Category: Internal Affairs

This category covers all news related Internal Affairs

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NZ authorities’ talk of compensating for the lost series encouraging: Khurram Nawaz Gandapur 

Lahore, September 22, 2021 (PPI-OT):PAT Secretary-General Khurram Nawaz Gandapur has said that Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision to not boycott the New Zealand cricket team in the upcoming T20 world is responsible. He said the NZ’s sudden pull-out from a series with Pakistan is past now and there is a need to move forward. He said that both sides need to work together to bridge the trust deficit.

Khurram Nawaz Gandapur said that it is indeed encouraging that NZ cricket authorities have spoken of the ways and means to address the situation arising out of the unfortunate incident of cancellation of the NZ tour of Pakistan.

In a statement, the PAT Secretary-General said that Pakistan cricket has been facing conspiracies for the last decade or so. He said many declared and hidden enemies of Pakistan do not want to see the revival of cricket in the country, adding that they want to see the abrupt cancellation of the cricket series spiral over into a dispute. He said that Pakistan needs to keep an eye on such mischievous elements.

Khurram Nawaz Gandapur said that Pakistan’s legal and moral position on the postponement of the series is quite strong and added that we do not need to come up with an overly emotional response. He said that sports should remain above politics.

PAT Secretary-General said that there seems to be a real concern in the statement of the NZ government and cricket authorities which also shows that even they are not happy with the decision of the postponement of the series. He however recommended a diplomatic engagement for the resolution of all contentious issues.

For more information, contact:
Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT)
365-M, Model Town,
Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-111-140-140
Email: info@pat.com.pk
Website: www.pat.com.pk

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Pakistan is striving for a just solution to the Kashmir issue and is effectively highlighting the issue at every forum: Ch Parvez Elahi 

Lahore, September 22, 2021 (PPI-OT):Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry, President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir called on Speaker Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Parvez Elahi in the Assembly Chamber. The five-member parliamentary delegation from Azad Jammu and Kashmir included Deputy Speaker Riaz Gujjar, MLAs Dewan Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din and Hafiz Hamid Raza.

Barrister Sultan Mehmood Ch congratulated on making the new building functional and paid homage to Ch Parvez Elahi for adorning the House with Quranic verses and hadiths regarding Khatm-e-Nubawwat (PBUH). Mutual interest, especially parliamentary matters, were discussed during the meeting. Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly Sardar Dost Muhammad Mazari and Secretary Punjab Assembly Muhammad Khan Bhatti were also present in the meeting.

During the meeting, Ch Parvez Elahi said that Pakistan is striving for a just solution to the Kashmir issue and was effectively highlighting the issue at every forum. He said that Kashmiri brothers are not alone in their struggle for independence but every child of Pakistan stood by them.

President Azad Jammu and Kashmir Barrister Sultan Mehmood Ch said that India has defeated all the atrocities of human history to crush the Kashmiris’ independence movement. “Issues such as health, education and terrorism can only be overcome through collective efforts,” he said. He further said that Kashmiri people were making all kinds of sacrifices to get rid of the clutches of India.

Ch Parvez Elahi said that Kashmiris could not be deprived of their right to freedom through oppression and tyranny. He hoped that the present government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir would be instrumental in resolving the Kashmir issue and bring development and prosperity to Azad Kashmir.

The Speaker said that despite the passage of 74 years, India has been occupying Kashmir aggressively despite the referendum. The third generation of Kashmiris has become young while fighting for freedom from the chains of slavery. More than one lac Kashmiris have been martyred. Later, the Speaker Punjab Assembly also took the President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir on a tour of the new House and various departments of the Punjab Assembly.

For more information, contact:
Mediacell, Pakistan Muslim League
30-C, Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi Road,
Gulberg-II, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-35878428
Fax: +92-42-35877329
Website: www.pmlmediacell.com

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Even the foreign consultant stated that i-voting at the present stage, does not meet the standards required to hold free and fair elections: Senator Taj Haider

Islamabad, September 21, 2021 (PPI-OT):Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Senate on Parliamentary Affairs, Senator Taj Haider has said in a press statement issued today that the criticism on Election Commission of Pakistan for not conducting pilot projects on i-voting or voting machines was completely misplaced and in order to clear the confusion that has been created it was necessary that the record on the pilot projects undertaken by the ECP should be set straight.

As also mentioned in the Report of the Senate Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs ECP in December 2018 had submitted its Reports on Pilot Tests on i-voting in 35 constituencies and its Report on Biometric Verification Machines (BVMs) tested in NA 120.

