ISLAMABAD: December 22 – .
Customers inquiring about dry fruits at a stall in H-9 Weekly Bazar in the federal capital
ISLAMABAD: December 22 – .
Mosques can play role in preventing diseases: President
ISLAMABAD, Dec 22 (APP): President Dr Arif Alvi on Friday said that the mosques and pulpits could play an important role in preventing diseases.
Chairing a meeting regarding the importance of the mosques in creating awareness about health issues here, the president said that during Corona virus the religious scholars and Imams (prayer leader) played an important role in preventing spread of the virus.
The meeting was attended by Caretaker Health Minister, Dr. Nadeem Jan, Caretaker Minister for Religious Affairs, Aneeq Ahmed, provincial representatives and senior officials.
President Alvi pointed out that the community participation could also reduce the burden of disease on the health system.
It was agreed in the meeting that a policy draft on the role of mosques towards public health would be prepared in two weeks.
The federal health minister appreciated the president and the first lady for playing a role in creating awareness about certain diseases.
The provincial representatives informed the meeting about the measures taken for the health of the people in their respective provinces.
Sponsorship Scheme Hajj applications submission deadline extended till Dec 31
ISLAMABAD, Dec 22 (APP): The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has extended the deadline for submitting Hajj applications under the Sponsorship Scheme till December 31.
The step had been taken on the insistence of overseas Pakistanis while there would be no extension in the deadline for Regular Scheme as the number of applications submitted had already crossed its quota, a ministry spokesperson said on Friday.
The spokesperson made it clear that there would be no further extension in the deadline for submission of applications to ensure smooth and timely arrangements for Hajj.
He said the balloting for the regular Government Scheme would be held on December 28. Over 66,000 applications had received under the scheme, he added.
The spokesperson advised the Hajj applicants to acquire signed copies of their computerized Hajj forms from the respective banks and rectify any errors in their details on the spot. This proactive measure was recommended to prevent any inconvenience in the future, he added.
Meanwhile, the Saudi Aviation authorites have instructed airlines to submit their Hajj flight schedules by January 2, 2024, to ensure the seamless operation of flights.
Lodhran Strikers lift Elite Women League Aquafina Inter Club Polo Championship trophy, beating Multan Avengers
MULTAN, Dec 22 (APP): Lodhran Strikers has defeated Multan Avengers by seventeen (17) runs in the final of Elite Women League, lifting the championship trophy and took home the Rs 100,000 cash prize.
The women cricket tournament was organized by Lodhran Pilot Project (LPP) with the cooperation from Best Seller Foundation powered by Women Project, Grassroots Cricket, and Sultans Elite Squad, according to a press release on Friday.
“Objective of the Elite Women’s League goes beyond mere victories and defeats,“ says Ali Khan Tareen, the LPP president while addressing the prize distribution ceremony at the GroundUP Academy, Multan.
Ali Khan Tareen, PCB women selector Asmavia Iqbal, head coach women cricket Multan Kamran Hussain, LPP CEO Dr. Abdul Saboor, and VC Women University Prof. Kalsoom Paracha distributed the trophies and awards. Samina Iqbal from
Strikers received a Scooty for being the best batter of the league with 290 runs. Fatima Munir, with 10 wickets, secured the title of the best bowler of the league and a Rs 10,000 cash prize.
The runner-up, Avengers, received a prize of 50,000 PKR.
Fatima Munir from the Strikers was announced the Player of the Match, receiving a trophy and a cash prize of 15,000 PKR.
Ali Tareen said, the league was aimed at providing girls with a healthy recreational environment while fostering a commitment to peace and stability in society. The goal was to offer women the safest fields and strengthen their social and economic status in Southern Punjab, providing an environment for their participation in social, economic, and political life, he added. He emphasized the urgent need to promote educational initiatives for gender equality in society.
Dr. Abdul Saboor, Chief Executive Officer of the Lodhran Pilot Project, expressed admiration for the outstanding performances of both teams and said that cricket served as a significant means enabling women showcase their exceptional performances without fear. He announced to organize another major league in February 2024.
Asmavia Iqbal, Prof. Kulsoom and Kamran Hussain hailed LPP’s efforts in promoting and developing women cricket.
Gold rates up by Rs.1,800 to Rs 219,800 per tola
ISLAMABAD, Dec 22 (APP):The per tola price of 24 karat gold decreased by Rs 1,800 and was sold at Rs 219,800 on Friday against its sale at Rs 218,000 on the last trading day.
The price of 10 grams of 24 karat gold also increased by Rs 1543 to Rs 188,443 from Rs 186,900 whereas the prices of 10 gram 22 karat gold went down to Rs 172,740 from Rs 171,325, the All Sindh Sarafa Jewellers Association reported.
The price of per tola and ten gram silver witnessed no change and was sold at Rs.2,650 and Rs.2,271.94 respectively.
The price of gold in the international market increased by $19 to $2,074 from $.2,055, the Association reported.
Saud, Rizwan, Salman hit 50s as Pakistan post 323/8 against Victoria XI
ISLAMABAD, Dec 22 (APP): Pakistan posted 323 for eight in 78.4 overs, on the back of half-centuries by Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha against Victoria XI in a two-day practice match at Junction Oval in Melbourne on Friday
In turn, Victoria XI got to 47-1 in 11 overs.
Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique put up a 47-run opening stand, which was cut short when Abdullah (26, 58b, 4x4s) was caught off Sam Elliot’s bowling, according to information made available here by Pakistan Cricket Board.
