Construction work on the sideline of newly constructed bridge on Islamabad Expressway infront of Gulberg Green
Commuters passing through the newly constructed bridge on Islamabad Expressway infront of Gulberg Green
Flag raising ceremony, reception held to mark 26th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China
BEIJING, July 1 (APP):The government of China’s Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Saturday held a flag-raising ceremony and a reception to celebrate the 26th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland.
Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Leung Chun-ying, Chief Executive of the HKSAR John Lee, and Zheng Yanxiong, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, attended the flag-raising ceremony at the Golden Bauhinia Square Saturday morning, CGTN reported.
As China’s national flag and the flag of the HKSAR were hoisted, helicopters of the Government Flying Service flew over Victoria Harbor to display the national flag and flag of the HKSAR.
Following the ceremony, a reception was hosted by the HKSAR government at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Before the reception began, a film was shown summarizing the HKSAR government’s work over the past year.
In his speech at the reception, Lee said that over the past year, Hong Kong emerged from the shadow of economic contraction and returned to positive economic growth.
Lee said policies on attracting talents and enterprises as proposed in his policy address last October are gradually delivering results.
“In the coming year, my team and I will continue to actively visit the mainland and overseas, leading strong delegations representing different sectors to tell the world the good stories of Hong Kong and create more opportunities for our city,” said the HKSAR chief executive.
Hong Kong will continue its efforts to proactively and actively integrate into the overall development of the country, including participating in and promoting the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative, according to him.
On Saturday morning, central government agencies in Hong Kong, including the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, and the Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR, also held flag-raising ceremonies.
Pakistan sets up national pavilion at Western China Int’l fair
BEIJING, July 1 (APP): Pakistan has set up its national pavilion at the 19th Western China International Fair in Chengdu, capital of southwest China’s Sichuan Province. The fair has attracted over 3,500 enterprises from 56 countries and regions.
Over 60,000 distinguished guests and merchants from home and abroad are estimated to attend the event from Thursday to next Monday in person or online, according to Chinese media.
The expo has a total exhibition area of 200,000 square meters, showcasing the Belt and Road cooperation and the development of the western regions and the digital economy and hydrogen industry.
The organizers plan to hold 50 activities, including over 30 investment promotion activities.
Thailand is the guest country of honor at the fair this year, and 17 countries, including Thailand, Belarus, Chile, Australia, and Pakistan, have set up their national pavilions.
Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, Thai Senate speaker, attended the event’s opening ceremony and the launch of Thailand’s national pavilion. Several Thai enterprises attended the fair to cash in on business opportunities in the Chinese market.
 The expo provides an opportunity for Thai organizations and enterprises to showcase their strengths in various fields and an effective platform for entrepreneurs from western China to learn about Thailand’s investment policies and opportunities, Pornpetch said.
China completes tests on high speed trains at up to 453km/h, fastest in world
BEIJING, July 1 (APP): China Railway said on Saturday that it has successfully completed performance tests of new high-tech components critical to CR450 high-speed trains at speeds exceeding 400 kilometers per hour (km/h), said to be the fastest in the world, marking another milestone in China’s world-leading high-speed rail technology.
In an effort to accelerate the development of a new generation of high-speed trains that are faster, safer, more environmentally friendly, energy-efficient and intelligent, China Railway conducted testing along a section of the railway from Fuqing to Qianzhou in East China’s Fujian Province, the Global Times learned from China Railway on Saturday.
On Wednesday, the test train successfully ran on the Meizhou Bay cross-sea bridge at a single-train speed of 453 km/h and a relative velocity of 891 km/h. On Thursday, the test train operated in the Haiwei Tunnel at a single-train speed of 420 km/h and a relative velocity of 840 km/h.
The new technology components underwent effective performance tests, demonstrating excellent performance across various indicators. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the development of the CR450 high-speed train, laying a solid foundation for the implementation of the CR450 Technology Innovation Project, China Railway said.
