ISLAMABAD: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) supremo Maulana Fazlur Rehman and former president Dr. Arif Alvi reviewed the proposed proposals in connection with the constitutional amendment on Wednesday.

According to details, Alvi reached Rehman at the latter’s residence in Islamabad. On this occasion, both the leaders discussed the matters pertaining to the country’s political situation.

Prominent among those who attended the meeting were Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Salman Akram Raja.

– Abdul Ghafoor Haideri on Constitutional amendment –

Separately on Sunday, JUI-F leader Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri said on Sunday that it will take at least one month to read the proposed constitutional amendment.

Expressing his thoughts, Haideri said, “Was the government not providing us the draft if it really belonged to it? [government].”

Earlier, Haider stated that his party had not received a draft yet in line with the “constitutional package.”.

Speaking to media in Islamabad Haideri said: “We do not have received the constitutional amendment bill as of now. How can we opt to cast a vote without seeing the bill?”

“We should be given the opportunity to read the bill in detail once. We will present our opinion after ensuring our presence in the parliament,” he maintained.

“I don’t understand why this matter is being handled so quickly,” Haideri added.

ISLAMABAD, SEPT 16 (DNA) – The President of Asian Development Bank (ADB) Masatsugu Asakawa alongwith a delegation called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif today.

While appreciating ADB’s long-standing and steadfast support to Pakistan, the Prime Minister informed the visiting President on a series of reforms introduced by the Government. The key reforms include enhancing tax revenues, improving financial sustainability of the energy sector, enhancing climate resilience, reduction in untargeted subsidies and scaling up social protection.

The Prime Minister emphasized that he is personally overseeing the progress of these reforms to ensure their successful implementation and long-term impact, underscoring the Government’s commitment to sustainable economic growth and stability.

The Prime Minister appreciated ADB’s generous support of over US$ 1.5 billion in response to the devastating floods of 2022. He showed Pakistan’s keen desire to work with the development partners in climate resilience projects including agriculture.

President ADB Mr. Masatsugu Asakawa in his remarks appreciated Pakistan’s long association with ADB as one of its founding members. He lauded the Government for undertaking comprehensive reforms and reaffirmed ADB’s continued support to Pakistan. He renewed support in Pakistan in infrastructure development, climate and resilience enhancement, and institutional reforms.

Federal Ministers for Planning & Development, Investment & Privatization, Economic Affairs, Finance & Revenue and other senior government officials also attended the meeting.

The Prime Minister and President of ADB also witnessed the loan signing of the Sindh Emergency Housing Reconstruction Project amounting to US$400 million and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rural Roads Development Project worth US$320 million. Both these projects are part of the ADB’s flood commitments.

KARACHI/ISLAMABAD/LAHORE, Sept 16 /DNA/ – Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has extended heartiest greetings to the entire nation on the blessed occasion of Eid Milad-un-Nabi (Peace Be Upon Him).

In a press release issued by the Media Cell Bilawal House, the PPP Chairman remarked that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) came as a beacon of mercy for all of humanity, and every aspect of his life serves as a guiding light for us. He emphasized that the message of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) transcends time, place, and borders, offering wisdom and guidance for all generations and communities.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari urged the nation to work towards building a society grounded in the teachings of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), one where peace, tolerance, and brotherhood prevail. “We must follow the example of our beloved Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) by striving to bring ease and comfort to the lives of others,” he said. He concluded by encouraging everyone to embody the values of compassion and kindness that the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) stood for, in both personal and collective efforts.

RAWALPINDI: /DNA/ – Pakistan-Indonesia Joint Exercise Elang Strike-II was conducted between Pakistan Army and Indonesian Armed Forces at National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Pabbi today.

Exercise Elang Strike-II is second exercise in Counter Terrorism domain between both the countries.

A week-long Exercise Elang Strike-II commenced on 08 September 2024. The exercise was aimed at mutually beneficial sharing of experience and training methodology between the two armies which have strong brotherly relations.

At the closing ceremony, General Officer Commanding 17 Division was the Chief Guest. Colonel Budi Wirman, Defence Attaché of Indonesia also attended the closing ceremony.

The troops displayed highest standards of professional excellence during the conduct of exercise.

ISLAMABAD, SEPT 16 (DNA) – The US Under Secretary of State John Bass and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Elizabeth Horst called on Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar in his office today.

They discussed Pakistan-US bilateral relations and ongoing collaboration projects. DPM/FM underlined the importance of positive and productive engagement between Pakistan and the United States.

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday once again sought clarification from the government over Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s possible military trial over his alleged involvement in the May 9 riots.

IHC’s Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb presided over the hearing on PTI founder’s petition against the military trials in the May 9 case that witnessed military installations being vandalised following his arrest in a graft case last year.

“There is no clear answer from the government. I am giving you time to bring instructions in this regard,” said Justice Aurangzeb during the hearing today.

The court ordered the Ministry of Defence to give a clear stance on the next hearing after which the ministry sought time. The hearing was adjourned till next Tuesday (September 24).

The former prime minister’s pleas came in the wake of statements by government high-ups including Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar that fuelled rumours of his military trial.

It is pertinent to know that in July last year, an anti-terrorism court in Lahore — in a four-page written verdict — said that reasonable grounds existed to connect the PTI founder with the May 9 incidents.

It is to be noted that the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) led government had initiated military trials of those involved in targeting state and military installations in last year’s riots.

The matter ended up in the Supreme Court which declared civilians’ trials in military courts null and void in its October 23, 2023, verdict which was later suspended by the apex court in a 5:1 majority ruling in December.

The majority order was announced on the intra-court appeals filed by the federal and provincial governments and the defence ministry against the top court’s verdict.

The December 13, 2023, verdict stated that military court trials would be conditioned on the apex court’s final verdict on the intra-court pleas.

During the hearing today, Justice Aurangzeb asked the procedure of handing someone in military custody. “The Ministry of Defence has no information of military detention and trial till date,” he remarked, adding that nothing regarding the matter has been brought before the ministry.

The additional attorney general said: “If any request is made, action will still be taken according to the law.”

At this, Justice Aurangzeb said he has nothing to proceed with in this case. The court then sought the procedure of civilians’ trial in military court from the defence ministry.

The defence ministry’s representative said they have a “very clean procedure”.

“If a notice is issued to PTI founder before the military trial, then the case will be wrapped up,” said Justice Aurangzeb, adding that the civil court will first frame the charge, according to the procedure.

If the trial court says that the case is to be sent to the military court, then the notice should be issued first, he added.