Muslim World League Secretary General calls on Army Chief
RAWALPINDI, Oct 11 (APP): Secretary General of the Muslim World League & President of the Organization of Muslim Scholars, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) Sheikh Doctor Mohammad bin Abdulkarim AI-Issa called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa here at GHQ on Tuesday.
During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, bilateral security cooperation and regional peace and stability came under discussion, an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) news release said.
The Secretary General said Pakistan had a significant place in the Muslim world and it was playing a vital role for peace and stability in the region.
The COAS said the relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were based on bonds of brotherhood and mutual trust. “Both nations will continue to play a part for peace and stability & betterment of Ummah”, he added.
British High Commissioner calls on COAS
RAWALPINDI, Oct 11 (APP): British High Commissioner, Dr Christian Turner on Tuesday expressed his grief over the devastation caused by floods in Pakistan and offered sincere condolence to the families of the victims.
The British High Commissioner called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa here at GHQ.
During the meeting, matters of mutual interest and regional security situation including bilateral cooperation in various fields were discussed, said a news release issued by Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Talking to the British High Commission, the COAS said Pakistan valued the UK’s balanced role in regional affairs and looked forward to enhance mutually beneficial relationship based on common interests.
The dignitary appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for regional stability and also pledged to play his role enhancing cooperation with Pakistan at all levels.
By polls in 11 constituencies on Oct 16: ECP
ISLAMABAD, Oct 11 (APP): Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday announced that by-elections in eight National and three provincial assembly constituencies would be held as per schedule on October 16.
A meeting of the commission chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja rejected the request of federal and provincial governments to postpone the October 16 by-polls.
However, the commission decided to postpone by elections on National Assembly, NA 45, District Kurram due to worsened law and order situation there. The polling date of by- polls in Kurram would be announced later.
The meeting also decided to go ahead with holding of the second phase of local government elections in all districts of Karachi on Oct 23, as per schedule.
Election Commission Secretary Omar Hamid Khan briefed that the Commission had completed all arrangements for holding second phase of LG elections all districts of Karachi Division.
Secretary told the meeting that the commission was ready to conduct the elections, however, the feedback of the provincial governments, law enforcement agencies and other security agencies regarding their services in these elections was required for ensuring by polls in peaceful atmosphere, providing enabling environment to voters to exercise their right to franchise on the polling day.
The meeting was attended by members of Election Commission, Secretaries of Election Commission, Ministry of Interior, Defense, Chief Secretary and Inspector General Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh and others.
IK wants to damage economy through political instability: Shehla
MULTAN, Oct 11 (APP): Sindh Minister for Women Development Shehla Raza on Tuesday said that Imran Khan wanted to damage the country’s economy by creating political instability.
The people were facing immense problems due to the policies of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, she said this while talking to PPP workers at Seetalmarri area.
“If the PTI did not want to join assemblies then why did it contest elections,” Shehla raised a question. She urged the PPP workers to work hard for the success of their candidate Syed Ali Musa Gillani.
“The Gillani family always served the masses. Its services for the people are known to all,” Shehla added. She hoped that the PPP candidate would win elections by a heavy margin.
Local Thar-coal based electricity generation to jump to 1,320 MW in December: Khurram Dastgir
ISLAMABAD, Oct 11 (APP):Minister for Energy Khurram Dastgir Khan on Tuesday said that total electricity generation from local Thar coal would jump to 1,320 MW with addition of 330 MW by ThalNova Power Thar Ltd’s Plant in December.
Addressing a press conferencing here, the minister said that the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the other day, formally inaugurated 330 MW HUBCO Thar Coal Power Plant which increased the electricity generation to 990 MW from local Thar coal.
He said the people had started getting dividends of projects launched by Muhammad Nawaz Sharif in 2014.
As many as 660 MW electricity had already been supplied to the National grid since 2019 through local Thar coal, he added.
The minister said that another 1,320 MW Shanghi Electric Thar Coal Power Project under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would start generation before the next summer which would help double electricity generation to 2640 MW.
He said Thar coal reserves was a blessing for the entire country, adding that as per initial estimate, the reserves stood 175 billion metric tons. The Thar coal reserves spread an area of over 100 square kilometers and had been divided into 13 blocks, he said.
The minister said currently out of total 13 blocks, only two blocks were opened. Presently, three power plants with accumulative capacity of 990 MW had been operationalized on local Thar coal, he added.
He said the coal price at international market had surged to $ 400 per ton, while Thar coal would be available at only $ 40 per ton. Thar coal based power plants would also help reduce cost of electricity, he added.
He said Thar coal power plants projects was a best example of public private partnership in the country. Special attention was also being paid that the coal-based power projects have not any effects on environment, he added.
He said as per technical study, 20 per cent Thar Coal could also be used in already set up coal power plants including Sahiwal and Port Qasim. The coal could also be used for getting diesel besides in cement and fertilizers industries, he added.
He said the Thar Coal would fulfill the energy requirements of the country.
Khurram said the PM had already approved a project to link IslamKot (Tehsil in Thar district) to Hyderabad through railway track in next 6 months. It would play a key role in effective transportation of coal in the country through railways, he added.
Replying to a question, he said transmission line had already been laid to evacuate 2,640 MW electricity from Thar coal based power projects. However, working was being carried out to lay new transmission line for evacuation of power from future projects, he added.
To another question, the minister said that cost of electricity had decreased after shutting down of all expensive power plants with decline of electricity demand and change in weather. Relief was being passed on the consumers and only 22 paisa per unit fuel cost adjustment was charged in the current month billing as compared to Rs 9.89 per unit in June.
He said the average cost of electricity would also decrease with increase of share of electricity from Thar coal blocks.
Hina reaffirms Pakistan’s support for UN peacekeeping
ISLAMABAD, Oct 11 (APP): Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar on Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s full support for UN peacekeeping including the country’s commitment to promoting gender perspective in peacekeeping and peacebuilding.
The minister of state, in a meeting with the Under-Secretary-General (USG) for UN Department of Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix here at Foreign Office, underscored Pakistan’s unique role and contribution as one of the top troop-contributing countries over decades.
They exchanged views on further enhancing the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations through advancing political processes, ensuring the safety and security of peacekeepers, and provision of adequate resources corresponding to the mandates.
The minister of state noted that the important work carried out by the UN Military Observers Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) was a symbol of the UN’s commitment to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, and recognition of the need for its peaceful resolution.
The USG appreciated Pakistan’s leading role in UN peacekeeping and paid tribute to Pakistani peacekeepers who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving under the UN flag.
He looked forward to continuing close cooperation with Pakistan to enhance the peacekeeping performance and success of the UN Missions.
Underscoring Pakistan’s strong attachment to multilateralism, the minister of state assured full support for the reform and strengthening of the UN peacekeeping architecture.
Acting Foreign Secretary Jauhar Saleem also hosted USG Lacroix over a working lunch.
Rain, thunderstorm forecast in Punjab, upper parts of country
ISLAMABAD, Oct 11 (APP): The Pakistan Meteorological Department on Tuesday predicted rain-wind and thunderstorm for northeast Punjab, Islamabad, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan and Kashmir during the next 24 hours.
However, mainly dry weather was expected in the remaining parts of the country.
During the past 24 hours, the weather remained hot and dry in most parts of the country. While, rain-thunderstorm occurred at isolated places in upper and central Punjab, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Rainfall (mm): Punjab: Toba Tek Singh 25, Jhang, Sialkot (City) 13, Murree 10, Okara, Sahiwal 01, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Balakot 06, Kakul 05, Gilgit-Baltistan: Astore 02, Skardu 01.
The highest maximum temperature recorded during past 24 hours (°C): Sibbi 41, Mithi and Thatta 40.
