Sikh pilgrims had busy day at Gurdwara Panja Sahib

Thu, 13 Apr 2023, 9:18 PM

HASSANABDAL, Apr 13 (APP): The Sikh pilgrims from India had a busy day here Thursday when 2668 Sikh pilgrims were brought to Gurdwara Panja Sahib Hassanabdal in police escort. The force and the officials of the Endowment Department have gone along and taken them out of Gurdwara Panja Sahib and counted them in a line and sent them to Vali Kandahari.

Sundus Ishaq, DSP Hassanabdal Syed Kazim Shah Mungal supervised the process.
District Police Officer Attock Dr. Sardar Ghiyas Gul Khan visited Gurdwara Panja Sahib Hasan Abdal to review the security arrangements and instructed his staff. All the employees should perform their duties diligently and the respect of the Sikh pilgrims is very important, he directed.

The Sikh pilgrims while talking to APP lauded the the government of Pakistan for making foolproof security and the accommodation arrangements on the occasion. They told that they were feeling safe and comfortable while staying at their homes. The pilgrims said that Wi-Fi facility inside the Gurdwara Panja Sahib was very important so that they could visit their loved ones and communicate with them.

They said that Baisakhi Mela was a very important festival of Sikhs in India and Sikh pilgrims from all over the world come to participate in this event.

The Sikh pilgrims also took out a palanquin procession and celebrated their religious rites (Nagar Ketan) in full style around Gurdwara Panja Sahib by singing songs.

RPO Rawalpindi Khurram Shah along with DPO Attock Dr. Sardar Ghiyas Gul Khan, SP Investigation Attock Jawaria Muhammad Jameel, ASP Sundus Ishaq, DSP Syed Kazim Shah visited Gurdwara Panja Sahib Hassanabdal and reviewed the security arrangements.

The Sikh pilgrims on their return from Vali and Kandahari, said that they have got peace of mind by going to Baba Vali Kandahari and the wish they had brought from India had been fulfilled.

28 new Corona cases reported in last 24 hours: NIH

NNPS Desk

Thu, 13 Apr 2023, 9:08 PM

ISLAMABAD, Apr 13 (APP): Health officials on Thursday said that 28 new Coronavirus cases were reported during the last 24 hours across the country.

As per the data shared by the National Institute of Health (NIH) on Thursday, the case positivity ratio was 0.70 percent while 18 patients were in critical condition.

Two deaths were reported from the Coronavirus in the last 24 hours from Karachi while 3,985 Covid-19 tests were conducted.

Meanwhile, Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Abdul Qadir Patel said the government has strengthened the role of Border and Health Services in Pakistan to deal with any sub-variant of Covid-19.

The minister said that there were surveillance systems at all entry points of the country including airports. There will be rapid tests and screening of passengers at all airports, he added.

He added 90 percent of the country’s population already got the Covid-19 vaccine. “An efficient system with a proper management team is fully functional in the country to remain vigilant and is ready to make an emergency plan to deal with any sub-variant of Covid-19,” the minister added.

He said the Border and Health Services Pakistan was ensuring the implementation of international health regulations.

He said that in case of any untoward situation, the health system was fully prepared to deal with any sub-variant of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 including BF.7 in the country.

Peace, security situation improves in Balochistan after operations against miscreants

Munir Hussain

Thu, 13 Apr 2023, 8:48 PM

ISLAMABAD, Apr 13 (APP): The situation of peace and security had visibly improved in Balochistan due to operations of the law enforcement agencies in the province and fencing of Pakistan-Iran boder.

The security experts say the arrests of Gulzar Imam Shambay and Mahil Baloch during successful intelligence-based operations were reflective of the fact that the people of Balochistan had completely rejected the activities of miscreants.

The trust of people in the security forces and civil law enforcement institutions was increasing with the passage of time, the experts say adding due to the improvement in situation the army would soon go back to the barracks.

The intelligence-based operations could only succeed when people convey critical information to the intelligence institutions and the arrests of Gulzar Imam Shambay and Mahil Baloch became possible due to this cooperation.

The state undertook activities to end the criminal activity of miscreants and similarly, the people of Balochistan should also ramp up their efforts against the miscreants.

Political analysts say after the return of army to the barracks, the people of Balochistan have to show unity to foil the designs of the miscreants. The culture and traditions of people of Balochistan could stop these miscreants from raising their heads again, they said.

People were the real owners of Balochistan who would hopefully not allow the foreign-funded miscreants to hijack their narrative.

To meet the aspirations of the people of Balochistan, the federal and provincial governments were trying to provide job opportunities to the youth by undertaking projects in the infrastructure and mining sectors.

Both governments were also making efforts to attract tourists to the beautiful and scenic spots of Balochistan which would in turn generate revenue and create job opportunities for locals.

Khunjerab pass reopening may bring great prosperity for GB people

NNPS Desk

Thu, 13 Apr 2023, 8:24 PM

BEIJING, Apr 13 (APP): Ajmal Khan, Vice President Gilgit-Baltistan Chamber of Commerce (GBCI) on Thursday said Khunjerab Pass was a great blessing for the GB people as it was the sole venue where trade took place and locals were dependent on trade across the border.

The Khunjerab Pass, the only official crossing between China and Pakistan, resumed two-way passenger traffic on April 3. Connecting Gilgit-Baltistan with China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, it was shuttered in 2020 to contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

Before COVID-19, exports were mainly pine nuts. Pine nuts from Diamer in GB, Bannu in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa used to pass through Khunjerab Pass. When pine nuts were being exported, about Rs 4-5 billion could be earned, said Imran Ali, President of Gilgit-Baltistan Chamber Of Commerce.

“Currently, the highest demand in China is for cherry from Gilgit-Baltistan. Cherry of Gilgit-Baltistan is considered to be the best quality in the world,” Imran Ali told China Economic Net in an interview.

“The cherry of Gilgit-Baltistan ranks 7th in the world. It is flavorful, delicious and of good quality. When it is exported, we will get yuan or dollars from there,” Ajmal Khan told CEN.

Apart from this, walnuts are exported from Gilgit-Baltistan, and also seasonal fruits that come from Punjab like mangoes.
Earlier rice has been exported as well, Ajmal Khan added.

However, Khunjerab Pass lacks facilities for some exports. Due to hot water treatment and certification, Pakistan faces a lot of export difficulties despite demand for dry fruits and fresh fruits from China, Imran Ali pointed out.

Pakistan has two projects running close to Khunjerab Pass. One project is Diamer-Bhasha Dam, which requires heavy machinery. For CPEC mega projects, machinery is brought by sea which takes two and a half months. However, it takes them 10-15 days only to get their equipment to the project site through Khunjerab Pass, said Imran Ali.

In addition, Imran Ali said that bus service is important because passengers can fit more in the bus as the luggage they carry with them is in the form of bags. Since there is space in the bus, local traders can bring with them small merchandise in the form of bags in the bus. Moreover, tourists also come and go in both directions by bus, and there are more people going in the bus, so bus service is necessary.

“As gateway of CPEC is Gilgit-Baltistan, the road here needs to be widened and a tunnel needs to be built. Due to such hindrance, our import and export are less than other ports. About Rs 6-7 billion worth of goods are traded annually through this border, “said Imran Ali.

At roughly 16,000 feet above sea level, Khunjerab Pass is one of the highest border crossings in the world. “Pakistani government should build tunnels. If the tunnels are built, traffic will be available twelve months of a year. If not twelve months, at least from the 1st of March to the 30th of December, we can trade comfortably,” said Ajmal Khan.

Acting British High Commissioner hosts Iftar dinner for religious communities

NNPS Desk

Thu, 13 Apr 2023, 8:21 PM

ISLAMABAD, Apr 13 (APP): Acting British High Commissioner, Andrew Dalgleish, hosted an Iftar dinner at the British High Commission for leading members of different religious communities from across Pakistan to celebrate the country’s rich cultural diversity.

At the event, religious leaders broke fast together and discussed issues surrounding tolerance, acceptance and inclusion amongst the multi-faith and multi-cultural groups of Pakistan said a news release issued by the embassy here on Thursday.

