Ahsanullah Virk, a member of parliament, filed a petition against the Election Commission of Pakistan’s order to recount the votes in NA-79. The appeal was considered by a single bench of the high court, which is composed of Justice Shahid Karim.

The bench allowed the appeal and overturned the ECP’s directive to recount the votes cast in the constituency.

Previously, the attorney for the electoral body asked for more time to obtain guidelines from the ECP.

“Notification has already been sent out by the electoral commission. The bench stated, “The decision is in front of us; the time could have been granted over an ambiguity on the issue.”

The bench said, “The election commission’s decisions are shocking; the ECP should not have allowed this to happen.”

The petitioner’s attorney had earlier requested to view the returning officer’s report from the bench.

Justice Shahid Karim questioned, “Why is all of this happening in Gujranwala?”

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif received a visit by a high-level team of the Chinese International Development Cooperation Agency, headed by Luo Zhaohui, the agency’s chairman, in Islamabad. Jiang Zaidong, the Chinese ambassador to Pakistan, was present at the meeting as well.

Together with a Letter of Exchange regarding the establishment of a First Aid Centre in Balochistan and Protocol on Cooperation in Human Resources Development under the Global Development Initiative, the Prime Minister witnessed the signing ceremony of four Memorandums of Understanding focusing on Flood Rehabilitation, Information and Communication Technologies, Juncao Technology, and China-Pakistan Development Cooperation Planning 2024–2028.

As he welcomed the team, Prime Minister Shehbaz praised China’s unwavering support for Pakistan and stated that it is Pakistan’s most reliable ally. The prime minister praised CIDCA in particular for its crucial assistance during the 2022 floods as well as for its relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts in Pakistan, acknowledging CIDCA’s critical role in supporting Pakistan’s economic development.

He stated that the advancement and prosperity of the peoples of the two nations, as well as Pakistan’s socioeconomic development, have been facilitated by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He thought that more industrial, scientific, and environmentally friendly development will come from CPEC Phase-II.

He continued by saying that CPEC-II offers the private sectors of both nations the chance to establish collaborative partnerships.

From Karachi Airport, the Iranian President departed for Iran. At Jinnah International Airport, Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tesori, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, and other high-ranking officials bid farewell to the Iranian president.

The Iranian president met with a number of high-ranking officials while in Pakistan, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Governor Balighur Rehman, Governor Kamran Tessori of Sindh, Governor Maryam Nawaz of Punjab, Governor Asim Munir of the Army Staff, and CM Murad Ali Shah.

Prior to this, Dr. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, the president of Iran, reaffirmed his commitment to fostering bilateral ties with Pakistan.

At a celebration held in his honor last night at the Chief Minister House in Karachi, he was speaking to a sizable crowd.

According to the president of Iran, both sides are thinking about working together to support political, economic, commercial, and public relations efforts for the growth and well-being of their respective populations.

Iran has advanced significantly in industry, research, and technology, according to Dr. Syed Ebrahim Raisi, and it is prepared to share its expertise with Pakistan.

The Iranian president reaffirmed his commitment to removing trade restrictions with Pakistan.

Raisi’s trip to Lahore
During his visit to Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum earlier in the day, Ebrahim Raisi emphasized his “special connection” to the Pakistani people.

Raisi and his delegation were welcomed at the Allama Iqbal International Airport by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

The Iranian president expressed his desire to speak at a public event in Pakistan during his remarks at the event.

When paying his respects at Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s mausoleum in Lahore, Ebrahim Raisi stated, “I wanted to address a public rally in Pakistan but the conditions were such that it could not be made possible.”