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  • Power Division seeks Rs161bn from provinces

    Power Division seeks Rs161bn from provinces

    The Power Division has asked the Ministry of Finance to recover around Rs161 billion in unpaid electricity bills from provincial governments, according to Power Minister Sardar Awais Leghari. 


    As per reports, while speaking during a Senate Standing Committee on Power meeting, Awais Leghari outlined how the Council of Common Interests (CII) had already approved a mechanism. Under this mechanism, the federal government can deduct 25 percent of the outstanding dues directly from the provinces’ shares, while the rest would be recovered once bills are reconciled.

    Reports indicate that the committee, chaired by Senator Mohsin Aziz, was briefed regarding these unpaid bills that had piled up over the last three years mainly due to the provinces’ unwillingness to cooperate in reconciling the figures. Data from reports suggests that Sindh owes a staggering Rs67 billion followed by Punjab and Balochistan at Rs42 billion each.

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa owes Rs10 billion as well. The panel showed strong dissatisfaction with the delays and demanded urgent action to recover the dues.

    Back in February 2014, the CII had already settled the framework for how such payments would be handled, including the principle of deducting dues directly from the provinces’ federal transfers. This was followed by a detailed meeting in August 2014 with all stakeholders in the Ministry of Finance, where SOPs were finalized. Since then, the federal government has been deducting 25% of pending power sector payments at source using a uniform process.

    Reports reveal that in addition to recoveries, the committee also turned its attention to ongoing efforts to privatise several power sector entities. Leghari confirmed that three distribution companies, namely Iesco, Fesco, and Gepco, are up for privatization in the first phase. 


    Lesco, Mepco, and Hesco will follow in the next phase, along with the Guddu and Nandipur power plants. Investor outreach, restructuring efforts, and promotional roadshows are currently in progress, with the entire process expected to wrap up by January 2026.


    According to reports, the committee voiced concern over what this shift means for employees of these companies. It urged the ministry to come up with fair and worker-friendly policies, including options for voluntary early retirement, to protect workers’ rights during the transition.


    Another key issue raised was the high cost of electricity during peak nighttime hours. Reports reveal that Leghari has attributed  this spike results from reliance on expensive Residual Fuel Oil (RFO)- based generation to meet demand. The committee was unimpressed and pushed for a shift toward more efficient and affordable power plants to ease the burden on consumers.


    Meanwhile, the installation of 800,000 Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters across Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Taxila has already been completed. This move has helped reduce line losses by 2%, offering a glimpse into how technology can play a role in addressing some of the power sector’s chronic inefficiencies.

  • Case filed against protestors for stopping Aseefa Bhutto Zardari’s convoy

    Case filed against protestors for stopping Aseefa Bhutto Zardari’s convoy

    A case has been filed against protestors who stopped the convoy of the First Lady and President Asif Ali Zardari’s youngest daughter near the Jamshoro toll plaza on Thursday.

    According to details, the First Information Report (FIR) was registered on May 23 against the protestors for rioting, blocking roads, and interfering in government affairs.

    As per Jamshoro Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Zafar Siddiqui, Aseefa was heading to Nawabshah in a convoy when they were stopped near the Jamshoro toll plaza.

    The SSP said that protestors also struck vehicles in the convoy with batons, adding that police personnel safely cleared Aseefa’s vehicle within a minute.

    A group of people was staging a demonstration against the controversial canal project, which had been postponed indefinitely by the federal government last month, said the police officer.

    Following the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) raising objections to the canal project, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed last month that no new canals would be constructed unless a consensus is reached in the Council of Common Interests (CCI).

    On April 28, the CCI rejected the federal government’s proposal for the construction of new canals, overturning the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council’s (ECNEC) decision made on February 7.

  • Budget delayed as IMF talks remain inconclusive

    Budget delayed as IMF talks remain inconclusive

    Discussions between Islamabad and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have remained inconclusive, causing the federal government to delay the announcement of the budget till June 10. The IMF will reportedly continue to engage with relevant authorities over the fiscal year (FY) 2025-26’s budget in the coming days.

    The series of Pak-IMF high-level policy talks began on May 19 in Islamabad, and according to reports, both sides failed to reach an agreement on the budget by the end of the mission.

    However, the IMF’s Pakistan mission chief, Nathan Porter, described the discussions to be “constructive”. Moreover, he asserted that IMF will remain locked in talks with Pakistani authorities until an agreement is reached for the nation’s federal budget for the upcoming FY.   

    He also revealed that the talking points included avenues to boost government revenue and to “prioritise expenditure”. The federal government could attempt to expand the tax net while simultaneously increasing compliance with tax laws.

    Reports indicate that a multitude of businesses do not comply with laws surrounding taxation. This problem is especially pronounced in the cigarette manufacturing sector, where the government loses out on a staggering Rs300 billion in revenue because of tax evasion. 

    According to Nathan Porter, the discussions also went over “budget proposals and broader economic policy, and reform agenda”. Reports reveal that the aforementioned reforms are to be funded by the 2025 Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) package along with other economic goals falling under funding provided by the 2024 $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program. 

    Reports cite Porter describing Islamabad’s commitment to aim for a surplus amounting to 1.6 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for FY 2025-26. To achieve this, the federal government will have to prioritise government expenditures and ensure an increase in revenue to consolidate its fiscal position.

    In a separate development, Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari received a delegation from the World Bank earlier this week to discuss reforms that are currently in progress. These reforms were in line with those recommended by the IMF, as Islamabad intends to substitute broad subsidies with those that offered support to a targeted segment, which could help with fiscal consolidation. 

    Porter outlined the importance of Pakistan’s inflation rate remaining within a band of five to seven percent in the medium term. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is responsible for targeting the optimal inflation rate in the economy and, as such, has been recommended to ensure that its policies are “data-dependent”.

    Porter also highlighted the importance of allowing the exchange rate to fluctuate as it will allow Pakistan to grow resilient to “external shocks”. Currently, the rupee is subject to a managed float regime which allows for the SBP to intervene to insure that the rupee does not face significant depreciation. However, this puts pressure on the SBP’s reserves.

  • Hania Aamir and Yashma Gill’s ring-exchange video goes viral

    Hania Aamir and Yashma Gill’s ring-exchange video goes viral

    A light-hearted video of television stars Hania Aamir and Yashma Gill is making rounds on social media, showing the two best friends jokingly putting rings on each other’s fingers at a jewelry store.

    Yashma can be seen slipping a ring on Hania’s finger and saying, “Hania married me. This is mine,” while both of them laugh together. The casual moment, captured during a shopping trip, shows the actresses joking around in good spirits.

    While the video was clearly a fun and harmless joke between close friends, some trolls on social media reacted angrily.

    Both actresses have not responded to the angry trolls yet, but it’s clear that the video was meant to be playful and not serious.

  • ‘Stingy’ Imran Khan doesn’t even buy his own clothes, claims Khawaja Asif

    ‘Stingy’ Imran Khan doesn’t even buy his own clothes, claims Khawaja Asif

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, in an exclusive interview with The Current, levelled multiple allegations and unleashed personal jabs on Friday against jailed former prime minister Imran Khan.

    Stressing that Imran Khan was very “stingy”, the defence minister alleged that the former star cricketer didn’t spend a penny on himself.

    “I am saying it on record that he didn’t even buy clothes with his own money in his entire life,” Asif said, then recalled a famous saying, “You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.”

    He then mocked the former premier, saying that Imran Khan had six to seven personalities. “Sometimes, he becomes religious; sometimes he starts having illegitimate children; sometimes he has affairs with women; sometimes he becomes a cricketer; and sometimes he starts practising Piri Faqiri (spirituality).”

    He said that Imran Khan has no specific personality, as he is totally confused. “However, he [Imran Khan] is sure about one thing: that the end result must favour him,” he added.

    Asif further said that when he alleged that Imran Khan had syphoned off seven million dollars, the latter filed a case against him.

    Asif further said that the former premier stashed the money abroad by siphoning it off, claiming, “He [Imran Khan] did not bring the donation into the country. He cross-examined me in the court.”

    The defence minister was alluding to the defamation suit worth Rs10 billion that Imran Khan had filed against Asif in 2012, for levelling allegations of non-transparency, money laundering and use of anonymous companies in Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust (SKMT) funds.

    In his lawsuit, Imran Khan referred to the August 1, 2012 presser during which the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) top brass had accused Imran of lost in “real estate gambling” a huge amount of funds donated to the SKMT in the form of Zakat, Fitrana or other kinds of donations.

    The PML-N stalwart’s harsh criticism of the PTI head came in reply to a question about who he would vote for, Imran Khan or PPP’s Asif Ali Zardari. The defence minister took no time to answer that he would vote for Zardari, stating that he’s at least “not a hypocrite.”

  • Pakistan’s Ashab Irfan wins South Australian Open Squash Championship

    Pakistan’s Ashab Irfan wins South Australian Open Squash Championship

    Pakistan’s Ashab Irfan has won the South Australian Open Squash Championship, which was held in Adelaide.

    The top-seeded Irfan defeated Malaysia’s Duncan Lee in straight games in the final, displaying his dominance throughout the match. He secured victory without dropping a single game, with the final scoreline reading 11-8, 12-10, 11-9.

    The total prize money for the tournament was $9,000.

  • Vehicle of missing Gujrat tourists found after a week in Gilgit-Baltistan

    Vehicle of missing Gujrat tourists found after a week in Gilgit-Baltistan

    A vehicle carrying four young tourists from Gujrat, Punjab, who had gone missing during a trip to Gilgit-Baltistan, has finally been traced after a week-long search. According to local authorities, the vehicle had an accident at Ganjay Pari, an area along the Gilgit-Skardu Road. It was located at the bottom of a deep ravine. 

    Efforts are currently underway to reach the vehicle, as confirmed by the local police. The status of the four tourists has not yet been officially confirmed, while rescue teams are working to access the site.

    The four young men were last seen on May 16 before disappearing for over six days. Their disappearance had prompted swift action from the Gilgit-Baltistan government.

    In a statement issued earlier, the spokesperson for the GB government confirmed the men had gone missing during a sightseeing trip. The provincial government took immediate notice of the matter, with Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan directing the Inspector General of Police and the Home Secretary to utilize all available resources for their recovery.

    Tourist Police and Rescue 1122 teams were actively engaged in search operations throughout the region. The discovery of the accident site has now provided a breakthrough in the case.

    Further updates are expected once authorities are able to reach the vehicle and assess the situation.

  • Indian Punjabi actor Mukul Dev passes away after health struggle

    Indian Punjabi actor Mukul Dev passes away after health struggle

    Bollywood actor Mukul Dev passed away at the age of 54 on May 23. He had been unwell for some time and was reportedly admitted to the ICU in his final days.

    Mukul Dev was known for his work in both Hindi and Punjabi films as well as many television shows. He starred in popular shows like Gharwali Uparwali, Kasshish, Ssshhhh…Phir Koi Hai, and Kumkum – Ek Pyara Sa Bandhan. His film credits include Jal, R… Rajkumar, Son of Sardaar, Himmatwala, Dastak, and more.

    Actress Deepshikha Nagpal, a close friend of Mukul, confirmed the news and shared her shock: “We were part of the same group. He even came to my song launch. He lived in Punjab with his mother and daughter. I still can’t believe it. Life is really so unpredictable,” she said.


    Actor Manoj Bajpayee also paid tribute on social media, “Mukul was a brother in spirit, an artist with unmatched warmth and passion. Gone too soon. Praying for strength for his family. Miss you meri jaan…until we meet again. Om Shanti.”

    Actor Vindu Dara Singh also expressed his sadness, “After his parent’s death, Mukul stayed away from people. His health got worse in the last few days. He was such a wonderful person, and we will all miss him.”

  • No Babar, no crowd in Bangladesh series, claims Basit Ali

    No Babar, no crowd in Bangladesh series, claims Basit Ali

    Former Test cricketer Basit Ali has claimed that the absence of star batter Babar Azam from the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh will lead to poor crowd turnout.

    Speaking about the three-match T20I series scheduled to be held at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium from May 28 to June 1, Basit Ali expressed disappointment over the exclusion of several senior players from the squad.

    “If Babar Azam is not playing, there will be no crowd in the stadium,” Basit said. “People want to see him. When he plays, people come to watch.”

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently announced the names included in the 16-member squad for the series. Notably, senior players such as Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi were excluded. This decision didn’t sit well with Basit Ali, who believes Babar’s absence will directly affect stadium attendance.

    Babar Azam is currently considered one of the biggest crowd-pullers in Pakistan cricket. His popularity was clearly visible during the recent Pakistan Super League (PSL), where matches involving his team, Peshawar Zalmi, consistently drew packed stadiums.

    A key figure in Pakistan cricket, Babar has captained the national team in three ICC Men’s T20 World Cups, in 2021, 2022, and most recently in 2024. He last played for Pakistan in the T20 format in December last year and was also left out of the squad for the T20I series against New Zealand in March.

    Having played 128 T20 internationals, Babar has scored 4,223 runs at an impressive average of 39.83, including three centuries and 36 fifties. His consistency and stylish batting have made him one of the top batters in world cricket.

    As Pakistan prepares for the upcoming T20 World Cup, the decision to rest senior players may be part of a rotation strategy. However, Basit Ali believes it could come at the cost of fan engagement and stadium attendance.

    Meanwhile, national team head coach Mike Hesson has responded to questions about Babar and Rizwan’s exclusion by saying that “no player will be selected in the team based on experience or reputation.”

  • ‘Rul jao gay’: Defence minister’s advice for Pakistani youngster in love with Indian girl

    ‘Rul jao gay’: Defence minister’s advice for Pakistani youngster in love with Indian girl

    Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, in an exclusive interview with The Current, offered advice on Friday to a Pakistani who had fallen in love with an Indian girl.

    During the interview, The Current presented a question from one of its followers, asking, “I met an Indian girl online and we fell in love. Should I stay with her even after the military clashes?”

    Before replying to the question, Asif remarked that “ingrained rivalry” with India is part of his personality. He then suggested that the Pakistani boy should not marry the Indian girl, because, “Rull jao gay. [It will be very difficult.]” 

    Having a faint smile on his face, Asif concluded his response by saying, “Find someone in Pakistan [to marry].”

    Nuclear-armed arch-rivals Pakistan and India faced off in their most serious military and diplomatic standoff after New Delhi cowardly launched missiles at Pakistan on the night of May 6 and 7.

    In retaliation, Islamabad struck multiple Indian airfields, including Pathankot, Udampur and others. A storage site of Brahmos missiles in Beas area was also destroyed.

    The strikes following the April 22 attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in Pahalgam in which 26 civilians, including a Nepalese national, were killed. 

    Without conducting an investigation and providing proof, Islamabad was accused of orchestrating the attack, which Pakistan strongly rejected, offering instead a transparent investigation into the incident.