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Express Tribune
15-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Captive power levy sparks Senate clash
Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Opposition Leader Shibli Faraz engaged in a heated debate on Thursday over a money bill proposing an "off-the-grid" levy on gas-based captive power plants. The exchange took place after Senator Anusha Rahman, on behalf of the Standing Committee on Finance Chairman Saleem Mandviwalla, presented the committee's report on the Off The Grid (Captive Power Plants) Levy Bill, 2025 in the house. Opposing the bill, Fraz argued that imposing a levy on captive power plants would negatively impact not only industries but also housing societies that depend on them. He warned that the added cost would hurt industrial growth. In response, Law Minister Tarar said that electricity prices had dropped by Rs10 per unit in the past two months. He added that the decision to impose the levy was made after thorough deliberation by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. "Re-negotiation has been carried out with three power plants, and all the things have been discussed in the standing committee," Tarar told Faraz. "I was hoping that the opposition leader would himself attend the committee meetings on the matter," he added. Tarar said that captive power plants earned significant profits over their cost, adding that poor people were also taken into consideration while drafting the policy. Faraz, meanwhile, insisted that with the imposition of the levy, electricity for industries will become expensive. "Unemployment will increase due to the high cost of electricity for industries." He then addressed directly to the minister, saying: "Talk about the captive power plants, instead of my presence in the committee meeting. While presenting the report, Anusha Rehman said that the recommendations on the money bill had been approved unanimously by the standing committee. She said that the Senate's recommendations would also be sent to the National Assembly Secretariat. Earlier, the Senate Committee on Finance met with Anusha Rehman in the chair. During the meeting, Petroleum Secretary Momin Agha told the committee members that the government wanted to transfer captive power plants to the electricity grid. While giving a briefing on the bill, the additional finance secretary said that 70% of captive plants were in Sindh. After a detailed review, the chair ruled that this bill was passed unanimously and recommendations would be sent to the house. Meanwhile, four committee reports were also presented in the Senate. Senator Shahadat Awan, on behalf of Farooq Naek, chairman of Standing Committee on Law and Justice, presented the report on The Civil Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2025. Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training Chairperson Senator Bushra Anjum Butt presented the report on The Nexus International University of Health Emerging Sciences and Technologies, Islamabad Bill, 2025. Minister for Human Rights, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar laid before the Senate the Annual Reports of the National Commission for Human Rights for the years 2023 and 2024.
Business Recorder
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Omar alleges govt hiding vital information
ISLAMABAD: Opposition Leader in National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan on Friday claimed the government is concealing vital information about the country's artillery shell reserves at a time of rising tensions with India. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Khan revealed he had submitted a formal query to the National Assembly Secretariat on 14 September 2024, seeking details on the status and availability of artillery munitions – a request driven, he said, by growing signs of Indian military aggression. The concerns I raised then are now becoming a grim reality, he said, alleging that the concerned ministry stonewalled his inquiry, citing 'national security pretexts'. He; however, said the refusal masked a much deeper issue. 'The real issue here isn't national security – it's a cover-up,' Khan said, accusing the then PDM government of 'reckless compliance' with Western demands. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Arab Times
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
Kuwait Revokes Citizenship Of 13 Iraqis In Major Forgery Case
KUWAIT CITY, May 1 : Kuwaiti authorities have reopened a complex citizenship fraud case involving 13 individuals of Iraqi origin, including a group of forgers and their falsely registered family members. The case, which dates back to 2016, was initially exposed through DNA testing but later took a political turn, resulting in a temporary restoration of the revoked citizenships before being reversed again in 2024. The forgery came to light when the Nationality Investigation Department received intelligence that six individuals claimed to belong to two different Kuwaiti tribes, while in fact, they were biological brothers from the same father. The discovery was confirmed through DNA testing, which revealed their true familial ties. One of the forgers was found living with another Iraqi man, who was not merely a housemate but his brother and also linked to the other accused. Although their Kuwaiti citizenships were revoked in 2016 based on the genetic evidence, a political settlement in 2023 between the government and parliament—reportedly in response to looming parliamentary questioning—led to the reinstatement of their nationalities under a general amnesty. However, in 2024, the government once again revoked their citizenship after receiving fresh intelligence in 2025 about a seventh brother named Shanawa, who had fled the country the previous July. Authorities detained his wife and children as they attempted to leave Kuwait, and subsequent DNA testing matched them with a 2016 sample belonging to the alleged uncle, who was revealed to be their paternal uncle and the brother of Shanawa, confirming the fraud. Investigators concluded that all 13 individuals were part of an extended family that falsely claimed tribal affiliations and forged documents to obtain Kuwaiti citizenship. The patriarch, who had assumed the false identity of Shanawa, worked in Kuwait's oil sector until his retirement in 2016, around the time the case first surfaced. It has since come to light that one of his sons currently works in the oil sector, while another is employed in the National Assembly Secretariat. The genetic fingerprinting conducted by Kuwait's forensic experts played a critical role in dismantling the case, offering irrefutable proof that all involved shared the same biological lineage, undermining their forged identities and tribal affiliations. In parallel, the Supreme Committee on Citizenship held a meeting to review ongoing cases of dual nationality. Among these were cases involving a U.S. citizen and two individuals from neighboring Gulf countries. The committee also considered two cases of individuals who voluntarily renounced their Kuwaiti citizenship to comply with nationality regulations. Sources confirmed a noticeable rise in the number of people voluntarily surrendering their Kuwaiti nationality, driven by increasing awareness of government crackdowns and efforts to legalize status. Many of these individuals are proactively adjusting their legal standing, acknowledging the tightening regulatory environment and aiming to avoid legal repercussions.
Express Tribune
30-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
President summons NA session on April 7
President Asif Ali Zardari has summoned a session of the National Assembly on April 7 (Monday) at 5 PM at Parliament House. According to the National Assembly Secretariat, the president has convened the session under the powers granted by Article 54(1) of the Constitution. The upcoming session will mark the 15th meeting of the 16th National Assembly. National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq will chair the session, for which the National Assembly Secretariat has already issued a formal notification.
Express Tribune
17-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Bahrain's parliamentary delegation arrives in Islamabad
Listen to article A high-level parliamentary delegation from Bahrain has arrived in Islamabad on an official visit at the invitation of Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, officials said. According to a statement from the National Assembly Secretariat, the delegation will participate in high-level meetings in Islamabad during their four-day visit, from February 16 to February 19. The delegation is led by Dr Ahmed bin Salman Al-Musallam, Speaker of Bahrain's Council of Representatives. Dr Al-Musallam and his delegation will meet President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Senate Chairman Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, and Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. They will also hold discussions with the Convener and members of the Pakistan-Bahrain Friendship Group, along with other political and parliamentary figures. Pak-Bahrain Friendship Group member Chaudhry Shahbaz Babar extended a warm welcome to the delegation upon their arrival at the airport. The meetings will focus on strengthening parliamentary relations, deepening bilateral cooperation, and addressing regional matters of mutual interest. Pakistan and Bahrain share longstanding ties based on religious, cultural, and historical connections. This visit marks a significant step in further enhancing their partnership and expanding collaboration across various sectors. In addition to official engagements, the Bahraini delegation will visit cultural and historical sites in Islamabad, fostering stronger people-to-people ties between the two nations.
