International
Maryam Nawaz becomes Pakistan's first woman Chief Minister
Islamabad, Feb 26 (IANS) Amid boycotts and delays, the Punjab Assembly on Monday elected PML-N’s Maryam Nawaz as the first female Chief Minister of the province and Pakistan, media reported.
“It is natural that when people are subject to victimisation the way I have been, they harbour hatred. I want to say today, that I do not seek revenge, nor do I have hatred for anyone,” Maryam clarified.
Maryam clinched an overwhelming victory with 220 votes against rival Rana Aftab Ahmed Khan of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), Dawn reported.
In her an hour-and-a-half-long victory speech — during which she held a frame of her late mother Kulsoom — Maryam said that she was upset at the opposition boycott.
“I wish they had been a part of the political and democratic process,” she said.
“If the opposition was present today, and if they had protested during my speech, I would have been happy,” Maryam added.
She thanked the opposition for “putting her through a struggle which has no comparison,” citing the numerous court cases, the imprisonment of her father and the death of her mother.
“I want to give a message to the opposition: the doors of my chamber and heart will always remain open for them as they are for the members of my party,” Maryam said.
Initially, the SIC — which is now home to the PTI-backed independent candidates who won the general election — had nominated Mian Aslam Iqbal, an MPA-elect from Lahore, for the slot.
However, it later replaced him with Aftab from Faisalabad, a former PPP jiyala, as Iqbal had not come to the House to take oath as MPA, fearing his arrest by the Punjab police.
Ahead of the Assembly session on Monday, Maryam first visited her mother’s grave and then arrived at the Punjab Assembly, which was scheduled to convene at 11 a.m, Dawn reported.
However, the session began almost two hours later than scheduled as the SIC alleged its MPAs were not allowed to enter the Assembly premises. When the ball finally got rolling at 1 p.m., 103 SIC lawmakers staged a walkout.
Following the boycott, Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan announced that the session would continue in the absence of the SIC members and signalled the MPAs present in the House to gather on opposite sides of the aisle after which voting was held.
Upon the completion of the process, the results were announced and Maryam was declared the 30th Chief Minister of Punjab and the first woman to rule the largest province of the country.
After the election, Maryam, alongside her father Nawaz Sharif and uncle Shehbaz Sharif, took oath as the Punjab Chief Minister at a ceremony at the Governor House, Dawn reported.
“It is natural that when people are subject to victimisation the way I have been, they harbour hatred. I want to say today, that I do not seek revenge, nor do I have hatred for anyone,” she clarified.
Maryam further highlighted that history was made with her election today and dedicated the victory to all the women in the country.
“This is a testament that being a woman (or) a daughter will not come in the way of your dreams,” she said.
Maryam also thanked her father, PML-N Supremo Nawaz Sharif, for his “handholding” and for imparting invaluable advice.
“It gives me immense pride today to be in the same seat that a visionary like Nawaz Sharif was in, who is the only person among 250 million Pakistanis to have held the position of Prime Minister three times,” she stressed and vowed to take forward the PML-N’s legacy.
She also added that the PML-N’s key objectives during her tenure would be the provision of employment, education and healthcare, Dawn reported.
“I was born in an affluent household but (…) I got a chance to hold direct interactions with the common people and I am aware of their problems (…) I know the expectations they have from the government.”
“Therefore, from today onwards, after the oath, I will go to my office and begin the implementation of my manifesto,” she said.
“I know that five years are too little, 24 hours aren’t enough. Not from tomorrow, but from today, after I take the oath, I will act on my manifesto as soon as I get to my office,” she added.
She also announced a Ramazan relief package, Nigheban, for the province, Dawn reported.
She said it included essentials worth Rs 6.5 to 7 million which would be distributed to the public during Ramazan.
“The package will be delivered to their doorstep,” she said.
Maryam added that marketplaces providing essential items at subsidised rates would also be set up.
She added that she planned to transform Punjab into an “economic hub” by creating an enabling environment for businessmen.
She said the government’s job was to create policies and regulations, adding that she had plans to enhance public-private partnerships.
Maryam added that “incentives were necessary” for the private sector in order to foster economic stability.
She further said that free medicines would be provided at every government hospital across the province from today.
She vowed to build one state-of-the-art hospital in every city of Punjab.
Maryam also said that Punjab’s first air ambulance would be announced within the next 12 weeks to improve healthcare for the people living in mountainous and hilly areas.
In her speech, Maryam also asserted that the safety of women in the province was her first priority.
“Therefore, I am announcing a dedicated helpline for women,” she said.
She added that women would also be provided proper facilities, including separate washrooms and daycare centres, at workplaces.
“Harassing any woman is Maryam Nawaz’s red line,” she affirmed.
She maintained that there would be zero tolerance for police high-handedness, adding that the recent incident in Taxila — where a policeman slapped an elderly woman — would be investigated.
–IANS
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International
PM Modi congratulates Keir Starmer, discusses India-UK FTA
New Delhi, July 6 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended an invitation to newly-elected British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for an early visit to India as both leaders agreed to work towards the early conclusion of a mutually beneficial India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
The two leaders spoke over phone as PM Modi congratulated Starmer on his and Labour Party’s “remarkable victory” in the general elections.
“Pleased to speak with Keir Starmer. Congratulated him on being elected as the Prime Minister of the UK. We remain committed to deepening Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and robust India-UK economic ties for the progress and prosperity of our peoples and global good,” PM Modi posted on X after the call.
Both leaders recalled the historic relations between the two countries and reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen and advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the UK.
“Appreciating the positive contributions of the Indian community in the social, economic, and political development of the UK. The two sides agreed to continue to promote close people-to-people ties. Both leaders agreed to remain in touch,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement.
–IANS
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International
Labour govt will reconnect Britain, promises new UK Foreign Secretary
London, July 6 (IANS) Asserting that “diplomacy matters”, Britain’s new Foreign Secretary David Lammy said on Saturday that the new Labour government will begin with a “reset” with Europe on climate and with the global South.
Outlining his priorities following his appointment, Lammy highlighted that the world is currently facing “huge challenges” with more countries engaged in conflict than at any time since World War II.
“This government will reconnect Britain for our security and prosperity at home. What happens here in the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office is essential.
“Diplomacy matters. We will begin with a reset with Europe, on climate, and with the global South. And a gear-shift when it comes to delivering on European security, global security, and British growth,” Lammy said in a statement released by the UK Foreign Ministry on Saturday.
The 51-year-old Labour Party politician promised that the new government is determined to deliver for working people and committed to building a better future for everyone.
“It is the honour of my life to stand before you as Foreign Secretary. A descendant of enslaved people. A black, working-class, man from Tottenham. A community which never produced a Foreign Secretary before. This speaks to what a modern, multicultural Britain can be. Proudly internationalist,” he said.
Lammy also mentioned that Britain has “enormous potential” and that the change has begun now – a slogan with which the Keir Starmer-led party fought the general elections.
–IANS
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International
Pak's macroeconomic environment was challenging in 2023: Central bank
Islamabad, July 6 (IANS) Pakistan’s macroeconomic environment in the calendar year 2023 remained challenging amid rising inflation, weak foreign exchange inflows, pressures on external account and local currency, and low business confidence, particularly in the first half, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said.
However, the policy measures and regulatory interventions that were taken to address growing imbalances coupled with securing a nine-month stand-by agreement from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) helped improve the macroeconomic conditions in the second half of 2023, the SBP said in its financial stability review for 2023, Xinhua news agency reported.
Inflation started falling, economic growth recovered, and the exchange rate stabilised towards the year-end, the central bank said in the report.
Against this backdrop, the financial sector exhibited strong growth and performance, and maintained financial soundness and operational resilience, it added.
The asset base of the financial sector expanded by 27 per cent in 2023, mainly driven by the banking sector, according to the report.
–IANS
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International
Flood alert for Pakistan provinces as monsoon season begins
Islamabad, July 6 (IANS) Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a warning about the potential for flash floods and urban flooding due to the ongoing torrential rain, marking the beginning of the monsoon season in various parts of the country.
The National Emergency Operation Centre of the NDMA anticipates that the ongoing rain may cause flash floods in local streams of Islamabad, parts of east Punjab, and northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, the authority said in a statement, Xinhua news agency reported.
The torrential rain may also cause urban flooding in several districts of the two provinces, including their densely populated capital cities, the statement added.
The NDMA also advised provincial disaster management authorities and local administrations to closely monitor the situation and take appropriate measures to safeguard the at-risk population, the statement read.
The NDMA also urged citizens to download its mobile application for disaster alerts, which provides notifications, guidelines, and precautionary measures to address urban flooding in their areas so they can stay alert and informed.
–IANS
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International
Record 26 Indian-origin MPs set to enter UK Parliament
New Delhi, July 6 (IANS) A record number of 26 Indian-origin MPs are set to enter the UK Parliament after Friday’s General Election results, marking a significant increase from 15, five years ago.
Conservative Party leader Rishi Sunak, the first Indian-origin person to have served as the UK Prime Minister, leads the pack after having secured victory from Richmond and Northallerton constituency in Yorkshire.
Apart from Sunak, 25 other Indian-origin MPs — including 20 from the Labour Party and five Conservatives — also emerged victorious on Friday.
Priti Patel, Conservative MP of Gujarati descent, won from Witham, Essex. Patel, who has served in various capacities, including Secretary of State for International Development, has been representing the constituency since 2010.
Gagan Mohindra, a prominent politician from a Punjabi Hindu background, secured his seat in South West Hertfordshire. Mohindra has been a Conservative MP since 2019, following his initial election as a Parish Councillor in 2004.
Labour Party leader Seema Malhotra retained her Feltham and Heston constituency for a fourth term since 2011. Malhotra has held several shadow ministerial roles, including Shadow Minister for Skills and Further Education.
Valerie Vaz, Labour leader of Goan origin, won the Walsall and Bloxwich constituency for the fifth time. Vaz, who has been an MP since 2010, has served as the Shadow Leader of the House of Commons.
Lisa Nandy retained her seat in Wigan, making her the constituency’s first female MP and one of the first Asian female MPs since 2010. She has served as the Shadow Cabinet Minister for International Development.
Nadia Whittome, who made history in 2019 as the UK’s youngest MP at the age of 23, was re-elected from Nottingham East.
Preet Kaur Gill, the UK’s first female Sikh MP, defeated Conservative Ashvir Sangha in Birmingham, a seat she has held since 2017. Gill has served as the Shadow Minister for Primary Care and Public Health.
Labour Party’s Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi retained his Slough constituency, although with a reduced victory margin.
Conservative leader Shivani Raja won the Leicester East constituency, where she was fielded against another Indian-origin Labour candidate, Rajesh Agrawal.
44-year-old Conservative MP Suella Braverman, who was embroiled in controversies and dismissed by the party for her statements, won from the Fareham and Waterlooville constituency for the fourth consecutive time.
Additionally, other Indian-origin Labour MPs to be elected to the UK’s House of Parliament include Navendu Mishra, Jas Athwal, Baggy Shanker, Satvir Kaur, Harpreet Uppal, Warinder Juss, Gurinder Josan, Kanishka Narayan, Sonia Kumar, Sureena Brackenbridge, Kirith Entwistle, Jeevun Sandher, Sojan Joseph and Murina Wilson.
–IANS
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