ISLAMABAD, May 4 (APP):Treasury benches in the Senate Friday termed the federal budget 2018-19 as pro-poor and growth oriented, while opposition termed it as anti-poor.
Resuming debate on the federal budget, Senator Nuzhat Sadiq said the present government had presented pro-people budget for the fiscal year of 2018-19.
She said the present government had empowered the women in every field of life adding that government had made legislation for harassment at work place.
Criticizing the budget Senator Mushtaq Ahmed said it was not the mandate of the present government to present the budget for the whole year. He termed the budget anti-poor and anti labour and said it was presented without announcing the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award.
Senator Khanzada Khan claimed that additional burden had been put on the poor segments of the society. He was of the view the government had not focused on education and health sectors.
He said that the present government had no moral justification to present federal budget and criticized the government for announcing tax amnesty scheme. Nothing had been announced in the budget for the benefit of middle class, he claimed.
Treasury benches in Senate term budget pro-poor, growth-oriented
Equal opportunities, rule of law foundation of prosperous nation: CJ
ISLAMABAD, May 04 (APP):Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar said foundation of a prosperous nation lies in the provision of equal opportunities and rule of law.
The chief justice who is also the chairman of Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan said this while addressing the inaugural session of 8th International Judicial Conference (IJC) here on Friday.
Foreign dignitaries including chief justices, judges, jurists, luminaries of law and renewed researcher around the world attended the conference.
The chief justice welcomed the distinguished luminaries of the legal as well as other associated fields, both from within the country and abroad.
The chief justice said this conference would play an important role towards achieving the goal of smooth administration of justice and establishing the rule of law in the country.
This conference had been organized in an effort to bring together all the stakeholders to join hands and pool ideas for the reformation of the judicial system and for devising ways and means for ensuring inexpensive and expeditious justice for all, the CJ said.
The CJ said the nation was striving for a better and more prosperous Pakistan and we too were determined to contribute our share towards the socio-economic growth and development of the country.
We can do this by ensuring an efficient, efficacious and expeditious justice delivery system, he added.
Discussions in this conference would provide a chance to the participants to suggest ways for legal and economic integration at the regional level for socio-economic growth of the country which was expected as the outcome of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the CJ said.
Among other aspects, CPEC promises direct foreign investment. Experts can deliberate on how we, as a nation, can maximize the benefits of Foreign Direct Investment that CPEC will bring with it, the CJ maintained.
He said this forum was designed to provide an opportunity to experts in raising awareness about Foreign Investment and suggest ways to ensure that the fruits of economic activity and growth reach every citizen of our country.
Chief Justice said, “We are all familiar with the issue of chronic delays in the dispensation of Justice. Being the head of the judiciary of Pakistan, I am committed to revamping the system through various modes including judicial reforms. However, this issue needs to be addressed by adopting a holistic and synchronized approach.”
It was vital for all relevant institutions to coordinate and work together for reducing delays in finalization of legal disputes. This thematic session was specifically designed to discuss the strategies for delay reduction and expeditious disposal of cases, he added.
The chief justice thanked all the delegates for their participation in the conference and showed determination that it would be a very successful, fruitful and productive conference.
Pakistan enemies sponsoring activities to create unrest:Ahsan
ISLAMABAD, May 4 (APP):Minister for Interior Ahsan Iqbal Friday said enemies of Pakistan were sponsoring terrorism activities to create unrest and sabotage China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.
Talking to a private news channel, he said, since banned outfits were not organized here, foreign funded targeted activities against Hazara community in Quetta was conspiracy to create chaos.
“Such activities are planned across the border,” he said.
He said Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) government took security of the country as a challenge in 2013 and achieved success by improving overall situation of law and order throughout the country.
Law enforcement agencies were fighting on front-line and rendering sacrifices of lives in line of duties in Balochistan, he said adding that terror related incidents had declined due to efforts jointly made by the federal and provincial government.
The minister said security had been beefed up in the province besides enhancing capacity of the Police there.
“Work on fencing our border with Afghanistan is being completed on fast track as it is a permanent solution to stop illegal movement on the border,” he added.
Chief of Turkish General Staff calls on Naval Chief
ISLAMABAD, May 04 (APP):Chief of the Turkish General Staff, General Hulusi Akar Friday called on Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi here at Naval Headquarters and discussed professional matters and bilateral defence
collaboration in diverse fields between the two countries.
According to a statement issued here by directorate of public relations of
Pakistan Navy, General Hulusi Akar lauded the commitment and performance of Pakistan Navy in maintaining peace and stability in the regional maritime domain.
Upon arrival, the visiting dignitary was received by Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi. A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Navy presented him the guard of honour.
It is expected that the recent visit of Chief of the Turkish General Staff will further enhance defence collaboration and
defence ties between the two countries.
Miftah visits arts, crafts exhibition
ISLAMABAD, May 4 (APP):Minister for Finance Miftah Ismail Friday said providing opportunities to young students to actively participate in extra-curricular activities give boost to their learning skills and confidence and serve as an asset for them in their future career building.
The minister made these comments while visiting the Arts and Crafts exhibition, themed “Learning with Creativity” at the EMS here, a reputed educational institution of Islamabad.
The minister went around various sections of the exhibition where art, literary work, scientific exhibits (including robots) and articulately carved models depicting various events in world history were displayed.
