Day: June 11, 2024

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed to establish an effective and dynamic customer service system in the offices of distribution companies for timely registration of complaints related to non-supply of electricity. He issued these directives while presiding over a review meeting in Islamabad today, regarding electricity load shedding, prevention of electricity theft and reforms in the energy sector. The Prime Minister further directed the authorities concerned to observe minimum load shedding in view of rising scorching heat. He said the procurement of new transformers should be made as per the specifications of international standard. He said the prevailing modern system should be analyzed for reforms in the energy sector. Shehbaz Sharif directed the provincial governments to fully support the anti-electricity theft campaign and to award strict punishments to the electricity thieves. He also directed to address the issue of over-billing in the country. The Prime Minister was briefed re garding the progress made so far in the revamping the National Transmission and Dispatch Company. The meeting was informed that more than thirty thousand cases have been registered and 90 employees have been arrested in connection with over billing from April 1st to May 30. In connection with reforms in the energy sector, a project for metering over one hundred and twenty four thousand transformers has also been included in the next year's development budget. Similarly, one-third consumers of IESCO are also being transferred on smart meters with the support of the Asian Development Bank, which will later be expanded to rest of the country. A briefing was also given in the meeting regarding demand and supply of electricity and load shedding in the country. It was informed that the areas where dues recovery is better have been declared load shedding free, while only partial load-shedding is being done in areas which are in default list. The Prime Minister was also informed about the progress achieved so fa r in the anti-electricity theft campaign in the country. Source: Radio Pakistan

International Day of Play is being observed today to mark a significant milestone in efforts to preserve, promote, and prioritize playing. The day creates a unifying moment at global, national, and local levels to elevate the importance of play. Source: Radio Pakistan

The Senate was informed today that government is committed to enhance the country's exports to fifty billion rupees. Responding to a question during Question Hour in the House today, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Azam Nazeer Tarar said Federal Board of Revenue has been directed for exporter friendly policy for exports. He expressed the hope that country's export will touch thirty billion dollars during this month. He said National Exports board has been functionalized and Prime Minister himself chairs its meeting. The Minister also informed the House that Pakistan has approached friendly countries to bolster its exports. He said trade venue have been founded in Turkiye and Uzbekistan for the Pakistani products which will help to increase the exports of the country. Responding to a question, Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain informed the House that export processing zones have been established at the land of Pakistan Steel Mills for its revival. He seven hundred acres land of Pakistan Steel Mills has been given to the Sindh government for its suitable utilization. Responding to a calling attention notice, Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari said the faults in transmission system will be rectified and the power system will be revived in next two to three years. Meanwhile, the Senate today passed "The Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2024." Under the bill, the Federal Government shall appoint Director General of Radio Pakistan on the recommendations of the board. The constitution of the PBC board has been changed by increasing the independent director/private members from four to nine, giving them a majority over ex-officio members. By increasing the number of independent directors/private members, representation has been given to the Islamabad Capital Territory, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir; besides the four provinces. Other bills passed by the House included "The Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (Amendment) Bill , 2024", "The Pakistan Postal Services Management Board (Amendment) Bill, 2024" and "The National Highway Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2024." The bills were moved by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar. Two ordinances were also laid before the House including the Elections (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024 and National Accountability (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024. The House has been adjourned to meet again tomorrow at six in the evening. Source: Radio Pakistan

National Logistics Corporation (NLC) in collaboration with Kazak companies has successfully delivered first-ever consignment of goods from Kazakhstan to Dubai via Afghanistan. The consignment comprises two trucks with twenty one tons of load. Initially, the trucks completed 4,900 kilometer distance to Karachi in twenty days only and the shipment was loaded on a feeder ship. In the last leg of its journey, the shipment reached Jebel Ali Port. Around sixty containers are likely to be transported via this route in current and next month. The activation of this corridor has enabled Kazakhstan to access markets in the Middle East, South Asia and Southeast Asia. Source: Radio Pakistan

Pakistan and Canada have agreed to enhance their cooperation on mutually-agreed priority sectors, including energy and climate change issues. An agreement to this effect came at a meeting between Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema and Canadian High Commissioner, Leslie Scanlon in Islamabad today. The Minister acknowledged Canada's assistance to the Government of Pakistan during 2022 floods and the COVID-19 pandemic. He apprised the Canadian High Commissioner that the energy sector is one of the main priorities of the government. Ahad Cheema expressed his sincere gratitude to Ms. Leslie Scanlon and her team for their unwavering support to the Government of Pakistan. On the occasion, the Canadian High Commissioner highlighted that her Government is focused on Carbon Credits and hoped that the Pakistan may also work on Climate Finance. Source: Radio Pakistan

The National Assembly has passed the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Moving the Bill, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the bill is aimed at giving more autonomy to the Board of Radio Pakistan to improve its governance and performance. Under the bill, the Federal Government shall appoint Director General of Radio Pakistan on the recommendations of the Board. The constitution of the PBC board has been changed by increasing the independent directors/private members from four to nine, giving them a majority over ex-officio members. Source: Radio Pakistan

The federal budget for fiscal year 2024-25 will be presented in the National Assembly tomorrow. Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb will present the budget in the House. Source: Radio Pakistan

Meeting of the federal cabinet is underway in Islamabad with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the chair. The meeting is discussing agenda items. Source: Radio Pakistan