CR450 represents a train designed with an operating speed of 400 km/h. Currently, the fastest operating speed of high-speed trains in China is 350 km/h, which is also the highest high-speed rail operating speed in the world. The fastest operating speeds for high-speed trains in Japan and France are set at 320 km/h, according to media reports.
At a speed of 400 km/h, the train would shorten the trip from Beijing to Shanghai to 2.5 hours. At such a speed, the journey from New York to Washington DC in the US could be cut to just under 55 minutes, which takes three to four hours by car or train.
Unlike the six times major speed increases which occurred between 1997 and 2007 when China was still striving to catch up with global frontrunners, more recent speed raises, including the current CR450 project, have helped maintain China’s advantage in operating the world’s fastest trains, Sun Zhang, a railway expert from Shanghai Tongji University, told the Global Times on Saturday.
Sun recalled vividly that the sixth speed raise which happened on April 18, 2007, when China raised its national train speeds from the 160 km/h to 200 km/h. After China put into operation of its high-speed trains into use in 2008, the country quickly took the lead with trains running at a current 350 km/h.
After reaching a certain speed, any further speed raise is not going to be an easy task, Sun said, noting that by adding 50 km/h, the CR450 will represent another leap in quality and a milestone in the development of China’s high-speed rail.
Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs to gift 2m copies of Holy Quran to departing Hajj pilgrims
ISLAMABAD, Jul 01 (APP): Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawa and Guidance, started distributing two million copies of the Holy Quran as a gift from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for pilgrims departing to their home countries from the King Abdulaziz International Airport, the Red-Sea Jeddah Islamic Port and other land and air crossings as well as public employees who worked in this year’s Hajj season.
The ministry said that the gift, which comes as an implementation of the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, was published by the King Fahd Complex for Publishing the Holy Quran in different sizes and 76 international languages catering to the many nationalities of pilgrims, Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
The Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawa and Guidance, Sheikh Dr Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al Al-Sheikh extended his thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and HRH Crown Prince, for the great support and special attention they pay to serve Islam and Muslims and the pilgrims globally.
PM appreciates cleanliness drive during Eid
ISLAMABAD, Jul 1 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Saturday appreciated the efforts of waste management companies all across Pakistan especially Lahore Waste Management Company, chief ministers, chief secretaries, and district administration for maintaining cleanliness during Eid ul Adha.
In a tweet on social media platform Twitter, he said on the occasion of Eid Al Adha, in all the big cities of Pakistan particularly Lahore the “Sunnah e Ibrahimi” was performed in an orderly manner and without any difficulty due to the best arrangements for cleanliness.
“I especially laud the solid waste management companies and personnel of the administration who performed their duties while spending Eid al Adha away from their loved ones and kept their cities free of foul smell and garbage.”
He also thanked the people of Pakistan who responded to the call of the administration and made it all possible with their cooperation.
Tourists throng to Galiyat to beat sizzling heat during Eid holidays
NATHIAGALI, Jul 01 (APP): An influx of tourists and adventure sports enthusiasts from plain districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab provinces have thronged to the scenic Galiyat valleys to beat the sizzling heat during the Eid holidays.
Enjoying the mesmerizing beauty of Nathiagali, Ayubia, Khanaspour and Thandyani of Abbottabad district, the tourists move into a state of ecstasy after witnessing the weather heralding melodies, seasonal flowers, fresh cool breeze and waterfalls mostly emanating from the Himalaya mountains.
Amid hide and seek between the sun and clouds with moderate to erratic rainfalls over snow-clad mountains peaks of Mukeshpuri and Miranjani on western Himalaya hills in Abbottabad, Nathiagali and Ayubia draw tourists from the width and breadth of Pakistan.
Ayubia-Nathiagali, Donga Gali-Ayubia and Mukshpuri Top are the most frequented sites where local guides and horse riders are seen moving around to make a quick buck.
A substantial number of tourists along with families have been seen on fast-moving swings and Ayubi chairlifts amid thrill and excitement.
Unscrupulous business elements in the hotels and restaurants industries are fully exploiting the situation by fleecing tourists due to the shortage of accommodation at Nathiagali, Ayubia and adjoining scenic resorts.
A private hotel is charging Rs15,000 to Rs20,000 per room per night from each tourist beyond the purchasing power of low-income domestic tourists.
“Nathiagali is the prime choice of domestic tourists in hot weather due its pleasant weather, easy mobility, diverse natural viz-a- viz mountainous beauty and waterfalls, however hotel charges needed to be checked by the government,” said Imran Khan, an architect of Nowshera district while talking to APP.
He said such high charges by private hotels may negatively impacted in total intake of tourists to Nathiagali, Ayubia, Dongali, Harnoi, Bagnotar and Thandyani.
To provide affordable accommodations to tourists, the KP government has established camping pods at Sharan Saiful Malook lake, Gabeen Jaba Swat, Mahaband Buner-Swabi, Allai Batagram, Bamburait Chitral, Tandyani Abbottabad, Bisigram Swat, Yakhtangi Shangla, Saheed e Sir, Malka Swat and Sheikh Badin DI Khan.
Shad Khan, spokesman of KP Culture and Tourism Authority told APP that Bishigram, Shran, Yakhtangi, Shaheed e Sir and Malk camping pods have already been opened for tourists while the remaining pods would be shortly opened after completion of renovation works.
He said each pod has two to four beds for families, a wash room and a small kitchen, adding Rs3500 to Rs5000 per day/night stay was being charged against Rs15,000 to Rs20,000 per room by a private hotels at Khagan, Naran and Galiyat valleys.
He said that ten more camping pods at Jargo and Sulatanr in Swat, Lashkargha Broghal Valley and Surlaspur Shandor valley Upper Chitral, Kumrat velley in Upper Dir, Laram Top and Shahi Bin Shahi in Lower Dir, Lilowani Alpuri in Shangla Samanah Top in Orakzai/Hangu and Kalam Swat were planned.
He said, “River Kunhar trout fish, river rafting, snowfall and adventure sports features make it unique.”
He said, “Ecotourism spots are being developed at premises of small dams including Tanda dam Kohat, Chatri dam in Haripur, Naryab Hangu, Kundal Swabi and Chalgoza Abbottabad to promote day-long families tourism.”
He said the PC-1 of Chatri, Naryab and Tanda dams tourism sites were completed and practical work would soon be started.
“The tourism police force has been launched by the KP Government to facilitate tourists,”
Tourism police in Hazara and Malakand divisions were already made operational, he added.
The tourism police comprise well-trained officers equipped to handle any situation.
“These officers are fluent in several languages, including English, to make communication with foreign tourists easier.”
“The government has also launched a mobile application called the ‘Tourist Safety App’, which enables tourists to quickly and easily contact the tourist police in case of an emergency.”
“The government has invested heavily in improving the infrastructure in the province, including the road network, transportation, and accommodation facilities in tourism famous destinations,” he added.
“A road from Maidan to Bishigram Lake is being constructed and jeep track at Kandal Lake has already been built,”
“Waterfalls of Lamchar, Sajkot, Noori, Chajjian Haripur, Jarogo Swat, Lanchar Dir and Umbrella Abbottabad were being developed on modern lines.”
“To reduce tourists load at Galiyat, Kaghan, Naran, Kalam, Malam Jabba and Dir, jeepable tracks were being constructed in 15 areas with an estimated cost of Rs500 million, he informed.
“KP government has announced the construction of Integrated Tourism Zones (ITZs) at Ghanool Mansehra, Mankiyal Swat, Madaklasht Chitral and Thandiyani Abbottabad with the assistance of the World Bank.”
ITZs of Ghanool Mansehra would be established on 59.6 acres, Mankiyal Swat on 29.5 acres, Madaklasht on 540 Kanal and Thandyani on 640 Kanal of land respectively.
“As a pilot project, the Government has decided to first develop Ghanool with a proposed cost of Rs5.5 billion and Mankiyal with an estimated cost of Rs2.9 billion.”
