Provincial Election Commissioner Sindh Aijaz Anwar Chohan administering oath to Mayor of Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab at Gulshan-e-Jinnah (Polo Ground)
Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari handing over the key of Karachi to Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab and Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad during oath-taking ceremony at Gulshan-e-Jinnah (Polo Ground)
NA speaker urges global assistance in resolving refugee crisis
ISLAMABAD, Jun 19 (APP):On the eve of World Refugee Day, Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf has underscored the necessity for a revitalized policy approach and appropriate allocation of resources to tackle the predicament faced by refugees on a global scale.
In an official statement, the Speaker acknowledged the hardships endured by refugees worldwide and emphasized on the urgent need to address their circumstances and provide essential resources.
Refugees, as remarked by Speaker Ashraf, represent the most vulnerable victims of conflicts and wars, grappling not only with the loss of their homes and livelihoods but also with the challenges of poverty and economic disparity. The Speaker, thereof called for collaborative efforts on an international level to support developing nations that have generously welcomed large populations of displaced individuals.
He further highlighted Pakistan’s longstanding commitment to hosting millions of Afghan refugees for over four decades, applauding the remarkable generosity, hospitality, and compassion displayed by the people of Pakistan towards these refugees.
Considering the compounded challenges arising from socio-economic issues, Speaker Ashraf stressed the urgent requirement for increased international commitment in providing regular, predictable, and adequate funding to support Afghan refugees and facilitate their safe and dignified repatriation.
Additionally, Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf extended a global appeal, urging nations worldwide to demonstrate their support and solidarity in effectively addressing the refugee crisis wherever it occurs. By joining forces, we can collectively strive towards fostering a more secure, inclusive, and compassionate world, he said.
APP/zah-nvd
Balochistan Govt unveils Rs 750 bn budget for FY 2023-24
QUETTA, Jun 19 (APP):Balochistan Minister for Finance Engineer Zmarak Khan Achakzai on Monday unveiled the province’s budget for the fiscal year 2023-24, with a total size of Rs 750 billion.
The Balochistan Assembly session was chaired by Speaker Balochistan Assembly Jan Muhammad Jamali, Chief
Minister Balochistan Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, ministers and members of the provincial Assembly were also present.
The Finance Minister said in his budget speech that over Rs 229.301 billion have been earmarked for the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), and the volume of non-development expenditure was kept at Rs 437 billion.
Zmarak Khan said that the budget for the fiscal year 2023-24 was tax-free.
He said that the budget deficit for the next financial year was Rs 49 billion rupees, while Rs 65 billion have been allocated for health in the budget.
He said that 35 percent of salaries were increased from grade one to 16 grades while 30 percent of salaries
have been enhanced for grades 17 to 22 and 17.5 percent were increased in the pensioners in the financial budget.
A total of Rs 87 billion have been earmarked for the education sector in the budget of the next financial year.
He said that Rs 53 billion have been set for law and order situation and security in the budget.
The total revenue of Balochistan is estimated at Rs 701 billion for the next financial year, he said adding Rs 170
billion was allocated for 4721 ongoing schemes during the new financial year.
He said that Rs 58 billion allocated for 5068 new schemes, while 100 new primary schools would be given the status of secondary and 50 primary schools to be given the status of high schools.
The Minister said that 863 new posts would be created in the education sector for the betterment of the education sector,
saying that in the budget, Rs 12 billion have been allocated for the development of primary and secondary
education.
Earlier, lawmakers prayed for the Pakistani victims of the Greece incident in the session of the Assembly.
Rs 1 bn allocated for development, Rs 2.15 bn for non-development purposes in budget
QUETTA, Jun 19 (APP):The Balochistan Government has allocated Rs one billion for development and Rs2.15 billion for non-developmental purposes for the industry and crafts sector for the next financial year 2023-24.
Presenting the provincial budget on Monday in the Balochistan Assembly on Monday said Provincial Finance Minister Engineer Zamrik Khan Achakzai.
He said that industrial development was the backbone of the country’s economy, and this sector was making all possible efforts for it development.
He said that commercial markets were established with Iran and Afghanistan including Hub and Chaman Special Economic Zones (SEZ) to ensure the employment of people in the border areas and work was completed at Gabd (Gwadar), Mand (Kech) and Chedgi (Panjgur).
He said that Gwadar Special Economic Tax-Free Zone was approved saying that the process of establishing a special economic zone on hundreds of acres of land in Chaman, Hub and Gwadar districts was going on.
He said that one window facility was provided for the public in Quetta office of the Board of Investment.
He said that the work on the first investment policy of Balochistan is going on, and approval would be taken from the government soon.
Pakistani products attract visitors at SCO expo
BEIJING, Jun 19 (APP): Visitors flocked to the Pakistan National Pavilion at the 2023 SCO International Investment and Trade Expo held in Qingdao, China, where more than 20 Pakistani merchants displayed their goods.
