Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chairs a meeting of the Federal Cabinet
Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza calls on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif
Cabinet briefed about $ three billion IMF deal
ISLAMABAD, Jul 3 (APP): The Federal Cabinet was briefed about the salient features of the $ 3 billion deal with the International Monetary Fund on Monday.
While chairing the cabinet meeting here, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan was thankful to friendly countries, including China, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the Islamic Development Bank and the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for help in clinching the IMF deal.
The prime minister said a comprehensive solid waste management system for the Islamabad Capital Territory should be introduced.
He instructed that under the solid waste management programme, responsibility should be given to companies which had experience in disposing off harmful and toxic waste in hospitals in Islamabad.
The cabinet in principle approved sending of the Islamabad Capital Territory Solid Waste Bill to the Cabinet Committee for Legislative Cases (CCLC).
It was given a detailed briefing about the solid waste management in Islamabad. It was informed under the project, two strategies would be formulated. Under the short-term policy, the waste collection had started from Islamabad, including the suburban areas, while under the long-term one, tenders had been issued to hire services of high-standard international companies.
The prime minister sought details of incinerators for disposing off waste in hospitals in Islamabad.
On the recommendation of Ministry of Commerce, the cabinet allowed transit of a container of spare parts of vehicles from Karachi to Kabul. The spare parts would be for the vehicles of World Food Programme which was continuing its operation to provide food to Afghanistan.
On the recommendation of Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, the cabinet approved in principle the Higher Education Commission Amendment Bill 2023. The approval of the amendment bill would bring innovation in the system of higher education according to the requirements of the present era.
On the recommendation of the Education Ministry, the cabinet also sanctioned the Federal Urdu University for Arts, Science and Technology Amendment Bill 2023. The amendment would bring reforms in the university and promote research.
On the recommendation of the Education Ministry, it also approved the National Commission for Human Development Amendment Ordinance 2002.
The drafts of the above three laws would be forwarded to the CCLC.
The cabinet also sanctioned sending of the Private Security Services Regulatory Bill to the CCLC.
Under the bill, a Private Security Services Regulatory Authority would be established to oversee the security system.
It also approved legislation for establishing the Pakistan Land Port Authority, however, it directed that after consultation with the Ministry of Commerce the draft legislation should be sent to the CCLC.
Governor demands Sweden to take action against vandals desecrated Holy Quran
KARACHI, Jul 03 (APP):Sindh Governor Mohammed Kamran Khan Tessori has demanded of the Sweden government to take strict action against the vandals, who desecrated the Holy Quran.
While addressing a press conference at Governor House here on Monday, he said that if the action was not taken against the vandals, the Sweden would have to face a dire reaction.
He said, ‘The desecration of the Holy Quran will never be tolerated.’
The Governor said that a letter had been sent to the Ambassador of Sweden to Pakistan against the vandals.
Kamran Tessori demanded of the Sweden government to give an exemplary punishment to the vandals.
He said that the response of the Sweden government was disappointing and she should take strict action against those, who were responsible.
He further said that the desecration of Holy Quran in Sweden had enraged the Muslim Ummah.
Human rights minister meets PM
ISLAMABAD, July 3 (APP): Minister for Human Rights Riaz Hussain Pirzada on Monday called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif here.
In the meeting, they discussed the matters related to human rights ministry and overall political situation in the country, a PM Office statement said.
Acting President writes PM to build martyrs monuments
ISLAMABAD, Jul 3 (APP):Acting President Sadiq Sanjrani has written a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif drawing attention towards the establishment of monuments of the martyrs of the nation in the federal and provincial capitals.He said there were no two opinions on the established fact that their forefathers gave everlasting sacrifices for the creation of the country.
The sacrifices of the martyrs for the stability and integrity of the nation were also memorable, he wrote.
“Martyrs are our heroes and the peace and security in Pakistan is the result of unparalleled sacrifices of our martyrs.”
Sanjrani said adding,”as a nation it is our obligation that we should keep alive the martyrs in hearts of the people particularly youth.”
The Acting President said the federal and provincial governments should ensure the establishment of martyrs monuments at the federal and provincial capitals. The pictures of the martyrs and Pakistani flag should be put up at airports, government buildings, schools, important highways, railway stations and other places.
“Pakistanis and foreigners should know that as a nation we are grateful to our martyrs,” he said adding visits of people from different walks of life particularly students to these monuments would reignite patriotism. This would also keep alive in the young generation passion to continue the mission of martyrs, he noted.
He expressed hope that the prime minister would issue instructions in this regard as soon as possible.
“This will be a small effort to pay special tribute to our brave and unconquerable martyrs,” he concluded.
JCSC chairman calls on prime minister
ISLAMABAD, July 3 (APP): Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza on Monday called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif here.
In the meeting, they discussed the professional matters pertaining to the armed forces of Pakistan, according to a PM Office statement.
Pakistan, Japan can boost efficient infrastructure network, regional connectivity, trade volume: FM
TOKYO, July 3 (APP): Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Monday said that by joining hands, Pakistan and Japan could create a robust and efficient infrastructure network, boost regional connectivity, enhance trade volumes not only between the two countries but also across the entire region.
In his remarks at the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI), on the topic ‘Pakistan and Japan in the Asian context’, the foreign minister said that while Pakistan and Japan were situated in different corners of the Asian continent, they shared important convergences in terms of their outlook and vision for the region.
“As a developing country facing serious economic and environmental challenges, Pakistan simply does not have time for the Cold War-style bloc politics that sadly seem to be making a comeback. We want to focus on delivering jobs and prosperity to our 230 million people – two-thirds of whom are below 30 years of age,” Foreign Office Spokesperson in a press release quoted the foreign minister as saying.
The foreign minister said that they could only do this by leveraging their strategic location at the crossroads of Central and South Asia to foster economic connectivity and generate growth.
“This vision is the moving force behind our shift from geopolitics to geo-economics. This is not just a rhetorical change but is rooted in the realization that business-as-usual is no longer an option,” he reiterated.
Foreign Minister Bilawal further said that they regarded the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as an important part of this vision for enhanced connectivity.
Chinese investments in the power sector were a shot in the arm for Pakistan when they were facing crippling electricity cuts across the country that had paralyzed their industries, he opined.
He said that the opportunities created in Pakistan’s industrial, agricultural and energy sectors as a result of CPEC and other Chinese projects were not exclusive to any one country.
“Japanese firms have experience of working successfully and profitably in Pakistan. Their expertise in building infrastructure is second to none,” he added.
He said the economic complementarities between Pakistan and Japan were vast and multifaceted and by capitalizing on each other’s strengths, they could create a win-win situation, resulting in shared prosperity and growth.
“There is immense potential for collaboration in trade, investment, agriculture, infrastructure, and services. Let us seize this opportunity to build stronger ties, promote bilateral cooperation, and forge a brighter future for our countries, the region and the generations to come,” he added.
The foreign minister said Pakistan and Japan also shared another complementarity as both were littoral states with vital and far-ranging maritime interests.
Situated on the Indian Ocean Rim, he said, Pakistan had long been recognized as a stakeholder in the security of the Arabian Sea – as evidenced by the number of times Pakistan has been called on to lead the multinational Combined Task Force 150.
“Developing a blue economy is crucial to achieving Pakistan’s economic objectives. We hope to go a lot further in this area with Japan’s assistance,” he observed.
The foreign minister further elaborated that Pakistan was cognizant that their aspirations for regional connectivity and trade would remain unfulfilled as long as lasting peace and stability in South Asia remains elusive.
“Pakistan’s position has always been clear: there can be no peace in South Asia until the region’s core dispute – the dispute of Jammu and Kashmir – is resolved through dialogue and in accordance with UN Security Council Resolutions and the principles of international law,” he stressed.
Pakistan has always been ready to work towards such a resolution, he said, adding tragically, Pakistan did not have a partner for peace in South Asia.
The foreign minister said “India is in the grip of a form of religious hysteria that has closed out any space for dialogue and diplomacy.”
While this was expected given the ideology of India’s ruling party, what was surprising – and disappointing, he said, was the silence of the international community on India’s oppression in Kashmir and its provocations against a much smaller neighbor.
About Afghanistan, he said Pakistan and Japan have similar interests in Afghanistan.
Both countries have stakes in Afghanistan’s peace and stability. Japan had been one of Afghanistan’s most steadfast economic partners, dating back to the time it hosted the Tokyo Conference in 2002 for Afghanistan’s reconstruction, he added.
More recently, Bilawal said, Japan had provided crucial assistance to the Afghan people as they grappled with serious humanitarian and economic crises.
By aligning their efforts, he said Pakistan and Japan could contribute to a stable, secure, and prosperous Afghanistan.
“Japan’s expertise in development assistance and Pakistan’ s geographical proximity to Afghanistan can create opportunities for joint efforts in providing humanitarian aid and promoting sustainable development,” he added.
For its part, he said Pakistan believed that patient and pragmatic engagement with the Afghan interim government was crucial to advancing the international community’s shared interests in the region – whether these related to securing Afghanistan’s counterterrorism cooperation, safeguarding Afghan women’s rights, or promoting political inclusivity within the Afghan government.
By leveraging their respective strengths and collaborating on regional initiatives, Pakistan and Japan could also catalyse the growth and development of SAARC, he observed.
The foreign minister said their joint efforts could help foster closer cooperation, enhance regional stability, and unlock the untapped potential of the SAARC member countries, leading to shared progress and prosperity for the entire region.
But more than anything, the foreign minister said, Pakistan and Japan could contribute to and enrich the discourse on issues of regional importance – especially conflict resolution, poverty alleviation, climate change, and global health.
The devastating floods that wrought havoc and destruction across Pakistan last year reconfirmed that Pakistan was one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, he added.
In the aftermath of this natural calamity, he said, Pakistan drew international attention to the plight of countries facing the brunt of Climate Change.
