Talking to The Express Tribune, senior leader of PML-N Sartaj Aziz said that in spite of time constraints the budget for fiscal year 2013-14 can still be presented in between June 10 and 12. He added that after the new cabinet is formed the party’s nominee for the finance minister slot Ishaq Dar will have around two weeks to set his priorities.

Elaborating the party’s plan of action Aziz stated that the expenditures part of the budget was almost already complete while the taxation measures were to be decided over the course of a few weeks. He said the party would not face many problems in presenting the budget on time.

According to political analysts, if desired the president can summon the NA session by May 26 which would assist the PML-N to form the government at the earliest, giving it more time to plan the budget. However, if the president wishes to exploit maximum 21 days limit that the constitution sets to call a session of new assembly, the PML-N will form the government by June 3 or 4.

According to clause 85 of the constitution, the NA shall have powers to make any grant in advance in respect to the estimated expenditures for a part of any financial year, not exceeding four months.

Aziz, who is expected to be Adviser on Economy and Foreign Affairs to the premier, said that the party was not considering any proposal to delay the budget for four months. “Extending the current budget further for four months will mean that the wasteful expenditures will continue,” he said.

He added that the parliament would need 15 days to pass the budget and that time will be given. “The PML-N enjoys a comfortable majority in the National Assembly therefore the party will not face difficulty in getting the budget through,” he explained.

The PPP-dominated Senate will have only recommendatory powers in case of Finance Bill where the decisive powers rest with NA. However, the Senate Standing Committee on Finance can take up to 14 days to give recommendations on the proposed budget after it is presented in the NA.

After the Senate sends out its recommendations, at least three days will be required for the NA to pass each demand for grant and budget will have to be approved by June 30, the last day of the current fiscal year.

Sources reveal that as a backup the finance ministry is working on a proposal to fast-track the process of budget approvals from the agencies concerned before its presentation to the parliament. They added that there was a possibility that meeting of Annual Plan Coordination Committee would not be called. The APCC finalizes the development and current budgets and macroeconomic targets on recommendations of the Priorities Committee for approval of the NEC. The recommendations of the priorities committee may directly be presented to the NEC.

There will also be a need to reconstitute the NEC and a summary for the purpose will be put for approval of the prime minister immediately after his oath-taking. However, the sources added that Sindh may take time to nominate its members which may delay the NEC constitution for a couple of days, given the fact that PPP is still the ruling party in the province.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2013.

Corruption suspect and former chairman of Water and Power Development Authority Lt Gen (retd) Zahid Ali Akbar was detained by Interpol earlier this month at the request of NAB. The retired general is now being provided consular services by the UK embassy there, sources in the corruption watchdog say.

The UK embassy in Bosnia is assisting Akbar, who is wanted by NAB for owning assets worth Rs268 million, much beyond his known sources of income, with legal aid in order to get him deported to the UK, sources in NAB told The Express Tribune. “His deportation to UK will save him from extradition to Pakistan where he is facing corruption charges,” said a NAB official requesting anonymity.

The former WAPDA chief, who is a dual national and also holds the citizenship of UK, was accused of owning assets beyond his means to the tune of Rs267.61 million during his tenure besides inflicting heavy losses to the public exchequer by his alleged corruption.

The ex-military man and head of the water and power authority evaded arrest by NAB and fled abroad. After three months of investigation NAB officials traced him to Bosnia where he was detained by Bosnian authorities with the help of Interpol on May 9.

Sources revealed that through interior ministry NAB has sent an extradition paper to Bosnian authorities requesting them to deport Akbar to Pakistan. The Pakistani government has requested its Bosnian counterpart to extend Akbar’s detention period from 18 to 40 days so that suitable arrangements can be made.

The NAB official said the UK embassy in Bosnia came into action after Akbar’s wife recently arrived in Bosnia to his aid. “She has also launched a media campaign in Bosnia to prove her husband’s innocence and gain sympathies of local and British authorities,” the official added.

NAB authorities fear they might lose Akbar’s custody if he is deported to UK and not to Pakistan. Authorities feel that getting him deported from the UK would be a tougher job as he is also a UK national.

A corruption reference against Akbar was filed by NAB in the Accountability Court in July 2006. After his escape, the court declared the former WAPDA chief as proclaimed offender in 2007. Since then, he has been on the run.

Speaking on the matter with The Express Tribune, Foreign and Commonwealth Office Spokesperson said that they were aware of the arrest, adding, “We are providing consular assistance to the British national in Bosnia and Herzegovina on 6 May 2013”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2013.

The Balochistan National Party-Mengal’s chief says this can only be achieved by a political party that is prepared to take all affairs in its own hands and negate the role of ‘undemocratic forces’ in the province.

In an exclusive interview with The Express Tribune from his native town of Wadh, Mengal said the Balochistan issue will remain unresolved until and unless a political initiative is taken by political parties.

Mengal, who returned to Pakistan in March to participate in the general elections after a long self-exile in the United Arab Emirates, said that his return was a reluctant one. It was the insistence of Nawaz Sharif and other political leaders along with the media and civil society, which prompted him to end his exile and contest elections.

“Nawaz Sharif’s assurances greatly contributed to my return,” he revealed, adding “Mian sahib convinced me that we must play our role in the general elections in a changed situation in Pakistan and Balochistan.” But his sense of disappointment is palpable. “Nothing has changed here,” he says.

In 1997, the BNP-M was the largest party in Balochistan and Akhtar Mengal was the chief minister. Today, the party has only two seats to its name in the 51 member provincial assembly. One is Mengal’s own seat from his home constituency and the other is of Hamal Kalmati, who won from the strategic Gwadar constituency.

Two candidates of the BNP-M, Esa Noori and Raouf Mengal, won national assembly seats from the Makran coastal region and Khuzdar, respectively. All the remaining candidates were defeated.

Referring to those defeats, Mengal claimed that his six candidates were initially in the process of winning national and provincial assembly seats from Panjgor , Turbat, Kharan, Noshki and Quetta city and the Quetta-Chaghi constituencies. However, he claims the election results were manipulated to ensure that his candidates lost in all of those areas. “It is now a known fact that election results were delayed for over three days by the local election authorities without any acceptable reasons,” he alleged.

‘’Apart from these tactics, arrangements were made by authorities to discourage voters in all those constituencies, as it is a recognised fact that those remote areas of the province are known  as the strongholds of our party , Mengal said while revealing the circumstances that led to the unexpected defeat of his party candidates. “There was absolutely no process of elections by the election commission of Pakistan in Punjgor, Noshki, parts of Kharan, Awaran, Washuk, Dalbandin and a few other places,” he claims. “Election officials did not show up at many polling stations in those districts and in some cases there were no polling stations at all.” He also questioned the victory of PML-N’s NA candidate Lt. Gen (retd ) Abdul Qadir Baloch from Kharan, saying that polling did not take place in a large part of that constituency, which resulted in the defeat of his party’s candidate.

Apart from what he points out, there were also other reasons as to why the elections in Balochistan were unsatisfactory. A campaign of attacks, explosions, threats and subversive activities by militants also played a major role in disrupting electioneering in most parts of the Baloch belt. However, Mr Mengal did not discuss this aspect during the interview.

Condemning the bomb attack on the election convoy of Sardar Sanaullah Zehri, president of the Balochistan chapter of PML-N in Khuzdar, Mengal said Zehri had registered a case against him, his father Sardar Attahullah Mengal and Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri only to politicise the issue.

Mengal plans to meet Nawaz Sharif and other political leaders to discuss this and also the treatment he and his party candidates were meted out by the ‘undemocratic forces’ in the province.  ‘’ We are not being allowed to play our role in the solution of Balochistan’s issues,” he said. “The Baloch people are being forced to adopt militancy as a way to gain their political rights.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2013.

Sources told The Express Tribune on Wednesday that negotiating committees from the two parties have discussed issues in detail and are likely to reach a conclusion in the next meeting. Both sides would have another round of negotiations today (Thursday).

“The PML-N side has agreed to give the JUI-F the ministry of Kashmir affairs,” sources added. However, they could not evolve a consensus on JUI-F’s second demand: role in Balochistan government.

The meeting of the negotiating committees continued till late night. The JUI-F team was led by Senator Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri while Senator Parvez Rasheed headed the PML-N team. Both committees would convey the meeting’s outcome to their respective leaderships.

