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New board on the cards to review PEMRA decisions: Absar Alam

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LAHORE, May 12 (APP): Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority Chairman Absar Alam has said a new board is being constituted which will review the PEMRA decisions.

Speaking at a ‘Meet the Press’ programme at the Lahore Press Club here on Thursday, he said that representatives of National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), intelligence agencies and journalists would be members of the board.

The board would review decisions, so that there were no doubts or objections from any quarters over the Pemra decisions, he added.
Absar Alam said Pemra would be made independent of any influnce or pressure from any circles.

Govt taking steps to provide quality health facilities: Saira Afzal

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ISLAMABAD, May 12 (APP): Minister of State National Health Services and Regulations and Coordination (MNHSRC) Saira Afzal Tarar here on Thursday said that Federal Government was taking steps to provide quality health facilities to citizens of the country.

Addressing at the launching ceremony of “Provincial Fortification Alliances in Pakistan”, she said that several hospitals had been upgraded in Federal Capital for the better health treatment of the citizens.

Saira Afzal said that National Fortification Alliance (NFA) constituted under the ministry which was playing a key role in policy making coordination, oversight and monitoring of food fortification programs in the country.

Rich Pakistani culture showcased at National Day Celebrations in Ankara

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ANKARA: May 12 (APP): Pakistani students of Middle East Technical University (METU) organized “Pakistan Day” celebrations and showcased rich Pakistani culture through an array of performances.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkey Sohail Mahmood and Vice Rector of METU Prof. Dr. Nevzat Özgüven were the guests of honour. A large number of Pakistani, Turkish and international students, and faculty members attended the event.

The event included folk dances, a medley of Pakistani pop songs, comedy play ‘Harry Potter comes to Pakistan,’ and display of truck art, while guests were served with Pakistani cuisine.

Political climate in Pakistan stable: US Ambassador

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ISLAMABAD, May 12 (APP): US Ambassador to Pakistan, David Hale Thursday said the political climate in Pakistan was stable and the US was considering to extend assistance to Pakistan in economic and trade areas.

“We are eyeing on investment treaties and other related tools with Pakistan to proceed further on economic and trade related matters,” he made these remarks during a meeting with Minister for Commerce, Engineer Khurram Dastagir Khan here.

David Hale emphasized, “People should look at the brighter sides of Pakistan where business environment has improved for investment and business.”

PAC declines to give any verdict on dual degree issue

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ISLAMABAD, May 12 (APP): The National Assembly’s Sub-Committee on Public Accounts Thursday declined to give any direction on the issue of dual degree of 2300 students and suggested Higher Education Commission and COMSAT Institute to resolve it on their own.

The committee also suggested they may seek support of concerned ministries of Federal Education and Science & Technology.

The committee which met here headed by MNA Navid Qamar directed both the institutions to wait for the Islamabad High Court’s decision on the matter.

BISP’s Waseela e Rozgar programme closed due to weak design, Senate told

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ISLAMABAD, May 12 (APP): Minister for Finance, Revenue, Economic
Affairs, Statistics and Privatization Muhammad Ishaq Dar Thursday said that Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) has closed down its Waseela e Rozgar initiative in June, 2013 due to weak design.

In a written reply to a question in Senate, he said BISP board had
ordered closing down of Waseela e Rozgar owing to fragile monitoring, evaluation mechanism, overlapping of efforts and resources with other federal and provincial governments’ social protection initiatives.

Therefore, there is no disbursement under this initiative during the
last two years. Keeping in view, there is no proposal under consideration for increase of allocation under Waseela e Rozgar Initiative.

55 mln people living below poverty line: Ahsan Iqbal

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ISLAMABAD, MAY 12(APP): Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal Thursday said that 29.5 percent of the population was below poverty line, which translated to approximately 55 million people in the country.

In a written reply in the senate, the minister said according to the
latest available estimates based on 2013 14 data, this was down from 64.3% in 2000 01.

He said the government had taken various steps to reduce poverty and
income inequality.These measures included he added steering the economy to higher growth path and making economic growth more inclusive and sustained.

Pak IMF 11th EFF review completes successfully: Dar

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DUBAI, APR 12 (APP): Pakistan and International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Thursday successfully completed the 11th review of Extended Fund Facility for release of $510 million to Pakistan by the fund board.

Talking to media persons after successful review, Finance Minister
Senator Muhammad Ishaq dar said that the talks had been successful.
He said that the economic indicators had been positive and Pakistan
also succeeded in scaling down the fiscal deficit.

Dar informed that Pakistan would set an ambitious growth target of 6
percent during the upcoming financial year (2016 17).

ICIJ frequently committing mistakes in Panama leaks : Daniyal Aziz

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ISLAMABAD, May 12 (APP): Member of National Assembly (MNA) Daniyal Aziz Thursday said that it was imperative to make nation aware of the fact that ICIJ did commit mistakes besides including wrong data in Panama Leaks.

He said name of the Prime Minister was not in Panama Leaks.

“ICIJ is frequently committing mistakes in the Panama leaks and they have also included wrong data about Hassan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz in the Leaks and we have pinpointed these mistakes as well,” he said while talking to a private news channel.

Pakistan calls on UN to stop injustices to suffering Kashmiris & Palestinians

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UNITED NATIONS, May 12 (APP): The United Nations will be practicing
“double standards” if the right of self determination to people living under occupation—Kashmiris and Palestinians continues to be condoned and if it fails to resolve long standing disputes, Pakistani Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi has told the General Assembly.

Speaking in a High Level Thematic Debate on Peace and Security, the
Pakistani envoy underscored the need for the world body to stop injustices being done to the peoples of Kashmir and Palestine and to honour the commitments made to them through it’s resolutions.

She also called on the U.N. to evolve cooperative solutions to
international challenges, which she called “truly imposing”, referring to rise of xenophobia, Islamophobia, intolerance and various forms of discrimination as well as spread of terrorism.