Prime objective is to empower the youth of country: Ahsan Iqbal

ISLAMABAD, OCT 21 /DNA/ – The Ministry of Planning Development & Special Initiative has geared up the process to implement the five major Youth Development Initiatives announced by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Thursday.  

“Empowering the underprivileged youth by drastically increasing opportunities for their education, training and employability is critical for the future of Pakistan,” said the minister after the launch of these initiatives.

The five ‘Young Development Initiatives’ were launched to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Independence Day of Pakistan. The five key initiatives include 200,000 Internships for Young Engineers, Uplifting of the 20-poor Districts of Pakistan, Establishment of 250 Mini Sport Complexes, Establishment of Pakistan Innovation Fund, and 75 National Top Talent Scholarships Programme.

“Only by privatizing the state investment in the young people, we can turn Pakistan’s youth bulge from a liability into an asset, ” said Professor Ahsan Iqbal, while highlighting the significance of the initiatives.

Under the National Development Internships Programme, 20,000 young engineers will be hired in PSDP funded projects to improve their skills and employability. The programme envisages paid on-the-job training for fresh young graduates in various fields. 

Similarly, the uplifting of 20 Poorest Districts of Pakistan is the second key initiative of the minister.  Under this programme, the 20 poor districts of the country particularly, Balochistan and FATA will be uplifted and a package of Rs 40billion has been allocated this year.

Under the Youth Development Initiatives, the construction of Mini Sports Complexes is also a major step aimed to increase the facilities of sports for the youth and Rs 1000 million have been allocated in PSDP 2022-23 for this project, said the minister, while highlighting the importance of the initiative.

Pakistan Innovation Fund to be established and the objectives of the project include; to prepare a framework for effective innovation policy for the country including identification of factors that lead to positive and effective innovative regulatory processes. In this regard, an Innovation Support Project has also been initiated under PSDP 2022-23 for which Rs 10 billion has been allocated.

The fifth initiative is the 75 National Top Talent Scholarships Programme which provides Pakistani students with Master and PhD degrees in top 50 universities of the wo\rld.  In this regard, Rs 4.7b has been allocated for this project to encourage and prepare talented students from low-income families who aspire for higher education but cannot apply for the admission in top universities due to lack of finances.

The PM Shahbaz Sharif appreciated the minister for taking this great initiative, and asked him to expand such projects across the country. I assure you my complete support to finance such projects which actually empowers the youth, he concluded.  

ISLAMABAD, OCT 21 /DNA/ – Governance weaknesses and problems in Pakistan are direct outcome of prevalent duality in its power structure, run by different de jure as well as de facto entities. This duality bearing on civil and military establishments, in non-compliance with constitutional obligations, has thrown the democratic political system out of equilibrium.

This aspect of the political system, along with several others, was discussed in the Grand National Dialogue on Pakistan’s political system and governance, organized jointly by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad, and the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI).

The dialogue was chaired by Khalid Rahman, chairman IPS and moderated by Dr. Syed Tahir Hijazi, senior academic and former Member (Governance), Planning Commission of Pakistan chairman IPS.

The speakers and discussants included Brig. (r) Raashid Wali Janjua, director research, IPRI, Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, president, Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT), Ambassador (r) Syed Abrar Hussain, vice chairman IPS, Syed Abu Ahmad Akif, former federal secretary and senior research fellow IPS, Dr. Rashid Aftab, director, Riphah Institute of Public Policy, Riphah International University, Zaheeruddin Dar, founder, Centre for international Entrepreneurship and Trade and political economist, Nazeer Ahmad Mahar, executive director, The Research Initiative, Dr. Riaz Inayat, Member NADRA, Dr Muhammad Saleem, senior economic and former Member, Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP), Mirza Hamid Hasan, former federal secretary and senior fellow at IPS, and Naufil Shahrukh, IPS’ GM Operations.

The trichotomic power branches have failed to fulfil their constitutional obligations as a result of the pseudo-parliamentary system of Pakistan, which has some presidential features. This, along with the lack of political will and duality of the political system, doesn’t befit the constitutional values, argued Ahmad Bilal.

