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FM stresses upon need of broadening economic diplomacy

By
Irfan Khan
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ISLAMABAD, April 27 (APP): Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday emphasized on the need of enhancing economic diplomacy and efforts to bolster trade and investment ties with the foreign countries.

The foreign minister chaired an online meeting with Heads of the Missions to inter-alia review the progress made on market sounding efforts being made through Pakistan’s Missions Abroad for outsourcing of airports, a press release said.

The secretary Aviation / DGCAA presented the progress review and informed that concerted efforts by Heads of the Missions in Turkiye, Malaysia, UAE, Qatar, Paris, Spain, Germany, Kuwait, UK and Switzerland have reinvigorated interests of well-known airport operators, who had shown positive interests in bidding of Islamabad International Airport.

The renewed interest of foreign airport operators testified economic stability and confidence of investors in the political stability in Pakistan.

The session was followed by 9th Meeting of Steering Committee on Outsourcing of Airports, which was inter-alia attended by Secretary Aviation / DGCAA, Secretary Law & Justice, Additional Secretary MoFA ME, Additional Secretary BOI, DG ASF, DG ANF, Additional DGCAA, Additional DG FIA (Immigration), senior officer of Pakistan Customs and IFC Team.

The IFC presented progress review report and highlighted that foreign investors were showing keen interest in the bidding process of Islamabad International Airport and a healthy competition was expected.

The fora also reviewed Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) and service delivery benchmarks worked out by international consultants to improve quality of services at airports.

It was assured by the heads of government agencies that all out efforts would be made for observance and adherence to service delivery benchmarks to ensure seamless passenger experience at airports.

The foreign minister stressed on IFC to expedite and complete the required tasks within stipulated time frame for outsourcing of Lahore and Karachi airports.

 

 

PM leaves for KSA to attend WEF special meeting

By
Irfan Khan
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0

ISLAMABAD, April 27 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday departed to Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to participate in a special meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on ‘Global Collaboration, Growth, and Energy for Development’, being held from April 28-29.

The prime minister was invited to attend the WEF meeting by Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and WEF Founder and Executive Chairman Professor Klaus Schwab.

“The Prime Minister will be accompanied by a high level delegation including Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. The Prime Minister and the Ministers will participate in WEF discussions on issues related to trade and investment measures, new investment frameworks, restructuring of supply chains, sustainable growth, and the energy landscape,” Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release.

The high level participation in the Forum will afford an important opportunity to present Pakistan’s priorities specifically in global health architecture, inclusive growth, revitalizing regional collaboration and the need for striking a balance between promoting growth and energy consumption.

On the margins of the main event, the prime minister and his delegation will hold bilateral meetings with world leaders, including the Saudi leadership, heads of international organizations, and other prominent figures participating in the event.

About 1,000 leaders from business, government, and academia will participate in the Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth, and Energy for Development, WEF said in a press statement.

The meeting, April 28–29, will focus on new pathways to reinvigorate growth globally amid the challenges posed by an increasingly fragmented geopolitical and economic environment.

It will revolve around three themes: revitalizing global collaboration; a compact for inclusive growth; and catalyzing action on energy for development, it was added.

The event bridges the growing North-South divide, which has further widened on issues such as emerging economic policies, the energy transition, and geopolitical shocks.

 

 

LESCO detects 315 power pilferers in 24 hours

By
Amjad Shafique
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LAHORE, Apr 27 (APP):The Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) detected a total of 315 connections from where the customers were pilfering electricity in all its circles of five districts (Lahore, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Kasur and Okara) on the 221st day of grand anti-power theft campaign.
The LESCO spokesman told media here Saturday that the company has also submitted FIR applications against electricity thieves, out of which 108 FIRs have been registered in respective police stations, while 07 accused have been arrested by the respective police.
Grand anti-power theft operations against electricity thieves are being conducted on the directives of the Federal Power Division and the LESCO Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Engineer Shahid Haider is supervising these operations. The LESCO chief vowed that the operations would continue without discrimination until the complete end of electricity theft. The electricity pilferers as well as the LESCO officers and employees who facilitate them are also being brought to justice.
On the 221st consecutive day of the anti-power theft campaign, the spokesman added, large commercial consumers were also found involved in electricity theft and all of them were also disconnected and charged with detection units. Among the seized connections 13 were commercial, 03 agricultural, 01 industrial and 298 domestic, and all these connections were disconnected and charged with a total of 231,070 units as detection bill amounting to Rs 6.845 million.
Apprising the media about some major power pilferers, he explained that LESCO charged Rs 400,000 detection bill to an electricity pilferer in Green Town; Rs 200,000 detection bill to a power pilferer in Old Anarkali area; Rs 160,000 detection bill to an electricity thief in Race Course area, and Rs 160,000 fine in the form of detection bill to another customer stealing electricity in Shahdara Town.
During the 221 days of the grand anti-theft campaign, the spokesman mentioned, the LESCO detected pilferage on 74,960 power connections and 71,331 FIRs have been registered against electricity thieves in the relevant police stations, while 30,025 accused have so far been arrested by the police. The LESCO has so far charged a total of 90,529,474 detection units worth Rs 3,357,040,327 to all the power pilferers.

US diplomats unveil ICC T20 World Cup 2024 countdown clock at Kinnaird College

By
Amjad Shafique
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0
Naeem Niazi
LAHORE, Apr 27 (APP):Four US diplomats in Pakistan led by DCM Andrew Schofer on Saturday unveiled the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 West Indies and USA Countdown Clock at the historic Kinnaird College cricket grounds, marking five weeks to the mega event.
Deputy Chief of Mission, US embassy, Islamabad, Andrew Schofer, US Consul General in Lahore Kristin Hawkins, US Consul General in Karachi Conrad Tribble and US Consul General in Peshawar Shante Moore got together to celebrate the first ICC mega event in the US on the invitation of Kinnaird College Principal Dr. Rukhsana David.
US diplomats unveil ICC T20 World Cup 2024 countdown clock at Kinnaird College
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 West Indies and USA countdown clock unveiling was sponsored by the Ali Khan Tareen’s Lodhran Pilot Project (LPP). The Countdown Clock marks the enthusiasm and love of Pakistani fans for the sport – they adore.
DCM Andrew Schofer and CG Kristin Hawkins pressed the button to unveil the countdown clock in the presence of their colleagues from the US Mission. LPP CEO Ali Khan Tareen, a large number of young women cricketers from Southern Punjab and faculty of the Kinnaird College for Women University (KCWU) were also present.
Interestingly, the Countdown Clock has been unveiled the very day the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup trophy has reached Lahore and will be put on display at the Gaddafi Stadium during the Pakistan – New Zealand T20I match in the evening.
US diplomats unveil ICC T20 World Cup 2024 countdown clock at Kinnaird College
The US diplomats also played an exhibition cricket match against the Ali Khan Tareen’s team comprising young girls from Southern Punjab and these girls symbolized the bright future of women’s cricket in Pakistan.
DCM Schofer and CG Kristin Hawkins opened the innings for the US diplomats’ team while CG Conrad Tribble stole the show with his power-hitting. He attributed his batting prowess to his baseball skills in his young days.
DCM Andrew Schofer in his remarks said that the US Mission in Pakistan was excited about start of the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in five-weeks, adding that they were excited about the Americans learning more about cricket.
The US diplomat admired the Kinnaird College for Women University and the LPP projects for the work they were doing in collaboration with the US Mission in Pakistan to empower young women through sports.
DCM Schofer also hailed the opportunity to spend time with the young athletes and learning vital tips into the basic of how to play cricket.

KP food minister visits wheat godown in Nowshehra

By
NNPS Desk
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PESHAWAR, Apr 27 (APP): Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Food Zahir Shah Toru paid a visit to the Azakhel wheat godown in Nowshehra, the other day.
The minister was accompanied by Secretary Food Zarif ul Muani along with other officials concerned.
The minister was briefed about the process of procurement of wheat and the measures taken for its safe storage in the warehouse.
During the visit, Zahir Shah Toru stated that the provincial cabinet had decided to purchase local wheat, aiming not only to procure quality wheat but also yielding significant financial benefits to the province.
He revealed that the provincial cabinet had approved the purchase of 600,000 metric tons of wheat for the year, setting the rate at 3,900 rupees per 40 kilograms, aligned with federal, Punjab and Balochistan government rates.
Regarding the welfare of local growers, Shah assured that their interests would be safeguarded at all costs.
The minister emphasized the government’s commitment toward transparency, highlighting ongoing efforts to digitize the administrative affairs of the food department to ensure accountability.
Zahir Shah Toru extended that five-member committee has also been constituted, comprising officials from the agriculture department, administration, and NAB to oversee the procurement, transportation, quality control, and prevention of malpractice during the whole procurement process.
Reiterating the government’s zero-tolerance policy against corruption, Toru pledged exemplary punishment for anyone found involved in malpractice.

Minister condemns unilateral urea fertilizer price hike

By
NNPS Desk
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0

ISLAMABAD, Apr 27 (APP): Federal Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain on Saturday has condemned the unilateral price hike of Sarsabz Urea fertilizer by Fatima Fertilizer Limited.
He expressed deep concern over an increase of Rs. 561 per urea bag and urged the fertilizer company to withdraws this unilateral increase, said a news release.
The minister said that the fertilizer company must provide solid justification for sudden increases in the price of Sarsabz Urea.
He highlighted that there has been no increase in gas prices for the fertilizer industry, adding that an increase in the price of urea fertilizer without a corresponding increase in gas prices is unacceptable and unjustified.
Rana Tanveer Hussain said that in case of failure to provide solid justification, the relevant ministry would determine prices according to the laws.
He highlighted the government’s commitment to protecting farmers’ interests and ensuring the stability of fertilizer prices.
Efforts are being made in collaboration with provinces to eliminate hoarding of fertilizers while mechanisms are being developed to check the availability of real-time stock of fertilizers, he added.
The minister said that fertilizer companies should provide facilities to enhance farmers’ productivity across the country.

KSrelief distributes 450 food baskets in Shangla

By
NNPS Desk
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0

ISLAMABAD, Apr 27 (APP): The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) distributed 540 food baskets in Shangla district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa here Saturday.
The assistant programme benefiting 3,150 individuals from the neediest and most vulnerable segments affected by the floods as part of the fourth phase of the Food Security Support Program for 2024, the SPA reported.
The aid comes within the relief efforts of the Kingdom through its humanitarian arm, KSrelief, to needy peoples and countries around the world.

3 killed, 3 injured in road accidents

By
Amjad Shafique
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0
FAISALABAD, Apr 27 (APP):Three people including a girl were killed while 3 others sustained multiple injuries in different road accidents in the last 12 hours.
A Rescue 1122 spokesman said here on Saturday that a speeding motorcycle collided with a donkey cart coming from the opposite direction due to darkness on Friday night.
As a result, motorcyclist Nadeem Asghar, 40, of Chak No.274-JB Sarhala and his 5-year-old daughter Aasia Nadeem received serious injuries and died on the spot whereas his father, Asghar Bashir (70), received minor injuries.
Similarly, 70-year-old Altaf Hussain of Aminpur Bungalow was killed after receiving serious injuries when the brakes of a vehicle driven by his son failed and it hit him on Narwala Road.
Meanwhile, a speeding truck hit a rickshaw near the Kashmir Bridge Underpass on Canal Road. As a result, three passengers including Asif, 28, of Kot Abdul Malik, Shahid Bashir, 24, of Chak No.215-RB and Abdul Razaq, 35, of Mannanwala received injuries and Rescue 1122 shifted them to Allied Hospital-II (DHQ Hospital) after first aid, he added.

Cases registered against four kiln owners, six lac fine imposed over violation

By
Amjad Shafique
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0
KHANEWAL, Apr 27 (APP):The environmental department conducted a raid on brick kilns and imposed a fine of Rs six lac for causing pollution.
As a consequence, cases were registered against four kiln owners.
This information was revealed in a district anti-smog meeting that was held under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner Waseem Hamid Sindhu on Saturday. The meeting was attended by Assistant Director Environment Sarfraz Anjum, Secretary RTA Hina Rehman, and other officials.
Furthermore, the teams also served notices on two industrial units and 32 brick kiln owners. Secretary RTA briefed the meeting about the crackdown against smoke-emitting vehicles.

SECP grants license to ever first Study Now Pay Later digital platform

By
Amjad Shafique
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0
ISLAMABAD, Apr 27 (APP):The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has granted a NBFC license to M/s Edufi Financial Services (Private) Limited, marking a significant milestone in establishing the first digital platform for Study Now, Pay Later (SNPL) initiatives in Pakistan.
To improve consumer convenience by providing tailored loan solutions, the SECP recognized various digital loan business models that offer innovative lending solutions, said a news release here on Saturday.
The Circular 12 of 2023 was issued with the objective of promoting specific licensing activities within the domain of Investment Finance Services.
The introduction of the Study Now, Pay Later (SNPL) category under digital lending licenses was a pivotal step towards launching digital student loans. The initiative aims to reduce funding barriers for low-income students by offering financial assistance via digital platforms, thereby reducing their reliance on costly commercial study loans.
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