ISLAMABAD
President Asif Ali Zardari shaking hands with Mr. Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee & Minister for Foreign Affairs of China, at Aiwan-e-Sadr
ISLAMABAD
FPCCI demands withdrawal of retrospective gas bills
LAHORE, Aug 21 (APP):Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Thursday demanded of the authorities concerned to immediately withdraw the retrospective gas bills issued by Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) to industrial and commercial consumers.
The FPCCI Vice President and Regional Chairman Zain Iftikhar Chaudhry and VP Zaki Aijaz made this demand in a press conference here at FPCCI Regional Office.
Zain Iftikhar emphasized that chambers of commerce and trade associations across the country have unanimous stance that the industry is not in a position to bear these bills. He stressed the need to protect the industrial sector, exports, and the national economy from plunging into a severe crisis.
He claimed that this decision was taken without any prior consultation or notification, which has triggered deep anxiety and unrest within the business community. This move not only an unbearable financial burden but it also raises serious concerns regarding its legality and transparency.
Highlighting the vulnerability of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), FPCCI Regional Chief categorically stated that the business community will not accept SNGPL’s unilateral action under any circumstances.
“The industry is already struggling to survive, with many units on the verge of closure. It simply does not have the capacity to absorb or pay such retrospective bills,” he concluded.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, and Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, holding the 6th round of Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue in the federal capital
ISLAMABAD
Member of the CPC Politburo and Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, arriving at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he was received by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, in the federal capital
ISLAMABAD
H.E. Mr. Khazar Fahadov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan, calls on Federal Minister for Defence Production, Muhammad Raza Hayat Harraj in Rawalpindi
RAWALPINDI
RAWALPINDI
Cabinet committee meets, reviews CNSA 2025
PESHAWAR, Aug 21 (APP):Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Law, Advocate Aftab Alam here Thursday chaired a meeting of Cabinet Committee on Legislation and reviews Control of Narcotics Substance Act (CNSA) 2025.
The meeting was attended by Provincial Minister for Agriculture, Sajjad Barkwal, Minister for Excise and Narcotics Control Mian Khaliq-ur-Rehman, Advocate General Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shah Faisal Utman Khel, Secretary Law Department Akhtar Saeed Turk, Director General Excise and Narcotics Control besides officials from the Board of Revenue, Finance, and other relevant departments.
During the meeting, officials from the Excise and Narcotics Control Department gave a detailed briefing regarding the proposed amendments to CNSA 2025.
On the occasion, the law minister said that the primary objective of the amendments in CNSA 2025 is to harmonize the law with the amendments made at the federal level and in other provinces to ensure uniformity.
He added that while concerns about human rights and judicial complications exist regarding the enforcement of the death penalty, the provincial government’s zero-tolerance policy against narcotics would remain intact. He clarified that the purpose of reducing the punishment is not to encourage crime but to make the law more just and implementable.
AG KP, Shah Faisal Utman Khel informed the meeting that under Article 9, the punishment for narcotics cannot be declared unconstitutional. He emphasized that the Excise Department and Police should compile comprehensive data regarding the sensitivity of the matter and its impacts and recommendations from medical experts and the Department of Religious Affairs should also be incorporated.
The minister said that it is essential to thoroughly examine the possible impacts of altering the punishment for narcotics so that the drug mafia is not given any leeway. Highlighting the importance of research-based analysis on the pattern of Sindh’s CNSA, he directed the formation of a sub-committee of the Cabinet Committee which would present its recommendations in the next meeting within one month.
The meeting also reviewed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Establishment of Special Courts (Overseas Pakistanis’ Property) Bill 2025. Officials of the Board of Revenue gave a detailed briefing on the 23 sections of the draft bill and informed that a special facilitation cell had been established to address the concerns and issues of overseas Pakistanis regarding their immovable properties. However, the establishment of special courts requires the recommendations of the committee.
Federal Minister for Defence Production, Muhammad Raza Hayat Harraj, presenting a souvenir to Ambassador of Belgium, H.E. Mr. Charles Idesbald, in Rawalpindi
RAWALPINDI
PM lauds Jhal Magsi Gas Project for reducing import dependence, accepts inauguration invitation
ISLAMABAD, Aug 21 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday met with Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Nawabzada Khalid Hussain Magsi, here at the Prime Minister’s House, where he was briefed on the progress and significance of the Jhal Magsi Gas Field Project.
During the meeting, the Federal Minister informed the Prime Minister that the inclusion of gas from the Jhal Magsi field into the national distribution network is expected to significantly reduce Pakistan’s dependence on imported gas. According to the minister, this shift could result in annual savings of approximately $298 million in foreign exchange, a Prime Minister’s Office news release said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appreciated the project’s potential to support Pakistan’s economy by leveraging domestic natural resources. “Pakistan’s valuable natural reserves can play a key role in resolving our economic challenges,” he stated. He added that reducing reliance on imported gas through indigenous supplies was a commendable achievement.
The Prime Minister also accepted the minister’s invitation to inaugurate the Jhal Magsi Gas Field Project.
He emphasized that integrating the gas from the Jhal Magsi field into the national grid is a significant step forward, aligning with the government’s broader strategy to promote energy self-sufficiency and economic sustainability.
Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, presiding over a meeting of the committee at Parliament House in the federal capital
ISLAMABAD
Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates, Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al Zaabi, pays a farewell call on Chairman Senate, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, in the federal capital
ISLAMABAD