ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan said on Tuesday it wanted to expeditiously conclude its proceedings in a case related to the electoral disqualifications of lawmakers for life under Article 62(1)(f) of the constitution as previously directed by it or uphold a recent amendment to reduce the ineligibility to five years.
The country’s top court ruled in April 2018 that lawmakers disqualified under the said constitutional provision would be unable to contest elections for the rest of their lives. However, the government passed the Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2023, last year in June, limiting the disqualification period for five years.
A seven-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper he wanted to settle the issue quickly to prevent any “confusion” faced by returning officers currently scrutinizing the nomination papers of candidates for the upcoming national polls.
The chief justice also questioned the idea of disqualifying aspiring election candidates on the basis of their character since the constitutional provision requires a candidate to be “honest and righteous.”
“According to Islamic teachings, no one can be said to have an exemplary character,” he said.
“We all sin and therefore pray for forgiveness when someone dies,” he continued. “If all these conditions [specified in the constitutional provision] were present earlier, even [the founder of Pakistan] Quaid-i-Azam [Mohammad Ali Jinnah] would have been disqualified.”
Chief Justice Isa noted the said constitutional provision was introduced by former military ruler, General Ziaul Haq, adding he had undermined the supreme document of the country by ousting a democratic government and taking over the political power of the country.
He said that he wanted to conclude the case on Jan. 11 before adjourning the hearing until Jan. 4.
If the court decides that the disqualification should be for a period of five years, it would pave the way for the electoral return of former three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
Sharif was convicted in 2018 on corruption charges and sentenced to seven years in jail. In 2019, however, a Pakistani court granted medical bail to him for treatment in London after his health was said to have deteriorated in prison.
The former prime minister, who heads the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), returned in October 2023 to lead his party in the upcoming general elections, scheduled to be held on February 8. Last week, Pakistan’s election regulator accepted Sharif’s nomination papers for the upcoming polls.
Pakistan’s top court to expedite case on lawmakers’ lifetime disqualification ahead of national polls
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Pakistan’s top court to expedite case on lawmakers’ lifetime disqualification ahead of national polls
- Supreme Court ruled in 2018 lawmakers disqualified under Article 62(1)(f) would not be able to contest polls for life
- A verdict limiting the disqualification period to five years will pave the way for ex-PM Nawaz Sharif’s electoral return
Ex-president Alvi denies being picked to head PTI amid reports of rapprochement with army
- The statement came amid speculation about Alvi being made PTI chairman to resolve party’s issues with establishment
- These speculations create confusion in a party whose leadership is ‘wrongfully and unjustly incarcerated,’ Alvi says
ISLAMABAD: Arif Alvi, former president and a close aide of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, on Saturday denied being appointed chairman of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) opposition party.
The statement came amid widespread speculation about Alvi being made the PTI chairman to resolve the party’s issues with the powerful military establishment whom Khan has accused of sidelining him, according to some media reports.
The reports suggested the former president had been tasked with the “important” job following his meeting with Khan at Adiala jail in Rawalpindi, however, Alvi denied these reports.
“There is unnecessary speculation that Mr.@ImranKhanPTI intends to appoint me as Chairman of the party. There is no such thing being envisaged by my leader nor was it discussed in my meeting with him,” he said on X.
“These speculations create confusion in a party whose leadership is wrongfully & unjustly incarcerated.”
Alvi said the incumbent PTI chairman Gohar Khan was leading the party well. “I would like to put this inaccurate non-issue to rest with a clear denial,” he added.
Alvi’s meeting with Khan came a day after the ex-premier reportedly turned down the Pakistani military’s demand to apologize for the violent protests, allegedly staged by his supporters over his brief arrest in a graft case, that targeted military installations and public property on May 9, 2023.
Hundreds were arrested in the aftermath and some were tried by military courts after the authorities promised to bring the perpetrators and instigators of the violence to justice.
During the alleged crackdown against the PTI, Alvi, who was the then president, was said to be making efforts to bridge the gap between his party and Pakistan’s powerful military.
Khan was ousted in 2022 after falling out with Pakistan’s powerful military leaders who many say backed him into power in 2018. In opposition, he waged an unprecedented campaign of defiance against the military establishment which has directly ruled the South Asian nation for nearly half of its history.
Arguably Pakistan’s most popular politician, Khan says the cases against him are “politically motivated,” aimed at keeping him from returning to power. The military denies it.
More than 3,400 Pakistani Hajj pilgrims arrive in Madinah via 15 flights
- Pakistan on Thursday launched its pre-Hajj flight operation which will continue till June 9
- Out of all, seven flights were operated from Islamabad, Karachi under Makkah Route initiative
ISLAMABAD: More than 3,400 Pakistani Hajj pilgrims have arrived in Madinah via 15 flights during the first two days of the country’s pre-Hajj flight operation, Pakistani state media reported on Friday.
Out of these, seven flights were operated from Islamabad and Karachi under the Makkah Route project, an initiative of the Saudi government to streamline the immigration process for pilgrims.
Currently, only Islamabad and Karachi airports in Pakistan are functioning under the initiative to facilitate pilgrims during the Hajj days.
“Filled with excitement and devotion, the pilgrims, who have been preparing for this moment for years, stepped foot in the Prophet’s (SAW) city, marking the beginning of the Hajj season,” the state-run APP news agency reported.
“Approximately three million pilgrims from around the world, including 179,210 Pakistanis, will converge on the holy cities to perform the sacred Hajj.”
From the airport, the passengers were transported to residential buildings located in Markazia, some 20-minute away from the Prophet’s Mosque.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and requires every adult Muslim to undertake the journey to the holy Islamic sites in Makkah at least once in their lifetime, if they are financially and physically able.
Pakistan has a Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims this year, according to the Pakistani religious affairs ministry. Of them, 63,805 pilgrims will be performing the pilgrimage under the government scheme, while the rest would be accommodated by private tour operators.
Pakistan began its pre-Hajj flight operation on May 9, which will continue till June 9. This year’s pilgrimage is expected to run from June 14 till June 19.
Pakistan signs contract with consulting giant McKinsey in push to digitize tax collection system
- IMF-led structural reforms require Pakistan to raise tax to GDP ratio from around 9 percent to 13 percent-14 percent
- Global lender wants Pakistan to broaden its existing tax base and improve tax administration
KARACHI: Pakistan signed an agreement with McKinsey and Company on Friday for the digitalization of its tax system, the finance ministry said, as the South Asian nation strives to deliver reforms amid talks with the International Monetary Fund for a new bailout loan.
Among reforms the IMF will likely push for a new package, like the last two packages, are strengthening public finances including through gradual fiscal consolidation, broadening the existing tax base, improving tax administration, and debt sustainability.
In a media brief in December 2023, Pakistan’s main tax collection agency, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), said the country had a “very narrow tax base” of around 5.2 million people in 2022, out of a population of 240 million people. The FBR said it plans to add 1.5 million new taxpayers to the existing base during the current fiscal year.
A high-level meeting was held at the FBR headquarters on Friday, following the signing of the contract with the global consulting firm, McKinsey and Company. The meeting was attended by officials from the ministry of finance, FBR, McKinsey and Karandaaz, a not-for-profit company promoting access to finance for small and medium sized enterprises and financial inclusion for individuals.
“The digitalization of the tax system is a pivotal step toward modernizing tax collection which will enhance transparency and revenue growth,” the finance division said in a statement.
“Digital transformation is a key priority for the government, and this collaboration [with McKinsey] underscores the government’s commitment to improving tax collection for promoting sustained economic growth. We look forward to seeing the positive impact of this initiative on Pakistan’s economy,” Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb was quoted as saying in the statement.
FBR Chairman Malik Amjed Zubair Tiwana said FBR was committed to enhancing revenue collection by leveraging technology to modernize its operations.
“This project [with McKinsey] is a significant step toward achieving FBR’s goals of transparency and efficiency to better serve the people of Pakistan,” Tiwana added.
With a chronic balance of payment crisis, Pakistan needs $24 billion in payments for debt and interest servicing in the next fiscal year starting July 1 — three times more than its central bank’s foreign currency reserves.
The South Asian nation is seeking yet another long-term, larger IMF loan, with finance minister Aurangzeb saying Islamabad could secure a staff-level agreement on the new program by early July.
If successful, this would be the 25th IMF bailout for Pakistan.
The IMF-led structural reforms require Pakistan to raise its tax to GDP ratio, stop losses in state-owned enterprise and manage its energy sector losses which run into trillions of rupees.
Pakistan’s finance ministry expects the economy to grow by 2.6 percent in the current fiscal year ending June, while average inflation is projected to stand at 24 percent, down from 29.2 percent in fiscal year 2023/2024.
Inflation soared to a record high of 38 percent last May but eased to 17.3 percent this April after staying above 20 percent for almost two years
Balbirnie leads Ireland to T20 win over Pakistan
- The opener’s innings was pivotal as Ireland reached a target of 183 with a ball to spare
- It was Ireland’s second win against Pakistan since their shock triumph at 2007 World Cup
DUBLIN: Andrew Balbirnie’s 77 helped guide Ireland to their first victory over Pakistan in 17 years as they won the opening Twenty20 international by five wickets in Dublin on Friday.
The opener’s innings was pivotal as Ireland reached a target of 183 with a ball to spare.
Victory gave Ireland a 1-0 lead in a three-match series against a Pakistan side they will also face in the group stage of next month’s T20 World Cup in the United States and the West Indies.
It was just Ireland’s second win against Pakistan following their shock triumph at the 2007 50-over World Cup.
Pakistan skipper and star batsman Babar Azam top-scored for the tourists on Friday with 57 in a total of 182-6 that also featured Saim Ayub’s 45.
“I didn’t watch the last over. (I) went to the tent and put a towel over my head,” said Balbirnie, who shared a third-wicket stand of 77 with Harry Tector, at the presentation ceremony.
“I felt it was my job to get the team over the line... Harry said if we could bat normally till the 13th over, we could get the runs. That was a partnership which set it up.”
Azam, meanwhile, absolved his bowlers of blame for the defeat.
“I think 190 would have been a par score,” he said.
“We lost in the fielding and batting. (I) don’t think we executed the plans. Few fielding lapses cost us.
“We attacked in the first six overs but didn’t finish well.”
Ireland needed 40 to win from the last four overs, with Abbas Afridi dismissing George Dockrell for 24.
Next over, with Ireland requiring another 28 from 17 balls, Shadab Khan gave Balbirnie a reprieve by failing to hold a tough chance.
Come the penultimate over, Ireland’s target was down to 19.
But Pakistan quick Shaheen Shah Afridi bowled Balbirnie with a low full toss to end the opener’s impressive 55-ball innings, which featured 10 fours and two sixes.
With Ireland needing 11 off the last over, Curtis Campher under-edged a boundary off Abbas and eventually sealed victory with a leg bye.
The teams meet again in Dublin on Sunday and Tuesday.
Pakistan to play Japan in Azlan Shah Hockey Cup final today
- This is first time Pakistan have advanced to tournament’s final since 2011
- Pakistan have won the Azlan Shah Cup title thrice, in 1999, 2000 and 2003
OSLAMABAD: Pakistan remained unbeaten in the Azlan Shah Hockey Cup on Friday as their match against New Zealand ended in a tie, and will take on Japan in the final today, Saturday.
Pakistan are already through to the final which will take place at 5:30pm (PKT) on Saturday at the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh. This is the first time Pakistan have advanced to the tournament’s final since 2011.
Friday’s match ended in a draw, with both teams securing one point each, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) said.
“Pakistan has managed to make it to the finals with a total of 11 points from five matches on the points table,” PHF said. “Pakistan won the bronze medal in the last event [Thursday] by winning the third-place match. The final match between Pakistan and Japan will be played tomorrow [Saturday].”
Six teams are participating in the event, including host team Malaysia, Pakistan, Korea, Japan, New Zealand and Canada.
Pakistan have won the Azlan Shah Cup title thrice — in 1999, 2000 and 2003 — and came third in the last edition which was also held in Ipoh in 2022. Malaysia are the defending champions of this year’s edition.
Addressing the squad via video link, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar reiterated the government’s commitment to hockey, state-run Radio Pakistan said, adding that the prime minister had ordered focusing on removing obstacles in the development of hockey in Pakistan.
“The entire nation is praying for the victory of Pakistan and is looking forward to welcome a champion team,” Tarar said.
Pakistan is now 18th in hockey rankings after being consistently among the top four and winning a record four World Cups. The nation has not won a single hockey medal at the Olympics since 1992.
