Latest news with #Gillani
Business Recorder
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
NA body slams Ogra over unregistered LPG tankers in KP and theft in Sindh
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, while drawing attention to the unchecked and hazardous sale of LPG in plastic bags in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and rampant theft in Sindh, sharply criticised the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) for regulatory lapses, particularly regarding the vast number of unregistered LPG tankers operating across the country. Of the estimated 2,000 bowsers in circulation, only 800 are reportedly registered with the Department of Explosives and just 247 are licensed by OGRA—revealing a significant oversight gap. This was revealed before the committee which met with Syed Abdul Qadir Gillani in the chair here on Tuesday. The session opened with a critical discussion on the Multan LPG tanker explosion of 27th January 2025. Expressing serious concern, Chairman Gillani remarked, 'Such incidents are becoming rampant, and providing meagre aid to victims is not a solution. This must stop—we must identify and hold those responsible.' Committee members echoed these sentiments, drawing attention to the unchecked and hazardous sale of LPG in plastic bags in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and rampant theft in Sindh. Questions were raised about the lack of surveillance, low inspection frequency, weak tracking mechanisms, and poor coordination between OGRA and the Explosives Department. The OGRA officials responded that a regional office had been opened in Multan and awareness campaigns were underway. They acknowledged the scale of unregulated operations and admitted that current laws are insufficient. The OGRA requested parliamentary support for legislative amendments to strengthen penalties and enforcement. The OGRA chairman stated that actions are being taken against illegal LPG tankers, and penalties are being made stricter. He revealed, 'We are bringing amendments to criminal laws. Previously, the penalty was six months imprisonment and a fine of Rs3,000. Now, through amendments, a proposal is to impose 10 years imprisonment and a fine of Rs20 million.' MNA Dawar Kundi criticised the previous meagre fine, asking, 'Such a small fine, why were the licenses of these tankers not canceled?' MNA Saleemur Rehman expressed outrage, stating, 'OGRA has committed injustice; CNG is being openly sold next to the Swat Motorway.' Major (retired) Tahir Iqbal questioned, 'Does OGRA have a system for checking tankers? Tracking should also be done.' He further suggested that 'increasing penalties will do nothing; suspending licenses is the right action.' The committee referred the matter of illegal and substandard LPG tankers to the Standing Committee on Petroleum and directed that answers to committee members' questions be provided in the next meeting. While contractors involved in the Multan incident are reportedly under review, the Committee expressed dissatisfaction with the accountability process and the compensation announced—deeming Rs600,000 grossly inadequate for lives lost. Members called for immediate suspension of licenses for those under investigation and urged the introduction of stringent safety and inspection protocols. The committee resolved to revisit the matter in the next session with a detailed presentation on the registration, licensing, and enforcement framework. A major agenda item was the presentation of the Sub-Committee's report by its Convener, Syed Samiul Hassan Gillani, concerning the execution of development projects—especially those formerly overseen by the Public Works Department (PWD) and subsequently transferred to provinces. Gillani appreciated the cooperation of federal ministries, including Finance, Planning, and Housing, shared the achievements of the sub-committee's performance while also highlighting persistent issues in coordination and project execution. Concerns were raised about the operational capacity of Pakistan Infrastructure Development Company Limited (PIDCL) and several issues which led to unnecessary delays. The committee chairman directed that the matter of development projects be discussed in the subcommittee. To address these challenges, the committee reconstituted its sub-committee, again placing Syed Samiul Hassan Gillani as convener. The sub-committee will review the status of ongoing PWD-linked projects and submit its findings within 30 days. It was unanimously noted that merely transferring personnel from PWD to PIDCL without addressing the underlying issues of inefficiency and corruption would be ineffective. While some members supported reforming and reviving PWD with stronger oversight, others advocated for establishing a new, competent institution for federal-provincial project coordination. The committee stressed that executing agencies must have adequate capacity and that elected representatives should have the discretion to select implementing partners for their constituencies. Additionally, the committee deliberated on the province-wise allocation of new Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) projects for fiscal year 2025-26. The Ministry of Planning briefed the committee on PSDP projects while saying that 1,077 projects were placed in PSDP last fiscal year while 344 projects were completed last fiscal year. A total of 172 development projects were placed in PSDP in Punjab last fiscal year, and Rs116 billion were allocated for Punjab's development projects. Further, Rs53 billion were allocated for 102 projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa last year. Sindh had 117 projects last year and Rs171 billion were allocated last year. Balochistan had 186 projects last year and Rs93 billion were allocated. The committee sought details of projects for Narowal in the next meeting. The Ministry of Planning was directed to present a detailed breakdown—district-wise and division-wise—in the next meeting. The members also voiced concern over recurring infrastructure damage caused by seasonal floods. The committee urged the formulation of a comprehensive national flood prevention and mitigation policy, emphasising a shift from reactive to preventive planning. It was agreed that the matter would be explored further with relevant federal and provincial stakeholders. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
PPP leader accuses Punjab govt of neglecting southern Punjab in budget
LAHORE: Parliamentary Leader of Pakistan People's Party in Central Punjab Syed Ali Haider Gillani on Friday strongly protested against the recent budget, accusing the government of discriminatory treatment towards South Punjab. He demanded that female members of the assembly should also be given due representation in budget allocations. Expressing concern over the conditions in Multan during speaking in Punjab assembly session, Gilani stated that despite being a major city of South Punjab with a population exceeding 5 million, its residents are forced to drink contaminated water due to the lack of clean water supply. Gillani also criticized the allocation of only Rs. 123 billion for the agriculture and livestock sectors, calling it an injustice to farmers. He demanded the formation of a committee to investigate the alleged unfair distribution of funds in the budget for South Punjab. He expressed confidence that South Punjab would soon become a separate province. Highlighting disparities, Gillani pointed out that Multan's water authority (WASA) received not a single rupee this year, forcing residents to consume toxic water, while Lahore WASA was allocated 147 billion rupees. Punjab Assembly Speaker Muhammad Ahmad Khan expressed regret over the opposition's protest during the session, stating that Operation Leader and other members damaged the House's microphone, misled the media, and baselessly blamed the Speaker. He warned that strict action would be taken against those responsible for the damage, and a committee would be formed to investigate the incident. The Speaker also cautioned that legal action would be taken against any member found disrespecting the Finance Minister. He emphasised that the assembly is the members' home and urged unity among lawmakers. The Punjab Assembly session began one hour and 56 minutes late under the chairmanship of Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan. Shortly after the session started, the issue of a broken microphone arose. The Speaker expressed strong displeasure with Opposition Leader Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachar, stating, 'I am deeply disappointed that you accused us of breaking the microphone. I am a principled man and will never tolerate such allegations. An inquiry will be conducted, and action will be taken against those found responsible. If the microphone was damaged due to the ruckus and hooliganism by your members, they will be held accountable. From now on, I will ensure the Assembly proceedings are strictly rule-based. You must decide how you wish to proceed.' The Speaker also addressed other incidents, saying, 'I have formed an inquiry committee regarding the allegations against Bilal Yamin. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
06-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Starlink's internet comes with risks
Starlink logo is seen on a smartphone in front of displayed Ukrainian flag in this illustration taken February 27, 2022. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE The Starlink Internet Services in Pakistan has yet to commence the satellite-based internet services in Pakistan from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in the wake of emerging challenges and concerns expressed by experts and public. According to experts, Starlink entry is contingent upon resolving regulatory, security, and political concerns, besides the high cost of the service also poses a barrier to widespread adoption among the general public and business community. In Pakistan, one of the key factors is its cost for the users, initial as well as monthly. Starlink's home plans are estimated at Rs35,000 per month with a one-time setup fee of Rs110,000, while business plans can reach Rs95,000 with a setup fee of Rs220,000. In contrast, a local ISPs offer fiber-optic plans ranging from Rs2,500 to Rs12,000 per month, thus making Starlink unaffordable for many people because of the low economy of the country the accessibility for households is not feasible. In March 2025, Starlink was granted a temporary no-objection certificate (NOC) to operate in Pakistan. However, this was not a full licence, and the company still had to meet all the regulatory requirements. Moreover, security clearance is still pending. Starlink has not received the necessary security clearance from the Interior Ministry - a prerequisite for obtaining an operating license from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). Starlink is required to comply with the National Space Policy regulations, which has contributed to the delays. "Starlink operates independently of local ISPs and national internet gateways, users may be able to access objectionable content banned by the PTA [such as politically-sensitive websites], said Hannan Gillani an IT expert. "It could bypass state filters, firewalls, and monitoring systems and these challenges could provoke a legal, and political, backlash and problem for state authority over internet governance. Therefore, the PTA should develop a mechanism before issuing the final licence to Starlink in Pakistan," he added. About the payment method, Gillani said, if subscription fees were paid in US dollar via international payment methods, like credit cards, it would increase the dollar outflows from Pakistan's already fragile foreign reserves. Unless Starlink agreed to local billing in Pakistani rupees through the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP)-regulated channels, the economic burden could grow with more subscribers," the IT expert warned. A PTA official commented that Starlink's entry in Pakistan could significantly boost connectivity, particularly in under-served and remote regions, but added that the authority was carefully reviewing all regulatory, technical, and security aspects before granting full operational approval to it. The official acknowledged that affordability remained a valid concern for the users, and "we are committed to ensuring that any such service introduced in Pakistan aligns with our national ICT goals and remains accessible" to the public.
Business Recorder
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Gilani reiterates country's commitment to interfaith harmony
ISLAMABAD: Chairman Senate of Pakistan, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, attended the Inaugural Mass of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV at St Peter's Square, Vatican City, on Sunday. The ceremony marked the formal commencement of Pope Leo XIV's papacy and was witnessed by an estimated 250,000 attendees, including numerous global leaders and dignitaries. Chairman Gillani's presence affirms Pakistan's commitment to interfaith harmony and its respect for the Catholic community worldwide. His participation highlighted Pakistan's dedication to fostering dialogue and mutual understanding among diverse religious traditions. The Inaugural Mass was attended by a distinguished assembly of international figures, including US Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. European royalty, such as King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium and King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain, were also present. Pope Leo XIV, born in Chicago and holding dual US-Peruvian citizenship, is the first pontiff from either nation. In his homily, he emphasized themes of peace, compassion, and unity, reflecting his commitment to addressing global challenges through dialogue and cooperation. During his visit, Chairman Gillani is scheduled to engage in bilateral meetings with Vatican officials and international counterparts to discuss shared interests, including the promotion of peace, protection of minority rights, and the advancement of interfaith collaboration. Pakistan remains steadfast in its advocacy for religious tolerance and coexistence, and Chairman Gillani's participation in this significant event reaffirms the nation's role in promoting global understanding and harmony. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Al Jazeera
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Can Pakistan's new anti-extremism policy defeat rising armed attacks?
Islamabad, Pakistan – Pakistan has unveiled a new policy to tackle 'violent extremism' using an unlikely bouquet of tools, including school curriculum changes, religion and social media outreach, in addition to military tactics, at a time when deadly armed attacks are surging. However, many analysts caution that the plan is too ambitious, thin on details and difficult to execute under the overall leadership of an army attuned to using military force as its primary weapon. Some experts argue that the National Prevention of Violent Extremism (NPVE) Policy, as the new plan is called, is in effect 'old wine in a new bottle'. The latest policy, released for public view last week, comes at a time of escalating violence, particularly in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the southwestern province of Balochistan. According to figures from the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), an Islamabad-based think tank, 2024 was the deadliest year in nearly a decade for Pakistan. The data reveals that 2,526 people were killed in attacks last year – including nearly 700 security personnel, more than 900 civilians, and approximately 900 armed fighters. The majority of these attacks were carried out by the Pakistan Taliban, known by the acronym TTP, an armed group ideologically linked to the Taliban in Afghanistan. The TTP has been waging an armed rebellion against Pakistan since its emergence in 2007. While Pakistan has introduced similar anti-extremism frameworks in the past, the new 71-page document [ PDF ], prepared by the National Counter Terrorism Authority – an autonomous government body responsible for intelligence gathering, threat assessments, and counterterrorism strategies – is different, said Dayyab Gillani, NACTA's director of research and development. The key shift, according to him, is that the new policy promotes a 'whole-of-society' strategy to prevent 'violent extremism', including using 'non-kinetic' means. In military terminology, kinetic measures refer to armed force. 'The so-called war on terror has taught us that military operations alone are not a sustainable strategy. Kinetic successes are only temporary, as they fail to eliminate terrorism at its roots,' Gillani told Al Jazeera during a recent interview in Islamabad. 'The causes and drivers of terrorism were never removed, which is why terrorism has resurfaced repeatedly, despite short-term gains.' What does the NPVE Policy say? Gillani, who joined NACTA two years ago, said work on the NPVE originally began in 2019, but political instability delayed its completion until 2024. The policy was approved by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's cabinet in December. The policy presents a '5-R' approach – Revisit, Reach Out, Reduce, Reinforce, and Reintegrate – with a series of 700 corporate-style key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure effectiveness in the short, medium and long term. The first policy action, 'Revisit', focuses on reforming the curriculum and engaging youth and influencers like teachers and religious leaders. 'Reach Out' aims to promote a national narrative through media and by countering hardline narratives on social media. 'We live in the age of social media, which has become a major tool for radicalisation,' Gillani said. 'This necessitates a revamped communication strategy.' 'We must foster a culture of tolerance, acceptance, and inclusion, where people respect social, political, and religious differences without resorting to violence,' he added. 'Reduce' targets youth and women through peace initiatives and research on women's roles in armed rebellion. 'Reinforce' seeks to promote peace and tolerance through arts, culture, and scientific innovation. The final policy action, 'Reintegrate', involves de-radicalisation, rehabilitation, and reconciliation programmes for former fighters and conflict-affected communities. 'A state's fundamental responsibility towards its citizens is to provide care for them. Non-kinetic measures, which are empathetic in nature and approach, is what the government needs to focus on in order to counter extremism,' Gillani said. Military operations and old policies Pakistan has faced two decades of armed violence and has launched multiple military operations to combat armed groups. Following the 9/11 attacks and the subsequent United States invasion of Afghanistan, Pakistan became a refuge for Taliban leaders and al-Qaeda members fleeing Afghanistan. After the TTP gained ground in Pakistan, the army launched several campaigns to eradicate them and regain control of the territory. However, it was not until the 2014 attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar, in which more than 140 children were killed, that the government formulated a National Action Plan (NAP) – one of its first formal frameworks to counter armed rebellion. Similar policies have since been launched and updated. But Gillani argued that these previous policies were 'reactive' and primarily focused on kinetic measures, making the NPVE's preventive and community-based approach unique. 'Community engagement is critical to success. Kinetic measures leave lasting scars on communities that have suffered violence,' he said. 'That's why we emphasise prevention.' Policy implementation challenges But while analysts acknowledge that the NPVE strikes a balance between military and non-military strategies — at least on paper — they warn that the policy's ambitious scope poses implementation challenges. 'Pakistan has a history of well-intentioned policies failing due to poor implementation. The success of this policy depends on whether the state ensures its proper execution,' said Abdul Basit, a research fellow at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. Similar concerns were raised by Iftikhar Firdous, co-founder of The Khorasan Diary, a platform tracking regional security. 'This policy acknowledges that intellectual capital is as crucial as military action, as ideologies are often more influential than weapons. However, the policy's implementation framework lacks the rigour required to achieve its objectives,' said Firdous, who is based in Peshawar. At the heart of those implementation challenges is a central question: Who gets to execute the policy? Civilian vs military control Although NACTA is a civilian institution, Pakistan's security policies have historically been dominated by its powerful military, which has ruled the country directly for more than three decades and continues to wield significant influence even over civilian governments. 'At a time when the military's rapid influence in almost all aspects of society is visible, NACTA is no exception, so when a non-militarised framework to deal with violent extremism is carried out by the military, who can guarantee its success?' Basit, the Singapore-based academic, said. Firdous concurred that military oversight over the policy would raise concerns. 'How can NACTA operate effectively if it is perceived to be encroaching on the jurisdiction of other law enforcement agencies? Can a civilian-led NACTA be accepted in a system dominated by the military? These are crucial questions that need to be answered for consensus building and for implementing the policy,' he added. Rohan Gunaratna, a professor of security studies at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, argued that the new policy also suffers from another flaw. It is crucial for Pakistan to develop 'tailored policy options' that cater to the specific needs of each group of the society, he said. 'While the NPVE Policy can serve as a comprehensive guideline, it requires region-specific models to address the unique challenges faced by different groups and regions,' Gunaratna told Al Jazeera. 'A one-size-fits-all approach won't work.'
