Epaper_25-11-10 LHR

Page 1


PARLIAMENTARY PANELS ENDORSE DRAFT 27TH AMENDMENT BILL AFTER KEY REVISIONS

g SHEHBAZ SHARIF ORDERS WITHDRAWAL OF PROPOSED IMMUNITY FOR PM

Tthe unity and coordination among all coalition partners, he added The joint session of both the parliamentary parties co-chaired by Senator Farooq H Naek and MNA Chaudhry Mahmood Bashir Virk reviewed the remaining clauses of the bill after nearly two days of back-to-back meetings The panels, Naek said, had given him and Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar the authority to make technical and linguistic adjustments to a few provisions before

final submission

Naek told reporters that deliberations were still underway on three contentious points the transfer of judges between high courts the transfer of cases from one high court to another and amendments related to Article 243, which defines the command of the armed forces

“Some members raised objections on the judicial transfer clauses but discussions are ongoing and we hope consensus will emerge soon he said

The proposed amendment bill was tabled in the Senate on Saturday, only hours after receiving federal cabinet approval, triggering a loud protest from the opposition benches Lawmakers from the PTI JUI-F and Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) continued their boycott of the committee proceedings on Sunday criticising what they called an opaque and rushed process

Despite the walkout, Tarar said the parliamentary committees had completed “around 85 percent of the work” and were close to finalising the draft for presentation before Parliament

The prime minister has already directed the withdrawal of clauses proposing legal immunity for the president and prime minister ” he told journalists stressing that the government sought “broadbased agreement not confrontation

TMaritime Ministr y moves to end congestion at Por t Qasim

Port Qasim and Karachi Port The Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) was instructed to improve operational planning, coordinate vessel arrivals, and maintain continuous communication with port authorities Both port authorities were tasked with enforcing the berthing policy monitoring discharge performance, and applying penalties for unnecessary delays The minister also called on all agencies, including state importers to synchronize freight movement plans with the Ministry ahead of cargo arrivals

ing reviewed directives from the Prime Minister s Office, including utilizing Gwadar Port for up to 60 percent of sugar imports and strict first-come first-served berthing for all vessels at

Chaudhry praised participants for their constructive engagement and stressed that consistent adherence to performance standards is essential to maintain port efficiency and prevent future logistical disruptions

NEPRA TO RECOVER RS8.41 BILLION FROM CONSUMERS UNDER QUARTERLY ADJUSTMENT

tion companies According to NEPRA officials the QTA is determined under Section 31(7)(ii) of the NEPRA Act which provides for periodic tariff adjustments to account for variations in capacity, transmission, operational, and maintenance costs, as well as the impact of transmission and distribution (T&D)

Flour shor tage hits Rawalpindi and Islamabad after wheat supply halts

Pakistan lacks a legal framework to regulate or document crypto activities, leaving the true scale of investment unverified Experts at the conference also raised concerns over weak regulations and cybersecurity risks that could hinder progress They recommended that Pakistan adopt a cautious, phased approach to legalising cryptocurrency and introduce a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) as a first step The CBDC could significantly reduce the costs associated with remittances from overseas they said Zafar Masud, President of the Pakistan Banks Association (PBA), noted that Pakistan has the potential to tap into $20–25 billion worth of crypto-related opportunities but stressed the importance of regulatory alignment and safeguards He emphasised that consumer protection should be a top priority suggesting that Pakistan could start with stablecoins in the initial phase This is the first public discussion on this subject in Pakistan, and we must act quickly to adopt digital financial systems,” said Masud

Rs659.6b guaranteed for power sec tor debt settlement, remittance subsidy to be phased out by FY27

circular debt settlement the ECC deliberated on the phase-out of the Home Remittance Incentive Scheme (HRIS) The Ministry of Finance proposed the gradual removal of the scheme, with a complete phaseout expected by FY27 The central bank has recommended a gradual rationalization of the HRIS incentives to avoid significant disruption in remittance inflows The government aims to evaluate the outcomes of HRIS revisions in FY26 before finalising the phase-out timeline The committee also approved the allocation of gas from Mari Fields to fertilizer plants to ensure adequate and affordable fertilizer supply Under this decision major fertilizer plants including Fatima Fertilizer, Agritech, and Fauji Fertilizer Bin Qasim, will receive a steady supply of 170 mmcfd of gas over the next two years This move is part of a $200 million investment in Mari Energies to secure long-term gas supply for these plants The raw gas will be delivered from the Ghazij-Shawal facility, with fertilizer plants installing gas processing and compression facilities

Further financial decisions included waiving Rs119 5 billion in late payment interest for the PAEC and passing on Rs22 billion of financial obligations to

gas consumers The ECC also authorized CPPA-G to pay Rs89 5 billion to OGDCL in a lump sum replacing the original 18-month installment plan The ECC endorsed a proposal from the Ministry of National Food Security for the reallocation of funds to support ongoing agricultural research This reallocation will help fund critical agricultural initiatives as part of a technical supplementary grant Moreover the committee addressed tariff rationalization for nuclear and government-owned power plants The approved framework for tariff adjustments and outstanding dues settlement aims to support fiscal balance and stabilize the power sector’s finances In discussions related to the power sector the ECC also approved the issuance of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PAEC, and authorized CPPA-G to execute negotiated settlement agreements (NSAs) for restructuring power purchase agreements PAEC was further authorized to file tariff petitions with Nepra for new tariffs for five nuclear power plants based on debt adjustments among the parties Despite these measures, some ECC members raised concerns that the agreements would not lead to significant tariff reductions with prices expected to rise due to quarterly tariff adjustments and monthly fuel cost adjustments

Chaudhry told reporters that all recommendations of the committees would be consolidated into a report to be presented before the Senate This is an ongoing democratic process Every party has the right to voice its opinion, but decisions will ultimately be made by majority consensus,” he said Naek also dismissed speculation of a clash between coalition partners over the issue of presidential and prime ministerial immunity All parties have expressed their views freely The goal is not confrontation but constructive constitutional reform, he noted Tarar reiterated that the process remained open and inclusive “The opposition was in-

vited to contribute constructively and we will continue discussions until consensus from all parliamentary groups is achieved he said

Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senators on Sunday voiced strong opposition to the proposed changes in the Constitution via the 27th Amendment

Senate Chairperson Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani presided over today s proceedings which were held to mull over the proposed constitutional tweaks Speaking on the floor of the House, PTI Senator Ali Zafar reaffirmed his party’s strong opposition to the proposed amendment warning that altering the Constitution was akin to tampering with the foundation of a building He likened the nation to a building, saying the government s actions were “weakening its very foundation” The PTI leader expressed dismay over the pace at which the government was pushing for the proposed amendment saying that constitutional amendments took a long time even when the country was under dictatorships Senator Zafar rejected the proposed amendment, which, according to him, was introduced by a parliament with no “genuine public support” “This so-called parliament does not have the authority to amend the Constitution he said

The PTI leader criticised the proposed judicial reforms, warning they would reduce Supreme Court judges to the level of Supreme District and Sessions Court judges Senator Zafar cautioned that the proposed judicial appointment process could threaten the independence and impartiality of the judiciary Speaking on the floor of the upper house of parliament, PTI Senator Hamid Khan described the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment as an attempt to “bury the Constitution ” Khan emphasised the importance of consensus before any change was brought forward Calling the 26th Amendment the death of the Constitution, he said that the 27th Amendment represented an effort to “bury it completely” “The 26th and 27th amendments are a matter of national shame ” he said warning that if the judicial system collapsed citizens would have nowhere to go for their rights Senator Khan asserted that those who vote in favour of the amendment would not be able to justify their actions in history, adding that the move has “destroyed the judicial

TH E introduction of the 27th Amendment Bill revealed for the first time the exact changes the government wishes to make in the Constitution

The changes need not be final, for the dust has not yet settled on the 26th Amendment, with the Supreme Court Constitutional Bench seized of a plea for its being struck down, that the government has introduced the 27th Again, the judiciary is being changed, and the halfway house of the Constitutional Benches is now to be abandoned in favour of a full-fledged constitutional court The PPP’s viewpoint seems to have been accommodated and there seems no attempt is being made to reverse any of the provisions of the 18th Amendment particularly the lifting of the cap on provincial shares in the Federal Divisible Pool There is to be a revision of the defence services with the question of inter-service coordination being solved by making the Chief of Army Staff the Chief of Defence Services

One of the troubling aspects of the Amendment is not so much the content, as the process The bill was introduced in the Senate and at once referred to the Standing Committees on Law and Justice of both Houses, from where it will be reported back ready for passage Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar had told the Senate that there would be adequate debate on the Amendment which may not be possible if the government rushes it through the two Houses It is not appropriate for any ordinary law to be amended in such haste let alone the Constitution One major reason for due consideration of legislation is to ensure it does not conflict with the Constitution which also applies to constitutional amendments After all, the Supreme Court has already quoted with approval the Indian Supreme Court judgements which say the basic structure of the Constitution must be preserved, and any amendment violating it must be struck down

The problem is that even though constitutional amendments are not supposed to be judged by partisan standards, but by how they will affect the governance of the country, the division is already visible on party lines The PTI though its central Information Secretary has the 27th Amendment will sound the death knell

Dedicated

y

Demystif ying the struggle of educated women: Lessons from Balochistan

IN Balochistan Pakistan s largest yet most educationally deprived province, the struggle of educated women to find and sustain teaching jobs is a silent but persistent reality Despite the growing number of female graduates each year the path from university to the classroom remains steep restricted not only by weak institutional systems but also by social expectations and economic limitations Across Balochistan s cities and towns from Quetta to Turbat, Khuzdar, and Pishin educated women often view teaching as one of the few socially acceptable professions With degrees many hope to contribute meaningfully to their communities Yet their aspirations collide with an unbalanced job market Public sector recruitment is limited slow and often influenced by bureaucratic hurdles Consequently, most women turn to private schools, where conditions are rarely ideal Salaries for female teachers in private institutions can be as low as Rs 18,000–30 000 per month insufficient even to cover commuting and personal expenses Many schools lack proper facilities transportation options or policies ensuring workplace safety For women especially

if

women are

the environment is safe, and the job does not interfere with domestic responsibilities For married women, this expectation is even stronger Balancing the dual role of wife and teacher often becomes exhausting especially without family support The result is that many capable qualified women choose to stay at home leaving schools understaffed and students

in public schools, particularly in rural areas Bilingual education can be introduced in schools teaching early subjects in Urdu and introducing English gradually for science and technology Books must be rewritten in easier more understandable language And above all governments have to make a firm commitment towards a long-term language policy that doesn’t shift with each election At last language should not be a barrier but a bridge between people to learn grow and communicate effectively But as long as English remains the property of a few millions of students will remain excluded from the change in their lives they deserve The true challenge for Pakistan is not whether it can educate the elite in English but whether it can democratize the English language for everybody Until the gap is bridged the country will continue to generate two systems and two futures one that propels us ahead, and one that keeps us behind

The writer is a student of Education Policy and Research in Sughra Begum Centre for Education Policy and Development at the Institute of Social and Cultural Studies University of the Punjab

Global rice slump

M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
TehReem FaTima
The English D ivision in Pakistani schools

made over the last three years, despite the enormous resources spent on sustaining its military operations, engaging in open confrontation with Iran, and bearing the immense costs of trade losses investor flight and international isolation Consequently the plan represents a terrible blow to Israel one it may neither easily digest nor forgive In the coming days, Israel is likely to take every possible measure to sabotage this peace process and return to its earlier trajectory resuming the killing reoccupying Gaza and the West Bank expanding illegal settlements and advancing toward its long-cherished dream of a Greater Israel

Analysts note that this political and psychological blow explains Netanyahu’s open hostility to the plan His far-right cabinet views Trump’s initiative as an existential threat to their vision of a regional Israel dominating the Middle East under the banner of divine entitlement For them the peace plan undermines decades of ideological investment and military strategy, forcing Israel to confront a future where Palestinian sovereignty is not just tolerated but internationally guaranteed Ironically Hamas the very organization long branded as the obstacle to peace appears more willing than Israel to accept the plan s early conditions For Hamas, exhausted by siege and isolation, participation offers a chance to regain legitimacy and to attract Arab

If these elements can somehow be harmonized, TrumpÊs peace plan could usher in the first tangible path toward Palestinian sovereignty in decades If they fail, the region will once again descend into chaos driven by the same forces of mistrust and ambition that have defined the Middle East for generations. For now, the world watches anxiously, hoping that sanity prevails, that Israel resists the temptation of renewed aggression, and that the people of Gaza may finally reclaim the right to live with dignity, freedom, and peace

image has now gone in vain This peace plan has practically reversed the gains Israel had

for a

with

of girls and many people

Need a donation some

from a woman who is ovulating and has been let down by a

Others ask for donations “this

Felicity describes the younger members as “very immature and selfish” She says many appear to be have mental health disorders – she has seen posts from women saying they had tried to kill themselves alongside those looking for a donor while some were desperate to have a baby, but it seems to be a fix for their own family trauma

