5 more ministries to be transferred; preparations ordered

In the second phase of implementation of 18th amendment, 5 more ministries would be transferred to the provinces, News Trends reported on Wednesday.

Chairman of Implementation Commission Mian Raza Rabbani has said that no employee would be fired nor would be sent to the surplus pool. The session of the implementation commission was held in Islamabad that was presided over by the Chairman of commission Mian Raza Rabbani to finalize the transfer of 5 more ministries to the provinces. After the session Mian Raza Rabbani said that Cabinet division, establishment division and inter-provincial coordination departments have been directed to start preparations for the transfer of 5 more ministries. He also said that the fate of ministers of the transferred ministries would be decided by the Prime Minister whereas those ministers would be summoned ot the session of the commission who express reservations on the transfer.

Govt. decides to call joint parliamentary session on Dec. 18

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The government has decided on Thursday to call a joint parliamentary session on December 18 and National Assembly’s session on December 20.

The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs has sent an official summary, for calling both sessions, to President Asif Ali Zardari.

During the joint session, one house will present other house’s rejected bills, under the 18th Amendment, for the approval. Before 18th Amendment a mediation committee was formed for such rejected bills.

According to sources, in the session of National Assembly, on December 20, the Reformed General Sales Tax Bill can be presented for discussion. Trend Pk

KP Assembly session called on Dec. 3

Staff Report

PESHAWAR: The session of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly has been called on December 3.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor, Owais Ghani, approved a summary of Law and Parliamentry Affairs Department on Tuesday and called the session of provincial assembly at 3.00pm on December.

According to sources, during the session the assembly will review, to approve, a special report, on province’s name change, and it will also approve KP Universities Amended Bill. Trend Pk

PU Harassment Case: Prof Iftikhar Baloch Gets Clean Chit form Police

Police acquitted Professor Iftikhar Baloch of the Punjab University of harassment case.

Meanwhile, Baloch withdrew his interim bail application.
Principal of Environmental Sciences Department Prof Iftikhar was alleged of harassing two women after which he was suspended from the said department and was transferred to Geology Department.

The revelations of the incident led to huge protests by the varsity students. On Saturday, the police presented its report to the session judge while the probe report being carried out by the university administration has not been prepared yet.

Uproar in Senate over RGST

After MQM, now its JUIs turn to oppose RGST in the Senate. Slogans of RGST unacceptable were shouted in the Senate till its session was adjourned for indefinite period. Nair Bukhari presented the copy of the RGST bill in the Senate and the bill was handed over to the Standing Committee for Finance. Tahir Mushhadi said that it was a suicide certificate being given to people in form of RGST. He said that RGST was the other name of VAT. He stressed that if reforms are necessary, then PIA, WAPDA and Railways should be reformed at the earliest. Senator Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidry said that RGST was not less than drone attack and it would not be supported. MQM members continued to shout slogans against RGST. MQM boycotted the session for the third day in opposition of RGST approval. Finance Minister said that RGST was not a new tax, instead the system was reform.

National Assembly’s session adjourned after unrest due to price hike

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The ongoing session of National Assembly has been adjourned after unrest due to the recent price hike in the country.

According to details after the start of today’s session in the National Assembly, opposition members began a very hot debate over the issue of the ongoing price hike of necessities and growing inflation throughout the country.

The debate gradually became more heated and chaotic as members of the ruling and opposition parties went out of control.

Seeing no other way to control the house, the speaker adjourned the session till tomorrow.

During this fiery debate, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) member Khushbakht Shujaat said that if fake degree holders can reach the Parliament, then surly they can be found in educational institutes as well. Trend Pk

Gilani convenes CCI meeting on Nov 8

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has convened the meeting of Council of Common Interests (CCI) on November 8, trendpk.Com reported Thursday.
The meeting would probably chalk out plans in connection with the session of Pakistan Development Forum (PDF) to be held on November 14 besides reconstruction and rehabilitation of flood-ravaged people.
International Community has been invited to the forum, which would focus on stability in a country being leading ally with US on war on terrorism whereby the countries would be asked to enhance economic and trade cooperation with Pakistan.
The other members of CCI, besides PM Gilani being its head, are chief ministers from four provinces and three federal ministers.

SC orders FIRs against fake degree holders

The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) has ordered for FIRs to be lodged against the fake degree holders, Dunya News reported on Friday.
A three-member bench of the apex court heard the petition filed by the Secretary of the Election Commission of Pakistan. The bench was chaired by the Chief Justice of Pakistan Mr. Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. Attorney General Maulvi Anwar ul Haq said that due to incomplete election commission of the country there are difficulties in acting against the fake degree holders. The Chief Justice responded that the peoples representation act is very clear in this regard. Any responsible officer of the election commission can submit request in the session court against the fraud.

KP Assembly Passes Resolution to Ban Dowry

PESHAWAR: The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Thursday passed a unanimous resolution against ban on dowry in the province.

Awami National Party’s woman MPA Tabasum Shams tabled the resolution when the session began with Pakistan Peoples Party parliamentary leader Abdul Akbar Khan in chair.

The resolution, which was unanimously passed by treasury benches and the opposition, stressed that exchange of dowry must be banned to save the society from discriminations and disproportions.

Balckcoats observe token strike

The lawyers have been observing a token strike across Punjab against police highhandedness and arrest of their colleagues, Dunya News reported on Wednesday.
The strike call has been given Punjab Bar Council till October 8. However, a majority of lawyers are appearing before the courts, while judges are also seen conducting their duties.
Security has been beefed up in and around the session courts.

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