DUBAI // Pakistan has asked the Government to allow the 1.2 million expatriates living here to vote in next month's parliamentary elections.
Pakistanis will elect members of the national assembly, the lower house of parliament and the four provincial assemblies on May 11.
Eight countries - Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Australia, Canada, the United States and Britain - have given their permission for expatriates to vote.
Pakistan's ambassador to the UAE said this month that 45 polling stations would be set up across the country to allow expatriates to vote.
But two hurdles remain - Government permission and a legal framework in Pakistan to allow the votes to be counted.
"The government of Pakistan has officially requested the government of the UAE to allow Pakistanis in UAE to cast their vote," said an official at the consulate in Dubai. "We are very hopeful to get the approval ... in due time."
Talks between Pakistan's supreme court and election commission are still under way to set out the legal framework.
"The matter is under consideration in the supreme court," said the Pakistan foreign ministry.
"As soon as a decision is taken by the government, ministry of foreign affairs and our concerned missions abroad we will extend all possible facilitation for conduct of polling for overseas Pakistanis."
nhanif@thenational.ae
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Grubtech
Founders: Mohamed Al Fayed and Mohammed Hammedi
Launched: October 2019
Employees: 50
Financing stage: Seed round (raised $2 million)
THE LIGHT
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
Rating: 3/5
Ultra processed foods
- Carbonated drinks, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, confectionery, mass-produced packaged breads and buns
- margarines and spreads; cookies, biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes, breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars;
- energy drinks, milk drinks, fruit yoghurts and fruit drinks, cocoa drinks, meat and chicken extracts and instant sauces
- infant formulas and follow-on milks, health and slimming products such as powdered or fortified meal and dish substitutes,
- many ready-to-heat products including pre-prepared pies and pasta and pizza dishes, poultry and fish nuggets and sticks, sausages, burgers, hot dogs, and other reconstituted meat products, powdered and packaged instant soups, noodles and desserts.
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding