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UN urges ‘greater efforts’ to defeat armed group like TTP following Peshawar terrorist attack

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NNPS Desk
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UNITED NATIONS, Feb 01 (APP):With the death toll from the deadly suicide attack on a mosque in Peshawar’s Police Lines reaching 100 mark, the United Nations Tuesday voiced concern over the stability of the region, and called for stepping up efforts to stamp out armed groups like Tehrik-i-Taliban in Pakistan (TTP), which claimed responsibility for the bombing.

“It’s clear that this (the terrorist attack in Pakistan) touches on a number of different concerns we have,” Farhan Aziz Haq, deputy spokesperson of the United Nations, said in response to a question about the tragic incident at the regular noon briefing at UN Headquarters in New York.

“One is the stability of the region with different armed groups like Tehrik-i-Taliban in Pakistan, … having allegedly been behind this particular attack, and we want greater efforts to make sure that those groups are defeated,” he said,

“Beyond that, of course, the UN has called again repeatedly for the protection of holy sites around the world, Farhan Haq said, adding, “it’s horrific to think that people peacefully going to worship are being targeted like this.”

The UN spokesperson spokesperson made those remarks a day after the UN Security Council issued a press statement that condemned “in the strongest terms” the Peshawar suicide attack and called for bring those responsible for the bombing to justice.

“The members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice,” the statement said.

India supporting terrorists operating from Afghan borders: Asif

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 1 (APP):Minister for Defense Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Tuesday said that India is providing training to terrorists operating from Afghan borders.

Disgruntled Tehreek e Taliban groups have been found operating from Afghan bordering areas, he said while talking to a private television channel.

Some TTP groups have reunited from Afghan territory and made attacks on police check posts, he added. We are suffering from weak policies of Imran’s regime, he said. The minister said that Pakistan is passing through difficult economic stages due to tough agreements made with IMF by PTI leaders.

Khawaja Asif said that wave of terrorism had surfaced because Imran Khan could not formulate a clear-cut policy for handling security matters.

In reply to a question about TTP groups training, he said with extended support from India, TTP groups pose a threat to peace. We had fought war on terrorism successfully and restored peace in troubled areas, he said adding that the government would take all possible measures to revive economy and control terrorism.

Pakistan Pavilion wins “Best New Exhibitor” award at New York Travel & Adventure Show

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ISLAMABAD, Jan 31 (APP): Pakistan pavilion has won the “Best New Exhibitor Award” at New York Travel & Adventure Show 2023 for displaying the country’s tourism and culture in a remarkable way.

CEO of New York Travel & Adventure Show presented the award to Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) Managing Director Aftab ur Rehman Rana, said a news release on Tuesday.

The two-day event was held at Jacob K. Javits Convention Center New York on January 28-29.

Speaking on the occasion, PTDC MD Aftab ur Rehman Rana stated that the participation of Pakistan in the Travel and Adventure Show was highly impactful in terms of response from the public and engagement of all the team members throughout the show.

Both the PTDC MD and Advisor to Prime Minister on Tourism & Sports Awn Chaudhry congratulated all the members of Pakistan’s delegation including the provincial tourism departments and private sector tour operators for their dedication and commitment.

They also highly appreciated the support of team of PTDC, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and Pakistan Consulate General at New York to make all this happen.

Pakistan pavilion at the Travel and Adventure show was organized by the PTDC in collaboration with Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Tourism Departments of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Gilgit – Baltistan and 20 Private sector stakeholders of tourism and hospitality industry.

The New York Travel and Adventure Show 2023 concluded with the belief that B2B and G2G meetings of Pakistan with the counterparts of USA would attract international tourists and foreign investment in the country.

FBR achieves revenue target of Rs. 533 billion for month of January

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NNPS Desk
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ISLAMABAD, Jan 31 (APP): The Federal Board of Revenue has achieved monthly budgetary target of Rs.533 billion and surpassed it by Rs. 4 billion in month of January 2023.

The FBR has shown excellent performance by surpassing the budgetary target for the month of January 2023, said a press release issued here on Tuesday.

