300 raids conducted on hideous of drug-dealers
PML-N to become more strong under Nawaz Sharif: Rana Sanaullah
Bugti issues directives to operate circular road parking plaza
Punjab Police cricket honored with shields, medals & CCI certificates
LESCO detects 74,621 power pilferers in 220 days
WB director, Planning minister discuss reforms in development projects
ISLAMABAD, Apr 26 (APP): World Bank’s (WB) Global Director for Governance Arturo Herrera Gutierrez on Friday called on Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal and discussed reforms aimed at improving development projects.
During the meeting, the minister apprised the WB official that the incumbent government was taking all possible steps to modernize the completion stages of development, utilizing modern technology and methods to ensure better results.
Ahsan Iqbal said the government had made all project details available online to ensure transparency, highlighting importance of effective monitoring and performance evaluation systems to attract more and more investment in the country. “A geographic information system has been established to track project progress.”
Ahsan Iqbal said experts from all sectors had been invited to join the government’s efforts to bring about positive change, adding relevant experts were involved in the project review process. “This has resulted in significant progress towards achieving project goals and timelines.”
Despite challenges in funding and resource allocation, the Planning minister said Pakistan had managed to save Rs 7 billion from 2013 to 2018 through effective monitoring and resource utilization.
Ahsan Iqbal said the Planning ministry had been granted autonomous status since 2013, allowing it to function as a think tank and prioritize development projects.
He said the development budget had been increased threefold since 2013, demonstrating the government’s commitment to progress.
Ambassador Jemal inaugurates Ethio-Pakistan Unity Enclave at FCCI to celebrate Green Legacy Initiative
FAISALABAD, Apr 26 (APP): Ethiopian Ambassador to Pakistan Jemal Beker Abdula on Friday inaugurated Ethio-Pakistan Unity Enclave at the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI).
The FCCI set up the enclave at its vicinity to celebrate the Ethio-Pakistan Fraternity Under Green Legacy Initiative launched by the chamber in collaboration with the Ethiopian Embassy Islamabad.
Ambassador Jemal and FCCI President Dr Khurram Tariq launched the initiative by planting saplings of indigenous species at the enclave.
A large number of people from all walks of life including business and religious community, academia, students, civil society and media took part in the plantation campaign under the Green Legacy initiative of Dr Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Jemal lauded the FCCI leadership and all those who had contributed to the historic initiative of the Ethiopian Embassy that was aimed at fostering fraternity and brotherhood between the two countries through the Green Legacy Initiative.
He said it was imperative for both Ethiopia and Pakistan to share their experiences, knowledge and expertise to fight the looming threat of climate change together.
The ambassador recalled the devastation unleashed by the flash floods in Pakistan in 2022 that he had personally witnessed during his visit to the tent cities of Sindh.
Highlighting importance of the Green Legacy Initiative, he said the visionary leader of Ethiopian PM Dr Abiy Ahmed worked out a home grown solution to the climate change under his Medemer philosophy that advocated for alignment of all resources to resolve home grown problems.
He said the Ethiopian Prime Minister had been mobilizing the whole nation under the Green Legacy Initiative since 2019 and so far, more than 32.5 billion seedlings were planted across the country in the last five years which included saplings of fruits like avocado, papaya, banana, oranges, olives and many others.
Likewise, coffee, animal feed and floral plants were also planted taking “us closer to our target of 50 billion seedlings until 2025”, he added.
In addition to that, he said, more than 150,000 nurseries were set up in the country as well as over a million jobs created through the Green Legacy Initiative.
FCCI President Dr Khurram expressed gratitude to Ambassador Jemal Beker Abdula for introducing the Green Legacy Initiative in Pakistan.
He said history had been made with the launch of Ethio-Pakistan Unity Enclave at the FCCI Sustainability Park which reflected growing relations between the two countries.
Bakht Kakar orders to ensure maximum facilities in livestock sector
QUETTA, Apr 26 (APP): Balochistan Minister for Livestock and Dairy Development Bakht Muhammad Kakar on Friday ordered to ensure maximum facilities to the livestock sector including provision of treatment of animals.
In a statement issued here, he said free veterinary camps will be organized in different areas of Balochistan to provide vaccination, medicines to the livestock owners to protect the animals from infectious and non-infectious diseases.
He said that livestock farmers are providing all possible facilities to achieve the best production of milk and meat and boost its production.
He said a special advisory campaign has also been launched for livestock farmers so that they can benefit from the advice of veterinary doctors, livestock experts and contribute to economic development and financial stability, including increasing of meat and milk production.
Kakar said besides meeting the country’s food requirments, valuable foreign exchange can be earned by exporting surplus milk, meat and other products made from it.