GWADAR
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar unveils the plaques to inaugurate the completed Pak-China Friendship Hospital Project and the China-Aid Gwadar Seawater Desalination Project
GWADAR
Muhammad Ahmad Shah holds meeting with Info Dept officers
KARACHI, Dec 04 (APP): The Caretaker Provincial Minister for Information, Minority Affairs and Social Security Muhammad Ahmad Shah held a maiden meeting with the officers of the Information Department and directed the officers to perform their duties
diligently and honestly.
The meeting was held at the Archives Complex Clifton here on Monday.
He said that the timely and fastest delivery of information was the primary responsibility of the officers of the Information Department.
He said that speed and timely delivery of news was very important for the dissemination of information to electronic and social media. Therefore, all such news appearing on electronic and social media that require correction or rebuttal should
be immediately clarified/refuted.
Muhammad Ahmad Shah said that he wants to see committed, dynamic and active officers in terms of performance, the officer who meets this standard will be able to do the job.
He said that as a minister he will not tolerate any negligence and lethargic approach.
He directed the officers to highlight the efficiency of the government departments in a better way.
He said that he will monitor the performance of the Information Department himself.
He said that the problems of journalists, journalistic organizations, their workers and press clubs should be solved on a priority basis and the Information Department has to play an active role in this regard.
He asked the officers to inform them about their problems so that together we can highlight the efficiency of the department and the government
Sindh Secretary Information Sindh Nadeemur Rehman Memon, Director Admin and Accounts Muhammad Yousuf Kabuoro, Director Electronic Media Moiz Pirzada, Director Press Information Hasan Asghar Naqvi, Director Shabih Siddiqui, Director Reference and Research Imtiaz Joyo, Director Films Riaz Memon, Director Press Hizbullah Memon, Director Akhtar Ali Surhio, Director Social Media Faisal Farooqui, Director P&D Fida Baladi and other senior officers attended the meeting.
Governor inaugurates ‘Ghazi Tandoor’, a loaf to to be sold on Rs 2
KARACHI, Dec 04 (APP):Sindh Governor Mohammed Kamran Khan Tessori has inaugurated ‘Ghazi Tandoor’ here on Monday.
He said that the people could get a loaf from the Ghazi Tandoor in Rs 2 only.
He said that the initiatives for the welfare of the people would continue.
Tessori said that all 48 tandoors would be set up across the city. He further said that four more tandoors would be inaugurated soon.
Moreover, the Governor said that the admit cards for IT courses are being issued.
DISCOs, KE deliberately committed malpractices to coverup inefficiencies: NEPRA
ISLAMABAD, Dec 04 (APP):National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) while issuing an inquiry report into the over-billing matter of all power distribution companies (DISCOs) including K-Electric on Monday said that distribution companies have been deliberately committing malpractices to cover up their inefficiencies, which has led to wrong and excessive billing to thousands of consumers, especially domestic.
DISCOs also failed to collect electricity bills as per tariff terms and conditions approved by the authority, according to the report issued by NEPRA here. The report said that the companies sent false detection bills to the customers in violation of provisions of the consumer service manual.
The NEPRA had constituted an investigation team comprising three senior officers after receiving a large number of complaints from the consumers against DISCOs and KE for over-billing and wrong meter readings in the monthly bills for July and August 2023.
The committee scrutinized the consumer complaints and visited the offices of the concerned DISCOs to submit a comprehensive report to the authority. It further said. Million of consumers suffered due to an over 30-day billing period cycle, the report said. The DISCOs sent average billing to the consumers without meter readings and printing photo snaps on the bills besides the timely replacement of faulting meters. The authority has decided to take legal action against DISCOs, including K Electric, in light of the report.
The authority has given a 30-day deadline to DISCOs to replace the faulty meters as soon as possible and correct the wrongly charged bills, failing which strict legal action would be taken, said a statement issued by NEPRA. The authority also served notices on DISCOs and K-E seeking explanation.
Haris Rauf, Usama and Zaman granted NOCs for BBL
LAHORE, Dec 04 (APP):The Pakistan Cricket Board has issued no-objection certificates (NOC) to fast bowlers Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan and leg-spinner Usama Mir for the Big Bash League 2023-24. The board has issued the NOCs considering the workload of players and the future tours programme of the national men’s team.
