ISLAMABAD, Apr 22 (APP):Federal Minister for Defence, Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan is attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Beijing, China.
The Defence Ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) are meeting in Beijing, China from April 21 to 25, said a press release issued here by the Ministry of Defence.
On the invitation of General Wei Fenghe, State Councilor and National Defence Minister of China, the Federal Minister for Defence is attending the summit.
Pakistan along with India attained full membership status of the SCO at the Astana Summit in 2017. China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are the other member status of SCO.
During the Summit, the SCO member countries would exchange views on the current international and regional security issues as well as other issues of common interest.

LAHORE, Apr 22 (APP):The Supreme Court Sunday asked vice chancellors of Fatima Jinnah Medical University (FJMU), Rawalpindi Medical University (RMU) and Faisalabad Medical University (FMU) to resign from their offices.
The SC bench comprising Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar and Justice Ijazul Ahsan while hearing a suo motu notice over appointment of public sector universities’ vice chancellors, also formed three search committees for the selection of new vice chancellors of universities, directing them to complete the process as soon as possible.
The bench also tasked the search committees to appoint acting vice chancellors from among the senior most professors of the universities.
As the proceedings started, FJMU VC Prof Dr Khalid Masood Gondal, RMU VC Prof Dr Muhammad Umar and FMU VC Prof Dr Farid Zafar, along with the Secretary Health, appeared before the court in response to the court notices. The court had issued notices to the VCs to explain why not search committees for selection of vice chancellors be formed afresh, after expressing reservations on the earlier appointments.
To a query, the Secretary Health apprised the bench about members of the search committees, who had recommended the panels for appointment of VCs to the universities.
At this, the bench formed new search committees and directed them to complete the process as soon as possible, while asking the VCs to resign from their posts. The bench directed the search committee members to recommend the panel on merit.
Meanwhile, the bench also formed a new search committee for selection of a permanent vice chancellor of the King Edward Medical University, Lahore.

ISLAMABAD, Apr 22 (APP):Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Javed Abbasi Sunday said upcoming general elections would be contested on the basis of performance and PML-N would win next elections due to its five years’ performance.
Talking to PTV, he said all major political parties were enjoying power in different provinces and people had been observing their performance and they would hold them accountable about the good
governance in their respective provinces.
Senator Abbasi said the country had been facing challenges and it was difficult for any political party to address them as alone, adding all political parties should have to play their due role for resolving all the national issues.
He said Charter of Economy was the dire need of the country for strengthening national economy and it was collective responsibility of the political parties to sit together for the purpose.
Replying to a query, he said the PML-N had fulfilled all the promises which were made during the general elections of 2013.
He said the government had successfully controlled menace of terrorism, overcome energy shortfall and improved national economy and people had right to decide that who would rule the country.
Javed Abbasi said PML-N had always taken on-board all political parties on all major issues of the country and credit goes to PML-N government for restoration of peace in Karachi.
He said sanctity of vote means to give respect to the people’s mandate and PML-N would continue struggle for it.
To another question, he said the government and the opposition would decide regarding interim government for holding next general elections in the country.
He said opposition could criticize the government policies in positive way but it should not for political point scoring.

FAISALABAD, Apr 22 (APP): State Minister for Interior Talal
Badar Chaudhry on Sunday said the PML-N had launched record
development projects in the country which had changed destiny of the nation.
Addressing a function at Jaranwala here Sunday, he said the PML-N was the only party which was a symbol of development as it had put the country on road to progress and prosperity.
He said the PML-N government had also credit to initiate China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which was a game changer and it would not only bring about socio-economic development in the country but also provide ample job opportunities to people of Pakistan.
He said that the country was plunged into darkness when the PML-N came to power whereas corruption and terrorism had aggravated the situation. However, the PML-N government had successfully overcome these menaces and now foreign investors were ready to come in Pakistan and invest in various sectors, he added.
He said the PML-N leadership had honored its promises made
during the previous election and now people were enjoying
uninterrupted power supply whereas safe and secured atmosphere
was also provided to the masses by eliminating terrorism.
He said the PML-N had constructed motorways and installed
electricity generation plants and now it had set its priorities
to improve the living standard of people.
He said the PML-N had also planned to elevate status of
Jaranwala up to district level.

PESHAWAR, Apr 22 (APP):Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Provincial President and Advisor to Prime Minister Engr. Ameer Muqam has said that PML-N never believed on hollow slogans and had always served the masses without discrimination.
He was talking with different delegations arrived at his residence at Sangota Malakand division here Sunday.
Ameer Muqam said that people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have rejected the politics of disposable change and would not try again to cast their vote for so-called politicians.
He said PMLN would be victorious in next general elections and would form government in federal as well as in provinces.
Muqam said that without having mandate, we have served the masses sitting on the opposition benches and had completed uncounted development projects in the best interest of the general public. He said that work on other projects are in full swing and those would be completed soon.
He said that he dedicated his life for the welfare of the masses and would always served them till the last breath of his life.

ISLAMABAD, Apr 22 (APP):Governor Sindh Muhammad Zubair has said that federal government had launched three projects worth Rs 50 billion to facilitate the people of Sindh.
Talking to a private news channel, he said the PML-N government took initiative of Lyari express, Green line project modern transport system to facilitate the residents of Karachi.
Besides this, 1320 megawatt electricity by two Thar coal power projects were underway with the efforts made by the federal government to facilitate province, he added.
Zubair said 1700 kilometers motorways and highways were also constructed by the steps of the present government.
He said that peace had been restored in Karachi with initiatives of PML-N led government.
Appreciating the Rangers, and Law enforcement agencies for restoring peace in biggest city of the country, he said that provincial government had supported the present government for improving law and order situation there.
He said that after restoration of peace, a large number of youth would have job opportunities in this area.
The investors were sighting this area for investment purpose, he added.
Having no mandate in Sindh, the PML-N had given special focus on resolving the genuine issues of Karachi, he said and added in the past, no attention was paid to Sindh regarding development.
As far as development works were concerned, he said no political party could compete with PML-N.

ISLAMABAD, Apr 22 (APP):Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry Sunday said there was lot of difference between security and protocol and state was responsible for providing security to those who had serious threat to their lives.
Talking to a private news channel, he said security should not be given in the name of protocol but providing protection to genuine people was too essential.
The minister said home secretaries should look into the security matters and the whole process should be documented. A code of conduct regarding security already existed, which should be followed, he added.