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Tuesday, 25 June, 2024 I |18 Zil-Hajj, 1445
Rs 20.00 | Vol XIV No 354 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
ECP ‘CHANNELISING’ RETURNED CANDIDATES OF A POLITICAL PARTY INTO ‘INDEPENDENTS’: JUSTICE AKHTAR
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PTI ‘COMMITTED POLITICAL SUICIDE’ BY JOINING SIC, SAYS CJP ISA ISLAMABAD
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JUSTICE MINALLAH SAYS ABSENCE OF AN ELECTORAL SYMBOL DOES NOT AFFECT RESERVED SEATS
Chief Justice Isa stated, “The court is bound by the words of the Constitution, not by interpretations of the Election Commission or yours.” Siddiqi asked if parties that did not participate in the elections could be granted reserved seats. Chief Justice Isa remarked, “Are you suggesting that the court should not interpret the words of the Constitution? The court must consider both the words and the purpose of the constitutional clauses.” Justice Mandokhail questioned, “How can reserved seats be given to parties that did not contest the elections?” Justice Ameenuddin Khan asked if independent members could form a new political party. Siddiqi noted that if independents can register a political party within three days, they can certainly join one. Chief Justice Isa challenged, “Are you saying it’s unnecessary for a political party to secure a seat in elections?” Justice Athar Minallah commented that the absence of an electoral symbol does not affect reserved seats. The Election Commission of Pakistan recognises both PTI and the Sunni Ittehad Council as
registered parties. Chief Justice Isa asked why independents didn’t join PTI if it was a registered party, questioning if they committed political suicide by not joining. Chief Justice Isa remarked, “Your arguments present a conflict of interest. Either represent Sunni Ittehad Council or PTI. We are only concerned with the Constitution, not the actions of the Election Commission.” Siddiqi said there are no choices for affected parties in this country. Chief Justice Isa responded, “Avoid political statements. Great judges in this country have refused to take an oath under PCO. Stick to the Constitution.” Siddiqi noted that the electoral symbol was taken away the night before. Chief Justice Isa asked, “What is the electoral symbol of Sunni Ittehad Council?” Siddiqi replied, “A horse.” Chief Justice Isa stated, “The electoral symbol of Sunni Ittehad Council was not taken away.” Justice Mandokhail questioned why no appeal was filed against the Election Commission’s decision to declare candidates as independents. Siddiqi said Salman Akram Raja would answer that question. Chief Justice Isa asserted, “Rules cannot override the Constitution.” Siddiqi argued that parties not participating in elections should still be entitled to reserved seats. Chief Justice Isa reiterated, “The Constitution must be upheld, not individual interpretations.” Justice Mandokhail noted, “If PTI and Sunni Ittehad Council had merged, the issue might have been resolved, but it didn’t happen.” Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi asked if there were any objections from voters about joining Sunni Ittehad Council. Siddiqi said the only objections came from the Election Commission. Chief Justice Isa reiterated that PTI attempted to postpone elections, and Imran Khan influenced the Election Commission. The Supreme Court requested the nomination papers of Sunni Ittehad Council Chairman Hamid Raza and adjourned the hearing until 9:30am on Tuesday.
port both domestic and foreign investors, broadening its engagement beyond the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to include global regions and countries. In addition to attracting new investments, the SIFC is also resolving existing issues that hinder economic progress. Officials underscored that the SIFC has significantly enhanced international investor confidence, leading to increased collaboration with friendly na-
tions and domestic investors. Despite these achievements, they noted challenges stemming from limited human and administrative resources, which have constrained the council’s operational efficiency. Currently, the SIFC operates with a lean workforce, drawing personnel from the Board of Investment (BOI), Pakistan Army, and various ministries. This staffing shortfall particularly impacts its ability to manage regional and sectoral desks effectively and engage with specialized experts. During the meeting, Prime Minister Sharif praised the SIFC’s accomplishments and recognized the need for additional resources to support its expanded responsibilities. He endorsed the proposal to elevate the SIFC to a separate division status to ensure its seamless functioning. By establishing the SIFC as a dedicated division, the government aims to bolster its capacity to facilitate investments effectively, thereby contributing to Pakistan’s economic development and stability.
