
Support price for wheat: LHC reserves verdict on KBP's plea
Earlier, the KBP president's counsel pleaded that the government had yet to announce a minimum support price for wheat, causing significant financial hardship for farmers. The petitioner's counsel argued that nearly 70 per cent of the country's population was directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture, making its development vital for national food security. He stated that last year, the government procured wheat at Rs 4000 per 40 kg from select regions. However, this year, due to a delay in policy announcement, wheat was sold in the market at Rs 2200 per 40 kg which was far below production cost.
The counsel said the inefficiency of the government caused financial losses to farmers.
The counsel argued that the delay effectively left the farmers at the mercy of private flour mill owners which could lead to exploitation and economic crisis for the agricultural community.
He further contended that by not fixing the price, the government failed in its duty to protect the interests of farmers who are already burdened by rising costs and uncertain market conditions.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Express Tribune
7 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Imran involved in May 9 conspiracy, rules LHC
Listen to article The Lahore High Court (LHC) ruled on Thursday that former prime minister Imran Khan was involved in a conspiracy behind the violent events of May 9, 2023, citing testimonies from two police officials. The court dismissed Imran's post-arrest bail petition, noting sufficient grounds for criminal conspiracy and abetment. According to the detailed order, statements by Inspector Ismat Kamal and Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Hassan Afzal place Imran as the one who perpetrated meetings held on May 4 at Chakri Rest Area, Rawalpindi, and on May 7 and 9 in Lahore. The court said this undermines the argument that Imran was in jail during the violence on May 9. 'These statements attract the provisions of Section 120-B and Section 121-A of the Pakistan Penal Code,' reads the judgment. Both sections deal with criminal conspiracy and abetment of mutiny, which carry serious legal consequences. Read: LHC rejects Imran's bail in eight May 9 cases During the hearing, the court observed that Imran's prior conviction in the Al-Qadir Trust case was uncontested. It also said that his alleged statements and actions had led to the loss of lives and damage to state property. The prosecution submitted audio and video clips, including transcripts prepared by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), which require forensic examination. The authorities had obtained court permission to conduct photogrammetry, polygraph and voice-matching tests within jail premises. However, investigators reported that Imran repeatedly refused to cooperate, hindering progress. The court concluded that the charges fall under the prohibitory clause of Section 497 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), which bars bail in serious offences. It found no new circumstances to justify further inquiry or release on bail. 'In collective consideration of the are not inclined to grant post-arrest bail to the petitioner,' the court stated, dismissing the petition outright.


Business Recorder
15 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Crypto mining, other sectors: IMF rejects Pakistan's subsidised power tariffs proposal
ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has rejected Pakistan's proposal to offer subsidised electricity tariffs to crypto mining and certain industrial sectors, warning that such moves would create new complications in the already strained power sector. Testifying before the Senate Standing Committee on Power, chaired by Senator Mohsin Aziz, Secretary Power Dr Fakhray Alam Irfan stated that all major power sector initiatives must be cleared by the IMF. He noted that although Pakistan has surplus electricity, particularly in winter months, the IMF is cautious about any pricing mechanisms that could distort the market. In September 2024, the Power Division proposed a six-month incremental consumption package (October–March) at marginal cost (Rs 23/kWh), based on last year's usage. However, after two months of discussion, the IMF only approved a three-month version, citing potential market distortions. The curious case of Bitcoin mining in Pakistan In a subsequent plan shared in November 2024, the Power Division suggested a targeted marginal cost-based package (Rs 22–23/kWh) for energy-intensive industries such as copper and aluminium melting, data centers, and crypto mining, arguing it would boost consumption of surplus electricity and reduce capacity charges. Still, the IMF rejected the proposal, stating it resembled sector-specific tax holidays that have historically created imbalances. 'As of now, the IMF has not agreed,' Dr Irfan confirmed, adding that the plan is also under review by the World Bank and other development partners. He emphasised that the government has not withdrawn the proposal and remains engaged with international institutions to refine it. During the session, a heated debate also emerged on the government's recent agreement with scheduled banks to reduce the circular debt stock of Rs 1.275 trillion. Senator Shibli Faraz criticised the deal, stating that banks were 'forced at gunpoint' to offer the loans. 'If I were a banker, I would have refused,' he said, warning that the burden would fall on consumers through future levies. Secretary Power rebutted this claim, clarifying that no new levies have been imposed. He stated that the existing Debt Servicing Surcharge (DSS) of Rs 3.23/kWh will continue for the next five to six years to recover the amount. He also highlighted that circular debt inflows have been reduced through timely subsidy injections. On consumer facilitation, Dr Irfan reported that over 500,000 people have downloaded the 'Apna Meter Apni Reading' app, allowing users to upload photos of their meter readings to potentially reduce inflated billing. He said the app will soon be extended to K-Electric (KE) users. The committee also expressed displeasure over the absence of the Federal Minister for Power, who was expected to answer questions on Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and sectoral inefficiencies. Senator Mohsin Aziz said the establishment of certain IPPs was an injustice and questioned why excess profits have not been recovered. Senator Shibli Faraz alleged that inflated project costs were used to justify higher returns, adding that no real steps have been taken to curb the circular debt crisis. 'The public is bearing the burden of government inefficiencies,' he said. Senators raised concerns about forced load shedding, especially in areas like Tharparkar, Matiari, and Umerkot, where daily outages last up to 14 hours, despite consumers paying their bills. Senator Poojo Bheel accused local officials of corruption, claiming they take bribes for illegal connections and restore disconnected supplies for a 'fee'. He emphasised that even paying customers are facing denial of their rights due to systemic failure. In response, Dr Irfan explained that revenue-based load shedding occurs in areas with losses exceeding 20%, citing a tragic case where a SEPCO employee was fatally stabbed during a disconnection drive. KE's Chief Distribution Officer Sadia Dada said that out of 2,100 feeders, about 30% face load shedding due to high electricity theft, often through Kundas (illegal hooks) in informal settlements. She said consumer bills are now offered in instalments to ease payment difficulties. Dr Irfan stated that 58% of consumers fall under the 'protected' category, paying Rs 10 per unit. With the approval of international partners, the government will allocate Rs 250 billion in subsidies, while also rolling out more tech-based solutions for theft control. So far, 500,000 people have downloaded the meter reading app, with 250,000 registered users. Senator Haji Hidayatullah raised an over-billing case involving a Rs 2.3 million charge on a property in Peshawar that had already been cleared by PESCO. He claimed PESCO officials offered to settle the bill for Rs 300,000, calling it blatant corruption. The Secretary Power assured that the matter will be investigated. The CEO of HAZECO also briefed the committee on issues in Sub-Division Lora Chowk, including estimated billing, feeder faults, and pending ELR work under release numbers 46241, 51911, and 51910. Following extensive deliberations, the committee expressed displeasure at the Power Division's repeated deflection of questions and directed the department to submit comprehensive answers at the next meeting. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025


Express Tribune
20 hours ago
- Express Tribune
PM lauds KSA's role in truce with India
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday appreciated the efforts by Saudi Arabia for peace in the Middle East as well as its significant role in the ceasefire understanding between Pakistan and India. The prime minister said this in a meeting with Ambassador of Saudi Arabia in Islamabad Nawaf bin Saeed Al Malkiy, while fondly recalling his warm and cordial telephone conversation with the Saudi Crown Prince on June 24 to discuss the regional situation. He conveyed his respectful regards to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohamed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The prime minister told the ambassador that as Pakistan had assumed the rotating Presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of July, it would count on Saudi Arabia's support to ensure that its tenure was conducted smoothly and successfully. The Saudi ambassador thanked the prime minister for Pakistan's role in peace and stability in the region. FBR Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday applauded the Ministry of Finance and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for achieving a historic 42% increase in federal tax revenues during the fiscal year 2024-25 - the highest surge in the past decade. The prime minister chaired a high-level weekly review meeting on the digitization and reform agenda of the FBR, whereas during the briefing, it was revealed that reforms and enforcement of new tax laws enabled the government to collect an additional Rs 865 billion in revenues compared to the previous year, an eightfold increase.