ISLAMABAD: September 06 –
Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Neil Hawkins calls on Caretaker Federal Minister for National Health Services Regulations and Coordination, Dr. Nadeem Jan
ISLAMABAD: September 06 –
SBP introduces structural reforms for Exchange Companies to ensure better services, transparency
KARACHI, Sep 06 (APP):State Bank of Pakistan introduced structural reforms in the Exchange Companies’ sector for providing better services to general public and bringing transparency and competitiveness in the sector.
As part of the reform process, said a statement issued here on Wednesday, the minimum capital requirement for exchange companies has been increased from Rs.200 million to Rs.500 million.
Following the introduction of the reforms, leading banks actively engaged in foreign exchange business have to establish wholly owned exchange companies to cater to the legitimate foreign exchange needs of general public, it added.
As per envisaged reforms, various types of existing exchange companies and their franchisees would be consolidated and transformed into a single category of exchange companies with a well-defined mandate.
The central bank has offered the Exchange Companies of category ‘B’ (ECs-B) and franchisees of exchange companies different options for their transformation into mainstream exchange companies. ECs-B may graduate to Exchange Companies after meeting all regulatory requirements within three months and failing in that may lead to cancellation of their license, the statement outlined adding that franchisees of Exchange Companies may either merge or sell operations to the franchiser company concerned within three months after meeting all regulatory requirements.
The central bank has given one month time to the ECs-B and franchises of exchange companies to submit their conversion plan and seek NOC from SBP for the purpose.
The SBP spokesperson informed that the structural reforms have been introduced to provide better services to the general public and bring transparency and competitiveness in the Exchange Companies’ sector.
The reforms were expected to strengthen governance, internal controls, and compliance culture in the sector, he added.
Ambassador of Pakistan to Japan, Raza Bashir Tarar addressing the participants during Defence Day reception at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
TOKYO: September 06 –
TOKYO: September 06 – A group photo of participants during Defence Day Reception at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. APP/TZD/ABB
PRCS organizes ceremony to commemorate National Defense Day
ISLAMABAD, Sep 06 (APP):Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) organized a remarkable ceremony at its National Headquarters on the occasion of Defense Day, dedicated to honoring the martyrs.
In his inaugural address, Muhammad Abaidullah Khan, Secretary General of PRCS, underscored the historical importance of September 6th and drew attention to Chairman Sardar Shahid Ahmed Laghari’s message. He emphasized that today also signifies a day of reaffirming our collective commitment to working together for the security, conservation, and prosperity of our nation.
He emphasized the vision of Chairman Sardar Shahid Laghari, who believes in timely response and upholding the tradition of safeguarding our nation at all times. “Today, we are here to pay homage to these martyrs who sacrificed their lives to secure our future, our heroes are a source of immense pride for us”, he added.
As a leading humanitarian organization, PRCS has consistently delivered exemplary services, regardless of whether the times have been marked by war or peace, and continues to serve humanity with distinction. The ceremony also included expressions of gratitude towards the martyrs’ families.
During the event, PRCS Treasurer, Arshad Muhammad, delivered a speech in which he shed light on PRCS’s services and explored avenues for enhanced collaboration with the International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and Movement Partners.
The ceremony featured a musical performance by junior members of Red Crescent Clubs, with participants wearing traditional attire representing various cultures. PRCS also screened a documentary highlighting their efforts in rehabilitating prisoners, providing treatment to the wounded, and executing various relief activities.
The event was attended by notable figures, including representatives from the International Federation of the Red Cross Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Pakistan, Movement Partners including Turkish Red Crescent Society, the German Red Cross and Norwegian Red Cross, dedicated volunteers and PRCS officers.
Islamabad Police get two-day physical remand of Pervaiz Elahi
ISLAMABAD, Sep 06 (APP): An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Wednesday granted two-day physical remand of former Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi to Islamabad Police in a case pertaining to protests and vandalizing the public property at the Judicial Complex.
ATC’s duty judge Sharukh Arjmand, who heard the case, also ordered the police to conduct medical examination of the accused and keep him in a good environment due to his old age. It granted permission to provide home food to the accused during the police custody and allowed his family members to meet him.
During the course of proceedings, the prosecutor prayed the court to grant 15-day physical remand of the accused for the investigation into the case.
Defence Lawyer Abdul Razzaq Advocate opposed the request for remand, saying that a baseless case had been fabricated against his client. Pervaiz Elahi had been discharged from many cases but later he was arrested in another case.
