FCC to hear Adiala inmates' private treatment pleas on 14th

Two days before the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a contempt petition against the prime minister and others over the alleged non-implementation of its August 18 order regarding shifting of former prime minister Imran Khan to Shifa Hospital, the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) will hear appeals filed by three prisoners of Adiala jail seeking treatment at private hospitals. The prisoners have challenged an Islamabad High Court (IHC) order under which their pleas seeking treatment at private hospitals, similar to the relief granted to Imran Khan, were rejected. A three-member FCC bench headed by Chief Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan and comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Ali Baqar Najafi will hear the appeals on September 14, the first day of the new judicial year for the Supreme Court and the FCC. Interestingly, all three members of the bench belong to Punjab. The FCC matters are ordinarily heard by division benches, but the appeals have been fixed before a three-member bench. The development assumes significance as the same number of judges is hearing a petition filed by Imran Khan's sister, Uzma Khan, seeking the transfer of her brother to Shifa International Hospital. A three-member Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed and comprising Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim is scheduled to hear the matter on September 16. Lawyers believe the outcome of the FCC proceedings could have a bearing on the proceedings concerning Imran Khan before the Supreme Court. Under Article 175E of the Constitution, the FCC may, on its own motion or otherwise, if it considers that a case involves a substantial question of law concerning the interpretation of the Constitution, call for the record of any case pending before any court and make such order in the case as it deems appropriate. In view of this constitutional provision, the FCC may also summon a case pending before the SC. In several judgments, the FCC has held that its decisions are binding on all courts, including the Supreme Court. It has also clarified that, following the 27th Constitutional Amendment, the Supreme Court no longer has the authority to interpret the Constitution and the law in matters falling within the FCC's constitutional jurisdiction. In the Riaz Hussain case, FCC Justice Rozi Khan Barrech observed that Article 189 of the Constitution stipulates that any decision of the Supreme Court that decides a question of law or enunciates a principle of law is binding on all other courts in Pakistan, with the exception of the FCC. The exception, according to the judgment, arises from the 27th Amendment, which provides that decisions of the FCC are binding on all courts in Pakistan, including the Supreme Court itself. Consequently, all courts are constitutionally required to follow FCC judgments. Similarly, FCC Justice KK Agha held in a separate judgment that although Supreme Court decisions are not binding on the FCC under Article 189, the FCC may treat them as having persuasive value or as constituting obiter dicta, which it may or may not choose to follow. FCC Justice Aamer Farooq has also observed that Article 189 makes Supreme Court decisions binding on all courts subordinate to it, including the high courts. At the same time, decisions of the FCC are binding on every court in the country, including the Supreme Court and high courts. The fixing of the prisoners' appeals has also triggered questions among lawyers as to why the petitioners did not first file intra-court appeals (ICAs) before the IHC against the single-bench order and instead approached the FCC directly, which fixed the matter for hearing on the very first working day after the summer vacations. Former additional attorney general Waqar Rana said an ICA was a remedy available to a party, but filing an ICA was not necessarily a condition that had to be fulfilled in every case before approaching a higher court. However, he said that where two courts or forums have jurisdiction at the same time, the general principle of judicial priority was that the higher court should ordinarily avoid exercising its jurisdiction if the matter was already being properly dealt with by the lower forum, unless there was a special reason to intervene. Lawyers have also questioned how the prisoners' case was decided by the IHC so expeditiously and why the FCC subsequently listed the appeals immediately after the summer recess. The FCC judges are also facing what some lawyers describe as a "battle of perception", particularly because they were appointed by the federal government, which is expected to be the primary litigant before the court in several politically sensitive matters. The FCC has already entertained two petitions involving the PTI: one challenging the formation of the "release force" announced by PTI founder Imran Khan and another challenging the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government's decision to withdraw cases relating to the May 9 riots. Interestingly, the FCC granted interim relief to the petitioners in both cases. While hearing the petition against the alleged formation of an "Imran Khan release force" on April 1, the FCC restrained K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and others from taking any action in violation of the law or Constitution. The court warned in its order that any act in violation of any provision of law or the Constitution would have consequences, and that persons bound to preserve and protect the Constitution were required to take every action in accordance with law. Earlier, political parties had also raised concerns over the absence of representation from every province on benches hearing constitutional matters. Despite a pendency of around 23,000 cases, only seven judges are currently serving in the FCC.

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Islamabad imposes complete ban on shisha cafes following IHC order

Islamabad Deputy Commissioner (DC) Irfan Nawaz Memon on Wednesday announced a “complete” ban on running shisha cafes in the federal capital after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) directed the district administration to formulate rules governing shisha cafes within one month. “In compliance with the orders of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), a complete ban has been imposed with immediate effect on the operation of shisha cafes in the federal capital until further orders,” Memon wrote in a post on X. He added that under the ban, all types of shisha cafes, including those holding no-objection certificates (NOCs) and operating in outdoor or indoor spaces, had been prohibited from conducting shisha business. اسلام آباد ہائی کورٹ کے احکامات پر فی الفور عمل درآمد کرتے ہوئے وفاقی دارلحکومت میں شیشہ کیفے چلانے پر تاحکم ثانی مکمل پابندی عائد کر دی گئی ہے پابندی کے تحت این او سی کے حامل شیشہ کیفے، آؤٹ ڈور اور ان ڈور تمام اقسام کو شیشہ کا کاروبار چلانے سے روک دیا گیا ہے،خلاف ورزی کرنے کی… — DC Islamabad (@dcislamabad) September 9, 2026 The deputy commissioner warned that in case of a violation, the cafe would be sealed and a case would be registered against its owner. He added that assistant commissioners would ensure daily inspections by conducting operations without discrimination, according to the directions. Earlier, Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar remarked during a hearing that shisha cafés would not be allowed to operate in their current manner without rules being formulated. “No rules have been made, and there are no regulations,” the chief justice observed, adding that such arrangements were damaging the lives of people in Islamabad. “Everything is happening in an open space. You are taking your generations towards destruction,” he remarked. Read: Sheesha cafes face legal action over drug links The Islamabad Police chief told the court that action had been taken against shisha cafés in compliance with its orders. The IHC chief justice made the remarks while hearing a petition seeking details of shisha cafés operating in Islamabad. Islamabad IGP Ali Nasir Rizvi and Deputy Commissioner Islamabad appeared before the court in person. Advocate General Naveed Hayat Malik and Acting Prosecutor General Manzoor Ahmad Jajja were also present. “We have great respect for your business, but do not destroy the entire city,” Justice Dogar said and questioned whether smoking tobacco mixed with cannabis could still be considered merely smoking. Justice Dogar warned that such practices could affect members of the public, saying, “It should not happen that tomorrow your brother or someone from your family becomes a victim of this.” IGP Rizvi told the court that strict action had been taken against the cafés following the court’s order. He said officials had also faced resistance from café owners. The IGP said children aged 14 and 15 had been found at some of the cafés. FIRs had been registered against some individuals, while an awareness campaign had also been launched. Acting Prosecutor General Manzoor Ahmad Jajja suggested that directions be issued to the Ministry of Health and the government to formulate rules. “Not only smoking, but things beyond that are also taking place. We will submit a report on the matter,” he said. The chief justice said he had learnt that café operators closed their doors when raids were conducted. “If you find out about any such café, seal it,” he directed. The chief commissioner and district administration submitted a written response stating that, until formal laws were approved, no-objection certificates (NOCs) for shisha cafés were being issued under a temporary arrangement. Read More: IHC seeks details of Islamabad sheesha cafés According to the response, the district administration had issued all NOCs for shisha cafés without charging any fee. It stated that there was no need to formulate separate standard operating procedures for shisha cafés, as the principles laid down by the High Court itself served as the criteria for issuing NOCs. In accordance with the directions of the high court and the World Health Organisation, shisha was permitted only in open-air, uncovered areas. A separate written “terrace permit” from the relevant assistant commissioner was mandatory for the purpose. The administration also stated that the unsafe storage of charcoal and related equipment at shisha cafés posed a major fire hazard. All fire-safety and fire-prevention measures had therefore been made mandatory for restaurants. The serving of shisha and other tobacco products was restricted to adults, while cafés were also required to maintain environmental standards. The court order constituted an interim arrangement that would remain in force until the federal government formulated formal rules. After directing the authorities to formulate the rules, the court adjourned the hearing for one month.

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Govt increases petrol price by Rs3.40, HSD by Rs6.72 per litre for Sept 10

The federal government on Wednesday increased the price of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs3.40 and Rs6.72 per litre, respectively, for September 10. According to a notification issued by the Petroleum Division, the price of petrol was fixed at Rs367.75 per litre, while HSD would cost Rs392.67 per litre for Thursday. The latest revision comes a day after the government hiked the price of petrol and HSD by Rs5.58 and Rs4.18 per litre, respectively, for September 9. Read: Petrol hike pushes goods freight rates up 5% On July 17, the government announced a new pricing mechanism under which petroleum product prices would be reviewed and notified on a daily basis, replacing the weekly pricing mechanism, as renewed tensions between the United States and Iran continued to drive volatility in global oil markets and raise concerns over fuel supplies. Since the new system was introduced, a massive increase has been witnessed in prices, with petrol rising by over Rs50 per litre, while diesel has also gone up by around Rs40 per litre. According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2024-25, petroleum products constitute one of the country's largest import categories, making the economy highly vulnerable to changes in global crude oil prices. Domestic refineries satisfy only part of national demand, while the remainder is met through imports of crude oil and refined petroleum products. Consequently, every increase in international oil prices raises Pakistan's import bill, pressures foreign exchange reserves, and contributes to inflation. Pakistan previously exercised significant government control over petroleum pricing through subsidies and administrative interventions. While these measures temporarily protected consumers, they imposed substantial fiscal costs. During periods of elevated global oil prices, successive governments delayed passing price increases to consumers, creating financial pressures for oil marketing companies, refineries, and the national budget. Large fuel subsidies widened fiscal deficits, increased public borrowing, and weakened macroeconomic stability. Global geopolitical developments continue to pose significant risks. International oil prices are influenced by decisions taken by OPEC+, conflicts in the Middle East, sanctions on oil-producing nations, and disruptions in critical shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. Any interruption in these supply chains can immediately increase crude oil prices and freight costs. Since Pakistan imports the majority of its petroleum requirements, these developments quickly translate into higher domestic fuel prices. Also Read: Oil sector rejects new price formula Brent crude prices surged past $100 a barrel on Wednesday, as escalating conflict in the Middle East fuelled ‌worries about energy-driven inflation and sent global stocks tumbling ahead of several major central bank decisions. Brent crude futures rose as much as 3% to a session high of $100.95, breaching the symbolic price level for the first ‌time since July 24, after Iran said ⁠it fired ballistic missiles ​at a US base in Jordan and both sides claimed to have attacked vessels, ​raising worries about oil supplies from the region.

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Capital autonomy may bring new tax

The federal government has begun considering proposals to introduce a new local tax in Islamabad if the capital is granted the status of an autonomous unit, while Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are set to begin negotiations this month on the fifth review of the ongoing loan programme. Sources told The Express Tribune that the proposed taxes include potential streams of revenue which will be allocated for the operation of basic facilities and administrative infrastructure within Islamabad. "It will be spent on hospitals, schools, colleges and other educational institutions, welfare works and administrative processes," they said. "The tax collection proposals will be discussed with the IMF delegation during the next economic review. The approved taxes will then be introduced in the upcoming fiscal year's budget," they added. The sources clarified that the final estimate for the target tax revenue is yet to be made. As part of the proposal review process, initially, the tax proposals will be prepared by the FBR, after which proposals will be presented to the tax subcommittee which has been specially established to review tax mechanisms for an autonomous Islamabad. Following the relevant subcommittee's approval, the proposals will be presented to the committee established under the chairmanship of the Minister for Planning. Afterwards, the proposals will be presented to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and then a final decision will be taken following the IMF's approval. The Ministry of Finance has directed all relevant ministries and institutions to compile necessary data and reports in preparation for the negotiations with the IMF during the economic review. The relevant ministries have been tasked with briefing the IMF delegation on structural benchmarks and economic reform targets. Notably, energy sector reforms with specific emphasis on circular debt targets in the electricity and gas sectors have also been included as part of the negotiations' agenda. The sources said that the government is betting on successful negotiations between Pakistan and the IMF to pave the way for the release of the fifth tranche of the loan programme. Pakistan is expected to receive one billion dollars in the fifth tranche in addition to the $200 million which will be handed over to deal with climate change losses. Thus, in case of a successful review from the IMF, Pakistan is expected to receive a total of $1.2 billion. The sources further elucidated that the formation of a new system for the use of local taxes and distribution of resources is part of the federal capital's proposed roadmap. They added that along with the formation of the administrative structure, attention is also being paid to integrating financial mechanisms through the inclusion of IMF's suggestions for an effective tax system.

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'We will honour it': Asif warns of Makkah defence pact's activation after Houthi strikes against Saudi Arabia

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Tuesday that there should be no ambiguity that an attack on any one country of the Makkah Defence Alliance — a joint defence agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye — would be considered an attack on all three and warned of its activation after attacks on the kingdom. The statement came as Yemen’s Houthis targeted cities and economic infrastructure in southern Saudi Arabia, injuring at least 73 civilians and further threatening peace in the region. The attacks also raised concerns about the conflict spilling over into the wider region. Pakistan condemned the attacks targeting Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran, calling them a flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia. It reiterated its unwavering support for the kingdom’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and prosperity. Speaking on a local television programme 'Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath', Asif said any unprovoked aggression or spillover of the conflict in Yemen into Saudi Arabia would activate the agreement. Read More: Bangladesh signals openness to joining Pakistan-Saudi-Turkiye defence agreement “There should be no ambiguity; there is no need for any clarity that this is a joint defence agreement,” he said. “There should be no doubt about this. We are bound by the terms and conditions of this pact and, God willing, we will honour them in case there is a need,” the minister added. Asif said he had no information about any contact between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia regarding the recent attacks. He explained that the agreement provided for mutual assistance in the event of aggression. “This is not an aggressive agreement under which the three countries would, on their own initiative, attack another country. But if there is any aggression against one member state, all three member states will respond,” he said. The minister expressed hope that the situation would normalise and tensions would subside while cautioning the Houthis that they would have to realise that their internal affairs could have consequences if they attempted to export the conflict beyond Yemen. “If they try to export them, the clauses of this agreement to counter aggression will become operative,” he said. Describing the Houthis as non-state actors, Asif said there was sympathy and affection for Iran across the Muslim world, including Yemen, and there was no doubt about this. “But if non-state actors are used to exploit any bilateral dispute, I think they will be doing it at their own peril,” he said. Asif said the agreement could also serve as a deterrent and did not necessarily mean that Pakistan and its allies would respond to aggression in kind. Also Read: Understanding the alliance of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia & Turkey “We don't need to respond to a brick with a stone,” he said, adding that the alliance between three militarily strong countries that had already demonstrated their capabilities should itself serve as a deterrent. He said Saudi Arabia should not be dragged into what he described as an internal dispute in Yemen. The minister recalled a similar situation in 2014, when Yemen attacked Saudi Arabia, saying Pakistan had supported the kingdom even though there was no formal agreement between the countries at the time. He attributed Pakistan’s support to the sanctity of Saudi Arabia and the close relations between the two countries. Despite the continuing deterioration in the situation, Asif said he remained hopeful that a path to peace would emerge and that the doors to dialogue had not been closed. “The path to peace will certainly emerge, and the doors have not been closed,” he said, adding that he would not abandon hope that the situation had reached a complete deadlock or that all avenues had been shut. He said indirect contacts with the parties were already taking place. “We want to create an environment in which there is peace in the region because the entire region is at stake,” he said, adding that Israel would want to continue the conflict. “I believe the global conscience is awake and the pressure of this global conscience will ensure that peace is ultimately established in the region, and Israel will eventually pay the price,” he concluded. Read: What the Makkah Pact really signals The latest attacks were not the first time the Houthis had targeted Saudi Arabia’s energy interests. On July 23, the group said it had struck two Saudi oil tankers in what it described as part of a naval blockade against the kingdom. The Houthis control areas near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s key shipping routes linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, giving the group the ability to threaten vital maritime traffic. The strikes had followed growing tensions between the Houthis and Riyadh. After the group threatened further attacks, the Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government vowed to respond with “unprecedented determination and force” to any attempt to target the kingdom, its citizens or its national assets. Makkah defence pact The recent Houthi attacks came at a time when Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye had just formalised their longstanding strategic ties through the signing of the “Makkah Defence Alliance, a trilateral security framework that its proponents describe as a defensive arrangement aimed at strengthening collective deterrence, enhancing military cooperation and promoting regional stability. The agreement, signed during the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit for Joint Defence, prompted comparisons with military alliances such as NATO. However, according to security analysts, the pact is intended to formalise decades of existing strategic cooperation rather than create a new military bloc or offensive alliance. According to security analysts, the agreement represents the natural progression of longstanding political, military and strategic relations among the three countries. Read More: Pakistan to provide first secretary general of Makkah Defence Alliance for three years: FO They noted that Pakistan's ties with Turkiye dated back to the Khilafat Movement, while Pakistan and Saudi Arabia maintained decades of defence, political, economic and diplomatic cooperation based on what they describe as mutual trust and shared strategic interests. Rather than establishing an entirely new partnership, analysts said the agreement provides a formal institutional framework for cooperation that has evolved over many years. Security analysts argued that the agreement reflected a rapidly changing regional security environment. They pointed to regional conflicts, evolving security threats, and changes in the character of modern warfare as factors driving closer strategic coordination among countries that shared common security interests. According to them, the trilateral framework was intended to preserve regional stability by strengthening collective security mechanisms instead of relying on ad hoc bilateral cooperation. At its core, the agreement established a framework based on the principles of collective security and collective deterrence. Security analysts said its central premise was that aggression against one member would be regarded as a threat to all three, thereby increasing the potential cost of military action and discouraging conflict through credible deterrence. The framework also envisaged expanded defence cooperation, including closer military coordination, intelligence sharing, strategic consultations, defence planning and broader institutional cooperation between the three countries. According to analysts, pooling military capabilities and strategic coordination were intended to improve preparedness while reducing the likelihood of regional conflict.

