BEIJING, Apr 4 (APP)::China is developing an advanced scientific drilling ship capable of reaching about 10 kilometers below the seabed that will allow scientists to explore what truly happens in the Earth’s mantle.
Professor Wu Lixin, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and head of the Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, said the design for the ship-named Dream-is expected to be finalized this year.
If all goes well, the vessel will be launched around 2021, with construction continuing for several years before it can be commissioned due to the outfitting work, Wu was quoted by China Daily on Wednesday.
He said its service will allow people to fulfill the long-held dream of seeing the mantle and extensively boost the nation’s research on geosciences.
Wu said that with a displacement of 35,000 metric tons, the Dream will become the world’s third scientific drilling ship in active service after the JOIDES Resolution and Chikyu, both used by the International Ocean Discovery Program, a worldwide scientific endeavor.
The Chinese craft will be able to drill more than 10,000 meters into the ocean floor, and thus will be tasked with conducting seafloor drilling for geological research as well as surveying and recovering methane clathrate, also known as natural gas hydrate or fire ice, Wu said.
Lying between the crust, Earth’s outermost solid shell, and the outer core, the fluid mantle layer is composed mostly of iron and nickel and has a silicate rocky shell with an average thickness of about 2,900 km.
Methane clathrate is widely regarded as a new, promising source of natural gas. It is often trapped in icelike crystals under high pressure in the permafrost or under the seabed.
The deepest a drill has ever reached is 12,262 meters in the 1970s at the Kola Superdeep Borehole, the result of a scientific drilling project by the former Soviet Union on the Kola Peninsula.
The deepest hole drilled into the ocean floor is 2,111 meters below the seafloor off Japan’s Shimokita Peninsula in the northwest Pacific Ocean, dug by the Chikyu in 2012.
Wu said that because the continental crust is about 35 km thick on average, whereas oceanic crust is 5 to 6 km thick, seafloor drilling is more likely to penetrate the crust and reach the mantle.
Ship being built to dig far into Earth’s mantle
Film starring Pakistani actress releases in China
BEIJING, Apr 4 (APP)::An Indian film starring Pakistani actress Saba Qamar and Indian actor Irfan Khan hits Chinese film screen on Wednesday.
The high quality of the film has been recognized by the public, with its ratings on Maoyan (a major Chinese movie rating website) continuing to go up. On its nationwide opening, moviegoers said the film is very touching but can make people laugh at the same time.
With its entertainment value and practical significance, many viewers claim that they have learned a lot from it.
The film depicts a story about a middle-class couple who would go to any lengths to get their daughter into an elite school so that she can be well accepted by the society.
The parents, starring Saba Qamar and Irrfan Khan, bought a house in the school districts and even pretended to be poor people in slums just to get their daughter qualified for the enrollment.
The theme resonates among Chinese people since China also faces challenges in its education system.
Various social platforms have raised the discussion about the importance of personality and moral quality education: “Is it more important to send your kids to the best schools or to teach them to be good people?”
Films with socially relevant themes are increasingly being appreciated by Chinese audiences.
CM visits PKLI to review pace of progress
LAHORE, Apr 04 (APP):Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif visited the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Transplant Institute (PKLI) on Wednesday and inquired after health of patients.
He went to dialysis center, OPD and other wards and asked about the standard of medical facilities provided to the patients.
The patients and their attendants expressed satisfaction and said a state-of-the-art hospital had been developed for serving the ailing humanity.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said he had been satisfied to observe the trust of patients over the standard of medical facilities provided in the hospital and hoped that this hospital would emerge as a role model institution in the region.
Talking to the media afterwards, the chief minister said that this most modern institution had been developed by the Punjab government with its own resources and added that he was desirous of starting liver and kidney transplantation as soon as possible. Medical professionals, doctors and surgeons from Europe and America had joined the PKLI and machinery and other medical equipment were speedily being installed in the hospital.
Similarly, operation theaters’ equipment had also reached Karachi and steps were being taken on fast-track basis to fully functionalize this hospital.
A committee had also been constituted to remove the hurdles in this regard, he added. He said that this wonderful hospital had been made with the colossal amount to serve the ailing humanity and we want that fruits of these funds should immediately be reached to the patients.
“I am thankful to relevant provincial ministers, secretaries and all the line-departments working day and night to fully operationalize this hospital,” he added.
I have visited this hospital and met with the patients coming far from Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and they have expressed
satisfaction that best treatment was provided to them in the PKLI, he said. These words are a matter of satisfaction for me, he added.
If Allah Almighty and the people accorded an opportunity to serve the country again then KP, Sindh and Balochistan would
be brought at par to Punjab province with regard to educational facilities, health infrastructure and socio-economic development. Setting up of a wonderful institution like PKLI with provincial resources has no resemblance in country’s history and it is a major
step towards public service, he said.