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
S the Supreme Court on Monday took up the case of reserved seats, Justice Munib Akhtar observed that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was “channelising returned candidates of a political party into the category of ‘independents’”. A 13-member full court — comprising Justices Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Munib Akhtar, Yahya Afridi, Aminuddin Khan, Mandokhail, Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Ayesha Malik, Athar Minallah, Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Shahid Waheed, Irfan Saadat Khan and Naeem Akhtar Afghan — has resumed hearing the case. The proceedings are being broadcast live on the SC’s website and its YouTube channel. “Are we going to be so blinded by the harsh political realities […] that if the ECP, on its own cascades of errors, was channelising, shoehorning people who are returned candidates into a ‘independent’ status […] — are we bound by that or by what mainly is the intent of the paragraph?” Justice Akhtar wondered. The Sunni Ittehad Council’s lawyer, Faisal Siddiqi, argued that the court needs to interpret the Constitution progressively. “Justice Jamal Mandokhail has made a similar interpretation in a recent decision, stating that the Constitution is a living document, like a tree,” Siddiqi said. In response, Chief Justice Isa asked, “What is written in the Constitution?” Justice Ameenuddin Khan inquired about the procedure for a member joining political parties. Chief Justice Isa questioned, “Should we ignore the natural meaning of the Constitution? Why would we do that?” Siddiqi emphasised the purpose of constitutional clauses. Justice Mandokhail remarked, “Why should seats be given to those who didn’t even contest the elections?” Justice Irfan Saadat Khan com-
mented, “Your arguments would render the words of the Constitution ineffective. Sunni Ittehad Council is not even a political party.” Justice Athar Minallah added, “Even without an electoral symbol, it remains a listed political party, as recognised by the Election Commission.” Chief Justice Isa remarked, “If PTI still exists as a political party, why did its members join another party? If we accept your argument, joining another party would be like committing political suicide, which contradicts your own arguments.” Justice Shahid Waheed suggested reading sub-clause two of Rule 92 of the Election Commission. Justice Muneeb Akhtar noted, “The Election Commission declared these candidates as independents, but their opinion is not binding on us. Parliamentary democracy is built on political parties.” Justice Ameenuddin Khan pointed out that all candidates were from PTI, asking why certificates were returned if they were ideological. Siddiqi responded that special seats can only be allocated under the system of proportional representation, which is a right of political parties, not candidates.
Govt elevates SIFC to division status to boost investment and economic growth PROFIT
MONITORING DESK
The federal government, under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership, has approved the creation of a dedicated division for the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) aimed at strengthening institutional capabilities and fostering investment in Pakistan. Sources disclosed that this decision was made during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, where the establishment of the new division was formally sanctioned. Additionally, the meeting authorized the establishment of a Project Management Unit to attract top talent and further enhance the operational capabilities of the SIFC. Established in June 2023, the SIFC was originally conceived to address Pakistan’s economic challenges by providing a unified platform to stimulate investments. This initiative aims to streamline bureaucratic processes, promote federal-provincial cooperation, and facilitate swift decision-making,
thereby fostering macroeconomic stability with civil-military cooperation. According to insiders, officials from the SIFC briefed the prime minister on its operations, scope, and future plans during the meeting. They highlighted the council’s evolving mandate, which initially focused on key sectors but now encompasses all sectors of the economy. The prime minister was informed that the SIFC has expanded its services to sup-
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PM Shehbaz reaffirms commitment to eradicate polio in meeting with Bill Gates ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during a meeting with Bill Gates, Chairman of the Gates Foundation, reiterated the federal and provincial governments’ unwavering commitment to eradicating polio in Pakistan. He assured Gates that the government is dedicated to protecting the lives of children and making them healthier through continued efforts against polio. Addressing the National Task Force on Polio Eradication on Monday, PM Shehbaz highlighted that the polio eradication campaign in Pakistan was progressing positively. Despite recent setbacks with the virus re-emerging in certain areas, he emphasised that this did not signify a failure in their efforts. In response, Bill Gates emphasised the importance of addressing all areas effectively in the coming months to maintain positive momentum. He reaffirmed the Gates Foundation’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s efforts to eradicate polio and address other health-related issues, including malnutrition and mother and child healthcare. Gates stressed the need for dedicated efforts over the next six months to make significant progress and continue successful campaigns to completely eliminate the polio virus from Pakistan. PM Shehbaz outlined that over the past six months, two nationwide polio eradication campaigns were successfully conducted, along with five additional campaigns targeting polio-affected areas. He stressed the need for swift action in the coming days and months to produce tangible results. He assured that all newly formed federal and provincial governments were resolved to leave no stone unturned in combating the polio menace. He also shared details of a holistic security conference held recently, where discussions focused on countering terrorism and other security issues. Recalling his meeting with Gates in Riyadh during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in April, he said they had comprehensive discussions on polio eradication and other health-related issues in Pakistan. PM Shehbaz lauded the Gates Foundation’s efforts and financial contributions to polio eradication campaigns and other humanitarian causes. He noted that Pakistan had significantly benefited from the Foundation’s support in tackling malnutrition and mother and child healthcare issues. He further highlighted the consistent support from the Foundation, amounting to millions of dollars over the years, and shared investment figures for the polio eradication program with $240 million in 2022, $263 million in 2023, and $297 million in 2024. Furthermore, PM Shehbaz recalled that during the WEF, Saudi Arabia pledged $500 million over the next five years to support polio eradication. He also mentioned other areas of cooperation between Pakistan and the Gates Foundation, including the digitisation of education and health sectors, and expressed gratitude for the Foundation’s support in digitising the Federal Board of Revenue. PM Shehbaz emphasised the potential economic benefits of the digitalization process and expressed his intention to seek Bill Gates’ advice on education and health sectors. He reassured that the government would utilise all resources for polio eradication, holding regular meetings with provincial governments and stakeholders. Welcoming Bill Gates and his team to Pakistan earlier, the PM expressed appreciation on behalf of the people, the government, and provincial authorities.
PTI, JUI-F and ANP oppose ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ operation PESHAWAR
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government and Awami National Party (ANP) have announced not to support Operation Azm-e-Istehkam until its details and procedures are clarified. In a media briefing in Islamabad on Monday, KP Information Adviser Barrister Saif stated that a meeting led by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur took place at Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa House, with the participation of National Assembly members. The operation’s specifics were discussed. “The prime minister’s statement on Operation Azm-e-Istehkam has created confusion,” said Saif. “The public has not been informed about the operation’s method and duration.” Saif highlighted public concerns regarding the operation. “Consultation with provinces is essential for any action against terrorism. This is a critical issue linked to national security, and the war against terrorism has cost billions,” he said. He stressed that the federal government should take parliament and provincial assemblies into confidence for actions against terrorism and consult all political parties in Pakistan. “We cannot decide on supporting the
operation until its details are clear,” he added. Saif emphasised Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s frontline role in the war against terrorism and expressed the province’s inability to bear further burdens. He mentioned that Chief Minister Gandapur met PTI founder at Adiala to seek his opinion on the operation. “The PTI founder stated that without clear details, the operation should not be supported,” Saif revealed. “No Pashtun can support terrorism,” said Saif, underscoring the need for following legal procedures and including public opinion in any decision. ” Meanwhile, CM Gandapur has said the Apex Committee on NAP outlined the policy, but there was no mention of any operation. Addressing the media after meeting Imran Khan at Adiala Jail, Gandapur reiterated that the Apex Committee discussed peace and rewards, but there was no mention of an operation named Azm-e-Istehkam. “Our government improved the law and order situation, strengthened law enforcement agencies including the CTD, and engaged with Afghanistan,” Gandapur stated. “General Bajwa’s plans, possibly with the US or Nawaz Sharif, to remove General Faiz and dismantle PTI have affected stability.” On Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, Gandapur said, “I will comment after ISPR’s policy
is clear. It is necessary to take the public and provinces into confidence, considering the losses we’ve faced.” Meanwhile, the Awami National Party (ANP) voiced on Monday its opposition to the Azm-e-Istehkam, declaring the operation unacceptable under any circumstances. On Sunday, Pakistan Tehreek Insaf (PTI)
and Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) also declared their refusal to support any military operation, demanding that military leadership take Parliament into confidence first. Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Faisal Karim Kundi visited the ANP’s Bacha Khan Center in Peshawar, where he met with the party’s top leadership to discuss security
and political matters. During a media briefing, ANP leader Mian Iftikhar stated that the roots of terrorism lie in Punjab, expressing serious reservations about the decision to launch Operation Istehkam Pakistan. Mian emphasized that the ANP has conveyed its concerns to the governor.
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Jammu and Kashmir, during a meeting of the Central Apex Committee on the National Action Plan (NAP), chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. “Azm-i-Istehkam will integrate and synergise multiple lines of effort to combat the menaces of extremism and terrorism in a comprehensive and decisive manner,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a press release. However, in a parliament session marred by ruckus on Sunday, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif criticised the opposition for not supporting the newly announced counterterrorism operation as the latter demanded that Parliament be taken into con-
fidence before any offensive against militancy was launched. Speaking to the media outside Parliament House in Islamabad the same day, PTI MNA Gohar Khan had said, “It is our demand […] that if there is any operation — whether intelligence-based or full-fledged or in certain districts or villages or tehsils — it is necessary to take this Parliament into confidence.” He had made the remarks while the National Assembly was in session, saying that the opposition wanted to speak on a point of order that the “military leadership, as has been done in the past, give an in-camera briefing and detail the situation”.
Govt to take all parties in confidence on Operation Azm-i-Istehkam: defence minister STAFF REPORT
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday said that the government had decided to take all parties in confidence on Operation Azm-i-Istehkam. The federal government on Saturday approved a reinvigorated and re-energised national counter-terrorism campaign, Operation Azm-i-Istehkam, that symbolised the national resolve to eradicate extremism and terrorism from the country. The campaign was launched with the consensus of all stakeholders, including the provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad