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COAS REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO NATIONAL SOVEREIGNITY, UNITY, RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE Saturday, 7 September, 2024 I | 2 Rabi ul Awwal, 1446
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 62 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
SAYS NATION’S PATH FORWARD IS GROUNDED g PAYS TRIBUTE TO MARTYRS AND PRAYS IN PRINCIPLES OF FAITH, UNITY, AND DISCIPLINE FOR THE ELEVATION OF THEIR RANKS
PM pays tribute to martyrs, vows to continue operations against extremism ISLAMABAD
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HIEF of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir on Friday reaffirmed country’s commitment to national unity, religious tolerance, and the protection of the country’s sovereignty while emphasising that the nation’s path forward is grounded in the principles of faith, unity, and discipline. Addressing the audiences at the Defence and Martyrs Day ceremony, the army chief paid tribute to the martyrs of Pakistan and prayed for the elevation of their ranks, stating that the sacred blood of the martyrs had nourished the soil of the homeland. He said, “The Pakistan Army and the people of Pakistan know how to defend their sovereignty and will never allow malicious intentions to succeed.” He further emphasised that complete faith in Pakistan’s bright future is an inseparable part of the country’s national identity. The army chief expressed his deep
admiration for the unwavering spirit of the Pakistani nation, which stood shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces and law enforcement agencies to confront and resist the forces of evil. “The people of Pakistan are a resilient and brave nation,” he remarked. Reflecting on Pakistan’s long battle against terrorism, General Munir acknowledged the continuing sacrifices being made in this struggle, vowing, “InshaAllah, the sacrifices will continue until the terrorists are eradicated,” he stated. He specifically honoured the immense sacrifices made by the Pakistan Army, law enforcement agencies, and the brave people of Pakistan, particularly those from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan. He cited the unmatched courage and resilience these regions showed in the fight against terrorism. General Munir highlighted several key national successes, including the unified stance against the extremist ideology of Khawarij, the Paigham-e-Pakistan initiative, effective management of
Govt notifies sweeping ‘austerity measures’ ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The federal government introduced several belttightening measures in order to reduce expenditures of various government departments, including abolition of vacant positions, a ban on the purchase of new vehicles and machineries, as well as officials’ foreign travels. According to a finance ministry notification issued on Friday, the austerity measures were being adopted to control government expenditures. Under these measures, the government banned the purchase of new vehicles and equipment for various government departments. The notification said that only operational vehicles such as ambulances and other medical equipment vehicles, fire engines, buses and vans for educational institutions, solid waste vehicles and motorcycles could be purchased in case of need. Similarly, the purchase of machinery and equipment for various government departments would also be prohibited. The notification said that only that machinery and equipment could be purchased if needed for hospitals, laboratories, agriculture, mining and schools. The ministry also placed a ban on the creation of new posts and temporary posts, other than the positions in the under the Public Sector Development Project (PSDP)-funded projects. According to the notification all the posts lying vacant for the last three years would be abolished. Similarly, the procurement of goods under the PSDPfunded projects would be exempted from the application of this ban. Besides, there would be a complete ban on treatment abroad at government expense and all unnecessary foreign trips.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to Pakistan’s martyrs during a ceremony marking Defence and Martyrs’ Day, emphasising that the day is a symbol of national pride and the sacrifices made for the country. He pledged that operations against extremist groups will continue until their complete elimination. Speaking at the central Defence and Martyrs’ Day event at GHQ in Rawalpindi on Friday, Sharif said, “Defence Day is a significant reference to our national identity. It reminds us of the sacrifices of those who gave their lives for the freedom and security of our homeland.” He added that the day also commemorates the spirit of national dignity, which saw the nation thwart enemy attempts. “The enemy, dreaming of having tea at Lahore Gymkhana, fled even faster than they had crossed our borders. The evidence of their shameful the western borders, the merger of tribal areas into the province, and the economic and social development initiatives in K-P and Balochistan. He credited these achievements to the resolve of the state and the sacrifices of Pakistan’s martyrs and veterans. General Munir paid heartfelt tribute to the martyrs of Pakistan, stating, “We breathe in free air today because of the sacrifices of these martyrs.” He empha-
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retreat, displayed at the Military Museum, will serve as a reminder to future generations of the unmatched unity and victory of our armed forces and nation.” The prime minister also honoured the mothers of the martyrs, saying, “I salute the brave mothers who sacrificed their sons for this nation. We swear by their tears that their sons’ sacrifices will not go in vain.” He reiterated the commitment of the armed forces and security agencies to continue operations against extremists, stating, “The fight against the menace of extremism will persist until its complete eradication.” sised that the martyrs are the identity of the nation, and their families are a source of pride for the country. The army chief assured the nation that no force in the world could defeat the people of Pakistan. In addition to honouring the martyrs, General Munir also recognised the immense bravery of the individuals wounded in battle and the veterans who served as a shield against enemies of the state.
