Latest news with #OmarAyubKhan
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
PTI's Gohar, Omar, other leaders acquitted in two cases
ISLAMABAD: A local court has acquitted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, including party chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan, citing insufficient evidence and vague allegations in the two cases filed against them. Judicial Magistrate Shahzad Khan issued a detailed judgment regarding the acquittal of PTI leaders, Aamir Mughal, Ali Bukhari, Shoaib Shaheen, Malik Rafique, and others from two cases registered under sections, 159, 188, 186,353 under PPC and another case under Sections 506II,290,341, 188,159,353,186 under PPC at Karachi Company police station, stating that the prosecution failed to present 'cogent, strong, and hard evidence' necessary for conviction. The court dismissed the charges, calling the continuation of the trial a 'sheer waste of court['s] time.' The judgment highlighted that it is evident that the case against the petitioners and other accused individuals is fraught with serious legal and factual deficiencies. The allegations are vague and lack specificity, the prosecution has failed to establish individual roles or a common objective, and no incriminating evidence has been recovered from the accused persons/petitioners, it says. It says these shortcomings collectively weaken the prosecution's case and raise significant doubts about the validity of the charges. 'Without further evidence or clarification, the case appears to be built on shaky foundations, and the accused cannot be held liable for the alleged offenses based on the current record', it says, adding that as such, the charges against the petitioners and other accused individuals may well be dismissed for lack of merit. It says that the record reflects that general allegations are levelled in the first information report (FIR) and no specific role has been attributed to the present accused persons/petitioners. The record further shows that accused persons/petitioners, along with approximately 150 people, made a procession in which they made slogans against the state and also violated the lawful order of the authority; resultantly a case was registered, it says. The judgment says a critical issue is that the allegations are entirely general, targeting a large group of around 150 individuals without attributing any specific role, act, or overt criminal intent to the accused petitioners. This violates a fundamental principle of criminal law that accusations must be clear, specific, and individually attributable to sustain a prosecution, it says. It says that shockingly, despite the alleged involvement of 150 people, only two witnesses were cited in the challan, and there is no CCTV footage, NADRA facial recognition data, or other forensic evidence to connect the petitioners to the offence. Additionally, the absence of modern investigative techniques (CCTV, biometric verification) violates the right to a fair trial under Article 10A of the Constitution, it says. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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
Canada News.Net
5 days ago
- Business
- Canada News.Net
Pakistan manipulates economic data to mislead international community amid economic collapse
Islamabad [Pakistan], June 21 (ANI): Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Friday rejected data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), accusing the government of misleading international financial institutions with 'absurd' economic figures, according to a report by Dawn. Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub Khan, criticised the government's reliance on outdated and unreliable data, warning that it was obstructing evidence-based policymaking. His comments came during a Ministry of Commerce briefing on tariff matters, where opposition members challenged the credibility of official statistics. Highlighting what he described as 'glaring inconsistencies,' Ayub pointed out, 'When the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics reports an increase in donkey populations but no rise in mules, it exposes the absurdity of the data shaping national economic policies.' He noted that 64 per cent of agricultural data comprises livestock figures, which he said distorts sectoral analysis and leads to misguided policy decisions. Ayub likened the economic progress to 'driving at 20 km/h on a motorway,' stressing that Pakistan's growth is being stifled by obsolete data, while competing countries advance with real-time analytics. He further claimed officials privately acknowledged that tariff systems functioned more efficiently under the PTI government, indirectly admitting regression in current policy management. Demanding immediate reforms, Ayub called for modern data collection methods, independent audits, and stakeholder consultations to align tariffs with industrial needs. To address systemic flaws, he proposed digitising PBS using AI-driven analytics, creating open-data platforms, and involving exporters and manufacturers in tariff discussions. PTI pointed to growing business frustrations over 'arbitrary trade policies and stagnant exports,' citing the World Bank's emphasis on accurate data as vital for attracting foreign investment. 'A 21st-century economy cannot run on 20th-century statistics,' Ayub said, urging the government to prioritise transparency and efficiency for economic revival, as reported by Dawn. Separately, PTI leaders expressed solidarity with Iran amid its conflict with Israel, visiting the Iranian Embassy in Islamabad and condemning Israel's actions. Omar Ayub warned that prolonged conflict could severely impact global oil supplies. (ANI)
Express Tribune
20-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Omar warns of oil shock from conflict
Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan addressing a press conference in Islamabad on March 11, 2024. SCREENGRAB Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan has warned that the ongoing Iran-Israel war will shake the global economy as Iran and Kuwait hold the world's largest oil wells. Speaking at a press conference, the PTI leader described Israel's onslaught on Iran as a terrorist attack, lamenting that the Iranian leadership was attacked that plays an important role. He said the world consumes 104 million barrels of oil per day. If anything happens in the aftermath of the conflict, strategic reserves would last only about 12 days.
