Month: July 2023

In order to change the nation’s fate, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has vowed to break the begging bowl by curtailing the government’s expenses.

He made the remarks while addressing an inaugural and groundbreaking ceremony of eight development projects in the energy and communication sectors in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan on Tuesday.

A day earlier, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir had also underscored the need for making the country’s economy self-reliant to end dependence on foreign loans, saying: “All Pakistanis must throw out the begging bowl.”

Addressing the event, PM Shehbaz said despite history’s most difficult period, the coalition government had steered the country out of the economic crisis.

“During the last 16 months, the incumbent government faced the most difficult challenges like the devastating flood that hit the country soon after it took charge of the office,” he added.

The premier said, “We faced the devastating flood on one side, and inflation, the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) pressure, and political crisis on the other. Such challenging problems have never been faced by me in my whole life.”

He said all the coalition government parties had unanimously decided to ensure economic stability at all costs, including their politics. Such a resolve on their part helped the government to bring the country out of the crisis, the PM said, adding that there was record wheat production in a decade, which saved billions of dollars.

‘Opposition had wished for the country’s default’

Berating the PTI, the premier said that Imran Khan exploited his own created situation which he used for political gains at the country’s cost.

The PM said political opponents had wished for the country’s default, which by the blessings of the Almighty Allah reverted due to the efforts of the incumbent government.

PM Shehbaz said that had the former regimes fully utilised the country’s rich resources such as hydro power the country might have had affordable and clean energy, and stressed overhaul of the faulty power transmission system causing over Rs400 billion annual losses to the national exchequer.

A comprehensive plan of the Pakistan Green Initiative had been undertaken to take the country to new heights of development and prosperity, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman thanked the prime minister for his personal interest in ensuring the development of the area.

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had laid the foundation of many mega projects, which the PTI government seized hampering economic development, he added.

Fazl said industrial estates being established in Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan would change the fate of the people of the area.

Just a day after demonstrators desecrated the Holy Book in front of the Iraqi embassy in Denmark, more copies of the Quran were burnt in front of the Egyptian and Turkish embassies in Copenhagen Tuesday, anguishing Muslims all over the world.

In a statement indicating clean-chit to the perpetrators of such acts under so-called freedom of speech, Denmark and Sweden said they deplore the burning but cannot prevent it as it falls under rules of “protecting freedom of speech”.

Protestors last week, lit up the Swedish embassy in the Iraqi capital Baghdad as a response to the unholy act, which enraged billions of Muslims, according to a Reuters report.

Tuesday’s demonstration in Copenhagen by a group called “Danish Patriots” followed Quran burnings the group staged Monday and last week in front of the Iraqi embassy. Two such incidents have taken place in Sweden over the past month.

Iraq’s foreign ministry Monday called on authorities of EU countries to “quickly reconsider so-called freedom of expression and the right to demonstrate in light of the Quran burnings.”

Turkey Monday said it strongly condemned what it called a “despicable attack” on the Quran and called on Denmark to take necessary measures to prevent this “hate crime” against Islam.

The Egyptian foreign ministry Tuesday summoned Sweden’s charge d’affaires to condemn the desecration of the Qurans.

“People benefit from an extended freedom of speech when they demonstrate,” University of Copenhagen law Professor Trine Baumbach told Reuters, explaining Danish laws.

“It does not just include verbal expression. People can express themselves in various ways, such as through the burning of items.”

The organizer of Monday’s demonstration in Copenhagen stomped on the Quran and set it alight in a tin foil tray next to the Iraqi flag on the ground.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Saturday that people who desecrate the Quran should face the “most severe punishment”

Weeks earlier, Pope Francis also condemned the burning of the Holy Quran in Sweden, in June saying that the vile act had “angered and disgusted” him.

“Any book considered holy should be respected to respect those who believe in it,” the pope said in an interview with the United Arab Emirates newspaper Al Ittihad.

“Freedom of speech should never be used as a means to despise others and allowing that is rejected and condemned.”

His absence had sparked a storm of speculation that Qin, considered a confidant of President Xi Jinping, had fallen from grace or was subject to an official investigation.

“China’s top legislature voted to appoint Wang Yi as foreign minister… as it convened a session on Tuesday,” state media outlet Xinhua said.

“Qin Gang was removed from the post of foreign minister.”

The report did not give a reason for Qin’s removal but said Xi had signed a presidential order to enact the decision.

China has remained tight-lipped for weeks about the fate of Qin, who has not been seen in public since June 25 when he met Russia’s deputy foreign minister Andrey Rudenko in Beijing.

Asked repeatedly about Qin on Tuesday, foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told journalists that she had “no information” to offer and insisted that “China’s diplomatic activities are steadily moving forward”.

