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‘90pc work done’: PML-N’s Siddiqui says constitutional package to be presented tomorrow in Senate

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PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui announced on Thursday that major parties had reached a consensus on “90 per cent” of the points in the much-touted constitutional package, adding that it would be presented in the Senate tomorrow. The much-talked-about Consti­tutional Package is legislation proposing a set of constitutional amendments, including the extension of the top judge’s term. Three separate drafts of the constitutional package were being prepared — one by the government, the second by the PPP, and the third by the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F). A committee, led by PPP’s Khursheed Shah, has the representation of all parties, including the PTI. It was formed by the National Assembly speaker for reconciliation among lawmakers, particularly between the PTI and the government, after a raid by plainclothesmen to round up the PTI men from the Parliament House. In a meeting at the residence of the Sharif family in Lahore, the ruling parties on Wednesday virtually succeeded in winning
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Pakistan, China vow to speed up ML-1 project

LAHORE: Pakistan and China have reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the upgrade of the Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project, agreeing to prioritise the construction of the Karachi-Hyderabad section as part of phase one, in line with the phased approach for the project’s implementation. In a joint statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both nations pledged to refine and optimise the construction plan for ML-1’s Karachi-Hyderabad section and to formulate feasible and sustainable plans for financing and implementation. Pakistan expressed its deep appreciation for China’s continued support in maintaining fiscal and financial stability. Both countries also praised the extension of the China-Pakistan Bilateral Currency Swap Arrangement and agreed to further strengthen cooperation in the financial and banking sectors. They pledged to support each other within regional and international multilateral financial platforms. The joint statement followed an official visit to
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Sindh govt recommends SHC for judicial inquiry into Dr Shahnawaz killing

The Sindh government on Wednesday recommended that the Sindh High Court (SHC) launch a judicial inquiry into the killing of Dr Shahnawaz Kumbhar, a blasphemy suspect shot dead and whose body was desecrated, triggering widespread outcry by rights groups. Dr Shahnawaz, accused of sharing blasphemous posts on social media, was shot dead during a gun battle with the police in Mirpurkhas on September 19, authorities said. After the ‘encounter’, the body was handed over to the family, who brought it to Janhero — the native village of the suspect — for burial. However, they had to escape after a mob descended on them to snatch the body. The family fled to Nabisar Thar, where they were pursued by zealots who did not let them bury the slain suspect. However, upon returning to Janhero with the body hidden in a car, a mob managed to snatch the corpse and set it on fire. On September 26, Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar presented the findings of an inquiry into the killing of the doc
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Canada accuses India of using gang to target citizens

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(LEFT) The leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party, Jagmeet Singh, speaks during a press conference about India-linked criminal activities; and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau arrives for a media talk about the police investigation into India’s clandestine activities, in Ottawa.—Reuters • PM Trudeau says Canada will never tolerate foreign govt’s involvement in killing citizens • Urges India to cooperate, end ‘misleading rhetoric’ • Indian home minister Amit Shah ‘authorised intel-gathering missions, attacks on Sikh separatists’ • Bishnoi gang accused of working with Indian govt agents NEW DELHI: The Canadian police have accused Indian diplomats in Canada of using the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang for “involvement in homicides, extortions and other criminal acts of violence” in the country and it is their request that India waive immunity for six diplomats so that they could be questioned about this, The Wire reported on Tuesday. However, India rejected the demand, which trigge
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PPP, JUI-F agree on shared draft of constitutional package

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The PPP and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) reached an agreement on a shared draft of the much-touted constitutional amendments . The much-talked-about Consti­tutional Package is legislation proposing a set of constitutional amendments, including the extension of the top judge’s term. Three separate drafts of the constitutional package were being prepared — one by the government, the second by the PPP, and the third by the JUI-F. A committee, led by PPP’s Khursheed Shah, has the representation of all parties, including the PTI. It was formed by the National Assembly speaker for reconciliation among lawmakers, particularly between the PTI and the government, after a raid by plainclothesmen to round up the PTI men from the Parliament House. JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman had told media persons in Hyderabad a day ago that there was harmony in the drafts of the PML-N, the PPP and the JUI-F. He said proposals rejected by the JUI-F had been removed from the draft by the government.
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Businesses see opportunity in SCO summit

LAHORE/KARACHI: The business community hop­es the Shanghai Co­­ope­r­ation Organisation (SCO) Summit, starting in the cap­ital on Tuesday, may boost the country’s economy. “The event offers Paki­stan an opportunity to stre­n­gthen its trade and economic ties with key international partners, particularly China. The summit will also send a clear message to global investors about the country’s openness to business and investment opportunities,” said the Lahore Chamber of Com­merce & Industry (LCCI) President Mian Abuzar Shad in a statement on Monday. Meanwhile, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) President Atif Ikram Sheikh said that the next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corri­dor (CPEC) and the SCO summit could be the real game-changers for the nat­ional economy as we have geographical contiguities, economic complementarities, regional trade advantages and ability to look East and diversify our economic partners. On Monday, a high-profile C
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PTM jirga demands withdrawal of militants from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

The Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement’s (PTM) grand jirga in Jamrud concluded on Sunday night, with the rights group presenting a 22-point resolution that demanded the withdrawal of militant groups from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and cheaper electricity, among other issues. The three-day jirga , which was hosted with government support, concluded with delegates deploring the impact of militancy and subsequent anti-terrorism operations over the last two decades that had displaced millions. The delegates, from different political parties and professional organisations, held discussions at 60 separate enclosures to present their recommendations for the final declaration at a relatively larger forum. The federal government imposed a ban on the PTM on October 6, citing threats to national peace and security. The PTM was declared “unlawful” under Section 11B of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan . At the end of the jirga, PTM chief Manzoor Pashteen presented t
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