LAHORE, May 02 (APP):Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday inaugurated modern medicines supply warehouse here at Gurumangat Road, Gulberg.
Speaking on the occasion, he said it was a matter of pleasure to witness the modern system of storing medicines and establishing digital system for this purpose was a commendable step of the Punjab government.
He said, “This system is playing an important role regarding the timely supply of medicines in a safer manner.”
Provincial ministers Salman Rafique and Imran Nazir, chief secretary, secretaries health and other concerned authorities were also present on the occasion.
The chief minister also inaugurated the modern SBL-III Lab on Birdwood Road. He visited various sections of modern lab and expressed joy over the establishment of latest lab.
He said setting up of this kind of lab was need of the hour. He said tests of HIV, hepatitis and other dangerous diseases would be conducted in this lab. He said setting up of BSL-III lab was another milestone of Punjab government. He termed it an important step towards serving the ailing humanity.
The chief minister also visited different units of the Health department and inaugurated monitoring and surveillance center of primary & secondary healthcare department and provincial TB reference BSL-III Lab. He said every possible resource was being utilized for betterment of healthcare services.
Shehbaz Sharif also inspected the expansion project of drug testing lab and directed to further accelerate the speed of work on this project.
Later, the chief minister while talking to media persons said Punjab government had introduced the modern system of store, supply and distribution of medicines and this system had been made operational completely.
He said soon international certification of these labs would be done. He said by setting up these labs, government had abolished the old system of testing the medicines as these drug laboratories were of international standards.
In response to a question, the chief minister said PTI had destroyed KPK and trying to sell new dreams to the nation.
He said the nation would not be deceived by the tall claims and lies of Imran Khan as the PTI’s poor performance was in front of them. He said it was his request to his rivals to realize facts.
He said people were going to decide about the future leadership through the power of their votes in 2018. “There should be a leadership in the country which can save the country from internal and external challenges, and save it from unemployment and poverty as well,” he added.
To another question, he said Chaudhry Nisar was his friend as well as a senior party leader.
Replying to a question about energy projects, he said Rs.150 billion had been saved in four gas-based energy projects set up in Punjab.
On the other side, no tender of Nandipur project was given and mega corruption was done in it, he said and added that the NAB should take notice of it. “I request the apex court to take notice of it as the persons involved in this mega corruption are moving freely,” he said.
“Musharraf started Kachhi Canal Project without tendering and planning. The cost of this project has increased from Rs. 20 billion to Rs. 90 billion. These are mega corruption cases which have weakened the country like termite,” he added.
Replying to a question about Asif Zardari, he said his corruption cases worth billions of rupees were with the NAB. “In addition to it, Rs 6 billion are deposited in Swiss banks. Many labs and hospitals would have been built through this money, if it had not been looted. I would request NAB and Supreme Court to take notice of it and bring back this looted money,” he added.

ISLAMABAD, May 2 (APP):Watermelon, a summer-specialty, is witnessing a surge in sale this year due to rising temperatures and lower prices compared to last year.
The nutritious fruit with sweet watery pink flesh and a lot of black seeds is in high production this year, which is the major reason for its lower prices in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
Yasir Khan, a fruit seller at G-7 Market told APP on Wednesday that there was a greater supply this year due to handsome subsidy package given to farmers by the the government. The watermelon was sold at Rs 40 per kg last year, but it was now selling from Rs 25 to Rs 30 per kg.
“The fruit, equally popular among all age groups, is being sold in the local markets for the last 15 days and it will remain high in demand for a couple of months till Monsoon sets in, which diminishes its original taste,” he said.
“A truck load of watermelons is available in the market from Rs 200,000 to Rs 250,000, and it takes only about a week to get sold,” Yasir said. He was of the view that watermelon sale would further rise during the holy month of Ramzan.
Dr Qasim Raza, a general physician, sharing watermelon’s nutrition values said it reduced high blood pressure in the overweight people and minimized the risk of heart attacks.
“More people could be saved from sunstroke if they take the water-rich fruit like watermelon, which helps in maintaining required water level in the body, besides several other benefits” he said. It also aide in reducing body weight, he added.
Dr Qasim, however, warned patients with high sugar levels to take this delicious fruit in consultation with their physicians. He especially recommended use of watermelon for those who had to work in the sun for a longer period of time to avoid heat stroke and dehydration.
Imran Shehzad, a customer purchasing watermelon in Pir Wadhai Fruit Market, said the fruit was a blessing for the poor. Saleem Khan a security guard at a public school said due to meager salary it was not possible for him to buy other expensive fruits but watermelon, ‘a family feast’ was still in his approach to beat the heat.

