Interior minister grieved over martyrdom of six soldiers

Tue, 22 Aug 2023, 4:00 PM

ISLAMABAD, Aug 22 (APP): Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti expressed deep sorrow and grief over the martyrdom of six soldiers in exchange of gunfire with militants in South Waziristan on Tuesday.

He prayed for the departed souls while appreciating the valour of brave soldiers, said the statement.
Brave soldiers killed four terrorists in the ambush, the minister said in a statement.

He added that the soldiers defended the motherland and sacrificed their lives.

The minister said the sacrifices of Pak Army for the country were unforgettable and the security agencies were busy in defending the motherland to curb terrorism from the country.

He said the cowardly acts of terrorist could not demoralize the brave soldiers of Pak Army.

Pakistan Rangers apprehend six Indian nationals inside Pakistani territory

NNPS Desk

Tue, 22 Aug 2023, 3:55 PM

RAWALPINDI, Aug 22 (APP): Pakistan Rangers troops deployed along international border with India apprehended six Indian nationals inside Pakistani territory from July 29 to August 3, 2023.

The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a news release on Tuesday said these smugglers and criminals were trying to smuggle narcotics, weapons and ammunition into Pakistan.

“It is surprising that these smugglers could cross the heavily fenced border under perpetual surveillance of BSF (Indian Border Security Force). It shows likely complicity of BSF troops in narco and weapons smuggling. In addition, it is also surprising that Indian BSF troops have so far failed to report six missing citizens,” the ISPR said.

The four apprehended smugglers were identified as Gurmeej son of Guldeep Singh, Shinder Singh son of Bhora Singh, Juginder Singh son of Thakur Singh and Vishal son of Jagga belong to Ferozpur, Rattan Pal Singh son of Mahinder Singh belongs to Jalandhar and Garvender Singh son of Mukhtiar Singh belongs to Ludhiana.

These Indian smugglers would be dealt as per law of the land for illegally entering into Pakistan and indulging in nefarious activities, it said.

“Security Forces of Pakistan will continue to maintain vigil and expect that Indian BSF will act professionally and sever their ties with smuggling rackets operating from their territory,” the ISPR said.

Ali Mradan Domki pays surprise visit to e-service center

NNPS Desk

Tue, 22 Aug 2023, 3:43 PM

QUETTA, Aug 22 (APP): Caretaker Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Ali Mardan Khan Domki on Tuesday paid a surprise visit to e-service center, established under Science and Information Technology department to facilitate the citizens under a one-window operation.

On the occasion, the chief minister was briefed that the services of four departments would be provided at the e-service centre to improve public services in the first phase of the project.

With the digitization of revenue department, the centre would provide e-services regarding the land record to the masses whereas the registration and submission of fee in the excise and taxation department has been made easy and efficient after the installation of the centre.

The acquisition of birth certificate, character certificate and other necessary documents has been made very easy through the facility.

A police desk is also set up at the e-service center and resolving public issues related to police.

In future, the desks of Federal Board of Revenue and NADRA will also be activated soon at the center so that all basic facilities are available to the people.

The chief minister appreciating the project said that it was an important project in this era of digitization.

The service center would also be extended to other districts of the province to provide facilities to the people at their doorstep.

Pakistan exports food products worth $329 mln in July

Muhammad Ashraf Wani

Tue, 22 Aug 2023, 3:38 PM

ISLAMABAD, Aug 22 (APP):Pakistan exported food products worth $329.156 million during the first month of current fiscal year (July), Pakistan Bureau of Statistics reported.

As compared to the exports of $356.073 million during July 2022, the exports in July 2023 depicted decline of 7.56 percent, according to latest PBS data.

On month on month basis, the exports during July 2023 decreased by 8.81 percent compared to the exports of $360.961 million in June 2023.

The food products that contributed in the negative growth of trade included rice, the exports of which declined by 15.78 percent, from $360.961 million last July to $117.101 million in July 2023.

Likewise, the exports of vegetables declined by 67.20 percent by going down from $44.396 million last year to $14.564 million this year and tobacco the exports of which decrease by 58.35 percent, from $4.917 million to $2.048 million.

