Category: 1. Pakistan

LAHORE: The Punjab government and opposition Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) have been wrangling over “exorbitant spendings, chartered jet and private persons in the delegation” of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s Japan’s five-day tour.

Ms Nawaz concluded her Japan visit on Monday and reached Thailand. Questions are also being raised on social media regarding CM Maryam’s ‘official visit’ to Japan, in which ‘private individuals’, including her family members, as also a part.

It is being argued that even if such participants claim to bear their own expenses, the practice undermines the sanctity of official delegations and blurs the line between state affairs and personal interests.

Questions are also being raised on social media platforms over the inclusion of private persons as part of her visit, causing a huge sum of money to the exchequer.

Entourage comes under scrutiny; PTI’s Waqas claims bank borrowing spent on excursion; Azma says PTI will consume in its own frustration

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari, who is also part of the CM delegation to Japan, rejected a list of the ‘participants’ of the CM’s visit circulating on social media, calling it “a pack of lies“.

She said Pakistan and Japan were entering a new era of diplomatic cooperation, but certain anti-national elements were trying to malign this relationship with disinformation and propaganda.

“For the first time, a woman CM made a ‘historic’ visit to Japan and the malicious campaign against this milestone is nothing short of a shameful act of hostility against the country’s progress. The individuals (the Sharif family members and its friends) mentioned in the

social media list were not part of the ‘official government delegation’. Only officially nominated delegates had their expenses covered by the government, while all others covered their own costs privately,” she said.

Ms Bokhari said those pained by Pakistan’s cooperation with Japan in urban development, technology, and youth skills enhancement must accept that the nation is moving forward. “The opposition PTI has nothing to offer except falsehood and propaganda. Just like in the past, it will continue to consume in its own frustration,” she added.

On the other hand, the PTI strongly criticised Maryam Nawaz for her foreign trip to Japan, demanding full disclosure of public funds ‘squandered’ on the tour.

“What did Punjab really gain from Maryam Nawaz’s Japan visit? Questions persist over public spending, use of a chartered jet, and the actual outcomes beyond photo optics and promises,” it asked.

PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram termed Maryam’s trip a “wasteful” excursion at the expense of the poor nation’s hard-earned money, undertaken when the country was navigating its ‘worst-ever’ economic crisis.

He pointed out that as per the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the Punjab government borrowed a staggering Rs405 billion in just first 38 days of the current fiscal year 2025-26 (July 1 to August 8), which were not utilised for any public welfare rather wasted on foreign trips, lavish advertisements, and political image-building.

“The people of Pakistan demand a full and transparent disclosure of how much has been spent on these useless advertisements and foreign excursions. The ‘fake’ CM Punjab must clarify whether her Japan trip, along with dozens of cronies, family members and sycophants, was paid from her personal pocket or from the funds of the Punjab and federal governments,” he said.

Analyst Imtiaz Gul said on X: “Massive advertisement campaign on @MaryamNSharif Japan visit: Isn’t it an affront to the poor of Punjab? Has she conquered Japan? Do donors ask about the rationale of the precious funds being spent on personal projection?”

Earlier, a local TV channel, citing official documents, had claimed that the Punjab government allocated Rs160 million for the CM ’s Japan trip which included expenses for luxury hotel stays in Japan and Bangkok, luxury cars for transport and diplomatic gifts.

Political observers are of the view that foreign visits by elected leaders should strictly focus on advancing provincial and national interests through professional representation, rather than projecting political families. They warn that such practices not only set a poor precedent but also raise concerns of nepotism, misuse of protocol, and dilution of credibility in the eyes of international counterparts.

(Ikram Junaidi and Mansoor Malik also contributed to this report)

Published in Dawn, August 26th, 2025

THE monsoons came earlier this year. But they were not unexpected.

The very people who had been warning us of a terrible summer with its punishing heat had also cautioned that the rains would come early and would come down hard. And yet, the country continued to be distracted by the usual business of politics.

It is no wonder then that the ferocity of the rains took most of us by surprise in the mountains, in the plains and in the cities — both those we claim are well run and those where the governance crisis is so severe that we discuss it ad infinitum.

Partisan views aside, there is little evidence anywhere of any of the governments — provincial or federal — being prepared to deal with the rage of climate change. In fact, in most places, when nature spins out of control, it is helped in its destruction by the mistakes of governance.

