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Police foils smuggling of 4000 litres Iranian diesel

By
AHMD Raja
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0
MUZAFFARGARH, Feb 18 (APP):Police claimed to have foiled the smuggling of Iranian diesel and seized 4000 diesel.
According to police sources, the ongoing drive against Iranian diesel was underway in the district under the directions of District Police Officer Syed Hussain Haider.
SHO Rangpur police station Muhammad Waqas Bhutta has raided along with his team and foiled and smuggling of 4000 litres of diesel and handed it over to customs officials.

Govt achieves 13 goals, out of 15, set to promote IT sector within brief period: Dr. Saif

By
AHMD Raja
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0
ISLAMABAD, Feb 18 (APP):Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Dr. Umar Saif has said the caretaker government had successfully achieved 13 goals, out of 15, set to promote the IT sector and increase its exports within a brief period of 5 months under the caretaker setup.
In a video message, he said, “We have achieved 13 out of 15 important targets for the promotion of the IT & telecom sector in a short period of 5 months in the caretaker set-up. The forum of SIFC will prove to be a great support for the upcoming elected government in the process of building and developing the country, and the elected government will also reap the benefits of the measures we have taken during the caretaker period.”
“We worked with the SIFC and the State Bank to make a significant policy intervention, allowing IT companies to keep 50% of their export revenue in dollars in an account in Pakistan and make their international expenses without any restrictions from this amount,” he further explained. He said that with this decision, allowing the retention of 50 percent in dollars, the country’s IT exports have increased by 32 percent in the last 60 days.
Dr. Umar Saif highlighted that the establishment of the Telecom Tribunal fulfills a longstanding demand of the telecom sector. The specialized Tribunal will now handle telecom sector disputes and cases instead of the High Courts, aiming to expedite the resolution of legal issues and facilitate rapid progress in the telecom sector.
According to the minister, the Ministry of Law will nominate the chairperson and members of the Tribunal.
The Chairperson must be a Judge of the High Court or a lawyer with 15 years of experience, he said. Similarly, the Tribunal will have 2-member technocrats, whose number may be increased or decreased from time to time.
The minister believes that this specialized approach will lead to faster and more efficient resolution of disputes, contributing to the overall advancement of the telecom industry.
He said, “The effective implementation of the Right of Way Policy, the Special Investment Council has removed all departmental hurdles, and all decisions in the interest of the country and the nation have been approved without delay.”
He said that the ministry is concurrently establishing a research and development fund to support mobile phone manufacturing companies and facilitate the growth of the mobile phone manufacturing sector.
Dr. Umar Saif said that the first standardized quality test for the 75,000 information technology graduates will be conducted soon.
He highlighted significant decisions made to revamp IT education in collaboration with various entities, including HEC, the National Computing Accreditation Council, the Examination Testing Council, the Pakistan Software Export Board, and the Pakistan Software Houses Association.
Dr. Saif said students who successfully pass the test will be offered job opportunities through the Industry Placement Program.
He added that funds will be allocated to support special industry courses in universities, aiming to prepare students for current industry trends and needs.
He explained that the National Computing Accreditation Council will consider the pass rate of students to determine a university’s rating and the permissible enrollment of IT students.
Emphasizing the importance of aligning educational institutions with industry requirements, he stressed the need for facilitating industry-specific training to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical industry needs.
He said that freelancers would now receive their payments through PayPal, addressing a longstanding demand. The minister clarified, “While PayPal itself is not coming to Pakistan, an agreement has been reached where remittances would be channeled through PayPal via a third party.”
“Under the newly devised program, freelancers will not need to open a PayPal account. Instead, individuals outside the country will make payments from their PayPal accounts, and the funds will be promptly deposited into the freelancers’ accounts,” the minister explained.
He said that under the nation’s first space policy approved by the federal cabinet, international companies would be allowed to provide communication services through low-orbit communication satellites.
Dr. Saif said that satellite communication technology was advancing rapidly, and many private companies in the world wanted to provide communication services through low-orbit satellites.
“Satellites used to be geostationary, far away from the land. They are useful for broadcasting TV signals but communicating is difficult because there is latency,” he said.
Dr. Saif said that communication services and internet services could be offered through low-orbit satellites, which were relatively closer. He said that there had been a lot of development in this regard in the private sector.
“So now it has become possible for communication services in Pakistan to be provided through satellites and the private sector has this technology,” he said.
He expressed confidence that 5G services in the country would be launched by July-August current year, and 300MHz spectrum would be offered for auction.
He said that before the launch of 5G services, the optic fiber network had to be enhanced. Currently, only 6,000 mobile towers relate to optic fiber cables (OFC) of around 56,000 towers across the country.
Dr. Saif said that the government launched a project to establish 10,000 e-Rozgar centers across the country that would be equipped with the latest facilities for freelancers and startups.
“We have also fulfilled another promise made to the people, where a significant number from the existing 1.5 million and upcoming new freelancers can work independently at very low rates,” the minister said.
He said the best facilities including high-speed internet, UPS, training centers, individual cabins, meeting rooms, and separate office rooms for start-ups had been provided to freelancers.
The minister said that with the completion of the great project, IT exports would be increased soon by $ 10 billion annually, and under public-private partnership, these centers would also be able to significantly increase the capacity and income of freelancers.
He said, the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) would be responsible for providing freelancers and required technical support for these centers.
Dr. Umar Saif said that as promised, e-rozgar centers in other cities were also nearing completion.
“We have taken all the required steps for the digital ecosystem in Pakistan, and we have also used all available forums to declare Pakistan as a “Technology Destination” internationally” he added.
The minister said that the government had allocated Rs 2 billion for the Pakistan Startup Fund to accelerate venture capital investment in the country.
He said the Fund would provide financial assistance to the startups, with each receiving 30% support, while venture capitalists would contribute the remaining 70% of the capital.
The minister expressed confidence that the Startup Fund would play a key role in Pakistan’s economic development and expressed the commitment of the Ministry of Information Technology to provide.
The minister said, the government in an effort to enhance the production of mobile phones in Pakistan, has announced a 3 percent Research and Development (R&D) incentive for the local handset manufacturing industry.
“We announced a 3% R&D incentive for the industry to make them globally competitive in terms of price,” said the minister.
The government would also be announcing a plan to manufacture components in Pakistan and make locally manufactured phones cheaper than imported phones using a tariff-differential policy.
Dr Saif said that Pakistan is the seventh largest market of cellular users in the world with 191 million cellular connections. “However, we import most of our mobile phones. We need to manufacture them locally and develop an industry to export made-in-Pakistan phones,” he said.

