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Analysts worried over Kulsoom Nawaz election for National Assembly

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Analysts worried over Kulsoom Nawaz election for National Assembly

Punjab can’t impose leaders for the rest of the country, says career diplomat Ashraf Jehangir Qazi

The election of Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, wife of Pakistan’s ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as Member of National Assembly from Lahore constituency with margin of 14000 votes is being seen with “serious concern” by several analysts in the country.

The NA-120 is Sharif’s family constituency from where Nawaz Sharif had won by around 40,000 vote’s margin during last elections in 2013, which has now dwindled to just 14000 margin. Begum Kulsoom Nawaz begged 61,745 votes while Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) candidate Dr. Yasmin Rashid remained the runner-up with 47,099 votes.  She had also contested against Nawaz Sharif on the same seat in 2013 general elections.

The National Assembly seat fell vacant after the disqualification of the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif by country’s Supreme Court in the controversial Panama papers case in July this year. The polling was held on September 17 with 44 candidates in the fray.

Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, a career diplomat who served as his country’s ambassador to India as well, writes in an opinion piece published by renowned newspaper Dawn on Tuesday that, “electorally, Nawaz Sharif has won and Imran Khan has lost again….. The big deal is….. That Nawaz Sharif was removed as prime minister by a unanimous verdict of Supreme Court for a false declaration regarding his sources of income, and faces the possibility of convictions on far more serious charges of corruption, fraud, etc. If this means little or nothing to his supporters in Lahore and Punjab, so be it.”

Former diplomat dares saying “The PML-N could have chosen any candidate other than from the family of the disqualified and controversial prime minister.”

Qazi further says, “If Punjab chooses to vote for a prime minister disqualified by the Supreme Court, or his wife as a stand-in, that is its choice, however unfortunate, short-sighted, self-destructive and unfathomable it may be. But Punjab cannot choose on behalf of the rest of Pakistan. If it tries to impose a criminally corrupt political leader on the rest of Pakistan it will destroy the country, because the people of Sindh, KP (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Fata (Federally Administered Tribal Area) and Balochistan never chose to join Punjab; they chose to become Pakistan.”

He expressed concern about the possible repetition of what had  happened in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). He said, “This was proven by their rejection 60 years ago of One Unit which was an anti-Pakistan political imposition by Punjab aimed at denying the political rights of the East Pakistani majority of Pakistan’s population as well as those of the smaller provinces of West Pakistan. As a result, the Pakistan of the Pakistan Movement died within 25 years of its birth (in 1971). The same game is now being played with what is left of Pakistan. It must not succeed.”

Ashraf Jehangir Qazi concludes his opinion piece by saying, “As a country, a nation, a people we need to get a life! As Edward Murrow rightly observes “a nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves.”

Meanwhile, Mosharraf Zaidi opines in The News International that in the light of the election results from Lahore bye-elections it is understood that “The PML-N’s crisis will continue until there is decisive change in the party’s leadership. And that change is to come, given that the party culture leans more sycophancy and acquiescence than wise counsel or dissent.”

He begins and ends his piece with “We should not read too much into the NA-120 by-election, but we should not read too little into it either.”

Meanwhile, Imran Khan, Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), on Monday admitted defeat in the much hyped by-election. Earlier he had alleged that the polls in three union councils of NA-120 Lahore-III had been rigged.

Nawaz Sharif won this seat in 1988, 1990, 1993, 1997 and 2013. During the 2002 and 2008 elections, proxy PML-N candidates Muhammad Pervaiz Malik and Bilal Yaseen were respectively elected from the same constituency.

Present Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was elected by his party in August as “interim” arrangement after Supreme Court disqualified Nawaz Sahrif over allegations that he lied on a wealth declaration.

Immediately after his swearing in ceremony Abbasi was quoted saying, “Whether I am here for 45 hours or 45 days, I am the prime minister of this country, and I have come here to get work done, not to keep the seat warm.”

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Trump says Iran agrees to never have nuclear weapons, rejects $300 billion fund claim

Donald Trump said Iran has agreed to never possess nuclear weapons under a proposed framework, while dismissing reports that the US would provide Tehran with a $300 billion reconstruction fund.

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Donald Trump statement

US President Donald Trump has said that Iran has agreed to a commitment that it will never develop or possess nuclear weapons, describing it as a central element of a proposed understanding between Washington and Tehran.

Speaking about the ongoing diplomatic efforts, Trump also rejected reports suggesting that the United States planned to provide Iran with a reconstruction or investment package worth $300 billion. He described such claims as false and said no such arrangement had been agreed.

The remarks come as discussions continue over a broader framework aimed at easing tensions between the two countries. According to Trump, the understanding would ensure that Iran remains without nuclear weapons while opening the door for future engagement if the terms are respected.

Questions remain over final agreement details

Despite Trump’s comments, several aspects of the proposed arrangement remain unclear because the full text of the agreement has not yet been made public.

Reports indicate that negotiations have involved discussions on sanctions relief, access to frozen assets and potential economic measures linked to Iran’s compliance with future commitments. However, the exact scope of these provisions has not been officially confirmed.

Another key issue is how compliance would be monitored. Details regarding inspections, verification mechanisms and the handling of Iran’s existing nuclear materials have yet to be fully explained.

Further negotiations expected

Officials have suggested that discussions on technical nuclear matters could continue even after the signing of an initial memorandum of understanding. Such talks would likely focus on implementation and verification measures.

The proposed framework is being closely watched internationally, as any agreement between the United States and Iran could have significant implications for regional stability and global non-proliferation efforts.

For now, Trump has maintained that the core objective remains clear: ensuring that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon while denying reports that Washington has committed to a multibillion-dollar reconstruction fund.

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USA start FIFA World Cup 2026 with dominant 4-1 victory over Paraguay

The USA opened their FIFA World Cup 2026 journey with a dominant 4-1 victory against Paraguay, earning three valuable points in Group D.

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The United States kicked off their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign in impressive fashion, securing a commanding 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their Group D opener at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

Playing in front of a passionate home crowd, the hosts delivered an attacking display to collect all three points and make an early statement in the tournament. The match also marked a significant occasion as the USA hosted part of the World Cup opening festivities before turning attention to the action on the pitch.

The Americans took control early and maintained pressure on Paraguay throughout the contest. Their attacking movement and clinical finishing helped them establish a comfortable lead, while Paraguay struggled to contain the hosts’ pace and creativity in the final third.

USA seize control after fast start

The United States settled quickly and found success going forward, creating several opportunities through quick passing and aggressive pressing. Their attacking approach paid off as they built momentum and gradually stretched Paraguay’s defence.

Paraguay attempted to respond and managed to get on the scoresheet, but the South American side found it difficult to match the intensity shown by the hosts. The USA continued to create chances and added further goals to put the result beyond doubt.

With the victory, the United States moved to the top section of Group D and gained an important boost in confidence ahead of their upcoming fixtures in the tournament.

Strong opening result for hosts

A winning start is particularly important in a World Cup campaign, and the USA achieved exactly that with a comprehensive performance. The result gives the hosts valuable momentum as they prepare for the next stage of group play.

For Paraguay, the defeat means they will need a strong response in their remaining group matches to keep their hopes of progressing to the knockout rounds alive.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, with the tournament featuring an expanded format and more participating teams than previous editions.

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Jaishankar raises deaths of three Indian sailors with Marco Rubio, lodges strong protest

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar conveyed India’s strong protest to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio over an attack that killed three Indian sailors, stressing that lethal action against commercial shipping is unjustified.

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External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday spoke with Marco Rubio and conveyed India’s strong protest over recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf that resulted in the deaths of three Indian sailors.

According to reports, Jaishankar told Rubio that the use of lethal force against commercial shipping was not justified and underlined India’s serious concerns regarding the safety of civilian seafarers operating in the region. The conversation came days after three Indian mariners were killed in an attack on the Palau-flagged tanker Settebello near the Oman coast.

The incident has triggered diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Washington. India had earlier summoned a senior US diplomat to register its concerns and seek accountability following the attack. The Ministry of External Affairs has emphasized that actions endangering civilian shipping undermine maritime safety and stability in a strategically important region.

India reiterates concern over maritime safety

India has stressed the importance of protecting civilian seafarers and ensuring the security of international maritime commerce. Officials have expressed concern over multiple incidents involving Indian crew members in West Asian waters in recent days.

The deaths of the three sailors have also sparked calls within India for stronger diplomatic efforts to safeguard Indian nationals working aboard commercial vessels in conflict-affected maritime zones.

Background of the incident

The attack involved the tanker Settebello, which was operating near Oman when it was struck during ongoing tensions linked to the conflict involving Iran and maritime operations in the Gulf region. Initial reports indicated that Indian crew members were among those affected, and later confirmations established that three Indian sailors had died in the incident.

India has maintained that civilian shipping should not become a target and has continued diplomatic outreach to ensure the safety and welfare of Indian seafarers working across global shipping routes.

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