Peshawar: The Caretaker Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Syed Arshad Hussain Shah, presided over a meeting focused on reforms in the higher education sector. The meeting included the caretaker provincial minister of higher education, the provincial minister of information technology, the chief secretary, the secretary of higher education, and other relevant officials. During the meeting, a crucial decision was made to urgently activate the search committee responsible for appointing vice-chancellors in universities. Additionally, plans were discussed to ensure financial self-reliance for the universities. The Chief Minister emphasized the need to swiftly finalize the committee’s membership within a week. He specifically…
Author: Saifullah
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Islamabad: A recent revelation in the country exposes a significant scam involving the overbilling of electricity consumers, amounting to billions of rupees. This scandal, described as the largest of its kind in Pakistan, indicates that consumers were charged excessively despite the already high cost of electricity. In August, distribution companies amassed billions more from consumers, leading the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) to initiate an inquiry into the matter. According to Nepra sources, the subsequent inquiry report confirmed the occurrence of overbilling in the August electricity bills. Numerous distribution companies were implicated in the fraudulent practice, particularly affecting the…
The Markhor, Pakistan’s national animal, faced a critical decline in 1994, prompting the intervention of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which designated it as an endangered species. Subsequent conservation efforts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the implementation of hunting licenses and strict supervision, have played a pivotal role in reversing this trend. Over the past 38 years, wildlife department data highlights a remarkable surge in the Markhor population in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, escalating from 961 to over 5,600. This positive trajectory extends beyond Chitral, encompassing notable increases in Swat and Kohistan as well. As of 2019, the Markhor population…
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan stands as one of the most susceptible nations to the impacts of climate change. Facing an annual loss of $2 billion since 2000 due to the consequences of climate change. A report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) highlights that four million individuals are affected by climate change annually. The devastating 2022 flash floods impacting 30 million people and resulting in 1,700 casualties. Furthermore, there are concerns that by 2050, the country’s economy could witness a significant downturn of up to 9% as a result of natural disasters. In addition to climate-related challenges, the IMF expresses apprehensions regarding…
Lahore: The City Traffic Police in Lahore is actively intensifying its efforts to address the issue of underage and unlicensed drivers on the city’s roads. Over the past five days, a total of 1060 cases involving underage drivers and 210 cases related to driving without a license have been officially recorded. Mustansar Feroze, the Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) of Lahore, reported that the crackdown yielded 210 cases on the very first day, targeting individuals who were operating vehicles without a valid license. In response to this ongoing concern, he announced comprehensive measures, stating that 30 license offices, 10 mobile vans,…
Israeli authorities have once again implemented strict measures, preventing Palestinians from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem for Friday prayers for the sixth consecutive week. The mosque remains nearly deserted, with only around 4,000 Palestinians, mostly elderly individuals, managing to reach it amid heightened control by Israeli forces over the surrounding streets. The increased Israeli security presence, particularly in the Old City and entrances leading to the mosque, has led hundreds of Palestinians to perform Friday prayers on the streets. Despite the significant impact on religious practices, Israeli authorities have not provided official reasons for restricting Muslim access to Al-Aqsa.…
ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Finance Minister Dr. Shamshad Akhtar has announced that the government plans to increase gas prices once again to address the circular debt issue. During a media briefing, she emphasized the priority of achieving a tax target of Rs9415 billion by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). In the event of a tax revenue shortfall, additional measures will be implemented. Akhtar informed the IMF about tariff revisions in the energy sector and the intention to impose extra taxes on various sectors, including real estate. The decision on taxes for retailers is yet to be determined. The postponement of issuing…
Pakistan’s recent policy decisions regarding Afghan refugees have ignited discussions on the government’s stance. The repatriation process, and its implications for national security. In a program that delves into these critical aspects, the government’s commitment to border security, diplomatic engagements, and the challenges faced during the repatriation process are all brought to light. Government’s Firm Approach and Humanitarian Concerns The program opens by addressing Pakistan’s strict actions against Afghan refugees, exploring the nuances of whether leniency should be extended given the historical, religious, and geographical ties between the two nations. The government’s commitment to protecting the rights of refugees is…
ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar emphasized the potential for increased trade between Pakistan and Uzbekistan through streamlined visa processes, enhanced banking channels, and reciprocal warehousing facilities. These sentiments were conveyed during a meeting with Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Jamshid Khodjaev Abdukhakomovich and his seven-member delegation, currently on an official visit to Pakistan. PM Kakar extended a warm welcome to the Uzbek deputy prime minister and recalled his recent discussions with Uzbekistan’s President, Shavkat Mirziyovev, during the 16th ECO Summit in Tashkent. Expressing satisfaction with the progress in bilateral engagements, especially in trade, defense, and connectivity, he commended…
MULTAN: A woman from Multan has come forward with a disturbing allegation, claiming that Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Akbar Shaheen, along with his associates, subjected her to continuous rape over a harrowing 17-day period. She narrated her ordeal, stating that she managed to escape from ASI Shaheen’s residential quarters and sought assistance by calling the police helpline 15. The victim expressed further distress, revealing that she had been receiving threats from Shaheen’s colleagues. Despite filing complaints, she lamented the lack of a medical examination to establish the veracity of her claims. To substantiate her case, she recorded a video of the…
