LAHORE, March 25 (APP):Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique Sunday urged the political parties to play their role for the progress and prosperity of the country.
Addressing a gathering on the death anniversary of PML-N worker Sheikh Amjad Aziz here, he said the democratic system should continue and the people should elect their representatives in the election.
He said political parties had shortcomings and their workers should be allowed to mend them. the politicians should realise gravity of the situation and the practice of name-calling should be abandoned, he added.
The minister said recently a new party was launched in Balochistan which would eliminate in two to three years.
He said he was made owner of a residential society and when he was summoned by an honourable judge, he submitted every thing in an affidavit.
He said he had received a letter from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for appearance before it March 28.
He said the NAB law was a black law, which was made to silence political workers and both the Pakistan Peoples Party and the PML-N should have taken steps to remove it. Accountability was always made by the masses in elections, he added.
The PML-N introduced the CPEC and India was not happy with it, he said, adding the PML-N had successfully overcome the crisis of energy.
He said the popularity of the PML-N had increased due to developments works in the country.
Earlier, he paid tributes to late Sheikh Amjad Aziz for his services for the party and democracy.
Political parties should play role for country’s progress: Saad
Int’l jury announces 26 finalists of national art competition
ISLAMABAD, March 25 (APP):An international jury Sunday announced 26 finalists of a nationwide art competition on UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) here at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA).
Organized by the Embassy of Switzerland in collaboration with partners, the competition titled ‘We the Peoples, We the Arts’ invited students to produce art works in four categories, including sculpture, painting and miniature painting and print making, on themes related to 17 SDGs of the United Nations. Fine arts students aged 18 and above, enrolled in accredited Pakistani colleges and universities were eligible to participate.
Over 140 students from all over Pakistan sent their artwork in February. Gender equality, women’s empowerment, child rights, education, poverty and environment were recurrent themes of the artworks.
The first round of jury, comprising Ambassador of Austria to Pakistan Brigitta Blaha, Director of Kunst Halle Sankt Gallen Switzerland Giovanni Carmine, Head of Fine Arts Department, National College of Arts Lahore Quddus Mirza and Head of Cooperation, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Islamabad, Stefanie Burri, took place at the PNCA from March 15-24. In the first phase, judges pre-selected 26 finalists, who will be invited to Islamabad to participate in the award ceremony on May 10, where they will be awarded 200 US dollars each.
The second round of jury will take place a day before the award ceremony, in which one winner from each category will be selected, who will be awarded 500 US dollars each.
Artworks from all the 26 finalists will feature in a high-quality catalogue and will be exhibited in major cities across Pakistan.
The finalists names in print making included Dua Rabbay, Karachi, Rameesha Azeem, Lahore, Ruqaia Abdul Aziz, Karachi, Shahid Malik, Lahore and Zainab Abdul Hussain, Karachi.
In miniature painting, the finalists included Gulsoom Musa, Karachi, Mahnoor Khawaja, Lahore, Nadia Batool, Rawalpindi, Rameesha Sarmad, Lahore, Zainab Amir, Lahore and Zunaira Farooq, Lahore.
Finalists in Sculpture included Ahsan Khurshid, Peshawar, Faheem Abdullah, Quetta, Mahoor Khan, Karachi, Syed Rameez, Karachi, Tahmina Anwar, Karachi and Warda Batool, Karachi.
Finalistst in painting included Haya Esbhani, Karachi, Muhammad Ibrahim, Peshawar, Murk Mangi, Lahore, Najeeb Ullah, Quetta, Rida Mehmood, Lahore, Tooba Ashraf, Lahore, Zoha Zafar, Lahore and Zunaira Malik, Rawalpindi.
‘We the Peoples, We the Arts’ is an art competition that aims to involve young artists in promoting the SDGs. The Swiss embassy first launched the competition in 2016 in collaboration with the UN Information Centre and several other partners.
The first edition involved students of five leading art schools across Pakistan, who produced sculptures, paintings and miniature paintings, highlighting the theme of Zero Hunger; the second of 17 SDGs. Building on the success of this initiative, partners decided to launch its second edition and expand participation and thematic areas of the competition to include all the 17 SDGs.
