Laborers cutting iron plate at his workplace in a street.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister Allama Tahir Ashrafi and Chairman Pakistan Ulema-e-Islam Council talking to the media during launch of anti-polio drive at DG Health Office.
LAHORE: January 04 – Special Assistant to Prime Minister Allama Tahir Ashrafi and Chairman Pakistan Ulema-e-Islam Council giving polio drops to children during launch of anti-polio drive at DG Health Office.
APP22-040124
LAHORE: January 04 –
A boy roasts Sweat Potato at his roadside setup to earn for livelihood.
ISLAMABAD: January 04 –
Sea phase of Int’l Marine Oil Spill Exercise BARRACUDA-XII held
KARACHI, Jan 4 (APP): The sea phase of International Exercise Barracuda-XII was held at North Arabian Sea on Thursday which was participated by Interim Chief Minister Sindh Maqbool Baqar as chief guest who witnessed the sea phase of the exercise on board Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) Ship KASHMIR.
According to the Pakistan Navy news release, the air and surface assets of Pakistan Navy, PMSA, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and other national stakeholders participated in the sea phase of exercise.
Exercises on containment of oil spill, Search and Rescue operations and anti piracy were demonstrated by Pakistan Navy and PMSA aircrafts, PN & PAF helicopters and PMSA ships. The drills were witnessed by fifteen foreign observers and representatives of various National stakeholders.
The foreign observers applauded the efforts being put in by all the stakeholders specially the efforts of Pakistan Navy and PMSA to fight any disaster at sea.
Earlier, the opening brief of the exercise was held at Karachi. Foreign Observers and delegations from relevant stake holders also attended the brief wherein the aims and objectives of Exercise BARRACUDA-XII were highlighted. Moreover, scholarly papers on response of Oil Spill and Search and Rescue at sea were presented by both National and International speakers.
International Exercise Barracuda-XII is a Marine Oil Spill exercise and is aimed to enhance capacity and proficiency of National stakeholders to combat the menace of pollution at sea. The successful 3 days event served as a testament to the power of international collaboration in contending against marine pollution incidents.
The sea phase of BARRACUDA XII reinforces the commitment of all involved national and international stakeholders to uphold international maritime regulations. As the curtains draw on this successful endeavor, the lessons learned and relationships built during this exercise will serve as a foundation for continued cooperation in addressing future challenges in maritime safety and environmental protection.
China embraces first batch of Pakistani beef
BEIJING, Jan 4 (APP): In a notification to the Pakistan Stock Exchange, The Organic Meat Company Limited reported on January 1 that it had successfully exported cooked/heat-treated frozen beef to China on the last day of 2023.
In June 2023, General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) granted access for Pakistani heat-treated beef to be exported to China.
In October, Organic Meat was approved to export standards-compliant beef to China. The Organic Meat has become the first and only company from Pakistan to secure approvals from China.
According to the official announcement of GACC, the imported Pakistani cooked/heat-treated beef must originate from cattle younger than 30 months, Chinese media reported.
Additionally, the meat must be boneless and have undergone a rigorous heat treatment process. The center of the meat should reach a temperature of at least 70 degrees Celsius for a minimum of 30 minutes.
In 2022, global beef consumption reached 56.961 million tons, with China’s beef consumption reaching 9.87 million tons, accounting for 17% of the total. In contrast, Pakistan only contributes .5% to the world’s beef consumption, as reported by the media.
According to a report released by China Animal Agriculture Association, China’s beef consumption is projected to continue increasing until 2025. It is expected that by 2035, China’s beef consumption will reach 14 million tons, with a projected gap of more than 3 million tons.
“Pakistan is a viable export partner of China due to its proximity and logistics advantages. We are also the cheapest nation in providing goods to the world. The quality and price of Pakistan’s beef are far superior to those of many other countries,” CEO of Organic Meat said.
PTA intensifies crackdown on illegal issuance of SIMs
ISLAMABAD, Jan 04 (APP):Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Zonal Office Lahore successfully conducted a raid in collaboration with Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cyber Crime Circle, against a franchisee of a mobile phone company in Sheikhupura aimed to curb the misuse of illegal SIM cards, often linked to criminal activities such as fraud, identity theft and other illicit operations.
During the raid FIA seized 6 active SIMs and 11 BVS devices used in the illegal activation of SIMs, said a news release.
Two individuals have been nominated for FIR. FIA is currently investigating the matter further.
It is pertinent to mention that PTA has established a monitoring and detection system to identify unusual patterns and anomalies associated with SIM card activations.
This technological upgrade has enabled prompt intervention and insight into suspicious SIM activations.
Overall, this resolute and unwavering commitment underscores the Authority’s dedication to eradicate the illegal issuance of SIMs.
15 units of Tarbela Dam closed
HARIPUR, Jan 04 (APP):Power shortages are on the rise due to the closure of 15 production units after the reduction in water release from Tarbela Dam reported on Thursday.
According to the Public Relations Department of Tarbela Dam, it has been reported that only two units are currently operational, producing 271 megawatts of electricity, leading to an increase in load shedding.
The closure of the majority of the power plant’s production units has sparked concern about increased load shedding in the region.
Railways CEO unveils ‘Premium Lounge’ dining car
LAHORE, Jan 04 (APP):Chief Executive Officer Railways Amir Baloch inaugurated the ‘Premium Lounge’, a cutting-edge dining car at Lahore Railway Station on Thursday.
Th lounge, attached to Bahauddin Zakariya Express, marked the initial stride in elevating facilities. Talking to the media, Baloch emphasised the Pakistan Railways’ commitment to enhancing food and beverage standards and ensuring value for money in the design of the dining car. The Bahauddin Zakariya Express will be the first beneficiary, with plans to extend this upgrade to the Hazara Express in the subsequent phase. He said that despite limited resources, passengers would be provided with the best facilities. He said that the project had been finalised on ‘Develop-and run’ basis with the cooperation of the private partner.
When questioned, Amir Baloch mentioned that the Lahore dining car contract spans one year, offering bedding services to passengers at Rs 250 each. Stressing cleanliness, he emphasised the dining car operator’s role in maintaining hygiene. The CEO underscored the aim of providing fare relief and mentioned ongoing discussions about the financial terms of the ML-1 project.
In the dining car, 45 passengers could dine at a time and the car’s menu includes more than 40 dishes.
An oven is available for fresh baked ‘roti’, and barbecue and pizza will also be offered.
In the coming weeks, new dining cars will be added to other trains as well.
Winter brings boom to fish trade in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
PESHAWAR, Jan 04 (APP):The increased chill and dense foggy conditions have amplified the demands of mouth-watering fish varieties including trout fish and delicious chappli kabab in KP especially Peshawar where all eateries outlets packed with customers enjoying its delectable bites till late night.
Known for hospitality, Peshawar is a unique ancient city for being frequently visited by tourists and food lovers to relish on its delectable traditional foods varieties including mouth-watering chappli kabab, Peshawari rice-polao and fish varieties mostly brought from Malakand, Hazara divisions, Punjab and Karachi as special winter food recipes.
While travelling on historic Qissa Khawani and Namak Mandi bazaars in the bustling city of Peshawar, a visitor can’t resist the aroma of grilled fish and chappli kabab being served with traditional Qehwa and spicy sauces in harsh winter.
“The tantalizing aroma of trout and carp fish besides other varieties and chappli kabab has always attracted me to enjoy its delectable taste at Qissa Khawani bazaar. It is my third visit to Qisa Khawani of the ongoing winter season with my family. My visit to Peshawar remained incomplete without enjoying the mouthwatering chappli kabab and grilled fish with green qehwa,” said Riaz Khan, a resident of Nowshera while talking to APP. Besides food outlets, many visitors take parcels for their loved one at home to keep themselves warms in harsh winter.
Ganta Ghar, a famous fish trade hub in Peshawar drew a substantial number of sea food lovers on Thursday where trade of fish varieties including mushka, raho, simon, pomfret, mahsher, and lobsters were significantly increased after the cold wave griped Peshawar valley for the last three days.
The hotel’s owners and even vendors received a deluge of orders for eating at shops and home delivery from residents and visitors enjoying its delicious bites along with loved ones during peak of winter season
Sajid Ali, a trader of a fish outlet at Ghanta Ghar said trout stock has been brought from Swat and Mansehra districts as a special winter offer to fulfill Peshawarties’ pressing demands. “The recipe of trout fish is very simple and time-efficient. We prepare trout in oil after its proper water wash and cutting. Later, varieties of spicy sauces, pomegranate seed powder, salt and other species ingredients are properly mixed.”
Before making it on medium flame, he said the fish is properly marinated for about two hours to ensure that all sauces are intact and colour is unchanged and later served to customers with chips, sauces (Chitnis), salad and naans.
Sajid said most of people wanted deep-fried fish, some liked ‘tawa macchi’ and many liked grilled and baked trout fish for eating at shops as well as taking the parcel for their loved ones, adding one kilogram un-grilled trout was being sold at Rs 3000 to Rs 3500 per kilogram in open market.
Wapda’s retired employee, Qaiser Khan while eating fish at Ring Road Peshawar along with friends told APP that trout was his favorite seafood as its meat was full of proteins and vitamins besides easily digestible.
“When I was young, I visited Swat with my father during winter to enjoy the freshwater brown trout due to its aromatic taste and spiciness amid snowfall. This winter, I did not go to Swat due to the availability of grilled and baked trout fish at Peshawar.”
Dr Riaz Khan, senior children specialist Govt Hospital Pabbi Nowshera said there was an additional burden on the heart, brains, joints and lungs of weak people and children due to persistent cough, nausea and frosts in winter, adding consumption of fish was the best available choice to help reduce risks of these diseases.
Besides best source of proteins, vitamins, omega 3 fatty acids, phosphorus, iron and iodine, he said that consumption of seafood help improve digestion, protects skin from dryness and relieves joints’ pains.
He said Pakistan can earn substantial revenue by giving special incentives to trout’s farmers besides construction of new trout lakes especially in Malakand and Hazara divisions due availability of plenty of cold water reservoirs and ideal climate conditions for trout and carp farming.
KP Fisheries Department spokesman said that Trout Village Project was launched in Hazara and Malakand divisions under which over 100 small and large trout fish farms established. ”Trout farming is a highly profitable business and any farmer having 35 marla land and proper water inflow and outflow system can produce 3000 kg trout by earning about three million rupees profit after 15 months raring.
These farms were established under a 50:50% cost-sharing formula basis contributed by KP Government and farmers mostly in Swat and Mansehra districts. Similarly, work on development of coldwater fisheries resources costing Rs 1200 million, a joint venture of Federal and Provincial Governments having 40:60pc cost-sharing basis continued in Malakand and Hazara divisions under which about 300 trout lakes would be established to cater seafood demands of the ever-growing population.
Development of reservoirs for the uplift of fisheries resources costing Rs 500 million’ project has been approved under which 67 carp fish farms and model hatchery on 179 kanal at Swabi would be established.
From this large hatchery, he said fish seedlings would be provided to private hatcheries and Turbella dam. With completion of these projects, he said KP’s fish production would likely increase to 740 metric tons from the existing 400 metric tons in the next few years.
He said water pollution and climate change as a big threat to trout farming and suggested a comprehensive mechanism for the disposal of hotel waste in Malakand and Hazara divisions.
“Throwing of plastic pollution and hotels effluent drains directly into River Swat and Kunhar are extremely harmful for freshwater trout,” he reiterated. Work on a new project “development of fisheries resources in merged areas” was underway and that model coldwater research centre at Madyn Swat with a facility of a fish hatchery where academia and young researchers would be facilitated to conduct research on aquatic resources.
“The August 2022 floods had inflicted millions of losses to the fisheries sector in Hazara and Malakand divisions where many carp and trout fish hatcheries were either completely destroyed or damaged.”
The spokesman said that demands for Pakistani fish has increased to Thailand, Saudia Arabia , South Korea and Singapore and the time has come to go towards commercialization of fish farming to bolster the country’s fish exports. Similarly, he suggested soft loans to all flood-affected fish farmers for the reconstruction of their farms and lakes especially in Upper Swat.
Students enjoying different saltish food items from a stall during “Meena Bazaar” at Women’s University.
MULTAN: January 04 -Students performing in tableau during the 10 Years celebrations of The Women’s University.
APP12-040124
MULTAN: January 04 – A student busy in arranging and displaying pastries on stall during “Meena Bazaar” at Women’s University. APP/TVE/MAF/TZD
MULTAN: January 04 – Students enjoying different saltish food items from a stall during “Meena Bazaar” at Women’s University.
APP14-040124
MULTAN: January 04 –