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Circular debt JCP Constitutes 7-member Constitutional management Plan approved, rs637bn loss benCh with JustiCe Khan as head Wednesday, 6 November, 2024 I | 3 Jamadi ul Awwal, 1446
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g Chief Justice Yahya Afridi-led first CJP, Justice Shah, Justice Akhtar, meeting of JCP approves constitutional Senator Shibli Faraz and MNA Omar bench in a 7-5 split decision Omar Ayub oppose bench
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 120 I 8 Pages I Karachi Edition
Constitutional bench formed for 60 days has representation from all four provinces ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
HE newly-formed Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP), in its maiden meeting on Tuesday, constituted the sevenmember constitutional bench and appointed Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan as its head as mandated by the recently enacted 26th Amendment. Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi presided over the first JCP meeting to form the constitutional bench in a 7-5 split decision. The constitutional bench, constituted for a period of 60 days and to be headed Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, will comprising of Justices Ayesha Malik, Naeem Akhtar Afghan, Athar Minallah, Hassan Azhar Rizvi, Musarrat Hilali, and Jamal Khan Mandokhail as its members. CJP Justice Afridi had called the meeting last week after National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq sent names of parliamentarians for the formation of JCP following consultations with the Senate chairman and parliamentary leaders. As per the 26th Constitutional Amendment, the Judicial Commission, comprising 13 members, is responsible for making appointments to the Supreme Court, high courts, and the Federal
Shariat Court (FSC). The 26th Amendment envisaged the formation of constitutional benches in the apex court to take up cases requiring interpretation of the Constitution. On October 21, the controversial 26th Constitutional Amendment sailed through parliament after the ruling coalition succeeded in rallying two-thirds of lawmakers’ support. The amendments changed the procedure for the selection of the chief justice of Pakistan while also paving the way for formation of constitutional benches in
sC judges seek full court hearing of pleas against 26th amendment at earliest ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Munib Akhtar of the Supreme Court have urged Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Khan Afridi to immediately fix for hearing pleas against the 26th Constitutional Amendment. In a letter, both the judges, who are part of the committee responsible for fixing cases and forming benches under the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act (2023), stated that the committee has decided on a full court to hear these constitutional petitions, with the initial hearing date set for November 4. However, Chief Justice Yahya Afridi has refrained from convening the requested session, leading to heightened tensions within the judicial ranks. According to report, the dispute began on 31 October, when Justices Shah and Akhtar formally addressed a letter to Chief Justice Afridi, urging him to hold a meeting under the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act 2023. The two senior justices requested the meeting specifically to address the petitions contesting the 26th amendment, which involves changes to judicial authority and tenure. With no response from the Chief Justice, Justices Shah and Akhtar held an independent meeting in Justice Akhtar’s chambers to determine the next steps. Following this private session, the two justices decided by majority vote to bring the amendment petitions before a full court on 4 November. Despite their decision, no cause list has yet been issued, effectively postponing any immediate hearing on the matter. In response to the delay, Justices Shah and Akhtar sent a second letter to Chief Justice Afridi, expressing their concerns over the postponement. They cited Section 2(2) of the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act, arguing that the law requires the committee to address such petitions promptly. According to the letter, the judges had previously informed the registrar of their decision on 31 October and instructed the registrar to publish the decision on the Supreme Court’s official website.
the Supreme Court. Earlier, the committee consisted of five SC judges (including the CJP as its chairman), the attorney general for Pakistan, the federal law minister, a former chief justice and a the Pakistan Bar Council’s nominated senior advocate. According to a press release issued after the meeting, the first meeting of JCP convened with Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Yahya Afridi in the chair. The meeting was attended by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Munib
Akhtar, Justice Aminuddin Khan, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan, Senator Farooq Hamid Naek, Senator Syed Shibli Faraz, Member of the National Assembly Sheikh Aftab Ahmad, MNA Omar Ayub Khan and Roshan Khurshid Bharucha. The chairman welcomed the participants and congratulated them on their nomination for the JCP. “At the outset, Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub objected to the quorum of the commission, highlighting the absence of one member,” the press release said. It said that the objection was later put to a vote and, via majority, the meeting “affirmed that the proceedings are in consonance with the Constitution and can continue in the absence of one member”. The press release read that the commission o considered the formation of a constitutional bench within the SC to hear constitutional cases. It said that the CJP expressed views regarding the constitutional bench under the Constitution’s Article 175(A), suggesting a certain duration of the Bench. “Other participants also expressed their views on the matter which was considered and thoroughly debated,” it said.
