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Naqvi expresses annoyance over poor arrangements at HFH

By
Zaka Ullah Ch
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Mohsan Naqvi
RAWALPINDI, Aug 22 (APP): Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday directed the administration of the Holy Family Hospital (HFH) to improve the management of the hospital within a week else strict action would be taken against them.
During a visit to HFH, the CM in detail inspected various sections of the hospital and found bloody bed sheets in wards, long queues at reception, shortage of ventilators, while air conditioners were also shut down in several wards.
He interacted with the patients and their attendants and inquired about the medical facilities provided to them.
On the occasion, the patients complained to the CM that medicines were not available in the hospital and they were forced to buy medicines and carry out medical tests from outside the hospital.
The attendants of patients also complained that security guards asked for bribes for entry into the hospital while medical staff delayed the patient’s treatment.
Naqvi inspected the Emergency, children and Dengue wards of the hospital and also visited the shelter home and reviewed the accommodation and food facilities.
He directed the hospital’s management to improve the efficiency of the available resources as quality and timely treatment was the right of the patients.
Caretaker Provincial Minister for Primary and Secondary Health Dr Jamal Nasir, Information Minister Amir Mir, Vice-Chancellor Rawalpindi Medical University Dr Muhammad Umer and Medical Superintendent Dr Ejaz Butt were present on the occasion.

Pak archer’s participation in IBSA World Games in doubt due to visa issues

By
NNPS Desk
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IBSA World Games

ISLAMABAD, Aug 22 (APP): Pakistan’s ace blind archer Tanveer Ahmed’s participation in the ongoing IBSA World Games is in doubt due to visa issues.
“I am awaiting for my UK visa. I had applied for it on a priority basis some 10 days before,” Tanveer told APP on the phone on Tuesday.

Being supported by the BARD Foundation, Tanveer is the only man archer from Pakistan, who is scheduled to represent the country in the 10-day prestigious Games that kicked off on August 18 in Birmingham.

“My event is taking place on Thursday, meaning I will have to fly on Wednesday, by all means, to compete in it,” he added.
The 39-year-old Tanveer, who has low vision and shoots blindfolded has won several medals in national and international competitions since taking on archery in 2017. Before that, he was a blind cricketer where he showcased his talent for 16 years.

“I’ve been playing cricket. But it is the archery that gave me real recognition,” he said.
2022 has been a year of success for him as he earned five international medals in it, including the first-ever mixed team gold medal in the Andorra International Open for VI Archery, a silver medal in the 30-metre individual event of VI Archery and the bronze medal in the 18-metre individual event of VI Archery in Andorra International Open for VI Archery, bronze medal in World Ranking Event & European Cup and silver medal in World Archery Para Championships.

“I’m the only archer from Pakistan, who has won five medals in a calendar year,” he said.

He said he had been training hard for the games and believed he was fully fit to take on the challenge to make a podium finish.

Besides Tanveer, Pakistan’s woman archer Dr Bakhtawar is taking part in the Games. She is the only Pakistani woman well as the only Asian woman to feature in the archery discipline of the games. She has reached Birmingham to represent the country in the quadrennial extravaganza.

The 2023 World Games is the largest high-level international event for athletes with visual impairment. Around 1250 competitors from 70 nations are featured in the games.

The games staged every four years are the pinnacle of the international sporting calendar outside the Paralympic Games.

The sports taking place during the 2023 World Games include archery, chess, cricket, blind football, partially sighted football, women’s football, goalball, judo, powerlifting, showdown, tenpin bowling and tennis. Pakistan’s men’s blind cricket team is also scheduled to feature in the Games.

Railways expediting rehabilitation work on Quetta-Bostan track

By
NNPS Desk
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Railways

ISLAMABAD, Aug 22 (APP): Pakistan Railways is expediting the efforts to complete the rehabilitation work of a 33.50-kilometre track ‘through sleeper renewal’ between Quetta-Bostan and Quetta-Chaman section at the earliest.

“The track will not only facilitate the passengers and small businessmen but also connect three major cities of the Balochistan province,” an official source in the Ministry of Railways told APP.

He said the railway network in Balochistan province mainly consisted of Quetta Division having Dera Allah Yar Sibi-Quetta, Quetta-Chaman, Sibi-Khost, Spezend-Dalbandin-Taftan and Bostan-Zhob which were closed for the last 15 years.

The source said there were two passenger trains namely Jaffer Express (40Up, 39 Down) and Chaman Passenger (349Up, 350 Down) operating in Balochistan while no stations had been closed during the last 15 years in the Quetta division.

He said the overall length of the railway track in Balochistan was 1470.36 kilometres including the closed Bostan-Zhob section.

“Most of the track was more than one-hundred-year-old and on certain stretches, engineering speed restrictions have been imposed due to deferred maintenance and owing to resource constraints,” he said, adding that the routine maintenance of the track was being carried out with available resources.

To improve railway services in Balochistan, he said the department was taking several steps like approval of PC-I for the track’s rehabilitation and the rehabilitation of another 100-km track between Ahmedwal Dalbadin on the Quetta-Taftan section.

He said that 100-km rehabilitation of the track between Nokundi Kohi-Taftan on the Quetta-Taftan section while 160.024 kilometres of rehabilitation of the track between Bostan-Chaman on the Quetta-Chaman section would be carried out.

The source said the tourist train’s two trips had been started between Quetta-Bostan while the Bolan Mail passenger train would also be operational shortly to facilitate the passengers.

He said the establishment of Chaman Terminal in collaboration with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and track renewal Sibi-Khost section was also in progress.

To control the deficit and earn more revenue, he said the department had introduced ‘RABTA’- a platform for the improvement of its financial conditions. Rabta was essentially an attempt to enhance customer facilitation via artificial intelligence.

Around 60 million passengers used Pakistan Railways annually, for which 40 per cent of the tickets were sold using an outdated process without any audit, he said.

To resolve this problem, Rabta allows customers to plan trips with the help of different options. Single interface customers can check train statuses, choose and purchase seats, book hotels, and order car rentals, meals, and refreshments.

He said Rabta also allowed passengers to lodge statuses during their journeys. They can book tickets through multiple platforms including mobile applications, websites, ticket agents, reservation officers, vending machines, and handheld devices, he added.

Caretaker PM directs for immediate rescue of people stuck in chairlift

By
Najam ul Hassan
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Caretaker PM: File

ISLAMABAD, Aug 22 (APP): Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Tuesday directed the rescue agencies to ensure immediate evacuation of eight school children and teachers stranded in a chairlift in Pashto area of Battagram.

The prime minister has directed National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and all other relevant rescue agencies to utilize all out resources to ensure safe rescue of the students and teachers.

He instructed to ensure safety arrangements on all such chairlifts in hilly areas. The prime minister also directed to immediately close all such chairlifts that were in poor and dilapidated conditions.

Interior Minister directs to accelerate rescue operation in Battagram chairlift incident

By
NNPS Desk
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sirfraz bhugti

ISLAMABAD, Aug 22 (APP): Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti on Tuesday directed the concerned authorities to accelerate the rescue operation to save students entangled in chairlift in an area of Battagram.

The minister also said that Pakistan Army had been requested to take part in the rescue operation, on the special directions of the Prime Minister of Pakistan Anwar ul Kakar, said a handout issued here.

He said that all available resources shall be utilized in the rescue operation.

Rescue efforts underway to recover trapped students and teachers from chairlift through a helicopter

By
NNPS Desk
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chairlift

BATTAGRAM, Aug 22 (APP): The police and rescue teams Tuesday arrived at the scene, mobilizing all available resources to execute a comprehensive rescue operation for chairlift incident here in Union Council Battangi Pashto, Tehsil Allai.

District Police Officer (DPO), Sonai Shamaroz talking to the media persons about the incident said that a group of eight ninth-grade students identified as Abrar son of Abdul Ghani, Irfan son of Amriz, Gulfaraz son of Hakeem Dad, Osama son of Muhammad Sharif, Razwan Ullah son of Abdul Qayyum, Attaullah son of Kifayatullah, Niaz Muhammad son of Umar Zeb, and Sher Nawaz son of Shah Nazar were trapped in malfunctioned chairlift.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Hazara, Tahir Ayub Khan, took immediate action.

He directed Nazir Khan, the Superintendent of Police (SP) Alai, along with other officials and members of the district administration’s rescue teams, to immediately reach the incident site.

Following the guidance of Commissioner Hazara, Amir Sultan Tarin, steps were taken to involve broader assistance.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and other departments have been engaged to arrange helicopter support for the ongoing rescue operation.

The primary goal of this collaborative endeavor was to employ helicopter rescue techniques to extricate the stranded students from their predicament.

Pakistani businessmen explore opportunities at China South-Asia Expo

By
NNPS Desk
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China South-Asia Expo

KUNMING, Aug. 22 (APP): Malik Hamza, a Pakistani exhibitor, showcased his exquisite brass handicrafts to visitors at the seventh China-South Asia Expo. To his joy, he found out that a potential customer was referred to him by a satisfied previous client.

