Commissioner reviews pre-monsoon arrangements

Fri, 27 Jun 2025, 8:30 PM

SARGODHA, Jun 27 (APP): Commissioner Sargodha Jahanzeb Awan on Friday presided over a meeting to review the safety and emergency measures before the monsoon season.

The meeting was attended by officials from various departments, including Punjab Disaster Management Agency (PDMA), Rescue 1122, Health, Agriculture, Livestock, and Local Government.

the Commissioner emphasised the importance of remaining alert and keeping preparations complete during the monsoon season. He directed that immediate cleaning of drains and sewage systems should be ensured, pumping systems should be fully functional and the fitness of machinery should be checked. He instructed for establishment of control rooms in all districts, which should remain active 24 hours a day. He emphasised the need for close coordination between rescue, health, civil defence and local government institutions to deal with any emergency situation in a timely manner.

The commissioner directed the relevant departments to take immediate action against encroachments, which can obstruct the natural flow of water. He instructed the officers to conduct field inspections of drains, rainwater drain lines, and other important installations to ensure that all preparations are complete. He urged all officers to complete all advance measures on a priority basis to deal with possible emergencies during the monsoon season, ensuring the safety of lives and property.

The commissioner also issued instructions to ensure collection of water rates and ordered for expedited registration of FIRs against water thieves.

SC conducts hearings on petitions against reserved seats

Asif Jalal

Fri, 27 Jun 2025, 8:29 PM

ISLAMABAD, Jun 27 (APP): The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday conducted hearing on the review petitions filed against its earlier ruling on the allocation of reserved seats and the verdict may be announced shortly.

An extended full court, originally comprising 13 judges and headed by Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, heard the case. However, the bench was reduced to 12 members after Justice Salahuddin Panhwar recused himself at the outset of the hearing. Justice Panhwar cited objections raised by counsel for the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), Advocate Hamid Khan, regarding the inclusion of judges who joined the Supreme Court after the 26th Constitutional Amendment.

Explaining his decision, Justice Panhwar said, “Public trust in the judiciary is paramount. It is essential that no party questions the impartiality of the bench.” He added that he, too, was among the judges who joined post-amendment and thus deemed it appropriate to step aside.

Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail told the counsel, “You have ten minutes; either argue your case or sit down. Don’t assume we do not know how to enforce order in court.”

The debate turned toward the legality of the bench’s formation under Article 191A of the Constitution, with Hamid Khan arguing that the Judicial Commission forms benches under the 26th Amendment. Justice Mandokhail challenged the inconsistency, asking, “If you oppose the amendment, how can you simultaneously rely on it?”

The bench emphasized that all 13 judges in the previous ruling had unanimously held that the SIC had no claim to reserved seats. “This fact is being distorted to mislead the nation,” said Justice Mandokhail. “The correct legal facts must be brought forward.”

The Supreme Court had accepted the review petitions for hearing on May 6, 2025, and issued notices to all parties. However, Justices Ayesha Malik and Aqeel Abbasi dissented, terming the petitions inadmissible.

Later in the day, the Supreme Court dismissed Hamid Khan’s objection to the composition of the bench.

The case concerns review petitions filed against an earlier Supreme Court ruling that had overturned the decisions of the Election Commission and the Peshawar High Court, granting reserved seats to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) instead of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC).

ISSI, PAIDAR commemorate Rwanda’s Liberation Day

Asif Jalal

Fri, 27 Jun 2025, 8:24 PM

ISLAMABAD, Jun 27 (APP): The Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East & Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), in collaboration with Pakistan Africa Institute for Development and Research (PAIDAR), on Friday organized an event to commemorate Rwanda’s Liberation Day.

The proceedings, which began with the national anthems of Pakistan and Rwanda, were moderated by Ms. Amina Khan, Director CAMEA, said a press release.

Speakers included Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General ISSI; Ms. Harerimana Fatou, High Commissioner of Rwanda to Pakistan; Muhammad Naeem Khan, High Commissioner of Pakistan to Rwanda; Lt Col Shyaka Kajugiro Ismail, Defence Attache, High Commission of Rwanda to Pakistan; Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman BoG ISSI.

The chief guest on the occasion was Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, President PAIDAR, and the keynote speaker was Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan, Additional Secretary (Africa), Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pakistan (MOFA).

Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, in his remarks, emphasized the significance of commemorating Rwanda’s Liberation Day, not only as a moment of national pride, but as a tribute to the resilience and strength of the Rwandan people.

He praised President Paul Kagame and Rwanda’s leadership for their critical role in unifying the country and steering it toward progress after the 1994 genocide, which the Rwandan nation courageously ended through its own efforts. Reflecting on global injustices, he noted that the world has witnessed three major genocides in the last three decades– Rwanda, Bosnia, and the ongoing one in Gaza and highlighted the double-standards of the international system.

He commended the growing Pakistan–Rwanda relationship in diverse areas from political to economic to defence, and called for deeper South-South cooperation, underscoring the potential for enhanced engagement between Pakistan, Rwanda, and the broader African continent.

Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General ISSI, recalled the tragic events of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi community and noted that Rwanda’s Liberation Day stands as a solemn reminder of that painful chapter, as well as a powerful symbol of the country’s journey towards healing, reconciliation, and national transformation.

Ambassador Sohail Mahmood commended Rwanda’s success in fostering inclusive governance, digital advancement, social cohesion, and sustainable development, highlighting its reputation as a model of post-conflict recovery and institutional reform.

He underlined Pakistan’s admiration for Rwanda’s progress and reaffirmed the significance of Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach to Africa within the framework of “Engage Africa” policy.

He noted that the milestones like mutual establishment of each other’s resident missions mark a shared commitment to expanding bilateral ties in sectors such as trade, agriculture, higher education, healthcare, technology, and professional training.

Referring to the recent visit of Foreign Minister Olivier J. P. Nduhungirehe to Islamabad, during which he also visited ISSI and delivered a talk on Rwanda’s role in Africa’s transformation, Ambassador Sohail Mahmood welcomed the growing momentum in bilateral relations and stressed the importance of sustained dialogue and cooperation. He also highlighted Pakistan’s longstanding contribution to UN peacekeeping in Africa, including in Rwanda, as part of its commitment to peace, stability, and progress on the continent.

Ambassador Hamid Asghar called the Rwandan genocide a failure of the UN system, with its legacy echoed in Gaza today. He praised Rwanda’s resilience and development under President Kagame and expressed Pakistan’s interest in deeper ties. He welcomed recent diplomatic steps and highlighted opportunities for cooperation in education, IT, tourism, and industry.

Ms. Amina Khan, Director CAMEA, highlighted Rwanda’s Liberation Day as a symbol of resilience and transformation, drawing parallels with Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. She reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to Africa through the ‘Engage Africa’ policy and CAMEA’s ongoing efforts to foster inclusive dialogue and cooperation.

Ms. Harerimana Fatou highlighted Rwanda’s transformation since the 1994 Genocide into a peaceful, resilient, and progressive nation. She emphasized the deepening Rwanda–Pakistan relationship, marked by diplomatic missions and MoUs in key sectors. She thanked Pakistan for its hospitality and expressed commitment to expanding cooperation in trade, education, and tourism.

Naeem Khan noted the growing strength of Pakistan-Rwanda relations, marked by a rise in trade from $34 million to $127 million and a growing Pakistani community in Rwanda. He highlighted high-level visits, business delegations, and scholarships for Rwandan students as key drivers of deeper economic, cultural, and educational ties, reflecting the strong mutual commitment to enhanced cooperation.

Lt Col Shyaka Kajugiro Ismail recalled Rwanda’s long history of kingship and the struggle for liberation, marking the 31st anniversary with a reminder of the international community’s failure during the 1994 genocide. He underscored the vital role of national leadership in guiding Rwanda from tragedy to unity and renewal.

Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, in his vote of thanks, recalled the 1994 genocide as one of Africa’s darkest chapters, with nearly a million lives lost. He praised Rwanda’s progress in poverty reduction, economic growth, and its leading role in UN peacekeeping, particularly in promoting women’s participation. He expressed confidence in Rwanda’s resilience to overcome future challenges.

Finance Minister stresses focused reforms, strengthened governance in public sector enterprises

Asif Jalal

Fri, 27 Jun 2025, 8:21 PM

ISLAMABAD, Jun 27 (APP): Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb on Friday reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the governance, operational efficiency and financial sustainability of key public sector entities.

Chairing a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on State-Owned Enterprises (CCoSOEs), the Finance Minister stressed the importance of aligning business plans with national priorities and addressing operational challenges in a timely and coordinated manner.

The Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, Minister for Science and Technology Khalid Hussain Magsi and senior officials from relevant Ministries and Divisions attended the meeting, said a press release.

The Committee heard a detailed briefing from the Central Monitoring Unit of the Finance Division on a biannual report on the Federal SOE Performance covering the period from July 2024 to December 2024. The report included a detailed overview of the state of affairs and key challenges confronting State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), including cumulative losses amounting to Rs 5.8 trillion, with Rs 342 billion incurred in just six months.

The Committee was told that the circular debt in the oil, gas, and power sectors had crossed Rs 4.9 trillion, severely affecting cash flows and asset valuations. The government’s fiscal support to SOEs—through grants, subsidies, loans, and other injections—had also exceeded Rs 600 billion in six months, equivalent to nearly 10% of total revenue receipts.

In addition, unfunded pension liabilities in DISCOs and other SOEs, estimated at Rs 1.7 trillion, remain off the books, as do railways’ pension obligations, the meeting was told.

It was also highlighted that government guarantees currently stand at Rs 2.2 trillion, while rollover costs and financial restructuring liabilities further compound fiscal pressures. Governance concerns persist, with low levels of transparency in beneficial interest disclosures under IFRS Section 30 and other compliance gaps. The lack of strategic alignment in business plans and operational inefficiencies across SOEs were identified as critical areas requiring urgent reform.

The Cabinet Committee noted with concern the staggering cumulative losses of SOEs amounting to Rs 5.8 trillion, with Rs 342 billion incurred in just the last six months—equating to a daily loss of Rs 1.9 billion. The Chair emphasized that issues such as inefficiencies in DISCO operations, slow network upgrades by NTDC, unfunded pension liabilities, and low governance standards continue to erode fiscal space and undermine investor confidence.

The minister also stressed the importance of timely reforms, particularly in the power and energy sectors where circular debt has crossed Rs 4.9 trillion, and reiterated the government’s resolve to bring greater transparency, financial discipline, and accountability to the SOE landscape.

Senator Aurangzeb emphasized the directors representing the government on the boards of State-Owned Enterprises must exercise due diligence and play an active role in safeguarding the financial health and operational performance of these entities through informed and responsible input.

During the meeting, separate summaries submitted by the Power Division for appointment of Chairman on the Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) Board; constitution of the Board of Directors of the Independent System Market Operator (ISMO); appointment of Independent Director/Chairman on the Board of Gujranwala Electric Supply Company (GEPCO) and Independent Director on GENCO Holding Company Limited (GHCL), submitted by the Power Division; and nomination of Independent Directors on the Board of Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO), Power Information Technology Company (PITC), and constitution of the Board of Energy Infrastructure Development and Management Company (EIDMC), were also discussed and approved.

Additionally, a summary moved by the Ministry of Railways for winding up of three railway companies including RAILCOP, PRACS, and PRFTC was also discussed and approved.

SAPM meets Scott Jacobs, Managing Director of JC&A

Asif Jalal

Fri, 27 Jun 2025, 8:03 PM

65663 — Special Assistant to the Prime minister Haroon Akhtar Khan met with Scott Jacobs, Managing Director JC&A, and the BOI Reforms Team to review regulatory reforms in Islamabad on 27 June 2025.

ISLAMABAD, Jun 27 (APP): Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan Friday met with Scott Jacobs, Managing Director of JC&A, and the Board of Investment (BOI) Reforms Team.

The delegation briefed the SAPM on the progress of the ‘Regulatory Reform Packages’ being implemented under the roadmap approved by Prime Minister, said a press release.

Discussions during the meeting covered a wide range of topics, including Pakistan’s economic outlook, industrial policy, regulatory reforms, the SECP Act, and matters relating to foreign exchange.

Scott Jacobs commended Prime Minister vision and reform efforts to strengthen the country’s economic framework and investment climate.

SAPM Haroon Akhtar Khan emphasized that the private sector must be the primary engine for economic growth and job creation in Pakistan. “Industrial policy, regulatory reforms, and tariff reforms together can play a pivotal role in transforming the economy,” he noted.

He stressed the need to eliminate redundant regulations that hinder the start and expansion of businesses. “Private sector engagement is essential as it is the primary channel for attracting foreign investment into the country,” he said.

The SAPM appreciated the BOI’s work in reforming the business environment, particularly in simplifying procedures related to business registration, licensing, certifications, and permits.

He further directed a comparative review of the regulatory systems of the State Bank of Pakistan, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to identify overlapping and outdated practices.

“Unnecessary scrutiny should be avoided when investments are coming through proper foreign exchange channels,” he said adding that enhanced monitoring mechanisms already exist for countries outside the FATF list, and duplicative procedures must be avoided.

He reaffirmed that a five-year Industrial Policy has been finalized under the Prime Minister’s vision, aiming to reduce the cost of production by safeguarding the industrial sector.

“Aligning Pakistan’s regulatory framework with international standards is essential for ensuring global competitiveness and long-term economic sustainability,” he concluded.

Pakistan Post to collect charges for parcels under volumetric system from July 1: Spokesman

NNPS Desk

Fri, 27 Jun 2025, 8:01 PM

RAWALPINDI, Jun 27 (APP): The Pakistan Post has decided to collect charges for parcels, both general and Express Services Parcels (EMS), for domestic and foreign countries under volumetric system instead of actual weight from July 1.

A General Post Office Rawalpindi spokesperson told APP on Friday that the private courier companies in other countries were charging their customers for parcels under the volumetric system, which was now being implemented by the Pakistan Post also.

Under the volumetric method, the spokesman said, the weight of a parcel would be calculated by multiplying its length, width and height in centimeters and then dividing it by 5000.

He said the Pakistan Post Head Office, in a circular, explained that the institution was incurring heavy costs instead of generating income from large-volume low-weight parcels. The new step would increase revenue and reduce expenses, he added.

“Those who unnecessarily use large-volume packets will have to pay charges much higher than the actual weight. The actual weight limit for these services has been maintained at 30 kilograms, however, a list of additional charges has also been issued in case of increase in volumetric measurement.”

The decision to the effect was approved at a meeting of the Postal Services Management Board, the spokesman said.

High Commissioner for exploring business opportunities in Singapore, region

Asif Jalal

Fri, 27 Jun 2025, 7:58 PM

SINGAPORE, Jun 27 (APP): High Commissioner of Pakistan to Singapore, Rabia Shafiq, on Friday welcomed the delegates from All Pakistan Agriculture Produce Traders Federation (APAPTF) visiting Singapore to explore export markets, and highlighted

strategic importance of Singapore as a gateway to the ASEAN region.

A delegation from the All Pakistan Agriculture Produce Traders Federation (APAPTF), led by Saddam Athar, visited Singapore as part of its ongoing efforts to expand trade relations and explore new export markets for Pakistani agricultural produce and furniture.

The High Commission of Pakistan in Singapore facilitated a business meet-up between the delegation and members of Singapore Business Federation (SBF). The session was attended by eight leading Singaporean companies from agri-trade and food distribution sectors, who engaged in meaningful discussions with Pakistani exporters to identify areas of mutual interest and potential collaboration.

She encouraged Pakistani exporters to take advantage of the vibrant trade and investment opportunities in Singapore, noting that it offers a strong platform for regional and global outreach. “Pakistani products can be launched into other regional markets from Singapore,” she remarked, urging the delegation to actively explore business opportunities in the wider region.

The Singapore Business Federation, with a membership of over 30,000 companies, is the apex business chamber in Singapore. It plays a pivotal role in supporting its members in international trade and business development.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to identify mutually beneficial business opportunities between Pakistan and Singapore.

ITP, Honda conclude 3-day road safety campaign for motorcyclists

Asif Jalal

Fri, 27 Jun 2025, 7:54 PM

ISLAMABAD, Jun 27 (APP): Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP), in collaboration with Honda Atlas, concluded a three-day road safety campaign aimed at raising awareness among motorcyclists about traffic regulations and ensuring public safety on roads.

An official told APP on Friday that the campaign was launched under special directions of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi to promote safe riding practices and enhance traffic discipline in federal capital.

SP Traffic Majid Iqbal said the campaign was held in two phases. In the first phase, awareness sessions were conducted on the use of helmets, rear-view mirrors, indicators, headlights, taillights, and speedometers. Citizens were informed about the risks associated with riding motorcycles lacking basic safety features.

SP Majid said with the support of Honda Atlas, ITP provided free minor repair services to motorcyclists to ensure roadworthy conditions of their bikes.

He said special police squads were deployed to educate riders across the city about road safety and traffic laws.

The SP said in the second phase of the campaign, strict legal action would be taken against those riding without helmets, mirrors, indicators, speedometers, or using defective motorcycles.

He added that the main objective of the campaign was to protect citizens, reduce accidents, and maintain smooth traffic flow in Islamabad by ensuring enforcement of traffic laws.