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GB govt joins hands with Allah Walay Trust to improve access to clean drinking water

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GILGIT, Jun 25 (APP):The Government of Gilgit-Baltistan here on Sunday announced its partnership with Allah Walay Trust, a renowned charitable organization, to address the critical issue of clean drinking water in the region. Recognizing the urgent need to provide safe and accessible drinking water to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, this collaboration aims to ensure the well-being and health of the local population.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), access to safely managed drinking water remains a significant challenge in Pakistan, with only 36 percent of the population having access to clean water. This number is expected to worsen due to factors such as rapid population growth, urbanization, and the impacts of climate change. As a proactive response, the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan reached out to Allah Walay Trust to implement a comprehensive clean water program.

Under this program, Allah Walay Trust will adopt and manage 35 water filtration plants in Gilgit city. These plants will play a crucial role in providing clean and healthy drinking water to the local population. The partnership will encompass the operations and maintenance of these filtration plants, ensuring the continuous supply of safe water for the residents.

Allah Walay Trust has a proven track record of success, having already adopted 41 water filtration plants in Islamabad. These plants have successfully provided clean drinking water to 60% of the population in Islamabad, as well as to 100 surrounding villages. The Trust’s expertise and experience in water filtration technology make them a valuable partner in this joint endeavor to enhance the quality of life for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.

“The Government of Gilgit-Baltistan commends the efforts of Allah Walay Trust in their dedication to improving water access and their commitment to the well-being of communities across Pakistan, according to a press release from information department GB. Press release added that by joining hands with this esteemed organization, the government aims to make significant strides in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, which focuses on ensuring clean water and sanitation for all.

“This partnership reflects the government’s firm commitment to prioritize the welfare of its citizens’ said Chief Secretary GB while talking to media in Gilgit. He said it serves as a testament to the government’s dedication to finding innovative solutions and engaging with reputable organizations to address the pressing challenges faced by the region.

The CS GB said, “The Government of Gilgit-Baltistan extends its gratitude to Allah Walay Trust for their collaboration and looks forward to a successful and impactful clean water program in the region. “Together, we can create a healthier and more prosperous future for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan”he said.

Premier education consultancy Career Canada Co launched

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Premier education consultancy Career Canada Co launched

ISLAMABAD, Jun 25 (APP):Talented and aspiring Pakistani students can now have professional and trusted advice on higher education options in Canada through Career Canada Co (CCC) which can lead to exciting career opportunities in Canada.

The recently launched Career Canada offers expert education consulting services to Pakistani students seeking to pursue education and build successful careers in Canada, said a news release received here on Sunday.

Its slick website www.careercanada.co and social media handles display detailed information about the top Canadian colleges. These selected colleges offer a wide range of affordable study options from one-year diplomas to full four-year undergrad programs to international students with clear pathways to work possibilities in Canada.

With a dedicated focus on assisting students in securing admissions to carefully selected educational institutions in Canada, Career Canada aims to empower aspiring individuals by providing expert guidance and support throughout their educational journey.

Career Canada has established strong partnerships with renowned educational institutions in Canada, which have endorsed the company’s services and approaches, recognizing Career Canada as their premium partner in Pakistan. These partnerships ensure that students receive reliable and trusted advice, ensuring a seamless transition into the Canadian education system.

Career Canada’s comprehensive range of services includes one-on-one counseling sessions to understand students’ educational goals and career aspirations; assistance in selecting the most suitable educational institutions in Canada based on students’ preferences and academic profiles; application guidance and support throughout the admissions process, including personalized statement of purpose and resume development; visa application support to ensure a smooth transition for students to study in Canada; and detailed pre-departure orientation programs to help students adapt to the Canadian academic environment and culture.

ICCI for further strengthening trade ties with Japan

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ICCI for further strengthening trade ties with Japan

ISLAMABAD, Jun 25 (APP): President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari on Sunday urged the need for further strengthening bilateral and economic relations between Pakistan and Japan to attain sustainable growth and development in the country.

Japan is the third largest economy in the world with a GDP of $4,940.9 billion and bilateral relations between Pakistan and Japan has a history, he said this while talking to Economic Minister designated for Japan, Dr Irfan Abbas Shah during his visit to ICCI.

Ahsan Zafar said that there are many possibilities for further improving trade relations between the two countries, adding that there are vast opportunities for Japanese investors to invest in different sectors of the national economy including dairy and automobile.

He said that the role of the embassy is very important to promote and develop diplomatic,  trade and economic relations between both countries.

President ICCI urged the need to impart skill training to youth to fulfill the increasing labor demand of Japanese markets and urged the government to take SMEDA and other concerned institutions into confidence and form a comprehensive policy in this regard.

Besides, conducting courses for Pakistani youth to learn the Japanese language was also stressed to benefiting the existing potential.

He stressed the need for establishing automobile spare parts manufacturing units in collaboration with Japan, which would absorb local skilled and semi-skilled labour force.

Speaking on the occasion, Economic Minister Dr. Irfan Shah said that Japan was in dire need of skilled workers due to the lack of young population and Pakistanis can take advantage of this opportunity.

He said that the current volume of Pakistani exports to Japan is lower than its existing potential and urged the need to enhance it to its true potential.

In the past, Japan has set up three plants in the automobile sector in Pakistan, but these plants could not go into manufacturing after assembling, due to several reasons.

The Japanese investors should be convinced to invest in Special Economic Zones in Pakistan, he said adding that there is scope for increasing the volume of bilateral trade in all sectors.

He assured of playing his due role in bringing the business community of both countries closer.

NA passes bill allowing ECP to unilaterally announce election dates

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ISLAMABAD, Jun 25 (APP): The National Assembly here on Sunday passed a bill seeking amendments to the Elections Act 2017, aimed at empowering the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to announce poll dates unilaterally.

The bill was moved by Finance Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar.

Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervaiz Ashraf presented the bill for voting which was passed with a majority.

The amendments also empower the ECP to make modifications to the election program as necessary.

The proposed amendment in Section 57(1) suggested that the commission shall announce the date or dates of the general elections by notification in the official gazette and shall call upon the constituencies to elect their representatives.

The proposed amendment in Section 58 (1) suggested, notwithstanding anything contained in Section 57, the commission may, at any time, after the issuance of notification under sub-section (1) of that section, make such alterations in the elections programme announced in that notification for the different stages of the election or may issue a fresh election programme with the fresh poll date (s) as may, in its opinion to be recorded in writing, be necessary for the purposes of this Act.

Meanwhile, the bill approved also included an amendment to Section 232 (Qualifications and Disqualifications) of the Election Act, 2017.

As per the proposed amendment, disqualification of the lawmaker will be considered for 5 years where the tenure of the punishment is not specified in the constitution.

The disqualification of the person will be considered for five years on the orders of the Supreme Court or high courts.

NA approves 30 supplementary demands for grants for FY 2022-23

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NA approves 30 supplementary demands for grants for FY 2022-23

ISLAMABAD, Jun 25 (APP): The National Assembly on Sunday approved 30 supplementary demands for grants for the fiscal year 2022-23 after voice voting in the House.


Minister for Finance and Revenue Ishaq Dar presented these supplementary demands for grants which were approved after voting.


The demands for grants approved by the House were in respect of Cabinet; Intelligence Bureau; Prime Minister’s Office (Internal), National Disaster Management Authority; Climate Change division; Defence division, Defence services; Power division; Petroleum division; foreign Affairs division, Foreign missions; Housing and Works division; Human Rights division; Industries and Production division; Financial Action Task Force (FATF);

Information and Broadcasting division, miscellaneous expenditure of Information and Broadcasting division; Islamabad Capital Territory(ICT), Combined Civil Armed Forces; Inter-provincial Coordination division; Maritime Affairs division; National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination division; Planning, Development and Special Initiatives division; Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), development expenditure of Cabinet division, development expenditure of Defence division; development expenditure of Power division; other development expenditure; development expenditure of Interior division and Capital outlay on Civil Works.

