Latest news with #PML-N-led
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Postal Life Insurance awaits Rs48b refund
PML-N-led coalition government in the Centre now has 229 members in the NA. PHOTO: APP The National Assembly Standing Committee on Privatization has directed the finance ministry to make a plan of returning Rs48 billion to Postal Life Insurance, as the company is struggling to meet its expenditures. A meeting of the standing committee was held on Friday under the chair of Dr Farooq Sattar. Finance ministry officials told the panel that the government had earmarked Rs14 billion over the last four financial years for the insurance firm. However, it has utilized only half the amount. The company officials told the committee that the organization was established in 2021 on an emergency basis to get Pakistan's name removed from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)'s grey list. Postal Life Insurance currently possesses Rs48 billion in funds but the amount is lying with the finance ministry, which is neither returning the amount nor paying interest, the company officials told the NA panel. They added that the company failed to pay its clients their insurance claims on time due to paucity of funds.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Imran signals readiness to 'give-and-take'
Incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan once again expressed willingness to hold direct talks with the country's powerful stakeholders on Thursday, saying he was ready for a "give and take" only in the interest of Pakistan. Speaking to party leaders at Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail, the PTI founder, while emphasising that he wasn't seeking any personal relief, said that the doors for dialogue with the establishment were open, saying he was ready to talk at any time for the sake of country and national unity. PTI Senator Ali Zafar, after meeting Khan in jail, told the media that the former premier had made it clear that any settlement would be for the country, not for personal gain. "There is no personal give and take involved," Zafar said before quoting Khan as saying: "if I wanted concessions for myself, I would have asked for them long ago and wouldn't have spent 600 days in jail." To a question about recent remarks by Khan's sister, Aleema Khan, Zafar said that Khan clarified that any notion of a give-and-take approach would be strictly for Pakistan's benefit. "I am not asking for any relief in my cases," Zafar attributed to Khan, adding "I only want justice, and I want my cases to be heard without delay." Reportedly, Aleema recently called for direct talks with the "unseen forces" to secure her brother's release through a possible "give and take" arrangement. Speaking to media in Islamabad, she claimed that judges handling Khan's cases were under pressure, pointing out that Khan's cases come on the cause list but are then not taken up. Khan, who was ousted from office via a no-confidence vote in 2022, has been in jail since August 2023. He faces a range of charges, including corruption and abetting violence, which his party maintains are politically motivated. To another question, Zafar said that Khan also confirmed that a protest campaign against the ruling PML-N-led coalition had already been announced and that the party would unveil its strategy in the coming days. Zafar said that Khan has instructed the party leadership to prepare for the movement, warning that he would no longer remain patient if no one comes out. "No one will be allowed to play from both sides of the fence," he said. Khan's renewed outreach has come at a time when his party hasn't been able to get any relief for him since he was arrested and sent behind bars in August 2023. His party says that the imprisonment is aimed at sidelining him from the national political landscape. Nevertheless, Khan's continued imprisonment has not only remained a rallying point for PTI leaders and supporters but become a central issue in the party's ongoing standoff with the establishment. The rift between PTI and powerful stakeholders was evident last Friday as Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur had skipped a formal dinner hosted by the newly-elevated Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir – also the Chief of Army Staff. Surprising as it may seem, PTI leaders were not invited for the dinner to celebrate success in the operation Bunyanum Mursoos. On May 10, 2025, Pakistan had launched a retaliatory response to unprovoked Indian aggression, including missile strikes on Pakistani airbases and civilian areas.
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Thousands of NGOs operate without oversight
PML-N-led coalition government in the Centre now has 229 members in the NA. PHOTO: APP The National Assembly Standing Committee on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety was told on Tuesday that over 18,000 NGOs operate nationwide, but only about 1,000 were officially registered, with the vast majority flying under the radar. The committee expressed grave concern over the presence of unregistered NGOs, terming them a potential threat to sensitive national matters, and recommended the formulation of a national framework to regulate the sector. During the meeting, officials also briefed the committee on the progress of various welfare projects, particularly regarding the deadlines given for their completion. The committee expressed serious concern over the delays in timely execution and demanded greater accountability. Expressing displeasure over the incompletion of a pilot project that was supposed to be finalised in July, the committee summoned the Secretary Finance and the Secretary for Industries and Production to appear in the next session. The committee also called on the governor of the State Bank of Pakistan and heads of private banks to appear before the panel in the upcoming meeting to review coordination issues linked with poverty reduction programmes. Briefing the committee on the Prime Minister's Ramazan Relief Package, officials revealed that 2.7 million out of 3.5 million deserving families had been provided assistance through digital wallets.
Express Tribune
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
India warned against its hydro terror
PML-N-led coalition government in the Centre now has 229 members in the NA. PHOTO: APP The National Assembly unanimously passed a resolution on Thursday, declaring that any move by India to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) would be considered an "act of war". The lower house also approved the Gas-Fired Power Plants Bill 2025, despite opposition. The session, chaired by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, began with opposition member Iqbal Afridi pointing out a lack of quorum, leading to a 15-minute suspension of proceedings. Following the question hour, Federal Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik introduced the Gas-Fired Power Plants Bill 2025, which sought imposing a levy on privately operated captive power plants. The bill was passed despite opposition protests. Initially, a five per cent levy will be imposed, which may increase to 10 per cent and eventually 20 per cent in subsequent phases. Later, Federal Minister for Water Resources Mian Moin Wattoo tabled a resolution condemning India's reported move to suspend the IWT. The resolution, passed unanimously, stated that such an action would be tantamount to a declaration of war and urged the government to take measures in this regard. During the debate, PTI lawmaker Iqbal Afridi warned that India had faced defeat before and would face it again if it continued to engage in proxy warfare and terrorism. PPP's Aijaz Jakhrani emphasized the critical importance of water, declaring, "Water is life, and we will not compromise on it. Modi must hear this loud and clear." The lower house also strongly condemned the recent school bus attack in Khuzdar. National Assembly member from Balochistan Mian Khan Bugti said India had been involved in the Khuzdar school bus attack, vowing to defeat Indian-backed proxies. Meanwhile, in response to a calling attention notice regarding the quality of food and alternative arrangements for Hajj pilgrims, Federal Minister Sardar Yousaf assured the House that any issues raised by members would be addressed promptly. The National Assembly session was adjourned indefinitely.
Express Tribune
16-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Assets declaration must for govt servants
PML-N-led coalition government in the Centre now has 229 members in the NA. PHOTO: APP The federal government on Friday managed to pass a bill, amending the Civil Servants Act. Under the Civil Servants (Amendment) Bill 2025, Clause 15A was added after Clause 15 of the Act, making it mandatory for civil servants from Grade-17 to Grade-22 to declare all their domestic and foreign assets. As per the proposed law, civil servants must also disclose the domestic and foreign assets and liabilities of their spouses and dependent children. Officers will be required to submit details of their own and their family's assets to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). These asset details will be made public. Earlier, the NA Friday passed a total of nine legislative items, including six government bills, two private members' bills, and a resolution, with a majority vote. The government successfully secured the house's approval for the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill 2024, a crucial piece of legislation related to the upcoming federal budget. Among the other government-sponsored bills passed were: Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (Amendment) Bill 2024, Anti-Dumping Duties (Amendment) Bill 2025, Pakistan Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2024, Transfer of Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2025. In addition, the house also adopted two private members' bills from the supplementary agenda: Trade Organisations (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Bill 2025 (applicable within the limits of Islamabad Capital Territory). All bills were passed with a majority vote, without division. The assembly also approved a resolution moved by MNA Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, urging the government to increase the upper age limit for CSS candidates to 35 years, and to allow five attempts for the competitive exam. The resolution stressed that qualified aspirants were being excluded due to the restrictive age cap and limited number of chances. Speaking on a point of order, PTI MNA Asad Qaiser raised concerns regarding the lack of a clear government policy on tobacco cultivation. "Farmers are deeply worried. The matter should be referred to the relevant standing committee," he urged. In response, the federal minister for law and justice assured the house that the government was aware of the farmers' difficulties. "International market fluctuations do impact prices, but we will ensure that tobacco growers are not unduly burdened," he said. The session was later adjourned by Deputy Speaker Zahid Akram Durrani until Monday at 5pm. Wheat procurement The government would not procure wheat this season and the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (Passco) would be closed down, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry informed the National Assembly on Friday. Speaking during the Question Hour, the minister said that farmers who were able to store their produce in their own warehouses would be compensated. He added that there were no restrictions on the movement or transport of wheat across the country. "Wheat is currently performing well in the open market, which is benefiting farmers and improving their income," the minister told the house in response to a question. "The farmers who are able to store their produce in their own warehouses will be compensated," he added.
