Govt manages to get extension in ordinances
July 17, 2021
ISLAMABAD: The opposition in the National Assembly Friday protested promulgation of ordinances and called for adopting the path of legislation after consideration by the two Houses of Parliament.
“The government is using promulgation of ordinances to attack institutions like the Higher Education Commission (HEC), National Electric Power Regulatory Authority, making election laws and extending and reducing the services of people on key posts,” opposition members, including Ahsan Iqbal, Khurram Dastagir Khan and others, said.
Khurram Dastagir said it was the seventh occasion that Imran Khan was attacking institutions. “The Election Commission was attacked with ordinances, then an ordinance regarding the National Finance Commission was promulgated and a situation was created on extension of the army chief in a similar way,” he said. PMLN member Khurram Dastagir Khan said the government wanted to remove the HEC chair
The bill was passed by majority vote as the opposition kept on expressing its reservations. Photo courtesy Senate website
ISLAMABAD: The Senate on Friday passed another FATF-related bill amid an outcry from the opposition which suffered back-to-back defeats in the house where it otherwise enjoys dominating numerical strength.
When Railways Minister Azam Swati tabled a motion seeking permission to introduce the Mutual Legal Assistance (Criminal Matters) Amendment Bill, the opposition members opposed the move. The motion was put for voting through division and was carried by 43 against 33 votes, marking first blow to the opposition in the day.
The amendments proposed by Mushtaq Ahmad of Jamaat-i-Islami, who said the bill was against fundamental rights, constitution, principles of natural justice and national interest, were also rejected by a voice vote.
Govt taking steps to address issue of circular debt, NA informed dunyanews.tv - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from dunyanews.tv Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
PR faced Rs1.2tr in losses in 3 years
Various organizations owe over Rs1.17b to railways, NA told
Pakistan railways. PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD:
During the rule of Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Pakistan Railways (PR) has suffered a loss of over Rs1.19 trillion – compelling it to discontinue trains on 36 routes.
In view of the crisis, the PR has also decided to outsource 15 trains to private companies, the National Assembly was told.
Minister of States for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan on Friday presented to the house a report, containing details with regard to losses incurred by the country’s biggest employer and the money that various government and private sector organizations owe to the PR.
ISLAMABAD: Federal Government on Friday appointed Engineer Ahmed Farooq Bazai acting chairman of Higher Education Commission (HEC).
Bazai is Vice Chancellor of Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences. Dr. Bazi is also member of HEC.
In March this year, the government while amending HEC Ordinance reduced the four-year term of HEC chairperson to two years and subsequently removed Dr Tariq Banuri as the HEC chairman.
Mr Banuri was appointed as head of HEC by former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in 2018 out of a panel of three.
However, Dr Banuri challenged his removal before the Sindh High Court, which had directed the federal government to keep the post of Chairperson vacant.