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Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PML-N leads in Sialkot by-elections
PML-N's Hina Arshad Warraich was leading with 78,702 votes in PP-52 Sialkot by-elections, according to unofficial and incomplete results from 165 out of 185 polling stations received in the late hours of Sunday. Hina was fielded as the ruling party's candidate in the by-elections announced after the death of MPA Chaudhry Arshad Warraich who had won the seat in the Feb 8 general elections on the PML-N's ticket. Hina held a clear lead over candidates from other parties including the PTI-backed independent candidate Fakhar Nishat Ghumman, who secured 39,018 votes, according to the unofficial tally. Speaking to a private TV channel, Hina said the people did not elect her for politics but for service. "I stand here today because of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz," she stated. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, who also belongs to Sialkot, visited the residence of Hina Warraich. Addressing party workers, he thanked those who participated in the election campaign across Punjab, adding that based on results from 165 polling stations, Hina is securing a decisive victory. "Sialkot was, is, and will remain a stronghold of the PML-N," he said. PTI's Central Secretary for Information Sheikh Waqas Akram, during a press conference in Islamabad, however, alleged that the by-election in PP-52 Sambrial witnessed "thuggery under police patronage". "The turnout at our rally in Sambrial was unforgettable. People came out early in the morning to protect the mandate, but the PML-N's goons resorted to violence," he claimed. He alleged that under police protection, PTI supporters were forcibly removed from polling stations and subjected to violence. "PML-N forcibly entered polling stations and cast fake votes," he said. PPP Central Punjab President Raja Pervaiz Ashraf also accused the PML-N of resorting to rigging in a press conference held in Sambrial. "The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) must take notice of the rigging in the PP-52 by-election. Our polling agents and workers were attacked in Roliya, Begowal, Mitranwali, and Babundoki Chamiyan. "Local PML-N leadership should not have resorted to such actionsthis undermines the credibility of the entire electoral process," he added. "Elections should be free and fair. Our people were harassed and forced out of polling stations." PPP General Secretary Syed Hassan Murtaza also claimed that the PML-N cannot contest elections "without siding with the umpires". The 2024 elections, he said, witnessed the worst rigging in history." After the press conference, the ECP issued a statement describing Raja Pervaiz Ashraf's allegations of rigging in PP-52 Sialkot as baseless. It advised PPP leaders to file a formal complaint with solid evidence. "The ECP will address all complaints promptly," it said, adding that the reports about the administration shutting down various polling stations are completely false.
Business Recorder
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Karkey RPP case: Ex-PM Raja only accused of abetting main suspect, rules AC
ISLAMABAD: An Accountability Court ruled that former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and others were only accused of abetment of the principal accused in the Karkey Rental Power Project (RPP) case, against whom the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had already withdrawn charges. The Accountability Court judge, Muhammad Ali Warraich, in its detail judgement of the Karkey case, says that former prime minister Ashraf and 11 others discharged from Karkey Power Project (RPP) case as they (Ashraf and others) abetting the principal accused, against whom the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had already withdrawn charges as they (Ashraf and others) entitled to be discharged from the case. According to the judgment, the Supreme Court had declared the contracts with Rental Power Plants illegal in its decision dated March 30, 2012. The apex court had also ordered recovery of losses, along with markup, from those responsible. Following the Supreme Court's directives, the NAB initiated inquiries against several rental power companies, including Karkey, which was converted into a formal investigation on December 18, 2022. The initial inquiry led to a reference being filed against 31 accused. Later, a supplementary reference was filed against 12 individuals for awarding an illegal contract to Karkey. The NAB filed the case under the amended NAB Ordinance 1999, accusing the suspects of causing losses to the national exchequer and accepting kickbacks. However, before the trial could conclude, amendments were introduced to the NAB laws, leading to the case being returned to NAB on the grounds of lacking jurisdiction. On September 5, 2023, the Supreme Court partially struck down the NAB amendments, which led to the revival of the reference in the accountability court. Subsequently, an intra-court appeal restored the NAB Amendment Act 2022 in its original form, and the case resumed from where it had been left. It says that perusal of record shows that initially the original reference was filed against 31 accused persons, the record further shows that NAB had withdrawn the case to the extent of accused No 1 to 11 arrayed in original reference on March 6, 2020, whereas, accused persons namely, Rabia Laique, Bushra Zulqarnain, Umer Zulqarnain, Sher Malik and Amir Malik have been discharged according to verdict March 18, 2020. The verdict says that examination of the record shows that the case of remaining accused persons who have been appearing before the court is squarely at par with the accused No 1 to 11 of the original reference against whom the NAB had withdrawn the case and the accused persons who have been discharged vide order dated March 2020. The allegation levelled against the remaining accused persons who have been appearing before the court is mostly the abetment of the principal accused against whom NAB had withdrawn the case. Thus, remaining accused persons are entitled to be discharged from the offence, it says. The accused persons, namely, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Muhammad Ismail Qureshi, Fazal Ahmed Khan, NA Zuberi. Tahir Basharat Cheema, Muhammad Saleem Arif, Muhammad Razi Abbas, Iqbal Ali Shah, Wazir Ali Bhaio, Hafeez ur Rehman Abbasi and Rasool Khan Mehmood are discharged from this case. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
