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Solution to all problems lies in democracy: President

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ISLAMABAD, May 25 (APP): President Mamnoon Hussain on
Wednesday said solution to all the problems of the country
lay in democracy and only through democratic dispensation,
continuity of the political system could be attained, good
governance achieved and economy stabilized.

He expressed his satisfaction that all sections of the
society were united in the quest to achieve progress and
prosperity and the country was moving in the right direction.
The President was addressing the 7th Convocation of the
Quaid-e-Azam University here at Jinnah Convention Centre.
Vice-Chancellor Quaid-e-Azam University Dr Javed Ashraf was also present on the occasion.

He urged the youth to acquire modern and scientific
education, noting that those nations excelled in the
world, which had quality human resource.

The President advised the youth to fully focus on their
education and the girls in particular should not accept any
hindrance in acquiring education and also not hesitate to go
for studies abroad if they feel it necessary.

He advised the female students not to blindly ape the West and to proudly follow Islamic traditions to earn a good name for their country.

He stated that the government was committed to improve
the standard of life of the people by stabilizing the national
economy. It was working under a balanced strategy for the
development and prosperity of all segments of the society and the country was moving in the right direction.

“For this reason, we need experts in economy, banking,
science & technology and other important fields so that the
process of progress and prosperity can be taken forward,” he remarked.

The President said Pakistan would emerge as an important trading hub of the region after operationalization of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

He hoped that the Gwadar Port would become functional by
the end of 2016, which would usher in a new era of economic development and progress.

The President underlined that in order to put the national economy on strong footing, there was a need to fully
take advantage of the CPEC. He emphasized that there was no change in the CPEC’s route.

He hoped that after completion of the ongoing energy
projects, the country would be able to overcome electricity
load-shedding.

He noted that the country was moving in the right
direction until 1970s but afterwards it got detracted due to
bad governance and corruption. Now the government
was working in the right direction and the country’s economy had revived, he added.

He noted with satisfaction that there was a significant
improvement in the economic indicators as a result of prudent policies and improved law and order situation.

The President urged the well-off to pay their due taxes
in order to increase government resources for spending on
public welfare.

He stated that corruption had eroded the foundation of
society and emphasized upon the need to get rid of this menace to ensure economic development and well-being of the people.

The President noted with satisfaction that the general
law and order situation in the country had improved and
reaffirmed the resolve of the government to continue Zarb-e-Azb operation till elimination of the last terrorist.

He noted with appreciation that the Quaid-e-Azam University
was imparting quality education as a leading public sector
university.

The President urged that in order to further enhance its
performance, the University should establish educational
linkages with leading international universities to take
benefit from their experience.

He also called for focusing on character building of
students, besides imparting education to them.
The President congratulated the graduating students and
also distributed medals among position holders.

 

PM believes in politics of values, not power: Kirmani

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ISLAMABAD, May 25 (APP): Special Assistant to the Prime
Minister on Political Affairs Dr Asif Kirmani on Wednesday said
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif believed in the
politics of promoting good norms and values and not that
of attaining power.

He said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)
always ensured fairplay and transparency. The corruption
was neither part of its manifesto not would be in future.

He was addressing a news conference after a ceremony in which large number of notables and leaders from Sadaat Family of Kharvo joined the PML-N, parting ways
from the Muslim Conference and Pakistan Peoples Party.

Among those who joined the PML-N included former
General Secretary of Muslim Conference Syed Mumtaz
Naqvi, President Transport Union Muzaffarabad Gulzar
Shah, Syed Alam Naqvi, Major (Retd) Khursheed Kazmi,
Faiz Ahmed Gardezi, Nazir Shah Kazmi, Syed Sakhawat
Shah and Yasir Naqvi.

Dr Kirmani congratulated them on behalf of Prime
Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif for becoming part of the
PML-N, saying,”They took a right decision at the right
time.”

He said the party had great respect for the new-comers and had complete faith that they would work hard for serving the general public.

“Our heads are down with shame because of what the
political parties have done in the recently held election of the AJK Council,” he said adding that a worst kind of horse-trading was committed by the political parties.

The PML-N, Dr Kirmani said, had the honour of not
becoming part of the ugly game of horse-trading. “The
PML-N believes in serving the masses, good governance and
making the country free from corruption.”

He said general elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir were approaching fast and the PML-N was busy in public campaign for last five months from Bhimbher to Rawlakot.

Dr Kirmani expressed the confidence that the PML-N would form the new government after winning the upcoming
election with a thumping majority. “It will be the government of workers in the real term,” he added.

Commenting on the alliance of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Muslim Conference in the AJK for the elections, he said it was a clear proof of the PML-N’s popularity graph increasing day by day there.

Answering a question, the Special Assistant said that the PML-N received a record number of applications from the aspirants of party tickets.

The PML-N’s parliamentary board, he said, was scrutinizing the applications and the names of short-listed candidates would be submitted to Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif soon.

“The PML-N will award the tickets in consultation with the party leadership,” he added.

Replying to another question, he said Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had given a detailed answer on the drone attack issue and it could not be called failure of the foreign policy.

The Prime Minister, he said, was presently on a private visit to the United Kingdom for a checkup and would also shed light on the issue on his return.

Dr Kirmani said the Youm-e-Takbeer workers’ convention would be held in Muzaffarabd on May 28 to commemorate the day when Pakistan became the first nuclear Islamic state.

He said the PML-N would hold functions in federal and provincial capitals of the country including Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar, Muzaffarabad and Gilgit to mark the day (in 1998) when the party leadership had made the country’s defence impregnable.

He said that the May 28 had a great significance
for the country.

On May 28, 1998, he said, Prime Minister Muhammad
Nawaz Sharif had made the country’s defence invincible
by conducting six nuclear tests in response of the five
Indian tests, setting aside all pressure.

British investors show keen interest in Pakistan

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ISLAMABAD, May 25 (APP): British and international investors expressed keen interest in Pakistan during a two-day “Pakistan Investment Conference” held in London from May 23 to 24.

Muhammad Zubair, Minister of State and Chairman Privatization Commission of Pakistan, represented Pakistan at the conference whereas Nadeem Naqvi, MD Pakistan Stock Exchange along with CEOs and CFOs of 13 leading Pakistani companies participated in the event, a message received here said.

The conference was organized by JS Global Capital Ltd, a
leading investment and brokerage banking firm of Pakistan and was hosted by Renaissance Capital of the UK.

Leading investors and fund managers of the City of London held over 200 business to business meetings to brainstorm with their Pakistani counterparts with significant interest to invest in Pakistan.

The focus of the conference was to lobby support for Pakistan to regain the MSCI Emerging Market status, to review the same by June 2016); and to attract both Direct Foreign Investment and Foreign Portfolios Investment towards Pakistan in the wake of turnaround in the country’s macro-economic indicators.

The conference was attended by leading fund management firms, investment banks, and other fund managers based in UK, US and Europe while Bloomberg, Reuters, and Financial Times alongside local media were also invited for coverage of the event.

Pakistan High Commissioner Syed Ibne Abbas hosted a  dinner in honour of the delegates from Pakistan and the UK. The CEOs and CFOs of over 50 leading British companies and corporate bodies attended the dinner. Besides, British Pakistani Lords, MPs and business people were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Muhammad Zubair, Chairman, Pakistan Privatization Commission, gave an overview of Pakistan’s economy, energy situation, and improved security environment of the country.

He said that due to investment led growth policy of the
present government the economy was showing an accelerated growth.

The Chairman stated that social and political stability was
pushing Pakistan towards better future. He said the Prime Minister himself was heading the Cabinet Committees on Security and Energy, which showed the government’s commitment to address these challenges.

