RAWALPINDI, Apr 11 (APP):Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf Wednesday night said the government Hajj scheme remained corruption free during the last four years.
Speaking as chief guest at Madrasah Sirajia, he said the government had allocated quota for private hajj scheme while 60% for government scheme. Now, the pilgrims would perform the Hajj at the cost of Rs 2, 30,000 instead of Rs 3,00,000, he added.
He said Hajj arrangements for the year 2018 would be more better than the previous years as PML(N) government was committed to serve the people.
The minister said the PML N government had ended darkness in the country and a number of
mega projects had been completed during the last five years.
He hoped that PMLN would will the next general election.
He said seminaries were playing a pivotal role in imparting religious education, adding there was a need to promote the culture of religious harmony.
Sardar said the ministry of religious affairs was working for the elimination of sectarianism
and Ulema and Musaikh council comprising all schools of thoughts was performing its function accordingly.
The minister said it was necessary to legislate on the recommendations of Islamic Ideology
Council which were pending for the last many years.
PML-N made Hajj policy corruption free: Yousaf
ICCI hails tax amnesty scheme, urges to provide incentive for corporate sector
ISLAMABAD, Apr 11 (APP):Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) on Wednesday hailed the tax amnesty scheme introduced by the government and said that it would be beneficial for the small and medium scale enterprises and help in flourishing the SMEs sector in the country.
Talking to APP President ICCI Shaikh Amir Waheed urged the government for reducing the tax rates for the corporate sector to 20 percent,which was currently stood at 30 percent, adding that it would enhance the business opportunities resultantly the revenue collection would also be increased.
He informed that ICCI has proposed different measures in federal budget 2018-19 to promote the trade and business activities in the country and urged the government for focusing the industrial sector and imported inputs for the industry.
The ICCI has suggested the government to facilitate the industry on the imports of machinery,which were use to develop the industrial raw material for pharmaceutical industry to help in manufacturing the salt and other ingredients at local level.
He said due to such incentive and tax relaxation the local industry would grow and also help to enhance exports of the country.
ICCI head also urged the government for providing special incentives for oil and gas exploration industry in its upcoming budget to attract the investment in that sector, adding that it would help to overcome the energy shortages in the country.
Besides, he said that agriculture sector of the country was main stay of national economy and called for paying special attention particularly for enhancing the production of edible oil to reduce the huge import bill.
German Embassy, Ajoka to organize theatre performance on April 20
ISLAMABAD, Apr 11 (APP):The German Embassy in collaboration with Ajoka will organize theatre performance “Chaak Chakkar” on April 20 at Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA).
The play is an Urdu adaptation of Bracht’s play “The Caucasian Chalk Circle”. The play originally premiered in 1948, the play is a great example of Brecht’s “epic theatre”. It is a parable about a maid servant of the rich ruler who takes care of the royal baby, abandoned by his mother while running away after being overthrown.
The story was based on a Chinese legend and placed in the Soviet Union around the end of the World War II. Brecht uses the legend to present the question of social ownership and the greed and selfishness of the capitalist society.
The play was first performed by Ajoka in 1985 at the Goethe Institute Lahore.
66 Pakistani executed in Saudi Arabia since 2013: Senate told
ISLAMABAD, Apr 11 (APP):Minister for Foreign Affairs Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Wednesday apprised the Senate that there were 1,357 and 1,580 Pakistani prisoners in Riyadh and Jeddah regions respectively.
Replying to various questions during Question Hour, the minister said the main charges against them were drugs related, bringing un-prescribed tranquilizer tablets, theft, forgery, immoral crimes, murder, rape, and brawl / fighting.
He said as per local regulations, practicing Saudi lawyers were permitted to appear in the local courts.
The minister said as many as 66 Pakistanis had been executed in Saudi Arabia since 2013. The main crimes committed by such individuals were drug related crimes, rape and murder, he said.
The minister said our Missions in Saudi Arabia provided consular access to all the prisoners in Saudi jails. However, legal services provided by our Missions were limited to translation, facilitation in preparation of cases and persuasion with various agencies etc, he said.
To another question, the minister said the government was ready to make proper arrangements with other countries to address Pakistani prisoner issues. He said proposal has been sent to India to relax maximum and minimum age from 70 to 60 and from 18-16 for exchange of prisoners between the two countries.
PML-N to win next general election: Hanif Abbasi
RAWALPINDI, Apr 11 (APP):Chairman Steering Committee Punjab Sports Board, Muhammad Hanif Abbasi Wednesday said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) would win upcoming general election with overwhelming majority due to its performance and development work.
In a statement issued here,he said Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan through ‘Dharna’ politics was working against the interest of the country and ever played a role to stop development process.
He said PTI was afraid of the vision of PML-N leadership who completed mega projects including motorways, roads, hospitals, schools, colleges, universities, parks, metro projects of Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi, Orange train and a number of other projects to facilitate the citizens. Rawalpindi is the hometown of the PML-N, he added.
However, PTI’s government could not deliver in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and no mega project could
be completed there during its tenure till date.
PML-N had also completed a number of power projects to end loadshedding from the country adding, China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) like projects were initiated during PML-N government which would change fate of the country.
The government also took bold steps to eliminate terrorism from the country and restored law and order in Karachi, he added.
JIT tried to hide facts but its report is exposed: Nawaz
ISLAMABAD, April 12 (APP):Former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Wednesday said the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) had
tried to hide facts which were in his favour, but its report had been exposed.
Talking to media persons here at the Accountability Court, he said he was disqualified without any proof of wrongdoing. JIT head Wajid Zia had admitted in the court that there was no proof that he (Nawaz) had received
salary, he added.
Nawaz Sharif alleged that three members of the JIT were the enemies of Sharif family, whose family members were active in Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and got that party’s tickets for contesting election.
He said his case did not relate to terrorism and he had never worked against the national interest.
“The court case against me is a fraud and a way to take revenge from me as some people cannot bear me.
If there was no proof against me then why the case was filed,” he asked.
Nawaz Sharif said he did not bow before anybody except Allah Almighty and millions of his supporters were
with him and loved him. The nation, he said, would hold JIT chief Wajid Zia accountable for his deeds. “Everybody can see what Wajid Zia is saying now. He is verifying the facts stated by our lawyer.”
He said the firm hired in London, which investigated his case, belonged to a cousin of Wajid Zia. It was not the discretion of Wajid Zia to pay fee to his cousin from the national treasury. The money was the hard earned income of the nation and not earned by Wajid Zia, he added.
He alleged that the persons were hired through WhatsApp calls to hold investigation against him.
He said Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif had carried out record development projects in South Punjab.
Speaking on the occasion, Maryam Nawaz said those, who could not win the election, ousted the elected prime minister through courts.
Pakistan play another draw against Malaysia
GOLD COAST, Queensland (Australia), Apri 11 (APP)::Pakistan just needed a win to book a 5th place but all such
expectations and hopes went otherwise when the green-shirt played another draw
against Malaysia in the XXI Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games pool match
played here at Hockey Club ground on Wednesday.
Things were really proved to be otherwise in their last
pool game against Malaysia, putting them both Pakistan and Malaysia away from
the semi-finals. A win at least will give 13th ranked Pakistan 5th
place, much better from that was 7th or 8th.
With this draw Pakistan and Malaysia were out of semi-final
contention at the hockey event at Gold Coast, Australia. But there was
something at stake when they came across in their last pool game.
The two sides ended equal on points. As per the Games
rules, the side with more wins finished ahead. Pakistan drew all the four
matches against Wales, India, England and now Malaysia while Malaysia had one
win.
Malaysia called the early shots. A steal in Pakistan half
left goal keeper Imran Butt with no option but to rush out of the 23 meter to
thwart the danger. It cost him yellow card. Replacement Mazhar Abbas was called
to make two outstanding saves in his five minute appearance on the pitch.
