ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has reconstituted the Council of Common Interests (CCI), ARY News reported on Friday.As per details, the notification regarding reconstitution of CCI was issued after the approval of Shehbaz Sharif.According to the notification, eight-member CCI will be headed by PM Shehbaz as a chairman whereas four Chief Ministers have also been included as members.Moreover, Foreign minister has been included in CCI instead of finance minister for the first time in the country's history.Foreign minister Ishaq Dar is part of the CCI as member and Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Minister Safiran Ameer Muqam was also included in CCI.Read more: PM Shehbaz reconstitutes ECC with Aurangzeb as its chairmanEarlier, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif reconstituted the federal cabinet’s Economic Coordination Committee (ECC).According to the official notification, the Economic Coordination Committee was reconstituted and Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb was appointed as its chairman.The notification stated that the finance minister will head the panel with the four other ministers including economic affairs, commerce, power, petroleum, and planning, development and special initiatives, notified as its members.
FAISALABAD: The investigation in charge of Punjab police was reportedly arrested for taking bribes from the chemical kite string manufacturers, ARY News reported on Friday.According to the details, a special police team took action against the investigation in-charge of Punjab police – named Ibrahim appointed at Ghulam Mohammadabad police station – and caught him red-handed for taking a bribe from the chemical kite string manufacturers in Faisalabad.The Regional Police Officer (RPO) suspended all the staff including the Station House Officer (SHO), Ali Imran, of Ghulam Mohammadabad police station, and ordered SSP Operations Hasan Javed to conduct an inquiry into the matter.Earlier, Punjab Police started a crackdown against kite-flying and selling in the province after directives from Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.READ: Punjab police register 245 cases against kite makers, flyersThe police register cases and arrest kite and chemical string makers, while the people are warned against kite-flying by public announcements.The police arrested 29 kite flyers in Lahore and seized kites and chemical string from their possession.Police monitoring high-rise buildings and seized 2,000 kites and 50 chemical-laced strings in Khushab from a kite-seller.Police conducted raids over string-making factories in Faisalabad and arrested 13 accused involved in the lethal business. The officials also seized metal string-making machines, kites, and raw materials.Police in raids over two string-making factories in Madanpura, Faisalabad arrested 13 kite-sellers. It also seized six metal string-making machines and kites.
KARACHI: A minor boy was rushed to the hospital after sustaining injuries from a loose kite string while riding a motorcycle with his father in Karachi’s Nazimabad area, ARY News reported on Friday.According to the details, the number of people injured by kite strings is increasing in Karachi as well, this time two and a half-year-old child Abdul Bari has been injured by a string used for kite flying in Nazimabad.The victim was heading towards the site area with his father on a bike when a loose kite string injured his face and lips, however, the condition of the kid is stable.Earlier, a 20-year-old young man was hospitalized after suffering serious injury because of a loose kite string in Azizabad area of Karachi.In a statement, the police said the 20-year-old man – identified as Awais – was riding a motorbike when he was entrapped by kite string in Azizabad.The police said he was shifted to a hospital where his condition was said to be out of danger.The incident comes in the wake of the Punjab police’s intensifying crackdown across the province on kite flying after death of a young man in Faisalabad in a similar incident.The incidents prompted Punjab Chief Minister (PM) Maryam Nawaz to order a crackdown on the making, selling, and buying of chemical used for the purpose.
ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said that the real culprits of Shangla attack will be brought to justice, ARY News reported.He gave the assurance to the special investigation team that came from China during a meeting at the Chinese embassy in Islamabad.The Interior Minister briefed the Chinese investigation team about the progress made so far in the investigation into the incident.Measures pertaining to the protection of Chinese nationals and overall security were also discussed on the occasion.The Interior Minister also met with the Chinese Ambassador and updated him on the probe into Shangla incident.Read more: CTD registers Shangla suicide attack FIREarlier, a first information report (FIR) of the Shangla terror attack was registered on behalf of the state in the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Wednesday evening.According to the FIR, at least five Chinese nationals and their local driver were killed when a suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden car into their convoy.The convoy consisting of 12 vehicles was travelling from Islamabad to Dasu Dam in Kohistan, when a suicide bomber hit one of the coaches with an explosive-laden vehicle, the FIR stated.The explosion caused fire in the targeted vehicle that fell into a deep ditch, resulting in the death of six people.Dasu is the site of a major dam, and the area has been attacked in the past. A blast on a bus in 2013 killed 13 people, including nine Chinese nationals.
DUKI: Five mine workers were killed as roof of a room collapsed due to torrential rains in Duki district, ARY News reported on Friday.As per details, the worker were inside the room when the roof collapsed during the torrential rain and all five workers were buried under the debris.The police officials stated that the dead bodies of the deceased were moved to the nearby hospital.Earlier, a new westerly weather system lashed several cities and towns of the country with rainfall and dust storms.Read more: Rain lashes Sindh districts, dust storms in BalochistanA new westerly wave entered in Balochistan recently bring rainfall in Sukkur, Larkana, Khairpur, Jacobabad, Dadu, Naushehro Feroz, Shikarpur and Sanghar districts of Sindh.The weather system caused dust storms in Chagai, Dalbandin and Kharan and rainfall in Chaman, Dera Bugti, Mastung and Jhal Magsi districts of Balochistan.Sporadic rainfall also reported in Khushab, Chiniot, Shorkot in Punjab and Malakand in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.Yesterday, rain and windstorms with thunderstorms were predicted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and northern Balochistan. Dust storms and dust-raising winds were blown in southern parts of the country.
The first woman Chief Minister of Punjab – Maryam Nawaz – on Friday approved the ‘Nawaz Sharif Kisan Card’ to facilitate the farmers in the province, ARY News reported.Punjab’s Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz chaired a meeting regarding the agricultural reforms where she approved the 'Nawaz Sharif Kisan Card' for farmers.Through the Kisan Card program, farmers will get various types of subsidies, while, a total of 500,000 small farmers in Punjab can get loans of Rs 150 billion within a year with each farmer will be eligible for a loan of Rs 30,000 per acre of agricultural landDuring the meeting, CM Maryam Nawaz stated that with the private sector collaboration, a model agriculture center will be built in every district of the province, through which the farmers will get rid of fake fertilizers and medicines.READ: Farmers’ body demands agri-emergency in PakistanIn the meeting, the Agriculture Department was directed to compile complete data on production and demand of each crop, while the meeting approved the creation of a state of art center of excellence for research development on cotton, wheat and rice crops.The meeting participants agreed to control the administrative affairs through the board and to link the research center with regional universities.It was also decided to build a research development center at the cost of Rs 2 billion in Agricultural University Faisalabad with the cooperation of China.Apart from this, it was agreed to equip the Agricultural Extension Wing with modern technology, recruit 500 agricultural graduates, review the restructuring of the Punjab Seed Corporation and the Punjab Agricultural Research Board and propose a law to prevent the use of agricultural land for residential purposes.
WASHINGTON: The US State Department said that they have made clear to the Afghanistan that it is their responsibility to ensure that they give no safe haven to terrorists, whether it be al-Qaida or ISIS-K or any other terrorist organization, ARY News reported.Addressing a news briefing in Washington, state department spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the US remain committed to ensuring that Afghanistan can never again be a launching pad for terrorism, and US continue to push the Taliban to fulfill all of their counterterrorism commitments to the international community.Responding to a question on ISIS, Miller stated US has maintained an unwavering focus on terrorism since the President took office three years ago, working both unilaterally and with our partners to successfully disrupt threats around the globe and degrade ISIS.In February 2022, operating on the President’s orders, U.S. military forces successfully targeted Haji Abdullah, the leader of ISIS, later that year, he added.The state department spokesperson said that at the President’s direction, the United States successfully concluded an airstrike in Kabul, Afghanistan, that killed the emir of a different terrorist group, al-Qaida – Ayman al-Zawahiri and US will continue to work to hold ISIS accountable for its actions and to prevent terrorist attacks against the United States and other Western countries.
PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet approved Eid package of ten thousand rupees cash for deserving people of the province, ARY News reported.As per details, the cabinet also approved Rs 7.6 billion rupees for procurement of vehicles and security equipment for Police of merged districts.The approval was given during a cabinet meeting chaired by provincial Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur in Peshawar today.The meeting endorsed MoU between Information Technology Board and a Special Technology Zone Authority for establishment of Pakistan Digital City.The cabinet agreed over rules for appointment of Chief Executive Officer and Members of Executive Committee of Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization.It is pertinent to mention here that Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur earlier said that a comprehensive plan prepared for restoration of law and order in the province as it was top priority of his government.He said the implementation over that plan would be started soon as better law and order situation was imperative for progress of any area.He said the steps would also be taken for the safety of police and other forces. The chief minister said the government has restored ‘health-card’ facility.“We have to improve the treatment facilities at public hospitals,” he said and hoped that soon the people would not have need to visit private hospitals as provision of all facilities would be ensured at public hospitals.
KARACHI: As the robbery incidents continue to rise in Karachi, another young man was killed by armed robbers for resisting robbery in the port city, ARY News reported on Friday.As per details, the tragic incident occurred on Rashid Minhas Road when armed robbers gunned down a man identified as Syed Rehbar.Following the incident, citizens caught the robber and beaten him to death when the robber tried to flee.Moreover, the Sindh Home Minister took notice of the incident and ordered to suspend SHO Shahrah-e-Faisal Police station.Earlier this week, a young man was shot dead by robbers while he was returning home after attending an Iftar party at his maternal uncle’s house in Surjani Town.Related: Karachi: At least 45 killed over robbery resistance so far this yearThirty-two-year-old Zohaib, son of Irfan, was killed by motorbike-borne robbers near Sector 4D in the Abdullah Morr area and fled from the spot.Javed, the uncle of Zohaib, said, his nephew reached the house to break fast with him and when he was returning to his home in Liaquatabad, he was targeted by four robbers riding two bikes.Javed said when Zohaib tried to overpower robbers, they fired shots at him, with a bullet piercing through his mobile phone kept in the pocket of his shirt and hitting him in the chest. The wound proved fatal.The victim was unmarried and employed in a motorcycle-manufacturing company, he added.It is pertinent to mention here that at least 45 Karachi citizens have been killed so far in 2024 over resisting robberies with February recording the highest number of 20 killings.Month-wise data showed that February recorded the most killings with 20 citizens losing their lives to the robbers.In January, as many as 13 people were killed by robbers while around 12 city dwellers were murdered by the dacoits so far during the current month.
KARACHI: Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar ordered an inquiry after Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) East Azfar Mahesar's son Asher's aerial firing videos went viral on social media, ARY News reported.Earlier, video footage showed DIG Azfar Mahesar's son brandishing different kinds of weapons and resorting to aerial firing in several videos posted on social media.Asher was seen in different locations, sometimes in a moving car, relentlessly conducting aerial firing.Speaking to ARY News, Lanjar said that he has ordered Karachi police to do a forensic examination of the videos and initiate action against DIG Mahesar if he is found guilty in the case.Read more: Caught on camera: Heavy aerial firing by ‘students’ near SeaviewSoon after the videos circulated, Karachi police said that it had filed a complaint with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to investigate the matter.According to police, some of the videos were old and were edited, however, an inquiry has still been initiated into the matter.As many as 11 were injured in several parts of Karachi in aerial firing incidents on the new year 2024 eve.In the wake of the New Year celebrations in the country, Karachi police had warned revellers that they would be charged with terrorism for aerial firing.However, the police officials stated that the aerial firing injured a seven-year child in Bahadurabad, three at Five Star Chowrangi, two others at Seaview and one each in Liaquat Abad and North Nazimabad.
PESHAWAR: Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday held a meeting with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to discuss the security situation of the province.During the meeting, it was decided to beef up intelligence-based activities to end terrorism in the province.Both the leaders expressed regret over the deaths of the Chinese citizens in the suicide attack in Shangla. The federal interior minister directed effective measures to combat terrorism.He said Pakistani nations’ resolve cannot be defeated by the cowardly actions of the miscreants and the enemies.Gandapur said the provincial government was determined to take all possible steps to control terrorism, ensuring protection and safety of lives and properties of people of the province.It is pertinent to mention here that at least five Chinese nationals and their local driver had been killed when a suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden car into their convoy in KP's Bisham.The convoy consisting of 12 vehicles was travelling from Islamabad to Dasu Dam in Kohistan, when a suicide bomber hit one of the coaches with an explosive-laden vehicle.The explosion caused fire in the targeted vehicle that fell into a deep ditch, resulting in the death of six people.Dasu is the site of a major dam, and the area has been attacked in the past. A blast on a bus in 2013 killed 13 people, including nine Chinese nationals.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday that the revival of economy is the biggest challenge and topmost priority of the incumbent government.Talking to a delegation of All Pakistan Newspapers Society in Islamabad today, the premier said that a plan was underway to modernize the revenue collection system.The prime minister further said that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR is being fully digitized and efforts are afoot to increase the tax base.He highlighted that the government recently organized Tax Excellence Awards aimed at encouraging active taxpayers, exporters and women entrepreneurs.The Prime Minister said that privatization of government-owned enterprises, institutional reforms, internal and external investment and austerity are the government's priorities.Lauding the role of Media in ensuring good governance and providing awareness to the public, he urged the industry to effectively highlight the fruits of economic stability under SIFC.Terming fake news a big challenge, he underscored the need for working together against curbing this issue. He also invited the journalist community to support the government in its efforts for the development and prosperity of Pakistan.
SUKKUR: A 13-year-old boy was allegedly raped and killed in Sukkur's Regent area on Thursday, ARY News reported.According to the victim's father, his son Zainul Abideen was raped and later killed after he left home to get groceries last night.The police had earlier said that Abideen, a student in the fifth grade, was shot dead outside his home in the Regent area.The body of the victim was handed over to the family after the postmortem, police added.According to police, an investigation has been launched to apprehend the culprits involved in the crime.Meanwhile, the victim's family said that they had no animosity with anyone while alleging that their son was killed after being raped.
ABBOTTABAD: At least two minors were killed and four others in critical condition after eating poisonous apples in Havelian, ARY News reported, citing police.The fateful incident occurred in Chamnaka village falling under the Havelian police station jurisdiction, police said.The affected included two minors Afnan, 5, and Hina, 7, who along with other four children consumed the apples that were poisoned to kill wild animals, as per police.Read more: 16-year-old housemaid ‘poisoned to death’ in KarachiThe children were rushed to Ayub Teaching Hospital Complex soon after their condition deteriorated from the poison in the apples.A first information report has been registered regarding the incident as police began an investigation for further information.Last year, two children died and three others were in critical condition after drinking a poisoned milkshake in Sahiwal.As per details, a man's five children were rushed to the Teaching Hospital after drinking a milkshake made by their father.However, two of them a seven-month-old Anas and three-year-old Haram could not survive and were declared dead.
KARACHI: Sindh Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani asked the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) to show no compromise on the issue of illegal constructions in Karachi.During his first visit to the office of SBCA after assuming charge of his ministerial position, Saeed Ghani directed the SBCA officials to ensure 'indiscriminate and uncompromising' action against those involved in illegal construction in the city.He said the area additional director of the SBCA would be held responsible if, from now on, any unauthorised construction takes place in any locality in Karachi.The local government minister directed all building inspectors, senior building inspectors, and additional building inspectors to submit reports monthly regarding illegal construction in their respective jurisdictions.Saeed Ghani said the SBCA’s rules of business should clearly define the procedure for fixing responsibility for illegal construction in the city.He also directed the SBCA officials to launch a public awareness campaign to inform people about unauthorised constructions in the city to prevent them from purchasing such properties for their accommodation.The local government minister said that relevant laws and rules should be amended wherever necessary to ensure stern lawful action against builders involved in unauthorised construction.
United Kingdom (UK) High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott called on Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday and discussed various aspects of bilateral relations and regional developments.Both leaders agreed to further advance bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and the United Kingdom in all areas of mutual interest, including trade and investment, peace, security, and development cooperation.Earlier in the day, President Asif Ali Zardari has emphasized further strengthening trade and economic ties between Pakistan and the United Kingdom for mutual benefit.He was talking to British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott, who called on him in Islamabad today.Pakistan and the United Kingdom enjoy cordial relations reinforced by high-level interactions and people-to-people contacts over the years, Zardari added.He said stabilization of economy with a key focus on employment generation and poverty alleviation is one of the top priorities of the government.Highlighting climate change as a serious challenge to Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari informed the High Commissioner that Sindh province has mangrove forests over 600,000 hectares, which support the coastal ecosystem and contribute to environmental sustainability.Asif Zardari expressed his warm sentiments for His Majesty King Charles III and the Princess of Wales, Catherine Middleton, and wished them good health.
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday rejected the formation of a inquiry commission led by a retired judge to investigate the allegations of intelligence agencies in the judiciary levelled by six Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges.According to statement issued by the party, the PTI core committee expressed concerns over the meeting of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa on the “most sensitive matter” related to the judiciary.“The judges' letter has unveiled a significant threat to the judiciary's autonomy, directly addressed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan and the Supreme Judicial Council,” the statement said.PTI accused the government of being the prime beneficiary of ongoing unconstitutional interventions in the country. The Imran-led party demanded a judicial conference on the IHC judges’ letter.Following a letter surfaced related to the judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), the federal government has announced to establish an inquiry commission aims to investigate the issues raised in the letter.In a press conference held by Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Attorney General Mansoor Ali Shah, the announcement was made regarding the letter, primarily addressed matters pertaining to the tenure of the former Chief Justice, penned by the IHC judges.The commission, to be formed under the Inquiry Commission Act, will entrust an impartial retired judicial figure with the inquiry.
ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa said that interference in the judicial affairs by the 'executive' will not be tolerated under any circumstances, ARY News reported.“The CJP clearly stated that interference by the executive in the affairs and judicial workings of judges will not be tolerated and under no circumstances can independence of the judiciary be allowed to be compromised,” a statement issued by the top court read.The statement was released following Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's meeting with Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa and the SC's full court meeting.The CJ and the Senior Puisne Judge stated that independence of judiciary is a foundational pillar that upholds the rule of law and a strong democracy.As per the statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz fully ‘endorsed’ the views expressed by the CJP and Senior Puisne Judge, assuring them to take appropriate measures to ensure an independent judiciary.The statement added that during the meeting a proposal was made to constitute an inquiry commission under the Pakistan Commissions of Inquiry Act, 2017 which should be headed by a retired Judge of impeccable integrity to inquire into the matter.Read More: IHC judges’ letter: Govt announces to form inquiry commission“The CJP received a letter from six judges of the Islamabad High Court on 25th March. Considering the gravity of the allegations levelled in the said letter, the CJP called a meeting on the same day with the Chief Justice and all the Judges of the Islamabad High Court. The concerns of all the Judges were heard individually in a meeting that lasted for over two and a half hours,” the statement read.It added that Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa called another full court meeting to brief other the judges on what had transpired at the meeting with the prime minister.Earlier in the day, the federal government announced to establish an inquiry commission aims to investigate the issues raised in the letter.In a press conference held by Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Attorney General Mansoor Ali Shah, the announcement was made regarding the letter, primarily addressed matters pertaining to the tenure of the former Chief Justice, penned by the IHC judges.Read More: IHC judges seek SJC meeting over ‘interference’ in judicial affairsThe commission, to be formed under the Inquiry Commission Act, will entrust an impartial retired judicial figure with the inquiry.Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar stated that the Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa also endorsed the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the matter.Highlighting the distinction between Parliament and the High Court, Azam Nazir Tarar reiterated that judges and politicians have their respective duties and responsibilities.The matter to limelight when six serving judges of Islamabad High Court (IHC) penned a letter to Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), urging it to summon a judicial convention to review matter of “interference of intelligence agencies with judicial functions”.Six IHC top judges – including Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani, Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, Justice Baqir Sattar, Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir, and Justice Salman Rafat Imtiaz – penned the letter to SJC in the aftermath of Supreme Court’s March 22 judgement on Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui’s dismissal case.In the letter, the top judges sought guidance from the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) with regard to the duty of a “judge to report and respond to actions on part of members of the executive, including operatives of intelligence agencies, that seek to interfere with discharge of his/her official functions and qualify as intimidation”.It pointed out the Supreme Court’s March 22 judgement on Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui’s dismissal case, in which it has been declared that Justice Siddiqui was wrongfully removed on the basis of a SJC report dated 11.10.2018, and would be deemed to have retired as a judge of the IHC.
Pakistan retained its "secondary emerging markets" status for the next six months in FTSE Russell's first 2024 review, ARY News reported.However, the global index provider said that the country faced the risk of demotion as its index weight declined over the past few years.According to a Bloomberg report, the market capitalisation of Pakistan clocked in at $100 billion in 2017 which declined to $21 billion in 2024.However, it said that the decision to maintain Pakistan's status as secondary emerging markets comes after positive developments on the political front following the formation of a stable government.Bloomberg considered the election of reform-friendly Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif a positive development for the cash-starved country.Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Shehbaz Sharif was elected as Pakistan’s 24th prime minister on March 4.PM Shehbaz secured 201 votes while his Sunni Ittehad Council’s (SIC) opponent Omar Ayub Khan secured 92 votes.Read more: Pakistan to ‘seek’ fresh IMF loan programOn the economic front, Pakistan reached a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) earlier this month on the second and final review under Pakistan’s Stand-By Arrangement.According to the official statement issued by an IMF team led by Nathan Porter, IMF reached a staff-level agreement with Pakistan on the second and final review of the country’s stabilization programme supported by the IMF’s US$3 billion (SDR2,250 million) SBA approved.The agreement is subject to approval by the IMF’s Executive Board, upon which the remaining access under the SBA, US$1.1 billion (SDR 828 million), will become available.Soon after the February 8 election, the newly-elected PML-N-led government was reported to have been planning to avail a fresh IMF loan programme.Pakistan is likely to seek $6 to 8 billion loan program from the international lender and for this immediate contact will be made with the IMF for negotiations. The sources further said the conditions of the International Monetary Fund would be stricter this time.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Thursday directed immediate disciplinary action against the officers involved in electricity theft and its facilitation.He gave these directions while chairing a review meeting on the prevention of electricity theft. The prime minister said those who caused loss of billions of dollars to national exchequer will be punished.The present situation of the economy could not bear the problem of electricity theft, he added. He said a strategy should be formulated at the earliest for decreasing line losses and for upgradation of transmission lines.He said generation companies were a burden on the national exchequer and work should be started on their privatization at the earliest.A report on complete plan for solarization of tubewells in Balochistan should be presented, the prime minister added.During the meeting, it was decided to install smart meters on transformers under the public sector development programme. Feeder monitors would be deployed at the feeders which were causing huge losses.The meeting was briefed that the areas with low rate of electricity theft would have less loadshedding.The prime minister said under the anti-theft campaign, since September 2023, Rs 57 billion were recovered.Under the electricity anti-theft campaign, 45,777 people in Punjab, 1250 in Sindh, 5121 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 181 were arrested in Balochistan. During the campaign, 350 personnel of distribution companies were suspended for their bad performance or abetment.It was told that the task forces set up at district and division levels for stopping theft of electricity would be given part of the recovery amount for their good performance.Federal Minister for Power Awais Ahmed Leghari, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, Federal Minister for Industry and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Federal Minister for Petroleum Musadiq Malik and relevant officers attended the meeting.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to prioritise completion of free trade deals with Britain and Oman in the first 100 days of the next government if he wins upcoming elections as opinion polls predict, two government sources said.Modi has asked Indian ministries to set annual goals for the next five years that will fit into a 100-day action plan as he chalks out a strategy to fuel further growth in Asia's third-largest economy.Among its goals for the 100-day plan, the trade ministry aims to feature the pacts with Britain and Oman, as talks on both deals are in their final stages, said the sources, who have direct knowledge of the discussions.They sought anonymity as details of the plan are private.This month Modi identified integrating India into world trade as a key priority area in talks with senior government officials, according to a document seen by Reuters.Some of the objectives will be discussed on May 1, when India will be in the middle of its seven-phase election, set to start on April 19 with vote-counting due on June 4, at which Modi will be seeking a rare third term.The trade ministry and Modi's office, which will make a final decision on the priorities, did not respond to a request for comment.A spokesperson for Britain's department for business and trade said the two countries were "continuing to work towards an ambitious trade deal".The spokesperson added, "Whilst we don't comment on the details of live negotiations, we are clear that we will only sign a deal that is fair, balanced and ultimately in the best interests of the British people and the economy."Ahead of India's elections, both nations this month put on hold their two-year long negotiations without a deal, while reaffirming their commitment to a new pact aimed at doubling their trade by 2030. Britain also holds elections this year.Reuters could not immediately contact an Oman official. The trade ministers of India and Oman met in December and said they had asked their negotiators to wrap up talks on a comprehensive pact, opens new tab so as to hasten signing of a deal.Trade between the countries has more than doubled in two years to $12.39 billion in the last fiscal year.
LEARN MORECAIRO: Israeli strikes on the northern Syrian city of Aleppo early on Friday killed 38 people, including five members of Hezbollah, two security sources said. The Syrian defence ministry said earlier on Friday that a number of civilians and military personnel were killed after Israel and militant groups launched attacks against Aleppo. The Israeli airstrikes targeted several areas in Aleppo's countryside at about 1:45 a.m. local time (2245 GMT), the ministry said a statement. The airstrikes coincided with drone attacks carried out from Idlib and western rural Aleppo that the ministry described as having been conducted by "terrorist organisations" targeting civilians in Aleppo and its surroundings. However, the ministry did not mention a specific death toll or clarify whether the casualties were caused by the Israeli airstrikes or the attacks by militant groups. "The aggression resulted in the martyrdom and injury of a number of civilians and military personnel and caused material losses to public and private property," the statement said. The Israeli military declined comment. Since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israeli civilians and soldiers, Israel has escalated its strikes on what it says are bases of Iranian-backed militia in Syria. It has also struck Syrian army air defences and some Syrian forces. Israel has for years carried out such attacks in Syria, where Tehran's influence has grown since it began supporting President Bashar al-Assad in a civil war that started in 2011. Fighters allied with Iran, including Hezbollah, now hold sway in vast areas of eastern, southern and northwestern Syria and in several suburbs around the capital. Israel and Hezbollah have been trading fire across the Israel-Lebanon border since the war erupted in Gaza, the biggest escalation since they fought a month-long conflict in 2006.
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