President Dr. Arif Alvi planting a sapling as part of monsoon plantation season at Aiwan-e-Sadr
President dismisses false harassment complaint against DG National Assembly
ISLAMABAD, Jul 25 (APP): President Dr Arif Alvi has dismissed a false workplace harassment complaint against the Director General of the National Assembly Secretariat (NAS) by a female employee, saying that no one was allowed to abuse the process of law.
He observed that the female employee could not prove the charges of harassment at the workplace against the accused as she failed to appear in the proceedings of the case despite several notices and that she had been found to be a non-punctual employee by the Internal Harassment Committee of the NAS, President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release on Tuesday.
The president gave this decision while deciding upon a representation filed by a female Assistant Director at the National Assembly Secretariat (NAS) who had filed a workplace harassment complaint against a Director General of the NAS (the accused) before the Federal Ombudsman for Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace (FOSPAH).
The ombudsman had referred her complaint to the Internal Harassment Committee of the National Assembly Secretariat vide its order dated 04.12.2019 to conduct an inquiry and submit a report.
The complainant assailed the order by filing a representation with the president contending that an employee had the option to prefer a complaint either to the ombudsman or the inquiry committee and the complainant had exercised the option of preferring the complaint to the ombudsman who had not been vested with any power to refer the complaint to the inquiry committee of the National Assembly once the option had been exercised by the complainant.
The representation was rejected by the president on 30.06.2020 with the observation that the complainant would have a fair and unhindered opportunity of proving allegations before the inquiry committee and the committee would ensure a just, fair and impartial inquiry into the allegations and, the accused officer would also have equal opportunity to defend himself.
The complainant then filed a petition before the Islamabad High Court against the decision of the president, which was also rejected.
The internal harassment committee of the National Assembly Secretariat conducted the inquiry and submitted its report to the ombudsman stating that the complainant had failed to prove her charge against the accused.
It further said that the complainant had been held non-punctual person towards her duties.
FOSPAH noted that this report had been lying on the file since September 2020, but had not been objected to by the complainant so far despite having knowledge of the same.
FOSPAH, therefore, dismissed the complaint of the female employee, after which, she filed a representation with the president against the decision of the ombudsman.
After conducting a hearing of the case, the president gave his decision and observed that the complaint filed before FOSPAH in 2019 pertained to alleged workplace harassment which took place in 2014 and the complainant failed to appear before the ombudsman after submission of an inquiry report despite repeated notices and a belated review petition was filed that had rightly been rejected by the ombudsman.
He noted that repeated notices were served to the complainant for appearance but she failed to appear.
He said that the Workplace Harassment Act, 2010 had been promulgated to make provisions for the protection of women from harassment at the workplace and to recognize the fundamental right of citizens especially women for their dignity.
15 killed, 14 injured in recent rains in KP: PDMA
PESHAWAR, Jul 25 (APP): The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Tuesday said at least 15 persons were killed and 14 injured in rain related incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the last four days.
About 83 houses were partially damaged and 12 completely destroyed as relief activities continued in the districts affected by rains, landslides and floods, the PDMA said.
On the instructions of the provincial government, Rs 60 million was released for the affected districts, Secretary Relief Department Abdul Basit said.
He said vulnerable communities in Lower Chitral had already been shifted to safer places while food items were provided to the affected families.
Relief items, including tents, plastic mats, kitchen sets, buckets, quilts, mats, tarpaulin sheets, hygiene kits, solar lights, jerry cans, mosquito nets, soap, pillows, wheelchairs, stretchers, dewatering pumps and sandbags were dispatched to Upper Chitral and Lower Chitral districts, he added.
NDMA directs departments to strengthen coordination for disaster mitigation, contingencies
ISLAMABAD, Jul 25 (APP): The Acting Chairman NDMA on Tuesday presided over a special NEOC session with key stakeholders on the current monsoon situation and instructed relevant departments to strengthen coordination among all departments concerned to streamline disaster mitigation and contingencies plans.
The session was attended by representatives of Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Federal Flood Commission (FFC), Provincial Disaster Management Authorities, State Disaster Management Authority and Gilgit Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (PDMAs/SDMA/GBDMA), Armed Forces, Flood Forecasting Division (FFD), Mangla and Tarbela Dam Management Authorities, SUPARCO and Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters (PCIW), a news release said.
The Acting Chairman NDMA reviewed the situation of major Dams and the regulation of river flows during ongoing monsoon spells.
The Tarbela Dam Management briefed that 80 percent has been filled of its full capacity, howsoever there is no flood-like situation expected and impacts on downstream population as of now.
The Mangla Dam Management Authority briefed that the facility is nearly 76 per cent filled of its full capacity and experiencing low-level flood conditions. It was informed that detailed mock exercises were planned with relevant authorities to handle monsoon contingencies.
The FFD reported that there is less chance of rainfalls over catchment areas of major rivers till July 26. However, heavy rain spells are expected from July 27th to 30 over catchment areas of rivers Indus & Kabul which may trigger flash flooding and high flows in the tributaries of these rivers.
The SUPARCO provided updates on the current situation of Badswat Glacial lake and shared satellite images of hazard-prone GLOF sites in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkwa.
The PCIW briefed about the current situation of Indian Dams including Bakhra, Pong and Thein and informed that releases from these reservoirs are still within limits.
The Acting Chairman NDMA also emphasized undertaking public awareness campaigns to maximise the general public’s knowledge on risk associated with monsoon season and enhance vigilant monitoring of rivers and reservoirs during monsoon season.
Currency fluctuations, taxes, import policies main causes of high car prices: Senate told
ISLAMABAD, Jul 25 (APP): The Senate was informed on Tuesday that the prices of cars and motorcycles in Pakistan were higher than neighbouring countries due to various factors, including the import of 60 percent parts, currency fluctuations, expensive freight costs, high business expenses, heavy taxes, and the impact of import policies.
Responding to a question of Bahramand Khan Tangi, Minister of State for Law and Justice Shahadat Awan cited various reasons which had impacted the overall pricing of automobiles in the market.
He stated that the country had achieved a significant milestone by locally manufacturing 95 percent of tractors and motorcycles. Moreover, motorcycles were now being exported to other markets.
He said the prices of cars in countries like India, especially of smaller ones, were lower as compared to Pakistan. This difference could be attributed to the large scale economy and lower taxes in India, making the overall cost of cars more competitive.
“The government refrains from implementing a price fixation policy for the auto sector. Instead, it aims to encourage industrial growth by fostering competition among local auto manufacturers, allowing market forces to determine the open market value in the automotive industry,” the minister added.
He said the government’s intention was clearly demonstrated in the Automotive Development Policy, 2016-2021, and the same principle was upheld in the Auto Industry Development and Export Policy, 2021-2026. “These policies place increased emphasis on the localization of parts, reflecting the government’s commitment to promoting domestic manufacturing and industrial development in the auto sector.”
In the past, he said, the country’s car market was dominated by three major players, resulting in a lack of competition and limited choices for consumers. “To address this issue and improve consumer welfare in terms of pricing, choice, and quality, the government took measures to attract new investors and create a competition in the local market. One of the key actions was lowering the threshold for new investment, encouraging new players to enter the market and diversify the automotive industry, thereby reducing the monopoly of existing key players. These policy measures aimed to foster a more competitive market environment and ultimately benefit consumers.”
Brands from Korea (KIA, Hyundai), China (Master Motors, United Motors, Sazgar Engineering, Regal Automobile), and Malaysia (Proton) began their operations in Pakistan, the minister added.
The success of ADP 2016-21, he said, prompted the government to approve the new Auto Industrial Development and Export Policy (AIDEP) 2021-26, which aimed to strengthen the auto sector further and provide significant support to the economy.
“AIDEP (2021-26) focuses on import substitution, export enhancement, and the generation of employment opportunities for the local workforce,” he added.
China-funded New Gwadar Int’l Airport to be inaugurated soon: Commercial Counselor
BEIJING, Jul 25 (APP): The China-funded New Gwadar International Airport, the flagship project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), is likely to be inaugurated soon, Commercial Counselor, Pakistan Embassy Beijing, Ghulam Qadir said on Tuesday.
A high-powered Chinese delegation will fly to Pakistan to participate in the inauguration ceremony, he told APP.
Launched in 2019, the $230-million project fully funded by the Chinese government is located in the Gurandani, 26 km east of Balochistan’s Gwadar city.
Covering an area of 18 square kilometres, the new airport will be the second-largest airport in Pakistan.
This construction project, managed by the China Airport Construction Group, comprises 32 components, including runways, taxiways, aprons, a terminal, and airport support infrastructure, utilities and facilities.
The groundbreaking ceremony of the airport was held on March 29, 2019. The implementation of the project was handed over to the Aviation Division. The construction work began on October 31, 2019.
As per media reports, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Pakistan has completed the safety check of the airport and declared it clear and fully prepared for flight operation.
The new airport will be capable of handling a combination of ATR 72, Airbus, (A-300), Boeing (B-737), and Boeing (B-747) for domestic as well international routes.
Development projects to make Dera economic hub: Fazl
DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Jul 25 (APP): Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Tuesday said that practical measures were being taken for the development of southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and to make Dera Ismail Khan a business hub.
He expressed these views while addressing a ceremony where Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif visited Dera Ismail Khan to inaugurate multi-development projects for the southern districts of KP.
He said he felt happiness and a matter of honour that his dream to make the area an economic hub by linking its trade and business with the international market had come true after the inauguration of these mega development projects.
On the contrary, when Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government was imposed, it halted all the development projects and our neighbouring countries started losing trust in view of the anti-development steps of the PTI.
Fazl alleged that the PTI government was out to play wreck with the country’s development. He said it was also evident, besides other anti-development overtures by the PTI-led government, from the fact that Gwadar port, which played a key role in the country’s development and was one of the deepest seas, its depth was drastically reduced.
He said the world should know that we wanted friendly relations with other countries, but the ‘relationship of slave and master’ was not acceptable.
