478 illegal gas connections removed, FIRs against six accused registered: SNGPL

Tue, 12 Sep 2023, 10:53 PM

PESHAWAR, Sep 12 (APP):The Sui Southern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) has removed 478 illegal gas connections and registered six FIRs during ongoing crackdown against gas stealers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Rehmat Ullah Khan, General Manager, SNGPL told reporters here Tuesday that a crackdown was launched in the province where strict action was being taken against elements involved in gas pilferage.

He said 478 illegal gas connections were disconnected at Peshawar, Nowshera, Karak, Bannu, DI Khan, and other districts during the last eleven days crackdown.

Besides replacing 239 suspected domestic and commercial gas meters, the SNGPL authorities registered six FIRs against power stealers and submitted a request for the registration of FIRs against 100 more accused.

He said that up to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment could be awarded to the accused.

Jamaican youth minister meets FM Jilani

Ishtiaq Rao

Tue, 12 Sep 2023, 10:49 PM

LONDON, Sep 12 (APP): Minister for Youth and Education of Jamaica Marsha Smith on Tuesday met Interim Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 10th Commonwealth Youth Ministerial Meeting held at the Commonwealth Headquarters.

In the meeting, the two leaders discussed the ways to explore avenues for youth’s progress and cooperation.

The two sides also agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in multiple spheres.

Meanwhile, Minister for Women, Community and Social Development of Samoa Leota Laki Lamositele also called on the foreign minister.

Besides discussing cooperation, Foreign Minister Jilani apprised the Samoan minister of the measures being taken by the Government of Pakistan for the uplift of women and youth.

Induction of quality faculty in AJK-run medical colleges ordered

Amjad Shafique

Tue, 12 Sep 2023, 10:47 PM

MIRPUR (AJK): , Sep 12 (APP):Azad Jammu Kashmir Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwaar ul Haq on Tuesday directed for the immediate formation of a joint recruitment committee for the recruitment of quality academic staff in AJK-based public-sector medical colleges in the light of the recommendations of the UHSL (University of Health Sciences Lahore) team.

He was chairing an extraordinary meeting of the Governing Body of state-run Medical Colleges in AJK held here in the State metropolis.

In order to improve the quality and standard of education in the medical colleges of AJK, it was decided that a team of the University of Health Sciences Lahore (UHSL) after a detailed visit to all the three medical colleges of Azad Jammu Kashmir shall submit its recommendations to the Chairman Governing Body.

During the meeting, an Executive Committee headed by the Chief Secretary was constituted to fix the salaries and other allowances of the faculty and staff members of the medical colleges.

Speaking on the occasion, the prime minister said that the college authorities should focus on increasing the revenue of medical colleges and reducing expenses.”Every institution or state entity has to justify its existence”, the PM said, adding that no one would be allowed to play with the future of students.

He said that violation of merit won’t be tolerated under any circumstances. The PM said that the UHSL team must prepare a detailed report vis a vis improving the quality of education and resolving other issues of key concern.

The prime minister directed that transport, theaters, and other facilities should be provided to the medical students studying in Azad Kashmir.

He said that stern action would be taken against the head of the institution in case merit was violated anywhere. The VC UHSL assured the PM that a team of experts and academia would very soon conduct a visit to all the medical colleges of Azad Kashmir in this regard.

The meeting was attended among others by AJK Chief Secretary Dawood Muhammad Barich, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Fayyaz Ali Abbasi, Secretary Finance Ismatullah Shah, Vice Chancellor University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Professor Dr. Kaleem Abbasi, Additional Secretary Public Health Abdul Sattar Khan and others.

Vice Chancellor of the University of Health Sciences Lahore Professor Dr. Ahsan Waheed Rathore participated in the meeting from Lahore via video link.

AJK President urges Germany to help resolve Kashmir issue

Amjad Shafique

Tue, 12 Sep 2023, 10:38 PM

MIRPUR (AJK): Sep 12 (APP) ::Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry Tuesday said that Germany should play its role in helping India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir dispute peacefully.

The AJK president said this while talking to Jan Kuhn von Burgsdorff, the first secretary German Embassy Islamabad who called on him at Jammu Kashmir House in the federal metropolis on Tuesday, said a press release.

Speaking on the occasion, the president said that being a mutual friend of both countries, Germany can play an important role in resolving the lingering dispute to ensure durable peace in South Asia.

Apprising Jan Kuhn von Burgsdorff, about the prevailing political and human rights situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Barrister Chaudhry said that the human rights situation in the held territory has worsened further after the Indian government stripped the region of its special status in 2019.

Sufficient fertilizer stock available for upcoming ‘Rabi’ crop season: Gohar Ejaz

NNPS Desk

Tue, 12 Sep 2023, 10:35 PM

ISLAMABAD, Sep 12 (APP): Caretaker Federal Minister for Commerce, Industries and Production, Dr. Gohar Ejaz on Tuesday categorically stated that there was no shortage of fertilizer across the country for the upcoming Rabi crop season.

He expressed these views while presiding over a meeting of the Fertilizer Review Committee here in the Ministry of Industries & Productions, said a news release issued here.

The meeting was attended by the Federal Secretary for Industries Asad Rehman Gilani, prominent fertilizer manufacturers, and ministry officials.

During the meeting, Dr. Gohar Ejaz announced that there was a substantial 3.3 million-ton stockpile of fertilizer available for the upcoming ‘Rabi’ season.

This surplus is expected to adequately meet the agricultural demands for the entire season, ensuring that farmers have the necessary resources to boost their yields.

Furthermore, the minister assured that gas supply to the fertilizer industry would be maintained at full capacity, guaranteeing uninterrupted production.

This commitment aims to support the agricultural sector by providing essential fertilizers on time.

One of the key highlights of the meeting was Dr. Gohar Ejaz’s announcement that the government would make every effort to ensure that fertilizers are accessible to farmers at the government-fixed rates.

This initiative seeks to protect farmers from the burden of soaring fertilizer prices.

The minister emphasized that strict actions would be taken against any individuals or entities found selling fertilizer at exorbitant rates, ensuring that fair pricing prevails in the market.

Dr. Gohar Ejaz concluded the meeting by affirming his commitment to addressing the issue of uninterrupted gas supply to the fertilizer industry in the upcoming cabinet meeting.

This underscores the government’s dedication to supporting the agricultural sector and ensuring a successful ‘Rabi’ season for farmers across the nation.

The decisions made during this meeting demonstrate the government’s proactive approach to ensure agricultural sustainability and safeguard the interests of farmers, while also promoting fair pricing in the fertilizer market.

PM assures GB, Diamer elders of early completion of delayed projects

Ishtiaq Rao

Tue, 12 Sep 2023, 10:33 PM

GILGIT, Sep 12 (APP): Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Tuesday assured the political elders of Gilgit-Baltistan and Diamer of his government’s support to ensure the early completion of delayed projects in the region.

The prime minister, in a meeting with a delegation of political elders of GB and Diamer, instructed the formation of a consultative platform to promote interfaith harmony in the country.

The delegation welcomed the prime minister on arrival in GB and discussed the law and order situation and other matters.

The prime minister said that the GB people usually lived peacefully despite coming from different cultures, languages and sects.

The delegation members suggested that law enforcement could be improved in GB by strengthening the police force.

Bilawal condoles over demise of Journalist Jan Muhammad Mahar

Amjad Shafique

Tue, 12 Sep 2023, 10:32 PM

SUKKUR, Sep 12 (APP):Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari along with his sister Asifa Bhutto Zardari on Tuesday visited the house of slain senior journalist Muhammad Mahar and offered condolence to his brother Karamullah Mahar over the demise of Jan Mahar.

They expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Jan Muhammad Mahar, recognizing him as a valuable asset.

Bilawal assured his full support to arrest the accused involved in the murder of Jan Muhammad Mahar.

Minister inaugurates Culture Complex Nishtar Hall

Amjad Shafique

Tue, 12 Sep 2023, 10:25 PM

PESHAWAR, Sep 12 (APP):Provincial Caretaker Minister for Tourism and Information, Syed Feroz Jamal Kakakhel here on Tuesday inaugurated Culture Complex Nishtar Hall to promote cultural activities and inform people about the rich heritage of the province.

He said that the inauguration of the complex was aimed at highlighting the rich traditions of KP and informing people about its cultural heritage.

He said that the government is making efforts to provide all the necessary facilities to tourists and boost tourism-related activities in the province. He said that we want to acquaint youth with the centuries-old heritage and history of KP province.

He said that the culture complex would help promote the rich traditions of KP besides creating opportunities for local artists. He said that national and international events would be held in the culture complex that would also be used to attract tourists and promote the culture of KP.

We want to create happiness among people and provide them chances of recreation and enjoyment, he said and added that endowment funds rules have been approved for artists and very soon amount would be released to them.

The caretaker minister said that the endowment fund has been approved for artists and funds would be released soon.