Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Sajid Hussain Turi met Portuguese Secretary of State for Labor Mr. Miguel Fontes and President of Public Works Department IEFP, Mr. Domingo Lopes
PCB CEO thanks Ireland women and Bangladesh U19
Sohail Ali
LAHORE, Nov 18 (APP): Pakistan Cricket Board Chief Executive Faisal Hasnain has congratulated the Ireland women’s and the Bangladesh U19 teams on their successful tours of Lahore and Multan, respectively. These matches took place concurrently.
In Lahore, the Pakistan women won the ODI series 3-0 to secure second place in the ICC Women’s Championship table, before Ireland women came back strongly to win the T20I series 2-1. The Bangladesh U19 side held the Pakistan U19 team to a draw in the four-day match, before clinching a hard-fought 45-over-a-side three-match series 2-1. The two-match T20 series ended in a 1-all draw.
Faisal Husnain said here on Friday : “We were delighted to host Ireland women for the first-time ever and the Bangladesh U19 team on their maiden tour since 2007. I hope they enjoyed our hospitality and our playing facilities, and also experienced our rich culture, history and passion for this great game. I am hoping to see a few Irish girls return to Pakistan in March 2023 for The Women’s League, and I also hope to see talented Bangladesh U19 players progress to the senior side in the near future.
“For our own girls and boys, it has been an invaluable playing experience, as they continue to learn and improve as part of their endeavors to improve their overall skills and performances.
It is the PCB’s strategic objective to create playing opportunities for our talented and emerging cricketers, and provide them pathways to enable them to achieve their career objectives and goals as professional cricketers.
“The PCB has always enjoyed an excellent and cordial relationship with Cricket Ireland and Bangladesh Cricket Board, and we have collectively worked very closely towards encouraging and assisting in each other’s cricket promotion and development. I remain confident this relationship will continue to strengthen and we will see many more such tours in the future.
“The Ireland women and Bangladesh U19 tours have been part of an incredibly busy 2022, which started on 27 January with the HBL Pakistan Super League 7. To date, we have planned, organised and delivered 725 matches at home in 20 events, including 696 domestic matches and 29 international fixtures.
These matches are in addition to the 37 international matches our men’s and women’s teams have played on their tours of Ireland, United Kingdom, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates and Australia.
“As part of Pakistan’s diamond jubilee year and celebrations, we had planned 2022 as a mouth-watering bumper year of cricket and I am pleased that we have been able to deliver all these cricketing events for our fans, followers, cricketers and other stakeholders. This has been a major task and I am extremely thankful to the entire PCB staff for working flat-out to ensure a high quality and smooth delivery of these many number of domestic and international matches.
“We are now working round-the-clock to host England for December’s three-Test series, which will be their first Test matches in Pakistan in 17 years. And before the turn of the year, New Zealand would have played their first Test in Karachi in 20 years.
“I remain confident that through our professional and administrative abilities, and with the continued support of the local governments, security agencies and various other stakeholders, we will fulfil our commitments for the year to our fans and followers, and enhance Pakistan’s reputation and credibility as a sports loving people and a wonderful country that welcomes overseas sports teams and visitors with open arms, and delivers high quality events to world-class standards.
“Finally, I again reiterate my thanks to various sectors of the local governments and security agencies for their continued encouragement and support of our endeavors.”
Ambassador Munir Akram, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN delivering statement in the General Assembly Item 125” Question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and other matters related to the Security Council.
NA speaker terms children as prosperous, democratic future of Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, Nov 18 (APP): National Assembly (NA) Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Friday termed the children as prosperous and democratic future of Pakistan.
Welcoming the children of various government schools of the federal capital in the Parliament House visiting gallery to mark the World Children’s Day which falls on November 20 every year, the speaker said the NA had always remained energized in reaching out these young-minds in order to inculcate the spirit of democracy, tolerance and peace.
He said the future of a prosperous Pakistan was lying in their hands suggesting to observe and learn the democratic norms and practice them in their everyday life.
He also wished a bright future to the children who were invited by the Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights Convener Mehnaz Akbar Aziz.
Later on, the Convener Mehnaz presented a resolution in the house after seeking permission to suspend the rules of business which was unanimously passed by the legislators in the best interest of Children’s future.
7th Thal Jeep Desert Rally 2022 kicking off with most exciting and thrilling jeep race in the city
An eye catching beautiful skyscape with sunset at Indus river
A rural people walking on water pipeline as they use this pipeline for crossing Mori water canal at Tando Yosuf road.
First Lady for constant awareness, effective measures to reduce deaths by breast cancer
ISLAMABAD, Nov 18 (APP): First Lady Samina Alvi on Friday said that the continuous awareness campaign and effective measures were a must to reduce the ratio of fatalities caused by breast cancer in the country.
The first lady, addressing an event to create awareness on breast cancer, said the awareness drive would help women get early diagnosis of the otherwise deadly disease for their timely treatment thus reducing the risks of deaths.
Held by Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industries, the event was attended by representatives of the business community, health experts and a huge number of women.
She told the gathering that the ratio of breast cancer-related deaths was higher in Pakistan comparing other countries as one of every nine women in the country was infected by the disease. Moreover, around 50,000 women succumb to the disease every year, she added.
She said besides preventive measures, the timely diagnosis of breast cancer was essential which necessitated the self-examination by the women.
Samina Alvi said the media, educational institutions, hospitals and the business community had been fully participating in the awareness drive on breast cancer.
She said the higher fatality ratio of breast cancer was a matter of concern. Due to the very reason, an awareness campaign was underway across the four provinces which was also bringing in the positive impacts.
Besides, awareness seminars were also being held in the universities, she added.
Lauding the role of ICCI, the first lady apprised the participants about her visits to different areas which led to enhanced awareness among women.
She said despite meagre resources, the country was capable enough to cope with the deadly disease.
Reiterating her call for self-diagnosis, the first lady said in case of finding any abnormal growth, the women should immediately consult the doctor and also undergo mammography and screening, if required.
She said even the young girls of 12 years were also being infected by the disease which was a matter of concern.
She also called for steps to take care of the persons with disabilities besides improving the people’s mental health.
In their addresses, other speakers including ICCI President Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari appreciated the active role of the first lady for awareness of breast cancer and emphasised the continuity of the campaign.
The health experts apprised the audience about the situation of breast cancer in Pakistan, prevention and its treatment.
Gold rates decrease by Rs 400 per tola
ISLAMABAD, Nov 18 (APP): The price of 24 karat per tola gold witnessed a decrease of Rs 400 on Friday as it was sold at Rs 158,000 against its sale at Rs Rs 158,400 the previous day.
The price of 10 gram 24 karat also decreased by Rs 342 and was sold at Rs 135,460 against Rs 135,820, whereas that of 10 gram 22 karat went down to Rs 124,171 against its sale at Rs 124,486, All Sindh Sarafa Jewellers Association reported.
The price of per tola and ten-gram silver remained constant at Rs1690 and Rs 1,448.90 respectively.
The price of gold in the international market decreased by $5 and was traded at $1761 against its sale at $1766 the previous day, the association reported.
Review of counter-terror policy in need amid ‘war or talks’ scenario with TTP: FM
ISLAMABAD, Nov 18 (APP): Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Friday said Pakistan would not take a solo flight to recognize the interim government of Afghanistan and stressed reviewing the country’s counter-terrorism policy to prevent the resurgence of militancy.
At a press conference held on the six months of the government’s foreign policy, he called the need for an “in-camera review” to reform the approach on counter-terrorism in a bid to prevent the factors that gave rise to militancy in the past.
Asked if peace in Afghanistan meant countering the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), he said it was important to internally review the policy.
“Never think that the matter of TTP is as black-and-white as either it would be war or negotiations with them,” he said, highlighting that Pakistan in recent years had undergone a successful journey to eliminate terrorism and extremism from its soil.
However, he said, “There is nothing wrong with reexamining the approach on counter-terrorism viz-a-viz developments in the region”.
“When we came to power, we decided to engage with Afghan authorities regardless of our differences for greater national interest. We won’t take a solo flight on the matter of recognition of the Afghan government,” he said.
On closure of Chaman border, he said terrorist attacks on Pakistan’s security forces from the Afghan side led to closure of the border and urged the Afghan government to take measures to not let their country’s soil used against its neighbour.
He said peace in Afghanistan was crucial for Pakistan and the region, and urged the international community to get engaged with the interim government of Afghanistan to avert a humanitarian crisis.
He also called upon the authorities in Afghanistan to fulfill the pledges, especially related to human rights and women’s education.
He mentioned that the nation’s whole-hearted support helped ending terrorism from the tribal areas including North Waziristan.
Bilawal said the coalition government had put in good efforts to restore the foreign policy objectives by holding ‘meaningful’ high-level diplomatic engagements.
He mentioned that the country’s foreign policy was on positive trajectory to help achieve the goals of development by addressing important issues including counter-terrorism and security and economic cooperation.
He said the government’s focus was to prioritize the national interest and emphasized maintaining a balanced relationship and a positive outreach with all countries including the United States and China.
He said the relations between Pakistan and the U.S. had been “de-hyphenated”.
The foreign minister said persistent implementation of both action plans mainly countering money-laundering and terror-financing would remain high on the government’s agenda.
He mentioned that due to GSP Plus, the country’s export outlook witnessed an exponential growth of 80 percent in recent times.
The foreign minister said Pakistan was actively pursuing the activities at various international forums including the United Nations, Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Conference of Parties (COP27), G-77 etc.
Asked about the change in stance of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan regarding the ‘U.S. cipher conspiracy’, he said, “We welcome the latest U-turn of Mr. Khan on leaving the American conspiracy behind”.
He stressed that there had never been a conspiracy by the United States as was earlier stated by Imran Khan. He said Pakistan and the U.S. enjoyed historic relationship in the interest of their people.
He termed current political climate in the country ‘a storm in the teacup’, regretting the apathy of Imran Khan in the midst of several challenges faced by the country.
The foreign minister emphasized focusing on ‘trade instead of aid’ with other countries to put the country on path of economic stability.
He regretted that wrongdoings of the past resulted in agricultural and educational crisis in the country.
Bilawal said Pakistan wanted a peaceful engagement with all neighbouring countries to ensure regional development and prosperity.
However, he pointed out the involvement of a neighbouring country in carrying out nefarious activities of terrorism in Balochistan.
Regarding climate disaster affecting Pakistan, he stressed continued support at national and international level to minimize the catastrophic impact on economy.
On Pak-Iran gas pipeline, he emphasized resolution of issues and hurdles through the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) so as to get maximum benefit from the development project.
He called for dialogue and diplomacy to address the common challenges of the world.
Terming the killing of senior journalist Arshad Sharif a ‘traumatic incident’, he said serious efforts were being made with regard to proper conclusion of the case.
He said Pakistan People’s Party always stressed prioritizing the issues pertaining to the citizens of Pakistan and rising above the politics in their interest.