Court summons PTI chief to record statement in Toshakhana case

Tue, 25 Jul 2023, 7:35 PM

ISLAMABAD, Jul 25 (APP): A lower court on Tuesday summoned the Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) chairman for recording his statement under section-342 as the cross-examination of two prosecution witness was completed in the Toshakhana criminal case.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Hamayun Dilawar heard the Toshakhana case.

The PTI leader’s lawyer Khawaja Haris resumed cross-examination of prosecution witness District Election Commissioner Waqas Malik.

To a lawyer’s query, the witness said the ECP had served notices to the PTI chief and sought details about the purchaser and receipts of Toshakhana gifts.

Amjad Pervaiz, counsel for the Election Commission of Pakistan, said the witness had never been part of the proceedings in the ECP regarding the matter, and the defence lawyer was asking the questions to mislead the court.

He said the PTI chairman had never told the details of the purchaser of the gifts to the ECP. The ECP’s proceedings were never challenged before any court, he added.

Amjad Pervaiz said the witness had not prepared the documents, rather he just received the same from the ECP.

The judge remarked that neither the facts about the Toshakhana gifts were being heard by the court nor the ECP’s decision was challenged here. The witness had repeatedly told that he was not part of the ECP’s proceedings, he noted and said if something was not written in the attached documents then the witness was not responsible for it.

To a query, the witness said that he knew that tax returns used to be submitted to the ECP by the members of the Parliament every year before December 31. Every member had to disclose their assets, which were transferred or purchased till June 30, through Form-B, he added.

The defence lawyer said that the witness was wrong as a member was supposed to submit the details only related to the transferred assets.

He also said that his cross-examination was based on the documents which were attached with the complaint.

The witness said that the PTI chairman had not attached any proof regarding the Toshakhana gifts with Form-B for the years of 2019-20, and the said form was itself a proof. The documents of 2020-21 mentioned the details of five gifts including a carpet, jewelry, a Rolex watch, a ring, a bracelet, a dinner set etc.

Lawyer Amjad Pervaiz said six challans had been submitted regarding the purchase of gifts.

The witness said that an amount of around Rs 1,16,68,000 was paid deposited for the gifts, but he did not know whether it was was mentioned in the tax returns of 2020-21. His complaint was not about the tax returns, he added.

Waqas Malik said that it was totally wrong that the complaint was not filed by a competent authority and that it was filed on political grounds.

The defence lawyer then conducted cross-examination of second prosecution witness Musadaq Anwar, who said that he himself had verified the tax returns of PTI chairman.

The tax returns submitted by the members of Parliament were public documents, he added.

The court also granted one time exemption from attendance to the PTI chief and adjourned the hearing till Wednesday summoning him to record his statement under section-342.

‘Desecrators not the representative of any religion’: Religious Leaders

Shahid Saleem

Tue, 25 Jul 2023, 7:04 PM

‘Desecrators not the representative of any religion’: Religious Leaders

LAHORE, Jul 25 (APP):Prominent leaders of various religions and schools of thought on Tuesday strongly condemned the desecration of Holy Quran in Sweden and Denmark, saying that those who desecrated the Holy Quran and sacred things are not the representative of any religion.

The Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) Chairman Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi and President of Church of Pakistan Bishop Azad Marshall stated this while talking to media men after a joint meeting of leaders of different religions organized by PUC and Church of Pakistan here.

Pastor Aminul Khokhar, Maulana Asadullah Farooq, Maulana Zubair Abid, Maulana Muhammad Aslam Siddiqui, Qari Abdul Hakeem Athar and other religious leaders were also present.

Continuing with the mission of peace in Pakistan and abroad, they vowed, the Church of Pakistan and Pakistan Ulema Council would strive till the end of sacrilege, and for promotion of interfaith tolerance and harmony.

All the divine books, prophets and holy messengers are respected, and sacrilege of holy things is not permissible under any circumstances.

Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and United Nations Organization (UNO) should make effective efforts and put in order comprehensive measures in this regard, they demanded.

Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi said that leaders of all religions and sects living in Pakistan strongly condemn the burning of Holy Quran as well as the permission to burn the Gospel in Sweden and Denmark. It is not justified to insult any divine religion or book in the name of freedom of expression, he added.

Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi mentioned that Church of Pakistan and the PUC supported the standpoint of the OIC under the leadership of Saudi Arabia, Pope Francis, the Bishop of Canterbury, Rabita Aalam Islami and the Government of Pakistan.

“The sacrilege of divine books and sacred things must stop. We demand that the path of dialogue must be adopted, and violence, extremism and hatred must be eliminated,” he maintained.

The PUC Chairman announced that there would be a meeting of leaders of different religions and sects in Islamabad on August 2, after which, a joint submission would be sent to foreign ambassadors, the ruler of Saudi Arabia, Pope Francis, the Bishop of Canterbury and the Rabita Aalam Islami’s Secretary General Sheikh Al-Azhar.

Rana Tanveer inaugurates IIUI’s Academic & Exams Block

NNPS Desk

Tue, 25 Jul 2023, 6:53 PM

ISLAMABAD, Jul 25 (APP): Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Rana Tanveer Hussain on Tuesday inaugurated the Academics and Examination Block at International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI.

The block has been built with the Saudi funding to facilitate the students as per international standards and modern technology requirements.

The minister on the occasion was given a briefing by IIUI President Dr Hathal Homoud Alotaibi. He was told that the new academic block and the Students Facilitation Centre would be equipped with modern technology, state of the art gadgets and well-trained staff.

Senator Dr Hafiz Abdul Karim, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, was also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Rana Tanveer thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for extending consistent cooperation to the university, which was one of the best universities in Pakistan.

He said the IIU was a promising seat of learning as it was providing quality education to more than 30,000 students, including those from more than 40 countries.

He appreciated the efforts and vision of Dr Hathal Homoud Alotaibi, saying his student centric approach was laudable and “this new facility to solve the issues of the students with use of modern technology is a useful addition”.

He said the university was heading towards right direction under his leadership, and called upon the universities to replicate the IIUI approach for students facilitation.

Talking about the Saudi assistance to the university, Rana Tanveer said since its inception Sauid Arab had been extending cooperation to the IIUI.

The establishment of the new facility with the financial assistance of Saudi government was an omen of that cooperation, he said, adding Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were time tested friends, and their ties were getting stronger by each passing day.

Pakistanis had a strong emotional attachment to the holy land of Saudi Arabia, he added.

The minister also appreciated the role of the university leadership in its progress and appreciated keen interest of the Pro-Chancellor Dr. Prof. Dr. Ahmed bin Salem Al Ameri.

The minister along with the IIU President also visited different offices of the Directorate of Academics and Examination including international office, admission office and fee section at both male and female sides.

He was also briefed about the mechanism and procedures to resolve the issues of students related to academics and examination under one roof without any delay.

Joint Session of Parliament passes three govt bills

NNPS Desk

Tue, 25 Jul 2023, 6:37 PM

ISLAMABAD, Jul 25 (APP): The Joint Session of the Parliament on Tuesday passed three government bills and deferred eight others till next sitting after the speaker’s direction for giving time to the lawmakers for consideration on amendments proposed in them.

The bills passed by the Parliament were the Qanun-e-Shahadat (Amendment) Bill, 2023; the Control of Narcotics Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Petroleum (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

Speaking on the Control of Narcotics Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2023, Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar emphasized the necessity of enhancing procedures and ensuring that culprits were fully aware of the consequences they would face upon committing any crime.

He expressed confidence that the amendments proposed in this bill would lead to significant improvements in the system.

Natiional Assembly Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf, who was chairing the session, directed to defer eight bills and give time to the lawmakers for consideration on amendments proposed in them. The deferred bills included the Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2023; the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2023; the Exit from Pakistan (Control) (Amendment) Bill, 2023; the Maintenance and Welfare of Old Parents and Senior Citizens Bill, 2023; the Civil Servants (Amendment) Bill, 2023; the Banking Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2023; the International Institute of Technology, Culture and Health Sciences Bill, 2023 and the Code of Civil Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2023

The sub-section 1 of section 129 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in National Assembly says: “When a motion that a Bill be taken into consideration is carried, any member may propose an amendment to the Bill. If notice of an amendment has not been given one clear day before the day on which the relevant clause of or Schedule to the Bill is to be considered any member may object to the moving of the amendment and such objection shall prevail unless the Speaker allows the amendment to be moved.”

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Senator Syed Ali Zafar and Pakistan Peoples Party’s senators Mian Raza Rabbani and Taj Haider mainly raised objections on the amendments proposed in the section 230- (a) of the Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2023 related to the functions of the caretaker government.

However, the law minister clarified various points raised by the lawmakers and said that every amendments in the particular bill was discussed in the parliamentary committee.

It was agreed to have a detailed discussion on all amendments in the next sitting.

The government withdrew the Protection of Parents Bill, 2023. The law minister cited that a private lawmaker, Rana Maqbool Ahmad, had already introduced an identical bill that fulfilled the government’s objectives.

The joint sitting was adjourned till 12:30 p.m. July 26 (Wednesday).

APP/muk-zah-raz

Irfan Siddiqui stresses need for maximum consensus on legislation

NNPS Desk

Tue, 25 Jul 2023, 6:29 PM

ISLAMABAD, Jul 25 (APP): Senator Irfan ul Haq Siddiqui on Tuesday stressed the need for maximum consensus on legislation as it remained for a long time.

Speaking in the Joint Sitting of the Parliament, he appreciated the chair for giving its ruling in that regard. Governments changed after passage of time but the legislation and laws remained in place for long time, he added.

He said those who were taking about the supremacy and sovereignty of the Parliament, their government promulgated record 70 ordinances during their three and a half years tenure.

ECP defers PTI chief’s indictment in contempt case till Aug 2

NNPS Desk

Tue, 25 Jul 2023, 6:25 PM

ISLAMABAD, Jul 25 (APP): The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday deferred the indictment of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman in a contempt case till August 2.

However, the four-member ECP bench presided over by Nisar Durrani suspended its arrest warrants of the accused on his appearance before the Commission. The ECP has been carrying out contempt proceedings against the PTI chief for using “indecent” language against the electoral body and the Chief Election Commissioner.

The PTI chief’s counsel, Shoaib Shaheen, requested for an adjournment of the hearing till September, stating that he was a new lawyer in the case and needed time to gather all the facts.

The bench accepted the request and rescheduled the hearing for August 2, when it would frame charges against the PTI chief.

On Monday, the ECP issued the PTI chief’s arrest warrants with the directive to the Federal Capital Police to arrest the accused and present him before it on Tuesday.

The ECP had initiated contempt proceedings against the PTI chief, Asad Umar, and Fawad Chaudhry last year.

Asad Umar’s plea for exemption from the hearing was accepted, while the PTI chief and Fawad failed to appear before the Commission on Monday, resulting in the issuance of their arrest warrants.

Wang Yi appointed foreign minister of China

NNPS Desk

Tue, 25 Jul 2023, 6:15 PM

BEIJING, July 25 (APP): Wang Yi was appointed as foreign minister of China by the country’s top legislature on Tuesday.

China’s top legislature also voted to appoint Pan Gongsheng as central bank governor, as it convened a session.

Qin Gang was removed from the post of foreign minister he concurrently held; Yi Gang was removed from the post of governor of the People’s Bank of China, according to a decision adopted at the fourth session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC).

Chinese President Xi Jinping signed a presidential order to effectuate the decision.

Zhao Leji, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, presided over the session, which opened on Tuesday morning. A draft amendment to the Criminal Law was reviewed at the session, Chinese media reported.

The amendment focuses on better implementing the Party Central Committee’s principles and policies regarding the fight against corruption and the protection of private enterprises in accordance with the law.

It refines stipulations concerning the crime of offering bribes as well as corruption conducted by private enterprise personnel.

On Tuesday afternoon, Zhao presided over a meeting of the Council of Chairpersons of the NPC Standing Committee before the closing meeting of the session.

The closing meeting, attended by 169 members of the NPC Standing Committee, approved the personnel appointments and removals.

Amendments in ECP bill finalized in consultation with political parties: Tarar

NNPS Desk

Tue, 25 Jul 2023, 6:06 PM

azam nazeer tarar-ecp — ISLAMABAD: July 20 – Federal Minister for Law and Justice, Senator Azam Nazir Tarar addressing an important press conference. APP

ISLAMABAD, Jul 25 (APP): Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar on Tuesday said the proposed amendments in the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Bill were finalized in consultation with all the political parties represented in the Parliament.

Speaking at the Joint Session of the Parliament, the minister said a special committee led by Sardar Ayaz Sadiq having representation of various political parties, held a series of meetings for thorough deliberations on the amendments.

The members, including Syed Naveed Qamar, Dr Fahmida Mirza, Chaudhary Tariq Bashir Cheema, Syed Amin-ul-Haque, Muhammad Afzal Khan Dhandla, Agha Hassan Baloch, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Senator Taj Haider, Senator Kamran Murtaza, Senator Manzoor Ahmed, and Senator Syed Ali Zafar actively participated in the discussions, he added.

The minister said the bill was examined clause by clause by the committee members, whose written submissions were included in the final report .

Tarar asserted that all the amendments were prepared with consensus, reflecting a harmonious approach from all the political parties.

Responding to the objections raised by some members regarding the inclusion of bills in the agenda without sharing copies, the minister clarified that some bills had been pending for two years and were now included in the agenda due to the approaching end of the present Parliament’s tenure.

He said the bills had been widely circulated in the House many times before, with numerous debates conducted, dismissing any notion of ill intent behind their inclusion.

Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif supported the law minister’s statement, affirming that all amendments in the Elections Commission bill were made with the consensus of all political parties present in the Parliament.

He criticized the previous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government for its practice of carrying out legislation without adequate consultation with political parties.

Senators Raza Rabbani, Mushtaq Ahmed, Syed Ali Zafar and Kamaran Murtza voiced their objections regarding the legislation agenda shared for the joint session.

They expressed the concern that the lawmakers were not given adequate time to thoroughly review the proposed legislation to be passed by the House.

They said copies of the legislation had not been shared with the parliamentarians, making it difficult for them to participate effectively in the session.

The senators emphasized the importance of a strengthened parliament and suggested that the legislation be delayed by two to three days to allow ample time to the lawmakers to study the proposed bills properly.