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  • FIA probes NCCIA officials over extortion from Chinese-run call centres

    FIA probes NCCIA officials over extortion from Chinese-run call centres

    The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has initiated yet another First Information Report (FIR) against members of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) for reportedly enabling and extorting illegal call centres operated by Chinese nationals in Bahria Town.

    As per the FIR filed by the Anti-Corruption Circle (ACC) Islamabad, an internal investigation (No. 326/2025) revealed a network of corruption and extortion within NCCIA Rawalpindi. 

    The investigation found that numerous senior officials and private individuals were participating in offering protection to Chinese-operated call centres engaged in online fraudulent activities.

    At least 15 such centres, including MAKJ International Pvt. Ltd. and C Dragon Casino, were allegedly functioning under the protection of NCCIA officers. These centres, managed by Chinese individuals, recruited Pakistani employees with high salaries and supposedly targeted the public through online scams.

    The investigation identified Additional Director Shahzad Haider, Deputy Director Haider Abbas, and Sub-Inspector Muhammad Bilal as principal figures in the network. A private individual named Hassan Ameer was implicated as their intermediary.

    The group purportedly gathered approximately Rs. 120 million in extortion payments between September 2024 and April 2025. Each call centre reportedly paid Rs. 1 million monthly as a “protection fee.”

    The FIR described the distribution of the collected funds as: Rs. 550,000 per call centre for Additional Director Shahzad Haider, Rs. 200,000 for Deputy Director Haider Abbas, Rs. 200,000 for Sub-Inspector Muhammad Bilal, and Rs. 50,000 for the intermediary, Hassan Ameer.

    Sub-Inspector Bilal was further accused of requesting an extra Rs. 800,000 as a “cooperation fee” from every newly set-up call centre.

    The report additionally mentioned that Bilal, along with another officer, Sub-Inspector Mian Irfan from NCCIA Islamabad, allegedly extorted Rs. 40 million from a Chinese individual, named Leo, during a raid conducted in Islamabad’s Sector F-11.

    On 14 July 2025, the NCCIA conducted another raid at an illegal call centre in Islamabad’s G-10 Markaz, according to a first information report lodged by complainant Aamir Azeem Abbasi. The operation followed a tip-off about a “task-based scam” in which the accused impersonated representatives of a fake online earning company to defraud people. 

    Earlier, on 9 July 2025, the NCCIA arrested 149 people during a raid on a scam call centre in Faisalabad. The agency said the network was involved in Ponzi schemes and defrauded individuals through fake investment tasks shared on WhatsApp and Telegram. 

    Among those arrested were 78 Pakistanis, 48 Chinese nationals, eight Nigerians, four Filipinos, two Sri Lankans, six Bangladeshis, two Myanmar nationals, and one Zimbabwean. 

  • Five days after going missing, seven-year-old girl found dead in Mirpurkhas

    Five days after going missing, seven-year-old girl found dead in Mirpurkhas

    A seven-year-old girl who had been missing for five days was found dead on Sunday, her body stuffed inside a gunny bag and dumped near a water distributary in Baloch Mohalla, Jhalori, a small town in Shujabad taluka of Mirpurkhas district. 

    The horrific discovery has shaken the peaceful community, where residents took to the streets in protest shutting down markets and burning tyres to demand justice.

    The victim was identified as Aamna, the daughter of local prayer leader Molana Ghulam Haider Kundrani, Inspector Inayat Zardari has confirmed. 

    Locals saw the body and reported it to the authorities, according to police. It was shifted to Civil Hospital Mirpurkhas, where the initial medical report confirmed physical and sexual assault.

    Speaking to reporters, the heartbroken father said it was a routine morning when his daughter went to school, came home during the break, and returned for her second shift. 

    “Around 2pm or 2:30pm, one of her classmates dropped her bag at our house. We thought she was playing with friends after school,” he recalled. 

    By 4:30pm, when Aamna still hadn’t returned, her family and neighbours began searching the entire town. 

    Despite combing every alley and field, they found no trace of her. Kundrani said one neighbour later told him they had seen Aamna crying outside the school, saying someone was trying to kill her.

