QUETTA: Lamenting that the burden of debt has mortgaged the future of nation’s generations, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said it will be a matter of great shame if Pakistan has to once again return to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for another loan after three years.

“To free ourselves from this cycle of debt, the federal and provincial governments, along with the relevant institutions, must work together,” the premier said while addressing a signing ceremony to launch a significant initiative aimed at the solarisation of agricultural tube wells in Balochistan on Monday.

“If we make this collective effort, future generations will be grateful. However, if we fail to make tough decisions, we will find ourselves seeking assistance from the IMF once again,” the PM, who was on a daylong visit to Quetta, said.

Pakistan is looking to strike a staff-level deal on an IMF bailout of more than $6 billion this month after addressing all of the Washington-based lender’s requirements in its annual budget.

Moreover, the country’s debt has soared since the mid-2000s, as authorities failed to invest a gusher of loans from international bondholders and countries including China and Gulf nations into productive, export-oriented sectors.

Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb warned on Sunday that Pakistan would continue to seek the IMF bailouts “if it fails to boost tax revenue”.

The finance czar said that he was “relatively confident” of reaching a staff-level agreement with the global lender this month for an estimated loan of $6 to $8 billion.

“But it will not be our last Fund programme if we don’t bring our tax revenues up,” said the finance minister while speaking during an interview with the Financial Times.

The federal government presented the tax-loaded Rs18.877 trillion budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 (FY25) last month, aimed at shoring up public revenue and satisfying the IMF, which has repeatedly demanded improved tax collection.

The budget aims to raise Rs13 trillion by next July, a roughly 40% increase from the current financial year, to bring down a ruinous debt burden that has caused 57% of government revenue to be swallowed by interest payments.

Maintaining that turning to the IMF was a necessity, the PM Shehbaz said Pakistan had to finalise a deal with the IMF this month.

“Tomorrow in Islamabad, I will discuss measures to provide relief to the poor. The federal government stands with Balochistan in its development and prosperity. We will embrace anyone who genuinely cares for the well-being of Balochistan and Pakistan.”

PM Shehbaz further said that security and maintenance of law and order were imperative for investment to flow into Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Regarding Gwadar, he said: “I am not complaining, but the Safe City project there has been halted. Gwadar, by the grace of God, will prove to be more beneficial than the Reko Diq mines. We are committed to transforming Gwadar into a magnificent port. Together, we will eradicate the scourge of terrorism.”

Solarisation of tube wells in Balochistan
The solarisation of agricultural tube wells in Balochistan, the premier said, was part of the broader government efforts to address the economic challenges facing Pakistan and to promote sustainable development in the region.

“The government is commitment to economic reforms, security, and development, particularly in the underserved regions of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” the PM added.

During the ceremony, the prime minister oversaw the signing of the agreement between the federal and the Balochistan governments in Quetta. Federal ministers, the governor and the chief minister of Balochistan, and members of the provincial cabinet were also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, PM Shehbaz said the federal government in cooperation with the Balochistan government would shift around 28,000 agricultural tube wells of the province from electricity to solar energy.

He said the total cost of “this project is Rs55 billion and its 70% will be provided by the federal government”, while the rest by the Balochistan government.

Premier Shehbaz said that Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti had assured that the solarisation of tube wells would be completed in three months and it would help save around Rs90 billion annually.

“In the next phase, we are going for the solarisation of 1 million agricultural tube wells across the country, saving $3.5 billion, being spent on imported fuel every year,” the PM added.

He also said a 10% quota had been earmarked for the students of Balochistan, who would be sent to China at government expense for the latest professional training in the agriculture sector.

Similarly, a 10% quota has been reserved for the students of Balochistan to get training in the field of Information Technology under the Chinese company Huawei, the premier said adding that funds had been allocated in the federal budget for the establishment of Danish Schools in Balochistan.

He expressed the hope that Balochistan Governor Sheikh Jaffar Khan Mandokhail, CM Bugti, and the entire provincial cabinet would continue playing their due role for the development and prosperity of the province.

Meanwhile, Governor Mandokhail met with the Prime Minister, discussing the conversion of the province’s tube wells to solar power, party matters, and other mutual interests.

The governor expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for his special interest in the province’s development and prosperity. Both leaders agreed to further strengthen and enhance the relationship between the federal and provincial governments.

ISLAMABAD, JUL 08 (DNA) —The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Monday briefed the Federal Minster for Interior Mohsin Naqvi on over-billing after in reply to the notice taken by the minister.  Mohsin Naqvi had expressed serious concern over inclusion of protected users in the non-protected category and asked for the data of all distribution companies (Discos) providing relief to protected consumers.

He directed all FIA directors to check the data of discos and submit report while giving the task to collect all the evidence in 3 days. The minister ordered the directors of FIA across Pakistan to collect the records and a comprehensive report of all the evidence will be submitted to the Prime Minister.

He ordered to Additional DG FIA North Peshawar, Lahore to go to Gujranwala and Faisalabad to assess the situation and collect data. “Abuse of protected users must be addressed” he said, adding that the responsible persons should be determined by examining the evidence one by one.

Secretary Interior, Additional DG FIA HQ, Additional Home Secretary, and Additional DGFIA North attended the meeting along with all FIA directors participated in the meeting through video link. — DNA

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Monday ordered Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Awan to address the concerns of the families of the May 9 suspects who said that they haven’t been able to meet the prisoners.

