PGF 2023 ADOPTS RESOLUTION FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF STAR GOVERNANCE SYSTEM

ISLAMABAD

S ta f f R e p o R t

TH E two-day Pakistan Governance Forum 2023 (PGF), organized by the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives has adopted a resolution calling for the immediate implementation of the Stable Transparent Agile and Responsible (STAR) Governance system in the country

The resolution was adopted during the conclusion of the two-day PGF 2023 held in Islamabad aiming to develop a roadmap for a stable transparent agile and responsible governance system in the country

The forum saw participation from hundreds of prominent figures from across diverse sectors, political leaders, experts, and representatives from civil society, who highlighted crucial aspects of governance

PGF 2023 committed to upholding a governance framework that embodies the principles of STAR This commitment under- scores the resolve to promote peace, enhance transparency and ensure public accountability while focusing on improved service delivery embracing innovation and technology and adapting to emerging challenges

According to the resolution, stability entails the continuity of inclusive, consultative, and evidence-based policies fostered through collaborative working relations between all organs of the state – including the Legislature Executive and Judiciary; the Federal Provincial and Local tiers of government; as well as the political leadership, bureaucracy, and military Effective measures should be taken to promote harmony and teamwork among state institutions within the constitutional framework

Ensuring stability necessitates incorporating the views and aspirations of all segments of society, especially under-represented groups such as youth, women, and diverse religious and ethnic communities This inclusivity must be institutionalized within all tiers of govern-

Sh Rashid sees August a month of make or break

RAWALPINDI

S ta f f R e p o R t

Awami Muslim League chief and former federal interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said Sunday that the first week of August will be very important as political course of the country will be set Taking to social media website Twitter, they [PDM] are stuck and finding no way out Rashid said that the government did nothing during its 15-month reign “What miracles will it do in the last week ” he questioned Despite getting a diplomatic passport for his brother he [PM Shehbaz] could not bring him back in 15 months God knows in what condition he [Nawaz Sharif] is, and when he will be back, he added The former federal minister said that the speed with which Ishaq Dar was launched [as finance minister] was a trailer and the film was not approved by the censor board Now they have given five names [for the office of caretaker prime minster] but the censor board will not approve them Raja

Riaz can also play his part, he continued Rashid said in August the 85-member cabinet will be gone September will be cruel Political parties who have been undergoing wear and tear will remain directionless he stated The former minister castigated Premier Shehbaz Sharif for organising the Juma Bazar of new projects in the last week of his rule He said he [Shehbaz Sharif] is inaugurating more than a dozen projects in a day just for a photo shoot The government neither has funds nor time to carry out the projects nor can it befool the masses Now people have become conscious, they know the reality and who is pretending, he maintained Rashid said the people will vote for self-respect, principle, truth and reality; no votes for swindlers and pretentiousness He said that the [PDM] will be annihilated after defeat [in elections]

People are conscious The [PDM] parties are aware of their disappointing fate Rashid said if he were alive, celebrations for independence day will be commence on August 13 at 10 pm outside Lal Haveli with the same zeal the day was marked the previous year There will be a spectacular display of fireworks at 12 midnight he concluded ment through affirmative action and adopting an all-of-government approach as emphasized by the resolution in highlighting the key feature of stable governance

Furthermore the resolution stressed the need for establishing peace within the country and the region, ensuring law and order, and upholding the rule of law to create a conducive environment for good governance It called for resolving conflicts along political ethnic religious and other lines through peaceful means unequivocally rejecting violence Regarding transparency in governance, the resolution underscored the importance of enhancing transparency to eradicate corruption and strengthen public accountability at all tiers of government Utilizing advancements in technology particularly in prudent and responsible spending of public money, offers unprecedented opportunities to increase transparency in all government functions The resolution stressed the importance of making data accessible to the public through digital formats and ensuring the enactment and enforcement of right to information laws

The principle of agility as per the resolution necessitates placing effective and efficient service delivery at the core of the government s function This involves making incremental but consistent improvements to public service delivery through refining administrative structures and processes and transitioning from an output to an outcomes-oriented approach The resolution further emphasized the need for structural and forward-looking reforms in public sector management, particularly civil service reforms It said that overhauling public servants’ recruitment induction training administrative structures performance management compensation and retirement benefits is vital in this regard

Additionally, politically, administratively, and financially empowered local governments must be established in all federating units to ensure efficient service delivery and grassroots inclusion Furthermore the resolution highlighted that the needs interests and aspirations of Pakistan s citizens must be the primary focus, prioritized over narrow or short-term political interests of individual stakeholders

It called for efforts to forge consensus on a minimalist set of core national interests in the domains of the economy foreign policy and security through meaningful and inclusive deliberations among all stakeholders It said that political stability must also be maintained by adhering to the rules of political competition and upholding the Constitution

Schools, colleges to remain closed in capital as Chinese VP arrives on three-day visit

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t

The Islamabad administration has announced that schools colleges and offices will remain closed for two days on July 31 and August 1 (Monday and Tuesday) on account of Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng visit to Pakistan

“All public and private schools colleges and universities will remain shut on Monday and Tuesday District Magistrate Irfan Nawaz Memon said in a notification issued here

Moreover, all private entities, companies; all markets/shops; all commercial banks will remain closed, the notification stated

Chinese Vice Prime Minister He Lifeng will visit Pakistan on July 30 to attend the 10th anniversary celebrations of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), said the foreign ministry spokesperson on Saturday

A member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist

Party the vice premier will also call on President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his visit

Lifeng will be the chief guest at an event celebrating the decade of CPEC during his visit from July 30 to August

1 added the spokesperson

The vice prime minister has played a prominent role in China s international economic relations and implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, of which CPEC is a flagship project As the Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (2017-23) he was instrumental in the planning and execution of multiple CPEC projects in Pakistan

“The visit is part of regular highlevel exchanges and dialogue between Pakistan and China It reflects the imp o r t a n c e a t t a c h e d b y P a k i s t a n a n d

C h i n a t o f u r t h e r d e e p e n t h e i r A l lWe a t h e r S t r a t e g i c C o o p e r a t i v e P a r tn e r s h i p , e n h a n c e e c o n o m i c a n d f i n a n c i a l c o o p e r a t i o n , a d v a n c e h i g hquality development of CPEC, and ex-

Cheema seeks Judicial Commission to probe into IUB scandal

BAHAWALPUR S ta f f R e p o R t p l o r e n e w a v e n u e s f o r s t r e n g t h e n i n g trade and investment ties between the t w o c o u n t r i e s C h i n a i n v e s t e d c l o s e t o $ 3 0 b i l l i o n i n 1 0 y e a r s m a i n l y f oc u s i n g o n e n e rg y a n d i n f r a s t r u c t u r e p r o j e c t s T h e s e c o n d p h a s e o f C P E C e n v i s a g i n g s p e c i a l e c o n o m i c z o n e s has been initiated and work on different projects has been started China bailed out Pakistan at a crucial juncture when Islamabad was on the verge of a sovereign default Beijing rolled over and refinanced loans that helped Islamabad keep its foreign reserves to a level where it could avoid a default The Chinese vice premier will also meet with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Arif Alvi during the visit, according to the FO

The Chinese official will also be the chief guest at an event celebrating a decade of CPEC Lifeng has played a prominent role in China s international economic relations and implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, of which CPEC is a flagship project, the FO said