The age profile of donors seems to be considerably higher than recipients – most appear to be between 35 and 50 – so “there’s huge scope for them taking advantage and manipulating the young women Felicity says One common tactic often warned about in these communities is that men will pressure women into sex, telling those who want to use “artificial insemination” with a syringe or baster, that sexual intercourse is more successful at producing pregnancies which is not true

Sex euphemistically referred to as natural insemination in these groups is not the preferred method for most women and yet recipients who are desperate to get pregnant can be persuaded to allow their boundaries to be crossed

Many of the posts in the groups are from people who will donate only through sex or through a method they call “partial insemination” where the donor ’s penis is inserted immediately before ejaculation

In one post a man complaining about rude recipients says he will no longer donate, except through natural insemination, while many, such as a young Russian donor, simply write something along the lines of: “The NI [natural insemination] method is free, the AI [artificial insemination] method is for money ”

A significant problem according to Felicity is that Facebook s algorithm promotes groups to people it identifies as having similar interests One swinger joins sperm donors group and Facebook advertises it to all his mates over in Big Women for Desperate Losers,” she jokes “These guys hide in the background, private messaging new members and sending [dick pics] getting off talking to women about the process Some will go so far as to appear genuine and arrange to meet but it s nothing more than a fantasy to them For the women who jump in,

treat (men) like sperm vending machines, demanding they just show up when they need, doing all the travelling in most cases, hand over the sample then disappear, never to be heard from again “They’re living in a fantasy world where they pretend the donor doesn t exist and don t care that the child may have different feelings about it Younger more conventionally good looking men tend to be very popular These prolific donors can quickly become minor celebrities in the sperm-donation universe Men in their 20s and 30s, particularly from the US appear to travel the world making money from selling sperm They also cash in on influencer content on Instagram and TikTok uploading videos about their lives and advising women how to get pregnant

The German sperm donor influencer Daniel Bayen, who recently visited the UK, is one such influencer The 25-year-old’s videos, filmed all over the world, preach openness and transparency about being a prolific donor He answers questions from followers and talks about the rapport he builds with families he donates to and the pride he feels when he sees pictures of his biological children – though he will not give any indication of how many he has Bayen was conceived through donated sperm himself and has about 30 half-siblings He says he uses a homemade “sibling registry” to keep track of his biological children and has a Facebook group where the parents can meet Whether Bayen s approach is ethical is hotly debated in the groups and he and others like him are criticised for leaving a trail of possibly hundreds of legally untraceable siblings and thousands of first cousins It is a problem often ignored by the adults in these communities who are so keen to have a baby: the tangled genetic backstory their children will have to unpick later in life if they

MacDougall was named by a family court judge in 2022 after donating sperm knowing he was a carrier of the genetic condition fragile-X syndrome which can cause a wide range of problems including learning disabilities and cognitive impairment in children Donors are not spared trouble or pain either – men who advertise their services can face a

Qamar Bashir

US JUDGE RULES TRUMP ILLEGALLY ORDERED NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS TO PORTL AND

by the time Trump ordered in the National Guard in late September Democrats have said Trump is abusing military powers meant for genuine emergencies such as an invasion or an armed rebellion Immergut blocked Trump from deploying troops to Portland with an interim order on October 5 The Ninth US Circuit Court of Appeals is considering the Trump administration s appeal of that decision

Three judges, including Immergut, have issued preliminary rulings that Trump’s National Guard deployments are not allowed under the emergency legal authority cited by his administration

Hungar y gets reprieve from Russia oil sanctions

China welcomes EU’s effor

China hoped the European side will further intensify its efforts to urge the Netherlands to promptly revoke relevant measures and ensure the normal supply of Nexperia-related products, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said in a statement on Sunday

The statement was made in response to a media inquiry regarding European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič’s recent statement on Nexperia issue on his personal social media account

The source and responsibility for the current disruption in the global semiconductor supply chain lie in the Netherlands, the ministry said Demonstrating a responsible attitude towards the security and sta-

Philippines evac uates 100,000 as super Typhoon Fung-Wong intensifies

following Allama Iqbal s philosophy is transforming Punjab into a true welfare province Transparency, good governance, and public service are clearly visible in every initiative led by her Azma Bokhari further stated that Allama Iqbal’s philosophy and vision laid the foundation for the creation of Pakistan The Shair Mashriq inspired the Muslims of the subcon-

and Ejaz Rahim the book comprises fortyseven short prose pieces akin to essays relating to a variety of topics and themes such as memories reflections, history, antiquity, events, personal experiences, portraits of some common as well as elite figures travelling men and matters occupational landmarks as a meritorious surgeon social interaction culture cuisine et al Thus it could be considered as a potpourri of views, explications and reminiscences rooted in the author’s existential perceptions, a posteriori judgments and many an empirical

averment Ejaz Rahim so aptly observes in his introductory remarks that He (Dr Sayed Amjad Hussain) is a delightful essayist who puts his five senses at the service of the sixth to produce delectable prose pieces that reflect his powers of observation, imagination, interpretation and expression He mixes wit with wisdom in his literary output in a style that is conspicuously free of affectation or feigned pompousness He has an uncanny ability to connect with his readership meaningfully as well as pleasingly on social, political, technological, ethical and aesthetic issues Art and science find a happy comradeship in his peripatetic work

The topics of the contents of the book are generally axiomatic like History adds context, but doesn t deter critics’, ‘Adversity brings meaning to life and love’, ‘Time doesn’t stand still for homes or for people Riding the coronavirus roller-coaster Peshawar and the eighth wonder of the ancient world Of cultural highways and smashed music records , De-mystification of the heart’, ‘Trials and tribulations of the upwardly mobile of a different kind’ and ‘Toledo to Toledo’ As an avid story-teller the author creates an imaginative aura about his description of men matters places and happenings His love for the na-

tive soil is evident in pieces titled ‘Khyber Medical College: A reminiscence’, ‘Ongoing rape of my city’ ‘Peshawar: A city of flowers or a back water Timbuktu In praise of a good cup of kehva In this northwestern hinterland of Pakistan it is springtime , and

instant novel cicadas represent the protagonist s longing for connection and sense of belonging; their singing serves as a reminder of the harmony between nature and human life In a way they are emblematic of the protagonist’s cultural roots connecting them to their Pakistani and Malaysian heritage In his blurb for the book this scribe earlier observed that The surface naivety of the narrative technique is in effect a smokescreen that simulates its intent artistic ambience converging on filial bonding adolescent yearnings a frantic pursuit of academics and love as a non-ephemeral sensation spasmodically stirring emotions Veteran scholar Dr Waseem

Anwar views the novel, comprising some 143 chapters as a ‘mesmerising narrative of a pre-teen youngster who gradually uncovers a world both of innocence and experience He further remarks that heterogeneous ideas are yoked by the growing

FIA UNCOVERS BRIBERY SCANDAL INVOLVING

NCCIA OFFICIALS LINKED TO ILLEGAL CALL CENTERS

T– Rs 14 million; Zaheer Abbas Niazi (Sub-Inspector) – Rs 1 million; and Nadeem Ahmad Khan (Assistant Director) – Rs 9 5 million, including Rs 7 million allegedly passed on to Additional Director Amir Nazir In another raid on

Türkiye’s top officials to visit Pakistan

nex t week over tensions with Afghanistan: President Erdogan

D e s k Pakistan marked the 148th birth anniversary of Allama Muhammad Iqbal on November 9 celebrating the national poet s profound influence on the country s history and identity President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif both paid tribute to Iqbal’s extraordinary role in inspiring the independence movement among Muslims in the subcontinent In their separate messages the leaders emphasized Iqbal s visionary ideals and the lasting impact of his thoughts President Zardari highlighted Iqbal s advocacy for political representation of Muslims, which played a crucial role in shaping Pakistan’s national identity Prime Minister Sharif stressed that the world today urgently needs Iqbal’s message of brotherhood love and justice adding that the government had launched several initiatives aimed at empowering the youth in line with Iqbal s vision Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also honored Allama Iqbal, describing him as the Thinker of Pakistan and the Poet of the East Naqvi praised Iqbal s philosophy, particularly his concept of Khudi (selfhood), which he said inspired a sense of dignity, self-confidence, and ambition among Muslims He remarked that Pakistan was the realization of Iqbal s dream and stressed that protecting the nation was a shared responsibility Sindh s leaders also paid tribute to Iqbal with Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah emphasizing Iqbal s philosophy of self-confidence and nation-building He urged the youth to adopt Iqbal s teachings to address contemporary challenges and called for national unity Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon echoed this sentiment noting that Iqbal’s message promoted spiritual growth knowledge and responsibility

ISLAMABAD s ta f f r e p o r t

The opposition alliance Tehreek Tahafuz

Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) has strongly rejected proposed amendments to Article 243 of the Constitution under the 27th Amendment, arguing that the changes are personspecific and designed to benefit a particular individual or position Following the tabling of the Constitution (Twenty-Seventh Amendment) Act 2025 in the Senate TTAP announced a nationwide protest movement which began on Saturday The alliance, led by Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Chairman Mahmood Khan Achakzai and TTAP Vice Chairman Mustafa Nawaz

Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan Defence Minister Yasar Guler and intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin will visit Islamabad next week to address escalating tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed on Sunday Erdogan made the announcement while speaking to reporters on his flight returning from Azerbaijan He revealed that the upcoming visit aims to facilitate further discussions on the strained relations between the two neighboring countries The announcement comes after the third round of PakistanAfghanistan talks in Istanbul ended on Friday without reaching any agreement Negotiations which had been mediated by Türkiye and Qatar, broke down due to disagreements over monitoring and preventing cross-border terrorism Pakistani officials expressed frustration with Defence Minister Khawaja Asif declaring the talks over and entering an indefinite phase He criticized the Afghan Taliban delegation for arriving without a clear agenda and being unwilling to sign a formal agreement

A senior Pakistani security source confirmed that the talks had reached an impasse Despite the setback, sources indicated that a fragile ceasefire between the two countries still holds though Pakistan warned of a strong response if the truce is violated by Afghanistan

The talks which began on Thursday, included high-level Pakistani officials, including the InterServices Intelligence (ISI) Director General Lt Gen Asim Malik and senior military and diplomatic representatives The Afghan delegation was led by Abdul Haq Waseq the chief of the General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI), and included key Taliban figures like Suhail Shaheen and Anas Haqqani

As the talks stalled there were

The dispute between the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) administration and aircraft engineers entered its sixth consecutive day severely disrupting flight operations According to reports, nine flights were cancelled and 18 others faced delays ranging from three to ten hours due to technical issues and unavailability of spare parts Flights from Abu Dhabi to Peshawar Dubai to Karachi and Faisalabad to Dubai were among those cancelled sources added Similarly Dubai to Faisalabad and Peshawar to Dubai flights were also cancelled, along with Gilgit and Islamabadbound domestic flights

The Islamabad to Al Ain flight (PK-143) departed after a delay of nearly 10 hours, according to sources

On November 04 2025 the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight operations across the country came to a halt after aircraft engineers launched a protest against the management According to reports, the dispute between the na-

Khokhar held a joint press conference in Islamabad to voice their objections Khokhar argued that the amendments to Article 243, which deals with the command of the armed forces, were drafted with the interests of an individual in mind rather than the public He claimed the amendments were intended to benefit the office of the field marshal stating that the concept of a social contract in the Constitution should not be linked to any specific personality but to the rights of the people and the balance of power among institutions The 27th Amendment includes changes to the military

reports that Pakistan s delegation had left Istanbul, though some officials remained to continue discussions with mediators Pakistan’s Foreign Office emphasized that the Pakistani delegation had presented clear evidence-based demands to the Afghan side particularly focused on curbing cross-border terrorism Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also weighed in on the situation, speaking with his Pakistani and Afghan counterparts Ishaq Dar and Amir Khan Muttaqi Araghchi expressed Iran s readiness to help mediate and support dialogue between Pakistan and Afghanistan, stressing the importance of cooperation among regional powers to resolve the tensions and promote stability

tional carrier s management and the Society of Aircraft Engineers of Pakistan (SAEP) intensified, leading engineers to suspend the clearance of aircraft for departure The engineers announced they would not resume work until the attitude of the PIA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) improves sources said The protest has resulted in the grounding of several domestic and international flights

The PIA CEO has reportedly directed the Chief HR Officer to take strict disciplinary action against protesting engineers “Engineers responsible for flight disruptions must face consequences ” the CEO instructed according to sources within the airline

Due to the ongoing protest multiple PIA flights were cancelled or delayed particularly on major international routes Flights PK747 and PK744 on the Lahore and Madinah routes, and PK741 and PK736 on the Islamabad and Jeddah routes, were among those affected Similarly, flights PK761 and PK832 from Karachi to Jeddah could not depart while PK263 and PK264 on the Karachi–Lahore–Abu Dhabi route faced long delays

KARACHI

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.