Dar for supporting Aviation Sector

Wed, 14 Jun 2023, 9:06 PM

49930 — Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar chaired a meeting on Civil Aviation issues, at Finance Division, Islamabad on June 14, 2023.

ISLAMABAD, Jun 14 (APP): Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Wednesday committed to support the Aviation Sector and directed to take pertinent measures to resume flights of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to the US, UK and the Europe at the earliest.

The minister chaired a meeting on Civil Aviation issues, which was also attended by the Federal Minister for Aviation and Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique, Federal Minister for Law & Justice Senator Azam Nazir Tarar, Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Finance Tariq Bajwa and Mansoor Usman Awan Attorney General of Pakistan.

The Secretary Aviation, Secretary Law and Justice DG CAA, DG ASF, and senior officers from Finance and Aviation attended the meeting, said a press release.

The secretary Aviation briefed the Chair on the issues being faced by the aviation sector pertaining to regulation, service provision, security, and enhancement of state capacity in aviation.

The meeting discussed pragmatic options to resolve the issues without affecting the service provision and to raise the standards of aviation in Pakistan to match the international practices.

The meeting also discussed legal and financial hurdles being faced by the aviation sector in this regard and deliberated upon the prospects and opportunities available.

Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar appreciated the measures and efforts being taken for improving standards of aviation in the country and committed to support the aviation sector.

WTC 2023-25 cycle commences with England-Australia series

NNPS Desk

Wed, 14 Jun 2023, 8:59 PM

ISLAMABAD, Jun 14 (APP): Australia begins their defence of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) title in a high-profile series against England after winning the second edition with an emphatic 209-run victory over India in the final at The Oval on Sunday.

The five-match Ashes series begins in Birmingham on Friday with Lord’s, Leeds, Manchester and The Oval hosting the remaining matches.

Australia play nine matches in this cycle away from home, which include two-Test series against New Zealand and Sri Lanka. At home, they play against India (five), Pakistan (three) and the West Indies (two), for a total of 10 Tests.
England feature in 10 Tests at home and 11 away. They host the West Indies (3) and Sri Lanka (2) apart from Australia, while playing away in India (five), Pakistan (3) and New Zealand (3).

India’s two-Test tour of the West Indies, where they play in Dominica and Trinidad next month, is also part of the third edition of the WTC.

The structure of the nine-team WTC remains the same with each team playing three home and three away series over a two-year period culminating in the final of a one-off Test. The points percentage system used in the previous edition will determine the leaderboard with teams getting 12 points for a win, six for a tie and four for a draw.

The series in the championship remain as per the Men’s FTP announced last year. The media release distributed at the time of the announcement of the Men’s FTP is available here.

Wasim Khan, ICC’s General Manager of Cricket said in a statement that the WTC had been great in enhancing interest in Test cricket and wished players all the best ahead of the new cycle.

Wasim Khan: “The third edition of the ICC World Test Championship begins on Friday with another highly anticipated series between England and Australia.

“This championship has invigorated Test match cricket, bringing context for players and fans, and a high level of competitiveness as teams battle it out to be crowned World Test Champions at the end of the two-year cycle.
“The big turnout out at The Oval over the five days and the incredible viewership levels across the globe for the final is testimony to the continued popularity of Test cricket.

“I would like to thank the Member Boards for their continued support of this exciting concept and wish the players all the very best as they commence their journey towards becoming World Test Champions in 2025”.
Captains Ben Stokes of England and Pat Cummins of Australia said they were excited and hoped to start well.
Ben Stokes: “We are looking forward to the new cycle of the World Test Championship, and hope we get off to a good start.

“The Ashes combined with World Test Championship points makes it an intriguing series against Australia. I am sure fans worldwide will be following the proceedings with eagerness. We are excited, for what the English summer holds.”
Pat Cummins: “It has been a very enjoyable and rewarding journey through this World Test Championship and we very much look forward to the next cycle.

“It was a goal of ours to reach the final and the fact we were able to win is a great outcome for the group. It’s a great start to our UK tour but there’s plenty of hard work still to be done over the next five Test matches.”

Shahbaz believes more funds needed to put hockey back on track

NNPS Desk

Wed, 14 Jun 2023, 8:56 PM

ISLAMABAD, Jun 14 (APP): Former skipper Olympian Shahbaz Ahmed Snr on Wednesday lauded the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) for issuing a special grant to the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) for ensuring Pakistan team’s participation in the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy but proposed that more funds should be injected on yearly basis to put the national game back on track.

The PSB on Tuesday issued a cheque of Rs 25 million to the PHF for making arrangements for the Asian Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held in Chennai, India in August.

Shahbaz, who led Pakistan to the1994 World Cup victory, termed the grant a “welcome sign”, but said he believed Pakistan hockey needed more financial backing.

