Category: Internal Affairs

Islamabad, President Asif Ali Zardari emphasized the need for an expedited conclusion of the Transit Trade Agreement with Turkmenistan, aiming to strengthen the economic and cooperative ties between Pakistan and Turkmenistan. This move is anticipated to broaden trade avenues, enhance regional connectivity, and boost economic activities within the area.

According to Pakistan Peoples Party, the President shared these remarks during a meeting with Mr. Atadjan Movlamov, the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Pakistan, at Aiwan-e-Sadr. The ambassador extended his congratulations to President Zardari on his re-election, marking the occasion as a stepping stone for further diplomatic and economic engagements between the two nations.

Both parties expressed a mutual interest in the swift completion of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) Gas Pipeline project. This project is not only expected to support Pakistan’s growing energy needs but also to contribute significantly to the country’s economic stability.

President Zardari highlighted the deep-rooted historical, cultural, and religious ties that form the foundation of the relationship between Pakistan and Turkmenistan. He advocated for increased high-level exchanges to rejuvenate bilateral relations and expressed a keen interest in bolstering mutually beneficial cooperation.

Reflecting on the trade relations, the President pointed out the necessity to amplify the current trade volume to achieve mutual prosperity. He fondly recollected his visits to Turkmenistan, including his participation in the TAPI Summit in 2010 and the 4th International Nauroze Festival in 2013, as landmarks in the diplomatic journey of the two countries.

The Turkmen Ambassador relayed the warm wishes of Turkmenistan’s leadership, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and former President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, to President Zardari. He underscored the significance of the Transit Trade Agreement, not just for the bilateral relations but for the regional trade dynamics it is poised to enhance.

President Zardari’s discussions with the Turkmen Ambassador underscore a shared vision for a future marked by strengthened bilateral relations, economic cooperation, and regional connectivity.

Karachi, The Pasban Democratic Party (PDP) has voiced strong opposition against the provincial governments’ reliance on private bank loans for wheat procurement, stressing that such practices squander public funds and enrich banks at the expense of the people. In a statement, PDP Chairman Altaf Shakoor criticized the banking sector for operating at the detriment of consumers and the government, likening the situation to historical exploitation by colonial powers.

According to Pasban Democratic Party, Shakoor highlighted the annual expenditure of billions of rupees paid by provincial governments to private banks as interest on loans. He argued that this money could be better used for the welfare of the poor if the government utilized its own resources for essential purchases like wheat. The statement called for an urgent overhaul of the banking sector to prevent private banks from acting as modern-day East India companies, exploiting consumers and the government through high-interest loans.

Shakoor pointed out the skewed policies of the State Bank of Pakistan, which he believes favor private banks at the expense of the country’s populace. He underscored the necessity of breaking the “deadly debt trap” facing the government and its citizens, criticizing the lack of political advocacy for consumer rights within Pakistan.

The PDP’s statement also referred to a report indicating Pakistan’s banking sector has one of the highest spreads in the world, exacerbated by the central bank’s policy rate reaching an all-time high of 22 percent. This has significantly widened the gap between the interest rates on loans and the returns on deposits, further burdening the economy and its people.

Shakoor’s call to action includes urging central and provincial governments to devise mechanisms to reduce their dependency on bank loans, particularly for operational needs like wheat procurement. He emphasized that saving taxpayer money should be a top priority, advocating for pro-consumer banking reforms to foster a culture of consumer rights protection in Pakistan.

The Pasban Democratic Party’s critique of the banking sector and the government’s financial practices sheds light on the broader economic challenges facing Pakistan, calling for reforms to safeguard the interests of the poor and promote fiscal responsibility.

Karachi, The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has announced a new date for the public meeting originally scheduled for April 4, in observance of the martyrdom anniversary of its founder Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. The decision to hold the event on April 14 comes as a mark of respect for the holy month of Ramzan.

According to Pakistan Peoples Party, the gathering will now take place at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari slated to deliver a pivotal speech to party supporters and attendees from across the country. The move signifies the party’s continued veneration for its late leader and its commitment to engage with its constituents during a time of reflection and piety.

Islamabad, In a strategic move ahead of the Senate elections, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has finalized its list of candidates representing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The decision was reached during a meeting led by PPP stalwart Ms. Faryal Talpur, following the directives of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. The meeting also saw the withdrawal of two previously nominated candidates in favor of party unity and strategy.

