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All such laws on which the provinces have reservations will be discussed together, Azam Nazir Tarar

By
Amjad Shafique
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No proposal under consideration to lift ban on new domestic gas connections: Musadik

By
NNPS Desk
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Musadik malik

ISLAMABAD, Sep 12 (APP): Minister for Petroleum Division Dr Musadik Masood Malik on Thursday informed the National Assembly that there was no proposal under consideration of the government to lift moratorium on new domestic connections on indigenous gas.

Replying to various questions, the minister said moratorium had been imposed on the provision of new domestic connections on indigenous gas due to scarcity of natural gas in the country. The caretaker government, however, had allowed the new housing schemes to get the liquefied natural gas (LNG) – based connections for domestic use, he added.

He said that the country’s natural gas resources were depleting gradually, with around 7-8 per cent annual depletion in the pipeline gas.

He said that across the world, gas was supplied to the consumers mostly through LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) cylinders while in Pakistan, the consumers got gas through pipelines.

The minister said the Pakistan Sate Oil (PSO) had two LNG sales purchase agreements (SPAs) with Qatar, which were valid till 31st December, 2031. “The PSO imports on average nine LNG cargoes per month, which translates approximately 900 MMCF/day,” he added.

He said the PSO imported LNG on behalf of the gas utility companies which onward sold regasified LNG to their consumers i.e., power, industry, CNG and cement sectors etc.

Moreover, the PSO-Qatar LNG SPA, he added, was a sovereign contract under G to G arrangement with take or pay clauses.

To a question, the minister said the Pakistan State Oil Company Limited’s (PSOCL) outstanding amount from the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) against jet fuel supplies as of 30th September, 2024 had accumulated to Rs 29.4 billion (Rs15.64 billion principal and Rs 13.4 billion late payment surcharge).

The PIA was failing to honour payment obligations due to its weak financial and liquidity position, he added.

He said the privatization of PIA was in process and the mechanism for the clearance of PSO’s outstanding would be decided after it.

APP/raz-sra

Punjab, CDA collaborate to address Islamabad’s water shortage

By
Kamran Muraad
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ISLAMABAD, Sep 12 (APP): Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Punjab government on Thursday joined hands to tackle Islamabad’s water scarcity issue.
A meeting in that regard was held under the Chairmanship of CDA Chief Muhammad Ali Randhawa.
The meeting attended by the Secretary Irrigation Punjab via Zoom, explored ways to utilize excess water from Rawal Dam.
The panel discussed supplying 2 million gallons of water per day to Islamabad from Rawal Dam, a request made by CDA to the Punjab government two years ago.
The CDA’s Water Management Wing and Punjab Small Dam teams will jointly finalize the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for water supply, with final approval pending the decision on the water supply procedure.
Additionally, the meeting addressed efforts to combat pollution in Rawal Dam, ensuring a sustainable solution to Islamabad’s water needs.

Fake milk supply gang busted, 3 arrested

By
Kamran Muraad
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PFA
LAHORE, Sep 12 (APP): Punjab Food Minister Bilal Yasin and Director General Punjab Food Authority (PFA) Asim Javed said on Thursday that a fake milk supply gang had been busted in Guru Mangat, a village near Gajumatta, and approximately 10,000 litres of contaminated milk seized.
The raiding team seized 2,000 litres of thickened solution, along with various powders, ghee, detergents, and chemicals. These hazardous substances were promptly destroyed on site. Additionally, two supply tankers, three processing chillers, and mixing machines were confiscated. Three suspects were arrested, and a case was filed against them.
Initial tests of the seized products revealed dangerous contaminants, including powder, formalin, and detergents. According to Minister Bilal Yasin, there were neither cows nor buffaloes involved in the production of the milk. The suspects were caught red-handed while manufacturing the fake milk, hiding in two homes where they prepared the counterfeit product daily using powders, vegetable oil, and harmful chemicals. The ingredients used in the fake milk pose severe health risks to consumers.

Nature-based solutions termed critical to address climate change impacts: Experts

