MIANWALI: A police cop was martyred after a group of terrorists attacked a Punjab Highway Patrolling Post in Mianwali, ARY News reported on Sunday.
According to a Punjab Police spokesman, more than 10 terrorists attacked Eisa Khel Kundal patrolling the post in the early hours.
An exchange of fire took place between the suspects and PHP officials who foiled an attempt of the suspects to enter the building.
The firing left two terrorists dead and PHP head constable Haroon Khan martyred. IG Punjab Police Usman Anwar said the police were on alert after an intelligence report about the attack.
He said two terrorists have been shot dead and identification of the dead is underway.
On Friday, the country was rocked by two suicide blasts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) Hangu District and Balochistan’s Mustang, which caused several casualties and left many others injured.
At least 55 people including a cop died and 100 others sustained injuries when a suicide bomber targeted an Eid-Milad-un Nabi (PBUH) procession in the remote district of Mastung, Balochistan.
Meanwhile, another suicide blast ripped through a mosque in KP’s Hangu, leaving five dead — including a policeman — and 12 injured.
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JHANG: In a horrific incident, a man gunned down his sister for stopping him from playing Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG), ARY News reported.
As per details, the police officials said that the incident occurred in Athara Hazari Tehsil of Jhang where a youth killed his sister when she stopped him from playing PUBG.
Earlier, Police recovered a teenage boy who fled home after stealing over 70,000 to play PUBG. As per details, the 13-year-old boy identified as Majid Rehman used to play PUBG with his friends.
He stole more than 70,000 from his home and fled with his friends. The teen spent the money on buying PUBG costumes.
Furthermore, the police recovered the teenager after three days and handed him over to his family. They had filed an abduction FIR in the city police station Arifwala.
According to details, the 27-year-old Pakistan woman identified as Seema Ghulam Haider illegally entered India along with her four children to meet his friend – named Sachin – from India’s Greater Noida, she met on PUBG Mobile.
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RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir on Saturday reaffirmed that Pakistan armed forces’ operation against terrorists would continue unabated and they will not rest till the menace of terrorism is rooted out from the country, ARY News reported, quoting military’s media wing.
According to Inter-Services Public Relations, the Army Chief made these remarks during his visit to Quetta today, where he was briefed on recent terrorist attacks in Mastung and Zhob.
The briefing was also attended by Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti, Chief Minister Balochistan and key provincial ministers along with senior civil and military officials.
COAS Munir paid rich tribute to martyrs, saying that such terror incidents on 12 Rabi-ul-Awwal, depicts the “ill intent of the Khawarij, who have the backing of state sponsors of terrorism”.
He said these terrorists and their facilitators, having no link with religion and ideology, are proxies of the enemies of Pakistan and its people. “These evil forces will continue to face full might of the state and security forces backed by a resilient nation,” he vowed.
COAS Munir emphasised that People of Pakistan have rejected terrorists’ pseudo ideology and propaganda of their backers and they are fully committed to peace, economic progress and human development which indeed is causing lot of distress to forces of evil in and outside of the country.
The Army Chief also visited CMH Quetta, where he met the injured and families of Mastung incident who are being provided full medical care by Pakistan Army.
He also lauded the bravery and resilience of Balochistan Police and Law Enforcement personnel.
The Army Chief assured full cooperation and support to the families of shuhada and assured them that terrorists, their abettors and facilitators will not be spared.
Earlier on arrival, the COAS was received by Chief Minister Balochistan and Commander Balochistan Corps.
A day earlier, the country was rocked by two suicide blasts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) Hangu District and Balochistan’s Mustang, which caused several casualties and left many others injured.
At least 55 people including a cop died and 100 others sustained injuries when a suicide bomber targeted an Eid-Milad-un Nabi (PBUH) procession in the remote district of Mastung, Balochistan.
Meanwhile, another suicide blast ripped through a mosque in KP’s Hangu, leaving five dead — including a policeman — and 12 injured.
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LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee chairman, Zaka Ashraf, on Saturday asserted that he has proposed a Jinnah-Gandhi trophy to Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), ARY News reported.
Speaking to ARY News’ programme ‘Bouncer’, the PCB head expressed aspirations to revive cricketing relationship between Pakistan and India.
“I suggested to the BCCI that we should hold a Jinnah-Gandhi trophy [named after the great leaders of the two countries],” he said, adding that no contest is bigger than Pakistan vs India.
Zaka Ashraf also questioned India for not touring Pakistan, citing examples of notable cricketing nations – Australia and England, who recently visited the country for bilateral series.
It is worth mentioning here that Pakistan and India last locked horns in a bilateral series in 2012-13 when Pakistan toured India for a three-match ODI and two-match T20I series, with the visiting side winning the ODI series 2-1 while the T20I series ended in a draw.
The two sides, however, last met in a Test series in 2007-08 in India, with the home team winning the series 1-0.
The arch-rivals have since only met at Asia Cups and ICC events as the BCCI refused to play a bilateral series against Pakistan on political grounds.
The PCB is irked as international cricket has resumed in the country with all top nations including England, Australia and West Indies travelling there to play Tests and white-ball rubbers.