The lawyer said that the Lahore High Court (LHC) had stopped the authorities from arresting his client in any other case and ordered to drop him at his home amid security. Pervaiz Elahi was on way to his home when the Islamabad Police arrested him, he said, adding that the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had also stated that apparently the arrest of his client was against the law.
He said Pervaiz Elahi was arrested in a first information report in which he was not even nominated. His client was in Lahore at the time of appearance of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman in the Judicial Complex, Islamabad. How his client could be booked as an unknown accused as he had been the chief minister of Punjab and belonged to a renowned political family, he asked.
The lawyer said many accused, including the PTI chairman, had already been granted bails in the same case.
The court, however, granted the police two-day physical remand of the accused and ordered to produce him again on September 8.
2023 CIFTIS: Smart sports trending in Chinese market
BEIJING, Sept. 6 (APP): “I was into skiing the moment I saw those proud faces of skiers shining in the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics,” a visitor said at Shougang Park, Beijing, where the ongoing 2023 China International Fair for Trade in Services (2023 CIFTIS) is held.
The Sports Services section, one of the nine thematic exhibitions of the 2023 CIFTIS, saw visitors coming in droves. Covering an area of 13,200 square meters, the section features six sub-exhibitions, highlighting services in smart sports, sports consumption, ice and snow sports, sports equipment manufacturing, sports events, and sports integration.
Ge Jun, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sports, noted that this section is designed to foster cooperation in the sports services trade and serve as a bridge for the international sports industry.
Standing in front of Big Air Shougang, a ski jump platform built for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, the visitor told the reporter that she came to know the athletes’ sweat and tears, and could not help falling in love with the demanding yet exciting sport activity. The facility, constructed on top of a former steel mill being shut down more than 10 years ago, is now kept as a permanent facility after the Games.
In recent years, the intersection of technology and sports has given rise to “smart sports” in China. This emerging trend, which combines the use of advanced technology with traditional sports activities, has gained significant popularity in the Chinese market, CEN reported.
According to a report titled Size of smart fitness and sports industry in China 2019-2025 released by Statista, in 2020, the size of the smart fitness and sports industry in China amounted to 13.4 billion yuan. The industry includes fitness apps, smart fitness wearables, and smart exercise equipment. According to the forecast, the industry was projected to reach 82 billion yuan by 2025, says the report.
China’s State Council approved taking multiple measures to promote the recovery and expansion of consumption, according to a circular released on July 31. Measures will be taken to expand spending on services involving the catering industry, tourism, culture, entertainment, sports and exhibition events, and healthcare, according to the circular.
“I wear Smart Wearables to monitor and track my activities while skiing,” the visitor showed her fitness tracker and smartwatch to the reporter, believing that the Chinese government’s focus on promoting a healthy lifestyle and sports participation will likely contribute to the growth of the smart sports market.
Besides exhibition areas, an on-site negotiation area is set up in the section to facilitate negotiations and exchanges between the supply and demand parties and reach deals. As per the organizer, after pre-planning, more than 10 sports service projects have been intended to complete the signing during the fair, with the one-year signing amount being expected to reach USD 800 million, hitting a new high.
APP/asg
Nation pays tribute, remembers brave heroes of 1965 war on Defence Day
ISLAMABAD, Sep 6 (APP): The nation on Wednesday paid tribute and remembered the brave heroes of the 1965 war on the Defence Day while celebrating the Day with unmutilated resolve to defend the motherland in all times.
People from all walks of life including social media users shared posts remembering heroes of the 1965 war on ‘Defence Day’ and paid homage to reiterate their commitments that the brave Pakistani nation will never compromise on its sovereignty.
Like every year, this year too, on the special occasion of Pakistan Defence Day, the nation has paid humble tribute to the martyrs of the Pakistan Army and saluted to all the relatives belonging to shaheeds.
Caretaker Minister for Defence, Lieutenant General (R) Anwar Ali Hyder, on the eve of Defence and Martyrs’ Day on Wednesday said, “We hold our Shuhudas and Ghazis in high esteem and are profoundly indebted to them for offering the ultimate sacrifice and thwarting the nefarious designs of the enemy.”
In his message on the occasion of National Defence and Martyrs’ Day, the defence minister termed September 6 as a milestone in the annals of national history.
Hyder said it reminded the entire nation of the indomitable courage and unparalleled sacrifices rendered by our Armed Forces for the defence of our motherland.
An event was jointly organized by the Pak-Belgium Socio Cultural Association and Pakistani Community at Press Club Brussels.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Amna Baloch said, “The valiant armed forces are ready to defend the country from any external aggression.”
A large number of Pakistani diaspora representing various walks of life attended the event.
