CTP issue 2193 driving learning permits from three new centers

Thu, 7 Dec 2023, 2:55 PM

RAWALPINDI, Dec 07 (APP): City Traffic Police (CTP) on the directives of City Police Officer (CPO) Rawalpindi, Syed Khalid Hamdani issued 2193 driving learning permits to the applicants from three new driving learner centers set up in different areas during three days.

According to a Police spokesman, CTP had set up three new centers in Pirwadhai, New Town and Adiala Road areas to facilitate the citizens.

He informed that on the instructions of the CPO, the CTP took stolid steps to provide driving licensing facilities to the citizens at their nearest centers.

He said that those who are eligible for driving licenses must get licenses to avoid legal action as CTP Rawalpindi were taking action in accordance with the law against underage drivers and other traffic rules violators.

A special campaign had been launched against underage drivers and those driving without driving licenses, he said adding, 1838 FIRs were registered under the campaign while 173 cases were registered during last 24 hours.

All possible steps were being taken to improve the traffic situation on the city roads and facilitate the citizens, he added.

Pakistan can avert water crisis by adopting drip, spray irrigation system in farming: President

Ali Ali

Thu, 7 Dec 2023, 2:54 PM

ISLAMABAD, Dec 7 (APP):President Dr Arif Alvi has said that Pakistan needs to employ smarter and less water-intensive practices like drip and spray irrigation in agriculture to avert the looming crisis of water shortage.

The agriculture sector, he said, consumes approximately 95 percent of the country’s water, which needs immediate planning and reforms on water use efficiency.

In a video-link address to the international conference on ‘Transformative pathways for water and food systems in a climate resilient Pakistan held in Karachi on Wednesday, he said the country needed effective management to secure its existing water resources.

International and local water experts attended the event which was organized by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, the Ministry of Water Resources, the Ministry of Climate Change and UNICEF.

President Alvi said Pakistan ranked among the top 10 countries worldwide most affected by climate change and natural disasters.

He pointed out that the water crisis being faced by Pakistan was one of the most pressing challenges, aggravated due to rapid population growth, urbanization, industrialization, depletion of water resources, environmental deterioration, climate change, and irrational human behaviour.

The president emphasized research and technological innovation to promote modern agricultural technologies at grassroots level.

He said there was a need to educate farmers about water conservation, rain-water harvesting, and aquifer technologies.

Community involvement and implementation of laws could prove helpful in effective water management, he added.

The president mentioned that Pakistan’s farmers were dependent on conventional methods of flood irrigation, which wasted water while the world practiced drip and spray irrigation and recycling of water.

Crop substitution, he said, could make a difference if farmers chose crops that were less expensive on water.

He proposed research on using rice grain which grew on less water and produced high yield.

“We should adopt the technology that can handle the water scarcity and improve food sustainability,” he said.

The president referred to the example of The Netherlands, which is 19 times smaller than Pakistan in land mass, but is the second-largest exporter of food products. With water conservation, vertical farming, planet control farming, and hydroponic farming, a small country can produce more yield per acre, he added.

Dr Alvi stressed attitudinal change to adopt the ways of water usage which were inexpensive and technically better.

He said water pricing in agriculture and urban was necessary to avoid waste of water.

The president said besides the external Indus water treaty with India, Pakistan had an internal provincial water distribution arrangement that needed improvement.

“We have to improve the telemetry system and develop a confidence-building system among provinces on judicious use of water,” he said. Also, satellite telemetry can be used to know the actual water flow towards provinces.

He said Pakistan is endowed with 158 million acre-feet of water per annum and the tube wells in Punjab supply 12 million acre-feet of the commodity.

He pointed out that water pumping had affected the levels of the aquifer and stressed the need for modes to recharge the traditional aquifers to avoid its depletion.

“A whole-of-the-society approach is needed to be adopted right from childhood on caring for the environment. Pakistan needs both mitigation and adaptation as important tools to increase water storage to meet its needs,” he said.

The president emphasized an effective drainage system to avoid the discharge of industrial waste into the seas.

Director General Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources Dr Hifza Rasheed, Dr Bunyod Homatov and Dr Juan Carlos Sanchez Ramirez from the International Water Management Institute, Dr Stephen Davies from International Food Policy Research Institute, and Dr Neil Lazarow from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research spoke on the occasion.

