ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly in close cooperation of the Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services (PIPS) on Monday held an enthralling ‘Final Round of All Pakistan Declamation Contest’ to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the Constitution of Pakistan (1973-2023)here at PIPS auditorium. National Assembly Speaker and PIPS BoG President Raja Pervaiz Ashraf graced the occasion as the chief guest in a closely competitive contest which together packed auditorium with galaxy of over 160 participants. The event began with recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by the National Anthem of Pakistan. On behalf of the Parliament, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf welcomed all the participants and students for attending the declamation contest celebrating the Golden Jubilee of the Constitution of Pakistan. Members of the National Assembly Asiya Azeem and Shahida Rehmani as well as Senator Farhatullah Babar also present on the occasion.

Second scenario is that the Supreme Court manages to ensure elections in Punjab and K-P provinces despite strong opposition by the 13-party coalition government. Will this lead to any semblance of political stability? With a fresh mandate in Punjab, PTI would make life difficult for the government at the Centre. Elections usually lead to some sense of political stability since it allows the winning party to have a fresh mandate of the electorate. But in the current situation without any understanding between the stakeholders, elections in Pakistan are unlikely to bring any stability.

The government on Monday orchestrated another move in collaboration with the National Assembly to circumvent the Supreme Court’s order to the central bank for allocation of Rs21 billion funds for the elections in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The cabinet, in its turn, referred the matter to the National Assembly for a decision, which played the final stroke. However, the discussions in the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance revealed that the government did not have any intention to give the money to the ECP. The committee unanimously referred the matter to the National Assembly for a decision with a recommendation to reject the proposal. The ultimate purse power rests with the National Assembly.

Income inequality has become a persistent issue in our society, with significant implications for economic justice and fair distribution of resources. Addressing income inequality requires a concerted effort to prioritize economic justice and equity. It is also important to ensure that marginalized communities have access to the resources and support they need to thrive. The issue of income inequality is not just a matter of fairness, but also has broader implications for our society as a whole. Conversely, when everyone has access to the resources they need to thrive, our society as a whole benefits from increased productivity, innovation, and wellbeing.

lice and media surround the area where former MP Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were shot in Uttar Pradesh, India, Saturday, April 15, 2023. PHOTO: APA former Indian lawmaker convicted of kidnapping and facing murder and assault charges was shot dead along with his brother in a dramatic attack that was caught live on TV in northern India, officials said Sunday. Uttar Pradesh is governed by India’s ruling Hindu-nationalist Bhartiya Janata Party. “They managed to reach close to Atiq and his brother on the pretext of recording a byte and fired at them from close range. Atiq Ahmad, 60, was jailed in 2019 after he was convicted of kidnapping.

The mission chief said there was agreement on the need to secure sufficient financing to support the authorities’ implementation efforts. Highly-placed sources told The Express Tribune that the IMF was seeking confirmation for the total $6 billion loans that Pakistan urgently needs to bridge the external financing gap. Four days ago, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar had requested the IMF to show some flexibility and strike a staff-level deal which, according to him, can pave the way for arranging the rest of the loans. They added if the foreign commercial banks just give an assurance to the IMF, it will be sufficient to strike a deal. On Friday, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar had announced that the United Arab Emirates had given an assurance to the IMF for a $1 billion loan to Islamabad.

“The sum of Rs21bn shall be and become available to and with the election commission in immediately releasable and utilisable funds for the purposes of holding the general elections to the Punjab and K-P assemblies,” the court order read. The court also observed that the required funds could be made available to the ECP “immediately and within a matter of a day”. Referring to it, the judges observed that the SBP acting governor had explained that these amounts constituted the Federal Consolidated Fund. “The amount lying in Account No I (Non-Food) (“Account I”) constitutes by far the largest component of the Fund (being 98.77 per cent thereof as of the date for which the data was provided),” the court order read. Earlier, the AGP submitted on behalf of the government a two-page document to the court detailing the federal coalition’s stance on the matter.

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) celebrates with Samuel Girard (49) after MacKinnon scored against the Nashville Predators during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, April 14, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)Nathan MacKinnon had three goals and an assist as the Colorado Avalanche beat the Nashville Predators 4-3 on Friday night to win the Central Division title. Kiefer Sherwood scored twice, Luke Evangelista added one and Kevin Lankinen made 30 saves for the Predators. “These guys have put their heart and soul into this season, this regular season,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. “That’s kind of the summary of the season,” Sherwood said.

Professional women's tennis tournaments will resume in China in September after a 16-month boycott over concerns for the safety of Chinese player Peng Shuai, the WTA announced on Thursday. "In 2021, when Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai bravely came forward, the WTA took a stance and suspended its operation of events in China out of concern for her safety and the safety of our players and staff," it said. "After 16 months of suspended tennis competition in China and sustained efforts at achieving our original requests, the situation has shown no sign of changing," the WTA said. "For these reasons, the WTA is lifting its suspension of the operation of tournaments in the People's Republic of China and will resume tournaments in China this September." "We also have received assurances that WTA players and staff operating in China will be safe and protected while in the country.

Lawrence - Robin (Roberts) Chiaramonte, 63, a resident of Lawrence, MA, passed away on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at the High Pointe Hospice House in Haverhill, MA. The daughter of the late Mack D. and Marjorie (Crowell) Roberts, Robin was born and educated in Somerville, MA and was a 1977 gr…

Share:Zohaib Afzal Malik (of SA Group) has breezed into the singles semifinals and doubles final of the 6th leg ATF Aslomudin Open U14 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. According to Zohaib’s mother Milli Aamir from Dushanbe, Tajikistan, in a very tough match of singles quarterfinals, Zohaib kept his nerves and beat his opponent Arafat Mustafa 7-5, 6-0. Zohaib fully dominated the second set and won it convincingly by 6-0 to earn a place in the semifinals. In the doubles semifinals, Zohaib, partnering with Imran Ahundov, outpaced Ramazoni Ismoilov and Shokhruh Negmatov 6-2, 6-1. Talking to The Nation from Dushanbe, Zohaib said: “I am determined to finish the last and 6th consecutive ATF event on a high note.

A general view of the Supreme Court of Pakistan building at the evening hours, in Islamabad, Pakistan April 7, 2022. In its notices issued on Wednesday, the apex court has asked the officials to appear in the chief justice’s chamber on April 14 [tomorrow]. A day earlier, the ECP in its report to the top court highlighted that the government had failed to disburse the funds and was reluctant to provide the money. The SC observed that the “disobedience” by the federal government would place the holding of timely elections as mandated by the Constitution in “jeopardy”. It added that it was facing difficulties in issuing the schedule for the polls because of the lack of funds.

A couple of unaired video clips of Maryam Nawaz’s recent interview with a local TV channel show the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief organiser getting caught off guard when asked about her assets and Toshakhana gifts. The video clips of the ruling party leader’s interview with anchorperson Mansoor Ali Khan were not aired but they were leaked to social media on Tuesday. In these clips, one can see Maryam left baffled when confronted with tough questions about her father, former premier Nawaz Sharif, retaining a high-end Mercedes car from Toshakahan as prime minister during the 1990s. In response to this, Maryam said that retaining a gift from Toshakhana after paying an amount as per the policy of the depository was not illegal. However, the PML-N leader responded saying she did not know about this and “will get back to you on this.”

Nation united to eradicate menace of terrorism: PresidentPresident Dr Arif Alvi says the entire nation is united to eradicate the menace of terrorism. He was talking, on telephone, to the heirs of the Security Forces' personnel martyred in recent acts of terrorism. The President paid tribute to the martyrs for sacrificing their lives in the war against terrorism.

Since April 2022, when the playing eleven were pushed out of the pitch, the 12th player has been at the crease. Part of this strategy was to enter a team of Barwan Khilaris in the arena. Only regular 11 players are capable of staying for a long term on the pitch, the 12th man is not. MNS keeps coming back to the pitch despite being the 12th man destined for the bench, not the crease. The role of the 12th Man has been clearly defined which needs to be enforced.