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Pakistan

Winter activity and political turmoil!

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When the Supreme Court of Pakistan summoned Prime Minister Imran Khan during the hearing of the APS suo motu case, the tide of national politics began to turn.

Imran Yaqub Khan Profile Imran Yaqub Khan

The Honorable Court first reprimanded the Attorney General and then summoned the Prime Minister in person. Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Gulzar Ahmed and the esteemed judges of the bench Justice Ijaz-ul-Hassan and Justice Qazi Amin made strong remarks during the hearing. According to political pundits, the summons of the Prime Minister to the Supreme Court seems to be adding to the growing worries for the present government that always claims "change".

Opposition groups called for a boycott of the assembly. Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Mian Shahbaz Sharif and Bilawal Bhutto have once again stood in the same line. In today's joint sitting of the parliament, a joint strategy has been formulated to prevent the government from enacting legislation. The opposition is calling the NAB legislation and government legislation for electronic voting machines one-sided and illegal. The opposition believes that the Imran Khan government is trying to give itself NRO by changing the NAB rules. Attempts will be made to steal the next election through electronic voting machine.

On Tuesday night, PML-N President and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif had invited the opposition MPs for dinner. Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto also attended the dinner. According to newspaper reports, 180 members of parliament attended the dinner. On this occasion, it was decided that all members of the opposition would ensure attendance in the House. The people who are in the throes of inflation will want the opposition to be their voice.

It's welcoming to see the opposition together. The people may also see a glimmer of hope in their gathering. The purpose of uniting this long-divided opposition is to prevent legislation from gaining a numerical majority. Talking to media persons after the dinner, Shahbaz Sharif said that the country could not move forward without transparent elections. Bilawal Bhutto also assured that the opposition is united under the leadership of Shehbaz Sharif. Prior to the dinner, the legal team of the opposition parties also sat together and agreed that the government's efforts to bulldoze the parliament would be thwarted. This commitment of the opposition is commendable.

In the National Assembly on Tuesday, the government had to give up trying to get a vote on two bills. The government couldn't present its bill. The bill introduced by the opposition could not be stopped. This could be seen as a significant development ahead of the joint sitting of Parliament. In such a scenario, the question arises as to whether the opposition is really united and how serious it is to stop the government. Are old grievances gone? Until recently, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was on the ground in opposition to the government alone, taking the wound of separation from the PDM to heart. Young leaders are also going to be emotional, so while opposing the government, they have been opposing the opposition. Now that he is again standing by the side of Shehbaz Sharif, it is hoped that Shehbaz may have ignored Bilawal's statements.

Qamar Zaman Kaira is a seasoned politician and holds a prominent position among the central leaders of the PPP. Kaira Sahib had opened a front against PML-N on the day when the opposition parties in Islamabad were uniting and formulating a plan of action against the government. He accused the PML-N of having backdoor contacts with the Establishment and made it clear that if the statement of respecting the vote was to be respected then backdoor contacts should be terminated. The incumbant government is intact because of PML-N and these people want the government to complete five years.

There are two statements going on in his party. First unite in your party. Nawaz Sharif should clarify whether his statement is resistance or compromise. Kaira's questions must be answered. Now it remains to be seen whether Shehbaz Sharif's tolerance comes to the fore in response or whether there is shelling from PML-N as well. However, PDM spokesman Hafiz Hamdullah did respond to Kaira. In his statement, he said that the PPP had stabbed the PDM in the back for the post of Leader of the Opposition in the Senate. By criticizing the PDM, the PPP is opposing the opposition, not the government. PPP please, it is not appropriate to make a hole in the plate in which you have eaten. If you want to return to PDM, then consult Maulana Fazlur Rehman and the leadership of PDM.

The fate of the people of Pakistan always hangs in balance because of the Opposition's tactics favouring the government. Perhaps that is why Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry has termed the opposition as Bhanmati's family. He also advised the Opposition to wait for the first two years and the next five years. Every time the winter season comes, the political tension mounts. On this, Fawad Chaudhry mockingly called PDM a winter activity and said that these people just go out in winter and then leave. Given the past performance of the Opposition, this confidence of the government is not unreasonable. Now the question is whether the Opposition will be able to surprise the government in the joint sitting of the Parliament. If you look at the number of members of both the houses, the government has a lead of two members in the number game.

There are currently 440 MPs in both houses. The PTI and its allies have 221 members in the National Assembly and Senate. Opposition parties have 219 members in the National Assembly and Senate. There are 156 members of PTI, 7 members of MQM and 5 members of BAP in the National Assembly. PML-Q has 5 members and GDA has 3 members. Awami Muslim League, JWP and Azad are one member each. If you look at the opposition, there are 83 members of PML-N, 56 members of PPP, 15 members of MMA and 4 members of BNP in the National Assembly. The ANP has one member and the opposition has the support of three independents. The government and allies have 42 seats in the Senate. PTI 27, BAP 9 and MQM 3 are members of the Senate. The government also has the support of the Functional League, the Q League and an independent candidate. The Senate has 57 opposition members. PPP has 21 members, PML-N has 9, JUI-5 and National Party has 2 members. Jamaat-e-Islami One, PK Map 2, ANP 2 and BNP also have 2 members. The opposition also has the support of six members of the Dilawar Khan group in the Senate.

