ISLAMABAD, Jan 25 (APP):Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM) was planning to launch an Orphan Donors Support Programme (ODSP) to extend financial help among the widows of low income group, Managing Director Aon Abbas Buppi said.

Talking to APP, he said initially 100 widows would be registered from each district of the country. The widow mother of one orphan child would be paid Rs8,000 and Rs12,000 will be paid to the mother of two orphan children after every three months for meeting the expenses of children.

He said he sincerely believes that a mother can better take care of her child as comparing to orphanage, so PBM was planning to help widow mothers.

Responding to a question he said the deserving widows would be selected on merit sans sustaining any political influence.

PBM has also written letters to multinational companies, chamber of commerce
to donate in the ODSP the sizable chunk of their budget allocated for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to help orphans in getting basic amenities of life.

He said PBM was also planning to distribute Energy Efficient Stoves in Gilgit-Baltistan and other vulnerable areas of the country to save frequent cutting of trees.

The multi purpose stoves can be used for cooking, keeping the room warm and also work as geyser.

Each one stove costing Rs8,500, would be provided initially to 15,000 families for saving trees.

ISLAMABAD, Jan 25 (APP):Pakistan has started commercial production of environment friendly and fuel efficient electric rickshaws.

The first indigenously produced electric rickshaw was rolled out in a special ceremony held in Lahore on Saturday. The event was attended among others by Advisor to the Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam.

Talking on the occasion, Malik Amin Aslam said the success of the project would depend on financial benefit of its owner. If it was found suitable for its owner, more rickshaws could be converted to electric technology, he added.

Experts say the indigenous production of electric rickshaws will not only save fuel but also put a positive impact on environment.

Its manufacturers told that the production of electric rickshaws could be enhanced through patronage and encouragement of the government.

KARACHI, Jan 25 (APP):Governor of Sindh Imran Ismail Saturday said that the government was providing opportunities to youth under the `Kamyab Jawan Programme’ and the loan up to Rs five million was being given to youth.

He expressed these views while addressing as the chief guest in the first certificate distribution ceremony of the Osman Institute of Technology held at NED University of Engineering and Technology here.

He said that young people prefer to go abroad even though there was everything in this country, there were opportunities in Pakistan, but the youth have to show courage and Almighty Allah will help them.

The Governor of Sindh said that the parents’ efforts were behind the success of the students and they give many sacrifices so as to make the future of their children prosperous.

Vice Chancellor of NED University, Prof. Sarosh Hashmat Lodhi, Director Usman Institute Dr Zahir Ali Syed, Registrar, Professors and parents were also present on the occasion.

The Governor of Sindh said that it was a pleasure to call the students with the names of parents, which encouraged parents, who worked hard and struggled a lot for the day.
He observed that big people think big, their dreams were big, so the students should dream big.

The Governor Sindh said that Pakistan was far ahead of Thailand, Dubai and Malaysia in the initial period and now once again the eyes of the whole world were on Pakistan and the country was emerging again. The hard work of young people would take this country further, he added.

As many as, 271 students were awarded certificates, six students were awarded gold medals and Rs 25,000 each cash on their out standing performance.

A total 147 students of Electrical Engineering batch-2015, 55 students of Bachelors of Computer Science and 69 students of Bachelors of Software Engineering were awarded degrees in the ceremony.

Addressing the ceremony, Director Usman Institute of Technology (UIT) Dr. Zahir Ali Syed said that over 4,000 students have successfully completed their graduation from UIT in the last 25 years.

The students of UIT are serving all over the world and have made proud to the Institute and we have the same expectations with our new Engineers.

NED University Vice-Chancellor Professor Sarosh Hashmat Lodhi also addressed the occasion.

ISLAMABAD, Jan 25 (APP):Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Ali Muhammad Khan has said no mega scandal of corruption or money laundering surfaced during the ongoing tenure of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government.

The PTI government was determined to completely wipe out the menace of corruption from the country and it would not defend any corrupt element, he said talking to a private news channel.

The minister said the PTI government would not make any compromise on accountability process against plunderers as it had won the general election 2018 on slogan of accountability across the board.

He said during the previous government of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, the Transparency International had revealed its index report that corruption was decreased in Pakistan but Nawaz Sharif was ousted from the premiership on mega corruption scandal of Panama Papers. It was raising questions on the authentication and credibility of Transparency International, he claimed.

He further said not a single PTI leader’s name was mentioned in Transparency International report for corruption in the country.

ISLAMABAD, Jan 25 (APP):A senior diplomat from the High Commission of India on Saturday was summoned to the Foreign Office to register Pakistan’s strong protest at the ceasefire violations by the Indian occupation forces along the Line of Control (LoC), resulting in serious injuries to an innocent civilian lady.

Due to indiscriminate and unprovoked firing by the Indian forces in Chirikot Sector of LoC on Saturday, 21-year old Laiba, w/o Naqeeb, resident of village Serian, sustained serious injuries, the foreign office spokesperson in a press release said.

Condemning the targeting of innocent civilians by the Indian occupation forces, it was underscored that such senseless Indian acts, in clear violation of the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding and in complete disregard for international human rights and international norms, further vitiated the tense atmosphere along the LoC and posed a threat to regional peace and stability.

It was also emphasized that by raising tensions along the LoC and the Working Boundary (WB), India could not divert attention from the worsening human rights situation in the Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K).

“Pakistan called upon the Indian side to respect the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding; investigate this and other incidents of deliberate ceasefire violations and maintain peace along the LoC and the WB. It was also urged that India should permit the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) to play its mandated role as per the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions,” it added.

LAHORE, Jan 25 (APP):Federal Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan said on Saturday that under the new ‘Aviation Policy’, five new aeroplanes were being added to PIA fleet (Pakistan International Airline) this year.

He was talking to media men prior to his address at inaugural ceremony of Pakistan Metrological Department’s (PMD) Media & IT Centre, and Weather Helpline-1315 here at Meteorological Office.

The federal minister was of the view that addition of new airplanes would improve working and flights operation of PIA.

To a question, he said the government was going to sign new agreements with foreign airlines including Lufthansa Air and AZAL (Azerbaijan Airline), Air France and many other airlines of Gulf States.

To another question, he said Pakistan Tehrek-e-Insaf (PTI) government would complete its five-year constitutional term. All government allies were still its strong allies, he added.

About climate change, the federal minister said Pakistan Metrological Department had immense importance to control global warming and many other issues related to it.

He said accurate weather prediction could help us put in place effective measures well before time. “Climate change is global issue and we have to take measures as per international standards,” he maintained.

Later, addressing the inaugural ceremony, Federal Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan viewed that weather forecast was very crucial for agricultural development and changing of crop patterns especially in barren areas.

He asserted that meteorological department had major role in flying and shipping operations of a country and its connectivity with rest of the world through air and sea routes.

The federal minister stressed the need for improving and expanding the scope of Pakistan Metrological Department, adding that present government had so far taken various steps in this direction, however, a lot had yet to be done.

On the suggestion of PMD Director General Muhammad Riaz regarding provision of subsidy on electricity for PMD radars, the Federal Minister said that he would duly consider this proposal with relevant quarters including WAPDA.

Joint Secretary (Aviation) Imran Jamil Shami, Chief Meteorologists Mahr Sahibzad Khan and Dr Muhammad Hanif, and staff of Lahore Meteorological Office were also present.

LAHORE, Jan 25 (APP):Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar and Federal Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed met here Saturday and discussed matters of mutual interest including welfare schemes, development projects for Rawalpindi.

Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed also invited the chief minister to attend a public meeting at Laal Haveli scheduled for February 5, 2020.

On this occasion, the chief minister said those resorting to criticism for the sake of criticism would get nothing but sheer disappointment as time of loot and plunder had now over.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan, he added, the PTI government was the most transparent government of Pakistan.

Buzdar said massive corruption of the past had jeopardized the country’s economy, asserting, “It is a blessing of Allah Almighty that neither any corruption scandal against our government has surfaced nor it will in future. Corruption-free Pakistan of Prime Minister Imran Khan has now become talk of the nation.”

Punjab chief minister said unlike the past when resources were used to be distributed to some specific cities of the previous rulers’ choice, the PTI government was ensuring equal distribution of funds, equal development opportunities in all areas of Pakistan.

He said matters pertaining to Women University Rawalpindi and a new Girls College Rawalpindi would soon be sorted out and he would visit Rawalpindi at the earliest.

SWABI, Jan 25 (APP)::Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser Saturday urged the masses to work for the development and progress of motherland, especially Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that was affected by long battle against terrorism.

He said this in a distribution ceremony of agriculture sector interest free loan here. He said that war on terror destroyed infrastructure of KP where people left their homes for the sake of country and because of unfavorable economic conditions due to uncertainty in aftermath of war on terror.

Speaker Asad Qaiser said that Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaaf government policies has put the country on way to progress.

Asad Qaiser said that according to vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan, the country would come out of the crises adding day was imminent when Pakistan would be in the list of world’s developed country.

The speaker on the occasion distributed Rs 200 million interest free loans among farmers. Chief Executive Pakistan Poverty Elation Funds Qazi Ahmad Isa and MPA Haji Rangez Khan were also present on this occasion.

MULTAN, Jan 25 (APP)::Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that cleanliness and sewerage are two main issues of the city.

He expressed these views while addressing a ceremony held to distribute motorcycles among Multan Waste Management Company (MWMC) sector in-charges as chief guest at the Circuit House here on Saturday.

He said cleanliness system was gradually improving in Multan due to better management of the company.

He hoped that cleanliness system would improve further due to availability of motorcycles to the company sector in-charges.

He appreciated Deputy Commissioner Aamer Khattak over improvement in the cleanliness system of the city.

Managing Director MWMC Nasir Shahzad Dogar briefed the foreign minister about hiring 300 sanitary workers and 25 drivers through third-party contractor.

He said the new workers would be deployed at Union Councils, adding tenders for procurement of 500 handcarts, waste drums and 300 containers had been floated.

He said the MWMC board of directors (BoD) had given approval for procurement of new machinery.

He said public and private schools were bound to install waste drums in front of their schools.

ISLAMABAD, Jan 25 (APP):Ministry of Finance on Saturday contradicted a news report published in section of local press claiming that the government’s foreign borrowing increased by US$ 5.5 billion during the period from July-December 2019.

A press released issued by the Ministry of Finance termed the news report misleading and factually incorrect.

“The contentions of the report are not only misleading, but also against the national interest as the report sends erroneous signals to the markets, which can have potentially negative consequences for Pakistan’s rapidly stabilizing economy,” it added.

The ministry contended that reporting gross external debt inflows only presents one side of the picture, ignoring outflows on account of repayments, which are the other side of the picture, and a prerequisite to calculate the net or actual increase in external indebtedness of the country.

“Whereas, the reported gross disbursement was US$ 5.5 billion during July- December 2019, deducting the US$ 3.8 billion which the government paid back during the said period leaves a net figure of US$ 1.7 billion. Therefore, the real addition was US$ 1.7 billion, not US$ 5.5 billion as claimed by a section of the press”, it added.

The Ministry of Finance further maintained that the government recorded net inflows in multilateral and bilateral debt while there was a net retirement of commercial loans or Eurobonds during July-Dec 2019, depicting enhanced debt sustainability.

“It is also important to highlight that the growth in gross external inflows was recorded at 31 percent during Jul-Dec 2019 when compared with the same period last year, instead of 156 percent as claimed by the section in the press,” it added.

The ministry further clarified that gross external public debt inflows during fiscal year 2018-19 were recorded at $ 10.5 billion and not US$ 16 billion as claimed by a section of the press.

Similarly, the government repaid US$ 7.4 billion during last fiscal year, resulting in net increase of US$ 3.1 billion in external public debt and not US$ 16 billion as claimed.

ISLAMABAD, Jan 25 (APP):Chairman Kashmir Committee Syed Fakhar Imam has said Prime Minister Imran Khan was vigorously creating pressure on Narendra Modi by raising voice at international forums to impede undemocratic lockdown in the occupied Kashmir.

Pakistani leadership had been fully exposing the fascist, racist and extremist face of Indian government at all available international forums, he said talking to a private news channel.

He said Pakistan was utilizing all options to put pressure on India to stop gross human rights violation and bloodbath in the occupied Kashmir. Pakistan was supporting the cause of Kashmir by politically, diplomatically and morally, he added.

The chairman said during the meeting at World Economic Forum, United States President Donald Trump offered PM Imran Khan for playing a mediator role on Kashmir, adding the world leaders had also endorsed Pakistan’s stance and narrative on Kashmir.

He said Indian people including politicians, intellectuals, poets and others were also criticizing the Modi hegemonic designs.

Commenting on Kashmir Solidarity Day on February 5, he said that Pakistan would observe the day with full zeal and fervor to give strapping message to the world to take notice of illegal lockdown in the Indian Held Kashmir (IHK).

Replying to a question, he said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government came into power by raising slogans of eliminating corruption from the country.

The prime minister had adopted no compromise policy over corruption, he maintained.

ISLAMABAD, Jan 25 (APP):Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul Wazir Saturday said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government was determined for timely completion of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects by all means.

Talking to Radio Pakistan, she said the national interests were always top most priority of the PTI government even in foreign and economic policies. “CPEC project is a backbone of our economy and would bring economic revolution in the country,” she added.

The minister said China and Pakistan have strong and time-tested relations. China always supported Pakistan in economic crises, she added.

ISLAMABAD, Jan 25 (APP):Minister of State for Health Dr Zafar Mirza on Saturday contradicted the media reports regarding outbreak of Coronavirus in Pakistan.

In a twitter message, he asked for avoiding irresponsible reporting based on assumptions and rumors.

He said that irresponsible reporting about outbreak of fatal disease in our country can add miseries of the masses.

”A part of media is incorrectly reporting about diagnosis of a first case novel corona virus in Pakistan. We expect responsible reporting by media. Please do not add nation’s anxiety about Coronavirus and should meticulously check facts before reporting” he expressed.

LAHORE, Jan 25 (APP):Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad Saturday said that five closed dry ports would be restored by March 1 to facilitate traders and businessmen.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of a freight train at newly restored dry port here, he said that Chishtian, Kundian, Sheikhupura, Jiabagga and Mughulpura dry ports would be made operational by March 1, which would increase economic activities in the country.

He asked importers and exporters to help run dry ports and promised that railway officers would cooperate with them in their business. He said that railways development was important for any country’s economic progress.

Sheikh Rahid said that the Main Line 1 (ML-1) project would play vital role in the country’s progress as its share in the economy would be $9 billion, which was more than the IMF support of $6 billion.

He said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was a game-changer and no conspiracy or hurdle in the way of the project would be tolerated and 1,875-km railways track would be upgraded under the initiative.

He thanked the country chief executive officer (CEO) of DP World, a terminal operator, over his promise to provide 5,000 trackers for freight coaches which would be helpful to track freight wagons after their installation.

The minister said that the ML-1 was his dream and mission, which would ensure 160 km\hour speed of trains, adding that after completion of the ML-1, he would retire from politics. He said that under the ML-1 project, all curves in the track would be straightened and bridges would be upgraded.

He expressed his hope that Federal Minister Asad Umar would ensure early tenders for the ML-1 project. The minister said that 154-km long track between Peshawar and Jalalbad in Afghanistan would also be included in CPEC.

He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan would soon visit the PR headquarters to inaugurate modernised Command and Control system of the railways.

PR Chairman Habibur Rehman Gilani, newly appointed PR Chief Executive Officer\Senior General Manager Dost Ali Leghari and PR Police IG Mushtaq Mehar were also present on the occasion.

ISLAMABAD, Jan 24 (APP):Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday urged the Pakistanis, both at home and abroad, to come out on February 5 in support of the eight million Kashmiris, who had been besieged by 900,000 soldiers of India’s fascist Modi regime for almost six months.

“I want Pakistanis at home and abroad to come out on 5th February in support of the eight million Kashmiris, who have been besieged by 900k Indian soldiers for almost 6 months by the fascist racist Modi regime,” the prime minister said in a message on his Twitter.

The Government of Pakistan has also announced that it would launch a comprehensive campaign from January 25 encompassing rallies, seminars and exhibitions here and abroad to highlight the Kashmir dispute globally.

The government would run a media campaign in both print and electronic media to highlight the deteriorating human rights situation in the Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K).