1724919650-0%2FUntitled-design-(5)1724919650-0-640x480.webp&w=3840&q=100)
Kundi rules out no-confidence move against CM
Speaking at the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected cabinet of the Video Journalists Association at the Governor's House in Peshawar, Kundi emphasized that while politics has its place, conflicts cannot be resolved through smiles alone. "We have recommended civil awards for those who saved lives during the Swat tragedy," he said.
He praised Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's journalists for their frontline role in the war against terrorism and pledged to advocate for their rights on every forum. "Journalists from this province have made great sacrifices. Their role cannot be overlooked," he stated.
Responding to a question about Chief Minister Gandapur attending the Chief Justice's oath-taking ceremony, the Governor said, "If someone visits your home, you show them respect - that is our tradition and culture."
Kundi added that although there is no current plan for a no-confidence move against the CM, "if someone is exercising their democratic right, we will stand with them." He also noted that if PTI achieves parity in other provinces, they too have the right to bring a no-confidence motion.
Following the tragic incident in Swat, the provincial branch of the Red Crescent has been provided with ambulances and emergency boats to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The Governor announced that volunteers who saved lives during the Swat tragedy will be sent on Umrah and that five additional boats will be made available, which will remain in coordination with volunteer Hilal Khan.
Earlier in the ceremony, Governor Kundi administered oaths to the newly elected office bearers. Senior journalist Amjad Aziz Malik moderated the event.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
7 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Punjab MPAs may strike decorum deal
Listen to article Key representatives from both treasury and opposition benches are likely to establish Terms of Reference (ToRs) in the coming days, aimed at regulating the future proceedings of the Punjab Assembly and discouraging humiliation, abusive exchanges and violent conduct between lawmakers. The development follows an initial consultative meeting between Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan and 26 suspended MPAs of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) over disqualification references filed against them. Both sides reportedly agreed to form a joint committee of senior members to make the consultation process more effective and to explore constitutional, legal and parliamentary solutions to the impasse. It is worth mentioning that Speaker Khan had received disqualification references against these currently suspended MPAs under Article 63(2) read with Article 113 of the Constitution. It is his constitutional obligation to decide on these references within 30 days, as stipulated in the said provisions. Accordingly, the speaker had summoned the suspended MPAs for a hearing under Article 10-A of the Constitution by July 11 (yesterday) in his chamber at the Punjab Assembly. A reliable source, speaking to The Express Tribune on the condition of anonymity, said that the speaker's move to suspend 26 MPAs and subsequently refer the matter to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) served a dual purpose: first, it helped dispel perceptions within his party of him favouring the opposition; second, it brought the opposition to the negotiating table under the pretext of the disqualification reference, thereby creating space to frame mutually agreed-upon TORs. The source added that the meeting atmosphere was cordial, and a second round of talks may be held on Sunday or the following day. Both sides may nominate three or four members each to form the joint committee tasked with drafting TORs to ensure that members refrain from abusive, humiliating, or violent conduct. A key point being considered is that every member should be heard respectfully in the House, without interruptions, before any responses are made. If the opposition still feels compelled to protest, they may do so in line with democratic parliamentary norms and without resorting to derogatory language or physical disruption. The treasury is still debating whether the TORs should specifically mention Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz by name, ensuring that her speeches, along with those of Leader of the Opposition Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar and others, proceed without disruption, or whether the document should adopt a broader principle stating that all members' speeches are to be respected and disruptions will be dealt with strictly. According to the source, the opposition may find it difficult to remain calm during Maryam Nawaz's speeches. However, they are expected to acknowledge that while protest is their democratic right, they do not support abusive or violent conduct. In future sessions, they may restrict protests to their designated benches rather than assembling in front of the speaker's dais. First round of meeting During the first round of talks chaired by Speaker Khan in his chamber, treasury representatives and the suspended PTI MPAs, led by Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, proposed initiating mutual dialogue. The speaker welcomed this proposal warmly. Speaker Khan began the meeting by referencing past political regimes and then stressed the importance of democratic conduct within the assembly. "Dialogue and consultation are the essence of parliamentary democracy. Every disagreement can be resolved through a positive, dignified, and constitutional approach," the speaker said. Both sides demonstrated a willingness to set aside their differences and proceed in accordance with democratic norms. Background Speaker Khan has often been viewed as sympathetic to the opposition, regularly allowing their members sufficient time to speak during proceedings, including on points of order. He has also been noted for at times taking a stern tone with treasury members. Over time, this approach led to a growing perception among treasury lawmakers that the speaker was disproportionately favouring the opposition. They argued that he should limit the opposition's floor time and adopt a more stringent posture. However, Speaker Khan maintained that it was necessary to carry both sides along and that taking punitive action on minor infractions was not appropriate. While his conciliatory approach was appreciated by the opposition, it created unease within the treasury benches. Eventually, the treasury began ignoring the opposition's protests and disruptions in the House, especially during speeches by CM Maryam Nawaz. At times, opposition lawmakers were even seen confined to their seats rather than protesting in front of the speaker's dais. The speaker and the treasury had long urged the opposition to maintain peace and decorum during the chief minister's addresses. However, the opposition appeared to take advantage of the speaker's leniency, praising his neutrality while continuing to disrupt proceedings during Maryam Nawaz's speeches, despite assurances to the contrary. This tension peaked during the recent budget session. On June 27, when CM Maryam Nawaz delivered her address, the opposition appeared especially aggressive, possibly emboldened by the Supreme Court's decision on the reserved seats issue. Speaker Khan was under pressure to maintain order, while the treasury expected the opposition to honour past understandings. However, the apex court's ruling changed the atmosphere drastically. The opposition left no stone unturned in disrupting the CM's speech, prompting the speaker to move forward with disqualification references. The speaker's decision to initiate the references attracted public criticism, with many arguing that PTI had already been politically cornered. Several PML-N lawmakers also advised the speaker to resolve the matter within the assembly, rather than escalating it to the ECP.
Express Tribune
11 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Imran's sons will have to seek visa, says Talal
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry has said the children of incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan will have to enter Pakistan after obtaining visas "if they are not Pakistani citizens". Chaudhry was talking to reporters in the Parliament House on Friday. On July 9, Imran's sister — Aleema Kham — announced that PTI founder's family members including his sons Kasim and Sulaiman would be part of a protest movement soon. Speaking to the media, Aleema had said that Imran would lead the protest from behind bars. "Imran Khan has said that he will lead the protest movement. He is free while in jail but we are prisoners despite being outside," she said. She added that his sons, Suleman and Kasim, would join the movement in support of their father after visiting the United States. Commenting on the move, PM's Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said the former prime minister's sonswho reside in the United Kingdom with Imran's first wife Jemima Goldsmithwould be arrested if they joined the PTI protest in Pakistan. Jemima took to X to condemn the statement. "This doesn't happen in a democracy or a functioning state. This isn't politics. It's a personal vendetta," she said on Thursday. Responding to a question with regard to participation of Imran's family in the upcoming protest, the state minister said along with his sons, "Imran's [alleged] daughter [Tyrian White] should also come to Pakistan." "If they are Pakistani citizens, then visa restrictions will still apply. No local or foreign individual will be allowed to come to Pakistan and take the law into their own hands," he added. Chaudhry claimed that Imran's former in-lawsthe Goldsmith familycontinue to support the PTI founder to this day. Separately, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also stated that the children of Imran Khan are not beyond the reach of the law, and if they attempt to take the law into their own hands, they will face legal consequences like any other citizen. According to a report, Kundi noted that holding peaceful demonstrations was everyone's right, including the children of the PTI founder but added that "if they cross the legal line, the law will take its course." Commenting on the dual nationality status of the PTI founder's children, the governor said if they do not hold Pakistani citizenship, then the matter may fall under the purview of the British High Commission. However, he stressed that no one is exempt from Pakistani law. "Just as British law applies to Pakistanis in the UK, Pakistani law will apply to British citizens present in Pakistan," he remarked. Earlier, in May, Suleman and Kasim had publicly addressed their father's imprisonment and called for international pressure on Pakistan to secure his release. This was the first instance that the brothers spoke out about their father's situation, despite being reportedly allowed contact with him weekly since November 2023. According to Imran's sons, these calls were inconsistent and difficult to arrange. In an interview with X (formerly Twitter) influencer Mario Nawfal, the brothers explained why they decided to break their silence. (WITH INPUT FROM NEWS DESK)
Express Tribune
11 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Pakistan, Russia sign protocol to revive PSM
China appeared to be out of the race for getting the contract for the revival of Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) as Pakistan and Russia signed a protocol on the matter on Friday aimed at restarting and expanding steel production in the country and marking a new chapter in Pak-Russian cooperation. The protocol to restore and modernise the PSM in Karachi was signed by Industries Secretary Saif Anjum and General Director of Industrial Engineering LLC Vadim Velichko at the Pakistan Embassy in Moscow, according to a statement issued here. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Special Assistant to Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar Khan, Pakistan's Ambassador to the Russian Federation Muhammad Khalid Jamali and others. Khan is currently on a visit to Russia with a mission to seek assistance for the revival of the PSM. "Reviving the PSM with Russia's support reflects our shared history and commitment to a stronger industrial future," Khan said, according to the statement. It said that the PSM was originally built with assistance of former Soviet Union in 1971, and had remained a lasting symbol of Pakistan-Russia ties. The PSM had started crumbling in 2008. A major reason behind the mill's failure was thousands of new appointments, global recession as well as other factors. The PSM recorded a loss of Rs16.9 billion in 2008-09, which jumped to Rs118.7 billion in five years. Successive governments of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which had been in power from 2008 to 2018, had failed to efficiently run this industrial behemoth, whose financial woes continued due to all time high losses. Later, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government launched an initiative to revive it, triggering a race between China and Russia to get the contract. Initially, the PTI government was tilted towards China and had started negotiations with a Chinese firm but the talks could not materialise. The Russians, on the other hand, had claimed that since the project had been built by them with the Russian technology; therefore, they were in the best place to find solution to the problems of the sick unit and make it up and running again. The PSM had cumulative profit of Rs9.54 billion up to financial year 2007-08 during the tenure of the then president Pervez Musharraf. Over the next 10 years, its losses continued to swell, reaching Rs200 billion at the end of its tenure on May 31, 2018. Liquidity crunch in the country, import of steel products at lower prices and closure of production units because of gas outages were among the major drawbacks the PSM faced. A flood of cheap steel imports from China also created hurdles in the way of smooth functioning of the PSM. In a meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on March 19, 2016, the Industries Ministry officials held the view that the Pakistan-China free-trade agreement (FTA) - in force since 2007 - was responsible for the PSM's financial collapse. During the PML-N government tenure, a Rs18.5-billion bailout was approved and the industries ministry was tasked with increasing the PSM's capacity utilisation to 77% - the break-even point - by January 2015 so that it could be put up for sale.