By
Kamran Muraad
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ISLAMABAD, Sep 12 (APP):“Pakistan is navigating through the worst climate crisis and it will only worsen if we do not act now. Increased and intense heat waves, devastating floods, and depleting freshwater resources, all call for improving Pakistan’s resilience to climate change impacts.
It is time to reinvent our development models and address these challenges which pose serious threats to local communities, critical ecosystems and economies”. This was stated by Romina Khurshid Alam, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination during a media talk on the Recharge Pakistan project at the PTV Headquarters here on Thursday.
The Recharge Pakistan project is supported by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, the Federal Flood Commission under the Ministry of Water Resources, the Green Climate Fund, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF) and WWF.
This 7-year project aims to initiate a paradigm shift in Pakistan’s approach to flood and water management systems, and demonstrates the cost-effectiveness, benefits and sustainability of the ecosystem-based adaptation and green infrastructure interventions in the Indus basin. The project helps to improve the resilience of some of the country’s most vulnerable communities affected by the impacts of climate change.
Talking to media, Fawad Hayat, Recharge Pakistan’s Senior Director at WWF-Pakistan said that “Climate change has re-shaped the landscape of Pakistan with serious implications for the water resources, despite various interventions. The Recharge Pakistan project offers nature-based solutions to restore wetlands, water channels, and improve conditions in the Indus Basin, which would help reduce the flood extent by 50,800 hectares and capture an estimated 20 million cubic meters of water. By bolstering community resilience against climate change, the project will also improve food security, as well as put forward alternative and sustainable livelihoods opportunities for local communities.”
Lucas Black, Vice President of Climate Finance at WWF-US, said that “WWF is incredibly proud to support this groundbreaking initiative, which aims to harness the power of nature. This game-changing initiative is the largest climate adaptation initiative WWF has ever undertaken, with a target to directly enhance resilience and improve the lives of more than 680,000 people across the Indus Basin. We are deeply grateful for the support and partnership of the Government of Pakistan, the Green Climate Fund, The Coca-Cola Foundation, USAID, and WWF-Pakistan for bringing this vision to reality.”
This project is implemented by WWF-Pakistan, in close collaboration with government departments and local communities at select sites in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Sindh and Balochistan provinces. The major project sites include DI Khan, Ramak, Manchar, and Chakkar Lehri Watersheds. The project will improve climate resilience through maximization of flood reduction benefits to the vulnerable communities.

PSX turns around to bullish trend, gains 365 points

By
Kamran Muraad
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0
ISLAMABAD, Sep 12 (APP): The 100-Index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Thursday turned around to bullish trend, gaining 365.82 points, a positive change of 0.47 percent, closing at 79,017.62 points against 78,651.80 points on the last working day.
A total of 584,276,012 shares were traded during the day as compared to 532,732,689 shares the previous day, whereas the price of shares stood at Rs 16.364 billion against Rs. 14.735 billion on the last trading day.
As many as 439 companies transacted their shares in the stock market, 212 of them recorded gains and 167 sustained losses, whereas the share price of 60 companies remained unchanged.
The three top trading companies were Kohinoor Spinning with 60,745,513 shares at Rs 8.87 per share, WorldCall Telecom with 57,978,199 shares at Rs.1.43 per share and TPL Properties with 32,499,453 shares at Rs.9.35 per share.
Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited witnessed a maximum increase of Rs.49.07 per share price, closing at Rs 918.78, whereas the runner-up was Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited with a Rs 48.00 rise in its per share price to Rs 17,440.00.
Mari Petroleum Company Limited witnessed a maximum decrease of Rs 83.34 per share closing at Rs 3,502.86 followed by Pakistan Engineering Company Limited with Rs 37.77 decline to close at Rs 872.00.

Petroleum prices reduced by Rs 47.54 per litre since May: NA told

By
NNPS Desk
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ISLAMABAD, Sep 12 (APP): Minister for Petroleum Division Dr Musadik Masood Malik on Thursday apprised the National Assembly that petroleum prices in the country had witnessed Rs 47.54 per litre decrease since May.

Responding to various questions, the minister said, “Pakistan purchases fuel at international market rate, however, we get some discount on its premier.”

“Under an agreement, we are purchasing diesel from Kuwait at international rate with discount on premier. Sometime, we get relaxation in payment period of the fuel cost from friendly countries”, he added.

The minister said fuel prices were directly linked with the international market, besides dollar-rupee parity. Since the inception of incumbent government, the Pakistani rupee had stabilized against dollar, he added.

Musadik said the benefit of reduction in fuel prices at international market were always passed on to the people.

The minister said the government was making efforts to bring retailers and wholesalers under tax net gradually so petroleum levy could be minimized. With increase in tax to GDP ratio, the rate of petroleum levy would decrease, he added.

To a question, he said that as per policy, the stock of petrol-diesel was always maintained in the country to meet 21 days’ requirement.

PM hails 2% cut in policy rate by State Bank

By
NNPS Desk
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ISLAMABAD, Sep 12 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday lauded the announcement by the State Bank of Pakistan to slash the policy rate by 2%, calling it a step to boost investors’ confidence.

“The reduction in policy rate is welcoming for country’s economy. This will help boost investors’ confidence in Pakistan’s economy thus increasing investment,” the prime minister said in a statement issued by the PM Office.

