Latest news with #AhmadKarimKundi
Express Tribune
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PPPP protests Rs50m grant to Lahore Bar
The Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) has strongly protested the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister's decision to allocate a grant of Rs50 million to the Lahore High Court Bar Association. In response, the party has submitted a formal 'Call Attention Notice' in the K-P provincial assembly. The notice was submitted to the Assembly Secretariat by PPPP Parliamentary Leader, Ahmad Karim Kundi. It states that the provincial government, in its upcoming cabinet meeting, has placed the proposed grant for the Lahore High Court Bar Association as the last item on the agenda. The notice raises serious concerns, questioning the government's priorities in light of the current challenges faced by K-P. The province is grappling with deteriorating law and order conditions as well as a worsening economic crisis. Under such circumstances, the notice argues, it is unjustifiable for the provincial leadership to approve such a large sum from K-P's resources for an institution based in another province. "The Chief Executive of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has no justification for allocating provincial funds to political bodies or institutions outside the province," Kundi stated. The PPPP has demanded a clear explanation from the provincial government regarding its stance and the rationale behind this financial decision. On the other hand, Senator Wali Khan condemned the move, accusing the K-P government of misusing taxpayers' money by distributing it among 'political friends of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).'
Express Tribune
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Assembly condemns India's warmongering
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution strongly condemning India's hostile behavior following the Pahalgam incident and its threats regarding the Indus Waters Treaty. The resolution, moved by PPP parliamentary leader Ahmad Karim Kundi, reaffirmed the Assembly's full support for Pakistan's government and armed forces in safeguarding the country's national interests. It condemned India's aggressive actions, including threats to abrogate Indus Waters Treaty and acts of aggression against Pakistan. The Assembly reiterated its full support for the government's efforts to protect Pakistan's national interests and endorsed every necessary step taken in this regard. It also called upon the international community to take immediate notice of India's violations of international obligations and to play its role in maintaining peace and stability in the region. The Assembly further expressed solidarity with the people and armed forces of Pakistan, vowing to stand with them in defending the motherland. Earlier, speaking on the issue, Ahmad Karim Kundi said that the whole world knows that Pakistan is a country affected by terrorism. Pakistan has lost billions of dollars and thousands of lives in the war against terrorism. India is trying to frame Pakistan over the Pahalgam incident. He condemned the incident and India's intentions behind it, expressing confidence in the country's defense institutions. He said that the house stands with state institutions in condemning the incident and will pass a resolution in this regard. Treasury member Shafeeullah said that 80,000 Pakistanis have been martyred in the war against terrorism, and terrorist incidents occur daily in the country. He alleged that India is directly involved in terrorist activities in Pakistan. The Assembly also unanimously passed resolutions demanding a government residence for deputy speaker provincial assembly and unconditional release of Ali Wazir. A resolution was moved by ANP member Nisar Baz, expressing concern over the repeated arrests and cases against former Member of the National Assembly Ali Wazir. The resolution stated that Ali Wazir is currently seriously ill and being denied medical treatment. He is being transferred from one jail to another, affecting his physical and mental health, which is a clear violation of human rights. It demanded unconditional release of Ali Wazeer and withdrawal of fake cases against him. The resolution regarding deputy speaker's residence was moved by MPA Abdul Kabir Khan, stating that in a democratic country, elected representatives are provided with official residences. However, provincial deputy Speaker does not have an official residence, and the current deputy speaker has to search for a government residence.
Express Tribune
16-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Govt whips thousands with dismissals
PESHAWAR: Nearly every incumbent government verbalizes the clichéd promise of ending unemployment in an attempt to gain attention and stay in the public eye. However, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has come up with an unprecedented way of making news by dismissing thousands of recruited employees instead of creating more jobs. For the first time in the history of the province, government employees have been dismissed through an assembly-passed law. The K-P government has recently passed the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Employees Removal from Service Act 2025 in the provincial assembly. Following approval from the provincial cabinet, the government officially terminated the employment of 9,762 individuals recruited during the caretaker government's tenure. However, employees reinstated by the Public Service Commission and courts have been granted exemption from this decision. According to documents obtained by The Express Tribune, the majority of the terminated employees belong to the police department, where 4,019 appointments were made during the caretaker government. Other affected departments include Elementary and Secondary Education, from where 2,323 employees were dismissed, Higher Education, where 702 employees were dismissed, Health, with 693 dismissals, Local Government with 192 dismissals, and the Jail Department with 159 dismissals. Similarly, 120 employees, were dismissed from Communication & Works, 188 were dismissed from Irrigation, 175 dismissed from Agriculture, 137 dismissed from Public Health, and 112 dismissed from Social Welfare. The move has sparked widespread political controversy. Sharing his discontent, Pakistan People's Party (PPP's) parliamentary leader Ahmad Karim Kundi criticized the decision, stating that it would worsen unemployment in an already struggling province. "Instead of creating jobs, the government is taking them away. This is a cruel and unfortunate decision. Rather than firing employees, action should be taken against the bureaucrats and secretaries who have authorized these hiring's. The provincial government is targeting low-income workers while sparing influential figures. Since it cannot act against powerful individuals, it is quick to dismiss poor workers," claimed Kundi. Kundi further highlighted the worsening law-and-order, terrorism, and migration crisis in K-P, with residents relocating to Islamabad and other cities for security and economic stability. "While 10,000 employees have been removed, the government might soon hire new workers based on political affiliations, favouring its supporters rather than ensuring merit-based employment," he speculated. Expanding on the problem, Former Chairman of International Relations at the University of Peshawar, Professor Ejaz Khan, echoed similar concerns about rising unemployment. "K-P is the only province where jobs are being taken away instead of being created. Unemployment is already at a critical level, and economic hardships are pushing people towards suicide. Therefore, this decision could further escalate poverty, crime, and social unrest," warned Khan, who urged the government to reconsider its policy and focus on public welfare instead. Defending the move, K-P's Minister for Law and Human Rights, Aftab Alam, stated that the caretaker government had no legal authority to make new appointments. "Caretaker governments cannot hire employees or pass laws. The former administration falsely claimed that they had obtained a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Election Commission, which is not legally possible. We are committed to merit-based policies and will not tolerate any illegal recruitment practices. Ensuring transparency and upholding merit is our top priority," assured Alam.
