PPP leader questions legitimacy of PML-N's mandate
The PPP stalwart lost his cool after coming face to face with PML-N loyalists and the State Minister for Interior, Talal Chaudhry, during a meeting of National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior, when the latter boasted that 'we have toppled government in the past and we can, again.'
The committee meeting was held with MNA Raja Khurram Nawaz in the chair.
The tone of the state minister for interior angered Gabol who is the PPP MNA from Karachi, and he confronted Chaudhry, saying 'the regime given to PML-N has made them arrogant, which needs to be curtailed.'
The PPP stalwart said that the attitude of the state minister and Capital Development Authority (CDA) chairman towards the committee members is uncalled for and is not acceptable.
'The attitude of the minister and, surprisingly, the CDA chairman, Muhammad Ali Randhawa who is a government official, towards committee members is simply not acceptable and I'm going to boycott the meeting in protest against their unruly attitude,' he said and staged a walkout from the meeting in protest.
The committee chairman requested Gabol not to stage a walkout from the meeting, but he left the meeting after an exchange of harsh words with Chaudhry.
During the discussion over the Capital Development Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2025, moved by PPP MNA Shazia Marri, an official of the Law Ministry said that the law already exists and therefore, the ministry did not support this bill.
To this, Marri said that she would move a privilege motion against the Law Ministry official. Talal Chaudhry replied, 'Go ahead, I will face it myself.'
The committee made a sub-committee for further examination and discussion over the Capital Development Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
During the meeting when the Law Ministry official said that the Constitution is supreme, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNA and member of the committee Shehryar Afridi asked the official to repeat the statement, saying, 'It sounds good.'
MNA Zartaj Gul said that we want to understand it. In response, Talal Chaudhry remarked that those who do not understand are made to understand.
Special invitee Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry criticised recent increases in property transfer fees by the CDA, calling them unacceptable. He said that a committee was formed by the prime minister to look into real estate matters in Islamabad. The CDA must withdraw this fee hike immediately, he said.
During the meeting, Chaudhry urged Minister Talal Chaudhry to pay attention, adding, 'This is not about Faisalabad, Minister Sahib! This is about Islamabad—please focus and listen.'
The minister for parliamentary affairs also expressed concern over deteriorating road conditions following recent rains, pointing out that even newly constructed roads submerged.
He urged CDA to ensure pending projects are completed, saying that people gather in front of his and chairman committee's offices in protest.
The meeting was attended by MNAs, Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, Malik Shakir Bashir Awan, Syed Rafiullah, Haji Jamal Shah Kakar, Sardar Nabeel Ahmed Gabol, Khawaja Izhar Ul Hassan, Nawabzada Mir Jamal Khan Raisani, Muhammad Ijazul Haq, Mohammad Jamal Ahsan Khan, Nisar Ahmed, Sahibzada Muhammad Hamid Raza, Shehryar Khan Afridi, Jamshaid Ahmed, Zartaj Gul, Sofia Saeed Shah, Shazia Marri, Aliya Kamran, Dr Mahreen Razaq Bhutto and Dr Tariq Fazal Chudhary and senior officials.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
5 hours ago
- Business Recorder
CM Murad directs to open M9-M5 Link Road next week
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Monday directed the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Unit of the province to open the New Link Road by July 25 and the Shahrah-e-Bhutto Expressway by December 2025. CM Murad said this during the meeting held at the CM House in Karachi. The meeting was attended by provincial ministers Sharjeel Memon, Nasir Shah, Saeed Ghani, prinicipal secretary to the CM Agha Wasif, Secretary Finance Fayaz Jatoi, Secretary Local Government Waseem Shamshad, Secretary Transport Asad Zamin, Project Director Shahrah-e-Bhutto Niaz Soomro, Project Engineer Khalid Masroor and other relevant officials. On this occasion, the chief minister conducted a comprehensive review of key ongoing infrastructure projects, including the New Link Road, Shahrah-e-Bhutto Expressway, and the Korangi Causeway Bridge near Qayyumabad. The New Link Road project, aimed at connecting the National Highway (N-5) with Motorway M-9, is progressing, with a significant portion already completed, said a press release issued by the CM House. 'The project is set to transform connectivity for freight and commuter traffic between Port Qasim, Karachi's industrial zones, and the broader national highway network,' the CM said. The upgraded Link Road corridor is being developed into a four-lane dual carriageway, replacing the congested and underdeveloped existing routes that have long hampered industrial and commercial traffic in the area, the press release added. CM Murad said that once completed, the road will provide a direct and efficient link between the M-9 Motorway (Karachi-Hyderabad) and National Highway (N-5), greatly reducing travel time and easing the movement of cargo from Port Qasim to the motorway network and other key destinations across the province. The 22-kilometre New Link Road project is nearing completion, with significant progress on the new interchange at M9 (kilometre 34+740). This Rs3.53 billion project is being executed in collaboration with the National Highway Authority (NHA) and Frontier Works Organization (FWO). The chief minister was told that the interchange construction is divided into three segments: Southbound, bridge over M9, and Northbound. Work on the Southbound segment is underway and expected to be completed by next month. At this, the CM directed the PPP unit to complete the work so that he could open it for traffic on July 25. He also said that once the new link road is opened the old link road would be closed. Construction on the bridge and Northbound sections began on April 24, and is progressing steadily. The chief minister directed the PPP Unit to complete the entire interchange by the end of October 2025 to improve connectivity and traffic flow on the M9 motorway. Upon the opening of the New Link Road, the old Link Road will be closed to traffic. Meanwhile, the 39-kilometre, state-of-the-art, 3x3 lane high-speed access-controlled Shahrah-e-Bhutto Expressway is 82% complete. This expressway connects DHA to the Hyderabad Motorway (M9) near Kathore and includes six interchanges, multiple toll plazas, and modern facilities designed to enhance traffic flow and industrial connectivity in Karachi. The first segment from Qayyumabad to Quaidabad is 99% complete, while the second segment from Quaidabad to Kathore has reached 65% progress. Key interchanges such as EBM, Shah-Faisal, and Quaidabad are complete, with Jam Sadiq and Memon Goth interchanges making significant progress despite some delays caused by utility relocations and concurrent Yellow Line corridor works. The Samo Goth elevated structure, a 4-kilometre stretch over the Malir River Bed aimed at preserving local villages, has achieved 48% physical progress since its start in August 2024. Preparations for the Kathore Interchange at M9 are underway, with the Finance Department approving a competitive bidding process to ensure timely execution. Korangi Causeway Bridge: The Korangi Causeway Bridge project is progressing rapidly, with 80% of the work completed. This Rs6.1 billion project, featuring a 26-meter wide bridge, is scheduled for completion by November 2025. The junction at Shahrah-e-Bhutto and Korangi Causeway has received administrative approval, with tendering underway and construction expected to commence by mid-August 2025. Once the Korangi Causeway Bridge is operational, the existing causeway road will be closed. CM Murad underscored the critical role these projects play in enhancing Karachi's infrastructure, alleviating traffic congestion, and promoting economic growth through improved connectivity. The Sindh government remains committed to delivering these landmark projects on schedule, fostering sustainable urban development, and strengthening public-private partnerships.
Express Tribune
7 hours ago
- Express Tribune
IFJ calls on SC to review new PECA law amendments
Listen to article The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has called on the Supreme Court of Pakistan to urgently review the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), citing what it says are escalating threats to press freedom and the safety of journalists in the country. In a letter addressed to Chief Justice — and also sent to the prime minister, the chief justice of the Islamabad High Court, and the president of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) — the IFJ said that media professionals in Pakistan are facing mounting dangers while performing their professional duties. Earlier this year, the National Assembly passed a set of amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) under a supplementary agenda, significantly expanding the government's authority to regulate online content and penalise digital offences. PECA (Amendment) Act 2025 included provisions for the formation of a Digital Rights Protection Authority (DRPA), which will be empowered to remove online content, restrict access to prohibited material, and impose penalties on individuals who share such content. The amendments also broadened the definition of 'social media platforms' to encompass tools and software used to access these platforms. The revised law now extends its jurisdiction to include websites, applications and various communication channels. As part of the legislative changes, the FIA Cybercrime Wing is to be disbanded and replaced with a stricter framework of enforcement. Under the new rules, individuals sharing expunged material from parliamentary or provincial assemblies on social media could face imprisonment of up to three years along with a fine of Rs2 million. Read: Provinces made party to case against PECA amendments 'Journalists are being subjected to legal cases, harassment, and threats under the PECA law,' the federation stated, adding that Pakistan's government is a signatory to international conventions such as those of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations, which obligate it to protect fundamental rights. The IFJ noted that recent amendments to PECA have granted the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) powers to act without a formal complaint — a move it warns could be used to silence dissent and target journalists arbitrarily. 'These powers pose a serious risk of suppressing independent journalism and freedom of expression,' the letter said, urging the top court to direct the government to amend the law in consultation with PFUJ and other relevant stakeholders. The federation also expressed concern over the bypassing of high courts through direct appeals to the SC, calling it a 'circumvention of judicial process.' In its letter, the IFJ reported that at least seven journalists have been killed in Pakistan over the past year, with no perpetrators convicted in cases involving attacks or threats. The latest Press Freedom Report, it said, documented 34 violations, including physical assaults, harassment, online hate campaigns, and intimidation. Read more: Back to the cave: Where does PECA take us? Media workers, the IFJ said, also face systemic challenges such as non-payment of wages, unlawful dismissals, and significant security risks. Furthermore, legal barriers to unionization have been reinforced by recent state legislation, undermining workers' rights. 'Media professionals are being deprived of the right to unionize, and they do not have equal access to justice in the courts,' the letter read. The IFJ revealed it has dispatched two fact-finding missions to Pakistan, where representatives met with journalists, media owners, PFUJ leadership, and human rights advocates. The federation said it supports PFUJ's ongoing legal efforts, including a petition filed in the Islamabad High Court, which is still awaiting a final decision. Underlining the urgency of the situation, the IFJ appealed to the Chief Justice to immediately initiate a comprehensive judicial review of PECA, especially the amendments that grant sweeping powers to the FIA. 'Immediate action must be taken to protect press freedom under Article 19 of the Constitution,' the federation concluded.
Express Tribune
17 hours ago
- Express Tribune
PTI banishes five MNAs from party
Listen to article The opposition, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), on Sunday expelled five members of the National Assembly for going against the party line during the vote on the 26th Constitutional Amendment in the National Assembly in October last month. According to separate notifications issued by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, the expelled members are Aurangzeb Khichi, Zahoor Hussain Qureshi, Usman Ali, Mubarak Zeb and Ilyas Chaudhry. These independent lawmakers were supported by the PTI in the 2024 general elections. The similarly-worded notifications stated that these lawmakers violated the party instructions and voted in favour of the 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill on October 21, 2024, while the party in a meeting had unanimously decided to oppose the amendment. "You are hereby declared to have violated your commitment, oath and loyalty to the Party. You have acted contrary to the instructions of the Party as you voted in favor of 26th Constitutional (Amendment) Bill 2024," said one of five notifications, sent to Qureshi. "And by [that] conduct [you] have joined another Parliamentary Party in the National Assembly. You are therefore expelled from the Party (PTI) forthwith. Needless to add that you also stand disqualified on account of the aforesaid conduct," it added. The 26th Amendment was passed with a two-thirds majority. Among the opposition parties, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) had supported the government after several rounds of negotiations. The PTI however, chose to oppose the bill. Yet the government was able to get five members on its side. Soon after the bill was passed, the PTI decided to take legal action against its lawmakers who had violated the party policy. At that time, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had said that these lawmakers had been elected as independents; therefore, they were not bound by any party decision. The PTI's notifications on Sunday said that notices were issued to the dissenting National Assembly members on November 5, 2024 to show cause why they "should not be declared to have defected" from the party, but "you did not respond to the notice". The notifications also stated that these members deserved of disqualification from being elected representatives for joining another party. The PTI chairman demanded of the National Assembly speaker to disqualify that these members. Among the expelled members Khichi was elected to the National Assembly from NA-159 Vehari-IV; Qureshi from NA-146 Khanewal-III; Usman Ali from NA.142, Sahiwal-II; Muhammad Ilyas Choudhry from NA.62, Gujrat-I and Mubarak Zeb from NA.8, Bajaur.
