CM visits Ring Road Southern Loop-3 project, inspects construction activities

Wed, 17 Jan 2024, 8:13 PM

LAHORE, Jan 17 (APP):Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi paid a detailed visit to the Lahore Ring Road Southern Loop 3-project, here on Wednesday.

He inspected the 8-km long whole route from Maraka Multan Road up to Adda Plot and reviewed asphalt laying work and shook hands with the labourers. Mohsin Naqvi also checked the temperature of asphalt along with construction of the walls. He while ordering to expedite asphalt laying work directed to increase the resources so that the project could be completed within the stipulated time frame.

“The support of the whole Punjab government’s team stands with you,” the CM said that hopefully, this project would be completed at the earliest. Mohsin Naqvi in order to accelerate pace of work on the project, issued directions to the Provincial Minister Bilal Afzal and Secretary Communication & Works in this regard. He inspected ongoing construction activities on the project. FWO officials gave a briefing about progress being made on the project.

The CM underscored that people would be provided excellent transportation facilities with the completion of Ring Road Southern Loop-3 Project, adding that 8-km long Southern Loop-3 project would be opened for traffic soon. It was informed during the briefing that 6 out of 8 main structures have been completed while 20 small structures have also been completed. Approximately, 70 per cent work of the project has been completed.

Provincial ministers Azafar Ali Nasir, Bilal Afzal, Secretary C&W, Commissioner Lahore/DG LDA, Chairman Lahore Ring Road Authority, MD NESPAK, Project Director LESCO and FWO officials were also present.

UAE artificial rain experts calls on CM Punjab

Ali Ali

Wed, 17 Jan 2024, 8:11 PM

LAHORE, Jan 17 (APP):Members of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) team, who orchestrated artificial rainfall in Lahore recently, called on Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi at his office on Wednesday. The CM greeted the team members, expressing gratitude individually during the meeting.

Among those present were Ahmed Al Kamal, Head of Cloud Seeding for the UAE NCM Team, Pilot Col. Obaid Halaf, Pilot Michael Anstis, Head of Cloud Seeding Department Abdullah Al Haman, Arnold Ningala and Verglottoledolato.

CM Naqvi recognised their efforts by presenting certificates of appreciation and commemorative shields to each member and conveyed his thanks for successfully bringing artificial rain to Lahore, marking a historic event in Pakistan. He emphasised that the nation would always remember this successful experience, which was a culmination of 12 years of efforts to achieve artificial rain in Punjab, including Lahore.

The first artificial rain in Lahore was not only celebrated in Pakistan but gained recognition worldwide, he added. The names of the UAE team members have now become a part of Pakistan’s history. The CM expressed that the UAE team was ready to bring artificial rain again, but unfavorable weather conditions hindered their efforts. Despite the challenges, the UAE team’s two-month stay in Lahore exemplified the strong bonds of brotherhood, he said.

Highlighting the environmental benefits, the CM further stated that artificial rain is a cutting-edge technology capable of reducing environmental pollution and enhancing production. He bid farewell to the UAE team with gratitude and appreciation.

Provincial Minister Bilal Afzal, chairman planning and development, secretary EPD, chief meteorologist, army aviation officers, director environment protection, commissioner Lahore and others were also present.

SC seeks details pertaining to licenses of prohibited weapons

Ali Ali

Wed, 17 Jan 2024, 8:08 PM

ISLAMABAD, Jan 17 (APP):The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought details from the authorities pertaining to the licenses issued for the prohibited weapons across the country.

The court served notices to the secretary interior and home secretaries of all provinces in this regard, besides the Attorney General for Pakistan, advocate generals and inspector generals of police.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa took up the matter during hearing of the bail matter of an accused in a theft case.

During the course of proceedings, the chief justice remarked that the complainant in the theft case himself admitted that valuables including two Kalashnikovs and a pistol were stolen from his house but the police did not bother to ask about the weapons’ license.