Nepali envoy explores religious, regional matters with custodian of Bari Imam shrine

By
AHMD Raja
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0
ISLAMABAD, Feb 18 (APP):Ambassador Tapas Adikari of Nepal to Pakistan engaged in discussions at Pir House, the custodian of Bari Imam shrine with Sajjada Nasheen Pir Syed Haider Ali Gilani covering bilateral, regional, religious, and spiritual topics.
The meeting delved into various subjects, including inter-faith harmony, Sufism, and the identity of Auliya Allah.
Emphasizing Islam’s emphasis on human dignity over divisions, the Sajjada Nasheen highlighted Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) as a symbol of mercy and blessings to the world. This principle, carried through generations by the Prophet’s followers, has been further illuminated by the Saints.

Sindh University to hold lecture programme on Int. Mother Language day on Feb 21

By
AHMD Raja
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0
HYDERABAD, Feb 18 (APP):The Study Circle of the Sindhi department of the University of Sindh Jamshoro in its Prof. Muahrram Khan Lecture programs series will hold a lecture on ‘Status of  Sindhi Language as a National and Mother Language’ on February 21 (Wednesday) at 10. a.m.
According to a press release, eminent Professor, intellectual, Researcher, poet, and linguist Taj Joyo will deliver his lecture on the topic.

Citizens urged not to allow children to fly kites; 356 arrested with 48000 kites

By
AHMD Raja
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0
RAWALPINDI, Feb 18 (APP):The district administration and Rawalpindi District Police have urged the citizens to ensure that their children do not violate the ban on kite flying imposed by the provincial government otherwise strict action would be taken against the violators in accordance with the law.
According to a police spokesman, over 356 kites flyers and sellers were rounded up during this season and nearly 48,000 kites and 800 string rolls were recovered from their possession.
He informed that Potohar division police netted 147 violators with 5300 kites, 200 string rolls, 326 liquor bottles, two pistols, sound system and other items.
Similarly, Rawal Division police conducted raids in their respective jurisdiction and netted 18 accused with 438 kites and 15 string rolls while Saddar Division police held 23 kite flyers and sellers and seized 630 kites, 18 string rolls and other items.
He said, separate cases had been registered against all the violators.
The spokesman said that on the special directives of City Police Officer, Rawalpindi Syed Khalid Hamdani, police were taking strict action in accordance with the law. The CPO had requested the parents to stop their children from getting involved in such activities as a crackdown against kite flyers had already been accelerated in the city, he added.
Special squads had been formed to net the violators while deputy superintendents of police and station house officers were also taking part in the operation.
He said that the officers concerned had been directed to utilise all available resources to control the kite flying and to net the ban violators and the kite sellers.
He said that the violators were being dealt with an iron hand and no one would be allowed to violate the law and indulge in kite flying and selling.
The use of metal string for kite flying results in the loss of human lives therefore, all-out efforts are made to stop kite flying, he said adding, a special awareness campaign is also being run to control the ban violation.
He said that the Inspector General of Police, had issued orders to speed up crackdown against kite flying and aerial firing.
He said Rawalpindi district police had adopted a zero-tolerance policy against kite sellers, flyers, aerial firing and strict action was being taken against the violators.
The people had also been requested to report on 15 against kite flying and aerial firing so that such notorious elements could be immediately rounded up, he added.
“Keeping in mind the need to protect the citizens from any untoward incidents, more than 1500 police officials were deployed to thwart any plans for Basant on Feb 15, Thursday night and Feb 16, Friday. Drone operators were being used to monitor kite-flying,” he said.
He informed that 188 kite flying ban violators were sent behind the bars during crackdown launched in two days, Thursday and Friday.
Police officials have reiterated time and again that flying kites is a potentially dangerous sport that can lead to the loss of life, and those found disregarding its cost to human lives will be prosecuted according to law.
The parents, teachers, scholars and civil society were also taken into confidence to play their role in preventing the celebration of Basant.
The Rawalpindi police had also launched an awareness campaign about the hazards of the risky sport with the help of religious scholars, who were asked to make announcements on their respective mosques’ sound systems about the demerits of kite-flying.
The police had finalized arrangements for live monitoring of all densely populated areas, while all Station House Officers (SHOs) had been directed to ensure strict surveillance of kite sellers in their areas.
The police teams were trying to trace and arrest culprits involved in buying and selling killer strings and kites through social media, he said adding that monitoring of courier services and passenger vehicles coming from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa was also being tightened, so that any kites and chemical strings being brought to the city for Basant could be seized.
SSP Operations, Rawalpindi, Hafiz Kamran Asghar said that no one would be allowed to violate the ban and strict action as per the law would be taken against kite flyers and sellers.

Four killed in a firing in Wazir Qala

By
AHMD Raja
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0
PESHAWAR, Feb 18 (APP):As many as four persons were killed as a result of firing in the Wazir Qala area of Peshawar here on Sunday, Daudzai Police confirmed the incident.
According to details, the firing took place in the limits of Daudzai Police Station.
The firing started after the hot words exchange over a property dispute between two groups Haider Haji and Jameel. After the firing was started as a result Nawaz Khan, Haider, Saleh and Azad were killed on the spot, Police said.
The bodies have been shifted to the hospital for post-mortem, Police said.
Police have started raids to arrest the accused.

17 years on, India denying justice to families of Samjhauta Express attack victims

By
AHMD Raja
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0
ISLAMABAD, Feb 18 (APP):Despite the lapse of 17 years, the Indian government continues to deny justice to the families of victims of the Samjhauta Express terrorist attack despite the availability of evidence.
On February 18, 2007, 68 persons, mostly Pakistanis, were killed in bomb blasts in Samjhauta Express, a cross-border train service between Pakistan and India, said a report released, on Sunday by Kashmir Media Service. The report maintained that the bombs were planted by Hindutva terrorists with the connivance of Indian secret agencies.
The report deplored that the Indian government continues to deny justice to the families of victims of the heinous act despite the availability of evidence. It said that the bombs were planted by Hindutva terrorists in connivance with the Indian secret agencies to malign Pakistan.
The report maintained that the acquittal of those involved in blasts showed Hindutva extremists enjoy impunity under Modi-led BJP/RSS/VHP and Bajrang Dal govt in India and that the Indian court decision in this regard was a reflection of Indian state policy to protect the Hindutva terrorists.
Despite the passage of 17 years, families of victims of the Samjhauta Express terrorist attack still await justice while the Indian court acquitted four culprits involved in the Samjhauta Express blast owing to their Hindutva connections
The Samjhauta Express bombing was a false flag operation aimed at maligning Pakistan while the Indian secret agencies like RAW have staged several Samjhauta Express blasts like false flag ops to defame Pakistan.
The international community and peace-loving countries must realize that the RSS-backed Hindutva BJP government is a threat to global and regional peace.
It deplored that the Indian court acquitted four Hindu terrorists despite having evidence of their involvement in the heinous act, adding the court acquitted four culprits owing to their Hindutva connections. It pointed out that the court decision came even after a Hindu extremist leader and affiliated with RSS, Swami Aseeman and confession during the investigations of having been a part of the incident.
The report maintained that acquittal of those involved in blasts showed Hindu extremists enjoy impunity under Modi-led fascist Indian government and that the court decision in this regard was a reflection of Indian state policy to protect Hindu terrorists.
It lamented that Indian agencies had blamed a Pakistan-based group despite seeing a clear Hindutva link to the Samjhauta blast.
The report said that Samjhauta Express bombing was a false flag operation aimed at maligning Pakistan. It pointed out that the Indian secret agencies had staged several Samjhauta Express blasts like false flag operations to defame Pakistan, adding the world must realize that the RSS-backed fascist BJP regime is a threat to global peace.