This has resulted in a weakened governance system, as indicated by the low position of Pakistan in governance indicators, including the Corruption Perception Index (CPI), where Pakistan ranks at 140/180, and the World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index 2021, where Pakistan ranks 130/139.

The solution demands a constitutional framework with objective criteria to measure the performance while the military’s role in the political processes should be adjusted according to constitutional and democratic values.

In addition to these fissures, as indicated by Abu Ahmed Akif, there are inherent flaws in political practices and the organizational structure of the system, leaving little or no space for governance. The anomalies of the system, ranging from the buildup of elitist capture to the electoral flaws and the bureaucratic role, have removed any margin for reforms and governance strategy, he pointed out.

Reckoning on this, Dr. Rashid Aftab rested his view that within the three-tiered governance structure – federal, provincial, and local government – a prominent trend has been the absence of devolution of power according to change in time, due to reluctance of the provinces.

While it goes against the 18th Amendment, which has validated Article 140-A, obliging the provincial government to devolve power, a participatory governance system, focusing on empowering local government institutions, must be achieved.

As the economy forms a major part of this organizational and governance structure, Zaheeruddin Dar shared his insights on economic governance while giving denotation to ease of doing business, which has been hitting the skids because of increasingly higher return expectations from investors due to increasing war, political instability, cultural, and corruption risks.

Another factor is the government ownership of businesses. He viewed this as a route to the creation of monopolies and hostile takeovers. He further stressed focusing and pushing forwards the private sector with a visionary approach to build successful economic governance and a welfare-oriented system.

Particularly relevant, or rather the foundation, of the political system, is the electoral process, the reform of which is pivotal to democratic governance. Nazeer Ahmad Mahar shared his findings on electoral reforms, and stated that the 2018 elections, conducted under a rather empowered ECP, saw a 30% increase in voter registration and turnout.

However, there is still a gap in women and youth participation in selecting a representative for the governance and political system. According to the 2017 census, youth form 64% of the population while the 2018 election saw a 13% deficit in youth voters.

These findings signify the development of the Election Amendment Bill, which has been pending in the Parliament since 2020, innovative approaches to mobilize women and youth participation, and electoral reforms targeting trust deficit among the public, elections credibility, and ECP strategic leadership.

For electoral and other reforms, e-governance is becoming inexorable. If not employed, it can increase cyber security and other risks. Although Pakistan has improved in the EGDI Index by three spots ranking at 150/193, there is still a lot more space for improvement in Telecom Infrastructure Index (TII) and Human Capital Index (HCI), in which Pakistan stands at a medium spot. He asserted the need to develop an integrated e-governance framework based on barriers and enablers and people-centered services with an inclusive design.

In the backdrop of these aspects, Raashid Janjua, while highlighting the military’s stance, suggested that the country needs to develop a model or framework entailing the public, civil, and military concordance based on a new social contract. He further recommended a reconceptualization of civil-military relationship.

Concluding the session, Khalid Rahman stressed the timely recognition of the problems, while accepting the issues with a strong willpower to combat them. There has been a lack of proactive and positive energy, and more blame game on institutional failures. Though global indexes provide general indications, Pakistan needs to develop indigenous ranking systems and performance measures for development, he argued. For political and governance improvement, citizen training, strengthening of value-based framework, opportunity-seeking approach in crises situations, and local government empowerment serves as effective solutions.=DNA

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Disqualification under Article 63 P means disqualification for the remaining period of the National Assembly or whenever fresh elections are called

Ansar M Bhatti

ISLAMABAD, OCT 21 /DNA/ – The  Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), in a consensus verdict in Toshakana reference, disqualified former prime minister Imran Khan and ruled that the PTI chairman is no more a member of the National Assembly.

The ECP stated that Imran Khan submitted a false affidavit and was found involved in corrupt practices under Article 63(1)(p).

Under the said article, a lawmaker is disqualified for the time being from being elected or chosen as a member of the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) or of a provincial assembly.

The decision was taken unanimously by the ECP’s five-member bench but the Punjab member Babar Hassan Bharwana was not present as he was unwell.

“As the respondent has made false statements and incorrect declarations, therefore he has also committed the offence of corrupt practices defined under Sections 167 and 173 of the Elections Act,2017, punishable under Section 174 of the Elections Act, 2017. The office is directed to initiate legal proceedings and to take follow-up action under Section 190(2) of the Elections Act, 2017.”

The verdict was announced amid tight security in the Red Zone where at least 1,100 police officials were deployed under the command of a senior superintendent of police to control the law and order situation in the area. The officer was assisted by five superintendents and six deputy superintendents of police.

Imran Khan disqualified for 5 years: law minister Meanwhile, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarrar said that Khan has been disqualified for five years by the Election Commission.

Speaking after the ECP ruling in the Toshakana case, the federal minister said Khan provided “wrong information” to the electoral body.

“The Election Commission showed restraint otherwise a separate action could have been taken against him.” He said that Imran Khan’s aides are calling the verdict unjust, which is wrong.

Meanwhile, reacting strongly to the party chairman’s disqualification, PTI leader Fawad Hussain Chaudhry slammed the ECP and said that the election body’s attitude had been the worst. “We never pinned any hopes on it.”

 “This is a shameful decision. They have disgraced the 220-million-strong-nation.”=DNA

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Islamabad, OCT 21: /DNA/ – The Federal Board of Revenue is working to simplify the tax system and minimize direct interaction with tax collectors in order to facilitate the taxpayers. Tax collectors and taxpayers are working for the common goal of improving Pakistan’s economy, therefore, there is a need to develop a relationship of confidence and understanding to further enhance tax revenue of the country. This was said by Ayesha Khalid, Chief Commissioner Inland Revenue, Regional Tax Office, Islamabad while addressing the business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI). Adnan Inamullah Khan Commissioner-IR (WHT), Ms. Adeela Yousaf Khan Commissioner-IR (Ops) South Zone and Ms. Aisha Asad Deputy Commissioner RTO Islamabad also accompanied her at the occasion.

Ayesha Khalid said that RTO has set up a Grievances Cell to address the tax complaints of taxpayers and said that ICCI should nominate a focal person for coordination with it to address the tax grievances of the business community. She said that RTO Islamabad would consider the request for a Help Desk at ICCI to facilitate its members in filing of tax returns. She said that such Desks can also be set up in major markets to facilitate the traders. She assured that RTO Islamabad in collaboration with ICCI would try to address the tax issues of the business community in order to achieve the set tax targets.   

Speaking at the occasion, Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry said RTO Islamabad should provide a list of top 100 taxpayers to host a ceremony at ICCI to recognize their tax contribution and the Federal Finance Minister would be invited as chief guest to the event. He said that all Chambers of Commerce are playing a positive role in broadening the tax base as no business person can get their membership without registration in the tax system and stressed that FBR should develop close liaison with major chambers of commerce to identify the new taxpayers instead of milking the existing taxpayers. He said that RTO Islamabad should take ICCI on board before sending its inspectors to markets to address tax matters with joint efforts. He said that the business community should be given representation in the policymaking process of FBR to promote a tax system that should facilitate the growth of business and investment activities. He said that attractive benefits to taxpayers would remove fear factor and attract more people towards the tax system. He said that a Committee comprising representatives of ICCI and RTO Islamabad should be considered to address the tax issues of the business community.

Azhar ul Islam Zafar Vice President ICCI thanked Chief Commissioner RTO for visiting ICCI and said that ICCI would work in close liaison with RTO to facilitate the taxpayers.

The representatives of various markets and sectors including furniture, jewellery, real estate, overseas employment and others highlighted their tax issues and stressed that RTO Islamabad should play a role to address them. Zafar Bakhtawari, Zahid Maqbool, Baser Daud, Khalid Chaudhry, M. Rizwan Chheena, Ashfaq Chatha, Khalid Mehmood, Hamayun Kabir, Ch. Muhammad Ali, Raja Imtiaz, Maqsood Tabish, Faizan Shehzad, Ms. Munizeh Majid and others also highlighted various tax issues for the attention of Chief Commissioner RTO, Islamabad.  

