delegates state by state.

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The convention will lean into the party's potential to make history. Harris vies to be the first woman, the first Black woman and the first person of South Asian descent to reach the Oval Office.

“I wasn’t sure I would see this particular moment in my lifetime, to see a Black woman who is now on the cusp of becoming our next president,” said Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, one of the nation’s highest-ranking Black women elected officials.

Stratton recalled Hillary Clinton's loss to Trump eight years ago, one in which she lost key battlegrounds even as she led the national popular vote.

“I remember back in 2016 when we touched the glass ceiling, and the reaction of Republicans was just to start destroying the rights that got us there,” Stratton said. “This is another chance.”

Harris will aim to use the convention to take a share of credit for what she and Biden accomplished while also trying to show that she recognizes voters want more. Heading into Chicago, she unveiled the initial planks of her policy platform focused on addressing the bite of inflation and the costs of food, housing and childcare.

Democrats will keep abortion access front and center for voters, betting that the issue will propel them to success as it has in other key races since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade two years ago.

Every living Democratic president and first lady will appear this week, except for the ailing Jimmy Carter, along with a long list of federal, state and local officials and activists.

It’s set to be a contrast to last month's GOP convention in Milwaukee, where former President George W. Bush and former vice president Mike Pence, among other well-known Republicans, stayed away from the event given Trump's antipathy toward them.

Expected to speak this week is former Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a Republican who investigated Trump’s actions around the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection and has endorsed Harris.

With precious few days remaining before early voting begins in some places in September, recent polls show a close race nationally and in battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. And polls show Trump still has advantages on how Americans view the two of them on core issues like the economy and immigration.

Terry McAuliffe, a former Virginia governor and longtime operative who will attend his 13th Democratic convention this week, warned that the euphoria Democrats have about Harris' ascension could obscure the true state of the campaign.

He noted that the Republican convention in Milwaukee was a veritable Trump coronation, with Democrats consumed by anxiety and uncertainty. Now, it’s Trump who seems to be reeling as he searches for the right message to stop Harris’ rise.

The lesson, McAuliffe said, is never to assume the a campaign is settled and always remember the outcome rests on getting 270 Electoral College votes by winning the right battleground states.

The former president is not ceding this week to Democrats. He will go a different swing state each day — starting with Pennsylvania, followed by Michigan, North Carolina, Arizona and Nevada by week's end.

Trump’s campaign has also dispatched high-profile allies to Chicago to host daily news conferences. The lineup includes Florida Sen. Rick Scott, Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson and Florida Rep. Byron Donalds.

“We have four days of messaging that the country will get to look at Kamala Harris, get to look at Tim Walz. We’ll get to look at their agenda, what they stand for, who we are,” McAuliffe said. “It’s going to be a close election. That’s just where our country is today.”

Whatever happens this week, both sides will be watching with anticipation as Harris writes a new chapter in what has already been a precedent-breaking campaign.

In response to the growing trend of Pakistanis seeking political asylum abroad, the Foreign Office has implemented new visa note guidelines for the Senate and National Assembly Secretariat.

These changes, which received immediate approval from Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, aim to regulate the process of visa issuance more stringently. The guidelines were implemented with immediate effect. 

The secretary of Foreign Affairs has informed both the Senate and National Assembly about the decision. Under the new policy, a prohibition has been placed on issuing letters of introduction for visa applications of family members of National Assembly and Senate Secretariat officers. This move is expected to curb the misuse of such documents in asylum applications.

In addition, stricter regulations have been applied to members of parliament (MPs) and their family members who hold private passports. They will now only be able to obtain letters of introduction if they provide an affidavit, adding an extra layer of accountability to the process.

For those holding diplomatic and official passports, the issuance of the note verbale – an official diplomatic communication requesting visa facilitation – will now be subject to a formal application and letter. The Foreign Office emphasized that policy guidelines for writing note verbales, introductory notes, and related letters will be strictly followed to prevent any potential abuse.

These measures are seen as a proactive step to manage the increasing trend of political asylum applications, which have raised concerns within the government. 

The Supreme Court has declared null and void a decision of the Lahore High Court, and reinstated a decision given by the Election Commission of Pakistan after a recount regarding three constituencies of the National Assembly.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa pronounced a reserved verdict regarding the recount in three constituencies of the National Assembly. The bench also included Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Aqeel Ahmad Abbasi.

The Supreme Court allowed the appeals of PML-N leaders related to a recount of votes from various polling stations in NA-154, NA-81 and NA-79. The PML-N leaders declared successful in the recount were reinstated.

The Supreme Court passed the decision by a majority of two to one, as CJP Isa and Justice Afghan accepted the PML-N leaders' appeals against the LHC decision, while Justice Aqeel Abbasi disagreed with the decision. 

The apex court says that the election commission is a constitutional institution and deserves respect, but the high court judges made unnecessary remarks about the head and members of the election commission. The decision of the Lahore High Court cannot be upheld, it remarked. 

It further says the chief election commissioner and its members are entitled to respect, but unfortunately some judges ignore this aspect and make disparaging remarks. Every constitutional institution and constitutional officer deserves respect. The reputation of the organization increases when it performs its duties respectfully, it declares.

The court says it is an admitted fact that the applications for a recount in the three constituencies were received on February 9 and 10. In August 2023, the returning officer was empowered to recount the votes by amending the Elections Act 2017. When the case reached the high court, this amendment was in place, but it did not take into account sub-clause 5 of Section 95 of the law.

Justice Aqeel Abbasi's dissenting note

Justice Abbasi wrote in his dissenting note that there is no legal or factual error in the decision of the Lahore High Court, therefore there was no need for the intervention of the Supreme Court in the high court verdict. The Lahore High Court referred to various decisions of the election commission and dismissed several requests for recount when the results were final.

No one in the Supreme Court disagreed with these precedents of the high court, the judgement noted. 

It should be noted that on April 25, the Lahore High Court had invalidated the election commission's notices to two PTI-backed independent members on their requests for recount in their National Assembly constituencies.

On April 16, the Lahore High Court had annulled the victory notification of PML-N's Azhar Qayyum Nahra from NA-81 Gujranwala and restored the claim of the Sunni Ittehad Council candidate.

Ihsanullah Virk, Chaudhry Bilal Ejaz and Rana Muhammad Faraz Noon of the Sunni Ittehad Council were declared elected from these constituencies, however, their PML-N rivals Abdul Rehman Khan Kanju, Azhar Qayyum Nahra, and Zulfiqar Ahmed challenged the Lahore High Court decision before the Supreme Court. 

Review plea

Meanwhile, PTI candidate Bilal Ejaz from NA-81 Gujranwala has announced plans to file a review appeal with the Supreme Court against the decision. 

