ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a committee on rightsizing of the federal government with particular reference to five selected ministries under specific terms of reference.

According to a notification issued on July 5, 2024, the PM has constituted a committee on rightsizing of the federal government with the following terms of reference (ToRs): Propose architecture for functions of the federal government that can be undertaken in private, ascertaining functions requiring public finances which can be performed in private mode; and, analyse whether remaining functions have appropriate and economical architecture corresponding to them. Determine functions which are entirely provincial with no international obligation and without affecting common market principal. Recommend concrete plan with way forward and methodology, along with ascertainment to safeguard assets, human resources and other ancillary issues; any other issue relevant to the scope of work assigned to the committee.

The committee, in its third meeting, convened on July 5, 2024, chaired by Minister for Finance & Revenue, decided to circulate the latest proforma to seek necessary input from the following ministries on immediate basis, latest by July 12, 2024, for further processing of the case, as per the task assigned including Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, Ministry of Kashmir Affairs & Gilgit-Baltistan, Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON), Ministry of Industries and Production and Ministry of National Health Services Regulations & Coordination. In the proforma, the ministries have been asked to provide an organogram of the division, clearly outlining all wings and sections, and the total number of employees along with officer-staff breakdown. The ministries have also been directed to provide list of all entities (authorities, boards, attached departments, companies or any other independent offices) working under the division, along with following information:

Financial information: Details of budget including revised estimates for FY2023-24 and budget estimates for FY2024-25. Also a list of all assets, owned by the ministry, along with approximate market value. What are the functions of the division as per the rules of business? When were the rules of business last revised with respect to the division? What is the vision and mission of the division? What functions does the division perform? Segregate the functions between provincial functions and federal functions, based on the federal legislative list. For provincial functions so identified, explain the following regarding each function: What is the justification (if any) for the function being performed by the division? What impact has the division made in performing this function? What is the nature of the function? Regulatory 2. Market coordination, 3. Policy, 4. Developmental, 5. Catering to research, innovation or adaptation, 6. Other. Is there any international obligation requiring this function to be performed by the division? Is there any common market requirement justifying the performance of this function by the federal ministry? Do you think that this function should be: Transferred to the province; Shutdown entirely; Retained by the federal govt in its current form; Retained by the federal govt in a modified form; How can size and expense be reduced? What improvements/ modification can be made? Can this function be performed in PPP mode or the private sector with federal funding? Provide justification for your choice at above.

For Federal Functions identified, please explain: What is the justification [if any] for the function being performed by the Division? What impact has the Division in performing this function? What is the nature of the function? Relating to National Security, Law and order, or justice, regulatory, market coordination, policy, developmental, Catering to research, innovation or adaptation, other (describe). Do you think that this function should be: Shutdown entirely, retained by the federal govt in its current form, retained by the federal govt in a modified form? How can size and expenditure be reduced? What improvements/ modification can be made? Can this function be performed in PPP mode or by the private sector with federal funding?

Financial information: Budget or balance sheet income statement (where applicable). List of all assets, owned by the entity, along with approximate market value. Does the entity use federal government funds? What is the vision and mission of the entity? What functions does the entity perform? Segregate the functions between provincial functions and federal functions, based on the federal legislative list for provincial functions identified.

Explain the following regarding each function: What the justification of/for the function being performed by the entity? What impact has the entity made in performing this function? What is the nature of the function? Regulatory, market coordination, policy, developmental, catering to research, innovation or adaptation, other (describe). Is there any international obligation requiring this function to be performed by the entity?

RAWALPINDI: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur Saturday said that they have no problem with the “institution” but do have differences with personalities.

Talking to the media in Rawalpindi, Gandapur said that there was no accountability and punishment system in the country while the nation was looking towards the judiciary.

However, he claimed that the whole nation knows that there is pressure on the judiciary while the judiciary has been told if there is pressure on them, they should tell the nation which will stand with them. “The Chief Justice of Pakistan should recuse himself from cases against us,” he maintained.

The KP chief minister said that there was talk in the apex committee about Azm-e-Istehkam but not an operation. He added if there was to be an operation, parliament and the people should be taken on board. “We have no problem with the institution, we have disagreements with personalities. Supremacy of law in the country is necessary and first of all, our mandate should be returned.” Gandapur said that nothing has come out in the fake cases against PTI founder and others. On the question of dialogue, he contended that Imran Khan has been saying that he was ready for negotiations but first withdraw the ‘fake cases’ and then negotiations will take place.

Regarding the government’s all parties conference, he explained that the decision to participate in the APC had been taken by the party founder and the party will participate in the event and present its viewpoint. “It is not a joke that you just do whatever comes to your mind. Pakistan has a Constitution and there is also a procedure, which will have to be followed,” he maintained.

He alleged what the Federation is doing is against the Constitution and judiciary. “We will hold a rally and the administration should implement the court orders. Under the Constitution, we have the right to hold rallies, processions and protests,” he remarked. Gandapur claimed the government was on crutches and they don’t have the mandate and that it will be dismissed if there is a fair trial in the judiciary.

On the question about former chief minister Pervez Khattak, the KP chief minister said that “he left the party, forgot favors and became a thief and now if he gives false testimony, he will not move about smoking like this.”

Gandapur said they had regarded (chief minister Punjab) as a woman but if a decision was taken to file a case against her, it will be done. He pointed out that cases had been filed against Nawaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari and a case against Nawaz Sharif was filed in the Cantt Police Station in a legal way but there was no system of punishment in the country. Gandapur also demanded death penalty for those who ‘broke’ the Constitution.

ISLAMABAD: The crescent for Muharram has not been sighted in Pakistan and the first day of the month will fall on Monday (July 8), Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad announced on Saturday. Accordingly, Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram, will fall on July 17.

The announcement was made after the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee met in Quetta to sight the crescent of Muharramul Haram 1446 Hijri.

Chairman of the moon-sighting body Maulana Abdul Khabir presided over the meeting.

The meetings of zonal and district bodies of the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee were also simultaneously held at their respective headquarters.

NEW DELHI: With the draft dates for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan have been released, reports have emerged that the Indian men’s cricket team is unlikely to travel to Pakistan next year.

According to a report published by Sports Tak on 6 July, the Men in Blue will not travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy that will begin from 19 February to 9 March.

“While the details of the tournament have not yet been discussed, it is highly unlikely that the Indian team will travel to Pakistan. Ultimately, the decision rests with the Indian government. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board plans to raise this issue at the upcoming ICC meeting in Sri Lanka this month,” Sports Tak quoted a source as saying. “The government’s decision on this matter will be final, as we have not yet confirmed it internally. Since this is an ICC event, we do not have the authority to make any unilateral decisions. However, more details may emerge during the next ICC meeting,” he added.

Since 2008, India have not travelled to Pakistan and met only once for a bilateral series on 2012–13. Though India were supposed to travel to Pakistan in 2023 for the Asia Cup, the tournament took place in a hybrid mode, with India’s matches, including the final, were played in Sri Lanka.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had furnished its draft for the Champions Trophy 2025, where the board assigned seven matches to Lahore, five to Rawalpindi and three to Karachi.

India and Pakistan match will take place at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on March 1, according to the draft. “The PCB has submitted the draft of the 15-match ICC Champions Trophy. Seven games in Lahore, three in Karachi and five in Rawalpindi,” the ICC source said. “The opening match will be held in Karachi, with two semifinals in Karachi and Rawalpindi and final in Lahore. All India matches (including semifinals, if the team qualifies) will be played in Lahore,” the source added.