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GOVT TO IMPLEMENT FORMER GOVT’S COMMITMENTS, ENSURE RULE OF LAW: PM Saturday, 19 august, 2023 I 1 Safar, 1445
Terms SIFC dream project as Pakistan is an agriculture country
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ISLAMABAD
Expresses resolve to ensure minorities in Pakistan stay protected at any cost
Staff rePort
ARETAKER Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar vowed on Friday to comply with the commitments made by the previous government on national and international levels with different forums, besides ensuring rule of law and financial discipline during the interim period. “We do not have perpetual mandate to serve the nation but during the given allocated time we will try to lay foundation where we have sense of continuation of national and international commitments that the previous government has made with different forums,” he said while talking to the cabinet members here during the first cabinet meeting of the caretaker government. ith respect to a new initiative-Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), launched by former government, the prime minister said the caretaker government would fully support it. He said SIFC was a dream come true project as Pakistan was an agriculture country and rich with mineral resources. He said in fact SIFC was not a new idea but it was an old national dream that was going to be materialized now. “Day has arrived when with the support of all institutions including Pakistan military leadership, we support, facilitate, encourage, and realize this old national dream.” He said this initiatives was not held by any institution but it was collectively owned by around 250 million people of the country. “We all own it and we will contribute towards it.” During the meeting he individually acknowledged the services of all the cabinet members saying “I am very proud that we have got one of the best team”. He hoped that the
Almighty Allah would enable them to lead and steer this nation during the interim period. “With our utmost duty, may be it is a month, two or three, or three and a half, whatever the allocated time is, we will demonstrate through our actions not by our words,” he added. With regard to the economic situation in the country, the prime minister said he was well aware of the huge economic challenges but with an able team, the government would ensure the financial discipline. “We have a sense of sanctity of tax payers’ money. This money on which we are having today’s meeting, using resources or traveling, is paid by the people of Pakistan.” He said either it was an ordinary vender, shopkeeper, teacher, lawyer or any other person, all were contributing in this regard. PM Kakar said in this polar-
Rs 15.00 | Vol XIV No 49 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
ized environment, the government would try to differentiate between politics and law. He said the government would ensure that rule of order was not compromised in any way and the rule of order would lead us towards the rule of law. “We know the sanctity of the order that would be kept at any cost. Pakistan is owned and shared by all ethnicities, all creeds, and all religious background,” he added. He highlighted that the rigidity, be it in any form in the society, would be strongly discouraged. He said rigidity might come in the garb of religion or secularism or in any other form, these extreme attitude would be discourage and would be controlled by the law. He said the miscreants might be from us but we must have to divorce them and keep distant from them. He said Pakistan was created on noble principles and the country was the product of noble idea.
Speaking about the incident of May 9, the prime minister explicitly expressed disappointment and discomfort over the sabotage activities happened on the day. He said attack on the military installation was like the country’s immune system was attacked which could lead towards fatality. “We do not just condemn it but we also will ensure that justice will be done and whosoever violated laws on those days will be treated according to law and there will not be any favor to anybody”. On Kashmir issue, the prime minister said “It was the core issue which could not be ignored. “It lies in our soul, for us Kashmir is eternal.” The Caretaker Prime Minister expressed firm resolve to ensure that minorities in Pakistan stay protected and rule of law is established at any cost. Strongly deploring the Jaranwala incident, the Prime Minister said Pakistan is owned and shared by multiple ethnicities and religions and any extreme attitude like the one exhibited in Jaranwala will be unwelcomed and dealt with iron hands. He said we strongly discourage rigidity either in the garb of religion or secularism and no one will be allowed to create anarchy or chaos in the country. Highlighting the key priorities of the caretaker government, the Prime Minister said in the current polarized environment, we will try to differentiate between politics and law and lay a solid foundation for continuity of the country’s national and international commitments. He added that in the same spirit of continuity we will move forward to work with the support of all state institutions on different development initiatives especially the Special Investment Facilitation Council which aims at realizing the full potential of country’s natural resources.
