Category: 1. Pakistan

ISLAMABAD  –  Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on Thursday addressed the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva, where he emphasised the importance of parliamentary cooperation in tackling today’s global challenges. Speaking at the international forum, Gilani said the world is currently facing expanding conflicts, economic instability, climate change, inequality, and human rights violations.  He underscored the need for collective action and multilateral engagement to build a more peaceful and just future.

He pointed out the growing public mistrust in institutions and the increasing violations of international laws and humanitarian norms.  Drawing global attention to regions in crisis, he highlighted the ongoing human rights abuses in Palestine and the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), where he said the people have been struggling for their right to self-determination for the past 75 years. Gilani stressed that in today’s complex global environment, the role of national and regional parliaments is more vital than ever.  He said Pakistan’s Parliament has always championed peace, development, and inter-parliamentary cooperation. He also added that the Senate of Pakistan ensures representation of women, youth, and marginalised communities. Referring to the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), launched during his tenure as Prime Minister, Gilani described it as a successful model for social welfare, aimed at reducing poverty and supporting vulnerable groups. He reaffirmed his commitment to parliamentary diplomacy and highlighted the importance of inter-parliamentary dialogue in addressing shared challenges. As the founding chairman of the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers Conference, he said such platforms are key to promoting understanding and cooperation.

Announcing that Pakistan will host the next Speakers’ Conference in Islamabad on November 11–12 this year, Gilani formally invited parliamentary leaders from around the world to attend.

He expressed hope that the Geneva conference would contribute meaningfully to the promotion of peace, justice, and equity.

 He also praised Malaysia’s efforts in supporting peace between Cambodia and Thailand and thanked the organisers for successfully hosting the event.

ACCORDING to the World Bank’s new poverty estimates, 44.7 per cent of Pakistan’s population (around 110 million) now lives in poverty. The proportion of people living in extreme poverty has risen from 4.9pc to 16.5pc. This revision, based on revised threshold, does not take into account the fallouts from the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2022 floods, and recent years’ phenomenal spike in cost of living, that may have pushed more people into poverty.

Meanwhile, per capita income has increased to $1,824 in FY25. But this rise conceals worsening income disparity across the country. These aren’t just statistics; they are a reflection of policy choices and an indictment of the country’s economic direction. It shows that our economic model is broken, necessitating a complete rethink of our economic strategy to fighting poverty.

Successive governments have poured billions into subsidies and relief programmes such as the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), while neglecting growth, job creation, human development, and rural development. Poverty in Pakistan is not simply rising; it is being manufactured and maintained through decisions that entrench inequality and suppress opportunity.

BISP has played a crucial role in Pakistan’s social safety net by providing financial assistance to low-income families and vulnerable groups since 2008. In FY26, BISP allocation has been increased by 20pc to Rs 722bn (0.5pc of GDP) to expand coverage to 10m families. The quarterly stipend will increase from Rs13,500 to Rs14,500. While the government is striving to expand beneficiary coverage and improve transparency in fund distribution, the overall poverty reduction strategy needs a serious rethink, given limited fiscal space and the low-growth, low-investment trap.

Poverty in this country is the outcome of deliberate policy choices, neglect and systemic flaws.

Broadly speaking, the government needs focused policies to address critical issues directly affecting the public. The FY26 budget was directed at the IMF, business elites and government employees. There was no vision, strategy, or action plan to address economic stagnation, unemployment, poverty, inequality, or the country’s dismal state of human development.

Poverty in Pakistan is not just accidental. It is a consequence of deliberate policy choices, neglect and systemic flaws. For example, our farmers incurred Rs2.2 trillion losses in wheat production alone this year, jeopardising food security and reducing rural incomes. Agriculture, which accounts for 23pc of GDP, employs 37pc of the labour force, and contributes 60pc to export earnings, has been hit hard by climate shocks, plummeting prices, policy missteps and state neglect. Crop production fell by 13.5pc in FY25: cotton by 30.7pc, maize by 14.7pc, and wheat by 8.9pc. Fertiliser shortages during sowing seasons, removal of wheat support prices under IMF pressure, and abandonment of commodity procurement left farmers exposed to market volatility and exploitation by middlemen. Instead of ensuring a smooth policy transition and putting in place an alternative market mechanism to protect farmers, the government simply backed off. This underscores the lack of planning and blind implementation of IMF advice.

In a painful example of fiscal irresponsibility, the government has been increasing salaries and benefits of ministers, legislators, judges and bureaucrats. In a country scrambling for aid and barely managing debt repayments, such extravagance reflects a shocking disregard for the hardships faced by ordinary Pakistanis.

Likewise, our tax system perpetuates inequality. Salaried individuals contributed around Rs555bn in FY25, 51pc more than last year. Meanwhile, large retailers, landlords, speculators and grey-market earners remain untouched. The FBR’s Tajir Dost Scheme raised a mere Rs4m, against a Rs50bn target. Eminent economist Dr Hafeez Pasha estimates that the average real income of salaried individuals has declined by 30pc due to inflation and aggressive taxation.

Beyond the cynicism, let’s look at the global efforts to end extreme poverty, and to understand what works, and what doesn’t. Africa’s reliance on foreign aid offers a cautionary tale. Despite receiving billions in development assistance annually over decades — $53.5bn in 2022 alone — African countries are home to three-quarters of the world’s poor. Sub-Saharan Africa still has the highest number of people living in extreme poverty: 411m in 2023, 45pc up from 1990. Foreign aid has failed to eradicate poverty, highlighting the limitations of externally funded relief without structural reforms. Instead, Africa is drowning in debt.

In contrast, China, India and many Latin American countries pulled hundreds of millions out of poverty through sustained economic growth, institutional reforms and targeted support. China combined broad-based economic transformation with targeted assistance to disadvantaged regions and households, starting with agricultural reforms and later developing labour-intensive industries. India, the world’s fastest growing major economy over the last decade, more than doubled its GDP from $2.1tr in 2015 to $4.3tr in 2025, while investing in basic infrastructure such as toilets, clean water and electricity to uplift rural communities. Latin American countries, too, made significant progress by strengthening institutions, reducing inequality, and adopting sound policy frameworks.

Meanwhile, during the last three years, Pakistan has experienced negative per capita growth with GDP growth rate of -0.5pc in FY23, 2.5pc in FY45, and an estimated 2.68pc in FY25. Stabilisation without growth is becoming the country’s new normal and we can no longer afford it. It only exacerbates unemployment, poverty and inequality. With inflation easing and commodity sectors underperforming, we must use both fiscal and monetary policies to boost private investment and stimulate growth.

The 2023 digital census has shown startling gaps in literacy in rural Sindh, Balochistan and KP. Likewise, healthcare lacks adequate infrastructure and resources. Within provinces, there are substantial disparities between urban and rural areas, and between different districts. The government must focus on improving development outcomes in the districts that have the lowest development indicators.

The nations that have seen the most dramatic improvements in poverty reduction and other measures of human well-being have all focused on growth, economic reforms and targeted social protection policies. Pakistan must learn from these lessons. This will require sincere political will, a strong policy focus and coordination amongst the different tiers of government.

The writer is the author of The Shady Economics of International Aid. He is a former senior adviser of the IMF and ex-chief economist of the SBP.

dr.saeedahmed1@hotmail.com

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2025

GILGIT:

The Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) government on Thursday declared a state of emergency in 37 flood-ravaged areas across the region following catastrophic flash floods that claimed at least 10 lives, left several tourists missing, and caused an estimated Rs20 billion in damages.

According to a notification issued by the Gilgit-Baltistan Home Department, the disaster-hit designation has been applied to 12 locations in Diamer district, nine in Gilgit, five in Ghizer, four in Skardu, four in Shigar, two in Ghanche, and one each in Nagar and Kharmang.

“On account of heavy rains during Monsoon 2025, some Mouzas of District Gilgit, Ghizer, Nagar, Diamer, Skardu, Ghanche, Shigar and Kharmang have been reportedly severely affected by flash flood,” said the notification issued by Home Secretary Syed Ali Asghar.

“People have suffered losses which includes loss of human lives, livestock, damage to houses, infrastructure and standing crops,” it added. “In the opinion of the Government, the situation warrants action under the provision of the National Calamities (Prevention and Relief Act, 1958).”