The mistakes have not been addressed even though it has been three years since the super floods of 2022. The havoc that the deluge caused should have convinced us to change our errant ways. But it seems that it has not.

The rains, their pattern, the rising temperatures, even the pollution in winters — how often has everyone been warning about them and about what some of these factors mean for our mountains and glaciers? But governments are said to have encouraged or turned a blind eye to those wielding the axe. According to those who keep an eye on the issue, the rate of deforestation has a direct link with the damage caused in the northern parts of the country.

The mistakes have not been addressed even three years after the super floods of 2022.

Even after the devastation, there is not much discussion of what needs to change. Judging from the actions of those in power to most of the reporting on the issue, there is little effort to understand what has happened. Had it not been for the footage on social media, I doubt most of us would even know about the level of destruction.

Indeed, our reporting and the ensuing discussion are about some missing technology — the early warning system — which got stuck in bureaucratic red tape. That is a story which appeals to us far more than the cutting down of trees in the north.

But I would be wrong to say that this is the only preferred topic. Encroachments are another favourite subject. The encroachments on riverbeds have been a recurring theme since the 2010 floods but neither the people, who have to pay to reconstruct the ‘encroachments’ again and again, or the government, which has to help the people pick up the pieces, makes any difference to the policies or administrations that allow this. Come the next floods, and the hotels by the river will still be there.

Sadly, despite this scenario, prime ministers and chief ministers will only talk about this. Shehbaz Sharif, who mentioned it during his trip to the affected areas up north recently, is no different.

If I make a guess, then encroachments and their removal tend to be a comfortable subject for most of our ruling elite, regardless of party or province. It is somehow linked with their idea of good governance — for instance, bigger, wider roads for cars or the space to build automobiles, as well as their discomfort perhaps with shabby buildings or carts owned by the poor. And because it is easy to implement their words in the case of poor segments, it’s a comforting promise to make.

The idea or notion of encroachments is complex and can also refer to the overreach of the rich, which is easily ignored. Rarely do we refer to the upmarket housing societies built on prime agricultural land as encroachments, or even to expensive homes whose construction involves covering water channels or altering the level of the riverbed.

Indeed, nearly every year, Islamabad is witness to chaos as rainwater makes its way through land where its path has been blocked or narrowed. And yet, the conversation about encroachments for us begins and ends with images of a shoddy hotel falling into a river in the north of the country. Or the cart of the poor person or the shantytowns where migrants live. But be it the environment or security, only some of these ‘encroachments’ are tackled.

All of this happens because none of us want to accept that a large part of this environmental disaster is caused by our development model — be it in the cities or the mountains.

A development model which thinks construction is progress — be it the hotels in the north or big interchanges, wide roads in the middle of cities or sprawling housing societies on their outskirts. Indeed, other than Karachi, no city in Pakistan is trying to encourage vertical growth; it’s far easier to allow property developers to cut down trees, take over agricultural land and build housing societies on it.

Of course, all of this is connected to Pakistan’s population explosion. And this is a topic that we just can’t be bothered to discuss — ever.

All of this ronadhona (and it is little else than lamenting) might sound familiar to regular readers (if there are any) of this space. But it is hard to avoid this as the environmental crisis grows with every passing season and every passing year. In the meantime, it appears hopeful that unlike three years ago, the entire focus of our ruling elite is not to speak of climate justice and ask the world for money to fix this.

Though only time will tell if this relative silence means they are ready to take some responsibility or not — responsibility which moves beyond announcing compensation and then providing it to some extent.

The writer is a journalist.

Published in Dawn, August 26th, 2025

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif launched 10 million digital wallets for beneficiaries of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), terming it a historic milestone in Pakistan’s journey towards transparency, financial inclusion, and a cashless economy.

The prime minister symbolically inaugurated the system with a palm touch, in the presence of federal ministers, BISP leadership, and international development partners including GIZ. He congratulated BISP Chairperson Senator Rubina Khalid, the BISP team, and all partner institutions for this “landmark decision that will safeguard genuine recipients and protect them from undue difficulties.” “This digital wallet system is, in its true sense, blessed by the soul of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, as it empowers BISP beneficiaries with safe, transparent, and direct access to financial assistance,” the PM stated.

He reaffirmed that BISP remains a significant initiative for poverty alleviation and employment generation, while urging continued efforts to expand its impact. Calling the launch “a great leap towards a cashless economy,” the prime minister recalled that during Ramazan, 78 percent of the relief package was successfully disbursed through digital channels—despite resistance from vested interests. “Cashless transactions are the pressing need of our times. They save time, reduce corruption, and increase efficiency, helping Pakistan progress rapidly,” he remarked.

He noted that he chaired multiple meetings on digitisation, despite early resistance and “indifferent attitudes” from some stakeholders, highlighting his commitment to shifting all government, business, and personal transactions to digital platforms. The prime minister also urged BISP leadership to integrate conditionalities into the programme, linking financial assistance to education and health. “If a family receives support, it should be conditional on all children attending school. Similarly, basic health compliance must be ensured. Only then will BISP become a true legacy benefiting millions,” he stressed. He called for shortening the current 8–10 month implementation cycle to just four months.

In conclusion, PM Shehbaz paid tribute to all stakeholders—including the State Bank of Pakistan, the Ministry of IT, Pakistani banks, and international development partners—for their contributions to this transformative initiative. “We are not just disbursing aid; we are raising an army of architects and workers to build the nation,” he said.

Earlier, BISP Federal Secretary Amir Ali Ahmed briefed the prime minister on the system’s rollout. He said ten million digital wallets will be created using beneficiaries’ CNICs, supported by biometric verification. He added that 10 million free SIM cards would also be distributed, with the first phase already underway in Hyderabad, Sukkur, and Rahim Yar Khan in partnership with Jazz/Mobilink.

BISP Chairperson Senator Rubina Khalid described the launch as an “important and historic milestone” in Pakistan’s social protection journey. “This programme is a pathway to social and economic empowerment,” she said. She noted that linking benefits to women’s CNICs has provided them with recognition and inclusion in the national database. The digital wallets, she added, will “open further opportunities” and be complemented by digital literacy programmes for women unfamiliar with technology.

Chairing a meeting on the National Industrial Policy, the PM said the government was working on a priority basis to enhance industrial production and find sustainable solutions to the challenges faced by industries.

The prime minister emphasised that industry played a central role in boosting national exports. “Our top priority is to develop an export-oriented economy through the growth of industries and by equipping domestic manufacturing units with world-class manpower and modern technology,” he stated. He directed the relevant officials to consult all stakeholders while formulating the National Industrial Policy. The meeting was briefed on proposals related to the upcoming industrial policy.

The meeting was attended by senior cabinet members, advisors, and representatives from the business community. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday honoured three local heroes from Gilgit-Baltistan for their life-saving efforts during the recent floods in Ghizer district.

The three men — shepherds Sher Wali, Shakir Hussain, and Farmanullah — helped save around 300 lives by issuing timely warnings to villagers ahead of the disaster. In recognition of their bravery, the Prime Minister awarded each of them Rs2.5 million in cash.

The three men, who alerted villagers ahead of the devastating flood, met the Prime Minister in Islamabad along with PML-N Gilgit-Baltistan President and former chief minister Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman. “These shepherds did what no technology or government machinery could do at that critical moment — they saved lives by putting their own at risk,” Rehman told The News after the meeting. “Their example will always be remembered in Gilgit-Baltistan’s history.” The premier praised their bravery, describing their actions as “a model of selfless service.”

in a statement, Gilgit-Baltistan government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq, said the provincial government is grateful to the prime minister for acknowledging the shepherds’ sacrifice and timely action. “On behalf of the provincial government, we extend heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for recognising the heroic efforts of these brave men,” Faraq said. “Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan had already directed us to announce awards for the shepherds, and it is a matter of pride that their sacrifice has now been recognised at the national level.” The spokesperson further mentioned that Hunza’s Karimullah Baig and Nasir from Chitorkhand Dain also played a vital role in saving dozens of lives during the floods. He said the provincial government will host a special ceremony at the CM Secretariat to honour them as well.

SHANGLA: Two more bodies were recovered on Monday, taking the toll from the recent flash floods in Shangla district to 31.

Rasool Khan Sharif, spokesperson for Rescue 1122, told Dawn that seven persons had been washed away in the flooding from Shati Dara area of Puran tehsil on August 15.

He said the bodies, including that of a woman, were recovered from the River Indus, and handed over to families after an identification procedure.

Rescue 1122 spokesperson said search operation for the remaining five persons was continuing despite heavy rain.

Meanwhile, deputy commissioner Mohammad Fawad Khan, in a statement, said flash floods and landslides triggered by a fresh rain spell had hit Yakhtangay, Drad and Kana areas.

He said eight houses collapsed in three different villages. However, no human losses were reported.

He said 37 cattle heads also perished in the landslides in the Olandar Takai area of the Kana tehsil.

Heavy rain coupled with thunderstorm continued to lash across the district for the second consecutive day on Monday, disrupting electric supply in several areas.

Published in Dawn, August 26th, 2025

• Spokesperson says New Delhi relayed warning via ‘diplomatic channels’
• Pakistan notified of high flood in held Jammu’s Tawi River that flows into Chenab

ISLAMABAD: After India shared a flood warning with Pakistan via diplomatic channels instead of under the Indus Waters Treaty, Islamabad took exception to the move and asked New Delhi to comply with the treaty.

The development was shared by the Foreign Office in a statement on Monday. FO Spokesperson Shahfqat Ali Khan said: “On August 24, 2025, India communicated flood warnings through diplomatic channels, rather than through the IWC as required under the IWT.”

Under paragraph 8 of Article IV of the IWT, “each party agrees to communicate to the other party, as far in advance as practicable, any information it may have in regard to such extraordinary discharges of water from reservoirs and flood flows as may affect the other party”.

“We reaffirm that India is obligated to fully comply with all provisions of the treaty. India’s unilateral declaration to hold the treaty in abeyance constitutes a serious violation of international law and could have significant negative consequences for peace and stability in South Asia,” Dawn.com reported.

It reported that a communiqué on Sunday from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad notified the government of a high flood in Jammu’s Tawi River that flows into the Chenab River. At present, Chenab is at risk of high to very high flooding amid torrential rainfall across Punjab.

Under paragraph 8 of Article IV of the IWT, “each party agrees to communicate to the other party, as far in advance as practicable, any information it may have in regard to such extraordinary discharges of water from reservoirs and flood flows as may affect the other party”.

An Indian government source told Reuters on Monday that New Delhi had shared the warning on possible cross-border flooding on “humanitarian grounds” and not under the IWT. The Indian High Commission in Islamabad shared the warning following heavy rains in occupied Kashmir, the source said.

India in April held the IWT in abeyance following the attack in occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam that killed 26 — an incident New Delhi blamed on Islamabad without evidence. Pakistan termed any attempt to suspend its water share an “act of war”, noting the IWT had no provision for unilateral suspension.

In June, Pakistan welcomed the decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague to issue a “Supplemental Award of Competence” in the Indus Waters case, stating that India cannot unilaterally hold the treaty in abeyance. According to the statement by the PCA, the court found that it was not open to India to unilaterally suspend the IWT or hold it in abeyance.

“The Court first considered the terms of the Treaty (IWT), which do not provide for the unilateral ‘abeyance’ or ‘suspension’ of the treaty; rather, according to its terms, the treaty continues in force until terminated with the mutual consent of India and Pakistan,” the press release read.

Published in Dawn, August 26th, 2025

• KCF convener stresses need for strong political will to fix most basic problems
• City can’t handle even 10mm of rains with choked drains, says urban planner

KARACHI: Expressing serious concerns over the way the metropolis has been governed for the past several decades, civil society representatives said on Monday that the death, devastation and public chaos Karachi experiences with every monsoon have more to do with bad governance — corruption, inefficiency and absence of political will — rather than climate change.

The civil society held a press conference under the platform of the Karachi Citizens’ Forum (KCF) at the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) House, where one of the speakers emphasised the need for what he called a supra provincial body to run Karachi.

Describing the situation as “depressing”, the speakers said that cost-efficient solutions to urban flooding were available and that there was no dearth of skilled and talented manpower in the city to implement them to help minimise rain damages.

“We need a strong political will to fix the city’s most basic problems. The continued official neglect towards the sewerage and drainage system has led to a situation where monsoons have become a source of fear and devastation,” said KCF convener Nargis Rehman.

She urged the civic authorities to learn from other countries and improve city’s fragile civic infrastructure.

The city, she pointed out, was run by 21 different agencies that took action only after damage, adding that the Met department’s warnings of heavier than usual rains were ignored this year, too, and timely steps, including cleaning of choked drains, were not taken.

Highlighting flaws, urban planner and researcher Muhammad Toheed stated that there was no question of flooding in Karachi, if its geology, natural slope and terrain had been considered in its growth and development.

