ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Monday passed the Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 which would give the legislative effect to the taxation proposals of the federal government.The bill was taken by the House as the supplementary agenda and Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar moved the bill.The House passed the amended bill which aims to give legislative effect to the taxation proposals of the federal government to liquidate a significant number of appeals pending before Commissioner IR (Appeals) and Appellate Tribunals as ATIR is the last fact-finding authority in the appellate hierarchy provided in fiscal statutes.Over the years, and for various reasons, including arbitrary constitution of benches, inadequate number of benches, delay in fixation of cases and disposal of appeals, a substantial amount of revenue, to the tune of Rs 2 trillion, is held up in litigation before the ATIR.Earlier, a meeting of Senate Special Committee to consider and make recommendations on the Money Bill, the Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 was held at Parliament House.Attorney General of Pakistan, Mansoor Awan, briefed the committee that the primary objective of the Money Bill is to create a dedicated ‘Director General Law’ position within the FBR for the timely disposal of tax litigation pending before Commissioner Inland Revenue and Appellate Tribunals.Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar and Chairman FBR Malik Amjed Zubair Tiwana and other senior officials of Finance division and FBR also attended the meeting.The Attorney General further added that Money Bill will serve as a safeguard against tax evasion, as the government is determined to broaden the tax base to combat the current financial crunch.Moreover, the Money Bill curtails the period of appeals before the High Court from ninety days to thirty days and restricts the jurisdiction of Commissioner Appeal to cases where the value of tax does not exceed 10 million rupees, with the right of appeal in cases where the value assessment exceeds 10 million rupees before Appellate Tribunals.After detailed deliberation, the Special Committee passed the Money Bill with amendments. 

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Monday raised a matter relating ‘imposition’ of tax on individuals using solar panels for residential or commercial purposes in the Senate, ARY News reported.According to the details, PPP’s Senator Palwasha Khan in her speech said that news has emerged that the government is planning to impose a tax on solar energy consumers.She said that in the wake of a hike in electricity prices, people sold their belongings to install solar panels.PPP’s Senator Sherry Rehman responded that the Power Ministry already gave an explanation and refuted the reports. “It should be found out who has spread this news,” she demanded.Read more: Govt proposed to impose tax on solar energy consumersEarlier on Friday, it was reported that the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) has proposed the federal government to impose a tax on individuals using solar panels for residential or commercial purposesThe sources privy to the development said that the CPPA has proposed a tax of Rs 2,000 per kilowatt on residential and commercial consumers installing 12 kilowatts or more.The CPPA’s recommendation, which was sent to the Ministry of Energy (Power Division) for approval, has now been forwarded to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for final approval.After the prime minister’s approval, the consumers who install 12 kilowatt solar panels will have to pay a tax of Rs 24,000, according to the reports.Meanwhile, the Power Division on Saturday refuted reports regarding the imposition of a fixed tax on solar power, terming them as baseless and misleading.In a statement, the Power Division clarified that no such summary has been sent to the government regarding the imposition of a fixed tax on solar power.The Power Division stated that the subsidy of Rs 1.90 per unit is borne by the government, which is affecting around 2.5 to 3 crore poor consumers and is putting an undue burden on them.

RAWALPINDI: Four terrorists were gunned down in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) Khyber district, ARY News reported on Monday, quoting Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).According to military’s media wing, the security forces conducted an intelligence based operation (IBO) in Khyber district on reported presence of terrorists.During an intense exchange of fire, the security forces killed four terrorists, including Qari Wajid aka Qari Biryal and Raziq. Meanwhile, the troops also destroyed hideouts of the terrorists.These terrorists remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from them, the ISPR said.“Locals of the area appreciated the operation by the Security Forces, who remain determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the country,” it added.The operation came amid a surge in terrorist activities across the country, especially in KP and Balochistan, since the outlawed militant group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022.In a similar operation on April 25, ISPR reported that security forces gunned down three terrorists in Khyber district.During the conduct of the operation, three terrorists including their leader Sohail aka Azmatu were gunned down fter an intense fire exchange. One of the other two terrorists was identified as Haji Gul alias Zarqawi.The ISPR said that the hideout of the terrorists was also destroyed during the operation while weapons and bullets were recovered from the killed terrorists.

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) summoned Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur in assets beyond income case, ARY News reported.According to the details, the ECP directed CM Gandapur to appear in person on Tuesday and submit an explanation regarding his assets.Earlier, the ECP accepted a plea seeking the disqualification of the chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur for a hearing. A two-member ECP bench issued a short order on the plea, maintaining that Ali Amin Gandapur did not submit his assets to the election commission.In the plea, it was contended that Ali Amin Gandapur had got 735 kanals of land in Dera Ismail Khan transferred in his name unlawfully.Read more: ECP accepts plea seeking CM Gandapur’s disqualificationThe disqualification plea read that the chief minister KP is not eligible to hold public office. “Ali Amin Gandapur should be disqualified and de-seated as a member of the KP Assembly for submitting a false statement,” the plea maintained.Meanwhile, CM Gandapur moved to the Peshawar High Court and challenged the ECP’s notice in the case.The chief minister maintained in the plea that all election-related documents have been submitted and there is no justification for the ECP’s notice.The petition argued that the returning officer has already verified the nomination papers, and the ECP has no authority to take action against the chief minister.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker Asad Qaiser on Monday termed the May 9 events a ‘conspiracy’ against his party, alleging that it was orchestrated by former caretaker chief minister Mohsin Naqvi and Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Usman Anwar, ARY News reported.“The nation has buried your narrative of May 9 on February,” the PTI leader said, calling for establishment of judicial commission to probe the incidents.Speaking on the National Assembly (NA) floor, Asad Qaiser said that all four chief justices of provincial courts should be part of the judicial commission and probe the May 9 conspiracy, which according to him was hatched by Mohsin Naqvi and Punjab IGP.He also questioned the incumbent government’s ‘double standards’ in allowing political parties for organising public gatherings, saying that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) gets permission to hold rally but when PTI wants the same Section 144 is imposed.“Holding public gatherings and rallies is our constitutional right,” Qaiser said, asking under which law PTI was not allowed to hold meetings. “You [the government] is answerable for sabotaging constitution and law.”Asad Qaiser further said that cases were registered against PTI MNAs, including Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, over peaceful protests, while lawmakers from Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) were arrested.Read More: Omar Ayub demands independent commission on May 9 riotsThe PTI leader emphasised the need for a strong parliament and the rule of law in Pakistan. "We want a strong parliament, where the people's representatives can work effectively," he said, calling for an independent judiciary and civilian supremacy, which are essential for a “healthy democracy”.May 9 violenceViolent clashes erupted across Pakistan after former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan was arrested on May 9, 2023.The protests were held in remote and major cities as the party workers were agitated due to their chairman’s arrest, with Balochistan, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Islamabad summoning the armed forces to ensure law and order.Army installations, prominently Corps Commander’s house in Lahore, had come under attack during the protests by PTI workers.It is pertinent to mention that the PTI founder is named as main accused in all the May 9 riots cases.

PESHAWAR: Police, and Security Forces conducted a joint operation in the Khyber area, resulting in the elimination of four terrorists who were reportedly planning an attack in Peshawar, ARY News reported on Monday.The central police office in a statement claimed that the two among the four killed terrorists were later identified as the commanders of a terrorist organization and were planning a major attack in Peshawar.All four terrorists were equipped with heavy weapons as the police recovered two SMGs, one rifle, and 11 grenades from their possession.The central police spokesperson stated that the government had offered a bounty in the millions for the deceased terrorists.Earlier in the day, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on Monday claimed to have arrested four terrorists involved in the Bisham attack on the Chinese nationals.The five Chinese engineers — and their Pakistani driver — were killed in the suicide bombing, last week, while traveling between Islamabad and a hydroelectric dam construction site in Dasu in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The bus was attacked in the Bisham city of KP’s Shangla district.According to CTD, the arrested terrorists are associated with the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and have admitted to attacking Chinese nationals.The terrorists who took part in the attack on Chinese nationals have also been identified, the CTD said.

