Day: March 9, 2024

The National Disaster Management Authority has issued directives to all relevant department to remain alert in wake of rains and snowfall in upper parts of the country from next week. According to a weather alert, rains with snowfall have been forecast in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan, Murree, Galyat and Nathia Gali, causing blockade of roads and landsliding. The NDMA has also instructed the Provincial Disaster Management Authority to remain alert and ensure evacuation of people and tourists from the affected areas. The PDMA has also been directed to ensure deployment of heavy machinery rescue teams in the areas that could be hit land sliding and flashfloods. Source: Radio Pakistan

Joint candidate of PML-N and PPP Asif Ali Zardari has been elected as the 14th President of Pakistan. Asif Ali Zardari bagged four hundred and eleven votes from the Senate, the National Assembly and four provincial assemblies. His rival Sunni Ittehad Council's candidate Mahmood Khan Achakzai got one hundred and eighty one votes. In the election held at the Parliament House in Islamabad, Asif Ali Zardari secured two hundred and fifty five votes while Mahmood Khan Achakzai received one hundred and nineteen votes. In the Punjab Assembly, Zardari garnered two hundred and forty-six votes while Achakzai trailed with one hundred votes. The Sindh Assembly results showed Asif Ali Zardari securing one hundred and fifty-one votes and Mahmood Khan Achakzai nine votes. In Balochistan Assembly, Asif Ali Zardari got forty-seven votes while his rival could not secure even a single one. In the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, Asif Ali Zardari secured seventeen votes and Mahmood Khan Achakzai clinched ninety-one votes. Asi f Ali Zardari, co-chairperson of Pakistan People's Party, will assume the office of President of Pakistan for the historic second time in country's parliamentary history. Born on July 26, 1955, in Karachi, Asif Ali Zardari is the son of Pakistani politician Hakim Ali Zardari. Zardari served as the 11th president of Pakistan from 2008 to 2013 and was the first politician to complete a full term in office. He has been a member of the national assembly of Pakistan since August 2018. His son, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, is the chairman of PPP. Under 18th Amendment, Asif Ali Zardari gave away the presidential powers to strengthen parliamentary democracy and bolstered provincial autonomy, coined political reconciliation, helped policies that encompassed freedom of media, revived Pakistan's energy sector, and opened Pakistan to foreign direct investment. Source: Radio Pakistan

Pakistan has said the plight of women under foreign occupation, such as Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine, is characterized by a myriad of challenges, ranging from systemic oppression to grave human rights violations. At an event organized by Group of Friends in New York on Gender Parity to mark the International Women's Day, Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN Munir Akram said the women face increased vulnerability to violence, exploitation, and discrimination, as their rights are often violated with impunity, especially in a situation of foreign occupation. Ambassador Munir Akram said the foreign occupation also restricts women's access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, thus perpetuating cycles of poverty and disenfranchisement. Source: Radio Pakistan

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif paid a visit to the residence of President-elect Asif Ali Zardari in Islamabad today and congratulated him on his election as head of the state for the second time. The Prime Minister expressed good wishes for Asif Ali Zardari. President-elect Asif Ali Zardari thanked Shehbaz Sharif for support in the Presidential elections. Meanwhile, in a message, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Asif Ali Zardari on his election as 14th President of Pakistan for the second term. He said that the Senate, National Assembly and elected members of the four provincial aseemblies have expressed their confidence in Asif Ali Zardari. The Prime Minister said that Asif Ali Zardari will be a symbol of strength of the federation. He hoped that as President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari will fulfill constitutional responsibilities in efficient manner. He said coalition parties will work together for development and prosperity of Pakistan. Source: Radio Pakistan

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed all related departments to take precautionary measures in the wake of forecast about thunderous rainfall and increase in cold in the province from 11th to 14th of this month. She also directed PDMA and Rescue 1122 to keep her updated regarding the measures being taken. Maryam Nawaz said that public should be made aware in advance about the situation, through electronic and social media besides the mobile alerts service. She also directed to take effective measures for protection of cattle in rural areas. Source: Radio Pakistan

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has extended felicitation to president elect Asif Ali Zardari. In a felicitation message in Karachi, he expressed hope that President Asif Ali Zardari will lead the country towards prosperity by uniting all the federating units. Source: Radio Pakistan