Tag: National Assembly

  • Bye bye National Assembly; Lower House to be dissolved on August 9

    At a dinner hosted for allies, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has revealed that the National Assembly will be dissolved on August 9, three days before the end of its tenure, DAWN has reported.

    The dinner, held at the Prime Minister House on Thursday, was in honour of the parties that were allies in the ruling coalition.

    If the National Assembly is dissolved before the end of its tenure, general elections will be held in 90 days.

    Shehbaz Sharif informed his guests that a final round of consultation with other members of the ruling alliance on Friday to finalize the caretaker setup.

    A source has revealed to DAWN that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) head and current Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari held a long meeting with the Prime Minister on Thursday to discuss the interim setup.

    The reception was attended by Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, PPP leaders Yousuf Raza Gilani, MQM Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, JUI-F leader Asad Mehmood, Balochistan Awami Party leaders Khalid Magsi and Senator Ahmed Khan, Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP) Chairman Shahzain Bugti, Aslam Bhootani, Mohsin Dawar and others.

  • NA continues hasty legislation despite outrage

    NA continues hasty legislation despite outrage

    According to the report filed by Amir Wasim in Dawn, the National Assembly (NA) approved 12 more bills on Wednesday.

    Along with debates over legislation, the NA saw a verbal altercation between Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf and South Waziristan MNA Ali Wazir when the legislator accused Pakistan’s intelligence agencies of “installing” the Taliban government in neighboring Afghanistan and demanded that those responsible for bringing the Taliban back to Pakistan be held accountable.

    The angry speaker warned the MNA not to talk about sensitive matters related to Pakistan’s security forces, and then switched off the mic for Ali Wazir, declaring his words “anti-Pakistan”.

    During the passage of the bills, members of different allied parties in the coalition government complained that the PML-N didn’t take them into confidence in the matter of the bills.

    Some members were also concerned about a bill passing amendments to the Secrets Act, granting powers to intelligence agencies to raid and detain common citizens without warrants.

    Federal Minister for Science and Technology Agha Hassan Baloch has also said that BNP-M doesn’t want to be part of this hasty legislation. PPP lawmaker Shahida Rehmani and JUI-F’s Aliya Kamran were also against the passage of the bill.

  • NA passes bill proposing up to three years jail for involvement in anti-state activities

    NA passes bill proposing up to three years jail for involvement in anti-state activities

    The National Assembly has on Tuesday passed amendments to the Official Secrets Act Amendment Bill 2023 which suggests a three year jail sentence for involvement in anti-state activities.

    Murtaza Javed Abbasi, Parliamentary Affairs Minister, presented the bill named “Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill, 2023”.

    According to the bill, a person who creates a problem of public order or intentionally acts against the policies of the state would be guilty of the offence.

    Action will also be taken against the person who will try to gain unauthorised access to documents or information to act against the security interests of the state within or outside the country.

    These offences are punishable with three years in jail and a fine of Rs10 lacs or both.

    According to the bill, intelligence agencies can enter any place without a search warrant. The investigation officer will be the officer of FIA.

    Under the Official Secrets Act, the accused will be tried in a special court, and the special court will give it’s verdict after completing the hearing within 30 days.

  • Swift approval of 24 universities without proper discussion sparks debate

    Swift approval of 24 universities without proper discussion sparks debate

    In an unusual move that contradicts customary legislative protocol, the National Assembly of Pakistan has sanctioned the establishment of twenty-four new universities across various cities within a single session. These approvals, though hailed as a massive boost to the nation’s educational infrastructure, have ignited debates over the abruptness of the process.

    The approval of the bills occurred in an unusually sparse session, without the traditional discourse within respective Standing Committees, raising questions about the abrupt nature of the process.

    Critics are questioning the urgency that bypassed the usual deliberations associated with such significant decisions.

    The newly approved institutions include Metropolitan International Institute of Science and Technology, Askari Institute of Higher Education, Federal Ziauddin University, The Indus University of Science and Technology, The Institute of Management and Technology, and Pak China Gwadar University.

    Other notable approvals were for Lahore, University of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, Institute of Health and Professional Studies, Sheikhupura Institute of Advanced Studies, Cosmic Institute of Science and Technologies, Balhe Shah International University, The Ravi Institute, and The International Islamic Institute for Peace.

