Day: January 13, 2025

Islamabad: The session of the National Assembly will begin at the parliament house in Islamabad today at five in the evening. Members are expected to gather to discuss issues of national importance alongside conducting legislative business.

According to Radio Pakistan, the agenda for today’s session includes deliberations on pressing national matters. Legislative activities will also be a key focus, as lawmakers aim to address and resolve various issues impacting the country. The session marks an important moment for dialogue and decision-making within the National Assembly.

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the authorities concerned to complete the ongoing low-cost housing projects at the earliest. He issued these directives while chairing a review meeting of the projects being carried out by the Ministry of Housing and Works in Islamabad today.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister also emphasized collaboration with the private sector to enhance investment in the housing projects. He instructed to ensure validation by a third party for Federal government housing projects. Shehbaz Sharif stated that construction companies with an international reputation should be selected for projects aimed at government employees and the public. He insisted on a transparent and merit-based selection process for these construction projects.

The Prime Minister further instructed that all construction projects should be completed within their stipulated timelines. The meeting also discussed the dissolution of the Pakistan Public Works Department (PWD) and other dysfunctional institutions. The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction over the reduction in corruption due to these dissolutions and welcomed the digitization of the housing allotment system for government employees.

He reassured that every possible measure will be taken to provide low-cost accommodation to every citizen of Pakistan. Reforms are underway to curb corruption in projects designed to provide affordable housing. The Prime Minister also requested a comprehensive plan from the Ministry of Housing to provide international standard facilities to the public and directed the formulation and approval of the National Housing Policy by March.

Shehbaz Sharif highlighted that Pakistan’s global image has been restored due to governmental efforts, with the country now hosting international cricket, other sports, and international conferences. He directed the concerned authorities to construct international standard hotels, hospitals, and establish other facilities for international guests.

Islamabad: Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva, called on Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch in Islamabad today. During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on developments in Afghanistan and the international community’s efforts to address the country’s humanitarian challenges.

According to Radio Pakistan, the discussions focused on the ongoing humanitarian issues in Afghanistan and the role of international organizations in providing relief and support. Both representatives emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts to tackle the challenges faced by the Afghan population. They also explored ways to enhance collaboration between the United Nations and regional partners to improve the situation on the ground.

Balochistan: In Balochistan, the security forces have killed twenty-seven terrorists during an intelligence-based operation in Kacchi District.

According to Radio Pakistan, the killed terrorists were involved in numerous terrorist activities against the security forces as well as innocent civilians and were highly wanted by the law enforcement agencies.

The ISPR said during the conduct of operation, own troops stealthily surrounded and effectively engaged the terrorists’ location, and after an intense fire exchange, twenty seven terrorists were sent to hell.

Multiple hideouts, including caches of arms, ammunition, and explosives, were also destroyed during the operation.

The security forces of Pakistan, in step with the nation, remain determined to thwart attempts at sabotaging peace, stability, and progress of Balochistan.

Islamabad: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have signed the annual Hajj agreement for 2025, aiming to provide optimal facilities for Pakistani pilgrims.

According to Radio Pakistan, the agreement was signed by the Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, and the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan al-Rabiah.

Under the new agreement, a total of 179,210 Pakistani pilgrims will be able to perform Hajj. The agreement also includes provisions for offering special accommodations in Mina at reduced rates to enhance the experience for Pakistani pilgrims.

During the signing, Saudi Minister Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan al-Rabiah assured that all possible support would be extended to ensure better facilities for the pilgrims from Pakistan.

Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif says significant progress has been made in the last few months regarding digitization and reforms in the Federal Board of Revenue.

According to Radio Pakistan, during a meeting in Islamabad focused on FBR matters, Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the introduction of the Faceless Customs Assessment System, a first in the customs process, aimed at reducing human intervention. This system marks a milestone in the FBR’s digitization efforts.

The Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication and the Federal Board of Revenue to collaborate to enhance the system further. He emphasized the need to incorporate artificial intelligence to minimize human involvement. Additionally, Shehbaz Sharif urged for the expansion of the Faceless Customs Assessment System to cities beyond Karachi to ensure nationwide benefits.

The meeting also covered the development of a comprehensive strategy for implementing a track and trace system across various industrial sectors. Officials briefed attendees about recent FBR reforms, stating that the faceless customs system will be fully functional at all Karachi Port terminals by the end of the next month. Nationwide implementation is underway, with a central control room being set up for system monitoring.

Additional measures, such as installing mobile signal jammers and CCTV cameras at all terminals, are being taken to increase system transparency. The meeting also reported on the initiation of a transparent recruitment process for the new customs system and the track and trace system’s implementation in tobacco, fertilizers, sugar, and cement industries.

The meeting revealed that the track and trace system has led to increased revenue from these industries in the fiscal year 2023-2024 compared to the previous year. Under the Prime Minister’s directive, the upgradation of the web-based One Customs has begun, with design completion expected by the end of March.