ISLAMABAD, Aug 25 (APP): Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) on Friday amid protest on heavy billing offered the consumers to avail electricity bill installment options at the company’s field offices.

Chief Executive of IESCO, Dr. Muhammad Amjad Khan also appealed to the consumers to refrain from participating in any group or protest that aims to cause harm to government property and employees.

In a statement, he said employees are actively involved in illuminating the homes of valued customers in various situations.

Dr. Amjad Khan directed all offices to offer the convenience of electricity bill installment plans to visiting customers and if they have inquiries about electricity bills, they can contact the relevant Sub-Divisional Office, Revenue Office, or Customer Service Centers.

According to an IESCO spokesperson, it has consistently given priority to consumer interests, and its employees work diligently to ensure continuous electricity supply to consumers, addressing concerns even during cold weather, hot weather, unforeseen disasters, and festivals.

IESCO appeals to its esteemed customers, emphasizing that it is a power distribution company responsible for procuring and delivering electricity to consumers, along with providing various electricity-related services.

The IESCO employees are also part of this effort. If offices or other facilities are damaged, it will be equivalent to harming the nation. Therefore, they should avoid participating in any protest that, under any pretext, damages government property, facilities, or employees.

ISLAMABAD, Aug 25 (APP): The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has assured the visiting Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) delegation that equal opportunities will be ensured for all contesting parties, besides ensuring transparency and impartiality.

He further said that strict legal action will be ensured for violation of the code of conduct and for this purpose the monitoring wing has been strengthened.

The delegation was informed by the ECP that measures were underway to bolster the Monitoring Wing’s capacity to take punitive measures against those who violate the code of ethics.

As part of its ongoing consultation process with major political parties in the country, the ECP has extended an invitation to the PML-N for discussions on the election roadmap.

The consultative meeting was chaired by Chief Election Commissioner, Sikander Sultan Raja.

In addition to the members of the Election Commission, senior officers of the Commission were also present.

The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) assured the delegation that the Commission will simultaneously complete the tasks of constituency delimitation and updating electoral rolls within the shortest feasible time.

The delegation proposed that a renewed consultation process on the code of conduct should be launched, with a focus on banning hate speech and permitting only posters and stickers to curb candidates’ expenses. Furthermore, the party should handle the media campaign, while individual candidates should not be permitted to run their own media campaigns.

Additionally, the CEC emphasized that the Election Commission will ensure compliance with legal protocols when engaging with political parties on matters concerning the code of conduct. Following this consultation, the code of conduct will be given its definitive form.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) delegation, including Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Tanveer Hussain, Zahid Hamid, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Ataullah Tarar, and Asad Junejo, informed the Election Commission that the Council of Common Interests (CCI) has unanimously endorsed the census results and their publication.

This decision is a result of the consensus among all political parties that the 2023 elections will be based on the new census data. The Constituency delimitation Schedule issued by the Election Commission was in accordance with the Constitution and the law.

The delegation recommended initiating a fresh round of consultations for devising a fresh code of conduct for media. They emphasized the need to ban hate speech and restrict candidates’ expenses by allowing only posters and stickers.

Additionally, the delegation proposed that the party should handle the media campaign, while individual candidates should not be permitted to run their own media campaigns.

Furthermore, the delegation proposed that Election Commission officers should take on the roles of District Returning Officers and Returning Officers, as they are capable of performing these tasks more effectively. If feasible, the Election Commission should consider assigning this responsibility to its officers in the forthcoming elections.

MIRPUR (AJK): Aug 25 (APP) :: Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry has called upon the international community to take immediate effective notice of the worsening situation of human rights in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) State.

“It is enjoined upon the comity of nations to play their due moral and much needed diplomatic role to stop India’s barbarism and brutality against Kashmiris particularly the Kashmiri women who have been worst victims of the Indian state terrorism”, he expressed these views while talking to Chairperson Be the Merciful (BTM) Samira Farrukh who called on him in Jammu Kashmir House in the federal metropolis on Friday.

On this occasion, Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry said that the Kashmiri people were going through a difficult situation in Occupied Kashmir. He said that due to the massive troops’ concentration in the region, the Kashmiri women have suffered enormously.

He said that Kashmiris living all over the world should become the voice of the women of Occupied Kashmir and expose the violation of human rights by India before the world community. ” Women and children in IOK are being targeted with pellet guns by the Indian occupation forces”, he said, adding that rape was used as a weapon of war against Kashmiris by the Indian forces.

He said, despite the relentless suppression, the women of Occupied Kashmir have significantly contributed to the ongoing freedom movement in Kashmir while fighting shoulder to shoulder with Kashmiri freedom fighters.

ISLAMABAD, August 25 (APP): Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi on Friday highlighted a growing conspiracy to incite religious and sectarian disturbances across the nation.

In a gathering of religious leaders, scholars, and clerics of twin cities – Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Ashrafi who is the President of the International Interfaith Harmony Council asserted that hostile forces, particularly India, were seeking to exploit religious fault lines to divert attention from the injustices faced by minorities in India.

The event brought together prominent figures such as Maulana Nauman Hashir, Maulana Tahir Aqeel Awan, Maulana Abu Bakr Hamid Sabri, Maulana Zulfiqar, Maulana Shahbaz Ahmed, Sahibzada Saqib Munir, and Maulana Naib Khan, among others.

Ashrafi emphasized the need for a united front against these nefarious designs that aim to plunge various regions, including Jaranwala, into religious and sectarian turmoil. He stated that concrete evidence pointed towards orchestrated efforts to incite religious and sectarian discord, particularly evident in Jaranwala and other areas.

He urged the superior judiciary for a speedy trial against all those allegedly involved in the desecration of the Holy Quran and setting ablaze the churches and the houses of the Christian community across the board.

He applauded Pakistan’s security institutions for thwarting these schemes and safeguarding the country’s stability. He said it was unanimously agreed that the conspirators behind this agenda were none other than the hostile elements from both India and Pakistan.

Ashrafi stressed the significance of unity and condemned any form of blasphemy or disrespect towards holy figures, whether Muslim or Christian. He vehemently opposed any entity or group that attempts to jeopardize the lives, properties, and dignity of individuals or communities.

He assured that religious leaders, scholars, and the general public stood shoulder to shoulder with the government of Pakistan. He welcomed the statements issued by Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar and Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir in denouncing such conspiracies.

He said this united front of Ulema and Mashaykh was committed to maintaining religious harmony, upholding the sanctity of all faiths, and ensuring the security and dignity of its citizens.

ISLAMABAD, Aug 25 (APP): Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi on Friday said the caretaker government was committed to its oath and would not deviate from the constitutional role.

Talking to a private channel, he said the primary mandate of the caretaker government was to assist the Election Commission of Pakistan in holding the election on the fixed date.

It was a “responsible and constitutional government” which would not resort to attack any constitutional office, nor would it become part of any such campaign, he added.

The minister said the previous government was formed by a political alliance and it would be better if they would explain their performance .

He said the caretaker government was fully cognizant of the effects of increase in the prices of electricity, gas, and essential commodities, and it was taking measures to control the inflation.

The oil prices witnessed an increase in the global market and the rupee was also devalued in past few days that created economic difficulties, he added. The government would present an economic recovery plan soon, Solangi said.

“All the ministers included in the Federal Cabinet are experts in their respective fields,” he said while responding to a query.

He said the economy would be in a better shape when the next elected government assumed charge as the caretaker government was taking prudent measures for economic progress and prosperity.

Steps like austerity were imperative to stabilize the economy, he added.

Solangi said the May 9 tragedy was unprecedented which had weakened the democracy. No political party had taken such action in the past, he said, adding courts were there to decide the fate of May 9 culprits, and the caretaker government would respect their verdicts.

“We do respect the law and the Constitution,” he remarked. “Justice is our salvation not the revenge.”

The minister said the statement of Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar about Pakistanis going abroad was taken out of context.

QUETTA, Aug 25 (APP): Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar Friday here said progress of Balochistan was the main priority of his government.

He made the remarks in a meeting with Caretaker Chief Minister Balochistan Ali Mardan Domki after his arrival here.

The chief minister briefed the PM on the administrative affairs of the province.
The prime minister directed that a detailed briefing should be presented regarding the administrative affairs and development and infrastructure projects of Balochistan.

He said progress of Pakistan was not possible without progress of Balochistan, adding Balochistan was not only rich in natural resources but its real strength was its capable human resources.

On his arrival, the prime minister was presented a guard of honour at the Chief Minister House.