He said the people of his constituency had elected him with over 117,000 votes, adding that three seats had been snatched from the PTI and given to the ruling party. "Becoming an MNA was never the sole mission of my life. The goal remains whether I am with Imran Khan or not," Ejaz remarked.

Ejaz asserted that the whole world knew the seat in question was won by the PTI, adding that the party would honour the people's mandate.

The president of Pakistan has signed the recently passed Election Act (Second Amendment Bill) 2024 into law.

After the signatures of President Asif Zardari, the Elections Act (Second Amendment Bill) 2024 has officially been enacted into law. The bill had previously been passed by majority votes from both the National Assembly and the Senate.

The Senate Secretariat had sent the bill to President Zardari for his signature after its passage in both legislative bodies. With the president's signature, the bill has now completed the legislative process. 

The Senate Secretariat has received the signed summary, and the next step will be the issuance of a gazette notification, which will formally publish the new law, sources said.

Also Read: PTI challenges Election Amendment Act in Supreme Court

On August 6, the Senate passed the bill by a majority vote, following its earlier approval in the National Assembly. During the vote, 30 treasury members were present in the Senate. The opposition, with 15 members in attendance, did not propose any amendments to the bill, according to Senator Farooq H. Naek.

"Once the bill is passed, no further debate is permitted," Senator Naek clarified. 

Opposition members expressed strong protest in the Upper House. "Parliament is supreme, and if any institution interferes, I will stand with parliament," declared Senator Ali Zafar of the PTI. "The judiciary has set a poor precedent by ruling on the election symbols issue." 

"Parliament makes the laws. If a law is unconstitutional, the courts can nullify it," Senator Naek asserted.

Earlier that day, the National Assembly passed the Elections Act (Amendment Bill) 2024 by a majority vote. 

According to details, as per the decision of the Supreme Court regarding reserved seats, the government was able to carry out important legislation. The bill for further amendment to the Elections Act 2017 was approved by the National Assembly by a majority vote.

Also Read: National Assembly passes Elections Act (Amendment Bill) 2024

The bill was presented jointly by the PML-N's Bilal Azhar Kayani and Zaib Jaffar. According to the bill, a candidate who does not submit his party affiliation certificate before obtaining the election symbol will be considered independent. If the list of candidates for reserved seats is not submitted within the prescribed period, no political party shall be entitled to the reserved seats.

Any candidate's declaration of affiliation to a political party once in the prescribed period shall be irrevocable, the bill states. 

The next day, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) challenged the bill in the Supreme Court. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan filed a constitutional petition in the Supreme Court and prayed to the apex court to annul the law.

An Article 184-3 application was filed through the mediation of Salman Akram Raja. The federation and the Election Commission of Pakistan were made parties in the petition.

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and her newly selected vice presidential running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, campaigned for the first time together on Tuesday in Philadelphia, kicking off a multi-day tour of battleground states aimed at introducing Walz to the national stage.

In his remarks to a raucous crowd of more than 10,000 at Temple University, Walz described his upbringing in a small Nebraska town, his 24 years serving in the Army National Guard and his prior career as a high school social studies teacher and football coach.

"It was my students who encouraged me to run for office," he said. "They saw in me what I was hoping to instill in them: a commitment of common good, a belief that one person can make a difference."

He also went after the Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, and his running mate, Senator JD Vance, an early demonstration of how Walz will approach the traditional "attack dog" role of the vice presidential candidate despite his affable, folksy style.

"He mocks our laws, he sows chaos and division, and that's to say nothing of his record as president," Walz said of Trump. "He froze in the face of the COVID crisis, he drove our economy into the ground, and make no mistake, violent crime was up under Donald Trump. That's not even counting the crimes he committed."

Harris' entry into the race after President Joe Biden abandoned his reelection bid just over two weeks ago has rapidly upended the election campaign, with polls showing she has erased the lead Trump had built.

Walz criticized Republicans for pursuing restrictions on women's reproductive rights, an issue that has plagued Republicans since the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022 ended women's constitutional right to abortion.

"Even if we wouldn't make the same choice for ourselves, there's a golden rule: mind your own damn business!" he said, drawing a huge ovation.

Harris, speaking before Walz, listed his titles - husband, father, teacher, coach, veteran, congressman, governor - before predicting he would earn a new one in the Nov. 5 election: vice president of the United States.

"He's the kind of person who makes people feel like they belong and then inspires them to dream big," she said.

Harris, the U.S. vice president, announced her choice of Walz earlier in the day, opting for a vice presidential running mate with executive experience, military service and a track record of winning over the rural, white voters who have gravitated to Trump over the years.

The Harris campaign said it had raised more than $20 million after the announcement of Walz as the vice presidential pick.

Pennsylvania, the site of their first rally, is seen as perhaps the most critical state in what is expected to be a close election between the Democrats and their Republican rivals.

Item 1 of 4 Second gentleman Doug Emhoff, U.S. Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, vice presidential running mate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and his wife Gwen Walz attend a campaign rally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., August 6, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

[1/4]Second gentleman Doug Emhoff, U.S. Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, vice presidential running mate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and his wife Gwen Walz attend a campaign rally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., August 6, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

TRUMP, VANCE CALL WALZ 'RADICAL'

Walz was elected to a Republican-leaning district in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2006 and served 12 years before being elected governor of Minnesota in 2018 and again in 2022.

He has pushed a progressive agenda that includes free school meals, goals for tackling climate change, tax cuts for the middle class and expanded paid leave for workers.

Trump and Vance were quick to criticize the new competition as too liberal.

"This is the most Radical Left duo in American history," Trump wrote on his social media platform.

Vance knocked Walz for his handling of protests after George Floyd, a Black man, was killed in Minneapolis by a white police officer in 2020, with the Republican saying Walz was not assertive enough in combating the rioters.

"The biggest problem with the Tim Walz pick - it's not Tim Walz himself. It's what it says about Kamala Harris, that when given the opportunity she will bend the knee to the most radical elements of her party," Vance told reporters in Philadelphia earlier in the day.

Americans typically focus on the person at the top of the ticket when choosing whom to vote for, but vice presidential candidates can help or hurt their running mates based on their backgrounds, home state popularity and ability to sway important constituencies or independent voters.

"She went with her gut on this one and chose the option that won't alienate young folks," said Republican strategist Rina Shah.

Walz beat out Pennsylvania's popular governor, Josh Shapiro, for the No. 2 role. Shapiro had faced sharp criticism from the left, especially progressive groups and pro-Palestinian activists, over his support for Israel and his handling of college protests sparked by the war in Gaza.

Shapiro delivered a fiery speech at the Tuesday evening rally in his home state, attacking Republicans and promising to "work my tail off" to get Harris elected. He also offered a strong endorsement of Walz, telling the crowd that he is an "outstanding governor" and a "great patriot."

Some Trump advisers were glad Harris did not pick Shapiro because of concerns he could help deliver all-important Pennsylvania if he was on the ticket, one adviser said.

After their joint appearance in Philadelphia, Harris and Walz plan a multi-city tour of critical swing states including Wisconsin, Arizona and Nevada. Vance is doing a similar tour, with stops in Michigan and Wisconsin planned on Wednesday.

The National Assembly has passed the Elections Act (Amendment Bill) 2024 by a majority vote.

According to details, under the decision of the Supreme Court regarding reserved seats, the government has been able to carry out important legislation. The bill for further amendment to the Elections Act 2017 has been approved by the National Assembly by a majority vote.

The bill was presented jointly by the PML-N's Bilal Azhar Kayani and Zaib Jaffar. According to the amendment bill, a candidate who does not submit his party affiliation certificate before obtaining the election symbol will be considered independent. If the list of candidates for reserved seats is not submitted within the prescribed period, no political party shall be entitled to the reserved seats.

Any candidate's declaration of affiliation to a political party once in the prescribed period shall be irrevocable, the bill states.

Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar said that legislation is the right of the House, claiming that this legislation is in accordance with the Constitution. He said affidavits of affiliation with the Sunni Ittehad Council had been submitted, therefore a party not participating in the elections cannot be given reserved seats.

He further said that the opposition members submitted affidavits of their affiliation with the Sunni Ittehad, and asked them to stick to one stance. Addressing the PTI lawmakers, he said according to the affidavit, they were joining the Sunni Ittehad Council of their own free will, adding that the document mentioned they wished to be considered part of the SIC. Their lawyer Faisal Siddiqui said they were asking for reserved seats for the SIC itself.

SIC leader Ali Muhammad Khan said the forum of parliament cannot be used for the benefit of a political party. The Elections Act (Amendment Bill) 2024 was presented for political purposes. He questioned how they could be deprived of reserved seats through legislation.

"The Supreme Court gave us the right to reserve seats. We reject the bill. We will go to the Supreme Court against it," he declared. 

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Member of the National Assembly Mumtaz Mustafa has died of a heart attack.

Mumtaz Mustafa was living in Parliament Lodges, where he died due to a heart attack. Mumtaz Mustafa belonged to Rahim Yar Khan and had been elected an MNA from the NA-171 constituency.

The National Assembly spokesman has also confirmed the death of Mumtaz Mustafa. He said that due to the death of the MNA, the National Assembly session will be adjourned today without any proceedings. 

Doctors confirmed that the MNA died of a heart attack. "Mumtaz Mustafa had a heart attack at Parliament Lodges and was already dead by the time he reached the hospital," they said further. "The body of Mumtaz Mustafa is being handed over to his family."

Moreover, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has expressed deep sorrow and grief over the death of MNA Mumtaz Mustafa. He paid tribute to the political and social services of the deceased.

Ayaz Sadiq said he was deeply saddened to hear about the sudden death of Mumtaz Mustafa, adding that his political and social services will be remembered forever.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) also confirmed its MNA's death on its official X account.

إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعون

رحیم یار خان این اے 171 سے تحریک انصاف کے ایم این اے ایڈوکیٹ ممتاز مصطفیٰ رضائے الہٰی سے وفات پاگئے ہیں۔ اللہ تعالیٰ مرحوم کو جنت الفردوس میں اعلیٰ مقام عطا فرمائے اور انکے اہل خانہ کو صبر جمیل عطا فرمائے۔ آمین ثم آمین pic.twitter.com/tAOFAvWMxv

— PTI (@PTIofficial) August 5, 2024

"Tehreek-e-Insaf MNA Advocate Mumtaz Mustafa from Rahim Yar Khan NA-171 has passed away. May Allah grant the deceased a high place in Jannat al-Firdous and grant patience to his family. Ameen," the party posted on its account. 

PTI chief whip Malik Amir Dogar attributed Mumtaz Mustafa's death to mental stress. He said the MNA was seriously injured in an accident but recovered, adding that Mumtaz Mustafa was among the 41 members who were living under mental stress. 

Dogar further claimed that Mustafa had expressed fears that if he went to his constituency, he might be arrested. "He felt safer in Parliament Lodges," he added.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has expelled Sher Afzal Marwat from the party for violating party discipline. The decision was officially communicated by PTI's Additional Secretary General Firdous Shamim Naqvi, who issued a termination notice and dispatched it to Marwat.

According to the notification, signed by Naqvi, Marwat had been warned previously to be cautious about his public statements. However, a committee formed to review his media talks and tweets concluded that Marwat consistently disrespected the party's rules and principles. 

📌 Announcement:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has decided to cancel the basic membership of Sher Afzal Marwat for gross violation/ breach of discipline.

[…]

On the basis of findings of the committee and his latest statements and complaints received, the committee has… pic.twitter.com/ldguwMfhJ6

— PTI (@PTIofficial) August 2, 2024

The committee's investigation report, along with recent statements and complaints, led to the recommendation to cancel his membership. 

"Based on the committee's findings, it is evident that Sher Afzal Marwat considered himself above the party rules, which negatively impacted the party's image and narrative," stated Naqvi in the notification. 

Also Read: PTI suspends Marwat's membership for violating party discipline

The recommendation to terminate Marwat's membership had been approved by PTI Founder Chairman Imran Khan, said the notification. 

The PTI has also demanded that Marwat resign from his National Assembly seat, which he won as a PTI nominee. "If Sher Afzal Marwat is an honourable person, he should resign from his NA seat and seek a re-election to it," Naqvi added. 

However, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has expressed surprise and scepticism about the decision. He stated that he was unaware of any such termination and found the notification to be potentially fake. "I have just seen the notification, it seems to be fake, or I'm not aware of any such decision," he maintained. 

Gohar further said that as the part chairman, he would not approve any such move, adding that even if someone took such a decision in a personal capacity, it was not acceptable. 

On July 12, the PTI had suspended Marwat's membership after a meeting between party Founder Imran Khan and the top leadership in Adiala Jail. The PTI leaders had met with Imran Khan, where the decision regarding Marwat was taken. 

Also Read: Sher Afzal Marwat slapped with show-cause notice

Sources claimed that Marwat was constantly violating party discipline and had made several statements criticizing the party leaders over the past month. In one statement, he purportedly made "derogatory remarks" about the party founder.

During the meeting with Imran Khan, it was agreed that no leader is above the party, and that all other leaders would face the same fate if they crossed the party line, they added. 

Marwat's reply to the show-cause notice was also deemed unsatisfactory, said the sources, adding that he had once said in London that Imran Khan himself did not want people to take to the streets. 

It should be noted that MNA Marwat was removed from the PTI core and political committees in May by Secretary General Omar Ayub on the order of Imran Khan. He was said to have made a controversial statement regarding the alleged involvement of Saudi Arabia in the removal of Imran Khan from the prime minister's position following a motion of no-confidence by the joint opposition alliance. 

