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WASA recovered record revenue of Rs342m in December


Faisalabad: Revenue Directorates of Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) recovered record revenue of Rs.342 million during December 2024.



Managing Director WASA Aamer Aziz said in a statement here on Sunday that during November 2024, WASA teams had recovered Rs.340 million while the revenue recovery in December surpassed the previous record by Rs.2 million. He appreciated the performance of WASA recovery teams who performed their duties efficiently under supervision of Deputy Managing Director (Admin) Shoaib Rasheed, Revenue Directors Muhammad Iqbal Malik and Shehryar Hassan.



He said that constant efforts of WASA teams during last several months had led to substantial improvements in revenue collection which would help reduce WASA deficit gradually. If this strategy continued, WASA was expected to achieve a stable financial position by the next fiscal year, he added.



He said that Revenue Directorates were specifically directed to enhance revenue recovery. Hence, Directors Revenue East Shehryar Hassan and Revenue West Muhammad Iqbal Malik implemented the directives with special focus on motivating field staff to ensure daily collections from defaulters. Their efforts culminated in the historic recovery during December, he added.



He urged WASA customers to pay dues and monthly bills immediately so that it could enhance quality of water supply and sanitation services.



He also warned that non-payment of dues and monthly bills could lead to the detachment of services. Hence, the consumers should avoid inconvenience by ensuring timely bill payments, he added.



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‘Balochistan Summit to boost investment, industrial growth’

Lahore: Convener of the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Regional Standing Committee on Food, Shahid Imran, said that the forthcoming 2-day "Balochistan Summit" will yield positive impact and attracting foreign and local investors in diversified industries and sectors.

Speaking to a delegation of traders led by Chaudhary Zahid Iqbal Arain from Vehari, here on Sunday, Shahid Imran emphasized that with the judicious policies and collaborative initiatives, Balochistan has the potential to become a hub for international trade and economic growth, benefiting the entire country.

Shahid Imran highlighted Balochistan's abundant natural resources and strategic location, which offer immense opportunities for business, investment, and industrialization on a global scale. He stressed that the province requires special attention to unlock its economic potential and foster sustainable growth. He noted that the collaborative efforts of Atif Ikram Sheikh, President of FPCCI, and the Balochistan Board of Investment and Trade (BBoIT) will be crucial in driving this transformation.

The focus, he said, will be on promoting joint ventures and international partnerships to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and encourage technology transfer. He emphasized that the two-day summit, scheduled for January 27, will provide an important platform for investor networking and position Balochistan as a lucrative destination for global enterprises.

He further pointed out that Balochistan offers significant opportunities in sectors such as mining, energy, fisheries, agriculture, and tourism. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has further bolstered the province's strategic importance as a trade and connectivity gateway. He called for a business-friendly environment, addressing infrastructure gaps, enhancing security, and streamlining regulatory frameworks to fully capitalize on these opportunities.

He underscored that industrialization efforts should focus on value-added industries, which will create jobs, benefit local communities, and ensure inclusive development.

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World must fulfill its promises to Kashmiri people in IIOJK: Bilawal

Karachi: The Chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, in his message on Kashmiris' Right to Self-Determination Day, highlighted the suffering of the people in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and said it is not just a regional issue but a grave test of humanity's conscience.

He voiced deep disappointment at the global community's persistent silence over the relentless atrocities faced by the Kashmiri people.

Bilawal emphasized that the world community must fulfill its promises to the Kashmiri people in IIOJK and ensure the realization of their inalienable rights. He reiterated that the right to self-determination is a fundamental principle enshrined in international law and promised to the people of Kashmir through United Nations resolutions.

The PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari paid tribute to the unyielding resolve of the people of occupied Kashmir, who have steadfastly endured decades of oppression while standing firm in their demand for dignity, justice, and freedom. 'Today, we stand shoulder to shoulder with our resilient Kashmiri brothers and sisters who have faced relentless Indian oppression. Your sacrifices will not go in vain. The Pakistan Peoples Party has always been at the forefront of defending the Kashmir cause and will continue to raise its voice for your rights on every platform,' he asserted.

He reaffirmed his commitment to extending unwavering political, moral, and diplomatic support to the oppressed people of occupied Kashmir until their freedom is achieved. "On this day, we renew our pledge to amplify your voice with greater resolve and defend your cause. Together, we will ensure that the dream of a peaceful, free Kashmir, liberated from Indian occupation, becomes a reality."

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Work begins on 80 schemes of Lahore Development Project

Lahore: Work has been started on 80 out of 115 schemes worth Rs.59 billion of the Lahore Development Project (LDP).

Out of the six zones, Data Zone and Nishtar Zone are at the top in starting work. Furthermore, work has been started on 967 dilapidated streets of Data Ganj Bakhsh Zone at a cost of Rs3.7 billion.

LDP document reveals that the work will be completed by 23 contractor firms in Data Ganj Bakhsh Zone. Work has also been started on 2397 streets of Nishtar Zone at a huge cost of Rs.12 billion.

Likewise, work has started for 40 schemes of Nishtar Zone, while these development works have been started through digitalized e-tendering.

According to the document, upgradation of tuff tiles, PCC, drainage, sewage system, water supply and street light schemes have also been started on 29 schemes of Ravi Zone.

Similarly, work has started on 13 schemes in Shalamar Zone at a cost of Rs.2.21 billion, while Rs.746.4 million have been allocated for five schemes in Gulberg zone, and Rs.845.5 million for four schemes in Samanabad Zone.

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BEEF holds awareness session regarding Benazir Bhutto fully funded scholarship scheme

Quetta: Under the vision of the Chief Minister of Balochistan, Mir Sarfraz Bugti, opportunities are being provided for minority students in Balochistan through the Benazir Bhutto fully funded Scholarship Scheme of Balochistan Educational Endowment Fund(BEEF) in 2025 at top educational institutions in the country and Balochistan. In this regard, an awareness session for minority students was organized at the Christian Glorious Church under the auspices of the Balochistan Educational Endowment Fund (BEEF),guidance of CEO BEEF Muhammad Zakariya Khan Noorzai and the supervision of Assistant Manager BEEF, Sanzer Khan. During the session, the Assistant Manager of BEEF said that under this scheme, minority students will be provided full funding to attend the best cadet colleges and residential schools in Balochistan and across the country. He further mentioned that in 2024, 37 students were selected through this scheme, and for 2025, an additional 50 students are planned to be inducted in the program. At the end of the program, Pastor Akram Barkat and other members of the Christian community praised the vision of the Chief Minister of Balochistan and extended special thanks to the Balochistan Education Endowment Fund (BEEF) for the Benazir Bhutto Fully Funded Scholarship Scheme for minority students in Balochistan. This initiative serves as an excellent example of the commitment to providing quality education to minority students.

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Sialkot clinch thrilling one-wicket win to bag Quaid Trophy title

Karachi: Sialkot beat Peshawar by a solitary wicket in a thrilling contest on Sunday, the day four of the five-day final, at the UBL Sports Complex, Karachi to bag their third Quaid-e-Azam Trophy title. Sialkot did not lose a single match in the tournament with their eight matches yielding five wins and three draws.

Chasing 173 to win, Sialkot were 59-5 in 15 overs at the beginning of day four. They completed the chase in 46.2 overs with skipper Amad Butt starring with a match-winning half-century and Shahzaib Bhatti (32 not out) hitting the winning runs, which came off a boundary.

Skipper Amad anchored the chase with poise as he notched 65 runs off 94 balls hitting nine fours and one six during his stay on the crease. After Sialkot lost wicketkeeper-batter Afzal Manzoor with scorecard reading 69-6, Amad partnered with Shahzaib for a crucial 48-run seventh-wicket to take their team out of dire straits.

Sajid Khan castled Amad to bring Peshawar back to the game but Shahzaib stuck around to finish the game with 51-ball 32 inclusive of four boundaries. Shoaib Akhtar Jnr departed in the 46th over with one run required to win and one wicket left for Sialkot before the sealed the game in next over.

For Peshawar Niaz Khan picked up four wickets while Mohammad Amir Khan returned figures of 3-60. Israrullah and Sajid Khan dismissed one batter each.

Scores in brief

Final - Day 4 of 5 - Sialkot Region beat Peshawar Region by one wicket at the UBL Sports Complex, Karachi

Peshawar 258 all out, 80.1 overs (Zubair Khan 47, Nabi Gul 44, Maaz Sadaqat 32, Mehran Ibrahim 31, Niaz Khan 31, Sajid Khan 23; Amad Butt 4-51, Ali Raza 3-62, Shoaib Akhtar Jr 2-60) and 159 all out, 59.5 overs (Maaz Sadaqat 57, Mehran Ibrahim 32; Ali Raza 7-48, Amad Butt 2-66)

Sialkot 245 all out, 85 overs (Mohsin Riaz 57, Mohammad Huraira 55, Shahzaib Bhatti 40, Ahsan Hafeez Bhatti 26; Niaz Khan 5-61, Mohammad Amir Khan 3-38) and 176-9, 46.2 overs (Amad Butt 65, Shahzaib Bhatti 32 not out; Niaz Khan 4-61, Mohammad Amir Khan 3-60)

Player of the match - Amad Butt (Sialkot) - 4-51 and 2-66 and 10 and 65

Best batter of the tournament - Azan Awais (Sialkot) - 844 runs in eight matches

Best bowler of the tournament - Musa Khan (Islamabad) - 38 wickets in five matches

Best wicketkeeper of the tournament - Afzal Manzoor (Sialkot) - 39 dismissals in eight matches

Player of the tournament - Niaz Khan (Peshawar) - 39 wickets in eight matches.