Latest news with #18thamendment
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
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
MQM-P's demand for new province gains momentum
As Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) sticks to its demand of creating a new province in Sindh, the party's leadership says the centre and the national assembly should ideally have the right to decide creation of new provinces. Addressing an event at Hyderabad Institute of Technology and Management Sciences on Saturday, the Federal Minister and convener of MQM-P Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said they will pursue a constitutional amendment in this regard. "We are against rolling back the 18th amendment. We rather want to see complete implementation over it," Siddiqui, who also spoke to the media, said. He reiterated that article 140-A of the amendment has enshrined a local government system which operated with completely devolved authority. He emphasised that the new provinces should be created keeping in view the growing population of the country. He argued that it went against the grain of the law to empower the provincial assemblies to decide about creating or not creating new provinces within their territorial jurisdiction. "We are trying to introduce an amendment in the constitution towards this end." He contended that Hyderabad will continue to be the country's third largest city if an honest population census is conducted. He deplored that such large city with rapidly growing population continues to be deprived of the public sector universities, a demand which MQM-P besides other political parties have been making for decades. He said a former vice chancellor of NED had planned to open the varsity's campus in Hyderabad but the Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah thwarted his attempt and that campus was instead opened in Tharparkar.
Express Tribune
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
MQM-P slams 16 years of PPP rule in Sindh, pledges to issue white paper
Listen to article Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Pakistan has pledged to release a white paper against the Sindh government, while calling the 16-year-long rule of the Pakistan People's Party in the province the worst and most corrupt. In a press conference, senior MQM-P leaders including Farooq Sattar and Nasreen Jalil accused the provincial government of gross mismanagement and corruption, claiming that they had brought yet another lament for Karachi. The white paper will include details the state of governance under the PPP, pointing out that 25 billion rupees in dues remain unpaid to government employees residing in Karachi and working in local government bodies. Farooq Sattar remarked that these employees had their monthly gratuity contributions deducted over 30 to 40 years of service, but those dues have not been paid to retirees since 2017. He questioned, "What could be a bigger economic crime than this?" He further explained that all these Karachi-based institutions, led by the Mayor of Karachi or the Provincial Minister for Local Government, have been under the control of Sindh's feudal lords since 2017, when MQM-P was removed from overseeing them. Farooq Sattar stated that Rs 25 billion of dues for Karachi's retired employees remain unpaid since 2017, with similar issues affecting Hyderabad. He emphasized that after the 18th amendment, the Sindh government is responsible for paying these dues. The MQM leaders revealed that Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) owes Rs 15 billion to 10,000 employees, while Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) owes Rs 6 billion to 5,000 employees. Similarly, the Karachi Development Authority (KDA) owes Rs 5 billion to over 1,000 retired employees. Other bodies, such as WASA, HMC, and HDA in Hyderabad, owe another Rs 4-5 billion. A further part of the white paper on Sindh government's mismanagement will be released after Ramzan. Farooq Sattar accused the Sindh government of depriving Karachi's 25 towns of their rights, with retired employees being treated unfairly. He also accused the provincial government of hiring individuals with fake domicile certificates for new recruitments, especially in Karachi and Hyderabad, and in medical colleges. The MQM leaders stated that the Sindh government is perpetrating both an economic and educational massacre against the people of Karachi. Farooq Sattar raised questions about where the Rs 25 billion had gone, stressing that these funds were Karachi's taxpayers' money, not anyone's personal wealth. He demanded an inquiry into the missing funds. He also pointed out that the salaries and benefits of provincial ministers, including the Chief Minister, are paid from Karachi's taxes. Farooq Sattar demanded that the government investigate where the tax money is being allocated. In his press conference, Farooq Sattar urged the political figures in Islamabad and Rawalpindi to pay attention to Karachi's plight, stressing that this situation was harmful to Pakistan's stability and strength. He reassured the retired employees that they were not alone, adding that MQM Pakistan had returned with renewed strength and unity. He warned that post-Ramzan, the rising costs of essential goods would be highlighted. "This is a warning to those who underestimated our strength during our organizational restructuring," he said. On the question of collaboration with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi (MQM-H) leader, Afaq Ahmed, Farooq Sattar expressed hope that old agreements would be revived, though he acknowledged that Afaq Ahmed had rejected his appeal for unity in the past. Earlier, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced plans to release a white paper evaluating the performance of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government in Punjab during its first year in office. Addressing a press conference at the Lahore Press Club on Wednesday, Leader of the Opposition in Punjab, Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, sharply criticised the provincial government, alleging that public funds were being misused for self-promotion. Without directly naming Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, he accused the administration of diverting state resources toward promoting her and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Express Tribune
16-02-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
K-P releases Rs440m to settle IHP salaries
PESHAWAR: On the directives of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Health Advisor Ehtesham Ali, Rs440 million has been released to clear three months' pending salaries of over 4,500 employees of the Integrated Health Program (IHP). In his statement, the Health Advisor assured that all employees would receive their salaries before Ramazan. He instructed the relevant authorities to ensure timely transfers of payments to employees' accounts without delay. Emphasizing the need for reforms to streamline project operations, he stated that no employee's salary would be withheld. "There is no place in my team for those who cannot deliver," he asserted. Expressing concern over frequent salary delays and protests for project extensions, Ehtesham Ali directed officials to begin preparations for the upcoming budget immediately. He urged consultations with stakeholders to ensure efficient financial planning and prevent such disruptions in the future. The advisor further stated that the next Annual Development Program (ADP) would include only those schemes that enhance service delivery and benefit the public, rather than launching unnecessary new projects. Background In December 2024, The Express Tribune reported that IHP, jointly managed by the Lady Health Workers (LHWs) program and the nutrition initiative, faces severe financial constraints, hindering its effectiveness. Official sources said that both programs have fallen short of their targets due to insufficient funding. Approximately 4,000 IHP employees have gone without salaries for the past five months, receiving payment only once during this period, according to a health department official. Introduced in 2014 across all four provinces, the IHP underwent challenges after the 18th amendment, requiring individual provinces to create their PC-1 plans. The previous government's Rs7.5 billion PC-1, developed by consultants from Punjab without a baseline survey, displayed numerous shortcomings, including the delayed recruitment of Lady Health Workers and trained community midwives over four years. Despite completing their two-year training, these midwives remain unutilized, incurring significant costs to the health department, supported by international donor organizations. Additionally, LHWs and CMWs lack access to government-provided medicines. The IHP's primary goal is to reduce maternal deaths during childbirth from 165 per 1,000 to 40. Stabilization centers face similar challenges, with no available food supplements despite the declared nutrition emergency in the province. Only Unicef is currently providing food supplements to select districts, while the government struggles to recruit nutrition specialists and purchase food supplements due to financial constraints. Targets for underweight childbirths have been substantially missed, raising concerns about the project's overall efficacy.
