LAHORE, Mar 10 (APP):Imam-e-Kaaba Dr Al-Sheikh Saleh
bin Muhammad al-Talib called on Punjab Chief Minister
Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, here on Saturday.
Matters of mutual interest were discussed in the meeting.
The Imam said various people told him about untiring efforts
of Shehbaz Sharif for welfare and development of people.
He said he was pleased to know that the chief minister
was doing hard work for the welfare and progress of the people
due to which whole province of Punjab was progressing and he
prays for more successes in the future.
“Due to your hard work, progress and development would
spread to whole Pakistan,” he added.
He said that his visit to Pakistan was a matter of
pleasure for him and the people of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia
have a strong bond of love and religion which was above all
relations, the strength of Pakistan was strength of Saudi
Arabia and the power of Saudi Arabia was power of Pakistan.
He said Pakistan has a significant place in the Muslim
world and it was playing a vital role for peace and stability
in the region.
He said that for these reasons Saudi Arab supports peace
efforts of Pakistan and it was standing with Pakistan in this
regard.
The Imam-e-Kaaba said we give respect and value to the
cooperation extended by the Pakistani government, the people
and the Pak-Army as both the countries have historical
brotherly relations.
He said the whole Muslim Ummah was well aware of historical
ties between the people of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and both
the countries have helped each other during crises.
The strength of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia strengthens the
whole Muslim Ummah, he added.
Shehbaz Sharif said, “Your visit to Pakistan is a matter
of honour and respect for Pakistan and I welcome you and your
delegation to the historical and cultural city of Lahore”.
He said that the bilateral ties between Pakistan and
Saudi Arabia were above worldly benefit and peace was our
mutual asset.
He said that due to the visit of Imam-e-Kaaba to Pakistan,
the bilateral ties between both the countries would further
strengthen.
He said Saudi Arabia has always supported Pakistan and
the people of Pakistan could never forget the cooperation
of Saudi Arabia it provided on every important occasion.
He said the Royal family of Saudi Arabia whole-heartedly
helped Pakistan and stood shoulder to shoulder with the
Pakistan nation during tough times.
The CM said he was admirer of people-friendly policies
of Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman and his policies for
strengthening of education and health sectors and creation
of employment, which were producing far-reaching results.
Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan Nawaf Saeed Ahmed
Al-Maliki, Sheikh Saad Al-Dosari, Senator Professor Sajid Mir,
Hafiz Dr Abdul Kareem and others were also present in the
meeting.
Imam-e-Kaaba calls on CM Shehbaz Sharif
PML-N has numbers for electing Senate chairman: Mushahiddullah
ISLAMABAD, Mar 10 (APP):Minister for Climate Change, Senator Mushahiddullah Khan Saturday said Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) had emerged as the largest political party in Senate having enough numbers to elect its chairman.
Talking to a private news channel, he said except allied political parties of PML-N some other political parties were supporting to its candidate for the chairmanship in Senate.
He said Nawaz Sharif had started many mega developmental projects across the country without any discrimination and some of them were near to completion.
Replying to a question, he said Nawaz Sharif had announced the name of Raza Rabbani for the chairman of Senate due to his performance and efforts for supremacy of law in the country.
The minister said the former prime minister was the most popular political leader in the country and people would cast their votes in favour of their beloved leader in the general election 2018 just like they did in various bye elections.
Mushahiddullah Khan Said Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was diverted from the idiology of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto, adding Co-chairman of PPP Asif Ali Zardari had adopted undemocratic attitude and norms these days.
Senators elected thru unfair means, do not represent people’s will: PM
TARBELA, Mar 10 (APP):Stressing the need for clean politics, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Saturday expressed his resolve to confront those who had allegedly resorted to unfair means to get themselves elected in recent Senate election.
He said the PML-N always strove for clean politics for the future of the country and was resolved to confront all dirty ploys in politics.
Addressing a gathering after inaugurating 1410 MW Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project, the prime minister said those, who had used unfair tactics in the Senate election, did not deserve to represent the will of the people.
He said the PML-N had never encouraged such tactics and was once again emerged as the only party whose candidates were elected without spending a single penny.
The prime minister said : “On oath, PML-N senators-elect can say that they had not lured members of assemblies through such unfair tactics. The party never used abusive language against anyone as it stood for decency and order in the political arena.”
He said the PML-N was ready for a consensus candidate in the Senate elections and was willing to support Raza Rabbani.
He said the PML-N always strove for a clean leadership as the clean politics was sine quo non for the progress and prosperity of the country. “The PML-N will confront such evils in politics as it did not want to bring bad name to the country and the politics” he added.
President Azad Jammu & Kashmir Sardar Masood Khan, Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Minister for Water Resources Syed Javed Ali Shah, Minister of State for Information Maryum Aurangzeb, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Sartaj Aziz and Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing and a large number of envoys were present on the occasion..
The prime minister said only the people could decide the
fate of governments and no one else. The people had decided in 2103 and now would exercise their right in July this year.
He expressed his optimism that the democratic system would
thrive and the country would continue its journey towards progress and prosperity which was the manifesto of PML-N under the leadership of its quaid Nawaz Sharif.
