Latest news with #TheNationalAssembly
Express Tribune
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
NA approves extension of CSS age limit, exam attempts from 2026
Listen to article The National Assembly on Friday passed a resolution to increase the maximum age limit for candidates appearing in the Central Superior Services (CSS) examination from 30 to 35 years, with the new policy set to take effect from 2026, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported. The move, introduced by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML‑N) MNA Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, was brought before the House after a successful motion to suspend procedural rules. The resolution was passed without opposition, reflecting broad parliamentary support. Alongside the age limit increase, the resolution also allows candidates a total of five attempts at the CSS exam. Lawmakers urged the government to implement these changes without delay to give prospective applicants sufficient time to prepare under the revised criteria. The CSS exam serves as a key gateway to Pakistan's elite federal services, including positions in administration, foreign affairs, customs, and other civil sectors. It has traditionally attracted fresh university graduates and young professionals, with strict eligibility criteria in terms of age and number of attempts. By raising the age cap and allowing an additional attempt, the new measures aim to broaden access and provide greater flexibility for aspirants who may need more time to prepare or who enter the workforce later.
The Citizen
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
French lawmakers divided over PM Bayrou child abuse hearing
As abuse claims shake France, PM Bayrou denies wrongdoing, but a divided parliament questions his integrity and future in office. France's Prime Minister Francois Bayrou arrives for a hearing by a parliamentary enquiry commission on claims of widespread physical and sexual abuse at the Notre-Dame de Betharram school in southwestern France between the 1970s and 1990s, at The National Assembly, France's lower house parliament, in Paris on May 14, 2025. (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD / AFP) French politicians were divided on Thursday over the marathon hearing of Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, who was grilled by lawmakers about claims of sexual abuse at a Catholic school. Some deputies were outraged at the way Bayrou was questioned for five and a half hours on Wednesday, one of them comparing the hearing to a 'Stalinist' trial. Others accused the 73-year-old premier of obfuscation. Even the two co-rapporteurs of the inquiry were divided, with one claiming Bayrou had admitted to 'lying' and the other saying she believed him. On Wednesday, Bayrou faced one of the most delicate moments of his five months in office when he sought to defend himself before a committee investigating widespread claims of abuse at a school in southwestern France. During the tense hearing, Bayrou, who served as education minister between 1993 and 1997, struck a defiant tone and said he only knew of allegations of sexual abuse from media reports. ALSO READ: Global markets rattled as Trump's tariff blitz sparks trade war He accused the commission, and particularly one of the co-rapporteurs, a lawmaker with the left-wing France Unbowed party (LFI), of seeking to 'bring down' the government. 'Moscow trial' 'I tend to give credence to the prime minister's public words,' said far-right National Rally party vice-president Sebastien Chenu, adding that the hearing made him uncomfortable. 'For me it was more like a Moscow trial,' he told broadcaster TF1. He particularly criticised the behaviour of the LFI co-rapporteur, Paul Vannier, regretting what he called an 'exploitation of a tragedy'. Marc Fesneau, a Bayrou ally, was even more outspoken, describing 'this way of treating people as pretty disgusting'. 'It's Stalinism,' he told broadcaster Radio J. ALSO READ: France mourns Mayotte victims amid uncertainy over government But Boris Vallaud, the head of Socialist lawmakers, described the prime minister's tactics as 'smoke and mirrors'. 'At the end of this hearing, do the French people, the victims, feel that they have been enlightened about what happened?' Vallaud said. 'I don't think so.' 'Best defence is good offence' Bayrou has faced opposition claims that he knew of widespread physical and sexual abuse over many decades at the Notre-Dame de Betharram school. Several of Bayrou's children attended the school and his wife taught religious studies there. Centrist Bayrou, the sixth prime minister of President Emmanuel Macron's mandate was named head of government in December and given the task of hauling France out of months of political crisis. ALSO READ: Suspense mounts as Macron expected to name new French PM He has managed to survive a no-confidence vote in a divided parliament but the Betharram affair has damaged his credibility and his approval rating has been declining. Vannier, the LFI co-rappourter, said Thursday the prime minister had admitted having 'lied' in February when questioned in parliament for the first time. He told broadcaster franceinfo the committee would carefully study Bayrou's latest statements, pointing to 'one important lesson — yes, Francois Bayrou lied to the National Assembly' in February. Speaking to reporters later in the day, he said it was 'too early to say' if Bayrou had lied on Wednesday. His co-rapporteur, centrist Violette Spillebout, disagreed, saying Bayrou had offered an 'extremely vigorous defence' following months of attacks by Vannier. 'And I believe him,' she said. ALSO READ: Macron seeks to salvage power after France vote upset They are expected to deliver their conclusion in June. Analysts say the scandal could embolden the prime minister's enemies. 'Francois Bayrou's hearing on the Betharram affair turns into a political confrontation,' said French daily Le Monde. Left-leaning Liberation said those who had expected to hear the truth would be disappointed. 'The prime minister made it clear from the outset: the best defence is a good offence,' the newspaper added. The hard left ramped up their pressure on Bayrou. ALSO READ: Cabinet countdown for Bayrou: Racing to build unity in France before Christmas 'Can we accept a prime minister who lies to MPs when they are exercising their constitutional prerogative of overseeing the government's action?', LFI national coordinator Manuel Bompard said on X. 'For us, the answer is no!' – By: © Agence France-Presse
Korea Herald
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Bipartisan resolution welcomes Trump's second term, highlights joint efforts to denuclearize North Korea
The National Assembly on Thursday passed a bipartisan resolution in support of a strengthened alliance with the US and cooperation between the two allies for peace on the Korean Peninsula. The resolution, co-authored by People Power Party Rep. Kim Gunn and Democratic Party of Korea Rep. Kim Byung-joo, states that the South Korea-US alliance is one of the founding blocks for maintaining peace on the Korean Peninsula and a key pillar of global peace and prosperity. The resolution named denuclearization of North Korea as a shared goal that South Korea and the US are committed to achieving. The resolution welcomed the inauguration of the second Donald Trump administration in the US, and pledged efforts to support the bilateral cooperation across fields such as artificial intelligence, nuclear energy and trade. "The National Assembly will strive to fortify South Korea and the US' joint defense posture to consolidate peace on the Korean Peninsula and strive for a nuclear weapons-free Korean Peninsula, and expand cooperation in emerging security fields such as cyber and space," the resolution read. Pitching the resolution, the chair of the Assembly's foreign affairs committee, Rep. Kim Seok-ki, said the resolution was "proposed with bipartisan support for firm continuity of South Korea-US alliance" in light of North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile capabilities despite international sanctions.
