Author: dailybalochistantimes.com

Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) to ensure swift repair work of all damaged protective fences on motorways in one month and initiate stringent action against those stealing or damaging the fence.

The prime minister chaired separate review meetings on issues pertaining to the NHA and safety measures on the national highways and motorways, a Prime Minister's Office news release said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the occasion emphasized that the national highways and motorways were the backbone of national development and the country's economy. He said that providing the best travel facilities across the country was one of the top priorities of the government.

The prime minister directed to form a steering committee to review the work related to construction of Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway, construction of remaining parts of Ratodero-Gwadar Motorway and Hyderabad-Karachi Motorway, Karachi-Quetta-Chaman National Highway, and reconstruction of some parts of Karakoram Highway.

He also directed that the development work should be done on these important national projects on a speedy and priority basis.

The meeting was briefed regarding the ongoing development works on national highways and motorways. The meeting was told that in the first phase of Lahore-Sahiwal-Bahawalnagar Motorway was in progress and the land was being acquired from Lahore Ring Road to Raiwind-Kasur Road. However, many districts of South East Punjab would be able to benefit from this motorway, the forum was briefed.

In a another meeting related to safety arrangements on national highways and highways, the prime minister directed to complete the repair work of all safety fences on the highways within a month. The prime minister also directed to improve policing and patrolling on national highways and motorways.

The meeting was briefed on measures to prevent theft of protective fence installed on motorways. The meeting was informed that there were 4,027 kilometers of protective fence installed on the motorways across the country, out of which 859 kilometers of protective fence were either stolen or damaged, due to which 36 accidents were reported and 178 first information reports (FIRs) were registered in the last four years in this regard.

The meeting was further informed that legislation was being made regarding the declaration of motorways as a strategic asset, after which strict action would be taken against those who damage the motorways as per the law.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan and relevant senior government officials participated in the meeting.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Finance, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb here on Monday departed for Davos, the Swiss city, to participate in the World Economic Forum 2025 annual meeting being held from January 20 to 24.

Aurangzeb will meet with political, trade, and business leaders of various countries and international organizations and would also address various sessions and negotiations, clarifying the country's economic landscape, according to press release issued by finance ministry.

The Finance Minister will participate, as a panelist, in a high-level discussion on the growing burden of global debt on developing economies during the forum and would present his perspective on establishing strong and resilient economies through fiscal policy adjustments and debt sustainability.

Aurangzeb would also participate as a panelist in a high-level discussion on the revolutionary impact of new technologies, especially AI and automation, on promoting trade and investment. He will express his thoughts on leveraging technologies to achieve accurate and profitable trade and investment.

The minister is also scheduled to meet with the ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar, the press release added.

Aurangzeb will meet with the heads of international financial and business institutions, organizations involved in sustainable development, and investors and commercial banks, especially from the Middle East.

He will participate in two separate discussions on "Digital Pakistan" and "Investment in Pakistan", organized by the Pathfinder Group. In addition, he will also give interviews to selected international media representatives during his visit.

The 55th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum is being held under the theme "Collaboration for the Intelligent Age. It brings together multiple heads of state and governments, leaders from the private sector and civil society.

Over 1,000 high-level representatives from the private sector, young leaders, civil society, and educational institutions will also participate in the forum.

The event aims to present solutions based on international cooperation in various economic and development sectors between governments and major international organizations and institutions.

Islamabad: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has expressed displeasure over non-compliance of its directive to fix hearing of the case regarding jurisdiction of regular benches of the SCP and has summoned the Additional Registrar SCP to explain his position.

A three-member Bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, headed by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, had directed the Registrar SCP Office on Thursday, January 16, to fix hearing of the petitions regarding jurisdictions of the Benches after the 26th amendment to the same Bench that was already hearing it.

The Court observed that it was clearly ordered to fix the case regarding jurisdiction of the regular benches before the same bench on Monday, January 20 but the Registrar Office did not included it in the Cause List for Monday.

Registrar Supreme Court, when summoned, was not available to appear before the Court due to some health issue. Deputy Registrar, however, appeared before the Court and informed that the Judges Committee (for allocation of cases to various benches) has decided to fix this case before the Constitutional Bench on January 27.

The Court observed that how can a judicial order be ignored through an administrative committee? The three-member bench, headed by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, in a written order has observed that hearing of many other cases regarding tax matters is cancelled too. The Court directed Additional Registrar to appear before the court in person by tomorrow and explain his position. The Court adjourned the proceedings for tomorrow.

It may be worth reminding that Justice Aqeel Abbasi was included in the bench as replacement of Justice Irfan Saadat. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah termed it a mistake by the office of the SCP and remarked that in the current case, the judgment of the Sindh High Court was delivered by Justice Aqeel Abbasi. Justice Irfan Saadat was part of the previous bench that conducted the proceedings on January 13. Justice Mansoor asked the Attorney General office for assistance on a question that either jurisdiction of a Supreme Court bench under Article 191 can be withdrawn or not? The proceedings were then adjourned for Monday January 20. The Court directed the office of the SCP to fix the case before the same bench but it was not.

Islamabad: Minister for Information, Broadcasting, National Heritage and Culture Attaullah Tarar on Monday said the government would complete its maiden year on February 08, 2025 which will be commemorated as the "Day of Development and Progress".

'Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has decided to celebrate the February 8 as the Youm-e-Tameer o Taraqi because this year, we have achieved many milestones including the economic growth,' said the minister while talking to the media after witnessing the final match of Media Cricket League which featured 67 matches with participation of various media teams.

He congratulated the Khyber TV on winning the final of the tape ball tournament, and also the Jang Media Group team which was the runner-up of the competition.

All the media channels must organize such tournaments, he said while assuring them of the full support of the Ministry of the Information and Broadcasting in organizing such events which resonated a good message across the country.

There is a need to hold more such tournaments that promotes healthy competition and sportsmanship, he said while reiterating the commitment of the government which believes in the promotion of sports and games.

He said the consecutive victories of the Pakistan cricket team is a manifestation of the government's commitment, which has been hunting the remarkable talents by organizing various trial camps.

'We are going to host the International Champions Trophy after a hiatus which will restore the cricket festivity in the country and promote the game in Pakistan,' he said, adding the fans would also get the chance to watch the international players playing on Pakistani grounds.

He appreciated the critical role played by Interior Minister and Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi in negotiating with the International Cricket Council for hosting the international tournament in Pakistan.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has fully empowered his team in this regard, he added.

All arrangements regarding the Champions Trophy are complete, he said calling it a proud moment for the country to host such a big event.

Recently, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization was held in Pakistan after 27 years, he said while recalling the government's achievements including its initiatives for the economy that had restored the confidence of international institutions.

He said it has been decided to confer awards on high achievers on February 8 for their achievements during this year.

The minister stressed on promoting sportsman spirit in every field to promote good behavior and ethics.

There is no financial constraints in the PTV, he said vowing revival of the past glory of the national television.

Private sectors anchors have been recruited and it has been made mandatory to invite all political parties representatives

in the talk shows.

Negotiations are crucial for political stability, he said while expressing the hope that it would achieve positive results.