Pakistan urges enhanced D-8 economic ties

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar called on Wednesday for creating a 'Private Sector Coordination Facility' to boost economic cooperation among the Developing-Eight (D-8) countries.

Khar spoke virtually at the 20th session of the D-8 Council of Foreign Ministers, hosted by Bangladesh, the Foreign Office said. She called for creating a conducive environment for trade through facilitative legal frameworks, and equal opportunities for investment and business.

Khar underscored that Pakistan's vision of geo-economics had socio-economic growth, connectivity, and development at its core. Through the cooperation and partnerships, the D-8 countries could realise their true economic potential.

Khar highlighted that Pakistan’s location afforded critical overland and maritime connectivity to key regions of Asia – Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and China – that made Pakistan among the most pivotal states in the world, geo-politically. “We were confident that through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), this geo-political asset will rapidly turn into a geo-economic dividend.”

The Bangladesh foreign minister, in his capacity as the chair of the council of ministers, presided over the meeting. Foreign ministers of Turkiye and Iran, and minister of state of Nigeria, alongside senior officials from Egypt, Indonesia and Malaysia, also participated in the meeting.

The council meeting was preceded by the 45th Session of the D-8 Commission, which adopted a series of major decisions building on the progress achieved. One of the key decisions taken by the council was to fully operationalise the Preferential Trade Agreement by October 31, 2022 with a view to achieving the intra-D-8 trade target of $500 billion agreed under the Decennial Road Map 2020-30.

In recognition of the role of trade in enhancing economic cooperation, and to promote financial and payment systems, the meeting also agreed to operationalise within the next two years the D-8 Payment Card system, D-8 Clearing House, D-8 Qualified Industrial and Economic Zones, D-8 Creative Economy and Financial Centre, D-8 Halal Food Sector Cooperation, and D-8 Barter Trading System.

The ministers agreed to the need for enhancing financial and human resources for the D-8 Secretariat. The meeting also tasked the Secretariat to further review project proposals for financial support by the D-8 member states.

It acknowledged with appreciation the desire of Azerbaijan to become a member of the D-8. The ministers agreed to hold a special session of the D-8 Commission in October this year to make final recommendations with regards to the criteria for accession of new member states to the D-8. A report to the effect would be considered for adoption by the next council of ministers session.

The D-8 Group, established in Istanbul on June 15, 1997, includes Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkiye. The year 2022 marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of D-8.

Based in Istanbul, the organisation is currently led by Ambassador Isiaka Abdulqadir Imam of Nigeria, who assumed the position of Secretary-General on January 1, 2022.

Sanaullah urges Imran to dissolve KP, Punjab assemblies before demanding early elections

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Thursday urged former prime minister Imran Khan to dissolve assemblies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab — where his party is in power — saying that it was a prerequisite of his demand for general elections.

The minister made the statement at a press conference in Islamabad as he insisted that the PTI chief would “never prefer early polls” and that “he is making such demands only to discredit the government.”

Sanaullah said PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif wanted the country to move towards elections, however, “this man [Imran] is asking for the sacking of chief election commissioner without realising that fact that the CEC cannot be replaced without fulfillment of a required constitutional process.”

“The nomination for the current CEC was proposed by Imran when he was in the government, and now he could only be removed through the consent of judicial council,” he added.

He said the ECP chief could not be sacked on mere threats hurled by Imran.

He asked Imran to dissolve the two assemblies if he was “sincere” in his demand for early polls.

The interior minister demanded the ECP to “immediately announce” the verdict in the foreign funding case, which has been reserved for eight weeks.

Sanaullah claimed the PML-N would “sweep” Punjab if elections were held, saying “we will form our government”.

The minister also blamed the PTI government for the current inflation the country was facing. “They signed an agreement with the IMF and we just implemented it.”

He said the incumbent government only raised the power tariff and did nothing else that added to the country’s soaring inflation.

“The history will tell that we took the right decisions by saving the country from imminent default.”

To a question, Sanaullah said the case of Model Town had already been decided wherein the allegations against his party leaders could not be proved.

JCP rejects CJP Bandial's nominees for Supreme Court elevation

The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) Thursday rejected Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial's nominated judges of higher courts for their appointment to the Supreme Court.

CJP Bandial presided over the judicial commission's session, where a total of five judges, two from the Sindh High Court and three from the Lahore High Court (LHC), were considered.

The chief justice, Justice Aijazul Ahsan, and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah voted in favour of the nominees, while Justice (retd) Sarmad Jalal Usmani voted in favour of three judges from LHC and voted against the SHC nominees, sources said.

However, according to sources, their votes were less as Justice Qazi Faez Isa, Justice Tariq Masood, Attorney-General Ashtar Ausaf Ali, and Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar voted against all the five nominees.

Upon receiving five votes against the nominees, the chief justice ended the session without reaching a decision, sources added.

Had they been approved, then in line with Article 175-A of the Constitution of Pakistan, the JCP would have forwarded the list to the parliamentary committees for the appointment of judges to the Supreme Court.

Just two days before the JCP session, senior puisne judge Justice Isa had written a letter to the commission, seeking postponement of today's meeting, stating that the matter "requires utmost care and due deliberation as it is a matter of extreme delicacy".

The justice has severely criticised CJP Bandial for scheduling the meeting at such a time when he (Isa) is not able to physically attend the meeting as he is currently on leave abroad.

Addressing the chief justice he said: "CJ please do not ridicule the JCP and your nominees by contravening the Constitution. The JCP deserves to be treated with respect and consideration by its Chairman."

"Therefore, I request that the JCP meeting should be postponed. Instead, let us first meet to consider how to proceed further in the matter. And, if Chief Justice and senior puisne judges of the high courts are to be bypassed then to first develop for consideration of the JCP criteria for nominees since the then senior most judge failed to accomplish the task assigned to him," Justice Isa wrote.

Apart from this, bar associations of all the provinces, representatives of the Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan, Pakistan Bar Council, and other bars opposed the elevation of high courts' junior judges to the apex court.

The demand came during a meeting of the bars on the same day. They sought amendments to Article 175-A and Article 209 for unifying the forum for the appointment and dismissal of judges.

Exhibition on Gilgit Baltistan’s Gemstone and Mineral Sector

two-day Exhibition on Gilgit Baltistan’s Gemstone and Mineral Sector is being organized at The Centaurus Mall Ground Floor Atrium from July 27th - July 28th, 2022 for the promotion of the hidden treasures of Gilgit-Baltistan.

The Mines and Minerals Department of Gilgit-Baltistan is organizing the exhibition as a pioneering initiative of the department to uplift the minerals and gemstones sector of Gilgit- Baltistan.

On the first day, honorable governor G-B Syed Amjad Ali Zaidi attended the event as chief guest. Expressing his views on the occasion, the governor appreciated the efforts of G-B government especially the department of Minerals and Mines for holding the exhibition and said he believed it would go a long way to showcasing G-B gemstones in international market.

This exhibition has been supported by The Centaurus and Pakistan Gemstone and Mineral Association (PGMA). The supporters of the event including Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan, The Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Executive Officer of the Centaurus Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, and the Group Director Dr. Sardar Rashid Ilyas Khan played a pivotal role in organizing and executing the said festival.

The exhibition was also attended by notable international businessmen including Naseer Uddin Rupani who expressed their appreciation for the Government’s efforts in promoting the minerals and gemstones of Gilgit-Baltistan and shared their ideas for the sustainable growth of the industry.

The exhibition aims at promoting the mineral and mining section of Gilgit-Baltistan which is enriched with 80% of Pakistan’s mineral base, and this exhibition is expected to play a major role to explore the mineral potential of this land.

The Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan would be visiting the exhibition on the second day as part of supporting the government’s initiative.
More than 20 businesses are taking part in this unique exhibition where a variety of rare gems, gem crystals, minerals, and finished jewelry representing the wide diversity and color of precious stones, from the land of treasures are showcased.

The stage for the exhibition is set, and all participants/exhibitors are unveiling a valuable collection of precious stones, rocks, and rare minerals in all shapes, colors, and price ranges showing the diversity and beauty of the region. This event is designed to facilitate gemstone and mineral businesses in Gilgit-Baltistan, and it will also provide an opportunity for local businesses to expand their business potential around the country and beyond.

The final day of the exhibition is set on July 28th, 2022 and people from all backgrounds are invited to attend.

Pakistan Army assisting civil administration in rescue & relief efforts in flood affected areas

Pakistan Army and FC troops are assisting civil administration in rescue and relief efforts in the flood affected areas of Balochistan, Punjab and Sindh.

Two army aviation helicopters have been flown from Karachi to Othal, Lasbella. The helicopters will now shift stranded people to safer places and also transport necessary relief items.

General Officer Commanding at Gwadar visited Othal area to oversee rescue and relief efforts.

Ground rescue and relief teams are busy in Othal and Jhal Magsi to shift people to safer places and providing food and water to local residents.

Doctors and paramedics are providing medical care to the affected people.

The coastal highway has been opened for all types of traffic.

Efforts are being made to repair the damaged communication infrastructure and restore utilities.

Protection bund in Turbat which was breached has been repaired.

In Punjab, troops are assisting civil administration in relief efforts in DG Khan. Two medical camps have been established by Army to provide medical care to local people affected by the floods.

Apart from dewatering efforts in Karachi, troops are busy in relief efforts in Jamshoro and Gharo areas.

Asif Zardari tests positive for Covid-19

Former president Asif Ali Zardari has tested positive for Covid-19 with mild symptoms, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto said Thursday.

Sharing the news on his Twitter handle, Bilawal said that the party's co-chairman was not only vaccinated but had also received booster shots of the COVID-19 vaccine.

"He is fully vaccinated, boosted, isolating with mild symptoms and undergoing treatment. We are praying for his swift recovery," Bilawal added.

President Zardari has tested positive for Covid. He is fully vaccinated, boosted, isolating with mild symptoms and undergoing treatment. We are praying for his swift recovery.

— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) July 28, 2022

All state organs should act within domains stipulated by constitution: PM

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that all state organs should act within the domains stipulated by constitution for a smooth and effective working of democratic system.

In a tweet on Thursday, he said it was also the core of his argument during the speech at the National Assembly.

Shehbaz Sharif said we will be moving in a circle getting nowhere without understanding it.

 The core of my argument during my speech at NA was that for a democratic system to work smoothly & effectively, it is important that all state organs act within the domains stipulated by Constitution. Without understanding this, we will be moving in a circle, getting nowhere.

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) July 28, 2022