"DIRECTING" · 총 70건
필터 보기현재 지수
49.5
0 = 부정 우세
50 = 중립
100 = 긍정 우세
최근 7일 기준 83,097건을 분석한 결과, 뉴스 심리지수는 49.5(균형)입니다. 긍정 10,311건(12.4%)·중립 60,049건(72.3%)·부정 12,737건(15.3%)이며, 중립 비중이 뚜렷하게 높습니다. 성향 지수는 종합 20.1(보수 경향)입니다.
Sean McGovern has been jailed 24 years for directing the activities of the Kinahan Organised Crime Group in relation to the murder of one man and the attempted murder of another.
Sean McGovern pleaded guilty to two charges relating to a deadly feud after being extradited from the UAE A leader of the notorious Kinahan criminal cartel has been sentenced to 24 years in prison at a Dublin court. Sean McGovern, 40, who has been described as a senior lieutenant in the group, pleaded guilty to two charges of directing the activities of a criminal organisation relating to a deadly feud between the Kinahan and Hutch criminal gangs. Continue reading...
Sean McGovern, one of the leaders of the Kinahan Organised Crime Group, is to be sentenced tomorrow for directing the activities of a criminal gang.
Sean McGovern (40), pleaded guilty to two charges linked to murder of Noel Kirwan and plot to kill James ‘Mago’ Gately
TRANG — 8 June 2026, Authorities have temporarily closed the popular Khao Chet Yot Nature Trail in southern Thailand during the rainy season following the death of a hiker on the route. The Protected Areas Regional Office 6 in Songkhla announced the suspension on Sunday, directing trekking guides and tour operators to halt activities and refrain […] The post Khao Chet Yot trail closed after hiker death appeared first on Khaosod English.
You do the research, read lists of reviews, compare the filtration stages, and shell out a significant sum for the most promising, tech-savvy water purifier in the market. Then, just two months into installation, the machine starts throwing a series of confusing, flashing signals. The premium buying experience instantly evaporates, replaced by the sheer frustration of tracking down customer care and waiting at home for a technician to show up.In India’s competitive consumer durables sector, this exact friction point has transformed the landscape of water purifiers. The ultimate battle is no longer just about who can build and sell the best machine; it is increasingly about who can maintain trust after the hole has been drilled in the customer's kitchen wall.While the water purifier market is traditionally viewed through the lens of one-time appliance sales, companies like Eureka Forbes, the legacy player behind AquaGuard, are increasingly betting on a far larger opportunity hidden beneath the surface: the recurring service economy built around filters, annual maintenance contracts (AMCs) and nationwide technician networks.According to internal projections by Anurag Kumar, Chief Growth Officer at Eureka Forbes, the water purifier service market alone is on track to cross Rs 9,000 crore by FY30, nearly matching the projected Rs 10,000 crore size of the product market itself.131582773Also read: Beyond the room: Why India Inc's luxury hospitality bet is becoming an experience businessBreaking down the mathFor decades, the consumer durable playbook was simple: manufacture, distribute, sell, repeat. But water purification is far different from selling a television or a refrigerator; it is an active, evolving health product bound to the fluctuating quality of local municipal and groundwater supplies."The market for product categories for water purifiers is about Rs 3,800 crore today," Kumar says in an exclusive interview with ET Online. "I think you would add another, roughly about Rs 3,500 crore of service category as well to it."Citing independent industry reports, Kumar highlighted that by FY30, this parallel economy is set to explode. The product market will expand to over Rs 10,000 crore, while the service and aftermarket ecosystem will chase it tightly at more than Rs 9,000 crore, growing at a combined double-digit compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11% to 12%.This shifting weight from hardware to service fundamentally changes corporate strategies. For an industry dealing with an urban penetration rate of just 14% (and a mere 7% nationally), the recurring revenue from existing households forms a highly resilient cash-flow cushion that protects margins even during macro-economic slowdowns.131582808Service scale becomes the biggest moatThe Rs 9,000 crore service opportunity explains why tech-first aggregators and rental startups are rushing into the service category. However, scaling an on-demand service infrastructure across India’s complex geography is entirely different from coding an app.For legacy companies like Eureka Forbes, this operational network has become a major competitive advantage."After sales service can make or break a brand," says Kumar. "I think a lot of the trust that AquaGuard has today is really thanks to the fact that people have trust in our service... It's a very, very important integral part of our business and a very, very crucial moat that we continue to nurture."To defend this moat against new-age tech startups, Eureka Forbes operates at a scale that resembles a logistics company more than an appliance manufacturer. The company has deployed more than 8,000 technicians mapping out an operational footprint across 19,500 PIN codes.Also read: Apple expected to unveil new AI features at last developers conference with CEO Tim CookThe push to reduce maintenance costs"Once you sell a product, then you have it for life and there's some revenue which comes with it," Kumar says, referring to filter replacements, AMCs and servicing requirements.Interestingly, the biggest threat to this recurring service revenue is not new-age competitors, it has been consumer fatigue over high maintenance costs. Historically, the dread of paying steep annual fees to replace purifier filters has acted as a primary barrier keeping the remaining 86% of urban Indian households from adopting organised water purifiers.To beat this, Eureka Forbes pulled off a counter-intuitive strategic gear: they disrupted their own short-term revenue model to secure long-term market share.Last year, the company introduced a range of purifiers featuring "long-life" filters extending the replacement cycle from the traditional 12 months to a full two years."We did that because we fundamentally heard from consumers that there was also a barrier to the category around maintenance cost being high," Kumar reveals. "What two-year filters actually did was they actually lowered the maintenance cost because now you don't have to change filters every year. You have to change once every two years."Digitising a 1980s direct-sales DNAEureka Forbes, a company historically known for its door-to-door service, and making Aquaguard synonymous with water purifiers in India, faced a new piece of necessary upgrade with building digitisation. The multi-billion dollar service landscape required a complete digital overhaul of consumer interactions. The brand that built its empire in the 1980s on the soles of direct-sales agents knocking on suburban doors has had to pivot entirely to an on-demand, algorithmic infrastructure.An army of thousands of field technicians is only as efficient as the software directing them. For modern consumers who manage their entire lives via smartphone screens, a bland "technician will visit tomorrow" promise no longer cuts it."We've digitised that service," notes Kumar.The long-term playAs water contamination concerns spike across rapidly expanding urban clusters, the structural demand for pure drinking water will continue to climb, and so for water purifiers.However, as the hardware itself faces gradual commoditisation and intense price competition from newer market entrants, the center of gravity has largely shifted. Where the growth moves nextCapturing a dominant share of the service market is only half the blueprint. As Kumar maps out the strategic trajectory for Eureka Forbes over the next three to five years, the company's growth engine eyes two distinct tracks: aggressive geographic widening and targeted product diversification. Geographically, Kumar notes, the company is bypassing deep rural pockets for the time being to focus heavily on India’s rapidly urbanising Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns. Instead, the company is doubling down on smaller towns where they can immediately deploy their signature localised service infrastructure without stretching their logistics network too thin.Simultaneously, the brand is attempting to de-risk its reliance on the kitchen wall by expanding into adjacent consumer durables. Kumar outlined a product pipeline anchored in high-growth, premium categories, including robotic vacuum cleaners, air purifiers, and household water softeners. The underlying playbook here is pure cross-selling. By utilising the same 8,000-strong technician network to service these newer household appliances, Eureka Forbes is betting that its aftermarket footprint can drastically lower its customer acquisition costs; positioning the legacy firm to evolve from a single-product manufacturer into a broader home-health ecosystem player.
