ISLAMABAD, Mar 8 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Thursday said the federal government was committed to the development of Balochistan and accords due priority to it in allocation of funds to ensure its people get all basic facilities of life.

He was talking to students of Cadet College Mastung, Balochistan who visited Prime Minister Office and met with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

The Prime Minister said Balochistan was a resource-rich province having abundant oil, gas, minerals and metals besides a deep sea port. He expressed the hope that the province would soon turn out to be the most developed area of the country.

The Prime Minister said after the 18th Amendment, most of the public service functions have been devolved to provinces, however, the Federal Government has always given due importance to the province and allocated huge resources for its progress and development. He said the province would soon have a network of roads for better health and education services.

The Prime Minister advised the students to focus on their studies and work hard to reach a position where they could serve Pakistan and particularly Balochistan.

He also expressed satisfaction that many students from Cadet College Mastung had joined the armed forces to serve and defend Pakistan.

SAPM Ali Jehangir Siddiqui and MNA Shaza Fatima Khawaja briefed the students regarding working of the executive branch of the government and took them on a round of the Prime Minister Office.

PESHAWAR, Mar 08 (APP):Federal Minister for Interior Ahsan Iqbal said Thursday that only state has the right to declare Jehad in an Islamic republic against evil forces and no citizen has the right to call for the killing of citizens.
The minister said individuals self rulings for Jehad will create anarchy and destabilize peace in the country.
Addressing a function here at Frontier Constabulary headquarters after inaugurating FC Flats and media talks, the Interior Minister declared that no enemy could defeat us until we have brilliant and brave jawans in the Army and FC.
He said some terrorists’ outfits had made the country hostage few years back and the country was being considered most dangerous for living while today it was an emerging economic nation and peaceful country.
The government, Army and police were united in war against
terrorism as result of which the terrorists were on the run. “We will not rest until elimination of the last terrorist. We will make the country a peaceful abode for our children.”
The Minister was presented salute upon arrival to the FC headquarter by the contingents of the FC troops. He also laid floral wreath at Yadgar Shuhada on this occasion.
In a media talks, he said PTI Chief Imran Khan was known for making tall claims and advises whereas he did not fallow the same in practical life.
“We put the country on road to progress under the leadership of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif but certain hidden forces were against it.”
Many important projects have brought to the country under CPEC by PML-N government which will ensure massive investment in the country besides making Pakistan an economic giant.
“We desire peace in Afghanistan as peaceful Afghanistan was in
the interest of Pakistan,” he said, adding India did not want peace in Pakistan and Afghanistan and arrest of Indian spy Kulbhushan Yadav was a prove of it.
He said unrest and chaos had been prevailing in the country before PML-N government came into power and today peace and law and order situation has been restored and foreign investment are coming to the country as evident from CPEC.
“We had successfully eliminated terrorism from the country with the cooperation of nation and security forces in our five years tenure and established government writ in all restive areas including KP, FATA and Karachi.”
To a question he said, we want to make Pakistan a economic giant
and are determined to make the institutions more strong and vibrant.
“We will construct new hospitals for FC and Frontier Corps and decided to provide best weaponry for civil armed forces.”
“It is for the political parties to ponder over the matters of horse trading in Senate election,” he said, adding massive horse trading was reportedly done in PTI ranks in the recent held senate election as admitted by the PTI leadership.
PML-N is ready to cooperate with every one for elimination of horse trading in Senate elections in future.
Our opponents have made a front against us but will continue to pass on the journey of progress and development and will work for strengthening of democracy, he concluded.

