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Pakistan seeks roll SHEHBAZ ASKS NAWAZ TO RETURN TO over of existing pursues PAKISTAN, BECOME PM FOR FOURTH TIME $1b, additional $300m
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Saturday, 17 June, 2023 I 27 Zilqad, 1444
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SAYS THOSE WHO CRITICISE ISHAQ DAR SHOULD LEAVE PARTY
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ISLAMABAD
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g MARYAM NAWAZ LAUDS CLAIMS POLITICS WILL CHANGE WHEN NAWAZ WORKERS FOR STANDING SHARIF RETURNS TO PAKISTAN WITH PARTY IN DIFFICULT TIMES
STAFF REPORT
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday urged Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif to return to Pakistan to lead the election campaign of the party and become the prime minister for the fourth time. PM Shehbaz made the appeal during a central general council meeting of the party where the premier was re-elected as the president of the PML-N. Addressing the meeting, the premier said that he was waiting for his elder brother, who has been in self-imposed exile in London since November 2019 owing to health reasons, to return to Pakistan and then hold the party meeting so he could hand over the PML-N’s presidentship back to him. “The election commission’s sword was hanging which is why this meeting was held,” the prime minister added. Premier Shehbaz was given the PMLN’s presidency after his predecessor — Nawaz, the three-time prime minister — was disqualified by the Supreme Court and barred from holding any party office. He also said that the PML-N needed young leadership, and commended Maryam for her hard work. “You will see that the map of politics will change when Nawaz Sharif returns to Pakistan,” PM Shehbaz said. Coming to his governance, he once again reminded the workers that his government took charge at a time when they did not get roses but thorns. “Inflation has broken the back of the people, oil prices were touching the sky. The coalition government decided together that we would face the tough times,” he said, adding that in the upcoming budget, the government increased the salaries of employees and pensions. “We have still locked horns with the
Rs 15.00 | Vol XIII No 348 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
IMF [and] Pakistan will continue on the path of development,” the premier further said. On the criticism of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, PM Shehbaz said that those people within the party pulling his leg have no right to remain part of the PML-N. Before the PM’s address, PML-N Senior Vice-President Maryam lauded the workers that stood with the party in its difficult times. “The party is standing today because the workers stood by the
party during its difficult times.” She also lauded PM Shehbaz for running the current government along with coalition partners. “Be it a big or small decision, Shehbaz Sharif did not do anything without Nawaz Sharif’s approval,” Maryam told the party workers. She also shared that her father, Nawaz, asks her to talk politely if she gets emotional during her speeches. “Nawaz Sharif never asked anyone to put on fire anything. Nawaz Sharif and
PML-N faced a lot of difficulties but never cried about them,” she added. Meanwhile, the meeting also passed a resolution against the violence that took place on May 9 after the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan. The convention also unanimously passed a resolution in solidarity with the Kashmiri people. The political huddle also called for severe punishment of those who tried to create divisions in national institutions. The characters who conspired to create a rift between the people and the army should be punished, it added. Apart from the election of PM Shehbaz as the president, the convention also backed the appointment of Ahsan Iqbal as the secretary general of the party, Maryam as chief organiser and senior vice president, Ishaq Dar as president PML-N overseas, Marriyum Aurangzeb as secretary information and Ataullah Tarar as deputy secretary general. PM, JUI CHIEF DISCUSS POLITICAL SITUATION: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and head of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Maulana Fazlur Reham met here Friday and discussed the overall political situation in the country.
Shehbaz Sharif elected PML-N president; no position for Abbasi
LAHORE: All the central office-bearers of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), including its President Shehbaz Sharif, have been “re-elected” for another four-year term without having any contest. The intra-party elections at the federal level were held at the Central Secretariat of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in Chak Shehzad. Besides Shehbaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz has been elected unopposed as the PML-N chief organiser, Ahsan Iqbal as secretary general, Ataullah Tarar as Deputy Secretary and Ishaq Dar as Secretary Finance. However, senior party leader and former prime minister
KP proposes Rs103b allocation for Counter Terrorism Department PROFIT
Bill sails through Senate to empower ECP decide polls date unilaterally, end lifetime disqualification ISLAMABAD
AZIZ BUNERI
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa caretaker government has recommended allocating a substantial budget of Rs. 103 billion to enhance the capacity and capabilities of the Counter-terrorism Department (CTD) in the province. The proposed figure exceeds the previous CTD budgets for the province. The proposal, included in the upcoming budget for the next fiscal year, aims to strengthen the efforts against terrorism. In addition to this allocation, the provincial government has suggested providing further financial support to the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in the budget. Furthermore, there are plans to increase the risk allowances for the personnel of the provincial Police force. However, alongside these recommendations, there are also suggestions to eliminate certain allowances. While the proposed budget for the next fiscal year allocates Rs. 103 billion for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police, specific allowances are being considered for discontinuation. The provincial budget for the upcoming fiscal year also includes proposals to improve service structures and provide additional benefits to police officers in tribal districts. Moreover, the budget includes provisions for the procurement of new bomb-proof vehicles and the implementation of enhanced security measures for the Police. The purchase of police vehicles will be prioritized across various districts. Additionally, the budget outlines the approval of over 3,000 appointments across different positions within the Police force.