Replying to a question about the Bajwa Doctrine, Shehbaz Sharif said that much had been written in the media about it.
He said that he had met Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa and has found him a professional person. His services for the
country should be fully lauded.
He said that we jointly have to strengthen the national defense. The immortal sacrifices rendered by the armed forces of Pakistan for the defense of the country and elimination of terrorism and fanaticism should be appreciated from the core of the
heart. These priceless sacrifices would not be wasted, he added.
Replying to another question about National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Shehbaz Sharif said that NAB had become very active now-a-days; it is the basic responsibility of NAB to investigate corruption and dishonesty. Accountability of dishonesty occurred anywhere, either by a minister or a bureaucrat, is the responsibility of NAB but this accountability should be irrespective and indiscriminate without making any political victimization.
He said where corruption cases to the tune of billions or trillions of rupees had been established, it was the responsibility of NAB to dig out that money. The way NAB had been activated, it would be a blessing for the country, if it recovered looted billions of rupees from the corrupt, he added.
Shehbaz Sharif said that NAB also summoned him. He appeared before it, answered their queries and everything was
recorded.
In response to a question, the Chief Minister said that meetings were held with Ch Nisar Ali Khan adding that he had
rendered invaluable services for the party.
However, as the President of PML-N, it is my responsibility to maintain party discipline as well. Therefore, I have realized
to everybody that party discipline should not be violated. The allegation-leveling should be stopped so that the party could
go for elections with full concentration, he maintained.
To another question, the chief minister said that a delay of 22 months had occurred in the project of Orange Line Metro
Train due to Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) as it filed petitions in the courts to create hurdles in this project of public importance.
He said that case was heard in Lahore High Court for one and a half years and LHC gave a verdict of 300 pages
containing the stay order for eleven points of the project. However, there was not even a single line about any corruption in
this project.
Similarly, the case was also heard in Supreme Court where Waleed Iqbal of PTI filed a petition. If there was any
corruption in this project, the PTI should have given proof to the court.” Now any wrangling about the corruption is, in
fact, an attempt to misguide the nation, the PTI does not want that Pakistani people could enjoy quality facilities available
in Europe and other developed countries,these people do not want that working class could reach to their destinations in
an honourable manner,there are no other supreme forums of justice than Supreme Court and High Court, after failing to
prove their corruption charges, PTI’s hue and cry about corruption in this project is equal to licking the dust, he claimed.
He said that Orange Line Metro Train Project was scheduled to be completed on December 25, 2017 and 300,00 people
were to be travelled. The passage from Dera Gujran to Thokar Niaz Beg was scheduled to be covered in two hours and 35 minutes.
Due to enmity of PTI with the people, a delay of 22 months had been occurred in this project.
He said that a culture of sit-ins, lockdowns and strikes had been introduced by the PTI. It is bad luck that this party has
made politics a hub of allegations and deceit, he added.
To another question, the Chief Minister said that may the general election be held in time, fairly and transparently so that
the country could move further with a pace to emerge as a great country.
Replying to another question, the Chief Minister said that he suffered from cancer in 2003 and got himself treated in
London. Then he went to the USA for further treatment. For that purpose, I went to London for checkup and many gossips
were made which was unfortunate.
He said that when he was ill due to an attack of influenza, he took medicines from a public sector hospital of Punjab.I have
made a promise two years back that same high-quality medicines would be provided in public sector hospitals which are used by
the elite. “With the Grace of Allah Almighty, we have been succeeded in this regard and same medicines are being given to
the common people in government hospitals which are used by the privileged, we have totally changed the culture of public
sector hospitals,” he said.
A network of hepatitis filter clinics is being spread in Punjab for the treatment of hepatitis patients as 25 hepatitis
filter clinics had been completed at primary level where 90,000 patients had been provided treatment and free medicines,
he said.
Earlier, Shehbaz Sharif presided over a meeting to review progress on 2nd phase of PKLI. Addressing the meeting, he
said that 25 latest filter clinics had been developed for safety from this disease and best treatment facilities were being
provided to hepatitis patients under that programme.
He said that hepatitis filter clinics would also be made in Quetta, Skardu, and Azad Kashmir.
He said that transplant surgery of liver and kidney would be started soon in PKLI. All necessary arrangements should be
made as soon as possible and steering committee should make its own decisions, he added. Huge funds have been given for
serving the ailing humanity and these resources should reach to the patients at every cost.
Similarly, nursing college will also be set up for PKLI, he added.
The Chief Minister was also given briefing about progress on this project.
Provincial Minister Kh. Salman Rafiq, Chairman of PKLI’s BoD Dr. Saeed Akhtar, Hanif Abbasi, Senator Shaheen Khalid
Butt, Chairman P&D and others attended the meeting.
Nawaz Sharif arrives Faisalabad
FAISALABAD, Apr 4 (APP)::Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif along with PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz arrived here on Wednesday.
State Minister for Interior Talal Badar Chaudhry, Provincial Minister for Law Rana Sana Ullah Khan, MNA Hamza Shahbaz, MNA Mian Farooq, Chairman District Council Chaudhary Zahid Nazir and others received Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz warmly at the Faisalabad International Airport.
Later, Nawaz Sharif in a big caravan proceeded to Sammundri to participate in the 5th death anniversary of late PML-N leader Mian Muhammad Sharif, father of MNA Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhary Muhammad Shahbaz Babar.
Meanwhile, Nawaz Sharif also visited the mausoleum of renowned saint Sufi Barkat Ali Ludehanvi at Dallowal on Sammundri Road and offered Fateha.
Punjab Govt has established sports facilities network; Hanif Abbasi
LAHORE, Apr 04 (APP):Punjab Government under the vision of Chief Minister Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif, has established a comprehensive network of sports facilities and such a massive development work in sports sector has never been carried out in the history of the province.
This was stated by Chairman Steering Committee Sports Punjab Hanif Abbasi while presiding over a key meeting at National Hockey Stadium here on Wednesday.
Punjab Sports Minister Jahangir Khanzada, Secretary Sports Punjab Muhammad Aamir Jan, Director Admin Javed Rasheed Chohan, Director Project Management Unit Akram Soban, Deputy Secretary Planning Tehmina Habib, DSO Rauf Bajwa and all divisional and district sports officers of the province also attended the meeting.
The meeting was convened to review the progress of under-construction sports play-fields and cricket grounds in Rakh Jhedo, Karol Ghatti, Gaowshala, Pandoki, laying of all-weather synthetic turf at Punjab Stadium, astro-turf at mini hockey stadium and establishing of e-libraries in various sports complexes.
Addressing the meeting Hanif Abbasi said Punjab Govt has provided ideal platform to talented youth of the province and that’s why we can say that the future of sports in Punjab province is quite bright. “The main purpose of these sports projects is to find fresh talent especially from remote areas and we are quite upbeat that Punjab will get several future stars out of these talented youngsters,” he added.
Punjab Sports Minister Jahangir Khanzada said Punjab Govt has constructed top level sports facilities across the province in a short period of time as per the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. “We want that our youth can take maximum benefit out of these sports facilities”.
In his address, Secretary Sports Punjab Aamir Jan said sports culture will grow in the province after the completion of sports playfields in the province. “Sports Board Punjab is taking every possible measure for the promotion of sports in the province and providing top standard sports facilities to masses is top priority of the Punjab Govt,” he asserted.
POA celebrating international day of sports for development,peace
LAHORE, Apr 04 (APP):Pakistan Olympic Association is celebrating the ‘International Day of Sport for Development and Peace’ here on April 6.
The event is being organized in collaboration with Beaconhouse National University at its main campus, said d a spokesman of the POA on Wednesday.
“The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) is an annual celebration that highlights and promotes the power of sport as a catalyst for social change in all corners of the world. Since 2014, following a decision by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, (In its Resolution (A/RES/67/296) the IDSDP is being celebrated each year on 6 April, creating a historical link to the first modern Olympic Games in 1896”, he said.
He said on this esteemed occasion Manzoorul Hassan (Hockey Olympian) and Ms Eesha Khan (Swimmer) will share their views on ‘Peace through Sports and the Spirit of Olympism’ with students of Beaconhouse National University.
“Peace Walk and White Card Showing ceremony will also be held as a symbolic demonstration to show solidarity with the international campaign of peace through sports. The Message of the President of the POA be read out during the celebrations,” said the spokesman.
Ch. Muhammad Yaqoob, Vice President POA/ Chairman Pakistan Volleyball Federation/Member OCA Rules Committee will be the chief guest on the occasion and Zaeem Yaqoob Khan, Director Students Affairs & External Relations BNU will be the guest of honor.
Office bearers and Member Executive Committee of the POA, President and Secretaries of the National Sports Federations, Services and Departments, Olympians, National Sports dignitaries will also grace this occasion.
Crown Prince meets Disney CEO, discusses potential projects in Saudi Arabia
ISLAMABAD, Apr 4 (APP):As part of his ongoing US tour, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Robert Allen Iger, chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of The Walt Disney Company, at his residence in Los Angeles.
Potential cooperation in the entertainment, culture and film-making arenas were discussed during the meeting. Furthermore, the meeting highlighted the massive opportunities which exist in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where a solid infrastructure and a massive demand for Disney products and services exist, Arab News reported.
The meeting was also attended by Saudi Ambassador to Washington Prince Khaled bin Salman and members of the delegation accompanying the crown prince.
The crown prince also met a group of heads of US entertainment and media companies and discussed areas of cooperation and partnership in the media and entertainment sectors, and reviewed the latest technologies in this regard.
Saudi Arabia has been undergoing a massive economic and social transformation under the ambitious Vision 2030 reform plan launched by the crown prince two years ago. Since then, the country has announced it is lifting the ban on women driving, that it will re-open cinemas and curbed the powers of its religious police.
It has also established the General Authority for Entertainment, a government body empowered to meet the massive demand for entertainment in the Saudi kingdom which boasts a population of 32 million and receives millions of Muslims every year for Hajj and Umra pilgrimage.
The kingdom has also announced it is strengthening its non-religious tourism sector and has plans to issue new guidelines for visas which will open-up the country to visitors from around the world.
CJP takes notice of journalist’s murder in Sumbrial
ISLAMABAD, Apr 4 (APP):Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar Wednesday took a suo moto notice of the murder of journalist Zeeshan Butt in Sumbrial.
The CJP took the notice while hearing a case regarding non-payment of salaries to journalists, when Press Association of Supreme Court (PAS) President Tayyab Baloch drew his attention towards the murder of the journalist.
The chief justice directed Inspector General of Police Punjab Arif Nawaz Khan to submit a detailed report on the matter within 24 hours.
USF Co board approves launch of 5-G broadband services
ISLAMABAD, Apr 4 (APP):The Board of Directors of Universal Service Fund Company (USF Co) Wednesday approved the launch of Five Next Generation Broadband Services (NG-BSD) in the country.
Chairing the 59th meeting the USF Co’s Board of Directors, Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication Anusha Rehman said the Five Generation (5-G) services would be launched in Dadu, Hyderabad, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan lots.
The minister said with the proliferation of enabling apps and digital platforms, user behaviour had shifted from voice and data centric to app-centric , which required networks to deliver seamless app coverage with optimum end to end performance.
The USF Co Board also approved to implement the contract for the establishment of computer labs for people with disabilities at National Library of Pakistan and six special Education Centers of Capital Administration Development Division.
Board members including Secretary IT Aamir Ashraf Khawaja, Member Telecom Mudassar Hussain, President and CEO PTCL Daniel Ritz and the senior management of USF Co also attended the meeting.
Human Resource for Health Vision-2018-30 launched
ISLAMABAD, April 4 (APP):Human Resource for Health (HRH) Vision 2018-30 developed by the Ministry of National Health Services, in consultation with the provincial departments of Health and other stakeholders was launched here at a ceremony on Wednesday.
Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Saira Afzal Tarar was the chief guest on the occasion.
Addressing the participants, the minister said that it is very heartening that the first ever National HRH vision has been developed in Pakistan with a great deal of dedication and through an inclusive consultative process.
She congratulated the officials of its ministry, all provincial ministries and departments, private sector, development partner and all stakeholders.
She said a well trained and motivated health workforce forms the basis for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and is a key to the attainment of the Pakistan Vision 2025, the National Health Vision (NHV) 2025 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 agenda.
The minister further said the health workforce in Pakistan is the backbone of health systems and economic growth, adding that well functioning health systems ensure health societies which then become an engine for economic development.
“A sick society never comes out of the vicious circle of poverty” she said.
The minister said investments in health worksforce and related professions have also produced millions of decent jobs opportunities in the country, which continues to contribute in the economic development.
However, the grave shortage of qualified health professionals and workers has restricted the progress in the health sector and is one of the main reasons for poor health outcomes and consequential development, the minister said.
Saira Afzal Tarar said a unified HRH vision will ensure provincial autonomy and diversity, and will further strengthen health related coordination and coherence among stakeholders.
Considering increasing population and emerging health needs, it is our priority to increase the number of hospitals by three folds in the public and private sector to achieve SDGs. She said this study will help us to understand the actual requirement in health sector.
She said that all the provincial governments takes many initiatives in health sector and we need to spend our resources on training of skilled workforce.
She said it is now responsibility of the provincial governments to formulate their own policies. She said a lot of work done in last five years in the health sector and we have still some areas which has the challenge.
Provincial ministers, senior officials of provincial health departments and a large number of people were also present on the occasion.
The NHV, the National Human Resources for Health Visions defines common national priorities and guidance about the most important pillar of the health system in Pakistan.