A Chinese company has assured to install charging points for electric vehicles (EVs) throughout Sindh, announced Sindh Minister Sharjeel Memon.During a visit to the headquarters of Chinese automobile manufacturer Cherry in Wuhu, China, along with Syed Nasir Shah, Sharjeel Memon said EV charging points will be established every 50 kilometers in all districts of Sindh.“Our vision is to promote eco-friendly transportation through electric vehicles,” said Memon, adding that the project will also generate employment opportunities for the people of Sindh.He further revealed that an EV mini-truck assembly plant is also being set up in Karachi, which will help make EVs more affordable for the general public.Provincial Energy Minister Nasir Shah highlighted that Chinese investors have also pledged significant cooperation in solar energy projects.“Solar systems are being distributed to low-income households,” Shah said, emphasizing that household solarization will relieve citizens from the burden of high electricity bills.Read more: Electric vehicles’ charging tariff fixed at Rs 23.57/unitEarlier, the basic tariff of electric vehicle charging stations was fixed at Rs 23.57 per unit as the federal government’s request has been approved.The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has issued a decision approving the federal government’s request, reducing the basic tariff of electric vehicle charging stations by Rs 21.98 per unit.After the decision, the tariff has been reduced from Rs 45.55 to Rs 23.57 per unit. Meanwhile a request to remove capped margin of Rs 24.44 on vehicle charging stations also approved.

Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Karachi on Monday on a one-day visit, ARY News reported. Federal Minister for Education Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui received the Prime Minister upon his arrival in Karachi. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit the Pakistan Navy dockyard.https://youtu.be/LuNpQqSK5ksThe Prime Minister will meet the officers and men of the Pakistan Navy.PM will address and pay tribute to the officers and men of the Pakistan Navy who protected Pakistan’s maritime borders and maritime waters during the “Marka e Haq”.Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif, Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal and Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar are also accompanying the Prime Minister.Read more: PM Shehbaz Sharif urges neutral probe into Pahalgam incidentEarlier, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif stated that India had failed to share any evidence and falsely tried to link Pakistan to the Pahalgam incident.Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, stated that despite India’s provocative actions following the Pahalgam incident, Pakistan’s response was responsible and measured, as the PM Office Media Wing mentioned in a press release.He reiterated that Pakistan had always condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The prime minister expressed these views during a meeting with Ambassador of the Republic of Turkiye Dr. Irfan Neziroglu.

ISLAMABAD: Met office has warned of the heatwave conditions in most plains of the country in next two days as maximum temperature 48 Celsius recorded in Dadu district of Sindh.“The mercury expected to remain 04 to 06 degree Celsius above the normal temperatures in Sindh, Baluchistan, central and southern Punjab and southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,", Met Office said in a weather report.The weather will remain hot and dry in most areas of the country with severe hot weather in daytime in plans.However, likely rainfall with wind and thunderstorm expected in Gilgit Baltistan, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, upper Punjab and Kashmir.The weather will remain hot and dry in most parts of Sindh today, while strong/dusty winds blow likely in afternoon.Yesterday maximum temperature 48 Celsius recorded in Dadu district, 47 Celsius in Jacobabad, Sibi, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, Bhakkar and Sargodha and 46 degree at Mohen jo Daro and Larkana.The doctors have advised people to observe precautionary measures to avoid adverse impact of the intense hot weather by keeping them hydrated and avoiding to going outside in the peak hours of the searing temperatures.A westerly weather system is expected to enter upper parts of the country on 19th May. Rain fall is expected in Kashmir, Islamabad, Pothohar region including northeast Punjab, upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan on 19th/20th May.

China has said it was speeding up Mohamand Dam construction in Pakistan to mitigate water security risks after India threatened to cut supplies, according to a Chinese state-owned publication's report.India has suspended the World Bank brokered Indus Waters Treaty in the wake Pahalgam incident.https://youtu.be/8HflYuAENl8According to the report, the state-owned China Energy Engineering Corporation has been working on the Mohmand Hydropower Project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in northwestern Pakistan since 2019.CCTV further reported that the firm has started concrete filling on the dam to complete the project at earliest.The announcement from China comes as counter-move to Indian threats of suspending water supplies to Pakistan.The Mohmand dam in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is designed to serve as a multi-purpose facility for power generation, flood control, irrigation and water supply.It will generate an estimated 800MW of hydropower and supply 300 million gallons a day of drinking water to Peshawar, the capital and largest city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.Read more: Govt signs $72mn agreement for Mohmand Dam Power projectChina and Pakistan are also stepping up efforts on committed projects focusing on cooperation in industrial development, agriculture and the improvement of people’s livelihoods.The Diamer-Bhasha Dam and Power Project, nicknamed the “Three Gorges Project” by the Pakistani people, is one of many bilateral cooperation efforts between the two countries.

Karachi authorities continued action against illegal cattle markets across the city ahead of Eidul-Adha, ARY News reported on Monday.As per details, a major crackdown was launched by Sachal Police in the Safoora Chowrangi area and its surroundings against unauthorized cattle markets, following the imposition of Section 144 in the city.During the action, several makeshift cattle sheds were dismantled and dozens of animals were seized during the operation and at least 10 individuals were arrested for violating the ban.Law enforcement authorities have been issued strict instructions to take firm action against all illegal cattle markets operating across the city. Four FIRs have been registered so far in connection with these violations.Read more: Karachi cattle markets: Commissioner imposes section 144It is pertinent to mention that the Commissioner of Karachi imposed Section 144 on May 9, effective for one month, prohibiting the sale and purchase of animals along roadsides and in non-designated areas.Under the current directive, cattle markets are allowed only at 14 approved locations across Karachi’s seven districts.Any markets operating outside these authorized zones will face strict legal action.

The New York Times has described the recent India-Pakistan standoff as “the most expansive combat in half a century,” noting that “strategically, the battlefield stalemate was a clear setback for India.”“An aspiring diplomatic and economic power, it (India) now finds itself equated with Pakistan, a smaller, weaker country that Indian officials call a rogue sponsor of terrorism,” Times’ correspondents — Mujib Mashal, who is of Afghan origin, and Alex Travelli — wrote in an in-depth dispatch from New Delhi.Pointing out that Indian forces did manage to inflict some damage at Pakistani air bases, the lengthy dispatch said it followed “only after losing aircraft in aerial face-offs with its longtime adversary.”“The four-day clash reminded the world about India’s powerlessness to resolve 78 years of conflict” with Pakistan, the Times noted.“Any act of confrontation plays into the hands of Pakistan, where friction with India has long been a lifeblood,” it said, adding, “Outright military victory is nearly impossible, given the threat from both countries’ nuclear arsenals”.Citing Interviews with more than a dozen diplomats, analysts and officials, the dispatch said after multiple wars and several failed attempts at solving their disputes, which have shaped the subcontinent ever since Pakistan and India gained independence in 1947, the problem has only grown in complexity.“The risk of rapid escalation has increased as both sides deploy drones and other cutting-edge weapons on a large scale for the first time,” the dispatch said.“At the same time, the leadership in each country has embraced religious nationalism, and each has hardened its views of the other, making any conciliatory gesture all but impossible,” the dispatch said, noting India’s shift to strongman, Hindu-nationalist rule has left it boxed in whenever tensions rise, as the right-wing base of Prime Minister Narendra Modi often calls for blood.“That makes it harder to show the kind of restraint that India displayed in 2008, when terrorists killed more than 160 people in Mumbai — and to see that a war, beyond satisfying immediate political needs, could set back India’s ascent.”Pakistan categorically denied Indian allegations of its involvement in the attack.Seventeen years later, the report said, India responded by striking Pakistan militarily, “as part of a larger strategy to squeeze their adversary, including the threat of disrupting the flow of crucial cross-border rivers”.

Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Chief Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu visited the residence of Squadron Leader Usman Yousaf Shaheed in Rawalpindi to offer fateha and to convey his condolences to the bereaved family.https://youtu.be/F8DtFZn9sHkThe PAF chief paid rich tribute to Squadron Leader Usman Yousaf Shaheed, who gave the supreme sacrifice and embraced martyrdom in the line of duty during the recent enemy attack on an operational Air Base of Pakistan Air Force (PAF).Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu assured the family of the Shaheed officer that the services and sacrifices of our martyrs will forever be etched in the nation's memory and honored with unwavering reverence.He also offered Fateha for the elevation of the martyr’s ranks in heaven and prayed that Allah Almighty grant patience to the bereaved family.Read more: PAF’s aerial victory: How Pakistani jets shot down Indian Rafale, other aircraftsLater, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu visited Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi, where he met with injured personnel from Pakistan Air Force, Pakistan Army as well as civilians who sustained injuries during the conflict.He also received a comprehensive medical briefing on their condition and interacted with the wounded personnel, lauding their resilience and unwavering courage in the face of adversity.He directed the hospital staff that the best possible medical care and administrative support be provided to the injured personnel.Speaking on the occasion, Chief of the Air Staff reiterated Pakistan Air Force’s steadfast resolve to defend the aerial frontiers of Pakistan at every cost and to uphold the legacy of valour and commitment demonstrated by its personnel in the line of duty. PAK-INDIA CONFLICT

ISLAMABAD: The FBR's lawyers concluded their arguments over the Income Tax Ordinance Section IV-B, during hearing on the Super Tax in the Supreme Court's constitutional bench on Monday."Will you give your rejoinder on Section IV-B," Justice Aminuddin Khan asked the companies lawyer Makhdoom Ali Khan, who requested to the court to provide arguments of Dr. Shahnawaz and other lawyers in written form. "I will submit my rejoinder after reading arguments of other lawyers in case," lawyer said."I want to bring attention of the learned court on three decisions over section IV-B", Additional Attorney General (AAG) Amir Rehman said."All these decisions said that an additional tax can be enforced for a specific purpose," AAG said.Justice Aminuddin directed the AAG to submit it in writing. AAG told the bench he has received the case file this morning.Companies lawyer Makhdoom Ali Khan will begin his arguments on Thursday.The Supreme Court adjourned hearing of the case until May 22.The Supreme Court in previous hearing sought the complete record of cases pending in all five high courts regarding Super Tax.A five-member Constitutional Bench, headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan, hearing the case regarding the Super Tax.Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had announced a super-tax of 10 percent on large-scale manufacturers and industries in the country and said that industries related to steel, cement, sugar, oil and gas, fertilizers, energy and terminal, and textile will face a 10 percent tax.In addition, he said that the super tax will also be imposed on the banking and cigarette sectors.

Pakistan has set targets for the upcoming budget of 2025-26, ARY News reported on Monday, citing sources.According to sources, Pakistan has set a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth target of 4.4% is being proposed for budget 2025-26.The new budget also proposes a 4.8% growth target for the agriculture sector. A growth target of 4.8% is being considered for the industrial sector as well.Furthermore, the sources said the services sector is expected to have a proposed growth target of 4.3%.Sources say these proposed economic targets for the next fiscal year will first be presented in the Annual Plan Coordination Committee (APCC) meeting.Final approval for these targets will be sought from the National Economic Council (NEC).For the current fiscal year, the federal government has set a GDP growth target of 3.6%.The agriculture production target for the ongoing year is set at 2%, while the industrial sector has a target of 4.4%, and the services sector 4.1%.Read more: IMF ‘demands’ Pakistan to phase out federal funding for provincial development projectsEarlier, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) urged Pakistan to gradually phase out federal funding for provincial development projects under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).According to sources, the IMF made this demand during virtual discussions with provincial governments, focusing on expenditure plans for the 2025-26 fiscal budget, with provinces actively participating in these sessions.The IMF proposed that provinces eliminate their dependence on federal funds by independently raising resources, including enforcing an income tax on agricultural earnings exceeding Rs600,000 annually starting July 1, 2025, without exemptions.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued notices to Adiala Jail officials for allegedly failing to arrange a meeting between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan.Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir issued the notices while hearing a contempt of court petition filed by CM Gandapur.Gandapur’s counsel, Advocate Raja Zahoor ul Hassan, told the court that the jail authorities had denied the meeting with PTI founder, in defiance of the IHC’s clear orders issued in September and October 2024.“Despite clear directions from this court, the meeting was not allowed,” the lawyer said. “We visited Adiala Jail last week, but the meeting did not take place.”The petition requested the court to initiate contempt proceedings against the jail superintendent and other officials.The court issued notices to the Adiala authorities, seeking their replies, and adjourned the hearing. The next date of hearing will be announced later.Read More: PTI leaders move IHC seeking meeting with party founderEarlier, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership moved Islamabad High Court (IHC), seeking permission to meet Imran Khan, ARY News reportedAs per details, a joint petition was filed by PTI leaders Junaid Akbar, Sher Ali Arbab, Rauf Hassan, and Amjad Ali through their lawyer, Ayesha Khalid.The petition stated that the PTI leaders were denied permission to meet the party founder the previous day. The petitioners have requested the court to grant them permission to meet the party founder, citing the importance of this meeting for the party’s affairs.Yesterday, Islamabad High Court ordered to release over 120 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf workers in November 26 protest case.