“The city has 38 big drains and over 500 small drains. The operational maintenance of most of these drains is the responsibility of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC). The problem started in 1996 when the [then] Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) turned the big storm water drains, meant for discharge of rainwater, into sewer channels, instead of upgrading its network.

“Furthermore, storm water drains were heavily encroached upon and narrowed down, reducing their capacity. The path of these channels was completely ignored in the construction of development projects, including flyovers, underpasses and Bus Rapid Transit ventures, resulting in flooding in many areas.”

‘Drains being used for dumping solid waste’

Another problem, he said, was using storm water drains for dumping solid waste. “Hence, the KMC, KWSB and Sindh Solid Waste Management Board, all need to collaborate to tackle the issue.”

Citing a World Bank report that states Karachi has the capacity to handle 30mm to 40mm rain, Mr Toheed said the city would have this capacity with cleaned and not choked drains. “In the present situation, the city can’t handle even 10mm of rains,” he remarked.

Giving examples of other global cities, Mr Toheed said they adopted different strategies, including establishment of deep tunnels and underground flood water diversion systems and making use of latest drainage technology.

“First of all, we need to have a proactive approach. Second, we should think of harvesting rainwater and replenishing our underground water reservoirs, given the fact that the city faces serious water scarcity. We can take a cue on this from Lahore where three million gallons of rainwater is now collected in tanks,” he said.

He warned that there might not be water tankers after five years in the city, while citing example of Gulshan-i-Rafi in Malir where water table had gone down to 600 feet.

‘Supra provincial body’

Senior journalist Mazhar Abbas said he saw no hope for the city, given the fact that Karachi was not in the government priority list and corruption marred all state departments.

According to him, the rampant illegal construction of high-rises without first devising a system for sewerage and drainage and encroachments of drains, has destroyed the city.

Retired Justice Shaiq Usmani spoke of the need for setting up a “supra provincial body”, representing all sectors, overseeing Karachi’s administration.

In their remarks, Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro of the PMA and Dr Qaiser Sajjad of KCF said that the present situation was a man-made disaster.

“It’s time for action. We need to invest in a robust, modern drainage system. We need to enforce strict anti-encroachment laws and set up a sustainable waste management system,” Dr Shoro said.

Published in Dawn, August 26th, 2025

TOBA TEK SINGH: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Faisalabad on Monday sentenced key PTI leaders Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz and Zartaj Gul and 72 others to up to 10 years’ imprisonment and ordered the confiscation of their properties for their invol­vement in an attack on former interior minister and PML-N leader Rana Sana­ullah Khan’s house during the May 9, 2023 riots.

While pronouncing the verdict, Judge Javed Iqbal Sheikh of the ATC also acquitted 34 others, including former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry who quit the PTI in the wake of the May 9 riots and PTI MNA Makhdoom Shah Zain Qureshi, for want of evidence.

Among the convicts, 59 opposition party leaders and workers, including Om­ar Ayub, Zartaj Gul, Shibli Faraz, Ka­n­wal Shozeb, MPA Rai Murtaza Iqbal, MNAs Rai Hassan Nawaz, Sheikh Rashid Sha­fiq (nephew of former federal minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad), ex-minister Ashraf Khan Sohna, Farkhunda Kokab and Muhammad Ahmad Cha­tha, were awa­rded 10-year jail terms, while 16 others including, MPA Sheikh Shahid Javed, were sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.

Just like other lawmakers who were disqualified after their recent convictions in May 9 cases, the members of national and provincial assemblies convicted in Rana Sanaullah’s house attack case will automatically be disqualified under Article 63 of the Constitution.

Reacting to the court decision, PTI Inf­o­r­mation Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram called it “nothing more than brazen political victimisation”, aimed at muzzling the voices of PTI leaders, workers and supporters. He said they had committed no crime, yet they were being punished “solely for standing firmly against unconstitutional measures, the trampling of laws, gross human rights violations, the paralysis of state institutions, and the suppression of free speech”.

On July 31, the Faisalabad court convicted over 100 PTI leaders and workers in three similar cases registered by different police stations.

PTI legal team head Malik Khalid Shafiq told Dawn that 17 of the PTI leaders were sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment on July 31 in the three similar cases registered under same sections. He argued that the ATC violated Section 403 of the CrPC and Article 13 of Constitution, which did not allow double conviction for same offence, pointing out that he had moved an application in this regard.