ISLAMABAD, May 02 (APP):Pakistan Navy Ship ALAMGIR (Oliver Hazard Perry Class Frigate) while on counter piracy mission under Task Force-151 provided logistic assistance to sailing yacht BENYLEO 2, which was in dire need of fuel in area about 180 NM North East of Somalia.
Sailing yacht BENYLEO 2 is owned by Joao Armindo Furtado of Azores Island Portugal, who is currently on round the world sailing trip with his wife Joana Amen and two children aged eight and five. It
is the first family from Azores Island to embark on round the world sailing expedition, said a statement issued here by directorate of public relations of Pakistan Navy on Wednesday.
BENYLEO-2 left Port of Galle, Sri Lanka for Eritrea with necessary logistics. However due to unexpected adverse weather, the expedition exhausted its entire stock of fuel. The out of fuel yacht
was transiting with slow speed through piracy risk area. The logistic supplies onboard yacht were also short.
PNS ALAMGIR not only provided fuel but also provided edibles to the family. The Portuguese family was very thankful to Pakistan and Pakistan Navy for providing timely and generous assistance, which
enabled them to sail safely in piracy affected area.
Pakistan Navy ships actively participate in Task Force-150 and Task Force 151 which are mandated to conduct Maritime Security Operations and Anti-Piracy respectively. Assistance to BENYLEO-2 is another manifestation of Pakistan Navy’s strong history of providing humanitarian assistance at high seas and is in line with finest traditions of Pakistan Navy.

ISLAMABAD, May 2 (APP):Japanese Ambassador Takashi Kuai Wednesday said Japan would provide technical assistance and support to Pakistan for eco-watershed mitigation to control floods and drought.
Addressing the ‘International Workshop on Collective Community Action for Eco-Watershed Mitigation to Floods and Drought’ here, the ambassador said water related disasters were about 80 percent of the total disasters and Japan was one of the countries which frequently suffered from such disasters.
He said Japan shared the experience learned from the natural disasters and on how to mitigate their effects with other countries, including Pakistan.
The ambassador also commended the role of United Nations Educational and Scientific Cooperation (UNSCO) in strengthening early flood warning capacity of Pakistan and also appreciated technical advancement made by all the partner agencies.
The two-day event was organized by UNESCO in collaboration with Soil and Water Conservation Research Institution (SAWCRI), which was aimed at to share the common integrated flood and drought management issues and to introduce eco-watershed management practices for collective community action.
Speaking on the occasion, Director, UNESCO Regional Science Bureau for Asia and the Pacific Dr Shahbaz Khan thanked the Japanese ambassador and government of Japan for extending generous financial and technical support for the project.
He mentioned that UNESCO’s International Hydrological Programme (IHP) was one of the largest inter-governmental programmes in the world, which had more than 160 countries being its part.
He said before the project, there were lots of technical gaps in the early flood warning system in upper Indus catchment as it did not have full understanding of catchment. “We did not have required hydro-meteorological data, and as well as there were not many trained professionals for GIS/RS based flood modeling.”
Yasuhiro TOJO, Chief Representative of JICA, said climate change was recognized as one of the most serious challenge being faced by humans. According to Global Climate Risk Index, he said Pakistan was one of the ten countries most affected by extreme weather events during 1995-2014.
Federal Flood Commission Chairman Ahmad Kamal said the project was initiated seven years ago and “we are now harvesting its fruits.” He commended efforts of UNESCO to strengthen the flood management system of Pakistan.
PARC Chairman Dr Yousaf hoped that the project would contribute to foster floods and droughts management capacities of the country.

ISLAMABAD, May 2 (APP):Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), in annual development plan for the year 2018-19, has proposed to grant 33 licenses to promote LPG sector and ensure smooth supply of the commodity in far-flung areas especially during peak winter season.
“Among the proposal, 25 licenses are for operation/marketing of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) storages and filling,” official sources told APP.
According to the OGRA’s annual report for the year 2016-17, the authority had issued around 21 licences to different companies pertaining to regulated gas sector since 2002, which were meant for transmission and sale of gas to various entities in different parts of the country.
The authority granted diverse licenses to different companies including Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited, Sui Southern Gas Company Limited, Mari Petroleum Company Limited, Pakistan Petroleum Limited, Oil and Gas Development Company Limited, Fauji Fertilizer Company Limited, Engro Chemicals Pakistan Limited, Central Power Generation Company Limited, Fatima Fertilizer Company Limited, Foundation Power Company Limited, Star Power Company Limited, Star Power Generation Limited, Engro Fertilizer Limited, ETPL, Universal Gas Distribution Company, Gaseous Distribution Company and Fauji Oil Terminal and Distribution Company.
Giving the regulatory regime overview, the report said, the regulatory functions of natural gas sector were transferred to the OGRA on March 28, 2002 with the objective to break the public sector monopoly, open the natural gas transmission and distribution to private sector and promote competition in the midstream and downstream oil and gas sector.
Since then, the authority has been performing functions like grant of licenses for regulated gas sector, formulation of rules, regulations and procedures for the conduct of licensees, determination of revenue requirement petitions of SNGPL& SSGCL, monitoring and enforcement of rules, regulations and applicable license conditions, resolution of disputes and complaints lodged by the consumers, pipeline capacity allocation, licensing of low pressure (flare) gas and for sale of re-gasified liquefied natural gas.

ISLAMABAD, May 2 (APP):United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is hosting parliamentarians from the entire South Asia region in an effort to increase investment in children and young adults, bringing about much needed change for millions of poor and improving the prospects for healthy economic growth in the region.
The South Asia Parliamentarian Platform for Children (SAPPC) being held in Dhaka, Bangladesh on May 2 and 3 aims to strengthen opportunities for children in the first two decades of their lives said a press release issued here.
Lawmakers from eight countries in South Asia will meet to prioritize, promote, and safeguard children’s rights and discuss the prospects for further investment in Early Childhood and adolescent years.
Senator Dr. Mehr Taj Roghani, is representing Pakistan at the SAPPC. Prior to be elected as member of the Senate of Pakistan, Senator Roghani had served as the Minister for Health and Special Advisor to the Chief Minister, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and also as the first ever woman Deputy Speaker of the KP Assembly.
“While South Asia is home to one fourth of the world’s population, its share of global income is just 4%. This fact underlines one of the biggest challenges for South Asia’s progress on the social and economic front: namely the lack of investment in its largest asset, its Human Capital – and especially the young within the society,” said Jean Gough, Regional Director of UNICEF South Asia.
This year’s meeting focused on the region’s commitment to increased investment in children. 300 million children in South Asia are so-called multi-dimensionally poor with too little to eat, a high risk of falling sick from preventable disease and a very slim chance of ever going to school.
Evidence show that investment in the young pays strong dividends to society. One dollar invested in quality Early Childhood Development will give a return of between 6 and 17 dollars. If low- and middle-income countries ensured preschool enrollment to half of the country’s children, the result could be cumulative lifetime earnings gains of $15 – $34 billion. The urgent, timely and adequate investments in early childhood and adolescent years would lead to well-developed brains and a highly productive workforce.
UNICEF South Asia is honored to bring together law makers to discuss the increased need for investment in favor of the most marginalized children.
“There are very good chances for bringing about radical and important change: in most countries in the region, children and young people make up a large part of society and even smaller investments now will give good results for children and South Asian societies”, said Jean Gough of UNICEF South Asia.

ISLAMABAD, May 1 (APP):Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage Marriyum Aurangzeb said the labourers have a pivotal role in the development of a country and the achievement of the development goals can be fast-tracked by empowering them.
In a message on the International Labour Day issued here Tuesday, she said that the sacrifices of the labourers of Chicago has transformed into a global movement for their rights which was continuously moving forward.
The minister said that the manual and blue-collar workers all over the world including Pakistan deserved unqualified salute of the entire world community.
She said that the process of durable and sustained development could be ensured by taking care of the food and health facilities for the labourers as well as by imparting different skills to them.
She said that it was a day to reiterate the pledge for supporting the labourers in their endeavours for the protection of their rights, promoting their welfare and providing social security to them.
Marriyum said that the Almighty had spotlighted the exaltedness of the labourers by calling them his friends and ordered the Muslims to pay them their wages before drying up of their sweat. She said that the entire world acknowledged the key role of the workmen in the global development. The minister said that the present government was taking effective measures to improve the lot of the drudges and providing better avenues of employment to them, adding that concrete steps had been taken for carrying out reforms and enforcing discipline in the relevant departments of the government.
She said that the government was determined to continue working for the welfare and development of the labourers.
Marriyum observed that the development of the working class was instrumental to the development of the country and the society. She said that those nations who believed in the dignity of the labour invariably achieved greater heights.

ISLAMABAD, May 2 (APP):Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwas meeting with notables of the Hazara community in Quetta has been successful as they (Hazara community) decided to call of their all sit-ins, sources said on Tuesday.
Earlier, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations Major General Asif Ghafoor had said in tweet that the COAS had reached Quetta to get an update on security situation and meet with notables of Hazra Community.
According to sources, DG ISPR, Minister for Interior Ahsan Iqbal, Commander Southern Command Lieutenant General Asim Saleem Bajwa, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo and Balochistan Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti were also part of the meeting.

LAHORE, May 01 (APP):A delegation of Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) led by its president Zia Shahid called on Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President and Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif here Tuesday.
The delegation appreciated the performance of Punjab Information Department over the release of government advertisements and provision of their dues.
CPNE President Zia Shahid said distribution of advertisements in the province was being carried out in a transparent manner as the Information Department had adopted a foolproof mechanism in that regard. “Your team is proactively working,” he added.
The CPNE delegation appreciated the performance of Shehbaz Sharif for the speedy development of the province and added that everyone was fond of his hard work. They said a number of development works had been carried out in Punjab during the last ten years, but no work was done during the last ten years in Sindh; rather it had been put in reverse gear. Therefore, there should be a Shehbaz Sharif in Sindh as well, they said.
Speaking on the occasion, Shehbaz Sharif said the nation was going towards elections and it was hoped that free and fair elections would be held. “The future of democracy and that of the country lies in it,” he added.
He said elections would be held on the basis of performance and the voters would give votes on the basis of performance.
He said the role of media was very important in that regard. He said, “Facts should be brought out as facts because national interest lies in it. Baseless allegations are not in the interest of the country,” he opined.
He said appreciation of Information Department by the CPNE was praiseworthy and congratulated the whole team of the department.
Shehbaz Sharif said future of country would be bright by giving equal opportunities to all in the elections.
He said Imran Khan was given a wonderful opportunity to implement the 11 points in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but he did not take benefit of it. “We have taken wonderful steps for the improvement of every sector in Punjab,” he added.
He said Pakistan was swirling for the last 70 years and now it should be moved forward with joint consultations. There was no need to worry about as the country’s future was bright, he added.
He said, “We will run a vigorous election campaign in Punjab and in other provinces.”
Shehbaz Sharif said development in other provinces was also necessary along side the Punjab. Unique steps had been taken for the development of Southern Punjab during the last ten years. About 42 percent development funds were provided for 31 percent population of Southern Punjab, with 10 percent additional quota in every development programme, he added.
He said he was sorry if anyone was hurt over the statement of Rana Sanaullah.
ProvincialmMinisters Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, Rana Mashhood Ahmad, Zaeem Qadri, spokesman Punjab government Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan and others were also present on the occasion.