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ISLAMABAD: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Tues­day called upon Pakistan to allow journalists to work freely and safely in the run-up to Feb 8 election and provide nationwide access to the internet, as well as unblock the inve­stigative news website FactFocus. In a statement, the CPJ said political tensions had been high before the polls, with a crackdown on …

ISLAMABAD: Just a few hours before the end of election campaigning, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday made a last-ditch effort by moving a petition before the Supreme Court, seeking a review of the court’s Jan 13 decision that upheld the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) action of depriving the party of its election symbol — ‘bat’. Jointly moved by senior counsel Hamid Khan and …

ISLAMABAD: As part of the election security plan, army has been placed on a standby in the federal capital and will be called in case of any untoward incident. Sources in the capital police and administration said as per the security plan finalised, the senior superintendent of police (SSP) Islamabad will intimate the commanding officers of Eight Baloch Regiment, 86 …

Activists and human rights defenders gathered on Tuesday outside the National Press Club in Islamabad to protest against the February 3 conviction of former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in a case relating to their marriage during the latter’s Iddat period. “They have written their black verdict with our red blood. You [the courts] have attacked our dignity, …

At least 28 people were killed while over 40 suffered injuries after back-to-back blasts hit Balochistan’s Pishin and Qila Saifullah on Wednesday, officials said. The incidents come a day before general elections are scheduled to be held in the country. Pakistan has recently witnessed an uptick in terrorism, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, raising security concerns. The first blast …

ISLAMABAD: PTI central information secretary Raoof Hasan on Tuesday alleged that a “reign of terror” had been unleashed on the party for the past 22 months under the ‘London Plan’ to dismantle PTI and remove its founding chairman Imran Khan from the political scene. However, he claimed that the people, through power of their vote on February 8, would take …

QUETTA/GWADAR: At least nine grenade attacks, targeting election offices of candidates and polling stations, were carried out in various areas of Makran division and the provincial capital, on Tuesday. According to police reports, individuals riding motorcycles threw hand grenades at a government school in Killi Ahmedzai, located on the outskirts of Quetta, late in the evening. The grenade exploded in …

PTI founder Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi on Tuesday approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against the notification declaring her Banigala residence a sub-jail and pleaded that she be moved to Adiala Jail. Imran and Bushra Bibi were sentenced to 14 years in jail in the Toshakhana reference last week on charges of retaining expensive jewellery after paying a nominal price. Two …

TAXILA: Mehwish Bibi visited 200 houses in Taxila’s Hassan Colony on Monday alone, distributing pamphlets, handbills and voters’ lists among residents of the area. Mehwish is not the only one canvassing for candidates. She is part of a 35-member team hired by a politician who is vying for a seat in the National Assembly. Several political leaders are relying on …

ISLAMABAD: Another attempt by accountability court judge Mohammad Bashir to go on leave has hit a snag, as his application has been withheld for the time being. The judge, who recently convicted former prime minister Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi in the Toshakhana case, filed for a Leave Preparatory to Retirement (LPR). His fourth term as the accountability court judge …