The swift decline in the inflationary trend led to the reduction in policy rate, he said and expressed the hope for further decline in inflation in the coming months.

The prime minister also appreciated the federal finance minister and other relevant departments for their efforts to revive the economy.

Rupee gains 10 paisa against dollar

By
Kamran Muraad
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0
ISLAMABAD, Sep 12 (APP):Pakistani rupee on Thursday appreciated by 10 paisa against the US dollar in the interbank trading and closed at Rs278.44 against the previous day’s closing of Rs278.54.
However, according to the Forex Association of Pakistan (FAP), the buying and selling rates of the dollar in the open market stood at Rs 279 and Rs 280.85 respectively.
The price of Euro decreased by Rs 1.05 to close at Rs 306.46 against the last day’s closing of Rs 307.51, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
The Japanese yen came down by 02 paisa and closed at Rs1.95, whereas a decrease of Rs 1.41 was witnessed in the exchange rate of the British Pound, which traded at Rs362.93 as compared to the last day’s closing of Rs364.34.
The exchange rates of the Emirates Dirham and Saudi Riyal decreased by 03 paisa and 04 paisa to close at Rs 75.80 and Rs74.19 respectively.

Women possess immense potential for skill development, art and design: Governor

By
Kamran Muraad
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0
PESHAWAR, Sep 12 (APP):Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Thursday said that women possess immense potential for skill development, particularly in the fields of art and design.
Their creativity and innovative thinking drive advancements and bring fresh perspectives to the industry. Investing in women’s talents not only enhances their personal growth but also contributes significantly to cultural and economic progress.
Empowering women in art and design can lead to groundbreaking contributions and a richer, more diverse creative landscape.
Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said this in a meeting delegation from the Arts and Design Department of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University at the Governor House.
The delegation, including Sehrish Zafar, Aneela Mudassar, Saima Naseer, Saniya Siraj, and Nida, discussed various proposals aimed at enhancing the province’s soft image through art and design.
The delegation highlighted the lack of infrastructure at the university, including designated spaces for practical activities, display centers, and classrooms, which has hindered research and practical work for the students.
They informed the Governor about a proposal sent to the Higher Education Commission, JICA, and the Museum Department, adding the HED also had not seen any progress since 2021 in this regard.
Additionally, the delegation proposed establishing a Biennale 3D Installation Exhibition in Peshawar.
During the discussion, the Governor assured full support for the department and recommended preparing a comprehensive new proposal.
He also suggested informing him about countries that support fine arts.
The Governor committed to engaging with the Higher Education Commission and relevant departments regarding funding and development partners for a display center at the Peshawar Museum.
He emphasized that such art exhibitions would positively showcase the province and the country on the global stage and promised robust support for promoting these activities.
Furthermore, the Governor extended an invitation to the faculty to hold an exhibition at the Governor House, assuring them of full cooperation from his office.
Meanwhile, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, welcomed Tamim Gundapur, the fastest female sprinter from the National Games 2023, to the Governor House in Peshawar.
Tamim Gundapur, who hails from South District Dera Ismail Khan, shared her impressive achievements with the Governor.
She detailed her accolades, including being the top athlete in inter-provincial games in 2020 and 2021, the best athlete in the province in 2022, and the fastest female sprinter in the National Games 2023.
Tamim holds national records in 100 and 200 meters and was the first female sprinter from the province to represent the country in the 2023 Asian Games.
She is also set to compete in the Athletics Championship at the SAF Games in India this October.
Tamim highlighted that she is among the top four female sprinters in Pakistan, having completed the 100-meter race in 11.8 seconds, making her the youngest in this elite group.
Governor Kundi praised her accomplishments, stating that female athletes are a source of national pride and serve as role models for the younger generation.
He emphasized the need to promote a positive image of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and pledged to improve sports facilities and opportunities for women at the district level.
Kundi acknowledged the current lack of activity in sports fields in the province and vowed to revive them.
He commended Tamim for her exceptional performance and expressed hope that she will continue to bring honor to the country in upcoming international competitions, including the South Asian Federation Games.
Meanwhile, Diljan Khan, former Inspector General of Police and Chairman of the Diljan Foundation, called on Governor Faisal Karim Kundi at the Governor House to discuss the foundation’s performance and various issues.
Diljan Khan informed the Governor about the operational hospital in Begu Khel of Lakki Marwat, managed by the foundation, which provides free medical treatment to local patients, including free surgeries for those in need.
He also highlighted the foundation’s regular annual medical camps, which examine thousands of patients and provide necessary medicines. Additionally, the foundation supports orphans and widows.
The Governor praised the foundation’s role in selflessly serving the public and emphasized that serving humanity is a noble act. He assured the Chairman of his full support for the foundation’s ongoing efforts.
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