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PM asks CDA chairman to ensure fast execution of development projects

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ISLAMABAD, June 16 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed the Chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to pace up the work on development projects in the capital to facilitate the residents.

Chairing a review meeting on the ongoing mega development projects here on Friday, he said any delay in their execution would not be tolerated.

The PM emphasized ensuring quality work while implementing the development projects.

He also laid stress on the landscaping of the projects at par with international standards.

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, Adviser to PM Ahad Khan Cheema, Member of National Assembly (NA) Hanif Abbasi, the director general (DG) of Frontier Work Organization, the (DG) of National Logistic Cell, and senior officials attended the meeting.

The meeting was informed about the progress on development work being carried out by the CDA.

Free eye camp set up by Pak-Afghan forum performs 253 surgeries at Kabul hospital

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KABUL, Afghanistan, June 16 (APP): A free eye camp set up by Pak Afghan Cooperation Forum (PACF) in collaboration with Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan has performed surgeries on 253 Afghan nationals in the capital Kabul.

The surgeries have been conducted during June 7-14 at the Noor Eye Hospital.

Free eye camp set up by Pak-Afghan forum performs 253 surgeries at Kabul hospital

The surgeries include 12 cornea transplants, one tectonic graft surgery, 44 oculoplastic surgeries, 26 vitreoretinal and 170 cataract surgeries.

A total of 4,500 Afghans have been treated at the outpatient department of the hospital.

Free eye camp set up by Pak-Afghan forum performs 253 surgeries at Kabul hospital

The Afghan government and people have greatly appreciated the PACF and ALkhidmat Foundation Pakistan for their work at the eye hospital.

Pakistan Post refutes news item about UPU

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ISLAMABAD, Jun 16 (APP): Pakistan Post on Friday refuted a news item that appeared in a section of the press regarding Pakistan’s ranking in the Integrated Index of Postal Development (2IPD) report of the Universal Postal Union (UPU).

Pakistan Post in a statement said that it had erroneously been mentioned in the news item that Pakistan had achieved a rank of 155.

In reality, Pakistan has achieved a higher rank of 55th in the UPU ranking, the statement added.

No one can dare to cast ill eyes on Pakistan: Azam Nazeer

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Law minister

ISLAMABAD, Jun 16 (APP): Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar on Friday informed the Senate that Pakistan is a responsible state and no one can dare to cast ill eyes on atomic and other assets of the country.

Speaking in the Senate in response to points raised by Senator Mushtaq Ahmed, the minister said that no member of the federal cabinet was taking salaries and very minimum perks were being given to them. Only 1800 CC car and petrol at par with federal secretary was being given to them.

Earlier resuming debate on the budget, Senator Mushtaq Ahmed said that International Monterey Fund (IMF) wanted to default Pakistan and creating hurdles in disbursement of $ 1 billion tranche. Such tactics were being adopted to snatch atomic bomb facility of Pakistan, he added.

He suggested that elimination of elite and protocol culture besides curbing various ‘mafias’ were mandatory to address the key challenges to the national economy.
He criticized the government for not giving any concrete plan for debt retiring, controlling inflation, civil and police reforms.

He said that the national debt has surged to record Rs 60,000 billion and the budget lacked any concrete plan to address this grave issue. He demanded that a commission should be formed to investigate who had borrowed these hefty loans and where it had been spent.

He said inflation has also touched to 38 per cent which was even more than Sri Lanka. There was no programme to overpower circular debt which was a result of mismanagement and poor governance, he added.
He claimed that there was also dire need of reforms in FBR as there was leakage of Rs 1000 billion in it.

He said that in new merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, no development was carried out and no facility was extended to these areas. Tax exemption should be given to Malakand and erstwhile FATA for next 10 years instead of one year, he said.

Rana Maqbool of PML-N said the government has given a balanced budget despite many challenges. He said many incentives were given to the agriculture and IT sectors besides for youth.
He said significant increase in pension and salary of the employees has been announced in the budget which would provide prompt relief to the people.

He said amendment should also be brought in the House so its recommendation could be binding to incorporate in the money bill.

Important meeting of PML-N today to hold intra-party elections: Marriyum

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ISLAMABAD, Jun 16 (APP): Spokesperson of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz ( PML-N) Marriyum Aurangzeb on Friday said that an important meeting of the General Council of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) will be held in Islamabad today.

In a tweet, the minister said the meeting will be held at the Central Secretariat of Pakistan Muslim League (N), Chak Shehzad at 2:30 pm.

She said that PML-N Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and President Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will preside over the meeting.

She said that Maryam Nawaz Sharif and Hamza Shahbaz will also attend the meeting.

The minister said that central leadership including party office bearers and senior leaders will also participate in the meeting.

She said that intra-party elections will be held during the meeting.

West Indies, Zimbabwe,Sri Lanka head into qualifier undefeated

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West Indies, Zimbabwe,Sri Lanka head into qualifier undefeated

ISLAMABAD, Jun 16 (APP): West Indies, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka went two from two in their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Qualifier warm-up matches with comfortable victories over UAE, Scotland and USA respectively.

Netherlands and Nepal will also both enter the group stages on the back of victories, with the Netherlands overcoming Ireland while Nepal beat Oman, according to the details shared by ICC on its official website on Friday.

Rovman Powell’s rapid century helped the West Indies regain composure after they slipped to 198-7 midway through their innings against UAE.

Nicholas Pooran’s 74 had helped the Windies to a commanding position before three wickets in nine balls saw his side stutter.

But Powell combined with Keemo Paul to put on 139 for the eighth wicket, the former eventually dismissed for 105 from just 55 balls as the Windies posted 374 for nine.

The UAE had a centurion of their own in the form of Basil Hameed, who batted valiantly to reach 122 not out as his side fell 114 runs short.

Yannic Cariah was again the star of the West Indies attack as he took four for 58 to back up his four-wicket haul in the first warm-up game.

Zimbabwe go two from two after dominant Scotland victory Brandon McMullen fell one run short of a half-century as Scotland were bowled out for 163 having been put into bat by hosts Zimbabwe.

The right-hander put on an innings-high partnership of 47 runs with Matthew Cross for the second wicket before the latter was bowled by Brad Evans for 32.

McMullen was unable to build another partnership before he was dismissed by Ryan Burl for 49, with late cameos from Jack Jarvis (26) and Christopher McBride (20) pushing Scotland past 150.

In response, Zimbabwe chased the modest total down inside 25 overs with six wickets to spare.
Sikandar Raza top scored with 44 from 28 balls while Joylord Gumbie and Craig Ervine both made 37, with Micheal Leask’s two quick wickets only providing temporary resistance.

Karunaratne century sets up big win for Sri Lanka Dimuth Karunaratne made a sparkling century as Sri Lanka posted 392 for five from their 50 overs against the USA.

Karunaratne was joined at the crease by Kusal Mendis in the seventh over with Sri Lanka 39 for one, before the pair combined for a 191-run partnership to power the Lions to a huge total.

Mendis departed for 105 from 91 before Karunaratne retired not out on 111 from 100 balls to leave time for strong middle-order striking from Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka, who added 112 for the fifth wicket.

After losing both openers for just 10 runs to begin their response, the USA rebuilt through Monank Patel who scored 68 before becoming one of three wickets in an over for Matheesha Pathirana to leave USA on 106 for seven.

Shayan Jahangir was left stranded on 63 not out as Usman Rafiq was run out with USA falling 198 runs short.
Barresi guides Netherlands to win Ireland were bowled out for 193 in the 40th over with Harry Tector, who made a century against USA earlier in the week, one of seven players to score single figures against Netherlands as Scott Edward’s side shared the wickets around.

Lorcan Tucker rebuilt from 58 for five in the 20th over, helped by a quickfire 46 from 25 balls from Gareth Delany, who became Shariz Ahmad’s second wicket.

Tucker was stumped by Edwards for 74 off the bowling of Clayton Floyd before Craig Young fell three balls later to Saqib Zulfiqar to bring Ireland’s innings to a premature close.

Wesley Barresi’s 90 helped see the Netherlands home, with Barresi and Max O’Dowd putting on 89 for the second wicket, though Ireland did not go down without a fight.

Three balls after O’Dowd departed, Noah Croes was also dismissed by Ben White, who returned figures of five for 61 as Ireland reduced Netherlands to 114 for six in the 19th over.

Barresi was dismissed 10 runs short of a century but Aryan Dutt and Logan van Beek calmly knocked off the remaining runs to see the Netherlands home by two wickets.

Nepal hold on to defeat Oman Captain Zeeshan Maqsood rescued Oman after they slipped to seven for four, going on to make a run-a-ball century.

Maqsood combined with Shoaib Khan to steady Oman, putting on 84 runs for the fifth wicket before compiling an 115-run partnership with Ayaan Khan.

The left-hander was dismissed for 109 as Sompal Kami struck twice in the penultimate over before Khan departed in the final over for 56, Kami claiming figures of five for 57 to leave Oman 267 all out.

In reply, Nepal made a strong start as opener Kushal Bhurtel scored 101 before retiring as he and Bhim Sharki added 115 runs for the second wicket.

With Nepal needing just one run to win, Oman hit back with three quick wickets as Aqib Ilyas took four for 42 before Sandeep Lamichhane hit a six from his first ball to secure the win.

Scores in brief West Indies beat UAE at Takashinga, Harare by 114 runs West Indies 374/9 in 50 overs (Rovman Powell 105, Nicholas Pooran 74; Muhammad Jawadullah 3/50, Karthik Meiyappan 2/51) UAE 260/9 in 50 overs (Basil Hameed 122 not out, Vriitya Aravind 54; Yannic Cariah 4/58, Jason Holder 2/26)
Zimbabwe beat Scotland at Old Hararians, Harare by six wickets Scotland 163 all out in 38.2 overs (Brandon McMullen 49, Matt Cross 32; Sean Williams 2/14, Luke Jongwe 2/17) Zimbabwe 166/4 in 24.5 overs (Sikandar Raza 44, Joylord Gumbie 37; Michael Leask 2/30, Chris Greaves 1/24) Sri Lanka beat USA at Bulawayo Athletics Club, Bulawayo by 198 runs Sri Lanka 392/5 in 50 overs (Dimuth Karunaratne 111 not out, Kusal Mendis 105; Saurabh Netravalkar 2/60, Usman Rafiq 1/57) USA 194 all out in 33.2 overs (Monank Patel 68, Shayan Jahangir 63 not out; Matheesha Pathirana 4/23, Kasun Rajitha 2/28) Netherlands beat Ireland at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo by two wickets Ireland 193 all out in 39.2 overs (Lorcan Tucker 74, Gareth Delany 46; Logan van Beek 2/23, Aryan Dutt 2/27) Netherlands 196/8 in 37.3 overs (Wesley Barresi 90, Max O’Dowd 35; Ben White 5/61, Harry Tector 1/6) Nepal beat Oman at Harare Sports Club, Harare by three wickets Oman 267 all out in 49.2 overs (Zeeshan Maqsood 109, Ayaan Khan 56; Sompal Kami 5/57, Sandeep Lamichhane 3/66) Nepal 274/7 in 44.5 overs (Kushal Bhurtel 101 not out, Bhim Sharki 56; Aqib Ilyas 4/42, Fayyaz Butt 2/66).

Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Faisal hosted a welcome reception for the Special Olympics Pakistan Team at Pakistan House

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Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Faisal hosted a welcome reception for the Special Olympics Pakistan Team at Pakistan House
APP33-150623 BERLIN: June 15 - Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Faisal hosted a welcome reception for the Special Olympics Pakistan Team at Pakistan House. APP/TZD
Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Faisal hosted a welcome reception for the Special Olympics Pakistan Team at Pakistan House
APP33-150623 BERLIN:

World headed for climate ‘catastrophe’ without urgent action: UN chief warns

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UN chief

UNITED NATIONS, Jun 15 (APP): UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Thursday called on countries to phase out coal and other fossil fuels to avert climate “catastrophe”, saying the world’s response to deal with the impending disaster was “inadequate”.

“We are hurtling towards disaster, eyes wide open”, he said. “It’s time to wake up and step up.”

The UN chief was addressing a press conference at UN Headquarters in New York following a meeting with civil society climate leaders from across the world. He spoke as the latest manifestation of climate change — Cyclone Biparjoy — was about to strike coastal areas of Pakistan ad India.

He said limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius is still possible but will require a 45 per cent reduction in carbon emissions by 2030.

However, current policies will lead to a 2.8°C temperature rise by the end of the century, which “spells catastrophe”.

He called for immediate global action toward net-zero emissions, which “must start with the polluted heart of the climate crisis: the fossil fuel industry.”

Countries must progressively phase out fossil fuels, “moving to leave oil, coal and gas in the ground where they belong”, and massively boost investment in renewable energy, he said.

The UN chief has previously proposed establishing a Climate Solidarity Pact under which rich nations would support emerging economies by cutting emissions.

Another proposal for an Acceleration Agenda calls on governments to phase out coal by 2040, end public and private international coal funding, and shift subsidies from fossil fuels to renewables, among other measures.

“But the fossil fuel industry and its enablers have a special responsibility,” he said, noting the record “$4 trillion windfall” in income last year.

“Yet for every dollar it spends on oil and gas drilling and exploration, only four cents went to clean energy and carbon capture combined. Trading the future for thirty pieces of silver is immoral,” he said.

Guterres stressed that the fossil fuel industry should apply its massive resources “to drive, not obstruct” the global transition to renewable energy.

The industry currently “is not even reaching the very low operational emissions reductions targets it has set for itself,” he said.

He called for fossil fuel companies to present credible, comprehensive and detailed new transition plans that include reducing emissions “up and down the value chain” – from production through to refining, distribution and use.

Plans must also establish clear, near-term targets towards the transition to ‘green’ energy.

“Fossil fuel companies must also cease and desist influence peddling and legal threats designed to kneecap progress. I am thinking particularly of recent attempts to subvert net zero alliances, invoking anti-trust legislation,” he said.

“Governments are pivotal in setting the record straight. They must help by providing clear reassurance. Collective climate action does not violate anti-trust – it upholds the public trust,” he added.

The UN chief also called for detailed plans from financial institutions, saying they must encourage the global energy transformation.

Plans should include an explicit strategy to progressively strip out fossil fuel assets from their portfolios to ensure alignment with the net-zero goal. All lobbying and policy engagement also should be disclosed.

“Financial institutions everywhere must end lending, underwriting, and investments in coal anywhere – including new coal infrastructure, power plants, and mines,” he said.

“And they must commit to ending financing and investment in exploration for new oil and gas fields, and expansion of oil and gas reserves – investing instead in the just transition in the developing world.”

Five-day Saqafati Mela opens at Lok Virsa

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ISLAMABAD, Jun 15 (APP): A five-day Saqafati Mela got underway here at Lok Virsa Complex, Shakarparian on Thursday with an opening ceremony at its Open Air Theatre.

Engineer Amir Muqam, Adviser to the Prime Minister for National Heritage & Culture, speaking as the chief guest, said
“I am extremely happy that the Lok Virsa always tries to promote the culture of Pakistan in the Federal Capital.”

Lok Virsa, he said, “Introduces eminent talents and folk artists from across Pakistan at the national and international levels through its various programs. I attach great importance to the role of all these artisans and artists in the national development.”

He further said that the federal government is trying to provide access to the people living in every corner of the country through its projects. The way talented artists from all provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir are participating in this cultural festival is a sign of national unity.

Maqam said Pakistan has modern educated talent but the skilled people here are also second to none and Pakistani handicrafts have a distinct identity all over the world. “We can earn a lot of exchange by promoting our crafts further,” he noted.

Executive Director Lok Virsa Muzaffar Ali Burki said events organized by Lok Virsa have a prominent place in cultural circles. Artists participating in the Mela showcase their art and gain national recognition. These types of festivals are also an important means of highlighting the identity of artisans and artists in the society.

He added that we hope that all of you will encourage these talented people so that these hardworking people can contribute in a better way to the development of our culture.

Federal Secretary for National Heritage and Culture Division Farina Mazhar said on behalf of the National Heritage and Culture Division, I welcome all guests to this Saqafati Mela.

She added that I am happy that Lok Virsa has made this beautiful Saqafati Mela possible in a very short time and brought together all the skilled craftsmen, artisans and artists on one platform. It was indeed a difficult task which the Lok Virsa team performed very well, for which I congratulate them.

The National Heritage and Culture Division is trying hard to strengthen the public service projects and programs of the folk heritage and all other cultural institutions under their own goals and objectives so that we can promote the overall cultural values of Pakistan not only domestically but also internationally.

This Saqafati Mela will continue till June 19 daily from 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm. Entrance ticket to the festival is Rs.100 and students Rs.50 per head.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif visits Old Baku city. Prime Minister also visited the Museum in the old city and Multan Caravan Sarai

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Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif visits Old Baku city. Prime Minister also visited the Museum in the old city and Multan Caravan Sarai
APP106-150623 BAKU: June 15 - Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif visits Old Baku city. Prime Minister also visited the Museum in the old city and Multan Caravan Sarai. APP/ABB/TZD
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif visits Old Baku city. Prime Minister also visited the Museum in the old city and Multan Caravan Sarai
APP106-150623 BAKU: