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PM oRdeRs caP on load-shedding at two houRs aMid Rlng suPPly disRuPtion Saturday, 12 September, 2026 | 29 Rabiul Awwal, 1448
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PREMIER SHEHBAZ DIRECTS EFFECTIVE USE OF ALL AVAILABLE RESOURCES, DIRECTING NO AREA TO FACE OUTAGE OF OVER TWO HOURS
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SAYS DISCO GRIEVANCE COMMITTEES TO BE FUNCTIONAL WITHIN ONE WEEK TO ADDRESS PUBLIC COMPLAINTS
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 168 | 8 Pages | Karachi Edition
ORDERS IMMEDIATE MEASURES IN VIEW OF REGIONAL SITUATION, FUTURE REQUIREMENTS TO ADDRESS RLNG SUPPLY DISRUPTION PM CONDOLES DEATH OF FORMER HOCKEY CAPTAIN KHALID MAHMOOD
– pushes agriculture export drive, eyes new global markets ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
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ISLAMABAD SALEEM JADOON
RIME Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday took notice of increasing electricity load-shedding in various cities across the country and expressed displeasure over the situation, directing effective utilisation of all available resources to ensure that no area faces load-shedding for more than two hours. Chairing an important review meeting on power load management in the country, the Prime Minister directed that,
keeping in view the regional situation and future requirements, immediate measures be taken to address disruptions in the supply of Regasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG). “All available resources be utilized effectively so that no area faces load-shedding for more than two hours,” said a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, quoting PM Shehbaz as saying. The meeting was informed that, due to the prevailing regional situation, tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and transportation difficulties affecting the supply of RLNG, electricity generation had
new Provinces: opposition moves to convene all-parties conference ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The opposition on Friday announced plans to consult political parties for convening an all-parties conference (APC) to deliberate on key national issues, including the creation of new provinces, deteriorating law and order, economic challenges and inflation. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan made the announcement after a meeting between his party and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), describing the talks as a positive development. “We decided that on all national issues, we will take political parties into confidence,” Mr Gohar told reporters, saying the prevailing law and order situation, economic difficulties, inflation, lawlessness and the question of new provinces warranted an APC. He expressed hope that consultations among opposition parties would continue. According to a statement issued by the Tehreek-iTahaffuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP), the PTI delegation met JUI-F chief at his residence, where the two sides held detailed discussions on the proposed APC and PTI’s planned protest on Sept 27. The meeting also focused on strengthening the country’s constitutional and democratic framework. The parties agreed on the need for greater political consultation and joint efforts to uphold the supremacy of the Constitution, rule of law and democratic principles. Separately, National Assembly Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai said on X that he and Senate Opposition Leader Raja Nasir Abbas had also met PTI leaders, including Mr Gohar, and agreed to convene an APC “at the earliest”. According to a statement, the opposition leaders decided to meet again on Sept 15 to review progress towards convening the conference. They also agreed to contact other political parties at the earliest to finalise arrangements.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday stressed that effective coordination and partnership between the federal and provincial governments were essential for increasing per-acre agricultural productivity, introducing innovation in agriculture, developing the livestock sector and promoting agricultural exports. Chairing a high-level meeting on promotion of the agriculture sector and enhancement of agricultural exports, the Prime Minister directed that coordinated measures be taken to expand access for Pakistani agricultural products to international markets and explore new markets. He directed commercial officers posted at Pakistan’s missions abroad to play an effective role in promoting agricultural exports. He also directed that an effective
been reduced, resulting in a decrease in power output. Consequently, load management had
media campaign be launched to raise awareness among farmers about the mobile application available for monitoring crops. The Prime Minister said value addition in agricultural products was essential for increasing exports from the agriculture sector. He said the agriculture sector played a key role in the growth and stability of Pakistan’s economy. Proposals were presented at the meeting for the development of the agriculture sector and promotion of agricultural exports. The meeting was informed that Pakistan’s agricultural exports stood at US$5.18 billion during the last financial year. Rice, fisheries, halal meat, potatoes, sesame, tobacco, mangoes and maize were among Pakistan’s major agricultural exports. The meeting proposed the development of value chains to increase agricultural exports.
to be carried out to maintain a balance between demand and supply.
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Govt-opposition talks begin over new CEC appointment ISLAMABAD
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Consultations between the offices of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and National Assembly Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai have begun to arrange a meeting on the appointment of a new chief election commissioner (CEC). Mr Achakzai said in a statement on Friday that the consultations followed a letter from the prime minister seeking a meeting with the opposition leader on the matter. A day earlier, media reports, quoting an official source, said that Prime Minister Shehbaz had decided to initiate dialogue with the opposition by inviting Mr Achakzai for mandatory consultations on the appointment of the new CEC. In August, Mr Achakzai had written to the prime minister urging him to appoint a new CEC along with ECP members representing Sindh and Balochistan. In a post on X, the opposition leader confirmed that consultations had commenced between the two offices to finalise arrangements for the meeting. The development came as opposition leaders held a separate meeting at the chamber of Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas. The meeting was chaired by Mr Achakzai and attended by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan, PTI Secretary General Barrister Salman Akram Raja,
national tally rises to four as new polio case reported in KP PESHAWAR
STAFF REPORT
The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health has confirmed a new polio case in Bannu district of southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, raising the national tally to four so far in 2026. According to a press release issued here on Friday by the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) KP, an eightmonth-old child in Union Council Noor, Tehsil Mirian, Bannu district, has contracted the polio virus. This is the third polio case reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa this year. Previously, one case each had been reported from Bannu district and North Waziristan. A total of four polio cases have been reported nationwide so far in 2026, comprising three cases from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and one from Sindh province. The government-led Polio Eradication Initiative in Pakistan has urged all parents and caregivers to ensure that their children are vaccinated during the upcoming door-to-door campaign from September 21 to 27 and in every subsequent campaign to protect them from lifelong disability. Consistent vaccination is essential to protect every family and seize the historic opportunity to eradicate polio for good. Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to completely eradicating polio, saying the national programme continues to receive support at the highest level of government. The Prime Minister made the remarks during a meeting with a Gates Foundation delegation in Islamabad comprising Kalpana Kochhar and Anita Zaidi. The Prime Minister appreciated the foundation’s continued cooperation with Pakistan, particularly in areas including polio eradication, health, nutrition, financial inclusion and support for vulnerable communities. He said the government’s broader reform agenda also includes digital payments, food security, maternal and newborn health, poverty alleviation and climate change. The Prime Minister described the transition towards a cashless economy as a central part of Pakistan’s transformation agenda.
Petrol rises to Rs375.82, diesel crosses Rs400 after fresh price hike PROFIT
AHMAD AHMADANI
Asad Qaiser and other leaders. According to a Tehreek-i-Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) spokesperson, the meeting discussed the PTI’s planned Sept 27 protest, with Mr Achakzai and Mr Abbas directing the party to make full preparations for the demonstration. The spokesperson said the opposition leaders also discussed the prime minister’s letter and confirmed that consultations had begun between the offices of Mr Achakzai and the premier to arrange their meeting. The move follows National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq’s recent call for greater political harmony and stability. During an NA session last month, he had urged the prime minister to initiate dialogue with the opposition, suggesting that inviting the opposition leader for consultations
on the CEC appointment could serve as the first step. The five-year constitutional term of incumbent CEC Sikandar Sultan Raja expired on Jan 26, 2025. The terms of the ECP members representing Sindh and Balochistan also ended on the same date. Under Article 215(4) of the Constitution, appointments to the vacant positions were required within 45 days, which meant the process should have been completed by March 12, 2025. However, a proviso added to Article 215(1) through the 26th Constitutional Amendment allows the CEC and ECP members to continue in office until their successors are appointed. The three officials have consequently remained in their positions beyond the expiry of their five-year terms.
The government has increased petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) prices by Rs5.02 and Rs5.28 per litre, respectively, for three days, taking their cumulative increases during the current week to Rs29.95 and Rs25.27 per litre. According to the Petroleum Division, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has revised the ex-depot prices of petroleum products under the federal government’s petroleum pricing mechanism. The latest prices are applicable for September 12 to September 14, 2026. Under the latest revision, the price of petrol has been increased by Rs5.02 per litre, from Rs370.80 to Rs375.82 per litre, while the price of HSD has been raised by Rs5.28 per litre, from Rs398.04 to Rs403.32 per litre.The latest increase has pushed the HSD price above the Rs400-per-litre mark, adding further pressure on transporters, farmers, businesses and other major diesel consumers. The fresh hike has also sharply increased the cumulative burden on consumers during the current week. Compared with the prices applicable on September 7, petrol has climbed from Rs345.87 to Rs375.82 per litre, showing a total increase of Rs29.95 per litre in five days. Similarly, HSD has risen from Rs378.05 to Rs403.32 per litre, reflecting a cumulative increase of Rs25.27 per litre during the same period. The cumulative increase includes the successive revisions applicable on September 8, 9, 10 and 11, followed by the latest threeday revision for September 12-14. The latest revision means consumers will pay Rs375.82 per litre for petrol and Rs403.32 per litre for HSD during September 12-14, unless another revision is made under the government’s daily petroleum pricing mechanism.
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Trump reportedly rejects Saudi request for US strikes on Houthis WASHINGTON AGENCIES
US President Donald Trump has reportedly declined a request from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for American military strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, despite a fresh wave of attacks on Saudi territory. The request was made as Houthi forces intensified missile and drone attacks on Saudi cities and infrastructure, raising fears that the conflict in Yemen could again escalate sharply. According to the report, the Saudi crown prince sought direct US military involvement against the Iran-aligned group, but Trump chose not to approve the strikes. Washington has continued to support
Saudi Arabia’s security while trying to avoid a broader regional escalation at a time when the United States is already confronting Iran. The reported decision comes after consecutive days of Houthi attacks on southern Saudi Arabia, including strikes on Abha, Khamis Mushait and Jazan. Recent attacks have injured dozens of people and damaged energy infrastructure, while Saudi authorities have accused the Houthis of deliberately targeting civilian areas and strategic facilities. The Houthis, meanwhile, say their operations are in response to Saudi military activity in Yemen and the wider regional conflict involving Iran and the United States. Saudi Arabia has warned that it reserves the right to respond to attacks on its territory
and has already intensified military operations against Houthi positions in Yemen. The kingdom leads an Arab coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government against the Houthis, who control Sanaa and large parts of northern Yemen. The latest tensions threaten to unravel the relative calm that followed the UNbrokered truce in 2022, which significantly reduced cross-border attacks and large-scale fighting. Trump’s reported refusal to authorise US strikes also underlines Washington’s reluctance to open another direct military front in the region. The White House has not publicly confirmed the details of the reported conversation between Trump and the Saudi crown prince.