Labourers busy in construction work of IJP Road during development work in the city
PM receives Junior Squash World Champion Hamza; awards Rs10 m prize
ISLAMABAD, Aug 3 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday received World Junior Squash Champion Hamza Khan here and also awarded him a cheque of Rs1 million for his acknowledgment.
Hamza Khan appreciated the prime minister as well as the cooperation he received from the Pakistan Squash Federation.
The prime minister, who also interacted with Hamza’s parents in the Pashtu language, congratulated Hamza Khan for winning the World Junior Squash Championship held recently in Australia.
Calling the youth like Hamza the pride and asset of the nation, the prime minister said Hamza made the whole nation including himself proud by winning such a title after decades.
Recalling his experience of playing squash and calling it the best game, the prime minister expressed the hope that Hamza would continue to work hard to win the senior world title.
He said Hamza was a role model for Pakistan’s youth and that he always strived for providing the sports facilities of international facilities to the youth.
He said recently, the government launched national sports initiatives for the promotion of sports activities in the country and the uplift of the players.
The establishment of the first sports university and providing technical and financial support to train the youth in the sports sector was also part of the very initiative.
The meeting was also attended by Hamza’s father Niazullah Khan, his mother, Inter-provincial coordination Minister Ihsanullah Mazari, SAPM Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Secretary Inter-provincial Coordination Hanif Orakzai, Senior Vice President of Pakistan Squash Federation Air Vice Marshal Kazim Hammad.
A view of red wasp sitting on branch of tree
A vendor displaying and selling fruits on his handcart setup at KhanaPul
Workers busy in paint the overhead pedestrian bridge at Islamabad Expressway
Ahsan seeks development partners’ ‘priority support’ for climate disaster-hit countries like Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, 03 August, 2023: Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday urged the international development partners to prioritize support for climate disaster-hit countries like Pakistan which suffered over $30 billion economic and physical loses due to heavy rains and floods last year.
Addressing the Islamic Relief National Conference on “Floods-2022 One-Year-On Resilient Pakistan: Rhetoric to Reality,” he highlighted the challenges faced by the nation and the need for urgent action to build a resilient Pakistan.
He said the tragedy that hit Pakistan due to the climate disaster last year had resulted in damages worth over $30 billion and immense losses.
Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that the double tragedy was compounded by its devastating impact on the poorest parts of the country, pushing them further into hyper poverty. “Vulnerable populations, including children facing nutrition crises, now face the threat of hyper-malnourishment.”
The floods not only wiped away the progress made under Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) over the last decade but also highlighted the urgent need for a new beginning on the path of sustainable development, said the minister while emphasizing a stable socioeconomic platform for sustainable growth which is vital for Pakistan’s future.
He recounted the efforts made in the past to address similar floods, including the development of a national flood protection programme. However, the minister said, a lack of continuity and political changes hindered its implementation.
In light of the recent disaster, he pledged to re-engage with development partners and revive the national flood protection programme, allocating significant funds for its implementation this year.
Furthermore, he highlighted that the challenges posed by climate change go beyond just floods, adding “Pakistan faces various other climate-related threats, such as extreme temperatures, droughts and flash floods in northern areas. To tackle these challenges effectively, the nation must prepare communities, society and institutions.”
While appreciating the support of international agencies and UN agencies in the post-flood recovery and rehabilitation efforts, the minister stressed the need for more assistance to develop resilience against future climate disasters.
Ahsan Iqbal called upon the international community to be more considerate and generous in supporting vulnerable countries like Pakistan.
The minister unveiled a comprehensive 5Es Framework for the future of Pakistan, focusing on exports, digital transformation, environmental challenges (particularly water and food security), energy transition and empowerment (with an emphasis on women and youth).
He stressed the importance of continuity and stability in implementing these strategies for sustainable development.
He expressed concern over the growing population and stressed the need for proactive population management programmes.
“Empowering women and enhancing female workforce participation are vital steps in fostering a more equitable and prosperous Pakistan,” Ahsan Iqbal remarked.
1 private, 7 govt bills smoothly sail through NA
ISLAMABAD, Aug 03 (APP): The National Assembly on Thursday winded up its legislative business by passing eight bills- one private and seven important government bills.
The bills included the Institute of Gujrat Bill, 2023, the Pakistan Civil Aviation Bill, 2023, the National Logistics Corporation Bill, 2023, the National Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism Authority Bill, 2023, the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals (Amendment) Bill, 2023, the Press, Newspapers, News Agencies and Books Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2023, the Gun and Country Club Bill, 2023 and Pakistan Air Safety Investigation Bill, 2023.
The bills were piloted by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Javeed Abbasi, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar and MNA Chaudhry Armaghan Subhani in the House.
Moving the National Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism Authority Bill 2023, Hina Rabbani Khar said that this legislation was of immense importance and if enforced and properly implemented, it would make sure that Pakistan does not see the FATF’s grey list again.
The bill envisaged the establishment of a National Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism Authority, she said.
She said the Chairman of the Authority would be appointed by the Prime Minister and would comprise of the Secretaries Finance, Foreign Affairs and Interior, the Governor State Bank of Pakistan, the Chairman Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, the Chairman NAB, the DG FIA, the DG Anti-Narcotics Force, the Chairman FBR, the DG Financial Monitoring Unit, the National Coordinator of NACTA and the chief secretaries of the provinces.
The House also passed the Pakistan Civil Aviation Bill 2023, as passed by the Senate with amendments. The bill proposed a division of the Civil Aviation sector into two separate entities: the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) responsible for regulatory functions, and the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) in charge of commercial and operational aspects of airports. The primary goal of this division was to enhance efficiency, improve services, and ensure compliance with international standards set by International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Javed Abbasi on behalf of Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzaib moved two bills the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals (Amendment) Bill, 2023, the Press, Newspapers, News Agencies and Books Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
Moved be Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Javed Abbasi, the lower house passed the Pakistan Air Safety Investigation Bill, 2023 which aims to provide for better investigation of accidents and other incidents arising out of navigation of aircrafts
Air safety investigations are presently carried out by a unit of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority which has also been entrusted with regulatory functions.
This situation is undesirable in the interest of fairness and objectivity. At the same time, Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs) of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), require a separate institutional arrangement for the provision of air safety investigation services. Pakistan Air Safety Investigations Act, 2023 is designed to achieve this specific purpose
The House passed a motion to consider business of private members and passed a bill – the Institute of Gujrat Bill, 2023 – moved by MNA Chaudhry Armaghan Subhani.
The House passed all the bills through clause by clause.
Another private members’ bills were not taken up by the House due to a lack of quorum. MMA Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali pointed out the quorum and the House was adjourned to meet again on August 4, 2023 (Friday) at 11 am.
A vendor displaying national flags to attract the customers at his roadside setup in connection with upcoming Independence Day celebrations
Youngsters sitting on a boat loaded with luggage parked at right bank of Indus River after flood warning
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ms. Marriyum Aurangzeb in a group photograph with Her Excellency Pang Chunxue, the Charge d’affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan and MD APP Muhammad Asim Khichi during her visit at APP Headquarters
