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Express Tribune
31 minutes ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PA unites against NEPRA's Rs50b surcharge
The Sindh Assembly session was held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Panel of Chairperson Nida Khuhro. At the beginning of the session, Fateha was offered for the martyrs of the military who were victims of terrorism in Balochistan and the martyred Palestinians in Gaza, while prayers were also offered for the security and prosperity of the country. During the session, a joint resolution submitted by MQM-P's Aamir Siddiqui, PPP's Heer Soho, and PTI's Shabbir Qureshi was unanimously passed, opposing the Rs50 billion surcharge imposed on Karachi's electricity consumers by NEPRA. The resolution sparked a detailed discussion, with both treasury and opposition members severely criticizing the inefficiency of power distribution companies including K-Electric, HESCO and SEPCO, citing prolonged load shedding and unjustified billing. Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that resolutions have been presented against K-Electric, HESCO, and SEPCO in every session of the assembly, but unfortunately, the authorities of the concerned institutions do not even pay heed to them. Addressing the Sindh Assembly session, Sharjeel Memon said that the Sindh government has initiated the provision of solar systems for citizens living in extreme temperatures reaching 50 degrees Celsius. However, he emphasized that this is not a permanent solution. A long-term and sustainable resolution to the electricity crisis must be found, as this country belongs to all of us. Sharjeel suggested that electricity distribution companies should introduce a prepaid metering system, as it would not only help address consumer complaints but also curb issues such as electricity theft. He emphasized that institutions like K-Electric, HESCO, and SEPCO must adopt an effective mechanism that enables electricity to be provided to consumers on an individual basis. Sharjeel Inam Memon said that once everyone has a prepaid connection, there will be no room for complaints. Opposition Leader Ali Khursheedi stressed the importance of implementing Assembly resolutions, warning that ignoring them undermines the legislature's authority. He called on the federal government and NEPRA to reverse the financial burden placed on the people of Karachi and Sindh. MQM's Aamir Siddiqui denounced NEPRA's July 18 decision as unjust, arguing that industries were relocating to other provinces, and K-Electric was using the pretext of electricity theft to unfairly extract billions from the public. PTI's Shabbir Qureshi proposed raising the base consumption slab for electricity from 200 to 300 units to protect low-income households from excessive charges. PPP lawmakers Heer Soho and Asif Musa also criticized the current policy, highlighting that even a single unit above the threshold triggers steep billing, placing unbearable pressure on poor citizens. PPP MPA Jameel Soomro likened electricity companies to the "East India Company," highlighting the disparity in service between cities like Larkana, suffering 18-hour outages, and cities like Lahore, which enjoy better electricity supply. Khuram Soomro lamented that electricity company officials ignored the Assembly's summons, demanding legislative action against K-Electric and WAPDA for disrespecting the house. MQM's Najam Mirza accused NEPRA of economically exploiting Sindh's urban population, while PTI's Muhammad Owais proposed a law requiring FIRs to be registered against K-Electric managers for exceeding 10 hours of load shedding, which he deemed illegal. After extensive discussion, the resolution was passed unanimously. The session was then adjourned until Friday at 3 PM.
Korea Herald
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Ex-President Yoon snubs questioning by special counsel in probe into ex-first lady
Arrested former President Yoon Suk Yeol did not appear for questioning by a special counsel team Tuesday over an investigation into various allegations surrounding his wife, former first lady Kim Keon Hee. Yoon, who is currently in custody at Seoul Detention Center, south of Seoul, did not show up at special counsel Min Joong-ki's office for his scheduled appearance over allegations of him and his wife meddling in election nominations. Yoon's side has not submitted any opinions about his non-appearance but the former president has rejected questioning by another special counsel team investigating his martial law decree, citing health reasons. In response, Min's team notified Yoon's side for Yoon to appear for questioning at 10 a.m. Wednesday. If Yoon continues to refuse to show up for questioning, the team may consider bringing him in by force. Yoon is suspected of interfering in the nomination of a People Power Party candidate for the 2022 by-elections. He has been accused of securing the party's nomination of former Rep. Kim Young-sun for the 2022 by-elections in return for receiving a free opinion poll from self-proclaimed power broker Myung Tae-kyun ahead of the presidential election that year. The special counsel team has raided the homes and offices of Reps. Yoon Sang-hyun and Lee Jun-seok, who respectively served as the head of the PPP's nomination committee and the party's leader at the time of the 2022 election. Yoon, the PPP lawmaker, reportedly told investigators that he spoke with the former president about former Rep. Kim's nomination over the phone when he appeared for questioning on Sunday. The former president has also been accused of violating the Public Official Election Act for allegedly speaking a falsehood in a PPP presidential primary debate in 2021. Yoon has been under detention since July 10 when a Seoul court issued a warrant for his arrest over his failed martial law bid. (Yonhap)
Business Recorder
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Pilgrims travelling by road during Arbaeen: PPP leader urges govt to provide security
