Latest news with #ShibliFaraz
Business Recorder
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
National unity cannot be achieved in wake of PTI's victimisation: Shibli
ISLAMABAD: Leader of the Opposition in Senate Shibli Faraz has said that national unity cannot be achieved in the wake of continued and unprecedented victimisation of Pakistan's largest political party. 'Pakistan's largest political party has been pushed to the wall. More than 10,000 of our workers are languishing behind the bars—how can national unity be achieved in these circumstances?' he said at the Senate session on Monday. 'This government has taken a 'homeopathic' stance against India. They (government) lack the capability to stand up to India's highhanded designs,' said Faraz, who belongs to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), speaking on the issue of heightened tension between India and Pakistan, on the floor of the House. 'Only the real representatives of the people can take a tough stance in the existing situation; the people who have been given the mandate by the public,' he said, as the opposition and treasury sides exchanged harsh words. 'India was in search of an opportunity—they read the situation; Pakistan faces extreme political instability, the economy is very weak, the federation is involved in different problems—so they (India) just cashed in on the situation,' he said. Presiding over the Senate session, Deputy Chairman Senate Syedaal Khan said, the opposition leader's speech has 'broken the rhythm of national unity.' 'There was national unity here in the last couple of days—but your speech has broken the rhythm of national unity,' the deputy chairman addressed the opposition leader. Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) Parliamentary Leader in Senate Irfan Siddiqui said, 'Even if whatever Shibli Faraz said, is really happening, still the situation demands that we should take on Modi at the moment, instead of attacking one another. We have had our differences with them (PTI), and we will continue to have differences, but why scratch one another's mouths in a situation like this when India has posed such a grave challenge?' he said. India is habitual of levelling false accusations against Pakistan without conducting any investigation or having any evidence, he said, adding that Pahalgam incident is a false flag operation staged by India to corner Pakistan. PTI Parliamentary Leader in Senate Ali Zafar said, 'India cannot unilaterally revoke Indus Waters Treaty. The stoppage of water by India is tantamount to an act of war.' Other senators including Kamran Murtaza from Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), former caretaker prime minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar, among others, also spoke in strong criticism of India. The Senate session was adjourned till today (Tuesday). Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
23-04-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Circular debt: Govt in talks with banks to raise Rs1.275trn
ISLAMABAD: Dr Inayat Hussain Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said Wednesday that the government is currently negotiating terms and conditions with banks to raise around Rs. 1.275 trillion in financing for tackling the issue of circular debt. While briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue on Circular Debt Restructuring on Wednesday, Deputy Governor SBP said that the SBP's negotiations with the banks have entered into the final stage. 'The expected deal is at advance stage', he added. Out of this amount of around Rs. 1.275 trillion, the government will use Rs 658 billion for payment of debt within the power sector. Break-up revealed that an amount of Rs 400 billion would be used for Sukkuk bonds and remaining amount would be used for payment of debt. An additional amount of nearly Rs 670 billion would be raised for meeting other requirements of the government. In this regard, the assets are being identified in order to secure loans from Islamic banks. Rs1.275trn loan to tackle circular debt: CPPA-G likely to sign term sheets with 18 banks Moreover, the Committee was briefed by the Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan on the government's efforts to restructure circular debt within the power sector. Senator Shibli Faraz expressed concern over the strategy, stating that securing new loans to service old ones merely shifts the burden onto the public. He noted that while the government previously paid the mark-up, this responsibility will now fall on the people. He remarked that this is not a sustainable solution, as the root causes remain unresolved, and the circular debt problem will persist unless fundamental reforms are implemented. The Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue, presided over by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, convened Wednesday at the Parliament House to deliberate on key policy, legislative, and regulatory matters. The Committee adopted the report of the Sub-Committee on 'Resolving the Issues Related to Solar Panels' and recommended that one month be given to the State Bank of Pakistan and the FBR to finalise the report for future course of action to minimize the issue of over-invoicing and under-invoicing. The committee members while discussing the Private Member's Bill titled 'The Income Tax (Amendment), 2025,' introduced by Senator Zeeshan Khanzada, unanimously decided to report to the House that the matter may be referred to the Speaker of the National Assembly to ascertain the status of the said bill as a Money Bill or otherwise. The Committee further deliberated on the federal government's rightsizing policy, with Committee members voicing concerns over its clarity and implementation. While the goal of reducing government bloat was acknowledged, questions were raised regarding the impact on existing employees. Senator Sherry Rehman emphasised the need for transparency, asking whether the abolishment of posts targets only vacant positions or also affects current staff, particularly long-serving contract employees. She further stressed the importance of a macro-level overview of the financial and human resource implications by early June. The Chairman of the Committee reiterated that both departmental mergers and affected employees must be clearly identified to present a comprehensive picture of the policy's impact. Officials confirmed to the Committee members that the data is still being compiled, with a deadline of 30 June for finalization. The meeting was attended by Senators Sherry Rehman, Shibli Faraz, Faisal Vawda, Manzoor Ahmed, the Special Secretary and Additional Secretary of the ministry of Finance and Revenue, the Additional Secretary of the Cabinet Division, Chairman FBR, Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, and other officials from the relevant departments. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PPP walkout heats up Senate session over canal issue
Listen to article In an interesting development, lawmakers of the PPP on Tuesday staged a protest in the Senate together with lawmakers from opposition parties — the PTI and the JUI-F — against the federal government's controversial canal project. When the Senate session commenced, PTI lawmaker Saifullah Abro requested Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gillani to allow him to speak on the canal issue during a point of order. He said the people of Sindh have been staging a protest for the last seven days. "We have submitted a resolution against the Canal project. We should be allowed to speak on the matter," he added. However, the chairman, who belongs to the PPP, asked him to discuss the matter after the question hour. Abro, however, staged a sit-in in front of the speakers' dice. The move also irked the PPP senators who rose from their seats and started chanting "theft of water, unacceptable". Gillani urged the leader of the opposition, PTI Senator Shibli Faraz, to bring the matter for discussion in the house after consulting it with PPP's parliamentary leader Sherry Rehman. However, the lawmakers did not accept this request and PPP senators staged a walkout in protest. Talking with reference to the project, Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar said the matter will be discussed thoroughly, and nothing will be bulldozed through parliament. Cabinet members will respond to questions in the house. Meanwhile, Yousuf Raza Gillani noted that quorum had been pointed out in the house. PTI members responded by saying that no one had pointed out the lack of quorum. The Senate chairman later announced that the quorum was present. Taking the floor, Shibli Faraz noted that life in Sindh had come to a halt due to public protests. He also criticized the PPP, which rules Sindh, and accused the party of hypocrisy. He said President Asif Ali Zardari, who co-chairs the PPP, approved the canal project which is part of the Green Pakistan Initiative in June 2024 but later issued a statement against the project. Once again, a lack of quorum was pointed out and the chairman ordered a headcount, but this time the quorum was not complete and bells were rung in the Senate galleries. PTI members raised loud slogans during the session. Senator Humayun Mohmand said, "What could be more shameful than government members themselves pointing out the lack of quorum?" Senator Falak Naz Chitrali of the PTI shouted: "Shame on PPP!" During this time, only one PML-N Senator, Nasir Butt, was seen sitting alone in the House. The session was subsequently adjourned by the chairman until 10:30am on Friday.
Express Tribune
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Senate sees fewer bills, more ordinances
PILDAT has flagged a sharp decline in private members' bills and a surge in ordinances, and while the number of sittings increased, working hours dropped and quorum issues persisted. In its analysis of the Senate's 2024-2025 performance, the watchdog has also raised concerns over procedural transparency and the Senate's representative effectiveness. During 2024-2025, the Senate passed 51 bills, comprising 34 government bills and 17 private members' bills. However, private members' legislative activity saw a sharp 63.8% decline compared to the previous year. The government's reliance on ordinances also surged, with 16 ordinances laid in the Senate, marking a dramatic increase from the single ordinance introduced in 2023-2024. The Senate held 65 sittings, reflecting a 14% increase from the previous year, but working hours dropped by 20.3%, reversing prior gains. Attendance rates showed improvement, with senators averaging 62% attendance. However, quorum issues remained a concern, as 16 sittings were adjourned due to insufficient attendance. The leader of the house recorded a low attendance rate of 28%, the lowest in six years, whereas the leader of the opposition demonstrated stronger engagement with 80% attendance. The report pointed out that the relatively low attendance of the leader of the house, Senator Ishaq Dar, may be attributed to his foreign travels and engagement with visiting foreign dignitaries, as he also holds the portfolio of the foreign minister and, in addition, is also the deputy prime minister. Senator Shibli Faraz, leader of the opposition, emerged as the most vocal senator with a recorded talk time of 11 hours and 26 minutes. The report also highlights critical political developments, including the continued vacancy of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's 11 Senate seats, raising concerns over provincial representation. Additionally, controversies surrounding ignored production orders, judicial reforms under the 26th Amendment, and the hurried extension of military chiefs' tenures have further fuelled political tensions. The Senate's handling of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) bill vote also sparked opposition protests over procedural fairness. These findings underscore the Senate's evolving role in Pakistan's governance, with increasing political contestation shaping legislative and procedural dynamics. The report calls for greater transparency, procedural integrity, and commitment to democratic representation in the upper house.
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Express Tribune
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Delay in ECP appointments challenged in IHC
The opposition leaders in the National Assembly and the Senate moved the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against delay in the appointment of the new chief election commissioner (CEC) and two members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). Omar Ayub and Shibli Faraz requested the court to instruct the federal government to initiate the process of meaningful consultation with the opposition for the appointments of the new CEC, and two ECP members. Current CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja and ECP member Sindh and ECP member Balochistan completed their terms in office recently. The petition in the IHC stated that the court should stop them from continuing in the office. Ayub, the National Assembly opposition leader, and Faraz, the Senate opposition leader, said that the Constitution was being violated by delaying these appointments, as the prime minister, the National Assembly speaker, and the Senate chairman had failed to fulfil their constitutional responsibilities. The petition requested the court to instruct the speaker to form a parliamentary committee, direct the chairman to send the names of the members of the Senators to the speaker, and order the prime minister to hold consultations with the leader of the opposition under Article 213 of the Constitution.
