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Express Tribune
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PTI parliamentary committee rejects SC verdict on reserved seats
Listen to article The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) parliamentary committee has categorically rejected the Supreme Court's Constitutional Bench verdict, which set aside its July 12, 2024, judgment. That ruling had reinstated PTI as a parliamentary party and allowed it to secure reserved seats in the legislature. Last week, the Supreme Court overturned its July 12 ruling on reserved seats, accepting review petitions and upholding the Peshawar High Court's decision. As a result, the PTI lost its reserved seats. In response to the court's ruling, PTI held a crucial meeting of its parliamentary committee in Islamabad on Wednesday to discuss the implications of the recent verdict. The meeting, attended by PTI members of the National and Provincial Assemblies, senators, and central leadership, focused on analysing the political landscape post-verdict and formulating a parliamentary strategy. It also saw heated exchanges between some leaders, suggesting internal party tensions. 🔴 LIVE | Imran Khan Announces Massive Tehreek After 10th Muharram | PTI's Leadership Important Press Conference — PTI (@PTIofficial) July 2, 2025 "تحریک انصاف کے مشترکہ پارلیمانی اجلاس میں مخصوص نشستوں کے فیصلے، تحریک اسیران جیل کے خط اور عمران خان کے حکم پر تحریک چلانے پر غور کیا گیا۔ ہم سب عمران خان کی قیادت میں متحد ہیں۔ انشاءاللہ تحریک کا اعلان اور لائحہ عمل جلد عوام کے سامنے آ جائے گا۔" بیرسٹر گوہر علی خان — PTI (@PTIofficial) July 2, 2025 Amir Dogar, a member of the National Assembly, initiated the discussion by presenting a written message from imprisoned PTI leaders, expressing concern over their mistreatment and lack of medical facilities in jail. Sheikh Waqas Akram revealed that seven party workers had lost their lives due to illness while in jail, and prisoners' basic rights were being denied. Nisar Jutt criticised K-P Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur over the provincial budget, stressing that party leaders should avoid making contradictory statements without mutual consultation. Jutt also reaffirmed support for PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, stating that he was appointed by the founder and, therefore, has the full mandate of the party. Ali Muhammad Khan supported inter-party negotiations during the meeting, mentioning that if the leadership chooses to negotiate, the party would support it. However, if protests were chosen, the party would also participate. Zartaj Gul proposed that protests should be held at the constituency level instead of in Islamabad and suggested forming an empowered committee for negotiations. Read: PTI loses court battle for reserved seats A unanimous resolution was passed during the meeting, calling for every possible effort to secure the release of the founding chairman, ensuring the health and well-being of other imprisoned leaders, and rejecting the court's verdict on reserved seats. The resolution also demanded that PTI leaders and lawyers be allowed to meet Imran Khan immediately. After the meeting, Barrister Gohar, Salman Akram Raja, Gandapur, and Akram held a press conference to clarify the party's stance. Gandapur said the party is ready to sacrifice everything for the release of founder Imran Khan. He added that if anyone attempts to topple their government through unconstitutional means, he would quit politics. Raja stated that Pakistan's resources have been looted for eight decades and emphasised the need to fight for the basic rights of the people. Barrister Gohar reiterated that the party follows the instructions of the founder, and any decisions regarding negotiations, protests, or other political actions will be made with his approval. Akram maintained that there is complete unity within the party and that the political and legal struggle will continue under the founder's leadership. He also reaffirmed the party's unanimous rejection of the court's decision on reserved seats. SC overturns PTI's claim to reserved seats The Supreme Court overturned a 2024 judgment that had allowed PTI to claim reserved seats in national and provincial legislatures. The order issued by a 10-member constitutional bench allowed multiple review petitions filed by the ruling coalition and dismissed its earlier decision that had recognised PTI, through its alliance with the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), as eligible for reserved seats. With a majority of seven judges the top court ruled in favour of the review, effectively annulling the apex court's July 12, 2024, verdict. That judgment had previously restored PTI's status as a parliamentary party and ordered the ECP to allocate reserved seats for women and minorities. Following the new decision, nearly 80 reserved seats in national and provincial assemblies will be reallocated among other parliamentary parties, excluding the SIC. The move gives the ruling coalition a two-thirds majority in parliament. It is worth noting that the Peshawar High Court had earlier dismissed the SIC's challenge to the Election Commission of Pakistan's decision, which had refused to allocate reserved seats to the party. Earlier, in its short order on July 12, 2024, eight out of 13 judges concluded that 39 out of 80 MNAs on the list were elected candidates of the PTI, positioning it as the largest party in the National Assembly.


Express Tribune
13-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
K-P proposes 10% salary hike, 7% pension increase for govt employees
Listen to article Amid protests from the opposition benches, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government on Friday presented a Rs2.119 trillion surplus budget for the fiscal year 2025–26 in the provincial assembly, describing it as a historic step towards economic recovery after inheriting what it called a financially crippled province. The provincial government claimed the budget not only reflects sound fiscal management but also addresses critical development, salary, pension, and debt servicing needs despite significant financial constraints and unpaid dues from the federal government. The session of the K-P Assembly, presided over by Speaker Babar Saleem, began with the budget presentation by Minister for Law Aftab Alam, who also holds the portfolio for finance. He stated that when Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur took charge, the province's financial condition was dire due to what he described as the "mismanagement of the unconstitutional caretaker setup." He added that the treasury barely held enough funds to cover 15 days' worth of salaries, major development projects had stalled, the health card scheme had been discontinued, wheat reserves were insufficient to meet provincial needs, and the province was saddled with mounting debts. عمران خان کے ویژن کیمطابق خیبر پختونخوا حکومت کا مالی خودمختاری کی جانب اہم قدم! حکومت خیبر پختونخوا نے مالی سال 2025 - 26 کا تاریخی بجٹ پیش کردیا ہے، بجٹ کی کل مالیت = 2119 ارب روپے مجموعی اخراجات = 1962 ارب روپے بجٹ سرپلس = 157 ارب روپے #KPBudget2025 #KPTaxFreeBudget — Government of KP (@GovernmentKP) June 13, 2025 The finance minister noted that despite these circumstances, the provincial government not only achieved but surpassed its surplus target, terming it the largest surplus in the province's history, adding that the government now holds enough reserves to pay salaries for three months. He further claimed that the budget outperforms the combined surpluses of several previous years. During the current fiscal year, the government invested Rs150 billion into a provincial development fund — an amount that equals around 20 per cent of the province's total debt portfolio. It also repaid Rs49 billion in outstanding loans, which included Rs18 billion in interest payments. The total expenditure for the next fiscal year has been estimated at Rs1.962 trillion, against expected revenues of Rs2.119 trillion, creating a projected surplus of Rs157 billion. عمران خان کے ویژن کے مطابق خیبرپختونخوا حکومت کا انقلابی بجٹ! ✅ صوبائی محصولات میں 38٪ اضافہ ✅ نان ٹیکس آمدن میں 72٪ اضافہ ✅ مجموعی صوبائی محاصل میں 31٪ اضافہ 🔹 بغیر نیا ٹیکس لگائے، نیٹ کی وسعت سے ترقی کی راہ ہموار#KPBudget2025 #KPTaxFreeBudget # — Government of KP (@GovernmentKP) June 13, 2025 The budget estimates Rs177 billion in foreign assistance through grants. The allocation for current expenditures, including salaries, pensions, and operational costs, stands at Rs1.415 trillion. Of this, Rs1.255 trillion has been earmarked for the settled districts, while Rs160 billion will go to the merged tribal districts. The Annual Development Programme (ADP) has been proposed at Rs547 billion, including Rs155 billion for settled districts under the expanded ADP Plus framework, which reflects a 30 per cent increase from earlier allocations. The government said this additional Rs35 billion was used to ensure timely completion of priority development schemes. In terms of fiscal relief, the provincial government proposed a 10 per cent increase in salaries and a seven per cent rise in pensions for government employees while also announcing a 15 to 20 per cent increase in disparity allowance for those not receiving executive allowances. The minimum wage in the province is to be raised from Rs36,000 to Rs40,000 per month. Tax relief measures include reducing stamp duty and property transfer tax from two per cent to one per cent, offering exemptions on taxes for properties up to 4.9 marlas, and lowering the hotel bed tax from 10 per cent to seven per cent. Professional tax has been abolished for individuals earning up to Rs36,000 per month. Additionally, the registration fee and token tax on electric vehicles have been waived. عمران خان کے ویژن کے مطابق خیبرپختونخوا حکومت کا انقلابی بجٹ! ✅ صوبائی محصولات میں 38٪ اضافہ ✅ نان ٹیکس آمدن میں 72٪ اضافہ ✅ مجموعی صوبائی محاصل میں 31٪ اضافہ 🔹 بغیر نیا ٹیکس لگائے، نیٹ کی وسعت سے ترقی کی راہ ہموار#KPBudget2025 #KPTaxFreeBudget # — Government of KP (@GovernmentKP) June 13, 2025 The government also proposed aligning the salaries of police personnel in K-P with those of the Punjab Police. The Shuhada (martyrs) package for police officials — from constables to inspectors — is proposed to be increased from Rs10 million to Rs11 million. In the education sector, Rs4.6 billion has been released for public universities and Rs4.9 billion in development funds has been allocated for higher education. In the merged districts, the government is reconstructing 46 colleges at a cost of Rs1.55 billion. A recruitment drive to fill 16,000 teaching positions has been launched, while 3.4 million textbooks were distributed and 518,000 scholarships were awarded during the current fiscal year. Budget documents reveal that the province faces a shortfall of Rs267 billion under the National Finance Commission (NFC) award. The federal government also owes Rs71 billion in net hydel profits and Rs58 billion in oil and gas royalties. Foreign assistance grants are expected to contribute Rs177 billion in the coming fiscal year. The provincial revenue target has been set at Rs129 billion. Also Read: Sindh CM presents Rs3.45tr budget for 2025-26 Earlier, the budget session was marked by disruption from opposition parties. As CM Gandapur entered the assembly hall, government members welcomed him with desk-thumping, while opposition lawmakers chanted slogans such as "Ali Baba Chalees Chor". Some members carried placards bearing slogans accusing the government of corruption. PML-N MPA Sobia Shahid brought a bugle into the house and blew it during the session. In response, treasury members stood and shouted counter-slogans. Speaker Babar Saleem requested Opposition Leader Dr Ibadullah to intervene, after which the opposition benches resumed order. During the session, the K-P Assembly also passed a resolution expressing solidarity with Iran in light of recent Israeli aggression. In his concluding remarks, the finance minister said K-P had suffered from decades of militancy, and strengthening the police force remained a priority, noted a significant increase in the police budget, aimed at equipping the force with modern arms, protective gear, and surveillance equipment. He also acknowledged that the restoration of the Sehat Card scheme remained under consideration and was contingent on fiscal space.