Senator Taj Haider said it was unfortunate that neither of the two Houses of the Parliament took up these Reports for discussion in the last 33 months in order to give directions in this regard to the ECP. Instead the Government appointed a foreign consultant to give his opinion on the Report on i-voting. The foreign consultant also gave their opinion that i-voting at the present stage did not meet the standards required for holding free and fair elections.

The real tragedy is that consensus reached in the Senate Standing Committee on the two Electoral Reform Bills which was to be transformed into positive recommendations was torpedoed by an Advisor and a Minister. The Government staged a walkout in the Committee on its own Bills and the difference of opinion if any has now been converted into attacks on the person of Honourable Chief Election Commissioner. Why are some people afraid of consensus and why are they prepared to go down to any level in order to sabotage consensus is not understood, Senator Taj Haider concluded.

For more information, contact:
PPP Media Cell (Sindh)
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)
Peoples Secretariat Shikarpur Colony,
Behind Mazar-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Karachi, Pakistan
Cell: +92-305-3370383
Email: contact@ppp-tu.com
Website: https://www.ppp.org.pk

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Pakistan is concerned by the potential blowback of the development in Afghanistan: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari

Islamabad, September 21, 2021 (PPI-OT):There have been complaints from journalists in Afghanistan, the women are protesting for their rights. We are concerned that the girls are not being allowed to go to secondary school. We continue to encourage the new regime in Afghanistan to live up to international expectations if they want international recognition. This was said by the Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in an interview to the BBC World on Tuesday.

Chairman PPP said that as soon as the situation in Afghanistan developed, Pakistan Peoples Party called for the government of Pakistan to hold a session of the parliament. As with various issues in our country, we have been unable to form a national consensus. We require an inclusive foreign policy that is per the will of the parliament not of any individual.

Responding to a question Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said Pakistan’s influence over Afghanistan is often exaggerated, however, Pakistan should play its role in encouraging an inclusive government in Afghanistan, for the protection women and children there. We should work with international agents to ensure that Afghan land is not used to promote terrorism in the region.

The interviewer asked a question about the civilian government having little say in matters, to which Chairman Bilawal responded by saying that it is true that the democratic space in Pakistan is shrinking, especially during Imran Khan’s government. In order for that space to be regained, it is the choice of democratic people of the country to play an active role in the political system, through the parliament and media. The role of various agencies in Afghanistan over the past two decades will be discussed in history. Everyone seems to be blaming one another, but it is important to work together for a positive outcome for the sake of the region. For the women and youth of Afghanistan who have so much potential, it is worrisome that their potential is in danger.

Chairman PPP further said that we are very concerned about the potential blowbacks of the developments in Afghanistan as well as the links between Tehreek e Taliban Afghanistan and Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan. We have suffered immensely at the hands of violent extremism. I lost my mother, the former Prime Minister Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto to Islamic extremism within Pakistan. In order to counter the threat of extremism, we need determination from the government of Pakistan to ensure no space for terrorism or extremism.

He said that what we have learned from Afghanistan is that extremism is not battled with bombs alone but ideas and opportunities. We have to provide for the people of Pakistan who have a stake in the political and economic system. When there is this sort of deprivation, all sorts of negative influences can take advantage of the situation.

The people of Pakistan and Afghanistan are both exhausted due to the war, we hope for the best but should also prepare for the worst. We are already seeing an increase in the activities of TTP within Pakistan. It is important to see how we can prevent, as termed by the UNDP the ‘economic disaster from developing in 2022’. 90 percent of the people of Afghanistan are prophesized to be below the poverty line by then, we have to tackle this issue through the United Nations to ensure that the vulnerable people, ethnic minorities and women of Afghanistan receive aid.

Chairman Bilawal said that he welcomes what Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed in his interview to the BBC that is only recognizing the Taliban government after international consensus. While I welcome the approach, I hope he creates that consensus within Pakistan. The Pakistani parliament unfortunately has not met ever since the recent developments in Pakistan, stakeholders within Pakistan have not been consulted with.

For more information, contact:
PPP Media Cell (Sindh)
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)
Peoples Secretariat Shikarpur Colony,
Behind Mazar-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Karachi, Pakistan
Cell: +92-305-3370383
Email: contact@ppp-tu.com
Website: https://www.ppp.org.pk

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KP Assembly takes up entire agenda, adopts two resolutions 

Islamabad, September 20, 2021 (PPI-OT):The Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) took up entire agenda and adopted two resolutions on Monday, observes Fee and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

Following are key observations of the House proceedings during the 15th sitting of 20th session:

Members’ Participation

The House met for two hours and 57 minutes.

The sitting started at 03:20 pm against the scheduled time of 02:00 pm.

The speaker chaired the proceedings for an hour and 50 minutes while the remaining sitting was chaired by a member of panel of chairpersons.

The deputy speaker was not present.

The leaders of the House (Chief Minister) and the opposition were absent.

As many as 53 MPAs (37 percent) were present at the outset and 55 (38 percent) at the adjournment of the sitting.

The parliamentary leader of ANP, PML-N and BAP attended the proceedings.

Three out of four minority lawmakers attended the sitting.

Output

The House adopted two resolutions demanding restoration of direct flights from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia and reduction of property tax in Abbottabad Cantonment area.

The House passed the West Pakistan Motor Vehicles Taxation (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

Representation and Responsiveness

The House took up six out of ten starred questions, while the lawmakers asked three supplementary questions.

The House took up two calling attention notices (CANs) regarding exam issue in Khyber Medical
University Peshawar and hydro power projects of the province.

Five lawmakers and the Minister for labour debated an adjournment motion regarding use of electronic voting machines in elections. They spoke on it for 58 minutes.

A privilege motion of an MMAP lawmaker against Section Officer, Auqaf Department was referred to the relevant committee.

A lawmaker belonging to MMAP withdrew his privilege motion.

Order and Institutionalization

The House was adjourned to meet again on Monday, October 4, 2021 at 02:00 pm.

Transparency

‘Orders of the Day’ was available for the legislators, observers and the media.

Attendance of the lawmakers was not available for the observers and the media.

For more information, contact:
Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN)
FAFEN Representative
FAFEN Secretariat 224, Margalla Road F-10/3 – Islamabad
Tel: +92-51-2211026
Fax: +92-51-2211047
Cell: +92-321-5017355, +92-301-8549188
Email: media@fafen.org
URL: www.fafen.org

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National Assembly leaves 95 percent agenda unaddressed 

Islamabad, September 20, 2021 (PPI-OT):The National Assembly left 95 percent agenda unaddressed on Monday amidst absence of the Leaders of the House and the Opposition, observes Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet.

Following are key observations of the proceedings during 2nd sitting of the 36th session:

Members’ Participation

The National Assembly met for an hour and 21 minute; however, the proceedings remained suspended for 31 minutes due to prayer break.

The sitting started at 05:50 pm against the scheduled time of 05:00 pm.

The speaker chaired the entire sitting.

The deputy speaker was not present.

The leaders of the house (Prime Minister) and the opposition did not attend the sitting.

As many as 53 (15 percent) lawmakers were present at the outset and 78 (23 percent) at the adjournment of the sitting.

Six minority lawmakers were present.

Output

Tabled by Minister of state for parliamentary affairs, the House unanimously adopted a resolution to express sorrow over the demise of former Chief Minister Balochistan Sardar Attaullah Mengal.

The House did not consider five government bills including the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2019; the Higher Education Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2021; the Higher Education Commission (Second Amendment) Bill, 2021; the Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (Amendment) Bill, 2021 and the Evacuee Trust Properties (Management and Disposal) (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

Two Ordinances including the Federal Government Properties Management Authority Ordinance, 2021, the Elections (Third Amendment) Ordinance, 2021 and three statutory reports were not laid.

Two reports of standing committee on finance and revenue regarding the Government Savings Bank (Amendment) Bill, 2021 and the Post Office National Savings Certificates (Amendment) Bill, 2021 were not considered.

Representation and Responsiveness

The House took up four out of 41 starred questions. In addition, the lawmakers asked eight supplementary questions.

The House did not take up two calling attention notices regarding performance of different institutions falling under the control of Ministry of Industries and Production and unscheduled electricity load-shedding in District Kasur.

Order and Institutionalization

A lawmaker spoke on a point of order for one minute.

The House was adjourned to meet on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 at 04:00 pm.

Transparency

‘Orders of the Day’ was available to legislators, observers and public.

Attendance of lawmakers was available to media and observers.

For more information, contact:
Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN)
FAFEN Representative
FAFEN Secretariat 224, Margalla Road F-10/3 – Islamabad
Tel: +92-51-2211026
Fax: +92-51-2211047
Cell: +92-321-5017355, +92-301-8549188
Email: media@fafen.org
URL: www.fafen.org