The Caretaker Federal Minister of Energy, Muhammad Ali, has said that gas load-shedding will continue this year, similar to last year when gas was supplied for eight hours a day.
This year, natural gas has reduced by 30 per cent whereas the demand is high and supply is low.
In a statement, he highlighted that two LNG cargoes have been purchased to meet the shortage of gas in winter.
Additionally, he pointed out that Rs16 billion have been recovered from power thieves so far.
Farid Town police in Sahiwal have arrested the manager and assistant manager of a wedding marquee at 96/6-R village, for reportedly installing hidden cameras in the bridal dressing room.
Complainant Muhammad Arshad from 94/6-R village had booked his daughter’s wedding at Grand Imperial Marriage Hall on September 1, 2023.
DAWN has reported that the man said that when his daughter went into the dressing room to change, she and her mother heard voices through the walls.
Arshad’s wife informed him about it after which, along with his son Ali Akbar and cousin Tariq Hussain, he went to the adjacent room only to find a video recording setup connected with the camera capturing the activities of the bridal room.
A man pointed a gun at them, while the manager and his assistant escaped the premises.
He called the police on 15 helpline after which the manager and his assistant, Umer Iqbal and Javed Munir, were arrested.
A case (FIR No 1495/23) has been registered against both the suspects and their accomplice who had pointed a pistol at the complainant, under sections 292 and 506/B of the PPC on the complaint of Arshad.
Arshad has demanded that the district police officer conduct an investigation, and recover all the videos made by the suspects because they might have or could use it to blackmail and exploit women.
In a recent development, China’s state-owned Shanghai Electric Power (SEP) has reiterated its interest in acquiring the shares of Karachi’s sole power company, K-Electric, with a renewed offer of $1.77 billion.
According to Shan Abbas Ashari, the investment advisor of the Saudi group Al-Jomaih Power Limited, a major shareholder of K-Electric, the Saudi group has indicated the possibility of selling its shares at a price of $2 billion.
Ashari stated that a deal with Shanghai Electric, involving the acquisition of K-Electric shares, is set to be rekindled. He mentioned that SEP had initially proposed the $1.77 billion offer to acquire K-Electric several years ago, and this offer would now be revisited.
Ashari highlighted the growing electricity demand in Karachi, which should have already reached 5,000 MW. He emphasised that this demand could further increase if all industries were integrated into the company’s grid.
Moreover, Ashari emphasised that Pakistan stands as an ideal investment destination for Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries due to its rapidly expanding population, distinguishing it from Europe.
However, he acknowledged that investors from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait faced challenges following the K-Electric deal. Stay tuned for further updates on this significant investment development.
Imran Khan, the Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and former Prime Minister, has voiced his profound disappointment and discontentment with President Dr. Arif Alvi for not yet announcing the date for upcoming elections, his sister Aleema Khan has said while talking to the press after a court appearance in Lahore.
Aleema Khan, who has been implicated in the May 9 riots case, appeared before an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Wednesday, where her’s and former Finance Minister Asad Umar’s interim bails were extended until October 16. The judge instructed their legal representatives to present final arguments in the Jinnah House attack case.
Aleema Khan later told the media that Imran Khan was disappointed with President Alvi’s perceived failure to fulfill his constitutional obligation of announcing an election date, especially during a critical time for the nation.
Imran Khan is disappointed at the role and character of president Arif Alvi: Aleema Khan pic.twitter.com/0KzaszDyhs
— Murtaza Ali Shah (@MurtazaViews) October 4, 2023
The issue of the election date has been a subject of contention in recent times. The PTI’s core committee issued a strong statement last month, reminding President Alvi of his constitutional responsibilities and urging him to promptly announce the election date. The committee asserted that failure to do so would amount to a violation of the Constitution and the basic democratic rights of the people.
The core committee argued that announcing the election date would bring an end to political uncertainty and chaos that had gripped the country since the “regime change conspiracy” in April 2022.
