Daily Balochistan Times

Islamabad:The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday rejected allegations of bias from a political party and re-posted the disqualification decision of MNA Adil Bazai on its website, allowing the public and analysts to examine the case and judge the department's impartiality.

A spokesperson for the ECP clarified that under Article 63(A)(3) of the Constitution, the Commission is authorized to decide on declarations submitted by the Speaker of the National Assembly within a 30-day period of receiving them. This decision follows a legal process that aims to ensure transparency and fairness.

In response to the bias allegations, the ECP emphasized that it had acted in accordance with constitutional provisions and legal procedures. By reposting Bazai's disqualification decision, the Commission has made the case accessible for public review, reinforcing its commitment to transparency and impartiality in its decisions.

Adil Bazai, who was elected as an independent candidate to the National Assembly, was notified of his victory on February 15, 2024. Shortly thereafter, on February 16, 2024, Bazai submitted an affidavit declaring his affiliation with the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-N). The Election Commission received this affidavit on February 18, 2024, and officially approved Bazai's party affiliation on February 19, 2024. The National Assembly was notified of the change on April 25, 2024.

Adil Bazai, who took the oath as a member of the National Assembly on February 29, 2024, remained silent about his party affiliation between April 25 and November 2, 2024.He eventually filed a petition in a local court on November 2, 2024, following the submission of the reference.

The reference, submitted by the Speaker of the National Assembly, noted that Bazai did not cast his vote in favor of the Finance Bill 2024 on June 12, 2024, nor did he participate in the vote on the 26th Constitutional Amendment. The speaker's reference raised questions about Bazai's commitment to his party affiliation, triggering a review by the Election Commission.

The ECP confirmed the reference from the National Assembly speaker and terminated Adil Bazai's membership, declaring his seat vacant.

Islamabad:Higher education leaders from leading universities of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states in a meeting held on Wednesday resolved to enhance inter-university collaborations in critical areas such as science, technology, health, and higher education to address the challenges facing the Muslim Ummah.

The annual meeting of the COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence (CCoE) was convened at OIC- COMSTECH. The meeting saw participation from a high-level delegation of senior academics from China, led by Prof. Dr. Zhao Yufen, Director of the Institute of Drug Discovery Technology at Ningbo University. Vice Chancellors, Rectors, and senior representatives from OIC member states including Palestine, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Oman, Jordan, Pakistan, Russia, Somalia, Uganda, Tanzania, Mauritania, Indonesia, and Iran were also in attendance.

During the meeting, COMSTECH introduced a two-phased Action Plan on Improving University Rankings through Educational Reforms, aiming to address the gaps in global visibility of universities in OIC member states. The proposed plan focuses on developing and strengthening Institutional Quality Assurance Frameworks (IQAF) and building capacity to enhance visibility in international university rankings.

The universities were invited to register their preferred approach, with OIC-COMSTECH experts set to prioritize regions and institutions based on responses.

In his opening remarks, Coordinator General of COMSTECH, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary highlighted the objectives of the CCoE and outlined key initiatives undertaken by COMSTECH to foster collaboration and capacity building among OIC member states.

The key presentations included initiatives by Ningbo University, delivered by Prof. Dr. Liu Xinmin, COMSTECH Inter-Library Network, presented by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akram Sheikh and improving University Rankings through Educational Reforms, led by Prof. Dr. Sayed Zia Batool.

Prof. Dr. Zhao Yufen, the guest of honour, emphasized the importance of Sino-COMSTECH collaboration in advancing science and technology. Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar Vice Chancellor Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad and Prof. Dr Aftab Ahmed Maroof Rector FAST also spoke on the occasion.

The meeting also outlined a Plan of Action for 2025, focusing on inter-university cooperation through capacity building, restructuring the education sector in Palestine during the post-war recovery phase, joint projects, and establishing permanent mechanisms for sharing expertise and experiences.

This high-level dialogue marked a significant step toward addressing shared challenges and enhancing the global standing of universities in OIC member states. The participants also showed complete solidarity with people of Palestine and assured their utmost cooperation in restructuring and rehabilitation in the education sector, especially in affected areas.

Islamabad:The government desires to constitute a special tribunal for resolving the issue of missing persons and work on legislation is underway to settle the issue once and for all times.

This was stated by the Additional Attorney General Amir Rehman before the seven-member Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court (SC) in a proceedings regarding enforced disappearance and missing persons on Wednesday.

The seven-member Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan is headed by Justice Amin ud Din Khan and comprising Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Musarrat Hilali, Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Shahid Bilal Hasan.

The AGP informed the Court that Justice (R) Faqir Muhammad Khokhar is appointed as Chairmen of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearance (CIED) and a committee of the federal cabinet has been constituted to work for legislation in this regard.

On the inquiry of Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar about a time frame for the legislation, the AGP responded that the Cabinet Committee was working on it.

Justice Jamal Mandokhail remarked that the law already exists and it was clearly illegal to make a citizen disappear. Sue an accused in a court of law if he is a suspect, let him free otherwise. The law is clear.

The AGP said that the government is committed to resolve this issue once and for all times.

Justice Mandokhail remarked that we can hope that the issue will be resolved and can't direct the parliament to legislate on this matter.

The proceedings were then adjourned till the date to be fixed latter.