Maryam has what it takes to lead the party: Raja Zafar

Considering the kind of performance Maryam Nawaz has exhibited, the vice president deserved a chance to lead the party as its president, said PML-N chairman Raja Zafarul Haq, who confirmed that intra-party polls will be held on December 30. However, a party source close to the Shehbaz family claimed that this seemed a very unlikely proposition. Although he did not completely rule out the possibility, he pointed out that it would be odd to take away the party’s presidency from Shehbaz Sharif, the incumbent prime minister. The ruling party, after it was served final show cause notice for failing to hold intra-party elections by the ECP, had assured the top poll supervisory body earlier in November of holding elections by end of this year. Given that the failure to comply with the final show cause of ECP entails possible punishment, PML-N seems determined to hold elections on December 30 – which also happens to be its foundation day. Both the party chairman and special assistant to the PM confirmed that the party elections will be held on December 30. Raja, talking to The Express Tribune shared that the election process for all the portfolios will begin a few days prior to the Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting. Asked about Maryam’s possible accession to the party’s helm, Raja admitted that he too has been hearing rumours regarding the vice president being considered for the party’s president portfolio. He lauded Maryam’s performance and the way she led the party in the absence of her father and party supremo Nawaz Sharif, saying that it proved her credentials He added that Maryam was by all means prepared to assume the role. Asked about the timeline of the election process, the PML-N chairman said it usually begins a few days before the election date, adding that portfolios were normally decided with ‘consensus’ beforehand and that the CWC meeting only ratifies the names. In response to a question regarding incumbent party president Shehbaz Sharif, Raja said that Shehbaz was a senior party leader and will be accommodated in a senior position. It is pertinent to mention here that in February 2018, PML-N bigwigs had through a resolution declared Nawaz Sharif, who was disqualified from holding party presidency and then his premiership, as "[the party's] Quaid (leader) for life" – giving him an honorary position in the party the day Shehbaz was made the acting president of the party. Shehbaz Sharif has been holding the office since then. ‘A change party desperately needs’ A former district chairman also echoed PML-N chairman Raja Zafarul Haq while talking to The Express Tribune and said Maryam Nawaz would be the kind of change the party desperately needed. He, on the condition of anonymity, said Maryam had the capacity to resonate with young voters. However, he added, sideling PML-N president and incumbent prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, who is seen as "a poster boy" for his performance in PML-N circles, will trigger a public debate in general about the party being a family enterprise. And the opposition will love to fest on this opportunity, he added. He also noted that the decision will not sit well with the “Shehbaz camp” which, despite being in power in the party and otherwise, gets dominated by the Maryam-led camp when the latter desires. He said that the space for Shehbaz-led politics will be largely minimised if Maryam took to the party throne. However, he pointed out that there was only chatter within the party about Maryam’s desire for the slot and there was no official confirmation. He further pointed out that both camps follow different policies with Shehbaz Sharif’s side taken to be a proponent of reconciliatory politics while on the contrary, the Maryam-led camp is usually seen as favouring retaliatory politics over reconciliatory politics. It is pertinent to mention here that Maryam Nawaz left for London in October to be with her father Nawaz Sharif who has been residing in the European capital since 2019 on “medical grounds” and treatment purposes. According to multiple PML-N sources, the father-daughter duo to multiple PML-N sources, are expected to return in December to lead the party.

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Schoolchildren among 14 wounded

As many as 14 persons, including 11 schoolchildren, sustained serious injuries following an accident among a truck, car and van near Dunyapur on Wednesday. According to an official source, eight girls, three boys and another three men received multiple injuries in the crash. The condition of the eight girls is stated to be serious. The injured girls belonged to Chak No 15/MR and were going to their school. Rescue-1122 personnel rushed to the site and shifted the casualties to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Dunyapur.

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Man kills self after severing wife’s head

A man severed his wife’s head with an axe. Later, he went out and jumped himself in front of a train, the Jaffar Express, which had been en route to Quetta from Peshawar. The incident happened within the limits of the Kasowal Police Station. Manzoor Ahmed, a resident of 117/12-L, a neighboring village of Chichawatani, used to have frequent fights with his wife. He had a daughter and a son, who are both married. Last night, Manzoor Ahmad killed his wife Jannat Bibi and committed suicide by jumping onto the track near 117 Bara L where the oncoming Jaffar Express crushed him under its wheels. Kasowal Police Station after taking necessary action shifted the bodies to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Chichawatani for autopsy. Umar Farooq, the son of the deceased, said in his statement before the police that he had been sleeping in his room when he heard his mother screaming. He rushed to his parents’ room where he saw his father severing the head of his mother with an axe. Incidents of violence against women are not uncommon in the province. In March last year, a woman was allegedly strangled by her husband and his brother-in-law in the name of honour in Khurrianwala. The suspected murderers tied a rope around the victim’s neck and strangled her. Police recovered the body and launched an investigation after the postmortem. According to the police report, 26-year-old Mahwish Bibi, the daughter of Nawshir, a resident of Chak No 534GB, was married to Ali Raza, son of Zulfiqar and a resident of Chak No 448GB, eight years ago. The couple had three children. On the day of the incident, Ali Raza, while going on a business trip with his brother-in-law, Khadim Hussain, had allegedly seen his wife with a man. Ali developed suspicions over his wife after which he and Khadim grabbed Mahwish and put a headscarf and a rope around her neck and strangled her. The alleged murderers later escaped. Jaranwala police had recovered the body of the deceased and, after the postmortem, handed it over to her mother Kausar Bibi. The police had also registered a case against Ali Raza and Khadim Hussain. On February 24 last year, a woman was murdered by her father in Shalimar area of Lahore over suspicion of being in a relationship with a man.

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English players’ sickness may delay first Test

After a “viral infection” broke out among visiting cricketers, Pakistan and England agreed on Wednesday to delay the decision on commencing the historic first Test in Rawalpindi until Thursday (today) morning. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) made the decision based on medical advice from the England doctors, which revolved around the players’ health and welfare, a statement issued by the PCB said. The two boards also agreed, subject to the England players not on recovering well enough to take the field on Thursday morning, the Test will begin on Friday and would remain a five-day affair. Both the boards also established that the schedule of the second Test in Multan and the third Test in Karachi would remain unaffected. Around half of the England players, including captain Ben Stokes, were struck down by an unspecified virus on Wednesday. Former captain Joe Root told reporters that “a few guys were not feeling 100 per cent,” but did not provide details on individual players and possible changes to the starting XI. “It’s hard to say, I haven’t seen anyone this morning,” he said, adding: “I don’t think it’s food poisoning or Covid or anything like that, it’s just one of those things that we have unfortunately picked up as a group.” He further said: “I felt unwell yesterday and woke up feeling much better today, so hopefully it’s a 24-hour thing.” The British press had earlier reported that players were suffering from viral food poisoning after the ECB issued a statement, saying that “several players and staff members, including captain Ben Stokes, are feeling unwell and have been advised to stay at the hotel to rest up”. ECB spokesman Danny Reuben later clarified that “13-14 of the squad members, including six to seven players are suffering from a virus which is not related to food poisoning or Covid related”. Root, Zak Crawley, Harry Brook, Ollie Pope and Keaton Jennings were the players at training on Wednesday, while head coach Brendon McCullum was also in attendance. All of the squad had trained on Tuesday. England are on their first Test tour of Pakistan in 17 years, following their Twenty20 side playing seven matches in the country two months ago, taking the series 4-3. Problems with food and players becoming ill during the Twenty20 series led to the decision to bring a chef, Omar Meziane, who also worked with the England men’s football team at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and at Euro 2020. (With input from AFP)

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Imran slammed for using Quaid-i-Azam’s name for ‘nefarious agenda’

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Wednesday said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan should not use the name of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah to achieve his “nefarious agenda”. “Whether Quaid-i-Azam has said that the [wrist] watch with the image of Makkah should be sold from Toshakhana, or did he say to offer a lifetime extension to the army chief behind closed doors,” she said while addressing a news conference to brief the media persons about the decisions taken by the federal cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The minister said today Imran Khan while congratulating Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir on assuming the charge cited a “farman” (saying) of Quaid-i-Azam and expressed the hope that the new leadership of the military would end the trust deficit between the nation and state. “If Imran Khan thinks that the meaning of trust deficit is to offer a lifetime extension to the army chief behind closed doors then the mistrust actually prevails in his mind," she said. Marriyum went on to say that Imran Khan made an offer to the former army chief for a lifetime extension, launched malicious social media campaigns against the martyrs and officers of the Pakistan Army, formally invited the head of an institution to intervene in the politics and above all forced the governor, deputy speaker and other constitutional office holders to violate the Constitution so that he could remain in the power. She asked Imran Khan whether he made the offer for a lifetime extension to the former army chief behind closed doors and quipped that Imran and his wife allegedly demanded a ring of the five-carat diamond from a businessman in line with the “farman” of Quaid-i-Azam. She said that the ousted premier had no right to cite the sayings of Quaid-i-Azam on any platform as he had an autocratic mindset and was hell-bent on spreading hate, chaos, anarchy and polarisation in the country. To a query, the information minister accused the PTI chief of launching a malicious campaign against the state institutions and their heads on social media networking sites. She said that it was the same party whose chairman gave orders to his workers to launch a malicious campaign against the martyrs of the Pakistan Army who lost their lives while carrying out flood relief and rescue activities in Balochistan. “What else can be expected from a person who has such an obnoxious mindset,” she said, adding this was the same mindset which had formally invited the institutions’ heads to intervene in national politics. Marriyum said "ironically, Imran Khan still had the audacity to say that the head of an institution should have at least intervened to stop the process of a vote of no-confidence" which was moved against him by the then opposition in the National Assembly. Read more: Imran hopes 'prevailing trust deficit' will end with new army leadership The people, she said, would never forget the darkest era of Imran Khan’s government which was marred by “corruption and incompetency”. Terming the PTI chief an incompetent and disqualified person, and a thief, she said that his long march had fizzled out, adding that Imran had exhausted all his political options and was now left with no other political move. “In his free time, Imran Khan should declare all the gifts which he sold after illegally purchasing from Toshakhana and also file the defamation case which he announced after refuting all the facts regarding the matter as mere accusations,” she continued. She added that the former prime minister knew that he would have to answer about all the Toshakhana gifts if he filed the defamation case in this regard. The minister recalled that PM Shehbaz filed a defamation case against Imran Khan for hurling accusations in the Panama case, but failed to submit his reply in the court to date. Now, she added, the court would decide the matter if he failed to submit his reply. Marriyum further said that Imran Khan just wanted to spread political instability, chaos, anarchy and polarisation in the country as part of his unfinished agenda. His so-called “haqeeqi azadi” (real freedom) had been exposed before the public, she said, adding “haqeeqi azadi” could not be achieved by hiring the services of a US-based lobbying firm for improving the party’s image. She said every lie of Imran Khan got exposed gradually, especially, after the leaked audios in which he could be heard discussing the strategy to create a narrative over the so-called regime change conspiracy, buying votes to defeat the no-confidence motion against him, and asking a provincial finance minister to write a letter to the IMF. Read: Don't want army chief of my choice: Imran The minister said the coalition government is committed to resolving the people’s issues and ensuring their well-being. “Our entire focus is on carrying out rehabilitation and reconstruction phase in the flood-affected areas and reversing the damage caused by Imran Khan to the country at internal and external fronts while being in power for four years,” she said. She said that the prime minister is working tirelessly to restore the image of the country at the international level through effective diplomacy. She also asked Imran Khan to stop the drama of “haqeeqi azadi” and give answers about the economic mess created by him during the last four years while in the government. To another query, she said that the PTI chief launched the long march to topple the current government, but ended it with the announcement of dissolving his own governments in different provinces. “We are ready for every kind of eventuality and will compete with him (Imran) in a befitting way,” she remarked. The people needed to understand that inflation and terrorism were outcomes of the bad governance of the Imran-led government, she said, adding that terrorism was completely rooted out during the previous tenure of Nawaz Sharif who launched the National Action Plan by bringing all the political parties including the PTI at the table. At the outset of the briefing, Marriyum said the prime minister had not accepted the resignation of Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazir Tarar and he was requested by cabinet colleagues to withdraw his resignation. She said that the whole cabinet appreciated the competence and efficiency of Azam Nazir Tarar as law minister and also lauded Sardar Ayaz Sadiq who looked after the Ministry of Law and Justice during his absence. The minister said the cabinet strongly condemned the Buleli suicide attack near Quetta and offered Fateha for those who were martyred in the attack and prayed for the early recovery of the injured. She said that the cabinet lauded the services of all stakeholders, especially the polio workers across the country to make Pakistan a polio-free country. The cabinet, she said, was given a detailed briefing by the Ministry of Food Security and Research on the demand and supply situation of wheat in the country. The minister said the cabinet was informed that as compared to the previous year, two per cent more stock of wheat was available in the country. She said that despite unprecedented floods in the country, the sufficient stock was available due to efficient planning and steps were taken to ensure the availability of wheat and other edible crops in all parts of the country. She said that the cabinet also appreciated the efforts of Food Security Minister Tariq Bashir Cheema, and his staff for ensuring the availability of wheat and other edibles despite heavy floods during summer. Marriyum said the cabinet gave approval to the proposal of auctioning one of the two buildings in Washington owned by the Pakistan embassy. She said that in 2010, the then-prime minister gave approval for the renovation of these two buildings. She said that the renovation of one of the buildings was completed but only 60 per cent work could be completed on the other building. The info minister said that the US government had revoked the diplomatic status of the building and so far the government had paid $ 8,19,000 as tax. She said that after 2019, $1.3 million tax had been paid on the building without any use. As the building was not suitable for use due to incomplete renovation and the abolition of its diplomatic status, she said the cabinet approved the proposal to auction the building. She said in the past $4.5 million bid was given but now a bid of $6.9 million has been given which was $2.3 million higher than the previous one. She said if Pakistan did not auction the said building, the United States would itself auction it. She also added that the cabinet gave approval for the auction of the said building in a transparent manner.

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Another undergraduate policy set to bite the dust

  After nearly two years, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has come to the conclusion that its previous undergraduate policy was flawed and has now proposed a new one - at the expense of students who are mired in uncertainty due to such frequent changes. Under the new policy, any university will be able to offer a four-year graduate programme of at least 120 credit hours and associate degrees from affiliate colleges will require 60 credit hours. Furthermore, the condition of studying only general subjects in the first two years of an undergraduate programme will also be done away with.At present, the HEC policy, introduced by former chairman Dr Tariq Banuri, requires universities to conduct four-year programmes with a minimum of 124 and a maximum of 136 credit hours. The current policy in place also requires a 9-week mandatory internship to graduate but has no credit hours; moreover, it is compulsory to complete 256 hours of extracurricular activities such as sports, youth club, and entrepreneurship to graduate. However, the proposed policy, in stark contrast, mandates a 6 to 9 week internship period and will be assigned 3 credit hours. Similarly, the extracurricular requirement, referred to as the Practical Learning Lab (PLL), will be abolished. The Express Tribune asked Professor Dr Anila Amber Malik, Convener of the Academic Council Committee formed in Karachi University to review the new undergraduate policy, about the impact of such a drastic shift in policy in a short span of time on students’ plans. “We have held detailed meetings with the relevant authorities of HEC regarding the new policy and have made sure that our opinions are considered in this regard,” she said.Dr Malik further said that the committee was of the view that there was no need to make extracurriculars a mandatory part of any programme as universities already give students ample opportunities to take part in activities outside the classroom.  “We have also given some thoughts on the usefulness of the internship requirement and have been told that our inputs will be included in the consultation process to prepare a final policy,” the professor said. Apart from the Karachi University, the proposed policy was also sent to other vice chancellors (VCs) of public private universities across the country for their feedback and it is expected that implementation will begin soon. The current chairman of the HEC, Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, when asked about this sudden change in policy, replied that numerous flaws had been pointed out by VCs of different universities in the current policy and the HEC was in agreement with them. When asked if every new chairman would bring their own policy at the expense of students, Dr Ahmed said, “we have tried to remove the defects of the current policy and have spent a considerable amount of time revamping it.”The HEC chairman further said that they realised that it was the VCs who were responsible for implementing policies that is why they had been taken on board. “The VCs’ opinions are very important in policy formulation and their suggestions will be implemented to avoid any other flaws,” Dr Ahmed told The Express Tribune.

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PTI’s plan within a plan

With the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz moving to use every available option to intercept the dissolution of assemblies, the PTI – apparently content with its numbers in both the Punjab and K-P assemblies – seems to be in no hurry to pull the trigger. A participant of a meeting that took place on Tuesday between the PPP and the PML-N Punjab leadership to chalk out a strategy to thwart the PTI’s move of dissolving the Punjab Assembly claimed that the incumbent Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi could be offered to retain his CM’s position, if he agreed to side with them and help take down his own PML-Q supported PTI government in Punjab. Another leader that The Express Tribune reached out to neither accepted nor denied this claim. Currently, the PTI has a majority in both the Punjab and K-P assemblies, however in Punjab, the PTI on its own with 180 MPAs could not have formed a government, so it was compelled to form an alliance in order to secure 186 votes. Currently, the party is mainly in alliance with the PML-Q which has only 10 votes. But those 10 votes are so crucial that both the PTI and the PML-N-led opposition camp were offering the CM’s position to Elahi. With fresh elections, the PTI not only hopes of bettering its position in both these provinces, but given that Punjab and K-P share in the National Assembly is in total around 69.9 per cent, the PTI will be in control of the provinces for another five years with 186 seats (141 Punjab and 45 K-P) out of a total of 266 NA general seats. Being in control of both these provinces will give the PTI a huge advantage going forward towards fresh elections over their rival; an advantage that the PML-N and their allies will not want to accord to the PTI in any case, which is why the PML-N is likely to go for a no holds barred policy. The opposition parties in Punjab, including the PML-N and the PPP, were absolutely clear that they would not let matters proceed towards elections, announcing that they would reach out to lawmakers on the treasury benches. This very act of horse-trading had cost them bitterly in the recent by-elections where close to a dozen former PTI parliamentarians, who had switched sides to join the PML-N prior to the Punjab chief minister’s elections on the promise of a party ticket, lost quite miserably. PTI’s Punjab Senior Minister Aslam Iqbal also claims that he has four to five PML-N MPA’s approaching him with an intention of quitting the PML-N. The outcome of the dissolution of both assemblies will most likely in one way or the other spell disaster for the PDM-led coalition. The ECP in a presser that later was claimed to be issued without prior approval, made it clear that the election will be held in 90 days in case of dissolution of assemblies and six days in case members resign. This apparently was aimed at deflating PTI’s hopes of fresh elections. But fresh elections as it stands are only drawing the attention away from another even bigger advantage that the PTI stands to gain from the dissolution of both assemblies. PTI Senior Minister Aslam Iqbal talking to a private TV channel did state that they would go for general elections in Punjab before Ramazan, irrespective of when the general elections are held in the centre, which indicates that the PTI has a plan within a plan. Currently, the available options with the PML-N are bringing a no-confidence motion against the CM by asking the governor to seek a vote of confidence and governor’s rule. However, PPP leader Hasan Murtaza clarified that they would not support governor’s rule at any cost, claiming that they had communicated the same to the PML-N.

