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PM ORDERS ACTION AGAINST FIA OFFICIALS INVOLVED IN HUMAN TRAFFICKING Saturday, 21 December, 2024 I 18 Jumada Al-Akhirah, 1446
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g MEETING BRIEFED ON PREVENTIVE MEASURES SUCH INCIDENTS TARNISH PAKISTAN’S GLOBAL IMAGE AND MUST BE DEALT WITH TAKEN TO COMBAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING, SWIFTLY AND EFFECTIVELY: PM SHEHBAZ UPDATED ON RECENT GREEK BOAT INCIDENT
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ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed strict action against officials of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) involved in facilitating human traffickers, following the tragic Greek boat incident in which at least five Pakistani nationals are dead. The PM issued these directives during a meeting on Friday in Islamabad, aimed at addressing the growing issue of human trafficking. PM Shehbaz instructed the relevant authorities to expedite the ongoing investigation into human trafficking and present concrete recommendations as soon as possible. He stressed that such incidents tarnish Pakistan’s global image and must be dealt with swiftly and effectively. “The delay in taking action against those responsible for last year’s boat capsizing incident is concerning,” he remarked, adding, “We cannot allow this to continue, as these tragedies only harm our country’s reputation.” The meeting was briefed on the preventive measures taken to combat human trafficking and provided an update on the recent Greek boat incident. On Thursday, the Pakistani mission in Greece confirmed that five Pakistani nationals were among those who perished in a migrant boat tragedy near the Greek island of Gavdos. The mission stated, however, that it had “no concrete information” regarding the number of Pakistanis still missing. An official from the Pakistan mission
in Greece provided the following update: “So far, we have identified five dead Pakistanis and rescued 47 others. There is no concrete information about missing persons at this stage, and this is the final information available.” In response to reports from local media, Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, confirmed that the government had already released the official death toll, stating there were no further updates at this time. It is important to note that on Thursday, while launching a major crackdown on human smugglers involved in the deadly boat tragedy, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) registered cases against three traffickers and arrested two of its own officers for negligence.
PM forms National Youth Council to empower youth in policymaking ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced the formation of the National Youth Council (NYC) to engage the youth, empower them in policymaking, and strengthen their role in institutional development. The Prime Minister will act as the patron-in-chief of the council, which will be chaired by the Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme. Provincial ministers for youth affairs from all four provinces, as well as representatives from Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), will serve as
JUI-F chief could become PM for 1-1.5 years: Miftah
The council will provide a platform for engaging with decision-makers in the public and private sectors and participating in international youth-led development initiatives. It will mobilize youth voices to advocate for their inclusion in decision-making at all levels. The NYC will identify policy gaps and offer strategic advice on youth development and empowerment. It will assist federal, provincial, and local government institutions in designing youthfocused programs, initiatives, and institutional reforms. STAFF REPORT
Fazl hopes for ‘favourable’ resolution after meeting PM ‘MADRASAH BILL’
ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
members. The council will comprise 113 youth representatives aged between 10 and 29 and will function as an official body representing youth-led civil society organizations from both the public and private sectors across Pakistan. The NYC’s mandate includes advancing the pro-youth development agenda outlined in the National Youth Development Framework. It aims to advise and facilitate processes for integrating young people into policymaking, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation at all levels of government.
Former finance minister and leader of the Awaam Pakistan Party Miftah Ismail has claimed that Maulana Fazlur Rehman could serve as Prime Minister of Pakistan for a year and a half. Speaking during a programme at a private TV channel, he stated that while discussions are ongoing, it is a positive development that negotiations are taking place, as they help avoid protests and violence. He highlighted that negotiations should continue. Ismail proposed that the only solution to Pakistan’s political issues is holding elections and seeking the public’s opinion through their votes. He further remarked that few politicians in Pakistan hold the stature of Rehman, suggesting that the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) leader could serve as PM for a year and a half. On economic matters, Ismail criticised the government’s stance on privatisation, claiming that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) could have been privatised, but the government lacked the intention to do so. He further attributed the recent upward trend in the stock market to a reduction in interest rates, stressing that the market would continue to rise independently, with no role played by the government. Ismail also pointed out that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had not implemented any new taxes or pension reforms. He accused the PM of prioritising political interests over necessary economic reforms. In terms of imports, the former minister noted a 7% decrease, but he highlighted that the current tax rates are extremely high. He warned that without positive economic indicators, investment in the country would not increase.
ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Friday hoped for a favourable resolution of impasses over Madrasah Registration Bill, claiming that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the law ministry to take immediate practical measures. “PM Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Law Ministry to take immediate measures as per the law and the Constitution regarding the Societies Registration (Amendment) Act 2024”, JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman stated while speaking to the media after a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. “Our party’s stance on the issue was given a “very positive response,” he asserted, claiming that the prime minister “immediately ordered the law ministry to take practical measures at once as per the law and the Constitution” regarding the issue. Fazl held a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Friday with other senior PML-N and PPP officials present as well. Controversy persists in the country related to the new law
passed by parliament which relates to the regulatory affairs of madresahs. President Asif Ali Zardari has yet to grant it presidential assent, prompting the JUIF to criticise ruling coalition parties for using ‘delaying tactics’ regarding the bill. The bill pertains to the registration of seminaries by the relevant deputy commissioner’s office, as it was before 2019. The government and the JUIF both seemed to favour talks in Tuesday’s National Assembly to sort out the controversy surrounding the proposed legislation. “Now it remains to be seen when the practical measures [will be taken]. We hope that they will be as per our demands,” Fazl said, adding that he would apprise the Ittehad Tanzeemat-i-Madaris Pakistan, a federation of the main madrasah oversight bodies in the country, about the situation. “Hopefully we will hear good news about this in a day or two and our demand will be accepted.” Fazl said PM Shehbaz displayed “good spirit” in the meeting that could be trusted, adding that he was hoping the matter would be resolved in line with the law and the Constitution after talks with the premier.
He maintained that the party’s demands were under the law and the Constitution and would be accepted. A statement issued by state broadcaster PTV on X noted that there was “positive progress” on Fazl’s suggestions. It said that PM Shehbaz ordered the quick resolution of the issues. “The Ministry of Law should take steps in accordance with the Constitution and law to resolve this issue,” the statement quoted him as saying. In related development, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik said it would be premature to say where the act would be brought up again for further consideration but assured that Fazl’s reservations would be removed. President Zardari had returned the bill to the National Assembly with certain objections on October 29, before flying to the United Arab Emirates. The bill was approved by the Senate on Oct 20, along with the 26th amendment. It passed through the National Assembly on Oct 21 and was forwarded to the president on Oct 22. When the JUI-F chief learnt of the development, he threatened to launch protests against the government to force it to accept the bill.
Country to face challenges until ‘state engages in political engineering’: Justice Minallah ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Supreme Court’s Justice Athar Minallah remarked on Friday that the “state is focused on toppling and bringing governments”, with all institutions targeting political opponents. The senior SC judge gave these remarks while hearing the bail petition of murder suspect. A threemember bench, headed by Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel, heard the murder case. During the hearing, the top court ordered immediate arrest of murder suspect Ishaq and directed the SP Supreme Court to hand him over to jail authorities after his bail plea was rejected. Justice Athar Minallah remarked that the case had been pending in the apex court since 2017 while the state is focused on toppling and bringing governments, with institutions primarily targeting political opponents. Justice Jamal Mandokhel also commented on the state’s situation, mentioning that three prime ministers had been killed, but there is no clarity on the status of their cases. He also highlighted that even the senior-most judges in Balochistan had been killed without any follow-up. Justice Athar Minallah added that as long as state institutions remain engaged in political engineering, the country will continue facing such challenges. Justice Athar Minallah further criticised the failure to take responsibility for the assassination of a prime minister, stating that it took forty years for the crime to be acknowledged, calling the lack of accountability a significant injustice. Justice Jamal Mandokhel observed that public trust in institutions was dwindling, with people now expecting the Supreme Court to handle all matters.
