Tue, 21-Oct-2025

Federal, Sindh Governments rule out wheat imports

Federal

ISLAMABAD: The federal and Sindh governments have agreed to take measures to enhance domestic wheat production and have ruled out any possibility of wheat imports. Federal Minister for Food Security Rana Tanveer, accompanied by a delegation, met Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, where Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah and Special Assistant on Food Jabbar … Read more

DPM Dar fixes sugar price at Rs 164 per kg

DPM Dar

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said that sale of sugar at price of Rs178-180 per kg was intolerable and announced that the retail price of sugar would remain at Rs164 per kg while its ex-mills price would be capped under Rs159 per kg.

Announcing the major decisions after chairing a meeting to review sugar prices in a live broadcast on national Tv channels, he said a sub-committee was being formed to submit recommendations within one month to address the persistent issue.

The DPM/FM said that the committee formed on the directive of the prime minister to look into the sugar issue, had held several meetings in the past, after its prices were hiked in the holy month of Ramazan.

The DPM/FM Dar said that sale of sugar at Rs178-180 per kg was not tolerable at any cost; neither to the prime minister nor to the government.

A sub-committee headed by Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain would submit its feedback within one month prior to April 19 April in this regard, he informed.

He said the sugar mills association had explained their reasons and they held detailed interaction over the issue.

Earlier, the meeting was attended by Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain, Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, PM’s Adviser Haroon Akhtar, representatives of the sugar mills association and the relevant senior officials.

Dar reiterated that the government was committed to conclude the issue and through a viable way, provide relief to the common man in the form of availability of sugar at a reasonable price in the market.

He further explained that with collectively consultations, if the two tiers system could be implemented, the common man would get sugar at even the lowest price as announced.

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National Assembly unanimously passes PECA law

National Assembly passes Rs 17.57tr budget for fiscal year 2025-26

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Thursday approved the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025.

Federal Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer presented the PECA Act Amendment Bill 2025 in the National Assembly for approval, which was approved by the lower house by majority vote.

The draft titled “Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025” includes new definitions, the establishment of regulatory and investigative bodies, and stricter penalties for disseminating “false” information.

The government aims to lower the punishment for spreading “fake information” online to three years, according to a draft of the document, while they may also face a fine of up to Rs2 million.

Journalists also staged a walkout from the press gallery against the PICA Act Amendment Bill 2025. The PICA Act Amendment Bill 2025 was not opposed by any coalition party in the government, while the opposition staged a walkout even before the bill was tabled.

Earlier, the Joint Action Committee of Journalist Organizations rejected the bill to amend the PICA Act.

The Joint Action Committee of Journalists said that amendments to the PICA Act are being made without consulting journalists’ organizations.

The Joint Action Committee consists of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFU), All Pakistan Newspaper Society(APNS), Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors(CPNE), Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (Amend) and Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA).

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Tanveer seeks US market access to new agriculture products

Tanveer seeks US market access to new agriculture products

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Industries, Production and National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain on Wednesday stressed that new Pakistani agricultural products should be given access to the American market. In a meeting with United States (US) Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome, he said that Pakistan values its partnership with the US and appreciated the US … Read more

Sindh, fed govts agree to establish SEZ on remaining steel mills land

Sindh

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister  Murad Ali Shah and Federal Minister for Industries & Production Rana Tanveer, in their meeting at CM House, discussed the revival of the Pakistan Steel Mill plan and the establishment of a Special Economic Zone on the remaining land.

The CM said that the proposed Special Economic Zone project was discussed in the cabinet on May 30, 2024. He added that his cabinet proposed the federal government establish the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) on the extra land of Pakistan Steel Mill.

CM Murad Shah said that his cabinet was of the view that the 700 acres of land earmarked for the Pakistan Steel Mills plant should be kept intact for the revitalisation of the Steel Mills Plant or setting up a new Steel Mill, any additional requirement of land for the purpose should be worked out mutually.

At this, Federal Minister Rana Tanveer proposed that the Federal Government was ready to allow the Provincial Government to revive the old steel mill plant or install a new one on its 700 acres.

The CM said that the 4,840 acres of land may be utilized to set up SEZ for the federal and provincial government. Rana Tanveer said that the federal government from its resources would start developing the SEZ to be given to Chinese investors.

Murad Shah said that the SEZ was located close to the sea, and its infrastructure was in place along with necessary water and gas facilities. He added that these facilities would be enough to make the SEZ one of the best zones in the country.

The provincial and federal governments agreed to complete the paperwork at the earliest so that the zone could be established promptly.

The Special Economic Zone would generate employment opportunities and contribute to the country’s economy. The CM said he, with the support of the federal government, would make all-out efforts to revive Pakistan Steel Mills on Pakistan’s People’s Party mode so that this national asset could be utilized for employment and economic development.

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PM Shehbaz reconstitutes ECC again

PM Shehbaz

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif once again reconstituted the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC).

The Prime Minister has appointed the Federal Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain as a member of the ECC, after the addition of the Minister of Industries and Production, the number of ECC members has increased from 6 to 7, while the notification for the reorganization of the

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb will remain the chairman of the Economic Coordination Committee.

The ECC members include the Federal Ministers of Commerce, Power and Petroleum, along with the Federal Ministers of Economic Affairs and Planning.

The prime minister had appointed the finance minister as the chairman of the ECC on the reconstitution of the committee and had withdrawn the decision to head the ECC himself.

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Pervez Khattak Says the Opposition and Government Reached an Agreement

Pervez Khattak Says the Oppostion and Government Reached an Agreement

Pervez Khattak, Defense Minister of Pakistan, announced that the government and Opposition have reached an agreement to run the National Assembly (NA) in an orderly manner. The announcement was made after the days of the fight and general disorder in the Parliament House as Treasury and Opposition benches created a ruckus over the federal budget … Read more