Tag: Law ministry

  • Major boost for Pakistan’s port infrastructure: Gulf countries to invest $500 million

    Major boost for Pakistan’s port infrastructure: Gulf countries to invest $500 million

    Maritime Affairs Minister Faisal Sabzwari revealed that a comprehensive agreement to secure a noteworthy investment of $500 million from Gulf countries is currently in the final stages of preparation. To facilitate this endeavor, an intergovernmental agreement policy will be presented to the law ministry on Monday.

    Its potential approval will lay the groundwork for direct foreign investment, in accordance with the conditions outlined by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    During an address to members of the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI), Minister Sabzwari informed them that Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are collaboratively operating under a government-to-government (G2G) agreement. This partnership is focused on three key projects, including the establishment of bulk terminals.

    As outlined in a press release by KATI, Mr Sabzwari revealed plans to develop industrial parks spanning 1,250 acres within Port Qasim. These parks will provide a range of facilities designed to attract foreign investors.

    Mr Sabzwari acknowledged that there have been no tariff increases at the port, although the implementation of digitalization is still pending. Additionally, limitations on leases have been imposed. He added that terminal charges have recently been adjusted from 60 cents to 80 cents, resulting in a modest 1.5 per cent increase in production costs for industrialists.

    Furthermore, the minister highlighted the successful consultations conducted with various stakeholders, including container operators, to mitigate demurrage charges and penalties at the port. As a result, Karachi Port has eradicated all penalties associated with these charges.

    According to Dawn, the minister also announced the acquisition of a maritime vessel for transporting edible oil, thus expanding the fleet at Karachi port. In addition to this development, approval has been granted for the construction of a beach wall at Karachi Fish Harbour, aimed at promoting tourism and recreational activities. Furthermore, plans have been set in motion to establish a laboratory dedicated to marine fisheries.

    Previously, KATI President Faraz-ur-Rehman stressed the importance of regulating shipping companies and proposed the implementation of a system for demurrage charges and penalties based on the value of containers. He suggested that this system should be made accessible online, similar to the shipping booking system WeBoC.

    Zubair Chayya, Deputy Patron-in-Chief of KATI, expressed that Pakistan, with its extensive 1,400-kilometre-long coastline and abundant marine resources, including highly sought-after fish species, should prioritize utilizing the coastal region for tourism, thereby reaping substantial economic benefits.

  • Special courts established to hear rape cases

    Special courts established to hear rape cases

    On Monday, the Anti-Rape Special Committee was informed of the status of the anti-rape law’s implementation. It was noted that special courts had been established across the nation to hear rape cases and that special police units had been established for the purpose of investigation.

    The panel met in the Ministry of Law and Justice under the direction of Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq.

    Mehnaz Akbar Aziz, the Parliamentary Secretary for Law and Justice, Osama Malik, the chair of the anti-rape committee, as well as other members and representatives from the law ministry, were present at the meeting.

    The committee was formed in July thus year against rape was announced by the Law Ministry on Friday in an effort to combat the worrying increase in sexual violence cases across the nation. The special committee’s primary responsibility will be to aid sexual assault victims in getting legal representation, in addition to attempting to stop cases of rape against children.

  • Govt rejects proposal to extend NAB chairman’s tenure

    Govt rejects proposal to extend NAB chairman’s tenure

    The Law Ministry has rejected a proposal by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to extend the tenure of its chairperson Justice (r) Javed Iqbal, deputy chairperson and prosecutor general.

    According to reports, the anti-graft watchdog had suggested the Law Ministry that the NAB Ordinance be amended to extend the tenure of the three officials.

    Rejecting the proposal, the Law Ministry said that the tenure of the said posts was in line with the tenure of other autonomous bodies and that NAB could not provide clear reasons for an extension.

    Justice (r) Javed Iqbal is the incumbent chairman of NAB.

    NAB CHIEF HEARS PEOPLE OUT:

    Separately, Justice (r) Iqbal last Thursday listened to complaints of the people about housing societies after they turned up at NAB headquarters from across the country to directly register their complaints to the chairman.

    According to a statement, he patiently listened to complaints against various housing societies and directed the bureau officers concerned to address the same on priority basis.

    It merits mentioning here that Justice (r) Iqbal after assuming the coveted responsibilities in October 2017 decided to himself listen to the complaints on the last Thursday of every month.

    He had also directed director generals of all bureaus to ensure listening to the complaints of the aggrieved persons personally.

    Justice (r) Iqbal’s retirement is due next year.

  • Law ministry refuses to share details of lawyers, fee paid for Musharraf trial

    The law ministry has rejected an application seeking details of the legal team hired to prosecute former army ruler General (retd) Pervez Musharraf on treason charges, and the fees paid to them by saying that its a classified matter, thus can’t be held answerable by common citizens Geo News reported.

    According to the details, Mukhtar Ahmed Ali, the applicant, had sought the details under the Right of Access to Information Act 2017, commonly known as RTI law. Mukhtar wanted to know how judiciously the money contributed by public through their taxes is being used by the ministry.

    Mukhtar Ali said, the ministry declared him ineligible to post such inquiries. The ministry in its reply referred to a Cabinet Division notification’s issued in 1993, but it did not explain or share the contents of the notification. The reply also stated that the ministry has claimed exemption by saying it has been declared “classified, therefore, your request is hereby declined on this aspect”.

    Ali had earlier sought answers to four questions, asking for the list of the members of the prosecution team, and relevant law firms engaged for Pervaiz Musharraf’s trial under Article 6 of the Constitution and the fees paid to them.

    He further sought details of out-of-pocket expenses (e.g. travel, lodging, meal) reimbursed to them and asked for the fee break-up paid to each member of the legal team.

    After the ministry’s refusal, Mukhtar has approached Pakistan Information Commission (PIC), an appellant body set up under the RTI law for dealing with the complaints lodged by the applicants against the government.

    In a rejoinder sent to the law ministry, Mukhtar said his application has been rejected without being given due consideration as the authorities “has not even bothered to consider Article 19A and the (Right of Access to Information) Act in the course of deciding my application.”