Justice Shah suggests formulation of full court bench for hearing NAB amends case ISLAMABAD
Staff rePort
Supreme Court’s Justice Mansoor Ali Shah on Friday raised an objection to the bench hearing a petition filed by PTI Chairman Imran Khan against the NAB amendments, suggesting formulation of a full court bench to hear the petition. A three-judge SC bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Umar Ata Bandial, and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Mansoor Ali Shah was hearing the petition. After coming to power in April last year, the then PDM government passed the National Accountability (Second Amendment) Act 2022 — a move that was heavily criticised by PTI, which termed the legislation an attempt to turn the anti-graft watchdog into a “toothless” organisation. In June, the former prime minister challenged the amendments to the NAB ordinance, arguing that it is a violation of fundamental rights. The petition stated that the amendments will “virtually eliminate any white-collar crime committed by a public office holder”. During the hearing, Justice Shah who is part of the bench objected to it, remarking that the NAB amendments case would have its own impact. He observed that the Attorney General for Pakistan had raised the objection in the military courts case. “I think this case should be heard by a full court bench. I suggest that the Chief Justice of Pakistan should form the full court,” Justice Shah added. He went on to remark that in the presence of Sections 3 and 4 of the Practice and Procedure Act,
this case should be heard by at least five members. “Either the Supreme Court should decide the Practice and Procedure Act case or constitute a full court,” Justice Shah suggested. The judge also referred to his note written during the military courts case. He said his objection was that such cases could be heard only by the full court. After the objection raised by the member of the bench, the Supreme Court adjourned the case till August 28. Meanwhile, CJP Bandial remarked that the parties in the case should present their final arguments in the case at the next hearing. “This case is pending since 2022. No one has challenged changes to the NAB law made in 2023,” he observed. Justice Ahsan observed that each case had its own facts and merits. “The opinion given in one case is only for that case,” he said. CJP Bandial then remarked when there is a difference of opinion, the decision is taken by the majority. He further said that the petitioner had presented their ar-
guments over 22 hearings while the federal government had done the same over 19 hearings. “This case was not that long,” he said. During the hearing, Justice Shah also noted that he had been asking since day one about which fundamental rights were affected. “In 47 hearings, it has not been told which fundamental rights have been affected,” he said. CJP Bandial then asked the federal government lawyer Makhdoom Ali Khan why he was shying away from presenting arguments “on merit”. To this, the lawyer responded that he was not shying away from doing so but raising the inadmissibility of the plea was his responsibility. “Why are you trying to leave the hearing,” CJP Bandial asked, to which the counsel said that the court had the right to either accept or reject his argument. Furthermore, the PTI chief’s lawyer Khawaja Haris did not appear for today’s hearing with his assistant, Yasir Aman, appearing on his behalf. The latter told the court that detailed responses from their side had been submitted. CJP Bandial then said that the court would decide the case after conducting daily hearings. Justice Shah also sought arguments on whether the current bench could hear the case after the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) law. “My retirement is near,” CJP Bandial said, adding that it would be a source of shame for him if the case was not decided. “It is an important case and is being heard for a long time. There was no debate over the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) law in the court,” he said.
Caretaker PM shakes up top bureaucracy; retains Sharif’s blue-eyed on key slots ISLAMABAD
Shahzad Paracha
The caretaker government on Friday transferred a number of Federal Secretaries whereas officers considered close to Sharif family have been retained at key positions. According to the document available with daily Pakistan Today, BS-22 Pakistan Administrative Officer Karmran Ali Afzal will be the new Cabinet Secretary and incumbent Secretary Ejaz Dar has been asked to report to the Establishment Division. Meanwhile grade-21 PAS officer Sajid Baloch has been posted as Special Secretary Cabinet Division. According to the document, a BS-21 officer of PAS Muhammad Abdullah Khan Sumbal has been posted as Additional Secretary/Incharge Interior Division whereas the incumbent Secretary Interior Syed Ali Murtaza has been posted as Secretary Water Resources. A BS-22 of PAS Hasan Nasir Jami has been posted as new Secretary Information Technology while another grade-21 officer of PAS group has been posted as Additional Secretary/Incharge Petroleum Division whereas Cap (R) Mahmood will be Additional Secretary/Incharge National Food Security and Research. According to the notification, a BS-22 officer of PAS Dr Shahzad Khan Bangash has been posted as Secretary Housing and Works, Syed Asif Hyder Shah Secretary Climate Change, AD Khawaja Secretary Human Rights, Humaira Ahmad Secretary Heritage Division, Ali Raza Bhutta Secretary Ministry of Science, Sara Saeed Special Secretary Commerce Division, Dr Iram Anjum Khan Secretary Maritime Affairs while Mustafa Jamal Qazi have also been posted DG Passport with immediate effect. According to the document, Secretary Housing and Works Dr Muhammad Fakhr-e-Alam Irfan has been posted as Chief Secretary Sindh, Dawood Muhammad Baraich Chief Secretary AJK and Shakeel Qadir Khan Chief Secretary Balochistan. The Chief Commissioner Islamabad has also been transferred and the government has posted Cap (R) Anwar Haq as new Chief Commissioner Islamabad. On the other hand, Secretary IT Navid Ahmed, Secretary Cabinet Ejaz Dar, AS Incharge climate change Musaddiq Ahmed Khan, Chief Secretary Sindh Sohail Rajpoot, CS AJK Usman Chachar, CS Balochistan Abdul Aziz Uqaili, DG Passport Yawar Hussain, Secretary Heritage Fareena Mazhar and Secretary Maritime Affairs Abdul Ghufran Memon have been directed to report to Establishment Division. On the other hand, Secretary Finance Imdad Ullah Bosal, Secretary to Prime Minister Dr Touqeer Shah, Chairman FBR Amjad Tiwana have managed to save their positions.
Mir Ali Mardan Domki sworn in as caretaker Balochistan CM QUETTA
Staff rePort
Former MPA Mir Ali Mardan Domki on Friday took oath as the caretaker chief minister of Balochistan at a ceremony held at the Governor’s House. Balochistan Governor Malik Abdul Wali Khan Kakar administered the oath to Domki. The oath-taking ceremony was attended by various prominent political and social figures, including federal ministers and other dignitaries. The event marked the formal swearing-in of Domki after his nomination was approved by a parliamentary committee. Earlier, a parliamentary panel formed to decide the name of the caretaker Balochistan Chief Minister on Friday picked Ali Mardan Domki for the top slot. A summary in this regard was approved by Governor Balochistan Malik Abdul Wali Khan Kakar. The second round of the parliamentary committee constituted by Speaker Balochistan Assembly Mir Jan Muhammad Jamali was held on Friday as the deadlock between the outgoing provincial government and the opposition of the dissolved Balochistan Assembly persisted over the appointment of the caretaker chief minister. The first meeting of the parliamentary committee for the appointment of caretaker chief minister ended without any result on Thursday night.
Pakistan records current account deficit after 4 months of surplus
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Current account recorded a deficit of $0.81b in July compared to a surplus of $0.5b in June KARACHI
Urooj Imran
Pakistan recorded a current account deficit of $0.81 billion in July, 35.8 percent lower compared to last year. However, it was the first time in five months that the current account was in deficit. A current account is a measure of all the foreign exchange a country earns through exports and remittances, or conversely, loses through imports and loan repayments. Thus, a country runs a deficit when its outflows exceed its inflows. Data shared by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) showed that the country’s total imports of goods stood at $2.1 billion in July, 4.55 percent lower compared to the
same month last year. At the same time, imports stood at $4.2 billion, down 23.51 percent from July 2022. Separately, remittances amounted to $2 billion, falling sharply by 99.92 percent compared to the same month last year. Overall, the current account deficit was 35.8 percent lower than the figure of $1.26 billion in July FY23. Last month, the current account saw a surplus of $500 million. Pakistan, which has a perennial current account deficit problem, had been running a surplus for the last four months due to import restrictions that were imposed last year after the country’s foreign exchange reserves fell to a critically low level. The International Monetary Fund
(IMF) too noted in a staff report earlier this year that the current account deficit had “narrowed substantially” in the 11 months of FY23 because of a “sharp contraction of imports that reflected both administrative restrictions and limited foreign exchange”. However, the import restrictions had led to a shortage of material across different industries and raised concerns about reduced exports. According to data published by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), largescale manufacturing declined by 10.26 percent in the previous fiscal year. However, the government has recently lifted import restrictions, according to analysts, so the current account deficit may widen in the coming months.
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