Latest news with #SyedGhulamMustafaShah
Express Tribune
14-05-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
13k civilians trained in wartime drills
A team conducts a mock drill at Rawal Dam to assess preparations for rescue operation in case of possible floods during the monsoon. PHOTO: EXPRESS As hostilities flared recently between Pakistan and India, authorities ramped up civil defence preparedness by training over 13,000 individuals, including 400 women, in emergency response and public safety protocols, the National Assembly was informed on Wednesday. During the ongoing session chaired by Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, Minister of State for National Health Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath said that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had initially announced civil defence training for 9,000 citizens, but exceeded its target due to growing demand amid the crisis. "So far, 13,000 individuals have been trained, 12,000 men and 400 women," Dr Bharath told the House during the Question Hour. He said that the civil defence force had played a key role in recent emergency operations, particularly in transporting the injured to hospitals during escalations along the border. "We also have provincial-level data regarding training and preparedness," he added, noting that civil defence offices are operational across the country. The disclosure came in response to a question from MNA Dr Shazia Sobia Aslam, who had inquired about recent civil defence initiatives amid the tense regional security environment. Aviation losses Meanwhile, in a pointed exchange, PPP MNA Sharmila Faruqui drew attention to the financial damage incurred due to an irresponsible 2020 statement by a federal minister regarding pilots' credentials, saying it resulted in losses amounting to Rs40 billion. "How will those responsible be identified without an inquiry?" she asked. Parliamentary Secretary for Aviation Zeb Jafar responded by saying that operations were now on the path to recovery. "Two flights are currently operating for Paris. Since March, PIA has begun generating profit. Concerns raised by UK authorities have been addressed, and multiple international routes have been restored," she added. She said PIA has been operating in a profit since March 2024. Jaffar said PIA has now resumed flights to the European Union, including two destinations in Europe, such as Paris. She also mentioned that the government had engaged in dialogue with the EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which paved the way for restarting flights to Paris. Talks with UK aviation authorities are also underway. In addition, discussions are ongoing with Turkish Airlines, which is expected to benefit Pakistani travellers. The government is actively working to expand PIA's network to profitable routes, including the Middle East and North Africa. Efforts to make the national airline more profitable are continuing, and their impact will become more visible in the coming months, she added.
Express Tribune
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Lacking quorum again, NA session put off
National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq on Friday expressed regrets over the opposition's walkout from the proceedings of the lower house of parliament and subsequently pointing out of a lack of quorum that led to the adjournment of the sitting. The speaker stated that the opposition chose to walk out from the house at a time when important issues were on the agenda. He stressed that the most of the questions on the Question Hour agenda were submitted by opposition members. "It is disappointing that the opposition chose to walk out during proceeding when the house was discussing important national issues," he said. "It is regrettable that the opposition distances itself from parliament's core responsibilities," he added. The speaker said, 30 members participated in a debate on water canals issue, but most of the opposition parties, except for the Jamiat JUI-F were absent on that day. Due to a lack of quorum on Friday, Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah adjourned the session until Monday. Sadiq also clarified that the PPP had submitted a resolution on the canals issue on April 7, and the matter was discussed in detail on the same day. However, another similar resolution was again submitted by the opposition on April 10. Addressing the broader concerns raised by the opposition parties, the speaker continued, those who frequently spoke out on issues such as Palestine and border security often failed to show up when these matters were scheduled for debate in the house. The National Assembly session started with Speaker Ayaz Sadiq in the chair. However, the sitting was interrupted when Iqbal Afridi of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) pointed out the lack of quorum. The session was suspended for 30 minutes, and later adjourned due to insufficient attendance. Meanwhile, the energy ministry informed the house in a written reply that "thanks to the government's efforts", the circular debt declined by Rs9 billion during the first six months of the current fiscal year – from Rs2,393 billion in June 2024 to Rs2,384 billion in December The energy ministry said that the recovery of power distribution companies (DISCOs) had improved. The ministry presented some aspects of the government's strategic roadmap for 2025-29, including initiatives to identify power losses, and real-time monitoring to pinpoint unauthorised consumption. "In order to identify localities with high power losses, a computerised energy audit of distributors and transformers will be carried out," the response read. "An advanced metering infrastructure system will be implemented for real-time monitoring and loss assessment to identify unauthorised consumption." The ministry said that this strategy required that all consumers had electricity meters, thus consumers without them would need to have them installed. "The strategy includes recovery action against defaulters who are permanently disconnected under the Land Revenue Act [and] and area bundle contractors will be installed in areas with high power theft," the energy ministry wrote. The ministry added that under the government's strategy, tube wells would be solarised to reduce dependence on grid electricity and a recovery scheme would be introduced for local administrations and Discos to collect arrears.
Express Tribune
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Minister's absence forces chair to adjourn NA
PML-N-led coalition government in the Centre now has 229 members in the NA. PHOTO: APP Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah on Thursday adjourned the proceedings of the house without taking up any agenda items due to the absence of relevant ministers during the question hour. Expressing strong displeasure, the deputy speaker said it was unacceptable that ministers failed to attend the session despite clear instructions from the prime minister. He said that the ministers were not taking their responsibilities seriously, which was unfortunate. The House was adjourned until Friday. The NA offered Fateha for the departed soul of former Senator Hafiz Hussain Ahmed.
