AJK PM seeks new techniques and modern technologies to compete the world

Wed, 1 Feb 2023, 9:24 PM

MIRPUR ( AJK ) Feb 01 (APP): Azad Jammu Kashmir Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan on Wednesday administered oath to the interim body of Azad Jammu Kashmir Engineers Association.

Addressing the oath -taking ceremony held in the federal metropolis, the PM while appreciating the engineering fraternity’s role said that engineers have significantly contributed to the development of nations across the globe.

“We have the opportunity to work with big companies in the world”, he said, adding that the engineering field had progressed a lot and there was a dire need to adopt new techniques and modern technologies to compete the world.

Referring to the deadly earthquake that hit Azad Kashmir on October 08 2005, the PM said, “After the earthquake, the reconstruction of buildings in line with present day requirements has become compulsory”.

He said that the AJK government was sincerely pursuing its agenda to serve the masses. The PM said that although he had been contributing in politics at national level as a technocrat, the main aim behind his decision to join politics was to serve his countrymen.

On the occasion, the PM also expressed deep sense of shock over the loss of precious human lives in a terrorist attack in Peshawar. Special prayers were held for those who were martyred in the incident.

Earlier on his arrival the Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by President Azad Kashmir Engineers Association, Engineer Zubair Ayub Khan and other members of the association. Meanwhile, Dr. Bo Abdullah, a leading UAE businessman called on Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan and discussed in detail the issues of mutual interest.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former chairman Ulema -wo-Mushaikh Council and Zakat Council, prominent spiritual personality Sahibzada Mohammad Saleem Chishti. In his condolence message the PM while extending his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family said that Chisti’s demise was a big loss.

The deceased scholar’s services, he said, would be remembered for a long time. Expressing sympathies with the bereaved, the PM also prayed for the deceased soul. Ends / APP / AHR.

OIC Executive Committee strongly condemns recent sacrilegious acts

NNPS Desk

Wed, 1 Feb 2023, 9:18 PM

ISLAMABAD, Feb 1 (APP): The Executive Committee of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), in an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday, at the OIC General Secretariat headquarters, Jeddah, strongly condemned the recent despicable acts of desecration of the Holy Quran Al-Kareem in Sweden, the Netherlands and Denmark.

It called upon the respective governments to take effective actions to prevent the recurrence of these vile acts.

The OIC executive committee, in a final communique of the open-ended extraordinary meeting, also deplored the global rise and number of incidents or racial and religious intolerance and violence, including Islamophobia and urged all the UN Member States to implement paragraph 150 of the Durban Declaration and Program of Action, a press release of the OIC Secretariat said.

The meeting held at the invitation of the Republic of Turkiye to discuss the recent incidents of desecration of the Holy Quran, condemned all attempts to denigrate the sanctity of the Holy Quran as well as other scared values and symbols of Islam, including the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), under the garb of freedom of expression, which was contrary to the spirit of Articles 10 and 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR); and called upon the international community to stand against these attempts.

It invited the ambassadors of the OIC member states in the respective capitals where vile acts against the Holy Quran and other Islamic holy symbols took place, to collectively make efforts with respect to the national parliaments, media, civil society organizations as well as the governmental institutions, in order to express the OIC’s stance and to induce the relevant authorities to take the necessary legislative actions in order to criminalize such attacks, cognizant of the fact that the exercise of freedom of expression carried with it special duties and responsibilities.

The executive committee also noted with concern that Islamophobia was on the rise in many parts of the world as evidenced by the mounting numbers of recorded incidents of religious intolerance, negative stereotyping, hatred and violence against Muslims.

