Mohsin Abbas Haider, Anmol Baloch to shine on television screens in upcoming tale
ISLAMABAD, Aug 26 (APP):Rose to fame from stand-up comedy talk show ‘Mazaaq Raat’, Mohsin Abbas Haider has been loved by fans for his versatility shown through his every project. He has appeared in various dramas along with debuting for silver screen with his film ‘Na Maloom Afrad’
After a long time since his last appearance, fans will again be able to see the actor yet again in a powerful lead character.
Under the banner of 7th sky entertainment, a new drama pairing Mohsin Abbas Haider and Anmol Baloch in lead roles is all set to air.
Recently a famous private entertainment channel dropped the teasers of the drama depicting a serial filled with twists, turns and hate-love scenarios.
According to the captions of aired teasers, it’s a serial revolving around relationships riddled with conflicts, deception, and manipulation.
Its cast includes various famous names such as Mohsin Abbas Haider, Anmol Baloch, Saniya Shamshad, Usama Khan, Erum Akhter and Tipu Sharif along with other co-stars.
The serial is produced by Abdullah Kadwani and Asad Qureshi, directed by Ali Akbar and penned by Sadia Akhtar.
China no longer requires COVID test info for international arrivals, as it further eases restrictions
BEIJING, Aug 26 (APP): China is moving further to ease anti-COVID-19 restrictions on international arrivals, with the new health declaration form issued by the General Administration of Customs scrapping requirements for visitors to report information regarding nucleic acid test results, their infection status and vaccination dates.
The latest move followed several recent steps taken by Chinese authorities to make it more convenient for international visitors entering China, including resuming two types of visa services for foreign nationals.
“However, relaxing requirements does not mean China is abandoning its dynamic zero-COVID strategy,” the experts noted.
The ninth version of the health declaration form will be put into use starting from August 31 and international visitors could report their health status online by filling out a form on the related WeChat account or webpage.
The new form removed requirement for information regarding nucleic acid test, previous infections and vaccination dates, Global Times reported.
The updated form came after dozens of Chinese embassies resumed two types of visa services for foreigners, after it largely suspended issuing visas to foreign students and others more than two years ago at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Starting on Wednesday, holders of valid APEC Business Travel Cards or study residence permits were allowed to enter China, according to dozens of Chinese embassies including those in the UK, US, France, India, Pakistan and Japan.
International passengers need to take two PCR tests for COVID-19 within 48 hours of their departure, the second of which must be within 24 hours of their departure.
The ninth version of the declaration form also improved or adjusted some items that often raised questions for travelers, making it more convenient to understand and fill in, according to the customs.
It also added the function of an online consent letter for sampling to make it more convenient for inbound and outbound passengers to simplify the on-site quarantine process, ensuring effective health quarantine work at the front line to protect the health and safety of the Chinese people.
The eighth version of the health declaration form took effect from July 19, 2021. Compared with the previous versions, the eighth version of the form added items such as “whether the person was infected with COVID-19 before”, “whether the nucleic acid result turned positive after the person recovered” and dates for each vaccine shots.
This policy adjustment is mainly to facilitate the entry and exit of personnel, because now all entry personnel are subject to the “7+3” policy, which means seven days of centralized quarantine followed by three days of home health monitoring, regardless of whether there was a nucleic acid test overseas, an expert close to the National Health Commission, who preferred not to be named, told the Global Times.
Since the new anti-COVID playbook was adopted in late June, the quarantine period for international arrivals was shortened to 10 days – seven days of centralized quarantine and three days of home quarantine, from the previous 21 days.
“The significance is mainly to reduce the inconvenience and burden of epidemic prevention and control on people’s travel and lives, and to make it more balanced,” the expert said.
In the past, understanding of the coronavirus was not clear enough, and risk management and controls were not enough, but now we carry out the epidemic control work in a more efficient and confident way, the expert said.
As more foreigners are allowed to enter China, Chinese cities and regions, especially those providing inbound passengers with quarantine services, face pressure in preventing inbound epidemics, according to experts.
Flood emergency imposed in Nowshera
PESHAWAR, Aug 26 (APP): The district administration on Friday imposed a flood emergency in District Nowshera after forecast issued by the Flood Forecasting Division, Pakistan Meteorological Department that a 300,000 cusec flood wave would pass through the district during the next 24 hours.
After declaration of emergency, all the private and public sector educational institutions were closed in the district for the next two days while hospitals, private buildings and vehicles would remain under the control of the district administration so that vulnerable people could be shifted to safer places in case of any untoward situation.
An official of the district administration said that excessive rains in upper parts of the province were causing continuous surge in the water level of River Kabul, adding that water flow in the river was recorded 120,000 cusecs during afternoon that may rise to 270,000 in the evening.
The administration has directed the residents of areas alongside the banks of River Kabul including the low-lying areas Qasim Ali Baig, Kandi Taza Din, Zara Miyana, Aman Garh, Kheshgi Bala and Payan, Nowshera Kalan, Choki Drab, Kharzeri, Amankot, Muhib Banda, Bara Banda, Kotarpan, Rashakai, Pir Sabaq, Garhi Momin, Camp Koroona, Banda Sheikh Ismail, and adjacent areas to remain alert.
The district administration has asked the general public to call helpline numbers 09239220098-99 in case of any query or mishap.
‘Khamoshiyan’: First track of upcoming thriller ‘Carma’ gets nod of approval from netizens
ISLAMABAD, Aug 26 (APP): Dream Station Productions, finally unveiled first soulful track of Pakistan’s new-age crime thriller ‘Carma’ featuring Adnan Siddiqui alongside the gorgeous Zhalay Sarhadi.
According to Dream Station Productions official YouTube channel, “Khamoshiyan is a soulful love ballad from the thriller Carma highlighting the loneliness and longing felt after the loss of a relationship”.
Soon after release, the mesmerizing track by Kashan Admani and Asad Rasheed, grabbed fans as well as celebs’ attention, as audience flooded the YouTube comment section with likes and comments appreciating the captivating track.
Celebrities from Showbiz fraternity including Kinza Hashmi, Nadia Hussain, Noor Hassan and many more gave a huge shout-out to much-talked-about film.
Directed and produced by Kashan Admani, the star-studded cast includes Adnan Siddiqui, Zhalay Sarhadi, Navin Waqar, Osama Tahir, Paras Masroor, Umer Aalam, Arjumand Rahim, Khaled Anam, Lili Caseley, Vajdaan Shah, Emaan Khan, and Anum Gauhar.
After receiving an overwhelming response from netizens, the track has caused a stir of excitement for much-awaited film releasing nationwide on 2nd September 2022.
IMF to release tranche on Monday after board meeting: Miftah
ISLAMABAD, Aug 26 (APP): Minister for Finance and Revenue Miftah Ismail Friday said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would release the tranche (worth US$1.17 bn) to Pakistan after its board meeting on Monday.
Addressing a press conference here, the minister said Pakistan had already fulfilled all the requirements of the IMF and it is very likely that the board would approve the release of tranche on Monday (August 29).
He said now the $4 billion gap had been bridged as Qatar and Saudi Arabia had also assured new investments and facility of getting oil on deferred payment for Pakistan.
The minister said the visit of PM to Qatar remained successful as Qatar had agreed to make $3 billion investment in Pakistan’s various sectors.
Further he also made it clear that there was not discussion or agreement of selling Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) or Roosevelt Hotel to Qatar saying that Qatar was interested in getting only the management control of Pakistan’s big airports.
Qatar is also taking interest to invest in Pakistan’s sea ports, LNG plants for which the Prime Minister had advised to hire an international advisor to get the actual price estimation, he said adding that Qatar was also interested to invest in large scale solar firms.
“The government is intended to install solar power plants with installed capacity of 8000 MW, as the solar energy would help generating cheaper electricity for the consumers”, he added.
“They (Qatar) also showed their interest to invest in Pakistan’s capital market.”
The minister informed that Saudi Arabia had announced $1 billion investment in Pakistan along with providing oil on deferred payment. Similarly, he said UAE had also announced to invest primarily in government’s shares worth $1 billion.
With respect to the public concerns over extra electricity bills this month, the finance minister said the Prime Minister was very much worried over hike in the electricity bills.
On IMF pressure we had to raise the prices of electricity for all kinds of consumers, he said adding that in May, the electricity demand was on peak due to unprecedented hot weather condition and for this reason the government had to run even the most expensive power plants run by the furnace oil which cost around Rs 59 per unit.
He said the impact of that month’s fuel price adjustment (FCA) was showed in current month. He said on the PM’s advice, he talked to the IMF that Pakistan government would protect those consuming up to 200 units of electricity a month. He said the IMF had agreed to the Pakistan’s request in this regard.
Miftah Ismail added that 56% or 17.1 million out of around 30 million electricity consumers would be exempted from the fuel adjustment. He said the government would have to bear Rs 20 billion cost in this regard.
He asked the such consumers not to pay the current bills as a new bill would be issued soon in which there would be no FCA.
He informed that the PM had formed another committee which would deliberate upon giving FCA exemption to those consuming 200 to 300 units of electricity.
