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Former Pakistan foreign minister Gohar Ayub Khan passes away at 86

Former Pakistan foreign minister Gohar Ayub Khan passes away at 86
Pakistan's former foreign minister Gohar Ayub Khan speaks during an interview with Reuters in Islamabad, Pakistan on May 30, 1998. (REUTERS)
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Updated 17 November 2023
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Former Pakistan foreign minister Gohar Ayub Khan passes away at 86

Former Pakistan foreign minister Gohar Ayub Khan passes away at 86
  • Gohar Ayub was Field Marshal Ayub Khan’s son and served as his aide while he ruled the country after the 1958 coup
  • President Alvi expressed sorrow over the former foreign minister’s passing and offered his condolences to the family
Updated 17 November 2023
Arab News Pakistan
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s former foreign minister and ex-National Assembly speaker, Gohar Ayub Khan, passed away on Friday, as confirmed by his family, after a brief illness.

A retired army officer who attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, the 86-year-old politician was Field Marshal Ayub Khan’s son and served as his aide while he ruled the country following the first military coup in 1958.

Gohar Ayub resigned from the army as a captain in 1962 before setting up his own business and entering politics in the 1970s.

“Mr. Gohar Ayub Khan Former Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan and former Foreign Minister, passed away peacefully after a brief illness,” a notification posted on the social media account of his son, Omar Ayub Khan, read.

“His Namaz-e-Janaza [funeral prayer] will be offered at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, 18th November, 2023 at Village Rehana, District Haripur,” it added.

Gohar Ayub’s son, also a politician and former federal minister, has served as the secretary-general of former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.

President Arif Alvi, elected to the National Assembly on a PTI ticket in the last general elections before getting the top state office, expressed deep sorrow over Gohar Ayub’s passing and offered heartfelt condolences to his family.

Topics: Pakistan Gohar Ayub Khan Arab News Pakistan

Pakistani lawyers urge judges to distance themselves from proposed constitutional court

Pakistani lawyers urge judges to distance themselves from proposed constitutional court
Updated 2 min ago
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Pakistani lawyers urge judges to distance themselves from proposed constitutional court

Pakistani lawyers urge judges to distance themselves from proposed constitutional court
  • Pakistan’s government is widely believed to establish a federal constitutional court by amending the constitution
  • The matter has raised widespread concerns among independent lawyers, opposition parties and constitutional experts
Updated 2 min ago
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Hundreds of Pakistani lawyers on Sunday urged judges to distance themselves from a proposed federal constitutional court in the country, saying that any complicity in this regard would be tantamount to the “defacement” of the constitution.
Pakistan’s government this month sought to get a package of 52 history-making constitutional amendments passed in parliament but did not present it after failing to secure the required two-thirds majority needed for them to pass.
The proposed amendments are expected to establish a federal constitutional court, raise the retirement age of superior judges by three years and modify the process for the appointment of chief justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
The matter has raised widespread concerns among lawyers, opposition parties and independent experts who say the moves are aimed at increasing the government’s power in making key judicial appointments and dealing with the defection of lawmakers during house votes.
“An assault on our Constitutional compact is being cloaked in the thin garb of arguments grounded in the supremacy of law. These are arguments that do not withstand the slightest intellectual scrutiny, given any serious consideration,” a group of over 300 senior lawyers said in an open letter addressed to the judges of high courts and the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
“We urge you — the judges of our constitutional courts — not to recognize this proposed court if such a bill is passed. We urge those of you who may be hand-picked to serve on it not to do so. Complicity will be no defense of the Constitution: it will be its defacement.”
This week, Aqeel Malik, a government spokesman on legal affairs, said Pakistan’s ruling coalition would table the constitutional amendments package in parliament in the first week of October.
The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has alleged that the amendments are an attempt to grant an extension to incumbent Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, who is widely viewed to be aligned with the ruling coalition and in opposition to its chief rival, the PTI.
Pakistan’s defense minister this month rejected the allegations and said the amendments would address “constitutional imbalances,” adding that public representatives had the right to undo any “intrusions” into parliamentary powers and the constitution.
“We refuse to engage, in good faith, with any such ideas because they are not ideas rooted in good faith,” the lawyers said, in their open letter to the judges of Pakistan’s superior courts.

