Pakistan thanks Saudi Arabia for $500 million pledge for polio eradication

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday Pakistan was fully capable of defending its territorial integrity, marking the sixth anniversary of Operation Swift Retort, during which the country’s air force shot down an Indian fighter jet that had entered Pakistani airspace.
On February 27, 2019, Indian fighter jets crossed into Pakistani territory, claiming to have carried out a surgical strike against what New Delhi alleged was a militant training camp near Balakot city. The incursion came in response to a suicide bombing in Indian-administered Kashmir earlier that month, which killed 40 Indian paramilitary personnel, though Pakistan had condemned the development.
In retaliation, Pakistan’s air force launched Operation Swift Retort, downing an Indian MiG-21 and capturing its pilot, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was later returned to India as a peace gesture. The episode sharply escalated tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors, bringing them to the brink of a full-scale conflict.
“Six years ago, on February 27, 2019, Pakistan’s Air Force delivered a clear message to the enemy that Pakistan possesses the full capability to defend its borders,” Sharif said in a statement released by his office.
“Through Operation Swift Retort, Pakistan’s Air Force demonstrated its military prowess and unshakable resolve to safeguard the homeland, sending a clear signal that the Pakistan Armed Forces are fully capable of countering any aggression,” he added.
The prime minister lauded the valor, professionalism and sacrifices of Pakistan’s armed forces, emphasizing the country remains committed to peaceful coexistence but will not hesitate to respond to any threat to its national security and stability.
“Pakistan has always strived to promote regional peace, but whenever an attempt was made to undermine our national security and stability, the entire nation stood united like an iron wall,” he said.
Later in 2019, Pakistan and India downgraded diplomatic relations after New Delhi revoked the special constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir, further straining ties between the two South Asian rivals.
 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Power Minister Sardar Awais Ahmad Leghari has announced a reduction in the monthly fuel adjustment charges for households consuming up to 300 units of electricity and those using agricultural tubewells, state-run media reported this week. 

Pakistan’s move to raise electricity prices as part of energy sector reforms agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over the past few years resulted in citizens suffering from steep and sudden increases in electricity bills.

The state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported on Wednesday that the benefit of reduced fuel adjustment charges was initially halted for consumers using up to 300 electricity units in June 2015. For those using agricultural tubewells, this relief was withdrawn in December 2010.

“The Power Division has sent a letter to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), requesting the reinstatement of these adjustments,” APP said. 

“By waiving these charges for low-usage consumers and agricultural tubewells, the government aims to ease the financial burden on farmers and households with limited electricity consumption,” it quoted Leghari as saying. 

Pakistan produces expensive electricity due to a combination of factors including high reliance on imported fossil fuels, inefficient energy mix, substantial transmission and distribution losses and chronic issues like circular debt and regulatory inefficiencies.

The country’s outdated infrastructure and inadequate power plants further exacerbate costs, while underutilization of domestic resources such as hydropower and coal add to the problem.

Additionally, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and complex tariff structures contribute to higher electricity prices. High power cost is one of the key factors that lead to inflation in the country.