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Wazirabad shooting pistol recovered

In a progress in the investigation into the assassination attempt on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan, the Punjab police recovered the pistol used in the shooting and booked the arrested accused, Naveed, in another case of possessing illegal weapons. According to sources, the weapon was recovered from near the crime scene on the pointation of the accused. The sources said that the pistol was unlicensed and the accused has hid it in the bushes in a Haveli near the crime scene, after shooting at Imran’s container on November 3. 

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Pakistan seeks Dubai police's assistance in Arshad Sharif’s murder probe

The Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA) fact-finding committee has written a letter to the Dubai police seeking information about slain journalist Arshad Sharif, who was shot dead in Kenya in October, reported Express News on Tuesday. The 49-year-old journalist fled the country in August to avoid arrest after he was slapped with multiple cases, including sedition charges, over an interview with PTI leader Shahbaz Gill during which the latter had made controversial comments. Alleging threats to his life, Sharif had moved to Dubai in August and later relocated to Kenya. According to the letter, the FIA has asked the Dubai police to provide visa, travel documents and other details including CCTV footage of the journalist during his stay in the emirate. The committee also inquired whether Sharif’s was cancelled by UAE authorities. The FIA has also asked for CDR (call data record) of Sharif, ARY News CEO Salman Iqbal and Tariq Wasi's phone numbers. The UAE authorities were also requested to provide details of arrivals and departures of Pakistani passport holders from August 10 to August 20. The FIA also sought information about allegations that Arshad Sharif was asked by a UAE government official to leave the country. Also read: Sana says Arshad Sharif killed in ‘targeted attack’ Earlier this month, the Foreign Office strongly dismissed reports that Pakistani authorities had written a letter to the UAE seeking eviction of Arshad Sharif. FO spokesperson Asim Iftikhar, while speaking at a weekly media briefing, denied the “disinformation on social media” and said there was no such letter to the knowledge of the FO. “We have seen such reports, spreading disinformation on social media as well, where some people were suggesting that there was a letter and it was allegedly signed by the foreign minister,” the spokesperson said. Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said earlier this month that evidence suggested a prominent Pakistani journalist was the victim of a targeted killing in Kenya, not an accidental shooting, though he still needed more information on the incident. Kenyan police spokesman Bruno Shioso declined to respond to the minister's comments on the death of TV journalist Arshad Sharif, who was shot dead on the evening of Oct 23 on the outskirts of the Kenyan capital Nairobi. A police report a day after the shooting said police officers hunting car thieves opened fire on the vehicle that Sharif was travelling in as it drove through their roadblock without stopping. Shioso said the case was now being investigated by the police watchdog, the state Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA). A spokesperson at the IPOA did not immediately respond to calls and a message seeking comment. Sana told the media: "Arshad Sharif's death is not a case of mistaken identity -- I can say, and, on the evidence we have so far, this prima facie is a targeted killing."

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Imran calls for signing online petition to raise voice for Swati

Former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan has called for signing an online petition to raise voice for PTI Senator Azam Swati, who was arrested for the second time for allegedly tweeting against senior military officials on Sunday. The petition shared by the former premier on his official Twitter handle claimed that Senator Swati's life is in danger and he was arrested for free speech, after being charged with multiple false first information reports (FIRs). I have signed this petition; and I want all those who are appalled at what Azam Swati continues to go through & those who care about rule of law & human rights should also sign this petition. https://t.co/qNosD2Z8m6 — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) November 29, 2022 “[Azam Swati is] in custody of same perpetrators who physically & sexually tortured him Before. He was protesting his right of free speech outside the Supreme Court of Pakistan to no avail. He is arrested again .Pakistan is under fascist regime. We need help,” it added. Also read: Swati held again for tweets against military high-ups An FIR against Swati was registered by the FIA Cyber Crime Wing on November 26, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune, over ‘controversial’ tweets he had posted recently allegedly against government functionaries, including the then chief of the army staff (COAS). The report maintained that the PTI leader had started a “highly obnoxious campaign of intimidating tweets” against state institutions, including the army chief “with malafide intentions and ulterior motives”. The FIR was registered on the complaint of the state through Islamabad Cyber Crime Reporting Centre Technical Assistant Aneesur Rehman. “I have signed this petition; and I want all those who are appalled at what Azam Swati continues to go through & those who care about rule of law & human rights should also sign this petition,” the former premier said in a tweet.

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Govt to approach NAB, FIA against Imran

The government has decided to further tighten the noose against PTI Chairman and former premier Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case and plans to file an application with the NAB and FIA in this regard. Last month, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had disqualified the former premier under Article 63(1)(p) in the Toshakhana reference. A four-member bench of the ECP declared Imran's National Assembly seat vacant as it unanimously decided that he had misled officials about the gifts he received from foreign dignitaries during his tenure as the prime minister. The reference against Imran stated that he had “deliberately concealed his assets relating to Toshakhna gifts retained by him particularly in year 2018 and 2019… in the statements of assets and liabilities filed for the year 2017-201 8 and 2018-19”. It further said that as per the record, the gifts were purchased from the Toshakhana for Rs21.5 million on the basis of their assessed value, while they were valued at around Rs108 million.

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MINAR to ‘stop treatment under health scheme’

The Multan Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy (MINAR) decided to stop treating patients under the Sehat Sahulat Progamme from Tuesday (Nov 29) due to non-payment of dues. The Director of MINAR, Dr Saeed Akhtar, said on Monday that a total payable amount of Rs80 million was due for the current month under the Sehat Sahulat Programme patients. He said that the health facility was entertaining 100 patients daily under the card, adding that they had reduced the number of patients to 75 owing to outstanding payments. Dr Saeed Akhtar maintained that a sum of over Rs46 million had been due by November 12 while it ballooned to Rs80 million by Nov 26. Another pending amount was Rs324,210, the director of MINAR said. When contacted, State Life’s Zonal Chief of Health Insurance, Khawar Majeed, said that they had been paying dues swiftly on monthly basis as these were cancer treatment hospitals.   Published in The Express Tribune, November 29th, 2022.

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Lahore: From the city of gardens to a land of smog

When winter comes, it engulfs Lahore entirely and most parts of the Punjab province with fog and smog, leaving most of Lahoris wearing masks, enduring terrible cough and the air quality index dropping down to the lowest. Over the past decade or so, we have associated the winter season with a new kind of bitter memory and is no more as eagerly celebrated. Growing up in the city of Lahore, we do get to see almost every colour of mother nature. Lahore – the heart of Pakistan, the capital of the Punjab province, the city of gardens – has its own flare, colours and fragrances. It is this vibrancy of Lahore that makes it stand out among the other cities of Pakistan. It has been the centre of cultural activities even before the Mughals. There are always celebrations going on in every season. The arrival of spring announces a string of cultural and historical events that go on for months. Summer is welcomed with multicolour flowers and different festivities. Punjab is the most populous province in Pakistan, with an estimated population of 110 million people. Five cities in Punjab were listed among the 50 most polluted cities in the world in 2020. The current situation in Lahore is most alarming, with its fine particulate count repeatedly rising well above 40 times the World Health Organization’s air quality guideline values. The Global Alliance on Health and Pollution estimated in 2019 that 128,000 Pakistanis die annually due to air pollution-related illnesses. Reasons are numerous why air quality has been steadily declining in cities like Lahore. The problem includes vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, fossil fuel-fired power plants, burning waste materials, and burning coal by thousands of brick kilns scattered across the province, are all part of the problem. A 2020 source appropriation study by the Food and Agriculture Organisation singles out power producers and the transport sector in particular as the culprits. Over the past decade or so, Lahore has lost a significant proportion of its forestation due to an aggressive plan to build highways, underpasses and overpasses. Car sales in the city are booming, and many of the vehicles plying the roads spew toxic emissions due to a lack of vehicular inspections and widespread adulteration of fuel. Even the unadulterated form of fuel available in Lahore is of low quality. Alas! This problem has not only been wreaking havoc in Pakistan, but the same has happened in our neighbouring Indian Punjab as well, where life gets paralysed during winters due to deadly smog. In both countries, during the past few years, governments have taken some concrete steps to stop the farmers from stubble burning. It has helped a great deal in reducing smoke in the air. Another main reason for smog in Punjab is brick kilns. According to the latest survey, there are more than 8,000 brick kilns in Punjab alone. During the previous government, it was claimed that almost all of these kilns were converted to a new eco-friendly technology called “zigzag”. The new technology emits 60 per cent fewer carbon emissions and helps 30 per cent more savings for kiln owners. It merits mentioning here that Natural Draught Zigzag firing kiln is a continuous, cross-draught, moving fire kiln in which the air flows in a zigzag path due to the draught provided by a chimney. The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMD) and National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority provided technical assistance to brick kiln owners, which was supported by the Punjab Environmental Protection Department and Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab. In the absence of comprehensive and concerted efforts to combat air pollution, Lahore, ironically known as the city of gardens, has been tragically choking on toxic air. However, all efforts should be appreciated that take the people of Punjab, especially Lahore, out of the misery of smog. It is being suggested that eco-friendly steps that have been taken in the recent past will help the environment improve and curb the amount of smog this season. Enforcement of the measures to stop the farmers from stubble burning has been implemented, and strict actions have been carried out against the perpetrators. These enforcements definitely helped the cause, as we, the residents of Lahore, always pray for a safe, smog-free, allergy-free winter season that can be celebrated. We want to enjoy the declining temperatures, we want to enjoy different delicious foods, and we would love to have a walk down the chilly streets of the city of gardens. It is our duty as citizens to take care of the environment around our city. We should carefully dispose of the garbage, and cooperate with different local environmental authorities. We have to curb transport and its pollution. Although there are fewer spews of smog as of now, yet we should take all the precautionary measures. Let’s hope for the restoration of the beauty of this season for our city of gardens and our Punjab province. Let’s hope that we may enjoy a cleaner and much safer winter this year.

