ISLAMABAD, Feb 25 (APP):Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul on Tuesday said that the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz narrative regarding to give respect to vote was based on lie and used it to just go abroad.

Talking to a private news channel, she said the whole family of Nawaz Sharif was in London and they are trying to bring Maryam Nawaz there. She said that government would never allowed to Maryam Nawaz to go abroad.

She said that Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) leaders were doing politics on the health issue of Nawaz Sharif and he did not admit in any hospital for treatment in London at yet.

Replying to a question, she said it was history of the PML-N leadership that they had always left their voters and supporters in difficult time but they enjoying their lives in abroad without caring them.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 25 (APP):Senior Congress leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister Sidddaramaiah, raising questions about the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government’s claim of normalcy in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK), has asked the BJP to prove ‘normalcy’ by hosting US President Donald Trump’s event in IOK, Kashmir Media Service reported.

In a tweet Siddaramaiah said, “If BJP feels Kashmir has returned to normalcy, and if BJP feels that there is no government-orchestrated violence. Now is the time to prove the same by hosting Donald Trump’s event at Kashmir.”

Siddaramaiah, who is Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Assembly, in another tweet hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the long wall built near the airport in Ahmedabad to block view of a slum, ahead of Trumps visit. It is time for Donald Trump to get inspired from Narendra Modi. Inspiration to build decorative walls to hide not so decorative life!”, he tweeted.

Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump and a high-level US delegation, arrived in Ahmedabad around noon on Monday for a less than 36-hour-long trip to India.

LAHORE, Feb 25 (APP):Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar Tuesday presided over the 26th cabinet meeting at his office and made decisions for amendments to the laws.

The cabinet unanimously rejected an application, submitted by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif for granting extension in a suspended sentence in the light of all aspects, ground realities and medical reports.

The cabinet was briefed that required medical reports of Nawaz Sharif were not provided despite repeated reminders by the medical board and the special committee, comprising provincial ministers Raja Basharat and Dr Yasmin Rashid. The committee was constituted on the directions of Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on Feb 11, 2020, which held its meetings on 19, 20 and 21 February.

Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) leader Attaullah Tarar attended the meeting on Feb 21, while Dr Adnan participated through video-link. The representatives of Nawaz Sharif, instead of submitting new verified medical reports, stressed that old medical reports should be treated as final. The report of the special committee was presented before the Punjab cabinet meeting, which unanimously decided to reject Nawaz Sharif’s application for granting extension in a suspended sentence.

The cabinet meeting also decided to amend sections 2(S), 21 and 38 of the Punjab Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, Conservation & Management) Amendment Act, 2007 to increase the amount of fines and sentences for illegal hunting in the province. It was also decided that fines and sentences would be further enhanced for poaching before hunting season, starting from November 01, 2020.

The meeting decided to grant permission for hunting of 62 surplus blackbucks, 21 Chinkara deer and 27 blue bull (Nilgai) in Cholistan desert.

The Punjab Occupational Safety & Health Amendment Health, 2019 was approved while amendment to the Punjab Fisheries Rules, 1965 was deferred.

The chief minister said that complaints of contaminated water had arisen due to fish farming in dams that also provide potable water. Therefore, the matter should be reviewed in detail by the health, irrigation, public health engineering departments and other stakeholders and final recommendations should be presented in the next meeting.

The meeting also decided to effectively implement necessary precautionary measures in the wake of the situation arising due to the presence of coronavirus in neighbouring countries. The chief minister directed the line departments to remain vigilant and the meeting was told that additional staff of the Health Department would be posted at airports.

The chief minister said that there should be no shortage of eatables being imported from neighbouring countries especially China and Iran. He directed Industries Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal to hold a meeting in this regard and adopt advance measures after a detailed review.

The chief minister said that the Punjab government adopted unprecedented measures to serve people and the wrong culture of the one-man show had been done away with.

The decisions made with consultations yield positive results and the government would go to every extent to provide relief to people. The timely decisions have helped in overcoming price-hike and the political, as well as administrative teams, should efficiently work to control prices because people cannot be left alone. It was essential to crush mafia wherever it exists, he added.

The meeting also endorsed minutes of 24th cabinet meeting.
Provincial ministers, advisers, special assistants, chief secretary and secretaries concerned attended the meeting.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 25 (APP):Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar on Tuesday said inflation was reducing as people would soon get its positive results.

Talking to a private news channel, he said the Prime Minister wanted to provide maximum relief to the people and the government was working in that regard.

The minister said the government wanted to reduced electricity prices for the industrial sector, adding petroleum goods could be reduced in viewing the international reduction in the petroleum prices.

Replying to a question, he said the pace of implementation of projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would be accelerated further in the days to come.

The minister expressed satisfaction over the overall delivery of CPEC projects and said that the establishment and operationalisation of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in all the provinces was a top priority and progress in that regard was being closely monitored.

International level Special economic zones to be built in second phase of CPEC, he added.
Asad Umar said ML-1 was the one of the mega projects of CPEC, adding agriculture sector would also be included in it and attention to be given on research area in agriculture promotion.

To another query, he said the federal government was ready to provide every kind of help to Sindh government regarding the circular railway in Karachi, adding it was also started different projects in the city including S-3 sanitation, green line project and some other and the federal government was purchasing buses for the green line project.

LAHORE, Feb 25 (APP):Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly Sardar Dost Muhammad Mazari called on Governor Punjab Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar and discussed political situation in the province besides matters of mutual interest during a meeting at the Governor’s House here on Tuesday.

Talking to Deputy Speaker Sardar Dost Muhammad Mazari, he said assemblies had eminent role in legislation and strengthening of democracy, adding that the
government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan, was taking
practical measures to strengthen democracy, parliament and other institutions.

Governor Punjab Ch Sarwar urged the opposition should play its constructive role and take active part in legislation process instead of holding protests in the assemblies.

Governor Punjab said the government would complete its constitutional term and the next general election will be held in 2023, adding that Punjab opposition leaders should desist from daydreaming.

PESHAWAR, Feb 25 (APP):Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan Tuesday formally launched spring tree plantation campaign by planting sapling tree of Schotia Brachypetala at CM House.

Speaking on the occasion CM stated that ongoing spring tree plantation campaign has been initiated throughout the province to counter negative effects of pollution, environmental changes, drought, floods and other natural challenges.

The Chief Minister stated that one billion trees were planted during previous tenure of PTI government under Billion Tree Afforestation Project that is yielding positive results.

Keeping in view success of the project, federal government has decided to plant 10 billion saplings throughout the country, he said adding KP would contribute its share.

Secretary Environment briefed that target of planting 100 million saplings was set for year 2019-20 against which 140 million saplings have been planted.

He stated that department is committed to plant a total of 180 million saplings by June this year.

LAHORE, Feb 25 (APP):Punjab Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Muhammad Basharat Raja on Tuesday said that the Punjab cabinet has decided not to give further extension in the bail, granted on medical grounds to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who is in London for treatment currently.

Addressing a press conference along with other members of the provincial cabinet, including Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid and Information Minister Fayyaz ul Hassan Chohan, he said that the provincial cabinet, on the recommendations of a committee formed to examine the health situation and medical reports of Nawaz Sharif, had decided that Nawaz ‘s bail could not be extended further as he could not provided any latest medical reports.

He said Nawaz Sharif was granted bail for eight weeks by the Islamabad High Court on October 29, 2019, but a further eight weeks had passed since then as discussions were underway, adding that the bail was to be automatically extended till a decision by the Punjab government so it was extended for 16 weeks.

Basharat said that after passage of 16 weeks, the provincial government wanted to be informed about developments regarding Nawaz’s health, on the basis of which a decision regarding his bail was to be made.

He said that the IHC had directed Nawaz Sharif to seek the Punjab government’s permission for further relief if required, adding that Nawaz was not admitted to any hospital in London. Nothing specific was shared with the government regarding Nawaz Sharif’s health, he added. He said the Punjab cabinet has made the decision as there was no legal, moral or medical basis without any concrete proof for further extension of his bail.

The minister said the Punjab government would share its decision with the federal government, which would decide regarding this matter.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 25 (APP):As per instruction from the health ministry, all passengers entering Pakistan will be required to submit a health declaration form which would include contact details and brief travel history.

According to Ministry of National Health Services, a small amendment is done in the form and the submission of those completed form will be necessary for entering Pakistan. Health declaration card will be distributed amongst all the passengers in plane.

In accordance with the instructions of the government and in view of novel coronavirus outbreak, all passengers have been advised to fill up the form and handover to the health staff in the international arrival lounge.

It added non-compliance will result in denial of entry to the country. The form contains demographic information of passenger, travel history and health status like issue of fever, cough and shortness of breath and these forms are made for easiness of public.

LAHORE, Feb 25 (APP):Governor Punjab Chauhdary Mohammad Sarwar has said that
there was no bar on PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and other opposition members to daydream but the opposition could not topple the PTI-led government.

Talking to the media men after attending a Girl Guides ceremony at the Governor’s House here on Tuesday, he said the government would complete its constitutional term till 2023.

Governor Punjab Ch Sarwar urged the opposition parties to play their constructive role in strengthening democracy instead of indulging in politics of protest, adding that exemplary legislation in the larger public interests by the provincial Assembly of the Punjab was laudable.

To a question, he hailed US President Donald Trump’s acknowledgment of Pakistan’s effective role in elimination of terrorism and establishment of peace during his recent visit to India.

About women, he said steps were being taken to mobilize Girl Guides in the country
and ensure maximum participation of women in every sector.

Begum Governor Perveen Sarwar and office-bearers of Punjab Girl Guides Association were also present on the occasion.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 25 (APP):Director General, Ministry of Human Rights Tuesday said the Ministry had legislated bills during 2019-20 to protect the rights of women and children.

Talking to APP, he said Zainab Alert Bill, Prohibition of Corporal Punishment Bill, 2018, ICT Rights of Persons with Disability Bill, 2018, Domestic Violence (prevention and Protection) Bill, 2019 etc. had been prepared by the Ministry of Human Rights through a consultative process for protection of rights of women and children.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 25 (APP):Health experts on Tuesday advised citizens to take simple precautionary measures for prevention against coronavirus.

According to them, there is absolutely no need of creating any panic and people just require taking simple preventive steps against common flu like covering the nose and mouth while coughing and sneezing.

Medical expert at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Dr Waseem Khawja advised citizens to frequent wash their hands for 20 seconds with soap, avoid close contact with sick people, animals, touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

He said those who have or a person near them have traveled to or from China, within the last 14 days and developed suggestive symptoms including unexplained fever, cough or breathing difficulty, should seek medical attention.

He said that PIMS has taken necessary measures for optimal level of preparedness and mitigation in case of any suspected case of novel coronavirus.

He said that separate ward has been allocated and trained staff have been deployed at the hospital in case of report of any suspected case.

Dr Sharif Astori from Federal Government Polyclinic (FGPC) said that the hospital was following the daily instructions of the health ministry to alert and sensitize the health staff. He added hospitals staff will remain vigilant about any suspected case of novel coronavirus infection for early detection.

He said that Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza has issued instructions to all major hospitals including Polyclinic to make arrangements to receive possible cases and provide them necessary care.

An official from the Ministry of Health said that coronavirus is a new respiratory virus first identified in Wuhan, Hebei province of China. The facility to confirm the new virus through a laboratory test is only available in a few countries of the world.

However, the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad is fully equipped to isolate coronavirus and thus the virus can be confirmed by excluding other types of coronavirus, he added.

He said that Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza has constituted a technical core committee to regularly monitor the situation and make immediate plans to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus.

He said the NIH has already issued an advisory and alert on Novel Coronavirus to all provincial health departments and specially Points of Entries (PoEs) at all airports and ground crossing in the country.

He said the advisory was issued keeping in view the most recent emerging Pneumonia outbreak caused by a Novel Coronavirus in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, and its impact on the globe.

He said the purpose of this advisory was to alert and sensitize the health staff all over the country to remain vigilant about any suspected cases coming from affected areas of China and for early detection of suspected cases of novel Coronavirus infection.

He said the NIH has activated its Emergency Operations Center to monitor the international dynamics of disease and coordination with Central Health Establishment (CHE), World Health Organizations (WHO) and provincial health departments for national prevention and control.

He said directions have been issued to NIH’s virology lab to develop a real time Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) capacity for novel coronavirus as early as possible.

The official said the NIH has developed health education and information material for healthcare staff, passengers and general public as well.

He said the federal health ministry has established contact with all provincial chief ministers, provincial health departments and relevant ministries including Interior dealing with immigration, Aviation Division and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to ensure there is seamless coordination and that our efforts are synergized, timely and effective.

He said Dr Zafar Mirza is personally monitoring the situation and holding meeting every 48 hours with heads of hospitals, health institutions and all relevant departments to review the situation and take necessary measures for optimal level of preparedness and mitigation in case of any suspected case.

KARACHI, Feb 25 (APP):The 26th Mayor of Karachi, Advocate Naimat ullah Khan (89) passed away here Tuesday.

Khan, also a senior member of Jamaat e Islami, had served as mayor of the metropolis from 2001 to 2005

According to his family sources, he had been suffering from series of age related health conditions and was bed ridden for quite some time.

A lawyer by profession, Naimat ullah Khan was born in Ajmer (India) in the year 1930 and migrated to Pakistan in 1947.

He did his Masters in Journalism from Punjab University later also completed his degree program in law from S.M.Law College, Karachi.

As a young lawyer he joined Jamaat e Islami in 1950s and remained actively engaged with its public welfare wing Al Khidmat.

His funeral prayers will be offered on Wednesday after zuhr prayers.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 24 (APP):Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday said there was a lot of tourism potential in Pakistan and promotion of that sector would not only strengthen the economy but also create business and job opportunities to numerous local people.

The prime minister stated this while chairing a meeting about the promotion of environment-friendly tourism in the country. The meeting deliberated upon the promotion of tourism in Khyber Pakhunkhwa, Punjab, coastal areas of the country, and protection and renovation of historic buildings in Northern Areas.

The meeting was attended by Advisor to the PM on Environment Malik Amin Aslam, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, Special Assistant to the PM on Overseas Pakistanis Syed Zulfikar Abbas Bukhari, Special Assistant to the PM on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, KP chief secretary, senior officials and experts from the construction sector.

The prime minister told the meeting to lay down a policy about the promotion of tourism, keeping in view the environmental, natural beauty and local values and traditions. He directed to formulate an advance policy and necessary measures regarding provision of facilities to the tourists on their arrival in the Northern Areas in coming months.

Imran Khan also directed to complete process of preparing a master vision plan in next six weeks regarding the promotion of tourism at four coastal areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and one each in Punjab and Balochistan provinces. The master vision plan would prove to be helpful about foreign investment in the tourism sector and the construction of infrastructure in the country.

The prime minister directed the KP chief secretary to complete the process of revival of the government rest houses in the province and its handing over to the private sector for the promotion of tourism in the province.

The officials informed the prime minister that work of zoning about tourism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had been completed, adding that three zones had been completed at Ghizar, Astore and Shigar in Gilgit Baltistan for promotion of tourism.

The prime minister was told that help was being sought from Agha Khan Foundation about protection and renovation of old buildings for the promotion of tourism in Northern Areas.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 24 (APP):Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhawa Mehmood Khan called Prime Minister Imran Khan here on Monday.

The overall situation in the province and the development matters were discussed during the meeting.

LAHORE, Feb 24 (APP):President Dr Arif Alvi and his wife Samina Alvi on Monday visited the National History Museum at Greater Iqbal Park here.

Museum Director Hiba Ali,Manager Awais Malik, and Citizens Archive of Pakistan (CAP) Board Member Ahsan Najmi gave detailed briefing about various sections of the Museum. Provincial Tourism Minister Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti was also present on the occasion.

Dr Arif Alvi and his wife Samina Alvi visited different sections of the Museum such as Citizens Archive of Pakistan (Preserving history), Pakistan timeline from 1940 to 1960, 1947 ‘Fasadaat’, virtual reality track, heroes gallery, Gandhi- Jinnah Talks/Letters, Lahore Resolution, popular film producers, Quaid’s Hologram, where a short speech of Qauid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was being played, sports, presidential awards and Armed forces section etc.

On the occasion President Dr Arif Alvi observed that there should be a calendar of Lahore events to inform people about various socio-cultural events to be held in a year in their city. While visiting section titled ‘Camera from Past’ a photograph of President Dr Arif Alvi and his wife Samina Alvi was clicked to document their visit.

President noted with satisfaction that tourism was increasing substantially, even beyond the expectations.

President Alvi recorded his impression in the visitors’ book and later he planted a sapling at the premises of the Greater Iqbal Park.

Punjab Tourism Minister Rai Taimoor apprised the President and his wife that ‘Punjab Tourism Application’ would be launched soon, adding that the app would work as a navigator and facilitate tourists.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 24 (APP):Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday assured the people that he would not relent until all involved in artificially-created price-hike were identified and punished.

He said as a result of government’s focus on price control, substantial decrease in prices, especially in vegetable prices, could now be seen.

“As a result of Government’s focus on price control, substantial decrease in prices, especially in vegetable prices, can now be seen. I assure our people that I will not relent until all involved in artificially-created price hikes are identified & punished,” the prime minister said in a twitter message.