PESHAWAR: A fierce windstorm lashed Peshawar and other parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa late Sunday night claimed at least three lives while 14 were injured in different incidents, ARY News reported on Monday.Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in a report on losses in the ferocious storm said that the weather event claimed lives of two men and a child.A man was killed in Khyber, while a tower and several solar panels fell down due to strong winds. The man was killed by a falling solar panel.Moreover, eight men, three women and three children were among 14 injured in the windstorm."The storm partially damaged five properties including three houses and two building," PDMA shared in the report of losses."Apart of it, incidents of falling walls and uprooted trees were also reported from Charsadda, Khyber, Nowshera and Peshawar," according to the report.

PESHAWAR: At least six family members of a family were shot dead in Peshawar over a domestic dispute, ARY News reported on Monday, quoting police.As per details, the dreadful incident occurred in Khatko Pul area, located in the jurisdiction of Peshawar’s Urmar Police Station.According to SP Raza Muhammad, the bodies and the injured were transferred in critical condition to Lady Reading Hospital (LRH).The victims, including several women, belonged to the same family. The assailants, armed with Kalashnikov rifles, opened fire and managed to flee the scene.Read more: Women among five killed over domestic disputeEarlier last month, after a heated domestic dispute, a mother tragically poisoned her three children. The devastating act resulted in the death of her seven-year-old daughter, while her two sons are fighting for their lives in critical condition.Rescue officials in Sialkot reported that the woman gave the poison to the children after an domestic dispute with her husband, who is living abroad.The ages of the affected children range from 3 to 9 years old. The accused woman has fled the scene, and a case has been registered based on a complaint filed by her brother-in-law in Sialkot.

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar departed for a three-day official visit to China on Monday, a little over a week after Pakistan reached a ceasefire with India.On the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Ishaq Dar is undertaking this visit to China from May 19 to 21. He is accompanied by Pakistan's Special Representative for Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq.This marks Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s first visit since recent Pakistan-India stand-off.During the visit, he will hold in-depth discussions with Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the evolving regional situation in South Asia and its implications for peace and stability, his office said in a statement.The two sides will also review the entire spectrum of Pakistan-China bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest.The visit forms part of the ongoing high-level exchanges between Pakistan and China.It also underscores the two countries' shared commitment to further strengthen the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.Ishaq Dar will also hold talks with the Chinese Prime Minister, diplomatic sources said. Afghanistan’s interim Foreign Minister Ameer Khan Muttaqi will also reach China on May 20.Read More: China reasserts Tibet claim by renaming 27 places in Arunachal PradeshChinese Foreign Minister Wang Xi and Pakistan and Afghanistan’s foreign ministers will hold a trilateral meeting in Beijing, sources said.The ministers will consult over the current regional situation in the wake of the Pakistan-India tensions, according to sources.Trilateral meeting will also discuss promotion of mutual trade and security cooperation, sources added.

Inter-Services Public Relations Director General (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Pakistan wants peace but won't bow to Indian hegemony.https://youtu.be/t2OQgc_ukGE"The truth is that India is not the United States and Pakistan is not Afghanistan. India is not Israel and Pakistan is not Palestine," the DG ISPR said while speaking to Anadolu Agency.DG ISPR Lt. General Chaudhry rejected Indian allegations regarding the Pahalgam incident, stating that India has failed to present any credible evidence. “New Delhi is using such incidents as a pretext for spreading terrorism,” he said.Referring to the recent border escalation, DG ISPR confirmed that Pakistan shot down five Indian fighter jets, including three Rafales, a fact known globally, though India refuses to acknowledge it.He said Pakistan is currently the most affected country in the world by terrorism.Read more: Indian defence ministry requested for ceasefire: DG ISPRDG ISPR revealed that since January 2024, over 3,700 incidents of terrorism have occurred across the country, resulting in 3,896 fatalities, including 1,314 martyrs, in less than 17 months. More than 2,500 individuals have suffered amputations, and countless others have lost their lives.DG ISPR Lt. General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry asserted that India is sponsoring and encouraging this wave of terrorism against Pakistan.He further added that the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which claimed responsibility for the attack on the Jaffer Express, had 'sought military assistance from India.'He noted that some Indian leaders, politicians, and retired generals have publicly supported the BLA.Commenting on Kashmir, he said the region remains an internationally recognized dispute and India’s repression is the root cause of unrest. “What is happening in Kashmir and inside India is a result of internal oppression,” he remarked.He accused India of trying to portray the Kashmir issue as an internal matter through coercion and said that India is not making any real efforts toward resolving the conflict. “We are a peace-loving nation, but if provoked or attacked by India, our response will be swift and severe,” he warned. PAK-INDIA CONFLICT