The affected areas, according to the notification are: Parri Bangla, Jutal, Danyor, Sultanabad, Bagrote, Sharote, Shikyote, Skarkoi, Hasan Colony KIU Gilgit in Gilgit; Harchi village in Nagar; Biarchi, Thoi, Nazbar, Silpi and Khanchay in Ghizer; Kondus and Haldi sub-Division Mashabrum in Ghanche.

other areas include, Khinner, Botogah, Buner Nallah, Goner Farm, Tatto Raikot, Gushay Darel, Thak Babusar, Charat, Jhottee, Niat Valley, Thore Parika and Shatin Nullah in Diamer; Burgay and Rgiayul in Skardu; Qaimabad, Arincho and Chutron in Shigar and Torghon valley in Kharmang.

An emergency has been imposed in all these affected locations to expedite relief and rescue operations. G-B government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq confirmed the grim toll in a press briefing.

“We have tragically lost 10 people, most of whom were tourists visiting the region,” Faraq stated. “Four others were injured and have been provided with medical aid,” he said, adding that rescuers are engaged in a desperate search for 10 to 15 tourists who remain missing.

Floods also swept away 22 vehicles, Faraq said. In response to the crisis, the government has launched immediate rehabilitation efforts from its own resources, allocating Rs440 million for the restoration of critical water, power, and road infrastructure.

Relief aid, including tents, blankets, food items, and kitchen sets, is being distributed to displaced families. “The rehabilitation of 509 destroyed houses is under way,” Faraq said, acknowledging the immense scale of the task ahead. “It is a significant challenge.”

The spokesperson concluded with an appeal for federal support, expressing the hope that the national leadership would step in to assist the victims. “We hope the Prime Minister of Pakistan will help heal the wounds of the victims,” Faraq said.

LAHORE: Welcoming the recent court verdict on the May 9 riots, Punjab Minister for Information and Culture, Azma Bokhari called it a timely and commendable decision in the interest of the nation. “This ruling sends a clear and strong message to those with anti-state agendas that such actions will no longer be tolerated,” said Azma Bokhari.

She emphasised that inciting people to attack state institutions through coercion is an intolerable offence, and terrorism under the guise of political activism must come to an end.

She further remarked that after this decision, those planning similar actions will be forced to think not once, but many times before taking such steps. The attempt to gain dominance through violence has failed, she added.

According to her, society must now engage in a meaningful debate about whether events like May 9 were part of a genuine political process or the last resort of a destructive mindset that needs to be eradicated.

Azma Bokhari concluded by saying that such judicial decisions not only uphold the rule of law but also help restore public confidence in the justice system and the strength of democratic institutions.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

ISLAMABAD:

The government on Thursday slashed the price of petrol by Rs7.54 per litre while raising that of high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs1.48 per litre for the next fortnight.

The HSD price increase will come into effect from August 1, 2025. However, it has reduced the price of petrol for the next fortnight that will remain effective till August 15.

The finance ministry in a statement said that the Government of Pakistan’s Finance Division has announced new petroleum product prices that will be effective from August 1, 2025.

It said that the price changes were determined after reviewing international market trends and considering recommendations from Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and other relevant ministries.

According to statement, the price of HSD has witnessed an increase of Rs1.48 per litre, bringing the new price to Rs285.83. The existing price was Rs284.35 per liter.

The government has decreased the price of petrol by Rs7.54 per litre. The petrol will be available now at the new price of Rs264.61 per litre. The previous price was Rs272.15 per litre. These revised prices will be in effect for the next fortnight.

Earlier, consumers had witnessed a massive increase in the prices of petroleum products as government had increased the price of HSD by Rs10.39 per litre effective from July 1, 2025.

The high speed diesel is widely used in the agriculture and transport sectors. Therefore, fresh increase in its price will bring inflationary impact for the consumers.

The farmers use this fuel for tractors whereas transport sector also use it. Therefore, the cost of transport goods would go up, resulting in higher inflation across the country.

The government has also raised the price of petrol by Rs8.36 per litre from July 1.

Petrol is used in motorbikes and cars and is considered to be an alternate of the compressed natural gas (CNG).

