Category: National

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Sunday described the IMF’s ‘Governance Diagnostic and Corruption Report’ as a chance to accelerate institutional reforms, saying the assessment should serve as guidance rather than criticism of government policy.
He stated during a press conference that the government had requested the assessment on its own as part of its emphasis on transparency. He continued by saying that the IMF had observed progress in public financial management, taxation, governance, and procurement.

He said several major reforms were already in progress, while the remaining recommendations would be taken forward to address long-standing structural gaps. “Institutional reform remained essential to sustaining Pakistan’s economic turnaround,” he said.

“The decision to end the 0.25 percent levy, along with overhauling the governance of the Export Development Fund, reflected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directive to place the private sector at the centre of economic expansion,” he said. He added that the summary had been sent to the cabinet and implementation would begin once approved.

Aurangzeb pointed out that recent indicators showed improving economic activity. Between July and October, cement production rose 16 percent, fertiliser nine percent, petroleum four percent, automobiles 31 percent and mobile phone assembly 26 percent. 

He mentioned that large-scale manufacturing experienced a 4.1 percent increase in the first quarter following a downturn last year, stressing that the main challenge is sustaining growth without being affected by external shocks or experiencing boom-and-bust trends.

Aurangzeb announced a five percent rise in exports, with IT exports experiencing growth of over 20 percent, marking consecutive monthly highs in September and October. The $3.5 billion financing secured for Reko Diq has reached its financial close and is anticipated to yield nearly $3 billion in annual export earnings once production commences.

The finance czar also indicated that remittances reached $38 billion last year and are expected to surpass $41 billion this year, bolstering the current account while imports are being regulated under an updated tariff framework that emphasizes raw materials and intermediate goods, gradually eliminating protection over the next four to five years.

The federal government has updated the prices of key petroleum products for the upcoming 15 days. A notification released by the Petroleum Division on Sunday indicated that the adjusted rates will take effect from December 1 and remain valid until December 15.

As stated in the notification, the price adjustments occurred after the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) provided its assessments for the new cycle. The notification confirmed that the government accepted the Authority’s recommendations and published the new rates.

The price of petrol is now set at 263.45 rupees per litre following a decrease of Rs2 per litre, down from the previous rate of 265.45 rupees. High-speed diesel price has been lowered by Rs4.79 per litre, now priced at 279.65 rupees per litre, a reduction from 284.44 rupees.

High-speed diesel serves the transportation and agricultural sectors, and variations in its price influence the distribution of goods and agricultural operations. Petrol fuels motorbikes and cars, with Punjab being the main consumer due to restrictions on local gas usage at CNG stations in the region.

The notification emphasized that the taxes on petroleum products remain unchanged. Currently, the petroleum levy on high-speed diesel stands at Rs75.41 per litre, with an additional charge of Rs2.50 per litre as CSL. Petrol has a petroleum levy of Rs97.62 per litre alongside the same CSL rate. There is no sales tax applied to petrol, high-speed diesel, kerosene, or other petroleum products.

The federal government previously raised the petroleum levy to ensure full tax collection on petroleum products. The sales tax from petroleum products is shared with the provinces, and the federal government reduced the rate to zero to retain overall revenue at the center.

The petroleum levy was established to facilitate investment in the oil supply chain, including projects for storage. Successive administrations have redirected levy funds to cover operational expenses, while the funding for specific sector projects has not changed.

The latest price adjustments conclude the most recent fortnightly cycle and adhere to the standard review process, where OGRA provides updated calculations reflecting international prices, exchange rate changes, and local modifications.

The body of a three-year-old boy who fell into an open manhole near Nipa Chowrangi in Karachi on Sunday night has finally been recovered. 

Rescue officials said the child’s body was found in a nearby drain approximately 1.5 kilometers from the site, 14 hours after the incident. 

The body was immediately taken to a mortuary.

The boy, identified as Ibrahim, son of Nabeel, had been visiting a departmental store with his family when he ran ahead and fell into the uncovered manhole. His father explained that he was parking their motorcycle when Ibrahim slipped inside. Ibrahim was the only child of his parents.

The incident had sparked outrage across the area, with residents blaming city authorities for negligence. Locals blocked roads at Nipa Chowrangi, burning tyres and closing routes to Hassan Square and the University of Karachi. A media van was also targeted with stones during the protest.

MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar had visited the site, but the crowd did not allow him to step out of his car. He later expressed deep sorrow over the incident and criticised the poor condition of Karachi’s roads and the prevalence of open manholes.

The Sindh government had taken notice of the case and launched an inquiry into why the manhole had been left uncovered and promised strict action against those responsible. The recovery of the child’s body marks a tragic end to a day that gripped the city in sorrow and anger.

The widow of martyred Sindh police officer Chaudhry Aslam has strongly criticised the makers of the upcoming Indian film Dhurandhar, calling their portrayal of her late husband “offensive” and accusing the filmmakers of glorifying criminals.

In an exclusive interview with a private news channel, Noreen Aslam took umbrage at a dialogue included in the film’s trailer. 