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal, in a meeting with the Gates Foundation, reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to eradicate polio.Kamal stated this stated during a meeting with Dr. Chris Elias, President of Global Development at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to discuss ongoing efforts to eradicate polio in Pakistan.The minister appreciated the Foundation’s consistent support in the country’s fight against the disease.During the meeting, Pakistan reiterated its unwavering commitment to eliminating polio, with Minister Kamal stating that federal and provincial governments, along with law enforcement agencies, remain fully aligned in this goal.Mustafa Kamal informed Dr. Elias that recent campaigns have seen a significant decline in vaccine refusal cases, thanks to high-quality initiatives and increased community engagement.Read more: Poliovirus detected in sewage samples of 18 districtsThe minister expressed confidence that Pakistan is on track to completely eradicate polio by the end of this year. Dr. Elias praised the progress and voiced hope for achieving the target by 2025.Health Minister Mustafa Kamal further assured that all necessary support and resources are being provided for anti-polio drives. He noted the close collaboration between Pakistan and Afghanistan in conducting synchronized vaccination campaigns across both countries.He highlighted the successful completion of national anti-polio drives in February and April, and announced that the next nationwide campaign will begin on May 26, aiming to vaccinate 45.4 million children.

Pakistani citizens who are planning international travel and are in search of destinations that do not require visa, have several visa-free countries offering access to Pakistani citizens holding Pakistani passports to enter. Pakistani travelers have an option to visit 32+ countries who do not require visa to enter their territory without requiring a visa, according to global residency and citizenship data. These destinations extend across Africa, Oceania, and Asia, offering various international travel opportunities.Here are the names of some visa-free countries for Pakistanis which include Barbados, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde Islands, Comoro Islands, Cook Islands, Djibouti, Dominica, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Micronesia, Montserrat, Mozambique, Nepal, Niue, Palau Islands, Qatar, Rwanda, Samoa, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Timor-Leste, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.Travelling to visa-free countries lets Pakistani citizens to discover new destinations without the annoyance of getting a visa earlier.Pakistani traveling to several visa-free countries can have benefits like cost saving, ease of travel, tourism & cultural exchange, strengthening diplomatic ties, and getting education.However, Pakistani travelers are advised to always check the entry requirements before they plan their trips, including permitted duration of stay, and purpose of travel.As requirements to different destinations vary.Read More: Canada Work Visa Requirements, Protectorate Fees; Complete Guide Pakistani citizens seeking employment in Canada must get a work permit, also known as a Canada work visa. This visa lets foreign nationals work in Canada for a specific period under some specified conditions. Types of Canada Work Visas Open Work Visa – This visa lets foreign nationals choose any employer to work with in Canada. Employer-Specific Work Visa – This visa limits foreign nationals to work with a single employer who has secured the necessary authorization. According to reports, open work permits are often available to spouses and dependent children of skilled workers, graduates from certain Canadian educational institutions, and other eligible individuals.

RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will turn pink for the 30th fixture of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 between Islamabad United and Karachi Kings on Monday, 19 May, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said."As part of its corporate social responsibility, the PSL is supporting the Pink Ribbon campaign to create awareness about breast cancer," a press statement issued by the PCB read.Earlier, the  PSL  observed Childhood Cancer Awareness Day on 3 May during the 23rd match of the tournament between Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.PSL Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer said that tThe PSL has always performed its duty of care by creating awareness about health-related issues and supporting noble causes. Breast cancer affects many lives, and it's essential to prioritize early detection and support those affected.For the 19 May fixture, Islamabad United – the home side will wear specially designed pink-themed kits to mark the occasion. Karachi Kings and the match officials will wear pink caps in solidarity with the cause.Additionally, players, match officials, coaching staff and commentators will wear pink ribbons throughout the match.Read More: Quetta Gladiators edge Multan Sultans to top tableThe stumps used for the Rawalpindi fixture will be branded pink. Breast cancer awareness messages will also be displayed on digital screens and LED perimeter boards at the venue to raise awareness and provide valuable information about the disease. Commentators will share awareness messages during the live commentary as well.Additionally, in partnership with Holy Family Hospital, Benazir Bhutto Hospital, and Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital (DHQ), every ticket for Monday’s fixture will serve as a voucher for a free examination and screening of patients.

KARACHI: K-Electric with help of law enforcement agencies continue a severe electricity theft crackdown in Karachi, removing its 250 kVA PMT installed in Ittehad Town, Baldia. Later on the individuals illegally installed 500 kVA PMT, stealing electricity from a high-tension line to supply power illegally to a residential area. K-Electric has discontinued the illegal PMT which had estimated outstanding dues of PKR 67 million, and regardless of several reminders, no payments were made to clear dues.K-Electric continues its electricity theft crackdown, aiming defaulters and the kunda mafia in different parts of Karachi, which include Malir, Landhi, Korangi, Surjani Town, and Gulistan-e-Jauhar.In 2025, 13,416 kunda removal operations have been conducted, causing the discovery of 171,298 kgs of wires used.KE spokesperson Imran Rana stated that electricity supply has been constant, with 70% of the network load shedding free, receiving a continuous power supply 24/7.According to the spokesman, 30% of the network experiences obstacles because of power theft and unpaid bills, causing scheduled load shedding in impacted areas.Read More: K-Electric’s electricity production cost surpasses national grid: NEPRAThe spokesperson requested local authorities to foster timely bill payments and discourage electricity theft, highlighting that providing Karachi’s electricity supply free is beyond our capabilities.To maintain a reliable electric supply, K-Electric has taken strict measures against the power thieves, defaulters and culprits by conducting electricity theft crackdown.Moreover, K-Electric has inaugurated two new feeders in the Marble Industry area and one additional to improve electric supply for homes and businesses. This will help run more steady and dependable electricity.These feeders are likely to lessen faults and support continuous electricity, improving commercial activity.KE has repeated that illegal interfering with electrical infrastructure can cause serious safety risks.These initiatives are planned to ease the financial pressures faced by the residents of Karachi while ensuring a consistent and reliable electricity supply.

Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry issued a stern warning to India against any attempt to block Pakistan’s water supply, stating that such an action would have consequences felt for decades.In an interview with an international media outlet on ‘Operation Ma’arka-e-Haq’, the DG ISPR said that Pakistan’s government has already conveyed a clear stance on the water issue, adding that it requires no further elaboration from the military.“Nobody should dare to stop Pakistan’s water. We hope such a time never comes, but if it does, the world will witness our actions,” Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry added.  He dismissed the notion of India halting water for Pakistan’s 240 million people as an act only a “madman” would contemplate, asserting India lacks the courage to do so.“Our message is clear, we want peace, but if India violates our sovereignty, our reply will be immediate and conclusive. We never target civilians or their populations,” he said. The DG ISPR said that Pakistan and its military prefer peace but warned of a swift and decisive response to any Indian aggression.Read more: DG ISPR vows swift response to any Indian ceasefire violationLieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry also condemned India’s propaganda for misleading its people and firing missiles on its own Sikh-populated areas to fuel anti-Pakistan sentiment.“Indian media celebrated the martyrdom of innocent children and women, a shameful act unseen elsewhere,” he said,Earlier in an interview with Sky News, he warned that whoever would violate Pakistan’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity would face a crushing response.DG ISPR warned that both Pakistan and India are nuclear powers and serious escalation could result in destruction.Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said it would be detrimental for the entire region if India thinks that it could wage a war on Pakistan.The DG ISPR said countries like the United States are fully cognizant now about the Indian designs in wake of nuclear threats.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced a direct flight operation from Lahore to Paris starting from June 18, ARY News reported.The weekly flight will operate from Lahore to Paris, according to PIA management. The PIA is already operating two weekly flights from Islamabad to Paris.According to PIA, the new route is expected to provide travel convenience to passengers while also boosting foreign exchange earnings.Earlier, it was reported that PIA has been operating in profit since March 2024 as Parliamentary Secretary Zeb Jaffar informed the National Assembly during the Question Hour on Wednesday.Responding to a question from MNA Sharmila Faruqi, Zeb Jaffar stated that irresponsible statements made on the floor of the House in the past had damaged the reputation and business of the airline. “The consequences of those remarks were felt by the country,” she added.Read More: PIA revises allowances for regular pilotsJaffar said PIA has now resumed flights to the European Union, including two destinations in Europe, such as Paris. She also mentioned that the government had engaged in dialogue with the EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which paved the way for restarting flights to Paris. Talks with UK aviation authorities are also underway.In addition, discussions are ongoing with Turkish Airlines, which is expected to benefit Pakistani travelers. The government is actively working to expand PIA’s network to profitable routes, including the Middle East and North Africa.Efforts to make the national airline more profitable are continuing, and their impact will become more visible in the coming months, she added.