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Amir Wasim Published August 11, 2022  Updated about 13 hours ago

Left – Defence Minister Khawaja Asif speaks during the National Assembly session on June 27. — DawnNewsTV

ISLAMABAD: Expressing his apprehensions at the success of talks with the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday admitted on the floor of the National Assembly that anti-Taliban feelings were growing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) as people were holding protest demonstrations in various parts of the province against the Taliban presence in their area.
Responding to independent MNA from erstwhile Federally-Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) Mohsin Dawar who drew the attention of the house towards the rise in terrorism in KP after arrival of Taliban from Afghanistan, the defence minister admitted that the law and order situation was worsening in the province. He, however, termed it a “national issue”, instead of a provincial matter.
Editorial: TTP talks’ oversight
The minister regretted that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leadership, including former prime minister Imran Khan, had in the past welcomed the Taliban people in the province, but now the PTI’s provincial government was itself protesting against the presence of the Taliban in the province. He said there were reports of the protests from Dir, Swat and other places in the province against the Taliban.

 He also expressed his apprehensions about the success of the talks with the TTP. “This assembly was given two briefings [on the issue of talks with the TTP]. May Allah keep the affairs [talks] on track as per the briefings,” said the minister, adding: “the danger is gradually increasing.”

Khawaja Asif says anti-TTP sentiments growing in KP; lawmakers assail ‘anti-army’ campaign; Soomro de-seated
Mr Asif expressed the hope that the Taliban would not force imposition of their “own system and implement their “intentions” which they showed from time to time”.
The minister said that a committee comprising political elders had been constituted to visit the Pakistan-Afghanistan entry point at Ghulam Khan area in North Waziristan to persuade the protesters to open the trade route which they had closed in protest for the past two weeks over the killing of some JUI-F members and tribal people. He hoped that the committee members would succeed in pacifying the protesters to resume the stalled trade activities with Afghanistan. He said the closure of roads had badly affected trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan, besides affecting economy of the area.
‘Terrorism across KP’
Speaking on a point of order, Mr Dawar earlier said the people of North Waziristan had been protesting for the past 26 days and they were only demanding “peace and protection”.
The lawmaker claimed terrorism had spread across KP and warned it would soon grip the whole country. Recently, he said, a PTI MPA was attacked and many of his companions were martyred. Similarly, he said, a police official and an army major were abducted from Swat.
Mr Dawar said the Taliban were telling the local people that their leadership had directed them to return to the area in the wake of the ongoing talks between Pakistani authorities and the TTP.
The MNA from Waziristan ridiculed the PTI leaders for protesting against Taliban, recalling that the previous PTI government had welcomed and celebrated the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan. He criticised the “non-seriousness” of the authorities to tackle the issue, declaring that the people of KP would not accept “project-Taliban policy” and would resist it at all cost.
Anti-army campaign
Earlier, speaking on points of order, a number of lawmakers expressed their concerns over the ongoing campaign on social and main media against the army and blamed the PTI for it. The issue came up when Dr Fehmida Mirza of the Grand Democratic Alliance blasted the government over its action against ARY News channel.
She said if someone had maligned the national institution, then the whole channel should not be punished for it.
The most hard-hitting speech came from a PTI dissident Noor Alam Khan, who lashed out at the PTI leadership over the campaign and praised the army for its services for the country in the wake of the war against terrorism. At one point, he said army was the only institution that was “functioning properly” in the country.
Without naming PTI’s Shahbaz Gill, Mr Khan said those who did not like Pakistan and its army, should leave the country.
Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf declared that only anti-state people could run a campaign against the army. He said attacking the judiciary and the army was a violation of the constitution, stating that the parliament should take cognisance of such campaigns.
Soomro de-seated
Meanwhile, the National Assembly approved a motion tabled by PPP MNA Shahida Rehmani seeking to de-seat PTI MNA from Jacobabad Mohammadmian Soomro for being absent from the house without leave for 40 consecutive days.
The speaker put the motion for vote after rejecting the leave application which Mr Soomro had submitted after the PPP’s MNA had already been placed on the assembly agenda.
Mr Soomro, who had served as the privatisation minister during the previous PTI government, had not submitted his resignation with his other party colleagues, including Imran Khan, at the time of the election of Shehbaz Sharif as the prime minister.
Legislation
The National Assembly also passed four bills and witnessed introduction of three bills.
Minister of State for Law and Justice Shahadat Awan introduced the Railways (Amendment) Bill 2022; the Control of Narcotics Substances (Amendment) Bill 2022 and the Qanun-e-Shahadat (Amendment) Bill 2022. Through the first two bills, the government has sought to substitute death penalty with life-imprisonment.
The Statements of Objects and Reasons attached to the bills state that the death penalty in the laws “is used in a disproportionate manner that violates the fundamental right to life which happens to be the most basic of all human rights.”
It state that the risk of executing innocent people exists and “the arbitrary application of the death penalty can never be ruled out” under the two laws.
The four bills passed by the assembly are the National Meteorology Institute of Pakistan Bill 2022; the Public Private Partnership Authority (Amendment) Bill 2022; the Iqbal Academy Pakistan Bill 2022 and the Pakistan Penal Code (Amendment) Bill 2022.
The speaker then adjourned the sitting till 9pm on Saturday.
Published in Dawn, August 11th, 2022

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Constitution provides that every institution should act within its ambit, says Raja Pervaiz Ashraf

By Muhammad Anis
August 11, 2022 – The International News – www.thenews.com.pk

Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervaiz Ashraf. —Twitter National Assembly of Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Speaker of the National Assembly Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Wednesday ruled that the Constitution provides that every institution should act within its ambit and that an institution should respect the other institution. Paying tributes to the martyrs of armed forces, Ashraf declared that any attack on the armed forces would be considered an attack on the Parliament.

“Parliament is the mother of all the institutions and it represents the wisdom of 220 million people of the country and every institution should keep this fact in mind,” the speaker said.
While paying homage to the martyrs of the armed forces, the speaker said: “The whole nation mourned the martyrdom of Lt. General Sarfraz Ali, besides other officers and those soldiers who sacrificed their lives while taking part in the flood relief operation.”
 

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The speaker observed that the television channels should adopt a careful approach so that they do not become part of any hybrid war against the country and the campaign to humiliate institutions like the Pakistan Army. Speaker Pervez Ashraf declared any attack on “the armed forces would be considered an attack on the Parliament.” There is a clear distinction between freedom to air views and attacking the armed forces, the speaker said.
Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Noor Alam Afridi on the floor of the National Assembly strongly condemned the attempts to instigate the subordinate officers against the Pak Army leadership by a private channel. Speaking on a point of order, Afridi pointed out that the live statement of the PTI leader on a television channel (ARY) served the agenda of the country’s enemies and it was repeated by the Indian channels. “ Instead of stopping the transmission of the statement, the television channel not only allowed to complete the same but it was repeated time and again, the PAC chairman said.
Referring to an earlier point of order raised by Dr. Fahmida Mirza in which she protested the closure of television channels, the PAC chairman said the Constitution also provides for safeguarding institutions against any propaganda. Noor Alam maintained that the House should pass a resolution declaring no compromise on the sanctity of sacrifices by the country’s custodians. “Those who criticise this institution should leave the country and settle in some other country,” he said.
Without naming any channel, he said the same channel continued to present him as a US agent. The PAC chairman, however, observed that the institutions should also cooperate with the Public Accounts Committee in its workings. Earlier, ex-Speaker Dr. Fahmida Mirza said that there should be stronger legislation against mocking institutions.
Calling for safeguarding freedom of expression, Dr Fahmida Mirza said that instead of closing a television channel, the specific programme be banned and those responsible should be taken to task.
While responding to a point of order, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on concerns shown by Mohsin Dawar regarding reports of presence of Taliban in KP that TTP was becoming an increasing threat and it was not a provincial issue but a national one. He said that parliamentarians were twice briefed on talks between the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Pakistan government that were in progress but a danger was still there. The situation is critical along the Pak-Afghan border, the Minister of Defence Kh Asif told the house.
Minister for Aviation Khawaja Saad Rafique told the National Assembly that the government was working on a plan to make operational Roosevelt Hotel in the United States, owned by the national flag carrier, PIA. Responding to a calling attention notice, the minister said he personally feels this hotel is a precious asset of the PIA that needs to be protected. He said a case had been sent to the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet to make 300 to 400 out of 1,050 rooms of the hotel operational through a joint venture. He informed the House that efforts are being made for the restoration of various international routes of Pakistan International Airlines, particularly the United States and the United Kingdom this year. He said once these routes are restored, then there will be no justification for the European Union to bar PIA from operating in the EU countries.
The minister said certain friendly nations also do not want the reopening of routes for PIA as they are doing a thriving business on those routes, but we are working hard to restore PIA flights there. He said British Airways would restore its flights this month. He said PIA is acquiring four A330 aircraft on dry lease, two have already come and two more are about to come.
The National Assembly passed the Public Private Partnership Authority Act, 2017 [The Public Private Partnership Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2022; the Bill to establish the Iqbal Academy for promotion of the thought of Allama Iqbal [The Iqbal Academy Pakistan Bill, 2022 and the Bill further to amend the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 [The Pakistan Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
Besides, three bills were introduced in the House including The Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2022, The Qanun-e-Shahadat (Amendment) Bill, 2022, and The Control of Narcotics Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2021. The chair referred the bills to the standing committees concerned.
Earlier, the House offered Fateha for the departed souls of Pakistan Army soldiers martyred in a suicide attack in North Waziristan.

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Naveed Butt August 10, 2022 – The Business Recorder

ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Pervez Ashraf has said that parliament being the representative of more than 22 million people of the country always strives to fulfil the desires of the common people.
He emphasized maintaining the sanctity and supremacy of parliament as it is the real icon of people’s aspirations. He said that the Parliament is the platform where people’s representatives have always been struggling to resolve the socio-economic challenges faced by the country.
He expressed these views while talking to media representatives after inaugurating three days Diamond Jubilee celebration of 1st Constituent Assembly in the Parliament House, Wednesday.
While felicitating the Nation on the Diamond Jubilee of 1st Constituent Assembly of Pakistan, the speaker said that this day reminded us the struggle of Muslims of the Subcontinent and their leaders for achieving the goal of independence of Pakistan. He said that this day also marks the “Foundation Day” of the Parliament.
He said that celebrations of 1st Constituent Assembly of Pakistan under the theme “Mera-Parliman-Rahbar-i-Taraqqi-o-Kamal” is beginning from Wednesday and this theme reflects development, progress and bright future of the country is interlinked with the supremacy of the Parliament.
Later on, he inaugurated 3-day Photographs Exhibition with the theme “Tarjuman-i-mazishan-i-Hal” where the Photographs of all leaders of House, leaders of opposition and distinguished international leaders who addressed Parliament were displayed. He also inaugurated 3-Day Art and Painting Exhibition with the theme “Pak Sarzamin shad Baad”. He applauded the diligence and skill of artists to portray their ideas in a beautiful painting.
While inaugurating the three-day Book Exhibition with the theme “Qaum, Mulk, Saltanat” in the Library of Parliament House, he examined the original copy of 1973 Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan signed by members of Parliament including then Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.
He paid tribute to Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and other members of that Parliament for making the 1973 constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan. He said that these celebrations would link the present generation to the past and ultimately would provea beacon of light for their bright future.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2022

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Radio Pakistan –  August 10, 2022
Five-day Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the First Constituent Assembly of Pakistan were launched
at Parliament House in Islamabad on Wednesday.

 
The 1st Constituent Assembly of Pakistan held its first session on 10 August 1947.
In his message on the occasion, Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said Parliament being representative of masses can ensure prosperity and inclusive development in the country.
He said the incumbent Parliament is cognizant of its responsibilities and exercising its parliamentary oversight of the executive.
Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said both the Treasury and Opposition Benches have a vital role in strengthening Parliament as it is the place where decisions are made based on the aspirations of the masses.
In his message, Deputy Speaker Zahid Akram Durrani said the incumbent Parliament is a true representative of people that would strengthen democracy and democratic norms in the country.
He said the coalition government is especially focusing on bringing positive changes in the lives of common man.
Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervaiz Ashraf inaugurated a five-day photographic exhibition at Parliament House in Islamabad today, marking the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan.
Talking to media on the occasion, he said Parliament is the custodian of dreams and aspirations of the people of Pakistan and this photographic exhibition is a marvelous depiction of our parliamentary history.
The Speaker National Assembly said rare and historic photographs of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the first President of the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan and other parliamentary leaders are on display on the five-day exhibition for the people.
He said these photos will be preserved in National Assembly library after the exhibition.
Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said the sanctity of Parliament is paramount and both the Treasury and Opposition Benches have the responsibility to maintain it.
He said let us move beyond all political interests and join hands to make this Parliament a true representative of the people working for their welfare and prosperity.

