LAHORE, Mar 30 (APP): Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Friday said that every tenure of Pakistan Muslim
League-N government was reflective of golden principles of public service, honesty, trust and transparency.
“We have, in fact, spent a lifetime in the journey of public service,” he added.
Talking to a delegation of the PML-N activists in London, he said those who had showed the worst performance in their province were trying to hoodwink people by telling lies. “Sit-in group has conspired to stop the journey of public service,” he said.
Imran Niazi, he said, had lost his creditability among the public by telling lies and continuous indulgence in baseless allegations. In fact, he said, he had set a world-record of taking U-turns.
The chief minister said, an attempt was made to obstruct the process of national development and prosperity of the people through sit-ins, adding that due to stubbornness and obstinacy of these elements, people had to bear great losses as a result of delay in the development projects.
He said the elements opposing the nation would have to face the wrath of the people in the elections of 2018. He said the politics of deceit, anarchy and baseless allegations had damaged the national interest
He said that energy crisis, sagging economy and ruined institutions were the gifts of past corrupt rulers who mercilessly plundered the hard-earned money of the poor and made a dacoity on their rights.
The chief minister said that people could only be served through hard work, honesty and trust, while negative politics always distracts the nation. “Our sole agenda is selfless service of 22 crore people of Pakistan and all will have to move in unison to move the country forward,” concluded the chief minister.
Our sole agenda is selfless service to people: Shehbaz
Pakistan to be declared polio free country soon: State Minister
FAISALABAD, Mar 30 (APP)::State Minister for Commerce and Textile Industry Hajji Muhammad Akram Ansari has said Pakistan will soon be declared a polio-free country because of the sincere, committed and continuous efforts of the present government.
However, the private sector should expedite its efforts for the rehabilitation of polio infested children, he added.
Inaugurating a polio rehabilitation center in Surayya Majeed Hospital, he said that the government is making all out efforts to provide best possible health facilities to the poor segment of the society.
It is encouraging that NGOs and local philanthropists are also contributing their role in this field, he said and appreciated the efforts of Platinum Lions Club for contributing its role in the establishment of this rehabilitation center. He said that successive anti-polio campaigns are being launched for the last many years. During these campaigns children up to the age of five years are administered polio drops free of cost, he said, adding, these campaigns are launched at national level by mobilizing Health department and involving all available resources. He told that in case of identification of any polio case extra campaigns are also being arranged for those specific areas.
He hoped that although polio is under control yet campaigns to dispense polio drops will continue in near future to save children from any threat of this crippling disease.
He also underlined the need for the rehabilitation of the polio infested children and appreciated the establishment of this center in Surayya Majeed Hospital.
He particularly thanked the efforts of Hajji Muhammad Siddique and Idrees Sidhay Mian who are donating generously to the ailing humanity.
He said that other philanthropists should also play their role for provision of free health facilities to the needy segment of the society.
Earlier, Hajji Muhammad Siddique told that free medical facilities are being offered to the residents of this locality through Surayya Majeed Hospital.
Later Hajji Muhammad Akram Ansari along with other guests distributed tricycles, motorcycles and toys among the polio infested children.
Former President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) Chaudhry Muhammad Nawaz, SVP Rana Sikandar Azam, Hajji Muhammad Abid, Atif Munir, Rashid Munir and Dr Abid Rasheed also addressed the function while Chaudhary Talat Mahmood Gujjar offered vote of thanks.
CPEC to open new avenues of multi-investment for Balochistan: Commander FC
QUETTA, Mar 30 (APP):Commander Frontier Corps (FC) North Sector Balochistan Brigadier Nadeem Suhail said China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project would open new avenues of multi-investment not only for Balochistan but for the whole country.
He was speaking at spring festival, organized by FC in Ziarat.
Commissioner Zhob Division Dr. Syed Saifur-Rehman, Member of Balochistan Assembly (MPA) Khalil-ur-Rehman Dumar, Deputy Commissioner Ziarat, Asadullah Kakar, DPO Duki Ali Nawaz Baloch, Commandant Loralai Scouts Amir Bakhtiar, 84 Wing Commander Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Saqib, former ministers, officials, tribal elders and a large number of people attended the festival.
Brigadier Nadeem Suhail said Frontier Corps was trying to provide health, education facilities free of charge throughout Balochistan on special directives of Inspector General Frontier Corps (FC).
“Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps have established schools and colleges in which 52,769 students including girls and boys are studying, besides they have been provided residence facilities free of charge,” he added.
He said about 75,000 different patients had been treated free of charge at 120 medical camps of FC during last year. Traditional and cultural stalls were also set up at the Quaid-e-Azam Residency.
Students including girls and boys presented national songs, tableau and traditional dances at the Spring festival.
Brigadier Nadeem Suhail appreciated efforts of the FC for organizing such activities in the area.
A football match and other games were also played on the occasion.
Defence Minister commends Pakistan Navy for successful test of cruise missile Babur
ISLAMABAD, Mar 30 (APP):Minister for Defence Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan has commended Pakistan Navy for successful test fire of indigenously-developed 450km-range
Submarine Launched Cruise Missile (SLCM) Babur.
In a statement issued here on Friday, the minister said that Babur missile provides Pakistan credible second strike capability and reinforces Pakistan’s policy of credible minimum deterrence through indigestion and self-reliance
He deeply appreciated the scientists, engineers and personnel of strategic scientific organizations as well as officers of Naval Strategic Force Command for successful test-firing of SLCM Babur.
WB approves $145mln to provide housing finance to poor
ISLAMABAD, Mar 30 (APP):The World Bank (WB) Friday approved $145 million to expand home ownership including women and the poor through access to affordable housing finance in Pakistan.
The Pakistan Housing Finance Project (PHF) will support Government of Pakistan’s vision and strategy for housing development, according to a press statement issued by WB here Friday.
The project will extend financial and technical assistance to Pakistan Mortgage Refinancing Company (PMRC), the Planning Commission (PC), and other institutions to increase availability of mortgage financing for households.
Nearly a third of country’s population does not own homes and this pressure is rising with growing demand, it added.
“This project will spur the development of housing mortgage market in the country and make housing finance affordable and reachable to many Pakistanis.” said Illango Patchamuthu, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan.
“The beneficiaries will include women and low-income groups through improved incentives for ecofriendly homes.”Patchamuthu added.
The project with an innovative approach would help commercial financing for home ownership and provide greater incentives for women to become home owners.
It also incentivizes people to build energy efficient and green homes and adopt climate and disaster-resilient construction designs and materials.
“Pakistan’s mortgage finance to Gross Domestic Product ratio of 0.25 percent is extremely low compared to the South Asia average of 3.4 percent,” said Korotoumou Ouattara, World Bank Senior Financial Sector Economist.
“There is a significant market gap across all segments of the population. The creation of PMRC marks an important step in achieving the Government of Pakistan’s objective to improve access to housing finance in the country. The project will address the liquidity constraints of lenders, support capital market development, and create an enabling environment for a sound national housing policy,” Quattara added.
PHF is financed by the International Development Association, the World Bank’s fund for the poor, with a maturity of 25 years, including a grace period of 5 years.
French Ambassador calls on Nasser Janjua
ISLAMABAD, Mar 30 (APP):French Ambassador to Pakistan, Marc Barety, Friday called on National Security Adviser (NSA) Lt. General (R) Nasser Khan Janjua and discussed matters pertaining to bilateral cooperation and regional security situation.
NSA warmly received the guest and said that France was a great country with positive outlook.
The envoy applauded Pakistan’s efforts against terrorism and acknowledged civil and military sacrifices offered by the nation in this regard.
He expressed desire to have long-term cooperation with Pakistan in this war against terror.
He also highlighted the importance of collective efforts against terrorism and said that France was willing to strengthen defence and intelligence cooperation in a comprehensive framework.
Both sides recognized that the threat of terrorism and particularly Daesh was not yet over and efforts were required to effectively curb this menace in the region.
NSA’s opinion was sought on Pak-India relations and on Afghan peace prospects. NSA reiterated that Pakistan was willing to have friendly ties with all neighbouring countries.
“India, by refusing dialogues, has defeated the spirit of bilateralism. And this will not lead us anywhere. Irrespective of prevailing impasse, both the countries can not escape dialogue and resolution of their disputes,” he said.
All mature nations sought to resolve their issues by way of dialogue and Pakistan would always insisted upon it while maintaining its National dignity and honour, he added.
While discussing situation in Afghanistan, NSA termed the recent peace offered by President Ghani as an opportunity to end the perpetual conflict in Afghanistan and stressed that all the stakeholders should play a role in seeking peace there.
“This again should not be put on Pakistan alone. Everyone and particularly regional countries must come forward to help seek peace in Afghanistan” he added.
PM to inaugurate work on DG Khan Northern Bypass, Rakhi Gajj-Bewata Section
MULTAN, Mar 30 (APP): Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will inaugurate work on two important projects in Dera Ghazi Khan, Northern Bypass and Rakhi Gajj Bewata Section-1 during a ceremony in DG Khan on Saturday (March 31).
According to official sources, DG Khan bypass is a long-standing demand of the area and will help smooth flow of traffic in the city. The DG Khan is strategically situated at confluence point of all the four provinces. Two major national highways N-55, Indus Highway and N-70 (Multan-Qilla Saifullah) as well as four provincial highways pass through the city, creating enormous burden on city roads.
The bypass will divert heavy traffic currently passing through the heart of the city. It will also help in reducing travel time and chances of accidents. About 2.5 million people will benefit from the project with an average daily traffic count of around 5000 vehicles. The 18-km long bypass will be completed within 18 months and it will cost Rs 4 billion. Construction of 5 bridges and a flyover at railway crossing is also part of the project.
Rakhi Gajj-Bewata section is extremely important as it connects Punjab with Balochistan and it is the shortest route. The entire commercial traffic originating from Balochistan travel through N-70 to reach various destinations in Punjab. The widening and improvement of this road will enable quick movement of people and agriculture products between the two provinces. The project will cost around Rs. 13 billion, official sources added.
Azerbaijan commemorating 100th anniversary of genocide
ISLAMABAD, March 30 (APP):Azerbaijan has called upon the international community to force Armenia to ensure the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and to restore the violated rights of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs ) besides bringing those who have committed genocide to justice.
According to a press statement of Azerbaijan embassy here Friday, the international community should legally and politically assess the severe crimes against humanity at the international level as genocide acts, and impose necessary sanctions on Armenia.
“In order to achieve justice, pay tribute to the memory of martyrs who were killed during those tragedies, as well as to ensure the functionality of the norms and principles of the international law, the government of Azerbaijan urges all states and international
organizations to recognize the massacres of the Azerbaijanis on March 31 to April 2, 1918 as a genocide.”
Azerbaijan is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the genocide committed by Armenians against Azerbaijanis in 1918.
“It is to mention that in order to create a mythical state of “Great Armenia” over Azerbaijani lands, as well as over the territories of Turkey and Georgia, the Armenian chauvinists and their supporters have been carrying out the policy of ethnic cleansing, genocide and deportation against the Azerbaijanis, spanning last two centuries.
“As a starting point for this policy, from the beginning of 19th century on, thousands of Armenian families were moved from Iran and Turkey onto historical territories of Azerbaijan such as Karabakh, Nakhchivan, Zengezur, also Iravan and other provinces.
“In pursuance of their illegal goal of ethnic cleansing of Azerbaijanis, Armenians committed the mass killings of Azerbaijanis in March, 1918. Armenian troops murdered more than 30 000 innocent Azerbaijanis in a series of bloody massacres on March 31,
subsequently on April 1-2, 1918, in Baku, Shamakhi, Guba, Kurdamir, Salyan, Karabakh, Zangezur, Nakhchivan, Irevan, Shirvan, Lankaran and other provinces of Azerbaijan. In the course of this genocide, historic buildings, worship places were subjected to
shelling; the minarets of Juma and Tazapir mosques were severely damaged.
“All of these innocent Azerbaijanis were massacred only because of their nationality and religion. Precious historical monuments, mosques, also schools and hospitals were destroyed by the armed Armenian nationalists.
“In spite of many years passed, that bloody genocide was not forgotten. Though Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR) government had established the Emergency Investigation Commission in 1919 to investigate the grave crimes committed by the
Armenians, after the collapse of ADR, this process was stopped.
“After Azerbaijan regained its independence in 1991, the truth hidden for many years was gradually revealed. 80 years after the genocide, on March 26, 1998, by the Decree of President Heydar Aliyev, “On the Genocide of the Azerbaijani people”, political
assessment of those tragic events was carried out; declared as “the Day of Genocide of the Azerbaijanis”, 31 March is commemorated in Azerbaijan every year at the state level, the statement said. According to the Decree signed by Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, on “The 100th Anniversary of the 1918 Genocide of the Azerbaijanis”, relevant Plan of Actions was approved and is being implemented.
The ongoing hostile actions after this genocide by Armenians against Azerbaijanis has proved that the Armenian chauvinists did not give up their hatred. In continuation of ethnic cleansing and aggression policy, Armenia occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as seven surrounding regions, making one million of the Azerbaijanis refugees and IDPs.
On February 26, 1992, Armenian terrorists perpetrated unprecedented genocide in Khojaly city, butchering all the people without differentiating.
UN Security Council Resolutions 822, 853, 874, 884 adopted in 1993, the UNGA Resolution titled “The Situation in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan” on March 14, 2008, Resolution 1416 in 2005 and Recommendation 1690 by the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe, European Parliament & 39;s Resolution on Nagorno- Karabakh on October 23, 2013 re-affirmed once again Nagorno-Karabakh and adjacent seven districts as the integral part of Azerbaijan. However, ignoring the decisions
adopted by the respected international organizations, the Armenian side creates obstacles to the peace in the region, always demonstrating un-constructive position.”
PTI’s contribution to country is zero: Qayyum
ISLAMABAD, Mar 30 (APP):Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) senator Lt Gen (R) Abdul Qayyum Friday said contribution of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf to the country was zero as its politics was all about leveling allegations.
Talking to a private news channel, he said meeting between heads of state institutions was imperative to remove confusions.
Prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi being chief executive of the country, can hold meeting with organs of the state to smoothly run affairs.
He said meetings between prime minister and chief justice of Pakistan had also been held in the past as well.
The senator said all opposition parties were admitting that there were reports of horse trading during the recently held senate elections and that was the stance given by the Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.
He said the PML-N had ensured transparency during senate elections and was not involved in horse trading.
To a question, he said Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was running the affairs of the country with responsibility and commitment.
He said PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif was facing cases against him however nothing was proved against him so far.
State Minister visits residence of slain girl
FAISALABAD, Mar 30 (APP)::State Minister for Interior Talal Badar Chaudhry visited the residence of Abida Ahmad, an ill-fated student of Government College University Faisalabad (GCUF), here on Friday.
Regional Police Officer (RPO) Faisalabad Bilal Siddique Kamyana and Vice Chancellor GCUF Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali also accompanied the minister.
Abida Ahmad, resident of Sheerazi Park Jaranwala, was a student of MA English third semester in GCUF from where she was returning home on March 25 when she got missing in the way. However, four days later her body was recovered from a canal near Chak No.83-GB in the area of Dijkot police station.
On the occasion, State Minister Talal Badar Chaudhry said the government was taking sincere steps for arrest of the real culprits.
He said the killers of the innocent student would be brought to justice at every cost. In this connection, the police department had also been directed strictly to arrest the accused on priority basis and no lethargy, negligence or laziness will be tolerated in this regard, he added.
RPO Faisalabad said special teams had been constituted under the supervision of Superintendent Police (SP) Lyallpur Town and SP CIA. The police teams had also been directed to complete all necessary arrangements for arrest of the real culprits without any delay.
He said Gulberg police had registered case of the ill-fated girl’s murder and investigation was continuing in full swing.
The State Minister for Interior, RPO and VC GCUF condoled with the family members of the female student and expressed their sympathy for them.