Economic revival tied to political stability: Abbasi
Awaam Pakistan Party (APP) Chairman Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has said that Pakistan cannot move forward unless the ongoing political instability ends, adding that there is a need for genuine political leadership and stronger democratic processes.
Speaking to the media during his visit to Quetta on Thursday, Abbasi voiced serious concerns over the deteriorating law and order situation in Balochistan.
"For the past 10 to 15 years, Balochistan has faced continuous crises. Today, its highways are unsafe, its economy is suffering, and its youth are losing hope," he remarked. "We must reflect on why such conditions persist in Balochistan."
He criticized Islamabad for failing to address the basic grievances of the people of Balochistan and urged the federal government to take effective and revolutionary measures to redress the long-standing concerns of the province's population.
"The issues of the country will not be resolved until political unrest ends and the rule of law is established. We must run the country and divide its resources within the framework of the Constitution," he said.
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Express Tribune
6 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Punjab PTI MPAs face speaker's reference
Listen to article Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan has announced that a reference will be sent to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) against 26 suspended PTI MPAs over their "disruptive, abusive and violative" conduct during a recent assembly session. The move follows the suspension issued on June 27 under Rule 210(3) of the Rules of Procedure of the provincial legislature of the Punjab, 1997, after the members disrupted Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's address with slogans and ruckus in the House. Further escalating tensions, the speaker also ordered recovery of Rs2,035,000 in damages from 10 PTI MPAs - Rs203,550 each – for climbing desks and damaging eight microphones during their June 16 protest during the provincial budget presentation. In another incident, PTI MPA Hassan Malik (PP-81) was barred from attending the assembly until the current session is prorogued, following his act of hurling a copy of the budget speech at Finance Minister Mian Mujtaba Shuja Ur Rehman. On June 24, the speaker gave a ruling stressing the importance of maintaining parliamentary decorum: "I emphasise all members, regardless of their political affiliation, in order to preserve decorum, uphold the dignity of this august Assembly, and ensure that parliamentary proceedings can continue without disruption." "I shall take all the steps within the legal framework to maintain order and uphold dignity of this august House and its members," he further warned. The response came after Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar raised a point of order, defending protest as a constitutional right. To determine the limits of that right, the speaker cited Rule 223 of the Assembly's Rules of Procedure, enacted under Article 67, read with Article 127 of the Constitution, which outlines members' conduct in the House. However, Bhachar strongly condemned the speaker's orders and vowed the opposition would continue its protest undeterred by threats of de-seating or financial penalties. "It was decided in our parliamentary meeting that opposition members will enter and leave the House silently," he said, noting that when he attempted to speak on a point of order, the speaker did not grant him the floor. PTI rejects 'fascist tactics' Meanwhile, senior PTI leaders blasted the ruling coalition and the judiciary, denouncing the "orchestrated campaign" to suppress the party and dismantle democracy. They firmly rejected the notion of a "Minus Imran" formula. In a joint press conference with suspended Punjab Assembly members, PTI legal counsel Salman Akram Raja, Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, and senior lawyer Sardar Latif Khosa condemned the systematic persecution of their party. "There is no Minus-Imran plan. The party hasn't even considered such a thing," Salman Akram Raja said. "For 78 years, we've been fed the illusion of democracy, when in reality, we've only seen authoritarian rule," he added, accusing the state of continuously installing "political proxies". Raja noted that PTI had engaged even with those "propped up on crutches", only to meet inertia. "Every time we met them, they said: 'We'll ask and let you know.' Even when we requested a meeting with our party founder, they again said they had to seek permission. They admitted they had no authority. So, what are we to negotiate with such powerlessness?" Regarding the Swat tragedy, where 16 tourists lost their lives in a flash flood, Raja acknowledged the limits of governance in natural calamities, adding, "If a family on a picnic is struck by an act of God, what can any government do? The K-P government isn't Superman." Opposition Leader Bhachar reiterated claims of institutional overreach. "We're resisting fascism in the Punjab Assembly," he said. "Last night, they launched a surprise assault and suspended 26 of our members." Bhachar maintained that PTI lawmakers had exercised their constitutional right to protest. "Not only were we suspended, but they also fined us. And now they're preparing to file references in the Election Commission," he said, pointing out double standards in the chamber. "The deputy speaker was raising slogans from the chair... has any action been taken against him?" He added that he had tried three times to take the floor but was not allowed to speak. "It is a principle that the opposition leader must be given the floor when he rises," Bhachar said, noting that legal consultation on the fines is underway. Sardar Latif Khosa, meanwhile, took aim at the judiciary. "Justice Qazi Faez Isa's decisions are equivalent to murdering democracy," he said. "The nation is holding him accountable — and will continue to do so." He also questioned the legitimacy of the chief election commissioner's continued service. "He's retired, yet still sitting due to the 26th constitutional amendment," Khosa said, adding that the notion of military courts for civilians was incompatible with democracy. Calling the SC's reserved seats case decision "the darkest in its history", Khosa said, "We had a two-thirds majority, yet we are to receive zero Senate seats? There cannot be a more disgraceful or repugnant decision than this." "These decisions will cost the nation for centuries," he warned, pledging never to surrender. "We are fighting for the rights of the people of Pakistan." Salman Akram Raja said PTI's commitment remained undeterred. "Yesterday's decision has not weakened our commitment. We will restore the rights of the people," he declared. "This case isn't about PTI or the Sunni Ittehad Council alone — it belongs to every citizen." "We reject this verdict, and will continue to do so," he asserted. He accused the state of sidelining PTI from the February 8 general elections. "First, our electoral symbol was snatched. Then, our reserved seats were looted in the dark of night." "In Pakistan's entire legal history, there are only two rulings that went against tyranny. This was not one of them," he added. "Our opposition seats were distributed like spoils of war to other parties. The Constitution demands that reserved seats be proportionally allocated to parties winning general seats." "In this country, democracy has been treated like forbidden fruit," Raja said. "There's no doubt that PTI is the largest political force. Yesterday was just another failed attempt to silence that voice."
Express Tribune
10 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Election Commission faces troll post-reserved seats verdict
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Saturday rejected what it called "baseless propaganda" being circulated in certain media circles following the Supreme Court's constitutional bench's decision on reserved seats. The criticism arose after the Supreme Court's constitutional bench dismissed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-turned Sunni Ittehad Council's (SIC) review petition regarding the allocation of reserved seats. The decision allowed the ruling coalition, led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), to emerge as the single largest party and to consolidate a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly. Amid shifting political dynamics, the ECP reiterated its constitutional role and defended the legality of its decisions, saying the claims were contrary to facts and intended to mislead the public. In a statement, a spokesperson for the ECP said that some circles in the media were engaged in baseless propaganda against the Commission following the recent decision of the top court. The spokesperson said that the Commission declares this propaganda to be contrary to facts and based on falsehoods. The statement said that such elements were unjustifiably targeting the commission with criticism. It added that historical facts and numerous decisions of the superior judiciary provide irrefutable evidence that the Commission has always performed its duties in light of the Constitution and law. "The Supreme Court has repeatedly upheld the position of the Election Commission," it read. For example, in the Senate elections, the spokesperson said, the commission's stance regarding secret ballot and show of hands procedures, which was fully in accordance with Article 226 of the Constitution, was upheld by a Supreme Court bench headed by the then ex-CJP Justice Gulzar Ahmed. In the case of the disqualification election in Daska, the official added, the Commission's decision was not only declared valid by the Supreme Court bench, led by then Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial but also recognized as a constitutional action. The Supreme Court bench headed by then Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa had also endorsed the legal interpretation of the Commission concerning PTI's intra-party elections, the statement maintained. Furthermore, it said, in the case of the delisting of the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), when the Commission delisted APML for failing to conduct intra-party elections, and this decision was challenged by APML in the Supreme Court, the Court upheld the Commission's decision. Following this, the spokesperson said, the Commission delisted several other parties that failed to comply with the law, keeping the Supreme Court's decision in mind. The Supreme Court also accepted the Commission's appeal regarding Punjab Election Tribunals, rejecting the Lahore High Court's decision and upholding the Commission's stance. Similarly, it was maintained, in the recent case concerning reserved seats of the Sunni Ittehad Council, first the Peshawar High Court and now the SC constitutional bench have upheld the Commission's position as constitutional and legal.
Business Recorder
12 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Noisy protest in Punjab PA budget session: Speaker bans entry of 26 opposition MPAs into house
LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly session began after a delay of three hours and 47 minutes under the chairmanship of Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan. No opposition members were present at the start of the session. A resolution was presented condemning the tragic incident at the Swat River, with calls for the resignation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister. The Assembly also held Fateha and offered prayers for the victims, seeking forgiveness and elevation of their ranks. Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan ordered, stating that the House would not be allowed to be held hostage. While protest is a constitutional right, he stressed that it must adhere to the sanctity and rules of the Assembly. He condemned the recent budget session incidents involving vandalism, slogan-chanting, document tearing, and microphone destruction as unacceptable. Under Rules 210 and 223, action will be taken against members involved in unparliamentary and violent behavior. The Speaker warned that any member disrupting order would face consequences. Freedom of expression in the Assembly is conditional, bound by constitutional Article 19 and defined rules. Expressing regret, the Speaker noted that while the opposition was given ample freedom, it misused tolerance. Financial losses, estimated at Rs. 3 million, will be recovered from the responsible members. A violent protester threw the budget book at the Finance Minister, prompting the Speaker to highlight that countries like France and New Zealand also take strict action against such behavior. The dignity of the Assembly is paramount, and the Speaker announced firm measures against any future unconstitutional acts. The ruling applies equally to all members, regardless of political affiliation. Freedom of expression does not override other fundamental rights. Punjab PA budget session turns chaotic as treasury, opposition members trade barbs Referring to the Faizabad sit-in case and other judicial precedents, the Speaker stated that illegal protests are intolerable. No member can infringe upon another's right to speak, and maintaining order is essential. Upholding laws is the foundation of democracy, and turning the Assembly into a battleground betrays public trust. Speaker Malik Muhammad Khan stated that he has always strived to run the House in accordance with the Constitution and traditions. Unfortunately, opposition members violated his rulings, forcing him to take strict action. He imposed a ban on 26 opposition members from entering the Assembly. To ensure the democratic functioning of the House, all constitutional and legal measures will be taken. The opposition had torn copies of the agenda and chanted inappropriate slogans in the previous session. Among the suspended members under Rule 226 are Malik Fahad Masood, Syed Riffat Masood, Karimullah Khan, Zulfiqar Ali, Ahmad Mujtaba Chaudhry, Khayal Castro, Shahbaz Ahmad, Imtiaz Sheikh, Ijaz Shafi Muawang Zeb, Shoaib Amin, and others. The Speaker asserted that neither government members nor past precedents, such as those of Pervez Elahi, would dictate his actions. As a democratic leader, he follows democratic traditions. He warned that if protests occur in the Assembly, the armed sergeant would be summoned. Referencing past struggles, he noted that while leaders have faced imprisonment or even execution, such hardships do not justify disrupting the Assembly. Provincial Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, while addressing the assembly, stated that this house has witnessed two tenures of a defensive government and two of a defensive opposition, but never an opposition like this. He remarked that the Speaker made sincere efforts to guide opposition members, but all attempts proved futile. Despite the chaos, the Chief Minister reaffirmed her commitment to Punjab's development in line with her vision. The pace of progress set by the Chief Minister indicates that work is now being done in the province. Rehman emphasized that if Nawaz Sharif's nine-year tenure is excluded, no major projects can be seen in Pakistan. During Nawaz Sharif's era, motorways were built, nuclear tests were conducted, and load-shedding was eliminated. Today, Nawaz Sharif's daughter serves as Punjab's Chief Minister, and his brother is Pakistan's Prime Minister, both serving the nation. He criticized the opposition leader for promising to elevate the dignity of the green passport but instead diminishing its value. Responding to allegations of Form 47, Rehman questioned how the 2018 elections were stolen, while the 2024 elections were orchestrated by remnants of General Faiz. He welcomed yesterday's Supreme Court decision and questioned how reserved seats could be allocated to a party that did not even contest elections. He praised the current Speaker for ending the negative traditions of Pervez Elahi and Sibtain Khan, adding that opposition members in standing committees were provided vehicles and other facilities. Rehman stated that even opposition members have mothers and sisters at home, but they crossed all limits. Government member Ahsan Raza remarked that the ruckus during the Chief Minister's speech was unprecedented, adding that there is a limit to tolerance. He argued that opposition members involved in misconduct should not just be suspended but disqualified, calling the Speaker's decision correct and stating that the opposition is unfit to sit in the assembly. Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari, addressing the assembly, highlighted the tragic incident in Swat where people called for rescue for two hours but received no help. She noted that tourists from across Pakistan visit the Swat River, yet no safety measures are in place. She condemned the opposition leader for refusing to denounce the incident or question Ali Amin Gandapur. Bokhari praised local youth Muhammad Hilal for his rescue efforts, noting that while rescue teams were present, they lacked resources. The Tiger Force was deployed, but locals protested when rescuers admitted they could not swim. She demanded accountability for the deaths of 10 innocent people, calling it a matter of humanity, not politics. She criticized the opposition leader for ignoring the province's progress, stating there is no benefit in engaging with him. She accused the opposition of corruption, referencing those who embezzled 190 million pounds in Adiala Jail, warning that disrespect will be met with disrespect. She condemned the opposition's vulgar language against the Prime Minister and Punjab Chief Minister, stating that she had to resort to unparliamentary slogans to make them understand. Respect, she said, must come from both sides. The Speaker, while discussing the Swat River tragedy, noted that those trapped in the river could not be rescued for 150 minutes. He expressed confusion over reports that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister claimed he would have gone with a tembo (inflatable tube). PPP Parliamentary Leader Syed Ali Haider Gilani supported the Speaker's ruling, hoping it would restore order in the house. He noted the opposition's absence, suggesting they were ashamed to attend. He pointed out that the Chief Minister repeatedly mentioned South Punjab, indicating its priority in development plans. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