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Gov’t accuses Shahbaz Gill, aide to former Prime Minister Imran Khan, of inciting mutiny in the military in relation to comments broadcast on ARY TV.

Khan says the charges are a conspiracy to pit his party against the military [File: Saiyna Ba

Published On 10 Aug 202210 Aug 2022

A close aide to Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan will face sedition charges, accused of inciting mutiny in the military, the interior minister has said.
The charges were related to comments made by Khan adviser Shahbaz Gill and aired on ARY TV on Monday night, which the minister, Rana Sanaullah, said was a planned move to malign the military.

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He said the accused would face sedition charges for inciting mutiny in the military. “We’ve set up a special team to probe it,” he told reporters in Islamabad on Wednesday, adding, “It was a planned move to malign our institutions.”
According to the related police report, ARY owner Salman Iqbal, company vice president Ammad Yousaf and three other station staff are accused of “sedition”, “abetting mutiny” and “conspiracy”, the AFP news agency reported.
The arrests came late on Tuesday and early on Wednesday, a day after a state-run media regulator said it had ordered ARY News to be taken off air for airing “false, hateful and seditious” content.

‘Abduction’
Khan said Gill was mistreated during his “abduction” and called for a fair trial, adding the charges were a conspiracy to pit his party against the military.

“If he has done something wrong, something that’s illegal, charge him, and give him a chance to defend himself in a court,” he said in a recorded video statement aired by local TV channels.
He also wrote in a tweet: “This is an abduction, not an arrest. Can such shameful acts take place in any democracy? Political workers (are) treated as enemies. And all to make us accept (a) foreign-backed government of crooks.”

Gill had said in the TV appearance that there were attempts to create hatred against Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (Pakistan Movement for Justice, PTI) party among the middle and lower ranks of the military, whom he said loved the party.
He suggested the junior ranks were being pressured by the top brass and that these orders were against the wishes of the majority, and that the junior ranks should reconsider following orders that were against their principles.
Salman Iqbal had said in a tweet that the comments were Gill’s personal opinion, which his media house had nothing to do with.

 Both Khan’s party and the media house were considered pro-military until he was removed in a confidence vote in April by an opposition alliance.

ARY is a longtime supporter of Khan. The former prime minister has been critical of the military since losing his seat.
Pakistan has been ruled by the military for roughly half its 74-year history and criticism of the country’s powerful security establishment has long been seen as a red line.

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NATIONAL

August 10, 2022

ByStaff Report – Pakistan Today

ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Wednesday officially kicked off five-day Diamond Jubilee celebrations of country’s first constituent assembly at Parliament House.
The speaker inaugurated three Photography Exhibitions themed as “Tarjuman-i-Mazi Shan-i-Hall.”
The speaker visited the rare and historical photos displayed at Parliament’s lobby and evinced keen interest in the displays there. Rare photos of country’s top parliamentary leadership right from 1947 to date have been displayed in the lobby.
The rare photos of former leaders of the House, leaders of the Opposition, Foreign State heads’ visits to Parliament House and their historical addresses to the joint sitting of the parliament have been displayed at the venue.
Speaking on the occasion, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said the first session of constituent assembly was held on August 10, 1947. Independence Day was being celebrated this year in a special way.
The photos depicting parliament’s history would be compiled and published as a book.  He said he was astonished to see the rare pictures of country’s leadership including Quaid-i-Azam, Liaquat Ali Khan, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
He was happy to see the photos of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto groundbreaking existing Parliament House building. While former Prime Minister Muhammad Khan Junejo inaugurated the existing building of Parliament House after completion. The speaker urged all and sundry to work for the betterment of the country by keeping aside their differences. All parties should join hands to steer the country out of crisis. Sharing the details of golden jubilee celebrations, he said the members of minority community, govt and private school children and women would visit Parliament House and coalition government members would answer their queries.
Parliamentarians, senior officials of National Assembly were also present on the occasion.

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