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BISP, NADRA mobile van service registers persons with disabilities in capital

By
NNPS Desk
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ISLAMABAD, May 6 (APP): The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) has started the process of registration of persons with disabilities and their families and issuance of smart cards through the Mobile Registration Vans (MRV) in the federal capital, like other parts.
The process of registration with BISP and issuance of smart cards is being carried out through these MRVs launched with joint efforts of BISP and NADRA.
According to an official source, the vans are visiting different spots to facilitate the persons with disabilities in the registration process with BISP as well as obtaining the smart cards from NADRA.
The objective behind the idea of launching MRV was to facilitate the “special persons” who are living below poverty line and intend to register with the BISP for availing its different schemes. While the facility of issuance of smart card will also be given to them.
BISP is the largest social protection program launched in the history of this country which is serving the needy people through its multi-faceted schemes including Benazir Kafaalat, Benazir Undergraduate Scholarship Program, Benazir Education Stipends, Benazir Nashonuma.
The BISP identifies the deserving beneficiaries through National Socio-Economic Survey and enroll them in the programme while the people with special abilities and transgenders, have also been included in the programme and they can register themselves to avail the benefits.

Peshawar Traffic Police license branch to remain open on Saturdays

By
Ali Ali
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PESHAWAR, May 06 (APP):Peshawar City Traffic Police Monday announced the driving license branch will remain open on Saturdays to better serve citizens.
According to the spokesperson, the branch will operate from 9 am to 5 pm, marking the first time in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s history for such a service extension.
Chief Traffic Officer Peshawar, Saud Khan emphasized that this decision aligns with the priority of prioritizing citizen facilitation. Previously, services were limited on Monday to Friday, he added.

PBM’s WEC nurturing self-sufficiency among destitute women

By
NNPS Desk
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ISLAMABAD, May 6 (APP): The 162 Women Empowerment Centers (WECs) established by Pakistan Baitul Mal (PBM) across the country are playing a pivotal role in imparting skill development training to destitute women, enabling them to become self-sufficient.
According to official sources, Women Empowerment Centers have been established nationwide at the district level, including Azad Kashmir and the Northern Areas, since 1995.
The WECs are currently offering complimentary vocational training to widows, orphans, and economically disadvantaged girls. The training encompasses contemporary professional skills such as dress designing, embroidery, basic and advanced computer courses, beautician training, tie-dye techniques, and fabric painting.
Trainees at these centers receive a stipend of Rs. 50 per day based on attendance. Women and girls from low-income backgrounds are trained in two shifts of 60 trainees bi-annually. Out of 162 Women Empowerment Centers, 128 have diversified their offerings to include market-oriented trades such as IT training, beautician courses, and cooking classes (47 in Punjab, 31 in Sindh, 23 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa + FATA, 15 in Balochistan, 2 in Gilgit Baltistan, and 10 in ICT/AJK). Additionally, these centers also provide local skills training based on the area’s requirements.
In response to a query, he mentioned that at present, 12,377 deserving women are engaged in skill development training across 162 Women Empowerment Centers (WEC), with a cumulative total of 277,238 women having successfully completed the program thus far.

USAID launches groundbreaking clean energy initiative to transform rural Pakistan

By
NNPS Desk
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By Rehan Khan

ISLAMABAD, May 06 (APP): The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on Monday embarked on a groundbreaking clean energy initiative marking a pivotal moment in Pakistan’s journey towards sustainable development.

In a ceremony held here, USAID’s Power Sector Improvement Activity, alongside Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Agriculture University Multan (MNSAUM) and the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), signed a historic agreement aimed at transforming rural communities through innovative clean energy solutions.

The new energy initiative, called ‘Energy-Food-Transportation Nexus (EFTN)’, is set to make a significant impact on Pakistan’s rural and farming areas. By providing tailored clean energy solutions, the project will tackle issues like unreliable electricity, soaring fuel costs, and harmful cooking methods. These challenges have left rural communities economically disadvantaged and lacking access to modern energy services. Developed through collaborative research by USAID and LUMS, this initiative integrates solar panels, swappable batteries, charging stations, and electric three-wheelers into farmlands. This innovative approach not only boosts farmers’ productivity but also ensures clean energy for both farm and community needs.

The initiative is poised to undergo rigorous pilot testing in Multan, exploring a myriad of economically viable applications. From water pumping and agricultural cold storage to medical facilities, transportation, and household electricity, the initiative seeks to revitalize rural economies across Pakistan. Successful applications identified during the trials hold the promise of lifting millions out of subsistence living while fortifying national food security. MNSAUM and LUMS will work together to support the farmers in implementing and expanding EFTN technologies in the field.

The EFTN initiative is a key part of USAID’s Power Sector Improvement Activity which aims to help Pakistan transition to a competitive power market, improve transmission and distribution systems, and use electricity more efficiently. By involving the private sector and local stakeholders, the activity vows to support Pakistan’s goal of increasing the share of renewables to 60 percent of the energy mix by 2030.

SNGPL cuts off another 82 connections on gas theft

By
Ali Ali
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LAHORE, May 06 (APP):Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) on Monday cut off more 82 connections during its ongoing crackdown against gas theft and imposed fines of worth Rs 2 million.
According to SNGPL spokesman, the regional team disconnected 16 connections
on illegal use of gas in Lahore and imposed fine of Rs 400,000 against gas pilferers.
In Multan and Bahawalpur, 18 connections were disconnected on illegal use while
another connection was cut off for using compressor.
In Peshawar and Karak, the company disconnected 48 connections for illegal use
of gas while an amount of Rs 1.6 million has been booked against gas theft cases.

PSX witnesses bullish trend, gains 862 points

By
Muhammad Ashraf Wani
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ISLAMABAD, May 6 (APP):The 100-Index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed bullish trend on Monday, gaining 862.15 points, a positive change of 1.20 percent, closing at 72,764.24 points against 71,902.09 points the previous trading day.
A total of 578,388,643 shares valuing Rs 24.518 billion were traded during the day as compared to 452,155,229 shares valuing Rs24.542 billion the last day.
Some 389 companies transacted their shares in the stock market; 258 of them recorded gains and 108 sustained losses, whereas the prices of 23 remained unchanged.
The three top trading companies were Pak Elctron with 48,443,791 shares at Rs 25.13 per share, Fauji Cement with 40,362,811 shares at Rs22.44 per share and K-Electric Limited with 26,775,432 shares at Rs4.41 per share.
Sapphire Textile Mills Limited witnessed a increase of Rs 84.42 per share closing at Rs 1,274.22, whereas runner up was Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited with Rs 67.52 decline to close at Rs 19,447.50.
Hocchst Pakistan Limited witnessed a maximum decrease of Rs 66.13 per share closing at Rs 1,233.87, followed by Sapphire Fibres Limited with Rs 30.25 decline to close at Rs 1,449.50.

Mother’s Day:  WCCI organizes evening with Bushra Ansari

By
Ali Ali
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MULTAN, May 06 (APP):Celebrated artist, comedian, singer and playwright, Bushar Ansari’s witty sentences, cracking jokes and cute remarks forced the audience to burst into laughter on Sunday night in an event held in connection with Mother’s Day.
Clad in green embroidered attire,  the artist shared the cherished memories she had with Multan in “An Evening with Bursha Ansari”  organized by Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry (WCCI) at a local complex.
Extempore discourse which is one of the skills she is blessed with as female comedian, compelled audience to big thunderous round of applause and again during the show.
She sang Fiaz Ahmed Faiz two ghazals  including “Mujhey sey pheli se mobhabut meray mehboob na maang and ‘Ranjish hi sahi dil tuk doukhany k leye aa’ besides Noor Jehan all times hit “Ja ja aj tun main teri, toun mera sajna vey” and a mimicry of Musarrat Nazir “Mera loung gawacha Nigha, nigha maar dain ain vey mera loung gawacha”.
Bushra Ansari scintillating performance as her known character “Saima Chaudhary’ with her daughter Dolly telepathically was amazing.
She informed that she has very much sweets memories with the city of saints as her maternal grandparents used to reside in Multan adding that she can never forget Multani mangoes.
Earlier, in her welcome address  president WCCI, Mahnaz Amir Sheikh, said that she was proud of her mother Farrukh Mukhtar who was a source of inspiration for her and a power behind her achievements in life.
She stated that WCCI always helped for capacity building entrepreneurs adding that it was need of the hour to make women economically empowered.
Among others, renowned industrialists, Faisal Mukhtar  Main Amir Naseem, Mian Kashif,  Fadia Kashif, Farah Faisal, Rahat Multanikr,  Fatima Fazal, Sadia Ali, Mahmood Javed Bhatti, and a good number of families attended.

PM loan scheme distributes Rs 83.6 billion to young entrepreneurs: Rana Mashhood

By
Ali Ali
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ISLAMABAD, May 06 (APP):Chairman of the Prime Minister Youth’s Programme(PMYP) Rana Mashhood has underscored the success of the Prime Minister’s (PM)Youth Business Loan Scheme under which Rs 83.6 billion has been disbursed to young entrepreneurs, including 16,000 female entrepreneurs, since its relaunch by Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on January 24, 2023.
While inaugurating the launching report of the “State of Youth Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in Pakistan “at a local hotel on Monday, he said that the scheme has provided loans to 140,000 youths, including those engaged in agriculture, microfinance, and interest-free ventures enabling them to turn their innovative ideas into thriving businesses.
In his keynote, the Chairman PMYP commended the collaborative efforts behind the report and emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to supporting youth entrepreneurship in Pakistan.
He also highlighted the transformative initiatives undertaken by the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme to promote entrepreneurship across Pakistan.
“The Prime Minister’s Youth Programme remains committed to empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs, and we call upon our development partners and the private sector to join us in implementing the recommendations outlined in the report.”
Additionally, Rana Mashood Ahmed Khan emphasized the impact of the National Innovation Award, which provides financial support, mentorship, and incubation resources to help young entrepreneurs realize their full potential and foster a culture of innovation and creativity in Pakistan.
“I am delighted to witness the launch of the ‘State of Youth Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in Pakistan’ report, which provides invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing young entrepreneurs in our country,” he added.
The Commonwealth Secretariat, in collaboration with UNDP Pakistan and the Islamic Development Bank, launched the highly anticipated report titled “State of Youth Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in Pakistan.”
This groundbreaking report provides valuable insights into the current landscape of youth entrepreneurship in Pakistan and offers strategic recommendations to foster a dynamic and inclusive ecosystem for young entrepreneurs.
The launch event brought together government officials, development partners, representatives from the private sector, and aspiring young entrepreneurs to discuss strategies for enhancing the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Pakistan and driving sustainable economic growth.
“State of Youth Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in Pakistan” report serves as a roadmap for policymakers, development agencies, and stakeholders to design targeted interventions that support youth entrepreneurship and contribute to economic development in Pakistan.

IPL seeks power supplier license to supply 4.53 MW to ITPL, IFPL

By
Ali Ali
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ISLAMABAD, May 6 (APP):Ms Ittehad (Pvt) Ltd (IPL) has sought to grant power supplier license to supply 4.53 megawatt (MW) to lttehad Textile Pvt ltd (ITPL) and lttehad Fabrics Pvt Ltd. (IFPL).
In a petition to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), the company maintained that it had set up a 4.563 MW natural gas fuel based generation facility at Faisalabad which supplies specifically to a designated consumer/Bulk Power Consumer-BP( in the name of lttehad Textile Pvt Ltd and lttehad Fabrics Pvt Ltd.
It was further said that the generation facility is working at 440 voltages and supplying electricity through its own dedicated feeders to the sister organizations without using network of National Transmission and Dispatch Company and Power Distribution Company.
The NEPRA invited comments from all the stakeholders, interested or affected people in favour or against the grant of license for power supply to IPL.

Child protection training of merge districts’ staff completed

By
AHMD Raja
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PESHAWAR, May 06 (APP):In a significant step towards ensuring the protection and welfare of children in the Merged Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a 10-day training on Child Protection Case Management, at a Foundational Level was successfully conducted from 25th April to 6th May 2024 at a local hotel here.
The training was organized as a mandatory course for all the staff of nine newly established Child Protection Units (CPUs) in Merged Districts with the support from UNICEF.
Considering the severity of child protection issues and its long-term impacts on children’s wellbeing and development, the Directorate of Social Welfare Merged Districts has prioritized  addressing child protection issues in communities, including issues of children on the move and Afghan Refugees.
 To fulfill this mission, the department have established nine Child Protection Units (CPUs) in all the Merged Districts  including the Sub-division Peshawar, and Sub-division Lakki.
These CPUs are staffed with Child Protection Officer, Psychologist and Social Workers.
This 10-day training program, aimed to equip the professionals of Child Protection Units with essential skills and knowledge necessary for the proper assessment of child protection concerns of children reported to the CPU and ensuring them comprehensive case management and referral services including legal protection through judicial system.
Sohail Ahmad, Child Protection Specialist from UNICEF, highlighted the objectives and significance of this mandatory foundational course to the staff of CPUs.
 He elaborated that UNICEF provided technical support to the KP Child Protection and Welfare Commission and SWD – MDs for developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for ensuring highly quality case management services to children at risk or survivors of violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation and harmful practices.
These SOPs are developed by international social work expert and are fully aligned with the international standards.
 Sohail Ahmad also underscored the critical importance of sustaining these District Child Protection Units and advocated to the SWD – MDs and Ministry of Social Welfare for ensuring sufficient and consistent financial allocations to these CPUs.
He emphasized on the decentralization of child protection service to communities at their door steps and highlighted the urgency of mobilizing local communities and adolescent girls and boys for form Community Based Child Protection Committees as soon as possible.
He said UNICEF is committed to support SWD – MDs for the training and supervision of these CB CPCs and building trust between communities and the child protection system for prevention and response to child protection issues.
Dr. Wisam Hazeem, Programme Manager from UNICEF also addressed the forum at the closing ceremony and extended his appreciation to the government of KP and SWD – MDs for their leadership to establish and sustain the District Child Protection Units in the MDs.
He emphasized that children and communities in these Merged Districts have long survived hardships and instances of violence and abuse.
He also advocated that with the political stability and the new democratic government set up for next five years is promising and will ensure the continuity of investments made in the child protection policies and systems for the last few years.
In closing remarks, Muhammad Farooq – Additional Secretary, Social Welfare Department Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, expressed his appreciation for the dedication and commitment of all participants to the cause of Child Protection in Merged Districts, including addressing the unique needs of children on the move and Afghan Refugees.
He encouraged them to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during this 10-day training course in their respective roles, thereby safeguarding the rights of all children, and to actively engage with parents and communities in their efforts.
 Muhammad Farooq also stressed on the importance of collective action in addressing the complex challenges of child abuse, violence, exploitation, and neglect.
He urged all relevant line departments to closely collaborate with the CPUs in MDs and emphasized the significance of building strong partnerships with parents and communities to create a protective environment for children.
He also highlighted that the Deputy Commissioners should ensure proper and consistent support to the functioning of these Child Protection Units and ensure the regular meetings of the District Child Protection Committees for efficiently addressing all child protection matters at the district level and engaging the provincial government for necessary support as and when required.
This training program represents a significant stride, first of its kind, towards protecting the rights and well-being of all children in Merged Districts and reaffirms the Governments’ and UNICEF’s commitment to ensuring a safer environment for every child.
In the closing ceremony, Director Social Welfare Muhammad Tariq , Deputy Director Obaid Ur Rahman along with other staff from the  Merged Districts attended the certificate distribution ceremony.
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