ISLAMABAD – The polling time has ended for election to 45 seats of the AJK Legislative Assembly, after the voting process was marred by violence and clashes in some areas.
Voters present inside polling stations were allowed to cast their votes until after 5pm, while counting of the ballots has begun at some places.
At least two PTI workers were killed in a clash with PPP activists at a polling station in the Kotli district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The two PTI activists were shot dead by unidentified persons at a polling station in the jurisdiction of Naarr police station in Charhoi, Kotli, according to police.
Muhammad Shabbir, an official at Naarr police station, identified the victims as 40-year-old Zaheer Ahmed and 50-year-old Ramzan. He added that the clash erupted between PPP and PTI workers at about 9:15am at the Mithi Jand polling station. In the ensuing gunfire, Ahmed was killed on the spot and Ramzan died on the way to the hospital.
In a separate incident, five police constables were injured after Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) activists attacked them with batons at the Dhal Chakhya polling station in AJK’s LA-32 constituency, Jhelum valley district SP Riaz Mughal said.
Voting in some polling stations of other constituencies was also temporarily suspended due to incidents of violence. Several people were reportedly injured in clashes and a number of political activists were also detained by the police, according to reports.
The elections come after weeks of a highly charged and divisive election campaign that saw politicians from the three mainstream parties — the PTI, PPP and PML-N hurl allegations at each other.
The polling started at 8am and continued until 5pm without any break, according to a report by Radio Pakistan.
Media persons were initially not allowed to report from outside the polling stations but the issue was later resolved on the directions of the AJK Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) retired Justice Abdul Rashid Sulehria.
Officials said they expect up to 60 per cent voter turnout because all political parties were heavily involved in the buildup to the election.
PML-N, PPP cry foul
Meanwhile, PML-N leader Raja Farooq Haider Khan wrote a letter to the AJK chief election commissioner, complaining that some “miscreants” were harming the peaceful polling environment through violence at a polling station in the LA-32 constituency in order to prevent his party’s supporters from voting.
He said workers from an “opposition party” were openly displaying firearms, and alleged that some Rangers personnel deployed at the polling station were “encouraging voters to vote for their favourite opposition party”.
Defending women’s champions China were upset in straight sets by Turkey in their Olympic Pool B opener on Sunday, going down 25-21 25-14 25-14 at the Ariake Arena.
China, who have won six Olympic medals in women’s volleyball including three gold, were overpowered by the Turks for whom Ebrar Karakurt led the way with 18 points while three others finished in double figures.
Earlier, the top-ranked U.S. women rode on Olympic debutants Jordan Thompson’s 20 points and Michelle Bartsch-Hackley’s 13 to ease past Argentina 25-20 25-19 25-20 at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena.
Serbia and Italy also sealed straight-sets victories over the Dominican Republic and the Russian Olympic Committee team respectively.
Hello everybody and welcome to our Tokyo 2020 Olympics live blog this Saturday. This is our general Olympics live blog, where we’ll have the latest news and updates from across the Games. So, stay with us to keep up to date with everything that is going on.
Olympics 2021 latest news and updates LIVE
18:00 CEST: Summary of day one of the Olympics
That’s the end of our 2021 Olympic Games live blog, with all of this Saturday’s action already into the history books. We had the men’s road race, won by Richard Carapaz, as well as medals won in shooting, weightlifting, taekwondo and more. Several medals have already been won, with 11 gold medals already claimed. You can see which nations have had the most success by checking out our Tokyo Olympics medal table.
17:40 CEST: No medals for Team USA on day one
For the first time since 1972, day one of the Olympic Games has finished without a single American collecting a medal. Team USA failed to claim a gold, silver or bronze today, which hasn’t happened for 49 years.
16:30 CEST: Two names to watch in men’s street skateboarding
Nyjah Huston is one of the most decorated street skaters on the planet, but Japan’s Yuto Horigome will be looking to challenge the American in what should be a thrilling contest. Here is a video of the sort of thing you should expect to see from Nyjah and Yuto tomorrow.
