QUETTA, Feb 14 (APP):Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo Wednesday announced to donate his monthly salary to the Saylani Welfare Trust.
He announced this while addressing the inauguration ceremony of Welfare Services of the Saylani International Trust Social at Bolan Medical Complex here Wednesday.
The CM lauded the establishment of Saylani International Trust in Balochistan and said
welfare services rendered by the Trust would help poor citizens.
On the occasion, provincial ministers Mir Sarfaraz Khan Bugti, Mir Abdul Majid Abro, Member
Provincial Assembly Mufti Gulab Khan, CM Advisor for Social Welfare Shahzad Saleh Bhotani, Chief Advisor to CM Balochistan Aurangzeb Haq, Provincial Secretary Health Javed Anwar Shahwani, Founder of Saylani Trust Bashir Ahmed Qadri, President Saylani Trust Yousuf Lakhani, the officials of the health department and the members of civil society were present.
CM announces to donate his salary to Saylani Trust
Commander Rawalpindi Corps visits forward troops at Neelum Valley
RAWALPINDI, Feb 14 (APP):Commander Rawalpindi Corps, Lieutenant General Nadeem Raza Wednesday visited forward troops at Neelum Valley and appreciated operational preparedness and high morale of troops.
He directed troops to give befitting response to Indian cease fire violations, which was unethically targeting innocent civilians, a statement issued here by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
NA Speaker condoles with Asma Jahangir’s heirs
LAHORE, Feb 14 (APP):National Assembly’s Speaker Sardar Ayaz
Sadiq here Wednesday visited the residence of famous lawyer and
former President of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) late Asma Jahangir.
Talking to the bereaved family members, the Speaker expressed
his profound grief over the sad demise of the iconic personality
of the human rights and lawyers community. He prayed to Allah Almighty
to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved
family to bear this irraperable loss with patience.
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq also paid tributes to her services for maintaining
rule of law and supremacy of the constitution in the country.
Late Asma Jehangir throughout her life had strived for the
protection of human rights specially the women right as well as
other vulnerable communities, besides playing crucial role in the
movement for independent judiciary.
PML-N to win next general election with majority: Talal
ISLAMABAD, Feb 14 (APP):Minister of State for Interior, Talal Chaudhry said Wednesday that former prime minister, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was the most popular political leader in the country and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) would win the general election 2018 with majority.
Talking to a private news channel, he said people had unbreakable association with their beloved leader and the PML-N’s victory in the Lodhran bye-election was proof of that.
Nawaz Sharif would remain the central point of the country’s politics in future, he added.
Talal said the PML-N leadership had always adopted a legal way and worked for strengthening the national institutions. Nawaz Sharif and his family members presented themselves before the courts for the supremacy of law, he added.
The minister said the PML-N would bring reforms in the judicial system after winning the next general election and run the country as per the desires of the people.
He said the parliament was the supreme institution of the country, which had the powers to legislate and amend the existing laws.
No Load shedding being conducted in country except power theft areas, NA told
ISLAMABAD, Feb 14 (APP):No load shedding is being conducted in the
country as present power generation capacity is sufficient to cater
present electricity demand, said State Minister for Water and Power
Chaudhry Abid Sher Ali told National Assembly on Wednesday.
Responding to a question of Tahira Aurangzeb in the National Assembly during
Question Hour, he said load management is being carried out nowadays
only in high loss feeders.
Due to theft on high loss feeders load management is
being observed as per schedule to save national exchequer. Two hours
load management is being observed in the areas having 10 to 30 percent
AT&C (Aggregate Technical and Commercial) losses.
He said four hours load management is being observed in the areas having upto 30 to 40 percent
AT&C losses. Likewise six hours load management is being observed in
the areas having 40 to 60 percent AT&C losses. Eight hours load
management is being observed in the feeders having 60 to 80 percent
AT&C losses. And 12 hours load management is being observed in the
feeders enduring 80 percent and above AT&C losses.
He said electricity theft have been reduced by 1.8 percent in the last
4.5 years. Provincial governments did not cooperate with relevant
Power Distribution Companies (DISCOs). Many areas of Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa have become virtually no go areas for officials of
relevant DISCO.
