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Business Recorder
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
PTI counsel says no time violation in 15-day window for independents
ISLAMABAD: The counsel of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) asserted that there is no violation of time-line in the majority judgment by granting 15 days to the 41 independents to join the PTI. The judgment of eight judges in reserved seats has straight way declared that 39 independents, out of 80, were PTI candidates, while for 41 candidates laid down the mechanism for their joining the PTI. Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail and the ex-CJP Qazi Faez also ruled that 39 independents, who in their nomination paper mentioned PTI, are the PTI MNAs. Justice Yahya Afridi also had similar view. Salman Akram Raja, representing the PTI, said that 11 judges had accepted the reality that injustice was caused to the PTI candidates in the general elections 2024. Defending the majority judgment, he argued that 15 days were given to 41 candidates to inform that on February 8, 2024 of which party they were member, and not to join a political party, adding the majority judgment did not give relief to the PTI, but to the people of Pakistan. An 11-member Constitutional Bench, headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan, on Friday, heard the review petitions of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP) and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The proceeding was live-streamed on SC's YouTube channel. During the proceeding, Justice Musarrat Hilali questioned why did Hamid Raza, who is chairman of Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), contested election as an independent candidate. Raja clarified that Hamid Raza in his nomination form instead of independent wrote the PTI-SIC alliance. Justice Mandokhail asked Raja that if his argument is accepted then 11 judges' judgment was wrong, and review should have been filed by the SIC rather than the ECP, the PML-N and the PPP. He said the Court cannot compel anyone to join such and such political party. Justice Hilali also questioned whether voting is the fundamental rights? Her objection was that after birth a person does not have voting right automatically, rather he had to wait till the age of 18 years. Justice Baqar Ali Najafi said right of vote is subject to the law and a person can cast vote after attaining the age of 18, and he/she polls vote only when there are elections in his/her constituency. Justice Najafi observed that there had been constitution deviation and the fundamental rights were violated in the past as well. He inquired from Raja what deviation did he see in the last elections, adding if the elections were non transparent and fair then why not the entire process of general elections 2024 declared null and void. Raja responded that instead of striking down the elections the Court laid down the mechanism to rectify the wrongs committed. He submitted that in the past whenever the constitutional scheme was violated or deviated the apex court played its role to bring the situation back to normal, adding if the matter is of general public and the fundamental rights then it can invoke the jurisdiction under Article 184(3) and Article 187 of the constitution, and under these provisions it has much greater and wider power. Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar did not agree with him and said the High Court under Article 199 has greater power than the Supreme Court as it has power of habeas corpus and quo warran to. Raja also contended that there was no issue that the election symbol was taken, but the worst thing happened was that the PTI was derecognised, the candidates were told that if they would write PTI in their nomination forms then those would not be accepted and forced them to write independent in the nomination papers. The violation was committed by the ECP under Article 51 of the constitution that a party was not recognised and its candidates were not allowed to contest election on PTI ticket. These things completely destroyed the sanctity of the elections, he added. The PTI lawyer argued that the reason for joining the SIC was that they had the precedent of Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), which neither contested elections nor had any seat in the Assemblies despite that reserved seats were allocated to it. Earlier, Raja argued that review petitions could be filed if some facts or provisions of law are overlooked, while the erroneous judgment is no ground for review. Similarly, no technical aspect comes in the way to challenge the judgment in review jurisdiction. He contended that a party has to establish that the fact or provision of law was overlooked. The case is adjourned until Monday (June 23). Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
KPK budget FY26
EDITORIAL: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) unveiled a 2119 billion-rupee budget outlay for next fiscal year with a projected surplus of 157 billion rupees — an amount that is lower by 15.8 billion rupees from what was budgeted by the federal government as its share in the 1217 billion-rupees provincial surplus (based on 14.62 percent KPK's share in the divisible pool). Given that the Sindh government budgeted a deficit of 38 billion rupees, instead of a surplus of 298 billion rupees budgeted by the federal government, a critical partner in propping up the PML-N government at the Centre, the KPK government's surplus must have come as a pleasant surprise for the Centre. In this context, it is relevant to note that the Sindh government has cited major risks associated with federal transfers pledged in the budget given that it is a usual occurrence for the federal budget to present unrealistic tax targets (in the current year the shortfall is projected at one trillion rupees). However, the KPK budget formulators took the innovative and more appropriate measure to release a document titled 'Fiscal Risk Statement', which itemised a range of issues that would impact on the revenue and expenditure side of the budget, a list that includes: (i) general economic risks associated with geopolitical tensions, including with neighbouring countries, which present the possibility of potential disruptions in trade and investment flows, posing threats to economic stability and growth; (ii) specific fiscal risks associated with lower tax collections by the FBR than budgeted, leading to lower than budgeted total transfers to KPK which, in turn, was at a variance of negative 4 percent in two years — 2021-22 and 2022-23 — and which widened to negative 19 percent in 2023-24 and registered negative 8.79 percent in 2024-25; and (iii) structural or institutional risks. KPK's outstanding debt portfolio increased by 6.41 percent due to an increase in net receipts (disbursements less principal repayments) and decrease in foreign currency exchange rate from 285 to 280 which had a weighted average impact of -1.75 percent. However, it was rightly flagged that a portion of the province's foreign debt portfolio remains linked to variable international benchmarks such as the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR), Japanese Yen Tokyo Overnight Average Rate (TONA), and the Euro Interbank Offered Rate (EURIBOR). While recent trends indicate a slowdown or pause in global rate hikes, any future tightening by major central banks could increase the cost of debt servicing. Two further observations on the budget are in order. First, tax on agriculture income is budgeted at 130 billion rupees next fiscal year, the same amount that was generated in the revised estimates of 2024-25 (against the budgeted amount of 114 billion rupees in the outgoing fiscal year), which makes one wonder what is the expected implementation of the legislated tax on the income of farmers, as per the International Monetary Fund's condition, to be implemented from 1 July 2025 with the effectivity pre-dated to 1 January 2025. And secondly, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's flagship project, Insaaf Sehat Card plus programme, is budgeted to receive 41 billion rupees next fiscal year and coverage list of medical conditions has been expanded to include liver, kidney, bone marrow and cochlear transplants/implants and related issues. Preparing a medium-term strategy paper, as required by the multilaterals, does not add real value to the federal budget as it itemises a wish-list of the future with, if past precedents are anything to go by, little likelihood of being taken seriously by the economic team leaders. However, one would recommend to the federal government (as well as all other provinces) to prepare a fiscal risk statement each year that would go a long way in adequately responding to routine challenges to budgeted revenue and expenditure claims that sadly are routinely violated. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
MNAs demand agriculture zones
PML-N-led coalition government in the Centre now has 229 members in the NA. PHOTO: APP Legislators from both opposition and treasury benches on Wednesday called for the establishment of Special Agriculture Zones, IT Facilitation Centers nationwide, increased farmer support, and funding for churches and temples to promote economic growth and social inclusion. Resuming general budget debate on the fifth day in the National Assembly, Dr Zulfikar Ali Bhatti of PML-N stressed the need to develop rural areas and strengthen the agricultural sector. He proposed the establishment of Special Agriculture Zones nationwide, equipped with all necessary facilities to enhance agricultural productivity. He also advocated for providing incentives to farmers. Additionally, he called for the creation of IT facilitation centers in rural regions and the implementation of skills development programs for youth, particularly in underprivileged areas, to promote self-sufficiency. Awais Haider Jhakar of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) highlighted the challenges faced by farmers and criticized government policies that have contributed to a decline in agricultural output. Abdul Ghafoor Haideri of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl) urged Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah to issue a ruling calling for strict punishment of those involved in the attempted abduction of Maulana Fazl ur Rehman's son and demanded their immediate arrest. Zulfiqar Ali Behan of the Pakistan People's Party called for the imposition of an agricultural emergency in the country and the removal of taxes on fertilizers to boost farm production. He also called for the establishment of a university in Naushahro Feroze. Chaudhry Mubeen Arif Jatt of SIC demanded immediate withdrawal of the proposed 18 percent General Sales Tax (GST) on solar panels. He also highlighted the hardships faced by farmers, noting that their produce is being sold at prices lower than their production costs. Chaudhry Riaz Ul Haq of PML-N demanded a review of the Federal Board of Revenue's (FBR) excessive powers and emphasized the need to lower fertilizer prices. Ejaz Hussain Jakhrani of the PPP said that the Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) is providing excellent services in liver transplantation. He also stated that the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway is a vital need of the people and urged authorities to pay attention to the project. MNA Sohail Sultan said that it is the government's duty to provide relief to the people. Syed Shah Ahad Ali Shah of SIC underscored the importance of offering targeted incentives to empower the nation's youth. Discussing agriculture, MNA Nasir Iqbal emphasized the importance of the sector and urged the government to either raise crop prices or reduce production costs.
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Iran-Israel conflict: Imran Khan postpones nationwide protest for two weeks
ISLAMABAD: The jailed ex-prime minister of Pakistan Imran Khan on Tuesday put his planned nationwide protest on hold for two weeks, citing escalating global tensions following the Iran-Israel conflict. Talking to journalists outside Adiala Jail, Khan's sister Noreen Niazi said that the decision came after careful consideration of the fragile international situation. The 71-year-old cricket legend-turned-politician has been behind bars for the last about two years, facing a barrage of charges from corruption to terrorism, widely seen by his supporters as politically motivated after his dramatic ousting via a no-confidence vote in April 2022. Last month, Khan vowed to spearhead his party's protests against the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-led coalition government – from prison. Senator Ali Zafar quoted Khan as urging his party to make the upcoming protests decisive and impactful, signalling no intention of backing down despite his incarceration. Noreen Niazi stressed Khan's belief that Pakistan needs to stay united in these turbulent times. 'He [Imran] is acutely aware of the global crisis and has called for national cohesion,' she added. Uzma Khan, another sister of Imran Khan who also visited him in Adiala Jail, emphasised his outspoken views on international issues, including Israel, which has made waves far beyond Pakistan's borders. The fragile relationship between the government, the military and PTI worsened last year after the party abruptly quit dialogue talks, frustrated by the government's failure to set up judicial commissions probing the violent May 9 and November 26 events. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has repeatedly invited the PTI to return to the negotiating table, most recently in a speech in the National Assembly but Khan's camp is yet to respond. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Iran-Israel conflict: IK postpones nationwide protest for two weeks
ISLAMABAD: The jailed ex-prime minister Imran Khan on Tuesday put his planned nationwide protest on hold for two weeks, citing escalating global tensions following the Iran-Israel conflict. Talking to journalists outside Adiala Jail, Khan's sister Noreen Niazi said that the decision came after careful consideration of the fragile international situation. The 71-year-old cricket legend-turned-politician has been behind bars for the last about two years, facing a barrage of charges from corruption to terrorism, widely seen by his supporters as politically motivated after his dramatic ousting via a no-confidence vote in April 2022. Last month, Khan vowed to spearhead his party's protests against the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-led coalition government – from prison. Senator Ali Zafar quoted Khan as urging his party to make the upcoming protests decisive and impactful, signalling no intention of backing down despite his incarceration. Noreen Niazi stressed Khan's belief that Pakistan needs to stay united in these turbulent times. 'He [Imran] is acutely aware of the global crisis and has called for national cohesion,' she added. Uzma Khan, another sister of Imran Khan who also visited him in Adiala Jail, emphasised his outspoken views on international issues, including Israel, which has made waves far beyond Pakistan's borders. The fragile relationship between the government, the military and PTI worsened last year after the party abruptly quit dialogue talks, frustrated by the government's failure to set up judicial commissions probing the violent May 9 and November 26 events. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has repeatedly invited the PTI to return to the negotiating table, most recently in a speech in the National Assembly but Khan's camp is yet to respond. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
