ISLAMABAD, Aug 17 (APP): Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) would organize two-day special puppet shows titled “Story of Pakistan” in connection with Independence Day on August 18 and August 19.
Director General PNCA Muhammad Ayub Jamali told APP that National Puppet Theatre will showcase the skills of its puppeteers featuring vibrant costumed puppets and will present national songs, folk tales, skits and folk dances to provide infotainment.
He said that PNCA, National Puppet Theatre would highlight Pakistan independence journey and it’s historical background. Children along with parents would be invited to attendant the shows to be held at PNCA Auditorium on August 19 at 5:30 pm and Liaqat Memorial Hall, Rawalpindi on August 18 4 pm.
According to PNCA, the art of puppetry has long been a part of country culture.
PNCA also organized various cultural events including a musical evening to entertain the audience on the occasion of Independence Day.
PNCA’s“Story of Pakistan” puppet show on Aug 18
PBF calls for the revival of sick industries in KP
PESHAWAR, Aug 17 (APP):Vice Chairman, Pakistan Business Forum (PBF) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Muhammad Ashfaque Paracha on Thursday urged the authorities concerned to take effective measures to revive sick industries and also solve the problems being faced by the industrialists in the province.
He said that steps should be taken to resolve the issues of the industrialists in the industrial estates falling under the KP Economic Zones Development and Management Company and the Small Industries Development Board as well.
The PBF Vice Chairman was given a detailed briefing by the Nowshera Industrial Zone officials and steps taken so far for resolving the problems of industries established across the province.
Paracha further said that high cost of doing business has already proved to be dangerous for the trade and industry, as ever-increasing cost of production is the real threat to the economy amidst frequent upward revisions in policy rate and continuous fluctuations in rupee against dollar.
Vice Chairman Ashfaque Paracha demanded of the government to shut down all expensive oil-based power plants to ensure availability of cheaper energy for consumers. The government may avoid for shifting power distribution companies’ inefficiencies’ burden to the consumers by jacking up the tariff under the guise of Fuel Charges Adjustment.
Girl student dies, brother injured after being electrocuted by high-voltage electricity poll
DIR LOWER, Aug 17 (APP)::A nine-year-old girl student died while her brother was injured after being electrocuted in the Sur Pul area of Mayaar, here Thursday morning.
According to a police spokesman, the girl and her five-year-old brother were on their way to school when they received an electric shock from a fallen high-voltage electricity poll.
As a result, a girl namely Husna died on the spot while her brother Rahim Shah sustained serious injuries and was shifted to DHQ Timergara Hospital.
World Humanitarian Day to be marked on Aug 19
ISLAMABAD, Aug 17 (APP):World Humanitarian Day would be marked on August 19 (Saturday) across the globe including Pakistan, the day honors all humanitarians who have worked in the promotion of the humanitarian cause, and those who have lost their lives in the cause of duty.
It aims to increase public awareness about humanitarian assistance activities worldwide and the importance of international cooperation.
World Humanitarian Day is a day dedicated to humanitarians worldwide, as well as to increase public understanding of humanitarian assistance activities.
The day aims to honor humanitarian workers who have lost their lives or injured themselves in the course of their work and to acknowledge the ongoing work of humanitarian staff around the world.
Many communities and organizations try to increase the importance of humanitarians by distributing publicity and information material.
Additionally, some try to speak to the press to help spread these key messages of World Humanitarian Day, while other groups organize public events worldwide that feature humanitarian work.
For the year 2010 and beyond, it is anticipated that World Humanitarian Day would focus on particular humanitarian themes to help increase public awareness.
Humanitarians provide life-saving assistance to millions of people worldwide.
They place their own lives at risk to help others in conflict zones and areas of natural hazards.
More than 700 humanitarian workers have died or experienced the most dangerous situations while trying to help those in need.
Humanitarians provide support for different world challenges such as hunger, gender-based violence, refugees and displaced people, help for children, as well as clean water and access to sanitation.
The total number of people affected by natural disasters has risen over the past decade, and about 211 million people are directly affected each year. Women and children are especially affected because of their ongoing struggles with poverty, insecurity, hunger, poor health, and environmental decline.
There are new and difficult challenges that arise each year that will require more flexible funding and adaptable humanitarian work.
The increasing economic crisis and global challenges such as poverty, global health problems, increase prices, and the rising number of people on the move, increase the need for humanitarians each year.
Kyrgyz company sees promising investment opportunities in food sector
ISLAMABAD, Aug 17 (APP)::A visiting delegation of Kyrgyzstan business community on Thursday described Pakistan as a promising destination for investment, especially in the food sector.
Zhumadil Egemberdiev, who is heading the delegation of a company “Shoro,” expressed keen interest to explore potential investment avenues and collaborations within Pakistan’s vibrant food industry, particularly in the Punjab province.
Talking to Chairman Kyrgyzstan Trade House and Coordinator to Federal Tax Ombudsman Meher Kashif Younis, he stressed the need for focusing on a mutual goal of fostering economic growth and enhancing bilateral ties.
He said recognizing the abundant resources, skilled workforce, and growing consumer demand within Pakistan, Kyrgyz businessmen were enthusiastic about the prospect of joint ventures and partnerships that could drive innovation, employment opportunities, and market expansion.
Zhumadil Egemberdiev said the food industry, being an essential component of both countries’ economies, offered a plethora of opportunities for collaboration.
He said Kyrgyzstan’s expertise in certain food products and processing techniques could synergize effectively with Pakistan’s rich agricultural resources and establish international standard food processing facilities.
“This potential partnership can result in the creation of value-added products, improved supply chains, and a broader market reach,” he added.
Zhumadil Egemberdiev proposed the establishment of a collaborative platform that facilitated communication, knowledge exchange, and business matchmaking between Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan.
“This platform can serve as a foundation for dialogue, enabling interested parties from both nations to explore areas of synergy, and identify specific projects for investment,” he added.
Chairman Kyrgyzstan Trade House and Coordinator to Federal Tax Ombudsman Meher Kashif Younis said he believed that the successful realization of such collaborations could not only benefit the two economies but also contribute to the global food market efficiently. He said he envisioned a partnership that was built on mutual respect, trust, and a shared commitment to excellence.
Meher Kashif Younis said “As we embark on this exciting journey of exploring investment opportunities, we look forward to receiving Kyrgyz business community’s insights, suggestions, and recommendations on how to proceed effectively?”
He said valuable guidance would be instrumental in shaping the direction of the collective efforts and maximizing the potential of this partnership.
Red chillies can stimulate economic activities: PHHSA
ISLAMABAD, Aug 17 (APP):Chairman Pakistan Hitech Hybrid Seed Association (PHHSA) Shahzad Ali Malik on Thursday said the production and trade of red chillies stimulate economic activity, both locally and globally.
Talking to a delegation of progressive farmers led by Pir Saddam Hussain Shah, he said red chillies hold significant importance in the economy due to their widespread use in various industries and cuisines, said a news release issued here.
He said red chillies have applications beyond the culinary world and also used in the production of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and even in some industrial processes.
This diversification of usage enhances their economic significance and makes them a valuable commodity in both domestic and international trade, he added.
He said it contributes to the agricultural sector, providing income and employment opportunities for farmers and laborers involved in its cultivation, harvesting, and processing.
In addition, red chillies are a key ingredient in the food and beverage industry, adding flavor and spice to a wide range of dishes and products, he remarked.
This drives demand and consumption, which further supports the economy by creating markets for various food products.
He said the export of red chillies can also generate foreign exchange earnings for countries that are major producers.
CDA plans to develop several new parks in Islamabad
ISLAMABAD, Aug 17 (APP):The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is planning to develop several new modern parks in the federal capital to provide better recreational facilities to the residents of the city.
“The civic authority has already developed around 37 public parks in the federal capital during the last ten years and is working on a policy to increase their number in the coming years,” official sources in the CDA told APP.
“We need three to four months to develop a new park after completion of the codal formalities.”
At present, they said the federal capital had six amusement parks, which were considered sufficient to cater to the recreational needs of Islamabad residents.
“But the policy has been made that whenever a new sector will be developed, an amusement park will be constructed along,” they added.
The sources said that the CDA was developing several new sectors, including I-11, I-12, I-14, I-15, I-16, D-12, and Park Enclave, adding that Model Villages and parks were also being developed in the said areas.
“As and when these areas are developed and completed, the new parks will be there to meet the demand and requirement of the general public as per CDA approved layout plan,” they added.
Naqvi directs to ensure free-of-cost medicines to patients
RAWALPINDI, Aug 17 (APP):Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday directed the management of Benazir Bhutto Hospital(BBH) to ensure the provision of free-of-cost medicines to the patients.
During a visit to inspect facilities at BBH, he reviewed the treatment of the patients in the new Emergency department.
The CM interacted with the patients and their attendants and inquired about the medical facilities provided to them.
Taking notice of the patient’s complaints about delays in medical check-ups and the X-rays process, Naqvi said that there should be no hold-up in check-ups and directed the hospital’s administration to expedite the process of registration at the reception counter.
During his visit, the CM in detail inspected various sections of the hospital and found some doctors were absent from their duties.
He also inspected the sanitation situation of the BBH and directed the hospital’s management to improve the cleanliness arrangement.
Caretaker Information Minister Amir Mir also accompanied the CM during his visit.
Railways earn over 5mln from salons in last three years
ISLAMABAD, Aug 17 (APP):Pakistan Railways has generated revenue worth Rs 5,269,315 through utilizing its 23 salons and inspection coaches for commercial purposes, during the last three years.
“At present, Pakistan Railways has only 23 salons and inspection coaches with different dignitaries of the country who are entitled to use these salons when needed,” an official in the Ministry of Railways told APP on Thursday.
Giving the details, he said, “Two highly luxurious coaches have been allocated for the Prime Minister’s Secretariat while four coaches have been allocated for the Minister for Railways, Secretary/Chairman of Railways, and another senior official in the ministry.”
The official said, “Only one salon has been allocated to the federal government while one each has been allocated to the Governors of Sindh, Balochistan, Punjab, and the provincial governments.”
In addition, eight salons had been allocated for the Railway Headquarters Lahore, in which one each would be marked to Chief Executive Officer/General Manager (BS-22), Additional General Manager BS-21, Inspector General Railway Police, Federal Government Inspector, and four salons were allocated for Principal Officers, he added.
The official said six salons had been allocated for Divisional Superintendents of Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Quetta, Sukkur, Lahore, and Karachi.
He said that the Principal Officers of Pakistan Railways were entitled to travel at these salons or inspection coaches only when they were travelling on duty.
Above all, they said luxury salons were also available for private travel on a rental basis.
The official said the salons were very luxurious and had two rooms, a bath, a dining area, and a kitchen like a tiny house on wheels with the availability of every facility.
He said some of these salons were inspection coaches and their back wall was made of glass from where officers could view the track and surrounding area.
“Pakistan Railways officers are not entitled to use this facility other than duty and all these salons are mostly 40-50 years old,” he added.
Health deptt to nominate 23 martyred doctors, paramedics for civil award
PESHAWAR, Aug 17 (APP):The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Health Department has decided to nominate 23 doctors, nurses, and paramedics staff from across the province for the award of Tamgha-e-Imtiaz.
An official of the health department here Thursday said that the nominations would include medical staff who embraced martyrdom while rendering services during the corona pandemic in the province.
“The federal government has sought details of the martyrs for the civil award besides payment of the martyrs’ package,” he added.