LAHORE, Apr 04 (APP):Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Capt (R) Arif Nawaz Khan has said police teams were using modern technology in the investigation process to arrest murderers of Abida and Mubashira.
He said while talking to the media after visiting homes of Abida, a student of Government College University Faisalabad, and Mubashira, a seven-year-old girl, on Wednesday.
The IGP said soon the culprits would be arrested after resolving the both cases. Police were in contact with other intelligence agencies for exchange of information about cases, he added.
The IGP ensured the heirs of the deceased that being patron of police, it was my prime responsibility to secure lives and properties of people and all possible resources were being used to investigate both cases so that the murderers could be brought to justice.
RPO Faisalabad Bilal Sadique Kamyana, CPO Faisalabad Athar Ismail were also present.
Modern technology being used to arrest culprits of girls murders
Ostrich farming fully potential to revolutionize red meat market
ISLAMABAD, Apr 4 (APP):The ostrich meat for its nutritionist value and almost risk free farming is fully potential to take significant chunk of the country’s red meat market in near future.
Talking to APP, Veterinary Expert Lt. Col. (R) Maqsood ur Rahman Qureshi on Wednesday said “Ostrich farming has now been a part of international industry and the propensity to go for low calorie foods has forced the health conscious to opt for this meat as it is available on affordable rates of Rs. 250 per kg .”
Maqsood said the ostrich had been farmed for around 150 years in South Africa, first for its feathers and recently for the hide and now for its meat, playing a key role in uplifting the economy.
The increased demand of ostrich meat over the past few years in the Pakistan has given way to rearing birds under controlled systems as scientifically proven management practices resulted in low cost production and improvement in quality of the product.
An Ostrich Farmer Asim Jaleel called it a great business opportunity for the poultry entrepreneur as many of them are switching to this newly introduced venture in Punjab because it had high return in term of profit.
He regretted that meat production business was contributing to only 2 percent of country’s GDP and ostrich farming had more room to be filled. The ostrich meat had only 10 percent supply in the market and urged to create the awareness among the farmers to shift from the cow farming to ostrich farming.
Ostrich farming gives five times more return as compared to the cow farming and is more cost effective, he added. The bird, he said, can be reared in paddock along with sheep, goat and cattle as it needs no dipping, drenching, milking and shearing.
He said an ostrich’s hide was paying Rs 6,000 rupee as compared to traditional cow hide that was for Rs 3,000.
Asim said the country’s harsh weather areas even were recommendable for ostrich farming as the bird had more resilience than other animals.
He said the unique taste of ostrich meat have been developed into stir-fry and steak type meats. These meats have swamped the restaurants in Europe, Japan, Australia and China in a big way and country’s restaurant industry was fully capable to ripe its benefits in near future.
It is pertinent to mention that Punjab government had exempted the ostrich farmer from obtaining a license before starting this business in 2012. The ostrich farming is declared a part of livestock sector through a law and the Punjab government has recently provide the subsidy of Rs 10,000 per bird to the farmers with an objective to ensure promotion of protein rich, low-fat meat and economic uplift of farmers in the province.
Envoys, parliamentarians to brief int’l community about Indian HR abuses in IoK: FO spokesman
ISLAMABAD, Apr 4 (APP):Foreign Office Spokesman Dr Muhammad Faisal has said that envoys and parliamentarians would brief the international community about human rights violations by occupation forces in the Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK).
Diplomats and parliamentarians would visit different countries to apprise the world community about the plight of people living in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, he said while talking to a news channel.
India, he said, was not permitting any fact finding mission and media to visit the occupied valley.
Foreign Minister Khawaja M Asif had already held a meeting with his Iranian counterpart, and issued a statement regarding Kashmir, the spokesman said.
The OIC and UN secretary generals had also issued statements about Kashmir, he added.
He said the people of Pakistan would express solidarity with their Kashmiri brethern on April 6 as announced by the government. Assurance would be given to the Kashmiri people that the Kashmir issue would be resolved according to their wishes as per the United Nations resolution, he said.
The Kashmiri people would have their right through a plebiscite, he said.