NA approves 15 excess demands for grants for FY 2021-22

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NA approves 15 excess demands for grants for FY 2021-22

ISLAMABAD, Jun 25 (APP): The National Assembly on Sunday approved 15 excess demands for grants for the fiscal year 2021-22 after voice voting in the House.


Minister for Finance and Revenue Ishaq Dar presented these supplementary demands for grants which were approved after voting.


The demands were in respect of the Intelligence Bureau; Airports Security Force; Pakistan Post Office Department;
Federal Government Educational Institutions in Cantonments and Garrisons; Defence Services; Housing and Works division; other expenditure of Interior division, Combined Civil Armed Forces; Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan division; Law and Justice Division, National Accountability Bureau; Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development division; Planning, Development and Special Initiatives division; States and Frontier Regions division and Federal miscellaneous Investments & other Loans and Advances.

Establishment of HESCO to be game changer for development of Hazara: Murtaza Abbassi

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HAVELIAN, Jun 25 (APP):Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Javed Abbasi Sunday inaugurated the Sui gas provision project in the villages of Batolni, Mujahath, Termuchia, Slawala and Sirila of Tehsil Havelian with an estimated cost of 548.982 million.

While addressing a huge public gathering in the village of Batolni Murta, he said that this initiative was aimed to provide affordable access to natural gas to the rural communities in the region, heralding a new era of progress and development.

Murtaza Javed Abbasi expressed his delight over the approval of the board of directors for Hazara Electric Supply Company (HESCO) and emphasized that the establishment of this company would effectively eliminate the long-standing deprivation faced by the people of Hazara.

“Today, we have taken a significant step towards the advancement of Hazara”, this multimillion project undertaken by the PML-N and Prime Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif will prove to be a game-changer for the region, the minister declared.

While highlighting the political implications of this development, he underlined the strategic advantage gained by the Pakistan Muslim League-N ahead of the forthcoming general elections, the minister mentioned the party’s growing popularity among the public, with 10 assembly members recently joining its ranks.

In addition to the gas project, the minister also announced plans for the construction of bridges in Batolni village and the provision of electricity in girls’ schools, underscoring the government’s commitment to uplifting the educational infrastructure in rural areas.

Acknowledging the accomplishments of the incumbent government, Murtaza Abbasi praised the completion of numerous projects and the fulfillment of election promises made to the public, as the election year progresses, he also urged preparations for the upcoming general elections as the term is set to conclude on August 12 this year.

The Federal Minister while criticizing the previous government’s representatives for deceiving the public and obstructing the progress of key projects, particularly in the gas sector. He held them responsible for the soaring prices and the burdensome additional costs incurred due to their actions.

“The truth about Tehreek-e-Insaf’s real intentions has been laid bare, we have exposed their deceptive tactics and their disrespect for our martyrs and warriors, adding he said.

While acknowledging the challenges ahead, Murtaza Abbasi reassured the nation that Pakistan’s resilient and patriotic spirit as demonstrated through countless sacrifices, would thwart the nefarious intentions of the country’s adversaries.

Pre-monsoon rains likely to reduce current extreme heatwave: Sherry Rehman

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ISLAMABAD, Jun 25 (APP): Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman on Sunday said the pre-monsoon rains were likely to reduce the current extreme heatwave.

In a series of tweets, the federal minister said according to the advisory of the Pakistan Meteorological Department, pre-monsoon rains were predicted across the country from June 25 to June 30.

Senator Rehman said between June 25 and 30, strong winds, thunderstorms, and heavy rain were expected in various cities of Punjab, including Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Under the influence of this system, wind, thunder and heavy rains were likely to occur in various cities of Balochistan, South Punjab and Sindh between June 26 and June 29, she added.

In case of heavy rains, she said there was a risk of urban flooding in urban areas while floods and landslides were feared in hilly areas.

All concerned and local bodies have been instructed to be alert and tourists to be cautious, she added.

The Minister urged that citizens were requested to stay away from weak infrastructure, electric poles, and rivers during strong winds and rains to avoid any untoward incident.

NA approves 54 supplementary demands for grants for FY 2021-22

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NA approves 54 supplementary demands for grants for FY 2021-22

ISLAMABAD, Jun 25 (APP): The National Assembly on Sunday approved 54 supplementary demands for grants for the fiscal year 2021-22 after voice voting in the House.


