HDBA requests Sindh Govt for funds to upgrade library

Fri, 1 Sep 2023, 9:29 PM

HYDERABAD, Sep 01 (APP):The Hyderabad District Bar Association (HDBA) has requested the Sindh Government to provide funds to the association for the purchase of books, desktop computers, printers and furniture for the bar’s library.

In a letter addressed to the Sindh Law Minister Muhammad Omer Soomro on Friday, the bar’s President Khuda Bux Laghari submitted that the library required a large number of books, 25 computers and two printers.

Laghari said there are around 6,000 members of the bar but the library consists of only 100 chairs in its limited space.

The association’s office and library not only needed renovation but also expansion, he added.

The bar’s president also attached a list of furniture that they required along with the application.

Minister calls for controlling CPI-WPI abnormal gaps to relief masses

NNPS Desk

Fri, 1 Sep 2023, 9:27 PM

ISLAMABAD, Sep 01 (APP): Caretaker Planning Minister, Sami Saeed on Friday stressed the need for taking immediate measures to control abnormal gaps in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Wholesale Price Index (WPI) to provide relief to the masses.

The minister while chairing a meeting of the National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC) emphasized zero-tolerance against hoarders and profiteers, directing the Provincial governments to engage their respective Commissions, Deputy Commissioners, and Magistrates against hoarders.

Sami Saeed directed the concerned stakeholders, particularly the provincial government, to closely monitor the price index, said a news release.

Chief Economist, Dr Nadeem Javaid moderated the meeting that was attended by the Chief Statistician from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), representatives from all provinces, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Ministry of Food Security & Industries, and other relevant stakeholders.

Since the interim government came into power, the Prime Minister has focused on providing maximum relief to the common man. In this regard, several steps are being taken.

The meeting observed that the prices of a few commodities increased last week, leading to the decision to hold NPMC meetings on a weekly basis to monitor prices and provide relief to the masses.

During the meeting, PBS officials presented the price and inflation data, while representatives from Punjab, KP, Sindh, and Balochistan apprised the forum on the current production and supply of wheat, sugar, and other essential commodities, which remained satisfactory.

The Committee also directed the Provincial government to establish Sasta Bazaars to provide maximum relief to the people.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of minimizing the price difference between wholesale and retail items. Relevant stakeholders were directed to reduce this difference to maximize relief for the common man.

The NPMC meetings will take place on a weekly basis, with PBS sharing its data analysis report in every meeting.

The Committee also asked the Government of Sindh to apprise the forum regarding the wholesale and retail Price differentials in the forthcoming meeting.

The Provincial Governments to design a release strategy for the timely release of wheat to achieve the objective of price stability.

Furthermore, given the stark differences between retail and wholesale prices of essential items especially those of perishable items, Provincial Governments and ICT are required to tight price monitoring and devise mechanisms to curtail the differential in prices besides checking hoarding and profiteering activities (inflationary pressure is anticipated to spike in view of the fuel price adjustment and increasing international prices of crude oil, soya bean oil and palm oil).

The provincial Chief Secretaries were asked to participate in forthcoming meetings to make the forum more effective with desirable outcomes.

KP Caretaker CM takes notice of chicken pox outbreak

Raiq Qureshi

Fri, 1 Sep 2023, 9:25 PM

PESHAWAR, Sep 01 (APP):Caretaker Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Azam Khan on Friday took notice of the outbreak of chicken pox disease in the remote village of Harchin of Upper Chitral district.

The Chief Minister has directed the Advisor on Health Dr Riaz Anwar to take effective measures to treat the girl students of the government school of Harchin village affected by the disease, an official handout said.

CM Azam Khan said special medical teams should be sent to the area for the treatment of the affected girls, besides monitoring the disease to control its further spread, he added.

Air Chief reaffirms PAF’s commitment to fostering robust partnership with Turkish Air Force

NNPS Desk

Fri, 1 Sep 2023, 8:57 PM

ISLAMABAD, Sep 1 (APP): Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu on Friday expressed his gratitude to the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for extending a warm invitation to attend Graduation and Flag Detachment Ceremony and reaffirmed Pakistan Air Force’s commitment to fostering a robust partnership with the Turkish Air Force.

Consequent to a special invitation by the Turkish Presidency, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu made a landmark visit to Turkiye to attend the prestigious Graduation and Flag Detachment Ceremony, as Guest of Honour, which was held at Turkish Air Force Academy, a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) news release said.

The ceremony was also attended by Minister of State for Defence & Deputy Prime Minister of the State of Qatar, Dr Khalid Bin Mohammad Al-Attiyah and Minister of Defence of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov along with senior military commanders and high level state officials from across the world.

The Graduation and Flag Detachment Ceremony, held at the Turkish Air Force Academy, is a moment of immense pride and accomplishment for the graduating cadets, as they mark the culmination of their rigorous training and embark on their journey as officers of the Turkish Air Force.

The presence of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu as the Guest of Honour adds to the significance of this event and underscores the deep-rooted camaraderie between the two air forces.

During the event, the chief of the air staff interacted with various high-level dignitaries including General Ziya Cemal KADIOGLU, Commander of Turkish Air Force.

He also emphasized the shared values and aspirations that form the foundation of the deep-rooted friendship between Pakistan and Turkiye.

The chief of the air staff expressed his unwavering commitment to enhance the existing bilateral ties in military-to-military cooperation with Turkiye especially in the field of defence production, two way sharing of technology and the joint development of fifth generation fighter aircraft.

He also reiterated his resolve to further deepen the strong bond of friendship that united the two nations in the face of shared challenges and wished to explore further avenues of collaboration in the defence and aviation sector.

A follow up to the recent Strategic Framework Agreement on Defence Collaboration, the visit serves as a testament to the deep-rooted historical, religious, cultural and strategic bonds shared between the two nations. Owing to this strategic frame work, Turkiye’s leading firms have already commited to strategic partnership by establishing their offices in the recently inaugurated “Alpha Techno Square” of Pakistan’s esteemed National Aerospace Science and Technology Park. Subject framework has the potential to pave the way for enhanced cooperation and exchange across various sectors, particularly in aerospace and technology. The collaboration has also opened doors for joint ventures, technology transfer and knowledge sharing between the two countries, fostering growth and innovation in the aerospace industry.

During his trip abroad, the Air Chief also called on General Gabor Böröndi, Chief of General Staff, Hungarian Defence Forces. The meeting provided a valuable opportunity for military leadership of both sides to engage in fruitful discussions concerning mutual interests, strategic objectives and exploring avenues for enhanced cooperation. The Air Chief conveyed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening the existing partnership between the two countries and exploring possibilities for further collaboration in the defence sector.

The historic visit of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu to Turkiye not only strengthens the existing ties between the two brotherly countries but also signifies the enduring commitment of both nations to work collaboratively towards a more secure and prosperous region.

PM to visit Nairobi to attend Africa Climate Summit

Munir Hussain

Fri, 1 Sep 2023, 8:56 PM

ISLAMABAD, Sep 1 (APP):Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar will visit Nairobi, Kenya to participate in the Africa Climate Summit to be held on September 4 to 6.

Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani will accompany the prime minister.

During a weekly press briefing on Friday, the Foreign Office spokesperson said the visit would be taking place at the invitation of President William Samoei Ruto of Kenya.

At the summit, she said, the prime minister would articulate Pakistan’s perspective on the global climate crisis and highlight national efforts to rebuild in a climate-resilient manner after the last year’s devastating floods. The prime minister’s key messages in Nairobi would include the need for enhanced climate cooperation at all levels to confront the common challenge of climate change in an effective manner.

In Nairobi, the prime minister was also expected to hold a series of bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Africa, including Kenya, and with other high-level dignitaries, the spokesperson added.

She said the Africa Climate Summit was the initiative of Kenya and the African Union. Pakistan’s high-level participation in the summit was not only in keeping with its traditionally proactive climate diplomacy, but was also in line with the ‘Look Africa’ outlook for enhanced engagement with countries in Africa.

Army, LEAs and nation can never be coerced by cowardly tactics of terrorists: COAS

NNPS Desk

Fri, 1 Sep 2023, 8:46 PM

RAWALPINDI, Sep 01 (APP): Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir on Friday said the Army, Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) and the nation could never be coerced by the cowardly tactics of the terrorists who have a misbelief that they can challenge the iron resolve of the soldiers and writ of the state.

The Army Chief visited Bannu where nine brave soldiers embraced, Shahadat, on August 31 when a suicide bomber blasted himself near a military convoy in Jani Khel area, an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) news release said.

The COAS was briefed on the ongoing operations and overall security situation. He visited CMH Bannu to inquire about the health and well-being of the injured soldiers.

The Army Chief appreciated the high morale and unflinching resolve of the troops. “Pakistan Army will continue to act as a bulwark against terrorism to safeguard the nation from this scourge,” the COAS emphasised.

While interacting with officers and troops deployed in the area, the COAS emphasised, “We have fought for long and will continue to fight the menace of terrorism till the end. The nation pays rich tribute to those who have laid their lives and their sacrifices will forever be honoured.”
Earlier on arrival, the COAS was received by Commander Peshawar Corps.