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Govt to approach NAB, FIA against Imran

The government has decided to further tighten the noose against PTI Chairman and former premier Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case and plans to file an application with the NAB and FIA in this regard. Last month, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had disqualified the former premier under Article 63(1)(p) in the Toshakhana reference. A four-member bench of the ECP declared Imran's National Assembly seat vacant as it unanimously decided that he had misled officials about the gifts he received from foreign dignitaries during his tenure as the prime minister. The reference against Imran stated that he had “deliberately concealed his assets relating to Toshakhna gifts retained by him particularly in year 2018 and 2019… in the statements of assets and liabilities filed for the year 2017-201 8 and 2018-19”. It further said that as per the record, the gifts were purchased from the Toshakhana for Rs21.5 million on the basis of their assessed value, while they were valued at around Rs108 million.

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Bidding adieu, Gen Bajwa to hand over command today

Outgoing army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Monday bid farewell to President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, as the stage is all-set for Gen Syed Asim Munir to take charge as the new chief of army staff (COAS) in the change of command ceremony slated to be held on Tuesday (today). The transition of the military leadership and the passing of the baton will take place at the General Headquarters (GHQ) as the six-year-long tenure of the military chief ends. After Shehbaz made a decision, for a few hours, there were speculations that the president, who belongs to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), might cause hindrance for the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) led ruling alliance in the appointment of the new army chief. However, he signed the summary sent by the premier on November 24. Gen Asim is Pakistan’s 17th army chief since independence on August 14, 1947. The country has reportedly seen about 30 prime ministers during the same period. The newly appointed military chief has served at the country’s two most influential intelligence agencies, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Military Intelligence (MI). Read more: Youth must shield itself from 'polarising' propaganda, says Gen Bajwa He was prematurely removed as chief of the ISI at the request of the then prime minister Imran Khan. No reason was given for his removal. He was serving as the army’s quartermaster general. He is the most senior ranking general after outgoing army chief Gen Qamar. Meanwhile, Gen Qamar held separate farewell meetings with President Alvi and PM Shehbaz, who expressed their good wishes to him during their meetings. Later, PM Shehbaz held a luncheon in honour of Gen Qamar at the Prime Minister House. Though PM Shehbaz has lauded Gen Qamar’s services, his elder brother and three-time premier Nawaz Sharif had previously accused Qamar of toppling his government, pressuring the judiciary, and installing the government of ex-PM Imran in the 2018 elections. Nawaz, while speaking via video-link from London to a gathering organised by the then united opposition at Gujranwala, had said that Qamar had “packed up our government, which was working well, and put the nation and the country at the altar” of his wishes. Nawaz had blamed the generals and the judges for what he said were trumped-up charges. Pakistan’s military had denied meddling in politics back then. However, Gen Qamar recently admitted that there was a lot of criticism of the military mainly because of the intervention of the army in politics for 70 years. He had said that the military had started “its catharsis” and would remain apolitical in the future. While admitting the military’s involvement in politics, Gen Qamar also admitted that such interference fell outside the ambit of the military’s responsibilities and called it not just a major mistake of the army but an unconstitutional act as well. However, the meeting between PM Shehbaz and Gen Qamar at the PM House on Monday appeared to be oblivion of the military’s role in politics as well as the accusations hurled in past and confined to only farewell greetings and counted positive contributions as the official statement said that the PM lauded outgoing chief, saying that he led the army at a critical time. The prime minister also appreciated the services of Gen Qamar for Pakistan Army, national defence and national interests. While bidding farewell, PM Shehbaz noted that the army, under the leadership of Gen Qamar, rendered exemplary services in various crises, including the removal of Pakistan’s name from the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey list, the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic and the climate-induced floods that inundated almost half of the country. He said that the armed forces crushed the menace of terrorism with valour and bravery under Gen Qamar’s leadership. He added that Gen Qamar took charge as the army chief during one of history's toughest moments. “Gen Qamar also played a key role in making Pakistan’s defence impregnable,” PM Shehbaz said, adding that Qamar’s leadership role set the direction for dealing with security challenges in a complex regional situation. He also lauded the army chief’s services in terms of the role he played in line with the “geo-economics”. In the meeting with the army chief, PM Shehbaz noted: “All political forces must show collective wisdom and sign a charter of economy to make Pakistan an economic power.” As PM said to Gen Qamar that he had the honour of leading the world’s best army, the outgoing COAS thanked the PM in response for extending full cooperation in the execution of national affairs.  

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Shehbaz, Zardari discuss dissolution of assemblies over phone call

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephonic conversation with Pakistan Peoples Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari to discuss matters pertaining to PTI’s threat to dissolve Punjab and K-P assemblies. The PM called the former president to discuss the political situation in Punjab, especially the dissolution of provincial assemblies, and the over-all political situations in the country, Express News reported quoting insiders. Sources from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) revealed that in order to change the Punjab government, all legal and constitutional options are under review. Moreover, an appeal in the Supreme Court for an early hearing of the party’s petition is also under discussion. The insiders further revealed that PM Shehbaz has advised his son Hamza Shehbaz to consult the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) leadership over the current political situation. Also read: PTI green-lights dissolution of Punjab, K-P assemblies Meanwhile, PML-N has vowed not to leave any stone unturned to halt the dissolution of assemblies. The decision was taken at an emergency party huddle held in Lahore’s Model Town, two days after former PM and PTI chairman Imran Khan announced quitting all legislative assemblies in the country. During the meeting, the PML-N leaders deliberated upon as how to tackle the political challenges that may arise after the dissolution of assemblies. In this regard, PML-N’s Punjab parliamentary advisory group held a meeting presided over by Hamza Shehbaz that lasted for more than two hours. The huddle discussed possibility of governor’s rule among other options in the wake of PTI’s warning of resigning en masse. Also read: No NA elections even if provincial assemblies dissolved, says ECP Soon after the meeting, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Ata Tarar along with PML-N leader Uzma Bukhari told the media that, “We will go to any length to stop the dissolution of assemblies”. The leaders added that, “We have also requested the Supreme Court for an early hearing of the PML-N petition” in this connection. The leaders further stated that “a no confidence motion will be moved against Punjab CM Pervaiz Elahi”, while adding that the Punjab governor may also ask the chief minister to take vote of confidence. The leaders revealed that apart from these two options, many other options are also being considered. Special Assistant to Prime Minister Ata Tarar went on to add that, “Many PTI leaders are themselves not in favour of dissolution of assemblies, as many of them are in contact with us”. Also read: After Imran’s call, PTI lawmakers from Sindh submit resignations Uzma Bukhari concluded by stating that “Imran Khan is dissolving the assemblies at the hands of his own miserable state, but we won’t let him succeed”.

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Sindh govt vows to wipe out dacoit culture

The PPP-led provincial government came under fire from the opposition over failing to suppress dacoits in the forests along the banks of Indus River. Law and order situation, especially kidnappings for ransom and frequent attacks on police by the outlaws dominated the stormy Sindh Assembly session on Monday. Both the government and opposition leaders came up with different claims on the issue. As the session started with speaker Agha Siraj Durrani in the chair, the opposition benches alleged that police have been busy providing the VVIP protocol to ministers and politicians, which gives bandits free hand. However, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, who also holds the portfolio of home minister, claimed that law and order situation was improving and announced that his government will wipe out the dacoit culture soon. The debate ensued in the house when Nand Kumar Goklani of Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) moved the call attention notice on the law and order and killing of policemen by dacoits in the Ghotki district. "In a recent incident, five police officers, including DSP and two SHOs were killed in the Ghotki district. After the incident, the bandits released different videos celebrating it in the Katcha area. I want to know why the police have failed to take action against those dacoits,” Nand Kumar said. He further said that the criminals kidnap people and challenge the writ of the government by releasing statements on social media. According to Kumar, the Sindh government spends more than Rs120 billion on the law and order but fails to deal with the dacoit issue in the Ghotki, Shikarpur, and Kashmore districts of Sindh. He said that 250 families belonging to the Hindu community have migrated from the troubled areas of Sindh given the law and order situation. Read more: Five cops martyred in operation against dacoits “I request the government to fix a few days' debates on this sensitive issue so that the assembly can come up with proper planning to cleanse the riverine areas of the crime," Goklani said. Responding to the call attention, CM accepted that there are some troubled areas where the dacoit had been operating. "The recent ambush on the police in Ghotki district was in response to the killing of notorious dacoit Sulto Shar. The police came under attack when they were busy recovering hostages," he said. However, he said, “the security is much better than in 2007 when people would not travel without a police convoy in Sindh.” Quoting a police report, the chief minister claimed that police have killed 29 dacoits and arrested 585 in Shikarpur besides safely recovering 63 hostages in the last 13 months. "In Kashmor, police killed 23 dacoits and busted more than 30 gangs this year," he added. Music teachers Tehreek Labaik Pakistan MPA Muhammad Qasim drew the house's attention towards the plan for the appointment of music teachers at Sindh government schools. Moving the call attention notice, he said that the appointment of music teachers would promote the song and dance culture, which was against the spirit of Islam. “I request the education minister to stop appointment of music teachers and hire Arabic teachers,” Qasim. He added that a huge number of schools were closed in Sindh with thousands of ghost teachers, but the Sindh education ministry was attaching all the importance to promoting music. "Out of 150,000 teachers, around 135,000 do not know about mathematics and science while most of the schools in Sindh are deprived of toilet facilities,” he maintained. Qasim further added that the walls and roofs of the government schools have collapsed. The ministry should give attention to these issues rather than creating a fuss over music classes," he said. While responding to the call, Sindh Education Minister Sardar Ali Shah said that music enhances the cognitive and creative ability of the students and the Sindh government has put it as an optional subject. "Why is there no objection to the national anthem as it also contains music", he said. He added that qawwali is also part of the music and there is no harm in it. Many Sufi saints of Pakistan have written and sung poetry to praise the Almighty Allah. The education minister further said that the Sindh government has also given preference to Arabic teaching and Holy Quran in all schools.

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Two brothers shot dead

Two brothers were killed allegedly over some old enmity in Rehmaniya Colony, police said. They identified the deceased as Shahzad and Sulaiman Butt. Police said that Shahzad and Sulaiman Butt had been sitting in a park near their house in Rehmaniya Colony when unidentified persons on motorcycles opened fire on them and escaped. The seriously injured brothers were rushed to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital by Rescue 1122, but they succumbed to their injuries. Police force reached the spot and sent the bodies for postmortem. Police mounted a search for the accused. The two slain brothers belonged to the Butt Group of Hudod Ke, who has been embroiled in an enmity with the Kasai Group for a long time. Police said that the enmity between the two groups had so far claimed 25 lives. Published in The Express Tribune, November 26th, 2022.

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Lok Mela kicks off

The seven-day ‘Lok Mela’ organized by the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) began on Friday, with the aim of entertaining the public and highlighting the culture of all provinces of Pakistan. The lok mela will continue until November 30th and feature various events including folk dances and magic shows. On the occasion, DG PHA said that the PHA was utilizing all resources to provide the best environment and good recreational opportunities to the people of Sargodha.   Published in The Express Tribune, November 26th, 2022.

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K-P opp vows to prevent dissolution

The opposition in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Assembly has decided to take all constitutional and legal means, including a no-confidence motion against the chief minister, to prevent the dissolution of the assembly. After Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan announced his party’s resignation from the legislative assemblies, an emergency meeting of the K-P Assembly’s opposition was held in Peshawar under the chairmanship of Opposition Leader Akram Khan Durrani. Regarding the meeting in which representatives of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Awami National Party (ANP) participated the opposition leader said that after Imran’s statement, the opposition parties have been consulted. He said they reviewed the situation regarding the conditions of the province and the economy. “I do not believe in what Imran Khan says, I still do not believe in his seriousness, we are democratic people, and we will do politics within democratic means,” he said. After consulting the party leadership, the opposition will sit and take a decision, he added. Sardar Hussain Babak of ANP told The Express Tribune that various proposals came up in the opposition’s meeting, including a no-confidence motion against the chief minister. Every legal and constitutional means will be adopted to prevent the dissolution of the assembly, he added.

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Punjab CM vows to abide by Imran’s decision

A day after PTI chief Imran Khan announced to opt out of the “current corrupt political system” by quitting the assemblies, Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi on Sunday assured that he wouldn’t "wait for a minute" to dissolve the Punjab Assembly if the former premier asks him. Elahi, whose party is an ally of the PTI in Punjab, expressed full support for Imran’s decision to exit from the provincial assemblies in a bid to trigger elections. "Imran Khan entrusted the Punjab government to [me]. We stand with those whom we support," the chief minister said. Elahi’s statement comes as political observers doubted whether the provincial chief executive would fall in line with Imran’s plans to stake the provincial governments on success. “We never break the trust of those we swear allegiance to,” he added. During Saturday’s public meeting in Rawalpindi, Imran had said that a decision would only be taken after consultations with chief ministers in provinces, while a final decision in this regard would be made after a meeting of the PTI’s parliamentary party. The Punjab chief minister also warned the PML-N-led coalition government in the Centre that in case PTI and its allies exit the country's assemblies, then their "government, which expands over a mere 27kms, won't last for the next 27 hours". He further stated that Imran Khan had been granted a second life by the Almighty, and after the former premier’s announcement at the Rawalpindi public gathering, his political strategy entered a decisive phase, adding that the massive crowd proved the former premier’s popularity. He said that once the PTI and its allies began to quit the assemblies, the ruling coalition would fall apart at the seams. He warned the PML-N "show-offs” of unprecedented defeat once the country-wide elections are held, saying the humiliation would be remembered for generations to come. Commenting on the governance in Punjab, Elahi highlighted that the country will now have religious and fair governance which would benefit the poor and common man. He added that religious governance has already been initiated in Punjab, and one of its examples is the free treatment of cancer being offered across the province for public welfare. Meanwhile, PTI MPA Azizullah Gran of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Assembly on Sunday became the first lawmaker to submit his resignation to the chief minister after his chairman and deposed premier Imran Khan's call for the party to quit the provincial legislatures a day earlier to force the incumbent government to hold snap elections. Gran, who was elected from the constituency of PK-4 Swat-III and also headed the standing committee on minerals, has kicked off the process of resignations from K-P Assembly. Talking to The Express Tribune, Gran said the K-P Assembly seat held no status for him. “I am resigning in writing to fulfill the order of party chairman Imran Khan,” he added. He further said the seat was entrusted to him by Imran and the party. “I am announcing my resignation from the K-P Assembly as per Imran Khan's order,” Gran said. On Saturday, after being disappointed with the Supreme Court and establishment for not facilitating to hold early general elections, the PTI chairman had changed his strategy wherein he has decided to quit from all provincial assemblies. If that happens, then the PTI’s governments in the provinces of Punjab and K-P will also come to an end. Now, a debate has started as to why Imran had announced leaving the assemblies and would this strategy be successful. First, Imran wants early elections because of his popularity among the people and it will be easy for the PTI to win the majority of the seats at present. Secondly, the sword of disqualification is hanging over the PTI chief in several matters, especially the Toshakhana and prohibited funding cases. An estranged PTI leader said if the PTI quit the Punjab Assembly then the PML-N might form its government in the province. Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah while speaking on a private TV news channel said a resolution would be submitted immediately to the Punjab Assembly for a no-confidence vote against Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, a PML-Q stalwart. In case of the submission of a no-confidence resolution against him, the CM cannot dissolve the assembly. Chaudhry Moonis Elahi, the chief minister’s son, has announced that whenever Imran asked, the Punjab Assembly would be dissolved immediately. However, political analysts say that if 'powerful circles' oppose the dissolution of the Punjab Assembly, then the CM might also act upon their advice as he has a long-term association with them. On the other hand, the situation is in favour of the PTI in the province of K-P. If the PTI quits the K-P Assembly, then there is no option other than holding elections. Ever since, the PTI resigned en masse from the National Assembly back in April, it took to the streets and demanded snap elections. The PTI leadership was repeatedly asked why it did not force elections on the ruling alliance by dissolving the Punjab and K-P assemblies or resigning en masse from the provincial assemblies, where it was in power. Imran conditionally answered the question on Saturday when he maintained that the PTI would not be part of the “corruption system” anymore, saying he would consult the chief ministers and parliamentary parties before announcing his future course of action. The government ministers, however, see Imran’s announcement of dissolving or abandoning the assemblies as a face-saving attempt when he could not muster “revolution crowds”.

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Will Imran sit with rivals amid calls for reconciliation?

