The government has proposed the formation of a parliamentary committee as an alternative to the judicial commissions (JC) demanded by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf probe the May 9 and November 26 incidents
The government made the suggested as it submitted response to Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf ’s (PTI) charter of demands to the National Assembly (NA) Speaker Ayaz Sadiq According to the govt response the government doesn t outrightly rejected PTI s demand for a judicial commission, rather proposes the formation of a special parliamentary committee as an alternative to probe the May 9 and November 26 incidents
The government s response outlines the conditions under which a judicial commission could be formed, as well as the legal and constitutional reasons why it may not be feasible It has also suggested granting parliamentary sta-
tus to the existing committee under the NA speaker ’s leadership
The government has also cited legal and judicial decisions regarding the PTI s demand for the release of its founder Imran Khan and other prisoners, stating that it would not object to bail or release if granted by the courts
The government has also demanded that the Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI) provide a list of missing persons However the NA speaker or committee members have decided not to make the government’s response public at this stage If the PTI returns to the negotiation table the response will be presented in the committee for further discussion
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been briefed on the situation However, it seems there is a difference of opinion between the government and the Speaker ’s Office regarding the future of the negotiation committee While the speaker aims to maintain the committee, the government is inclined to dissolve it after January 31
The government’s response did
not outright reject the formation of a judicial commission but emphasized the challenges and legal complexities involved It also outlined specific circumstances under which a commission could be formed while reiterating its preference for a parliamentary committee to address the issues at hand The fourth round of negotiations between the government and PTI could not take place as the latter refused to participate in the Jan 28 meeting citing unmet demands and lack of progress on key issues
National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq had convened a meeting of the negotiating committees at Parliament House on January 28 In preparation Sadiq had contacted PTI leaders – Omer Ayub and Asad Qaiser, extending an invitation once again However, the PTI made it clear it would not attend the meeting accusing the government of failing to fulfil their demand for the formation of a judicial commission on the incidents of May 9, 2023 and November 26, 2024
Khan Attaullah Tarar Minister for State Ali Prevaiz Malik and SAPM Tariq
DeepSeek that it had used to evaluate its Western counterparts, which included 30 prompts based on 10 false claims spreading online Topics for the claims included last month s killing of UnitedHealthcare executive Brian Thompson and the downing of Azerbaijan Airlines flight 8243 NewsGuard s audit also showed that in three of the ten prompts, DeepSeek reiterated the Chinese government’s position on the topic without being asked anything relating to China
On prompts related to the Azerbaijan Airlines crash questions unrelated to China DeepSeek responded with Beijing’s position on
Gil Luria said Like other AI models DeepSeek was most vulnerable to repeating false claims when responding to prompts used by people seeking to use AI models to create and spread false claims, NewsGuard added It is important to note that the US tech industry has seen a massive slump since the
LVMH considers
US
produc
tion
boost amid tax uncer tainty in France
LVMH is considering increasing its production capacity in the United States CEO Bernard Arnault said Tuesday, citing favorable business conditions compared to tax policies in France The company, which primarily produces in France currently operates three Louis Vuitton workshops and some Tiffany jewelry-making sites in the US Arnault LVMH s main shareholder said American authorities
Th e failure of the PTI’s negotiating team to turn up for the meeting scheduled for Tuesday made official what had become apparent by PTI founder Imran Khan s earlier announcement that the talks were over National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq tried to keep the failure from seeming too abject by announcing that the committee would remain and saying that talks could still resume but there was no disguising the fact that both sides had exhausted their options without achieving any of the desired results