The order came during the hearing on the intra-court petitions filed against civilians’ trials in military courts who were involved in the May 9 incidents last year.

A seven-member bench, headed by Justice Aminuddin and comprising Justice Jamal Mandokhail, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Musarrat Hilali and Justice Irfan Saadat Khan, presided over the hearing.

“The families have said that they haven’t been meeting with the prisoners. The attorney general should address these complaints,” said the SC order.

The court then adjourned the hearing till July 11. 

The apex court in May had referred the matter to and Procedure Committee for reconstitution of the bench after reservations raised against the six-member bench. 

Petitioner former chief justice Jawad S Khawaja’s lawyer Khawaja Ahmad Hasan had raised an objection on the bench, saying that a larger bench should be constituted in light of Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Yahya Afridi’s note.

On January 29, Justice Tariq Masood rescued himself from hearing intra-court appeals against civilians’ trial in military court, leading to the dissolution of a six-member larger bench.

In October last year, the Supreme Court declared the trial of civilians in military courts as unconstitutional and held that 103 persons and others, who may be placed concerning the events arising from May 9-10 could be tried by criminal courts, established under the ordinary or special law of the land.

However, the SC, by a 5-1 majority, suspended its October 23 order wherein it declared civilians’ trials in military courts null and void in connection with the May 9 riots.

May 9-10 events refer to the violent protests that broke out in different parts of the country following Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s arrest in a corruption case last year with alleged party supporters attacked and ransacked government and military installations, prompting the authorities to try the rioters in military courts.

ISLAMABAD, JUL 8: The Supreme Court on Monday ordered Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Awan to address the concerns of the families of the May 9 suspects who said that they haven’t been able to meet the prisoners.

The order came during the hearing on the intra-court petitions filed against civilians’ trials in military courts who were involved in the May 9 incidents last year.

A seven-member bench, headed by Justice Aminuddin and comprising Justice Jamal Mandokhail, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Musarrat Hilali and Justice Irfan Saadat Khan, presided over the hearing.

“The families have said that they haven’t been meeting with the prisoners. The attorney general should address these complaints,” said the SC order.

The court then adjourned the hearing till July 11.

The apex court in May had referred the matter to and Procedure Committee for reconstitution of the bench after reservations raised against the six-member bench.

Petitioner former chief justice Jawad S Khawaja’s lawyer Khawaja Ahmad Hasan had raised an objection on the bench, saying that a larger bench should be constituted in light of Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Yahya Afridi’s note.

On January 29, Justice Tariq Masood rescued himself from hearing intra-court appeals against civilians’ trial in military court, leading to the dissolution of a six-member larger bench.

In October last year, the Supreme Court declared the trial of civilians in military courts as unconstitutional and held that 103 persons and others, who may be placed concerning the events arising from May 9-10 could be tried by criminal courts, established under the ordinary or special law of the land.

However, the SC, by a 5-1 majority, suspended its October 23 order wherein it declared civilians’ trials in military courts null and void in connection with the May 9 riots.

May 9-10 events refer to the violent protests that broke out in different parts of the country following Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s arrest in a corruption case last year with alleged party supporters attacked and ransacked government and military installations, prompting the authorities to try the rioters in military courts.

PESHAWAR, JUL 7 /DNA/ – The All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) KP Chapter convened a pivotal meeting at the Daily Wahdat office, chaired by APNS (KP) Chairman Pir Haroon Shah. The gathering provided a platform to tackle significant challenges faced by newspaper publishers across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

During the session, particular emphasis was placed on discussing critical issues affecting the industry, notably the outstanding dues owed by newspapers to the Information Department. Chairman Pir Haroon Shah led deliberations focused on identifying sustainable solutions and cultivating an environment conducive to growth within the regional newspaper sector.

ISLAMABAD, JUL 7 /DNA/ – Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Mohsin Naqvi visited the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) Headquarters, where he was welcomed by Director General ANF, Major General Abdul Mueed on his arrival. The Interior Minister laid floral wreath at the Martyrs’ Memorial, offered Fateha, and paid tribute to the great sacrifices of the martyrs.

While chairing an important meeting at the ANF Headquarters, Federl Minister for Interior and Anti Narcotics appreciated the performance of ANF against drug traffickers across the country, despite limited resources. He directed to launch a comprehensive crackdown against drug mafia to save the future generations from the scourge of drugs and sought a comprehensive plan in this regard. It was also decided to ensure a robust action against the sale and purchase of drugs, especially ice, in educational institutions, hostels and universities. In this regard, consultations will be held with provinces and they will be taken into confidence. A joint meeting of federal and provincial departments will be held by the end of this month in which all Provincial Ministers for Excise and IGs of police will be invited.

Interior Minister also sought a plan to stop online sales of drugs. In this regard, the ANF was directed to prepare a cyber drug control mechanism. Mohsin Naqvi said that the curse of drugs, especially ice, has destroyed many families and in order to limit this increasing trend of drugs, immediate and multi-faceted measures are needed. He reiterated that we must all work together with full zeal and determination to fight against this menace for the sake of our children. He highlighted that If we are able to contribute in the eradication of this peril, it will be a great deed.

The Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control was also briefed about the ANF’s performance, functions, and operations. Later, the Federal Interior Minister planted a tree in the lawn of the ANF Headquarters. Federal Secretary for Interior Khurram Agha, and high-ranking officials of the ANF were also present on the occasion.