Pakistan People’s Party leader and former provincial minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has said that September 6 was the day of our national unity, solidarity and patriotism.
The people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir have paid rich tributes to the Pakistani martyrs of the 1965 war on Pakistan Defence Day, today.
While Pakistan is celebrating Defence Day, today, the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir stand with the country to honor the sacrifices rendered by Pakistani soldiers and citizens in defending their motherland against India in 1965.
On the occasion of Defence Day, Interior Minister Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti paid tribute to the unwavering dedication and valor exhibited by Pakistan’s armed forces.
In a message addressed to the nation, he highlighted the historic achievements of the nation’s courageous sons who fearlessly confronted the adversary, etching a luminous chapter in history.
The Defence Day program was organized at a private educational academy in Malir’s Khokhrapar area to pay homage to the martyrs and veterans of the 1965 war.
A ceremony was held at the campus of ‘Patni Educational Academy’, in which the national flag was hoisted while students of the academy performed Tableaus and sang national songs in respect of our national heroes.
PPP Senator, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said that the armed forces defending our borders were our heroes and they would not compromise on their respect and reverence.
In a message on Defence Day issued here on Wednesday, he said it was a day of renewed pledge to defend our motherland, and they would not hesitate in rendering sacrifices for it.
Pakistan Defence Day was observed at ISRA University, Hyderabad where a rich tribute was paid to the heroes of the nation who lost their lives and saved Pakistan on September 06, 1965.
Central President of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Ladies Wing Faryal Talpur paid homage to the martyrs and veterans of Armed Forces of Pakistan on the occasion of Defence Day.
In her message regarding the Defence Day, she said that the sacrifices of the officers and Jawans of the armed forces of Pakistan in national defence could never be forgotten.
The district administration Lakki Marwat held a rally in connection with Defence Day to pay homage to the martyrs of the Pakistan’s armed forces who have sacrificed their lives for the defence of the motherland.
The rally started from the Tehsil Govt Office Lakki City and after passing through various roads and bazaars of the city, culminated at Qargal Chowk.
On September 6, the people paid glowing tributes to the brave sons of the land and armed forces of Sialkot region who battled against the enemy and defended the Motherland by sacrificing their lives in the battle of tanks at Chawinda during the 1965 Indo-Pak War.
The valiant Pakistan armed forces, with the active support of brave people of Sialkot, had repulsed an attack by Indians at the battlefield of Chawinda where the biggest tank battle, after the Second World War, was fought during the 1965
war.
The main ceremony was held at historical Sialkot Fort in which Station Commander Sialkot Brigadier Hameedullah and Deputy Commissioner Adnan Mehmood Awan performed Hilal-e-Istaqlal hoisting ceremony.
The departments of the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (MoFE&PT) joined hands to honor the historic sacrifices made by Pakistan’s armed forces during the 1965 Indo-Pak War.
Pakistan Navy celebrated ‘National Defence Day’ with reverence and effervescent spirit to commemorate the supreme sacrifices of the Armed Forces, Shuhada, Ghazis and national heroes who stood against the enemy with unparalleled display of unity and tenacity during 1965 Indo-Pak War.
In his message on the occasion, Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi paid homage to the Shuhada and Ghazis who repulsed blatant aggression of enemy and foiled its nefarious designs with support of the people.
The Defence and Martyrs Day of Pakistan was celebrated with enthusiasm in respective areas of Balochistan.
The Day was dawned with the recitation of the Holy Quran and special prayers for the prosperity of Pakistan in all mosques throughout the province.
Officers of Pak Army, Frontier Corps, Police and Levis Force while offering Fateha for the fallen heroes of the nation, laid floral wreath at different Yadgar-e-Shuhada set up in various districts of the province.
Rallies were taken out in respective districts including Quetta to pay rich tribute to martyrs on the Defence Day.
Dengue tally reaches 301 cases in Rawalpindi
RAWALPINDI, Sep 06 (APP): The Rawalpindi’s dengue tally had reached 301 cases with the arrival of 16 more patients during the last 24 hours.
District Coordinator Epidemics Prevention and Control (DCEPC), Dr. Sajjad Mehmood, said that 12 patients had arrived from the Potohar town Urban, two from Chaklala Cantonment and one each from Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation and Kalar Syeda areas.
He informed that 245 patients had been discharged after recovery while 56 patients were admitted to the district’s health facilities out of which 31 confirmed cases.
During the last 24 hours, he said that the district administration had registered 30 FIRs, issued tickets to six, sealed three premises, and a fine of Rs 103,000 was imposed against the violations of dengue SOPs.
The health officer asked the residents to adopt precautionary measures as September was crucial for dengue spread.
Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner Cantt Qandeel Fatima directed the health officials to expedite anti-dengue surveillance activities for tracing larvae and spewed the affected areas with Indoor Residual Spraying.
New city police chief assumes office
KARACHI, Sep 06 (APP):Newly appointed Additional Inspector General of Police – Karachi Khadim Hussain Rind assumed the office as City Police Chief on Wednesday.
Upon his arrival at the Karachi Police Office (KPO), he was welcomed by the ADIG Administration and other senior officers.
A smartly turned-out contingent of police personnel presented salutes. On the occasion, the new Additional IGP Karachi exchanged command stick with the outgoing Additional IGP Karachi Javed Odho.
Karachi Police Chief Khadim Hussain Rind previously held the post of Additional IGP – Special Branch Sindh.
Khadim Hussain Rind and other senior officers bid farewell to the outgoing Additional IGP Karachi Javed Alam Odho.
ISSI eulogise 1965 War martyrs’ sacrifices on Defence Day
ISLAMABAD, Sep 6 (APP): The speakers at a special seminar organised by the Arms Control and Disarmament Centre (ACDC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad (ISSI) on Wednesday paid homage and eulogised the sacrifices of the martyrs of the 1965 War.
The ISSI organized the event to mark Pakistan Defence Day under the theme, “Achieving Self-Reliance through Defence Indigenisation”, a news release said.
Director General ISSI, Ambassador Sohail Mahmood highlighted the invaluable services of the armed forces in the defence of Pakistan and of the nation, which stood like a solid rock with them, in thwarting Indian aggression on September 6, 1965.
He also expressed profound gratitude for the sacrifices of martyrs and their families and stressed that this was a Day to reaffirm our commitment to defend Pakistan at all costs. He highlighted that Pakistan lived in a difficult geostrategic neighbourhood marked by myriad threats and challenges.
“Today’s security environment has significantly changed and besides traditional and non-traditional threats, new challenges like hybrid warfare have emerged, which not only have a physical effect on a country but also seek to undermine the spirit and morale of a nation,” he noted. Thus, Pakistan must have the ability to defend itself across the entire spectrum of threats and challenges. He concluded that self-reliance in defence was a critically important goal; a lot of progress had been made while a lot more was to be accomplished to reduce dependence on external sources and have robust indigenous capability.
Earlier, Director of ACDC, Malik Qasim Mustafa in his remarks stated that the nation commemorates this national day as one of the proudest moments in Pakistan’s history when Pakistani soldiers sacrificed their lives to safeguard our freedom and protect our homeland.
He further highlighted the defence indigenisation journey from 1951, when the first ordinance factory to manufacture rifles and ammunition was established whereas now Pakistan had more than 20 major public units and over 100 private sectors that engaged in defence production of Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Major achievements include Tank Al Khalid, JF-17 Thunder, Super Mushshak, and K-8. He highlighted that Pakistan’s exports of arms, ammunition, parts, and accessories surged to $415.650 million in FY2023.
In her presentation, Aamna Rafiq, Research Associate ACDC, said that Pakistan started its defence journey in 1947 with only 33% of the defence assets from united India. There were no ordnance factories and assets at its inception to boost the country’s defence. Pakistan faced a war over Kashmir right at its inception, and still others in 1965 and 1971. Embargoes were placed, which underscored the need for self-reliance in ensuring Pakistan’s defence. In the seven decades since its inception, Pakistan has come a long way in self-indigenization in defence production. Her recommendations for enhancing defence indigenization included modernizing the roadmap to defence indigenization production, promoting public-private partnerships, establishing digital parks to tap into the tech industry, promoting R&D in universities, and promoting Arms for Peace initiative for defence exports.
Participants appreciated the services and sacrifices of Pakistan’s armed forces in safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. Aspects such as national resolve, unity, resilience, social cohesion, and economic strength were emphasized. Participants reiterated the commitment to work for a strong Pakistan in a whole-of-the-nation approach.
In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman BoG ISSI, stated that we not only need to commemorate the sacrifices that armed forces made during the 1965 war, but also those outside of the battlefield– such as in dealing with natural disasters and for peacekeeping around the world. He pointed out that more than 170 Pakistani soldiers have laid down their lives while rendering services in UN Peacekeeping operations. He further highlighted that, today, security is an all-embracing concept encompassing territory integrity, safeguarding ideological borders, and achieving economic security. As a nation, we have the responsibility to meet these challenges.