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KARACHI: The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) in a raid at a container terminal here foiled smuggling of drugs to overseas, ARY News reported on Saturday.
A consignment of hashish was being exported to abroad under the guise of vegetables and fruits, a spokesperson of the ANF said.
The ANF team in a raid at the Pakistan International Container Terminal (PICT) recovered over three maunds of hashish from a container booked for Doha, Qatar.
“The anti-drugs agency thoroughly searched a container with onion cargo and recovered 125 kilograms of hashish,” according to a spokesman. “The hashish was expertly hidden in layers of onions,” ANF official said.
“The container was booked by a private company of Karachi destined to Qatar,” ANF stated.
The ANF has initiated search of the accused involved in smuggling bid after taken narcotics in its custody.
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QUETTA: The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in Balochistan on Saturday registered the First Information Report (FIR) of the Mastung suicide blast which killed at least 55 people.
At least 55 people, including a police officer, were killed while dozens were injured in a suicide blast near a 12th Rabiul Awwal procession in Balochistan’s Mastung district on Friday.
According to the district administration, Mastung’s Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Nawaz Gashkori was among the deceased. Police said the explosion was a “suicide blast” and that the bomber exploded himself next to DSP Gishkori’s car.
According to CTD spokesperson, unknown persons have been booked in the FIR registered under sections of attempted murder, murder, terrorism and possession of explosive material.
The spokesperson said that an investigation was launched into the terror act but no arrest was made yet.
Initial probe report submitted
Inspector General (IG) Balochistan police presented the initial probe report of the Mastung suicide blast to the Caretaker Chief Minister (CM) Ali Mardan Khan Domki.
Caretaker Balochistan CM Ali Mardan Khan Domki chaired a high-level session to review progress on the investigation into the Mastung suicide blast.
IG Balochistan Abdul Khaliq Shaikh gave a briefing to the participants of the session. He said that it was a suicide bomb blast in which the terrorist used six to eight kilograms of explosive material.
The Health Secretary said that eight of the wounded persons are critical.
The caretaker CM said that initial evidence of the Mastung blast came forth and culprits will be brought to justice soon.
CM Domki said that the families of the martyred citizens will be given compensation money and the provincial government will bear all medical expenses of the wounded persons.
Earlier this month, at least 11 people, including Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Hafiz Hamdullah, were injured in a blast in the same district.
The JUI-F leader who also serves as spokesman of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) alliance got injured along with one of his aides and his gunman while on his way to Mangocher city of Balochistan in what authorities are calling a roadside blast.
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A social media account allegedly associated with Indian spy agency ‘RAW’ claimed responsibility for the suicide attack that occurred during Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) procession in Mastung, Balochistan, ARY News reported on Saturday.
According to the details, the responsibility for the suicide attack which was carried out in Mastung was accepted by a social media account on X allegedly associated with the Indian spy agency ‘RAW’ posted
According to the details, the social media account allegedly linked to the Indian soy agency ‘RAW’ accepted responsibility for the Mastung suicide blast.
The tweet stated that, “A DSP for DSP, Always remember, nothing goes unanswered when u attack our Men.”
The Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) embrace martyred while trying to save people in the suicide attack, while the DSP from Indian police was killed in a false flag attack which took place on September 16 in Uri, India.
According to the district administration, Mastung’s Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Nawaz Gashkori was among the deceased.
Police said the explosion was a “suicide blast” and that the bomber exploded himself next to DSP Gishkori’s car.
“30 bodies have been brought to Nawab Ghous Bakhsh Raisani Memorial Hospital – Mastung,” CEO Dr Saeed said.
According to the Medical Superintendent (MS), 19 bodies were presented in DHQ Hospital Mastung and five bodies were shifted to Civil Hospital Quetta.
Footage of the Mastung suicide blast was also surfaced in which people were seen participating in a procession when the explosion occurred on the scene.
Initial reports suggest that approximately 8-9 kilograms of explosive material were used in the blast.
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has formulated a new strategy to curb financial losses to the exchequer from the Afghan transit trade, citing sources, ARY News reported on Friday.
Sources told ARY News that Pakistan suffered an annual financial loss of Rs180 billion from the Afghan transit trade. To curb the financial losses, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) formulated a new strategy to stop smuggling of the transit commodities.
The documents mentioned that Pakistan would take 100% guarantee of all luxury items in the Afghan transit trade.
The federal government decided to end the smuggling of luxury items through the Afghan transit trade following the recommendations of the Special Investment Facilitations Council’s (SIFC) apex committee.
According to the documents, a ban was imposed on the exports of several luxury commodities including tyres, fabrics, cosmetics, tiles and other items until their clearance from the relevant authorities.
It showed that the volume of the Pakistan-Afghanistan trade was soared to $6.71 billion from $2.5 billion within one year and it offset the impact of Pakistan’s import ban.
The documents also stated that the same commodities are being brought to the country through the transit trade after the imposition of ban or duties.
Several commodities were being sold in Pakistan after being smuggled from Afghanistan due to low duties.
It has been decided to conduct the revolving insurance and bank guarantees on all new consignments under the Afghan transit trade. The SIFC apex committee directed the FBR to impose 10% processing fees on the transit commodities from Afghanistan.
Sources added that Pakistan would spend the revenue from the Afghan transit trade’s processing fees on recovering the losses of infrastructure and road networks.
Earlier, it emerged that the Afghan Transit Trade left a negative impact over the national economy and has been one of the basic reasons of the black economy prevailing in Pakistan.
According to a report Afghan authorities misstate about prices of the Aghan Transit Trade items, which results in an obvious difference between the reported and real values of an item.
“These items brought back to Pakistan illegally for sale,” according to the report.
According to the Bureau of Statistics Afghan traders save three quarters of their trade items from customs duty by smuggling. “Thus, Pakistan sustain annual losses to the tune of around three billion dollars”.
“These traders tamper the tracking system installed on container trucks, which affect the tracking mechanism”.
These trucks used to sell the Afghan trade items on cheaper rates in black market in country, posing a threat to local industry.
Narcotics and other contraband items also used to smuggle with the transit trade. Fake bills of lading also causing complications in keeping the tracking record, sources said.
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Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz leader Rana Sanaullah said Friday that PML-N is formulating a strategy for the reopened NAB cases and took some decisions regarding Nawaz Sharif’s cases.
Rana Sanaullah said in a statement that PML-N has concerns over the reopening of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) cases. “Our legal team is formulating a strategy regarding the cases. We took some decisions about Nawaz Sharif’s cases.”
He reiterated that Sharif would address a public gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan Lahore after his homecoming on October 21.
“Party leaders have to fulfil the tasks for bringing workers to the public gathering,” said Sanaullah.
To a query, Sanaullah said that PML-N has not changed its narrative. “Our party is working on its narrative, slogan and manifesto which would be announced by Nawaz Sharif on October 21.”
He also rejected the claims that Shehbaz Sharif went to London to change his narrative. He claimed that Shehbaz met Nawaz in London to discuss some legal issues and the Supreme Court (SC) verdict.
Yesterday, Khawaja Muhammad Asif said that Nawaz Sharif was ready to face any situation after arrival in Pakistan on October 21.
The former defense minister said Ex prime minister had been facing court cases in the past. PML-N chief had been to jail in false cases filed by the rival party leaders.
In reply to a question, he said the former prime minister after reaching Pakistan would lead the election campaign.
To another question, he said that Nawaz Sharif will take important steps to address the issues being faced by the common man.
It is pertinent to mention here that former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif had announced Nawaz Sharif’s return to Pakistan on October 21. “he will be given a splendid welcome on his arrival in Pakistan”, he added.
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Qamar Zaman Kaira said on Thursday that the PPP is demanding an exact schedule from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for holding general elections in a transparent manner.
Talking to a private news channel, he said there had been a consensus among the political parties to complete the census and delimitation process so that the next elections could be held in a proper manner.
“We have asked ECP to organize free and fair elections without delay,” he said.
In reply to a question about ambiguity in the general elections, he said his party is insisting on the election commission to announce a time frame and exact date so that we can participate in the elections with full preparation and without ambiguity.
Yesterday, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) formed a legal team to challenge the new delimitations.
As per details, the legal team headed by the president of PLF will challenge the new delimitations.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issued preliminary list of new delimitations on Wednesday ahead of general polls.
Yesterday, the chief election commissioner (CEC) and ECP members approved the preliminary list of new delimitations under the 2023 digital census data.
After CEC’s approval, the commission issued the initial list of the delimitations on its website.
For the National Assembly (NA), the voter quota for Punjab province was fixed at 905,595, 913,000 for Sindh, 907,913 for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 930,900 for Balochistan and 787,954 for Islamabad.
The voter quota for the Punjab Assembly will be 429,929, 428,431 for the Sindh Assembly, 355,270 for the KP Assembly and 292,047 for the Balochistan Assembly.
The election commission will address the objections from October 28 to November 26, whereas, the objections could be filed against the delimitations from September 27 to October 26.
The hearing on the pleas against the delimitations will be conducted till November 25. The ECP will unveil the final delimitations on November 30.
After the publication of the final delimitations, a 54-day election schedule will be announced and general polls will be held in the first week of January 2024.
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KARACHI: The Privatisation Commission has stopped the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) management from leasing a new aircraft, citing sources, ARY News reported on Thursday.
The commission has expedited its efforts to privatise the national flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and stopped the airline’s management from leasing another aircraft.
Sources told ARY News that the Privatisation Commission stopped the PIA management from signing an agreement to lease a new aircraft. It was learnt that the privatisation process of PIA would be completed by February.
The airline will not sign any long-term agreement by March 2024 due to the ongoing privatisation process.
Yesterday, the privatization plan of the loss-making Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was revealed.
According to sources, the plan to privatise the national airline and power distribution companies and the restoration plan of Pakistan steel mills has been finalised.
Sources said that the appointment of a Financial Advisor for the privitisation of PIA has also begun. The affiliated institution with the national airline will not be privatised however the plan to resolve issues related to PIA debt, government guarantees are finalised sources added.
The privatisation commission sources revealed that Pakistan steel mill cannot be privatised in current circumstances meanwhile the mill’s production and capabilities will be increased to attract investors.
As per details, the PIA administration sought applications from legal and corporate firms for the restructuring plan of the national flag carrier.
The Department of Contract Management has been directed to forward the applications by October 6.
The assets belonging to the national airline, including property, debts, aircraft, and employees, will be transferred to the new company and PIA will be presented to the investor as free from debt organization for privatization.
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Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawyer Sher Afzal Marwat and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Afnanullah Khan engaged in a physical fight during a talk show on a private news channel.
The scuffle started after PTI’s Sher Afzal Marwat and PML-N Senator Afnanullah Khan exchanged harsh words during the live TV show.
Marwat suddenly stood up from his seat and slapped Senator Khan. Later, they engaged in a fistfight and exchanged kicks and punches on the set of the programme.
While talking to the ARY News programme ‘11th Hour’, the PTI lawyer confirmed that he and Afnanullah Khan engaged in a physical fight. He alleged that the senator delivered abusive remarks against the PTI chief Imran Khan.
While defending his move, Marwat said he responded to Afnanullah Khan like a Pathan instead of using a foul language after he called Imran Khan a Jew.
The video clip of the TV show went viral on social media in which the senator can be heard calling the PTI chief a boot licker and Marwat was also using insulting remarks against the PML-N leaders.
Sher Afzal Marwat had seemingly left the TV show after the interval and the talk show continued with the PML-N senator.
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KARACHI: The total liquid foreign reserves of Pakistan reached US$ 13.18 billion while reserves held by the central bank stood at $7,636.7 million.
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) spokesperson said in a statement on Thursday that SBP’s reserves decreased by %59 million to $7,636.7 million on account of debt repayments during the week ended on September 22, 2023.
Meanwhile, net foreign reserves held by commercial banks stood at $5,525.1 million, it added.
Total liquid foreign reserves held by the country, in the previous week ending on September 15, 2023, were $13.186 billion.
Among them, foreign reserves held by the central bank were $7.695 billion while net foreign reserves held by commercial banks were $5.491 billion.
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ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch has refused to comment on a question regarding the secret ties between Pakistan and Israel, ARY News reported on Wednesday.
While talking to the ARY News programme ‘Khabar’, the FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that she does not want to give a comment on the question related to secret ties between Pakistan and Israel.
She said that Pakistan has a clear stance on Israel, however, the country would make a decision in its interest at an appropriate time. Baloch added that there is no need to guide Pakistan as the country takes all decisions in its interests.
The FO spokesperson clarified that no one can expect or pressure Pakistan to make a decision regarding Israel.
Baloch said that Pakistan wants resolution of the Palestine dispute. She continued that she could not comment on the policy of other countries regarding Israel.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Pakistan does not take an advice from any other country regarding Saudi Arabia and Israel ties.
To another question, Baloch said that Pakistan shared dossiers regarding Indian terrorism with the UN and friendly countries. The country had also shared the dossiers with the United Nations (UN) and ally nations after Lahore attack.
She added that Pakistan has always shared evidence of Indian terrorism with the international community.
Saudi Arabia, Israel talks
Yesterday, it emerged that Saudi Arabia, which has engaged in US-brokered talks with Israel to potentially normalise relations, sent a delegation to the occupied West Bank for the first time in three decades.
It was led by the Saudi non-resident ambassador to the Palestinian territories, Nayef al-Sudairi, who was to meet Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas and top Palestinian diplomat Riyad al-Maliki, AFP reported.
Sudairi, the oil-rich kingdom’s envoy to Jordan, was last month also named for the Palestinian territories post and appointed consul general for Jerusalem.
The delegation, which crossed overland from Jordan, was the first from Saudi Arabia to visit the West Bank since the 1993 Oslo Accords, which had aimed to pave the way for an end to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
The Saudi visit comes as Washington has been leading talks between Israel and Saudi Arabia — guardian of Islam’s two holiest sites — on a normalisation that would mark a game changer for the Middle East.
The talks include security guarantees for Saudi Arabia and assistance with a civilian nuclear programme, according to officials familiar with the negotiations who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity.
Israel in 2020 established ties with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco, but Saudi Arabia has so far refrained from following suit until Israel’s conflict with the Palestinians is resolved.
However, the Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, last week said the two sides were “getting closer”.
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Rifts have emerged among the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) legal team where Sher Afzal Marwat called Shoaib Shaheen a ‘traitor’, ARY News reported.
The PTI legal team member Sher Afzal Marwat took to X formerly Twitter saying that “Shoaib Shaheen is the only traitor in the PTI legal team, I tweeted about the traitors in PTI legal team but deleted the tweet after advice from seniors of core committee.”
He further said “Shoaib Shaheen mysteriously emerged in the last week of April 2023 and I was surprised to see him at the legal committee meeting in Bani Gala. He had never been part of the ILF or PTI before and his access to Bani Gala reflected that he had the support of some in our ranks.” Sher Afzal Marwat added that he will inform the PTI chief tomorrow about the tweet.
Responding to the Sher Afzal’s accusations, Shoaib Shaheen said that whoever creates a divide in the party cannot be part of PTI.
He stated that the party has nominated five spokespersons and “I’m one of the spokespersons.” The allegation leveled by Sher Afzal Marwat could be his personal opinion but not the party’s opinion.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief and former prime minister is facing several cases and is currently under arrest in Adiala Jail.
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Pakistan begin its ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign on October 6 when it takes on the Netherlands. They will play Sri Lanka and host India on October 10 and 14 respectively.
Green Shirts are scheduled to take on Australia on October 20. They take on Afghanistan after two days.
Pakistan’s fixture against South Africa is scheduled to be played on October 27. Their encounter against Bangladesh will take place on October 31.
They play 2019 finalists New Zealand and defending champions England on November 4 and 11 respectively.
Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr., Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Usama Mir.
Traveling reserves are Mohammad Haris, Abrar Ahmed, and Zaman Khan.
ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has hiked power tariff for K-Electric (KE) consumers on monthly fuel adjustment charges, ARY News reported on Wednesday.
As per details, the electricity prices have been increased by Rs 1.48 to Rs 4.45 after the federal government approved the NEPRA plea for the hike in power tariff.
The K-electric consumer will pay the increased electricity tariff in the month of October and November 2023.
Furthermore, Rs 1.48 increase in electricity tariff for 300 unit consumers, Rs 3.21 for more than 300 unit consumers whereas Rs 4.45 per unit increase for 5 kilo watts and e-vehicle charging stations.
Earlier, National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) approved the increase in tariff for electricity consumers by Rs 0.46 per unit.
As per the issued notification, the power regulatory authority approved the increase in power tariff under fuel adjustment charges (FAC) for the month of July.
The notification stated that the surge in power tariff would be applied to the bills of September, meanwhile, the hike will not be applicable to Lifeline and K Electric customers.
It is pertinent to mention that the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) took notice of irregularities in distribution companies (DISCOs) electricity bills.
According to the official statement, a high-level committee was constituted to probe the performance of DISCOs.
The NEPRA communique stated that the committee was constituted because of the recent irregularities in the electricity billing and will present a comprehensive report within one month.
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ISLAMABAD: Former finance minister Miftah Ismail has slammed ex-FinMin Ishaq Dar once again and blamed him for the delay in the revival of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, ARY News reported on Tuesday.
While talking to the ARY News programme ‘The Reporters’, Miftah Ismail said that talk shows were organised against him during his tenure and tweets were shared to malign him.
Ismail alleged that Dar was obsessed with becoming the finance minister for the fourth time and he was resisting his every move which led to the delay in the IMF programme.
Miftah Ismail claimed that harsh statements were given by the top PML-N leader after the hike of Rs1 per litre on petrol.
The former finance minister said that every political government has always increased debts of the country. He was of the view that the inflation was caused due to the printing of currency, wrong taxes and increasing debts.
He criticised that three major parties of Pakistan failed to deliver the nation and they are not even discussing the public issues and the skyrocketing inflation.
Miftah Ismail said that there is a need of the new political party. He claimed that several political bigwigs including Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, Lashkari Raisani and Khawaja Muhammad Hoti have the same thoughts.
He added that they like-minded political bigwigs have sensed the need of a new political party, however, it is not yet decided who would lead it.
While talking to the ARY News programme Sawal Yeh Hai, Miftah Ismail said that financial issues would not be resolved until elites go without taxes. He suggested the government to reduce expenses to improve the economy.
The former finance minister said that 40% inflation has not only destroyed the middle class people but it is now affected the upper class people.
He criticised that the leaders had not taken right decisions on the right time. “In 2017, the government increased the taxes on salaried persons by 15%, whereas, 261 billion are being taken from the salaried persons in terms of taxes today, whereas, only 61 billion of taxes are being received from big exporters.”
Ismail said that the government is not imposing property and agriculture taxes in provinces. He opposed the imposition of taxes on retailers and wholesalers.
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ISLAMABAD: The Caretaker government of Pakistan has decided to repatriate 1.1 million illegal Afghan nationals back to Afghanistan, ARY News reported citing sources.
According to sources, the decision to evict illegal Afghan refugees came after the crackdown against terrorism, currency smuggling, and the illegal trade of sugar and fertilizer.
Sources said that the plan to evict more than 1.1 million illegal Afghan refugees has been approved by the federal cabinet through the Interior Ministry circulation summary.
In the first phase, the Afghan refugees who are residing illegally and have not renewed their visas will be evited. Afghan citizens will evited in the second phase whereas the proof of residence card holders will be repatriated in third phase.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Interior collaborated with all relevant stakeholders, including the Afghan government in formulation of this comprehensive plan.
It is pertinent to mention here that 0.4 million refugees came to Pakistan after the withdrawal of US from Afghanistan.
Earlier, in a citywide crackdown launched against illegal immigrants, the Karachi police claimed to have arrested at least 293 Afghan nationals for staying in the metropolis without valid travel documents.
In a statement, the police said several raids were carried out between September 9 to 12, wherein at least 253 illegal Afghan immigrants were taken into custody.
Sharing details of the actions, they said police stations of Quaidabad, Shah Latif, Malir City and Sukhan arrested 37 Afghan nationals.
Meanwhile, 68 immigrants were arrested from Korangi district and 49 from Kemari district. Separately, 91 Afghan citizens were arrested from Gulshan Iqbal, Shahrah Faisal, Sohrab Goth and other areas.
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ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has submitted fifteen more references to the accountability court after examining the legal details.
The Registrar of the Accountability Court and NAB Prosecutor appeared in the court of Judge Muhammad Bashir and informed the court about the legal aspects of the references, the state news agency reported.
After checking the legal aspects, the judge issued to the parties of references.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, it was announced that the NAB Chairman visited the FIA Headquarters for discussions on crucial matters.
A few days ago, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) sent back references against politicians to accountability courts after Supreme Court struck down some sections of the amendments made to the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) last year.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Supreme Court ordered restoration of corruption cases against public representatives as it struck down some sections of the amendments made to the country’s accountability laws last year by the previous coalition government.
In a majority 2-1 verdict, the top court approved Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan’s petition challenging amendments made to the country’s accountability laws.
Former CJP Bandial and Justice Ahsan declared Imran’s plea to be maintainable while Justice Shah disagreed with the verdict.
Following the verdict, the references against some of the country’s political bigwigs will once again land in the accountability courts.
These include the Toshakhana reference against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Supremo Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan Peoples Party Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari and former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, LNG reference against former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, rental power reference against former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and assets beyond means case against former finance minister Ishaq Dar.
In June 2022, the former premier moved the apex court against amendments made to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) ordinance under the National Accountability (Second Amendment) Act 2022.
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ISLAMABAD: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has imposed pricing caps on online apps and digital platforms offering personal loans, ARY News reported on Monday.
In a significant move towards promoting responsible lending and consumer safety, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) issued an all-encompassing set of requirements for Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) offering digital personal loans via mobile applications, a press release said.
The requirements set a maximum limit for the profit rate that can be charged by a nanolender to the borrower.
The total cost cap for nanoloans will encompass all associated fees, including processing charges, service fees, verification fees, loan handling fees, interest charges, late payment penalties, and any other applicable charges. The cumulative price of a loan shall not exceed the aggregate amount of the principal loan amount.
Moreover, limits have been set for loan rollover. To ensure the uniformity and standardization for the profit rate calculation formulas and brief illustration has been specified in the circular issued by SECP.
SECP is actively evaluating and adapting policies to improve financial access and combat manipulative business practices. The measures, developed through consultation with stakeholders and industry participants, aim to balance financial inclusion and consumer protection against excessive debt burden, it read.
In August, the Securities Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has introduced a new set of rules for online loan apps to curb predatory practices and ensure the financial sustainability of the borrowers.
The Securities Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) imposed stricter rules for online loan apps by setting maximum limit of loans, loan period, restriction on use of the debtors’ personal data and others.
In order to curb predatory practices and ensure financial sustainability of the borrowers in the digital nano-lending sector, the SECP has imposed exposure limits on digital lenders and borrowers, a press release read.
A maximum limit of Rs25000 has been imposed for individual borrowers from a single loan app, and the aggregate amount of loans from multiple Apps has been restricted to not exceed Rs75,000.
Moreover, the loan period for a nano-loan through personal loan apps has been restricted to not more than 90 days.
The exposure limits on borrowers shall promote responsible lending behaviours and prevent borrowers from being trapped in debt cycles due to multiple loans.
In a bid to ensure cyber security and protect sensitive data of borrowers, condition has also been imposed whereby personal loan apps must obtain a certificate from a PTA-approved Category I Cyber Security Audit Firm (CSAF).
Additionally, prior to the sign-up process, apps will be obligated to display a pop-up alert in accordance with directives from SECP to inform app users about the terms, conditions, and potential ramifications of borrowing.
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ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti said the government is ready to arrest PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif if his bail is not accepted, ARY News reported.
Speaking to ARY News programme “Khabar”, the caretaker interior minister said that huge force is not required to arrest one accused from the airport as the PML-N will be arrested if his bail is not accepted however Nawaz Sharif would want to get arrested.
He said the courts will decide whether PTI chief will be released before elections or not. Several Prime Ministers have been arrested in the past but only the PTI chief was the one who feared arrest.
Earlier, former finance minister Ishaq Dar said that there are no hurdles in PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif’s participation in elections.
As per details, Ishaq Dar said that article 62 (1) (f) which decreased the disqualification sentence to five years was passed by the parliament and also approved by the president.
He said that after the the approval of article 62 (1) (f) former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) head Jahangir Tareen are now eligible to participate in elections.
Former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif had announced Nawaz Sharif’s return to Pakistan on October 21. “Nawaz Sharif will be given a splendid welcome on his arrival in Pakistan”, he added.
