LIVE: No-confidence motion to be tabled against Senate Chairman Sanjrani

ISLAMABAD: Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani is most likely to be de-seated amidst a crucial session in the Senate today (Thursday), after a no-trust motion will be tabled against him. Shibli Faraz was chairing a meeting of the Senators belonging to the government and allied parties at the Khyber Paktunkhawa House in Islamabad before the voting on  no-confidence motion submitted by 44 opposition lawmakers . While  the opposition needs 53 votes to remove the Sadiq Sanjrani as Senate chairman, it claims to have support from over 60 lawmakers in the house of 103.Secret balloting was to be held during the session that would begin at 2:00 pm. The opposition parties have nominated Hasil Bizenjo as their candidate for the post of chairman SenateSadiq Sanjrani insists that he has the support of majority in the Senate and Prime Minister Imran Khan has also announced full support to the Senate chairman to save him from the no-confidence vote. On the other hand, the opposition has advised Sadiq Sanjrani to resign before the no-confidence vote.

source https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/506811-live-no-confidence-motion-to-be-held-against-senate-chairman-sanjrani

Khaqan Abbasi's remand extended till August 15

Islamabad:  The Accountability Court  on Thursday extended physical remand of former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in LNG case.The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) presented him before judge Bashir Ahmed after expiry of his remand.  The judge extended the remand till August 15.When told August 15 will be public holiday on account of Eid-ul-Azha, the judge said it doesn't make any difference as he would  conduct the hearing on a holiday too.The judge asked the former prime minister to  hire a lawyer so that he  can oppose the NAB's plea for extension in physical remand.Abbasi  told the judge that he has decided to defend himself.Abbasi was arrested by the National Accountability Bureau on July 18 in LNG case.According to the NAB, the former prime minister is accused of committing  the offence of corruption and corrupt practices under section 9 (a) of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999. He  is facing the allegations of handing over a tender worth Rs 220 billion to a company in which he was a shareholder.

Opposition's motion against Senate chairman won't affect govt, PM Imran: Fawad

Islamabad: Fawad Chaudhry on Thursday called opposition plans to table the no-trust motion seeking removal of Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani unfortunate.The minister tweeted that the move would affect the balance in the upper house of the parliament that the Sadiq Sanjrani has established."No-trust motion against Senate chairman is unfortunate. It is part of "Abu Bachao" campaign  but this process  won't make any difference as far as  government and the prime minister is concerned. The only thing it will affect is the Senate where Sadiq Sanjrani established a balance. Regardless of whether the motion succeeds or fails this balance is going to be affected," he said.

Khaqan Abbasi's remand extended till August 15

Islamabad:  The Accountability Court  on Thursday extended physical remand of former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in LNG case.The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) presented him before judge Bashir Ahmed after expiry of his remand.  The judge extended the remand till August 15.When told August 15 will be public holiday on account of Eid-ul-Azha, the judge said it doesn't make any difference as he would  conduct the hearing on a holiday too.The judge asked the former prime minister to  hire a lawyer so that he  can oppose the NAB's plea for extension in physical remand.Abbasi  told the judge that he has decided to defend himself.Abbasi was arrested by the National Accountability Bureau on July 18 in LNG case.According to the NAB, the former prime minister is accused of committing  the offence of corruption and corrupt practices under section 9 (a) of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999. He  is facing the allegations of handing over a tender worth Rs 220 billion to a company in which he was a shareholder.

source https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/506801-khaqan-abbasis-remand-extended-till-august-15

Opposition's motion against Senate chairman won't affect govt, PM Imran: Fawad

Islamabad: Fawad Chaudhry on Thursday called opposition plans to table the no-trust motion seeking removal of Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani unfortunate.The minister tweeted that the move would affect the balance in the upper house of the parliament that the Sadiq Sanjrani has established."No-trust motion against Senate chairman is unfortunate. It is part of "Abu Bachao" campaign  but this process  won't make any difference as far as  government and the prime minister is concerned. The only thing it will affect is the Senate where Sadiq Sanjrani established a balance. Regardless of whether the motion succeeds or fails this balance is going to be affected," he said.

source https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/506799-oppositions-motion-against-senate-chairman-wont-affect-govt-pm-imran-fawad

'Urdu to be made medium of instruction in Punjab private schools too'

Islamabad: After implementing its decision to revert to Urdu as medium of instruction at the primary level in public schools, the Punjab government is planning to broaden the scope of its decision to private schools in the province.In an interview with  Urdu News on Wednesday, Punjab Minister for School Education Murad Raas dispelled the impression that the decision to introduce Urdu in public primary schools would widen the gulf between the rich and poor class “Yes after implementing our decision on public schools, we will gradually introduce Urdu as medium of instruction in private schools too. The Private school will have to move towards this as there can’t be two system of education in the province,” Raas said.He said the government move is aimed at enabling student to understand concept rather than just reading like parrots. Earlier Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar had announced his government’s decision to revert to Urdu as medium of instruction in public schools from the next academic session beginning in March 2019.In his tweet last Saturday, the Chief Minister had said that the teachers and students “wasted most of their time in translating their lessons”.However, the move was criticized by some experts who claimed that it will further promote the cause of private schools as parents would want their children to study in private English medium schools instead of Urdu government schools.The minister said the government decision was backed by research conducted in 22 districts of the province. He said the survey of students, parents and teachers in these districts had revealed that majority of respondents wanted Urdu. However to a question on how the students would be able to shift to English in sixth class after studying major subjects in Urdu at the primary level, the Minister said English would be taught as a separate subject in public primary schools.He said for the last 10 years previous Punjab government failed to train teachers to teach in English so it was imperative to introduce Urdu to enable student to grasp concepts and do critical thinking.He said the government is also planning to introduce Active Learning in public schools by 2021 and a massive teacher training exercise would be launched soon.

source https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/506797-urdu-to-be-made-medium-of-instruction-in-punjab-private-schools-too

'Urdu to be made medium of instruction in Punjab private schools too'

Islamabad: After implementing its decision to revert to Urdu as medium of instruction at the primary level in public schools, the Punjab government is planning to broaden the scope of its decision to private schools in the province.In an interview with  Urdu News on Wednesday, Punjab Minister for School Education Murad Raas dispelled the impression that the decision to introduce Urdu in public primary schools would widen the gulf between the rich and poor class “Yes after implementing our decision on public schools, we will gradually introduce Urdu as medium of instruction in private schools too. The Private school will have to move towards this as there can’t be two system of education in the province,” Raas said.He said the government move is aimed at enabling student to understand concept rather than just reading like parrots. Earlier Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar had announced his government’s decision to revert to Urdu as medium of instruction in public schools from the next academic session beginning in March 2019.In his tweet last Saturday, the Chief Minister had said that the teachers and students “wasted most of their time in translating their lessons”.However, the move was criticized by some experts who claimed that it will further promote the cause of private schools as parents would want their children to study in private English medium schools instead of Urdu government schools.The minister said the government decision was backed by research conducted in 22 districts of the province. He said the survey of students, parents and teachers in these districts had revealed that majority of respondents wanted Urdu. However to a question on how the students would be able to shift to English in sixth class after studying major subjects in Urdu at the primary level, the Minister said English would be taught as a separate subject in public primary schools.He said for the last 10 years previous Punjab government failed to train teachers to teach in English so it was imperative to introduce Urdu to enable student to grasp concepts and do critical thinking.He said the government is also planning to introduce Active Learning in public schools by 2021 and a massive teacher training exercise would be launched soon.