ISLAMABAD, Feb 11 (APP):Federal Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination Dr. Fehmida Mirza Monday directed the provincial governments to identify desired areas of cooperation with China saying it was a high time for both countries to engage more deeply.

The minister issued directions while chairing a meeting of provincial/local governments’ representatives for Pak-China Year of Friendship Sister Provinces/Cities 2019, here Monday, said a press release.
In the meeting it was briefed that Prime Minister of Pakistan visited China last year and it was agreed to celebrate 2019 as year of friendship with China. The leadership of the two countries agreed to enhance exchanges and dialogue between leaders at provincial/city levels to expand cooperation.
Dr. Mirza underscored the importance of investing more in socio-economic sector and said that it was a high time for Pakistan and China to engage more deeply. Establishing contacts and cooperation at city to city or at local governments level can further strengthen bilateral relations, she added.
It was told that under Pakistan-China Sister Cities, there were a number of MOUs signed between different cities of Pakistan and China but those were generally dormant with no active people to people and economic cooperation.
Establishing new provinces/sister cities relationships between the two countries is the spirit of 2019 Year of Friendship Sister Provinces/Cities.
The IPC Ministry was made the focal ministry in this regard. “It is a great opportunity to enhance our cooperation with China in different areas” the minister said.
She also directed the representatives of different provincial governments and cities to formulate proposals, with a defined time frame and budgetary allocations, to identify the desired areas of cooperation, including exchange between the local governments, Heads and Deputy Heads, enhancement of trade and investment, energy/ industrial linkages, exchange of culture, sports, tourism, youth exchanges, agriculture and people to people contact with their sister cities of China.
The minister stressed the provinces/cities to come up with innovative ideas to enhance engagement with different cities of China for this calendar year. Nominations of the focal persons to coordinate provincial governments would also be finalized at the earliest. The follow-up meeting will be commenced soon.

KARACHI, Feb 11 (APP):State Minister for Interior, Shehryar Khan Afridi here on Monday said PTI government is committed to help country acquire “drug free status”. Addressing the drug destroying and burning ceremony organised by Pakistan Coast Guards at its Hassan Shah Mazar post, near Port Qasim,he said those engaged to combat drug smugglers were among real heroes of the country.
“Protecting youth against the menace of addiction be they contraband drugs or other hazardous goods was a great service and the nation indebted to them,” the State Minister for Interior said.Mentioning that drug addiction has emerged to be a real challenge, he said it was heartening to note that 9260.110 Kg of charas, 12 Kg of heroin,1.100 Kg of crystal, 13 Kg of opium, four tones of betel nuts and gutka were destroyed during the ceremony.
“Destroying of these narcotics of varied categories that could
fetch no less than US dollars 106 million reflects our commitment to
the cause,” Shehryar said.
He appreciated Pakistan Army actively involved in fencing
the Pak-Afghan border so as to close for good a major route of
narcotics smuggling.
Director General of Pakistan Coast Guards (PCG), Brig Sajjad Sikander
Ranjha in his detailed presentation discussed achievements of the
agency in securing the marine borders of the country with a
significantly long coastal line.
Mentioning that smugglers and criminals were actively engaged to
exploit these for their nefarious designs, Brig Ranjha said equal
efforts were also made on regular basis to enhance capacity building of
the PCG personnel.
School children and youth pertaining to different institutions
presented tableaus to highlight the menace of addiction and measures
needed to counter the same at varied levels.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 11 (APP):Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Syed Zulfikar Bukhari Monday proposed the world leaders to evolve a joint mechanism for overseas workers’ rights protection at international level.
He, during a panel discussion – Planning for Next Generation of Careers – held on the second day of World Government Summit in Dubai, said we had to devise a combined strategy for our overseas manpower’s safety and legal aid so that they could spend their life abroad accordingly, a message received here from Dubai said.

During the discussion, Zulfi said the demand of skilled manpower had gradually risen across the world and Pakistan was about to finalize a framework for exporting its trained workforce to various countries. For this purpose, we had taken private sector on board too, he added.
Highlighting the Pakistani manpower potential, he said our workforce was capable enough to compete in the international market as they were being trained at par global standards.
On this occasion, he also shared the general problems being faced by Pakistani diaspora abroad.

RAWALPINDI, Feb 11 (APP):Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Fayaz ul Hasan Chohan Monday rejected the impression of any deal in the garb of National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and declared in clear-cut words that the fate of corrupt politicians would be decided under the law of land.
Talking to media visiting his constituency, he said the report of 4th medical board, constituted for medical examination of Nawaz has declared him physical stable. However, he and his cronies are trying to flee from the country on pretext of medical grounds.

As Sharif family does not have courage to face its corruption cases so it wants a deal but the PTI government would not compromise on its principles, he added.
He said Nawaz looted national wealth worth billions of rupees and the PTI government is trying to recover the plundered money with all possible means in the larger interest of the country and people.
He said Usman Buzdar as chief executive of the province, is running the administrative affairs fairly and judiciously.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 11 (APP):With 737,000 people getting themselves registered so far and more registrations continuing, Pakistan Citizens Portal has entered the category of seven best applications at Google Play Store.
Pakistan Citizens Portal, being searched by the people from across the globe, has also been recorded at number seven in terms of productivity, a brief statement issued by the PM Media Office here on Monday said.
The application has secured 22,983 stars from the people approaching the portal, it added.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 11 (APP):Supreme Court Monday directed Ministry of Defence to complete investigation against its officials involved in the light of its 2012 verdict in Asghar Khan case, within four weeks.
A three-judge bench headed by Justice Gulzar Ahmed heard the case moved by late air chief marshal Asghar Khan in 1996 alleging that two senior army officers and then-president Ghulam Ishaq Khan had doled out Rs140 million among several politicians to rig the 1990 polls against late Benazir Bhutto.On Dec 29, 2018, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) while submitting its response, suggested apex court to close the case regarding implementation of Asghar Khan verdict as there were not enough evidence to proceed it any further.
However, former chief justice Mian Saqib Nisar sought reply from the legal heirs of Asghar Khan, who demanded the logical conclusion of case. Subsequently, Justice Nisar ordered to fix the case to the court for hearing.
During course of proceeding, Justice Gulzar Ahmed asked attorney general that why Ministry of Defence did not initiate any action against the responsible.
To which attorney general said after completing inquiry and legal procedure, it would be forwarded for further course of action if there was any case of fraud or loss to the national exchequer then a strict action would be taken against the culprits.
He also informed on bench’s query that Muttahida Qaumi Movement London head Altaf Hussain’s name was also mentioned in the FIA report, however, he is abroad and talks are underway with the British government in this regard and major development is expected soon.
The bench maintained that the FIA report would be reviewed along with defence ministry’s reply and then, court would pass any order.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 11 (APP):Stressing for enhanced people-to-people contacts to take Pak-China strategic partnership to new heights, China’s Ambassador in Islamabad Yao Jing Monday said his country had increased
the number of its scholarships for study of Pakistani students in China up to 20,000 per annum – highest for any country in the world.

Speaking at a “China-Photo Exhibition” held at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), the China Ambassador said with enhanced people-to-people contacts and communication Pak-China relations would continue to gain strength from generations to generations. “It is the people who matter in relationship,” he remarked.The event was organized by the Chinese Study Center of the School of Social Sciences and Humanities in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad as part of Chinese
Lunar Year celebrations.

Ambassador Yao said the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was a long-term project, adding with five years of work on CPEC, it was just the start of achieving the goals of socio-economic development in the region.
He said that China, in consultation with the Government of Pakistan, had decided to enter the next phase of CPEC which would focus on Investment, Joint Ventures, establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZs), engagement in the power sector as well as export-oriented cooperation.

The Chinese Ambassador said the second area of focus for cooperation in the next phase of CPEC was social sector and the areas identified were education, health, agriculture, poverty reduction and human resources.

“We have to have a holistic and futuristic approach,” he said and added that in future the cooperation between Pakistan and China would encompass all areas including military, economic, development etc.

Ambassador Yao lauded the efforts of NUST in various disciplines of education including the science and technology and said the Chinese government and Embassy would continue to support the institution, considered as one of Pakistan’s leading educational institutions.

Earlier in his welcome remarks Rector NUST Lt. Gen. ® Naweed Zaman, HI (M), observed that commitment of the leadership of two countries to preparing the future generation for “knowledge economy” through closer educational collaboration.He also highlighted various initiatives of NUST to have enhanced cooperation and collaboration with China and its educational institutions and thanked the Chinese side for their support.

Later, the Chinese Ambassador opened the exhibition by cutting a ribbon. On this occasion he was also presented a souvenir by the Rector of NUST.

The event was participated by the NUST leadership, Faculty and China educated Graduates Alumni of NUST and other Universities in Islamabad.
The photos placed at the exhibition depicted China’s great progress over the past four decades of Reforms and Open Door Policy to the outside world.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 11 (APP):Chairman Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Lt Gen (R) Muzammil Hussain Monday informed the Senate Standing Committee on Water Resources that the Mohmand Dam would be completed within five years time with the latest technologies applied on the project.

Briefing the Senate body the Chairman WAPDA said that the proposed time was 5 years and eight months which would be reduced. “Unfortunately, the project has been halted for the last 50 years and 9 cases got registered against the government of Pakistan for constructing Mohmand Dam. All of the cases have been finally decided with verdicts in favour of the government,” he said.

The dam has gross capacity of 1.9 million acre feet (MAF), live capacity 0.67 MAF with power generation potential of 800 megawatts (MW) and annual energy production of 2862 GWh. However, the dam had command area of 16,737 acres, the chairman WAPDA added.

Referring to propaganda against the dam over the media, he said that it was falsely reported that WAPDA issued tender of the project through single bidding process. WAPDA clearly went for open competitive bidding, he affirmed.

During the presentation by WAPDA it was revealed that the bidding process was held from November 23, 2017 to June 26, 2018. Almost 23 firms purchased bidding documents, 15 attended pre-bid meeting, 10 firms visited the dam site and only 2 firms on Joint Venture submitted bids for the project.

“The tribal people of Mohmand Agency deserve great applause and appreciation for their cooperation and enthusiasm for the dam. They asked the officials to start work at the project as soon as possible and even proposed that they do not want compensation for their lands,” Chairman WAPDA told the senate body.

He said that 40 percent local engineers would be hired to work on the project where 60 percent expert engineers would be incorporated from around the globe. “These will help in capacity building of our skilled youth namely fresh engineers and graduates of local universities and will also assist in fortifying indigenous technical manpower,” he remarked.

WAPDA officials further briefed the Senate Standing Committee that Chiniot Dam was proposed at an ideal location for flood mitigation in the area at Chenab River. “The main objective of the dam is to cope with inundation occurring at the upstream areas,” the officials said.

It was also being built due to having 0.9 MAF water storage capacity, 80 MW power generation potential, domestic water supply, ground water charge, recreation tourism and socio-economic development of the area objectives, the WAPDA officials mentioned in their presentation.

The WAPDA officials informed that three alternative sites were under consideration as its concept paper PC1 has been approved and PC2 was under way. They added that the process would be expedited to get the project initiated without any further delay.

On the PSDP releases for Noulong Dam, Ichar Dam and Machura Dam the allocated and released funds were not compatible for in time development of the projects which should be assisted by the Planning Commission, the WAPDA officials suggested to the Senate Body.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 11 (APP):Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Senator Faisal Javed Monday said the government was committed to making Pakistan a self- sufficient and economically empowered state.Talking to PTV, he said it was important to understand that the country was already passing through difficult time when PTI government came into power. It would take time to settle things in a proper way.
“Our exports have registered a significant increase while foreign remittances are also going upward. Foreign investors are now confidently investing in Pakistan due to projecting positive image of the county across the globe”, he said.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 11 (APP):Raza Bashir Tarar, an experienced diplomat, has assumed his responsibilities as the new High Commissioner of Pakistan to Canada.

He joined the Foreign Service of Pakistan in 1987 and afterward, held various diplomatic assignments in Pakistan missions abroad including Manila (1991-1994), Brussels (1999-2002), Tokyo (2003-2004) and New York (UN) (2008-2013), says a press release issued here Monday.
Tarar had also served as High Commissioner of Pakistan to Kenya during 2015 to February 2019.
In New York, he served as Pakistan Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Deputy Representative to the UN Security Council.
He held different assignments in Islamabad which included Director General (Disarmament) from 2013 to 2015, besides he led Pakistan’s delegations to various international conferences as well as bilateral disarmament dialogues.

SILANWALI, Feb 11 (APP):Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Parliamentary Coordination Nadeem Afzal Chan here on Monday said that due to the friendly policies and dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan foreign investors were taking keen interest to invest in the different sectors of Pakistan.Addressing to the party delegation led by Muhammad Hafiz Arain, he said that government is committed to make Pakistan economically strong country of the world.
Nadeem underlined that after the visits of Prime Ministers to different countries so many foreign investors are taking interest to invest in Pakistan because they have trust over the leadership.
Saudi Arabia was huge investing of South Asia in Gwadar area which will bring prosperity and development of the state.
The government would fulfill all promises which were made with public during the election campaign and would bring all looted money to Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 11 (APP):Higher Education Commission (HEC) has awarded as many as 376 foreign scholarships to the students of Balochistan studying different courses in various foreign educational institutions during the last seven years.
The financial assistance was extended to 204 students pursuing MS, MPhil, MPhil leading to PhD while 172 scholarships were given to PhD students under Aghaz e Haqooq-e- Balochistan, the official source informed APP.Under the programme, the scholarships were offered to the youth of underprivileged areas of Balochistan which could not had access to higher education earlier owing to exorbitant tuition fees and accommodation charges abroad.
He said that the project was initiated in 2012 and maximum scholarships for above mentioned disciplines were secured in fiscal year 2017-18 which were 154 in numbers comparatively higher than previous years.
The project was continue to award scholarships for PhD studies at top ranked universities of USA, UK, Canada, Austria, China, France, Germany and the leading universities of many other countries.
The project was approved with a total cost of Rs 14522.35 million for duration of nine years, the source said. HEC was extending its efforts to facilitate the students and youth of Balochistan to contribute their role in building a knowledge economy, he added.
“The Project Management Unit (PMU) conducted various awareness sessions in public universities of Balochistan to motivate different batches in order to facilitate the students to secure admissions in foreign universities,” he maintained.
The source said that the scholarship would be awarded to all districts of Balochistan on quota basis according to district population. In the classification of the scholarships 25 percent in-service government employees, faculty of the public level University/ College and 75 percent of seats were awarded on open merit.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 11 (APP):Supreme Court on Monday while hearing a contempt of court proceedings against two private schools indicated that private schools could be nationalised.Justice Gulzar Ahmed who was chairing a three-member bench passed the remarks while hearing a contempt of court proceedings against two private schools for passing derogatory remarks against the verdict regarding hike in fee of schools.

Justice Ijazul Ahsan addressing the school administration asked them that how they dare to call the apex court’s verdict a “draconian judgment”.
Justice Gulzar said that, “What kind of language did you write in letters to the parents, adding that “we should close your schools and can even nationalise them.
He said that court can ask the government to handle the administrative affairs of private schools adding that we will direct to conduct an audit to check whether you have black or white money as well.
Now a days people instead of providing education just doing business, schools are not money making industries, he added.
To which, the counsel of the private schools tendered unconditional apologise on behalf of his clients to the court and assured the bench that in future no such thing would be happened.
Justice Gulzar said, you may submit a written apology and after examining the language of the apology then court would decide the case.
However, the counsel of the private schools reiterated that his clients did not intend to insult the court orders.
Justice Gulzar replied and said that court is fully aware of all correspondents between the parents and school administrators and which kind of comments were passed after the court order.
Subsequently, the court adjourned the hearing of the case for two weeks.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 11 (APP):Ministry of Science and Technology (S&T) is all set to establish Science and Technology Park in the federal capital aiming at to provide modern facilities to the students for scientific research.The Park would be established in the federal capital in collaboration with COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), said an official while talking to APP here on Monday.
The government, in this regard has allocated Rs50 million, the official said. He said that the feasibility report of the project has been prepared by a renowned company.
When contacted Rector COMSATS University, Dr Raheel Qamar, said that the purpose of Science and Technology Park was to promote scientific education among the students.
He said the establishment of Science and Technology Park would help to promote science and technology related education. It would also help to increase entrepreneurship across the country, he added.
He said that it would also provide up to date facilities of scientific learning to the students under one roof.
Rector COMSATS further said that the project would be started soon as its feasibility report has been prepared.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 11 (APP):Work on under construction 91 kilometre Lahore-Sialkot Motorway is going on and it is expected that the project would be accomplished this year and may become operational by August this year.
A National Highway Authority (NHA) official informed APP on Monday that Lahore-Sialkot Motorway(SLM) was being constructed at the cost of Rs 43.84 billion. The four-lane Lahore-Sialkot Motorway has been
divided in four sections on Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis and so far about 50 per cent physical progress has been achieved.The official said the motorway has seven interchanges, eight flyovers,40 bridges and 70 underpasses. It would be linked with Lahore-Islamabad Motorway (M-2) and Grand Trunk Road (N-5) through Lahore link road near Kala Shah Kaku.
He said that the motorway, would help reduce travel distance between Sialkot and Lahore and would open new vistas of socio-economic and human development in Sialkot region.
The motorways east bound exits include Lahore, Sialkot Bypass, Kala Khatai, Narowal,Wahndo, Mundeke, Pasrur and Sialkot while its west bound exits include Kala ShahKaku (M-2 interchange),Muridke,Eimanabad, Gujranwala City, Daska, and Wazirabad.