The 40-year-old pleaded guilty to two charges of directing the activities of a criminal organisation relating to the Hutch-Kinahan gangland feud
[Nyasa Times] The Shepherd Bushiri Foundation (SBF) has assured Malawians that the assistance promised to Mr. Crisford Chayera remains firmly on course, with Prophet Shepherd Bushiri personally directing the Foundation to expedite the implementation of the project.
Sean McGovern (40), pleaded guilty to two charges linked to murder of Noel Kirwan and plot to kill James ‘Mago’ Gately
Unofficial and preliminary results of elections for the 24 seats of the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly show that the PPP is leading the race with success in 10 constituencies. According to the unofficial results, second in the race is PML-N with six seats, while independent candidates, including two PTI-backed ones, emerged victorious in seven constituencies. Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen was able to win just one seat, the results showed. Polling for the 24 seats had concluded peacefully on Sunday evening amid tight security arrangements. Unofficial Provisional Results Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly Elections 24 seats · Results as reported PPP 10 PML-N 6 Independent 5 PTI-backed Ind. 2 MWM 1 SeatDistrictWinner GBA-1GilgitPPP GBA-2GilgitPML-N GBA-3GilgitPTI-backed Ind. GBA-4NagarPPP GBA-5NagarPPP GBA-6HunzaPTI-backed Ind. GBA-7SkarduPPP GBA-8SkarduMWM GBA-9SkarduPPP GBA-10RounduPPP GBA-11KharmangPPP GBA-12ShigarPPP GBA-13AstorePML-N GBA-14AstorePML-N GBA-15DiamerIndependent GBA-16DiamerIndependent GBA-17DarelPPP GBA-18TangirPML-N GBA-19GhizerPPP GBA-20GhizerPML-N GBA-21YasinIndependent GBA-22GhanchePML-N GBA-23GhancheIndependent GBA-24GhancheIndependent * Unofficial provisional results. PTI-backed candidates ran as independents. The Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly has a total of 33 seats — 24 of which are contested through direct elections, six are reserved for women, and three are reserved for technocrats and professionals. Political parties can nominate candidates for the reserved seats through proportional representation. The general elections for GB took place after a four-month delay, which was attributed to harsh winter weather. A total of 396 candidates contested the elections, with 266 running as independents. Only eight women contested the elections, five of them as independent candidates. The total number of registered voters in the region’s 10 districts was 963,034, including 566,097 male and 396,937 female voters. PPP’s allegations The voting process remained largely peaceful throughout the region. However, as the voting closed, PPP Secretary General Nayyar Hussain Bukhari alleged delays in the provision of Form-45. A Form-45 is the result of the vote count prepared by a presiding officer (PO) at each polling station. “We have contacted the chief election commissioner and informed him about the matter,” Bukhari said in a statement. Separately, PPP spokesperson Shazia Marri said in a statement that the “delay in the issuance of Form-45 was unacceptable”. She also alleged that voter lists were altered before the election and polling stations were changed, saying that these actions indicated rigging. PPP alleged earlier that the Balachi polling station in Astore-II’s Bunji area was relocated from the roadside to the top of a hill overnight while the voting was underway. In a post on X, the party noted that the polling station had 206 registered voters, asserting that the “local population is known for its strong support” of the PPP. “This decision appears to be an attempt to affect the PPP’s vote bank and discourage voters from participating in the polling process,” it alleged. The party added that residents blocked the Gilgit-Skardu Road in protest of this action. In her statement, Marri said the PPP would not let an attempt to steal the public’s mandate succeed. She demanded that the Election Commission fulfill its constitutional responsibility and issue correct results. Meanwhile, PPP’s Nadeem Afzal accused the federal government of “electoral engineering”, alleging that two federal ministers present in GB were pressuring the administration and state machinery to influence results. “The presence of Amir Muqam and Aleem Khan in GB and their activities go against the requirements of a fair election,” he added. “There are also reports that presiding officers are being pressurised not to issue Form-45, which raises a question on the election’s transparency,” Chan said in a statement. PPP Secretary General also made these allegations in a video statement. PTI claims lead in polls, alleges rigging Similarly, the PTI claimed in a statement that its candidates were leading, according to initial and unofficial results. “PTI candidates were clearly leading until 7pm. However, immediately afterwards, results from certain polling stations began to emerge with suspiciously high turnouts exceeding 80 per cent and individual ballot boxes having 700-800 votes. These figures raise serious doubts and suspicions,” the party said. It further said, “This is a blot on the entire electoral process and its transparency.” The PTI also alleged that its polling agents were not being issued Form-46, terming it a “clear violation of election laws that has further intensified fears of result manipulation”. It said reports had emerged of members of other parties being caught red-handed with fake ballot papers in multiple areas, including Nagar. “This rigging is part of a well-planned and systematic conspiracy,” the party has claimed. It alleged that before polling, voter lists were tampered with in specific constituencies, police and administration were used to change delimitation and polling schemes, and opposition candidates and workers were “systematically harassed and pressurised”. The PTI warned that any attempt to manipulate the results would have serious consequences. “PTI will employ every constitutional, legal, and democratic avenue to protect the votes of its supporters. We demand that authentic results from all polling stations be released immediately, Form-45 and Form-46 be provided to every candidate without delay, a swift inquiry be conducted into suspicious polling stations with strict action against those responsible, and the Election Commission fulfil its constitutional duty by ensuring complete transparency,” the party stated. Polling As polling began, GB Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Raja Shahbaz Khan visited various polling stations across Gilgit city to review the process, security arrangements and the overall electoral environment. He also inspected the facilities and arrangements provided to voters at the polling stations and met polling agents representing different candidates. Speaking to PTV News, Khan noted that he had visited around 10 polling stations, where security arrangements were satisfactory. He said women were turning out in large numbers to cast ballots, which reflected strong public awareness about the importance of exercising their democratic right. He added that all political parties were participating peacefully in the electoral process. GB caretaker Interior Minister Sajid Ali Baig said he visited various polling stations, where the overall environment remained peaceful. According to APP, he told a local media outlet that there were public demands for further deployment of police forces in some areas for smooth and secure polling. The minister said minor irregularities observed at certain locations were being addressed promptly by the authorities concerned. Who were in the race? PPP fielded 23 candidates, PML-N 22, Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP) 15, PML-Q 11, Tehreek-i-Islami Pakistan 10, Pakistan Nazriyati Party (PNP) also 10, while nine candidates from the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) also contested the elections. Meanwhile, the PTI, which won the 2020 elections, remained without an electoral symbol since Jan 13, 2024 and therefore, its candidates were contesting as independents. In line with its strategy for the national 2024 elections, it allied with the Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM). A social media post by the party showed their alliance has 22 candidates combined, with MWM nominees bearing the “tent” symbol. MWM had three candidates in the running, and one candidate from the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) also contested the election. Six candidates each from Jamaat-i-Islami and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM-P) also contested the elections, along with four candidates from Awami Workers Party (AWP) and one nominee from Awami National Party (ANP). PPP, IPP, and PNP nominated one woman each. The main contenders for the winning candidate were Advocate Amjad Hussain from the PPP and former chief minister Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman from the PML-N. Hussain, president of the PPP’s GB chapter, has served as a member of the GB