“Our impression is that the PML-N wants to have an inclusive government. However, as they say that the taste of the pudding is in eating. But Nawaz Sharif has clearly shown his willingness to take Maulana Fazl along,” said JUI-F spokesman Jan Achakzai.

The PML-N had invited the JUI-F to join the coalition at the centre despite having a simple majority in the National Assembly. However, the latter is reluctant to only join hands with the PML-N in the Centre, it is also calling for a share in the Balochistan government. The JUI-F has won six seats in the provincial assembly in the May 11 elections.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2013.

Interestingly, these irregularities surfaced in the accounts of the Frontier Constabulary and the Frontier Corps around October last year when the heads of both forces had warned lawmakers that a lack of funding and weapons, and subsequent low morale might force the paramilitary units into ‘giving up the fight’. They had told a Senate panel that the 26,172-strong 108 platoons of the FC deployed in the provinces had only 42 heavy machineguns.

The AGP found misappropriations of over Rs676 million in the Frontier Constabulary in K-P, and irregularities worth Rs570 million in the Frontier Corps in Balochistan, according to a 2011-12 audit report exclusively made available to The Express Tribune.  Irregularities, illegal deduction and non-deposit of funds were spotted in the accounts of the interior ministry, when Rehman Malik was in charge. These paramilitary forces fall under the ambit of the interior ministry.

FC Balochistan

The auditors found irregularities worth Rs570 million in the accounts of FC Balochistan and Balochistan Police during the last fiscal year. Both forces collectively purchased vehicles worth Rs570 million without the approval of the finance ministry. It also failed to inform the vehicles committee about the purchase till auditors discovered the irregularities. The audit report states that the expenditure, incurred in violation of government instructions, is irregular.

FC K-P

The report, which is likely to be tabled in Parliament in July this year, further revealed irregular deduction and retention of Rs139.8 million in the accounts of the Frontier Corps in K-P. This deduction was made from the pay of ‘jawans’ on account of ‘Scouts Saving Scheme’, the report stated. The auditors called for the unlawful deduction to be immediately stopped.

It was also revealed that the Frontier Constabulary K-P commandant withdrew an amount of Rs136 million for the purchase of arms and ammunition in 2010-11. The amount was deposited in a private bank account, while the supply of arms is still awaited. Auditors recommended an investigation into the incident.

The commandant also failed to deposit payments worth Rs195 million, received from various organisations, into the government’s accounts during the last fiscal year. The commandant, whose name was not mentioned in the report, deployed 17 FC platoons with multinational companies and government organisations for security through contract agreements.

The overseers of public accounts also revealed that the management of district officers failed to recover an amount of Rs209.9 million on account of pay and allowances of troops deployed with various private companies. The due amount may be recovered and deposited into the government’s accounts, auditors observed.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2013.

Interestingly, these irregularities surfaced in the accounts of the Frontier Constabulary and the Frontier Corps around October last year when the heads of both forces had warned lawmakers that a lack of funding and weapons, and subsequent low morale might force the paramilitary units into ‘giving up the fight’. They had told a Senate panel that the 26,172-strong 108 platoons of the FC deployed in the provinces had only 42 heavy machineguns.

The AGP found misappropriations of over Rs676 million in the Frontier Constabulary in K-P, and irregularities worth Rs570 million in the Frontier Corps in Balochistan, according to a 2011-12 audit report exclusively made available to The Express Tribune.  Irregularities, illegal deduction and non-deposit of funds were spotted in the accounts of the interior ministry, when Rehman Malik was in charge. These paramilitary forces fall under the ambit of the interior ministry.

FC Balochistan

The auditors found irregularities worth Rs570 million in the accounts of FC Balochistan and Balochistan Police during the last fiscal year. Both forces collectively purchased vehicles worth Rs570 million without the approval of the finance ministry. It also failed to inform the vehicles committee about the purchase till auditors discovered the irregularities. The audit report states that the expenditure, incurred in violation of government instructions, is irregular.

FC K-P

The report, which is likely to be tabled in Parliament in July this year, further revealed irregular deduction and retention of Rs139.8 million in the accounts of the Frontier Corps in K-P. This deduction was made from the pay of ‘jawans’ on account of ‘Scouts Saving Scheme’, the report stated. The auditors called for the unlawful deduction to be immediately stopped.

It was also revealed that the Frontier Constabulary K-P commandant withdrew an amount of Rs136 million for the purchase of arms and ammunition in 2010-11. The amount was deposited in a private bank account, while the supply of arms is still awaited. Auditors recommended an investigation into the incident.

The commandant also failed to deposit payments worth Rs195 million, received from various organisations, into the government’s accounts during the last fiscal year. The commandant, whose name was not mentioned in the report, deployed 17 FC platoons with multinational companies and government organisations for security through contract agreements.

The overseers of public accounts also revealed that the management of district officers failed to recover an amount of Rs209.9 million on account of pay and allowances of troops deployed with various private companies. The due amount may be recovered and deposited into the government’s accounts, auditors observed.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2013.

QUETTA: Seven security personnel of Balochistan Constabulary (BC) were killed and 20 others sustained injures in a bomb attack in Quetta, Express News reported on Thursday.

According to initial details, a timed device was planted near the Eastern Bypass which exploded when a BC truck passed by.

The injured, five of whom are civilians, were shifted to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH). Few of them are in critical condition.

Police and bomb disposal squad (BDS) have reached the area and initial investigation is underway.

The bomb blast took place in a fairly populated area and a car and rickshaw were also damaged apart from the BC truck.

The two leaders met on the sidelines of the reception, which Nawaz said was “for the good of the country and the people”. They vowed to carry on with their much talked-about ‘policy of reconciliation’ in the greater interests of the country.

“I have already assumed Nawaz Sharif is the prime minister. He will get full support from the Presidency,” said President Zardari, to which Nawaz replied: “Zardari Sahab was a constitutionally elected President. Why would I ask him to resign?”

Nawaz had thus far been ‘avoiding’ meeting President Zardari one-on-one since the recently concluded general elections which the former’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party won convincingly.

In February, he had ‘politely’ turned down President Zardari’s request for a private meeting at Raiwind.

Earlier, President Zardari received the PML-N leader in his conventional open-arms style with a smile on his face. However, when asked if his party would support Sharif’s looming instatement as the premier, the president said “it would be decided by Makhdoom Amin Fahim, the President of PPPP, as President Zardari had already detached himself from all political activities after assuming the Presidency.

Speaking to journalists, Nawaz said he regarded the country’s interest as being more important than self-interest. “We would perhaps not have sat together if we had considered our self-interest greater than Pakistan’s.”

“The country is facing massive problems for which everyone is required to work in harmony. No single party can single-handedly pull the country out of its present turmoil,” said President Zardari. He reiterated that all political forces should work together to rid Pakistan of its troubles.

The two leaders renewed their resolve to carry on with their ‘policy of reconciliation’ which remained practically suspended during most of the last five years.

Nawaz said he intends to continue upholding the principles of the Charter of Democracy he signed with the late former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in 2007.

It is yet to be seen as to what course the ‘reconciliation policy’ takes with PPP now on the opposition benches of the National Assembly and PML-N forming a government at the centre.

Commenting on his meeting with Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani this past Saturday, Sharif said all state institutions must be on the same page to effectively tackle the problems.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2013.

A three-judge bench – headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry – gave the orders on Wednesday while hearing a petition filed by MNA-elect Khawaja Muhammad Asif.

The bench directed the suspension of all appointments, postings and transfers made by the caretaker government in its brief stint, barring those necessitated for ensuring free and fair elections and for smooth running of day-to-day affairs.

“You have taken up a double-edged sword by challenging the appointments made by the caretakers. Mind it, the government-in-waiting has to follow and maintain the highest standards of transparency and merit for future appointments to avoid the interference of the apex court,” Justice Chaudhry told the petitioner.

Khawaja Asif belongs to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) which is all set to form the new government after winning majority in the May 11 elections.

Justice Chaudhry said cronyism and favouritism should be discouraged in fresh appointments because such practices have been a cause of contention for the last five years.

The bench, also comprising of Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry and Justice Gulzar Ahmed, directed the caretaker government to abstain from making further appointments, transfers and postings till the pendency of the petition. The bench, in its order, noted that apart from the petitioner, Law Minister Ahmer Bilal Sufi had also objected to the recent appointments, transfers and postings made by the interim administration.

In his petition, Khawaja Asif claimed that the heads of NHA, NEPRA, SNGPL, SSGPL, Pakistan Minerals Development Corporation, National Fertiliser, OGDCL, State Life Corporation, PTDC, Pakistan Software Export Board, FIA, and different departments of the PTA were transferred by the caretakers by overstepping its mandate.

It seemed that the caretakers had not followed the due process for new appointments, the bench observed. The issue would be decided after hearing the versions of respondent authorities – the caretaker prime minister and the establishment division secretary.

“What is the point of filing a petition in the SC against these appointments when the new government can undo these steps through executive orders,” Justice Gulzar Ahmed asked the petitioner.

The petitioner said: if removed, the recently-appointed persons would claim their right and a cycle of litigation would start for the new government.

Attorney General of Pakistan Irfan Qadir contended that the interim government could make appointments and postings to run day-to-day affairs of the state and to meet any eventuality till the new elected government took over.

However, Qadri said he needed to receive instructions from the government about the factual position of the appointments in question. The bench adjourned the hearing till June 4.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2013.

Deviating from standard protocol, Pakistan’s entire civil and military leadership were present at Nur Khan Airbase, Chaklala, to receive Premier Li when he arrived in Pakistan on the second leg of the visit that also took him to India. Amid tight security, the Chinese premier received a warm welcome as his plane entered Pakistani airspace, escorted by six Pakistan Air Force JF-17s.

Li held formal talks with the Pakistani side, led by President Asif Ali Zardari and Interim Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso, reviewing “the entire gamut of Pakistan-China relations”, according to a statement issued by the foreign office. At a joint news conference with President Zardari, he stressed the need for increased cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector.

“Our two sides should focus on carrying out priority projects in connectivity, energy development and power generation,” Li told reporters at the President House. His offer to address Pakistan’s energy woes comes at a time when the country is facing extensive power outages, which have sparked violent protests.

China is already assisting Pakistan in several energy projects that include nuclear reactors. It has already provided two reactors, each with a capacity of 300MW, at Chashma in Punjab. The two countries are also planning to build two more reactors with the same capacity.

Plan to develop ‘economic corridor’

Li also said the two countries were working to develop an ‘economic corridor’ that will not only spur economic activities but also restore peace in the region.

“Both sides are of the view that by connecting China and Pakistan we can create a joint economic corridor linking the central and western parts of China and Pakistan,” he said.

“This vision, once realised, will have great strategic significance for development, peace and stability in China, South Asia and the rest of the continent, and improve the lives of people in our region.”

The Chinese premier, who was also awarded Pakistan’s highest civil award, the Nishan-e-Pakistan, pointed out that there is great potential for the two countries to enhance their bilateral trade to $15 billion from the current $12 billion over the next two years.

Speaking at a luncheon hosted in his honour, attended by incoming prime minister Nawaz Sharif among other political leaders, the Chinese premier said he selected Pakistan for his official visit to give a clear and loud message to the international community that “whatsoever happens at the international scene, our relations with Pakistan will continue to flourish and strengthen further.” He reaffirmed China’s unflinching support to Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

President Zardari responded by saying, “Today is one of the happiest days of my life. Gwadar port and our agreements on satellite connectivity among others are a testament to the fact that the dreams of citizens from both the countries are being realised.”

MoUs to promote bilateral cooperation

According to a foreign office statement, a total of 11 agreements have been signed between China and Pakistan as part of efforts to further deepen ties.

The agreements include memorandums of understanding (MoUs) on maritime cooperation, boundary management, border ports, economic and technical cooperation and cooperation in the field of satellite navigation.

Separately, the visiting Chinese high-powered business delegation signed procurement agreements worth $450 million to help Pakistani businesses utilise the tremendous potential of China.

Meanwhile, Premier Li will have a busy schedule today (Thursday). His engagements include an address to the Senate, a meeting with Nawaz Sharif and a joint call by the services chiefs.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2013.