Govt taking measures to revive economy: NA speaker

Sat, 10 Dec 2022, 7:55 PM

LAHORE, Dec 10 (APP):National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said on Saturday that the coalition government was taking practical measures to revive the economy, as the country was passing through hard times due to devastating floods.

Talking to the media after visiting Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) senior member and worker Begum Shamim Niazi’s residence here, he said that the under-pressure economy was always dealt with collective decisions, promising that the situation would improve soon. “Pakistan does not face any default risk,” he added.

The speaker maintained that economic stability could only come from political stability, saying that country’s development was possible only by following the Constitution and law, as no country could develop or progress in the presence of uncertainty. The politics of false allegations must end, he said adding that instead of accusing each other, all political parties should sit together and find solution to the challenges facing the country.

Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said that being a democratic country, all political parties should strive to strengthen democracy and respect the parliament, adding that inflation and unemployment had become major issues worldwide after COVID-19, and these difficulties could be overcome through stabilising the economy.

He was hopeful that the country would soon come out of all kinds of difficulties as the government was taking various administrative measures to overcome challenges related to economy. He said that the future of Pakistan was bright as its multi-talented youth were bringing good name to the country in every field of life.

He regretted that cases had been registered against all political parties in the past. It remained a practice in the past that the media trial of politicians was carried out or planned campaigns were run against them as soon as they were out of power, he explained. “We have to get out of this mess,” he suggested.

To a question about tenure of the incumbent government, he said it would complete its constitutional term. He termed the meeting of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar with President Dr Arif Alvi a good omen, saying that doors on talks among political parties should never be closed in politics.

Party leaders Syed Hassan Murtaza, Aslam Gill, Jameel Munj, Haji Azizul Rehman Chan, Faisal Mir, Asif Nagra, Atif Rafiq, Amjad Jatt, Raja Shabbir and others were also present.

Nawaz Sharif to lead PML-N in upcoming electoral campaign: Rana Sanaullah

Zaka Ullah Ch

Sat, 10 Dec 2022, 7:50 PM

LAHORE, Dec 10 (APP):Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said on Saturday that the party had requested Mian Nawaz Sharif to extend his support in the upcoming electoral campaign, either in the general election or the elections in case of dissolution of any assembly.

Talking to the media here, he said the party had also requested Nawaz Sharif to decide on award of the party tickets and announce its manifesto which, he added, Mian Nawaz Sharif had accepted.

He said that soon Nawaz Sharif would come back and lead the party.
To a question, the interior minister said, “Pakistan Army is a well organised institution and follows its own policy.”
To another question, he said that Azam Swati and Shahbaz Gill were not facing any political victimisation.

The interior minister asserted that it was the right of his party to get all false cases quashed and prosecution of such cases should also be withdrawn.
He questioned that why Imran Khan did not talk about Toshakhana, corruption case of Farah Gogi, Al-Qadir Trust, etc.

He said that Imran Khan was in habit of leveling false allegations against others. “Even the cases against our leadership lodged abroad are being dismissed,” he added.
He said that Pakistan Democratic Movement was ready for unconditional dialogue. Rana said it was need of the hour that talks were held for improvement of the country’s economy and providing relief to people.

The minister claimed that the PML-N would win elections in Punjab with thumping majority and form its government as well.

Participants of 3rd Rector Conference appeal govt to not amend HEC law

NNPS Desk

Sat, 10 Dec 2022, 7:34 PM

ISLAMABAD, Dec 10 (APP): During the 1st day of 3rd Rectors’ Conference, the participants contemplated the proposed draft of a bill seeking amendments in the Higher Education Commission Ordinance 2002 and considered the amendments detrimental to the promotion of higher education and research and development in the country.

The crafters of the HEC Ordinance, 2002 envisioned the institution as a vibrant organization that may work for setting the knowledge base of the nation’s economy, they noted.

They said the formative years and two decades of its establishment saw huge growth in the higher education sector where wider consultation and participative approach played a key role. “The current amendments not only limit the autonomous role of the institution but also negate the basic principles of the federation.”

The Rectors’ Conference noted that there were many flaws in the amendments which could be injurious to nation-building, therefore, it passed a unanimous resolution as under:

“ This Forum recognizes the very essence of formation of Higher Education Commission in 2002 and demands that its original spirit, purpose, and objectives be maintained and no law be passed without consulting the stakeholders which include provincial governments, HEIs of public and private sector, HEC and its employees.Moreover, this forum demands that present bill must be stopped for process in the best interest of the country.”