ISLAMABAD: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) said on Tuesday that since Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) came into power, every sector has been facing troubles.
Bilawal Bhutto was addressing a session of the parliament called to discuss the inflationary situation in the country. He began his address by criticizing senior ministers of the government for not attending the important session.
“The empty seats tell you how much importance the government attaches to such an important issue,” he said. “The technology minister and postal services minister is here. But these are ‘chota’ ministers,” he added.
“Bilawal sahab, minister minister hota hai,” said Speaker Asad Qaiser, prompting laughs from the treasury benches.
The PPP chairman continued with his address,saying that the PTI turned the situation from bad to worse. He said that inflation was peaking in the country and statistics from state institutions confirmed this.
“The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, State Bank of Pakistan and the FBR are confirming this [economic situation getting worse],” he said. “These are the facts, Mr Speaker. These are not political statements.”
He accused the government of compromising on “economic independence” in front of the IMF, saying that he remembered how PM Imran used to say in the past that corruption caused inflation in the country.
“The prime minister should tell us about the corruption taking place in the country,” he said. “Or he should accept that we say. That he is inept, incapable and selected, and will have to go home to provide relief to the masses,” he added.
‘Shameless government’ trying to sabotage Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), the PPP chairman lashed out at the federal government for revoking the Program for 900,000 beneficiaries.
“In these circumstances, when the government is kicking out 900,000 beneficiaries, history will remember them,” he said.
Bilawal lashed out at the PTI’s political allies in Sindh, saying that they were involved in “removing Benazir Bhutto’s name” from the BISP after the many favours she had bestowed on them in the past.
“She [Benazir] made someone’s sister a senator and made someone the speaker,” he said, criticising the PTI’s allies in Sindh for siding with the government and ditching the PPP.
ISLAMABAD: Punjab Zone 1 of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has initiated an investigation against 16 government officers and their wives who allegedly fraudulently benefited from the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) assistance meant for the poor and destitute.
A list of officers who will be interrogated by a special team headed by Director FIA Punjab Zone-1 includes 10 government officers of grade 17, two of grade 18, three of grade 19 and one senior officer of grade 20.
Domestic and foreign accounts and assets of wives of those 16 government officers are also being investigated.
According to sources, Director FIA Punjab Zone-1 has been himself monitoring the inquiry on the directives of the FIA’s director general, and the names of those officers will not be made public until completion of the investigation.
Special teams are investigating into irregularities in the BISP funds between the years 2010 to 2018.
On Jan. 29, Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Accountability Shahzad Akbar told the media that the government has referred cases against more than 2,000 government employees who benefited from the BISP to the FIA.
He said the government has also written to all chief secretaries of all provinces including Punjab, and the Establishment Division for taking departmental action against, and recovering funds from, the government officers who benefited from BISP, which is aimed at providing financial support to the deserving families.
The FIA has been directed to lodge criminal cases against the government officers involved in the corruption and the people who assisted them in the withdrawing of BISP funds because the expenditure was carried out from the federal budget as explained by the SAPM who terming the matter “a straightforward case of fraud”.
Earlier, the Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) began a stern disciplinary action against as many as 196 of its employees who had been benefiting from the BISP.
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A list formed by the FBR includes seven government officers of grade 17, two of grade 14, 10 of grade 11 and others.
In a post on Twitter, BISP Chairperson Dr Nishtar had revealed that (in total) 2,543 government officers of grade-17 and above had got themselves registered among the beneficiaries from the social safety net and received the assistance meant for the poorest of the poor. They have been excluded from the program.
“True: 2,543 exited from BISP Pakistan are government officers/their spouses of Grade 17 and above and their names have been exited,” she had written on her Twitter account, adding that the social safety net had initiated disciplinary action against these officers.
The BISP had also written to the provincial chief secretaries and federal ministries whose officers had illegally enrolled themselves as BISP beneficiaries. They were informed that action was underway against those people.
To avoid such irregularities in future, appropriate measures had been taken under the government’s Ehsaas program reforms, the BISP chairperson had added.
As many as 1,122 officers of Grade-17 and above from Sindh had been BISP beneficiaries, according to official data, from Balochistan where 741 government officials were signed up for the poverty alleviation scheme, from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 403 government officials availed the BISP funds, and 137 did so from Punjab.
Even from the federal government, 62 officers received the programme funds. Additionally, one officer of the Pakistan Railways, 22 of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, and 49 of Gilgit-Baltistan were also observed as undeserving recipients of the BISP. From within the BISP itself, six officers were listed among the beneficiaries.
Out of total 820,165 beneficiaries disqualified from the BISP database, 14,730 were government employees or servants of railways, post office and the BISP programme as the aid was not meant for government servants. According to the data, 127,826 were those whose spouses were government employees or employees of the above-mentioned departments.
On December 26, Dr Sania Nishtar had revealed that over 800,000 “non-deserving” beneficiaries of the BISP were disqualified for giving space to the needy people on the basis of promoting transparency and merit.
During a press conference in Islamabad, Dr Sania had asserted that measures have been taken to secure due rights for the deserving people only, and that whole procedure for inclusion in BISP has been made apolitical.
