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PAKISTAN TO CONTINUE MORAL, POLITICAL, DIPLOMATIC SUPPORT TO KASHMIRIS: PM
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Saturday, 5 August, 2023 I 17 Muharram, 1445
REITERATES PLEDGE TO RAISE VOICE FOR KASHMIRI BRETHREN AT EVERY FORUM IN WORLD
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REGRETS INDIA’S STEPS INDICATE NEFARIOUS DESIGNS TO DISENFRANCHISE MUSLIM MAJORITY IN IIOJ&K
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ISLAMABAD
taken a series of measures clearly aimed at altering the internationally recognized disputed status of IIOJK. In particular, India has tried to bring about demographic changes to undermine the right to self-determination of the Kashmiris.” “The recent steps by India indicate its nefarious designs to disenfranchise
STAFF REPORT
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan will continue to lend its unstinted moral, political and diplomatic support to the rightful and just cause of the freedom struggle of the Kashmiri people. In a message on the Youm-e-Istehsal to be observed on August 5, 2023, he said, “It is Pakistan’s abiding commitment and promise to our Kashmiri brothers and sisters that we will echo their voices, at every forum until the world takes action and urges India to end its egregious human rights violations and forcible occupation of IIOJK, undo all unilateral and illegal measures it has taken since 5 August 2019, and take necessary steps to carry out a fair and impartial plebiscite in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions.” “It has been four years since India
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the Muslim majority population of Kashmir. To this end, it has carried out a selective delimitation of electoral constituencies, issued fake domiciles to millions of non-Kashmiris, and added hundreds of thousands of temporary residents to alter the existing voter rolls.
PM convenes CCI meeting today
Steel sector reels under strain of record high energy prices
COAS meets World Junior Squash Champion Hamza Khan at GHQ
PROFIT
GHULAM ABBAS
RAWALPINDI
STAFF REPORT
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir met with World Junior Squash Champion, Mohammad Hamza Khan, at General Headquarters (GHQ) here on Friday, in a show of heartwarming display of support and encouragement. According to an ISPR release, the military’s media wing, during the meeting, General Asim Munir congratulated the young prodigy for his remarkable achievement, which has brought great honour to the nation. Mohammad Hamza Khan’s spectacular triumph in the world of junior squash has not only made Pakistan proud but has also highlighted the vast potential that lies within the country’s youth. COAS General Munir was quick to acknowledge the significance of nurturing and supporting such remarkable talents, emphasising that they serve as a source of inspiration for the entire nation. “Talents like you make us all proud, and your great achievement also underscores the immense potential that this nation possesses,” said General Munir, praising the young champion for his dedication and hard work that have led him to this glorious accomplishment. During the meeting, General Munir reaffirmed the commitment of the Pakistan Army to support and nurture the young talent in the country. He assured Hamza Khan of full support in both his academic pursuits and sports career. This gesture is a testament to the armed forces’ dedication to promoting excellence and recognising the importance of empowering the youth to achieve their fullest potential. “Our youth is the future of this country, and with focus, dedication, and hard work, there is nothing that Pakistan cannot accomplish,” the COAS asserted, inspiring young individuals across the nation to pursue their dreams and aspirations fearlessly. Mohammad Hamza Khan’s success story is a shining example of the talent and potential that Pakistan possesses in various fields. His achievements not only bring glory to the nation but also serve as a beacon of hope for other aspiring athletes and youngsters who dream of making their mark on the global stage.
Large steel producers in Pakistan have issued a dire warning as electricity and petrol prices continue to skyrocket, pushing the steel industry to a breaking point. The steel sector is strongly protesting against the massive increase in costs, which poses a severe threat to its survival and jeopardizes millions of jobs. Wajid Bukhari, the Secretary General representing the steel industry, expressed deep concern over the colossal surge in the cost of key inputs, which he sees as a betrayal to the sector. The recent price hikes in electricity and petrol will not only escalate production costs but also push the industry to the brink of closure, endangering millions of livelihoods. “The sharp increase in electricity tariff and petrol prices will deliver another heavy blow to an industry already reeling from inflation, soaring financial charges, and relentless fuel price hikes,” said Bukhari. “The massive currency depreciation has exacerbated the financial crunch, and the recent electricity price surge is a further blow that we cannot sustain.” Over the past year, electricity prices have surged by over 78%, from PKR 28/unit (with taxes) in June 2022 to approximately PKR 50/unit (with taxes) in July 2023. The recent hike of PKR 7.5/unit, constituting a 34% increase in the basic tariff, along with frequent upward adjustments in electricity rates, will severely impact the steel industry, which heavily relies on power. As one of the major power consumers, the steel
industry will bear the burden of rapidly increasing electricity costs, which account for nearly 50% of the total production expenses. The surge in power rates will further inflate production costs, leading to an inevitable increase in steel product prices. “The consequences of this drastic increase in electricity tariffs are grave,” warned Bukhari. “We anticipate an additional PKR 8,000 to PKR 10,000 per ton increase in steel prices due to the hefty electricity bill. When combined with the impact of financial charges, transportation costs, and currency depreciation, the overall rise in steel prices may range from PKR 15,000 to PKR 18,000 per ton.” The steel sector highlights a concerning trend, where the relentless surge in petrol and power prices continues without any respite. Energy tariffs in Pakistan are now the highest in the world, severely hindering the domestic steel industry. Comparatively, electricity prices in Pakistan are nearly 55% higher than Vietnam, 45% higher than Bangladesh, 41% higher than China, 29% higher than Ukraine, and 21% higher than India. “The exorbitant energy tariffs in Pakistan are rendering the steel industry uncompetitive and inhibiting its growth potential,” said Bukhari. “The disparity in energy costs hampers our ability to compete internationally and poses a serious threat to the future of the steel sector.” In light of these challenges, the large steel producers urgently call upon the government to address these pressing concerns and find immediate solutions. Failure to do so could have far-reaching consequences, hindering the country’s progress and impeding its ability to meet its needs and aspirations.
NAB summons PTI chairman in 190 million pound scandal ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) summoned PTI chairman on Friday in the 190 million pounds Al-Qadir Trust scandal. He has been ordered to appear at the NAB office in Rawalpindi at 11:30am as an accused. The NAB has also directed PTI chairman to bring documents related to AlQadir Trust. Summons have been served on PTI chairman at Bani Gala in Islamabad and Zaman Park Lahore addresses. On the other hand, Islamabad
police also summoned PTI chairman in five cases – two cases registered in Tarnol police station, two in Karachi Company police
ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
CONTINUED ON PAGE 02
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has summoned Council of Common Interests (CCI) meeting Saturday (today). The meeting will be headed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at 12 (noon). Chief ministers of the four provinces and federal ministers will participate in the meeting. A report regarding the new digital census recently conducted in the country will be presented during the meeting. The provinces will present their stance on the digital census. The prime minister has accepted a summary sent by Ministry of Planning and Development wherein the ministry had requested to convene a meeting for approval of digital census result. The Bureau of Statistics has compiled the results after completing the process of census in the country and the same have been sent to the CCI seeking its approval. If the CCI accords its approval to the new digital census results, the general elections may be delayed by at least three to four months. STAFF REPORT
unilaterally and illegally revoked the special status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK) on 5 August 2019. Since then, India has resorted to use of brutal force and violence to suppress the Kashmiri people. It has also under-
ECP failed to ‘appreciate constitutional authority’ in Punjab polls case: SC
station and one in Kohsar police station. The PTI chief has been asked to join the investigation and provide evidence.
The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday regretted that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) failed to “appreciate its constitutional authority” vis-à-vis the executive branch in the context of Article 220 of the Constitution in the Punjab polls case. The said article of the Constitution says that it shall be the duty of all executive authorities in the federation and provinces to assist the commissioner and the ECP in the discharge of his or their functions. The 25-page detailed judgment, authored by Justice Munib Akhtar, in a matter wherein a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial held that elections of the Punjab Assembly should be held on May 14 said: “It is a matter of regret that the Commission failed to appreciate Article 220 in its true perspective, and did not fully understand its constitutional meaning and import. The constitutional relationship between the commission and the executive authorities in the context of Article 220 unambiguously and unequivocally gives the upper hand to the former and not the latter.” The top court added that regrettably, when the record is examined it appears that the electoral watchdog acted as though the constitutional position was the reverse. “The impression created is not that of a constitutional organ robustly and muscularly exercising a constitutional power in relation to those