United Nations, Mar 24, /DNA/ – Special Assistant to the Prime Minister/Minister of State, Syed Tariq Fatemi, met with the Foreign Minister of Denmark, Mr. Lars Løkke Rasmussen, today in New York.

During the meeting, the two sides reaffirmed their deep appreciation for the long-standing ties between the two countries encompassing both bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

Expressing satisfaction at the upward trajectory of bilateral cooperation, the two sides expressed desire to maintain the existing momentum by exploring ways to expedite collaboration in trade and investment.

The Special Assistant to the Prime Minister underlined that Denmark is a valued partner for Pakistan and it was encouraging that leading Danish companies were very keen to expand their footprint in Pakistan. He said that presence of the two countries in the UN Security Council also presented a unique opportunity for collaboration on key international security issues.

The Danish Foreign Minister conveyed their willingness to work with Pakistan for further enhancing bilateral cooperation particularly in the area of economic development. He said that Pakistan can benefit from the Danish expertise in the fields such as energy and shipping to further boost the business ties between the two countries.

The Special Assistant to the Prime Minister invited the Danish Foreign Minister to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience this year.

QUETTA, MAR 25: The Balochistan High Court (BHC) on Tuesday allowed imprisoned rights activist DR Mahrang Baloch to meet with her relatives after the Balochistan National Party-Mengal held strikes and issued a call to support the recent protests by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) against a police crackdown and arrests of its leaders.

On Friday evening, the police used tear gas and water cannons, and fired blank shots to disperse BYC protesters, who had staged a sit-in on the Sariab Road near the University of Balochistan, against alleged enforced disappearances, including its leader Bebarg Baloch. The provincial government and the BYC had reported casualties on their sides as a result of each other’s actions, with the activist group claiming three dead and 13 others suffering injuries and the police saying around 10 of their personnel were hurt.

The situation further escalated when BYC chief organiser Mahrang was arrested in the early hours of Saturday and was booked under terror charges along with 150 others. Responding to BYC’s call, shutter-down strikes were staged over the weekend in various cities of Balochistan — including Quetta, Panjgur, Kalat, Turbat, Mastung, Kharan, Chaghi, Dalbandin and Dhadar.

A two-member BHC comprising Justices Rozi Khan Barrech and Shaukat Ali Rakhshani presided over a hearing today on a petition by Mahrang’s sister Nadia Baloch against the imprisonment and mentioning various state officials and authorities as respondents.

Petitioner’s counsel Imran Baloch requested the court to issue a directive to the government to provide details of the cases against Mahrang.

The bench accepted the petition for hearing and issued notices to the parties. It also allowed one week’s time to provide details of the cases at the request of the Balochistan advocate general and prosecutor general.

The short order, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, said the petitioner’s counsel had contended that Mahrang was arrested under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance “without any reasoning,” which was a violation of constitutional articles 15, 16 and 19.

“Point needs consideration,” the order said.

“After admission of the petition, petitioner’s counsel filed an application with a request therein that the relatives of the detenue and her counsel may be allowed to meet her at District Jail Hudda Quetta. It is worthwhile to mention here that it is the right of every prisoner to meet with his/her counsel or relatives. Therefore, the application is accepted and the detenue’s counsel and her relatives are allowed to meet her,” it added.

Meanwhile, all businesses, banks, shops and petrol pumps in Gwadar were closed to protest against the arrests and cases registered against all BYC women leaders, including Dr Mahrang, Bebo Baloch and Sammi Deen Baloch.

Thw protest came a day after the Karachi police detained Sammi and several others during a protest against the recent arrests of BYC leadership and a crackdown on its Quetta sit-in.

A strike observed in Pasni on Tuesday in response to the Balochistan National Party-Mengal’s call — Photo by Sajid Noor
A similar situation was witnessed in Ormara, a city 270 kilometres away from Gwadar, where a complete shutter-down strike by the traders’ association was under way. Shops were also closed in Pasni, another coastal town 142km from Gwadar.

A strike observed in Pasni on Tuesday in response to the Balochistan National Party-Mengal’s call — Photo by Sajid Noor
Separately, BNP-M president Sardar Akhtar Mengal announced a long march on March 28 against the arrest of BYC leaders.

In a post on X, Mengal said, “I announce a long march from Wadh to Quetta, against the arrest of our daughters and the desecration of our mothers and sisters.”

“I will lead this march myself, and invite all Baloch brothers and sisters, young and old, to join us in this march,” he added.

He also wrote: “This is not just a matter of the arrest of our daughters, it is a question of our national dignity, our honour, and our very existence. We will not remain silent until our mothers, sisters, and daughters are safe.”

The BYC welcomed Mengal’s call, stating, “The Balochistan National Party’s announcement of a long march is a commendable step, and we respect this decision.”

ISLAMABAD: Seven independent power producers (IPPs) have offered to cut electricity tariffs by up to Re0.50 per unit and waive over Rs11 billion in late payment surcharges — on the condition that the government withdraw all ongoing legal proceedings and investigations into alleged excessive profits.

In a joint tariff revision request submitted to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra), the IPPs contended that fuel and operation and maintenance (O&M) cost recoveries had already been settled.

They called on the regulator to discontinue its suo motu actions and related inquiries.

An IPP’s representative stated that their petition for tariff revision was conditional upon the withdrawal of all legal cases against them.

“Our request is tied to the closure of all cases filed against us,” the representative said, adding that they had challenged all Nepra notices in the Islamabad High Court.

Similarly, another IPP’s representative demanded the withdrawal of suo motu proceedings against their company.

The Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA), backing the petitions, informed Nepra that future savings under fuel and O&M heads would be shared with the government to pass on relief to consumers.

While briefing the authority, the CPPA’s Managing Director said, as part of the ongoing negotiations, the seven IPPs had agreed to waive over Rs11 billion in late payment surcharges.

The CPPA further stated that both parties – CPPA and the IPPs – would withdraw their pending cases from courts following Nepra’s approval.

Nepra’s hearing also touched on exchange rate adjustments, the ‘take-and-pay’ mechanism, and insurance caps—areas where CPPA said understandings had been reached.

According to CPPA officials, negotiations with these seven IPPs are expected to result in a reduction of up to Re0.50 per unit in electricity tariffs.

They also highlighted that broader talks with multiple IPPs have so far secured financial benefits worth Rs950 billion over the lifetime of the power plants.

“So far, agreements have been reached with 29 IPPs,” CPPA officials said, emphasising that no coercion was involved in the agreements.

“Whichever IPP did not wish to enter into an agreement was free not to. For instance, Halmore Power did not sign.” NEPRA will review the petitions before issuing its decision.

ISLAMABAD, MAR 24: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Monday called upon the incumbent government to take on board all political parties, including those that skipped the high-level moot on national security, to counter rising incidents of terrorism.

“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif should convene another meeting, even if after a month… We hope to build a national consensus to combat terrorism,” he said while addressing a ceremony at Governor House Lahore.

The in-camera national security meeting was held as the country struggles with a new wave of terrorism, with security forces and law enforcement agencies facing increasingly frequent attacks.

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, Director General Inter-Services Intelligence (DG ISI) Lieutenant General Asim Malik, chief ministers of all four provinces, and other top officials.

The major opposition alliance, Tehreek Tahaffuz-i-Ayeen Pakistan (TTAP), chose not to attend the meeting, citing the absence of PTI founder Imran Khan, who is incarcerated in Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail.

The meeting came against the backdrop of rising terrorism in Pakistan, including a major terrorist attack on a passenger train in the Mushqaf area of the Bolan district in Balochistan.

Addressing the ceremony, the PPP chairman noted that special attention must be given to law and order in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “It is indispensable to establish consensus on national issues.”

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He noted that they must unite to fight terrorists, adding that all political stakeholders must come together for the country and nation instead of personal interests.

“There is division in our politics… building consensus on national issues has become difficult,” he regretted.

The PPP scion reiterated that Pakistan is once again facing global conspiracies and must stand firm against them. He highlighted the ongoing security concerns, stating that the country is dealing with serious difficulties due to terrorism.

He urged political parties to set aside their differences and unite for the greater good of the nation. Bilawal also invited the opposition to move beyond “narrow-minded politics” and focus on public welfare instead.

The PPP chief assured that efforts would be made to find solutions to the prevailing challenges. He reaffirmed his commitment to combating terrorism, vowing to confront both terrorists and their facilitators.

Bilawal said he informed the prime minister that the PPP is ready to play its role in facilitating dialogue among political parties, stressing the importance of collective decision-making.

Addressing the Leader of the Opposition Omar Ayub, he said that his party might have numerous grievances but tends to focus on a single issue. “The people of Pakistan face multiple challenges beyond just political disputes, including terrorism, economic instability, and internal issues.”

He urged the opposition to prioritise national issues over seeking relief for political leadership.

The former foreign minister also clarified that the PPP is neither part of the government nor the opposition. However, he stated that the PPP remains open to dialogue with the government to facilitate constructive discussions.

ISLAMABAD, MAR 24: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Monday that funds allocated under the Ramadan Relief Package 2025 are being disbursed to beneficiaries via an efficient and transparent digital wallet system.

Chairing a meeting to review the Ramadan package, the prime minister stressed that this streamlined, accountable model should serve as a blueprint for other government-operated initiatives.

On March 1, the PM launched a Rs20 billion Ramadan package aimed at catering to four million deserving families and providing relief to around 20 million people in the first ten days of Ramadan.

Launching the package, which provides Rs5,000 deposits to each family via digital wallets, the prime minister had expressed satisfaction with the reduced price hike in 2025 compared to previous years during Ramadan.

Chairing a high-level review meeting, he said the package was implemented nationwide, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, without discrimination.

During the meeting, the PM commended the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), and tech institutions for their work in ensuring transparent disbursement of the package, leveraging financial oversight, identity verification, and digital expertise to deliver it efficiently.

The prime minister also directed a third-party audit of the Ramadan Relief Package and asked that the awareness campaign run by telecom companies and banks to make the package more effective and a comprehensive report be prepared in this regard.

During the meeting, a briefing was given on the progress of the Ramadan Relief Package 2025. So far, 63% of beneficiaries had received the relief payment while complete documentary records were available about the distribution of all amounts.

The meeting was apprised that a total of 2,224 employees had been deployed for the Ramazan Relief Package. More than 1.5 million beneficiaries were contacted via telephone calls.

The meeting was attended by Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima, Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar, Chairman NADRA, Chairman PTA, relevant government officials, and representatives of private companies related with the Ramadan Relief Package, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

ISLAMABAD, Mar 24 (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday conferred insignias of military awards upon 44 officers of Pakistan armed forces.

The Presidential Investiture ceremony was held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr in connection with Pakistan Day and was attended by the Chairman Senate, ministers, senior officers of Pakistan armed forces, government officials, and families of the recipients of the awards.

The recipients of Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) included Air Marshal Muhammad Sarfraz, Air Marshal Kazim Hammad, Air Marshal Shakil Ghazanfar, Major General Saeed Ur Rehman Sarwar, Major Gen Nadeem Fazal, Air Vice Marshal Shakeel Safdar, Major Gen Tahir Masood Ahmed, Major Gen Sohail Sabir, Major Gen Fuad Ahmed Siddiqui, Major Gen Zeeshan Ahmad, Major Gen Sohail Ilyas, Rear Admiral Muhammad Hussain Sial, Major Gen Syed Mukarram Hussain, Major Gen Iftikhar Ahmed Satti, Major Gen Ghulam Shabeer Narejo, Major Gen Shahid Pervaiz, Major Gen Muhammad Asim Khan, Major Gen Nadeem Yousaf, Major Gen Ghulam Muhammad, Major Gen Noor Wali Khan, Major Gen Muhammad Naeem Akhtar, Major Gen Muhammad Nadeem Ashraf, Major Gen Naseem Anwer, Major Gen Umar Ahmad Shah, Major Gen Muhammad Shahid Siddeeq, Major Gen Adeel Haider Minhas, Major Gen Syed Ali Raza, Rear Admiral Shifaat Ali Khan, Rear Admiral Amir Mahmood, Major Gen Abdul Sami, Major Gen Muhammad Yasir Elahi, Rear Admiral Imtiaz Ali, Major Gen Kamal Anwar Chaudhry, Major Gen Muneer Ud Din, Major Gen Ahsan Waqas Kayani, Major Gen Farrukh Shahzad Rao, Major Gen Adnan Sarwar Malik, Major Gen Omar Maqbool, Major Gen Azhar Yasin, Rear Admiral Khyber Zaman, Rear Admiral Shafquat Hussain Akhtar, Major Gen Zaheer Akhtar, and Major Gen Mahmood Sultan.

The president also conferred Sitara-i-Basalat upon Captain Syed Amir Raza in recognition of his valour demonstrated while fighting terrorists at Naval Aviation Base Turbat.

LAHORE, MAR 24 /DNA/ – The speakers and participants unanimously endorsed the demand to raise the minimum age of marriage for girls in Punjab to 18 years. They emphasized the need for a uniform amendment across the country to effectively reduce child marriages and prevent violators from exploiting loopholes in different provinces.

In connection with the International Women’s Day, a seminar was held at the University of Punjab’s Department of Social Work, supported by the Norwegian Embassy, Islamabad.

Currently, the legal age of marriage in Pakistan varies by province. In Sindh, the minimum age is 18 years, while in Punjab, it remains at 16 years. The Islamabad High Court has also declared that girls under 18 cannot marry. However, a uniform national law is still lacking.

To address this issue, the speakers proposed a comprehensive program focusing on education and skill development. This would not only elevate the status of women but also contribute to Pakistan’s socio-economic growth.

Sameena Nazir, Executive Director of PODA-Pakistan, highlighted the inconsistency in Pakistan’s laws, where 18-year-olds can vote and drive, but girls can be married off below that age. She emphasized the need for well-researched policies that address the realities of child marriages and empower girls. Ms. Nazir’s statement underscores PODA’s mission to promote and protect human rights in rural Pakistan, particularly for women and girls. PODA’s efforts to raise the minimum age of marriage to 18 years in Pakistan is aligned with the country’s constitutional provisions and supported by the Lahore High Court’s verdict. This verdict deemed it “unconstitutional” to define a girl below 16 years as a child, while a boy is considered a child until 18 years old.

Prof. Dr. Uzma Ashiq, Chairperson of the Department of Social Work, emphasized that raising the minimum age of marriage for girls must be accompanied by a comprehensive plan to engage them in activities that foster their development. This holistic approach is crucial to empower girls and ensure they reach their full potential, she said.

“Simply increasing the minimum age of marriage is not enough; it’s essential to address the root causes of child marriages and provide girls with access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. By adopting a multi-faceted approach, we can create a supportive environment that enables girls to thrive and make informed decisions about their lives,” she added.

Other prominent speakers were: Dr. Aliya Khalid; Dr. Sonia Omer, Associate Professor, who shared her expertise on maternal mortality; Arshad Abbasi, Assistant Professor; Dr. Tahira Jabeen, Associate Professor; Advocate Sumaira Hussain; Advocate Khawaja Zahid Nasim, Chairperson of Naheeda Mehboob Elahi Legal Foundation and Ayesha Taslim, Board Member of PODA-Pakistan.

The speakers delved into the far-reaching consequences of early marriages on adolescent girls, encompassing social, legal, health, and psychological impacts. They emphatically termed child marriage as a devastating blow to girls’ aspirations and dreams of leading a dignified life, as enshrined in the Constitution and international treaties such as CEDAW, the Beijing Platform for Action 1995, United Nations Convention on Child Rights, Sustainable Development Goals 5.3, and Khartoum Declaration of the Second Islamic Conference which clearly define a child as any individual under 18 years of age, regardless of gender. All these treaties urged the countries to eradicate discriminatory practices and safeguard the rights of girls and women, aligning with international obligations and commitments.

Nabeela Aslam, the moderator, highlighted that several Muslim countries, including Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, and Indonesia, have set the legal age of marriage for both girls and boys at 18 years. This serves as a compelling example for Pakistan to follow suit and raise the minimum age of marriage to 18 years.

ISLAMABAD, MAR 24 (DNA) – Chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA), Muhammad Ali Randhawa, held a significant meeting with a Chinese delegation, including consultant from China, at the CDA Headquarters on Monday. The meeting focused on promoting tourism and recreational projects in Islamabad. The Chinese delegation, along with CDA’s Member Environment, Member Planning, Member Finance, and other senior officers, participated in the discussions.

During the meeting, detailed deliberations took place on the proposed cable car and chairlift project from Daman-e-Koh to Saidpur.

Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa stated that the cable car and chairlift would be among Islamabad’s top tourist attractions, not only increasing visitor numbers but also boosting the city’s economy. He further emphasized that the revenue generated from this project would be reinvested in Islamabad’s development.

Chairman CDA directed to promptly complete the initial feasibility study reports for the cable car and chairlift project. He also instructed a comparative analysis to determine whether the cable car is safer than the chairlift to ensure optimal planning. Additionally, he ordered the preparation of PC-1 for the project and a phased action plan to outline future steps.

The Chinese delegation commended Chairman CDA’s efforts to enhance tourism and recreational facilities in Islamabad and assured full cooperation by sharing China’s technical expertise and experience in such projects.

Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhwa Randhawa highlighted that Islamabad holds immense potential in the tourism and hospitality sector, which can be further improved with China’s collaboration. At the conclusion of the meeting, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening mutual cooperation and working together for the progress and betterment of Islamabad