assembly from 2020 to 2025 and as a member of the GB council from 2009 to 2014. He is contesting from GBA-1 (Gilgit-I). Rehman, currently the president of the PML-N’s GB chapter, served as the chief minister from 2015 to 2020. He also served as an assembly member from 2004 to 2009. The former CM is contesting the polls from GBA-2 (Gilgit-II). This photo combo shows PML-N’s Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman (L) and Advocate Amjad Hussain (R). — X/@CMGBPK / Facebook/@AdvocateAmjad GB top court orders ‘fair’ elections after KP CM’s letter Separately, the GB Supreme Appellate Court directed the election commission to hold elections in a free and fair manner after Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM Sohail Afridi wrote to Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Shamim Khan. A press release by the appellate court recalled that CM Afridi had written a letter to the chief justice, in which he requested equal opportunities for all political parties in the elections. Subsequently, the statement said, Justice Khan issued a written order to the GB CEC, directing him to conduct the general elections in a “transparent, impartial and fair manner”. In his response, the CEC assured the chief justice that the electoral process would be carried out under “a transparent, impartial and organised system”. “In his detailed letter, he has also informed the esteemed court in detail about the steps taken by the election commission to ensure the transparency and impartiality of the elections,” the court’s statement said. The appellate court affirmed that it was striving to ensure the provision of justice to the people. PPP pledges rights; PML-N vows projects In a video statement issued early in the morning, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari urged the public across GB to turn up in large numbers and cast their vote on the party’s “arrow” symbol. “I want to get the people of Gilgit-Baltistan haq-i-hakmiyat (right to govern). I want to get Gilgit-Baltistan constitutional rights. Come, make PPP win so we can make GB the fifth province,” Bilawal said. He further promised to provide “haq-i-rozgar (right to employment)” to the youth of GB if his party got elected. “From the riverside to the peak of the mountains, I want to make you the owner of your land,” the PPP chairman said, adding that a vast area of land had been turned into “common land from state land”. In his video statement, PML-N’s Rehman noted that his party held over 200 corner meetings, more than 40 jalsas and 11 rallies during the election campaign. He apologised to PML-N supporters for not being able to visit various areas he wanted to due to party duties. “I hope that your vote will be in support of progress, peace, development that has been paused since 2020, [and] for the eradication of load-shedding,” the former CM remarked. Rehman emphasised his party’s pledge to work on development projects, construction of roads and metro buses, and better governance. Tight security As part of security arrangements, 6,000 Punjab police personnel and 2,000 from Islamabad police — including 150 personnel from its security division — have been assigned for election duty in the mountainous region. According to a list issued by the GB Election Commission, a total of 1,391 polling stations have been established across the region, of which 488 are categorised as normal, 349 as sensitive and 551 as highly sensitive. Diamer, with 119 highly sensitive polling stations out of a total of 174, has the highest number of such stations among all districts. Additional security personnel will be deployed at vulnerable locations, while law enforcement agencies and the district administration will remain on high alert throughout the election process. On Saturday, the GB CEC urged voters to exercise their democratic right and play a constructive role in maintaining law and order. He asserted that all necessary arrangements had been put in place to ensure peaceful, free, fair and transparent elections across the region. CEC Khan had delegated powers of a first-class magistrate to all district returning officers (DROs) and returning officers (ROs) for the peaceful and transparent conduct of the elections. The election campaign The last elections — held on Nov 15, 2020 — had been won by the PTI, which was also in power in the Centre at the time. However, its Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid Khan was disqualified for an alleged fake degree in July 2023. Subsequently, a coalition government was formed by members of the PTI, PPP and PML-N with Haji Gulbar Khan — an estranged PTI member — elected by the assembly as the new chief minister. In the run-up to the current polls, the PML-N and the PPP campaigned with full force as their party chiefs toured the region. PML-N President Nawaz Sharif visited Gilgit, while Bilawal gave fiery speeches at rallies in various districts. However, the PTI decried a “lack of level playing field” in the current elections after its key leaders were expelled from GB on separate occasions. The party has also alleged other tactics to deter its election campaign activities. Meanwhile, the PPP raised concerns over the deployment of Punjab police personnel and the participation of federal ministers in the PML-N’s campaign. Additional input from APP and Ikram Junaidi
Unofficial results of elections for the 24 seats of the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly show that the PPP is leading the race with success in 10 constituencies. According to the unofficial results, second in the race is PML-N with six seats, while independent candidates, including two PTI-backed ones, emerged victorious in seven constituencies. Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen was able to win just one seat, the results showed. Polling for the 24 seats had concluded peacefully on Sunday evening amid tight security arrangements. Unofficial Provisional Results Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly Elections 24 seats · Results as reported PPP 10 PML-N 6 Independent 5 PTI-backed Ind. 2 MWM 1 SeatDistrictWinner GBA-1GilgitPPP GBA-2GilgitPML-N GBA-3GilgitPTI-backed Ind. GBA-4NagarPPP GBA-5NagarPPP GBA-6HunzaPTI-backed Ind. GBA-7SkarduPPP GBA-8SkarduMWM GBA-9SkarduPPP GBA-10RounduPPP GBA-11KharmangPPP GBA-12ShigarPPP GBA-13AstorePML-N GBA-14AstorePML-N GBA-15DiamerIndependent GBA-16DiamerIndependent GBA-17DarelPPP GBA-18TangirPML-N GBA-19GhizerPPP GBA-20GhizerPML-N GBA-21YasinIndependent GBA-22GhanchePML-N GBA-23GhancheIndependent GBA-24GhancheIndependent * Unofficial provisional results. PTI-backed candidates ran as independents. The Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly has a total of 33 seats — 24 of which are contested through direct elections, six are reserved for women, and three are reserved for technocrats and professionals. Political parties can nominate candidates for the reserved seats through proportional representation. The general elections for GB took place after a four-month delay, which was attributed to harsh winter weather. A total of 396 candidates contested the elections, with 266 running as independents. Only eight women contested the elections, five of them as independent candidates. The total number of registered voters in the region’s 10 districts was 963,034, including 566,097 male and 396,937 female voters. PPP’s allegations The voting process remained largely peaceful throughout the region. However, as the voting closed, PPP Secretary General Nayyar Hussain Bukhari alleged delays in the provision of Form-45. A Form-45 is the result of the vote count prepared by a presiding officer (PO) at each polling station. “We have contacted the chief election commissioner and informed him about the matter,” Bukhari said in a statement. Separately, PPP spokesperson Shazia Marri said in a statement that the “delay in the issuance of Form-45 was unacceptable”. She also alleged that voter lists were altered before the election and polling stations were changed, saying that these actions indicated rigging. PPP alleged earlier that the Balachi polling station in Astore-II’s Bunji area was relocated from the roadside to the top of a hill overnight while the voting was underway. In a post on X, the party noted that the polling station had 206 registered voters, asserting that the “local population is known for its strong support” of the PPP. “This decision appears to be an attempt to affect the PPP’s vote bank and discourage voters from participating in the polling process,” it alleged. The party added that residents blocked the Gilgit-Skardu Road in protest of this action. In her statement, Marri said the PPP would not let an attempt to steal the public’s mandate succeed. She demanded that the Election Commission fulfill its constitutional responsibility and issue correct results. Meanwhile, PPP’s Nadeem Afzal accused the federal government of “electoral engineering”, alleging that two federal ministers present in GB were pressuring the administration and state machinery to influence results. “The presence of Amir Muqam and Aleem Khan in GB and their activities go against the requirements of a fair election,” he added. “There are also reports that presiding officers are being pressurised not to issue Form-45, which raises a question on the election’s transparency,” Chan said in a statement. PPP Secretary General also made these allegations in a video statement. PTI claims lead in polls, alleges rigging Similarly, the PTI claimed in a statement that its candidates were leading, according to initial and unofficial results. “PTI candidates were clearly leading until 7pm. However, immediately afterwards, results from certain polling stations began to emerge with suspiciously high turnouts exceeding 80 per cent and individual ballot boxes having 700-800 votes. These figures raise serious doubts and suspicions,” the party said. It further said, “This is a blot on the entire electoral process and its transparency.” The PTI also alleged that its polling agents were not being issued Form-46, terming it a “clear violation of election laws that has further intensified fears of result manipulation”. It said reports had emerged of members of other parties being caught red-handed with fake ballot papers in multiple areas, including Nagar. “This rigging is part of a well-planned and systematic conspiracy,” the party has claimed. It alleged that before polling, voter lists were tampered with in specific constituencies, police and administration were used to change delimitation and polling schemes, and opposition candidates and workers were “systematically harassed and pressurised”. The PTI warned that any attempt to manipulate the results would have serious consequences. “PTI will employ every constitutional, legal, and democratic avenue to protect the votes of its supporters. We demand that authentic results from all polling stations be released immediately, Form-45 and Form-46 be provided to every candidate without delay, a swift inquiry be conducted into suspicious polling stations with strict action against those responsible, and the Election Commission fulfil its constitutional duty by ensuring complete transparency,” the party stated. Polling As polling began, GB Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Raja Shahbaz Khan visited various polling stations across Gilgit city to review the process, security arrangements and the overall electoral environment. He also inspected the facilities and arrangements provided to voters at the polling stations and met polling agents representing different candidates. Speaking to PTV News, Khan noted that he had visited around 10 polling stations, where security arrangements were satisfactory. He said women were turning out in large numbers to cast ballots, which reflected strong public awareness about the importance of exercising their democratic right. He added that all political parties were participating peacefully in the electoral process. GB caretaker Interior Minister Sajid Ali Baig said he visited various polling stations, where the overall environment remained peaceful. According to APP, he told a local media outlet that there were public demands for further deployment of police forces in some areas for smooth and secure polling. The minister said minor irregularities observed at certain locations were being addressed promptly by the authorities concerned. Who were in the race? PPP fielded 23 candidates, PML-N 22, Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP) 15, PML-Q 11, Tehreek-i-Islami Pakistan 10, Pakistan Nazriyati Party (PNP) also 10, while nine candidates from the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) also contested the elections. Meanwhile, the PTI, which won the 2020 elections, remained without an electoral symbol since Jan 13, 2024 and therefore, its candidates were contesting as independents. In line with its strategy for the national 2024 elections, it allied with the Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM). A social media post by the party showed their alliance has 22 candidates combined, with MWM nominees bearing the “tent” symbol. MWM had three candidates in the running, and one candidate from the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) also contested the election. Six candidates each from Jamaat-i-Islami and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM-P) also contested the elections, along with four candidates from Awami Workers Party (AWP) and one nominee from Awami National Party (ANP). PPP, IPP, and PNP nominated one woman each. The main contenders for the winning candidate were Advocate Amjad Hussain from the PPP and former chief minister Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman from the PML-N. Hussain, president of the PPP’s GB chapter, has served as a member of the GB assembly from 2020 to 2025 and as a member of the GB council from 2009 to 2014. He is contesting from GBA-1 (Gilgit-I). Rehman, currently the president of the PML-N’s GB chapter, served as the chief minister from 2015 to 2020. He also served as an assembly member from 2004 to 2009. The former CM is contesting the polls from GBA-2 (Gilgit-II). This photo combo shows PML-N’s Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman (L) and Advocate Amjad Hussain (R). — X/@CMGBPK / Facebook/@AdvocateAmjad GB top court orders ‘fair’ elections after KP CM’s letter Separately, the GB Supreme Appellate Court directed the election commission to hold elections in a free and fair manner after Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM Sohail Afridi wrote to Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Shamim Khan. A press release by the appellate court recalled that CM Afridi had written a letter to the chief justice, in which he requested equal opportunities for all political parties in the elections. Subsequently, the statement said, Justice Khan issued a written order to the GB CEC, directing him to conduct the general elections in a “transparent, impartial and fair manner”. In his response, the CEC assured the chief justice that the electoral process would be carried out under “a transparent, impartial and organised system”. “In his detailed letter, he has also informed the esteemed court in detail about the steps taken by the election commission to ensure the transparency and impartiality of the elections,” the court’s statement said. The appellate court affirmed that it was striving to ensure the provision of justice to the people. PPP pledges rights; PML-N vows projects In a video statement issued early in the morning, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari urged the public across GB to turn up in large numbers and cast their vote on the party’s “arrow” symbol. “I want to get the people of Gilgit-Baltistan haq-i-hakmiyat (right to govern). I want to get Gilgit-Baltistan constitutional rights. Come, make PPP win so we can make GB the fifth province,” Bilawal said. He further promised to provide “haq-i-rozgar (right to employment)” to the youth of GB if his party got elected. “From the riverside to the peak of the mountains, I want to make you the owner of your land,” the PPP chairman said, adding that a vast area of land had been turned into “common land from state land”. In his video statement, PML-N’s Rehman noted that his party held over 200 corner meetings, more than 40 jalsas and 11 rallies during the election campaign. He apologised to PML-N supporters for not being able to visit various areas he wanted to due to party duties. “I hope that your vote will be in support of progress, peace, development that has been paused since 2020, [and] for the eradication of load-shedding,” the former CM remarked. Rehman emphasised his party’s pledge to work on development projects, construction of roads and metro buses, and better governance. Tight security As part of security arrangements, 6,000 Punjab police personnel and 2,000 from Islamabad police — including 150 personnel from its security division — have been assigned for election duty in the mountainous region. According to a list issued by the GB Election Commission, a total of 1,391 polling stations have been established across the region, of which 488 are categorised as normal, 349 as sensitive and 551 as highly sensitive. Diamer, with 119 highly sensitive polling stations out of a total of 174, has the highest number of such stations among all districts. Additional security personnel will be deployed at vulnerable locations, while law enforcement agencies and the district administration will remain on high alert throughout the election process. On Saturday, the GB CEC urged voters to exercise their democratic right and play a constructive role in maintaining law and order. He asserted that all necessary arrangements had been put in place to ensure peaceful, free, fair and transparent elections across the region. CEC Khan had delegated powers of a first-class magistrate to all district returning officers (DROs) and returning officers (ROs) for the peaceful and transparent conduct of the elections. The election campaign The last elections — held on Nov 15, 2020 — had been won by the PTI, which was also in power in the Centre at the time. However, its Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid Khan was disqualified for an alleged fake degree in July 2023. Subsequently, a coalition government was formed by members of the PTI, PPP and PML-N with Haji Gulbar Khan — an estranged PTI member — elected by the assembly as the new chief minister. In the run-up to the current polls, the PML-N and the PPP campaigned with full force as their party chiefs toured the region. PML-N President Nawaz Sharif visited Gilgit, while Bilawal gave fiery speeches at rallies in various districts. However, the PTI decried a “lack of level playing field” in the current elections after its key leaders were expelled from GB on separate occasions. The party has also alleged other tactics to deter its election campaign activities. Meanwhile, the PPP raised concerns over the deployment of Punjab police personnel and the participation of federal ministers in the PML-N’s campaign. Additional input from APP and Ikram Junaidi