Vowing to move Lahore High Court against the convictions, Advocate Shafiq said there was no evidence against any convict, claiming that it was either Rana Sanaullah’s ego or simply government’s directions to get the PTI parliamentarians disqualified that “illegal sentences” were being awarded.

Also, the PTI denounced the “political victimisation”, declaring that the party would relentlessly continue its struggle for rule of law, constitutional supremacy, and genuine democracy — come what may.

Zartaj Gul, Omar Ayub react

In separate posts on X, Zartaj Gul and Omar Ayub claimed they were innocent, following the court verdict.

Gul contended that the verdict was based on the argument that she was present in a Zaman Park meeting on May 7, 2023, where protest plans were reportedly made, but she was in her Dera Ghazi Khan constituency on that day, “attending a fateha, inauguration, wedding and other events”.

Ayub said he was never there outside Sanaullah’s house and the prosecution witnesses had not named him. “In addition, these prosecution witnesses’ testimony was rejected by ATC Sargodha last year. These prosecution witnesses were branded as liars by the ATC Sargodha judge. This brings the total jail sentences against me to 40 years.”

Ikram Junaidi in Islamabad also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, August 26th, 2025

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Privatisation was informed on Monday that the government will ensure the payment of Rs27 billion in dues to employees and vendors of the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) in two phases following its closure.

Chaired by Dr Muhammad Farooq Sattar, the committee was told that the closure of USC had been finalised, but safeguarding the rights of the app­roximately 11,000 workers was the government’s top priority. The committee sought a detailed breakdown of the outstanding dues to be paid to employees and vendors, which the Privatisation Commission was asked to submit at the next meeting.

The committee was also briefed that while USC had operated profitably when subsidies were being provided, the withdrawal of these subsidies had led to operational losses. Committee members expressed serious concerns over the privatisation of USC, emphasising that continuing with the closure process despite the committee’s recommendations was highly alarming.

In response, the Privatisation Commission’s secretary inf­ormed the committee that the due diligence process for the privatisation of Pakistan Inter­national Airlines Corporation Ltd (PIACL) had already begun, with several business houses expressing interest. The privatisation process for PIA is expected to be completed by the last quarter of 2025.

Govt commits Rs27bn in dues clearance to employees, vendors

The committee directed that the process be conducted transparently and asked the Privatisation Commission to present a list of members of the privatisation board at the next meeting.

On the ongoing issue of electricity loadshedding, the committee expressed concern over the situation across the country. The committee was informed that there is no electricity shortfall, but load management is being carried out. Feeders experiencing electricity theft or excessive line losses are subjected to load management.

The committee advised that instead of imposing load-shedding on entire feeders, electricity should be disconnected only for those areas or consumers found involved in theft or causing excessive losses.

Additionally, the committee recommended that the Minister for Power hold regional meetings with members of the National Assembly to address public issues in their constituencies and take concrete actions to resolve them.Following a briefing on Pakistan Engineering Company (PECO), the committee instructed the government to resolve the company’s issues.

The committee advised that efforts should first focus on restoring PECO, but if that proves unfeasible, privatisation should be considered. The committee also directed an inquiry into the irregularities during the tenure of former Managing Director Mairaj Anees Ariff and requested a detailed report on the matter.

Published in Dawn, August 26th, 2025

LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Information and Culture, Azma Bokhari, has categorically rejected the fake list circulating on social media related to the official visit to Japan, calling it “a complete pack of lies.”

She stated that Pakistan and Japan are entering a new and promising era of diplomatic cooperation, but unfortunately, certain anti-national elements are trying to malign this relationship with disinformation and propaganda.

Azma Bokhari emphasized that after 25 years, for the first time, a woman Chief Minister has made a historic visit to Japan, and the malicious campaign against this milestone is nothing short of a shameful act of hostility against the country’s progress.

Clarifying the facts, she stated that the individuals mentioned in the social media list were not part of the official government delegation. Only officially nominated delegates had their expenses covered by the government, while all others covered their own costs privately.

She further said that those pained by Pakistan’s cooperation with Japan in urban development, technology, and youth skills enhancement must accept that the nation is moving forward.

She said, by the grace of Almighty Allah, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif remains dedicated to the progress of the people and the province. The opposition has nothing to offer except falsehood and propaganda; they can have that ‘honor’ to themselves. Just like in the past, the envious will continue to burn in their own frustration,” Azma concluded.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025