The pre-qualification bids of Mankiyal and Ghanool ITZs would soon be awarded for which rules and regulations were being prepared and to be completed in two years on the patterns of ITZs of Malaysia and Indonesia.
“These ITZs are expected to create 200,000 direct and indirect job opportunities and USD 2.8 billion in investment.”
Similarly, tourism spots, jeep tracks and roads to link the waterfalls of Abbottabad, Haripure and Mansehra were being developed.
“The feasibility of the Cable Car project to be started from Dir Upper to Madaklast Chitral has been completed and would be financially supported by the World Bank through KP Integrated tourism project (KITE), the spokesman said.
About 19 PTDC hotels/motels including at Gharam Chesma, Pir Maflasht, Boni, Kalash in Chitral, Oshu Kalam, Mankiyal, Saidu Sharif, Miandum in Swat, Balakot Mansehra, Ayubia Abbottabad were opened for tourists.
The spokesman said, “The number of tourists visiting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has increased in recent years due to improved road connectivity and law and order which has not only boosted the economy of the province but has also helped to change the tourism perception of the entire region.”
Al-Khidmat Foundation arranges luncheon, distributes sacrificial meat among transgenders, artists
PESHAWAR, Jul 01 (APP): Al-Khidmat Foundation, one of Pakistan’s biggest humanitarian organization, here on Saturday arranged a luncheon and also distributed sacrificial meat among the marginalized transgender community and artists.
The objective of the initiative was to involve these neglected segment of transgender into Eid celebrations by arranging a get together for them, said Noor-ul-Wahid Jadoon, Manager Media Al-Khidmat Foundation Peshawar.
Talking to newsmen, Noor-ul-Wahid said that the ceremony was held at the main office of Al-Khidmat Foundation on G.T road Peshawar.
A large number of trans persons and artists from Peshawar attended the luncheon and enjoyed the symptoms feast.
“This is a very welcoming initiative taken by Al-Khidmat Foundation and has won our hearts,” commented a transgender.
She said the trans persons are living in seclusion due to rejection by society and even by their own families.
Such behavior is badly impacting the psychological health of transgender who are considering themselves as alien in society, she continued, she added.
The transgenders suggested the approach of Al-Khidmat should be adopted and replicated by all other organizations for bringing the trans persons into the mainstream and helping them in coming out of the mental stress and trauma they are facing due to stigma connected with their gender and rejection by society.
Sadiq Sanjrani congratulates nation on Eid-ul-Azha
QUETTA, Jun 29 (APP):The Acting President Sadiq Sanjrani on Thursday felicitated the nation on the blessed and happy occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.
He in his special message on the Eid occasion said that Eid-ul-Azha was a wonderful example and memorial of Hazrat Ibrahim’s obedience to Allah and Hazrat Ismail’s obedience who established a timeless narrative of obedience and sacrifice that would continue to be followed forever.
“The spirit of sacrifice is universal, no nation in the world can progress without this spirit,” he said.
“We have to work together for the development and prosperity of the country and the nation, keeping all our interests, preferences and prejudices behind.”
“The time has come to adopt a common plan of action for the development and prosperity of the country,” he noted.
“Our country came into existence as a result of endless sacrifices and immense patience and stability, we need to stay united for its prosperity.”
Acting President Mohammad Sadiq Sanjrani said, “While celebrating the joy of Eid, we need to remember those our brothers and sisters who have been left behind due to the oppression of the situation,” he added.
“We have to keep an eye on our surroundings so that none of our neighbours misses out on this holy occasion.”
“We also have to remember the builders, martyrs and protectors of the homeland who sacrificed their lives for the great cause of protection, development and uplifting of the beloved homeland,” he said.
He prayed to Allah Almighty to grant the true happiness of Eid-ul-Azha by giving him the ability to perform this great act of worship according to its spirit.
It is to mention here that Sadiq Sanjrani offered the Eid-ul-Azha prayer at the PAF Airbase Samungli Mosque, later he mingled with the common people and wished them, ‘Eid Mubarak’.