Current Final

Category: Politics

  • Govt snags big committees usually given to opposition

    Govt snags big committees usually given to opposition

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has bagged the chairpersonship of crucial Senate committees.

    The Opposition does not have the chairpersonship of law and justice, interior and human rights committees anymore, Hasnaat Malik reported in The Express Tribune.

    The chairpersonship of the Senate Committee on Human Rights was first offered to the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). However, instead of retaining it, the PPP passed it on to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

    “The Opposition parties, either due to internal differences among themselves or backchannel understanding, have been unable to head committees wherein they could have given a tough time to the government in the upper house,” tweeted Hasnaat.

    The PML-N nominated Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed as the chairman of the human rights committee. However, he bartered it with the government and instead became the head of the Standing Committee on Defence in return.

    Earlier, Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar from the PPP was the chairman of the Senate Committee of Human Rights. He took up several human rights issues, including attacks on journalists.

    Mustafa took to Twitter and wrote, “Top of the agenda items for the day was to clip the wings of the Human Rights Committee to turn it into a standing Committee from a funtional one.”

    The government has already modified the rules through the house and converted the functional committee on human rights into a standing committee, which has limited powers. The standing committee can only take up matters related to the human rights ministry.

  • Words ‘markup’ and ‘interest’ to be taken out of Math books

    Words ‘markup’ and ‘interest’ to be taken out of Math books

    The Textbook Publishers Association (TPA) on Thursday demanded the government to direct the Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board (PCTB) to issue them no objection certificate (NOC) and withdraw the “heavy fee” for publishing textbooks under the Single National Curriculum (SNC), claiming it will push the book prices up further.

    TPA President Fawaz Niaz said PCTB had imposed a heavy fee for reviewing textbooks published under the SNC that would result in increasing the books cost up to 300 per cent, according to a report published in Dawn.

    “The publishers will pay Rs45,000 to the Mutahidda Ulema Board (MUB), Rs80,000 to external review committees, and Rs15,000 to the PCTB for issuance of the NOC,” said Fawaz.

    Fawaz said the PCTB had also formed a committee of the MUB to review every book, including those of science and mathematics.

    “The members of the MUB committee have issued a direction that the words ‘interest’, ‘markup’ be eliminated from the mathematics textbooks,” Niaz said.

    Niaz also said some of the religious scholars, who were members of the committee, also directed the publishers not to print any sketches or diagrams in the biology textbooks showing human figures.

    Questioning separate mechanisms in the provinces for introduction of the new curriculum, he mentioned there would be no SNC in Sindh and Balochistan, while in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa the NOC from the MUB was not required, as the job of monitoring the syllabus from Islamic perspective was assigned to subject specialists, unlike Punjab.

  • ‘Raiwand’s prime minister’ sent abroad despite conviction: Bilawal

    ‘Raiwand’s prime minister’ sent abroad despite conviction: Bilawal

    Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, while addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Friday, said, “Raiwand’s prime minister” Nawaz Sharif was sent abroad despite being convicted.

    Bilawal said former president Asif Ali Zardari remains in Pakistan, moving from one doctor to another, despite his children telling him to go abroad and seek treatment.

    “If the president [Zardari] is from Nawabshah, he remains on medical bail despite trumped-up charges,” said chairman PPP.

    “I want to ask the prime minister (PM) what sort of accountability and justice is being implemented in the country? I want to ask the PM what kind of rule of law is there within the country?” Bilawal asked, adding that if the premier’s friends are being alleged of a crime, no action is taken against them.

    “This is revenge and political engineering and their ministers themselves accept it has hurt the economy,” added Bilawal.

    “If the prime minister and his sister are blamed for a crime, nothing happens to them,” Bilawal lashed out.

    However, if a former president from Nawabshah’s sister is blamed for something, then she is dragged to jail from her hospital bed, he said, referring to PPP leader Faryal Talpur.

    The PPP chairman denigrated the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government and questioned its standards of accountability. “This system is a mockery of the Constitution,” said Bilawal.

    “If the Leader of Opposition is from Lahore (Shehbaz Sharif), he is awarded bail, and if the leader of Opposition hails from Sukkur (Khursheed Shah), he is denied the right and treated like a ping-pong ball — back and forth from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) courts to Supreme Court,” Bilawal said.

    The PPP chairman claimed the authorities were repeatedly blackmailing Shah’s children and his wife.

    Bilawal further said that the party would support Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly on the budget despite the inappropriate behaviour of some Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) members.

    “I unconditionally say to Shehbaz Sharif in front of the media that all PPP members will be in your support with regards to parliament and this [upcoming] budget despite tantrums [of some PML-N members].”

    He said that PPP members would come and vote on the day of the budget and now it was up to Shehbaz as the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly to “do his work and stop the government’s budget.”

    Bilawal was responding to a question on whether the PPP had been contacted on the budget issue and whether it would support the Opposition. He responded that despite the “inappropriate behaviour” of the PML-N and other political parties in the Opposition, the PPP had prioritised national issues and the budget over differences between the political parties.

    “So despite their insults, the PPP went to Shehbaz Sharif’s invitation for dinner so we can rid the people of economic difficulties. Unfortunately, our host was publicly insulted after that dinner by some officeholders of the PML-N,” said Bilawal, adding that flinging statements at guests was not a part of “our tradition, values, and culture”.

    The PPP chairman also lashed out at the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), saying it should have offered resignations the same day or the next when the PPP had “supposedly” refused to listen to its demands and set out for its long march.

    “If they still want to do politics of resignations, then they should have given them by now.”

    Hitting out at the prime minister, the PPP chairman said that the statements since the past few weeks on the state of the economy showed that the “prime minister has no connection to the common man”.

    “The prime minister says Pakistan’s difficult time is over. Not sure about the common man but the IMF’s (International Monetary Fund) difficult time is over, for sure,” he said.

    Bilawal Bhutto said the government’s ministers had come around to accept the PPP’s stance on the economy and expressed the hope that Pakistan would escape the “IMF’s grip” in the budget next week.

    Bilawal similarly hit out at an ordinance for the creation of a new media body and said the PPP would continue to oppose it. He added that the recent attacks on journalists such as Asad Ali Toor or pressure being applied to media personnel such as Hamid Mir through petitions had “exposed the government’s weakness and insecurity”.

  • ‘Those who call themselves democratic are demanding the military to topple the government’: PM Khan

    ‘Those who call themselves democratic are demanding the military to topple the government’: PM Khan

    Addressing a ceremony to lay the foundation for the upgradation of the Multan-Lodhran section of the N-5 Motorway, Prime Minister Imran Khan said, “Those who call themselves democratic are demanding the military to topple the government.”

    “From day one, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government faced criticism from the Opposition, which was poised to topple the government unless their leaders were given an NRO (National Reconciliation Ordinance),” said Khan.

    “These mafias are bent upon doing anything to safeguard their interests as billions of dollars stashed by them abroad through money looted in the country are being probed,” he said. PM added that rule of law changes society and ensures that there are no sugar and land mafias.

    “Change is not possible without a struggle,” Khan said adding that the Opposition raised a hue and cry regarding a change a week after they [PTI] took power.

    “My own people had to face a tough time. The media also gave an impression that Naya Pakistan can emerge by switching a button on,” he said.

    PM Khan said the country registered a growth of 4 per cent this financial year despite the challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic. He said we not only saved our people from the pandemic, but also the economy.

    The government is focusing on uplifting the agriculture sector, industries, IT, housing and tourism sectors, he said, adding that a package is being introduced for the farmers to bring a green revolution in the country.

  • PTI fudging economic figures, claims PML-N

    A pre-budget seminar was organised by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on June 3 in Islamabad.

    The seminar was organised by the Economic Advisory Council of the PML-N on the direction of party president Shehbaz Sharif.

    Titled ‘Economy sinking under Imran Khan’s government’, the seminar discussed all the economic issues before the upcoming budget. The main focus was on the economic policies of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government.

    Graphs shown during the seminar entailed that Pakistan’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 5.8 per cent in PML-N’s last year, the highest in 16 years. In addition, GDP growth consistently remained above 4 per cent in each of PML-N’s 5 years. GDP growth has significantly declined during PTI’s tenure with 2.1 per cent growth in 2019.

    PTI is claiming 3.9 per cent growth now in 2021, but this claim is being challenged by independent economists. Whereas, GDP has significantly declined during PTI’s tenure with 2.1 per cent growth in 2019.

    Shehbaz Sharif claimed that the government was pushing out wrong statistics and misinforming the public since the start of the its tenure.

    “The government’s statistics [regarding the budget] have already become a subject of debate,” Shehbaz said while addressing the seminar virtually.

    “Their past is evident and they have been putting forth forged figures,” he said. “This comes on top of the government’s worst performance and major failures.”

    Last week, on Sunday, while addressing the nation live, Prime Minister Imran Khan said the Opposition parties were complaining about the government misleading the nation on the economy as they had not expected it to achieve a growth rate of nearly 4 per cent.

    “The economic growth rate has baffled political opponents who wanted the government to fail in meeting these challenges left behind by our predecessors,” added Khan.

  • Brothers at odds: Is Nawaz delaying Shehbaz’s trip to London?

    Brothers at odds: Is Nawaz delaying Shehbaz’s trip to London?

    After the Pakistan People’s Party’s (PPP) exit from the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), questions about the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) policy are being asked. Is the party going to go with the younger Sharif’s policy of reconciliation or the older’s more aggressive stance? After it was apparent that the majority in the party had disregarded Shehbaz’s point of view, questions arose about why Shehbaz was not pushing to go to London and get his name removed from the Exit Control List (ECL).

    Mian Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz’s spokesperson Mohammad Zubair denied that Nawaz had anything to do with Shehbaz’s silence on going to London after Anchor Shahzeb Khanzada asked if the older brother had told Shehbaz not to come to London.

    Khanzada asked Zubair: “Has Nawaz Sharif accepted that resistance is the only way to reconciliation and there is no need for Shehbaz to travel to London or hold his feet and ask him to return for the sake of national interest?”

    Zubair responded that it would be wrong to say that Nawaz and told Shehbaz not to come to London. “The lawyers are reviewing the case of Shehbaz Sharif to remove his name from the Exit Control List (ECL). The matter is being reviewed from both political and legal aspects,” he said, “This has nothing to do with Nawaz Sharif giving a message that you [Shehbaz Sharif] need not come to London.”

    Zubair added that Shehbaz travels to London every year for his medical treatment.

    In May, the Lahore High Court (LHC) granted conditional permission to Shehbaz to travel abroad for medical treatment. When his lawyers appeared in court, no reference of his ailment was mentioned.

    While talking to Kamran Khan on Dunya News, Shehbaz said, “Reconciliation is still possible; it’s never too late. Nawaz Sharif would be more than willing to do this, I guarantee you.” 

    He further added, “I am sure he [Nawaz Sharif] will promote national interest if there is a level playing field. Even if I have to hold his feet for national interest, I will do so because it is my national duty. I am a Pakistani first and then anything else.”

    Some senior analysts suggest that there is no political rift between the Sharif brothers. However, there are serious concerns within the PML-N that the party may face a split in the future due to the differences between Maryam Nawaz and Shehbaz Sharif.

    On Saturday, Maryam Nawaz said that “power talks to power”. She said that if there is muzaahmat (resistance), only then will there be mufaahmat (reconciliation).

    Maryam camp believes in taking forward Nawaz Sharif’s narrative while Shehbaz Sharif camp believes in reconciliation and not taking any institution head-on.

  • Who will get the Pfizer vaccine in Pakistan?

    Who will get the Pfizer vaccine in Pakistan?

    Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar said on Thursday that the government has decided to prioritise giving the Pfizer vaccine to those who have a work visa. The government aims is to inoculate Hajj pilgrims and students proceeding for education abroad first.

    The federal minister said that the government is working hard to accelerate the vaccination process across the country so that restrictions are lifted and businesses are resumed.

    Umar, replying to a question, said that Pakistan had received a limited quantity of Pfizer this month and therefore, preference for its administration had to be given to some segments.

    However, he added, Pakistan would receive more doses of Pfizer in the future.

    The minister further warned that countries not accepting vaccination certificates of Chinese vaccines would turn out to be a problem for the entire world if a decision was not taken on the issue at the global level.

  • ‘No salaries for non-vaccinated employees,’ Sindh govt

    ‘No salaries for non-vaccinated employees,’ Sindh govt

    Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has directed authorities to stop the salaries of government employees who are not getting themselves vaccinated against the coronavirus.

    During the Coronavirus Task Force meeting held under the supervision of the chief minister, the coronavirus situation in Sindh was discussed and the overall statistics of vaccination in the province were also reviewed.

    CM Murad said salaries of unvaccinated Sindh government employees should not be released if they did not get the coronavirus vaccination and issued directives to the finance ministry in this regard. 

    According to the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC), more than 79.53 million people have been vaccinated across the country so far. The national coronavirus monitoring body has set a target of vaccinating 70 million people in the country this year.

  • Reporter asks Miftah Ismail how Candyland made millions under PTI’s bad economic regime

    Reporter asks Miftah Ismail how Candyland made millions under PTI’s bad economic regime

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former Finance Minister Miftah Ismail held a press conference on Pakistan’s economy on Wednesday.

    Miftah Ismail said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government was responsible for destroying the economy.

    A reporter asked him if the economy was so bad, how did his own company (Ismail Industries Limited) doubled its profits this year.

    “During PML-N’s tenure, your company made Rs 35 crore profits but under PTI, your company’s profits have doubled. How has the economy been destroyed then?”

    Miftah asked: “How are Candyland’s profits or losses related to the country’s economy?”

  • Fayyaz ul Hassan offers to hold a joint press conference with Azma Bokhari

    Fayyaz ul Hassan offers to hold a joint press conference with Azma Bokhari

    Punjab’s Provincial Minister for Prisons Fayyazul Hassan Chohan and Secretary Information Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Azma Bokhari had an interesting exchange outside the Punjab Assembly earlier today.

    Fayyaz Chohan offered to hold a joint press conference in the Punjab Assembly with Azma Bokhari.

    “Azma sahiba can talk openly against our government and then it shall be my turn to comment on her party [PML-N],” said Fayyaz laughingly.

    https://twitter.com/arifawan779/status/1400038584984518667

    Azma Bokhari said she should be allowed to answer him point-by-point. Chohan Fayyaz said it would not be possible.

    On being asked by a reporter as to why the two individuals weren’t ready to do a joint press conference, Azma said, ” He [Fayyaz] should resign from his ministry, and stand beside me and hold a press conference as today’s presser is the Opposition’s.” Azma further added that she would happily welcome him [Fayyaz] and present him with a garland if he resigns and joins the Opposition.

    “I offered her [Azma] to speak first because I personally respect her,” said Fayyaz.

    Fayyaz Chohan later took to Twitter and said, “I offered Azma Bokhari to hold a joint press conference today, I was ready to give her the first turn but Azma did not dare accept.”

    To which Azma tweeted, “I asked you to resign. You are not destined to stand beside me.”