Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Musadik Malik inaugurates gas transmission project. Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Interior and Legal Affairs Attaullah Tarar, former Member NA Saira Afzal Tarar, Shahid Hussain Bhatti and MD SNGPL Ali J. Hamdani also present on the occasion
Salik for UN’s proactive role to stop desecration of Holy Quran
ISLAMABAD, Jan 27 (APP): Convener of the World Minorities Alliance (WMA) Julius Salik on Friday strongly condemned the incidents of desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden and the Netherlands, and demanded the United Nation’s proactive role to address the issue to avert an international crisis.
The veteran human rights defender, in a telephonic conversation with APP from Washington, United States, expressed his regret and remorse over the issue.
J Salik, who is also a former federal minister, said, “I have been indicating this issue across the world for the past four decades. I have been advocating that the UN has failed to implement its responsibilities. In the Second World there was a loss of almost 50 million lives due to the failure of the Nations League, a world body that was working prior to the establishment of the UN in 1946.
“We are at the brink of the Third World War, and if the UN failed to implement its role then it may lead to a serious disaster,” he feared.
The UN, he said, was not focusing on its efforts to ensure minorities’ rights the world over. “The desecration of Holy Quran in Sweden is highly regrettable and I call that man a cursed person.”
J Salik underlined that the respect of different faiths and minorities’ rights was important as all religions educated and preached the message of respect and tolerance for other religions and faiths.
“In Islam, the Charter of Madina is the biggest accord of its time that promotes tolerance and coexistence among different faiths and Bible also educates this message,” the veteran rights defender said.
“The UN is not building pressure on these states involved in defilement of the Holy Quran to ensure the right of minorities which is the major cause of its failure and the WMA is working for this cause around the globe,” he added.
He suggested that for achieving the goal of peace the Archbishop of Canterbury and Imam-e-Ka’aba should lead the drive to start a social boycott of such states, whereas the UN should support a world over social boycott and no aid should be given to those states involved in the regrettable attempt.
“Peace is possible with interfaith harmony and respect for others’ faiths and religions.”
J Salik said he was going to organize an interfaith conference through the platform of WMA in Washington on the cause to emphasise on the remedies to such incidents that were instigating violence among minorities of different faiths.
“If the UN did not pay attention to these incidents then it will further escalate. It’s not an ordinary issue and the UN should settle this issue in the International Court of Justice,” he added.
J Salik concluded that all forums across the world should strictly condemn the despicable act as the best way was to respect each others’ faith for a peaceful world.
Bilateral trade with Turkiye surpasses $ 1b in 11 months: FPCCI
KARACHI, Jan 27 (APP): President Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Irfan Iqbal Sheikh Thursday said that Pak-Turkiye bilateral economic and trade relations were improving; whereas the bilateral trade with Turkiye had surpassed $1 billion.
It was a milestone and we could only envisage Pakistani exports to Turkiye growing steadily from here onwards, he added.
It is pertinent to note that a high-profile and large Turkish trade delegation is visiting Pakistan; and, FPCCI has organized a multi-sector B2B networking session for the delegation.
The B2B event attracted top traders from all sectors of both the countries and a total of 350 traders took part in the meetings – encompassing diverse industries; exploration of joint ventures; transfer of knowledge and technology; assessing the trade potential in non-conventional product segments and vistas that will be opened after the Turkish parliament passes that Trade in Goods Agreement (TGA) with Pakistan.
Addressing the official dinner in honor of Turkish delegation hosted by FPCCI, Suleman Chawla, SVP FPCCI said that Pakistan and Turkiye had never been positioned for more robust, diverse and large-scale bilateral trade growth as they were now due to Pakistan’s accession into TIR Convention for land-based cargoes.
The Chairman of FPCCI’s Pakistan-Turkiye Joint Business Council (PTJBC) apprised the audiences that FPCCI was closely working with DEIK and TOBB for business-to-business and chamber-to-chamber cooperation; and, FPCCI was striving to benefit from Turkiye’s technological advancements in industrial production, quality standards as good as any other European countries, entrepreneurial zeal and exportable goods.
He added that after visit of the aforementioned delegation of Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) and Eastern Black Sea Exporters Association (DKiB), which were the top bodies of Turkish traders; and, this visit would result in enhanced bilateral trade and joint ventures.
Ahmet Hamdi Gurdogan, head of the Turkish delegation, Supervisory Board Member of Türkiye Exporters Assembly and Vice President of Eastern Black Sea Exporters Association, said that the delegation comprised of 45 members and they were looking for their local partners for industrial, trade and commercial cooperation. He also apprised that Turkiye wanted to cement trade relations with Pakistan on the lines of Turkiye-Iran trade relations – making full use of geoeconomic advantages; transit trade and capitalizing on land-based regional connectivities.
Cemal Sangu, Consul General of Turkiye, highlighted that Pakistan had a population of 220 million and Turkey had a population 85 million; and, those 305 million plus people and consumers substantiate a bilateral trade volume of at least $5 billion. This milestone could be achieved in short-term and should not take more than 2 – 3 years to achieve; and, the new TGA should enable us to reach $15 billion 5 – 10 years, he added.
Fawad sent to Adiala Jail on judicial remand
ISLAMABAD, Jan 27 (APP): A local court of Islamabad on Friday sent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s leader Chaudhry Fawad Hussain to the Adiala Jail on judicial remand in a case of inciting the public to violence against the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
The Islamabad Police produced the accused before the court of Judicial Magistrate Waqas Ahmed Raja at the end of his physical remand time and requested seven days more physical remand.
The prosecutor informed the court that the accused’s voice had been matched and there was a need to conduct his photogrammetric test from Lahore.
The threatening words used by him were for the Chief Election Commissioner and the caretaker Punjab chief minister.
He said the police had yet to make recoveries from the accused and for that his further physical remand was required. Practically the prosecution was granted a one-day physical remand of the accused.
The ECP’s lawyer said the statement of the accused was on record and he had also admitted it in court. He had tried to spread hatred against the ECP and used objectionable words against it. He was pressurising a constitutional institution.
He said Fawad was a senior politician but no one was above the law. It was necessary to search his house in his presence.
Other persons were also involved in the matter as a targeted campaign was underway against CEC, he added.
Defence lawyer Dr Babar Awan said the complainant in the case was a government servant. The public servants were not part of provincial and federal governments. It was the responsibility of the ECP was to conduct elections, he added.
He said Fawad was not a terrorist and prayed the court to quash the first information report.
During the hearing, the court directed the police to uncuff the accused and reserved its judgment. Later, it ordered to send the accused to jail on judicial remand.
Fawad also held a meeting with his family members on the occasion.
Sanjrani, Achakzai discuss Balochistan development
ISLAMABAD, Jan 27 (APP): Senate Chairman Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani on Friday discussed the status of Balochistan’s development projects and other issues of mutual interest with Balochistan Minister for Finance Zamrak Khan Achakzai in a meeting held in the Parliament House.
Speaking on the occasion, Senate Chairman stressed that expediting the development projects was imperative for rapidly changing people’s standard of living.
The provincial minister lauded the efforts of the Senate Chairman in solving the financial problems being faced by Balochistan.
Senate Chairman Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani said that the upper house will continue to play its full role for the development and prosperity of Balochistan.
Chairman said that solving the problems of the Balochistan people is his first priority and will continue to work for the development and prosperity of the province.
Export-led growth cure for country’s economic woes: Ahsan Iqbal
ISLAMABAD, Jan 27 (APP): Federal Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives Prof. Ahsan Iqbal on Friday said that export-led growth is the cure for our economic woes for boosting the country’s economic growth.
The Ministry for Planning Development and Special Initiatives will recommend to Prime Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif that an export emergency should be declared to take the country out of economic quagmire; said the Minister for planning, while meeting the top Pakistani exporters, said a press release issued here.
The meeting was attended by the Exporters Representatives from Steel, Pharmaceutical and Textile sectors, who also apprised the minister about the problems faced by them in the course of doing business and exporting indigenous products abroad.
The Minister while assuring them about the full-fledged support of the Government remarked that we will provide all-out support to the Industrial sector for resolving their issues.
He also asserted that the business community should present to the Government of any red-tapism or any other bottlenecks in the way of undertaking any venture, “we will cut Red Tape”, said the Minister.
He added that the incumbent Government is pursuing a business-friendly policy and promoting a conducive environment for entrepreneurs.
The Minister said that in the past, we learnt to consume instead of earning. He also said that the survival of the country depends on the premise that whether we can enhance our exports from $32 billion to $100 billion in the shortest possible time. The Government stands with the Industrial sector to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and to push Exports.
The Minister offered the platform of the Ministry of Planning and Development to the private sector for assisting in the resolution of their problems.
The Minister lamented that CPEC provided us a golden opportunity to turn-around the economy of Pakistan but the opportunity was squandered due to the bad economic policies of the previous regime.
However, we are committed to reviving the CPEC Project. He added that China imports $2250 Billion worth of goods out of which Pakistan has a meager share of $ 3 billion, which is dismal.
The Minister laid emphasis to target the Chinese market and increase market share in the US and European markets so that a progressive export-led economy can be realized adding that the Government will support the industrial sector to meet the challenges of global competitiveness.
The Minister said that vision 2010 and Vision 2025 envisioned revamping the Economic structure and bringing prosperity and development in Pakistan but unfortunately Political instability derailed the journey of progress.
AJK PM pays surprise visit to prison
MUZAFFARABAD, Jan 27 (APP): Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan on Friday paid a surprise visit to a prison near Muzaffarabad while coming from Islamabad.
He inspected different sections of the prison and inquired after the health of the prisoners. The prison inmates who were surprised over the PM’s sudden visit to the jail apprised him of the difficulties being faced by them.
The AJK PM stayed there for three hours and listened to their grievances.
The AJK PM issued orders for the supply of safe drinking water inside the jail and hot water in washrooms.
He also issued instructions to concerned authorities to provide all basic amenities to the prisoners including hygienic food, medicine and water.
The jail authorities gave a detailed briefing regarding the different sections of the prison.
Speaking on the occasion, the AJK PM said that prisons should be reformatory institutions instead of becoming nurseries of crimes.
“Those who are held in minor crimes and sent to jail should learn a skill so that they could play a positive role in society,” the AJK PM said.
He directed the jail authorities to arrange separate barracks for the prisoners involved in serious crimes and those with minor crimes.
The AJK PM asked the jail authorities to make sure that drug dealers, killers, and thieves were kept in separate barracks.
The AJK PM issued orders to compile and computerize the records of all the persons coming to the jails.
The AJK Prime Minister also paid a prisoner’s fine of Rs 10,000 who was arrested on charges of vagrancy and had been languishing in the prison for the past six months. The AJK PM ordered the jail administration to ensure the teaching of the Holy Quran inside the jail.
Korean envoy Suh Sangpyo calls on Minister Murtaza Javed Abbasi
ISLAMABAD, Jan 27 (APP): Korean Ambassador to Pakistan Suh Sangpyo on Friday called on Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Javed Abbasi and discussed matters related to bilateral interests.
While welcoming the envoy, the minister expressed his gratitude for the assistance provided by Korea during the recent devastating flood in Pakistan
Javed Murtaza Abbasi stressed the need for technology transfer in Pakistan as there was immense potential in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) which needed expansion and increased investment.
This sector, he said, had an important role in improving the national economy and its full potential should be exploited for the development of the country.
The minister said the ports of Karachi and Gwadar were available to provide better access to Korea to the markets of Central Asia.
He praised the quality of Korean products, especially solar panels, and emphasized promoting the existing cooperation in the energy sector.
The two sides also discussed ongoing projects of Korean companies in Pakistan and agreed on their further expansion.
During the meeting, they underlined the need for further promoting the cooperation and ties between the two countries at the parliamentary and government level.
The chief executive officer of Star Hydro, a company constructing a dam, was also present in the meeting
The minister assured that the difficulties being faced in the opening of LCs [Letters of Credit] would be resolved soon.
Javed Murtaza Abbasi also highlighted the country’s potential in the tourism sector and stressed its development.
PDMA issues alert for DCs in anticipation of heavy snowfall in Balochistan
QUETTA, Jan 27 (APP): The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Balochistan on Friday issued an alert for deputy commissioners in anticipation of heavy snowfall, and rains forecast in most parts of the province from Saturday, Jan 28 to Jan 29.
The PDMA has directed all concerned authorities to remain alert during to the forecast period as predicted snowfall may disrupt normal life and vehicular traffic in mountainous/hilly areas.
The authority asked all concerned departments to be vigilant and take preventive measures in order to avoid any loss of human life or property.
The department concerned was instructed to have all apparatus, including the availability of heavy machinery at-risk/vulnerable areas and points.
Aside from that, the administrations were advised to encourage citizens in mountainous areas to minimize their movements and avoid unnecessary travel.
Furthermore, residents in these locations were asked to notify the appropriate departments in the event of an emergency.
Murad urges well offs to pay back for cause of education
KARACHI, Jan 27 (APP): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah Friday said that the educational institutions play a pivotal role in our lives, therefore we must pay back to our alumni for their uplift and support of the deserving students.
“Sindh government is working hard to reach out students so that their education may not affect,” he added.
The chief minister was speaking at the first award of Ma’jee scholarship ceremony organized by NED University to deserving students of NED University here.
The programme was attended by Vice Chancellor NED University Dr Sarosh Lodhi, NEDIAN Association office bearers, Engineer Aftab Rizvi, parents of the students and students.
The CM recalled his old days when he had got admission in the NED. “Except a few of my college classmates I had no friends at the university but then made a lot of friends who have become my brothers and family members,” he said.
Murad Ali Shah said that he had won two scholarships for his double masters in USA and “Alhamdulillah I have repaid both the scholarships so that another deserving student can avail them,” he said and added he had also taken ‘Qarse hasna’ (a loan for education) which he has also cleared.
Talking about the ceremony, Murad said that he was pleased to launch Ma’ Jee scholarships established in 2022. “I am sure that distinguished guests are wondering why this scholarship programme has been named Ma’ Jee,” he questioned and then replied through this programme, the NED and the NEDIAN aimed to realize the dreams of mothers who have not been able to afford education for their children at the prestigious NED university.
The chief minister said that the endowment fund meant for scholarships was not merely a financial support for the deserving students, but it was an initiation, a symbol, and a celebration of the bond between mothers, their children and the university/institution, without which Pakistan would not be what she was today.
Murad Shah said that the compassionate and dotted hearts of mothers right from the birth of their children dream of brilliant careers for them, only letting sky be their limit. However, with the passage of time, as their children grow, their mothers’ dreams start to fade in the midst of challenges of resources and cost of education,” he said and added that with the establishment of scholarship programme, the NED, the NEDIAN and the donors have not only revived the dreams of mothers but have strengthened their commitment of educating their children at NED.
The CM congratulated the NED University administration, the alumni, and donors for taking such a commendable initiative for establishing a fund with Rs 70 million seed money that has translated into scholarships.
Murad Shah said that the NED has distributed scholarships to 105 deserving students amounting to Rs100,000 per student per year from this fund.
He said that he has been told that the custodians of the fund have a plan to raise the fund to Rs 500 million, thereby the scholarships for over 750 deserving students at the university every year.