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nepra defers final Irrefutable evIdence proves IndIa wagIng decision on fca and quarterly adjustment relief cross-border terrorIsm: dg Ispr Wednesday, 30 April, 2025 I 2 Ziquad, 1446
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 293 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
MILITARY SPOKESPERSON SAYS INDIA YET TO g DELHI ACTIVELY OPERATING AND PRESENT A ‘SHRED OF EVIDENCE’ TO SUPPORTING TERRORIST NETWORKS ON SUBSTANTIATE ITS ACCUSATIONS PAKISTANI SOIL: LT-GEN CHAUDHRY REVEALS FORENSIC ANALYSIS OF RETRIEVED MATERIAL FROM A HELD TERRORIST SHOWED INVOLVEMENT OF FOUR INDIAN ARMY OFFICIALS
Pakistan shoots down two Indian quadcopters near LoC BHIMBER/ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
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RAWALPINDI STAFF REPORT
IRECTOR General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry rejected India’s baseless accusations following the Pahalgam attack and provided evidence of India’s statesponsored cross-border terrorism in Pakistan, particularly Balochistan. Addressing an important press con-
ference to inform the public about the current security situation in Pakistan and address India’s baseless allegations, the DG ISPR said, “It has been seven days since the Pahalgam attack, yet not a “a shred of evidence” has been provided to substantiate the baseless allegations levelled against Pakistan.” Pakistan-India relations plummeted to lowest ebbs in years following Pahalgam attack, a tourist attraction in IndianIllegal Occupied Kashmir on April 22, in which gunmen killed 26 men, mostly
pakistan has credible evidence of ‘regional adversaries’ sponsored Jaffar express attack, envoy tells un NEW YORK
STAFF REPORT
Pakistan informed the United Nations on Tuesday that the country had “credible evidence” proving that the Jaffer Express attack was “externally sponsored by its regional adversaries”, according to a press release. The Jaffar Express train was hijacked on March 11 when Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) terrorists ambushed and hijacked the Peshawar-bound train carrying 440 passengers. Security forces launched a two-day operation, concluding on March 12. During the launch of the “Victims of Terrorism Association Network” by the UN Office of CounterTerrorism at the UN headquarters in New York, Jawad Ajmal, a counsellor at the Pakistan Mission, expressed concern at the loss of tourist lives in the recent Pahalgam attack, and extended “heartfelt condolences to the near ones of the deceased and wish the injured a speedy recovery.” According to the press release, Ajmal said that Pakistan possessed “credible evidence establishing that the attack on the Jaffer Express passenger train — in which at least 30 innocent Pakistani nationals were killed and dozens taken hostage — was externally sponsored by its regional adversaries.” He noted that Pakistan joined fellow UN Security Council members in condemning the attack. The counsellor further said that Pakistan had been one of the worst victims of terrorism for over two decades. With the loss of more than 80,000 lives and thousands more injured, Pakistan remains inspired by the resilience and strength of its nation. “We pay tribute to the families of the martyrs from our law enforcement agencies and armed forces, who have made countless sacrifices to defend our motherland,” he added. “The international community had a responsibility to support survivors of brutal terrorist attacks and the families of victims whose lives were permanently altered by such tragedies.”
Pakistan Army on Tuesday shot down another Indian quadcopter drone near the Line of Control (LoC) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and India linger on following the Pahalgam attack, reported state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP). Pakistan Army, earlier in the day, had shot down an Indian quadcopter. In a single day, it had shot down two Indian quadcopters, the APP reported quoting security sources. It said that the Pakistan Army shot down the quadcopters along the Line of Control, thwarting a violation of the coun-
tourists. No group claimed responsibility for the attack. India, on the other hand, without providing any evidence, accused Pakistan of involvement in the attack — announcing a number of diplomatic
try’s airspace. Specifying the location, it cited the security sources as saying that the Indian quadcopter Phantom-4, spying in Pakistani territory was shot down in the Satwal sector of the LoC. “The Pakistan Army, through timely action, foiled this nefarious attempt by the enemy,” the report added. The incident is a “clear testimony to the vigilance, professional skill and defensive preparedness of the Pakistan Army,” the APP reported. “The Pakistan Army is always ready to give an immediate and effective response to any aggression from the enemy,” the report read, adding that the entire nation stood “united with the armed forces to give a befitting response to the enemy on every front”.
downgrades, including the suspension of World Bank-sponsored decades-old Indus Water Treaty (IWT), that governs water sharing between the two countries.
