Latest news with #RADIOPAKISTAN
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
450 pilgrims return from Iran
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said hundreds of Zaireen evacuated from Iran and Iraq so far. PHOTO: RADIO PAKISTAN Listen to article Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has confirmed that 450 Pakistani pilgrims have been successfully evacuated from Iran, stating that the government was taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of Pakistani nationals in the region. In a statement released on X on Sunday, Dar said the evacuation of 450 Pakistani pilgrims from Iran was completed on Saturday. He added that arrangements are also being made for the safe evacuation of the first batch of 154 Pakistani students stranded in Iran. The foreign minister further stated that efforts are underway to evacuate and ensure the safe accommodation of Pakistanis stranded in Iraq. "Our embassy in Iraq is in contact with Pakistani Zaireen who are stranded due to the closure of airspace. Measures are underway to ensure their safe stay in Iraq and possible evacuation," said Dar. A 24-hour Crisis Management Unit (CMU) is active at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to assist Pakistani nationals. The CMU can be reached at +92 51-9207887 or via email at cmu1@ "Our embassies in the region are closely coordinating all necessary efforts to support Pakistani nationals and Zaireen," he added. In the early hours of Friday, Israel launched an attack on Iran, targeting the country's nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories, and military personnel. The assault marked the beginning of what Israel described as a prolonged military engagement, carried out under the pretext of preventing Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon. Seventy-eight people, including six nuclear scientists and senior generals of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), were killed in the attack. The semi-official Tasnim news agency identified the scientists as Abdulhamid Minouchehr, Ahmadreza Zolfaghari, Seyyed Amirhossein Faqhi, Motablizadeh, Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi. Iranian ballistic missile attacks killed three people and injured at least 91 across central Israel, in response to Israeli airstrikes targeting key nuclear and military sites inside Iran. In the Tel Aviv suburb of Ramat Gan, nine buildings were destroyed and hundreds of apartments were damaged, Haaretz reported. Approximately 400 residents were evacuated from the Greater Tel Aviv area due to structural damage. Visuals showed widespread devastation, including vehicles set ablaze and residential blocks flattened.
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan plans repatriation of stranded students and pilgrims in Iran and Iraq
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said hundreds of Zaireen evacuated from Iran and Iraq so far. PHOTO: RADIO PAKISTAN Listen to article Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has confirmed that, in light of the current regional situation, the government is taking all necessary measures to ensure the welfare and safety of Pakistani nationals. Speaking on Sunday, Mr Dar said the evacuation of 450 Pakistani pilgrims from Iran was successfully completed the previous day. He added that arrangements were also being made to safely evacuate Pakistani students residing in Iran, with the first phase involving the return of 154 students. In neighbouring Iraq, Pakistani pilgrims remain stranded due to airspace closures. Mr Dar assured that Pakistan's embassy in Iran is in constant contact with those affected, and efforts are underway to ensure their safe accommodation and potential evacuation. A 24-hour Crisis Management Unit (CMU) is active at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to assist Pakistani nationals. The CMU can be reached at +92 51-9207887 or via email at cmu1@ Pakistan's embassies in the region are closely monitoring the situation and are fully engaged in providing assistance and overseeing the safe repatriation of citizens.
Express Tribune
28-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
World acknowledges Pakistan's victory in conflict with India: Tarar
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar speaking to the media in Lachin, Azerbaijan on May 28, 2025. PHOTO: RADIO PAKISTAN Listen to article Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has said that Pakistan's position on the global stage has been significantly elevated following its handling of the conflict with India in Marka-e-Haq. Speaking to reporters in Lachin, Azerbaijan on Wednesday, Tarar asserted that Pakistan's narrative had been validated internationally, attributing the diplomatic success to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar. 'The world completely acknowledged Pakistan's stance as true,' Tarar said. 'Credit goes to PM and DPM, who have significantly enhanced Pakistan's diplomatic outreach.' Tarar also took aim at Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him 'a defeated and failed politician' who is 'in deep panic, churning out nothing but lies to save his sinking politics.' The information minister noted Pakistan is participating in trilateral talks with Turkiye and Azerbaijan, underlining the significance of strategic partnerships between the three nations. 'This dialogue signifies that all three nations and their leaderships are on the same page,' he said. In a meeting held a day earlier, Premier Sharif and Azerbaijani President Aliyev agreed to exchange delegations to boost trade and investment ties. 'The President of Azerbaijan expressed keen interest to elevate bilateral relations to new heights,' Tarar said. The minister also highlighted the symbolic timing of the visit, with Pakistan celebrating Youm-e-Takbeer and Azerbaijan marking its Republic Day. He expressed gratitude for the solidarity shown by the Azerbaijani people. 'We thank the people of Azerbaijan for celebrating Pakistan's victory,' he said. 'The prime minister, during his meeting with President Aliyev, personally conveyed deep gratitude for Azerbaijan's support during difficult times.'
Express Tribune
01-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
PM Shehbaz targets end to power cuts with free market reforms and tariff reductions
PM was chairing a meeting in Islamabad on Thursday regarding the Integrated Generation Capacity Expansion Plan 2024-20234, focusing on sustainable reforms in the energy sector and lowering electricity RADIO PAKISTAN Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced plans to establish a free market for electricity generation in Pakistan in the near future, aiming further reduction the tariffs and to enhance competition and improve efficiency in the power sector. "The establishment of a competitive electricity market will not only enable power to be supplied on a fair and efficient basis, but it will also play a vital role in bringing down prices for consumers," PM Shehbaz said. He was chairing a meeting in Islamabad on Thursday regarding the Integrated Generation Capacity Expansion Plan 2024-20234, focusing on sustainable reforms in the energy sector and lowering electricity tariffs. During the meeting, the Prime Minister stressed that delays in energy projects would no longer be tolerated. He announced that a free market for electricity production would soon be established in the country, enabling a competitive and sustainable supply of power. This reform, he noted, is expected to lead to additional reductions in electricity rates. Highlighting recent developments, the Prime Minister pointed to the recent cut of approximately Rs. 7.50 per unit in electricity prices and affirmed the government's commitment to long-term reforms that ease the financial burden on the public. Officials briefed the Prime Minister on ongoing reforms within the energy sector. The IGCEP was reassessed on his instructions, revealing several areas for improvement. It was revealed that a framework has been created to enable competitive bidding and electricity procurement at the lowest possible cost over the next decade. The plan now excludes high-cost projects with a combined capacity of 7,967 megawatts. Additionally, completion timelines for remaining generation projects are being revised. These changes are expected to yield savings of around $17 billion. Officials further informed the meeting that local and alternative energy sources—such as solar, nuclear, and hydropower—will be prioritised over imported fuels, a move that will conserve valuable foreign exchange reserves. The government also plans to gradually phase out capacity payments to power producers, aligning with its broader cost-saving strategy. Prime Minister Shehbaz praised Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari and his team for saving Rs. 4,743 billion through the revised energy roadmap, calling it a "historic achievement" in Pakistan's power sector.
Express Tribune
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan urges UN action over foreign-backed train attack in Balochistan
Jawad Ajmal, Counsellor at Pakistan's UN Mission, said the March attack on the Jaffer Express was supported by outside elements. PHOTO: RADIO PAKISTAN Listen to article Pakistan has told the United Nations it possesses 'credible evidence' that a deadly hostage-taking incident aboard a passenger train in Balochistan last month was backed by external forces, urging the international community to step up efforts in holding the perpetrators accountable. Speaking at the launch of the Victims of Terrorism Association Network at the UN, Jawad Ajmal, Counsellor at Pakistan's UN Mission, said the March attack on the Jaffer Express was orchestrated by militants from the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), resulting in the deaths of over 30 hostages and militants during a prolonged 36-hour standoff with security forces. 'Pakistan has credible evidence that this attack had external sponsorship from our adversaries in the region,' Ajmal said, without naming a specific country. He described the incident as a "heinous terrorist attack" and called for stronger global mechanisms to prevent such violence. Ajmal called for a depoliticised, unified international response to terrorism and expressed concern that despite global strategies, such attacks continue to rise. 'We must look beyond narrow political interests and geopolitical agendas,' he urged, adding, 'Only by confronting the roots of terrorism can we protect future victims.' He also highlighted Pakistan's long-standing struggle with militancy, noting that the country has lost over 80,000 lives to terrorism over the past two decades. Paying tribute to security personnel, Ajmal commended the sacrifices of law enforcement and military forces in defending the country. The Pakistani diplomat's remarks came against the backdrop of mounting regional tensions, particularly after the killing of 26 tourists in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir last week — an attack New Delhi blamed on Islamabad. Pakistan has categorically denied involvement and condemned the violence. Pakistan, he added, had joined the UN Security Council in condemning the recent Pahalgam attack and expressed condolences to the victims' families, reiterating its commitment to regional peace.
