QUETTA
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar chairs a meeting to review security situation in the country, especially Balochistan
QUETTA
A delegation of Harvard University students called on Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar
ISLAMABAD
Commissioner for strict action to prevent smog
MULTAN, Aug 26 (APP):Commissioner Multan division, Engineer Amir Khattak, ordered strict action to prevent smog.
Chairing a meeting to review the performance of the districts of Multan division here Saturday, he ordered strict action against those involved in the burning of crop residues and directed that all brick kilns be shifted to zig-zag technology. Zero tolerance policy should be adopted in this regard, he said and directed the Secretary RTA to launch a crackdown against smoke emitting vehicles.
He asked the Deputy Commissioners to impose Section-144 as required for the elimination of environmental pollution and to control smog.
While giving orders to the Agriculture Department, the Commissioner said that the farmers’ livelihood was connected to the land and their issues should be addressed.
The Commissioner ordered to ensure urea and DAP fertilizer at cheaper rates. He directed the officials to launch a crackdown against fake pesticides and fertilizers. He asked the Agriculture Department officials to come out of the offices and conduct field monitoring.
He said that the provincial government was taking steps to provide relief to the growers.
Commissioner Aamir Khattak said that the Punjab government had taken a good initiative in the name of ‘Ab Chumkenge Gaon’ to improve sanitation in rural areas.
Sewerage and sanitation work will be done by eight members management committee in each union council. The committee will include Assistant Commissioner, revenue officers, patwari and dignitaries of the area. The mentioned management committee will collect sanitation from commercial places and houses free of cost, the Commissioner expressed.
He said that in the past, there was lack of infrastructure and resources for cleanliness and sanitation of rural areas but the Punjab government had taken a historic step for the neglected rural areas.
On this occasion, Additional Commissioner Sarfraz Ahmed, Additional Deputy Commissioner Revenue Nauman Afzal, Additional Commissioner Abdul Jabbar, Director Local Government Zahoor Bhutta and related officers were present.
PM for creation of job opportunities in Balochistan
QUETTA, Aug 26 (APP): Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Saturday underlined the need for creation of jobs and livelihood opportunities in Balochistan through an effective strategy.
He directed for keeping a balance in the budget and expenditures through a better mechanism in the future and stressed upon proper utilization of resources.
The prime minister chaired a meeting to review the development projects in Balochistan, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.
The meeting was attended by the caretaker chief minister, ministers and the relevant authorities.
During the meeting, the prime minister observed that the province had immense potential in minerals mining which could be utilized for the development of the country’s economy.
Mineral resources in the province could be fully tapped in the presence of effective communication infrastructure in those mineral-rich areas, he opined.
The chief secretary briefed the prime minister over the proposed and the ongoing uplift projects in the province.
World Junior Squash champion Hamza Khan meets Naval Chief
ISLAMABAD, Aug 26 (APP): World Junior Squash Champion Muhammad Hamza Khan met the Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi at Naval Headquarters, here Saturday.
Hamza recently won the World Junior (U-19) Squash Championship held at Melbourne, Australia. It is after 36 years when any Pakistani squash player has secured such a remarkable triumph and brought a moment of pride for the entire country.
During the meeting, Chief of the Naval Staff congratulated the young champion for winning the title and bringing laurels for the country. Naval Chief appreciated the efforts of Hamza and encouraged him to participate in future Squash events with full dedication and commitment.
In recognition of his meritorious achievement, Naval Chief awarded the Champion with a cash prize of Rs 0.5 million and lifetime gratis membership of Pakistan Navy Roshan Khan Jahangir Khan Squash Complex at Karachi.
Hamza Khan expressed his gratitude to Chief of the Naval Staff and Pakistan Navy for unwavering contributions towards the promotion of Squash in the country.
He said, “Regular organizing of CNS Open National and International Squash Championships is a testament of PN’s commitment towards this sports.”
Five outlaws netted
SARGODHA, Aug 26 (APP):Police arrested five alleged drug-traffickers on Saturday and recovered narcotics and weapons from them.
According to a spokesperson, the Factory Area and Tarkhanawala police stations teams conducted raids in their respective areas and arrested Rashid, Ikraam, Imran, Hussain and Tanveer.
The police also recovered 2.62-kg hashish, 40 litres of liquor and three pistols from them.
Cases were registered against the accused.
Five outlaws netted
SARGODHA, Aug 26 (APP):Police arrested five alleged drug-traffickers on Saturday and recovered narcotics and weapons from them.
According to a spokesperson, the Factory Area and Tarkhanawala police stations teams conducted raids in their respective areas and arrested Rashid, Ikraam, Imran, Hussain and Tanveer.
The police also recovered 2.62-kg hashish, 40 litres of liquor and three pistols from them.
Cases were registered against the accused.
Experts, analysts urge UN to honour its commitments on Kashmir dispute
ISLAMABAD, Aug 26 (APP): Political experts and analysts have urged the international community, particularly the UN, to stand up for the oppressed people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, who are facing the worst and brutal violations of their human rights in the internationally recognized disputed territory.
According to Kashmir media service (KMS) report on Saturday, the political experts and analysts, while talking to media men in Srinagar, said that every democratic and justice loving person must raise voice for the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir who are under Indian military and police repression for the last 76 years.
They said, supporting the beleaguered Kashmiris is to support humanity, peace and truth. “It is time to stand up for the Kashmiri people before it is too late. It is time to raise voice for the voiceless people of occupied people. It is time to stop Hindutva BJP/RSS ideology regime and their establishment from targeting Kashmiris in false cases. It is time to halt demographic changes being made by BJP government in IIOJK,” they said.
The political experts and analysts said, the world community must shun its double standards and help the people of Jammu and Kashmir who are demanding their right to self-determination guaranteed to them by the UN resolutions.
They asked India to remember that its cruel methods in IIOJK are bound to backfire. They urged the UN to honour its commitments regarding the Kashmir dispute.
Commissioner meets fruit, vegetables dealers
SARGODHA, Aug 26 (APP):Commissioner Sargodha Division Muhammad Ajmal Bhatti Saturday met fruit, vegetable and lentil dealers.
Deputy Commissioner Captain (retd) Shoaib Ali, Additional Commissioner Yasir Bhatti, and officers of the Industry and Market Committee were also present.
The commissioner said the dealers should earn a reasonable profit and avoid hoarding. He said that strict monitoring of all vegetable markets and wholesale dealers should be carried out.
Ajmal Bhatti directed the officers concerned to conduct regular visits to markets, monitor implementation of the price list, and ensure that essential commodities are available at the prescribed rates. He also emphasised that rate lists should be prominently displayed at shops.
The commissioner said immediate action should be taken against those who sell essential items at prices higher than the rates fixed by the government and a zero tolerance policy should be adopted against hoarders and profiteers.
Hydroponics; a path to prosperity for Pakistani farmers
MULTAN, Aug 26 (APP):In a promising development, hydroponics, a sophisticated technique for cultivating vegetables and fruits without soil, is gaining traction in Pakistan as a potential avenue to bolster foreign exchange reserves. This innovative method, championed by known teacher Dr. Nazar Farid of the Department of Horticulture at Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture (MNSUA), holds immense promise due to its nutritional value, aesthetic appeal, and popularity in European markets.
Dr. Farid, a leading proponent of hydroponics, explained that this technique involves vertically growing crops in a water-based, nutrient-rich solution. Unlike traditional farming, hydroponics doesn’t rely on soil; instead, plants’ root systems are supported using inert mediums such as coco coir, perlite, or clay pellets. The results are striking: tomatoes grown in MNSUA’s 2 kanal hydroponic area exhibit not only superior nutritional content but also captivating aesthetics.
While the upfront costs of hydroponics are considerable, involving investments in both infrastructure and operations, Dr. Farid emphasized the long-term benefits. Each plant receives precisely calculated nutritional inputs, tailored to its growth stage, fostering healthy and efficient development. The use of clean irrigation water, facilitated by a Reverse Osmosis (RO) plant at MNSUA, further underscores the technique’s advantages.
In terms of profitability, Dr. Farid acknowledged the challenge of identifying specific markets for these premium crops. However, he highlighted the ready demand for hydroponically cultivated high-value crops in Europe and other international markets. Consumers are willing to pay a premium for vegetables and fruits that offer both exceptional nutrition and visual appeal.
Addressing the question of feasibility for Pakistani farmers, Dr. Farid pointed to the forthcoming operationalization of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He anticipates that international corporate entities entering CPEC would provide new avenues for marketing high-value crops. The growing demand for such produce is expected to create a favorable environment for farmers to earn substantial income.
To expedite the adoption of hydroponics across the country, Dr. Farid recommended that the government offer subsidies to farmers. While hydroponics is currently practiced in certain pockets of Pakistan, wider implementation could lead to significant foreign exchange earnings, much like the Netherlands, USA, and China, which have capitalized on exporting hydroponically cultivated crops.
In conclusion, the promotion of hydroponics presents an exciting opportunity for Pakistani agriculture. By embracing this advanced technique, farmers could not only meet the demand for premium produce in international markets but also contribute to the country’s economic growth and resilience, he stated.