Finance Minister calls on Air Chief
ISLAMABAD, Jul 17 (APP): Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar called on Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu during his visit to Air Headquarters, Islamabad on Wednesday.
Matters pertaining to evolving geo-economic environment and regional security situation were discussed during the meeting, said a press release.
The Air Chief briefed the minister about various ongoing projects being carried out by the Pakistan Air Force with special focus on modernization and development of indigenous capabilities.
He also apprised the minister about the PAF’s National Aerospace Science & Technology Park project that it was aimed at fostering collaborative research, development and innovation in the domains of aviation, space, IT, cyber & computing in order to accrue maximum economic, technological and scientific dividends for Pakistan.
The Air Chief also commended the pragmatic policies and initiatives of the government to lead the economy towards growth and stability.
The finance minister lauded the matchless professionalism of PAF personnel and stated that the government would utilize all its resources to modernize the Pakistan Air Force in order to ensure an impregnable aerial defence of the country.
He also shared broad contours of the economic policies being implemented by the government to pave the way for a prosperous and financially stable country.
He expressed his full confidence in the operational preparedness of Pakistan Air Force and admired the PAF leadership for producing well-equipped and skillful air warriors, who are fully capable to cope up with ever-changing challenges of aerial defence and national security.
Masses bearing brunt of economic destruction brought by ‘project Imran’ : Marriyum
ISLAMABAD, Jul 17 (APP): Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Monday said the present government had saved the country from default by addressing the economic challenges deliberately created by the previous regime of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
“Today, the project Imran has become a source of embarrassment for even those who had brought him to power as the masses are bearing the brunt of his 44-month-long economic destruction,” the minister said while addressing a news conference.
“The PTI chief has crossed all limits in his enmity towards the country,” she said while lauding the leadership and the vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif who had not only saved the country from default, but also charted the country on the path of progress.
At the outset of press conference, she said the incumbent coalition government took many important steps in 14 months to undo the devastation caused by the four-year misrule of the inefficient and incompetent rulers.
The PTI chief’s 44-month reign was a period of economic destruction, inflation, theft, loot and plunder, she added. His government signed the agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on tough conditions, first violated it and then suspended, pushing the country to the brink of default.
The PTI chairman had , in fact, crossed all limits to harm national interests as he and his cronies wanted the country to default like Sri Lanka, she added.
The petrol price was, she said, reduced by the PTI chief in 2022 in violation of the IMF programme and it was done intentionally to get petty political mileage.
The minister recalled that when the present government came to power as a result of the first ever successful no-confidence motion in country’s history against the former prime minister, the economy was completely in ruins with jobless youth and unprecedented inflation.
There was acute shortage of energy and there was hardly any fund to purchase petroleum products and liquefied natural gas (LNG), she added.
“When we came to power, the country was close to default, on the contrary when they (PTI) were brought in the government in 2018, it was developing at a growth rate of over 6.2 per cent.”
The minister said when the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government ended its tenure in 2018 with surplus electricity, but, ironically, the PTI leaders used to mock the party for producing surplus energy.
Marriyum said the PTI rulers destroyed every sector, including the foreign policy during their 44 months tenure and incumbent government faced great difficulties.
Comparing first 14 months of the PTI regime with the same period of the present coalition government, she said sugar was not only expensive but also out of stock, and similarly flour and electricity were also not available in the market despite not being expensive.
Elderly women used to stand in long queues to buy a kilo of sugar during the PTI government, she recalled.
The minister said during Covid-19, the price of LNG had fallen to as low as $3, but that historical opportunity to buy cheap LNG was missed. The country was left at the mercy of gas and flour mafia during the PTI regime.
She said the current government not only saved the country from default in its14-month tenure, but also put the derailed economy back on track.
Marriyum said that for the first time, the IMF programme was successfully completed in 2016 during the tenure of Nawaz Sharif.
She said the PTI regime destroyed the foreign policy and angered all the friendly countries, but the present government restored relations with the world in a confident manner.
“During 14 months we added 3,900 megawatt of electricity, but the PTI in its four years rule could not add even a single megawatt,” she added.
The minister said the person who announced the construction of 350 dams in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa made the people “dam fool”.
She said,“Saving the country from default, with economic stability, is the major achievement of the present government.”
Marriyum said the projects launched by Nawaz Sharif were delayed during the PTI government, that resulted into increase in their cost. Even maintenance of power production units was not carried out during the last regime, she added.
Electricity generation from furnace oil had now become nil while the furnace oil mafia was ruling the roost during the PTI’s government, she said.
The minister said the previous government had put its political opponents in death cells under the false slogan of accountability, but failed to produce even a single evidence of their “crimes” in courts.
