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Police to take every step for security of business community: IGP

By
Waseem Iqbal
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ISLAMABAD, Apr 26 (APP): Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi on Friday assured foolproof security to the business community of the capital city by saying that a comprehensive strategy is being chalked out to address security-related issues being faced by the community.
The Inspector-General of Police said this while talking to a delegation of the ICCI led by its President Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari who called on him in his office to felicitate him on assuming the charge of his office, said a news release.
The IGP commended the hard work of the traders community for the development of the country by saying that all the concerns of the community will be removed by  taking all out efforts to overcome the trust deficit between Police and the masses and assured that  capital will be purged off encroachments beggary and drug trafficking also.
He called upon the traders to extend their full cooperation to police in its efforts to strengthen security and maintain peace in the city. Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari apprised the IGP of the police related problems being faced by the traders.
He said that the rising criminal incidents have created a sense of insecurity among the traders which is badly affecting business activities and investment prospects.
He also proposed a better liaison between Police and traders to overcome the issue.  Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari also extended an invitation to IGP to visit Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which he accepted by saying that he will pay a visit at the earliest.
The ICCI delegation included Chairman Founder Group Khalid Iqbal Malk, Secretary General United Business Group Zafar Bakhtawari, Vice President Engr. Azhar ul Islam Zafar, former SVP Khalid Chaudhry, former VP Saif ur Rehman,  Zia Khalid, Assad Aziz  and Nadeem Akhtar.

Lightning claims 03 lives in Oghi

By
Waseem Iqbal
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OGHI, Apr 26 (APP): At last 3 persons died as lightning struck in Nandaw Keri Oghi on Friday.  The Rescue Control Room in Mansehra swiftly responded to the emergency, dispatching a rescue ambulance and medical team from Oghi station to the scene.
According to sources from Rescue 1122, three shepherds were grazing their herd in the forest when they were struck by lightning, resulting in their immediate deaths. The deceased were identified as Shafiq (28 years old) resident of Batgram, Ahmed (40 years old) resident of Oghi, and Shakeel (10 years old) resident Batgram.
The Rescue Medical team shifted the bodies of the deceased to Type-D Hospital Oghi.

Girls’ education drive kicks off in Kohat

By
Waseem Iqbal
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KOHAT, Apr 26 (APP): The Government Girls High School Togh Bala on Friday witnessed an enthusiastic admission drive for the 2024-25 academic year.
Spearheaded by the Sarhad Rural Support Program (SRSP) under the PLG-GIZ project, this event garnered support from the District Administration Kohat and the District Education Women Kohat.
Distinguished guests, including Additional Deputy Commissioner Finance And Planning Kohat, Reena Shaheed Suhrawardy, and District Education Officer Zanana Rizwana Liaquat, graced the occasion.
The vibrant atmosphere saw girls eagerly registering for their educational journey. School principals, PTC committee members, social workers, SRSP PLG GIZ project staff, and students came together to kickstart the official 2024-25 school admission campaign. With a resounding call to action, Additional Deputy Commissioner Rina Suhrawardy urged parents to seize this opportunity and enroll their daughters in government schools.

Climate change poses severe threats to Pakistan, Balochistan: Samina Zehri

By
Waseem Iqbal
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QUETTA, Apr 26 (APP): To deal with the disasters of severe and unexpected climate change, the world must decide on a common and integrated plan of action. Climate change has had severe effects in Pakistan. These views were expressed by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri in a statement on Friday.
She said that to avoid heavy rains and floods now we have to be serious and to avoid this natural calamity floods we have to put all kinds of political differences aside and make serious efforts to build dams so that our future generations could be protected from the effects of these disasters and due to the expected severe climate changes in the future.
In addition to the severe cold and hot seasons, the expected heavy rains and floods can be avoided, he said.
Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri said that climate change the major countries that caused these catastrophic changes should help the countries affected by these devastating changes, especially Pakistan in this difficult situation after the floods.
Due to climate change, this year, like last year, Pakistan is particularly affected by the recent unexpected heavy rains and flood situation in Pakistan, she said.
She said that the infrastructure of Balochistan province has been severely damaged, due to this situation, Balochistan was facing serious challenges of climate change.
She said that in the flood-affected areas, rehabilitation plans and future strategies may be focus on the consequences of climate change, potential losses should be minimized, and future plans should be made taking into account changing climatic conditions.

Sindh home minister chairs law and order meeting

By
Waseem Iqbal
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KARACHI, Apr 26 (APP):An eleven-member delegation of MQM, including Sindh opposition leader Ali Khurshidi, attended the meeting held under the chairmanship of Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar here at the Central Police Office (CPO) on Friday.
Addressing the meeting, the minister said that the process of free registration of FIRs on citizens’ complaints should be ensured in accordance with the orders of the higher authorities.
He said that it was very important to work on the existing act regarding the protection of witnesses because it is also necessary to have solid evidence for a strong case.
Lanjar gave instructions that measures should be taken for the protection of witnesses so that their confidence in the police can be restored and they can approach the relevant courts without fear to testify in any case.
He gave instructions that all possible measures should be taken for online testimony in order to protect the eyewitnesses. He said that the SHOs must take concrete steps against crimes, otherwise the SHOs who cannot perform will lose their positions.
On the occasion, Sindh Home Minister asked the Leader of Opposition in Sindh Assembly to join hands to control the law and order situation and protect the citizens.
IGP Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon briefed the participants of the meeting on law and order situation and police measures taken in this regard.
He also covered the details of street crimes in the year 2023 and 2024, killings of citizens on resisting robberies. He said that according to the crime data, the data of Sindh Police and CPLC are almost the same.
The IGP Sindh also informed the meeting about the theft of mobile phones, vehicles and motorcycles from the citizens during the year 2023 and 2024.
IGP Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon comparing the first 4 months of the current year with the previous year, said the number of encounters were more than the previous year.
Similarly, there was an increase of 16 in the number of dead criminals, a decrease of 16 in the number of injured arrests, while the total number of arrested criminals also decreased by 889.
The meeting was told that due to the strict police operations against the menace like drugs, the cases and the arrests of the accused also decreased.
The Sindh Police Chief said that there was also an increase in the registration of cases and arrests in the action against Gutka/Mawa mafias.
IGP Sindh said that while reorganizing Madadgar 15, we are struggling to make it compatible with modern requirements. He further informed that we are going to provide 168 vehicles and 120 more motorcycles to Madadgar 15 against street crimes to be more vigilant and alert all the time, while 8 big screens are also being installed at the Madadgar 15 call centers.
He further said that the 386 motorcycle riding squad of Shaheen Force is also actively working against street crimes under the supervision of the concerned SSPs under the patrolling plan.
He said that 67 IOs have been notified under special orders to investigate the cases of murder on resisting robbery and the special investigation unit has been made responsible for this task.
Ghulam Nabi Memon said that recommendations for 4000 devices are prepared under the pilot project for e-tagging of habitual criminals and in this regard, rules and SOPs have also been drafted.
He said that the command and control center established in the CPO has been upgraded under which 2000 cameras have been installed while another 325 new cameras will also be installed and 500 old cameras are also being upgraded.
He said that under the Sindh Smart Surveillance System, the plan to install facial recognition cameras equipped with modern techniques at 40 toll plazas of Sindh is nearing completion and so far modern cameras have been installed at 28 toll plazas while the installation of cameras at the remaining toll plazas is also in progress. He said that this process
of installation of cameras will be a part of Karachi Safe City Project.
Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, Provincial Ministers Jam Khan Shoro, Dost Ali Rahimoon were also present on the occasion. Later, Sindh Home Minister, Provincial Ministers Jam Khan Shoro and Dost Ali Rahimoon visited the Command and Control Center.

Ahsan chairs 13th CPEC-JCC preparatory meeting, reviews arrangements for high-level delegation’s visit to China

By
NNPS Desk
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ISLAMABAD, Apr 26 (APP): Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Friday chaired a preparatory meeting for the 13th China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Joint Cooperation Committee (CPEC-JCC) meeting and a visit of the high-level delegation to China.

He underscored the substantial success witnessed by Pakistan between 2013 and 2018, marked by an influx of approximately $25 billion of Chinese investment within the framework of CPEC.

“This investment traversed critical sectors such as energy, infrastructure, Gwadar, and telecommunications, significantly augmenting Pakistan’s developmental landscape across various sectors,” he said, according to a Planning ministry’s news release.

Despite encountering setbacks during the previous political administration, the minister said concerted efforts had been undertaken to restore China’s confidence, yielding significant progress under the present government’s stewardship over the past 16 months.

In his assessment of ongoing projects, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal accentuated the imperative of preparing for the second phase of CPEC.

Making reference to the recent visit of China’s Deputy Prime Minister commemorating the 10th anniversary of CPEC, Ahsan Iqbal outlined the incorporation of five corridors for future collaboration, with a focal emphasis on economic corridors geared towards job creation, innovation, green energy and inclusive regional development.

The meeting deliberated on pragmatic strategies within each corridor, aligning them with national development objectives and priorities.

Ahsan Iqbal underscored the importance of cultivating a proficient team to ensure readiness for negotiations in China. “Each project within the portfolio will be evaluated based on its contribution to the overarching vision and its potential for yielding mutually advantageous outcomes.”

The recent Joint Working Group meeting held on January 21, 2024, reaffirmed the commitment to international cooperation and coordination. Co-chaired by the Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and the former Foreign Secretary of Pakistan, both countries concurred on third-party cooperation earlier this year.

The Planning minister was apprised that modalities for third-party cooperation would be finalized during the Prime Minister’s upcoming visit to China.

While reviewing the progress of key CPEC projects, Ahsan Iqbal discussed the imperative of upgrading the Karakoram Highway (KKH) to mitigate the risk of submergence following the construction of the Bhasha dam.

Officials from the National Highways Authority disclosed that the Cabinet had sanctioned an MoU for the cost-free feasibility studies of four projects, namely the Mirpur-Muzaffarabad-Mansehra road; the Babusar tunnel on N-15 highway; the DI Khan-Zhob section on N-50 highway, and the New Karachi-Hyderabad motorway. These projects are poised to substantially reduce transportation costs.

The Secretary Railways briefed the Minister on the upgrading of the 1727-kilometer-long ML1 Railway line from Karachi to Peshawar. This multi-billion-dollar railway line constitutes a historic milestone in Pakistan’s infrastructure development.

“Joint financing arrangements will be pursued with Chinese authorities during the Prime Minister’s visit to China.”
The Planning minister reiterated that the timely completion of the ML1 Railway Line remained the government’s paramount priority.

Highlighting the unique advantages of this mega railway line, he emphasized its role in supporting industries by reducing the cost of doing business, besides curtailing the oil import bill and transportation costs. Furthermore, it is poised to diversify supply chains for businesses operating along the route.

Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that the relevant departments of both countries were now fully poised to take requisite measures to materialize all agreements with unwavering momentum.

While reviewing the progress of infrastructural projects in Gwadar, it was ascertained that Phase I of the Gwadar Expressway was completed and operational, while work on Phase II, valued at Rs 94 million, would commence shortly.

The preparatory meeting concluded with the Planning minister’s directive to all pertinent ministries and their departments to formulate thoroughly researched, output-based progress reports and proposals in anticipation of the Prime Minister’s visit to China.

Chairman COPHC lauds MoMA’s efforts at Gwadar Port, Free Zone

By
Waseem Iqbal
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0
ISLAMABAD, Apr 26 (APP): Chairman Yu Bo of China Overseas Ports Holding Company Ltd (COPHC) called on Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh on Friday and appreciated the ministry’s consistent support and efforts in facilitating the operational activities at Gwadar Port and Free Zone.
The meeting comprehensively covered various developmental areas and key policy recommendations essential for enhancing the port’s efficiency and competitiveness, said a press release.
Qaiser Sheikh assured the ministry of Maritime Affairs’ commitments to move forward to work collaboratively towards the development of Gwadar Port & Free Zone as a cornerstone of regional trade and economic development.

NEPRA concludes hearing into FCA of DISCOs for March

By
Waseem Iqbal
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ISLAMABAD, Apr 26 (APP): National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) on Friday concluded public hearing into fuel cost adjustment (FCA) of all power distribution companies (DISCOs) for March.
The hearing was presided over the NEPRA Authority comprising Chairman Waseem Mukhtar, Member Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Engr Maqsood Khan, Member Balochistan Mathar Niaz Rana, Member Sindh Rafique Ahmad Shaikh and Member Punjab Amina Ahmed.
Central Power Purchasing Agency-Guarantee (CPPA-G) on behalf of XWDISCO sought Rs 2.94 per unit increase in power tariff for the said period.
Earlier, the FCA for month of February has been charged as Rs 4.92 per unit. The FCA for March would be Rs 1.98 per unit less as compared to FCA of February.
The FCA would be applicable to all consumers except lifeline consumers and charge station of electric vehicles. It would also not applicable to consumers of K-Electric.
The Authority would be announced its detailed judgment after reviewing statistics.

Secretary health urges public to follow precautionary measures to avoid spreading dengue

By
Waseem Iqbal
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PESHAWAR, April 26 (APP): Secretary Health of Khyber Pakhtunkhawa Mahmood Aslam during the sermon of Friday prayers at Gul Bahar Number One area, conducted an awareness campaign and appealed the locals to follow precautionary measures to avoid dengue in their living localities.
He urged the general public to ensure disposal of wastage and covering of stagnant water inside and outside of their homes, to protect themselves and residents of the area from dengue.
Pamphlets regarding dengue awareness were also distributed among the public by health department officials including those from Civil Defense and WSSP.
He, along with District Health Officer Dr. Idris, Focal Person for Dengue Dr Ikramullah and officials of Civil Defense, WSSP, and relevant authorities also led a Dengue Awareness walk in Gul Bahar area.
He personally visited various streets in Gul Bahar, and distributed awareness pamphlets to shopkeepers and locals, besides issuing instructions regarding dengue prevention.
He also praised the efforts of the Civil Defense officials for spreading awareness among the people through different means of sources.
Secretary Health issued directives to relevant authorities on this occasion, instructing them to report the progress of dengue prevention activities on a regular basis.

LESCO collects over Rs 4.36m from 189 defaulters in 24 hours

By
Waseem Iqbal
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0
LAHORE, Apr 26 (APP): The Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) recovered more than Rs 4.36 million from 189 dead defaulters in all the five districts- Lahore, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Kasur and Okara- on the 207th day of its recovery campaign.
LESCO spokesman told the media here Friday that on the 207th day, SE (Superintending Engineer) Nisar Sarwar has recovered outstanding dues of Rs 0.65 million from 26 defaulters in Northern Circle; SE Umar Bilal recovered Rs 0.92 million from  64 defaulters in Eastern Circle;  SE Shabbir recovered Rs 0.75 million from 47 defaulters in Central Circle; SE Zafarullah Saanghi collected Rs 0.08 million from 07 defaulters in South Circle; SE Muhammad Hussain recovered Rs 0.28 million from 11 defaulters in Nankana Circle; SE Najamul Hassan recovered Rs 0.64 million from 09 defaulters in Sheikhupura Circle; SE Jamshed Zaman collected Rs 0.40 million from 12 defaulters in Okara Circle and SE Ahmed Shahzad Chughtai recovered Rs 0.64 million from 13 defaulters in Kasur Circle.
During the 207 days, the spokesman added that the LESCO has recovered a total of Rs 2.897 billion outstanding dues from 100,883 dead defaulters. He elaborated that uptill now the company has collected Rs 427.74 million from 14,659 defaulters in Northern Circle; Rs 680.70 million from 13,137 defaulters in Eastern Circle; Rs 383.45 million from 11,337 defaulters in Central Circle; Rs 159.63 million from 5,927 defaulters in South Circle; Rs 233.73 million from 8,724 defaulters in Nankana Circle; Rs 425.57 million from 11,769 defaulters in Sheikhupura Circle; Rs 187.86 million from 16,101 defaulters in Okara Circle and Rs 398.93 million from 19,229 defaulters in Kasur Circle.
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