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PM VOWS PROVISION OF ESSENTIALS TO PUBLIC AT LOW RATES TOP PRIORITY Monday, 3 March, 2025 | 2 Ramazan, 1446
Rs 50.00 | Vol XV No 236 | 44 Pages | Karachi Edition
PREMIER SHEHBAZ DIRECTS AUTHORITIES TO CONTROL SUGAR PRICE AND BRING HOARDERS TO THE BOOK g CENTRE, PROVINCES SHOULD MAKE JOINT g DISCUSSES KEY MATTERS RELATED TO EFFORTS TO PROVIDE ESSENTIALS TO POWER SECTOR DURING MEETING WITH COMMON MAN AT LOW RATES: PM POWER DIVISION MINSTER LEGHARI g
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LAHORE
staff report
RIME Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday declared that the provision of essential items to people at low rates was the top priority of his government. PM Shehbaz presided over a meeting on the supply of sugar in the country and price control here on Sunday. The premier said that in previous months the government had taken strict action against sugar smuggling, which bore fruitful results. He directed the authorities to take solid steps to control the price of sugar besides taking stern action against elements involved in its hoarding. Shehbaz Sharif directed to prepare a strategy to ensure the provision of the commodity and other essential items at reasonable rates. “The federal and provincial governments should make joint efforts to ensure the provision of essential items to the common man at low rates,” he added. He said that during the holy month of Ramadan, negligence would not be tolerated regarding control of prices of
essential items. The meeting was briefed about the sugar production and that there was its sufficient stock available in the country. It was informed that fair price shops had been set up to sell sugar at low rates at the provincial level and all possible steps would be taken to completely overcome its smuggling. Action would be ensured against illegal hoarding of sugar
and work at the district administration level would be taken vibrantly in this regard, chief secretaries briefed the meeting. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema, Federal Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Min-
ister Ali Pervaiz Malik and other high-ranking officials attended the meeting. Chief secretaries of all provinces also attended the meeting via video link. PM, POWER MINISTER DISCUSS ENERGY SECTOR REFORMS Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Power Division Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari called on Prime Minister She-
Awaiting federal govt’s nod for negotiation with Afghan Taliban: CM Gandapur g
KP CM MET WITH AFGHAN CONSUL GENERAL TO DISCUSS MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST: SPOKESPERSON PESHAWAR
staff report
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minster Ali Amin Gandapur on Sunday said that they were awaiting the federal government’s approval of the terms of reference (TOR) for a
jirga formed to negotiate with the Afghan government. According to a statement issued by KP chief minister’s press secretary on Sunday, Gandapur said that his government had formed a jirga at the provincial level for negotiations with the
Afghan government. “We are waiting for the approval of the jirga’s TORs from the federal government,” the statement quoted the KP CM as saying. “As soon as the TORs are finalised, the jirga will be sent to Afghanistan,” the chief minister said. According to the statement, the CM met with Afghan Consul General in Peshawar Hafiz Mohibullah Shakir and discussed matters of mutual interest, including the promotion of bilateral trade, regional peace, and stability. Earlier in January, the KP chief minister had announced plans to send a delegation to Afghanistan for a dialogue on bilateral issues. The PTI-led provincial government said it would engage cross-border tribesmen to curb militancy and ensure regional peace. Last month, Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions, Kashmir Affairs, and GilgitBaltistan Amir Muqam said that negotiations with Afghanistan fell outside the provincial government’s jurisdiction. A consultative meeting hosted by the chief minister on February 15 emphasised the need for government-level dialogue with Afghanistan to ensure peace in the country. Meanwhile, an agreement was reached on efforts to open the borders as soon as possible. “Traders and transporters are facing difficulties during the month of Ramadan due to the closure of the border,” the CM said, adding that the closure was not in the interest of either people. “Regional peace is in the interest of both Pakistan and Afghanistan,” the CM said, per the statement.
hbaz Sharif, here on Sunday. During the meeting, they discussed key matters related to the power sector, reviewing ongoing projects, challenges, and strategies to improve efficiency and address power sector issues nationwide. Lahore: Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Leghari calls on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on 2 March 2025. The discussion also focused on addressing power shortages, modernising infrastructure, and implementing policies to ensure uninterrupted electricity for consumers. They also exchanged views on the country’s broader political and economic landscape. FORMER & SITTING MPS CALL ON PM SHEHBAZ Earlier, former member of the National Assembly Muhammad Irfan Daha, along with MNA Muhammad Khan Daha, called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, here on Sunday. During the meeting different matters including country’s political situation came under discussion. While, in a separate meeting, former MNA Sheikh Waseem along with MNA Saad Waseem also called on the prime minister.
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IMF mission to arrive in Pakistan for first economic review Mission set to assess $7b bailout and discuss $1b loan tranche ISLAMABAD
staff report
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on Monday for the first economic review of Pakistan’s $7 billion bailout arrangement and the potential disbursement of the next $1 billion loan tranche, according to sources in the Finance Ministry. The nine-member review team will be led by Nathan Porter and will remain in Pakistan for two weeks, concluding on March 15. The review will start with technical discussions and progress to policy-level negotiations with government officials. Additionally, the delegation will present recommendations for the budget of the upcoming fiscal year. Any potential relief for the salaried class will depend on IMF approval. The discussions will involve key institutions, including the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Planning, and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).