ISLAMABAD: The Federal Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is being held today (Sunday) in which several issues related to the recent political and constitutional crises in the country will be considered.
According to the sources, the agenda of the meeting will consider the issue of funds for the elections in Punjab, while the federal government will decide whether or not to fund the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). Sources told JEE News that officials have been asked to sit out of the cabinet meeting.
Earlier, with reference to the sources, it was also reported that in the meeting, President Dr. Arif Alvi’s decision to withdraw the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill 2023, Justice Athar Manullah’s dissenting note, Supreme Court’s decision regarding the elections. And the political and economic situation of the country will be considered. Matters will also be discussed.
The meeting, which will be attended by the Prime Minister and most of the ministers online through video link, will strategize with the government’s legal team to resolve issues related to the bill.
According to the sources, the decisions taken in the National Security Council (NSC) meeting on Friday will also be approved in the federal cabinet meeting.
Among the ministers who participated in the cabinet meeting from the Prime Minister’s House are Inter-Provincial Communication Minister Riyaz Hussain Pirzada, Overseas Pakistanis Minister Sajid Turi, Housing Minister Maulana Abdul Wase, State Minister Hashim Notizai while Prime Minister’s Advisor Amir Makam is also present. in man.
Economic Affairs Minister Ayaz Sadiq and Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique are among those who participated online.
The President returned the bill without signature.
A day earlier, President Alvi had returned the bill curtailing the powers of the Chief Justice with a request for its revision to meet scrutiny on its validity.
The bill aims to curtail the powers of the Chief Justice – including the creation of suo motu and benches. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has strongly condemned the legislative move and said it is an attack on the judiciary.
The President returned the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill, 2023 to Parliament for reconsideration in accordance with the provisions of Article 75 of the Constitution, which states that the Bill is fundamentally outside the competence of Parliament and is assailed. can be done Colored legislation.
President Alvi said that the SC Rules 1980 were “created and enacted under the enabling provisions of Article 191 of the Constitution and it is modified and adopted by the Constitution itself” which empowers the Supreme Court as a court of law. Authorizes making rules to regulate processes and procedures.
“These time-tested principles have been followed since 1980 – any tampering with them would amount to interfering with the internal working of the court, its autonomy and independence,” the letter said. “
The bill was passed by both houses of Parliament last month and sent to the President for assent amid a deep political and constitutional crisis in the country over elections in Punjab and KP.
After Alvi refused to approve the legislation, the government is likely to approve the bill through a joint session of parliament.
Later, Prime Minister Shehbaz criticized the President’s move to return the bill without his signature, calling it “extremely unfortunate”.
“By his conduct, he has dishonored the honorable office by acting as a PTI activist, who sees Imran Niazi above the constitution and demands of his office,” he added.
All-out operation against terrorism
The NSC in its meeting on Friday decided to launch a comprehensive operation against militant outfits to eradicate the menace of terrorism from the country.
“The meeting agreed to launch an all-out comprehensive operation – with renewed vigor and determination – with the [support] of the entire nation and the government, which will rid the country of the menace of terrorism,” the statement said. “
This all-out and comprehensive operation to eliminate the menace of all forms of terrorism from Pakistan will also involve efforts at political, diplomatic, security, economic and social levels.
The statement said that a high-level committee has also been constituted in this regard and will make recommendations regarding implementation and limitations within two weeks.
According to the statement, the meeting emphasized on comprehensive national security – in which the relief of the people was central. “The forum was informed that the government is taking steps in this regard.”
