Laborers are working during the construction work of underpass at Samanabad
A worker repairing CCTV cameras during maintenance work in Federal Capital
Gold prices increase by Rs.500 to Rs. 233,600 per tola
ISLAMABAD, May 18 (APP):The per tola price of 24 karat gold increased by Rs 500 and was sold at Rs 233,600 on Thursday against its sale at Rs. 233,100 the previous day, All Sindh Sarafa Jewellers Association reported.
The price of 10 grams of 24 karat gold also increased by Rs 428 to Rs 200,274 from Rs 199,846, whereas the price of 10 grams 22 karat gold went up to Rs 183,585 from Rs 183,192.
The price of per tola silver decreased by Rs 50 to close at Rs 2900 and that of ten-gram silver also declined by Rs 42.86 to Rs 2486.28.
The price of gold in the international market dipped by US$ 12 to $1976 against its sale at $1988, the association reported.
China launches world’s first trial commercial 5G inter-network roaming service
ISLAMABAD, May 18 (APP):China announced to launch the world’s first trial commercial 5G inter-network roaming service at the conference of World Telecommunication & Information Society Day (WTISD) 2023 held in Hefei, Anhui Province, China’s newspapers reported on Thursday.
The first commercial 5G inter-network roaming will be put into trial use in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
5G inter-network roaming allows users to access to 5G services of other operators when outside the range of their operators’ 5G network, China Daily reported.
In areas where 5G roaming services are provided, users can use terminals that support 5G roaming without changing their SIM card or phone number, and directly use the 5G roaming service without paying additional fees.
Ransacking of public property, setting fire to military memorials acts of terrorism: experts
Dr Saeed Ahmad Ali
LAHORE, May 17 (APP):From a security point of view, people of Pakistan, being members of a patriotic nation, are facing unprecedented events, trends, transformations and challenges these days.
Some South Asian nations like Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh and Southeast Asian country Burma (Myanmar) are trying to transform themselves into stable democratic nations. On the other hand, Pakistan’s neighbouring India is posing challenges and threats to all regional nations, and proving to be an open danger to the smaller countries.
The neighbouring country is posing a very different form of challenge to Pakistan and its security, be it geopolitical influence or proxy terrorism attacks.
It has engaged in a proxy war with Pakistan, though it is destined to fail eventually, yet the prevailing situation is of a different kind, as the enemy has launched its representatives within the country.
Pakistan, time and again, has presented several dossiers containing irrefutable proofs of the Indian-sponsored destabilisation and terrorism incidents in the country, and called on the world nations to stop its rogue actions for preserving region’s peace and security.
On May 9, 2023, workers of a political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) started violent protests across the country and ransacked public and private properties, after the arrest of party chairman Imran Khan.
Defence Analyst Lt-General (retd) Naeem Khalid Lodhi told APP that the current protests and political destabilisation in the country are exhibiting the signals of foreign masters. However, it is a good omen that the nation has rejected such puppets by standing in solidarity with the Pakistan Army and its martyrs, acknowledging their sacrifices.
“Pakistan is our motherland and we will never allow any kind of chaos or instability or disorder here at the behest of our cunning, local or foreign, enemy,” he resolved.
Burning of the Lahore Corps Commander’s residence (Jinnah House), military memorials, and the public and private properties are unfortunate incidents and the nation has condemned and rejected all forms of violence and attempts to disrupt peace in the country.
“This is an unforgettable moment that the nation is expressing solidarity with its brave armed forces and paying tribute and salute to the sacrifices of its armed forces,” he added.
Noted analyst Brigadier (retd) Haris Nawaz said that the well-aware nation would thwart the evil plans of the enemy with the help of the Pakistan Army. The agenda of anti-state forces would not be allowed to materialise in Pakistan, he added.
Haris Nawaz noted that the safe and secure Pakistan where people are living peacefully is only because of the sacrifices of our martyrs. “I always share that these martyrs and Ghazi are our real heroes. Those nations who forget their martyrs perish soon,” he expressed his belief.
