Latest news with #18thAmendment
Express Tribune
36 minutes ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
K-P Assembly session on peace turns into war of words
A special session of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, convened to consult on the province's law-and-order situation and propose effective measures for peace, ironically descended into political point-scoring, blame games and verbal crossfire on Tuesday, with little substantive progress made. The session, chaired by Muhammad Idrees after a three-hour delay, suffered from poor attendance on both treasury and opposition benches. The repeated quorum breaks, along with the absence of several provincial ministers, further disrupted proceedings. Opening the debate after the recitation of the Holy Quran, PML-N MPA Farukh Khan warned that terrorism was rearing its head again. "This province was once the cradle of peace, home to the Gandhara civilisation, but then a time came when it was drenched in blood," he lamented. He said the public looked to the House with expectations. Recalling Nawaz Sharif's tenure as prime minister, he claimed it had brought peace to the country, and emphasised that the nation now required the "same spirit". "Since the 18th Amendment, law and order has been a provincial subject. The story must begin here, with positive proposals from this House. In times of crisis, governments and oppositions work together we must get on the same page and make history by truly representing our province." However, he pointed out that the province can seek help from the federation. "We cannot endure more lost lives, broken homes, and abandoned lands. Speeches alone will not do, the government must take the lead, and we are ready to stand with it." Ali Shah said the situation was forcing people from Bajaur to flee their homes. "My heart bleeds for them. Conditions in Balochistan and K-P are deteriorating. In Punjab, there is neither an operation nor any drone strike, but our borders have become insecure." Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Sohail Afridi pointed out that no opposition member had spoken against military operations in the merged districts, whereas PTI's entire leadership had opposed the move alongside the provincial government. To this day, the leaders of opposition parties have neither taken a clear position nor issued a statement against the operations. The blood of the Pashtuns continues to be traded," he said. Afridi lashed out at the Awami National Party, saying that "a party led by Aimal Wali cannot lecture us on political maturity". "Political speeches will not achieve anything. Not a single opposition member condemns the operation. During the regime change episode, all opposition parties were part of the London Plan. These people want to disrupt the province's peace once again." A self-created law-and-order situation has been engineered in the province, he alleged and added that the PTI, under any circumstances, support military action in the province.
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Health
- Express Tribune
Child nutrition in Sindh — progress, policy and path ahead
Listen to article Every year, World Breastfeeding Week from August 1st to 7th serves as a global reminder of the critical role breastfeeding plays in the survival, health and well-being of infants and young children. While breastfeeding is often perceived as a natural and instinctive act, the reality for many mothers, particularly in rural and underserved areas like Sindh, is far more complex. This week is not only an opportunity to raise awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding but also a moment to reflect on the challenges and structural barriers that hinder its practice in Pakistan. The data from Sindh's Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) survey by Sindh Bureau of Statistics reveals alarmingly low rates of early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding. This underscores the urgent need for policy enforcement, community-level support and awareness to ensure every child receives the best nutritional start in life. The statistical snapshot on IYCF in Sindh (2018-19) reveals critical gaps in early childhood nutrition practices. Only 23% of newborns in Sindh were breastfed within the first hour of birth, and just 47% of infants under six months were exclusively breastfed, indicating poor early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding practices. Complementary feeding also shows concerning trends, with 68% of children aged 6-23 months receiving the minimum recommended meal frequency, but only 15% achieving the minimum diet diversity and a mere 12% receiving a minimum acceptable diet. Continued breastfeeding was reported at 77% for children aged 12-15 months and 59% at 20-23 months. Significant disparities exist across regions. For example, Larkana had the highest minimum diet diversity at 22.5% while Shaheed Benazir Abad had the lowest, 5.7%. Similarly, Hyderabad showed the highest early initiation of breastfeeding at 34.8%, compared to just 11.9% in Sukkur. The data also highlights inequities based on household wealth, maternal education and place or type of delivery children from urban, wealthier and more educated backgrounds fared better in IYCF indicators. These findings stress the importance of promoting timely initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding for six months, and the introduction of safe, diverse complementary foods to improve child health outcomes in Sindh. After health department was devolved to provinces under the 18th Amendment, several provinces enacted their own legislation: Punjab amended its version in 2012, Sindh passed the first provincial law in February 2013, followed by Balochistan in 2014 and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in 2015. The Sindh Protection and Promotion of Breast-Feeding and Child Nutrition Act, 2013 was a landmark provincial initiative aimed at promoting exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continued breastfeeding up to two years. In contrast, the Sindh Protection and Promotion of Breast-Feeding and Young Child Nutrition Act, 2023 revived and significantly strengthened the earlier legislation. It extended the scope of protection beyond infants to include children up to 36 months of age and placed stricter restrictions on the marketing and promotion of not only infant formula but also follow-on formulas, feeding bottles, pacifiers and related products. In essence, while the 2013 Act laid the legislative foundation, the 2023 law modernised, expanded and enforced that framework, turning policy into meaningful action for child nutrition and maternal health in Sindh. As World Breastfeeding Week draws to a close, it is essential to move beyond symbolic gestures and commit to sustained action. The passage of the Sindh Protection and Promotion of Breast-Feeding and Young Child Nutrition Act, 2023 is a major step forward, reinforcing the government's responsibility to support mothers and safeguard infant health. However, laws alone are not enough. Effective implementation, public awareness and frontline support for breastfeeding mothers especially in marginalised areas must become a priority. There is need to protect, promote and support breastfeeding as a fundamental right and a life-saving intervention for the youngest citizens of Sindh and Pakistan.
Express Tribune
02-08-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Opp confab slams 'hybrid fascism'
Listen to article Opposition parties on Friday called for the immediate release of former prime minister Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi and rights activist Dr Mahrang Baloch, while also demanding the dissolution of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), restoration of constitutional supremacy and an end to "military interference" in democratic and judicial affairs. The demands were laid out in a joint declaration at the close of the APC organised by Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Aain Pakistan (TTAP), held from July 31 to August 1 in Islamabad. The venue, initially arranged elsewhere, was abruptly cancelled by the Islamabad administration — a move participants condemned as a blow to the people's constitutional freedoms. The conference was then hosted at the residence of TTAP Vice Chairman Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar. Another key demand in the declaration was the demand that Parliament be taken into confidence regarding a recent meeting between Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir and US President Donald Trump. The opposition noted that critical international developments, including the US-Pakistan trade deal, were now being disclosed by foreign leaders, undermining Pakistan's diplomatic credibility. The participants expressed grave concern over the country's worsening constitutional, political, and economic crisis. They noted widespread public alienation with farmers in distress, the middle class experiencing a 58% decline in purchasing power and youth unemployment exceeding 30%. The conference condemned what it called ongoing fascism and political victimisation. It rejected the sentences handed down by what it described as "kangaroo courts" against opposition leaders and PTI members and termed July 31 a dark day in the country's democratic history. The APC said the fascism, political victimisation and sentences showed "the hybrid regime's agenda [is] to eliminate all opposition." Calling for a new Charter of Democracy, the parties said the constitution, fundamental rights and parliamentary system had severely been undermined. They called for a national consensus on key principles including constitutional supremacy, rule of law, judicial independence, electoral transparency, resolution of regional grievances, press freedom, protection of women's and minority rights. The alliance rejected all constitutional amendments that diluted parliamentary authority and demanded the immediate dissolution of SIFC, calling its formation unconstitutional and a violation of the 18th Amendment. It also demanded revocation of a land lease agreement granting 4.8 million acres to the Green Initiative Company. "This alliance and parties attending the conference declare the establishment of SIFC against the spirit of the 18th amendment and the Constitution and demand that SIFC be dissolved," the declaration read. "The July 8, 2024, agreement between the Presidency and Green Pakistan Initiative is unconstitutional and must be annulled," the statement read, demanding "full provincial status for Gilgit-Baltistan." Participants voiced alarm over rampant corruption and interference in civil and judicial institutions, calling for legal reforms and a truly independent judiciary. They supported six Islamabad High Court judges who had raised concerns about judicial interference and demanded the repeal of the 26th Constitutional Amendment related to judicial appointments. The declaration rejected the conduct of the 2024 general elections, calling them a disgrace to democracy. It called for a new, impartial election commission established through national consensus and immediate general elections under a neutral caretaker setup, which should be free from intelligence agencies' alleged interference. Regarding Balochistan, the parties termed its crisis a national wound and demanded the return of local resource control to indigenous people, an end to extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, disbandment of illegal militias and urgent support for the University of Balochistan. They demanded the release of Dr Mahrang Baloch and withdrawal of false FIRs against BNP leader Sardar Akhtar Mengal and his family. On Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and ex-FATA, the conference supported the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, condemned the CTD's extrajudicial killings, demanded fair representation in the National Finance Commission, withdrawal of appeals against court rulings on unconstitutional regulations and the production of missing persons including, Ali Wazir. The declaration proposed a South Africa-style Truth and Reconciliation Commission, calling for voluntary admissions of constitutional subversion since 1947. It criticised political parties that had abandoned their past commitment to democratic charters. Any changes to the National Finance Commission Award or violations of the 1991 Water Accord were described as attacks on federal unity. The alliance condemned the use of political retaliation and called for mutual respect among political actors. It rejected all forms of media censorship and supported journalists facing legal threats or silencing. Women's rights issues such as honour killings, forced marriages and inheritance denial were highlighted, alongside calls for protections of minority personal laws and prevention of forced conversions. While supporting peaceful relations with all nations except Israel, it urged the parliament to refer Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the International Criminal Court over alleged war crimes in Gaza.
Express Tribune
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
APC calls for abolishing SIFC, 26th Amendment, creating new 'Charter of Democracy'
Opposition leaders attend the day two of the All Parties Conference in Islamabad on Aug 1, 2025. Photo: X/YousafzaiHusain Listen to article Opposition leaders urged all political parties to come together to establish constitutional norms for inter-party relations, calling for a new democratic framework, systemic reforms, and an end to political victimisation and institutional overreach. An All Parties Conference (APC), organised by Tehreek Tahafuz Ayin-e-Pakistan (TTAP), was hosted at former senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar's residence in Islamabad on Mahmood Khan Achakzai's invitation. The conference brought together leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), former senators, legal experts, and civil society groups. Issuing a wide-ranging manifesto, the APC demanded the dissolution of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and the 26th Amendment, immediate release of political detainees, lifting of media restrictions, and the referral of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Read More: Opposition demands end to 'engineered politics' Reading out the joint declaration, Khokhar condemned 'escalating authoritarian practices' and demanded immediate release of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi, with expedited hearings in the Islamabad High Court and Supreme Court. He described the sentencing of dozens of PTI activists and opposition lawmakers a day earlier as a 'black day' in democratic history, asserting 'the hybrid regime wants the complete elimination of opposition in the country.' Delegates also called for the creation of a new 'Charter of Democracy' reaffirming the supremacy of the 1973 Constitution, rule of law, judicial independence, and the establishment of an impartial and autonomous Election Commission. A declaration warned: 'As a result of successive assaults by the hybrid regime, the Constitution of Pakistan—including the fundamental rights in Articles 8 to 18—and the parliamentary democratic system have been rendered meaningless.' Also Read: FO slams India's 'Operation Mahadev' as 'entirely fabricated' The conference further demanded abolition of SIFC, calling it unconstitutional and in violation of the 18th Amendment. 'SIFC is contrary to the spirit of the 18th Amendment and the Constitution. We demand its dissolution and cancellation of plans to transfer millions of acres of land—acquired in the name of corporate farming—to Green Initiative Company.' Criticising civil–military interference, the APC accused federal and defence institutions of undermining civilian agencies, eroding public trust in law enforcement and the justice system. It demanded immediate reforms and restoration of confidence in the judiciary. Addressing judicial independence, the resolution declared: 'Following the 26th Constitutional Amendment, judicial independence has been reduced to a slogan and is effectively nonexistent in Pakistan. Kangaroo courts are now serving establishment interests; regular courts serve select individuals, while the chief justice has become a symbolic figurehead.' To reverse this, the conference called for full repeal of the amendment, ending all interference, and establishing an impartial system for judicial appointments. 'To restore the sanctity of the judiciary… the complete repeal of the 26th Constitutional Amendment is necessary,' it said. Also Read: Imran's sons await visa approval, says Aleema Khan On provincial autonomy, the APC demanded that mineral resources in Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit‑Baltistan remain under local control, declaring any legislation or contracts made without provincial consent as null and void. The declaration also demanded release of missing persons in Balochistan and K‑P via court appearances, immediate dissolution of illegal private militias alleged to have establishment backing, and release of political prisoners. It insisted on the constitutional right to fair trials. It further called for removal of restrictions on pilgrims (Zaireen) from Balochistan heading to Iran and Iraq, terming bans a violation of religious and human rights, and demanded greater local involvement in managing border areas adjacent to Iran and Afghanistan. Also Read: Five cops martyred as Katcha bandits attack check post in Rahim Yar Khan Promoting transitional justice, the APC proposed a Truth and Reconciliation Commission modelled on South Africa, stating: 'Every institution or individual who, from the founding of Pakistan until today, has played any role against democracy, the rights of the people, or the Constitution must voluntarily appear before this commission and confess to their crimes and errors.' The resolution emphasised promoting democratic culture and inter‑party consultation to curb political victimisation. Voicing concern over Pakistan's socio‑economic situation, the APC highlighted that around 45 per cent of Pakistanis live below the poverty line, salaried purchasing power has declined by 58 per cent, overall unemployment stands at 22 per cent and youth unemployment exceeds 30 per cent. Finally, the opposition urged the K‑P government to comply with the Peshawar High Court's verdict striking down the FATA‑TOF regulation and to withdraw its appeal in the Supreme Court.
Business Recorder
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
The secret behind Maryam Nawaz's rising popularity
Over the past year and a half, Punjab has witnessed a remarkable transformation under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. Many of the initiatives launched during this period are unprecedented in the province's history, with few parallels in the past. It is evident from her governance style that Maryam Nawaz came into office with thorough preparation and a clear five-year plan. Launching dozens of public welfare projects within the first year of her government reflects not spontaneity, but strategic groundwork and vision. Maryam Nawaz has proven that she is not only the daughter of a three-time elected Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, but also an astute leader in her own right. Her governance embodies her father's experience, political insight, and strategic thinking. Every initiative she undertakes is rooted in the welfare of the common citizen. One of her most commendable efforts is the formal launch of the Punjab Counter-Narcotics Force (CNF) — the first of its kind in Pakistan. Drug abuse remains a pressing issue worldwide, and Pakistan is no exception. A significant portion of the affected population is the youth, who are often targeted by organized drug mafias. Alarmingly, these mafias have also infiltrated educational institutions. Recognizing the gravity of the problem, Maryam Nawaz established the CNF as a specialized force to counter the drug menace in Punjab. The force has officially commenced operations across the province, with divisional offices and stations already functional. In the second phase, CNF's reach will extend to the district level. Officers and personnel of the CNF have received 12 weeks of professional training at the ANF Academy in Rawalpindi. Take Lahore, for example — areas like Dharampura, Mughalpura, Lal Pul, Ichhra, Chauburji, and Data Darbar were once hotspots for drug addicts, particularly young individuals. Today, such scenes have largely disappeared, demonstrating the tangible impact of CNF's efforts. Under the 18th Amendment, Punjab has emerged as the only province to establish multiple specialized enforcement forces under Maryam Nawaz's leadership. These include: Wildlife Protection Force, Environment Force and Forest Force. PERRA (Punjab Enforcement & Regulatory Authority) – Also known as the Para Force Among these, PERRA holds special significance. It is the first of its kind in Pakistan, dedicated to tackling inflation, hoarding, illegal profiteering, and encroachments across Punjab. This force is active at both district and tehsil levels and is equipped with modern weaponry, advanced 3D-modeled stations, and a dedicated uniformed workforce. Each force has its own Director General and command structure, with new recruitments offering dignified employment to hundreds of young people. In addition, through the 'Sutrah Punjab Project', over 120,000 young individuals have already been provided jobs, further contributing to social and economic stability. Unlike traditional political strategies that revolve around rhetoric and media headlines, Maryam Nawaz's governance is firmly grounded in visible, impactful work. She only inaugurates projects once they are fully operational and ready to serve the public — a departure from the paper-only announcements often seen in past administrations. The people of Punjab are fortunate to have a visionary leader who values discipline, accountability, and progress. Unlike previous Chief Ministers who took a year merely to familiarize themselves with the basics of governance, Maryam Nawaz has already launched over 80 public welfare and relief projects within her first year in office. The priorities of a leader are reflected in their governance — whether they serve the people or chase the preservation of their own power. In Maryam Nawaz's case, her focus is unmistakably on the well-being of Punjab's 140 million citizens. One of her most admirable traits is her balanced approach to leadership. She encourages and rewards high performance, but does not hesitate to reprimand negligence. Her firm belief in merit, accountability, and reward motivates her entire team to deliver with dedication and responsibility. As a result, Maryam Nawaz's popularity continues to grow across all segments of society. She has become the people's first choice for leadership in Punjab. Even her political opponents, in private conversations, are beginning to acknowledge her success — a fact echoed by recent public surveys. Maryam Nawaz's effective governance has inspired citizens in other provinces to wish for leadership of similar vision and capability. Her rise is not just a political success; it's a beacon of hope for progressive, people-centered governance in Pakistan. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
