ISLAMABAD, May 13 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Sunday expressed his deep grief and sorrow over the Neelum Valley mishap.
He has directed all the departments concerned to expedite the rescue efforts, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.
A number of people went missing after a bridge over a nullah collapsed in Neelum Valley in Azad Jammu.
PM expresses grief over Neelum Valley mishap
COAS expresses grief at Olympian Mansoor Ahmed’s demise
RAWALPINDI, May 13 (APP):Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Sunday expressed grief on the sad demise of national hockey legend Olympian Mansoor Ahmed.
According to a tweet of Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Major General Asif Ghafoor, the COAS in his condolence message shared loss with the bereaved family.
ICNA to promote soft image of Pakistan: Jalil
ISLAMABAD, May 13 (APP):Acting Secretary Information and Broadcasting Shafqat Jalil Sunday said the International Conference of News Agencies (ICNA) would present a soft image of Pakistan before the world.
Pakistani media should also play its part in highlighting the positive image of the country, he said talking to news channel.
Managing Director Associated Press of Pakistan Corporation (APP) Masood Malik said cooperation could be promoted among the news agencies of different countries by sharing news with each other, that would also highlight democratic image of Pakistan before the world, adding the economic achievements like China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project could also be highlighted before the world using such platforms.
Iranian Journalist Frudini Pazoki said this conference would be helpful to promote mutual cooperation among the countries.
CM to inaugurate uplift schemes on May 14
KHANEWAL, May 13 (APP)::Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz
Sharif would inaugurate various uplift schemes worth over
Rs one billion, on May 14 (Monday).
The schemes included Children ward, Gynae, Admin,
Physiotherapy, CT Scan, new building of district jail and
interchange of Lodhran-Khanewal dual road.
Beside this, the chief minister would also address a
public gathering at Railway Ground.
Cyber Security Wing set up to curb emerging terrorism threats: NACTA
ISLAMABAD, May 13 (APP):National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) has established a Cyber Security Wing on modern lines to
evolve cyber security strategies and to meet emerging cyber terrorism threats.
The Wing, called Cyber Security, Information and Communication Technology Wing (CS ICT), undertaken
a number of initiative in cyber security service and most important of them was Tat’heer drive introduced to
counter extremist ideologies.
According to NACTA, Tat’heer is a multi-pronged cyber counter terrorism strategy which includes napping
of radical contents available on Internet and social media. The drive helps in strategizing evidence-based
counter-terrorism measures.
The key components of Tat’heer drive include development of surfsafe reporting portal https://surfsafe.pk/.
The admin portal of surfsafe is equipped with analytical review mechanism for reported contents.
Another initiative is Tat’heer Android and iOS Apps for mobile which had been developed with an objective
to enable every citizen to report any hate speech or extremist contents (videos, audios, photos and texts)
wherever they observe in their vicinity.
NACTA also launched social media e-campaign on facebook/twitter. The authority portal is nacta.gov.pk,
surfsafe.pk and tat’heer app with an aim to ensure its presence on social media by making citizenry access
to portals and mobile app to report any hatematerials.
The authority has also transformed its previous websites with a state-of-the-art web-portal, hosted through
the most secured means, with zero prevalence of chances for its hacking.
It is a modern, responsive and interactive web portal which has capacity to engage with relevant
stakeholders, both locally and internationally.
The other initiative was National Action Plan (NAP) portal. The government mandated NACTA to view
progress on implementation status of 20 points of NAP.
In order to undertake this task, the CSICT Wing has developed a web based application called NAP
portal. NACTA has given access to the portal to each stakeholder of NAP who update progress on implementation
status on regular basis.
NAP portal has enabled all stakeholders to receive and collate these updates timely.
Moreover, NACTA’s Management Information System has been developed which is a comprehensive
database for managing e-records with automation of records pertaining to administration, finance and human
resources wings of NACTA.
The system is based on the three modules: HR, Finance and inventory.
NACTA is also is cultivating a National Database of Terrorists profile, incidents and organizations. It
is called National Counter Terrorism Database.
Terrorists data including updated status on red books (Most Wanted Terrorists) have been obtained
from all provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Federal Investigation Agency
(FIA), CT Wings and other agencies.
APP, China Daily Multimedia sign news cooperation agreement
ISLAMABAD, May 13 (APP):The Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) and China Daily Multimedia have signed an supplementary agreement to further enhance collaboration in news exchange and provide access to information for extensive coverage of events in both Pakistan and China.
The agreement was signed by Masood Malik, APP Managing Director, and Lychee Li, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of China Daily Multimedia, here at APP Headquarters, on the sidelines of two-day International Conference of News Agencies in connection with Pakistan’s 70th Anniversary of Independence.
APP is a corporate body, working under administrative and financial control of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting while China Daily Multimedia is a legal entity, incorporated in accordance with the laws in China.
Under the agreement signed Saturday night, the parties agreed to a procedure for providing access to their information. China Daily Multimedia, within two weeks of signing of the supplementary agreement, shall provide APP with access to the special area on its homepage by providing an individual login and password.
Both the sides agreed to share news to a certain extent and ensure access to information as and when required by the parties. A special area shall be set on the bottom section of China Daily Multimedia’s homepage, below the section of “Media Partner” with the logo and three articles from APP.
The parties agreed that the total number of times information could be accessed would be three per day updates.
The special area shall be set no lower than the second screen page on APP’s homepage, while parties could negotiate and discuss the contents which one party provided, and one party has the right to decide whether to use the other party’s contents or not, provided that the contents do not violate the existing laws and regulations.
The parties agreed to protect content from accidental loss or theft and such attempt by the third party would immediately be reported and measures would be taken for avoiding any theft attempt in future.
Under the agreement, any party had the authority to choose which news to update and promote on the cooperated area.
APP Managing Director Masood Malik termed the supplementary agreement another step forward towards broadening APP’s scope and ensure dissemination of its news to readers in China and elsewhere.
He reiterated the resolve to further enhance capacity and capability of the news agency by entering into agreements with national news agencies of other countries, to widen the scope of its news coverage.
More agreements were expected to be signed on the sidelines of the international conference.
NCHD implementing consistent literacy programs for Vision-2025: Syed Akbar Ali
ISLAMABAD, May 13 (APP):National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) is implementing consistent literacy programs to achieve Vision-2025 goal of 90 percent literacy rate by the year 2025.
Talking to APP, NCHD, National Program Coordinator, Syed Akbar Ali said that NCHD was the only federal organization dedicated to work for literacy while the Adult Literacy Program of the commission was started in 2002 with inception of the commission, adding it was a key program which had been made operational in 134 districts of the country.
He said that it was a matter of concern that the Adult Literacy rate of Pakistan was static since 2010-11. It inched up to 60 percent in 2014-15 but came down to 58 percent again in 2015-16, he added.
Akbar Ali said that Female Rural Literacy Rate was the lowest as 36 percent against male urban literacy rate which was the highest 81 percent. Punjab and Sindh had 62 percent and 55 percent literacy rates respectively, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 53 percent and Balochistan 41 percent.
The National Coordinator informed that at present, NCHD had enrolled 53,991 learners in its 2150 centers established in 20 districts of Punjab, 36,794 students enrolled in 1470 centers in 21 districts of Sindh, 25,219 beginners in 1040 centers in 23 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 720 literary centers of Balochistan in its 14 districts got 15497 students enrolled, Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) had 2070 number of students enrolled in 90 centers set up in its 3 districts, 6375 students enrolled in 255 centers in 4 districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Gilgit Baltistan got 5625 enrollments in 225 centers working in 5 districts and 50 literacy centers of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) had 625 students enrolled.
He said that the program was working with 100 percent results across the country and hoped that the 90 percent literacy rate target by 2025 would be achieved successfully.
It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan is signatory to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) whereby the SDG-4 requires the participant countries to ensure 100% enrollment and substantial increase in the literacy rates
Pakistan’s culture, traditional food enthral audience at Tsinghua University gala
BEJING, May 13 (APP):Pakistani students set up a booth, presented stunning cultural performance and served delicious food to mark an international cultural day at China’s top Tsinghua University here on Sunday, giving the Chinese and international audience a rare glimpse of their rich culture, customs and taste of traditional delicacies.
The opening ceremony featured a keynote address of school leadership followed by colourful cultural performances, traditional folk music and dances, as well as presentation of traditional foods.
Attired in vibrant costumes of their respective provinces, the young and talented Pakistani students presented traditional foods, including Biryani, Kheer, Sharbat and other delicacies to the visiting guests.
They also mesmerized the gathering with their exquisite and stunning performances including traditional Khattak, Luddi and Bhangra dances.
Some students attired in traditional dresses painted Pakistan’s green and white national flag on faces of Pakistani as well as international students during the carnival.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, deputy head of mission, Pakistan embassy Beijing graced the occasion by visiting Pakistani booth.
“I am very pleased with the way Pakistani students are exhibiting our rich culture, customs and delicious food to the Chinese as well as other international audience.”
She attached great importance to deepening cultural exchanges with China in a bid to foster healthy and mutually beneficial bilateral ties.
