Islamabad, In a recent session at the Parliament House, the Senate, chaired by Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani, discussed the financial health of Pakistan’s State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and passed several key bills aimed at reform and improvement across various sectors. The focus was on the measures to mitigate losses reported by these enterprises, which have been a concern for the country’s economy.
According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Caretaker Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi provided a detailed account in response to a motion by Senator Mushtaq Ahmed. Solangi revealed that the combined losses of over 200 SOEs amounted to 730 billion rupees, against which there were earnings of 570 billion rupees, leading to a net loss of around 160 billion rupees. Notable among the loss-making entities were the power sector, Pakistan Steel Mills, National Highway Authority, Pakistan International Airlines, and Pakistan Railways.
Solangi highlighted that legislative amendments targeting specific state enterprises, including the National Highway Authority, Pakistan Post, and Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation, had been introduced as part of the efforts to reform these entities. The Minister emphasized the parliament’s and the forthcoming elected government’s role in deciding on further reforms to curtail losses.
The Senate session also saw the passage of several bills, including the “Christian Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2023,” the “Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023,” and others focusing on medical aid, management sciences, and engineering technology. Additionally, four new bills were introduced, covering salary scales, health coverage, and constitutional amendments, marking a significant legislative effort to address various national issues.
The discussion and legislative activity underscore the government’s commitment to reforming state-owned enterprises and addressing broader societal needs through legal amendments.
Islamabad, The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is set to issue the election schedule for the upcoming presidential election this Friday. The announcement will initiate the formal process for the selection of the country’s head of state.
According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the ECP’s proposed program outlines that presidential candidates will have until twelve noon on Saturday to submit their nomination papers to any presiding officer. In preparation for the nomination process, nomination papers are made available from today at the Election Commission Secretariat in Islamabad and at the Provincial Election Commissioners’ offices in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan.
This election marks a significant event in Pakistan’s political timeline, with the presidency carrying substantial ceremonial power. The ECP, in facilitating the process, has also provided a contact number for the Election Commission Secretariat to offer additional information and guidance to potential candidates and to ensure a smooth and transparent election process.
The announcement of the election schedule is a crucial step in upholding the democratic process in Pakistan, allowing for the orderly and fair selection of the nation’s president.