ISLAMABAD: September 09 –
Caretaker Prime Minister, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar chairs the 5th Apex Committee Meeting of Special Investment Facilitation Council
ISLAMABAD: September 09 –
Seven gamblers arrested during raid
RAWALPINDI, Sep 09 (APP):Police have arrested seven gamblers and recovered bet money Rs 16,270, 03 mobile phones from their possession during crackdown here on Saturday.
According to police spokesman, Rata Amral police conducted raid and arrested those gamblers who were identified as Aqeel, Waqas, Lal Khan, Ashfaq, Majid and Jameel.
Police have registered separate cases against all of them and further investigation was in progress.
SP Rawal Faisal Saleem appreciated the performance of police team said that gambling is the root of all evils. Such elements involved in anti social activities cannot escape from the grip of the law, he added.
IIOJK industrial sector at verge of destruction: FCIK
MIRPUR (AJK): September 09 (APP)::In Indian Illegally occupied Jammu Kashmir State, the Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK), while expressing grave concern over the growing sickness of scores of industrial units in the turbulent State, has regretted that “the role of the concerned “State functionaries” in analyzing and addressing this critical issue was abysmal and disappointing, says a report reaching here on Saturday from across the Line of Control said.
The occupied Kashmir’s business community forum alleged that its policies on revival and rehabilitation of sick industrial enterprises were not being honored in the J&K State, the report said.
The growing sickness in industry in occupied J&K State had multiple reasons mostly beyond the control of entrepreneurs which needed to be ascertained and analysed for an appropriate recourse, FCIK said in a statement in occupied Srinagar, the report said.
“The mechanism envisaged for constitution of State Level Revival Committee (SLRC) for analyzing and approving the revival programme of potentially viable sick units and treatment thereof”, it said.
“Apart from this, the current policy also makes the applicability of the guidelines for rehabilitation/revival of the sick small and medium level industrial units in the State, the report said.
The FCIK also regretted the discontinuation of the State Level Inter-Institutional Committee (SLIIC) which was formed to deal with the problems of coordination for rehabilitation of sick industrial entrepreneurs in the held State.
The FCIK of IIOJK also expressed its regret over the hostility shown by the puppet State government backing out from its alleged commitment to setting up an Asset Reconstruction Company (ARC) in partnership with J&K Bank as declared by the state government in its Budget Speech of 2015-16 with the aim to do asset stripping where need to be aroused besides formulating a revival package where revival was possible, the report said.
The FCIK, the report revealed has formally taken up the issue with Delhi’s installed Chief Secretary of the occupied Jammu and Kashmir State and asked him to take notice of non-implementation of the policies and guidelines by his subordinate departments and Banks.
Contrary to these initiatives and guidelines, the Banks in IIOJK had initiated unethical and illegal actions against MSMEs (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises) forcing them to sell out their industrial units apart from their ancestral property mortgaged to banks for liquidation of loans”, FCIK said, adding such measures could jeopardize efforts in encouraging industrialization in the Indian Illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir state, the report added.
Secretary stresses implementation of ‘Now villages will shine’ project
LAHORE, Sep 09 (APP):Punjab Local Government and Community Development (LG&CD) Secretary Dr. Irshad Ahmed emphasised the implementation of the ‘Now villages will shine’ project, following special directives from Caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab.
In a media statement on Saturday, he said the initiative, formally launched by CM on August 14, 2023, kick started the recruitment of sanitary workers and the procurement of necessary machinery in each union council.
He said under the purview of the Department of Local Government, Village Committees have been established in 21 thousand villages, with assigned responsibilities. The recruitment of 7,404 sanitary workers on a daily wage basis to provide essential services in villages has also been successfully accomplished. Additionally, the provision of loader rickshaws was being ensured in all union councils, he added.
Dr. Irshad Ahmed highlighted that ‘Now Villages will shine’ was a pioneering project of its kind at the rural level, subject to ongoing monitoring. To guarantee its success, the Director General of Local Government personally conducts impromptu visits to various Tehsils.
Furthermore, after the deployment of sanitary workers and the availability of loader rickshaws, sanitation efforts have been set in motion in every village. The cooperation of local residents was also being actively sought to maintain regular sanitation practices in the villages.
UN chief calls for protection of schools amid intensifying attacks
UNITED NATIONS, Sep 09 (APP): With a staggering hike in attacks targeting schools and hospitals, and over seven million refugee children out of school, the UN Secretary-General Saturday called for a new push to defend vulnerable students and teachers worldwide.
Marking the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, the UN chief said it was important to defend “havens of education”.
“Education is not only a fundamental human right, but a pathway to a better future for every person, and a more peaceful, understanding world,” he underscored.
The secretary-general said that around the globe 224 million children and young people are in urgent need of educational support – including 72 million who are out-of-school altogether – because of crises such as armed conflict.
According to a comprehensive report on children and armed conflicts published by the UN chief earlier this year, from January to December 2022, there was a 112 per cent rise in attacks targeting schools and hospitals, with hotspots identified in Afghanistan, Ukraine, Burkina Faso, Israel, Palestine, Myanmar and Mali.
In Afghanistan, for example, the UN verified a total of 95 attacks on civilian targets, including 72 on schools, it was pointed out.
The report attributed 50 per cent of grave violations to non-state armed groups. The other half involved government forces, who were primarily responsible for the gravest offences, including the killing and maiming of children, relentless assaults on schools and hospitals, and obstructing humanitarian access.
The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Friday that by the end of 2022, the total number of school-aged refugees globally jumped nearly 50 per cent from 10 million in 2021 to 14.8 million, driven mostly by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Attacks on students, teachers, educational personnel and schools are becoming all too common, cruelly disrupting young learners’ education and inflicting untold psychological and physical damage that can last a lifetime,” the UN chief said.
One of the clear signs of the education deficit is the startling statistic that 763 million people around the world – adults and youngsters – lack even basic literacy skills, according to UN data.
The Secretary-General urged all countries to ensure the protection of schools, children and teachers at all times, through measures such as the Safe Schools Declaration and the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack.
Through joint efforts, Guterres believes, schools can become “havens of safety and learning for every child, no matter where they live”.
FDA to auction its properties on Sept 20
FAISALABAD, Sep 09 (APP):The Faisalabad Development Authority (FDA) has decided to auction its properties on Sept 20, 2023 to generate revenue for dealing with financial affairs and completing FDA development projects.
Director General FDA Muhammad Asif Chaudhry said while presiding over a meeting here on Saturday that there were eight shops in Millat Town Commercial Centre, 99 Mohallah shops in Ahmad Nagar, 47 shops in Commercial Center Ahmad Nagar, five residential plots of 3.5-marla each in Millat Town, two residential plots of five marla each in Millat Town and 14 utility service plots in various private housing schemes would be sold out through open auction.
The FDA would also lease out 16 shops on Lower Ground Floor, 9 shops on Upper Floor of Gulistan Plaza of Gulistan Colony Millat Road and 9.5 Kanal area situated near Hockey Stadium Madina Town. Similarly, 50 x 36 feet plot beneath Nishatabad Overhead Bridge designated for Tea Area would be leased out through open auction for a period of 5 year.
He said that an auction committee was constituted to ensure auction of FDA properties in a free, fair and transparent manner, he said and directed the FDA officers to facilitate the bidders maximally under auction rules and regulations.
Additional Director General Abid Hussain Bhatti, Director Finance Muhammad Shahab Aslam, Director Estate Management-1 Junaid Hasan Manj and others were also present in the meeting.
Chairman Pakistan People’s Party, Bilawal Bhutto addressing to PPP workers during his visit at Fateh Chowk
HYDERABAD: September 09 –
Pakistan introduces business friendly visa policy to boost investment, economic growth: Bugti
ISLAMABAD, Sep 09 (APP): The Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti on Saturday said that a significant business-friendly visa policy was introduced, aiming to promote investment and stimulate economic growth.
He said that, under the revised policy, the visa process has been streamlined to be more business-friendly, facilitating foreign investors in establishing businesses within the country.
Additionally, visas will be issued with greater ease to individuals associated with business entities, and recommendations from bodies like the Chamber of Commerce will also be considered.
Minister Bugti emphasised the government’s commitment to combat smuggling vigorously. A collaborative anti-smuggling campaign, involving federal and provincial law enforcement agencies, has been initiated to prevent the illegal trafficking of various goods, including currencies, fertilizers, sugar, and wheat.
Furthermore, Minister Bugti revealed a comprehensive strategy for repatriating refugees to their respective countries. The objective is to significantly increase refugee registration rates from 38% to an impressive target set at 98%, with the assistance of NADRA (National Database and Registration Authority).
Bugti reaffirmed the government’s dedication to maintaining peace and stability.
He underlined the successful past efforts in combating terrorism and stressed the government’s resolve to prevent any individuals or groups from pursuing any agenda through firearms and violence.
Pakistan introduces business friendly visa policy to boost investment, economic growth: Bugti
ISLAMABAD, Sep 09 (APP): The Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti on Saturday said that a significant business-friendly visa policy was introduced, aiming to promote investment and stimulate economic growth.
He said that, under the revised policy, the visa process has been streamlined to be more business-friendly, facilitating foreign investors in establishing businesses within the country.
Additionally, visas will be issued with greater ease to individuals associated with business entities, and recommendations from bodies like the Chamber of Commerce will also be considered.
Minister Bugti emphasised the government’s commitment to combat smuggling vigorously. A collaborative anti-smuggling campaign, involving federal and provincial law enforcement agencies, has been initiated to prevent the illegal trafficking of various goods, including currencies, fertilizers, sugar, and wheat.
Furthermore, Minister Bugti revealed a comprehensive strategy for repatriating refugees to their respective countries. The objective is to significantly increase refugee registration rates from 38% to an impressive target set at 98%, with the assistance of NADRA (National Database and Registration Authority).
Bugti reaffirmed the government’s dedication to maintaining peace and stability.
He underlined the successful past efforts in combating terrorism and stressed the government’s resolve to prevent any individuals or groups from pursuing any agenda through firearms and violence.
Crackdown against smuggling, hoarding continues in Sindh
ISLAMABAD, Sep 09 (APP): As part of the ongoing campaign against smuggling and hoarding in the country, a crackdown was conducted on Saturday against profiteers in different parts of Sindh. During the raids, 43983 bags of fertilizers were confiscated in Naushero Feroze. The fertilizer included both Urea and DAP. Similarly in Sukkur, the law enforcement agencies seized 4000 bags of Urea while they recovered 23000 bags of wheat in Ghotki. While in another operation, 550 bags of sugar were seized in Noushero Feroze. The countrywide operation against illegal activities and hoarding would continue in the coming days and weeks.
