Educational institutions to plant 300,000 saplings during spring plantation drive
SC accepts review petition of Ata ul Haq Qasmi in PTV recovery case
ISLAMABAD, Mar 21 (APP): The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday accepted the review petitions against the decision of recovery worth Rs190 millions from former managing director PTV Ata ul Haq Qasmi, Ishaq Dar, Pervaiz Rashid and Fawad Hassan Fawad.
The court said that there was no proof of corruption and nepotism against the accused, and there was also no evidence of loss worth Rs190 millions to state run TV channel thus the decision for the recovery from the respondents was not legal.
A three member bench of the top court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa heard the case. The court also abolished the ban on appointment of Ata ul Haq Qasmi as director in future.
The court said that the lawyer of PTV has admitted that the assessment of the said loss was not correct.
Earlier during hearing, Qasmi’s lawyer adopted the stance that this case couldn’t be made in SC under section-III of article 184 of constitution. He said that his client has been associated with poetry and literature for last fifty years.
Fawad Hassan Fawad said that the observations of court about him in the judgment was against the facts.
55000 sq ft roads, streets to be paved in Orangi Town: Mayor Karachi
KARACHI, Mar 21 (APP): Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab has said that 55000 square feet of roads and streets would be paved at a cost of Rs 80 million in Orangi Town.
He said this while talking to media representatives after laying the foundation stone of paving works of various roads and streets in Orangi Town on Thursday.
Barrister Murtaza Wahab said that Pakistan People’s Party was making every possible effort to solve the problems of the people. Water, sewerage, infrastructure improvement and development are among our priorities. Development works are also going on in the suburban areas of Karachi frequently, he said.
The Mayor Karachi said that the roads and streets in Orangi Town had been paved under the ADP scheme. In order to solve the long-standing problem of the people of this area, this project has been started on priority basis to provide better facility to people especially, women and children in Orangi area and will be completed as soon as possible for which the credit goes to the leadership of the People’s Party, he added.
He said that the parks in Orangi Town are also being improved, Afaq Shaheed Park was restored by us so that the people of the area can get better recreational facilities and other parks will also be made green and equipped with modern facilities. We are working under an effective strategy to provide the basic needs of the citizens, he added.
In response to a question, he said that a rabies control center has been set up near KMC fire station in Orangi Town where the work has started.
He said that the Safe City project was started last year and, the memorandum of understanding for this project was signed yesterday , work on it will start in the next thirty days, technology-based works will improve Karachi.
He said that Karachi needs 1100 MGD of water but it is getting 550 MGD. Work being done on the water supply projects and in future its fruits will be available to the citizens.
Export enhancement a top government priority: Ahsan Iqbal
ISLAMABAD, Mar 21 (APP): Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiative, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday emphasized that export enhancement was a paramount focus of the government’s agenda.
The minister convened a meeting alongside Vice Chancellor, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) Dr. Nadeem Ul Haque and his team to chart a course for the economic resurgence of Pakistan.
The meeting held discussions on various economic facets, encompassing strategies to enhance exports, address Circular Debt, address tariff disparities, and assess the state of the stock and capital markets.
Furthermore, deliberations centered on the exploration of new markets and the formulation of reform initiatives with clear implementation timelines.
Highlighting the role of female participation in national development, he stressed that development remains elusive until a nation achieves 50% female population participation.
He further noted that it was government’s aspiration to cultivate momentum, driving growth between 7% to 9% by 2047.
In alignment with the need for digital transformation, he underscored the mandatory nature of leading Pakistan towards digitization, recognizing it as a cornerstone for modernization and efficiency.
The minister directed to expedite submission of recommendations to accelerate the implementation of the 5Es Agenda, underscoring the government’s commitment to swift and effective action.
CM’s aide for withdrawal of privileges of former officials
PESHAWAR, Mar 21 (APP): Adviser to Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Tourism, Culture and Archeology Zahid Chanzeb on Thursday directed immediate withdrawal of privileges of all the former secretaries of the department, heads of authorities and project directors.
In a high-level meeting of the department held at his office, he regretted that some officials were still enjoying privileges despite their transfers to other departments.
He said the government would strongly resist the practice, adding the Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur had set a practical example by withdrawing security and other privileges from the former chief ministers since the first day in power.
“The CM believes that the common man actually deserves all such privileges rather the influential VIPs,” he remarked.
He made it clear that the vehicles, personnel, laptops and other equipments of the department belonging to the officials associated with the Department of Tourism and Culture in the past should be withdrawn immediately and should be handed over to the relevant officials within the department.
The Advisor also directed to immediately stop the fuel and other expenses provided to the vehicles of the former secretaries.
Zahid Chanzeb also made it clear that the tourism department would adhere to the stick and carrot policy.
In the meeting, the Tourism Advisor was assured of strict implementation of these instructions and completion of the development schemes as soon as possible.
Jordan outplayed Pakistan in World Cup 2026 Qualifiers match by 3-0
ISLAMABAD, Mar 21 (APP): Jordan outplayed Pakistan by 3-0 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers match here at the Jinnah Stadium of Pakistan Sports Complex on Thursday.
Jordan’s ace player Mousa Al Tamari scored two goals while his country mate Ali Olwan posted a goal in the game.
At the start of the first half, Tamari hit an early goal in the 2nd minute of the game. Tamari, on a pass from Al-Mardi, shot high into the air, leaving no chance of defense, thus opening the account for Jordan.
It was just seven minutes passed when Jordan won a penalty and Ali Olwan hit it high into the air to extend the lead by 2-0 in the 9th minute of the first half. Jordan was up against Pakistan with 2-0 at the end of the first half.
As time passed by into the second half, Pakistani players tried with all their might to score goals but unfortunately went unlucky and it was once again Tamari who received a pass from Al Naimat and hit the ball high into the net for Jordan’s third goal in the 86th minute.
Pakistan team goalkeeper Yousaf Ijaz Butt performed top notch during the match and saved many ‘sure goals’ including a penalty. Jordan’s Musa Al-Altmari was declared player of the match.
Jordan were in third place with four points in Group G of the Asian qualifiers while Pakistan was at the bottom after losing all their three games. Pakistan would now travel to Jordan for the away fixture on March 26.
The Shaheens need to win their remaining three games, which includes matches against Saudi Arabia and Tajikistan, in order to remain in the hunt for the World Cup.
It may be mentioned that Jordan football team visited Pakistan after a gap of 18 years as they last toured in 2006.
The second match between Pakistan and Jordan will be played in Jordan on March 26
ISSI roundtable discusses Pakistan-U.S. relations in regional, global context
ISLAMABAD, Mar 21 (APP): The Centre for Strategic Perspectives (CSP) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) hosted a Round Table discussion with H.E. Donald Blome, Ambassador of the United States of America to Pakistan, on “Pakistan-U.S. Relations in the Context of Regional and Global Developments here Thursday.
The roundtable participants included former Ambassadors and diplomats, heads of think tanks, academics, practitioners, and area experts, a news release said.
In his welcome remarks, DG ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood recalled the past patterns of the relationship and dilated on its current dynamics. He noted that the Pakistan-U.S. relationship has been largely influenced by external circumstances, encompassing regional and global developments. The thrust of bilateral cooperation has now shifted from security to a wider range of areas, reflecting changing priorities. While counter-terrorism remains important, the greater focus now includes trade, investment, energy, IT, environment, education, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. This aligns with Pakistan’s pivot towards geo-economics and comprehensive human security. He concluded by stressing the importance of revitalizing the relationship, with due imagination and ambition about the future prospects.
Ambassador Blome in his remarks, highlighted the importance of establishing robust ties to strengthen the relationship even further. He emphasized that economic development is the cornerstone of Pakistan-U.S. relations with a renewed focus on groundwork to bolster ties and collaborate effectively towards fostering enhanced peace, prosperity, and regional stability.
Following the talk, the participants engaged in an interactive discussion that focused on a range of subjects — including the situation in Afghanistan; peace, security and strategic stability in South Asia; conflict in Europe and the Middle East; developments in Asia-Pacific; and maritime security.
In the end, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman of the Board of Governors, ISSI presented the Institute’s memento to the Keynote Speaker followed by a group photo.
Pakistan’s exports to China up nearly 5% in Jan-Feb
BEIJING, Mar 21 (APP): Pakistan’s exports to China exceeded $468 million in January and February this year, according to the data from the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC), said Ghulam Qadir, Investment and Trade Counsellor of the Embassy of Pakistan in China.
Pakistan’s exports to China increased by 4.96% year-on-year in January-February 2024, according to the GACC figures received by Pakistan, he told China Economic Net (CEN).
Pakistan’s exports stood at $468.47 million in the first two months of 2024, up nearly 5 percent from $446.31 million in the same months of the previous year.
He mentioned that there is a high demand for Pakistani textiles, leather products, seafood, and agricultural products in China, leading Pakistani exporters to capitalize on this opportunity to boost their exports to China.
APP/asg
MUET hosts workshop on protecting River Indus from pollution
HYDERABAD, Mar 21 (APP): The Center for Advanced Studies in Water of Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET) Jamshoro in collaboration with Higher Education Commission (HEC) here on Thursday organized a workshop titled “Protection of River Indus from Pollution and Causes of Pollution”.
During the event, Director of Center for Advanced Studies in Water Dr. Kamran Ansari, Dr. Naveed Ahmed, Dr. Uzma Bhanbhro and Dr. Tanveer Ahmed expressed concerns and reservations about the increasing pollution in the River Indus.
The experts highlighted that major cities of the province, including Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur, rely on water from the River Indus, which is becoming increasingly polluted. They emphasized the urgent need for water monitoring measures. The experts further stated that significant causes of pollution in the River Indus include untreated sewage water and the discharge of toxic water by factories and mills into the river. Additionally, untreated wastewater is also being released into the river, leading to an increase in waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, typhoid, hepatitis, gastroenteritis and others.
They also suggested that the water after passing through the treatment plants should be released into the river and the water quality should be checked regularly.
The workshop was attended by former senator and water expert Nisar Ahmed Memon, Dr. Asfand Yar, Dr. Yar Muhammad Khuhawar, Dr. Amanullah Mehar, Dr. Rafiq Ahmed Chandio and other experts.
SC seeks details of all restaurants in Margalla Hills National Park
ISLAMABAD, Mar 21 (APP): The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday sought details from authorities within one month pertaining to the all restaurants working in Magalla Hills National Park.
The top court also sought complete details and original record pertaining to land lease agreement between Monal Restaurant and Directorate of Remount Veterinary and Farms (RVM) within a week.
A three-member bench of the top court presided by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa heard the case pertaining to the lease of Monal Restaurant.
The court stated that the Attorney General of Pakistan has admitted that the agreement of RVM directorate with Capital Development Authority (CDA) was not legal as it was signed without the authorization by the federal government.
The court further said that the lawyer of Monal Restaurant stated that there were also more restaurants in the area of Margalla Hills National Park.
The court directed the authorities to tell the number of restaurants in the National Park area and details pertaining to the date of lease, period and rent.
It said that the top court has been told that a delimitation of national park was underway. It directed the CDA to submit the required details after completion of this process.
The court said that the National Park Ordinance should be available to the public for education and research purpose. It said that the respondents if want would submit suggestions for the protection of the national park.
Further hearing of the case was then adjourned till after the Eid.









