LAHORE, March 18 (APP): Syed Javed Hasnain Shah, a member of the National Assembly, on Saturday called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.
During the meeting, the overall political situation of the country was discussed, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.
Syed Javed apprised the prime minister of the ongoing development projects in his constituency.
ISLAMABAD, March 18 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said that if anyone had any doubt, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Niazi’s antics of the last past few days laid bare his fascist and militant tendencies.
On his Twitter handle, the prime minister said “From using people as human shields to throwing petrol bombs at police to leading ‘jathas’ to intimidate judiciary, he (Imran) has taken a leaf out of the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) book.”
ISLAMABAD, Mar 18 (APP): Federal Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah on Saturday said that Zaman Park operation was conducted to clear the no-go areas and to arrest the miscreants hiding inside.
“The no-go area was created inside Lahore due to which the citizens were facing problems and difficulties”, he claimed.
Talking to a private news channel, he said that the police were fired upon and pelted with stones from inside the house.
In the course of the operation, weapons have been seized and slingshots used to pelt stones at the police were recovered from the house, he claimed.
Rana further said that it was unfortunate that a political party was involved in this type of activity, which was unprecedented in the political history of Pakistan.
The recovery of weapons from inside the house shows the mindset of Imran Khan, who wants chaos and anarchy in the country.
The trend of standing up to the state through violence and force is being promoted by PTI, he said and added that if they had been permitted to carry on in this way, it would have become a tradition in the country.
ISLAMAABAD, Mar 18 (APP): To provide free education to the children of local community and adjoining area, Barrick Gold Corporation set up a primary school at Humai village near Reko Diq on Saturday.
The school was set up under the company’s social investment program, said a press release received here.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Reko Diq Pakistan Country Manager, Ali E. Rind said that Barrick being a genuine partner to the host communities, was bringing real change and building stronger and more sustainable communities.
He hoped that the primary school at Humai would open doors to quality education and opportunities for local children.
“Our focus on education will continue and the Humai Primary School is planned to be upgraded in phases. Additionally, the access to education in three nearby villages and Nokkundi are planned to start this year,” he said.
Rind said these initiatives are in keeping with Barrick’s policy of educating local communities and preparing them for future employment in the mining industry. “We will continue to expand our educational initiatives in the rest of the Chagai district”, he added.
On the occasion, the local community leaders and district administration expressed their appreciation to Barrick for being responsive to community needs as the children of Humai village previously had no access to schools and formal education.
A local community leader said, “We want to thank Barrick for making the school functional by refurbishing it, appointing a trained teacher and providing free books and uniforms to our children. We now have hope for a better future for our children.”
Barrick’s social investment portfolio is guided by the Community Development Committees (CDC), which have local stakeholders and community leaders as key members. In line with this policy, the CDC for nearby villages of Humai Mashki Chah, Nok Chah and Durban Chah has been formed.
Named after a local mountain, “Par-e-Koh”, the CDC will determine the two-year development plan with priority projects focused on food security, local economic development and access to education, healthcare, and potable water, at its next meeting.
The new Reko Diq agreement ensures that benefits from the project start accruing to the people of Balochistan well before the mine goes into production through advance royalties and social development funds.
Reko Diq will be a multi-generational mine with a life of at least 40 years. During peak stage construction the project is expected to employ 7,500 people and once in production it will
create 4,000 long-term jobs.
Barrick’s policy of prioritizing local employment and suppliers will have a positive impact on the local economy.
The company plans to complete the Reko Diq feasibility study update by 2024 and target of 2028 has been set for first production from the giant copper-gold mine in the country’s Balochistan province.
ISLAMABAD, Mar 18 (APP): The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has “prohibited live/recorded coverage of any kind of rally, public gathering, procession by any party, organization and individual” for Saturday (March 18).
The ban has also been imposed on coverage of the rally or procession by any political party from the Judicial Complex, Islamabad, said a notification of PEMRA shared with the media.
According to the notification, the “Competent Authority” imposed the ban while “exercising powers vested under Section 27(a) of the PEMRA Ordinance 2002 as amended by PEMRA (Amendment) Act 2007.”
In case of non-compliance, PEMRA said “license shall be suspended under Section 30 (3) of PEMRA Ordinance 2002 as amended by PEMRA (Amendment) Act 2007, without any show cause notice in the public interest along with other enabling provisions of law.”
The action to this effect was taken as the Law Enforcement Agency of Islamabad communicated its concern to PEMRA regarding airing of “live footages / images of violent mob, attacks on police and law enforcing agencies” by satellite TV channels.
It was noted that live telecast of such footages on different satellite TV channels created chaos and panic among the viewers and Police.
“Airing of such content is in violation of judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of Pakistan passed in Suo Moto Case No. 28 of 2018 reported as PLD 2019 Supreme Court1, Section 20 of PEMRA Ordinance, 2002 as amended by PEMRA (Amendment) Act 2007, Rule 15(1) of PEMRA Rules, 2009, Regulation 18 of PEMRA (Television Broadcast Station Operations) Regulations 2012, Clause 4 (10), 5, 17 & 24 of Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisements) Code of Conduct 2015 read with Section 27 of PEMRA Ordinance, 2002 as amended by PEMRA (Amendment) Act 2007,” read the notification.
UNITED NATIONS, Mar 18 (APP): The war in Ukraine has had very significant implications for global food insecurity, the top UN humanitarian official has told the Security Council, underscoring the critical need to extend landmark agreements to export grain and fertilizer from the region.
Martin Griffths, the UN Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, briefed the 15-member Council on the eve of the expiration of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which has allowed nearly 25 million metric tonnes of foodstuff from Ukraine to reach global markets.
The accord was signed in Turkiye in July 2022, in parallel with a Memorandum of Understanding on Russian food and fertilizer exports.
“It is vital for global food security that both of these agreements continue and will be fully implemented,” Griffths said.
Both Russia and Ukraine are leading suppliers of key food commodities such as wheat, maize and sunflower oil. Russia is also a top global exporter of fertilizer.
Griffiths said the world relies on these supplies and has done so for many years.
“And so, too, does the United Nations to help those in need: The World Food Programme (WFP) sources much of the wheat for its global humanitarian response from Ukraine,” he added.
The signing of the two agreements “represented a critical step in the broader fight against global food insecurity, especially in developing countries,” the UN relief chief told the Council.
“Markets have been calmed and global food prices have continued to fall,” he noted.
Griffiths said the UN is doing everything possible to make sure that the Black Sea Grain Initiative can continue, and is engaging with all the parties.
Additionally, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the head of the UN trade agency, UNCTAD, Rebeca Grynspan, “are sparing no effort” to facilitate the full implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding with Russia.
“We have made meaningful progress. Impediments remain, however, notably with regard to payment systems. There is more to do and our efforts to overcome these remaining impediments will continue unabated,” he said.
The UN relief chief also warned of the threat to sustainable development in the face of an unstable global economy and growing poverty, and with humanitarian needs outpacing resources.
This year, humanitarians will require an unprecedented $54 billion to support nearly 347 million people in 69 countries. Last year, donors gave a historic $38.7 billion for their operations.
He said it was uncertain that this level of financing can be achieved so that humanitarians can deliver for the world’s most vulnerable people.
Griffiths also highlighted the need for closer collaboration between the humanitarian and development communities, and financial institutions, to seek sustainable solutions in the face of spiraling global needs, and new crises on the horizon.
“More than ever, in this context do we need a political solution to the war in Ukraine,” he said. “The people of Ukraine deserve peace, first and foremost. They deserve to turn the page on this terrible war, as do we all.”
At the outset of the meeting, Council members declined Russia’s proposal to allow Daria Morosova, reportedly an ombudsperson of the Donetsk People’s Republic, to brief as a civil society representative.
The Council is comprised of 15 members. Four countries voted in favour, eight against, and three abstained.
ISLAMABAD, March 18 (APP): Upon the direction of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, the implementation process over provision of free flour to the needy under special Ramazan package has commenced.
The delivery of free flour was being made in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release on Saturday.
As per prime minister’s direction, free flour (atta) would be provided to the poor families during the month of Ramazan ul Mubarak.
From 25th of Shaban to 25th of Ramazan, each poor family would get three bags of flour.
The prime minister had also directed the provincial governments to extend the facility to the poor people.
He had desired the preparation of a special Ramazan package to provide relief to the poor people from the price hike.
ISLAMABAD, Mar 18 (APP): Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb said on Saturday ” bundle package of bails” given to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan was a message that he was above the Constitution and law.
In a tweet, without naming Imran Khan and PTI, she said those terrorists who attacked police, the judicial system and the state “got a bundle package of bail”.
The minister said it was a message for those who were attacked and got injured in the line of duty that “the foreign agent, Toshakhana watch thief” was above the Constitution, law and justice system.
She said that followers of “terrorist Imran” had not thrown petrol bombs on police and rangers but on court orders also.
ISLAMABAD, Mar 18 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday appreciated umpire Aleem Dar for his meritorious services to international cricket and said Pakistan was proud of him.
On his Twitter handle, the prime minister said Pakistan thanked umpire Aleem Dar for his meritorious services to international cricket, as he stepped down from the ‘ICC Elite Panel of Umpires’.
“His flawless umpiring across all formats of the game has won praise across the cricketing world. Pakistan is proud of him!” he added in a tweet.
The record-holding 54-year-old Dar had officiated in 435 men’s tests, ODISs and T20s including four world cup finals to his cap.
BEIJING, Mar 18 (APP): China is ready to work with Pakistan to advance friendly cooperation and promote the construction of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and all-round cooperation between the two countries for greater progress, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang said during his meeting with Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Asad Majeed Khan in Beijing.
Noting that the iron-clad friendship between China and Pakistan has withstood the test of time and the changing international landscape, Qin said China appreciates Pakistan for its strong support on issues concerning China’s core interests.
Asad Majeed Khan said Pakistan regards its relations with China as the most important bilateral relationship and firmly pursues the one-China policy.
Pakistan is willing to further deepen cooperation with China in various fields, strengthen coordination and cooperation on international and regional affairs and constantly consolidate the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between Pakistan and China, he added.
They discussed Pakistan-China bilateral cooperation and reaffirmed the significance of China-Pakistan strategic ties in the evolving regional & international milieu, Spokesperson, Pakistan’s MFA tweeted after the meeting.
Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Asad Majeed Khan held an interactive session with representatives of leading Chinese think tanks.
The participants offered valuable insights on the enhanced significance of China-Pakistan friendship in the evolving regional and international scenario.
Pakistan Ambassador to China, Moin ul Haque was present on the occasion.
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