ISLAMABAD, Apr 11 (APP):Pakistan and the Kuwait Fund here Wednesday signed Supplementary Loan Agreement of K.D 4.5 million (equivalent to US$ 15 Million) for financing Golen Gol Hydropower Project.
The State of Kuwait has already been co-financing this Project with an amount of K.D 11.00 million (equivalent to US$ 37 Million).
The document was signed by Ghanem Sulaiman Al-Ghenaiman, Deputy Director General, Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) and Secretary, Economic Affairs Division, Syed Ghazanfar Abbas Jilani.
The signing ceremony was attended by Fawaz Al-Adasani, Assistant Regional Manager for East, South Asia and Pacific Countries of Kuwait Fund, Fahad Al Mazeel, Charge d Affairs, Embassy of the State of Kuwait and senior officials from Economic Affairs Division, Ministry of Water Resources and WAPDA.
Secretary, Economic Affairs Division on the occasion said that completion of the Golen Gol Hydroelectric Power Project would offer new opportunities for the people living in Chitral and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province.
It will meet electricity demand in the area and also boost tourism and economic activities, he added.
Pakistan, Kuwait Fund ink $15mln supplementary loan agreement
Pakistan fully committed to mandate and principles of UNESCO
ISLAMABAD, Apr 11 (APP):Pakistan Wednesday reiterated its full commitment to mandate and principles adopted by UNESCO and appreciated UNESCO’s valuable contributions in promoting dialogue and cultural diversity.
This was stated by Dr. Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharal, Member National Assembly of Pakistan while delivering the country’s statement at the 204th Session of the Executive Board of UNESCO held in Paris, said a statement issued here.
The Executive Board meeting was also attended by Ms. Audrey Azoulay, Director General UNESCO, Ambassador of Pakistan to France Moin ul Haque and 58 Executive Board members.
Dr. Shezra Mansab assured the Executive Board that Pakistan would fulfill its obligations to UNESCO and continue to work together with the global community in striving for an equitable, just, tolerant, open and socially inclusive world.
Pakistan’s representative stated that Government of Pakistan has embarked on a broad based programme for social sector development, and education especially girls education remains an area of priority.
She pointed out Pakistan’s voluntary contribution of US$ 10 million to setup Malala Fund to supplement UNESCO’s efforts for promoting girl child education globally. She also thanked Governments of the Republic of Korea, Italy and Qatar for their substantial contributions to this Fund.
She welcomed Director General proposal for strategic transformation of UNESCO and emphasized that the new reform process should conform to UNESCO’s core mandate, ensure inclusiveness and transparency and preserve intergovernmental character of UNESCO.
During her stay in Paris Dr. Shezra will also be meeting with President of General Conference, President of Executive Board and Senior officials of UNESCO Secretariat.
Ahmed Rushdi remembered on his 35th death anniversary
ISLAMABAD, Apr 11 (APP):Legendary Pakistani playback singer Ahmed Rushdi was remembered on his 35th death anniversary on Wednesday.
According to a report aired by a private news channel, Ahmed Rushdi recorded the highest number of film songs in the history of Pakistani cinema in Urdu, English, Punjabi, Bengali, Sindhi and Gujarati languages and found unprecedented success as a playback artist from the mid 1950s to early 1980s. He recorded approximately 5000 songs for 583 released films.
He is remembered by many as having lent voice to South Asia’s first ever pop song Ko Ko Korina filmed on Waheed Murad which is one of the most well known tunes in Pakistan’s history.
Among his feats are songs such as Gol Gappay Wala and Akeley Na Jana from the film Armaan which rivet the attention of people till this day.
Rushdi died of a heart attack at the age of 48 on April 11,1983 . Besides popular music, Rushdi also helped popularize the ghazals. He was awarded five Nigar Awards, the “Best Singer Of The Millennium” title, “Life Time Achievement Award”, “Legend Award” and Lux Style Award.
He was considered as a key contributor to the golden age of Pakistani film music. Twenty years after his death he was awarded with Sitara-e-Imtiaz for his contributions to the field of music in 2003.
Facebook CEO testifies before Congress about a firm hired by Trump campaign
WASHINGTON, April 10 (APP):Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg appeared before a Senate panel on Tuesday to testify about a data firm hired by the Trump campaign, which is accused of improperly obtaining data of up to 87 million Facebook users and supported political campaigns.
This is the first time, the Facebook CEO has appeared before the Congress and was grilled and questioned about as to how British-based Cambridge Analytica was able to secure date of Facebook users.
“It’s clear now that we didn’t do enough to prevent these tools from being used for harm as well,” he said during the nearly five hours of testimony, responding to a question about Cambridge Analytica’s harvesting of data from Facebook users.
According to a report, Cambridge Analytica was co-founded by former White House strategist Stephen Bannon and the data might have been used during the 2016 presidential campaign.
Days before the hearing, Zuckerberg also US lawmakers to express his regret over how the data firm misused the Facebook users and shared it with the political consultancy. In case, he fails to satisfy the lawmakers, Facebook faced possible regulations under the law.
Among the questions, he faced include how Russian operatives who are believed to have attempted to influence the US 2016 elections were able to post advertisement and posts on the Facebook.
Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton faced an unexpected defeat at the hands of then candidate, Trump in the elections.
During the hearing Zuckerberg said that Facebook did not take a broad enough view of its responsibility which was a big mistake. The hearing was held by the joint Senate Commerce and Judiciary committees.
However, he defended his company saying that his top priority had always been its social mission of connecting people, building community and bringing the world closer.
Congress may decide to bring the social media giant under regulations. Facebook has already shown its willingness to support new laws that would make all social media networks disclose that who is posting political advertisement on Facebook, much like what the tv and radios do in the States.
If imposed, Facebook may see its advertisement revenue hurt, which is the main earning source for the social media platform used worldwide and which has billions of users. Since the controversy began in January, Facebook shares are almost 17 percent down.
Facebook was launched 14 years ago and is now the main medium of communication by billions of users in nearly all countries of the world.
Dispute Panel constituted for PCB’s case against BCCI
LAHORE, Apr 11 (APP):Pakistan Cricket Board has initiated a dispute resolution process against the Board of Contact for Cricket in India under International Cricket Council Dispute Resolution Committee Terms of Reference.
ICC has constituted a three-member Dispute Panel to hear the matter,
said a spokesman of PCB here on Wednesday. Michael Beloff QC, is the chairperson of the panel and Jan Paulsson and Annabelle Bennett are its members.
“A three-day hearing in Dubai at the ICC Headquarters will take place in respect of this matter. The hearing dates will be communicated in due course”, he added
He said the decision of the Dispute Panel and the reasons therefore will be made public.
President, PM cast votes in respective polling stations
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Apr 11 (APP):President Ilham Aliyev and his family members cast their votes on Wednesday in the
presidential election for which polling process was started at 8.00 a.m.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, who is also contesting the election
arrived at the polling station No. 6 alongwith his wife Mehriban Aliyeva and other
family members.
First lady Mehriban Aliyeva and family members also cast their votes.
Azerbaijani Prime Minister Artur Rasizade also cast his vote at the polling station No 29
of second Yasamal constituency No 16 as the presidential election starts in the
country.
Meanwhile, Chairman of Central Election Commission (CEC)
Mazahir Panahov on Wednesday said thay had made
elaborate arrangements in 125 constituencies to conduct
presidential election in a normal manner for which polling was started at 8.00 in the morning.
Talking to mediapersons at Sechkiler Information Center
here, he said number of eligible voters in the country was 5,314,365, adding that the voting was conducted in 5,641 polling
stations.
The CEC Chief said all facilities were ensured in polling stations for local and international observers to monitor
the voting process.
“Web cameras were installed in 20 per cent of the country’s polling stations, that is 1,000 polling stations, in
connection with the presidential election. Any internet user can watch the voting process live on official website of the CEC on election day,” he said.
He said polling had also been started at Azerbaijan`s embassies in Ukraine, Moldova and
Belarus, Iran, Beijing and other countries.
ECP bans new recruitment, development schemes
ISLAMABAD, Apr 11 (APP):Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday made it clear that there was complete ban on new appointments in any federal, provincial or district department from April 1st, 2018 to ensure transparency in holding of general elections 2018.
According to ECP, appointments that fall under the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) and Provincial Public Service Commission (PPSC) will be exempted from this ban.
It said that under another order, after April 1st, 2018 no any development scheme will be allowed to implement including installation of gas pipelines, carpeting of roads, water supply etc. while the funds of on-going development schemes could not be utilized for any other purpose.
In this regard all ministries and departments concerned have been informed, it added.
Judges must perform to their fullest:CJP
QUETTA, Apr 11 (APP):Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on Wednesday said Judiciary was an important component of any society and judges must perform to to ensure swift dispensation of justice.
Addressing a ceremony he said that judges only give verdicts in accordance with the law and the Constitution.
“Where have all the capable judges gone? Maybe we don’t have the resources of passion now,” he questioned.
Chief Justice asked judges to show more passion and work more diligently to come up to the expectations of masses.
“We have to bring our house in order. This is the start of our judicial reforms”.
“We are the top privileged civil servants,” he said, adding that the salaries and facilities available to the judges are more than similar grade officers in other departments. “We have to justify our incomes and facilities.”
“It is important for all of you to learn the law. It is necessary for us to know our jurisprudence and laws.”
Speaking about the cases which are delayed for years, Chief Justice Nisar remarked that he doesn’t understand how the trial of cases can go on for 30 to 40 years.
“What is the fault of the person who is seeking justice? How can it take 15 years for a case’s trial to conclude? I don’t understand this,” he remarked.
Chief Justice said judges were responsible for the delay of cases and dispensation of justice.
NA unanimously passes resolution strongly condemning atrocities in Kashmir by Indian forces
ISLAMABAD, Apr 11 (APP):The National Assembly Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution strongly condemning atrocities perpetrated on innocent Kashmiri by the Indian security forces in Occupied Kashmir.
The resolution moved by Minister for Kashmir Affairs Barjees Tahir demanded the international community implement the UNSC resolutions that promise right of self-determination to Kashmiri people.
National Assembly expresses complete solidarity with, the brave people of Indian occupied Kashmir in their popular, spontaneous and peaceful protests against the illegal occupation by India and killing of innocent Kashmiris.
The resolution urged the government to request the Human Rights Council in Geneva to send a fact finding mission to the occupied valley to investigate the human rights violations.
The House demanded the United Nation (UN) take immediate cognizance of the escalating violence of international human rights law and international humanitarian law by Indian forces in IOK.
NA passes two bills
ISLAMABAD, Apr 11 (APP):National Assembly Wednesday passed two separate bills regarding up gradation of status of COMSATS institute of Information and Technology Islamabad as University and establishment of institute for Arts and Culture.
Minister for Science and Technology and Defence Production, Rana Tanveer Hussain has moved the bill for up gradation of the status of COMSATS institute of Information and Technology, Islamabad as COMSATS university.
Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training, Muhammad Baligh-ur-Rehman has moved the bill for the establishment of institute for Art and Culture.
Meanwhile Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry laid before the house “The Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants Bill, 2018. The chair referred the bill to the relevant committee for further consideration.