Tag: bill

  • Pakistan International Airlines faces potential Rs259 billion loss by 2030

    Pakistan International Airlines faces potential Rs259 billion loss by 2030

    Pakistan’s Aviation Minister, Khawaja Saad Rafique, delivered a grave warning on Friday about the precarious financial state of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). He highlighted that without swift corrective action, the airline could incur staggering losses of up to Rs259 billion by 2030. To salvage the national carrier from its mounting debts, Minister Rafique urgently called for essential measures, including the transfer of administrative control to the private sector.

    Minister Rafique’s concerns were voiced during his address on the Senate floor, where he presented “The Pakistan International Airlines Corporation (Conversion) (Amendment) Bill, 2023.” He stressed the critical need for foreign direct investment (FDI) and the involvement of private entities to ensure the long-term sustainability of PIA, which currently grapples with an overwhelming debt burden of Rs742 billion.

    However, the proposal faced strong opposition from several senators during the proceedings. As a result, the Senate chairman referred the matter to the relevant standing committee for further evaluation, acknowledging the significance of FDI and private sector participation in transforming PIA into a profitable entity.

    The deliberations also witnessed PTI lawmakers raising concerns about the quorum, prompting a fifteen-minute bell ringing to meet the attendance requirement. Once the quorum was restored, House proceedings resumed to discuss the fate of PIA.

    The key provision of the bill proposes an amendment to Section 3, which specifies that the company’s shareholders would retain the same number of fully paid shares while preserving their existing rights and privileges. Additionally, the federal government could, through an official gazette notification, issue fresh shares or cancel existing ones as needed during the validity period.

    The destiny of Pakistan International Airlines now lies in the hands of the standing committee, tasked with thoroughly scrutinising the bill and its proposed amendments. The committee’s decision will significantly impact the future of the struggling airline and determine whether privatisation and foreign investment can pave the way for PIA’s financial recovery.

  • Here are all the perks that past, present and future chairman Senate might be getting soon

    Here are all the perks that past, present and future chairman Senate might be getting soon

    On last Friday, the Senate unanimously passed a private member bill that gives many privileges to present and retired Chairmen of the Upper House, The News has reported.

    According to sources, the National Assembly has also approved the bill and it will now be sent to the President for his approval.

    When the bill will be enforced, current chairman and ex-chairman Senate will be possibly getting the following perks and privileges:

    -Every chairman of the Senate after completing his tenure (post-retirement) will 12 employees for life, along with six permanent guards and VVIP security wherever he goes.
    -He can request an airplane for himself and his family for domestic and international travel.

    -He will get additional benefits, not mentioned in the bill, or whatever he desires from the finance committee, which he handpicks.

    -Every person who has held the office of Chairman for a full term of three years, shall be entitled for life to full security detail, that is to say, six sentries at the declared residence, four personnel of police, anti-terrorism force, rangers, frontier corps or frontier constabulary in one squad vehicle, for which the federal government in Islamabad, or a provincial government in the respective province, shall make the required arrangements.

    -The Finance Committee of the Senate may grant the chairman and the person who has held such office for a full term of three years, such additional privileges as it may deem fit

    -The chairman of the Senate will be entitled to the protocol of deputy head of state or vice president. For his foreign travel, he shall also be entitled to requisition at the cost of government an airplane belonging to the federal, provincial government, armed forces, any flying club or any chartered air service provider.

    -The chairman shall be allowed to take with him one member of his family when travelling by a commercial airplane or four members of his family when travelling by a requisitioned airplane.

    -Free telephone facility at residence, official residence, free furnishing at the cost of public money, free official vehicles for self and family, free petrol, sumptuary allowance, allowance on taking up and laying down the office, equipment allowance, TA/DA are in addition to the salary of the chairman.

  • Big move: Senate passes bill aimed at limiting powers of chief justice

    The Senate has passed the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill 2023 on Thursday, setting in motion limiting of Chief Justice of Pakistan’s discretionary powers to take suo motu notice.

    Upon voting, the bill received 60 votes in favour and 19 in opposition, breezing through the Upper House despite Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) opposition to it.

    A day earlier, the National Assembly (NA) passed the bill after fiery speeches by government members in parliament, criticising former chief justices.

    The bill states that any matter that comes before the Supreme Court shall be heard and disposed of by a bench constituted by a Committee comprising the Chief Justice of Pakistan and two senior most judges, in order of seniority.

    Moreover, it says that any application pleading urgency or seeking interim relief filed in a cause appeal or matter, shall be fixed for hearing within fourteen days from the date of filing.

    The development has taken place after two top judges—Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail and Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah—criticised CJP Umar Ata Bandial, saying that the Supreme Court can’t rely on him for its decision. Using strong words against the CJP, both of them were of the view that institutions should review this “one-man power show”.

  • No luxury cars, no five-star hotels, federal cabinet’s perks and salaries cut amid economic crisis

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has announced major cuts in perks and facilities that were being given to the federal cabinet as the economic crisis worsens.

    Addressing a press conference on Wednesday in Islamabad, the Premier, flanked by members of the federal cabinet, said that ministers, state ministers and special advisers had decided “willingly” to forego their salaries and perks. He said that all ministers would now pay their own telephone, electricity, water and gas bills.

    The premier further said that federal ministers would also travel in economy class and will not stay in five-star hotels during foreign trips.

    He asserted that no cabinet member or government officer will use a luxury car, adding that “Until June 2024, there will be a complete ban on purchasing all types of new cars.”

    The head of government also said that “to conserve gas and electricity, advice for opening offices at 7:30am during summer has been accepted.”

    Shehbaz Sharif said that it has also been decided that government employees will not be allotted more than one plot, saying that this would be implemented from tomorrow.

    He said that in terms of food, only a single dish would be allowed at government events.

    Talking about the Toshakhana, the premier said that the federal cabinet has decided that no one will be allowed to retain state gifts worth more than $300 (approx. Rs70,000). He also added that the government has decided to make the Toshakhana record public.

    Responding to a question from a reporter, PM Shehbaz said that the measures would save Rs200 billion annually.

    He said that matters with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are at the “last stage” and hoped that everything will go well.

    The development has taken place while Pakistan is eyeing a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) this week as the country reels under a foreign reserve shortage.

    Earlier this week, the National Assembly passed the IMF-dictated Finance (Supplementary) Bill 2023, seeking to impose an additional Rs170 billion in taxes.

  • NEPRA hikes power tariff by Rs2.86 per unit

    NEPRA hikes power tariff by Rs2.86 per unit

    The National Electric Electricity Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has increased the power price by Rs2.86 per unit for the month of March 2022 due to Fuel Charges Adjustment (FCA) and also issued a notification in this regard.

    As per NEPRA’s notice, power consumers of Ex Wapda Distribution Companies (DISCOS) will be charged an increase of Rs2.86 per unit on account of FCA for March 2022 in their electricity bills for May 2022, resulting in an added strain of Rs29 billion on consumers, along with General Sales Tax (GST).

    The Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) had urged the administration to raise the electricity tariff by Rs3.16 per unit. Except for lifeline and K-Electric (KE) customers, the hike will apply to all consumer categories.

    Read more: Pakistan starts oil and gas production from Dhok Sultan DS X-1

    Moreover, the authority also announced Rs1.38 per unit increase for K-Electric customers. For the month of February 2022, Karachi Electric (KE) requested an increase of Rs3.45 per unit. The hike will be billed to electricity customers in May 2022, according to the announcement. Except for lifeline customers who use less than 100 units per month, the tariff increase would affect all KE customers.

  • Newlywed couple sends Rs 39,829 bill to guests for not showing up at their reception

    Newlywed couple sends Rs 39,829 bill to guests for not showing up at their reception

    A newly married couple from Chicago sent a bill of $240 (Rs Rs 39,829) to the guests who didn’t attend their reception dinner.

    The invoice was shared on social media by a user named Philip Lewis, a senior front page editor at the Huffington Post, on Wednesday.

    The invoice states that the wedding reception took place at the Royalton Negril, a resort in Negril, Jamaica.

    The reason for sending the bill was listed as: “No call, no show guest.” The bill also mentioned the “Unit Price” of $120 per wedding guest and, since there were two guests who did not show up, the total cost was $240 (Rs 39,829).

    Read More: Newlywed couple gets five litres of petrol as wedding gift

    The receipt further stated, “This invoice is being sent to you because you confirmed seat(s) at the wedding reception during the Final Headcount. The amount above is the cost of your individual seats. Because you didn’t call or give us proper notice that you wouldn’t be in attendance, this amount is what you owe us for paying your seat(s) in advance. You can pay via Zelle or PayPal. Please reach out to us and let us know which method of payment works for you. Thank you!”

  • Protection of Journalists Bill

    Protection of Journalists Bill

    The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI ) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) have both prepared two bills for the protection of journalists in Pakistan.

    The federal cabinet in April approved two bills – the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Bill, and the Forced or Involuntary Disappearance (Criminal Law Amendment) Bill.

    Meanwhile, the bill for the protection of media persons was presented in the Sindh Assembly by the PPP government. The bill enables the provincial government to take effective steps to ensure that every journalist and media practitioner’s right to life, safety and security as provided under Article 9 of the Constitution are safeguarded.

    The Freedom Network’s annual state of press freedom report released in April 2021 highlighted a dramatic escalation in the climate of intimidation and harassment of journalists and the media in Pakistan.

  • Cabinet bans employing children as domestic workers

    Cabinet bans employing children as domestic workers

    The federal cabinet has approved a bill against the employment of children as domestic help across the country, Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari has said.

    According to details, the minister during her speech in the Senate on Friday said it will be applied once further work on the bill is finalised.

    “Violence and mistreatment of children start from these households,” Mazari said, mentioning that the new bill is government’s effort to end the violence against children.

    According to the new clause, any child under the age of 14 years can not be hired as domestic help. If anyone violates the law, strict action will be taken against them.

    The move came after several child abuse cases were reported from across the country. A campaign was also started on social media against the domestic employment of children. The government had also faced criticism for its lack of laws on the issue.

    Dr Mazari had been trying to include domestic labour by children as an unsafe line of work under this act.