MULTAN
A view of birds flying and sitting on garbage site in the city
MULTAN
A person holding a ladder while sitting on the rear seat of a motorcycle near Dera Adda Chowk
MULTAN
A shopkeeper is busy arranging and displaying flower bouquets to attract customers outside his shop
MULTAN
SC to hear Z.A Bhutto reference on Monday
ISLAMABAD, Jan 7 (APP): The Supreme Court of Pakistan will hear a presidential reference on Monday pertaining to the sentence of former prime minister Zulifqar Ali Bhutto.
A nine-member larger bench of the top court presided by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa and comprising Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Amin Ud Din Khan, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, and Justice Musarrat Hilali will take up the reference for hearing.
The PPP has already submitted its written comments to the apex court last day along with some additional documents including transcripts and video recordings of various interviews.
The reference was moved in 2011 by the then president Asif Ali Zardari seeking to revisit the death penalty awarded to of Z.A. Bhutto.
Shoaib defeats Aqeel to win Federal Cup Tennis C’ship
ISLAMABAD, Jan 07 (APP): Promising Muhammad Shoaib clinched men’s singles title of the 36th Federal Cup National Ranking Tennis Championships after overpowering seasoned Aqeel Khan in the final of the 36th Federal Cup National Ranking Tennis Championships at PTF-SDA Tennis Complex, Islamabad on Sunday.
The 22-year-old Shoaib pulled off a straight set victory 6-2, 6-4 in the final fixture that lasted for one hour and 18 minutes.
Shoaib got off to a flying start, taking a 4-2 lead by breaking fist game of Aqeel and kept the same pressure to win the first set at 6-2. In the second set Aqeel fought back but Shoaib did not allow him to settle down as he exhibited excellent tennis from the base line, breaking the 7th game of Aqeel to build up the winning streak 4-3. Aqeel in the process hit a double fault. Shaoib continued the same pressure and in the 10th game he hit strong serve. He won the set by hitting ace to win the title.
Earlier in the day, in the ladies singles Sarah Mahboob annexed the title by eliminating upcomping youngster Amna Ali Qayum from Islamabad in a well-fought straight sets final. Sarah won the toss and chose to serve. Both the players exhibited excellent game down the line and cross-court. Sarah took the lead 5-4 and broke the 10th game of Amna and won the set at 6-4. In the second set both the players again played the marvelous tennis with the combination of excellent cross-court and down the lines. Sarah took the lead of 5-3 by breaking the 8th game of Amna, who fought back bravely and managed to level the score 5 games all by breaking the 9th game of Sarah. In the 11th game, Sarah took the serve advance and again developed the winning lead 6-5. In the 12th game, Amna was unable to maintain her confidence and hit two double faults. Sarah took the advantage and comfortably broke the game and won the set at 6-4 7-5. In the boys & girls 10 & under Muhammad Arsh from Karachi won the title by defeating the 2nd seed Muhammad Faizan in straight set 4-2 4-1.
Usama Azhar, Director Sport PTV and Majid Bashir Senior Executive Vice President of Islamabad Tennis Association attended the closing ceremony as guest of honour and distributed the prizes amongst the winners and runners-up. Secretary PTF Col. (r) Gul Rehman, M.T.Cheema, Senior Executive Vice President, ITA also distributed the prizes to winners and runner-ups.
Results in brief:
Men’s Singles Final
Muhammad Shoaib beat Aqeel Khan 6-2 6-4
Ladies Singles Final
Sarah Mahboob Khan beat Amna Ali Qayum 6-4 7-5
Boys & Girls 10&U Singles Final
Muhammad Arsh beat Muhammad Faizan 4-2 4-1.
Don’t pay attention to rumours, ECP fully functional: Solangi
ISLAMABAD, Jan 07 (APP): Caretaker Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi on Sunday urged
the people not to pay attention to rumours.
In a post on his social media platform X, the minister while sharing a press release of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), said that the Secretary Election Commission was facing some health issues for sometime.
“We pray to Allah for his complete and speedy recovery”, the Federal Minister of Information said.
The minister said that ECP was fully functional and there was no crisis of any kind.
Murree snowfall season; Wardens directed to make best arrangements to regulate traffic
RAWALPINDI, Jan 07 (APP): Regional Police Officer, Rawalpindi Syed Khurram Ali and City Police Officer, Rawalpindi Syed Khalid Hamdani have directed the Chief Traffic Officer, Rawalpindi Taimoor Khan and City Traffic Police Officers deployed in Murree to make best arrangements to regulate traffic during snowfall season.
