ISLAMABAD, Oct 18 (APP):Small and medium enterprises (SME) in Pakistan will get more support from the UK, following a new agreement signed with Karandaaz Pakistan here on Wednesday.
According to a statement issued here, Director General for Economic Development in the Department for International Development (DFID), Rachel Turner attended the signing in Islamabad of an agreement between Karandaaz and Bank Alfalah Ltd.
Under the agreement, Karandaaz Pakistan will provide a fixed grant of over PKR 63 million to Bank Alfalah Limited for Supply Chain Financing Advisory Services. This support will build the capacity of the bank to provide credit to small and medium enterprises using cutting edge financial products through especially trained teams.
Separate agreements were also signed between Karandaaz and three business incubators – the Lahore University of Management Sciences, Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management, and Invest2Innovate (Pvt.) Ltd – to launch a country-wide programme for supporting women entrepreneurship with a grant of PKR 25 million. Under this programme, women owned and operated businesses enrolled in the programme will be provided training and mentorship. Up to six competitively selected businesses will be provided funding of PKR 15 million each for expanding their business.
Speaking at the occasion, DFID Director General for Economic Development, Rachel Turner emphasized the importance of the SME sector as an engine of growth for a developing economy.
She said SMEs, especially women-owned businesses, could be a driving force for the sustainable growth of an economy. “United Kingdom is proud to have invested in this vital sector in Pakistan and we are confident that this investment will have long-term dividends for Pakistan’s economy.”
CEO Karandaaz, Ali Sarfraz said Karandaaz was committed to breaking barriers for small and medium entrepreneurs. “The partnerships that we have forged today show the large spectrum of strategic interventions that we are making so that SMEs can build their capacities to expand and sustain their operations and also access finance for business development”, he added.
Head of Retails Bank Alfalah Limited, Khurram Hussain acknowledged the assistance from the DFID. “This partnership is significant, not just to us as a bank but for the entire SME sector. Bank Alfalah has been declared Pakistan’s ‘Best Bank’ and ‘Best Customer Franchise’, and this alliance is further evidence of our commitment to our customers and to the development of the sector as a whole,”he added.
UK commits to support small sized enterprises in Pakistan
Tunisia keen to enhance bilateral trade ties with Pakistan: Envoy
SIALKOT, Oct 18 (APP)::Tunisian Ambassador to Pakistan
Mr. Adel Elarbi said on Wednesday that his country wanted
to boost bilateral trade ties with Pakistan.
Addressing a meeting of exporters at Sialkot Chamber
of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), he said Tunisia would remove
all trade barriers from the way of promoting bilateral trade
with Pakistan, besides, bridging all the communication gaps.
He said that Pakistan could get better access to the world’s
largest markets like Europe, North Africa and Middle East by
promoting cooperation with Tunisia while Tunisia could get
access to Asia by enhancing cooperation with Pakistan.
The Tunisian Ambassador was hopeful that Pak-Tunisia preferential
trade agreement would soon be signed which would help in enhancing bilateral trade between the two countries. He assured that he would
try to get some special treatment for Pakistani businessmen in visa
cases so that they could easily visit Tunisia to explore business opportunities.
He said that Tunisia was ready to open the new trade vistas with Pakistan by focusing on establishing the strengthened mutual trade
ties with Pakistan under the Tunisian General System of Preferences (GSP), which would be helpful to remove all hurdles in the way of promotion
of bilateral trade between Pakistan and Tunisia.
The Ambassador said that Tunisia was keen to establish direct
trade relations with Pakistan, besides increasing the mutual trade
volume in favour of Pakistan.
Adel Eiarbi also pledged to make some strenuous efforts to remove
all hurdles in the way of promotion of bilateral trade besides assuring
the Sialkot exporters’ easy access of international trade markets of Tunisia and European Union (EU), African and Arab international trade markets through Tunisia.
Speaking on the occasion, SCCI President Zahid Latif Malik said
that both countries should encourage frequent exchange of trade
delegations and organize single country exhibitions on reciprocal
basis to increase bilateral trade volume.
The SCCI President said that Tunisia and Pakistan were brotherly Islamic countries sharing religious, cultural and socio-political
heritage. Both the countries are eager to expand bilateral cooperation
in diverse fields to benefit from each other’s expertise and to make progress.
Senior officials of the Tunisian Embassy, SCCI’s SVP Abdul Waheed, Vice President Abid Ahmed Khawaja and Chairman Air SIAL Fazal Jillani
were also present on the occasion.
Japan to grant 520 million yen to Pakistan for Polio Eradication campaigns
ISLAMABAD, Oct 18 (APP):Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, Takashi Kurai and Acting Country Representative of UNICEF Pakistan, Cristian Munduate have signed a grant agreement at the Ministry of National Health Services Regulations & Coordination here Wednesday.
According to the Japan Embassy, Minister for National Health Services Regulation & Coordination, Saira Afzal Tarar also attended the signing ceremony. The Government of Japan has announced to provide a grant of 520 million Yen to assist Pakistan’s efforts for Polio Eradication campaigns during 2017-18.
Minister for National Health Services Regulation & Coordination, Saira Afzal Tarar, Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication, Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq, Secretary, Ministry of NHSR & C, Naveed Kamran Balouch and Chief Representative, JICA in Pakistan, Yasuhiro Tojo also witnessed the signing ceremony.
PM to lead Pakistan delegation at D-8 Summit in Turkey
ISTANBUL (Turkey), Oct 18 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will arrive here Thursday to lead Pakistan’s delegation for the 9th D-8 Summit being held here on October 20.
This is Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s first visit to Turkey since assuming his office. He would be interacting with the leaders of D-8 Member States on the sidelines of the Summit.
Pakistan is the current Chair of the D-8. It assumed the Chair at the 8th Summit of D-8, held in Islamabad in November 2012. Pakistan continued to hold the Chair beyond the normal period of two years. During Islamabad Summit in November 2012 two landmark documents: the D-8 Charter and the Global Vision were signed.
The Prime Minister will hand over the chairmanship of the D-8 Summit to Turkey. The Istanbul Summit is expected to adopt a Declaration and a Plan of Action.
The major areas of cooperation in D-8 Charter are; Industry, Agriculture and Food Security, Energy, Trade, Transportation and Tourism.
Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif will attend the 17th Council of Ministers meeting, that would precede the Summit.
This is the 9th Summit of eight Developing Countries i.e. Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey. The Istanbul Summit would coincide with the 20th Anniversary of the Organization.
IT industry must achieve target of USD 10 Billion by 2020: Anusha
ISLAMABAD, Oct 18 (APP):Minister for Information Technology and telecommunication Anusha Rehman urged upon the leaders from the IT industry to devise a comprehensive action plan to achieve set target of USD 10 Billion by 2020.
While addressing the meeting, Minister said the industry leaders in the wake of “Strategic Session to boost IT Exports” had outlined the government’s vision to facilitate the Industry to reach its true potential.
She said, “Time is ripe to take Pakistan’s Economy forward through Knowledge Economy. Pakistan is well positioned to take its due pie from the international IT market.
The PML-N government was steadfastly committed to provide enabling environment for the Industry in the shape of IT centric policies, HR Development and provision of infrastructure, she added.
Anusha said, “We are all up to help bridge the gaps between the talent and industry alongside building an environment of trust and openness to help enable the growth of software exports.”
She assured support on behalf of the government in the shape of policies, infrastructure, HR development and transforming the culture of public sector.
She outlined the plan of providing class room based technical trainings in emerging fields like IoT, Robotics, Analytics, Cloud etc. along with communication and selling skills to young graduates.This is in supplement of the plan of training One million youth through Digit skills program by Ignite.
She further added that Prime Minister had constituted a Digital Transformation Committee headed by the Prime Minister to supervise, implement and monitor the vision of Digital Pakistan and its associated programmes across the country.
The PASHA Chairman had shared a comprehensive plan to increase the IT exports through various measures in the shape of public private partnership model.
The first and foremost is the right reporting mechanism where IT Industry’s true size of over USD 3 Billion is to be reflected through proper channels.
This right reflection will help position Pakistan’s Industry in international market to allure the international companies for building businesses with Pakistan. The proposal to build public private partnership model to build infrastructure for IT companies on cost effective propositions were also discussed.
The session was attended by wide array of Senior Leaders from the IT industry. They have shown their resolve to achieve this target through concrete measures. They have echoed Minister’s trust and faith on Pakistan’s talent landscape which require honing to tap into its true worth for Digital Pakistan.
The Industry leaders thanked Minister for her keen interest towards the up lift of the sector and vowed to join hands with the Government to steer forward all initiatives in a spirited manner to achieve the true potential of Pakistan’s IT sector for a growing Pakistan.