The gas utilities had stopped supply of indigenous gas to the CNG stations especially in Punjab province and therefore, these CNG outlets had been using imported gas over a decade.

The recent reduction in price of petrol is a big relief for the motorbikes and cars.

Pakistan is a net importer of oil and import around 85 per cent of total petroleum products to meet the domestic needs. The local oil and gas exploration companies produce crude oil to meet 15 per cent of the total oil needs.

Therefore, the fluctuation in global oil prices also impact the domestic oil prices.

The consumers are also paying higher tax in form of petroleum levy on the petroleum products.They are paying over Rs77 per litre petroleum levy on diesel and petrol.

LPG Prices

The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has also significantly reduced the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for the month of August 2025 to provide relief to consumers amid ongoing inflationary pressures.

According to the latest notification issued by the Authority, the regulator has set a new consumer price of LPG at Rs2,541.36 for an 11.8 kg domestic cylinder effective from August 1, 2025 with a reduction of Rs209.24 or 7.6 per cent compared to July’s rate of Rs2,750.60.

The producer LPG price has also been reduced from Rs191,802.01 per ton in July to Rs174,069.26 per ton in August, reflecting a similar decrease of Rs17,732.75. The decline translates to a Rs17.73 per kg reduction in LPG consumer price.

OGRA stated that the price cut primarily results from a 9.8pc decline in the Saudi Aramco Contract Price (CP), which serves as a benchmark for local LPG pricing. Although the average exchange rate of the US dollar recorded a marginal increase of 0.38% during the same period, it was not enough to offset the downward trend in international LPG prices.

GILGIT: More cloudburst-induced floods hit Ghizer and Hunza districts on Tuesday, causing widespread destruction.

According to the Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA), the heavy rainfall led to flooding in Khatam village in Ghizer’s Gupis Valley, blocking the Ghizer-Shandur Road and damaging agricultural land and private properties.

The floodwaters also caused significant damage to the irrigation channel in Ghalapan village in Gojal, upper Hunza, which provides water for over 50,000 forest trees, according to residents.

The Gilgit-Baltistan government has declared 37 villages across the region as calamity-hit areas. According to a notification issued by the GB Home and Prisons Department, the affected areas include 12 villages in Diamer, nine in Gilgit, five in Ghizer, four each in Skardu and Shigar, two in Ghanche, and one each in Nagar and Kharmang.

GB government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq said in a statement that the recent floods across Gilgit-Baltistan have caused an estimated Rs20 billion in damages. The floods have destroyed infrastructure, homes, agricultural land and public utilities.

Mr Faraq added that 22 vehicles were swept away by the floods, while 10 people, mostly tourists, have lost their lives. Four individuals have sustained injuries and between 10 and 15 tourists are still missing. Search operations are currently underway.

Over 500 homes and agricultural land, crops, roads, bridges and both public and private infrastructure have been significantly damaged.

The Gilgit-Baltistan government has initiated emergency and rehabilitation operations across the affected areas.

Pakistan has been grappling with severe flooding caused by cloudbursts, glacial lake outburst floods (Glofs) and intense monsoon rains since June. These extreme weather events have resulted in several deaths and injuries across the country, with the Gilgit-Baltistan region among the hardest hit.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2025

Islamabad  –  national Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) and the National Cyber Emergency Response Team (NCERT-PKCERT) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at protecting women and children from rising cyber threats and technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV).

The agreement marks a significant milestone in Pakistan’s efforts to create a safer digital environment for vulnerable groups, particularly women and girls, who are disproportionately targeted by online harassment, exploitation, and abuse. “Online safety is no longer a secondary concern—it is a fundamental human right,” said Ume Laila Azhar, Chairperson of NCSW, during the signing ceremony on Thursday.

“As digital spaces become an extension of our homes, workplaces, and schools, we must ensure they are free of violence and discrimination. We owe it to the women and girls of Pakistan to stand firm against all forms of digital abuse.”

Under the new partnership, NCSW and NCERT will collaborate on multiple fronts: launching awareness campaigns tailored for women, children, parents, and educators; developing user-friendly cybersecurity tools; conducting research; pushing for policy reforms; and organizing capacity-building programs for key stakeholders. The initiative also includes youth engagement through internship and learning opportunities.

NCERT Director General Haider Abbas emphasized the need for comprehensive digital protection. “Women and children must be equipped, informed, and protected against digital threats,” he said. “Our teams will work jointly to build a more resilient and secure digital landscape.”

The collaboration comes at a time when digital usage in Pakistan is surging, especially among young people, making cyber hygiene and online safety a growing concern. The rise of TFGBV—harassment, stalking, doxxing, and threats facilitated through technology—has prompted rights groups to call for urgent institutional action.

Experts say this MoU has the potential to set a precedent for public-sector cooperation on digital safety, particularly through its survivor-centered and rights-based approach. By addressing online abuse at both preventive and policy levels, the initiative aims to ensure that the internet remains a safe space for learning, expression, and empowerment.

The agreement aligns with the broader vision of a “Digital Pakistan”—a secure, inclusive, and equitable digital ecosystem. For advocates of digital rights and gender justice, the partnership offers a long-awaited step forward in confronting one of the country’s most pressing yet under-addressed challenges.

ISLAMABAD  –  The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Thursday directed Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police (Operations) and Deputy Commissioner Islamabad to appear before the court in person in a petition filed against closure of a road due to Baloch protestors.

A single bench of IHC comprising Chief Justice of IHC Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar conducted hearing of a petition filed by an owner of a petrol pump at F-6 who is aggrieved due to continuing protest by Baloch in front of press club. He adopted the stance that protests be managed and roads be opened so that business may not suffer.

The counsel for the petitioner contended that the petitioner runs a fuel station near National Press Club (NPC), located in Sector F-6/1, Islamabad and due to ongoing and indefinite protests in the area, several roads have been closed that have severely impacted the fuel station’s operations. He added that the employees, suppliers, and even emergency vehicles are unable to access the premises. As a result, the counsel said that the petitioner’s business has become unsustainable and the indefinite access restrictions violate the petitioner’s fundamental right of doing business protected by the Constitution of Pakistan, 1973. 

He added that while peaceful protest is a constitutional right under Article 16 of the Constitution, but, it cannot be exercised in a way that completely blocks public movement and effects uninvolved citizens and businesses.

He also argued that it is the duty of the administration to regulate protests and ensure that traffic flows freely and access to both public and private properties is maintained and prolonged and unregulated blockades reflects a failure of this responsibility.

After hearing the arguments, the IHC Chief Justice directed Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations) Islamabad and Deputy Commissioner Islamabad to appear in person and assist this Court as to what steps have been taken so far to address the matter.

Later, the bench deferred hearing of the case till August 4 for further proceedings.

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has accomplished its first-month revenue target for the fiscal year, collecting Rs755 billion, slightly exceeding its target of Rs748 billion. This marks a 15% increase over the same period last year, although it falls short of the growth pace needed to meet the full-year target of Rs14.13 trillion, which requires a 20% increase over the previous year.

The revenue increase was driven by improved performance in indirect taxes, particularly in sales tax and customs duties. However, the FBR missed its targets for income tax and federal excise duty, with income tax collections falling Rs15 billion short of the target. 

Despite this, the income tax collection was still 5.6% higher than last year. The shortfall was partly due to large advance payments made in June to help meet revised annual goals.

Sales tax collections reached Rs302 billion, surpassing the target by Rs12 billion and marking an 18% increase from the previous year. Customs duties also performed well, with collections rising to Rs106 billion, exceeding the target by Rs14 billion. The increase was attributed to the clearance of cargoes previously withheld by importers, anticipating reduced duties.

Despite these successes, challenges remain, including issues related to new powers granted to tax authorities, such as the ability to arrest individuals suspected of sales tax fraud and the inclusion of large cash expenses in taxable income. 

These provisions have sparked backlash from the business community, leading to the formation of a government committee to address concerns and propose reconciliatory measures.

The FBR’s leadership has also seen changes, with Chairman Rashid Langrial absent this week due to health reasons and Dr. Hamid Ateeq Sarwar, who recently retired, continuing to oversee operations on a contractual basis.

As the government gradually opens up the economy and lowers import tariffs, imports are expected to rise, which could further impact revenue collections.