ISLAMABAD: April 25
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif addressing the Girls in ICT Day commemorative ceremony
ISLAMABAD: April 25
Pakistani ‘Blue Helmets’ serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leave after 20 years of service
UNITED NATIONS, Apr 25 (APP): Pakistani peacekeepers, who formed the bulk of the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), are preparing to leave the Central African country after 20 years of dedicated service, a UN spokesperson said Thursday.
Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told the regular noon briefing at UN Headquarters in New York that the planned departure of the Pakistani peacekeepers, deployed in DRC’s South Kivu province, was part of the disengagement plan of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), initiated at the beginning of the year.
Since 2003 when they were first deployed, Dujarric said, more than 100,000 Pakistani peacekeepers had served in South Kivu, including 31 who had died in the line of duty.
For Pakistan that’s the greatest number of Blue Helmets they have lost in the 46 Peacekeeping missions in the 29 countries where they have been deployed, it was pointed out.
According to the disengagement plan, in parallel with the withdrawal of UN troops, the DRC government would increase its presence in the areas the Mission was vacating at its request, he said.
“Today,” Dujarric added, “our colleagues held a ceremony to recognize their important contributions to peace consolidation and security.”
The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in the DRC and head of MONUSCO), Ms. Bintou Keita, the Mission’s Force Commander, Major General Khar Diouf, the South Kivu Provincial Minister of Infrastructures and representative of the interim Governor, Cissa wa Numbe, the Government Delegate General in charge of liaison with MONUSCO, Ambassador Noel Mbemba, participated in the ceremony in Kavumu, 32 km from Bukavu.
“I pay tribute to the immense contribution the troops from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan have made to advancing peace and security in South Kivu,” MONUSCO head said.
“I honour the 31 Blue Helmets who have paid the ultimate price – over the years, their sacrifice, professionalism, and commitment have helped protect millions of people in DRC.”
Meanwhile, a UN press release said the Pakistani troops have been engaged in military operations aimed at protecting civilians and maintaining peace and security in South Kivu.
In 2017, together with the Armed Forces of the DRC, it said the Pakistani contingent stopped a coalition of armed groups from taking over the city of Uvira.
In 2018, they pushed back an offensive by armed groups in the Hauts Plateaux of Uvira, protecting more than 120,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Over the years, the Pakistani Peacekeepers have protected millions of IDPs (internally displaced persons), many of whom have established camps around their bases.
Chairman Senate passes ruling to constitute Special Committee of Upper House
ISLAMABAD, Apr 25 (APP): Chairman Senate, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on Thursday passed the ruling to constitute a special committee of the Upper House to ensure smooth functioning of legislative business.
According to the ruling issued by the chair, in accordance with Rule 174 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate, 2012, Senate Committees are mandated to be formed within two months following the election of the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman.
“As the House has entrusted me with this responsibility of constitution of the Special Committee, I hereby constitute the Committee with the following composition:- (i) Senator Farooq H Naek (ii) Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, Minister for law & Justice and Parliamentary Affairs (iii) Senator Syed Ali Zafar. The Committee will deliberate and present its report in the sitting of the Senate to be held on Monday, 29th April, 2024,” the Chairman Senate’s ruling said.
The process of constituting committees has commenced, with preferences from Members being solicited to ensure alignment with their aspirations and the best interests of the House of the Federation.
“The Constitution entrusts upon Parliament the duty of meticulous examination and review of all financial matters, particularly those related to money bills, which hold significant implications for our country’s fiscal health and governance.
Within this framework, the Senate, as the Upper House, assumes a pivotal role in conducting comprehensive scrutiny and analysis of financial legislation. The recommendations put forth by the Senate carry substantial influence in shaping the ultimate outcome of money bills,” the ruling said.
The Senate Rules encompass a thorough mechanism to ensure the fulfillment of the House and its members’ constitutional obligations.
“Rule 204 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate, 2012, outlines the establishment of special committees to facilitate in-depth consideration of a matter. As per established parliamentary practice, special committees have historically been formed during Senate transitions every three years to ensure the continuity of the House’s business, even in the absence of regular committees,” it said.
Notably, special committees were constituted by the House during the tenures of former Chairmen Senate in the years 1985, 1988, 1991, 1994, 1997, 2009, 2012, 2015 and so on, to deliberate on bills and other significant matters while regular committees were being formulated.
Continuing with the Parliamentary tradition, upholding the constitutional mandate and ensuring the smooth functioning of the legislative process, a special committee is being constituted to deliberate upon and scrutinize the money bill in question.
“I trust that all honorable members of this House will extend their full cooperation and support to this special committee in fulfilling its crucial responsibilities in accordance with the principles of parliamentary democracy and constitutional governance,” the Chair said.
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
ISLAMABAD, April 25 (APP): Officials of the United States and Pakistan held an inter-sessional meeting under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) on Thursday .
According to the acting US Mission spokesperson Thomas Montgomery, a broad range of areas to improve bilateral trade and investment relationship came under discussion in the meeting.
The dialogue focused on good regulatory practices, digital trade, protection of intellectual property, women’s economic empowerment, labour, textiles, investment, and agriculture, which include progress on access for the US biotechnology products and beef.
Spokesperson Thomas Montgomery said coming on the heels of Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb’s recent visit to the United States, engagements like the TIFA were key to moving forward on the shared goals of deepening the economic bilateral relationship and furthering the prosperity of working people in both countries.
He said the US had long been Pakistan’s largest export market, with potential for further growth.
In 2023, the United States imported Pakistani goods worth $5 billion, while overall US-Pakistan goods trade measured $7 billion.
“The United States has also been a leading investor in Pakistan for the past 20 years and more than 80 US companies currently operate in Pakistan, supplying high quality goods to the Pakistani market and employing hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis,” the spokesperson added.
Poland-Pakistan corporation established on solid foundations: Polish envoy
ISLAMABAD, April 25 (APP): The Polish Ambassador to Pakistan, Maciej Pisarski, on Thursday said that relations between Pakistan and Poland are based on solid foundations.
“We are working with Pakistani partners in the development sector, and the volume of bilateral trade between the two countries has 930 million dollars, with the potential to increase to $1 billion”, he said in a meet the press event.
The ambassador said that 30% of Pakistan’s exports go to Europe through Poland.
Polish gas company was providing gas to Pakistani consumers, and Polish companies were playing a role in addressing Pakistan’s energy crisis, he added. Polish oil and gas company is working in Sindh, he said.
He further said that thirty Polish pilots and instructors had come to Pakistan to enhance the capacity of the Pakistan Air Force after independence of Pakistan.
To a question, he said that Polish embassy does not charge any fees for interviews, appointment and those who demand money are fraudsters. “We are also providing humanitarian aid in Gaza, and Polish individuals are working as volunteers in Gaza. Poland has recognised the resolution for the establishment of an independent Palestine state,” he added.
During his two-year stay in Pakistan, he said he had meetings with journalists, who are professionals.
The relations between Pakistan and Poland are based on solid foundations, and both countries have trade, cultural, and other ties, he stated.
He said that his priority is to strengthen the relations between the two countries, and in this regard, he is working to address Pakistan’s energy crisis through Polish companies.
“We have established a vocational school in Khyber Pakhtunkhawa and completed project for women in Hunza, which has been named “Safe Space” he said. There are friendly and close relations between Poland and Pakistan, and economic cooperation is the center of our relations, he said. Despite the distance, both countries have economic, political, and public ties, he added.
The Polish Ambassador further said that Pakistan is affected by environmental changes, and Polish companies are expert in green technology. Recently, Polish companies showcased their expertise in green technology at an exhibition in Lahore .
At the end of ceremony, the Polish Ambassador was presented with a shield by the President, Secretary, and Finance Secretary of the National Press Club. Later, the Polish Ambassador also presented gifts to the President, Secretary, and Finance Secretary.
Earlier, the Polish Ambassador was warmly welcomed by the President, Secretary, and Finance Secretary of the National Press Club, and presented with a bouquet of flowers.
SC orders removal of barriers outside buildings in Karachi
KARACHI, Apr 25 (APP): The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the authorities to remove the barriers placed outside various buildings including Chief Minister House, Governor House and Rangers Headquarters in Karachi and present the report in that regard within three days.
The directives were issued by the three member SC bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa and comprising Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel while hearing many cases related to encroachments, Nasla Tower and others at the Karachi Registry.
During the hearing, CJP Isa directed the authorities to send court orders to concerned for implementation.
He said the expenses related to the removal of encroachments should be collected from the encroachers.
“If there were a security issue then why are containers not placed inside the Governor House?” the CJP questioned.
The encroachments even from the premises of the Supreme Court should also be removed, he added.
The case pertaining to the encroachment was adjourned till Friday.
While hearing the Nasla Tower case, the apex court also directed the authorities to sell the land and compensate the affectees of Nasla Tower, a residential complex razed on its verdict.
The counsel, representing the Nasla Tower affectees, apprised the court that the builder of the residential complex had in fact died leaving his clients in a limbo.
The court then directed the affectees to approach the official assignee with the relevant ownership documents.
It also directed the authorities to submit a report on the market value of the Nasla Tower land and ordered publication of an advertisement for its sale / auction.
The court also sought a detailed report of the plot adjacent to the Nasla Tower land along with the details of the builder’s heirs.
While issuing notice to the Sindhi Muslim Cooperative Society, the court adjourned the hearing and gave one month time for the relevant authorities to submit their response in the said case.
Senior Army Commanders visit families of customs’ martyrs to condole
RAWALPINDI, Apr 25 (APP): Senior Commanders of Pakistan Army on Thursday visited the families of eight customs officials who laid their lives in the line of duty in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in two separate incidents in April 2024, to express condolences, pay tribute, and pledge unflinching support on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff.
According to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) news release, the visit was made in due recognition of this selfless sacrifice in fight against illegal spectrum and as an expression of solidarity by the Pakistan Army.
The families expressed their gratitude to the Army for the support and respect.
“Shuhada (martyrs) and Ghazis are our pride and their respect and honour is binding on each Pakistani. We must never forget that the peace and freedom we enjoy today is due to the ultimate sacrifices rendered by these brave sons of soil. We as nation salute Shuhada families for sacrificing their loved ones for Pakistan,” the ISPR said.
Dar urges opposition to burry past, join hands to steer country out of challenges
ISLAMABAD, April 25 (APP): Leader of the House in Senate and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Thursday urged the opposition to join hands and burry the past to steer the country out of challenges.
Replying to various points raised by leader of the Opposition in Senate Syed Shibli Faraz, the FM said that let be realistic, and shun blame game for working together to bringing this country out of the challenges.
Election process had been completed and now, we should utilize our energies to address the issues being faced the people and the country like energy, inflation, and debt, he said.
He further stated that the country was at verge of default in 2013 when Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz came into power. However, he said with collective efforts of all stakeholders, Pakistan has not only completed International Monetary Fund (IMF) programmes but also made the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) record at 4 percent besides maintaining food inflation at 2 percent.
Pakistan would have been among the top G 20 countries if there was no political instability in the country, he said.
The minister while welcoming the opposition leader suggestion to maintain sanctity of this house, urged the opposition members to come forward and play due role to achieve the objectives in this regard.
Regarding allocation of funds in the budget for fiscal year 2023-24, he said that government had provided funds for holding elections. An amount of over Rs 44 billion had been released by the last government for completion of election process, he said.
He said, it was the responsibility of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold elections in a transparent manner and after this process, the caretaker government was bound to discharge the duties to next elected government.
Regarding Senate elections in Khyber-Pakhtunkhawa, he said, the central government has a role in the Senate elections. The provincial government should complete the process in light of the court orders and the ECP directives,
he added.
Regarding PTI election symbol, he said, Section 215 was included in the Election (Amendment) Act 2017 on the recommendation of PTI lawmakers. Every political party has representation in the committee set up for Election (Amendment) Act 2017, he added.
He said that under the insertion of Section 215, election symbol would not be allotted to the party which did not hold intra party elections. He, however said that It was internal matter of PTI and the ECP only acted upon on Section 215.
Ishaq Dar said, he was against the political victimization and had sympathies with the opposition but in the past our leadership and their family members were implicated in false cases and even Senator Irfan Saddiqui was handcuffed on false rental case. He said, he always made efforts for political reconciliation and played key role during PTI’s 126 days long sit-in that held in 2014.
However, he said that PTI committed blunders on May 9, by attacking GHQ, Corp Commander House and other military installations.
Earlier, leader of the opposition Syed Shibli Faraz while speaking in the Senate said that PTI Founder and other workers were behind the bars for the last nine months. His party was deprived of election symbol before the general elections and PTI was not allowed to contest election as a party, he said.
He said that this house was incomplete without the election of senators from KPK. He urged the chairman to issue production order for senator Ijaz Chaudhry.
Models, poster and quiz competition held at AIOU
ISLAMABAD, Apr 25 (APP): Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) organized a models, posters and quiz competitions among students of BS Chemistry yesterday on account of International Periodic Table Day.
Dean, Faculty of Sciences, Prof Dr Hajra Ahmed graced the occasion as the chief guest. In her speech, Prof. Dr. Hajra emphasized the importance of such events, which provide a source of entertainment for students while also promoting education and scientific research.
She added that many science students possess a creative side that allows them to present science in an engaging and entertaining way. In the event, a talented student named Tayiba presented a poem based on chemical elements, which was appreciated by all the participants.
The quiz competition had 8 groups with a total of 32 participants, and the members of group number 7, Sharjeel Afaq, Rana Hamza Zafar, Saad Rizwan, and Saad Akbar were declared as winners.
The Chemistry department students created 10 models based on the periodic table elements, and 15 posters were displayed in the poster competition. All the participants in the poster competition received certificates for their creativity. This event was organized as part of the ongoing Golden Jubilee celebrations of AIOU.