Hello everybody and welcome to our Tokyo 2020 Olympics live blog this Saturday. This is our general Olympics live blog, where we’ll have the latest news and updates from across the Games. So, stay with us to keep up to date with everything that is going on.
Olympics 2021 latest news and updates LIVE
18:00 CEST: Summary of day one of the Olympics
That’s the end of our 2021 Olympic Games live blog, with all of this Saturday’s action already into the history books. We had the men’s road race, won by Richard Carapaz, as well as medals won in shooting, weightlifting, taekwondo and more. Several medals have already been won, with 11 gold medals already claimed. You can see which nations have had the most success by checking out our Tokyo Olympics medal table.
17:40 CEST: No medals for Team USA on day one
For the first time since 1972, day one of the Olympic Games has finished without a single American collecting a medal. Team USA failed to claim a gold, silver or bronze today, which hasn’t happened for 49 years.
16:30 CEST: Two names to watch in men’s street skateboarding
Nyjah Huston is one of the most decorated street skaters on the planet, but Japan’s Yuto Horigome will be looking to challenge the American in what should be a thrilling contest. Here is a video of the sort of thing you should expect to see from Nyjah and Yuto tomorrow.https://www.youtube.com/embed/_80ZGm8U0PU?enablejsapi=1
15:30 CEST: Silver for Adriana Cerezo
The 17-year-old Adriana Cerezo was unable to win gold in the women’s 49kg in taekwondo, but her silver medal has been rightly applauded right around Spain.
14:00 CEST: Looking ahead to a great match
USA Basketball and France face each other on Sunday in what is a rematch of the 2019 FIBA World Cup quarter-final, a game Les Bleus won 89-79. Read more about tomorrow’s game
13:00 CEST: Willy’s anger with the Timberwolves
After the news that the Minnesota Timberwolves have not given Juancho Hernangomez the green light to represent Spain at the Olympic Games, the 25-year-old’s brother – Willy, who is also at the Games – has voiced his frustration on Twitter.
12:00 CEST: Spain to be without Juancho in basketball
Spanish basketball player Juancho Hernangomez suffered a left shoulder injury in the warm-up friendly against France and, despite being cleared to play in the Olympic Games by the Spain doctors, the Minnesota Timberwolves have not given him permission to participate in the tournament. Juancho will be replaced by new Valencia signing Xabi Lopez- Arostegui.
11:30 CEST: USA beat France in 3×3 basketball
US president Joe Biden and France president Emmanuel Macron were present for the women’s 3×3 basketball match between the two sides, which saw the Americans come out victorious with a 17-10 victory.Ecuador’s Richard Carapaz was in top form as he won the gold medal in the men’s road race, with Belgium’s Wout van Aert Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar – who just won the Tour de France – coming in second and third respectively.
Hello everybody and welcome to our Tokyo 2020 Olympics live blog this Saturday. This is our general Olympics live blog, where we’ll have the latest news and updates from across the Games. So, stay with us to keep up to date with everything that is going on.
Olympics 2021 latest news and updates LIVE
18:00 CEST: Summary of day one of the Olympics
That’s the end of our 2021 Olympic Games live blog, with all of this Saturday’s action already into the history books. We had the men’s road race, won by Richard Carapaz, as well as medals won in shooting, weightlifting, taekwondo and more. Several medals have already been won, with 11 gold medals already claimed. You can see which nations have had the most success by checking out our Tokyo Olympics medal table.
17:40 CEST: No medals for Team USA on day one
For the first time since 1972, day one of the Olympic Games has finished without a single American collecting a medal. Team USA failed to claim a gold, silver or bronze today, which hasn’t happened for 49 years.
16:30 CEST: Two names to watch in men’s street skateboarding
Nyjah Huston is one of the most decorated street skaters on the planet, but Japan’s Yuto Horigome will be looking to challenge the American in what should be a thrilling contest. Here is a video of the sort of thing you should expect to see from Nyjah and Yuto tomorrow.https://www.youtube.com/embed/_80ZGm8U0PU?enablejsapi=1
15:30 CEST: Silver for Adriana Cerezo
The 17-year-old Adriana Cerezo was unable to win gold in the women’s 49kg in taekwondo, but her silver medal has been rightly applauded right around Spain.https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=MARCAinENGLISH&dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=eyJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2hvcml6b25fdHdlZXRfZW1iZWRfOTU1NSI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJodGUiLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3NwYWNlX2NhcmQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib2ZmIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH19&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1418927052854603787&lang=es&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.marca.com%2Fen%2Folympic-games%2F2021%2F07%2F24%2F60fbdcfce2704edeaf8b45c7.html&sessionId=013cbd8ac6e8172d1885fd0cca5bd2b9a9d9c810&siteScreenName=MarcainEnglish&theme=light&widgetsVersion=82e1070%3A1619632193066&width=550px
15:00 CEST: Team GB women book place in knockouts
Team GB women beat hosts Japan 1-0 in football to book their place in the knockout stage, thanks to Ellen White’s third goal at the tournament.https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=MARCAinENGLISH&dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=eyJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2hvcml6b25fdHdlZXRfZW1iZWRfOTU1NSI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJodGUiLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3NwYWNlX2NhcmQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib2ZmIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH19&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1418908668037267456&lang=es&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.marca.com%2Fen%2Folympic-games%2F2021%2F07%2F24%2F60fbdcfce2704edeaf8b45c7.html&sessionId=013cbd8ac6e8172d1885fd0cca5bd2b9a9d9c810&siteScreenName=MarcainEnglish&theme=light&widgetsVersion=82e1070%3A1619632193066&width=550px
14:00 CEST: Looking ahead to a great match
USA Basketball and France face each other on Sunday in what is a rematch of the 2019 FIBA World Cup quarter-final, a game Les Bleus won 89-79. Read more about tomorrow’s game HERE.
13:00 CEST: Willy’s anger with the Timberwolves
After the news that the Minnesota Timberwolves have not given Juancho Hernangomez the green light to represent Spain at the Olympic Games, the 25-year-old’s brother – Willy, who is also at the Games – has voiced his frustration on Twitter.https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=MARCAinENGLISH&dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-2&features=eyJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2hvcml6b25fdHdlZXRfZW1iZWRfOTU1NSI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJodGUiLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3NwYWNlX2NhcmQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib2ZmIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH19&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1418871993026367494&lang=es&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.marca.com%2Fen%2Folympic-games%2F2021%2F07%2F24%2F60fbdcfce2704edeaf8b45c7.html&sessionId=013cbd8ac6e8172d1885fd0cca5bd2b9a9d9c810&siteScreenName=MarcainEnglish&theme=light&widgetsVersion=82e1070%3A1619632193066&width=550pxhttps://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=MARCAinENGLISH&dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-3&features=eyJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2hvcml6b25fdHdlZXRfZW1iZWRfOTU1NSI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJodGUiLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3NwYWNlX2NhcmQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib2ZmIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH19&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1418876882012065812&lang=es&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.marca.com%2Fen%2Folympic-games%2F2021%2F07%2F24%2F60fbdcfce2704edeaf8b45c7.html&sessionId=013cbd8ac6e8172d1885fd0cca5bd2b9a9d9c810&siteScreenName=MarcainEnglish&theme=light&widgetsVersion=82e1070%3A1619632193066&width=550px
12:00 CEST: Spain to be without Juancho in basketball
Spanish basketball player Juancho Hernangomez suffered a left shoulder injury in the warm-up friendly against France and, despite being cleared to play in the Olympic Games by the Spain doctors, the Minnesota Timberwolves have not given him permission to participate in the tournament. Juancho will be replaced by new Valencia signing Xabi Lopez- Arostegui.
Adriana Cerezo will secure Spain’s first medal at the Tokyo Olympics, as she has advanced to the final of the women’s 49kg in taekwondo. Incredibly, she is just 17 years old. Now, we will have to see whether Cerezo can win gold or if she will receive the silver medal.
LAHORE, JUL 25 (DNA) – Three major political parties of the country have nominated candidates for almost all 45 constituencies of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly (AJKLA) for Sunday’s general elections.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has fielded its candidates for all 45 seats while the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) candidates are contesting elections on 44.
However, another major players in polls is Muslim Conference which awarded tickets on 41 constituencies to its candidates which include former prime ministers and their relatives.
TLP, which was banned in April this year for its violent activities, has fielded candidates on 40 seats while Jamat-e-Islami has put up 31 candidates; the Jammu Kashmir People’s Party has 17 cardholders; Mutahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) 11 nominees and the Pakistan People’s Party (Shaheed Bhutto) 10 aspirants.
The main contest is likely to take place among the cardholders of the major political parties. However, independents, given their influence in certain areas, are also likely to make it to the AJKLA.
In most constituencies, more than a dozen contenders are trying their luck, which will also reduce the margin of victory or defeat. Meanwhile, polling for the 55 seats of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly is underway under strict security arrangements.
A total of 32,50,117 registered voters including 146,8317 female in all 33 electoral constituencies in all ten districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir will cast their votes.
Moreover, all 12 constituencies meant for Pakistan-based Jammu & Kashmir refugees, would exercise their right of vote to elect the Azad Jammu Kashmir Legislative Assembly, for next five years constitutional term.
The registered voters shall have to produce original computerized national identity card at the polling station at the time of exercising the right to vote.
A total of 587 candidates are contesting the elections in 33 constituencies of Azad Kashmir districts and 121 candidates on 12 constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir refugees settled in Pakistan.
Over 40 thousand security personals including PAK Army, FC, Rangers and Police are performing duties to ensure peaceful polling. = DNA
Silk Route, the lifeline of the trade from ancient times to medieval times from east to west is the historical trade route. This route had played a pivotal role in the establishment and growth of civilizations in both east and west in the continents of Asia, Africa, and Europe. The historically famous silk route is dated back from 130BC during the region of the Han Dynasty of China. Silk Route or the famous Silk Road is stretched up to 4,000 miles has become the biggest source of transporting goods, exchanging cultures, and contributing to the history of the world in trade and culture.
Importance of Silk Route in Ancient and Medieval times
The precious fabric of silk originated in China and then had been distributed to other parts of the world from China. So, The Silk Route refers to the routes leading west out of China to Central Asia, the Middle East, the subcontinent, and beyond. The Route got its name on the name of precious fabric ‘silk.’ Here it is important to mention that the Silk Route had not been restricted to the trade of silk only; the trade of spices, fabrics, animals, fruits, and vegetables, precious stones, and other valuable items also took place through this famous Silk Route. Chinese has a prominent contribution in using and developing the Silk Route. Since ancient times, gunpowder and paper invented by China during the ruling period of the Han Dynasty used to export from China to the rest of the world mainly via Silk Road since the 3rd century. The invention of paper and then its transportation to Europe had brought a revolution in communication as written words became the main form of communication for the first time and resulted in the form of the first printed press in the world named, “Gutenberg’s Printing Press.”
Many explorers had used the Silk Route from west to east and east to west to transfer knowledge, religion, and history. Marco Polo the famous explorer came from Italy to China and had spent twenty-four years altogether in the court of Kublai Khan the Mongolian emperor. Marco Polo went back to Italy by using the same Silk Route. Marco Polo’s memoirs gave a clear understanding of Asian culture, traditions, and economy to the rest of the world. Silk Route had contributed to spreading religions like Christianity, Buddhism, Islam and Hinduism, and other small religions from ancient times to medieval times. Missionaries of different religions had used to use the Silk Road to spread their religions.
Modern-day Silk Route and new avenues of trade and commerce
The Silk Route was always in use from ancient to modern times but with the rapidly growing economic world, China in 2013 announced to restore the original historic Silk Route to improve China’s cordial relations in terms of trade and culture with the rest of the world. Behind all this, the main aim of China is to improve its domestic growth. The project of connecting China with Asia, Europe, and East Africa is known as Belt and Road Initiative(BRI). The maritime Silk Road plan of China is sea-based connecting China’s southern coast to the Mediterranean, Africa, South East Asia, and Central Asia.
If we talk about Pakistan particularly we came to know that with passing years Silk Route was replaced by the Karakoram Highway. The road passes through our famous mountains of Himalayas, Hindukush, and Karakoram ranges in the same direction of Silk Road. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor is the project to promote trade and commerce via Gawadar Port. CPEC will link the Xinjian region with Gawadar port in Balochistan. This mega project of 64 billion dollars includes a network of roads and railway infrastructure along with a hydropower plant. CPEC project is a milestone in the economic history of Pakistan and is opening new avenues of economic stability in our country.
“Silk Road embodies the spirit of discovery and exchange . We want to encourage people to look for what unites them instead of what divides them.” ( Laura Field )
ISLAMABAD: The parents of Zahir Jaffer, who has been allegedly involved in the murder of former diplomat’s daughter Noor Mukadam, have been arrested on the basis of hiding evidence, police revealed Sunday.
Meanwhile, orders to seal Therapy Works, the drug rehabilitation centre where Jaffer is believed to have sought treatment, have also been issued.
Taking to Twitter, Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Muhammed Hamza Shafqaat confirmed the news and wrote: “Sealing orders of Therapy works issued. Parents of Murderer Zahir Jaffar also arrested.”
The parents of the accused have been arrested on the charges of concealing the crime, the police said, adding that two employees working for Therapy Works have also been taken into custody.
On Saturday, police presented Jaffer in the court of Duty Magistrate Sohaib Bilal Ranjha after the completion of a three-day physical remand. Jaffer was arrested after Noor’s father lodged a case against him at the Kohsar police station.
According to the police, Jaffer was arrested from the site of the murder and the murder weapon — a knife — was recovered. A pistol and an iron machete found at the accused’s residence had also been seized, police said. The accused’s mobile phone was also confiscated.
As per sources, the accused had planned the crime and had taken some of his friends into confidence regarding the plan a few days before the incident.
The accused, according to the source, called Noor at this residence and told her to switch her phone off. When her parents couldn’t contact her, they started inquiring from her friends about her whereabouts.
When some of Noor’s friends went to Jaffer’s residence to inquire about the deceased, he denied seeing her. Upon this, Noor’s friends had a scuffle with the accused, sources told the police.
A source also told the police that Jaffer was a little concerned about being arrested while he was planning the murder. However, he was confident to be spared as he holds American citizenship.
After brutally murdering Noor, the accused tried fleeing to the United States but was arrested on time. It should be noted that Jaffer had previously been deported from the United Kingdom on charges of assaulting a female.
ISLAMABAD, Jul 25 :The United States of America (USA) remained the top export destinations of the Pakistani products during the fiscal year (2020-21), followed by United Kingdom (UK) and China.
The total exports to the USA during July-June (2020-21) were recorded at US $ 5029.400 million against the exports of US $ 3915.226 million during July-June (2019-20), showing growth of 28.45 percent during the period under review, according to State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
This was followed by UK, wherein Pakistan exported goods worth $ 2047.079 million against the exports of $ 1638.544 million last year, showing increase of 24.93 percent.
China as the at third top export destination, where Pakistan exported products worth US $ 2043.206 million during fiscal year under review against the exports of US $ 1663.962 million during last fiscal year, showing growth of 22.79 percent, SBP data revealed.
Among other countries, Pakistani exports to United Arab Emirates (UAE) stood at US $ 1487.279 million against $ 1588.330 million during last year, showing decrease of 6.36 percent while the exports to Germany were recorded at US $ 1511.227 million against US $ 1302.991 million, the data revealed.
During July-June (2020-21), the exports to Afghanistan were recorded at US $ 983.295 million against US $ 890.052 million whereas the exports to Holland stood at US $ 1118.093 million against US $982.263 million.
Pakistan’s exports to Spain were recorded at US $ 801.778 million against US $ 870.920 million whereas the exports to Italy stood at US $ 773.425 million against US $751.921 million.
Similarly, the exports to Bangladesh during the period under review were recorded at US $ 615.212 million against US $ 695.102 million while the exports to France stood at US$ 435.453 million against US $ 422.144 million.
Pakistan’s exports to Singapore were recorded at US $ 183.156 million during the fiscal year compared to US $ 178.556 million last fiscal year whereas the exports to Canada stood at US $ 311.795 million against US $270.138 million, to Saudi Arabia US $ 465.790 million against US $ 454.420 million whereas the exports to India stood at US $ 3.39 million during the fiscal year against US $ 28.644 million during last year.
ISLAMABAD – DNA – Former President of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Dr. Shahid Rasheed Butt on Sunday said continued hike in the price of construction material has not only damaged government and private projects but also increased house rents.
The construction of houses has become costly, therefore, investors are seeking more rent which is contributing to inflation, he said.
Shahid Rasheed Butt said that cost of construction material including cement, sand, steel, glass, wood, brick, stone, paint and hardware etc. continue to skyrocket after the construction package was announced.
The increased cost of construction has increased rents in the urban centers putting additional burden on masses which can become a crisis if not noticed by authorities.
The business leader said that presently the country is facing a shortage of ten million houses and every year the shortage in being increase by almost increased by four hundred thousand units.
The government has given many relaxations to the builders and developers but they have not performed as expected as many of them were more focused on whitening of their black money.
Govt has also offered interest rate subsidies to first-time homeowners on bank loans to encourage new investment in this important sector, the project has been slow to pick up which must be fixed.
He observed that despite the best efforts of the central bank, commercial banks are reluctant to provide loans for housing while the masses have been squeezed to an extent that they are compromising on health and education and cannot even dream of owning a house.
We have been waiting for the finalization of the generation expansion plan by the government as this would be helpful to determine the exact need to generate clean electricity to overcome the energy shortfall in the country
Staff Report/DNA
ISLAMABAD, Jul.25 (): Renewable energy production in Pakistan is getting increased and will soon account for seven percent of the total electricity generated in the country.
This was stated by the Chief Executive Officer of the Alternative Development Board (AEDB), Shah Jahan Mirza while speaking at the International Renewable Energy Conference organized here at a local hotel,
“At present, the functional wind, solar, and some other renewable energy projects in the country have been producing 2,000 Megawatts of clean electricity. Under-construction wind and solar projects in the country would add 850 MWs of renewable energy in the system soon,” he said.
On this occasion, Mian Ghulam Mohiuddin Ahmad, CEO of SGS Electrical Company, said that his company had been working hard to help the Pakistani fan industry adopt the necessary technological innovations to save electricity through their appliances.
He said that his company has introduced a fan in the Pakistani market, which was capable of saving up to 80 percent electricity to the benefit of the power consumers.
Sharing his views with the participants of the meeting, the CEO of Prosun Solar, Muhammad Tahir, said that his company had been making efforts to introduce special solar-powered appliances for areas of Pakistan that were off-grid and didn’t have electricity.
“Our company is also working with the concerned regulatory authorities of the energy sector to prevent the sale and usage of substandard solar equipment and products in the country. The solar energy sector has a bright future in Pakistan,” he said.
CEOs of solar and wind power generating companies also bring forward the issue of circular debt which, in their opinion, was shaking the confidence of investors in Pakistan.
Responding to a question, Chairman AEDB SHAH JAHAN Mirza said that government is facilitating and encouraging companies to invest in solar and wind power projects.
He said AEDB had been making progress to introduce the system of international competitive bidding to promote electricity generation through clean resources in the country.
“Although we have an ambitious target of clean electricity generation in the country we will try our best to achieve it,” said the AEDB chief.
“We have been waiting for the finalization of the generation expansion plan by the government as this would be helpful to determine the exact need to generate clean electricity to overcome the energy shortfall in the country. He assured the participants that more electricity would be drawn from the wind and solar power projects already functional in the country with an increase in national energy demand.
Speaking on the occasion, Naeem Qureshi of Energy Update, stressed the need for greater interaction and dialogue between concerned stakeholders of the government and private sectors to promote the cause of clean power generation in the country.
