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PM SHEHBAZ AND VEON GROUP DISCUSS IT AND 5G EXPANSION IN PAKISTAN Saturday, 9 November, 2024 I | 6 Jamadi ul Awwal, 1446
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 123 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
Prime Minister reaffirms commitment to boosting Pakistan’s IT sector, with plans to roll out 5G services and increase IT exports
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has introduced the Electricity Sahulat Package, a three-month relief initiative designed to ease the financial burden on domestic, commercial, and industrial electricity consumers. Speaking at an event marking Iqbal Day in Islamabad, the Prime Minister announced that the package will be available for additional electricity usage from December 2024 through February 2025. Under the new scheme, domestic consumers will benefit from a flat rate of Rs. 26.7 per unit, resulting in savings ranging from Rs.
11.42 to Rs. 26 per unit, depending on the existing tariff slab. For industrial users, the package will reduce electricity costs by Rs. 5.72 to Rs. 15 per unit, offering savings of 18% to 37%. Commercial consumers will experience savings of Rs. 13.46 to Rs. 22 per unit, translating into a 34% to 47% reduction in electricity costs. The Prime Minister emphasized that this relief package will apply nationwide, ensuring equal benefit for all regions of Pakistan. In his speech, Shehbaz Sharif also honored the memory of Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal, Pakistan’s national poet and philosopher, whose contributions were celebrated on the occasion.
that Pakistan has become an increasingly attractive destination for investment in both the IT and telecom sectors. Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunications Shaza Fatima, Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Ali Pervez Malik, Prime Minister’s Coordinator Rana Ehsan Afzal, and other senior government offi-
cials were also present at the meeting. This meeting comes just weeks after Jazz, VEON’s leading operating company in Pakistan, announced that VEON’s Board of Directors had approved a plan to relocate the company’s headquarters from Amsterdam to Dubai, where its expanding operational hub has been based since early 2022.
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this target. Prime Minister Shehbaz also spoke about efforts to extend high-speed mobile internet access to remote areas of the country, noting that the introduction of 5G services would be pivotal in achieving the vision of a *Digital Pakistan*. “With the advent of 5G, we can bring fast and reliable internet services to every corner of Pakistan,” he added. The Prime Minister emphasized the crucial role of the telecom sector in enabling a cashless and digital economy, which is vital for Pakistan’s economic future. The VEON delegation expressed appreciation for the government’s efforts towards economic stabilization and noted
Abu Dhabi Ports and Pakistan ink four MoUs to boost investment and collaboration PROFIT
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PM unveils electricity Sahulat Package to provide relief for consumers
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RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with a delegation from VEON Group, a global leader in telecommunications and digital services, to discuss the expansion of information technology (IT), digitisation, and 5G services in Pakistan. The meeting, held on Friday, was led by Augie K. Fabela, Chairman of VEON Group. During the discussion, Prime Minister Shehbaz reaffirmed the government’s commitment to partnering with VEON Group to advance Pakistan’s IT sector, focusing on innovations in digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence (AI). The Prime Minister praised VEON’s subsidiary, Jazz Group, for its significant contributions to Pakistan’s telecommunications and fintech industries. “We are eager to work closely with VEON to promote IT, digitisation, and AI in Pakistan,” the Prime Minister said, stressing that the government is actively working to accelerate the development of the telecom and IT sectors. He further highlighted the government’s goal to increase Pakistan’s IT exports to $25 billion within the next three years, underlining the importance of robust telecommunications in achieving
Reko Diq Mining Company to use PIBT’s port facility for cargo handling
In a significant development aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, Pakistan and Abu Dhabi Ports have signed four memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to foster collaboration in key sectors such as shipping, ports, logistics, and infrastructure development. The agreements were signed during a ceremony in Islamabad on Friday, attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. A high-level UAE delegation, led by H.H. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, met with Prime Minister Sharif to discuss expanding UAE investments in Pakistan. The delegation expressed interest in deepening economic ties, particularly in the areas of maritime shipping, port efficiency, logistics, and the digitalization of customs processes. In his address, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the delegation and thanked the leadership of the UAE, particularly His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the UAE, for their continued support of Pakistan’s development. He acknowledged the role of existing UAE investments in Pakistan, emphasizing the importance of strengthening bilateral trade and cooperation. The MoUs signed include collaborations between Pakistan’s Ministries of Maritime Affairs, Aviation, Railways, and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) with Abu Dhabi Ports Group.
Imran, others’ indictment deferred again in GHQ attack case RAWALPINDI
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The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Rawalpindi on Friday once again deferred the indictment of former prime minister Imran Khan and others accused in the case related to attack on GHQ during May 9 violent events. The GHQ attack case is linked to the PTI founder’s arrest on May 9, 2023, from the Islamabad High Court. Following Imran’s arrest, widespread protests erupted across the country, which escalated into riots, during which PTI supporters targeted and vandalised numerous
civil and military installations. Key sites that were ransacked or vandalised included General Headquarters (GHQ) Rawalpindi, Jinnah House in Lahore (Corps Commander House in Lahore) and Mianwali airbase. ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah conducted the hearing of the case at Adiala Jail. During the hearing, defence counsels raised objections to the indictment’s contents, noting that the GHQ investigation report included statements by 94 witnesses and none of whom named the PTI chairman or any other senior leader. Lawyer Babar Awan argued that the individuals who initially
implicated PTI leaders have since withdrawn their statements. KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur did not attend the hearing, and his attorney submitted a request for an exemption from attendance. Meanwhile, copies of the indictment were not distributed to the 25 accused individuals present. Former interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed submitted a petition requesting for acquittal in an attempt to avoid indictment. GHQ attack case Earlier this year, Imran Khan was arrested in the GHQ attack case, soon after his release warrant was issued in the cypher case.
ing case resolution, allows all SHC judges to hear constitutional matters until November 24, 2024. The JCP is set to revisit the matter on November 25 for further deliberation. The announcement came during the second meeting of the JCP, established under the 26th Constitutional Amendment. The meeting, held at the Supreme Court, was presided over by Chief Justice of
Pakistan (CJP) Justice Yahya Afridi, with a singular focus on forming a constitutional bench for the SHC. Chief Justice of the SHC, Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui, proposed that all SHC judges remain engaged with constitutional cases until the stipulated deadline. The JCP endorsed the proposal, highlighting its commitment to reducing delays and ensuring swift justice.
JCP nominates all SHC judges for constitutional bench ISLAMABAD
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The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) on Friday approved the nomination of all Sindh High Court (SHC) judges to serve on a constitutional bench tasked with addressing the significant backlog of constitutional cases. The decision, aimed at expedit-
Collaboration will allow Reko Diq to use PIBT’s terminal infrastructure, subject to final agreements and regulatory approvals PROFIT
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Pakistan International Bulk Terminal Limited (PIBT) announced that it has been chosen by Reko Diq Mining Company (Private) Limited as the preferred port facility for handling cargo concentrate for the initial phase of the Reko Diq mining project. PIBT shared this information with the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) through a notice on Friday in accordance with the requirements of the Rule Book of Pakistan Stock Exchange Limited and applicable provisions of the Securities Act, 2015. “Reko Diq Mining Company (Private) Limited (“Reko Diq”) has identified and approached PIBT as the preferred port to enable it to utilise PIBT’s terminal and its infrastructure for the handling of its cargo concentrate for the initial phase of the Reko Diq project subject to the execution of definitive agreements and regulatory and other necessary approvals from the relevant authorities including the Port Qasim Authority,” read the notice. This collaboration will allow Reko Diq to use PIBT’s terminal infrastructure, subject to final agreements and regulatory approvals, including clearance from the Port Qasim Authority.
Pakistan again requests China to finalize $1bn loan for Karachi, Hyderabad rail project g
Security issues and financing terms slow progress on ML-I, CPEC's only "strategic project" now in its seventh year of delays PROFIT
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Pakistan has renewed its request for China to hold a critical financing committee meeting to negotiate a nearly $1 billion loan for the Karachi-Hyderabad segment of the long-delayed Mainline-I (ML-I) railway project, a key component of the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The Express Tribune reported that the Pakistani embassy in Beijing issued the request last week, marking the second appeal in the past year for a fifth joint financing committee session on the ML-I. Officials from Pakistan’s Ministry of Railways briefed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Planning about the situation, explaining that discussions with China are ongoing amid persistent financial and security challenges that have hindered project implementation. The ML-I project declared CPEC’s sole “strategic” initiative, has faced setbacks for nearly seven years due to Pakistan’s strained finances and Beijing’s security concerns. China has suggested Pakistan first develop the Karachi-Hyderabad section, estimated at $1.1 billion, as a pilot before undertaking the broader $10 billion plan.