The SDGs are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. By 2030, with these new Goals that universally apply to all, countries will mobilize efforts to end all forms of poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change, while ensuring that no one is left behind.
The SDGs address the most pressing global challenges of our time, calling upon collaborative partnerships across and between countries to balance the three dimensions of sustainable development,economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion.
Photo show unveils world of wild insects
ISLAMABAD, March 25 (APP):An exhibition of photographs by Nadia Abbasi unveiled the world of wild insects on Sunday at a local art gallery.
The photographic exhibition was inaugurated by renowned Photographer Azhar Hafeez as guest of honour.
The exhibition beautifully highlighted the diverse aspects of life of wild insects. Visitors greatly appreciated the work.
Muhammad Sajjad, owner of Nuqta Studio, while talking to media highly appreciated the efforts of the photographic talent of Nadia Abbasi.
Syeda Nadia Raza, a social activist and artist, also appreciated the quality of work produced and said photographs were reflecting a powerful image of world of wild insects and also showed the beauty of world.
Malik Saqib Mahmood, a visitor, also lauded the work of Nadia and termed the exhibition as unique and striking.
Headquarters win team event of NTC All Pak inter region badminton
LAHORE, Mar 25 (APP):Headquarters region won the team event
title of the NTC All Pakistan inter regional badminton championship
with an easy 2-0 win over Central region in the final here on Sunday
at the Punjab University gymnasium hall.
The winners struck all round performance to beat the opponents
in both the double matches.
Director General Finance, NTC, Nauman Khalid inaugurated the
event at the colourful ceremony. Also present was Divisional Engineer,
NTC Lahore, Ayaz Noor.
In the first match of the team event final, Muhammad Ali and
Hasan short work of Kamran and Safdar 21-16,21-18. In the second match
Nauman Khalid and Hamidullah outplayed Mureed Abbas and Zahid Jabbar
in a three setter match, 21-18,17-21,21-10.
Following are the results of the matches,
Team event (semi finals), headquarters beat North region 2-0, In the
first match, Hamidullah and Safdar beat Sohail and Taimoor 21-6,21-10
and in the second tie Hasan and Zafar beat Shahid and Aamir 21-10,21-8.
(2nd second final), In the first match central region beat South Region 2-0. In the first match, Kamran and Safdar beat Imtiaz and Mateen 21-18,21-19,in the second match Mureed and Zahid beat Rasheed and
Abidi 21-17,21-9.
Finals in the senior veterans doubles and junior veterans doubles
were also decided
Following are the results,
In the senior veterans doubles final Nauman Khalid and Hamidullah
beat Fasih ur Rehman.
In the junior veterans doubles junior final Nauman Khalid and Hamidullah outshone Fasih ur Rehman and Saeed .
The tournament will continue March 27 and a number of other events will also be played.
KP medal winners to get cash rewards of Rs. 3.5 million next week: DG Sports
PESHAWAR, Mar 25 (APP):The medals winners of Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa in the recently concluded 4th Inter-Provincial Games
would be awarded a cash prize of Rs. 3.5 million next week, Director General
Sports KP Junaid Khan said in his addressing during the shield distribution
ceremony organized by KP Olympic Association here at Lala Rafique Sports Arena.
Juanid Khan said that the gold medal winners in the Games
in individual category would be awarded Rs. 30,000, silver medalist would get
Rs. 20,000 and the bronze medalist would award Rs. 15000 respectively. Likewise
in Team Games, each of the gold medalists would be awarded Rs. 10,000, Rs. 7000
for the silver medalist and Rs. 5000 for the bronze medalist.
He said all the cash incentives would be given to the
medalist winners in a week time. “It is a very good performance of the province
among the team like Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan,
FATA and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
As all know that Punjab clinched the Governor Champion
trophy of the 4th Inter-Provincial Games with 139 medals by securing
3235 points and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa grabbed the Chief Minister runners-up trophy
with 122 medals while Sindh got Brig. Rodham’s 3rd position trophy.
Punjab with 65 gold medal, 44 silver and 30 bronze medals
secured a total of 139 medals, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 37 gold
medals, 46 silver and 37 bronze medals scored 2532 points and 122 medals while
Sindh with 17 gold, 16 silver and 40 bronze medals secured 1557 points by
taking third position.