The Pakistani nation is observing a day of mourning across the country today in solidarity with Palestinians, and to condemn the ongoing Israeli brutalities in Gaza.

The decision was taken in a consultative meeting of the government-allied parties held in Islamabad on Thursday under the chair of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss the deteriorating situation in Palestine.

In a joint declaration, it was announced that the funeral prayer in absentia for Ismail Haniyeh, the chief of the political bureau of Hamas, who was killed in Tehran on Wednesday, will be offered after Friday prayers across the country.

The meeting also resolved to present a resolution in parliament to express full solidarity with the people of Palestine. Participants of the meeting strongly condemned the ongoing Israeli brutalities in Palestine over the past nine months and expressed unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian brothers and sisters.

The declaration further urged the international community, including the United Nations, to break their silence and take immediate action to halt the ongoing genocide of the oppressed Palestinians by Zionist forces and to bring Israel to justice for war crimes.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, speaking on the occasion, remarked that the silence of the international community over the ongoing Israeli barbarism in Palestine is a matter of grave concern. He condemned the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, stating that Israel has grossly violated resolutions adopted by international bodies, including the United Nations Security Council and decisions of the International Court of Justice.

Prime Minister Sharif highlighted that the International Court of Justice has declared Israel's actions as genocide. He emphasized that preventing Israel from continuing this genocide is a significant challenge for the modern world. However, he expressed appreciation for the countries that have condemned the ongoing Israeli oppression in Gaza.

Leaders from various political parties, including Pakistan Muslim League-N, Pakistan People's Party, Balochistan Awami Party, Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), Pakistan Muslim League Quaid (PML-N), Pakistan Muslim League Zia, and the National Party, participated in the discussion. The participants unanimously condemned the Israeli actions and expressed deep sorrow over the death of Haniyeh in Tehran.

Moreover, the participants viewed Haniyeh's assassination as a deliberate attempt to disrupt efforts towards peace in the region and to continue the persecution of Palestinians.

The resolution, to be presented in parliament, will reiterate Pakistan's unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and condemn the Israeli government's actions. The participants stressed the importance of a unified international response to stop the genocide and bring Israel to justice for its war crimes against Palestinians.

U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump falsely suggested to the country's largest annual gathering of Black journalists on Wednesday that his Democratic rival Kamala Harris had previously downplayed her Black heritage.

"She was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage. I didn't know she was Black, until a number of years ago, when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black," Trump said, drawing a smattering of jeers from an audience of about 1,000 people.

"So I don't know, is she Indian or is she Black? Trump continued. "But you know what, I respect either one, but she obviously doesn't, because she was Indian all the way, and then all of a sudden she made a turn, and she went - she became a Black person."

Harris, who is of Indian and Jamaican heritage, has long self-identified as both Black and Asian. She is the first Black person and Asian American person to serve as vice president.

Hours after Trump's comments, Harris told members of the historically Black sorority Sigma Gamma Rho gathered in Houston that his remarks were "yet another reminder" of what the four years under the former president looked like.

"It was the same old show of divisiveness and disrespect," Harris said. "The American people deserve better."

Since launching her White House campaign earlier this month, Harris has faced a barrage of sexist and racist attacks online, with some far-right accounts questioning her racial identity. Republican Party leaders have urged lawmakers to refrain from personal attacks and focus on her policy positions.

Trump himself has used personal insults against Harris and said he was going to ignore advice that he tone down his rhetoric. "I'm not gonna be nice!" he told supporters at one campaign rally.

'BLACK JOBS'

The interview at the National Association of Black Journalists' convention in Chicago started on a tense note, when ABC News reporter Rachel Scott - one of three Black women moderators - listed a series of racist comments Trump had made and asked why Black voters should support him.

In response, Trump called the question "horrible," "hostile" and a "disgrace" and described ABC as a "fake" network.

"I have been the best president for the Black population since Abraham Lincoln," he boasted, drawing groans from the audience.

Trump repeated a line from the presidential debate in June, claiming that migrants crossing the U.S. southern border would take away "Black jobs," a term that drew criticism from some Black leaders.

"What exactly is a 'Black job,' sir?" Scott asked him.

"A Black job is anybody with a job," Trump replied.

Trump also declined to say whether Harris was a "DEI hire," as some fellow Republicans have claimed, saying, "I don't know."

DEI stands for "diversity, equity and inclusion" initiatives aimed at increasing representation of women and people of color in the workforce to address longstanding inequities and discrimination. The term "DEI hire" is used to suggest a person is not qualified and was chosen on the basis of race or gender.

When asked about his position on granting police officers immunity following the death of Sonya Massey, a Black woman who was killed in her own home by a sheriff's deputy in Illinois, Trump acknowledged he didn't know much about the case - drawing some gasps from the crowd - before adding that "it didn't look good to me."

The interview began more than an hour late, which the Trump campaign said was due to problems with the event's audio equipment. Both Trump and the moderators were sometimes unable to hear each other during the interview.

The session, originally scheduled for an hour, ended abruptly after about 35 minutes when the campaign said he was out of time, according to the moderators.

At a rally in Pennsylvania later on Wednesday, Trump did not mention his comments about Harris' racial identity, but the arena's screens showed old news articles highlighting her Indian-American background, and not her Black heritage, before he took the stage.

Trump blamed Harris for a surge in immigration during the Biden administration and claimed she would ban fracking, playing a video that showed her endorsing such a ban during her failed presidential bid in 2019. Her campaign recently said she would not ban fracking if she wins the White House.

COURTING BLACK VOTERS

Whit Ayres, a Republican strategist, said Trump's questioning of Harris' racial background was "not a wise move."

"There are plenty of policy issues he can go after her on without going after her identity," he said.

In the 2020 census, 33.8 million Americans self-identified as multiracial, up from nine million in 2010.

The invitation to Trump to attend the event triggered a backlash among some members of the NABJ and prompted a co-chair of the convention to step down in protest this week.

During the interview, some of Trump's false statements were met with murmurs and laughter from the crowd. At one point, someone yelled out, "Sir, have you no shame?" before others shushed him.

Trump's appearance was part of a broader effort to court Black voters, including campaign events in cities with large Black populations such as Atlanta, where he will rally on Saturday.

His campaign was encouraged by polls showing weakened support among Black men for President Joe Biden, his former opponent. Black voters are traditionally the most loyal Democratic voting bloc and supported Biden 92%-8% over Trump in 2020, according to Pew Research.

But Biden's decision to step down in favor of Harris has shaken up the race, with public opinion polls showing newfound enthusiasm for her candidacy among voters of color and younger voters.

A national Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Tuesday showed Harris leading Trump 43%-42%, within the poll's margin of error.

In a notable development, the National Assembly has made significant progress on important legislation with the presentation of several key amendment bills. Among these, a notable amendment to the Election Act of 2017 was introduced, aiming to bring substantial changes to the electoral process.

Government members Bilal Azhar Kiyani and Zaib Jaffar presented the bill, which proposes amendments to two clauses of the Election Act 2017 concerning reserved seats in the House.

The draft bill proposed that once an independent candidate consents to join a political party, this decision cannot be reversed.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that a party must submit its list for reserved seats within a designated period. Failure to do so will result in the party being deprived of those seats.

The proposed changes also seek to amend Sections 66 and 104 of the Election Act, 2017, and introduce a new Section 104A.

Following the presentation, the Speaker referred the bill to the Standing Committee for further consideration. If approved, the amendments will come into effect immediately.

In addition to the amendment bill, the National Assembly passed the National Institute of Excellence Bill 2024 and discussed several other amendment bills, including a constitutional amendment to add Article 9A.

The session also saw opposition parties protesting and sloganeering against the proposed changes. Despite this, the House observed a moment of silence, reciting Fatiha for security personnel martyred in the country and those who died due to recent lightning during rains.

The National Assembly session has been adjourned until 11 am on Friday, with all bills entrusted to their respective standing committees for further consideration.

In an important move, the government has resolved to address the Supreme Court’s recent decision regarding specific seats in the National Assembly.

The government plans to utilise the parliamentary platform to challenge the court’s verdict.

A resolution against the apex court’s decision is expected to be passed during an upcoming National Assembly session. This session will also feature a debate on the supremacy and sovereignty of Parliament, highlighting the importance of legislative authority.

Key legislative measures are anticipated to be discussed and possibly enacted.

Prior to this decision, Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq visited the Prime Minister’s House for a crucial meeting with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

Read more: PPP also challenges Supreme Court decision on PTI reserved seats

Sources indicate that their discussions centered on the top court’s ruling on specific seats and broader parliamentary affairs. They also deliberated on essential legislation and the functioning of the House, including the role of the opposition.

Sources further revealed that the government is planning a robust response to the Supreme Court’s orders.

The ruling coalition is determined to fully utilize the parliamentary forum to address the judges’ decision, emphasizing the importance of legislative power in governance.

Know more: PML-N members challenge Supreme Court's reserved seats decision

Earlier last week, Supreme Court set aside the Peshawar High Court and election commission verdicts and declared the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) eligible for reserved seats in the case of the Sunni Ittehad Council.

The 8-5 majority verdict was announced by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, who is heading a 13-member full court of the Supreme Court. The proceedings are being broadcast live. All the judges have recognized the PTI as a legal and competent party. 

The Supreme Court declared that the deprivation of an election symbol does not terminate the right of a party to participate in elections. The PTI was and is a political party. The election commission submitted the data of 80 candidates to the Supreme Court. 

It further said that the 39 candidates whose affiliation was shown with the PTI will remain the successful candidates of the PTI. The remaining 41 candidates can also submit their affidavits within 15 days that they were candidates of the same party. The PTI has been ordered to submit its list for reserved seats within 15 days. 

Also Read: Sunni Ittehad Council reserved seats case - a timeline

ECP notifies 39 MNAs as PTI members

On the other hand, the Election Commission of Pakistan commenced the implementation of the Supreme Court's July 12 decision, issuing notifications confirming 39 MNAs as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members in parliament.

This decision was taken in a key session of the commission presided over by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja on Thursday.

According to the notification, these 39 Members of the National Assembly (MNAs), initially part of the Sunni Ittehad Council after winning the general elections as independent candidates, have now been officially recognized as PTI members.

These MNAs had submitted their PTI tickets to election commission at the time of submitting nominations for the February 8 elections. 

The 39 MNAs are Amjad Ali Khan, Saleem Rehman, Sohail Sultan, Muhammad Bashir Khan, Mehboob Shah, Junaid Akbar, Ali Khan Jadoon, Asad Qaiser, Shahram Khan, Mujahid Al, Anwar Taj, Fazal Muhammad Khan, Arbab Amir Ayub, Shandana Gulzar Khan, Sher Ali Arbab, Asif Khan, Syed Shah Ahad Ali Shah, Shahid Khan, Nasim Ali Shah, Sher Afzal Khan, Usama Ahmed Mela, Shafqat Abbas, Ali Afzal Sahi, Rai Haider Ali Khan, Nisar Ahmed, Rana Atif, Changaze Ahmad Khan, Muhammad Ali Sarfraz, Khurram Shahzad Virk, Sardar Muhammad Latif Khan Khosa, Rai Hassan Nawaz Khan, Malik Muhammad Aamir Dogar, Makhdoom Zain Hussain Qureshi, Rana Muhammad Faraz Noon, Mumtaz Mustafa, Muhammad Shabbir Ali Qureshi, Umber Majeed, Awais Haider Jakhar and Zartaj Gul. 

Former President Barack Obama and ex-First Lady Michelle Obama have officially endorsed Vice-President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic presidential nominee, ending days of speculation. In a joint statement, they praised Harris for having the "vision, the character, and the strength that this critical moment demands."

The Obamas expressed their wholehearted support, stating, "We could not be more thrilled to endorse Kamala Harris. We will do everything we can to elect her." They lauded Harris's impressive resume as California’s attorney general, a US senator, and now vice-president, emphasizing that she possesses more than just credentials. "Kamala has the vision, the character, and the strength that this critical moment demands," they added.

President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the race last Sunday, triggering Harris's outreach to over 100 prominent Democrats, including Obama. Although Obama initially praised Biden's decision, he withheld immediate endorsement until now.

Harris has already garnered the support of a majority of Democratic delegates, positioning her as the likely official nominee at the party convention in August. The endorsement came with a heartfelt video showing Harris receiving the Obamas' call, visibly moved by their support.

Harris has been actively campaigning across the US since Biden's exit. On Thursday, she addressed the American Federation of Teachers union in Houston, where she received loud applause and cheers. Harris criticized "extremist" Republicans and their "failed" policies, stating, “We want to ban assault weapons, and they want to ban books.”

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump quickly responded to Harris's new status, attacking her on his social media platform, Truth Social, calling her a "radical left Marxist." Trump also refused to commit to a televised debate with Harris until she is officially confirmed as the Democratic nominee, suggesting that Democrats might still be looking for "someone 'better'."

The endorsement by the Obamas significantly bolsters Harris’s campaign, providing her with substantial political capital as she prepares for the upcoming party convention and the general election campaign against Trump.

The Election Commission of Pakistan has commenced the implementation of the Supreme Court's July 12 decision, issuing notifications confirming 39 MNAs as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members in parliament.

This decision was taken in a key session of the commission presided over by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja on Thursday.

According to the notification, these 39 Members of the National Assembly (MNAs), initially part of the Sunni Ittehad Council after winning the general elections as independent candidates, have now been officially recognized as PTI members.

