BUREAU REPORT

QUETTA: General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff  (COAS) visited Quetta on a day long visit. COAS was given detailed security brief at HQ Southern Command, met families of victims of Mach incident and also interacted with a large gathering of Hazara community.

At HQ Southern Command, COAS was apprised about  prevailing security challenges in the province and the measures taken, including border management along Pak- Afghan and Pak-Iran Border. COAS also spent time with the bereaved families of Mach incident victims and shared their grief. COAS assured them that perpetrators of this heinous incident shall be brought to justice and blood of the martyrs will not go waste.

Later, COAS addressed the garrison officers. COAS appreciated their preparedness and efforts for ensuring peace and stability in the province despite difficulties of terrain and distances involved. Balochistan is in sharp focus of our enemies due to its strategic potential, COAS remarked. Balochistan is the future of Pakistan and progress and prosperity of the province is progress of the country, COAS reiterated. The disruptive efforts by  hostile forces won’t be allowed to succeed, COAS emphasised. Security, stability and prosperity of Balochistan shall be pursued/ ensured to the hilt, COAS concluded.

Earlier, on arrival at Quetta, COAS was received by Lieutenant General Sarfraz Ali, Commander Southern Command.

Khayam Abbasi

ISLAMABAD, JAN 13 (DNA) –Parliamentary Secretary of National Health Services Dr Nausheen Hamid Wednesday said that Sinopharm has been selected for corona vaccination in the country.

Talking to media Dr Nausheen Hamid said that the government has also been in contact with four other vaccine companies and talks for procurement of COVID-19 vaccine have been in final stage.

The parliamentary secretary said that Pakistan has chose Sinopharm vaccine for advanced booking. “The consignment of the vaccine is expected to arrive in Pakistan at the end of February or beginning of March,” she further said

She said that over three Lac health workers have registered themselves for vaccine, ” hopefully vaccination will begin from the next month,” health official said. “The health authorities have taken strict steps to prevent the advanced strain of the coronavirus,” she further said.

It is to be mentioned here that the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) in the ongoing session of its registration board is expected to approve China’s Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use in Pakistan.

DNA

ISLAMABAD: During the anti encroachment drive of Capital Development Authority (CDA) the enforcement department of the authority conducted mega operations in different sectors and at Khhana Pull, Lehtrar road, and Tramari chowk in previous days.

During the operations various encroachments were removed and illegal constructions demolished. 6 trucks of goods were recovered and submitted to store. District administration, and Assistant Commissioner Koral were also present at the occasion. Assistant Director Badar Maqsood led the team of enforcement department. Assistant Director West 01, Syed Adalat Shah also helped in conducting operation.

17 shades, one iron stair, 01 counter, and 01 Chhapar store were demolished at Lehtrar road. Action taken against moveable encroachment during operation at Khhana pull and 2 trucks and one Shehzor of goods were recovered and stocked in store. 03 boundary walls, new under construction rooms, and encroachments were demolished at Muslim Colony Bari Imam.

One illegal washroom was demolished in sector F-6/2. Illegal boundary wall of newly constructed home in G-8/4was demolished during the operation. Similarly, encroachments and illegal constructions were also demolished in sector G-8 and G-9. Operation against illegal constructions and encroachments will be continued without any break.

ISLAMABAD, JAN 13 (DNA) – Attorney General Khalid Javed on Wednesday resumed his arguments before the Supreme Court of Pakistan over the presidential reference about Senate elections.

The government has sought opinion of the apex court by a presidential reference seeking to conduct the Senate elections with open ballot.

A five-judge larger bench, headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed and comprising of Justice Mushir Alam, Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan and Justice Yahya Afridi, hearing the reference.

Attorney General said that the elections of prime minister, chairman and deputy chairman senate were not conducted by the election commission. The constitution has been silent over the electoral procedure for the elections of the speaker and chairman senate, Chief Justice observed.

“The house itself conducts elections of prime minister, chairman senate and speaker,” AG argued. A reference has been in Article 53 about the speaker’s election, he further said. The election commission also have a role in election of the president, he argued.

Concerned officials act as presiding officers in the elections of chairman, deputy chairman and speaker and deputy speaker, the state counsel said. “The outgoing speaker acts as presiding officer in the election of the speaker National Assembly,” Attorney General further said.

AG Khalid Javed further argued that Article 60 of the constitution have a reference about the election of chairman senate. “Articles 53 and 60 have been silent whether the election will be held by an open or secret ballot”, Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan remarked.

The elections of the senate and the national assembly not used to conduct under the constitution, the AG argued. “Article 26 has been clear over the matter, which says that all elections except the elections of the prime minister and chief ministers should be conducted with secret ballot.

“The elections under the law have a separate chapter and Article 226 not applied over all elections,” attorney general said. “The elections on the reserved seats could not happen if Article 226 applied for it,” the CJP observed.

The polls for the national and provincial assemblies held under the electoral representation law, the CJP said. “The parties provide their lists for representation over the reserved seats,” AG Khalid Javed said.

“If an MPA opts to vote against the party, he should come in open to cast vote,” Justice Ijaz said. “A member could not be disqualified over casting vote against the party line,” AG said. “There is no concept of an independent vote in the senate election. Thus the senate election should not be conducted by secret ballot,” he further said.

“The concept of independent vote is relevant with the general election. The constitution has been silent over holding senate elections by secret vote,” AG Khalid Javed further argued. “The constitution only said that the electoral procedure should be according to the law”, attorney general said.

“In Germany the political parties decide, who will be the member of the assembly,” Justice Umar Ata Bandial remarked. The country has proportional representation system,” Justice Bandial added.

“In Pakistan reserved seats are decided by the electoral procedure used in Germany,” Attorney General said. “An elected representative is responsible before the electorate and the party head,” Justice Ijaz said. “A citizen can cast vote to any candidate but not a member of provincial assembly,” AG said.

“The right of independent vote to an MPA with secret ballot, is a key question,” Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan said. “Casting vote against the party policy in secret ballot will be dishonesty,” Justice Ijaz added.

“Those elected on party ticket are bound to the party’s discipline,” AG remarked. “Following the party discipline is only restricted with the prime minister and approval of the budget,” Justice Bandial remarked. Court adjourned further proceedings on the reference till tomorrow. = DNA

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ISLAMABAD, JAN 13 (DNA) – Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry has said that Nawaz Sharif went abroad by deceiving people and it is responsibility of government to bring him back to Pakistan.

Talking to media persons, Fawad Chaudhry requested Prime Minister Imran Khan to start an inquiry into former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s travel to London.

He further said that country is facing power problems from last 15 years and previous government made mistakes regarding this issue.

Fawad Chaudhry said that Pakistan is becoming self-sufficient in the field of health as Pakistan did not even make thermometers before, but today country is making ventilators and very soon dialysis machines will also be made here.

Talking about EV policy, he said that with the arrival of electric cars, thousands of mechanics will lose their jobs but government will train people to repair electric cars.

Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry announced on Wednesday that the Pakistan Sports Board and Pakistan Science Foundation have inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to accord e-games the status of a formal sport.

In a Twitter post, he asked video game lovers to get ready for new opportunities that await them. Last year in November, the minister had unveiled a special programme of animation and video games.

“If you are not interested in reading and are interested in video games on the phone, be prepared. Bringing a special programme of video games programming so we can be a part of this 90 billion industry, animation, and video games certification programs will be not only a game but a game-changer for young people,” he tweeted. = DNA

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ISLAMABAD, JAN 13 (DNA) – Pakistan and Turkey have on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for promotion of cooperation in the education sector.

The MoU was signed by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood in Islamabad. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi was also present on the occasion.

The development occurred after Shah Mehmood Qureshi held a meeting with Mevlut Cavusoglu, who is on an official visit to Pakistan, and reviewed bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and international issues.

Earlier today, President Dr. Arif Alvi conferred Hilal-e-Pakistan on Mevlut Cavusoglu in recognition of his services for international peace and security and further strengthening of Pakistan-Turkey bilateral relationship.

The investiture ceremony was held at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad. It was attended amongst others by Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz.

Cavusoglu’s visit to Pakistan is part of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries. This is his third visit during the last two and half years. The fraternal relations between Pakistan and Turkey are deeply embedded in common faith, culture and history and underpinned by exceptional mutual trust and respect.

ISLAMABAD, JAN 13 (DNA) – Minister for Narcotic Control Ejaz Ahmad Shah Wednesday said that the government was committed to eradicating the menace of drugs from the country.

The minister expressed these views during a meeting with Director International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) Ms. Dorothy Ngutter who called him, said a news release.

The minister thanked for the assistance and cooperation being given by the INL for the elimination of drugs. “Elimination of drugs is one of our top priorities,” Ejaz Ahmad Shah said.

He was of the view that a better strategy was needed to make the society drug-free. Cooperation at the national and international level was crucial for the joint fight against drugs, he added.

The INL offered training and special training courses for better performance for the force. = DNA

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