Students from class 1 to “O” levels created the work on display and the minister evinced deep interest in the students’ exemplary work and creativity. The robotics section clearly was the most attractive for the guests.
EMS students, it may be added, won the national robotics championship earlier this year and recently participated in the international robotics event in Chicago where their work received immense appreciation.
Miftah Ismail praised the hard work put in by the students and the guidance and encouragement extended to them by the teachers in holding such a nice exhibition.
The event which will continue for three days was witnessed by a large number of guests including students, parents and invitees from different walks of life.
Pak squash Circuit-I championship
LAHORE, May 04 (APP):Pakistan squash federation will organize Pakistan Squash Circuit-I Championship for Men and Women from May 8 Islamabad’ Mushaf Squash Complex.The tournaments carries a prize money of US$ 10,000 for men event and US$ 5,000 for women competition. ” All the leading players of the country will be featuring in the event in which foreign players are likely to take part “, said a spokesman of the PSF while talking to APP here on Friday.
He said the tournament is a step forward to promote squash in the country among men and women besides creating an ideal opportunity for the players to improve their international ranking and level of game.
Most sacred relics from Taxila exhibited in Sri Lanka
COLOMBO, May 4 (APP)::Most sacred relics of Lord Buddha brought from Pakistan are being exhibited for general public in Purana Vajirakoth Viharaya, Kalutara district on Friday. The relics were received by Rev. Gonaduwe Gunananda Thero at the temple, says a statement issued by Pakistan’s High Commission Colombo.
Thereafter, the relics will be taken to different cities for exhibition on May 5 the relics to be taken to Galle, at Sumanaramaya, Kumbalwella), Matara and on May 6, 7 at Getambaruwa Raja Maha Vihara), Kurunegala and on May 8 at Diyakalamulla Pirivena, Kuliyapitiya), Anuradhapura, May 9 & 10 at Sri Sarananda Maha Pirivena) and Kandy, on May 11 at Balagollla Budhist Centre and on May 12 at Ambanwela Raja Maha Vihara) for public exposition.
Afterwards the relics will be brought back to Colombo on May 13 for three days exposition at Gangaramaya Viharasthanaya till May 16.
Office bearers of Sheikhupura hockey association elected
LAHORE, May 04 (APP):Khalid Mahmood Virak and Mubashar Chaudhary were elected President and Secretary of the Sheikhupura district Hockey association at Sheikhupura on Friday.
Shafiq Bhatti, election commissioner nominated by the Pakistan Hockey Federation, supervised
the elections in which office bearers were elected for a fresh term of four years, said a spokesman of
the PHF while talking to APP here.
Following were also elected, (Senior Vice president), Yasir Iqbal, (Vice President), Manzoor Khaliq, (Treasurer) Asad ur Rehman. Former Hockey Olympian was nominated to represent the body in PHF.
The Executive Committee members are, Asad malik, Col retd Rauf, Saeed Iqbal,Saif ur Rehman, Rauf Azhar, Shafiq Mughal, Javed Rehman, Rana Khalid, Hanif Khan, Salman Sheikh and Muhammad Khalid.
Nawaz Sharif laments restriction on media
ISLAMABAD, May 4 (APP):Former Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Friday lamented that the efforts of strangulating the voice of media were aimed at silencing his voice.
Talking to media, he said indeed, he feels ashamed that media is being targeted which is a great injustice. Such a situation could not be anticipated in a democratic society, which affects progress and prosperity.
He said media was thriving in the world but being targeted in our country. The media was not restricted even in military regime but today restrictions are being imposed on media. The main reason of imposing ban on media was to silence the voice of Nawaz Sharif. He said even the creators of Pakistan would not have thought that if the rule of law, freedom of speech, fundamental rights and civil liberties could face restriction in this country.
The country’s economic situation was persistently on decline after the decision of July 28, 2017, he said adding that the rupee and foreign reserves are on declining trend in the country since then.
Responding to a question, he said the people who did nothing wrong are being dragged in the court of law while some people are roaming free.
To another question, he said motorways, highways and airports are being constructed in the country.
Strong Pakistan-Turkey ties guarantee of stability in region: President
ISLAMABAD, May 4 (APP):President Mamnoon Hussain Friday said close and fraternal relations between Pakistan and Turkey are the guarantee of stability and prosperity in the region.
He was talking to Chief of the General Staff of Turkish Armed Forces General Hulusi AKAR who called on him at the Aiwan-e-Sadr. Turkish Ambassador Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul and other senior officials were also present on the occasion.
The President pointed to the deep brotherly relations between Pakistan and Turkey and said Turkey was playing a very positive role towards the resolution of different international issues. He said Turkey has dealt with the Middle East crisis and especially the issue of refugees in a very positive manner.
The President said Turkey has always supported Pakistan stance on the issue of Kashmir and we are grateful to our Turkish brothers for it. He said Pakistan unconditionally supports Turkey’s stance on the issue of North Cyprus and underscored that Pakistan strongly condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
He also praised the leadership of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and said that he was a brave leader of the Islamic World who always takes a just and fair stand for the resolution of challenges face by the Muslim Ummah.
The President also expressed his pleasure on close cooperation between the two countries in different fields including defence which would further grow in the coming days. He also conveyed his best wishes to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Chief of the General Staff Turkish Armed Forces General Hulusi AKAR thanked the President and said that Pakistan has always supported Turkey in difficult time for which Turkish nation is grateful to the people of Pakistan.