Dar urges PSMA to ensure Rs164 per kg price
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar on Friday reaffirmed the government's commitment to actively monitor supply and regulate sugar prices nationwide to ensure market stability and affordability for consumers.
Chairing a meeting on the sugar situation in Pakistan, the deputy PM reviewed compliance with the committee's agreement reached earlier and expressed satisfaction with the downward trend in prices.
He directed Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) to ensure full compliance with the agreement whereby retail prices are at or below Rs164 per kg throughout the country.
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Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
Dar-led body to oversee funding strategies for dams
Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday termed India's unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) as "a blatant violation and act of water aggression" and warned that Pakistan will give a befitting response under the decisions taken in the April 24 National Security Committee (NSC) meeting. Chairing a high-level meeting on water resources at the Prime Minister's House, he vowed that, just as Pakistan achieved victory in the recent war, it would also triumph on the water front. Emphasising the urgency of enhancing water storage, PM Shehbaz Sharif ordered the establishment of a high-powered committee under Deputy PM Ishaq Dar to oversee funding strategies for new dam projects. The committee will include all provincial chief ministers, the Prime Minister of AJK, and relevant federal ministers, and is directed to submit its recommendations within 72 hours. "We will prioritize the construction of non-controversial reservoirs. Wherever there is unanimity, we must act without delay. These dams are not political - they are a national necessity," the Prime Minister said. He made it clear that any project with cross-provincial consensus will be fast-tracked and completed on a priority basis. A detailed briefing was given during the meeting on Pakistan's water infrastructure. Officials informed the participants that the construction of the Diamer-Bhasha dam is underway and expected to be completed by 2032, while the Mohmand dam is likely to be completed by 2027. Currently, Pakistan has 11 dams with a total storage capacity of 15.318 million acre-feet. Under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), 32 small and large dams are under construction, while 79 projects are underway under annual development programs. "This is a battle of justice, and like every battle we have fought with unity, we will defeat India's water aggression with resolve and wisdom," said the prime minister. He emphasised that living nations confront challenges head-on and make strategic, lasting decisions to protect their future generations. PM Shehbaz Sharif said that the Indian threats to weaponise water by attempting to violate the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty are increasing each day. He highlighted that the treaty, a binding international agreement, does not allow any party to unilaterally withdraw, and India's claims are politically and legally hollow. All provincial chief ministers, along with the leadership of AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan, strongly condemned India's water threats and unanimously reaffirmed their support for the federal government's position. The Prime Minister lauded this united stance, calling it "a reflection of our collective national resolve to protect Pakistan's water security". PM Shehbaz also pointed to the serious problem of silting in existing reservoirs like Tarbela and Mangla, which has drastically reduced their water retention capacities. He said bold decisions must be taken now, or history will judge today's leadership harshly. "We owe it to our 240 million people to act decisively. This is not about politics — it's about survival. The future generations must remember this leadership with respect for the choices we make today," he declared. PM Shehbaz congratulated the Finance Minister, Economic Affairs Minister, and relevant secretaries for successfully securing loans from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank despite strong Indian lobbying. "India tried to sabotage our projects at the ADB for three days, but failed. Our diplomatic victory is a testament to Pakistan's principled stand and growing credibility," he noted. Concluding the meeting, the Prime Minister reaffirmed his unwavering belief in the collective strength of Pakistan's national, provincial, and military leadership. "Just as our brave armed forces stood firm in the battlefield, we must now stand united in securing every drop of water for our people," he said. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Field Marshal COAS General Asim Munir, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Power Minister Owais Leghari, Water Resources Minister Muneeb Wattoo, and other key federal cabinet members. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, AJK PM Anwarul Haq, and GB Chief Minister Gulbar Khan were also present, along with senior civil and military officials.
Business Recorder
3 days ago
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ISLAMABAD: With a stern warning that Pakistan won't sit quietly while India plays dirty with a vital lifeline, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday ripped into New Delhi's brazen move to unilaterally suspend the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) – slamming it as a blatant violation and a bold act of water aggression. The prime minister while chairing a high-level meeting focused on water security, warned that any threat to Pakistan's water rights would be addressed through decisions already adopted under National Security Committee (NSC)'s guidelines issued on April 24. 'This is a battle of justice,' he said, urging unity amid escalating regional tensions. 'Like every battle we have fought with unity, we will defeat India's water aggression with resolve and wisdom.' The high-level meeting which was attended by top political and military leadership, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Field Marshal Gen Asim Munir, federal ministers, the chief ministers of all four provinces, the prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), the chief minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, and senior officials from federal and provincial governments. Sharif accused India of weaponising water and emphasised that the 1960 IWT – a binding international agreement – does not permit any party to withdraw unilaterally. He dismissed India's stance as politically and legally hollow. He welcomed the unified front shown by the political leadership of the country, noting it as a reflection of our collective national resolve to protect Pakistan's water security. In response to the crisis, Sharif ordered the immediate establishment of a high-level committee headed by Ishaq Dar. The committee's mandate is to develop funding strategies for new dam projects, with representatives from all provinces, AJK, and relevant federal ministries, and to submit recommendations within 72 hours. 'We will prioritise the construction of non-controversial reservoirs,' he said. 'Wherever there is unanimity, we must act without delay. These dams are not political – they are a national necessity.' He said that the dam projects agreed upon by all provinces will be fast-tracked and given priority. During the session, officials provided a technical briefing on Pakistan's current water storage capacity and infrastructure. The country currently operates 11 dams with a total capacity of 15.318 million acre-feet. Under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), 32 dams are under construction, with 79 additional projects underway through annual development schemes. Among ongoing projects are the Diamer-Bhasha Dam, expected to be completed by 2032, and the Mohmand Dam, scheduled for completion in 2027. Sharif highlighted the challenge of sediment build-up in existing dams such as Tarbela and Mangla, which has diminished their effectiveness. He urged leadership to take decisive action, stressing the responsibility owed to Pakistan's 240 million citizens and warning that future generations will judge them on their choices. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
Shehbaz Sharif orders immediate measures following India's unilateral indus waters treaty suspension
Listen to article Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday condemned India's unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), calling it a 'blatant violation' and an act of 'water aggression' that will receive a resolute response. Chairing a high-level meeting on water security, Sharif warned that any threat to Pakistan's water rights would be met under national security decisions made on April 24. He likened the water dispute to a battle for justice and vowed unity in the face of growing regional tensions. The high-level meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Field Marshal COAS General Syed Asim Munir, federal ministers, chief ministers of all four provinces, Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, and senior federal and provincial officials. 'This is a battle of justice, and like every battle we have fought with unity, we will defeat India's water aggression with resolve and wisdom,' said the prime minister. He emphasised that living nations confront challenges head-on and make strategic, lasting decisions to protect their future generations. Addressing a high-level meeting on water security at the Prime Minister's House, Shehbaz Sharif said India's alleged attempts to weaponise water are intensifying, and stressed that the 1960 treaty, being a binding international agreement, does not allow any signatory to exit unilaterally. He described India's stance as 'politically and legally hollow.' The meeting was marked by a unified political front, with all four provincial chief ministers, the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan jointly rejecting what they termed as Indian threats. The prime minister welcomed this collective response, calling it 'a reflection of our collective national resolve to protect Pakistan's water security.' In response to the situation, the prime minister directed the formation of a high-level committee under Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar. Read more: Modi says Pakistan will not get water from Indian-controlled rivers The body has been tasked with devising funding strategies for new dam projects and includes representation from all provinces, AJK, and relevant federal ministries. The committee has been instructed to present its findings within 72 hours. 'We will prioritise the construction of non-controversial reservoirs. Wherever there is unanimity, we must act without delay. These dams are not political — they are a national necessity,' the Prime Minister said. He made it clear that any project with cross-provincial consensus will be fast-tracked and completed on a priority basis. A technical briefing during the session detailed Pakistan's current water storage capacity and ongoing projects. The Diamer-Bhasha Dam is scheduled for completion in 2032, while the Mohmand Dam is expected to finish by 2027. Also read: Pakistan warns India: don't weaponise water Pakistan currently has 11 operational dams with a cumulative capacity of 15.318 million acre-feet. Under the Public Sector Development Programme, 32 dams are under construction, and 79 other projects are underway through annual development schemes. Highlighting infrastructure challenges, Shehbaz Sharif drew attention to sediment accumulation in existing dams such as Tarbela and Mangla, which has severely reduced their efficiency. He urged the leadership to make bold choices, warning that future generations would judge them for inaction. 'We owe it to our 240 million people to act decisively. This is not about politics — it's about survival. The future generations must remember this leadership with respect for the choices we make today,' he declared. Read: Pakistan will never accept Indian hegemony, says Field Marshal Munir The prime minister also praised the efforts of the finance and economic affairs ministries, as well as key officials, for securing loans from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank. He claimed that Indian lobbying efforts to derail Pakistan's funding plans at the ADB had failed. 'India tried to sabotage our projects at the ADB for three days, but failed. Our diplomatic victory is a testament to Pakistan's principled stand and growing credibility,' he noted. As the meeting concluded, Shehbaz Sharif reiterated confidence in the solidarity of Pakistan's political and military leadership. 'Just as our brave armed forces stood firm in the battlefield, we must now stand united in securing every drop of water for our people,' he said. Among those present at the meeting were Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar; Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir; Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif; Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal; Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar; Information Minister Attaullah Tarar; Power Minister Owais Leghari; Water Resources Minister Muneeb Wattoo; and other senior federal officials. Read: Won't allow India to cross IWT red line: PM Chief Ministers Maryam Nawaz (Punjab), Murad Ali Shah (Sindh), Ali Amin Gandapur (Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa), and Sarfraz Bugti (Balochistan) also participated, along with AJK Prime Minister Anwarul Haq and GB Chief Minister Gulbar Khan.
