First Lady Begum Samina Arif Alvi looking at different Still Life Paintings at the “Life is Not Still” exhibition, held at Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA)
PM to appoint army chief on merit: Rana Sanaullah
ISLAMABAD, Nov 21 (APP): Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah on Monday said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would appoint the new army chief on merit.
The process of appointment of new army chief has been started and the prime minister would keep the merit in view, he said while talking to a private television channel. He alleged that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan was trying to make the appointment of army chief controversial.
He claimed that Imran Khan was spreading anarchy in the country through long march. The minister said that PTI chairman was making all-out efforts to create rift among the institutions. However, he would not succeed in his ‘designs’, he added.
To a question, he said the PML-N leaders would have deliberations about the return of party Quaid Nawaz Sharif to Pakistan. He assured that Nawaz Sharif would lead the campaign for winning next general election in Pakistan.
World leaders acknowledged Pak role at UN summit: Kundi
ISLAMABAD, Nov 21 (APP):Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Faisal Karim Kundi on Monday said that world leaders have acknowledged the positive role of Pakistan at the U.N. summit in Egypt.
Talking to PTV, Faisal Karim Kundi said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs deserved applause for successful diplomacy, likewise, the minster of climate change for playing key role, he added.
Faisal Karim Kundi reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to fully rehabilitate the flood-affected people.
Kundi questioned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan that he should tell the nation that where he had spent the money which was collected for flood victims’ relief.
He accused Imran Khan for using donation money for self-projection in the past.
PM’s letter for appointment of new COAS communicated to GHQ: Defense Minister
ISLAMABAD, Nov 21 (APP): Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Monday informed the National Assembly that the Prime Minister’s letter for the appointment of new Chief of Army Staff (COAS) has been communicated to the General Headquarters (GHQ) by the defense ministry.
The process of appointment of new COAS will be completed in a couple of days, said the defense minister adding that after the new appointment the chaos will be subsided.
He requested the media to maintain the sanctity of the constitutional procedure of the appointment of the new army chief adding that the government will deal with PTI chief Imran Khan at the completion of the process.
Khawaja Asif said Imran Khan’s political tactics to come back in power are damaging the unity of the country and the nation along with the respect and sanctity of the institutions that supported him for four years unconditionally.
The institution after 75 years announced the univocal neutrality and returning to its constitutional role but Imran Khan is mocking or taunting the institute for its decision, said the minister.
He said Imran Khan should be ashamed that he failed to deliver despite the unconditional support of the institution, instead of attacking on them.
The 70 years record of “Tosha Khana” is available many rulers bought gifts from “Tosha Khana” but Imran Khan is the first one who sold gifts in the market to make money, he added.
“I am surprised to think about the morals and standards of Imran Khan’s followers” said the minister adding that Imran Khan was caught red-handed.
He said Imran Khan blamed the United States of America (USA) for the vote of no-confidence against him but after a few months, he exonerated the USA from the blame.
Secondly, he blamed the Army, Intelligence agencies and establishment for supporting the opposition in a vote of no confidence motion against him but now he also exonerated them which is a blessing that he admitted his ouster by the parliamentarians in a constitutional way.
“Imran Khan had been inviting Army to take control of the country through martial law, but they refused,” said the minister.
He said the establishment took over the country four times in the past and directly ruled for thirty-seven years out of which Ayub Khan ruled for eleven years, Yahya Khan ruled for three years, General Zia ruled for eleven years and General Musharraf ruled for nine years but now the institute has decided to be neutral and play their apolitical role in accordance with the Constitution.
“Let’s support them and give them an opportunity to fulfill their pledge and perform their constitutional role,” said the minister.
He requested media to refrain from creating unnecessary hype on the appointment of new COAS adding that “It is a routine matter which takes place every three years or in some cases delayed”.
“Let’s hope and pray that we cross this threshold in the next two-to-three days,” said the minister adding that all predictions in media are wrong and baseless.
National Workshop Balochistan-X begins
QUETTA, Nov 21 (APP): A four-week National Workshop Balochistan-X (NWB-X) started here on Monday which was jointly organized by provincial government and 12 Corps.
Commander Balochistan Corps Lt Gen Asif Ghafoor welcomed the participants during opening session, said a handout issued by the ISPR.
As many as 83 participants from various walks of life are taking part in this workshop.
The workshop is aimed at mutual learning through interactive sessions.
“During course of the workshop renowned subject matter experts including diplomats and civil military leadership will
interact wit0h the participants,” it added.
APP/ask
Minister directs IPC, PSB to submit PC-1 of Narowal Sports City on Nov 30
ISLAMABAD, Nov 21 (APP): Minister for Planning and Development and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Monday directed the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) and Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) to submit PC-1 of the Narowal Sports City on November 30.
The minister made these directions while chairing a meeting to review the progress of Narowal Sports City. The officials of IPC, PSB, NESPAK and P3A Board attended the meeting.
The minister expressed dissatisfaction over the delay and reprimanded the IPC’s officials for not executing the projects. “There is no progress despite the lapse of seven months which shows the non-serious attitude of the Ministry,” said the minister, adding that it’s public money which must be utilized for the public.
The sports city has 14 stadiums and courts of sports, such as cricket, football, hockey, volleyball, squash, table tennis, lawn tennis, badminton court and other games besides swimming pools which was started by the minister. However, in 2018, Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf (PTI) stopped this project as a result athletes were deprived from this facility.
During the meeting, the Minister also directed the P3A Board to establish a company on December 15, which will help in maintenance of the Sport City while recommending people from different walks of life in the company. The minister observed that CDWP had directed to establish such a company that would be responsible for the management and maintenance of the Sports City.
The minister noted that Narowal Sports City should be a national asset that not only becomes the face of Pakistani sports spirit but a profitable and credible resource for the country.
This project should be functional on March 23, 2023 and necessary procurements should be ready before the deadline, directed the minister while highlighting the significance of the public interest project.
AJK PM for timely holding of LG polls
MIRPUR (AJK), Nov 21 (APP): Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan has reiterated the government’s commitment regarding the devolution of power to grass root level and said that the local body elections will be held as per the announced schedule on November 27.
He expressed these views while speaking as a special guest at a ceremony here.
He said that the elections will not be postponed under any circumstances saying that the polls being held after a long time would change the entire political landscape of the liberated territory.
Sardar Ilyas said that those who were trying to postpone the local elections were not sincere to the people.
Govt providing maximum facilitation, friendly environment to facilitate businesses in country: Dar
ISLAMABAD, Nov 21 (APP): Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar Monday said the present government was providing maximum facilitation and a friendly environment to facilitate businesses in Pakistan.
He said this in a called on meeting with Chairman/Director Vitol, Christopher Bake along with CEO Hascol Aqeel Khan.
Minister of State for Petroleum Musadik Masood Malik, SAPM on Finance Tariq Bajwa , Secretary Finance and senior officers attended the meeting, said a press release issued here.
The Chairman Vitol briefed the finance minister about the operational nature of Vitol, business profile and their
contribution in economic development of Pakistan. It was shared that Vitol has long-standing business relations with Pakistan and desires to promote this relationship deeper.
The delegation also gave various proposals for expanding their business activities in Pakistan.
Christopher Bake also apprised the finance minister of certain issues being faced by them.
Ishaq Dar acknowledged and appreciated the contribution of Vitol and added that the present government welcomes foreign direct investment and provides conducive environment to the foreign investors.
The finance minister also highlighted the economic outlook of the country and shared that with the far-sighted and pragmatic policies of the present government, the economy of Pakistan was progressing.
Ishaq Dar welcomed their suggestions for expanding their business portfolio in Pakistan and further assured the delegation of full support and cooperation and said that their issues would be resolved by the government at the earliest.
The delegation thanked the finance minister for his cooperation and support.
NA speaker elected as chairman for special body on agricultural products
ISLAMABAD, Nov 21 (APP): The National Assembly (NA) Special Committee on Agricultural Products on Monday unanimously elected the NA Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf as its Chairman.
Thanking the members for reposing confidence in him, the NA speaker said given the recent evolving dynamics within the country and beyond, the agenda of food security and agricultural development had assumed central importance. He expressed the hope that, given the support of the seasoned members of NA, the committee would strive to make better decisions to accelerate Pakistan’s agro-economic growth.
The members expressed that the election of the NA speaker as Chairman of the Special Committee on Agricultural Products would add significant value to the decisions pertaining to agriculture sector.
The members regretted that despite being an agrarian economy, Pakistan relied on imported agricultural products to meet its domestic demand.
The members underlined the need to address long-standing problem of farmers’ access to cheap credit, improved research to enhance productivity and improved mechanisms for profitability of the farmers.
The committee deliberated on the delay in fixing the support prices for wheat and sugarcane and sugarcane crushing season respectively.
The members regretted that given the deadlock regarding permission to export surplus sugar and subsequent delay in initiating sugarcane crushing was causing considerable losses to the poor farmers.
They urged the government to negotiate with the sugar mills owners, verify the available stock and grant them the permission to export the surplus sugar. Doing so would permit them initiate sugarcane crushing on time and thus relieve the farmers, they added.
The Minister for National Food Security and Research maintained that the without a credible and verifiable evidence of surplus stock, the government could not grant the permission to export sugar.
Citing previous precedents, he said sugar export permission was granted, however, owing to subsequent shortage in the country, expensive sugar imports were undertaken.
The members urged the minister to adopt a flexible approach in negotiating with the sugar mills owners and devise a mechanism to export verified surplus sugar.
He maintained that meeting in this regard had been convened on Thursday.
One of the members maintained that cartelization and monopolization within the sugar industry and their ability to influence state policies for their personal gains was an unaddressed question.
She urged the Ministry of National Food Security and Research to devise mechanisms to encourage other forms of ownership in the sugar industry.
They members stated that early announcement of the support prices, before sowing, signaled better profitability and incentives to cultivate crops.
It was highlighted that so far the federal government had not reached a conclusive decision with regards to support price for wheat.
The Minister National Food Security and Research said the provinces’ divergent decisions caused the delay in setting the support prices.
He assured that the matter would be resolved in the next meeting of the Cabinet.
He also added that the package for the agriculture sector is also pending the meeting of the Cabinet.
The meeting was attended by NA Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Minister for National Food Security and Research, Tariq Basheer Cheema, Minister for Commerce, Syed Naveed Qamar, Nawab Sher Wassi, Dr. Nafeesa Shah, Mehnaz Akbar Aziz, Wajeeha Qamar, Mir Khan Muhammad Jamali, Sajid Mehdi, Muhammad Moeen Wattoo, Syed Abrar Ali Shah, Dr. Muhammad Afzal Khan Dhandla and Zulfiqar Ali Behan.