ISLAMABAD:
Chairman NADRA Muhammad Tariq Malik calls on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif
ISLAMABAD:
Chairman NADRA Tariq Malik presenting a souvenir to Interior Minister Rana Sana Ullah at the launching of NADRA Biker Service for ICT
ISLAMABAD:
ISLAMABAD: September 01 – Interior Minister Rana Sana Ullah along with Chairman NADRA Tariq Malik inaugurating NADRA Biker Service for ICT. APP
ISLAMABAD: September 01 – Interior Minister Rana Sana Ullah inspecting NADRA Biker Service at the inauguration for ICT at NADRA Headquarter. APP
Govt decides to allow duty free import of vegetables: Naveed Qamar
ISLAMABAD, Sep 1 (APP): Federal Minister for Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar on Thursday said the government has decided to allow the duty free import of vegetables from neighboring countries immediately to stable the demand and supply chain of the out of stock commodities in the local markets.
Talking to a private news channel, the minister said the government was taking steps to facilitate the importers and issued license within a day to import tomatoes and onions as the current flood has swept away the crops.
He said the government was also viewing to import the commodities on lower prices from Afghanistan and Iran to normalize the rates and ensure supply in the market.
Syed Naveed Qamar said the government was vigilant and would take every step to control the prices which were spiked due to devastating flood. The ministry in collaboration with traders was ensuring the supply of food items on normal prices.
He said no one would be allowed to create self created inflation in the country and take advantage of the flood situation.
The government has already given approval for importing three million metric tons of wheat to eliminate its shortage in the country, he added.
Commerce minister maintained that the floods have damaged rice crops in many areas, however he expressed the hope that the wheat crop would not be affected if flood water drained before its season.
FM receives phone call from Iranian counterpart; shares flood losses
ISLAMABAD, Sept 1 (APP): Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday received a telephone call from his Iranian counterpart Dr. Hossein Amir Abdollahian.
During the call, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari shared that Pakistan had been battling one of the most severe cycles of torrential monsoon weather, which had resulted in loss of lives, livelihood and extensive damage to infrastructure.
As a result, the delivery of assistance and relocation of affectees was severely limited, he added.
Highlighting the government’s efforts, the Foreign Minister informed that in addition to financial support, food packs, shelter items including tents, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) supplies were also being provided.
Acknowledging the international community’s support, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari highlighted that Pakistan launched “UN Flash Appeal” for Flood Response Plan on 30 August 2022, which prioritized focused interventions in specific areas.
Foreign Minister Dr. Hossein Amir Abdollahian conveyed condolences on the loss of lives and material damage due to the floods and assured to assist in provision of relief.
In the bilateral context, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari stated that the recently concluded session of Joint Economic Commission had helped further strengthen cooperation in multiple sectors.
Recalling his visit to Tehran in June 2022, the Foreign Minister reiterated invitation to Dr. Hossein Amir Abdollahian to visit Pakistan.
Flood affected pregnant mothers, children to be covered under Benazir Nashonuma: Shazia Marri
ISLAMABAD, Sep 01 (APP): Federal Minister of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Shazia Marri Thursday said that Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) in collaboration with World Food Programme (WFP) has decided to cover the flood affected pregnant mothers and children under the Benazir Nashonuma Programme.
“For this purpose, an additional amount of one billion rupees would be allocated for the flood affected mothers and children apart from the existing beneficiaries” Shazia Marri said while addressing a news conference.
LIVE #APPNews : Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety @ShaziaAttaMarri addressing press conference #Islamabad https://t.co/vo78xCuj6w
— APP 🇵🇰 (@appcsocialmedia) September 1, 2022
She said that Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif announced to provide Rs. 25,000 per family to the flood victims, considering the severity of flood situation in the country.
Shazia Marri said it is a matter of honour for the BISP team that the prime minister has selected this program for the cash relief disbursement.
She said that the amount of Rs. 25,000 means alot to the flood affected families who have lost everything.
BISP has once again broken its own previous record of disbursing cash assistance among the flood affected families in a short time despite unusual circumstances for which its team deserves appreciation.
The monitoring teams of BISP have been formed to ensure transparency in the cash disbursement process while the concerned officers are visiting the relief centers and monitoring the provision of assistance, she said while expressing the commitment that “BISP will not compromise on duties”.
The minister said that over 20 FIRs have been registered against those involved in the illegal deductions from the BISP payments to the flood affected families.”Zero tolerance policy has been adopted against those involved in illegal deductions from payments of the affected families”, she added.
She said around 33 million people have been displaced at national level as a result of the recent floods which is a big number.
Marri said the people of Pakistan are a part of the global community and are suffering from huge flood devastation.
She urged the international community and philanthropists to stand with the flood victims and extend support, “We need more tents, ration and essentials for the flood affected people”, she added.
She thanked the countries, institutions and organizations that have provided funds to address the needs of the flood victims.
Criticizing the Chairman, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, Imran Khan for continuing his political activities despite the flood situation, Shazia Marri said that when the government is helping the flood victims, “Ladla” is busy with political rallies.
Shazia Marri said that Imran Khan, if still could not see the miserable condition of flood affected people in this country, he needs mental therapy.
She also condemned Imran Khan and former Finance Minister, Shaukat Tareen for their efforts to spoil the present government’s agreement with the IMF through writing a letter.
“Imran Khan should be made answerable as to why he suspended an agreement with the IMF which his own government signed on behalf of Pakistan”, she said.
COAS directs ground troops to take responsibility, spare no effort to lessen burden of flood affectees
RAWALPINDI, Sep 1 (APP): Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa Thursday directed ground troops to take the responsibility of relief efforts as a noble cause and spare no effort to lessen the burden of flood affected brothers and sisters.
COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa visits the flood-hit aeras of Rojhan, Punajb to review the ongoing rescue and relief activities #FloodsInPakistan #FloodReliefOperations #APPNews https://t.co/kShwQUz8jh
— APP 🇵🇰 (@appcsocialmedia) September 1, 2022
The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a news release said the Army Chief during visit to Rohjan assured the flood affectees that army would help them to overcome their problems in the difficult times.
In a separate visit, the COAS also visited flood affected areas of Dera Ismail Khan. While interacting with flood victims, he consoled them over their loss and lauded the resilience of local residents in the face of unprecedented natural calamity.
The Army Chief also directed Frontier Corps (FC) South Khyber Pakhtunkhwa troops to ensure timely assistance and help the brave people of KP in this hour of need.
UAE Vice President directs urgent aid worth AED50 million to flood-hit Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, Sept 1 (APP): Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai has directed urgent aid worth AED50 million to provide relief to those affected by the floods in Pakistan.
The aid, which will be provided by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), in cooperation with the World Food Programme and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment (MBRCH), will be in the form of direct food support to individuals and families affected by the massive floods that hit Pakistan, killing over 1,136 people, displacing millions, destroying more than 3,450 kilometres of vital roads and isolating entire villages, UAE’s officials WAM news agency reported on Thursday.
During the past weeks, rainfall has exceeded four times the rates recorded during the past 30 years in Pakistan.
The humanitarian initiative to provide urgent aid comes in line with the UAE’s keenness to extend a helping hand to support the needs of those affected by natural disasters and crises globally, the report said.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), established in 2015, combined under its umbrella over 30 humanitarian and developmental initiatives and entities, most of which have been launched and supported by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for more than 20 years.
Today, it includes dozens of charitable initiatives and institutions that operate within five main areas: Humanitarian Aid and Relief; Healthcare and Disease Control, Spreading Education and Knowledge; Innovation and Entrepreneurship; and Empowering Communities, the WAM report concluded.
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, directs the provide emergency aid worth AED 50 million to the flood affectees of Pakistan in cooperation with WFP & Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Est pic.twitter.com/St433IgBlI
— UAE Embassy PK (@uaeembassyisb) September 1, 2022
