Category: Islamabad

Islamabad:: The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration have stepped up efforts to curb the activities of illegal petrol agencies and LPG filling stations in 2024, resulting in significant arrests, fines, and seizures across the Federal Capital.

According to a report issued by the ICT administration here, in the last year, a total of 156 illegal petrol agencies were dismantled, leading to 110 arrests.

Additionally, 97 LPG outlets were seized and 95 accused were arrested for charging higher-than-notified rates.

Meanwhile, the district administration also sealed 13 petrol pumps during the year.

However, the district administration took prompted action against citizen complaints about irregularities and imposed fines of Rs 0.5 million on several petrol pumps this year.

Firthermore, in the anti-encroachment drive also saw strong action, with 56 arrests and 17 cases registered.

On the occasion, Deputy Commissiimer (DC) Islamabad, Irfan Nawaz Memon praised the authorities efforts and emphasized continued vigilance to address such violations.

Islamabad:: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) conducted an independent Quality of Service (QoS) survey in 18 cities across Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the third quarter of 2024 to assess the performance and quality of Cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs) across the country.

According to a news release the survey covered approximately 2,400 km per CMO over 63 days, focusing on main roads, service roads, and residential sectors.

Using state-of-the-art automated QoS monitoring tools, over 290,000 tests for mobile broadband performance and 41,700 voice and SMS samples were conducted. These tests evaluated key performance indicators (KPIs) as per Next Generation Mobile Service (NGMS) licenses and QoS Regulations 2021.

Results ranked CMOs on mobile network coverage, voice services, and broadband speed, with advanced technologies like LTE Carrier Aggregation and Voice over LTE performing best. While compliance was largely satisfactory, some voice KPIs fell below standards in specific areas. PTA has directed operators to take corrective actions.

Islamabad:: During an overseas deployment to the Arabian Gulf, Pakistan Navy ships Rasadgar and Azmat, along with Pakistan Maritime Security Agency ship Dasht, visited Port Bandar Abbas, Iran.

The flotilla was led by Commander 14th Destroyer Squadron, Commodore Muhammad Umair, said a news release issued by Directorate General Public Relations (Pak Navy) here Thursday.

Upon arrival at the port, Pakistan Navy ships were warmly received by representatives of Pakistan Embassy and officials from the host Navy.

The Mission Commander, along with the Commanding Officers, held meetings with naval leadership of Iran. During these interactions, matters of mutual interest, Navy-to-Navy engagements, and cooperation in maritime security were discussed.

The Mission Commander also conveyed well-wishes from Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, for the people of Iran.

Following the port call, both PN and PMSA ships conducted a Passage Exercise with an Iranian Navy ship. The exercise at sea aimed to enhance interoperability between the two navies and promote shared learning through coordinated activities.

The visit of the PN flotilla to Iran is expected to further strengthen existing diplomatic ties and cordial relations between the two nations.

Islamabad:: The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration have stepped up efforts to curb the activities of illegal petrol agencies and LPG filling stations in 2024, resulting in significant arrests, fines, and seizures across the Federal Capital.

According to a report issued by the ICT administration here, in the last year, a total of 156 illegal petrol agencies were dismantled, leading to 110 arrests.

Additionally, 97 LPG outlets were seized and 95 accused were arrested for charging higher-than-notified rates.

Meanwhile, the district administration also sealed 13 petrol pumps during the year.

However, the district administration took prompted action against citizen complaints about irregularities and imposed fines of Rs 0.5 million on several petrol pumps this year.

Firthermore, in the anti-encroachment drive also saw strong action, with 56 arrests and 17 cases registered.

On the occasion, Deputy Commissiimer (DC) Islamabad, Irfan Nawaz Memon praised the authorities efforts and emphasized continued vigilance to address such violations.

Islamabad:: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Thursday granted pre-arrest bail to PTI leader Taimoor Jhagra in a case registered by Secretariat Police Station.

The court stopped the police from arresting the petitioner till January 22, and also sought case record from it.

ATC Judge Abual Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain heard the interim bail petition of PTI leader in a terrorism case. The court after hearing arguments granted pre-arrest bail to the petitioner against surety bonds worth Rs5,000.

It may be mentioned here that the secretariat police station of the capital had registered FIR against Taimoor Jhagra under anti-terrorism law.

Islamabad:: Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division) Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari has written letters to all Chief Ministers (CMs) , Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Federal Ministers for Planning and Science and Technology for implementation of Energy Conservation Building Code 2023 (ECBC-2023) in the relevant building laws under their domain.

In order to increase efficient utilization of energy and reduce its leakages/wastage, the federal minister has stressed on implementation of this code for mutual benefit of government and consumers, said a statement issued by Ministry of Power Division here Thursday.

An inefficient utilization of electricity in buildings results in an increase in utility bills. Similarly in peak summers for managing peak load of 60 to 80 hours, the power sector has to maintain a number of power plants which remain idle for rest of the year due to lower demands resulting in capacity and other allied payments making part of overall electricity tariff. Additionally, energy-efficient buildings contribute to the conservation of natural gas by reducing the need for heating during the winter season.

As the federal minister has identified peak load and its very short duration as one of the major reason for maintaining many power plants in the system, the implementation of the Code will also help in managing the peak demand helping the power sector to reduce operational costs and energy consumption.

The Minister in his letter has proposed two pronged strategy to ensure sustainable development of the power sector and bolster economy of the country through energy efficiency in building sector.

First revision of existing bye-laws by the relevant development authorities/building control authorities, municipalities and local governments to incorporate the ECBC-2023 and secondly integration of this code in the Annual Development programs for public sector infrastructure development.

Awais Leghari expressed confidence that implementing this Code will result in lower operational costs and promote sustainable growth.

The Minister in his letter, mentioned approval of the ECBC-23 by Federal Cabinet and subsequently by National Economic Council (NEC).

The ECBC-2023 is now accessible on the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (NEECA) website (https://neeca.gov.pk/Download) for the information and use of the general public.

The public is encouraged to utilize this extremely useful resource to advance sustainability efforts.