ISLAMABAD, Feb 21 (APP):Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Media Affairs Dr Musadik Malik on Wednesday said popularity of Nawaz Sharif, could not decline in the hearts of the people.
Talking to a private news channel, he said Nawaz Sharif could be disqualified from party’s presidentship but he could not be ousted from minds and hearts of the masses.
He said Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) always visited the court of public and also vindicated from such courts. Nawaz Sharif had addressed big public gatherings across the country, he added.
Musadik Malik said the PML-N government wanted to run the country through democratic process and constitutional ways to achieve milestone in every field.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 21 (APP):Minister for Privatization Daniyal Aziz Wednesday said the consultation would be held on the court judgment to evolve a strategy.
Former Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was disqualified on having an Iqama but not corruption charges, he said talking to a private news channel.
The minister said some elements wanted to decrease popularity of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) but they would fail in do so.
He said the PML-N had achieved success in the bye-elections of Lodhra and Chakwal with thumping majority due to prudent policies of Nawaz Sharif.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 21 (APP):The Chairperson of Prime Minister Youth Programme Leila Khan on
Wednesday revealed that total some 300,000 talented students were given laptops alongwith broadband internet devices across the country to improve their learning through technology.
The federal government’s initiative taken in 2014, under Prime
Minister’s Scheme for Provision of laptops, was aimed at encouraging and supporting deserving students to digitalize the mode of studies in public sector universities, she said.
The scheme’s primary objective was to assist middle and lower middle class’s vulnerable talented students to use latest qualitative tools for their research in studies.
Research and Public Relation Officer Abdul Shakir informed that scheme was targeted to facilitate 100,000 students per year for which an amount of Rs. 5.1 billion and Rs. 21.3 billion for FY 2013-14 and FY 2014-2018 was earmarked respectively.
A single laptop costs Rs. 44,000 and some 200,000 more laptops would be distributed in next two years, taking the total figure to 500, 000, he added.
Regional Coordinator at Higher Education Commission (HEC), Qaim Ali Shah highlighting the salient feature of the scheme said it
prioritized MS and PHD students as their studies involve research
work.
The scheme earlier covering all provinces was extended trough HEC to Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) and FATA on the direction of Senate Standing Committee in T2014. Recently Diploma Associate Engineers were also included in the scheme by the government, Qaim said.
Ishtiaq Khattk , a student of M. Phil, called the facility an
educational boon for students going through their research in
qualitative higher education.
The wireless broadband device being provided along with laptop was also useful as 20 GB in Rs 500 is more than enough for a student as compared to other internet packages being offered in the market.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 21 (APP):Minister for Power Division Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari on Wednesday reiterated that no ban was imposed on setting up projects of renewable energy in the country rather competitive bidding process would be introduced for solar, small hydel, wind and bio-masses energy generation projects.
In response to points of public importance raised by members in the Senate, the minister said that the initial incentivize period for renewable energy projects during which upfront tariff was offered, has now over.
He said that the government was revising renewable energy projects to rationalize the tariff and lower the basket price of renewable power projects.
He said the Cabinet Committee on Energy has decided to abolish the upfront tariff mechanism and competitive bidding process be introduced as per international practice.
Responding to another point, the minister dispelled the impression that China was tilting towards India regarding China-Pakistan
Economic Corridor (CPEC).
He said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was a flagship project and part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
He said it was a bilateral project between Pakistan and China and no third country could be made part of it.
He said the project would help enhance connectivity of the whole region including Central Asian States and Middle East countries. Other counties have also shown their interest to make part of it, he said.
Awais said the project would usher in an era of development in Pakistan and the region and other countries could also benefit dividends of this initiative.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 21 (APP):Minister for
Planning, Development and Reforms, Prof Ahsan Iqbal on Wednesday said that under
China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) the energy projects are included in the
active list with power capacity of 11110 MW.
Speaking in
the Senate during question hour, the minister said that Pakistan and China has
agreed in May 2017 to adjust the CPEC Energy Projects List, based on research
and scientific analysis and on the recommendations of the CPEC Energy Planning
Expert Panel from both sides.
Accordingly
both sides agreed to hold Muzaffargarh Coal Power Project (1,320MW), Salt Range
Mine Mouth Power Project (300MM including mining, Gaddani Power Park (1,320MW),
Sunnec Wind Farm (50MW), Chichoki Mallian Combined-cycle Power Plant (525MW)
till endorsed as feasible, he added.
However, the
minister said that it has been decided that total installed capacity of the
CPEC project will remain same; 17045 MW as defined in the Agreement on the
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Energy Project Cooperation.
Both sides
agreed that after the adjustment, the balance insufficient capacity will be
enhanced gradually, and priority shall be given in this regard to hydropower
projects along the Indus river Basin, the minister said.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 21 (APP):Ambassadors of various countries Wednesday suggested that unemployment should be controlled to curb terrorism in Pakistan and they appreciated the role of National Vocational & Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) for imparting skills to the youth.
Speaking in the meeting of NAVTTC development partners held here, the speakers extended their full cooperation to NAVTTC.
Ambassadors of European Union, Germany Norway, Netherlands, Switzerland and country head of British Council attended the meeting.
Speaking on the occasion, Executive Director NAVTTC, Zulfiqar Cheema appreciated the role of development partners for their cooperation in technical skill sector.
Zulfiqar Cheema informed the partners about the current steps taken by the NAVTTC adding that his department increased the numbers of trainees from 30,000 to 100,000.
He said that five centers of excellence would be established in the different parts of the country to provide best training to the participants.
He said NAVTTC had changed the old system of training and introduced the new system under which 90 percent training would be imparted on basis on practical.
He said after getting training from NAVTTC, trainees were availing jobs in both public and private sector in Pakistan and abroad.
He advised the students to focus on the training so that they were in a better position to secure jobs both at local and international market.
He said that the CPEC would create thousands of jobs for the skilled youth of Pakistan and opened new vistas of prosperity and development.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 21 (APP):Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission of Pakistan, Sartaj Aziz Wednesday asked
Ministry of Human Rights (MOHR) to establish legal aid cell in collaboration
with bar councils to facilitate victims of human rights violations.
He said that it was important for all the stakeholders particularly government, civil society and international partners
to enhance cooperation and urged international development partners to collaborate with MOHR to support its programs and initiatives.
The Deputy Chairman said that the government was committed to achieve the global
sustainable development goals.
The seven pillars of vision 2025 were fully aligned with these goals, he added.
“There is a need for MOHR to develop
cooperation with other federal and provincial stake holders in order to judiciously
utilize resources,” he commented.
He was speaking as chief guest at the concluding ceremony day of the first ever three-day
International Conference on Human Rights (HR) titled, “Owing human Rights for a
Better World” organized by the Federal Ministry of Human Rights.
Sartaj Aziz said that with the active role of the parliament and strong support of
civil society, there had been valuable addition of new legislations especially
on the rights of women, minorities and children in past ten years.
He said that it was important for all the stakeholders particularly government, civil society and international partners
to enhance cooperation and urged international development partners to
collaborate with MOHR to support its programs and initiatives.
Federal Secretary, Ministry of Human Rights, Rabiya Javeri
Agha said that the cause of human rights united all sections of the society.
“The government of Pakistan is cognitive of its duties in the realm of
human rights. Legislation and policy initiatives, presenting and defending
international treaty reports, the set-up of human rights institutions from
federal to grassroots level, national action plans and financial inclusion
strategies, electoral reforms, gender budgeting and the provision of social
nets are some of the manifestations of this commitment,” she remarked.
In the concluding day sessions on “Right to Development” and “Role
of Development Planning in Pakistan to Promote Right to Development: Past,
Present and Future,” the speakers discussed at length the correlation of human rights
with the development.
Neil Buhne, United Nations Resident Coordinator said that under sustainable development
goals, the prime focus was to reach people who were left behind and invisible in
the society. In Pakistani scenario, he added, that the nation had 60 percent
population below 30 years of age and among them, mostly were under employed.
They also needed to focus on agriculture as it was the back bone of the country’s economy, he added.
A representative of International Labour Organization, Ingrid Christensen Pakistan ratified all core convention on human rights. She further said in comparison with other countries of the region, Pakistan was
raking lead in protection of fundamental rights of masses.
But still a number of challenges like gender gap, customary practices, partiarical society etc. creating
hurdles in achieving their set goals.
Zamir Akram, representative of UN working group on Right to development shared that there was
a dire need for International cooperation for peace and development.
He added that environment degradation, absence of good governance, were major challenges which
needed to be addressed on priority.
Former Governor State Bank of Pakistan Dr Ishrat Hussain said that the best
development model to ensure prosperity was combination of
state-centered, private-oriented and civil society-driven models.
He suggested third party evaluation of government projects by the civil society
and utilization of the skills of retired bureaucrats for planning and implementations
of development plans with human rights perspective. He also stressed for homogenization
of provincial and federal budgets.
Member Social Section Ministry of Planning, Development and Social Reforms Asma Haider suggested
engaging and strengthening local government terming it the only way to move towards
participatory development.
Sania Nishtar, representative World Health Organization stressed
on balance between population and resources, strong institutions and
improve Public-private partnership for better service delivery.
Dr. Abid Sulehri, Executive Director Sustainable Development
Policy Institute, (SDPI) asked for trusting in the wisdom of community rather
than in forcing your own thesis on them as they are living in the situation and
knew problems in depth.
The conference was attended by international human rights experts, UN representatives, parliamentarians, government
officials, Commissions on Human Rights, diplomats, members of civil society organizations, NGOs, INGOs, academia and the media.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 21 (APP):Minister for Privatization Daniyal Aziz on Wednesday informed the Senate that 51 per cent share of Pakistan International Airlines and its management would remain with the government while 49 per cent share will be sold by April 15.
Responding to a Calling Attention notice raised by Farhatullah Babar and Saher Kamran regarding privatization of PIA and Pakistan Steel Mills as decided by the Cabinet Committee on Privatization on February 16, the minister said the process was started under the PIAC Conversion Act 2016 unanimously passed by the House.
He said the Speaker had set up a committee which had representation of all political parties to bring improvement in the national flag carrier. The committee has drafted the Act which was unanimously passed by the House, he said.
He said privatization ministry was set up in 1991 and Pakistan Peoples Party also remained party to the process.
He said the government intended to separate transport business from the airline’s assets and the entity would be owned by the state. Majority shares and management control would remain with the state, he said.
He said the Cabinet Committee on Privatization approved the transport model in order to separate air transport business from non-air transport business.
Regarding PSM, the minister said neither land of PSM was being sold nor transferred to any third party. He said PSM was not in privatization list and its land would be given on lease for 30 years to generate revenue.