تازہ ترین

Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has strongly opposed calls to abolish the reserved legislative seats for Kashmiri refugees living in Pakistan, saying the voting rights of displaced Kashmiris are protected by constitutional and democratic principles and must not be undermined. His remarks came after reports that a banned Action Committee had demanded the abolition of seats reserved for refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) legislative framework. The proposal has sparked debate and criticism from political and social circles on both sides of the Line of Control. In a statement, Mirwaiz said millions of Kashmiri refugees residing in Pakistan have a legitimate constitutional and democratic right to participate in the electoral process, adding that these rights cannot be ignored or sacrificed. “The voting rights of Kashmiri refugees are an integral part of their constitutional and democratic rights,” he said, stressing that displaced Kashmiris deserve equal respect, representation and protection. Mirwaiz argued that the rights of refugees are inseparable from the collective rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He maintained that any political movement claiming to represent Kashmiris must ensure equal representation for residents of every region and community without discrimination. He warned that protecting the interests of one group should never come at the cost of another group’s constitutional rights. According to the Hurriyat leader, justice, equality and mutual respect must remain the guiding principles in resolving issues affecting the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Calling for dialogue, Mirwaiz urged all stakeholders to engage in consultations and meaningful discussions to find a balanced and widely acceptable solution. He said consensus-based decision-making was essential to preserving unity and protecting the democratic rights of all Kashmiris. The statement also criticized attempts to alter the existing representation of Kashmiri refugees, arguing that such moves risk deepening divisions rather than strengthening democratic participation. The controversy over refugee seats has emerged during a politically sensitive period in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, with electoral issues drawing increased public attention. While supporters of the proposal argue that reforms are needed, opponents insist that any changes affecting refugee representation must respect constitutional guarantees and the political rights of displaced Kashmiris. Mirwaiz’s intervention adds a prominent voice to the debate, highlighting the need for dialogue and consensus rather than unilateral decisions on issues involving the constitutional and democratic rights of Kashmiri refugees.

ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has asked Pakistan’s provincial governments to generate an additional Rs430 billion in tax revenue during the current fiscal year, as part of broader efforts to strengthen public finances and increase provincial own-source revenues. According to official details, the proposed increase in tax collection is equivalent to 0.3 per cent of Pakistan’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and is expected to be shared among the four provinces in line with their allocations under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award. The move is aimed at improving fiscal sustainability by encouraging provinces to rely more on locally generated revenues rather than transfers from the federal government. Officials believe stronger provincial tax collection would also help create greater financial discipline and support long-term economic reforms. Sources said each province would contribute to the additional revenue target based on its respective share under the NFC formula, although specific collection targets for individual provinces have yet to be announced. The recommendation comes as Pakistan continues implementing economic reforms under its programme with the IMF, with revenue mobilisation remaining one of the key priorities for both the federal and provincial governments. Meanwhile, the federal government has decided to establish an inter-ministerial committee, to be headed by the prime minister, for the implementation of decisions made by the National Economic Council (NEC). According to officials, the committee will include federal and provincial ministers along with senior government representatives. It will be responsible for monitoring the execution of national policies, reviewing progress on major development initiatives and ensuring timely implementation of decisions taken by the NEC. The committee is also expected to strengthen coordination between the federation and the provinces, particularly on economic planning, fiscal reforms and development projects that require close cooperation among different levels of government. Government sources said improved coordination is considered essential for achieving national economic objectives and ensuring that development programmes are implemented efficiently across the country. Economists say increasing provincial tax revenues has long been a key recommendation of international financial institutions, which argue that greater fiscal autonomy can improve governance, reduce dependence on federal transfers and create a more balanced financial system. The IMF’s latest recommendation is likely to shape upcoming provincial budgetary decisions as governments evaluate measures to expand their tax base while balancing the need to protect economic activity. The proposed revenue measures are expected to remain a major focus of fiscal policy discussions in the months ahead.

QUETTA: A targeted anti-polio vaccination campaign will begin on Monday across 62 high-risk union councils in 13 districts of Balochistan as health authorities intensify efforts to stop the spread of the poliovirus and protect children from lifelong disability. According to the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), the campaign will cover 209,557 children under the age of five. Trained vaccination teams will visit homes and designated centres to administer oral polio vaccine free of charge. Officials said 862 mobile vaccination teams have been deployed to conduct the campaign. In addition, 61 fixed vaccination centres and 72 transit vaccination points have been established to ensure that children travelling with their families or living in hard-to-reach areas are not missed. The EOC said the campaign is focused on high-risk union councils where the threat of poliovirus transmission remains significant. Health authorities noted that the virus continues to circulate in some parts of the province, making regular vaccination campaigns essential to prevent new infections. Officials stressed that polio is an incurable disease that can cause permanent paralysis, but it is completely preventable through timely vaccination. They urged parents to cooperate with vaccination teams and ensure that every eligible child receives polio drops during the campaign. The EOC warned that every child who remains unvaccinated increases the risk of virus transmission within the community. Officials said even a small number of missed children can allow the virus to continue circulating and endanger other children. The campaign will be carried out in Barkhan, Dukki, Jaffarabad, Jhal Magsi, Loralai, Qila Saifullah, Nasirabad, Sherani, Sohbatpur, Usta Muhammad, Zhob, Ziarat and Mastung. Special arrangements have been made in these districts to achieve maximum vaccination coverage. Health authorities said supervisors and monitoring teams will oversee the campaign to ensure transparency, improve performance and address any operational challenges. Officials added that vaccination teams have been instructed to reach every household in the targeted areas.