Forbes recognises two Pakistanis among most powerful female executives in ME

In a remarkable feat, two Pakistani women, Shaista Asif and Shazia Syed, have secured positions in Forbes' prestigious list of the 'The Middle East’s 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen 2024,' highlighting their influential roles in the region. Ranked fourth in this exclusive list is Shaista Asif, the co-founder and Group CEO of PureHealth Holding, a leading healthcare network in the UAE. Asif, who played a pivotal role in establishing the healthcare corporation in 2006, assumed the position of Group CEO in December 2023. Forbes reported that PureHealth Holding witnessed a groundbreaking Initial Public Offering (IPO) in the same month, raising a staggering $986 million by offering 10% of its issued share capital on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX). The IPO garnered overwhelming support, being oversubscribed 54 times in the professional subscriber tranche and a staggering 483 times in the retail tranche. As part of its expansion strategy, PureHealth Holding acquired the UK's largest independent hospital operator, Circle Health Group, for $1.2 billion before debt in January 2024. In the same month, the company also successfully acquired Sheikh Shakbout Medical City, the largest healthcare complex in the UAE, for $600 million, boasting revenues of $585.4 million. Also read: Ex-Unilever Pakistan CEO makes it to Forbes top 100 executives in MENA Securing the ninth position on Forbes' list is Shazia Syed, the General Manager of Unilever North Africa, Levant, and Iraq. She also holds the role of Arabia Senior Customer Development Lead, reflecting her extensive experience in large corporations. Syed, a former CEO of Unilever Pakistan, assumed her current position in 2021. Over the years, she has served as the President of the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce & Industry and held the position of Director at the Pakistan Business Council. Originating from Abbottabad, Shazia Syed joined the British multinational consumer goods company Unilever as a management trainee in Pakistan in 1989. Forbes highlighted her notable contributions, mentioning her role on the board of United Bank Limited in Pakistan, where she serves as a member of the Board Risk & Compliance Committee and chairs the Board Audit Committee. Additionally, she has served on the boards of Pukka Tea and Pepsi Lipton. Forbes' recognition underscores the significant impact these Pakistani women have made in the business landscape of the Middle East, breaking barriers and inspiring others in their respective fields.

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Resolution for social media ban rattles HRCP

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has strongly opposed the proposed Senate resolution seeking a ban on all key social media platforms. The rights body has warned the members of the upper house that such "ill-judged measures that violate people’s constitutional right to freedom of expression" also represent an erosion of democracy. The HRCP said this in a statement on Sunday, a day after news outlets reported that the Senate is going to discuss today (Monday) a resolution moved by Senator Bahramand Khan Tangi of the PPP, calling for a complete ban on some social media sites—X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. The resolution stated that social media platforms are adversely affecting the young generation in the country as they are being used to promote norms that are against religion and culture. “[The platforms are also] creating hatred among the people on the grounds of language and religion,” it said. The resolution also "noted with concern" the use of such platforms against the interest of the country for spreading negative and malicious propaganda against the armed forces of Pakistan. Read also: PPP senator seeks ban on social platforms “Such platforms are being used for vested interests for spreading fake news about various issues and to create and promote fake leadership in the country to hoodwink the young generation." Taking exception to it, the HRCP stated that the resolution is as nonsensical as it is impractical. “With social media platform X having been shut down since February 17, it is ironic to see that political parties, state institutions, government representatives, and legislators—including Senator Bahramand Tangi—continue to use X by means of virtual private networks (VPNs).” It said access to social media has empowered ordinary citizens to exchange information, earn livelihoods, lobby for their rights and freedoms, hold duty bearers accountable, and mobilise around social and political causes. “Any attempt to curb digital freedoms wholesale betrays a shocking ignorance of how modern democracies and economies function.” Read: Social media platform X faces more disruptions in Pakistan The HRCP lamented that successive governments have frequently and arbitrarily shut down social media for “security concerns” even before the 2024 elections, adding that there is no evidence to suggest that such a step has made society any safer. “If indeed the Senate is concerned about the future of this country’s youth, its efforts would be better served tackling such issues as youth unemployment, access to education, and rampant misogyny rather than acting as an outmoded ‘thought-police’." “Where social media is to be regulated to prevent hate speech and incitement to violence against women and religious, ethnic, and gender minorities, this must be narrowly tailored, enforced with transparency, and designed with civil society consensus.” It stated that giving the state a free hand to regulate social media is futile because it has always perceived this responsibility as an opportunity to censor rivals and dissenters.  “The HRCP calls on civil society and digital rights activists to mobilise against all efforts to impose such arbitrary curbs, including reports of a ban on all VPNs, and demands that X be restored immediately.”