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was not given any position in the party. In another development on FRiday, PML-N decided to activate its minority wing and a six-member team was constituted by Chief Organiser Maryam Nawaz. Former Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) in Punjab Raheela Khadim Hussain has been appointed as coordinator of the Punjab Minority Committee. The members include Ramesh Singh Arora, Kamran Bhatti, Babu Leela Ram and Robina Feroz. The committee was tasked to complete organisational structure of the minority wing in three weeks. STAFF REPORT
STAFF REPORT
A bill seeking amendments to the Elections Act 2017, sailed through the Senate on Friday, aims at empowering the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to announce elections dates unilaterally without having to consult the president. The bill presented in the Senate also included an amendment to Section 232 (Qualifications and Disqualifications) of the Election Act, 2017 to end lifetime disqualification of a lawmaker. The Elections (Amendment) Bill 2023 was moved by State Minister Shahadat Awan amid protests by senators belonging to Jamaat-iIslami and the opposition PTI. According to the statement of objects and reasons of the legislation, the Constitution envisages the duty of the ECP to organise and conduct elections honestly, fairly, and in accordance with the law. “The ECP enjoys administrative and functional autonomy under the provisions of the Constitution and the Election Act, 2017, which facilitates the body in fulfilling its core obligation of free
and fair elections. “To further strengthen the commission, amendments in sections 57(1) and 58(1) of the Election Act 2017 are required to allow the ECP to announce poll dates for general elections on its own,” it added. AMENDMENTS THE STATE: Section 57(1): The commission shall announce the date or dates of the general elections by notification in the official gazette and shall call upon the constituencies to elect their representatives. Section 58: Notwithstanding anything contained in Section 57, the commission may at any time after the issuance of notification under subsection (1) of that section make such alterations in the election programme announced in that notification for the different stages of the election or may issue a fresh election programme with fresh poll date(s) as may in its opinion to be recorded in writing be necessary for the purposes of this act. The statement further said that the parliamentary committee constituted by the Senate chairman had also examined the proposed amendments and recommended that the federal government should initiate
the process of tabling the legislation. Earlier, during the Senate session, Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar said that the right to choose the date for polls had been given to the ECP in 1973. “But Ziaul Haq gave this right to the president through an amendment,” he recalled, noting that the parliamentary committee had also given a nod in favour of the law. The Constitution, Tarar continued, was superior. He said the amendments would make the role of the ECP more active and enable changes in the election schedules as well. “This amendment is being brought to remove all the ambiguities,” he told the house, adding that the Parliament had the power to legislate when the Constitution was silent. On the other hand, while raising objections to the proposed law, Leader of the Opposition Shahzad Waseem said: “Legislation can only be done under the Constitution.” “The Constitution is very clear about the date of the elections and it gives both the president and governor the power to announce the date for polls,” he said.
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from Bank of China
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SENATE BODY CONCLUDES DEBATE ON FINANCE BILL, MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS PROFIT
GHULAM ABBAS
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Ishaq Dar, announced on Friday that China would soon roll over a $1 billion loan that was recently paid back by the Pakistani government, providing relief during the country’s acute forex crisis. During a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue in Islamabad, the finance minister briefed the committee about China’s imminent rollover of the loan, which had been fully repaid earlier. Dar stated that Pakistan would receive the $1 billion either on the same day or on Monday. Additionally, he mentioned that Pakistan is in talks with the Bank of China for an additional loan amount of $300 million. On the subject of defaulting, the finance minister highlighted that Pakistan possesses assets worth billions of dollars, including the Reko Diq mine with assets valued at $3,000 billion. While acknowledging Pakistan’s severe external debt-servicing issue, Dar reiterated the country’s commitment to meeting its financial obligations and assured that Pakistan would not default. He attributed the problems faced by Pakistan to global politics but expressed hope that adverse consequences could be avoided. Pakistan is currently seeking forex cover to prevent defaulting on its debt obligations. The government has been engaged in ongoing discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) since November for a bailout, but China has been the only source of assistance thus far. In March, the State Bank of Pakistan received $500 million from the Commercial Bank of China, marking the second $500 million transfer as part of a $1.3 billion rollover facility.
