RAWALPINDI, SEPT 10 /DNA/ – Lieutenant General Muhannad Ghalib Muhammad Radi Al-Asadi, Commander Iraqi Air Force, while on an official visit to Pakistan, called on General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, NI, NI (M), Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) at Joint Staff Headquarters, Rawalpindi.

During the meeting, both dignitaries held detailed discussions on evolving global and regional geo-strategic landscape. They underscored the importance of bilateral collaboration for regional peace and stability, reaffirming their resolve to further expand defence and security cooperation between the two brotherly nations.

The visiting dignitary remained appreciative of professional standards of Pakistan Armed Forces, their achievements and sacrifices in fight against terrorism and continued efforts towards regional peace and stability.

Earlier, upon arrival at Joint Staff Headquarters, a smartly turned-out tri-services contingent presented Guard of Honour to the visiting dignitary.

ISLAMABAD, SEPT 10: The administration of the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) has issued a formal circular announcing the termination of all employees, effective from 1 September 2025. Under the decision, 11,406 employees of the corporation will receive a government-approved financial package.

According to the official statement, permanent employees with two years of service or less will receive salaries for the remaining months in full. Those with more than 20 years of service will be paid two current basic salaries for each completed year. Permanent employees with service up to 20 years will receive three current basic salaries for each completed year, or 1.25 of the current basic salary for the remaining months.

A total sum of Rs19.504 billion will be provided to permanent, contract and daily wage employees. A total of Rs13.183 billion will be given to 5,229 permanent employees.

For contract employees, those with two years of service or less will be given the current basic salary for the remaining months. Employees with up to 16 years of service will receive 30 basic salaries, while those with more than 16 years will be paid 35 basic salaries.

A package amounting to Rs3.602 billion will be given to 3,323 contract employees.

Daily wage employees with two years of service or less will receive salaries at the rate of Rs37,000 per month for the remaining period. Those with up to 10 years of service will be given 15 salaries, each calculated at Rs37,000. For service between 10 and 15 years, 28 salaries will be provided. Employees with more than 15 years of service will receive 30 salaries.

A total amount of Rs2.719 billion will be paid to 2,854 daily wage employees.

Under the reorganisation plan, previously terminated contract and daily wage employees will also be eligible for this package.

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced a special aid package for Jalalpur Pirwala. She said that Rs1 million would be provided to families who suffered loss of life. Those whose houses were completely destroyed would also receive Rs1 million, while Rs500,000 would be given to those whose houses had suffered partial damage.

In the case of livestock, Rs500,000 would be granted for the loss of a large animal and Rs50,000 for a small animal.

Few days back, CM Maryam has visited the flood relief camp in Multan and assured the affected people of complete support.

During her visit, the chief minister has reviewed health, rescue and other counters at the camp. She has expressed satisfaction with the overall arrangements, including cleanliness.

CM Maryam has visited the Bela relief camp where she met women and children, listened to their problems and promised action for the restoration of homes.

Faisal Sheikh

ISLAMABAD: The government has lifted the four-year ban on new domestic gas connections and announced that consumers will now be provided with re-gasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) connections instead of local gas.

Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik, addressing a press conference alongside Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, said on Wednesday that the decision had been taken by the federal cabinet under the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to ease public hardships.

Malik said the ban, imposed in 2021, had forced residents of new housing societies and apartments to rely on LPG cylinders and other fuels. “Definitely, there’s the pain of getting your cylinders filled from the market, and then there’s the issue of sub-standard cylinders, which often lead to untoward incidents, and sometimes pipes also leak,” he explained.

He noted that the two gas supply companies had already completed the prerequisites and would start entertaining pending applications once the cabinet’s decision was notified. “RLNG is definitely expensive compared to local gas, however, it is 30–35% cheaper than LPG,” Malik said. He added that applicants already on the waiting list would be asked to convert to RLNG by paying the required fee and installing a new connection.

The minister said the billing cycle for RLNG would continue in line with the monthly system already in place. He acknowledged that RLNG was not cheap, but assured that the government was working to bolster local gas exploration so that people could get cheaper supplies in the future.