It seems that the joint sitting of the parliament is going to be tumultuous no matter what else happens.

Imran Yaqub Khan

Imran Yaqub is senior journalist and analyst

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Health

Measles claims lives of 5 children in Tando Allahyar

The latest reports say that the condition of 3 children brought to Civil Hospital is very critical.

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Islamabad: Five children died of measles on Sunday in Chandru Meo village of Tando Allahyar.

The latest reports said that the condition of 3 children brought to Civil Hospital is very critical.

According to the Medical Superintendent of the Civil Hospital, the treatment of the children was started and measles vaccination is being administered to children.

The children were identified as five year old Iqra, daughter of Ashraf, her four year old brother, Ashiq and their relative, three year old Asif son of Yameen.

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Pakistan

FM Dar appointed as Deputy Prime Minister

The latest reports say that the Cabinet Division has issued notification of Ishaq Dar as Deputy Prime Minister of the country.

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Islamabad: Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar was assigned the additional responsibility of Deputy Prime Minister, the cabinet division issued the notification on Sunday.

 The appointment, effective immediately and until further notice, was made by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Dar had served as the Federal Minister for Commerce and Investment during Nawaz Sharif's government from 1997 to 1999.

Besides it, he had twice served as the Federal Minister for Finance, Economic Affairs, Revenue, and Statistics in different periods.

Before his ministerial roles, Dar was appointed as Minister of State and Chief Executive of Pakistan Investment Board from 1992 to 1993. He also has a background in the business sector, having served as President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Dar briefly took on the role of Federal Finance Minister in 2008 but resigned when PML-N decided to withdraw from the coalition government led by the PPP. He later resumed the position of Finance Minister in Nawaz Sharif's government in 2013.

In 2022, Dar was reappointed as Finance Minister until the end of the coalition government's term in August 2023. Despite his longstanding expertise in finance within the PML-N, he was appointed as Minister of Foreign Affairs in March of the current year, with the finance portfolio going to Muhammad Aurangzeb.

Before Dar's appointment, the last Deputy Prime Minister was Chaudhry Pervez Elahi of PML-Q, appointed in June 2012. Dar has held various significant roles in the government previously.

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Pakistan

Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation delegation meets Punjab governor

Governor Punjab Muhammad Balighur Rehman says good work of welfare organizations which are serving the humanityĀ  should be acknowledged as it motivates other people too.

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Lahore: The delegation of Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation met Governor Punjab, Muhammad Balighur Rehman, at Governor House Lahore on Sunday.

 The delegation comprised Chairperson Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, Cecilia Lazaro,  founder and Executive Director of Akhuwat Foundation, Akhuwat  Foundation, Abubakar Siddique and others.

Speaking on the occasion, Governor Punjab Muhammad Balighur Rehman said that good work of welfare organizations which are serving the humanity  should be acknowledged as it motivates other people too.

Governor Punjab said that those who dedicate their lives for humanity are great. Governor Punjab while appreciating the welfare services of Amjad Saqib, head of Akhuwat Foundation, said that conferment of  Ramon Magsaysay Foundation Award on him is honour for the country. He said that in Pakistan, Akhuwat, Edhi, Indus Foundation and other organizations like them are playing an important role alongside the government in poverty alleviation and social development. Governor Punjab said that people to people cobtact is very important in the relations between the two countries.

He said that many foreign delegations meet him and tell him that got a different perception about Pakistan from media before visiting, but they found it otherwise. The participants of the delegation thanked the Punjab Governor for inviting them to the Governor House. While expressing their views, they said that the people of Pakistan are very hospitable. On this occasion, the delegation was also given a visit to the Governor's House.

Meanwhile, Punjab Governor Muhammad Balighur Rahman expressed deep grief and sorrow over the demise of senior politician, Afzal Tarar. Governor Punjab also expressed his heartfelt condolences to the late Afzal Tarar's daughter, Saira Afzal Tarar and other bereaved family members. He said that the late Afzal Tarar was a man of principles. The deceased served the country and the nation with sincerity, he added. Governor Punjab said that his services for the country and the party will be remembered. He prayed that Allah Almighty raise the ranks of the deceased and give patience to the bereaved.

Besides, Punjab Governor Muhammad Balighur Rahman attended the  walima ceremony of the sons of Vice Chancellor, Fatima Jinnah Medical University, Dr. Khalid Masood Gondal at a local hotel in Lahore.  Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Khalid Masood thanked the Punjab Governor  for attending the walima ceremony of his sons.

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Federal Minister of Law, Nazir Tarar, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, provincial ministers, vice chancellors of universities and important personalities attended the Walima ceremony.

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