ISLAMABAD, Dec 05 (APP): Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety (PA&SS) Faisal Karim Kundi in a video message on Monday said that the government for the very first time included the transgender community as beneficiaries of Benazir Kafalat Programme, making them eligible for quarterly cash assistance of Rs 7,000.
He urged the transgender community to get themselves registered in their CNIC as transgenders and file their cases in the nearest tehsil office of the BISP to get benefit from this facility.
He also advised already registered transgenders that if they were not getting cash assistance under Benazir Kafalat Programme, they should immediately file an appeal with their relevant BISP Tehsil office so that their package can be released at the earliest.
He reiterated that only NADRA-registered transgenders who were eligible in all respects for entitlement of Rs. 7,000 cash assistance after verification of their data and eligibility.
Kundi encouraged the transgenders to visit the nearest BISP Tehsil office or call helpline at 0800477 in case of any difficulty in the registration process or any other query.
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue. Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar presiding over the meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet.
ISLAMABAD, Dec 5 (APP): The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet here on Monday approved lowest bids of two companies for import of 580,000 metric tons wheat through Karachi and Gwadar ports.
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar presided over the meeting, according to press statement issued by the finance ministry here.
Keeping in view results of 7th International tender and government-to-government (G2G) offer, the ECC approved the lowest bid from M/s Cereal Crop Trading LLC @ US$ 372/MT for supply of 130,000 MT at Karachi ports for the shipment period from December 16, 2022 to February 8, 2023.
The committee also granted approval of the offer of M/s Prodintorg , Russia on G2G basis @US$ 372 /MT for supply of 450,000 MT at Gwadar Port for shipment period from 1st February 1st 2023 to March 31st, 2023.
Ministry of National Food Security and Research had submitted a summary on Award of 7th International Wheat Tender 2022 opened on November 30, 2022.
It was decided that any additional cost on inland transportation from Gwadar Port will be borne by PASSCO to be recovered from provinces at the time of release of wheat stock.
The cabinet committee also approved proposal of finance ministry to change the title of the revolving fund account for CPEC Independent Power Producers from “Pakistan Energy Revolving Fund” to “Pakistan Energy Revolving Account”.
MANGLA: December 05 - Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addresses the inaugural ceremony of the refurbishment of unit 5 and 6 of Mangla Dam-APP
MANGLA, Dec 5 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said Pakistan was in dire need of generating cheap electricity as the energy import bill exorbitantly touched $27 billion.
He was addressing the inaugural ceremony of the refurbishment project of Units 5 and 6 of the Mangla Dam Hydroelectric Power Plant, carried out with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
PM Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan, which was already facing immense challenges of economic stability, could not bear the heavy costs of energy import bills and thus needed to utilize alternative sources of electricity production.
MANGLA: December 05 – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressing the inaugural ceremony of the refurbishment of unit 5 and 6 of Mangla Dam-APP
He regretted that in 75 years, both democratic and military rulers were responsible for not building sufficient dams to meet the energy needs.
“Had the water reservoirs built on time, the country’s energy import bill would not have swelled to $27 billion,” he said, pointing out that “powerful lobbies and cartels” did not let materialize the construction of dams and launch of solar power projects.
Pakistan needs clean, environment-friendly & cheap electricity to power its economic growth. The govt is working on a plan to diversify the energy mix that will save precious foreign exchange & provide relief to people. We are particularly focusing on solar & hydropower potential
Also, in the wake of recent flash floods in the country, he said, dams were crucial to mitigate the effects of climate change.
The prime minister termed the assistance of USAID for the refurbishment of the units of Mangla dam as a “wonderful example of cooperation” between Pakistan and the United States.
He lauded the valuable grant of $150 million by USAID along with the financial support by the Development Agency of France amounting to 90 million euros besides another pledge of 65 million euros. Also, WAPDA (Water and Power Development Authority) contributed $178 million (Rs 20 billion rupees) from its own resources, he said.
He expressed satisfaction over the interest of the U.S. to carry out an extension programme of the country’s largest Tarbela dam.
Shehbaz Sharif said the 75-years-old friendship and bilateral relationship between Pakistan and the U.S. had further strengthened at the levels of trade and investment.
United States Ambassador Donald Blome said the Mangla dam was a great symbol of U.S.-Pakistan cooperation and added that the U.S. was also assisting WAPDA in increasing the power generation capacity of the Tarbela and Gomal Zam dams.
MANGLA: December 05 – US Ambassador Donald Blome presents a souvenir to Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at the inauguration ceremony of unit 5 and 6 of Mangla Dam after their refurbishment-APP
He said maintenance and upgrades of dams were of critical importance in the wake of climate change and expressed hope that the green alliance between the two countries would prove beneficial for the energy and agriculture sectors of Pakistan.
The General Electric Hydro France Project Director said despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the suspended projects of refurbishment were carried out effectively.
He mentioned that six more units of Mangla dam would also be refurbished in the future.
Chairman Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Lt Gen (retd) Sajjad Ghani said the refurbishment of the units of Mangla dam was in line with the keen interest of the federal government to provide clean, green and cheap energy to the people of the country.
MANGLA: December 05 – Chairman WAPDA Lt. General (R) Sajjad Ghani presents a souvenir to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the inauguration ceremony of unit 5 and 6 of Mangla Dam after their refurbishment-APP
He said WAPDA had not only initiated new hydropower projects, but also been rehabilitating
and upgrading its existing hydel power stations including Mangla to maximize the ratio of environment-friendly and low-cost hydel electricity in the national grid.
Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir Sardar Tanveer Ilyas, Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi, Secretary Water and Power Division Hassan Nisar, and senior officials were present.
MANGLA: December 05 – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif being briefed about the refurbishment project of Mangla Dam and about the operations of the newly inaugurated units-APP
The prime minister also visited the refurbished units of the dam, where he was given a detailed briefing about the project.
ISLAMABAD, Dec 5 (APP): Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal said here on Monday that coordinated efforts between federal, and provincial governments and all concerned institutions helped in mitigating flood damages.
Addressing the National Flood Response Coordination Centre (NFRCC) function here, he said the flood damages could have been much more, however, the collaboration and coordinated efforts helped in evading the huge tragedy.
Appreciating the NFRCC’s role, the minister said that the world was pleasantly surprised over how Pakistan handled such a huge calamity with less human loss.
He said the capability and coordination for disaster management under the umbrella of NFRCC played a great role in helping the country to cope with the challenge.
“This shows the power of collaboration,” he said adding no matter how great a challenge, if we have the ability of collaborating, we can handle every challenge.
He said that the efforts of all three services, provinces, private sector, humanitarian organizations, civil society and friends of Pakistan were positively synergized and it had a huge impact in mitigating the losses.
He thanked all the concerned people on behalf of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the hard work and efforts they had put in during the recent floods.
He said that NFRCC was created for the specific purpose of emergency response and it has successfully completed its mission and has now been dissolved.
However, the minister added, this does not mean the challenge has ended.
He said challenges were still there however it would be dealt with a new format and institutional setting with provinces adding the relevant departments that would monitor all the rehabilitation and reconstruction effort that is going on.
The minister said that the government had prepared a framework for making Pakistan a climate-resilient country adding the framework would be presented before the international community.
He said, Pakistan’s economy, which was already struggling to survive, was inflicted losses of over $30 billion.
However, he added, with the help of social support, the government managed to come out of the crisis mostly at its own resources.
He said that Pakistan was the most vulnerable country facing climate change. He said its principle stand has been accepted internationally during the 27th United Nations Climate Change conference that the countries responsible for global warming should accept their responsibility and help the victim countries.
ISLAMABAD, Dec 5 (APP): The government has so far released funds amounting to Rs 494.97 million, under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP 2022-23) against total allocation of Rs2.484 billion to execute 15 different projects and schemes aimed at ensuring improved aviation sector services in the country.
Out of the total authorization/disbursement of Rs 494.97 million, around Rs360.48 million have been spent on the aviation sector projects during a four-month period (July-October) of the current fiscal year, according to official data available with APP.
As per the PSDP document, an amount of Rs 2.303 billion had been allocated for 10 ongoing schemes, out of which Rs 60 million were meant for construction of Airport Security Force Camp at Islamabad International Airport, Rs 29.871 million for building barrack accommodation for ASP personnel along with Mess and allied facilities, ladies rest room, MT, Store, Kote Magazine, Quarterguard and OC accommodation/room at Skardu Airport, Rs4 million for construction of Barrack accommodation for ASF personnel along with Mess and allied facilities, MT, Store, Visitors Room, Ladies Rest Room, Kote Magazine, Quarter Guard, and OC accommodation/Room at Chitral Airport, Rs 5 million for construction of double storey Barracks for ASF at Faisalabad Airport, Rs 5 million for construction of Rain Water Harvesting Kasana Dam at Islamabad International Airport, Rs 25 million for for installation of Weather Surveillance Radar at Karachi, Rs580 million for installation of Weather Surveillance Radar at Multan, Rs 10 million for installation of Weather Surveillance Radar at Sukkur, Rs 2 billion for new Gwadar International Airport (NGIA project), Rs 150 million for up-gradation of ASF Academy, Karachi and Rs 15 million for up-gradation of ASF Academy, Karachi (Feasibility & Supervision).
Similarly, Rs 181 million had been earmarked for five new schemes, out of which Rs 61 million had been specified for construction of ASF (Airport Security Force) Accommodation at Turbat Airport, Rs10 million for construction of Kote Quarter Guard & Magazine at Panjgur Airport, Rs 5 million for establishment of Basic Aerodrome Facilities at Mansehra – Acquisition of Land for Construction/Establishment of Airport at Mansehra, Rs 5 million for establishment of New Meteorological Observatory at Naran and Hostel for Operational Staff at Balakot and Rs100 million for extension/up-gradation of Bannu Airport for A320/B737 or equivalent Aircraft Operation Phase-I (Land Acquisition).
ISLAMABAD, Dec 5 (APP): Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique on Monday congratulated the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and Muslim Conference on taking lead in the Local Government (LG) elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
In a tweet, the minister said that the people of Kashmir had rejected the poor policies of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) by giving majority votes to the PML-N, PPP, and Muslim Conference collectively in the recent party-based LG elections.
آزاد کشمیر کے جماعتی بلدیاتی انتخابات
الحمد للّٰہ مسلم لیگ ن اور پیپلزپارٹی کا پلڑا بہت بھاری 🙏
مسلم لیگ ن ، پیپلزپارٹی اورمسلم کانفرنس کو مبارکباد
“The PML-N and PPP are enjoying the majority in the local government elections,” the minister added. Saad Rafique said the people of Kashmir knew better which party deserved their votes.
The minister expressed hope that the local leadership of PML-N, PPP, and Muslim Conference would put every effort to tackle the challenges being faced by the people of the valley.
ISLAMABAD, Dec 5 (APP): Head of Mission in Kabul Ubaid-ur-Rehman Nizamani is in the country on a prescheduled visit for consultations, the Foreign Office spokesperson said Monday.
Ubaid-ur-Rehman Nizamani had remained unhurt in a terrorist attack on Pakistan’s embassy in Afghanistan’s capital Kabul on Friday.
Pakistan on Saturday had summoned the Afghan Charge d’Affaires to convey Pakistan’s deep concern and anguish over the attack.
ISLAMABAD, Dec 5 (APP): Indus River System Authority (IRSA) on Monday released 83,900 cusecs water from various rim stations with inflow of 47,000 cusecs.
According to the data released by IRSA, water level in River Indus at Tarbela Dam was 1504.63 feet and was 106.63 feet higher than its dead level of 1,398 feet.
Water inflow and outflow in the dam was recorded as 22,500 cusecs while outflow as 46,000 cusecs.
The water level in River Jhelum at Mangla Dam was 1133.00 feet, which was 83.00 feet higher than its dead level of 1,050 feet. The inflow and outflow of water was recorded 8,600 cusecs and 22,000 cusecs respectively.
The release of water at Kalabagh, Taunsa , Guddu and Sukkur was recorded 56,400, 40,900, 30,900 and 12,200 cusecs respectively. Similarly, from River Kabul, a total of 9,000 cusecs of water released at Nowshera and 2,000 cusecs released from River Chenab at Marala.
ISLAMABAD, Dec 5 (APP): Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Youth Affairs, Shiza Fatima Khawaja Monday said that equipping the youth with modern, research-based education and training to meet future needs is the top priority of the coalition government.
“The nation’s resources need to be spent on equipping the 60% of the youth population with high-quality modern education instead of creating divisions”, she said while speaking to a private news channel.
She further assured that more funds would be utilized for the education sector and for equipping the youth with the latest skills and research.
She mentioned that the government has been launching an international scholarship program for young people, adding, the present government was making durable investments to empower the country’s youth.
Scholarship programs would be expanded further and more initiatives would be launched for the youth, who was a considerably important part of our population, she added.
Replying to a question, she said unemployment can only be eradicated from the country by providing technical education and vocational training to the youth.
RAWALPINDI, Dec 05 (APP): England all-rounder Liam Livingstone has been ruled out of the rest of the Test series against Pakistan with a right knee injury.
He will return to the UK on Tuesday and commence rehab with the English and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Lancashire medical teams respectively, a spokesman of England cricket said on Monday.
At this stage, England have yet to make a decision to call up a replacement.