    The grieving father accused the police of negligence and harassment.
    “Instead of helping us find her, they subjected us to mental torture,” he alleged. 


    Molana Hafeezur Rehman, a prominent religious leader in Mirpurkhas, also held the police responsible for what he called “criminal negligence.”

    “We all know such elements exist in society, but the police should have acted urgently. Their indifference cost a child’s life,” he said, warning that locals would continue protesting if action was not taken.

    “Imagine the agony of a father who searched for his missing daughter for days only to find her lifeless body in a sack.”

    In response to public outrage, Sindh Home Minister Mr. Zia ul Hassan Lanjar directed SSP Mirpurkhas to submit a detailed report and ensure a swift, transparent investigation. He also ordered regular updates on the case’s progress.

    Provincial Minister Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah separately contacted the SSP and expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy.

    “This is a heartbreaking incident,” he said. “My heart goes out to the bereaved family, and we will ensure justice is served.”

  • ‘Messi lives rent-free in this guy’s mind’: Fans troll Ronaldo after he claims he is better than Argentinian star

    ‘Messi lives rent-free in this guy’s mind’: Fans troll Ronaldo after he claims he is better than Argentinian star

    Cristiano Ronaldo is no stranger to controversy. The megastar spurred a huge debate on the internet after boldly claiming that Argentinian legend Lionel Messi is not a better player than him. 

    The 39-year-old made the statement in an interview with British journalist Piers Morgan, saying, “Is Messi better than me? I disagree. I don’t want to be humble.”

    As soon as the clip went online, fans went wild. Social media exploded with reactions poking fun at Ronaldo’s obsession with Messi.

    Fans were quick to respond, flooding Twitter and Instagram with jokes and mockery. 

    One fan wrote, “Messi lives rent-free in this guy’s mind.” Another mocked him, saying, “Literally no one talks about Messi vs Ronaldo anymore except Cristiano himself in every single interview.” 

    Some fans got sarcastic, commenting, “When you know you aren’t, you just proclaimed yourself the best!” while others called him the “self-proclaimed GOAT.” One exasperated fan posted, “No way he still thinks that he’s better than Messi,” accompanied by crying emojis.

    Interestingly, the rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo has always included mutual respect. Messi once said, “Cristiano Ronaldo is an extraordinary player and it would be brilliant to be in the same team as him. I do not know if that will happen one day, but I would like it to, as he is spectacular.” He added that competing against Ronaldo pushes both players to perform at their best.

    Beyond admiration, their rivalry has set benchmarks for generations of footballers. Messi’s vision, dribbling, and creativity complement Ronaldo’s athleticism, goal-scoring, and leadership. Even off the field, they maintain a professional relationship, occasionally sharing award stages and greetings.

    In 2025 Messi remains at peak form with Inter Miami CF: he has scored around 29 goals and provided 20 assists in the MLS so far. 

    Meanwhile Ronaldo, now at Al Nassr FC in Saudi Arabia, is still producing: in early data he has 15 goals and one assist in 17 matches. 

    As Ronaldo chases 1,000 professional goals, currently at 952, and Messi sits at 891 with Inter Miami, fans continue debating who is the greatest. Social media is full of jokes, memes, and discussions, highlighting both the competitive nature and the emotional investment in this historic rivalry. The Messi-Ronaldo debate shows no signs of ending.

    Despite the trolling, Ronaldo has expressed respect for Messi in the past, saying they share a cordial relationship and that he would love to have dinner with him someday.

  • Govt shortlists judges for proposed Federal Constitutional Court

    Govt shortlists judges for proposed Federal Constitutional Court

    With the 27th Constitutional Amendment making steady headway in parliament, the federal government has begun the groundwork for establishing the long-discussed Federal Constitutional Court (FCC), a specialised body meant to interpret the Constitution and resolve disputes between the federation and provinces. 

    According to official sources, consultations are underway over the court’s initial composition, with Justice Aminuddin Khan, who currently leads the Supreme Court’s Constitutional Bench, being considered for appointment as the first Chief Justice of the FCC.

    The shortlist under consideration includes Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Musarrat Hilali, Justice Aamer Farooq, and Justice Ali Baqar Najafi from the Supreme Court, alongside Justice K.K. Agha of the Sindh High Court and Justice Rozi Khan Barrech, the sitting Chief Justice of the Balochistan High Court. 

    According to sources, a presidential order will establish the FCC’s initial strength, while parliamentary legislation will be needed for a further expansion.

    According to Law Ministry officials, the president will appoint FCC judges on the prime minister’s recommendation under the proposed constitutional amendments.

    The move to create a separate constitutional court has been revived through the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill, aimed at refining the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction and ensuring faster, more specialised adjudication of constitutional matters. 

    The government maintains that the initiative will reduce Supreme Court’s workload, expedite constitutional rulings, and strengthen judicial independence.

    The idea is not new.It was first introduced in the 2006 Charter of Democracy (CoD) signed by the PPP and PML-N.

     The CoD proposed forming a dedicated court to handle constitutional cases, allowing the Supreme Court to focus on final appeals. Although the proposal resurfaced in the 26th Amendment draft, it was shelved amid opposition from JUI-F and other parties. 

    In an effort to retain experienced jurists and preserve institutional continuity, the new plan calls for Constitutional Court judges to retire at 68, three years later than Supreme Court judges.


    In order to provide administrative and symbolic separation from the Supreme Court and other higher courts, the Federal Shariat Court will relocate to the Islamabad High Court grounds, while the FCC will remain housed in the Federal Shariat Court’s existing building in Islamabad.

    The FCC will have exclusive jurisdiction over federal-provincial disputes, constitutional interpretation, and issues directly related to constitutional provisions once it is operational.

     Additionally, it will have the authority to examine questions referred by the president or Parliament, as well as presidential orders and constitutional amendments.

    Justice Aminuddin Khan, born in Multan in 1960, is a second-generation lawyer who earned his LL.B. from University Law College, Multan, in 1984. Beginning his practice under his father, Khan Sadiq Muhammad Ahsan, he became an advocate of the Lahore High Court in 1987 and of the Supreme Court in 2001. Elevated to the LHC bench in 2011 and the SC in 2019, he has authored several landmark rulings in civil and constitutional law.

    Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, born in Karachi in 1962, began practising law in 1988 and joined the Supreme Court in 2023. He is recognised for his integrity and deep understanding of constitutional and administrative law.

    Justice Musarrat Hilali, the first woman Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court, was elevated to the Supreme Court in 2023. Her career spans roles as Additional Advocate General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Federal Ombudsman for Protection against Harassment of Women.

    Justice Aamer Farooq, former Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court, joined the Supreme Court in February 2025. Educated in London and called to the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn, he specialises in constitutional and commercial law.

    Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, who has served at the Lahore High Court, has presided over more than 37,000 cases, covering civil, criminal, and constitutional matters. He also headed the inquiry into the 2014 Model Town incident.

    Justice Rozi Khan Barrech, currently Chief Justice of the Balochistan High Court, joined the judiciary in 1998, was elevated to the High Court in 2019, and assumed his current role in July 2025.

    Justice K.K. Agha, a Sindh High Court judge with extensive international experience, he has previously served as a prosecutor at the UN Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and as Senior Counsel at the Special Court for Sierra Leone.

  • PIA enters sixth day of flight delays, cancellations amid alleged management-engineers dispute

    PIA enters sixth day of flight delays, cancellations amid alleged management-engineers dispute

    Flight disruptions persisted for the sixth straight day on Sunday as alleged conflicts between Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) leadership and its aircraft engineers continued unresolved. 

    Sources indicate that nine flights were cancelled and 18 were delayed throughout the day due to technical issues and lack of spare parts. The impacted routes consisted of various international and domestic flights.

    Among the international flights, the cancelled ones included Abu Dhabi-Peshawar, Dubai-Karachi, Faisalabad-Dubai, Dubai-Faisalabad, and Peshawar-Dubai routes.  Domestic cancellations encompassed Gilgit-Islamabad, Islamabad-Gilgit, Skardu-Islamabad, and Islamabad-Skardu. Flight PK-143 from Islamabad to Al Ain took off nearly 10 hours behind schedule.

    In total, 18 flights, both domestic and international, experienced delays ranging from three to ten hours. By 5 p.m., nine flights had been cancelled and 18 had been delayed, largely due to engineering-related problems. 

    In a statement to the press, a PIA spokesperson refuted claims that the cancellations were the result of a strike by engineering staff, explaining that the recent disruptions were due to schedule adjustments, weather factors, or other operational challenges.

    The dispute between PIA management and the Society of Aircraft Engineers of Pakistan (SAEP) reportedly originated on November 6, when the airline’s CEO dismissed the SAEP president and secretary general for conducting a press conference and revealing official information.

    On October 10, PIA engineers had claimed that poor management decisions and maintenance shortcomings had decreased the airline’s operational fleet from 34 aircraft to 12.

    The PIA Air League and the Senior Staff Officers Association later voiced their support for the SAEP, denouncing the termination of its representatives and labeling it as administrative victimization.

    The SAEP also accused PIA management of targeting engineers who insisted on upholding international safety standards. 
    In a statement, it mentioned that the engineering department had begun retaliatory measures against staff members who raised maintenance issues.

    PIA management dismissed the accusations, labeling the engineers’ statement “false” and “misleading.” The spokesperson asserted that the data provided by the engineering society was incorrect and aimed at gaining unwarranted attention on international platforms.

  • Zain Ahmad deletes all wedding pics with Aima, fueling rumours of split

    Zain Ahmad deletes all wedding pics with Aima, fueling rumours of split

    Rumors about trouble between singer Aima Baig and her husband, fashion designer and Rastah CEO Zain Ahmad, grew stronger this week after both took unusual steps on Instagram.

    Aima deactivated her Instagram account last month, and now Zain has deleted all wedding photos from his profile. Fans noticed the change within hours and immediately began discussing the possibility of a split.

    This is not the first time fans have questioned the couple’s relationship. In October, Zain suddenly unfollowed Aima on Instagram. The move triggered speculation of differences between the two, but Zain later said that a technical glitch caused the issue. He also said that their wedding photos did not disappear and that he moved them to the archive folder.

    Aima and Zain married in August 2025 in Lahore. Their marriage has not completed one full year, yet online discussions about a possible separation have returned with full force.

    Before marrying Zain, Aima was engaged to actor Shehroz Shigri. The two met during the shoot of the film Parey Hut Love. The singer announced the end of the engagement in September 2022.

    After that breakup, Aima and Zain grew close. Fans often saw them together at public events, and Aima commented warmly on Zain’s posts. Many took the interactions as confirmation of their relationship.

    In recent months, Aima stepped away from the music scene and reduced activity on Instagram. She used to post casual stories, chat with followers and share updates about her songs, but she has been quiet for a while now. Zain stayed focused on his brand, and Aima’s silence added to the curiosity.

    Now that Zain has removed all their photos, fans believe something serious may be happening. Neither Aima nor Zain has commented on the speculation, but social media remains full of prayers and good wishes for both.

  • Trump proposes $2,000 for every American from tariff revenue

    Trump proposes $2,000 for every American from tariff revenue

    US president Donald Trump on Sunday floated a fresh plan to give most Americans $2,000 each, funded by tariff revenues collected by his administration. 

    He revived the idea on his Truth Social platform as he tried to build public support around his controversial tariff strategy.

    “A dividend of at least $2000 a person (not including high income people!) will be paid to everyone,” Trump wrote. He also called opponents of tariffs “FOOLS!” in the same post.

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    Trump cannot move forward with the plan without approval from Congress. 

    Earlier this year, Republican senator Josh Hawley of Missouri introduced a bill that offered $600 in tariff rebates for most Americans and their dependent children. 

    Hawley said, “Americans deserve a tax rebate after four years of [Joe] Biden [White House] policies that have devastated families’ savings and livelihoods.” He added that his proposal would “allow hard-working Americans to benefit from the wealth that Trump’s tariffs are returning to this country”.