Today, inexpensive oil was being imported from Russia, an affordable gas agreement had been signed with Azerbaijan but the PTI did politics on that issue as well, she remarked.
She said the PTI chief and its leadership falsely claimed to have discussed oil import with the Russian leadership as no such thing was mentioned in the communique or the press release issued at the end of his Moscow visit.
They made the LNG contracts with foreign governments controversial and sent Miftah Ismail and Khaqan Abbasi to jail on the allegations of corruption just to mislead the people and inflict damage upon the country, she added.
The minister said the government had introduced distinct electricity tariffs for the wealthy and the underprivileged, aiming to shield the masses from inflationary pressures.
The present government had not only averted a potential $10 billion penalty in the Reko Dek case but also successfully restored the agreement, the minister noted.
She recalled that when the country was struck by devastating floods, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif allocated a substantial amount of Rs 100 billion to the provinces.
At that time, the ruling coalition held power only in the federation and Sindh, while the remaining provinces were governed by the PTI.
Marriyum further criticized the PTI chief, pointing out instances where he abandoned meetings on the Coronavirus pandemic due to the presence of the Sindh Chief Minister and the then opposition leader, Shehbaz Sharif.
His decision, she asserted, demonstrated that how he prioritized arrogance and ego over national interests.
During the flood calamity, she said one-third of the country was submerged, leading to extensive damage to crops and the loss of 1.1 million livestock. The disaster left approximately 8 million people homeless along with the loss of over 1,600 precious lives, she added.
The damage, she said, would have been unimaginable if the calamity was not responded in time by the NDMA and PDMAs.
She said PM Shehbaz Sharif himself monitored the situation continuously and ensured that relief, rescue and reconstruction efforts were carried out in an effective way. He himself undertook visits across the country to review the ongoing efforts for the flood victims.
A staggering sum of Rs 70 billion was directly distributed to the affected individuals through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), providing crucial financial assistance during the challenging period, she added.
The minister said 100 houses were constructed in Tank to provide shelter for flood-affected individuals, and damaged schools were successfully reconstructed. Reconstruction efforts were still underway in many areas.
She said PM Shehbaz Sharif raised his voice at international forums, including the United Nations, advocating for climate finance funds to address the urgent needs of countries affected by climate change.
At the Geneva conference, she said, he secured an assurance of $10 billion in funds, emphasizing the crucial role played by the Foreign Minister and the Climate Change Minister, who tirelessly worked day and night on the matter.
The Ministry of Information also worked diligently to raise awareness among the people of Pakistan and the global community about the prevailing situation on flood, she added.
Despite the challenges, she said, the government did not succumb to despair or chaos.
Instead, the prime minister showed unwavering dedication to the well-being of the people, particularly farmers. The introduction of the Rs 200 billion Kissan Package, which included initiatives such as youth business loans, subsidies on fertilizers, electricity, and tubewells, proved instrumental in supporting farmers.
Marriyum said the prime minister turned the flood crisis into an opportunity and took initiatives that led to a bumper crop due to his hard work, visionary approach, strong determination, and foresight regarding potential damages.
To bridge the development gap between urban and rural areas, a Rs 20 billion rural development package was announced for Islamabad, she said, adding the package included projects related to road infrastructure, parks, mass transit, and schools.
She questioned as to why such a package had not been introduced during the past four years of PTI government.
The minister also stated that the prime minister resumed the metro project in Islamabad soon after coming into the power. The metro project which led to the airport, was halted during the previous government tenure.
Today, the metro project operated on all routes within Islamabad, with Orange, Blue, and Green buses catering to the transportation needs of various segments of society, including labourers, teachers, students, professionals, and government employees, the minister noted.
She said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif successfully completed projects such as Margalla Avenue, 7th Avenue, and Colonel Sher Khan Avenue, which significantly improved the city’s road infrastructure.
PM Shehbaz Sharif was scheduled to inaugurate Bara Kahu flyover project on July 30 that aimed to alleviate traffic congestion on one of the busiest routes in the area, she added.
The minister said the timely completion of the project in just 14 months raised questions as to why similar initiatives were not accomplished during the four years of the previous government’s tenure.
In a bid to enhance recreational spaces and promote healthy activities, she said, a plan was underway to establish 35 new parks across the city. Additionally, an Olympic Village was worked out to foster sports and fitness-related endeavours.
The minister said the Benazir Income Support Programme’s (BISP) allocations, which were Rs 235 billion in 2022, had been increased to Rs 404 billion in the 2023 budget and further soared to Rs 464 billion recently.
The BISP stipend witnessed an increase of 25 percent similarly, she added.
The programme’s name was changed to Ehsaas by the PTI regime, which was nothing more than a political maneuver, she added.
During the times of difficulty, such as the recent floods, she said, the government allocated a substantial amount of Rs 70 billion to provide relief to the BISP beneficiaries and those affected by the calamity. Emergency funds amounting to Rs 25,000 per family were distributed through a scientific and transparent process, ensuring that aid reached those who needed it the most, she added.
Additional measures had been implemented to alleviate financial burdens on the public, she said while recalling petrol subsidies, the Ramazan package, and the distribution of Rs 70 billion worth of free wheat flour throughout the country during 14 months of the government, she said.
Recalling difficult negotiations with the IMF for restoration of bailout package, she said the prime minister and the finance minister held multiple meetings with its representatives to restore Pakistan’s credibility.
As a result of those talks, Pakistan signed the standby agreement with the IMF which ushered into economic stability and 2446 points increase in the KSE 100 index, she added.
Senator Talha attends Hazara Journalists Association’s oath-taking ceremony, emphasizes collaboration for national progress
ISLAMABAD, Jul 17 (APP): Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood on Monday participated in the oath-taking ceremony of the recently elected Hazara Journalists Association.
The event, attended by journalists from Hazara and various parts of the country, aimed to promote welfare and prosperity among journalists based in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
The Hazara Journalists Association’s new professional panel, elected under the leadership of Syed Luqman Shah, took an oath to diligently serve the journalistic community in the region. Representatives from other media organizations also attended the ceremony, further highlighting the spirit of cooperation and collaboration among various journalistic bodies.
During his address to the gathering, Senator Talha Mahmood praised journalists from all across Pakistan and emphasized equal respect for journalists in his constituency.
He assured the government’s cooperation with the media for the betterment of the nation.
While acknowledging that he prefers to focus on his duties as Minister for Religious Affairs rather than frequent media appearances, Senator Talha Mahmood highlighted his efforts in refunding more than four billion rupees to this year’s Hajj pilgrims, indicating a cost-effective Hajj policy.
He emphasized the need to improve the country’s situation and provide better opportunities for the people, thus discouraging emigration.
Recognizing the vital role of the media in shaping the nation’s future, Senator Talha Mahmood stressed the importance of collaboration between all sectors, including the media, Parliament, and other institutions, to lead the country towards progress and prosperity.
Expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as the association’s president for the past six years, Taimoor Jadoon, Chairman of the Hazara Journalists Association, reiterated the organization’s commitment to unbiased and fair journalism.
Congratulating the newly elected body, Anwar Raza, President of the National Press Club, extended his felicitations to the Hazara Journalists Association and expressed the Press Club’s readiness to cooperate with the association for common goals.
Haji Nawaz Raza, President of the PFUJ (Dastoor), commended the association’s dedication and strong connections with various factions, highlighting its important role in the journalism landscape.
UN chief ‘deeply’ regrets Russia’s decision to end Black Sea grain deal, warns of price rise
UNITED NATIONS, Jul 17 (APP): UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Monday he “deeply” regrets the decision by the Russian Federation to terminate the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative, which includes the withdrawal of Russian security guarantees of navigation in the northwestern part of the Black Sea.
The breakdown of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey, threatened to drive global food prices back up as the war in Ukraine grinds on, now in its 17th month following the Russian invasion.
“The Russians sent a letter this morning to the Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul announcing the termination of their participation in the Black Sea Initiative,” according to a U.N. official.
Speaking after Russia’s move to suspend the grain export deal, the UN chief warned that hundreds of millions face hunger and the consumers that are confronting a global cost-of-living crisis “will pay the price.”
“Today’s decision by the Russian Federation will strike a blow to people in need everywhere. But it will not stop our efforts to facilitate the unimpeded access to global markets for food products and fertilizers from both Ukraine and the Russian Federation,” Guterres said.
“We will stay fixed on finding pathways for solutions,” he said, adding, “There is simply too much at stake in a hungry and hurting world. ”
The Black Sea initiative had ensured the safe passage of over 32 million metric tons of food commodities from Ukrainian ports, it was pointed out.
The World Food Programme has shipped more than 725,000 tons to support humanitarian operations – relieving hunger in some of the hardest-hit corners of the world, including Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa and Yemen.
“The Black Sea Initiative — together with the Memorandum of Understanding on facilitating exports of Russian food products and fertilizers — have been a lifeline for global food security and a beacon of hope in a troubled world,” the UN chief said.
“At a time when the production and availability of food is being disrupted by conflict, climate change, energy prices and more, these agreements have helped to reduce food prices by over 23 per cent since March last year,” he said.
“Ultimately, participation in these agreements is a choice. But struggling people everywhere and developing countries don’t have a choice. They’ll pay the price.”