ISLAMABAD, Aug 09 (APP): The Senate on Wednesday passed a unanimous resolution, presented by Senator Mushtaq Ahmed of Jamaat-e-Islami stressing the constitutional mandate for timely elections in the country.

According to the resolution, the Supreme Court of Pakistan reiterated the foundational principles of the state’s Constitution and stressed the paramount authority of Allah Almighty over the entire universe.

In a landmark decision, the Court emphasized that the governance of Pakistan operates within the confines of Allah’s prescribed limits, with elected representatives serving as custodians of this sacred trust.

The ruling highlighted the meticulous procedural framework outlined in the Constitution for the selection of elected officials, underscoring the necessity for adherence to these guidelines across all government bodies.

The resolution said the Constitution mandates a detailed and mandatory procedure for the election of representatives, which applies to all institutions within Pakistan’s administrative structure.

Further reinforcing the democratic values enshrined in the Constitution, the Supreme Court reaffirmed that the tenure of national and provincial assemblies, as outlined in Article 224 of the Constitution, necessitates the timely conduct of elections upon completion of their term. This provision safeguards the integrity of the electoral process and ensures the continuity of representative governance.

The Court’s ruling clarified that individuals or entities possess only the authority granted to them by the Constitution or the law, as per Article 4. The supervisory role of the caretaker government established after the dissolution of assemblies, as defined in Article 230 of the Elections Act of 2018, is limited to routine decisions during the interregnum and does not extend to major policy decisions.

The resolution said the Supreme Court underscored that the responsibility for organizing elections within the prescribed timeframe, as stipulated in Article 224, lies squarely with the Election Commission of Pakistan.

The Court urged the esteemed Election Commission to take immediate and comprehensive measures to ensure the timely conduct of elections, thereby fulfilling its constitutional duty.

In light of these directives, the Supreme Court called upon all state institutions to provide full support to the Election Commission, ensuring that the electoral process is carried out diligently and in accordance with constitutional mandates. The Court emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and preserving the democratic fabric of Pakistan.

The Supreme Court’s resolute commitment to upholding the constitutional framework underscored the significance of timely and transparent elections as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s democratic progress. The Court’s clarifications provided a clear roadmap for the seamless continuation of democratic governance and serve as a testament to Pakistan’s unwavering dedication to its constitutional ideals, the resolution maintained.

APP/rkg-szm

ISLAMABAD, Aug 09 (APP): As the curtains fall on the current term of Pakistan’s National Assembly, lawmakers on Wednesday reflected a blend of nostalgia and a forward-looking vision during the final session of the 15th National Assembly.

Elected representatives from diverse parties contemplated the achievements and hurdles of their term as they addressed the assembly for the final time, providing insight into the shared emotions that influence the nation’s political sphere.

The last sitting not only served as more than just a conclusion to a chapter but also set the stage for the evolving narrative of Pakistan’s democratic journey.

Sardar Akhtar Mengal in his farewell speech said the current assembly was going to complete its constitutional tenure which was a good omen. His party inked a written agreement with the past government led by Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) for resolution of grave issues of Balochistan, he said.

He said they also presented their issues before the incumbent prime minister and the federal cabinet but unfortunately no vain.

He said he tabled a bill about enforced missing of people but could not pass. He said Balochistan never objected over past census but regretted that 7.3 million less people were shown in the latest censure.

Noor Alam Khan said he always raised voice against sky rocketing inflation in the country. Increase in petroleum prices directly affected poor and common people, he said.

He lauded the prime minister for provision of gas and electricity to his constituency which was completely deprived in past.
Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali said the country could not progress without complete elimination of interest based system in the country.

He had also submitted a bill in 2019 in this regard but it could not come on agenda of the house.
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said the House was not complete with the opposition. Pointing towards members sitting in front row, he said that they all remained in jail but unfortunately in past their production orders were not issued.

He said image of the politicians in peoples’ eye was not good and they considered them corrupt people. The parliament was sole organization which has authority to levy taxes on the people, he said.

Whether, the people who were sitting here they themselves paid taxes, he questioned.

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Javed Abbasi congratulated the entire leadership for completing its constitutional term. In past, the National Assembly was unconstitutionally dissolved by the PTI but through joint efforts, it was restored, he said.

He said the PTI government pushed the country towards bankruptcy but the allied government through hectic efforts saved the country from default.

He regretted that unfortunately they could not take action against those who breached the constitution for sake of their own personal interest.

Later, the National Assembly passed private member bills the Rahim Jan University Bill, 2023 and the Acid and Burn Crime Bill, 2022 passed.

Earlier, Murtaza Javed Abbasi moved motions to suspend the rules and take up the said bills.
Later, the House was prorogued the house sine die.

APP/raz-muk

ISLAMABAD, Aug 09 (APP): The 15th National Assembly of Pakistan joined the ranks of the few assemblies that have successfully completed their terms, following the passage of an impressive total of 235 bills.

It marked the fourth instance in the country’s history where a National Assembly has successfully completed its term.

Although the official term completion date for the 15th National Assembly was slated for August 12, 2023, Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif announced its dissolution three days ahead, on August 9, 2023.

Over the course of its tenure, the outgoing Assembly conducted a total of 52 sessions, dedicated to deliberating and passing vital legislative proposals, totalling the impressive count of 235 bills.

These legislative measures were meticulously designed to address a wide spectrum of issues and serve the best interests of the nation.

Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif delivered a farewell address in the National Assembly, extending his heartfelt gratitude to a multitude of figures who contributed to the governance of the nation.

He expressed his appreciation for the efforts of Speaker, National Assembly Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Co-Chairperson PPPP Asif Ali Zardari, Minister for Foreign Affairs Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the entire cabinet, as well as the esteemed members of the lower house. This collective effort played a vital role in effectively managing the government’s affairs.

In his address to the National Assembly, Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf emphasized the assembly’s representation of the country’s diverse population of 250 million people. He underscored the assembly’s role as a sovereign institution, entrusted with the responsibility of enacting measures to alleviate the public’s concerns.

The dynamics of the outgoing assembly saw the ousting of former Prime Minister Imran Khan through a motion of no-confidence. Subsequently, Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif secured a vote of confidence, leading him to assume the role of Prime Minister.

Notably, during the tenure of the assembly, a total of 126 bills were passed from August 13, 2018, to April 9, 2022. The remaining 109 bills were endorsed during the PML-N-led government’s term, spanning from April 10, 2022, to August 9, 2023.

The National Assembly’s achievements extended beyond bills, as evidenced by the passage of 106 resolutions, the presentation of 449 reports, thousands of questions and calling attention notices related to various ministers.

The reports in the National Assembly encompassed an array of topics, including legislative proposals, questions, calling attention notices, and other pertinent matters.

Reflecting on the nation’s political history, the year 2002 marked the holding of general elections, resulting in the Pakistan Muslim League-Q securing a majority in the 12th National Assembly. Despite completing its five-year term, none of the elected Prime Ministers managed to serve their full tenures.

Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali assumed the Prime Ministerial position after the election but resigned in June 2004. Subsequently, Shaukat Aziz succeeded him.

The 2008 government formation saw the Pakistan Peoples Party taking the reins, yet even elected Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gillani faced disqualification by the Supreme Court due to a conviction of contempt of court and Raja Pervaiz Ashraf was elected as the Prime Minister on June 22, 2012.

Transitioning into 2013, the PML-N assumed power, concluding its constitutional term in 2018. However, the spectre of the Panama Papers case loomed, leading to the disqualification of elected Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in 2017. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi subsequently assumed the role of Prime Minister.