
PM directs Naqvi to launch Gwadar Safe City project
In a meeting with the prime minister, he briefed him on the new policy devised for the devotees visiting holy sites in Iran and Iraq.
Iran eases visa rules for Pakistani Zaireen
The prime minister, on the occasion, directed the minister for aviation to arrange special flights for the devotees.
The minister also briefed PM Shehbaz on the law and order situation in Balochistan.

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Express Tribune
7 hours ago
- Express Tribune
PM: Trump's remarks reopen Modi's wounds
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday that every time US President Donald Trump talks about stopping the Pakistan-India war, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "wounds are reopened". "US President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that we stopped the war. When the US president says that we stopped the Pakistan-India war, Modi's wounds are reopened," he said while inaugurating Pak Business Express and newly upgraded passenger facilities at the Lahore Railway Station. During his address, PM Shehbaz also paid tribute to Pakistan's Armed Forces for their resilience in the four-day conflict with India, which he described as "short but highly dangerous." He praised the military's technical superiority, the Air Force's internal innovations, and the Army's use of Al Fatah missiles. "India believed Pakistan could only rely on nuclear deterrence, but conventional warfare supremacy has shattered that myth," he said, reaffirming his commitment to the nation's security. He added that our nuclear assets are guarantors of national security, and the enemy does not dare to look at us with an evil eye. The premier further noted that Pakistan and China were moving forward on new avenues of development, with full coordination underway for the second phase of the CPEC. He emphasized that bilateral ties between the two countries were stronger than ever and continued to serve as a cornerstone for regional growth and cooperation. He added that efforts were also underway to rebuild and strengthen relations with the United States. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the premier expressed delight over the visible transformation of the historic railway station, which he visited after a long interval. "From a warm welcome to well-mannered receptionists, renovated CIP lounges, upgraded passenger waiting rooms, and a fully refurbished train with modern European-style dining and sleeper berths, the change is truly gratifying," he said. Losses decline The prime minister termed the substantial decline in power distribution companies' (Discos) losses as a highly encouraging development and the first of its kind in decades. He chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Energy at the PM House, a Prime Minister's Office news release said. The premier stated that this financial improvement would greatly facilitate the privatization of these power companies. "The reduction in losses marks a turning point for the energy sector, making the road to privatization smoother and more realistic," he remarked. According to a briefing by the Power Division, total losses in power distribution companies have decreased by Rs193 billion, with an overall improvement of Rs242 billion reported. IGC Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reiterated government's strong commitment to implementing the decisions taken during the Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) and stressed the importance of the timely follow-up to translate the agreements into tangible outcomes. The move came as a high-level delegation from the Kyrgyz Republic led by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Edil Baisalov called on the premier in the federal capital.


Express Tribune
8 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Pakistan set to dispatch aid to Gaza
Pakistan is set to dispatch 200 tons of humanitarian assistance for Palestinians via chartered cargo flights routed through Jordan and Egypt, following directives from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The prime minister has assigned Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, Chairman of the NDMA, to arrange two chartered aircrafteach carrying 100 tons of essential supplieswithin the next two days. The aid includes urgently needed rations and sustenance items for communities in distress. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, alongside senior NDMA officials, will oversee the departure of the flights from Islamabad.


Business Recorder
9 hours ago
- Business Recorder
PM told: DISCOs slash losses by Rs193bn
ISLAMABAD: In a rare breakthrough for the country's beleaguered power sector, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was informed on Tuesday that power distribution companies (DISCOs) had slashed their losses by a staggering Rs193 billion – marking a game-changing improvement of Rs242 billion in their financial health. While chairing a high-level meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Energy, the prime minister described the turnaround as 'extremely encouraging,' calling it the first meaningful dent in the decades-long inefficiencies that have plagued the sector. He emphasised that the reduction in DISCOs' losses would facilitate the much-delayed privatisation of power distribution companies. The committee was briefed on key developments, including the approval of critical amendments to the National Electricity Plan – Strategic Directive 87. Privatisation of Discos: NA panel raises objection to selection criteria The Power Division officials said that under these amendments, wheeling charges were set at Rs12.55 per kilowatt, and competitive bidding prices were incorporated into the framework. Furthermore, the committee was informed that the Independent System and Market Operator (ISMO) had been officially operationalised, and market operations departments were established within the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) and various DISCOs – signalling a shift towards a more robust, market-driven power sector. The prime minister commended Federal Minister for Power Awais Leghari, Federal Secretary Dr Muhammad Fakhar Alam, and their teams for their 'outstanding performance' amid tough reforms. He also directed that letters of appreciation be sent to the chief executive officers (CEOs) of power distribution companies that had shown remarkable progress. During the briefing, Power Division officials singled out Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) and Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO) for their standout performance in reducing losses. However, the meeting was also informed that the mounting circular debt had reached Rs780 billion – a glaring challenge that continues to haunt the power sector. Notably, a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office did not elaborate further on what was discussed regarding the circular debt issue – leaving one of the sector's most pressing crises conspicuously unaddressed in official communication. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025