Govt has moved SC in Mubarak Sani case, cabinet told

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet was informed on Tuesday that, following the prime minister’s directives, a petition has been filed in the Supreme Court regarding the Mubarak Sani case.

During a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a detailed briefing on the Mubarak Sani case was provided. It was noted that on August 17, the federal government had submitted an additional petition to the Supreme Court.

On the prime minister’s instructions, the attorney general, along with his legal team, will appear before the Supreme Court at the hearing scheduled for August 22. The attorney general will present arguments based on the opinion of the Standing Committee on Law and Justice.

“The prime minister has issued categorical instructions in this regard,” said a press release issued by the PM’s media wing.

The meeting was further informed that the National Assembly had held a detailed debate on the matter, which was subsequently referred to the Standing Committee on Law and Justice. Members of both the government and the opposition unanimously agreed at the committee meeting to recommend that the federal government file a petition with the Supreme Court, taking into account the facts, legal aspects, and views of religious scholars.

A telephonic conversation between the prime minister and the National Assembly speaker also took place in this context. Following this, a petition was filed with the Supreme Court on the prime minister’s directives.

The federal cabinet also approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Commerce of Pakistan to promote cooperation in e-commerce. Additionally, the cabinet approved the transfer of operations for King Hamad University of Nursing and Associated Medical Sciences to the National University of Medical Sciences, as recommended by the Ministry of National Health Services.

Moreover, the cabinet approved the establishment of a company to manage the technical and operational matters of the National Commission for Technical and Professional Training. The Prime Minister’s Skill Development Company will oversee the operational aspects of professional training.

The cabinet also ratified the decisions made by the cabinet Committee on State-Owned Enterprises during its meeting on August 12, as well as the decisions made by the Economic Coordination Committee on August 15.

APP ADDS: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas Shaheed (Nishan-i-Haider) on his 53rd martyrdom anniversary, who sacrificed his life to thwart the nefarious designs of the enemy.

The prime minister, in his message on the anniversary, said that Rashid Minhas Shaheed had sacrificed his life by setting an example of gallantry.

His dutifulness, valour, and commitment to oath for the country’s defence are role models for the young generation, he added.

“The whole nation, including me, salutes this brave soldier of the Pakistan Air Force.

The nation can never forget the sacrifices of soldiers and officers of Pakistan’s armed forces for safeguarding the country,” he commented.

The government has established the Pakistan Education Endowment Fund to support children from low-income families to obtain higher education.

The prime minister said in a meeting with Israr Khan Kakar, the newly elected President of the Oxford Union of the UK’s Oxford University, that a 20% quota had been allocated for the youth of Balochistan under the Pakistan Education Endowment Fund.

Prime Minister Shehbaz warmly welcomed Israr Kakar at the PM House, appreciated him for bringing fame to Pakistan, and viewed that talented youth like him could guarantee a bright future for Pakistan.

He lauded Kakar for contesting and winning the Oxford Union election as a manifestation of his steadfastness and firm resolve.

He expressed the hope that Pakistani youth like Israr Kakar would continue to bring laurels to Pakistan.

“Winning scholarship throughout the academic career and then his election as president of a great body like Oxford Union by a youngster coming from a backward area of Balochistan is a matter of pride,” the prime minister remarked.

Inviting him to address the Oxford Union, Israr Kakar appreciated Prime Minister Shehbaz for his government’s measures for youth empowerment and providing them equal opportunities.

“All of the youth, like me, are resolved to offer all-out services for Pakistan’s progress and prosperity,” Kakar remarked.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination and strongly condemned Israel’s barbaric actions against innocent Palestinians in Gaza.

The prime minister, in a meeting with outgoing Ambassador of Palestine Ahmed Jawad A. Rabei, who called on him here, said Israel’s barbarism since October 7, 2023, led to the heart-wrenching killing of over 40,000 innocent Palestinians, including women and children, and more than 90,000 injured.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment and support for efforts to find a just and lasting resolution of the Palestine issue through a two-state solution with the creation of an independent state of Palestine with pre-1967 borders and Al Quds as its capital, under relevant UN resolutions.

Ambassador Jawad thanked the prime minister for his support for the Palestinian cause as well as for the hospitality extended to him during his five-year tenure.

He lauded Pakistan’s historic and consistent stance on Palestine and its contribution to the international efforts for peace and stability in the region.

The ambassador thanked the Pakistan government for providing much-needed humanitarian assistance and offering scholarships to Palestinian medical students to complete their studies in Pakistan. The prime minister wished the Palestinian ambassador success in his future endeavours.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also lauded the security forces for eliminating the terrorists involved in the martyrdom of Deputy Commissioner of Panjgur Zakir Ali.

“The elements involved in spreading terrorism in the country should learn a lesson from the fate of the killers of Panjgur DC. Terrorism will be given no chance to flourish in the country,” the prime minister said. He reiterated that the war against terrorism would continue till the elimination of the scourge in toto. The whole nation stands by the security forces till the country’s riddance from terrorism, he added.