Expressing its deeply worries about the resurgence of racist movements and far right extremism in multiple regions of the world, it recalled relevant resolutions and declarations by the Islamic Summit Conference and Council of Foreign Ministers, in particular the Final Communiqué of the 14th Islamic Summit, held in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, on 31 May 2019; as well as Resolutions adopted by the 48th Council of Foreign Ministers, held in Islamabad on 23 March 2022, in particular Resolution No. 32/48-POL on ‘Combating Islamophobia and Eliminating Hatred and Prejudice against Islam’, Resolution No. 34/48-POL on ‘Combating Defamation of Religions’, and Resolution No. 35/48-POL on ‘Condemnation of Desecration of the Holy Quran’.

It also referred to the UN General Assembly resolution 66/167 and the UN Human Rights Council resolution 16/18 of March 2011, UNGA Resolution 76/254 designated 15 March as the “International Day to Combat Islamophobia”.

The meeting stressed upon the need ‘to ensure that the right of freedom of expression should be exercised by all, with responsibility and in accordance with the relevant international human rights laws and instruments.’

It reiterated the importance of promoting dialogue, understanding and cooperation among religions, cultures and civilizations for peace and harmony in the world.

“Emphasizes the importance of promoting dialogue, understanding and cooperation among religions, cultures and civilizations while shunning hatred and extremism in order to achieve peace and harmony in the world; these are the principles highlighted by Amman Message,” it was further added.

The meeting requested the OIC secretary general to implement paragraph 9 of Resolution No. 68/48-POL by appointing a Special Envoy on Islamophobia, within the existing resources, to lead collective effort on OIC’s behalf.

MoPD&SI considers open access to PSDP Data

NNPS Desk

Wed, 1 Feb 2023, 9:16 PM

ISLAMABAD, Feb 1 (APP): Governance Innovation Lab under the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives (MoPD&SI) has taken a major step towards making information about the 750-billion-rupee development expenditure of Pakistan accessible to the masses.

A new portal will be created to provide real-time information about the allocation, release, and progress of every Public sector Development Programe (PSDP) project through a graphical interface.

All approved PC1s will be available and accessible on the portal, and the Ministry has established a Champions of Reforms (COR) Network to seek input from citizens in reviewing and evaluating project proposals under PSDP, said a press release issued here.

This unprecedented move will ensure greater returns on investment by making sure that the PSDP reflects the aspirations of the citizens.

Expert opinions gathered during the evaluation process will be included as a special section in the Executive Summary of PC-1 that is presented at the CDWP, making all stakeholders accountable to the citizens of Pakistan and enhancing the transparency and effectiveness of PSDP. Both the Ministry’s and independent experts’ opinions will be reflected in the PC1s and discussed in the CDWP meetings.

This digitization initiative is a major step towards making the PSDP allocations more accountable and accessible to the public, and the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives is proud to lead the way in this effort.

These suggestions were discussed in the roundtable conference organized by the GIL during which Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal makes a bold move towards greater transparency in development expenditure at the Round Table Conference on the Digitisation of the PSDP.

With the digitisation of PSDP, the federal government aims to provide citizens with in-depth information on all PSDP-funded projects through a dedicated portal, including project locations, funding, releases, progress, and even satellite images and drone footage where available. This innovative step towards a more informed and engaged public is set to revolutionize the way we track and understand government spending.

Similarly, Member Governance, Innovation and Reforms, Dr Adnan Rafiq, stated that to bridge the gap between citizens and the state, the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives introduces digital technology to increase transparency and accountability.

By incorporating global expert viewpoints, the dedicated portal allows civil society to monitor progress on PSDP projects and researchers to conduct in-depth analysis. This collaboration will aid the Ministry in enhancing PSDP allocations and driving positive change for the citizens of Pakistan.

Imran Khan acted as ‘facilitator of terrorists’: Marriyum

NNPS Desk

Wed, 1 Feb 2023, 9:14 PM

Read in Urdu

ISLAMABAD, Feb 1 (APP): Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Wednesday accused Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan of acting as a “facilitator of terrorists” in the country.

The minister, in a tweet, said Imran Khan, who had pushed the country into an economic quagmire during his four-year rule which resulted in extreme inflation, could not prove himself innocent by delivering speeches.

