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PR. No. 201. Governor Sindh Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ibad called on President Pervez Musharraf here today. He briefed the President about the development related activities going on in the province and discussed the general law and order situation in Sindh. The President appreciated the Governor’s efforts for maintaining stability in the province and said he would continue to play his role for the stability of democracy in the country. AJ/AR.
PR. No. 202. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani made a telephone call to his Indian counterpart Dr. Manmohan Singh this morning and congratulated him on winning the vote of confidence from the parliament. The Prime Minister told Mr. Singh’s that his success is the success of democracy and such democratic norms must be encouraged in the region for strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries. Dr. Manmohan Singh said to the Prime Minster that all outstanding issues including the issue of Kashmir between India and Pakistan will be resolved amicably. He assured his full support and cooperation in this regard. The Prime Minister said that he is looking forward to meet his Indian counterpart in the forthcoming SAARC summit in Columbo, Sri Lanka. He said that as a prologue to the SAARC summit, the Foreign Ministers of the two countries may also discuss various bilateral issues including the issue of Kashmir before the meeting of the two leaders. The Prime Minister further reiterated that Pakistan attaches immense importance to its relations with India. The present state of unrest in the region demands more cooperation in the field of combating terrorism and extremism as both the countries are victims of this menace. The Prime Minister further said that a stable Afghanistan is in the safe interest of all countries of the region and all possible efforts must be made to bring peace and stability in Afghanistan. DSG/AR.
PR. No. 203. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that deforestation is the basic reason for global warming, water scarcity and food shortage in many parts of the world including Pakistan. The Prime Minister said this while talking to Mr. Tohru Kuroha, President, Environmental Measurement Services (EMS), Inc., Japan who called on him at the PM’s House this morning. The Prime Minister said that Pakistan is a water scarce country and requires modern technology capable of holding moisture for a long time for agricultural cultivation and aforestation. The Prime Minister said that Pakistan would welcome cooperation between the EMS and Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) and National Research Council (NARC) in the filed of agriculture and environment. He said that the cooperation with EMS in providing new technology to address the issue of water scarcity has come at the right time for the country and will boost the agricultural growth. The Prime Minister assured fullest support in the implementation of their projects in Pakistan. Mr. Torhru congratulated the Prime Minister on his election as Prime Minister by taking unanimous vote of confidence from the parliament for the first time in the history of Pakistan. Mr. Nazar Muhammad Gondal, Federal Minister for food and agriculture, Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar and other senior government official attended the meeting. DSG/AR.
PR. No. 204. A meeting of the Senate Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges was held at the Parliament House today under the chairmanship of Senator Syed Tahir Hussain Mashhadi to consider the Privilege Motion moved by Senator Ch. Muhammad Anwar Bhinder, Senator Kamil Ali Agha, Senator Col. ® Syed Tahir Hussain Mashhadi, Senator Ms. Agha Pari Gul, Senator Mrs. Nilofar Bakhtiar, Senator Bibi Yasmeen Shah, Senator Haroon Khan, Senator Khalid Ranjha and Senator Dr. Muhammad Ali Brohi regarding inclusion of 27 Acts and Ordinances as Money Bill, Government proposal to amend certain Laws through the Finance Bill, 2008 which do not fall within the definition of Money Bill in terms of Article 73 of the Constitution. The Chairman of the Committee Senator Tahir Mashhadi said that it is the constitutional right of the Senate to know as to how and why it was done. The Government proposal to amend certain laws through the Finance Bill, which do not apparently fall originally within the definition of the Money Bill, is a pertinent question which needs to be answered in detail as it would determine the future course of action. On the issue of judges, he observed that the Constitution is very categorical as there is a clear cut provision that this number “shall” be increased only by an Act of the Parliament. (Had there been a “may be”, according to him, the situation might have been different). He however, thought it prudent to hear the views of the Ministry of Finance and the Law Division before the Committee takes any decision. Senator S. M. Zafar, a reputed jurist and Member of the Committee said that the practice of associating apparently unconnected matters with Finance Bill had been going on for quite some time and the same was repeated this year too. He said that the question under consideration is of paramount importance as it involves Constitutional provisions. ‘What is a Money Bill and what it is not’, has to be determined very carefully as it has long term implications, observed Mr. Zafar. He further added that prima facie it is a violation of the Constitutional provisions since matters like increase in the number of Supreme Court Judges could only be decided through an Act of the Parliament. Senator Ch. Muhammad Anwar Bhinder, the Mover, regretted that the relevant briefs were not provided to the Members by the Ministries concerned. He expressed his surprise over the inclusion of 27 Acts and Ordinances in the Money Bill. He asked if the Law Division had actually vetted the said Bill before giving its consent. He held the view that the Upper House has been bypassed by the Ministries concerned. The Chairman Senator Tahir Mashhadi supported the contention of the Members regarding no show of the ministers and took a serious note of the absence of Minister for Law. He said Law Minister had excused himself by letter and telephone as he was busy in meeting of repeal of Frontier Crimes Regulations with the Prime Minister. Mr. Naveed Qamar, Minister for Finance came an hour late and was welcomed by the Chairman. Minister said he will ensure his presence on time in next meeting along with Law Minister so that the most important and sensible matter before the Committee can be sorted out at once and for all. The Minister for Finance said that the Parliament is supreme and this Government too derives its strength from it. He appreciated the hard work done by the Senate Standing Committee on Finance to formulate the recommendations to be incorporated in the National Budget. He agreed that the question under consideration has long term implications and it is a matter of interpretation only. In his opinion, the legal issue may be sorted out first. He said that increase in number of judges too has financial implications but he agreed to have a fuller debate on the issue once Minister for Law and Justice is free to devote more time so that it could be discussed and debated exhaustively. Other Members of the Committee were also critical of what they termed as a gross violation of the Constitution observing that nowhere in the world, the number of judges of the apex courts were ever increased in this manner. Senator Ms. Saadia Abbasi opined that the Speaker of the National Assembly must have taken the sense of the House before declaring this as the Money Bill and the Senate Committee is certainly not the forum to discuss jurisdiction and powers of the Speaker National Assembly in this regard. The Chair ruled that the opinion of the Ministry of Law and Justice be sought and directed the Ministry to provide a comprehensive brief to the Committee before the next meeting. Senator Mashhadi said special requests be made to both the Law Minister, the Finance Minister, Secretary National Assembly and to all Members and special invitees to make it a point to attend next meeting as it was a matter of paramount importance to the country and powers of Parliament under discussion. Senator Tahir Mashhadi directed both the Finance and Law Ministry to submit detailed and comprehensive briefs giving their respective point of views on the subject by 31 July at latest. The meeting was attended among others by Senators Naeem Hussain Chattha, Abdul Razak A. Thahim, Ms. Saadia Abbasi, Dr. Muhammad Ismail Buledi. Movers Senators Ch. Muhammad Anwar Bhinder, Ms. Pari Gul, Mrs. Nilofar Bakhtiar and Senator S. M. Zafar attended the meeting on special invitation. Secretary Senate Raja Muhammad Amin was also present on the occasion. SM/AR.
PR. No. 205. The Deputy Speaker National Assembly Faisal Karim Kundi has said that private-public partnership was essential for spreading education and reducing illiteracy ratio in the country. He said this while addressing the Degree Awarding Ceremony of Hamdard University in the Auditorium of Pakistan National Council of Arts, Islamabad , today. The Deputy Speaker said that in today’s knowledge based global order, no nation can prosper without getting mastery over Science and Technology, high quality knowledge of medicines, environment and social sciences. He said that education was the top priority of the Government policy and its allocation in the budget 2008-09 has substantially been increased. “However, the Government alone cannot accomplish the gigantic task of 100% of literacy in the country and it can be achieved through the private public partnership”, he added. The Deputy Speaker said that private sector has played important roles in all sectors of the country’s economy including education, health and social sector amenities. The Deputy Speaker appreciated the role of Hamdard University in imparting the quality education in variety and disciplines and expressed hope that the university will continue its endeavors to further expand its circle to the remote areas of the country. He also commended the services of Late Hakeem Muhammad Saeed Founder Chancellor of Hamdard University in the field of education and health. Senator S.M Zaffar the Chancellor of Hamdard University while highlighting the contributions of the Hamdard University said that University has concentrating mainly on imparting technological and management sciences to prepare younger generation to meet the arising demands of the modern era. He said that the University has acquired land for new campus in Islamabad and construction work is under way for the news building of University. Saadia Rashid, President Hamdard Foundation Pakistan and Dr. Nasim A Khan, Vice Chancellor Hamdard University also addressed the ceremony. Later on Degrees were awarded by the Chief Guest to successful graduates of the Hamdard University. MT/AR.
PR. No. 206. Mr. Carl Wright, Secretary General Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) accompanied by two member delegation from the Local Government Association of UK held a meeting with Dr. Asim Hussain, Chairman National Reconstruction Bureau (NRB) and senior officials of the Bureau on 24th July, 2008. Mr. Wright briefed the Chairman on CLGF initiatives for strengthening local democracy and good governance amongst the Commonwealth member countries including South Asia Training Programme of local councilors involving Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka under which a course would be held in Pakistan during December, 2008. The training programme would aim at sharing of experiences/best practices of local governments in the light of Aberdeen Agenda relating to the principles of local democracy and good governance adopted by the Commonwealth Heads of States in 2005. He also suggested formalizing the bi-lateral exchanges of local governments delegations between Pakistan and India with a focus on sharing of experiences/best practices in the selected areas under the ongoing programme of CLGF. Chairman NRB appreciated the CLGF efforts to promote local democracy and good governance and the close collaboration of CLGF with NRB. He stressed that Pakistan is fully committed to promote local governments and the government is taking steps to further strengthen and consolidate the system. Like any other governance reform of such magnitude, it would take time to fully mature. Based on the experience of 7 years working of local governments, NRB in consultation with the Provincial Governments is now reviewing the legal framework of local governments with a view to addressing the implementation problems. He called upon the Secretary General CLGF to assist NRB with technical expertise of international experience especially in the following areas: Transparency, particularly in the financial management. Horizontal linkages between the district and tehsil level. Intergovernmental relations among local and provincial governments and their conflict resolution. Identification of deficiencies that exist in our laws based on similar international experience. Chairman NRB also highlighted that since the local government is a provincial subject, all local government initiatives have to be fully owned by the provincial governments for smooth implementation.
PR. No. 207. The cabinet committee on Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR), chaired by Federal Minister for Law, Justice, Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights Division Farooq H. Naek, has proposed to delegate powers of will jurisdiction to the FATA tribunal. The committee discussed on Thursday various section of the controversial law and has proposed to omit and amend many clauses. The committee omitted sub-clause 2 and 3 of Section 12, which provided for confiscation of movable and immovable property of convicts under Section 302 or 369 of the PPC, terming them as inhumane and un-Islamic. The committee was of convict’s family, which was totally undesired. In section 13, which deals with manner of enforcing sentences, an amendment to change ‘transportation of life into imprisonment for life which would be upto 14 years maximum’ has been proposed. A Subcommittee has been formed under the chairmanship of Justice (reted) Mian Muhammad Ajmal to finalize proposals on Section 21 to 26 and on Section 40 to 46. These section had been the most contentious section of FCR as they dealt with the blockade of hostile or unfriendly tribe, fines on communities accessory to crime, fines on communities where murder or culpable homicide is committed or attempted, recovery of fines, forfeiture or remissions of revenue, forfeiture of public emoluments, security and surveillance for keeping the peace, security of families of factions in case of blood-feuds, procedure in inquiry breach of bond, imprisonment in default of security, and length of imprisonment. The subcommittee will meet on 29th July in Peshawar and will present its proposals to the Law Minister on 11th August. Section 31 and 32, which dealt with the powers of Political Agent in prohibit erection of new villages, towers or frontiers and removal of villages were also proposed to be omitted. Section 35 which dealt with Naubati Chaukidari system is also proposed to be omitted. Section 39, which deals with arrest without warrant in cases under Section 498 of Indian Penal Code, was also proposed to be dropped. Next meeting of the committee is scheduled to be held on 11the August 2008 in Islamabad. FR/wh
PR. No. 208. UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Ben Zayed Al Nahayan called on President Pervez Musharraf here today. During the call, all aspects of bilateral relations between the two countries were discussed and views were exchanged on terrorism and extremism. The President expressed his satisfaction at the excellent relations between Pakistan and UAE and hoped that the relations between the two countries would further improve in the future. AJ/wh
PR. No. 209. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the sacrifices given by people of FATA for the protection of borders of Pakistan cannot be forgotten. The Prime Minister was talking to a Delegation of Senators from FATA including Senators, Mr. Abdul Raziq, and Mr. Nisar Khan, Hafiz Abdul Qadri and Mr. Rashid Khan at the PM’s House today. The Prime Minister said that the government is committed to the uplift of FATA and is working closely with the representatives of the areas. He said that development can only be achieved by taking all the stake holders on-board on all issues. The Prime Minister said that the government is giving high priority to improving the law and order situation in the country as it is directly linked with economic stability and growth. The Prime Minister said all important decisions are made after taking all coalition partners including FATA members into confidence. The Prime Minister announced Rs. one crore special extra grant to resolve the electricity problem to the five FATA Senators. The Prime Minister said that the people of FATA are peace loving and they want peace and economic growth. The delegation members appreciated Prime Minister’s keen interest and the steps taken by the government for the uplift of the people of FATA. They also lauded the announcement made by the Prime Minister in his visit to Peshawar for the uplift of FATA. They reposed full confidence and announced their support to the government’s three prong policy of entering into political dialogue with those who have laid down arms, accelerating the economic development in the country especially in tribal areas and resorting to military means only if the agreements are violated. DSG/wh
PR. No. 210. The three day Round table on gender mainstreaming concluded here with the consensus recommendations adopted by the participants comprising legal experts, academicians, civil society representatives and public sector experts and parliamentarians. The concluding session was chaired by the Federal Law Minister Mr. Farooq H. Naek. The Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Social Sector Ms. Shahnaz Wazir Ali, Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho and Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Mr. M. Salman Faruqui also addressed the participants. In his address the Federal Minister highlighted the salient features of the initiatives being introduced by the present government with particular reference to the women’s right to child custody and her legal share in property. He appreciated the Planning Commission for holding a Round Table on such a vital subject and said that the recommendations of the conference will be considered seriously for bringing reforms in the legal framework. The Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Ms. Shahnaz Wazir Ali said the Conference has brought out some very sensistive issues and its recommendations will have far-reaching impact in uplifting the status of women in the country and the government will make every possible effort to eliminate the gender discrimination. Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, commended the efforts of the Planning Commission in holding the Conference and in consolidating the recommendations of its five sessions on war-footing. She said without brining the women folk in the mainstream development process the dream of a prosperous Pakistan will remain unfulfilleld.
The Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Mr. Salman Faruqui appreciated the efforts of the participants of the Conference and said that gender mainstreaming is not only an essential ingredient of the strategy to achieve sustained growth with equity but also provides enabling environment for a just and harmonious society. The Deputy Chairman assured the participants that all possible public policy and financial support will be provided to achieve MDGs. He also called upon the development partners to make available esential resources to achieve the MDGs as lack of financial resources has been noted one of the reasons for non-achievement of these goals on-time. The Conference adopted the following recommendations: Round Table: Overarching Recommendations The primary channel of gender mainstreaming is women’s empowerment to be achieved through legislative and administrative measures as well as social mobilization. Inconsistencies and gaps in prevailing laws and policies with constitutional guarantees and conflict with national and international Conventions should be removed. Periodic reporting of international obligations should be undertaken in collaboration with parliamentary standing committees. All relevant laws, proposed and tabled bills should be available in electronic form on the websites of the concerned Ministries, Senate and National/Provincial Assemblies. Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) should be adopted and implemented at all levels and the planning process should be engendered through the revision of PC-I to PC-V formats. Gender disaggregated data complied and tabulated by the Federal Bureau of Statistics and Population Census Organization should be widely disseminated and shared with the legislators, policy makers, civil society, etc in order to address the existing gaps in definitions and statistics.
Round Table 1- Responsiveness of Labour Laws Towards Women in Formal and Informal Sector The process of the consolidation of the 72 labour laws should be expedited for effective implementation. The requirements of the ratified ILO Conventions C100 and C1-111 on discrimination in employment and occupation to be incorporated in the relevant labour laws as part of the on-going labour law reform process. Labour inspection should be conducted regularly according to law and the newly formulated Labour Inspection Policy should be implemented in all the provinces. Home based workers should be recognized as “workers” under the labour laws. The annually conducted Labour Force Survey should collect detailed gender disaggregated statistics on all categories of informal economy workers including home based workers. ILO Convention C177 relating to home based workers should be ratified. Round Table II- Harassment at Work Gender harassment should be comprehensively defined in the existing legislation and accordingly, punitive clauses be added. The ESTACODE should include gender harassment under the definition of “misconduct” . To promote the Code of Conduct for Gender Justice at the Workplace for wide-based adoption and implementation in the public and private sectors. Round Table III- Women’s Right to Inheritance and its Implementation Family courts may be given jurisdiction to deal with succession and inheritance cases. Matters related to inheritance should be speedily dealt with on a priority basis within 6 months. Relinquishment of share of any property by a woman should not be accepted by the revenue officer unless the legal procedure has been followed. Compulsory registration of births, marriages and deaths should be strictly implemented and computerized. NADRA to ensure National Identity Cards registration with photographs. Revenue and registration of property records should be computerized across Pakistan.
Round Table IV- Governance and Institutional Strengthening Strengthen and empower the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) by making it financially autonomous and giving its Chairperson the status of a federal minister. Ensure gender mainstreaming through extending the quota implementation to the: Superior and subordinate judiciary; Civil services; Higher educational institutions; and Federal and provincial Ombudsman’s offices. Service rules should be made conducive to gender mainstreaming objectives by removal of anomalies and conflicts.
Promotion of women on seniority and merit basis should be ensured to enable them to cross the glass ceiling. Increase the number of working women hostels at locations convenient for working women. Basic office facilities such as separate toilets, restrooms and day care for women should be provided in all offices. Training of subordinate judiciary in their respective fields (i.e. labour laws, family laws, financial sector laws, etc.) Establish a separate Ombudswomen Office with wider scope to include women rights violations and a helpline to provide instant relief and assistance. Ensure effective implementation of GRAP through coordination and cooperation between relevant Ministries and other implementing partners.
ELECTORAL REFORMS: Election to reserved seats for women should be through general direct elections. Training and capacity building of women legislators and councilors should be institutionalized to empower them to play their role effectively. Amend the Political Parties Act for ensuring a minimum of 30% of representation of women as office bearers of political parties. Increase reserved seats for women in Provincial Assemblies, National Assembly and the Senate to 33%. Establish a platform for interaction between women at local government, provincial and national levels. Round Table V-Legal Reforms in SAARC Countries Initiate process for convening a SAARC Convention on Human Rights. CEDAW should be fully implemented. UN Resolution 1325 relating to Women in Conflict should be adopted at the SAARC level. Full implementation of commitments under the SAARC Social Charter must be ensured to uplift the status of women in the South Asian region.
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