In its report, the inquiry commission said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported 3,485 cases of missing persons, making it the highest number in the country

Faisal Sheikh

ISLAMABAD: In compliance with the Supreme Court’s order, the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances on Tuesday handed over its “comprehensive report” on missing persons to the attorney general.

Last week, the top court sought a report from the commission along with details about orders issued to law enforcement agencies (LEAs) for the production of missing persons. The apex court had also asked the federal government to give in writing that there would be no more enforced disappearances in the country.

The development came as a three-member bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa and comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Musarrat Hilali, heard the petitions of Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan and others on the unlawful practice of enforced disappearances, praying for declaring it as violative of various articles of the Constitution.

In its report, the inquiry commission said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported 3,485 cases of missing persons, making it the highest number in the country. Causalities in drone attacks and the spike in militancy were the key reasons behind the disappearances, read the report.

In Balochistan, 2,752 cases related to enforced disappearance were lodged, the commission said, adding that besides other reasons, fleeing abroad without informing their families, due to the prevailing situation in the province, was among the causes of these cases.

“In exercise of the aforementioned powers, the commission has issued 744 production orders out of which 52 have been implemented by the addresses, while the remaining 692 production orders are yet to the executed by the quarters concerned.”

The commission also received 182 petitions from the quarters concerned requesting for review of the production orders in these cases, the report added.

ISLAMABAD: /DNA/ – Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar met a group of resident envoys representing African countries as well as select Asian countries over lunch today.

The meeting was attended by the Ambassadors of Algeria and Sudan as well as High Commissioners of Bangladesh, Brunei, Malaysia, Mauritius, and South Africa. Other participants included the Charge d’ Affaires of Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Somalia, Tunisia, and Zimbabwe. The Foreign Minister, Secretary to the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary also attended.

The Prime Minister highlighted the importance Pakistan attached to Africa. He expressed the desire to strengthen ties with African countries, at the bilateral as well as regional level. While acknowledging that Pakistan and Africa had enjoyed excellent political relations over the years, the Prime Minister stressed the need to enhance trade and economic linkages which had yet to realize their full potential. He mentioned that the 4th Pakistan-Africa Trade Conference was under way in Cairo, Egypt from 9-11 January, 2024 where Pakistan was represented by a large business delegation led by the Commerce Minister.

The Prime Minister also expressed deep appreciation for Pakistan’s historic ties with South East Asian countries, particularly Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia. He said Pakistan was keen to expand bilateral trade ties with these key countries and sought their assistance in strengthening Pakistan’s engagement with ASEAN.

Referring to the ongoing situation in Gaza, the Prime Minister stressed the need for dialogue among nations and for intensifying collective efforts to end the violence and bring lasting peace in Palestine.

The Prime Minister praised the diplomatic envoys for their efforts to build stronger ties with Pakistan and their respective countries. The diplomats thanked the Prime Minister for sparing time to interact with them and said they would continue to work closely with Pakistan to enhance bilateral relations.

RAWALPINDI, JAN 09 (DNA) — Director General (DG), Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) Rawalpindi, Ahmad Hassan Ranjha here on Tuesday visited different city parks and reviewed the ongoing beautification work.

The DG directed the authorities concerned to complete the beautification work as soon as possible. Ahmed Hassan Ranjha also inspected cleanliness arrangements and instructed the officials concerned to provide all basic facilities in the parks.

He informed that the authority was utilizing all available resources to make the city clean and green and uplift the parks.  The authorities concerned had been directed to complete ongoing renovation and beautification work of all the parks within the shortest possible time frame, he said adding, that efforts were also being made to repair faulty lights, swings and walking tracks besides improving the security of the parks.

The PHA officers had also been instructed to utilize all available resources to ensure the provision of the best recreational facilities to the public in all the parks of the town, he added.  The PHA was planting maximum saplings and enhancing greenery, particularly in parks and green belts of the city, he added.  During the visit, the officers concerned of PHA were also present. — DNA

ISLAMABAD, JAN 9 /DNA/ – The Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue, and Economic Affairs, Dr. Shamshad Akhtar presided over a meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet, today. The meeting was attended by the Minister for Privatization and Inter Provincial Coordination Mr. Fawad Hasan Fawad, Minister of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Mr. Sami Saeed, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Dr. Muhammad Jehanzaeb Khan, Minister for Law and Justice, Water Resources and Climate Change Mr. Ahmed Irfan Aslam, Advisor to PM on Finance Dr. Waqar Masood, Federal Secretaries, and other senior government officers of the relevant ministries.

