Latest news with #NaeemAnwar
Express Tribune
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PHC halts rollback of cadet promotions
A two-member bench of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) has restrained authorities from revoking the promotions of police officers who had advanced in rank as cadets in the Khybe-Pakhtunkhwa police. The court also sought a detailed response from the concerned departments. The bench, comprising Justice Naeem Anwar and Justice Farah Jamshed, was hearing a writ petition filed by Amjad Hussain and others through Advocate Syed Asif Ali Shah. The petitioners argued that they are currently serving at the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and other senior positions in the police force, having received promotions during their training period when they were officially designated as cadets (those candidates who topped their promotion courses). According to the petitioners, under Standing Order No. 11 of 1987, police officers declared cadets during their course were entitled to faster promotions compared to their peers. These promotions, they asserted, do not fall under the category of "out-of-turn" promotions, which were declared unlawful by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in the context of Sindh and Punjab. The petitioners further stated that the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government had initially attempted to reverse their promotions by misapplying the Supreme Court's ruling. However, in 2022, the Peshawar High Court had ruled that these promotions were legally protected through proper legislative measures and did not qualify as out-of-turn promotions. They noted that the Supreme Court had laid out distinct procedures for various categories of promotions and that the current Inspector General of Police had, on May 23, 2025, issued a notification wrongly categorizing their cadet-based promotions as out-of-turn.
Express Tribune
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PHC extends stay on ADP funds
The Peshawar High Court has extended the stay order until May 14 in a petition filed by opposition members of the provincial assembly challenging the inclusion of block and umbrella schemes in the Annual Development Program (ADP) by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government. The court cautioned that if the petitioner's lawyer fails to appear at the next hearing, the stay order will be lifted. A two-member bench, comprising Justice Naeem Anwar and Justice Kamran Hayat, presided over the proceedings. The petitioner's counsel informed the court that a new lawyer had been appointed, who was currently unavailable due to prior professional commitments, and sought an adjournment. Additional Attorney General Muhammad Adnan noted that the stay order, in place since October 2, 2024, has halted the release of funds for various development projects. Justice Naeem Anwar remarked that the court intends to conclude the hearing on the next date and warned that in the absence of the petitioner's lawyer, the stay order would be vacated. The petition was filed by opposition leader Dr. Ibad, along with 19 other MPAs, including Arbab Muhammad Wasim, Ahmad Kundi, Arbab Muhammad Usman, Karamatullah Khan, Ehsanullah Khan, and Muhammad Iqbal Khan.
Business Recorder
30-04-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
NTC working to protect domestic industry: Naeem Anwar
KARACHI: Chairman of the National Tariff Commission (NTC) Naeem Anwar stated that the NTC is working to protect the domestic industry, as well as, ensure consumer protection. It regulates tariff determination, imposes anti-dumping duties, countervailing duties, and safeguard measures, and recommends policy measures to the government regarding tariff structures. He made these remarks at a meeting of SITE Association of Industry. He was accompanied by Commission Member Muhammad Iqbal Tabish. Naeem Anwar said that the NTC currently administers customs duties, regulatory duties, additional customs duties, countervailing duties, and anti-dumping duties. Anti-dumping duty is imposed for five years or more. A pre-application counselling desk has also been established at the NTC office to facilitate the submission of applications by the concerned industries, eliminating the need to consult a lawyer. He added that, in the past, the World Trade Organization (WTO) issued three policy guidelines and asked all member countries to implement them. Under the first agreement, if a country sells its products at a lower price in another country, a duty may be imposed to cover the price difference and protect local industry. Under the second agreement, if a government subsidizes its goods to sell them at lower prices in another country, a countervailing duty can be imposed to prevent this practice. The third agreement relates to a sudden surge in imports and is called the Agreement on Safeguards. Under this agreement, duties can be imposed to control the import of specific products. In line with WTO directives, Pakistan has enacted laws to protect its local industries. The Chairman further stated that an anti-dumping duty can be imposed within four months. The NTC team will visit the concerned industry and the relevant country to study price differences. If a subsidy is proven, a countervailing duty — like an anti-dumping duty — can be imposed for five years. Both anti-dumping and countervailing duties benefit exporters. The NTC has so far protected around 50 to 60 domestic products. 'In the current era of excessive tariffs between the USA and China, these laws will help protect Pakistani industries,' the NTC Chairman remarked. However, SITE President Ahmed Azeem Alvi stated that SITE is the oldest and largest industrial area in Pakistan, contributing nearly US$2.8 billion in annual exports and accounting for 18% of national revenue. He mentioned that, beyond tariffs, the high cost of utilities is a significant impediment to industrial progress, specifically citing that the electricity tariff of K-Electric is higher than in other cities of the country. President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry and former President of the SITE Association of Industry, Jawed Bilwani, on the occasion, cited many industries and brands that had shut down due to unfair trade practices and flawed duty structures. He said that the NTC's role in protecting the industry is a positive step. He emphasised that China, with its economy of scale and even free electricity for industries, makes it practically impossible for Pakistan to compete under current conditions. Bilwani suggested establishing a 'Research Cell' within the NTC to focus on the three types of trade remedy agreements — anti-dumping duties, countervailing duties, and safeguard measures — stating that this would have long-term benefits. He added that hiring professionals solely for research purposes would bring better expertise and in-depth knowledge, significantly aiding the Commission's objectives. 'We cannot survive unless we have strong, research-supported information,' he remarked. Chairman of the Taxation & Trade Policy Committee, Riaz Uddin, also addressed the gathering. He noted that while tariffs are intended to protect domestic industries and regulate trade, structural flaws, weak enforcement, and political interference have led to market distortions, rent-seeking behaviour, and reduced competitiveness. He highlighted several key issues stemming from inadequate tariff policies, flawed implementation, and lack of coordination among government departments. These include complexity, excessively high tariffs, inefficient protection mechanisms, misuse of safeguards, lack of authority, and arbitrary decision-making. He observed that with the advent of Trump-era super tariffs, the global trend has shifted from free trade under the WTO to a more protectionist regime. Riaz Uddin recommended using trade and tariff policy as an instrument for trade promotion. He suggested capping the highest total customs duty at 15–20% for finished goods (excluding luxury items, vehicles, and non-essential imports), and reviewing and renegotiating free trade agreements (FTAs) — particularly with friendly countries — where the outcomes have negatively affected local industries due to improper negotiations. He also recommended harmonizing Pakistan's tariffs with those of SAARC and ASEAN countries, noting that Pakistan's tariffs are currently higher than those of its regional peers. Vice President Muhammad Riaz Dhedhi, Abdul Kadir Bilwani, Muhammad Hussain Moosani, Ehtesham Rais, Abdul Rasheed, Aman Naseem, Muhammad Tahir Goreja, and Haris Shakoor were also present. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PHC orders petitioner's PEDO appointment
A divisional bench of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) allowed on Tuesday a writ petition filed by Engr Javed Akhtar and ordered his appointment as Member Hydropower of the Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization (PEDO). The bench, comprising Justice Naeem Anwar and Qazi Jawad Ehsanullah, overturned the provincial cabinet's decision, which had denied the appointment based on the criteria set under the PEDO (Appointment and Terms and Conditions of Chief Executive and Members) Rules, 2024. During a hearing, Shumail Ahmad Butt, the counsel for the petitioner, told the court that PEDO was reorganised in 2020 following the enactment of a new PEDO Act. Under this act, PEDO's management was entrusted to an executive committee. He explained that the executive committee comprised the chief executive, the additional Secretary of E&P department and three members representing finance, renewable energy and hydropower. Butt argued that the qualifications of these members were listed in Section 9(3) of the new act, while Section 9(4) stated that additional rules would govern other terms and conditions. He contended that since the law itself prescribed the qualifications, no further delegated legislation was necessary. He further stated that the positions were advertised in September 2020, and the petitioner applied for the Member Hydropower post. Despite being at the top of the merit list, the recruitment process remained incomplete for various reasons. In 2024, new rules were introduced with revised qualifications, which ultimately led to the petitioner's disqualification from the appointment. He continued to say that the positions were advertised in September 2020 where the petitioner had applied for post of member hydropower. He was at the top of the merit list but the process was not completed for one reason or another, while in 2024, new rules were introduced and new qualifications were prescribed and thus the petitioner was denied of the appointment.
Express Tribune
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PHC rejects all petitions against military court sentences
Listen to article The Peshawar High Court has dismissed all petitions challenging the sentences handed down by military courts. A two-member bench comprising Justice Naeem Anwar and Justice Dr. Khurshid Iqbal heard 29 writ petitions filed against the military court sentences. The court ruled that the sentences handed down by military courts would only be considered effective once signed by the Field General Court Martial. During the hearing, the petitioners' lawyers, Additional Attorney General Sanaaullah, and court assistant Shamil Ahmad Butt were present. The petitioners' lawyers argued that the convicted individuals had already served their sentences in military custody and should be released as per the law, which counts the time spent in custody as part of their sentence. The Additional Attorney General informed the court that under special laws, the accused do not benefit from the provisions of Section 382-B, which offers early release after serving part of the sentence. He further clarified that the convicted individuals were terrorists and not entitled to any leniency. The Additional Attorney General emphasized that previous rulings by the larger bench of the Peshawar High Court and other bench had established that sentences under special laws did not allow for the benefit of Section 382-B. The sentences would only begin from the date the Field General Court Martial signs them. He added that the sentences imposed by the Field General Court Martial fall within the special law's jurisdiction, and the High Court only examines whether the sentences comply with the relevant sections under military court law.