The Pakistan Tehrik Insaf in particular has run out of options, it seems, and has to reconcile itself to going back to the streets That it is preparing to double down is shown by the changes it has made to its organisational structure in the appointment of Aaliya hamza as Punjab Chief Organizer and MNA Junaid Akbar as KP President in place of CM Ali Amin Gandapur Ms hamz’s appointment has been overtly linked to the PTI s Lahore rally on February 8, while Mr Akbar has also pledged to make that rally a success It may also be a matter of convenience, for its previous protests and rallies had led to talks, but not to the achievement of the goal of getting Mr Khan and other PTI detenus released To get what it wants in addition judicial commissions for the 9 May 2022 and 26 November 2023, it may have felt the need for more demonstrations of street power It is perhaps worth noting that while the PTI has not admitted that its civil disobedience movement is over, it does not like to talk about it The PTI had found that it had painted itself into the proverbial corner after the failure of its November 26 protest to spring Imran The talks effort it seems had not yielded any results and it seems it has now to get back to the streets
The government is also left with nothing to show for its efforts It has been seeking political stability, which is short-hand for its legitimacy to be accepted It has not got any of the agreement that it
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late)
that both sides must carry out activities till the next election, but it is the government which must ensure the preservation of the liberties that allow those activities M A Niazi
The fallout of US withdrawal from the Paris agreement on vulnerable countries Ta
Th e r e are many words that through widespread loose usage cease to mean anything Take spiritual , for instance Introverts of various degrees, those who like slow music, individuals that are not very particular about their personal hygiene and the sort of men that are found occupying airport bar stools are all apt to claim from time to time that they are very spiritual (To be fair the man imbibing on the bar stool does have valid justification for his claim– provided spiritual is taken to pertain to spirits ) ‘Sufi’ is similarly a problematic word that is very hard to make head or tail of Not that the word does not have a meaning It does In fact it has way too many meanings which is all right because that is how all languages work The problem is that it is rarely made clear what a person precisely means when he uses the word Very often, this results in sitcom-like situations where two individuals use the same word with very different things in their minds, much to the amusement of bystanders however what often makes situations worse than merely comical is the fact that many of the notions about the word are way too vague and ambiguous to be of any help to anybody Therefore, not infrequently, not only the second or the third person,
person himself is unclear as to what
the
by
No wonder the word is so popular Any word that ambiguously covers a large spectrum of meanings without forcing one to commit to any of them must be a godsend for intellectually lazy individuals particularly those who have a high opinion of themselves especially when there is a broad consensus that whatever the word may precisely mean, its connotation is positive When it comes to the etymology of the word according to one popular narrative Sufi originates from the word sūf (Arabic for wool) The story goes on to explain that because Sufis, as part of their ascetic, self-denying lifestyles, often wore hot and uncomfortable attire (hair shirts), over time they came to be referred to as the ‘wool’-ones Imaginative though this hypothesis is from the linguistic viewpoint it scarcely holds water
Al-Biruni presents a more sensible theory he believes that when Muslims first encountered Western thought in the form of Greek philosophy, they liked and adapted the noun Sufi (from sophy of philosophy’, which means wisdom) to mean a wise man This later led to the word ‘Tasawwuf ’ as the name of the institution The problem was that ‘philosopher ’ had already been transliterated into Arabic as felsūf (with the Arabic letter seen ) Therefore to avoid being seen to be linked in any way with the Western philosophical tradition, they were careful to transliterate ‘Sufi’ using the Arabic letter ‘saad’ instead This hypothesis is much more credible for those with a taste for languages Be that as it may the word has had a long journey ever since While most dictionaries define Sufi abstractly as a Muslim mystic or ascetic today the word is associated variously (and ambiguously) with anything from a believer of unity-of-being (monism) and the illusory nature of the apparent separateness found in the universe; to a practitioner of spiritual exercises as tools to reach the Truth; to somebody associated in any way with the pir-mureed (spiritual guide-disciple) system; to anybody who prefers esoteric (private) interpretations of religious texts; all the way to one who puts emphasis on the spiritual side of life as opposed to its ritualistic and legal aspects The spectrum hardly ends here, for my next-door neigh-
C l i m a t e c r i s i s a m p l i f i e d
Excellence in academia
Tthat these nations are at a higher risk of experiencing severe economic losses due to climate-related events such as droughts, floods, and extreme weather conditions For instance, studies suggest that Africa could see a mean decline of approximately 7 12 percent in GDP in the long term due to climate change effects In regions like Western and eastern Africa economic losses could be even more pronounced with projections indicating declines ranging from 11 2 percent to 26 6 percent of GDP Food security is another major concern exacerbated by climate change and the USA’s withdrawal from international agreements aimed at combating it Agricultural productivity is expected to decline significantly as rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns affect crop yields In Africa alone, projections indicate that crop yields could decrease by as much as 50 percent by 2020 due to climate impacts This decline threatens not only food availability but also livelihoods for millions who depend on agriculture for their income
Moreover, water scarcity is becoming an increasingly pressing issue in many developing regions Climate change is altering hydrological cycles, leading to both droughts and flooding that compromise freshwater resources essential for drinking water and irrigation As water availability diminishes competition for these scarce resources may intensify potentially leading to social unrest and conflict The health implications of climate change are also significant in developing countries where healthcare systems may already be strained Increased temperatures can exacerbate health issues related to heat stress malnutrition from food insecurity and the spread of vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever Vulnerable populations particularly children and the elderly are at heightened risk, further compounding existing public health challenges
In addition to these immediate impacts Trump s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement could have long-term effects on global cooperation regarding environmental sustainability and resilience-building strategies in developing countries The lack of US leadership may lead other countries to question their commitments to international agreements aimed at addressing climate change This erosion of trust could stall progress on critical initiatives designed to mitigate environmental degradation and promote sustainable development Furthermore, Trump’s
many developing nations As environmental degradation worsens and natural disasters become more frequent and severe, millions may find themselves displaced or forced into migration due to uninhabitable conditions a phenomenon often referred to as “climate refugees ” This displacement can lead not only to humanitarian crises but also exacerbate tensions within regions already facing socio-political challenges
In light of these developments, it is crucial for other nations committed to addressing climate change to step up their efforts in supporting vulnerable countries The international community must find innovative ways to provide financial assistance and technical support for adaptation measures that can help mitigate some of the adverse effects of climate change faced by developing nations
Additionally, there is an urgent need for enhanced collaboration among countries that remain committed to the Paris Agreement’s goals despite US withdrawal By fostering partnerships focused on technology transfer capacity building and sustainable development practices, these nations can work towards creating a more resilient global community capable of facing the challenges posed by climate change
Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement represents not just a setback for US-led climate diplomacy but poses significant risks for developing countries already grappling with the realities of climate change The loss of financial support and international cooperation will likely exacerbate existing vulnerabilities while hindering progress towards sustainable development goals across various sectors including agriculture water resources management public health and economic stability As we move forward into an uncertain future marked by escalating environmental challenges it is imperative that we recognize our interconnectedness in addressing these issues collectively ensuring that no nation is left behind in our pursuit of a sustainable planet for generations to come The writer is an environmentalist working in the public sector He can be
Urgent
Nobody really has a path apar t from talks
FAyyAz SAliH HuSSAiN
Dr Manmohan Singh: A brilliant political leader and visionar y thinker
Buddha told his disciple Subhuti: ‘Those who set for th on the path of bodhisattva know, see, and believe all dharmas but know, see, and believe them without being attached to the perception of one singular dharma’
Cultivating rich and super rich plutocrats was never his priorit y
New D elhi ’s role as a counter weight to China solidifies its status as Washington’s’ key par tner in S outh A sia, out weighing shor t-term concerns over
revenues
Indian politicians often use Bloomberg as a means of conveying their intentions to overseas par tners
India patiently waiting for others around the table to finish before speaking himself Waiting for others to finish can take a long time in India
Trunning the international South Commission based in Geneva then as a statesman, including his time as the most innovative finance minister in the history of modern India, and finally as the prime minister of the world’s largest democracy We talked on thousands of subjects on what seem like millions of occasions I always learnt hugely from our conversations
I am glad, however, that Manmohan was less than successful in teaching me to be as modest as he himself was I have many memories of the prime minister of
Other than feeling good about Manmohan s failure to educate me to his level of courtesy, I wish he had been less educated in modesty himself and spoke more often He had hugely important things to say to India and to the world It would have been wonderful if some of the things that figured, with inescapable hesitation, in his private conversations had figured more and in greater length in his public statements Manmohan had the same well-mannered reticence everywhere but he could be amazingly eloquent and profound when pushed The only occasion I have had the privilege of dining next to Michelle Obama was when the Obamas gave their first ever gala dinner at the White House in honour of Manmohan I had a wonderful placing as Manmohan’s guest Michelle asked Manmohan repeatedly to say what he thought on various subjects and got extraordinarily illuminating answers I wish someone as brilliant as Michelle Obama had done a one-on-one conversation with Manmohan for sharing with the world
Manmohan’s understanding of the great need for unity and for social justice in India comes back to me whenever I think about these persistent problems I know that Manmohan is mainly thought of as the architect of economic liberalisation of India (which he certainly was), but we must also note that he never lost sight of the need for equity in economic progress and in particular of increasing employment and income of the poor Cultivating rich and super rich plutocrats was never his priority I wish Manmohan could have done more on elementary health care for all and in expanding general education, and also more in removing the inequities of caste divisions It is particularly unfortunate that he achieved considerably less than he wanted in these areas and could not get the practical politics of India more excited about these objectives These are areas in which Manmohan could have fruitfully been less reticent, especially in making his private concerns more public We often had discussions on Ambedkar s vision of India but that vision did not receive as much attention in Manmohan s speeches though his frustration did get airing To move to another area, Manmohan s focus on secularism was extraordinarily
firm Both his private conversations and his public priorities reflected that strongly As the commitment to secularism has weakened in India and religion has entered into Indian politics in a big way, Manmohan s secular priorities are especially important to recall His clear understanding of the necessity of unity in India remains strikingly important today The distinction between religion and religious politics was important for Manmohan In addition to keeping religion out of politics, there was another aspect to Manmohan s religious neutrality Religion was important for Manmohan, including religious customs When I went to his room in St John’s College in 1956 I remember stumbling against his freshly washed turbans which he had hung across his room in an attempt to dry them But his Sikh identity was never in tension with his supportive acceptance of other people s religion and religiosity
When a long time ago I talked with Manmohan on this I remember thinking that this is quite a different aspect of religion-neutrality from the standard secularism of keeping religion out of politics This different form of religion-neutrality reminded me, rather, of a remark of Gautama Buddha in one of my favourite Sanskrit books Vajracchedika Prajnaparamita Sutra which in its Chinese translation by Kumarajiva done in 401 AD had the distinction of becoming the first printed book in the world (printed in 868 AD) In the book, often known as the Diamond Sutra, Buddha told his disciple Subhuti: “Those who set forth on the path of bodhisattva know see and believe all dharmas but know see and believe them without being attached to the perception of one singular dharma Since Buddha included atheism and agnosticism among possible dharmas, I could inform Manmohan that I, too, could count on his support if he were to go along the path of bodhisattva which his good behaviour indicated he had been doing
The importance of Manmohan s recognition of the plurality that surrounds us remains as strong today as it has always been I so much wish that his vision will remain an indispensable part of the understanding of what we are We will not take Manmohan s modest hesitation as an answer
Amartya Sen Nobel laureate is Thomas W Lamont University professor and professor of economics and philosophy at Harvard University
TH E year 2025 had barely started when the outgoing Joe Biden administration presented a belated ‘holiday gift’ to Russian oil exporters Washington announced a new sanctions package – the most significant yet according to US officials This time, it affected Russian oil giants Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegaz
climate change and gender The mandate from the American people was clear we must refocus on American national interests, she said Aid groups and Democratic lawmakers have voiced alarm over potentially far-reaching consequences of the freeze The latest waiver would appear to give the go-ahead for funding for medication under Pepfar a major US programme against HIV/AIDS
Established in 2003 under former president George W Bush, Pepfar is credited with saving some 26 million lives
Speaking before the latest waiver ONE the aid advocacy group co-founded by Irish singer Bono voiced hope for ex-
emptions but warned that “bureaucratic red tape could still impact Pepfar funding Our adversaries will capitalise on this gap in US leadership and promote disinformation which will undermine trust in the US and damage our reputation around the world,” said Elizabeth Hoffman North America executive director at ONE In a separate development Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday to restrict gender transition procedures for people under the age of 19, in his latest move targeting transgender people since returning to office The order comes the week after Trump said in his inauguration speech that his government would only recognise two genders male and female plugging into an issue at the heart of America s culture wars Across the country today, medical professionals are maiming and sterilising a growing number of impressionable children ” said the order “This dangerous trend will be a stain on our nation s history and it must end Trump
called
These included what he called chemical castration and surgical mutilation including puberty blockers hormones and gender-altering surgery It added that the government would now “rigorously enforce all laws that prohibit or limit these destructive and life-altering procedures ” Our Nation will no longer fund sponsor promote assist or support socalled gender affirming care , which has already ruined far too many precious lives,” the president posted later on his Truth Social platform
This includes barring funding
Nearly 40 bodies brought to morgue af ter stampede at India’s Kumbh Mela
Dozens of people were killed in a predawn stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in northern India on Wednesday police sources and a Reuters witness said as tens of millions gathered to take a dip in sacred river waters on the most auspicious day of a six-week Hindu festival
Bodies were still being brought to the local Moti Lal Nehru Medical College hospital morgue more than 12 hours after the tragedy at the world s biggest gathering of humanity, although authorities were yet to officially announce the casualty numbers
Nearly 40 bodies were brought to the morgue three police sources told Reuters A Reuters witness counted 39 bodies inside the morgue One of the three police sources and a fourth officer said all 39 were stampede victims More bodies are coming in We have nearly 40 bodies here We are transferring them out as well and handing over to families one by one one of the sources said There were 15 ambulances outside the morgue and about half a dozen people looking inside for their loved ones Senior police officer Vaibhav Krishna said when he was reached for c o m m e n t that police could not
give the official numbers because they were busy with crowd management Distraught relatives queued up to identify those killed by the stampede, which occurred when crowds surged towards the confluence of three rivers where immersion is considered particularly sacred
Some witnesses spoke of a huge push that caused devotees to fall on each other while others said closure of routes to the water brought the dense crowd to a standstill and caused people to collapse due to suffocation
“There was commotion everybody started pushing pulling climbing over one another My mother collapsed then my sister-in-law People ran over them, said Jagwanti Devi, 40, as she sat in an ambulance with the bodies of her relatives
Saroja who had traveled for the festival from the southern city of Belagavi and gave only her first name blamed police for the deaths of four members of her family Police didn t make proper arrangements They are responsible for this,” she wailed Police have said they are doing all they can to manage the vast crowds
An official at Prayagraj s SRN Hospital where some of the injured were taken, said those who died had either suffered heart attacks or had comorbidities like diabetes
“People came in with fractures, broken bones Some collapsed on the spot and were brought dead said the official who did not want to be named
In a significant step towards fostering economic cooperation and cultural exchange the Government of Sindh led by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and the delegation from Iran s Khorasan Razavi province, led by H E Dr Gholam Hossein Mozaffari, signed multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said that the agreements aim to enhance bilateral trade technological collaboration, and cultural partnerships between the two regions The ceremony was attended by the Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, along with his cabinet members high-ranking officials business leaders and representatives from both nations Key parties involved in the agreements included the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), the Khorasan (Mashhad) Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (MCCIMA) and Science and Technology Park of Khorasan Razavi I R Iran and Science and Technology Department, Government of Sindh, I R Pakistan The MoUs/agreements are designed to strengthen bilateral trade and create economic and investment opportunities in several key sectors including Agriculture Livestock Poultry and Fisheries Industry and Mining, Tourism and Health Tourism, Technical Engineering and Construction, Transport and Transit, Financial Cooperation through Banking and Insurance Technological Transfer and Development CM Murad Shah said that the major focus of the MoUs is to build strong relationships between industrialists, businessmen, and entrepreneurs from both regions, enabling them to work together for mutual economic growth Cultural and Technological Exchange: Beyond economic cooperation the agreements also emphasise tourism and cultural exchange, with plans to organize art and food festivals, promote
true leader
CORPORATE CORNER
MARYAM NAWA Z REGRETS DUE TO POOR STR ATEGY, CHAOTIC AND ILLEGAL HOUSING SOCIETIES ARE BEING MUSHROOMING IN URBAN AREAS
RUDA, TEV TA ink accord to empower youth via vocational training
standards, Sami explained, "by prioritizing employee growth and fostering a culture that values diversity and empowerment, we ensure that we deliver the high-quality standards for our consumers and this recognition inspires us to continue raising the bar for workplace excellence
LAHORE S ta f f R e p o R t
Today a high-level delegation from Ravi urban Development authority visited TEVTa headquarters in a significant step towards youth empowerment and skill development initiative During the visit, a Memorandum of understanding (Mou) was signed between Ravi urban Development authority (RuDa) and the Technical Education & Vocational Training authority (TEVTa) Mansoor junjua, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of RuDa, and Sajid Khokhar, Chairman of TEVTa, formally signed the Mou marking a milestone in fostering technical edu-
cation and industry collaboration between the two organizations
COO RuDa Mansoor janjua, while speaking on the occasion, stated that this partnership underscores RuDa’s commitment to corporate social responsibility by creating appropriate opportunities and equipping the youth with industry-relevant skills TEVTa, as a leading institution in vocational training, will play a pivotal role in preparing students for the job market through hands-on experience beyond traditional classroom settings said Sajid Khokhar Chairman TEVTa Mansoor janjua further said that under this Mou, students will
gain practical exposure by working on active and ongoing projects at RuDa s development sites, ensuring they acquire real-world skills that align with industry demands Moreover this collaboration aims to attract international educational and technical institutions paving the way for global partnerships in vocational training and education within Pakistan, particularly in Ravi City, he added While speaking on the occasion Sajid Khokhar Chairman TEVTa stated that RuDa and TEVTa look forward to translating this vision into reality, empowering the youth to become skilled professionals and contributors to national progress
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), part of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative have been described by Pakistani officials as crucial for the nation s economic future As both nations mark another year of their enduring friendship, the leaders warm gestures underscore their shared vision for deeper economic and strategic collaboration in the years to come
Bangladesh High Commissioner to Pakistan Muhammad Iqbal Hussain Khan announced that direct flights between Pakistan and Bangladesh are expected to begin within the next few months adding that this initiative would enhance connectivity and strengthen economic and cultural ties between the two countries
During a meeting with Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Nasir Mansoor Qureshi and his team the high commissioner also revealed plans to launch cargo flights connecting Dhaka Karachi and Lahore He stated that these services would facilitate trade and business exchanges providing a significant boost to bilateral commerce Khan underscored Bangladesh s commitment to fostering stronger business partnerships with Pakistan, highlighting the ease of obtaining Bangladeshi visas online for Pakistani citizens He encouraged both countries to explore joint ventures and industrial collaborations to maximize mutual benefits He pointed out that there are numer-
ous opportunities for businessmen from both nations to establish partnerships that could contribute to economic growth
Discussing trade potential, the high commissioner emphasized various sectors where cooperation could be expanded He noted that Pakistan exports sugar steel surgical instruments cement dry fruits pink salt milk products marble and coal to Bangladesh while Bangladesh could supply Pakistan with tea and jute creating a balanced trade relationship ICCI President Nasir Mansoor Qureshi stressed the role of economic diplomacy in advancing trade, industry, and business collaborations between the two nations He expressed his intention to lead a delegation of potential investors to Bangladesh at the earliest opportunity to sign memoranda of understanding with the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other relevant bodies
Qureshi also highlighted ICCI s facilitation desks, which assist the business community in overcoming trade-related challenges He mentioned other ICCI initiatives aimed at boosting economic activity such as exhibitions and expos
Former ICCI Presidents Zubair Ahmed Shaikh Mian Akram Farid and Mian Shaukat Masood emphasized that Bangladesh presents a promising opportunity for rapidly expanding bilateral trade They noted that sectors such as industrial collaborations, joint ventures technology transfers business-to-business engagements and chamber-to-chamber cooperation offer significant growth potential
The meeting was attended by ICCI Senior Vice President Abdul Rehman Siddiqui Vice President Nasir Mehmood Chaudhry, former presidents Mohammad Ejaz Abbasi and Shaikh Aamir Waheed, and executive members Ishaq Sial, Chaudhry Mohammad Irfan Imran Minhas Malik Mohsin Khalid Rohail Anwar Butt Mohammad Waseem Chaudhry and Shumaila Siddiqui
Participants expressed optimism about the future of Pakistan-Bangladesh trade, stating that direct flights would play a crucial role in strengthening economic ties They described the development as a significant step toward improving connectivity and fostering closer business cooperation between the two countries
S enate body takes up overseas prisoners, repatriation, and welfare of migrant workers ’ issues
ISLAMABAD
S ta f f R e p o R t The Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, chaired by Senator Zeeshan Khanzada, met on Wednesday at the Old PIP Hall, Parliament Lodges
The Committee discussed issues related to consular services provided to Pakistanis imprisoned in various countries particularly in Saudi Arabia Malaysia and Oman with a specific focus on policies and joint initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and Community Welfare Attachés
The Committee was briefed by the Director General of MoFA on the finalization of agreements with 11 countries the UAE Turkey Azerbaijan China Saudi Arabia Sri Lanka Yemen Iran and South Korea and was informed that the transfer of active prisoners is currently underway
Emphasizing the need for adequate legal representation and impartial translators for detainees, Senator Zeeshan Khanzada directed the Community Welfare Attachés to ensure these provisions He further instructed the concerned authorities to expedite negotiations and finalize prisoner transfer agreements
to facilitate the repatriation of Pakistani nationals, allowing them to serve their sentences in their home country Additionally the Committee asked for a detailed report on individuals incarcerated in foreign countries due to unpaid fines Regarding prisoners in Saudi Arabia, the Committee was informed that 900 individuals had been interviewed, and the national status of 400 had been verified through the Ministry of Interior for transfer
Furthermore Senator Faisal Vawda pledged to assist orphans widows and elderly prisoners proposing to advocate for pardons where applicable Chairman Zeeshan Khanzada endorsed this initiative and extended his full support
The Committee was also apprised that approximately 5,000 Pakistanis are currently detained across the West Bank with the majority convicted of drug-related offenses
While acknowledging the efforts of Community Welfare Attachés the Committee recommended that the Secretary of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (M/o OP&HRD) take up the issue of procuring biometric machines for CWAs stationed at various missions These machines would facilitate detainees in renewing their
passports and CNICs, enabling them to file appeals where applicable
In response to a query from Senator Zeeshan Khanzada the Committee was informed about the clemency process noting that in Oman pardons for long-serving prisoners are granted only on national holidays The Committee further requested a detailed report on the funds allocated and utilized over the past two years for the payment of fines on behalf of detained Pakistanis across various missions
The meeting concluded with a discussion on the confiscation of passports upon arrival of Pakistani Zaireen traveling to Iraq which has caused significant difficulties and humiliation at the hands of Iraqi immigration authorities
The Secretary of M/o OP&HRD briefed the Committee on the steps taken thus far to address the matter At this juncture Senator Zeeshan Khanzada stated that he would approach the Chairman of the Senate to nominate Senator Raja Nasir Abbas as the focal person for this issue
The meeting was attended by Senators Shahadat Awan, Gurdeep Singh, M Faisal Vawda, Raja Nasir Abbas, as well as senior officials from the Overseas Pakistanis & HRD and Community Welfare Attachés