Suleman Mahsud, education attaché, Pakistan embassy, Beijing in his remarks appreciated Pakistani students for their untiring efforts to introduce culture of different regions of Pakistan to Chinese and international audience in an organized manner.
The members of the Pakistan Students Association Tsinghua University (PASA) had decorated it booth with photos, paintings, artefacts besides serving Pakistani delicacies to the local and international students.
Talking to APP, Abdul Ghaffar Memon, a student of PhD Environmental Engineering informed, ”Our students tried to convey a message among the Chinese and international students that Pakistan is a marvellous country, a home to beautiful landscape and diverse culture and its people are living together in complete unity and harmony.”
Muhammad Fahad, a student of PhD Automotive Engineering commented that the cultural event provided an excellent opportunity to display and strengthen our cultural bonds with Chinese students. The show drew waves of applause from the audience and exposed the visiting guests to Pakistani culture and exquisite food.
Abbas Haider, a student of PhD Civil Engineering remarked that a large number of international students visited our stall and took keen interest in our culture and also appreciated our food offered free during the entire day.
They termed the event as a unique experience of witnessing the diversity of cultural heritage of different countries, especially Pakistan.
More than 100 different countries and regions including European, Latin American, South Asian, East Asian, Central Asian, African and Arab nations participated in the event providing a perfect environment to promote international and intercultural exchange by bringing together Chinese and international students.
The students exhibited their talent by performing and presenting traditional music, songs, and display of traditional instrumental music.
The festival also attracted guests from outside of Tsinghua’s campus. In fact, over 6,000 people attended the event.
The international community from all over Beijing came to Tsinghua to share the local foods and customs of their home countries and regions.
PML-N to come to power through votes: Khurram Dastgir
GUJRANWALA, May 13 (APP)::Foreign and Defence Minister Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan on Sunday said the PML-N had won
hearts of the people after completing record development projects in the country.
The government had eliminated terrorism and power loadshedding besides resolving other issues facing the country during its term, he added.
Addressing a public gathering here, he said the PML-N would come to power through votes of the people in the next general election due to its people-friendly polices.
The government had completed a large number of development projects in the country in five years to raise living standard of people, he said and added the PML-N’s tenure was highly remarkable regarding projects which was unparalleled in the history of the country.
The minister said the politics of sit-ins and lockdown had damaged the national development process, adding that people would reject the elements who were doing politics of allegations and befooling the masses for their own interest.
UC Chairman Atif Masood Butt, Zubair Mughal, Mian Habib and a large number of party workers participated in the gathering.
ECP appoints 13 ROs, 26 AROs for NA Constituencies, 27 ROs, 54 AROs for PA elections in Rwp Division
RAWALPINDI, May 13 (APP):Election Commission of Pakistan has appointed 13 Returning Officers (ROs) and 26 Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) for 13 constituencies of National Assembly and 27 ROs and 54 AROs for 27 constituencies of Provincial Assembly in Rawalpindi Division.
The ROs and AROs have been appointed for NA-55 to NA-67 including two constituencies of Attock, seven of Rawalpindi, two of Chakwal and two constituencies of Jhelum.
Similarly, five provincial assembly constituencies from PP-1 to PP-5 in Attock district, 15 constituencies of PP-6 to PP-20 in Rawalpindi district, four constituencies PP-21 to PP-24 in Chakwal district and three Jhelum constituencies from PP-25 to PP-27 are included.
Talking to APP, District Election Commissioner Rawalpindi-I, Malik Saleem Akhtar said, District Election Commission is finalizing all the arrangements for upcoming general elections 2018.
He said, under the voter verification campaign, the citizens were given over one month period to check voter lists displayed at 280 important points and get corrected their names. The final voter lists are being prepared which would be displayed in May end at the office of District Election Commissioner.
Saleem Akhtar said, at the moment, there are over 2.95 million voters registered in Rawalpindi district including 1.57 million male and 1.37 female while nearly 47000 new voters have been registered in Rawalpindi district under the campaign ended recently.
ECP had appointed 32 Revising Authorities for Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal and Jhelum to receive objections.
To a question he said, the training being imparted to election staff would end on May 15 while training of ROs would be completed during May 17 to 19.
He informed that seven ROs and 14 AROs for NA-57 to NA 63 have been appointed for National Assembly Constituencies in Rawalpindi district. Similarly, 15 ROs and 30 AROs have also been appointed for provincial assembly constituencies of PP-6 to PP-20 in Rawalpindi district. District and Session Judge Rawalpindi has been appointed District Returning Officer for Rawalpindi district, he added.