Day: June 14, 2025

Lahore: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated that providing the youth with quality education, skills, and employment opportunities remains one of the government’s top priorities. He made these remarks during a meeting with Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, who called on him in Lahore on Saturday.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister emphasized that the youth of Pakistan are a valuable asset to the nation. He highlighted the critical role of young people in the country’s progress and development. The Prime Minister directed the launch of additional initiatives to build the capacity of the youth and ensure their active participation in national development efforts.

He stressed that training in modern skills and technologies aligned with current global demands is essential to empower the younger generation. Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan briefed the Prime Minister in detail about various ongoing initiatives under the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme focused on youth welfare and empowerment.

ISLAMABAD: Partly cloudy weather with duststorm-rain and thundershowers, including a few hailstorms, is anticipated at isolated locations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Northeast Balochistan, Punjab, Islamabad, Kashmir, and Gilgit Baltistan over the next twelve hours. Conversely, very hot and dry conditions with gusty and dust-raising winds are expected in southern parts of the country.

According to Radio Pakistan, the temperatures recorded in major cities this morning were as follows: Islamabad at twenty-seven degrees Celsius, Lahore at thirty-one, Karachi at thirty, Peshawar at twenty-eight, Quetta at nineteen, Gilgit at twenty-three, Murree at twenty, and Muzaffarabad at twenty-four degrees Celsius.

The weather forecast for Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir predicts partly cloudy to cloudy skies with rain and thunderstorms in areas such as Srinagar, Pulwama, Anantnag, Shopian, and Baramula. Leh is expected to have cloudy weather with rain and thunderstorms, while Jammu will experience partly cloudy conditions with potential rain and thunderstorms.

This morning’s temperature readings in these regions were sixteen degrees Celsius in Srinagar, Shopian, and Baramula, thirty degrees in Jammu, seven degrees in Leh, and fifteen degrees in Pulwama and Anantnag.

Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif affirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for Iran amidst recent Israeli aggression. In a telephonic conversation with Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, Sharif condemned Israel’s actions, which he stated were violations of Iran’s sovereignty and international law.

According to Radio Pakistan, Prime Minister Sharif expressed heartfelt condolences for the lives lost in the attacks, reiterating Iran’s right to self-defense as enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter. He highlighted Pakistan’s backing of Iran at an emergency UN Security Council meeting.

Sharif decried Israel’s provocations as threats to regional and global stability and criticized its actions against Palestinians. He urged the international community to address Israel’s aggressive conduct.

President Pezeshkian thanked Sharif for Pakistan’s solidarity, reflecting the close ties between the two nations. In a social media post, Sharif reiterated Iran’s right to self-defense and emphasized the need for international and Ummah unity against such violations.

Brussels: Head of high-level Parliamentary Delegation and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has emphasized the need for comprehensive dialogue between Pakistan and India for resolution of all issues including Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing a news conference in Brussels today, he said the international community should play its role in this regard.

According to Radio Pakistan, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari stressed that there is no military solution to any issue. He also expressed regret over the war mongering rhetoric on the part of Indian leadership.

Gwadar: Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has welcomed the successful berthing of the second Afghan Transit Trade Ship at Gwadar Port. The vessel, carrying 20,000 metric tons of Di-Ammonium Phosphate fertilizer, marks another milestone in enhancing regional trade connectivity.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Minister emphasized that this development is part of sustained efforts to operationalize Gwadar Port as a strategic trade gateway for landlocked Afghanistan. He highlighted that Gwadar’s growing role in transit trade reflects a commitment to enabling smooth access for Afghanistan to international markets.

Islamabad: The National Assembly is continuing its intensive discussion on the Federal Budget for 2025-26. The debate saw participation from a wide array of assembly members, each presenting their stance on various budgetary provisions.

According to Radio Pakistan, Mirza Ikhtiar Baig strongly opposed the increase in withholding tax on markup, labeling it as unjust for individuals with savings accounts. He also criticized the imposition of tax on solar panels, deeming it unfavorable.

Asad Qaiser expressed his disapproval of the proposed sales tax on the merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa starting next year and urged its withdrawal. He further advocated for the determination of a minimum support price for tobacco to aid tobacco growers in the region.

Farooq Sattar called for a reduction in the prices of electricity and gas. Meanwhile, Syed Naveed Qamar suggested a review of the current energy and agriculture policies, emphasizing the need for increased relief to farmers.

Zartaj Gul Wazir highlighted the importance of focusing on allocations for human rights and the empowerment of women and youth in the budget. In contrast, Jamal Shah Kakar praised the budget as constructive, stressing the importance of transparent allocation usage for Balochistan to ensure equitable benefits.

Syeda Shehla Raza recommended that budget funds should be dedicated to enhancing facilities and educational standards at existing universities rather than establishing new ones. She also acknowledged the increase in the tax exemption threshold on cash withdrawals from 50,000 to 75,000 rupees.

Asyia Naz Tanoli commended the government for presenting a balanced budget, contributing to economic stability. Sharmila Faruqui proposed measures to reduce national debt and advocated for more relief for the salaried class.

Jamal Raisani lauded several budgetary proposals, including growth targets, agricultural reforms, and increased defense allocations. He also recommended the establishment of early childhood centers and vocational training programs.

Other participants in the debate included Sana Ullah Khan Mastikhel, Syed Ali Qasim Gillani, Muhammad Aslam Ghumman, Mir Jamal Raisani, Daniyal Chaudhary, Sajid Khan, and Umair Khan Niazi. The House has been adjourned and will reconvene on Monday at 11 am.