The PCB understands that this decision is in the best interests of all the stakeholders involved while balancing the importance of game time with workload management.
Haris and Usama have been granted NOCs for a total of five matches whereas Zaman has been granted NOC for four matches. All these games are set to take place from 7 to 28 December.
Report on the state of women’s shelters launched in Quetta
QUETTA, Dec 04 (APP):Federal Minister for Human Rights Khalil George said that in every report published on the situation of human rights, Pakistan is far better than our neighbour country. He said that violence against women, violation of minorities’ rights and child abuse in India are worse than any other country.
Khalil said like Pakistan no country exists in the world where women’s rights have been ensured and also provided equal opportunities in every field.
The minister said we should learn from these reports and work jointly to move the country forward. He said that further efforts should be taken to provide an environment like home in Dar ul Amans. He said that women’s right is equal across the globe and Islam is also talking about animal rights.
He said the Ministry of Human Rights would initiate training programs for staff deputed in Dar ul Amans to protect the rights of residents. Minister Khalil George said that women’s shelters are an essential component of a comprehensive response to violence against women.
“The NCHR report on Dar ul Amans has revealed some very urgent issues. The availability and accessibility of women’s shelters is an urgent matter,” he added while stressing collaborative efforts to address these issues.
The National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) and UN Women, launched “More than Shelters, Needs Assessment of Dar ul Amans and Shelters in Pakistan” – a comprehensive report on the state of women’s shelters, in Dar ul Amans, in Pakistan.
The report is based on extensive on-site research, comprehensive inspections, and in-depth interviews with residents of the shelters. It focuses on identifying gaps in policies, implementation, and budgets, providing actionable recommendations for strengthening these essential services.
The launch event was organized as part of the activities to commemorate ‘16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence’ aligning with the 2023 theme ‘Invest to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls.’ The report launch was aimed at initiating a collective effort towards enhancing the quality and effectiveness of women’s shelters and was attended by representatives of governmental bodies, civil society, women’s groups, and the international community.
In-depth interviews with residents of Dar-ul-Amans revealed, that the largest group (70 per cent) comprised girls and young women aged 14-30 years and most of the residents were illiterate and married with 92 per cent married before they reached 20 years of age. Almost all had faced multiple forms of violence including physical, psychological, sexual, and financial abuse.
Physical inspections of Dar-ul-Amans across all provinces revealed that the external environment of these shelters was not found to be satisfactory whereas the condition of interior spaces was also generally inadequate, and there were no visitors’ rooms, separate counselling rooms, or libraries in certain shelters, Internet facilities and Psychologists were not available at all shelters.
In addition to that, there was no systematic complaint-handling mechanism or rehabilitation program in the shelters, and vocational training was widely felt to be outdated. These facilities were generally not fully equipped to meet the needs of residents’ children. Besides that, the positions of medical officer, psychologist, assistant, and computer operator were vacant in four shelters.
The report makes numerous legislative and policy recommendations. It suggests revised SOPs for all shelters, based on the specific provincial context/requirements and strong monitoring mechanisms for the implementation of provincial domestic violence laws.
The report also calls for a review and increase in budgetary allocations for these facilities and inclusive and women-friendly shelter infrastructure. It also stresses assuring a homely atmosphere and accessibility for violence survivors. It suggests a dedicated helpline at the provincial level and a complaint-handling mechanism in place for the support to survivors.
Chairperson NCHR Rabiya Javeri Agha said that Dar ul Amans provide essential aspects of protection, services, and resources that enable women and their children to recover from the violence, rebuild self-esteem, and take steps to regain a self-determined and independent life. “However, in Pakistan, the conditions of these facilities leave much to be desired, as the first-hand experiences of survivors obtained through this study indicate,” she said.
Country Representative for UN Women in Pakistan Sharmeela Rassool highlighted the role of UN Women in strengthening essential services for survivors, especially shelters and said,” This report not only sheds light on the challenges but also presents a roadmap for tangible improvements.
UN Women is poised to drive positive change, advocating for the rights and well-being of women in shelters and contributing to a society where every woman can seek refuge, rebuild her life, and flourish.” She expressed hope that the report would serve as a valuable resource in advocating for meaningful reforms and a robust system that prioritizes the safety and well-being of survivors within shelters.
IESCO issues power suspension programme
ISLAMABAD, Dec 04 (APP):Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) on Monday issued a power suspension programme for Tuesday for various areas of its region due to necessary maintenance and routine development work.
According to IESCO Spokesman, the power supply of different feeders and grid stations would remain suspended for the period from 09:00 AM to 02:00 PM, Rawalpindi City Circle, Saidpur Road, Malikabad, Effendi Colony, Sadiqabad, Faizabad, Kuri Road, Al Noor Colony, Tariq Shaheed, Gangal, Committee Chowk, Gulshanabad, Bagh Sardaran, Sarafa Bazar, Dhok Hekmad, Jinnah Road, Rajaabad, Westridge, Muslimabad, Iqbal Road II-, Gulzar Shaheed, Azizabad, Peshawar Road, Chairing Cross, AFIRM, Kobline, Ameer Hamza. Colony, Jhangi, P&T Wani, EME Complex, QIH, Shams Colony, Azharabad, CWO, Golra, Saham, Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Feeders, Rawalpindi Cantt Circle, Hyder Road, Tipu Road, Rahimabad, Swan Garden II-, Mohra Nagyal, Gulistan Colony, Morgah, Lalkurti, Dhok Noor, Dhamyal, Qureshi Abad, RA Bazar, Chontra, New Rawat, Rawat, Sagari, DHA Valley, Radco, Nadh, Color City, Kambili Sadiq, New Choa, Fazal Ahmed, Nara Mattoor, Hamid Jhangi, Industrial, Bahr-Kalal, Syed Kasran, Mahota, Morgah, Feeders, Attock Circle, Margallah, SS Suri, Nisar Shaheed, Kala Khan, Faisal Hill 2,1, Paswal, New City Block A, New City Block A, I, N, G, New City Arcade, Colonel Sher Khan, Pathargarh, Shafi Chauhan, Hameed, Mansar, Kamra Rural, Dilawarabad, People Colony, Kachhari, Maskinabad, Chhaji Mar, Qutbal. , Pari, Gharibwal, Fateh Jang (Double Circuit), Anjra Feeders, Chakwal Circle, Tharpal, Millat Chowk, Jamalwal, Miani, Main Bazar, Dhera Muslim, Dhadyal Rural, Segalabad, Bhikri, Pinnwal, Dandut, Duffer, Toba, PD Khan, Abdullahpur, Kursal, Dharnaka, Talagang City, Dhok Pathan, Kot Sarang, Thahi, Multan Khard, Tuman Feeders, Jhelum Circle, Abbaspora, Longarpora, Kariala, Puran, F-6 Machine Mahalla. , Pakhwal, Mangala Cantt., Dinah-1 Bakrala, Hasnot, Khoi Kholia, Col Muhammad Akram, Sandal, Nai Khanga, Chhappar Sharif, Shah Safir, Kangar Thatthi Feeders, from 08:00 AM to 05:00 PM, Chakwal Circle, Sehigalabad Feeder and surrounding areas.
Shipping activity at Port Qasim
KARACHI, Dec 04 (APP):Container vessel CMA CGM Nabucco berthed at Qasim International Container Terminal on Sunday.
Meanwhile two more ships, Manticore and Um Al Amad scheduled to load Rice and LNG also arrived at outer anchorage of the port during last 24 hours.
A total of 07 ships were engaged at PQA berths during the last 24 hours, out of them, a gas carrier Ondo left the port on Monday morning and three more ships Crina, Red Cosmos and Gold Trader are expected to sail on today afternoon.
A cargo volume of 60,401 tonnes, comprising 52,736 tonnes imports cargo and 7,665 tonnes export cargo, was handled at the port during last 24 hours.
There are eleven ships at Outer Anchorage of Port Qasim, out a bulk carrier Double Eagle & five more ships MSC Rania, Marathapous, Umm Amad, TBN and Al-Dafra scheduled to load /offload Cement, Containers, LNG, Chemicals and Coal are expected to take berths at MW- 2 QICT, EETL, EVTL PIBT on Monday.
