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Monday, 16 September, 2024 I 11 Rabi ul Awwal, 1446
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 70 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
SUBTLE MANOEUVRING, FLURRY OF MEETINGS REMAIN INCONCLUSIVE AS NA, SENATE DEFERED FOR TODAY ‘CONSTITUTIONAL PACKAGE’
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Coalition leadership engages in hectic behind-the-scenes political wheeling and dealing to secure magic number
PML-N Supremo Nawaz Sharif likely to meet Maulana Fazl to secure his support
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Bilawal, Dar meet to strategise constitutional amendment, discuss number game
Kh Asif confident govt would secure 224 votes required for passage of amends
ISLAMABAD
saleem JaDooN
OLLOWING subtle manoeuvring, behind-the-scenes political wheeling and dealing and a flurry of meetings the whole Sunday, the much-hyped National Assembly session for the controversial ‘constitutional package’ finally convened just before midnight and was immediately adjourned till 12:30 pm on Monday (tomorrow). Both the Senate and National Assembly sessions were scheduled for Sunday morning but were delayed twice as the JUI-F chief did not turn up to attend the Special Committee meeting due to the flurry of meetings both the government and the opposition members were busy with. As the twice delayed session of the assembly began, PML-N MNA Bilal Kayani, under of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the House, 2007, moved to suspend requirements of rules 18, 69 and 88 in respect of matters other than points of order, question hour and calling attention notices for the September 15 and 16. The motion was passed quickly as no constitutional amendments were introduced during the minutes-long session. The NA and Senate sessions were scheduled for much earlier in the day but were subject to multiple delays as both the government and the opposition members remained busy holding important meetings. It was unusual for parliament to convene
ISLAMABAD
staff RepoRt
on a weekend, as it usually only happens in budget sessions or sittings convened for a specific, time-sensitive issue. The package aims to fix the tenure of the chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) at three years among other things. SPECIAL COMMITTEE MEETING Maulana Fazl arrived at the Parliament House at around 11:15pm night to attend the special committee meeting on constitutional amendments. The meeting, chaired by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) member Khursheed Shah, besides Maulana Fazl, Bilawal Bhutto, Aleem Khan and others member are also attending the meeting. Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan briefed the committee on the proposed constitutional amend-
ments. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi welcomed Fazl in the parliament. After reaching the parliament building, JUI-F chief said that nation will get good news. Today’s NA session was initially convened for 11:30am but then changed to 4pm on a Special Parliamentary Committee’s request made to the NA speaker. However, the session was unable to start even at the revised time as meetings between the govt and political parties continued. It remains unknown at what time the session would now begin. Meanwhile, the Senate session was originally scheduled for 4pm but was first delayed to 7pm and then 10pm. The federal cabinet, which was scheduled to meet early Sunday, will now be held
Pakistan govt ‘implements’ Essential Services Act in DISCOs to prevent protests
ISLAMABAD
staff RepoRt
The Pakistan government has implemented the Essential Services Act across DISCOs, NTDC, and GENCOs to prevent expected protests against the privatization of these state-owned power companies, sources said on Sunday.
Sources further said the Essential Services Act has been enforced for six months in DISCOs, NTDC and GENCOs to prevent employees from going on strikes as the Pakistan government is planning privatisation of these loss-making state-owned entities. The act also places restrictions on union activities within DISCOs, NTDC, and GENCOs, sources added. It is anticipated that unions and employees from DISCOs, NTDC, and GENCOs may stage protests, but any violation of the Essential Services Act will result in strict action, according to sources. On August 2, the federal government okayed the privatisation of 13 power distribution companies as the Ministry of Energy unveiled a plan to privatise these entities in phases. According to the notification, the Ministry of Energy has also issued directives for the privatisation of 12 organizations in the power sector. The privatisation process will be carried out in phases, with the first phase involving the privatization of four Discos. The four power companies include FESCO, GEPCO, HESCO, and IESCO. The second phase will include the privatisation of MEPCO, PESCO, and other companies, as per the notification.
Petrol price down by Rs10, HSD by Rs13.06 per litre
PROFIT
News Desk
PTI proposes changes in constitutional amendments
The federal government has announced a reduction in fuel prices on Sunday, with the cost of petrol falling by Rs10 per litre from Rs259.10 to Rs249.10, effective from midnight tonight. High-speed diesel (HSD) has also seen a price cut, dropping by Rs13.06 per litre from Rs262.75 to Rs249.69. According to sources, the price of Kerosene Oil has been reduced by Rs11.15 per litre from Rs169.62 to Rs158.47 while the price of Light Diesel Oil has been cut by Rs12.12 from Rs154.05 to Rs141.93. The current adjustments reflect the ongoing fluctuations in global oil markets and are expected to offer some relief to Pakistani consumers. Earlier this week, Federal Minister for Petroleum, Musadik Masood Malik, stated that Pakistanis will benefit from the decline in international petroleum
prices but will also bear the burden when prices rise. Responding to a question in the National Assembly, the minister said that price fluctuations in the international market lead to speculation, making it too early to predict petroleum prices for the next fortnight. “We often receive support from Saudi Arabia through oil on deferred payments,” Malik noted, adding that domestic oil prices are determined by global market trends. He highlighted, “We buy petroleum products against dollars and sell in rupees. Since the inception of the incumbent government, the dollar-rupee parity has stabilised. The minister pointed out the petrol price was slashed by Rs47 per litre since May, adding there is a gradual decline in the smuggling of Iranian petrol. He said there are no criteria to regularise the smuggling, adding the country has 21-day strategic stock of petroleum products. To a question, he said the country’s gas reservoirs are depleting by the day. If additional connections are granted, it will lead to a severe gas crisis in the country. “You are not ready to pay the cost of imported gas,” said Malik, adding the previous government imposed restriction on new gas connections, which was the right decision. He said smuggling cannot be legalized, adding bringing things to the country without paying taxes is illegal. However, the minister said if the house declares smuggling as legitimate, the government will allow it. Through sources it is learnt that PM was advised not to pass the entire relief and retain a part of it, but PM didn’t agree and said that the common has already suffered from inflation in the past few years and therefore he must get full relief.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has hinted at offering conditional support for the proposed constitutional amendment, suggesting that if the government accepts its proposed changes, a consensus could be reached. Opposition leader in Natinal Assembly Umar Ayub and PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar participated in the Parliamentary Special Committee meeting held under Khursheed Shah’s chairmanship. The committee’s meeting was part of the effort made to reach a consensus on the amendments. During this meeting, the PTI presented its version of the constitutional amendment to the special committee. Speaking to the media after the meeting, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar said that the discussions were held in-camera, and criticized the amendment as one “being done in the dark of the night.” He accused the government of trying to weaken the judiciary and expressed concern
some time on Monday once the government manage the ‘required magic number’ for passing the constitutional amendments in the National Assembly (NA) and Senate. On Sunday NA session was initially
that the bill had not been shared with them. He further clarified that the government had not indicated that voting would take place today. Barrister Gohar added that none of Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s suggestions were acted upon and that PTI had only listened without presenting any proposals. ‘MAULANA FAZL HAS PRINCIPLED STANCE’ Earlier in the day, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said that JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman had a principled stance and that was that no judge should get an extension in his or her tenure. Speaking to reporters, he said that amendments should be made to the constitution for the betterment of the country as well as the nation. Gohar further said since he and other PTI lawmakers had not received the draft of the proposed amendments, therefore, they were not aware of their details. PTI chairman said that the Supreme Court (SC) was the only institution that could guard the constitution.
slated for 11:30am but then changed to 4pm on a Special Parliamentary Committee’s request made to the NA speaker.
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