The Acting British High Commissioner, Andrew Dalgleish, said the following, “This is my first Ramazan in Pakistan and I am struck by how people from across communities have come together to support each other. As I get to know Pakistan better, I have come to appreciate the diversity of its population; Pakistan is home to a rich range of cultures, faiths, and traditions. Religion and faith remind us that we need to come closer together, to be ek saath and to share understanding and respect.”

Delighted to host our 🇬🇧 annual #Interfaith Iftar, bringing together diverse 🇵🇰 religious communities to break bread in the spirit of Ramzan – inclusion, respect & diversity. A wonderful atmosphere. @ukinpakistan @HRMinistryPak pic.twitter.com/kZYphkRrIZ
— Andrew Dalgleish (@ADalgleish01) April 13, 2023

Those who attended the iftar dinner included, Federal Minister for Human Rights, Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, Chairman One Man’s Commission for Minority Rights Dr Shoaib Suddle, Grand Imam of Badshahi Mosque Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, Head of Prime Minister’s Taskforce on Minorities, Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, and President and Moderator of the Church of Pakistan, Bishop Azad Marshall, among many other religious and cultural leaders from across Pakistan.

Finance Minister attended Spring Meetings of IMF, WB via zoom

NNPS Desk

Thu, 13 Apr 2023, 8:18 PM

ISLAMABAD, Apr 13 (APP): Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar here on Thursday attended International Monetary Fund (IMF) World Bank Spring meetings via Zoom with Deputy Managing Director, IMF Ms. Antoinette Moniso Sayeh.

Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Dr. Aisha Ghous Pasha, SAPM on Finance Tariq Bajwa, SAPM on Revenue Tariq Mehmood Pasha attended the meeting virtually from Islamabad. Whereas Ambassador of Pakistan to the USA Masood Ahmad Khan, Governor SBP Jamil Ahmad, Secretary Finance, Secretary EAD attended in person in Washington DC.

Finance Minister and Deputy Director IMF discussed economic and financial policies and reforms of the Government of Pakistan and initiatives taken by the government regarding the implementation of the prior actions for the ongoing IMF program.

Ishaq Dar apprised her of the country’s economic outlook and shared the government’s initiatives for bringing economic stability leading to growth.

The Finance Minister further shared that all prior actions for the 9th Review under the Extended Fund Facility have already been completed and the Government of Pakistan was fully committed to fulfilling its obligations as agreed with the IMF.

The Minister also shared that all the international obligations have been addressed in time.

Deputy Managing Director, IMF appreciated the government’s policies and supported government’s initiatives in various sectors in term of implementation of prior actions agreed with the IMF.

She further extended her support to continue work together and showed confidence in signing of Staff Level Agreement very soon.

Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar thanked Ms. Antoinette Moniso Sayeh for support extended in completing the 9th Review.

China welcomes regional countries’ efforts to ease situation in Yemen: Wang Wenbin

NNPS Desk

Thu, 13 Apr 2023, 8:17 PM

BEIJING, Apr 13 (APP): China on Thursday welcomed and commended the efforts of regional countries, including Saudi Arabia and Oman to ease situation in Yemen and seek a permanent ceasefire.

“We welcome and commend the efforts of regional countries including Saudi Arabia and Oman to ease the situation in Yemen and seek a permanent ceasefire,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said during his regular briefing.

The delegations from Saudi Arabia and Oman recently held talks with the Houthis in Yemen’s capital Sanaa to seek an end to the long-running conflicts in Yemen.

The Saudi Foreign Minister received the visiting Syrian Foreign Minister on Tuesday, in the first such trip since the Syrian crisis broke out 12 years ago.

While commenting on the development, Wang Wenbin said the Chinese side supported the parties concerned in seeking a political settlement of the issue of Yemen through dialogue and consultation.

“We stand ready to continue to play a constructive role in advancing the political settlement of the issue and upholding regional peace and stability,” he added.

He said China welcomed the improvement of relations between Syria and other Arab countries and supported Syria in returning to the Arab family at an early date.

“This is conducive to the solidarity and rejuvenation of Arab countries, to stronger strategic independence of countries in the region and to regional peace, stability and development,” he added.

The spokesperson said,”China stands ready to continue to play a positive role in helping Arab countries achieve greater solidarity.”