Ali Zafar says Imran Khan frustrated over talks approach with govt

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Barrister Ali Zafar stated that his party founder, Imran Khan, is very angry and has said, "This is not the proper way to conduct negotiations." 

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, Barrister Ali Zafar added that Imran Khan also expressed frustration, saying, "It seems as though we are begging the government for negotiations." 

Barrister Ali Zafar criticised the negotiation process, calling it flawed. He clarified, "We were accused of avoiding dialogue, so we formed a committee solely for negotiations." 

He added, "We have always insisted that negotiations should take place with those who have authority, but it seems the government has yet to receive any signal, which is why the talks have not started."

Ali Zafar further noted, "We have set our conditions for the negotiations, and our desire is that the process begins in Parliament."

Meanwhile, during Friday's Senate session presided over by Panel of Chairman member Senator Irfan Siddiqui, Opposition Leader Shibli Faraz demanded an explanation from Awami National Party (ANP) Senator Aimal Wali Khan regarding the latter's remarks against him made the previous day.

Shibli Faraz said, "The words Aimal Wali used against me should be expunged from the proceedings of the Senate session." 

Responding to this, Irfan Siddiqui remarked, "I had already instructed Aimal Wali Khan not to discuss Shibli Faraz in his absence."

National Forensics Agency Bill sails through Senate

The Senate was informed that action has been taken against the television channels violating the code of conduct.

Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar told the House during the Question Hour that the Council of Complaints is functional and has dealt with 390 cases over the last two years.

The minister said that a toll-free complaints and call centre has also been established wherein any member of the society can lodge complaints against any aspect of the programme aired on TV channels. He said complaints can also be lodged in writing to PEMRA regional offices and headquarters.

Tarar informed the House that NADRA is providing registration services related to identity of documents to the Pakistani citizens at their nearest location. He said that NADRA also launched facial identification system, which is quite effective in checking the crimes in the country. He said NADRA is also providing door-to-door facility to the special persons.

Responding to the question of Senator Zeeshan Khanzada, the minister said the ECNEC has recently allowed the construction of 192-km-long railway line project for connecting Pakistan with Afghanistan.

Tarar said over Rs15 billion have been allocated for the acquisition of land for rail connectivity with Afghanistan from Kohat to Kharlachi via Thall Parachinar. He said the project will be completed within two years. He said this will pave the way for linking Pakistan with Central Asian Republics via Afghanistan.

The Senate also passed two bills. These include "The National Forensics Agency Bill, 2024" and "The Legal Aid and Justice Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2024".

Both the bills were moved by Minister for Law and Justice Azam Tarar.

The Legal Aid and Justice Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is aimed at ensuring free legal aid to poor people.

Tarar moved the Bill further to amend the Legal Aid and Justice Authority Act, 2020 [The Legal Aid and Justice Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2024], as reported by the Standing Committee, in the House. He said the bill was passed by the standing committee unanimously.

The bill would shift administrative control of the Legal and Justice Authority to the Law Ministry from the Ministry of Human Rights.

Six reports presented in Senate

As many as six reports of various standing committees including Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Law and Justice and Functional Committee on Governmental Assurances were presented in the Senate on Friday.

Chairperson, Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Sherry Rehman presented a report of the committee in the House on a Bill further to amend the Pakistan Trade Control of Wild Fauna and Flora Act, 2012 [The Pakistan Trade Control of Wild Fauna and Flora (Amendment) Bill, 2024] while Farooq Hamid Naek Chairman, Standing Committee on Law and Justice presented the report of the Committee on a Bill further to amend the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan [The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2022] (Amendment of Article 62) in the House.

Chairman, Functional Committee on Government Assurances, Abdul Shakoor Khan presented reports of the Committee about the construction of Korang Bridge underpass on Islamabad Expressway, on the repair/reconstruction of Ayub Bridge in Havelian, District Abbottabad on N-35 Highway, on the present status of work on the project for converting the land leased out to Army Heritage Foundation (AHF) in Chaklala Cantonment Board, adjacent to Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, Rawalpindi into an entertainment park for general public and on the rehabilitation of the existing 132KV transmission line from Hub Chowki to Vinder and 66KV transmission line from Vinder to Bela Grid.

The House was adjourned to meet again on Monday at 4:00 in the afternoon.

Reporter Usman Khan