LAHORE, Apr 23 (APP):Pakistan Judo squad displayed a commendable performance in overall individual Men and Women Judo events of 8th South Asian Judo Championship, which is in progress in Nepal currently.
After interesting and tough combat, the talented Judokas made Pakistan on Second on the victory stand by securing 2 Gold, 3 Silver and 3 Bronze medals in individual events, said the information made available here on Monday by the Pakistan Judo Federation. Pakistan remained second in Men and second in women event, hence remained overall on the second place.
Federal Minister for Sports Riaz Hussain Pirzada praised Pakistan Judo team’s performance in the championship and congratulated the Judokas and the officials of Pakistan Judo Federation for putting in efforts for bringing laurels for the country.
On day one of the South Asian Senior Judo Championship, Pakistan Judo Team secured 2 Gold and 2 Silver medals in men and women categories, respectively. Olympian Shah Hussain Shah and a young and emerging player Qaiser Khan got gold medals whereas Maryam and Humaira Ashiq got silver medals.
Silver medallist Commonwealth Games, Twice Asian Bronze medalist and Olympian Shah Hussain Shah defended his title of South Asian Championship in weight category of +100kg and defeated rival India in preliminary round, then beat Nepal in semi-final and finally won the Gold by defeating Sri Lankan Judoka in the final. This was an easy win and was one sided game. Prior to the competition, Shah was sent by Pakistan Judo Federation to attend 6 weeks international Judo Federation Training Camp in Hungary.
Qaiser Khan Afridi, a talented 17 years youngster and a shining player from FATA clinched South Asian Gold in -90kg. He proved his talent and lived up to the expectations of the PJF by wining supreme medal. He defeated India in preliminary round, beat Sri Lanka in semi-final and Nepal in the final. He recently joined after training as well competition tour in Uzbekistan.
In the women event, Maryam got silver medal in -52kg by defeating Bangladesh in first round, Nepal in the semi-final, while she lost against India in the final. Humaira Ashiq beat Sri Lanka in first round, Bangladesh in second round and beat Nepal in semi-final. In finals she lost against India and was able to lift Silver Medal in her weight category.
Other results of day 2 were: Baber Hussain got Silver -66kg, Nadeem Akram got Bronze in -73kg, Muhammad Abbas clinched Bronze in -81kg, Beenish Khan took Bronze in -78kg.
On conclusion of all individual events, Pakistan remained second with 2 Gold, 3 Silver and 3 Bronze medals. While on Monday, in the team events Pakistan got Silver in men and Bronze in women.
In the men’s team first round Pakistan defeated Bangladesh, and then in semi-final defeated Nepal but was beaten in the final by India and got Silver by the ratio of 3:2; Nadeem Akram and Shah Hussain Shah showed their worth in team event while Qaisar failed to rise to the occasion and lost his fight.
In women team event, Pakistan lost semi-final bout to India and managed to beat Bangladesh to earn bronze medal.
Meanwhile, the the President and Secretary of Pakistan Judo Federation, Col Junaid Alam and Mansoor Ahmed have extended their heartiest congratulations to the team and also thanked Pakistan Sports Board for their support to Pakistan Judo.
“If Pakistan Judo team will get the opportunity to participate in the future international events, it will show productive results to attain glory for the country,” they said.
Pak judo teams exhibit good performance in South Asian championship
Rana assures vanaspati manufacturers of resolving their issues
ISLAMABAD, Apr 23 (APP):Minister of State for Finance, Rana Muhammad Afzal khan Monday assured the vanaspati manufacturers of all possible cooperation in resolving their problems.
He was talking to a delegation of Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association, led by Abdul Waheed, Chairman that called on the Minister here Monday.
The delegation discussed with the Minister tax-related issues faced by the Vanaspati Ghee manufacturers.
The delegation requested Minister’s support for early release of payments to Ghee Mills by Utility Stores Corporation. Solving the issue, they said would help in resolving liquidity crunch of the industry.