He remarked that the “Kalashnikov culture” should now end in the country. Why actions should not be taken against the people who had been issuing licences of prohibited bores, he added.

The court later granted bail to accused Kashif against surety bonds of Rs 50,000, and then adjourned the case.

19th Cholistan Rally to start from Feb 20

Ali Ali

Wed, 17 Jan 2024, 8:06 PM

BAHAWALPUR, Jan 17 (APP):The 19th TDCP International Cholistan Desert Rally and Cultural Festival will start on 20 February.

A meeting was held under the chair of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Zaheer Anwar Jappa to review the arrangements for the event.

Additional DC Revenue Muhammad Sarwar, Director Revenue and Colony Cholistan Development Authority Liaquat Gilani, Assistant Commissioner Saddar Ahmed Sher Gondal, District Emergency Officer Rescue 1122 Baqir Hussain, Civil Defense Officer, officers of Highway Department, Islamia University and other related departments were present.

DC directed that all arrangements for the TDCP International Cholistan Desert Rally should be completed on time.

All matters including traffic management, parking, rally routes, craft and food stalls, and sports competitions should be done properly for the Cholistan Desert Rally.

The Deputy Commissioner also reviewed the performance of the various committees. The in-charge of TDCP Haider Raza Shah said that the opening ceremony of the 19th Cholistan Desert Rally will be held on February 20.

The registration and technical inspection of the vehicles will be done on February 21.

He said that the qualifying round will be held in Cholistan on February 22 while the first round of prepared vehicles will be held on February 23 and the stock category race and cultural show will be held on February 24.

On the occasion of the International Cholistan Desert Rally, dirt bike and truck races will also be organized and Derawar Fort will be decorated with beautiful electric lamps.

Other sports competitions including local wrestling and tug-of-war will also be organized.

SC dismisses IB employee’s appeal against termination

Ali Ali

Wed, 17 Jan 2024, 8:03 PM

ISLAMABAD, Jan 17 (APP):The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed the appeal of an employee of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) against his termination from service.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa heard the case.

The petitioner’s lawyer informed the court that his client was terminated from service on charges of using a non custom paid vehicle. He had used a friend’s vehicle for a day, he added.

Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar noted that the government’s number plate was also displayed on the vehicle.

The chief justice remarked that the Bureau did not do its own projection or what it was doing. How the institution would function with such persons as its employees, and the IB had a specific standard in that regard, he added.

The court, subsequently, dismissed the appeal.

Babar, Fakhar move up in ICC Rankings

Ali Ali

Wed, 17 Jan 2024, 7:57 PM

ISLAMABAD, Jan 17 (APP):Ace Pakistani batter Babar Azam was up one place to fourth while Fakhar Zaman to 81st in the in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings released on Wednesday.

Babar was up one place to fourth after notching consecutive half-centuries in the first two matches against New Zealand while Fakhar Zaman is up 14 places to 81st. Daryll Mitchell (up nine places to 37th) and Kane Williamson (up 13 places to 59th) are the Kiwi batters to move up, said a press release.

Axar Patel has advanced 12 places to a career-best fifth position among bowlers as a clutch of India players made significant gains in the T20I Player Rankings after strong performances in the series against Afghanistan.

Patel’s hauls of two for 23 and two for 16 in India’s identical six-wicket wins over Afghanistan in the first two T20Is of their three-match series have also lifted him two places to 16th among all-rounders after the latest weekly rankings update on Wednesday that takes into consideration all matches completed till Tuesday.

Opener Yashaswi Jaiswal’s 34-ball 68 in the first T20I in Indore has lifted him seven places to a career-best sixth position while other left-hander Shivam Dube’s successive unbeaten knocks of 60 and 63 have helped him shoot up from 265th to 58th.

Another player to make notable gains is New Zealand’s Finn Allen, whose two innings of 34 off 15 and 74 off 41 helped his team win the first two matches against Pakistan and lifted him 11 places to 16th among batters. His team-mate Tim Southee, who took six wickets in the first two matches, is up eight places to 18th in the bowlers’ list.

Shubman Gill (up seven places to 60th among batters), Tilak Verma (up three places to joint-61st among batters) and Arshdeep Singh (up four places to 21st among bowlers) are the other India players to move up while Najibullah Zadran (up one place to 46th) and Mohammad Nabi (up two places to 54th) are the Afghanistan players to move up in the batting rankings.

The bowling rankings see Sri Lanka spinners Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana take joint-third position after moving up one and two places, respectively. Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf’s haul of five wickets in two matches have lifted him two places to joint-14th while New Zealand player Adam Milne’s six wickets in two matches see him advance from 66th to joint-47th position.

An eye catching view of sunset in the federal capital

Wajid

Wed, 17 Jan 2024, 7:54 PM

APP42-170124 ISLAMABAD: January 17 – An eye catching view of sunset in the federal capital

Quran, Sirat-e-Nabvi provide solution to contemporary issues of the world: Aneeq Ahmed

NNPS Desk

Wed, 17 Jan 2024, 7:54 PM

KARACHI, Jan 17 (APP): Caretaker Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Aneeq Ahmed, urging students to develop comprehension of religion as well as contemporary issues, on Wednesday said that Quran and Sirat e Tayyaba provide us guidance and set basic principles concerning to every field of life.

He was addressing a conference on “Sirat un Nabi (SAW) and contemporary challenges and their solutions” jointly organized by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Iqra University.

The federal minister said that it had been imperative that students not only understand the religion of Islam but also comprehend requirements of the contemporary era as well as economic, social and other issues in the light of teachings of Islam and keep themselves abreast of developing global situation. “Religious obligations (Deen) and demands of worldly pursuits (Duniya) are intertwined and we have to search the solution of contemporary issues in the light of Quran and Sirat-e-Tayyaba,” he maintained adding that true comprehension of religion could not be achieved without understanding the worldly affairs.
Islam emphasizes on practical action and application of knowledge and life of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) is a guiding example for every human being, he noted and added that Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) set standards for individuals, society and state and those must be followed.

The federal minister while referring to his recent visit to Saudi Arabia, informed that Hajj agreement was signed in Hajj Conference in Madina Munawarah which was attended by delegates from 80 countries. “I have floated an idea at the conference that all the rulers of Muslim countries should gather in Makkah Mukarama on the occasion of Hajj to discuss the issues being faced by Muslims across the world and come up with a unanimous agenda to deal with them,” he stated.

Underscoring the significance of seeking knowledge in Islam, Aneeq Ahmed said that Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) never prayed to Allah for increasing anything but the knowledge because it helps human understanding the Creator and the religion and teach them to live the life in a dignified and upright manner.

He expressed dismay that in the contemporary era, Muslims were lagging behind in education and knowledge and said that every Muslim should strive in pursuit of knowledge and adopt the teaching of Islam and its Prophet (PBUH) in letter and spirit. The minister said that government was making efforts to promote the Islam’s message of peaceful coexistence and conferences were being organized in different universities of the country for spreading awareness to students.

Dr. Mufti Irshad Ahmed Ijaz, Head of Sharia department of State Bank of Pakistan, while speaking at the conference, said that traceability of all the codes of ethics was found in religions while Sirat-e-Tayyaba was the major source of inspiration and served as foundation of Ethics.

Terming the mediocrity in expenses as half of the solution to economic woes, he suggested to incorporate the principles of Islam into curriculum of subjects like economics and management. Our ideology of education needed a paradigm shift, he said and added that revival of Muslim ideology and its integration with contemporary ideas would help resolving the current issues.

Member Islamic Ideological Conference, Mufti Muhammad Zubair, stressed on promotion of education and awareness, realization of issues and planning to solve them, enhancing mutual coordination and harmony and adoption of collective approach so that Muslim Ummah could deal with the contemporary issues successfully.