Author: Our Correspondent

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif rejected remarks made by India’s defence minister on Kashmir, saying political statements and propaganda could not alter what he described as internationally recognized legal realities surrounding the disputed territory. In a statement issued on Monday, Asif said Pakistan categorically rejected the Indian minister’s comments and termed them another attempt to misrepresent established facts. He said such statements could not change the disputed status of Indian-administered Kashmir, which remained an internationally recognized issue requiring a peaceful resolution. The defence minister said the future of Kashmir should be decided in accordance with relevant United…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah met World Bank Country Director Bolorma Amgaabazar to review the progress of Karachi’s water sector reform projects, with both sides agreeing on an accelerated roadmap to improve the city’s water supply and sewerage infrastructure. The meeting was attended by the provincial minister for local government, Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab, the chief secretary, the principal secretary and other senior officials. During the meeting, participants reviewed the progress of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP) and discussed measures to expedite the implementation of the K-IV water supply…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet approved three export finance subsidy schemes on Monday in an effort to increase Pakistan’s exports, improve financial support for exporters and provide greater assistance to small and medium enterprises. The ECC meeting was held in Islamabad with Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb in the chair. The committee reviewed a number of economic proposals and approved a package of measures aimed at strengthening the country’s export sector and improving access to affordable financing for businesses. Under the approved package, the ECC agreed to enhance the Export Finance Scheme administered…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Security forces successfully foiled a major terrorist attack on a check post in South Waziristan after destroying an explosives-laden vehicle before it could breach the security perimeter. Four militants, including a suicide bomber, were killed during the operation, while security forces suffered no casualties. According to security sources, the attackers had attempted to ram a vehicle packed with explosives into the check post. Alert troops responded swiftly and targeted the vehicle outside the outer defensive barrier. The vehicle was completely destroyed, killing the suicide bomber on the spot and preventing any damage to the installation. The…

By our correspondent KARACHI: The Pakistan Institute of Labor Education and Research (PILER) organized an awareness session for workers from various textile and garment factories to improve their understanding of social security institutions and labor rights. The event focused on helping workers learn about social protection, available benefits and the procedures required to access services provided under the social security system. The training session was conducted by Waseem Jamal, Director at the Sindh Employees’ Social Security Institution (SESSI). Waseem Jamal explained the legal rights available to registered workers and outlined the role of social security in protecting employees and their…

By our correspondent MIRPUR: Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Saturday accused opponents of attempting to influence voters ahead of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections, alleging that pre-poll rigging had taken place by sending buses into the region a day before voting. Speaking to reporters in Mirpur, Memon claimed that buses worth Rs200 million had been deployed to mislead the public and alleged that the Election Commission had deliberately failed to act on what he described as pre-poll irregularities. He said the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) would not allow the election process in Azad Kashmir to be manipulated…

By our correspondent HYDERABAD: A large Hari Conference held in Hyderabad brought together peasant representatives, tenant farmers and women agricultural workers from across Sindh, where speakers warned that the province’s farming communities were facing a deepening economic and environmental crisis. Organized by the Sindh Agricultural General Workers Union, affiliated with the National Trade Union Federation Pakistan (NTUF), the gathering said rising production costs, falling crop prices and worsening water shortages had pushed many small farmers into severe hardship. Delegates argued that despite producing much of the country’s food, agricultural workers had remained trapped in poverty with little access to state…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi chief Munem Zafar Khan has criticized the city’s electricity, water and civic infrastructure, accusing the authorities of failing to address long-standing public concerns. Speaking at a press conference, Khan said around 200 K-Electric feeders tripped as soon as the first rainfall began a day earlier. He claimed the utility had received Rs163 billion in subsidies to improve Karachi’s power supply, but alleged that neither electricity generation nor the transmission system had seen meaningful improvement. Munem also criticized the Sindh government, describing it as ineffective and alleging that residents continue to face poor roads, inadequate…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader and Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has said the party has exhausted parliamentary avenues and will now launch a public campaign, while remaining within the constitutional and legal framework, to push for greater devolution of powers. Speaking at a press conference in Karachi alongside party leaders, Kamal criticised the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)-led Sindh government, alleging that it had failed to allow Karachi to play its full role in the country’s development. He said Lahore had advanced significantly while Karachi continued to face deteriorating civic conditions. “The world is moving forward,…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Sindh Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (STEVTA) Chairman and Special Assistant to the Sindh Chief Minister, Junaid Banday, met senior officials of the Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) to discuss closer institutional cooperation aimed at strengthening technical education and improving employment opportunities for young people. The meeting was held at the PSDF headquarters, where Junaid Banday held talks with PSDF Chief Executive Officer Ahmed Khan, Additional Secretary of Punjab’s Skills Department Munawar Ali and other senior officials. The discussions focused on expanding collaboration in technical and vocational education and aligning training programs with the evolving…