Business Recorder
13-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Aurangzeb tells Senate body: Govt eyes $2bn loan to boost reserves
ISLAMABAD: Amid expectation of borrowing $2 billion from commercial banks to shore up reserves to $14 billion by the end of outgoing fiscal year, the government only managed to utilise around 40 percent of the development funds of Rs1.1 trillion revised budget allocation for the outgoing fiscal so far. This was revealed by Finance Ministry while briefing the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue, which was also informed that government has proposed special relief allowance @50 percent to officers and 20 percent to JCOs/soldiers of armed forces in the budget 2025-26. The committee which met with Syed Naveed Qamar in the chair here on Thursday was also informed by the Finance Minister that from their perspective there is cushion to do more on the policy rate and hopeful that by end of calendar year, it would move to single digit as move forward. Post-budget presser: 'Have to get money from somewhere to provide relief somewhere', says Auranzgeb The briefing also revealed that Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) has been revised downward for the second time in the outgoing fiscal year from Rs1.1 trillion to Rs967 billion, but it would also not be achieved, as confirmed by the Secretary Finance. Secretary Finance informed the committee that Rs662 billion under the PSDP has so far been utilised, which according to PTI leader and member committee Omar Ayub Khan was given a steroid injection in the last month and may have consequences on the overall economic indicators including GDP growth in the outgoing fiscal year. The lack of spending suggests a large part of PSDP — revised down from Rs1.4 trillion to Rs1.1trillion would remain unspent at the end of the fiscal year in June. The finance minister said that as far as inflows are concerned things are speed up in the last quarter. 'We have gone back to the commercial market in this fiscal year and are in the process of syndicating around $2 billion of commercial borrowing and expecting to shore up reveres from the current around $11-12 billion to $14 billion by end of the current fiscal year. Secretary Finance further said that non-tax revenue udder the head of State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) profit is budgeted at Rs2,400 billion for the next fiscal year down from Rs2,500 billion in the current fiscal year on the back of decrease in interest rate. The committee was skeptic about Rs105 billion budgeted from the Captive Power Plants (CPP) levy for the next fiscal year. Regarding the Petroleum Development Levey (PDL) Secretary Finance said that Rs1,468 billion are budgeted for the next fiscal year against Rs1,281 billion in the outgoing fiscal year. He said that there is no upper cap for PDL; however, after the addition of Rs2.5 per litre carbon levy, the government wants to restrict it to around Rs80-80.5 per litre. Omar Ayub Khan said that petroleum products of 2.1 billion worth Rs550 billion are smuggled, causing the national exchequer around Rs145 billion under the head of non-collection of PDL, where the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) needs to strengthen enforcement. Secretary Finance informed that financing of federal deficit is budgeted for 2025-26 at Rs6,501 billion against the budgeted Rs8,500 billion for the outgoing fiscal year. External financing (net) is estimated at Rs106 billion for the next fiscal year compared to Rs666 billion for the current fiscal year. Further, domestic financing (net) is estimated at Rs6,308 billion for the next fiscal year compared to Rs7,804 billion for the current fiscal year. The finance minister stated that there were fake rumors in media of mini budget which became wrong. He informed the committee on fiscal discipline, economic growth and stability, social welfare and public services like relief for salaried class with reduction in the minimum tax rate and expansion in the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) to Rs716 billion. The Minister of State and Secretary Finance briefed the Committee on policy measures adopted for the preparation of the Finance