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going to challenge GOVT TO COME UP WITH PLAN TO RESOLVE JIagreements with IPPs in SC: Sirajul Haq ISSUE OF ELECTRICITY BILLS : PM Monday, 4 September, 2023 I 17 Safar, 1445
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SAYS THERE ARE ACUTE FLAWS IN GENERATION, TRANSMISSION SYSTEM OF POWER SECTOR
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ISLAMABAD
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STRESSES NEED FOR TAXING DIFFERENT SECTORS WHICH ARE STILL NOT BROUGHT UNDER NET
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SAYS ELECTION COMMISSION WILL DECIDE ABOUT ELECTIONS DATE AS PER LAW
STAFF REPORT
RIME Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Sunday said the government would come up with short, medium and longterm plans to resolve the issue of electricity bills and initiate reforms in the power sector. In an interview with a private television, he also assured that the government would implement a plan for the conservation of electricity as was practiced in the Western world and taught by Islam. To a question about public agitation on the issue of electricity bills, the prime minister said extreme political and social attitudes were not beneficial for society. He said the system of taxation was meant to tax the rich and spend on the poor but at present the system was in the clutches of profiteers and was marred with inefficiency, adding indirect taxation system was responsible for many of the woes of the poor. “We needed to tax different sectors which are still not brought under the tax net.” He said Pakistan’s economic conditions were affected by the international financial institutions and “we have to fulfil the agreements made with them.” The government also had to fulfil the agreements made with the power companies in the past decades, he continued. He said flaws in the power sector and generation and transmission system were acute, adding the issue of electricity bills was multidimensional and the government had held numerous meetings related to issues of taxation and the
power sector. He assured that the Finance Ministry would come up with recommendations to provide relief to vulnerable sections of society. He said he was misquoted about the recent protests on the issue of electricity bills. He understood that there was a section of society which was heavily burdened with electricity bills and he could identify with the social and economic problems of people as he himself faced these problems in the past, he added. To a question about privatization, he said the privatization of state sector entities including Pakistan International Airlines was on the agenda of the government and work was being done on it. He said the caretaker government was the continuation of the constitutional
order and it would not remain in place any extra time on the expiry of its term. ‘Law empower ECP to announce polls date’ He clarified that the Election Commission would announce the date for the election. “According to the law of the land, Election Commission will decide about elections,” he said adding however, the superior judiciary after listening to the legal experts could decide about the elections. “Law and a binding judgment of the Supreme Court will decide. The respect and reverence of judiciary is important for democratic dispensation and social order and these should not be disturbed,” he remarked. He said according to its constitutional role, the Supreme Court will remove any
News about Army deployment in GB completely baseless: Solangi ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Interim Information Minister Murtaza Solangi took on Sunday that clarify that "news and speculations circulating in media regarding the deployment of Pakistan Army are completely baseless". Interim Information Minister Murtaza Solangi took to X, (erstwhile Twitter), on Sunday and wrote: "All roads, trade centers, business activities and educational institutions in GB are open as usual. The services of Pakistan Army and Civil Armed Forces have been requisitioned only to maintain law and order on the occasion of Chehlam of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA)," he said. On the other hand, the home department of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) issued a statement on Sunday to assert that the "situation in GB is completely peaceful" terming media reports pertaining to the deployment of Pakistan Army as "completely baseless". The interim information minister added that "special measures have been taken for the security of proces-
sion routes and Imambargahs as per past practice". Referring to the provincial department's statement, he said that "Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 has been imposed across the region to maintain law and order, protect lives and property of the people and avoid any untoward incident". The GB government had decided to call in the army to quell escalating unrest in the region on the Parliamentary Peace Committee's - which decides law and order matters - decision on Friday, according to earlier reports. The day after, state media APP, reported that the GB home department had denied such reports as "baseless" and that the situation in the region was "completely peaceful". Media reports had earlier stated that the GB government had imposed Section 144 in Diamer and Chilas, a ban on the display of weapons, aerial firing, religious gatherings and any attempts to obstruct highways as a form of protest. It had also reportedly decided to deploy Rangers, GB Scouts and Frontier Corps personnel in major
cities across the region. It was said that 4G broadband services in the area were temporarily suspended in response to the unrest, with only 2G services remaining operational. The decision came in the wake of the recent unrest triggered by protests in Chilas, where protesters blocked the Karakoram Highway and Babusar Pass for three days, demanding the arrest of a religious leader from Skardu for his alleged controversial remarks. As per earlier reports, protests were also staged in Astore and Gilgit but came to an end following the registration of an FIR against the religious leader. In reaction to these events, a market and transport strike was observed in Skardu, with protesters obstructing major thoroughfares, including the Juglot-Skardu Road. In response, the GB government deployed the Karakoram Task Force and police on Karakoram Highway, Juglot-Skardu Road, and Babusar Top to ensure passenger safety and the smooth flow of vehicular traffic.
At LCCI meeting, COAS emphasizes SIFC’s potential to attract $100b investment LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) President Kashif Anwar along with prominent business figures held a meeting with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, here on Sunday. Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi also attended the meeting in which country's economic trajectory was discussed in detail, the LCCI spokesman confirmed to the media. During the meeting, General Asim Munir highlighted the pivotal role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), emphasizing its potential to attract substantial investments of up to 100 billion dollars from countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and others. To bolster economic decision-making, he revealed the formation of task forces focused on economic matters and different sectors. Kashif Anwar, in alignment with the broader business community, recommended active engagement with all chambers to incorporate diverse perspectives into the task force's agenda. Addressing critical issues faced by the public, Kashif Anwar proposed a reduction in income and sales tax rates on electricity bills. He noted that the populace grapples with the burden of high taxation on electricity, impacting daily lives, businesses and common people.
Additionally, Kashif Anwar introduced a pragmatic approach to fuel adjustment charges, advocating for their collection during the winter months when electricity consumption is lower, alleviating financial stress on consumers. Recognizing the pivotal role of exchange rates in Pakistan's economic landscape, the LCCI President called for greater control over the rates of the US dollar in both interbank and open markets. The COAS General Asim Munir responded positively, assuring that money exchanges would be brought under the purview of taxation, fostering transparency in dollar exchange and interbank rates. President LCCI also pointed out that the disparity between the State Bank's rate and the Hundi rate often leads to the preference for Hundi channels when it comes to remittances. He emphasized that if these rates were aligned, remittances would naturally flow through the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Kashif Anwar emphasized the importance of an enhanced and sustained interactive dialogue between the business community and relevant authorities. He expressed concerns over the prevailing lack of responsiveness to suggestions put forth by the business sector. Furthermore, Kashif Anwar called for a unified commitment from political parties, suggesting the signing of a charter of the economy as a precondition before any upcoming elections.
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doubt about the timing of elections. He agreed that because of the past circumstances, there were concerns among the political parties about the schedule of polls. Responding to a question, he said the situation in border areas was aggravated due to the situation emerging after the withdrawal of the United States and NATO from Afghanistan. There was an inventory of weapons and equipment that was left by the US in Afghanistan and now the terror outfits were more equipped and were not only dangerous for Pakistan but also for China and other countries, he said adding the US should have handed over the inventory of weapons responsibly, but there was a rushed withdrawal by the US and now it was not clear who was in possession of these weapons and equipment. He was of the view that the state had two tools including negotiations and the application of force against militants to achieve peaceful social order. “We have to use both approaches to achieve our goals.” The stability, prosperity and peace of Afghanistan were linked to peace, stability and prosperity of Pakistan, he opined. ‘May 9 like Incidents intolerable’ The PM said the incidents of May 9 were watched by the whole world and the international media reported these incidents and analyzed them. Such vandalism was not tolerable in any democratic dispensation, he said, adding it was an attempt to lead to a civil war and mutiny and the target was the leadership of the army and the present chief of army staff.
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LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Ameer Sirajul Haq on Sunday announced his party would move Supreme Court against agreements with independent power producers (IPPs), blaming these agreements as the reason for skyrocketing electricity bills and inflation. “This clearly evident from the public anger expressed during their peaceful protest this week that they do not accept the agreements with the IPPs,” JI Ameer Sirajul Haq declared while addressing a press conference after meeting of the party. Haq expressed gratitude to the people and trader community for participating in Saturday’s strike, elaborating on that it had sent a message to the government that “we don’t accept those agreements which past governments made with IPPs”. Those who signed these deals had “betrayed the nation and committed injustice”, he added. He highlighted the high cost of electricity despite the country being blessed with five rivers, adding that the government would soon raise the electricity tariffs to Rs90 per unit. “We will approach the Supreme Court against the agreements with the IPPs. The burden [of these agreements] is falling on the pockets of the people,” he added. Haq said that Pakistan is being pushed into darkness through artificial agreements, conspiracy to hinder the country’s progress, and the construction of dams. JI leader expressed his dismay over the prime minister’s dismissal of inflation and electricity bills as non-issues. He criticised the continuous rise in petrol prices, questioning the government’s rationale for imposing additional burden on households. “I want to tell the prime minister that it is the mistake of government to buy expensive electricity. Why are you burdening the masses further with your mistakes,” he questioned. He said the strike had provided an opportunity for the caretaker government to renegotiate the deals, citing the public dissatisfaction and resentment at large with power costs. Haq went on to assert that Pakistan was plagued by a cartel of petrol and diesel profiteers, mercilessly exploiting the populace. He also called for protests outside the governor houses in all four provinces and warned that the JI could go for a wheel-jam strike if the need arose and the increase in electricity prices was not reversed.