    The administration has focused on using tariff funds to reduce the national debt, which stands at $38.12tn. US treasury secretary Scott Bessent said in August that the administration would use tariff collections to start paying down the federal debt rather than issue rebate checks.

    The treasury department reported $195bn in customs duties collected during the first three quarters of the year. Analysts say Trump’s proposed payments could exceed that amount. Erica York, vice-president of federal tax policy at the Tax Foundation, wrote, “If the cutoff is $100,000, 150M adults would qualify, for a cost near $300 billion. If kids qualify, that grows.” She also said, “The math gets worse accounting for the full budgetary impact of tariffs. Adjusting for that, tariffs have raised $90 billion of net revenues compared to Trump’s proposed $300 billion rebate.”

    John Arnold, co-chair of Arnold Ventures, estimated that the dividend payments could reach as high as $513bn.

    Consumers faced an average effective tariff rate of nearly 18 percent in October, the highest since 1934, according to the Yale Budget Lab. After Trump introduced sweeping tariffs on global trading partners in April, companies increased prices and passed some of those costs on to consumers.

    Trump has raised the idea of stimulus checks tied to tariff revenue several times. In October, he said he was looking at checks worth between $1,000 and $2,000. In July, he again discussed tariff rebate checks.

    In February, Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk, who at the time advised the White House, explored a plan for a $5,000 “dividend” check based on savings created by the department of government efficiency, known as Doge. That idea collapsed when the national deficit increased and the administration overstated how much it saved through Doge.

    The US supreme court heard arguments on Wednesday on Trump’s sweeping global tariffs and signaled doubts about their legality.

  • PCB names squads for Sri Lanka ODIs and tri-nation series

    PCB names squads for Sri Lanka ODIs and tri-nation series

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the names included in the national squads for the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka and the Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe tri-nation T20 event. 

    Selectors did not include Hassan Nawaz in either squad.

    According to the PCB, Hassan Nawaz will not feature in the ODI series and the T20 event. The board released him so he can take part in the ongoing Quaid e Azam Trophy, where the seventh round begins on November 11. 

    Pakistan will host Sri Lanka for three ODIs from November 11 to 15 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The tri-nation T20 event will run from 17 to 29 November in Rawalpindi and Lahore.

    The selectors added experienced batter Fakhar Zaman to the T20 squad in place of Hassan Nawaz. They did not name a replacement for him in the ODI squad.

    Pakistan ODI squad for series against Sri Lanka:

    Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Babar Azam, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha.

    Pakistan squad for tri nation T20 event:

    Salman Ali Agha (captain), Babar Azam, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sahibzada Farhan (wicketkeeper), Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Abdul Samad, Usman Tariq.

    ODI series schedule:

    11 November: First ODI in Rawalpindi
    13 November: Second ODI in Rawalpindi
    15 November: Third ODI in Rawalpindi

    Tri nation T20 schedule:

    17 November: Pakistan vs Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi
    19 November: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi
    22 November: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka in Lahore
    23 November: Pakistan vs Zimbabwe in Lahore
    25 November: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe in Lahore
    27 November: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka in Lahore
    29 November: Final in Lahore

    The announcement came soon after Pakistan claimed a convincing 2-1 series win over South Africa. Pakistan defeated South Africa by seven wickets in the third and final ODI at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad.

    South Africa won the toss and chose to bat but failed to build a strong total. The visitors scored 143 runs and lost all wickets in the 37th over. 

    Pakistan comfortably chased the 144 run target in the 26th over for the loss of three wickets. 

    Pakistan won the first match of the series by two wickets. South Africa levelled the series in the second ODI with an eight wicket win, but Pakistan finished strongly and secured the series in style.

  • Professor Ahsan Iqbal Mobilizes Nation at Oxford, Charts Unstoppable Path for Pakistan’s Transformation with URAAN

    Professor Ahsan Iqbal Mobilizes Nation at Oxford, Charts Unstoppable Path for Pakistan’s Transformation with URAAN

    In a defining moment for Pakistan, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, the Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, representing the vision of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, stood before the global Pakistani diaspora at the University of Oxford not just as a policymaker, but as the architect of a national resurgence.