These MNAs had submitted their PTI tickets to election commission at the time of submitting nominations for the February 8 elections. 

The 39 MNAs are Amjad Ali Khan, Saleem Rehman, Sohail Sultan, Muhammad Bashir Khan, Mehboob Shah, Junaid Akbar, Ali Khan Jadoon, Asad Qaiser, Shahram Khan, Mujahid Al, Anwar Taj, Fazal Muhammad Khan, Arbab Amir Ayub, Shandana Gulzar Khan, Sher Ali Arbab, Asif Khan, Syed Shah Ahad Ali Shah, Shahid Khan, Nasim Ali Shah, Sher Afzal Khan, Usama Ahmed Mela, Shafqat Abbas, Ali Afzal Sahi, Rai Haider Ali Khan, Nisar Ahmed, Rana Atif, Changaze Ahmad Khan, Muhammad Ali Sarfraz, Khurram Shahzad Virk, Sardar Muhammad Latif Khan Khosa, Rai Hassan Nawaz Khan, Malik Muhammad Aamir Dogar, Makhdoom Zain Hussain Qureshi, Rana Muhammad Faraz Noon, Mumtaz Mustafa, Muhammad Shabbir Ali Qureshi, Umber Majeed, Awais Haider Jakhar and Zartaj Gul. 

Moreover, the ECP also approached the Supreme Court to seek clarification on a court decision regarding the allocation of specific seats to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.

Sources claimed SC verdict to consult the SC was unanimous among ECP members.

Also Read: Supreme Court declares Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf eligible for reserved seats

The ECP has highlighted ambiguity in the court decision, specifically mentioned under Paragraph 10 of the Supreme Court judgment. The ECP is seeking guidance from the Supreme Court on identifying the authority responsible for issuing party certificates.

The ECP noted that PTI has not conducted intra-party elections, raising questions about the legitimacy of its party structure.

There is uncertainty about which certificates should be recognized in the absence of intra-party elections and a clear party structure.

In a distinctive majority ruling, the Supreme Court on July 12 declared the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) eligible to receive reserved seats for women and non-Muslims in both national and provincial assemblies, effectively revitalizing its presence in the legislature by recognizing it as a parliamentary party. 

Also Read: ECP seeks SC clarity in PTI reserved seats case verdict

Despite an 8-5 split, all 13 judges concurred in declaring PTI a parliamentary party. The majority judgement clarified that 39 out of the 80 MNAs, listed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) as PTI candidates, were indeed affiliated with the party.

The remaining 41 independents are required to submit duly signed and notarized statements to the ECP within 15 days, affirming their candidacy under a specific political party during the February 8 general elections.

The ECP decided last week to enforce the Supreme Court’s ruling. In a meeting on Friday, it was noted that 39 MNAs, recognized as PTI lawmakers, had indicated their affiliation with the party in their nomination papers. However, it was essential for candidates to submit a party ticket and declaration to the returning officer, which had not been done, making it impossible for the returning officers to officially list them as PTI candidates in such cases.

The Standing Committee of the National Assembly approved on Monday the Privatisation Commission Amendment Bill 2023 by a majority vote.

The decision was confirmed by Federal Minister for Investment Board, Communications, and Privatization, Abdul Aleem Khan.

Minister Khan highlighted the financial turmoil faced by the national airline, citing annual losses ranging between Rs 80 to 100 billion, with total accumulated losses soaring to Rs830 billion.

He asserted that privatising PIA would save the national treasury from an additional Rs 100 billion loss in the coming year. "Doing business is the work of the private sector," Khan stated, "The whole world has accepted this, and we should also accept it."

To ensure a transparent privatization process, the minister assured that bids for PIA would be opened in front of the media. He also promised job security for PIA employees, emphasizing that their rights would be safeguarded during the transition.

Secretary Privatization added that approximately $50 million is required to make PIA profitable, a financial burden the government cannot bear. This financial incapacity further strengthens the case for privatization.

Minister Khan also addressed the broader issues within government offices, criticizing the poor condition and inefficiency prevalent in various departments.

"The condition of the offices in the parliament is such that one feels ashamed to invite a guest. If the government cannot take care of the parliament, how can the airline run?" he questioned. He pointed out that while the number of employees in government offices has doubled, their productivity has not improved.

The approved amendment aims to expedite the privatization process by directing any petition regarding privatization to the Tribunal instead of the High Court. Officials from the Ministry of Law emphasized the urgency, noting that if the bill becomes an act within 240 days, it would be beneficial for the country.

National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq rejected the chairman's Standing Committees' demand for new vehicles, National Assembly Secretariat sources.

Several chairmen complained that the vehicles provided were old and inefficient, to which  Ayaz Sadiq replied, the vehicles provided to them were from 2017 and 2019 models.

“The vehicle I am using is also of 2015 model,” Speaker Ayaz Sadiq replied as per sources.

“There are not enough funds to buy new vehicles and the Prime minister has also banned the purchase of new vehicles,” he said.

Sources further claimed that the finance ministry had also refused to provide funds for the new vehicles. Speaker's order to repair only old vehicles and give them to the chairman standing committees as old vehicles of the NA secretariat are usable.

“The defects have been removed on the speaker's order,” the speaker replied.

Former President Donald Trump in his speech at the Republican National Convention Thursday night described the assassination attempt that he won’t undertake a second time “because it’s actually too painful to tell.”

The former president recalled the day of the rally in Pennsylvania – the crowd cheering and him walking up to the stage. “Everyone was happy,” Trump said.

He said he immediately knew they were under attack and dropped to the ground as “bullets were continuing to fly.”

Trump said that “very brave” Secret Services members rushed to the stage and “pounced on top of me so that I would be protected.” 

“There was blood pouring everywhere and yet, in a certain way I felt very safe because I had God on my side.”

Former President Donald Trump has formally accepted the GOP nomination for president for a third time at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

“So tonight, with faith and devotion, I proudly accept your nomination for president of the United States,” Trump said to applause.

Tonight’s speech marks his first public address since surviving an assassination attempt last week.

Trump beat multiple GOP primary challengers and became the first former president to be convicted of a felony in May.

Former President Donald Trump mentioned his likely opponent, President Joe Biden, by name during his speech Thursday night, although he said he wouldn’t do it again.

Petroleum Minister Dr Musadik Malik has suggested a future shift for domestic consumers from natural gas to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), as well as rising security costs causing company exits.

During a meeting of the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Petroleum, Musadik Malik informed the committee about the increased security costs faced by companies due to the country's security issues. He cited that these escalating costs are causing several large companies to exit Pakistan.

The minister highlighted that only 27% of the population currently uses natural gas, while a mere 3% rely on LPG. He pointed out the economic disparity, noting that gas from local reserves costs $10 per unit, whereas imported Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) costs between $8 to $9 per unit. 

