AJK cabinet condemns India’s unconstitutional acts

The AJK cabinet condemned the unconstitutional, illegal and immoral actions of India on August 5, 2019.

India had revoked the status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) by invoking Article 370 in the occupied territory three years ago.

The ministers paid homage to the officers and soldiers of the army who were martyred in a helicopter crash in Balochistan earlier this week, expressing solidarity with the victims and regret over the losses caused during the recent rains and floods across the country.

Later, Finance Minister Abdul Majid Khan gave a briefing to the media. Civil Defense Minister Chaudhry Muhammad Akbar Ibrahim, Special Assistant to the state PM on Information Chaudhry Muhammad Rafiq Nayar, Information Secretary Midhat Shehzad and Touseef Abbasi were also present.

Speaking on the occasion, Khan said a committee headed by a senior member of the board of revenue has been formed regarding the cancellation of fake domicile certificates.

The finance minister highlighted how no compromise could be made on the identity and dignity of Azad Kashmir. “Government will not do anything that is against the interest of the state and the people”, he said, adding that no one should either expect any such thing from us.

“We strongly condemn the negative propaganda being made on social media to defame the PTI government in Azad Kashmir”, he said.

from Latest Pakistan News - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/tSxuzdB

Utility stores increase prices of various items

The Utility Stores Corporation has increased the prices of various items at its stores across the country following a hike in other markets of the country.

According to a notification, prices of branded tea, milk, spices, honey, toothpaste, shampoo, and other items have been increased by the government after which the price of 950 grams of branded tea has increased by Rs198 and the price of tea has increased from Rs697 to Rs895.

Similarly, the price of milk has gone from Rs177 to Rs197, the price of a 260 gram jar of honey has been jacked up from Rs310 to Rs425, the price of baby dry milk supplement has increased from Rs1,360 to Rs1,450, and the price of shampoos of different brands has increased by up to Rs30.

 

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/ePquYkf

AJK cabinet condemns India’s unconstitutional acts

The AJK cabinet condemned the unconstitutional, illegal and immoral actions of India on August 5, 2019.

India had revoked the status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) by invoking Article 370 in the occupied territory three years ago.

The ministers paid homage to the officers and soldiers of the army who were martyred in a helicopter crash in Balochistan earlier this week, expressing solidarity with the victims and regret over the losses caused during the recent rains and floods across the country.

Later, Finance Minister Abdul Majid Khan gave a briefing to the media. Civil Defense Minister Chaudhry Muhammad Akbar Ibrahim, Special Assistant to the state PM on Information Chaudhry Muhammad Rafiq Nayar, Information Secretary Midhat Shehzad and Touseef Abbasi were also present.

Speaking on the occasion, Khan said a committee headed by a senior member of the board of revenue has been formed regarding the cancellation of fake domicile certificates.

The finance minister highlighted how no compromise could be made on the identity and dignity of Azad Kashmir. “Government will not do anything that is against the interest of the state and the people”, he said, adding that no one should either expect any such thing from us.

“We strongly condemn the negative propaganda being made on social media to defame the PTI government in Azad Kashmir”, he said.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/tSxuzdB

UAE to invest $1bn in Pakistani companies: Report

The United Arab Emirates intends to invest $1 billion in Pakistani companies across various sectors, state news agency (WAM) reported citing an official source in Abu Dhabi.

The UAE is keen to continue cooperation with Pakistan “in various fields, which include gas, energy infrastructure, renewable energy, health care,” the agency added.

The move will likely help revive investor sentiment in the country, which has been beset by dwindling foreign exchange reserves as well as a depreciating rupee. However, as an IMF bailout programme becomes clearer, sentiment has improved and the stock market on Friday rallied by some 670 points.

The IMF’s summer recess ends on Aug 12. “So, technically the IMF Executive Board’s meeting could take place before Aug 20, if recommendations are sent to the board by Aug 6,” one of the sources said.

Pakistan and the IMF signed the $6bn bailout accord — Extended Fund Facility (EFF) — in 2019. But the release of a $1.17 billion (seventh and eighth) tranche has been on hold since earlier this year, when the IMF expressed concern about Pakistan’s compliance with the deal.