    Also given the green light were Shah Bano Institute Jardanwala, International Memon University, Umm Abiha Institute of Health Sciences, Mufti Azam Islamic University, Islamabad International University, Islamabad Institute of Modern Sciences, Al Biruni International University, National University of Health Emerging Sciences and Technologies, National Institute of Technology, Pakistan Institute of Management Sciences and Technology, and The Horizon University.

    As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how these newly approved universities will contribute to the country’s higher education landscape.

  • Raja Riaz rejects Dar for caretaker PM, sees no need for immediate elections

    Raja Riaz rejects Dar for caretaker PM, sees no need for immediate elections

    The leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, Raja Riaz, said on Tuesday that Finance Minister Ishaq Dar is not a suitable candidate for the position of caretaker PM. He has also said that there is no need for an immediate election in the country.

    The tenure of the National Assembly is going to expire on August 12. Members of the government are holding consultations over the matter of the interim government.

    Speaking on the matter of the caretaker setup, Raja Riaz said that the idea of appointing Ishaq Dar as caretaker PM is not good. “Elections will not be held for two years if Ishaq Dar becomes the interim prime minister,” he said.

    Asking the PML-N to reveal a name in media, Raja Riaz said that there is no need for him to consult on it. “As the opposition leader, I have to give my three names. I will meet the Prime Minister by August 1 on the caretaker government issue,” he added.

    The leader of the opposition has also dismissed the idea of an immediate election in the country. “The problems of the country and the people are more important. The solution to the challenges faced at this time is most important”.

    Raja Riaz was appointed as the leader of the opposition in May 2022 by the speaker of the National Assembly, Raja Pervez Ashraf.

  • Painful IMF compliance, but no new taxes on agriculture and real estate, clarifies Dar

    Painful IMF compliance, but no new taxes on agriculture and real estate, clarifies Dar

    Finance Minister Ishaq Dar made a resolute declaration on Thursday, assuring the public that the coalition government, despite having taken stern measures that burdened the masses, has no intentions of imposing additional taxes on the agriculture and real estate sectors.

    Speaking passionately on the floor of the National Assembly, Dar firmly stated, “I want to state categorically […] that no new tax will be imposed on agriculture or real estate. We have endured much pain in meeting the IMF’s conditions.”

    This assurance comes in the wake of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approving a $3 billion bailout program for Pakistan, with $1.2 billion already disbursed to help stabilise the nation’s struggling economy.

    Media reports had indicated that the IMF requested a plan from the government to impose taxes on the real estate and agricultural sectors as a condition to release the remaining funds. The news caused concern among those associated with the agriculture sector, especially since the government had expanded the loan volume to support it in the budget.

    Dar emphasised that all prior actions demanded by the lender had been successfully completed, and the agreement with the IMF was carried out in a transparent manner. He reassured the public, “No further burden will be passed on to the people. All the commitments made with the IMF are available on the finance ministry’s website.”

    The positive effects of the deal are already evident, with investors in the country experiencing relief in the stocks, exchange rate, and bonds markets. Additionally, longstanding allies Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have recently deposited $3 billion in Pakistan’s central bank, while China rolled over $5 billion in loans over the past three months to prevent the country from defaulting.

    In light of the IMF’s observation that both agriculture and construction sectors are under-taxed in Pakistan, economist Khaqan Hassan Najeeb stressed their significance in broadening the tax base and promoting progressivism.

    Regarding the real estate sector, Najeeb advocated for a genuine capital gains tax, levied at the marginal income tax rate of the individual making the capital gains over the years, to encourage investment from unproductive real estate to more productive sectors like manufacturing.

    Read more: Pakistan’s petroleum dealers temporarily postpone nationwide petrol pump shutdown

    However, Najeeb acknowledged that such reforms would be better suited for implementation by a long-term new government after the upcoming elections. Moreover, he highlighted that provincial governments hold authority over agriculture income tax, which presently contributes only insignificantly. He urged provinces to contemplate a progressive income tax on agriculture, considering the size of farm holdings.

    With Minister Dar’s assurance and the IMF’s support, Pakistan’s economic prospects seem brighter, but the road ahead calls for careful consideration and judicious decision-making to ensure a sustainable and progressive financial future.

  • Marriyum Aurangzeb says date for dissolution of assembly not finalised as yet

    Marriyum Aurangzeb says date for dissolution of assembly not finalised as yet

    Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has in a tweet denied that the date of the dissolution of the National Assembly has been finalised.

    “The date [of dissolution] will be decided in consultation with the PDM and other allied parties. The decision on the date of dissolution of the National Assembly will be officially announced,” she wrote.

    Earlier in the day, Geo News reported that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), the two major partners in the ruling coalition, have agreed to dissolve the National Assembly on August 8, a few days before the end of the assembly’s tenure.

  • National Assembly will be dissolved in August; PPP, PML-N agree

    National Assembly will be dissolved in August; PPP, PML-N agree

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), the two major political parties in the ruling coalition, have agreed to dissolve the National Assembly on August 8, Geo News has reported.

    However, Information Minister Mariyum Aurangzeb has tweeted that the date of the dissolution of the National Assembly has not been decided yet.

    “The date [of dissolution] will be decided in consultation with the PDM and other allied parties. The decision on the date of dissolution of the National Assembly will be officially announced,” she added.

    The National Assembly is completing its tenure on August 12 at midnight, but it seems like the lower house is going to be dissolved before time. According to sources, August 9 and 10 also came under discussion, but both major political parties agreed on August 8 to dissolve the National Assembly.

    “A general election to the National Assembly or a provincial assembly shall be held within a period of sixty days immediately following the day on which the term of the assembly is due to expire, unless the Assembly has been sooner dissolved,” Article 224 of the Constitution states.

    In the previous week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had said, “Next month, our government will complete its tenure. We will leave before the completion of our tenure, and an interim government will come”.

  • Govt increases excise duty on registration of cars over 2000cc

    Govt increases excise duty on registration of cars over 2000cc

    The federal government has implemented a considerable increase in excise duty on vehicle registration for vehicles with engine capacities exceeding 2000cc in the Finance Bill for the fiscal year 2023-2024.

    Under the new regulations, a fixed tax rate of six per cent has been imposed on vehicles ranging from 2001cc to 2500cc. Individuals who file their taxes will be subject to a tax payment of Rs0.25 million for vehicles falling within this range.

    For vehicles with engine capacities between 2501cc and 3000cc, the government has introduced an eight per cent fixed tax rate. Previously, filers were required to pay Rs0.2 million, while non-filers were subjected to a higher tax amount of Rs 0.4 million. Furthermore, a substantial ten per cent fixed tax has been imposed on the registration of vehicles with a capacity of 3000cc.

    The National Assembly has already approved the Finance Bill for the upcoming fiscal year, incorporating vital budgetary proposals. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar presented the bill to the House, outlining a total outlay of Rs14,480 billion.

    The passage of the federal budget in the House was a crucial step taken to address the concerns of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and secure the revival of a suspended loan program. In light of these developments, revisions were made to the tax collection target, raising it from Rs9,200 billion to Rs9,415 billion.

    To accommodate increased pension payments, an allocation of Rs801 billion has been designated, reflecting a significant rise from the previously allocated amount of Rs761 billion. These measures demonstrate the government’s commitment to addressing pressing fiscal matters and ensuring financial stability.

  • National Assembly passes amendment limiting disqualification to maximum five years

    National Assembly passes amendment limiting disqualification to maximum five years

    The National Assembly on Sunday adopted a bill seeking an amendment to the Elections Act 2017, aimed at limiting the disqualification of lawmakers to a maximum of five years.

    The bill, presented by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in the National Assembly, came into force immediately. The bill had already been passed by the Senate on June 16.

    The bill includes an amendment to Section 232 (Disqualification on account of offenses) of the Election Act, 2017.

    Any individual who is disqualified by a court ruling shall be excluded for a maximum of five years from the day the judgment is made public. The period of disqualification under Article 62(1)(f) cannot exceed five years.

    “Notwithstanding anything contained in any other provision of this Act, any other law for the time being in force and judgment, order or decree of any court, including the Supreme Court and a high court, the disqualification of a person to be elected, chosen or to remain as a member of the Parliament or provincial assembly under paragraph (f) of clause (1) of Article 62 of the Constitution shall be for a period not exceeding five years from the declaration of the court of law in that regard and such declaration shall be subject to the due process of law,” it stated.