News
Latest News
news bulletin
Breaking Headlines
Israel-Gaza War Updates
Variety and Tech
Sports News
Middle East News
World News
Lebanon News
Press Highlights
Lebanon Economy
News Bulletin Reports
Other News
Breaking Headlines
Israel-Gaza War Updates
Variety and Tech
Sports News
Middle East News
World News
Lebanon News
Press Highlights
Lebanon Economy
News Bulletin Reports
Beirut
28
o
Bekaa
20
o
Keserwan
29
o
Metn
29
o
Mount Lebanon
23
o
North
30
o
South
27
o
Live
Video
Audio
Schedule
shows
العربية
watching now
Sawa
SUBSCRIBE
Home
Notification
Live
Video
Audio
shows
Beirut
28
o
Bekaa
20
o
Keserwan
29
o
Metn
29
o
Mount Lebanon
23
o
North
30
o
South
27
o
News
Programs
The News
Breaking Headlines
Israel-Gaza War Updates
Variety and Tech
Sports News
Middle East News
World News
Lebanon News
Press Highlights
Lebanon Economy
News Bulletin Reports
Programs
Documentaries
Lebanon’s Centennial
News Bulletin
The Untold History
Talk Show
Series
Sports
Variety
Other
Comedy
Oldies
Breaking News
Latest News
Highlighted News
Most Read
Videos
العربية
Watch the latest programs and the latest developments on your favorite screen
Shows
Join millions of followers
Who We Are
Contact Us
Advertise With Us
Careers
Channel frequencies
Privacy Policy
Terms and Conditions
Mobile services suspended in Pakistan on polling day due to security threats
World News
2024-02-08 | 03:08
High views
Share
Share
5
min
Mobile services suspended in Pakistan on polling day due to security threats
Pakistan temporarily shut down some of its land borders. It suspended mobile phone services on Thursday as it beefed up security for voters in a general election that a surge in militant violence has receded.
The government's decision to deploy tens of thousands of troops at polling stations and across the country comes after two blasts near election offices, for which Islamic State later claimed responsibility, killed 26 people in the southwestern province of Balochistan on Wednesday.
It also follows a call by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan to his supporters to wait outside polling booths after voting until results are announced. Last year, Khan's supporters ransacked several government buildings and clashed with troops as they tried to prevent his arrest.
"As a result of the recent incidents of terrorism in the country, precious lives have been lost; security measures are essential to maintain the law and order situation and deal with possible threats," the interior ministry said in a message on X.
The borders with Iran and Afghanistan were also shut.
Despite the heavy security, one person was killed when gunmen opened fire on a patrol vehicle in the northwestern area of Tank, a source in the intelligence services said.
There was no immediate confirmation from the security forces.
Unofficial first results in the election are expected a few hours after voting closes at 5 pm (1200 GMT), and a clearer picture is likely to emerge early on Friday.
The main contests are expected to be between candidates backed by Khan, whose Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party won the last national election, and the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) of three-time premier Nawaz Sharif, who is considered the front-runner.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the 35-year-old son of former premier Benazir Bhutto, has also run an aggressive campaign in an outside bid for the top office.
Despite the bitter winter cold, long queues began forming at polling stations hours before voting started. "The country is at stake; why should I come late?" said 86-year-old Mumtaz, a housewife a decade older than Pakistan, as she queued up in Islamabad.
Analysts say there may be no clear winner, but the powerful generals could play a role. The military has dominated the nuclear-armed country directly or indirectly in its 76 years of independence, but it has maintained it does not interfere in politics for several years.
"The deciding factor is which side the powerful military and its security agencies are on," said Abbas Nasir, a columnist. "Only a huge turnout favoring PTI can change its fortunes."
Khan believes the military is behind a crackdown to hound his party out of existence, while analysts and opponents say the generals are backing Sharif.
The two former prime ministers have switched places since the last election in 2018: Khan was believed to be backed by the military then, and Sharif was in jail on corruption charges.
"Historically, engineered electoral exercises have not produced stability," Nasir said, adding, "Economic challenges are so serious, grave, and the solutions so very painful that I am unsure how anyone who comes to power will steady the ship."
Suppose the election does not result in a clear majority for anyone, as analysts are predicting, tackling multiple challenges will be tricky. In that case, the foremost is seeking a new bailout program from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after the current one expires in March.
Smaller political parties could play a crucial role in forming a government needing 169 seats in the 336-member National Assembly. Voters directly elect 266 members, while 70 reserved seats - 60 for women and 10 for non-Muslims - are allotted according to the number of seats won by each party.
Independents, many of whom are being backed by Khan, are free to join any party if they win, which could swing fortunes after the vote. Khan has said his candidates will not back Sharif or Bhutto Zardari.