She had said that the disqualification criteria includes travel history of the member, vehicle ownership, availing facility of executive services for passport and National Identity Card (NIC) and service in government sectors.
She had termed inclusion of 216 villages located alongside restive Line of Control (LoC) in Kifalat Program “another milestone of the Ehsaas Program.”
She had said people of these villages of Punjab were the most deserving due to their frequent economic losses as due to cross border firing from the Indian side of the border.
On December 24, the federal cabinet had approved removing 820,165 beneficiaries from the BISP database, while terming them as “undeserving”.
Importantly, Dr Sania had also informed the cabinet that in view of some complaints and a need to update the BISP data, the survey was reexamined with the help of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).
She had said that during the reexamination some aspects were analysed. For example, she had added, it was ascertained whether the family of a beneficiary had any motorcycle or car or whether a spouse was a government employee. The cabinet was told that those who had over 12 acres of land did not fall in the category of “deserving” people. After the exclusion of 820,165 people, really deserving people would be included in the program.
The alterations in the BISP database were made after some cabinet members had expressed reservations in the previous meetings claiming that the supporters of opposition parties, particularly those backing the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), were benefiting from the program, while those belonging to the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) were being neglected.
Out of total 820,165 beneficiaries disqualified from the BISP database, 14,730 were government employees or servants of railways, post office and the BISP program as the aid was not meant for government servants. According to the data, 127,826 were those whose spouses were government employees or employees of the above-mentioned departments.
It further revealed that 153,302 among them were those who traveled abroad once and 195,364 were those whose spouses travelled abroad once. The number of beneficiaries who traveled abroad more than once stood at 10,476.
ISLAMABAD: Law Minister, Barrister Dr Muhammad Farogh Naseem has opposed the public hanging of offenders convicted for sexually abusing and murdering children – for which a resolution was passed in the National Assembly Friday with a majority of votes – as “contradictory with Islamic teachings and the Constitution.”
Talking to media Law Minister said that the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) in 1994 had termed the public hanging “unconstitutional” and declared it against Islamic law. “The law ministry won’t enforce any law (in legal service to the state) that is contrary with Shariah or the Constitution of Pakistan,” he added.
On Friday Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan presented a hand-written resolution in the parliament, which was passed by all lawmakers, expect of PPP’s, while referring to the “brutal killing of 8-year-old Iwaz Noor in Nowshera”. The session was presided over by Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri.
“Strongly condemning” the death, the signatories wrote: “This house […] demands that to stop these shameful and brutal killings of children and give a strong deterrent effect, the killers and rapists should not only be given death penalty by hanging but they should be hanged publicly.”
Raja Pervez Ashraf, PPP leader and former prime minister, said: “Ramping up the severity of punishments does not result in a reduction in crime.”
“We cannot put public hanging into practice as it violates the laws of the United Nations,” he added, reminding members of the parliament that Pakistan is a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Apart from PPP lawmakers, Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry also condemned it and Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari maintained that the resolution “was not government-sponsored but an individual act”.
“This is just another grave act in line with brutal civilisation practices. Societies act in a balanced way. Barbarism is not the answer to crimes […] this is another expression of extremism,” Fawad wrote on Twitter.
“Many of us oppose it — our MOHR (Ministry of Human Rights) strongly opposes this. Unfortunately I was in a meeting and wasn’t able to go to NA,” Mazari stated in a tweet.
ISLAMABAD: Premier Imran Khan says taking care of helpless, poor and vulnerable segments of the society is the responsibility of the state.
Talking to the focal person for shelters, Naseem-ur-Rehman here on Friday, he said the cooperation of the private sector in the government‘s shelter homes program reflects the positive values of our society.
During the meeting, the Premier discussed the proposed improvements in the management of shelter homes established throughout the country and their further expansion in the next twelve months.
For the next twelve months, a comprehensive program is being launched in major cities of the country for shelter homes.
In this context, shelter homes will be improved to meet the best practices and sustainable development goals.
ISLAMABAD: Sindh Governor Imran Ismail on Friday briefed Prime Minister Imran Khan about the details of his recent talks with the leadership of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) in Islamabad
During the meeting, both the leaders agreed to accelerate efforts to woo MQM-P, said sources.
Matters pertaining to the transfer of IG Sindh, development projects, current political situation and other issues were discussed in the meeting.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s biggest food festival ‘FOODFEST’ announced by Activemedia and Foodies R Us the 3rd Season of Food and Music Event, SOUL Festival (Previously COKEFEST) that kicked off in Lahore, routed its way to Karachi is now ready to hit the capital, Islamabad on 7th, 8th & 9th of February at F-9 Park.
The event will bring Pakistan’s Top eateries and Best Music together to create a one-of-a-kind experience for its attendees. After 15 overwhelmingly successful festivals over 2 consecutive years, Organizers “Activemedia and Foodies R Us” are now looking to give #FOODFEST, a brand new identity.
This will be the first installment of “SOUL” Festival with a promise of being BIGGER, BETTER and BOLDER than its prequels. The festival will feature, not just food and music, but a lot more in terms of festivities, colors, entertainment and fun, promising a perfect day out for families. The SOUL Festival after kicking off in Lahore, made a grand stop in Karachi and is now finally hitting Islamabad.
