ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar maintained on Tuesday it was not entirely correct that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had dismissed a government proposal for the adjustment of power tariffs in the country, saying it was still possible to provide “targeted subsidies” to disadvantaged socioeconomic classes.
The government decided to approach the IMF recently after widespread protests in Pakistan over inflated electricity bills and rising petroleum prices that have further increased the cost of living in the country.
The protests broke out after the government decided to remove power subsidies and increase electricity tariffs in July to meet a major IMF condition for the approval of a $3 billion short-term bailout facility.
According to some local media outlets, Pakistan had proposed to spread out quarterly tariff and fuel price adjustments over a period of four to six months, but the global lender rejected the plan.
“That is not the correct way of describing the situation,” Kakar told Dawn News TV while responding to a question about the IMF’s decision to turn down the government’s scheme in a brief interview. “The both sides — the fund and the Pakistan government — have explored many avenues and there is an agreement that the class that does not contribute toward tax payments should not be incentivized. We agree with the fund [on that]. We both share the same approach.”
“But the economic class, which is already contributing toward the tax net, we need to look after them, and there is a disadvantaged socioeconomic class, people who have consumed around 200 units [of electricity],” he continued. “That sort of a targeted subsidy to that section is neither being discouraged and nor being curtailed by the fund or the government of Pakistan.”
The prime minister said it was difficult to deal with the problems related with the smooth functioning of the country’s power sector in the short term.
However, he acknowledged deficiencies in electricity generation, distribution and recovery mechanisms while suggesting a holistic approach to address the problem.
The issue of excessively high cost of electricity was also taken up by a Senate standing committee on Tuesday that criticized the power division for inefficiencies, power theft and losses caused to the overall sector.
Pakistan PM says targeted power subsidies still possible for electricity consumers
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Pakistan PM says targeted power subsidies still possible for electricity consumers
- PM Kakar maintains it is not entirely correct the government proposal for tariff adjustment was rejected by the IMF
- Pakistan has witnessed widespread protests over high electricity bills, rising petroleum prices amid spiraling inflation
Five of the best: Pakistan-England Test thrillers
- Pakistan, England will play first Test of three-match series on Monday at Multan
- England skipper Ben Stokes has been ruled out of first Test due to injury
MULTAN: The history of Tests between England and Pakistan is resplendent with memorable matches since the very first series in 1954.
Ahead of their three-match series starting on Monday in Multan, AFP Sports recalls five of the most exciting Tests between the two countries:
Pakistan had been playing Tests for less than two years when Fazal Mahmood took 12 wickets to beat England by 24 runs in the final Test at The Oval — a shock the home media dubbed “England Fazalled” as it gave Pakistan a 1-1 series draw.
Chasing just 168, England were cruising at 109-2, but lost their last eight wickets for 34 as seam-bowler Fazal took 6-46 making Pakistan only the second country to win a Test on their maiden tour of England after Australia.
Fazal also bagged 6-53 in the first innings, figures that Wisden noted “would have been much better but for dropped catches.”
After two tame draws, Pakistan were chasing a modest 231-run target at Headingley to win a series in England for the first time.
England captain Ray Illingworth removed three of the top order with his off-spin as Pakistan were reduced to 65-4, but Sadiq Mohammad and Asif Iqbal put their side back on course with a fifth-wicket stand of 95.
All-rounder Iqbal was out for 33 but opener Sadiq was still there, batting serenely.
After Sadiq fell, caught and bowled by Basil D’Oliveira for 91 with 44 more still needed, England paceman Peter Lever ripped through the tail and the visitors were all out for 205 to lose by 25.
Pakistan squeezed home by two wickets in a pulsating second Test at Lord’s where pace spearheads Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis starred with ball and bat to create the legend of the “two Ws.”
The menacing Waqar had match figures of 5-91 and 2-40, while left-armer Wasim returned 2-49 and 4-66 as England collapsed from 108-3 in their second innings to 175 all out.
Chasing just 138 to win, Pakistan were in trouble at 95-8 when Waqar joined Wasim at the crease.
Wasim hit 45 and Waqar 20 as they put on an unbroken 46 for a famous victory.
England bowled out Pakistan for 158 on the final day leaving them 176 to win in only 44 overs, in fast fading light.
Pakistan skipper Moin Khan employed every time-wasting trick in the book to escape with a draw, appealing to the umpires that it was too gloomy for his fielders to see the ball near the end.
But the officials and Graham Thorpe were having none of it and kept going as dusk closed in.
From 65-3, Thorpe steadily accelerated as the light grew dimmer, putting on 91 with Graeme Hick off 21 overs to take England within 20 of only their second win on Pakistan soil, and on a ground where the hosts had been unbeaten for a staggering 34 Tests.
Nasser Hussain joined Thorpe at the crease and the pair gleefully reached the target less than three overs later in almost total darkness with Thorpe a triumphant 64 not out.
England were denied a Lord’s victory as Pakistan completed a 75-run win in a thrilling first Test largely due to slow bowler Yasir Shah’s 10 wickets in the match.
Pakistan’s bowling attack was too powerful for England with pace trio Rahat Ali, Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir, who was returning to Test cricket after serving a ban for spot-fixing, supporting leg-spinner Yasir.
Chasing 283 to win on the fourth day, Alastair Cook’s side collapsed from 195-6 with victory sealed by Amir on his first Test appearance since 2010 when he shattered last man Jake Ball’s stumps.
It sparked a joyous celebration which culminated in the entire Pakistan team doing military-style press-ups on the outfield. A brilliant series went on to be drawn 2-2.
England target repeat of Pakistan Test whitewash
- England face a Pakistan team at a low ebb that was beaten 2-0 by Bangladesh
- Ben Stokes’ side last month wrapped up 2-1 series victory against Sri Lanka
LONDON: Ben Stokes’ England take on Pakistan in a three-Test series starting on Monday, buoyed by memories of an astonishing 3-0 series sweep in 2022.
England, third in the world rankings after winning five of their past six Tests, are facing a Pakistan team at a low ebb after being crushed by Bangladesh.
AFP Sport looks at some of the key talking points for the tourists ahead of the series, which starts in Multan.
England last month wrapped up a 2-1 series victory against Sri Lanka without skipper Ben Stokes, but he remains the team’s undisputed leader and talisman.
The 33-year-old all-rounder misses the first Test after failing to recover from a torn hamstring and it remains to be seen whether he will bowl when he does return.
The inclusion of Stokes as a specialist batsman would alter the balance of the side England favored in the recent Sri Lanka series, where they played five frontline bowlers.
The visitors could opt to replace one of their regular top order with the skipper but it is more likely they would play four specialist bowlers and rely on Joe Root’s off-spin to supplement the attack.
Stokes has not played for two months but he showed his worth against the West Indies, scoring three fifties in his last four innings of the series.
England’s tour of Pakistan in 2022 came in the first few heady months of the “Bazball” era — a method of all-out attack encouraged by Brendon McCullum, who had become coach earlier that year.
The visitors set the tone for the series on the first day in Rawalpindi, smashing a remarkable 506-4, with four men making centuries.
After England’s 4-1 series loss in India earlier this year, McCullum spoke about the need to “refine” their style and a less gung-ho approach of controlled aggression has paid dividends.
England demolished the West Indies 3-0 before beating Sri Lanka 2-1 on home soil.
“I think the style will work in Pakistan, for sure,” retired England bowling great Stuart Broad said ahead of the launch of Inside Lord’s, Marylebone Cricket Club’s new digital platform.
“It was a great tour to Pakistan in 2022. All the players really enjoyed it and ultimately, England’s batting group are wonderful players of spin.
“I think they’re really positive and aggressive, they can find the boundary and don’t get tied down by spin.
“England will have to play fast-paced cricket to force results over there because you generally do need five days to make something happen.”
The era of Broad and James Anderson is over for England, who are trying to build a new pace attack that can take the fight to India and Australia next year.
Chris Woakes is the senior paceman and enjoyed a superb summer at home but his figures in overseas Tests are poor, while express bowler Mark Wood is out of action.
Surrey seamer Gus Atkinson has enjoyed a remarkable start to his Test career, taking 34 wickets in his first six games.
But he, Matthew Potts and Olly Stone have just 19 caps between them and Brydon Carse will make his debut in Multan.
Aside from left-armer Jack Leach, who is back in the fold after being deemed surplus to requirements during the English season, the spin attack is also inexperienced.
Leach’s Somerset team-mate Shoaib Bashir has played just nine Tests while Rehan Ahmed has not featured since the India series, having made his debut in England’s memorable 2022 series win in Pakistan.
Broad warns that inexperience could cost the visitors.
“It’s very difficult to go into a Test match, particularly when Ben Stokes isn’t playing or not bowling with three very inexperienced bowlers because if it goes wrong and the spinner’s inexperienced you could lose a Test match in an hour,” he said.
UK to establish 280 skill centers to help Pakistanis find jobs in Middle East
- Workforce export has long been a significant contributor to Pakistan’s economy, with its reliance on remittances
- The visiting British delegation says it wants to promote education cooperation with Pakistan to empower youth
ISLAMABAD: The United Kingdom plans to set up 280 skill centers in Pakistan focusing on technical and vocational training, reported state-owned media on Saturday, adding the project will be carried out in collaboration with Middle Eastern institutions to train individuals aspiring for jobs in places like the Gulf region.
Workforce export has long been a significant contributor to Pakistan’s economy, with the country heavily reliant on remittances sent by workers employed abroad, particularly in the Middle East. However, in recent years, Pakistani workers have faced challenges due to more exacting requirements of international job markets, making the training and upskilling of nationals a government priority.
The establishment of the skill centers became a focal point of discussions as a British delegation arrived in the country on a two-day visit and met with Pakistani officials working in the field of conventional and technical education.
“The delegation representatives said that around 280 skills centers will be established in Pakistan,” said the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency. “The candidates who successfully complete the training in these centers, they will be given a joint certificate by Pakistani, UK and Gulf universities.”
The report added that 80,000 jobs will be given to the successful candidates graduating from these skill centers in the first phase.
“These jobs would be offered in different Gulf countries, including [places like] Dubai, in the security, hospitality, construction, veterinary, nursing and police,” it said.
Pakistan’s Federal Secretary Education Mohiyuddin Wani and Chairperson of the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission Gulmina Bilal highlighted the government’s priority to provide quality training to its nationals to give their best on any job around the world.
The delegation, which includes members of Britain’s House of Lords, said they were committed to promoting educational cooperation with Pakistan to empower its youth.
It will also visit Karachi to hold a meeting with Federal Minister for Education Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui.
Women’s T20 World Cup: Arch-rivals India, Pakistan lock horns in Dubai today
- Pakistan won their opening match against Sri Lanka by 31 runs on Thursday
- Skipper Fatima Sana says Pakistan will try to continue momentum against India
ISLAMABAD: All eyes will be on Dubai today, Sunday, as arch-rivals India and Pakistan gear up to lock horns in a key match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Pakistan made an impressive start to their World Cup campaign, defeating fellow Asian giants Sri Lanka by 31 runs on Thursday. India, on the other hand, did not do so well against New Zealand. The blue shirts lost their first match of the tournament by 58 runs on Friday.
Group A comprises of Pakistan, India, Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka while Group B consists of England, South Africa, Bangladesh, West Indies and Scotland.
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana said her team would be looking to carry forward their momentum against India when the two teams meet on Sunday.
“The one who plays well, wins the match on the day,” Sana said. “So, we will try to carry the momentum that we have gained from here.”
Meanwhile, Indian batter Jemimah Rodrigues said the team knows every game is crucial for them.
“But at the same time, we’re going to go one game at a time and just make sure we stick to our process and do our job well,” she said.
“And I think if we can do that, I think if we play our best cricket, I think we can win matches.”
The match is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m.
SQUADS:
Pakistan: Fatima Sana (c), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal (subject to fitness), Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan. Traveling reserve: Najiha Alvi (wk). Non-traveling reserves: Rameen Shamim, Umm-e-Hani
India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Yastika Bhatia (subject to fitness), Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Dayalan Hemalatha, Asha Sobhana, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil (subject to fitness), Sajana Sajeevan. Traveling reserves: Uma Chetry (wk), Tanuja Kanwer, Saima Thakor. Non-Traveling reserves: Raghvi Bist, Priya Mishra
IED blast kills three paramilitary soldiers in southwestern Pakistan
- Frontier Corps vehicle was targeted by IED blast as it was passing through Askalko area in Kalat district, says official
- No group has claimed responsibility for attack but suspicion is likely to fall on outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army
QUETTA: Three paramilitary soldiers were killed and four were injured in Pakistan’s southwestern Kalat district on Saturday when their vehicle was targeted by an improvised explosive device, an official confirmed.
The blast targeted a Frontier Corps (FC) vehicle in the Askalko area in Kalat, located around 140 kilometers from Balochistan’s provincial capital of Quetta. The blast took place as the vehicle was passing through the area, an official confirmed.
Balochistan, which shares a porous border with Iran and Afghanistan, has witnessed a decades-long insurgency launched by ethnic Baloch separatists who have accused successive governments of unfairly exploiting the mineral-rich province of its resources, a claim denied by the state.
“An improvised explosive device (IED) was planted along the road in Askalko which exploded when the security forces’ vehicle was passing through the area,” Bilal Shabir, the deputy commissioner of Kalat, told Arab News.
“Three paramilitary soldiers were killed and four wounded in the attack on security forces in Kalat district.”
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, however, suspicion is likely to fall on the separatist militant outfit Balochistan Liberation Army. The BLA has often targeted Pakistani security forces, ethnic Punjabi laborers and travelers in the southwestern province.
In recent months, separatist outfits have stepped up attacks in Balochistan. Over 50 people including paramilitary soldiers were killed in widespread coordinated attacks by a Baloch separatist group in Kalat, Lasbela, Musakhail, Mastung and Kachi districts in the last week of August.
In September, unidentified armed men stormed a residential compound in Balochistan’s Turbat, killing seven laborers from Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province.
