Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif addressing a farewell meeting held in the honor of Federal Secretaries
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif addressing a farewell meeting held in the honor of Federal Secretaries
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif addressing a farewell meeting held in the honor of Federal Secretaries
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif addressing a farewell meeting held in the honor of Federal Secretaries
Farewell celebrations held to honour Shazia Marri for transformative leadership
ISLAMABAD, Aug 10 (APP):The Benazir Income Support Programme family acknowledged the unwavering dedication and efforts of the Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Shazia Marri in championing the noble cause of welfare for marginalized segments of society.
The officials came together at the BISP Headquarters on Tuesday to bid a heartfelt farewell to the outgoing minister, Shazia Marri who is also Chairperson BISP.
The event marked an emotional yet celebratory moment as Shazia Marri shared her reflections on her time with the BISP team and the remarkable achievements accomplished under her leadership.
In her address, Shazia Marri said that BISP has witnessed a substantial increase in funding, with the allocation growing from Rs. 235 billion in FY 2021-22 to an impressive Rs. 404.2 billion in FY 2022-23.
This surge in resources allowed BISP to expand its reach, as the number of eligible households surged from 7.6 million to 9 million. Notably, the stipend for the Benazir Kafaalat programme was raised by 25%, and the quarterly stipend for BISP beneficiaries was elevated from Rs. 7000 to Rs. 8750, she said.
Shazia Marri also highlighted the successful implementation of transformative initiatives, including the Benazir Nashonuma programme, which provided crucial support to 770,000 lactating mothers and infants through 488 Facilitation Centers across Pakistan. Additionally, the Benazir Taleemi Wazaif initiative witnessed a remarkable surge in children’s enrollment from 2.6 million to an impressive 7.52 million.
Shazia Marri further said that this was the first time in the history of Pakistan that the Benazir Income Support Programme included Transgender Persons in the Benazir Kafaalat Programme.
Mobile Registration Vehicles have been introduced to reach the most vulnerable communities in remote regions of Balochistan and Sindh, she said.
Shazia Marri lauded the introduction of the Benazir Social Protection Accounts, which streamlined payments to beneficiaries, enhancing convenience, efficiency, and transparency.
Through this initiative, 1400 bank accounts were opened, ensuring direct and secure financial support for those in need.
Shazia Marri said that Benazir Income Support Programme rapidly disbursed Rs. 70 billion to 2.8 million flood-affected families, offering critical support of Rs. 25,000 per family during times of floods.
Furthermore, an essential fuel subsidy of Rs. 16.3 billion was provided to 8.6 million families, helping to alleviate financial burdens, she said.
Shazia Marri extended her heartfelt gratitude to the entire BISP management and team for their unwavering efforts and dedication.
She acknowledged their pivotal role in realizing the vision of an inclusive and prosperous Pakistan.
She expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve as the Chairperson of BISP and the Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety.
She highlighted that her journey with BISP had been an invaluable learning experience, leaving her with a wealth of knowledge and insights.
Shazia Marri emphasized that it had been an honor to work with a dedicated team that consistently strived for excellence and the betterment of society.
On the occasion, Minister of State for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Faisal Karim Kundi, appreciated acknowledged the dedication and efforts for the welfare of marginalized segments of society.
He particularly highlighted her remarkable commitment to empowering women, recognizing her as a driving force behind transformative initiatives that have positively impacted countless lives.
Secretary BISP, Mr. Amer Ali Ahmad, expressed his profound gratitude to Shazia Marri for her guidance and support.
He commended her extensive experience, which enriched the team’s collective knowledge.
Secretary Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Mr. Yousaf Khan praised Shazia Marri’s dedication and leadership during her tenure, wishing her a bright future ahead.
SBP to issue Rs100 coin to commemorate 10 years of CPEC
KARACHI, Aug 10 (APP): To mark the 10th anniversary of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to issue Rs 100 commemorative coin on Friday.
The coin shall be issued through the exchange counters of SBP Banking Services Corporation from August 11, 2023, said a statement issued here on Thursday.
The government of Pakistan has decided to issue a commemorative coin of Rs.100 in recognition of the significant contribution of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to country’s infrastructure and economic development since its decade of inception in 2013.
The coin is in round shape milled with serrations on the edge, diameter of 30.00 mm, weight 13.5 grams and has Cupro-Nickel metal contents, the statement read.
On the obverse side and in the centre of the coin, an artistically designed five-pointed star has been reflected. The crescent moon and star as present in Pakistan’s national Flag and a group of five stars as present in China’s national Flag were also shown inside the artistically designed star at right and left positions, respectively.
The wordings “CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF CPEC” in English Script and “ISLAMI JAMHURIA PAKISTAN” in Urdu Script were written on the top and bottom of the star along with the periphery while both wordings were separated with two stars on left and right sides of the coin.
The face value of the coin in bold numeral “100” and in Urdu script “Rupiya” are written on the right and left sides of the star respectively.
On the reverse side and in the centre of the coin, an artistically designed five-pointed Star has been reflected. The crescent moon and star as present in Pakistan’s national Flag and a group of five stars as present in China’s national Flag were also shown inside the artistically designed star at right and left positions, respectively.
Wordings “CHINA PAKISTAN ECONOMIC CORRIDOR” in English and Chinese Scripts are written on top of the star along with periphery. Wordings “PAKISTAN CHEEN EQTESADI RAHDARI” in Urdu Script and “FROM VISION TO REALITY” in English Script were written at the bottom of the star along with the periphery.
All these wordings on top and bottom were separated with two stars at the left and right sides of the coin while Years in numeral “2013” and “2023” were also written on the left and right centre of the coin depicting decade of high-quality development of CPEC, it added.
Senator, President of Pakistan Muslim League-N Minority Wing Kamran Mayikal addressing a meeting to celebrate Minority Day, Jashan Azadi Day
Legislative business in 15th National Assembly witnesses 45% increase: PILDAT
ISLAMABAD, Aug 10 (APP): Legislative activity in the 15th National Assembly, which was dissolved on Thursday, witnessed an increase of 45% over 192 laws passed by the 14th National Assembly, according to an analysis by the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT).
The biggest show of confidence in the 15th National Assembly came from its own membership in terms of their attendance. The Prime Minister, as Leader of the House, set that trend.
According to the PILDAT analysis, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reflected a much better figure of 17% attendance of the Assembly sittings as against former prime minister Imran Khan who showed a dismal 11% attendance.
Average attendance of members of the National Assembly (MNAs) in five years stands at 61% though it stood at 67% before the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) decision to quit the NA.
The 15th National Assembly witnessed two governments: the first from August 18, 2018 to April 10, 2022 with PTI Chairman Imran Khan as PM, while the second was formed by a coalition of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) with Shehbaz Sharif as PM which lasted from April 11, 2022 to August 09, 2023.
The PTI government relied heavily on ordinances for the purpose of legislation. Out of 75 ordinances laid in the National Assembly in five years, only three were promulgated by the coalition government while 72 were promulgated by the PTI government.
Compared to the term of the 14th National Assembly when only 38 ordinances were promulgated, a 97% increase was witnessed in the number of ordinances passed by the 15th National Assembly.
The 15th National Assembly also passed the largest number of laws as compared to the previous three assemblies starting from 2002. Just during the last three weeks of the 15th National Assembly, 73 bills were passed.
In its 5-year term, the 15th National Assembly was convened for 452 sittings or average 90 sittings per year as against the previous (14th) National Assembly, which was convened for 495 sittings or on average 99 sittings per year.
The 15th National Assembly has also had the unique experience of the first-ever successful passage of Vote of No-Confidence in Pakistan’s parliamentary history against a prime minister. Even though two previous prime ministers had faced votes of no confidence against them but those had remained unsuccessful.
Among 15 legislatures, the 15th National Assembly was the 4th one to be able to complete its term. Earlier assemblies which completed their 5-years term were elected in 2002, 2008 and 2013.
Legislative business in 15th National Assembly witnesses 45% increase: PILDAT
ISLAMABAD, Aug 10 (APP): Legislative activity in the 15th National Assembly, which was dissolved on Thursday, witnessed an increase of 45% as it passed a total of 279 bills against 192 laws by the 14th National Assembly, according to an analysis by the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT).
The biggest show of confidence in the 15th National Assembly came from its own membership in terms of their attendance. The Prime Minister, as Leader of the House, set that trend.
According to the PILDAT analysis, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reflected a much better figure of 17% attendance of the Assembly sittings as against former prime minister Imran Khan who showed a dismal 11% attendance.
Average attendance of members of the National Assembly (MNAs) in five years stands at 61% though it stood at 67% before the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) decision to quit the NA.
The 15th National Assembly witnessed two governments: the first from August 18, 2018 to April 10, 2022 with PTI Chairman Imran Khan as PM, while the second was formed by a coalition of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) with Shehbaz Sharif as PM which lasted from April 11, 2022 to August 09, 2023.
The PTI government relied heavily on ordinances for the purpose of legislation. Out of 75 ordinances laid in the National Assembly in five years, only three were promulgated by the coalition government while 72 were promulgated by the PTI government.
Compared to the term of the 14th National Assembly when only 38 ordinances were promulgated, a 97% increase was witnessed in the number of ordinances passed by the 15th National Assembly.
The 15th National Assembly also passed the largest number of laws as compared to the previous three assemblies starting from 2002. Just during the last three weeks of the 15th National Assembly, 73 bills were passed.
In its 5-year term, the 15th National Assembly was convened for 452 sittings or average 90 sittings per year as against the previous (14th) National Assembly, which was convened for 495 sittings or on average 99 sittings per year.
The 15th National Assembly has also had the unique experience of the first-ever successful passage of Vote of No-Confidence in Pakistan’s parliamentary history against a prime minister. Even though two previous prime ministers had faced votes of no confidence against them but those had remained unsuccessful.
Among 15 legislatures, the 15th National Assembly was the 4th one to be able to complete its term. Earlier assemblies which completed their 5-years term were elected in 2002, 2008 and 2013.
Agriculture, IT, minerals priority areas under SIFC: PM
ISLAMABAD, Aug 10 (APP):Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Thursday said Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) established under a collaborative approach had prioritized five key areas of national economy including agriculture, information technology, mine and minerals, defence production and energy.
In a tweet on social media platform Twitter, he said, “This institutional arrangement that has representation of all stakeholders, offers one-window facility to fetch foreign investment to unlock the potential in the select areas. SIFC is an economic revival plan that has been carefully thought through and is being implemented under the-whole-of-the-government approach.
He said, “At the end of government’s tenure, it is apt for me to take stock of the last sixteen months since the coalition government assumed office through the constitutional process of no-confidence and share my perspective with the nation.”
“The political parties that formed the government have different political manifestos and agendas. Despite being political rivals, we chose to come together on a national agenda shared and owned by us all. The last sixteen months saw how decision-making by consensus became the norm. I consider it a major step forward in our democratic evolution,” he added.
The prime minister said, “Among the crises that challenged me personally, giving me many sleepless nights was saving the country from the threat of default in particular and stabilizing the economy in general. I would never have forgiven myself had such a scenario (God forbid) come to pass during my time in office. We have yet to fully grasp the consequences of the country defaulting on its international obligations.”
“Secondly, restoring Pakistan’s prestige, honour and credibility as a reliable partner, and friend in the comity of nations was another challenge that we dealt with collectively. Thanks to our collective efforts, Pakistan has largely repaired the damage and emerged as a responsible member of the international community. We have revived our trust with our brotherly countries including China, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE, etc. CPEC has not only been put back on track but the second phase is also underway.”
“The most devastating floods in our history posed significant challenges to our struggling economy in terms of losses in man and material. As part of its climate diplomacy, the government undertook a massive international effort to project Pakistan as a victim of climate change,” he said adding, “We also mobilized gigantic rescue, relief and rehabilitation through our own resources. As Chair of G-77 plus China, Pakistan led a global effort to demand climate justice. Our leading role also galvanized international response and led to the establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund at COP27. Millions of dollars of international aid was spent most transparently.”
“What has kept me under tremendous stress during these sixteen months is the heavy cost a combination of factors such as the conditionalities of the IMF program, skyrocketing commodity prices in international markets and geopolitical upheavals has placed on the poor people of Pakistan. While the government has tried to lessen their burden, I feel their pain and anguish. Coupled with extreme polarization in society and emerging security threats, the odds couldn’t be heavier for any government,” Shehbaz Sharif remarked.
“Time has come for Pakistan to end the ‘boom and bust’ cycle of the economy by focusing on structural reforms. I am convinced that no quick-fixes will work anymore. If the people of Pakistan elect the PMLN, we will make sure that the country follows the people-led growth model, one where their welfare is the be-all and end-all of public policy. Our economic revolution will be rooted in harnessing the youth potential by providing them cutting-edge tech education leading to massive job creation; and promoting modern agro industry. “Work, work and work alone shows us the way forward,” he added.