عمران خان تم ہی ملک میں دہشتگردی کے سہولتکار ہو.پاکستانی معیشت کا قاتل اور مہنگائی کا مجرم تقریروں سے مظلوم نہیں بن سکتا.جس نے NRO دینے پہ مجبور کیا اُسی کو تا حیات ایکسٹنشن دینے کی آفر ؟ تم نے تسلیم کر کیا کہ چیف آف آرمی سٹاف کے عہدے کو اپنی سیاست کی نظر کرنا چاہتے تھے
— Marriyum Aurangzeb (@Marriyum_A) February 1, 2023

She asked why Imran Khan had offered lifetime extension (in service) to the head of a institution who had forced him to give an NRO like favour to the then opposition.

The PTI chairman had admitted that he wanted to politicize the post of army chief to save his politics, she added.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister Mr.Atta ullah Tarar talking to media in Provincial Capital city.

Zia Ur Rehman

Wed, 1 Feb 2023, 9:10 PM

<em>Special Assistant to Prime Minister Mr.Atta ullah Tarar talking to media in Provincial Capital city.</em> — APP63-010223 LAHORE:

Cyclist on the way loaded with frames of traditional bed (Charpai) heading towards his destination.

Zia Ur Rehman

Wed, 1 Feb 2023, 9:06 PM

<em>Cyclist on the way loaded with frames of traditional bed (Charpai) heading towards his destination.</em> — APP46-010223 MULTAN:

People standing in a long queue to purchase flour bags at a subsidized rate.

Zia Ur Rehman

Wed, 1 Feb 2023, 9:05 PM

<em>People standing in a long queue to purchase flour bags at a subsidized rate.</em> — APP45-010223 MULTAN:

Nawaz Sharif ended terrorism from the country: Interior Minister

NNPS Desk

Wed, 1 Feb 2023, 9:03 PM

BAHAWALPUR, Feb 01 (APP): Federal Minister for Interior, Rana Sana Ullah has said that it was Nawaz Sharif whose government rooted out the menace terrorism at the time when it was said that terrorists had reached to the Margalla hills.

While addressing a workers’ convention of Pakistan Muslim League-N here in Bahawalpur, the Minister said that dynamic personality of former prime minister, Nawaz Sharif brought the country out of crisis.

The Minister added that Senior Vice President and Chief Organizer of Pakistan Muslim League-N, Ms. Maryam Nawaz has been assigned the task to lead party campaign and to reorganize and activate the party.

He said that PML-N was name of progress and guarantee to prosperity of the country.

Referring to the workers convention of PML-N Bahawalpur, he said that it was an organizational convention which was presenting a look of public gathering that showed power of PML-N. “Maryam Nawaz started her party campaign from Bahawalpur to reorganize and activate the party,” he said. “She has a long struggle for the cause of democracy,” he said.

“The enthusiasm and passion of PML-workers is being seen across the country,” he said. He further said that who reposed their trust in the leadership of Mian Nawaz Sharif, they would have to follow he leadership. “People will have to standby and support Maryam Nawaz to save Pakistan,” he said.

“The mission is launched by PML-N to bring Pakistan out of crisis. We are aware of increase in tariff of electricity and natural gas and surge in prices of petroleum products,” he said adding that the PML-N led government was not responsible for current wave of price hike. Imran Khan was responsible for it as he inked a harsh agreement with IMF. He said that the current government saved the country form default like situation.

“Imran Khan and his regime made a specific agreement with IMF that caused price hike,” he said, adding that It was Nawaz Sharif and PML-N who made the country atomic deterrent and bring the country out of crisis.

He said that Nawaz Sharif rooted out terrorism from the country and ended the power load shedding. He said that Nawaz Sharif was ousted from the government through a conspiracy in order to bring Imran Khan and his allies in government.