The last executive board consultation was held on February 2 this year. On July 13, the IMF reached a staff-level agreement on the combined seventh and eighth reviews for the EFF, which has to be approved by the board before it is disbursed.

The sources said Pakistan tried to get the board’s approval before the summer recess (Aug 1 to 12) and sent several officials to Washing­ton to persuade the Fund to do so. Earlier this week, Army Chief Qamar Bajwa telephoned US Deputy Secr­etary of State Wendy Sher­man to seek Washing­ton’s support for the package. “But the Pakistanis were informed that it’s not possible to hold a board meeting before the recess as a number of members are already on leave,” one of the sources said.

Another source said the IMF was “keen to help Pakistan out” and that “there has been no delay on their behalf”, but it was “not possible to expedite the process”.

The sources said the IMF had asked Pakistan to get assurances from Saudi Arabia and the UAE that they would give an expected $4bn loan to the country after the IMF releases its tranche.

“The Pakistanis received, and conveyed, the assurance from the two friendly countries,” a senior diplomatic source said. “So, we see no problem in the board’s approval.”

But other sources said Pakistan had been warned “not to allow the political situation to go out of hand”. The government had further been told that “street violence and protests by the opposition or a government crackdown on PTI leaders can have a negative impact on the deal”.

The US media, while commenting on Gen. Bajwa’s calls to US diplomatic and military officials three days ago, pointed out that “Pakistan’s military, which has directly ruled the country for more than half of its 75-year history, has closely worked with the US and is an official ally in the war on terror against Al Qaeda”.

“And the calls have helped, but even the Americans cannot persuade the IMF to circumvent its procedure,” a diplomatic source said.

“Pakistan desperately needs the IMF loan. In July, the fund said it would raise the value of the bailout from $6 billion to $7 billion, if approved by its executive board, usually considered a formality,” one of the reports said.

Another report noted that “the revival of IMF’s bailout package will help Pakistan and encourage other international financial institutions to engage with the country”.

The report pointed out that since Imran Khan’s ouster, “Pakistan’s currency has plummeted to an all-time low amid uncertainty about IMF assistance”.

The steady decline in the nation’s currency “has spread panic among its business community” and “rising food prices has made the Sharif government highly unpopular”.

from Latest Pakistan News - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/yWdz7Qp

UAE to invest $1bn in Pakistani companies: Report

The United Arab Emirates intends to invest $1 billion in Pakistani companies across various sectors, state news agency (WAM) reported citing an official source in Abu Dhabi.

The UAE is keen to continue cooperation with Pakistan “in various fields, which include gas, energy infrastructure, renewable energy, health care,” the agency added.

The move will likely help revive investor sentiment in the country, which has been beset by dwindling foreign exchange reserves as well as a depreciating rupee. However, as an IMF bailout programme becomes clearer, sentiment has improved and the stock market on Friday rallied by some 670 points.

The IMF’s summer recess ends on Aug 12. “So, technically the IMF Executive Board’s meeting could take place before Aug 20, if recommendations are sent to the board by Aug 6,” one of the sources said.

Pakistan and the IMF signed the $6bn bailout accord — Extended Fund Facility (EFF) — in 2019. But the release of a $1.17 billion (seventh and eighth) tranche has been on hold since earlier this year, when the IMF expressed concern about Pakistan’s compliance with the deal.

The last executive board consultation was held on February 2 this year. On July 13, the IMF reached a staff-level agreement on the combined seventh and eighth reviews for the EFF, which has to be approved by the board before it is disbursed.

The sources said Pakistan tried to get the board’s approval before the summer recess (Aug 1 to 12) and sent several officials to Washing­ton to persuade the Fund to do so. Earlier this week, Army Chief Qamar Bajwa telephoned US Deputy Secr­etary of State Wendy Sher­man to seek Washing­ton’s support for the package. “But the Pakistanis were informed that it’s not possible to hold a board meeting before the recess as a number of members are already on leave,” one of the sources said.

Another source said the IMF was “keen to help Pakistan out” and that “there has been no delay on their behalf”, but it was “not possible to expedite the process”.

The sources said the IMF had asked Pakistan to get assurances from Saudi Arabia and the UAE that they would give an expected $4bn loan to the country after the IMF releases its tranche.

“The Pakistanis received, and conveyed, the assurance from the two friendly countries,” a senior diplomatic source said. “So, we see no problem in the board’s approval.”

But other sources said Pakistan had been warned “not to allow the political situation to go out of hand”. The government had further been told that “street violence and protests by the opposition or a government crackdown on PTI leaders can have a negative impact on the deal”.

The US media, while commenting on Gen. Bajwa’s calls to US diplomatic and military officials three days ago, pointed out that “Pakistan’s military, which has directly ruled the country for more than half of its 75-year history, has closely worked with the US and is an official ally in the war on terror against Al Qaeda”.

“And the calls have helped, but even the Americans cannot persuade the IMF to circumvent its procedure,” a diplomatic source said.

“Pakistan desperately needs the IMF loan. In July, the fund said it would raise the value of the bailout from $6 billion to $7 billion, if approved by its executive board, usually considered a formality,” one of the reports said.

Another report noted that “the revival of IMF’s bailout package will help Pakistan and encourage other international financial institutions to engage with the country”.

The report pointed out that since Imran Khan’s ouster, “Pakistan’s currency has plummeted to an all-time low amid uncertainty about IMF assistance”.

The steady decline in the nation’s currency “has spread panic among its business community” and “rising food prices has made the Sharif government highly unpopular”.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/yWdz7Qp

Senate passes NAB amendment bill despite Opposition's protest

The Senate passed on Thursday the National Accountability (Second Amendment) Bill despite strong protest by the Opposition, who alleged that the government intended to damage the anti-graft body to facilitate its leadership.

However, the government strenuously denied these charges, emphasising that the revisions were in public interest and so were required to be enacted the same day the House convened after a two-day break.

The Opposition started the protest in the House when Minister of State for Law and Justice Shahadat Awan moved a motion seeking suspension of rules for introducing the bill, while opposition members shouted "no, no" and beat desks to obstruct the process. Three amendments submitted by JI Senator Mushtaq Ahmad were rejected by a majority vote amid the chaos.

Rising from his seat, PTI Senator Shibli Faraz stated that the bill's clear goal was to render the NAB powerless, adding that it was being done by a government facing significant corruption accusations, with 60% of its cabinet members on bail.

The legislator claimed the incumbent coalition government had no moral justification for passing legislation that would directly benefit it, and vowed to oppose it tooth and nail.

Shibli was supported by JI Senator Mushtaq Ahmed, who argued that the bill was intended to take effect in 1999, and that a criminal law cannot be retroactively applied.

Furthermore, Ahmed highlighted that under an amendment, the NAB would be unable to prosecute people who whiten their black money through amnesty programmes, since this would undoubtedly give a back door for unscrupulous mafias, criminals, and dacoits.

However, Shahadat Awan said that he could demonstrate that these changes were made in the public interest. Despite the minister's clarification, the opposition senators rose from their seats following the voice vote, chanted loud slogans, swarmed around the Senate Chairman's podium, and threw shredded copies of the agenda. The opposition senators walked out of the House after registering their protest.

The government's and opposition's renewed tug of war over the Election Commission of Pakistan's recent decision in the PTI foreign funding case also made its way into the House. Ex-Senate Chairman and PPP stalwart Mian Raza Rabbani stated that the Election Commission decided in its judgement that the PTI got funding from banned sources. He stated that the PTI got donations from approximately 350 foreign companies and that several additional accounts are still hidden.

In response to the question of whether the government will submit a reference seeking a ban on PTI under Article 17, Rabbani reiterated that it was up to the government to choose between the legal and constitutional avenues.

As a top constitutional expert, he argued that the government should move against Imran Khan under Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution for blatantly signing incorrect certificates with annual declarations of the party's assets for five consecutive years.

He remarked, “You can make a mistake once or twice but not for four or five years in a row. There should also be criminal investigations against PTI leaders who managed hidden and disowned accounts.’’

In response to Rabbani's speech, PTI Senator from Lahore Ejaz Chaudhry criticised the ECP's decision and expressed regret that several overseas Pakistanis were incorrectly depicted as foreigners in it, despite the fact that Nawaz Sharif had received funds from Osama Bin Laden to destabilise Benazir Bhutto's government.

Nisar Khoro, a PPP senator from Sindh, slammed the PTI for requesting that the foreign funding cases against all parties be decided together. It is worth noting that the case against the PTI was launched in November 2014, but the case against the PPP and PML-N was filed in 2018.

Khoro also denied the PTI's claims that the chief election commissioner is biassed and politically motivated. The PPP senator reminded the House that the PTI appointed the chief election commissioner. The Senate will reconvene on Friday at 10:30 am.

from Latest Pakistan News - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/OA0dT2y

Senate passes NAB amendment bill despite Opposition's protest

The Senate passed on Thursday the National Accountability (Second Amendment) Bill despite strong protest by the Opposition, who alleged that the government intended to damage the anti-graft body to facilitate its leadership.

However, the government strenuously denied these charges, emphasising that the revisions were in public interest and so were required to be enacted the same day the House convened after a two-day break.

The Opposition started the protest in the House when Minister of State for Law and Justice Shahadat Awan moved a motion seeking suspension of rules for introducing the bill, while opposition members shouted "no, no" and beat desks to obstruct the process. Three amendments submitted by JI Senator Mushtaq Ahmad were rejected by a majority vote amid the chaos.

Rising from his seat, PTI Senator Shibli Faraz stated that the bill's clear goal was to render the NAB powerless, adding that it was being done by a government facing significant corruption accusations, with 60% of its cabinet members on bail.

The legislator claimed the incumbent coalition government had no moral justification for passing legislation that would directly benefit it, and vowed to oppose it tooth and nail.

Shibli was supported by JI Senator Mushtaq Ahmed, who argued that the bill was intended to take effect in 1999, and that a criminal law cannot be retroactively applied.

Furthermore, Ahmed highlighted that under an amendment, the NAB would be unable to prosecute people who whiten their black money through amnesty programmes, since this would undoubtedly give a back door for unscrupulous mafias, criminals, and dacoits.

However, Shahadat Awan said that he could demonstrate that these changes were made in the public interest. Despite the minister's clarification, the opposition senators rose from their seats following the voice vote, chanted loud slogans, swarmed around the Senate Chairman's podium, and threw shredded copies of the agenda. The opposition senators walked out of the House after registering their protest.

The government's and opposition's renewed tug of war over the Election Commission of Pakistan's recent decision in the PTI foreign funding case also made its way into the House. Ex-Senate Chairman and PPP stalwart Mian Raza Rabbani stated that the Election Commission decided in its judgement that the PTI got funding from banned sources. He stated that the PTI got donations from approximately 350 foreign companies and that several additional accounts are still hidden.

In response to the question of whether the government will submit a reference seeking a ban on PTI under Article 17, Rabbani reiterated that it was up to the government to choose between the legal and constitutional avenues.

As a top constitutional expert, he argued that the government should move against Imran Khan under Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution for blatantly signing incorrect certificates with annual declarations of the party's assets for five consecutive years.

He remarked, “You can make a mistake once or twice but not for four or five years in a row. There should also be criminal investigations against PTI leaders who managed hidden and disowned accounts.’’

In response to Rabbani's speech, PTI Senator from Lahore Ejaz Chaudhry criticised the ECP's decision and expressed regret that several overseas Pakistanis were incorrectly depicted as foreigners in it, despite the fact that Nawaz Sharif had received funds from Osama Bin Laden to destabilise Benazir Bhutto's government.

Nisar Khoro, a PPP senator from Sindh, slammed the PTI for requesting that the foreign funding cases against all parties be decided together. It is worth noting that the case against the PTI was launched in November 2014, but the case against the PPP and PML-N was filed in 2018.

Khoro also denied the PTI's claims that the chief election commissioner is biassed and politically motivated. The PPP senator reminded the House that the PTI appointed the chief election commissioner. The Senate will reconvene on Friday at 10:30 am.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/OA0dT2y