ISLAMABAD, Mar 8 (APP):Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday said Pakistan Muslim (N) was a majority party in Senate and it had right to field its candidate for Chairman.
He, however, said in case PPP fields Mian Raza Rabbani as candidate for the slot of Chairman Senate, the PML(N) would support him who meets overall criteria.
Talking to media after appearing before Accountability Court here, Nawaz Sharif said
“If PPP’s leadership does not want to field Raza Rubbani as candidate for Senate Chairman then we will find someone from our own fold.”For this purpose, former Prime Minister said, he was in consultation with Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Hasil Bizenjo and Maulana Fazl-Ur-Rehman for leadership of the Upper House.
Answering a question, he said there would be chances of horse trading for election of Chairman and Deputy Chairman Senate.
“We want a strong person for slot of Chairman who should be sincere to country as well as to democratic system,” he said.
Nawaz said PML-N and its allies are engaged in consultation over Senate Chairman’s post and all are agreed over the name of Raza Rabbani who is incumbent Chairman.
He assured full support to Raza Rabbani, saying “It is also my personal wish to see him as Senate’s Chairman.
Regarding on-going cases against him, he said these are part of a ‘grand design’, as it has been six months since corruption references were filed but charges have yet to be proved.
Nawaz Sharif claimed he was disqualified on flimsy grounds, saying that there was no proof of any wrongdoing.

PESHAWAR, Mar 08 (APP): Federal Minister for Interior, Ahsan Iqbal said here Thursday the country has been put on road to economic progress and development after significant improvement in the law and order situation owing to the government’s effective polices and sacrifices of law enforcement agencies and the role of Frontier Corps in establishment of the Government’s writ in restive areas was highly commendable.
Addressing the passing out parade of 25th batch of Frontier Corps KP recruits at FC Training Academy at Warsak, the Interior Minister said the civil and military leadership have taken unanimous and bold decisions that proved very fruitful in establishing peace in the country to a great extent and as such Pakistan was progressing with each passing day and the confidence of foreign investors were restored after CPEC.
Pakistan, he said, to join the club of 25 most economic developed
nations by year 2025 in the wake of CPEC opportunities gifted by PMLN Government for people of Pakistan. He said political stability was imperative for economic progress an development.
Inspector General Frontier Corps North, Major General Muhammad Wasim Ashraf was present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Interior Minister said the operations being conducted under ‘Radd-ul- Fassad’ against terrorists and their
facilitators would prove a last nail in their coffin.
The Minister said Operation Zarb e Azb had broken back of terrorists and established the writ of government in FATA.
Operations Radul Fasad and Zarb e Azab and National Action Plan (NAP) have played key role in elimination of terrorism and establishment of durable peace in the country, he said, adding Operation Radd ul Fasaad will continue till elimination of last terrorist in the country.
He said the government would ensure security of lives and
properties of people and no compromise would be made on this issue.
“The capacity of FC has been significantly enhanced under the National Action Plan that included establishment of new wings in the paramilitary force and provision of basic training and modern equipments and weaponry.”
Minister said the present govt has equipped FC with latest technologies and weaponry through a comprehensive reforms
package and make it enable to meet the present day challenges and various programs were initiated in this regard.
“I am hopeful that the govt’s steps would certainly enhance the professional competence of FC and the force along with others law enforcement agencies would continue to play active role in elimination of terrorism and for establishment peace in the country.”
“You are lucky to become part of a brave force that was engaged in defending the ideological and territorial borders of the country,
which is a great honour for all of you” he told the passing out recruits.
Minister paid tributes to IGFC for his role in improving professional capabilities of the paramilitary force and the sacrifices offered by FC troops and other security personnel for defence of the country.
“Those FC troops who sacrificed their lives for defense of the country and protection of people lives are the real heroes of the country,” he said.
“The nation has high expectations from the pass out recruits who will follow the rich traditions set by the predecessors and will give every
sacrifices for defense and security of the motherland.”
Earlier, the Minister was presented Guard of Honour. The smartly
contingents made an impressive march past received warm applause from participants. A total of 608 recruits belonging to different areas were passed out on this occasion. The participants also appreciated the impressive PT and drill show of the recruits and applauded them.

ISLAMABAD, Mar 8 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Thursday said Pakistan has come a long way in women empowerment in all spheres, and hoped their contributions would continue to make the country strong and prosperous in the days ahead.
Speaking here at an interactive session with women from different walks of life to mark the international women’s day, here at the PM Office, the Prime Minister said the women were making remarkable progress in health, education, sciences, politics and defence of the country.
The Prime Minister said the government was committed to facilitate the entry of women into every field and ensure they get equal opportunities, facilities and emoluments.
He said the Pakistani women have not only been recognized at national level, but also at international level and the country has top notch front line combat pilots, educationists, health and IT experts. He said Pakistan also boasts having the first Muslim woman head of government.
Prime Minister Abbasi said the women in Pakistan have come a long way and achieved a lot, however in a lighter vein added that it was now time for the men to worry. He said gone were the days when the country used to have a quota for women, now, he said, he believed it was time that the men need to get a quota. He said in every educational institution he went of the top ten students, seven were women.
He said the women have done their bit, now it was for the men to meet the challenge. He said the women were excelling in all areas, however acknowledge that they still have a long way to go. He said the employers he has met, recognize that the women workers were more productive and hard working. Abbasi however said the women in business still have a wide spectrum to cover and said there were barriers that need to be done away with.
He said a number of women were part of the cabinet and were holding key posts. He mentioned the 60 reserved seats for women in the parliament, and said he would have preferred that they too come through direct election. In this regard he said there was a need to create more opportunities for the women to come to mainstream politics.
The Prime Minister said the day was an opportunity to renew the commitment for individual and collective efforts in a way so as to protect social, economic, social and political rights of the women. He said the government has taken several legal and administrative measures in the past few years to protect women rights.
Abbasi asked the gathering to pledge to protect individual and collective rights, financially, politically and socially, for the women and said in this regard everyone has to play an active role.
The Prime Minister later went around different tables and discussed with the groups, issues related to national economy, politics, health, education and their impact on the women.

PESHAWAR, Mar 08 (APP):Federal Minister for Interior, Ahsan Iqbal here Thursday inaugurated the newly constructed flats here at Frontier Constabulary headquarters.
Upon arrival, the minister was received by commandant FC Liaquat Khan and Deputy Commandant Idress Khan and briefed him about the newly constructed flats for FC jawans.
It merits to mention here that 32 new flats have been constructed for FC jawans to meet the residential problems of FC.
The Minister highly appreciated performance of Frontier Constabulary in maintaining public orders with the cardinal task of policing the frontiers that separated the settled districts of the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA.

ISLAMABAD, Mar 8 (APP): To mark International Women’s Day, the Embassy of Pakistan Washington D.C. hosted a special event last night showcasing the achievements of the women of Pakistan as well as women of Pakistani descent in the United States, Pakistan embassy in Washington said in a statement here Thursday.
Foreign Secretary of Pakistan, Tehmina Janjua was the Guest of Honor on the occasion. In her remarks, the Foreign Secretary highlighted the growing contribution of Pakistani women towards national development and progress.
She stated that the Government of Pakistan remained committed to the empowerment of women in the country, particularly through active participation in the political and economic spheres. While acknowledging that a lot of work remained to be done, the Foreign Secretary said that women in Pakistan enjoyed far greater rights
and freedom today than ever before.
Earlier, Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry welcomed the Foreign Secretary, who is the first woman to hold this high position. While lauding the rise of women to important positions in Pakistan and the improved awareness in the country vis-à-vis the rights of women, the Ambassador also highlighted the contribution made by
Pakistani American women in the United States.
To highlight the diaspora’s accomplishments, three prominent Pakistani American women, representing different walks of life, were also invited to share their personal experiences. The speakers gave brief accounts of their achievements and encouraged women of Pakistani descent to work hard and excel in their respective disciplines to build a stronger diaspora and help build stronger ties
between Pakistan and the United States.
U.S. Government officials, representatives from the academia and think-tank community as well as prominent members of the Pakistani American diaspora attended the event.