KARACHI: September 08
Consul General of Russion Federation , Andrey V. Fedorov calls on Mayor Karachi, Barister Murtaza Wahab
KARACHI: September 08
Federal Minster for Communications, Railways and Maritime Affairs Mr. Shahid Ashraf Tarar hosts a meeting with the US Ambassador, Donald Blome at the Ministry of Communications.
ISLAMABAD: September 08 –
Vice Chancellor Allama Iqbal Open University Professor Dr. Nasir Mahmood presents a souvenir to Caretaker Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, Madad Ali Sindhi on “Literacy Day”
ISLAMABAD: September 08
UN condemns school occupations amid violence in Palestine camp
UNITED NATIONS, Sep 08 (APP): Thousands of children have been put at risk amid a resurgence of violence at a Palestine refugee camp in Lebanon, the UN’s top humanitarian official in the country said Friday.
Clashes between rival factions in the Ein el Hilweh camp, the largest in Lebanon, have also displaced thousands of refugees, according to reports.
Armed groups have taken over eight schools run by UNRWA, the UN agency providing support to Palestine refugees, preventing around 6,000 children from accessing the classroom as a new school year gets underway.
“Education institutions must be safe and neutral spaces, critical for children’s learning, well-being, and growth,” Imran Riza, UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, said in a statement.
He underscored that use of schools by armed groups are not only a serious violation of international humanitarian and human rights laws but also jeopardize the future of the entire community.
“I urge armed groups to stop the fighting in the camp and vacate these schools immediately.”
“I also call for the facilitation of the work of UNRWA and other humanitarian organizations to provide much-needed protection and assistance to families in need in the camp,” Riza added.
Established in 1948, Ein el Hilweh camp is the largest among the 12 in Lebanon and is home to around 50,000 refugees. It is located near Saida, a major city and cultural hub, in the country’s south.
The camp was the scene of brutal clashes in July that claimed the lives of at least 13 people, injured more than 60 – including UNRWA staff – and forced thousands to flee.
Two UNRWA schools also sustained damage in the clashes and services at clinics run by the agency were suspended. The clinics reopened on 9 August, after a nervy ceasefire.
In his statement, Riza underlined that protecting civilians, including children and their safe access to school, is a shared responsibility.
“All concerned actors must take action to protect civilians, facilitate unhindered humanitarian access, and prevent the use of civilian infrastructure for fighting purposes,” he said.
APP/ift
Jirga of notables & elders in Chitral vows to fight along Pakistan security forces
ISLAMABAD, Sep 8 (APP): A Jirga of notables and elders of Chitral and Swat held on Friday at Darosh Fort vowed that the people of Chitral, particularly youth, were ready to fight along the Pakistan Army and security forces.
They condemned the terrorism of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and expressed solidarity with the Pakistan Army.
The participants paid tribute to the Shuhada (martyrs) of Chitral Scouts.
They assured that the local community would stand by the security forces. They also assured zero tolerance against the social media activists floating negative sentiments.
The local population of Chitral had come out in support of the Pakistan Army and was helping in transporting weapons, ammunition and food to the forward posts of the army.
Saudi Arabia records remarkable 35% drop in road accident deaths, aligning with global road safety goals
RIYADH, September 08 (APP): The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has recorded a substantial 35% decrease in road accident deaths over the past five years.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Friday that the number of road accident deaths dropped from 9,311 in 2016 to 6,651 in 2021.
“This achievement not only underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to enhancing road safety but also aligns with the global objective of reducing road deaths by 50% by the end of the United Nations Second Decade of Action for Road Safety, spanning from 2021 to 2030,” it added.
The Kingdom’s success in curbing road accidents is in harmony with the goals set forth in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which emphasizes the implementation of directives from the Saudi leadership and unwavering support for the efforts of relevant authorities within the Ministerial Committee for Traffic Safety.
To attain this remarkable feat, Saudi Arabia has developed a robust methodology for tracking strategic performance maturity indicators. This methodology includes setting annual targets that directly impact the maturity indicators, ultimately working towards the approved annual strategic target for reducing road deaths per 100,000 people.
Saudi Arabia’s accomplishment in road safety demonstrates its commitment to safeguarding lives on its roadways and contributes significantly to the global effort to make roads safer for all. This achievement reflects a nation’s dedication to building a safer and more secure future for its citizens and visitors alike.
Jaranwala incident: Chief secretary ordered to decide plea for judicial commission in 15 days
LAHORE, Sep 08 (APP):The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday ordered chief secretary Punjab to decide a petition, seeking formation of a judicial commission to probe the Jaranwala incident, within 15 days.
Justice Muhammad Sajid Mehmood Sethi passed the orders during the hearing of a petition filed by an organization, Christians’ True Spirit, after a law officer informed that no judicial commission had been formed to probe the incident yet.
The petitioner-organization had submitted that the current process for the investigation of the Jaranwala tragedy was slow. It requested the court to issue directions for the formation of a judicial commission to ensure fair investigation and timely justice.
Caretaker govt continues to implement int’l agreements: Solangi
ISLAMABAD, Sep 8 (APP): Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi on Friday said the caretaker government respected the international financial agreements and would continue to implement them in true letter and spirit.
Addressing a news conference here after the first session of two-day meeting of Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), the minister said deliberations were held on the measures which were essential for reducing the government’s expenditures and circular debt.
He was flanked by Caretaker Minister for Finance Dr Shamshad Akhtar, Minister for Energy Muhammad Ali, and Minister for Industry and Production Gohar Ijaz.
Solangi said discussions were also held on working out a schedule for implementing the decisions already taken to carry out privatization of some departments.
He said measures to stop misuse of international agreements, if there is any, also came under discussion. Restructuring of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), measures for removing bottlenecks in foreign direct investment, including visa policy reforms, and steps to improve performance of different departments were also part of extensive discussion held on the first day of the SIFC meeting.
He said an issue of smuggling of commodities, petroleum products and dollars were discussed at length.
At the outset of the press conference, the minister said traditionally, a press release was issued to highlight the decisions and discussions of the SIFC, but from now onward, the public would be informed by the caretaker government through briefings by the relevant ministers.
The main objectives of SIFC were to boost foreign direct investment in different sectors including mining, information technology and agriculture, the minister remarked.
Shahid Tarar, Donald Blome discuss matters of mutual interest
ISLAMABAD, Sep 8 (APP):Caretaker Federal Minister for Communications, Railways and Maritime Affairs Shahid Ashraf Tarar and United States (US) Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome on Friday discussed matters of mutual interest.
In a meeting, the minister said that Pak-US bilateral relations had evolved from security to other fields such as trade and investment, science and technology, climate change and sustainable development, health and education.
He expressed his profound desire to strengthen the relations based on development cooperation.
He affirmed that the Pakistan Railways had been benefiting from General Electric locomotives provided by the US, and based on their vitality, another order had been placed recently.
Similarly, Tarar mentioned, Tarbela and Mangla dams were also symbols of Pakistan-US cooperation.
He further stated that the Karachi-Peshawar railway line had been affected by floods at certain vulnerable points and the US could cooperate with the Pakistan Railways to reclaim the tracks and secure them from future devastation.
He further apprised that Pakistan had entered into successful international agreements in Gwadar and the country was attracting foreign investments from global partners.
Tarar said Pakistan had played a vital role in COP-27, and was striving to comply with the environmental standards issued by the Climate Conference, in all sectors.
The US ambassador said the focus had shifted from Pakistan’s bordering and tribal areas to flood-affected areas of Northern Sindh and South Punjab.
Furthermore, possibilities were being explored for providing clean drinking water and rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure in those areas, he added.
Donald Blome said Pakistan had an excellent opportunity to attract foreign investments in the wake of diversification of industries and businesses into South-Asian economies. Likewise, American International Development Finance Cooperation (DFC) had expressed its eagerness to make large-scale investments in Pakistan.
He said, “The US is ready to help Pakistan in creating a business-friendly environment to boost investments. The US wishes to cooperate with Pakistan in achieving sustainable and green development, as per international standards.”
The meeting concluded by the minister’s pledge to work with the US to eradicate poverty and deprivation in the country.
Accused killed in police custody, SHO suspended
FAISALABAD, Sep 08 (APP):An accused of different theft cases was killed in the custody of Garh police.
City Police Officer (CPO) Usman Akram Gondal has suspended the SHO Garh and ordered an inquiry in this regard.
Police spokesman Sub Inspector (SI) Naveed Ahmad said here on Friday that Garh police was investigating an accused, Jahangir son of Waryam Pawli resident of Thatha Tarkhana Tandlianwala, who was wanted to the police in theft cases. However, during investigation, the accused was killed.
Following the incident, relatives of Jahangir Waryam staged demonstration and alleged that the police officials severely tortured the arrested accused due to which he died.
Taking serious notice, the CPO immediately suspended SHO Garh and directed the SP Sadar Division to probe into the matter and submit its reports on urgent basis, spokesman added.