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PM ‘PROPOSES’ JOINT SESSION AMID IMPASSE ON MADRASAH REGISTRATION BILL
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Sunday, 15 December, 2024 I 12 Jumada Al-Akhirah, 1446
PM SHEHBAZ SENDS ADVICE TO PRESIDENT FOR JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SESSION ON DEC 17
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 159 I 8 Pages I Karachi Edition
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO CONTENTIOUS BILL EXPECTED TO BE TABLED FOLLOWING PRESIDENT’S OBJECTIONS
JUI-F ALLEGES GOVT OF ‘TRYING TO HAND OVER SEMINARIES TO FATF’
President’s objections to Madrasahs’ Bill have nothing to do with FATF: Tarar ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
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ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday sent an advice to President Asif Ali Zardari for holding the joint parliamentary session on December 17, amid the impasse between the coalition government and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) over Madrasah Registration Bill. According to sources, the premier has advised the president to summon a joint session of parliament on Tuesday at 11am, adding that eight bills including the contentious madrasah registration bill
are likely to be tabled. They also added that a consultation process was underway between the government and the Maulana Fazlur Rehmanled party on a new bill after President Zardari had “raised eight objections” over the previous legislation — Societies Registration (Amendment) Bill 2024. The disputed madrasah bill, which has already been passed by both houses of parliament, has become a bone of contention between the JUI-F and the government. Its enactment was part of an agreement between the government and the religio-political party for supporting the 26th Amendment. Following its approval from parlia-
Minister for Information, Broadcasting, National Heritage and Culture Attaullah Tarar on Saturday said that the objections raised by President Asif Ali Zardari to the Madrasahs Registration Bill are completely “constitutional and legal”. “Neither there is any mention of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in these objections, nor they have any connection with it,” said the minister in a post on X formerly Twitter on Saturday. He said it is not in the interest of anyone to politicize the constitutional and legal matters. “Linking the registration of seminaries with FATF is nothing but a creation of complete imagination and speculation”, he said. The Constitution elaborated the complete procedure for legislation, he said, adding the President objected in
ment, the bill now requires the president’s assent to become law but President Asif Ali Zardari had returned the bill earlier this month, citing legal objections.
accordance with the Constitution and the Parliament would also rectify it in the same spirit. The purpose of these speculations is to target the powers of the President and Parliament, he said, while urging the people not to criticize the issue just for the sake of criticism. Objections raised to registration of religious seminaries According to the objections, raised by the president, the registration of religious seminaries under the law would lead to spread of sectarianism and establishment of many seminaries in the same society that may disturb the law and order situation. The president objected to the contradiction in the definition of madrassa in various provisions of the new bill. The president has also expressed fear that if the madrassa bill turns into a law, then it may lead to imposition of FATF, Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), and other sanctions on the country.
According to the Constitution, the bill must be tabled before a joint sitting after the president refuses to sign.
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PM directs shutdown of inefficient power plants to cut electricity costs
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EMPHASIZES PRIORITIZING RENEWABLE ENERGY, LOCAL RESOURCES FOR FUTURE PROJECTS PROFIT
NEWS DESK
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the immediate shutdown of inefficient power plants and stressed the need to lower electricity tariffs for consumers. The directive came during a review meeting on power sector reforms. According to a statement issued by the PM’s Office, the prime minister was briefed on new power projects, ongoing initiatives, and the progress of reforms within the electricity sector. He instructed authorities to complete all power sector reform measures within the stipulated timelines and to act against offi-
cials hindering these efforts. “These outdated power plants should be shut down immediately,” the premier said, adding that their closure would save valuable foreign exchange on fuel imports and reduce electricity costs for consumers. The meeting also reviewed the current electricity demand, generation capacity, and transmission system reforms. Stressing the importance of sustainable power generation, the prime minister said, “Only low-cost electricity projects should be prioritized in the future, with a focus on utilizing local resources for power generation.” He was also updated on the status of ongoing hydropower projects. Highlighting the importance of hy-
dropower, PM Shehbaz remarked, “Hydropower projects provide low-cost, eco-friendly electricity to consumers.” The premier emphasized the need to expand the use of renewable energy. He directed that Pakistan’s current electricity capacity should transition toward solar energy, noting, “Solar energy is an eco-friendly and low-cost source of electricity. Pakistan is fortunate to have vast solar energy potential.” The meeting concluded with a focus on expediting reforms in the power transmission system. Federal Ministers Ahad Khan Cheema, Sardar Awais Khan Leghari, Dr. Musadik Malik, Minister of State Ali Pervaiz Malik, and senior officials were present.
ATC discharges 38 suspects arrested in D-Chowk protest cases ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Islamabad on Saturday released 38 persons arrested in connection with PTI’s last month D-Chowk protest and sent 50 others to jail, denying the police’s request for their physical remand. On November 13, incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan given a “do or die” “final call” for nationwide protests on Nov 24, demanding the return of the PTI’s electoral mandate, the release of detained party members, and the reversal of the 26th Amendment. The police rounded up more than 1,400 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf workers and supporters in Rawalpindi and Islamabad in a subsequent crackdown as it registered over a dozen cases against the party leaders and workers. ATC Judge Abul Hasnat Mohammad Zulqarnain presided over the hearing today for 56 suspects who were presented in court after their identification parade was completed. Personnel from the Banigala, Shahzad Town, Tarnol and I-9 police stations appeared in court and requested a 20-day physical remand for the suspects which was opposed by defence lawyer counsel Ansar Kayani, arguing that the police had arrested the suspects from their homes prior to the protest. “They don’t want to recover anything from the suspects. The police have only completed their numbers,” Kayani said. Rejecting the police request, the judge sent 50 individuals on judicial remand and discharged six others after getting their handcuffs taken off, ordering the police to not rearrest them. Last night, ATC Judge Abul Hasnat Mohammad Zulqarnain discharged the 36 suspects arrested in the cases registered at the two police stations – the I-9 and Margalla police stations. The police produced the suspects in the ATC, requesting the court for a 30-day physical remand for the suspects. The police told the judge that the suspects were arrested on Nov 25, however, no identification parade was carried out. At this, by defence lawyer counsel Ansar Kayani said: “Their identification parade has not been completed and the police are asking for a remand,” adding that the police had even detained labourers from their homes to “complete their numbers”. Consequently, the judge directed the police to discharge the suspects arrested in the cases registered at the two police stations, directing the police to take of their handcuffs. “If the police arrest them again then I will put them [police] in handcuffs,” the judge said. Yesterday, an Islamabad ATC granted bail to three teenagers arrested in a case registered by the Secretariat police station pertaining to the protest. The youngsters, aged 14, 16, and 17.5 years, were released on bonds of Rs10,000 each. The court expressed its displeasure with the police for failing to produce necessary records in a timely manner.
Your recommendations included in JCP draft rules: Justice Mandokhail responds to Justice Mansoor ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Chairman Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) rule-making committee Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail on Saturday responded to the letter from Senior Puisne Judge Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, clarifying that the recommendations you suggested have already been included in the draft. “Most of the suggestions tabled by the Supreme Court’s senior puisne judge have already been incorporated in the draft rules which he had also personally shared with him prior to his letter,” Justice Mandokhail wrote in the reply to Justice Shah’s letter in which he noted that the 26th Constitutional Amendment “fundamentally disturbed the vital balance in the appointments process of the judges in Pakistan”.
Justice Shah, in his letter two days ago, noted that the “unprecedented shift” in the composition of the JCP poses grave risks, including the potential for “political appointments and the packing of courts with judges lacking an ideological commitment to the rule of law”. He reiterated that the committee’s role is to recommend rules to the Judicial Commission, which holds the authority to approve or reject them, In his reply, Justice Jamal acknowledged receipt of the letter, stating, “I have received your letter dated December 12 . As you are aware, following the 26th amendment, the Judicial Commission was reconstituted.” He explained that the commission had granted the Chief Justice the authority to form a committee to draft the rules, with him appointed as the head. Two meetings of the committee have al-
ready been held, and Justice Jamal confirmed that many of Justice Mansoor’s recommendations had already been incorporated into the draft. “The recommendations you suggested have already been included in the draft,” Justice Jamal wrote, adding, “In fact, I had shared this draft with you before your letter was sent.” Justice Jamal further emphasised that, according to the constitution, the Judicial Commission is empowered to finalise the rules. He referenced the December 6 meeting, where Chief Justice Yahya Afridi had given his consent for the formation of the committee and entrusted Justice Jamal with drafting the rules. “It is important to note that many of your suggestions were already incorporated into the draft before your letter arrived,” he stated. Addressing Justice Mansoor’s proposal
for appointing judges to the Lahore High Court, Justice Jamal advised waiting until the Judicial Commission approves the rules before suggesting additional names. “Nonetheless, I welcome your suggestions and appreciate your input,” he wrote. Justice Jamal also reaffirmed the judiciary’s constitutional independence, emphasising that judges must be both competent and honest. He noted that the next committee meeting would take place on December 16 , where Justice Mansoor’s suggestions would be carefully considered. Concluding the letter, Justice Jamal underscored that the judiciary belongs to the citizens of Pakistan and called on all members of the Judicial Commission to contribute their proposals for the rules. He reiterated that the commission has
the authority to approve, amend, or reject the rules and welcomed further suggestions. “I hope the concerns raised in your letter have been addressed,” he concluded. In a letter dated December 12 , Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah raised serious concerns over the absence of formalised rules for judicial appointments to constitutional courts, warning of increased risks of executive overreach. He described the current phase as the weakest in the country’s judicial history. In a detailed five-page letter to Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Shah highlighted the historical primacy of the judiciary in the appointment of judges in Pakistan. However, he pointed out that this vital balance has been significantly disrupted by the 26th Constitutional Amendment, which grants the executive a majority in the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP).