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PTI AMONG ALL PARTIES FREE TO CONTEST POLLS: CARETAKER GOVT Wednesday, 27 September, 2023 I 10 Rabi ul Awwal, 1445
Rs 15.00 | Vol XIV No 88 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
‘MISUNDERSTOOD AND MISREPORTED’
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INFO MINISTRY ISSUES ORIGINAL TEXT FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS’S INTERVIEW TO CLARIFY PM’S STATEMENT
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ISLAMABAD
REITERATES THERE’S NO IMPEDIMENT TO CONTESTING POLLS BY ANY PTI LEADER OR PARTY AS A WHOLE
STAFF REPORT
HE caretaker government on Tuesday said under the constitution and prevalent electoral laws, all political parties have equal right to participate in the general elections and categorically stated that the remarks of the caretaker prime minister during a recent interview to the foreign wire service Associated Press had been “misunderstood and misreported”. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in its official statement issued the original text from the Associated Press to clarify that Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar was plain speaking to suggest that whereas participating in the elections was a right, but retribution for crimes was legally warranted. The ministry lamented that the interview had been “twisted by some outlets” to give the impression that someone will not be allowed to take part in the general elections. The ministry drew attention to the following text of Prime Minister’s interview:
“We are not pursuing anyone on a personal vendetta,” Kakar said. “But yes, we will ensure that the law is appropriate. Anyone, be it Imran Khan or any other politician who violates, in terms of their political behavior, the laws of the country, then the restoration of the law has to be ensured. We cannot equate that with … political discrimination.” Kakar said fair elections can take place without Khan or hundreds of mem-
PM sees no end to army’s role in politics as civil institutions struggle ISLAMABAD AGENCIES
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar affirmed on Tuesday that the military will continue to play a significant role in the country’s politics unless civil institutions bolster their organisational capabilities. This persistent imbalance prompts military interventions in the daily affairs of the government, Kakar stated during an interview with TRT World. Kakar attributed this lopsided civil-military relationship to the long-standing deficiencies in civilian institutions over the past four decades. Whether it is education, healthcare, disaster management, or tax collection, he emphasised that civilians often turn to the army as a last resort to resolve pressing issues. The interim PM accused the country’s political leadership of cultivating ties with the military for personal gain and political power. He criticised them for adopting a convenient and expedient approach, blaming the army for their failures when out of power, thereby perpetuating the perceived civil-military imbalance. Kakar stressed that to rectify this imbalance and prevent further military intervention in government affairs, civil institutions must enhance their capabilities rather than weakening the organisational strength of the army. When asked if the disciplined military would continue to be a political force in Pakistan’s near future, Kakar unequivocally affirmed, “In practice, honestly speaking and considering the ground realities, the answer is yes.” The interim PM also pledged to oversee fair and transparent elections, vowing to prevent interference from any institution in favour of a particular political party. He displayed indifference towards concerns about potential election delays due to the extension of the delimitation exercise beyond the constitutional deadline following the dissolution of the National Assembly. According to Kakar, this task was a legislative requirement. Kakar’s statements came in response to the 2023 Digital Census findings ratified by the Council of Common Interest (CCI), which endorsed the final national headcount in August. Per Section 17(2) of the Elections Act, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is obligated to delimit constituencies after each census publication. Notably, this census notification coincided with the impending dissolution of the National Assembly. However, many legal experts argue that the Constitution takes precedence over parliamentary acts.
bers of his party who are jailed because they engaged in unlawful activities including vandalism and arson, a reference to the violence that rocked the country following Khan’s initial arrest in May. The caretaker prime minister added that the thousands of people in Khan’s party who didn’t engage in unlawful activities, “will be running the political process, they will be participating in the elections.” The Information Ministry reiterated
in its statement that Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) and its leaders are free to participate in the elections like any other party. It has been clarified that there is no impediment to contesting elections by any leader of PTI or the party as a whole. The statement further added that every citizen is equal before law and the law will take its course with respect to any person currently facing legal charges. The courts are free and independent and the caretaker government has neither authority nor intention to influence the courts at any level. It was further clarified that any person aggrieved by any order or ruling of a statutory or judicial forum has a constitutionally guaranteed right to approach the next forum in judicial hierarchy for relief. “The caretaker government is committed to holding free and fair elections. The caretaker government will support the constitutional and legal structure for holding elections and would ensure that all orders and directions of the Election Commission of Pakistan and independent judiciary are complied with in letter and spirit,” the government said in its statement.
