HYDERABAD
Brides sitting on stage during a mass wedding ceremony organized by Jillani Welfare Foundation at Bagh-e-Mustafa Ground
HYDERABAD
Ambassador Qureshi, Pakistani delegation discuss ways to facilitate exporters
BRUSSELS, Sep 20 (APP): A delegation of Pakistan origin business community representing Pakistan-Benelux Overseas Chamber of Commerce called on Pakistan’s ambassador to European Union, Belgium and Luxembourg Rahim Hayat Qureshi on Saturday and exchanged views on establishing B2B linkages with Pakistani exporters.
The ambassador assured them maximum facilitation of the mission in their future endeavors in Belgium and Pakistan.
KP PA, UNICEF to promote child education, health, gender equality
PESHAWAR, Sep 20 (APP): A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly and UNICEF here Saturday to promote child education, health, gender equality, youth engagement and provide technical support in policy-making to help achieve sustainable development goals in the province
In this connection, a ceremony was held at the Provincial Assembly under chairmanship of Speaker Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, Babar Saleem Swati.
Babar Saleem Swati gave the UNICEF delegation a detailed tour of the Assembly, highlighting its historic significance, parliamentary traditions, and legislative process.
He remarked that this agreement will pave the way for enhanced cooperation in protecting child rights education, health, and other social sectors in the province.
The MoU was signed on behalf of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly by Special Secretary, Syed Wiqar Shah, while on behalf of UNICEF, it was signed by Radoslaw Rzehak, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Peshawar.
Under the agreement, UNICEF and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly will jointly work to promote child education, health, gender equality, youth engagement, and provide technical support in policy-making to help achieve sustainable development goals in the province.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, traditional souvenirs were presented to the guests on behalf of the Assembly, and a group photograph was taken to mark this historic partnership.
Speaker KP PA, Babar Saleem Swati, Advisor to Chief Minister on Health, Ahtisham Khan, MPA Taj Tarand, and acting Secretary KP PA, Syed Muhammad Mahir were also present on the occasion.
CM vows ‘adulteration-free Punjab, orders relentless crackdown on food mafia
LAHORE, Sep 20 (APP): Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed the Director General Punjab Food Authority (PFA) to tighten the noose around food adulteration mafias under the mission of Adulteration-Free Punjab.
She instructed that the province be made an impossible ground for food terrorists.
The CM was given a detailed briefing by the Director General PFA Muhammad Asim Javaid on the authority’s performance, here on Saturday. He said that during the current year. PFA inspected 933,700 food points and units and lodged 1,526 FIRs. He said that 2,691 units were sealed and 89,495 operators were fined Rs1.188 billion. PFA also discarded 1.8 million litres of milk, 745,000kg of meat, 194,000 litres of oil, 115,000 litres of water and 50,000kg of spices.
The DG said that from August 1 to date, 80,423 milk suppliers, collection centres and shops were inspected. Action was taken against counterfeit milk suppliers with 322 FIRs registered and fines of Rs54.062 million imposed. Out of 41.27 million litres of milk checked more than 970,000 litres were discarded. He said that 16,901 inspections of meat suppliers, slaughterhouses and shops were carried out since August 1st. A total of 187 FIRs were lodged and 117,356kg of hazardous meat was discarded out of 3.63 million kg inspected. In addition, 66 meat shops and godowns were sealed, while 2,198 operators were fined over Rs 19.751 million.
The DG said that the fake milk mafia is selling poison in the form of a white liquid under the name of milk. He said that on the directives of Chief Minister those involved in milk adulteration would be brought to their end. He said that food terrorists have no right to operate in Punjab and would be eradicated from the root. He further said that adulteration is a heinous crime and PFA is committed to ensuring safe and quality food for every citizen from children to the elderly.
IGP reviews crime control, traffic management, and police development schemes
LAHORE, Sep 20 (APP):Inspector General Police (IGP) Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar chaired an important video link meeting from the Central Police Office (CPO), here on Saturday.
The meeting reviewed progress on crime control, traffic management, police welfare, and ongoing development schemes. The session was attended by Additional IG Investigation Punjab Shahzada Sultan, DIG SPU & Welfare Ghazi Muhammad Salahuddin, AIG Operations, AIG Development, and AIG Admin & Security.
Joining via video link were RPOs, DPOs, and District Traffic Officers of Sahiwal and Sheikhupura Regions, Commandant PC Additional IG Syed Khurram Ali, DIG Traffic Punjab Waqas Nazir, and DIG IT Rana Mansoor-ul-Haq.
The IGP directed the RPOs of Sahiwal and Sheikhupura to address manpower shortages in the police constabulary and ensure accurate, verified data entry in HRMS and PSRIMS. He instructed that pending road certificates be completed without delay and emphasized the effective use of police applications including E-Gadget, E-Post, Smart Eye, and Tent Registration.
The IGP also ordered enhanced security arrangements for Chinese experts and nationals engaged in public and private projects, with close coordination between DPOs and the Special Protection Unit. He stressed that robbery, street crime, and motorcycle/vehicle theft prevention and recovery must remain top priorities.
The IGP directed that Category-A proclaimed offenders be swiftly arrested, effective prosecution ensured in narcotics cases, and prompt FIRs registered under the Anti-Rape Act with fair and merit-based investigations to secure strict punishments for criminals. He also instructed police leadership to strengthen public awareness campaigns, particularly for students and citizens, about emerging crime trends and preventive measures.
On traffic management, he reviewed measures to prevent accidents and overloading, improve licensing systems, and install shades and simulators at facilities. He further ordered the expeditious completion of police development schemes in Sahiwal and Sheikhupura regions.
Dr. Usman Anwar reiterated that alongside crime-fighting responsibilities, the police must also ensure best medical treatment and financial assistance for officers injured in the line of duty under all circumstances.
Pak-Saudi Defence Pact a historic milestone for regional security, Muslim unity: Danyal Ch
RAWALPINDI, Sep 20 (APP): Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting, Barrister Danyal Chaudhry, has termed the recently signed Pak-Saudi Strategic Defence Agreement a ‘historic milestone’, underscoring its importance for regional stability, Pakistan’s security, and the collective strength of the Muslim Ummah.
In an exclusive talk with APP on Saturday, Barrister Danyal said the people of Pakistan attached unparalleled reverence to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its holy places, considering the defence of the Kingdom as sacred as their own national security.
“This landmark agreement will not only reinforce Pakistan’s defence, but also ensure stability in the region and open a new era of Muslim unity”, he maintained.
The Parliamentary Secretary paid glowing tributes to Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, for their pivotal role in materializing the pact, describing it as a “guarantee of future generations’ security and a source of pride for both brotherly nations”.
He said the defence pact was a genuine “game changer” which would expand bilateral relations, protect the Two Holy Mosques, and strengthen the collective security of the Muslim world.
“This cooperation extends well beyond military collaboration it will create economic opportunities, attract Saudi investment, and foster an environment of mutual trust, thereby giving new momentum to Pakistan’s overall development journey”, he added.
Barrister Danyal said the agreement carried a clear and strong message to the world, particularly India, that any aggression against Pakistan would be regarded as an attack on Saudi Arabia, triggering the united resistance of the Arab world.
Highlighting the broader significance of the alliance, he said the Pak-Saudi partnership was a “guarantee of lasting peace, a testament to the foresight of the national leadership, and a major step towards strengthening Pakistan’s standing in the Muslim world”.
President Zardari visits Kashgar University
KASHGAR, Sep 20 (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari Saturday visited Kashgar University, the premier institution of higher education in southern Xinjiang, where he was warmly welcomed by Ding Bangwen, Party Secretary of the University, faculty members and students.
Yao Ning, CPC Party Secretary of Kashgar, was also present on the occasion.
The President was briefed on the university’s history and operations. Established in 1962 and elevated to full university status in 2015, Kashgar University today stands as a regional hub for learning and cultural exchange.
With three campuses and more than 40,000 students and faculty members, including several hundred foreign students, the university is expected to expand to a strength of nearly 50,000 in the coming years.
President Zardari lauded the university’s contribution to education across diverse fields such as science, engineering, technology, agriculture, social sciences, arts, culture, music, and dance.
He particularly noted the institution’s role as the closest Chinese university to Pakistan and as a bridge for academic and cultural exchange between the two countries.
Highlighting the Pakistan-China Strategic Cooperative Partnership, the President underscored the importance of investing in youth and education to strengthen long-term ties.
He was also briefed about the Centre for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) at the university, which supports research and collaboration on the Belt and Road Initiative.
The President engaged with students and faculty, encouraging them to deepen academic and cultural linkages. Meeting with Pakistani students, many hailing from Gilgit, Hunza, Dir, and Chitral, he inquired about the quality of their education and living conditions.
The students shared that their tuition and accommodation are fully funded by the Chinese government, and they also receive stipends for food and other needs. President Zardari urged the students to work hard and contribute to strengthening Pakistan-China friendship.
Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Sindh Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Pakistani ambassador to China, and the Chinese ambassador to Pakistan accompanied the President during the visit.
Mustafa Kamal gets his daughter vaccinated against cervical cancer to build public confidence
KARACHI, Sep 20 (APP): Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Syed Mustafa Kamal has said that misleading information was being circulated against the cervical cancer vaccination.
Speaking to media persons at Drugs Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) office here Saturday, he said that the vaccination would prevent cervical cancer in the girls.
Kamal said that he got his daughter vaccinated against cervical cancer here today. The Federal Minister said that he loved all the daughters of the nation just like his own daughter.
He said, ‘I told my daughter to come in front of the media and get vaccinated. It was a difficult task for me to bring my family in front of the media,’ he added.
He further said that his family had never come in front of the media.
‘Today, I got my daughter vaccinated in front of all of you’, he said, adding that his daughter Rija Kamal had been vaccinated.
He advised the people to get their daughters vaccinated to prevent cervical cancer.
Acting Governor enquires about health of former Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani
KARACHI, Sep 20 (APP): Acting Governor Syed Awais Qadir Shah here on Saturday visited Dr. Ziauddin Hospital and enquired about the health of former Speaker Sindh Assembly Agha Siraj Khan Durrani.
He met Agha Shahbaz Khan Durrani, son of Agha Siraj Khan Durrani.
The Acting Governor said that Agha Siraj Khan Durrani was a fearless leader. He prayed for the speedy recovery of Agha Siraj Khan Durrani.
President Asif Ali Zardari visiting stalls representing Central Asia, Europe, South Korea and Japan at the Kashgar Free Trade Zone
KASHGAR