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has demonstrated a commendable revenue collection performance during January 2023 and has not only achieved the monthly budgetary target of Rs. 533 billion but surpassed it by Rs. 4 billion.

According to provisional figures, FBR has collected Rs. 537 billion in the month of January 2023 thereby showing an impressive growth of 23% compared to the same month last year.

Cumulatively, FBR has collected Rs. 3,965 billion in the first seven months of the current financial year against Rs. 3,367 billion collected in the corresponding period of last year depicting a growth of 18%.

The third quarter of the current year started with an impressive performance and the team FBR is committed to meet the annual budgetary target of Rs. 7,470 billion for the current financial year despite economic challenges.

Direct taxes collection has grown at a robust pace, which has shown growth of 48 % during the first seven months of the current financial year which is reflective of the government’s policy of shifting the tax burden to wealthy and affluent segments of society.

It is also highlighted that the administrative and enforcement measures of the FBR have yielded results which are reflected in the growth of direct taxes in special and domestic taxes at large.

The growth in domestic taxes is 40% during the same period. The contribution of domestic taxes has also increased from 50% last year to 59% during the current year. Furthermore, it is also significant that the collection from Customs Duty has shown an increase of 16% during the month of January 2023 as compared to the same month last year.

Additionally, FBR has not stopped short of taking care of exporters’ liquidity problems and has issued refunds of Rs. 208 billion during the first seven months of the current financial year as against Rs. 183 billion during corresponding period of last year which is 14 % more than the previous year’s issued refunds.

FBR appreciates all those taxpayers whose due contributions helped in the achievement of the budgetary target and also lauds the endeavors of all field formations and its officers for their untiring efforts and commitment to optimize revenue collection in challenging economic situations.

This growth in tax revenues, especially direct taxes, underscores the resolve of the government and FBR to make Pakistan a prosperous nation to withstand financial shocks and bridge the fiscal deficit.

Balochistan govt to plant 0.3 mln trees during spring

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NNPS Desk
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QUETTA, Jan 31 (APP): The Balochistan government is gearing up to plant 0.3 million trees during the coming spring season in the province in a bid to promote greenery and reduce the challenges and impacts of global warming.

Secretary Forests Abdul Wali Kakar, on Tuesday, while talking to APP, said that the plantation campaign would be started in Balochistan from February 15, while around 0.3 million trees would be planted across the province in the spring plantation drive.

The provincial forest department would distribute saplings among the dwellers and cultivate plants itself in the spring to achieve its target, he added.

He said that the government had decided to establish model nurseries on the district level in the province and the citizens of the province would be engaged in a plantation drive through a door-to-door campaign.

He appealed to the public to plant trees in their homes and actively participate in this national cause because trees enhance the natural beauty and provide a clean environment to the citizens.

He added that the government had planned to persuade the plantation of olive trees in the dehydrated areas of the province due to its low water consumption and the government would assist the formers in planting the trees.

The secretary said the plantation of more fruit trees was important to reduce food insecurity and it would also help earn revenue by exporting the production to potential countries.

He added the government had prioritized roadside areas for the drive and the forest department would focus to plant trees in schools, colleges, public parks, government offices and green belts in Quetta and other districts.

On a query, he said deforestation will be stopped at all costs, and fines for illegal cutting will be imposed as the protection of forests is our top priority.

“Mangrove trees would be planted at the coastal areas of the province during the plantation drive,” he added.
The government would launch district-wise tree plantation drive in the province to achieve the maximum numbers of trees plantation, he added.

China strongly condemns suicide blast in Peshawar

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NNPS Desk
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BEIJING, Jan 31 (APP): China on Tuesday strongly condemned Monday’s suicide bombing at a mosque in Peshawar that left scores of people martyred.

“The Chinese side is deeply shocked by the incident and expressed deep condolences to the victims and members of the bereaved families,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said during her regular media briefing.

“China firmly opposes all forms of terrorism and firmly supports the efforts made by the Pakistani side to combat terrorism to
maintain national stability and protect people’s lives,” Mao said.

