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PM SHEHBAZ CALLS LITERACY CORNERSTONE OF NATIONAL PROGRESS AND PROSPERITY Tuesday, 8 September, 2026 | 25 Rabiul Awwal, 1448
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PM CALLS LITERACY A NATIONAL AND GLOBAL PRIORITY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
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SAYS GOVT WORKING TO EXPAND INCLUSIVE, QUALITY EDUCATION AND RAISE LITERACY RATE
NAVTTC BEING STRENGTHENED TO EQUIP YOUTH WITH MARKET-ORIENTED SKILLS, SAYS PM
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ISLAMABAD
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DAANISH SCHOOLS HELPING DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN ACCESS QUALITY EDUCATION: PM
PM STRESSES WOMEN'S EDUCATION, CLIMATE AWARENESS TO ACHIEVE INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT
MIAN ABRAR
RIME Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said literacy played a pivotal role in determining the quality of life of individuals and nations and in charting the course towards progress and prosperity in every sphere of life. He said promoting literacy and fostering cooperation in education and learning must undoubtedly remain an individual, national and global priority, so that the shared interests of humanity and positive values such as peaceful coexistence might be strengthened and promoted. In a message on International Literacy Day, the prime minister said Pakistan joined the international community in paying tribute to the spirit of learning and teaching, and to the quest for knowledge. “This year, International Literacy Day is being observed under the theme, ‘Literacy for People, Planet and Prosperity. The theme highlights a powerful message that literacy empowers and enlightens individuals while enabling societies to move towards the goal of sustainable development,” PM Office Media Wing, in a press release, quoted him as saying. The prime minister opined that literacy is not merely counting people in a country who can read and write rather it is a means of transforming our ideologi-
cal, religious, social, economic and national foundations into a brighter future. The journey towards realizing the true benefits of education, learning and literacy is, in essence, an endeavour to shape and empower the future generations, he stressed. At the national level, he mentioned that the government was committed to ensuring equal, inclusive and quality education for all, with particular emphasis on digital literacy, skills development, re-
NEPRA clears key hurdle for competitive power market, 400MW auction next PROFIT
AHMAD AHMADANI
The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has approved a uniform structure of Use of System Charges (UoSC) for power bulk consumers of distribution companies and K-Electric, clearing a major hurdle for the launch of Pakistan’s competitive electricity wholesale market. According to NEPRA, the decision has been sent to the federal government for notification in the official Gazette within 30 calendar days, as required under Section 31(7) of the NEPRA Act. If the federal government fails to notify the decision within the prescribed period, NEPRA will notify it in the official Gazette itself. The decision is expected to pave the way for the federal government to auction 400 megawatts of electricity in the first phase under the competitive wheeling framework, compared with the 200MW initially planned. The move is being seen as an important step towards changing the way electricity is bought and sold in Pakistan, allowing eligible industrial consumers to purchase power from suppliers of their choice instead of depending solely on the traditional single-buyer system. NEPRA took the decision after examining proposals and comments submitted by the Power Division, Independent System and Market Operator (ISMO), KElectric and other stakeholders on the determination and settlement of UoSC.
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Rs 50.00 | Vol XVII No 164 | 52 Pages | Lahore Edition
search and innovation. He said the Federal Government was working with provincial governments and relevant stakeholders on a comprehensive strategy to increase the literacy rate across the country and provide students enrolled in the education system with education aligned with the demands of the contemporary world. In particular, the federal government had launched special programmes to enroll out-of-school children. Initiatives
such as the Daanish Schools reflected their commitment that a child’s access to quality education should never be determined by his or her socio-economic circumstances, he added. The prime minister observed that by providing free and quality education to children belonging to deserving and disadvantaged segments of society, particularly orphans, these institutions were helping nurture talent, build confidence and open pathways to a better future. “Such efforts reflect our resolve to make quality education a means of social development and national inclusion,” he maintained. Alongside providing educational opportunities, he said the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) had been made more effective and dynamic to equip their young workforce with globally competitive, internationally recognized and market oriented skills. This would help open pathways to dignified employment, entrepreneurship and expanded economic opportunities for their youth, he said, adding by strengthening the linkage between education, skills development and the evolving requirements of the labour market, they could enable young people to become active partners in the economy and in Pakistan’s socio-economic development.
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Sharjeel Memon slams federal ministers over calls for new provinces KARACHI STAFF REPORT
Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Monday criticised federal ministers advocating the creation of new provinces and administrative units, accusing them of holding “Form-47” mandates rather than being genuine public representatives. Speaking in the Sindh Assembly, Memon described recent statements by federal ministers regarding new provinces and the 18th Constitutional Amendment as “extremely regrettable”. He took aim at Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Health Minister Mustafa Kamal, saying that those questioning the 18th Amendment or provincial powers should raise their concerns in parliament instead of making statements in the media. “You can make statements in front of the media or in public gatherings, but if you really have an argument and a position, then come to the assembly and speak,” he said. Memon urged the federal ministers to first seek a public mandate through elections before
'Petrol Bomb': Petrol price jumps Rs12.90 to record Rs358.77 per litre ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
The government on Monday increased the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs12.90 and Rs3.72 per litre, respectively, amid volatility in international oil markets. Under the revised rates, petrol will now cost Rs358.77 per litre, while HSD will be priced at Rs381.77 per litre. The new prices will take effect from September 8, according to a notification issued by the Petroleum Division. The increase comes as the government has shifted to a daily petroleum pricing mechanism aimed at reflecting fluctuations in international oil prices more quickly. The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) has also started publishing daily petroleum prices on its website to improve transparency and facilitate the timely transmission of changes in global oil prices to consumers. Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said the daily prices would be determined on the basis of a seven-day average of international oil prices, in line with international practice. The government decided to introduce the daily review mechanism amid heightened volatility in global oil markets following renewed hostilities in the Middle East. It had earlier shifted from a fortnightly to a weekly fuel price review after the conflict in the Middle East began on February 28, when Israel and the United States attacked Iran, prompting Tehran to shut the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy supplies. Tensions increased after a fragile truce between Tehran and Washington collapsed in June, raising fears of a renewed full-scale conflict and disruptions to energy flows through the strategic waterway. Under the new framework approved by the federal cabinet, Ogra will issue daily ex-depot prices for petrol and HSD based on the average international market prices recorded during the preceding seven days. The regulator will be authorised to announce daily fuel prices without seeking prior approval from the prime minister or the federal government. However, prices notified on Fridays will remain unchanged on Saturdays and Sundays.
Pakistan rejects India's claim on Kashmir, reaffirms disputed status ISLAMABAD
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
making decisions concerning the country’s future. “People sitting on charitable or artificial mandates cannot make the decisions of the nation,” he remarked. Defending the 18th Amendment, Memon said the provinces had gained greater autonomy after its passage and had made progress in health, education, energy and other sectors. He said Sindh had particularly advanced in healthcare, education and infrastructure, citing the establishment of universities and modern medical facilities in cities such as Sukkur. The minister expressed concern that federal ministers were now speaking against an amendment that had strengthened provincial autonomy.
He urged them to examine the benefits of the 18th Amendment and assess the provinces’ performance before criticising the constitutional arrangement. The debate over new provinces intensified in late July after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi called for additional administrative units to address what he described as shortcomings in the country’s existing governance structure. The proposal has since triggered strong reactions from political parties, particularly in Sindh. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which governs Sindh, on Saturday reiterated its opposition to the creation of new provinces or administrative units that would alter the province’s constitutional status.
Pakistan on Monday rejected India’s assertions regarding the status of Jammu and Kashmir, saying New Delhi’s unilateral claims of sovereignty could not alter the territory’s internationally recognised disputed status. The Foreign Office (FO) response came after India objected to any depiction of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh that differed from its “official map” following a United Nations resolution endorsing the use of a new cartographic projection. FO Spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said India’s claims were “baseless” and contrary to internationally recognised facts. “India’s unilateral actions and continued illegal occupation cannot alter the internationally recognised disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said. The spokesperson said the Kashmir dispute remained one of the oldest unresolved issues on the agenda of the UN Security Council. He maintained that relevant UN resolutions provided for the final disposition of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with Security Council resolutions and the will of the Kashmiri people, expressed through a free and impartial plebiscite under UN auspices. “The official UN maps, which depict Jammu and Kashmir as a disputed territory, remain the only cartographic representation of its current legal status,” Mr Khan said.
Gohar warns against 'hasty' decision on creation of new provinces ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Monday cautioned against any “hasty decision” on creating new provinces, warning that dividing existing provinces without consensus could weaken the federation. Speaking to reporters in Islamabad, he said any move to divide one of the four provinces against the wishes of its people and elected representatives would undermine national unity. “Let a consensus be formed first; a commission should be set up on it, and deliberations should be held,” Gohar said, adding that the issue should ultimately be reviewed by the next parliament and settled through consensus among public representatives. He said the process should follow the example of the broad political agreement reached during the passage of the 18th Constitutional Amendment in 2010. “Any decision, if taken, should be made after that. Making any hasty decision, in our opinion, will be against the federation’s
unity,” the PTI chairman said. Gohar warned that creating provinces on grounds unacceptable to the people and without political consensus could generate further complications rather than address governance problems. He also opposed what he termed further “experimental trials” and controversial legislation. Meanwhile, Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas questioned why the issue of new provinces was being raised without any formal discussion in parliament or the provincial assemblies. “Neither the federal cabinet has made the decision, nor have the National Assembly or Senate or the provinces discussed it,” Abbas told journalists. He questioned the origin of the proposal and said the PML-N’s party policy remained silent on the matter. The TTAP leader urged the government to bring all political parties together and develop a collective position, saying the opposition would support efforts aimed at constitutional supremacy and national stability. Abbas also questioned whether any ex-
isting provincial assembly had passed a resolution seeking the creation of a new province, as required under the Constitution. He said the opposition’s priority was instead to strengthen local governments and ensure free and fair elections. The debate over new provinces intensified in late July after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi called for the creation of new administrative units as part of governance reforms. The proposal has since triggered differing positions among political parties and lawyers’ bodies. The MQM-P, a coalition partner of the federal government, has long demanded that Karachi be separated from Sindh and made a province, while the PPP, which governs Sindh, has strongly opposed any division of the province. The PPP and PTI, meanwhile, have previously supported the creation of a South Punjab province. On Saturday, the PPP’s Sindh leadership urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to restrain federal ministers from making statements regarding the creation of new provinces. Naqvi, however, reiterated his position,
arguing that Pakistan’s growing population and changing needs could no longer be effectively managed through the existing administrative structure. He stressed that any creation of new administrative units must be carried out within the constitutional and legal framework, with political consensus
and the consent of the people. A senior government official has previously indicated that serious discussions were underway within government circles over possible approaches to creating new provinces, with the debate potentially linked to a proposed 28th Constitutional Amendment.