KPTMA delegation calls on KP CM
PESHAWAR, Dec 04 (APP): A delegation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Textile Mills Association (KPTMA) led by Ex-Senator, Salim Saifullah Khan called on the Caretaker Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Justice (R) Syed Arshad Hussain Shah here Monday.
The delegation apprised the chief minister of the problems faced by the textile Industries of the province with special focus on the exorbitant price hike of gas for industrial sector.
Caretaker Provincial Minister for Industries, Aamir Abdullah, Secretary Industries, Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Secretary Energy and Power Nisar Ahmad and other relevant authorities were also present on the occasion.
The delegation expressed serious reservations on the recent decision of Economic Coordination Committee with regard to increase the price of gas for industrial sector and appealed to the chief minister to take up the issue with the federal government on urgent basis.
The ECC had taken a decision to enhance the price of industrial gas from Rs. 1238/MMBTU to Rs. 2400/MMBTU and that it had also taken a decision to supply blended gas to the industries of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under which 80 percent natural gas and 20 percent RLNG will be supplied to the industries of the province which will further increase the price of industrial gas to Rs. 3100/MMBTU.
The KPTMA remarked that if the decision was not reverted, then they would be left with no other option but to close down the industries in the province, as it would be impossible for them to run factories with such high rates of gas.
The delegation said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was a surplus gas producing province with a total gas production of 550 MMCFD and a total consumption of 200 MMCFD, whereas its industrial gas consumption was only 35 MMCFD; adding that Article 158 of the Constitution guaranteed preference to the gas producing province with regard to the use of gas.
The chief minister termed the concerns of the delegation as genuine and assured to take up the issue with caretaker prime minster as soon as possible and hoped that the prime minister would consider the concerns of KPTMA favorably.
Seizing digital wave through connectivity, global reach vital for modern-day media: MD APP
GUANGZHOU (China), Dec 4 (APP): Managing Director of the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Muhammad Asim Khichi on Monday, highlighting the potential for media growth in the digital age, called for benefiting from the opportunities of connectivity, diverse content creation, and global discourse.
The managing director, in his address as a guest speaker at the Sub-Forum of 5th World Media Summit on “Embracing Changes: Media’s Response To New Technological Opportunities And Challenges” held in Guangzhou, China, said the media could capitalize on the growing online audience by expanding their digital presence and enhancing their global reach.
Recounting the modern-day challenges facing the media, he said the current digital age provided media with opportunities for creating diverse and inclusive content that reflected a variety of perspectives. The social media platforms also provide opportunities for direct interaction and engagement with the audience, he added.
The Managing Director of APP, the national news agency of Pakistan, remarked that media could also benefit from collaborations with other organizations and enhancing resources and expertise, besides taking leverage of online platforms for revenue generation, including subscriptions, ads, and sponsored content.
He said the media could play a crucial role in fostering informed public discourse and promoting civic engagement.
He told the international gathering that on one hand, the current digital age had pushed media to the race of “breaking news” while on the other, the technological advancement had created ample opportunities for expansion in outreach and increase in earnings through monetization by multiple digital platforms.
Asim Khichi said if remains unchecked, the challenge of fake news could lead to diverse social, political and security issues, besides damaging the media outlets’ credibility.
He emphasised striking a balance between freedom of expression and responsible journalism is also crucial for the media sector’s development.
The APP MD said the social media platforms enabled instant dissemination of news and engagement with diverse viewership, also providing room for innovative storytelling and content creation, contributing to a more dynamic media landscape.
However, he said the extent of enjoying opportunities might vary, influenced by factors like regulatory environment, technological infrastructure, and adherence to journalistic ethics.
He said the economic viability in the face of digital media growth was another challenge faced by many traditional media outlets that could be tackled by adapting to the rapidly evolving technologies and platforms.
Regarding the APP, he told the gathering that besides strengthening its text services in multiple languages including Chinese, the news agency was also leveraging modern media opportunities by expanding its digital presence, engaging with diverse audiences through social media, adopting multimedia storytelling and collaborating with global news networks including Xinhua.
He expressed the hope that the 5th World Media Summit would help learn from each other’s experiences and expertise in the field of media and come up with a joint statement to address the challenges faced by media in this digital age.