Currently, there was no loadshedding for the industrial
sector, added the Chairman. He also said Pakistan was winning the fight against terrorism and extremis, mainly due to consensus of all stake holders.

The Chairman also updated the guests on China Pakistan
Economic Corridor (CPEC), and termed it a major economic
breakthrough for the country as well as for the region. He apprised the guests that out of US$ 46 billion, a major chunk of US$ 34 billion was allocated for energy generation.

Zubair invited the International investors to take advantage
of the profitable investment opportunities in Pakistan.

Pakistan High Commissioner also spoke on the occasion and
expressed the hope that international investors would take advantage of the conducive business environment in the country especially, in the wake of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which promises economic opportunities galore.

Pak-China Investment Company team meets TDAP CEO

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ISLAMABAD, May 25 (APP): A team of the Pak-China
Investment Company Limited (PCICL) led by its Assistant Vice President Andy Liu on Wednesday visited Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and held a meeting with its Chief Executive S.M. Muneer and senior officers.

The PCICL is a development financial institution (DFI)
established in 2007 as a joint venture between the Government of Pakistan and the China Development Bank for promotion of trade, investment and economic growth of Pakistan, a TDAP press statement said.

The PCICL team showed keen interest in taking
initiatives for promoting trade between the two countries and requested TDAP’s assistance for this purpose.

The TDAP Chief Executive provided an overview of the
Authority’s service portfolio and activities, identifying areas
where the TDAP could be of assistance to the PCICL.

He also provided a list of relevant chambers and trade
bodies as well as export and import statistics of Pakistan to
the PCICL team.

S.M. Muneer said the Free Trade Agreement between Pakistan and China was currently under review at the Ministry of Commerce to make relevant adjustments that could further promote trade between the two friendly countries.

Upon a request from the PCICL, the TDAP Chief Executive
also provided an overview of the automotive industry of
Pakistan covering relevant policies, procedures, industry
structure, export potential, and challenges.

Both the sides agreed to collaborate in future to support companies from Pakistan and China for enhancement of
trade and investment.

Inzamam shortlists players for skill camp, announces A team

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ISLAMABAD, May 25 (APP): Pakistan cricket team chief selector, Inzamam ul Haq in consultation with the National Selection Committee on Wednesday shortlisted 21 players for the skill camp, to be held from May 30 to June 6 in Lahore.

According to a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) press release the final squad for England tour will be announced after the skill camp.

The chief selector has also announced A team for the England tour.
Players for skill camp:
Openers: Muhammad Hafeez, Sami Aslam, Khurram Manzoor, Shaan Masood Middle Order: Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq Khan, Asad Shafiq, Iftikhar Ahmad, Asif Zakir, Akbar ur Rehman.

Fast Bowlers: Muhammad Amir, Rahat Ali, Imran Khan, Sohail Khan, Junaid Khan, Ehsan Adil.

Spinners: Yasir Shah, Zulfiqar Babar Wicket-Keepers: Sarfaraz Ahmad, Muhammad Rizwan Pakistan A Team:
Openers: Sharjeel Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Jahid Ali
Middle Order: Saud Shakil, Baber Azam, Umar Siddique, Abdul Rehman Muzamil Fast Bowlers: Hassan Ali, Mir Hamza, Muhammad Abbas, Aziz Ullah, Bilawal Bhatti.

All rounder: Muhammad Nawaz Spinners: Muhammad Asghar, Shahdab Khan Wicket-Keepers: Muhammad Hassan

Pervaiz Rashid inaugurates Regional Food Festival

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ISLAMABAD, May 25 (APP): Federal Minister for Information,
Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid inaugurated Regional Food Festival organized here by a local hotel Speaking on the occasion, the minister said organizing a regional food festival was a healthy and cultural activity.

“It will promote our cultural flavours to diplomats and other
foreigners living in the city,” he added.

He said,”Islamabad is a cosmopolitan city and foreign nationals come and live here.”

