Commissioner Silwat Saeed along with Deputy Commissioner Ali Anan Qamar participating in an awareness walk in connection with World Anti Dengue Day at Municipal Corporation
Picturesque tourist destination Malamjabba destroy in militancy: Dr Ramesh Kumar
MINGORA, Jun 15 (APP): Minister of State and Chairman of Prime Minister’s Taskforce on Gandhara Tourism Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani on Thursday said that Malamjabba, located in the Swat Valley of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is a picturesque tourist destination renowned for its natural beauty and adventure opportunities but unfortunately due to terrorism it was affected.
During his two-day visit to Buddhist Archaeological sites, located in Swat Valley Minister Kumar visited Malamjabba and said he visited Malamjaba to promote inter-faith harmony and generate revenue through the promotion of religious tourism.
Minister for State Dr Ramesh Kumar said that nestled amidst the stunning Hindu Kush mountain range, Malamjabba offers breathtaking panoramic views, and lush green meadows attract tourists from all over the world.
The region is blessed with a moderate climate, making it an ideal getaway for nature lovers, hikers, and skiing enthusiasts, Kumar added.
The resort offers well-groomed slopes, ski lifts, and equipment rentals, catering to both beginners and experienced skiers, said Dr Kumar.
Ramesh Kumar further said that the region is also home to several beautiful lakes and offers a variety of other activities for tourists to enjoy.
He said Malamjabba boasts a rich cultural heritage, with several historical sites and archaeological remains scattered throughout the valley.
Tourists can visit ancient Buddhist stupas, monasteries, and ruins that provide insights into the region’s past and generate employment opportunities for locals.
He said that he is working on bringing a National Gandahara Tourism Policy to boost religious tourism.
It is a place where you can immerse yourself in the beauty of the mountains, rejuvenate your senses, and create unforgettable memories, Dr Ramesh Kumar added.
The minister earlier visited heritage sites including Bazira, Shigardar Stupa, Ghelegay Buddhist monument, museum, Butkara Stupa 1 and 2, Saidu Stupa, Wali Swat graveyard, White Palace and other close vicinity sites.
PAC directs NAB, FIA to submit report about NTL’s irregularities
ISLAMABAD, Jun 15 (APP): The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Thursday directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to submit a complete report about irregularities and embezzlement in NADRA Technologies Limited (NTL).
Presiding over PAC meeting, its Chairman Noor Alam Khan asked the relevant authorities to investigate the matter of NTL’s board members to compile a report for submission in the next meeting to be held on June 20.
The committee had expressed its resentment over the corruption and irregularities in many departments and stressed the need to probe them in order to recover the looted money of national exchequer from the accused.
The interior secretary briefed the committee that the ministry had collected some documentary evidences against NTL and also presented them before the committee for further directions to ensure transparency in the system.
The committee asked the secretary interior to write a letter to the prime minister regarding PAC’s members reservations over NTL irregularities and corruption.
The PAC reviewed the audit paras of 2019-20 of the interior ministry and sub-ordinate departments to ensure the financial system better and transparent to yield desirous results.
The meeting was attended by officers and officials of the relevant government institutions and committee members.
PPP leads in Sindh’s LG polls, victorious on all slots of mayor
ISLAMABAD, Jun 15 (APP): Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has triumphed in all six positions of the mayor of metropolitan corporations in Sindh including Karachi.
PPP’s Murtaza Wahab has been elected Mayor of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and Kashif Shuro has been declared successful in the mayoral race of Hyderabad.
Arsalan Islam Shaikh of PPP has been elected as Mayor of Sukkur Municipal Corporation while Abdul Rauf has won the mayor set of Mirpur Khas, the official source revealed.
Similarly, Anwar Ali Lohar has managed to secure the mayorship of Larkana Municipal Corporation while Rashid Bhatti has been elected as Mayor of Shaheed Benazirabad Municipal Corporation.
The PPP has managed to score 20 out of 22 chairmanships of district councils of Sindh.
In 30 out of 36 municipal committees of Sindh, PPP has won the chairmanships of the municipal committee.
The PPP has got 121 out of 141 sets of the chairman of town committees in the local government election.
Out of the 44 Town Municipal Corporations of Sindh, the PPP candidates have been declared successful on 27 sets.
A flock of pigeon picking food at footpath during cloudy weather in Provincial Capital
Vehicles on the way during rain that experienced the Provincial Capital
A large number of boats seen anchored at Ibrahim Haider as authorities issued alert regarding the effects of Cyclone Biparjoy
PM thanks Azerbaijan for support to IIOJK dispute, assures backing Karabakh issue
BAKU (Azerbaijan), Jun 15 (APP):Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday thanked President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev for his consistent support to Pakistan on the dispute of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
The prime minister in a tweet assured the Azeri president of Pakistan’s steadfast support on the issue of Karabakh.
He mentioned that he had a wonderful meeting with President Ilham Aliyev, in which the present state of bilateral relations between the two countries was reviewed.
“We have agreed to upgrade the ties commensurate with our excellent relationship,” he said.
PM Shehbaz said, “According to our shared resolve, the enhanced cooperation in trade, investment, energy, defence, tourism, and higher education sectors will form the bedrock of cooperation.”
The prime minister said he and his delegation were deeply impressed by the love that the people of Azerbaijan had for Pakistan and its people.
“The sight of Pakistani flags fluttering in Baku was a feast for the eyes,” he added.
He said the people-to-people bond based on mutual love and respect was the strength of bilateral relationship.
He said the shared resolve at the leadership level had the potential to reshape the bilateral ties in line with demands of the contemporary era.
“Together, we will make it happen, Insha Allah,” he said.
Flame for Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games lit
BEIJING, Jun 15 (APP):The flame for the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games was lit on Thursday at the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City, marking the 100-day countdown to the opening ceremony for the event, which is set to run from September 23 to October 8.
The flame was lit out of a concave mirror using the sun’s rays. Then a flame collector handed the torch to Yi Lianhong, secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, who ignited the cauldron.
Nestled in the suburban area of Hangzhou, Liangzhu boasts some of the earliest recorded evidence of Chinese civilization with a history that can be traced back to 3,300 years B.C.
Known for the prehistoric rice-cultivating civilizations of China and exquisite jade ware, as well as the country’s earliest known large-scale water conservation network, Liangzhu was declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO in 2019, CGTN reported.
The torch lighting and torch relay launching ceremony will be held at Hangzhou’s scenic landmark West Lake, another UNESCO World Heritage site, in mid-September, and the torch will be carried through 11 cities in Zhejiang Province.
A digital torch relay also kicked off online on Thursday. Over 21 million people have participated in a virtual torch relay as digital torchbearers through online platforms.
The opening ceremony will present the first digital ignition ceremony in the Games’ history, and digital torchbearers worldwide can ignite the flame together online.
APP/asg
PM greets Chinese President Xi Jinping on his birthday
ISLAMABAD, Jun 15 (APP):Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday extended his greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping on his birthday.
“It is my great pleasure to extend heartiest felicitations to H.E. President Xi Jinping on his birthday,” the prime minister, who is currently on a two-day visit to Azerbaijan, wrote on Twitter.
He said under the dynamic leadership of President Xi, China had emerged as a global leader advancing international solidarity, peace and cooperation.
He said the “iron brotherhood” between China and Pakistan entered a new era of enhanced cooperation since his visit to Pakistan in 2015 and had been going from strength to strength ever since.