Senate

Senate adopts civil servants (Amendment) Bill

ISLAMABAD:  In a significant legislative move, the Senate of Pakistan passed the Civil Servants (Amendment) Bill 2023 on Monday, introducing a novel requirement for civil servants seeking top positions within government entities connected to infrastructure, energy, communication, and construction projects.
The bill, which was introduced by Rukhsana Zuberi from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), establishes that only civil servants with a background in engineering will be eligible to hold leadership roles in ministries, divisions, or departments involved in areas such as Power, Energy, Planning and Development, Railways, Housing and Works, Water Resources, Industries and Production, Information Technology and Telecommunication, Science and Technology, Aviation Division, Defence Production, Maritime Affairs, and Communication.

One of the bill’s central provisions dictates that such civil servants must be part of the Engineering Service of Pakistan and hold registration as professional engineers or engineers, as stipulated by the Pakistan Engineering Council Act 1976. This measure aims to ensure that individuals at the helm of crucial government functions possess the technical knowledge and expertise necessary to oversee complex projects in these vital sectors.

The Senate also succeeded in passing several other bills during the session. These include the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill 2023, the Federal Ziauddin University Bill 2023, the Protection of Family Life and Wedlock Bill 2023, the Federal Public Service Commission (Amendment) Bill 2023, and the Prime University of Nursing, Sciences and Technology (PUNST) Islamabad Bill 2023.

Additionally, Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani referred multiple new bills introduced in the house to relevant committees for further consideration.

One of the notable resolutions passed by the Senate in this session was a unanimous declaration designating August 5, 2019, as Black Day. This resolution expressed unwavering support for the innocent people of Kashmir living on the other side of the Line of Control. The resolution vehemently criticized the Indian government’s actions on August 5, 2019, specifically the abrogation of Articles 35-A and 370 of the Indian Constitution. The resolution denounced these actions as illegal and a direct violation of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions.
Furthermore, the Senate passed a resolution recommending the change of the name of district Upper Waziristan to district Mehsud in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This resolution was presented by lawmakers including Dost Muhammad Khan, Fida Muhammad, Dr. Mehr Taj Roghani, Kauda Babar, Falak Naz, Gurdeep Singh, and Fawzia Arshad and was unanimously adopted by the house.

PMM

PM Shehbaz Sharif pays farewell visit to GHQ

Rawalpindi: Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, the honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan, visited GHQ on his farewell visit.
Upon arrival, PM was received by the COAS. PM met with the Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) and was presented with the Guard of Honour and laid floral wreath at the Yadgar-e-Shuhada.
He was also the Chief Guest at a ceremony organised to pay tribute to the Shuhadas and Ghazis at Army Auditorium. PM paid rich tribute to the Shuhadas, Ghazis and their families for their countless sacrifices and contributions made for the defence of the motherland.
PM appreciated the role of Armed Forces in protecting the territorial integrity of the country and robustly fighting the menace of terrorism across Pakistan.
“Shuhadas and Ghazis are our pride and their respect and honour is binding on each Pakistani. We must never forget that the peace and freedom we enjoy today is due to the ultimate sacrifices rendered by these brave sons of soil. I salute their families for sacrificing their loved ones for Pakistan. It is now our earnest duty that we realise the supreme sacrifices of our Shuhadas and Ghazis into prosperity and well being of each Pakistani”. PM remarked. He further said that those who resorted to desecration of monuments of Shuhada, their faces will remain blackened in the history of this country and proud people of Pakistan will never forget them.
PM distributed cheques of Special Financial Assistance amongst 70 families of martyrs and 30 War Wounded Persons. Laptops were also distributed amongst the wards of Shuhada under going their academic pursuits.

tufail

Glowing tribute paid to Major Tufail Muhammad Shaheed

Rawalpindi: Armed Forces of Pakistan, CJCsSC & Services Chiefs pay glowing tribute to Major Tufail Muhammad Shaheed, Nishan-e-Haider, on his 65th Shahadat Anniversary today. Major Tufail Muhammad, the second recipient of Nishan-e-Haider, embraced Shahadat while fighting gallantly at Lakshmipur sector in East Pakistan in 1958.

Major Tufail Muhammad’s martyrdom anniversary serves as a powerful reminder of the extraordinary sacrifices made by the Armed Forces of Pakistan to defend the motherland.

Let us remember these heroes who have laid down their lives in defence of our motherland. The nation is proud of its gallant sons. -ISPR