Today in Islamabad, Dutch Ambassador Mrs. Henny De Vries paid a visit to Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, the acting finance minister. Numerous facets of the two nations’ bilateral economic connections were discussed. Both parties emphasised the value of democratic processes as they talked about the impending elections in the Netherlands. In addition to congratulating Dr. Shamshad Akhtar on obtaining the Staff Level Agreement of the first Review of the IMF Pakistan Standby Arrangement, Ambassador Mrs. Henny De Vries also noted the general improvement in Pakistan’s economic circumstances. During the event, Dr. Shamshad Akhtar emphasised the reforms the government is doing across a number of areas, particularly those pertaining to the “Broadening of the Tax Base” project, which is aimed at expanding the tax net.
Madad Ali Sindhi, the acting minister for federal education and professional training, informed the Senate on Tuesday that several private universities were previously permitted to operate around the nation while the education sector was neglected. In response to several follow-up queries during Q&A, he mentioned that certain universities were merely a few rooms big. Improving the calibre and standard of education is the chairman of the Higher Education Commission’s mandate, he stated. The minister responded to a query by saying that Ms Lubna Said, a Pakistan Administrative Services officer working in BPS-19, has been appointed to the open position of Pakistan’s deputy permanent delegate to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in Paris.
Two Intelligence Based Operations (IBOs) aimed at eliminating hostile elements in the areas of Dera Ismail Khan and South Waziristan have resulted in the deaths of three terrorists. Meanwhile, an improvised explosive device went off in the area of North Waziristan, leading a Pakistan Army soldier to accept martyrdom. Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced on Tuesday that two terrorists were condemned to hell following a fierce gunfight during an IBO that took place on November 20 in the Dera Ismail Khan District’s general region, Kulachi. Another terrorist was slain in a different operation that was carried out in the South Waziristan District’s general area, Kot Azam. Alongside guns and ammo, the three terrorists that were killed were also found by the forces.
Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Ejaz Chaudhary, and Rubina Jameel, leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), were accused on Tuesday by a Lahore anti-terrorism court (ATC) in connection with the May 9 violence. But in this case, all three of the defendants have entered not guilty pleas. The PTI chief Imran Khan’s detention in a graft case led to the May 9 riots, which resulted in the imprisonment of the party’s officials for several months. While copies of the challan were given to the accused during the previous hearing, the ATC has now called the witnesses in the case to record their statements on December 16. At the Sarwar Road police station in Lahore, all three of the suspects have been booked in two separate cases.
Ishaq Dar, the leader of the House in the Senate, denied recent rumours that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) planned to change the 18th Amendment on Tuesday. He made it clear during his Senate speech that the party did not take this into account. He made it clear that the manifesto committee had not received instructions from the PML-N to concentrate on amending the 18th Amendment. Dar emphasised that the party’s stance had already been made clear and that any such intentions had been rejected by the manifesto committee, which was chaired by Senator Irfan Siddiqui and former Minister of Information Marriyum Aurangzeb. He emphasised the background of the Charter of Democracy, which was signed in 2006 by the PML-N and the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP).
In a statement released on Telegram on Tuesday, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh declared that his armed group was getting close to a ceasefire with Israel. Haniyeh stated, “We are close to reaching a deal on a truce,” as stated in the post. In an attempt to reach an agreement, negotiators have been trying to free some 240 hostages, most of whom are Israelis, who were taken during the worst attack on Israel in recorded history on October 7. During their cross-border attack, Hamas fighters also claimed the lives of some 1,200 persons, the most of whom were civilians. In response, Israel promised to destroy Hamas and secure the release of the captives. It began a relentless bombing campaign and land offensive.
The interim federal and provincial governments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan filed intra-court appeals on Friday against the ruling of the Supreme Court from October 23, which ruled that the civilians who were detained in connection with the May 9 mayhem were not entitled to a military trial. The Ministry of Defence, along with the federal government and the provinces, filed an appeal with the Supreme Court to overturn its October 23 decision and reinstate the Official Secrets Act’s portions that the five-member bench had ruled were unlawful. The day before, the Shuhada Forum in Balochistan and the caretaker administration in Sindh separately asked the supreme court to overturn its ruling that civilian trials in military courts are unconstitutional.
There is no place for intolerance and extreme behaviour by any institution against anyone, especially against minorities and vulnerable elements of society, according to Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir. He made these remarks on Friday in Rawalpindi during discussions with prominent Mashaikhs and Ulemas from various schools of thought. Pakistan, according to General Syed Asim Munir, belongs to all Pakistanis, regardless of differences based on religion, province, tribe, language, ethnicity, sectarianism, or anything else. He went on to say that it is unacceptable for any militia, entity, or group other than the State to use force or engage in armed action. Ulema and Mashaikh jointly denounced extremism, terrorism, and sectarianism and promised to continue supporting the State’s and security forces’ tireless efforts to bring about tolerance, peace, and stability in the country.
Ann Masterson, the country head of Norwegian Church Aid (NCA), paid Governor Punjab Muhammad Balighur Rehman a visit at Governor House Lahore. On this occasion, the executive director of Sabiha, a non-governmental organisation that promotes young empowerment, was also present. The governor of Punjab was briefed by the country head of the National Council of Agencies (NCA), Ann Masterson, regarding humanitarian aid being provided to people across the globe, particularly in Palestine. Norwegian Church Aid’s (NCA) country head, Anne Masterson, stated that her organisation works to give medical care to injured individuals and housing to displaced persons in Palestine. Punjab Governor Muhammad Balighur Rehman expressed his heartfelt sorrow over the plight of Palestinians, particularly the innocent children living in Palestine, during this occasion.
Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, the interim finance minister, stated that the caretaker administration intends to increase the cost of these utilities in January in an effort to reduce the circular debt problem. The federal minister stated that the government has committed to reducing energy sector costs and restoring efficiency under the terms of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) during a press conference at the Q Block on Thursday. “The electricity and gas industries’ circular debt has surpassed 4% of the GDP. To bring it down, immediate action is required. Gas and electricity rates have been modified in accordance with the work we have begun in this area, the speaker continued.
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