Latest news with #BabarSaleemSwati
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Speaker slams PHC over oath order
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati has written a strongly worded letter to the Chief Justice of Pakistan, raising serious constitutional concerns over the Peshawar High Court's (PHC) directive that authorized the Governor to administer oaths to provincial assembly members. Calling the court's instruction a clear violation of the Constitution of Pakistan, the Speaker announced that a formal constitutional petition will soon be filed against what he termed unconstitutional interference. In his letter, Speaker Swati emphasized that the principle of separation of powers lies at the core of Pakistan's Constitution. "The judiciary, legislature, and executive are autonomous in their respective domains," he wrote. "Interference by one institution in the jurisdiction of another not only disrupts the constitutional balance but also undermines institutional integrity." He noted that the PHC's act of writing directly to the Governor, instructing him to administer oaths to the members of the provincial assembly, overstepped the judiciary's constitutional boundaries. "This was neither part of any formal judicial ruling, nor was it the outcome of a hearing. Issuing such one-sided directives without giving any party the opportunity to be heard violates basic constitutional norms," the letter stated. The Speaker further argued that convening or adjourning an assembly session falls squarely within the constitutional domain of the Speaker. "No external body, including the judiciary, has the authority to question or override this power," he wrote. "If courts begin to intrude into administrative decisions in such a manner, it would set a dangerous precedentone that could ultimately threaten the independence of all state institutions." Swati warned that unauthorized judicial interventions not only infringe upon the autonomy of the legislature but also raise serious concerns about the neutrality and credibility of the judiciary in the eyes of the public. "The people's trust in the judiciary depends on its strict adherence to constitutional limits," he said.
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
PTI strategy stalls oath-taking of reserved seat lawmakers in KP Assembly
A session of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly scheduled for oath-taking of lawmakers on reserved seats was adjourned on Sunday after the treasury benches raised the issue of quorum, a deliberate move seen as part of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) strategy to delay the process amid internal rifts and growing pressure ahead of Senate elections, Aaj News reported. The assembly session, scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m., was delayed by nearly two and a half hours and eventually adjourned until July 24 at 2:00 p.m. due to a lack of quorum. The adjournment halted the swearing-in of several women and minority lawmakers from the opposition, despite their presence in the house. The session, chaired by Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, began only briefly before PTI lawmaker Sher Ali Afridi pointed out the quorum, prompting government members to start leaving the hall one by one. Only four PTI lawmakers were present in the chamber at the time, sources said. Opposition parties, including PML-N, JUI-F, and PPP, slammed the government's tactics, accusing it of deliberately obstructing the democratic process. Several opposition lawmakers gathered in front of the speaker's dais, shouting slogans and urging him to proceed with the oath-taking. Speaker Swati noted that the required strength of 25 members was not met, and therefore, the session could not continue. A female member from the opposition objected, saying quorum cannot be pointed out during Quranic recitation, but the speaker insisted on counting members before any further debate. Among those present to take oath were PML-N's Farah Khan, Amina Sardar, Faiza Malik, Shazia Jadoon, Afsha Hussain, Jameela Paracha, and Sonia Hussain, along with JUI-F's Bilqees, Sitara Afrin, and Aiman Jaleel Jan. PPP's Madiha Afridi and Rabia Shaheen, and other minority and women lawmakers were also in attendance. PHC bars elected MPAs on reserved seats from taking oath The move comes amid reports of widening cracks within the ruling PTI's provincial chapter. According to party insiders, tensions between Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and a breakaway faction of PTI lawmakers have intensified, particularly over the allocation of Senate tickets. Sources claimed that the party leadership, anticipating backlash from disgruntled members, had devised a 'Plan B' to avoid the oath-taking altogether. The tactic: disrupt the quorum to prevent the opposition from gaining voting strength ahead of the upcoming Senate elections. Opposition Leader Dr Ibadullah told reporters that if the government continues to block the process, the opposition alliance has alternative legal routes to ensure the swearing-in takes place. He added that any delay is a 'blatant subversion of parliamentary norms' and called on the Election Commission to take notice. Meanwhile, opposition parties held an emergency meeting at the Governor's House to outline their next steps. With political temperatures rising in the province, both sides appear locked in a high-stakes standoff that could shape the composition of the upper house in the weeks to come.
Express Tribune
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Speaker 'concerned' over disqualification move in Punjab Assembly
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati has expressed serious concern over the suspension and possible disqualification of opposition members in the Punjab Assembly. In a formal letter addressed to the speaker of the Punjab Assembly, Swati criticised the recent decision to suspend 26 opposition lawmakers for 15 sessions and raised objections to the potential disqualification proceedings against them under Article 63(2) of the Constitution. Terming the move a misinterpretation of constitutional powers and contrary to democratic traditions, Swati emphasised that while maintaining decorum within the assembly is vital and Rule 210(3) of the Assembly's Rules of Procedure is relevant for disciplinary measures, any subsequent attempt to seek disqualification under Article 63(2) would constitute overstepping constitutional boundaries. He warned that such measures could lead to the misuse of constitutional provisions and pose a threat to the autonomy, sanctity, and dignity of all legislative assemblies across the country. Swati further highlighted that a combined reading of Articles 66 and 69 with Article 127 of the Constitution clearly provides immunity to members for their conduct within the House, and any external interference in such matters is unconstitutional. Stressing the long-term implications of the issue, the K-P Assembly speaker noted that actions like these could set a dangerous precedent, ultimately undermining parliamentary democracy and the supremacy of the Constitution.
Express Tribune
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PAC blows whistle on Rs40b Kohistan scam
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday held a detailed discussion on the alleged Rs40 billion scam in Kohistan, expressing serious concerns over financial irregularities and a lack of departmental cooperation. Chairing a meeting after a month-long break, PAC Chairman Junaid Akbar said that when the committee raises audit objections, the department concerned fails to cooperate effectively. In May, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government launched an investigation into the mega corruption scandal in Kohistan district, where an estimated Rs40 billion had allegedly been siphoned off from the provincial treasury. The account was meant for retention money by contractors for schemes of four departments including communication and works, local government, irrigation and public health engineering departments. The scandal came under intense scrutiny during a meeting of the PAC, chaired by K-P Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati. Officials from the finance department and the Accountant General's office admitted during the session that billions had been misappropriated from government funds. While an official embezzlement figure of Rs24 billion had been confirmed, the PAC members expressed dissatisfaction with the explanations provided by finance secretary and the accountant general. On Wednesday, the audit officials revealed that there had been a misuse of cheque book, with fraud committed by three individuals who have now been arrested. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is currently investigating the matter. The auditor general disclosed that despite sending three letters to the finance department, no disciplinary action had been taken against any of their officials. The committee demanded complete details of the case and directed that all relevant records be submitted.
Express Tribune
25-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Rs192b supplementary budget passed
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Wednesday approved a supplementary budget of Rs192.74 billion for the current fiscal year (2024-25), clearing 62 funding demands covering additional departmental expenditures. The move sparked a backlash from opposition parties, who staged a fiery protest and a walkout, decrying the move as evidence of the provincial government's flawed planning and faulty economy. Speaker Babar Saleem Swati presided over the session, which quickly turned contentious after he invoked special powers to bulldoze opposition cut motions and fast-track the budget. Opposition members, branding the exercise a matter of "disastrous policy failure", alleged this marked the 14th supplementary budget under PTI's 13-year rule. They lambasted the frequent recourse to such budgets, arguing that when unchecked expenditures balloon year after year and questioning the government's proclaiming of a surplus. Dr Ibadullah, Leader of the Opposition, waded into the debate with figures. "Surplus doesn't fit the bill," he said, pointing to the staggering provincial debt rising from Rs150 billion to Rs800 billion under successive PTI administrations. He questioned the logic of approving patchwork budgets when nearly a third of development funds had gone unspent and alleged Rs200 billion in financial irregularities per the auditor general's findings.
