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Profit PM LAUNCHES RS20B RAMAZAN PACKAGE FOR 4 MILLION FAMILIES
Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 236 I 8 Pages I Karachi Edition
Sunday, 2 March, 2025 I 1 Ramazan, 1446
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EACH FAMILY TO RECEIVE RS5,000 THROUGH DIGITAL WALLETS IN FIRST 10 DAYS OF HOLY MONTH: PM
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PROFIT NEWS DESK
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday launched a Rs20 billion Ramazan relief package aimed at supporting four million deserving families across the country, benefitting approximately 20 million people. Speaking at the launch ceremony, the prime minister said the relief would be disbursed within the first ten days of Ramazan, with each family receiving Rs5,000 through digital wallets. He noted that inflation had been comparatively lower this year during the holy month. “This year, Rs20 billion has been allocated for the package, compared to Rs7 billion last year,” he stated, commending the relevant authorities, including ministries, the State Bank of Pakistan, NADRA, BISP, and technology firms, for developing a robust digital distribution mechanism. He added that the initiative would benefit all regions of the country through a transparent system. The prime minister also thanked international partners for their contributions and support in implementing the relief initiative. Shehbaz highlighted that billions of rupees belonging to the nation had been tied up in legal disputes for years. He reiterated the government’s commitment to securing swift decisions on cases involving Rs500 billion currently pending in various courts. Referring to corruption in the Utility Stores Corporation, he described it as among the worst cases and con-
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EXPRESSES SATISFACTION OVER PRICES OF ESSENTIALS, COMPARING IT WITH FIGURES DURING RAMAZAN PREVIOUS YEAR
firmed that the corporation would be privatized to end public inconvenience. He emphasized that loss-making state-owned enterprises would also be closed down.
Discussing financial irregularities, he noted that during the previous caretaker government’s tenure, banks made excessive profits from exchange rate fluctuations and later obtained court stays when the government introduced corrective legislation. He pointed to a recent Sindh High Court decision that resulted in the recovery of Rs23 billion from such a case. The prime minister also condemned the terrorist attack on Maulana Hamid ul Haq at Madrassa Haqqania, expressing deep sorrow over his killing. He described the madrassa as a significant center of Islamic learning and called the attack heart-wrenching. He urged the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to swiftly apprehend those responsible, recalling that terrorism had been eradicated in 2018 after the sacrifice of 80,000 Pakistanis, including security personnel and civilians. However, he lamented its resurgence in recent times, pledging that with the security forces’ dedication and national support, terrorism would be eliminated once and for all. Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain said the relief program was sanctioned in just 20 days, with authorities ensuring a smooth and efficient transfer of funds to four million families. Additionally, 600 stalls are being set up at the tehsil level to provide sugar at a subsidized price of Rs130 per kg.
‘Time to unite and help poor,’ President, PM greet nation on advent of Ramazan ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday called on the nation to embrace the spirit of Ramazan by extending support to the poor and promoting unity among Muslims. According to reports, in his message at the start of Ramazan 1446 Hijri, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude for the blessings of the holy month. PM Shehbaz emphasized that it is a time of patience, gratitude, compassion, and sacrifice. The prime minister urged people to remember the underprivileged and help them according to their capacity. The prime minister stressed
the importance of strengthening the unity of the Muslim Ummah and fostering cooperation and brotherhood. Similarly, President Asif Ali Zardari also extended his heartfelt congratulations to the nation and the Muslim Ummah on the beginning of Ramazan. President Asif Ali Zardar highlighted the significance of Ramazan as a month of mercy, forgiveness, and self-purification. He called on the people to go beyond their means in supporting the underprivileged, emphasising that charity and generosity play a crucial role in building a compassionate society. “This sacred month reminds us of the suffering of the needy and urges us to rise above per-
sonal interests, extend a helping hand, and fulfill our duty towards the less fortunate,” the president said. Asif Ali Zardari prayed for Pakistan’s peace, stability, and prosperity and encouraged the nation to embody patience and piety throughout Ramazan. Both leaders urged the people to make the most of this blessed month by embracing its values of love, brotherhood, and generosity, ensuring that no one is left behind during this time of spiritual reflection. Earlier, the PM of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif launched Rs20 Ramazan package for 4 million deserving families across the country, benefitting about 20 million people.
KP CTD announces cash reward for info on suicide bomber as JUI-S chief laid to rest PESHAWAR
STAFF REPORT
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on Saturday announced Rs0.5 million as reward for providing information about “the unidentified suicide bomber,” of the deadly attack on Darul Uloom Haqqania in Nowshera’s Akora Khattak. Maulana Hamidul Haq Haqqani — son of Maulana Samiul Haq and chief of his own faction of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-S) — was among six people killed in a suicide attack at the mosque of Darul Uloom Haqqania. Another 20 people were injured as the suicide bomber detonated explosives strapped to his body after the Friday prayers congregation. On the other hand, the funeral prayers for slain JUI-S chief Maulana Hamidul Haq Haqqani were offered at the seminary that was targeted yesterday. The funeral, offered at 11am, was attended hundreds of people at Darul Uloom Haqqania. FIR registered at in Mardan’s CTD police station A case has been registered in Mardan’s Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) police station in connection with the yesterday’s suicide blast in Akora Khattak. As per details, the case was filed against the suicide attacker on behalf of Abdul Haq Sani, the injured son of JUI-S chief Maulana Hamidul Haq Haqqani The FIR invoked section 7 (punishment for acts of terrorism) of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 as well as sections 302 (qatl-i-amd or intentional murder), 324 (attempted murder), and 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of Rs50) of the Pakistan Penal Code. The complaint named five others who died in the attack as well as nine others — including Sani — who were among the 20 people injured. According to the FIR, Sani and his father were leaving the seminary to head to their home after the Friday prayers but as they reached the place’s “small gate”, an unknown “miscreant suicide bomber came close to the father (Haqqani) and blew himself up”. Sani said the blast resulted in the deaths of the six people as well as injured others, including him. He added that there were seminary students and teachers present as well at the time of the incident. Recalling that the bomber had murdered those named in the FIR and spread fear among the people, Sani urged the police to take action against the unknown attacker under the mentioned laws. In a statement, the KP police assured the public that the name of the informant would not be disclosed. It provided the following numbers for contact: 03159135456 and 091-9212591. An official report shared by the hospital director said six persons were killed in yesterday’s explosion, with two being pronounced “dead on arrival”. According to the report, an 11-year-old child was also among the 20 injured brought to the hospital. “Maulana Haq was leaving the seminary for his home after prayers when he was targeted by the suicide bomber,” KP Inspector General (IG) Zulfiqar Hameed had told the media. Three police personnel are also among the injured, Hameed had said, adding that the personnel were deployed to provide security to Haqqani.
COAS reaffirms Army’s support for initiatives empowering youth RAWALPINDI
STAFF REPORT
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), on Saturday encouraged the students to pursue academic excellence with dedication and “equip themselves with the skills necessary to contribute meaningfully to national development,” reported the military’s media wing. A statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that COAS Gen Munir visited Bahawalpur on Saturday, where he engaged with students from various universities from across Bahawalpur and inaugurated the CMH Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS), Innovista Cholistan and the Integrated Combat Simulator Arena. The Army chief’s Bahawalpur visit follows a counterterrorism operation in North Waziristan the previous day, in which six terrorists were killed. “The COAS lauded the pivotal role of the youth in shaping Pakistan’s future and reaffirmed the Army’s support for initiatives that empower young talent,” the ISPR said. After being received by the Bahawalpur
Corps Commander upon his arrival, the COAS inaugurated the new facilities, which the ISPR termed “pioneering initiatives aimed at advancing medical education, information technology and combat readiness” in their statement. The army chief then visited the Bahawalpur Cantonment, where he was briefed on the operational preparedness and training of the Bahawalpur Corps.
“While addressing officers and troops, he commended their unwavering dedication, high morale, and combat readiness,” the ISPR said. “He reiterated that rigorous training remains the cornerstone of a soldier’s professional development and must continue to be the defining attribute of the Pakistan Army in overcoming the challenges of modern warfare,” the ISPR said.
SHC orders protection for newly-married Hindu couple KARACHI
STAFF REPORT
Sindh High Court (SHC) on Saturday directed advocate-general and prosecutor-general of the province to provide foolproof security to a Hindu couple who solemnized love-marriage in Karachi. During hearing of the case the court issued notices to advocate-general and prosecutor-general of Sindh and summoned them on next date of hearing i.e. March 13, 2025. The Court also directed police not to arrest the couple. Consul for the petitioner Zahid Narejo stated that their clients Laxmi and Lao Kumar solemnized a lovemarriage against the will of their relatives and parents. The counsel said that relatives of girl continued threatening and harassing them. In her statement the bride Laxmi stated that married the Lao Kumar with her own choice and nobody kidnapped her and trapped her.