In partnership with
Profit
Sunday, 26 March, 2023 I 4 ramzan, 1444 Rising cost pushes Amazon, other retailers to revisit ‘free’ shipping
Maryam Nawaz to expose Imran’s ‘handlers’ at Kasur public rally on Monday
Marriyum asks Imran to tell nation about ‘destruction’ caused by ‘his four years’ misrule’ Story on Back Page
Story on Back Page
rs 15.00 | Vol XIII No 267 I 8 Pages I Islamabad edition
Story on Back Page
Russians ‘reluctantly’ embrace Chinese cars after Western brands depart Story on Back Page
PM Shehbaz on forefront to enSure free flour to needy PerSonS g
REvIEWS PROCESS OF FREE DISTRIBuTION DuRING vISIT TO THREE SARGODHA CENTERS
g
SAyS FIRST TIME IN COuNTRy’S HISTORy, EACH FAMILy GETTING FREE BAGS
LAHORE
P
staff report
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif Saturday said provision of free flour to the needy should be ensured with the aim to lessen difficulties of people in the month of Ramazan. PM Shehbaz Sharif was chairing a review meeting here for the provision of free flour to the people of Islamabad capital territory. He said the government was taking all possible measures to reduce the difficulties of poor people in Ramazan. “After my visits to Lahore, Kasur and Sargodha, I will visit other cities to oversee the process for supply of free flour and to ensure quality.” The PM instructed that those eligible persons who were not registered with the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and could not get free flour, should be immediately registered. He directed that counters of National Database and Registration Au-
thority (NADRA) and BISP should be immediately opened at the flour distribution points. He further directed that any needy person who comes to the free flour distribution center, should be given flour and in this regard all relevant departments should take steps.
The meeting was told that the provision of free flour was continuing in Punjab, Khyer Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad and a large number of families were benefitting from the scheme. It was told that the number of free flour distribution centers were being increased in Islamabad to facilitate
people coming to obtain flour. Federal Ministers Rana Sanaullah, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Advisor to PM Ahad Cheema, former members of National Assembly Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Anjum Aqeel and officers concerned attended the meeting. ‘Visiting different cities after mismanagement complaints’ Earlier, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday visited three centers established in Sargodha to distribute free flour bags to deserving people and reviewed the distribution process. During the course of his visit, the prime minister interacted with the people, inquired about their issues, and also issued directives for their immediate resolution. PM Shehbaz participated in the distribution process and handed over bags to the people standing in queues, besides inspected all the facilities and quality of flour. The premier directed the relevant authorities to take prompt steps for further facilitation of the deserving and poor people.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
Pakistan removes advance payment condition for imports of hundreds of items g
SBP WITHDRAWS CASH MARGIN REquIREMENT ON IMPORTS PROfit KaraCHI
Pakistan has removed restrictions on the import of 826 items that were imposed between 2017 and 2022. This move includes removing the condition of depositing up to 100% payment in advance for the import of hundreds of items. Major items that have been freed from import restrictions in-
clude raw material for cement and steel, vehicle parts, confectioneries, chocolate, mineral water, cigarette paper, electrical and electronic goods, and some machinery and parts. The State Bank of Pakistan has issued a circular stating that the cash margin requirement on import of items has been withdrawn. This decision is viewed as a step towards reviving the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme, which was a pre-req-
uisite condition for the IMF. Experts have stated that the decision to remove restrictions on imports is positive for the country. The lifting of import restrictions comes after Pakistan’s current account deficit narrowed to a two-year low in February 2023 due to import control measures. However, the risk of default on foreign debt repayment remains, and limited foreign exchange reserves are a concern.
PTI holds strong power show in Lahore despite ‘threat alert’
LAHORE saleem Jadoon
Despite a threat alert issued by the interim Punjab government, the Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI) is flexing its political muscles at Lahore’s Minar-e-Pakistan on Saturday night. According to a warning issued by Punjab Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leader Mukarram Khurasani has planned a terrorist attack on Minar-e-Pakistan rally. The terrorist group can target PTI’s gatherings, rallies, and the Minar-e-Pakistan public rally to create chaos in the country, it added. The department stated that Khurasani devised the plan after consultation with terrorist Abdul Wali Khan, adding that the terrorists have planned attacks using “25 suicide bombers”. It further said that Abdul Wali Khan has been involved in multiple bombings in Lahore in the past. The authorities have been urged to increase security measures, as terrorists may also target important installations and officers in uniforms.
The former foreign minister said that despite the Lahore High Court’s order allowing a political gathering, the caretaker government had blocked all roads leading to the rally venue by placing containers and barricades to create hurdles for PTI workers, supporters, and the general public.
Earlier in the day, the local administration of Lahore placed containers to block the routes leading to Minar-e-Pakistan. Containers have also been placed in other areas of Lahore, including GT Road, Cup Store and Du Maurya Bridge. The administration and police have taken the step to block PTI supporters from other towns and cities in Punjab from reaching the rally venue. The PTI leadership has alleged that the police have detained the party’s leaders and workers, saying that raids on the houses of PTI workers and leaders have been ongoing for five consecutive days. However, they said that despite the “tactics of the police and administration”, the rally will definitely take place today. Police raided the residence of PTI leaders Hammad Khan Niazi and Bajash Khan Niazi in the Manawan area but could not arrest the two leaders as they were not present at home at the time of the raid. Hammad vowed that the rally in Lahore today will be a historical one. “We will not be intimidated by such measures [raids by police]” and said that they would stand by Imran Khan till their last breath.
Police launch crackdown, block roads ahead of PTI Lahore rally Lahore: In anticipation of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) public gathering at Minari-Pakistan tonight, the police launched a crackdown against members of the opposition party and blocked routes leading to the venue in Greater Iqbal Park on the outskirts of the Walled City. The road heading from Data Darbar towards Minar-i-Pakistan has been closed off from both sides, while some roads leading to the location have also been blocked. Some truck drivers at the scene have reported not being compensated for the use of their vehicles to block the roads. According to the drivers, they were directed by officials at Shafiqabad police station near Old Ravi Bridge who said it was a government order and that the police had the keys to the trucks. Some students who were scheduled to appear for the Institute of Chartered Accountant exams were also affected by the road blockades. It has been reported that they were unable to reach the exam venue due to the blocked roads. staff report
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
fiqah-e-hanfia lahore sehr: 4:37 aM iftar: 6:20 PM
islaMabad sehr: 4:42 aM iftar: 6:26 PM
karachi sehr: 5:15 aM iftar: 6:45 PM
fiqah-e-jafaria lahore sehr: 4:27 aM iftar: 6:30 PM
islaMabad sehr: 4:32 aM iftar: 6:36 PM
karachi sehr: 5:05 aM iftar: 6:55 PM
Miftah says IMF’s concerns ‘valid’ over fuel subsidy iSLAMABAD staff report
Former Finance Minister Miftah Ismail has said that the concerns raised by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over the coalition government’s plan to provide “petrol subsidy” to the people of Pakistan are “valid”. Miftah, while speaking in a Tv talk show, said that while the IMF’s concerns are “valid”, but Pakistan, too, has the answer to their query on fuel subsidy. Last week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the government’s plans for fuel pricing last week. While economists fear the decision could hinder a crucial IMF payout needed to prevent economic collapse, the government said that it was a scheme, not a subsidy. Pakistan’s $350 billion economy continues to dwindle amid financial woes and the authorities struggle to strike a staff-level agreement with the Washington-based lender. The former finance minister said matters with the global lender seem to have come to a standstill. “The government did everything it could to keep up with the IMF,” he said, adding that there is no plan B other than the IMF in his view. Miftah, when commenting on securing funds from friendly nations, said that Pakistan must conduct high-level diplomacy with Saudi Arabia and the united Arab Emirates (uAE). “At the moment, Pakistan is in dire need of Rs56 billion,” he added.