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Turkish firm to begin offshore drilling in Pakista…

ByJustpaste.in

Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik has said Turkish Petroleum will soon begin offshore drilling in Pakistan’s territorial waters, a move he described as a potential boost for foreign investment in the country’s energy sector.

Speaking at a press conference in Lahore on Sunday, Malik said Pakistan currently imports nearly 90% of its energy needs. Domestic oil production stands at around 70,000 barrels per day, while the country’s daily demand is close to 500,000 barrels.

The minister stressed the need to speed up oil and gas exploration within the country to reduce dependence on costly energy imports.

Malik said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir had tasked an international company with developing a comprehensive roadmap for Pakistan’s energy sector. The plan is expected to reach the national leadership in the coming months.

He also said the government had stopped the flow of circular debt and was working to settle outstanding liabilities accumulated under previous governments.

The minister announced that LPG tenders would open on Monday and said the government had also made arrangements to issue new gas connections to consumers.

Malik said Pakistan’s next priority after recent strategic and diplomatic achievements was sustainable economic growth. He described the Makkah defence agreement as a source of national pride and said Pakistan had strengthened its position as a regional security provider.

He added that cooperation among Saudi Arabia’s economic strength, Turkiye’s technological expertise and Pakistan’s defence capabilities could help promote regional stability.

Discussing global energy pressures, Malik said the Iran-US conflict had created major challenges for international energy markets and pushed crude oil and petroleum product prices to unprecedented levels.

Despite the pressure, he said the government maintained uninterrupted fuel supplies across the country and took steps to shield consumers from the full impact of higher international prices.

Malik reiterated that the government would continue efforts to provide maximum relief to the public while working with limited financial resources.

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    SC transfers NAB cases to Constitutional Court

    ByJustpaste.in

    The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ruled that all appeals and bail petitions filed under the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) law will now be heard by the Federal Constitutional Court. The judgment clarifies that the Supreme Court no longer has jurisdiction over these matters following amendments made to the accountability law earlier this year. In its detailed written verdict, the court stated that the legal amendments introduced to the NAB law have transferred the authority to hear appeals and bail applications from the Supreme Court to the Federal Constitutional Court. The judges observed that Sections 32 and 32A of the amended NAB law do not empower the Supreme Court to hear such cases. The ruling further states that all pending NAB appeals and bail petitions currently before the Supreme Court will automatically be treated as transferred to the Federal Constitutional Court under the relevant constitutional provisions. This means future proceedings in accountability cases will be conducted by the newly established constitutional forum. The decision also has significant implications for the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), who had challenged a High Court decision regarding his bail before the Supreme Court. His petition had earlier been returned by the Supreme Court Registrar after procedural objections were raised. Following the latest judgment, his bail application will now be heard by the Federal Constitutional Court. The question of jurisdiction emerged during proceedings in another pending NAB case before the Supreme Court. During the hearing, the bench examined whether the court could continue hearing accountability matters after the recent amendments to the NAB law. The amendments, enacted on March 5, 2026, reassigned the authority to hear NAB appeals and bail petitions to the Federal Constitutional Court through Section 32A of the amended law. The changes were introduced as part of broader judicial and constitutional reforms. The case was heard by a three-member bench headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, with Justice Musarrat Hilali and Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan as members of the bench. During the proceedings, the petitioner’s counsel argued that the Supreme Court should retain the power to hear bail applications in NAB cases. He referred to an earlier post-amendment decision in which the Supreme Court had granted bail in an accountability matter. Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, representing the federal government, argued that all NAB appeals and bail petitions should now be heard exclusively by the Federal Constitutional Court. He maintained that different stages of the same case could not be heard simultaneously by two separate courts, as this would create legal complications and procedural inconsistencies.

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    Sonia Hussyn calls for meaningful freedom in Indep…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Pakistani actress Sonia Hussyn has shared a thought-provoking message on Independence Day, urging people to look beyond the usual celebrations and think about what freedom truly means. The actress took to social media to express her concerns about the way some Pakistanis celebrate Independence Day. Rather than focusing only on flags, decorations and festivities, Hussyn questioned whether a nation can truly protect its rights if its people do not first learn to protect their own dignity, discipline and principles. In her message, the actress asked what a nation can do to protect its rights when its citizens do not know how to remain organized, principled or protect their self-respect. She also criticized the tendency to limit patriotic enthusiasm to free cake, loud celebrations and modified motorcycle silencers. Her comments appeared to be a call for greater responsibility among citizens. The message suggested that patriotism should not be limited to one day of celebration but should be reflected in people’s everyday behavior and choices. Hussyn’s remarks came as Pakistanis across the country prepared to celebrate Independence Day on August 14. Streets, homes and public spaces were decorated with national flags, while people took part in rallies, concerts and other festivities. Social media was also filled with patriotic messages and photographs celebrating the occasion. However, Hussyn encouraged her followers to consider a deeper meaning of independence. Her message focused on discipline, self-respect and responsibility as qualities that can help strengthen society. The actress’s comments quickly attracted attention online. A social media post featuring her message was shared alongside reactions from other Pakistani celebrities who also reflected on the country’s challenges while celebrating Independence Day. (Instagram⁠) Hussyn’s message reflects a broader conversation that often emerges around August 14: whether national pride should be expressed through temporary celebrations or through actions that contribute to society throughout the year. For many people, Independence Day is an opportunity to remember the sacrifices connected to Pakistan’s creation. Hussyn’s words add another perspective, suggesting that maintaining freedom also requires citizens to take responsibility for their communities and their own conduct. Her criticism of noisy celebrations does not necessarily reject patriotism itself. Instead, it highlights the difference between celebrating independence and actively contributing to the country. Simple acts such as following rules, respecting others, maintaining cleanliness and standing up for one’s rights can also become meaningful expressions of patriotism. Ultimately, Sonia Hussyn’s message asks Pakistanis to think beyond the excitement of August 14. Her central point is that a strong nation needs citizens who are disciplined, principled and conscious of their dignity. As Independence Day celebrations continue, her words serve as a reminder that loving one’s country can mean more than displaying a flag. It can also mean helping create a society worthy of the freedom that people celebrate each year.

  • Punjab setting new benchmarks in governance, CM Maryam

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    LAHORE – Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Thursday said the province was setting benchmarks in good governance, development and progress, adding that Punjab had emerged as a leader in every field. Addressing the passing-out parade of Lady Recruit Course-18 at the Police Training College, Chung, the chief minister said Punjab was the only province where women were serving as chief minister, in the police force, and as commissioners and district police officers (DPOs). She said no force in the world could stop the progress and prosperity of a country where 51 per cent of the population actively contributed to national development. CM Punjab said she felt immense pride in the courage and determination displayed by Punjab’s daughters, describing each visit to the training college as an emotional experience. She praised the recruits for successfully completing rigorous training, including handling heavy weapons. Congratulating the families of the recruits, she said the parents deserved equal recognition for encouraging their daughters to serve the nation despite outdated social norms. “As capable as these daughters are, equally remarkable are the parents who sent them to serve the country without caring about obsolete traditions,” she said. She said the graduating batch of 1,156 women was the largest in Punjab’s history, while more than 6,000 women were already serving in the Punjab Police. The chief minister said wearing the police uniform marked the beginning of a great responsibility, which had to be fulfilled with honesty, hardwork and justice. Although she did not wear the uniform herself, she said she remained fully conscious of its dignity and sanctity. She said the government was committed to making Punjab’s cities, roads and streets completely safe for women. Expressing satisfaction over the increasing confidence of women travelling independently on scooters, she said girls going to schools, colleges and workplaces no longer needed anyone’s assistance. “Take out your bike and go, because Punjab is now safe,” she remarked. CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz claimed that the crime rate in Punjab had reached its lowest level in history. Recalling criticism when she assumed office, she said many believed governance and maintaining law and order were not the responsibility of women. “I was also told that this was not women’s work, but today the way Punjab is progressing is being cited as an example around the world,” she said. She urged the recruits not to pay attention to those who questioned their abilities and instead focus on physical fitness, professional competence and career development. She encouraged them to exercise regularly, maintain a balanced diet, and strive for higher positions in the police service. Addressing the Inspector General of Police, she called for paving the way for Punjab’s first female inspector general. “If a woman can become the chief minister, then no position is beyond reach,” she said. The chief minister said the presence of 1,156 newly-trained women officers in the field would help ensure that no woman in Punjab felt unsafe. She directed the recruits to inspire confidence among the public so that citizens felt protected whenever they saw a police officer. Referring to women entering different professions, she said many women now drove taxis independently to earn a respectable livelihood, reflecting improved security conditions in the province. CM Punjab said the Punjab Police had received record and historic investment under her government. She added that unnecessary layers of protocol had been removed and she remained in direct contact with the police force. She said she had worn the police uniform symbolically to restore the dignity and respect of the force. Whenever questions were raised about the police, she added, she had also accepted responsibility for the institution’s shortcomings. “We are one team, and it is because of this unity that Punjab is achieving remarkable progress,” she said. The chief minister said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had established Lahore as a Safe City through a CCTV surveillance system, while the facility was now being expanded to 40 districts across Punjab. She claimed that suspects were now being arrested within two hours and that crime-sensitive districts often went days or even weeks without any major crime being reported. She advised the recruits never to consider themselves inferior to anyone and urged them to continue improving both personally and professionally. Stressing the importance of continuous learning, she said she herself learned something new every day while managing the affairs of the state and encouraged the recruits to adopt modern methods of smart and proactive policing. Concluding her address, CM Punjab once again congratulated the parents and said the ceremony had proved that daughters were a source of pride and honour. She remarked that when a father appreciated his daughter, it became a moment of immense pride for the entire family. Addressing the graduating recruits, she asked, “Daughters of Punjab, are you alert?”

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    Solar boom needs battery storage, grid reforms to sustain momentum

    ByJustpaste.in

    Islamabad: Pakistan’s rapid expansion of solar energy has already generated billions of dollars in savings, but experts and policymakers on Tuesday warned that battery storage, grid modernization and supportive policies are now essential to sustain the country’s clean energy transition. Speaking at the Solar, Storage and Flexibility 2026 Conference, Federal Minister for Power Awais Leghari said Pakistan’s energy mix is already 50% clean and is targeted to reach 90% by 2035. He stressed that local manufacturing of battery storage systems and the introduction of a daytime Time-of-Use (ToU) tariff would be key to integrating growing solar generation into the national grid. Addressing the conference, PPP Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman said solar energy has already saved Pakistan US$12 billion, with another US$6.3 billion in savings expected this year. She said the country now faces an energy management challenge rather than a generation shortfall, calling for major investments in battery storage, smart grids and modern transmission infrastructure. Rehman said one in every five Pakistani households now uses solar energy and urged international climate finance to prioritize distributed renewable energy, battery storage and affordable financing for households and small businesses instead of focusing mainly on large utility-scale projects. She also opposed the proposed 18% GST on solar equipment, saying it would have slowed Pakistan’s clean energy transition, and called for targeted subsidies, microfinance and supportive regulations to expand access to renewable energy, particularly in underserved and off-grid communities. Renewable energy experts noted that Pakistan has installed an estimated 38 gigawatts of distributed solar capacity, while imports of lithium-ion Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) surged 220% in 2025, signalling rapidly growing demand for energy storage. Global renewable energy leaders, including Global Solar Council CEO Sonia Dunlop and Renewable Energy Council Asia Pacific representative John Grimes, described Pakistan’s consumer-led solar revolution as a model for other countries but stressed that a comprehensive battery storage policy and modern electricity grid are now critical to maintaining the momentum.

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    Woman arrested after four men stabbed near Covent …

    ByJustpaste.in

    Police arrested a woman on Wednesday after four men suffered stab wounds during an incident near London’s Covent Garden district, with investigators saying they believe the attack stemmed from a mental health related episode. Officers detained the woman, who is in her forties, on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon and assault. She remains in custody as the investigation continues. Police described the incident as mental health related, though they have not released further details about what led up to the attack. Emergency crews found four men, aged 34, 39, 42 and 52, suffering from stab wounds at the scene. A spokesperson for the London Ambulance Service said paramedics treated all four men on site before transporting them to a nearby trauma centre for further care. Authorities have not yet released updates on the men’s conditions. The stabbings took place on Endell Street, a road situated about a quarter of a mile from Covent Garden square, one of London’s most visited tourist destinations known for its street performers, shops and market stalls. The area typically draws large crowds of visitors and locals throughout the day, and Wednesday’s incident occurred in a part of the city usually associated with heavy foot traffic rather than violent crime. Police have not disclosed whether the woman and the four victims knew each other before the attack, nor have they indicated a specific motive beyond the reference to a mental health related incident. Investigators are continuing to gather evidence at the scene and are expected to provide further updates as the inquiry progresses. London has periodically grappled with knife related violence in public spaces, prompting ongoing debate over policing resources and mental health support services across the city. Incidents involving individuals in psychiatric distress have drawn particular attention from advocacy groups, who argue that stronger community mental health infrastructure could help prevent similar episodes before they escalate into violence.

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    Sindh High Court seeks record in Mustafa Amir murd…

    ByJustpaste.in

    The Sindh High Court has expressed concern over delays in the trial of Mustafa Amir’s murder case. The court has sought the complete case record from the trial court. Mustafa Amir’s mother approached the high court against what she described as slow progress in the case. During the hearing, the court questioned why the proceedings had not moved forward. The court also asked whether Section 302 had been added to the case. The complainant’s lawyer said several cases were pending against suspect Armaghan. He alleged that different delaying tactics were being used to slow the proceedings. According to the lawyer, the defence had given several reasons for the delays. At times, disagreements reportedly occurred between the suspect and his parents. On other occasions, the defence lawyer did not appear in court. The suspect had also expressed a lack of confidence in the trial court. The court questioned why the cases were not proceeding despite the suspect being in jail. It observed that continued delays could keep him behind bars for years if he failed to secure bail. The complainant’s lawyer said the case was highly important. However, he claimed that the proceedings were mainly resulting in new hearing dates. The court said the trial should move forward quickly if the accused was using delaying tactics. It said the trial court and prosecution would be given directions to ensure the case proceeds without unnecessary delays. Justice Abdul Rahman also asked whether a medical board had been formed to conduct a psychological examination of the suspect. The complainant’s lawyer said the board had not yet been constituted. Justice Iqbal Kalhoro asked whether charges had been formally framed in the case. The court also directed the complainant to file an application seeking an early trial. The judges warned that prolonged delays could affect the evidence of witnesses. They said witnesses could forget important details if the proceedings remained pending for a long period. Meanwhile, CIA police have also started investigating the alleged drug-related aspect of the Mustafa Amir murder case. The complainant’s lawyer told the court that an application had already been submitted. He said the relevant material was available in the case diary. The court directed the authorities to submit a report at the next hearing. The report will include details of the case’s progress and the adjournments that have taken place. Speaking outside the Sindh High Court, Mustafa Amir’s mother said the case had been delayed for around one and a half years. She alleged that unnecessary delays were affecting the proceedings.

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