Mohsin Naqvi calls on Sindh CM

Mon, 18 Mar 2024, 6:57 PM

KARACHI, March 18 (APP):Federal Minister for Interior Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, called on the Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah at the Chief Minister House here on Monday.

The Interior Minister felicitated Syed Murad Ali Shah on assuming the charge as the Sindh Chief Minister. On the occasion, they discussed issues of mutual interests.

National Women Power lifting C’ship in May

Waseem Iqbal

Mon, 18 Mar 2024, 6:55 PM

ISLAMABAD, Mar 18 (APP):The Pakistan Power-lifting Federation would be holding the National Women Powerlifting Championship here at the Jahangir Khan Squash Complex in the last week of May.

Secretary General Pakistan Powerlifting Federation Rashid Malik said all preparations for the championship have begun and ten teams from across the country ware participating in the championship.

Teams include Pakistan Army, Police, Wapda, Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, as well as foreign players, he told APP.

Malik said that the Junior and senior competitions would be held in ten weight categories each. The final date of the championship will be announced in the coming days and prizes will be distributed among the winning players at the end of the championship, he said.

USAID Mission Director visits CAS-AFS, UAF

Waseem Iqbal

Mon, 18 Mar 2024, 6:52 PM

FAISALABAD, Mar 18 (APP):USAID Mission Director Veeraya Kate Somvongsiri Monday visited the Center for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security, labs and field areas.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan extended a warm welcome to Kate Somvongsiri and took her to the labs established at the center with the support of USAID.

Director Office of Democracy, Rights and Governance USAID, Shally Prasad, USAID Lahore Team Lead Arshia Bano, Dr. Sultan Habibullah, Director of Research Dr. Jafar Jaskani, Director of Public Relations Dr. Jalal Arif and others were present.

Sharing her views with media persons on the occasion, V. Kate Somvongsiri said that she was very happy to visit the Center for Advanced Studies, Agriculture and Food Security (CAS-AFS), UAF. She said, “During my visit to the lab, I saw the amazing work being done by the faculty as well as students for dealing with agriculture challenges.”

She said that it was an impressive center and USAID was proud to have an opportunity to establish the CAS-AFS a decade ago. She said that climate change is the biggest issue on the globe and Pakistan was one of the countries facing substantial impacts.

She said that there was a need to develop food security and modern agriculture in Pakistan to help increase economic development. She said that USAID would continue its partnership in various sectors for the economic development of the country.

Earlier, USAID Mission Director Veerya Kate Somvongsiri called on UAF Vice- Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan.

The VC said that in 2013-14, the university had prepared the UAF Vision 2030. “The goals of it have been achieved and currently more than 30,000 students are studying in the university while its research and development portfolio has exceeded Rs20 billion.”

He said that a strategy is being devised for best facilities for 60,000 students in 2050 to meet the needs of the time. He said that currently more than 50 percent female students are studying in the university, who are being provided with best facilities, including women complex, sports complex, day care center, facilitation center, working women’s hostel, common rooms and others.

He said that the UAF had prepared a ten-year agricultural strategic plan, which would open up a new chapter of agricultural development and prosperity in the country

Bilal Yasin orders action to reduce chicken meat prices

Waseem Iqbal

Mon, 18 Mar 2024, 6:51 PM

LAHORE, Mar 18 (APP):An important meeting was held at the Livestock Complex under the chairmanship of Food Minister Punjab Bilal Yasin in which the price and quality of chicken meat was reviewed.

The Food Minister expressed concern over a recent rise in prices of chicken meat. He urged the representatives of the Poultry Association to bring down the prices substantially to ensure relief for the people during the holy month. .

The representatives of the Poultry Association assured him that necessary steps would be taken to reduce the rate of chicken.

Representatives of Pakistan Poultry Association, Poultry Traders Association and Farms Association attended the meeting along with the Secretary Livestock, Commissioner Lahore and Deputy Commissioner Lahore.

In the meeting, Bilal Yasin directed the district administration to keep a strict check on the prices and quality of meat in the market and deal with the profiteers with an iron hand. The Food Minister directed the Price Control Magistrates and the Labor Department to take action against shopkeepers who violate the law. Bilal Yasin directed that the prices of meat should be reviewed on a daily basis and artificial inflation would not be tolerated under any circumstances.

The Food Minister told the representatives of the Poultry Association that in the meeting with the Cabinet Committee, a discount of Rs 25 per kg was announced on chicken meat in Ramazan markets. Similarly, a reduction of Rs 10 per kg was announced in the open market while it is not being implemented which is worrisome. The Food Minister asked the representatives to take measures on an emergency basis in view of Ramazan and bring down the prices of chicken significantly.

Vendor busy in arranging and displaying beautiful dolls to attract the customer at his roadside setup

Khuram Maryam

Mon, 18 Mar 2024, 6:31 PM

APP30-180324 LAHORE: March 18 - Vendor busy in arranging and displaying beautiful dolls to attract the customer at his roadside setup. APP/MHA/MAF/FHA

LHC issues non-bailable arrest warrants for Moonis Elahi’s wife

Waseem Iqbal

Mon, 18 Mar 2024, 5:55 PM

LAHORE, Mar 18 (APP):The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Tehreem Elahi, the wife of former federal minister Moonis Elahi, for not attending the hearing of a petition seeking cancellation of bail granted to her and other accused in a money laundering case.

The division bench, headed by Justice Shehram Sarwar Chaudhry, passed the orders while hearing the petition filed by the prosecution for the bail cancellation of Rasikh Elahi, Tehreem Elahi, and other accused in the money laundering case.

During the proceedings, Rasikh Elahi and Zahra Elahi, along with their counsel Amir Saeed Rawn, appeared before the bench. However, Tehreem Elahi did not appear despite the issuance of her bailable arrest warrants at the previous hearing.

Amir Saeed Rawn submitted that he represents Rasikh Elahi and Zahra Elahi but not Tehreem Elahi, whose bailable arrest warrants were issued by the court at the last hearing.

At this stage, a federal law officer and a deputy director of the Federal Investigation Agency submitted that Tehreem Elahi was not cooperating despite the issuance of several notices.

Subsequently, the bench issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Tehreem Elahi and adjourned further hearing, announcing taking up the matter after Eid holidays.

The prosecution had approached for bail cancellation of Rasikh Elahi, Tehreem Elahi, and other accused, stating that the trial court awarded bail in violation of the law. It pleaded with the court to cancel the bail granted to the accused. A sessions court had granted bail to Rasikh Elahi, Tehreem Elahi, and other accused in a case registered by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). The agency had accused Tehreem Elahi of committing Rs 30 million in money laundering.

Man arrested on assaulting teenage girl

Waseem Iqbal

Mon, 18 Mar 2024, 5:54 PM

KHANEWAL, Mar 18 (APP):Khanewal police arrested an accused on Monday, within an hour after he was accused of assaulting a fourteen year old girl in railways colony, Khanewal Kohna police area.

Police spokesman said on Monday that Khanewal police was pursuing a zero tolerance policy against elements involved in violence against women cases on the orders of DPO Rana Omar Farooq and as per vision of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz.

Police took action swiftly soon after receiving information that a man attempted to rape the teenage girl and arrested the accused who also was a resident of railways colony. Police have started investigations, the spokesman said.

Health minister KP resolves to protect children against diseases

Waseem Iqbal

Mon, 18 Mar 2024, 5:53 PM

PESHAWAR, Mar 18 (APP):Minister Health Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Syed Qasim Ali Shah on Monday emphasized the importance of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), playing a positive role in protecting the children from dangerous diseases.

Chairing a meeting for the Expanding Program on Immunization (EPI) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Minister Syed Qasim Ali Shah highlighted the necessity for establishing district-level outbreak response committees to ensure prompt action in the event of any health crisis. He ensured all kinds of support to provide the best health facilities to the people of the province.

The meeting, attended by key stakeholders including Director General Health Services Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Dr Shoukat Ali, and representatives from WHO and UNICEF, witnessed a comprehensive presentation by Director EPI Dr Muhammad Arif Khan. Dr Khan detailed the achievements, targets, and challenges faced by the EPI.

Highlighting recent accomplishments, Dr Muhammad Khan informed that from January to March 2024, EPI successfully vaccinated 26,725 children in response to outbreaks across various areas of the province. Moreover, an additional 200,000 children received measles vaccinations during the Intensified Outreach Activity conducted from February 12 to 24, 2024.

Dr. Arif Khan also announced the groundbreaking launch of the National Electronic Immunization Registration (NEIR) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, making it the first province to implement this system. NEIR aims to register all vaccinated children under 2 years, facilitating nationwide tracking and ensuring completion of vaccination courses.

To tackle ongoing challenges, Dr Muhammad Arif Khan outlined initiatives such as piloting a Surveillance App in Peshawar, generously supported by WHO, to enhance real-time reporting and response to cases.

However, Director EPI underscored persistent obstacles, including vaccination staff strikes, logistical constraints, and vaccine shortages, necessitating urgent attention and support.

Looking ahead, Dr. Arif Khan outlined future plans, including the “Big Catch-up” initiative targeting children older than 23 months, scheduled for implementation in June 2024. Additionally, the first round of the Intensified Outreach Activity is set to commence on March 25, covering 69 Union councils in South Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Director EPI urged hospital administrations and healthcare workers to prioritize isolating suspected patients to curb disease spread effectively.

The commitment of the Ministry of Health Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains steadfast in ensuring the health and well-being of every child, reaffirming its dedication to combating diseases and promoting a healthier future for all.

Federal Interior Minister visits Quaid’s mausoleum

Waseem Iqbal

Mon, 18 Mar 2024, 5:51 PM

KARACHI, Mar 18 (APP):Federal Minister for Interior Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi on Monday visited the mausoleum of father of the nation Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah and paid rich tributes to him.