Imam (37, 67b, 4x4s) was the next batter to fall as Pakistan went to the lunch break at 95-2.
Saud Shakeel (70 retired, 87b, 9x4s) and Mohammad Rizwan (50 retired, 70b, 6x4s, 1×6) batted together to add 103 runs to the board. Salman Ali Agha (51, 73b, 6x4s, 2x6s) was the other major contributor with the bat, until he fell to Doug Warren. A 33-ball-35 from Sarfaraz Ahmed, including four boundaries, helped Pakistan take the total to 323-8 in 78.4 overs.
Shaheen Shah Afridi struck early to take out opening batter Will Pucovski cheaply in the first over. Marcus Harris (18 not out, 32b, 3x4s) and Blake Thomson (25 not out, 30b, 6x4s) remained on crease as Victoria XI ended the day trailing by 276 runs and nine wickets in hand.
Scores in brief:
Pakistan 323-8 (dec), 78.4 overs (Saud Shakeel 70 retired, Salman Ali Agha 51, Mohammad Rizwan 50 retired; Doug Warren 3-69, Matthew Fotia 2-44)
Victoria XI 47-1, 11 overs (Blake Thomson 25 not out, Marcus Harris 18 not out; Shaheen Shah Afridi 1-16).
HRH the Crown Prince congratulates President of Kenya on Independence Day
ISLAMABAD, Dec 22 (APP):His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has sent a cable of congratulations to President of the Republic of Kenya William Ruto on the anniversary of his country’s Independence Day.
The Crown Prince wished Ruto continued good health and happiness, and the government and people of Kenya steady progress and prosperity.
Weekly inflation falls by 0.51%
ISLAMABAD, Dec 22 (APP): The weekly inflation, measured by the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), witnessed a decrease of 0.51 percent for the combined consumption groups during the week ended on December 21, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported on Friday.
The SPI for the week under review in the above-mentioned group was recorded at 310.00 points as compared to 311.58 points during the past week, according to the PBS data.
As compared to the corresponding week of last year, the SPI for the combined consumption group in the week under review witnessed an increase of 42.60 percent.
The weekly SPI with the base year 2015-16 =100 covers 17 urban centers and 51 essential items for all expenditure groups.
The SPI for the lowest consumption group up to Rs 17,732, decreased by 0.39 percent and went down to 304.83 points from last week’s 306.02 points.
The SPI for consumption groups from Rs 17,732-22,888, Rs 22,889-29,517; Rs 29,518-44,175 and above Rs 44,175 it decreased by 0.40 percent, 0.39 percent, 0.44 and 0.59 percent respectively.
During the week, out of 51 items, prices of 18 (35.29%) items increased, 09 (17.65%) items decreased and 24 (47.06%) items remained stable.
The items, which recorded a decrease in their average prices on a week-on-week (WoW) included potatoes (13.17%), petrol super (4.97%), diesel (4.68%), tomatoes (3.45%), sugar (1.16%), wheat flour bag (0.33%), chicken (0.13%), rice basmati broken (0.11%) and cooking oil 5 litre (0.07%).
The items that recorded an increase in their average prices on a week-on-week (wow) basis, eggs (10.42%), firewood whole (1.23%), onions (1.19%), pulse moong (0.88%), pulse gram (0.79%), garlic & rice irri-6/9 (0.40%) each, pulse masoor (0.30%), lpg (0.26%), bananas (0.19%), shirting (0.15%) and georgette (0.13%)
On a Year-on-Year (YoY) basis, the items that witnessed decrease in prices included f onions (23.92%), mustard oil (4.24%), vegetable ghee 1 kg (1.59%), vegetable ghee 2.5 kg (0.62%) and bananas (0.06%)
The commodities which recorded an increase in their average prices on YoY basis included gas charges for q1 (1108.59%), cigarettes (93.22%), chilies powder (81.74%), wheat flour (78.80%), garlic (72.48%), rice basmati broken (62.52%), rice irri-6/9 (59.45%), gents sponge chappal (58.05%), tomatoes (56.89%), gents sandal (53.37%), sugar (50.33%) and gur (49.86%).
15 ‘criminals’ arrested
SARGODHA, Dec 22 (APP):The police arrested 15 alleged criminals including four proclaimed offenders on Friday and recovered weapons and narcotics from them.
In a crackdown on criminals, the police arrested Faisal, Adil, Abid, Kashif, Aziz, Ali, Imtiaz, Dilawar, Hussain, Umair, Hamza, Amir, Aslam, Sultan and Mohsin and recovered 12 pistols, nine guns, 459-litre liquor and 1.08-kg hashish from them.
Cases were registered against the accused
SC approves post-arrest bails of PTI founder chairman, Shah Mehmood Qureshi
ISLAMABAD, Dec 22 (APP): The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday approved the post-arrest bails of founder chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and ex-foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in the cipher case.
The court asked the two accused to submit surety bonds worth Rs 1 million each.
A three-member bench of the top court, headed by Acting Chief Justice of Pakistan Sardar Tariq Masood and comprising Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Athar Minallah, announced the verdict after hearing arguments from both sides.
PTI founder chairman’s lawyer Salman Safdar, Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s counsel Ali Bokhari Advocate, Special Prosecutor Rizwan Abbasi Advocate and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)’s Prosecutor Shahkhwar Advocate put up their arguments during the hearing.
The former PTI head and vice chairman had approached the top court after the IHC had rejected their post-arrest bails in the instant case.
It may be mentioned that the two accused were currently in Adiala jail. The special court initiated in-camera trial last week against the former prime minister and ex-foreign minister in jail.