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Inflated electricity bills: Incensed protesters surround IESCO office as demonstrations enter 4th day

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  • IESCO officials call in police for security amid fears of violence.
  • Civil society, traders, farmers, lawyers join protests.
  • Already struggling to make ends meet, protestors decry power hike. 

Hundreds of people surrounded the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) office in Rawalpindi on Monday as protests triggered by inflated electricity bills continued in many parts of the country for the fourth day.

The IESCO officials have called in the police for extra security as protesters shouted slogans against the electric utility company, demanding that the exorbitant charges be reduced or they would not pay their bills.

Incensed citizens already battered by skyrocketing inflation continue to take to the streets protesting against massive hike in electricity tariffs and increased taxes in several cities, including Sargodha, Hafizabad, Vehari, Arifwala, Bahawalnagar, Hyderabad, Gujrat, Multan, Chichawatni,

Mandi Bahauddin, Rajanpur, Muzaffargarh, Pakpattan, Mansehra, Sahiwal, Rawalpindi, Lodhran and Sheikhupura.

Those attending these demonstrations include members of the civil society — both men and women — traders, farmers, and members of the legal and business fraternities.

Hyderabad, today, witnessed a shutter-down strike in various areas of the city, while shops remained closed in Market Tower, Sereghat, Shahi Bazar, Anaj Mandi, Masan Road, and Prince Road. The Chamber of Commerce announced a shutdown in a meeting of business organisations.

A similar situation was witnessed in Mansehra where all business centers across the district, including the city, remained closed.

In other cities, protestors blocked main arteries, leading to traffic jams and disruptions. They held up placards and banners protesting what they term a “cruel” increase in the utility bill.

The power hike comes amid back-breaking inflation and skyrocketing prices which have already left people reeling, unable to make ends meet. 

“It was [already] difficult to afford two square meals a day, now where will we get money for extra electricity bill?” an elderly villager in Sargodha demanded during protests today.

A protestor in Bahawalpur lamented that his family had to sell their animals to pay off the bills last month, while women protesting in Multan asserted that they were already struggling to make ends meet without the additional burden of power tariffs.

Protesters in Muzzafargarh lashed out at the government saying that rocketing electricity bills have destroyed their businesses.

Emergency huddle

An emergency meeting chaired by caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar at the PM House in Islamabad yesterday ended with no concrete outcome on how to address the matter of inflated bills.

The Ministry of Energy (Power Division) officials briefed the premier on the electricity tariffs.

Another round of the huddle is expected later today as the situation worsens. This round will also be attended by provincial chief ministers and officials concerned.

“We will not take any decision in haste, which could damage country’s interest and put the burden on the national exchequer,” he said. 

“While staying within its mandate, the caretaker government will try its best to provide maximum relief in minimum possible time to masses in their powers bills,” promised the caretaker premier in a post on social media.

Meanwhile, political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P), and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have condemned the additional taxes on power bills, calling for protests against the hike.

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Honours From The Families Of The Martyrs: September 1965’s Heroes Are Recalled

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Pakistan marks the anniversary of the day the Pakistani Army defeated an enemy attack and won a major victory on September 6. On this day of defence, the families of the war martyrs from 1965 offered their opinions:

The soldiers’ actions in demolishing enemy tanks with explosives and their bravery in the dark were commended by Shaheed Sepoy Muhammad Haleem’s brother. He gave the 1965 martyrs his respects.

The significance of Defence Day is remembered for the martyrs, as stressed by Shaheed Sepoy Shahid Ahmed’s uncle. The brother of Shaheed Sepoy Aftab Hussain offered gratitude to everyone who has given their life in defence of the nation.

In addition to emphasising the value of encouraging rather than criticising the troops, Shaheed Sepoy Wazir Ahmed’s brother praised the soldiers for foiling the enemy’s schemes.

Javed Ahmed, Shaheed Lance Naik’s cousin, emphasised September 6th’s significance as a day of victory.

In addition to expressing support for the Pakistani Army today, the brother of Shaheed Havaldar Shafiq reiterated their dedication to remembering the dead of September 6, 1965.

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The Finance Minister has pledged to attract foreign investments by creating an environment that is friendly to business.

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In a recent statement, Pakistan’s Minister of Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb reaffirmed the country’s unwavering dedication to luring international investments by preserving an atmosphere that is commercially encouraging.

A group of international investors, led by Amin Mohammad Khowaja, the Chief Executive Officer of J.P. Morgan Pakistan, had visited him in Islamabad. He was speaking with them.

Muhammad Aurangzeb also provided further information regarding the ambitious structural reforms program of the government. This agenda aims to strengthen the general macroeconomic stability by widening the tax base, rightsizing the public sector, promoting privatization, and reforming the energy sector.

The Minister of Finance emphasized the great achievements that Pakistan has made in strengthening its macroeconomic indicators, such as the increase in exports by 14 percent, the decrease in inflation to 9.6 percent, which is the lowest level in 34 months, and an overall decrease in the current account deficit among Pakistan’s economic indicators.

It was also brought to his attention that Pakistan’s sovereign credit ratings had improved, which is indicative of a stable and encouraging economic future. According to him, the rigorous fiscal discipline, inflation management, and favorable balance of payments that the country has are the pillars upon which the country’s economic prosperity.

In addition to expressing confidence regarding the potential for larger investment flows into Pakistan, the delegation praised the efforts that the government has made to establish an atmosphere that is conducive to business.

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Journalists require training. Media professionals who have received training can serve as ambassadors. Tarar

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According to Information Minister Atta Ullah Tarar, journalists must possess sufficient skills in order to serve as ambassadors for the country, particularly in the digital realm, to foster unity among people. This is a pressing requirement at present.

During an event in Islamabad focused on journalist training, Atta Ullah Tarrar, the Minister responsible for combating misinformation, stated his official role.

The Information Minister emphasized the indispensability of technology for achieving prosperity, and in line with this, the Government has implemented Pakistan’s inaugural digital land registry system.

Tarar stated that we have the privilege of initiating Pakistan’s inaugural safe city project.

Regarding verification and authentication, the Information Minister lamented the lack of a method to validate information.

According to the Information Minister, terrorist organizations are utilizing social media platforms. Additionally, the minister highlighted that the country’s economy is delicate, and the dissemination of a single false news item might result in significant economic losses for the nation.

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