ISLAMABAD: The Government will consider a suggestion to have a National Assembly committee to oversee relief operations in the quake-devastated areas in the northern region, the House was told today [Jan 21]. In giving this assurance, the Minister of State for Defence and Foreign Affairs Mr Aziz Ahmed pointed out that the task proposed to be assigned to such a body was primarily an executive function “which we will happily discharge to the satisfaction of the stricken people and the generous donors”. …

Suggestions for the House committee came from Opposition … Members, including their Leader, Mr. Abdul Wali Khan. … The House was unanimous in thanking the friendly countries, particularly of the Muslim world, for their generous donations. … The Treasury Benches … refuted some criticism from Opposition Members who expressed doubts about the handling of relief material by Government functionaries. Rejecting the charges, Mr. Aziz Ahmed said: “It is not fair to the officers who are working under the most arduous conditions”. … Earlier Opposition Leader Abdul Wali Khan called for establishing a [NA] committee to supervise the expenditure of every penny out of the relief funds.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2025

Opinion

Editorial

Trump’s folly
Updated 13 Feb, 2025

Trump’s folly

This latest pronouncement only reinforces the fears of those who see the plan as a blueprint for ethnic cleansing.
Corruption ranking
13 Feb, 2025

Corruption ranking

IT comes as little surprise. Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index for 2024, unveiled on...
Support from remittances
13 Feb, 2025

Support from remittances

EVEN though workers’ remittances dipped, albeit negligibly, in January on a month-over-month basis, the earnings...
Ill omens
Updated 12 Feb, 2025

Ill omens

One wonders whether institutional leadership realises the long-term ramifications of the ongoing "remaking" of judiciary.
Sunken dreams
12 Feb, 2025

Sunken dreams

ANOTHER tragedy has struck Pakistani migrants seeking a better future. A boat capsizing off the Libyan coast has ...
Hate in India
12 Feb, 2025

Hate in India

HISTORY shows that rulers use hate speech to provoke hate crimes and ‘othering’ among communities. Indian Prime...