ISLAMABAD, Aug 07 (APP): The Senate on Monday witnessed the presentation of 33 bills related to the establishment of higher education institutions across the country as passed by the National Assembly.

Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training, Rana Tanveer Hussain, strongly advocated for the approval of educational bills that had received the seal of approval from the Higher Education Commission.

Among the bills that gained passage, two stood out prominently. Senator Saleem Mandviwalla’s ‘The Federal Ziauddin University Bill, 2023’ and Senator Naseebullah Bazai’s ‘The Prime University of Nursing Sciences Technology Islamabad, 2021’ were both successfully endorsed by the Senate, signifying a step forward in the expansion of educational opportunities.

However, the Senate forwarded a substantial portion of the bills—31 in total—to relevant committees for meticulous examination and refinement.

Senator Rana Mahmood ul Hassan presented nine bills including, The Promotion and Protection of Gandhara Culture Authority Bill, 2023, The Thar International Institute Bill, 2023, The Indus University of Science and Technology Bill, 2023, The Margalla International University Bill, 2023, The Shah Bano Institute Jaranwala Bill, 2023, The Cosmic Institute of Science and Technologies Islamabad (CISTI) Bill, 2023, The Islamabad International University Bill, 2023, The RAVI Institute (RI) Bill, 2023, and The Sheikhupura Institute of Advance Sciences Bill, 2023.

Senator Engr. Rukhsana Zuberi presented five bills including, The University of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Bill, 2023, The Monarch Institute Bill, 2023, The King’s Institute of Higher Education Bill, 2023, The Bulleh Shah International University Bill, 2023, and The Islamabad Institute of Modern Sciences Bill, 2023.

Senator Irfan ul Haq Siddiqui presented three bills which were sent to the Cabinet Division for further consideration includes, The International Islamic Institute for Peace (IIIP) Bill, 2023, The National University of Health, Emerging Science and Technologies Islamabad Bill, 2023, and The Akhuwat Institute Kasur Bill, 2023.

However, Senator Hidayatullah Khan, Senator Kamran Murtaza, and Senator Danesh Kumar presented two bills respectively; The Askari Institute of Higher Education Bill, 2023, The Babrak Institute of Science, Arts and Technology Bill, 2023, The Kalam Bibi International Women Institute Bannu (Amendment) Bill, 2023, The Mufti-e-Azam Islamic University, Islamabad Bill, 2023, The Institute of Health and Professional Studies Bill, 2023, and The Ume Abeeha Institute of Health Sciences (UIHS) Bill, 2023.

In addition, Senator Kamran Michael, Senator Kauda Babar, Senator Rubina Khalid, Senator Khalida Ateeb, Senator Naseema Ehsan, Senator Dr Afnanullah Khan, Senator Mohammad Abdul Qadir, and Senator Rana Maqbool Ahmed presented one each bill respectively; The Falcon University of Sciences and Technology Bill, 2023, The Metropolitan International Institute of Science and Technology Bill, 2023, The National Excellence Institute Bill, 2023, The International Memon University Bill, 2023, The Institute of Gujrat (IOG) Bill, 2023, The Quaid-e-Azam Institute of Management Sciences, Sargodha Bill, 2023, The Al-Biruni International University Bill, 2023, and The Islamabad University of Health Sciences and Emerging Technologies Islamabad Bill, 2023.

The Senate, other than educational bills, presented by Senator Mushtaq Ahmed referred to the committee concerned for further consideration including; The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2022, and The Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils (Amendment) Bill, 2022.

The Senate also passed three bills presented by Senator Hafiz Abdul Karim, Senator Kamran Murtaza, and Senator Shahdat Awan which were passed with majority votes by the house respectively; The Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023, The Protection of Family Life and Wedlock Bill, 2023, and The Federal Public Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

ISLAMABAD, Aug 07 (APP): Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Monday withdrew the PEMRA Amendment Bill, 2023 under the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate, 2012 to further distil the legislation and address matters related to Parliamentary oversight, the Tribunal, Council of Complaints, and proposed amendments.

The information minister introduced the bill which was comprehensively discussed during the meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting, a Senate Secretariat press release said.

The meeting was presided over by Senator Fawzia Arshad.

Senior journalists from key electronic media organizations in Pakistan and representatives from various media associations attended the meeting to discuss the legislation.

During the meeting, the information minister acknowledged the importance of the legislation and emphasized her positive intentions behind proposing it.

