pakistan

Govt goes for countrywide crackdown against smuggling, power theft

Published

9 months ago

September 6, 2023

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Govt goes for countrywide crackdown against smuggling, power theft

As Pakistan’s economy is crippled by a record-high inflation and the actors manipulating the market with the state of affairs complicated by energy crisis, top government officials on Wednesday announced a countrywide crackdown against smugglers and power thieves in attempt to reduce the losses suffered by national exchequer and control the rising prices of different commodities.

In this connection, Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti – in a message posted on X, the social media platform which was formally known as Twitter – said the FC (Frontier Corps) had foiled an attempt last night to smuggle sugar to Afghanistan.

A crackdown had been launched against to curb smuggling across the country on the directives of Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, he added.

The move comes as the sugar prices are rising at an alarming rate in Pakistan due to market manipulation by millers and dealers as well as illegal movement of the sweetener across the western borders of the country amid the food security challenge triggered by the all-time high persistent inflation.

On the other hand, Muhammad Ali and Murtaza Solangi – two members of the caretaker cabinet – announced the planned crackdown against electricity as the huge line losses, rising cost of imported fuel for power generation and the capacity charges have inflated the monthly bills to a record level.

“The background is that in our country, some domestic consumers steal electricity and others don’t pay bills,” Ali said as the government action will target both those not paying their dues and involved in power theft.

Informing the reporters that Kakar had ordered the relevant quarters to carry out the action, he added, “In every area, there are varying levels of theft and there are different percentages of recovery [payments].”

While revealing that the annual loss due to electricity theft and failure to pay bills currently stands at Rs589 billion, Ali said power theft meant that others were forced to pay higher bills and admitted that the power tariff couldn’t be reduced unless the practice was stopped.

The minister said the losses were higher in the region covered by Discos [power distribution companies] supplying electricity to Peshawar, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Quetta, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir regions.

About executing the plan, Ali said the government had communicated with chief secretaries and police chiefs in provinces and “we have their full support in implementing this [plan]”.

Meanwhile, the officials assisting the culprits in electricity pilferage would also face the consequences. “We have prepared a list of officers who are involved in the theft,” the minister said.

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pakistan

Pakistan mourns President Raisi’s death; PM, president express sorrow

Published

1 day ago

May 20, 2024

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Pakistan mourns President Raisi's death; PM, president express sorrow

Pakistan is observing a day of mourning today to express solidarity with the people of Iran following the shocking news of the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in the country’s northwest.

“Pakistan will observe a day of mourning, and the flag will fly at half-mast as a mark of respect for President Raisi and his companions and in solidarity with Brotherly Iran,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrote in a post on social media platform X, expressing shock over the demise.

“Had been anxiously following developments regarding the reported crash landing of President Raisi’s helicopter. Was hoping for good news. Alas, this was not to be,” PM Shehbaz remarked as he extended deepest condolences and sympathies to the Iranian people on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan.

Shehbaz prayed that may Allah grant the martyrs a high place in Jannat al-Firdous and give patience to their families and the Iranian nation for this tragedy.

“Pakistan had the pleasure of hosting President Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian on a historic visit less than a month ago. They were good friends of Pakistan,” the premier added in his post.

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pakistan

Turkish FM meets COAS Munir, lauds army’s role for regional peace, stability

Published

1 day ago

May 20, 2024

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Turkish FM meets COAS Munir, lauds army's role for regional peace, stability

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir here on Monday.

According to the military’s media wing, the army chief and the Turkish minister discussed matters of mutual interest during the meeting.

The Turkish minister appreciated the role of the Pakistan Army in maintaining peace and stability in the region, the ISPR said in a statement.

The two leaders expressed their satisfaction at the deep bilateral relations based on historical, cultural and religious ties between the two countries.

Foreign Minister of Turkiye Hakan Fidan arrived in Pakistan for a two-day official visit on Sunday.

According to the Foreign Office, Additional Foreign Secretary Ahmed Naseem Warraich received the foreign dignitary at the airport.

The Turkish minister will also hold a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a spokesperson for the Foreign Office said.

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pakistan

LHC gives Punjab government ultimatum for judges’ appointment

Published

1 day ago

May 20, 2024

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LHC gives Punjab government ultimatum for judges' appointment

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has issued an ultimatum to the Punjab government regarding the appointment of judges.

Chief Justice Shehzad Ahmed Khan presided over a hearing on the Punjab government’s petition to transfer cases from LHC’s anti-terrorism court 1 Rawalpindi to another court.

During the proceedings, the advocate general Punjab informed the court that a government committee had consulted with Punjab Chief Minister on the matter of judges’ appointment, assuring that it had been prioritized for the upcoming cabinet session.

However, Chief Justice Khan inquired about the timeline for the next cabinet session, expressing dissatisfaction with the absence of immediate action.

The Chief Justice ruled that either a special cabinet meeting should have been called or the government committee should have appeared before the court after completing its task.

In response, the advocate general assured that the matter would be resolved in the cabinet session scheduled for Friday.

Expressing dismay over the absence of the government committee in court, Chief Justice Khan deemed it disrespectful.

The advocate general promptly promised the committee’s presence within half an hour upon receiving the court’s call order.

Consequently, the court directed the Punjab CM and the cabinet to issue a notification regarding judges’ appointment before the next hearing.

The court also warned that if the notification was not issued by then, the Punjab Chief Minister would be required to appear in the next hearing.

Addressing any potential concerns, the advocate general clarified that the government had no objections to the names recommended by the court for judges’ appointment.

Consequently, the case hearing has been adjourned until May 24.

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