ISLAMABAD, Apr 17 (APP):China Cultural Center in Pakistan is organizing “special performance to celebrate the 3rd anniversary of
establishment of China Cultural Center in Pakistan” on April 19 April.
The Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing and senior officials of Federal Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
will also attend the event, said a press release.
Traditional Chinese instrumental music performances will be presented, along with the celebration event
opening of the Pakistani and Chinese Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition in the China Cultural Center gallery.
China Cultural Center in Pakistan was formally inaugurated in 2015 by President of China Xi Jinping and
Ex-Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.
The China Cultural Center in Pakistan has begun the process of preparatory work with a series of
cultural exchange activities.
The establishment of the Center reflects the strengthening of the bonds of friendship between China
and Pakistan. It will provide greater opportunities for learning each other’s languages and knowing the
respective cultures.
This event is full of entertainment and mesmerising performance of Chinese Artists from Shanxi Province
of China, ensuring immense pleasure to the audience to enlighten and strengthen the Pak-China Friendship
in the field of traditional and Cultural Exchange programs.
The Pakistani and Chinese calligraphy and painting Exhibition are open for visitors at the Gallery of China
Cultural Center in Pakistan (top Floor of PNCA), with joint collaboration of COMSATS China Study Center,
CIIT (COMSATS Institute of Information Technology ).
Art collections will highlight one of the greatest private collections of art with the presentation of Pakistani
& Chinese Painting and Calligraphy. It is a tremendous honour to be presenting one of the most important
collections of art to audiences of Pakistan, adding this will give an opportunity for experts and enthusiasts
to view masterpieces of Chinese arts. The exhibition will last till May 7th.
China Cultural Center to celebrate 3rd anniversary on Wednesday
ECC approves PSO’s furnace oil import
ISLAMABAD, Apr 17 (APP):The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Tuesday approved import of furnace oil
by Pakistan State Oil (PSO) for power sector to maintain adequate fuel stock in coming months.
The decision was taken in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi here
at the PM Office.
The ECC approved transportation tariff for Machike–Taru Jabba Oil Pipeline (427 Km) project to be
ratified by OGRA after due process.
The project will be completed in three sections and envisages environment-friendly and safe transportation
of fuel. The project will also ensure additional storage of fuel and enable supply to major distribution centers in
central and northern Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The ECC directed that all future pipeline projects would require approval of the Cabinet.
To ensure stable and reliable power supply through National Grid System and to enhance capacity of
National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC), the ECC accorded approval for issuance of the
government’s sovereign guarantee against financing facility of Rs 9,846 million from local banks for
NTDC projects.
Automobile sale rises 15.6% in 9 months
ISLAMABAD, Apr 17 (APP):Sale of cars in the country increased by 15.62 per cent during first three quarters (July-March) of fiscal year 2017-18 compared to same period of the preceding year.
Sale of cars rose to 161,371 units in July-March (2017-18) compared to 139,570 units during same period of the year 2016-17
Sale of cars during March 2018 also increased by 3.78 per cent when compared with the sale during March 2017, however the sale decreased by 0.2 percent when compared with that of February 2018.
According to latest data released by Pakistan Automobile Manufacturers Association (PAMA), as many as 18,988 cars were sold in March 2018 as compared to 18,295 units in March 2017 and 19,027 units in February 2018.
The breakup figures show that 32,074 units of Honda civic and city were sold during Jul-Mar 2017-18 as compared to the sale of 28,120 units during same period of the preceding year.
Toyota Corolla cars’ sale however witnessed negative growth of 6 per cent as it went down to 38,244 units in July-March 2017-18 from 40,694 units in same period of previous year.
Suzuki Swift witnessed a growth of 9.5 per cent as its sale rose to 3,593 units in fist three quarters of current fiscal year from 3,281units in Jul-March 2016-17.
Similarly the sale of Suzuki Cultus also rose to 15,624 units in the period under review whereas during same period last year, the sale was recorded at 11,905 units.
