Strong demarche conveyed to US envoy, expressing disappointment over Biden’s remarks

By

Irfan Khan

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Sat, 15 Oct 2022, 9:50 PM

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ISLAMABAD, Oct 15 (APP): Acting Foreign Secretary Jauhar Saleem on Saturday called in US Ambassador Donald Blome to deliver a demarche conveying Pakistan’s disappointment and concern on the unwarranted remarks made by the US President, which were not based on ground reality or facts.

“It was made clear that Pakistan was a responsible nuclear state and its impeccable stewardship of the nuclear programme and adherence to global standards and international best practices was well acknowledged, including by the IAEA,” the Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release.

The demarche was conveyed on the recent remarks made by US President Joe Biden during a Congressional campaign committee reception on October 14.

The real threat to international peace and security was posed by violation of global norms by some states, repeated nuclear security incidents without any accountability, and arms race between leading nuclear weapon states and introduction of new security constructs that disturb regional balance, it was added.

“It was essential to maintain the positive trajectory of Pakistan-US relations and the close cooperation between the two sides to build regional and global peace,” the spokesperson said.

FBR urges public to support POS system

By

NNPS Desk

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Sat, 15 Oct 2022, 9:17 PM

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QUETTA, Oct 15 (APP): Member Public Relations Federal Board of Revenue Sardar Ali Khawaja on Saturday urged the public and traders to support the Point Of Sale (POS) system.

“Extraordinary steps have been taken to establish transparency in the FBR and as compared to past it is transparent institution of the country,”

He expressed these views while addressing the ceremony of FBR’s 10th POS Prize Scheme here on Saturday as the chief guest.

Chief Commissioner Quetta FBR Shahid Mehmood Sheikh, Chamber of Commerce, Anjuman Tajran, Tax Bar Association and people from different walks of life attended the ceremony.

He said that POS is the most successful initiative of FBR and it needed to be expanded further. “There is an urgent need to start an awareness campaign across Balochistan to take advantage of the POS system,”

He said that the traders should deliver the tax to the national exchequer through the POS system, besides the people must take the POS receipt after the purchase to participate in the lottery.

“Due to floods, FBR has extended the date of file return till October 31 this year,” he noted.

Sardar Ali Khawaja stressed that in order to encourage the taxpayers, the awareness about this reward scheme of FBR should be promoted in the public and the scope of facilities should be increased to promote the tax culture among the people.

“Retailers, realizing their national responsibilities, have to deposit the tax collected from consumers in the tax department honestly,” he urged.

Chief Commissioner Income Tax Balochistan Shahid Mehmood Sheikh on the occasion said that for timely collection of tax steps are being taken to support and encourage taxpayers.

The POS Prize Scheme aims to encourage Tier One retailers to issue certified receipts to ensure protection of tax paid by taxpayers.

Earlier, Member Public Relations FBR Sardar Ali Khawaja announced the lucky winners of the POS prize scheme by pressing the button for computerized draw.

Ashrafi terms Biden’s statement “irresponsible”

By

NNPS Desk

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Sat, 15 Oct 2022, 9:12 PM

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ISLAMABAD, Oct 15 (APP): Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Interfaith Harmony and Middle East Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi on Saturday termed the United States (US) President Joe Biden’s statement on Pakistan and its nuclear programme “irresponsible.”

Talking to APP, Ashrafi who is also the chairman of Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) said Pakistan was a responsible country and its nuclear programme was safer than other countries in the world.

He said the PUC had expressed grave concerns on the Biden’s remarks regarding Pakistan and its nuclear programme, adding such comments would not help in strengthening the Pakistan-US relations.

He was of the view the US president should retract his statement about Pakistan, immediately.

Ashrafi said the government’s decision to summon the US ambassador to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was a step in the right direction, which is being supported and endorsed by the entire nation.

Hailing the decision to summon the US envoy in the Foreign Office, Ashrafi said, “This decision clearly demonstrates the message of Pakistan’s independent and autonomous foreign and defense policies.”

CEO Barrick Gold Company calls on CM Balochistan

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NNPS Desk

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Sat, 15 Oct 2022, 9:02 PM

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QUETTA, Oct 15 (APP): Chief Executive Officer Barrick Gold Company Mark Bristow working on Reko Diq Project in Balochistan on Saturday called on Chief Minister Balochistan Abdul Quddus Bizenjio, here, at CM Secretariat.

Chief Secretary Balochistan Abdul Aziz Aqeeli, Secretary Mines and Minerals Noor Ahmed Pirkani also attended the meeting.

While talking to the Chief Minister, Barrick Gold Company CEO Mr. Mark Bristow said “it is sad to know that Balohcistan is facing the devastating floods,”

“Barrik Gold Company has also established a fund for the relief and rehabilitation effort of the flood victims,” he apprised the CM.

Terming Reko Diq a future of Balochistan, he said that the Barrick Gold was working on the development of the area. For this project, the company would use geothermal energy, including wind and solar energy, while efforts would be made to improve communication links for the betterment of the area and employment, he pledged.

Stressing the need for giving jobs to local youth, he assured that local talent will be given priority.

“We want to work together with the Balochistan government in this project,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister Balochistan Abdul Quddus Bizenjo said that for the last three months the provincial government was tackling the calamity in the form of flood.

“The recent torrential rains have damaged communication links and agriculture posing huge challenge for the government,” he added.

The CM said that the historic agreement of Reko Diq was a significant development and will be a gateway for investment in the province.

“We have taken all stakeholders on board regarding this agreement,” he said, adding that this agreement will create new employment opportunities, and in this regard, local talented people would be the first priority.

He hoped that after Barrick Gold, other investment companies will also increase their tendency to invest in the province.

He welcomed the company’s interest in other sectors including education, water, energy and communication and said that we also need to increase the technical skills of the youth because skilled manpower was the need of the hour.
On this occasion, Barrick Gold Company CEO Mr. Mark Bristow presented the copy of the project to CM Balochistan.