“We led the G77 countries in successfully pushing for the establishment of a Loss and Damage Fund at the COP27 held in Sharm el-Sheikh in November 2022. We also co-hosted the International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan with the United Nations earlier this year. We are thankful to Japan for joining the Conference and for committing $77 million in assistance for post-flood reconstruction and rehabilitation in Pakistan,” he added.
As a result of these efforts, Foreign Minister Bilawal said Pakistan found itself playing an important role in shaping the global discourse on climate change.
He also expressed the hope that Japan would join efforts for getting the international financial institutions to play their role in helping disaster-prone countries build out their climate resilience.
“We also hope that Japan would urge the developed economies to fulfil their responsibilities towards developing countries that have a negligible carbon footprint but suffer disproportionately from the effects of Climate Change,” he added.
The foreign minister also elaborated that Pakistan suffered from periodic floods – a problem made worse by accelerated climate change.
Pakistan was also one of the most seismically active countries in the world. Several fault lines met in Pakistan, making it particularly susceptible to earthquakes, he said, adding Japan, of course, was renowned for its early warning systems and disaster risk reduction efforts.
It was another area where Pakistan hoped to learn from Japan’s experience and expertise, he said.
Like other Asian countries, Bilawal highlighted that Pakistan wanted to benefit from the Technical Intern Training Programme (TITP) and the Specified Skilled Workers (SSW) programme of Japan.
The export of skilled labour from Pakistan to Japan had the potential to contribute significantly to Japan’s progress and development, he said.
Pakistan had a large pool of highly skilled professionals, particularly in the fields of information technology, engineering, healthcare, and hospitality and by opening avenues for skilled Pakistani workers, Japan could tap into this talent pool and address its labour shortages in key sectors, he stressed.
The foreign minister also lauded the Asian Development Bank, for its commendable role in helping Asian countries build their development and financial institutions.
Japan’s support for the Institute was consistent with the assistance Japan had extended to Asian countries – including Pakistan – in navigating their development journeys, he observed.
HEC bars varsities from granting new affiliations to colleges, institutions
ISLAMABAD, Jul 03 (APP):The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has announced a complete ban on granting new affiliations to colleges and institutions by universities, including affiliations in programmes, to ensure the quality of education.
According to HEC, the decision comes as part of HEC’s ongoing review of the Affiliation Policy/Criteria aimed at enhancing the standards of higher education in the country and curbing the practice, noted with concern, of certain public sector universities granting affiliations to colleges and institutions lacking adequate infrastructure, faculty, and auxiliary facilities despite clear directions issued by HEC.
In view of the foregoing, all public sector HEIs having the authority to grant affiliations are hereby instructed to immediately cease granting new affiliations to any college or institution as well as programmes, until the revised criteria are issued.
However, the extension of affiliation for already affiliated programmes and colleges/institutions is permissible, provided that an HEC nominee is part of the Affiliation Committee for renewal.
Furthermore, public sector HEIs are required to promptly withdraw any advertisements related to granting affiliations that have been published in print and social media.
Failure to comply with these directions will result in the non-recognition and non-attestation of degrees issued by the non-compliant HEIs, and HEC will be compelled to initiate appropriate actions in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
The move follows HEC’s authority under Ordinance No. LIII of 2002 (Amendment Act No. XXI of 2021 and Second Amendment Act No. XXII of 2022), Section 10-1(a), to establish policies, guiding principles, and priorities for HEIs to promote the socio-economic development of Pakistan.
Section 10-1(d) empowers HEC to prescribe conditions for the opening and operation of institutions, including those not part of the state educational system.
Arrival of monsoon in AJK: Mirpur lashes with first heavy downpour breaking heat spell to greater extent
MIRPUR (AJK): Jul 03 (APP) ::Mirpur and outskirts on Monday lashed with cats and dogs rains opening the beginning of the monsoon rains that also partially hit various other parts of Azad Jammu Kashmir in South breaking the heat spell to greater extent in the region.
Various parts of the AJK State reportedly lashed with torrential rains that played havoc in various areas including southern Mirpur district causing partial loss to the under construction buildings material in the city as well as in various adjoining slums in different parts of this district.
Mirpur went in the grip of heavy rainfall followed by a wind storm breaking the hot spell to a greater extent besides turning various low-lying areas into ponds and seasonal nullahs flooded with the rainy water. The rain was continuing intermittently till filing of the report Monday evening with low-paced Thunderstorm.
According to details the torrential rains coupled with speedy wind storm, that hit various parts of the city partially affecting the daily life, but people enjoyed as mercury fell down to greater extent.
The rainy water also reportedly entered certain road-side buildings in thickly populated low lying residential sectors including Sangoat and other areas located close to the Mangla lake.
Some incidents of the mild land sliding were also reported in some sectors of The New City in Mirpur, housing the Mangla dam affectees. It reportedly caused cracks in several residential buildings in the New City, dwellers said adding, the road traffic was also disturbed because of land sliding in various sectors in the model city.
The laborers engaged in the construction work as well as the kiln owners were also considered to be the most affected community because of the heavy downpour as they had to abandon their work at the under-construction projects.
With the advent of the monsoon, more rains are expected to continue in the ground as well as the upper reaches of AJK state, experts predicted.