If the past precedents offer any clue to the future developments, it could safely be said that Imran Khan would avoid the first available opportunity to sit with his long-time rivals – against whom he has drawn clear battle lines over accusations of decades of corruption and treason. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman’s track record shows that he won’t shake hands with his political foes any time soon. For years, Imran refused to sit with the Sharifs, Asif Zardari, Maulana Fazlur Rehman and others and even refused to shake hands with them lest it “normalises corruption”. However, it is not the first time and may not be the last time that his opponents have asked him to return to parliament and start meeting his political rivals, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, his elder brother Nawaz Sharif, former president Zardari, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Fazl and others. The renewed offer for talks and return to parliament came just a day before the PTI’s planned rally in Rawalpindi on November 26, when Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah urged Imran to act responsibly, “stop being stubborn” and review his decision of abandoning parliament. The interior minister said he was even ready to facilitate his meetings with the Sharifs – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif – if the PTI chief toned down his confrontational politics and took a step in the direction of reconciliation. Surprising as it may seem, the interior minister’s statement came days after Nawaz categorically instructed Prime Minister Shehbaz not to engage in talks or offer any face-saving to Imran even if he brought 2,000 or 20,000 people to the federal capital. It’s not yet clear if the offer for talks to the PTI chief is backed by the PML-N leadership or if the elder Sharif’s instructions have fallen on deaf ears and if Imran would even take the offer seriously. “Do you think Imran will take Rana’s statement seriously,” eminent scholar Prof Dr Hassan Askari questioned. He reckoned that the former prime minister probably won’t take the olive branch seriously. “Imran wants election and the government doesn’t; what is left to talk between them if they don’t budge from their stances,” Askari said, adding that the interior minister’s statement was a political move or bluff just ahead of PTI’s November 26 rally. Askari added that politicians keep giving statements and pointed out that the same interior minister used to say that he would arrest Imran and other PTI leaders. “If he repeats his offer for talks only then it could be taken seriously, otherwise, politicians keep giving such statements to defuse the other side’s narrative.” On the option of returning to parliament, Professor Askari said that the government had kept the option open for Imran and his party leaders by not accepting their resignations since they resigned en masse back in April this year. Renowned political analyst Zaigham Khan, however, felt that it was Imran who had kept the option of going back to parliament open as he did not fulfil the requirements that could enable the speaker of the National Assembly to approve their resignations. “PTI lawmakers could have completed the process; it wasn’t such a big deal,” Khan said. “But they considered it better to keep the option open.” Imran, however, announced on Saturday that he was mulling over resigning from Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) assemblies, believing that he could force elections this way. Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) President Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, however, said that if Imran really wanted to dissociate from the ‘system’, he would also have to make President Arif Alvi, PTI senators and members of AJK & GB assemblies to resign. “This will be an act of political suicide & doesn’t guarantee the capitulation of the federal government to go for early election.” Zaigham contended that Imran could go back to parliament only when he could declare any victory before the public and convince them that he was returning to gain more. Currently, he added, Imran wanted snap elections or a date for it, which didn’t seem possible right now, and added that this was the only condition that could bring the PTI back in the ring. Following the change of command, Zaighan said, there were fewer chances that the military would interfere in political matters, predicting that Imran would continue his rallies. He, however, added that there were more chances that he would lose his momentum. “At some stage, Imran will have to go back to parliament because the interim government is formed through a consensus of the government and opposition before the elections,” Zaigham said. He added that if Imran decided against going back to parliament, he could face severe loss as the incumbent leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, Raja Riaz, happens to be a disgruntled PTI member and might contest the next elections on a PML-N ticket. It is pertinent to note here that Prime Minister Shehbaz has repeatedly extended an olive branch to his predecessor and even offered talks just a few days before Imran started his long march, seeking a date for fresh elections. However, despite offers, the PTI chief has ensured that “no sitting or handshake” could take place during his tenure and after his ouster. It would be interesting to see if he adopts a reconciliatory tone in the coming days or leaves everything to the government. Several PTI leaders were approached for their comments but they didn’t share.

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Ashrafi hails newly appointed army chief

Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman and Special Representative for Prime Minister Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi on Sunday congratulated the newly appointed army chief General Asim Munir, saying the appointment had elevated the status of Pakistan in the world especially in Muslim countries. Addressing a news conference at Baitul Aman here, he said that it was welcoming news that a Hafiz Quran had become the chief of army in Pakistan. He lauded services of General Qamar Javed Bajwa. Ashrafi condemned the language used by Azam Swati against the state institutions. He said all decisions should be taken in parliament and all must make all-out efforts to put the country on the road to progress and prosperity. 

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JUI-F chief links Imran with a ‘conspiracy’

A day after the PTI chief announced his intent to pull out from the legislative assemblies, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman linked Imran Khan with a “conspiracy” against the country. Addressing a conference in Upper Kohistan, Fazl, who also heads the ruling alliance, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), said that a “fake government” was imposed on the country through rigging in 2018. Cases were made against politicians by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), he added. “Imran says there was a conspiracy; there was no conspiracy, he was taken out by force,” he exclaimed, adding that “we took Imran Khan by the collar and removed him from power”. He accused Imran of conspiring to divide the armed forces. Also read: Punjab Assembly to be dissolved on Imran’s call: Elahi Highlighting the former prime minister’s claims of marching to Islamabad, he challenged him to come to the federal capital. “After being shot he ran away and is installing bulletproof glasses in his home,” he claimed. The JUI-F chief said that there were three suicide attacks on him, but “even today I am standing in front of the people”. He claimed that the PTI chief has now gone into a closed street from where there is no way out. “Imran Khan threatens to resign; he had resigned before but came back,” he said. Also read: Elections will be held ‘on time’ after August 2023: PM Shehbaz He further said that it was necessary to remove the PTI government to improve the country’s economy. “Some people are trying to spread political chaos, which has led to economic instability,” he added.

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Manifesting dreams on a pushcart

With big dreams and a will to change the lives of his next generation, Liaqat Ali came to Karachi in 1988. At that time, he could not imagine that one day his children would be university graduates and working in good organizations. Today, thirty-two years later, one of Ali’s daughters is working in the Airport Security Force, one son has completed his master’s in computer science, and the youngest is in class ten. Ali, now fifty, set up a gol-gappa cart near Teen Talwar in 1990. He worked on a roadside in scorching heat and blinding humidity. “I used to set up my cart right in front of the Gulf Shopping Center. When they renovated a few years ago, I was asked to shift so now I set up my cart here, daily from 1 pm to 10 pm, and sometimes even later than that,” Ali tells me while making a plate of gol-gappa for the guard of a nearby private bank. Born and brought up in Chishtian, Punjab, Ali decided to come to Karachi to earn a living when the economic situation in his hometown started deteriorating. His family had barely enough to feed themselves. Unmarried at that time, Ali asked a few of his friends to help him to find work, and one of his cousins was already working in Karachi. “When I came to Karachi, I didn’t even have money to buy a bus ticket to get to my friend's house. It was the first time I had ever left Chishtian. I stayed with my friend in his one-room house, and he helped me find a job in a steel factory where they required labourers,” Ali narrates his story while cleaning bowl and plates in which he serves gol-gappa. For two years, Ali worked in the factory, but the limited salary wasn’t enough to sort out the problems he had in his hometown. One of his friends who used to sell gol-gappa suggested that Ali started a gol-gappa cart too. “My friend involved me in his work; I helped him daily with his cart while learning how to make everything. After working with him for a year, I set up my own cart, and since that day, this has been my sole profession and source of income.” Ali strongly believes that he could have never done this on his own if it was not for his friends who not just helped him to learn and work in Karachi but also provided him with a place to live when he came to a new city in 1988. “I live here alone in a one-room apartment in Bath Island Gizri, and the rest of my family is in different places.” One of his daughters is married; another one, after postgraduation, lives in Lahore and works for the Airports Security Force; and one of his sons, after completing his postgraduation, is teaching in Bahawalpur to make money for his monthly expenses while looking for a long-term job. Ali’s wife and his youngest son lives in his ancestral home in Chishtian. “I visit home every four months for fifteen days, but I can't wrap up my work here and return to Chishtian as this cart is the source of income that has enabled me to educate my children and be at the positions where they are in their lives,” Ali says. For attainment of his dream to not let his children go through the hardships he had to suffer, Ali instructed his wife—who is uneducated and can only recite the Holy Quran—to not let their children's schooling be ever stopped even if they don’t have food for a day. Ali says, “As soon as I came to Karachi, I understood that education could shape the future and change lives, and that is why I sent home most of the money I made, keeping only a minimum amount for myself.” Initially, Ali thought that he would only earn enough to manage his bread and butter, but with time he realized that he didn’t want his children to end up like him or migrate to another city for work. “Today when I see my children getting degrees from universities and in good positions, I feel I have achieved everything in life. I don’t want them to do anything for me, but at least I would die peacefully knowing that their future is better than mine.” Ali has decided that for as long as he can manage to, he will continue to do the same business. Living alone   Ali lives alone. He cooks everything and washes his utensils to set up his daily cart. “The only thing that I buy is the gol-gappa; chutneys, khatta pani, raita, and boiling chana, I make everything.” He wakes up early, starts preparing things and leaves home around 1 pm. He says, “It takes around an hour to reach Teen Talwar as I have to push the cart on the side of roads. I leave as soon as the items are finished, but usually during Eid and wedding season I stay late as markets close late at night.” New varieties and new techniques in the market and increasing prices of almost every food item make life difficult for people like Ali who are struggling for a better future for their children. “Back in 1990 when I first started the business, chana used to be four rupee per kg; now it is Rs 320 per kg, and even then, the quality is not the same. That has impacted the prices; I used to sell a plate of eight gol-gappa for three rupees, and now the price is Rs 120 per plate,” he shares while packing gol-gappa in plastic bags. When it comes to quality, Ali says he doesn’t compromise, and that is the reason he has been surviving with just a cart for the last thirty-two years. He says that in terms of prices there are several qualities available in market, but he always buys the top-quality stuff, which is of course expensive. Oil used in frying and semolina used in dough are of very good quality, which is why the taste of his gol-gappa is excellent. “With this quality, I hardly earn Rs 300 on every thousand rupees that I invest in here,” he says, showing me a gol-gappa and crushing it to ensure its crispiness. Technology has made the process of sending money and communicating with his family so much easier for Ali. “Back in the ’90s, I used to send money through a regular post office, and sometimes, it would take fifteen-thirty days for the money to reach home. But now I usually money send through easypaisa and Mobicash, or a wire transfer,” he says. In these trying times, to make ends meet, Ali also markets his stall and takes orders for weddings, parties, and school functions for which he charges a lump sum. “Such events are helpful as it takes less time to sell, it’s good money, and I don’t have to stand in heat the whole day,” he says. To get the work going, carts have to be regularly maintained. Every four months, Ali changes the plates and bowls in which he serves gol-gappa and containers for raita, chutney, and tamarind water. Ali tells me, “I buy this stuff from the Bolton Market from the same seller I bought it thirty-two years ago; I trust him for a good price and quality. Without keeping a check on hygiene, you can’t survive a food-related business. Most of my customers are from Clifton so I can’t risk anything when it comes to cleanliness and taste.”

