The TIP Haripur, a state-owned enterprise, had introduced the EVM in the country about a decade ago. AP/file
HARIPUR: The ministry of information technology has dropped the Telephone Industries of Pakistan (TIP), claiming to be the pioneer in developing the electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the country, from the list of potential suppliers, sources told Dawn.
The government promulgated a presidential ordinance on Saturday authorising and binding the Election Commission of Pakistan to procure EVMs for future elections.
The TIP Haripur, a state-owned enterprise, had introduced the EVM in the country about a decade ago, but surprisingly the the IT ministry is ignoring it and is on the lookout for new partners, the sources said.
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April 30, 2021
ISLAMABAD: Most major opposition parties have dismissed a proposed electoral reform being vigorously touted and pursued by Prime Minister Imran Khan: the introduction of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the next general elections.
The opposition argues that anything that is controlled and operated by others and can be handily used to manipulate electoral results is unacceptable and rejected. They add that they would strongly oppose the introduction of EVMs in parliament.
Not only has the prime minister championed the use of EVMs but President Dr Arif Alvi has also held frequent meetings to push the use of the voting machines in future elections. They have also been given demonstrations of the machines, manufactured by local state-run institutions. However, none of them has bothered to take any opposition party on board in this important debate.
Govt to privatise 44 entities by 2025
IMF-backed report reviews 84 commercial state-owned enterprises
Moreover, the sum of losses of top-10 loss-making SOEs contributes around 90% to the total losses of SOEs portfolio each year. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The International Monetary Fund (IMF)-backed first review of Pakistan’s bleeding public sector enterprises has identified 44 entities for privatisation, including the power companies that are causing big losses, despite a 50% reduction in losses in the first year of current government.
The review of 84 commercial state-owned enterprises (SOEs) has been completed as part of the structural benchmarks set by the IMF and supported by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), according to the “SOEs Triage: Reforms and Way Forward” report that the Ministry of Finance released on Thursday.
PTA should not be blocking websites every now and then
Senate panel urges parents’ role on responsible social media use
PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD:
The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology directed creating awareness among parents regarding the social media use, saying that it was not for the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to block sites, the Media Directorate of the Senate Secretariat said in a statement on Monday.
The committee, which met with its chairperson Rubina Khalid in the chair, discussed the issues of public importance raised in the house by Senator Atiq Sheikh and by Munir Ahmed Khan. The issue of ban on social media also came under detailed discussion.