ISLAMABAD, Jul 7 (APP): International Monetary Fund (IMF ) Resident Representative, Esther Perez Ruiz on Friday called on Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) finance team including Syed Naveed Qamar and Saleem Mandviwala to discuss standby agreement with Pakistan .
The finance team agreed to support the program in larger national interest, Minister for Commerce, Syed Naveed Qamar said this on his official twitter account.
ISLAMABAD, Jul 7 (APP): Minister for Planning and Development Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Friday said that the government was promoting China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Project (CPEC) to attain sustainable economic growth and social prosperity as envisaged by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in the country.
Addressing a seminar on CPEC, organized by the Bahria University Islamabad, the minister said that CPEC was a mega-development project, which included developmental projects related to basic infrastructure, energy generation, Gwadar Port development and industrial cooperation.
The minister said that the project which was started 10 years ago on July 5, 2013 which provided employment opportunities to millions of people across the country, besides speeding up the pace of development in various sectors of national economy.
The CPEC has made significant progress due to the vision of the leadership of the Chinese President Xi Jinping, he said adding that Gwadar, energy, infrastructure and industrial development projects were agreed upon during the visit of the Chinese President.
He said that 11 working groups were established in the context of CPEC projects, adding that there were key achievements in the construction and development of Gwadar port, adding that the port was fully functional, Gwadar airport, hospital, sea water potable plant and other projects have also been built.
The minister said that the projects which were completed under CPEC were contributing in economic development and employment creation and played a key role in improving the lives of the people. He said that the One Belt One Road initiative promoted economic and maritime cooperation in the world.
The first memorandum of cooperation of CPEC was signed on July 5, 2013, which was the story of Pakistan’s development, he said adding that the previous government threw away this opportunity for development.
Ahsan Iqbal said that Pakistan had made a revolution in industrial development in the 60s, but later geographical and social inequality hindered the phase of development. He said that the competition in innovation, research and creativity was vital for sustainable economic growth and development.
Despite the challenges, the government has successfully completed the CPEC projects within a year, he said and further acknowledged the valuable partnership between Pakistan and China which has enabled the successful implementation of CPEC projects and emphasized the importance of continued cooperation to maintain this momentum.
ISLAMABAD, Jul 7 (APP):Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Shazia Marri Friday said the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) had emerged as the most successful social protection intervention in the history of the country due to its positive impact on the lives of the poorest segments.
Speaking at the launching ceremony of a new initiative “Benazir Social Protection Accounts” for its beneficiaries, Shazia Marri said that the BISP, launched in the year 2008 and legalized in 2010, was conceived by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto to provide financial relief to the poor families.
The initiative was launched by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a ceremony in the presence of Minister for Information and Broadcasting (MOIB) Marriyum Aurangzeb and Special Assistant to the PM on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Faisal Karim Kundi.
The programme due to its apolitical nature sustained through different political government tenures and achieved international acclamations for its performance, structure and transparency.
Highlighting the achievements of BISP, the federal minister stated, “The budget of the programme has been increased from Rs 235 billion in FY 2022 to Rs 404.2 billion in the FY 2023, registering a significant increase to extend its scope to more families.
“The beneficiaries of BISP (Benazir Kafaalat) have increased from 7.6 million to nine million families with an increase in the stipend up to Rs 8750 which reflect political commitment towards the welfare of downtrodden segments. “
About the Conditional Cash Transfer initiative of Benazir Education Stipends, Shazia Marri highlighted that the enrolment of children had increased from 2.6 million in FY 2022 to 7.52 million in FY 23, registering a 200 percent increase.
She said, “The number of Benazir Scholarships for Undergraduates has increased from 82,000 in FY 2022 to 92,003 in FY 2023.”
“The program will be connected to the Poverty Score Card in future,” she added.
‘Benazir Nashonuma’ Program which caters for the nutritional needs of pregnant and lactating mothers and children to prevent stunted growth and malnutrition in children has been expanded from 15 districts (FY 2022) to all the districts of the country in FY 2023.
“So far, 0.77 million beneficiaries have been enrolled in the programme through 488 Facilitation Centers established countrywide,” she said.
About the Fuel Subsidy program, which was initiated to mitigate the impact of increased fuel prices on poor segments, Shazia Marri said that the targeted subsidy of Rs 16.3 billion was given to 8.6 million families (Rs 2,000 per family.
To provide relief to the flood-affected population, the Benazir Emergency Cash of Rs 70 billion had been disbursed to 2.8 million beneficiaries (Rs 25,000 per family), she added.
The minister said that the 2.3 million households have been resurveyed during the four months under the ongoing dynamic survey aimed at identifying more poor households for registration in BISP.
She also highlighted the initiative of including Transgender Persons in the Benazir Kafaalat program as well as the families with differently-abled persons with relaxation in Poverty Score.
ISLAMABAD, Jul 07 (APP): President Dr Arif Alvi on Friday urged the need to accelerate efforts for the job placement of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the public and private sectors to empower them financially.
The president, chairing a meeting regarding the framework for the classification and severity of disability, said that the suitability of PWDs for different jobs in the market should be determined as per international standards, and they should be facilitated in finding jobs for their financial empowerment.
Senior officials of the Ministry of Human Rights, Ministry of National Health Services Regulation and Coordination, NAVTTC, and NADRA, as well as Representative of the World Health Organization Dr Maryam Malik, attended the meeting.
The president said that prospective employers for the job placement of skilled Differently-Abled People (DAPs) should be identified and, in the first phase, large employers in the private sector should be approached to accommodate DAPs as per their skill set.
He said that the representation of PWDs in the business and industrial sectors should be increased to make them productive citizens of the country.
The president emphasized the need for adopting the framework for the classification of disabilities, developed in line with international standards and best practices, at the national and provincial levels.
He said that the framework would help determine the severity of disability as well as the suitability of PWDs for jobs in the market.
The president also called for making the disability certificates accessible and readable to the general public by translating them into Urdu.
He urged the relevant stakeholders to improve their coordination with the provinces for the adoption of a uniform classification framework and disability certificate throughout the country that would greatly facilitate PWDs.
President Alvi underscored the need for highlighting the success stories of DAPs in the media so as to encourage and motivate PWDs to make similar achievements.
He urged the Ministry of Human Rights to further intensify its efforts for finding jobs for differently-abled people in the public and private sectors.
ISLAMABAD, Jul 07 (APP):Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb said on Friday that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has again started implementing the vision of Pakistan Muslim League-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif to make country.
In a tweet, she said that the distribution of 100,000 laptops among the knowledge-loving youth would begin again today with the prayer for their development and progress.
The program was stopped by the PTI regime terming it as “political bribery”, she said.
The minister said that the aim of the government was to equip the young generation with modern technology, education, skills, and employment, to provide them capital for business, sports and positive activities to make them healthy.
She said this will counter the negative thinking which incited the youth to kill, burn, and use petrol bombs. That negative mindset gave guns, slingshots, stones, and sticks in their hands instead of laptops to fulfill its nefarious intentions, attacks on buildings, national institutions, and martyrs.
Marriyum said that a dirty mindset desecrated memorials, run a dirty campaign against the institutions, and used the youth as fuel for its nefarious agenda.
ISLAMABAD, Jul 7 (APP): The Project Steering Committee of Korea Program on International Agriculture (KOPIA) Pakistan Center was informed on Friday that “Pakistan-Korea Joint Program on Certified Seed Potato Production System” is set to yield an impressive production of 160,000 tons of certified seed potatoes.
The meeting was held with Chairman Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) Dr Ghulam Muhammad Ali in the chair and discussed collaborative efforts in various research projects, focusing on the development of technologies for potato seed, chilli, and fodder crop production.
This meeting was also attended by Korean scientists, representatives from the Korean Embassy, Ministry of National Food Security and Research, universities and senior officials of allied departments, said a press release.
These initiatives are being implemented through the joint efforts of PARC and the KOPIA and the successful outcomes of these projects are anticipated to significantly enhance both the quantity and quality of these crops.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Ali lauded the invaluable cooperation extended by the Government of Korea in this regard and emphasized the potential extension of this cooperation to the livestock sector and the application of sex semen technology.
He assured the Korean counterparts of PARC’s commitment to maintaining close collaboration and acknowledged the people of Korea for their participation in various joint research ventures.
Dr. Cho Gyoungrae, Director of the KOPIA-Pakistan Center highlighted both the current achievements and the future road map of the center. He provided the committee with a detailed update on the progress of various ongoing projects, emphasizing their positive outcomes.
He said that the project titled “Pakistan-Korea Joint Program on Certified Seed Potato Production System” is set to yield an impressive production of 160,000 tons of certified seed potatoes. Furthermore, Dr. Cho expressed a firm commitment to extending cooperation in the livestock sector, ensuring its continued growth and development.
Addressing the meeting Hwang Myeng Hwan, Counselor at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, emphasized the immense importance of Pakistan as a valued partner in the field of agriculture. He reaffirmed the commitment of the Korean government to extend its unwavering support through the KOPIA-Pakistan Center.
The Project Coordinator, Dr. Aish Muhammad unveiled three new initiatives in areas such as breed improvement through the implementation of efficient artificial insemination services, utilizing Korean friesian sexed semen in cattle; the dissemination of improved technology for fodder production and the enhancement of chili export technologies through the production of high-quality chilies.
The Committee approved these innovative projects, paving the way for their subsequent submission to the Rural Development Authority in Korea.
ISLAMABAD, July 7 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday paid tribute to Nishan-e-Haider Havaldar Lalak Jan on his 24th martyrdom anniversary, saying that he had bravely fought the enemy in Kargil War to safeguard the country.
The prime minister, in a statement, said the example of courage and bravery set by dutiful Havaldar Lalak Jan for the defence of the motherland would be remembered forever.
He said that the Ghazis of Pakistan protected the country’s security, national ideology and independence through their professional capabilities and bravery while the martyrs sacrificed their lives for the cause, be it the war against terrorism or any foreign aggression.
He said the brave soldier of the Northern Light Infantry embraced martyrdom while defending the country in very tough circumstances.
“The whole nation salutes its martyrs for their great sacrifices. The martyrs and Ghazis are a pride of the nation and provide a shield for the security of the country and nation,” he remarked.
He prayed to Allah Almighty to elevate the ranks of the martyred Havaldar Lalak Jan in paradise and also grant strength to the bereaved family to bear the loss with equanimity.
KARACHI, Jul 07 (APP):Pakistan People’s Party Chairman and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has expressed his grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives of children in Cricket Ground landslide incident in Shangla, here on Friday.
He said, ‘The news of innocent lives loss shook my heart.’
The PPP chairman sympathized with bereaved families of those, who lost their children in the incident.
Bilawal said that rescue teams were making all-out efforts to pull the dead bodies and injured out of the debris.
He hoped that the injured children would be provided with best medical treatment.
He directed PPP workers to help the rescue teams and sympathize with the bereaved families.
ISLAMABAD, July 7 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed the authorities concerned for the early formulation of a comprehensive policy to do away with the smuggling of tyres and spare parts.
The prime minister, in a meeting with a delegation of Service Long March Tyres and Chaoyang Long March Tyres led by their Chairman Li Qingwen, also instructed the relevant authorities to take effective measures to curb the smuggling of tyres.
He told the delegation that being a time-tested friend, China always supported Pakistan like a brother in every hour of need.
He also assured the delegation that the government would extend all possible support to the Chinese investors to facilitate their investment in Pakistan.
The prime minister appreciated the delegation for their company’s investment through a joint venture with Pakistan’s renowned tyre manufacturing company.
The prime minister was told that tyres being manufactured by the plant established by Chinese investment were also being exported to the international market.
It was told that within a short span of a year, the company’s tyres have created their space in the world markets.
The prime minister was told that the company would enhance tyres manufacturing to boost its exports to $200 million annually.
The prime minister instructed the authorities to extend all-out support to the Chinese investors to uplift the tyre industry in Pakistan.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister Tariq Pasha and other relevant officers attended the meeting.
ISLAMABAD, July 7, (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said the government was committed to empower youth of the country as empowering them was key to ensure development and prosperity of Pakistan.
He said the youth of the country were capable enough to transform the country’s fate as with their hard work and dedication, they could help Pakistan develop at faster pace leaving its neighboring country far behind in term of economic development and prosperity.
Addressing the launching ceremony of laptop programme here, the prime minister said this ceremony reminded him of the days when as Chief Minister Punjab he distributed hundreds of thousands laptops among the students on merit.
He said those laptops helped the students a lot during Covid pandemic days when they took their classes online while sitting home and also earned their bread and butter by working as freelancer.
He informed that he as CM Punjab also provided scholarships to the talented youth under Punjab Education Endowment Fund (PEEF), and the beneficiary of these programmes was now serving the country in various areas including health, IT and Engineering.
The prime minister maintained that this had been his mission to provide every youth with a laptop machine to enable them to successfully move forward in their respective areas.
He informed that apart from the 100,000 laptops approved for the previous financial year, he also get another 100,000 laptops approved for the current fiscal year.
He said the laptop distribution process would totally be on merit and no influence will be accepted in this regard.
For the youth from rural areas, he said the government had allocated Rs 5 billion to provide agriculture loans, while another Rs 5 billion had been allocated for the provision of skilled-based training to the youth.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Youth Affairs Shaza Fatima Khawaja said Muslim League (N) in its every tenure, had empowered the youth.
She said since 2011, one million laptops had been distributed among talented students while over Rs 100 billion loans had also been provided to the youth to empower them.
She said the prime minister would distribute 100,000 laptops among the students in the days to come.
Minister for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Interior Attaullah Tarrar, and Chairman of Higher Education Dr Mukhtar Ahmed were also present on the occasion.
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