Pakistan desires to strengthen Iran ties through high-level exchanges, mutual cooperation: PM ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reaffirmed that Pakistan desired to further strengthen its brotherly relationship with Iran through maintaining regular highlevel exchanges and enhancing mutually advantageous cooperation across all spheres of shared interest. The prime minister, in a meeting with Foreign Minister of Iran Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, who called on him here, reiterated Pakistan’s unequivocal support to the Palestinian people in their just struggle for self-determination and statehood. He strongly condemned and expressed grave concern over Israel’s ongoing genocidal campaign against the Palestinian people. Welcoming Foreign Minister Araghchi on his first official visit to Pakistan as Foreign Minister of Iran, Prime Minister Shehbaz conveyed
his sincere regards and good wishes to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and President Massoud Pezeshkian. The prime minister also emphasized the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, provision of unhindered humanitarian assistance and, above all, grant of the inalienable right to self-determination to
the Palestinian people, as guaranteed to them by the relevant resolutions of the UN, as well as OIC. The prime minister also reiterated strong condemnation of Israel’s attack against Iran on October 26, 2024, while reaffirming support for Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Ayub, representing the PTI-led opposition, criticised the steamrolling of six bills a day ago, calling it a “shameful incident” and branding the ruling coalition a “government of thieves”. Deputy Speaker Mir Ghulam Mustafa Shah promptly intervened, ordering the remarks removed from the record. On Monday, the government passed crucial legislation includ-
ing six bills from the National Assembly within 24 minutes, and then from the Senate in just 16 minutes, , despite vociferous protest by the PTI-led opposition. The bills sought to extend the tenure of the chiefs of the country’s three armed forces and increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court and the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
NA adjourned indefinitely after Ayub criticises ‘bulldozed’ legislation ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
A National Assembly session was adjourned indefinitely on Tuesday after Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Khan criticised the steamrolling of six bills and his remarks were against last night’s swift legislation were expunged from the record. Shortly after the session began,
projected from theft, low bill recoveries g
Power sector debt to climb to Rs2.429tr by June 2025 despite price hikes and Rs1.2tr subsidy allocation PROFIT
MONITORING DESK
The government approved a new Circular Debt Management Plan, projecting that the costs from electricity theft and low bill recoveries will reach an alarming Rs637 billion this fiscal year 2024-25. Despite recent hikes in electricity prices and an allocation of Rs1.2 trillion in subsidies, the circular debt is expected to grow by another Rs36 billion, reaching Rs2.429 trillion by June 2025, according to the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet. These figures could place an even greater financial burden on consumers, who have already seen a 51% increase in electricity prices, driving up their bills by Rs302 billion this fiscal year. The Ministry of Finance allocated Rs1.229 trillion to cover power subsidies, with Rs580 billion earmarked to reduce circular debt. However, this objective remains elusive as debt is anticipated to climb due to the Ministry of Energy’s persistent issues, including line losses and under-recoveries. The finance ministry has expressed doubts about the plan’s feasibility, especially given that projected losses from low bill recoveries are expected to rise by 33%, from Rs315 billion last year to Rs419 billion this year. The plan permits distribution companies to operate with 90% recoveries and line losses of up to 17.3%—well above the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority’s (Nepra) 11.4% limit. Additionally, costs are expected to mount by Rs1.08 trillion under a ‘business-as-usual’ approach, with the government relying heavily on price hikes and subsidies to plug the gap. The government’s assumptions also include an exchange rate of Rs300 per dollar, despite a current rate of Rs278, and an interest rate of 18.44% even though the State Bank of Pakistan recently lowered rates to around 16%. The ECC was informed that last year’s circular debt surged by Rs83 billion due to “distribution companies’ under-recoveries, line losses, and deferred generation costs.” The debt, which stood at Rs2.393 trillion as of June 2024, has since increased and is forecast to rise further to Rs2.429 trillion by mid-2025, showing a persistent upward trend despite the new plan.
atC gives imran’s counsel last chance in may 9 cases bail hearing LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore has granted a final opportunity for Imran Khan’s legal counsel to present arguments in connection with the cases stemming from the violent events of May 9. The hearing, presided over by ATC Judge Manzoor Ali Gill, focused on the bail petitions submitted on behalf of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder. During the proceedings, the judge questioned the absence of the lead counsel, expressing frustration over continuous delays in presenting arguments. When asked for an update, a junior lawyer informed the court that the senior lawyer was attending to commitments in Islamabad. Reacting to the explanation, Judge Manzoor Ali Gill remarked, “He is always in Islamabad. Enough is enough; now complete your arguments.” The court has now adjourned the hearing, issuing a final warning and scheduling the case to resume on Friday, November 8, at which time the defense is expected to fulfill its obligation to present the necessary arguments without further delay.
US election outcome uncertain as Americans head to polls TRUMP VS HARRIS
WASHINGTON: The dizzying presidential contest between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris hurtled toward an uncertain finish on Tuesday as millions of Americans headed to the polls to choose between two sharply different visions for the country. A race churned by unprecedented events – two assassination attempts against Trump, President Joe Biden’s surprise withdrawal and Harris’ rapid rise – remained neck and neck as Election Day dawned, even after billions of dollars in spending and months of frenetic campaigning. The first ballots cast on Tuesday mirrored the nationwide divide. Overnight, the six registered voters in the tiny hamlet of Dixville Notch, New Hampshire, split their votes between Harris and Trump in voting just past midnight. Across the East Coast and Midwest, Americans began arriving at polls Tuesday morning to cast their votes. In Raleigh,
North Carolina, Johnny Graves had set up a DJ booth outside the polling station at Lincoln AME Church, pepping up morning voters with the Miley Cyrus track “Party in the USA.” Taylor Grabow, a 27-year-old nurse, said she voted for Harris after previously voting for Trump in 2016 and Biden in 2020, favoring Harris’s opposition to criminalizing abortions. “I woke up in such a good mood and feeling excited,” she said. In Asheville, North Carolina, Ginny Buddenberg, a 38-year-old stay-at-home mom brought her two twin daughters with her to vote in Haw Creek. She voted for Trump. “There’s just a lot of politics in the classroom, and I feel like there’s too much of a push about politics and introducing different kinds of sexual education at a younger and younger age,” she said. “Let’s go to school and learn how to read.” Trump’s campaign has suggested he may
declare victory on election night even while millions of ballots have yet to be counted, as he did four years ago. The former president has repeatedly said any defeat could only stem from widespread fraud, echoing his false claims from 2020. The winner may not be known for days if the margins in battleground states are as slim as expected. No matter who wins, history will be made Harris, 60, the first female vice president, would become the first woman, Black woman and South Asian American to win the presidency. Trump, 78, the only president to be impeached twice and the first former president to be criminally convicted, would also become the first president to win non-consecutive terms in more than a century. Opinion polls show the candidates running neck and neck in each of the seven states likely to determine the winner: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North
Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Reuters/Ipsos polling shows Harris leading among women by 12 percentage points and Trump winning among men by seven percentage points.
The contest reflects a deeply polarized nation whose divisions have only grown starker during a fiercely competitive race. Trump has employed increasingly dark and apocalyptic rhetoric on the campaign trail.