Condemning the terrorist attack at the mosque, the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan tweeted, “We feel deeply grieved and pay our deepest condolences to the families of victims and injured of the tragedy.”

China-Pakistan hydropower cooperation injecting energy into Pakistan’s green energy development

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NNPS Desk
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BEIJING, Jan 31 (APP): The development of small-scale hydropower can not only solve the problem of electricity consumption of local residents, but also help in developing small local industries, increasing local taxes after being incorporated into the national power grid, and regulating the local ecological climate.

“China-Pakistan small hydropower cooperation is injecting energy into Pakistan’s green economic development.”

The above views were expressed by Wang Chunping, chairperson of Heroboss Technology group, in a recent interview with China Economic Net.

“Heroboss Technology is mainly engaged in scientific and technological cooperation with the Pakistani Ministry of Science and Technology and local energy institutes. It is responsible for setting up the S&T cooperation platform between the two countries in the China-Pakistan small hydropower joint research center, connecting the joint discussions of Chinese state-owned enterprises in Pakistan, and promoting the integrated S&T development.”

The China-Pakistan Small-scale Hydropower Technology Joint Research Center is one of the first batch of joint laboratories under the “Belt and Road Initiative”.

Since the implementation of the China-Pakistan “Belt and Road” joint laboratory on small hydropower technology in early 2021, 5 meetings have been held and consensus has been reached on small hydropower development.

The energy exhibition hall has been completed and 80 percent of the equipment donated by China has arrived. It has also completed studies for the development of several small hydropower projects, and assisted in the compilation of relevant regulations for small hydropower projects in Pakistan.

Tan Bixuan, project manager of CGGC DASU hydropower project in Pakistan, consultant of the research center emphasized that the center is willing to carry out all technology transfer within the scope of national permits, so as to enable the iron brother to develop faster and better.

He explained that “recently, we conducted a joint discussion with major enterprises involved in BRI on how to give full play to achieve more technological transformation.”

“In Pakistan, hydropower projects under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor are in full swing.”

According to Wang, small hydropower development is more conducive to the economic development of poor mountainous areas than large-scale hydropower projects. 60% of rivers in Pakistan are tributaries with a partial annual water flow of 50 m3/s, a large height difference, and a kilometer-long length, allowing for multi-stage small hydropower development in natural conditions.

Pakistan is one of the countries hardest hit by climate change. Since mid-June 2022, multiple rounds of rainstorms have hit various provinces of Pakistan, causing severe flooding. Tan believes that S&T should be used to support Pakistan’s post-disaster reconstruction and fight climate change.

“For post-disaster reconstruction, we are actively studying and cooperating on mobile solar power houses, mobile energy storage systems and mobile communications. And there is a lot of room for cooperation between China and Pakistan in the field of renewable energy, including hydropower, such as small hydropower development in the northern mountains, urban waste power generation, solar power generation, hydrogen energy, air storage, etc,” added Tan.

APP/asg

Political, military leadership determined to seek parliament’s guidance to defeat terrorism: Rana Sanaullah

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ISLAMABAD, Jan 31 (APP): Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah Khan while expressing resolve to win the war against the scourge of terrorism at all costs, on Tuesday, said that the political and military leadership was determined to seek guidance from the parliament to defeat terrorism again.

Speaking on a motion on a recent wave of terrorism in the country in the National Assembly, he assured that the political and military leadership under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would take the parliament into confidence over the recent wave of terrorism.

He said the Parliament would lay the down the policy and the government would adopt it, adding the PM, Chief of Army Staff (COAS)Asim Munner and DG ISI Nadeem Anjum would also come.

The minister said terrorism was a collective issue, which could be rooted out through forging unity and joint efforts.

He said after the Peshawar’s blast, the PM, COAS and the defence minister visited Peshawar after the tragic incident.

“The government is pursuing the same policy which was adopted after the Army Public School (APS) Peshawar in 2014 to purge the country’s soil from the menace of terrorism,” he said.

He said the entire nation stood behind operation Radd-ul- Fasaad and successfully rooted out the terrorism.

Responding to a point raised by MNA Noor Alam Khan, he said the entire nation was shocked and disturbed over the terrorist incidents. “Irrespective of its occurrence, terrorism incidents should not be categorized with any community or ethnicity,” he asserted.

He said the entire nation had the same [heart-wrenching]feelings which was expressed by Noor Alam Khan in his speech.

Dozens of such tragic terrorist incidents occurred in Punjab particularly in Lahore during 2005-06 to 2015-16 in which many police officials ranging from constable to DIG level embraced martyrdom, he said.

Recalling the performance of law-enforcing agencies, the minister said terrorists were not only arrested but also many had been killed during intelligence based operations. “The entire nation has also expressed firm resolve against menace of terrorism,” he said.

Sharing detail of the Peshawar terrorist attack, he said a suicide bomber exploded himself in the mosque which resulted in martyrdom of 100 people, including 97 police officials and three civilians.

He expressed the fear that the death toll could rise as 27 out of 216 injured were in critical condition.

“The rescue operation has already been completed,” he added.

The minister said Khurasani group, a faction of banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had claimed the responsibility for the incident.

“Samples of the suspected attacker’s body parts have been sent to the laboratory for forensic test,” he added.

Sanaullah said investigations into the incident were underway. Geo-fencing was being carried out besides examining CCTV footage that how the suicide attacker reached there.

The minister said the PM Shehbaz would present the findings before the august house once the investigation into the tragic incident was completed.

No room for ‘forced conversion’ or marriage in Islam, Constitution: Minister Abdul Shakoor

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NNPS Desk
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ISLAMABAD, Jan 31 (APP): Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Mufti Abdul Shakoor on Tuesday said there was no room for forced conversion or marriage in Islam and the Constitution.

Addressing a seminar on ‘Religion Change, Problems, Debates and Reality organized by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, here at a local hotel, he said there was a difference between voluntary and forced conversion as the “time has come to clear misconceptions about this particular word – forced conversion”.

The minister said in the past, there had been a lot of negative propaganda regarding forced conversion against Pakistan around the world, adding that a number of people belonging to all religions gathered under one roof to understand each other view points and positions.

He said, there was a dire need to respect all religions to save the society from division adding that through religious cohesion, extremist attitudes could also be addressed in proper manners.

He proposed the participants to avoid extremist behavior towards each other as there was no discrimination from all aspects in the society.

“Allah Almighty in Quran has always addressed the entire humanity, therefore all human beings are equal but we have to prove ourselves superior to others through our character,” Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Abdul Shakoor said.

Special Representative of the Prime Minister on Interfaith Harmony and Middle East Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, Council of Islamic Ideology Chairman Dr Qibla Ayaz, and representatives of different religions expressed their views in the moot.

Sardar Rameshan Singh Arora, Dr Sonu Khangrani, Qari Mohammad Younis, Faqir Shiva Kichchi, Bhaiya Ram Anjum, Haroon Sarap Dayal, Advocate Bhim Singh Chand, Surinder Valsai, Afshan Tahseen Bajwa, Pir Ayub Jan Sirhandi and Abdul Haq Mian Mittho also addressed the occasion.

A number of new convert to Islam men and women were also invited who were accused of forced conversion. Abdul Waris Gul, Ayesha, Saba Kamran, Khansa Abdullah, Chanda Ahmed, Imtiaz Sheikh, Sheikh Hamdan Khalili and Obaidullah Sindhi were among them.

They denied the impression that someone forced them rather held they consciously abandoned their old religions after being inspired by Islamic teachings.

They also said the scholars who made them accepted Islam did not force them but made them believe through several questions.

The speakers praised this unique effort of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony and proposed actions against those elements who were defaming Pakistan on the pretext of false accusations of forced conversion.

Chairperson of PCB Interim Management Committee, Najam Sethi called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif

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Khuram Maryam
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Chairperson of PCB Interim Management Committee, Najam Sethi called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif
APP88-310123 ISLAMABAD
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