ISLAMABAD, OCT 21: ECP has disqualified PTI chief under Article 63(1)(p); Fawad Chaudhry asks people to come out of their homes “for their rights”.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday disqualified PTI chief Imran Khan in the Toshakhana reference under Article 63(1)(p) for misdeclaration.

Article 63 (1) (p) of the Constitution states that an individual is, “for the time being, disqualified from being elected or chosen as a member of the Majlis-e-Shoora (parliament) or of a provincial assembly under any law for the time being in force”.

While the written verdict is awaited, legal experts are widely interpreting this as Imran being disqualified till the end of the current National Assembly (NA) term.

As such, he has been de-seated as a member of the NA and by-polls could be held on the seat vacated following his disqualification.

However, one of Imran Khan’s lawyers, Gohar Khan told that the ECP “has declared Imran Khan was involved in corrupt practices”, adding he had been disqualified for five years.

“We are going to challenge it in the Islamabad High Court right now.”

PTI leader Asad Umar also tweeted that the decision would be challenged in the courts as a “minus Imran would always remain a distant dream”.

Barrister Asad Rahim Khan told that it would be premature to comment without reading the order, given the current ambiguity around what provision Imran Khan was disqualified under.

“It is nonetheless a silly verdict — it would have been rendered meaningless under Article 62(1)(f), as the ECP isn’t a court of law,” he said.

“Left to the even more limited parameters of Article 63, the ECP’s decision can only be justified as part of the absurd sequence of events this country has seen since March, rather than any concrete reasoning of law.”

PTI’s official Twitter account, meanwhile, posted a photograph of a smiling Imran Khan holding his prayer beads, saying it was taken just moments before.

Key developments

• Decision taken unanimously by a five-member bench
• PTI leaders ask people to come out of their homes
• Fawad Chaudhry says it’s a “slap on the face of 220m people”
• Imran lawyer Gohar Khan says ruling will be challenged in IHC “right now”

A four-member bench, headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja, announced the verdict at the ECP Secretariat in Islamabad.

The decision was taken unanimously by the five-member bench. However, the member from Punjab was not present for today’s announcement.

According to the verdict, criminal proceedings will be initiated against Imran for misdeclaration.

The reference was filed in August against Imran by the coalition government, for “not sharing details” of Toshakhana gifts and proceeds from their alleged sale. Lawmakers from the Pakistan Democratic Movement — the ruling alliance — had submitted the reference to National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, who had subsequently forwarded it to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikander Sultan Raja for further action.

Established in 1974, the Tosha­khana is a department under the administrative control of the Cabinet Division and stores precious gifts given to rulers, parliamentarians, bureaucrats, and officials by heads of other governments and states and foreign dignitaries.

According to Toshakhana rules, gifts/presents and other such materials received by persons to whom these rules apply shall be reported to the Cabinet Division.

However, the PTI, while in government, had been reluctant to disclose details of the gifts presented to Imran since he assumed office in 2018, maintaining that doing so would jeopardise international ties, even as the Pakistan Infor­mation Commission (PIC) ordered it to do so.

But later, in a written reply submitted to the ECP on September 8, Imran had admitted to selling at least four presents he had received during his tenure as the prime minister.

The former premier, in his reply, had maintained that the sale of the gifts that he had procured from the state treasury after paying Rs21.56 million fetched about Rs58m. One of the gifts included a graff wristwatch, a pair of cuff links, an expensive pen and a ring while the other three gifts included four Rolex watches.

KARACHI, OCT 21 /DNA/ – “Sarmad Ali, President and Nazafreen Saigol Lakhani, Secretary General of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society have expressed profound grief on behalf of APNS Office Bearers and members of the Executive Committee over the sad demise of Habib Ahmed Kamboh father of Mr. Muhammad Ilyas Kamboh, Chief Editor, Daily Bolan, Hub.

The APNS offered condolence to the bereaved family and prayed that Almighty Allah rest the departed soul in eternal peace and give them courage and patience to bear the loss. DNA