فیچرڈ

  Lahore: Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari has said that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is fully aware of why the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) harbors resentment toward Punjab, adding that the province’s rapid development has become difficult for its political opponents to accept. Responding to recent statements made by PPP spokespersons in Lahore, Bukhari said that the Punjab government is utilizing public funds for the welfare and development of the people of Punjab, which, according to her, is the real source of the PPP’s criticism. She remarked that the “Nawabs of Larkana” are unable to digest the fact that Punjab’s resources are being spent on improving the lives of its citizens. The Punjab information minister also addressed PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, urging him to refrain from promoting what she described as politics of hatred and division. She said that as the chairman of a major political party, Bilawal should be mindful of the responsibilities associated with his position and avoid making statements that could deepen political polarization. Bukhari questioned why PPP representatives from Sindh rarely highlight the performance of their own provincial government. Instead of criticizing Punjab, she suggested, they should focus on informing the public about the achievements and governance record of the Sindh administration, which has remained under PPP leadership for several years. Highlighting the performance of the Punjab government, Bukhari said that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has ensured that development projects and public resources are distributed across the province without discrimination. According to her, the government has extended development initiatives from Attock in northern Punjab to Rahim Yar Khan in the south, and from Rawalpindi to Vehari, ensuring that all regions benefit equally from provincial resources. She stated that the current administration is committed to improving public services, infrastructure, and the overall quality of life for people across Punjab. Bukhari added that those who are envious of Punjab’s progress and prosperity would continue to criticize, but such criticism would not hinder the government’s commitment to development.   Referring to the PPP’s political standing in Punjab, Bukhari claimed that the party currently ranks fourth in terms of public support in the province. She said this was not the fault of the PML-N but rather a reflection of the people’s confidence in the performance of the provincial government. According to her, Punjab’s residents continue to express satisfaction with the governance and development initiatives undertaken by the PML-N administration. In her remarks, Bukhari also referred to Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, saying that when he visited Lahore to learn from the city’s governance and development model, the Punjab government welcomed him openly. She added that the same level of development, progress, and prosperity witnessed in Punjab should also be achieved in Sindh for the benefit of its people. The minister concluded by reaffirming that the Punjab government remains focused on serving the public through transparent governance and equitable development. She maintained that political criticism would not distract the administration from its objective of ensuring sustained progress and improving living standards throughout the province.

  Karachi: Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon announced that the Sindh Cabinet has approved an increase in the conveyance allowance for provincial government employees. The revised allowance will apply to employees in Grades 1 to 16, providing financial relief in light of rising transportation costs. Addressing a press conference following the Sindh Cabinet meeting, Memon said the cabinet had taken several important decisions covering governance, public welfare, economic development, and disaster preparedness. He stated that the meeting approved a six-month extension of the health insurance program for employees working at the Governor House and Chief Minister House to ensure continued access to medical facilities. The provincial minister further announced the establishment of multiple task forces to strengthen governance in key sectors. According to him, specialized task forces have been formed to focus on the economy, investment, finance, and water resources. In addition, the cabinet approved the creation of dedicated task forces on climate change and artificial intelligence to address emerging challenges and explore opportunities for technological and environmental development in the province. Memon also revealed that the Sindh Cabinet has approved a strict crackdown against the production, sale, and distribution of gutka and mainpuri, both of which are widely consumed forms of smokeless tobacco. He said the Department of Narcotics Control would be responsible for taking legal action against those involved in the illegal trade of these products. He added that the provincial government is also working on new legislation to further strengthen enforcement and curb the menace of hazardous tobacco products. Speaking about the agriculture sector, Memon emphasized that the Sindh government does not want farmers to suffer losses. He claimed that existing laws prohibit restrictions on the transportation of wheat, but alleged that Punjab has blocked the movement of wheat by sealing border points. He condemned the restrictions, arguing that they were negatively affecting the free movement of agricultural produce. He further stated that this year’s wheat harvest had been exceptionally good but acknowledged that some individuals in Sindh had engaged in wheat hoarding. To stabilize wheat supplies and discourage hoarding, Memon announced that the Sindh government plans to import 500,000 metric tons of wheat. He added that the province would also purchase wheat from the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO). According to him, these measures would ensure sufficient wheat availability in the market while causing significant financial losses to those involved in hoarding. The minister also announced plans to establish a 400-acre truck terminal on Karachi’s Northern Bypass. He said the project would improve transport infrastructure, facilitate logistics operations, and help reduce traffic congestion within the city.   Highlighting preparations for the ongoing monsoon season, Memon said that all relevant provincial departments and emergency response agencies had been placed on high alert. Referring to recent heavy rains across the country, he expressed concern over the loss of lives in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, claiming that these incidents had not received adequate attention in sections of the media. He stated that both urban and rural areas of Punjab had been severely affected by heavy rainfall and that widespread destruction had occurred across the country due to the ongoing monsoon. According to Memon, 17 people lost their lives in rain-related incidents in Punjab, while 20 people were killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Commenting on the ongoing elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Memon alleged that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was violating the election code of conduct during the electoral process. He urged all political parties to respect democratic principles and ensure that the elections are conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner.

  Islamabad: A meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) revealed a major financial irregularity involving the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO), where more than Rs1.06 billion was allegedly embezzled through the payment of salaries to ghost employees and retired staff. The disclosure was made during the committee’s review of an audit report highlighting serious financial mismanagement within the power distribution company. According to the audit findings, salaries continued to be issued in the names of non-existent employees as well as individuals who had already retired from service, resulting in a massive loss to the national exchequer. The audit report stated that the alleged embezzlement was carried out through the collusion of officials from HESCO’s Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) office, Executive Engineer (XEN) office, and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) office. The report indicated that weaknesses in internal financial controls and payroll monitoring allowed the irregular payments to continue for an extended period without detection. During the PAC meeting, members expressed serious concern over the scale of the fraud and questioned how such a significant amount of public money could be misappropriated without timely intervention. The committee emphasized the need for stronger financial oversight, transparent payroll management, and strict accountability to prevent similar incidents in the future. Responding to the audit observations, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of HESCO informed the committee that disciplinary action had already been taken against officials found responsible for the irregularities. According to the CEO, four employees have been dismissed from service, including three accounts officers and one finance officer. He stated that the company has adopted a zero-tolerance policy toward corruption and financial misconduct and is cooperating fully with the relevant authorities. Officials from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) also briefed the committee on the progress of the criminal investigation. They informed lawmakers that five criminal cases had been registered in connection with the fraud. According to the FIA, more than 130 individuals were allegedly involved in the scam, either directly or indirectly, making it one of the largest payroll fraud cases uncovered in a public sector utility. Despite the registration of multiple cases, the FIA reported that only Rs130 million has been recovered so far, a small portion of the total amount allegedly embezzled. Investigators said efforts are continuing to trace the remaining funds, identify all those responsible, and recover the outstanding amount through legal proceedings. The PAC directed the relevant authorities to expedite the investigation and ensure that all individuals involved are brought to justice, regardless of their position or influence. Committee members stressed that those responsible for the misuse of public funds must be held accountable to restore public confidence in government institutions. The revelations have once again highlighted the need for comprehensive reforms in payroll management, financial auditing, and internal accountability mechanisms within state-owned organizations. The committee reiterated that transparent governance and effective oversight are essential to preventing corruption and safeguarding public resources from financial abuse.

LAHORE: Preparations for the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) workers’ convention at Greater Iqbal Park were halted on Friday after the Lahore district administration said the party had not secured formal written permission to hold the event. The party had already set up a stage and made extensive arrangements for the convention, which is scheduled for July 25. The gathering was also expected to be followed by celebrations marking President Asif Ali Zardari’s birthday on July 26. District authorities questioned the use of the public venue without official approval and asked the PPP leadership to explain why preparations had begun before the necessary permission was obtained. Lahore PPP President Faisal Mir insisted the party had moved forward after receiving verbal assurances that there was no objection to the event from the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office. According to him, the preparations were launched in good faith based on those assurances, but officials later intervened and stopped the work. Mir criticized the administration’s actions, claiming access to the venue had been restricted and vehicles carrying chairs and other equipment had been prevented from reaching the site. He maintained that the party remained committed to holding the convention peacefully and said he was prepared to face arrest if necessary. The Chief Minister’s Office did not comment on claims that approval had been communicated through the chief minister’s principal secretary. PPP leaders also shared videos on social media showing workers at the venue, along with the stage and seating arrangements prepared for the convention, reaffirming the party’s determination to proceed with the event. Party sources acknowledged that written permission had not been obtained but argued that verbal approval was sufficient to begin preparations. They added that local police had been informed in advance about the gathering. The convention was expected to feature a large stage, with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari scheduled to address workers via video link. Senior party leaders, including Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Hassan Murtaza, and Qamar Zaman Kaira, were also expected to attend. Officials indicated that permission could still be granted if the required formalities were completed. However, they noted that approving the PPP event without following standard procedures could complicate decisions on similar requests from other political parties, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which has sought permission for a public gathering in Lahore next month.

Peshawar: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has changed the venue for its August 5 public rally, with party leaders announcing that the gathering will now take place at an open ground near the Peshawar Motorway instead of the previously planned location. The decision was made during a PTI parliamentary party meeting held at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar. The meeting was chaired by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sualeh Afridi and attended by members of the National Assembly and the Provincial Assembly. Addressing the meeting, Afridi said preparations for the rally were in full swing and responsibilities had been assigned to party lawmakers to ensure the event’s success. He described the August 5 rally as a “semi-final” and a decisive gathering, saying the party would present its future political strategy to the public. According to the chief minister, the venue was shifted to an open ground near the Peshawar Motorway to improve public access and accommodate a larger number of participants. Afridi also reviewed the party’s political efforts since October 15, 2025, stating that PTI had pursued constitutional and legal avenues to resolve political issues through dialogue. He said the party leadership had sought meetings with PTI founder Imran Khan through legal channels, including approaching the Islamabad High Court and the Supreme Court, but those efforts had not produced the desired outcome. He reiterated that PTI remained committed to peaceful political activity and maintained that peaceful protest was the party’s final constitutional option. Afridi also called for better access to Imran Khan by his family, sisters, and personal doctors, while urging authorities to ensure he receives appropriate medical care. The meeting, however, was not without internal disagreements. According to party sources, several lawmakers expressed concerns over the timing of the rally and suggested holding a workers’ convention before launching the movement. Some members argued that the main protest should be organized in Punjab rather than Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to increase political pressure on the federal government. The reported differences led to a heated exchange during the meeting, with some dissatisfied lawmakers leaving before it concluded. Party sources said the chief minister assured members that their concerns would be addressed. The August 5 rally is expected to be one of PTI’s most significant political events in recent months as the party seeks to outline its next phase of political action.