Court bins acquittal pleas of PTI founder, other leaders in GHQ attack case RAWALPINDI
STAFF REPORT
The Anti-Terrorism Court Rawalpindi on Friday dismissed the acquittal pleas of Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) leaders, including party founder Imran Khan and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, in GHQ attack case of May 9, violent incidents. ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah presided over the hearing and ruled that after the indictment, requests under Section 265-D are no longer effective. The court ruled that the prosecution’s evidence is sufficient to start the trial, and that the indictment of the accused has already been made. On PTI leaders whose pleas were rejected, include: Shibli Faraz, Shahryar Afridi, Kanwal Shauzab, Umar Tanvir Butt, and former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry. Special Public Prosecutor Zaheer Shah argued against the acquittal petitions, while the PTI leaders were represented by lawyers Faisal Farid Chaudhry and Faisal Malik. Additionally, the court rejected requests from the four accused to travel abroad due to incomplete documentation. A day earlier, ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah indicted incarcerated Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, along with 12 others, bringing the total number of indicted suspects in the case to 113. The court has summoned six other accused for trial on Saturday. The GHQ attack case stems from the violent riots that erupted across the country following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan from the Islamabad Court High Court. The protests, which included attacks on military installations and public properties, led to numerous cases being registered against PTI leaders and members, with several facing trials under the Army Act.
KP’s apex committee decides to eliminate bunkers, deweaponise Kurram PESHAWAR
STAFF REPORT
The provincial apex committee on Friday decided to eliminate all bunkers in Kurram district to ensure peace in the volatile region, besides taking a firm stand on de-weaponization of the restive region. The special meeting of KhyberPakhtunkhwa’s Apex Committee, chaired by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, was held to discuss the security situation in the province’s Kurram district. The meeting was attended by the Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi, Corps Commander Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa IGP, chief secretary, and other senior civil and military officials. During the meeting, the participants reviewed and discussed the current situation in Kurram District in detail. The participants were briefed that challenges will remain until the bunkers are removed and weapons are collected, but the situation will improve thereafter. Both the federal and provincial governments agreed on joint actions and collaboration. It was also decided that dialogue with both parties will be conducted through tribal elders. It was further agreed that as the situation
improves, roads and routes will be opened, and the supply of medicines and other essential goods to Kurram will continue. The federal and provincial governments will jointly make decisions to improve the situation. The meeting was briefed on the current situation of restive Kurram region and initiatives taken so far to ensure peace. On the occasion, Interior Minister
Mohsin Naqvi assured CM Gandapur of his support to achieve peace in Kurram. “It is our topmost priority to ensure peace in Kurram. The federal government is ready to enhance the capacity of provincial law enforcement agencies,” interior minister said. Earlier, Chief Minister Gandapur had reiterated that the provincial government was committed to ensuring permanent peace in
Kurram, as per the cabinet’s directive. The decision to eliminate bunkers and weapons was seen as a necessary step toward achieving this goal. Prior to the Apex Committee meeting,
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and K-P Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur held a meeting to address the ongoing law and order crisis in Kurram district, which has seen over 130 deaths from clashes in recent weeks.
PESHAWAR
During the meeting, Naqvi Naqvi emphasised the importance of enhancing the capabilities of law enforcement agencies in the province and reaffirmed that restoring peace in Kurram was a top priority. He also highlighted the need for a long-term peace strategy that includes consultations with all relevant stakeholders. Both Naqvi and Gandapur paid tribute to security personnel who were martyred in the fight against terrorism during their discussions. The apex committee meeting will be held today which would be attended by senior civil and military officials, members of the provincial cabinet, and representatives from the relevant divisional and district administrations.
Naqvi, Gandapur discuss ways to establish peace in Kurram STAFF REPORT
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Friday discussed ways to establish peace in Kurram, with the former offering “every possible cooperation” for the restoration of peace in the restive region. Interior Minister Naqvi met KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur ahead of the provincial apex committee meeting to address the law and order situation in Kurram district. Kurram has been grappling with weeks-long clashes that have left at least 130 people dead and many others wounded or displaced since last month.