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Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 200 I 8 Pages I Lahore Edition
SENATOR IRFAN SIDDIQUI CLARIFIES g BARRISTER GOHAR SAYS CAN RETHINK DECISION THEY DID NOT HALT NEGOTIATIONS, IF JUDICIAL COMMISSION CONSTITUTED TO ASKING PTI TO RETURN TO THE TALKS PROBE MAY 9 AND NOVEMBER 26 EVENTS
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ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
ATIONAL Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has convened a meeting of the government and Opposition’s negotiation committees, with Senator Irfan Siddiqui on Friday said that they did not halt the negotiations, asking the PTI to return to the talks on January 28. According to a notification released by the National Assembly Secretariat on Friday, the NA speaker has convened the in-camera meeting of both the committees on January 28 (Tuesday) at Parliament House’s Committee Room 5 at 11:45 am. This is going to be the fourth round of talks between the two sides. Meanwhile, talking to newsmen outside the Parliament House in Islamabad on Friday, Irfan Siddiqui maintained “No ifs and buts, the PTI should come to the table on January 28.” He said whom should the government talks as the PTI had called off the talks. “Should we talk to the walls in meeting? A man from Adiala Jail abruptly announced that the PTI was not interested in the dialogue process,” he added. Irfan Siddiqui said the government negotiation committee was still unaware of the latest situation because as on the other side only one man controls the entire negotiations process who lacks moral values.
Meanwhile, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan told the newsmen on Friday said the decision to call off the talks can be revisited if the government constitutes a judicial commission to probe May 9 and November 26 events. Gohar said that the PTI had called off the talks with the government but despite passage of seven days the government has failed to announce forming of the judicial commission. He said that the PTI had participated in the negotiations with open mind and put forward their two demands for consideration. Barrister Gohar informed that the PTI will take part in in joint session of the Parliament and will hold protest against laws which will be adopted by the House.
Larger bench formed as sc’s Additional registrar challenges contempt notice ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Additional Registrar (Judicial) of Supreme Court Nazar Abbas has challenged the contempt of court notice issued to him following the controversy cropped up over fixing the case. The apex court has formed a six-member bench, headed by Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail. The members of the bench include Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Shahid Waheed and Justice Musarrat Hilali. The bench will take up the plea of additional registrar, who was removed from the post following the controversy, on Jan 27 (Monday). Earlier, the top court following the controversy regarding fixing the case removed Additional Registrar (Judicial) Nazar Abbas from his post. A notification issued by Additional Registrar (Administration) stated that Nazar Abbas had been made an officer on special duty (OSD). According to the statement, Abbas was found guilty of a blunder by scheduling a constitutional bench case for hearing before a regular bench. The notification further stated that the additional registrar’s action wasted court’s and litigants' time and resources. The registrar of the Supreme Court has been directed to examine the matter. The court also issued a contempt notice to the additional registrar for failing to schedule cases about the powers of constitutional and regular benches. A two-member bench of the Supreme Court on Thursday reserved verdict in the case of contempt of court by the additional registrar. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Aqeel Abbasi heard the contempt of court case and reserved the verdict after hearing multiple arguments. Earlier, in response to the contempt of court notice regarding the rescheduling of the case related to powers of bench, Supreme Court Additional Registrar Nazar Abbas submitted his reply to the show-cause notice.
Govt’s indifference ‘stalled’ negotiations: Gohar ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said talks with the government had been put on “hold” by the party’s founder Imran Khan due to the indifference of the government towards their demands. The PTI chairman revealed it while talking to media at parliament house a day after he announced calling off the negotiations with the government committee. “We had put only two demands but
no action was taken to form judicial commissions in seven days,” he said while asserting that seven days were enough to announce the commission. He said PTI could reconsider talks if the government formed the commission to investigate the May 9 and November 26 incidents. A day earlier, Gohar Ali Khan told media outside Adiala Jail that Imran Khan had directed the party to withdraw from the dialogue amid government’s prevarication on the formation of judicial commissions as demanded by the PTI.
Pakistan to actively pursue Malik Riaz’s extradition from UAE: Kh Asif ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Federal Minister for Defense Khawaja Asif said on Friday that Pakistan would actively pursue the extradition of property tycoon Malik Riaz, a co-accused in the £ 190 million graft case, from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), saying the matter will be discussed at the government level. Addressing a presser here in Islamabad, the defence czar he said, “The state will take action against Malik Riaz and efforts will be made for his extradition as per extradition treaty with the UAE.” The minister said that he was the first to highlight the case of the £190 million, questioning how the money recovered by the UK National Crime Agency could be used to pay the fine imposed by the court on Malik Riaz. He also asserted that “AlQadir Trust is not a university,” implying concerns over its legitimacy and operations. The minister highlighted that for the first time, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had issued a chargesheet against Malik Riaz. He assured that during the current regime, no undue relief would be extended to him. Kh Asif accused Malik Riaz of investing in individuals allegedly involved in terrorism in Pakistan. “There was a time when Malik Riaz claimed he would
never conduct business outside Pakistan, but now he is actively operating in the UAE,” he added. He also alleged that Bahria Town, under Malik Riaz’s leadership, had engaged in illegal land acquisitions and lacked transparency in its dealings. The minister said that no one should expect relief due to changing circumstances, emphasizing that the state had finally acted against Malik Riaz after 25 years. Kh Asif called for a nationallevel investigation into Bahria Town projects and Malik Riaz’s assets. He warned Pakistani investors in Bahria Town’s international ventures of the potential risks involved, asserting that their funds could be jeopardized. “The era when Malik Riaz was untouchable is over,” he said, adding that accountability was now unavoidable.
The minister also criticized the media, accusing some outlets of compromising their integrity and failing to address public issues. “Malik Riaz, a name once untouchable by the media, is now being held accountable,” he said. He accused the media of being complicit in Riaz’s alleged crimes, pointing to conversations among TV anchors as evidence of corruption in journalism, politics, and the judiciary. “For over 30 years, this system thrived with Malik Riaz acquiring lands across Pakistan and securing approvals for his societies. These deals implicated many influential individuals,” he said. He alleged that Bahria Town’s nationwide transactions involved illegal encroachments on lands belonging to orphans, widows, and the poor.
ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed MNA Junaid Akbar Khan, representing the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), was elected as Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Friday. The election for the PAC chairman had been delayed for over a year due to political disagreements between the PTI and the government following the February 2024 elections. An emergent PAC meeting was held after the PTIbacked SIC submitted a panel of candidates at the government’s request. Junaid Akbar Khan’s name, proposed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PMLN) Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, faced no opposition, resulting in his unanimous selection. Junaid Akbar Khan is a three-time Member of the National Assembly, having secured 113,513 votes in the 2024 general elections from NA-9 Malakand as a PTI-backed independent candidate. He defeated PPP’s Syed Ahmad Ali Shah, who received 40,740 votes.
govt rushes 4 bills as joint parliamentary session lasts 18 minutes ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The government rushed four bills through the joint session of the parliament on Friday that lasted 18 minutes amid vociferous protest by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and its ally the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), forcing the speaker to adjourn the house till February 12. The joint session began an hour late with National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in the chair. Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Nawaz Sharif, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Sherry Rehman and others attended the session. Bilawal reached the house after the session ended. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) members were also present in the house. PTI parliamentarian carried placards in the house and continued protest vigorously during the session. The members of the opposition sought permission to speak on a point of order but the speaker refused to give the microphone to the opposition leader. The opposition protested against the speaker’s attitude and raised slogans against the PECA amendment. They stood on the seats and later threw the copies of agenda on speaker’s desk. The opposition members also demanded release of PTI founder Imran Khan. Later, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal tabled the Trade Regulations Amendment Bill 2021 and the Import and Export Regulation Amendment Bill 2023 in the house, which were approved. Senator Manzoor Kakar presented the National Excellence Institute Bill 2024 which was also approved. The house also approved the National Institute of Technology Bill 2024 by a majority vote. According to the agenda of the session, a total of eight bills were to be presented in the joint meeting. But four bills were tabled in the session which were approved. The postponed bills include the National Commission for Human Development Amendment Bill 2023, the NFC Institute of Engineering and Technology Multan Amendment Bill 2023, the National Skills University Islamabad Amendment Bill 2023 and the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology Islamabad Amendment Bill 2023. Four Bills Approved, Four Deferred Out of the eight bills presented during the session, four were approved while four were deferred. Approved bills include :Trade Organisations Amendment Bill 2021; National Institute of Technology Bill 2023; National Excellence Institute Bill 2024 and Imports and Exports Regulation Amendment Bill 2023. Deferred Bills: National Commission for Human Development Amendment Bill 2023; NFC Institute of Engineering and Technology Multan Amendment Bill 2023; National Skills University Islamabad Amendment Bill 2023; Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science, and Technology Islamabad Amendment Bill 2023.
PM forms committee to boost government efficiency and address bureaucratic redundancies g
20-MEMBER PANEL LED BY ISHAQ DAR TO ASSESS PERFORMANCE, PROPOSE REFORMS, AND ENHANCE INTER-DEPARTMENTAL COLLABORATION PROFIT
MONITORING DESK
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has established a 20-member committee under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar to enhance government efficiency and address bureaucratic redundancies. The committee is tasked with proposing frameworks to enable inter-departmental collaboration and evidence-based policymaking while addressing national priorities. According to a news report, the committee, comprising federal ministers, technocrats, businessmen, and current and former officials, reflects the government’s focus on adopting a “whole-of-government approach,” similar to the model used for the
Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). Among its members are politicians like Senator Sherry Rehman, former Revenue Minister Haroon Akhtar Khan, and governance expert Zubair Bhatti. However, the Cabinet Division faced criticism after issuing a corrigendum to its original notification, which mistakenly referred to Jahanzeb Khan, secretary of the SIFC apex committee, as Pakistan’s Alternate Executive Director to the World Bank. The correction clarified Khan’s status as a retired BS-22 officer, while Dr. Tauqir Shah remains in his current role as Alternate Executive Director until January 29, after which he will rejoin the government as part of the PM’s administration. The committee’s mandate includes
evaluating the Federal Secretariat’s performance, identifying overlaps and inefficiencies, and integrating global best practices like Singapore and New Zealand’s lean government frameworks. It will also focus on incentivizing high performance through transparent, merit-based evaluation linked to promotions and professional development. To modernize governance, the committee will recommend upgrading the existing e-office system into an advanced Management Information System, featuring realtime tracking, analytics, and decision-support tools to promote accountability and efficiency. It will also propose revisions to the Secretariat Instructions 2004 to integrate digital tools and systems.
A report outlining the committee’s recommendations is expected within a month. Ishaq Dar, who chairs over two dozen committees in addition to his responsibilities as Foreign Minister, will oversee the reform initiative.
Sources suggest that the government aims to streamline decision-making processes and improve the Federal Secretariat’s effectiveness while aligning reforms with international best practices to address Pakistan’s pressing governance challenges.