The delegation also shared with the minister latest steps taken by the manufacturers to improve quality of edible oil and Ghee.
Budget to focus on economic stability, growth: Rana Afzal
ISLAMABAD, Apr 23 (APP):The budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2018-19 will focus on economic stability and growth, as the government had taken feedback from all the stakeholders for preparing the budget, Rana Muhammad Afzal said Monday.
Briefing the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs, he said that proposals were taken from ministries, divisions, chambers, associations and other stakeholder to prepare the budget for fiscal year 2018-19.
The meeting was chaired by Qaiser Ahmad Sheikh while among others it was attended by Isphanyar M. Bhandara, Sheikh Fayyaz-ud-Din, Nafisa Shah, Syed Mustafa Mehmud, Asad Umar, Abdul Rashid Godil and representatives from finance division, Federal Board of Revenue and representatives of different business organizations.
Rana said that the budget preparing exercise was continuing and hopefully the budget document would be ready for presentation in a couple of days, adding there would be continuity of the government policies and no major change would be introduced.
When the members asked why the government was presenting this budget when it had to be implemented by the incoming government, the minister said that budget provided guidelines for whole year.
He said that it would be prerogative of the upcoming government to continue with the same budget policy or change it.
The committee recommended that the government should only present budget for four months and leave the matter to upcoming government.
The minister categorically rejected the misperception that budget was aimed at pre-poll rigging, saying the government would focus on ongoing project in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).
He said that the members of the committee could discuss with government if they oppose inclusion of new projects in the PSDP, as they deem it to give advantage to the incumbent government in elections.
On the occasion, Special Secretary Finance informed the committee about various features upcoming budget. He said that
5.8 percent growth rate would be well in range during the current financial year (2017-18) adding, if manufacturing sector continued showing better performance, the growth might touch 6 percent.
He said that so far 5.6 growth rate was 13 years highest, adding that the target for next year could be 6.2 percent. He said that inflation was well under the limits while the FBR was also hopeful to achieve its revenue collection targets set for the year.
He said that the exports had also witnessed positive growth which was a good sign for economy and expressed the hope that the current account deficit would also reduce.
Admitting that the government was facing many challenges, he said that there would be no need of bailout package.
On the occasion, the committee approved the Foreign Assets (Declaration and Repatriation) Bill 2018 with one amendment while majority of the members rejected the Voluntary Declaration of Domestic Assets Bill 2018 and The Income Tax (Amendment) bill 2018.
Pakistan beat SL in SA Event
ISLAMABAD, Apr 23 (APP):Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 3-0 on Monday in the South Asia Regional Qualifying Event (Under-12) at Kathmandu, Nepal.
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 3-0: Hamid Israr Khan beat Vichinth Nilaweera 6-1, 6-4; Huzaifa Khan beat Lisal Goonetileke 6-4, 6-3; Hamid Israr, Bilal Asim beat Vichinth Nilaweera, Lisal Goonetileke 6-7, 3-0 (Retd), said a press release issued here.
Pakistan will play India on Tuesday. The junior players’ participation in the events is a good omen for Pakistan Tennis in order to get exposure against quality international players.
PM for enhanced cooperation between Pakistan, C4 countries in cotton production, value addition
ISLAMABAD, Apr 23 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Monday said that greater cooperation between Pakistan and C-4 countries in the area of cotton production and value addition would be mutually beneficial for all the parties.
The Prime Minister made this observation as he received a high level delegation comprising of ambassadors of C-4 Countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali) here at the PM Office.
The delegation included Mr Eloi Laourou, Permanent Representative /Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Benin; Mr Dieudonne Windewouga Desire Sougouri, PR/Ambassador Permanent Mission of Bukina Faso; Mr. Mamadou Konate, PR/Ambassador Permanent Mission of Mali, Mrs. Ngarbatoninan Solalta Marie, First Counselor, Charge d’ Affairs Mission of Chad and others.
Sikandar Hayat Bosan, Minister for National Food Security, Dr. Syed Tauqir Shah, Ambassador/PR Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the WTO and senior officials were also present during the meeting.
The Prime Minister assured government’s full support for putting in place a mechanism for enhanced cooperation in cotton production, disease management, value addition and mutual sharing of expertise and research in the sector.
C-4 countries provide 3% of the world cotton production and 8% of world cotton export.
Pakistan and C-4 countries share many similarities in cotton production.
The visit of the delegation was aimed at promoting mutual cooperation and putting in place a robust framework for exchange of expertise and knowledge to cope with the challenges of climate change, enhancement of cotton production and productivity, pest and disease management and improvement of crop varieties and production technologies.
Minister for National Food Security, presented an overview of the cotton crop production in the country and its contribution towards national economy.
Return of Nawaz, Maryam has nullified PML-N opponents’ hopes: Marriyum
ISLAMABAD, Apr 23 (APP):Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage Marriyum Aurangzeb on Monday said that the return of former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz from London leaving seriously ill Begum Kulsoom Nawaz to attend the National Accountability Court (NAB) proceedings has nullified hopes of the opposition.
Talking to media persons outside the NAB court, the minister said whenever Nawaz Sharif goes abroad, the opponents of PML-N feel happy and express the view that he would never return.
She pointed out that the case file of one darling, who had broken all records of corruption, had gone missing from the office of NAB, while exemption had been granted to the other darling Imran Khan time and again,who was facing a case of terrorism and attack on the parliament and the PTV headquarters.
On the contrary, she said, former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz, who appear daily in the court even twice a day, have been denied exemption to attend Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, admitted in a London hospital. If it was not violation of fundamental human rights, she questioned, adding that every law invariably took care of the fundamental rights.
She said that the allegations levelled against Nawaz Sharif by the head of Joint Investigation Team Wajid Zia in the Avenfield case had been shot down during the cross-examination by lawyers.
Marriyum said that entire Pakistan was witness to the fact that Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz have returned from London in deference to the law and constitution to attend the court proceedings and the opponents cannot say anything about it.
She said that the opponents were not doing politics but were hiding behind exemptions.
Imran needs to reveal to whom he sold his vote for Senate & on whose orders he did not turn up to cast his vote: Marriyum
ISLAMABAD, Apr 23 (APP):Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage Ms Marryum Aurangzeb, talking to the media representatives after visiting the PEMRA Council of Complaints Monday, said that Imran Khan needed to reveal to whom he sold his Senate vote and on whose orders he did not turn up to cast his vote.
The minister said that he must be asked as to how Chaudhry Sarwar mustered 44 votes and who cast their votes for him. The answer to that question must be provided to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) also, she added.
Replying to a question, she said that Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and the leadership of Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) were on one page regarding misgivings about the Senate elections. The statement by Siraj-ul-Haq had endorsed the PML-N apprehensions and Imran Khan by announcing the names of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) MPAs had also reinforced them, she added.
Marriyum said that Punjab had taken the lead in raising the voice that the rotten eggs, who sold their votes, had no place in the democratic parties and then the other parties started following the PML-N.
Answering another question, the minister said that it was the prerogative of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition (in National Assembly) to propose the name of caretaker prime minister through consensus whereas installing the caretaker set up was the responsibility of the parliament. The decision in regard to the interim prime minister should be made as soon as possible to put at rest the prevalent misgivings and paving the way for the preparations for the next elections, she added.
The minister said that as per law and the Constitution the budget for the next financial year would be presented by the present government. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (PK) government, she added, was opposing this initiative to hide its own blemish and incompetency. How could a government, which made plans only to the extent of feasibility reports, spend the allocated funds or make the next budget, she asked.
Responding to yet another question she said that it was the right of the people of KP to ask the government about the reasons for not presenting the budget for next year.
The minister revealed that the information ministry was also engaged in the re-organization of its some departments and introducing reforms in them.
Marriyum replying to a question said that a summary for the appointment of the head of Lok Virsa had also been submitted and it was the endeavour of the ministry to fill the vacant posts in the departments under it within the current week.