Reuters
World News
Pakistan
Mobile
Services
Polling
Elections
Security
Next
France far-right chief confirms election pact with right-wing party
Recommended For You
d-none hideMe
0
World News
06:47
Russia says its forces take control of Kirove in Ukraine's Donetsk region
World News
06:47
Russia says its forces take control of Kirove in Ukraine's Donetsk region
0
World News
05:25
Chinese Navy survey ship enters Japanese waters, Japan's defense ministry says
World News
05:25
Chinese Navy survey ship enters Japanese waters, Japan's defense ministry says
0
World News
05:14
Ukrainian air defense downs 24 Russian drones, Kyiv says
World News
05:14
Ukrainian air defense downs 24 Russian drones, Kyiv says
0
World News
04:52
China, Philippines accuse each other of ramming ships in South China Sea
World News
04:52
China, Philippines accuse each other of ramming ships in South China Sea
Subscribe to our VOD
SUBSCRIBE
Our visitors readings
d-none hideMe
0
Lebanon News
2024-07-27
Stay tuned for Miss Lebanon 2024 pageant at 8:30 PM, broadcast live on LBCI and available for streaming on the website https://www.lbcgroup.tv/live/ar
Lebanon News
2024-07-27
Stay tuned for Miss Lebanon 2024 pageant at 8:30 PM, broadcast live on LBCI and available for streaming on the website https://www.lbcgroup.tv/live/ar
0
Lebanon News
08:57
Speaker of Parliament Berri: Call for presidential election remains open, dialogue and successive sessions expected
Lebanon News
08:57
Speaker of Parliament Berri: Call for presidential election remains open, dialogue and successive sessions expected
0
Lebanon News
2024-08-26
Israeli airstrikes hit multiple towns across southern Lebanon
Lebanon News
2024-08-26
Israeli airstrikes hit multiple towns across southern Lebanon
0
World News
2024-07-19
Biden begins to accept he may have to drop out of race: sources tell New York Times
World News
2024-07-19
Biden begins to accept he may have to drop out of race: sources tell New York Times
Videos
d-none hideMe
0
News Bulletin Reports
2024-08-26
LBCI Exclusive: Canada's Ambassador to Lebanon supports UNIFIL mandate renewal, aims to strengthen LAF capabilities
News Bulletin Reports
2024-08-26
LBCI Exclusive: Canada's Ambassador to Lebanon supports UNIFIL mandate renewal, aims to strengthen LAF capabilities
0
Lebanon News
2024-08-25
Hezbollah reveals footage of strikes in second phase of 'Day of Arbaeen' operation
Lebanon News
2024-08-25
Hezbollah reveals footage of strikes in second phase of 'Day of Arbaeen' operation
0
Lebanon News
2024-08-25
Hezbollah publishes new video revealing Israeli sites targeted in retaliation for assassinating its commander Fouad Shokor
Lebanon News
2024-08-25
Hezbollah publishes new video revealing Israeli sites targeted in retaliation for assassinating its commander Fouad Shokor
0
Lebanon News
2024-08-19
Israeli strike targets car in southern Lebanon, leaving one dead and several injured (video)
Lebanon News
2024-08-19
Israeli strike targets car in southern Lebanon, leaving one dead and several injured (video)
0
News Bulletin Reports
2024-08-13
Lebanon's authorities uncover five bodies in Kfarshima house: Here are the details
News Bulletin Reports
2024-08-13
Lebanon's authorities uncover five bodies in Kfarshima house: Here are the details
0
Lebanon News
2024-08-11
Lebanese Army finds main body of missile from Israeli Strike in Miryata forests
Lebanon News
2024-08-11
Lebanese Army finds main body of missile from Israeli Strike in Miryata forests
0
Lebanon News
2024-07-31
Mohammed Khair: Nine buildings damaged in Israeli attack; demolition planned for severely affected ones
Lebanon News
2024-07-31
Mohammed Khair: Nine buildings damaged in Israeli attack; demolition planned for severely affected ones
0
World News
2024-07-21
Full Transcript: Trump's Coordinator of Arab Relations Discusses Plan to Win Arab Voters and Achieve Peace
World News
2024-07-21
Full Transcript: Trump's Coordinator of Arab Relations Discusses Plan to Win Arab Voters and Achieve Peace
0
Lebanon News
2024-07-18
Two dead in Israeli airstrike on Jmeijmeh, south Lebanon (Video)
Lebanon News
2024-07-18
Two dead in Israeli airstrike on Jmeijmeh, south Lebanon (Video)
Most read
d-none hideMe
24 hours
7 days
Month
1
Lebanon News
03:23
FPM leader Bassil tells Hezbollah: We support you in defending Lebanon, not in starting wars
Lebanon News
03:23
FPM leader Bassil tells Hezbollah: We support you in defending Lebanon, not in starting wars
2
Lebanon News
04:29
Israeli artillery shelling in Yohmor Al Shaqif, South Lebanon, causes fires near homes
Lebanon News
04:29
Israeli artillery shelling in Yohmor Al Shaqif, South Lebanon, causes fires near homes
3
Lebanon News
05:59
Major fire breaks out on outskirts of Naqoura, South Lebanon, due to Israeli drone
Lebanon News
05:59
Major fire breaks out on outskirts of Naqoura, South Lebanon, due to Israeli drone
4
Lebanon News
05:46
Firefighters persist in containing Yohmor Al Shaqif fire in South Lebanon following Israeli artillery shelling
Lebanon News
05:46
Firefighters persist in containing Yohmor Al Shaqif fire in South Lebanon following Israeli artillery shelling
5
Lebanon News
08:57
Speaker of Parliament Berri: Call for presidential election remains open, dialogue and successive sessions expected
Lebanon News
08:57
Speaker of Parliament Berri: Call for presidential election remains open, dialogue and successive sessions expected
6
Israel-Gaza War Updates
03:31
Axios: Gallant says Israel must choose between Philadelphi corridor and hostages
Israel-Gaza War Updates
03:31
Axios: Gallant says Israel must choose between Philadelphi corridor and hostages
7
Middle East News
03:02
CENTCOM says raid kills 15 ISIS members in Iraq
Middle East News
03:02
CENTCOM says raid kills 15 ISIS members in Iraq
8
Lebanon News
03:42
Israeli airstrikes target forests and outskirts in South Lebanon
Lebanon News
03:42
Israeli airstrikes target forests and outskirts in South Lebanon
Download now the LBCI mobile app
To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world
Google Play
App Store
We use
cookies
We use
cookies
to make
your experience on this
website better.
Accept
Learn More