Latest news with #GovernorHouse
Express Tribune
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori announces 80-yard plots for Lyari building collapse victims
Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon said on Tuesday that it is not possible for the provincial government to provide housing for all residents displaced after 11 buildings were classified as hazardous and evacuated. Speaking on a news segment aired on a private TV channel, the minister said that around 740 buildings across Sindh have been declared unsafe, with at least 51 classified as extremely dangerous. Eleven buildings of the latter category were evacuated, he added. However, the provincial government would offer temporary housing to some families, similar to previous efforts undertaken for flood and COVID-19 victims, said Memon. There will be no silence on this matter, and those responsible will be held accountable Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori The minister apprised that the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) has begun demolishing unsafe structures near the collapsed structure of the five-storey building in Lyari's Baghdadi area, which claimed at least 27 lives. Sindh Local Government Saeed Ghani had announced that each affected family would be given Rs one million as compensation. Read: Govt moves to demolish unsafe buildings after Lyari collapse The provincial government subsequently suspended the SBCA's director-general and suspended officials from the regulatory body in-charge of the area. Plots in compensation Meanwhile, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori announced on Tuesday that 80-yard plots will be given to affected families from Lyari building collapse. Speaking to the media in Karachi, Tessori said, "I have arrived in Karachi today and, without wasting time, I have come to Lyari. I will send all my suggestions regarding this tragedy to the Sindh government through a letter". Tessori emphasised that the building collapse was no minor incident. "There will be no silence on this matter, and those responsible will be held accountable," he said, acknowledging the efforts of Sindh ministers Ghani and Nabil Gabol thus far. He urged the provincial government to provide six months' rent and relocation in the same area for now evacuated residents of the 11 hazardous buildings. Tessori assured that the Governor House would remain active in ensuring support for the victims and offer essential resources such as ration and employment opportunities. The governor extended his support to the aggreived families, many of whom hail from the Hindu community, and apprised that a helpline, 1133, has been set up for assistance.
Business Recorder
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Acting governor be given full access to Governor's House: SHC
KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the Principal Secretary of the Governor of Sindh to grant full access to the Acting Governor, Syed Awais Qadir Shah, to all official rooms, offices, and chambers within the Governor House. In a constitutional petition, Syed Awais Qadir Shah, who is also the Speaker of the Sindh Assembly, pleaded that despite Governor Sindh Kamran Tessori being abroad, and as per Article 104 of the Constitution, which mandates the Speaker to perform the Governor's functions, he was being denied access to the Governor House and its associated offices. The petitioner's counsels, Barrister Azain Memon and Zubair Ali Butt, argued that the Principal Secretary had repeatedly refused the petitioner and his staff access to the Governor House, despite formal requests; this denial hindered the Acting Governor's ability to perform his official duties. The court was informed that the denial of access was not an isolated incident but had occurred multiple times, including on the day of the hearing. The petitioner sought immediate and unobstructed access to the Governor House and its resources to discharge his duties as Acting Governor. The Advocate General Sindh, Jawad Dero, stated that the Acting Governor was legally entitled to use the Governor House for official business. The court, after interpreting Article 104, concluded that the petitioner could not be denied access to the Governor House to carry out his official duties. The court directed the Principal Secretary to provide immediate access to the Acting Governor to all rooms, offices, and chambers in the Governor House, except the residential portion, to enable him to perform his official duties. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PTI criticises VIP vehicle spending
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has criticised the Punjab government for approving the purchase of hundreds of high-end vehicles for officials amid ongoing economic hardship and underfunded public services. In an statement, the party said the government has allocated over Rs2.1 billion for 283 official vehicles, including 10 bulletproof vehicles costing Rs500 million for senior police officers, 48 protocol vehicles priced at Rs900 million and 76 cars for ministers and senior bureaucrats at an estimated Rs710 million. Additional spending on fuel and maintenance will also be required. The PTI said the spending reflects a "growing disconnect" between the leadership and the people of Punjab who continue to face inflation, unemployment and deteriorating public services. It highlighted significant increases in allocations for elite government offices. The budget for the Governor House has increased by 870 per cent to Rs1.53 billion, while allocations for provincial ministers have more than tripled to Rs1.07 billion, it stated. The Chief Minister's Office received a 19% hike to Rs1.46 billion, and the Punjab Assembly's budget rose 47% to Rs7.38 billion. The commissioners' offices reportedly overspent Rs319 million during current financial year and are now allocated Rs1.85 billion for the next fiscal year. The Chief Minister's Inspection Team's budget also increased by 26% following unauthorised spending of Rs182 million. "These spending patterns are a political indictment of the government's misplaced priorities," the PTI said. "While basic sectors like health, education, and agriculture remain underfunded, public officials are rewarding themselves with expensive perks." The party also criticised the chief minister's prolonged absence from the assembly despite a growing budget for her office, calling it a "symbol of the administration's lack of accountability". The party demanded a forensic audit by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) into the luxury vehicle purchases and the associated budget increases. It called for immediate reversal of unauthorised expenditures and legal action against those responsible for diverting public resources.
Express Tribune
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Budget unveiled amid standoff
A political standoff erupted on Friday over the convening of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly session to present the provincial budget for the fiscal year 2025-26. The dispute began when the Governor refused to summon the assembly session scheduled for June 13, prompting the government to take independent action. In response to the governor's refusal, the ruling party submitted a requisition signed by 40 members of the Assembly to the acting Secretary of the Assembly, Syed Muhammad Mair. Acting swiftly, the Speaker summoned the assembly session within two hours, and the budget along with the Finance Bill for the next fiscal year was tabled at 3pm. The provincial government had sent a formal summary to the Governor a day earlier, requesting him to convene the Assembly session on June 13. Initially, the Governor House even issued details confirming receipt of the summary. However, on Friday, the Governor House issued a revised statement, indicating a standoff between Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. The new statement declared that the Governor had decided not to return the summary but also would not sign it immediately. He emphasized that, under the Constitution, he has 14 days to act on such a summary and is not obligated to sign it on the same day. Governor Kundi stated, "I have received the summary to convene the Assembly session and I am reviewing it. I am not bound to sign it today. I will do so only after fulfilling all constitutional and legal requirements. No one can force me to sign it immediately — neither the Chief Minister nor anyone else through threats or pressure." The Governor further remarked, "I will not be intimidated by groups that attack the state or those who fuel corruption in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The Chief Minister should refrain from his hollow threats."
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Business Standard
20-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Pakistan joins India in UAE's 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa list
Pakistani nationals can now apply for the UAE's five-year multiple-entry tourist visa, over a year after the facility was made available to Indian travellers, the UAE's ambassador to Pakistan announced on May 14, 2025. 'Visa issues have been resolved; Pakistanis can get a five-year visa,' said Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al Zaabi, UAE ambassador to Pakistan, during a meeting at the Governor House in Lahore. The five-year tourist visa allows holders to enter the UAE multiple times from the date of issue without needing a local sponsor or host, according to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai. Tourists planning a visit to the UAE can choose from several visa options: Single-entry tourist visas (valid for 30 or 60 days) Multiple-entry tourist visas (valid for 30 or 60 days) Five-year multiple-entry tourist visa Transit visas (valid for 48 or 96 hours) Visa-on-arrival for eligible nationalities or valid visa/residency holders from certain countries Scrutiny and prior restrictions on Pakistanis The development follows increased scrutiny of Pakistani travellers in recent months. On December 23, 2024, a Senate panel was informed that all Pakistanis travelling to the UAE were required to undergo police verification. Travel agents had also received instructions in this regard, Dawn reported. Later, on January 9, 2025, the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development was told there were 'no restrictions on work visas' for Pakistani nationals, though UAE authorities had concerns over those entering on visit visas. The panel was informed that some Pakistani visitors had taken to begging in the UAE, leading to unofficial visa delays. In a separate interview with Geo News in November 2024, UAE's consul-general in Karachi, Dr Bakheet Ateeq Alremeithi, suggested that rejections could be linked to social media activity by applicants. India remains UAE's top visitor market The five-year visa was opened up to Indian nationals over a year earlier and remains a key part of UAE's travel policy for one of its largest tourism markets. In 2023, Dubai welcomed 2.46 million Indian overnight visitors, up from 1.84 million in 2022, according to UAE's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). In 2024, that number stood at 2.2 million. Separately, in February 2025, the UAE expanded its visa-on-arrival policy for Indian passport holders who also possess valid visas or residence permits from: Australia Canada Japan New Zealand Singapore South Korea This builds on the earlier 2024 rule allowing Indian nationals with valid US visit visas, US Green Cards, or UK and EU residence visas to enter the UAE on arrival, provided those visas are valid for at least six months at the time of arrival. The policy applies across all UAE entry points, including Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport.
