Latest news with #Rehmani
India.com
29-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Pakistani Pilgrims Face Hardship In Mecca: Broken Suitcases, Inedible Food And Neglect
In yet another major embarrassment for Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, two prominent Members of National Assembly (MNA) on Thursday shared harrowing experiences of pilgrims from the country who are currently undertaking the annual Haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Making statements in the National Assembly, Shagufta Jumani and Shahida Rehmani from the Pakistan People's Party exposed the claims being made by Sharif government of ensuring a smooth and seamless Haj pilgrimage for all Pakistanis. "The food being served to the Haj pilgrims from our country is inedible and same throughout the day. Which companies have been allotted these contracts and on whose recommendations? The people at the helm of affairs have completely destroyed the system. I sincerely appeal to you in the name of God to have mercy on the Haj pilgrims," said Jumani. Rehmani too highlighted the gross official negligence, severely criticising the government machinery. "Seven people from my family are undertaking the pilgrimage this time. They are facing major health issues due to the food that is being served. The suitcases given to them broke at the airport, even before they began their journey to Mecca. Things are in such bad shape and there is nobody to take care of Pakistanis in Mecca. They have been put in faraway locations and there is nobody to look after them, " said Rehmani. Last month, the Haj organisers had called on PM Sharif to ensure improved coordination with the Saudi authorities this time. Saudi Arabia allocated Pakistan 179,210 Haj slots this year which was evenly divided between government and private schemes. However, only 14,000 private applications were successful, leaving thousands unable to complete their spiritual journey. A few weeks ago, Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry had also issued a strong warning to Islamabad, stating that strict penalties will be imposed on Pakistani citizens found violating Haj permit regulations this year. The warning came at a time when Pakistan formally commenced its Haj flight operations with the first batch of 442 pilgrims departing from Islamabad to Madina under the Makkah Route Initiative. The Saudi ministry stated that penalties up to SR20,000 will be applicable till June 10 on any Pakistani performing or attempting to perform Haj without a valid permit. The penalty includes all types of visa holders, including those entering and staying in Mecca. Moreover, a fine of up to SR100,000 will be imposed on anyone who applies for a visit visa on behalf of individuals attempting to perform Haj without a permit, or anyone who facilitates their entry or stay in the restricted areas, adding that the fines may multiply based on the number of individuals involved. It also made it clear to Pakistan that a penalty of SR100,000 will be imposed on those individuals who transport, shelter, or assist visit visa holders in accessing the holy sites, which includes concealment of their presence or providing accommodation in any form in hotels, shelters, private homes, or Haj-designated housing, warning that any and all illegal infiltrators, including residents and overstayers, who are caught attempting to perform Haj without a permit will be instantly arrested, deported and banned from entering in Saudi Arabia for at least 10 years. Saudi Arabia's strict warning to Pakistan is a result of an alarming number of beggars, illegal visitors, and citizens travelling for Haj without permits, every year. The Kingdom has deported at least 4,700 Pakistani beggars in the past three years, urging Islamabad to put the names and passports of these deported individuals on its no-flier list. "Their ever-increasing population is tarnishing the country's image abroad," admitted Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.
Business Recorder
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Women lawmakers, civil society demand end to symbolic representation in politics
PESHAWAR: Women parliamentarians, civil society actors, and policy experts gathered at a high-level roundtable titled 'Raising Her Voice in Politics', jointly hosted by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) and the Women's Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) comprising parliamentarians from National Assembly and Senate of Pakistan PPP, PML-N, PTI, JUI, and MQM-P to spotlight Pakistan's persistent gaps in women's political representation and to push for immediate party and legislative reforms. In her welcome remarks from Chairperson, Women Parliamentarians Caucus, MNA Shahida Rehmani, who lauded SDPI for organizing the forum. 'It's a shared goal to not only include women in political parties but empower them to shape their own futures,' she said. Dr Rehmani further stated, 'Despite the 5% quota requirement under the Elections Act 2017, compliance remains weak, these figures reflect not just underrepresentation but active gate keeping within party structures.' Dr Rehmani also emphasized that women face systemic challenges within political parties and called for urgent solutions to ensure gender parity. She underscored the need for a binding 33% representation in all new political formations and highlighted gender policy equality as the critical path forward. As per the SDPI research, Pakistan's demographic reality further underscores the urgency of reform. Women make up 49% of the country's population, with 59 million registered female voters as of 2024. However, only 42% of women cast their votes in the last general election a 5% decline from 2018. Despite this numerical strength, women's influence in political decision-making remains minimal. An SDPI analysis of the constitutions of 19 political parties represented in Parliament found that only five parties complied with the 5% women's general seat nomination requirement. Notably, the Balochistan National Party and Awami National Party included 9 and 10 women, respectively, in their Central Executive Committees; highlighting a few examples of positive practice, though far from the norm. To better understand the legal framework, SDPI reviewed the Political Parties Order (PPO) 2002 and the Elections Act 2017. While the 2013 amendment to PPO 2002 enabled the introduction of a 5% nomination quota for women on general seats, another provision; calling for 33% representation of women political workers in all elected and non-elected bodies of political parties, was sidelined during legislative discussions and remains unimplemented. In light of these findings, Qasim Shah, Deputy Executive Director SDPI, stated ' A set of recommendations for urgent legislative and institutional reform. First, Section 208 of the Elections Act 2017 should be amended to require political parties to ensure at least 33% representation of women as office bearers in both elected and non-elected bodies — proportionate to the female population. Second, Section 202 of the same Act, which mandates a minimum of 2,000 members for party registration, should be revised to include a mandatory requirement of 33% female membership, ensuring gender-inclusive party formation from the outset.' Parliamentarians and Senators present at the roundtable welcomed these recommendations and voiced their support for institutional reform, gender audits, and accountability within political parties. They emphasized the need for a shift away from tokenism toward meaningful inclusion. In his vote of thanks, Dr. Abid Qayyum Suleri, Executive Director, SDPI, said, 'It's not enough to offer symbolic seats or fulfill quotas on paper. For democracy to be inclusive, women must be empowered to lead from the front. Marginalization of women is a global issue. Even the United Nations has yet to elect a woman Secretary General,' he said, citing the 'One for Eight Billion' campaign. Dr. Suleri urged an amendment to the Election Commission Act 2019 to enforce women's inclusion in political processes. In her closing remarks, MNA Tahira Aurangzeb of PML-N praised SDPI's efforts and reaffirmed the Caucus's commitment to progressive reforms. 'Women should comprise 50% of all political parties,' she said. 'They not only bring inclusivity but also utilize development funds more effectively. Punjab's progress under female leadership is testament to that.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
02-03-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Pak get bronze in ITF Wheelchair Tennis
Pakistan shone at the BNP Paribas World Team Cup Wheelchair Tennis Asian Qualification Event in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The team included Asif Abbasi, Fida Hussain, and Ihsanullah Khan with Muhammad Khalid Rehmani as the captain. They won the match in the presence of Sri Lanka Tennis Association President Iqbal Issak who was there as the chief guest. Meanwhile, Japan emerged as the winner in both male and female events. They qualified for the World group event and earned their gold medal from the qualification round. Rehmani, who also serves as a vice-president of the Pakistan Tennis Federation, applauded the team's effort and highlighted the history they made in Colombo. "It is the first time that Pakistan reached the victory stand in wheelchair tennis," he said in a press statement. "They won bronze here. "I thank President Aisamul Haq and the International Tennis Federation Wheelchair Department who support wheelchair tennis in Pakistan. I also want to commend the former PTF president Salim Saifullah Khan who initiated wheelchair tennis in the country in 2018." Rehmani further added that the current PTF President Aisam, the only world-class player from the country in the open era, has planned to flourish wheelchair tennis more extensively in 2025 by adding more cities in the fold of the wheelchair development Initiative. There will also be efforts to invite a foreign coach who could further train Pakistani coaches for wheelchair training capacity building. During the bronze-medal match, Pakistan came from behind as Iran's Hussain Mamipour outplayed Fida 6-0,6-1 in the first singles rubber. But Abbasi defeated Iran's Muhammad Reza Yagoupi 6-0,6-0 during the second singles rubber to level the tie 1-1. The result fell solely on Asif and Fida's shoulders who played the deciding doubles rubber. They overcame their Iranian opponents 6-4,6-4 to seal the win.