He also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Shebalz Sharif for inaugurating development projects for the area.
He said over the last 16 months it was the third or fourth visit of the prime minister to Dera which showed his interest in the development of the area.
He said that these projects had not only been announced but practical steps had also been taken and work on certain projects was launched and tenders had been floated.
He also opined that a cargo airport should be built so that production of the area could be supplied to international markets.
Referring to inflation, he was of the opinion that more development schemes should be launched to provide jobs to people and enable them to earn livelihood in a respectable manner.
He also advocated for constructing more dams like Tank Zam, Chawadan dam, first lift and second lift canal etc adding these measures would change the destiny of the area by bringing 12 lac acre of land under cultivation.
He also demanded early repair of roads which got damaged during floods last year.
JUI-F chief said that a road network was being laid like Yarik to Zhob and onward to Gwadar. Similarly, link roads were also being built for Bannu and Lakki Marwat districts which help ensure the development of those areas by boosting economic activities.
He also underlined the need for giving first priority to the local population as far as employment and development schemes were concerned in those areas where hydrocarbon resources were developed.
Despite challenges, coalition govt steered country out of economic crisis: PM
D.I. KHAN, Jul 25 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehabaz Sharif on Tuesday said despite the history’s most difficult period, the coalition government had steered the country out of economic crisis.
During the last 16 months years, the incumbent government faced the most difficult challenges like the devastating flood hit the country soon after it took charge of the office, he added.
The prime minister was speaking as the chief guest at an inaugural and ground breaking ceremony of eight development projects in energy and communication sectors.
“We faced the devastating flood on one side, and inflation, the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) pressure, and political crisis on the other. Such challenging problems have never been faced by me in my whole life,” he said.
He said all the coalition government parties had unanimously decided to ensure economic stability at all costs, including their politics. Such a resolve on their part helped the government to bring the country out of crisis. There was record wheat production in a decade, which saved billions of dollars .
However, PTI Chairman Imran Niazi exploited his own created situation which he used for political gains at the country’s cost, he added.
The prime minister said political opponents had wished for the country’s default, which by the blessings of the Almighty reverted due to the efforts of incumbent government.
He said had the former regimes fully utilized the country’s rich resources such as hydro power the country might have affordable and clean energy, and stressed to overhaul the faulty power transmission system causing over Rs 400 billion annual losses to the national exchequer.
PM Shehbaz vowed to break the begging bowl by curtailing the government expenses. A comprehensive plan of the Pakistan Green Initiative had been undertaken to take the country to new heights of development and prosperity.
Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman thanked the prime minister for his personal interest in ensuring development of the area.
Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had laid the foundation of many mega projects, which the PTI government seized hampering economic development, he added.
Fazl said industrial estates being established in Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan would change the fate of the people of the area.
Minister for Energy Khurram Dastgir said the development projects, which remained suspended during 2018 to 2022, were being completed on priority.
He said due to the PM’s personal intervention, 5000 MW of electricity was added to the national grid in just 16 months.
The transmission line in Thar was completed in a few months, while work on three new grid stations of Rs 2 billion in Dera Ismail Khan was initiated by the current government, he added.
Minister for Communications Asad Mehmood said the coalition government was committed to create a road link between the Gwadar Port and the Central Asian countries under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
He said the projects inaugurated by Nawaz Sharif were being restored and completed in various areas, especially in the southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Minister of State for Petroleum Dr Musadik Malik said on the prime minister’s direction, sufficient supply of energy to the people at affordable price was being ensured.
During the last one year, he said, around 270 mmcf gas worth over $1 billion had been discovered from various areas of the country, and of which 138 mmcf had already been injected to the system while the rest would be included soon.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Haji Ghulam Ali, National Assembly Deputy Speaker, provincial ministers and government officials were present on the occasion.
Over Rs. 73 billion disbursed among Benazir Kafaalat beneficiaries
ISLAMABAD, Jul 25 (APP): The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) has disbursed more than Rs. 73 billion among the beneficiaries of Benazir Kafaalat initiative during the ongoing payment process of its fourth quarterly tranche for the Financial Year 2022-23.
“Over Rs. 73 billion has been disbursed among more than 8.1 million beneficiary women under the scheme till July 25 (12:00 pm)”, an official source revealed.
Under Benazir Kafaalat, 90 lakh registered beneficiary families are entitled to a quarterly instalment of Rs 9,000 per family.
BISP has already released over rupees 81 billion to its partner banks, that is, Bank Alfalah and Habib Bank Limited (HBL) for disbursement among the beneficiaries through their retail distribution network.
Along with Benazir Kafaalat, Benazir Taleemi Wazaif is also being given out to the children of registered families, however, 70% attendance in the school is mandatory to receive Taleemi Wazaif, said the spokesman of the programme.
In case of any complaint, beneficiaries can approach the nearest BISP Tehsil Offices or call on toll-free helpline number 080026477 of the Benazir Income Support Programme.
The BISP spokesman reiterated that any messages from Benazir Income Support Programme are sent only from 8171, and messages from any other number should not be trusted.
