Madinah, Jun 14 (APP): The number of pilgrims who arrived in Madinah through air and land ports to perform Hajj this year has reached 557,401, the statistics shared by the Hajj and Visit Committee, which monitors the arrival and departure of pilgrims in Madinah.
According to Saudi Press Agency (SPA), around 414,916 pilgrims have left Madinah for Makkah, and 142,435 are still in Madinah.
Meanwhile, 32,913 pilgrims have benefited from medical services.
ISLAMABAD, Jun 14 (APP): The management skills, innovation and business-oriented approach of Pakistani businessmen have earned them the distinction of top 2nd ranking in global outsourcing for renowned US-based departmental store chain JCPenney.
“Pakistan ranked second in global sourcing for JCPenney. Environmental sustainability governance (ESG), traceability, inclusion and diversity were the strengths of Pakistani suppliers, helping them to secure greater market share for the Pakistani products,” said Wayne Milano, Senior Vice President, global sourcing and product development of the company.
In a meeting with Pakistan Ambassador to the United States Masood Khan at Embassy of Pakistan in Washington DC, he said that the second generation of Pakistani suppliers was doing exceptionally good with their innovation, understanding and business-oriented skills.
“Pakistani suppliers were not just getting business but earning it. They distinguished themselves in co-designing, co-creation, infrastructure, capacity and most importantly entrepreneurship,” the SVP added.
Masood Khan thanked Senior Vice President Wayne Milano for reposing confidence in Pakistani suppliers and observed that Pakistan was investing in manufacturing as major stay of economy.
“Manufacturing remains a priority area for Pakistan. Over the decades we have developed resilient infrastructure for manufacturing. We started manufacturing in late 50s, which flourished in 60s and developed into a strong pillar of our economy” he said.
“Our manufacturing has suffered in the recent past during pandemic, natural catastrophes and economic situation but the industrial sector is bouncing back. It is taking off again,” the ambassador remarked
Masood Khan said that a strong partnership with US conglomerate like JCPenney would help Pakistani entrepreneurs in skill development and ensuring quality control.
Acknowledging the talent of young entrepreneurs of Pakistan, Milano observed that the second generation had stepped into the market with a different set of eyes.
“Their understanding of the market, customer management skills and diversity in outreach were helping them expand their businesses worldwide,” he continued.
Asked about any challenges being faced by the company, Milano said that JCPenney didn’t face any challenges with respect to Pakistan at present. “Costing, quality and delivery were all very competitive,” he observed.
Ambassador Khan assured JCPenney executives that Embassy of Pakistan in coordination with Ministry of Commerce would continue to provide all possible support in furthering business ties with Pakistan.
Mikano was accompanied by Angela Marshal Hofmann, Head of Government Affairs, and Shenece Johns, Head of Inclusion and Diversity, JC Penney.
ISLAMABAD, Jun 14 (APP): Federal Minister for Human Rights, Riaz Hussain Pirzada on Wednesday said that no one should teach us a lesson on human rights as Pakistan was effectively dealing with the May 9 attackers in accordance with the country’s constitution and laws.
Speaking here in National Assembly, the minister defended Pakistan’s stance on human rights, stating that no one should deliver lecture to the country on this matter. He emphasized that Pakistan was effectively dealing with the attackers from the May 9 incident in accordance with the country’s constitution and laws.
Furthermore, he highlighted that the National Commission for Human Rights had not received any complaints regarding the mistreatment of women in prisons.
He expressed concerns about the defamation of Pakistan by its adversaries through social media. The minister stressed that Pakistan was fully aware of the challenges faced by minority groups.
He accused the neighboring country of interfering in Pakistan’s internal affairs and fueling religious animosity. The minister noted a decrease in targeted sectarian killings in Quetta following the arrest of Kulbhushan, indicating a potential connection.
Addressing historical events, Riaz Hussain Pirzada alleged that India had deliberately sparked the fire in Karachi during Pakistan’s creation when the resolution about Kashmir was moved in the United Nations Security Council.
He asserted that the people of Pakistan including the minority community have their high values and traditions that should be respected, including the celebration of Eid, Diwali and Holi.
The minister strongly refuted the accusation of disrespecting women in prisons, categorically stating that such incidents have never occurred. He said that courts should hear the cases of common people instead of adopting the practice of closing doors during court proceedings.
As a commitment to justice, the Ministry of Human Rights will bear the fees associated with minor crimes cases, he said and affirmed that helping the poor was not just a duty but a solemn oath the government has taken.
As part of efforts to support the minority community, Minister Pirzada announced that funds would be provided through the Benazir Income Support Program.
ISLAMABAD, Jun 14 (APP): The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Wednesday after a detailed discussion allowed Pakistan LNG Limited (PLL) to execute the proposed framework agreement with the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) Trading.
The ECC, which met here with Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar in chair, considered a summary of the Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) regarding the framework agreement between Pakistan LNG Limited (PLL) and State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR), said a press release.
The committee directed the Ministry of Petroleum to determine the country’s need for LNG at least three months in advance on a rolling basis. It approved Rs. 404.769 million as a technical supplementary grant in favor of the Cabinet Division for various requirements of the 6 Aviation Squadron.
The ECC also discussed and approved Rs. 157.734 million additional funds in favor of Ministry of Industries and Production for the payment of employees’ salaries of Heavy Electrical Complex (HEC), markup to Bank of Khyber, and operating/ running expenses, subject to reconciliation of figures from Finance Division. It further directed the Privatization Commission to complete the privatization process of HEC by June 30, 2023.
Minister for Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister for Power Khuram Dastagir Khan, Minister for Industries and Production Syed Murtaza Mahmud, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi MNA/Ex-PM, Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Dr Aisha Ghous Pasha, Minister of State for Petroleum Musadik Masood Malik, SAPM on Finance Tariq Bajwa, federal secretaries and other senior officers attended the meeting.
ISLAMABAD, Jun 14 (APP): Federal Minister Javed Latif on Wednesday demanded action against the facilitators and planners responsible for the harrowing May 9 incident that targeted public and defence installations.
Speaking during a general discussion on the budget for the year 2023-2024 on the floor of the National Assembly, he stressed the importance of bringing the planners and facilitators of the attacks to justice.
The minister expressed concerns over the current inflation rate, stating that the salary and pension increases for government employees were insufficient.
He further highlighted a unique situation in the country’s political landscape, with no political parties willing to take credit for the current budget.
He criticized the leadership of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for their alleged mismanagement of the country’s economy during their tenure while acknowledging the challenges faced in presenting the budget amidst a difficult economic situation.
The Minister questioned the justification for international financial institutions interfering in Pakistan’s political affairs, arguing that their focus should instead be on supporting economic reforms.
He raised suspicions about external actors protecting an individual who caused destruction and damage to public and defence installations under the pretext of human rights.
The minister drew attention to a recent incident in the United States, where a person was arrested for hiding files at home while claiming to advocate for human rights.
He questioned why the masterminds behind the May 9 incident had not been arrested.
Regarding the country’s governance, he emphasized the importance of upholding the constitution and the law to effectively manage national affairs.
He demanded transparency in investigating the 2018 incident, which he alleged involved the imposition of a political party through rigging.
The minister also referred to a Supreme Court judge accepting that the punishment imposed on Nawaz Sharif in the Panama case was unjustified, calling for apologies from all those involved in victimizing Sharif.
Furthermore, he criticized the PTI chief for failing to produce evidence for the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) regarding allegations against the top leadership.
Taking part in the discussion Ghous Bux Mahar emphasized the government’s responsibility to prioritize the welfare of the people.
Mahar advocated for agricultural sector upliftment through incentives for farmers, including the solarization of tube wells.
He also urged accelerated progress on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Serving the nation since 1947 by providing an accurate, objective, uninterrupted flow of news to the people, the national news service is pursuing a comprehensive strategy to transform the existing news operations into a forward-looking service – APP Digital for its diverse subscriber-base and the public.
Contact us: news@app.com.pk
Copyright © Associated Press of Pakistan