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Senator Talha attends Hazara Journalists Association’s oath-taking ceremony, emphasizes collaboration for national progress

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ISLAMABAD, Jul 17 (APP): Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood on Monday participated in the oath-taking ceremony of the recently elected Hazara Journalists Association.

The event, attended by journalists from Hazara and various parts of the country, aimed to promote welfare and prosperity among journalists based in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

The Hazara Journalists Association’s new professional panel, elected under the leadership of Syed Luqman Shah, took an oath to diligently serve the journalistic community in the region. Representatives from other media organizations also attended the ceremony, further highlighting the spirit of cooperation and collaboration among various journalistic bodies.

During his address to the gathering, Senator Talha Mahmood praised journalists from all across Pakistan and emphasized equal respect for journalists in his constituency.

He assured the government’s cooperation with the media for the betterment of the nation.

While acknowledging that he prefers to focus on his duties as Minister for Religious Affairs rather than frequent media appearances, Senator Talha Mahmood highlighted his efforts in refunding more than four billion rupees to this year’s Hajj pilgrims, indicating a cost-effective Hajj policy.

He emphasized the need to improve the country’s situation and provide better opportunities for the people, thus discouraging emigration.

Recognizing the vital role of the media in shaping the nation’s future, Senator Talha Mahmood stressed the importance of collaboration between all sectors, including the media, Parliament, and other institutions, to lead the country towards progress and prosperity.

Expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as the association’s president for the past six years, Taimoor Jadoon, Chairman of the Hazara Journalists Association, reiterated the organization’s commitment to unbiased and fair journalism.

Congratulating the newly elected body, Anwar Raza, President of the National Press Club, extended his felicitations to the Hazara Journalists Association and expressed the Press Club’s readiness to cooperate with the association for common goals.

Haji Nawaz Raza, President of the PFUJ (Dastoor), commended the association’s dedication and strong connections with various factions, highlighting its important role in the journalism landscape.

UN chief ‘deeply’ regrets Russia’s decision to end Black Sea grain deal, warns of price rise

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UNITED NATIONS, Jul 17 (APP): UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Monday he “deeply” regrets the decision by the Russian Federation to terminate the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative, which includes the withdrawal of Russian security guarantees of navigation in the northwestern part of the Black Sea.

The breakdown of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey, threatened to drive global food prices back up as the war in Ukraine grinds on, now in its 17th month following the Russian invasion.

“The Russians sent a letter this morning to the Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul announcing the termination of their participation in the Black Sea Initiative,” according to a U.N. official.

Speaking after Russia’s move to suspend the grain export deal, the UN chief warned that hundreds of millions face hunger and the consumers that are confronting a global cost-of-living crisis “will pay the price.”

“Today’s decision by the Russian Federation will strike a blow to people in need everywhere. But it will not stop our efforts to facilitate the unimpeded access to global markets for food products and fertilizers from both Ukraine and the Russian Federation,” Guterres said.

“We will stay fixed on finding pathways for solutions,” he said, adding, “There is simply too much at stake in a hungry and hurting world. ”

The Black Sea initiative had ensured the safe passage of over 32 million metric tons of food commodities from Ukrainian ports, it was pointed out.

The World Food Programme has shipped more than 725,000 tons to support humanitarian operations – relieving hunger in some of the hardest-hit corners of the world, including Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa and Yemen.

“The Black Sea Initiative — together with the Memorandum of Understanding on facilitating exports of Russian food products and fertilizers — have been a lifeline for global food security and a beacon of hope in a troubled world,” the UN chief said.

“At a time when the production and availability of food is being disrupted by conflict, climate change, energy prices and more, these agreements have helped to reduce food prices by over 23 per cent since March last year,” he said.

“Ultimately, participation in these agreements is a choice. But struggling people everywhere and developing countries don’t have a choice. They’ll pay the price.”

PM briefed on hydroelectric projects

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ISLAMABAD, Jul 17 (APP):Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Monday held a meeting with Chairman Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Lt General (R) Sajjad Ghani and received briefing about the ongoing hydroelectric projects and the projects for producing energy at a lower cost.

During the meeting, he also briefed the PM about the pace of progress on all mega dam projects including Dasu, Diamer Bhasha and Mohmand dams.
He also apprised him about the effect of recent rains on the water reservoirs in the country.

Cancer hospital project inaugurated at PIMS

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ISLAMABAD, Jul 17 (APP): Minister for National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination Abdul Qadir Patel on Monday inaugurated the 200-bed cancer hospital project at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).

Addressing the ceremony, the minister said that a large number of people living in surrounding areas and other cities will get direct benefits from this hospital with having all the necessary medical services for cancer patients.

He said that an amount of Rs one billion has been proposed initially to utilize for the construction of this modern hospital, where all concerned necessary services will be provided.

He said that besides initiating new projects in major hospitals, the government has upgraded the basic health units and rural health centres where daily several hundred patients can visit for the treatment of various diseases and added that more such modern centres will be established in the federal capital.

He said that the aim of the government was to provide all basic health services in every place and village so that citizens have all such services at their doorsteps.

He said that the major hospitals of the federal capital have been facing a burden of patients and with the setting of new basic health centers, this burden will gradually decrease.

He said that several innovative steps have been taken to make improvements in the health sector and to ensure the provision of all basic health facilities to the country’s people.

He said that the government was making efforts to improve access to quality health services, increase budget allocations for health, and invest in infrastructure to meet the health needs of the people of Pakistan.

A vendor selling used shirts at his roadside setup

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A vendor selling used shirts at his roadside setup
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