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Saturday, 19 July, 2025 | 23 Muharram, 1447
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 11 | 8 Pages | Karachi Edition
PM SHEHBAZ LAUNCHES ELECTRIC VEHICLE INITIATIVE TO CURB FUEL IMPORTS AND EMPOWER CITIZENS
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OVER 400,000 EVS TO BE DISTRIBUTED THROUGH SUBSIDIZED LOANS AND GRANTS; STUDENTS, WOMEN, AND UNEMPLOYED TO BENEFIT UNDER NATIONAL SCHEME
Libyan Commander-in-Chief calls on PM to discuss bilateral cooperation Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Saddam Khalifa Abu Qasim Haftar, along with his delegation, met with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister House on Friday. During the meeting, they discussed matters of mutual interest, including potential cooperation between Pakistan and Libya in various fields. The meeting was attended by key officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar,
Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif, Federal Minister for Defence Production Raza Hayat Hiraj, Advisor to the Prime Minister Dr. Tauqir Shah, Special Assistant to the PM Tariq Fatemi, and other senior government officials. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warmly welcomed General Haftar and his delegation, acknowledging the importance of strengthening ties between the two nations. General Haftar expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for the warm reception and hospitality extended during his visit.
public confidence. Officials briefed the meeting on the current state of Pakistan’s EV industry and shared updates on ongoing efforts to expand its reach. It was noted that the government is facilitating access to more than 100,000 electric bikes and over 300,000 electric rickshaws and loaders through easy loans and subsidized pricing. The meeting was informed that a special 25% quota had been allocated for women under the scheme, while the rest of the quota was distributed among provinces based on population ratios. In response to regional concerns, the prime minister directed that Balochistan’s share be increased to 10%.
Additionally, it was shared that four new battery manufacturing companies are launching operations in Pakistan as a result of this initiative, a development expected to create new employment opportunities and support local industry. Prime Minister Shehbaz concluded the meeting by instructing authorities to move swiftly toward the scheme’s implementation and ensure timely execution based on the proposals discussed. The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Ahad Khan Cheema and Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar, Chief Coordinator Mosharraf Zaidi, and other senior officials.
ISLAMABAD news desk
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PROFIT
staff report
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday emphasized the urgent need to transition towards electric vehicles (EVs), highlighting their potential to save billions in foreign exchange spent on fuel, protect the environment, and stimulate the domestic manufacturing sector. Chairing a meeting focused on promoting EV adoption across the country, the prime minister directed the preparation of a comprehensive government-level action plan to make electric vehicles accessible to the general public. During the session, the prime minister announced that high-achieving students from educational boards nationwide, including the federal board, will be awarded electric bikes free of cost. He further stated that unemployed citizens would be given priority in receiving electric rick-
shaws and loaders to promote job creation and economic empowerment. Emphasizing inclusivity, the prime minister ordered that economically disadvantaged individuals be prioritized in all EV distribution schemes supported by the government. The prime minister instructed officials to take concrete steps toward building a complete ecosystem for the manufacturing and maintenance of electric vehicles within Pakistan. To ensure transparency and accountability, he also directed that the entire EV distribution process and government support mechanisms undergo third-party validation. In a move to promote public understanding, the prime minister called for launching an awareness campaign to inform citizens about government programs related to electric vehicles. He underscored that all electric bikes, rickshaws, and loaders provided through the scheme must adhere to high-quality and safety standards to ensure reliability and
Pakistan rejects US linking of banned group to Pahalgam attack Pakistan extends airspace ban for Indian flights until August 23 KARACHI
staff report
Pakistan on Friday announced extending its airspace restrictions for Indian airlines by another month, until August 23. Following the government’s decision, the Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA) issued a new Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), reaffirming the ongoing suspension of overflight permissions for aircraft registered in India. According to the NOTAM, all Indian-registered aircraft are strictly prohibited from using Pakistani airspace for any operations, including overflights and transit. The restrictions were initially enforced on April 23 and have been consistently renewed since then. The Pakistan Airport Authority maintains that the ban remains in effect until further notice and applies to all aircraft under Indian registry, with no exemptions granted. Pakistan had initially closed its airspace for Indian airlines in a tit-for-tat move after New Delhi suspended the critical Indus Water Treaty amid heightened bilateral tensions following the deadly Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Following the Pahalgam attack, India launched strikes on Pakistan, resulting in the martyrdom of several Pakistanis. In retaliation, Pakistan responded with its own attacks on India, prompting US intervention and ultimately leading to a ceasefire. After the ban, reports indicated that Indian airlines suffered losses worth millions of dollars due to additional fuel costs from forced stopovers on long-haul flights.
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FO REJECTS REPORTED LINKAGE BETWEEN TRF AND LET, STATING GROUP HAD BEEN COMPREHENSIVELY DISMANTLED ISLAMABAD
staff report
Pakistan on Friday rejected allegations linking a defunct banned group to the April 22 attack in Indian-illegally occupied Kashmir, after the United States ‘designated “The Resistance Front (TRF),” considered an offshoot of the proscribed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), as a “foreign terrorist organization,” according to a foreign office statement on Friday. FO Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan, in a statement, reaffirmed the country’s firm commitment to counterterrorism, reiterating that Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and pursues a policy of zero tolerance. “Pakistan has been, and continues to be, a frontline state in the fight against terrorism,” the statement said, highlighting Islamabad’s contributions to global peace, including the recent arrest of Sharifullah, identified as the mastermind of the 2021 Abbey Gate bombing in Kabul, ”the FO spokesperson said. The US designation came after TRF was accused of carrying out the April 22 Pahalgam attack, a resort town in the Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people. U.S. authorities alleged the group is an offshoot of Lashkar-
e-Taiba (LeT), which was banned in Pakistan years ago. Responding to the development, the FO statement said that investigations into the Pahalgam incident remained inconclusive. It rejected the reported linkage between TRF and LeT, stating that the group concerned had been comprehensively dismantled, with its leadership prosecuted and its members rehabilitated. The statement also criticized India for what it called the misuse of terrorism-related designations for political purposes. “India has a record of exploiting such matters to promote anti-Pakistan propaganda and to divert attention from its on-
going human rights violations in Indian-controlled Kashmir,” the ministry said. The FO spokesperson urged the international community to adopt a balanced, evidence-based approach in combating terrorism and called for equal scrutiny of all terrorist entities. In this regard, it emphasized the need to designate the Majeed Brigade as an alias of the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). Reaffirming its role as a counter-terrorism bulwark, the FO statement called for collective global efforts to address the threat of terrorism through objective and non-discriminatory policies.
COAS Munir, Libyan armed forces’ chief agree on defence industrial collaboration: ISPR RAWALPINDI
staff Correspondent
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir and Libyan Armed Forces’ Commander in Chief Lt Gen Saddam Khalifa Haftar agreed on their countries’ collaboration in the defence industry, the military’s media affairs wing said on Friday. Lt Gen Haftar called on COAS Munir at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi today, the InterServices Public Relations (ISPR) said in a press release. “Both leaders agreed to undertake defence industrial collaboration and exchange of technical expertise to address contemporary security challenges,” the ISPR stated. It noted that the meeting “encompassed discussion on matters of mutual interest, evolving regional dynamics, security challenges and matters pertaining to defence cooperation”. Upon his arrival at GHQ, the Libyan armed forces’ chief laid a floral wreath at the Yadgar-i-Shuhada (martyrs’ monument) to pay homage to the martyrs of the Pakistan Army. “He was offered a warm welcome, followed by guard of honour by a smartly turned-out contingent of the Pakistan Army,” the statement said.
PTI’s political committee rejects as KP govt, opposition ‘agree’ on uncontested Senate polls PESHAWAR/ISLAMABAD staff report
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) political committee rejected the idea of “unopposed election” on Senate seats from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa amid deepening divisions in the party over the “controversial distribution” of tickets for the Senate election, with party organizers threatening protests “if their demands are not met.” The development comes against the backdrop of an understanding reached between the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and opposition parties to hold uncontested Senate elections. According to the agreement, six candidates from the PTI and five from the opposition are set to be elected unopposed on the Senate from the province. The development was confirmed by the opposition leader in the KP Assembly Dr Ibadullah. According to party officials, a crucial meeting of the PTI’s political committee was held late yesternight, during which 11 out of 13 members opposed any agreement that would lead to unopposed elections on the Senate seats in KP. The Committee members argued that the party could easily win at least five general seats and elect seven senators overall without any compromise with the opposition. The committee also backed Irfan Saleem, demanding that he must be given the party ticket for Senate seat. According to the party insiders, some members suggested initiating dialogue with Jamiat Ulema-eIslam (JUI-F) to secure the maximum Senate seats. The political committee said that the PTI-JUI alliance could result in PTI securing eight seats and JUI two from KP. In light of the committee’s decision, senior PTI leader Salman Akram Raja has reached Peshawar to meet Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. KP government, opposition develop consensus Meanwhile, the KP provincial government and opposition parties reached an understanding to hold uncontested Senate elections, sources confirmed on Friday. Under the agreement, six candidates from the PTI and five from the opposition are set to be elected unopposed.
Pakistan, US move closer to trade breakthrough after high-level meetings in Washington g
FINANCE MINISTER AURANGZEB DISCUSSES TRADE EXPANSION WITH US OFFICIALS; FOCUS AREAS INCLUDE TECH, AGRICULTURE, AND MINERALS PROFIT
staff report
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb held key meetings on Friday with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and United States Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer to advance bilateral trade cooperation, as reported by Dawn News. The engagements are part of Pakistan’s broader effort to secure stronger economic ties with the United States, its largest trading partner. The meeting followed a crucial round of trade talks concluded earlier this month between Pakistan and the United States. Both sides reached an understanding on a potential agreement expected to shape the future of Pakistan’s major export sectors. However, a formal announcement is anticipated
only once the US wraps up similar negotiations with other trade partners. According to a statement issued by Pakistan’s Ministry of Finance, Aurangzeb described the discussions with Lutnick and Greer as “productive,” with both parties expressing satisfaction over the progress achieved so far. “They reaffirmed their commitment to exploring opportunities to strengthen these ties in all possible areas of mutual benefit,” the statement read. Finance Minister Aurangzeb highlighted the importance of the United States as Pakistan’s top trading partner and emphasized Islamabad’s intent to broaden cooperation across both traditional and emerging sectors. These include information technology, minerals, and agriculture—areas identified as vital for fostering a mutually
beneficial partnership. The finance ministry noted that both sides “expressed optimism” regarding the ongoing dialogue, expecting it to lead to meaningful economic outcomes for both nations. US-Pakistan relations have gained momentum in recent months, particularly following an unprecedented visit last month by Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, to the White House. Former President Donald Trump reportedly commended Pakistan’s contributions to regional peace and stability and acknowledged the strong counterterrorism collaboration between the two countries, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). In a related development, the Pakistan Crypto Council earlier this year partnered with World Liberty Financial—a decen-
tralized finance platform backed by President Trump—to promote cryptocurrency
usage and accelerate blockchain innovation across Pakistan.