Category: 1. Pakistan

• Punjab Assembly speaker says allegations of constitutional violations need to be first proven in ‘court or tribunal’
• Notices issued to 10 MPAs for payment of damages caused during budget session withdrawn

LAHORE: In a significant step towards de-escalation of political tensions in the Punjab Assembly, PA Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan has formally rejected the petitions seeking the disqualification of 26 PTI members.

This decision followed successful negotiations between the government and the opposition, and is expected to pave the way for the swift reinstatement of these suspended lawmakers.

The ruling comes after weeks of parliamentary deadlock, which saw the opposition members suspended for “disorderly conduct” during the budget session on June 27. The suspension for 15 sittings was a direct response to protests that disrupted Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s speech and involved the use of “offensive, abusive, and unparliamentary language and slogans”, as well as alleged physical altercations.

In his detailed written decision, the speaker firmly rejected the petitions. He underscored that the speaker’s role was not merely to act as a “postman” by forwarding such requests to the Election Commission. He cautioned that such an unscrutinised process could “weaken the constitutional framework” and “curtail freedom of expression” within the provincial assembly.

He clarified that while disruptive behaviour in parliaments worldwide often faced stringent measures, the serious allegations of legal and constitutional violations, including those related to oaths, must first be proven in a competent court or tribunal. He asserted that only after a judicial verdict would he be in a position to determine if disqualification under Article 63(2) of the Constitution was warranted, and if the matter should be subsequently referred to the Election Commission.

Four separate applications had been submitted demanding the disqualification of these members, with petitioners citing precedents like the Panama Papers case involving then-prime minister Nawaz Sharif and alleging violations of the speaker’s ruling and constitutional oaths. However, the speaker dismissed the disqualification requests that referenced the Panama case and similar decisions made under Articles 199 and 184-3 of the Constitution.

He stated that the petitioners retained the option to approach his office again, but only after securing a definitive decision from a competent court. The speaker also decided to withdraw the notices issued to 10 PTI MPAs for payment of damages caused to the furniture and other assets of the house during the June 27 session. The opposition members obstructed the proceedings of the house on June 27 by tearing agenda papers, hurling them at the treasury, using extreme derogatory language and physically impeding members who approached the treasury benches, according to the ruling, which shared the background of the petitions.

It was learnt that the policy of removing opposition members from the chairmanship of 13 standing committees was also being reversed, and the four chairpersons already removed from their offices through no-trust votes would also be reinstated.

Meanwhile, the opposition has intensified its pressure tactics, holding a ‘public assembly’ on the road outside the Punjab Assembly. During this ‘outdoor session’, the opposition leaders, like Ahmad Khan Bhachar, criticised the government’s handling of recent floods, soaring prices of essential commodities like sugar and petrol, and alleged political victimisation.

Mr Bhachar reiterated that the opposition would not return to the assembly until their suspended members were reinstated. He also presented a resolution condemning the government’s actions, which was passed by the ‘outdoor assembly’. According to political analysts, the decision by the speaker stressed the importance of due process and constitutional principles in parliamentary affairs and aimed to foster a more functional and less volatile political environment in Punjab.

While the government and opposition have agreed on activating the Advisory and Ethics Committees and avoiding indecent language in future sessions, the full reinstatement of the 26 members is now the immediate next step in restoring full parliamentary cooperation.

Published in Dawn, July 20th, 2025

• Disgruntled leaders say will contest Senate polls in line with Imran’s vision, allege ‘pro-establishment’ candidates being favoured
• Insiders claim oath-taking slated for today may get delayed due to ‘quorum’
• PPP leader says opposition alliance intact, will secure five seats

PESHAWAR: As the disgruntled PTI workers are adamant on contesting Senate polls despite an understanding between the KP’s ruling party and the opposition, the agreement on seat adjustment, however, seems to remain intact, with both sides now working on the panel of voters for their candidates.

The oath-taking of the 25 MPAs-elect, which is scheduled for today (Sunday), has also assumed importance, as non-administration of oaths to them could lead to postponement of Senate polls.

One of the ruling party MPAs told Dawn that there was a likelihood that oath-taking would not take place on Sunday, as the session might be adjourned at the outset due to “lack of quorum”.

The treasury and the joint opposition alliance had agreed on a seat-sharing formula under which six seats will go to the treasury, which has 92 members in the KP Assembly, and five seats to the opposition, which is 53-strong.

“The denial of Senate tickets to diehard workers has strengthened the doubts of the establishment’s involvement in the award of tickets,” one of the PTI insiders told Dawn. It was a good opportunity for the Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to stand with the ideological workers and dispel the impression that he was not the “establishment guy”. “We will not take part in the establishment game; rather, we will fully participate in the Senate elections,” PTI’s Peshawar district president Irfan Saleem said in his video message issued on Saturday.

This understanding had not sat well with the party’s Peshawar chapter, which had decided to oppose this agreement and vowed to contest the polls despite the party’s policy. On Saturday, they also released video messages, announcing they would stick to their stance. They said they would contest the elections in line with PTI founder Imran Khan’s vision. On the other hand, the PTI leadership has put their heads together on how to handle the situation, as party insiders believe that among the disgruntled candidates, Irfan Saleem will definitely score.

Gandapur asked to dispel impression

Referring to his party seat adjustment with the opposition, Mr Saleem said, “The plan is basically made to elect the pro-establishment candidates in the Senate elections”. He said that they would not withdraw and will fully resist the plan, adding that they didn’t tolerate blame on the Imran Khan vision under which the masses of KP and the entire country voted for him. Basically, the seat adjustment with the opposition is aimed at electing those people who have made the lives of the PTI workers and their leadership miserable after the May 9 incident, he said, adding that they would not bow down before such forces.

Another disgruntled candidate Khurram Shehzad said that a Senate ticket or other designations meant nothing to him, but “not contesting the elections is against Imran Khan’s ideology”. “I have been receiving different kinds of threats to withdraw from the race, but I will not, no matter if I am unable to get a single vote,” he said.

Another candidate Aisha Bano, who also refused to withdraw, said in her video message that, like her colleagues, she was going to contest the Senate election. “The Senate’s seats are a sacred trust of Imran Khan with us, and we will not let go easily,” she said, adding someelements wanted to favour those who were involved in the 26th Constitutional Amendment.

Against Imran’s ideology

Meanwhile, the opposition parties held a meeting at KP Governor House, attended by Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, leader of the opposition in KP Assembly Dr Ibadullah and senior leaders of the opposition parties.

The participants discussed the issue of oath-taking from the 25 MPAs-elect on reserved seats. PPP parliamentary leader Ahmad Karim Kundi told Dawn that the opposition alliance was intact and will secure five seats, including three general and one each for technocrat and women.

Sepa­rately, the Election Commission of Pakistan appointed eight polling officers to oversee the Senate elections set to take place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday. According to the ECP, Senate elections for eleven seats from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly will be held on July 21.

Published in Dawn, July 20th, 2025

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday met and appreciated Talha Ahmad, a young digital content creator, for his talent.

During a meeting, the prime minister lauded Talha Ahmad for his successful content at the digital platform, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

In recognition of his talent, the prime minister awarded him with an honorary shield, besides giving away an electronic tablet.

The prime minister observed that young people, including children, in the country were proving their mettle worldwide and Talha Ahmad was one of such examples, possessing immense talent.

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan and Azerbaijan on Saturday agreed to establish joint working groups (JWGs) aimed at strengthening bilateral connectivity and elevating their relationship into a strategic economic partnership focused on rail and trade infrastructure.

The announcement followed a high-level meeting held at the Ministry of Railways, with Minister of State for Railways and Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani in the chair.

The session brought together key stakeholders to explore avenues for strengthening cross-border linkages and advancing mutual economic interests.

The State Minister reiterated Pakistan’s firm commitment to enhancing rail-based trade connectivity with Azerbaijan. He noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is actively pursuing a comprehensive strategy for the development and modernization of Pakistan Railways.

The railways secretary gave a detailed briefing on Pakistan’s railway network, highlighting its existing capacity and outlining prospects for future expansion to accommodate regional freight and logistics operations.

During the meeting, both sides also discussed the rail agreement inked between Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, underscoring its significance in advancing regional connectivity.

Key officials from various Pakistani ministries and departments participated in a high-level meeting aimed at advancing bilateral connectivity between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.

Meanwhile, DPM/FM Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov, on Saturday, reaffirmed the strategic partnership between the two countries and expressed satisfaction with the joint efforts to further strengthen the close and fraternal ties.

During a telephone conversation, they discussed areas of mutual interest and bilateral cooperation, Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release.

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, is set to embark upon a crucial visit to the United States next week to attend the high-level signature events of Pakistan’s UN Security Council (UNSC) Presidency in New York, as well as for certain engagements in Washington, said the Foreign Office on Saturday.

In New York, as part of Pakistan’s Security Council signature events, the DPM/FM will chair a high-level Open Debate on “Promoting International Peace and Security through Multilateralism and Peaceful Settlement of Disputes”.

The high-level debate aims at exploring ways to strengthen multilateralism and at enhancing diplomacy and mediation for peaceful settlement of disputes, FO spokesperson remarked.

Pakistan calls for emergency UNSC meeting over Indian aggression

In addition, the DPM/FM will preside over the Quarterly Open Debate of the Security Council on the “Situation in the Middle East including the Palestinian Question”.

The DPM/FM will also chair a high-level briefing of the UN Security Council that will focus on enhancing cooperation between the UN and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The meeting is being held as part of Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen collaboration between the OIC and the UN for maintenance of international peace and security.

To express Pakistan’s strong commitment, and unwavering support for the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people, the DPM/FM will also attend the high-level Conference on the “Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the implementation of Two-State Solution”.

During his stay in New York, the DPM/FM is expected to also have several bilateral engagements with his counterparts, as well as senior UN officials.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar’s visit to New York and Washington exemplifies Pakistan’s growing role and importance in the multilateral arena as well as its expanding multifaceted relations with the US. Pakistan’s high-level participation in the UN Security Council’s Quarterly Debate on the Middle East as well as the International Conference on the “Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of Two-State Solution,” is also a testimony to Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to and support for the Palestinian cause.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Saturday that for the first time in 14 years, Pakistan had posted a $2.1 billion annual current account surplus and the largest after 22 years, which is a historic milestone.

“Driven by record remittances, rising exports, and a laser focus on structural reforms, this achievement reflects the confidence of overseas Pakistanis and the resolve at home,” the prime minister further posted on X handle.

C/A posts surplus of over $2bn after 14 years

He also particularly appreciated the economic team for their commendable efforts in this regard.

At least five terrorists were killed, two others were injured and eight were arrested in an operation carried out by police and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Malakand district on Saturday evening, according to a local official.

Pakistan has witnessed an uptick in terror activities over the past year, especially in KP and Balochistan, after the proscribed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022.

Dargai tehsil Assistant Commissioner Waheedullah Khan told Dawn.com that a major operation was carried out in the Mehrday area of Malakand today.

“Police and CTD took part in the successful operation,” the AC said. “Five terrorists were eliminated and two were injured while eight were captured alive.”

The AC added that the arrested terrorists were transported to the CTD centre, while the injured were moved to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Dargai.

The Dargai AC confirmed to Dawn.com that the terrorists belonged to the TTP and were behind attacks in the region.

Earlier today, nine terrorists were killed and three security officers were injured in an exchange of fire during an operation in KP’s Hangu district, police said.

“Nine terrorists killed in Hangu operation, District Police Officer (DPO) Khalid Khan is undergoing treatment at the Kohat Combined Military Hospital,” a statement issued by Kohat Regional Police Officer Deputy Inspector General Abbas Majeed read.

“The operation is continuing successfully and full action is being taken against the terrorists,” the statement added. It further read that DPO Khan was out of danger.

Pakistan ranked second in the Global Terrorism Index 2025, with the number of deaths in terrorist attacks rising by 45 per cent over the past year to 1,081. KP has seen an increasing trend of terrorism-related incidents.

Faced with increasing attacks by militants, security forces have also intensified counterterrorism operations in KP and Balochistan.

Earlier this week, three “wanted terrorists” were killed during a joint operation between the regional police and the CTD in Bannu district.