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RAISI’S SUCCESSOR TO STRENGTHEN TIES WITH PAKISTAN, KHAMENEI ASSURES SHEHBAZ Thursday, 23 May, 2024 I 14 Zil-Qadah, 1445
Dr Mokhber will follow path of cooperation and agreements with Pakistan, says Khamenei
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ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
RAN’S Supreme Leader Ayatollah Imam Syed Ali Khamenei assured Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday that the acting Iranian President would uphold the “cooperation and agreements” established by the late President Ebrahim Raisi with Pakistan. Khamenei made these remarks during a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz, who visited Tehran to offer condolences following the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of the Iranian president, foreign minister, and other high-ranking officials. Just last month, Raisi had visited Pakistan for the first time, during which both nations agreed to enhance cooperation and signed several agreements, following months of tit-for-tat missile strikes. Acknowledging the “hiccups” in the relationship between the two countries in recent years, the Iranian supreme leader emphasized that despite these “ups and downs,” there remains a potential for revitalizing bilateral cooperation. According to state run IRNA, the leader of the Islamic revolution, while talking to Shehbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of Pakistan and his accompanying delegation, sincerely thanked the government and nation of Pakistan for their sympathy. “For the Islamic Republic of Iran, rela-
tions with Pakistan are very important, and we view this country as a brother. Although our relations have seen ups and downs in recent years, we believe there is a possibility for a resurgence of these ties under the new government of Pakistan,” Khamenei was quoted as saying by IRNA. Referring to the emphasis of the late president on the importance of relations with Pakistan, he added: “Mr Raisi’s recent visit to Pakistan can be a turning point in the relations between the two countries, and acting president Dr Mokhber will follow the path of cooperation and agreements.” Ayatollah Khamenei noted: “Friendly relations between brotherly countries are not always easy, and obstacles must be overcome and the progress of cooperation should be followed seriously and in practice.” A statement issued by the foreign office here said the prime minister visited the Islamic Republic of Iran to attend the funeral ceremony of President Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and their companions, who embraced martyrdom in a tragic helicopter accident in the Eastern Azerbaijan province of Iran on 19 May 2024. The prime minister was accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar. In his meeting with Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the prime minister offered
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XIV No 323 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
PM reaffirms Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening bonds of friendship with Iran
condolences on behalf of the people and Government of Pakistan. Recalling late President Raisi’s recent visit to Pakistan in April 2024, the prime minister highlighted his commendable role in advancing Pakistan-Iran bilateral relations. The prime minister termed President Raisi as a visionary leader who manifested steadfast dedication to serving his country and his people. He added that President Raisi’s contributions for the unity of Muslim Ummah as well as for the besieged people of Gaza will be etched in history. He also appreciated the role played by late Foreign Minister Abdollahian in promoting regional peace and dialogue.
The prime minister expressed unwavering solidarity with the people of the Islamic Republic of Iran at this time of national tragedy. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening the bonds of friendship and brotherhood with the people and Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The prime minister also extended an invitation to Ayatollah Khamenei to visit Pakistan. Earlier in the day, the prime minister arrived in Tehran for a daylong visit. Upon his arrival at Tehran International Airport, he was received by the Iranian Minister for Roads and Urban Development, Mehrdad Bazrpash. Huge crowds of Iranians thronged the streets of the capital Tehran on Wednes-
ECC likely to approve Rs2.217b grant for Jiwani-Gwadar power project
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PC-1 for the project was approved by the Central Development Working Party on March 15, 2024 ISLAMABAD
ahmad ahmadani
Federal Cabinet’s Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), scheduled to meet on Thursday, is likely to grant its approval for a technical supplementary grant amounting to Rs 2.217 billion for the “Construction of 2nd Circuit Stringing from Jiwani to Gwadar” project. According to sources, the Ministry of Energy (Power Division) has prepared a request for a technical supplementary grant amounting to Rs 2.217 billion for the critical infrastructure initiative aimed at enhancing the power supply to the port city of Gwadar. Sources disclosed that the revised PC-1 for the project, which was ap-
proved by the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on March 15, 2024, entails a total cost of Rs 4.540 billion. The approval came with a directive for the Power Division to review its Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) 2023-24 portfolio and reallocate funds to cover the increased cost of Rs. 2.217 billion. As per the sources, upon analysing potential savings within its portfolio, the Power Division identified four projects from which funds could be reallocated: 1. Secondary Transmission Lines & Grid Stations (HESCO). Approved Cost: Rs. 7.009 billion Savings: Rs. 500 million 2. Secondary Transmission Lines & Grid Stations (SEPCO)
Approved Cost: Rs. 9.334 billion Savings: Rs. 500.00 million 3. Installation of 2 x 660 MW Coal Fired Power Project Jamshoro Approved Cost: Rs. 17.7 billion Savings: Rs. 617.00 million 4. Land Acquisition for Installation of 1200 MW Solar Power Plant at District Layyah Approved Cost: Rs. 2.658 billion Savings: Rs. 600.00 million Sources also said that these projects collectively provide the necessary Rs 2.217 million in savings. Since these initiatives are financed through the Cash Development Loan (CDL) from the Finance Division, the Power Division has sought approval from the Finance Division for the reallocation of funds. And,
the Finance Division has advised that ECC’s approval was required to surrender the funds from Demand No. 128-Development Loans & Advances by the Federal Government, in favour of the Ministry of Energy (Power Division), to secure a Technical Supplementary Grant (TSG) of an equal amount for the Jiwani to Gwadar project. The Power Division emphasised the urgency of this approval, highlighting the significance of the project in bolstering the power infrastructure in Gwadar, a region of strategic importance for Pakistan, said the sources It is pertinent to mention that “2nd Circuit Stringing from Jiwani to Gwadar project” is expected to significantly enhance the reliability and capacity of the power supply to Gwadar, supporting the city’s development and economic activities. The timely completion of this project is deemed crucial for meeting the growing energy demands of the region.
Rural areas face 6 to 8 hours of load-shedding while urban areas endure 4 to 6 hours of power cuts ISLAMABAD
ahmad ahmadani
The entire country is grappling with extensive power outages amidst a scorching summer, with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius. Many localities report over eight hours of loadshedding daily, exacerbating the intensity of the heat and adding to the public’s misery. According to sources, the national electricity shortfall has reached 5,845 megawatts as the demand for electricity climbs to
24,500 megawatts while the production lags at 18,655 megawatts. They said that 5,000 megawatts are being produced from hydropower, 975 megawatts from government-owned thermal power plants, 8,350 megawatts from private sector power plants, 790 megawatts from wind power, 200 megawatts from solar power, and 140 megawatts from bagasse. They said nuclear power plants contribute 3,200 megawatts to the grid. They said this surge in demand has strained the electricity transmission system nationwide, leading to frequent faults. The situation is further aggravated by
Manufacturers urge FBR to maintain current mobile phone tariff structures
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Pakistan Mobile Phone Manufacturers Association expresses concerns regarding increasing tariffs ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
reports of feeder tripping, transformer failures, and unannounced power outages, which have become a regular feature, disrupting daily life and making the sweltering heat even more unbearable for the masses, said sources. Despite these widespread issues, authorities have refrained from officially acknowledging a countrywide load-shedding regime. Instead, they attribute the disruptions to technical failures and load management in feeders plagued by high losses and theft. An official from the power division on condition of anonymity said that the increased electricity demand due to changing weather conditions is exerting pressure on the distribution system.
The Pakistan Mobile Phone Manufacturers Association (PMPMA) has called on the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to honor the commitments made by the government to investors and refrain from increasing the tariff structures for mobile phones. In a recent meeting with the FBR, the PMPMA delegation expressed concerns that increasing tariffs would not only disrupt the localization schedule but also negatively impact the export targets for mobile phones from Pakistan. The delegation highlighted that implementing an 18 percent sales tax on all mobile phones assembled in the country would deal a serious blow to the industry. Under the Mobile Device Manufacturing Policy 2020, phone sets priced up to $350 are exempt from the 18 percent sales tax, while sets above this price range are subject to the full sales tax. The Association noted that the majority of local companies assemble phone sets within this price range, which accounts for around 55 percent of smartphones used in the country. Mian Abdul Rehman, chairman of PMPMA, speaking to the media on Wednesday, stated that about 40 percent of phone sets in the country are still feature phones, and there is a need to expand smartphone usage to around 80 percent. “We have asked the authorities to consider that this industry is still in its basic stage. Soon after the policy was launched, the world economy was hit by COVID-19, followed by an LC crisis in Pakistan,” Mr. Rehman said. “The sales tax exemption on locally assembled sets should be maintained; otherwise, the price of sets will rise significantly, leading to an increase in the grey market for mobile phones.” He added that Pakistan needs to move towards achieving 80-90 percent smartphone usage, as it helps generate employment and earning opportunities. PMPMA senior member Zeeshan Miannoor emphasized that Pakistan needs conducive policies to promote local assembly of phones on a large scale to support exports.
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Countrywide power outages intensify Summer heat as shortfall nears 6,000 megawatts g
day for the funeral procession of Raisi and his entourage. In the city centre, mourners clutching portraits of Raisi gathered in and around the University of Tehran, where Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, led the prayers. Flanked by top officials, Ayatollah Khamenei said prayers over the coffins of the dead, who also included Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian. The leader of the Palestinian resistance group Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, joined the procession, as did the deputy leader of the Lebanese resistance group Hezbollah, Naim Qassem. Raisi’s helicopter crashed into a fog-shrouded mountainside in northwestern Iran on Sunday as he was returning to Tabriz after attending a ceremony on the border with Azerbaijan. A massive search and rescue operation was launched, with assistance from Turkey, Russia, and the European Union. State television announced Raisi’s death early on Monday. Raisi, who was widely anticipated to succeed Khamenei as supreme leader, was 63. Funeral rites for Raisi and his entourage began on Tuesday, with processions through Tabriz and Qom drawing tens of thousands of black-clad mourners. From Tehran, the bodies will be taken to Iran’s second city of Mashhad, Raisi’s hometown in the northeast, where he will be buried on Thursday evening after funeral rites at the Imam Reza shrine.
Imran threatens street protests after attack on PTI leader ‘PATIENCE RUNNING THIN’
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Claims he knows elements behind attack on Hasan, saying incident proves system being run through use of force ISLAMABAD
Staff RepoRt
Incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Founder Imran Khan on Wednesday said that he is aware of those responsible for the recent attack on party spokesperson Raoof Hasan, threatening that they were running out of patience and will take to the streets in protest. “We know who is behind the attack. This incident proves the system is being run through the use of force,” Khan said while
talking to the media at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail. A day earlier, PTI Information Secretary Raoof Hasan was attacked by a group of transgenders outside a private TV channel’s office in the federal capital. He received injuries in the face in the attack. Following the attack, the attackers managed to flee the scene with ease. The PTI leader was transferred to a hospital for medical treatment. He was later discharged. The PTI founder continued that the country’s economy was in a fragile state that’s why
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Says refrained from taking to streets due to economic conditions, says govt would be responsible for any damage
they were avoiding protests, but emphasised that the government would be responsible for any damage. “We refrained from taking to the streets due to the economic conditions. If any damage [to economy] occurs now, they will be responsible,” Khan asserted. Referring to the ongoing National Accountability Bureau (NAB) law amendments case, Imran said that he has a “match” in the Supreme Court on May 30. He also criticised the restrictions on PTI activities, noting, “Everything in the country
is being controlled through fear. PTI is not even allowed to hold rallies.” Regarding the economic situation in the country, Khan challenged current leaders to lead by example. “Shehbaz Sharif talks about tough decisions. Tough decisions start with leaders making sacrifices themselves,” he said, urging Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, and Asif Ali Zardari to repatriate their overseas assets. Khan called for transparency in legal proceedings, suggesting all cases be broadcast live. “The nation should
know who the real thieves are. If you want to proceed even with a treason case against me, I’m ready. I’m even ready for the gallows,” he declared. Dismissing rumours of a deal with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Khan stated, “I met Nawaz Sharif with Chaudhry Nisar, but he thought my conscience could be bought with just a road.” Expressing satisfaction over PTI President Pervaiz Elahi’s release, he remarked, “I’m happy for Pervaiz Elahi. He would have been released sooner if he had distanced himself from the party.” Khan concluded with a criticism of US interference, stating, “The US is allowed to overthrow governments, but he is not allowed to expose their conspiracies.”