The Permanent Pakistan National Pavilion at the SCODA Pearl International Expo Center, authorized by the Embassy of Pakistan in China and operated by the Pakistan China Center at the SCO Demonstration Area, displays and sells nearly 200 Pakistani specialties, including food (biscuits, spices), tea, wooden crafts, onyx, bedding, hand-woven tapestries, silk scarves, leather bags, and salt lamps, etc.
In addition to displaying and selling Pakistani products on the first floor, the Pakistan Pavilion also undertakes the tasks of China-Pakistan cultural and tourism exchange and serves as an e-commerce platform for Pakistani products. With an area of 512 square meters, the second floor of the pavilion is for livestreaming and e-commerce, China Economic Net (CEN) reported on Monday.
Muhammad Kamil, Managing Director of Pak Link Enterprises, one of the resident merchants of the Pakistan Pavilion, expressed his “100 percent delight” at the platform for promoting Pakistani handicrafts.
“This highly anticipated exhibition has brought us new opportunities for international trade cooperation”, he said.
Wang Zihai, Pakistani Honorable Investment Counsellor highlighted that the expo has had a significant positive effect on the promotion of Pakistani products and culture. Besides the significant increase in turnover, an steady stream of visitors keep showing their interests in further understanding all aspects of the country.
“Pakistan shares with SCO and its members deep-rooted historical and cultural links and strong economic and strategic complementaries. By working together, the stakeholders can address issues and lead to innovation and development of new technologies,” Wang added that, “holding expos like this will go a long way for B2B cooperation amongst the member states.”
Coordinator FPCCI Head Office Karachi Sheikh Sultan Rehman underlined that the cooperation among SCO countries would boost not only trade and investment but also tourism and culture. “We call on more Pakistani enterprises to come to the Pakistan National Pavilion to display their products and expand exports”, he concluded.
APP/asg
New e-services launched to aid Hajj and Umrah
ISLAMABAD, Jun 19 (APP):Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance has introduced several electronic services to improve pilgrim experience and the tasks of ministry staff.
The services include a Sharia awareness app that educates pilgrims on Hajj rituals and offers a translator if the pilgrim requires a language other than Arabic.
A “Rushd” application is designed to distribute reliable e-books and is integrated with an e-library.
The services include a new electronic transaction platform, reports management, and a “virtual workspace” for use by ministry staff.
Islamic Affairs Minister Sheikh Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Asheikh said: “The ministry aims to implement all digital transformation standards according to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.”
The Hajj and Visit Committee said a total of 744,862 people have arrived in Madinah so far to perform this year’s pilgrimage. It said 587,845 of those were now traveling to or had arrived in Makkah, Arab News reported.
Meanwhile, the Women’s Affairs Agency at the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah is delivering services to visiting female pilgrims.
A series of training sessions have helped staff manage crowd flow, clarify regulations, and learn basic language skills to assist visitors.
The Presidency in Madinah has also launched a program titled “Comfort and Spirituality in the Prophet’s Mosque,” which welcomes pilgrims to the site.
Furthermore, the Health Affairs department said that Jdeidet Arar Central Hospital has been upgraded to accommodate 50 beds, including six highly equipped intensive care beds.
Additionally, an operating room and an emergency department have been set up. The hospital also houses ten outpatient clinics.
More than 744,000 Hajj pilgrims arrive in Madinah
ISLAMABAD, Jun 19 (APP):A total of 744,862 pilgrims of different nationalities reached Madinah so far arriving through air and land ports to perform Hajj this year, SPA reported on Monday.
The Saudi Arabia’s Hajj and Visit committee said in a statistics report that a total of 587,845 pilgrims left for the holy sites in Makkah, while 156,959 pilgrims were still in Madinah until yesterday.
Authorities in Madinah were working around the clock to keep pace with pilgrims arriving through air and land ports to ensure the best experience for visitors performing the Hajj rituals this year.
Pakistan, Iran agree to further enhance collaboration in security, counter terrorism measures
ISLAMABAD, Jun 19 (APP):Pakistan and Iran have agreed to further enhance collaboration in various areas of common interest, including security, joint counter terrorism measures and ensuring regional economic connectivity.
The agreement to this effect was reached during the visit of Secretary Defence Lieutenant General (R) Hamood uz Zaman Khan along with a delegation to Islamic Republic of Iran, a news release said.
The Iranian Deputy Defence Minister welcomed the delegation and expressed best wishes for Pakistan’s political and military leadership.
The Secretary Defence emphasized the importance of bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iran. He expressed the hope that bilateral relations would continue to evolve on principles of mutual respect and shared common interests.
During the visit, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on maritime cooperation was also signed between Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) and Iranian border guards, which would strengthen relations between the two sides.
Women’s Affairs agency at Prophet’s Holy Mosque continues to serve women Pilgrims
MADINAH, Jun 19 (APP):The Women’s Affairs Agency at the General Presidency for the Affairs of Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah continued to provide the best services to women pilgrims visiting the Prophet’s Mosque, in accordance with the programs and plans set for this purpose.
According to Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Monday, these include organizing the crowd movement, explaining regulations and giving instructions, conducting training courses and workshops to improve the performance of female employees and teaching them different languages to facilitate communication with all pilgrims, and helping visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque perform their rituals with ease.