Karachi braces for heat wave today amid sizzling weather across Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed the ministry of national food security to begin preparations to deliver a Ramadan relief package of subsidized food items to low-income groups without using state-owned utility stories to avoid corruption and customer complaints. 

The annual Ramadan relief package includes subsidies and price reductions on essential commodities such as wheat, sugar, oil, and pulses, among other items, and is usually administered through utility stores. However, each year, consumers complain of long queues, limited stock availability, substandard food items, and difficulties with the process of identification verification needed to receive the discounted package at utility stores. 

Other than in Ramadan also, utility stores have been plagued by reports of corruption and mismanagement for years, with consumers complaining of substandard merchandise being sold and staff accused of vending subsidized products in the open market.

“Ramadan is around the corner and for that I have entrusted the ministry of food security with the responsibility to prepare a Ramadan package without [state-owned] utility stores so that there is no corruption and there is no distribution of spoilt goods,” Sharif said in a televised address to his cabinet. 

“This [distribution of Ramadan goods] cannot continue through utility stores. During last year’s Ramadan, there were countless complaints and now we have found a solution to this that we will introduce a [Ramadan] package minus utility stores.”

Once the food ministry prepares the Ramadan Relief Package 2025, it will be presented to the National Economic Coordination Committee for approval.

Last year, the Sharif-led government announced a “historic” Ramadan package with a subsidy of $26.8 million (Rs7.5 billion) to lower the prices of essential items for over 30,96,00,000 families.

During Ramadan in Pakistan, there is a significant increase in the demand for essential food items at subsidized prices, which overwhelms the capacity of utility stores, causing long lines and potential shortages. 

Ensuring equitable distribution of the package across different regions and demographics can also be difficult in a country of 241 million people, sometimes leading to some areas receiving less benefits than others. To prevent abuse, the government implements strict verification processes like CNIC checks, which also leads to delays and inconvenience for customers. 

The allocated stock of subsidized items at utility stores is also often not sufficient to meet the high demand during Ramadan, leading to disappointment for customers who cannot purchase everything they need. 

ISLAMABAD: Representatives from a number of prominent travel and tourism companies from Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe are participating in the fourth edition of the Pakistan Travel Mart (PTM) 2025 being held in Islamabad, state media reported on Tuesday.
PTM is Pakistan’s pioneering and largest travel and tourism event, connecting regional and global stakeholders with a focus on inbound, outbound and domestic tourism. Since its inception in 2017, PTM has grown to become a key event for tourism professionals, government representatives and international stakeholders, serving as a platform for networking, knowledge-sharing, and fostering partnerships. Through its trade exhibitions, business matchmaking and conferences, PTM connects local and international businesses, facilitates investments and promotes tourism destinations.
This year, around 250 companies from 18 countries are participating in the three-day event.

“PTM 2025 officially began in Islamabad, showcasing a vibrant blend of cultural performances and interactive sessions. The event, which brought together leading Airlines, Hotels, And Tourism Stakeholders from around the globe, offers a platform to promote both National and International Tourism in Pakistan,” state television, PTV, said in a report on Tuesday. 
“Representatives from a variety of Travel And Tourism Companies from Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe participated in the conference.”

This year’s edition of PTM is being co-hosted by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan in collaboration with the Pakistan Tourism Development Authority And provincial tourism authorities, focusing on the “theme of bridging cultures and empowering local governments through travel.”
“The event aims to foster economic growth and enhance tourism opportunities globally,” PTV said. 

The PTM 2025 exhibition also opened in Karachi on Friday, with a strong presence from Saudi Arabia, which put up a dedicated pavilion highlighting the Kingdom’s diverse tourism offerings beyond the traditional Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.
Pakistan was last a prominent tourist destination in the 1970s when the “hippie trail” brought Western travelers through the apricot and walnut orchards of the Swat Valley and Kashmir on their way to India and Nepal.
However, the tourism industry was devastated by a surge in militant attacks after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the United States. Since then, deteriorating security has chipped away at the number of visitors. But as security improved in recent years, the government has moved to attract more tourists, including by loosening travel restrictions and in 2019 announcing visas on arrival to visitors from 50 countries and electronic visas to 175 nationalities.