SWAT, Sep 13: The head of local peace committee Idrees Khan was among the five people martyred in a remote controlled blast in Barra Bandai area of Kabal tehsil here on Tuesday evening.

The Kabal Police said that Idrees Khan, along with two personal bodyguards, and two policemen, was on his way to home when his vehicle was targeted with a remote controlled explosive device planted by unknown miscreants on Barra Bandai Road.

As a result of the blast, Idrees Khan, two policemen and his two bodyguards were martyred.

Soon after receiving information, Kabal police reached the site of the blast and collected evidence.

Police later launched the search operation in the area to nab the perpetrators involved.

ISLAMABAD: /DNA/ – Terrorists from inside Afghanistan across the international border, opened fire on Pakistani troops in the general area Kharlachi, Kurram District. Pakistan Army troops responded in a befitting manner. As per credible intelligence reports, due to fire of own troops, terrorists suffered heavy casualties.

However, during fire exchange, Naik Muhammad Rehman (age 32 years, resident of Karak), Naik Maweez Khan (age 34 years, resident of Jamrud, Khyber) and Sepoy Irfan Ullah (age 27 yrs, resident of Dargai, Malakand), having fought gallantly, embraced shahadat.

Pakistan strongly condemns the use of Afghan soil by terrorists for activities against Pakistan and expects that Afghan Government will not allow conduct of such activities, in future.

Pak Army is determined to defend Pakistan’s borders against the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve.

DNA

ISLAMABAD: Expressing concerns over the continuous occurrence of cyber security incidents in the national energy sector, NEPRA Chairman Tauseef H. Farooqi has stressed the need to develop a comprehensive cyber security governance model to deal with this challenge and promote security.

He said this while addressing a session on “Cyber Security Challenge in Critical Infrastructure (Power Sector)” at the NEPRA Tower here on Tuesday. The event was organized by TechAccess Pakistan jointly with its industrial partner RTA

Purpose of the event was to solicit awareness amongst national public and private sectors’ energy power entities against the global risks of cyber-attacks. A large number of power sector’s professionals, trade and business representatives and NEPRA members of the Authority and professionals attended the session.

Highlighting the importance of the session, the NEPRA Chairman said, “Cyberspace is the 21st century’s new warzone. Most of the cyber-attacks in 2021 and 2022 were focused on energy sector. Cyber security is more challenging within power sector due to dispersed geo-locations of generation plants and interdependence between OT and IT infrastructure. 

He added that cyber security incidents are now “Eco-System” challenges because it is not just one electricity supply chain actor that is targeted but the weakest link in somewhere in country’s power system.”

In his remarks, CTO Tariq Malik emphasized that the recent cyber-attacks by means of “viruses” or other known methods against primary energy operators are once again reminding us that we are now facing a very expensive “digital pandemic” which has become an “endemic” in security monitoring.

He explained that in fact, many events of cyber incidents are continuously emerging at global level on several OT Systems on different industrial technological plants with a fluctuation of increases and temporary apparent decreases in the number of cases identified.

He said that industries have to learn to live with it, putting in place and continuously updating the necessary treatments to thwart and “mitigate their effects” according to the “protocols” suggested by cyber security authorities and industrial entities, specialists in the cyber domain, daily involved to categorise insurgences’ cyber incidents and their effects.

CEO of TechAccess Pakistan, Mehmood Jabbar, in his remarks said that their company took as a mission to have a national under-controll cyber security solution which is able to manage in a secure way its H24 support to national corporates and governmental authorities by the adaptation of RTA and iSOC to the operational requirements and IT / OT infrastructures for its most sensitive Customers.

From Our Correspondent

PESHAWAR, SEP 13 /DNA/ – Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan has appreciated the resolve and determination of the employees of Forest Department in supporting the people affected by recent floods adding that the monitory contribution of the employees is proof that the sympathies of people are with the affectees and every possible step is being taken to rehabilitate them.

As part of contributions to the Chief Minister Flood Relief Fund, a cash cheque worth Rs.5.086 million was presented to the Chief Minister by the Minister for Forest & Environment Ishtiaq Urmar and Secretary Forest & Environment department Abid Majeed. Chief Conservator Forest Ijaz Qadir and other officials were also present on the occasion. According to details, the amount has been contributed voluntarily by all the employees of Forest Department. Employees from BPS-17 and above have contributed 3 days salary, BPS-16 employees have contributed two days salary whereas BPS-15 and lower have contributed a days salary for the rehabilitation of flood affectees in the Chief Minister Flood Relief Fund.

Touching upon the issue, Mahmood Khan reiterated that is our national and moral duty to help those who have been affected by this natural calamity adding that all individuals, philanthropists, civil societies and institutions should contribute as per their affordability.

The Chief Minister clarified that despite financial constraints, the compensation amount has been increased considerably and all available resources have been mobilized to ensure rehabilitation of the flood affectees on priority basis.

ISLAMABAD, SEP 13: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supremo and former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday said that he will give last call for protest to the nation before September.

Talking to journalists in Bani Gala, the PTI chairman said that immediate elections should be announced, adding that the appointment of the army chief should be postponed until the election of a new government. “A few people have put national security at stake for their interests, and maybe I will mention the names of those people,” Imran added.

Imran Khan further said that the matter of giving the last call to the nation will not go beyond September, adding that he will stand with institutions that support the national interests.

Earlier on Monday, former PM said that they still have the option of dissolving the provincial assemblies, and they also have a few ideas and will push the federal government staying within the constitution.

He said that on one hand, a message is being conveyed that everyone should work together, while on the other hand, his party is being pushed against the wall. “I can bring the whole nation onto the streets,” he said.

Imran Khan said that the country is passing through a difficult phase and he decided to stage a peaceful protest and go home, adding that the elections could be delayed by around two months. “How can a fugitive with just 85 seats appoint a new army chief,” he asked, adding that the opponents could appoint a new army chief if they win the election and he would have no problem.

The PTI chairman said that the floods have wreaked havoc in the country and the torrential rains caused flooding from the Koh-e-Suleiman. The accumulated flood water in Sindh has ruined the rice crop, which could lead to a food crisis in the future, and the whole nation will have to help the flood affectees.

Imran Khan went on to say that Pakistan needs internal and external aid at this juncture as not a single dam has been constructed in the past 50 years. He further said the construction work on 10 dams was started during his government.

He said, “Climate change is causing destruction all over the world, that s why our government started the Billion Tree Tsunami, adding that the old forests in the country were destroyed and 10 billion trees are very necessary.”

Khan said that a conspiracy was hatched to topple his government when the country was progressing, adding that he had warned those who had the power. “We said that no one would be able to manage the economy in case of instability at that time, adding that they had no plan to manage the economy, these people just wanted to get rid of their cases.”

The former PM said that he could not imagine that Allah would give him such popularity, adding that he had not seen such enthusiasm during the PTI’s public rallies in big cities. “We are benefiting from every effort of the government, even in Musharraf’s era, I have not seen such cruelty, fascism, people are being intimidated, people are getting calls from anonymous numbers, cable operators were threatened in a telethon,” he added. “My popularity is increasing, but I am afraid of economic conditions,” Imran said.

While reiterating his call for early elections, the PTI supremo said that the best option is to hold elections in the country to bring political stability, and we have the option to resign from all our governments.

“I can take the nation out on the streets whenever I want, and people come to the streets on my two-hour call, the condition of the common man is bad. It is not a difficult task to evacuate the people, but I decided on peaceful protests because the country is facing a difficult time and we cannot bear more damage,” he said.

Imran Khan admitted and stated that accepting the name of the Chief Election Commissioner was a big mistake, adding that the establishment had given a guarantee, but the Chief Election Commissioner left no room against us. “The CEC openly opposed and sabotaged the EVM, and if a transparent election is to be held in the country, voting must be done with a machine,” he added.

The former PM further added that intellectuals like Ayaz Amir were humiliated, adding that two TV channels were closed, but if Shehbaz Sharif is not taking responsibility for all these acts, then he should tell the nation who is behind these actions.

“Nations that are developing have a better merit system, and the main reason for China s development is the merit system. I said that Nawaz and Zardari are not qualified to appoint COAS because they are globally recognised corrupt leaders,” Imran took a dig at PPP and PML-N bigwigs.

Lashing out at PM Shehbaz Sharif, Imran went on to dub him [Shehbaz] as a “fugitive”, questioning how the person with 85 seats can have the power to select the COAS. Reiterating the narrative of a foreign conspiracy, Imran said that the current government came into power through a plot, but if the people in the coalition government came to rule by getting a mandate through the vote, then they [the coalition government] could go for the selection of the COAS. “I am ready to talk with everyone, but first we will talk about the general elections.” However, “they [coalition government] get upset when they hear about elections, so how could I talk to them,” said the former premier.

“I neither have any property abroad nor intend to run away from this country. These people live in the richest areas of London, but for me, Pakistan is a priority,” said the PTI Chairman. He also warned that the country will continue to face the worst situation if this government continues to rule. The PTI Chairman added that he has “no idea how long it will take Pakistan to get back on track if the country has to go bankrupt.” Imran claimed that there was no possibility of political stability in the country under the coalition government. Talking about Sindh by-elections, Imran went on to say that the province has been witnessing floods due to which by-elections could be delayed for two months. Sharing his thoughts about the western world, the former premier claimed that no one but him better knew the “psyche” of the western world.

Taking a dig at PM Shehbaz, Imran went on to claim that during Shehbaz Sharif’s conservation with the UN Secretary, he [Shehbaz] had said quite “weird” things. He further lashed out at the PM Shehbaz-led government and said that 60 per cent of Shehbaz’s cabinet are on bail. The Financial Accountability, Transparency, and Integrity (FACTI) panel has conducted research in the world, saying that the elite class, by looting money, sends money to western countries.

DNA

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cabinet meeting held here on Tuesday with Chief Minister Mahmood Khan in the chair approved the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Climate Change Policy and Action Plan-2022, which focuses on reducing vulnerability of natural and human systems as well as lessening greenhouse gas emissions through technological or nature-based solutions.

The new policy is in consonance with the objectives of the Revised National Climate Change Policy 2021 and will address as many as nine Agro-Ecological Zones of the province including the merged districts. The successful implementation of the policy will open new avenues to attract international climate financing in adaptation and mitigation sectors, allowing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province to achieve sustainable development and create resilience against natural disasters thereby securing the province’s fragile economy in confronting future environmental challenges.

The Chief Minister said that after 18th amendment, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa became the first province that devised Provincial Climate Change Policy and Action Plan 2022 in the context of changes taking place in the climate.

The meeting besides the cabinet members was also attended by the Provincial Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary, Senior Member Board of Revenue and Administrative Secretaries of various government departments.

Special Assistant to Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Information & PRs Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif while briefing media persons about the decisions of the cabinet meeting at ITLA’A Cell informed that the Chief Minister directed the concerned authorities to complete feasibility study within a month period for setting up a plant for producing energy from wastes/garbage.

 The bio-fuel plant will not only help in controlling environmental pollution but will also contribute towards making the province self-sufficient in energy. The Chief Minister, he said, further directed for bringing amendments in the relevant laws with regard to the acquisition of land for setting up universities and no more than 100 Kanals of land be procured for a university.

This will ensure the protection of agricultural lands. The cabinet, he said, also accorded approval towards allowing the food department to sign MoU with the Bank of Khyber for Insaf Food Card. The deserving households, he said, will receive rupees 2100 monthly under the Insaf Food Card for which billions of rupees will be borne by the government as subsidy.

The SACM further informed that the cabinet while reviewing some of its earlier decisions taken during the special budget meeting held on June 13, 2022 accorded approval to reduce the Ad-hoc Allowance 2022 from 16 % to 15 % to be granted to all provincial government employees on running basic pay, with no immediate pay-as-you-go deduction towards the Defined Contribution Pension Program. Similarly, the decision regarding calculation of pension emoluments on the basis of last three years’ average basic pay with effect from 1st July 2022 was also held in abeyance.     

He said that the cabinet also approved the extension of Water and Sanitation Services Company (WSSC) Bannu’s jurisdiction to 11 village councils and 5 neighborhood councils falling within the ambit of the Assistant Director Local Government Bannu to benefit a population of 89, 596 persons.

Barrister Saif further said that the cabinet also accorded approval for lease agreement between the Local Government, Elections & Rural Development Department and Sports, Tourism and Culture Department for giving 100 Kanal land, located on Mardan bypass road, on lease basis to the latter one for the establishment of a Cultural Complex in Mardan. The cabinet, he further informed, also approved the inclusion of Patwar Halqas of Sulatanr and Jarogo valleys in the jurisdiction of Upper Swat Development Authority to enable the Authority to carry out its functions regarding promotion of eco-tourism and environment friendly development effectively. The cabinet, he said, also approved personal upgradation of as many as four employees of the defunct FATA Development Corporation, which included Muhammad Suleman Khan, Muhammad Rafiq, Sanaullah and Fazal Rabi. 

He said the cabinet also approved the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Private Schools Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act, 2022 with certain amendments in the previous one to make it more clear and simple. Furthermore, the cabinet also approved the posting of Mr. Zakaullah Khattak (PCS EG BS-20) against the vacant post of Managing Director, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Urban Mobility Authority, he informed. Similarly, the cabinet also approved regularization of the 21 left over Special Police Officers of the Special Police Force against the vacant positions in various districts of the province.