Murree administration urges tourists to get weather updates before visiting ‘Queen of Hills’

By
NNPS Desk
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0

RAWALPINDI, Feb 18 (APP): The Murree district administration has urged the tourists to get weather updates and traffic-related information prior to traveling to Murree and also advised the tourists to take all due precautions in Murree, Galiyat and surrounding areas.
According to a Murree district administration spokesman, the administration on the special directives of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Murree, Zaheer Abbas Sherazi had finalized all arrangements for snowfall season. The tourists were being given information about weather updates and travel advisories at all entry points of Murree, he added.
The tourists had also been requested to follow the instructions being given at the entry points, he said adding, that strict action by the law was also being taken against parking rules violators.
Murree District Administration had set up a special control room to facilitate the people, particularly tourists, he added.
The control room was working round the clock under the supervision of senior officers.
In case of any difficulty, the tourists could get help and guidance from the tourist facilitation centers. The citizens were also advised to follow the traffic rules to ensure the flow of traffic on the roads. The tourists could contact Emergency Service, Rescue-1122, Tourism Helpline-1421, or PDMA Helpline-1129 in case of emergency, he added.
Personnel from various departments were present at all the tourist facilitation centers to guide and assist the tourists, he added.
He informed that machinery and human resources were being used to remove snow from the roads. The administration had taken solid steps to remove snow from different roads to facilitate the tourists, he said.
Murree district administration after snowfall forecast by the Meteorological Department for the ‘The Queen of the Hills’, Murree on Friday put all the departments concerned on high alert.
According to a Murree district administration spokesman, the MET office had forecasted rain and snowfall for Murree on Sunday and Monday.
He informed that 13 tourist facilitation centers had been established at various places to help and guide the tourists. In case of any emergency, Punjab emergency service, Rescue- 1122 could be contacted while the tourists could also use Tourism Helpline-1421, and PDMA Helpline-1129.
Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) had also directed all the departments concerned to remain on high alert in Murree, Galiyat and surrounding areas and also issued an advisory for the tourists.
In view of the possibility of snowfall, the authorities concerned were put on high alert. The tourists were advised to adopt all possible precautionary measures.
According to a Provincial Disaster Manager Authority (PDMA) spokesman, weather conditions will remain uncertain from February 17 to 22.
The tourists visiting Murree were advised to adopt all possible precautionary measures and plan their program keeping in mind the weather conditions.
He informed that Director General (DG) PDMA, Imran Qureshi had directed the Murree administration to remain on high alert.
Murree administration was ready to deal with any kind of situation, he said adding, the departments concerned were using every possible forum to provide information to the tourists.
The tourists should check the vehicles thoroughly before leaving for the journey, he urged the tourists and said that they should keep the necessary items in view of the snowfall.
He advised the tourists that in case of any emergency, PDMA helpline 1129 could be contacted.
Murree district administration control room numbers 051-9269015, 051-9269016, and 051–9269018 could also be used by the tourists for help and assistance.
The PDMA spokesman further said that a WhatsApp number 0336-9804229 could also be used in case of any emergency.

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GCUF announces admission schedule for private candidates in Associate Degrees

By
AHMD Raja
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0
FAISALABAD, Feb 18 (APP):Government College University, Faisalabad (GCUF) has announced the admission
schedule for private candidates in Associate Degree of Arts, Science and Commerce
first annual examination 2024.
According to the controller examination, admission forms with a single fee will be
accepted from February 26 to March 26. The forms with double fee will be received
till April 05 and with triple fee till April 12.
He said that further information in this regard was available at the university website
or office of the controller examinations.

12 marriage halls fined over violation

By
AHMD Raja
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0
SARGODHA, Feb 18 (APP):Punjab Food Authority (PFA) imposed fines on twelve marriage halls for violating rules in the district.
According to news release issued by PFA on Sunday, on the special direction of PFA Director
General, the food safety teams launched an inspection drive of the marriage halls in the district.
During the checking, the teams conducted the inspection of 80 marriage halls and found that
12 marriage halls were involved in violation of authority’s rules.
The food safety teams also issued warning notices to 58 marriage halls.
Meanwhile, the PFA team wasted 70-kg expired food items during checking of various food
outlets in the city.
Citizens could register their complaints regarding adulteration on PFA helpline-1223 at anytime.
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