She said, “The trailer says a child born from the devil and a jinn is called Chaudhry Aslam. This line attacks the character of Chaudhry’s mother. We are Muslims and we live in an Islamic country. We do not believe in relations between women and jinns. Chaudhry’s mother was a pure and pious woman.”

Noreen Aslam criticised Indian writers for targeting Pakistan. 

“Actors are never wrong, the writer decides everything. Indian writers always show Pakistan as a terrorist state, but they stay silent about the Indian colonel who admitted he placed a bet on Chaudhry Aslam. Whether Chaudhry is a hero or a villain depends on people’s own view. I do not object to that, but Chaudhry stayed loyal to his soil.”

She warned that she will take legal action if the film misrepresents her husband. 

She said, “We will know on December 5 how they show Chaudhry. But if they try to run propaganda against him, I will use my legal right.”

Noreen questioned the glorification of Rehman Dakait in the film. 

Pointing out that TTP is a globally recognised terrorist group, she said that Rehman Dakait was never as big a terrorist as he is being portrayed. “Chaudhry encountered far more dangerous terrorists. Rehman was a extortionist and involved in drugs. He was never such a big don. Why did they show him like this, only they know.”

She also raised concerns about scenes involving Sanjay Dutt. 

“When the film releases, we will see whether the TTP spokesman calls Sanjay Dutt. The whole world knows what Chaudhry said. That clip is still on YouTube.”

Noreen Aslam also demanded a response from PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto over the film’s depiction of the party. 

She said, “The trailer shows a rally where one side has Benazir Bhutto’s picture, one side has the public and one side has Rehman Dakait. What are they trying to show? I believe the PPP spokesperson and Bilawal Bhutto must give a statement on this.”

The Bollywood film Dhurandhar, which includes key Pakistani figures as central characters, is scheduled for release on December 5. 

The cast includes Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna and Sanjay Dutt.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s adviser Rana Sanaullah launched a sharp attack on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Sohail Afridi, saying that Afridi should start a hunger strike outside Adiala Jail and “continue it until he dies in love with Imran Khan.”

Speaking on a TV programme, Rana said, “The PTI founder should get permission to meet people, but after a three hour meeting there should not be a one and a half hour press conference.” 

He added, “No one should talk about attacks, arson or a march on Islamabad. No law allows anyone to run a movement from inside a jail. No one has permission to meet the PTI founder and then hold hours long press talks outside.”

Rana Sanaullah said the court that allowed the meeting also set a clear limit. 

He said, “The court order had two parts: allow the meeting and do not do politics. When Nawaz Sharif went to London, did he break out of jail? The cabinet allowed him to travel.”

He said the government does not feel threatened by Imran Khan. “We fear no one. The PTI founder should meet people under the law.” He claimed intelligence reports warned that PTI supporters had planned protests on November 26, similar to the violent ones held the previous year.

Rana Sanaullah criticised the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister and said, “The KP chief minister should start a hunger strike outside Adiala. He should continue the hunger strike until he dies in love for the PTI founder.”

Meanwhile, KP adviser on information Shafi Jan responded and said Rana Sanaullah himself admitted that meetings with the PTI founder should take place. 

“They fear Imran Khan. Recent health reports about him were alarming. We have serious concerns about his health,” he stated. 

He observed that the Islamabad High Court ordered a meeting between the PTI founder and the KP chief minister. “Our entire leadership waited outside Adiala. KP chief minister wanted to meet the chief justice but he refused.”

Shafi Jan also accused federal authorities of violence. 

He said, “As soon as we leave KP’s border, they attack us. The government does not have the courage to bring Imran Khan to court. He has become a symbol of fear for them. We held a symbolic sit in on Adiala Road. We do not need a meeting to protest. Ali Amin was supposed to be changed and we already received the message.”

Earlier, KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi threatened to block parliamentary proceedings if authorities did not arrange a meeting with the PTI founder. 

He also announced a protest outside the Islamabad High Court on Tuesday.

The Punjab government has decided to ban the production of petrol-run motorcycle rickshaws, multiple news outlets have reported. 

The decision was made during a Cabinet Committee meeting on anti-smog measures held on Thursday, chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. 

Key decisions included an immediate ban on the production of petrol-run motorcycle rickshaws and an in-principle decision to phase out the production of petrol-run motorcycles.

The meeting also finalized the purchase of electric vehicles and electric motorcycles for government departments.

Additionally, the government will impose strict penalties for burning plastic and smoke-producing toxic materials, emphasizing zero tolerance for actions that harm citizens’ health and the environment. It was also decided to install colored waste bins across Punjab, similar to modern international practices.

Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb briefed the committee, stating that Punjab’s first state-of-the-art Air Quality Monitoring Network has been established and a comprehensive anti-pollution operation is underway.

She reported an 88 percent reduction in crop burning incidents in Lahore and its surrounding areas, noting that drones are being used for surveillance to prevent such incidents.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed satisfaction with the environmental improvement measures and commended the entire team. 

She said, “The spirit, hard work, and focus with which the institutions and the team have worked in the last one and a half years are commendable. We also thank the citizens who fully cooperated with the government and institutions.”

