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Pakistan parliament grants voting rights to overseas citizens, allows use of EVMs

Khan meets PTI lawmakers as opposition finalises strategy to block controversial bill

05:15 PM | 17 Nov, 2021
Pakistan parliament grants voting rights to overseas citizens, allows use of EVMs

ISLAMABAD – The joint session of the Parliament Wednesday approved amendment bills on election rules that allow the use of electronic voting machines and grant right to overseas Pakistanis to cast their votes through the internet.

The government managed to pass the Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2021, and the Elections (Second Amendment) Bill, 2021 despite uproar created by the opposition parties.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan tabled the bill to amend the Elections Act, 2017. The motion to table the electoral reforms bill passed with 221 votes in favour while 203 lawmakers opposed it.

National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser announced the approval of the bills despite the concerns raised by the Opposition about counting of the government members.

As per the bill, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) shall, with the technical assistance of NADRA and any other authority or agency, enable overseas Pakistanis in prescribed manner subject to secrecy and security to exercise their right to vote during the general elections.

The bill also authorizes the ECP to procure electronic voting machines for balloting in general elections.

The joint session also approved various other bills, including International Court of Justice bill, 2021 related to Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav.

The bill provides for the right of review and reconsideration in the death sentence of Jadhav, who had been arrested from Balochistan. In April 2017, a court in Pakistan had sentenced the Indian spy to death.

Earlier, addressing the session, Opposition Leader in NA Shehbaz Sharif said that he had written a letter to Speaker Asad Qaiser, raising his concerns over the government’s hasty moves to get approved the bills without consensus. "But we received no answer from you," he said.

Earlier, the government withdrew the order for a joint session of the parliament, scheduled for November 11. The session was called by the government in order to pass the NAB Ordinance Bill and electoral reforms bill among other legislation items.

Federal information minister Fawad Chaudhry stated that the session was postponed in the hope that the opposition parties would consider the government's proposal seriously and work towards making a unanimously agreed-upon plan of action.

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Rupee recovers marginally against US dollar, Euro, Pound, Dirham and Riyal; check forex rates

Pakistani rupee saw marginal improvement against US dollar as it appreciated in the open bank market.

Dollar Rate in Pakistan Today

On Thursday, the US dollar moved up and was being quoted at 285.3 for buying and 288.15 for selling.

Euro moves down to 311 for buying and 314 for selling. British Pound rate stands at 358.5 for buying, and 361.5 for selling.

UAE Dirham AED stands at 78 whereas the Saudi Riyal rate stands at 76.20.

Today's currency exchange rates in Pakistan - 30 November 2023

Currency Symbol Buying Selling
US Dollar ‎USD 285.3 288.15
Euro EUR 311 314
UK Pound Sterling GBP 358.5 361.5
U.A.E Dirham AED 78 78.7
Saudi Riyal SAR 76.2 77
Australian Dollar AUD 187.2 189
Bahrain Dinar BHD 759.67 767.67
Canadian Dollar CAD 209 211
China Yuan CNY 39.58 39.98
Danish Krone DKK 41.38 41.78
Hong Kong Dollar HKD 36.63 36.98
Indian Rupee INR 3.39 3.5
Japanese Yen JPY 1.49 1.56
Kuwaiti Dinar KWD 926.7 935.7
Malaysian Ringgit MYR 60.38 60.98
New Zealand Dollar NZD 173.44 175.44
Norwegians Krone NOK 26.25 26.55
Omani Riyal OMR 741.26 749.26
Qatari Riyal ‎QAR 77.63 78.33
Singapore Dollar SGD 211 213
Swedish Korona SEK 26.93 27.23
Swiss Franc CHF 325.9 328.4
Thai Bhat THB 8.23 8.38

Gold rates in Pakistan increase; Check today’s gold rates 30 November 2023

KARACHI – The gold price continues to climb up in the local market in line of upward trend in international market.

Gold Rates in Pakistan Today - 30 November 2023

On Thursday, the single tola of 24 Karat gold was available at Rs218,600, and the price for 10-gram gold reached Rs187,420.

Meanwhile, the 22 Karat Gold price stands at Rs200,380, 21 karat rate for each tola is Rs191,275 and 18k gold rate hoveres around Rs163,950.

In international market, the price of precious metal hovers around $2,045 per ounce.

Today Gold Rate in Pakistan

City Gold Silver
Lahore PKR 218,600 PKR 2,675
Karachi PKR 218,600 PKR 2,675
Islamabad PKR 218,600 PKR 2,675
Peshawar PKR 218,600 PKR 2,675
Quetta PKR 218,600 PKR 2,675
Sialkot PKR 218,600 PKR 2,675
Attock PKR 218,600 PKR 2,675
Gujranwala PKR 218,600 PKR 2,675
Jehlum PKR 218,600 PKR 2,675
Multan PKR 218,600 PKR 2,675
Bahawalpur PKR 218,600 PKR 2,675
Gujrat PKR 218,600 PKR 2,675
Nawabshah PKR 218,600 PKR 2,675
Chakwal PKR 218,600 PKR 2,675
Hyderabad PKR 218,600 PKR 2,675
Nowshehra PKR 218,600 PKR 2,675
Sargodha PKR 218,600 PKR 2,675
Faisalabad PKR 218,600 PKR 2,675
Mirpur PKR 218,600 PKR 2,675

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