‘Dillydallying’ comes to end as Imran Khan finally shifted to Adiala jail ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
A day after the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) order, authorities on Tuesday shifted incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan to Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail from Attock prison. The PTI chief was shifted to Adiala jail amid tight security in an 18-vehicle convoy — including 15 vehicles of Islamabad police — two armoured vehicles and an ambulance escorted Khan from Attock to Adiala prison via motorway. On Monday, IHC CJ Aamer Farooq expressed his annoyance over keeping an ‘under-trial prisoner’ in Attock jail instead of Adiala jail and directed the concerned authorities to move Khan — who is currently serving a three-year sentence in the Toshakhana corruption case. — to the Adiala jail. Confusion arose as officials of Adiala jail denied reports of the former prime minister’s shifting to the prison after his lawyers made such claims. Hours after the IHC directed the authorities concerned to move Khan to Adiala prison from the Attock jail, where he had been incarcerated for over a month, the members of his legal team said that the orders had been complied with. Naeem Panjhota, who is the spokesperson of Khan on legal affairs, claimed that the ousted premier — who was removed from power via a parliamentary vote in April last year — had been shifted to the prison in Adiala. However, the Adiala jail administration refuted the claim, saying that Khan had not yet been shifted there. Later, taking to X — formerly known as Twitter — Panjhuta said
Power Division anticipates recovery of around Rs150b within 3-4 months PROFIT
STAFF REPORT
Power Division has so far recovered appropriately Rs.10 billion during its campaign against electricity theft and recovery from power defaulters, while it anticipates a recovery of around Rs. 150 billion within 3 -4 months. These facts and figures were presented by the power division (Energy Ministry) during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Power which met on Tuesday under the Chairmanship of Senator Saifullah Abro here at Old Pips Hall, Parliament Lodges. The Senate Standing Committee on Power was also apprised by the power division that the electricity theft campaign has proven to be very fruitful and the power division was able to recover appropriately Rs.10 billion during the campaign. It was apprised that the campaign continues in different districts and areas of the country on different models. The Senate Committee recognized the efforts of the power division and recommended to give appreciation certificates to the officers who led the campaign. The Committee chair recommended that the recovery should be utilized as relief for the people of Pakistan. The power division anticipated that a recovery of around Rs. 150 billion is expected within 3 -4 months. At the outset of the meeting, Senator Saifullah Abro expressed reservations on the absence of Chairman NEPRA and all its provincial Members from the Committee meeting. He said that NEPRA seems to avoid the meetings of Senate Power Committee because they do not have the courage to answer the questions raised by the Members on this forum. The Committee chaired immediately sought details on the incumbency report of Additional Secretary (AS) Power Division from January 2021 – December 2021 to determine as to why the Chairman NEPRA is absent from the Committee meeting today and also with regard to agenda item pertaining to illegal extension of KAPCO Power Plant. The Chairman Committee inquired on the amount of energy payment made to KAPCO Power Plant whose agreement was already expired in June 2021, the officials replied that Rs. 151 Bn was paid as Energy payment to KAPCO Power Plant out of which 95 pc were fuel charges.
IB moves SC to withdraw plea against verdict on 2017 Faizabad sit-in
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ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
that he had been informed that Imran Khan had been shifted to Adiala jail but “it is beyond understanding that Attock jail [authorities] are also saying that they have PTI chairman.” EX-PM GETS B-CLASS FACILITIES: According to jail sources, the PTI chief has been provided with a high-security BClass barrack in Adiala jail, where former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was also kept. Khan would be provided with the facilities as per the directions of the court, the sources said, adding that there would be an attached bathroom with his room in the prison. A prison service facility will be provided to the PTI chief around the clock. His menu, however, is yet to be decided, the sources added. IMRAN KHAN ‘ADJUSTED’ HIMSELF IN ATTOCK JAIL: A day after pleading with the court to shift Imran Khan to Adiala jail so that he could be provided better facilities, his lawyer said that the PTI chairman has “adjusted” himself in the Attock prison. During an interaction with journalists today, Barrister Umair Niazi — Khan’s counsel — took a U-turn from the PTI legal team’s yesterday stance in the IHC, say-
ing that his client has “adjusted” himself in the Attock jail. “Jail is after all jail. I am fine in Attock jail,” Niazi said, quoting the incarcerated PTI chairman. On Monday, Khan’s lawyer Advocate Sher Afzal Marwat requested the IHC that his client be given the facility of an exercise machine. “Imran Khan is entitled to the better class,” said Barrister Salman Safdar, lawyer of the deposed prime minister. At this, the IHC CJ remarked, “It is confirmed that the PTI chairman is entitled to the better class, as he is the former prime minister and an educated person.” Justice Farooq also maintained that Khan should receive the facilities he is entitled to and that his rights should not be violated. ATTOCK JAIL NOTIFICATION DECLARED ‘NULL AND VOID’: In a separate hearing today, the IHC declared null and void the authorities’ notification to keep the PTI chairman in Attock jail. In a written order, IHC Chief Justice Aamir Farooq approved the request to transfer Khan to Adiala jail. The court stated that the PTI chief had been sentenced to three years in the Toshakhana case.
The Intelligence Bureau (IB) on Tuesday approached the Supreme Court, seeking withdrawal of its review petition against the court’s verdict on 2017 sit-in by Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) at Faizabad in Islamabad. Authored by Justice Qazi Faez Isa years before he took oath as the chief justice of Pakistan (CJP), the verdict had instructed the Defence Ministry and the tri-services chiefs to penalise personnel under their command who were found to have violated their oath. It had also directed the federal government to monitor those advocating hate, extremism and terrorism and prosecute them in accordance with the law. Adverse observations were also made against several government departments for causing inconvenience to the public as the 20-day sit-in paralysed life in both Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Pleas were subsequently moved against the verdict by the Ministry of Defence, IB, PTI, Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority. The IB’s review petition had urged the court to set aside its observations against the department. Calling itself a premier civilian intelligence agency responsible for state security, the bureau had claimed the order created a “bad impression” on the public that the IB was transgressing its mandate and involved in unlawful activities and politics. The observations were based on “vague facts”, the bureau had claimed, adding that during the sit-in, it was in close contact with the federal and Punjab governments and forewarned them about the plans and intentions of TLP. Headed by CJP Isa, a three-judge bench, which includes Justice Aminud Din Khan and Justice Athar Minallah, will take up the review petitions on September 28 (Thursday).
More than 70 rendered blind as unregulated drug continues to wreak havoc LAHORE
SHAHAB OMER
The interim Punjab government has thus far been unable to provide sufficient information regarding the production, quantity, and distribution of the injections linked to patients losing their eyesight. In the meanwhile, the number of vision loss cases in Punjab has surged to over 70. According to the caretaker Health Minister of Punjab, Dr. Javed Akram, people were not affected by the side effects of this injection, but rather due to the use of counterfeit injections. The primary issue lies in the misuse of these injections. Dr. Akram explained that the genuine problem with these sixteen-milliliter injections is their limited shelf life after being taken out of their protective seal. Addressing recent events in Punjab, Dr. Javed revealed that a private hospital in Lahore administered Avastin injections to several eye dis-
ease patients using separate syringes at different times, resulting in many patients losing their eyesight. He also mentioned that the injection solution was tampered with to increase its volume, contributing to the adverse effects. These adulterated vaccines were produced by an unregistered fake company, a criminal offense according to the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP). Dr. Javed Akram disclosed that these fake injections were being manufactured illegally within a private hospital in Lahore, specifically located at Thokar Niaz Baig area. Certain rooms in the private hospital were converted by a dispenser or doctor to illicitly produce this injection that is not safe for use. Dr. Javed Akram emphasized, “We took immediate action on Saturday morning, removing the entire stock of this injection from the market and promptly banning its usage to prevent further harm.” Additionally, three individuals have
been apprehended in connection with this illicit operation, and legal proceedings have been initiated against them. However, on one hand, Dr. Akram is discussing the punishment for the three accused individuals, while on the other hand, the Department of Health Care has only named two people, Naveed and Bilal, in the FIR. Moreover, Dr. Akram explained that a comprehensive investigation is underway to determine the scope of the distribution network for these counterfeit injections. Simultaneously, stringent measures have been taken to immediately cease the sale of Avastin in the market, prioritizing public safety. LICENSING ISSUES: Sources within the Department of Primary and Secondary Health Care Punjab informed this scribe that the license issued for this injection by the Department did not grant authorization for dispensing of Avastin injections. According to sources, this license, num-
bered ‘05-352-0065-96873P’, only permits the dispensing of skin items and tablets. Dispensing Avastin injections requires a separate license from DRAP. Furthermore, no legal action has been taken against the individual holding the license issued by the healthcare department. The responsibility for the illegal action falls upon the qualified individual listed on the license, Asim Khalid, who has not yet been charged. The FIR only names Bilal and Naveed as accused parties. As per the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), the Avastin injection sold in Pakistan by M/S Genius Advanced Pharmaceutical Services is both fake and unregistered. Drug Regulatory Expert Noor Mehr stated that these counterfeit injections have been circulating in the market for years, priced at just Rs 12,000. In Pakistan, the Roche Company’s Avastin injection is sold for 80,000 to 1 lakh rupees. In contrast, its price in Europe is ap-
proximately 1900 Euros (around six lakh rupees), and in India, it costs approximately one lakh rupees in local currency. However, as per media reports, the initial investigation has uncovered chronic issues in the repackaging (compounding) and distribution of the Avastin drug, as well as the maintenance of the cold chain, leading to a disease outbreak in Punjab. Official data indicates that the contaminated drug has severely affected the vision of 68 patients in the province since the scandal came to light. Among these patients, 25 cases were reported in Lahore, 19 in Multan, five in Bahawalpur, and four each in Kasur, Rahim Yar Khan, Sadiqabad, and Khanewal, with an additional three patients reported in Mian Channu. There are reports of more cases emerging across the province, and health authorities are assessing them to include them in official records.
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