Governor asks students to develop knowledge, focus on studies
BANNU, Oct 18 (APP):The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor, Engr Iqbal Zafar Jhagra here Wednesday asked the students to
concentrate on their studies; develop knowledge of the desired level and enable themselves to applying their capabilities for development and prosperity of nation.
This is the best way for them to serve the country and for their own betterment as well, he added.
Addressing the Convocation-2017 of the University of Science and Technology, Bannu at its
campus on Wednesday, the Governor appreciated the performance of the faculties
of the institution in field of education and research and wished that they
would continue their efforts with due zeal and spirit.
President Mamnoon Hussain was the chief guest on the occasion who conferred awards and gold medals among
students.
While welcoming the President, the Governor said, the district Bannu bears historical importance
from economic, trade and business point view and with the completion of China
Pakistan Economic Corridor; the area will witness a tremendous advancement.
“This area has been international trade route
since centuries and its importance with the passage of time will be further
increased”, he said.
While mentioning the ongoing efforts for
ensuring due contribution of the tribal people of the adjoining areas in making
the CPEC fully beneficial for the country, the Governor said, out of the four
industrial estates envisaged for FATA, one will be developed along the Bannu-Miranshah Road.
Apart from this, he added, implementation on certain mega projects in the nearby
tribal agencies are also underway which on completion will significantly
contribute in the economic uplift of the country.
The Governor also thanked the President for gracing the occasion by his presence
and congratulated the graduating students; their faculties and the parents as
well.
He also appreciated the working of the university and wished for its more successes in the time to come as well.
Opera Star Saira Peter to perform at PNCA on Oct 23
ISLAMABAD, Oct 18 (APP):Renowned London-based Pakistan first Sufi Opera Star Saira Peter will perform in musical concert at Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) on October 23.
She will give performance on her recently released National song “Aye Sar Zameen” and also songs from her new album.
Saira Peter said that she had been in the world of music for the last 16 years. Talking to APP she said “I have performed in many places in the world but there is nothing like coming home. The love for my country and its people is the greatest motivation in anything, I do.”
She said that singing Sufi spiritual poetry was her passion and she was proud to spread sufi teachings across the world.
She said that Opera music was spiritual and that was why it helped spread message of peace across the world.
These days Saira Peter is working on her new Sufi musical album “Tu Habib, Tu Tabib”, which is comprised poetry of renowned Sufi saints Baba Buleh Shah and Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai.
Born in Karachi, Saira has lived in London for the last many years. She trained as an operatic singer under Paul Knight, who was a student of English composer Benjamin Britten, a legend in Western classical music. “I am proud to have trained under Paul Knight and think of him as my ustaad,” she said.
“Sufism is an important part of the Pakistani culture. Sufi poets such as Bulleh Shah and Shah Abdul Lateef Bhittai have woven beautiful messages of peace and love in their poetry and I wanted to bring this tradition to the West in their own musical language,” she said.
Durrani lauds President’s commitment for education
BANNU, Oct 18 (APP): Federal Minister for Housing, Akram Khan Durrani here Wednesday eulogized the commitment of President Mamnoon Hussain towards promotion of quality education, science and technology in the country.
“Mamnoon Hussain was the first elected President of Pakistan, who arrived here today to address the students and faculty members besides inaugurating mega projects despite hectic schedule that showed his immense love for students and education,” Akram Khan Durrani said while addressing the second convocation of University of Science and Technology Bannu (USTB).
Following General Ziaul Haq, President Mamnoon Hussain has officially visited Bannu to
address students and faculty members besides inaugurated three mega projects including Women University of Science and
Technology (WUST), Students Startup Business Centre (SSBC) of University of
Science and Technology and Human Resource Development Centre (HRDC) today.
Durrani thanked President for announcing Rs5 million for BINOR cancer hospital and
giving him title of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. The grant would help provide the much
needed financial relief to poor cancer patients.
He said in today’s rapidly changing world, the advancement and development of
students and faculty besides modern and professional educational institutes are
paramount importance and USTB was playing commendable role in spreading rays of
education in
Khyber Pakthunkhwa and Fata in diversified fields by preparing students with future challenges.
The USTB has produced quality professionals who were actively serving in progress and
development of the country besides earning foreign exchange for their countrymen.
Emphasizing the need for up-gradation of the women campus of USTB to a full fledge university, he demanded of KP Government for making necessary legislation in this connection.
Durrani said people of this region had rendered great sacrifices for the country and
demanded setting up of a state-of-the art Cadet College in Bannu to help them on education fronts.
Akuram Durrani paid rich tributes to former Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif for
giving mega developmental projects to Bannu referring to Bannu International
Hospital, Kurram Tangi Dam etc, saying these projects after completion would
change destiny of masses.
PSM, PIAC accumulated lossess stood at Rs.176 bln, 316 bln: Senate Committee told
ISLAMABAD, Oct 18 (APP):Senate Standing Committee on Privatization here on Wednesday was informed that total borrowing and accumulate losses of Pakistan Still Mills (PSM) and Pakistan International Airlines Company limited (PIACL) was stood at Rs 176.6 billion and Rs. 316 billion respectively.
The committee met here with Senator Mohsin Aziz in the chair and discussed the working performance of the Ministry of Privatization and details of the privatization, which had been under taken during last four years.
Briefing the committee, Director General Privatization Commission, Mukhtar Waris apprised the meeting that annual losses of ailing public sector enterprises have been swelled to an unprecedented level and it was increasing the importance of the restructuing and private sector participation to ease pressure on the fiscal deficit.
He informed that the government had extended bailout package to PSM amounting Rs. 76 billion including employee’s salaries as of August 31,2017, howeve total debt and accumulated losses of PSM was stood at Rs. 99.4 billion and Rs. 176.6 billion as on June 30, 2017.
The committee was further informed that the government had also provided guarantees amounting to Rs. 161.5 billion to on behalf of PIACL, as on June 30, 2017, where as total borrowing and accumulated losses of the PIACL amount to Rs. 186.5 billion upto December, 31, 2016.
The Director General PC told the committee that 172 transaction were completed pre-2013 and total privatization raised Rs.648.6 billion.
It was informed that total five transaction were completed during last four years including privatization of United Bank Limited, Pakistan Petroleum Limited, Allied Bank limited , Habib Bank limited and National Power Construction Company.
The transaction completed during last four years raised gross proceeds of Rs. 172.87 billion including US$ 1.1 bilion in foreign exchange component.
The committee was informed that under current privatization program, the Cabinet Committee on Privatization had approved the privatization of 70 loss making public sector entities and the total 42 entities included in the early implementation of privatization.
The Small and Medium Enterprises Bank, Mari Petroleum and PSM was on the ongoing transaction, where as transaction structure of PSM has been finalized by the PC board and liability settlement plane in consultation with NBP, SSGC, PSM and Ministry of Industries and Production is being finalized.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Privatization Daniyal Aziz said that sick public sector enterprises were consuming over Rs 700 billion annually, adding that these loss making entities were operated by borrowing due to which private sector was deprived from the credit facility for industrial development and job creation opportunities.
The amount spent on these enterprises could be spent on the social sector development and poverty alleviation for rapid
socio-economic uplift of the country.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Committee directed Ministry of Privatization to submit report on the discount rate provided during the privatization of UBL and HBL, besides preparing a proper policy of privatization in order to improve the working capacities of state own enterprises.
Discussing an other agenda item regarding reassessment of 1-2 percent census blocks, the Secretary Statistic told the committee that reassessment was not possible at yet, however the representative of the provincial governments were briefed about the scanning of farms, which were appreciated by them.
Ahsan Iqbal condemns Quetta blast
ISLAMABAD, Oct 18 (APP):Minister for Interior, Ahsan Iqbal on Wednesday condemned Sariab Road, Quetta blast and expressed grief
and sorrow over loss of precious lives in the incident.
In a message issued here, he expressed heartfelt condolences over loss of lives in the blast and expressed sympathies with bereaved families. He prayed for early recovery of the injured.
The Minister said Federal government would provide all out support to the provincial government for
arresting the terrorists.
President terms Akram Durrani as Sir Syed Ahmed Khan
BANNU, Oct 18 (APP):President Mamnoon Hussain here Wednesday termed Federal Minister for Housing, Akram Khan Durrani as Sir Syed Ahmed Khan for Bannu district due to his rich contribution in establishing educational institutes for promotion of quality education in the district.
During his address in the second convocation of Science and Technology Bannu, the President commended the services of Akram Khan Durrani for promotion of quality education in Bannu district and titled him Sir Syed
Ahmed Khan for Bannu.
Akram Khan Durrani had played key role in establishment of state of the art Medical College Bannu, University of Science and Technology at Bannu besides a number of educational organization, a state of the art campus of University of Engineering and Technology Bannu, commerce colleges, boys and girls schools and colleges.
Durrani thanked the President for his kind words and vowed to continue services by establishing more educational institutions in Bannu.
President announces Rs5m for BINOR
BANNU, Oct 18 (APP):President Mamnoon Hussain here Wednesday announced Rs 5 million for Bannu Institute of Nuclear Medicine Oncology and Radiotherapy (BINOR) in order to provide best medical treatment facilities to poor patients of southern districts of Khyber Pakthunkhwa.
The amount would be spent on treatment of poor patients besides improving infrastructure in the hospital.
In his address at 2nd convocation of University of Science and Technology Bannu here Wednesday, the President said the government was well aware of the problems of cancer patients and this amount would help provide the needed financial relief to them.
Appreciating the management and doctors of the hospital, the President said special focus should be made on awareness against cancer diseases besides its early diagnoses and treatment of patients.
The President assured every possible help and assistance to BINOR.
NH&LH Division reviews arrangements of 70th Independence Day activities
ISLAMABAD, Oct 18 (APP):National History and Literary Heritage (NH&LH) Division has planned to arrange a variety of events including book fairs, literary sessions and exhibitions of rich cultural heritage of the country from November as a part of on-going 70th Independence Day celebrations continuing all over the country.
This was revealed by Advisor to Prime Minister on NH&LH, Irfan Siddiqui during a meeting held here Wednesday at the division premises mainly for reviewing arrangements of these activities.
“These activities will prove as instrumental to educate our younger generation about Pakistan movement, sacrifices and achievements of our national heroes and developments took place in different sections of life during the 70 years”, he said.
Irfan Siddiqui directed the relevant officials to make these activities meaningful and ensure projection of different aspects of Pakistan movement, keeping in view the entertainment aspect.
He said it is our national obligation to educate our younger generation about the sacrifices rendered by our national heroes and leaders for creating a separate homeland and the developments took place in the last 70 years so that they could play their due role in nation building process and development of the country with full dedication.He directed the officials to arrange special programmes especially according to the interest of children, women and youth and ensure participation of people from all walks of life in these events.
According to details the National Book Foundation (NBF) and its all 22 branches across the country will arrange book fairs with special focus on displaying books on Pakistan Movement, national heroes and leaders and culture of Pakistan.These book fairs will continue during the month of November and provide books to the readers on discounted rates.Similarly Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) will arrange Mushairas and literary sessions in collaboration with different literary organizations in all big cities of the country.Department of Archaeology and Museums (DoAM) will arrange a mega exhibition of rich cultural heritage of the country including rare artifacts and relics from excavations in Islamabad.
It is pertinent to mention here that NH&LH Division is arranging all these programmes in pursuance of the government’ decision for arranging different activities to mark 70th Independence Day celebrations.
The meeting was also attended by Federal Secretary on NH&LH Division, Engineer Aamir Hasan, Joint Secretaries, Syed Junaid Akhlaq, Capt retd Abdul Majeed Niazi, Managing Director, NBF, Dr. Inam ul Haq Javed, Chairman PAL, Dr Qasim Bughio and senior officials of Directorate of Museums.
Political stability imperative for sustained economic development: President
BANNU, Oct 18 (APP):President Mamnoon Hussain said here Wednesday that political stability was pre-requisite for sustainable economic progress, development, prosperity and promotion of quality education especially of science and technology was vital , in order to take the country to the new heights of glory.
The President was addressing students, parents and faculty members of the 2nd Convocation of the University of Science and Technology Bannu (USTB) where he conferred degrees and gold medals on 117 students and position holders in a impressive function here .
Khyber Pakthunkhwa Governor, Engr Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Federal Minister for Housing, Akram Khan Durrani, Vice Chancellor USTB Engr Professor Abid Ali Shah and Provincial Minister for Higher Education Mushtaq Ghani also addressed.
The President on the occasion also inaugurated three mega projects including Women University of Science and Technology (WUST), Students Startup Business Centre (SSBC) of University of Science and Technology and Human Resource Development Centre (HRDC) .
Speaking on the occasion, the President said political stability was inevitable for stability of economy and sustained economic development and business growth in the country.
The President said Pakistan’s economy was moving in right direction and the economic progress of PMLN Government was highly praised by the top monetary and financial organizations of the world.
He said the country’s reserves has touched about US $ 20 billion due to Government’s goal oriented economic policies, saying about $10billion loan have been returned whereas around $5 billion loan was remaining that would be returned soon.
The President said that in the country’s larger interest the government should be encouraged to further strengthen economy of Pakistan.
The positive and constructive role of educated people in affairs of national affairs besides countering negative propaganda was pivotal for political and economic stability in the country, he maintained.
The President said the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC ) was a lifeline project for Pakistan that offered a lot of job opportunities for youth and students must harmonize and prepare themselves for taking advantage of this great opportunity.
He said CPEC would make Pakistan a very important country in the region besides bolstering trade and industrialization by connecting peoples and states of the region.
He emphasized on educational institutes and universities to equip students with latest technologies and engineering methods in the pre-text of CPEC.
With CPEC, he said not only Pakistan and China would be benefited but also would help promote industrialization, business in the entire region besides bringing positive changes in our socio-economic attitudes.
The President said that “we should all work together tirelessly in our respective selected professions to take the country to new heights of glory and economic prosperity”.
The President said “being a Muslim our learning traditions have remained very outstanding in the world and we need to focus on science and technology to retain our past glory”.
For a brighter and developed Pakistan, the President said “we need to focus on science and technology; promotion of vocational education and role of USTB for spreading quality education among students in this sensitive and remote region was highly commendable”.
He said education created employment opportunities, alleviate poverty and remove economic imbalances and wipeout militancy and terrorism and urged universities to equip students with quality education to meet future challenges in most effective manner.
He emphasized for further improving the educational standards of our universities so that it could be included in the world ranking.
President Mamnoon Hussain said nation had high expectations from the students who had all the abilities and skills to take the country forward on the path of economic prosperity and urged them to take full advantages of the facilities being offered by the universities.
The President assured that USTB women campus would be upgraded to a full university in future.
Established in 2005, the University of Science and Technology Bannu was a public sector university that was imparting quality education and promoting research in diversified views in the southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Great enthusiasm was witnessed among teachers and students upon seeing President among them as they have decorated the university with arrival banners and posters to welcome the President.
Pakistan safe country for sports events, Serbian basketball coach
LAHORE, Oct 18 (APP):Serbian basketball coach Lazar Gojkovic on Wednesday termed Pakistan a safe country for sports events and said
he was impressed to see the basketball talent in the youth.
“The people of Pakistan are sports lovers and friendly and the atmosphere here is peaceful”, he told a news conference here along
with two other Serbian coaches, Zoran Trivan and Miss Joe and Director Sports, Sports Board Punjab, Anees Sheikh, Secretary, Pakistan
Basketball Federation, Khalid Bashir here at the SBP office. The
Serbian coaches are supervising 6-day international basketball
professional training camp being organized by the PBF and SBP.
The foreign coach expressed his satisfaction regarding his
stay in Pakistan. “The craze of Pakistan players in basketball
is wonderful”, he opined.
Anees Sheikh said Pakistan has plenty of talent in every sports including basketball and discovering fresh potential has always
been a priority for Sports Board Punjab.
Anees Sheikh said SBP is making strenuous efforts to promote
and support Olympic sports in the province. “Lahore is blessed
with exceptional basketball talent and PBF’s camp will play a
vital role in polishing young talented players”, he added.
“Our local coaches will also learn modern training skills from
renowned Serbian coaches during the basketball camp and then they
will be in a better position to impart training local players as
per international requirements”, he added.
Secretary PBF,Khalid Bashir, thanked the Director General Sports
Punjab Muhammad Aamir Jan for extending every facility for the holding
the training Camp.
He further informed that the this international Camp will be held
every year in Pakistan. “Two talented players (one male and one female) will be selected from the camp trainees and then they will be sent
to Serbia for international level training”, he revealed.
Malik Saad Falcon-Bajaur play 2-2 draw as Al-Haj Faw secured win in FATA Football Super League
PESHAWAR, Oct 18 (APP):Malik Saad Falcon and Bajaur Stars played a 2-2 draw while Al-Jaj Faw secured victory against Faqir of Ipi of North Waziristan Agency in the ongoing FATA Football Super League-2017 being played here at Qayyum Sports Complex on Wednesday.
Associate Secretary Pakistan Olympic Association Ahmad Ali Rajput was the chief guest on this occasion and before the start of the matches the players of Malik Saad Falcon, Al-Haj Faw, Bajaur Stars, Faqir of Ipi of North Waziristan Agency were introduced to him.
In his brief chat Ahmad Ali Rajput, hailing from Sindh, lauded the organizing committee and Shahid Khan Shinwari for holding the FATA Football Super League in which international players from across Pakistan, players from Malaysia, Indonesia and Afghanistan are part of the different teams in a team when Football world governing body FIFA has banned Pakistan.
He said after a long time the players of football got opportunities to play in such a good national level event wherein foreign players are also competing. It would give due exposure to our players, Ahmad Ali Rajput added.
Organizing Secretary Shahid Khan Shinwari on this occasion thanked Ahmad Ali Rajput for gracing the occasion as chief guest after coming from long way Sindh. He disclosed that leading players from all across Pakistan are part of the League carrying a prize money of Rs. 0.5 million for the winner team and Rs. 0.3 million for the runners-up besides 25000 each for best player, best scorer and best goal-keeper of the FATA Football Super League.
Earlier, in the first match Malik Saad Falcon and Bajaur Stars played a 2-2 draw wherein Rashad and Waseem, the two promising strikers scored one goal each to give Malik Saad Falcon a two goal each in the first 25-minute play. Malik Saad Falcon was leading by 2-0 at half-time.
It was the second session in which Bajaur Stars came back strongly and tied the tally 2-2 when right winger Zeeshan and mid-fielder Ikram scored one goal each on the field attempts. The match provided great thrill for the sitting spectators.
Malik Saad Falcon took two goals lead in the first-half but failed to click in the second-half fully dominated by Bajaur Stars. In the second match Al-Haj Faw team defeated Faqir of Ipi by solitary goal scored by international Rais on the field attempt.
Faqir of Ipi got some good chances of scoring but their forwards failed to utilize any of them and thus lost the match by 1-0. Al-Haj Faw played a goal-less draw the first-time and it was the second session in which unmarked Rais netted a fine goal to make the tally 1-0.
Four PSL matches to be played at Karachi in February 2018: PCB Chairman
KARACHI, Oct 18 (APP):Four international matches, under
Pakistan Super League, will be played in Karachi next February, said Chairman, Pakistan Cricket Board, Najam Sethi here Wednesday.
Addressing a press conference he said Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah has assured of all cooperation including fool proof security for the international event.
“An International Cricket Council (ICC) delegation will be
arriving in next four days and shall also be briefed about the
security arrangements by the Sindh government,” he said.
In reply to a question, he said PCB will be sharing the security
plan developed and implemented in Lahore with the Sindh government so
as to facilitate them in coming forward with an hitch free
internationally accepted scheme.
Najam Sethi said PCB also plans to hold three PCL matches in the
metropolis emphasizing that the board was keen to restore status of
Karachi as an international site for cricket.
“We, however, have to address the concerns of visiting players
and their respective boards,” he said.
PCB chief on the occasion also took strong exception to the
attitude of national media regarding forthcoming visit of Sri Lankan
team.
Their board has confirmed the visit yet many of our own media
personnel are expressing their apprehensions which is beyond my
understanding, he said.
Najam Sethi said immediate measures will be taken for upliftment
of National Stadium in Karachi involving all concerned stakeholders.
He also responded to queries about selection of players for the
national team besides administrative steps being taken for further
streamlining of the game in the country.
About India’s constant refusal to visit Pakistan, he said the
Indian Board of International Cricket will have to abide by the ICI
rules and regulation.
Folk Artists welcome Bali Jatti rooftop Theater at Lok Virsa
Islamabad, October 18, (APP):The folk artist lauded National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) for naming it’s theatre as “Bali Jatti rooftop theater”.
“Bali Jatti” was the first artist ever in Pakistan, to have owned a traveling stage theatre. She also worked on several collaborations with Well-known Folk Singer Alam Lohar, though very little of this is available in history books.
Laila Jatti a folk singer said that it is very good decision by the management of Lok Virsa to acknowledge the contribution of renowned folk artist.
She said that such initiative will encourage the new talent to work with more passion in the field of folk music.
Bali Jatti Rooftop Theatre is one of its kind of theaters, located at the heart of Islamabad which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding areas and a fantastic opportunity for stage artists and musicians, to perform and engage urban audience.
Lok Virsa Executive Director, Dr. Fouzia Saeed
said the basic aim of this initiative is to pay tribute and honor the grand master musicians that will feature the next generation of music maestros and meanwhile to keep our current generation aware with the country’s rich culture and traditions.
Second Pak blind team training camp from October 22
ISLAMABAD, Oct 18 (APP): The second phase of Pakistan team training camp in preparations for World Cup Cricket of the Blind would be held in Iqbal Stadium of Faisalabad from October 22.
The Fifth Edition of the World Cup Cricket of the Blind (ODI format) is scheduled to be held from January 7 to 21, 2018 in Pakistan and the UAE.
Talking to APP, Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) Chairman Syed Sultan Shah said 23 shortlisted players would get training in the camp.
“We had planned three training camps for the national team. The first one was held in Okara in September, this is the second camp while the third camp would be held in Karachi,” he said.
He said the final 17-member squad for the World Cup would be announced in the first week of November.
The players for the camp include B1: (Amir Ishfaq, Zafar Iqbal, Sajid Nawaz, Muhammad Ayyaz, Riasat Khan, Muhammad Asif and Muhammad Osama); B2: (Haroon Khan, Moeen Ali, Badar Munir, Anees Javed, Nisar Ali, Muhammad Ayub Khan and Zeeshan Abbasi); B3: (Muhammad Jamil, Mohsin Khan, Israr Hassan, Muhammad Ejaz, Mateeh Ullah, Muhammad Rashid, Kamran Akhtar, Sana ullah and Rahid Ullah).
Japan provides 520 million Yen to assist Pakistan’s efforts for polio eradication
ISLAMABAD, Oct 18 (APP):Government of Japan Wednesday announced a grant of 520 million Yen to support supply of the essential polio vaccine for the case response and mop up vaccination campaigns during the 2017-18 low transmission season of the polio virus.
According a statement issued here, grant notes were signed and exchanged today between the Government of Japan, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The grant worth US$ 4.63 million will support the procurement of over 28 million doses of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV); sufficient to vaccinate 25 million children under the age of five in the high risk districts across Pakistan enabling the programme to quickly close the immunity gaps.
Acknowledging the commitment by the Government of Japan, Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication,Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq, said “Over the years, the government and people of Japan have stood by us even during the difficult times. Pakistan’s programme is today rated among one of the best public health service delivery initiative across the globe. We are proud of our achievements so far and are keen to achieve our goal of interrupting the polio virus during this critical low season. With five cases at this point in 2017, our programme has never been in a better place to do so.”
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Naveed Kamran Balouch, Secretary, Ministry of National Health Services Regulation and Coordination said “The steady support of the Government of Japan and other partners and the seamless working together has been a crucial element of our successes in last two years. Defeating polio through the collective approach motivates us to achieving broader health priorities and development milestones for the children and people of Pakistan.”
H.E. Takashi Kurai, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Pakistan said: “Polio is indeed a global challenge for public health but this crippling disease is preventable by vaccination. Japan continues to support polio vaccination in Pakistan and I do hope that every child is surely vaccinated and very soon, we will achieve the long cherished goal of complete eradication of this disease from Pakistan.”
Yasuhiro Tojo, Chief Representative, JICA in Pakistan said “the determination of Pakistan to wipe out the polio virus can be clearly seen in the record low number of cases. We are glad to be part of this admirable effort and hope that our support to procure additional oral polio vaccine will accelerate the country’s pace towards achieving this milestone.”
Ms. Cristian Munduate, Acting Country Representative of UNICEF Pakistan said “the new grant comes at a time when the country is making headway towards stopping polio virus circulation I am confident that with the sustained commitment from the Government of Pakistan and strong support from all partners, together we will defeat the virus during this low transmission season.”
Pakistan is making significant progress in the fight against polio as only five cases have been recorded so far this year compared to 16 by this time in 2016. The purpose of multiple vaccinations is to fully protect each individual child and to contribute to the protection of every child within the community by building and maintaining high population immunity to stop transmission of the wild polio virus.
Government of Japan has been supporting the Polio Eradication Initiative in Pakistan since 1996. Approximately JPY 24 billion (US$ 218.35 million) has been funded including this grant of JPY 520 million, for procurement of oral polio vaccine (OPV), inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) and cold chain equipment to strengthen vaccine management.