The prime minister said when the PML-N government came to
power the country was facing daunting challenges of energy crises in the shape of crippling load shedding and gas shortage.
But it faced the challenges and brought about a total financial stability and economic turnaround with a string of development
projects, he said and cited Golan Gol, Neelum Jhelum, Tarbela and others power projects.
The prime minister said from 1999 to 2103, there had been
different governments but none among them took the responsibility to address these issues. Under PML-N government, a vast network of motorways of more than 1500kms was being completed whereas various other energy and infrastructure projects under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CEPC) would further usher in an era
of rapid progress and prosperity for the countrymen and had started yielding results.
The prime minister said when the PML-N came into power, the country was facing daunting challenges of energy starvation in shape of crippling power outages and gas shortage.
The PML-N government not only took initiatives to address the three issues but also completed a string of development projects. About 10,000 MW power was added to the national grid, he added.
He said today no area of the country faced load-shedding except those where power theft continued. The government had taken steps to eliminate such issues, he added.
Prime Minister Abbasi credited the Water and Power Development Authority chairman, his team and the partner companies for timely completion of the project at a time when the country would require peak power consumption.
He also expressed his gratitude to the World Bank for financing the project.
Minister for Water Resources Javed Ali Shah and WAPDA Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Muzammil Hussain also spoke on the occasion.
Kh Asif flays Imran’s politics of conflict & confrontation
SIALKOT, Mar 10 (APP)::Minister for Foreign Affairs Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Saturday said the prevailing political scenario in country is bringing to light the real faces of politicians and exposing their personal designs.
He was talking to the media after inaugurating the newly
established Executive Passport Office here.
He strongly criticised the politics of conflict and confrontation
of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Sheikh Rashid Ahmed.
The minister said PTI Chairman Imran Khan ‘sacrificed’
the politics of 13 newly elected Senators of his party by handing
them over to Pakistan People’s Party.
He said it seemed that Imran Khan could go to any extent to
gain power. He advised that now Inran Khan should give up
day-dreaming of becoming prime minister.
Kh Asif said PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari was apparently
working on his self-designed policy of ignoring party’s old workers.
It seemed that Asif Zardari wanted to remove PPP’s old workers
including Raza Rabbani from the PPP scene, he added.
The minister said that the incumbent government is the government
of Nawaz Sharif’s workers.
On Syrian war, the foreign minister said the Pakistani government
and nation were fully supporting the oppressed people of Syria. They strongly condemn murder of thousands of innocent Syrian people, he added .
He called for immediate halt to the prolonged war in Syria, saying
Parliament will discuss and deliberate its foreign policy about Syria on Monday.
National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) Chairman
Usman Mubeen, Provincial Minister for Local Bodies Punjab Mansha Ullah Butt and Sialkot Mayor Chaudhry Tauheed were also present on the occasion.
No link with Twin Towers, no shares in Paragon, Saad tells SC
LAHORE, Mar 10 (APP):Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique on Saturday informed the Supreme Court that he was neither a shareholder of Paragon City (Pvt) Limited, nor had any link with Twin Towers at 1-Constitutional Avenue, Islamabad.
The minister made the statement before a bench, headed by
Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, who was hearing a suo motu notice
regarding LDA City Housing Scheme.
Submitting a written statement, the minister said that the owners
of Paragon City were his friends but he did not have any shares in the company. “I have relations with them for the past 30 years and they are my voters and supporters,” he added.
Saad further submitted that he did help the company in acquiring
a small piece of land for their housing scheme in 2010-12 and also
received some commission against this service, which was mentioned in his tax statement. He categorically denied any link with Twin Towers at 1-Constitutional Avenue in Islamabad.
He apprised the bench that he was owner of a firm named Saadain,
which provides consultancy services.
To a court query, National Accountability Bureau investigation
officer submitted that the probe was in progress regarding the
Paragon City and LDA City Housing Scheme.
At this, the chief justice observed that since NAB had taken notice in both matters, no further action was required in the matter.
However, the bench directed the minister to submit his
statement on an affidavit till Monday adding that it did not
incline to continue proceedings in this regard.
Ahsan Iqbal reviews work on Narowal development schemes
SIALKOT, Mar 10 (APP)::Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal Saturday
reviewed progress on several development projects including roads
in Narowal city and its suburban areas.
Deputy Commissioner Narowal Ali Anaan Qamar gave a briefing
to the minister about the development schemes.
The minister directed the officials and contractors to ensure
timely completion of development schemes. He said on the occasion
that the government was spending billions of rupees for raising the
living standard of people in Narowal district.
PM inaugurates 1410MW Tarbela 4th extension hydropower project
TARBELA March 10 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Saturday inaugurated 1410 MW Tarbela 4th extension
hydropower project.
President Azad Jammu & Kashmir Sardar Masood Khan, Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Iqbal
Zafar Jhagra, Minister for Water Resources Syed Javed Ali Shah, Minister of State for Information
Maryum Aurangzeb and Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing accompanied the Prime Minister.
First unit of 470 MW will be commissioned today, while as two more units each with equal
power generating capacity will be online before the advent of summer this year.
Commissioning of Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project is yet another historic milestone,
achieved by the government to add 1410 MW in the national grid.
The T-4 project will play a pivotal role in balancing energy mix of the country and stabilizing prices
of electricity for a long span in future with an attractive economic rate of return of more than
30% and annual cost sale of US$: 300 million to national exchequer.
Completion of this important project within time and cost always held top priority of the
government. It resounds as a real proof of the Government’s commitment to provide
relief to common man through provision of affordable and clean energy. It will also
augment economic growth and social uplift.
Tarbela Dam is located on the Indus River about 100 km northwest of Islamabad. The T-4
project is located within premises of existing Tarbela Dam Project.
Tarbela Dam Project, completed in 1976, has provision of 5 tunnels, 4 on Left Bank and
01 on Right Bank. Tunnels 1-3 have installed capacity of 3,478 MW with average annual
energy generation of 15-16 billion units.
The T-4 project will generate 3.84 billion units annually, equivalent of burning of 1 million
ton of furnace oil. Newly installed units of T-4 project are more efficient and it is expected
to have 10 -15% more energy through these units.
PM arrives to inaugurate Tarbela 4th extension hydro power project
TARBELA March 10 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Saturday arrived here to inaugurate 1410 MW Tarbela 4th extension hydropower project.
1st unit of 470 MW will be commissioned today, while as two more units each with equal power generating capacity will be online before the advent of summer this year.
Commissioning of Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project is yet another historic milestone achieved by the government to add 1410 MW in the national grid.
T-4 project will play pivotal role in balancing energy mix of the country and stabilizing prices of electricity for a long span in future with an attractive economic rate of return of more than 30% and annual cost sale of US$: 300 million to national exchequer.
Completion of this important project within time and cost always held top priority of the government. It resounds as a real proof of the government’s commitment to provide relief to common man through provision of affordable and clean energy. It will also augment economic growth and social uplift.
Tarbela Dam is located on the Indus river about 100 km Northwest of Islamabad.
T-4 project is located within premises of existing Tarbela Dam Project. Tarbela Dam Project, completed in 1976, has provision of 5 tunnels, 4 on Left Bank and 01 on Right Bank. Tunnels 1-3 have installed capacity of 3,478 MW with average annual energy generation of 15-16 billion units.
T-4 project will generate 3.84 billion units annually equivalent of burning of 1 million ton of furnace oil.
Newly installed units of T-4 project are more efficient and it is expected to have 10 -15% more energy through these units.
PHC invites applications for conducting NADRA surgeries
LONDON, Mar 10 (APP)::Pakistan High Commission (PHC) has invited applications for conducting National Database
and Registration Authority (NADRA) surgeries to ensure effective delivery of Consular Services
to the community.
The High Commission regularly organizes visits of Nadra Mobile Registration Team
(MRT) to the surrounding areas of London and now it plans to conduct Nadra surgeries
during the months of April, May and June, according to a PHC statement issued on
Saturday.
In this regard, the High Commission has invited applications for this purpose. These
should be addressed to “Consular Officer, High Commission for Pakistan, London” and
can be sent either through Email at nadra.london@phclondon.org or through a post to
the following address: Consular Officer, High Commission for Pakistan,34-36 Lowndes
Square, London SW1X 9JN.
The applications should include complete details including names and contact numbers
of the organizer/organization and complete address of the venue. Moreover, the date of the
last surgery conducted in that area should also be mentioned in the application, it said.
The last date for submission of surgery requests is March 20, it said.
Industrial Zones beneficial for economic uplift of Balochistan: Governor Balochistan
QUETTA, Mar 09 (APP):Governor Balochistan Muhammad Khan Achakzai said Balochistan is very rich in natural resources and after the establishment of more Industrial Zones would be helpful for the uplift of the province.
He expressed these views while addressing the ceremony held in connection with the
establishment of the Bostan Industrial Estate/zone. Chief Secretary Balochistan Aurangzeb Haq,
Commissioner Quetta Division Amjad Ali Khan, Director General Industries and
commerce Balochistan Ms. Saira Atta and tribal elders of the were also present on the occasion.
He said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a key project for establishment
and development of economic zone in province.
He said that establishing industrial zones will start a new era of development and prosperity
in the region, upholding economic and commercial activities.
Governor Balochistan while inspecting ongoing development
projects in Bostan Industrial zone said that all relevant departments must ensure provision of basic infrastructure for
rapid development and expansion of this industrial region.
He directed Chief Secretary Balochistan to ensure immediately electricity, gas, water and other basic facilities of life to the people of the area.
Governor Balochistan stressed upon for the construction of National highways and
transport system to connect Bostan industrial zone to other parts of the
province.
Governor Balochistan thanked the tribal elders of the Boston division for
their full support and cooperation in establishing Boston industrial zone.
DG Industries and Commerce Balochistan Ms. Saira Atta while briefing Governor Balochistan about
Bostan Industrial Zone, said that construction of roads and development projects
including supply of electricity, gas and water will be completed in the first phase.