    A Uraan Pakistan Conference was organized by the Oxford Pakistan Society where the Minister presented the framework and its implementation roadmap. Prof. Iqbal cemented his role as the leader rallying the nation’s most vital forces—its youth, its women, and its global diaspora—behind the single most ambitious blueprint for progress: URAAN Pakistan.

    A Hero’s Journey: From Personal Dream to National Mission

    Channeling the aspirations of millions, Prof. Iqbal shared a powerful testament of faith in Pakistan’s potential. “If you have a dream and are willing to work for that dream, there is no dream that you cannot fulfill in Pakistan, and I am a walking example of that,” he declared, positioning himself as living proof that determination can shape destiny. He reframed URAAN from a government plan into a patriotic crusade, asserting, “URAAN Pakistan is not a government initiative; it is the nation’s mission, rooted in shared purpose and resolve.”

    Fast-Tracking a National Transformation

    Prof. Iqbal detailed how, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, the government has already shifted URAAN Pakistan into a high-gear implementation phase, turning vision into immediate action. He pointed to a series of strategic victories that have created irreversible momentum:

    • Strategic Global Partnerships: The recent signing of two landmark MoUs with the University of Cambridge, focused on technology transfer and higher education, was highlighted as a critical step in bridging Pakistan with global knowledge hubs.

    • Economic Stabilization as a Foundation: He underscored that the successful stabilization of Pakistan’s economy has created the necessary platform for the ambitious, growth-oriented projects under URAAN.

    • Reigniting Strategic Corridors: The revitalization of CPEC as ‘CPEC 2.0’ was presented as a cornerstone of this new era, focusing on industrial cooperation and high-quality development, alongside deepened engagements with other key international partners.

    “History does not wait; we must move with determination to succeed in the fourth URAAN of Pakistan,” Prof. Iqbal stated, signaling a government in action, not just in deliberation.

    Uniting Pakistan’s Greatest Assets: Youth, Diaspora, and Women

    Prof. Iqbal issued a powerful call to the nation’s core constituencies – youth, women and the diaspora. He anointed the diaspora as Pakistan’s “most precious resource,” calling on them to be “catalysts for innovation, investment, and global bridges.” He drew direct parallels to the transformative role diasporas played in the rise of Korea, China, and Malaysia.

    Pakistan’s leadership vision for URAAN explicitly places youth and people at the heart of the country’s economic transformation, with Export as the engine, ensuring they are the primary drivers and beneficiaries of the knowledge-driven, inclusive economy URAAN promises to build.

    A Legacy of Equity and a Future of Pride

    The ceremony was also a moment of profound reflection, as Prof. Iqbal presented the Development Leadership Award posthumously to the late Dr. Arif Naveed, linking the ethical imperative of equity with the national mission of URAAN. This act underscored that the pursuit of growth is inextricably linked with justice and empowerment for the most vulnerable.

    The event culminated with the diaspora’s full-throated endorsement through panel discussions and interactions of the URAAN’s pillars: Exports, E-Pakistan, Equity & Empowerment, Environment-Food-Water Security, and Energy & Infrastructure.

    Prof. Iqbal concluded with a historic charge, uniting the nation toward a common goal: “History will judge us in 2047; URAAN Pakistan ensures we celebrate a century of independence with pride and achievement. Every Pakistani has a role to play; unity and active participation are the bedrock of URAAN Pakistan’s success.”

    As per the vision of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and under Prof. Iqbal’s leadership, URAAN Pakistan is now the nation’s undeniable path forward—a fast-tracked, comprehensive, and unifying mission for a transformative future.

    About URAAN Pakistan:

    URAAN Pakistan is the National Economic Transformation Plan, a strategic framework to propel Pakistan toward becoming a dynamic, inclusive, and globally competitive nation by 2047.