“It is heartening that the government has provided the much-need financial support to hockey. Hockey is our pride but currently, it needs backing from all quarters. We were a force to reckon with in the past, but then unfortunately priorities were changed in the last 25 to 30 years. The old hockey was replaced with modern hockey but we failed to adapt to the changes.

“Now, we will have to inject more money into the game. I don’t believe in an overnight change. I think we will have to adopt a realistic approach and move step by step to once again raise a formidable side.

“Our first priority should be to become Asian Champions and break into the top 10 sides of the world. Hoping to win World Cup or clinch a medal at the Olympics in the near future sounds great but that is too ambitious at this stage,” Shahbaz told APP.

He said a substantial amount should be earmarked in the annual budget to put the national game back on track.

“Similarly, I think the Pakistan Cricket Board should also step out and ask each profit-making Pakistan Super League franchise to contribute at least Rs 20 million after every edition. They generate huge revenues every year. This amount [Rs 20 million] should not be a big problem for them. Revival of hockey is a national cause and they must contribute to that,” he added.

According to the former hockey stalwart, Pakistan would have to improve hockey infrastructure, financially support players and arrange foreign tours for junior and senior teams to give them maximum exposure.

“A foreign tour consumes around Rs 30 to 40 million. That is why I am pressing to devise a financial plan to help Pakistan hockey. Unless we do that, the dream to regain lost glory will not be materialized,” he added.

The 55-year-old, who was popularly known as the ‘Maradona of Hockey’ for his stunning stick work in the 1990s, also urged Pakistan players to focus on their physical fitness besides improving their skills and speed to match the world’s best sides.

“If they will perform well, their fan following will grow and they will be able to attract sponsorships,” he added.

Cases in military courts to be proceeded as per int’l conventions: Law Minister

NNPS Desk

Wed, 14 Jun 2023, 8:49 PM

Cases in military courts to be proceeded as per int'l conventions: Law Minister

ISLAMABAD, Jun 14 (APP): Federal Minister for Law and Justice Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar on Wednesday said cases in military courts would be proceeded in accordance with the international conventions.

Talking to journalists here at the Supreme Court, the minister said the accused would have the right for a fair trial in military court. They would have the right to hire a lawyer of their choice and present evidence in their defence.

The accused would also have a right of appeal to the higher courts against the decisions of military courts, he added.

18 mega uplift projects completed in Gwadar in record three months: Ahsan Iqbal

NNPS Desk

Wed, 14 Jun 2023, 8:31 PM

49932 — Islambad: June 14, 2023: Federal Minister for Planning Development & Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal chaired a meeting to review the progress of projects in Gwadar. The meeting was attended by the officials of the all relevant ministries, provincial representatives & Chairman Gwadar Port Authority (GPA). Advisor Maritime Affairs, Planning Commission, Jawad Akhtar Khokhar gave a detailed presentation over the projects.

ISLAMABAD, Jun 14 (APP): Following the consistent efforts of the federal government, fruition of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects can be seen as from 2022- till date around 637,124 metric ton of cargoes landed at the deep seaport of Gwadar which is manifold high compared to 166,207 metric tons arrived during 2018 -2021.

This was disclosed by Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Wednesday while chairing a meeting to review progress of projects in Gwadar, a news release said issued here on Wednesday.

Among others, the meeting was attended by the officials of the all relevant ministries, provincial representatives of Balochistan and Chairman Gwadar Port Authority (GPA).

Maritime Affairs Advisor (Planning Commission) Jawad Akhtar Khokhar gave a detailed presentation over the projects.

The meeting noted that since the incumbent government came into power in April 2022, the CEPC has been revived which remained neglected during the tenure of the previous government.

All major projects under CPEC in Gwadar, including Gwadar Power Plant, Distribution of 2000 Boat engines to fishermen of Gwadar, Khuzdar-Panjgur Transmission line (via Nag-Basima) which connect Markran with National Grid, New Gwadar International Airport Project, the China-Pak Friendship Hospital, China-Pak Technical and Vocational Institute in Gwadar, the Gwadar East-bay Expressway Project, Gwadar Free Zone, and Gwadar Port would become a shining pearl in the region.

The minister said several projects had been completed by the incumbent government in Gwadar particularly related to water and electricity that were neglected by the previous government deliberately.

In the budget 2023-24, he said allocation of development funds for Balochistan had been doubled which indicated the federal government’s commitment to uplift the province.

During the last three months, as many as 8 projects related to education, health, social sector to facilitate the people of Balochistan had been completed, the minister said while reiterating that the government would continue its efforts for uplift of the province to end its sense of deprivation.

He was of the view that supply of 100 megawatt electricity from Iran would help improve the lives and business of the people of Gwadar.

The minister also directed Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) to focus on the recovery of bills and smooth supply of electricity to the people of Gwadar, besides creating awareness among the public about paying the utility bills.

HCSTSI congratulates federal minister for initiating business to business broader trade policy

NNPS Desk

Wed, 14 Jun 2023, 8:26 PM

HYDERABAD, Jun 14 (APP): The President Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industry (HCSTSI) Muhammad Farooq Shaikhani, while congratulating the Federal Minister for Industry and Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar for initiating the policy of business to business border trade, termed it a positive step in improving the economy of Pakistan.

This trade will not only facilitate the traders to send Pakistani goods to the markets of Iran, Afghanistan and Russia, but all products which have been banned by the government due to the shortage of dollars can now be easily imported from these three countries, he observed in a statement issued here on Wednesday.

He said that the government had imposed ban on the import on bulk of goods from May 2022 under SROs as a result of which, the goods of the traders are not being released from the port following non-opening of LCs by the State Bank. As a result of which, he said that the traders were paying fines in terms of detention and demurrage on the departure basis. However, with the facility of business-to-business border trade, the business community can continue their business activities by trading goods for goods, he said.

For the first time in the history, he said that trade is being conducted between Pakistan and China through the Karakoram Highway, which has not only reduced the cost of movement but also reduced the transport time to eight days, which was one month earlier by sea.

The HCSTSI President said that the government’s opening of the border market on the Pakistan-Iran border was also a good initiative adding that it would bring prosperity to the area and more trade centers would be created in the future. The Iranian products are available at a lower price than the products of other countries, which is good news for Pakistani businessmen and people who are crushed by inflation, he said.

He said that Pakistan was committed to establish Single Window under Trade Facilitation Agreement in 2017. The first phase of implementation was launched in June 2022, with the aim of digitizing the cross-border trade process, he informed and added that PSW leverages the expertise of the private sector to implement this important reform initiative, he added.

Apart from customs, he informed that 76 other departments were involved in various aspects of cross-border trade. The PSW aims to automate all these departments under an electronic single window thereby reducing the time and cost of cross-border trade, he said and added that this plan stated that it had been implemented by the state of Pakistan and had not been affected by the change of governments. Similarly, a complete economic policy of the country also needs to be formulated and implemented at the state level, he said.

Advisory Committee inches closer to finalize syllabus on inclusion of Constitution in Curriculum

NNPS Desk

Wed, 14 Jun 2023, 8:12 PM

APP79-140623Islamabad — APP79-140623 ISLAMABAD: June 14 – Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervez Ashraf chairing the Advisory Committee meeting on Golden Jubilee of the Constitution at Parliament House . APP/TZD

ISLAMABAD, Jun 14 (APP): Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf on Wednesday said that the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan reflects resilience and strength of our nation and inclusion of it in the curriculum would benefit students by fostering civic education, legal literacy and constitutional awareness.

He made these remarks while chairing the 7th meeting of the Advisory Committee constituted to oversee preparations of the Golden Jubilee of the Constitution,1973 at Parliament House

He said the inclusion of Constitution in curriculum would promote democratic values, critical thinking skills and ensure long-term stability in the society.

It would also empower students to understand their rights, participate actively in civic life and contribute to a more inclusive and democratic nation, he added.

Ms. Marriyum Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, while providing an update on the proposed introduction of a syllabus on the inclusion of the Constitution, shared that the fundamental elements of the curriculum had been developed in consultation with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Federal Education Board and that, following the Committee’s approval would be taken up with other educational bodies for further consideration.

She also suggested revising the current curriculum to better connect it with the nation’s democratic values. She also highlighted that in order to broaden the scope of this effort, the Committee may consult with the provinces. The ideas presented by the Minister were approved by the Committee.

The Committee also took stock of the progress on construction of Bagh-e-Dastoor, restoration of old National Assembly Hall and thoroughly examined various designs for Yadgar-e-Dastoor (Constitution Monument).

It is pertinent to mention that National Assembly held various activities in connection with the 50th anniversary of the Constitution of Pakistan, 1973 like issuance of a special booklet of the Constitution, holding all Pakistan declamation contests, national and international constitution conventions, issuance of commemorative stamps and coins, launch of Constitution App, Photo Exhibitions etc. Whereas, ongoing activities include construction of Yadgar-e-Dastoor, Bagh-e-Dastoor and restoration of old National Assembly Hall, among others.

The Speaker praised the Committee’s work in his concluding remarks and expressed his hope that all stakeholders involved would keep working with the same zeal to ensure the timely conclusion of all ongoing endeavors.

Besides Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf and Convener Mian Raza Rabbani, the meeting was attended by Federal Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb(virtually); Members of National Assembly Engr. Sabir Hussain Kaim Khani, Dr. Nafisa Shah, Ms. Asiya Azeem , Mohsin Dawar, Mehnaz Akber Aziz; Senator Kamran Murtaza Special Invitees Farhatullah Babar, Zafarullah Khan and government officials from CDA, NADRA, NESPAK and representatives from National College of Arts.