The sale of Suzuki Wagon R witnessed a sharp increase of 64.9 per cent to 20,771 units from 12,595 units in the period July-March 2016-17.
Sale of Suzuki Mehran also witnessed an increase of 48.5 per cent during the corresponding period as it rose to 36,395 units in Jul-Mar 2017-18 from 24,501 units in same period of last year.
Likewise, sale of Suzuki Bolan also rose to 16,263 in first three quarters of current fiscal year as compared to sale of 14,938 units in Jul-Mar 2016-17.
1370.1 MW added to national grid through renewable energy projects since 2013
ISLAMABAD, Apr 17 (APP):The government, as part of its measures to meet growing energy needs in the country, has added
1370.1 MW power to national grid through renewable energy projects since 2013.
Significant progress has been made since 2013 with regards to utilization of available renewable
energy resources. A number of large scale wind, solar and biomass projects have been initiated and
completed.
A detailed resource assessment of wind, solar and biomass has been carried out throughout the
country.
Sources at Energy Division while highlighting milestones achieved so far on Tuesday said a
consumer friendly regime for net-metering has been established while more than 700,000 people
have benefitted from solar lighting solutions under Lighting Pakistan Programme so far.
Pakistan ranks at 26 position amongst the top 40 globally most attractive countries for renewable
energy investment as per the Renewable Energy Attractiveness Index.
About the steps taken for harnessing renewable energy potential in the country, the sources said
these included Development of Framework for Power Cogeneration (Bagasse/Biomass) 2013 for exploiting
available potential for power generation using bagasse through sugar mills.
Preparation and approval of bankable standard security agreements (Energy Purchase Agreement
and Implementation Agreement) for wind, solar and bagasse cogeneration power projects and conducting
resource assessment of renewable energy resources in Pakistan were the other steps.
The sources said a detailed ground data based resource assessment of wind, solar and biomass was
being carried out through support of Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) while Alternative
Energy Development Board (AEDB) has assisted National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) in
preparation and announcement of regulations for Distributed Generation and Net-Metering for renewable
energy applications.
AEDB is assisting concerned stakeholders in implementation of regulations and also carrying out capacity
building of DISCOs, the sources said and added as a result of AEDB’s effort for initiating indigenous manufacturing
of RE equipment, M/s China Three Gorges has established a tower manufacturing facility which will be upgraded to
wind turbine assembling facility in future. M/s DESCON is also manufacturing wind turbine towers.
Moreover, the sources said issues related to financing of projects have been resolved and now leading
financing agencies like International Finance Corporation (IFC), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Overseas
Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Trade Bank etc. are offering
financing to renewable energy power projects in Pakistan.
The use of solar based off-grid applications such as solar water heaters, solar-water pumps, solar street lights
etc. is being promoted.
In order to restrict import of sub-standard solar equipment, quality standards for solar equipment have been
developed. These quality standards have been approved by Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) and subsequently
adopted by Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority. AEDB is currently supporting Ministry of Science & Technology
and Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) in implementation of solar quality standards.
The IFC Lighting Pakistan Programme was also initiated for promotion of off-grid RE applications to help provide
safe, affordable, high-quality lighting to more than a million Pakistanis.
The sources said the government has decided to develop more wind and solar power projects through competitive
bidding in order to avail benefits of decreasing prices through market competition.
Former judge, his wife awarded one-year imprisonment in Tayyaba torture case
ISLAMABAD, Apr 17 (APP):The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Tuesday awarded one-year imprisonment and Rs 50,000 fine each to
former additional district and session judge Raja Khurram and his wife Maheen Zafar in a case related
to the torture against minor girl Tayyaba.
Justice Aamer Farooq of IHC issued the written judgment comprising 21 pages that was earlier
reserved in this case on March 27, 2018 after conclusion of arguments from both sides.
The order stated that the evidence in this case reflected that the accused deliberately demonstrated
negligence in matter of minor girl. The prosecution had proved its case without any ambiguity against the
nominated accused under section 328-A PPC.
It further added that Raja Khurram and his wife Maheen Zafar were completely responsible for taking
care of minor girl. The media had no bearing on trial process, the order added.
The court, however, acquitted the accused in an allegation regarding disappearing of victim girl
Tayyaba.
Meanwhile, the IHC’s same bench had approved the bail of Raja Khurram and Maheen Zafar for
one-week on a application filed by the accused who took the stance in their plea that they wanted to
file an appeal with the SC against the decision of trial court.
The petitioner’s counsel Rizwan Abbasi and Sohail Warraich appeared before the the bench and
took the stance that the bail could be granted to the accused if the imprisonment period would be less
than one year and it was also the basic right of their clients.
After hearing the arguments, the court granted one-week bail to the both accused against surety
bonds worth Rs 50,000.
It may be mentioned here that Police Station I-9 had registered the first information report (FIR)
against the accused on December 29, 2016.
The Supreme Court had stopped Raja Khurram from working as judge in lower court on
January 12, 2017 and shifted the case to IHC for trial.
The IHC indicted the both accused on May 16, 2017. The trial court had testified a total of
19 witnesses in the case including 11 government employees and eight other people.
76th birth anniversary of Aziz Mian qawwal observed
ISLAMABAD, Apr 17 (APP):The 76th birth anniversary of famous Pakistani traditional qawwal Aziz Mian was observed on Tuesday.
Born as Abdul Aziz in Delhi in 1942, he remains to this day one of the most popular qawwals of South Asia.
He began learning the art of qawwali at the age of 10 under the tutelage of Ustad Abdul Wahid Khan. He moreover received 16 years of training at the Data Ganj Baksh School of Lahore, obtaining a degree in Urdu literature from the University of Punjab, PTV news reported.
He was the only prominent qawwal to write his own lyrics; though like others, he also performed lyrics written by other song-writers.
In addition to his own poetry, Aziz Mian performed poetry by Allama Iqbal, and a number of contemporary Urdu poets.
He is also credited with performing the longest commercially released qawwali, hashr ke roz yeh poochhoonga, which runs to slightly over 115 minutes.
He was also a contemporary of Sabri brothers.In 1989, the government of Pakistan awarded him with the Pride of Performance medal.
Aziz Mian was died on Dec 6, 2000 from complications following hepatitis. He was laid to rest in Multan.
CHOGM 2018 kicks off with launch of C’wealth innovation digital hub
LONDON, Apr 17 (APP):Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland launched the Commonwealth Innovation Hub on the
opening day of the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London.
“On my appointment as Commonwealth Secretary-General, I had promised to put both ‘common’
and ‘wealth’ back into the Commonwealth. This included the wealth of our common ideas and innovations –
from 53 member states, 87 organisations of the family and 2.4 billion people of the Commonwealth,” said
the Secretary-General.
“I have fulfilled my promise by creating a digital platform to tap and unleash the innovation wealth of
the Commonwealth. The establishment of this hub is a quantum leap in our reform and renewal process,”
she said while addressing a press conference here on Tuesday.
She said that the Innovation Hub has five facets. The ‘display’ space showcases ideas and innovation
stories from all across the Commonwealth, she added.
The Secretary-General said the ‘data’ portal is a repository of Commonwealth information and knowledge
resources and includes thousands of publications. The ‘delivery’ space is the Commonwealth’s digital showroom
from where anyone can download, read and use the knowledge products and toolkits created by the Secretariat.
And the ‘discovery’ space is an innovation lab for incubating new ideas and accelerating innovations with
maximum social impact, she added. The fifth facet is partnerships, she remarked.
The Secretariat has initiated a number of collaborations with international, civil society and knowledge
partners, said the Assistant Secretary-General, Nabeel Goheer. It includes an agreement to establish
a Commonwealth Innovation Fund in partnership with the Global Innovation Fund, a social venture fund
capitalized by the governments of Australia, UK and South Africa, among others.
The goal of the Commonwealth Innovation Fund will be to enable innovators in Commonwealth countries
access early-stage to funding not available through traditional channels.
“In a world that is shaped by innovation, the Commonwealth is a global family and a unique group
of nations with a shared commitment to prosperity. With the support of Commonwealth governments, and
working with the Secretariat, the Commonwealth Innovation Fund can help make the vision of a common future
for the 53 Commonwealth countries a reality,” said Dr Alix Zwane, Chief Executive Officer of the Global Innovation
Fund.
I want respect for constitution, law, vote of people: Nawaz Sharif
ISLAMABAD, Apr 17 (APP):Quaid Pakistan Muslim League(N) Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Tuesday said he wanted that constitution, law and vote of people should be respected in Pakistan.
Speaking to mediamen outside the Accountability Court here, he said everybody enjoyed equal rights in Pakistan and protest was right of everybody and nobody should be stopped from expressing his views.
People cannot be deprived of their due constitutional rights, adding the world is changing and Pakistan also has to change and avoid old mistakes. He said Pakistan Muslim League(N) will win despite all the hurdles created in its way.
Nawaz Sharif said, “We should move forward while showing tolerance. We are showing tolerance in the interest of the country.”
He said everybody should try to save the country from chaos, adding the country could see chaos if voice of the people was not heard.
Maryam Nawaz said the vote bank of Pakistan Muslim League(N) was intact. The vote bank of PMLN was not going to the people who were leaving the party, she added.
Pakistan Zindabad gathering terms “Manzoor Pashteen” anti state
LOWER DIR, Apr 17 (APP)::A huge Pakistan Zindabad gathering under the aegis of Pakistan Zindabad Movement Tuesday
rejected “Manzoor Pashteen” and his accomplices and termed them anti state elements.
The public gathering attended by thousands of people here at Rest House Ground Timergara, conveyed a strong message that the anti state elements would have to realize that the whole Pakistani nation and Pakistan Armed Forces stand united for the sake of motherland, and any conspiracy in the name of religion or linguistic divide.
Addressing the gathering JUI-F Ameer Maulana
Gul Naseeb Khan, PZM Dir Sheikh Amjad, Maulana Aizulhaq Shalkandi and renowned
notable Saeed Khan said that whosoever try to use foul language against
Pakistan would be considered enemy of the state, no matter to which sect, tribe
or area he/she belonged.
JUI-F Ameer Maulana Gul Naseeb said that there is no
difference on Islam and Pakistan and any move against the country would be
dealt with iron hands, adding that any foul language against Pakistan would be
resisted strongly.
Addressing on the occasion, President PZM Sheikh Amjad said the
purpose of Pakistan Zindabad gathering was to tell anti state elements that their
evil designs would never come true.
He said that the overwhelming participation of people in the
gathering was evident of the fact that whole nation stands united with armed
forces of Pakistan against any anti Pakistan move.
Brigadier (R) Saeed Khan said that if Manzoor Pashteen is so
sincere with Pashtun people then first he should present his brother Qari
Mohsin, a terrorist, for accountability.
On the occasion the speakers expressed resolve of the nation
to strongly resist any insurgency in the name of religion, sect or on the basis
of language.
Cultural evening held in Washington to promote Urdu literature
ISLAMABAD, Apr 17 (APP):Pakistan Envoy to US Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry hosted a cultural evening at the embassy residence in Washington where famous urdu poets and literature lovers participated from across the USA.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Aizaz Chaudhry said urdu literature, particularly urdu poetry has served as a major element to promote Pakistani culture and literature in the US, said a message received here.
He said the Urdu language has been an effective tool in strengthening cohesion and bond amongst Pakistani American community in the US.
Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry also lauded the guest poets for their valuable contribution to the promotion of Urdu literature in North America.
He emphasized that Pakistani American diaspora can play an important role in promoting Urdu and its frequent usage among the community.
Urdu poets who recited from their works at the event included Irfan Murtaza from Los Angeles, Mona Shahab, Abdul Rehman Siddiqui, Moazzam Siddiqui, Anwar Iqbal and Zahid Hameedi.