Balochistan given a very stunning performance, specially
in the martial arts games, secured 24 gold medal, 34 silver medals and 34
bronze medal with a total of 92 medals and recorded 1370 points finished fourth
on the table. FATA got fifth position with 6 gold, 8 silver, 25 bronze medals
with 29 total medal, Islamabad got sixth position with 5 gold, 9 silver and 26
bronze with total 40 medals. AJK remained at 7th with 2 silver
medals, 9 bronze medals. GB remained at 8th with 2 gold medals, 1
silver medal and 7 bronze medals respectively. The fair play President POA
trophy awarded to FATA.
Junaid Khan made it clear that the double medal winners
and individual and team event would also be given double cash prizes with the
same patron.
Junaid Khan also thanked the media men, members of the
organizing committee, Director Operation Syed Saqlain Shah, Organizing
Secretary Zulfiqar Butt, and former Sports Minister Syed Aqil Shah, who is the
President of the Organizing Committee, Secretary Sports Muhammad Tariq Khan and
Chief Secretary Azam Khan for extending all out support for a successful Games.
He appreciated KP Taekwondo Association for winning seven
gold medal and nine silver and three bronze medals by taking first position,
followed by KP Bodybuilding Association for winning nine gold medals, KP Tennis
Association who players won four gold medals.
Yousaf got three gold medals in singles, doubles and Team
event. Komal in squash won two gold medals in singles and team event and Laiba
Ijaz took gold medal in Team event. Boxing and Gymnastic remained at sixth on
medal table.
He also thanked President Pakistan Olympic Association
Lt. Gen Arif Hassan (Retd) for sending his greetings to the Govt of Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa for holding successful Games. In a letter of appreciation Arif
Hassan termed holding the Games proves organizational prowess and understanding
of Directorate General Sports KP in the fields of sports. “Needless to say that
everything was perfect and the contingents have gone back very happy and these
Games will be remembered by all who participated in them. The Games will also
be remembered for the tradition of care and hospitality displayed once again by
the people of KP,” Arif Hassan added.
Pakistan Day parade reflects discipline, professional capabilities of Armed Forces: President
ISLAMABAD, Mar 25 (APP):President Mamnoon Hussain Sunday congratulated the Armed Forces for successfully arranging the
marvelous Pakistan Day parade which reflected their exemplary discipline, defense capabilities and
professional preparedness.
He was addressing the prize distribution ceremony and Bara Khana, hosted for the officers and
personnel of Pakistan Armed Forces who participated in the Pakistan Day parade, said a
press release.
The President said the nation felt pride over its Armed Forces. The passionate display of performance
by the officers and soldiers of the Armed Forces on the Pakistan Day strengthened the spirit in nation
and revived the confidence that the Armed Forces of Pakistan were fully capable of defending the
country with their professional capabilities.
He noted that participation of Turkey, Jordan and United Arab Emirates contingents in Pakistan Day
parade had enhanced the moments of joys.“It proved that our friends are standing with us in all
circumstances,” he added.
The President observed that holding of joint parade also added to country’s esteem and image
abroad.
He stressed upon display of such faith, unity and discipline in all sectors of life so that the country
could progress and the highest targets for the progress and prosperity could be achieved with the
strong unity of all segments of society.
The President also lauded the bold role of Armed Forces and others for defeating terrorism.
“The sacrifices you rendered for restoration of peace and the protection of people would be
written in golden words,” he added.
The President said the Armed Forces of Pakistan, from the creation of the motherland, had
despite scant resources and numbers, always defeated its enemies. All this was possible
due to sincerity and highest degree of patriotism.
He noted that with display of such discipline and sacrifices, a strong and democratic Pakistan
would overcome all its issues and would become indomitable.
Chairman OIC FPCC for expending interactions among private, informal sectors
PESHAWAR, Mar 25 (APP):The Chairman Council of OIC
Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Haji Naseem ur rehman
has said that OIC needs to expand its vision with interactions among private
and informal sectors being important.
Pakistan and Afghanistan are brotherly nations and they
are also largest trading partners. He said that Pak-Afghan adopt a global
approach and should focus on a wide range of activities like poverty
alleviation, improvement of the health sector, trade and commerce in the
region.
He said this while talking with President Afghan
Federation of Commerce and Industry Salahuddin Syed called him at Mardan on
Sunday. Former President Mardan Chamber of commerce and Industry Haji
Masood-ur-Rehman and Bacha Khan were also present.
Rehman stressed the need for enhancing bilateral economic
ties and trade relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. It is imperative
that Pak-Afghan being the biggest economies must solve their bilateral issues
through dialogues, he added.
He said, Islamic countries are taking steps to boost
investment in Pakistan and Afghanistan, which will help in eliminating problems
facing both the countries.
Both nations need to improve trade facilitation through
streamlined payments settlement and improved insurance mechanisms, the use of
bonded carriers, visa issuance, trade financing, tax collection, and
documentation, he said.
Economic cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan and improved trade and transit
facilities would help connect South Asia with Central Asia, he concluded.
Nawaz still rules people’s hearts: Khawaja Asif
Sialkot, Mar 25 (APP)::Minister for Foreign Affairs Khawaja Muhammad Asif has said that
Nawaz Sharif still rule the hearts of people.
He said the people consider Muhammad Nawaz Sharif as a
great leader who put the country on road to progress and
development.
He was addressing the party workers’ convention at Pooran
Heran-Sialkot city on Saturday late night.
MPA Ch Muhammad Ikram, Deputy Mayor Ch Bashir, PML-N
local leaders Ch Imdad Ali, Amir Saleem Mirza, Haji Abdul Qadeer
Sheikh, Khurrum Shahbaz Khan, Ali Basra and Rana Muhammad
Imran were also present on the occasion.
Khawaja Asif said the PML-N government had completed
a record number of social welfare and human development-oriented
projects across the country under the dynamic leadership of
Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.
He said that Nawaz Sharif and PML-N had won the hearts
and minds of people, adding the popularity of PML-N was
increasing with day by day.
He said the PML-N was ensuring the sanctity of votes,
adding only “thumb impression” on ballot papers could change
the destiny of the nation.
He said the PML-N government was fulfilling all its
promises, adding only PML-N had the capability to serve
the nation in a better way.
Khawaja Muhammad Asif said that people would vote
for PML-N in the general election on its superb performance.
He said 2000 MW electricity would be added to the
national grid by December next.
He said that loyal workers were asset of the PML-N,
adding that relationship between PML-N and people was
the relation of prosperity and progress.
The Minister said that 1800 KMs long motorways
were completed across the country. He vowed to continue
the journey of socio-economic, human development and
masses’ prosperity in the country.
He said the government would complete its constitutional
tenure, adding that it had become a demand of the day that
the Constitution must be protected.
Pakistan to become industrial hub of South Asia after CPEC’s completion: Ahsan
ISLAMABAD, Mar 25 (APP):Minister for Interior Ahsan Iqbal has said China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) had great importance for both the countries and Pakistan would become an industrial hub of South Asia after the completion of the project.
CPEC would connect not only China to Europe, Africa and the Middle East, but would also play an important role in regional connectivity, he said while talking to PTV.
Ahsan Iqbal, who is also Minister for Planning and Development, said the CPEC would make the entire region developed and prosperous. The mega project was a game changer for Pakistan as it would bring mega improvement in social infrastructure, energy, industrial cooperation, agriculture and many other sectors, besides creating millions of job opportunities for the youth of the country, he added.
The CPEC, he said, was launched with the consensus of all political parties. The government had held an all parties conference on the matter.
The minister said Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan would become gateways of the CPEC. Trade zones would be set up in the federal capital, all the four provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Federally Administered Tribal Areas, he added.
He said Chinese and Pakistani companies would make large-scale investment in the trade zones, which would not only create new jobs, but also help transfer new technology to Pakistan.
He said enemies were trying to sabotage the CPEC project. The arrest of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav testified that fact. However, law enforcement agencies were providing complete security to all those, who were working on the projects underway under the CPEC. A special force of some 10,000 security personnel had been constituted for the purpose.
The minister said in 2013 when the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) came into government, the country was facing many challenges, including terrorism, energy shortfall, and deteriorating law and order situation. The government with its effective policies overcame all the challenges, he added.
He said some 11,500 mega watt electricity was added to the national grid during the last four years. About $ 35 billion were being spent in the energy sector only and there was not even a single penny of loan included in it, rather it was investment under the CPEC, he added.
He said Thar had rich coal deposits and it would become an energy capital of the country after the completion of coal projects.
He expressed the hope that the people would again vote the PML-N in the next general election in majority for the continuity of development process in the country.
Multanites need more playgrounds
By Tasawar Hussain
MULTAN, Mar 25 (APP): It is a fact that playgrounds promote physical activity in youth and prevent them from resorting to negative trends so that their potential can be utilized in a healthy way.
Further,outdoor physical activity reduces the risk of psychological problems in children and boost their self-esteem.
According to medical specialists ,the health benefits of physical activity are reduction of risk factors for disease ,achieving a peak bone mass and mental well-being.
So being well aware of the health benefits of playgrounds,
residents of different colonies felt the that the playgrounds in the city were insufficient and they believe that the dearth might compel their younger family members to negative tendencies.
The majority of younger generation is already lost to the
world wide web and the social networking platforms it was
supporting through smartphones, laptop and desk top computers isolating them from the people around and connecting them to the strangers.Moreover,dearth of sports grounds in the city
is discouraging but that doesn’t stop the local talent from
trying their youthful energy and skill on different sports.
They do it on roads and streets, mostly with the bat and
ball.
The city of over 1.8 million population has only fourteen
(14) playgrounds, insufficient to meet the needs of a larger
younger segment of population.
The playgrounds and indoor playing facilities that adorn the
city landscape include district sports ground, football ground,
Hockey ground, Basketball court, sports gymnasium, MCC ground,Safqaat sports complex, Ayub cricket stadium, Emerson college ground, BZU ground, Nishtar ground, Qasim Bagh stadium and Muslim Public school and college ground.
Gravity of the situation can be judged from the fact that
over 30 different teams play cricket every day at district sports
ground located in the center of the city near Kalma Chowk and the jumbled pattern become more complex on holidays. The same situation was being noticed in other playgrounds of the city.
And those who fail to find space on playgrounds, move either to
roads and street or to vast spaces of private housing schemes in
the suburbs of the city that are incomplete but plots are demarcated.
There were so many housing colonies in the city where there is no space for sports activities despite clear directions by
Multan Development Authority (MDA). The young talent was moving to other big cities for more opportunities in sports because of low space for sports activities in Multan.
A local cricketer Majid Ali said that cricket was his favorite game but unfortunately there was no proper place near his residence where he could play.
Adnan Khan of Lodhi colony said that his son wanted to
become a national cricketer but he could not continue his practice due to shortage of playgrounds. He said that he was also planning to move to Lahore for future of his son.
Parents complained that owing to the absence of
playgrounds, they did not allow their kids to play in the streets because that could be dangerous for them.
It is pertinent to mention here that most of the educational
institutions in the city were not provide the playing
facilities to the students which was irksome for the young people.
The parents have expressed concern over the lack of
playgrounds and urged the officials concerned to provide schools with space which could be used for healthy activities by the students.
A residents Asif Shabir said that a large number of schools are being run in the residential areas in small houses, which are not able to facilitate students with grounds.
The situation forces the students to use green areas and
streets as playgrounds, which create problems for the residents.
District Sports Officer Chaudhry Farooq Latif said that
there is a cricket ground, a hockey ground, two football grounds
(one more is under construction), a gymnasium for indoor sports and a wrestling arena under its supervision. He stated that all possible resources were being utilized to provide sports
activities to the youth of the city.
He said that district sports department was organizing different events and competitions to polish local talent.
To create attraction for young talent, Punjab government has made an E-Library in the sports gymnasium from where information related to sports are available, he added.
Different lectures of coaches, players and officers would be
arranged in future to bring more improvement in young talent, he said adding, that several new playgrounds had been constructed by the concerned department.
He further said the network of playgrounds
would be extended to all parts of the city to reduce the
problems.