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Railways collect Rs 67.3 million from ticketless passengers

By
AHMD Raja
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0
ticketless
ISLAMABAD, Dec 10 (APP):Pakistan Railways has collected over Rs 67.3 million from ticket-less passengers during a crackdown during the last two months with the help of railway police and train staffers.
“Around 51,347 passengers found traveling without tickets in different trains and collected the said amount from them, which is deposited in the official bank account of the department,” sources in the Ministry told APP.
They said that it was not the first time that action was taken on a large scale against ticket-less passengers, adding that these types of crackdowns had taken place daily.
The sources said that ticketless traveling was illegal, and those who were caught without a ticket were charged a ticket price for the whole journey of the train besides the penalty. Those who do not pay are handed over to the railway police.
To a question, they said that Pakistan Railways Police claimed to have arrested a total of 3,843 accused due to their involvement in violations of rules and laws and also registered some 3,563 cases against them in eight Railways divisions over one year.
“Around 641 cases were registered in Peshawar Division, 561 in Rawalpindi, 1,037 in Lahore, 321 in Mughalpura workshops, 389 in Multan, 206 in Sukkur, 343 in Karachi, and 65 in Quetta Division,” they added.
They said the Railways Police Help Desks had been established at all the major railway stations across the country, and the performance of the Railways Police has been quite satisfactory during the last year.
Regarding the performance of the railway police, they said, “Police are performing duties efficiently despite the limited resources, and the performance of the railway police will be further improved to the optimum level during the next year.”

Authorities directed to swiftly complete all arrangements for general elections

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AHMD Raja
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elections
RAWALPINDI, Dec 10 (APP):Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Liaquat Ali Chatta has directed the authorities concerned to swiftly complete all the arrangements for general elections in 2024.
According to a commissioner office spokesman, the commissioner had instructed the authorities to finalize the best possible arrangements to ensure the transparent conduct of general elections.
The Divisional Administration would provide unconditional support to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to ensure the transparent conduct of the general elections, the Commissioner said, adding that all the arrangements, including security, would be completed timely as per the guidelines of the ECP.
He said that 2500 polling stations would be set up in Rawalpindi district, while 1750 buildings had been selected for the polling stations.
The Commissioner had directed the Assistant Commissioners to complete all the arrangements in their respective areas for the polling stations. Special arrangements should be made for the security of the polling stations, the commissioner instructed.
The spokesman informed that the Regional Transport Authority, Rawalpindi, had also arranged vehicles for the election staff.
He informed me that Liaquat Ali Chatta had instructed that while assigning the responsibilities to all the relevant departments, a meeting should also be called as soon as the schedule of the election comes and an update should be taken from all the departments.
“Transparent conduct of elections is indispensable for our country’s security and development,” the Commissioner said, adding that, considering this work as a social responsibility more than a professional one, the implementation of the Code of Conduct issued by ECP should be ensured in letter and spirit.
All possible steps should be taken to implement the Code of Conduct that would be issued by the ECP regarding the conduct of transparent and impartial elections, Liaquat Ali Chatta directed.

Bilawal pledges to continue struggle for human rights

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AHMD Raja
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human rights
KARACHI, Dec 10 (APP):Chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that protection and promotion of Human Rights are among the top priorities of his Party and the same will manifest in the Party’s manifesto for the upcoming general elections.
In his message on the occasion of International Human Rights Day on Sunday, the PPP Chairman said that Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto ensured the protection of human rights through constitutional means as the unanimous constitution, he gifted to the nation, prescribed equal rights to every together with giving freedoms to every citizen whether Muslim or non-Muslim.
He said that the People’s government in Sindh had passed a comprehensive Human Rights Policy to ensure that every segment of the provincial government plays its role in promoting and protecting the human rights of all citizens. Likewise, the People’s government in Sindh also established and strengthened the Treaty Implementation Cell (TIC) under the Human Rights Department for implementation of the international human rights treaties, we have endorsed as a nation. Besides, free legal help has been provided to the poor victims of human rights abuses in Sindh.
The PPP Chairman said that all the citizens, especially the minorities are enjoying equal rights in Pakistan, and the mechanisms have been put in place to address the violations as they occur.
“PPP is committed to secure human rights adding that atrocities against women, children, or the vulnerable segments of society won’t be tolerated under any circumstances,” he added.
He pledged that the PPP would continue its struggle for human rights as per the vision of founders Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. “We have established the Human Rights Cell of the Party to work for human rights in the country”, he added.

COMSTECH-Mauritania S&T cooperation program announced

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AHMD Raja
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COMSTECH
ISLAMABAD, Dec 10 (APP):COMSTECH-the OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation in collaboration with the National Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation, Mauritania has announced COMSTECH-Mauritania Science and Technology Program to strengthen the ties and build scientific capacity in Mauritania.
Since COMSTECH shares a long-standing brotherly relationship with Mauritania and this Joint Science and Technology Capacity Building Program will help further strengthen the ties with the country.
Under the COMSTECH-Mauritania Program, Research Fellowships will be offered to young researchers and early stage scientists/engineers in Mauritania to enable them to spend six months at a relevant center of excellence in many listed institutions of OIC member states, especially Pakistan.
According to an official of COMSTECH, the purpose of these fellowships is to enhance the research and development capacity of promising researchers and engineers from Mauritania at the beginning of their research career, helping them to foster linkages for further collaboration in their fields.
Apart from the above program, Mauritania students and scholars may also participate in other COMSTECH programs which are launched and publicized through COMSTECH website and social media.
Similarly, the Research and Development institutions of Mauritania may collaborate with COMSTECH Center of Excellence (CCOE) institutions for exchange of knowledge, expertise, technology and resources to develop their capacities and devise solutions.
About the application process, the official conveyed that the applications have been submitted by the students, scholars and institutions in Mauritania till the closing date of December 10. The details of the program can be obtained through the weblink: https://comstech.org/comstech-mauritania-program-nov-2023/.
Now the COMSTECH and ANRSI will work with host institutions to accommodate as many applicants as possible in their respective fields of research.
The scholarships are for a period up to six months and the host institutions will provide accommodation and access to lab/learning/practice facilities free of charge. While COMSTECH will provide return economy class tickets to successful applicants.
ANRSI, Mauritania will assist with the cost of living. The host institutions are prestigious universities and research institutes in OIC Member States including Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia and Turkey.

Punctuality of trains reached 93 pc in last three months

By
AHMD Raja
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0
Pakistan Railway
ISLAMABAD, Dec 10 (APP):The overall punctuality ratio of trains has improved from 76 to 93 percent in three months owing to close monitoring and stern measures taken by Pakistan Railways at the divisional and ministry levels.
“With the punctuality of trains and concrete measures taken by the department in last three months, the number of passengers has increased by over 20 million, which is ample proof of the department’s achievement,” an official in the Ministry of Railways told APP.
He said, “Pakistan Railways is also set to introduce the ‘Train Driver Assistant System’ (TDAS) to help train drivers a clear view of the railway tracks up to an impressive distance of 700 meters.”
“The technology aims to enhance the safety, punctuality and efficiency of train operations during adverse weather conditions, particularly in the presence of dense smog and fog,” he added.
The system, he said, “TDAS is set to revolutionize the way trains navigate through foggy landscapes. It promised not only to avert potential accidents but also to facilitate smooth train travel when visibility is severely compromised.”
He said, “The capabilities of this digital system extend beyond improved visibility; it can also identify and monitor vital elements such as signals, level crossings, gates, track obstructions, and other potential hazards within the same 700-meter radius.”
The official said, “This comprehensive approach to training management promises to reduce the risk of accidents significantly.”
Initially, he said the department was planning to install the anti-fog device in four engines. However, Pakistan Railways has outlined a strategic expansion plan, with the ultimate goal of equipping all trains with this life-saving technology in the coming year.
He said, “In a move to combat the persistent challenge of fog-related train delays, Pakistan Railways has joined hands with the University of Engineering Taxila (UET) to introduce a cutting-edge ‘Digital Railway Driving System.”

Int’l Human Rights Day being marked

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AHMD Raja
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Int'l Human Rights Day being marked
ISLAMABAD, Dec 10 (APP):World Human Rights Day is being observed in Pakistan on Sunday like other parts of the globe to highlights fundamental rights of all human beings.
The theme for this year’s day is ‘freedom, equality and justice for all’.
World Human Rights Day aims to raise awareness and encourage action to uphold human rights globally.
It is observed annually to commemorate the adoption and proclamation of the universal declaration of human rights by the united nations general assembly on December 10, 1948.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of one of the world’s most groundbreaking global pledges: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This landmark document enshrines the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being – regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
The Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 and sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected.
Available in more than 500 languages, it is the most translated document in the world.

Another 52 cases reported on Sunday

By
AHMD Raja
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dengue
LAHORE, Dec 10 (APP):Another 52 cases of dengue fever were reported in various parts of Punjab during the last 24 hours.
According to health department sources, a total of 14,815 confirmed dengue cases was recorded
across 36 districts in Punjab this year.
Lahore leading the unfortunate tally at 6,814 cases, followed by Rawalpindi with 2,649, Gujranwala
with 1,567, Multan with 1,421, and Faisalabad with 889 cases.
Lahore, with an additional 32 cases, continues to grapple with the fever. Gujranwala has 4, Multan
has 4, Faisalabad has 6 and Okara reports 2 cases. Meanwhile, Sialkot, Bahawalpur, Gujrat and
Bahawalnagar each reported 1 case of dengue virus within 24 hours.
Currently, 44 dengue patients are undergoing treatment in various hospitals across Punjab,
with 25 of them in Lahore district hospitals.
Secretary of Health Punjab, Ali Jaan Khan, issued a compelling plea to citizens, urging them to
maintain clean and dry surroundings as a preventive measure against dengue fever.
He said that vigilance and proactive measures were crucial to contain the alarming spread
of dengue in the province.

WASA to give 202 city water filtration plants on contract

By
AHMD Raja
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0
WASA
LAHORE, Dec 10 (APP):Water and Sanitation Authority (WASA) has decided to hire a private company
to keep 202 water-filtration plants of the provincial metropolis operational.
WASA official sources told APP on Sunday that a private company would be
awarded a contract for the repair and maintenance of filtration plants.
A total of 202 non-operational water filtration plants installed in the Lahore city,
would be given on contract for three years and private company would be
responsible for the maintenance and repair work of the filtration plants.
The WASA authorities would award contract of filtration-plants in two phases.
In the first phase, The Wasa would pay Rs 18.5 million for the repair of 78 filtration
plants in the city.
In the second phase, the authority would pay Rs 26.88 million for the repair
of 124 filtration plants in the city.
The invitation of tenders by WASA is on the card.

Saudi Arabia participates in UN High-level AI Advisory Body meeting

By
AHMD Raja
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0
Dr. Latifa bint Mohammed Al-Abdulkareem
New York, Dec 10 (SPA/APP):The United Nations High-level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence, composed of 38 members from various countries worldwide, has held its first in-person meeting in New York City, with the participation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Kingdom was represented in the UN Advisory Body by the Shura Council’s member Dr. Latifa bint Mohammed Al-Abdulkareem, with the participation of a delegation from the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA).
The meeting discussed the potential adoption of AI technologies, addressing challenges arising from their misuse, and delving into the governance mechanisms of AI at both the national and global levels.
In 2020, the Kingdom hosted a consultation session during the Global AI Summit organized by the SDAIA, discussing the establishment of this advisory body for AI under the UN.

5.2-magnitude quake hits 115 km S of Abepura, Indonesia — USGS

By
AHMD Raja
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0
earthquake
BEIJING, Dec. 10 (Xinhua/APP):An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.2 jolted 115 km S of Abepura, Indonesia at 0449 GMT on Sunday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
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