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Poet Munir Niazi remembered on death anniversary

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Renowned poet Munir Niazi remembered
ISLAMABAD, Dec 26 (APP): The 17th death anniversary of the distinguished poet Munir Niazi, renowned for his contributions to both Urdu and Punjabi literature, was observed nationwide on Tuesday.
Born on April 9, 1923, in the city of Hoshiarpur in Eastern Punjab, India, Munir Niazi left an indelible mark on the literary landscape with his profound and evocative poetry.
Munir Niazi’s Urdu poetic collections include masterpieces such as “Is Bay Wafa Ka Sheher,” “Tez Hawa Aur Tanha Phool,” “Jangal Mein Dhanak,” “Dushmano Ke Darmiyan Shaam,” “Safaid Din Ki Hawa,” “Aghaz-e-Zamana Mein Dobara,” “Siyaah Shab Ka Samundar,” “Maah-e-Muneer,” “Che Rangin Darwazay,” “Saat Sayyar,” “Pehli Baat He Aakhri Thi,” “Ek Dua Jo Main Bhool Gaya Tha,” and “Mohabbat Ab Nahi Hogi,” along with the series “Ek Tasalsul Ke Naam.”
His Punjabi poetry collections, including “Char Chup Cheezan,” “Rasta Dasan Wale Taare,” and “Safar Di Raat Ke Naam,” have also been widely acclaimed.
Munir Niazi extended his literary talents to the world of cinema by composing melodies for numerous films. His exceptional contributions were duly recognized by the Government of Pakistan, which bestowed upon him the ‘Presidential Pride of Performance’ and ‘Sitara-e-Imtiaz.’ Additionally, the Pakistan Academy of Letters honored him with the ‘Kamal-e-Fun Award.’
Munir Niazi bid farewell to this world on December 26, 2006, in Lahore. His final resting place is at the Model Town Cemetery in Lahore.

Cold and dry weather to prevail in KP

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Weather
PESHAWAR, Dec 26 (APP):The Provincial Meteorological Center Peshawar on Tuesday predicted that mainly cold and dry weather is expected in most districts of the province, while very cold in upper districts and hilly areas.
It said that foggy conditions are expected over Charsadda, Nowshera, Mardan, Peshawar, Swabi and D.I. Khan districts as well as over Motorway (M1) / Highways at night and early in the morning.
During the last 24 hours cold and dry weather prevailed over most districts of the province. Rainfall recorded (in mm) during the last 24 hours at different stations of KPK was nil.
The maximum and minimum temperatures recorded in centigrade at different stations of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were Peshawar 26/05, Chitral 18/-01, Timergara 22/02, Dir 22/-01, Mirkhani 21/01, Kalam 18/-05, Drosh 17/04, Saidu Sharif 22/01, Pattan 24/15, Malam Jabba 12/02, Takht Bhai 23/04, Kakul 20/03, Balakot 23/04, Parachinar 17/01, Bannu 25/08, Cherat 16/05, DI Khan City 28/09.
The lowest temperature recorded in the province was -05°c in Kalam and Tirah valley of Khyber district.

GCWUS holds online session

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GCWUS

SIALKOT, Dec 26 (APP):Executive Director of HEC Dr Ziaul Qayyum led an online session attended by vice chancellor, 

rectors and heads through smart classrooms.
Vice Chancellor Government College Women University Sialkot (GCWUS) Prof Dr Zarrin Fatima
Rizvi joined the session besides Usama Ashraf, Incharge ITSC, Muhammad Tayyab, Imran Mazhar
and Razi Mughal.
The significant event of 88 smart classrooms were interconnected for the first time post-project
deployment.

PIA’s privatization being carried out under govt’s policy: Senate informed

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PIA

ISLAMABAD, Dec 26 (APP): Adviser to Prime Minister on Aviation Air Marshal (Retd) Farhat Hussain Khan on Tuesday informed the Senate that the privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was being carried out under the government’s policy to privatize loss-making entities.

Responding to a question during the Question Hour, he said the process of privatization of PIA is being completed transparently through open tender. The Adviser said initially, PIA will be privatized as a flight entity and the decision on its other properties will be made later by the Privatization Commission.

Regarding outsourcing of airports in the country, the Advisor mentioned that a Transaction Advisory Services Agreement (TASA) had been signed between the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a subsidiary of the World Bank Group. This agreement, approved by the then Federal Cabinet in line with the Public Private Partnership Authority (P3A) Act and its relevant regulations, aims to outsource the operations of three international airports in Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore, he told.

The Advisor highlighted that the IFC would act as a transactional advisor for the outsourcing of airports. Islamabad International Airport has been selected as the first airport to be outsourced. The outsourcing period for Islamabad International Airport is set at 15 years, while the time frames for the remaining two airports will be determined by the
Federal Government based on a detailed study prepared by IFC, he added.

The Advisor said, the successful bidder for Islamabad International Airport will be disclosed after the bidding process is completed and the award of concession for outsourcing is expected to be completed before June 2024.

