Islamabad: A meeting of National Economic Council (NEC) chaired by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has been convened on June 6 to prepare the budget for new financial year 2023-24.

According to details, there is a possibility of approving the development plan and economic goals for the new financial year.

The meeting presided over by Prime Minister will include federal ministers and chief ministers of four provinces to participate.

The development plan and economic targets for the new financial year are expected to be approved in the meeting, while the federal program and the development plans of the provinces will be reviewed on this occasion.

The budget of the national development plan for the new year is proposed to be Rs2659 billion out of which Rs1100 billion are likely to be allocated under the federal development program, and Rs1559 billion are proposed to be allocated for the development projects of the provinces.

Lahore: Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Punjab arrested six terrorists while conducting secret operations in different cities of the province.

According to CTD spokesman, the arrested terrorists are related to various illegal organizations. The operations were conducted in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Dera Ghazi (DG) Khan, Sahiwal and Gujranwala.

The officials stated that explosive materials, suicide vests, detonators, hand grenades, weapons, bullets, cash and phones were recovered from the terrorists.

The terrorists have been identified as Shoaib Rafiq, Baqir, Zair, Shahzad, Afzal and Asif, against whom five cases have been registered and investigation is underway.

According to CTD spokesperson, 33 suspects were arrested during 238 combing operations across the province during one week.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Saturday expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of hundreds of lives in a train accident in India.

Turning to Twitter, he wrote: “I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families who lost their loved ones in this tragedy”.

Prime Minister prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Deeply saddened by the loss of hundreds of lives in a train accident in India. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families who lost their loved ones in this tragedy. Prayers for speedy recovery of the injured.

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) June 3, 2023

On the other hand Bilawal Bhutto wrote to Twitter: “Saddened to learn of the high death toll in the tragic train accident in Odisha, India”.

He expressed condolences for the families of the victims and wished speedy recovery to the injured.

Saddened to learn of the high death toll in the tragic train accident in Odisha, India. Our condolences for the families of the victims. Wish speedy recovery to the injured. #BalasoreTrainAccident

— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) June 3, 2023