He said that Nawaz Sharif was removed from power through a conspiracy and the rigging in the 2018 general elections left Pakistan behind in the region.
“We held consultations with the senior leadership of the party and decided that Nawaz Sharif will return to Pakistan in October and lead the election campaign,” Shehbaz Sharif said while talking to journalists in London.
The PML-N president also said that his brother would come to Pakistan and face the law and “there are no two opinions on it”.
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LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) women activists were re-arrested moments after release from Kot Lakhpat Jail Lahore, ARY News reported.
As per details, policewomen force arrested the PTI activists and took them from Kot Lakhpat Jail Lahore.
The rearrest came after the PTI women activists were released from jail but their families refused to take them home as they were fearing the rearrest.
Earlier, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) ordered to release Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activist Sanam Javed Khan and other party activists in Jinnah House attack case.
As per details, ATC judge Arshad Javed announced the verdict and granted bail to nine suspects in Jinnah House attack case.
The court approved the bail pleas of PTI activists Sanam Javed Khan, Robina Jameel, Afshan Tariq, Ashma Shuja, Shah Bano, Faisal Akhtar, Qasim, Ali Hasan and Hussain Qadri.
May 9 events
Violent clashes broke out across Pakistan after the former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan were arrested at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday.
The protests were held in remote and major cities as the party workers were agitated due to their chairman’s arrest, with Balochistan, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Islamabad summoning the armed forces to ensure law and order.
Army installations and Corps Commander’s house in Lahore came under attack during a protest by PTI workers.
It was also reported that Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Ali Nasir Rizvi sustained severe injuries while clearing.
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LAHORE: The provincial metropolis is currently grappling with a significant rise in cases of Pink Eye during the ongoing rainy season.
The health department officials reported 85 new cases of conjunctivitis, commonly known as Pink Eye, within the past 24 hours.
People afflicted with this infection are finding it difficult to venture outdoors due to the adverse effects of sunlight and dust on their eyes.
Noted Eye Surgeon, Dr. Intzar Hussain Butt, shared his recommendations with the APP, urging affected individuals to use prescribed eye drops, cold water, and tissues for eye cleansing.
Dr. Butt explained that conjunctivitis is an inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane, known as the conjunctiva, which lines the eyelid and covers the eyeball.
He emphasized the importance of avoiding physical contact with infected individuals and refraining from sharing personal items such as handkerchiefs, pillows, and makeup.
Dr. Butt also advised those affected to wear sunglasses and take a temporary leave from their official or private duties for a few days. Self-medication was discouraged, and joining gatherings was to be avoided. Frequent handwashing with soap was recommended.
Symptoms of Pink Eye include redness, a gritty or scratchy sensation in the eye, and itching. Dr. Butt further noted that many individuals with conjunctivitis experience eye discharge, leading to the formation of crusts on the eyelashes, particularly at night.
These symptoms can be caused by various factors, including infections, allergies, or irritants.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Health Department reported over 85 cases in Lahore hospitals’ outpatient departments in the past 24 hours.
Dr. Bushra from Services Hospital stated that 40 per cent of patients in the outpatient department were seeking treatment for this infection.
Dr. Bushra emphasised the importance of precautionary measures and recommended the use of eye drops. She advised affected individuals to maintain stringent hygiene practices, including keeping their personal items such as towels and toiletries separate from others.
Patients were directed to use prescribed eye drops and tissues for eye cleansing, with the option of using cold water for temporary relief. The provincial government health department stressed the need to use hand sanitizers and cautioned against touching one’s eyes without washing hands thoroughly.
The health department advised against sharing items with those suffering from eye infections, including pillows, clothes, medicine, and bedding, which should be kept separate. Additionally, patients were urged not to reuse facial items.
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According to the army’s media wing, the terrorists attacked a post of security forces near Wali Tangi. During the fire exchange, Subedar Qaiser Raheem while fighting valiantly embraced martyrdom in the line of duty whereas one soldier was seriously injured.
The ISPR, in a statement, reiterated that security forces of Pakistan will continue to thwart the efforts of the enemies of peace and prosperity in the country.
On September 10, at least seven terrorists were killed during an exchange of fire with the security forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) Chitral district.
According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces killed seven terrorists during an exchange of fire with the security forces in the Ursoon area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) Chitral district.
The ISPR said that another six terrorists were critically injured during the intense exchange of fire. The sanitization of the area is being carried out to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area.
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ISLAMABAD: Former finance minister Miftah Ismail said Sunday that the country will be destroyed without taxing the elites, ARY News reported.
While talking to the ARY News programme Sawal Yeh Hai, Miftah Ismail said that financial issues would not be resolved until elites go without taxes. He suggested the government to reduce expenses to improve the economy.
The former finance minister said that 40% inflation has not only destroyed the middle class people but it is now affected the upper class people.
He criticised that the leaders had not taken right decisions on the right time. “In 2017, the government increased the taxes on salaried persons by 15%, whereas, 261 billion are being taken from the salaried persons in terms of taxes today, whereas, only 61 billion of taxes are being received from big exporters.”
Ismail said that the government is not imposing property and agriculture taxes in provinces. He opposed the imposition of taxes on retailers and wholesalers.
Earlier, Miftah Ismail favoured the continuation of loadshedding in the summer season for conserving energy and the early closure of markets.
He also suggested to hike gas price in the winter season and shift the load to the electricity appliances. Ismail also favoured the closure of markets at 8pm under the energy conservation plan.
While talking to the ARY News programme ‘Khabar’, Miftah Ismail said that there is no other option left for Pakistan than continuing loadshedding in summer season to reduce expenditures on generating expensive electricity.
Regarding the relief for electricity consumers, the former finance minister said that the IMF would definitely reject the recommendation for relief to the 90% of power consumers using 400 units
Ismail favoured the caretaker government’s decision to provide relief to the power consumers using 200 units.
“The IMF demands the privatisation of the loss-making national entities. We should definitely privatise the loss-making entities.”
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Earlier, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) fixed for hearing the former prime minister and PTI chairman’s bail plea in the cipher case.
The registrar’s office has issued the cause list and the PTI chairman’s bail application is scheduled for hearing on Monday (tomorrow), which will be heard by IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq.
The PTI Chairman Imran Khan was sent to jail on August 5 following his conviction in the Toshakhana case.
Cipher case
It is pertinent to mention here that the PTI chief Imran Khan and vice chairman were booked for ‘deliberately missing a copy of the diplomatic cypher’.
The first information report (FIR) was registered on August 15 under the Official Secrets Act. It was registered on the complaint of Home Secretary.
The case was registered after Azam Khan, ex-principal secretary to the PTI chairman and former prime minister made startling revelations and claimed that the former PM used US cypher for his ‘political gains’ and to avert a no-confidence motion against him.
Azam Khan, who had earlier been “missing” for months, suddenly appeared before the scene and made startling revelations about US cypher, while recording his statement under the CrPC 164 before a magistrate.
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ISLAMABAD: The main runway of Islamabad International Airport will be unavailable from September 25 to 30 during early morning and specific night hours, ARY News reported.
According to the spokesperson Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the runway will be unavailable due to the routine cleaning of rubber at Islamabad International Airport’s main runway.
He said that in the morning rubber cleaning will take place from 05:30 to 08:30 hrs. The cleaning time of the main runway at night will be from 10:30 to 13:00 (till 1 am).
Flight operations will continue uninterrupted while the rubber is being cleaned from the main runway, he added. He said that a secondary runway would be available for flight operations at all times.
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GUJRANWALA: A man died in police custody after alleged torture at police station CIA in Gujranwala, ARY News reported.
As per details, SSP operations Faraz Ahmed said that the slain Faisal Mukhtar involved in a serious incident was arrested by Model Town Police and was kept in CIA for safety.
The SSP claimed that the suspect died because of a heart attack however he was shifted to hospital for postmortem and further action will be taken after his medical report comes out.
As per details, a 23-year-old youth named Adil died due to alleged police torture in the Quaid-e-Azam Factory area of Lahore.The heirs of the youth along with the residents of the area surrounded the police station and recorded their strong protest against the alleged torture of cops.
According to the father of the deceased youth, his son, Adil was picked up from outside the house by plainclothes policemen on Monday.
The elderly father said that the report of his son’s disappearance was registered at the Green Town Police Station yesterday.
Later in the night, the SHO of the Green Town police station called and said that his son had died, the father of the victim said and added he was directed to contact the Industrial Area of the Police Station.
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KARACHI: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration on Sunday arrested a passenger who was trying to travel to Spain on a fake visa, ARY News reported.
According to FIA spokesperson, Babar Iqbal was taken into custody by the FIA team from Multan International Airport.
The visa of the passenger was found forged during immigration clearance. The arrested passenger is a resident of Gujrat.
FIA spokesperson further said the accused had been transferred to the Anti-Human Trafficking Circle Multan for further legal action.
The FIA officials are investigating from the arrested about the agents through which he got the fake visa.
Last month, the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) immigration staff offloaded an Afghan woman while boarding a flight to France at Peshawar airport after her passport was found fake.
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SHIKARPUR: Police during an action at the National Highway seized 26 trucks loaded with sugar and urea in Shikarpur, ARY News reported on Sunday.
The raid was carried out at the National Highway by the New Fojdari police station cops on a tip-off. During the action as many as 350 tonnes of sugar and 11,254 urea bags were recovered.
The sugar and urea were to be smuggled to Afghanistan, the police said and added that the seized sugar and urea are being transferred to the food department.
A countrywide crackdown is underway against the smuggling on the orders of the caretaker government.
In February Mochko police in Karachi during checking of a passenger coach found 150 bags of urea that were illegally being smuggled to Afghanistan via Balochistan.
In a raid in Quetta, the Customs department seized huge quantities of urea in Quetta.
A spokesperson for the department said that 300 bags of urea and sweet supari (betel nuts) worth Rs60 million were seized during a search of container and trailer at the Lakpas Chckpost of Customs in Quetta.
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in India!