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All of Imran’s plans foiled, says Maryam

Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) Vice-President Maryam Nawaz on Saturday has said in a tweet that all of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan’s plans had foiled miserably. Responding to the PTI march, she termed it as the most unsuccessful one so far. ناکام ترین لانگ مارچ،ایک کے بعد ایک ڈرامہ اور جھوٹ،مگر سچ یہی ہے کہ عمران کا۹ سالہ پلان،سازش کے ذریعے حکومت ختم کرنے کا پلان، اپنا من پسند چیف لانے کا پلان،چیف کی تقرری میں رخنہ ڈالنے کا پلان،نئے چیف کو متنازع بنانے کا پلان،سب پلان بری طرح فیل ہو گئے۔سازشیوں کا یہی انجام ہوتا ہے! — Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) November 26, 2022 Leveling allegations against PTI chief, the PML-N leader said that Imran Khan’s 9-year plan didn’t work - without specifying what that plan was. She went on to say that his plan to oust PML-N-led government through conspiracy did not bear fruitful result as PML-N continues to hold the reins of the federal government with the help of allies. Commenting on some earlier speculations that PTI might cause hindrance in the selection of the new army chief, she termed the presidential nod as PTI’s failure. Bashing Imran for not being able to have a say in the new army chief selection, the PML-N leader said he could not even make the new appointment controversial. Maryam Nawaz said that those failures were the “fate of conspirators”.

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Railways reduces its fares for business community

Pakistan Railways has reduced the fares of its container trains, freight coaches and wagons by Rs10,000 to Rs23,350. The reduction in fares was applied in Karachi, Multan, Peshawar, Rawalpindi and Lahore among other cities. According to the details, the railway authorities have reduced the fares of containers chugging between Karachi and various cities of Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Container fares from Karachi will be reduced by Rs10,000. Container fares have been reduced from Rs170,000 to Rs160,000 while the fare of the big freight bogie has also been reduced by Rs10,000 from Rs195,000 to Rs185,000. The fare of the small freight bogie has been reduced from Rs182,000 to Rs170,000, reflecting a drop of Rs12,000. Similarly, the fare of the big high copper wagon has been reduced from Rs432,420 to Rs409,070, showing a decline of Rs23,350. The fare of the small high copper wagon has been reduced by Rs20,990 to Rs263,825 from the earlier Rs284,815. According to the notification issued in this regard, the decision of reducing the fares of containers and freight bogies has been implemented. Meanwhile, the railways also decided to expedite work on the installation of electric arc furnace at Mughulpura workshops. According to a spokesperson, almost 75 per cent of foundation work had been completed. Meanwhile. the railways decided to restore Greenline Train between Rawalpindi and Karachi via Lahore from the next month. The decision was made in a meeting presided over by Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique held at the PR Headquarters on Saturday. It was decided that the Greenline Train would be operated as a superior service with two coaches of AC Parlour, five AC Business, six AC Standard whereas four to five economy class coaches will also be included. The minister also directed to reduce time of the train between Lahore and Karachi to facilitate people. It was decided in the meeting that the best traveling facilities, including quality meal, would be provided in the train. A separate LCD will be installed with each seat of the AC Parlour compartment. In a separate meeting, the minister directed to repair track at ML-2 on an urgent basis. He sought suggestions about the restoration of Fareed Express and Pakistan Express in two days and ordered for restoring trains by keeping income in view. The minister has also called a meeting on the next Saturday to get briefing about composition and revenue of each train. The minister lauded Divisional Superintendent Peshawar Nasir Khalili for taking action against encroachments in Peshawar division. With additional input from APP

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CM vows to facilitate expatriates

Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi on Saturday discussed matters relating to solving the problems of overseas Pakistanis with the Co-Chairperson of All Parties Parliamentary Group of Great Britain about Pakistan, Yasmeen Qureshi. Promotion of relations between Pakistan and Great Britain also came under discussion during the chief minister’s meeting with the visiting Members of the UK House of Commons. The British lawmaker said on the occasion that overseas Pakistanis lauded the welfare projects initiated by the CM. The chief minister said the right to vote had been granted to the overseas Pakistanis during the rule of PTI chairman Imran Khan but the incumbent federal government had deprived them of the right. He said the Pakistanis living abroad would not trust any party aligned with the federal government. He also said that a comprehensive policy would be introduced to solve the problems of overseas Pakistanis. Meanwhile, Punjab Minister for Narcotics Control and Excise and Taxation Sardar Muhammad Asif Nakai also called on the chief minister along with Member of National Assembly Talib Nakai to apprise him of the performance of the department and progress on the Narcotics Substances Act 2022. The chief minister said he had resolved to purge the society of narcotics and there was a dire need for stringent measures in this regard in the educational institutions. He warned that the owners of the educational institutions and staff members would be held responsible over drug peddling and use of narcotics among students. Those found involved in drug peddling in the educational institutions would not be able to evade punishment, the chief minister vowed. Published in The Express Tribune, November 27th, 2022.

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Gang of bike lifters held

The Ittehad Town police on Saturday arrested eight suspects including the ringleader of the Sharbati gang involved in motorcycle lifting and theft and recovered three motorcycles, 15 chassis, and a large number of spare parts from them. According to SHO Ghulam Rasool Arbab, the police on a secret information about the presence of Sharbati gang in the area raided a compound in Gulshan Ghazi area of Ittehad Town and arrested the eight-member gang along with its ringleader. The suspects were identified as Zubair alias Sharbati, M. Faisal, Ehsanullah, Saeed, Amjad Khan, Irfanullah, Sohail Akhtar and Saeedzada. The suspects have revealed that they stole dozens of motorcycles, dismantled their parts and sold in Hub. Published in The Express Tribune, November 27th, 2022.

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Not possible for PTI to dissolve Punjab, K-P assemblies: Sanaullah

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has said that it was not possible for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to dissolve legislative assemblies including ones in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, saying no-trust motion can be moved at any time. His statement came in response to PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s announcement to quit all legislative assemblies instead of marching on Islamabad to force the government into early polls. “Today I am deciding against marching on Islamabad because we don’t want to spread anarchy in the country. We have decided to quit all legislative assemblies,” the PTI chairman said while addressing the party’s ‘Haqeeqi Azadi’ march in Rawalpindi. Minutes after his announcement, Sanaullah tweeted, “Not possible! A vote-of no-confidence can be moved in the provincial assemblies at any time without wasting time.” ممکن ہی نہیں! صوبائی اسمبلیوں میں وقت ضائع کیے بغیر کسی بھی وقت عدم اعتماد لائی جا سکتی ہے نتیجتاً صوبائی اسمبلیاں تحلیل نہیں ہوں گی، قائم رہیں گی۔ صوبہ پنجاب میں حکومت قائم کرنے کے لئے واضح طور پر اپوزیشن کے پاس نمبر پورے ہیں۔ — Rana SanaUllah Khan (@RanaSanaullahPK) November 26, 2022 The interior minister claimed that the opposition parties have required numbers in the Punjab Assembly to form the government in the province. In another tweet, Sanaullah said Imran accepted his defeat and announced quitting assemblies to “clean up the mess”. He said the PTI’s plan to blackmail and pressure the government has failed miserably as Imran could not gather a “sea of people” in Islamabad. اعتراف شکست! 7 ماہ قبل بنائے گئے پروگرام کو؛ دباؤ اور بلیک میلنگ کو بری طرح سے ناکامی کا سامنا، ”پنڈی میں سمندر لاؤں گا“ کی صورتحال سب کے سامنے اور واضح ہے۔ محض ہزیمت کو مٹانے کے لیے اسمبلیوں سے باہر آنے کا اعلان کیا گیا ہے۔ اب یہ کامیاب نہیں ہو گا بلکہ آئے دن ایکسپوز ہو گا۔ — Rana SanaUllah Khan (@RanaSanaullahPK) November 26, 2022 “Now his new plan will also fail and he will be exposed with each passing day,” he added. ‘Imran’s plan against COAS appointment flopped’ Meanwhile, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz has said all Imran’s plots and conspiracies including the so called “9-year plan” against his political opponents and making make new army chief appointment controversial have failed miserably. ناکام ترین لانگ مارچ،ایک کے بعد ایک ڈرامہ اور جھوٹ،مگر سچ یہی ہے کہ عمران کا۹ سالہ پلان،سازش کے ذریعے حکومت ختم کرنے کا پلان، اپنا من پسند چیف لانے کا پلان،چیف کی تقرری میں رخنہ ڈالنے کا پلان،نئے چیف کو متنازع بنانے کا پلان،سب پلان بری طرح فیل ہو گئے۔سازشیوں کا یہی انجام ہوتا ہے! — Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) November 26, 2022 President Dr Arif Alvi on Thursday approved a summary sent by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the appointment of Lt-Gen Syed Asim Munir as the next army chief and Lt-Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza as the new Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), ending days of speculations. Hailing the appointments of the next army chief and chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, the PTI on Thursday hoped that the new leadership of the armed forces would play its role to strengthen the constitutional rights and democracy in the country. While referring to the approval to the top military positions by President Arif Alvi, the former ruling party in a statement said that it was ready to take measures in the “best interest of the nation’s security and stability of state institutions”. The PTI said that the events during the last eight months had caused “deep divide” across the country and measures taken during the time had brought “extensive damages” to the country and its state institutions.

