From Tribune staff reportsJEFFERSON COUNTY — A stolen Jefferson County school bus was recovered in Walker County and a man has been jailed in connection to the theft, according to Lt. Joni Money of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Around 5:20 p.m. on Monday, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office received information a school bus that had been stolen earlier in the day was seen on Free Will Road, just inside Walker County. Deputies responded to the Walker County location and discovered the bus on an old logging road. Fresh footprints were found leading away from the bus to Watkins Road,” Money said. “Deputies deployed a K9 and were able to locate a suspect.”Money said 44-year-old James Stafford was taken into custody and transported to the Jefferson County Jail in Birmingham.

Voters should be provided with explanations for the major anomalies in this election, and the ECP should act quickly to allay their worries. It is obvious that there was a problem with the results tabulation procedure in these constituencies, and it needs to be looked into and fixed right away. Several PTI-backed independents in Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Islamabad are among them; some of them witnessed easy wins turn into overnight losses. Withholding the results of the Daska by-election in February 2021 was the first severe and moral measure taken by the current CEC. Now, similar action is required, particularly in those areas where the losing candidates have substantial evidence to support their claims.

Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) chief Pir Sibghatullah Shah, popularly known as Pir Pagara, announced on Monday the forfeiture of the two Sindh Assembly seats won by the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) – a coalition of political parties in Sindh – in the 2024 general elections, alleging electoral rigging. Describing the elections as "unfair", Pagara, during a press conference, called for a peaceful protest against the rigging and announced plans for a sit-in on Feb 16 near the Hyderabad Bypass Road. He alleged that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had been unfairly assigned constituencies won by the GDA, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI). Pagara recalled an incident a few months ago when he was approached by an individual, whom he referred to as "a friend", to disband his party and offered two to three national and provincial constituencies. Pagara stated that the GDA would stage a sit-in outside the Sindh Assembly on the day the session commences.

A recent petition filed in the Supreme Court seeking to mandate elected independent candidates to join a political party within three days of their victory raises significant questions about the functioning of parliamentary democracy in the country. However, the proposed solution, which calls for binding independent members to join a political party within a rigid three-day timeline, may infringe upon the rights of elected representatives and limit political diversity within the assemblies. However, it is crucial to strike a balance between preventing potential abuse of power and respecting the democratic rights of elected representatives. The proposed solution, if implemented, may inadvertently suppress political diversity and hin­der the true representation of the electorate. While the concerns raised in the petition are valid, the proposed solution requires careful consideration of its potential impact on democratic princi­ples.

FAFEN observers address press conference at the launch of watchdog's preliminary report on the February 8 election observations. PHOTO: SCREENGRABThe Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) has raised concerns regarding non-compliance by Returning Officers (ROs) with instructions from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), citing violations that undermine transparency in the electoral process and urging the ECP to investigate non-compliance by ROs. This non-compliance includes the denial of access to FAFEN observers during the tabulation process in 135 constituencies, violating the rights of contesting candidates, their agents, and accredited observers to witness result consolidation. Furthermore, FAFEN highlighted discrepancies in the handling of Form-45 and Form-46 by ROs, with instances of bags being opened without the presence of candidates or their agents. While acknowledging the operational challenges posed by logistical constraints, FAFEN underscored the importance of electoral transparency and called on the ECP to probe non-compliance by ROs.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has revealed an impressive lineup of commentators for the upcoming ninth installment of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The international segment of the commentary team features esteemed figures like Ian Bishop, Simon Doull, Dominic Cork, Mike Haysman, Mark Butcher, Pommie Mbangwa, and Danny Morison. Adding to the excitement, Michael Clarke, the World Cup-winning captain, will make his debut on the PSL commentary panel. In addition to the global contributors, the local commentary contingent includes former Pakistan cricket stars such as Ramiz Raja, Waqar Younis, Aamir Sohail, and Bazid Khan. The commentary panel will also include accomplished former women cricketers, including Sana Mir, Urooj Mumtaz, and Marina Iqbal, providing a well-rounded perspective on the game.

The verdict given by the people has to be respected before institutions of repute lose face and credibility. The General Elections 2024 have exposed poles and fault lines quite blatantly. Come what may, the verdict given by the voters has to be respected before things turn ugly and institutions of repute and credibility are dragged into the quagmire of allegations. The massive voter turnout in the recent elections was more of a resistance movement. Democracy has to be given a chance if this country has to be stabilised.

Renowned Pakistani scriptwriter Bee Gul, celebrated for her storytelling acumen, and director Rafay Rashdi have teamed up for the upcoming short film, Jamun Ka Darakht, which has been accepted into the prestigious Cannes World Film Festival. Rashdi took to Facebook with a post to announce that the film has been ‘officially selected,’ featuring an official poster carrying the film fest's laurel. In January, the filmmaker shared the first trailer on Instagram, providing a glimpse into the intricate storytelling that explores the nuances of consensuality between individuals, promising a thought-provoking cinematic experience. Collaboratively produced by Rafay Rashdi Productions, Syed Murad Ali & Wah Wah Productions, and Faisal Kapadia, Jamun Ka Darakht pushes the boundaries of traditional storytelling. As the short film is submitted to international film festivals and a release date is expected, Jamun Ka Darakht may just emerge as more than just a film—it might double as cultural commentary, a vehicle for social introspection.

Australia defeated India to win the Under-19 Cricket World Cup for the fourth time. In the final of the Under-19 World Cup in South Africa, Australia’s first player was dismissed without scoring a run, but then the batsmen batted well and gave a big target. Harjas Singh scored 55 runs while the Australian captain scored 48 runs and Harry scored 42 runs. The Indian team was bowled out for 174 runs in the 44th overs, so Australia won the final by 79 runs and won the title for the fourth time. On behalf of India, Adarsh Singh scored 47 runs and Abhishek scored 42 runs.

Modi’s India has been systematically oppressing, marginalizing, and inciting hatred toward its 220-million Muslim minority. Young women dressed in saffron performed traditional folk dances and held placards asking Muslims to choose between Pakistan or the graveyard. Modi’s government planned to consecrate a new Hindu temple on the same site ahead of the 2024 general elections. Encouraged by international silence, India continues to refuse to resolve the J&K dispute in line with UNSC Resolutions. Under the UNSC resolutions, India cannot bring about any material change in the status quo in the Indian Occupied Kashmir.

The controversial Uniform Civil Code, which supersedes religious laws regarding marriage, divorce, and inheritance, was approved by Uttarakhand last week as well. If these acts are permitted to go unchecked, India might descend into communal anarchy. Instead, the purpose of this cunning plan is to eradicate Muslim religious and cultural customs and, in the end, to eradicate the Muslim identity from the so-called “pure” land of Bharat. The Sangh Parivar’s agenda for India is dangerous because it mixes 20th-century fascism with mythology from antiquity in a deadly concoction. It will have disastrous effects on minority communities, including Muslims in India, if it is permitted to go forward.

People came out very well in this election and they not only ex­ercised their right to vote, but also guarded their vote. Obviously, not all was right, nor intended to be and nothing is being done right rath­er more distortion is being creat­ed. How are these transparent re­sults of a transparent election in which the loser is being given a winning form, while the oppo­site candidate also has his own winning form and is knocking on the door of the court? It is a strange thing that in this country those who say to respect the vote have never given respect to the vote. Old slogans will not work now, neither will it be possible to try against the will of the public, now only the vote will have to be given real respect.

From Tribune staff reportsCENTER POINT — A Center Point woman is wanted in Jefferson County on a felony failure to appear warrant, according to Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama. Felicia Leann Miller is wanted in Jefferson County on a felony warrant charging her with failure to appear for identity theft, according to Crime Stoppers. Her last known address was in the 1500 block of 2nd Place Northwest, Center Point. If you know the whereabouts of Miller or have information that leads to the solving of a felony case, the issuance of a felony warrant or felony arrest, you could qualify for a reward of up to $5000. Call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 205-254-7777.

A candid of PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Senior Vice President Sher Afzal Marwat from a recent press conference is making rounds with many noting an interesting contrast in their demeanours. Marwat, who has dominated internet the past week with some intense speeches to his voters, can be seen carrying a serious expression in the picture while Gohar calmly addresses the press. pic.twitter.com/Uw0mtuV6HE — Oshaz (@ThisisOshaz_) February 10, 2024“I don’t know how to explain it but Sher Afzal Marwat can be cast as the main character of a Netflix show and I’d actually watch it,” contended another X user on the politician’s inexplicable charm. The PTI senior VP's cinematic potential was supported by another who remarked, "Hamza Ali Abbasi could play [Marwat] right in a movie." As per another, Gohar and Marwat relay their “12 am and 1 pm personalities” respectively, embodying the all-too-familiar struggles of night owls begrudgingly going about their day.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir on Saturday said Pakistan’s diverse polity and pluralism will be "well-represented by a unified government of all democratic forces" imbibed with national purpose. “Pakistan’s diverse polity and pluralism will be well-represented by a unified government of all democratic forces imbibed with national purpose. “Elections are not a zero-sum competition of winning and losing but an exercise to determine the mandate of the people. COAS wishes that these elections bring in political and economic stability and prove to be the harbinger of peace and prosperity for our beloved Pakistan,” the statement read. The COAS also congratulated the entire Pakistani nation, caretaker government, Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), political parties and all winning candidates on the successful conduct of the general elections 2024.