ISLAMABAD, Feb 23 (APP):A blast on Ring Road in Peshawar left three injured here on Friday morning.
According to the police, the explosion which occured near a government-owned vehicle in a crowded vicinity of the city wounded the automobile’s driver and two passersby, private news channel reported.
The affected injured were shifted to hospital after the blast.
Three injured in blast in Peshawar
Saudi Arabia, China, Turkey block US move to put Pakistan on terror-financing list: Report
NEW YORK, Feb 22 (APP):Saudi Arabia, Turkey and China this week formed a trio to block a US-led move to place Pakistan on an international terror-financing watch list, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.
Washington was reportedly working behind-the-scenes during the ongoing Paris meeting of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to take action against Pakistan, which it claims has not acted against terrorist financing and the implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions, the report said.
All three nations have strong relations with Pakistan, cooperating militarily, diplomatically and economically. The joint opposition against the US motion came after Pakistan appealed for support, resulting in the country being given a three-month postponement of the verdict.
The report said this was one of the “rare disagreements” between Saudi Arabia and the administration of US President Donald Trump.
Officials involved in the process told The Wall Street Journal on Thursday that a US effort to reverse the decision on the watch list was under way at the FAFT meeting.
“We’re anticipating that the final decision would be made on Thursday of this week,” Heather Nauert, a US State Department spokeswoman said.
The officials from the countries on the task force said Saudi Arabia was acting on behalf of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Saudi-dominated bloc of six Persian Gulf nations which are collectively a member of the FATF.
TAPI gas pipeline project important for Pakistan: PM
ISLAMABAD, Feb 22 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Thursday said that Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline was an important project for Pakistan due to its growing energy needs.
Referring to prospective purchase of electricity from Turkmenistan, he said it would add a new dimension to the bilateral relations between the two countries.
The prime minister expressed these views during a tete-e-tete meeting with President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamadov at Ruhiyet Palace in Mary, Turkmenistan.
Prime Minister Abbasi arrived in Mary city of Turkmenistan earlier in the day on the invitation from the president of Turkmenistan to participate in the link-up ceremonies of TAPI pipeline and associated projects.
Both the leaders highlighted the importance of TAPI pipeline project as energy, trade and transit corridor and held fruitful discussions on subjects of mutual concern, including issues of regional security, a press release received here from Turkmenistan said.
The prime minister thanked the president for the warmth and hospitality and stated, “Tomorrow is a historic day when another pipeline is going to be inaugurated.”
He termed the materialization of TAPI as success of the vision and commitment of President Berdimuhamadov and appreciated the personal commitment of the President in realization of the project.
The prime minister appreciated the president’s vision of TAPI as a trade and transit corridor for gas, electricity transmission and fiber optic, connecting the region.
He observed that the Gwadar Port would provide the most efficient access to the sea for Turkmenistan.
The prime minister apprised the president of the successful expansion in road network across the length and breadth of Pakistan including six lane motorways that will connect to Western China and the regional countries. “We see Pakistan as the hub of connectivity in the region,” he said.
The Prime Minister stated that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was the most visible part of the Belt and Road Initiative and stressed on enhancement in bilateral cooperation between the two countries while exploring new avenues for trade, particularly in livestock, information technology and agriculture.
Pakistan-Turkmenistan Joint Governmental Commission (JGC) is an ideal forum to explore the trade and investment potential between the two countries, he said.
The prime minister emphasized on the need for greater military and defence cooperation between the two countries and offered to assist Turkmenistan in meeting its defence needs.
The prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s full support to Turkmenistan’s policy of Permanent Neutrality and President Berdimuhamadov’s initiatives at the UN.
Warmly welcoming the prime minister and members of the delegation, the president thanked the prime minister for joining the inauguration ceremony of TAPI and link-up projects going to be held on Friday.
The president stated that Turkmenistan valued its special relations with Pakistan and highly appreciated the support given by Pakistan.
He mentioned that Turkmenistan-Pakistan relations were based on two pillars namely Energy Security of which TAPI was a flagship project, and connectivity to include rail, road, information technology and fiber optic.
