pakistan

Abbasi calls outgoing NA ‘worst in history’, regrets to be a part of it

Published

9 months ago

August 10, 2023

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Abbasi calls outgoing NA 'worst in history', regrets to be a part of it

Former prime minister and a senior leader of the ruling PML-N Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was on Wednesday candid when he termed the outgoing National Assembly as the “worst in the history of the country” which did not do legislation for providing relief to masses.

In his farewell remarks on the floor of the lower house of parliament, Abbasi, the son of a decorated Air Force veteran Air Commodore Khaqan, he offered an apology to the countrymen on being part of it.

He said that not even a single piece of legislation in the last five years was done to ease masses woes.

He did not hesitate to say that the record of past five years’ legislation was a proof of his assertion. “If one sift the record, he will see all the government bills were not meant to provide relief to the people.”

Abbasi felt ashamed as “today people have lost confidence in the system, which could not be restored through meaningless legislation but with deeds.”

According to him, it might take a decade to turn around the country’s economy and held “everyone of us” responsible for it. He suggested to form a “truth commission” to find out “who did what with the country.”

The ex-premier pointed out that a number of parliamentarians were surrounding the interior minister today for his signatures for getting licenses. “Why this process cannot be streamlined,” he added.

“People say that all members of the assembly are corrupt and we show that they are correct,” he said, pointing out that 40 to 53 bills of private members were passed in the National Assembly in a matter of days.

It raised questions about the credibility of members of the house, he maintianed.

Abbasi was also critical of the National Assembly speaker for “causing unprecedented damage to the reputation of the house.”

He said that “the speaker is considered the custodian of the reputation and dignity of the house. Dignity of the house has taken a nosedive. There is an impression that parliamentarians come to plunder national wealth.”

He urged the chair and the members to take care of the dignity of the house.

He also raised questions about taxation system. “Whether parliamentarians pay taxes?” he asked and added “parliament has the power to give approval to impose taxes on masses, whereas parliamentarian themselves don’t pay taxes.”

“How the parliament could impose taxes on people when they themselves do not pay taxes. This is not leadership that you do not pay taxes but impose on people,” he stated.

Abbasi said the government was running by taking loans at 24% interest; the same is true for defence expenses and the functioning of the parliament.

Ironically, no one asked elected representatives about taxes. “I remained in NAB’s custody but I was never questioned whether I paid taxes or not,” he added.

He said that the previous regime also caused an irreparable loss to the dignity of the house when a member in custody was not produced, he used to remind the then-speaker of his responsibilities to act as the custodian of the house.

He recalled that every “un-parliamentary” act was committed and abusive language was used in the house during the previous regime’s tenure.

Later, talking to media outside parliament house, he said he did not wish the former prime minister arrested and imprisoned.

However, if the PTI chief is innocent, justice would eventually prevail, he added.

The ex-premier required a great deal of soul-searching on the actions that led to his incarceration, Abbasi concluded.

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pakistan

Former PM Raja Parvez Ashraf raises concerns over IMF bailout conditions

Published

3 hours ago

May 3, 2024

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Former PM Raja Parvez Ashraf raises concerns over IMF bailout conditions

Former prime minister Raja Parvez Ashraf has raised concerns about the potential conditions of the new IMF bailout package for Pakistan.

In a statement issued on Friday, the PPP Central Punjab President suggested that the government should brief parliament on the IMF package, with the finance minister providing lawmakers with details on new taxes and approved austerity measures during an in-camera session.

Ashraf underscored that instead of privatising Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and other vital institutions, state-owned enterprises should be managed through public-private partnerships.

The former PM strongly opposed the idea of imposing taxes on pensioners, deeming it unacceptable. He urged the Finance Ministry to seek an alternative solution.

Raja Parvez Ashraf also highlighted the potential for enhanced harmony between the Centre and the provinces through the full implementation of the 18th Amendment.

He also proposed the abolition of unnecessary ministries to alleviate the financial burden on the federation.

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pakistan

Pakistan slams Indian atrocities against minorities, Kashmiris at UN

Published

3 hours ago

May 3, 2024

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Pakistan slams Indian atrocities against minorities, Kashmiris at UN

Pakistan addressed the UN General Assembly on Thursday, asserting that India was targeting Indian Muslims, Christians and Muslims in occupied Kashmir, and urged an end to their harsh suppression.

Ambassador Munir Akram stated during a debate on ‘Culture of Peace’ that since the BJP-RSS government took office in 2014, hate, oppression and violence against India’s 200 million Muslims, as well as other minorities like Christians and the ‘lower-caste’ Dalits, became rampant and systematic, driven by the ideology of Hindutva.

The envoy emphasised that unless Hindutva fascism was opposed and the impunity of the BJP-RSS ended, wider violence and conflict in South Asia would remain a real and present danger.

Despite efforts to promote a “Culture of Peace,” Akram noted a rise in hate, violence and war worldwide, with over 300 conflicts raging across the globe.

Highlighting Pakistan’s efforts to combat Islamophobia, Akram expressed deep concern at the officially sanctioned manifestations of Islamophobia in India, citing the Citizenship Law and National Registry list designed to exclude Muslims from citizenship.

The envoy warned of the spread of Hindutva extremism, which he said turbo-charged repression in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He called for urgent resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

Akram also highlighted India’s belligerence towards Pakistan, citing threats from Indian officials to “take over” Azad Kashmir and dangerous military doctrines adopted by India.

He accused India of financing and sponsoring terrorist groups to disrupt the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and highlighted Pakistan’s concerns over India’s campaign of targeted assassinations, even beyond its borders.

Akram emphasised the urgent need for the international community to address these issues and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to peace and stability in the region.

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pakistan

NA Secretariat accepts inclusion of independent members in SIC

Published

1 day ago

May 2, 2024

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NA Secretariat accepts inclusion of independent members in SIC

he National Assembly Secretariat has accepted the inclusion of independent members (PTI-backed MNAs) in the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), Dunya News reported.

The National Assembly Secretariat has released a list of 83 members of Sunni Ittehad Council on its official website after the approval of NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq.

After the inclusion of independent members, Sunni Ittehad Council has become second largest party in the lower house of the parliament with 83 members.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had sent a notification regarding the inclusion of independent members in the SIC to the National Assembly Secretariat.

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