RIYADH: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that a peaceful Palestine is ‘necessary’ for a better future for the entire globe as peace in the world is 'linked' with peace in Gaza, ARY News reported.Addressing a special session of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Riyadh, PM Shehbaz also mentioned that the Ukraine-Russia war has led to a global increase in food prices.The prime minister was of the view that underdeveloped countries are suffering due to inflation in the global market.“Pakistan is among the countries most affected by climate change, which has had a devastating impact on our economy,” he added.He said that Pakistan is among the countries that have no role in climate change, yet suffering its consequences.PM Shehbaz said that floods in Pakistan have had a severe impact on the country’s economy, adding that friendly countries including Saudi Arabia have provided significant support.Read More: Pak-Saudi economic ties have entered ‘new era’: PM ShehbazThe prime minister also heaped praise on the leadership of Saudi Arabia for standing with Pakistan in difficult times.He said that Pakistan is working to implement wide-ranging reforms in the country to face challenges like climate change. PM Shehbaz said that Pakistan’s gas reserves are depleting rapidly, “but we are committed to finding solutions”.Earlier in the day, PM Shehbaz  said that the economic ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had entered a new era as both countries were set to take concrete measures to boost the volume of bilateral trade.The prime minister made these remarks during a meeting with Saudi Minister of Commerce Dr Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi on the sidelines of the Special Meeting of World Economic Forum here.Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar, Petroleum Minister Dr Musaddik Malik and Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi also attended the meeting.During the meeting, PM Shehbaz said the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) was playing an active role in promoting and facilitating foreign investment in the country.The Saudi minister told the prime minister that the Kingdom was prioritising trade and investment in Pakistan on the directives of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.

RIYADH: Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has invited a trade and business delegation from Malaysia to visit Pakistan and discuss enhancing trade and investment relations between the two countries, ARY News reported on Monday.  He extended the invitation during a meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on the sidelines of the Special Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Riyadh today.During the meeting, PM Shehbaz and his Malaysian counterpart recalled the historical ties between Pakistan and Malaysia, especially in the fields of education, science and technology and trade and undertook to enhance the cooperation in the future further.This was the first in person meeting between both leaders since Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was re-elected in March.The two leaders have, however, spoken twice on telephone, i.e. on March 4 when the Prime Minister took office as well as on April 10, this year on Eid ul Fitr.Following up on their warm conversations on telephone, the prime minister appreciated the leadership of Malaysian premier and also commended his knowledge of art and literature – particularly about the national poet of Pakistan Allama Iqbal.The two sides also agreed to have the next meeting of Joint Ministerial Commission in Islamabad soon.The Prime Minister reiterated his invitation to counterpart Anwar Ibrahim to undertake an official visit to Pakistan later this year. 

ISLAMABAD: In his first speech on National Assembly (NA) floor after elections 2024, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Monday questioned the 'legitimacy' of the incumbent parliament, saying that they have compromised on principles and "sold the democracy", ARY News reported.  Expressing concerns over state of representation in Pakistan, Fazlur Rehman asked is this really a people’s representative parliament. "Governments are formed in palaces and bureaucrats decided who would be the Prime Minister,” he alleged."How long will we continue to compromise? How long will we seek help from external forces for being elected as a lawmaker,” Maulana Fazl questioned.He noted that rigging took place in the 2018 elections, against which the public mobilized and achieved success. The rigging in the 2024 elections, he said, is even more shameful, as it resulted in bringing fake representatives into power.Fazl alleged that general elections in 2018 were rigged and the same drama was repeated in the February 8 elections. "How can our conscience be clear when sitting in this assembly, as both the losers and winners are not satisfied."Read More: Pakistan being pushed towards turmoil through ‘ill policies’: Fazlur RehmanHe also expressed frustration over the legislative process, claiming that lawmakers seem powerless to enact laws independently, raising concerns about accountability in a country marred by insecurity.The JUI-F chief alleged that the current assemblies were "sold off," with individuals lacking allegiance to Pakistan's founding ideology occupying seats of power.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XDmONcQhO8He also castigated the incumbent government's economic policies, holding them responsible for the country's financial woes. "India is dreaming of becoming a superpower, while we are begging to avoid bankruptcy. Who is responsible for this?""There are powers behind the walls controlling us, and they make decisions while we are just puppets," He claimed.Fazlur Rehman noted that every single child in Pakistan is burdened with a debt of Rs2-3 lakh. "We have made our country a victim of stagnation, such nations cannot progress," he added.Furthermore, he also advocated for allowing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to hold public gatherings, emphasising the importance of democratic rights.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uUdJcZP52cHe also announced holding ‘million march’ in Karachi and Peshawar on May 2 and May 9, respectively. He also warned authorities against stopping them, saying that they will invite trouble for themselves. "The people's flood cannot be stopped, and those who try will face the consequences."

KARACHI: In a remarkable feat of achievement, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Karachi has surpassed the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) 2023 goals, ARY News reported on Monday.According to the details, the CAA has surged ahead of the ICAO 2023 goals by an impressive margin and is currently on track to meet the ICAO 2030 benchmark.The audit, conducted by the ICAO for six days at HQ CAA and later four days at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, focused on various critical aspects of aviation security, FIA immigration procedures, passport issuance mechanism, airport security protocols, passenger screening procedures, entry control mechanisms, cargo handling procedures, perimeter security, and overall aviation auditing processes.READ: Britain institute provides training to Pakistan’s airport staffPakistan's ability to meet the ICAO 2023 goals and surpass them demonstrates its unwavering commitment to enhancing aviation security standards.The ten-day audit conducted by the ICAO in February aimed to strengthen global aviation security standards through continuous monitoring and rigorous audits.

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Monday announced that senior citizens could get driving licenses at home while students could avail the facility at colleges and universities. Mohsin Naqvi inaugurated the Islamabad Traffic Police Mobile Facilitation and Education Service in Islamabad. The facility comprising three mobile traffic vans will help citizens renew their licenses,  get learner permits and other related facilities at different public places.The mobile vans will also provide traffic awareness to citizens at educational institutions and on roads.Speaking on the occasion, the interior minister announced to provide facility of driving licenses to senior citizens at home. He said driving license facility for students will be ensured at educational institutions including colleges and universities.Mohsin Naqvi also inspected the mobile vans and reviewed the facilities provided to citizens to get the license.Regarding the delay in issuance of passports, the interior minister said that mismanagement is leading to delay of several months.“There are some issues with the issuance of passports, which are being resolved,” he added.Read More: KP Govt launches online driving license renewal for expatsEarlier on March 25, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has fulfilled the long-standing demand of overseas Pakistanis by announcing an online driving license renewal facility for them.According to a notification issued by the office of the Inspector General of Police, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, all overseas Pakistanis will be required to submit a scanned copy of their passport, national identity card, expired driving license, recent medical fitness certificate, and fee challan to the concerned Embassy or High Commission through email.The embassy will then forward the application to the office of the Inspector General of Police, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, via official email.

RIYADH: Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said that the economic ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had entered a new era as both countries were set to take concrete measures to boost the volume of bilateral trade.  The prime minister made these remarks during a meeting with Saudi Minister of Commerce Dr Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi on the sidelines of the Special Meeting of World Economic Forum here.Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar, Petroleum Minister Dr Musaddik Malik and Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi also attended the meeting.During the meeting, PM Shehbaz said the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) was playing an active role in promoting and facilitating foreign investment in the country.The Saudi minister told the prime minister that the Kingdom was prioritising trade and investment in Pakistan on the directives of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.A delegation of Saudi businessmen, traders and investors would soon visit Pakistan, he added.The Saudi minister said that the targets were being set to take the bilateral ties to a new height within one or one-and-half years.The premier further said that the Pakistani nationals had played a significant role in the progress and prosperity of Saudi Arabia.Saudi Minister Al-Qasabi stressed the need to further promote the sentiments about the Pak-Saudi ties among the youth and new generation. 

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz personally conducted interviews of the candidates for recruitment to important positions in the province, ARY News reported.In a statement issued here, the chief minister said that appointments to important positions will be made solely based on merit.CM Maryam vowed to eliminate favoritism and nepotism to ensure that only deserving individuals are appointed to key roles. “I will personally monitor the appointment process and ensure that the right person for the right job policy is strictly implemented,” she added.CM Maryam also warned that incompetent and corrupt officials will be held accountable, and only those who deliver results will retain their positions. “Regular meetings will be held to monitor the performance of each department,” the chief minister added.Earlier in the day, CM Maryam Nawaz inaugurated Kids’ Day Care Center at Children’s Hospital Lahore.Speaking on the occasion, she said the Punjab government is committed to providing quality healthcare services to people.Read More: CM Maryam approves Punjab ‘Apna Chat Apna Ghar’ projectCM Maryam Nawaz directed the relevant authorities to build a new ICU unit at the Children’s Hospital and directed to ensure timely release of funds for its early completion.The chief minister said that every penny is a trust of the nation, it would be spent transparently on the improvement of healthcare facilities. “We want to build the best hospital for people in every district” she vowed.CM Maryam Nawaz said the shortage of doctors in remote area hospitals would also be catered.She also visited the day care center and reviewed the facilities available there. She also met the children and presented them flowers. She directed the day care center staff to take good care of the children.

KARACHI: The KSE-100 of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) concluded on a negative note on Monday after losing 1,047.71 points with a negative change of 1.44 percent and closed at 71,695.03 points against 72,742.74 points the previous trading day, ARY News reported.In today’s trading session, the 100-index of PSX shows a range of movement, with the high surpassing all-time at 73,300.75 points and the low recorded at 71,602.94 points.A total of 613,314,754 shares valuing Rs 26.314 billion were traded during the day as compared to 541,144,650 shares valuing Rs 22.589 billion the last day.Some 385 companies transacted their shares in the stock market 133 of them recorded gains and 231 sustained losses, whereas the prices of 21 remained unchanged.It is pertinent to mention here that during the last business day of the week, the PSX touched new heights on Friday, gaining 771.35 points with a positive change of 1.07 percent and closed at 72,742.75 points against 71,971.40 points the previous trading day.In today’s trading session, the KSE-100 benchmark exhibits a range of movement, with the high touching 72,862.41 points and the low at 71,764.18 points.A total of 541,144,650 shares valuing Rs 22.589 billion were traded during the day as compared to 798,527,177 shares valuing Rs 27.542 billion the last day.Some 375 companies transacted their shares in the market with 175 of them recorded gains and 175 sustained losses, whereas the prices of 25 remained unchanged.

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister (CM) Ali Amin Gandapur on Monday challenged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)'s notice in assets case, ARY News reported.As per details, the petition was filed in Peshawar High Court stating that all election-related documents have been submitted and there is no justification for the Election Commission's notice.The petition argues that the returning officer has already verified the nomination papers, and the Election Commission has no authority to take action against the chief minister.It is worth mentioning here that the Election Commission of Pakistan has summoned CM Ali Amin Gandapur tomorrow in the assets case.Read more: ECP accepts plea seeking CM Gandapur’s disqualificationEarlier, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) accepted a plea seeking the disqualification of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur for hearing.A two-member ECP bench issued a short order on the plea, maintaining that Ali Amin Gandapur did not submit his assets to the election commission.In the plea, it was contended that Ali Amin Gandapur had got 735 kanals of land in Dera Ismail Khan transferred in his name unlawfully.The disqualification plea read that the chief minister KP is not eligible to hold public office. “Ali Amin Gandapur should be disqualified and de-seated as a member of the KP Assembly for submitting a false statement,” the plea maintained.

KARACHI: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Karachi on Monday sentenced life imprisonment to all four accused involved in the murder of former Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) lawmaker Ali Raza Abidi, ARY News reported.The court also imposed a fine of Rs100,000 on the four convicts.Former Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) lawmaker Syed Ali Raza Abidi was gunned down outside his residence in Defence area of Karachi on Dec 25, 2018.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by ARY News (@arynewstv) Unidentified assailants opened fire on the vehicle of Ali Raza Abidi near his house in Khayaban-e-Ittehad and managed to escape from the scene.Read: Court rejects bail plea of three suspects in Ali Raza Abidi murder caseAbidi was elected as an MNA on MQM's ticket in 2013 general elections.However, the lawmaker resigned from his National Assembly membership in November 2017 citing "political and personal reasons".

Senior politician and former federal minister Muhammad Ali Durrani has said that Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)'s hunger for power is on full display, ARY News reported on Monday.In an exclusive interview with ARY News, Durrani expressed disappointment over PTI's statements regarding talks with the establishment, saying "If they (PTI) wish to beg for power, they should do it openly, like PML-N and PPP," said Durrani. He urged PTI leaders to respect the people's trust and not humiliate democracy.The former minister that Ishaq Dar's appointment as Deputy Prime Minister is not a sign of authority, but a signal and a clear message. This development should be seen in the context of Nawaz Sharif's return as party president, he added.Durrani criticized PML-N saying that they want to go towards confrontation and revive the "Vote Ko Izzat Do" narrative. He also slammed PTI leadership for negotiating with the establishment, saying that they should not compromise on democratic principles.The senior politician questioned whether democratic goals can be achieved by degrading democracy. He criticized PML-N saying that they have not earned respect despite gaining power.He lashed out at politicians saying said that it seems like a group of selfish politicians are running the country, who are always engaged in conspiracies. He urged politicians to respect the people's trust and work for the betterment of the country.Durrani's comments came after the Opposition Leader in the Senate, Shibli Faraz said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is ready for conditional talks with Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) led coalition government.In an informal conversation with media, Shibli Faraz expressed his willingness to engage in dialogue with anyone including federal government for the betterment of Pakistan, but only if the government creates a conducive environment for talks.He emphasized that political cases must be withdrawn, and the rule of law and constitution must be upheld, demanding the release of PTI founder Imran Khan, women, and political prisoners, however, he stressed that legal cases should be pursued if they are genuine.The PTI senator further added that the government must allow political freedom and stop political victimization.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to announce an education emergency for four years to tackle the education crisis in Pakistan, ARY News reported on Monday.Sources said that the prime minister would officially declare education emergency in the country in a ceremony set to take place tomorrow (Tuesday).The ceremony would be attended by all chief ministers and education ministers of all four provinces.The step aims to bring back the out-of-school children into the education system and prevent further disparity in educational opportunities.Earlier, Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui took decisive action to tackle the education crisis gripping Pakistan.In a high-level meeting Wednesday, Minister Siddiqui expressed grave concern over the significant number of out-of-school children and unveiled ambitious plans to address this pressing issue.During the meeting, Minister Siddiqui announced his intention to advise the Prime Minister and the Federal Cabinet to declare a national education emergency.In a proactive step towards equipping the future workforce with essential skills, Minister Siddiqui had directed the Ministry to expedite the formulation of a strategy to train one million technology and IT-skilled workers.

ISLAMABAD: The K-Electric has sought a whopping Rs18.86/ unit hike in the power tariff on account of monthly Fuel Charges Adjustments (FCA) of seven months in an application to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), ARY News reported on Monday.The power utility has asked for an increase in the power tariff for Karachi consumers by Rs18.86/unit for seven months (July 2023 to March 2024).The sole power provider of the port city has requested to lower the power tariff for two months by Rs0.29/unit.The NEPRA will conduct a hearing on the K-Electric application on May 9.In a separate development on Saturday, it emerged that the federal government has finalised a plan to privatize profit-making power distribution companies (Discos).Read more: Electricity bills to surge as govt set to privatize DiscosSources in the power division told ARY News that the Shehbaz-led coalition government has finalised the plan to privatize five profit-making power companies.The power companies include Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO), Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO), Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO), Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO) and Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO).In the first phase, the government has decided to constitute new board for power companies, they say, adding that the privatization ministry has sent a summary to the cabinet regarding the formation of a high-powered 12-member board for Discos privatization.

ISLAMABAD: Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza on Monday advised Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to resign from assemblies once again, ARY News reported.As per details, the SIC Chairman took to X (Formerly Twitter) and suggested Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to resign from assemblies and take to the streets, saying that the party's leadership should reconsider its strategy.He said if justice is not served to PTI founder Imran Khan in the coming weeks, the party will not remain in the assemblies.The SIC chairman further stated that he will be the first person to resign from the National Assembly as a protest. PTI leadership need to consider resigning from assemblies and coming out on streets if Imran Khan didn't get justice in coming weeks , we are not sitting in the assemblies to give this government a breathing space . I will be the 1st one to resign from National Assembly for IK . — Sahibzada Hamid Raza (@_SahibzadaHamid) April 28, 2024 Earlier, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sardar Latif Khosa asserted that PTI founder Imran Khan will walk free from jail in April.The former prime minister’s sentence in the Toshakhana case was suspended by the court while the cipher case will not stand even a week.Downplaying former prime minister Imran Khan’s conviction in the cipher case, Khosa said that the documents were not presented before the court in the case while the PTI founder’s presence was not proved in any case related to the May 9 riots.The PTI leader reiterated that the PTI founder will neither cut a deal for his release nor will he leave the country.It is pertinent to mention that in a dramatic turn of events, 123 PTI MNAs had resigned from the National Assembly in April 2022, following the ouster of former prime minister Imran Khan.However, NA Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf accepted only 11 of the resignations initially, citing the need for individual verification of the remaining lawmakers. After a prolonged delay of eight months, Ashraf finally accepted the resignations of 69 more PTI MNAs and Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid.