ISLAMABAD, April 12 (APP):Minister for Power Division Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari
Thursday informed the National Assembly that the government has added 10,973
MW electricity in the system during the present government’s tenure.
Replying to a question in the National Assembly, the minister
said the government has also maintained the rates of electricity and even controlled
it by 30 to 35 percent despite paying concerned share of over Rs2 per hydel unit
to the provinces.
He said the present installed capacity to generate electricity
is 30,195 MW while the de-rated capacity is 28,440 MW.
He said an average 14,275 MW electricity is being generated
with 1,572 hydel, 2,092 power generation companies (GENCOs) and 19,610 Independent
Power Producers.
The minister said the peak generation was 16,728 MW.
He said the generation depends on demand and plants are dispatched as per
economic merit order.
He said the federal ministry of Power Division has
announced the feeder-wise load management according to the category of
aggregate technical and commercial losses.
He said according to this decision,
high loss feeders undergo load management to save the government kitty from
paying for the theft.
In a written reply, he said several other steps have
been taken to control the power theft including disciplinary cases against employees
who are found involved in theft, combing of high loss feeders with regard to replacement
of low range meters, detection of theft by teams and amendment in the Electricity
Act to enhance the punishment.
He said renewable energy projects with a cumulative capacity
of 1370.1 MW have been added in to the national grid. He added a consumer
friendly regime for net-metering has been established.
He said detailed resources assessment of wind, solar and
biomass throughout the country has been carried out. He said more than 700,000
people have been benefited from solar lighting solutions under the IFC
Lighting Pakistan Programme so far.
He said the use of solar based off-grid applications
such as solar water heaters, solar-water pumps and solar street lights is being
promoted.
He 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.
He said in order to restrict the import of sub-standard
solar equipment, quality standards for solar equipment have been developed.
10,973 MW electricity added in system in present tenure: Awais Leghari
Quetta – Kandahar train service plan under consideration: Ahsan Iqbal
BEIJING, April 12 (APP):Minister for Interior and planning development and reforms, Ahsan Iqbal said on Thursday that Pakistan and Afghanistan are planning to start a railway service from Quetta to Kandahar with the cooperation of China.
“A plan to start fast train with speed from 250 km to 350 km from Peshawar to Karachi via Lahore in near future,” he said in an exclusive interview referring to his meeting with Chairman China Railway Construction Corporation, Meng Fengchao here.
The minister said that the ML-1 from railway project from Peshawar to Karachi is being upgraded at a cost of US 8 billion dollars and after compellation of this project the speed of trains will be increased from existing 80 KM per hour to 160 KM per hour.
Ahsan Iqbal said that a plan to connect Gawadar port with the railway network and to start a direct train service form Quetta to Peshawar were also came under discussion with the Chinese authorities.
He said that modern railway engineering institutes will be set up in Pakistan with the cooperation of China to impart relevant training to our engineers, technicians and other human recourse for the sustainability of the railway upgradation projects.
He said up gradation of the railway is one of the largest portfolios in infrastructure development under the cooperation between China and Pakistan for the CPEC.
The minister said during his upcoming meeting with the chairman of National Development and Reforms Commission (NDRC) of China, he will review the progress on the ongoing projects under CPEC and as well approval for the projects of next phase.
“Now Pakistan and China are cooperating with each other in the field of human recourse development and under a long term plan, the cooperation in technology, agriculture and poverty alleviation will also be discussed,” he added.
Responding to a question regarding Boao Forum for Asia annual conference, he said the prime minister of Pakistan led the delegation of Pakistan and held important meetings with the world leaders and entrepreneurs on the sidelines of the forum.
He informed that a number of foreign investors took keen interest in the possibility of investment in the projects under the CPEC which is reflective of their confidence into policies of our government.
About this address to the macroeconomic and financial frameworks for successful implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, he said that the
BRI has become the biggest project for the connectivity of the world.
As the CPEC is the most visible project of BRI, the international experts and analysts are not only taking a keen interest in the project but also terming it a successful model for the regional connectivity.
“A huge investment has been made in the energy projects in Pakistan in a very short time which is an example to follow for others.
The world is appreciative of the infrastructure development and establishment of special economic zones in Pakistan which will bring about prosperity in the underdeveloped area as well as create new jobs and investment,” he added.
No corruption charges proved against me: Nawaz Sharif
ISLAMABAD, Apr 12 (APP):Quaid Pakistan Muslim League (N) and former Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Thursday said no corruption charges were proved in the case against him in the Accountability Court.
Talking to mediamen outside the Accountability Court here, he said, “the nation can see the injustice being done to me. Every day a new secret is revealed. The facts of the case are coming into the open.”
He said 40 people, whom nobody knew, prepared the report of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT). “I do not know who authorized hiring of so many people.”
Head of JIT Wajid Zia refused to give details of the persons hired for the work of JIT, he added.
“The nation wants to know the facts of the case and identity of the people who are nameless. I want to know the facts of the case against me. Maryam also wants to know who these people are,” he added.
“I am thankful to Allah that the lies are exposed before the people in the case against me.”
He thanked the media for accurately reporting his case and said the nation was reading the newspapers and watching the television and could see what was happening.
Motorcycle production grows 14.15 pc in 8 months
ISLAMABAD, Apr 12 (APP):The motorcycle production increased by 14.15 percent during the first eight years of the current fiscal year as against the same period of last year.
As any as 1,865,434 motorcycles were manufactured during July-February (2017-18), against the production of 1,634,210 motorcycles produced during July-February (2016-17), showing growth of 14.15 percent, according to the latest data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
On year-on-year basis, the motorcycle production increased by 4.10 percent in February 2018 compared to the same month of last year, the data revealed.
The production of motorcycles during February 2018 was recorded at 218,935 units against the production of 210,317 units during February 2017.
It is pertinent to mention here that the overall Large Scale Manufacturing Industries (LSMI) of the country witnessed an impressive growth of 6.24 percent during the first eight months of the current fiscal year compared to the corresponding period of last year.
The country’s LSMI Quantum Index Numbers (QIM) was recorded at 145.28 points during July-February (2017-18) against 136.75 points during July-February (2016-17), showing growth of over 6.24 per cent, according to the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
The highest growth of 4.08 percent was witnessed in the indices monitored by Ministry of Industries, followed by 1.54 percent growth in the products monitored by Provincial Bureaus of Statistics (PBOS) and 0.62 growth in the indices of Oil Companies Advisory Committee (OCAC).
On year-to-year basis, the industrial growth increased by 5.52 percent during February 2017 as compared to same month of last year, however, on month-to-month basis, the industrial growth decreased by 1.51 percent in February 2017 when compared to growth of January 2017.
Repatriation of remaining TDPs from Afghanistan to start on 30th April
ISLAMABAD, Apr 12 (APP):Fata Disaster Management Authority (FDMA) has announced the repatriation of Temporary Displaced Persons (TDPs) of North Waziristan from Afghanistan on April 30, 2018.
According to FDMA over 4000 displaced persons returned to Pakistan from Afghanistan and rehabilitated in Phase-1 of the repatriation process and over 2000 in phase-2 however they were accommodated in Bakakhel camps, reported private news channel.
In an effort to facilitate smooth return, the FDMA also advised the TDPs to get themselves registered with the local political administration of North Waziristan as soon as possible.
More than one million families in North Waziristan were displaced due to the operation Zarb-e- Azab conducted by Pakistan Armed Forces against militants.
SACOSAN helps improving sanitation issues in South Asia: Mushahidullah
ISLAMABAD, April 12 (APP):Minister of Climate Change Mushahidullah Khan Thursday said, South Asian countries have made remarkable progress in strengthening improved sanitation and adopted national policies and strategies for sanitation and underpinned community to take initiatives to tackle sanitation issues.
Addressing the second day of 7th International 3-day Conference SACOSAN minister said, SACOSAN has given an opportunity to South-Asian countries to learn from experiences of each other and bringing closer to safe sanitation to all.
Mushahidullah South Asia one of the most rapidly urbanized block resulting into housing and infrastructure issues and mounting increase in solid waste, water and pollution issues.
Minister said, Clean drinking water and safely managed sanitation are not only basic necessities of life but have impact on preventing needless deaths and diseases from diarrhea.
He said Pakistan is facing rapid urbanization in terms of mushroom growth of new housing schemes, commercial zones and industrialization.
While it needs to develop municipal services in line with the developing infrastructure trends and challenges to cope with the increasing population, he added.
He said Ministry of Climate change has revised the policies according to SDGs and provincial WASH sector plan have been developed indicating investment required in the next ten years and including climate resilience and disaster risk.
The participating country from the south Asia are Afghanistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Maldives.
The heads of delegations from participating SACOSAN member countries also briefed about composition of their country delegation, sanitation situation (key challenges and government commitments) in their respective countries, and their expectations from the ministerial conference.
NCA young artists artwork to be displayed at Nomad Gallery
ISLAMABAD, Apr 12 (APP):An exhibition of contemporary miniature by graduates of National College of Arts (NCA) would be held here on April 17 at Nomad Art and Cultural Centre.
The participating artists of exhibition have recently graduated from NCA Rawalpindi. The work includes contemporary miniature, 3D works and installation, said a press release.
The participating artists include Sanam Seema Mangi, Bilal Kazmi, Ayesha Shuja, Amira Khalid, Ayesha Ashraf, Fatma Manzar, Safwan Bashir and Adil Ria, Founder Director Nomad Art Gallery, Nageen Hyat .
This group comprises of young artists that engages visitors in multiple exploration of the stories, the people, actions and the artworks that animate this boundary.
The art works in this exhibition gesture past the image and invites the viewer to examine and engage with the social and personal references loaded in artworks that allow them to serve as a metaphor of bigger concept and issues.
Anticipating many of the ideas addressed in exhibition, each artist has its own unique way of portraying creativity in times of disturbance.
The social narrative of this group depicts the norms we are witnessing in our society, the daily struggle of self-image for us and for the society.
Each artist has its own distinct voice of portraying himself and talks about creativity in his/her own distinct manner, it said.
PNCA to present play ” Anoki Bat b Mumkin hy” on April 15
ISLAMABAD, Apr 12 (APP):Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) in collaboration with Karwan Theatre would present special play “Anoki Bat b Mumkin Hy” on April 15.
Director Karwan Theatre, Asif Shah said ‘Anoki Bat b Mumkin Hy’ is a parable about exploitation, telling the story of a rich merchant travelling across the desert and being increasingly cruel to his porter so they can travel as fast as possible.
The theme of the drama was to highlight the importance of laborers and their hardships.
He said that Karwan theatre would organize more such plays at PNCA auditorium in future.
He maintained that people of Islamabad always encouraged Karwan theatre to bring such plays in the city.
IMF Director discusses CPEC impact on development of Pakistan
BEIJING, April 12 (APP):Director International Monetary Fund (IMF) Jihad Azour called on Minister for Interior and planning development and reform, Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday and discussed China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project and its impact on development of Pakistan and the region.
During a meeting held on the sidelines of a high-level conference on Belt and Road Initiative, here Iqbal highlighted that through CPEC the government of Pakistan has been able to address the critical bottle necks of energy and infrastructure in our growth and last year Pakistan had a GDP growth of 5.3 percent and in 2018 the projections are for 5.8 percent.
The government has made heavy investments in energy sector to jump start the growth in the economy. CPEC projects have created thousands of jobs and revived construction and power sector industries.
Pakistan wants strong partnership with multilateral institutions to build regional connectivity projects as regional connectivity holds key to regional peace and prosperity.
Pakistan has youth bulge therefore the government is equally investing in human resource development and technology areas.
Jihad acknowledged the efforts of the government for promoting education, infrastructure improvement and poverty alleviation. He highlighted the need to jointly work on the areas for capacity enhancement of local human resource under the BRI initiative.
The minister planning highlighted the need to promote business to business cooperation under BRI and overcoming knowledge gaps about Chinese industry, trade and financial system by all stakeholders.
Over 1500 sikh yatrees arrived to celebrate Baisakhi
LAHORE, Apr 12 (APP):Over 1500 Sikh Yatrees arrived at Wahga Railway station here on Thursday from India to celebrate baisakh festival.
Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB)Secretary Tariq Wazir Khan, Pardhan Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara arbandhak Committee Sardar Tara Singh and other board officers received them warmly.
The Pakistan government made foolproof security arrangements besides immigration, customs, bank and medical camp facilities at Wahga railway station to facilitate the pilgrims.
Talking to media, sikh yatrees group leaders Sardar Gurmeet Singh and Sardar Charan Singh said that they would remember the warmth welcome of Pakistan government and expressed satisfaction over the arrangements of ETPB for sikh gurdwaras in Pakistan.
They said that land of Pakistan is sacred and Sikh community always received love from here, adding that they wished to come here again and again.
Soon after arrival, the Sikh pilgrims left for Punja Sahib Hassanabdal to celebrate baisakhi celebrations. They would stay there for three days and perform their religious rituals.The central ceremony of Baisakhi festival will be held there on April 14 and the Sikh yatrees will perform their rituals.
Later, they will visit Janam Asthan, Nankana Sahab, on April 15 and the next day they will visit Sucha Souda Farooqabad and perform their rituals.
They will also visit Gurdwara Rohri Sahib Aimonabad and Kartarpur Narowal on April 17.
The yatrees will visit Gurdwara Dera Sahib Lahore on April 18.
Sikh yatrees will return to their homeland,India,on April 21.