Dr Faisal urged social media users to highlight the issue of Kashmir and Indian human rights violations in a befitting manner. He said the international community should take notice of Indian barbarism against innocent Kashmiri people.
To a question, he said due to the stubborn attitude of India, no dialogue could be made.
Nation is united to foil all attempts to create dissent, lawlessness in Balochistan: President
QUETTA, April 4 (APP):President Mamnoon Hussain Wednesday said the Pakistani nation was strong and united and all attempts by its overt and covert enemies to create dissent and lawlessness in Balochistan would foil miserably.
Addressing the 9th convocation of the Sardar Bahadur Khan University, he said a handful of vested interests and some enemies of Pakistan were trying to stop the people of Balochistan benefit from their resource-rich province and to gain from the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
However, he said, the people of Balochistan were fully aware of all such conspiracies and united in thwarting all such ventures. He said the people of Balochistan were true Pakistanis and would not let anyone threaten the solidarity of the country.
The president said the country’s national political leadership was fully cognizant of the challenges confronting the country; particularly in Balochistan, and said it was working hard to address those issues.
He said the religious, political leaders of the province needed to rise above their petty differences and get better awareness about regional and international issues.
He said it would give them a better understanding of the regional politics and help them tackle future challenges.
He said the role of the young generation of Balochistan was all the more critical as they were the future of the country and needed to stand united to take their province forward on path of progress and prosperity.
He cited the founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah who said Balochistan was the future of Pakistan and its youth were its builders. He said with the CPEC becoming operational, numerous opportunities, in diverse fields would become available.
He said the youth of the province needed to be adept in new subjects, learn sciences, get training in hotel industry, tourism and promote their rich culture.
The president said he had cut down the expenses of the Aiwan-e-Sadr and diverted the funds to National University of Modern Languages (NUML) to set up a campus at Gwadar for teaching of Chinese language.
He said the CPEC would create numerous employment opportunities and business activities for the people of Balochistan and said they needed to get prepared to optimally benefit from the project as it would open up the province to the world.
He said he was very pleased to attend the convocation at the Sardar Bahadur Khan University as the education of women was a subject very close to his heart.
He particularly lauded the sacrifices of the students of the university, who fell victim to a terrorist incident, and said they would long be remembered.
He also lauded the teachers and parents for their efforts and hard work and congratulated the students on their success.
MoIT promotes e-commerce to boost economy
ISLAMABAD, Apr 4 (APP):Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication is encouraging future of e-commerce in the country through accelerating the growth of the underserved and un-served “artisans, sellers, suppliers” to boost economy of the country.
The Universal Service Fund (USF) wants to reach the 20 million artisans in Pakistan who are not digitally enabled by providing them the right tools and giving them the right resources.
Through this project artisanal craft will strengthen, ultimately preserving the culture, creating cohesion, digitally enabling the artisans and increasing the GDP of Pakistan and will be important step towards Financial Inclusion.
To boost demand for broadband services and their utility for the economy, the USF Board has also approved the implementation of a project for creating an e-commerce portal for the empowerment of artisans across the country.
Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Anusha Rehman in a recent meeting said this Project had great significance considering that it was the first ever lot of Federally Administered Tribal Areas; encompassing Khyber Agency, FR Kohat, FR Peshawar, Kohat, Karak and Hangu.
This Project benefited an un-served population of about 1.7 million, covering 503 unserved Mauzas and an underdeveloped area of 8,434 sq kms at a subsidy value of Rs. 1.9 billion, she added.
She said, the initial categories of SMEs and artisans selected for e-commerce include leather, furniture, carpets and apparel.
IT Ministry planed to launch a platform owned by the government to also enable and promote the cottage industry through
e-commerce.
Pakistan, although a late entrant to the world of e-commerce, has recently recorded a massive rise in online shopping trends and other e-commerce businesses.
Such exponential growth trends over the past few years – with US$30 million being spent on online purchases currently – depict a highly positive picture for the future and the size of Pakistan’s e-commerce market is expected to reach over US$600 million by 2017.
DC directs to give special attention to refusal cases in anti-polio drive
RAWALPINDI, Apr 04 (APP):Deputy Commissioner Talat Mehmood Gondal Wednesday has directed the concerned authorities to complete micro-plan in every respect and complete data of zero dose children likewise arrange 03 training sessions before every campaign.
While reviewing the arrangements of anti-polio campaign at deputy commissioner office, he directed the health department to cover updated targets keeping in view the shortcomings and limitations of previous campaigns, adding that that special attention needs to be paid to the not available children and refusal cases. He also assured full cooperation of district administration in this regard.
Talat Mehmood informed that in desk review micro-plan of 54 UCs has been completed by DDHOs however more efforts are still required to save our every child from polio virus adding that Rawalpindi district has secured 2nd position in routine EPI (National Extended program on immunization) assessment.
DC took strict notice of complaints received from different UCs about absence of Union Council Medical Officer from campaign and ordered to hold such officers showing negligence in a national cause under disciplinary law.
On the occasion, CEO health Muhammad Sohail Ahmed Chaudhry said that a target to vaccinate 84,000 children of below 5 years of age has been set for which 221 UC MOs and 496 Area-incharge have been appointed for the polio campaign from April 9 to 12.
Moreover, 2333 Mobile Teams and 287 Fixed Points and 119 Transit Points have been established, he added.
CEO health further added that total 2739 teams have been designated for this task and health officers will monitor the progress of campaign and security of polio workers is arranged as well. He said that 489 refusal cases of previous campaigns will also be covered this time.
National Book Festival to bring more attractions for book lovers from April, 6
ISLAMABAD, Apr 04 (APP):A Four-day Annual National Book Festival will be kicked off at Pak-China Friendship Center, Islamabad from Friday with a number of attractions for the book lovers including display of 130 book stalls, book reading sessions and colourful activities for children.
President Mamnoon Hussain will inaugurate the National Book Festival, which will continue till April 9 (Monday).
The festival is being arranged by National Book Foundation (NBF) under the title “Kitaboon Ki Duniya Salamat Rahey” to promote book reading culture among the citizens.
Around 130 book stalls will be set up by110 private publishers and NBF in the festival carrying books on diversified subjects as well as Chinese, Iranian and Turkish literature.
The festival will feature a number of activities including Book Fairs, Book Reading Sessions, Lucky Book Draw, Book Parade, Book Ambassadors Conference, Book Launching ceremonies, Pakistani Languages Session, Lectures and Consultative Sessions, Quizzes and Curricular and Literary programmes.
Colourful activities for children including Art works and Face Painting are also part of the festival.
Food Bazar will be also set up during the festival to provide quality food to the visitors.
The arrangements for the mega festival were finalized during a meeting presided over by Advisor to Prime Minister on National History and Literary Heritage (NH&LH), Irfan Siddiqui on Tuesday.
As per directives of Advisor to Prime Minister, Irfan Siddiqui, a Complaint Cell would be established during the festival with presence of officials’ round-the-clock to resolve issues being faced by the visitors.
During the meeting, Irfan Siddiqui directed the officials to adopt a comprehensive strategy for ensuring provision of books of NBF and other publishers on discounted price and also ensure availability of books according to interest of children and women.
He also directed the officials to facilitate and guide the visiting students and families during festival to save them from any hazard.
Death anniversary of Z.A. Bhutto
SUKKUR, Apr 04 (APP):Quran Khawani and Fateha was offered at Sukkur House on Wednesday to commemorate the death anniversary of the founder of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and former Prime Minister, late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in which several groups of PPP workers from the district participated.
According to a spokesman of the Sukkur House, Abid Sheikh, a large number of PPP workers had also gone to Garhi Khuda Bakhsh for attending the death anniversary of late Z.A. Bhutto, in the leadership of Senator Islamuddin Shaikh and MNA Noman Islam Shaikh.
Blood and sacrifices of Kashmiris not to go waste: PM
MUZAFFARABAD, Apr 4 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Wednesday terming the gross human rights violations in the Indian occupied Kashmir as a challenge to the world conscience, said the blood and sacrifices of the valiant Kashmiris would not go waste.
Addressing the joint session of the AJK Legislative Assembly, the Prime Minister said, the UN Security Council Resolutions provide the real grounds for the resolution of the long simmering dispute between Pakistan and India and plebiscite was the only answer to the Kashmir dispute.“India will have to surrender to the will of the people of Kashmir,” he added.
The Prime Minister strongly condemned the gross human rights violations against the unarmed civilian protestors and said the brutalities of the Indian army find no match, as they even resort to firing over funerals of the martyrs, leading to injuries to over 200 people.
Terming the brutalities an “abortive attempt” to silence the Kashmiris, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said the attempts to cut off lines of communications, ban on internet and curfews would not be able to stop the people of Indian Occupied Kashmir from their struggle for their right to self determination.
Abbasi also expressed grave concern over the restrictions by the Indian army on the movement of Kashmiri families and feared shortage of food and milk for the infants, and urged the international community to play their part in putting an end to these gross human rights violations.
He said the people in the Indian occupied Kashmir have been resisting against the illegal occupation of their lands for the past seven decades, despite a clear resolution of the United Nations Security Council that calls for a plebiscite, so as to let them decide their future. He however regretted that India reneged on its pledge.
The Prime Minister said that despite the unending hostilities and a reign of terror by Indian forces the people of Kashmir have refused to accept the illegal occupation.
“Pakistan has, is, and will continue to extend full political, moral and diplomatic support to its Kashmiri brethren,” he said.
The Prime Minister saluted the valiant people of Kashmir for continuing to wage the struggle despite bearing heavy losses to their lives and property. He said the people have stood up to the atrocities, extra judicial killings and pellet guns with courage and have proven that they would not yield to such tactics.
He said immediately after the recent killings of the innocent Kashmiris by the Indian army Pakistan strongly condemned the incident and demanded of the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to dispatch their fact-finding missions. He said he has also asked the United Nations to appoint a Special Envoy for Kashmir.
He said a special meeting of the Cabinet took up the issue of the killings in Shopian and Anantnag and agreed on observing the Kashmir Solidarity Day on April 6, to raise the issue internationally, besides sending envoys to the world capitals . He said the human rights violations in Indian occupied Kashmir were a challenge to the world conscience and added the blood and sacrifices of the valiant Kashmiris would not go waste.
The Prime Minister said Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif was already in the process of apprising the brotherly countries of the continuing barbarities against the Kashmiris.
The Prime Minister during his day-long visit to the Capital Muzaffarabad was accomapnied by Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif, Minister for Climate Change Mushahidullah Khan, Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer, Minister for Human Rights Mumtaz Ahmad Tarar, Minster for Kashmir Affairs Ch. Barjees Tahir and Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, besides President AJK, PM AJK, Speaker AJK Legislative Assembly and senior officials.
Turkish naval commander visit to further strengthen defence collaboration
ISLAMABAD, April 4 (APP):Commander Turkish Naval Forces, Vice Admiral Adnan Ozbal, who is on an official visit to Pakistan has met with naval field commands at Lahore and Karachi.
During the visit of Lahore, the dignitary met Commandant Pakistan Navy War College, Rear Admiral Naveed Ahmed Rizvi, a press release Wednesday said.
During the visit to Karachi, commander Turkish naval forces called on Commander Karachi, Rear Admiral Ather Mukhtar, Commander Coast, Rear Admiral Moazzam Ilyas and Commander Pakistan Fleet, Rear Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi in separate meetings.
During the meetings, besides discussions on professional matters and bilateral naval collaboration, the commander Turkish naval forces lauded Pakistan Navy’s role and commitments in maintaining peace and stability in the region through persistent participation in Coalition Counter Terrorism and Counter Piracy Task Forces.
The dignitary also visited Pakistan Naval Academy PNS RAHBAR and interacted with midshipmen and cadets presently undergoing training.
Later, he visited Pakistan Navy Ship SAIF. Upon arrival on board, he was received by Commander Pakistan Fleet, Rear Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi and was presented Guard of Honour by contingent of Pakistan Navy.
The dignitary also interacted with the crew of the ship and appreciated the professionalism of officers and men of Pakistan Navy. He laid wreath at Mazar-e-Quaid.
The visit of commander Turkish naval forces to Pakistan is expected to further strengthen the bilateral defence collaboration between Pakistan and Turkey in general and the two navies in particular.