Pakistan managed to settle down and looked certainly the
better side during the rest of the first-half.
In the ninth minute, after some delightful shot passes, a
high ball reached Shafqat Rasool standing unmarked near the right post. The
veteran first timed it into the cage.
In the second quarter, both the two sides got a couple of
back to back penalty corners but to no avail.
Dilber had the best open play opportunity. He had goal at
his mercy but the try was poor. At the half-time Pakistan led the way with a
1-0.
Pakistan rushed out of the blocks after the change of the
sides and had a penalty corner in the first minute but the variation did not
click. After some back and forth play, Malaysia tested Imran Butt, who was well
positioned to stop.
In the 39th minute, Fitri Sari, after a magnificent
dribbling run, sent a parallel reverse ball in the path of Ramadan Rosli from
deep inside circle’s left. The latter dived to complete a memorable goal. First
minute of the fourth quarter saw Pakistan waste another penalty corner. Then Malaysia could not make out of two back
to back penalty corners.
With less than three minute left, Pakistani head coach
Oeltmans replaced the goal-keeper with an out- field player. There was some
high drama as Pakistan obtained two back to back penalty corners in the penultimate
minute but the Malaysian net minder Hairi Abdul Rahman anticipated well each
time and it ended 1-1. The move of head coach Oeltmans, at this occasion, was beyond
understanding.
For Pakistan Shafqat Rasool in the 9th minute
gave team a vital lead and for Malaysia Ramadan Rosli in the 39th minute
tied the tally. Pakistan will now play for the 7th and 8th
position on Friday.
In the boxing event Pakistan’s hope shattered down when
Syed Muhammad Asif lost in the quarter-final against Reecxe Mcfadden on points
5-0. There was a slid difference as Reecze Mcfadden of Scotland won all three
rounds with 10-9, 10-9 and 10-9 points, finishing the overall points tally with
29-27.
In the Men’s 52kg weight category Awais Ali Khan of Pakistan
will face Ato Plodzicki Faoagali of Samoa in the quarter-finals. So far
Australia with 52 gold medal, 39 silver and 42 bronze with a total of 133
medals leading the medal table, followed by England at second with 24 gold
medal, 30 silver and 21 bronze medal, recorded a total tally of medals at 75,
India is at no 3 position with 12 gold medal, 4 silver medal and 8 bronze
medal, New Zealand with 9 gold medal, 10 silver medals and 8 bronze, South
Afridi with 9 gold medal, 6 silver medals and as many bronze medals, Canada
with 8 gold medal, 21 silver medal and 15 bronze medals., Pakistan is slipped
to 29 position from 27 so far with two bronze medals.
Nigeria’s golden sweep of the Para Powerlifting surprised
many. It was a big win for Nigeria at the Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre on
Day-6, dominating the Para Powerlifting competition, sweeping all four gold
medals on offer.
The first session of the day saw a Paralympic and world
champion showdown in the men’s lightweight final with countrymen Paul Kehinde
and Roland Ezuruike battling against each other for first place.
It ended up being a surprise win by Ezuruike who upgraded
his Glasgow 2014 silver to gold, lifting 194kg to give him 224.3 points.
Kehinde finished on 219.9 having lifted 211kg, with
England’s Ali Jawad finishing third with a best lift of 161kg to give him 182.7
points.
The female lightweight competitors took to the bench next
for their final with another clash of two Nigerian’s, this time two
world-record holders. Esther Oyema held the world record for women’s Para
Powerlifting in the 50kg class and Lucy Ejike held the world record in the
women’s 61kg class.
Oyema ended up breaking her own world record with a solid
third lift of 131kg, giving the 35-year-old her third consecutive gold medal at
the Commonwealth Games with a total of 141.6 points.
Teammate Ejike claimed another silver medal for Nigeria
with only one successful attempt, finishing with 134.1 points and Olympian Zoe
Newson, of England, rounded out the podium with a best lift of 91kg at a body-weight
of just 41kg.