Also Read: Pakistan strikes oil and gas gold in Attock

Committee member Asad Alam Niazi emphasized the growing reliance on LPG in neighbouring countries and suggested that Pakistan might need to follow suit in the future. "Bangladesh, India, and many other countries depend on LPG. In future, this will be an option for us too. If the ministry is working on this transition, it's a positive step," he remarked.

The meeting also revealed concerns about the use of hazardous metals to meet Euro 5 fuel standards. Committee Chairman Mustafa Mahmood underscored the health risks associated with these metals and expressed the committee's intent to eliminate them from fuel supplies.

The committee members stressed the necessity for upgrading refineries in the country and called for the deregulation of fuel prices to promote a more competitive market environment.

President Joe Biden Wednesday said he was “doing well,” hours after testing positive for COVID-19. The White House made the announcement earlier this evening, shortly after he abruptly canceled a Las Vegas speech where he planned to appeal to Latino voters.

The 81-year-old president tested positive after his first event in Las Vegas on Wednesday and is experiencing “mild symptoms,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in the statement. She added that he is vaccinated and boosted against the virus and will return to his home in Rehoboth, Delaware, where he will self-isolate.

“The White House will provide regular updates on the President’s status as he continues to carry out the full duties of the office while in isolation,” she said.

The news was first announced by the president of UnidosUS, the nation’s largest Latino nonprofit advocacy organization.

“Regrettably I was just on the phone with President Biden,” UnidosUS President Janet Murguía told the crowd gathered in a Las Vegas ballroom to hear the president. “And he shared his deep disappointment at not being able to join us this afternoon. The president has been at many events as we all know, and he just tested positive for COVID. So, of course, we understand that he needs to take the precautions that have been recommended, and he did not obviously want to put anybody at risk.”

A message from Biden’s doctor followed Jean-Pierre’s statement, adding that Biden’s respiratory rate, temperature and blood oxygen levels are all normal, and that he has received a dose of treatment. The doctor, whose name was not given in the statement, said Biden had shown symptoms including a runny nose, a cough and general malaise.

“His symptoms remain mild, his respiratory rate is normal at 16, his temperature is normal at 97.8 and his pulse oximetry is normal at 97%,” the note said. “The president has received his first dose of Paxlovid. He will be self-isolating at his home in Rehoboth.”

As Biden prepared to board Air Force One to fly to Delaware, reporters asked him how he felt. He gave the press a thumbs-up and replied: “Good. I feel good.”

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has decided to revise its list of reserved seats.

The party’s committee is set to recommend additional names for these lists, which will undergo approval by PTI's constituent bodies.

For the National Assembly, PTI plans to submit a list of 40 names for women’s reserved seats. Similarly, close to 100 names are being compiled for the Punjab Assembly, with another list for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly.

Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, overseeing the process, aims to finalize around 77 to 78 names for these reserved seats within the stipulated timeframe.

Once approved by PTI founder Imran Khan, these lists will be formally submitted, ensuring comprehensive representation across key legislative bodies.

On July 11, the Supreme Court set aside the Peshawar High Court and election commission verdicts and declared the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) eligible for reserved seats in the case of the Sunni Ittehad Council.

The 8-5 majority verdict was announced by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, who is heading a 13-member full court of the Supreme Court. The proceedings are being broadcast live. All the judges have recognized the PTI as a legal and competent party. 

The Supreme Court declared that the deprivation of an election symbol does not terminate the right of a party to participate in elections. The PTI was and is a political party. The election commission submitted the data of 80 candidates to the Supreme Court. 

It further said that the 39 candidates whose affiliation was shown with the PTI will remain the successful candidates of the PTI. The remaining 41 candidates can also submit their affidavits within 15 days that they were candidates of the same party. The PTI has been ordered to submit its list for reserved seats within 15 days. 

Also Read: Sunni Ittehad Council reserved seats case - a timeline

The order stated that if the election commission and the PTI want an explanation, they can approach the court. The Supreme Court declared the election on additional reserved seats null and void, adding that the PTI will get reserved seats in the National and provincial assemblies. 

It ordered the election commission to issue notifications of reserved seats as per the PTI's list. The decision will be applied to Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh Assembly as well, the Supreme Court ruled. 

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with former Prime Minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif for the third time in three days on Monday to talk about the country's political strategy.

The talks centered on the possible banning of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) and other crucial measures.

The huddle happened at the Prime Minister's house on Changla Street, with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also in attendance.

PM Shehbaz Sharif informed Nawaz Sharif about his talks with political allies, including President Asif Zardari.

During the meeting, the leaders looked at the overall political scene and discussed about how to put various measures into action, including the suggested ban on the PTI.

Nawaz Sharif told Shehbaz Sharif to use all legal, constitutional, and political options at hand.

The senior leadership of the party was informed about the decisions made during these consultations. Additionally, a federal cabinet meeting is scheduled to be called after Ashura Muharram, along with early sessions of the Senate and National Assembly.

Govt decides to ban PTI, proceed against Imran Khan under Article 6

Earlier on Monday, the government decided to ban the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for which it intends to submit a petition before the Supreme Court. 

This was announced by Information Minister Attaullah Tarar in a press conference on Monday. The minister said the country had been toyed with a lot and if there had to be any development in the country, Pakistan and the PTI could not co-exist. 

"Looking at the evidence, the government will request a ban on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)," Tarar declared, adding that the federal government had decided to ban the party and file a petition for it in the Supreme Court. 

He cited the foreign funding case, so-called cipher from the US, alleged sabotaging of the previous IMF program, an anti-Pakistan resolution in the American Congress as "clear evidence" for the decision. 

Also Read: Supreme Court declares Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf eligible for reserved seats

The minister further said the government believed that under Article 17 of the Constitution, it was empowered to ban political parties, adding that looking at the "evidence", the PTI should be banned. "They tried to sabotage the IMF deal," he alleged. 

"No more," says Attaullah Tarar as he announced that the #government will file a review petition against #SupremeCourt's reserved seats verdict

"PTI and Pakistan cannot co-exist," he added. pic.twitter.com/xCDdfF1bvf

— SAMAA TV (@SAMAATV) July 15, 2024

Moreover, he also announced that the government has decided to file a review of the Supreme Court's decision in the reserved seats case. "The Supreme Court granted relief to the PTI that was never sought," the minister claimed. 

He said the government reserved the right to file a review appeal against the decision, claiming that the women whose rights had been usurped believed a review should be filed. "It will be asked whether those who submitted affidavits asked for the relief that's been given," he remarked. 

Also Read: Azma Bukhari criticises Supreme Court verdict on reserved seats

Tarar questioned if it wasn't parliament's authority to interpret and amend the Constitution, adding that the federal government will rely on strong constitutional points in the review petition in the Supreme Court. "There is clear evidence of illegal funding (of the PTI)," Tarar claimed. "The foreign funding case was kept pending for six years; it included Indian funding." 

The minister also announced that the former PTI government had dissolved the National Assembly illegally, therefore a reference under Article 6 of the Constitution will be filed against former president Arif Alvi, former prime minister Imran Khan and former deputy speaker of the assembly Qasim Suri.

"After the approval of the federal cabinet, the reference will be sent to the Supreme Court," he maintained. 

Donald Trump was shot in the ear during a Saturday campaign rally, streaking the Republican presidential candidate's blood across his face and prompting his security agents to swarm him, before he emerged and pumped his fist in the air, mouthing the words "Fight! Fight! Fight!"

The shooter was dead, one rally attendee was killed and two other spectators were injured, the Secret Service said in a statement. The incident was being investigated as an assassination attempt.

Law enforcement officials told reporters they had tentatively identified a suspected shooter but were not ready to do so publicly. They also said they not yet identified a motive.

8 shots fired at Trump today during Rally in Butler, PA

The shooter is dead. One audience member is dead. Another audience member is in critical condition.#Trump #TrumpRally pic.twitter.com/LbETrlPfvl

— Ashley Fox (@AFoxTweets) July 13, 2024

Trump, 78, had just started his speech when the shots rang out. He grabbed his right ear with his right hand, then brought his hand down to look at it before dropping to his knees behind the podium before Secret Service agents swarmed and covered him. He emerged about a minute later, his red "Make America Great Again" hat knocked off, and could be heard saying "wait, wait," before the fist bump, then agents rushed him to a black SUV.

"I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear," Trump said later on his Truth Social platform following the shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania, about 30 miles (50 km) north of Pittsburgh. "Much bleeding took place."

The shooting occurred less than four months before the Nov. 5 election, when Trump faces an election rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden. Most opinion polls including those by Reuters/Ipsos show the two locked in a close contest.

US President Joe Biden first reaction on Trump shooting

US President Joe Biden said he has been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania.

“I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information,” Biden said.

In a statement said: “Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.”

Leading Republicans, Democrats quickly condemn violence

The Trump campaign said he was "doing well."

Biden said in a statement: "There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it."

Republican U.S. Representative Ronny Jackson of Texas told Fox News his nephew had been wounded at the rally.

The shooting raised immediate questions about security failures by the Secret Service, which provides former presidents including Trump with lifetime protection.

It was the first shooting of a U.S. president or major party candidate since the 1981 attempted assassination of Republican President Ronald Reagan.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said Trump has left the Butler area under the protection of the U.S. Secret Service with the assistance of the Pennsylvania state police. Republican U.S. Representative Daniel Meuser told CNN Trump was headed to Bedminster, New Jersey, where he has a golf club.

WITNESS ACCOUNT

Ron Moose, a Trump supporter at the rally, said he heard about four shots. "I saw the crowd go down and then Trump ducked also real quick," he said. "Then the Secret Service all jumped and protected him as soon as they could. We are talking within a second they were all protecting him."

The BBC interviewed a man who described himself as an eyewitness, saying he saw a man armed with a rifle crawling up a roof near the event. The person, who the BBC did not identify, said he and the people he was with started pointing at the man, trying to alert security.

The shots appeared to come from outside the area secured by the Secret Service, the agency said. The FBI said it had taken the lead in investigating the attack.

CNN, citing sources, said the FBI had identified the suspected shooter, a 20-year-old Pennsylvania man.

REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS DECRY VIOLENCE

Trump is due to receive his party's formal nomination at the Republican National Convention, which kicks off in Milwaukee on Monday.

"This horrific act of political violence at a peaceful campaign rally has no place in this country and should be unanimously and forcefully condemned," Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said on social media.

Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he was horrified by what happened and was relieved Trump was safe. "Political violence has no place in our country," he said.

Biden's campaign was pausing its television ads and halting all other outbound communication, a campaign official said.

Americans fear rising political violence, recent Reuters/Ipsos polling shows, with two out of three respondents to a May survey saying they worried violence could follow the election.

Some of Trump's Republican allies said they believed the attack was politically motivated.

"For weeks Democrat leaders have been fueling ludicrous hysteria that Donald Trump winning re-election would be the end of democracy in America," said U.S. Representative Steve Scalise, the No. 2 House Republican, who survived a politically motivated shooting in 2017. "Clearly we’ve seen far left lunatics act on violent rhetoric in the past. This incendiary rhetoric must stop."

Trump, who served as president from 2017-2021, easily bested his rivals for the Republican nomination early in the campaign and has largely unified around him the party that had briefly wavered in support after his supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, attempting to overturn his 2020 election defeat.

The businessman and former reality television star entered the year facing a raft of legal worries, including four separate criminal prosecutions. He was found guilty in late May of trying to cover up hush money payments to a porn star, but the other three prosecutions he faces -- including two for his attempts to overturn his defeat -- have been ground to a halt by various factors including a Supreme Court decision early this month that found him to be partly immune to prosecution.

Trump contends without evidence that all four prosecutions have been orchestrated by Biden to try to prevent him from returning to power.

Republican U.S. Senate candidate David McCormick, who was seated in the front row at the rally, said he had started to go up on stage when Trump said he would have him come up later.

"Within a minute or two, I heard the shots ... It was clear it was gunfire," he told Reuters in an interview. "It felt like it was an assassination attempt ... It was terrifying."

FBI stance 

The FBI has called the shooting at former President Donald Trump’s rally Saturday night an attempted assassination.

“This evening, we had what we’re calling an assassination attempt against our former President Donald Trump. It’s still an active crime scene,” said Kevin Rojek, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Pittsburgh field office, speaking at a news conference in Butler, Pennsylvania.

He said authorities are “working feverishly to attempt to identify the individual who did this and any motives behind why this was done,” and asked the public to reach out with any information that might help.

The FBI has deployed investigative agents, evidence response teams, and other personnel from across the country, he said.

Suspected shooter

The suspected shooter at the Donald Trump rally did not have identification, according to multiple law enforcement sources. The gunman is dead.

Awn Chaudhry, leader of the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) and Member of the National Assembly, has expressed concerns over the Supreme Court decision regarding the allocation of reserved seats in the assembly.

He stated that this ruling has led to confusion across the country.

In his reaction, the IPP leader pointed out that the affidavits submitted by PTI members, which were linked to the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), raise questions about their affiliation with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

He criticized the Supreme Court’s decision, suggesting it did not support the Sunni Ittehad Council’s interests.

According to him, while the SIC sought relief, it was ultimately granted to the PTI, further complicating the political landscape.

Chaudhry emphasized that the court’s ruling has left the situation unclear, though he noted that the government is not currently facing significant challenges.

He mentioned that the combined strength of the government and its allies in the National Assembly stands at 209. Despite the ruling, both the government and the affected parties retain the right to appeal against this decision.