“The art craft is handmade in Pakistan, requiring approximately one week to complete each piece,” Hamza said.
The five-day expo, which kicked off on Aug. 16 and ended on Aug. 20 in Kunming, the capital of southwest China’s Yunnan Province, attracted over 30,000 exhibitors as well as representatives and guests from 85 countries and regions and international organizations, China’s state-run Xinhua reported.

At a booth showcasing Pakistani jade in the South Asia Pavilion, Khan Muhammad Nasir, a Pakistani representative, engaged in lively discussions with Chinese visitors about product variations and distinctive features.

To enhance the presentation of his offerings, Muhammad Nasir acquired the services of a Chinese translator to assist at the booth. “The morning has brought good business, and we anticipate even more visitors over the weekend,” Muhammad Nasir said.

He also mentioned the convenience of logistics, explaining that for visitors who are interested in products that are not easy to carry, the shop can readily pack such products and deliver them to desired locations.

On the other side of the South Asia Pavilion, in front of the booth of Sri Lankan jeweller Mohamed Rikas, customers frequently approached to inquire about products. “Rest assured about the quality, and we’re open to discussing the price,” Rikas said.

A familiar face at the event, Rikas brought a stunning array of jewellery from his Sri Lankan store to this year’s expo. He aimed to connect with his Chinese clients and continue growing his business by presenting some of the best-quality pieces from his collection.

Rikas was a participant at the first China-South Asia Expo in 2013 and that was the first time he brought jewelry to China. Rikas quickly recognized the promising business prospects the country offered and has been a consistent participant, taking part in this expo every year since its inception.

Over the years, the expo has seen its exhibition space triple from 51,100 square meters to 150,000 square meters, and the number of participating countries, regions and international organizations more than double from 42 to 85. A total of 338 projects with a combined investment value of 404 billion yuan (about 55.5 billion U.S. dollars) were inked at this year’s expo.

“With each visit, I have new gains and forge connections with fresh clients,” Rikas said, adding that he has successfully cultivated a client base of over 10 Chinese jewellers through these endeavours.

PCB to conduct nationwide women trials from Wednesday

By
Zaka Ullah Ch
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0
pcb
By Sohail Ali 
LAHORE, Aug 22 (APP): The Pakistan Cricket Board, as part of its continuous effort to unearth women cricketers at the grassroots level, will hold a nationwide women’s cricket trials, across eight cricket academies from 23 to 31 August. These trials will provide an exceptional platform for talented female cricketers from various age categories to showcase their skills and progress to the higher levels of the game.
The trials will be conducted by the National Selection Committee, which comprises of chairperson and former Test cricketer Saleem Jaffar, former international cricketers Asmavia Iqbal and Marina Iqbal. The trials will be conducted for three age groups: U19, in which players who are born on or after 1 September 2004 are eligible; emerging and seniors categories.
The trials will help the selectors identify talent and select squads for Pakistan emerging and Pakistan U19 teams. Pakistan emerging side will compete against West Indies emerging team at home in October this year, while Pakistan U19 will feature in a triangular event involving Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in Bangladesh in January 2024.
Head of Women’s Cricket Tania Mallick said on Tuesday:” We have recently awarded first-ever domestic contracts to 74 women cricketers, setting the tone for a brighter future in women’s cricket. With the nationwide trials, we are eagerly poised to bring in a new wave of talented individuals forward.
“We have a great and exciting amount of women’s cricket events ahead, and these trials will help us identify splendid talent that the selectors can consider for the national teams’ squads.”
The following is the schedule of trials in eight academies.
Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre, Karachi – 23 August
Inzamam-ul-Haq High Performance Centre, Multan – 23 August
•Women Sports Stadium, Bahawalpur – 24 August
Kinnard College for Women, Lahore – 24 August
Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi/Islamabad – 28 August
Qayyum Stadium, Peshawar – 29 August
Abbottabad Stadium, Abbottabad – 30 August
Bugti Stadium, Quetta – 31 August

Pakistan wins ‘Best Business Group Award’ at China-Eurasia Expo in Urumqi

By
NNPS Desk
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0
ghulam qadir

BEIJING, Aug 22 (APP): Pakistan has won the Best Business Group Award at the China-Eurasia Commodity and Trade Expo recently concluded in Urumqi, the capital city of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China, Commercial Counselor, Pakistan Embassy Beijing, Ghulam Qadir said on Tuesday.

“During the five-day event, we had a successful mango festival. Our exhibitors showcased different varieties of sweet and juicy mangoes such as Sindhri, Chaunsa, and Anwar Ratol, among others, allowing a large number of visitors to savour the King of fruits”, he told APP.

The six Pakistani delegation was led by Senator Rana Mehmood Ul Hassan at the expo. Former Federal Minister for Planning, Ahsan Iqbal was also there.
“The Pakistani delegation has not only interaction with the general people but also held important meetings with the ruling administration,” he added.

The commercial counsellor informed that during the meetings with the Chairman, of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Erkin Tuniyaz and the Party Secretary General were very productive. Some very good suggestions were floated from the Pakistani side and they had agreed upon.

The Pakistani delegation also held meetings with administrative ministries including the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), the agriculture department, the commerce department and the foreign affairs department to resolve all related issues.

“Now, there are chances that Pakistani mangoes and other fresh fruits will be exported to China through Khunjerab Pass and also different airports of Xinjiang, for example, Urumqi,” he added.

About the signing of agreements to enhance the import of mangoes, he said that five MOUs were signed, and many business-to-business interactions were made. And the mango exhibitors also went to the wholesale market and made very good connections with the local importers.

“Some exhibitors want to stay in Urumqi to acquire warehouses and do more business over there,” he added.
Other Pakistani products showcased at the expo included textiles, handicrafts, and more. Additionally, 20 top mango exporters from Multan also participated.

The expo covered an exhibition area of 70,000 square meters while seven international organizations participated.
The expo also attracted over 1,300 businesses from 40 countries including Pakistan and regions, including 25 of the world’s top 500 companies.

A total of 33 trade and investment promotional activities took place during the five-day event.
The (China) Eurasia Commodity and Trade Expo has been held three times since 2015, drawing over 3,700 businesses from 47 countries and regions to participate.

Pak-China MOU signed to protect rock carving art

By
NNPS Desk
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0
Pak-China

BEIJING, Aug. 22 (APP): With the theme of Cave Temple Conservation in the Context of Climate Change, the first International Forum on Cave Temple Conservation was launched in Chongqing Municipality. The event was held in the Baoding Mountains, whose carvings were made during Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) and are regarded an important part of the Dazu Rock Carvings World Cultural Heritage Site, which was listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1999.

However, in recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in extreme weather events, and the impact of climate change on carvings is mainly reflected in two aspects: humidity and wind erosion. To protect the rock carvings, not only in Chongqing, but also around the world, heated discussions has triggered among scholars and experts from Germany, Pakistan, Italy and other countries on the protection of cave temple conservation and the mitigation of climate change through international cooperation.

In such a context, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Establishing Friendly Relation and Cooperation between two institutions, the Academy of Dazu Rock Carvings and Museum of the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Peshawar, was signed.

Dr. Abdul Samad, Director-General of Directorate of Archaeology & Museums, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Peshawar, who signed the MoU on behalf of Pakistan, noted that signing the MoU will benefit a wider group outside China and Pakistan.

“In China, we have many areas of cooperation covering economic issues, the Belt and Road Initiative, the CPEC. However, exchanges and cooperation between our two fraternal countries in terms of cultural heritage are still relatively small. I have been to China many times, after watching the Beishan Rock Carvings in Dazu District this time, I presume it was largely influenced by the art of the Gandhara Art in KP.

Therefore, we should have more collaboration space in the field of cultural heritage. Furthermore, this rock art deserves to be seen by more international tourists. In addition, I also hope that Pakistan can welcome more Chinese visitors.”

The China Economic Net (CEN) learned that a small village in Pakistan has similar stone carvings, which resemble to Dazu art carvings. “Pakistan and China are facing similar cultural relics protection challenges, thus cooperation and learning from each other’s experience are essential,” Samad emphasized, “this MoU is by no means just talking on paper, we need to do practical things in all aspects.”

Dazu Rock Carvings has a total of 74 places with more than 50,000 stone statues, most of which are excavated between mountains and on cliffs. Due to many influencing factors such as geology and climate, the protection and restoration of cultural relics here has always been an international difficulty.

Located in the high temperature and humidity environment of Chongqing, southwest China, the biggest hidden danger affecting the protection and survival of Dazu Rock Carvings is water. For a long time, water erosion has caused weathering and biological diseases in some carvings. In order to protect precious cultural relics, a number of protection platforms such as the Stone Cultural Relics Protection Research Center, the Dazu Rock Carvings Cultural Relics Hospital, and the Digital Exhibition Center have been built. A group of stone cultural relics protection demonstration projects represented by the rescue protection of the Thousand-handed Avalokitesvara (Guan Yin) statue also contributed a lot.

“Under the cooperation framework of the Memorandum of Understanding, the two parties will exchange experience and share technology, jointly promote the development of cultural protection, and promote the inheritance and common prosperity of cultural heritage,” Jiang Siwei, Director of the Dazu Rock Carvings Research Institute.

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