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RELIEF, UNINTERRUPTED POWER SUPPLY TO INDUSTRY AMONG TOP PRIORITIES: PM Thursday, 26 June, 2025 | 29 Zilhaj, 1446
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THE PREMIER INFORMED RS9.05B REVENUE GENERATED FROM FIRST PHASE OF PRIVATIZATION OF OUTDATED AND LOSS-INCURRING GENCOS
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 348 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
PM SHEHBAZ EMPHASIZES EXPEDITING PRIVATIZATION OF POWER DISTRIBUTION COMPANIES
Agri sector being reformed to benefit farmers, lift rural communities: PM ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
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ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
RIME MINISTER Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Wednesday said that provision of relief to the public and uninterrupted power supply to industries, through reforms in the power sector, were among the top priorities, according to state broadcaster PTV News. Chairing a review meeting on the ongoing power sector reforms, the premier directed swift completion of the second and third phases of the privatization of loss-making GENCOs and further instructed that the GENCOs’ auction process should be broadcast live on media, just like other privatization programmes, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release. The prime minister emphasized expediting the privatization
of power distribution companies. The meeting was attended by federal ministers Sardar Awais Khan Leghari, Ahad Khan Cheema, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Adviser to PM Muhammad Ali, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, National Coordinator Power Task Force Lt-Gen Zafar Iqbal, PM’s Coordinator Musharraf Zaidi and senior relevant officials. During the meeting the prime minister called for an early report after the installation of smart meters is completed. He said that the federal government had completed the solarization of tube wells in Balochistan, which would enhance the province’s agricultural productivity. The meeting received a detailed briefing on ongoing reforms and projects related to electricity generation, transmission, and distribution. It was informed that, as per the Prime Minister’s instructions, the first phase of the privatization
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reaffirmed his government’s commitment to revitalizing the agriculture sector by introducing sustainable reforms in the sector, emphasizing that the development of the agriculture sector would directly benefit farmers and uplift rural communities, state media reported. “The introduction of sustainable reforms in the agriculture sector, which is the backbone of the national economy, will not only boost the economic development but also significantly enhance per-acre yield and reduce production costs,” Premier Shehbaz stressed while chairing a high-level meeting on agricultural sector reforms, state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported. The prime minister directed the relevant authorities to gradually reduce taxes on agricultural machinery and tools to encourage farm mecha-
of outdated and loss-incurring GENCOs was completed, generating revenue of Rs9.05 billion for the national exchequer. The second and third phases were underway at a fast pace. To ensure transparency, the auction proceedings were being broadcast live. The meeting was further informed that successful negotiations were held with 36 Independent Power Producers (IPPs) regarding electricity tariffs, resulting in projected
nization across the country. He also instructed to expedite efforts aimed at increasing the storage capacity for agricultural produce. The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain, Minister for Climate Change Dr. Musadik Malik, PM’s Chief Coordinator Musharraf Zaidi, Chief Coordinator for Agriculture Sector Ahmad Umair, as well as private sector entrepreneurs and senior government officials. PM Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the provision of funds by provincial governments for new agricultural projects, stating that these initiatives would play a key role in accelerating sectoral growth. He expressed optimism that the agriculture students and scientists currently pursuing scholarships in China would contribute to the sector’s development as entrepreneurs upon their return, state broadcaster PTV News said.
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savings of Rs3.69 trillion for the national treasury. The prime minister also instructed that the establishment of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the country be accelerated and directed that proposed projects to improve the power transmission and distribution system be initiated promptly.
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‘Impressive, great man’: Trump heaps praise on Field Marshal Munir, again
THE HAGUE agencieS
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday once again heaped praise on Field Marshal Asim Munir, whom he recently met at the White House, and reiterated his stance that he stopped last month’s conflict between the nuclear-armed Pakistan and India. Addressing a press conference after attending the annual NATO summit in The Hague, the US president called the Pakistan-India conflict the “most important” of all the recent ones, saying both countries have nuclear weapons, and he ended that with a series of phone calls on trade. “I said, look, if you are going to go fighting each other… it was getting very bad… I said, If you are going to go fighting each other, then we are not going to do trade deals,” Trump said. Praising Field Marshal Munir, Trump said, “I met the general from Pakistan last week in my office—a very impressive personality, a great man.” He also described Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a close friend, stating, “Modi is a great friend of mine. A great gentleman.” “We got them to reason, and I said, ‘We are not doing any trade deal if you are going to fight… and you know what? They said, ‘No, I want to do the trade deal,’ and we stopped a nuclear war,” he added. President Trump said last month that the nucleararmed South Asian neighbours agreed to a ceasefire after talks mediated by the US and that the hostilities ended after he urged the countries to focus on trade instead of war. Islamabad had previously said that the ceasefire happened after its military returned a call the Indian military had initiated on May 7. Although Pakistan has time and again praised and credited President Trump for his role in the ceasefire, which he himself has highlighted on multiple occasions, India has denied any US involvement whatsoever.