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PM hails $700m FDI, saying Pakistan not waiting for future but shaping it ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to becoming the next major tech destination in light of $700 million foreign investment pledged in in IT sector, inviting international investors to capitalise on the country’s vast talent pool and digital infrastructure “Pakistan is not waiting for the future but shaping it,” Premier Shehbaz Sharif stated while speaking at the Digital Foreign Direct Investment (DFDI) conference started in Islamabad. Delegates from around 45 countries arrived in Islamabad to participate in the DFDI conference, the first-ever DFDI conference held in Pakistan. Over 75 foreign investors and CEOs of more than 50 global companies attended the event. The digital sector has long been recognised as a key segment for foreign direct investment (FDI), yet Pakistan has struggled to attract substantial digital FDI. Addressing the DFDI conference on Tuesday, PM Shehbaz hailed investment in the IT sector, calling on international stakeholders to continue supporting Pakistan as it was ready to lead the global digital economy. The premier highlighted the government’s initiatives in the IT sector, including the launch of federal and provincial IT parks, incubation centres, and a largescale research and development (R&D) ecosystem.
He noted that Pakistan’s youth, aged between 15-30, constitute 60 percent of the population, and announced that Huawei will train 200,000 boys and girls through a joint skill development programme in collaboration with the government. “The youth are the architects of our digital future”, he said. PM Shehbaz said that in March Pakistan received a recordbreaking $4.1 billion in foreign remittances, signalling growing trust in the country’s digital potential. “We’re not just building a digital economy — we’re creating a digital Pakistan. From transforming agriculture through AI to expanding exports with smart technology, this is the moment for global investors to join us,” the premier said. Over 100m strong youth greatest digital asset of Pakistan: Shaza Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja also spoke at the conference, highlighting Pakistan’s exponential growth in IT export.
“Pakistan’s youth — over 100 million strong — is our greatest digital asset. Under the prime minister’s direct supervision, we have trained over 300,000 young professionals in IT skills this year alone.” She also spoke about Pakistan’s evolving regulatory landscape and called for the development of robust digital infrastructure. CEO of Pakistan Software Export Board Abu Bakar announced that IT exports were set to exceed $4b this year, calling it a testament to public-private collaboration and national talent. Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organisation Deemah AlYahya, praised Pakistan’s ambition and innovation. “This is a historic moment where ambition, innovation, and opportunity converge. Digital transformation is now a revolution, not a trend and with 142 million broadband subscribers, 65pc smartphone penetration, and IT exports poised to exceed $4b, the country is primed for digital acceleration.”
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The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) on Tuesday concluded public hearings on two key power sector pricing adjustments but deferred its final decisions, stating that detailed verdicts would be issued after further scrutiny and verification of the submitted data. The regulator conducted back-to-back sessions at its headquarters—one on the third quarterly adjustment for fiscal year 2024-25 and the other on the monthly Fuel Charges Adjustment (FCA) for March 2025. Both hearings were chaired by the NEPRA Chairman and witnessed active participation from Central Power Purchasing Agency Guarantee Limited (CPPA-G) officials, business community representatives, Ministry of Energy officials, journalists, and members of the public. During the quarterly adjustment hearing, power distribution companies (DISCOs) submitted a proposal seeking consumer relief amounting to Rs51.493 billion. If approved and applied over the next three months, this could translate to a reduction of approximately Rs1.50 per unit for consumers, according to CPPA-G. NEPRA noted that the proposed quarterly relief would apply to all DISCO consumers, including those of K-Electric, but would exclude lifeline customers, pre-paid meter users, and electric vehicle charging stations. The authority expressed concern over the absence of senior officials from the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO), Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO), and Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO), and decided to seek formal explanations from the respective DISCOs. Separately, during the FCA hearing for March, CPPA-G proposed a marginal reduction of three paisas per unit—marking the ninth consecutive month of proposed FCA cuts. This adjustment, if approved, would also exclude KElectric consumers as well as lifeline, protected, pre-paid, and EV charging users. However, officials warned that this relief may be short-lived. The General Manager of the National Power Control Centre (NPCC) highlighted the onset of summer and anticipated higher electricity prices due to lower hydropower generation and increased reliance on expensive imported fuels. CPPA-G CEO Rihan Akhtar echoed these concerns, warning of likely FCA hikes in the coming months. Participants at the hearing raised several key concerns. Arif Bilwani requested clarity on the government’s long-term power generation strategy and the structure of the FCA. Amir Sheikh noted that while captive power plants were integrated into the national grid—freeing up indigenous gas and RLNG—these resources had not been reallocated to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) or the industrial sector, potentially denying industry stakeholders higher Fuel Price Adjustment (FPA) refunds.
$6.4b reko diq mining agreement expected next month PROFIT
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The long-awaited signing of the $6.4 billion Reko Diq mining agreement is expected next month, with final arrangements underway for loan facilities from key international financiers including the US and UK EXIM Banks, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank. The financial structure also includes contributions from both the federal and Balochistan governments. Of the total project cost, Pakistan’s federal government will contribute $3.4 billion, with $1.7 billion of that amount attributable to Balochistan through the Petroleum Division’s allocation. Following financial closure, expected shortly after the deal’s signing, global investment inflows of around $3 billion are anticipated. Production at the Reko Diq site is expected to commence roughly three years after financial closure. In the first year of production, combined revenues for the federal and provincial governments are projected to reach $3 billion, offering a substantial boost to national and regional fiscal accounts. Located in Balochistan, Reko Diq is one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper and gold deposits. Its revival is being hailed as a pivotal step toward enhancing foreign direct investment and revitalising Pakistan’s mining sector.
United across political, military lines, Pakistan to respond to Indian aggression: Dar ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar on Tuesday said that Pakistan would not make first strike but it would respond forcefully to any aggression by India. Addressing the Senate session, he said the country remains united across political and military lines, as reflected in a joint message from the National Security Committee and now echoed in Parliament. Dar thanked senators from all parties, including the opposition and government members, for finalizing a resolution in response to the situation. He called the resolution a unified move and said it sends a strong message globally against India. The deputy PM while sharing the details of Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach told lawmakers that, “As of now, we’ve spoken to the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, China, the United Kingdom, Türkiye, Azerbaijan,
Kuwait, Bahrain, and Hungary, except in the case of Qatar, where I spoke directly to the prime minister.” “I talked to them through what happened, India’s psyche, its history and our concerns about what intentions it may have in light of that history,” he added. DPM Dar pointed to past incidents like the Pulwama attack, noted that New Delhi had used the incident as a pretext to revoke Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. He firmly denied Pakistan’s involvement in the Pahalgam incident, stating, “What we do say with full confidence is that Pakistan has nothing to do with this [attack].” He said China and Türkiye have expressed their support for Pakistan during detailed discussions. He warned that India might be looking to escalate tensions, said that Pakistan would not initiate any conflict. “If India acts aggressively, we will respond accordingly,” he added. Dar also claimed that India had been attempting to alter the 1960 Indus Water
Treaty, for the past two years, citing changing circumstances. “I have my doubt, much like other people, that this drama was staged to suspend this treaty,” he said while referring to the Pahalgam attack. Ishaq Dar said that there was no mention of the Indus Waters Treaty in the Indian demarche, but in a separate letter from India, it has been written that the situation had changed, we were suspending it. He said this would be unprecedented, as the treaty remained intact even during past wars. He emphasized that Pakistan would treat any action on water as a serious threat. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the National Security Committee has made it clear that any interference with Pakistan’s water rights would be considered an act of war. He added that there would be no compromise on the Indus Water Treaty, and an inter-ministerial meeting has already been held to discuss the matter. Dar said that dossiers are being prepared for international briefings within 48 hours.
DPM briefs UAE, Kuwaiti FM’s on evolving regional situation ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Tuesday spoke to his counterpart in the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan wherein they discussed the recent regional situation and matters of mutual concern. Deputy Prime Minister Dar apprised the UAE deputy prime minister and foreign minister of Pakistan’s National Security Committee’s decisions in response to India’s unfounded allegations, inflammatory rhetoric, and unilateral actions, according to a foreign ministry’s press release issued in Islamabad. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan
emphasized the importance of upholding regional stability, promoting dialogue, exercising restraint, and peaceful resolution of disputes. Reaffirming the strong fraternal ties between Pakistan and the UAE, both leaders committed to maintaining close coordination and consultations in light of evolving regional situation. Both sides expressed their resolve to enhancing bilateral cooperation and advancing shared objectives of peace, stability, and sustainable development. DPM/FM briefs Kuwaiti FM on evolving regional situation Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar Tuesday received a telephone call from Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya.