Petroleum crisis looms as prices soar globally

As the country grapples with the onslaught of rising petroleum prices, policymakers are scrambling to find a way to combat the growing crisis and secure the nation’s energy future. Globally, petroleum prices continue to surge, which have had a significant impact on the Pakistani market. Currently, 90% of petroleum products in the country are imported, with a mere 10% of production taking place domestically. The shortage of petroleum reserves in Pakistan also remains a cause for concern. In 2014, the country had 387.49 barrels of crude oil reserves, which dwindled down to a mere 92.91 barrels in 2023. This drop is further exacerbated by the decline in oil wells, with the number decreasing from 100 in 2014 to a paltry 47 today, the insiders revealed. Read more: Russia delivers first batch of LPG to Pakistan Sources revealed that the stark reality is that Pakistan has a demand of over 26 million metric tons of petroleum products, while it can only produce 1400 million metric tons. This growing gap between demand and production is a ticking time bomb that needs immediate attention. The situation is aggravated by the departure of international petroleum companies from Pakistan. Since 2010, a staggering 11 companies have closed their operations in the country, leaving a void that needs to be filled urgently. Experts believe that the return of these international players is crucial for the country's economic growth and to reduce the overall rate of inflation. Comparatively, a silver lining in the crisis is that Pakistan's petroleum prices are lower than those of its neighbouring countries. However, this advantage is nullified by the increasing dependence on costly imports. Insiders suggest that one possible solution to alleviate the country's petroleum woes is to improve the railway and public transport systems, as well as introduce electric vehicles.

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NADRA resumes registration of transgender persons

The National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) has announced the resumption of registration for transgender persons, bringing a sigh of relief to the minority community after a three-month halt. The decision was made in a notification issued on Monday, withdrawing Nadra's earlier order to halt the registration process in response to a verdict by the Federal Shariat Court (FSC). Rida Qazi, Nadra Public Engagement Director, stated that the printing of 'X' National Identity Cards (NICs) for transgender individuals will now resume following instructions from the authority. She said that as the matter is now in the apex court the authority was constitutionally obligated to print 'X' NICs for transgender persons based on recommendations from its external legal advice wing. Nayyab Ali, the director of Transgender Rights Consultants Pakistan, applauded Nadra's decision and congratulated the transgender activist community for their unwavering efforts. The National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) also commended Nadra for its "prompt response" in reactivating the NIC registration process for 'X' gender category. NCHR chairperson Rabiya Javeri Agha emphasized the importance of a valid NIC in ensuring the provision of various rights, particularly for marginalised communities in Pakistan. The FSC's ruling in May 2023, which went against the provisions of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2018, had led to Nadra halting the 'X' NIC registration for transgender individuals. However, this decision faced opposition from the legal community, civil society, and human rights activists. In response, Secretary General of the PPP Farhatullah Babar challenged the FSC verdict in the Shariat appellate bench of the Supreme Court in July. Considered a landmark law, the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, enacted by the National Assembly in 2018, was intended to provide legal recognition and protection to transgender individuals and punish discrimination against them in various domains of life. In September 2022, the FSC heard petitions challenging the legislation, with Mushtaq Ahmed, a Senator from Jamaat-e-Islami, and Orya Maqbool Jan, a TV anchor, joining transgender individuals Almaas Boby and Bubbly Malik as parties in the case. Simultaneously, the Intersex Persons (Protection of Rights) (Amendment) Bill, 2022, sought amendments to the law, specifically targeting sections that were deemed contrary to Islamic and constitutional principles. In May 2023, the FSC struck down the law and ruled that certain sections, including the definition of 'gender identity' and 'transgender person', were against Sharia law. The FSC also declared sections related to the recognition of transgender identity and inheritance rights to be in violation of Sharia law.

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PTI, JUI-P to move towards alliance with like-minded parties

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Pakistan (JUI-P) agreed on Monday to move forward towards an alliance with other like-minded parties which could work for a better future of the country and the people. According to a PTI spokesperson, both sides held talks here and discussed the overall political situation. They urged that after the elections, the elected representatives should be given the opportunity to rule in Pakistan and take the country out of the current dire situation. The PTI delegation was led by former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser; while the JUI-P was represented by its Amir Maulana Muhammad Khan Sherani, and included Maulana Gul Naseeb Khan and Maulana Abdul Khaliq. Separately, reacting to the absence of PTI chairman Imran Khan in court proceedings, the party decried the protracted delays in the hearings of numerous cases against the former prime minister and termed it a “cruel strategy”. The spokesperson said that preventing Imran’s court appearances represented an effort to subvert justice and subject him to vindictive political retribution. The PTI appealed to Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa to ensure that all cases against Imran were heard on merit and expedited to reach conclusion. Additionally, the spokesperson welcomed the safe return of renowned vlogger Imran Riaz Khan. He applauded Khan's family for their resilience during a challenging period and urged a swift and secure return of all other missing citizens.

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CJ Isa signals an end to case adjournments

The country's top judge has made it clear that now neither the trend of continually adjourning cases will persist at the Supreme Court, nor will litigants have to wait for months to obtain a court order. "This message from us is for everyone: the practice of adjourning cases to a later date will no longer work. Now, there's no need to wait six to eight months to receive a court order, as was the case in the past," Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJ) Qazi Faez Isa noted on Monday. Justice Isa, who has taken some revolutionary measures after being sworn in as CJ on September 17, including allowing the live broadcast of full court proceedings on a law that seeks to limit the top judge's powers, was leading a three-member bench hearing various civil and criminal cases. During a case hearing, Justice Isa remarked that people should dispel the misconception that they can get their cases adjourned using various pretexts. "The number of pending cases in the Supreme Court is quite high, and here, notices should be issued at the first hearing, and arguments should be presented at the next." Read CJP Isa overshadows his predecessor’s entire tenure In a case related to a property dispute, an interesting conversation took place between the chief justice and the litigant. When the CJ asked the litigant, Sabqatullah Jan, why his lawyer had not shown up, he replied that lawyers are very expensive and that he wants to withdraw the case. "We have reached an out-of-court settlement with the other party," he said. When the CJ asked, "Should we draft your statement and dismiss the case?" The litigant replied in the affirmative. The court accepted the request, and the case was dismissed. A bench led by CJ Isa also heard the plea of an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) who was dismissed after a murder accused under his watch escaped from a hospital. During the hearing, when the petitioner's lawyer presented the argument that his client went to the hospital's canteen for Sehri (pre-dawn meal during Ramazan), when the accused escaped, the CJ took exception. "The petitioner could have had his Sehri in the ward where the accused was admitted. Your client left his duty post, and as a result, the accused managed to flee." "I'll give you an example from Courtroom 1 of the Supreme Court. Imagine if police officers assigned for the security of my court leave their posts to have a meal, and an attack takes place. "Would such a situation be acceptable? Negligence of this kind provides terrorists with an opportunity. If, in the presence of your client, the accused had engaged in a scuffle and fled, the situation would have been different. The police are an organized force that operates under rules and regulations," he said. The court later rejected the ASI's appeal against his dismissal. During the hearing of a case related to taxes, the CJ asked the petitioner's lawyer why he had not filed a reply despite the court's direction issued in March last year. "Propaganda is spread against the Supreme Court that tax cases worth billions are pending here, but in tax cases, your situation is such that a response couldn't be filed in one and a half years." The bench later imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the petitioner."

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SJC receives senior judge’s opinion on Justice Naqvi

The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), the constitutional forum that can hold judges of superior courts accountable, has received the opinion of Supreme Court Senior Puisne Judge Sardar Tariq Masood on complaints filed against one of his fellow judges, Sayyed M Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi. According to sources, Justice Masood has reviewed the complaints in detail and sent his legal opinion. The SJC chairman, incumbent Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJ) Qazi Faez Isa, will decide about summoning a meeting of the council based on Justice Masood’s opinion. Justice Masood had recently recommended that no actions were required on complaints lodged against some current and former Supreme Court judges under Article 209 of the Constitution: two former CJs, Saqib Nisar and Ata Bandial, as well as Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Ayesha Malik. Formed under Article 209 of the Constitution, the SJC is empowered to hold inquiries into complaints about alleged misconduct of superior court judges. The council comprises the Chief Justice of Pakistan, the two most senior judges of the Supreme Court, and the two senior chief justices of the high court. Individuals and some bar associations started filing complaints against Justice Naqvi after the judge, as part of a division bench on February 16, requested former CJ Bandial to take suo motu notice of the delay in announcing polls in Punjab. Responding to a letter from the SJC secretary, one of the complainants, Mian Dawood, a lawyer, reiterated his claims on March 29 that Justice Naqvi violated the SC judges’ code of conduct issued under Clause (8) of Article 209 of the Constitution while submitting copies of various documents, including sale deeds. He claimed that the SC judge had committed misconduct, allegedly making illegal assets and amassing wealth through his front-men. He also claimed that the SC judge and his family members were found “involved in malpractices and misuse of power in a criminal-designed pattern during his service.” “He (Justice Naqvi) uses his position to facilitate his sons and a daughter studying abroad and getting financial gains from Zahid Rafique, owner of Future Holdings. “There is a general discussion in the bar rooms that the sons of Justice Naqvi approach aggrieved parties of the Lahore High Court and the Supreme Court in criminal cases, demanding hefty amounts in lieu of getting facilitation and favorable decisions from the LHC and the SC through Justice Naqvi. “Properties of Justice Mazahir Naqvi in different cities and housing societies are held by a benamidar, who also acts as his front man.” The complainant alleged that the SC judge "openly flaunts his relations with the PTI and its leader Imran Khan" and has "influenced" and "manipulated" legal cases, adding that "cases are being fixed" in his court.

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Senior State Dept official arrives today

US Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Rena Bitter would arrive in Islamabad on Tuesday (today) for talks with a host of Pakistani officials and to observe the consular operations at the US embassy and its consulates, the embassy said in a statement on Monday. The statement said that the Assistant Secretary Bitter would visit Islamabad and Karachi, besides undertaking a trip to Dhaka in Bangladesh from September 25 – October 2. “Her trip underscores our deep and sustained commitment to the protection of US citizens overseas and the facilitation of legitimate travel and immigration to the United States,” the statement added.  

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PTI claims Sanam Javed, other female activists rearrested after release

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday claimed that Sanam Javed, one of the party's staunch activist, and other female supporters were rearrested after the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) ordered their post-arrest bail in Lahore Jinnah House Attack case two days earlier. However, so far, there has been no confirmation by the Punjab government over the claim made by the PTI. The party based its claim on a video posted by journalist Mughees Ali at the social media platform X, where he, without quoting the source, asserted that Sanam and others were again taken into custody. صنم جاوید سمیت دیگر رہا ہونے والی خواتین پھر گرفتار، پولیس کی گاڑی میں سے آواز آئی جی دوبارہ گرفتار کر لیا۔۔۔!!!pic.twitter.com/bZF8dwgne3 — Mughees Ali (@mugheesali81) September 25, 2023   In the video, a prison van could be seen at Kotlakhpat Jail which passes before the media persons with hands visible from its top, possibly of the said individuals. Someone, in the meantime, asks "again arrested" to which he receives a reply in affirmation in an apparent feminine voi Read More: PTI’s detained women workers deny mistreatment The PTI has slammed the government for allegedly flouting the court's order and held that the alleged re-arrest of its female activists was the display of fascism. "Absolutely shameful how lawless Pakistan has become and how Courts orders are being violated continuously. Female Political prisoners in Pakistan continue to have their fundamental rights violated. The Pakistani women have shown utmost courage, resilience, grit & resolve in the face of unprecedented fascism, tyranny & oppression. It’s time to end this brutality," the party said on its official X handle. Absolutely shameful how lawless Pakistan has become and how Courts orders are being violated continuously. Female Political prisoners in Pakistan continue to have their fundamental rights violated. The Pakistani women have shown utmost courage, resilience, grit & resolve in the… https://t.co/QfBUg4o6mU — PTI (@PTIofficial) September 25, 2023 PTI leader and former state minister Farrukh Habib while giving his take on the development termed the act based on malafide intention. He wondered that when Sanam was languishing in jail for four months, and when she was not wanted in any other case, then why she was rearrested at the time when her release order was to be executed. قیدیوں والی وین سے صنم جاوید کی آواز سن سکتے ہے جی جی جی again arrested. ان نہتی خواتین سے خوفزدہ ہے۔ جب یہ 4 ماہ جیل میں تھی اور کسی اور مقدمہ میں بھی مطلوب تھی تو انکی گرفتاری پہلے ڈال لیتے لیکن یہ سب کچھ بدنیتی کی بنیاد پر کیا جارہا ہے pic.twitter.com/skYH32WuVn — Farrukh Habib (@FarrukhHabibISF) September 25, 2023   On Saturday, the Anti-Terrorism Court granted post-arrest bail to nine PTI workers and dismissed pleas of 39 allegedly involved in creating a law and order situation, chaos, and attacking the Jinnah House following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan in May. Read More: ATC extends remand of Khadija Shah, others in Jinnah House attack case Judge Arshad Javed granted bails to Sanam Javed, Shah Bano, Ashmia Shujah, Rubina Jameel, Mubeen Qadri, Syed Faisal Akhtar, Ali Hassan, Afshan Tariq, and Muhammad Qasim. The prosecution had placed its arguments that the accused persons were fully involved in creating law and order situation and that was substantial evidence of their involvement in the attack on Jinnah House. It requested the court to dismiss their bail pleas. However, the counsels for the accused contended that the accused persons had been implicated in a forged case merely to humiliate them despite the fact that they had nothing to do with this case. They requested the court to grant them bail. The ATC judge after hearing detailed arguments, granted bails to nine and dismissed the post-arrest pleas of 39 accused persons, including Khadija Shah.

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