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President for using digital technologies to improve healthcare services

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 20 (APP): President Dr Arif Alvi on Monday called for using digital technologies to improve health and well-being of the people of Pakistan and provide them with quality healthcare services.

He emphasised that advances in medical technology could help transform the country’s medicine and healthcare system.

The President expressed these views while talking to Chief Executive Officer of Pakistan and Afghanistan Siemens Healthineers, Khurram Jameel, who called on him here at Aiwan-e-Sadr, a press release issued by the President’s Media Wing said.

Khurram Jameel briefed the President that Siemens Healthineers was one of the leading healthcare solution providers in Pakistan and its mission was to transform healthcare delivery and improve patient experience through digitalization.

Talking to the CEO, the President emphasised that Pakistani healthcare providers needed to embrace innovation and transform healthcare delivery to successfully meet the challenges in the health sector, besides fulfilling the future healthcare needs of the country.

He underlined the need for establishing partnerships among government institutions, private organizations, and NGOs to work together for the betterment of persons with disabilities and raise awareness about breast cancer.

The President appreciated the efforts of Siemens Healthineers for the development of the healthcare sector of Pakistan.

UNFPA representative calls on Minister for Human Rights

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UNFPA representative calls on Minister for Human Rights
FIle Photo

ISLAMABAD, Feb 20 (APP): United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Representative in Pakistan Dr Luay Shabaneh called on Federal Minister for Human Rights Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada here on Monday.

They exchanged views on the issues related to population planning, its impact on economic growth, gender equality, women rights in Pakistan and support from UNFPA under its mandate for population planning and development.

Secretary Human Rights Ali Raza Bhutta and senior officers were also present in the meeting, said a press release.

The minister welcomed the honorable guest and stated that Pakistan was fully committed to upholding and implementing the UN charter. He commented that “we are far behind in population planning that is indeed the major reason behind scarcity and better resource allocation in the country.”

He said: “Pakistan is a country with population mismanagement and disproportionate growth. There is a need for interventions, advocacy, awareness, more funds allocation, and proper enforcement of laws on this subject. For that we are looking forward to more collaboration, especially from non-governmental bodies.”

The minister further underscored that the UN agencies have been very helpful to Pakistan, particularly in the area of human rights. He said that though population control is a provincial subject after the 18th Constitutional Amendment yet Ministry of Human Rights is constantly dealing with international obligations related to women and child rights.

Shabaneh mentioned that UNFPA was established as an independent agency with the dedicated efforts of a proactive Pakistani woman but it is dismal that Pakistan has been ranked below globally on women empowerment. He offered further collaboration in focused studies and policy formulation in the area of population management.

Secretary Human Rights apprised the representative that the ministry is actively pursuing National Action Plan on Women Rights. We are regularly reporting on both national and international forums. There is a foremost need to make more investments on awareness and proper enactment of laws.

In the end, the minister appreciated the goodwill and cooperation from UNFPA and said that Pakistan is a progressive and dynamic country where we have leading participation of women mainly in the informal sectors of the economy. “There is a need for statistics updates through reliable methods of data collection.”

He vowed for more working collaboration, especially in research and focused studies for population control and management.

PSX witnesses bearish trend, loses 444 points

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 20 (APP): The 100-index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed bearish trend on Monday, losing 444.97 points, a negative change of 1.08 percent, closing at 40,673.64 points against 41,118.61 points the previous day.

A total of 92,717,662 shares were traded during the day as compared to 110,366,624 shares the previous day, whereas the price of shares stood at Rs. 4.461 billion against Rs. 4.677 billion on the last trading day.

As many as 313 companies transacted their shares in the stock market; 65 of them recorded gains and 225 sustained losses, whereas the share price of 23 companies remained unchanged.

The three top-trading companies were WorldCall Telecom with 6,395,078 shares at Rs 1.16 per share; Oil and Gas Dev. with 5,383,683 shares at Rs.89.72 per share, and TRG Pak Ltd with 4,393,644 shares at Rs.112.59 per share.

Premium Tex witnessed a maximum increase of Rs.36.46 per share price, closing at Rs.546.46, whereas the runner-up was Pak Tobacco with a Rs.28.63 rise in its per share price to Rs.778.73.

Rafhan Maize witnessed a maximum decrease of Rs.689.25 per share closing at Rs.8,500.750; followed by Bata (Pak) with Rs.149.24 decline to close at Rs.1,840.75.

President announces April 9 as election date for Punjab, KP assemblies

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President Dr Arif Alvi-File

ISLAMABAD, Feb 20 (APP): President Dr Arif Alvi on Monday announced April 9, 2023 as the date for holding general elections of the provincial assemblies of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

In a decision under under Section 57 (1) of Elections Act, 2017, the president asked the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to issue election programme in accordance with Section 57 (2) of the Act.

In his letter to the Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan (CEC), the president said that he was under oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan under Article 42 read with third Schedule of the Constitution.

He wrote that there being no restraining order from any of the judicial fora, there was no impediment in invoking the power and authority vested in him under Section 57 (1) of Elections Act, 2017, empowering him to “announce the date or dates of the general elections after consultation with the Commission”.

Therefore, the president said he had felt it necessary to perform his constitutional and statutory duty to announce the date of elections to avoid the infringement and breach of the Constitution and law i.e., holding of elections not later than ninety days.

President Alvi said that the governors of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were not performing their constitutional duties for appointing a date, not later than ninety days from the date of dissolution of provincial assemblies as per the Constitution of Pakistan.

He added that the ECP was also not fulfilling its constitutional obligation for holding polls for the assemblies of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“Both the constitutional offices are placing the ball in each other’s court, similar to an Urdu adage پہلے آپ، نہیں، پہلے آپ (pehlay aap, nahin pehlay aap – You go first, no after you) thus, resulting in delay and creating a serious danger that constitutional provisions may be violated”, he said.

The president pointed out that the ECP had already indicated the possible dates of elections in its various communications to the constitutional functionaries showing its own responsibility of holding the elections within ninety days.

President Alvi stated that he had initiated a serious consultation process with the ECP under Section 57 (1) of the Elections Act, 2017 to announce the date for the general elections of the aforementioned assemblies, however, the ECP replied that the Commission could not participate in a meeting on the subject matter with the Office of the President.

He said that in exercise of powers conferred upon him under Section 57 (1) of Elections Act, 2017, he was announcing the date of April 9, 2023 for holding of general elections of the provincial assemblies of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Initiative of Ostrich eggs hatching couldn’t succeed, Wildlife Deptt plans to make another attempt

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Initiative of Ostrich eggs hatching couldn’t succeed, Wildlife Deptt plans to make another attempt

PESHAWAR, Feb 20 (APP): The initiative of hatching Ostrich eggs with the objective of promoting population of the world’s largest bird in the region could not succeed and Wildlife Department is planning another attempt in current years breeding season.

Wildlife Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had arranged a new incubator in D.I.Khan for hatching of Ostrich eggs.

“We had arranged a new incubator for hatching of eggs of ostrich with the plan of keeping the grown up chicks at different wildlife parks of the province,” said Khan Malook, Divisional Wildlife Officer (DFO) D.I.Khan Division.

Talking with APP, Khan Malook said he has a pair of ostrich at Wildlife Park of D.I.Khan which laid eggs and we decided to improve population of the bird by hatching through incubator.

Ten eggs were kept in the incubator but the attempt of artificial brooding could not succeed as all the eggs were found infertile.

Khan Malook informed that in D.I.Khan electricity disruption is much high and therefore he decided to keep incubator in his office where arrangements have been made for a five KV solar system.

We are also investigating reasons causing failure in hatching and would try to make next attempt with improved measures to get desired results, he added.

This year after the breeding season which starts in March to April another attempt would be made by collecting eggs, he went on to say.

In response to a question about natural breeding of bird, he said according to experience Ostrich did not sit on eggs during captivity.

The process of brooding by Ostrich is mostly in natural environment and through this process the chicks will also be less in number.

Khan Malook said Wildlife Parks are meant for promotion of tourism, research and breeding of rare wild species.

Ostrich is an exotic specie and very rare in our region and for its promotion the process of egg hatching has been taken.

Soon the grown-up chicks of Ostrich will be shifted to enclosures at different wildlife parks in the province where this breeding practice continues and help in increasing the number of world’s largest bird in the province.

He also apprised that few pairs of Ostrich are also kept in wildlife park of Lakki Marwat. He said weather of Pakistan suits Ostrich keeping both in captivity and natural environment.

However, for safety and protection of the birds from the eyes of poachers, presently it is kept in captivity at parks and zoos.

Rupee recovers 93 paisa against dollar

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Rupee recovers 93 paisa against dollar

ISLAMABAD, Feb 20 (APP): Pakistan rupee appreciated by 93 paisa against the US dollar in the interbank trading on Monday and closed at Rs 261.88, against the previous day’s closing of Rs 262.81.

According to the Forex Association of Pakistan (FAP), the buying and selling rates of dollars in the open market were recorded at Rs 264.9 and Rs 267.9 respectively.

The price of Euro increased by 37 paisa and closed at Rs 280.18 against the last day’s closing of Rs 279.81.

The Japanese Yen gained one paisa to close at Rs1.95, whereas a decrease of Rs 2.16 was witnessed in the exchange rate of the British Pound, which was traded at Rs 315.50 as compared to its last closing of Rs 313.34.

The exchange rates of Emirates Dirham and Saudi Riyal decreased by 25 paisa each to close at Rs 71.30 and Rs 69.82 respectively.

Public can donate for quake affected people of Turkiye, Syria through SMS service

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 20 (APP): The government of Pakistan has taken a major initiative to facilitate the general public to make their donations for the earthquake affected people of Turkiye and Syria through SMS service.

The mobile phones consumers can donate Rs10 by sending SMS “Fund” on 9977, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release on Monday.

The donated amount would be immediately deposited in PM’S Fund established to support quake affected people of Turkiye and Syria.

NDMA delegation attends Int’l Humanitarian Forum in Riyadh

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NDMA delegation attends Int'l Humanitarian Forum in Riyadh

ISLAMABAD, Feb 20 (APP): Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik along with a delegation participated in the third International Humanitarian Forum held in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

The Forum was a high-level event that brought together government officials, practitioners and key decision-makers of the humanitarian world, a news release said.

The theme of this year’s event was “Evolving humanitarian needs: development and response” the event was inaugurated by the Foreign Minister of KSA.

The event is an opportunity to drive meaningful, relevant and desirable reforms in humanitarian work. NDMA is contributing to the discussions based on its experiences. The event also serves as an opportunity for NDMA to enhance its international engagement and global outreach with its counterparts and stakeholders.

Mushaal blasts world’s callous approach towards smoldering Kashmir

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Mushaal urges G20 to boycott Srinagar moot to foil Modi’s nefarious designs

ISLAMABAD, Feb 20 (APP): Chairperson of Peace and Culture Organization, Mushaal Hussein Mullick lashed out at the international community and UN for adopting a “deaf and dumb approach” towards shouldering Kashmir, which, she said, they can’t even hear the heartbreaking pleas of Kashmiri little daughters demanding release of their fathers illegally detained in Indian jails for years.

In a statement on Monday, she said that several families from Baramulla district along with their children protested at Srinagar’s press colony against the delay in trials of their kin held in several jails for many years.

She said that the innocent daughters of incarcerated Kashmiri fathers were demanding release on a fast-track basis with eyes full of tears since they are cognisant of the brutal treatment being meted out by the fascist Indian government against their fathers.

The Hurriyat leader stated that the notorious Indian government was brazenly violating the fundamental rights of Kashmiri people and unleashed state terrorism in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) but the so-called civilized world “sewed their lips” on the world’s worst human rights abuses in the occupied valley.

Musshaal said that a little girl, who did not see her father for the past five years, was crying seeking to meet her jailed father. The chairperson urged that world powers and human rights organisations should listen to the pleas of the innocent souls who wanted the release of their fathers incarcerated in Indian jails in fake politically-motivated cases.

She said that like other Kashmiri daughters, Raziyah Sultana had not seen her father for almost 9 years and demanded several times to the UN bodies to ensure her father’s release and her meeting but neither the world nor the notorious Modi government paid any attention to her repeated requests.

Mushaal urged the world community and UN bodies to ensure the release of the Kashmiri political prisoners including Yasin Malik instantly because they all were put in jails, not for any crime, but only to defuse the flames of the Kashmir freedom struggle.

She said that the Kashmir dispute was an international dispute, not an internal matter of India, which was recognized by UN resolutions; hence it should be dealt with and resolved in its historical perspective.

The Hurriyat leader stated that The Guardian also exposed the ugly face of India for not releasing the Bucher Papers on IIOJK, wherein General Roy Bucher advised Nehru to take the Kashmir issue to the UN for a peaceful settlement, but in time the annexation was usurped.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Bucher Papers on Kashmir contained correspondence between Jawaharlal Nehru and General Roy Bucher on Kashmir and the ceasefire.

She said that the promise of independent statehood to Kashmiris was violated and now the fascist Modi government tried to prevent the breach of the promise made to Kashmiris from coming to light.

Mushaal went on to say that in 1952, Nehru made a statement in Indian Lok Sabha that Kashmiris were free to decide about their future, and India would not impose its will on Kashmiris at the gunpoint.

However, she said that the fascist Indian government did not make the Bucher Papers public because of its possible political and external implications for India, demanding the report should be made public so that the world should know about the reality of the Kashmir dispute.

The chairperson urged the world powers to ensure the implementation of the UN resolutions in order to settle the Kashmir dispute.

NA speaker condoles deaths in a boat accident near Umerkot

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NA speaker condoles deaths in a boat accident near Umerkot

ISLAMABAD, Feb 20 (APP): National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Deputy Speaker Zahid Akram Durrani on Monday expressed their heartfelt sorrow and grief over the loss of precious lives in tragic capsizing of a boat in Kalankar Lake near Umerkot, Sindh province.

In their separate condolence messages, Speaker and Deputy Speaker sympathized with the bereaved families and prayed to Almighty Allah to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and give courage to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss.