Pakistan’s top court on Monday ruled that the Senate elections on Wednesday would be held through a secret ballot, amid a raging controversy among the government and Opposition parties about allowing an open vote to avoid corruption.

The five-member bench of the Supreme Court issued the 4-1 verdict on the presidential reference filed in December last year about holding the election of the upper house through an open ballot to avoid use of money in the polls.

The court stated that elections of the upper house of Parliament are held under the article 226 of the Constitution of Pakistan, which upholds the secrecy of ballot.

The apex court has directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to use latest technologies to stop corrupt practices and said that all institutions should assist ECP in holding the elections.

“It is the responsibility of the ECP to endure transparency of the elections,” the court ruled.

The court on Thursday reserved its opinion over the presidential reference on mode of balloting in the Senate election.

The five-member larger bench was headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed.

The federal government had filed the presidential reference seeking opinion as to whether the Senate elections will be held under Article 226 of the Constitution or under the Election Act 2017.

The government has already promulgated a presidential ordinance, allowing open ballot in the Senate elections, but its enforcement was linked to the opinion of the Supreme Court and it would now become null and void.

The elections of senate are scheduled to be held on March 3 and tough competition expected between the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-I-Insaf led by Prime Minister Imran Khan and the Opposition parties.

A total of 52 senators in the 104-member upper house will retire on March 11 on completion of their six-year term. They will also include four of the eight senators from the erstwhile Federally Adminis­tered Tribal Areas (FATA). Since the areas have been merged with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, they will not be reelected and the Senate strength will shrink to 100.

The election for the Senate will be held as the country is torn apart by differences between the government and the Opposition whether to allow open ballot paper to avoid use of money.

The problem stems from the system of election as senators are elected by the respective provincial assemblies on the basis of proportional representation. For example, in Balochistan a candidate may need just seven votes to become a senator.

A few days back, a video surfaced showing some members of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa provincial assembly allegedly being bribed to vote against their Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party in 2018 elections. Then PTI chief Khan had expelled about 20 lawmakers for voting against the party line.

Pakistan’s top court on Monday ruled that the Senate elections on Wednesday would be held through a secret ballot, amid a raging controversy among the government and Opposition parties about allowing an open vote to avoid corruption.

Pakistan’s top court on Monday ruled that the Senate elections on Wednesday would be held through a secret ballot, amid a raging controversy among the government and Opposition parties about allowing an open vote to avoid corruption. The five-member bench of the Supreme Court issued the 4-1 verdict on the presidential reference filed in December last year about holding the election of the upper house through an open ballot to avoid use of money in the polls. The court stated that elections of the upper house of Parliament are held under the article 226 of the Constitution of Pakistan, which upholds the secrecy of ballot. The apex court has directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to use latest technologies to stop corrupt practices and said that all institutions should assist ECP in holding the elections. “It is the responsibility of the ECP to endure transparency of the elections,” the court ruled. The court on Thursday reserved its opinion over the presidential reference on mode of balloting in the Senate election. The five-member larger bench was headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed. The federal government had filed the presidential reference seeking opinion as to whether the Senate elections will be held under Article 226 of the Constitution or under the Election Act 2017. The government has already promulgated a presidential ordinance, allowing open ballot in the Senate elections, but its enforcement was linked to the opinion of the Supreme Court and it would now become null and void. The elections of senate are scheduled to be held on March 3 and tough competition expected between the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-I-Insaf led by Prime Minister Imran Khan and the Opposition parties. A total of 52 senators in the 104-member upper house will retire on March 11 on completion of their six-year term. They will also include four of the eight senators from the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Since the areas have been merged with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, they will not be reelected and the Senate strength will shrink to 100. The election for the Senate will be held as the country is torn apart by differences between the government and the Opposition whether to allow open ballot paper to avoid use of money. The problem stems from the system of election as senators are elected by the respective provincial assemblies on the basis of proportional representation. For example, in Balochistan a candidate may need just seven votes to become a senator. A few days back, a video surfaced showing some members of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa provincial assembly allegedly being bribed to vote against their Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party in 2018 elections. Then PTI chief Khan had expelled about 20 lawmakers for voting against the party line.

Pak Senate elections to be held through secret ballot: Top court

Opposition parties staged a walkout from the Senate session on Friday over the Pakistan government`s "inadequate" response to their queries on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority ordinance, reported Dawn.

They also questioned the meeting of Lt-Gen retired Asim Saleem Bajwa with the Chinese ambassador when the CPEC Authority had no chairman and the CPEC Authority`s ordinance had lapsed.

"Is [retired Lt Gen] Asim Saleem still receiving the salary of the chairman of CPEC Authority?" questioned Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Muhammad Javed Abbasi.

Meanwhile, Jamaat-i-Islami Senator Mushtaq Ahmad asked in what capacity was Bajwa working and meeting with the Chinese ambassador. Ahmad said Bajwa was a "controversial" figure and yet, he was made chairman of the CPEC Authority, adding that there were allegations of corruption against Bajwa.

He further said that "in the future, no such individual, who has allegations of corruption against them, should be appointed chairman of the CPEC Authority."Earlier, local media had exposed Bajwa`s several offshore businesses, including more than 100 companies and franchises in the US, UAE and Canada in which his families were involved.

In 2019, Prime Minister Imran Khan had promulgated an ordinance to establish a CPEC Authority ahead of his visit to China and had appointed Bajwa as its chairperson. While earlier, the Planning and Development Ministry used to oversee the CPEC projects.

China forced CPEC Authority on Pakistan because it wanted the army to be directly involved in the CPEC portfolio as Beijing was reportedly irked with Khan`s slow movement on the project.

The CPEC Authority ordinance by Imran Khan government gave immunity to the chairman and staff from all legal proceedings, in turn protecting them from National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and police to institute cases.

Earlier, Ahmad had also submitted written questions to the Minister for Planning Asad Umar These included "Whether it was true that the CPEC Authority was continuing to work despite the lapse of the CPEC Authority Ordinance?" and "What was the legal nature of the administrative and financial decisions taken by the authority so far?"Umar responded that the CPEC Authority Ordinance had lapsed in May 2020 and the CPEC Authority Bill was pending in the National Assembly.

He added that all administrative and financial decisions of the authority were being taken according to the rules and regulations of the related ministries, reported Dawn. Opposition members, in turn, walked out of Senate as they felt that the response of Umar was inadequate regarding CPEC Authority.

Opposition parties staged a walkout from the Senate session on Friday over the Pakistan government`s "inadequate" response to their queries on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority ordinance, reported Dawn.

Opposition parties staged a walkout from the Senate session on Friday over the Pakistan government`s "inadequate" response to their queries on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority ordinance, reported Dawn. They also questioned the meeting of Lt-Gen retired Asim Saleem Bajwa with the Chinese ambassador when the CPEC Authority had no chairman and the CPEC Authority`s ordinance had lapsed. "Is [retired Lt Gen] Asim Saleem still receiving the salary of the chairman of CPEC Authority?" questioned Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Muhammad Javed Abbasi. Meanwhile, Jamaat-i-Islami Senator Mushtaq Ahmad asked in what capacity was Bajwa working and meeting with the Chinese ambassador. Ahmad said Bajwa was a "controversial" figure and yet, he was made chairman of the CPEC Authority, adding that there were allegations of corruption against Bajwa. He further said that "in the future, no such individual, who has allegations of corruption against them, should be appointed chairman of the CPEC Authority."Earlier, local media had exposed Bajwa`s several offshore businesses, including more than 100 companies and franchises in the US, UAE and Canada in which his families were involved. In 2019, Prime Minister Imran Khan had promulgated an ordinance to establish a CPEC Authority ahead of his visit to China and had appointed Bajwa as its chairperson. While earlier, the Planning and Development Ministry used to oversee the CPEC projects. China forced CPEC Authority on Pakistan because it wanted the army to be directly involved in the CPEC portfolio as Beijing was reportedly irked with Khan`s slow movement on the project. The CPEC Authority ordinance by Imran Khan government gave immunity to the chairman and staff from all legal proceedings, in turn protecting them from National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and police to institute cases. Earlier, Ahmad had also submitted written questions to the Minister for Planning Asad Umar These included "Whether it was true that the CPEC Authority was continuing to work despite the lapse of the CPEC Authority Ordinance?" and "What was the legal nature of the administrative and financial decisions taken by the authority so far?"Umar responded that the CPEC Authority Ordinance had lapsed in May 2020 and the CPEC Authority Bill was pending in the National Assembly. He added that all administrative and financial decisions of the authority were being taken according to the rules and regulations of the related ministries, reported Dawn. Opposition members, in turn, walked out of Senate as they felt that the response of Umar was inadequate regarding CPEC Authority.

Pak opposition walks out of Senate over 'inadequate' response on CPEC queries

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government and the Army are responsible for the ongoing atrocities on people of Balochistan, said Balochistan National Party (BNP) president Akhtar Mengal and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam chief Fazlur Rehman at the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) rally in Karachi.

During the Sunday's rally, both leaders also hit out at Khan and the Army for their plans of annexing islands of Sindh and Balochistan.

Rehman slammed Imran Khan for antagonising its friends like Saudi Arabia. He further said that Khan has created distrust in China towards Pakistan.

Taking a dig at the Army, he said, "If the Army remains within its constitutional domain then I support it."To Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, he said: "Bajwa Sahib, I respect you so much. But please try to avoid these foolish [PM Imran Khan] friends."

Speaking on the 11-party opposition alliance PDM`s aims, Rehman said that the PDM wants to restore a "free, democratic atmosphere" and to ensure the survival of the state, Geo News reported."No amendment will be accepted which would reduce the rights of the people...If the people of Sindh do not want, no one can dare to divide Sindh," he said.He further said it is "not conscionable to recognise this government".

The ordinance, which has emanated without a discussion in the Parliament; in its 25 pages, clearly stated that can not be challenged into Pakistani Courts.

Meaning, nobody, starting from the Parliament democratically elected, can challenge the law.During the rally, BNP president Akhtar Mengal also hit out at the Imran Khan government for inflicting atrocities on the people of Balochistan saying that if Pakistan is not to be blamed for the atrocities, who should be blamed.

"When mothers and sisters come to know about a body at the hospital, they can identify their son/brother`s body not by looking at their face but by seeing the footwear. They identify their ward by looking at the clothes that they were wearing while they were subjected to torture," he said.

He added, "Is this the Pakistan, which has been declared an Islamic state? Are such atrocities are inflicted upon people? Was this country made for us, or for DHA? Is it made for those who live in this country or for cantonments, for the public or for the pizza guys?"

The BNP president further said that the blood of the Baloch people is being shed across the country adding that the people of Balochistan can`t even grieve the atrocities they are facing."If we don`t blame them (Pakistan government), then who do we blame? Ourselves? I am ready to salute you if you are ready to give me an account of the bloodshed of my fellow Baloch and only then I shall salute you," he said further.

Balochistan is a resource-rich but least developed province of Pakistan where a movement for freedom is ongoing for the past several decades.

Many Baloch believe that the region was independent before 1947 and was forcibly occupied by Pakistan. Pakistan Army has launched several operations in Balochistan and has supported criminals, whom locals call "death squads".

The list of leaders who showed up at the `jalsa` were -- JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Pakistan People`s Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice president Maryam Nawaz, former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Ahsan Iqbal, Maulana Shah Owais Noorani, Allama Sajid Mir, Dr Abdul Malik, Iftikhar Hussain, Ameer Haider Khan Hoti and Dr Jehanzeb Jamaldini.

This was the second power show of the 11-party opposition alliance PDM. The first was held in Gujranwala in Lahore.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government and the Army are responsible for the ongoing atrocities on people of Balochistan, said Balochistan National Party (BNP) president Akhtar Mengal and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam chief Fazlur Rehman at the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) rally in Karachi.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government and the Army are responsible for the ongoing atrocities on people of Balochistan, said Balochistan National Party (BNP) president Akhtar Mengal and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam chief Fazlur Rehman at the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) rally in Karachi. During the Sunday's rally, both leaders also hit out at Khan and the Army for their plans of annexing islands of Sindh and Balochistan. Rehman slammed Imran Khan for antagonising its friends like Saudi Arabia. He further said that Khan has created distrust in China towards Pakistan. Taking a dig at the Army, he said, "If the Army remains within its constitutional domain then I support it."To Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, he said: "Bajwa Sahib, I respect you so much. But please try to avoid these foolish [PM Imran Khan] friends." Speaking on the 11-party opposition alliance PDM`s aims, Rehman said that the PDM wants to restore a "free, democratic atmosphere" and to ensure the survival of the state, Geo News reported."No amendment will be accepted which would reduce the rights of the people...If the people of Sindh do not want, no one can dare to divide Sindh," he said.He further said it is "not conscionable to recognise this government". The ordinance, which has emanated without a discussion in the Parliament; in its 25 pages, clearly stated that can not be challenged into Pakistani Courts. Meaning, nobody, starting from the Parliament democratically elected, can challenge the law.During the rally, BNP president Akhtar Mengal also hit out at the Imran Khan government for inflicting atrocities on the people of Balochistan saying that if Pakistan is not to be blamed for the atrocities, who should be blamed. "When mothers and sisters come to know about a body at the hospital, they can identify their son/brother`s body not by looking at their face but by seeing the footwear. They identify their ward by looking at the clothes that they were wearing while they were subjected to torture," he said. He added, "Is this the Pakistan, which has been declared an Islamic state? Are such atrocities are inflicted upon people? Was this country made for us, or for DHA? Is it made for those who live in this country or for cantonments, for the public or for the pizza guys?" The BNP president further said that the blood of the Baloch people is being shed across the country adding that the people of Balochistan can`t even grieve the atrocities they are facing."If we don`t blame them (Pakistan government), then who do we blame? Ourselves? I am ready to salute you if you are ready to give me an account of the bloodshed of my fellow Baloch and only then I shall salute you," he said further. Balochistan is a resource-rich but least developed province of Pakistan where a movement for freedom is ongoing for the past several decades. Many Baloch believe that the region was independent before 1947 and was forcibly occupied by Pakistan. Pakistan Army has launched several operations in Balochistan and has supported criminals, whom locals call "death squads". The list of leaders who showed up at the `jalsa` were -- JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Pakistan People`s Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice president Maryam Nawaz, former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Ahsan Iqbal, Maulana Shah Owais Noorani, Allama Sajid Mir, Dr Abdul Malik, Iftikhar Hussain, Ameer Haider Khan Hoti and Dr Jehanzeb Jamaldini. This was the second power show of the 11-party opposition alliance PDM. The first was held in Gujranwala in Lahore.

Imran Khan, Army responsible for ongoing atrocities on people of Balochistan: PDM

Pakistan's Opposition parties announced on Monday to hold their first anti-government rally on October 18&nbsp;four weeks after an alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) was setup to launch a campaign to oust the Imran Khan-led government.

On September 20, the leaders of 11 major Opposition parties announced formation of the PDM and launch of a three-phased anti-government movement under an 'action plan'&nbsp;starting with countrywide public meetings, protest demonstrations and rallies before a ''decisive long march''&nbsp;towards Islamabad in January 2021.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-hires-top-lobbying-firm-for-a-us-bailout-from-fatf-grey-list-regional-group-highlights-meagre-progress-334628" hreflang="en">Pakistan hires top lobbying firm for a US bailout from FATF grey list</a>

''Pakistan's Opposition parties announced on Monday to hold their first anti-government rally on October 16,''&nbsp;PDM leader Ahsan Iqbal said.

The Opposition leaders had announced that they would use all political and democratic options, including no-confidence motions and en mass resignations from the parliament to seek "the selected prime minister's resignation and an end to the role of the establishment in politics."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistani-dissidents-blame-military-for-countrys-multiple-crises-334856" hreflang="en">Pakistani dissidents blame military for country's multiple crises</a>

They also issued a 26-point declaration in the form a resolution containing various demands, including "end of establishment's interference in politics, new free and fair elections after formulation of election reforms with no role of armed forces and intelligence agencies, release of political prisoners, withdrawal of cases against journalists, implementation of the National Action Plan against terrorism, speeding up of the projects under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and across-the-board accountability under a new accountability law.''

As per the new schedule unveiled by Iqbal showed that the Gujranwala rally would be followed by a rally in Karachi on October 18, Quetta on October 25, Peshawar on November 22, Multan on November 30 and then a rally in Lahore on December 13, said Iqbal.

The schedule announced earlier showed that the first rally would be held on Oct 18 in Quetta.

The change was made at the request of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) which commemorates the day October 18 to pay homage to victims of Karsaz bombing in 2007 that killed scores of people attending a rally in Karachi to welcome Benazir Bhutto.

The PDM leaders also condemned the registration of an FIR against Nawaz Sharif for allegedly defaming the state institutions.

Pakistan's Opposition parties announced on Monday to hold their first anti-government rally on October 18 four weeks after an alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) was setup to launch a campaign to oust the Imran Khan-led government.

Pakistan's Opposition parties announced on Monday to hold their first anti-government rally on October 18 four weeks after an alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) was setup to launch a campaign to oust the Imran Khan-led government. On September 20, the leaders of 11 major Opposition parties announced formation of the PDM and launch of a three-phased anti-government movement under an 'action plan' starting with countrywide public meetings, protest demonstrations and rallies before a ''decisive long march'' towards Islamabad in January 2021. Also read: Pakistan hires top lobbying firm for a US bailout from FATF grey list ''Pakistan's Opposition parties announced on Monday to hold their first anti-government rally on October 16,'' PDM leader Ahsan Iqbal said. The Opposition leaders had announced that they would use all political and democratic options, including no-confidence motions and en mass resignations from the parliament to seek "the selected prime minister's resignation and an end to the role of the establishment in politics." Also read: Pakistani dissidents blame military for country's multiple crises They also issued a 26-point declaration in the form a resolution containing various demands, including "end of establishment's interference in politics, new free and fair elections after formulation of election reforms with no role of armed forces and intelligence agencies, release of political prisoners, withdrawal of cases against journalists, implementation of the National Action Plan against terrorism, speeding up of the projects under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and across-the-board accountability under a new accountability law.'' As per the new schedule unveiled by Iqbal showed that the Gujranwala rally would be followed by a rally in Karachi on October 18, Quetta on October 25, Peshawar on November 22, Multan on November 30 and then a rally in Lahore on December 13, said Iqbal. The schedule announced earlier showed that the first rally would be held on Oct 18 in Quetta. The change was made at the request of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) which commemorates the day October 18 to pay homage to victims of Karsaz bombing in 2007 that killed scores of people attending a rally in Karachi to welcome Benazir Bhutto. The PDM leaders also condemned the registration of an FIR against Nawaz Sharif for allegedly defaming the state institutions.

Pak opposition rally on parties alliance to hold first rally on October 18

Watch today in WION Dispatch: The opposition parties in Pakistan has got united against the Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan after an aggressive speech by Former PM Nawaz Sharif.

WION Dispatch: Opposition parties get unite against Pakistan's PM Imran Khan