The Advisor clarified that only the operation and management of specific airport components would be outsourced, while critical services such as the Air Traffic Control Tower, Rescue and fire Fighting Services and Air Navigation services would remain under the control of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority.

He said the financial aspects of the outsourcing involve a fixed initial amount to be paid by the successful bidder and a percentage of revenue earned from the airport.

He said a one-time initial payment of US $100 million is required from the successful bidder. The financial details for airports in Karachi and Lahore will be finalized based on the analysis prepared by IFC.

In response to another question, the Advisor informed the Senate that PIA earned operational profit in Jan-June 2023. However, due to high financing costs and exchange losses, it incurred a net loss of Rs 61.6 billion as of June 30, 2023. He said that PIA has accumulated liabilities of Rs. 809 billion as of the same date.

Pakistan committed to strengthening ties with China: PM

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 26 (APP): Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Tuesday said Pakistan was committed to taking its relationship with China to new heights of cooperation and solidarity.

PM Kakar expressed these views as the country’s ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi called on him here at the PM’s Office.

The prime minister expressed confidence that Ambassador Hashmi, who recently assumed his responsibilities in Beijing, would play his role in further strengthening ties between Pakistan and China.

Former diplomat Riaz Khokhar passes away

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Sherry Rehman

ISLAMABAD, Dec 26 (APP): Pakistan’s Former Foreign Secretary Riaz Hussain Khokhar passed away here on Tuesday after a brief illness, according to private news channels.

Senior leader of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Sherry Rehman expressed her sincere condolences with the family and loved ones of the late ambassador.

“The late ambassador was always such a strong advocate of a progressive Pakistan and fiercely independent who served as Pakistan’s foreign secretary among many other diplomatic posts in tough situations. Khokhar was always on the phone or in person to share his intellectual capital”, she shared massage on X, formerly knows as Twitter.

Riaz Hussain Khokhar was born on December 31, 1942. He served as Pakistan’s ambassador to India, the United States and China before leading the top post of Foreign Secretary of Pakistan at the Foreign Ministry.

Literary icon ‘Parveen Shakir’ remembered on her 29th death anniversary

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 26 (APP):The 29th death anniversary of eminent and trailblazing poetess, Parveen Shakir, affectionately known as the “Poetess of Fragrance” was observed (Tuesday) where fans from all walks of life through media platforms paid rich tributes to her unforgettable services.
 Born in Karachi on November 24, 1952, Parveen Shakir became a prominent figure in the literary landscape after successfully clearing the competitive examination for the Civil Service, PTV news channels reported.
In 1977, she made her literary debut with the publication of her first poetry collection, ‘Khushbu’ (Fragrance), which garnered exceptional acclaim within literary circles. Her subsequent collections, including ‘Sad Barg’ (One Hundred Leaves), ‘Khood-Qalami’ (Self-Talk), and ‘Inkaar’ (Denial) further solidified her status as a distinguished Urdu
poet.
  The complete works of Parveen Shakir were published under the title ‘Mah-e-Tamam’ (The Full Moon), while her final poetry collection, ‘Kaf-e-Aina’ (The Mirror’s Edge), was posthumously released after her demise.
 Parveen Shakir contributed a unique and fresh style to Urdu poetry, earning her accolades and recognition. The Government of Pakistan honored her with the prestigious President’s Award for Pride of Performance in acknowledgement of her outstanding contributions.
 On the fateful morning of December 26, 1994, Parveen Shakir tragically lost her life in a traffic accident in Islamabad. She rests peacefully in the central cemetery of Islamabad, leaving behind a timeless legacy that continues to inspire and captivate poetry enthusiasts.

ECP warns government employees against political involvement

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ECP

ISLAMABAD, Dec 26 (APP): The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday has issued a pre-general election advisory, instructing government officers and employees to refrain from participating in political activities.
The advisory specifies that government officials and employees were prohibited from taking part in election activities.
According to the issued circular, the government officials and employees are restricted from engaging in election activities.
Government officials seeking leave must obtain approval from Returning Officers (ROs), while district officers are obligated to seek permission from the District Returning Officers (DRO) for their leaves.
According to the ECP advisory, federal government employees up to grade 19 can have their leave sanctioned by DROs.
The advisory specifies that officers in Grade-20 and above are required to obtain leave approval directly from the Commission.

PHC fixes PTI petition against ECP decision for hearing

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PHC

PESHAWAR, Dec 26 (APP): Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Tuesday fixed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) petition for hearing against the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) declaration of its intra-party elections as void and the subsequent withdrawal of its election symbol, the bat.
The PHC Judge Justice Kamran Hayat will hear the case today.
Led by Barrister Gohar and Ali Zafar, PTI’s legal team including Barrister Gohar and Sher Afzal Marwat filed the plea in the Peshawar High Court (PHC) today, seeking the suspension of the ECP decision.

Dry weather predicted across northern Sindh

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dry weather

SUKKUR, Dec 26 (APP): The local Met Office on Tuesday has forecast dry weather for city for the next 24 hours.
The maximum temperature of 26 centigrade was recorded in the Sukkur during the last 24 hours.
Dry weather has also been forecast across the northern Sindh.