ECC was presented with five agenda an item of which first summary was from Intelligence Bureau for provision of additional funds of Rs. 250 Million during the current financial year 2023-24. The Intelligence Bureau briefed the committee about recent surge of terrorism which needed effective counter measures to thwart nefarious designs of terrorists. The Economic Coordination Committee approved the funds as Technical Supplementary Grant (TSG) for up gradation, technical enhancement and field activities of Intelligence Bureau with releases on need basis.

The summary of Ministry of Industries and Production for approval of mechanism for sale of imported urea at a basket price along with locally manufactured urea was discussed at length. The ECC approved the mechanism for weighted average price with the direction to NFML for ensuring reasonable price for urea and Ministry of Industries & Production to provide oversight to the whole process.

The Economic Coordination committee considered and approved the summary of National Health Services Regulation and Coordination for provision of Technical Supplementary Grant (TSG) amounting to Rs. 3,568.719 Million in favour of Federal Directorate of Immunization (FDI), and urged the provinces to clear their pending liabilities.

ECC also considered the summary of Finance Division for signing the addendum to the Subsidiary Grant Agreement (SGA) regarding financial inclusion & infrastructure project and exemption from relending policy of release of funds to State Bank of Pakistan and accorded its approval.

A summary from Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination was also tabled for approval of release of grant for participation of Pakistan’s Hockey team in international events and other sports promotion activities. This grant, ECC was told would also be utilised for Davis Cup (Tennis) with India and other mind games like scrabble and chess. The Committee approved provision of additional funds amounting Rs. 100 Million as Technical Supplementary Grant (TSG) for FY 2023-24.

This incongruity raises pertinent questions about the prerequisites for those entrusted with the responsibility of making laws. Should not the guardians of legislation be held to at least the same standard of integrity as individuals seeking far less influential positions within the system?

Ansar M Bhatti

Islamabad: The recent Supreme Court verdict, which abolishes lifetime disqualification, has elicited a varied response from the general public and the legal community. While some express approval, others harbor concerns, particularly among legal experts. There is a prevailing sentiment that this decision might set a precedent, potentially leading to a series of revisitations by future chief justices.

Experts argue that the possibility of a nine-member bench overturning this verdict raises questions about the stability and consistency of judicial decisions. This apprehension prompts reflection on the potential for a cycle of reversals, undermining the perceived sanctity of legal decisions.

Legal scholars contend that the Supreme Court could have opted for a different approach, considering the precedent set by the five-member bench in the Samiullah Baloch case. They suggest that, instead of overturning Samiullah Baloch, the court could have recommended leaving the matter to the new parliament for resolution through a constitutional amendment to Article 62 F, requiring a two-thirds majority.

This alternative course of action would ensure a more stable and democratic process, allowing elected representatives to deliberate and decide on issues of constitutional significance. It emphasizes the importance of all-inclusive parliamentary involvement in shaping and amending fundamental laws, maintaining the balance between the judiciary and the legislative branches.

It remains uncertain whether the comprehensive judgment will address these questions. However, one certainty is that the court might articulate in its detailed decision that amending Article 62 F requires a two-thirds majority.

During the court proceedings, some judges correctly noted that the government had a significant opportunity to modify this article through the 18th Amendment, yet they consciously avoided addressing this matter. The Chief Justice’s comments on this issue strongly suggest that parliamentarians might have refrained from amending the article due to concerns about potential backlash from the clergy.

As we delve into the provisions of Article 62 F, which specifically addresses the conduct of parliamentarians, a noteworthy discrepancy emerges. The stipulation dictates that individuals aspiring to hold parliamentary positions must embody qualities such as fairness, righteousness, honesty, and truthfulness.

In a striking contrast, individuals vying for even modest roles like a peon or an attendant in Pakistan are required to furnish a police character certificate, affirming their clean record and lack of involvement in any malpractices. This certificate explicitly attests that no legal cases have been lodged against them in any court of law.

This incongruity raises pertinent questions about the prerequisites for those entrusted with the responsibility of making laws. Should not the guardians of legislation be held to at least the same standard of integrity as individuals seeking far less influential positions within the system? Addressing this disparity could foster a more equitable and transparent approach to the selection and conduct of parliamentarians, aligning with the principles of fairness and accountability that are foundational to a robust democratic framework.