Six Pakistanis martyred due to unprovoked firing by Afghan border forces

Six civilians were martyred due to unprovoked and indiscriminate fire of heavy weapons by Afghan Border Forces onto the civilian population in Chaman, Balochistan.

According to ISPR, seventeen individuals were also injured.

Pakistani border troops gave befitting albeit measured response against the uncalled for aggression, but avoided targeting innocent civilians in the area.

Pakistan has also approached Afghan authorities at Kabul to highlight severity of the situation and demanded strict action to obviate any such recurrence of the incident in future.

Source: Radio Pakistan

ECC approves agenda items relating to Reko Diq Project

The Economic Coordination Committee has approved two important agenda items related to Reko Diq project, paving the way for early start of the Reko Diq Project.

The meeting of the committee was held today (Sunday) virtually with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in the chair.

Ministry of Energy submitted a summary on accrued interest with respect to the amount held in an escrow account in connection with the Reko Diq Project dispute settlement.

It was presented that government of Pakistan and Provincial Government of Baluchistan entered into an out-of-court dispute settlement with Tethyan Copper Company Pvt Limited in respect of Reko Diq Copper-Gold Project in Chaghai district of Baluchistan.

As per settlement terms, Government of Pakistan has to clear liabilities to Antofagasta PLC.

In the light of the terms of agreed settlement, the ECC allowed Finance Division to direct GHPL, OGDCL and PPL to deposit the aggregate amount of interest to the sum of 22,718,173 dollars in the escrow account from March 31, 2022 to December 15, 2022.

The ECC further allowed Finance Division to arrange the interest payable for GoB’s share amounting to 8,519,314 dollars from the loan of 65 billion rupees already raised by the GHPL with the GoP guarantee.

The ECC also considered and approved a proposal of Finance Division through a summary on funding plan of Government of Pakistan for share of Government of Baluchistan in Reko Diq Project.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Trail 6 of Margalla Hills closed to make it Leopards Preservation Park: Sherry

Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman says Trail 6 of Margalla Hills has been closed to make it Leopards Preservation Park.

In a tweet today (Sunday), she said nine leopards have been identified in this zone with the help of camera traps which is positive news and a great achievement for Pakistan.

The Minister said only guided tours are allowed in this zone for the protection of leopards and the safety of people.

She said in an effort to protect such natural habitat, we have increased our National Parks by 12 percent.

Source: Radio Pakistan

PML-N leadership victimized in fake criminal cases: Marriyum

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb says in past, PML-N government brought development and progress in the country.

Addressing PML-N workers’ convention in Rawalpindi on Sunday, she said inflation in PML-N’s past tenure remained 2.3 percent.

She said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his term as Chief Minister Punjab, served the public while on the other hand, PTI government in Punjab destroyed the development of the province.

The Minister said PML-N leadership was targeted and victimized in fake criminal cases. She said all charges against PML-N leadership have been proven wrong.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Martyrdom anniversary of Flt Lt Saeed Afzal Khan observed

The 51st martyrdom anniversary of Flight Lieutenant Saeed Afzal Khan Shaheed, Sitar-i-Jurrat, was observed today (Sunday).

On December 4, 1971, Flight Lieutenant Saeed Afzal Khan was flying in a formation of two F-86 aircrafts, when he engaged four Indian Hunters and immediately shot one down.

Meanwhile, another formation of four Hunters joined the aerial battle in the subsequent combat, although facing great odds, he was not deterred from attacking them.

While being heavily outnumbered by superior performance aircraft, he continued the fight but was later shot down by a Hunter.

For his courage, determination and devotion to duty, he was awarded the Sitara-i-Juraat.

Source: Radio Pakistan