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SPEAKER ORDERS PRODUCTION OF PTI MNAS, SUSPENDS 5 OFFICIALS AS OUTCRY OVER NA RAIDS INTENSIFIES Thursday, 12 September, 2024 I 7 Rabi ul Awwal, 1446
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Sadiq proposes ‘Charter of Parliament ’ to ease govt-opposition tension, promote cooperation
Bilawal strikes a reconciliator y tone, calling for politics of revenge to be shunned
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Barrister Gohar announces boycott of NA proceedings except for nine to ten MNAs to attend the session g Kh Asif clarifies no one is ‘appreciating’ the events that took place Monday night g
Even loss of life shouldn’t be used as pretext for violating Parliament’s sanctity: Achakzai
ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
DELEGATION from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, successfully obtained production orders for its arrested members of the National Assembly (MNAs) after a meeting with Speaker Ayaz Sadiq on Wednesday. The PTI delegation, which included Dawar Kundi and Ali Muhammad Khan, met Speaker Ayaz Sadiq in his chamber, pressing for the release of detained MNAs. “You announced yesterday that production orders would be issued, but they have not yet been released to bring our arrested members to the assembly. You made a verbal promise, and we are here today for the written orders,” Barrister Gohar stated during the meeting. Later, speaking to the media outside Parliament House, Barrister Gohar confirmed that Speaker Sadiq had issued the production orders, ensuring the presence of the arrested PTI members in the assembly by tomorrow (Thursday). In a related development, the National Assembly’s Sergeant-at-Arms, Ashfaq Ashraf, along with four other security personnel, was suspended for four months following arrests that took place within the parliament building. The suspended officers include Security Assistant Waqas Ahmed and Junior Security Assistants Ubaidullah, Waheed Safdar, and Muhammad Haroon.
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ISLAMABAD
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The suspensions followed an internal review of the incident, wherein arrests of PTI lawmakers were made from inside the assembly premises. Earlier this week, police entered the National Assembly and arrested prominent PTI leaders, including Sahibzada Hamid Raza, leader of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Sher Afzal Marwat, and Advocate Shoaib Shaheen. The arrests were made in connection with a PTI rally in the capital that defied emergency laws enacted shortly before the event. Meanwhile in a bid to ease tensions between the government and opposition, Speaker Sadiq proposed a ‘Charter of Parliament’ aimed at promoting cooperation be-
tween all political factions, despite ongoing leadership conflicts. Addressing the parliamentarians during the session, the NA Speaker suggested that, even if party leaders fail to agree, members of parliament should still work towards signing a cross-party charter, emphasizing such an initiative would strengthen parliamentary collaboration and discipline. The session witnessed interruptions from PTI members, who demanded the immediate issuance of production orders for their arrested colleagues. Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Khursheed Shah intervened, urging the house to allow PTI members to speak. Referring to past incidents, Speaker Sadiq noted that production orders for detained members were not issued during
Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Chairman Mahmood Khan Achakzai on Wednesday stated that an attack on Parliament is unacceptable even if ten or twenty individuals were killed. “Even the loss of life should not be used as a rationale for violating the Parliament’s sanctity”, Achakzai said while commenting on the arrest of PTI lawmakers from the National Assembly premises. The arrest took place over violations during PTI’s rally in Islamabad on Sunday, including the deviation from a previously agreed route, breaching commitments, attacking Islamabad police, exceeding permitted timings, and delivering anti-state the PTI government. However, he assured that he would act in the best interest of the assembly, stating, “I will do what is right.” He also announced the formation of a committee to address the issue promptly. Earlier, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Tuesday suspended five security officials for four months, days after
speeches. The PkMAP chief on Wednesday criticised the recent action taken by security forces, saying that verbal remarks could not constitute as a justification for any attack on Parliament. Speaking in the assembly, Achakzai condemned the manner in which certain remarks were made, particularly those by Ali Amin Gandapur. He argued that such comments, no matter how provocative, do not justify an assault on Parliament. He affirmed his support for upholding the Constitution, empowering Parliament, and ensuring all institutions remain within its bounds. Minister Khawaja Asif also weighed in, stating that there is no justification for the attack on Parliament.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03 PTI lawmakers were arrested from inside the Parliament House. According to an “office order” issued by the NA secretariat on Wednesday, Sergeantat-Arms (BPS-20) Muhammad Ishfaq Ashraf was suspended “with immediate effect for a period of 120 days”.
After Imran, PM Shehbaz, son too ‘Mpox virus’: Pakistan Govt moves Supreme Court, seeking release seek relief under NAB law amends confirms fifth case in KP: health minister of dams’ fund amount ISLAMABAD
PESHAWAR
Staff RepoRt
ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
The Federal government on Wednesday moved the Supreme Court, with a petition seeking the release of dams’ funds collected for the construction of Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams. “We have submitted a miscellaneous petition,” Additional Attorney General Amir Rehman said in the case heard by a four-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa. “The amount of the dams’ funds should be released to the federal government and Wapda,” AAG pleaded with the court. “The State Bank had opened an account under the supervision of the supreme court,” the government attorney said. “How many funds are deposited in the dams’ accounts,” the Chief Justice of Pakistan questioned. “There are around Rs20 billion in dams’ funds,” Wapda lawyer Saad Rasool informed the court. “How this case began,” CJP Justice Faez Isa asked. “The supreme court had taken notice of the Wapda’s under-hearing cases in 2018,” the Wapda lawyer replied. “Supreme Court’s dams funds implementation bench conducted 17 hearings,” the lawyer further said. “There would be other Wapda projects, if the Supreme Court monitor all Wapda projects,” Qazi Faez Isa asked. “There were disputes among private parties over the building of dams,” Wapda’s lawyer clarified. “The supreme court fixed hearing of disputes in private parties with it,” lawyer added. The Wapda counsel pleaded that the litigation between private parties should be heard at relevant judicial forums. The court summoned record concerned of the case and adjourned hearing for a break. The Supreme Court had announced a fund for construction of dams via an effort of crowd funding in July 2018. The fund was launched for construction of two large dams, Diamer Bhasha and Mohmand Dam, in the country.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shehbaz on Wednesday sought a referral of Ramazan Sugar Mills reference back to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) after the Supreme Court’s verdict, reinstating amendments to the National Accountability Ordinance 1999. This comes a day after incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan and wife Bushra Bibi sought acquittal in £190m case under NAB amendments. On September 6, the apex court accepted intra-court appeals filed against the September 15, 2023, majority judgement striking down the amendments to the National Accountability Ordinance. While reinstating the amendments introduced to the NAB Law, the Supreme Court observed that Imran failed to establish that NAB amendments were unconstitutional. During hearing of Ramazan Sugar Mills reference on Wednesday, the counsels for the fatherson argued that the reference against their clients is ‘inadmissible’ after the Supreme Court’s verdict and that the “accountability court lacks jurisdiction to proceed with the case anymore”. At which, the court asked the lawyers to file an application for the transfer of sugar mills reference to the anti-graft body and adjourned the hearing till October 1. Meanwhile, it also accepted Hamza Shehbaz’s plea for exemption from personal appearance. On February 18, 2019, the anti-graft crusader filed a reference against Hamza and Shehbaz, alleging that the former Punjab chief minister had misused his authority to get a 10km sludge carrier constructed in district Chiniot to facilitate Ramzan Sugar Mills, owned by his sons.
Staff RepoRt
The anti-corruption bureau had alleged that the ‘project’ had inflicted a loss of Rs213 million to the national exchequer. The reference was reopened in November 2023 after the amendments — introduced by the coalition government of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) — were struck down. Earlier, Imran also sought acquittal from the £190 million case under the NAB amendments — which he had challenged. The deposed prime minister’s lawyer told the accountability court in Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail that the case was no longer valid after the verdict as all the cabinet decisions are protected in NAB amendments. NAB AMENDMENTS Under the amendments, the NAB was restricted from investigating into any graft case worth less than Rs500 million besides curtailing the accountability body’s powers to probe into a fraud case unless its victims are more than 100. It also modified the NAB law to keep an accused in its custody for a maximum of 14 days which was later exceeded to 30 days.
Two laws, two systems, and two Pakistans cannot coexist, says Gandapur PESHAWAR
Staff CoRReSpondent
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has criticised the existence of a dual justice system in Pakistan, stating that “two laws, two systems, and two Pakistans cannot coexist.” He stressed the need for a single legal framework for all citizens. Speaking at a Bar Council Associations event on Wednesday, Gandapur said, “If we do not point out wrongdoing and corrupt elements, how will we bring about reform?” He stressed that everyone should be held accountable under one law and one system. The chief minister further stated, “We must begin with ourselves and move this country forward. We have not taken revenge on anyone, nor have we used provincial institutions for per-
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sonal vendettas. We do not wish to sow hatred because it harms the nation. However, we will continue to speak out for our rights, justice, and true freedom.” He added that the Constitution allows the people to defend their rights. “Our challenges and goals are different, but we are caught up in other distractions. Until we move past this, we cannot progress,” Gandapur remarked. Addressing the legal community, the chief minister urged lawyers to uphold justice and truth. “The responsibility of ensuring justice rests on the legal fraternity. Support the truth, and do not defend cases against justice and merit.” He further noted, “Nations that uphold justice are the ones that prosper. A society remains peaceful and content when individuals are confident that they
will receive justice.” Highlighting the weaknesses in the judicial system, Gandapur said, “Unfortunately, our judiciary is alarmingly weak and needs reform. The role of lawyers is crucial in this process.” He stressed the importance of a fair system of accountability, adding that repeated violations of the Constitution stem from the absence of such a system. “Without the rule of law, we cannot move forward. Islam has provided us with a clear path and a system of accountability, which is essential for creating a just society.” The chief minister further said, “Our religion teaches us to speak the truth, stand by what is right, and raise our voices against oppression. We must continue the struggle for the rule of law, setting aside personal and political interests.”
Pakistan on Wednesday confirmed the fifth case of the mpox virus in Peshawar in a patient who had returned from a Gulf Country on Sept 7, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Health Minister Qasim Ali Shah said in a video message. “The fifth case, a 33-year-old patient, came to Pakistan from a Gulf country on September 7 via the Islamabad International Airport. He then traveled to Peshawar where he stayed at a hotel. Later, he went to a private clinic for treatment”, the KP minister elaborated. Last month, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the recent outbreak of the disease as a public health emergency of international concern after the new variant of the virus, Clade 1b, was identified. The Clade 1b variant has triggered global concern due to the ease with which it spreads through routine close contact. However, the mpox outbreak is not another Covid-19, the WHO has said, because much is already known about the virus and the means to control it. Health Minister Shah further said that from there, the patient was referred to the Khyber Teaching Hospital, where a public health reference lab confirmed mpox virus in the patient. “The patient has been quarantined at his house in Lower Dir,” Shah said, adding that he did not meet any relatives after arriving from Saudi Arabia, and other than the people on his flight, he was not in contact with anyone while arriving in Pakistan.
Cop, polio worker killed in Bajaur attack; another worker abducted, raped in Jacobabad PESHAWAR/JACOBABAD Staff RepoRt
A polio worker along with a policeman was killed in an attack in Bajaur while a lady polio worker was allegedly abducted and raped in Jacobabad, the administration and police confirmed on Wednesday. On Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif launched the seven-day (Sept 7 to 15) anti-polio campaign to vaccinate millions of children nationwide. According to police officials, unidentified gunmen killed a polio worker along with a policeman on Wednesday in Bajaur during the ongoing anti-polio campaign. “After completing their duties, a polio team was returning to the local (health unit) when two unidentified motorcyclists opened fire on them,” Waqas Rafiq, a senior police official, told AFP. He said a polio worker and a police officer were killed and a third person was wounded. The attack happened in Bajaur district, close to the border with Afghanistan, just two days after the Islamic State group claimed an improvised bomb attack on a polio vaccination team in the same district that wounded nine people. Wednesday’s attack happened on the third day of a campaign to vaccinate 30 million children in the week-long campaign, which will now be paused in part of Bajaur district. In another such incident, a lady polio worker was allegedly abducted and raped in Jacobabad. Jacobabad Deputy Commissioner (DC) Zahoor Murri said that the incident took place in Detha village, within the limits of Moladad police station. “The police arrived at the scene and shifted the victim to James Hospital under tight security,” he said. “The polio worker was undergoing a medical examination at the hospital and the medicolegal examination would confirm if any abuse took place,” said DC Murri.