ISLAMABAD: Karachi residents may soon experience an additional financial burden of approximately Rs853 million, as K-Electric (KE), the city’s sole power provider, has requested a 51 paisa per unit increase in power tariffs under the Fuel Charges Adjustment (FCA) for August 2024. KE has formally submitted this request to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) for a tariff hike based on the interim reference tariff from March 2024. According to sources in the power division, “KE has sought a provisional FCA for August 2024.” A public hearing to review the proposed adjustment is set for October 3, 2024, where…
Author: Hasnain Abid Khanzada
ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet has approved the export of an additional 140,000 metric tonnes of sugar, citing stable domestic prices and surplus stocks ahead of the next crushing season. The decision includes the immediate export of 100,000 metric tonnes and negotiations with Tajikistan for an additional 40,000 metric tonnes. This marks the second approval for exporting 100,000 metric tonnes of sugar in a month, following a prior rejection by the federal cabinet. Approximately a month ago, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declined to ratify the ECC’s earlier decision, calling for a reassessment based on retail prices,…
SLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Petroleum Dr. Musadik Malik has urged Chinese enterprises, especially those from Shaanxi province, to invest in Pakistan’s energy and petroleum sectors. His remarks were made during the China (Shaanxi)-Pakistan Conference for Economic and Trade Cooperation, held alongside the 8th Silk Road International Expo in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province. Malik emphasized that leading Pakistani companies specializing in upstream, midstream, and downstream petroleum and coal are eager to collaborate with Shaanxi businesses through investment, joint ventures, and technology transfer. This invitation is part of Pakistan’s broader strategy to attract foreign direct investment, aimed at strengthening infrastructure and energy production—critical…
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has once again turned to the Supreme Court, filing a petition concerning the allocation of reserved seats. PTI’s lawyer, Uzair Bhandari, argues that the recent amendment to the Election Act does not impact the Supreme Court’s ruling from July 12, asserting that the Election Commission is obligated to implement that decision. In its petition, PTI seeks a declaration from the court that the Speaker of the National Assembly’s letter regarding the July 12 decision is without legal merit. The party is requesting that the Election Commission disregard the Speaker’s letter and halt the allocation of reserved seats…
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Saturday that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar will not attend the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York due to important diplomatic commitments and preparations for the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Islamabad. Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch addressed media speculation regarding Dar’s participation in the UNGA session, clarifying that Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s plans to attend the session remain unchanged. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to participate in the UNGA from September 23 to 27, 2024, as confirmed by…
Supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have begun arriving in groups at the rally site in Lahore, amid a heavy police presence and strict security measures along the route. Stalls selling PTI-branded caps and scarves have been set up, and thousands of chairs are in place at the venue in anticipation of the event. Allegations have surfaced from PTI supporters claiming that police have started confiscating their lights, generators, and speakers, preventing them from reaching the rally site. K-P Chief Minister Leads Convoy A convoy led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur departed for Lahore, accompanied by party leaders…
Pakistani authorities have arrested nine Afghan nationals who attempted to enter the country using forged medical visas, according to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). The arrests took place over the past three days at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport as part of a crackdown on visa fraud. FIA officials revealed that the Afghan nationals took advantage of the suspension of Pakistan’s visit visas for Afghan citizens, using counterfeit medical certificates to gain entry under the pretense of seeking medical treatment. Upon arriving in Pakistan, many reportedly sought visas from embassies and consulates in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi, with plans to travel…
The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has successfully dismantled a significant drug trafficking network in Southern Punjab, which was supplying narcotics to students via social media and e-commerce platforms. Operated by two brothers, this network specialized in the large-scale distribution of party drugs to young people. Acting on intelligence reports, the ANF apprehended the suspects and seized a substantial cache of drugs, including 1,500 ecstasy pills, 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine (commonly known as ice), and 2 kilograms of cannabis. ANF officials revealed that the duo organized drug-fueled rave parties in various homes and hotels in Multan, specifically targeting students residing in hostels…
LAHORE: After a day of negotiations and legal maneuvers, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has received permission to hold a rally on Saturday in Lahore. The Lahore High Court intervened to allow the rally to take place at Link Road, Kahna, instead of the party’s preferred site, the historic Minar-e-Pakistan. The situation escalated when Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly, Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, and PTI lawmakers arrived at Minar-e-Pakistan, only to find the gates locked and heavy police presence preventing entry. A petition filed by advocate Nadeem Sarwar sought to block the rally, but a three-member bench of the LHC…
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved new restrictions on compliant taxpayers, preventing them from purchasing assets that exceed their declared income sources. Additionally, non-filers will be barred from acquiring significant assets altogether. During a recent meeting focused on the transformation of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the Prime Minister allocated an extra Rs34 billion to modernize the agency. He ruled out the introduction of a mini-budget to address revenue shortfalls and directed FBR Chairman Rashid Langrial to improve collection efforts to cover a projected Rs200 billion deficit for the first quarter. The Prime Minister has greenlit a five-point plan…