Minister for Finance and Revenue Ishaq Dar presented these supplementary demands for grants which were approved after voting. The demands for grants approved by the House were in respect of Emergency Relief and Repatriation; Intelligence Bureau; Board of Investment; Aviation division; National School of Public Policy; Civil Services Academy; Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division; Benazir Income Support Program; Climate Change division; Commerce division; Defence division; Federal Government Educational Institutions in Cantonments and Garrisons; Defence Services; Miscellaneous expenditure of Economic Affairs division; Power division; Petroleum division, Geological Survey of Pakistan; Federal Education and Professional Training division, Higher Education Commission (HEC); Finance division, Other expenditure of Finance division, Controller General of Accounts, Superannuation Allowances and Pensions, Federal Board of Revenue; Foreign Affairs division, Foreign Missions; Housing and Works division; Industries and Production division; Information and Broadcasting division, Miscellaneous expenditure of Information and Broadcasting division; Information Technology and Telecommunication division; Interior division, other expenditure of Interior division, Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), Combined Civil Armed Forces; Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan division; Law and Justice division, Federal Shariat Court; National Food Security and Research division; National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination division; Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development division; Pakistan Railways; Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony division; Science and Technology division; States and Frontier Regions division; Federal Miscellaneous Investments and other loans and advances; development expenditure of Cabinet division; development expenditure of Climate Change division; development expenditure of Defence division; development expenditure of Higher Education Commission; development expenditure of Revenue division; development expenditure of Interior division, development Loans and Advances by Federal Government and Capital outlay on civil works.

Surge in killings a systematic genocidal campaign of Kashmiris by Modi regime: GA Gulzar

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Surge in killings a systematic genocidal campaign of Kashmiris by Modi regime: GA Gulzar

ISLAMABAD, Jun 25 (APP):Vice Chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), Ghulam Ahmed Gulzar has said that the recent surge in the killing of innocent Kashmiris in fake encounters was a systematic genocidal campaign of Kashmiris by the Modi regime.

According to the report by the Kashmir Media Service on Sunday, Ghulam Ahmed Gulzar, in a statement issued in Srinagar, Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), said that during the past one week Indian forces martyred over one dozen innocent Kashmiris in border areas near Line of Control (LoC). This reckless and merciless campaign is aimed at wiping out Kashmiris and settling non-locals in the territory besides changing its demography, he added.

Paying glowing tributes to the recently martyred youth and other martyrs of the freedom movement, he said, “Sacred blood of these youth, who are sacrificing their today for our better tomorrow are the real heroes of Kashmiri people.” He said Indian forces are hell bent to ethnic cleansing of Kashmiris and they want to turn Kashmir into a graveyard and sheer wasteland.

Ghulam Ahmed Gulzar said that killing of Kashmiris by Indian forces on different pretexts has become their favorite pastime and profitable business with the tacit approval by the authorities. He further said killer forces personnel are given rewards and promotions and this policy has blinded Indian forces. Hardly any day passes when innocent Kashmiris do not fall to bullets of savage and trigger-happy forces.

He said the reward policy has started a race between different units of the Indian army and they are trying to kill more and more Kashmiris to claim rewards and promotions. He said since 5 August 2019 Indian forces have killed over eight hundred Kashmiris on different occasions, adding as India is rewarding death, the bloodthirsty troops have turned Kashmir into a killing field.

Expressing serious concern over the arrest spree and attaching of properties of freedom-loving Kashmiris, Ghulam Ahmed Gulzar said the dreaded and notorious Indian agencies have created chaos and panic in the territory. He said Kashmiris cannot be intimidated through these kinds of cowardly tactics. Kashmiris are rendering unparalleled sacrifices for the right to self-determination and the day is not far when these supreme sacrifices will bear fruit and Kashmiris will get freedom from Indian slavery.

He also expressed disappointment over the criminal silence of the world over the flagrant and blatant human rights violations by Indian forces and urged the international community to shun their duplicity and double standard policy and come forward to rein in India before it is too late.