Latest news with #26thConstitutionalAmendment
Business Recorder
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Gandapur to challenge governor-administered oath of MPAs
PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has decided to move the court against the oath-taking of MPAs on reserved seats held at Governor's House. The chief minister said that the oath-taking in Governor's House is a blatant violation of the constitution. In a statement issued on Sunday, Gandapur asserted that holding the oath-taking at the Governor's House contradicts Article 65 of the constitution, which clearly states that the oath must be taken on the assembly floor. He clarified that the speaker of KP Assembly did not refuse to administer the oath, but the session was adjourned due to lack of quorum. He added that the speaker has summoned the assembly session on July 24, emphasising that any oath outside the assembly, particularly at the Governor's House, is unconstitutional. Gandapur stated that Article 255 (2) of the constitution applies only under extraordinary circumstances. If the chief minister and speaker refuse, only then can the chief justice nominate someone to administer the oath. He opined that the oath administered at the Governor's House was illegal and therefore it would be challenged in the court. 'The petition has been drafted and it will be moved in the Peshawar High Court tomorrow.' Earlier, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Information, Barrister Dr Saif said that the opposition parties' decision to take oath on reserved seats will be remembered as one of the darkest chapters in the country's parliamentary history. He said that by misusing the 26th Constitutional Amendment, a dagger has been thrust into the heart of democratic politics. He said that the parties 'rejected by the people' in comparison to PTI have now been handed PTI's reserved seats, which is a blatant insult to the public mandate. 'The opposition, despite winning, remains dissatisfied, while PTI, despite the imposed defeat, is content owing to the unwavering support of the people.' Referring to the oath-taking ceremony at the Governor's House, Barrister Dr Saif alleged that the event symbolized taking oath over the 'corpse of democracy.' He accused the Election Commission of misrepresenting facts and stated that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government strongly condemns this misrepresentation. He warned that the Chief Election Commissioner would be held fully accountable for all unconstitutional and unlawful actions. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
ANP sounds alarm over autonomy threat
The Awami National Party (ANP) has announced the convening of a National Jirga in Peshawar on July 26 to address the deteriorating law and order situation, rising incidents of terrorism and target killings, and the party's opposition to the proposed 26th Constitutional Amendment. Speaking at a press conference at Bacha Khan Markaz following a meeting of the party's provincial cabinet, ANP Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa President Mian Iftikhar Hussain said that elders from all walks of life, particularly those from the merged tribal districts, would be invited to the Jirga. He warned that the delay in the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, attempts to seize control of natural resources, and efforts to roll back the 18th and 25th Constitutional Amendments are all part of a larger conspiracy to undermine provincial autonomy. "This land belongs to our forefathers, and as citizens of this country, we have every right to demand control over our resourceseven if some don't like it," said Mian Iftikhar. He added that new laws aimed at controlling mineral wealth, revival of the tribal Jirga system, and attacks on the 18th Amendment are deliberate efforts to push the tribal areas back into underdevelopment. Calling for justice, he demanded the formation of a judicial commission headed by a Supreme Court judge to investigate the assassination of Maulana Khanzeb, with representation from the martyr's family in the commission. "No one has been arrested so far. If facts are withheld or manipulated, the ANP will expose the truth to the public," he warned. Mian Iftikhar said the National Jirga would formulate a strategy on how to effectively raise these issues at the national level. He stressed that ANP's struggle is not personal, but a fight for peace, ideology, and sovereignty. "We have sacrificed over 1,200 lives. Our workers were targeted, and still, we remained silent. But now, we will not stay silent anymore," he asserted. Calling for political unity, he said it is time for all parties to come togethernot for votes or power, but for the future of coming generations.
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Poll body reshuffles K-P seats distribution
Listen to article The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday unveiled its order with regard to allocation of reserved seats to various political parties in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Assembly on petitions filed by the PML-N, the ANP and the PTI-Parliamentarians. According to the written order, one women's seat and one minority seat previously allocated to the JUI-F have been withdrawn. As a result of the PML-N gaining one additional women's seat, both the JUI-F and the PML-N now have 17 members each, including 9 women and 1 minority member. One minority seat will be decided by a coin toss between the two parties. The PPP also lost one women's seat and is now left with 5 women and 1 minority seat, totaling 10 seats in the assembly. The ANP and the PTI-P each have 2 general and 1 women's seat. One women's seat will be decided between them in a coin toss. The final seat allocations will become clear after these tosses. The polls oversight authority also accepted independent lawmaker Tariq Awan's request to join the PML-N. It, however, turned down the PTI-Parliamentarian and the ANP's request to be granted one additional reserved seat on the basis of two general seats. It noted that a seat won in a by-election cannot be counted towards allocation of reserved seats. Despite the ECP's decision regarding reserved seats and a letter from K-P Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, urging Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to convene a session of the assembly, there is uncertainty over the oath-taking of the new members and the upcoming Senate elections. At the K-P government level, consultations among legal experts are ongoing. If the new members are not sworn in during working days before July 19, the Senate elections could once again be postponed. The PTI's provincial government has yet to decide on calling an assembly session in which the new members would be sworn in. Opposition parties have already submitted a request to the assembly secretary to call the session, but despite this, the K-P government remains undecided and continues consultations with legal experts. A related case is being heard in the Peshawar High Court, which has sought a reply from the advocate general by today (Wednesday)* The situation is expected to become clearer after that. If the provincial government still does not convene the session for the oath-taking, then under the 26th Constitutional Amendment, the chief justice himselfor his representativecan administer the oath to the new members. However, if the oath is not administered, the Senate elections scheduled for July 21 may once again be in jeopardy. While Senate elections were held in April last year in the other three provinces and at the federal level, elections could not be held in the K-P due to non-allocation of reserved seats. The Provincial Assembly Secretariat is expected to hand over the Assembly Hall to the ECP between July 16 and 18, so that arrangements can be made to use it as a polling station for the Senate elections. In this regard, the K-P election commissioner, along with his delegation, called on the KP Assembly speaker, Babar Saleem Swati, at the speaker's chamber. The meeting focused on matters related to the election code of conduct, administrative preparations, and ensuring a transparent electoral process. Leader of the Opposition Dr Ibadullah was also present alongside the speaker during the meeting. The ECP delegation requested full cooperation from the KP Assembly for the smooth conduct of the Senate elections and emphasized that the electoral process should be carried out peacefully, in accordance with the Constitution, law, and the code of conduct. The speaker assured the delegation of complete support and stated that the assembly would provide a fair, transparent, and dignified environment for the Senate elections. He said democratic traditions would be upheld and the electoral process would be peaceful and effective.
Business Recorder
6 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Azma accuses PTI of pursuing well-planned ‘coercive strategy'
LAHORE: It is well rehearsed strategy of PTI to coerce their political opponents as well as state machinery through abuse, allegations, claiming victimhood and outright lies. Back in 2023, they would call any arrest of their leaders or workers by police as 'Abduction'. This is a classic example of narrative manipulation. Despite being champions of accountability before and during their tenure in power, PTI after losing power labels any action by law enforcement agencies as persecution. PTI leaders and supporters have been incessantly speaking lies about IK's legal cases and his imprisonment. Facts are completely opposite to what PTI wants world to believe. All cases have been registered as per law and despite delaying tactics of defence team of IK, enough leeway was granted by trial courts. Defence has not been able to refute authenticity of the cases, rather they have relied on fine points of procedure coupled with delaying tactics. IK & Bushra Bibi remained direct beneficiaries of misappropriation. Either be it Toshakhana Cases or 190 million pounds case, both husband and wife drew financial gains. In all cases where IK or Bushra Bibi were convicted they availed right of appeal and duly benefited from it. In number of cases verdict was overturned or sentence was suspended. The man who while in power used to arrogantly announce that he would remove AC from prison cell of his political opponents, is himself enjoying unprecedented facilities in jail. He has been given a complex comprising seven cells with a corridor for walk. He has also got an exercise cycle, TV, newspaper and books to read. All never known to other prisoners who are authorized Class B jail. IK remains abreast with current affairs and gives directions to his party accordingly. His X handle regularly posts his remarks. Since his imprisonment, IK has tweeted 413 times. He has delivered messages to party workers through his X account on all major political developments like General Elections 2024, Bye Elections in Sambrial, PTI protest in Islamabad on 26 Nov 2024, dialogue with government or enactment of 26th Constitutional Amendment. IK's statements regularly make headlines in domestic print media like, his denouncement of budget published in The News on 11 Jun 25, comments on India – Pakistan war published in Dawn on 14 May 25 or rejection of ISPR statement published in Express Tribune on 31 Dec 24. In less than past 12 months i.e period from Aug 2024 till to date, IK's statements have made headlines on 45 occasions. IK has been giving interviews to international media as well, unprecedented for a convict. Since 2024, IK has had at least ten interactions with international media including Fox News, WSJ, ITV, Reuters, The Telegraph and others. IK also frequently shuffles his party leadership. Most of it can be ascribed to almost unrestricted access of party leaders to him, who frequently lobby against each other. In previous three months 66 x people met IK including party leaders, family members and lawyers. He has been also making calls to his two sons in UK. However, insiders have revealed that on many occasions they have refused to take his call citing other priority commitments. Claims that IK is being politically victimized have no solid basis. These are deliberate attempts to turn legal accountability into political drama to weaken public trust in the justice system. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
14-07-2025
- Politics
- 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.
