Mayor of Karachi Murtaza Wahab along with Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad talking to media during their visit to KPC
Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Musadik Malik addressing a press conference
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar chairs a meeting of the Steering Committee to Oversees the outsourcing of airports’ operations, at Finance Division
Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori is being briefed by DIG Maqsood Memon on professional skills Special Security Units
CM Sindh seeks LG representatives’ advice to make Karachi liveable
KARACHI, Jul 12 (APP): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday sought advice from newly elected local government (LG) representatives to make Karachi one of the most livable cities in the world.
The CM Sindh while talking to the town chairmen and vice chairmen of Karachi Division who were invited over a cup of tea, at the CM House here observed that the major issues of the metropolis were water theft, encroachments, and unauthorized constructions which need early redressal.
The meeting was attended by the Town chairmen and vice chairmen of Jamat-e-Islami, PTI, Independent, and of PPP.
Provincial minister Shahla Raza, Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, Deputy Mayor Salman Murtaza, PPP leader Najmi Alam, and others also participated in the meeting.
Syed Murad Ali Shah urged the town chairmen to explore more avenues to further enhance their revenues and observed, “We have given property tax to the local councils which would be a good source of income for your towns, but you have to generate more revenue from other sources.”
CM Sindh said that he was going to constitute a Provincial Finance Commission (PFC) to distribute available resources.
Speaking on the occasion, CM Sindh said that he had invited them to discuss their issues and seek their advice to make Karachi a beautiful city in the country. “When you had contested local bodies election it was a political process but now you have taken over as chairmen and vice chairman, therefore you have to work for the uplift of your respective towns irrespective of any discrimination,” he said.
Syed Murad Ali Shah said that the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board was doing a good job to keep the city clean but the towns were bound to get their respective town areas properly cleared.
The CM Sindh said that there was another issue of bogus and ghost employees in local bodies for which his government was taking measures to get rid of them. “The Town chairmen have to cooperate with the local; government in their scrutiny,” he said.
The CM Sindh said that the Mayor and chairmen of the towns must develop teamwork so that all the issues of the city and the people could be resolved with collective efforts and coordination.
On the advice of the chairmen, the CM disclosed that he has already approved the appointment of Municipal Magistrates so that violations of municipal laws, including throwing debris, and trash on the roads and streets could be tried as per law.
The CM Sindh at the request of the Town chairmen directed the Secretary of Local Government to take necessary measures to reduce the six months transition time. “The chairmen are most active and have the spirit to serve the people of this city, therefore must be strengthened in discharging their functions,” he said.
On the occasion, Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab also spoke and assured the town chairmen that he would work with them as their team members.
Earlier, the chief minister went seat to seat to greet the newly elected Town Chairman and Vice-chairman.
He took selfies with them and asked them to send him all their issues through a letter so that they could be resolved.
The Town chairmen thanked the chief minister for extending his support and inviting them over for a cup of tea to interact and develop a working relationship.
AJK Govt,Turkish NGO sign MoU for cooperation in education
ISLAMABAD, Jul 12 (APP):Country Director of Turkish Maarif Foundation Harun Kucukaladagli called on Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar ul Haq at Jammu Kashmir House in the federal metropolis on Wednesday and discussed matters of mutual interests.
Maarif Foundation is keen to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government of Azad Kashmir to extend its educational activities in Azad Jammu Kashmir.
Speaking on the occasion, the prime minister while referring to the cordial relationship between Turkiye and Pakistan, said that both countries have been enjoying close ties with each other for several decades.
The prime minister specially mentioned Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s remarkable role in promoting Kashmiris’ right to self-determination at every international forum and expressed his profound gratitude to the Turkish President for his consistent support of Pakistan’s principled stance on the Kashmir issue.
Appreciating Maarif Foundation’s contribution to imparting quality education to children all across the globe, the PM said that signing MoU with the Foundation would be instrumental in providing quality education to children in Azad Kashmir.
He said that the Turkish government has already provided scholarships to a number of university students of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, which has increased their academic abilities.
He also hailed the Turkish government for its all-out support to the people of Azad Kashmir during the 2005 earthquake that shook the entire region.
On this occasion, Harun Kucukaladagli told the AJK PM that Maarif Foundation has rendered significant services in the field of education worldwide.
He said that the foundation was also working to provide quality education in Pakistan and 28 campuses of the foundation were working in ten cities of Pakistan.
Harun Kucukaladagli said that the foundation was working in 51 countries and has more than 446 schools around the world in which more than fifty thousand students were studying.
APP/ahr
UN rights council’s resolution on Quran burning must lead to action against hatred: Munir Akram
UNITED NATIONS, Jul 12 (APP): Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Munir Akram, has welcomed the adoption of a resolution by the UN Human Rights Council condemning recent incidents in which the Holy Quran was burnt, saying it was a “strong signal that the OIC countries will not tolerate such acts of hatred, hostility and violence.”
“Adoption of this resolution should lead to concrete actions against such manifestations of religious hatred and Islamophobia,” he said in a statement released in New York.
Amongst the 47 members of the Geneva-based Council, there were 28 votes in favour of the resolution, 12 votes against, and seven abstentions.
It was strongly opposed by the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom, who say it conflicts with their view on human rights and freedom of expression.
Pakistan piloted the resolution on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which has 57 members.
IMF’s Stand-by Agreement approval, a major step to help stabilize economy: PM
ISLAMABAD, July 12 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said that the approval of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) executive board for a Stand-by Agreement of $3 billion, a little while ago, was a major step forward in the government’s efforts to stabilise the economy and achieve macroeconomic stability.
On his Twitter handle, the prime minister said that the agreement would bolster Pakistan’s economic position to overcome immediate- to medium-term economic challenges, giving next government the fiscal space to chart the way forward.
He further said that this milestone, which was achieved against the heaviest of odds and against seemingly impossible deadline, could not have been possible without excellent team effort.
The prime minister commended Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and his team at the ministry of finance for their hard work.
He also conveyed his special thanks to Managing Director IMF Kristalina Georgieva and her team for their support and cooperation.
Pakistan receives $1bln from UAE: Bilal Kayani
ISLAMABAD, Jul 12 (APP):Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Economy and Energy Bilal Azhar Kayani said on Wednesday that Pakistan received a $1 billion deposit from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“In addition to the $2 billion received from Saudi Arabia announced yesterday, Pakistan has received a $1 billion deposit from the UAE today”, which would further strengthen Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves, he said in a tweet.
The PM’s coordinator sad more inflows were expected soon including from the International Monetary Fund (first tranche of Stand-By Arrangement after IMF Board approval) and multilateral development partners.
IMF approves SBA $3 billion for Pakistan: Finance Minister
ISLAMABAD, Jul 12 (APP): Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Wednesday said that International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board has approved the Stand-by Agreement (SBA) for US$ 3 billion for Pakistan.
“IMF Executive Board approved today Stand-by Agreement (SBA) for US$ 3 billion for Pakistan!”, he tweeted.