In partnership with
PM CALLS FOR NATIONAL UNITY, DIALOGUE TO ROOT OUT TERRORISM, KHAWARIJ
Profit
Friday, 14 March, 2025 I 13 Ramazan, 1446
Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 248 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
g I ON BEHALF OF PEOPLE AND GOVTS OF PM SHEHBAZ SAYS MEETING OF NATIONAL LEADERSHIP TO BE CALLED TO PAKISTAN, ESPECIALLY BALOCHISTAN PAY COUNTER MENACE OF TERRORISM AS TRIBUTE TO SECURITY FORCES FOR THEIR WAS DONE AFTER APS ATTACK BRAVERY: PREMIER g SAYS FEDERAL AND PROVINCIAL GOVTS AND PEOPLE SHOULD WORK TOGETHER TO ENSURE PEACE PARTICULARLY IN KP, BALOCHISTAN g
P
QUETTA
STAFF REPORT
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif Thursday said a meeting of the country’s leadership would be called to hold consultation on the issue of terrorism as was done after the attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar. He was addressing a meeting here on the issue of law and order in Balochistan in the backdrop of the recent train hostage incident. He said, “We needed unity and national solidarity which will provide support to the armed forces to fight against terrorism and Khawarij.” Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Governor Balochistan Jaffar Khan Mandokhail, Chief Minister Balochistan Sarfraz Bugti, Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, parliamentarians and high level officials attended the meeting. The prime minister said, “Today we are together on the occasion when the whole nation was grieving as three days
ago, terrorists attacked a train in which more than 400 persons were travelling.” The terrorists did not care about the sanctity of Ramazan and cruelly took the passengers out of the train and held them captive at an abandoned place, he recounted adding the passengers were
It is war against ideology of lawlessness, despair, not militant outfits: PM QUETTA
STAFF REPORT
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif while reaffirming Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to eradicating terrorism, stated that any attempt to destabilize the country through treachery will be met with the full and unyielding might of the state. PM Shehbaz Sharif was speaking at a high level security conference at the Balochistan Chief Minister’s Secretariat on Thursday. The premier’s visit comes after security forces eliminated all 33 Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) terrorists who had hijacked the Jaffar
Express which was carrying more than 400 passengers — who were taken hostage — on Tuesday. Announcing the completion of the around two-day-long operation, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said the armed forces took part in the action against terrorist who “remained in contact with their facilitators and mastermind based in Afghanistan via satellite phone”. Units from the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), Special Services Group (SSG), Army, and Frontier Corps (FC) took part in the operation, the army’s spokesperson said.
Pakistan urges swift Afghanistan action against train attack masterminds ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday urged the Afghan government to take swift action against the masterminds of the Jaffar Express hostage tragedy. “We urge the Afghan government to take action against the people who had masterminded the Jaffar Express hijacking because they had their safe havens in Afghanistan,” FO spokesman Shafqat Ali Khan while addressing weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Thursday. The FO spokesman said that Pakistan was targeting those terrorists who had sanctuaries outside its boundaries. “Those who carried out the attack had links with their collaborators abroad,” he added. He said that Islamabad had taken notice of the reports that the Donald Trump administration was likely to impose a ban on the entry of Pakistanis in the USA. Shafqat Ali Khan said right now there was no confirmation of these entry ban reports. “These are merely rumours,” he added. Rubbishing reports that Pakistan wanted to close its border with Afghanistan at Torkham, Shafqat said it was merely
going to their hometowns to celebrate Eid and visit their loved ones. He said the security forces came up with a strategy and saved lives of passengers including children and eliminated terrorists. He said, “We should be thankful to the security forces under the leadership
of Chief of Army Staff and Corps Commander Quetta, intelligence agencies and the Zarrar Company which rescued 339 passengers and eliminated 33 terrorists.” He said he took more than two hours of briefing on the security situation in Balochistan and visited the injured in the hospital. The prime minister said, “I on behalf of people and governments of Pakistan particularly Balochistan pay tribute to the security forces for their bravery.” He said the governments at the federal and provincial levels and people should work together to ensure peace in the country particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. He pointed out that Balochistan was the biggest province of Pakistan in terms of area and people from all provinces were living there. The prime minister was of the view that Pakistan would not make progress and achieve prosperity without bringing Balochistan at par with other provinces of the country.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
Unanimous NA resolution vows to eliminate terrorism, pays tribute to security forces ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The National Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution reaffirming the country’s unwavering commitment to eliminating terrorism from every corner of the nation and safeguarding its sovereignty. The resolution tabled by Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhary firmly condemned the hijacking of the Jaffar Express and all acts of terrorism that endanger the lives of citizens and disrupt the peace of the nation. The resolution expressed resolve to
propaganda. “The truth of the matter is that Afghanistan had tried to set up a checkpoint inside our territory,” he added. The spokesman went on to say that four Pakistanis had been released on a court order in Spain. “We had requested for the consular access to other detained Pakistanis. But so far we have not been given that access,” he informed. On an incident that took place at Los Angeles Airport involving Pakistan’s ambassador to Turkmenistan KK Ahsan Wagan, he said the ambassador was on a private visit to the USA, and that he had been allowed to go following second screening. “However, we are investigating the incident,” he added. Shafqat said that China, being a timetested friend, stood by Pakistan. “The entire world has condemned the Jaffar Express incident,” he added. He went on to say that the Indian leadership’s statement on Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) reflected their expansionist designs. The spokesman said Pakistan urged the cessation of hostilities both in Gaza and the West Bank. “Pakistan strongly condemns the ban imposed by India on Awami Action Committee and Jammu and Kashmir Ittehadul Muslimeen,” he added.
take every possible measure to eliminate terrorism from every corner of our nation and affirms that no group, no individual, and no ideology that seeks to undermine our nation's peace, security prosperity, and sovereignty will be allowed to spread fear, hatred, or violence within the territorial limits of the country. Furthermore, pledges not to allow any terrorist activity to go unchecked in any part of our country and commits to working relentlessly to root out terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, ensuring that those who attempt to destabilize the country face the full force of the law.
10 terrorists killed as attack on Jandola checkpost foiled: interior ministry RAWALPINDI
STAFF REPORT
Security forces killed 10 terrorists on Thursday after foiling a suicide attack on a checkpost near Jandola Fort in South Waziristan, according to a statement from the interior ministry and security sources. According to security sources, the attackers opened fire after the explosion, with sources confirming that the attack was a suicide bombing. Security officials stated that several militants were neutralised outside the gate of the Jandola Fort checkpoint in South Waziristan. The suicide bomber detonated their explosives at the southern gate, resulting in injuries to two security personnel. The identification process for the terrorists is currently ongoing, security sources revealed. According to the statement, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi paid tribute to security forces for repelling the attack. “I salute the security forces for foiling the attack,” he said and commended them for bringing 10 terrorists to “an exemplary end”. “The nation is proud of the professional capabilities of the security forces and stands by them” in their efforts to eliminate terrorists, Naqvi added. Last week, security personnel killed three terrorists in an intelligence-based operation in KP’s Tank district. Earlier this month, 16 terrorists were killed while five soldiers were martyred as security forces responded to a terrorist attack on the Bannu Cantonment. The terrorists had rammed two explosives-laden vehicles into the perimeter of the Bannu Cantonment in an attempt to enter the high-security zone. Thirteen civilians were killed, while another 32 were injured as a result of a mosque and a residential building collapsed due to the suicide blasts, causing the perimeter wall to partially collapse. Meanwhile, the Islamabad-based think tank Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) report revealed that February saw a marginal increase in terrorist attacks but a sharp surge in civilian casualties. The report, published after the Bannu Cantt attack, said that the country witnessed 79 terrorist attacks last month, claiming the lives of 55 civilians and 47 security personnel, while 45 civilians and 81 security personnel were injured. Security forces, meanwhile, intensified counter-terrorism operations, eliminating 156 terrorists, injuring 20, and arresting 66, it said.
Amid call for NAP revival, NA witnesses ruckus as opposition denied debate on train attack ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The National Assembly witnessed ruckus and chaos on Wednesday after the opposition was denied the opportunity to discuss the deadly attack on Jaffer Express in Balochistan. The session, presided over by Abdul Qadir Patel, took a contentious turn when Opposition Leader Omar Ayub demanded the suspension of the Question Hour to debate the tragic incident. Opening the debate on the President's address to the joint sitting of parliament on March 10, he stated, "We are against and condemn those who have taken up arms against the state". He argued that it would have been more appropriate for the chair to allow a debate on the Balochistan issue by suspending the routine business of the House. However, Patel declined the request, stating that the matter could be addressed during the debate on the presidential address. The refusal sparked immediate protests from PTI lawmakers. In a visible display of frustration, Ayub banged the green file containing parliamentary rules and regulations on his desk, while other opposition members joined in by pounding their desks and shouting slogans. The protest escalated as Ayub and his colleagues staged a walkout, chanting "quorum, quorum" as they left the chamber.
During the opposition's protest and walkout, party member Sher Afzal Marwat was nowhere to be seen. Once the opposition left the chamber, Iqbal Afridi pointed out the lack of quorum, triggering a headcount. However, the required number of members was present, allowing the session to continue. At that moment, Sher Afzal Marwat entered the assembly and rejoined the proceedings. Strikingly, he crossed over to the government benches, sitting among treasury members, including Sheikh Aftab, with whom he was seen chatting amicably. After the prayer break, when the session resumed, Omar Ayub was finally given the floor. His first grievance was that he should have been allowed to speak on the tragedy earlier. However, during his speech, assembly members remained engaged in casual conversations, prompting him to point out the irony: "This is a discussion about Balochistan, yet Balochistan's own members are not paying attention. This is unfortunate". He said he expected undivided attention from the house while he spoke, but in contrast, Sher Afzal Marwat was fast asleep, only stirring when his name was mentioned eliciting chuckles across the hall. Ayub continued his speech for one hour and twenty-three minutes, touching on the Balochistan tragedy and other issues. The
National Assembly session was then adjourned until Thursday (today) at 11:30 am. Revival national action plan against terrorism During his speech on the floor of the National Assembly, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to revive the national action plan (NCP) to take on the scourge of terrorism. Speaking in the National Assembly on Thursday, Bilawal Bhutto said “Pakistan’s enemies are operating in tandem and in retaliation we should also close ranks and work as a cohesive team.” He further said “The prime minister should frame a national action plan as the country has suffered enough from terrorism. The terrorists are exploiting our weaknesses.” Turning his guns at the PTI, the PPP chairman said “Whatever the national issue this party’s only demand is to first free prisoner no 804. Our supporters and activists have nothing to do with the prisoner no 804. The KP government must fulfil its responsibilities other than focusing on prisoner no 804.” Bilawal called for national unity and political consensus to effectively combat terrorism in the country, saying Pakistan had paid a heavy price in its fight against terrorism, with sacrifices made by every segment of society, political leadership, ordinary citizens, military officers, and police personnel.
ECC approves amends to net-metering regulations; sets new buyback rate at Rs10 g
REVISED BUYBACK RATE AIMS TO ADDRESS FINANCIAL BURDEN ON GRID CONSUMERS PROFIT
GHULAM ABBAS
The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has approved amendments to Pakistan’s net-metering regulations, revising the buyback rate for surplus solar electricity to Rs. 10 per unit—a move aimed at reducing the growing financial burden on grid consumers. The decision, taken in a meeting chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, follows concerns over the rapid increase in solar net-metering users, which has shifted costs onto conventional electricity consumers. The new framework allows the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) to periodically adjust the buyback rate, ensuring adaptability to mar-
ket conditions. The amendments, however, will not affect existing net-metered consumers with valid agreements under NEPRA’s 2015 regulations. Their contractual rates will remain intact until their agreements expire. Under the revised billing mechanism, exported solar units will be purchased at Rs. 10 per unit, while imported units will be charged at peak/off-peak rates, inclusive of taxes and surcharges. Pakistan has witnessed a surge in solar net-metering adoption, with registered users increasing to 283,000 by December 2024— up from 226,440 just two months earlier. Installed capacity has jumped from 321 MW in 2021 to 4,124 MW in 2024, reflecting a shift toward solar power. However, this
shift has also resulted in a Rs. 159 billion financial impact on grid consumers, projected to reach Rs. 4,240 billion by 2034 without regulatory intervention. Government officials argue that net-metering users—predominantly urban and affluent households in major cities—avoid fixed electricity charges such as capacity costs, disproportionately increasing tariffs for conventional consumers. The new measures aim to rebalance the financial impact while ensuring the sustainability of the national power grid. Other ECC Decisions The ECC also approved: Export exemptions for potassium sulfate fertilizer from Gwadar Free Zone, allowing M/s Agven Private Limited to
export up to 10,000 tons annually until December 2025. Multiple Technical Supplementary Grants (TSGs), including: Rs. 250 million for ICT-based educational initiatives under the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training. Rs. 220 million to boost SME development through the Ministry of Industries & Production. Rs. 36.099 million for Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) helicopter maintenance. Rs. 15.4 million for Frontier Corps Balochistan (North) helicopter maintenance. Rs. 670 million under the Sustainable Development Goals Achievement Programme (SAP) for the ICT Administration. Additionally, the committee reviewed
inflation trends, noting a decline in key indicators such as the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and food inflation, which officials attributed to fiscal discipline, improved supply chains, and targeted subsidies. The ECC also discussed a pending gold case under the Customs Reward Rules, 2012, directing the Ministry of Interior to justify delays and obtain a legal opinion before resubmission. The revised net-metering framework marks a critical policy shift in Pakistan’s energy landscape. While it preserves incentives for solar adoption, the government aims to mitigate cost imbalances, ensuring a fair distribution of electricity expenses across all consumers. The final implementation will depend on NEPRA’s approval and the Cabinet’s ratification in the coming weeks.