After careful consideration and receiving 28 amendments from different stakeholders, the sponsor of the bill made the decision to withdraw it to further refine the legislation by incorporating appropriate amendments and allow the new government to take it up in the future.

This move was seen as an opportunity for more time, deliberation, and reconciliation on the bill, given the valuable feedback provided by various stakeholders.

Representatives from different media organizations actively participated in the meeting, submitting their own amendments and sharing their perspectives on the bill.

A key point of focus during the discussions was the issue of dues and salaries of media workers.

Members of the committee, journalists, and representatives from media associations underscored the importance of approving the amendments while continuing to deliberate on the rest of the proposed changes rather than completely withdrawing the bill.

Senator Irfan Siddiqui emphasized on keeping the bill on the agenda and going on with the deliberation process, particularly with regard to amendments related to the physical and financial security of journalists.

Senator Mushtaq Ahmed advocated for the passage of non-controversial amendments.

To further refine the bill and address matters related to the parliamentary oversight, the Tribunal, Council of Complaints, and submitted amendments, the information minister intimated the call for restarting consultations.

In accordance with the Rules of Procedure and conduct of business in the Senate, 2012, the bill was officially withdrawn, as announced by the Chair.

Besides committee members including senators Irfan Siddiqui, Muhammad Tahir Bizinjo, Kamran Michael, Waqar Mehdi, Anwar Lal Dean, Kamran Murtaza, and Mushtaq Ahmed, senior officials of the the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, senior journalists, and the PEMRA chairman attended the meeting.

The meeting concluded, intending to refine the bill to ensure its effectiveness in regulating the electronic media landscape in Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD, Aug 07 (APP): The journalists’ community and media organizations on Monday voiced support for the PEMRA Amendment Bill 2023 during a meeting of the Senate’s Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting.

However, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb announced withdrawal of the bill for its further fine-tuning.

The meeting of the Senate panel was chaired by Senator Fawzia Arshad and attended by the representatives of journalists and media organizations, including Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, All Pakistan Newspapers Society, Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors and Pakistan Broadcasting Association, senators and other stakeholders.

Addressing the meeting, the minister said it was the government’s desire to abolish the old black law of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) introduced by a dictator.

The minister said while during past four years in the opposition, she worked with the media representatives on the legislation. With all sincerity they put in hard work for drafting the legislation and ever made any compromise on constitutional and democratic norms and traditions.

However, she respected the reservations of some stakeholders about certain clauses of the bill, she added.

“We will never compromise on the constitutional rights of media, freedom of expression and civil liberties,” she said, adding she always fought together with the media personnel against oppression, dictatorship and fascism.

“We cannot take any action that creates the impression that we do not value the freedom of the media,” she maintained.

The minister said media organizations and other stakeholders were part of the consultation from day one as she had promised that efforts would be made for unanimous approval of the bill.

She said Article 19 was inserted in the PEMRA bill to ensure freedom of expression in the country.

Marriyum said she respected the views of all members and stakeholders on the bill, and was not stressing on its adoption by the committee. The next elected government would hopefully got the the bill approved from the Parliament with consensus, she added.

She would play her part to take the bill forward irrespective of the fact who came to power after the general elections, she said.

PFUJ President Afzal Butt said after many a years a bill was introduced for the welfare of journalists and media workers.

He appealed that the bill should not be withdrawn as it would be helpful in the protection of rights of journalists who were facing difficult times due to non-payment of salaries.

PBA Chairman Shakeel Masood said the bill was need of the hour for the media workers and the entire media industry and it should not be withdrawn.

Senator Kamran Michael that even if entire bill could not be passed, the clauses beneficial for working journalists should be adopted.

APNS President Sarmad Ali said each and every clause of the bill was finalised after thorough consultations with all stakeholders and the APNS fully supported it.

Mir Ibrahim said that it was an important bill for the welfare of media workers and should not be withdrawn.

Journalists present at the venue stood up on their seats and expressed their full support for the bill.

The committee members also said that the bill should be adopted as all the efforts made during past one year would be wasted in case of withdrawal.

Senator Irfan Siddiqui emphasized on keeping the bill on the agenda and going on with the deliberation process, particularly with regard to amendments related to the physical and financial security of journalists.

Senator Mushtaq Ahmed advocated for the passage of non-controversial amendments.

To further refine the bill and address matters related to Parliamentary oversight, the Tribunal, Council of Complaints, and submitted amendments, the information minister intimated the call for restarting consultations.

In accordance with the Rules of Procedure and conduct of business in the Senate, 2012, the bill was officially withdrawn, as announced by the Chair.

Senators Irfan Siddiqui, Muhammad Tahir Bizinjo, Kamran Michael, Waqar Mehdi, Anwar Lal Dean, Kamran Murtaza, and Mushtaq Ahmed attended the meeting. Senior officials from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, senior journalists, and the PEMRA chairman were also present.

The meeting concluded, intending to refine the bill to ensure its effectiveness in regulating the electronic media landscape in Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD, Aug 07 (APP): The Senate on Monday adopted a resolution recommending changing the name of District Upper Waziristan to District Mahsud.

The resolution, presented by Dost Muhammad Khan, Fida Muhammad, Prof Dr Mehr Taj Roghani, Kauda Babar, Falah Naz, Gurdeep Singh, and Fawzia Arshad, received unanimous assent from the House.

The resolution put forth by Manzoor Ahmed, Muhammad Abdul Qadir, Muhammad Tahir Bizinjo, Prince Ahmed Unerzai, Muhammad Akram, Sarfraz Ahmed Bughti, and Naseebullah Bazai, advocating the name “Gawadar International Airport” for the new airport, was subsequently withdrawn by the movers.

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 7 (APP): Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan on Monday expressed his satisfaction with National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA)’s complete functioning as an institution and termed it the reflection of the country’s anti-terrorism efforts.

The Minister for Interior made these remarks while presiding over the fourth meeting of NACTA’s Board of Governors which was participated by Secretary Interior, Syed Ali Murtaza, DG FIA Mohsin Butt and members of the Board of Governors, a news release said.

Khan said the reforms in the Authority were completed and it was performing its role in a befitting manner. He directed that in view of the resurgence of terrorism and recent events, a clear and comprehensive policy should be formulated immediately.

“I hope that NACTA will spare no effort as a front-line organisation in counter-terrorism strides and all provinces and other relevant organizations will implement this strategy,” the Interior Minister said.

He vowed that the government of Pakistan would exterminate terrorism and extremism once and for all. “Inshallah, permanent peace and economic prosperity will return to the motherland,” he hoped.

The Interior Minister assured NACTA of his full support in that regard.

National Coordinator, NACTA Muhammad Tahir Rai gave a detailed briefing to the meeting. Rai informed the forum that based on the decision of the last meeting, the organization of NACTA was almost completed.

He said NACTA remained very active over the past year, whereas a national narrative was formulated on the basis of the Paigham-e-Pakistan Fatwa, which was essentially the foundation of Pakistani society.

“NACTA will act as a frontline force to eradicate extremism from Pakistan. It will provide guidance, briefing to all concerned bodies,” he added.

Moreover, various decisions related to NACTA were also approved in the meeting.

ISLAMABAD, Aug 07 (APP): Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) started construction of the country’s 1st state-of-the-art Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI-M & T) Laboratory here Monday at Pirwadhai grid station.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, IESCO Chairman Board of Directors Engineer Qamar-ul-Islam Raja said that IESCO has always given special attention to the customers with the best services along with strong infrastructure and new technology.

With the implementation of AMI project, elimination of electricity theft, correct meter reading, and elimination of overloading on the system will definitely be possible.

He said he would personally supervise the timely completion of the project and in this regard, the IESCO management would have the full cooperation of the Board of Directors.

Chief Executive IESCO Dr. Muhammad Amjad Khan while addressing the event said that AMI project was an important project and would provide the best services to the consumers.

Due to the elimination of power theft, there would be a significant reduction in the line losses of the institution and the rate of burning of transformers and meters due to system overloading would also decrease.
He further said that the construction of the lab would be completed within the stipulated period.

Project Director AMI Mohsin Raza Gilani, General Manager Development Jafar Murtaza and other officers also addressed the event.

ISLAMABAD, Aug 7 (APP):Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) Monday expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for restoration of Islamabad zone five OPF Housing Scheme and resolution of its problems.
The foundation in a statement said that resolving issues of OPF Housing Scheme would provide an opportunity to the overseas Pakistanis to build homes in their country.
The revival of scheme of Overseas Pakistanis Housing Foundation became possible due to the action taken by the Prime Minister’s Inspection Commission, and the appreciable role of prime minister in the issue.