A view of foggy weather during morning time at Blue Area Road
Ministry of Narcotics, UNODC launched PMS online portal for obtaining NOC
ISLAMABAD, Jan 25 (APP):The Ministry of Narcotics with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and technical assistance from the Government of Japan, launched Precursor Management System (PMS) an online portal for registering and applying ‘No Objection Certificate (NOC)’ for importing controlled precursor chemicals by the industry.
While speaking at the launching ceremony, Nawabzada Shahzain Bugti Federal Minister for Narcotics thanked UNODC for its continued technical support that led to the automation of Pakistan’s Precursor Management System.
He highlighted that the upgradation is the centerpiece of the Government of Pakistan’s modernization drive, and it has greatly contributed towards Government’s long-term goals and objectives. “The Government of Pakistan is committed to strengthening its precursor control regime in pursuance of our commitments to address the illicit drug problem under the principle of shared responsibility.
The upgradation has enabled the Ministry of Narcotics Control in drug regulation, and countering drug abuse and associated health issues affecting the young Pakistani strata, particularly in educational settings”, said Bugti.
Dr. Jeremy Milsom, Representative UNODC Country Office in Pakistan highlighted that the new web-based Precursor Management System has significantly enhanced the capacities of these national authorities to collect or receive, process, interpret data and approve requests related to import and legitimate industrial use of controlled precursor chemicals in a more secure and real-time manner.
“This technical capacity-building initiative will improve Pakistan’s precursor control regime and improve ‘ease-of-doing business’ for the Pakistani chemical and pharmaceutical industry.
Hence, this capacity development has paved the way for attaining the objectives of the Government of Pakistan’s Anti Narcotics Policy 2019, and our shared aspirations under the provisions of UNODC’s Pakistan Country Programme III (2022-2025)”, said Dr. Milsom.
A comprehensive presentation on the PMS was delivered by Sabino Sikandar Jalal Senior Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Narcotics Control.
He apprised the participants of the design and functioning of web-based information management and application processing system, that has replaced the manual processing system, focusing on public companies’ registration, requests for importing controlled precursor chemicals for industrial use, issuance of ‘No Objection Certificate’, and submission of utilization details of imported controlled chemicals.
Zafar Mahmood Former Chairman of the PCMA expressed satisfaction over the newly automated Pakistan’s Precursor Management System.
He highlighted that one of the leading objectives of the PCMA was to anticipate, suggest, and respond to Government of Pakistan’s regulatory policy and practices.
“The PCMA is committed to attracting new investments and improving Pakistan’s chemical exports. We continue endeavors to achieve competitiveness through sustainable growth and adoption of global best practices, in close coordination with the Government of Pakistan”, said Mahmood.
Humaira Ahmed, Federal Secretary, Ministry of Narcotics Control highlighted that the new automated Precursor Management System is a manifestation of the Government of Pakistan’s broader vision, to automate the entire process of registration and issuance of ‘No-Objection Certificate (NOC)’ to the chemical and pharmaceutical industry for importing, exporting and utilizing controlled precursor chemicals.
“The requests for grant of NOC can now be generated electronically and all steps (including document submission, utilization details and import licenses) have also been automated. It will also significantly improve transparency and trust among the public-private stakeholders concerned”, she said.
Chairman of Pakistan Chemical Manufacturers Association (PCMA), and Representative of UNODC Country Office Pakistan (COPAK), officials from various federal ministries and line departments, senior representatives from the industry and the civil society and international donor representatives also attended the ceremony.
Chinese New Year kicks off with cultural night celebrations
ISLAMABAD, Jan 25 (APP): Pakistani singers enthralled the audience here in twin cities Tuesday to celebrate Chinese New Year 2023 at Pak China Friendship Centre.
The show Happy Chinese New Year 2023 – Year of Rabbit and the Spring Festival Musical evening was organized by China Media Group.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister, Zafruddin Mehmood was the chief guest on the occasion and termed the event a token of celebration between Pakistan and China and said that such events are the opportunity to boost people-to-people contacts and strengthen cultural ties between two brotherly countries.
Singers including Syed Asim Raza, Adil Khan, Waqas Ali, Seher Gul Khan, Alizeh Khan and Naseer Khawaja mesmerized the audience including the Chinese community with popular melodies who joined them in singing and dancing.
Meanwhile, China Cultural Center in Pakistan has launched a series of activities to celebrate the 2023 Happy Chinese New Year, the celebrations culminate with the Lantern Festival on February 5th, 2023.
Chinese New Year is also known as Spring Festival. It is the most important festival of the year for the Chinese Nation. It is a time reserved for families. It is an important opportunity for families and friends to get together and celebrate the new year. Often, family members and relatives travel from all over the country to come together for the special event.
Chinese people strive to make this event as special as possible, often spending hours preparing food and decorations for the events of the festival.
Shehbaz congratulates Chris Hipkins on becoming New Zealand PM
ISLAMABAD, Jan 25 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday congratulated Chris Hipkins on becoming the 41st Prime Minister of New Zealand.
The prime minister, in a tweet, said that he looked forward to working with him to strengthen and expand the relations between the two friendly countries.
He also expressed best wishes to the new prime minister of New Zealand for his new responsibilities.
Chris Hipkins was sworn in as New Zealand’s 41st prime minister, following the resignation of Jacinda Ardern last week.
President for practicing Islamic teachings to ensure Inter-Faith harmony, global peace
ISLAMABAD, Jan 25 (APP):President Dr. Arif Alvi on Wednesday called for practicing cherished principles of Islam which called upon everyone to practice one’s own religion without interfering in other’s religions.
Practicing such principles ensures political, social, cultural, legal and religious freedoms for the followers of all religions, respecting and protecting their places of worship and allowing followers of all religions to pray in their worship places, he added.
The President expressed these views while addressing the opening session of the International Inter-Faith Peace Conference titled “Respect for Humanity and its Importance”, in Islamabad.
Chairman Inter-Faith Council for Peace and Harmony, Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabeer Azad, and Founder of the Community of Sant’ Egidio, Prof Dr Andrea Ricardi, also addressed the session, whereas Secretary General of the Muslim World League, Muhammad bin Abdul-Karim Al-Issa, addressed the occasion through a recorded video message.
The Conference was attended by the national and international scholars of different religions, and people from different walks of life.
The President said that all the religions of the world preached peace, security and harmony in society but unfortunately, followers of different religions forget and neglect these teachings and resort to war on the basis of vested interests, nationalism, racism, land, resources or politics.
He said that it was the duty of the Islamic society to protect the religious places of other religions, provide security and respect to their religious leaders and give equal rights to them under the law. He added that Muslim societies are responsible to protect the honor, dignity, life and properties of followers of all other religions.
The President said that religion was wrongly labelled as the reason for war as most of the wars fought in the recent history were by those countries which had the knowledge, education and information, were developed but still they fought amongst themselves and with the others on the basis of their hegemonic designs and self-serving vested interests.
The President said that human beings learn more from making observations from what was happening in reality around them and less from the history and academic debates and in the same manner countries and nations do not learn from their past mistakes of waging senseless wars but repeat the same mistake again and again like USA and USSR invaded Vietnam and Afghanistan and learned a bitter lesson, but soon forgot and invaded again in Afghanistan and Ukraine.
Similarly, he added, that jews went through harrowing experience of Holocaust but the same Jews who were victims of holocaust forgot their experience and are perpetrating cruelty and inhuman treatment on Palestinians.
The President condemned the abhorrent act of burning and desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden and urged upon international community to take notice of this heinous and abhorrent act and take all necessary measures to provide justice and put in place a mechanism to prevent rehappening of such shocking acts in future.
He emphasized that religious sentiments of followers of all religions need to be respected and safeguarded and no one should be allowed to hurt and insult religious sentiments of the followers of other religions in the garb of freedom of expression.
He added that hate speech, speech inciting violence, promoting racism and bigotry should be curbed and discouraged at all forums.
The President called for ending discrimination in the treatment of refugees, saying that refugees should not be discriminated on the basis of their colour, race, religion, or place of origin.
He said that Pakistan hosted 4 million Afghan refugees for 4 decades without discrimination and imposing conditions, and the world needed to learn from Pakistan’s generosity and experiences.
Prof Dr Andrea Ricardi soeaking on the occasion appreciated Pakistan’s hosting of the Afghan refugees.
He said that dialogues among communities were essential for promoting peace and harmony, adding that different religions needed to coexist peacefully.
He said that minorities had a right to their identity as it strengthened the foundations of a nation.
He said that dialogue should be promoted at all levels of society and different religions should compete on promoting good and the welfare of humanity.
He said that war was the mother of poverty, and religions could help reduce wars, conflicts, and hatred in the world.
Secretary General of the Muslim World League in his video message called for establishing international society based on mutual coexistence, love and humanity.
He said that behind the great diversity in religions and religious beliefs lay the wisdom of Allah Almighty and the people needed to learn this wisdom and live in peace and harmony together despite their differences and diversity of views.
He said that different religious communities needed to come together and hold dialogue on the commonalities among them instead of promoting hatred and differences.
Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad on the occasion called for establishing international laws preventing hate speech.
He said that the world had become a global village and people with different views needed to learn to live together peacefully.
He said that Pakistan had been a flag-bearer of love, tolerance, hospitality, and had fought against terrorism and religious extremism.
He said that Pakistani religious scholars had issued a unanimous religious decree against suicide attacks, terrorism and extremism.
Earlier, the President distributed awards among the representatives of different religions for their efforts towards the promotion of peace, harmony and respect for humanity.