Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif departs for his two day official visit to Azerbaijan
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif departs for his two day official visit to Azerbaijan
UAF Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan visiting after inaugurates goat, bull and camel festival arranged by Faculty of Animal Husbandry (FAH), UAF and the International Goat and Bull Association at UAF Stadium
Minister of State and Chairman Reforms and Reduces Mobilization Committee Ashfaq Yousuf Tola addressing to the post budget session at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Marriyum grieved over demise of senior journalist’s mother
ISLAMABAD, Jun 14 (APP): Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Wednesday expressed deep grief and sorrow over the demise of the mother of senior journalist Zahid Malik.
The minister, in a condolence message, prayed to the Almighty to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved family to bear loss with fortitude.
She also sympathized with the bereaved family.
Rally held in favor of Pak Army
LARKANA, Jun 14 (APP): Pakistan Patriotic Movement Zindabad Organization Larkana here on Wednesday took out a rally to express solidarity with the Pakistan Army.
The rally which started from Dargah Qaim Shah Bukhari, concluded at Larkana Press Club after passing through Bunder Road, Pakistan Chowk an Jinnah Bagh Chowk.
The rally was led by Central Chairman of the Organization Liaquat Abro and was participated by Nazar Alim Younis Ali Abro, Raja Munir Jatoi Abdul Karim Jatoi and others.
The participants of the rally were holding placards, national flags and banners, chanting slogans in favor of the Pak Army and the country.
Addressing on the occasion, the leaders of the Organization said that the workers of a political party organized a protest in Punjab and KPK. As part of the conspiracy, stones were pelted at the soldiers of the Pakistan Army and government buildings besides burning the vehicles.
They also said that a handful of miscreants were doing such acts by spoiling the peaceful environment of the country.
The rally is aimed to tell the world that the people of Pakistan stand shoulder to shoulder with their armed forces, they said.
The speakers further said that all those involved in the May 9 vandalism should be punished severely so that such incidents could not happen in the future.
Indonesia trying to start direct flights from Pakistan: Ambassador Tugio
ISLAMABAD, Jun 14 (APP): Indonesian Ambassador Adam M. Tugio on Wednesday said that Pakistan and Indonesia should work together to increase trade links to the D8 market.
He said that Indonesia is trying to start direct flights with Pakistan and negotiations are going with the Civil Aviation Authority in this regard.
“It is expected that by December of this year, direct air connectivity will be established between the two great countries of the Muslim world,” he said.
He expressed these views during a meeting with Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Ahsan Zafar Bakhtavari and other officials, said a press release issued here.
By setting up an Indonesian warehouse in Gwadar, it wants to gain access to Pakistan and Central Asia. There are vast opportunities for improvement of trade relations and investment between the two countries, he said.
Speaking on the occasion, President Islamabad Chamber Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari said that ASEAN is a huge market for Pakistan, but despite all its efforts, Pakistan has not been able to get the status of a full dialogue partner from a sectoral partner and we wish that Indonesia, being a major ASEAN country, plays its role in this regard.
He accepted the ambassador’s invitation to participate in the trade exhibition held in Indonesia in October and said that the delegation of Islamabad Chamber will fully participate in this exhibition.
He further said that the business community wishes to have a free trade agreement with the countries of the ASEAN organization so that both countries get benefits from the long-standing relations established with Pakistan and ASEAN.
Speaking on the occasion, Senior Vice President Faad Waheed said that the role of the ambassador is very important in bringing Pakistan and Indonesia closer at the commercial level, and he has performed excellently in this regard by connecting with the business community.
Vice President Engineer Azhar Salam said that Pakistan and Indonesia should increase cooperation in the field of research, the increase in scholarship for Pakistani students is welcome.
In the meeting, former president FPCCI Zubair Malik, former president ICC I Zafar Bakhtawari, Ashfaq Chatta, Muhammad Ali, Khalid Chaudhry, Chaudhry Wasim, Ameer Hamza, Dr. Usman and others also participated.
Ahsan chairs mid-term review meeting on SDG 2
ISLAMABAD, Jun 14 (APP): Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Prof Ahsan Iqbal Wednesday chaired a mid-term review meeting on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 which focused on eliminating hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture.
During the meeting, the minister delivered a speech to various stakeholders and development partners, emphasizing the significance of SDG 2 and outlining the government’s initiatives and plans to address the challenges in achieving the goal, said a press release issued here.
He emphasized that SDG 2 was not merely international development agendas, but it was the development agenda of Pakistan as it aimed to provide minimum facilities and rights to people for a quality life.
Ending poverty, hunger, and unemployment were goals that did not require international agreements but necessitated concerted efforts from within each country, he added.
Highlighting Pakistan’s commitment to sustainable development, Minister Iqbal mentioned that Pakistan became the first country in the world to implement Sustainable Development Goals.
He stressed the importance of partnership in sustainable development and expressed the need for collaboration among the government, private sector, and civil society.
He emphasized that sustainable development goals could not be achieved by the government alone, and active participation from all stakeholders was required.
The minister also drew attention to the challenges posed by climate change, specifically its impact on food security.
He mentioned the devastating climate disaster witnessed in Pakistan, particularly in the most vulnerable regions of Sindh and Balochistan, leading to a severe food and nutrition crisis.
In response, the government has initiated a new program, “Green Revolution 2.0,” which aims to leverage advancements in biotechnology, digital technology, drone technology, and satellite technology to revolutionize agriculture in Pakistan.
The implementation of these technologies is expected to enhance productivity and transform Pakistan into a self-sufficient and potentially exporting country.
Furthermore, the minister highlighted the importance of equity and empowerment in society to eliminate hunger and provide equal opportunities for development.
He emphasized the government’s commitment to the “leaving no one behind” principle, ensuring that no region, group, or individual was excluded from the development process.
Addressing the issue of food waste, the minister urged attention to food patterns and waste reduction.
He emphasized the need to eliminate waste, improve storage methods, and ensure that no one in society went hungry or lacked proper nutrition.
Ahsan Iqbal underscored the adverse effects of hunger and malnutrition on the physical and mental capacities of individuals, leading to exclusion from development opportunities.
In conclusion, the minister acknowledged the challenging task of eradicating poverty and hunger by the designated target year and highlighted the current economic crisis faced by developing countries, including Pakistan.
He urged international organizations to support vulnerable countries like Pakistan in dealing with climate change and providing basic facilities to their people.
The minister Iqbal expressed gratitude to all participants and assured them that their recommendations and suggestions would be taken into account and implemented with utmost dedication.
He reiterated that it was a national challenge to free people from hunger, poverty, ignorance, and disease, and the government remained committed to achieving the goals.
A view of clouds hovering over the skies of Provincial Capital
Engr. Prof. Dr. Athar Mahboob, Vice Chancellor and Dr. Ehtesham Anwar, Commissioner Bahawalpur Division presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of the Islamia University Bahawalpur to the well-known Siraiki poet Shakir Shaja Abadi for his services in Siraiki poetry