After the court hearing, Aleema Khan addressed the media and expressed concerns about her brother’s deteriorating health. She mentioned that Imran Khan had lost a significant amount of weight and highlighted the lack of opportunities for him to exercise or even take a walk. She also expressed apprehensions about potential efforts to prolong Imran Khan’s detention in the cipher case.
It’s worth noting that the caretaker government has emphasized that only the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has the authority to make such an announcement. Initially, President Alvi had invited Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja in an attempt to get him to agree on a date. However, Raja declined the request, asserting that only the ECP possessed the authority to announce the date, citing amendments made in the ECP Act of 2017.
Before the amendment to Section 57(1) of the act, Raja had explained that the president was required to consult the ECP before appointing an election date. However, after the amendment, the commission was empowered to announce the date or dates for the general election, he noted.
Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi met Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) head Nawaz Sharif in London, emphasizing that he has maintained a 35-year relationship with the party, and these ties go beyond political considerations.
The two-hour-long meeting happened a few days after Abbasi announced that there was a need for a new political party in Pakistan, claiming that the existing parties, including PMLN, PTI, and PPP, had failed.
While talking to media after the meeting, Khaqan Abbasi dispelled rumors about forming a new political party, saying: “I only talked about forming the new party, but I did not make one.”
He said: “There is a dire need to compensate for the injustices that happened with Nawaz Sharif. I have had an association with Nawaz Sharif since the last 35 years. I and Nawaz Sharif exchanged views on the country’s political situation.”
When asked if he discussed Re-Imagining Pakistan or the new party with Nawaz, Shahid Abbasi said he discussed every matter with him and “gave my opinion”.
“Nawaz Sharif is the senior-most politician of Pakistan today. He understands things like no one else. I believe he should take the whole nation forward with him and forget a lot of things that have happened in the past. We discussed everything that we needed to and we have done so always. There are things we agree on and something we disagree on,” he told The News.
A senior PMLN source said Khaqan Abbasi had been breaking party discipline for many months, and it was clear he had moved on from the party. The source said that Abbasi had made it clear he wants to launch a new party or be part of it when it is formed. “It’s just a matter of time before this party is launched by Shahid Khaqan, Miftah Ismail and Mustafa Khokhar as a new force. The fate it will meet is another matter.”
The former premier said Nawaz Sharif’s court-related matters – including Iqama disqualification – should have been settled before his departure to Pakistan. He said Nawaz Sharif was victimized by the courts and deserves justice.
Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid has deemed Pakistan’s strategy to expel undocumented Afghan nationals as “unacceptable” and has urged authorities to revisit the policy.
The behavior of Pakistan against Afghan refugees is unacceptable. The Pakistani side should reconsider its plan. Afghan refugees are not involved in Pakistan’s security problems. As long as they leave Pakistan voluntarily, that country should tolerate them.
— Zabihullah (..ذبـــــیح الله م ) (@Zabehulah_M33) October 4, 2023
Only a day before Taliban’s response, on October 4, the caretaker government set November 1 as a deadline for the illegal immigrants residing in Pakistan, warning that action will be taken against them after the deadline. The decision was taken during an apex committee meeting on the National Action Plan (NAP) at the Prime Minister’s House.
“We have given them [foreigners residing in Pakistan unlawfully] a deadline of November 1 to willingly return to their countries and if they don’t, all law enforcement agencies (LEAs) of the state and provinces will deport them,” announced Interim Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti on Tuesday at a press conference.
On Monday, the caretaker government led by Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar announced its intention to repatriate 1.1 million foreign nationals who are currently residing in Pakistan without legal authorisation. The government’s plan involves a multi-phase approach.
In the initial phase, those individuals who are residing in Pakistan unlawfully, colloquially referred to as “aliens”, will be subject to eviction, as will individuals who fail to renew their visas. Subsequent phases will target individuals with Afghan citizenship who possess proof of residence cards.
The decision to take action against illegally residing Afghan citizens was made due to concerns that this group is linked to activities such as funding, facilitating, and smuggling terrorists. Additionally, a significant number of Afghan nationals have not renewed their proof of residence in Pakistan, further raising security concerns.
However, the United Nations (UN) said Tuesday that refugees residing in Pakistan should be allowed to exit the country voluntarily and no pressure should be exerted on them.
“Any refugee return must be voluntary and without any pressure to ensure protection for those seeking safety,” Qaisar Khan Afridi, a spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), told Anadolu.
People react
After imposing Taliban on Afg, Pak security state is dealing Afghans like a vanquished people. Afghan refugees are its particular target. The intense hatred being sown today will breed animosity which will be reaped by many generations. The darkest chapter of Pak Afghan policy.
— Afrasiab Khattak (@a_siab) October 3, 2023
کسی قومیت کے غیر قانونی تارکین وطن کو استثنیٰ حاصل نہیں ہے۔ https://t.co/zxGPkMEsQu
— Murtaza Solangi (@murtazasolangi) October 3, 2023
Leave Pakistan before 1st November 2023 or face the consequences. Caretaker Interior Minister @PakSarfrazbugti announced big crackdown against illegal immigrants especially Afghan nationals residing in Pakistan without passport and visa. There is immediate panic in money market,…
— Hamid Mir حامد میر (@HamidMirPAK) October 3, 2023
Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi met Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) head Nawaz Sharif in London, emphasizing that he has maintained a 35-year relationship with the party, and these ties go beyond political considerations.
After the two-hour-long meeting, Shahid Khaqan talked to the media outside Nawaz’s residence. During the conversation, PTI supporters started raising slogans against him.
While a reporter from Samaa was trying to interview Abbasi, PTI supporters came near them in a car and started chanting, “Kaun Bachaye Ga Pakistan, Imran Khan, Imran Khan”. Abbasi responded with a simple “Khuda Hafiz”.
This would’ve been fine, but then the Samaa reporter started shooing the PTI supporters off, eventually swearing at them.
Watch the video to see what happened.
Former PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s interview with Sama TV’s @ShaukatUk intereped by PTI supporters. pic.twitter.com/6EueR9eTkc
— Farid Ahmed (Qureshi) (@FaridQureshi_UK) October 3, 2023
Social media personality and singer Chahat Fateh Ali Khan drove the internet to fits when he released the music video for his single ‘Jetain Gain Bhai Jeetay Gain’ for the ICC Cricket Men’s World Cup. The video was uploaded on his Twitter account.
In the clip, Khan could be seen dancing around while singing the lyrics that paid homage to the Pakistani cricket team.
Aslaam O Alikum G
— Chahat Fateh Ali Khan (@chahat_fateh) October 3, 2023
ICC Cricket World Cup 2023
Song ( released ) MashaAllah pic.twitter.com/r8EUNYs1o7
It already has been a day, and Twitter users are in love with the track.
It grows on you https://t.co/FYEtaryRsr
— Ali Aftab Saeed (@aliaftabsaeed) October 3, 2023
Why did ICC walay even pick ‘Dil Jashen Bol’ when Chahat was right here with a great song?
Thank you Maestro! Your ode and duas will surely lead us to victory. Maestro Chahat—always! https://t.co/3nLsvzBwls
— Sanval Nasim (@SanvalNasim) October 3, 2023
Even Indian fans would agree that this song should have been the Official World Cup single.
Ngl better than official song https://t.co/QGYLzKXm8P
— Amraj Singh (@amraj790) October 3, 2023
Ab to jeetayn gay hee. Chahat bhai should be an expert on cricket shows https://t.co/QL24VWKO3t
— Ali Wahab (@ali1wahab) October 4, 2023
Ever wondered which district in Punjab has the highest percentage of electricity theft? Well, surprise, surprise, it is Kasur.
