ISLAMABAD: April 20 –
APP02-200424
ISLAMABAD: April 20 – An attractive and eye catching view of flowers blooming on tree to mark the spring season. APP/IFD/IQJ/FHA
An attractive and eye catching view of flowers blooming on tree to mark the spring season
ISLAMABAD: April 20 –
PMA remains cradle of leadership, center of excellence for cadets joining Army’s premier institution: COAS
RAWALPINDI, Apr 20 (APP): Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), General Sahir Shamshad Mirza on Saturday said since its inception, Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) has remained the cradle of leadership and center of excellence for cadets joining the premier institution of Army.
He was addressing as chief guest at the passing out parade of cadets of 149th PMA Long Course, 14th Mujahid Course, 68th Integrated Course and 23rd Lady Cadet Course held at Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul where 49 Cadets from friendly countries were also among the passed out cadets, an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) news release said.
While Chief of the Turkish General Staff, General Metin Gürak was Guest of Honour on the occasion.
On the occasion, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza said, “Over the years, PMA has also trained scores of foreign cadets whose brilliant performance in their respective Armies stands testament to the professional ethos of PMA. Today’s parade serves as an illustrious example of military discipline at its finest and reflects the sterling ethos of the Academy and Pakistan Army alike.”
The CJCSC reviewed the parade and along with the Turkish Chief of General Staff gave away awards to the distinguished cadets.
The coveted Sword of Honour was awarded to Academy Senior Under Officer Muhammad Nauman Abdullah and President’s Gold medal to Company Senior Under Officer Muhammad Abdullah Javed of 149th PMA Long Course. The Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Overseas Gold Medal was awarded to Friendly Country Senior Under Officer Fahad Bin Aqil Al Towarqi Al Fallaj from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The COAS Cane was awarded to Course Under Officer Ilyas Khan of 14th Mujahid Course. The Commandant’s Canes were awarded to Course Junior Under Officer Danish Sattar of 68th Integrated Course and Course Under Officer Sher Bano of 23rd Lady Cadet Course.
The Chairman JCSC felicitated the passing out cadets and their proud parents on the successful completion of their training at PMA. Earlier on arrival, CJCSC was received by Commandant PMA.
PM to pay official visit to China in May: Rana Mashhood
PESHAWAR, Apr 20 (APP): Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Program, Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan has said that the friendship between Pakistan and China was beyond any doubt, but during the last regime, not only the CPEC project was destroyed, but also an attempt was made to spoil the relations between the two brotherly countries.
He expressed these views while talking to the media during his visit to China Window, a Chinese cultural center established in Peshawar.
According to a press release issued here on Saturday, Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan visited different galleries of China Window, signed the friendship wall and recorded his comments in the visitor’s book.
He said that Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif wants to make Pakistan a partner in economic development and that is the reason why he is bringing investment from Pakistan’s friendly countries to Pakistan so that the country can stand on its own feet.
From May 14, the Prime Minister will make an official visit to the People’s Republic of China, which will restore the confidence of the brotherly neighboring country and the CPEC project will move towards success quickly, he added.
In response to a question, Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan said that the current federal government’s focus is on youth.
Along with higher education, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed to increase the technical training of the youth so that the talented youth are not only sent abroad but their skills can also be fully utilized in Pakistan.
Recognizing the importance of languages, including Chinese, Rana Mashhood disclosed that he had instructed relevant institutions to initiate language programs tailored to meet the diverse needs of different countries.
He specifically mentioned plans to include the Chinese language in the programs offered by the National Commission for Technical and Vocational Training.
Rana Mashhood expressed appreciation for the establishment of the Chinese Cultural Center in Peshawar, foreseeing it as a pivotal hub for further enhancing the bonds between Pakistan and China. He reiterated his commitment to providing all possible cooperation in strengthening this friendship.
Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan further said that many countries including China and Saudi Arabia are planning to invest in Pakistan in various fields.
Thousands of talented people will also get an opportunity to perform services in the country and abroad.
He appreciated the establishment of the Chinese Cultural Center in Peshawar and said that it is commendable that the China Window will prove to be a center for further strengthening the friendship between Pakistan and China. He also assured of all possible cooperation.
WAPDA awards multi-million dollar contract for Mangla Dam Project
MIRPUR-AJK, Apr 20 (APP): Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has awarded a multi-million dollar contract for the supply of two critical transformers for the Mangla Refurbishment Project, paving the way for a major increase in power generation capacity and a stronger national grid.
In a statement released by WAPDA on Friday, WAPDA has taken a major step forward in the Mangla Dam Project, awarding a contract worth US$ 6.28729 million for the design and supply of two 220 KV, 168.75 MVA Generator Step-up (GSU) Transformers for Unit No. 9 and 10.
The contract was signed between WAPDA and Chinese contractor CHINT at a ceremony held at WAPDA House.
The project which aims to refurbish the existing Mangla Hydel Power Station will increase its generation capacity from 1000 MW to 1310 MW, a significant increase of 310 MW.
The average annual generation will also increase from 5 billion units to 6.6 billion units. The project is being funded by USAID, AFD France, and WAPDA’s resources.
The project is expected to be completed by 2027-28 and will play a vital role in strengthening the national grid and meeting the country’s growing power needs.
The contract signing ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials, including Member (Finance) WAPDA Naveed Asghar Chaudhry and Member (Power) WAPDA Jamil Akhtar.
Balochistan cabinet to procure 500000 tons wheat
QUETTA, Apr 20 (APP): The Balochistan cabinet has decided to procure 500,000 metric tons wheat this year in a bid to ensure the commodity in order to provide relief to the masses and fixed the support price of wheat in Balochistan equal to that of Sindh.
In the meeting chaired by Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti here Saturday, the cabinet has agreed to change the method of procurement of wheat and order to purchase customized modern eco-friendly bags for wheat.
The cabinet has decided to stop the purchase of bardrana (begs) at the government level from next year and instructed the Food Department that to pay the amount of bardrana to the farmers instead of purchasing it at government level, which will able the farmers to buy bags from the local market.
In the meeting, Secretary Food Saleh Baloch while giving a briefing, said that currently 58,000 bardranas are available with the Food Department while a tender has been issued to purchase more.
The cabinet also directed the Food Department to cancel the tender and purchase standard bags available in the market, preventing it from procuring more traditional begs for wheat.
The provincial cabinet approved the fixing of wheat price which is equal to the price fixed by Sindh government to stop smuggling of wheat from Balochistan to Sindh due to price instability.
The Balochistan Chief Minister also approved the establishment of a monitoring committee consisting of members of the assembly to ensure transparency in wheat procurement, which will also include officers nominated by the chief secretary.
The committee will examine the transparency and lack of deficiencies in the wheat procurement process across the province.
It was decided in the meeting that procurement of wheat will be done on first come first served basis only at approved centers without any discrimination.
The cabinet also approved a grant of Rs 500 million for the martyrs of Balochistan Police.
Addressing the cabinet meeting, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti said that the stories of corruption in Bardrana are not hidden from anyone.
He said, “we have to improve the rules-based system and put it on the right track to ensure the implementation of proposed measures in good faith and by collective consensus.”
He added that a mistake may be made, but a repeated act would not be a mistake but would be consider a deliberate act, for which there would be accountability at all levels.
The chief minister directed the food secretary to ensure the availability of bardrana in all approved centers during the current procurement season.
The bardrana should not allowed outside these centres, transparency should be ensured during its distribution, Sarfraz Bugti ordered and warned that any process involving partiality and favouritism will not be tolerated.
Sarfraz Bugti said it is necessary to eliminate the corruptions and remove the stain of corruption done in the past from the food department.
The chief minister said that the purchase of wheat should be done according to the requirement and storage capacity in the available warehouses so that the wheat is not wasted due to unsafe storage.
4G for all fundamental to Digital Pakistan vision
ISLAMABAD, Apr 20 (APP): Prioritizing the provision of high-speed 4G to rural and semi-urban populations is imperative for realizing the Digital Pakistan vision, said Asif Aziz, Chief Business Officer at Jazz. On its part, Jazz has played a significant role in fostering 4G adoption in Pakistan, witnessing substantial growth over the past five years, he added.
Currently, 90 percent of mobile broadband subscribers in Pakistan are utilizing 4G, a notable increase from just 17 percent five years ago, with Jazz having the largest 4G subscriber base of 46.38 million with an overall cellular subscriber base crossing 71.5 million mark, said a news release issued here Saturday.
Speaking at a panel discussion titled ‘Infrastructure Development in Pakistan: 5G & Cloud Technology’ at the Global Digital Summit 2024, Asif highlighted how the digitalization efforts at Jazz were focused on bringing the underserved segments of the population into the fold of digital inclusion.
Other speakers on the panel included Zarrar Khan CBO PTCL, Ali Akhtar CEO of DynaSys Networks and Aamir Ahsan Khan President and Key Account Manager Ericsson Pakistan, while it was moderated by Saira Faisal Country Head GSMA.
Addressing the digital divide is imperative; if it persists, inequality will persist among users, posing a significant threat to the country’s socioeconomic welfare,” remarked Asif.
Explaining the benefits of digital connectivity, Asif said it goes beyond involving basic connectivity to being a complete digital lifestyle tool where people productively interact with their smartphones all day instead of just a few minutes traditionally spent on calls and messaging.
“With a smartphone in every hand and broadband in every home, we can turn things around for the country, improving lives and livelihoods of Pakistanis, especially women and youth,” he said.
Responding to a question about 5G, Asif wondered if Pakistan was ready for the technology at this stage, shedding light on the challenges that the country currently faces.
“With 20 percent of our population still without cellular coverage, a significant portion offline, low smartphone penetration, and only 1-2 percent of handsets being 5G enabled, our focus should instead be on maximizing the benefits that 4G presents.
He also highlighted that 2G phones still comprise a significant part of local manufacturing/assembly in Pakistan, at the time when the country should even be phasing out 3G technology.
“Covid gave us a much-needed push toward digitalization, a momentum which we could use to our advantage to accelerate the digital uptake. Today, we need to resume that pace, for most of which 4G provides ample power.”
Asif added how Jazz, with its digital operator strategy, has been pursuing greater relevance for users through cutting-edge digital solutions for fintech, entertainment, lifestyle, cloud, and more.
“While JazzCash Pakistan’s largest fintech and Tamasha Pakistan’s leading entertainment platform are serving our customers’ changing financial services and entertainment needs respectively, on the business side of things, our cloud vertical, Garaj, has proved to be a massive success, already providing over 100 enterprises with cloud and cybersecurity solutions.”
Cloud computing provides organizations with the ability to rapidly scale resources up or down, as needed, allowing them to handle changes in demand more effectively; It also takes away the risks associated with huge CAPEX investment and lets the business use a pay-as-you-go model for ease, Asif added while speaking on the benefits of could services.
‘Socio-Economically, Bicycle Day’ a productive activity for human life: Ambassador Agnes
ISLAMABAD, Apr 20 (APP): Chairman of the ASEAN Committee in Islamabad (ACI) and Ambassador of the Philippines to Pakistan, Maria Agnes M. Cervantes, said on Saturday that ‘Bicycle Day’ was a means of expressing healthy and socio-economic activity, not only for the people of the of the ASEAN region but also for the rest of the world.
“Bicycles are an important source of economic, social, and physical productivity, which can be promoted towards a sustainable human lifestyle by promoting them like a culture,” Ambassador Maria Agnes M. Cervantes said.
Chairman of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEANs), Committee in Islamabad (ACI), and Ambassador of the Philippines to Pakistan said this while talking to the media on the occasion of Bicycle Day ‘organized by the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEANs), Committee in Islamabad (ACI) here.
Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Islamabad and Ambassador of Turkmenistan Atadjan Movlamov and other Ambassadors of ASEAN, including Ambassador of Vietnam to Pakistan, Nguyen Tien Phong, Ambassador of Thailand to Pakistan, Chakkrid Krachaiwong, Ambassador of Sri Lanka, Admiral Ravindra Chandrasiri Wijegunaratne, Ambassador of Morocco to Pakistan, Mohamed Karmoune, Chardi Affairs of Indonesia, Rahmat Hindiarta Kusuma, and diplomats of different countries, participated in the events.
She said, “Bicycle is an important activity in human life; it is built into the life of the common man as a healthy activity in ASEAN countries.”
“It is a step towards being attracted to a positive activity, and along with this, people from all walks of life in the local Pakistani community are here today with full enthusiasm,” she said.
The Ambassador said, “In Pakistan and the Philippines, people of all ages consider bicycles to be a favorite ride, and in both countries, people take it as a positive and healthy activity.”
Ambassador Maria Agnes said, “Embassies of seven ASEAN countries, including Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, and Brunei Darussalam, are gathered here today for ‘Bicycle Day.’
The envoy said, “Ambassadors and diplomatic staff of ASEAN countries are present here with their families, which is a manifestation of the mutual unity and tolerance of the ASEAN countries.”
She said that the ambassadors and diplomats of other countries, and especially the local business community of Pakistan, played an important role in making this day memorable.
The Ambassador said, “Bicycles are a simple, affordable, reliable, clean, and environmentally fit sustainable means of transport, and the day is celebrated with the uniqueness, durability, and versatility of the bicycle.”
“Bicycles are good for physical and mental health; they are also good for the environment and the economy,” she said.
At the end, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Islamabad and Ambassador of Turkmenistan Atadjan Movlamov said on the occasion, “Bicycle Day is a good step organized by ‘ASEAN Committee Islamabad, which has far-reaching effects on our economic and social life.”
Finally, the diplomats and their families took part in a cycle race in which members of the local community also participated.
Gold rates up by Rs.1,500 per tola to Rs.252,200
ISLAMABAD, Apr 20 (APP):The per tola price of 24 karat gold increased by Rs.1,500 and was sold at Rs.252,200 on Saturday compared to its sale at Rs.250,700 on last trading day.
The price of 10 grams of 24 karat gold also increased by Rs.1,286 to Rs.216,221 from Rs.214,935 whereas the prices of 10 gram 22 karat gold went up to Rs.198,202 from Rs.197,024, the All Sindh Sarafa Jewellers Association reported.
The price of per tola and ten gram silver remained constant at Rs.2,780 and Rs.2,383.40 respectively.
The price of gold in the international market increased by $11 to $2,411 from $2,400, the Association
President summons Senate session on April 25
ISLAMABAD, April 20 (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari has summoned a session of Senate on April 25, Thursday at 04:00 p.m. which was earlier convened for April 22.
The president summoned the session under Article 54 (1) of the Constitution of Pakistan, President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release on Saturday.
Tributes paid to Kashmiri iconic leader Haider Khan
ISLAMABAD, Apr 20 (APP): Speakers at a conference paid rich tributes to Raja Muhammad Haider Khan, an iconic figure in Kashmir’s struggle for self-determination, on his 58th death anniversary.
The conference was organized by Jammu Kashmir Peace and Justice organization in Muzaffarabad, according to press statement received here Saturday.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman Jammu Kashmir Peace and Justice Organization, Tanveer ul Islam underscored the organization’s unwavering commitment to advocating the rights of Kashmiris in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and called for international intervention for peaceful resolution of the issue.
He also highlighted recent actions by the Indian government, including the revocation of Article 370 and discriminatory legislation, which was aimed to alter the demographic composition of the region and marginalize Kashmiri Muslims.
He condemned these measures as further exacerbating the challenges faced by the Kashmiri populace and threatening their future prospects.
Other speakers on the occasion shed light on the harrowing history of Kashmir, from the era of Dogra rule marked by systemic discrimination and economic exploitation to the aftermath of the partition of British India, which brought about massacres and forced displacement of Kashmiri Muslims.
They paid tributes to Raja Haider Khan, a visionary leader who played a pivotal role in the resistance movement against the anti-Muslim Dogra Maharaja and later joined the freedom struggle in 1947.
His unwavering commitment to the cause of Kashmiri self-determination and deep concern for the people of the occupied territory continue to inspire generations.