KASHGAR
President Asif Ali Zardari being briefed on the academic and cultural role of Kashgar University
KASHGAR
KP CM visits idle meat processing plant, directs for operational by Oct 15
PESHAWAR, Sep 20 (APP): Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur on Saturday made a surprise visit to the Model Meat Processing Plant and Training Center on Charsadda Road.
The facility, built to international standards, has been sitting idle for eight months, with millions of rupees worth of equipment unused. The chief minister had received several complaints about plant’s inactivity.
Taking swift action, Gandapur ordered authorities to make the plant and training center fully operational by October 15, 2025.
He warned that strict measures would be taken against officials if the deadline was not met. He also directed the immediate start of the training registration process and activation of the model meat shop.
Gandapur further directed establishment of similar modern plants in other districts, promoting private investment and public-private partnerships.
CM emphasized that public funds were used to build the plant and that its benefits must reach the people immediately.
He also stated that more surprise inspections would be conducted at other public service centers, with strict action taken against those with unsatisfactory service.
Rana Sanaullah highlights Pak-Saudi defence pact, economic recovery
FAISALABAD, Sep 20 (APP):Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs, Senator Rana Sanaullah Khan, said on Saturday that Pakistan’s political and military leadership are working in unison to shape the country’s future independently.
Addressing the business community at the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI), he emphasized the significance of the recent Pak-Saudi defence pact, calling it a “guarantee of the dignity and unity of the Muslim world.” He stated that under the agreement, any attack on Saudi Arabia would be considered an attack on Pakistan, underscoring Pakistan’s readiness to protect both its own borders and the holy sites of Islam.
He highlighted Pakistan’s strategic importance, citing past events including the nuclear tests of May 28, 1998, and the country’s measured response to the Pulwama incident. “The world has seen that we neither bow to aggression nor compromise on national honour,” he asserted.
On the economic front, Rana Sanaullah dismissed default rumours as baseless and said that the government had taken tough but essential decisions to stabilize the economy. While IMF program restrictions limited the scope for immediate relief, he expressed confidence that positive outcomes would be visible soon.
He urged the business community to uphold transparency to boost Pakistan’s global economic image and promised to address the concerns of industrial hubs like Faisalabad on a priority basis.
During the visit, he performed the groundbreaking of FCCI’s new plot at FIEDMC, inaugurated renovation work at the chamber, launched a real-time digitalization system, and opened a NADRA office within the FCCI building.
Responding to media questions, he revealed that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had allocated major development funds for Faisalabad, although some were redirected due to flood relief needs. He also acknowledged long-standing neglect in infrastructure development and pledged to advocate for a cancer hospital in Faisalabad.
FCCI President Rehan Naseem Bharara welcomed the Senator and reiterated key demands, including the establishment of an Expo Centre, airport upgrades, and cargo handling facilities. The event was attended by senior FCCI officials, political figures, and business leaders, including Prime Minister’s Coordinator Rana Ihsan Afzal Khan and Mian Abdul Mannan.
CM launches green tractor program phase-II
LAHORE, Sep 20 (APP):Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Saturday launched Phase-II of the Green Tractor Program by announcing the results of a ballot for 9,500 high-power tractors to be distributed among farmers across the province.
At the ceremony, the first tractor went to Raja Rafat Abbas, the second to Nuzhat Parveen, and the third to Mian Naseer. The CM congratulated the successful applicants and personally called Muhammad Ashiq, a farmer from Kasur, to extend her felicitations. “I have called you to congratulate you on your success in the draw to win a tractor,” she told him.
Briefing the chief minister, Secretary Agriculture said that under the program, owners of seven acres or more land are eligible to obtain tractors ranging from 75 to 125 horsepower. The Punjab government is offering a subsidy of Rs1 million on high-power tractors and Rs500,000 on medium-power tractors (50–65 horsepower). Overall, 20,000 tractors will be provided with subsidies under Phase-II, including 9,500 high-power tractors and 10,000 medium-power tractors.
The chief minister was informed that 734,000 farmers applied under Phase-II of the scheme. Of them, 282,000 were declared eligible for the draw, while 9,500 applicants emerged successful in the ballot. Officials added that 98 percent of farmers applied for locally manufactured tractors, while two percent applied for imported large and modern tractors. In response to this demand, foreign companies have established dealerships and business offices in Punjab.
Intl Buddhist delegation visits Badshahi mosque
LAHORE, Sep 20 (APP): An international delegation of Buddhist monks visited the historic Badshahi Mosque here on Saturday.
The delegation was briefed on the mosque’s historical and architectural significance, including its ablution area, main prayer hall, courtyard and unique acoustic feature.
Constructed in the 17th century during the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, the mosque was hailed by the visitors as a symbol of Islamic heritage in South Asia.
The monks appreciated its spiritual ambiance and termed the visit an opportunity to promote interfaith harmony and peaceful coexistence.
At the conclusion, the delegation conveyed goodwill messages to the people and government of Pakistan and expressed hope that such exchanges would further strengthen
dialogue among civilizations.
CM meets German delegation to enhance pediatric cancer care
LAHORE, Sep 20 (APP):Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif met with a high-level delegation of Germany’s Hope Children’s Cancer Center, led by renowned pediatric oncologist and neuro-oncologist Dr. Stefan Michael, to discuss enhanced cooperation in pediatric cancer treatment.
During the meeting, the CM said Punjab has become the first province in the region to introduce ablation cancer treatment. She informed the delegation that the Nawaz Sharif Cancer Hospital in Lahore, set to be the largest and most modern facility in Pakistan, is nearing completion. She also gave in-principle approval to seek the support of German institutions for strengthening children’s cancer care in the province.
Dr. Stefan Michael praised Punjab’s initiatives, describing the high standard of pediatric cancer treatment with limited resources at the Children’s Hospital and Cancer Hospital as a remarkable achievement. He highlighted that Hope Children’s Cancer Center is already collaborating with the Aga Khan University in Pakistan and expressed optimism that training and knowledge exchange between German and Pakistani institutions will yield further positive results.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz welcomed the offer of support, particularly in introducing advanced German technology for pediatric oncology and facilitating joint training programs. She said such cooperation would significantly strengthen Punjab’s cancer treatment capacity.
Heidelberg’s Lord Mayor, Prof. Dr. Eckhart Wurzner, thanked the Chief Minister for her hospitality, calling the cooperation between Heidelberg and Punjab “a new chapter” in the partnership of the two cities. Parliamentary Leader of Heidelberg City Council Wasim Butt said the collaboration was also aimed at deepening educational and cultural ties between Lahore and Heidelberg.
The delegation included senior experts from Heidelberg University Hospital, the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and Hope Children’s Cancer Center (KiTZ).
Flood-affected being registered during the distribution ceremony of essential relief packages among flood-affected families of Union Council Sher Shah organized by farmer development organization, collaboration with the Pakistan poverty Alleviation fund at a local hall
MULTAN
Flood-affected households sitting with their essential relief packages during a distribution ceremony at a local hall in Union Council Sher Shah, organized by the Farmer Development Organization in collaboration with the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund
MULTAN
Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, addressing at Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI)
KARACHI
KARACHI
Lady Health Workers administering an HPV vaccine to the daughter of Federal Health Minister, Syed Mustafa Kamal, at the DRAP Office as part of efforts to counter propaganda against vaccination
KARACHI
KARACHI
KARACHI