  • Pakistan’s 27th Amendment: The Big Changes You Need to Know

    Pakistan’s 27th Amendment: The Big Changes You Need to Know

    The 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill, signals that there are big changes coming and on Saturday, the standing committees of both houses of parliament on law and justice in a joint session went through 80 percent of it. A second session is planned for today in which the rest of the bill will be debated in the committees. But what is the bill and what does it mean. The Current has simplified the key features of the bill and what it means for you.

    THE 27th CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT BILL

    The bill, presented in the Senate by the law minister, Azam Nazeer Tarar, suggests creating a Federal Constitutional Court, change how high court judges are appointed, adjusting the size limits for provincial cabinets, and altering the structure of military leadership.

    “CHIEF OF DEFENCE FORCES”

    You must’ve heard about the changes to Article 243 this week.

    Currently, Article 243, states that “The Federal Government shall have control and command of the Armed Forces” and “the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces shall vest in the President”.

    THE CHANGES

    The position “Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee” (CJCSC) is going to be abolished. This position is currently in seniority to all other military titles, as it is the head of all the wings of the military: Army, Naval, Air. The position currently is not held by anyone who is chief of the other departments.

    The bill proposes to introduce a new title, “Chief of Defence Forces” and the Chief of Army Staff will also be the Chief of Defense Forces.

    The bill also proposes that honorary titles such as Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force, and Admiral of the Fleet awarded to senior military officers in recognition of their services will carry a lifetime status.

    Lifetime status means that the Field Marshal shall remain in uniform for life and can only be removed through impeachment. The government will determine the duties of a Field Marshal and he/she will also have legal immunity. The legal immunity will be for life since the position has a lifetime status.

    A NEW ‘BIGGER THAN SUPREME COURT’ COURT?

    The bill includes the formation of a federal constitutional court (FCC) which will be a court that includes senior judges from all provinces.

    The FCC will handle cases of constitutional importance and the Supreme Court (SC) will be handling cases of ordinary civil, criminal and statutory appeals. The first appointees for the FCC will be decided by the president and prime minister and parliament can determine the number of judges serving in the FCC.

    THE PROS

    According to lawyers and analysts, the pros for the FCC are that it will ‘modernise the judiciary,’ because it will reduce backlogs for the SC, many of which have been pending for years, and will also separate constitutional issues from other issues that will make the judicial system more clear and in turn, efficient.

    Law Minister Tarar explained that SC judges spent most of their time listening to other cases, even though constitutional case benches were present in the SC. “The fact of the matter is that five to six per cent of cases take 40pc of the court’s time and the rest of the cases remain as is,” he said.

    THE CONS

    The selection of the FCC chief justice will be done by the president and the prime minister and he or she will be chosen from the top three senior most judges of the Supreme Court. If the nominee declines, and the other two judges do as well, all three will have to retire from service.

    Currently, the Supreme Court works in a ‘seniority cycle’. The senior most judge is made the chief justice and they have to retire at the age of 65. So you know years in advance who the next chief justice will be. With the FCC, the president and prime minister will be selecting the top judge of the top Pakistani court, and parliament will decide who the other judges serving in the FCC will be. The chief justice of the FCC will serve three years or until he turns 68 years old.

    OPPOSITION

    PTI’s Senator Ali Zafar said that, the proposed 27th Amendment is “nothing short of a conspiracy against the Constitution. The entire process is being carried out in haste, without consultation or deliberation, in complete disregard of democratic norms and parliamentary traditions.”

    He also added that the opposition had been given very little time to examine the bill since they had received it yesterday.

    WHAT NEXT?

    PMLN and PPP are working on gathering the numbers to pass the bill, as JUI-F Maulana Fazalur Rehman is set to meet Bilawal and Zardari. Meanwhile, committees that are finalising the bill are also likely to change the mechanism for the transfer of high court judges — a process which may not require the consent of the judges being transferred.

    JUI-F had earlier boycotted the meeting of the joint committees yesterday (which were discussing the bill) and PPP Senator Farooq Naek said that the meeting continued after the JUI-F left and 80 percent of the amendments were discussed.

    The committees will meet again today to discuss the ‘chief of defense’ clauses since they have not been examined yet.

    You can download the bill here.