Latest news with #ConstitutionofPakistan
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Lahore hosts Pakistan's first Farm Animal Welfare Conference
Listen to article Marking a significant milestone for animal welfare in Pakistan, the country's first-ever Farm Animal Welfare Conference concluded in Lahore with a compelling declaration. The conference urged policymakers to reform national laws and policies in accordance with Islamic values, scientific research, and international standards of animal well-being. Organized by the Pakistan Animal Rights Advocacy Group (PARAG), the one-day summit brought together leading voices from academia, veterinary sciences, law, agriculture, environmental science, and faith-based communities. Keynote addresses were delivered by Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan, Chairman of the Punjab Higher Education Commission and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, and Dr. Muhammad Arshad. Read: Animal sacrifice hits hard amid skyrocketing prices this Eid Other prominent speakers included Islamic scholar Mufti Syed Adeel, environmentalist Dr. Mahnoor Fatima, renowned veterinary expert Dr. Zahid Mehmood, animal rights lawyer Uzma Qureshi, and farmer representative Chaudhry Naeem. Speakers highlighted the multifaceted dimensions of animal welfare, advocating for humane treatment, ethical farming practices, and the need to integrate animal compassion into national values. The conference declaration voiced deep concern over outdated animal welfare laws in Pakistan and emphasized the urgent need for reforms in animal housing, farming, and slaughtering practices. It also noted a significant lack of training among farmers and slaughterhouse staff. Participants unanimously asserted that kindness to animals is not merely a moral obligation but a religious duty, reinforcing that under Article 14 of the Constitution of Pakistan, the state is responsible for upholding dignity including that of animals. Read more: Animals tug at kids' hearts Panel discussions addressed a range of critical issues including legislative reform, improved nutrition and housing for animals, Shariah-compliant slaughter methods, protection of native flora and pollinators such as bees, and hands-on farmer education. Speaking on the occasion, PARAG Chairperson Ayeza Haider emphasized that the summit marks a transformative step toward reshaping public consciousness. 'It is time we move beyond viewing animals solely as commodities. Treating them with empathy and compassion should be seen as a hallmark of a truly humane and noble society,' she said.
Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
ECP to hear cases against PTI legislators today
ISLAMABAD: The poll body is scheduled to hear the cases against five legislators, who belong to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday (today), on the petitions mainly moved by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) members, seeking to unseat the said lawmakers. PTI has repeatedly alleged that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is hearing cases against its members out of politically motivated reasons. These five legislators against whom the cases are scheduled are: Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan, his two cousins — Akbar Ayub Khan and Arshad Ayub Khan — both of whom are members of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, Malik Adeel Iqbal, another Member Provincial Assembly (MPA) in KP legislature, and PTI Lahore chapter President Sheikh Imtiaz Mehmood, who is Member of Punjab Assembly. All the five legislators had won their respective seats in last year's general elections. The reference against Iqbal sought his disqualification from Punjab Assembly allegedly over having Canadian nationality, an allegation Mahmood denies. The cases against all other four legislators sought re-polling in the respective constituencies, alleging foul play in the general elections. Jamshaid Dasti is another Member National Assembly (MNA) who belongs to PTI against whom cases are pending over allegedly fake educational credentials, and alleged discrepancies in his wealth statement filed with the ECP. Dasti also had to contest the last year's general election on SIC ticket in the contest of PTI election symbol issue. Apart from that, the hearing of reference against the NA opposition leader, seeking his disqualification from NA over alleged financial corruption and alleged misrepresentation of related facts in the electoral documents, is scheduled in the ECP on 1st July. The Article 63(2) of the Constitution of Pakistan provides that if any question arises whether a legislator has become disqualified from being a member, the speaker or chairman (of the legislature concerned), shall, unless they decide that no such question has arisen, refer the question to ECP within 30 days, and if the speaker/chairman fails to do so within the aforesaid period, the question shall be deemed to have been referred to the ECP. The Article 63(3) provides that the ECP shall decide the question within 90 days from its receipt, and if it is of the opinion that the member has become disqualified, the member shall cease to be a lawmaker and their seat shall become vacant. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
16-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Serious concern over Finance Bill 2025 amendments expressed
ISLAMABAD: All Pakistan Fruit & Vegetable Exporters Importers and Merchants Association has expressed serious concern over Finance Bill 2025 amendments, empowering Officer of Inland Revenue to arrest any person including Chief Executive Officer, Directors, or Chief Finance Officer for alleged involvement in tax fraud. According to a letter of the association to Finance Minister, the tax officer may believe that delay in arrest may enable the accused to evade the process of law or circumstance exist in which obtain prior approval of the Commissioner Inland Revenue is not practicable, involved in tax fraud, surfaced during an investigation and supported by evidence. This provision is deeply troubling as it allows arbitrary and unchecked arrest powers, without any judicial oversight, due process of law or defined evidentiary standards. The members of our association also stressed the need for increasing momentum of confidence level and facilities to be availed in easy way for onward boost the exports and bring the foreign exchange as well achieve the revenue target. The taxpayers/members of our association raised grave legal and practical concerns regarding implementing this proposed provision of law due to the following reasons: The power to arrest without prior approval, based on subjective belief, undermines due process. It opens the door to potential misuse or abuse of power. Granting arrest powers without checks can create fear among corporate leadership, including CEOs, CFOs, and directors. This may discourage investment and negatively impact economic activity. The threshold of 'supported by evidence' is vague—what qualifies as sufficient evidence? No clear procedural safeguards to prevent arbitrary detention or ensure judicial oversight. This may conflict with fundamental rights such as the right to liberty, fair trial, and protection from arbitrary arrest. It also violates the due process of law standards under national and international law. It is submitted that the Courts of Pakistan have also consistently ruled out in favour of safeguarding the liberty of citizens, including taxpayers, and ensuring that tax authorities do not overstep their legal mandate. It is further emphasized that the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan also provide that any attempt to arrest a taxpayer without observing due course of law— is a violation of Article 4 and Article 10-A of the Constitution of Pakistan. Such actions are legally untenable and liable to be struck down by the courts. In light of the above said, it is strongly urged that the proposed Section37AA be deleted entirely, without further argument or justification. The inclusion of such a provision is not only excessive but unnecessary, given that adequate legal mechanisms already exist to deal with tax fraud under due process. We sincerely hope that this concern will be given due consideration in the interest of fairness, justice, and economic stability, it added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
16-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
KP govt presents Rs240.0137bn supplementary budget
PESHAWAR: The provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa incurred an additional amount of Rs 240.0137 billion for the outgoing financial year 2024-25. The amount including Rs 192.7442 billion in head of current expenditure and additional Rs 47.2695 billion for development. The estimates of the additional expenses during the outgoing fiscal year presented in the legislature under Article 124 of the Constitution of Pakistan for approval from the house. For the current financial year 2024-25, the current expenditure was estimated at Rs 1237.7158 billion out of which Rs 144.6284 billion were for the merged districts, but in the revised estimates it went up to Rs 1386.7950 billion which is Rs 192.7442 billion more than the estimated current expenditure. The details of the additional current expenditure include Rs 102 million of the provincial assembly, Rs.1.4551 billion administration, Rs 64.663 Planning & Development Department, Rs 21.536 million Information Technology Department, Rs 267.167 million (Home Department), Prisons and Probation Department Rs 1.5870 billion. Similarly, the additional expenditure of the Police Department was Rs 253.070 million, Rs 2.7359 billion (Administration of Justice), Rs 1.9399 billion (Higher Education Department), Rs 1.3246 billion (Building & Structure), Rs 1.69671 billion (Roads, Highways and Bridges), Rs 1.95938 billion (Public Health Engineering), Rs 2.8722 billion (Local Govt & Rural Development), Rs 104.390 million (Livestock Production), Rs 465.412 million (Forests & Environment), Rs 226.468 million (Wildlife Department) and Rs 829 million for Irrigation Department respectively. Furthermore, an additional expenditure of Rs 504.847 million was incurred by the Information & Public Relations Department, Rs 10.8675 billion (Social Welfare & Special Education Department), Rs 486.241 (Pension), Rs 599.995 million (Food Security Net (Subsidy), Rs 150 billion (Investment) while Auqaf, Religious, Minorities and Hajj Affairs incurred an additional expenditure of Rs 96.322 million. The Sports and Youth Affairs Department was required a supplementary budget of Rs 629.551 million, Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Department Rs 5.764 million, Transport Department Rs.1.504 billion, Elementary & Secondary Education Department Rs 1.2953 billion, Tourism Department Rs 201.022 million, Debt Servicing (interest payment) Rs 4 billion, Payback of the capital amount on foreign debts to federal government Rs 2.500 billion, Payment in head of debts and Advance Rs 3.105 billion. For the financial year, 2024-25 the provincial government have had allocated Rs 416.2831 billion for annual development programme while the revised estimates climbed to Rs 447.2050 billion, which shows an excess amount of Rs 30.9218 billion. However, a technical supplementary budget of Rs 47.2695 billion was presented in the provincial assembly. In the current fiscal year, the provincial government for the first time has also approved an amount of Rs 39.6 billion as ADP-Plus while another amount of Rs 2.1313 billion was approved for the provision of free textbooks and school bags to the students of the merged districts. Furthermore, an additional grant of Rs 2.38 billion was also received for schemes initiated under PSDP and Pak-PWD. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Cases against 5 MPs of PTI: ECP to conduct hearing on 24th
ISLAMABAD: The electoral entity has fixed cases on 24th June against five legislators, who belong to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), on the petitions mainly moved by Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) members, seeking to unseat the said lawmakers. These legislators are: Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan, his two cousins — Akbar Ayub Khan and Arshad Ayub Khan — both of whom are Members of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly — Malik Adeel Iqbal, another Member Provincial Assembly (MPA) in KP legislature, and PTI Lahore chapter President Sheikh Imtiaz Mehmood, who is Member of Punjab Assembly. All the five legislators had won their respective seats in last year's general elections. Of them, Iqbal had to contest the general election as an independent candidate, and Mahmood had to contest the general poll on Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) ticket — against the backdrop of the PTI election symbol controversy. The reference against Iqbal seeks his disqualification from Punjab Assembly allegedly over having Canadian nationality, an allegation Mahmood denies. The cases against all other four legislators seek re-polling in the respective constituencies, alleging foul play in the general elections. Jamshaid Dasti is another Member National Assembly (MNA) who belongs to PTI against whom cases are pending over allegedly having fake educational credentials, and alleged discrepancies in his wealth statement filed with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). Dasti also had to contest the last year's general election on SIC ticket in the contest of PTI election symbol issue. Apart from that, the hearing of reference against the NA opposition leader, seeking his disqualification from NA over alleged financial corruption and alleged misrepresentation of related facts in the electoral documents, is scheduled in the ECP on July 01. Speaking to the media after the disqualification reference hearing held on 4 June, the NA opposition leader said, Speaker NA Ayaz Sadiq sent reference to the ECP against him out of politically motivated reasons. 'The speaker sent this reference without even using his brain,' Khan deplored. The Article 63(2) of the Constitution of Pakistan provides that if any question arises whether a legislator has become disqualified from being a member, the speaker or chairman (of the legislature concerned), shall, unless they decide that no such question has arisen, refer the question to ECP within 30 days, and if the speaker/chairman fails to do so within the aforesaid period, the question shall be deemed to have been referred to the ECP. The Article 63(3) provides that the ECP shall decide the question within 90 days from its receipt, and if it is of the opinion that the member has become disqualified, the member shall cease to be a lawmaker and their seat shall become vacant. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
