Latest news with #IrfanSiddiqui
Business Recorder
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Senate passes Civil Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2025
ISLAMABAD: The Upper House of the Parliament on Friday passed the Civil Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which provides that the appeals against the orders of the civil courts would only go to district courts — while the last day of the 350th Senate session was marked with apparent disinterest of lawmakers amidst the absence of Senate leadership — before the House was prorogued. In the absence of chairman and deputy chairman Senate, Irfan Siddiqui from Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) presided over the Senate session. Following the absence of Law Minister Azam Tarar, Climate Change State Minister Shezra Mansab presented the Civil Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which received criticism from the Opposition Leader in Senate Shibli Faraz. 'The state minister does not know, at all, what this bill is all about. It would have been better had the law minister been here to present this bill,' he said. The bill was finally presented in and passed by the House. Already passed by the National Assembly, the bill now seeks President Asif Ali Zardari's ascent to become a law. According to the Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Civil Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2025, the prices of the properties are ostensibly high in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), and valuation of most of the regular first appeals, against orders / decrees of civil courts, is more than 25,000 rupees due to which pendency on appellate side of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has increased manifolds. Under Section 18(1)(a) of the West Pakistan Civil Courts Ordinance, 1962, the IHC has pecuniary, appellate jurisdiction exceeding Rs 2.5 million. 'By virtue of the Punjab Civil Courts (Amendment) Act, 2016, the Lahore High Court has already enhanced its appellate, pecuniary jurisdiction from 2.5 million rupees to 50 million rupees. However, pecuniary, appellate jurisdiction of Islamabad High Court remained the same i,e. 2.5 million rupees. In order to decrease burden of litigation on appellate side of Islamabad High Court, there is need to make district courts the forum to entertain appeals arising out from decrees or orders of civil judges,' says the Statement of Objects and Reasons of this bill. New bills; Civil Servants (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Pakistan Navy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Extradition (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Pakistan Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and Anti-Dumping Duties (Amendment) Bill, 2025 were moved in the House and referred to relevant standing committees. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Senators fire broadside at India
Senators on Friday fired a broadside at India over its attempts to unilaterally suspend the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), warning that such a provocation would cross a red line and could trigger legal, diplomatic and even military retaliation under international law. Taking the floor during a Senate session chaired by Senator Irfan Siddiqui at Parliament House, PTI parliamentary leader Barrister Ali Zafar asserted that India had no lawful grounds to pull the plug on the decades-old treaty. He cautioned that tampering with the flow of water was tantamount to a declaration of war. The legal expert cited international law, including Article 51 of the UN Charter and Articles 54 and 49 of the Geneva Convention, saying the provisions leave no wiggle room. Pakistan reserves the right to respond with full force across all fronts if India dares to stop even a single drop, he added. He went on to warn that if India violated the treaty, Pakistan had the legal right to destroy Indian dams with missiles or disable their functionality through military force. "International law says that if India blocks even a single drop of water, Pakistan can strike their dams with missiles." "Article 12(4) of the Indus Waters Treaty clearly states that no unilateral changes can be made. If alterations are necessary, both countries must negotiate and enter into a new agreement," Zafar added. He also recalled India's past violations, including the construction of the Kishanganga Dam, where Pakistan approached the international court too late. "We are a lower riparian state. International law says that lower riparian states have an inalienable right to water. Denying that right can be countered by any measure necessary to preserve the treaty." Zafar pointed out that Pakistan built one of the world's largest canal systems under the IWT and that any attempt by India to disrupt it shows its unreliability and contempt for international commitments. "The time is ripe to expose India's actions to the world," the PTI leader stressed. "When we previously sought international arbitration, India used statements by our own ministers against us. Now, it alleges terrorism as a pretext for suspending the treaty." "If we fail to resolve this water crisis, people will starve. This is bigger than politics," the PTI leader stressed. PTI's Senator Dr Humayun Mohmand likened India's actions to a hostile neighbour cutting off water. "If someone blocks water from your adjacent house, you either persuade them to open it or you open it yourself," he said. "India only understands the language of force." He dismissed statements by Pakistan's finance minister downplaying the immediate impact of India's actions. "If Modi cared about international norms, he wouldn't be doing this," he said. "Land grabbers only understand a Kalashnikov pressed to their temple." JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza also criticised India's longstanding behaviour. "India has always created water-related problems for us," he said. He stressed the need for a Senate committee comprising members from all parties to examine the issue thoroughly and advise the government accordingly.
Business Recorder
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Pakistan-India conflict: Senate panel commends role of MoFA
ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs' meeting was held on Monday to deliberate on the recent Pakistan-India conflict and to assess the diplomatic and international engagements led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The committee session began with Chairman Senator Irfan Siddiqui paying tribute to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its exceptionally tremendous role during the conflict. On behalf of all committee members, he lauded the Foreign Office for its tireless, round-the-clock diplomatic efforts, which ensured that Pakistan's narrative was presented effectively to the international community. Chairman Siddiqui commended the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, the Secretary MOFA, Amna Baloch, and all the officers of the ministry for their hard work and tireless efforts to promote Pakistan's narrative and to fight, so brilliantly the country's case at the international level The in-camera session was attended by senators, Sherry Rehman, Musadik Masood Malik, Syed Ali Zafar, Rubina Qaimkhani, and Zeeshan Khanzada. Also present were Secretary Amna Baloch and Mehmood Nizami, Director General (South Asia) of the ministry, Shafqat Ali Khan, spokesperson of the ministry, and other concerned representatives. The committee, unanimously, endorsed the chairman's statement and emphasised the unprecedented nature of the conflict, which was led under the democratically elected civil government. 'This was the first war in the history of Pakistan where political leadership was at the forefront,' Senator Siddiqui remarked. 'The Parliament, civil government, and all its institutions, combined with the brave armed forces of Pakistan played a sustained and integral role, presenting a democratic face to the world.' A comprehensive briefing was made by the ministry officials on the diplomatic strategy adopted during the conflict, focusing particularly on engagement with global stakeholders and friendly countries. The mediation efforts proposed by the president of the United States, were also discussed Senators actively engaged in the session, which also included deliberations on Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). Members posed critical questions and offering their viewpoints. The committee collectively appreciated the ministry's consistent communication with the international community, its swift and appropriate responses to evolving global narratives, and its successful projection of Pakistan's stance on international forums. The chairman of the committee observed that India had not only suffered setbacks on the military front, but also faced a significant diplomatic and political defeat. 'India's aggressive designs have been fully exposed to the world,' Irfan Siddiqui stated, highlighting the exemplary strategic civil military coordination achieving victory for Pakistan. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
14-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Meezan Bank pays tribute to armed forces
KARACHI: In a heartfelt show of unity and gratitude, Meezan Bank held a special ceremony at its Head Office in Karachi to pay tribute to the courage and dedication of Pakistan's Armed Forces. More than 3,000 employees, including the Bank's senior leadership, came together to celebrate the spirit of sacrifice that defines our Armed Forces. The event featured passionate addresses by Irfan Siddiqui President & CEO, and Deputy CEO Syed Amir Ali, both of whom spoke about Pakistan's identity as a peace-loving nation and the Armed Forces' unwavering role in safeguarding that vision. A soulful recitation of the national anthem and a moving Dua-e-Shukar added to the emotional weight of the gathering, bringing a deep sense of pride and reflection across the audience. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
'PM Modi has admitted defeat'
Senator Irfan Siddiqui of the PML-N said Monday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent speech was a humiliating admission of defeat, with his agitated tone revealing the frustration of a sore loser. In a post on X, he said Modi's every word echoed the voice of his own defeat-a frantic outburst, like a cornered animal with nowhere left to turn. He said operation Sindhoor left 'Bharat Mata' cradling only ashes - when it could've instead exposed the rotting carcasses of Rafale jets and other war machines. After facing defeat at the hands of Pakistan's armed forces and global humiliation, their silence would have served them better than these desperate lamentations. Such profound disgrace cannot be washed away with empty rhetoric, Siddiqui said.