Despite these efforts, Lahore’s air quality is experiencing a severe decline, pushing the city to the second position on the global pollution index as of 7:00 PM on Thursday.

According to the Air Quality Index (AQI) data, Lahore registered an overall pollution level of 226, which falls under the “very unhealthy” category.

Certain areas within the city are facing alarmingly high levels of contamination. The vicinity of the Civil Secretariat was identified as the most polluted zone, with AQI levels skyrocketing to 788. Other areas severely impacted include Johar Town (695), Cantonment (581), Barki Road (403), Askari-X (327), and Allama Iqbal Town (298).

The crisis is not limited to the provincial capital. Several other major cities across Punjab, including Sialkot, Gujranwala, Multan, and Bahawalpur, are also grappling with severely compromised air, with their AQI levels consistently categorized as “very unhealthy.”

Earlier, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Punjab issued a smog and fog alert. 

The PDMA directed all Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners across the province to immediately implement timely preventive measures to mitigate the health and environmental risks posed by the high pollution levels.

Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice (CJ) Sarfaraz Dogar has refused to meet Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) Sohail Afridi.

According to media reports, the provincial executive of KP arrived at the IHC seeking a meeting with the top judge after staging an overnight sit-in outside Adiala Jail.

However, the meeting did not take place and Afridi, accompanied by jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, and a group of lawyers, left the office of the CJ’s secretary.

“We were not heard. We received a message from the chief justice that he cannot meet us,” CM Afridi said while expressing his disappointment in conversation with media persons.

He announced that his party had decided to disrupt both the National Assembly and Senate sessions today, and vowed to gather again outside the high court and Adiala Jail next Tuesday.

KP Advocate General also confirmed to a private media outlet that the top Islamabad judge had declined to meet the CM, adding that Justice Dogar was currently not meeting anyone.

He clarified that the CJ had also not met the advocate general or any lawyer.

Earlier, Afridi ended the overnight sit-in after being denied a meeting with the incarcerated party founder for the eighth time a day earlier.

The sit-in began on Thursday afternoon and also included members of the KP cabinet.

Visuals reposted by the PTI on X showed CM Afridi, along with other party workers, offering Fajr prayers outside the jail on Friday morning. Other images showed Afridi and others huddled around a fire. The sit-in was also livestreamed by the party on its social media channels.

Speaking on the livestream on Friday morning, the KP CM announced that the sit-in was being wrapped up, adding that he would now approach the IHC.

“We will now go to the IHC to meet the chief justice,” he said, adding that they would request him that three of his judges had ordered the meeting. Afridi was referring to a three-member IHC bench in October telling the Adiala administration to allow a meeting between him and jailed Imran.

“Previous orders were very clear that Khan Sahib would be allowed to meet his family and lawyers on Tuesdays and party leadership on Thursdays,” he said, adding that courts should ensure the enforcement of their orders, otherwise, it was “the law of the jungle”.

CM Afridi also expressed frustration, stating that he had exhausted all “constitutional and legal” avenues available to meet his party’s founder.

“What other avenue is left for me to explore now?” he asked and lamented that despite court orders, he, other party leaders and Imran’s family were not being allowed to meet him.

He also recalled the treatment meted out to Imran’s sisters outside Adiala last week when police briefly detained them for a sit-in against the lack of permission to see their brother.

In an additional note written on the Noor Mukaddam murder case verdict, which was released today, Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, who is now a judge on the Federal Constitutional court, while upholding the sentence awarded to Zahir Jaffar, who murdered Noor in 2021, observed that “the present case [Noor Mukaddam’s case] is a direct result of a vice spreading in the upper society which we know as ‘living relationship’”.

It seems the judge was talking about a ‘live-in relationship’ where two people choose to live with each other instead of entering a marriage contract. 

The additional note was part of a review petition of the murder case, which the apex court had heard last month. Zahir Jaffer had filed a petition, challenging charges against him.

During the hearing of the petition, Justice Najafi told senior counsel Khwaja Haaris representing Zahir Jaffer that it would be better to start the hearing instead of going through the additional note, which is why it was not made public earlier. 
Later, Justice Najafi was appointed to the newly created Federal Constitutional Court. 

 In the note, Justice Najafi also stressed that live-in relationships ignore “societal compulsions” and “defy not only the law of the land but also the personal law” under Sharia and that engaging in such a relationship was “a direct revolt against Almighty Allah”. 
He also stressed that the younger generation should be made aware of the “horrible consequences” of the present case. 
Justice Najafi upheld the death sentence for Zahir Jaffer, saying that the prosecution’s evidence was circumstantial. 
“One end of the rope is found tied with the dead body of Noor Mukadam, and the other end tied with the neck of the petitioner,” he said.

27-year-old Noor was found murdered at the family residence of Zahir Jaffer in July 2021. He was convicted in 2022 by the trial court in Islamabad and the Supreme Court upheld the death sentence given to Zahir Jaffer.

It is also important to note that it has not been reported during the investigation and media coverage of the case that she was in a live-in relationship with Zahir Jaffer.