A labourer pulling a hand cart loaded with sacks at Committee Chowk
A labourer on the way carrying load on his back at Raja Bazaar
A street vendor on the way pushing a hand cart loaded with bottles and cans of clean drinking
Moen-jo-Daro express restored
HYDERABAD, Jul 20 (APP): Pakistan Railways has restored Moen-jo-Daro Express traveling from Kotri to Rohri here Thursday.
Federal Minister for Railways and Aviation Khuwaja Saad Rafique had announced plans to restore the train.
Railway authorities in compliance with the directives of the Federal Minister have restored passenger train after necessary maintenance and renovation.
In this connection, a simple but impressive ceremony was held at Kotri Railway station where Divisional Superintendent Karachi Muhammad Nasir Khaskheli inaugurated the train after cutting the ribbon and offering dua. Moen-jo-Daro train was beautifully decorated on the occasion.
Federal Minister for Railways Khuwaja Saad Rafique on the occasion addressed on video link.
Chairman Pakistan Railway Syed Mazhar Ali Shah was also accompanied by him. DS Karachi Muhammad Nasir and DCO Saba Jabeen, DTO Sajjad Ahmed Wagho , Divisional, Assistant officers and Station Master Kotri were also present at the ceremony.
Moen-jo-Daro Passenger Train consists of 10 economy coaches including one power and brake van and holds a capacity of 856 passengers. Running between Kotri and Rohri, the Train is numbered 213 up and that from Rohri to Kotri is numbered 214 down.
It was pertinent to mention here that the train was suspended as the tracks were flooded. Its operation was stopped viewing the difficulties faced by the passengers, the staff and the railways due to the torrential rains across the country.
PSX gains 303.20 points
ISLAMABAD, Jul 20 (APP): The 100-index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Thursday gained 303.20 points, a positive change of 0.67 percent, closing at 45,398.31 points against 45,095.11 points the previous trading day.
A total of 464,226,100 shares were traded during the day as compared to 245,453,654 shares the previous day, whereas the price of shares stood at Rs 10.104 billion against Rs 9.402 billion on the last trading day.
As many as 344 companies transacted their shares in the stock market; 227 of them recorded gains and 90 sustained losses, whereas the share price of 27 companies remained unchanged.
The three top-trading companies were WorkdCall Telecom with 185,190,828 shares at Rs 1.43 per share; Bank of Punjab with 19,500,000 shares at Rs.4.20 per share and K-Electric with 15,889,256 shares at Rs.2.01 per share.
Sapphire Fiber witnessed a maximum increase of Rs 61.00 per share price, closing at Rs 1295.00, whereas the runner-up was Al-Abbas Sugar with an Rs 29.00 rise in its per share price to Rs 150.00.
Colgate Palm witnessed a maximum decrease of Rs 112.38 per share closing at Rs 1386.05, followed by Rafhan Maize with Rs 100.00 decline to close at Rs 8400.00.
Pakistan, Ukraine agree to expand cooperation in areas of mutual benefit
ISLAMABAD, Jul 20 (APP):Pakistan and Ukraine on Thursday agreed to expand cooperation in all areas of mutual benefit including trade, investment, agriculture, food security, defense cooperation, cultural exchanges and people to people contacts.
“In our meeting today, we agreed on the importance of regular dialogue and engagements to further strengthen the bilateral ties. We have also agreed to hold meetings of various institutional mechanisms in due course. We will continue to build on our conversation to add more substance to our relations,” Minister for Foreign Affairs Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said in a joint press conference here along with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba.
He said building bilateral trade and economic ties was a priority area for Pakistan.
The Ukrainian Foreign Minister said the both sides agreed to reinvigorate the bilateral mechanisms as both looked forward to holding the inaugural meeting of the Ukrainian and Pakistani Commission of the economic cooperation.
Pointing to an important issue of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Dmytro Kuleba said during the meeting he briefed the minister about the Russian withdrawal from this initiatives on Monday and about its consequences for global food security.
“We regret that it will be Ukraine and countries of Asia and Africa, who will suffer the most from Russia’s withdrawal”, he said adding that by doing so Russia significantly undermined global food security that would result in hike in global food prices.
He said Ukraine considered Pakistan a good partner and it was ready to work in all areas especially in the area of food security.
Bilawal said it was in larger interest of Pakistan as well as the developed world that this grain deal should be restored.
“I will be reaching out to the United Nation Secretary General and to my counterparts in Turkey and Russia to discuss Pakistan’s concerns and our desire the black sea grain initiative to be restored”, he assured his Ukrainian counterpart.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said during the meeting, the current Ukrainian situation was also discussed and he expressed Pakistan’s deep concern at the prevailing situation and offered condolences on the loss of precious lives and immense human suffering.
“In a gesture of solidarity with the people of Ukraine and despite our own economic challenges, we have sent humanitarian assistance, he said adding that prolonged conflict brought immense hardship and suffering to the civilian populations.
He hoped that peace will prevail so that the people of Ukraine and Russia could enjoy peace dividends. He also emphasized the importance of peaceful resolution of disputes and conflicts through dialogue and engagement and Pakistan’s readiness to support peace initiatives which can bring peace to the region.
Bilawal said Pakistan had vested interest in promoting peace and reconciliation. “We hope for a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.”
The minister also appreciated the Ukrainian government for its principled stance in supporting the resolution on countering religious hatred constituting incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence at the Human Rights Council in Geneva on July 12.
The Foreign Minister of Ukraine said since Ukrainian independence, the two countries had enjoyed excellent relationship.
“We were always standing next to you in term of food crisis.” He recalled that two years ago Ukraine felt pleasure to help Pakistan encountering the wheat shortage as the Ukrainian traders delivered more than one million tons of grain to Pakistan.
He also thanked Pakistan for providing humanitarian aid in the time when Ukraine needed it at most and “we understand it was not easy decision in terms of domestic economic situation but this is what friends do, they help each other in time of greatest needs”.
He said during the meeting the both sides deliberated upon boosting trade, solving the existing problems such as that of Pakistani students who had studied in Ukraine before the war started.
He said he also briefed the minister about the opportunities, Ukraine’s offered in the area of digitalization of state services to make government more convenient.
Replying to a query, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari categorically stated that Pakistan did not had any agreement with Ukraine with respect to the military supplies to Ukraine since the war began.
“Since the war began, we have not concluded any agreement for defence supplies to Ukraine,” he added.
Round-II of PM’s National Innovation Award kicks off
ISLAMABAD, Jul 20 (APP): The Round-II of the Prime Minister’s National Innovation Award (PMNIA) started on Thursday to feature a series of transformative activities aimed at nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship among Pakistan’s brightest minds.
“The first step after shortlisting top 250 candidates is the two-day Idea Pitching Training Boot Camp, which offers them (candidates) a unique opportunity to fine-tune their pitching skills and elevate their innovative business ideas,” the Higher Education Commission said in a press release.
“The boot camp accommodates both in-person and online participation, fostering inclusivity and accessibility for talented individuals from across the nation,” the HEC added.
Following the enriching boot camp, the candidates would face the exhilarating Pitching Competition on July 22. In front of a distinguished jury comprising experts from the startup ecosystem and various industries, the participants would showcase their groundbreaking business ideas and vie for coveted recognition.
“The climax of this incredible journey will be the National Award Ceremony at NUST, Islamabad, where the top 50 startups will be identified and acknowledged for their outstanding contributions to innovation and entrepreneurship,” the HEC said.
The top 10 startups would receive a grant of Rs 1 million each, while the remaining 40 would be awarded Rs 0.5 million each. Moreover, all the top 50 startups would have the opportunity to opt for a 6-month incubation programme and receive additional Rs 1 million to further support their growth.
The final award ceremony would be followed by a mega event, Investor Connect, on July 25, where top 100 startups from both PMNIA Round I and Round II would be acknowledged.
“This extraordinary event will also present a golden chance for the new startups to connect with top investors from Pakistan and abroad, facilitating further support and potential collaboration for their innovative ideas,” the HEC added.
It said the PM’s National Innovation Award, which was being executed by the HEC, was a testament to the government’s commitment to nurturing a culture of innovation and empowering the youth to become torchbearers of progress.
“The programme stands as a beacon of hope for the nation’s budding entrepreneurs, providing them with unparalleled opportunities to transform their visions into reality and contribute significantly to the country’s development,” the HEC added.
Khyber Police foil terrorist attack on Bara Tehsil Offices; 3 cops martyred, two bombers killed
PESHAWAR, Jul 20 (APP):The Khyber Police Thursday foiled a terrorist attack on the Bara Tehsil Offices after killing two suicide bombers, while in the ensuing encounter three policemen were martyred and six others injured.
Khyber Police Spokesman Muhammad Asim told APP that constables Tayyab, Sher Bahadar and Anwar Khan embraced martyrdom in the exchange of fire with the terrorists, while six others along with two civilians were wounded.
The injured constables included Jamil, Hadi, Bakht, Nawaz, Zubair and Gul Said.
Inspector General of Police, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Akhtar Hayat Gandapur told the media that the police valiantly repulsed the terrorist attack and killed the two bombers as they tried to enter the Bara Tehsil Offices’ compound.
The two attackers with explosive vests tried to forcefully enter the compound through the main gate and form the backside, but they were stopped by the police personnel on duty, and killed in the ensuing encounter.
The IGP said the vests of the bombers exploded due to the fire by the policemen, which caused a huge explosion on the site. The blood samples and body organs of the attackers were sent for DNA testing, he added.
He appreciated the timely response of the police officials, saying such a cowardly terror act could not shake the resolve of policemen in the fight against terrorism and extremism.
The brave policemen thwarted the attack after they were put on high alert following intelligence information about the possible attack at Bara Tehsil Offices, which led to saving many precious lives, he added.
Met Office forecasts extended monsoon season with heavy rains
ISLAMABAD, Jul 20 (APP): The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a forecast of more monsoon spells from July to September in Pakistan.
Talking to APP here on Thursday Director of PMD, Zaheer Ahmad Babar said that urban flooding due to torrential rains is expected during the extended moon soon season and urged disaster risk management institutions to adopt comprehensive strategies to safeguard human lives.
Zaheer provided a detailed roundup on the current monsoon spells and said that monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea are likely to penetrate the upper and central parts of the country starting from Tuesday which would be intensifying on July 19. “These spells will cause widespread rains across the nation”, he added.
He highlighted that the latest advisory from PMD predicted rain/wind-thundershowers with heavy falls in various regions of Pakistan, including Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and many others from July 18 (night) to 23, with occasional gaps.
Addressing major concerns for Pakistan, Zaheer expressed the need to address altered patterns of river flows, melting glaciers, Glacier Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), and other intense climatic events, along with reduced water storage capacities in water reservoirs caused by siltation and sedimentation. He warned that these factors would lead,n to deteriorating water quality, decreasing wetland areas, and an impending water crisis.
Floods remain one of the major natural calamities in Pakistan, mainly caused by heavy concentrated rainfall over the upper catchments of the main rivers, he said adding that this unique flood-related problem poses significant challenges for the country.
With heavy rain expectations, Zaheer cautioned about potential urban flooding in low-lying areas of cities such as Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujranwala, and Lahore from July 18 (night) to 22. Moreover, he warned of possible landslides in vulnerable regions like Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, and hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during this period, advising tourists and travellers to exercise extra caution when heading towards northern areas, Galliyat, AJK, and GB.
He advised farmers to manage their activities based on the weather forecast, considering the potential impact of dust storms and wind thunderstorms on loose structures like electric poles and solar panels.
Regarding climate change, Zaheer said that global warming has led to increase in the average temperature of the earth, affecting ecological systems worldwide. He highlighted that the hydrological cycle, driven by solar radiation, has been affected, leading to extreme weather events such as floods and droughts.
Answering a question he said that no technique has been invented yet to predict earthquakes, and monitoring the situation and intensity remains the only available method during such occurrences.
Nawaz have keys to resolve country’s crises: Javed Latif
ISLAMABAD, Jul 20 (APP): Federal Minister Javed Latif said that the former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was holding the prospect of leading the country out of its crises, provided that obstacles like the mines in his way are cleared.
Talking to media persons here Thursday, he said despite the prevailing despondency, Pakistan possesses a formidable force in the form of Nawaz Sharif, a leader with the potential to navigate the country out of the economic quagmire. Nawaz Sharif will expedite the completion of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) within a year, aiming to revitalize and turn around the nation’s economy, he expressed.
He said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief, Imran Khan should be arrested and prosecuted for allegedly conspiring against the nation, following the confessions of Azam Khan, former principal secretary of Imran Khan.
Javed Latif acknowledged that there may have been some delay in unmasking Imran Khan’s true nature, but now approximately, 90 percent of the people were aware of his character. Only around 10 to 20 percent of misled youngsters continue to support him. The public has gained insights into the characters involved in plotting against the country since 2017.
Mian Javed Latif wondered why none of the individuals implicated in the events of May 9 and 10, presumed to be false and an attack on Pakistan, have been addressed or dealt with accordingly. This raises valid concerns about the handling of the situation and calls for a thorough investigation to move forward, he added.
The minister expressed his belief that delaying justice until September was not acceptable. He emphasized that the welfare of the entire state should not be compromised for the sake of one individual. He also mentioned that conspiracies against Pakistan were losing their potency and if the complete truth was revealed, it would have the potential to resolve all the issues faced by the country.
Mian Javed Latif remarked that the revelations about the cypher were not novel. He pointed out that such actions were carried out under the pretext of serving foreign interests while causing harm to the people’s well-being. He further highlighted that those individuals who were brought forth in such situations were later exploited to undermine the state. He also made a distinction, stating that Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif, and Imran Khan cannot be compared as they have different approaches and ideologies.
The federal minister mentioned that Bhutto faced execution, Nawaz Sharif was forced into exile and Imran Khan’s leadership allegedly weakened the state. He revealed that during two National Security Council meetings, it was concluded that there was no conspiracy involving the cypher. However, despite this conclusion, Imran Khan continued to support the cypher’s statement and no action was taken against those who facilitated him, he expressed.
Latif asserted that Article 6 should be enforced against those who violate the state’s constitution, incite rebellion, and undermine the strength of the nation. He stated that the characters involved in the events of 2017 and the recent Cypher issue share similarities.
The motives behind these conspiracies are now evident to everyone and no longer concealed, he told and added, despite politicians’ sacrifices for the country, they will not allow the state to be endangered for the benefit of any one individual. It is imperative to hold all those involved in these conspiracies accountable, he said.
He stressed that those who believed chaos and civil unrest were the only options should understand that PML-N could still prove to be a powerful force, provided that obstacles in Nawaz Sharif’s path are removed.