Latest news with #SenateofPakistan
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Patchwork or reformed justice?
Listen to article Selective morality does not make for sound legislation. That, unfortunately, is what Pakistan's latest move to curtail the death penalty seems to embody. In a bid to retain GSP+ trade concessions from the EU, the Senate of Pakistan has passed a bill that abolishes capital punishment for harbouring hijackers and for the public stripping of women — two serious offences — while leaving more than a hundred others untouched. This piecemeal amendment reeks of convenience rather than conviction. It appears designed to tick boxes for international partners rather than reflect any meaningful shift in the state's approach to justice or human rights. No broader framework has been presented to justify why certain crimes merit the death penalty while others do not. Instead, the government has opted for selective rollback without a principled foundation. Criticism from both treasury and opposition benches in the Senate points to this very disconnect. PTI's Barrister Ali Zafar equated the public stripping of a woman with murder, arguing that such crimes warrant the harshest possible punishment. Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri cautioned that lighter sentences in such cases may embolden criminals rather than deter them. There is merit in these concerns — not necessarily because the death penalty is the answer, but because the reform itself lacks depth and cohesion. If capital punishment is to be curtailed, it must be done with a comprehensive review of all offences that currently carry the sentence, followed by a national debate on what constitutes a "most serious crime". The removal of the death penalty for just two offences, without a broader review of Pakistan's capital punishment regime, reflects an ad hoc approach that neither satisfies moral imperatives nor strengthens the justice system. It only deepens the confusion. Eventually, lawmakers must consider the role of capital punishment in a modern justice system and within the context of Pakistan's socio-economic paradigm, through proper consultation with legal and human rights experts.
Business Recorder
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Gilani reiterates country's commitment to interfaith harmony
ISLAMABAD: Chairman Senate of Pakistan, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, attended the Inaugural Mass of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV at St Peter's Square, Vatican City, on Sunday. The ceremony marked the formal commencement of Pope Leo XIV's papacy and was witnessed by an estimated 250,000 attendees, including numerous global leaders and dignitaries. Chairman Gillani's presence affirms Pakistan's commitment to interfaith harmony and its respect for the Catholic community worldwide. His participation highlighted Pakistan's dedication to fostering dialogue and mutual understanding among diverse religious traditions. The Inaugural Mass was attended by a distinguished assembly of international figures, including US Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. European royalty, such as King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium and King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain, were also present. Pope Leo XIV, born in Chicago and holding dual US-Peruvian citizenship, is the first pontiff from either nation. In his homily, he emphasized themes of peace, compassion, and unity, reflecting his commitment to addressing global challenges through dialogue and cooperation. During his visit, Chairman Gillani is scheduled to engage in bilateral meetings with Vatican officials and international counterparts to discuss shared interests, including the promotion of peace, protection of minority rights, and the advancement of interfaith collaboration. Pakistan remains steadfast in its advocacy for religious tolerance and coexistence, and Chairman Gillani's participation in this significant event reaffirms the nation's role in promoting global understanding and harmony. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan High Commission in London vandalised amid protests
Listen to article The Pakistani High Commission in London was vandalised following protests by hundreds of Indian demonstrators outside the building. The incident led to property damage, with windowpanes shattered and saffron-colored paint thrown across the building's exterior and its plaque. Security around the High Commission has been tightened, and an investigation is underway to identify those responsible for the vandalism, Pakistan's state TV reported. It must be noted that hundreds of Indian protesters gathered outside the High Commission, where two individuals were arrested for alleged involvement in violence. Pakistani supporters also staged a counter-protest in response to the demonstration. Tensions have surged between the two nuclear-armed neighbours since the attack, with New Delhi suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and Islamabad responding by closing its airspace to Indian airlines. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and called for a 'neutral, transparent and credible' investigation, offering Islamabad's participation in any such probe. On Friday, the Senate of Pakistan unanimously passed a resolution rejecting India's allegations linking Pakistan to the Pahalgam attack, calling them baseless and politically motivated.
Business Recorder
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Senate vows befitting response to any misadventure
ISLAMABAD: On the heels of heightened tension between Islamabad and New Delhi, the lawmakers from both sides of the aisle in the Upper House of the Parliament here have joined hands to reiterate that 'any misadventure by India will be met with a firm, swift and decisive response.' 'Senate of Pakistan – warns that Pakistan remains fully capable and prepared to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity against any aggression, including water terrorism or military provocation as clearly demonstrated by its robust and valiant response to India's reckless actions in February 2019; and any misadventure by India will be met with a firm, swift and decisive response,' read a resolution moved by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar that was unanimously passed by the House in the Senate session on Friday. The resolution demanded that India be held accountable for its 'involvement in different acts of terrorism and targeted assassinations on the soil of other countries, including Pakistan.' Senate passes resolution saying misadventure by India will be met with swift, decisive response Presided over by Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani, the Senate meeting rejected as frivolous and baseless, the attempts to link Pakistan with Pahalgam attack of 22 April. The House condemned the 'orchestrated and mala fide campaign by the Indian government to malign Pakistan, which follows a familiar pattern of exploiting the issue of terrorism for a narrow political goal.' The Upper House said it condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and emphasised that killing of innocent civilians is contrary to the values upheld by Pakistan. The House also condemned India's 'unlawful and unilateral declaration to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance in blatant violation of the treaty which clearly amounts to an act of war.' The legislature emphasised that the people of Pakistan remain committed to peace, but will never allow anyone to transgress the country's sovereignty, security, and interests. The Senate reaffirmed Pakistan's 'unwavering moral, political and diplomatic support for and commitment to the Kashmiri people's just struggle for realisation of their inalienable right to self-determination.' Speaking on the resolution, Dar, who is also the Foreign Minister and the Leader of the House in Senate, said, Wagah border would be closed forthwith. He asked the 'persons who are here under SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme, to leave Pakistan in 48 hours.' Dar, however, clarified that Sikh devotees in Pakistan would not be affected by this decision. He rejected India's decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, saying this treaty is the 'lifeline of people of Pakistan.' Leader of the Opposition in Senate Shibli Faraz said India wrongly accused Pakistan of Pahalgam attack. 'A region where they (India) have deployed seven hundred thousand military personnel, the occurrence of this kind of incident raises questions on the performance of their armed forces,' he said. Senators from different political parties shared their views in support of the resolution. The Senate was adjourned till Monday. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Orchestrated campaign': Pakistan passes resolution over India linking Pahalgam terror attack with Islamabad
NEW DELHI: Pakistan Senate on Friday unanimously passed a resolution against India rejecting the accusations of being involved in the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 people. It condemned the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government and said that it 'rejects all frivolous and baseless attempts to link Pakistan with the Pahalgam Attack of 22nd April 2025 in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir'. "The House unanimously passed a resolution condemning all forms of terrorism and its manifestations," the Senate of Pakistan said in a post on X. "The Senate of Pakistan condemns the orchestrated and mala fide campaign by the Indian government to malign Pakistan, which follows a familiar pattern of exploiting the issue of terrorism for a narrow political goal," it added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like My Stepdad Demands I Pay Him Rent On My 18th Birthday. He Doesn't Know I Own The House So I Did This Beach Raider Undo It warned that the nation "remains fully capable and prepared to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity against any aggression, including water terrorism or military provocation as clearly demonstrated by its robust and valiant response to India's reckless actions in February 2019; and any misadventure by India will be met with a firm, swift and decisive response". The resolution follows a National Security Committee (NSC) meeting in Pakistan, held a day earlier, where top civilian and military leaders decided to suspend the Simla Agreement and other bilateral accords with India. They also halted all trade and closed airspace to Indian airlines. These actions mirrored India's response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which included suspending the Indus Water Treaty and downgrading diplomatic ties with Pakistan on Wednesday. Islamabad took several retaliatory steps, including closing the Wagah border post, cancelling visas granted to Indians under the Saarc Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES), and ordering military advisers at the Indian High Commission to leave. Meanwhile, Union home minister Amit Shah chaired a meeting to discuss the future course of action on the Indus Waters Treaty.
