PM woos UAE investment in alternative energy as both countries sign MoU

Thu, 6 Jul 2023, 6:34 PM

ISLAMABAD, July 6 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday urged the companies from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to exploit Pakistan’s potential in the alternative energy sector, citing his government’s plan to generate 10,000 megawatt of solar energy.

The prime minister, in his remarks at a signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the UAE for development of renewable energy projects in Pakistan, said it was an opportunity for bilateral cooperation in the energy sector.

Secretary Power Division Rashid Mahmood Langrial and Undersecretary of Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure of UAE Sharif al Olama signed the MoU as the prime minister and visiting President Designate COP28 and Minister for Industries and Technologies of UAE Sultan Al Jaber witnessed the ceremony.

The prime minister said his government was ready to give a detailed presentation to the UAE firms on Pakistan’s potential and his government’s policies on the alternative energy, including the 10,000 MW solar energy generation project.

He said Pakistan was rich with “wonderful sunrays” in Punjab, Balochistan, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He expressed the resolve that his government would make all-out efforts to convert the MoU into agreement and for its swift realisation.

PM woos UAE investment in alternative energy as both countries sign MoU

The prime minister also thanked the UAE for inviting Pakistan to the COP28 to be held in the Emirates by end of this year.

He particularly thanked UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the “valuable and timely” support to Pakistan, particularly in arriving a deal with the International Monetary Fund.

Conveying thanks on behalf of the people and the Government of Pakistan to the UAE leadership, the prime minister said the cooperation by China, UAE and Saudi Arabia had played a key role for Pakistan to reach the crucial deal with the IMF.

In his remarks, Minister for Industries and Technologies of UAE Sultan Al Jaber thanked the prime minister for the warm hospitality and conveyed the UAE president’s “high respect and appreciation” to the prime minister and his government.

He said both the countries enjoyed great relations and partnership as the UAE always emphasised the importance of cooperation and identifying new ways to strengthen the ties.

He assured that being the host of the COP28, the UAE would ensure developing an action plan and create a deep understanding on the climate change related issues as well as the Loss and Damage Fund.

He said the signing of the MoU on development of renewable energy projects in Pakistan was a “good step in the right way”.

Amin vows to address IT, Telecom issues, safeguard user rights

NNPS Desk

Thu, 6 Jul 2023, 6:28 PM

Amin vows to address IT, Telecom issues, safeguard user rights

ISLAMABAD, Jul 06 (APP): Federal Minister for Information Technology Syed Amin Ul Haque on Thursday made a firm commitment to tackle the challenges faced by the Information Technology and Telecom industry while ensuring the protection of cellular users’ rights.

During a meeting with Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of telecom companies, namely Ufone, Jazz, and Telenor, the minister recognized the need for striking a balance between service providers and users.

He assured the CEOs of his dedicated efforts to resolve the issues plaguing the IT industry.
Additionally, the minister emphasized the active measures being taken to settle these matters through relevant forums, aiming for positive outcomes.

Furthermore, Syed Amin Ul Haque chaired a Universal Service Fund (USF) Policy meeting, where the USF Company’s annual budget of Rs 18,036 million for FY 2023-24 was approved.

The meeting was attended by high-ranking officials from the IT sector, including the Secretary IT and representatives from the Cabinet Division and Finance Ministry. The CEO of USF briefed the chair about the ongoing projects.

The minister also presided over the Policy Committee meeting of the Research & Development Fund. The CEO of Ignite, a government-owned technology innovation organization, presented various future projects during the meeting. The annual budget of Ignite for FY 2023-24, amounting to Rs 3,206 million, was approved.

Syed Amin Ul Haque highlighted the challenges faced by telecom companies in importing equipment and upgrading systems due to limited Letters of Credit (LCs), causing delays in completing USF’s ongoing projects. The minister assured his commitment to addressing this issue and finding suitable solutions.

Joint sitting of Parliament condemns desecration of Holy Quran in Sweden

NNPS Desk

Thu, 6 Jul 2023, 6:26 PM

Joint sitting of Parliament condemns desecration of Holy Quran in Sweden

ISLAMABAD, Jul 06 (APP): The joint sitting of the Parliament on Thursday strongly condemned the desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden and called upon the international community to take serious action to prevent such incidents in the future.

They were addressing on a motion moved by Federal Minister for Human Rights, Riaz Hussain Pirzada on the situation arising out of the desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden in the joint sitting of the Parliament, which was chaired by Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervez Ashraf.

Parliamentarians from the government and the opposition sides expressed deep distress over the incident, stating that Muslims worldwide have been profoundly hurt by this disgraceful act.

They emphasized that no civilized society should permit the provocation and disrespect of religious sentiments under the guise of freedom of expression. They urged the international community to address this tragic incident and take effective measures to prevent similar occurrences.

Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Raja Riaz Ahmad strongly condemned the incident and said that the entire nation was united on this matter. He said that every forum should be used to raise the voice against this wrong act.

He said that although it was an individual act, but the government of the concerned country should take strict action against that person. He said that every Pakistani would participate in peaceful protests on Friday against the incident.

He praised the decision to convene an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in response to the incident.

Opposition Leader in Senate, Senator Dr Shahzad Waseem said that such act will increase the feeling of abhorrence among various communities of the world and urged to control such incidents. He added that the Muslims living in different parts of the world strongly condemned the incident.

He said that similar incidents already occurred in some countries and demanded to stop happening of such incidents. He said that playing with the sentiments of Muslims on the name of freedom of expression is absolutely deplorable.

Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani said that holding of joint sitting of the Parliament was a good step to give a message to the world that the entire nation was united on this incident. He said that Muslims respect other religions in accordance with Islamic teachings and expect reciprocity from followers of other faiths for global peace. He stressed that promoting interfaith harmony among nations was essential for ensuring international peace.

He called upon the international community to take notice and strict action against those responsible. He said that our protests should be held peacefully following the teachings of Islam.

Federal Minister for Communications Maulana Asad Mehmood strongly condemned the anti-Islam act considering it highly unjustifiable. He called for the perpetrator of this heinous crime to be brought to justice. He said that freedom of expression should not be used as a means to hurt religious sentiments.

Pakistani parliamentary delegation visits CIDS

Asim Usman

Thu, 6 Jul 2023, 6:24 PM

Pakistani parliamentary delegation visits CIDS

ISLAMABAD, Jul 06 (APP): Pakistani Parliamentary Delegation has visited China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy (CIDS) as their first stop upon landing on Chinese soil.

The delegation which was led by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed participated in a “think tank dialogue” that witnessed a constructive exchange of ideas between the two sides.

CIDS Founding Chairman Zheng Bijian, said that “Before us is not the so-called ‘end of history’, but the beginning of a new era- the community of shared future.”

Senator Mushahid Hussain said Pakistan and China, side by side, were undergoing profound changes of a kind unseen in a century, which included the peaceful rise of China, a decline of the West, and the advent of the community of a shared future.

Labourer busy in cutting wood into pieces at his workplace

Zia Ur Rehman

Thu, 6 Jul 2023, 6:11 PM

A trader selling seasonal fruit mango at Fruit Market

Zia Ur Rehman

Thu, 6 Jul 2023, 6:09 PM

Governor Punjab initiates joint research to improve crop quality, boost agricultural production

NNPS Desk

Thu, 6 Jul 2023, 6:08 PM

ISLAMABAD, Jul 06 (APP):On the special direction of Governor Punjab Muhammad Baligh Ur Rehman, Chinese scientists, Punjab University and Guard Agriculture Research and Services will collaborate on modern research to develop the best quality seeds of rice, cotton, and wheat crops to boost agricultural production and meet the ever-increasing food needs of the growing population.

Vice Chancellor Punjab University Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood has already notified a high powered academia industrial linkage committee comprising Prof Dr Muhammad Arshad Javed, head of Plant Breeding and Genetics Department Dr Nasim Ahmad Yasin, Dr Abdul Qayyum Rao and Prof Dr Shakil Ahmad, Director ORIC with Shahzad Ali Malik, Sitara-I-Imtiaz, as its Convenor, said a press release issued here on Thursday.

Chairman, Pakistan Hitech Hybrid Seed Association Shahzad Ali Malik, while chairing the preliminary meeting of the committee, expressed his solemn resolve to promote the linkage and assured full cooperation from his company and collaboration with Chinese scientists.

He said he will give ‘Malik Shafi cash awards’ of rupees 30 million for introducing new seed varieties of rice, cotton and wheat after their three years successful pursuits.

He said that Punjab University and Guard Agriculture Research and Services would ink a memorandum of understanding instant month to give final shape while he would manage collaboration with Chinese experts.

He said that the students of Punjab University can also conduct research in their rice fields and they would be facilitated to help conduct study. He said that an eight-member Chinese team led by Mr Liu would also be part of our research activities.

Shahzad Ali Malik expressed his gratitude to the Governor for expediting the formation of the committee and the cooperation of the Vice Chancellor in realising the dreams into reality.