LAHORE: Syed Hassan Murtaza, General Secretary of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Punjab, has called upon the federal and provincial governments to provide complete security to pilgrims travelling by road during Arbaeen. He raised the question, 'Why can't an ordinary taxpayer travel within his own country by road?' Emphasizing the state's responsibility, he stated, 'The security of pilgrims travelling to Karbala for Arbaeen is the duty of the state,' and urged the federal and provincial governments to ensure their safety with the support of security agencies. Murtaza highlighted that 'the ban on road travel for Arbaeen has severely impacted ordinary citizens.' He added that after Hajj and Umrah, pilgrimages are now being made inaccessible to the poor. Arbaeen pilgrims save every penny to travel with their families for Ziyarat, and prefer road travel because it is more economical. He further stated that advance payments for buses, hotels, and all travel and accommodation arrangements have already been made. Murtaza stressed that it's not just about the pilgrims' money being wasted—those going to Karbala have a deep emotional connection with Imam Hussain (AS). He warned that pilgrims are currently suffering mental distress, which could lead to protests and sit-ins. Murtaza demanded that the government must not invite the curses of pilgrims by closing the land route at the last moment but instead take immediate steps to facilitate their journey. He asserted that the government must take public issues seriously and address the legitimate demands of the pilgrims. Murtaza reaffirmed PPP's stance, saying, 'The Peoples Party has always been the voice of the people, and we will continue to advocate for the rights of Arbaeen pilgrims.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Pahalgam incident: Chidambaram's remarks refute allegations against Pakistan: Sherry
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman reacting to the remarks made by former Indian Home Minister Chidambaram regarding the Pahalgam incident, called his statement a rare moment of truth from within India's own political corridors. 'Former Indian Home Minister Chidambaram has held up a mirror to the Modi government,' said Senator Rehman. 'His statement has really blown a hole in the edifice of false allegations erected by Modi sarkar to just reflexively pin everything on Pakistan. It exposes the baseless and politically motivated allegations India has been leveling against Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. There is no evidence to suggest Pakistan's involvement, yet the Modi regime continues to rely on scapegoating instead of introspection.' Senator Rehman underscored that Pakistan had offered India the option of an independent investigation into the matter, underscoring Islamabad's commitment to transparency and peace. 'We made it clear we are open to an impartial probe, but the Indian government refuses — because it fears that the truth will come out, and it won't support their narrative,' she said. Commenting on international dynamics, Senator Rehman noted, 'US President Donald Trump has gone on record no less than 27 times stating that he played a key role in brokering the ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Modi continues to deny this, but doesn't have the courage to say Trump is lying. That silence speaks volumes.' 'Pakistan continues to stand as an advocate for peace and regional stability. In contrast, India clings to a dangerous pattern of blame games and disinformation, damaging the prospects for dialogue and progress,' she added. 'The Pahalgam incident, as many now acknowledge, was a tragic result of India's own state security failures. Instead of externalising blame, the Modi government must take responsibility and address its internal lapses. Deflecting failure by pointing fingers at Pakistan will not change the facts.' Senator Rehman concluded by calling on the international community to recognise the growing costs of political deflection and disinformation in the region, stating that peace cannot be achieved through propaganda and denial. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Ghana: Finance Minister Chairs New 13-Member Public-Private Partnership Working Committee
The Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has been inaugurated as Chair of a newly constituted 13-member Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Working Committee aimed at deepening collaboration between the government and the private sector to fund critical infrastructure and development projects. The inauguration was conducted by Deputy Finance Minister, Hon. Thomas Ampem Nyarko, who underscored the importance of the committee's work in the context of limited fiscal space. He stressed that enhanced private sector engagement is now essential to meeting the country's development needs. In his remarks, Dr. Forson emphasized the need to reform how PPPs are designed and executed in Ghana. He said the era where government-dominated projects are called public-private partnerships must end. True PPPs must involve real risk-sharing between government and the private sector. According to him, what has been seen over the years does not reflect what a proper PPP should be. The committee is tasked with streamlining Ghana's PPP framework to ensure that future projects are sustainable, transparent, and deliver value for money. Members of the Committee: 1. Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, MP – Minister for Finance (Chairperson) 2. Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, MP – Attorney General and Minister for Justice 3. Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, MP – Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry 4. Dr. Audrey Smock Amoah – Director-General, National Development Planning Commission 5. Mr. Simon Madjie – CEO, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre 6. Mr. Frank Mante – CEO, Public Procurement Authority 7. Prof. Nana Ama Brown Klutse – Executive Director, Environmental Protection Agency 8. Prof. Anthony Owusu-Ansah – Executive Secretary, Lands Commission 9. Mr. Samuel Manu Asiama – Chartered Institute of Bankers Representative 10. Ing. Festus Ofoli Odametey – Ghana Institution of Engineers Representative 11. Mad. Nana Oye Bampoe Addo – Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the President 12. Mad. Shamima Muslim – Deputy Presidential Spokesperson 13. Mr. Patrick Nomo – Chief Director, Ministry of Finance (Secretary) The committee is expected to provide technical guidance and oversight to ensure that PPPs are properly structured and aligned with Ghana's development goals. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Finance - Republic of Ghana.