He said the country owes its peace and harmony to the endless and unparalleled sacrifices of the Pakistan Army, adding that the brave army is the protector of country’s borders and defender of the beloved motherland.
PPP leader and former president Asif Ali Zardari, in his recent statement, said that after the arrest of Imran Khan, eruption of riots in the cities was regrettable and shameful. He said he was in jail for 14 years, but never allowed party workers to take the law into their hands. “The acts of harming public property and spreading chaos will not be tolerated,” Zardari warned.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb strongly condemned the mob attacks on the building and offices of the state-run Radio Pakistan and the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) in Peshawar. “The attack on the offices of Radio Pakistan and APP by PTI’s armed gangs was condemnable and deplorable,” she said in a message, issued by her office.
The minister said that following the pattern of a similar attack on PTV headquarters in 2014 allegedly on Imran Khan’s instructions, the PTI workers attacked Radio Pakistan and APP buildings now. She said that violence against the government employees, vandalism and damage to property were the acts of terrorism.
Mohsin Khan, a retired army personnel, said that the entire nation stands by its brave armed forces. He demanded the government take strict action against those who torched public properties, including those belonging to the military.
Mohsin said if any institution was trying to bring the PTI back to power would also be held accountable, and blamed Imran Khan’s government for not delivering a single development project in the past three-and-a-half years.
During the attack on Radio Pakistan’s building in Peshawar on May 10, the miscreants torched around 1500-2000 valuable and masterpieces of literary books of renowned Sufi Poet Rehman Baba and freedom fighter Khushal Khan Khattak.
A spokesperson for the Punjab police said that so far a total of 697 miscreants had been arrested in the provincial metropolis and 38 FIRs [first information reports] are registered against the perpetrators belonging to the PTI at various police stations.
He said that arrested rioters were involved in attacks on sensitive installations, police force, vehicles of the law-enforcement agencies, and private buildings and cars of citizens on May 9. As many as 162 senior and junior police officials were injured in the attacks, carried out by the charged PTI mob in Lahore and other parts of the province, he added.
He said that legal action was being taken against people who destroyed and set ablaze private and government property, vehicles and tortured citizens. He said the miscreants set on fire 22 police vehicles during attacks in Lahore.
Meanwhile, rallies are being taken out across the country to express solidarity with the Pakistan armed forces. Seminars are also being organised in this regard by a large number of ulema, community leaders, journalists, lawyers, intellectuals, civil society figures, noted personalities and leaders belonging to different religions, across the country.
Tributes are being paid to the officers and soldiers of the Pak Army. While addressing the rallies, the speakers strongly condemned defamation of the Pakistan Army by the leaders and activists of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
Qatari ambassador calls on Rana Sana Ullah
ISLAMABAD, May 18 (APP):Ambassador of Qatar Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani Thursday called on Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah and discussed matters of mutual interest and bilateral relations between the two countries.
Rana Sana Ullah said that Pak-Qatar relations were based on mutual trust and Islamic brotherhood.
They discussed to enhance ties for promoting trade and tourism.
Ambassador of Qatar said that Pakistanis working in Qatar were the Pakistan’s valuable asset and desired to enhance this number.
A total of 250,000 Pakistanis are employed in Qatar and it was agreed to enhance this figure of Pakistani manpower in Qatar upto 6,50,000.
The minister said that Qatari citizens would be provided visa facility on arrival in Pakistan.
The two countries agreed to continue full cooperation to deal with internal and security challenges.
The minister said there was an eternal relationship of trust between the people of the two countries and he thanked Qatar for financial assistance to flood victims in Pakistan during Geneva conference.
He said that Qatar had always supported Pakistan and expressed his best wishes for the Emir of Qatar.
The ambassador expressed special thanks to Pakistan for the security arrangements provided in the football World Cup.
Border market, transmission line projects added new chapter to Pak-Iran ties: PM
PAK-IRAN BORDER, May 18 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said that the inauguration of Mand-Pishin border market and 100 megawatt power Gabd-Polan power transmission line added a new chapter to Pakistan-Iran relationship.
The prime minister, who along with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi inaugurated the Gabd-Polan transmission line told the ceremony that the project would benefit the people of Gwadar and bring in the socio-economic development.
He thanked the energy ministers of Pakistan and Iran and relevant organisations for their efforts to complete the otherwise halted project in the record time.
The prime minister believed that there existed huge potential for bilateral energy and petroleum projects and expressed the hope that the two countries would make all-out efforts to tap the potential for benefit of the two people.
Regarding the inauguration of Pishin-Mand border market, he said such six markets would be developed in the region to usher a new era of progress. This would prove to be a milestone for bilateral relationship, he remarked.
Prime Minister Shehbaz told the gathering that during his meeting with President Raisi earlier in the day, he had discussed cooperation in the solar energy sector as the Iranian leader also assured cooperation.
He said the delegations from both sides would visit each other to work out the solar energy projects.
The prime minister said he also extended an invitation to President Raisi which he accepted.
He said Pakistan and Iran were bound in centuries old relationship marking Islamic brotherhood. However the bilateral trade, investment did not reflect that relationship, he commented.
Calling for maximum efforts to exploit the potential, the prime minister assured the Iranian president of his support and cooperation in the journey.
He said the leadership from both sides would have to bring about a revolution of development for the benefit of two countries.
To a suggestion by the Iranian president, the prime minister assured for taking measures for a joint security mechanism in order to thwart the nefarious designs poised to undermine the bilateral ties.
The prime minister also thanked the Iranian president for a warm reception and hospitality to him as well as the delegation.
In his address, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said the the Pak-Iran relations were strengthening as both the countries were bound in religious bond.
He said Iran desired to enhance cooperation with Pakistan in the energy sector.
He congratulated the Government of Pakistan on completion of the 100MW power transmission project which he hoped would beget employment opportunities for people in the area.
Coming to the regional situation, he called for resolution of regional disputes through dialogue to achieve durable peace.
Energy Minister Engineer Khurram Dastgir thanked the Iranian partners and NTDC in Pakistan for their extraordinary efforts to ensure completion of the project in record time despite heavy floods.
He said these projects would unlock the development and lead to the infrastructural transformation as well as industrial development.
JF-17 Thunder aircraft joint production becomes symbol of Pak-China special relationship: Ambassador Haque
BEIJING, May 18 (APP): Pakistan Ambassador to China, Moin ul Haque has said that the joint production of JF 17 Thunder Aircraft at Chengdu Aircraft Industries Corporation has become a symbol of the special relationship between Pakistan and China.
He made these remarks in a meeting with Wang Xiaohui, Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Sichuan Provincial Committee, the highest-ranking CPC official in the province of Sichuan.
This was the first meeting of the Ambassador during his four-day official visit to Sichuan province.
During the meeting, Ambassador Haque underlined the close friendship and importance of China-Pakistan ties which were based on political trust, strategic partnership and practical cooperation.
The Ambassador acknowledged the existing enduring relationship between Pakistan and Sichuan which had grown stronger over the years, especially after the opening of the Consulate-General of Pakistan in Chengdu in 2007.
Ambassador Haque also expressed gratitude to the leadership and the people of Sichuan province for their timely and generous assistance to Pakistan during the Covid-19 pandemic and in the wake of recent unprecedented floods in Pakistan.
The Ambassador noted that the joint production of JF-17 Thunder Aircraft at Chengdu Aircraft Industries Corporation (CAIC) had become a symbol of our special relationship.
Many enterprises from Sichuan were investing in Pakistan in the energy, investment and agriculture sectors. The cultural and educational linkages were also growing with over 1,000 students enrolled in various universities in Sichuan.
Recalling the consensus reached during the recent interactions of the leadership, the Ambassador requested the support of the Party Secretary for strengthening trade, investment and developmental linkages through focused and practical
cooperation by using the already-existing sister province relationship between Sichuan and Punjab.
Party Secretary Wang reaffirmed the importance of China-Pakistan relations and the enduring partnership between Sichuan and Pakistan. He also recalled the help extended by Pakistan during the earthquake in Sichuan in 2008.
The Party Secretary briefed the Ambassador on the robust economic growth of Sichuan, as well its tourism potential, particularly as the home of a large population of pandas in the cities of Chengdu and Dujiangyan.
Noting the respective strengths of the two sister provinces of Sichuan and Punjab, he agreed to advance practical cooperation in the fields of agriculture, IT and industrialization.
Ambassador Haque also extended an invitation to the Party Secretary to lead a delegation to Pakistan for exploring investment opportunities, and also in the context of the ongoing Year of China-Pakistan Tourism Exchanges.
Humayun Saeed pens heartfelt note for wife on wedding anniversary
ISLAMABAD, May 18 (APP):Globally acclaimed Pakistani starlet, Humayun Saeed penned down a heartfelt note for his wife Samina Humayun as the power couple celebrate their wedding anniversary.
Turning to his official Instagram account, the ‘Crown’ sensation shared a captivating throwback photo with his lady love along with the caption, “Happy wedding anniversary my love, my strength. May you continue to encourage and embrace me forever and may Allah bless you with health & happiness always.”
While, Samina Humayun, known for producing blockbuster drama serials such as ‘Kuch Pyar Ka Pagalpan’, ‘Akbari Asghari’, ‘Sadqay Tumhare’, ‘Mann Mayal’, ‘Alif’ and ‘Sinf-e-Aahan’ left no stone unturned in making their anniversary unforgettable.
“The moment we met I knew we were meant to be together. My passage of life has been made worthy because God has given me a husband like you by my side. Happy anniversary, Humayun Saeed,” she wrote.
Model-turned-actress, Humaira Ali took to her official social media handle and shared a heartwarming note along with the duo’s mesmerizing snap, “Happy anniversary to you both. Wishing you many more years together with love, joy & prosperity.”
Ace Pakistani producer Abdullah Kadwani also shared the duo’s photo on Insta reel and wrote, “Happy wedding anniversary”.
Moreover, well-esteemed celebrities, including Mehwish Hayat, Adnan Siddiqui, Nida Yasir, Saba Faisal, Saad Qureshi, Sami Khan and Aijaz Aslam also bombarded social media with loved-up comments and best wishes for the much-loved couple.
CPEC created over 155,000 local jobs in Pakistan: NDRC
BEIJING, May 18 (APP): The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is marking its 10th anniversary this year, has played an important role in bilateral cooperation between China and Pakistan and created over 155,000 local jobs for Pakistani people, China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has said.
During a regular press conference, the NDRC said the CPEC had achieved fruitful results, including the Gwadar Port and relevant cooperation projects in energy, infrastructure and industry.
“Specifically, multiple highway construction programs are progressing on schedule. Power plants that have entered commercial operation provide nearly one-third of Pakistan’s national electricity demand, having changed the situation of power shortage in the country,” it added.
The Gwadar Port co-built by China and Pakistan has made great progress in creating a regional logistics hub and industrial base.
In addition, the construction of the first phase of the Rashakai Special Economic Zone in Pakistan had been completed and achieved positive results in business attraction, said the NDRC.
As of the end of 2022, the CPEC had created 236,000 jobs, and the number of Pakistani workers reached 155,000.
The NDRC vowed to accelerate cooperation in transport, energy and industrial sectors and areas related to people’s livelihoods, and further expand collaboration in the agricultural, mineral and technological fields, Global Times reported on Thursday.
Meanwhile, in order to expand the influence of the CPEC, the foreign ministers of China, Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to extend the program to Afghanistan, to further advance cooperation under the BRI.
As a landlocked country, Afghanistan mainly relies on Pakistani ports for international trade. Afghanistan has become the first among landlocked Central Asian countries to benefit from using the Chinese-invested Gwadar Port in Pakistan for future cross-border trade.
After several rounds of consultations with relevant authorities in Pakistan, the Gwadar Port finally obtained an e-export trade license with Afghanistan in the second half of 2019, according to China’s Ministry of Commerce.
In 2020, Afghanistan imported 43,000 tons of fertilizer via the port, contributing to its agricultural development.