The festival will continue till May 28.

Dar asks public sector banks to review mark-up rates for farmers

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ISLAMABAD, May 25 (APP): Finance Minister Senator
Muhammad Ishaq Dar on Wednesday urged the public sector
financial institutions to review the mark-up rates for
agriculture credit.

The institutions like NBP and ZTBL should take the step
particularly in view of the reduction in overall policy rate
recently announced by the SBP, he said while chairing a meeting here which reviewed the provision of agriculture credit, particularly by public sector banks to the farmers.

It was also pointed out that the markup rates charged on
agriculture credit by the banks need to be reviewed.

The Secretary Finance, Deputy Governorof State Bank of
Pakistan (SBP), chief executive officers of National Bank of
Pakistan (NBP) and Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) and
senior officials of the Ministry of Finance attended the meeting.

The heads of the banks assured that they would
immediately finalize specific measures for increasing
availability of agricultural credit and rationalize markup
rates, which would enhance agricultural growth in the country.

The meeting also discussed issues pertaining to agriculture
sector, particularly losses incurred by the agriculturists in
respect of cotton and rice crops.

 

First ever LG system in Islamabad to lead towards better social and civil services

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By Usman Khan

ISLAMABAD, May 25 (APP): The maiden local government of
Islamabad is all set to start delivering social and civic amenities to the residents of the Capital City.

Both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor were enthusiastic about their responsibilies, hoping that the city would lead the other cities and towns by example in settting standards of good governance.

The incumbent PML-N government decided to empower the people of Islamabad and announced first ever local government elections in the city which were held on November 30, 2015.

Pertaining to the situation in Islamabad the step of holding
first ever election of local bodies in the Capital can have many positive impacts. The LG system has provided a platform for Islamabadites to use this opportunity and ask for a better standard of living or socializing environments.

LG is a medium to end the `sole authority or power holders’ and the first ever local government bodies will definitely bring about changes for the well-being of the people of Islamabad who elected their candidates to be part of this system. It will ensure the process of centralized decisions and it will help in solving most of the problems locally faced by the residents of the Capital.

The LG bodies will be able to bring about the right amount of
money to fulfill the requirements and necessities faced by people.

Democracy is flavoured for people of great thoughts, freedom, and enlightened souls.

The responsibility is shared and collaborative and with the
same purpose to empower people through their own local government system, the newly elected Mayor Sheikh Ansar Aziz has vowed to focus on the issues relating to civic amenities for the residents of the Federal Capital during his tenure.

In an interaction with APP, he said that provision of basic
civic facilities to citizens, particularly overcoming scarcity of
water, health and sanitation issues, are the top priority of
Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC).

He said that a main pipeline would be laid to Ghazi Brotha Dam to meet the water requirement of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi for next 50 years. He said it was the vision of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to beautify the Capital on international standards and added the Mayor’s team would do their best to realize the objective.

The Mayor said the local government institutions would be
easily accessible to public so they could serve them in an efficient and effective manner. About transport facilities to the citizens, he said the IMC would run busses on the routes connected with the metro stations.

Replying to question, Sheikh Anser Aziz said the local
government would expand the Marghazar Zoo, besides upgrading parks for the provision of recreational facilities to the residents.

Playgrounds in the city, especially those which remained
neglected by the CDA, would be improved so as to ensure sports facilities to youth, he said and added that the IMC would introduce a proper Taxi Scheme in the Capital for providing a good transport facility to the people.

To a question about health facilities, he said four small
hospitals would be constructed in the city. He said almost 11,000 employees of various departments of the CDA would be placed at the disposal of IMC.

Sheikh Anser Aziz said a proper solid waste management system would also be introduced for disposal of garbage and its recycling to generate electricity. He said the sanitation staff would be divided among the Union Councils for their appropriate utilisation.

Deputy Mayor Islamabad Ch. Rifat Javed also expressed his
commitment to serve the masse.

