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President phones family of martyred soldier for condolence

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ISLAMABAD, Sep 22 (APP): President Dr Arif Alvi on Thursday telephoned the family of Sepoy Nazar Muhammad who was martyred in North Waziristan on September 19.

During his telephonic interaction with brother of the martyred soldier, the president conveyed condolence and sympathies to the bereaved family.

He prayed to Allah Almighty to grant high ranks to the martyred soul in paradise and strength to the family members to bear the loss with fortitude.

The president said that the nation saluted those who sacrificed their lives for security of the country.

“Martyrs are an asset of the nation. I pay tribute to them for their services and sacrifices for the country,” he remarked.

PM acknowledges empathy of Angelina Jolie for Pakistan’s millions of flood victims

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NEW YORK, Sep 22 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday acknowledged the “empathy and compassion” of United Nations special envoy Angelina Jolie, who is currently on a visit to Pakistan in solidarity with the flood-affected people.

“Pakistan thanks Angelina Jolie, a special UN envoy, and other unsung heroes for becoming the voice of millions of people whose lives and livelihoods have been destroyed by raging floodwaters,” he said in a tweet.

The prime minister said, “We will forever remember their empathy and compassion for suffering humanity.”

Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie visited the flood-hit areas and urged the international community to do more as millions of people are in trouble in the flood-hit areas of Pakistan.

During her visit to the National Flood Response Coordination Centre (NFRCC) late Wednesday, Jolie said that she has never seen anything like this disaster before.

Besides Jolie, renowned Islamic scholar Mufti Menk and Turkish actor Celal Al also visited the flood-affected areas of Pakistan and extended assistance to the families who suffered the devastation.

Ex-Austrian female judoka to train promising GB athletes besides attempting K2

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ISLAMABAD, Sep 22 (APP):Four-time Austrian female Olympic judoka Sabrina Filzmoser is planning to visit Pakistan in July-August, next year to attempt K2 (8,611-metre), the world’s second highest peak.

“Sabrina has contacted us and told us that she wants to realize a project in Pakistan next year to support judo here while cycling from sea level in Karachi to climb K2,” Masood Ahmed, vice president of Pakistan Judo Federation (PJF) told APP on Thursday.

The 42-year-old Austrian, who owns two world bronze medals and as many European titles in judo in her division (-57kg), did a similar project in May this year on Mount Everest by successfully reaching atop the world’s highest peak.

“We are in touch with her. She has also talked about the possibilities of supporting Pakistani judokas by training them at the K2 base camp during her expedition.

“We’ve told her that we’ll be more than happy to welcome her and help her in accomplishing K2 mission,” Masood said.

He said President PJF, Col Junaid Alam had assured all possible support to Sabrina.

“Currently, we are working on the initial modalities of the project.

“We’ve also informed Gilgit-Baltistan Judo Association. Sabrina has also been world number 1, claiming two medals from the world championships besides lifting European champion title twice. Our promising athletes from the area [Gilgit-Baltistan] will be available to learn the skills and get valuable tips from her at the K2 base camp,” he added.

According to Masood, Sabrina’s expedition would be fully backed by IJF. “She is an IJF Climate Ambassador and has made it her mission to live true to that role. Through her activities she is contributing to educate people about the serious issue of climate change.

“Pakistan is among the countries, which are highly vulnerable to climate change. We hope her K2 mission will go a long way in educating communities about the gravity of the issue. We’ll join her project,” he added.

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Ending fans curiosity, Falak Shabir finally reveals official wedding video after two years

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ISLAMABAD, Sep 22 (APP):Pakistani heartthrob Falak Shabir and the epitome of beauty Sarah Khan are undoubtedly one of the most adored couples of entertainment industry.

The power couple has been setting major goals for all the lovebirds out there ever since they tied the knot back in July 2020 in an intimate ceremony.

Recently, the much-loved stars turned to their respective social media handles and left their huge fan following in awe as they shared YouTube link of their spellbinding wedding video along with the caption “Finally our official shadi video is out”

The 7 minutes and 32 seconds video offered glimpses of the entire wedding starting from their dreamy engagement and ending on an intimate nikkah ceremony, recalling all the precious memories of the duo’s big day.

In no time, the much-talked-about weddings video hooked audience and fans as well as celebs flooded the comment section with comments showering the duo with love and heartwarming wishes.

Furthermore, Shabir also hinted towards the release of a latest track as he posted a gripping photo holding a guitar on his Instagram account along with the caption “In process”, to which Khan commented “Can’t wait”.

ADB approves $100 mln to improve secondary healthcare in KPK

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ISLAMABAD, Sep 22 (APP):The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $100 million results-based loan to help strengthen the quality of secondary health care in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan.

The program will help improve the delivery of health services at secondary hospitals by modernizing infrastructure and equipment; ensuring clinical protocols, standards, and guidelines are implemented; and improving human resources planning and medicine supply chain management, said an ADB press statement received here Thursday.

“While the coronavirus placed an enormous strain on essential health services in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and across the country, Pakistan now faces unprecedented flooding exacerbating the risk of waterborne diseases,” said ADB Director General for Central and West Asia Yevgeniy Zhukov.

“This program will make a key contribution to improving the quality of secondary hospital services in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. And while it was conceived before the monsoon, it will also help people physically injured by the floods and support efforts to control the spread of infectious diseases” Zhukov added.

According to statement, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s health sector faces significant challenges including outdated secondary health care facilities and equipment, and inadequate quality assurance standards and processes.

The province suffers from high infant and maternal mortality rates, at 53 per 1,000 live births and 165 per 100,000, respectively.
“ADB’s assistance will help sustain health reforms started by the provincial government and strengthen the resilience of the health systems to future pandemics,” said ADB Senior Health Specialist for Central and West Asia Hiddo Huitzing.

“It will benefit an estimated 38 million people, including women in need of maternal health care services, and will also create jobs in the health sector,” Huitzing added.

Since 1966, ADB has committed over $37?billion in loans, grants, and other forms of financing to promote inclusive economic growth in Pakistan and improve the country’s infrastructure, energy and food security, transport networks, and social services.

In response to the floods, ADB is preparing a significant response package to support people, livelihoods, and infrastructure immediately and in the long-term.

The bank has already approved a $3 million grant to fund the immediate purchase of relief goods such as food supplies and tents. ADB is also processing a separate countercyclical package to help Pakistan weather the impacts of external shocks.

Pak-Qatar Asset Management Company announces approval of Shariah Compliant Collective Investment Schemes

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ISLAMABAD, Sep 22 (APP): Pak-Qatar Asset Management Company Limited (PQAMCL) recently announced that the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has accorded approval for the launch of its Shariah Compliant Collective Investment Schemes (Mutual Funds).

PQAMCL is going for IPO of its funds. PQAMCL obtained its license to operate as an Asset Management Company and Investment Advisor in December, 2021, according to a press release issued here on Thursday.

The Company has obtained approval to launch three (03) Shariah Compliant funds along with six (06) plans catering needs of masses. PQAMCL, being a group company having strong takaful arms will augment Takaful benefits with its investment plans.

Farhan Shaukat, CEO, Pak-Qatar Asset Management Company Limited said on the launch occasion, “We are pleased to announce obtaining approval to offer a wide variety of Shariah Compliant collective investment schemes with a flavor of Takaful which is unique in the existing market that allows our customers to diversify their investment portfolio. We are also the second company that is exclusively offering the Shariah Compliant Collective Investment Schemes in Pakistan. We aim to encourage our customers to invest in our funds that are designed specifically for their investment needs. We are looking forward to providing the best investment solutions in the country to our customers”.

PQAMCL has a vision to “improve people’s lifestyles through the right investments with Riba-free returns”. With our expertise, we aim to offer our valued customers with the best-in-class technology advanced investment solutions, mutual funds, and investment advisory services.

Pak-Qatar Asset Management Company Limited is a part of the Pak-Qatar Group, which comprises of Pak-Qatar Family Takaful Limited (PQFTL), Pak-Qatar General Takaful Limited (PQGTL), and Pak-Qatar Investment Limited (PQIL). The Group has been operating in Pakistan since 2007 and has a rich and diverse experience of more than 15 years in providing protection and investment solutions through Takaful. PQAMCL is registered with and supervised by, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). A Qualified Shariah Scholars certify all products and operations for Shariah compliance.

President summons Senate session on Sep 26

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ISLAMABAD, Sep 22 (APP): President Dr Arif Alvi on Thursday summoned the Senate to meet on September 26, 2022.

The Upper House of the Parliament would meet at the Parliament House on Monday at 1600 hours.

The president summoned the session using his powers under Article 54(1) of the Constitution.

PM thanks U.S. president on his call for global response action on Pakistan floods

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ISLAMABAD, Sep 22 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday expressed his gratitude to the United States President Joe Biden for highlighting the need for urgent action in the wake of massive floods in Pakistan.

“Thank you President Joe Biden for highlighting the plight of the flood victims in Pakistan and urging the world for an immediate response, as my country is facing the ravages of unprecedented floods,” he posted on his Twitter handle.

The prime minister stressed that the calls of stranded women and children for help need to be heeded to at international level. 

In another tweet, he said, on the second day of UN General Assembly, his discussions with top officials of International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank focused on making resources available within the country’s existing programmes for post-flood reconstruction.

 “In my other meetings with world leaders, we discussed floods, climate change and rehabilitation of flood victims,” he said.  

Shehbaz Sharif to meet PMs of Japan, Malaysia, Belgium on UNGA sidelines today

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NEW YORK, Sep 22 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on the third day of the High-Level General Debate of the 77th Session of UN General Assembly, is scheduled to hold several sideline meetings with the world leaders and heads of organisations. 

PM Sharif will hold bilateral meetings with Prime Minister of Belgium Alexander De Croo, his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida, and Prime Minister of Malaysia Ismail Sabri Yaakob. 

Before leaving for the UN Headquarters, Bill Gates, the co-founer of Melinda & Bill Gates will call on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The prime minister will have a bilateral meeting with UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres at the UN Headquarters. 

PM Sharif will visit the photo exhibition on floods in Pakistan, organised at the UN Secretariat lobby by Pakistan’s Mission in New York.

Later in the after noon, the prime minister will be interviewed by Ms Edith Lederer of the Associated Press-AP TV.

 

 

 

UN chief warns world leaders 1.5 degree climate pledge is ‘on life support’

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UNITED NATIONS, Sep 22 (APP): During a private meeting of world leaders here on Wednesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for more action and leadership to tackle the climate crisis, warning that efforts to keep the rise in global temperatures to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels is “on life support”.

“We have all seen the appalling images from Pakistan, and this is just at 1.2 degrees of global warming and we are heading for over 3 degrees,” the UN chief warned at the meeting, held at UN Headquarters in New York.

The climate-induced floods left behind a trail of destruction, killing over 1,500 people and displacing 30 million.

“I told the assembled leaders that we need direction, their leadership now,” the secretary-general said.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Guterres said that he had talked to leaders about the climate emergency, and the “triple global crisis” of food, energy, and finance.

The meeting was billed in advance as a “frank and informal exchange” of views between leaders, co-chaired by the UN chief and Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, and an opportunity to address key issues ahead of the COP27 UN Climate Change conference, due to be held in the Egyptian resort of Sharm El-Sheikh in November.

Since last year’s conference in Glasgow, Scotland, climate impacts have worsened, and carbon emissions have risen to record levels, hitting vulnerable communities the hardest.

Four burning issues were addressed during the informal talks: emissions mitigation, climate finance, adaptation, and loss and damage.

On mitigation, Guterres told the leaders that although emissions must be cut almost in half before 2030, they are on track to rise by 14 per cent. He called on the representatives of the world’s leading economies – the G20 nations – to phase out coal, ramp up investment in renewables, and end their “fossil fuel addiction”.

“The fossil fuel industry is killing us”, he said, “and leaders are out of step with their people, who are crying out for urgent climate action.”

Under the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change, developing countries were promised $100 billion per year to finance initiatives to help them cope with the effects of global warming.

To date, that target has not been achieved. The UN chief declared that financial commitments to the developing world must be delivered immediately, and in full.

“I emphasized the need to double adaptation support to $40 billion dollars a year by 2025” Guterres said. “Climate destruction is happening now. People are suffering now”.

Looking ahead to COP27, the Secretary-General expressed his hope that the event will move these discussions forward, as a matter of climate justice, international solidarity and trust.

A G20 (industrialized countries) Summit meeting will take place in Bali in November, during the last days of COP27, and Guterres urged leaders to take important decisions to tackle the “triple crisis” of food, energy and finance.

He urged international cooperation and solidarity to bring down prices that have soared since the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, increase support to developing countries, and prevent a larger crisis next year.

International financial institutions must also step up and offer debt relief to developing countries, Guterres said, adding that new mechanisms to get resources to countries that need them should be enhanced and expanded.