29-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Raja Pervaiz Ashraf cleared in Rental Power project NAB cases
National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf says government should suspend the secretary and appoint a new one. PHOTO: AFP Listen to article Former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf has been discharged from multiple National Accountability Bureau (NAB) references related to the rental power projects. The accountability court in Islamabad, presided over by Judge Ali Warraich, announced the decision on Tuesday, clearing Ashraf and several others from cases linked to the Sharaqpur, Bhakki and Karkey projects. The Karkey reference had alleged corruption worth Rs22 billion, while the Turkish company Karkey Karadeniz Elektrik Uretim (KKEU) had also filed a Rs200 billion damages claim. The claim was later amicably resolved following the intervention of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In the Sheikhupura reference concerning the Bhakki power project, valued at Rs96 billion, the court discharged the former Wapda chairman and six others. Those named in the Sharaqpur power reference were also cleared. This is not the first time Ashraf has been exonerated in rental power-related cases. In 2020, he was acquitted in the Pira Ghaib rental power plant reference. The rental power projects were initiated under the PPP government in 2008-09 to address the electricity shortfall. However, several companies, including Karkey, failed to meet delivery commitments. Karkey's contract, worth $564.6 million, required the supply of 231 megawatts to the Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO), but the project underperformed, incurring significant costs to Pakistan. Following disputes, Karkey pursued arbitration at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), leading to an award against Pakistan. The eventual waiver of the penalty followed diplomatic negotiations between Pakistan and Turkey.
Express Tribune
16-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Govt to lay off USC daily wagers
ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to lay off daily wage employees from utility stores across the country as part of its "rightsizing" policy, sources revealed on Saturday. The move, which affects an estimated 2,500 to 2,600 workers, was approved earlier by the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) board of directors. According to sources, directives for terminating employees have already been issued by the respective zonal offices, signalling the start of the downsizing process. The layoffs are in line with the government's broader policy of rationalising the workforce and reducing expenses. The decision comes as part of ongoing restructuring efforts within the USC, which has been under financial strain. While officials have cited economic challenges and efficiency concerns as the reason for the cuts, the move is expected to face resistance from affected employees and labour unions. The USC board had deliberated the matter in previous meetings, ultimately concluding that reducing the number of daily wage staff was necessary to align with budgetary constraints and operational efficiency goals. The government's "rightsizing" policy aims to streamline operations in state-run entities, potentially impacting other sectors in the future. It is pertinent to note that Federal Minister for Industries and Production, Rana Tanveer Hussain, recently clarified that the government has no plans to shut down utility stores but will instead restructure them. Responding to concerns raised in the National Assembly by PPP leader Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, he assured that the stores would continue operating, though reforms were needed to enhance efficiency. The minister noted that utility stores were originally set up to provide affordable essential goods, but many were established in unnecessary locations due to political influence. He acknowledged instances of political appointments within the organisation, which would be addressed during restructuring while assuring that regular employees' jobs remained secure. It is worth noting that there were rumours that the government would discontinue subsidies on sugar, wheat, and cooking oil. In December 2024, another proposal was considered to close 1,000 loss-making USC outlets nationwide. However, another proposal was to restructure the corporation to improve its financial sustainability. The government will face the daunting task of accommodating USC's 3,800 employees. The industries and production minister repeatedly said that the government had no intentions of closing the USC. In January, the Economic Coordination Committee approved Rs1.7 billion to settle the pending liabilities of USC under the Prime Minister's Relief Package. However, no additional budget was allocated for the upcoming Ramazan relief package.
