Govt secures $72m more for Mohmand Dam

The government has signed an agreement with the OPEC Fund for International Development for the provision of $72 million to the country for the Mohmand Dam Hydropower Project. The project is a multi-purpose concrete faced rockfill dam constructed on Swat River located at a distance of about 48 km from Peshawar and 5 km upstream of Munda Headworks in Mohmand District of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. In addition to generating 1,300 megawatts of electricity, it will enhance Pakistan’s water storage capacity by 1,293 million acre feet (MAF), provide food security buffer, supply 13.32 cubic of clean drinking water to the residents of Peshawar and create more than 6,000 direct job opportunities for the local people. Aftab Ahmad Khokhar, Ambassador of Pakistan in Vienna and Dr Abdul Hameed Al Khalifa, Director General, OPEC Fund for International Development signed the agreement on June 15, 2022 in Vienna, Austria. The pact was declared effective on July 27, 2022. The project would be financed with the support of the Saudi Fund for Development, Kuwait Fund for Development, Islamic Development Bank (IDB), and OPEC Fund for International Development. The Mohmand Dam Hydropower Project is expected to be completed by 2025. The signing of the agreement also reflects the confidence of the international financial institutions on the future of Pakistan’s economy. In March this year, the government had secured a $180 million loan from IDB for the project. However, it was still seeking over $500 million to bridge the financing gap. IDB President Dr Muhammad Al Jasser had said back then that the bank took pride in working alongside its partners to support Pakistan in a strategic project of national importance. “We are working with other partners from the Arab Coordination Group along with one of the most experienced authorities in Pakistan, Wapda, to develop a multi-purpose dam that will not only enhance energy and water supply but also improve the livelihoods of local communities and protect them against floods,” the bank president had added. The total project cost as per approved PC-1 was Rs310 billion, including local funding of Rs238 billion. However, at that time, the government needed foreign funding equivalent to $700 million and there was still a gap of about $520 million, Pakistan had already signed a contract with a joint venture comprising CGGC and Descon in March 2019. Then premier Imran Khan had performed the groundbreaking ceremony despite the fact that his government could not achieve financial close of the project.

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Family planning education programme for new couples launched

The Population Welfare Department of Punjab has started a programme for newly married couples about population control and family planning. Under the training programme titled “Balanced Family, Prosperous Pakistan” a training has begun at Family Health Center, Benazir Bhutto General Hospital, Holy Family Hospital, and Gujar Khan. During the training, couples would be informed regarding the importance and necessity of balanced family planning. Behboode Abadi District Officer Shireen Sakhin said, “Marriage is a social contract in which two families, with their mutual consent, marry their son and daughter. Most boys and girls lack basic knowledge of family planning. Therefore, it is our duty to provide them the necessary information in an appropriate way. The state has also realized its responsibility and decided to spread awareness on marriage and family planning.” While talking about the objectives of this programme, Sikhan further said, in this programme, we aim to make people aware of how to start a new life and what responsibilities lie upon them in order to form a balanced family structure. Published in The Express Tribune, August 4th, 2022.

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Murree-Galiyat road opened to traffic

The road leading from Murree to Galiyat has been finally opened for traffic flow after three days of closure. The city traffic police have allowed tourists and locals to use a single lane for now until the road is completely cleared. According to the traffic police, the Abbottabad-Barian road had been closed for traffic after landslides damaged the road at various locations. After the blockade, vehicles going to Barian, Ayubia, Nathia Gali and Abbottabad had been stuck at various locations. The landslide not only destroyed the land routes but also disrupted the communication and electricity network in the area. The road had been completely devastated due to heavy rainfall and land sliding. Murree administration stated that this was the only road leading from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa via Murree Galiyat and was destroyed due to landslides at Barian. Rain-induced landslides had mired the road due to which the road was completely blocked for traffic flow. National Highway Authority brought in heavy machinery to remove the debris from the roads to clear them on an urgent basis. However, despite their efforts, it took them three days to clear the roads so that vehicles could pass through. Moreover, the Murree traffic police have stated that people travelling through Murree Galiyat and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should drive carefully as the road is still slippery. They claimed that other connecting roads of Murree have been cleared however traffic is still slow due to slippage leading to traffic congestion. Published in The Express Tribune, August 4th, 2022.

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Tayyaba Gul case: LHC seeks reply on plea challenging inquiry commission

The Lahore High Court has sought a response from the cabinet division within a week on a plea challenging the formation of an inquiry commission to probe the sexual harassment allegations against former chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal. In his order on Wednesday, Justice Muhammad Shan Gul also sought legal assistance from the Attorney General of Pakistan and the Advocate General Punjab in the case. As the proceedings commenced, the petitioner’s counsel Advocate Azhar Siddique said that the former NAB chief had been made a subject of political victimisation. He questioned as to how a commission could be formed on a person’s request and where was the victim all this time. Also read: 'NAB failed to sniff out corruption right under its nose' The counsel further implored the court that the federal government issued a notification on July 23, 2022 announcing the formation of the commission to probe the aforesaid allegations. The commission will probe the allegations of “sexual offences including assault, harassment, outraging and insulting modesty, misdemeanour, misconduct, misuse and abuse of authority” made by the complainant against the alleged offenders. Gul, he added, had alleged before Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that DG NAB along with others installed cameras in a room at the bureau’s Lahore office, stripped her naked and made videos that were later shown to her husband to mentally torture him when he was in custody in 'fake' cases. Also read: DG NAB Lahore moves IHC against PAC in Tayyaba Gul case According to him, the allegations were baseless and could not be corroborated with any sort of evidence. But now a commission has been constituted under Section 3 of the Commission of Inquiry Act, 2017. He also highlighted section 3 of the Commission of Inquiry Act, 2017 which states that the federal government may constitute a commission of inquiry in matters of public importance, but the matter at hand pertained to one individual. The matter at hand has no nexus with public importance and instead of availing all of the civil and criminal remedies available to her, Gul opted for the commission for an inquiry which is not only illegal but without jurisdiction as well, he maintained. The counsel asserted that the aforementioned matter was person-specific and had no nexus with public importance. This, he claimed, was sheer political victimisation by a woman who made up stories and fictitious events, ruining the image, dignity and reputation of women everywhere. In view of the foregoing facts and peculiar circumstances of the case, it is most respectfully prayed that the petition be allowed since Section 3 of the Inquiry Commission Act, 2017 is vague, indefinite and provides unlimited jurisdiction to the federal government to constitute any commission on the basis of even a single person, the same in the present form does not set out the nature and other issues, hence, the same is illegal and ultra vires of the Articles 4, 5, 9, 10-A, 14, 15, 16, 17 and other provisions of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973. Advocate Azhar Siddique further implored the court that the impugned notification of July 23, 2022 may kindly be set-aside and declared illegal. Petitioner Zainab Umair (PTI’s MPA) had filed the petition making respondents to a federation of Pakistan (through its secretary cabinet division), Prime Minister of Pakistan (through his secretary), Cabinet Division (through its secretary), Ms Rabia Javeri Agha (chairperson National Commission for Human Rights), Ms Anis Haroon (Member Sindh National Commission for Human Rights) and Mr Nadeem Ashraf (Member Punjab National Commission for Human Rights).

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I'd thank them if they place my name on ECL: Imran

As the federal government mulls placing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan's name on the no-fly list, the former prime minister said that he would "thank" the incumbent regime if it places his name on the Exit Control List (ECL), adding that he does not wish to leave the country. "I don't have any assets in London and I don't wish to leave the country... everything I own is in Pakistan so if the government puts my name on the ECL, I'd thank them," he said during an interview on Express News programme Takrar. Imran said that on what grounds will the government arrest him as nothing has been proven against him so far. Read more: Govt mulls legal action for Imran's disqualification The former PM alleged that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was involved in conspiring against him. "The PPP and the PML-N have nurtured many big players from whom they get money and later use that money during the elections." Saying that his party would stage a protest against the chief election commissioner in front of the ECP office in Islamabad, the ousted premier said that many people told him that Sikandar Sultan Raja was "the PML-N's man", adding that his party would approach the Supreme Judicial Council against him. The PTI chairman said that money was used to buy members during the Senate elections. "It should be asked from where did they get this money to bribe the members... both these parties (the PPP and the PML-N) have done many wrongdoings under the garb of the 18th amendment." The army, he said, is an important part of the country's integrity but one cannot hold the entire country over the appointment of the army chief as the economy is also important. Also read: PTI supporter claims she is Pakistani, funded party through 'honest means' "Instead of thinking about November, we should think about now because the situation is very bad. Textile factories are closing down and there is a severe energy crisis due to which people are losing their jobs," he added. The former premier went on to say that the inflation in the country is on the rise and the problems of the people are increasing by each day, therefore, "we must think about the economy first". "Immediate and transparent elections are the only solution to all the problems." Imran said that he is willing to talk if the government announces the date for the election. However, he added, the PML-N and the PPP only want to eliminate the PTI from the game by any means, saying that both will fail as people supported his party. He said that there were 183 methods for rigging but if electronic voting machines are installed, 130 of those become redundant automatically. "Shehbaz Sharif and [Asif Ali] Zardari are not announcing the election date as they have fear of losing," he added. He said that the PTI has 163 seats whereas the PML-Q has 10 seats in Punjab and the cabinet has been formed keeping these numbers in view but added that more members will be added to the cabinet soon and the PML-Q members will be given more portfolios. Answering a question, the ousted prime minister ruled out any possibility of returning to the National Assembly. "If we sit there it would mean we have become facilitators... If the government dissolves the assembly and gives the date of the elections then we can talk." https://ift.tt/57tAl9F  

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LHC moved over nomination of PTI MNA as NA opposition leader

A writ petition was filed to the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday, challenging a notification through which PTI’s Raja Riaz was nominated as opposition leader in the National Assembly. The petition was filed by Munir Ahmed through advocate Azhar Siddique contending that the appointment of Riaz is a sheer violation of Rule 39, 43 and others of the ‘Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007 (“the Rules”)’. He argued that all resignations recently presented in the National Assembly were not accepted and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has not de-notified them. While referring to a case, he said that the chief justice of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has held: “It is an admitted position that Dr Shireen Mazari continues to enjoy the status of a member of the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament). She has not been de-notified by the Election Commission of Pakistan nor has the worthy Speaker of the National Assembly accepted her resignation in accordance with the principles and law highlighted by a Division Bench of that court”. Read more: Raja Riaz appointed opposition leader in NA He contended that the aforementioned order clearly states that the resignations have not been accepted by the NA speaker nor has the ECP de-notified the said members. "If the said practice was not completed in accordance with procedure, then how the respondent Raja Riaz was appointed as the opposition leader," he asked in his petition. He submitted that as per details, Raja Riaz had submitted an application signed by 16 dissident lawmakers of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) in the National Assembly Secretariat for nominating him as the opposition leader. The statement said, the speaker, in pursuance of Rule 39 of the Rules, declared Raja Riaz as the leader of the opposition. A notification to this effect was issued by the National Assembly Secretariat. The respondent speaker said it was announced in the house that any opposition lawmakers wishing to become the leader of the opposition could show their strength and submit the relevant MNAs’ signatures to his office. He added that the opposition MNAs interested in becoming the opposition leader were given time till 3pm to submit their papers with the signatures of supporting lawmakers. The respondent NA speaker said the verification of signatures was done by 4pm, adding that Ghous Bux Khan Mahar, Raja Riaz, and Hussain Elahi had submitted their nomination papers for the post. Elahi withdrew in favour of Mahar. However, despite getting his support, he could only gather support from six MNAs. Therefore, Raja Riaz was nominated as the leader of the opposition. He further stated in his petition that the aforementioned action of appointing the opposition leader is a sham process and is in contravention of rule 39 of the rules which clearly provides the procedure for the declaration of the opposition leader. When the resignations of the members of the National Assembly were not accepted, then, how could the National Assembly speaker overlook their right to vote for the leader of the opposition? He requested the court to accept the writ petition. "In view of Articles 63-A and 199 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973 read with Rule 39, 43 and others of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007, appropriate directions may very kindly be given to the respondents to immediately declare null and void as well as set aside the Impugned Notification bearing No. F.24(9)/2022-Legis, dated May 20, 022 perversely declaring the respondent Raja Riaz as the opposition leader and to declare null/void any appointments which have been made as a consequence of the same." It was further requested the court that the operation of the notification be suspended till the final decision of the writ petition.

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Citizen’s petition against vet rejected

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) rejected the petition of a citizen on Tuesday seeking registration of a case against a local veterinarian for allegedly killing his pet dog. The case came to light in the federal capital last week. According to the civil petition filed by Prince Yasir Arafat - a citizen of F7 - the pet dog died due to the doctor's negligence. "The dog had been taken in for an ultrasound and routine checkup when the veterinarian administered an antibiotic drip that killed the dog," stated the petition. The petitioner said that the police were not registering a case and requested the court to order the registration of a case. During today's hearing, additional sessions judge at the district and sessions court of Islamabad, Tahir Abbas Supra, summoned the investigating officer and the veterinary surgeon, Dr Faisal Khan, before the court. After the hearing, the judge rejected the citizen.

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