SPECIAL PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE CONSTITUTED FOR CJP APPOINTMENT
M I A N A B R A R
AS countdown for naming the new Chief Justice of Pakistan has begun a 12-member special parliamentary committee has been established to supervise the selection of the nation s next chief justice
This is a major shift in Pakistan s judicial selection procedure which comes into force following the passage of 26th Constitutional Amendment
The National Assembly and Senate are represented on the committee which was formed in the wake of the 26th Amendment to the Constitution Major political parties submit names to the office of the speaker of the National Assembly
The speaker ’s office reports that four Senate members have been nominated Kamran Murtaza was nominated by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), while Farooq H Naek, a seasoned attorney, was nominated by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Azam Nazeer Tarar was chosen by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) while the Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) nominated Barrister Ali Zafar Senior members Khawaja Asif,
Ahsan Iqbal and Shaista Pervaiz have been nominated by the PML-N from the National Assembly Naveed Qamar and former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf are the PPP’s nominees Sahibzada Hamid Raza and Barrister Gohar are among the PTI s nominees while the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has chosen Khawaja Izharul Hassan for the special committee
The formation of this committee is part of sweeping changes introduced under the 26th Constitutional Amendment which reforms the process of appointing the Chief Justice of Pakistan Previously the Chief Justice was selected based on seniority, but under the new amendment, a three-member panel of senior judges will be reviewed by the parliamentary committee The committee requiring a two-thirds majority for approval will then select the new Chief Justice This special committee is tasked with ensuring wider representation in judicial appointments, with the aim of enhancing transparency The amendment also impacts the process for appointing Supreme Court judges involving parliamentary members in decisions that were previously handled exclusively within the judiciary
The committee s role is to select one name from a panel of senior judges,
Karachi
SC rejects PTI’s intra-par t y election review plea
The Karachi Bar Association (KBA) has rejected Pakistan s 26th Constitutional Amendment, expressing strong condemnation over its passage The association’s president Aamir Nawaz Warraich criticised the process calling it non-transparent and passed without proper debate In a statement, Warraich said, “While we recognise parliament’s
which will then be forwarded to the Prime Minister for approval The Prime Minister will submit the name to the President for final ratification, completing the appointment process The creation of this committee comes in response to ongoing demands for a more inclusive and accountable process for
will ensure that the judiciary’s leadership is selected through a more democratic and transparent process involving broader political representation
President Zardari signs 26th constitutional amendment into law
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the unanimous passage of the amendment referring to it as a shining example of national consensus Speaking during a joint session of Parliament after the amendment’s approval he emphasized that this marks a historic day for the country The Prime Minister noted that the amendment aligns with the unfinished vision of the Charter of Democracy, which was established by former leaders Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif He articulated a commitment to ensuring that the legislative framework upholds democratic values and empowers the elected representatives
various issues related to the political process, reinforcing the rule of law and strengthening democratic institutions
Shehbaz also asserted that the era of dismissing elected prime ministers is over underscoring that Parliament has demonstrated its strength and unity in navigating through political
challenges This sentiment he expressed reflects a growing desire among lawmakers to protect the democratic process and prevent any undue influence on the government from external forces
During his address the Prime Minister commended Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari for his sincere efforts in advocating for the amendment and acknowledged Maulana Fazlur Rehman for his significant contributions to advancing Pakistan’s best interests Shehbaz concluded his remarks by stating that the approval of the 26th amendment sends a strong message to the public and political landscape alike
He asserted that these constitutional changes are designed to pave the way for easier access to justice for citizens and secure a more stable and prosperous future for Pakistan
ICJ terms 26th Constitutional law as
next CJP from among the three most senior SC judges On Sunday, the bill, which had 22 clauses was greenlit by the Senate with a two-thirds majority Then during a session that began late on Sunday night and continued past 5am on Monday, the NA also passed it with a two-thirds majority The NA-approved version had 27 clauses after incorporating suggestions made by the Senate Following the conclusion of par-
liamentary procedures Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, according to Radio Pakistan, sent his advice to President Zardari for his assent on the newly enacted law titled ‘The Constitution (26th Amendment) Act 2024’ An NA secretariat notification published in the Gazette read that the Act with 27 clauses received the assent of the President on the 21st October, 2024” In a statement shared on its X account, state broadcaster PTV News said: “According to the Constitutional Amendment the new chief justice will be appointed by the parliamentary committee The federal government has decided to constitute the parliamentary committee to appoint the chief justice ” it added Under the Amendment the country s top judge will now be appointed on the recommendation of the Special Parliamentary Committee from amongst the three most senior” Supreme Court judges Reacting to the development the ICJ said the amendment was a blow to judicial independence the rule of law and human rights protection In a statement issued on Monday, ICJ Secretary General Santiago Canton said the changes brought an “extraordinary level of political influence over the process of judicial appointments and the judiciary s own administration
They erode the judiciary s capacity to independently and effectively function as a check against excesses by other branches of the State and protect human rights ”
The ICJ criticised the swiftness with which the bill became an act saying that draft amendments were kept secret, and there were no public consultations on the proposals before they were introduced in and passed by parliament
“It is alarming a Constitutional Amendment of great significance and public interest was passed in such a secretive manner and in less than 24 hours
“The core principle of the rule of law and the separation of powers according to which citizens and their freely chosen representatives have the right to participate in the legislative process culminating in the adoption and enactment of laws was flagrantly violated in this case,” Canton said
The ICJ pointed out that the changes in the amendment seriously undermine the independence of the judiciary by unduly subjecting it to executive and parliamentary control Assailing the changes to the Judicial Commission of Pakistan’s (JCP) composition the ICJ said they would allow for direct political influence over it and reduce the JCP s judicial members to a minority
Pro reported on Monday Investors from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province have long been purchasing low-cost uncultivated
in the unpopulated areas of Attock district with the aim of transforming these
fields into agricultural and livestock farms However, this trend has gained momentum in recent years following the introduction of affordable yet efficient Chinese solar technology in the country Freed from the limitations of grid electricity which has a sparse network in these areas and lacking an irrigation system, farm investors are now opting for even cheaper land off roads to develop larger farms with the help of this solar technology Faheem from Mardan district in KP has purchased 2 500 kanals of inexpensive land for as little as Rs20 000 per kanal in an uninhabited hilly area along the bank of the River Indus, several kilometers away from the InjraKalabagh road in Jund tehsil He has installed several solar plants
to irrigate his olive saplings using a drip irrigation system “The land is difficult to access, but look at the size of the farm and the expected yield once these trees mature and start producing olives Faheem told Gwadar Pro during a recent visit to his farm Many others have also developed various farms in the surrounding areas, powered by Chinese solar technology, while corporate agricultural investors are beginning to take notice A few years ago Arshad Hussain from Swat purchased over 300 kanals of neglected land a few kilometers off the Jund-Attock road and cultivated citrus plants, irrigated by a tube well powered by Chinese solar technology
“I intend to purchase more land here to establish an apricot orchard he said He also owns a buffalo farm spanning over 100 kanals in the area
This trend has intensified further since the completion of the Hakla-D I Khan Motorway, part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) initiative which has provided convenient access for investors from KP Several families from different districts in KP have relocated to Attock to manage their farmlands There are numerous stories illustrating this vigorous trend of bringing uncultivated land under cultivation with the aid of Chinese solar technology The trend is so powerful that it could mitigate the negative impacts of rapid urbanization on agricultural land in Punjab,” one observer noted The scale of cultivation of these deserted lands made possible by Chinese solar technology is so significant that it arguably surpasses the rate of urbanization, he added
S
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E D E R A L Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal on Monday hoped that the annual volume of Pakistan s economy will be $ 3 trillion and the country will be counted among the top 10 economies of the world in 100 years of independence in 1947
In the current era data-driven knowledge economies are ruling the world and data sets data integration and Artificial Intelligence are significant for the sustainable economic development of any country, the Minister said Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal said this while addressing the Data Fest 2024 Organized by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) here Chairman NADRA Lieutenant, General, Muhammad Munir Afsar, Federal Secretary for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Owais Manzoor Samra Chief Statistician PBS Naeem ul Zazfar and representatives of federal and provincial ministries and other stakeholders participated in the ceremony The main strategic partners for DataFest-2024 are UNICEF, UNFPA, the World Bank, ILO, UNHCR, FAO, ADB and these organizations
for the prosperity and well-being of Pakistan’s future He said that today We have presented the positive side of Pakistan to the world through the three days head of the government meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Islamabad He said that all economic indicators of the country are showing positive The inflation rate is down at single digits and our youth have the potential to take Pakistan to a high position in the world He appreciated PBS s efforts in organizing the successful Data Fest-2024 and thanked all international delegations of Nepal, Oman, Thailand, Australia, Uzbekistan Azerbaijan and Iran for their participation and all university students for joining this event While addressing the ceremony Federal Secretary for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Owais Manzoor Samra said that data integration, visualization and cutting-edge technology are ways forward for
These disruptions are having a significant impact on the country’s handmade carpet exports In a meeting led by Chairman Mian Atiqur Rahman and Vice Chairman Riaz Ahmed the association stressed that without increasing exports, the goal of building a strong economy cannot be achieved They pointed out that while government institutions should
provide solutions they are instead becoming part of the problem
The association leaders highlighted the need for trade delegations to accompany high-level government visits abroad, as this would open opportunities for Pakistani exporters in international markets They also called for greater consultation between the government and stakeholders to ensure that any policies yield maximum results
Patron-in-Chief Abdul Latif Malik and Chairman of Carpet Training Institute (CTI) Ejazur Rehman along with several industry representatives were present during the meeting They discussed concerns over incomplete statistics from the recent 40th International
Exhibition held in Lahore expressing fears that continued border issues may hurt future export deals
The association further emphasized the importance of finding new markets for Pakistan’s products and urged the government to use diplomatic channels to facilitate trade opportunities during foreign visits They praised the efforts of Pakistani embassies but called for more proactive roles in promoting exports, particularly through commercial attachés compiling data on foreign buyers
They concluded by stressing the need for swift government intervention to resolve the Torkham border issues and ensure the smooth flow of essential raw materials for the carpet industry
ISLAMABAD
S ta f f R e p o R t Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran has filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking permission for his personal doctors to conduct a medical checkup As per details, the petition was filed through Imran Khan s counsel, Barrister Salman Safdar and Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry PTI Founder requested that his personal doctors be allowed to examine him citing their familiarity with his medical history Earlier, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan expressed concern over Imran Khan’s access to information, stating that the party founder is not being provided with newspapers or updates on the constitutional amendments Barrister Gohar Ali Khan stated that PTI founder is in good physical condition and high-spirited during their meeting at Adiala Jail He said that the PTI founder is resolute in his stance vowing to prioritise the rule of law and national dignity “I
will spend 100 years in jail if needed but I won’t compromise on the Constitution and national sovereignty ” the PTI chairman said quoting Imran Khan It is important to note here that on October 15, PTI chief Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said
04
COMMENT
Act now, or pay the price later
PA K I S TA N stands at the crossroads of an escalating climate crisis The catastrophic floods that have ravaged the country in recent years are not isolated events but harbingers of a future marked by greater unpredictability and destruction According to the World Meteorological Organisation, weather-related disasters now occur daily, claiming lives and costing economies $202 million every day For Pakistan, a nation ranked among the top five most vulnerable to climate change, the stakes are devastatingly high Floods are not new to Pakistan, but their frequency and intensity have grown exponentially due to the accelerating impacts of global warming
The summer of 2022 brought the nation to its knees, with unprecedented rainfall and flash floods displacing millions and crippling key agricultural regions Sindh, the heart of Pakistan’s agriculture, witnessed an 88% loss in cotton output, a staggering blow to both farmers and the national economy
This is no longer a challenge we can afford to ignore By 2040 Pakistan’s average temperature could rise by 3°C with further increases projected by the end of the century This will severely undermine our food security, agriculture, and overall economic stability The monsoon system is becoming increasingly erratic, producing more devastating storms, while melting glaciers exacerbate the frequency and intensity of floods
For Pakistan immediate action on climate adaptation is not just desirable it is essential The time has come to revamp our flood management strategies, improve infrastructure, and invest in sustainable agricultural practices that can withstand these challenges Precise and timely flood forecasting, along with community preparedness, will save lives Equally crucial is the need for agricultural extension services to be modernized, equipped to deal with the emerging reality of erratic climate patterns and ensure the livelihoods of millions of Pakistanis who depend on farming
We can no longer wait for the next disaster The cost of inaction is too great Pakistan must prioritize climate resilience before the window to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change closes permanently Only by acting now can we hope to secure a safer, more stable future for the generations to come
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late) Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
US elections: Anti-immigrant Rhetoric vs. Economic Extravaganza
S the U S presidential election approaches two pivotal issues dominate the political landscape: The Republican Party s anti-immigrant rhetoric and the Democratic Party s expansive economic policies The intensification of the Republican stance on immigration has deepened divisions across the country leaving many Americans anxious about the future Immigrant communities in particular feel targeted as they are portrayed as threats to national security and cultural values This rhetoric not only alienates these groups but also raises concerns among a broader base of voters who fear such sentiments undermine America’s diversity According to a 2023 Pew Research Center survey nearly 60% of Americans believe that immigrants strengthen the country due to their hard work and talent while only 36% agree with the sentiment that immigrants are a burden These figures reflect how divisive and polarizing the immigration debate has become At the same time, the Democratic Party’s ambitious economic policies which include increased government spending and social programs have sparked significant concerns about inflation and economic stability Inflation surged to over 6% in mid-2023 the highest in a decade, eroding the purchasing power of middle- and working-class families In a Gallup poll conducted in early 2024, 65% of Americans cited inflation and rising costs as their top economic concern, with many fearing that unchecked spending could drive up the cost of living without proportionate wage growth These economic worries have left voters increasingly indecisive as they weigh the long-term consequences of both parties approaches According to the U S Census Bureau, about 14% of the U S population is foreign-born, with key voting blocs such as Latinos who make up 19% of the population and Asian Americans who represent around 7% These communities are not only essential to the labor force but are playing an increasingly influential role in shaping the electorate A Voter Participation Center survey showed that immigrant communities are more likely to turn out in greater numbers in 2024, driven by concerns over immigration policies and eco-
nomic stability Negative portrayals of immigrants have raised fears about their integration into society and the broader economic implications further complicating the voting calculus for many Multinational corporations such as Amazon, Walmart, and Kroger rely heavily on a disciplined and affordable immigrant workforce Immigrants have become a permanent and indispensable part of the U S economic fabric particularly in labor-intensive industries like retail logistics and manufacturing In addition to these sectors, immigrants play critical roles in blue-collar and menial jobs positions that many American-born workers are often unwilling to fill, such as construction, agricultural labor, food service and cleaning services They also support civic services in roles like sanitation transportation and caregiving which are vital to maintaining the nation s infrastructure and public well-being This immigrant workforce not only fills these essential roles but also contributes billions to the U S economy According to the American Immigration Council immigrant workers make up more than 17% of the U S labor force generating substantial tax revenue and driving consumer spending Any threat to this workforce through anti-immigrant policies risks destabilizing key sectors, which depend on their labor to function efficiently From farms to factories, construction sites to hospitals, immigrants perform hard,
T h e P T M c o n t i n u e s o n i t s r a d i c a l p a t h i n t h e n a m e o f r i g h t s
Tof Naqeebullah Mehsud, who was allegedly murdered in a staged police encounter in Karachi The movement’s early momentum stemmed from legitimate grievances particularly the call for justice accountability for missing persons and the removal of military checkpoints in the tribal areas For a
to a community already devastated by conflict By failing to publicly distance itself from TTP s atrocities PTM risks being perceived as an organization that provides implicit cover for those responsible for much of the suffering in the region
Another key issue is PTM’s demand for
areas While these checkpoints may be an inconvenience for civilians their role in maintaining security and preventing resurgence of militant activity is critical Army has fought
TTP and other terrorist groups
Removing these checkpoints without con-
would create could pave the way for militant groups to regroup and renew their campaigns of terror PTM s insistence on this demand without acknowledging the broader security implications, either reflects a lack of understanding of the situation or
PTM must unequivocally condemn TTP and other militant groups for their actions against Pashtuns Failing to do so will only fuel suspicions about PTM’s true motivations Sec-
Microplastics in breast milk
the brunt of the war against terrorism, with their villages turned into battlegrounds between the military and militant groups like TTP For many PTM was a necessary voice articulating the concerns of those affected by decades of conflict
However as time passed tone of PTM s message began to shift What started as a movement for justice increasingly adopted a more radical posture Anti-state rhetoric became a hallmark of PTM rallies with the focus shifting from constructive criticism of government policies to a more aggressive stance against the military
While holding state institutions accountable is a crucial element of democracy, PTM s blanket accusations against military have raised concerns The question that many are now asking is whether PTM remains a movement for the rights of Pashtuns or if it has morphed into something more extreme Recent developments have only deepened this uncertainty One such development is the announcement of a
Pakistan’s Perilous Path
“Those
Sauthoritarian tactics This peaceful protest which brought together intellectuals artists writers and various civil society groups, was organized to highlight the growing threat of religious extremism in Sindh and to demand justice for Dr Shahnawaz Kumber, who was allegedly killed illegally encounter under accusations of blasphemy by the Sindh Police The Rawadari March aimed to draw attention to these pressing issues and called for an end to the persecution of individuals under dubious charges of blasphemy However, instead of allowing the protest to proceed peacefully, the Sindh police responded with a brutal crackdown arresting participants including prominent writers and activists and infringing on their basic rights This response starkly underscores the precarious state of democracy and freedom of expression in Pakistan, raising concerns about the country’s commitment to upholding civil liberties Rather than engaging in a democratic dialogue with its citizens the government’s re-
action echoes Zia’s era when dissent was forcibly silenced rather than acknowledged The crackdown in Sindh becomes even more troubling when considering the political context The province is governed by the Pakistan People s Party (PPP), which has historically prided itself on being a champion of democracy and civil rights The PPP has deep roots in the struggle against military rule and its leaders particularly Benazir Bhutto emerged as symbols of resistance during Zia s dictatorship The PPP s legacy includes a rich history of standing up for democracy, often at great personal cost, with leaders and activists enduring imprisonment, exile, and even assassination Yet the attack on the Rawadari March raises difficult questions about the party s current stance While the PPP may have stood against dictatorship in the past, its governance in Sindh now faces accusations of employing tactics disturbingly similar to those it once opposed This incident illustrates a painful irony: a party that built its identity on resisting authoritarianism is now overseeing actions that suppress freedom of expression and assembly The historical parallel becomes even more apparent when considering the broader issue of religious extremism During Zia s rule, Pakistan experienced a wave of Islamization that altered the country’s legal and social landscapes Zia introduced laws that gave religious institutions greater influence over public life fostering an environment that encouraged religious intolerance This framework has persisted, often exploited by various groups to target religious minorities and dissidents The recent crackdown on the Rawadari March reflects how these deeply entrenched attitudes towards religious extremism continue to impact Pakistani society
The participants of the march which included intellectuals and civil rights activists were advocating for a more inclusive and tolerant society, free from the specter of religious extremism The violent response to their protest suggests that, despite the passage of time, the mindset that equates religious conservatism with national identity remains disturbingly prevalent The reaction from the authorities in this instance echoes the way Zia s regime often framed opposition as a threat to religious and national unity, thereby justifying its repressive measures The attack has also reignited concerns about Pakistan’s ongoing struggle with blasphemy laws which have often been used to target minority communities and settle personal scores Dr Shahnawaz Kumber s case highlights the urgent need for reform in how such accusations are handled The allegations of a staged police encounter under blasphemy charges reveal a troubling pattern
The crackdown in Sindh becomes even more troubling when considering the political context The province is governed by the Pakistan PeopleÊs Party (PPP), which has historically prided itself on being a champion of democracy and civil rights. The PPP has deep roots in the struggle against military rule, and its leaders, particularly Benazir Bhutto, emerged as symbols of resistance during ZiaÊs dictatorship. The PPPÊs legacy includes a rich history of standing up for democracy, often at great personal cost, with leaders and activists enduring imprisonment, exile, and even assassination.
US intelligence leak shakes Israel’s plan to hit Iran
How do we know? The two documents provide highly detailed information on Israeli Air Force preparations for a strike and describe in detail activities at three Israeli air bases subject to massive US surveillance The report carefully identifies the types of cruise missiles Israel was preparing, namely a system called ROCKS (which may be Israel’s long range Crystal Maze or Crystal Maze II air launched cruise missile) and Golden Dawn another type of cruise missile that could be a derivative of the Sparrow series that originated as a target system emulating Iranian long range missiles The report also says that the platform carrying these missiles would be the F15I not Israel’s F-35 “Adir” jets It also indicates the refueling tankers and surveillance platforms Israel would use There is more The lesser-classified document (secret level) discusses Israel s Jericho II medium range ballistic missiles, which are believed to be a critical part of Israel’s nuclear deterrent Jericho II is solid-fueled and can be silo based or transporter-erector-launcher (TEL) vehicle based The documentary context shows that the US accepts Israel s possession of nuclear weapons, although the US has never officially acknowledged that before The relevant document reveals that Israel may have dispersed the Jericho missiles to prevent them from being targeted by Iran It also says that the US has not detected any preparations by Israel of its Jericho II missiles and concludes that any nuclear strike by Israel is unlikely There can be no doubt that the leak of geospatial-origin intelligence has brought significant harm to Israel It is also likely that much more sensitive intelligence was leaked to the Iranians, information that Iran may be protecting from public disclosure Some releases on the Spectator channel admit as much Why would the Iranian government (either via Spectator or by giving permission to Spectator) leak ANY of the information?
Some speculate it was to convince Israel that the retaliation plan was known to Iran – thus deterring Israel from an attack that the Iranian government REALLY didn’t want to face Second perhaps it was to warn (boast?) that Iran was being supplied with secret information by the United States making Israel worry about what else had been compromised Consider this The Iranian leak was published on October 18 On the 19th an alleged Hezbollah-origin drone attacked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu s private home in Caesarea near the coast Accurately targeting Netanyahu s home required scene matching, as any drone from Lebanon, Syria or Iraq likely would have been outside of radio control communication Scene matching would require significant intelligence preparation
Was there confidence Netanyahu would be at home during the attack? Or confidence that he wouldn’t be? Striking the house knowing he wasn’t there would be another way of telling Israel what Iran knows without facing the retaliation that would surely follow an actual assassination Were US assets complicit? In other words, was the leak a law violation or was it an act by the administration or some in the administration with political motives? No one can say yet All of this is likely to cause a significant reassessment in Israel At minimum the Israelis will have the opinion that US intelligence is unreliable and penetrated Beyond that, some will understand the US to be overtly hostile and acting against Israel (After the drone attack the prime minister received phone calls from foreign heads of state and from former President Trump and US House Speaker Mike Johnson Neither President Biden nor Vice President Harris called ) In the real world this is a very sad development Israel has some of the best human intelligence (HUMINT) in the world and has significant access to Iran s nuclear programs Israel has on many occasions, warned friendly (and not so friendly) countries about threats, including against foreign leaders, that the Mossad and other intelligence centers in Israel have detected Leaks like this put a severe chill on intelligence cooperation and directly harm the US The US has apparently launched an investigation, according to House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson Documents of this type are often sent via secure internet to security-cleared personnel There could be hundreds perhaps even more with access It might be possible to review time stamps on those who accessed or copied the documents, which would potentially help narrow the search It may also be possible to track documents sent outside the US using the National Security Agency’s massive capabilities Much depends on whether the investigation undertaken is serious One suggestion being floated is that maybe the documents were hacked But such sensitive information is not only carried on classified channels; it is also encrypted, making hacking less likely to yield useful results For the record there are no public reports of any hacks of US
TE R E is no denying the importance of reforms in police force to prevent a repeat of police excesses witnessed during the 15-year rule of Awami League, particularly in its final days when cops indiscriminately shot anti-government protesters killing hundreds and leaving many more with lifealtering injuries But how to bring about change? It helps that there is a consensus across the political spectrum on the need for reforms
as per a report in this daily, wants the power to investigate complaints against all officers regardless of their rank Currently, the home ministry with assistance from PHQ investigates complaints when an accused officer is of the rank of ASP or higher If he or she is an inspector or of a lower rank the PHQ can conduct the investigation Unfortunately, both variations of internal investigations have consistently failed to deliver justice throughout the Awami League period, especially in cases of custodial deaths and use of excessive force How can we trust in this process again? Can colleagues investigate colleagues with absolute impartiality? This may work in an environment free from political
influence and internal bias something we can illafford to rely upon given past experience Ensuring that complaints against police members are investigated impartially is crucial to upholding justice and establishing public trust If police or even home ministry officials conduct the investigation, it risks compromising
SaqiB huSSain
HARRIS, TRUMP IN DEAD HEAT ACROSS SWING STATES IN WASHINGTON POST POLL
tour in the province from Thursday to Friday On Thursday afternoon Xi inspected Tongcheng City where he visited the Liuchi Alley a historical cultural site known for a story from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) The story of an official and his neighbor both moving back their walls by a meter to resolve their disputes over property boundaries is an example of neighborhood comity and harmony At the site, Xi urged efforts to strengthen the protection of history and culture, develop advanced socialist culture promote revolutionary culture and carry forward fine
traditional Chinese culture He told local residents and tourists that the alley demonstrates the wisdom of ancient Chinese in resolving disputes He called for efforts to leverage its educational function to carry forward the traditional Chinese virtues of comity and peace
At his next stop Xi visited the Hefei Binhu Science City where he examined an array of major sci-tech innovations attained by the province and exchanged views with researchers and corporate executives
Xi took a close look at hightech products in the fields of intelligent connected vehicles new-generation information technology new energy artificial intelligence, and health and life science
Noting that sci-tech innovation is an essential path to Chinese modernization, Xi called for accelerated efforts to achieve greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology and encouraged scitech researchers to be more innovative in helping build the country s strength in science and technology
On Friday morning, Xi was briefed on the work of the CPC Anhui provincial committee and the provincial government and
CORPORATE CORNER
made instructions for the province’s future work He urged efforts to expedite sci-tech innovation accelerate industrial transformation and upgrading, expand international exchanges and cooperation in science and technology, and establish mechanisms that support comprehensive innovation
He stressed the importance of developing new quality productive forces in light of local conditions while accelerating the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries and fostering the growth of strategic emerging industries
Xi emphasized the need to push for in-depth reform and pursue highstandard opening up calling for fostering a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based and internationalized
He also called on Anhui to actively engage in advancing highquality Belt and Road cooperation and redouble its efforts to attract and stabilize foreign investment
Highlighting the need to focus on creating a new pattern of integrated urban-rural development, Xi said it is important to expand the coverage of such services as education medical and elderly care
Xi stresses leveraging national development strategies to advance Chinese modernization in Anhui SRINAGAR A G E N C I E S
Gunmen in Indian-occupied Kashmir raked a construction site work camp with bullets killing seven people and wounding several others, Indian media reported Monday, updating an earlier toll The attack on Sunday is one of the worst this year targeting civilians The contested territory s chief minister Omar Abdullah called the attack late Sunday dastardly and cowardly , while India s interior minister Amit Shah vowed those responsible would face the “harshest” response Muslim-majority Kashmir has been divided between rivals India and Pakistan since their independence from British rule in 1947 and is home to a long-running insurgency
Attackers targeted workers from outside the Himalayan region, who were reported to be building a tunnel connecting Held Kashmir with the far northern Ladakh region Among the seven killed was a doctor Abdullah, who was sworn in as the region’s chief minister on Wednesday after its first local elections for a decade said he strongly condemned the attack on nonlocal labourers Soon after the attack, Abdullah confirmed two people had been killed but had warned there were also “a number of injured labourers, both local and non-local” India s home minister Amit Shah called the killings a despicable act of cowardice in a statement Those involved in this heinous act will not be spared, and
will face the harshest response from our security forces,” Shah said The attack took place Gagangir in Sonamarg region where Nitin Gadkari India s minister of roads said the innocent labourers had been working on a vital infrastructure project Gunmen fired automatic weapons at the camp from forested hills around Indian newspapers reported Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi s government cancelled Kashmir s limited autonomy in 2019, accompanied by mass arrests and a months-long communications blackout Nine Indian Hindu pilgrims were killed and dozens more wounded in June when a gunman opened fire on a bus carrying them from a shrine in Reasi district
GULCHEKHRA MALIKOVA
The formation of a free society and state is impossible without the formation of stable electoral legal culture It is a generally accepted fact that elections are the basis of people s power It is generally accepted that the existence of free elections in the country is one of the principles of
of Uzbekistan, which have affected all spheres of socio-political life
One of these changes is the innovation of the electoral legislation This means changing the electoral system of the Republic of Uzbekistan from majority to majority-proportional one (sometimes it is called mixed) in elections to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan
The mixed electoral system in which two classical electoral formulas
ple and its direct implementation” Over the past few years significant changes have taken place in the political system of the Republic
IESCO operations circles incharge will conduct e-kachar y via facebook live and telephonically on 23rd october 2024
To provide suitable and proper forum to valuable IESCO Customers regarding redrassal of their electricity issues online E-Kacharies are being held in IESCO region regularly and same are creating friendly relationship among IESCO and Customers By following same practice facebook E-Kacharies will held on 23rd October, 2024 (Wednesday) From 09:30 AM to 11:30 AM in all 06 Operational Circles of IESCO Operational Circles Incharge will attend customers complaints through Facebook live and telephone calls Islamabad Circle customers can participates in facebook live E-Kachary by using face book ID SE IESCO Islamabad E-Kachery Phone No 0519260194, For Rawalpindi City Circle, SE IESCO Rawalpindi-City E-Kachery Phone No 0519292675 For Rawalpindi Cantt Circle SE IESCO Rawalpindi-Cantt E-Kachery Phone No 0519293048 For Attock Circle SE IESCO Attock E-Kachery Phone No 051-4950343
Mastercard Recognizes JazzCash with ‘Pioneering Telco to Launch Tap on Phone’ Award
DUBAI / ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
JazzCash, the fintech arm of Pakistan’s leading digital operator Jazz a VEON Group company has received the ‘Pioneering Telco to Launch Tap on Phone award at the Mastercard Payment Leaders Awards The ceremony was held on the sidelines of the Mastercard EDGE 2024 event in Dubai The award recognizes JazzCash s innovative approach, the first of its kind globally, allowing over 350,000 merchants and businesses to accept payments from contactless cards or smartphones with a simple tap on an NFC-enabled Android device Through its digital front-end partnership with Mastercard JazzCash wallets can also directly tap and make digital payments with any contactless device The acceptance partnership also lays the groundwork for JazzCash to introduce future use cases as Mastercard brings new solutions to market The innovation-driven collaboration will further fuel the development of a seamless and secure digital commerce sector for Pakistan J K Khalil, Division President for East Arabia at Mastercard, presented the award to Aamir Ibrahim, CEO of Jazz and Chairman of Mobilink Microfinance Bank Speaking at the event Aamir Ibrahim said: "This recognition by Mastercard is a testament to our relentless pursuit of innovation and our commitment to making financial services accessible for
Tap Pay is not just a feature; it s a key part of our efforts to cultivate a more inclusive, cashless society and a documented economy GHULAM ALI
The author writes on climate, social and international issues and can be reached on aabhutto109@gmail com It was early decade of 2000 when my brain encountered the word Suicide Bomber or Khudkash Bambar I was introduced to this shivering fear and felt for the first time the sense of insecurity It was this fear that till next decade I fell in the traumatic syndrome of safety concern for my family After 2014 it suddenly started to fade away but a new more dangerous and more lethal phenomena called Fake News Misinformation and Disinformation surfaced and this time those who are outside and those who are inside, were not safe The terms fake news, misinformation and disinformation
ASGHAR
PTI-backed l awmakers who suPPorTed 26Th consTITuTIonal amendmenT To face musIc
our mandate through the public, and then we will reject such amendments ” Highlighting the ongoing political struggle he stated “This is a battle of ideologies Some may try to force us to retreat but through this difficult time we ve come to know who the traitors cowards, and corrupt are, and who stands firm for our cause We will continue to stand firm, God willing ” Gandapur also pledged to expose those who betrayed former prime minister Imran Khan noting that names of those who voted or stood by the government would be revealed by the end of the night Traitors are traitors, whether motivated by necessity or money If someone
cTd arrests three TTP operatives linked to police officer’s murder in karachi
The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) investigation unit has arrested three suspected operatives of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) linked to the killing of a police officer in Karachi Acting on a tip-off the CTD conducted a raid in Sohrab Goth apprehending suspects identified as Farhad, Haji Rehman, and Sagheer Authorities recovered three pistols and literature related to the TTP from their possession DSP CTD Investigation Chaudhry Safdar confirmed that the TTP had claimed responsibility for the attack on law enforcement The arrested individuals are reportedly affiliated with the Maulana Bashir faction of the TTP During interrogation, the suspects disclosed that they had recently been tasked by the TTP to carry out assaults on police personnel The recovered firearms are being sent for forensic analysis, and the investigation is ongoing with further significant developments anticipated The police post near Jamali Pull in Sohrab Goth was attacked on June 3 2024 by unidentified assailants The officers stationed there were securing citizens heading to the nearby cattle market The assault resulted in the death of officer Yasin and injuries to another officer, Salman Abbas In a related operation earlier in July the CTD’s antiterrorism financing unit arrested two individuals in Karachi for allegedly funding the TTP This operation took place in the Janjal Goth area and targeted members associated with the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group of the TTP ban on meetings with
was under pressure they should have resigned Why didn t they? he questioned He vowed to hold those accountable who changed their loyalties for personal gain “The nation will take them to task and so will we If anyone thinks they can easily get away with this they are mistaken Gandapur further warned that if the senior-most judge is not appointed chief justice, they will once again take to the streets in protest In a pointed message to state institutions he remarked I am openly telling all decision-making bodies that you are
nomic woes including its mounting debts, stem from poor policies and unconstitutional amendments When you appoint people of your choice and have them make decisions those institutions can never progress ” he remarked pointing to the country s financial struggles as evidence
nothing but political victimisation He lamented that Pakistan s eco-
Pakistan and Indonesia have taken significant steps to enhance their trade relations, thanks to the efforts of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC)
At the recent Trade Expo Indonesia the two nations signed several business-to-business trade agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) totaling $10 7 million These agreements encompass a variety of sectors including coconut products gum copal cocoa dried coconut ginger spices consumer goods, and auto parts
Earlier, President Asif Ali Zardari officially approved the 26th constitutional amendment, which has now become law following its publication in the official gazette Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lauded the unanimous passage of the amendment calling it a shining example of national consensus and a fulfilment of the unfinished vision of the Charter of Democracy, initiated by Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif He declared that the era of dismissing elected prime ministers is over and expressed gratitude to Bilawal BhuttoZardari and Maulana Fazlur Rehman for their efforts in advancing the country s best interests
The deals are a result of collaborative efforts among private companies, business institutions, and government agencies from both countries
As prominent members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Pakistan and Indonesia have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation in trade and economic matters with SIFC s backing Teguh Wiyoko, Indonesia’s acting Consul General commended the Pakistani trade delegation s participation noting it as a pivotal step toward strengthening economic ties particularly with the business community in
Sindh He remarked This is a positive step towards fostering deeper economic cooperation
Abid Nisar, Chairman of the Pakistan-Indonesia Business Council, expressed optimism about the growing economic connections emphasizing that their shared historical and cultural ties provide a solid foundation for mutual prosperity As a G20 member, Indonesia is eager to leverage its economic expertise to help Pakistan achieve greater stability The initiatives promoted by SIFC are anticipated to boost Pakistan s economy and deepen bilateral relations between the two nations
The Punjab government has further extended the ban on meetings with prisoners at Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi until further orders The ban which was extended due to security concerns, would apply to meetings with all prisoners; political and those serving prison terms for different offences Initially the provincial government had banned the meetings between October 4 and October 18 On October 18, however, the ban was
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz
Naeemur Rehman has indicated that his party is considering challenging the recently enacted 26th constitutional amendment Speaking at a press conference on Monday Rehman claimed that efforts to influence the judiciary had been ongoing for a long time He said Yesterday PDM 3 was active We are reviewing the legal process to challenge the 26th amendment ” Rehman expressed disappointment with members of the opposition who voted in favour of the amendment urging them not to
participate in the process “Some people are bought while others succumb to pressure Half of those in the assembly didn t even win he added Reflecting on the country s legislative history, he remarked that the 1973 Constitution was created under difficult circumstances He also criticised the Punjab government stating that it only provided relief to the public for two months Earlier, President Asif Ali Zardari officially approved the 26th constitutional amendment, which has now become law following its publication in the official gazette The amendment passed with a twothirds majority in both the National Assembly and Senate
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lauded the amendment’s unanimous passage calling it a shining example of national consensus He highlighted the amendment as fulfilling the unfinished vision of the Charter of Democracy, initiated by former leaders Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif The era of dismissing elected prime ministers is over Sharif declared thanking Bilawal BhuttoZardari and Maulana Fazlur Rehman for their efforts in advancing the country’s best interests He emphasised that the amendment prioritised Pakistan’s future over personal interests and would lead to easier access to justice securing the nation s future
ISLAMABAD
S TA F F R E P O R T
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has decided to write to parliamentary leaders to initiate the formation of a parliamentary committee for the appointment of the next Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) It reported in media that the committee will comprise 8 members from the National Assembly and 4 from the Senate The Chairman Senate will nominate the Senate members Sources revealed that the parliamentary committee will request a panel of three senior judges from the Ministry of Law The com-
mittee will then select the next CJP from this panel within three days The development came after President Asif Ali Zardari on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, signed 26th constitutional amendment bill into law Following President Zardari’s signature on the bill the gazette notification of constitutional amendment has been issued which means the 26th amendment has been made part of the 1973 s constitution of Pakistan
The National Assembly and Senate earlier passed the bill with a two-thirds majority under which the term for the Chief Justice of Pakistan has been set at three years
A 12-member parliamentary committee will select the new Chief Justice from a panel of the three most senior judges Under the 26th constitutional amendment, the term for the Chief Justice of Pakistan has been set at three years
A 12-member parliamentary committee will nominate the new Chief Justice of Pakistan from a panel of the three most senior judges T
and
However, Justice Farooq insisted, Do something yourself; it is none of the court’s business ” The Deputy Attorney General pointed out that the IB was not a party in this case to which the bench retorted We had directed the IB don t misstate before the court Justice Farooq pressed There must be a limit to misstatement I will ask again, where is the I G ? He must appear in court tomorrow The Chief Justice expressed urgency regarding the situation stating “Ten days have passed; the kidnapped person must be recovered and presented in court tomorrow Advocate Riasat Ali Azad representing the case, added, It is the issue of a lawyer; we are in a state of torment As a result, the court officially summoned the IG for the next hearing