With regards to recent flood in Pakistan, the minister also thanked World Bank which had provided Pakistan, a financial assistance of $370 million and this amount would be received in a couple of days.
Similarly, he said Asian Development Bank (ADB), European Union (EU), USA, China and other development partners have assured financial support for flood victims.
He also urged the common people to contribute in the PM special fund made for the flood victims.
Ismail said the finance division had already issued Rs 28 billion to Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) for payment of Rs 25000 to each beneficiary in flood hit areas.
Likewise, Rs 5 billion have been issued to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), who would also compensate the flood victims.
MoIB employees will donate in PM’s flood relief fund
ISLAMABAD, Aug 26 (APP): Officers and employees of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and its attached departments on Friday decided to donate voluntarily in the Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund.
On the Prime Minister’s appeal, employees from grades 1 to 16 of the Ministry of Information and its attached departments will voluntarily contribute their one day’s salary to the flood relief fund set up to help the people affected by the recent rains and floods, said a press release.
All officers from Grade 17 to Grade 22 had decided to donate their 7 days salary to Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund.
The employees of the Ministry of Information and its attached departments stand with the government and the affected people in this difficult time.
All the employees and officers of the Ministry announced to deposit the aid money in the Flood Relief Fund on the appeals of the Prime Minister and the Federal Minister of Information and Broadcasting for the rehabilitation of the flood affected areas and to help the flood victims.
PM announces Rs 15 bln grant for Sindh as flood relief
SUKKUR, Aug 26 (APP): The federal government will provide a grant of Rs 15 billion to the Sindh government to overcome the heavy losses of lives and infrastructure in the wake of the massive destruction caused by flash floods, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Friday.
Talking to reporters flanked by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and federal ministers including Bilawal Bhutto and Syed Khurshid Shah here at Sukkur Barrage, the prime minister said the situation demanded rising above politics and helping the flood victims overcome their miseries.
PM Sharif, who earlier took an aerial view of the inundated areas of Sukkur, Rohri, Khairpur, Faiz Ganj, Kot Diji, and Thari Mir Wah, expressed serious concern over the loss of lives and infrastructure caused by floods.
The prime minister said the grant by the federal government would help the Sindh government carry out relief and rehabilitation activities.
He said the coalition government would make collective efforts to alleviate the sufferings of the flood victims, adding that it would leave no stone unturned to facilitate the people who faced unprecedented loss in the wake of floods.
He mentioned that over 900 people died due to floods in the last few months, while the situation incurred a heavy toll on crops and livestock as well.
He directed the relief and rescue staff to be available round-the-clock on duties to help the flood victims.
He announced the disbursement of Rs 25,000 per household through Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) starting Friday and onwards and said in one week, around Rs 28 billion would be given to the affected people.
Also, medical camps are on the alert to extend treatment to patients in the flood-hit areas, he added.
He said Nestle Pakistan had donated 100 tonnes of clean drinking water, of which 80 tonnes and 20 tonnes were to be supplied to the flood victims of Sindh and Balochistan, respectively.
The prime minister mentioned holding a meeting with envoys of various countries this morning, where he urged them to provide assistance to Pakistan in the hour of need.
He said a joint survey was being conducted by the departments of federal and provincial governments to assess the damages.
PM Sharif lauded Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah for helping the flood-affected people across the province.
He mentioned that he talked to the army and naval chiefs who assured full support in carrying out relief and rescue operations.
The prime minister said the grid stations in the flood-hit areas would be again switched on again after taking necessary measures. The power stations, after getting submerged in water, had been turned off keeping in view to avert the incidents of electrocution of people.
He instructed the Federal Minister for Power to remain available in Sindh to oversee the activities.
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah urged the media to properly highlight the plight of the flood-affected people so as to apprise the international donor agencies about the true picture of devastation.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the moment was a test for all political parties of Pakistan to help the people of the country in this hour of need.
He thanked the prime minister for his announcement regarding the disbursement of compensation money to flood victims through BISP.
He said presently, tents were the most needed commodity and appealed to the philanthropists to come forward for contribution.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam’s General Secretary Sindh chapter Rashid Mehmood Soomro stressed joint efforts of the federal and provincial governments besides the private sector to help the flood victims.
The district administration of Sukkur and the representatives of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) briefed the prime minister about the ongoing work for the relief of the flood-stricken people and the rehabilitation of the infrastructure.
The prime minister was apprised that several flood-hit areas faced unavailability of communication services after severe damage to infrastructure in urban and rural areas.
It was told that 43 food relief camps had been set up in Sindh where the people were being given food and medicines.
In an interaction with the flood-affected people, the prime minister assured to make all-out efforts for their facilitation.
