Thailand Extends Permitted Alcohol Sales Hours To 11am–midnight In Regulatory Update

The federal Ministry of Industries and Production has allowed the export of imported sugar at a lower price, a decision that could cause billions of rupees in losses to the national exchequer, according to ministry sources. Sources said the government has permitted the export of 100,000 tonnes of sugar. However, a decision on exporting 250,000 tonnes of cheaper locally produced sugar has not yet been taken. The sources described the decision to allow the export of only 100,000 tonnes as disappointing. They said the move could create financial losses because the sugar being exported was imported at a comparatively higher cost. The sources further warned that the decision could also affect sugarcane procurement in the country. According to them, sugar mills may face difficulties in purchasing sugarcane from farmers if the current situation persists. Sugar mill owners had already informed the Ministry of Industries and Production about the issue, sources said. They had reportedly warned the ministry that the limited export decision could make it difficult for mills to manage their stocks and purchase the upcoming sugarcane crop from farmers. The government is now facing a challenge in balancing sugar exports, domestic prices, the interests of farmers and the financial impact on the national exchequer. Sources said further decisions regarding the export of locally produced sugar are expected after reviewing the market situation and available stocks.

Bahria Town founder Malik Riaz Hussain has appealed to senior Pakistani officials for intervention over the ongoing actions against his company and family. In a detailed appeal, Riaz raised concerns over the freezing, seizure and auction of Bahria Town properties. He claimed that assets worth around Rs238.6 billion have already been auctioned or taken into possession. He further alleged that some properties are currently facing auction and sale proceedings. According to the appeal, development projects worth approximately Rs372 billion have also been suspended. Riaz expressed concern over what he described as the forced takeover of Bahria Town assets. He alleged that several properties were being sold at prices far below their actual market value. He maintained that legal proceedings related to several properties and other actions are still pending before the relevant courts and forums. Despite this, he alleged that some Bahria Town assets were being taken over and sold before the legal disputes had been fully resolved. The Bahria Town founder also raised concerns over alleged threats against him and members of his family. He claimed that a person accused of threatening him and his family with serious consequences, including death threats, remains free. According to Riaz, an FIR was registered against the alleged individual. He also said that the matter later came before the High Court. However, he claimed that despite the FIR and court intervention, the accused person has not been taken into custody. Riaz urged senior officials to take notice of the situation. He asked them to review the actions being taken against Bahria Town and its properties. He warned that continued freezing, seizure and auction of the company’s assets could have wider economic consequences. The appeal also highlighted the potential impact on ongoing development projects. Riaz claimed that projects worth billions of rupees have been affected by the current situation. He argued that prolonged uncertainty could affect workers, contractors, investors and other parties associated with the projects. Riaz further alleged that the valuation of some assets did not reflect their actual market worth. He claimed that properties were being sold at unusually low prices. He called for the relevant legal procedures to be followed before any further action is taken against the company’s assets. The appeal comes amid ongoing legal and financial disputes involving Bahria Town and its properties. Riaz has asked the authorities to intervene and examine the allegations raised in his appeal.

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Tuesday launched a strong criticism of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), accusing the party of relying on what he described as a “fake mandate” while campaigning for the upcoming Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections. In a statement, Sharjeel Memon said the people of Azad Kashmir had rejected what he called “manufactured political representation” in the past and would make the same decision in the upcoming elections. He expressed confidence that voters would once again support democratic values and reject politics based on disputed electoral mandates. The senior minister alleged that the PML-N had come to power through a questionable electoral process and was now attempting to present itself as a defender of the Kashmiri people. He said a party that, in his view, failed to respect the public’s vote could not claim to protect the democratic rights of others. Sharjeel Memon said the people of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir were fully aware of the country’s political history and would decide their future through the power of the ballot. He maintained that genuine public support could only be earned through transparent elections and good governance. Referring to the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) performance in Gilgit-Baltistan, he said the party had secured the confidence of voters through democratic means. He added that the people of Azad Kashmir would also reject what he described as the politics of a disputed mandate. The Sindh minister also criticised the Punjab government’s performance. He claimed that many residents of Punjab continued to travel to Karachi for advanced medical treatment and better healthcare facilities. He urged the PML-N leadership to focus on addressing public issues instead of criticising political opponents during election campaigns. Sharjeel Memon said the PPP remained committed to constitutional supremacy, democratic principles and respect for the people’s mandate. He added that the party believed in serving the public through practical governance rather than political slogans.