According to a CTP spokesman, 163 traffic wardens and officers of traffic police had been deployed at all important points of Murree to regulate traffic and facilitate the tourists. Traffic police had devised a comprehensive plan for Murree for the snowfall season according to which entry of heavy vehicles in the city would be banned, he added.
He said an emergency Help Line 051-9269200, had also been introduced for facilitating the tourists.
The citizens, having complaints, could contact police round the clock, he said.
Help Line center was also serving as control room from where all possible facilities were being provided to the tourists and all out efforts were being made to cope with any untoward situation. He told that several points had also been reserved for car parking. Different main roads including Kashmir Point, Mall Road, Guldana Road and other roads had been closed for two way traffic, he said adding the tourists should cooperate with traffic police so that traffic mess particularly during snowfall season could be avoided.
He said, though the snow falling makes the ‘Queen of Mountains’ even more beautiful which attracts the citizens but due to massive influx of the tourists, problems are also faced at some points. Traffic remains slow as the wet roads got slippery.
He informed that two traffic control rooms at Jinnah Hall Murree and Suni Bank Traffic choki, had been established to facilitate the tourists.
According to a Commissioner office spokesperson, Murree district administration on the directives of the Commissioner Rawalpindi Division, Liaquat Ali Chatta had set up 13 centers at different places in Murree at Satara Meel, Lower Topa, Jika Gali, GPO, Kashmir Point, Kuldana, Kali Matti, Masiyari, Sindhan, Sunny Bank, Bhorban, Thanda Jungle and Saharbagla to facilitate the tourists.
The Commissioner Rawalpindi Division had directed the authorities concerned to provide all possible facilities to the tourists during snowfall season.
The biggest problem of Murree is traffic jam, he said adding, the role of police and traffic wardens is the most important.
The administration was directed to complete all the arrangements for the snowfall season. 13 SMDs had been made functional within Murree city and public service messages were being displayed on the SMDs to inform the tourists, he added.
A 24/7 helpline had also been arranged by the Tourism Department for guidance of the tourists and to update them about weather and traffic conditions.
The vehicles entering the city were being monitored through digital counting at the Satra Meel Toll Plaza. 26 CCTV cameras had also been installed on all the main roads to monitor the traffic situation, he informed.
According to Deputy Commissioner Murree, Agha Zaheer Abbas Shirazi, all the departments were put on high alert in view of the forecast of snowfall in the coming days.
Traffic Police Murree had acquired the frequency of FM 88.6, the DC Murree said adding, a special website would also be activated soon for the convenience and awareness of the tourists.
The DC further said that the website would help update the tourists and they would be able to get latest information about the weather, traffic conditions at various intersections, hotels and other necessary updates before coming to Murree.
Information, warning boards and up-to-date status were being displayed at various places for the convenience of tourists within the city, he added.
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Governor KP underlines important role of graduates in healthcare development
PESHAWAR, Jan 07 (APP): Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Haji Ghulam Ali on Sunday recognized the important role of graduates in the ongoing development of healthcare and emphasized the importance of their contribution to the wider healthcare landscape.
He said this while addressing the first annual convocation 2024 of Khyber Medical University (KMU)-IMS and Kohat Institute of Dental Sciences (KIDS).
He said that the role of medical and dental graduates play in shaping the wider health landscape is commendable.
Chief Guest Governor Haji Ghulam Ali congratulated the graduates of Medical and Dental Colleges and Gold Medalists. He appreciated their unwavering dedication to medical knowledge and their outstanding efforts.
Highlighting the importance of the convocation, the Governor thanked VC KMU Prof. Dr. Ziaul Haq, Principals and all the attendees for making the event a memorable gathering for teachers, proud graduates, parents and distinguished guests.
During the ceremony, Governor Haji Ghulam Ali announced that 286 students were awarded MBBS and BDS degrees.
He termed awarding gold medals to 200 students as a great honor for colleges, KMU, and their parents.
The Governor praised the important role of KIMS, KIDS, and KMU in shaping the future healthcare workforce.
He said that these graduates will use their tireless efforts and ability to raise the quality of healthcare not only in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but in the whole of Pakistan.
Vice Chancellor KMU Prof. Dr. Zia ul Haq, in his welcome speech, described the participation of Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other distinguished guests in this convocation ceremony as wonderful.
He also deeply acknowledged the continuous support from the parents and congratulated the all medical and dental graduates, gold medalists including their parents.
He expressed the confidence in their abilities to improve access and the quality of healthcare, recognizing that their achievements will continue to play a significant role not only in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but also globally.
Dr. Zia ul Haq said that the world was looking to them for their future, aspirations and partnership.
He described the convocation as a collective celebration, highlighting academic achievements.
He said that these graduates were now equipped with in-depth knowledge and skills related to health and were ready to serve, hoping that these students would contribute to the development of the healthcare landscape across the country.
Vice Chancellor Prof Dr. Zia ul Haq, Regiatrar KMU Inam Ullah Khan Wazir, Former Vice Chancellor KMU Prof Dr. Hafeezullah, Dean Basic Medical Sciences KMU Prof Dr. Rubina Nazli, Dean Clinical Sciences Prof Dr. Fauzia Gul, Principal KIMS Prof. Dr. Musarat Jabeen and Principal KIDS Prof. Dr. Fahimullah were present at the event.
Principal Musarat Jabeen congratulated the graduating doctors, faculty members and parents. Dr. Musarat thanked the attendees for making the auspicious occasion of the KIMS and KIDS convocation ceremony a memorable event. She highlighted the 18-year scenario of KIMS and KIDS, proudly acknowledging the graduation of students in the fields of MBBS and BDS.
She expressed pride in the excellent educational quality and services provided by the institutions.
Dr. Musarat emphasized that these graduates will uphold the reputation of their colleges and KMU through their dedication in the field of medical and dental, not only in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but also in the entire country. Dr. Jabeen also demanded funds from Governor KP for the construction of College Road, Auditorium Hall and Boys Hostel.
During the ceremony, former Vice Chancellor of KMU Prof. Dr. Hafeezullah, Prof Dr.Aziz Marjan, Prof Dr. Shujat Ali Khan and Dr. Umar Ayub khan were also honored with the Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Govt is committed to provide all fundamental rights to trans community: Mushaal
ISLAMABAD, Jan 7 (APP): Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Human Rights and Women Empowerment, Mushaal Hussain Mullick here on Sunday said that the government was committed to provide all fundamental rights to the transgender community across the country at gross root level.
She was addressing at the concluding ceremony at a workshop on wellness and communication development for non-binary and transgender persons, organized by AQ Khan Foundation.
She said that over 0.3 million transgenders were registered with concerned government department and the government was planning to a mass campaign with the name of “Dukhtar” rest of the country for the protection, jobs and skilled programs for trans community.
Transgender persons are guaranteed all fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan. In addition, the Act recognises transgender persons’ right to property inheritance, voting, education, employment, healthcare, assembly, access to public places and to hold public office, she said.
Mushaal underlined that trans community was playing its vital role for the development of the country and they were contributing at every level with their sincere efforts and hard working.
She said that the government would constitute committees at district level for collecting the proper data of transgenders, to provide the education, health care, jobs, social security, social media trainings, vocational trainings and other opportunities to make them a productive and economically independent citizens.
“We all are human beings and have the rights to do every positive act for the development and promotion of the society and state”, she added.
The SAPM also appreciated the best efforts of Dareecha organiztion for the development of trans community.
Ms Jameela, Sheela, Usman and Aksh were also address and highlighted the problems of trans community.
Senator Abdul Qadir welcomes decision of restructuring FBR
QUETTA, Jan 7 (APP): Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum and Resources and Economic Affairs, Senator Muhammad Abdul Qadir on Sunday welcomed the decision of the restructuring of FBR to make it able to achieve the goals.
In a statement issued here, he said that another major challen fee for the FBR is to increase the scope of the tax net.
He said that over a million people do not pay tax at all, adding that unless they are brought into the tax net, it will not be possible to achieve the revenue collection targets.
He said that a policy board consisting of bureaucrats, technocrats and tax experts should be formed which would be able to achieve the goals for the coming years by examining all the complexities.
Abdul Qadir said political interference and transfer posting issues in FBR are adversely affecting the performance of the institution.
The FBR’s Policy Board will be consisted on highly qualified experts to run the tax authority in a professional manner, so that the tax collection authority can be run in a professional manner, he said.
The Chairman Standing Committee said that the tax machinery would be divided into FBR and FBC. The officers appointed at the district level should ensure 100 percent tax collection in anyway, he added.
He said the promotions and rewards for the best and poorly performing officers in achieving tax collection targets should be implemented.