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Rs 40.00 | Vol XIV No 38 I 40 Pages I Islamabad Edition
tuesday, 8 august, 2023 i 20 Muharram, 1445
Afghan nationals’ involvement in terrorism in Pakistan ‘detrimental to regional peace, stability’: Army Chief g COAS concerned over sanctuaries available to banned outfits, liberty of action enjoyed on Afghan soil g
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PESHAWAR
Staff CoRReSpondent
HIEF of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir on Monday said that the involvement of Afghan nationals in terrorist incidents in Pakistan was detrimental to regional peace, stability, and a deviation from the Doha peace agreement by the interim Afghan government. The army chief expressed these remarks during a visit to Peshawar, where he laid a floral wreath and offered prayers at the Yaadgar-e-Shuhada at Fort Bala Hisar, the headquarters of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Frontier Corps (FC). Upon arrival, COAS was received by the Commander of the Peshawar Corps.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the COAS also met with tribal elders from the Newly Merged Districts (NMDs) of K-P as well as notables from all walks of life. During an interactive session, General Munir paid rich tribute to the supreme sacrifices of the brave and resilient tribals of Pakistan and appreciated their indomitable resolve for standing shoulder to shoulder with the security forces in defeating the menace of terrorism. “With the unflinching resolve of the nation, Pakistan is successfully countering terrorism to enable a stable and peaceful environment for socioeconomic development in the area,” COAS remarked. “Terrorism has no place in Pakistan and the involvement of Afghan nationals in ter-
Over 6,000 marble factories in KP face closure amid surging electricity prices g
In a bid to avert potential industrial closures, the govt has introduced a special package to alleviate electricity costs for industries PESHAWAR
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In the aftermath of recent electricity price hikes following IMF agreements, more than 6,000 marble factories in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) find themselves on the brink of closure. President of the Marble Mines Industry Development Association, Sajjad Khan, disclosed that the lamented escalation in electricity costs has intensified the challenges confronting the marble industry within the province. This dire situation has resulted in the shuttering of a significant number of factories. Khan revealed that despite the 18th Constitutional Amendment, which mandates that a province producing surplus electricity must first meet its own requirements before supplying other provinces, KP struggles to adequately provide its own industries with power despite its electricity surplus. He further highlighted that KP’s hydroelectric power generation capacity of around 6,000 megawatts greatly overshadows the province’s actual demand of 2,700 megawatts. Despite this surplus, the province grapples to deliver a mere 1,500 megawatts to support its industries. Adding to the woes, Khan mentioned that despite producing costeffective electricity through hydropower, KP faces unlawful collection of billions of rupees under the guise of Fuel Price Adjustments (FPA). Despite a 2014 Peshawar High Court ruling against FPA collection from consumers in KP, a resolution remains elusive even after nearly a decade. In a bid to avert potential industrial closures, the government has introduced a special package to alleviate electricity costs for industries in KP, mirroring a similar initiative in Punjab.
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rorist incidents in Pakistan is detrimental to regional peace, stability and deviation from the Doha peace agreement by the interim Afghan government,” he reiterated. The army chief also expressed concerns over sanctuaries available to banned outfits and the liberty of action they enjoy on Afghan soil. “Pakistan will spare no effort to dismantle terrorist networks and protect its citizens at all costs,” he added. According to the ISPR, the tribal elders assured that the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its ideology will never be acceptable to any tribe and they will continue to stand with the state during thick and thin. The COAS emphasised the potential of NMDs and ongoing efforts in uplifting the socio-economic growth under the umbrella
of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). General Munir also expressed his views that KP province is blessed with huge reserves of mines and minerals, adding that it
PML-N, PPP make divergent claims over consensus on Hafeez Shaikh’s name CARETAKER PM
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RANA SANA CLAIMS, NAYYAR DENIES CONSENSUS ON HAFEEZ SHAIKH ISLAMABAD Mian abRaR
Ruling coalition partners, Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) have made divergent claims over reports of consensus on the name of former finance minister Dr Hafeez Shaikh to be appointed as caretaker prime minister. PPP Secretary General Nayyar Hussain Bokhari on Monday denied consensus on former finance minister Hafeez Shaikh’s name for the caretaker prime ministership, says in media reports. “Rana Sanaullah should have not talked about Hafeez Sheikh’s name,” the PPP leader said reacting to the statement of the minister. Earlier, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah claimed that former finance minister Hafeez Shaikh was among the candidates shortlisted for the slot of the caretaker prime minister. Shaikh’s name was among those earlier reported to have been included in a list of five finalised by parties in the ruling coalition for the caretaker prime minister. The purported list was also said to have included former chief justice of Pakistan Tassaduq Hussain Jillani. Bokhari observed it’s not the prerogative of Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah to comment on the names of the caretaker prime minister candidates. Commenting on the recently okayed digital census results, the PPP stalwart said a constitutional amendment is needed to increase the number of seats according to the new census. It may be noted that Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has hinted at the possibility of dissolving the National Assembly (NA) on August 9. Earlier, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah says the names of ex-finance minister Hafeez Shaikh and a former Supreme Court judge have been shortlisted among others for the caretaker Prime Minister (PM). He said name of the caretaker premier would turn
up by Tuesday, adding Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi are not in the run. Hafeez Shaikh had served as the finance minister the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) led federal government. However, he was removed from this slot in March 2021. The PTI pitched Sheikh against the former PM and senior leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party Yousaf Raza Gillani for Senate seat, however, Sheikh lost the contest. During an interview with a local news channel, Rana Sana said a ‘neutral’ person would be the caretaker prime minister having no political association. Talking about name of Dar for an interim premier, the interior minister said when his (Dar) name was taking round in the media, that time it was decided that an apolitical person would be selected for the caretaker PM slot. He said the names of Dar, Abbasi and Raza Rabbani could be considered if any decision was made to allow any political person to be picked for the PM slot. When asked whether Shaikh was ready to become the caretaker PM, the minister said: “Definitely, he must be.”
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also has beautiful areas for tourism which will certainly change the destiny of the area for the good of the people.
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SIFC approves projects to attract investment in key sectors ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
The third meeting of the apex committee of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) was held on Monday to continue the positive momentum under the initiative, a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said. The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and attended by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir, chief ministers, federal and provincial ministers, and government officials. The premier appreciated the expeditious operationalisation of SIFC in a short span and its efficient functioning through a collaborative approach. The apex committee appreciated the global impact of ongoing outreach strategy through seminars and project inaugurations, which will be augmented by SIFC’s website being launched shortly. The committee gave final approval of projects, presented by the ministries, for attracting investments from friendly countries, under the umbrella of SIFC, in key sectors including agriculture, livestock, mining, minerals, IT and energy. The apex committee showed all-out support for successful conduct of upcoming visit of a high-level delegation from the kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan through SIFC platform. PM Shehbaz directed to make this inaugural visit a momentous event. At the end, the apex committee showed resolve for continuous support to SIFC initiative and urged the interim government to maintain the impetus for a positive contribution.
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