PM Shehbaz Says No to Tariff Hike for Protected Consumers

Under the forthcoming budget, approximately 20 million protected consumers are slated to receive subsidized electricity rates

Islamabad, Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahbaz Sharif has vetoed a proposal to raise electricity prices for consumers utilizing up to 200 units. The federal government, under his direction, pledges to shoulder the subsidy burden for these consumers, offering respite in electricity bills.

Under the forthcoming budget, approximately 20 million protected consumers are slated to receive subsidized electricity rates, with assurances that rates will remain unchanged for domestic consumers falling within the protected category in the next fiscal year.

Insider sources reveal that while larger consumers may face tariff hikes at the onset of the new financial year, protected consumers will benefit from a staggering subsidy of 160 billion rupees by the end of the current fiscal year.

Read more; PM Shehbaz to embark official visit to China from June 4: FO

Islamabad High Court Summons Officials Over Inactive National Forensic Science Agency Laboratory

The Islamabad High Court has taken decisive action in response to the revelation of the National Forensic Science Agency (NFSA) laboratory’s inactivity. With 877 narcotics cases currently pending due to this negligence, the court has summoned a host of top officials to address the pressing issue.

Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri has issued a written order for a hearing scheduled on June 6, summoning key figures including the Secretary Interior, IG Islamabad, In-charge of NFSA, Prosecutor General, Advocate General Islamabad, Additional Attorney General, and Chief Commissioner to appear in person. The court emphasized the urgency of the matter, stressing that it deserves special attention from the government.

At the heart of the court’s concern is a case dating back to November 25, 2023, involving the recovery of 4744 grams of hashish. Despite reminders from investigating officers, NFSA has remained inactive since June 2023, with no funding allocated by the concerned ministry since July 1, 2023.

This development underscores the critical need for a functioning forensic laboratory in Islamabad, especially in cases involving narcotics. The court’s intervention signals a determined effort to address the systemic issues hindering justice and law enforcement in the capital.