PESHAWAR
Artist busy in making wall paintings in front of the Press Club wall
PESHAWAR
Visitors taking interest in display stuff during 1st Solar Exhibition 2023 at local hotel
PESHAWAR
SNGPL disconnects another 54 meters on illegal gas use
LAHORE, Nov 21 (APP):The Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) intensified its efforts to combat gas theft with a recent crackdown, and disconnected another 54 illegal connections across Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Islamabad.
During the operation, fines totaling Rs 2.2 million were imposed, and 217 cases of under-billing were addressed. According to a spokesman for the SNGPL, in Lahore the regional team took swift action by disconnecting 8 connections involved in illegal gas usage and an additional 10 for the use of compressors.
A fine of Rs 0.67 million was imposed against gas theft cases. Bahawalpur saw one disconnection due to compressor usage, while in Multan, 1 connection was severed for illegal gas use, and 11 under billing cases were processed, leading to the filing of an FIR against gas pilferers.
Moving to Peshawar and Karak, SNGPL disconnected 21 connections for direct and illegal gas use, imposing fines totaling Rs 0.50 million and filing an FIR against a gas thief. Rawalpindi’s team disconnected 2 connections for illegal gas use, resulting in a fine of Rs 0.35 million. In Mardan, 30 under billing cases were processed, and fines of Rs 0.05 million were imposed against under billing cases.
Sahiwal experienced 1 disconnection due to illegal gas use, with a fine of Rs 0.01 million. Faisalabad faced action with 3 connections disconnected for illegal gas use, 1 for compressor use, and 20 under billing cases processed, accompanied by a fine of Rs 0.1 million against gas pilferers.
In Gujranwala, one connection was cut off for illegal gas use, with a fine of Rs 0.18 million. Gujarat witnessed 5 connections cut off for illegal gas use, and 156 under billing cases were processed, resulting in fines totaling Rs 0.42 million against gas theft and under billing cases.
PSX stays bullish, gains 293 points
ISLAMABAD, Nov 21 (APP):The 100-index of Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) continued with bullish trend on Tuesday, gaining 293.63 points, a positive change of 0.51 percent, closing at 57,371.59 points against 57,077.96 points the previous trading day.
A total of 1,012,258,472 shares valuing Rs19.338 billion were traded during the day as compared to 718,285,234 shares valuing Rs 16.686 billion the previous day.
As many as 390 companies transacted their shares in the stock market; 231 of them recorded gains and 143 sustained losses, whereas the share price of 16 companies remained unchanged.
The three top-trading companies were WorldCall Telcom with 254,276,110 shares at Rs.1.67 per share, K-Electric Ltd with 63,355,766 shares at Rs.3.51 per share and Hum Network with 38,044,000 shares at Rs.7.99 per share.
Unilever FoodsXD witnessed a maximum increase of Rs.499.85 per share price, closing at Rs.23,000.00, whereas the runner-up was Rafhan Maize with a Rs.207.16 rise in its per share price to Rs10,550.00.
Colgate Palm witnessed a maximum decrease of Rs.34.71 per share closing at Rs1,648.17, followed by Bata (Pak) with a Rs.32.44 decline to close at Rs.1,656.56.
CM Baqar calls for adhering to quality standards to export seafood
KARACHI, Nov 21 (APP): Caretaker Sindh Chief Minister Justice (R) Maqbool Baqar on Tuesday said that seafood products, ranging from fish and shrimp to crabs and squid, including frozen and fresh seafood, canned goods, and value-added items like breaded fish fillets, can find their way to international markets if we ensure our adherence to quality standards, and the integration of technology is ensured.
This he said while speaking at a seminar organized by the National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA) to commemorate World Fisheries Day at Bahria University.
He said that he was happy for the professionals and policymakers on this significant occasion of World Fisheries Day 2023, marked by the theme “Conservation through Collaboration: Developing Fishing Communities.” Today, I am privileged to share this moment with you, a gathering that highlights the heartbeat of our celebration—the vibrant and resilient fishing communities along the Pakistan coast.
The CM said that the fishermen’s communities were not merely guardians of the sea; they embody the essence of our cultural heritage, preserving traditions that have been cherished and passed down through generations. “As we come together to observe World Fisheries Day, it is only fitting that we shine a spotlight on these communities, placing them at the forefront of our discussions,” he said.
Baqar said that Pakistan was blessed with a coastline stretching over 1,000 km and an expansive Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covering 290,000 sq. km, including the extended continental shelf. “This endowment positions Pakistan with significant potential for the development of the Blue Economy,” he said and added our marine fishing activities were concentrated along the coasts of Sindh and Balochistan, constituting 30 per cent and 70 per cent of Pakistan’s total coastal area, respectively.
The CM said that for periods, fishing has been a vital source of sustenance for communities along the Indus River and the Arabian Sea. “Our waters harbour approximately 70 commercial fish species,” he disclosed and said that the fisheries sector not only significantly contributes to our economy but also forms the backbone of livelihoods for our coastal communities.
Baqar said that seafood products, ranging from fish and shrimp to crabs and squid, including frozen and fresh seafood, canned goods, and value-added items like breaded fish fillets, find their way to international markets. “Our key export destinations include the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and South Korea. Remarkably, Pakistan’s seafood export reached an all-time high, hitting $496 million in 2022-23,” he disclosed and added that the growth potential was substantial.
Access to international markets, adherence to quality standards, and the integration of technology such as fishing crafts equipped with modern fishing tools such as GPS tracking, sonar, and data analytics can enhance fishing efficiency, traceability, and resource management, the CM suggested. He added that investing in research and development for new species, improved breeding techniques, and sustainable aquaculture practices was paramount.
CM said that there was ample room for expansion in the processing and value-addition sector, encompassing filleting, freezing, canning, and the production of various fish-based products. Pakistan’s fisheries and aquaculture sector are pivotal in providing livelihoods for coastal communities and ensuring the nation’s food security.
Baqar said that challenges such as overfishing, habitat degradation, and regulatory gaps persist, and concerted efforts were underway to enhance governance, including the implementation of licensing and environmental impact assessments. “By embracing sustainable practices and strategic investments, we can unlock the full potential of Pakistan’s fisheries and aquaculture sector, fostering both economic prosperity and the well-being of our coastal populations,” he said.
The CM concluding his speech said that this seminar would play a vital role in discussing the challenges and suggesting policy gaps. Appreciating the NIMA, the CM said that the
Sindh government would fully support the implementation of the recommendations coming out of this seminar.
A woman farmer thrashing the rice crop in a traditional way near the bypass road outskirts of the city.
MULTAN: November 21 – of the city.
Artisan making old-fashioned brass vessels at his setup.
LAHORE: November 21
Ambassador of Pakistan to China Khalil Hashmi today met a delegation of Chinese traditional calligraphy artists from Beijing Delway Culture Communication Co., Ltd as part of China-Pakistan Cultural Exchange Event held at Pakistan Embassy in Beijing
BEIJING: November 21 –
Caretaker Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Dr. Umar Saif in a virtual meeting with Secretary General Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) Ms. Deemah Al-Yahya.
ISLAMABAD: November 21 –