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World seems ready to work with Shehbaz govt despite controversial polls

Despite questions over the legitimacy of the February 8 elections, the world seems to be ready to work with the new government as messages of felicitations started pouring in the moment Shehbaz Sharif was elected as prime minister. China was the first one to congratulate Shehbaz on his victory in separate messages by its president and prime minister. President Xi Jinping in his message expressed confidence that under the leadership of Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan would be able to make new and greater achievements in the cause of national development and progress, according to the state-run Radio Pakistan. He stressed that China and Pakistan would continue their traditional friendship and cooperation in various fields. Chinese Premier Li Qiang also sent a congratulatory message to the newly-elected PM. Read more: PML-N's Shehbaz Sharif elected prime minister for second time The Iranian President also took no time in extending the message of felicitation to PM Shehbaz. “His Excellency Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, the honourable President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, congratulated H.E. Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif on his election as the new Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan,” an official statement said. In his message, President Seyed Ebrahim Raisi expressed his confidence that the two countries, in the light of the deep historical and cultural links, will work harder to strengthen and expand cooperation to achieve the desired and befitting level of relations between the two great nations of Iran and Pakistan. The Iranian president stressed that the Islamic Republic of Iran was fully prepared to strengthen and deepen all aspects of bilateral relations with the brotherly and neighbouring country of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan within the framework of its constant policy. Read also: PML-N's Shehbaz Sharif elected prime minister for second time He expressed hope that the new government of Pakistan will take steps towards the growth and prosperity of Pakistan and prayed to Almighty God for the success of the new government and the happiness and well-being of the honourable nation of Pakistan. Diplomatic sources said many Western countries including the US and others would soon follow suit. The day the prime minister is set to take the oath of his office, an EU delegation will arrive in Pakistan for the political dialogue. The EU-PAKISTAN dialogue will take place on March 6, the first engagement between the new government and the 27-nation bloc. There have been questions marks about whether the international community, particularly the Western countries, would be willing to work with the new government after the controversial elections. Around three dozen US Congressmen wrote a letter to President Joe Biden, urging him not to recognise the new government until allegations into the ballot fraud are investigated. Observers, however, believe that the Biden administration is unlikely to pay heed to the call.

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Coordinated rain response stressed

Punjab Relief Commissioner Nabil Javed chaired a meeting of commissioners and deputy commissioners from across the province on Saturday to review the current weather conditions and the administrative preparations to cope with torrential rains. Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Director General Imran Qureshi provided an overview of the weather situation. The relief commissioner emphasised the need for diligent administrative measures throughout Punjab, leaving no room for negligence. Given the significant challenge posed by torrential rains, he stressed the importance of enhanced coordination among all departments. Read: 16 children among 29 killed in rain, snowfall spell Nabil Javed urged swift restoration of traffic flow during snow and rain, ensuring effective communication from information centres to on-ground facilities for tourists. Highlighting the safety concerns, an awareness campaign at the local level was advised, particularly emphasising precautions against electric wires and poles. The chief minister's instructions for indiscriminate action against encroachments were reiterated. The relief commissioner directed all officers to be actively present in the field, warning against irresponsibility or negligence. Published in The Express Tribune, March 3rd, 2024.  

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IMF pushes for broader tax increases

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has proposed increasing the tax rate on both salaried and non-salaried classes while reducing the number of tax slabs from seven to four. If this proposal is implemented, the tax burden on both salaried and non-salaried classes will increase. Additionally, it is estimated that an additional revenue of Rs4 trillion will be obtained. Sources suggest that the government has been recommended to abolish tax relief on partnerships between pensioners and private entrepreneurs. Read also: Govt says IMF conditions for $1.2b tranche met Full implementation of the recommendations regarding personal income tax could generate additional revenue of 0.5% of the GDP, exceeding Rs4 trillion annually. During the first eight months of the current fiscal year between July 2023 to February 2024, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has achieved a revenue of Rs215 billion from the salaried class.

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Balochistan CM pick raises controversy

A former interior minister of the incumbent caretaker government, becoming a Balochistan chief minister, despite the constitutional bar on him on contesting elections, does away with any doubt that Pakistan is effectively a banana republic, Justice (retd) Wajihuddin Ahmed said. Other experts even from the PML-N concurred with the view that there was an unambiguous bar in the Constitution of Pakistan on members of the caretaker government from contesting general elections, terming Sarfraz Bugti’s instance as another unfortunate example of mockery of law by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). An ECP official on the other hand refuted any illegality in this regard stating that his organisation was of the sound view that there was no ban on those members of the caretaker cabinet, neither the PM nor the CM, who had resigned even a minute before the elections. The newly elected 25th Balochistan CM, Bugti, served as an interior minister from Aug 2023 to Dec 2023 and resigned some seven weeks before the general elections after remaining in the second most powerful office after the PM for over four months. Even then there were murmurs that Bugti, given his role in tackling Imran Khan’s party, had won the blessings of the powerful quarters, and had been promised a powerful position in Balochistan. Then some section of the media reported that as the election schedule had not been announced, his resignation would qualify him to contest the elections. Article 224 subsection 1(B) places an unequivocal ban on members of the caretaker cabinet, PM and CM included and their immediate family members, from contesting the following elections. This article does not draw any distinction between serving members of the cabinet or otherwise. Justice (retd) Ahmed said it was unfortunate on the part of the ECP that they allowed Bugti to contest the elections despite him having served as an interior minister. He said Bugti was part of the caretaker government, and when he resigned was irrelevant. “Even if his stay there was a brief stint, he became a part of the caretaker government and by that definition, he is ineligible to even contest elections let alone becoming a CM.” He also objected to former Punjab CM Mohsin Naqvi being given a coveted slot on the Pakistan Cricket Board. He said that this was the second time a caretaker Punjab CM was bestowed with this lucrative position. He, however, clarified that nowhere in the Constitution was there any bar on being given such a position but this was against the spirit of the Constitution. Incidentally, both the caretaker CMs played a very controversial role during the respective elections. Former ECP secretary Kanwar Dilshad concurred with the view of the Justice (retd) Ahmed, stating that this was a blatant violation of Article 224 of the Constitution. He said the ECP had taken a different view on it and the matter would end up in the superior court. He in fact said that some well-reputed NGO should take up this matter before the SC to right this wrong. He said that if this practice was not nipped in the bud now, it would be the beginning of unfortunate events. He said that if one was to subscribe to the ECP’s view, then that would mean that even the caretaker PM could contest elections, if he resigned a minute before filing his nomination papers. Former Punjab CM and senior political analyst Hasan Askari said that in his opinion, “this is illegal and against the will of the Constitution”. He said the ECP and Bugti in their view might exploit an ambiguity in the law but he said that in his opinion, Bugti, once chose to become part of the caretaker government, lost the right to contest these elections. The ECP having allowed this was no surprise, as here many major illegalities were committed by the caretaker governments and no one took cognisance of it just because of the backing of the establishment. He also objected to the caretaker Punjab CM being giving a position on the PCB, saying that it was against the spirit of the Constitution and akin to luring him into functioning favourably for one party. An official of the ECP, however, questioned the view point of the experts, asking that as the Constitution explicitly states that only the caretaker members could not contest elections, how that could be applied to someone who resigned. He said the ECP was of the view that even if the caretaker PM resigned before the elections, he too was entitled to contest the elections. He said that if this was such a glaring irregularity, Bugti’s opponent should have taken this up before the ECP and then the court. Interestingly, a senior PML-N lawyer was approached for his views but on the condition of anonymity he too termed the ECP’s decision to allow Bugti to contest elections a sheer mockery of law, stating that the ECP by taking one bad decision after another lost all its credibility.

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Mazahar Naqvi declines to participate in SJC proceedings

Former Supreme Court judge Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi informed the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) that he would not participate in the forum's proceedings against him on the charge of misconduct, which were completed on Friday. SJC Chairman Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa stated that the former judge was given several opportunities to cross-examine the witnesses but did not appear, adding that the forum could not compel anyone to do so. The SJC met on Friday, with Chief Justice Isa in the chair. During the proceedings, witness Zahid Rafiq provided documents regarding Raja Safdar, a person involved in the sale of land to Naqvi. He told the forum that he did not make any arrangements for Naqvi's stay in London. Chief Justice Isa asked him about the payment of £10,000. Rafiq replied that there was no such thing in his records, but added that £5,000 was paid. In response to another query from the chief justice, he said that he had not brought the audit report with him. Read more: Naqvi granted chance to question witnesses Zahid Rafiq stated that the paid money was not reflected in the audit report. The chief justice told the witness that no action was being taken against him and asked whether he was under pressure. On that, Rafiq replied that there was no pressure on him. Chief Justice Isa said that a letter written by Justice (retd) Mazahar Naqvi had been received, which stated that the former apex court judge would not participate in the SJC proceedings. “This means that he [Naqvi] is aware of the council’s proceedings,” he said. “We gave Mazahar Naqvi the chance to cross-examine [the witnesses], but he did not come. We cannot compel anyone to cross-examine,” the chief justice said. “We made the proceedings open at the request of Justice Retired Naqvi.” The Chief Justice inquired whether the statements of all the witnesses were recorded. Additional Attorney General Amir Rehman replied in the affirmative. “Then your work is finished, and our work starts,” he added.

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