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Pakistan’s Ambassador to China visits Rashakai SEZ

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NNPS Desk
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PESHAWAR, Jan 22 (APP): The Ambassador of Pakistan to China, Khalil ur Rahman Hashmi visited Rashakai Special Economic Zone (SEZ) to oversee development projects related to the CPEC initiative here on Monday.

Accompanied by the Consular, Commercial Consular and Honorary Investment Consular of Pakistan in Beijing, the Ambassador was briefed by the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zones Development and Management Company (KP-EZDMC) teams on the development progress and challenges.

Pakistan's Ambassador to China visits Rashakai SEZ

Following a comprehensive tour of the zone to gain firsthand insights into the vital collaboration, the Ambassador expressed his appreciation for the notable progress and efforts carried out for the implementation of the project.

IHC announces to hear CAA employees’ case regularly

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Ali Ali
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IHC
ISLAMABAD, Jan 22 (APP):The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has decided to hear the case of Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) employees pertaining to the areas and pensions for more than thousands of employees.
Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan of IHC heard the case on Monday. The court announced to hear the case on regular basis and adjourned the hearing till January 23.

Pakistan-Qatar agreements to boost job prospects, SAPM meets separately with Qatari Ministers

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NNPS Desk
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ISLAMABAD, Jan 22 (APP): Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (SAPM OP&HRD), Jawad Sohrab Malik, led a successful official visit to Qatar, culminating in the signing of several Agreements & Letter’s
of Intent (LOIs) with top Qatari companies intended to significantly enhance employment opportunities for the Pakistani workforce in Qatar.

The signing of these agreements with renowned Qatari firms, including Qatari Diyar-Saudi Bin Laden Group Construction (QD-SBG), Hamad Bin Khaled Contracting Company W.L.L (HBK), Ali Bin Ali Holding W.L.L, Sheikh Jabor Bin Mansour
Bin Jabor Bin Jassim Al Thani (JMJ) Holding, Tabeeb Care Medical Services, and Al Rawnaq International Commercial Projects, marks a crucial step in strengthening bilateral relations between Pakistan and Qatar in the field of human resource development, a news release said.

In addition to these agreements, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Jawad Sohrab Malik held a significant meeting with Hamad Saleh Al Qamra, Chairman of Al Qamra Holding, focusing on the recruitment of Pakistani manpower for various company projects. The visit also included a tour of the View Hospital, a part of Elegancia Health Care, where the recruitment of Pakistani health professionals is underway following a recent MoU between Elegancia Health Care and the Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) of Pakistan.

Pakistan-Qatar agreements to boost job prospects, SAPM meets separately with Qatari Ministers

The primary objective of these initiatives is to create enhanced employment avenues for Pakistani workers in Qatar. SAPM Malik highlighted the potential of Pakistan as a key manpower exporter and detailed the government’s efforts to streamline this process through quality recruitment agencies, skill development, and addressing foreign employers’ needs.

The CEOs of the Qatari companies expressed satisfaction with the Pakistani workforce and their willingness to increase Pakistani manpower in their companies, adhering to the governmental regulations of Qatar. The meetings also shed light on the growing demand for skilled labor in sectors like services, maintenance, hospitality, and construction, following Qatar’s significant infrastructural development.

Jawad Sohrab Malik also held separate in-depth one to one meetings with Qatar’s Labour Minister, Interior Minister,and Qatar’s Education Minister during his 3-day visit.

These agreements and discussions represent a significant stride in increasing the presence of the Pakistani workforce
in Qatar, paving the way for mutual economic growth and stronger bilateral ties.

Pak foreign policy played crucial role in defusing tension with Iran: Solangi

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NNPS Desk
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ISLAMABAD, Jan 22 (APP): Caretaker Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi on Monday said the foreign policy pursued by Pakistan post-January 16 had played a crucial role in de-escalating the tension with Iran.

The minister, in an interview with a Turkish broadcaster, TRT, the minister said that the whole region was concerned by tension between Pakistan and Iran that had significantly been reduced.

He said Pakistan’s leadership had overcome the issue to a greater extent, and lauded the constructive role played by brotherly countries, including Turkiye and China, for defusing the tension.

He said Pakistan greatly valued Turkiye’s goodwill for it and its people. Both countries enjoyed all-weather relations that were a “precious asset of Pakistan”.

The minister said the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), which was the only institution entrusted with holding free, fair and transparent elections, had been fulfilling its responsibilities efficiently.

He said the caretaker government, born out of a constitutional process, was performing its duties under a legal cover. It would extend all-out support to the ECP for holding the elections, he added.

To a question, the minister said that it was a political culture that some political parties were airing complaints regarding the level-playing field.

There was no restriction on politics in the country and measures were taken to ensure a level-playing field for political parties, he emphasized.

Solangi said that the caretaker government had no favourites and none of the family members of its ministers was taking part in the elections.

Solangi said at present, the printing of ballot papers was underway while postal ballots were being dispatched, however, a lot remained to be done till the election day.

The minister reiterated the caretaker government’s commitment to hold free and fair elections on February 8, and the ECP would officially announce the election results within two to three days.

The incumbent Speaker of the National Assembly would then convene a meeting of the House within a week or two for swearing in of the newly elected members and election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, he added.

Subsequently, he said, the Leader of the House would be elected and who would then be administered oath by the president.

The caretaker cabinet would be dissolved following the formation of new cabinet by the elected PM, Solangi added.

National level operation against Non-Duty Paid/ counterfeit cigarettes

By
Ali Ali
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ISLAMABAD, Jan 22 (APP):Designated teams of Inland Revenue Service Officers (FBR) have successfully conducted a national level operation on January 13, 2024 against illicit tobacco trade.
A total number of 1,377 Packerites (13.77 million cigarette sticks) of non-duty paid/ counterfeit cigarettes of local as well as of foreign brands have been seized/ confiscated, said a news release here on Monday.
Member Inland Revenue Operations, Mir Badshah Khan Wazir supervised the whole exercise.
It was further resolved that any sort of evasion of Government’s revenue shall be dealt with iron hand and culprits shall directly be liable for penal proceedings.

Shamshad Akhtar, WB Country Director discuss financing operations in Pakistan

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NNPS Desk
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ISLAMABAD, Jan 22 (APP): Caretaker Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs Dr Shamshad Akhtar and Country Director World Bank (WB) for Pakistan, NajyBinhassine on Monday met to discuss, review and finalize the financing for two World Bank-funded operations in Pakistan.

The operations include additional financing of US$ 250.0 million for an ongoing World Bank-funded programme titled “Crisis-Resilient Social Protection Programme (CRISP”, being implemented by Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), said a news release here.

The program aims to support the development of a more adaptive social protection system that will contribute to any future crisis resilience among poor and vulnerable households.

The second WB-funded operation includes Pakistan: “Resilient and Accessible Microfinance (RAM) Program” worth US$175.0 million to help enhance access to microcredit and support the resilience of the microfinance sector and its borrowers.

Considering the importance of interventions planned under the CRISP program, Dr Shamshad Akhtar gave go-ahead signal to engage the World Bank additional financing of US$250 million for the program in principle.

She, however, desired to convene another meeting next week to formalize the program contours.

She also desired to invite the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) in the next meeting to finalize the program modalities.

The World Bank team apprised the Finance Minister about the broad contours of the RAM program, its funding volume and objectives.

The meeting was informed that the microfinance sector of Pakistan has shown resilience and continued to grow despite multiple exogenous shocks.

However, sector growth and resilience have been shaken by deep and continued shocks and are currently being impeded by 3-cross cutting constraints including Capital, Liquidity, and Climate Shocks.

The proposed program will help to not only overcome the constraints of the microfinance sector but also ensure a more resilient, inclusive and growing microfinance sector in Pakistan.

However, the issue of public debt also came under discussion during the meeting. Raising loans for extending support to Microfinance Banks and Microfinance Institutions will increase the volume of public debt.

It was proposed that such interventions would best be supported by mobilizing local resources instead of foreign loans.

Based on the detailed presentation and meeting discussion, the Finance Minister desired further refinement of background work for the program and data set to ensure accuracy. She asked the World Bank team to continue working on the program in collaboration with IFC team.

Finance Minister appreciated the continuous support of the World Bank to Pakistan.

FJWU students urge to preserve ancient cultural symbols of ponds, Banyan trees

By
Ali Ali
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RAWALPINDI, Jan 22 (APP):The Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) students’ delegation have urged the Deputy Commissioner Jhelum to preserve ancient cultural symbols of ponds and Banyan trees facing existential threat due to rising urbanisation and infrastructure expansion.
The students (BS-VIII and BS-IV) of the Department of Anthropology had an educational trip to Jindi Forest (Lehri) and Rohtas Fort (Dina), Jehlum for the courses “Anthropology of Arts and Aesthetics” and “Culture, Biodiversity and Climate Change” with their respective instructors, Dr. Shafia Azam and Dr. Syed Mehmood Nasir (Visiting Faculty, Department of Anthropology, FJWU and Former IG Forest).
The Deputy Commissioner of Jehlum, Captain Retired Samiullah Farooq, as well as District Forest Officer, Sudhir Mughal warmly welcomed and hosted the faculty and students of the Department of Anthropology, FJWU. The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Jhelum gave a briefing about the forest and sub-divisional officer (SDO) Archaeology gave a briefing about the history of the Rohtas Fort. The students volunteered to clean the track in the forest and faculty planted a plant in the Fort area.
Talking to APP, Dr Syed Mehmood Nasir said that the Peepal ( Ficus religiosa ) is an Indian anthropological cultural symbol particularly found in the Potohar as Al-Beruni describes it in detail in his book Kitab Ul Hind ponds with Ficus religiosa and other Ficus species & some temples that were part of hindu architecture.
In the mid 80s then secretary forests Ch Ashraf launched a development project titled “restoration of historical ponds in Potohar”, he added. He said one of the undeclared objectives was to save these ponds from encroachments in an era when there wasn’t archeological department in districts.
“Over time GT road expansion was resisted by the Rawalpindi Forest Circle and it was agreed with NHA to change some road alignments to save old Ficus trees. However, these saved trees gradually died over the years mainly because that the adjoining ponds disappeared and now you can see many plazas.
Ficus has a habit of having more adventitious roots instead of a tap root that spread horizontally. Along GT road expansion the trees had no space to spread due to metalled road surface leaving no room for horizontal root spread. Over the decades ponds disappear so do the cultural symbol the Ficus trees,” he said.
During those days, he said there was signage by archeology department at Kamra GT road saying this site has dug bricklined well constructed by Sher Shah Suri that served the caravans traveling from Kabul to Delhi. One cannot see that signboard any more in district Attock, he regretted.
“Now that archeology officers are present at district level it’s time that they work jointly with forest officers to conserve what is still possible. Note to mention that a mature Ficus tree harbors thousands of fructiforous birds and other creatures (fruit eating species). Rosy starlings used to come in millions in winters but now the Desi mulberry tree is more planted at scale as it was in the past,” he added.  The visit activities could be seen at the YouTube link https://youtu.be/1MWFpv3K4Eo?si=haabQ2Bs9_scqtKu.

SC issues guideline for court reporters

By
Ali Ali
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Supreme Court
ISLAMABAD, Jan 22 (APP):The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday issued guidelines for news men covering the court proceedings.
A spokesman of the apex court said that no media person would be allowed to record video clips interviews, YouTube programs, etc inside the SC’s building.
He said that entry for the reporters would be allowed after security checking, frisking and searching of bags/purses by the police personnel. “No cell phones would be allowed inside the courtrooms, ” he said.
The spokesman said that in case of any important case hearing, where limited space and heightened security warranted exclusive entry for a select number of journalists only, adding that one person from each media house would be allowed entry for court coverage. Other journalists would be accommodated in alternative courtrooms to observe the proceeding, the spokesman said.

Health experts advocate precautionary measures amidst cold, foggy weather

By
Ali Ali
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Foggy
LAHORE, Jan 22 (APP):Health experts underscored the importance of adopting precautionary measures during the current cold and foggy weather in an awareness program at the Lahore General Hospital’s Outdoor Department on Monday.
The program, organized under the Health Education Program of the Post Graduate Medical Institute, aimed to educate citizens about the severity of the weather and disease prevention.
Assistant Professor of Medicine Dr. Muhammad Maqsood warned about the increased risk of heart diseases, high blood pressure, and other ailments in cold weather. He emphasized the need for individuals, especially those with existing conditions, to stay hydrated by consuming hot drinks, warm water, and using dry fruits. Wearing warm clothes, socks, hats, and mufflers was also recommended to maintain body warmth.
Dr. Maqsood highlighted the rise in cases of cold, flu, chest infections, fever, and pneumonia, particularly among young children, due to increased fog during severe cold spells. He urged special care for the elderly, young children, and vulnerable individuals, advising them to use warm clothes and hot drinks. Motorcycle riders were specifically advised to wear helmets and face masks to protect themselves from cold winds and pollution during foggy conditions.

Elections 2024: Significant change in campaigning strategy observed

By
Ali Ali
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elections
MULTAN, Jan 22 (APP):In a departure from traditional electioneering practices, the political landscape for the upcoming 2024 elections is witnessing a notable evolution in the city and its suburbs.
The key changes include a reduction in the prevalence of corner meetings, the absence of small campaign offices at street level, and a deviation from the customary door-to-door canvassing approach.
Political parties and independent candidates are strategically targeting influential figures at the union council level. The candidates are garnering support from former UC chairmen, vice chairmen, councillors, and tribes’ elders, said senior political analyst Mazhar Javed while talking to APP.
He also remarked that the candidates were not found spending amounts on political campaigns as it was observed in past elections.
The candidates are moving away from grassroots campaigning to a more focused alliance-building strategy.
Analyst Malik Arif pointed out that the current political climate was characterized by a lower level of enthusiasm among political workers. Extreme weather conditions have also cast a shadow over the political campaign for Election 2024, impacting the traditional fervour associated with such events.
Another analyst Malik Muhammad Tariq remarked that the candidates were also targeting their voters through social media. They find direct access to voters that is why a complete shift in the election campaigns is being noticed, Tariq added.
Moreover, a noticeable decline in the abundance of banners and panaflexes, which once adorned every street, is also being observed.
Shopkeeper Hamid, who traditionally expected a surge in business during election season, noted a contrast this time.
Despite candidates approaching him for small panaflexes, the number of orders has been surprisingly low, he stated.
The price for these smaller campaign materials, such as panaflex stands at Rs 150 and Rs 4 for a single pocket sticker. In Past, there had been big panaflexes. Now, the Election Commission of Pakistan has recommended small-sized panaflexes, he informed.
Hamid, however, remained optimistic about an uptick in orders in the coming days as the campaign gains momentum.
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