PESHAWAR, Dec 14 (APP):Finance Minister Khyber Pakthunkhwa (KP) Salim Khan Jhagra here Friday unveiled the salient features of first 100 days performance of PTI Govt and maintained that inclusive reforms and projects were chalked out for next five years that after completion would change destiny of people.Prime Minister Imran Khan, Governor KP Shah Farman and Chief Minister KP Mehmood Khan besides Provincial Ministers, advisors and others officials were briefed by the Finance Minister during a special function about 100 days performance of KP Govt at Nishtar Hall.
Briefing the Prime Minister about achievements of KP Govt in its first 100 days, Finance Minister Salim Khan Jhagra said mega projects were launched in KP including Peshawar with main focus on socio-economic empowerment of masses, strengthening of public sector departments, development of transport sector, construction of bus rapid projects, uplift of sports, education, health, agriculture and boosting economy of the province.
He said Govt has chalked out a comprehensive plan under which significant improvements would be brought at LG system.
As per plan, Nazim at tehsil level would be elected directly, saying decisions are making easy with strong political mandate which PTI Govt was enjoying in Khyber Pakthunkhwa.
Mega projects for Peshawar was launched and mega BRT project after completion would reshape transport sector in provincial capital besides Swat expressway would open Malakand division for tourism.
He said KP has a huge potential for tourism and 20 new tourism sites were identified and would be developed on modern lines to earn valuable exchange for national kitty.
“KP would be made tourists capital of Pakistan” he said, adding tourism sector would be our flagship project in next five years. An inclusive policy for tourism promotion has been prepared by PTI Govt during first 100 days plan and implementation on it was started.
Political, economic and business activities had increased in KP after improvement of law and order situation due to effective security policies Govt and sacrifices of officials of law enforcement agencies.
He said 500 BHUs would be strengthened and equipped with all necessary facilities, saying second phase of Sehat Insaf Cards are being launched and eight lakh cards would be distributed among needy, widows, poor, orphans and labourers of the province. Sehat Insaf card facility would also be extended to tribal districts.
In Education sector, in last five years of PTI Govt in KP, Govt had provided quality education facilities to millions of children by enhancing education budge and spent huge amount on provision of furniture and other missing facilities in schools.
The services of 65000 teachers would be hired and efforts are afoot to bring about 25 million out of schools children under schools net.
He said a comprehensive policy was prepared for uplift of mines and mineral sector imperative for promotion of investment.
Promotion of horticulture is top priority of PTI Govt and private sector would be encouraged to tap KP this potential. Rashkai economic zone was established in Nowshera under CPEC that would create jobs to millions of people besides promoting of SME sector.
As per our PM instructions, he said an inclusive labour policy was chalked out and reforms process in different departments including KPRA, BOI and WSSP would be strengthened.
He said a new investment policy are being brought to encourage foreign investment, adding KP would be made best province for investment and red tapism would not be tolerated in way of implementation of Govt development plans.
Monitoring system would be put in place for monitoring of performance of public sector schools and colleges and education system in the province. For women, an inclusive and integrated plan was chalked to safeguard rights of women.
A plan has been chalked out to provide safe drinking water to people of Peshawar and from Tank to Chitral, clean drinking water and water management would remain cornerstone of KP govt, he said.
Billions trees afforstration project would be expanded to tribal districts to plant additional one billion trees under PM’s Plant for Pakistan project and plastic bags would be eliminated as it cause environmental and water pollution.
Eco tourism would be promoted and wildlife sector would be strengthened.
E-Policing technology, training and investigation of policemen besides funds would be transferred at police stations level to provide secure environment to people.
Reforms in civil and criminals laws, a road map is prepared and prosecution wing of police department would be strengthened.
Investment policy is being introduced to attract foreign investment in KP. A comprehensive plan has been chalked out for launching of e-filling system and digitalization of officials record of Govt departments imperative for good governance and transparency.
The Minister said skill development program would be launched for provision of job opportunities for youth in KP.
PTI Govt 100 days plan to serve roadmap for next five years, change destiny of people: Minister
Govt to provide one window operations to facilitate investors: President
ISLAMABAD, Dec 14 (APP):President Dr Arif Alvi Friday said that the government was providing an efficient investment structure in Pakistan in form of one window operations to attract the foreign investors including the Pakistani expatriates.
Addressing the Pakistani Community members in Makkah, the president said one window operation would shorten and ease the lengthy processes involved in the investment procedures.
The community members included representatives of media, construction sector, banking, labourer, finance and accounting sectors, besides doctors and educationists, said a press release received here.
The president said that the procedural delays which frustrated the investors from investing in Pakistan were being streamlined into a one window operation to facilitate the investors.
He appreciated the role of Pakistani community abroad in Pakistan’s economy and earning the valuable foreign exchange for their country.
However, he underlined the need for using the banking channels for sending their hard earned money to Pakistan so that it could become a stimulus in the Pakistan’s economy. We are here for change and let us all work together for this, he added.
Replying to question on the Pak-Saudi economic opportunities, the president said that Saudi Arabia had always been supportive to Pakistan and helped Pakistan in difficult times.
He said the basis of Pak-Saudi long-term relations was the respect between the two people and love for the most sacred places of Muslims in Makkah and Madina.
The president said that both the economies had a similarity that more than 50 per cent of their population comprised youth which was a huge potential and they needed to be given opportunities to play their positive role in the development of their respective countries.
The president observed that there was a change in the Saudi market from demand of unskilled labour to skilled working class and we need to tap that opportunity.
To a question on database of overseas Pakistanis, Dr Arif Alvi said that overseas Pakistanis were goodwill ambassadors and an asset for their country and the government would involve them in the development process and take advantage of their experience.
The president took note of some of the issues raised by the community members and promised to take up the matter with the relevant quarters in Pakistan.
China welcomes breakthrough in UN-sponsored Yemen talks
BEIJING, Dec 14 (APP):China on Friday welcomed progress in UN-sponsored peace talks between relevant parties of Yemen who agreed to a ceasefire and improvement in the humanitarian situation.
“The relevant parties held peace talks in Sweden and made very important progress. China welcomes that,” Chinese foreign ministry’s spokesperson Lu Knag said during his regular briefing held here.
Terming the political consultation as only viable way to resolve the Yemen issue, he said, his country supported the relevant parties to continue to hold negotiations to reach an inclusive resolution of the issue on the basis of relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Initiative and the relevant outcome documents.
Lu Kang remarked that the relevant parties could earnestly implement the outcome of peace talks to achieve a ceasefire and improve humanitarian situation and continue with dialogue to promote the political settlement process and to resume the peace, stability and normal order in Yemen.
He said the Chinese side also supported the UN to play a constructive role on the issue, adding, “We are willing to continue to play a constructive role to resolve the Yemen issue.”
The Yemeni government delegation and the Houthi delegation held first face-to-face peace talks in Sweden since 2016.
Special Envoy of the Secretary-General (SESG) for Yemen Martin Griffiths led the UN’s efforts to build consensus towards a political agreement in order to end the fighting in the country.
Chinese FM to pay three-day visit of India from next Friday
BEIJING, Dec 14 (APP):Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will pay a three-visit to India from December 21 at the invitation of his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj, a Chinese foreign ministry’s spokesperson said on Friday.
During his visit, Wang Yi will co-chair first meeting of China-India high-level people to people exchange mechanism, Lu Kang said during his regular briefing held here.
Lok Virsa screens Iranian classical film tomorrow
ISLAMABAD, Dec 14 (APP):National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage, Lok Virsa will screen Iranian drama film, The Salesman under its Mandwa Film Club here on December 15 for the audience of twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
Released in 2016, “The Sales man” is directed by Asghar Farhadi and starring Taraneh Alidoosti and Shahab Hosseini.
It is about a married couple who perform Arthur Miller’s play Death of a Salesman on stage, when the wife is assaulted.
Her husband attempts to determine the identity of the attacker, while she struggles to cope with post-trauma stress. Farhadi chose Miller’s play as his story within a story based on shared themes.
A co-production between Iran and France, the film was shot in Tehran, beginning in 2015.
The Mandwa film club of Lok Virsa is an initiative taken by the institute to revive the classical cinema in the twin cities and involve the fun lovers in healthy activities that keep alive the dying the culture and traditions among the young generation, the organizers said.
The Mandwa club screens national and international classical hits on every weekend and invite audience from all walks of life to entertain them as well as engage them in cultural programs.
Four million Syrian children have only known war since birth: UNICEF
UNITED NATIONS, Dec 14 (APP):Half of Syria’s children — that’s four million — have grown up only knowing a life of violence, as the war-battered country enters its eighth year of conflict, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said.
“Every eight-year-old in Syria has been growing up amidst danger, destruction and death,” the agency Executive Director, Henrietta Fore, said following a five-day visit to the country.
“These children need to be able to return to school, receive their vaccinations, and feel safe and protected. We need to be able to help them.”
Four million children have been born in Syria since the conflict started, which has touched every single part of the country.
In Douma, East Ghouta, just where a Government siege came to an end in April after five years of bombardment, displaced families are returning to the town where the threat of unexploded ordinance is still widespread. Since May 2018, 26 children have reportedly been killed or injured by explosive remnants of war in this one pocket of the country.
In March, the UN declared 2017 the deadliest year for Syrian children, when a reported 910 died from the ongoing conflict. Verification of additional numbers continues, and this data may be ‘only the tip of the iceberg,’ the Syria Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism has said.
Ms. Fore said that in Douma, people are raising their families amidst the rubble, struggling for water, food and warmth in this winter weather.
Schools are overcrowded and lacking in supplies, she added, and the situation is creating a defensive and mistrustful mindset among children there.
“Since the conflict started, children and young people have become increasingly violent,” one 15-year-old said, who frequents a centre where young girls and boys learn how to stand up against gender-based violence.
“Bullying, harassment, beatings, early marriage—”all these forms of violence increased. Children and young people see violence around them everywhere and view it as normal,” she said.
Some 100 kilometers south of Ghouta, in Dera’a City, displacement levels are especially high, and limited access is blocking replenishment of limited resources.
The city’s two main water stations were previously contested areas, causing frequent water shortages and a dependency on water trucks. To remedy the situation, UNICEF has helped lay a 16-kilometer pipe to facilitate safe water transport for some 200,000 people.
War damage has left at least 500 of the area’s schools in need of repair, and children are missing out on their education. UNICEF said that first-grade students can vary in age from six to 17 years old, and close to a third of students are dropping out of school nationwide.
Ms. Fore said establishing quality education to motivate children to go to school is needed, as this is where the seeds of social cohesion are first planted.
UNICEF has underscored that reaching children, wherever they are, and assisting with their immediate and future needs, remains a priority.
With access improving, UNICEF is scaling up its health, nutrition, and child protection support services. This includes aid to schools, implementation of learning programmes to get students who have missed years of education up to speed, teacher training, and sewage and water pipeline repair.
The children’s agency calls for the protection of Syrian children at all times and has renewed its call for unconditional access to hard-to-reach areas.
“Almost eight years since the conflict started, the needs are still great,” Fore said.
“But the millions of children born during this war and growing up amidst the violence are ready: they want to learn. They want to play. They want to heal.
PM inaugurates Shelter Homes project for homeless in Peshawar
PESHAWAR, Dec 14 (APP):Prime Minister Imran Khan here Friday inaugurated state of the art Shelters Homes for orphans, street children and homeless people as part of 100 days plan of the PTI government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The prime minister accompanied by Khyber Pakthunkhwa Chief Minister Mehmood Khan, provincial ministers, officials of Provincial Administration and Social Welfare Department KP, has inaugurated shelter home at Pajaggai Road in Peshawar City by unveiling plaque.
The prime minister inspected its various sections and asked various quarries about facilities made available to the shelter-less.
The project is aimed at restoring the self-respect of those people who spend the night under the open sky besides broadening the circle of social responsibility by the state and citizens.
Briefing the prime minister, Secretary Social Welfare Department, Muhammad Idrees Marwat said that five shelters homes have been established in Peshawar at Kohat Adda, Charsadda Road, Karkhano, Hajji Camp and Pajaggai Road to provide better facilities to homeless and needy people.
The prime minister was told that 20 rooms at Pajaggai Road shelter home was equipped with all latest facilities including UPS, water geysers, electricity and medical care facilities. Over 430 people will be accommodated in the shelter homes where they will also be provided free food.
Over 100-bed have been arranged inside the shelter homes to accommodate the poor. Women and homeless people will also be housed in the shelters. The PM was informed that the shelter homes has been established in line with PTI government policy to provide best possible facilities to the needy and deserving people.
Its is the second shelters homes project after Punjab where this facilities have been provided to the shelterless with best accommodations facilities.
The relevant staff have been posted in the shelters homes for proper look after of the inmates of the shelter homes. The PM was further informed that KP Govt was providing facilities to the shelterless near bus stands in Peshawar. Similarly shelter homes would be established at divisions level in the province.
The KP chief minister has also made special transport arrangements to help move homeless people from congested parts of the city to the shelters.
The homeless people on this occasion thanked Prime Minister Imran Khan for provision of such an important facilities to prevent them from harsh winter.
Trump’s inaugural committee under investigation, WSJ
NEW YORK, Dec 14 (APP):US President Donald Trump’s legal problems mounted as federal prosecutors in New York are looking into whether his inaugural committee misspent more than $100 million it raised from donors, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday, citing people it said were familiar with the matter.
The Journal said that many of the president’s biggest campaign supporters were contributors to his inaugural fund. Donating in exchange for political favours or using funds for purposes other than the inauguration could violate federal laws.
The newspaper reported that the investigation is in its early stages, and stemmed from materials obtained during an FBI raid earlier this year of his former lawyer Michael Cohen.
Investigators in those raids reportedly obtained a recorded conversation between Cohen and Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, a former adviser to first lady Melania Trump who worked on the inauguration.
Wolkoff is heard expressing concern about how the committee was spending money, the Journal reported, but the news outlet could not determine when the conversation took place.
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders distanced Trump from the inauguration committee Thursday.
“That doesn’t have anything to do with the president or the first lady,” Sanders told reporters.
“The biggest thing the president did, his engagement in the inauguration, was to come here and raise his hand and take the oath of office. The president was focused on the transition at that time and not on any of the planning for the inauguration.”
Meanwhile, The New York Times reported on Thursday night that the inquiry was focusing on individuals from Middle Eastern nations using straw donors to hide their own gifts to the Trump funds.
A lawyer close to the matter told The Wall Street Journal that the inaugural committee, which is registered as a nonprofit, has not been contacted by prosecutors.
“We are not aware of any evidence the investigation the Journal is reporting actually exists,” the lawyer told the news outlet.
In a statement, Trump’s inaugural committee said the celebration was “in full compliance with all applicable laws.”
“The (committee) is not aware of any pending investigations and has not been contacted by any prosecutors. We simply have no evidence the investigation exists,” the statement read.
Trump’s inaugural committee raised nearly $107 million, more than double what Trump’s predecessor raised for his first inaugural.
Trump’s inauguration consisted of more than 20 ceremonies in 2017, including a concert near the Lincoln Memorial and a pair of inaugural galas.
The Journal said it could not determine which funds are under scrutiny by prosecutors.
Previous reports have indicated that law enforcement was interested in certain individuals with ties to Russia attending the festivities in January 2017.
The Washington Post reported in January that the FBI expressed concerns about several Russians connected to the Kremlin who were in Washington, D.C., that weekend, and ABC News reported in June that special counsel Robert Mueller was looking into how several Russian oligarchs were given access to invitation-only parties.
An investigation by Manhattan prosecutors into the inauguration committee would represent yet another legal dilemma for Trump, who has had five former associates implicated in the Mueller investigation.
Cohen, who worked for years at the Trump Organization, was sentenced to three years in prison on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to bank fraud, tax fraud and campaign finance law violations he said he made when he paid two women at Trump’s direction to cover up alleged affairs with the president.
Trump has denied he directed Cohen to break the law, and has insisted he did not collude with Russia.
No compromise on return of looted national wealth stashed abroad:Fawad
ISLAMABAD, Dec 14 (APP):Federal Minister for Information Chaudhry Fawad Hussain Friday said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in its manifesto had promised to bring back looted national wealth from abroad and there would be no compromise on that issue.
Addressing various public gatherings at Pinanwal, Pind Dadan Khan, the minister said that the people of Pakistan were deprived of clean drinking water, health and education facilities while Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari looted and
plundered the national wealth and built palaces for themselves in foreign countries.
He said that due to misgovernance of the past Jhelum and Pind Dadan Khan, like many other areas of the country , remained neglected in development schemes. He said that the PTI government would launch uplift projects in the previously neglected areas to bring them at par with developed areas.
He announced that Prime Minster Imran Khan would be chief guest at ground breaking ceremony of Jalalpur canal project, which would irrigate lands of Jhelum distirct. The Jalalpur canal is Rs 9 billion project and will be completed in 4 years.
He said he had requested the irrigation department not to do brick lining of the canal so that the underground water of the area could become sweet. He said it was a hundred year old project and the honor of its implementation
would go to PTI government.
He also announced that road from Lillah Inter change to Jheulm would be converted into dual carriageway to reduce travel time to only 30 minutes.
He also announced that a gas pipeline from Hiranpur to Dina would be built soon and the adjacent areas of the pipeline would be provided gas facility. He said that the issue of jobs for the unemployed has been resolved as he has discussed with ICI, Pakistan tobacco and other companies to give 30 percent jobs to local people.
Fawad told the audience that passport office for Pind Dadan Khan had been approved, which would help resolve problems of the local people.
The UET project 2006 by Chaudhary Shahbaz shelved by former government had been revived. However, the university has been asked to conduct its classes in Alberuni College.
Opposition’s demand to appoint Shahbaz Sharif as PAC chairman against moral norms: Info Minister
ISLAMABAD, Dec 14 (APP):Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain on Friday said Opposition’s demand to appoint Shahbaz Sharif as chairman Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was against moral norms.
Talking to different media channels outside the Parliament House, he said
that how Shahbaz Sharif can look into the projects undertaken by his
elder brother and former Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif during
his tenure.The information minister asked Shahbaz Sharif not to accept
the chairmanship on moral grounds..
Fawad said that even after the decision to appoint Shahbaz Sharif as
PAC Chairman the opposition was still threatening not to let the
National Assembly function.
Talking about Supreme Court’s directives to reduce private schools fees,
he said that private school were looting the parents of the students. Pakistan
Tehrik-e-Insaf was a middle class political party and realized the financial
problems of the masses. He said the Chief Justice also has pain for the people.
Replying to another question, he said that restoration of international
cricket was essential for Pakistan and efforts were underway in this regard.
Opposition employing undemocratic tactics to disrupt NA business: Fawad
JHELUM, Dec 14 (APP):Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain Friday said the opposition parties were employing undemocratic tactics to disrupt the business of National Assembly (NA).
Talking to media persons here, the minister said due to the opposition’s negative attitude, the parliament’s image was being tarnished. Instead of discussing national issues like the water crisis and economy, the opposition legislators were using the forum to defend themselves in the corruption cases being pursued by the National Accountability Bureau.
He said that the government had showed large-heartedness by agreeing to the appointment of Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif as chairman of the Public Accounts Committee to ensure smooth running of the House. However, instead of reciprocating the government’s gesture, the opposition even today made an issue of the production order of Saad Rafique and staged a walkout from the NA.
He said when the prime minister made his first speech in the National Assembly, the opposition had boycotted the proceedings on the plea of non formation of a committee on alleged election rigging, when that body was formed they walked out of the House on the issue of NAB laws, and when the government agreed on the formation of committee on that matter, they made an issue of the PAC’s chairmanship. Now the government had agreed to the nomination of Shehbaz Sharif as PAC chairman, they had now coined the issue of Saad Rafique’s arrest to stage the walkout, he added.
He said both Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari were worried about the national wealth they had plundered during their governments and were trying to pressurize the government for an agreement like that of the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) for withdrawal of cases against them.
He said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government would fulfill all the promises, which the party had made in its manifesto, including bringing about revolution in agriculture and economic sectors, and provide relief to the masses.
Fawad said when the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government came to power in 2013, there was crisis of natural gas in the country, but when it left this year gas companies were suffering heavy losses.
The Pakistan International Airlines, Pakistan Steel Mills, Sui Southern Gas Company and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited, Radio Pakistan and Pakistan Television were facing huge financial loss every year, he said, adding the PTI government was literally rebuilding the institutions brick by brick.
To a question, the minister said the accountability process was across the board and victimization of not anybody was being done as claimed by the opposition. The PTI government had made no appointments in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). NAB was logically holding accountability of those, who ruled the country during the past ten years. Since the PTI never remained in power, so there was no question of their accountability, he added.
He said during the operation against encroachments on state land, only commercial structures were removed, while no residential houses were razed on humanitarian ground.
About Jhelum, he said so far 2,500 kanal state land had been retrieved from the grabbers.
No land provided by Baluchistan government for housing project in Gawader: Bashir Cheema
ISLAMABAD, Dec 14 (APP):Federal Minister for Hosing and Works Chaudhary Tariq Bashir Cheema Friday said no housing project has been initiated as yet in Gawader as the government of Baluchistan has not provided any state land in this regard.Speaking in the Senate during question hour session, he said
that Pakistan Housing Authority Foundation (PHA-F) Ministry of Housing &
Works has taken up a case with the provincial government for provision of land
for construction of low cost housing scheme in Gawader. The reply is still
awaited, he added.
He said that the PHA-F has the capacity and expertise to
start low cost housing project in Gawader, if land is provided.
Replying to a question, he said all the rooms in Federal
Lodges (Qasr-e-Noor) Karachi have air conditioning facility.
He said that total number of AC’s installed in the lodges
was 97 adding the project of the AC installment was completed
through contract and department labors.
Replying to another question,the minister said that the first
phase for the construction of 120 D & E type apartments in Wafaqi Colony
Lahore was started in January 2009 with completion period of two years
and 2nd phase for construction of 48 D&E type apartments was started
in October 2010 having completion period of also two years.
However, due to some major reasons including court stay
orders, interference by local residents, delayed provision of Electricity by
LESCO, sewerage disposal issue by WASA, non availability of funds, work
remained suspended for two years due to Inquiries, the projects could not be
completed within stipulated time period.
At present, he said, all the above mentioned issues have been resolved
and possession of 152 apartments out of 168 has already been offered to their
respective allottees. The possession of remaining 16 apartments shall be offered soon, he added.
Replying to another question, he said that it is anticipated
that the construction of category-I houses will be completed by the end of
December 31, 2018 , the category-II houses will be completed till end January,
2019 and category-Ill houses will be completed till march 31, 2019.
The delay has been caused by different extraneous reasons
including encroachment of land at site, court cases, political disturbances and
inclement weather conditions, he told senate.
Now Work on provision of Electricity by IESCO is in progress
i.e. installation of 13 out of 27 transformers are completed and lying of HT/LT
cable are 80 percent completed within project premises, he informed.
The task is expected to be completed by January, 2019, he
said adding that PHA-F and IESCO are putting all out efforts to assure supply
of electricity before January, 2019.
Fawad congratulates Asad Khokar on Lahore bye-election victory
ISLAMABAD, Dec 14 (APP):Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain Friday congratulated Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf candidate Malik Asad Ali Khokhar on his victory in bye-elections of Punjab Assembly constituency PP-168, Lahore.
The minister thanked the voters of the constituency and paid tributes to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf workers for their hard work and contribution.
He said that people have once again rejected unholy alliance of the gang of looters of national exchequer.
“The defeat of the coalition of big opposition parties is a clear indication of the confidence of the people of Pakistan in PTI leadership,” he added.
Th minister said that the PTI would continue its struggle under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan against the powers of status quo and corruption.
Women participation in sports vital for a progressive nation: Zulfi Bukhari
ISLAMABAD, Dec 14 (APP):Stressing on more participation of the female segment in extra curricular activites, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Syed Zulfikar Abbas Bukhari said women participation in sports events was guarantee to a progressive nation.
Addressing to the audience at annual sports day of Overseas Pakistan Foundation (OPF), the SAPM affirmed to bring forward more women in national games, vowing to give special attention to country’s sports area.
Appreciating the efforts of OPF school staff for training Sara Mehboob a national tennis player who hailed from the same school, he said “We would give more focus on extra-curricular activities in the OPF schools to produce and present more such talent at International level.”
“We the Pakistani expatriates feel proud when see our female diaspora representing the country in national teams of cricket, hockey and other sports,” he added.
Besides education, extra-curricular activities were also imperative for a successful life. He cited Prime Minister Imran Khan’s example and said, “Sports can make you the Prime Minister of Pakistan.”
Terming the PM a motivational personality, Zulfikar Bukhari said the PM’s life taught the youth that nothing was impossible.
The SAPM said physical training was necessary for healthy life. “Importance of sports in building capable minds cannot be ruled out,” he remarked.
He also stressed on inculcating inclusiveness among student by arranging more such events in the future.
Principal of OPF Islamabad Girls’ College Madam Shaheena said that the school was making the students productive and meaningful part of the society.
She informed the audience that the OPF had recently launched E-learning project across the country to cover the all children of expatriates’ especially those who were living in far-off areas by providing knowledge-based videos on its portal.
Meanwhile, the annual sports event presented a spectacular scene as the students of primary classes attired in regional dresses showcase their cultural activities amid hundreds of balloons flying in the air.
Whereas they also enthralled the audience by dancing on various cultural beats exhibiting Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The students of various classes also took part in different games including sack race, 100 meter race and relay race.
Later, their judo and gymnastic teams demonstrated their knacks by breaking card boards, light weight marbell sticks and jumping through the burning rings,receiving big applause of the audience.
Govt taking measures to overcome gas shortage on priority: Dawood
ISLAMABAD, Dec 14 (APP):Advisor to Prime Minister on Commerce, Textile and Industries, Abdul Razak Dawood Friday said the government was taking measures to overcome gas shortage as soon as possible.
Talking to media persons here, the Advisor said that gas supply to all fertilizer manufacturing units was continued without any interruption in order to fulfill the domestic fertilizer requirements during the season and providing it to the farmers at affordable rates.
He said the government was not shutting down fertilizers industries and there was not any shortage of urea therefore the farmers should not be worried about.
“Surplus stock of urea is kept by the fertilizer dealers as well as fertilizer’s industries,” he added.
He however said that other industrialists were worried about shortage of gas these days due to increased demand of domestic consumers across the country.
With respect to recent gas issue in Karachi, the Advisor informed that the Prime Minister took action and asked the concerned authorities to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
“Minister for Petroleum is in Karachi today where he is meeting with authorities of Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) to resolve the issue on priority,” he added.
Abdul Razak Dawood informed that his recent visit to Japan remained highly successful as Japanese investors had showed keen interest to invest in Pakistan’s engineering, Information Technology, waste water treatment, and desalination plants.
To a question, he said projects under first phase of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would be completed within a year and after that the government would look forward to expand the scope of CPEC in areas of industries, social development, agriculture, and education.
To a question regarding Chinese commitment with Pakistan to provide assistance to ease the country’s foreign exchange reserves’ problem, Dawood said the Chinese Ambassador in Islamabad had reaffirmed that his country stood by what it agreed during the visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to China last month.
He said the matter was in process and reason behind delay was that the Chinese fiscal year started from January so they were busy in their domestic economic matters.
He said the government was preparing a comprehensive industrial policy which would take some time to be finalized.
“We will draft separate policies for each important industry such as textile, leather, engineering goods, and sports goods,” he said adding that textile policy was expected to be finalized in coming few months.
Responding to another query with regard to Free Trade Agreements with other countries, Abdul Razak Dawood said Pakistan was looking to initiate negotiation for new FTA with Malaysia.
However, he said there were some constraints with respect to bilateral trade which would be removed soon by expanding bilateral cooperation.
He said Malaysia was not happy with Pakistan due to significantly reduce its import of Palm Oil from Malaysia, while on the other hand, Pakistan also had reservations over low volume of exports from Pakistan to Malaysia.
Currency rates of NBP
KARACHI, Dec 14 (APP):Following are the selling/buying rates of major currencies issued by the National Bank of Pakistan
(NBP), here on Friday.
U.S.A
140.39/
136.83
S.ARABIA
37.16/
35.71
U.K
177.33/
172.84
JAPAN
1.2369/
1.2049
EURO
159.50/
155.46
U.A.E
38.22/
34.97
NBP Exchange Rates
KARACHI, Dec 14 (APP):Treasury Management Division of National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) on Friday issued the following
exchange rates.
Selling
Buying
Buying
TT & OD
TT Clean OD/T.CHQ
U.S.A
139.00
138.50
138.22
U.K
175.58
174.95
174.59
EURO
157.92
157.36
157.03
CANADA
103.99
103.61
103.34
SWITZERLAND
139.84
139.34
138.97
AUSTRALIA
99.97
99.61
99.35
SWEDEN
15.33
15.28
15.24
JAPAN
1.2247
1.2203
1.2171
NORWAY
16.23
16.17
16.13
SINGAPORE
101.30
100.94
100.67
DENMARK
21.15
21.08
21.02
SAUDI ARABIA
37.05
36.92
36.82
HONG KONG
17.80
17.74
17.69
CHINA
20.18
20.11
20.06
KUWAIT
456.98
455.34
454.14
MALAYSIA
33.24
33.12
33.03
NEWZEALAND
94.44
94.10
93.85
QATAR
38.17
38.04
37.94
U.A.E
37.84
37.71
37.61
KR WON
0.1231
0.1226
0.1223
THAILAND
4.244
4.229
4.218
CONVERSION FOR FC DEPOSITS, DBC/FCBC, SPECIAL USD BOND
US DOLLAR
POUND STERLING
EUR
JAPANESE YEN
138.8843
175.9942
158.0226
1.22
French tourists choosing Pakistan as preferred destination for sightseeing, cultural tourism
ISLAMABAD, Dec 14 (APP):More and more French and European tourists are choosing Pakistan as a preferred destination
for tourism.
This was stated by the representatives of the top tour operators of France who met the
Ambassador of Pakistan to France Moin ul Haque in Paris on Friday.
According to a message received here from Paris, the tour operators who visited Pakistan in September this year in their separate presentations briefed the Ambassador about their visit which
gave them first-hand experience of tourism potential of Pakistan.Consequently, they have introduced
new tour packages for Pakistan and have also created separate web pages on their websites
dedicated to Pakistan.
In response to this promotional drive, tour packages offered by famous French Clio Travels for
2019 were already sold out. Roots Travel will offer a special package for trip to Gilgit Baltistan, while Nomad Adventure was promoting mountaineering expeditions from Pakistan.
Similarly, Guide Petit Fute has decided to issue a new edition of its tourist guide book on Pakistan
in March, 2019 and will also organize a special exhibition of photographs of their visit to Pakistan.
The Ambassador thanked the French tour operators for being a valuable partner in promoting Pakistan as a tourist destination.
He briefed them about Embassy’s cultural and tourism diplomacy initiatives which included setting
a Tourism Desk at the Embassy, launching of a tourism website in French language, holding of International Conference on Mountain of Pakistan in Paris, publication of special dossiers on
Pakistan in local tourism magazines, and airing of documentaries on Pakistan on local TV channels.
The Ambassador informed the tour operators that a dedicated Tourism Office will be opened in the Embassy to further promote cooperation in the tourism sector between Pakistan and France.
Steps underway to overcome gas crisis: Sarwar
ISLAMABAD, Dec 14 (APP):Federal Minister for Petroleum Division Ghulam Sarwar Khan Friday said the gas crisis in the country would be over soon as the government was taking steps to ensure its supply to both domestic and industrial consumers.
Measures were underway to increase the quantity and pressure of the gas to cope with its demand during winter, he said talking to a private news channel.
The minister said an inquiry had been ordered into the current gas crisis. The boards of directors of both the Sui Southern Gas Company and the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) would be dissolved for improving their efficiency, he added.
PTV, Radio Pakistan to be reformed, brought under single administrative umbrella: Fawad
ISLAMABAD, Dec 14 (APP):Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain here on Friday said Pakistan Television and Radio Pakistan would be reformed, brought under single administrative umbrella and would be taken out of financial deficit under a comprehensive plan.Speaking during question hour in the National Assembly, he said Pakistan Television and Radio Pakistan would have one board and they would work under one administrative umbrella. Under a comprehensive plan, efforts were being made to turn these organizations into profit earning entities, he added.
The minister said PTV would be taken out of financial loss in a year, while under a business plan, work would be done on reformation of Pakistan Radio.
He said Rs 5.65 billion were being spent on Radio Pakistan every year while it was only earning
Rs 400 million, adding there was a time when transmitters were made in Pakistan but the situation had reversed and nothing was made here and everything was imported.
Fawad said reform and progress of Radio Pakistan was not possible without new and modern equipment.