Express Tribune
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Kerfuffle in NA after debate on train attack disallowed
The National Assembly descended into chaos on Wednesday after the opposition was denied the opportunity to discuss the deadly attack on the Jaffer Express in Balochistan. The session, presided over by Abdul Qadir Patel, took a contentious turn when Opposition Leader Omar Ayub demanded the suspension of the Question Hour to debate the tragic incident. Opening the debate on the President's address to the joint sitting of parliament on March 10, he stated, "We are against and condemn those who have taken up arms against the state". He argued that it would have been more appropriate for the chair to allow a debate on the Balochistan issue by suspending the routine business of the House. However, Patel declined the request, stating that the matter could be addressed during the debate on the presidential address. The refusal sparked immediate protests from PTI lawmakers. In a visible display of frustration, Ayub banged the green file containing parliamentary rules and regulations on his desk, while other opposition members joined in by pounding their desks and shouting slogans. The protest escalated as Ayub and his colleagues staged a walkout, chanting "quorum, quorum" as they left the chamber. During the opposition's protest and walkout, party member Sher Afzal Marwat was nowhere to be seen. Once the opposition left the chamber, Iqbal Afridi pointed out the lack of quorum, triggering a headcount. However, the required number of members was present, allowing the session to continue. At that moment, Sher Afzal Marwat entered the assembly and rejoined the proceedings. Strikingly, he crossed over to the government benches, sitting among treasury members, including Sheikh Aftab, with whom he was seen chatting amicably. After the prayer break, when the session resumed, Omar Ayub was finally given the floor. His first grievance was that he should have been allowed to speak on the tragedy earlier. However, during his speech, assembly members remained engaged in casual conversations, prompting him to point out the irony: "This is a discussion about Balochistan, yet Balochistan's own members are not paying attention. This is unfortunate". He said he expected undivided attention from the house while he spoke, but in contrast, Sher Afzal Marwat was fast asleep, only stirring when his name was mentionedeliciting chuckles across the hall. Ayub continued his speech for one hour and twenty-three minutes, touching on the Balochistan tragedy and other issues. The National Assembly session was then adjourned until Thursday (today) at 11:30 am.
Express Tribune
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
This is how much MNAs will be paid after NA approves 200% salary raise
Listen to article The National Assembly on Tuesday passed 'The Members of Parliament (Salaries and Allowances) (Amendment) Bill, 2025', endorsing a 200% increase in the salaries and benefits of lawmakers. NA Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq led the session, where six new bills were also introduced, including those addressing environmental protection and compulsory thalassemia screening. These bills were referred to the relevant Standing Committees for further review. Under the amendment bill, the salaries and allowances of Parliament members have been made equivalent to those of federal secretaries. The monthly salary and allowances for MNAs and Senators have been set at Rs519,000. During the discussion, Speaker Sadiq, remarked, "You call the Parliament fake and yet you do not take it seriously. If any member does not wish to accept the increased salary, they can provide a written statement." Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar also stated, "Members who do not wish to accept the increased salary should inform the Speaker's office." Earlier this year, in a rare show of unity, lawmakers from the PML-N-led ruling alliance supported a proposal by Imran Khan's PTI to increase the salaries of parliamentarians by 200 times. Prior to the amendment, Members of Parliament (MPs) earned a salary of Rs188,000, which included a basic salary of Rs150,000 and allowances of Rs38,000. Following the proposed increase, MPs' salaries and benefits rise to Rs519,000. Adjustments to MPs' salaries and benefits have traditionally been made through amendments to the Members of Parliament Salaries and Allowances Act. However, in the 2024-25 Finance Bill, the government amended the Act, delegating the authority for such changes to the Finance Committee. On January 20, the upper house of Parliament passed a private member's bill seeking to empower a parliamentary panel in matters related to the salaries and allowances of parliamentarians.