The food items that witnessed positive growth included fish and fish preparations, the exports of which increased by 2.2 percent by going up from $18.572 million to $18.980 million whereas the exports of fruits increased by 4.61 percent, from $34.171 million to $35.746 million.

Similarly, the exports of spices increased by 20.53 percent by going up from $5.482 million to $6.607 million, oil seeds, nuts and kenerals by 173.56 percent, from $1.099 million to $3.007 million, meat and meat preparations by 37.22 percent, from $25.409 million to $34.866 million whereas the exports of all other food items increased by Rs11.80 million by going up from $82.979 million to $92.771 million.

It is pertinent to mention here that the trade deficit witnessed a decline of 41.16 percent during the first month of the current fiscal year (2023-24) as compared to the corresponding month of last year.

The trade deficit during the month under review was recorded at $1.607 billion against the deficit of $2.731 billion in July 2022, a decline of 41.16 percent. The exports during the month were recorded at $2.057 billion against $2.250 billion last year, showing a decline of 8.57 percent.

On the other hand, the imports witnessed a sharp decline of 26.44 percent by falling from $4.981 billion last year to $3.664 billion during July 2023.

Six soldiers martyred, 4 terrorists killed in South Waziristan encounter: ISPR

Zaka Ullah Ch

Tue, 22 Aug 2023, 3:25 PM

PESHAWAR, Aug 22 (APP): Six troops were martyred and four terrorists killed during exchange of firing in South Waziristan tribal district on Tuesday.

According to ISPR, fire exchange took place between own troops and terrorists in general area Asman Manza, South Waziristan District.

“Own troops effectively engaged the terrorists’ location and resultantly four terrorists were sent to hell, while two terrorists were injured. However, during intense exchange of fire, six brave soldiers fought gallantly, embraced Shahadat,” the ISPR said.

Sanitization of the area is being carried out to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area.

Armed forces of Pakistan are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve.

Chairperson NCRC calls on Caretaker PM

Irfan Khan

Tue, 22 Aug 2023, 3:25 PM

ISLAMABAD, Aug 22 (APP): Chairperson of the National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC) and former senator Ayesha Raza Farooq on Tuesday called on Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar.

During the meeting, the chairperson felicitated the prime minister on assuming his office and expressed good wishes, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release in Urdu language.

The prime minister appreciated the performance of the Commission led by Ayesha Raza Farooq and assured of the utilization of all resources to further facilitate the commission.

The chairperson apprised the prime minister of the crimes against children and the child labour situation in the country.

The caretaker prime minister said that formal proceedings would be initiated against the violators of child rights and would be brought to book.

He further assured that effective legislation would be enacted for the protection of the rights of the children and for the commission to facilitate the children.

Army helicopter reaches to rescue school children stranded midair in Battagram

Zaka Ullah Ch

Tue, 22 Aug 2023, 3:21 PM

PESHAWAR, Aug 22 (APP): An army helicopter arrived and start sling operation to rescue school children stranded mid-air after a chairlift’s cable broke down in the Allai Tehsil of Battagram, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Tuesday.

Special Services Group Sling Team will carry out the operation to rescue eight students along with two teachers who were stuck midair owing to a broken cable.

The National Disaster Management Authority said in a statement that the incident was reported around 8:30 am in the morning, adding that a chairlift stuck at a height of about 900 feet midway due to breakage of one of its cables in Battagram.

The statement said NDMA has provided coordination support to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).

“After coordination a Pakistan Army’s helicopter has been dispatched for rescue operation,” it added.

The incident was also confirmed by Mansehra Deputy Inspector General of Police Tahir Ayub who said there is no option but to rescue the stranded passengers through a copter.

Gulfaraz, one of the passengers on the chairlift, said in his WhatsApp message that the first wire broke at 7am after which another one also broke.

Sonia Shamrose, the district police officer, said that all efforts were being made to rescue the people trapped in the chairlift.

Zafar Iqbal, a school teacher, said that the students were coming to the school by the chairlift.

“The chairlift is used to go from one place to another. In this area, where around 150 children come to school by the chairlift,” he said, confirming that two wires of the cable car broke down mid-air.