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.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 24 (APP):Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said on Monday it was ironic that those who pushed the people in the quagmire of problems were now talking about their resolution.

In a tweet, she said that Shahbaz Sharif’s statement was tale of the PML-N loot and plunder from his own mouth. She said that the people remember closure of industries in the PML-N rule, whereas Prime Minister Imran Khan has revived the industrial sector.

She said that Shahbaz Sharif was drawing salary and perks from the Parliament but not performing his duties as opposition leader. Those who looted and plundered national wealth had gone abroad on the pretext of medical treatment to fill coffers of their children. She asked why Shahbaz Sharif was issuing statements from abroad and not returning home.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 24 (APP):Minister for Science and Technology Chaudhry Fawad Hussain Monday apprised Prime Minister Imran Khan over various proposals and steps to increase production of technological items and their export.

Giving the briefing, the minister apprised the prime minister that they had identified 252 products in chemicals, bio-technology, machinery, textile, base metals, plastic and others in which foreign reserves could be earned at the international level through enhanced production and by decreasing their import.

In this regard, he said, the ministry had been formulating three, seven and ten years programmes.

Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, Minister for Narcotics Control Sheheryar Afridi Chairman Board of Investment Syed Zubair Gilani and other secretaries concerned and senior officials attended the meeting, PM Office Media Wing in a press release said.

Briefing over the high-tech industrial development, national capacity and future strategy was also given and the minister highlighted certain proposals over different important projects in this connection.

In the first phase, Fawad said, herbal, food and medicines sectors would be given attention so that export volume of such items could be widened and it could be brought to 3 per cent of overall export of technological items till 2030.

The prime minister was also apprised about the progress on the establishment of Jhelum Industrial bio-technology park and other related issues.

The prime minister appreciated the proposals highlighted by the minister for the increase of technological products at the national level and assured that the government would fully extend its cooperation.

The minister also briefed the prime minister that the ministry had also retrieved 25 acres of land worth billion of rupees belonging to Pakistan Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) in Lahore from a relative of a political figure.

The political personality had illegally encroached upon the land by using his relations and power, he added.

The prime minister lauded the efforts of minister and other officials concerned for retrieving the precious government property.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 24 (APP):The participants of an international conference on Monday agreed that the Constitution of Pakistan is guarantor of the rights of minorities.

They also opined that latest tools such as social media must be used to aware masses about rights of minorities and dissemination of peace.

The speakers were addressing the conference “Saiban e Pakistan”, a project of Paigham e Pakistan narrative focused on the role of minorities launched here on Monday at Islamic Research Institute (IRI) of International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) in an international conference on inter-faith dialogue and national cohesion.

A declaration of 22 points has been jointly drafted by Paigham e Pakistan Centre for Peace, Reconciliation and Reconstruction studies of IRI and Council of Islamic Ideology.

The conference was jointly organized by IRI and Nazarbayev Centre for development of interfaith and inter-civilization dialogue, Kazakhasitan.

Speaking on the occasion, they said educational institutions must play a role for creating awareness for minorities’ rights. It was noted that the society needs an atmosphere of unity, mutual respect and patience.

The conference was addressed by National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, who said the government had been a staunch supporter of protection of minority rights.

He continued that since the PTI government was pursuing the model of Madina, therefore, maintaining peace, discouraging violence and promoting interfaith harmony were the leading objectives of the ruling party.

He vowed that lower house would soon witness a debate on promotion of peace and rights of minorities.

The NA speaker added that culture of dialogue was a salient feature of a sound society and universities could be of vital role in this regard.

Altay Abibullayev, Chairman Board of Nazarbayev Centre for development of interfaith and inter civilizational dialogue addressed the conference.

He said dialogue was the key to maintain global peace. He pointed out youth as most meaningful source for promoting dialogue and peace.

He also highlighted importance of the ties between Pakistan and Kazakhstan adding that February 24, was the day when Pakistan and Kazakhstan had commenced bilateral ties officially.

IIUI Rector Dr Masoom Yasinzai stressed the need for imparting modern education based on critical thinking and characterization integrated with the blend of Islamic character.

He added that there was no place for terrorism in Islam and added that IIUI took the responsibility to provide a narrative to the nation to remain clear about Islam, its teachings and dissemination of message of peace.

He urged for the promotion of the attitude of peaceful co-existence.
IIUI President Dr Yousif Al Draiweesh said Islam was the only religion which gave complete rights to minorities.

He called upon the Muslim societies to practice and provide the rights to minorities granted by Islam.

He maintained that university was keen to promote culture peace and dialogue.
IRI Director General Dr Zia ul Haq elaborated the journey of Paigham e Pakistan and told that it commenced with a muster of religious scholars at IRI in programme on reconstruction of Pakistani society where a decree was announced against terrorism.

He added that the decree was endorsed by all the religions’ scholars in a programme at IIUI and also same was endorsed by the vice chancellors of more than 80 universities.

He told that after the launch of Paigham e Pakistan, this programme was the continuity of that effort.

The conference was also addressed by Senator Anwar ullah Kakakar, Vice Chancellor Karakoram International University Dr Attaullah Shah, Jenifer Jag Jevan, Peter Jacob, Zafarullah Khan.