Day: September 21, 2021

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Pakistan Press Foundation remembers “Muhammad Aamir Liaqat” who died nine years ago while covering protests in Peshawar 

Karachi, September 21, 2021 (PPI-OT):On September 21, 2012, a driver for ARY News, Muhammad Aamir Liaquat, was killed in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa when police opened fire on demonstrators staging a violence protest outside a cinema against the ‘Innocence of Muslims’ video. Pakistan Press Foundation pays tribute to the work of Liaquat as a frontline media worker.

Liaquat received a bullet in his chest when he was trying to reach the place where police were targeting protesters with live rounds to protect a cinema. Three rounds hit the vehicle and one of them struck Liaquat. He was rushed to a hospital, where he died. A first information report (FIR) of the incident was registered at the Faqeerabad Police Station in the city but no one was arrested and the case was closed.

Recalling the incident, ARY News Peshawar Bureau Chief Zia ul Haq told PPF that the ARY DSNG van along with reporters and crew went to cover the protest outside the cinema, about a kilometre away from the network’s office. Haq said that Liaquat, who was associated with ARY News since 2007, had sustained serious injuries in the crossfire between the police and protestors.

Liaquat’s cousin Zubair said that the slain journalist had been the sole breadwinner of his family leaving behind a widow and three sons, one of whom was only a week old at the time of his father’s death. Zubair said that the network had provided them with compensation at the time of the incident and still pay his monthly salary to his wife.

For more information, contact:
Secretary General,
Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
Press Centre, Shahrah Kamal Ataturk,
Karachi-74200, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-32628729
Fax: +92-21-32217069
Email: owaisali@pakistanpressfoundation.org
Email: ppf@pakistanpressfoundation.org
Website: www.pakistanpressfoundation.org

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54% of Pakistanis believe that if immigration is stopped, then the country will become stronger: Gallup and Gilani Pakistan 

Islamabad, September 21, 2021 (PPI-OT):According to a survey conducted by Gallup and Gilani Pakistan, 54% of Pakistanis believe that if immigration is stopped, then the country will become stronger.

A nationally representative sample of adult men and women from across the four provinces was asked the following question, “Please indicate to what extent you agree or disagree with the following statement? – If immigration (going from one country to another) is stopped, then the country will become stronger” In response to this question, 34% said they completely agreed, 20% somewhat agreed, 8% somewhat disagreed and 26% completely disagreed. 9% did not know and 3% did not respond.

Question: “Please indicate to what extent you agree or disagree with the following statement? – If immigration (going from one country to another) is stopped, then the country will become stronger”

For more information, contact:
Head Office,
Gallup Pakistan
Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-8445080
Email: isb@gallup.com.pk, caf@gallup.com.pk
Website: www.gallup.com.pk

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NA refers five private members’ bills to committees 

Islamabad, September 21, 2021 (PPI-OT):The National Assembly left almost two-third agenda unaddressed on private members’ day and referred five legislative proposals to the relevant committees, observes Free and Fair Election Network in its Daily Factsheet on Tuesday.

Following are key observations of the proceedings during 3rd sitting of the 36th session:

Members’ Participation

The National Assembly met for an hour and 25 minutes.

The sitting started at 04:35 pm against the scheduled time of 04:00 pm.

A member of panel of chairpersons presided over the entire proceedings in the absence of the speaker and deputy speaker.

The leader of the house (Prime Minister) did not attend the sitting.

The leader of the opposition was present for 26 minutes.

As many as 45 (13 percent) lawmakers were present at the outset and 114 (33 percent) at the adjournment of the sitting.

The parliamentary leaders of BAP, MMAP, ANP and PML-N attended the proceedings.

Six minority lawmakers were present.

Output

The House witnessed introduction of five private members’ bills which were the Islamabad Capital Territory Prevention of Beggary Bill, 2021; the Contractors Registration Bill, 2021; the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) (Amendment) Bill, 2021; the Zainab Alerts, Response and Recovery (Amendment) Bill, 2021 and the Benazir Income Support Programme (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

Four bills on the agenda were deferred which included the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021; the National Commission for Human Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2021; the Memon University Bill, 2021 and the Microfinance Institutions (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

The House did not consider the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (Amendment in Article- 168) due to absence of mover.

The House passed a motion for consideration of the Islamabad Rent Restriction (Amendment) Bill, 2020 in the joint sitting of the Parliament. Another motion for consideration of the Islamabad Capital Territory Prohibition of Corporal Punishment Bill, 2020 was deferred due to the absence of mover.

The House did not consider eight private members’ bills, five motions under Rule 259, four resolutions, three reports of standing committees and two amendments in rules of procedure and conduct of business in National Assembly, 2007.

Representation and Responsiveness

Minister of state for parliamentary affairs responded to a calling attention notice (CAN) regarding non-commencement of work of Kachi Canal, Phase-II.

Another CAN on the agenda about conducting classes and A-level examinations simultaneously in the universities was not taken up.

Order and Institutionalization

Eleven lawmakers spoke on points of order for 26 minutes.

A PPPP lawmaker pointed out the quorum at 06:00 pm but the Chair ignored it and announced to adjourn the House to meet again on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at 04:00 pm.

Transparency

‘Orders of the Day’ was available to legislators, observers and public.

Attendance of lawmakers was available to media and observers.

For more information, contact:
Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN)
FAFEN Representative
FAFEN Secretariat 224, Margalla Road F-10/3 – Islamabad
Tel: +92-51-2211026
Fax: +92-51-2211047
Cell: +92-321-5017355, +92-301-8549188
Email: media@fafen.org
URL: www.fafen.org

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Pakistan is concerned by the potential blowback of the development in Afghanistan: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari

Islamabad, September 21, 2021 (PPI-OT):There have been complaints from journalists in Afghanistan, the women are protesting for their rights. We are concerned that the girls are not being allowed to go to secondary school. We continue to encourage the new regime in Afghanistan to live up to international expectations if they want international recognition. This was said by the Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in an interview to the BBC World on Tuesday.

Chairman PPP said that as soon as the situation in Afghanistan developed, Pakistan Peoples Party called for the government of Pakistan to hold a session of the parliament. As with various issues in our country, we have been unable to form a national consensus. We require an inclusive foreign policy that is per the will of the parliament not of any individual.

Responding to a question Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said Pakistan’s influence over Afghanistan is often exaggerated, however, Pakistan should play its role in encouraging an inclusive government in Afghanistan, for the protection women and children there. We should work with international agents to ensure that Afghan land is not used to promote terrorism in the region.

The interviewer asked a question about the civilian government having little say in matters, to which Chairman Bilawal responded by saying that it is true that the democratic space in Pakistan is shrinking, especially during Imran Khan’s government. In order for that space to be regained, it is the choice of democratic people of the country to play an active role in the political system, through the parliament and media. The role of various agencies in Afghanistan over the past two decades will be discussed in history. Everyone seems to be blaming one another, but it is important to work together for a positive outcome for the sake of the region. For the women and youth of Afghanistan who have so much potential, it is worrisome that their potential is in danger.

Chairman PPP further said that we are very concerned about the potential blowbacks of the developments in Afghanistan as well as the links between Tehreek e Taliban Afghanistan and Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan. We have suffered immensely at the hands of violent extremism. I lost my mother, the former Prime Minister Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto to Islamic extremism within Pakistan. In order to counter the threat of extremism, we need determination from the government of Pakistan to ensure no space for terrorism or extremism.

He said that what we have learned from Afghanistan is that extremism is not battled with bombs alone but ideas and opportunities. We have to provide for the people of Pakistan who have a stake in the political and economic system. When there is this sort of deprivation, all sorts of negative influences can take advantage of the situation.

The people of Pakistan and Afghanistan are both exhausted due to the war, we hope for the best but should also prepare for the worst. We are already seeing an increase in the activities of TTP within Pakistan. It is important to see how we can prevent, as termed by the UNDP the ‘economic disaster from developing in 2022’. 90 percent of the people of Afghanistan are prophesized to be below the poverty line by then, we have to tackle this issue through the United Nations to ensure that the vulnerable people, ethnic minorities and women of Afghanistan receive aid.

Chairman Bilawal said that he welcomes what Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed in his interview to the BBC that is only recognizing the Taliban government after international consensus. While I welcome the approach, I hope he creates that consensus within Pakistan. The Pakistani parliament unfortunately has not met ever since the recent developments in Pakistan, stakeholders within Pakistan have not been consulted with.

For more information, contact:
PPP Media Cell (Sindh)
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)
Peoples Secretariat Shikarpur Colony,
Behind Mazar-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Karachi, Pakistan
Cell: +92-305-3370383
Email: contact@ppp-tu.com
Website: https://www.ppp.org.pk

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Even the foreign consultant stated that i-voting at the present stage, does not meet the standards required to hold free and fair elections: Senator Taj Haider

Islamabad, September 21, 2021 (PPI-OT):Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Senate on Parliamentary Affairs, Senator Taj Haider has said in a press statement issued today that the criticism on Election Commission of Pakistan for not conducting pilot projects on i-voting or voting machines was completely misplaced and in order to clear the confusion that has been created it was necessary that the record on the pilot projects undertaken by the ECP should be set straight.

As also mentioned in the Report of the Senate Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs ECP in December 2018 had submitted its Reports on Pilot Tests on i-voting in 35 constituencies and its Report on Biometric Verification Machines (BVMs) tested in NA 120.

Senator Taj Haider said it was unfortunate that neither of the two Houses of the Parliament took up these Reports for discussion in the last 33 months in order to give directions in this regard to the ECP. Instead the Government appointed a foreign consultant to give his opinion on the Report on i-voting. The foreign consultant also gave their opinion that i-voting at the present stage did not meet the standards required for holding free and fair elections.

The real tragedy is that consensus reached in the Senate Standing Committee on the two Electoral Reform Bills which was to be transformed into positive recommendations was torpedoed by an Advisor and a Minister. The Government staged a walkout in the Committee on its own Bills and the difference of opinion if any has now been converted into attacks on the person of Honourable Chief Election Commissioner. Why are some people afraid of consensus and why are they prepared to go down to any level in order to sabotage consensus is not understood, Senator Taj Haider concluded.

For more information, contact:
PPP Media Cell (Sindh)
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)
Peoples Secretariat Shikarpur Colony,
Behind Mazar-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Karachi, Pakistan
Cell: +92-305-3370383
Email: contact@ppp-tu.com
Website: https://www.ppp.org.pk

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National T20 tickets available from today

Rawalpindi, September 21, 2021 (PPI-OT):Tickets for the National T20 will be up for sale from 8pm, the premier T20 domestic tournament begins at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi from Thursday, 23 September.

In order to encourage vaccinated cricket fans from all walks of life, the tickets have been kept at a highly affordable price. The tickets for the National T20 range between PKR500 to PKR50.

The tournament will showcase the best of Pakistan’s T20 talent with the entire 18 member ICC Men’s T20 World Cup squad (including the three travelling reserves) featuring for the six participating sides. Pindi Cricket Stadium will stage the first 18 matches from 23rd September to 3 October.

Lahore’s Qaddafi Stadium will play host to the last 15 matches including the final from 6 October to 13 October.

Ticket sales process for National T20:

Tickets can be bought from www.Bookme.pk website or Bookme’s mobile applications, M and P courier offices across Pakistan and over the phone.

Online purchases can be made on the following address:

https://cricket.bookme.pk or download Bookme android/iOS app

For purchase through phone the Bookme’s helpline needs to be called at: 0313 7786 888

For the enclosures designated as Family enclosures a 10 per cent discount will be offered on purchase of three or more tickets.

Terms and Conditions for spectators:

Only vaccinated individuals will be allowed to purchase the tickets.

NADRA-issued Vaccination Certificates must be shown at the time of purchase and when gaining access to the stadium.

Original ID cards are mandatory.

Individuals between the ages of 17 and 18 should be partially vaccinated to access the stadium (must carry proof of partial vaccination).

Wearing of mask will be mandatory.

Tickets are non-transferable.

Anyone violating Bio-Secure protocols is liable to be evicted out of venue.

All of the above terms will apply for complimentary and hospitality ticket holders as well.

For more information, contact:
Media Manager,
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 54600, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-5717231-4
Fax: +92-42-5711860
Website: www.pcb.com.pk