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CDA restrained from filling posts

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday suspended, until the next hearing, the cancellation of the recruitment process for several posts in the Capital Development Authority (CDA), including assistant director and building inspector. The court issued notices to the CDA chairman and other respondents and sought their responses by September 8. The CDA had also been barred from issuing fresh advertisements for the posts. Justice Khadim Hussain Somroo issued a two-page written order following the hearing, restraining the CDA from filling the posts through promotions or transfers as well.

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Senate panel approves death penalty for perpetrators of acid attacks

The Senate Standing Committee on Interior on Monday approved a series of criminal law amendments, including a proposal to make acid attacks punishable by death, along with measures to criminalise the abuse of domestic workers, unauthorised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) decanting and the wrongful detention of dead bodies by hospitals. Chaired by Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman, the committee considered several private members’ bills concerning acid attacks, domestic workers, LPG safety, anti-rape legislation and consumer protection. The bills were passed despite opposition from Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, while Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) lawmakers also voted in favour. The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, moved by Senator Muhammad Abdul Qadir, seeking amendments to Section 336-B of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) concerning hurt caused by corrosive substances, was passed in the mover's absence. The bill, citing the recent acid attack on a lady doctor in Quetta, said that despite an amendment made in 2011, acid attacks continued to cause lifelong disfigurement and trauma. It proposed punishment of “death or imprisonment for life or imprisonment of not less than 14 years and a fine of Rs2 million” as a strong deterrent against the crime. Read: Suspect killed in encounter after acid attack on female doctor in Quetta The committee also unanimously passed the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill moved by Senator Sarmad Ali, seeking to criminalise the abuse of domestic workers. Its "Statement of Objects and Reasons" said domestic workers constituted one of the most vulnerable segments of society and were often subjected to physical violence, sexual abuse, forced labour and other forms of mistreatment by employers. It said existing legal provisions did not specifically address abuse arising from the dependency and control inherent in domestic work settings. The proposed provision covers physical violence, sexual harassment, threats, forced labour, wage theft, confiscation of identity documents, denial of food or medical care and humiliating treatment. It proposes imprisonment for up to 10 years and a fine of up to Rs100,000, while offences resulting in serious injury or death would carry imprisonment for life and a fine of up to Rs500,000. The bill would also make employers liable if members of their household committed abuse, unless they had taken reasonable steps to prevent such abuse. Read More: Households continue to exploit child labour in Punjab Schedule II of the Code of Criminal Procedure would also be amended to make the offence non-bailable and triable by a court of session. The committee also approved the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Act moved by Senator Shahadat Awan, seeking to amend Sections 286 and 286-A of the PPC to criminalise the unauthorised transfer of LPG into smaller cylinders. The bill noted that LPG decanting in residential areas and roadside setups without proper safety measures posed severe risks to public life and property. It proposed increasing the punishment under Section 286 from six months to two years and raising the fine from Rs1,000 to Rs100,000. Under Section 286-A, the proposed punishment would increase from two to five years, while the fine would rise from Rs10,000 to Rs500,000. The "Statement of Objects and Reasons" said the decanting of LPG from larger cylinders into smaller domestic cylinders without proper safety measures had become widespread in many parts of Pakistan. Such unauthorised operations, it added, were often conducted in residential areas, workshops and roadside setups without adherence to safety standards. “The proposed amendments aim to deter negligent and reckless conduct in the handling of explosive and hazardous substances, ensuring greater public safety and accountability,” the statement said. The committee unanimously passed another Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, moved by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, proposing the insertion of a new Section 338CA to make the “wrongful detention of a dead body” a punishable offence. Parliament’s responsibility is to turn the concerns of our people into meaningful legislation and action. Today, the Senate Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control took up important matters concerning public safety, justice, legislation and institutional… pic.twitter.com/tpxqssePts — Samina Mumtaz Zehri (@SenatorMumtaz) September 7, 2026 The "Statement of Objects and Reasons" highlighted reports of private hospitals and clinics detaining the bodies of deceased patients until their families settled outstanding medical bills. It cited instances in which hospitals allegedly demanded exorbitant advance deposits, sometimes as high as Rs2 million to Rs4 million, and withheld bodies even when outstanding dues were as low as Rs100,000. The statement said such practices caused immense psychological harm to grieving families and denied the deceased the right to timely burial and dignified last rites, which it described as a fundamental religious obligation in Islam and other religions. It also maintained that the inviolability of human dignity did not cease upon death. Also Read: Hospitals barred from retaining bodies over unpaid bills The proposed provision carries a punishment of up to two years’ imprisonment and/or a fine of Rs500,000 for a first offence. A second offence, or detention of a body beyond 24 hours, would carry imprisonment of up to three years and/or a fine of Rs1 million. Exceptions have been provided for autopsies and police investigations, while the offence has been made compoundable by the legal heirs. The Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) (Amendment) Bill, moved by Senator Bushra Anjum Butt, was also passed. The committee observed that legislation aimed at strengthening the legal framework against rape should receive appropriate government support. On consumer protection, the committee passed the Islamabad Consumers Protection (Amendment) Bill, also moved by Senator Zehri, seeking to bring private healthcare under the ambit of the 1995 Act. The proposed legislation targets undisclosed fees, non-itemised billing and demands for advance deposits before emergency treatment. It would also require hospitals to publicly display their fee schedules and provide itemised bills. Separately, the committee expressed serious concern over reports that former parliamentarians were being required to obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Interior Ministry for the issuance of official passports and that the validity of such passports had been reduced from five years to one year. Chaudhry told the committee that only the internal approval procedure had been changed. The chairman directed that existing law must not be violated and that official passports should be issued with five-year validity in accordance with the law. Further deliberation on the matter was deferred. The Interior Ministry also briefed the committee on concerns surrounding the unregulated use of social media by minors, saying that a high-powered committee was working on proposals to regulate children’s use of social media.

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