Bill 2025 and the government's financial proposals for the next financial year. The committee members expressed concerns to the tax-to-GDP ratio, revenue shortfall, taxes on solar panels, hybrid vehicles, carbon levy, petroleum levy, private sector lending and debt, SMEs, industrial and agricultural growth and targets, withholding tax (WHT) on ATMs and bank deposits, pensions, gender-specific allocations, health-specific allocations, electric vehicles, structural reforms, sales tax on cotton, public sector expenditure, defence spending, the widening current account deficit, and the negative growth rates observed in both the manufacturing and agricultural sectors. The discussion also highlighted the challenges of climate change and the need for social protection. The members expressed serious concerns regarding the inefficiency of Customs Intelligence and smuggling at borders. The chairman emphasised the importance of keeping the committee fully informed and desired that a comprehensive overview of both the structural reforms and the tariff reforms be prepared and shared with the committee members. The minister said that only Rs312 billion is budgeted from new taxes. He said that while international stakeholders had previously doubted Pakistan's ability to implement tax laws effectively, the government has now demonstrated that meaningful enforcement is possible. Talking about the tariff rationalisation which the committee was informed that it was a step aligning Pakistan's trade and industrial policy with global standards. The initiative marks the beginning of a phased plan towards a simplified tariff regime, ultimately targeting an average tariff rate of just over four per cent. 'Overall, there are 7,000 tariff lines. Additional customs duty has been removed on 4,000 lines, and in 2,700 of those, the customs duty has also been reduced,' the committee was informed. Of these, around 2,000 tariff lines are directly linked to raw materials and intermediary goods used by the exporters. The government's broader goal, according to Aurangzeb, is to reshape Pakistan's tariff architecture in a way that supports industrial growth and integrates the economy more deeply into global supply chains. Aurangzeb said an additional tax on fertilisers and pesticides was a benchmark but it was negotiated with the IMF on the directions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as it was a critical input into agriculture and should not be imposed. Secretary Finance said a modest 1.9 percent rise in government expenditure, crediting prudent financial management. He said, despite inflation, the government managed to contain subsidies and reduce debt servicing, while selectively increasing spending where necessary for national priorities. He further informed that Rs494 billion were allocated for tariff differential subsidy (TDS) in the budget 2025-26. Replying to a question the committee was informed that the government has budgeted Rs87 billion from privatisation admitting that Rs30 billion budgeted for the current fiscal year was not materialized on account of lower bids for PIA and Islamabad International Airport. The committee was informed that privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and the Roosevelt Hotel is scheduled for the next fiscal year, and privatization efforts for power distribution companies (DISCOs) and generation companies (GENCOs) will continue. The government has set inflation target of 7.5 percent for the next fiscal year. Regarding the fiscal deficit, the government projected a target of 3.9 percent of the GDP — or Rs5,037 billion — from the outgoing fiscal year's target of 5.9 percent. The primary surplus is targeted at 2.4 percent of the GDP against the budgeted two percent in the current fiscal, which has been revised to 2.2 percent. The government has set tax collection target for the FBR at Rs14,131 billion, an 8.95 percent increase from the current fiscal year of Rs12,970 billion and around 19 percent higher than the revised estimate of Rs11,900 billion. Non-tax revenue is estimated to be Rs5,147 billion for the next fiscal year against the budgeted Rs4,845 billion for the current fiscal year. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