The ministry had previously said “health reasons” were to blame for Qin’s absence.

But that did little to stem an explosion of rumours online, some of which claimed Qin was under official investigation for an alleged affair with a prominent television anchor.

Originally from the northeastern city of Tianjin, Qin frequently rubbed shoulders with Xi in an earlier role as chief of the foreign ministry’s protocol department.

His promotion over more experienced candidates, first to US ambassador and then foreign minister, was attributed to the trust placed in him by Xi directly.

Qin had replaced Wang as foreign minister in December last year.

A fluent English speaker, Qin was a visible presence in Washington through public and media appearances in which he defended the Chinese geopolitical position.

He also previously served as a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, where he gained a reputation for caustic responses to difficult questions from journalists.

Over the past month, many of Qin’s duties had been taken on by Wang, China’s top diplomat who leads the ruling Communist Party’s foreign policy and outranks Qin in the government hierarchy.

Even so, the absence had left a vacuum at the top of China’s foreign ministry.

A visit to Beijing by the European Union’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell was abruptly called off this month.

And Bloomberg reported on Friday that a visit by UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly was also postponed due to Qin’s situation.

One of the most alarming aspects of this scandal is the special treatment given to officers above the rank of colonel when it comes to free liquor concessions from the Canteen Stores Department (CSD).

While the youth serving in the army were only entitled to four bottles, there was no such restriction imposed on higher-ranking officers. This led to a disturbing trend of officers selling free liquor in the market, profiting from a perk meant for their personal use.

The issue of military officers paying less tax has also raised eyebrows.

Through obscure legislative provisions, some officers have managed to exploit loopholes and evade a fair share of their tax responsibilities.

Another scandal that has shaken the public’s faith in the Indian Army is the revelation of officers grabbing free “ration”. The intended purpose of this food is to provide sustenance to those serving in challenging and often remote areas. However, some officers have been taking advantage of this system for personal gain.

Perhaps one of the most heart-wrenching incidents linked to this corruption web is the embezzlement of funds meant for the purchase of coffins for soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the Kargil War. It has been reported that three officers, including a major general, siphoned off millions of rupees from these funds.

The allegations of officers misappropriating funds for the purchase of a helicopter meant for the Indian Air Force in 2013 is yet another distressing revelation.

ISLAMABAD: The Senate, on a private members day, passed the ‘Contempt of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) Bill 2023’, aiming to criminalise individuals who commit contempt of parliament or its committees, as well as those who breach the privileges of any legislator.

During the Senate session, the bill was tabled on the floor as part of a supplementary agenda and subsequently passed through a voice vote. There were, interestingly, no objections from the opposition benches against the bill when the chair proposed it for approval.

The National Assembly had already passed the bill.

As per the draft law’s provisions, offenders may be imprisoned for up to six months, a fine of up to Rs1 million, or both, once the president grants assent and it officially becomes an act of the parliament.

Four senators from Balochistan and one from Punjab, Kauda Babar, Naseebullah Bazai, Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti, Prince Ahmed Umer Ahmedzai and Rana Mahmoodul Hassan, respectively, raised objections as the house was adopting it without having been sent to the standing committee concerned for consideration, deliberations and report.

Minister of State for Law Senator Shahadat Awan of PPP said that the NA has already passed the bill unanimously and should be put to vote without being sent to the standing committee, to which Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani agreed.

It is significant that the parliament has passed the draft law at a time when there is serious tension between the executive and judiciary over the powers and formation of benches in the apex court.

Under the draft law, the parliamentary contempt committee, to be formed by the NA Speaker, will consist of five members, three from NA and two from Senate, whereas the secretary NA will act as the secretary of the contempt committee.

The proposed law empowers the speaker to constitute the contempt committee within 30 days of coming into force of this law. Two members each from the NA and Senate will be nominated by the leaders of the house and opposition in both houses and one member of the NA to be nominated by the speaker.

The committee is empowered to award punishments by a majority decision. According to the bill, whoever commits contempt under this Act, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with a fine which may extend to one million rupees or both.

“The contempt committee shall have powers as vested in civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure for enforcing the attendance of any person and compelling the production of documents,” the bill reads.

Moreover, all proceedings before the committee shall be quasi-judicial, and any document produced and evidence recorded by the committee shall not be admissible in evidence in any court.

Section 10 of the bill states that any decision of a House shall be executed and enforced by a district magistrate within whose territorial jurisdiction the accused is temporarily residing under relevant provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898. Any appeal against the decision under this law may be filed within 30 days before the speaker NA or the chairman Senate.

The privilege committee of either house shall prepare its report within 60 days with recommendations on the matter of breach of privilege or contempt of parliament and its report shall be laid in the respective house for its decision to refer the matter to the contempt committee.

The chair deferred a bill, moved by PTI Senator Dr Sania Nishtar, concerning the vendors. The bill provides for protection of street vendors livelihood (The Rehribaan, Street Vendors) Livelihood Protection Bill, 2023.

Unleashing power of gender equality

The House passed a resolution, moved by Dr Sania, recognising the importance of commemorating World Population Day on July 11 each year, as designated by the United Nations to highlight the significance of population issues.

The resolution says that acknowledging that the theme for World Population Day 2023 “unleashing the power of gender equality: Uplifting the voices of women and girls to unlock our world’s infinite possibilities,” is particularly relevant to Pakistan and other developing countries where there is an urgent need to prioritize the rights, well-being and empowerment of women and girls.

The resolution showed concern that as the world’s fifth most populous country, Pakistan’s population is projected to reach 403 million by 2050 which is expected to contribute to challenges such as poverty and unemployment, food scarcity and water crisis, housing shortages, healthcare access and human capital development, depletion of natural resources and environmental degradation.

The resolution urged upon the government to engage in multi-sectoral collaboration, involving all governmental agencies including provincial governments, civil society organizations and relevant stakeholders to work collectively towards achieving sustainable population growth and gender equality”. The House will now resume today (Tuesday) at 10:30am.

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken Monday spoke to Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari over Pakistan’s economy and Afghanistan-related issues.

Pakistan has been facing rising cross-border terrorism, with local authorities blaming Kabul for harbouring terrorists — especially the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

According to State Department’s spokesperson Matthew Miller, Secretary Blinken reaffirmed a “productive US-Pakistan partnership” in a phone conversation with FM Bilawal.

The secretary noted the Pakistani people have suffered tremendously from terrorist attacks and affirmed the United States’ commitment to continued partnership with Pakistan on counterterrorism.

The secretary and foreign minister also discussed the destabilising effects of Russia’s war against Ukraine as well as the United States and Pakistan’s shared interest in a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.

The call came hours after US Central Command (Centcom) chief, General Michael Erik Kurilla, discussed the regional security situation with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir during a meeting in Rawalpindi.

Apart from the regional security situation, matters of mutual interest and defence cooperation were also discussed, the military’s media wing mentioned in a statement.

Both nations — Pakistan and US — have called on war-torn Afghanistan to ensure that its soil isn’t used as a safe haven by terrorists.

The US had last week reiterated that the Afghan Taliban must ensure that their country isn’t used for terror attacks, while the Pakistan Army’s top brass said that sanctuaries and liberty of action available to terrorists of proscribed TTP and other groups of that ilk in Afghanistan is one of the major reasons impacting the security of Islamabad.

Economy

During the call with FM Bilawal, Secretary Blinken underscored the United States steadfast commitment to the people of Pakistan, highlighting that the economic success of Pakistan remains a top priority for the US.

The secretary noted that the US would continue to engage with Pakistan through technical and development initiatives and through our robust trade and investment ties.

He also welcomed the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) approval of a programme to support Pakistan and encouraged continued reforms to promote economic recovery and prosperity.

Secretary Blinken stressed that democratic principles and respect for the rule of law are central to the US-Pakistan relationship and these values will continue to guide this partnership forward.

The lender approved a much-awaited $3 billion bailout for Pakistan earlier this month, a move that’s saved the nation from defaulting on its debt repayments. Pakistan sought the United States’ help in convincing the IMF to approve the loan.

Black Sea Grain Initiative

Separately, the foreign minister held a telephone conversation with European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.

Expressing Pakistan’s concerns over the expiry of the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI), the foreign minister said that the resulting food inflation and food security-related challenges would adversely impact developing countries like Pakistan, which were already under economic pressure.

The deal allowing the safe Black Sea export of Ukraine’s grain expired last week after Russia quit and warned it could not guarantee the safety of ships.

According to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, millions of people facing hunger will “pay the price” of Russia’s decision to exit the Ukraine grain deal, and the move will “strike a blow to people in need everywhere”.

FM Bilawal had, in a presser alongside his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, also said that it was “in the world’s interest” to restore the grain initiative.

The foreign minister, during the call, told Blinken that he had also spoken to his Ukrainian and Turkish counterparts on this subject.

He hoped that efforts aimed at reviving the initiative would come to fruition through dialogue and constructive engagement, accommodating the concerns of all parties.

The foreign minister requested the EU High Representative to play his role to help find a solution that would allow the renewal of BSGI, and conveyed Pakistan’s readiness to contribute to collective efforts in that regard.