Kasur has left all districts behind when it comes to power theft, as almost half of the total 20 highest loss-making grid stations of Punjab exist there, causing Rs40 billion losses annually, which is 40 percent of the total theft costing nearly Rs 100bn to Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) in the province.
LESCO has intensified operations against electricity theft in the district.
“There are total 103 high-loss feeders in all service areas of Lesco falling in Lahore, Kasur, Okara, Sheikhupura and Nankana Sahib. Of these, 77 feeders are in Kasur alone, placing the district on top of the list in power theft,” a LESCO source told Dawn.
Interestingly, the power thieves stopped pilferage during the daytime due to continuous raids by LESCO teams and resorted to theft during night hours.
It is pertinent to note that when it was brought to the knowledge of the most senior officials, they directed the authorities in Lahore to suspend supply to such areas during night hours to stop the pilferage. Following this, the power supply was kept suspended for almost 12 hours on Monday night forcing the consumers to involve local politicians (former MNAs, MPAs, etc.) from Kasur and other parts of the division, who approached LESCO management.
Meanwhile, a senior official of the Ministry of Energy (Power Division) confirmed the development, saying Kasur is like a tribal area causing billions of rupees loss to LESCO because of massive electricity theft.
“In Punjab, the government has been facing a loss of Rs99bn in the form of power theft. Of this, about Rs40bn theft is being reported from Kasur district (Lahore Division) alone, annually,” the official says.
There are around 20 highest loss-making grid stations in Punjab, out of which nine are in Kasur district alone, LESCO has, however, been asked not to shut the supply to the high-loss feeders after the local politicians assured of full cooperation with the field teams in eliminating power theft.
The official says one of the reasons behind the massive power theft in Kasur is that the district includes border areas and belts along the riverbeds of Sutlej and Beas where law enforcement is a hard task.
“These areas have almost become like tribal belts where criminals routinely flout the law. That is why they are stealing electricity without fear,” he explains.
Meanwhile, on the 26th consecutive day of the anti-power theft drive, LESCO teams arrested 132 power thieves and detected pilferage on 501 connections in all five districts. According to a spokesman, the applications for registration of FIRs against 498 electricity thieves have been submitted to the respective police stations, out of which 391 FIRs have been registered, while 132 accused have been arrested.
An official says the connections where power theft was detected include two industrial, nine agricultural, 13 commercial, and 477 domestic, adding that supply to all these has been disconnected. He says all the electricity pilferers have also been charged a total of 758,052 detection units worth Rs39.980 million.
He says that separately constituted teams also recovered Rs21 million from 1,359 chronic defaulters on Tuesday.
Youngest Nobel laureate and education activist Malala Yousafzai will be delivering the 21st Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The announcement was made by Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF) on social media on Monday.
The NMF acting Chief Executive Verne Harris posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Scheduled for 5 December 2023, this lecture holds special significance as it coincides with the tenth anniversary of Madiba’s passing.”
We are honoured to announce that @Malala, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has graciously accepted our invitation to deliver the 21st Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture.
— NelsonMandela (@NelsonMandela) October 2, 2023
Scheduled for 5 December 2023, this lecture holds special significance as it coincides with the tenth anniversary of… pic.twitter.com/0rPWMQflzH
The Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture Series consists of prominent people initiating debate on significant social issues and difficult subjects in order to address the challenges the world encounters.
Nelson Mandela was the first Black president of South Africa (1994–99). He was jointly awarded the Nobel Prize with South African Pres. F.W. de Klerk for Peace in 1993 for their efforts towards the rights of Africans.
“Malala embodies the type of leadership we believe the world needs across all levels of society. In the face of current global challenges, which can seem daunting, she stands as an inspiring symbol of hope for a just and equitable future,” said Harris.
Some of the previous speakers include South Africa’s Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng, former US president Barack Obama; Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai; former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan; Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates.