GILGIT, May 03 (APP):Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman said Wednesday that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-led government was taking tangible measures for socio-economic development of Gilgit Baltistan, making record development works during its tenure.
Addressing a press conference, the GB chief minister said unlike opposition political parties, the PML(N) fulfilled all its promises it made with people of Gilgit Baltistan during election campaign in 2013 and its budget was raised upto Rs 24 billion in three years.
Since education and health played important role in uplifting living standard of people, he said the government shifted more focus on the education sector and set up Rs 500 million education endowment fund to provide free education to the poor students.
Similarly, he added the free healthcare services were being provided to 67000 deserving patients under the Prime Minister Sehat card.
He said that past government did nothing for the development of the area and they reneged on all their claims and promises they made with people.
He said tenders of Skardu road were floated in Musharraf regime but work was not launched, similarly Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) did also not bother to construct the road.
It was the PML(N) that started work on the Skardu road, besides making Kharmung and Shigar as districts of GB, adding meeting was held with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi regarding the Council’s abolishment and was apprised him about reservations in this regard.
He said the prime minister declined to continue the council as it had become a sort of third government in the country, thereby the PML(N) was not in its favour.
He said the council was abolished in the larger interest of the country and five members of his party rendered sacrifice, adding federal officers were leading lavish life on the council’s budget.
Moreover, he added that PPP imposed tax in GB while the PML(N) suspended it in order to extend relief to common people. However, he said that officers of grade 18 and above would be taxed while poor employees would be exempted.

ISLAMABAD, May 3 (APP):Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) on Thursday inked a Letter of Agreement (LoA) with World Food Programme (WFP) to conduct study titled “Cost of Solution, Closing the Gap: The Cost of Education, Chronic Malnutrition and Micronutrient Deficiencies in Pakistan”.
Chairperson BISP, Marvi Memon and Secretary BISP, Omar Hamid Khan witnessed the LoA signing ceremony.
The duration of the study will be 3-6 months, with expected cost of US$ 14,000. The research methodology of the study will estimate the coverage requirements and intervention costs to close the existing food insecurity gap in order to eradicate under nutrition, said a press release.
The process of estimation will include evaluation of the problem, Analysis of components of the policy, Quantification of coverage gaps and estimation of unit cost of each intervention.
It is pertinent to mention here, that according to National Nutrition Survey (NNS) 2001, malnutrition rates are alarming in Pakistan i.e 43.7% children stunned, 31.5% underweight and 15.1% children wasted.
BISP will support the study implementation as part of this Technical Working Group (TWG). It will also facilitate the WFP team at national, provincial and district level, in addition to dissemination of final report with wider stakeholders.

ISLAMABAD, May 3 (APP):Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) government has successfully completed several projects for uplift of women folk in previous fiscal year.
According to available document, several mega projects have been completed while many are being completed which would help improving the life of women in the country.
It claimed that different skill development programmes had been started for girls and training institutes are being imparted technical education through the establishment of vocational training
centres.
Focus on technical and vocational education will not only improve the performance of working women but also increase national productivity.
It said that the government’s strategy to encourage women in getting job remained successful and due to conducive atmosphere the figure of working women has significantly increased.
It said that several projects initiated for women aimed at reducing income inequality to attenuate the degree of poverty by allocating a significant allocation of budgetary resources to implement various measures for uplift of women.
The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) is the most prominent programme to supplement the incomes of the poorest segments of the population. It has been used by the present government to reach out to the most deserving people of the country and women are the primary focus of this programme.
The number of beneficiaries has increased from 3.7 million in FY 2013 to 5.4 million at the end of March 2017. BISP’s annual disbursement increased from Rs 42.9 billion in FY2013 to Rs 115 billion in FY2017. The quarterly cash grant has also been gradually enhanced by the present government from Rs 3,000 per family in FY 2013 to Rs 4,834 in FY 2017.
Among beneficiaries, women segment is also in good number to avail the opportunities from BISP.
Similarly, Maternal and Child Health Programme Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Programme was initiated to improve women and children health conditions through better service delivery and supported health systems.
Mother and Child healthcare is one of the most important areas of public health in Pakistan. The programme aspires to provide better access to Mother and Child health and Family Planning services with provision of comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care services.
The government is well aware of the issue of high population growth and fertility rate and trying to overcome through different programmes like establishment of Family Welfare Centers (FWC), Reproductive Health Services Centres (RHSC), Regional Training Institutes and Mobile Services Unit.

ISLAMABAD, May 3 (APP):The American Embassy launches ‘New English-Language Programme’ at Air University under which 100 young people from suburban Islamabad will get chance of availing ‘English Access Micro-scholarship Programme’ of the embassy from the university.
At an inauguration ceremony for the new programme, the American Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission John Hoover congratulated the students, a press release said.
He urged the students that take this opportunity to explore new ideas and ask questions of one another, adding, “Challenge each other to work harder and think differently.  You will be surprised by what you learn and what new possibilities open up.”
Hoover also expressed his appreciation for Air University’s collaboration. “The American Embassy is a proud partner of Air University and supports the work you are doing to prepare the next generation of Pakistani leaders,” he said.
He said, “Pakistani-American university partnerships like this have forged a spirit of academic collaboration between our students and teachers, and it is remarkable to see another crop of talented students here today.”
The Access Micro-scholarship Programme provides a foundation of English language skills to talented youth from economically disadvantaged communities through two-year, after-school classes and intensive sessions.
Students develop not only their English skills, but also leadership and professional skills that they will use throughout their lives.  Since its inception in 2004, approximately 110,000 students in more than 87 countries have participated in the English Access Micro-scholarship Programme.  More than 13,000 Pakistani students have participated in English Access Micro-scholarship Programme in more than 20 locations throughout the country since 2006.

ISLAMABAD, May 3 (APP):Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain has said no parliamentarian should use unparliamentary language against any segment of society especially women.
“I have never used derogatory language against opponents including women during my political career.” he said talking to a private news channel.
The minister said lawmakers must think before speaking and they should use suitable and appropriate remarks for others to refrain from any controversy or rift.
“Today, the National Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution condemning the anti-women remarks issued by parliamentarians,” he said and added that treasure benches had not opposed the resolution.
Rana Tanveer further said women were part of the society and hold respect and dignity as per the principles of Islam.
To a query, he said it was registered in the court of public that how Nawaz Sharif was disqualified. People of the country were well-aware about the story of former prime minister, who was disqualified on having an Iqama but not on corruption charges, he said.
He said Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was the name of ‘ideology’, who always effectively worked for welfare and development of the country and masses.

ISLAMABAD, May 3 (APP):Federal Minister for Climate Change senator Mushahid Ullah Khan said on Thursday that new airport project is a historical project of the country and it is the best one in the world.
Talking to PTV he emphasized that ,”it is a milestone and all those people who were involved in its planning, strategy and designed deserved appreciation.”
He said that basically airport of any country is the base of infrastructure as it links with investment
then there is not any second opinion that it would boost the investment of the country and economy would raised too.
He pointed out that,”we all and opposition leaders without any hesitation and politics must appreciate the vision of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif who has initiated the project.”
He further said that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif is the only one who has started many developmental projects during his government and even score of projects are under process that all would be functional soon.
He hoped that if all political parties just focused on development and progress of the country then it was not difficult to make a prosperous Pakistan but unfortunately opposition parties including previous governments just did the politics of sit-ins and criticism.
He suggested that no one can get majority on the basis of emotional speeches because it needed something in practice and today incumbent government has proved that it only works for masses and for the country.

ISLAMABAD, May 3 (APP):Buying groceries for the residents of twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi is just one click away with quality assurance guaranteed at their doorsteps.
A newly launched Happy Cart online retail store has got registered over 5000 customers in just a couple of weeks time which shows the online market is set to swiftly grow and reach more and more clients in near future.
General Manager of the facility Zeeshan Ali talking to APP said the business is expected to grow in hot summer season in which people restrict their mobility and prefer to remain in house to avoid scorching heat.
Zeeshan said the purchasing involves a very simple procedure in which a customer just has to fill a form and place order for required items.
“After successful response the company is considering to open 100 more chain stores in major cities of the country because buying food items online would be a future trend,” he claimed.
He said all food items including frozen items, fresh fruits & vegetables, raw chicken, meat and many more are being offered during operational hours of the service from 10 am to 8 pm.
The orders placed between 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Saturday are Delivered on Monday as per time communicated and Sunday’s demand is entertained on Monday, he said.
Minimum order of Rs. 1,500 is required to get home delivery of the grocery products. Delivery is free for orders more than or equal to Rs5, 000 while below this amount handling charges of Rs.100 shall be applied.
Giving details on return policy, one of the major concern of buyers, Zeeshan said a customer can return new, unopened, unused items within 48 hours of delivery. The company will bear the return shipping costs if the return is a result of its error or there is an issue with the quality of a product, he added.
of the product(s).
He however clarified that frozen or stored food items,fresh fruits & vegetables, raw chicken, meat etc. can be returned at the time of delivery only.
The items categories which one can avail through this service Are-Food, households- personal care- miscellaneous- herbal medicines, he informed.
A house wife Mehreen Iqbal taking the facility a relief said ” we are no more dependent to our husbands for buying basic commodities as they always feel it a forced job due to traffic rush on roads and taking too much time for the selection of required items.”
A happy online customer Jawad Ahmed said ” its awesome experience as traditional buying is a hectic Job because one has to visit different markets for different items”. He said time saved due to online purchasing facility is dedicated to our family, “relax at home while watching Television or take your children to a picnic spot”.

ISLAMABAD, May 3 (APP):A two-day conference of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers will be held in Dhaka from Saturday.
According to Radio Pakistan the theme of the meeting is “Islamic Values for Sustainable Peace, Solidarity and Development”.
The ministers will focus on the issue of the Rohingya Muslim minority.
The conference will be preceded by a visit of foreign ministers to the camps in the Cox-Pazar region on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.

ISLAMABAD, May 3 (APP):Minister for Defence Khurram Dastagir Khan has said Pakistan was utilizing its resources for meeting defence and security needs.
Talking to a private news channel, he said that Pakistan armed forces had used their equipment during operation Zarb-e-Azb.
Commenting on increase in the defence budget, he said we don’t have foreign funds, due to which, Pakistan was using its own resources to fulfill the need of defence and security.
He said that there was also need to expand the resources for “foreign affairs” so that Kashmir and other issues could be highlighted in a comprehensive manner. It was the responsibility of all the governments to build up the confidence of the national institutions so that they could deliver and perform well.
To a question regarding Shehbaz Sharif, he said chief minister Punjab had full expertise on good governance.
To another question Khurram Dastagir said Pakistan Peoples Party government had completed its constitutional tenure and hoped that Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) government would also accomplish five years period with success.
He said that PML-N leaders had always respected the courts and never worked against
the judiciary.

ISLAMABAD, May 3 (APP):The 45th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will be held on Saturday (May 5) in Dhaka under the theme of “Islamic Values for Sustainable Peace, Solidarity and Development”.
According to a message received here on Thursday, the ministers will focus on the issue of the Rohingya Muslim minority.
Bangladesh is the appropriate country through which the message of the Islamic world about the suffering of this minority can be conveyed to the international community. The conference will be opened and addressed by Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hassina.
The inaugural session, will also be addressed by Dr Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen , the OIC Secretary General, Abul Hassan Mahood Ali the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, Marcel Amon Tanoh the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Côte d’Ivoire, President of the current session of the Council of Ministers Foreign Minister, as well as a number of Foreign Ministers of Member States, and the special guest of the Conference, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Canada, Chrystia Freeland .
The conference will also be addressed by a number of foreign ministers of member states to the makeshift camps in the Cox-Pazar region on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, which hosts the largest number of displaced Rohingya minority exceeding one million refugees, to take stock of their humanitarian situation and see firsthand their suffering.
The meeting will also include a brainstorming session on the humanitarian situation in the Islamic world, with special emphasis on the current situation of the Rohingya minority, whose tragedy will also be projected in a documentary film produced by the OIC General Secretariat.

ISLAMABAD, May 3 (APP):Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Media Affairs, Senator Dr Musadik Malik has said undemocratic elements do not want promotion of democracy in the country.
Democratic government had always brought political and economic stability in the country, he said talking to a private news channel.
He said these nefarious elements were trying to create hurdles in the government affairs but they would fail in do so.
Musadik Malik said Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government had always worked for the development and uplift
of the country and masses.
To a query, he said former Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif had talked about sanctity of vote and respect of public mandate.

ISLAMABAD, May 3 (APP):Chairperson, National Commission for Human Development (NCHD), Razina Alam Khan on Thursday
lauded “100-100-100” education programme in budget, saying this would ensure 100 per cent enrollment
and graduation in educational instituions.
The government had taken many positive steps to address issues of 57 million illiterates and 22.6 million out of school children. Vision 2025 envisages spirit and government commitment to education in the country, she said this while addressing 6th Advisory Council Meeting here.
“We are fully geared up along with other stakeholders to achieve 100 per cent enrollment, 100 per cent graduation/retention and 100 per cent literacy rate to bring a glory for coming generation. Our commitment is to achieve place among community of nations as literate and educated society,” the former Senator said.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Nighat Agha (Senator), Aurangzab Haq (Chief Secretary Balochistan), Dr. Haroona Jatoi (Education Expert), Dr Ghulam Haider (Ex-chief economist AJK), Dr. Muhammad Ajmal (Chairman, DNFE AIOU), Maj. Gen Muhammad Tahir, Abid Gill (Project Coordinator JICA), Ms. Shaheen Atiq ur Rehman (Bunyad Literacy Community Council) and Ms. Samina Waqar (DG-NCHD) along with NCHD officials.
In pursuance of the 5th Meeting recommendations, it was informed that Higher Education Commission (HEC) has been requested for inclusion of Literacy and NFE as a subject in scheme of future studies.
The meeting was informed that Revised PC-1 of NCHD has been approved by Senate and National Assembly Standing Committees, endorsed by Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training
and submitted to Planning Commission.
The Chairperson briefed that existing formal system is adding about 1 per cent literacy rate annually and through this pace Pakistan can only achieve 68 per cent literacy rate by 2025.
NCHD believes that if adult population and out of school children are targeted at same time, the targeted literacy rate can be achieved easily, she stressed, saying that NCHD had adopted two-pronged strategy i.e. establishment of 5,949 feeder schools to approach Out of School Children in remote areas across the country and Adult Literacy Centers to access the illiterates.
She said NCHD under Ministry of Federal Education is devising a National Plan of Action 2018-2025 mandated to achieve 100 per cent enrollment and 90 per cent literacy rate.
This plan will share target of population to be addressed in each province depending upon capacity and resources of provinces, she added.
Sharing progress of feeder schools, she said, “We conduct third party validation to assess programme’s progress.”
Razina Alam said National Educational Assessment System (NEAS) conducted assessment of NCHD and BECS Feeder Schools and informed that achievement of learning land marks of NCHD were better than BECS.
Third party validation was also conducted in 100 Madrissa Schools by Development Solution International and result was found satisfactory, she said and added it was recommended the project
is successful so its coverage should be expanded to 500 Madaris and computer literacy to be included in syllabus.
The education data reflects that there is a population of about 6.4 million Out of School Children (OOSC) of 10-16 years; the National Plan of Action suggests various steps to enroll these children, she added.
She said the Plan has suggested establishing 34,000 additional Non-formal Schools and added NCHD and BECS can establish these schools over period of next five years so that impact of 7 million
children can be materialized by 2025.
The Chairperson observed that NCHD will also support provincial education departments/ authorities in increasing enrollment rate through effective enrollment campaigns.
The status of PHDF funding and salient features of PC-1 for (2018-2021) were also discussed in detail.
Members of Advisory Council appreciated efforts of NCHD in field of Literacy and NFE and advised to ensure participation of educational experts of Literacy and NFE into NCHD’s interventions.
She was of the view that budget allocation for education should be increased to 4 per cent from 2.2 per cent of GDP to achieve 90 per cent literacy rate.

ISLAMABAD, May 3 (APP):The capital’s hospitality industry‘s growth moves at snail’s pace since 2015 despite massive increase in population
and significant improvement in the country’s overall security situation.
The imposition of specific taxes, involvement of huge investment due to hike in commercial property’s tax
and CDA’s crackdown against those facilities established in the residential areas, are seemingly major reasons
for the sluggishness of this industry.
An official from Disaster Management Authority (DMA), requesting anonymity said that the business of
restaurants and hotels in Islamabad was on boom up-till 2015 as some 710 hotels were established since
Islamabad’s inception as capital of the country. In 2016, some thirty five more facilities were introduced
taking the number to 745, he added.
He said now there were 800 registered hotels in Islamabad among them 61 are foreign-brand restaurants,
making impressive contribution to the economy.
He said these were still insufficient for a population of some 1,014,825 in urban areas.
Najam saqib, running Baba hotel at Aabpara for the last 17 years said it was a tough task to run a hotel
or restaurant as it bore much expenses including shop’s rent, heavy utility bills, quality chef and entertaining
staff.
“Some years ago, majority of the settlers especially come from Murree opt for this business but now they
are leaving this business and looking for some other viable options”, he added.
He informed that just two or three new restaurants have opened up in this area in the last two years “which
shows the business is no more attractive to be taken afresh.”
“There are no incentives offered for the hotel industry like interest-free loan, exemption of taxes for some
certain period from start and availability of land at affordable rates.”
A manager of city’s one of the popular hotel requesting anonymity said due to unauthorized marriage halls
and marquees their business was badly affected and events and conferences were now their major earnings.
He demanded for competitive environment to ensure more investment in the sector and some specific
incentives to help this industry contribute to national economy.

ISLAMABAD, May 2 (APP):Khalid A. Al-Falih, Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arab on Wednesday called on Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and discussed with him his country’s interest in strengthening economic and trade relations between the two brotherly countries.
He was accompanied by Dr. Mosaad M.A. Alaiban, Member of the Council of the Ministers,
Advisor to the Royal Saudi Court, Major General Talal Abdullah Al-Otaibi, Special Advisor to the
Minister of Defence and Nawaf Saeed bin Al-Malkiy, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi delegation conveyed the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Highness Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman
Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, to the prime minister.
He informed the prime minister of Saudi Arabia’s interest in closer economic and trade relations with Pakistan.
The prime minister welcoming the Saudi delegation reiterated Pakistan’s close fraternal ties with Saudi Arabia and the government’s commitment to strengthen the bilateral relations in all areas of mutual interest.
The prime minister also conveyed his greetings to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Highness Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence and the brotherly people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.