PNCA Film Club making efforts to entertain, promote film Industry
ISLAMABAD, Apr 11 (APP):Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) Film Club is making its efforts to entertain and promote Pakistan film industry and artists by projecting their work.
Film Club coordinator Aijaz Gul told APP that new talent could learn from the film industry of golden era.
“Films from glorious past which related to our folk culture and traditions, more glimpse of international cinema, more dazzling presence of movie celebrities and more fun is in the priority list of our film club,’ he added.
Aijaz Gul said that the Club also organized screening of International films in collaboration with concerned countries Embassies
He said that PNCA Film Club was also planning to preserve over 5,000 Pakistani films produced by film-makers and producers in last 70 years.
He said that the history of Pakistan film industry was extremely rich. He said that there was a disconnection between the younger generation and the glorious past of our cinema; preservation would help them learn about our past film, adding that such more efforts should also be made to raise awareness on film and people associated with it.
Cultural show held in honour of delegates of Asia Pacific Region Conference
ISLAMABAD, Apr 11 (APP):A cultural show Wednesday was held here at Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) in honour of delegates of conference of the Asia Pacific Region.
The senior government officials welcomed the delegates of the conference in the cultural show held at PNCA auditorium. They said that it was a matter of honour for organizer to arrange a musical show for the delegates of the conference.
Later, the cultural show was started with the melodious instrumental performance by artist Gulab Afridi.
The PNCA National Performing Group (NPG) artists also presented folk dances of KPK, Gilgit Baltistan, Balochistan, Sindh and Punjab on the occasion and got a big applause from the participants.
The artists presented super hit songs and got a big applause from the audience.
The artists enthralled audience by singing number of songs in the musical show.
The delegates also visited various galleries of PNCA and appreciated the artwork displayed at galleries.
Pak to play for 7th place after drawn game against Malaysia in CWG hockey
LAHORE, Apr 11 (APP)::Both Pakistan and Malaysia were out of semifinal contention at the hockey competition of XXI Commonwealth Games (CWG) at Gold Coast,Australia after playing a 1-1 draw on Wednesday.
But there was something at stake when they came across in their last pool game.Pakistan needed to win in order to make it for the 5th place game.For Malaysia a draw was enough,said the information made available here to APP by the Pakistan Hockey Federation.
The two sides ended equal on points.As per tournament rules the side with more wins finished ahead. Pakistan drew all the four matches while Malaysia had one win.
Malaysia called the early shots. A steal in Pakistan half left goal keeper Imran Butt with no option but to rush out of the 23 metre to thwart the danger.
It cost him yellow card. Replacement Mazhar Abbas was called to make two outstanding saves in his five minute appearance on the pitch.
Pakistan managed to settle down and were certainly the better side during the rest of the first half.
In the ninth minute, after some delightful shot passes, a high ball reached Shafqat Rasool standing unmarked near the right post. The veteran first timed it into the cage.
In the second quarter,the two sides got a couple of back to back penalty corners but to no avail.
Dilber had the best open play opportunity. He had goal at his mercy but the try was poor. It was 1-0 in favor of Pakistan at half time.
Pakistan rushed out of the blocks after the change of the sides and had a penalty corner in the first minute but the variation didnt click. After some back and forth play, Malaysia tested Imran Butt, who was well positioned to stop.
In the 39th minute, Fitri Sari, after a magnificent dribbling run, sent a parallel reverse ball in the path of Ramadan Rosli from deep inside circle’s left.The latter dived to complete a memorable goal.
First minute of the fourth quarter saw Pakistan waste another PC.Then Malaysia could not make out of two back to back PCs.
With less than three minutes left, Pakistani head coach Oeltmans replaced the goal keeper with an out field player. There was some high drama as Pakistan obtained two back to back penalty corners in the penultimate minute but the Malaysian net minder Hairi Abdul Rahman anticipated well each time and it ended 1-1.
SCORERS:
Pakistan: Shafqat Rasool (9′)
Malaysia: Ramadan Rosli (39′)
Pakistan plays the 7th/8th position match on April 13.