He said main problems in various areas would be
identified with elected representatives there and utmost effort would be made to resolve them.

He said they had been assigned the responsibility to serve
the people and it would be accomplished at every cost. “We will ensure success of this system through service to people and by resolving public complaints on priority basis,” Mr Rifat
maintained.

He said there would be team work in the IMC and joint efforts would be made to tackle the problems like water scarcity, lack of housing units and development of tourist resorts around the Capital.

The Deputy Mayor said since the local government institutions could easily be accessed by the public and that was why they could serve them better.

He said the sanitation staff would be divided among the Union Councils for their proper utilization.

Residents of Islamabad have now the power to rule and make their own decisions through their own local government and their dream has become true in the PML-N led government, he maintained.

After introduction of the LG system, a democratic order is
also to be judged on the degree to which it involves its citizens in decision making and is responsive to its demands.

The local government is more accessible, more sympathetic and quicker to respond to local needs. As there has been local level government available in Islamabad, it is hoped that decentralization of power at the grassroots level will lead to better provision of social and civil services.

LDA to provide land for construction of blind cricket stadium

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LAHORE, May 25 (APP): Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has decided to provide a piece of land at a suitable place instead of Ferozpur for the construction of a cricket stadium for blind cricketers, ending a dispute between the LDA and Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC).

“We have identified a piece of land for building blind cricket stadium and we will take every measure to address the grievances of PBCC in this regard”, said Nabeel javed, Director General, LDA while talking to APP here on Wednesday.

He said LDA will offer suitable piece of land to PBCC for the
construction of blind cricket stadium for the uplift of blind cricket in the province and to end the dispute in an amicable way.

“We are equally supplementing the ongoing efforts of the Punjab Government to provide play grounds for engaging youth in healthy activities and providing a cricket stadium for visually impaired cricketers is a part of our plan to create facilities for physically handicapped sportsmen”, he said.

Chairman, PBCC, Syed Sultan Shah said the dispute between them and the LDA arose after LDA stopped the construction of the stadium on its proposed site at Ferozpur road on the grounds that the land was part of LDA City.

“Way back in 2004 we were allocated a piece of land on lease by the Punjab Government for the construction of cricket stadium along with a modern hostel to provide most modern facilities to blind cricketers and to have daily practice at a place where all facilities are available under one roof”, he added.

He said on the direction of the Punjab Government, Sports Board Punjab undertook the project of building a stadium at the proposed site at Ferozpur road but as the construction work was started few weeks ago the LDA stopped it on the pretext that the land falls in the master plan of LDA city.

He said it was a very unfortunate situation for the blind cricketers who were expecting that finally their own cricket facility will be built after a long gap of 12 years.

“If LDA wants to give us another piece of land it should be at a suitable place not far away from the city and it should be transferred to PBCC on similar terms and conditions on which the land was given to us on lease by the Punjab Government at earlier place of Ferozpur road”, said PBCC Chairman “If these conditions are not met we will not be interested to get the land and we will continue playing on different grounds of the city like before as cricket for blind suffered a lot in the past as well”,he added.

Athletics coaches level one course

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LAHORE, May 25 (APP): Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) with the collaboration of International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) will organize Coaches Education and Certification System (CECS) Level-I course from May 27 at Jinnah Stadium, Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad.

“Coaches of the Associations and Departments affiliated with AFP will participate in the 10-day useful activity which aims at upgrading the existence knowledge of the participants “, said Muhammad Zafar, Secretary, AFP here on Wednesday.

He said IAAF has nominated national instructor Rafique Ahmed as Course Director and Nasrullah Rana as Lecturer to conduct the course in a most professional manner.

“Preparations to conduct the course are completed and we look forward to organise a successful activity “,he added.

The course will contribute a lot in the promotion of athletics at different levels and the qualified coaches will be eligible to conduct the International Competitions under Asian Athletics Association (AAA) in due course of time.