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PM HOSTS PARLIAMENTARIANS AT DINNER TO DRUM UP SUPPORT FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDS Sunday, 15 September, 2024 I | 10 Rabi ul Awwal, 1446
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 69 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
g UNDERSCORES POLITICAL STABILITY CRUCIAL g DAR BRIEF COALITION PARTNERS SHEHBAZ SHARIF EMPHASIZES PARLIAMENT’S SUPREMACY, CALLS FOR FOR ECONOMIC STABILITY AND TAKING ON AMENDMENTS FOR A LEGISLATION IN NATIONAL INTEREST COUNTRY ON PATH TO DEVELOPMENT CONSTITUTIONAL COURT WITHIN SC
Dar insists bill in line with provisions of COD endorsed by all political parties ISLAMABAD
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ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
RIME Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday highlighting the importance of legislative efforts in the national and public interest, said that Parliament was
the supreme institution of the country.“The sanctity of Parliament must always be upheld and national issues should only be resolved through Parliament”, PM Shehbaz Sharif emphasized while addressing a banquet, he hosted in honor of Parliamentarians here. The prime minister said the incumbent government had steered the country away
Barrister Gohar says govt move for amendments violates rules ISLAMABAD
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Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan On Saturday blasted the government for potentially introducing a constitutional amendment bill, saying that any such action without due procedure was against parliamentary rules. Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Barrister Gohar expressed frustration with the government’s tendency to pass legislation “under the cover of darkness.” “We have always said that if you want to legislate, follow the procedure as the Constitution clearly outlines the legislative process, and we must adhere to the law and the Rules of Business,” he emphasized.
The PTI chairman highlighted that private member bills first go to a committee, requiring permission a month prior, before being placed on the agenda. “Government bills are handled by the ministry, then passed through the cabinet with the prime minister’s signature. Rules of Business 16 and 27 require the Ministry of Law and Parliamentary Affairs to advance these bills,” he explained. He further criticised the current government’s approach: “There has been no cabinet meeting, no approval. If the bill is introduced without these steps, it will be a clear violation of the rules.” Zartaj Gul, a PTI leader, also condemned the government’s actions, referring to the abduction of the wife, daughter, and aunt of Faisalabad MNA Saadullah Baloch.
PM, President reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to democracy on International Day
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari reaffirmed the country unwavering commitment to democracy, constitutionalism, rule of law, and human rights on the occasion of International Day of Democracy. In a message, the prime minister emphasized that democracy was a fundamental value of human society. Our government’s commitment to constitutionalism, democracy, rule of law and human rights is firm and unwavering. Adherence to these democratic values is our calling as a nation, he added. The prime minister called for continuing the efforts to build a more inclusive, just, and equal world forall. Together, we can strengthen the foundations of democracy and ensure that it serves as a beacon of hope and progress for future generations, he added. In his message, President Asif Ali Zardari said that the resolution of the nation’s issues lied in a vibrant and inclusive democratic process. “We commemorate World Democracy Day to highlight the importance of democracy in empowering citizens and promoting their active participation in the political process,” he said in a message issued by the President House. STAFF REPORT
from the risk of default and towards stability. “Political stability is crucial for ensuring economic stability and advancing the country on the path of development,” he added. He pointed out that the anti-state elements made every effort to push the country towards default. He said there were attempts to drag constitutional institutions and non-political figures into politics and make them a party. “The Charter of Democracy was signed under the leadership of Mian Nawaz Sharif and the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto that permanently blocked the path for unconstitutional actions,” the prime minister said. He added that politics will continue, but the continuity of policies was crucial to save the country. He highlighted that the country was making significant progress before 2018 under the leadership of Mian Nawaz Sharif, however a well-planned conspiracy was executed to remove him from the political landscape. “This conspiracy proved to be very expensive for Pakistan and its people as within the next three years, an incompetent government brought the country to the verge of default,” he added. The prime minister said “when Allah Almighty entrusted us with the responsibility of pulling Pakistan out of economic quagmire, all political parties sacrificed their pol-
Leader of the House in the Senate Senator Ishaq Dar on Saturday apprised the Upper House of the Parliament that the Constitutional Bill was in line with the provisions of the Charter of Democracy (COD) endorsed by all the political parties including the PTI. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar was addressing the 10th meeting of the 342nd Senate session held under Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani. Senator Dar underlined that there was a disconnect between the Leader of the Opposition leadership in the Senate and the National Assembly. “It was the third in camera meeting of the Special Parliamentary Committee in the Parliament which was participated by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali and Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan who was absent in the previous two meetings. There have been discussions on different agenda items,” he said. He added that the Opposition Leader should seek details from his colleagues on the special committee meetings.
itics to save the country”. During the dinner, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar briefed coalition partners on proposed constitutional amendments that would establish a constitutional court within the Supreme Court. “The amendment is necessary to create a separate court for matters of public interest,” Dar explained. He expressed his satisfaction that today the country’s economy was stabilizing again due to the prudent policies of the government. He said inflation was gradually decreasing and the policy rates cut will boost business activities in the country, create new employment opportunities, and increase exports. He said the increase in remittances re-
Govt secures $600m loan at 11% interest rate from SCB London g
PAKISTAN FACES HIGHEST-EVER COMMERCIAL LOAN RATE TO QUALIFY FOR $7 BILLION IMF PROGRAM PROFIT
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The government has secured a $600 million commercial loan from a European bank at an unprecedented double-digit interest rate, marking the highest cost of borrowing in Pakistan’s history. The deal was struck with Standard Chartered Bank (SCB), London, with Pakistan agreeing to pay an interest rate of approximately 11%. The loan is split into two parts: $300 million for liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies and another $300 million through syndicate financing. This loan is crucial to meet the conditions for a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout package, sources from the Ministry of Finance confirmed. Despite efforts to secure funding from bilateral creditors, the government was left with no choice but to accept the high-interest loan after other avenues of financing closed, officials said. While bilateral creditors agreed to roll over $12 billion in cash deposits, Pakistan needed additional financing to meet IMF
conditions. The IMF has scheduled a board meeting for September 25 to consider Pakistan’s case, after the country received the required financing assurances from its development partners. “We are pleased that Pakistan has secured the necessary assurances, allowing the board meeting to proceed,” said IMF Director of Communications Julie Kozack. The new Extended Fund Facility (EFF) follows the successful completion of a nine-month standby arrangement earlier this year.
Senator Dar informed the House that the issue emerged after PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari made a statement for joint efforts to restore prestige of the Parliament and proposed a committee of all political parties on the arrest of some members of the lower house of the Parliament. “I on behalf of the government instantly endorsed the suggestion and after the House resolution, a committee was formed and all political parties in the National Assembly have their representation. I would request that committee to give representation to the Senate as it’s a special body on general issues and the resolution TORs entitled matters pertaining to the parliament, parliamentarians, constitutions and rules and business of procedures,” the Leader of the House said. The issues pertaining to the Constitutional Bill have been discussed in the Special Committee, the Opposition Leader should get details from his colleagues, he said, adding, “Under the Charter of Democracy, the article four demanded a constitutional court in the country to hear constitutional petitions and dispose of them.
flected the trust of overseas Pakistanis in the government. However he said much more remained to be done for the country’s development. “Let us make a pledge today that we all will work tirelessly for the nation’s progress,” the prime minister said. “I have complete faith that the sacrifices we all, including myself, are making for Pakistan’s economic security will not go in vain,” he added. The dinner was attended by the federal ministers and members of parliament from the Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Balochistan Awami Party, National Party and PML-Zia.
Pakistan decries US sanctions as ‘biased, politically motivated’
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday said that it considered the United States’ decision to impose sanctions on commercial entities over alleged connections to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program as biased and politically motivated. In response to media inquiries about the US decision to impose sanctions on commercial entities over alleged connections to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program, Spokesperson for the Foreign Office Mumtaz Zahra Baloch on Saturday said that similar listings of commercial entities in past were based on mere suspicion, involved items not listed by any export control regime, and yet were considered sensitive under broad, catch-all provisions. It is widely known that some countries while claiming strict adherence to nonproliferation norms, have conveniently waived licensing requirements for advanced military technologies to their favoured states. Such double standards and discriminatory practices undermine the credibility of global nonproliferation regimes, increase military asymmetries, and endanger international peace and security, said the spokesperson. The U.S. State Department on Thursday imposed sanctions on a Chinese research institute and several companies it said have been involved in supplying Pakistan’s ballistic missile program. STAFF REPORT
‘No Ambiguity’: SC slams ECP for using ‘dilatory tactics’ to delay implementation of reserved seats verdict ISLAMABAD
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The Supreme Court took a strong stance against the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Saturday, criticizing its “attempts to create confusion” regarding the court’s July 12 verdict on reserved seats. The court made it clear that the commission’s request for clarification appeared to be an effort to “obstruct implementation” of the ruling, which had declared the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) eligible for reserved seats in the parliament. In an eight-judge clarification, the court stated: “Reviewing the record presented before us, along with the short order, leaves no doubt that the commission’s request is nothing more than a pretext and an attempt to delay implementation.” The controversy arose after the ECP notified 39 out of 80 Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) as PTI members but then sought further constitutional and legal advice from the Supreme Court regarding the re-
maining lawmakers in both national and provincial assemblies. ECP Secretary Omar Hamid Khan submitted a petition to the Supreme Court’s registrar, seeking a detailed explanation of the court’s July 12 order. The order had declared PTI-backed independent candidates eligible for reserved seats. Following the July 12 verdict, PTI lawmakers from the national and provincial assemblies submitted affidavits of allegiance to the ECP. However, the electoral commission questioned the legitimacy of Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, who had acted as the PTI’s representative, pointing out that he was not officially recognized as the party chairman and raising concerns about the validity of certain confirmations submitted by the PTI. In a four-page clarification issued on Saturday, the Supreme Court dismissed the commission’s concerns, stating that the ECP itself had issued notices to the PTI through Barrister Gohar Ali Khan as its chairman, thereby acknowledging both the party and its
office holders. The Supreme Court pointed out that, even if one were to interpret the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) request sympathetically, the commission seems to have “forgotten the well-established de facto doctrine.” This rule protects the actions of an individual holding an office, even if there are legal questions about the validity of their position. The court emphasized the inconsistency in the ECP’s approach, stating, “It would be completely illogical to assume that a political party, a legal entity, is fully operational without natural persons either de facto or de jure carrying out its functions.” Additionally, the court criticized the ECP for now seeking guidance on the handling of certifications, asserting that the commission cannot “approve and disapprove” as it sees fit. The judgment highlighted that the ECP’s shifting stances reflect attempts to suit its immediate interests rather than adhering to legal consistency.
PTI hails SC’s clarification on reserved seats verdict
ISLAMABAD: Senate Opposition Leader and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) member, Senator Shibli Faraz, praised the Supreme Court’s ruling on reserved seats, calling it a significant victory for PTI. Speaking at a press conference at Parliament House alongside PTI leader Aun Abbas, Faraz stated, “We promptly approached the Supreme Court on the reserved seats issue, and the court has now delivered a clear and decisive ruling.” Faraz emphasized that the ruling had clarified the status of PTI members, saying, “The Supreme Court has made it clear – the status of our members is now resolved.” He also pointed out the swift notification of the Rahim Yar Khan by-
election results, contrasting it with the unresolved general election results held six months ago. Criticizing the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Faraz said, “The ECP is responsible for conducting the most controversial election in the country’s history. Decisions regarding PTI are delayed, while other forums see swift resolutions. It is the ECP’s constitutional duty to ensure free and fair elections.” Faraz also expressed concern over the delay in local body elections, calling it a “malicious act” that harms Pakistan’s political landscape. He added that election tribunals had yet to announce results, causing further delays in the election process. STAFF REPORT