ISLAMABAD, Mar 18 (APP): Speaker National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, and Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, on Monday, extended appreciation to the courageous personnel of the Pakistan Army for their successful operation against terrorists in North Waziristan.
He said that the whole nation, along with the Pakistan Armed Forces, would continue to fight against terrorism together, said a news release.
He also expressed resolve that the Pakistani nation would continue to support the Pakistan Armed Forces to eradicate terrorism from the soil of Pakistan.
While reminding of the sacrifices rendered by brave personnel of the Pakistan Armed Forces, he said that every Pakistani stood shoulder to shoulder with its armed forces.
He paid rich tribute to the Pakistan Armed Forces who laid down their lives to protect Pakistan from the scourge of terrorism.
Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, lauded the Pakistan Security Agencies for the successful operation against terrorists in North Waziristan.
He said that the Pakistani nation, along with the Pakistan Armed Forces, is united to eradicate terrorism from its roots.
Entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with army: Ayaz Sadiq
KPT shipping movements report
KARACHI, Mar 18 (APP):Following were the Movements of Ships at Karachi Port Trust (KPT) during last 24 hours, ending at 0700 hours on Monday.
SHIPS BERTHED:
Onur G.AContainer Ship
Eastern Camellia General Cargo
M.T.MardanTanker
Ank SkyMulti Purpose
Kota NaluriContainer Ship
Ince InebolliWheat
APL SalalahContainer Ship
SHIPS SAILED:
Mindoro Star
Olympia
KMTC Dehli
Ghousta
Sounion Trader
Alora
Seamax Westport
Ank Sky
Onur G.A
EXPECTED SAILING: DATE
Adonnis 18-03-2024
Kota Naluri28-03-2024
EXPECTED ARRIVAL: DATE CARGO
M.T Quetta 18-03-2024 D/72000 Crude Oil
X-Press Salween 18-03-2024 D/L Container
Trans Spring 18-03-2024 L/51000 Clinkers
Ne Matrix 19-03-2024 D/L Container
Xin Ning Bo 19-03-2024 D/L Container
GLS Elizabeth 19-03-2024 D/L Container
Haj Muhammed 19-03-2024 L/14000 Cement
CARGO HANDLING TURNOVER:
The total cargo handled at Karachi Port during the last 24 hours closed at 249,906 Metric Tons The breakup shows that the port has handled 93,065 Metric Tons of export cargo and 156,841 Metric Tons of import cargo during the said period. Commodity-wise handling in metric tons is given below.
COMMODITY IMPORT EXPORT TOTAL
Containerized Cargo 51,877 63,537 115,414
BULK Cargo 11,530 301 11,831
Clinkers —— 29,227 29,227
Iron Ore 6,093 —— 6,093
Wheat 53,841—— 53,841
Oil/Liquid Cargo: 33,500 —— 33,500
Tarar grieved over demise of PML-N President Islamabad District Raja Waqar
ISLAMABAD, Mar 18 (APP): Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ataullah Tarar on Monday expressed his grief over the death of Raja Waqar Mumtaz, Islamabad District President of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.
In a condolence message, the minister expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family of Raja Waqar Mumtaz.
The minister said that
Waqar Mumtaz was a sincere and committed worker of the PML-N and his death had caused irreparable damage to the party.
Attaullah Tarar said the valuable services of the deceased for the party will always be remembered.
He prayed to Allah Almighty to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved family to bear this loss with fortitude.
Rupee gains 11 paisa against dollar
ISLAMABAD, Mar 18 (APP): Pakistani Rupee on Monday strengthened by 11 paisa against the US dollar in the interbank trading and closed at Rs278.63 against the previous day’s closing of Rs278.74.
However, according to the Forex Association of Pakistan (FAP), the buying and selling rates of the dollar in the open market stood at Rs 278.7 and Rs 281.3, respectively.
The price of the Euro increased by 19 paisa to close at Rs 303.51 against the last day’s closing of Rs 303.32, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
The Japanese Yen came down by 01 paisa and closed at Rs1.86, whereas a decrease of 17 paisa was witnessed in the exchange rate of the British Pound, which was traded at Rs355.00 compared to the last closing of Rs355.17.
The Emirates Dirham and the Saudi Riyal also decreased by 02 paisa and 03 paisa to closed at Rs 75.87 and Rs74.29.
Kerb currency market
KARACHI, Mar 18 (APP):Following were the Opening Rates of foreign currencies in kerb market issued by the Exchange companies Association of Pakistan, here on Monday.
F.C. BUYING SELLING
INTER BANK 279.50 279.60
USD 278.70 281.45
EURO 301.70 304.70
GBP 352.95 355.45
JPY 1.84 1.94
AED75.65 76.40
SAR73.90 74.65
CAD 204.00 207.00
AUD 180.50 183.50
APHC leaders denounce ban on pro-freedom organizations in IIOJK
ISLAMABAD, Mar 18 (APP): All Parties Hurriyat Conference leaders (APHC) have strongly denounced the ban imposed by Indian government on pro-freedom organizations in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
According to Kashmir Media Service, APHC leaders, including Advocate Arshad Iqbal, Fayaz Hussain Jaafari, Syed Sibtain Shabbir Qumi, Yasmin Raja, Hafza Bano, Maulana Musaib Nadvi, and Imtiyaz Rishi in their statements in Srinagar condemned the measures aimed at changing the demographic character of the Muslim majority Jammu and Kashmir by the Indian government.
They emphasized that the UN Charter recognizes Kashmiris’ right to self-determination, and India’s ban on pro-freedom parties are unjustifiable. The leaders criticized the recent Indian actions banning organizations such as the Jammu and Kashmir National Front, People’s Freedom League and Jammu and Kashmir People’s League, stating that such measures cannot deter Kashmiris from pursuing their right to self-determination.
Despite Indian oppression and tyranny, the leaders reiterated Kashmiris’ unwavering commitment to their freedom struggle. They asserted that Kashmir remains a disputed territory under Indian occupation, and Kashmiris will continue their struggle until they achieve their rightful aspirations.
AIOU allocates Rs.125mln for merit scholarships, research grants
ISLAMABAD, Mar 18 (APP): Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has allocated a significant amount of 125 million for financial assistance and scholarship programs.
These programs are designed to help deserving, needy and bright students, said Vice Chancellor, AIOU, Prof. Dr. Nasir Mahmood
He was addressing at the prize distribution ceremony held in honor of the students who won Final Year Project Grants and Merit Scholarships in semester Autumn 2023.
Speaking on the occasion he said that last year, a total of 36,640 students benefited from these opportunities,
AIOU provides free matriculation education to the people of Balochistan, merged districts (Ex FATA), and Gilgit-Baltistan, he added.
In addition, VC said the university offers merit scholarships to bright students who secure more than 80% marks in each semester, and their fee is refunded.
It is pertinent to mention here that a total of 129 students from various departments have been awarded merit scholarships for achieving more than 80% marks in the autumn 2023 semester.
Additionally, 13 students from three departments have been granted final-year project grants. It’s essential to note that as per university policy, students who secure 80% marks must apply within the given time to receive scholarships; otherwise, the university will not be responsible.
The successful students were presented with cheques by the Vice Chancellor. Dr. Nasir Mahmood emphasized that hard work is a key factor in achieving success in life.
The purpose of the merit scholarships is to encourage talented students to complete their education. This celebration will motivate other students, and there are vast opportunities available for them in the world.
Dr. Nasir also pointed out that Allah has blessed everyone with the same abilities, and the only difference between the successful and unsuccessful is the amount of hard work put in.
This event was organized by the Directorate of Students Advisory and Counseling Services. Dean, Faculty of Sciences, Prof. Dr. Hajra Ahmed, Prof. Dr. Irshad Ahmed Arshad, Director, Student Affairs, Syed Ghulam Kazim Ali also addressed the ceremony and congratulated the awardees.
Death anniversary of actor Mehboob Alam observed
ISLAMABAD, Mar 18 (APP): Death anniversary of renowned television and film actor Mehboob Alam was observed on Monday.
Born on March 14, 1948, Mehboob Alam was a versatile actor with a unique acting style.
He was best known for his remarkable role in the Pakistan Television classic drama serial “Waris” in which he played the role of Chaudhry Hashmat Ali.He also appeared in famous PTV drama Andhera Ujala, Apnay Log, and Neelay Hath.
Mehboob Alam also acted in 38 movies which included 12 Urdu, 15 Punjabi, and 11 Sindhi movies.
He died on March 18, 1994, in Karachi at age 46.
DC directs authorities to take strict action against profiteers
RAWALPINDI, Mar 18 (APP): Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rawalpindi, Hassan Waqar Cheema here on Monday directed the authorities concerned to take strict action against profiteers.
The Price Magistrates should make all-out efforts to implement the official rate lists and ensure the rate lists of the essential items must be displayed on the shops, he instructed.
Strict action in accordance with the law would be taken against the profiteers, Hassan Waqar Cheema said adding, the violation of the official rates would not be allowed.
Fines amounting to over Rs 4.7 million were imposed on the wholesalers found indulged in profiteering in Rawalpindi during March, the DC said and added that more than 300 wholesalers were also sent behind the bars.
Hassan Waqar informed that the district administration had increased the number of the price magistrates which helped ensuring the implementation of the fixed prices of essential commodities.
Rawalpindi district administration was striving to ensure provision of the essential commodities to the citizens at fixed rates, he added.
Food exports grew by 54.05% in 08 months, reached $4.969 bln
ISLAMABAD, Mar 18 (APP): Food group exports from the country during the first 08 months of the current financial year grew by 54.05 per cent as compared to the exports of the corresponding period of last year.
During the period from July-February, 2023-24, different food commodities worth $4.969 billion were exported as compared to the exports of 3.225 billion in the same period of the previous year, according to the data of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
The exports of rice grew by 85.83 per cent as over 3.932 million metric tons of rice valued at $2.517 billion were exported as compared to the exports of 2.546 million tons worth $1.354 billion in the same period of last year, it added.
During the period under review, the exports of fruits and vegetables grew by 13.89 per cent and 39.27 per cent respectively as 688,950 metric tons of fruits valued at $246.463 million and 724,252 metric tons of vegetables worth $277.064 million were exported.
The other commodities that witnessed positive growth in their respective exports included pulses 268.68 per cent as pulses valued at $173,000, tobacco 32.09 per cent worth of $60.581 million and the exports of spices grew by 21.10 per cent and recorded at $78.107 million.
Meanwhile, the imports of food commodities into the country during the first 08 months of the current financial year decreased by 18.33 per cent as against the imports of the corresponding period of last year. The imports of food commodities during the period under review came down from $6.687 billion to $5.461 billion.
On month on month basis, the food group imports grew by 5.12 per cent in February 2024 growth as food goods valued at $739.819 million were imported as compared to the imports of 703.722 million of the same month of last year.
However, the exports of food goods during the month of February 2024 grew by 35.38 per cent as different food commodities worth $702.469 million were exported as compared to the exports of $518.871 million in the same month of the last year.