View of excavation work is under way along the roadside at Sher Shah Suri Road
A man is fishing with net at Rice Canal in the city
PTI member GB Assembly Javed Manwa resigns from PTI
GILGIT, Jul 06 (APP): Member of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly and former Minister of Finance of Gilgit-Baltistan Javed Manwa, here on Thursday announced his resignation from the basic membership of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Talking to media representatives, he said that when political statements clashed with national and regional interests within a party, it was necessary to make a decision in favor of the country and the region. Javed Manwa stated that he had always opposed hostile behavior and policies within the party.
He further mentioned that he had strongly condemned the events of 9th and 10th May from the beginning and continued to do so.
Javed Manwa expressed that spreading discorded in the name of politics was not true politics. Regarding his inclusion in another political group, he stated that it was the right of the people in his constituency and a decision would be made after consulting them on whether or not to join any other political party.
Vendor selling traditional food items at Jinnah Bagh Chowk
Faisal Karim Kundi rejects propaganda on Iraq visa fee
DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Jul 06 (APP): Minister of State for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety and Central Information Secretary of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Faisal Karim Kundi has rejected a propaganda about increase in Iraq visa fee and termed it against the reality.
In a statement issued here on Thursday, he said some travel agents and opposition elements were misleading people regarding Iraqi visa fees despite the fact Foreign Minister and the party’s chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had successfully fought the case of Pakistani people and demanded a reduction in visa fees during his visit to Iraq.
On the directives of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, he had a detailed meeting with the Iraqi ambassador and discussed the problems being faced by the Pakistani pilgrims, he added.
He said that Iraqi authorities rejected information about increasing the Iraq visa fee and in this regard, Faisal Karim Kundi added they would post details on the website soon.
Moreover, he informed that during the last visit to Iraq, the PPP delegation also discussed with Iraqi officials about provision of facilities to Pakistani pilgrims including starting a ferry service and reduction in visa fees, adding that for the first time in history, the Pakistani embassy’s foundation was laid in Iraq.
He said that the opening of a consulate in Najaf was discussed besides issues ranging from business to matters about people residing illegally.
A large number of people enjoying in river water during hot weather in the city
Officer, soldiers laid to rest with full military honours
RAWALPINDI, Jul 06 (APP): Funeral prayers of Major Mian Abdullah Shah, Naib Subedar Sahib khan, Naik Muhammad Ibrahim and Sepoy Jehangir Khan were offered at their respective native towns – Kohat, Mianwali, Dera Ismail Khan and Mardan respectively on Thursday.
‘Shuhada’ (martyrs) were laid to rest with full military honours, said an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release issued here.
Naib Subedar Sahib Khan, Naik Muhammad Ibrahim and Sepoy Jehangir Khan embraced ‘shahadat’ in a suicide attack near Miran Shah, while Major Mian Abdullah Shah embraced ‘shahadat’ during an operation in Shahkas area of District Khyber.
Serving and retired officers/soldiers, relatives and a large number of people from different segments of society attended the funerals.
Armed forces of Pakistan stand resolute to eliminate the menace of terrorism at all costs.
These sacrifices reaffirm our resolve and strengthen our faith in fight against terrorism to provide a peaceful Pakistan to our future generations, the press release added.
PM woos UAE investment in alternative energy as both countries sign MoU
ISLAMABAD, July 6 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday urged the companies from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to exploit Pakistan’s potential in the alternative energy sector, citing his government’s plan to generate 10,000 megawatt of solar energy.
The prime minister, in his remarks at a signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the UAE for development of renewable energy projects in Pakistan, said it was an opportunity for bilateral cooperation in the energy sector.
Secretary Power Division Rashid Mahmood Langrial and Undersecretary of Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure of UAE Sharif al Olama signed the MoU as the prime minister and visiting President Designate COP28 and Minister for Industries and Technologies of UAE Sultan Al Jaber witnessed the ceremony.
The prime minister said his government was ready to give a detailed presentation to the UAE firms on Pakistan’s potential and his government’s policies on the alternative energy, including the 10,000 MW solar energy generation project.
He said Pakistan was rich with “wonderful sunrays” in Punjab, Balochistan, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He expressed the resolve that his government would make all-out efforts to convert the MoU into agreement and for its swift realisation.
The prime minister also thanked the UAE for inviting Pakistan to the COP28 to be held in the Emirates by end of this year.
He particularly thanked UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the “valuable and timely” support to Pakistan, particularly in arriving a deal with the International Monetary Fund.
Conveying thanks on behalf of the people and the Government of Pakistan to the UAE leadership, the prime minister said the cooperation by China, UAE and Saudi Arabia had played a key role for Pakistan to reach the crucial deal with the IMF.
In his remarks, Minister for Industries and Technologies of UAE Sultan Al Jaber thanked the prime minister for the warm hospitality and conveyed the UAE president’s “high respect and appreciation” to the prime minister and his government.
He said both the countries enjoyed great relations and partnership as the UAE always emphasised the importance of cooperation and identifying new ways to strengthen the ties.
He assured that being the host of the COP28, the UAE would ensure developing an action plan and create a deep understanding on the climate change related issues as well as the Loss and Damage Fund.
He said the signing of the MoU on development of renewable energy projects in Pakistan was a “good step in the right way”.
Amin vows to address IT, Telecom issues, safeguard user rights
ISLAMABAD, Jul 06 (APP): Federal Minister for Information Technology Syed Amin Ul Haque on Thursday made a firm commitment to tackle the challenges faced by the Information Technology and Telecom industry while ensuring the protection of cellular users’ rights.
During a meeting with Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of telecom companies, namely Ufone, Jazz, and Telenor, the minister recognized the need for striking a balance between service providers and users.
He assured the CEOs of his dedicated efforts to resolve the issues plaguing the IT industry.
Additionally, the minister emphasized the active measures being taken to settle these matters through relevant forums, aiming for positive outcomes.
Furthermore, Syed Amin Ul Haque chaired a Universal Service Fund (USF) Policy meeting, where the USF Company’s annual budget of Rs 18,036 million for FY 2023-24 was approved.
The meeting was attended by high-ranking officials from the IT sector, including the Secretary IT and representatives from the Cabinet Division and Finance Ministry. The CEO of USF briefed the chair about the ongoing projects.
The minister also presided over the Policy Committee meeting of the Research & Development Fund. The CEO of Ignite, a government-owned technology innovation organization, presented various future projects during the meeting. The annual budget of Ignite for FY 2023-24, amounting to Rs 3,206 million, was approved.
Syed Amin Ul Haque highlighted the challenges faced by telecom companies in importing equipment and upgrading systems due to limited Letters of Credit (LCs), causing delays in completing USF’s ongoing projects. The minister assured his commitment to addressing this issue and finding suitable solutions.