Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure empowers the authorities to “issue order absolute at once in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger”.

Its latest imposition was notified by the Home Department in a Sept 23 order, seen by Dawn.

The order said the government had received reports “indicating the likelihood of activities and gatherings which may adversely affect public peace, tranquillity, law and order, and the safety and security of the general public”.

In view of the reports, the government imposed the following prohibitions throughout Balochistan with immediate effect for a period of 30 days:

1. Restriction on display, carrying, possession or use of weapons of any kind in public places except where specifically authorised under the law
2. Ban on assembly or gathering of five or more persons at any public place, including sit-ins, processions, rallies, demonstrations, and similar gatherings
3. Restriction on covering or concealing of the face in public places, particularly through the use of mufflers, masks, or any other means which obstructs or prevents identification of a person

These restrictions would remain in force for 30 days “unless withdrawn, modified, or extended by the competent authority in accordance with law”, the notification said.

It further directed all relevant law enforcement agencies and district administrations to ensure the strict implementation and enforcement of the order in accordance with law.

“Any person found violating the provisions of this order shall be proceeded against in accordance with the relevant provisions of law,” the notification said.

The upgradation agreements were signed under the Brownfield Petroleum Refining Policy 2026, which was approved in the last week of July after a deadlock spanning over seven years.

The formal agreements were signed by the managements of four refineries — Attock Refinery, National Refinery, Pakistan Refinery and Cnergyico Petroleum. They were also signed by the Inter State Gas Company (ISGC), a subsidiary of the petroleum division and a designated entity to execute the agreements and monitor the implementation process.

Informed sources said the fifth local refinery, the Pak Arab Refinery (Parco) — a joint venture of Pakistan and Abu Dhabi — was not yet ready for the new upgrade, as it believed its technology to be modern.

However, if and when it signs the upgradation agreements as well, the investment volume is expected to reach $6bn.

The chairman of the Energy Committee of the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) and the chief executive officer (CEO) of Attock Refinery, Adil Khattak, welcomed the signing of the upgradation agreements.

He termed it a historic milestone for the country’s refining industry to begin tangible work on “arguably the largest coordinated industrial investment programme ever undertaken in Pakistan”.

“These projects will fundamentally modernise Pakistan’s refining infrastructure, enable production of cleaner Euro-V fuels, substantially reduce furnace oil production, replace significant quantities of imported petroleum products and strengthen the country’s energy security,” Khattak said.

He recalled that the journey began with the first draft of the Refining Policy in December 2019, followed by its approval in August 2023 and subsequent amendments before finally reaching implementation today — almost seven years later.

“The delay has come at a considerable cost. Industry estimates indicate that refinery upgradation could save Pakistan around $1.5bn annually in foreign exchange,” he said.

The Attock Refinery CEO noted that recent geopolitical developments had reinforced something that the refining industry had emphasised for years. This meant domestic refining capacity was not merely a commercial consideration but a strategic national asset, he said.

Khattak added that the journey ahead would be even more challenging as the five refineries translated their commitments into financing, engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning of the complex projects within the stipulated five-year period.

The new policy was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Energy, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on July 28.

Alongside tax incentives and stability clauses to protect investment, it provides for foreign exchange accounts for imports of machinery against the export of furnace oil, and enhances onshore and offshore storage for greater energy security.

How will it work?

Under the policy, which now supersedes all previous refining policies, the existing refineries have to improve product quality, quantity and product mix through upgradation.

As such, the total production of motor spirit (petrol) and high-speed diesel (HSD) will significantly improve, while that of furnace oil is reduced.

As such, total petrol production would increase by 72pc to 18,400 tonnes per day (TPD) from 10,700 TPD. HSD output would rise by 39pc to 29,520 TPD from the current 21,240 TPD, while furnace oil production would drop by 63pc to 5,714 TPD from 15,417 TPD.

All existing refineries would upgrade, modernise and expand their refineries to produce environmentally friendly fuels as per Euro-V specifications.

Euro V standards permit only 10 parts per million (ppm) of sulphur in gasoline and diesel. Euro IV allows 50 ppm while Euro III allows 150 ppm in gasoline and 350 ppm in diesel.

Refineries are also to maximise production of motor gasoline, diesel or other value-added products, if any, by minimising furnace oil and other fuels. In return, they would be entitled to policy incentives.

Under the fiscal regime, there is to be a minimum customs duty or regulatory duty of 10 per cent for a period of seven years on motor gasoline and diesel imported into the country.

Any customs duty imposed over 10pc and reflected in the ex-refinery price will be deposited in the Inland Freight Equalisation Margin (IFEM) pool. In case any refinery is not eligible to avail the incentives provided in this policy, it will be bound to deposit the same in IFEM.

Customs duty on crude oil will be reimbursed to refineries through IFEM. The refineries will be allowed 10pc tariff protection or deemed duty applicable on motor gasoline and diesel’s ex-refinery price for seven years from the date of signing of the agreement, and opening of the joint Escrow Account with the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) within 90 days of notification of the amendments in the policy.

However, 2.5pc of the deemed duty on diesel and a 10pc incremental incentive on motor gasoline is to be deposited by refineries in the Escrow Account maintained by Ogra and the respective refinery jointly in the National Bank of Pakistan, specifically to be utilised for upgradation projects.

Until the opening of the said account, the incremental incentive shall be deposited in the IFEM. The prevailing 7.5pc deemed duty on HSD for sustainability shall continue after the seven-year incentive period for 20 years or till deregulation, whichever is earlier.

Due to the exempt status of petroleum products, any disallowed sales tax related to refinery operations, confirmed by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), shall continue to be reimbursed through IFEM for FY26 until the validity of upgrade agreements to be executed under the amended policy. Equipment to be installed or material to be used in the upgradation project will be exempted from sales tax.

After upgradation, the refineries would be required to ensure crude stocks of at least 14 days’ equivalent of their capacity at all times. Refineries relying on the import of crude oil will ensure an additional five days cover at sea at all times.

Refineries will be allowed to sell their products to any oil-marketing company (OMC) licensed by Ogra, as well as to export surplus petroleum products with respect to domestic demand subject to the authority’s approval.

There will be binding agreements between the refineries and OMCs for sale and purchase of major products (motor gasoline and HSD) based on product review meetings to ensure a smooth oil supply chain.

The petroleum division is to notify Euro-V fuel specifications for compliance after the upgrading of the refineries within one month of the agreement signing.

In 2020, the state-owned Pakistan State Oil (PSO) became the first OMC to upgrade the fuel standard to Euro-V. The petroleum ministry had noted then that Euro-V standard fuels reduce harmful vehicle emissions by massively cutting down Sulphur and Benzene content.

Trump personally greeted Xi on the tarmac on Wednesday, the first time in more than six decades that a US president has welcomed a foreign political leader at Joint Base Andrews near Washington.

He will lay on more pomp and ceremony on Thursday, treating his guest to a formal welcome on the White House South Lawn, a military flyover, talks in the Oval Office and finally a grand state banquet.

“Super Intelligence (SI) will be a big topic of discussion, but I want to leave it exactly where it is,” Trump said on social media, using his new moniker for artificial intelligence. “That is China’s position also.”

In another post, Trump said 73-year-old Xi looked “strong, vibrant, and fit”, following recent rumours about the Chinese leader’s health.

But the warm welcome masks deep tensions over thorny topics including the trade war between the world’s top two economies, and Beijing’s diplomatic and economic support for Iran.

Xi urged cooperation in comments reported by Chinese state media shortly after his arrival, saying that China and the United States should be “partners rather than rivals”.

Trade truce

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday announced a two-month extension of a trade truce that was due to expire in November.

Both sides are keen to avoid plunging back into the trade war sparked by the US president’s sweeping global tariffs last year.

But while Trump, 80, boasts that he will get results from what he calls his “great relationship” with Xi, few breakthroughs are expected.

Instead, their third meeting since Trump returned to power is aimed at maintaining the broader detente.

Xi’s first White House state visit in more than a decade will therefore be more about spectacle than substance.

The program includes a military inspection in the Rose Garden — which Trump recently paved over — and a gift-giving ceremony involving Trump’s wife Melania and Xi’s wife Peng Liyuan.

Trump and Xi will make remarks in the morning and again in the evening, though it remains unclear if there will be an opportunity for reporters to put questions to the two leaders.

The state dinner will feature a host of top US tech and AI company bosses — although Xi’s delegation includes no chief executive officers (CEOs), sources told AFP.

‘They appreciate it’

Trump and Melania met the Chinese presidential couple on a red carpet at Joint Base Andrews, before a military band played the national anthems and US bombers roared overhead.

“I thought it was a great little meeting, a great greeting, and I think they appreciate it,” Trump told reporters, brushing off the fact that Xi had not welcomed him at the airport for his Beijing state visit in May.

Trump confirmed that his stalled Iran war would be discussed, despite earlier playing down reports that claimed that Beijing was giving Tehran intelligence.

“I’ll be talking about that and many other subjects — but it’s all coming along well,” Trump said.

Artificial intelligence is a key focus due to growing fears that it is out of control and even risks wiping out humanity as China and the United States race for supremacy in the field.

Taiwan will also be on the cards, with Trump’s words likely to be watched for any sign of diminishing US support for the self-governing island that Beijing claims as its territory.

Xi’s visit will wrap up on Friday morning when the two presidential couples have tea at the White House and then visit the National Archives, home to the US Declaration of Independence.