CEC working to ensure delimitation process is unquestionable. Recent meetings beneficial; no major party opposed delimitation. President Alvi has mysteriously gone quiet since last Friday. ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is in no rush to announce the schedule of the general elections in the country, as the regular meetings are more focused on completing the process of constituency delimitation in an error-free manner, The News reported Thursday. Highly placed sources from the ECP told the publication: “It is unlikely that polling day will be determined any time soon and even before the end of the month as the specific question isn’t on the agenda of the ECP’s meetings as yet.” They further added that Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja has been working diligently for weeks to make sure the process of delimitation is undertaken in a way that can’t be questioned. Committees for supervision of the process have been constituted and committee members have been asked to constitute subordinate committees comprising people whose integrity cannot be questioned. Committee members are also being monitored so that their work is not affected by politics. According to sources, the recent series of meetings with the political leadership of various parties proved beneficial for the ECP’s process as no noteworthy party had opposed the delimitation.

Final approval to collect bills in installments to be taken from cabinet. 32 million consumers could have benefited if relief was granted up to 400 units. Fund demands increase of 45 to 50% in gas tariff from July 1: sources. ISLAMABAD: Following intense talks regarding inflated electricity bills amid countrywide protests, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) greenlit the relief proposal for consumers using up to 200 units, allowing the authorities to collect electricity bills in installments, sources told Geo News Thursday. "The final approval to collect bills in installments will be taken from the federal cabinet," the sources said, adding that about 4 million electricity consumers are likely to get temporary relief from this initiative. However, the interim government's plan to provide relief to those consuming up to 400 units of electricity per month was rejected by the Fund, the sources said, adding 32 million consumers could have benefited had this proposal been approved. They added that the Washington-based lender had emphasised the need to crack down on electricity and gas thieves and improve recovery. Moreover, the sources said that the Fund had also demanded an increase of 45 to 50% in gas tariff from July 1. However, the hike in gas tariff is subject to the approval of the federal cabinet.

: Social media sensation Hareem Shah's husband, Bilal Shah, returned home after five days of detention by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), for some questioning over the TikTok star's controversial social media posts. In a video statement given to Geo News from London, Hareem had alleged that her husband had been “kidnapped for unknown reasons” but Bilal's family had said that he was being questioned in relation to his wife's social media posts. Pause Unmute Current Time 0:26 / Duration 2:52 Fullscreen Bilal was reportedly picked up from Karachi's Qayyumabad area by law enforcement personnel upon his arrival in Pakistan 10 days ago. During the detention, he was interrogated over the controversial posts published by an account operating under Hareem's name. “I am back. I was treated with respect by the members of an investigation agency. They asked me questions about the Twitter account running in the name of Hareem, and I told them that I had no idea what this was all about. They checked my phone and everything and found that I had nothing to do with this account," Bilal, who is currently in Karachi, told this reporter.

Premier pays tribute to valiant martyrs on Defence and Martyrs' Day. PM Kakar terms Sep 6 as "day of vigour, bravery, courage, resilience". "Armed forces remain committed to defend motherland," ISPR says. As the country continues to grapple with security challenges amid a rise in terrorism for the past several months, caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar Wednesday paid homage and tribute to the valiant soldiers of Pakistan's armed forces, especially the martyrs who have sacrificed their lives to ensure nation's peace. He also iterated the nation's resolve to stand united with its defence forces to thwart evil designs against the integrity and prosperity of Pakistan, as it is confronted with multiple security challenges in the shape of extremism, terrorism and external aggression. "We come here to pay tribute to the valiant sons of the soil who embraced ‘shahadat’ while ensuring the security of the nation," the interim prime minister said, while addressing the Defence and Martyrs Day ceremony at the Yadgar-e-Shuhada in Islamabad earlier today.