According to Pakistan Peoples Party, the committee’s session was attended by notable party leaders including Syed Khursheed Ahmad Shah, Muhammad Ali Shah Bacha, Shuja Khan, and Faisal Karim Kundi. Faisal Karim Kundi, the Information Secretary of the PPP, announced the withdrawal of Fida Muhammad Khan and Qaizar Khan Miankhel from their Senate candidacies. Their decision to step down came under the guidance of the party’s leadership, aiming to consolidate the PPP’s position in the electoral contest.

Fida Muhammad Khan, initially running for a general seat, and Qaizar Khan Miankhel, vying for the technocrat seat, have made way for new nominees as part of the party’s broader electoral strategy. The PPP leadership has named Talha Mahmood as its candidate for the general seat, while Rubina Khalid has been chosen to contest the seat reserved for women in the Senate elections from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

This announcement comes at a crucial time as political parties finalize their preparations for the Senate elections, strategizing to enhance their representation in the upper house of Pakistan’s Parliament. The PPP’s latest nominations reflect its ongoing efforts to strengthen its legislative team and uphold party interests in the competitive political landscape of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Karachi, In a recent gathering at Jamia Masjid Noorani Garden West in Karachi, Faqir Malik Muhammad Shakeel Qasmi, the General Secretary of Jamiat Ulema Pakistan Karachi, emphasized the sanctity and significance of the Holy Qur’an, urging the Muslim community to delve deeper into its teachings and make it a guiding code of life. The event, which marked the completion of the Holy Qur’an recitation, drew attention to the importance of understanding the Qur’an beyond merely reading it for rewards.

According to Jamiat Ulema Islam, the meeting saw participation from a wide array of attendees, including Vice President Abdul Waheed Younis, Joint Secretary Muhammad Aslam Arain, and renowned Sana Khawan Syed Hasan Askari, among other dignitaries and members of the local community. Faqir Malik Muhammad Shakeel Qasmi highlighted the Qur’an as the divine word of Allah, stating every word is blessed and sanctified. He cautioned against speaking of the Qur’an in a manner that could potentially lead individuals astray, emphasizing the need for respectful and sincere engagement with its teachings.

Qasmi’s address underscored the transformative power of the Holy Qur’an when studied and applied as a code of life, pointing to numerous instances where individuals’ lives have been profoundly changed by its guidance. He noted the increasing recognition and acceptance of Islam’s truth worldwide, attributing this trend to the profound understanding of the Qur’an’s greatness.

However, Qasmi also expressed concern over the challenges posed by those who seek to misinterpret the Qur’an’s teachings for their ends, stressing the community’s responsibility to safeguard against misleading interpretations.

The event served as a call to action for Muslims to pursue a deeper comprehension of the Holy Qur’an, fostering a more meaningful relationship with the divine text. It highlighted the ongoing efforts within the community to promote education and understanding of the Qur’an as foundational to the Islamic way of life.

Islamabad, Pakistan’s Wafaqi Mohtasib (Federal Ombudsman), Mr. Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi, reported a substantial increase in the processing and resolution of public complaints against government maladministration in 2023. He presented these findings in the Annual Report to President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr, indicating an 18% increase in complaints received and a 22% increase in those disposed of compared to the previous year.

According to Pakistan Peoples Party, the Ombudsman’s office handled a record number of 194,099 complaints in 2023, resolving 193,028 of them. The Mohtasib, Mr. Qureshi, in his briefing to the President, outlined the performance and various initiatives undertaken to provide speedy and cost-free justice to citizens. The office’s adoption of technology played a significant role, with online complaints increasing by 47% and Mobile App submissions rising by 21%.

The Federal Ombudsman’s efforts included the expansion of regional offices, holding of Khuli Katcheries (open courts), the introduction of an Informal Resolution of Disputes mechanism, and proactive inspections by Mohtasib teams, which not only addressed grievances but also encouraged more people to register complaints. Additionally, Mr. Qureshi mentioned the successful processing of over 202,000 complaints from overseas Pakistanis via Pakistan Missions abroad and One Window Facilitation Desks at international airports.

President Zardari lauded the Ombudsman’s improved performance and stressed the importance of further extending its reach so more individuals can avail of the services offered by the Federal Ombudsman.