CARETAKERS LEAVING, NEW GOVT COMING AFTER FEB 8 POLLS: PM In partnership with
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Monday, 5 February, 2024 I 24 Rajab, 1445
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LAUDS COAS FOR A SWIFT, APPROPRIATE, AND MEASURED RESPONSE TO ATTACK ON PAKISTANI SOIL ISLAMABAD
SAYS HIS CABINET’S LAST MEETING WOULD TAKE UP PRIVATIZATION OF PIA, FWB, AND OTHER ENTITIES
STAFF REPORT
ARETAKER Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar Sunday said the caretaker government would be leaving and the new government would be formed after the elections on February 8, putting all speculations and conspiracy theories to rest. In an interview with a private television, PM Kakar said from day one there was no doubt that the elections would be held on time and now this would be happening in the coming days after all the speculations. The caretaker government performed its duties according to the constitutional mandate and he would take responsibility for all the decisions taken during its tenure, he added. To a question, he said, “Our democracy is evolving and we are a transitional democracy with all its flaws and weaknesses.” Parliament would be formed after the polls and it would take up necessary constitutional and legal reforms to strengthen democracy according to suggestions from different strata of society, he remarked. The prime minister said that terrorism was a serious issue and its surge happened due to withdrawal of the United States and NATO forces from Afghanistan, who left behind modern weapons which came in possession of terrorist groups. “We have taken up a clear position against the terrorist groups and the law enforcement agencies are steadfastly taking on the terrorists with bravery,” he observed. He said that the terror groups who wanted to become part of the mainstream of Pakistan should be given an opportunity to engage for talks.
The prime minister said during his tenure, he represented Pakistan at the United Nations and interacted with the world leaders and explained Pakistan’s perspective to them. He said he also met with the Chinese leadership, policymakers and think tanks at the Belt and Road Forum in China to exchange ideas on achieving shared prosperity for humanity. “We signed 10 memorandums of understanding with China on increasing cooperation, especially on the projects of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).” He appreciated the army chief for the swift, appropriate and measured response in the aftermath of the attack on the Pakistani soil from Iran. Pakistan de-escalated the situation with Iran and now there was realization that both countries could not afford deterioration in
the bilateral relations, he added. To a question, he said his government increased aid to Gaza threefold and with the institutional input, advocated the cause of Palestine from the platform of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The Islamic world should unite behind the people of Palestine and the Palestinians should decide for themselves their future course, he opined. He said Pakistan categorically told the European Union countries that the situation in the Gaza would have a long time effect in the arena of international affairs. He said, “After I assumed charge, the biggest crises before me were economy, rising inflation, volatile exchange rate, tax collection, spending of the government and circular debt.” His government stabilized the economy
Rain lashes Karachi for second day as parts of city still submerged KARACHI
STAFF REPORT
Heavy downpours lashed Karachi for the second day on Sunday as many parts of the port city are still submerged in the rainwater. The areas that experienced heavy to moderate rains for the second day include North Karachi, Superhighway, Bufferzone, Nagan Chowrangi, Saadi Town, North Naziabad, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, New MA Jinnah Road, Nazimabad, I.I. Chundrigar Road, Saddar, Shah Faisal Scheme 33 and other areas Sunday morning. The Met Office said nimbus clouds persisted in central and northern areas of the city, which received rains intermittently. “The series of rains may continue intermittently till evening,” the meteorological department said adding that it was after 40 years that the city was witnessing such rainfall in February. Earlier today, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecast that the weather in Karachi would remain cloudy and various
parts of the metropolis are likely to receive intermittent rain. The current temperature in the metropolis is 19.9 C, whereas winds are blowing at the speed of 8km an hour from northeast, the PMD said. It said the winds are expected to blow at the speed of 20-25 km an hour during the day. The humidity is recorded at 92 % in the metropolis, the Met Office said. Several areas of the city including major arteries are still clogged as rainwater has not been drained from there yet. This includes Qayyumabad Chowrangi, II Chundrigar Road, Burns Road, Arts Council, Korangi Industrial Area Road from Godown Chowrangi to Chamra Chowrangi, Shah Faisal Colony area near Shama Centre. Because of this, people have to take long routes to reach their destinations. Whereas, rainwater has been drained from Safoora Chowrangi, Gurumandir, Hassan Square and Essa Nagri. Several areas experienced hours-long power outages due to heavy rainfall. Electricity supply to Gulistan-e-Johar Block 8 and
Jamshed Road has been suspended since Saturday night. Heavy rain coupled with thunder and lightning Saturday night wreaked havoc in parts of Karachi as rainwater mixed with sewage overflowing from choked lines entered houses and hospitals in the port city. Areas that received downpours included Baldi Town, Orangi Town, North Karachi, Surjani Town, Gulshan-e-Maymar, Korangi, Landhi, DHA, Shah Faisal Colony, Malir, Orangi Town, Bahria Town, Saddar, North Nazimabad, Tower, Liaquatabad and Nazimabad. Following the rain, major arteries in the mega city were submerged with rainwater and commuters were stuck in their vehicles as the city administration had not taken any measures to cope with the rain, despite the PMD’s forecast for heavy rain a day earlier. Parts of the city’s main artery Sharea Faisal were completely submerged with water and scores of cars broke down that further disrupted the traffic movement on Saturday night.
Govt to review privatization plans for two LNG power plants g
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MINISTERIAL GROUP DEEMS PRIVATIZATION OF HAVELI BAHADUR SHAH, BALLOKI POWER PLANTS INAPPROPRIATE PROFIT
MONITORING DESK
The Ministerial Group advised a reconsideration of the privatization of two LNG power plants due to concerns about the current investment climate. The decision to privatize these plants, established during the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s tenure with an LNG contract signed with the government of Qatar, is now under scrutiny. Sources indicate that the apex committee of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) has directed a review of the potential privatization of Haveli Bahadur Shah and Balloki RLNG Power Plants, as reported by Express Tribune. A Ministerial Group was formed following the apex committee’s directions to evaluate the feasibility of privatization. After careful consideration, the Ministerial Group has concluded that the privatization of these two LNG power plants is not advisable at present, citing concerns about the overall investment climate. The group emphasized potential future gains from tariffs, estimated at Rs130.8 billion, and highlighted a clean book payout of Rs264 billion, with the RLNG
power plants already generating a profit of Rs153 billion. Qatar has expressed interest in acquiring these LNG-based power plants. In 2021, the Cabinet Committee on Energy exempted LNG-based power plants from a 66% guaranteed off-take of LNG. The PTI government also contemplated exempting the LNG power plants from the merit order. The power sector’s role in the re-gasified LNG supply chain is crucial, and disruptions in RLNG supply/demand can impact the economic dispatch of power. Lower RLNG supply may lead to operational constraints and system stability issues for the system operator. Exempting RLNG power plants from guaranteed offtake was influenced by private parties, particularly those interested in acquiring these LNG power plants. Currently, Pakistan State Oil (PSO) supplies LNG to SNGPL, which distributes it to the LNG power plants. Privatization of these LNG power plants is anticipated to face challenges, given the circular debt in the power sector and payment issues for electricity supplies. Addressing the concerns of power distribution companies (Discos) is recommended as a crucial step in managing circular debt in the power sector.
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PM Kakar reiterates Pakistan’s unwavering support for Kashmiris freedom struggle
ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has said that India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019 in IIOJK were a blatant violation of international law including the UN Charter, 4th Geneva Convention, and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. “India has since been engaged in efforts to further entrench these illegal measures through a series of steps aim at altering the demographic structure and political landscape of IIOJK,” the prime minister said in a message on the observance of Kashmir Solidarity Day on February 5. He said that the ‘Kashmir Solidarity Day’ was annually observed on the 5th February to express Pakistan’s unwavering support to the Kashmiri people’s just struggle for realization of their right to self-determination. It was also an occasion to pay rich tribute to the sacrifices made by their Kashmiri brothers and sisters during the last seventysix years, he added. The prime minister said that Pakistan had consistently main-
with the crackdown on smuggling and illegal trade of dollars, he told. “We kept dollar at Rs 180 and the level of inflation was kept stable and now the economic indicators are better. We took steps for simplification of tax collection system.” MoUs worth about $35 billion were signed with the United Arab Emirates and
tained that a lasting solution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute was possible only in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people. “Pakistan will continue to extend its unstinted moral, diplomatic and political support for this just cause,” Prime Minister Office Media Wing, in a press release, quoted the prime minister as saying. He further said that the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions provided that the final disposition of Jammu and Kashmir would be made in accordance with the will of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, expressed through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite conducted under the auspices of the United Nations. However, the caretaker prime minister said, over the last seventy-six years, India had carried out a relentless campaign to intimidate and suppress the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). STAFF REPORT
Qatar, he said, adding Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) took concrete measures for attracting investment. He said his government in the last cabinet meeting would take up the privatization of Pakistan International Airlines, the First Women Bank (FWB) and some other state owned entities.