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Economic development directly linked with political stability: PM

Islamabad:: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday underlined that the economic development was directly linked with political stability as the strength of a country's economy was deeply rooted in its political framework.

Chairing a meeting on Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), the prime minister said the country's macroeconomic indicators had significantly improved due to the untiring efforts of the economic team, expressing his confidence that the year 2025 will bring prosperity and growth in the country.

For the first time after 2018, the inflation rate has been eased down to 4.1%, foreign remittances have posted increase of 34%, exports have also jumped, and foreign exchange reserves have jumped from $4 billion to $12.5 billion," PM Shehbaz said adding that the policy rate which was now at 13%, had space of further 8% keeping in view the inflation rate.

As regards, foreign investment, the prime minister emphasized that MoUs worth billions of dollars had already been signed with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE.

He said having achieved economic stability, the country had now entered the growth stage. "If we want to achieve the economic development, then we will have to focus on export-led growth .....and we have no other option".

The prime minister also appreciate the efforts of Federal Board of Revenue and the economic team for collecting additional Rs 72 billion under ADR (advance-to-tax ratio) due to which the government's target of tax revenue for December 2024 had almost been achieved.

The prime minister noted that due to the faceless interaction facility, 39% time duration of container inspection had been reduced while the businessmen got relief of 89%.

Additionally, he said smuggling of sugar through Afghanistan had been reduced to zero which was a positive sign for the country's economy. He informed that the national exchequer received $0.5 billion in term of sugar export while the rice exports posted $4 billion.

As regards, terrorism in the country, the prime minister vowed that the law enforcing agencies were fully committed to halt the nefarious designs of the enemies.

"Security has become a big challenge today and without crushing the menace of terrorism, we cannot move forward," he said.

The prime minister also congratulated the relevant stakeholders on the agreement between tribes to normalize the situation in Kurrum. However he expressed deep grief over the loss of dozens of innocent lives in the area.

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NA Standing Committee on Railways reviews performance

Lahore: A two-day meeting of the National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee on Railways, chaired by Chairman Rai Hassan Nawaz Khan, was held in Lahore on Thursday.

The meeting focused on reviewing performance and progress of Pakistan Railways and included comprehensive briefings, site visits, and discussions on improving railway operations.

On the first day, the committee was given detailed briefings on the functioning of various departments of Pakistan Railways. The sessions were held at the offices of the Divisional Superintendent Lahore and Divisional Superintendent Workshops Mughalpura. Divisional Superintendent Lahore Hanif Gul provided an in-depth overview of the division's performance, operational challenges, and achievements.

The committee members, led by Chairman Rai Hassan Nawaz Khan, also visited the Lahore Railway Station and the Old Diesel Locomotive Shed. They inspected the facilities provided at the railway station, lauding the Police Helpline Center and the newly established Executive Washroom, which was constructed under a public-private partnership. Chairman Rai Hassan Nawaz Khan emphasized the importance of ensuring the timely arrival and departure of trains and directed railway officials to take necessary measures in this regard.

During their visit to the Old Engine Shed Lahore, the members appreciated the installation of a modern fuel management system developed in collaboration with PSO.

The committee also attended a meeting at the Workshops Mughalpura, where Chairman Railways Syed Mazhar Ali Shah briefed them on various initiatives, including railway procurement, repair and maintenance operations, periodic overhauling of coaches, and the development of freight wagons equipped with modern technology. DS Mughalpura Kashif Farooq Butt also provided a detailed presentation on the structure and performance of the workshops.

The meeting was attended by members of the National Assembly Standing Committee, including Abrar Ahmed, Waseem Qadir, Zulfiqar Sattar Bachani, Ramesh Lal, Muhammad Ilyas Chaudhry, Syed Shah Ahad Ali Shah, Muhammad Jamal Ahsan Khan, and Shafqat Abbas. Senior officials from Pakistan Railways, including Chairman Railways Syed Mazhar Ali Shah and CEO Pakistan Railways Amir Ali Baloch, were also present.

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13 outlaws nabbed; drugs, illegal weapons seized


Islamabad:: Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police arrested 13 outlaws involved in various criminal activities, including drug peddling and possession of illegal weapons, recovering firearms, ammunition, and narcotics during separate operations on Thursday.



A police spokesman told that the (ICT) Police Aabpara, Margalla, Shalimar, Industrial Area, Sabzi Mandi, Shams Colony, Khanna and Bhara Kahu police teams took legal action against accused involved in possessing illegal weapons, and drug peddling activities.



He said the police team arrested 11 accused and recovered 08 pistols, one 8mm rifle with ammunition and dagger from their possession. Moreover, 02 absconders were also arrested from various areas of the city during the last 24 hours.



SSP Operation Muhammad Arslan Shahzaib said that the Islamabad Police is actively working to ensure the safety of citizens’ lives and property in the federal capital, emphasizing that no elements will be allowed to disrupt citizens’ peace. Protecting the lives, property, and dignity of citizens is the Islamabad Police’s top priority.



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Commissioner visits Dreams Project site to review progress


Rawalpindi: Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Engineer Aamir Khattak here on Thursday visited Dreams Project site and reviewed the progress.



During the visit, he gave necessary instructions regarding project completion and quality to the authorities concerned.



Director General (DG) Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) Kinza Murtaza, Director Development Sania Safi, MD, Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Rawalpindi, Muhammad Saleem Ashraf and other officers concerned were present on the occasion.



The WASA authorities briefed the Commissioner on the progress of the project.



The Commissioner was informed that the Punjab government in collaboration with Asian Development Bank (ADB) would complete the project.



About one million people would get clean drinking water under this Chahan Dam-based water supply project which would be completed at a cost of Rs 35 billion. The project would be completed by December 2027. The aim of the Dreams Project is to conserve groundwater and increase water from surface water sources. Under the project, 20 MW Eco-Friendly solar power system would also be installed. 92,000 house connections (based on water meters) would be provided under the DREAMS project. Through Dreams, WASA Rawalpindi’s revenue collection would also increase by Rs 100 million per month. In the Dreams project, water would be supplied to the citizens as per the standards of the World Health Organization, he was told.



The Commissioner on the occasion said that the work on the Dreams project was started last month and the physical progress so far is five percent. He said that the project was launched to meet water requirements of Rawalpindi city.



He directed the authorities to ensure transparency and quality of construction work. He said that the project should be completed within stipulated time frame.



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Commissioner visits Dreams Project site to review progress


Rawalpindi: Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Engineer Aamir Khattak here on Thursday visited Dreams Project site and reviewed the progress.



During the visit, he gave necessary instructions regarding project completion and quality to the authorities concerned.



Director General (DG) Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) Kinza Murtaza, Director Development Sania Safi, MD, Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Rawalpindi, Muhammad Saleem Ashraf and other officers concerned were present on the occasion.



The WASA authorities briefed the Commissioner on the progress of the project.



The Commissioner was informed that the Punjab government in collaboration with Asian Development Bank (ADB) would complete the project.



About one million people would get clean drinking water under this Chahan Dam-based water supply project which would be completed at a cost of Rs 35 billion. The project would be completed by December 2027. The aim of the Dreams Project is to conserve groundwater and increase water from surface water sources. Under the project, 20 MW Eco-Friendly solar power system would also be installed. 92,000 house connections (based on water meters) would be provided under the DREAMS project. Through Dreams, WASA Rawalpindi’s revenue collection would also increase by Rs 100 million per month. In the Dreams project, water would be supplied to the citizens as per the standards of the World Health Organization, he was told.



The Commissioner on the occasion said that the work on the Dreams project was started last month and the physical progress so far is five percent. He said that the project was launched to meet water requirements of Rawalpindi city.



He directed the authorities to ensure transparency and quality of construction work. He said that the project should be completed within stipulated time frame.



Posted on

Commissioner visits Dreams Project site to review progress


Rawalpindi: Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Engineer Aamir Khattak here on Thursday visited Dreams Project site and reviewed the progress.



During the visit, he gave necessary instructions regarding project completion and quality to the authorities concerned.



Director General (DG) Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) Kinza Murtaza, Director Development Sania Safi, MD, Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Rawalpindi, Muhammad Saleem Ashraf and other officers concerned were present on the occasion.



The WASA authorities briefed the Commissioner on the progress of the project.



The Commissioner was informed that the Punjab government in collaboration with Asian Development Bank (ADB) would complete the project.



About one million people would get clean drinking water under this Chahan Dam-based water supply project which would be completed at a cost of Rs 35 billion. The project would be completed by December 2027. The aim of the Dreams Project is to conserve groundwater and increase water from surface water sources. Under the project, 20 MW Eco-Friendly solar power system would also be installed. 92,000 house connections (based on water meters) would be provided under the DREAMS project. Through Dreams, WASA Rawalpindi’s revenue collection would also increase by Rs 100 million per month. In the Dreams project, water would be supplied to the citizens as per the standards of the World Health Organization, he was told.



The Commissioner on the occasion said that the work on the Dreams project was started last month and the physical progress so far is five percent. He said that the project was launched to meet water requirements of Rawalpindi city.



He directed the authorities to ensure transparency and quality of construction work. He said that the project should be completed within stipulated time frame.