Pakistan committed to good ties with India, says FM Bilawal CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
KARACHI
STAFF REPORT
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has said that the relationship with India is marked by an atmosphere of mistrust, primarily due to New Delhi’s illegal and unilateral actions of August 5, 2019. However, Pakistan is committed to having cooperative and good-neighbourly relations with India, on the basis of mutual respect and sovereign equalities, he maintained. He made these remarks during his address at a ceremony in Islamabad commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) on Friday. “To move forward, India will have to address the obstacles that hinder peaceful coexistence, reverse its illegal measures in IIOJK, and create an enabling environment for meaningful engagement and resultoriented dialogue,” Bilawal remarked. The foreign minister said that Pakistan remains committed to a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council resolution and the wishes of the Kashmiri people. “If this dispute is resolved in a just and fair manner, not only a durable peace will be established in South Asia but also the peace dividends would contribute to the well-being and prosperity of the one-fifth of humanity residing in our region,” he added. “I had the opportunity to visit GOA this year to participate in the SCO-CFM. The SCO Heads of State (HOS) meeting is going to be held soon in India. As Pakistan was considering mode of Prime Minister’s participation in the SCO summit, India announced holding the summit in virtual format,” he added. Bilawal said that Pakistan is committed to engagement through multilateral organisations including SCO, the UN and other multilateral organisations.
Cabinet approves TAPI joint implementation plan to accelerate gas pipeline project PROFIT
AHMAD AHMADANI
In a significant development, Pakistan’s federal cabinet has granted approval for the Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India (TAPI) Gas Pipeline Project’s Joint Implementation Plan (JIP). The decision aims to expedite the completion of the project’s feasibility study and accelerate progress towards the construction phase. The approval was granted after a summary was circulated by the Petroleum Division, seeking endorsement for the plan as per the Rules of Business, 1973, according to sources familiar with the matter. The approved Joint Implementation Plan (JIP) is a legally non-binding document to be executed between the Ministry of Energy of Pakistan and the State Concern “Turkmengas,” a company incorporated under the laws of Turkmenistan. The Ministry of Law and Justice has already cleared the JIP, paving the
way for its signing during the Turkmenistan delegation’s visit to Pakistan. The TAPI Gas Pipeline Project is a crucial initiative undertaken by the Petroleum Division, based on Government-to-Government Agreements, including the Inter-Governmental Agreement and Gas Pipeline Framework Agreement. These agreements have been duly approved by the federal cabinet and signed jointly by the governments of Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. Under these umbrella agreements, nominated entities from the four countries have been actively involved in project implementation, entering into various project-related agreements such as the TAPI Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement, TAPI Shareholders Agreement, TAPI Investment Agreement, and Heads of Terms of Host Government Agreement. The TAPI Gas Pipeline Project aims to bring natural gas from Turkmenistan’s Galkynysh gas field to Pakistan through
Afghanistan. The pipeline’s capacity is expected to transport up to 33 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas per year for a period of 30 years. Pakistan’s off-take will be approximately 1.3 billion cubic feet per day (BCFD) through a pipeline with a diameter of 56 inches. The proposed route covers 1,849 kilometers, passing through Herat, Kandahar, Chaman, Zhob, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, and Fazilika. The approval of the TAPI Joint Implementation Plan marks a significant milestone in expediting the implementation of the gas pipeline project. It demonstrates the commitment of all participating countries to regional energy cooperation and lays the foundation for enhanced energy security and economic growth in the region. With the necessary approvals in place, the project stakeholders will now focus on finalizing key project agreements, undertaking land acquisition processes, and formulating project implementation strategies to
ensure the timely completion of the TAPI Gas Pipeline Project. Key Points of TAPI JIP The Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India (TAPI) Joint Implementation Plan (JIP) is a crucial document that outlines the key points and strategies for the successful implementation of the TAPI Gas Pipeline Project. Here are the key points of the TAPI JIP: Project Objectives: The JIP reiterates the project’s objectives, which include the transportation of natural gas from Turkmenistan’s Galkynysh gas field to energydeficient countries in South Asia, namely Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. The project aims to enhance regional energy security, promote economic growth, and foster regional cooperation. Senior Coordination Committee (SCC): The JIP establishes a Senior Coordination Committee (SCC) comprising representatives from Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. The SCC will oversee and expedite
project activities, ensuring effective coordination and cooperation among the participating countries. The SCC will play a vital role in the implementation process, including finalizing outstanding project agreements and resolving any issues that may arise. Responsibilities and Tasks: The JIP clearly defines the responsibilities and tasks of the participating countries and relevant entities. It emphasizes the need for active engagement and collaboration to ensure the smooth execution of the project. Key tasks include finalizing project agreements, undertaking land acquisition processes, developing the TAPI security concept, supporting the TAPI Herat offtake strategy, and formulating project implementation strategies. Legal Framework: The JIP serves as a legally non-binding document to be executed between the Ministry of Energy of Pakistan and the State Concern “Turkmengas” of Turkmenistan.
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