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Express Tribune
a day ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
SLIC to introduce lifetime pension product for retired govt employees
Listen to article The State Life Insurance Corporation (SLIC) has decided to introduce a lifetime pension product for all retired government employees. The corporation will also offer its policyholders the largest bonus in its history this year. Additionally, SLIC is collaborating with the Sindh government to improve primary healthcare in the province, with a working group already established for this purpose. This was shared by SLIC CEO Shoaib Javed Hussain during an exclusive interview with Express News on Thursday. Dr Aftab Imam, Executive Director of State Life Insurance, was also present at the meeting. Hussain stated that the draft of the proposed pension scheme would be ready within a month, after which it would be sent to the federal government for approval. He further explained that the scheme would be accessible to individuals aged 70 and above, allowing retired employees to benefit from it. In this regard, the corporation has also acquired the VPS licence from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). The pension scheme is expected to be launched later this year. On another front, SLIC is working with the Sindh government to enhance primary healthcare in the province. A working group, led by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, has been formed to oversee the implementation of healthcare projects in Sindh. Responding to a query, Hussain highlighted the remarkable growth in the corporation's group insurance segment, attributing its success to competitive pricing and superior services. Similarly, the growth of Takaful products has been highly encouraging. Regarding the Health Card Scheme introduced for media workers, Hussain revealed that journalists in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab have been utilising the health cards extensively. However, the use of health cards in Karachi by journalists remains limited. In response, the SLIC, in collaboration with the Karachi Press Club, will launch a dedicated awareness campaign to inform journalists about the benefits of the health card scheme.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Pakistan Railways announces fares discount for Eidul Azha
Listen to article The federal government has announced a significant discount on train fares for the three days of Eidul Azha, as part of its efforts to facilitate travel during the festive season, Express News reported. Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi confirmed the development in a media briefing on Monday, stating that five special trains would be operated for Eidul Azha. "The special trains will be operational for the duration of the holiday to ease transportation for people travelling to their hometowns for the occasion," he said. He also assured that agreements made with the media would be fully honoured. Highlighting the achievements of the Pakistan Railways, Abbasi mentioned that the department had achieved significant milestones in its 77-year history, particularly over the past 11 months. "The performance of Pakistan Railways has been outstanding," he added. Furthermore, Abbasi revealed that Pakistan Railways was generating revenue through its leased properties. "In line with the Prime Minister's vision, Royal Palm will be outsourced, with transparency in the bidding process, and bids will be opened in full public view," the minister stated. Abbasi also announced a Rs1 billion budget allocation for the eight railway hospitals. He stated that efforts were underway to outsource these hospitals, but promised that medical services for railway employees would remain free of charge.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan delegation to meet UN Security Council members today
Listen to article A high-level Pakistani delegation, led by former foreign minister and Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, will meet representatives of all 15 UN Security Council member states, including the five permanent members today, Express News reported. The nine-member parliamentary delegation is currently in New York to hold meetings with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the President of the UN General Assembly, and ambassadors of both permanent and non-permanent members of the Security Council. Read: Bilawal-led delegation in US to brief Pakistan's stance on Indian aggression The visit comes amid renewed tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi, prompting Pakistan to step up its diplomatic outreach on the international stage. Bilawal, accompanied by Senator Sherry Rehman, arrived in New York ahead of the scheduled meetings. The rest of the delegation including Hina Rabbani Khar, Dr Musadik Malik, Khurram Dastgir Khan, Bushra Anjum Butt, Tehmina Janjua, and Jalil Abbas Jilani is expected to arrive in phases. According to sources, the committee headed by Bilawal will meet members of the US administration, Congress, think tanks, and media outlets to brief them on Pakistan's stance regarding the escalating tensions with India. Read More: PM Shehbaz, Field Marshal Munir vow to crush Indian-sponsored terror in Balochistan at grand jirga The delegation aims to highlight what it calls the root causes of potential Pakistan-India conflict and raise concerns over India's disinformation campaigns and foreign-influenced operations targeting Pakistan. The committee will also meet United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in New York, followed by meetings with senior officials of the Trump administration in Washington. A key focus will be the implications of any disruption to the Indus Waters Treaty and its potential impact on regional security. "The parliamentary team will communicate how India's provocations and disinformation threaten regional peace," a source familiar with the visit said. Also Read: Pakistan never requested ceasefire: DG ISPR The delegation is expected to remain in the US until June 9, after which it will travel to the United Kingdom and then continue on to various European countries. Prominent members of the delegation include former foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar, former envoy Jalil Abbas Jilani, Khurram Dastgir, and Musadik Malik. After the ceasefire with India, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appointed Bilawal to lead a high-level delegation tasked with presenting 'Pakistan's case for peace' on recent Indian aggression to the international community. The committee will engage with global leaders and institutions to raise awareness about India's actions and Pakistan's concerns regarding the Indus Waters Treaty. The government has also planned to send additional delegations to other countries as part of a broader diplomatic outreach.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Bilawal-led delegation in US to brief Pakistan's stance on Indian aggression
Listen to article A high-level parliamentary delegation led by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has reached United States to represent Pakistan's position on the recent conflict with India, Express News reported on Sunday. The high-level diplomatic visit led by Bilawal, who has also served as the country's foreign minister, comes in the wake of India's escalation following the Pahalgam attack. Both nuclear-armed neighbours experienced heightened military tensions, during which Pakistan shot down six Indian aircraft. A ceasefire was reached following the intervention of US President Donald Trump. According to sources, the committee headed by Bilawal will meet members of the US administration, Congress, think tanks, and media outlets to brief them on Pakistan's stance regarding the escalating tensions with India. The delegation aims to highlight what it calls the root causes of potential Pakistan-India conflict and raise concerns over India's disinformation campaigns and foreign-influenced operations targeting Pakistan. Read: PM Shehbaz, Field Marshal Munir vow to crush Indian-sponsored terror in Balochistan at grand jirga The committee will also meet United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in New York, followed by meetings with senior officials of the Trump administration in Washington. A key focus will be the implications of any disruption to the Indus Waters Treaty and its potential impact on regional security. "The parliamentary team will clearly communicate how India's provocations and disinformation threaten regional peace," a source familiar with the visit said. The delegation is expected to remain in the US until June 9, after which it will travel to the United Kingdom and then continue on to various European countries. Prominent members of the delegation include former foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar, former envoy Jalil Abbas Jilani, Khurram Dastgir, and Musadik Malik. Read More: Pakistan never requested ceasefire: DG ISPR After ceasefire with India, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appointed Bilawal to lead a high-level delegation tasked with presenting 'Pakistan's case for peace' on recent Indian aggression to the international community. The committee will engage with global leaders and institutions to raise awareness about India's actions and Pakistan's concerns regarding the Indus Waters Treaty. The government has also planned to send additional delegations to other countries as part of a broader diplomatic outreach.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan Express derails near Mubarakpur
Listen to article Two bogies of the Karachi-to-Rawalpindi-bound 45-Up Pakistan Express derailed in Bahwalpur district of Punjab early Saturday morning, resulting in the temporary closure of both up and down railway tracks, railway sources confirmed, Express News reported. The derailment occurred at 6:05 AM when the AC Standard bogie — the fourth from the rear — came off the track entirely near Mubarakpur Station. The attached dining car was also affected in the incident. No injuries or fatalities have been reported. A relief train was promptly dispatched from Sama Satta, and rescue efforts are in full swing to clear the track and resume services. Railway officials and emergency teams are on-site, with authorities prioritising passenger safety and the swift restoration of operations. Furthermore, the CEO of Pakistan Railways has sought comprehensive details of railway bridges across the country following the recent collapse of the Khanewal Railway Station bridge. In a communiqué dispatched to all divisional superintendents, the Pakistan Railways administration directed them to provide complete information about the bridges within their respective divisions. The data will be used to initiate a countrywide bridge upgradation programme. Special Eid trains to ease holiday rush On the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan Railways has decided to run five special trains on the occasion of Eidul Azha. Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi has approved the schedule for these special trains, which will run across major cities. According to a PR spokesperson, the first Eid special train will depart from Karachi for Lahore on June 2 at 1:00 pm. The second train will operate from Quetta to Peshawar on June 3 at 10:00 am. On the same day, a third special train will depart from Lahore for Karachi at 5:00 pm. Later that evening, a fourth train will set off from Karachi for Rawalpindi at 8:00 pm, while the fifth and final Eid special train will depart from Karachi Cantt on June 4 at 5:30 pm.
