Author: Usama Mudassar

The uproar erupted when members sought permission to discuss the Supreme Court’s ruling, but the Senate Chairman denied any member the opportunity to speak on the issue. This led to a tense atmosphere in the Senate, with some members expressing frustration over the perceived curtailment of their right to address significant matters.

The meeting focused on countering misleading propaganda and resolving internal conflicts propagated by extremists. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), all leaders of religious thought unanimously condemned terrorism, extremism, and sectarianism. The scholars expressed their complete support for efforts to eliminate these threats and promote peace and stability in the country.

The written verdict, released on Wednesday, highlighted that the decision in the Faizabad Dharna case aimed at addressing incidents of violence. It acknowledged that the delay in resolving the case had raised concerns about potential future challenges. The court emphasized that the case had been ignored by various governments for five years, indicating a failure to take timely action.

The upcoming months are expected to witness a reduction in inflation, providing some relief to the public. The Finance Minister, Dr. Shaukat Tarin, highlighted the necessity for Pakistan to remain in the IMF program to sustain ongoing economic reforms. He stressed that the country’s economy is still fragile, and the opportunity to secure another loan program from the IMF should not be missed. A third tranche of $1 billion is expected to be initiated soon under the existing program.

The Apex Committee meeting primarily focused on the mandate of the Specialized Investment Facilitation Council to accelerate the disinvestment process from unprofitable state-run institutions. This move aligns with the broader goal of optimizing public resources and fostering economic growth in the capital city.