Latest news with #Ramazan
Express Tribune
13 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Extortion shadow looms over the metro
The extortion mafia has once again raised its head in the city, with 32 cases reported over the past five months. The highest number of incidents — 10 — were reported in District Central, where extortionists not only targeted individuals but also caused loss of life through gunfire. Taking notice of the rising number of extortion cases, Karachi Police Chief Javed Alam Odho has formed a 13-member team comprising the SSP of New Karachi Division, CPLC, SIU, technical team members, and officers from the operations wing of the District Central police. So far this year, 11 extortion cases were reported in January, four in February, nine in March, five in April, and three in May. According to reports, hotel owners, food centres, paan shopkeepers, and street vendors were blackmailed and threatened with dire consequences if they did not pay extortion money. In the New Karachi area of District Central, a young boy and a social worker — who was providing iftar to citizens during Ramazan — were killed in firing by extortionists. Additionally, several shopkeepers have reported cases to the police in which they paid extortion money. It is worth noting that investigations have revealed evidence of the involvement of the Lyari gang war's Wasiullah Lakho and Samad Kathiawari groups in these extortion cases. Police have already arrested several members of both groups. The special team formed to crack down on extortionists will be headed by SP New Karachi Division Salman Waheed, and will include Assistant Chief Operations of CPLC Kashif Iftikhar, Deputy Chief District Central Sheikh Faraz, and Naveed Hashmi. Other members include DSP Operations Wasif Qureshi and DSP Investigation Nasir Afridi from the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the CIA Police, SHO SIU Inspector Malik Mazhar Awan, and technical team members Sub-Inspectors Qadir Jalali and Zeeshan, along with area Head Constable Faraz. The team also includes the SDPO of New Karachi from the Operations Wing of District Central and the technical team of District Central. In addition, the team may seek assistance from any police officer within the Karachi Range as needed. The Karachi Police Chief has tasked the team with preventing further extortion cases in District Central and arresting those involved.
Express Tribune
01-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Nawaz leaves for London on special plane
Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Sunday left for London on a special plane. According to family sources, the PML-N president will celebrate Eidul Azha with his sons in the United Kingdom during the two-week visit and will also get his medical examination conducted during the stay. Nawaz is visiting London after seven months. The former PM was scheduled to spend his Ramazan in Saudi Arabia but had cancelled the trip on his doctors' advice. The PML-N chief remained in London from October 2019 to October 2023 in what could be described as a self-imposed exile. Upon his return to the country after formation of a PML-N led coalition government Nawaz was acquitted of the charges of corruption.
Business Recorder
24-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
SAPM assures PVMA of prompt dues clearance
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association (PVMA) raised the challenges facing the ghee manufacturing sector including outstanding dues in a high-level meeting. The high-level meeting was held on Friday between Prime Minister's Special Assistant, Haroon Akhtar Khan and the Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association (PVMA). Present at the meeting were PVMA Chairman Sheikh Umar Rehan, Secretary of the Ministry of Industries and Production Saif Anjum, and representatives of the ghee industry. The discussions focused in detail on the challenges facing the ghee manufacturing sector. Haroon Akhtar Khan acknowledged the concerns raised by the industry and assured them of the government's support. 'We fully recognise the issues being faced by the ghee sector and are committed to not putting the industry under any additional pressure,' said Haroon Akhtar Khan. He assured that all outstanding dues will be paid promptly. 'The Government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will ensure the timely disbursement of all pending payments,' he stated. While acknowledging that cash disbursements take time, he emphasised that efforts will be made to expedite the process. Khan also highlighted the government's recent efforts in supporting low-income families, stating, 'Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif successfully delivered the Ramazan package directly to deserving households.' He reiterated the Ministry of Industries and Production's dedication to resolving the industry's concerns and emphasised, 'The Government and the Ministry of Industries and Production are always available to support and address your issues.' 'Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is committed to taking every possible step for the facilitation of the business community,' Haroon Akhtar Khan concluded. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
24-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Ghee millers demand payment of Rs13b dues
Listen to article Ghee millers have asked the government to clear the outstanding dues of Rs13 billion against the Utility Stores Corporation (USC). Ghee millers and other industries had supplied their products to USC but they were denied payments. The matter was taken up at a meeting between Prime Minister's Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar Khan and the Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association (PVMA) on Friday. PVMA Chairman Sheikh Umar Rehan, Ministry of Industries and Production Secretary Saif Anjum and representatives of the ghee industry were present in the meeting. The discussion focused on the challenges being faced by the ghee manufacturing sector. Haroon Akhtar acknowledged the concerns raised by the industry and assured them of the government's support. "We fully recognise the issues being encountered by the ghee sector and are committed to not putting the industry under any additional pressure," the PM aide said. He declared that all outstanding dues would be paid promptly. While acknowledging that cash disbursements take time, he emphasised that efforts would be made to expedite the process. He also highlighted the government's recent efforts to support the low-income families, stating, "PM Shehbaz Sharif has successfully delivered the Ramazan package directly to the deserving households."
Express Tribune
17-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Govt releases Rs340 million for salaries, pensions in 17 tehsils
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has released Rs340 million to ensure the payment of salaries and pensions to employees in 17 tehsils across the province. According to a statement issued by the Finance Department, funds have been disbursed to cover outstanding payments of salaries and pensions for the staff of 17 Tehsil Municipal Administrations (TMAs). The breakdown of the allocations is as follows: TMA Lower Tanawal Rs3 million, Bannu Rs34 million, Kakki Rs15 million, Bakakhel Rs21 million, Charsadda Rs20 million, Khall Rs10 million, Kundai Rs20 million, Karak Rs27 million, Takht-e-Nasrati Rs20 million, Lakki Marwat Rs23 million, Dargai Rs1 million, Takht Bhai Rs23 million, Garhi Kapura Rs20 million, Pishtakhara Rs34 million, Chota Lahore Rs23 million and Barikot Rs3 million. The funds are aimed at easing financial pressures and ensuring timely payments to municipal staff. It may be recalled that in March this year, the Finance Department had released Rs1.15 billion to cover salaries and pensions for the employees of 64 tehsil municipal administrations (TMAs) across the province, addressing months of delayed payments that had sparked widespread protests. According to official sources, the funds cover the period from January to March 2025. Haripur Tehsil received the highest allocation, with Rs100 million earmarked for its workforce. The release of funds came in the wake of growing unrest among local government employees, who had announced plans to stage protests during Ramazan if their dues were not cleared. Workers affiliated with the Municipal Workers Union (MWU) and Pakistan Local Government Workers Federation (PLGWF) had threatened to take to the streets, blaming the provincial government for ignoring their grievances. In a joint press statement, PLGWF Central and Provincial President Malik Muhammad Naveed Awan, and other union leaders from across the province condemned the delays in salary and pension payments.