The SOUL Festival offers a variety of cuisines with flavors and delicacies catering to a wide range of audience. Not only do you find a diverse panel of culinary talents but also several home based Foodpreneurs as SOUL Festival prides itself in serving a platform for the promotion of solopreneurs and providing a boost to the homebased food market. #SOUL Festival promises to offer all the season’s freshest flavors ranging from Desi to Continental, Asian (Chinese, Japanese, Thai), Turkish/Lebanese and Italian.
Organized by “Activemedia and Foodies R us”, the SOULFESTIVAL is Sponsored by KASHMIR cooking oil, PSO (digicash), Nestle Everyday & Samsung. Cool n Cool as hygiene partners and Uber, SWVL, Ariel, Carient, Kinetic as Co-sponsors. Easytickets (as ticketing partners) and TV One, News One, and FM91 as media partners.
The most fascinating and awaited part of the event is the music which is where the entire audience comes together swaying to the beat while relishing the great taste of their food.
This year, the SOUL Festival promises to give its audience an unforgettable experience with an incredible lineup of musicians, from within and outside Pakistan such as Ali Zafar, Farhan Saeed, Sahara UK, Jost, Natasha Baig, Nabeel Shauqat and other immensely popular local international artists. Furthermore as promised, Soul is bringing a new wave to music by introducing EDM night, first time ever with such an immersive crowd.
When asked to comment, CEO at Activemedia (The Organizer), Saad M. Khan said; “The season 1 of FOODFEST in 2017 saw the biggest celebration of Pakistani culture with more than 250,000 people enjoying the festival with their loved ones. Season 2 of the FOODFEST created History and became an international award winning event. We are extremely excited and looking forward to welcome our guests and provide world-class entertainment through more food, more music and even more fun at this 3rd season of FOODFEST that has a new identity; SOUL Festival.”
It is likely to biggest winter celebrations of the year with more than 100 tasty food stops, 25 outstanding musicians and nonstop entertainment. SOUL Festival is going to be a “Families only” event.
ISLAMABAD: Chinese national suspected of carrying coronavirus is not infected, medical reports from the National institute of Health (NIH) confirmed.
Earlier, the Chinese national was shifted to an isolation ward in the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) hospital from the capital’s airport. The patient’s test samples were sent to the NIH for confirmation. The patient will be kept under observation for at least 12 hours.
The NIH’s officials said that they had received 25 samples suspected of coronavirus from Islamabad, Sindh, Azad Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which were examined and termed negative.
China’s top leadership admitted “shortcomings and difficulties” in its response to the coronavirus outbreak, as state media said a new hospital built at breakneck pace began receiving patients in the epicentre of the crisis.
More than 560 people have died as a result of the virus since it emerged in a Chinese live seafood and wild animal market at the end of last year.
ISLAMABAD: Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish President will arrive in Pakistan on an official visit from February 13 to 14.
The President will be accompanied by a delegation of Turkish businessmen.
Pakistani businessmen who are interested in a business-to-business (B2B) with the delegates are requested to contact the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP).
ISLAMABAD: Judicial remand of former Prime Minister (PM) Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was extende by Accountability Court till February 21 in liquefied natural gas (LNG) case
on Tuesday.
During the hearing, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has also submitted report on accused Shahid Islam in the court.
Earlier, Islamabad High Court (IHC) had sought reply from the anti-corruption watchdog on bail pleas of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Ahsan Iqbal.
On September 10, 2018, the apex court had directed the NAB to complete inquiry against Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and others for the alleged corruption in the LNG contract.
As the minister for petroleum and natural resources, Abbasi has been accused of granting contract on LNG to favourite company.
In June 2018, the NAB approved inquiry against former premier Nawaz Sharif and Abbasi, who was the former minister for petroleum and natural resources at that time.
It was also observed that this contract had allegedly caused a loss of billions of rupees to the national exchequer. In January, the NAB interrogated former finance minister Miftah Ismail in the same case. Abbasi was taken into custody on July 18, 2019.
KARACHI: Another flight of China Air, with 39 passengers on board, landed at the Karachi airport on late Monday night. Coronavirus is yet to pacify as death toll is at rise besides number of infections is also at rise.
According to sources, all the passengers underwent scanning and another test in China before the flight. The airport manager at the Karachi airport said that the screening of the passengers was completed on their arrival.
Earlier, a private airlines’ flight QR 632, carrying 40 Pakistani students stranded in China due to coronavirus, has reached Islamabad after temporary suspension of flight operation to the neighboring country.
According to details, the students were allowed to go to their homes following complete medical checkup.
It is to be mentioned here that the first direct flight landed in Islamabad from China brought back 61 Pakistanis.
The authorities told that a total of 183 people including 11 Chinese have arrived in Pakistan on different flights.
On Friday, Pakistan had halted flights to and from China with immediate effect, a civil aviation official said, as the death toll from a virus outbreak spreading in China mounted and the World Health Organization called it a global health emergency.