FIA arrests four suspects involved in illegal currency exchange

Ali Ali

Thu, 7 Dec 2023, 2:48 PM

PESHAWAR, Dec 07 (APP):FIA Commercial Banking Circle Peshawar in it’s ongoing crackdown initiated against elements involved in illegal currency exchange and hawala transactions had arrested four individuals.

Under the directive of Director Peshawar Zone Nasir Tanoli operation was conducted in Taimergara , Lower Dir in which four individuals engaged in hawala and illegal currency exchange were apprehended during the operation.

The FIA team recovered Rs 2,016,000 and 1850 Saudi Riyals from the suspects. Records related to illegal currency exchange also confiscated from the suspects.

The FIA team said that arrested suspects were unable to ascertain the source of the seized currency.

Cases registered against the suspects and further investigations are underway.

Dry weather forecast for city

Ali Ali

Thu, 7 Dec 2023, 2:38 PM

BAHAWALPUR, Dec 07 (APP):The local Met Office has forecast a dry weather for city for next 24 hours.

The highest maximum temperature 22 centigrade and the lowest minimum 10 centigrade were recorded during last 24 hours.

The dry weather has also been forecast for rest of the region.

PTDC takes immense initiatives for tourism promotion

NNPS Desk

Thu, 7 Dec 2023, 2:37 PM

ISLAMABAD, Dec 7 (APP): The Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) has taken immense new initiatives to promote tourism across the country by marketing the country’s natural landscape, history, culture and archaeological sites to facilitate the tourists.
An official told APP on Thursday that the PTDC was planning to develop Tourism Application to inform the foreign and local tourists for easy access about their destination.
He said the corporation has already established the Tourist Information Centers (TIC) at various airports to provide accurate information to the tourists, adding that it was also planning to set up a modern TIC at new International Gwadar airport to facilitate the tourists by providing comprehensive information regarding recreational sites of the province.
He said, “PTDC is projecting the country as a tourist friendly destination in bringing Pakistan amongst top five tourist destinations of Asia and marketing of tourist places at home and abroad through tourism show and exhibitions to generate revenues.”
The official said tourism sector is contributing a lot to the national exchequer as well, adding that PTDC was developing infrastructure and services within the country to facilitate the tourists.
He said, “PTDC, with the collaboration of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has kicked off an effective cleanliness campaign at different parks of the federal capital to ensure neat and clean environment to attract numerous tourists in a healthy ambiance.”
The official said that launching of the campaign was aimed to ensure clean environment. He urged the tourists to maintain cleanliness at tourist spots of the capital city as people from various parts of the country throng to the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi for recreation and tourism purposes.
It is pertinent to mention here that a large number of tourists including locals and foreign dignitaries are visiting the country’s recreational sites to enjoy a pleasant and lovely weather besides the peaceful atmosphere.
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Pakistan Govt’s policies geared towards economic stability: IMF official

NNPS Desk

Thu, 7 Dec 2023, 2:33 PM

WASHINGTON, Dec 07 (APP): Head of International Monetary Fund (IMF) Mission to Pakistan, Nathan Porter Wednesday expressed satisfaction over the recent staff-level agreement with Pakistan on a $3 billion standby arrangement, saying the present government’s policies reflected its commitment to stabilize the economy of the country.

“With that base, hopefully, we can build on and be able to move forward to the reforms to build a stronger, prosperous and inclusive Pakistan,” he said at an event hosted by Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US, Masood Khan, for the representatives of International Financial Institutions (IFIs) — IMF, International Finance Corporation (IFC), World Bank (WB), and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), at Pakistan House.

Porter also expressed appreciation for the cooperation and the policies pursued by the State Bank of Pakistan for ensuring fiscal stability in the country.

In his remarks to over 40 officials from IFIs, Ambassador Masood Khan said Pakistan government was grateful to them for their steadfast support in navigating through the country’s difficult economic period.

“The past year was difficult for Pakistan,” he said. “We have passed through a wrenching transition and we are moving toward a new phase of stability.”

“Our confidence stems from the people of Pakistan; we have a growing middle class and our human capital is increasing at a very fast pace,” the ambassador added.

Athanasios Arvanitis, Deputy Director of IMF’s Middle East and Central Asia Department also expressed the hope that the elections in Pakistan would usher in a new beginning of reforms that the country needed to address its structural issues.

Ambassador Masood Khan said that digitization of Pakistan’s economy was creating new opportunities for young professionals to the lead role in steering the country towards a bright future.

Pakistani professionals, he said, had proved their mettle and had made the entire nation proud of their accomplishments.

Bahador Bijani, IMF’s Executive Director, noted the overall improvement in the economic situation, saying “Pakistani authorities have delivered.”

“I think the future for Pakistan is very bright. Pakistan is not just any country. It’s one of the most important countries in the region and in the world. Pakistanis deserve much more,” he said.

Syed Ali Abbas, Advisor IMF’ Mission Chief for UK, European Department hoped that with the successful completion of electoral process, Pakistan would move towards long-term progress.

Aftab Qureshi from World Bank and Ms. Sidra Rehman from the IMF also spoke on the occasion, assuring their continued cooperation.

SNGPL Task Force uncovers illicit gas pipeline at Japan Road

Ali Ali

Thu, 7 Dec 2023, 2:31 PM

ISLAMABAD, Dec 07 (APP):Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL)’s Task Force uncovered an illicit gas pipeline extending approximately 1500 meters near Japan Road, in the proximity of Village Kangota Syedan.

Shahid Akram, the official spokesman for SNGPL while, sharing the details of this successful crackdown said that the task force, in collaboration with officials from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), executed a joint operation to dismantle the unauthorized gas pipeline situated within a private housing society near Japan Road.

The clandestine pipeline, connected illicitly to SNGPL’s mainline, was revealed to be a substantial 1500 meters in length.

Shahid Akram disclosed that gas services were unlawfully siphoned through this concealed pipeline, aided by the improper relocation of gas meters within the unidentified housing society.

He further mentioned that the illegal pipeline has been disassembled into multiple sections, and the gas meters that were moved without authorization have been disconnected from the site.

In response to these unlawful activities, FIA has taken decisive action by initiating legal proceedings against the responsible parties involved in the illicit gas pipeline network.

This robust crackdown underscores a resolute stance against unauthorized gas connections, emphasizing the commitment to upholding the integrity of the gas supply system.

Junaid Jamshed’s 7th death anniversary observed in Hevellian

NNPS Desk

Thu, 7 Dec 2023, 2:29 PM

HAVELIAN, Dec 07 (APP): Students of various schools, both from Hevellian and surrounding villages here on Thursday paid rich tribute to the late Junaid Jamshed, ex-assistant commissioner Abbottabad Usama Waraich and other martyrs on their 7th anniversary at the village Kag where the PIA plane was crashed seven years ago.
A large number of the locals of the area gathered at the place where PIA aircraft ATR-42 turboprop crashed and 47 passengers including Junaid Jamshed lost their lives. Villagers paid rich tribute to the late religious scholar and former renowned singer on his seventh death anniversary.
A group of students from various schools also laid floral wreath and flowers at the accident place, gathered the remains of the crashed plane and stayed there for some time. Junaid Jamshed died on 7th December in a plane crash when he was returning to Islamabad from Chitral seven years back on a PIA aircraft ATR-42 turboprop plane, operating flight PK-661, which was crashed near Hevellian with 47 passengers and crew members on board.
Since then, no official ceremony has been held at the venue by the district administration Abbottabad or by the schools. The PIA plane took off from Chitral around 3:50 pm and crashed at 1642 local time in the area of Hevellian about 125 km north of Islamabad.

Pak spinner Sadia named in ICC Women’s Player of the Month awards

Ali Ali

Thu, 7 Dec 2023, 2:28 PM

ISLAMABAD, Dec 7 (APP):Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal was named among other players in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s Player of the Month awards from November’s international contests.

Bangladesh left arm spinner Nahida Akter celebrates her second successive nomination for the Women’s Player of the Month after more wicket-taking heroics in her side’s ODI series triumph against Pakistan.

Compatriot Fargana Hoque joins her on the shortlist after starring with the bat, notching valuable runs in the second and third encounters. The final name on the list is Pakistan’s Sadia, nominated for the first time thanks to her economical spells and an impressive performance in the first match.

Sadia was among the wickets once more during Pakistan’s visit to Bangladesh. Despite falling short of series victory, Iqbal impressed with economical wicket taking spells in the early exchanges, said a press release.

The first match was a particular highlight for the 28-year-old, her nine overs going for 13 runs with four wickets falling. This Player of the Match display was followed by another two wicket-haul, and Iqbal ended the month with six wickets at 12.50 and an economy rate of 2.58.

Nahida was named on the shortlist for the second successive month after her performances guided Bangladesh to a 2-1 victory over Pakistan in Mirpur. Nominated in October for her T20I endeavours, this time she conquered in ODIs – Akter winning the Player of the Series award with seven wickets across the three matchups at an average of 14.14, taking three for 30 in the first match and three for 26 in the decisive final fixture.

Meanwhile, with 110 runs in the victorious ODI series, Fargana Hoque earned her inaugural nomination for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month. The opener played a key role in levelling the series with a valuable 40 runs in the second outing in addition to a catch and a run out in the field as Bangladesh won in the Super Over. The series was won when Hoque top-scored in the third match with a controlled score of 62 to chase down the target and seal the triumph.

Meanwhile Men’s Player of the Month shortlist features two of Australia’s key performers as they secured their sixth Men’s Cricket World Cup crown, and one of India’s record-breaking strike bowlers.

Travis Head wrote himself into World Cup legend during November courtesy of two match-winning performances in the semi-final and final of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup to earn his first nomination since June. Similarly, Glenn Maxwell grabbed the headlines with an unforgettable innings to seal qualification through to the knockout stages. Completing the lineup of nominees is India’s Mohammed Shami, whose inspired bowling performances saw India blitz their opponents on the way to the final.

Head was nominated for the Men’s Player of the Month for the first time since his match-winning contributions helped Australia clinch the ICC World Test Championship Final in June.

A similar story unfolded in India, culminating in two Player of the Match performances in the knockout stages. South Africa were thwarted by Head’s brilliance with bat and ball in the semi-final in Kolkata; the spinner taking the key wickets of Heinrich Klaasen and Marco Jansen before top scoring with 62 in 48 balls in the thrilling chase.

His crowning glory however came in Ahmedabad. Staring at 241 for victory, Head hit a sparkling 137 in 120 balls to see his side home at a canter amid jubilant celebrations.

The Australian veteran (Glenn Maxwell) was shortlisted for the first time after a prolific November, which included arguably one of the great World Cup performances against Afghanistan in Mumbai. Chasing down 292 for victory after being 91 for seven, Maxwell smashed 31 boundaries in his unbeaten 201 to seal Australia’s safe passage to the knockout stages.

Fast forward to the final, and Maxwell again made key contributions, bowling a disciplined spell and removing the threat of Rohit Sharma before hitting the winning runs. Not done there, Maxwell also starred in the subsequent T20I matches against India, hitting 104 not out in 48 balls in the third encounter in Guwahati.

Shami topped the wicket-taking charts at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, and led India’s bowling attack in fine fashion with a number of scintillating displays during the month.

He started November with a Player of the Match performance against Sri Lanka in Mumbai, tearing through their batting lineup with sterling figures of five for 18. His highlight came in the semi-final victory over New Zealand though, where the pacer took seven wickets for 57 runs, booking the home team’s ticket to the Final. During the calendar month, Shami took 15 wickets at a remarkable average of 12.06.

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Pakistan can avert water crisis by adopting drip, spray irrigation system in farming: President

Shumaila Andleeb

Thu, 7 Dec 2023, 2:23 PM

ISLAMABAD, Dec 7 (APP): President Dr Arif Alvi has said that Pakistan needs to employ smarter and less water-intensive practices like drip and spray irrigation in agriculture to avert the looming crisis of water shortage.

The agriculture sector, he said, consumes approximately 95 percent of the country’s water, which needs immediate planning and reforms on water use efficiency.

President Alvi said Pakistan ranked among the top 10 countries worldwide most affected by climate change and natural disasters.

The president emphasized research and technological innovation to promote modern agricultural technologies at grassroots level.

He said there was a need to educate farmers about water conservation, rain-water harvesting and aquifer technologies.