Elaborating on connectivity, he expressed keen interest in Gwadar Port project.
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamadov expressed hope that Pakistan will benefit from the supply of gas especially for industry once TAPI reaches Pakistan.
He also expressed hope for strengthening of cooperation in education, science, healthcare and sports between the two countries.
The president also stressed on promotion of cultural and humanitarian cooperation.
The delegation of the prime minister included Minister of State for Petroleum Jam Kamal Khan, Provincial Minister for Labour and HR Raja Ashfaq Sarwar, Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkmenistan Murad Ashraf Janjua and other senior government officials.
Not expecting justice for Nawaz Sharif from Accountability Court: PM
ISLAMABAD, Feb 22 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Thursday said that amid prevailing circumstances, it seemed as Nawaz Sharif would not get justice from the Accountability Court; however, the government would implement the verdict whatsoever it would be.
“This is not only my viewpoint. This is the viewpoint of every citizen of Pakistan. I am telling you the viewpoint of a common man. (I am) telling you the viewpoint of my constituency. (I am) telling you the viewpoint wherever I go,” he remarked in an interview with a private news channel.
He said having seen the atmosphere created and the previous proceedings at the Accountability Court, it felt as Nawaz Sharif would not get justice.
He said when no evidence could be furnished before the Supreme Court as well as the JIT, now what evidence was left to be produced before the Accountability Court.
He also questioned the rationale behind the frequent hearings in Nawaz Sharif’s case when there had been cases of mega scandals laying with National Accountability Bureau.
He said despite passage of seven and two years respectively, charges against two persons (facing corruption charges of Rs 450 billion) could not be framed so far despite having evidences.
Is Nawaz Sharif the biggest accused in the country who has two or three hearings a week and faces fresh allegations daily, he questioned.
Prime Minister Abbasi said he had suggested the parliament to debate the powers of the executive and judiciary as it was high time such matters were ascertained.
He said other countries had already defined such issues but it could not be done in Pakistan due to interruptions in the democratic system.
He quoted the media reports of summoning the parliamentarians by courts and threatening to nullify the legislation made by them, besides challenging the appointments made by the government and viewed that such decisions made the country suffer.
He said legislation was executive’s domain which could not be challenged even if any of its decisions proved wrong.
He said the parliament had to go through accountability after every five years and they would have to tell the people as to why they could not deliver properly.
To a question, the prime minister clarified that he had said nothing on the judges’ conduct rather discussed the powers and domains of the executive and the judiciary.
Ruling out the impression of any confrontation between the executive and the judiciary, he also opposed any check on the latter.
He said owing to the court’s decisions in the past, Pakistan had been put at the exposure of billions of rupees with no right to appeal for the country in those cases.
Prime Minister Abbasi strongly supported the proposal by the Chairman Senate for dialogue among the institutions, saying this could be held at Senate or anywhere else, but not through media.
Asked why the PML-N forced PPP to implement the court verdict in the past, the prime minister said there was no policy shift rather the party still believed that the court decisions must be implemented to keep the country moving ahead. However, it was necessary to point out the shortcomings.
On PTI’s plan to hold rally in support of the judiciary, he said instead of such demonstrations, the party should take part in the parliamentary debate.
About Nawaz Sharif’s speeches, he said all the video records were available and he had not found anything contemptuous in his words.
The prime minister reiterated his stance of naming and shaming those involved in horse trading and venality in Senate polls believing that those contesting elections using their riches could neither serve the country nor the Senate.
He suggested that Senate elections should be held directly or through the proportion of seats in the National Assembly to end the practice of horse trading.
He said during eight months of his premiership, Nawaz Sharif neither phoned nor dictated him to intervene in the government working.
He also challenged all the political parties to compare the performance of their respective governments and that of the PML-N.
To a question, he said Pakistani troops were sent to Saudi Arabia only for training purpose as part of the 40-year old practise with fluctuating number of troops.
He said Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif had already spoken on the subject in Senate; however, he might also explain the situation before the parliament, if needed.
Verdict to declare Nawaz ineligible to continue as party president is negation of fundamental rights: Marriyum
ISLAMABAD, Feb 22 (APP): The court verdict to declare Muhammad Nawaz Sharif ineligible to continue as President of PML (N) is the continuation of the Panama decision and constitutes negation of the fundamental rights.
Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage Marriyum while talking to the media outside the Ehtsab Court said that all the verdicts which have been delivered were expected .
She said that verdict after verdict were being announced and even the opponents of the PML (N) had admitted that the court delivered a very weak verdict in the Panama case. She said that to defend a weak decision, similar verdicts had to be scribbled.
She said that they should be trying to find a constitutional interpretation for disqualifying his voters and those who love him from the core of their hearts. The minister observed that the court verdicts had led to an exponential increase in the popularity of Nawaz Sharif.
Marriyum said that the decision in regards to the future President of the party would be taken by Muhammad Nawaz Sharif in consultation with the party leaders.
Responding to a question regarding time line for the announcement of next President of PML (N) the Minister said that the future strategy would be devised after consultations with senior leadership of the party and the name of the future President would be announced by Muhammad Nawaz Sharif after due deliberations with the party.
Meeting to finalize new NFC to be held on March 1:Senate told
ISLAMABAD, Feb 22 (APP):State Minister for Finance Rana Muhammad Afzal Thursday apprised the Senate that a meeting to finalize new National Finance Commission (NFC) award was scheduled on March 1.
Replying to a calling attention notice raised by Mukhtar Ahmed Dhamrah about delay in NFC Award, the minister said, earlier three meetings were held but participants could not reach at consensus.
He said Federal Government was fully committed to finalizing the NFC award as soon as possible with consensus of provincial governments.
The government was facilitating and steering the NFC process for early finalization of the Award, he said.
He said the federal government was not overriding the process as she had only two members out of total 10 while the provinces have eight members.
Afzal said as per constitutional provision, new NFC was to be set at intervals not exceeding five years. This was up to NFC to finalize new award with consensus, he said.
He said, “An NFC award remains in field till the recommendations for a new award are finalized and given a legal cover by the issuances and President’s order”.
The minister said the 7th NFC Award would remain in field till announcement of a new award. The provinces were getting their due share as per existing NFC Award and prepare their budgets accordingly, he said.
He said every province was getting their checques after every 15 days and their shares have also been doubled.
The minister said the President in pursuance of article 160 of the constitution had constituted 9th NFC Award on April 24, 2015.
He said in its inaugural meeting held on April 28, 2015, the 9th NFC
decided to constitute four thematic working groups in order to make its deliberation meaningful.
All the working groups have completed their assigned tasks and report was presented to NFC in its 3rd meeting held on December 19,2016, he said.
He said in meeting the federal government presented two proposal regarding allocation of 3 per cent of divisible pool for national security fund and 4 per cent for special areas including AJK, GB and FATA.
He said however, Sindh, KPK and Balochistan were not agreed to the said proposals.
They (Provinces) were of the views that special areas and AJK were not part of NFC and the security was the exclusive responsibility of the Federal Government.
Meanwhile, the minister also presented implementation reports on the recommendations contained in the report of the Special committee on 24 demands made by the government of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in the House.
Agriculture sector, most important in CPEC’s LTP: Ministry of Planning
ISLAMABAD, Feb 22 (APP):Agriculture is very important pillar of Long Term Plan (LTP) of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the government is giving it priority aiming at modern, systematic, standardized and intensified construction of the agricultural industry.
The governments of the two countries have agreed to constitute a group to explore and ensure implementation of different initiative in agri sector, an offcial in Ministry of Planning Development and Reforms told APP here on Thursday.
He said China and Pakistan had agreed to give full play to their own comparative advantages to strengthen agricultural infrastructure construction within the CPEC coverage and played their own roles in agricultural personnel training, technical exchanges and cooperation.
It has already been decided to cooperate in key construction areas such as biological breeding, production, processing, storage and transportation, infrastructure construction, disease prevention and control, water resources utilization, conservation and production, land development and remediation, ICT-enabled agriculture and marketing of agricultural products to promote the systematic, large-scale, standardized and intensified construction of the agricultural industry.
“China and Pakistan have an agreement to promote the transition from traditional agriculture to modern agriculture in the regions along the CPEC to effectively boost the development of local agricultural economy and help local people get rid of poverty and become better off, strengthen the up-gradation of agricultural infrastructure, promote the construction of water saving modern agricultural zones, and increase the development and remediation of mediumand low-yielding land to achieve efficient use of resources,” the official added.
Under CPEC, efforts are being made to strengthen drip irrigation technology for water
efficiency, strengthen cooperation in the fields such as crop farming, livestock breeding, forestry and food growing, and aquatic and fishery, with the highlight on technical exchange and cooperation in the fields of development of comprehensive agricultural production capacity, construction of farmland water conservancy facility and agricultural products circulation facility.
The CPEC Agri sector is also focusing on improving post-harvest handling, storage and transportation of agricultural products and innovates in marketing and sales models, Improve water resources operation and management, strengthen development of pastoral areas and desert, and promote application of remote sensing technology.
The key cooperation areas focus on strengthening production of agriculture inputs particularly pesticides, fertilizer, machinery and support services including agriculture education and research, collaboration in forestry, horticulture, fisheries and livestock medicines and vaccines as well as strengthening production of horticulture products.
Aibak Polo Cup in full swing
LAHORE, Feb 22 (APP):Three important matches of the Huaneng Shandong Ruyi Aibak Polo Cup will be played tomorrow (Friday) here at the Lahore Polo Club (LPC) ground.
The first match of the day will be contested between Newage/BBJ Pipes and Barry’s at 2:00 pm and the winner of the match will qualify for the main final. Newage/BBJ Pipes team has the services of Alman Jalil Azam, Ahmed Zubair Butt, Ahmed Ali Tiwana and Salvador Ulloa while the Barry’s team has Nafees Barry, Bilal Haye, Ramiro Zavaleta and Juan Maria Ginazu (Tito).
The second encounter of the day will be played between Diamond Paints/Guard Rice and Rizvi’s/Master Paints at 3:00 pm. Diamond Paints/Guard Rice team consists of Mir Huzaifa Ahmed, Taimur Ali Malik, Eulogio Celestino and Macos Araya while Rizvi’s/Master Paints Aun Rizvi, Saqib Khan Khakwani, Hamza Mawaz Khan and Juan Cruz Losada.
The third and last match of the day will take place between Master Paints Black and Rijas Aces/PAF at 4:00 pm. Master Paints Black team includes Sufi M Amir, Sufi M Haris, Gerardo Mazzini and Hissam Ali Hyder and Rijas Aces/PAF team has Faisal Shahzad/Irfan Sheikh, Hamza, Juaz Cruz Araya and Deigo Araya.
Secretary POA Khalid Mehmood unveils logo of the 4th Inter-Provincial Games in City
PESHAWAR, Feb 22 (APP):Secretary Pakistan Olympic
Association Khalid Mehmood Thursday unveiled the logo of the 4th
Inter-Provincial Games to be organized under the supervision of Pakistan
Olympic Association with the collaboration of Directorate General Sports KP and
KP Olympic Association from March 18-21, 2018 here at different venues across
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
DG Sports KP Junaid Khan, Chairman Sports Commission of
Pakistan and former Sports Minister Syed Aqil Shah, Director Operation Syed
Saqlain Shah, Organizing Secretary of the Games Zulfiqar Ali Butt, Presidents
and Secretaries of various Federations affiliated with Pakistan Olympic
Association were also present.
Final of Shahbaz Sharif T-20 Women Cricket Tournament to be held on Friday
RAWALPINDI, Feb 22 (APP):The final match of Shahbaz Sharif T-20 Women Cricket Tournament will be held at Government Viqar un Nisa Girls College
here on Friday.
According to District Sports Officer Rawalpindi Abdul Waheed Babar, 12 teams took part in
the tournament and women cricket teams demonstrated excellent performance in
their matches.
The Chairman Steering Committee Punjab Sports Board Muhammad Hanif Abbasi will be the chief guest on this occasion.