on whom the Constitution has imposed an express duty in this regard. The impression, rather, is almost that of a supplicant timorously approaching a superior,” it maintained. For example, in a recital appearing on the printed Page 6 of the impugned order, it is recorded that the commission “approached the federal government to provide necessary guidance”. The judgment also noted that it is not for the commission to seek guidance or to make the best efforts. “This is a negation and inversion of Article 220. It is for the commission to exercise constitutional power and for the executive authorities to fulfill a constitutional duty.” The judgment further noted that it could be asked, what could the commission do if the executive authorities failed or refused to fulfill their constitutional duties under Article 220. The answer, on the constitutional and legal plane, is clear. “It was not for the commission to (metaphorically) wring its hands and then, bowed under the weight of its own professed inability to persuade or cajole the executive authorities to obey the constitutional command of Article 220, pass an unconstitutional order pushing forward the election by several months,” the order added. The top court further noted that the legal path was clear. It was for the ECP to speedily approach the SC for relief in the shape of a writ of mandamus. “Any such petition would of course be decided on its own merits in accordance with law. The point here is that even if we focus only on the Commission’s (legally erroneous) conclusion that it could not conduct the general election consistently with its duty under Article 218(3), there was a legal path. Rather than being diverted into making an unlawful order in purported exercise of a power that did not exist on the constitutional plane, the Commission ought to have pursued the legal remedy readily available,” the order added. The judgment also stated that the electoral watchdog contends, Article 218(3) does not impose a duty to merely hold elections; it requires that they be held honestly, justly and fairly. “And that confers on, or at least implies in, the Commission a power even in relation to other constitutional provisions: the power to decide whether and when it can do so. It is only when the Commission itself is so satisfied that it will act in the discharge of its constitutional duty and if that upends other constitutional provisions then so be it,” it further read. During the course of arguments learned counsel for the commission was asked that if his stance be correct, then the ECP could withhold elections for an indeterminate period on the ground of an expressed inability to hold them honestly, justly and fairly. “Would that be constitutionally permissible? To this question, which in our view goes to the very root of the matter, no satisfactory answer was, with respect, forthcoming. There is an obvious reason for this: no satisfactory answer can be given,” the apex court said.
Senate committee recommends blacklisting Sinohydro and GOPA
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SENATE PANEL WANTS STRICT ACTION AGAINST NTDC BOD AND OFFICIALS OF MINISTRY INVOLVED PROFIT
AHMAD AHMADANI
The Senate Standing Committee on Power has recommended blacklisting Sinohydro and GOPA primarily due to their ‘poor capacity’ to operate a double circuit transmission line, as well as strict action against the NTDC Board of Directors and officials of power division involved in keeping an eye on M/s Sinohydro and M/s GOPA’s capacity. Senator Saifullah Abro, Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Power, presided over a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Power at Parliament House on Friday. The meeting thoroughly reviewed the construction of the 250 km long double cir-
cuit 765 kV transmission line from Dasu Hydropower Plant to Islamabad West Substation, the tendering method of this project, the current status of work done so far, the work order, the completion certificate, the experience of working firms, the number of companies participating in the bidding process, and so on. The committee’s chairman stated that the committee has been reviewing these issues for 6 months. The issues were thoroughly discussed ad addressed during yesterday’s committee meeting, and some documents were requested from the relevant institutions. The standing committee was told that the documents requested had been delivered. The committee will shortly get documents pertaining to Mansehra and
Islamabad. The committee was informed that the project was carried out in accordance with World Bank criteria. World Bank documentation and an appraisal report have also been submitted in this regard. The committee members stated that there has been a lot of discussion on these problems. The Chairman Committee should give instructions to the relevant institutions regarding the matter. According to the Chairman Committee, Gopa lacked the capacity to work on this project and lacked the necessary experience. He said according to the documents provided, the company is not eligible for these works and as per the law there are separate documents for each lot of the project. He said that the committee will not support
any form of corruption at all. He said the Power Division should write to the World Bank to blacklist Sino Hydro and Gopa and take strict action against the board of directors of NTDC and other people of the ministry who are involved in this corruption according to the law. The World Bank should retender this project to some other companies. He said that things are clear in lot two also that those companies do not qualify. The rest of the lots will also be examined in detail in the upcoming meetings. The Chairman Committee also said that the instructions given by the Standing Committee while reviewing the matters should be ensured. In yesterday’s meeting of the Standing Committee, it was decided that there are ample evidence of irregularities
being committed by the erstwhile BoD, NTDC and M/s GOPA. Therefore, the committee directed the Power Division to take strict action against the alleged officials and recommended to refer the case to FIA or NAB and submit a report within a week. Further, the Standing Committee had unanimously decided and directed the Power Division to write to the World Bank to inform about the irregularities in awarding the contract. Friday’s meeting of the Standing Committee was attended by Senator Asad Ali Junejo, Senator Saifullah Sarwar Khan Niazi, Senator Fida Muhammad, Senator Haji Hidayatullah Khan and senior officials of related institutions including Power Division and NTDC.