Maryland Governor praises role of Pakistani Americans in US development
WASHINGTON, April 23 (APP):The Governor of Maryland State, Larry Hogan has praised the positive role being played by the Pakistani American residents of Maryland in the state economy and society in a meeting with Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry.
The conversation was held on the sideline of a community event in the city of Baltimore on Sunday organized the United Maryland Muslim Council (UMMC).
A large number of organizations and individuals performing exemplary community service were recognized and presented awards. These included a number of prominent Pakistani Americans.
Apart from the Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Congressmen Rep. Andre Carson, Rep. John Sarbanes and Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger and several others were also present.
In his remarks, the Ambassador said it was a matter of great pride to see so many Pakistani Americans were doing well and contributing to the development of their home state Maryland as well as the United States.
During the event, Ambassador Chaudhry met several other U.S. dignitaries who attended the event including Sen. Van Hollen, Rep. Carson, Rep. Ruppersberger, UMMC President Rizwan Siddiqi, an American of Pakistani origin.
Karachi load-shedding issue resolved; SSGPL to provide gas to KE: PM
KARACHI, Apr 23 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Monday said the dispute between the Sui Southern
Gas Pipelines Ltd (SSGPL) and Karachi Electric (KE) has been resolved, putting an end
to the power outages that plagued the port city for the past several weeks.
Talking to media after chairing a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Energy here
at the Governor House, the Prime Minister said a committee headed by his Adviser on
Finance Miftah Ismael, has been constituted to look after the issue of outstanding dues
between the SSGPL and the KE and for an early resolution.
He hoped that the issue of shortage of water due to the electricity crisis would also
be over as the Sui Southern has assured to fully meet the requirements of the K-Electric.
To a question about the monopoly of the KE, the Prime Minister said the government
has no plans to take over or to setup any other similar body for power generation and
distribution in Karachi.
He said the KE was adhering to the Nepra tariff and could not charge any additional
amount.
Responding to questions about the ongoing load-shedding in the country, the Prime
Minister said the power generation was still higher than the demand, however in areas
which were witnessing up to 60 per cent theft, had to bear power outages.
To a question that why those who pay their bills regularly suffer?, the Prime Minister
termed it “unfortunate” however said there was no chance of providing electricity in
areas that show heavy losses.
To another question, he said the federal government was playing its part in the
development of Sindh province, particularly Karachi and mentioned the Rs 30 billion
allocation, which has already been made.
About the Green Line, he said the federal government has provided funds for its
infrastructure and the Sindh Government was to provide the buses, however if they
cannot, the federal government may provide these as well.
Keeping in view the serious power crisis in the port city, Prime Minister Shahid
Khaqan Abbasi on Monday chaired a meeting here at the Governor House.
The meeting was attended by Governor Sindh, Chief Ministers of Sindh and Punjab,
Federal Minister for Power, Minister of State for Power, Adviser to PM on Finance
Miftah Ismail and senior officials.
The meeting reviewed the current power generation situation in the country.
Sharing of defence expertise between Pakistan, Sri Lanka vital for regional peace: PM
ISLAMABAD, Apr 23 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Monday said that regional peace was a shared objective of Pakistan and Sri Lanka and called for greater cooperation and sharing of expertise in the field of defence between the two countries.
The prime minister said this during a meeting with Commander of the Sri Lankan Army Lt. Gen. Mahesh Senanayake who called on him at Prime Minister’s Office here, said a PM Office statement.
The prime minister also expressed satisfaction over the existing level of security cooperation between the two countries.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed the matters relating to Pak-Sri Lanka bilateral defence relations and mutual cooperation.
Lt. Gen. Mahesh Senanayake thanked the prime minister for his warm welcome and appreciated the huge sacrifices of the Pakistani nation and its valiant armed forces in the fight against terrorism.
He said that Sri Lanka was keen to further strengthen its ties with Pakistan and promote multi-faceted cooperation in the areas of security and defence.