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Sharjeel mocks PTI's 'flop show', says will hold bigger rally in Tando Jam

Taking a jibe at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) long march, calling it a "flow show", Sindh Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon on Saturday said that he will hold a bigger rally in his own constituency Tando Jam. The statement came hours after the former ruling party held a public gathering in Rawalpindi. The party leaders including its chairman Imran Khan had claimed to bring a "sea of people" for the Haqeeqi Azaadi march in the garrison city. Read more: We have decided to quit all legislative assemblies: Imran "Imran Niazi’s show was flop. People didn’t participate as claimed," Sharjeel wrote on his official Twitter handle. Imran Niazi’s show was flop. People didn’t participated as claimed. After two days I will arrange a show in my constituency Tando Jam. It will be only a constituency based Jalsa, not central not provincial not district. I assure you it will be way bigger than PTI’s flop show. — Sharjeel Inam Memon (@sharjeelinam) November 26, 2022 The provincial information minister said that he will hold a rally in his constituency in Tando Jam in two days. "It will be only a constituency based jalsa, not central not provincial not district. I assure you it will be way bigger than PTI’s flop show," he claimed.

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Bilawal floats idea of Climate Bank

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has floated the idea of a “Climate Bank” to provide loans to the developing countries at affordable rates. The foreign minister expressed his view in an interview to a foreign broadcasting organization. “Climate change will affect developed countries as well,” he added. Commenting on the recent landmark decision in favour of climate justice, he said, “Establishment of Loss and Damage fund is an achievement of the world hit by (climate-induced) disasters.” Bilawal said that a mechanism to benefit the most affected countries is yet to be decided, saying: “The issue of financial support is expected to be resolved in the next COP meeting, which will be hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).” He added that G77 plus China members are worried about the actualization of previous promises. “As the chairman G77 plus China, Pakistan wants the implementation of the agreement,” he added. The foreign minister said instead of pointing fingers at each other we should take collective action to mitigate the losses wrought by natural disasters. “If International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank (WB) can be approached (for loans), then there should be a “Climate Bank” for the stricken countries to borrow money from at reasonable rate,” Bilawal said. The minister expressed his determination, “We have to bring people back on their feet.” To curb the usage of fuel hazardous for environment, the minister said that there was a need of “practical consensus” of the opinion regarding this.

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PR fails to tighten its belt as losses pile up

The National Assembly was informed on Friday that the Pakistan Railways (PR) was facing a widening gap between its expenditures and revenue, recording a deficit of 51% from April earlier this year to October – the tenure of the ruling coalition led by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). In a written reply, Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique told the house that during the said period, revenue and expenditure of the state entity remained at Rs33, 764.332 and Rs69, 084.928 respectively, registering a deficit of Rs35, 3019.596, which is 51.12%. Compared to its income, the expenses had soared past 50%, the minister said. He added that the ministry was taking measures to squeeze this gap and strengthen its revenue position. He further shared that more than Rs75 billion was being spent annually on 125,000 railway pensioners. Explaining the reasons behind the swelling deficit, he said that since the inception of the country in 1974, Pakistan Railways has regularly sought help from the federal government to fill the resources gap. He also cited the expenditure on regular salaries of approximately 64,000 employees as one of the causes. In addition, he said that approximately Rs30 billion was estimated to be incurred on High-Speed Diesel (HSD) during the current financial year. Similarly, other expenditures, including repair and maintenance of locomotives, passenger carriages, wagons and service, have also exceeded the resources. “Train service punctuality has improved from 63% to 80%,” the minister said. The house was informed that 230 high-speed coaches of international standard will soon be inducted into the fleet of PR to provide better travelling services to the passengers. The minister said that the Pakistan Railways has also resumed Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul Cargo Train after nine years, adding that the project will maximise economic efficiency through regional connectivity.

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Annual folk festival kicks off at Lok Virsa

The ten-day annual folk festival of Pakistan Lok Mela opened on Friday at National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage, Lok Virsa to entertain the citizens of twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad with vibrant aspects of Pakistani cultural heritage. The main focus of the festival is on Provincial Harmony and National Integration highlighting contribution of people from diverse communities in building the future of Pakistan. Hundreds of master artisans, folk artists, rural musicians and folk dancers from all over Pakistan including remote and far-flung regions are participating in the festival, bringing with them their creativity in arts, crafts and innovation. The daily attractions of the festival include provincial pavilions depicting various cultural themes, traditional food stalls, folk dances, folk music, shopping stalls, kid’s corner, concerts in open-air theatre among several other programs which will take place simultaneously at each provincial pavilion. An exotic craft bazaar featuring a rich variety of unique handicrafts, souvenirs items, antiques and decorative art is also being set up. The festival which is part of mega cultural activities of federal capital, is being organised for over four decades, while this year, a part of income generation through the festival will be contributed to Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund to help flood affectees. Annual Lok Mela is a unique opportunity to experience the colours and warmth of diverse cultures from all over Pakistan. Published in The Express Tribune, November 26th, 2022.

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Food dept introduces geotagging system

In order to streamline the distribution of wheat flour in Hazara division, the KP government Friday introduced a geotagging system and ordered dealers to register their location within three days. According to sources, KP food minister Atif Khan has directed the food department to start geotagging all wheat flour dealers at the earliest. The dealers have been warned that in case of non-compliance with the official directives, their licenses would be canceled and contracts would be terminated, sources said. The sources quoted officials as saying that the new system was a landmark development in the province in terms of food sector management through technology-based intervention. They said the digital system covered almost all areas of management from godown management, and fleet management, to the e-inspection. It will provide much-needed relief to the public by curbing hoarding and profiteering, they added. Sources further informed that after registering the dealers, the food department would be able to know the record of the wheat stock with just a click of a button. It will also enable decision makers to know the real-time status of wheat stock in the region and get details of the wheat needs, stock in the godowns, and that with millers and suppliers, they added. On the same day, the KP Higher Education Commission appointed 10 female lecturers for the vacant posts in various colleges of Hazara division. Published in The Express Tribune, November 26th, 2022.

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Vawda’s judgment shows inconsistency in SC verdicts

The Supreme Court is continuing to be inconsistent on the applicability of Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution as was witnessed in ex-PTI MNA Faisal Vawda's case wherein the judges showed magnanimity and avoided to disqualify him for life in view of its larger bench's order in the 2018 Habib Akram case. Both the constitutional provisions — 62 and  63 — define the eligibility as well as disqualification of lawmakers. However, the written order is yet to be issued in Vawda's case wherein he was simply de-seated under Article 63(1)(c) of the Constitution on account of holding dual nationality at the time of filing his nomination papers for the 2018 general elections. Since the restoration of the judiciary in March 2009, dozens of lawmakers were disqualified on several charges like concealment of assets, dual nationality, fake degrees, etc. However, it is being witnessed that the SC's jurisprudence is inconsistent when it comes to the lawmakers' eligibility or lack of it. During the tenure of ex-chief justices Iftikhar Chaudhry and Saqib Nisar, the apex court strictly applied both the provisions and ousted several elected representatives without recording evidence. Now, there is a realisation that the SC judges are avoiding to follow the top court’s jurisprudence related to both constitutional provisions wherein the principle of strict liability was applied. Even during the hearing of Vawda’s case, Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial had observed that Article 62(1)(f), which held the ultimate punishment of lifetime disqualification of lawmakers, was a “draconian” constitutional provision. CJP Bandial passed these remarks despite being the judge, who had written the 2018 judgment wherein it was justified that disqualification under Article 62(1)(f) would be for life. Interestingly, the Constitution is silent about the duration of disqualification under Article 62(1)(f). Later, the SC held that no one could be disqualified under Article 62(1)(f) without a trial. However, the court has maintained that the superior judiciary could apply the same provision on the basis of admitted facts by exercising quo warranto jurisdiction. Habib Akram case In June 2018, a five-judge larger bench of the apex court, led by then CJP Saqib Nisar, had directed all candidates of the July 25, 2018 general elections to attach approved affidavits along with their applications. The directives came after the court practically restored almost all information omitted in the nomination forms approved by parliament in the previous year. These affidavits included declarations by the candidate about not defaulting on a bank loan or utility charges, details about candidate’s spouse(s) and dependents and their businesses, details of any criminal charges, education credentials, taxes paid in the last three years, contribution to community’s welfare, donations to the party or sums received from the party and net assets with annual increase or decrease in them. The order noted that if the affidavit or any part thereof was found to be false, then it would have consequences, as contemplated by the Constitution and the law. “Since the affidavit is required to be filed in pursuance of the orders of this court, therefore, if any false statement is made therein, it would also entail such a penalty as is of filing a false affidavit before this court,” it read. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had disqualified Vawda under Article 62(1)(f) on the basis of the above-mentioned Habib Akram judgment. Later, the apex court disqualified two lawmakers in the cases of Nida Khoro and Sher Baz Khan Gaadhi on the basis of that verdict. However, the SC did not apply this ruling in Vawda's case and disqualified him under Article 63(1)(c) wherein he was simply de-seated. Under this provision, there is no bar on Vawda to contest future elections. Senior lawyers appreciate that the SC is showing magnanimity and avoiding disqualifying lawmakers for life. However, they say that the SC should have overturned the Habib Akram judgment before applying Article 63(1)(c) to Vawda’s case. The lawyers are also wondering how the SC can ask him to give an undertaking to tender his resignation as a senator. There is no precedent of seeking such an undertaking. The SC is a court of law and not that of morality. Former Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Ahsan Bhoon in his speech at a full court reference had referred seven questions of law referred by Justice Qazi Faez Isa in the  Sheikh Rashid case to resolve the ambiguity regarding the applicability of both constitutional provisions. Article 225 of the Constitution says that no election of a lawmaker shall be called into question except by a petition before a polls tribunal. However, the superior courts overlooked this constitutional provision and disqualified dozens of lawmakers by exercising quo warranto jurisdiction.

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