Day: September 14, 2021

Two terrorists were killed in intense exchange of fire during an intelligence-based operation conducted by security forces on terrorist hideout on reported presence of Terrorists in Datta Khel, North Waziristan District.

According to ISPR, weapon and ammunition was also recovered from the hideout.

Search of the area is in process to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Pakistan and Syria have agreed to expand mutual relations between the two countries.

This understating was reached during a meeting between Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad and Syrian Chargé D’affaires in Islamabad today (Tuesday).

Both sides discussed bilateral relations including matters pertaining to mutual interest during the meeting. They also exchanged proposals to further strengthening the bilateral relations.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin has said the government will start giving targeted subsidies from this month to the weak segments of society on essential commodities including sugar, flour and pulses.

Addressing a news conference along with Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib and Special Assistant on Food Security Jamshed Cheema, he said the targeted subsidy will be in the form of cash assistance, which will cover thirty five to forty percent population.

The Finance Minister said the government is also focusing on bolstering the agriculture productivity. In the medium to long term, commodity warehouses, cold storages and agri malls will be established with the aim to eliminate the role of middle man and ensure that the farmers get due price of their products. He said strategic reserves of major commodities are also being built in order to ensure smooth supplies in the market.

The Finance Minister said that the prices of wheat will see decline in the coming days.

Shaukat Tarin said the government has tried its level best not to fully pass on to the masses the impact of international increase in the prices of commodities. He pointed out that sugar prices increased by forty eight percent in the world market but we only creased its price by eleven percent. Palm oil saw an increase of fifty percent but we increased the price by thirty three to thirty five percent. Similarly the prices of crude oil and wheat were not enhanced as per the international market.

The Finance Minister said the government is also giving attention to enhance the incomes of the people to enhance their purchasing power.

Shaukat Tarin said that Kamyab Pakistan Program will be launched this month in order to enable the weak segments of the society earn their livelihoods.

Shaukat Tarin said that the results our growth strategy are visible and the revenue collection is increasing. He said we are on the track to achieve five percent growth during the current fiscal year. This, he said, will also help reduce our debt to GDP ratio.

As regards the State Owned Enterprises, the Finance Minister said we have to turn around them. He said a board is being established in the privatization in order to run the State Owned Enterprises on professional lines. He said these enterprises will be privatized after turning them around.

Speaking on the occasion, Jamshed Iqbal Cheema said the prices of flour, sugar, Ghee and pulses would be reduced by December this year. He said the government is targeting on ensuring quality and affordable price of milk; and a program to this effect would be unfolded in two weeks.

The Special Assistant said we are also shifting from non-promising crops to promising crops to meet the food demand of the country.

He said there has been an increase in prices of energy, food and mettle from 34 percent to 129 percent in the world, which made an impact on the prices in Pakistan.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Prime Minister Imran Khan has underlined the need for the international community to remain engaged in Afghanistan and Afghan people should not be abandoned at this crucial juncture.

During a telephonic conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin today (Tuesday), he emphasized the urgent need for provision of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and the imperative of averting an economic crisis.

Imran Khan stressed that close coordination and consultations between Pakistan and Russia on the evolving situation in Afghanistan are of crucial importance.

Recalling their earlier telephonic conversation of 25th of the last month, the two leaders exchanged views on the latest developments of Afghanistan, bilateral cooperation and collaboration in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Imran Khan underscored that strengthening trade and investments and energy cooperation are the cornerstones of engagement with Russia.

The Prime Minister also reaffirmed the Government’s resolve for early realization of the Pakistan Stream Gas Pipeline Project. He underscored the importance of peace and stability in Afghanistan for regional security and prosperity.

The Prime Minister reiterated his invitation to President Putin to visit Pakistan. President Putin renewed his invitation to Prime Minister Imran Khan to undertake a visit to Russia.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Federal cabinet at its meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad today decided to introduce comprehensive reforms in the criminal justice system.

Minister for Law Farogh Naseem gave a detailed briefing to the meeting about the proposed criminal law reforms.

Briefing the media about the decisions taken in the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Minister for Information Minister Chaudhary Fawad Hussain said these reforms will change the entire system of criminal justice and address matters relating to delay in trials and registration of FIRs.

The Information Minister said that improving the justice system is on the agenda of Prime Minister Imran Khan. He said this matter will now be discussed in the Cabinet Committee on law and then these reforms will be enforced.

The cabinet rejected the proposal to give ten percent adhoc relief in basic salaries to the Chairman Senate, the Deputy Chairman Senate, the Speaker National Assembly, the Deputy Speaker and other parliamentarians.

Chaudhary Fawad Hussain said this decision is in line with the government’s austerity drive.

During the cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed his resentment over delay in procurement of wheat. He directed the provinces including Punjab to take steps for the release of wheat stocks.

Chaudhary Fawad Hussain was confident that the prices of wheat flour will gradually come down in the wake of issuance of wheat release schedule by Punjab.

The cabinet was informed that 5G will be launched in the country next year and several companies are showing interest in it.

Prime Minister Imran Khan directed Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to ensure quality telecom services in every nook and corner of the country.

Alluding to the cyber-attack on the website of FBR, the Information Minister said that inquiry has revealed that most of the data remained safe. He said the FBR has now hired a company for protection of data.

He said the Ministry of Information Technology informed the cabinet that one million attacks have so far been carried out on our websites this year, which were foiled by the NTC. He said Pakistan has a comprehensive framework for cyber security which is further being strengthened.

On the proposal of tariff policy board, the cabinet approved reduction in additional customs duty on auto parts from seven to two percent to promote indigenous production of vehicles. He said additional customs duty on heavy commercial vehicles has also been reduced from seven to two percent.

The cabinet approved the proposed Quaid-e-Azam Foundation Act for the establishment of Quaid-e-Azam Foundation.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed for immediate steps to hold local body elections in Punjab province.

Presiding over a meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday, he reiterated that democracy is incomplete without a strong local government system as it is the basic structure of any democracy.

The Prime Minister directed authorities concerned to ensure direct election of local body representatives.

The meeting was briefed about the new local government model in the province.

Source: Radio Pakistan