Govt ends quota for deceased employee's relative
The government has officially terminated the facility that allowed a family member of a government employee who died in service to secure employment.
In line with a recent Supreme Court ruling, the Establishment Division has issued instructions to all ministries and divisions to implement the decision without delay.
However, an official memorandum confirms that government employees who die while in service will continue to receive other benefits under the PM's Assistance Package. The new directive will not apply to law enforcement personnel who are martyred in terrorist incidents.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
No-confidence cloud gathers over Gandapur in K-P
A political storm may be brewing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as Governor Faisal Karim Kundi confirmed on Saturday that both the ruling alliance and opposition are seriously weighing a no-confidence move against Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur – amid a shifting tide in assembly numbers following the Supreme Court's ruling on reserved seats. In an exclusive conversation, the K-P governor said the opposition reserves the democratic right to bring a no-confidence motion against the provincial government whenever it has a numerical edge in the assembly, saying why would any opposition wait if it has the numbers. Governor Kundi clarified that there has been no formal attempt by the opposition to oust the K-P government yet, but the opposition was actively working to consolidate support. "We (ruling alliance and provincial opposition) are seriously working on it. The numbers have changed in the assembly. The opposition is not in a hurry but it won't wait when the numbers are complete," he said. Governor Kundi said the opposition parties currently hold around 54 seats in the K-P Assembly and see an opening to secure support from nearly 35 independent members. "No opposition party would wait even for a second if it can outnumber the ruling party in any assembly," he said. With the support of the independent MPAs, Governor Kundi, while responding to a question, said that the task of removing the PTI-led K-P government was achievable, as the defection clause would not apply to them. In 2024, the Supreme Court had held that lawmakers who cross the floor will have their votes counted, even if they are subsequently disqualified. This would necessitate by-elections on any seats they vacate. In contrast, if the opposition relies on independent members for support, no by-elections would arise, as their participation does not violate constitutional provisions. Under Article 136 of the Constitution, the chief minister can be removed through a vote of no-confidence supported by a majority of the total membership of the provincial assembly. Alternatively, under Article 130(7), the governor can ask the chief minister to seek a vote of confidence if he believes the leader of the house no longer commands majority support. In both cases, the support of at least 73 MPAs is required in the 145-member assembly, indicating that the opposition is currently short by about 19 to 20 votes. Governor Kundi dismissed the notion that the ruling alliance at the Centre was rushing into any political manoeuvring. "Work is in progress. When the numbers are there, we won't delay," he said. In reference to CM Gandapur's repeated public taunts and warnings, Kundi said: "The chief minister keeps throwing challenges. But we will act when it matters." Drawing a parallel with the political events of April 2022, Kundi recalled that a no-confidence motion against then Prime Minister Imran Khan was successfully executed back then. "At that time too, the PTI government claimed no one could dislodge them. Everyone saw what happened next," he said. Asked whether Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had instructed him to initiate the move against the K-P government during their recent meeting, the governor clarified that while the matter was discussed, there were no specific directions issued. "Yes, we discussed the situation after the reserved seats decision, but there was no order or specific task given from the prime minister," he said. On a lighter note, Kundi, while referring to CM K-P's repeated challenges that he would quit politics if anyone ousts him, said "we don't want Gandapur to become unemployed or quit politics." Commenting on coordination within the opposition, Kundi acknowledged the political relevance of JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and said interactions take place to discuss different things and the rapidly changing political situation. Kundi said that Maulana is a senior figure with vast political experience, saying meetings and consultations with political leaders like him are routinely held. The recent changes in the reserved seat allocations have altered the political equation in K-P, prompting discussions at the highest level within the ruling coalition. While no formal step has yet been taken, political observers believe the possibility of a no-confidence motion has become significantly possible if independents change sides. They say that the coming days are likely to be decisive in determining whether the PTI retains its grip on the province or faces a repeat of April 2022.
Express Tribune
13 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Sindh CM remembers July 5 as 'darkest day' in Pakistan's democratic history
Listen to article Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that July 5, 1977 marks the darkest chapter in Pakistan's democratic journey. On this day, a military regime ousted the elected government of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, trampling over democratic values and public mandate. He said the removal of Bhutto was not just a political move but a direct attack on democratic principles and the people's will. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, he added, gave political awareness to the nation, which dictatorships tried to suppress through force. مجھ کو مارا گیا، مجھ کو پیٹا گیا، مجھ کو سڑکوں پر جبرا" گھسیٹا گیا، کیا خطا تھی میری، کب یہ پوچھا گیا، مجھ کو باغی نصیبوں میں لکھا گیا، ہاں ! میں باغی ہوں ایسے منشور کا ۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔ کالے دستور کا ۔۔!! #5thJulyBlackDay — PPP (@MediaCellPPP) July 5, 2025 Shah noted that the Pakistan People's Party has always resisted authoritarianism with courage and commitment. He said the events of July 5 remind us to continue the struggle for democracy, constitutional supremacy, and protection of public rights. He stressed the importance of remaining vigilant, as threats to democracy and national stability still persist. Shah concluded by paying tribute to Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto for his enduring contributions and sacrifices. On July 5, 1977, military dictator General Zia-ul-Haq overthrew the elected democratic government of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, imposed martial law, and suspended Pakistan's first consensual constitution. Read More: Black Day for PPP today Earlier in March, President Asif Ali Zardari conferred Pakistan's highest civil award on the late former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, in recognition of his excellence, contributions, and remarkable achievements across various fields. In a prestigious ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr, President Zardari awarded the Nishan-e-Pakistan—the nation's highest civilian honour—to the late prime minister and founder of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). His daughter, Sanam Bhutto, received the award on his behalf, marking a significant moment in the country's history. Historically, on March 6, in its opinion on a presidential reference filed by President Zardari, the Supreme Court admitted that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was not given the right to a fair trial—almost 44 years after the founding chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was hanged in a murder case. Also Read: Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto honoured with Nishan-e-Pakistan posthumously A nine-member larger bench of the apex court, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, announced its opinion. The announcement was also broadcast live on the YouTube channel of the Supreme Court. Chief Justice Isa read out the court's reserved written order, stating that Bhutto's trial in the Lahore High Court (LHC) and subsequently in the Supreme Court was not conducted in accordance with the fundamental rights and fair trial guarantees provided by the Constitution. The larger bench included Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Aminuddin Khan, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi, and Justice Musarrat Hilali. 'The good thing is that the opinion on the presidential reference is unanimous,' said Chief Justice Isa before delivering the verdict. 'We cannot move forward without correcting ourselves—until we acknowledge the mistakes of the past,' he added.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
'Why only carriers face music in narcotics case?'
The Supreme Court has raised serious concerns over the systemic failure of law enforcement in tackling the narcotics trade beyond its most vulnerable participants, observing that prosecutions overwhelmingly target only drug "carriers" – mostly from underprivileged backgrounds – while major perpetrators remain untouched. The observations came in a 17-page written judgment authored by Justice Athar Minallah, in which the court acquitted two individuals who had earlier been sentenced to life imprisonment in a narcotics case. The ruling was issued by a three-member bench headed by Justice Minallah, and comprising Justice Irfan Saadat Khan and Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan. "There are several law-enforcement agencies vested with powers to apprehend and prosecute those who are involved in the crimes relating to narcotic drugs, including a special agency, the Anti-Narcotics Force established under the Act of 1997," the verdict notes. The judgment calls into question the effectiveness of these institutions, particularly when viewed against the scale and pervasiveness of the drug menace. "The people of Pakistan have to bear the financial burden for maintaining these law enforcement agencies entrusted with the onerous task to eradicate the menace of narcotic drugs from the society. Have they achieved their designated goal? The answer is an emphatic 'No'," it reads. The court further lamented the growing spread of narcotics across the country, stating: "The evil of narcotic drugs has spread throughout the country and it cannot be disputed that it has reached the educational institutions where they are freely accessible." The bench pointed out that even in the few cases where arrests are made, prosecutions often do not result in convictions, raising further doubts about the integrity and professionalism of investigative processes. "The law enforcement agencies have not gone beyond arresting carriers and then, in many cases, failing to prove the guilt even to their extent. If the society has to be freed from the evil of narcotic drugs then each law enforcement agency has to perform effectively and in the most professional manner." "They have to be held accountable for their omissions and lapses committed during the investigations or while prosecuting a case. The future generations cannot be exposed to the menace of narcotic drugs merely because the several law enforcement agencies entrusted with the onerous duty to free the society from this evil fail to perform effectively or are seen as complicit. "The buck stops with the Federal and Provincial Governments, as the case may be, because they are ultimately responsible for the overall and general supervision of the law enforcement agencies. The responsibility does not end with the Executive branch of the State because the Judicial branch is also equally responsible in ensuring that the trial is conducted fairly and that a just decision is reached. "This case also shows that the trial court had failed in exercising its powers vested under the law. "We, therefore, expect that the Government of Sindh which, according to section 5 (1) of the Act of 2009, exercises general superintendence over the Prosecution Service and is responsible for ensuring achievement of the objectives of the Act of 2009, will take effective steps so that cases involving crimes relating to narcotic substances are dealt with effectively and in accordance with the duties and responsibilities of the investigators and Prosecutors. "The Prosecutor General Sindh is expected to examine this case and take appropriate action so that the omissions observed in this case are not repeated. The prosecutor General is further advised to consider issuing guidelines in exercise of its functions under section 9-A (1) of the Act of 2009 for the Prosecutors and officers responsible for investigations relating to effective and efficient prosecution. The High Court is also expected to consider laying down a policy of regular training of judicial officers relating to conducting of criminal trials. The order also said that this case has emanated from the province of Sindh where the Provincial Assembly of Sindh has promulgated and enacted the Sindh Criminal Prosecution Service (Constitution Functions and Powers) Act 2009. "The Criminal Prosecution Service of Sindh has been established under this legislation. The Act of 2009 sets out the powers, functions and responsibilities of the prosecution service in conducting prosecutions on behalf of the Government. "The administration of this service vests in the Government. Section 9 (1) explicitly provides that the Prosecutors shall be responsible for the conducting of prosecutions on behalf of the Government. The Prosecutor General is empowered under section 9-A (1) to issue general guidelines for the Prosecutors or officers responsible for investigation for effective and efficient prosecution.
