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Pakistan’s Defense Minister, Khawaja Asif, stated that the government has no objections to the opposition’s choice for speaker. In an interview with media outside the parliament, Asif said that the talks are limited to press statements and no significant progress has been made in serious negotiations. He emphasized that the government will accept the opposition’s choice, regardless of who it may be, as long as it is approved by the Speaker.
Asif also mentioned that the tension between the opposition and government on the floor of the National Assembly is not reflected in the meetings. The Defense Minister further stated that the government is not looking to overstep its bounds and will respect the Speaker’s decision.
Separately, a young man, 25 years old, lost his life in a shootout with robbers in the Mahmoodabad Kashmir Colony area of Karachi. In a separate incident in Chakwal’s Talagang area, a passenger bus fell into a ditch, resulting in the deaths of five people and injuring 27 others.
In Peshawar, the police have launched a large-scale operation against land mafia, usurers, and thieves. The Sindh High Court has issued a restraining order in a case related to the ownership of a building in Kutchi, also known as Cotton Exchange Building.
The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has declared several power stations and companies deficient in safety standards. Pakistani Ambassador to Russia, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, met with Vice-President and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Ishaq Dar, in Russia.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator, Barrister Ali Zafar, stated that the current environment does not seem conducive to talks, and his party has been denied permission for any political activities.
According to officials, the bodies and injured were transferred to the hospital by ambulance. Awami National Party (ANP) leader and former Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Amir Haider Khan Hoti, stated that war and talks cannot go hand-in-hand, and a re-evaluation of the situation is necessary.
The Election Tribunal in Peshawar dismissed the plea of PTI candidate, Timur Salim Jhagda, to accept his excuse. A rickshaw driver in Quetta set his vehicle on fire, alleging that he was harassed by traffic police for money.
Barrister Salman Akram Raja clarified his statement regarding the party chairmanship. Education Minister of Sindh, Syed Sardar Ali Shah, met with a delegation from the Grand Alliance of Private Schools Associations. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has given approval to make Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad airports autonomous.
The elections are expected to see a tough competition between two groups, but the most interesting competition is likely to be for the professor’s seat. Chairman of PTI, Barrister Gohar Khan, stated that if talks have been reduced to five bigwigs, then it should not be considered as a negotiation.
According to the American media, Russia has sent a submarine and other ships to protect its oil tankers. The Indian media claims that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has rejected Bangladesh’s request to relocate T20 World Cup matches from India.