Topics: Supreme Court of Pakistan Pakistan Constitutional Court Arab News Pakistan

Pakistan’s Overseas Employment Corporation to export skilled workforce to Saudi Arabia

Pakistan’s Overseas Employment Corporation to export skilled workforce to Saudi Arabia
Updated 29 September 2024
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Pakistan’s Overseas Employment Corporation to export skilled workforce to Saudi Arabia

Pakistan’s Overseas Employment Corporation to export skilled workforce to Saudi Arabia
  • These Pakistani workers will be required to hold high school certificates, diploma degree or proof of recognized apprenticeship program
  • Saudi Arabia has lately initiated several groundbreaking projects that are expected to significantly impact the Pakistani labor market
Updated 29 September 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) will be exporting skilled workforce comprising tradesman assistants to Saudi Arabia, Pakistani state media reported on Sunday.
These Pakistani workers, aged between 25 and 50 years, are required to hold high school certificates, diploma degrees or proof of recognized apprenticeship programs in the specific area of assignment.
This skilled Pakistani workforce would work under the Saudi Ministry of National Guard – Health Affairs, Pakistan’s state-run APP news agency reported, citing an official.
“[For high school graduates], minimum of 1 year’s position-related practical experience in the specific area of assignment [is] essential,” the report read. “[For diploma holders], no previous experience is required.”
Those who matched the requirements could apply for the positions via OEC’s website: https://oec.gov.pk, according to the report.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have deep cultural, defense and economic ties, deeply rooted in history and religion. The Kingdom is home to over two million Pakistanis, making it the largest contributor to remittance inflows into the South Asian country. 
Saudi Arabia has initiated several groundbreaking projects that are expected to significantly impact the Pakistani labor market. Rana Mujtaba, a spokesperson of the Pakistani Education and Professional Training Ministry, told Arab News in April that Islamabad was working on a new education policy to impart different technical skills to at least a million youth per annum to export trained human resource to the Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia.

Topics: Pakistan Saudi Arabia ties skilled workers

Mohammad Yousuf steps down as Pakistan cricket selector

Mohammad Yousuf steps down as Pakistan cricket selector
Updated 29 September 2024
AP
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Mohammad Yousuf steps down as Pakistan cricket selector

Mohammad Yousuf steps down as Pakistan cricket selector
  • Yusuf’s resignation comes days after Pakistan named national squad for first Test against England in October 
  • He was named to selection panel earlier this year before Pakistan’s disappointing T20 World Cup performance
Updated 29 September 2024
AP

ISLAMABAD: Mohammad Yousuf resigned as Pakistan cricket selector on Sunday due to personal reasons.

Yousuf’s resignation came only five days after Pakistan named its squad for the first test against England, starting at Multan on Oct. 7. Yousuf was one of the four members of the selection committee that also includes former test cricketer Asad Shafiq, test head coach Jason Gillespie and test captain Shan Masood.

“I announce my resignation as a selector for the Pakistan cricket team due to personal reasons,” Yousuf wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Serving this incredible team has been a profound privilege, and I am proud to have contributed to the growth and success of Pakistan Cricket.”

Yousuf was named to the selection panel earlier this year, but Pakistan had little success, making an early exit from the T20 World Cup where it lost group matches against arch-rival India and co-host United States. Bangladesh also registered a historic 2-0 win when it swept Pakistan in the two-test series.

Later, the Pakistan Cricket Board said that Yousuf had voluntarily stepped down from his role as a member of the national selection committee to focus on other key responsibilities within the PCB.

“The PCB expresses its sincere gratitude to Mohammad Yousuf for his invaluable contributions during his tenure as a selection committee member,” the PCB said in a statement.

“Yousuf will continue to play a pivotal role at the PCB, sharing his extensive knowledge and experience as the batting coach at the high performance center.”

Topics: Mohammad Yousuf Pakistan cricket team

Pakistan’s tax filers have doubled to almost 3.2 million, says finance minister

Pakistan’s tax filers have doubled to almost 3.2 million, says finance minister
Updated 29 September 2024
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Pakistan’s tax filers have doubled to almost 3.2 million, says finance minister

Pakistan’s tax filers have doubled to almost 3.2 million, says finance minister
  • Pakistan has recorded 723,000 new tax return filers compared to 300,000 last year, says finance minister
  • Warns non-filers won’t be able to buy cars, properties and will face difficulties in cash deposits and withdrawals 
Updated 29 September 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s tax return filers have increased from almost 1.6 million last year to 3.2 million as of now, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Sunday, stressing the importance of structural reforms to ensure Islamabad moves toward sustainable growth. 

Pakistan’s public debt of $242 billion remains a huge problem for the South Asian country and servicing it may swallow up half of the country’s income in 2024, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). 

The global lender formally approved a $7 billion loan program for Pakistan which will help the country shore up its foreign reserves. One of the key demands by the IMF in return for the loan was for Pakistan to widen its chronically low tax base. 

Pakistan aims to collect an ambitious $46 billion through taxes this financial year. Authorities have identified 4.9 million taxable persons in the country by using modern technology.

“There were 1.6 million filers till this time last year. This has, to date, doubled,” Aurangzeb told reporters at a press conference. “We are now close to 3.2 million filers.”

The minister said last year Pakistan had recorded at least 300,000 new tax filers while this year, the figure has swelled to 723,000 new filers. 

He credited the government for “walking the talk” and implementing tough economic reforms, especially those related to taxes. 

Sharif’s government has used unusual methods, including blocking 210,000 mobile connections, to compel people to file their tax returns. Islamabad also aims to reduce its fiscal deficit by 1.5 percent to 5.9 percent in the coming year. 

The finance minister warned that non-filers will be deprived of certain facilities to encourage them to become part of the tax net. 

“Non-filers will not be able to buy vehicles, won’t be able to buy properties, won’t be able to [access] current bank accounts and mutual funds and will face a lot of problems with cash deposits and withdrawals,” Aurangzeb said.

The minister said Pakistan has 300,000 manufacturers out of which only 14 percent are registered and 300,000 wholesalers out of which only 25 percent are registered with tax authorities for the purposes of paying sales tax.

He said going forward, the government will only allow manufacturers to sell to registered wholesalers only, warning that the government will be forced to block utilities and seal the premises of those who are not registered with tax authorities.

Topics: Muhammad Aurangzeb Pakistan tax filers

Pakistani government, political parties condemn Israel’s ‘aggression’ against Lebanon, killing of Hezbollah chief

Pakistani government, political parties condemn Israel’s ‘aggression’ against Lebanon, killing of Hezbollah chief
Updated 29 September 2024
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Pakistani government, political parties condemn Israel’s ‘aggression’ against Lebanon, killing of Hezbollah chief

Pakistani government, political parties condemn Israel’s ‘aggression’ against Lebanon, killing of Hezbollah chief
  • Hassan Nasrallah was killed in Israeli airstrike on Hezbollah’s underground headquarters in Beirut this week
  • Pakistan urges UN Security Council to “restrain” Israel from adventurism in the volatile Middle East region
Updated 29 September 2024
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office on Sunday strongly condemned Israel’s “aggression” against Lebanon and the killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, with the leaders of the country’s various political parties calling for an end to the Jewish state’s military campaigns in the region.
Israel’s military said it had killed Nasrallah on Friday in an airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburb of Dahiyeh. Hezbollah confirmed its chief had been killed on Saturday, vowing to continue its fight against Israel to defend Lebanon and the people of Gaza.
The killing triggered condemnation from several countries as fears of a wider war in the Middle East loom large, where Israel’s military campaigns have caused the deaths of over 41,000 Palestinians since Oct. 7 last year.
“For the last several days, Israeli forces have engaged in unacceptable violation of the sovereignty of Lebanon, relentlessly targeting civilian population centers, and undermining its stability and security,” Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in a statement.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims of Israeli aggression and the people of Lebanon.”
The spokesperson said Israel’s killing of Hezbollah’s longtime chief constituted “a major escalation” in an already volatile region. She said Pakistan continued to stand in solidarity with the people of Lebanon, urging the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to “restrain” Israel from its adventurism in the Middle East.
“For the last several days, Israeli forces have engaged in unacceptable violation of the sovereignty of Lebanon, relentlessly targeting civilian population centers, and undermining its stability and security,” Baloch added.
‘ACT OF COWARDLY TERRORISM’
Leaders of various Pakistani political parties condemned Nasrallah’s killing and Israel’s military campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon.
Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Pakistan (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman said Nasrallah’s killing will bolster resistance against Israel and expose the “disgraced face of Zionism to the world.”
“We strongly condemn the martyrdom of Nasrallah; the killing of the Hezbollah leader is an act of cowardly terrorism by Israel,” he said in a statement.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman said Israel was seeking to destroy Lebanon the same way it had destroyed Gaza.
“The impunity given to Israel is so monstrous that it has left no shred of international order intact,” she told Arab News.
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman paid tribute to Nasrallah and offered his condolences to the people of Lebanon and Palestine.
“Nasrallah resisted the illegitimate Israeli state throughout his life and sacrificed his life for a great cause,” he said.
He said the JI would announce a week of solidarity with the people of Palestine and Lebanon from Oct. 7 through nationwide rallies and demonstrations.
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, who is a senior leader of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party, called on world powers to intervene or “risk allowing this conflict to spill beyond the region, posing a grave threat to global peace and security.”
“Israel’s unchecked aggression and the indiscriminate killing of civilians, including women, the elderly, and children, have reached alarming levels, verging on genocide and mass atrocities unprecedented in modern history,” he told Arab News.
Meanwhile, protests were held in Pakistan’s northern Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region to condemn Nasrallah’s killing, while the JI religious party, held funeral prayers in absentia for the slain Hezbollah leader in Islamabad and Karachi.

Topics: Lebanon Israel

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