ISLAMABAD: For the first time in Pakistan’s electoral history, the Pakistan army will not only be in charge of security inside and outside the polling stations but its officer in charge will be given powers of magistrate first class for the August 22 by-elections.
The election commission of Pakistan on Tuesday issued a notification empowering the local officer in charge of army personnel to exercise powers of a magistrate, if needed.
The officers, however, will be restricted to operate within the Pakistan Army Act only. “The Election Commission hereby authorises, each designated officer-in charge of the armed forces of an area, deployed for providing security inside and outside polling stations of that area of the following constituencies, to exercise powers of Magistrate of First Class on the polling day.”
Military accuses India of shelling
Islamabad: The Pakistani military has accused Indian troops of carrying out a new round of shelling along the disputed Kashmir border, killing a civilian.
A Pakistani military official said Sakhi Muhammad was killed Tuesday night in the Battal sector of Pakistan-held Kashmir.
The official said that a female civilian, whom it identified only as Nabeela, was wounded.
Earlier Tuesday , the Indian border forces opened unprovoked fire on Pakistani rangers positions along Sialkot Working Boundary Line.
According to Pakistani security sources, Indian forces targeted Pakistani rangers post at Charwa Sector along Sialkot Working Boundary Line.
On Monday the Pakistani Foreign Ministry summoned the Indian Deputy High Commissioner demanding abidance by the ceasefire agreement signed between the two countries in 2003.
PPP to challenge non-party LB poll
ISLAMABAD: PPP Information Secretary Qamar Zaman Kaira has urged the PML-N government not to go for local body elections on a non-party basis in Punjab because it is incompatible with the Charter of Democracy.
“Our nation cannot afford the rebirth of Ziaism which has already played havoc with the national destiny and is continuing unabated even today,” he said in a statement here on Tuesday.
He warned if the PML-N went ahead with its plan, the PPP would not only challenge the decision in the court of law but would also take it to the court of people.
“Article 140(A) of the Constitution is evidently clear that all political, administrative and financial powers shall be exercised by the elected representatives of the people.
Heavy rains make troubles for Karachi
PESHAWAR: A heavy rain that started early Tuesday caused miseries to dwellers of the provincial capital as rainwater inundated low-lying areas and caused damage to properties.
It rained the whole day with intervals and Peshawar had received 47 millimetre rain till evening while the Met office forecast more rain for the next 24 to 36 hours. The downpour in the morning inundated roads, streets in many localities of the capital city. Rainwater entered houses in the main residential areas and other localities.
In the Cantonment area, water entered the Peshawar Press Club and caused damage to items lying in the basement. The wall of a house collapsed in Bhanamari, however, no loss of life was reported.
Agencies