Imran says being intimidated through ex-spymaster’s trial ‘deliberately’
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Incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan on Friday claimed he was being intimidated through the court martial proceedings of former spymaster Gen (r) Faiz Hameed, saying using Faiz Hameed’s trial for intimidation is a clear indication of political malice. “Any trial without the inclusion of retired Gen Bajwa will be a “malicious” move,” the former premier said while speaking to journalists at Adiala Jail. He also criticised the current leadership, congratulating them sarcastically for securing “NRO 2”, a reference to alleged political compromises that he claims have made it impossible to hold whitecollar criminals accountable. “Catching white-collar crime was difficult before; now it’s impossible,” he added. The PTI founder took a jibe at the parliamentarians, accusing them of using legislation to absolve themselves of corruption charges. “In the history of parliamentary democracy, never has a legislature passed laws to exoner-
ECP rejects four PTI pleas in intra-party election case
ate its members of corruption cases,” he asserted. Commenting on yesterday’s ISPR DG’s statement that the army is neutral and has apolitical stance, the PTI founder said that if (they) are becoming apolitical now, they are doing the country a great service. “But if they claim to have been neutral all along, that’s a blatant lie,” Imran said, adding that both he and his wife, are in jail because of current army chief General Asim Munir. Moreover, Imran Khan also addressed internal party dynamics, defending PTI leader Ali Amin Gandapur, who has faced criticism from some within the
party. “To those criticising him, I say Ali Amin was my choice, and I stand by him. Those conspiring against him have not won on their own merit but on PTI’s ticket,” he warned, hinting that disloyalty could cost them their candidacy in the next elections. “If you’re involved in conspiracies now, don’t expect to get a ticket in the next election,” he stated firmly. Since the arrest of Gen Faiz, Imran Khan has expressed concerns that he might be implicated. The former prime minister also moved the Islamabad High Court, seeking an order to prevent his possible military trial.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday dismissed all the four miscellaneous petitions, submitted by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the intra-party election case. In a 10-page decision, authored by Sindh’s Member Nisar Durrani, the ECP overruled the PTI’s objection regarding the commission’s jurisdiction overseeing intra-party elections. Citing sections 208 and 209(3) of the Election Act 2017, the electoral watchdog stated that it is within its mandate to review intra-party elections and ensure compliance with legal requirements. The ECP also denied PTI’s request to delay the case and its plea to postpone proceedings related to the intra-party elections until a decision on reserved seats was reached. It advised the PTI to approach the relevant court for the return of documents taken from its party office by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). The decision emphasized that under Section 208 of the Election Act 2017, it is the Commission’s responsibility to review legal requirements. Furthermore, the ECP in its decision also highlighted its duty to examine the facts before issuing certificates under Section 209(3). On April 8, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) sought the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to issue the certificate of its intra-party election. PTI leader Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said that they came to the ECP office to obtain the certificate for the internal election conducted last month. Expressing dismay over the delay in the issuance of the certificate, he said that parties who held elections after the PTI were issued certificates.
LHC orders removal of Lt-Gen Munir Afsar as NADRA chairman ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday directed the removal of Lieutenant General Munir Afsar from his role as Chairman of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA). The decision came in response to a petition filed by a citizen, Ashba Kamran, who contested the legality of his appointment. The court’s ruling followed a detailed hearing on the matter, where the legality of the appointment process was brought into question. After reviewing the arguments presented, the court sided with the petitioner and declared the appointment of Lt. General Afsar invalid, effectively terminating his position as NADRA chairman.
NA passes Elections Amendment Bill 2024 ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The National Assembly on Friday passed the amendment in the Elections Act, 2017 [The Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2024. The bill was moved by the Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Azam Nazeer Tarar. The bill had already been passed by the Senate. While briefing the lawmakers, Tarar said the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had requested to amend Section 232 of the Elections Act, 2017, and to remove the acronym FATA, following the merger of FATA into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
SC reinstates NAB amendments by reversing last year’s decision ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Supreme Court on Friday restored amendments to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Law by accepting the federal government’s appeal against the court’s Sept 15, 2023 verdict. Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa pronounced the verdict reserved by a five-member bench on June 6 after hearing intra-court appeals (ICAs) filed by the federal government and other parties. The judgment was given by a majority of 5-0 by a bench headed by Justice Qazi Faez Isa with Justice Athar Minallah writing an additional note as well. The SC in its short verdict stated that details of the decision will be shared later. The federal and provincial governments had filed intra-court appeals against the declaration of the NAB amendments as unconstitutional. The Supreme Court had reserved its verdict on the federal government’s appeal on June 6th. In September 2023, then-CJP Umar Ata Bandial and Justice Ijazul Ahsan had ac-
cepted PTI founder Imran Khan’s 2022 petition while Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah dissented from the 2-1 verdict. Imran’s plea had challenged the changes introduced by the then-PML-N-led government. The amendments made several changes to the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) 1999, including reducing the term of the NAB chairman and prosecutor general to three years, limiting NAB’s jurisdiction to cases involving over Rs500 million, and transferring all pending inquiries, investigations, and trials to the relevant authorities. In Friday’s verdict, the apex court observed that the chief justice and other judges “cannot be the gatekeepers of the parliament”. It further noted that “whenever possible, the Supreme Court should strive to maintain legislation” enacted by the parliament. Remarking on Imran’s earlier petition, the court said he failed to prove that the NAB amendments were in violation of the Constitution. The Sept 15 ruling had restored corruption cases against public representatives, with prominent politicians who allegedly benefited from the amendments being likely to face cases again.
However, a month later, the apex court had been seized with a number of ICAs — moved by the federal government as well as by private citizens Zuhair Ahmed Siddiqui, who was an accused in a corruption case but not a party to the challenges to the NAB amendments case, and Zahid Imran. Hearings on the matter in May had seen the judges debate whether to live-stream the case (as done on May 14) or not, before finally deciding against live broadcast due to concerns about the facility being politically misused. On June 6, the five-member bench had reserved its ruling on the federal government’s intra-court appeal against the Sept 15 majority judgement that ruled amendments to the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) illegal. Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail had observed that there was no denying the fact that NAB had always been abused against the elected representatives but the remedy to rectify this misuse did not lie with the courts but with the political leaders. Justice Athar Minallah had noted that NAB amendments do not mean that corruption cases have come to an end rather refer-
ences will be forwarded to relevant courts established under relevant laws. The court had also taken exception to the NAB report, in which it showed the recovery of $10 billion in the head of Reko Diq and asked the NAB additional prosecutor general (APG) whether this statement was “honest or dishonest”. In 2022, amendments were made to the country’s accountability laws by the then-Pak-
istan Democratic Movement-led government. The amendments made several changes to the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) 1999, including reducing the term of the NAB chairman and prosecutor general to three years, limiting NAB’s jurisdiction to cases involving over Rs500 million, and transferring all pending inquiries, investigations, and trials to the relevant authorities.