All posts by : Web Desk

Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet has approved a technical supplementary grant of Rs6.6 billion for the purchase of 30 bulletproof vehicles to facilitate the transportation of heads of state during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit scheduled to be held in Pakistan in September 2027.

The ECC also approved the continuation of gas supply to Fatima Fertilizers and Agritech under the existing arrangements until September 30, 2026.

The ECC meeting was held in Islamabad on Monday under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb. The committee reviewed summaries submitted by various ministries and divisions.

Rs6.6bn Grant Approved for 30 Bulletproof Vehicles

The meeting considered a summary seeking a technical supplementary grant of Rs12.6 billion for the purchase of bulletproof vehicles for the transportation of heads of state during the SCO summit in Pakistan in September 2027.

After a detailed review of the proposals and extensive consultation, the ECC approved a technical supplementary grant of Rs6.6 billion for the purchase of 30 bulletproof vehicles.

The committee directed the Cabinet Division to submit a fresh summary if any additional requirement arises. It also directed that a comprehensive assessment be carried out for any additional demand and that the matter be placed before the ECC again, if required.

Summary on Minimum Indicative Tobacco Prices Deferred

The meeting also reviewed a summary submitted by the Ministry of National Food Security and Research regarding minimum indicative prices for the tobacco crop and revision of the cess rate for fiscal year 2027.

After a detailed discussion, the ECC observed that the proposal required further substantive justification. The committee deferred the agenda item and directed the ministry to resubmit the proposal along with a justifiable analysis.

Export of Donkey Meat and Hides from Gwadar Free Zone Approved

The committee also reviewed recommendations of a committee formed by the Ministry of National Food Security and Research to address issues related to the export of donkey meat and hides from the Gwadar Free Zone.

The ECC approved the recommendations along with all mandatory safety measures proposed by the relevant ministry.

Gas Supply to Fatima Fertilizers, Agritech Extended Until September 30

The meeting also approved a proposal from the Ministry of National Food Security and Research to continue gas supply to Fatima Fertilizers and Agritech under the existing arrangements until September 30, 2026.

Technical Supplementary Grant for Danish Schools Authority Fund Approved

The ECC also approved a summary submitted by the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training regarding a technical supplementary grant for the Danish Schools Authority Fund under the endowment framework.

The meeting also reviewed progress on the Pakistan Skills Impact Bond. The committee set September 30, 2026, as the deadline for the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training to provide an update on concrete progress regarding the extension of the Government of Pakistan’s guarantee period for the initiative.

Federal Ministers and Officials Attend Meeting

The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister for Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik and Prime Minister’s Adviser on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan.

Officials from the relevant ministries, divisions and regulatory bodies, federal secretaries and senior officials also attended the meeting.

Also Read: Pakistan’s Jails Overcrowded as Under-Trial Prisoners Outnumber Capacity

Karachi: A fire that broke out at a factory in Karachi’s Landhi Export Processing Zone could not be fully brought under control even after eight hours, with fire brigade officials saying that 70 percent of the blaze had been contained.

Chief Fire Officer Humayun Khan told the media that 70 percent of the fire had been brought under control and that flames were still present in one section of the factory. Fire brigade vehicles were continuing their operation, while flames had stopped emerging from the windows around the building.

He said 11 fire tenders, two water bowsers and two snorkels were currently taking part in the operation. The cooling process would begin after the fire was brought under control.

Rescue 1122 operation in-charge Yusra Ali told the media that they received information about the fire at 1pm. She said it could take another four to five hours to control the blaze. Three people had suffered health problems due to smoke, while the cause of the fire would be determined later.

A Rescue spokesperson said a portion of the factory had collapsed due to the fire and that the blaze had also spread to an adjoining factory.

Fire brigade officials said no staff was present inside the factory when the fire broke out. They added that a large quantity of used clothing was stored inside the building.

Also Read: Karachi Court Acquits Anmol alias Pinky in 2021 Drug Case

LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court has handed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Hammad Azhar over to police on a 20-day physical remand in the Jinnah House arson and attack case.

Lahore Police produced Hammad Azhar before the Anti-Terrorism Court. Following the court’s decision on his physical remand, police took him back into custody.

During Hammad Azhar’s appearance, Judge Malik Abid Hussain directed media representatives to leave the courtroom. The judge said that everyone except lawyers and the investigating officer should leave the courtroom.

During the hearing, the prosecution said that Hammad Azhar had been arrested in the Jinnah House attack case of May 9. It said he was nominated in the case and that his physical remand was required for investigation. The prosecution further said that the social media accounts allegedly used to run a campaign of unrest also had to be recovered.

Hammad Azhar’s lawyer told the court that Hammad Azhar was in Gujranwala on May 9 and was not present at the scene. He said the court could also verify the accused’s location through geofencing. He added that Hammad Azhar was willing to undergo a photogrammetric test regarding the social media accounts, photographs and other material, but argued that remand could not be granted on the basis of evidence that might emerge in the future.

Also Read: Supreme Court Clears Way for Hearing of PTI Contempt Petition in Imran Khan Case

Meanwhile, PTI leader Hammad Azhar remains in custody and is being interrogated. Details of the cases registered against him have also emerged. According to police, Hammad Azhar was wanted in 48 cases, including 17 cases registered under terrorism provisions.

Earlier, Hammad Azhar’s mother had approached the Lahore High Court seeking his recovery. She filed the petition through Barrister Abu Zar Sulaiman Khan Niazi, naming the Punjab Inspector General of Police, the CCPO and others as respondents.

The petitioner’s lawyer said Hammad Azhar had been taken into custody from Multan two days earlier but had not yet been produced before any court.

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Human Rights, chaired by Nosheen Iftikhar, held a meeting during which Dr. Ayesha, a woman who alleged she was subjected to gender-based harassment, briefed the committee on her case.

Dr. Ayesha told the committee that former Health Services Academy Vice Chancellor Dr. Shehzad Ali Khan had harassed her. She further alleged that Dr. Shehzad and his wife had filed several false cases against her.

Dr. Ayesha said she had already spent Rs150 million on lawyers’ fees in connection with the cases. She said the Federal Ombudsperson for Protection of Women had ruled in her favour, while the President of Pakistan had also rejected Dr. Shehzad’s appeal. However, she said, he was not willing to step down from his position.

Members of the standing committee expressed solidarity with Dr. Ayesha and recommended ensuring implementation of the decision regarding Dr. Shehzad’s removal.

The committee directed that the decision to remove Dr. Shehzad Ali on grounds of gender-based harassment be implemented and instructed the Ministry of Human Rights to take measures to prevent incidents of sexual harassment of women.

Also Read: National Assembly Approves Defence Forces Act 2026 Draft and Amendments to NCA Act

LAHORE: Lahore police have formally arrested Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) social media activist Falak Javed in the Jinnah House attack case.

After recording her arrest, police presented Falak Javed before the Anti-Terrorism Court in Lahore, where Judge Malik Abid Hussain heard the police request.

The court approved a five-day physical remand of Falak Javed.

Earlier on the same day, the Lahore Anti-Terrorism Court had granted bail to Falak Javed in a case pertaining to an attack on police outside Zaman Park.

Judge Malik Abid Hussain approved her post-arrest bail in the case.

The prosecution opposed Falak Javed’s bail plea. A case has been registered against her at Race Course Police Station under charges including an attack on police.

Falak Javed is currently imprisoned in connection with cases related to May 9.

Also Read: Three Suspects Including TikToker Lareeb Named in PTI Leader Abdullah Tahir Murder Case

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former federal minister Khawaja Saad Rafique has called for the establishment of an elected parliament before the creation of smaller provinces, warning that the state’s writ should not come at the expense of citizens’ rights.

Addressing a National Policy Dialogue in Islamabad, Rafique said the previous government had remained focused on putting people in jail. He said Pakistan was a nuclear power and believed it could create a path forward by suppressing its opponents.

Speaking about the division of provinces, Rafique said he was openly in favour of smaller provinces, but any such process should involve everyone. He said Punjab had been divided many times and was still prepared for it, while clarifying that this was his personal opinion.

Discussing democracy in Pakistan, the PML-N leader said the country had witnessed several declared and undeclared martial laws. He also said every political party had become the property of a single family, questioning how democracy could be delivered when a party was controlled by one family.

On elections, Rafique said votes in the country went to one person while someone else ended up being elected.

Also Read: Sindh Assembly Unanimously Rejects Province Division, Passes Resolution Against New Provinces

“Do not eliminate the writ of citizens while establishing the writ of the state,” he said.

خواجہ سعد رفیق آج اخیر کرگئے، نئے صوبوں پر ایسی گفتگو شایدکسی نے نہ کی ہو @KhSaad_Rafique pic.twitter.com/Rb4dMYZEow

— Tabsara Digital (@TabsaraDigital) September 5, 2026

Rafique said an elected parliament should be established first, followed by the creation of smaller provinces, and called for an end to turning parliamentary democracy into parliamentary dictatorship. He added that creating as many smaller provinces as possible would serve no purpose if violations of the Constitution continued.

The PML-N leader also expressed concern over the law and order situation in Balochistan, saying it was before everyone’s eyes, and warned against a situation in Azad Kashmir developing along the lines of Balochistan.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has termed terrorism a major threat to the province, saying Punjab faces a greater threat from terrorism coming from neighboring provinces than from a neighboring country.

Addressing the launch ceremony of an Artificial Intelligence Hub in Lahore, Maryam Nawaz said no compromise would be made on the province’s law and order. She said the people of Punjab were looking towards her after Allah Almighty, adding that billions of rupees were being spent on the province’s security in response to security threats.

“I face less threat from neighboring countries and more from neighboring provinces,” the chief minister said.

Maryam Nawaz said the Kacha area had remained a hub of crime for decades, but the situation there was now under control with the assistance of the army and the Sindh government. She said threats were coming from the province’s border areas and joint check posts had now been strengthened to eliminate them.

She said the Artificial Intelligence Hub would serve as an important center for coordination among security institutions.

Also Read: Asad Qaiser Claims Maryam Nawaz Was Unhappy Over Court Order to Shift Imran Khan to Shifa International

The chief minister said controlling the crime situation and tackling organized crime had been a major challenge. She said five murders used to take place in broad daylight in Punjab, while incidents of abuse against children were particularly distressing.

Maryam Nawaz said enforcing helmet use for motorcycle riders had been a difficult decision. She added that motorcycle riders found without helmets were now being apprehended.

The chief minister also warned of indiscriminate action against corruption in the province. Claiming that corruption was lower in Punjab compared with other provinces, she said it appeared that corruption had unfortunately become ingrained in society as a nation.

She said corruption was often treated not as an evil but as a routine part of life, stressing that no corruption would be tolerated wherever it was found.

Despite severe load shedding and a power shortfall of 3,000 to 4,000 megawatts, the government paid Rs472 billion to 105 independent power producers (IPPs) in capacity payments from April to June, according to government documents.

The documents show that the payments were collected from electricity consumers through their power bills. During the three-month period, Rs472 billion was paid to 105 IPPs under the head of capacity payments.

According to the documents, China Fuel Energy received Rs32.81 billion, Shanghai Energy was paid Rs26 billion, Nuclear One received Rs36 billion, while Nuclear Power Plant Three was paid Rs37 billion.

Port Qasim Power received Rs26 billion, Thar Coal Block One was paid Rs29 billion, and WAPDA Hydel received Rs35 billion in capacity payments, the documents stated.

The documents further revealed that despite the payment of capacity charges, severe load shedding has continued across the country for the past month and a half, while the electricity shortfall has remained between 3,000 and 4,000 megawatts.

Also Read: Suspension, Revision of Six IPP Agreements Saves Government Rs4.3 Trillion