Polling for 24 seats of the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly concluded peacefully on Sunday amid tight security arrangements. The general elections for GB took place after a four-month delay, which was attributed to harsh winter weather. The voting process in the region began at 8am on Sunday and concluded at 5pm. What we know so far: PPP’s Amjad Hussain and PML-N’s Hafeezur Rehman main contenders for CM role PPP alleges Form-45 not being issued PTI, lacking electoral symbol, allies with MWM; IPP, PML-Q, JUI-F also in race GB top court writes to CEC for ‘fair’ elections after KP CM’s letter PPP pledges constitutional rights; PML-N vows development projects The Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly has a total of 33 seats — 24 of which are contested through direct elections, six are reserved for women, and three are reserved for technocrats and professionals. Political parties can nominate candidates for the reserved seats through proportional representation. A total of 396 candidates contested the elections, with 266 running as independents. Only eight women contested the elections, five of them as independent candidates. The total number of registered voters in the region’s 10 districts was 963,034, including 566,097 male and 396,937 female voters. PPP’s allegations The voting process remained largely peaceful throughout the region, with no violence being reported. However, as the voting closed, PPP Secretary General Nayyar Hussain Bukhari alleged that the party was not being provided with Form-45. A Form-45 is the result of the vote count prepared by a presiding officer (PO) at each polling station. We have contacted the chief election commissioner and informed him about the matter, Bukhari said in a statement. Separately, PPP spokesperson Shazia Marri said in a statement that the “delay in the issuance of Form-45 was unacceptable”. She also alleged that voter lists were altered before the election and polling stations were changed, saying that these action indicated rigging. PPP alleged earlier that the Balachi polling station in Astore-II’s Bunji area was relocated from the roadside to the top of a hill overnight while the voting was underway. In a post on X, the party noted that the polling station had 206 registered voters, asserting that the “local population is known for its strong support” of the PPP. “This decision appears to be an attempt to affect the PPP’s vote bank and discourage voters from participating in the polling process,” it alleged. The party added that residents blocked the Gilgit-Skardu Road in protest of this action. In her statement, Marri said the PPP would not let an attempt to steal the public’s mandate succeed. She demanded that the Election Commission fulfill its constitutional responsibility and issue correct results. Meanwhile, PPP’s Nadeem Afzal accused the federal government of “electoral engineering”, alleging that two federal ministers present in GB were pressuring the administration and state machinery to influence results. “The presence of Amir Muqam and Aleem Khan in GB and their activities go against the requirements of a fair election,” he added. “There are also reports that presiding officers are being pressurised not to issue Form-45, which raises a question on the election’s transparency,” Chan said in a statement. PPP Secretary General also made these allegations in a video statement. Earlier, the PML-N shared videos of its supporters gathering at its election camps in Skardu and Gilgit. The party also shared videos on X of the PPP and IPP’s election camps, claiming they were “deserted”. The PTI shared a video of people outside a Gilgit polling station voicing support for the party. As polling began, GB Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Raja Shahbaz Khan visited various polling stations across Gilgit city to review the process, security arrangements and the overall electoral environment. He also inspected the facilities and arrangements provided to voters at the polling stations and met polling agents representing different candidates. Speaking to PTV News, Khan noted that he had visited around 10 polling stations, where security arrangements were satisfactory. He said women were turning out in large numbers to cast ballots, which reflected strong public awareness about the importance of exercising their democratic right. He added that all political parties were participating peacefully in the electoral process. GB caretaker Interior Minister Sajid Ali Baig said he visited various polling stations, where the overall environment remained peaceful. According to APP, he told a local media outlet that there were public demands for further deployment of police forces in some areas for smooth and secure polling. The minister said minor irregularities observed at certain locations were being addressed promptly by the authorities concerned. Who’s contesting? PPP has 23 candidates, PML-N has 22, Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP) has 15, PML-Q has 11, Tehreek-i-Islami Pakistan has 10, Pakistan Nazriyati Party (PNP) also has 10, while nine candidates from the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) are contesting the elections. Meanwhile, the PTI, which won the 2020 elections, remains without an electoral symbol since Jan 13, 2024 and therefore, its candidates are contesting as independents. In line with its strategy for the national 2024 elections, it has allied with the Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM). A social media post by the party shows their alliance has 22 candidates combined, with MWM nominees bearing the “tent” symbol. MWM has three candidates in the running, and one candidate from the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) will also contest the election. Six candidates each from Jamaat-i-Islami and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM-P) will also contest the elections, along with four candidates from Awami Workers Party (AWP) and one nominee from Awami National Party (ANP). PPP, IPP, and PNP have nominated one woman each. The main contenders for the winning candidate were Advocate Amjad Hussain from the PPP and former chief minister Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman from the PML-N. Hussain, president of the PPP’s GB chapter, has served as a member of the GB assembly from 2020 to 2025 and as a member of the GB council from 2009 to 2014. He is contesting from GBA-1 (Gilgit-I). Rehman, currently the president of the PML-N’s GB chapter, served as the chief minister from 2015 to 2020. He also served as an assembly member from 2004 to 2009. The former CM is contesting the polls from GBA-2 (Gilgit-II). This photo combo shows PML-N’s Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman (L) and Advocate Amjad Hussain (R). — X/@CMGBPK / Facebook/@AdvocateAmjad GB top court orders ‘fair’ elections after KP CM’s letter Separately, the GB Supreme Appellate Court directed the election commission to hold elections in a free and fair manner after Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM Sohail Afridi wrote to Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Shamim Khan. A press release by the appellate court recalled that CM Afridi had written a letter to the chief justice, in which he requested equal opportunities for all political parties in the elections. Subsequently, the statement said, Justice Khan issued a written order to the GB CEC, directing him to conduct the general elections in a “transparent, impartial and fair manner”. In his response, the CEC assured the chief justice that the electoral process would be carried out under “a transparent, impartial and organised system”. “In his detailed letter, he has also informed the esteemed court in detail about the steps taken by the election commission to ensure the transparency and impartiality of the elections,” the court’s statement said. The appellate court affirmed that it was striving to ensure the provision of justice to the people. PPP pledges rights; PML-N vows projects In a video statement issued early in the morning, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari urged the public across GB to turn up in large numbers and cast their vote on the party’s “arrow” symbol. “I want to get the people of Gilgit-Baltistan haq-i-hakmiyat (right to govern). I want to get Gilgit-Baltistan constitutional rights. Come, make PPP win so we can make GB the fifth province,” Bilawal said. He further promised to provide “haq-i-rozgar (right to employment)” to the youth of GB if his party got elected. “From the riverside to the peak of the mountains, I want to make you the owner of your land,” the PPP chairman said, adding that a vast area of land had been turned into “common land from state land”. In his video statement, PML-N’s Rehman noted that his party held over 200 corner meetings, more than 40 jalsas and 11 rallies during the election campaign. He apologised to PML-N supporters for not being able to visit various areas he wanted to due to party duties. “I hope that your vote will be in support of progress, peace, development that has been paused since 2020, [and] for the eradication of load-shedding,” the former CM remarked. Rehman emphasised his party’s pledge to work on development projects, construction of roads and metro buses, and better governance. Tight security As part of security arrangements, 6,000 Punjab police personnel and 2,000 from Islamabad police — including 150 personnel from its security division — have been assigned for election duty in the mountainous region. According to a list issued by the GB Election Commission, a total of 1,391 polling stations have been established across the region, of which 488 are categorised as normal, 349 as sensitive and 551 as highly sensitive. Diamer, with 119 highly sensitive polling stations out of a total of 174, has the highest number of such stations among all districts. Additional security personnel will be deployed at vulnerable locations, while law enforcement agencies and the district administration will remain on high alert throughout the election process. On Saturday, the GB CEC urged voters to exercise their democratic right and play a constructive role in maintaining law and order. He asserted that all necessary arrangements had been put in place to ensure peaceful, free, fair and transparent elections across the region. CEC Khan had delegated powers of a first-class magistrate to all district returning officers (DROs) and returning officers (ROs) for the peaceful and transparent conduct of the elections. The election campaign The last elections — held on Nov 15, 2020 — had been won by the PTI, which was also in power in the Centre at the time. However, its Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid Khan was disqualified for an alleged fake degree in July 2023. Subsequently, a coalition government was formed by members of the PTI, PPP and PML-N with Haji Gulbar Khan — an estranged PTI member — elected by the assembly as the new chief minister. In the run-up to the current polls, the PML-N and the PPP campaigned with full force as their party chiefs toured the region. PML-N President Nawaz Sharif visited Gilgit, while Bilawal gave fiery speeches at rallies in various districts. However, the PTI has decried a “lack of level playing field” in the current elections after its key leaders were expelled from GB on separate occasions. The party has also alleged other tactics to deter its election campaign activities. Meanwhile, the PPP has raised concerns over the deployment of Punjab police personnel and the participation of federal ministers in the PML-N’s campaign. Additional input from APP
Polling for 24 seats of the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly concluded peacefully on Sunday amid tight security arrangements. The general elections for GB took place after a four-month delay, which was attributed to harsh winter weather. The voting process in the region began at 8am on Sunday and concluded at 5pm. What we know so far: PPP’s Amjad Hussain and PML-N’s Hafeezur Rehman main contenders for CM role PPP alleges Form-45 not being provided PTI, lacking electoral symbol, allies with MWM; IPP, PML-Q, JUI-F also in race GB top court writes to CEC for ‘fair’ elections after KP CM’s letter PPP pledges constitutional rights; PML-N vows development projects The Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly has a total of 33 seats — 24 of which are contested through direct elections, six are reserved for women, and three are reserved for technocrats and professionals. Political parties can nominate candidates for the reserved seats through proportional representation. A total of 396 candidates contested the elections, with 266 running as independents. Only eight women contested the elections, five of them as independent candidates. The total number of registered voters in the region’s 10 districts was 963,034, including 566,097 male and 396,937 female voters. PPP’s allegations The voting process remained largely peaceful throughout the region, with no violence being reported. However, as the voting closed, PPP Secretary General Nayyar Hussain Bukhari alleged that the party was not being provided with Form-45. A Form-45 is the result of the vote count prepared by a presiding officer (PO) at each polling station. We have contacted the chief election commissioner and informed him about the matter, Bukhari said in a statement. Separately, PPP spokesperson Shazia Marri said in a statement that the “delay in the provision of Form-45 was unacceptable”. She also alleged that voter lists were altered before the election and polling stations were changed, saying that these action indicated rigging. PPP alleged earlier that the Balachi polling station in Astore-II’s Bunji area was relocated from the roadside to the top of a hill overnight while the voting was underway. In a post on X, the party noted that the polling station had 206 registered voters, asserting that the “local population is known for its strong support” of the PPP. “This decision appears to be an attempt to affect the PPP’s vote bank and discourage voters from participating in the polling process,” it alleged. The party added that residents blocked the Gilgit-Skardu Road in protest of this action. In her statement, Marri said the PPP would not let an attempt to steal the public’s mandate succeed. She demanded that the Election Commission fulfill its constitutional responsibility and issue correct results. Meanwhile, PPP’s Nadeem Afzal accused the federal government of “electoral engineering”, alleging that two federal ministers present in GB were pressuring the administration and state machinery to influence results. “The presence of Amir Muqam and Aleem Khan in GB and their activities go against the requirements of a fair election,” he added. “There are also reports that presiding officers are being pressurised not to issue Form-45, which raises a question on the election’s transparency,” Chan said in a statement. Earlier, the PML-N shared videos of its supporters gathering at its election camps in Skardu and Gilgit. The party also shared videos on X of the PPP and IPP’s election camps, claiming they were “deserted”. The PTI shared a video of people outside a Gilgit polling station voicing support for the party. As polling began, GB Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Raja Shahbaz Khan visited various polling stations across Gilgit city to review the process, security arrangements and the overall electoral environment. He also inspected the facilities and arrangements provided to voters at the polling stations and met polling agents representing different candidates. Speaking to PTV News, Khan noted that he had visited around 10 polling stations, where security arrangements were satisfactory. He said women were turning out in large numbers to cast ballots, which reflected strong public awareness about the importance of exercising their democratic right. He added that all political parties were participating peacefully in the electoral process. GB caretaker Interior Minister Sajid Ali Baig said he visited various polling stations, where the overall environment remained peaceful. According to APP, he told a local media outlet that there were public demands for further deployment of police forces in some areas for smooth and secure polling. The minister said minor irregularities observed at certain locations were being addressed promptly by the authorities concerned. Who’s contesting? PPP has 23 candidates, PML-N has 22, Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP) has 15, PML-Q has 11, Tehreek-i-Islami Pakistan has 10, Pakistan Nazriyati Party (PNP) also has 10, while nine candidates from the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) are contesting the elections. Meanwhile, the PTI, which won the 2020 elections, remains without an electoral symbol since Jan 13, 2024 and therefore, its candidates are contesting as independents. In line with its strategy for the national 2024 elections, it has allied with the Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM). A social media post by the party shows their alliance has 22 candidates combined, with MWM nominees bearing the “tent” symbol. MWM has three candidates in the running, and one candidate from the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) will also contest the election. Six candidates each from Jamaat-i-Islami and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM-P) will also contest the elections, along with four candidates from Awami Workers Party (AWP) and one nominee from Awami National Party (ANP). PPP, IPP, and PNP have nominated one woman each. The main contenders for the winning candidate were Advocate Amjad Hussain from the PPP and former chief minister Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman from the PML-N. Hussain, president of the PPP’s GB chapter, has served as a member of the GB assembly from 2020 to 2025 and as a member of the GB council from 2009 to 2014. He is contesting from GBA-1 (Gilgit-I). Rehman, currently the president of the PML-N’s GB chapter, served as the chief minister from 2015 to 2020. He also served as an assembly member from 2004 to 2009. The former CM is contesting the polls from GBA-2 (Gilgit-II). This photo combo shows PML-N’s Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman (L) and Advocate Amjad Hussain (R). — X/@CMGBPK / Facebook/@AdvocateAmjad GB top court orders ‘fair’ elections after KP CM’s letter Separately, the GB Supreme Appellate Court directed the election commission to hold elections in a free and fair manner after Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM Sohail Afridi wrote to Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Shamim Khan. A press release by the appellate court recalled that CM Afridi had written a letter to the chief justice, in which he requested equal opportunities for all political parties in the elections. Subsequently, the statement said, Justice Khan issued a written order to the GB CEC, directing him to conduct the general elections in a “transparent, impartial and fair manner”. In his response, the CEC assured the chief justice that the electoral process would be carried out under “a transparent, impartial and organised system”. “In his detailed letter, he has also informed the esteemed court in detail about the steps taken by the election commission to ensure the transparency and impartiality of the elections,” the court’s statement said. The appellate court affirmed that it was striving to ensure the provision of justice to the people. PPP pledges rights; PML-N vows projects In a video statement issued early in the morning, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari urged the public across GB to turn up in large numbers and cast their vote on the party’s “arrow” symbol. “I want to get the people of Gilgit-Baltistan haq-i-hakmiyat (right to govern). I want to get Gilgit-Baltistan constitutional rights. Come, make PPP win so we can make GB the fifth province,” Bilawal said. He further promised to provide “haq-i-rozgar (right to employment)” to the youth of GB if his party got elected. “From the riverside to the peak of the mountains, I want to make you the owner of your land,” the PPP chairman said, adding that a vast area of land had been turned into “common land from state land”. In his video statement, PML-N’s Rehman noted that his party held over 200 corner meetings, more than 40 jalsas and 11 rallies during the election campaign. He apologised to PML-N supporters for not being able to visit various areas he wanted to due to party duties. “I hope that your vote will be in support of progress, peace, development that has been paused since 2020, [and] for the eradication of load-shedding,” the former CM remarked. Rehman emphasised his party’s pledge to work on development projects, construction of roads and metro buses, and better governance. Tight security As part of security arrangements, 6,000 Punjab police personnel and 2,000 from Islamabad police — including 150 personnel from its security division — have been assigned for election duty in the mountainous region. According to a list issued by the GB Election Commission, a total of 1,391 polling stations have been established across the region, of which 488 are categorised as normal, 349 as sensitive and 551 as highly sensitive. Diamer, with 119 highly sensitive polling stations out of a total of 174, has the highest number of such stations among all districts. Additional security personnel will be deployed at vulnerable locations, while law enforcement agencies and the district administration will remain on high alert throughout the election process. On Saturday, the GB CEC urged voters to exercise their democratic right and play a constructive role in maintaining law and order. He asserted that all necessary arrangements had been put in place to ensure peaceful, free, fair and transparent elections across the region. CEC Khan had delegated powers of a first-class magistrate to all district returning officers (DROs) and returning officers (ROs) for the peaceful and transparent conduct of the elections. The election campaign The last elections — held on Nov 15, 2020 — had been won by the PTI, which was also in power in the Centre at the time. However, its Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid Khan was disqualified for an alleged fake degree in July 2023. Subsequently, a coalition government was formed by members of the PTI, PPP and PML-N with Haji Gulbar Khan — an estranged PTI member — elected by the assembly as the new chief minister. In the run-up to the current polls, the PML-N and the PPP campaigned with full force as their party chiefs toured the region. PML-N President Nawaz Sharif visited Gilgit, while Bilawal gave fiery speeches at rallies in various districts. However, the PTI has decried a “lack of level playing field” in the current elections after its key leaders were expelled from GB on separate occasions. The party has also alleged other tactics to deter its election campaign activities. Meanwhile, the PPP has raised concerns over the deployment of Punjab police personnel and the participation of federal ministers in the PML-N’s campaign. Additional input from APP
Polling for 24 seats of the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly concluded peacefully on Sunday amid tight security arrangements. The general elections for GB took place after a four-month delay, which was attributed to harsh winter weather. The voting process in the region began at 8am on Sunday and concluded at 5pm. What we know so far: PPP’s Amjad Hussain and PML-N’s Hafeezur Rehman main contenders for CM role PTI, lacking electoral symbol, allies with MWM; IPP, PML-Q, JUI-F also in race GB top court writes to CEC for ‘fair’ elections after KP CM’s letter PPP pledges constitutional rights; PML-N vows development projects The Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly has a total of 33 seats — 24 of which are contested through direct elections, six are reserved for women, and three are reserved for technocrats and professionals. Political parties can nominate candidates for the reserved seats through proportional representation. A total of 396 candidates contested the elections, with 266 running as independents. Only eight women contested the elections, five of them as independent candidates. The total number of registered voters in the region’s 10 districts was 963,034, including 566,097 male and 396,937 female voters. The voting process remained largely peaceful throughout the region, with no violence being reported. However, the PPP complained about the “overnight” relocation of the Balachi polling station in Astore-II’s Bunji area from the roadside to the top of a hill. In a post on X, the party noted that the polling station had 206 registered voters, asserting that the “local population is known for its strong support” of the PPP. “This decision appears to be an attempt to affect the PPP’s vote bank and discourage voters from participating in the polling process,” it alleged. The party added that residents blocked the Gilgit-Skardu Road in protest of this action. Meanwhile, the PML-N shared videos of its supporters gathering at its election camps in Skardu and Gilgit. The party also shared videos on X of the PPP and IPP’s election camps, claiming they were “deserted”. The PTI shared a video of people outside a Gilgit polling station voicing support for the party. As polling began, GB Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Raja Shahbaz Khan visited various polling stations across Gilgit city to review the process, security arrangements and the overall electoral environment. He also inspected the facilities and arrangements provided to voters at the polling stations and met polling agents representing different candidates. Speaking to PTV News, Khan noted that he had visited around 10 polling stations, where security arrangements were satisfactory. He said women were turning out in large numbers to cast ballots, which reflected strong public awareness about the importance of exercising their democratic right. He added that all political parties were participating peacefully in the electoral process. GB Caretaker Interior Minister Sajid Ali Baig said he visited various polling stations, where the overall environment remained peaceful. According to APP, he told a local media outlet that there were public demands for further deployment of police forces in some areas for smooth and secure polling. The minister said minor irregularities observed at certain locations were being addressed promptly by the authorities concerned. Who’s contesting? PPP has 23 candidates, PML-N has 22, Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP) has 15, PML-Q has 11, Tehreek-i-Islami Pakistan has 10, Pakistan Nazriyati Party (PNP) also has 10, while nine candidates from the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) are contesting the elections. Meanwhile, the PTI, which won the 2020 elections, remains without an electoral symbol since Jan 13, 2024 and therefore, its candidates are contesting as independents. In line with its strategy for the national 2024 elections, it has allied with the Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM). A social media post by the party shows their alliance has 22 candidates combined, with MWM nominees bearing the “tent” symbol. MWM has three candidates in the running, and one candidate from the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) will also contest the election. Six candidates each from Jamaat-i-Islami and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM-P) will also contest the elections, along with four candidates from Awami Workers Party (AWP) and one nominee from Awami National Party (ANP). PPP, IPP, and PNP have nominated one woman each. The main contenders for the winning candidate were Advocate Amjad Hussain from the PPP and former chief minister Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman from the PML-N. Hussain, president of the PPP’s GB chapter, has served as a member of the GB assembly from 2020 to 2025 and as a member of the GB council from 2009 to 2014. He is contesting from GBA-1 (Gilgit-I). Rehman, currently the president of the PML-N’s GB chapter, served as the chief minister from 2015 to 2020. He also served as an assembly member from 2004 to 2009. The former CM is contesting the polls from GBA-2 (Gilgit-II). This photo combo shows PML-N’s Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman (L) and Advocate Amjad Hussain (R). — X/@CMGBPK / Facebook/@AdvocateAmjad GB top court orders ‘fair’ elections after KP CM’s letter Separately, the GB Supreme Appellate Court directed the election commission to hold elections in a free and fair manner after Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM Sohail Afridi wrote to Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Shamim Khan. A press release by the appellate court recalled that CM Afridi had written a letter to the chief justice, in which he requested equal opportunities for all political parties in the elections. Subsequently, the statement said, Justice Khan issued a written order to the GB CEC, directing him to conduct the general elections in a “transparent, impartial and fair manner”. In his response, the CEC assured the chief justice that the electoral process would be carried out under “a transparent, impartial and organised system”. “In his detailed letter, he has also informed the esteemed court in detail about the steps taken by the election commission to ensure the transparency and impartiality of the elections,” the court’s statement said. The appellate court affirmed that it was striving to ensure the provision of justice to the people. PPP pledges rights; PML-N vows projects In a video statement issued early in the morning, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari urged the public across GB to turn up in large numbers and cast their vote on the party’s “arrow” symbol. “I want to get the people of Gilgit-Baltistan haq-i-hakmiyat (right to govern). I want to get Gilgit-Baltistan constitutional rights. Come, make PPP win so we can make GB the fifth province,” Bilawal said. He further promised to provide “haq-i-rozgar (right to employment)” to the youth of GB if his party got elected. “From the riverside to the peak of the mountains, I want to make you the owner of your land,” the PPP chairman said, adding that a vast area of land had been turned into “common land from state land”. In his video statement, PML-N’s Rehman noted that his party held over 200 corner meetings, more than 40 jalsas and 11 rallies during the election campaign. He apologised to PML-N supporters for not being able to visit various areas he wanted to due to party duties. “I hope that your vote will be in support of progress, peace, development that has been paused since 2020, [and] for the eradication of load-shedding,” the former CM remarked. Rehman emphasised his party’s pledge to work on development projects, construction of roads and metro buses, and better governance. Tight security As part of security arrangements, 6,000 Punjab police personnel and 2,000 from Islamabad police — including 150 personnel from its security division — have been assigned for election duty in the mountainous region. According to a list issued by the GB Election Commission, a total of 1,391 polling stations have been established across the region, of which 488 are categorised as normal, 349 as sensitive and 551 as highly sensitive. Diamer, with 119 highly sensitive polling stations out of a total of 174, has the highest number of such stations among all districts. Additional security personnel will be deployed at vulnerable locations, while law enforcement agencies and the district administration will remain on high alert throughout the election process. On Saturday, the GB CEC urged voters to exercise their democratic right and play a constructive role in maintaining law and order. He asserted that all necessary arrangements had been put in place to ensure peaceful, free, fair and transparent elections across the region. CEC Khan had delegated powers of a first-class magistrate to all district returning officers (DROs) and returning officers (ROs) for the peaceful and transparent conduct of the elections. The election campaign The last elections — held on Nov 15, 2020 — had been won by the PTI, which was also in power in the Centre at the time. However, its Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid Khan was disqualified for an alleged fake degree in July 2023. Subsequently, a coalition government was formed by members of the PTI, PPP and PML-N with Haji Gulbar Khan — an estranged PTI member — elected by the assembly as the new chief minister. In the run-up to the current polls, the PML-N and the PPP campaigned with full force as their party chiefs toured the region. PML-N President Nawaz Sharif visited Gilgit, while Bilawal gave fiery speeches at rallies in various districts. However, the PTI has decried a “lack of level playing field” in the current elections after its key leaders were expelled from GB on separate occasions. The party has also alleged other tactics to deter its election campaign activities. Meanwhile, the PPP has raised concerns over the deployment of Punjab police personnel and the participation of federal ministers in the PML-N’s campaign. Additional input from APP
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On Friday night, Madonna and a dedicated legion of her fans descended upon the iconic Beacon Theater on Manhattan’s Upper West Side for the premiere of “Confessions II – The Film.” The screening was followed by a Q&A with the queen of pop herself, alongside directing duo TORSO, otherwise known as David Toro and Solomon […]
Lee Sung Jin, the creator, executive producer and director of “Beef,” and Jason Bateman, who executive produced, directed and starred in “Black Rabbit,” sat down with Variety’s Clayton Davis to discuss their directing techniques and stylistic choices. Variety moderated this conversation in partnership with Netflix. Lee – who directed one episode in “Beef” Season 1 […]
Anthropic's Boris Cherny, the creator of Claude Code, says software engineering isn't dying, it's multiplying. Speaking on Casey Newton's Platformer podcast, the Claude Code creator predicted 100x more people writing code or directing AI agents to do it, just under a different title. He urged 22-year-old CS grads to skip entry-level jobs and start companies, calling it "the golden age" for founders building with AI coding agents.
Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson met nearly three decades ago on the seminal teen drama “Dawson’s Creek,” which launched them and their co-stars, James Van Der Beek and Michelle Williams, to global stardom. When Holmes and Jackson reconnected all these years later on “Happy Hours,” a romantic dramedy that premieres Saturday at Tribeca Festival, they […]