Latest news with #ConstitutionofPakistan
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
ECP may summon PM, Punjab CM over LG polls delay
ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) can summon Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz over continuous delay in local government elections in the country's federal capital and the largest province. This was stated by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, Monday, heading a five-member full bench of the ECP, during the hearing on delay in LG elections in Punjab. 'The ECP cannot keep its eyes closed over this delay,' he told Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique. 'There should be some progress till next hearing of this case—if there's no progress, then we will issue an order regarding LG elections in Punjab—that would be embarrassing for you,' the CEC told the minister. 'Your party is in government in Punjab and at the centre. The local government elections have not been held in both the areas. On the other hand, local government elections in three provinces have been held,' Raja added. Punjab LG minister offered to share the draft of Punjab LG rules with the electoral body. The matter involving Punjab LG elections is pending with the related committee of the provincial government, he said. 'We will try to get the required legislation done as soon as possible,' Rafique said. The CEC responded that the ECP can summon the PM and the CM Punjab over delay in LG elections in Islamabad and Punjab. The case was adjourned but the next date of hearing was not fixed. Presently, the local bodies are in place in Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and cantonment boards but LG elections in Punjab and federal capital have been facing an inordinate delay since 2021. The local bodies term in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) expired on 14 February 2021, and in Punjab on 31 December 2021. The ECP is bound to hold LG elections within 120 days of the expiry of local bodies' term, under Section 219(4) of the Elections Act 2017. This law provides that the ECP shall hold elections to the local governments within 120 days of the expiry of the term of a local governments of a province, cantonment or ICT. Article 218(3) of the Constitution of Pakistan provides that it shall be the ECP's duty to organise and conduct the elections, and to make such arrangements as are necessary to ensure that an election is conducted honestly, justly, fairly and in accordance with law, and that corrupt practices are guarded against. The ECP says that whenever it finalises the LG polls' preparations, the LG laws are amended by the governments concerned, causing delay in the elections. According to the poll body, it carried out delimitation exercises four times in Punjab and five times in ICT for LG elections before the LG laws were amended each time by the governments concerned, shortly after the related polls schedules were issued. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Health
- Business Recorder
World No Tobacco Day commemorated
HYDERABAD: On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day, the Students Society Centre at Shah Abdul Latif University (SALU), Khairpur, hosted a awareness seminar, in collaboration with the Anti-Narcotics Student Society, focusing on educating youth about the dangers of tobacco. The event was organized under the visionary leadership of Prof. Dr. Yousf Khushk, Vice Chancellor of SALU, who has consistently promoted student welfare and a drug-free academic environment. Dr Ali Raza Lashari, Coordinator of the Students Society Centre, welcomed attendees and highlighted the constitutional responsibility to protect public health, referencing Article 9 of the Constitution of Pakistan, which guarantees the right to life and personal security. 'Our duty to protect students from tobacco and narcotics is not just moral, it is constitutional,' he said. Dr Farman Mangi, the keynote speaker, delivered a passionate address emphasizing the urgency of saving youth from addiction. 'This is a time to act to protect our future leaders from the silent dangers of tobacco. Awareness is our strongest weapon,' he remarked, urging students to become active change-makers. The seminar featured student engagement at its finest. Students took the stage to share heartfelt messages against tobacco use, expressing their awareness, concern, and commitment to a healthier future. Their words reflected a deep sense of responsibility and leadership. In a creative contribution to the cause, students also presented thought-provoking sketches and posters, visually portraying the harmful effects of tobacco and the importance of prevention. These artworks drew appreciation and helped convey the message in an impactful way. The Anti-Narcotics Student Society played a key role in facilitating the event, ensuring smooth coordination and high participation. The seminar concluded with a collective commitment to uphold a tobacco-free campus and spread awareness beyond university boundaries. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
KP to take up Ali Wazir's imprisonment with centre
PESHAWAR: The provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has decided the forwarding of a resolution adopted by the provincial assembly for the release of the former Member National Assembly Ali Wazir to federal government. The decision was taken in the 33th meeting of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cabinet was held here on Friday with Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur in the chair on Friday. Cabinet members, Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretaries, Senior Member Board of Revenue, Administrative Secretaries and Advocate General Khyber Pakhtunkhwa attended the meeting. The resolution No.167 passed by the Assembly on April 28, 2025, states that: 'This House expresses serious concern over the repeated arrests of former Member of the National Assembly, Ali Wazir, the filing of frivolous and baseless cases against him, and his being subjected to continued political victimization. Ali Wazir is currently gravely ill and is being denied his fundamental right to proper medical treatment. He is being transferred from one jail to another on different pretexts, which is not only worsening his physical and mental health but is also a clear violation of human rights and constitutional principles.' Through the resolution, the KP assembly demanded that 'Ali Wazir be released immediately and unconditionally. He be provided with adequate and quality medical facilities. All politically motivated cases filed against him be withdrawn. All political workers be granted the constitutional rights of freedom of expression and peaceful political activity. The government and relevant institutions ensure implementation of Article 10-A (Right to Fair Trial), Article 19 (Freedom of Expression), and Article 14 (Right to Dignity) of the Constitution of Pakistan. Therefore, this Assembly recommends to the provincial government to urge the federal government to take immediate and positive action in light of humanitarian considerations, constitutional obligations, and democratic values.' While briefing about the decisions Advisor to Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations Barrister Dr. Muhammad Ali Saif said that the Cabinet approved Climate Action Board (CAB) Bill, 2025. The financially independent Board will coordinate and oversee climate strategies across different departments of the Government. It will be a body corporate being administratively and functionally independent and will: Develop, review, amend, and oversee the execution of climate policies and action plans for the province; Conduct & maintain provincial GHG inventories and establish emission baselines; Conduct, promote and oversee supervise research on mitigation, adaptation, and climate finance; Coordinate and facilitate climate action activities across Departments; Mobilize financial resources for climate action and establish, operate and maintain the dedicated Climate Action Board Fund. The Bill, allows the Board to appoint such officers, officials, experts, advisers and consultants, as it considerers necessary, to assist the Secretariat in the discharge of its functions. According to him the cabinet also approved forwarding to the Federal Government the joint resolution No. 161 adopted by the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The resolution stated that whereas the Province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been a victim of terrorism for several decades. During this time, thousands of innocent civilians and police personnel have laid down their lives. The people of the province are still yearning to be freed from this menace. The ongoing incidents of terrorism continue to pose a constant threat to the lives and property of the public. In this regard, the policy of the Government of Pakistan concerning Afghanistan has proven to be ineffective. Instead of curbing terrorism, it has led to its escalation and has also strained the relations between the two countries and their peoples. It has further complicated the situation by promoting mutual hatred, affecting trade, and deteriorating law and order.' It says that 'in this context, immediate and concrete measures have become essential to restore trust between the two brotherly nations and to establish lasting peace in the region.' It recommended to the provincial government 'to urge the federal government to reconsider and immediately revise its current policy regarding Afghanistan. The cabinet approved forwarding of resolution No. 168 adopted by the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the Federal Government. The resolution states that: 'The House of (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly) expresses concerns over the Pahalgam incident and strongly condemns India's hostile actions, including threats pertaining to the Indus Water Treaty and acts of aggression against Pakistan. The House reaffirms its full support for the Government of Pakistan's sovereign right to safeguard National Interest through all necessary measures. We urge the international community to take immediate action of India's violation of international obligation and to play its role in preserving regional peace and stability. This House stands united with the people and Armed Forces of Pakistan defence of our homeland,' added Barrister Dr. Saif. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
ECP reschedules hearing of Punjab LG polls delay case
ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has rescheduled till Monday the hearing of a case involving the delay in local government elections in Punjab that was scheduled tomorrow (Thursday). Chief Secretary Punjab Zahid Akhtar Zaman and Secretary LG Punjab Shakeel Ahmad Mian have been summoned by the ECP in this case. Before this case was rescheduled, the ECP officials, in a meeting with a Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) delegation, on Tuesday, had confirmed that the ECP would hear this case on Thursday. The ECP officials briefed the JI delegation regarding delay in the conduct of LG elections in Punjab and Islamabad, said an official statement issued after this meeting. But, later in the day, the poll body issued a delisting notice for Punjab LG polls delay case citing unavailability of the bench hearing this case on Thursday. Presently, the local bodies are in place in Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and cantonment boards but LG elections in Punjab and federal capital have been facing an inordinate delay since 2021. The local bodies' term in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) expired on 14 February 2021 and in Punjab on 31 December 2021. The ECP is bound to hold LG elections within 120 days of the expiry of local bodies' term, under Section 219(4) of the Elections Act 2017. This law provides that the ECP shall hold elections to the local governments within 120 days of the expiry of the term of local governments of a province, cantonment or ICT. Article 218(3) of the Constitution of Pakistan provides that it shall be the ECP's duty to organise and conduct the elections, and to make such arrangements as are necessary to ensure that an election is conducted honestly, justly, fairly and in accordance with law, and that corrupt practices are guarded against. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
LG members march to Sindh Assembly
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi Ameer Monem Zafar has said that the PPP had ruined Karachi — once the city of lights and gateway to South Asia and now duly dubbed as the hub of crises. The JI stalwart expressed these views while addressing a march by local government representatives, including chairmen, vice-chairman, councillors etc. The march was taken out from Khizra Mosque to the Sindh Assembly buildinge on Friday. On the occasion, he demanded Rs500 billion funds immediately for the progress and development of Karachi. He demanded the government to release funds to all union councils and towns in Karachi as per the Constitution of Pakistan. Rs2 billion for each town and at least Rs2.5 million per month should be released to union councils, he said.