Five cases of corruption in ETPB registered by NAB, NA told
ISLAMABAD, Feb 14 (APP):The National Accountability Bureau has registered five cases of corruption in Evacuee
Trust Property Board (ETPB) during the last five years, Minister for Law and Justice Chaudhry Mahmood Bashir Virk Wednesday informed the National Assembly.
Responding to the question of Ms Shamas un Nisa in National Assembly
during Question Hour, the minister said the investigations were underway against former chairman Syed Asif Hashmi and others, regarding illegal recruitment/regularization/promotions in ETPB.
In the first case the former chairman is accused of illegally
recruiting/promoting/ appointing and regularizing employees in ETPB in
violation of rules and regulations.
In the second case, the minister said NAB was investigating the same accused Syed Asif Hashmi for illegal appointments in Pakistan Model Education Institution Foundation (PMEIF) under ETPB.
He added that the accused was also being interrogated in third case against him for making investments of Rs 1394.083 million
illegally, unlawfully and in violation of rules.
The fourth case against Asif Hashmi relates to allotment of a large
number of plots illegally to the employees of ETPB. NAB was
investigating officials for disposal of ETPB
properties at throw away prices by misusing authority and getting
illegal pecuniary advantages.
Giving details of current status of the NAB cases against ETPB, the
minister informed National Assembly that ACR No 89/2017 was filed
in Accountability Court on October 28 against Syed Asif Hashmi and
others for causing losses of Rs 774,730,403 to the National Exchequer
due to illegal recruitment/ regularization/promotions in ETPB.
He said the cases against former ETPB chief and others were at
different stages in Accountability Courts.
1st phase of Joint Maritime Special Operation Forces’ exercise concludes in Karachi
KARACHI, Feb 14 (APP):The first phase of Joint Special Operation Forces Maritime exercise “AFF’AA – Al Sahil” participated by Pakistan Navy (PN-SOF) and Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF-SOF) concluded here Wednesday.
A PN spokesman sharing details of the exercise said series of
land and harbour exercises were scheduled during the first phase
whereas Maritime Special Operations were rehearsed prior exercises at sea in second phase.
The exercise AFF’AA-Al Sahil was said to be aimed at enhancing
inter-operability and sharpening the tactical proficiency in
countering Maritime Human trafficking, Piracy and Terrorism.
“The exercise will help in developing synergy in operations
against asymmetric and conventional threats,” said the official.
Exercise AFF’AA – Al Sahil is a bilateral exercise being jointly
conducted by the two countries since 2011.
Culmination of First phase will led to Sea Phase during which sea
based Maritime Special Operations will be conducted.
Along with Exercise AFF’AA – Al Sahil at Karachi, Exercise Dera
Al Sahil jointly participated by Pak Marines and RSNF Marines was said
to be also under progress at Saudi Arabia.
The second of the exercise is aimed to enhance professional
skills and practices especially in the field of Coastal Defence like
demonstration for Military Operations & Urban Terrain (MOUT), said the
PN official.
He mentioned that Joint Beach Landing through Landing Craft
Utility (LCU) and training of snipers through camouflage and
concealment techniques are also essential components of Exercise
Dera – Al Sahil.
CM discusses progress on CPEC, Pak-China relations with Consul General
LAHORE, Feb 14 (APP):Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday visited the Chinese Consulate and met with Chinese Consul General Mr. Long Dingbin.
During the meeting, different matters of mutual interest including Pak-China relations and progress on CPEC related projects came under discussion.
The Chief Minister congratulated the Chinese Consul General on the start of new Chinese Year. He also extended congratulations to Chinese President Xi Jingping, Prime Minister, the leadership of Communist Party of China as well as the Chinese people.
On the occasion, the Chinese Consul General said that Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif had set a record by completing different projects with unprecedented speed. Shehbaz Sharif had played a marvelous role for his country with his vision and hard work, he said and added that new standards of development had been set in Punjab due to the Chief Minister’s committed leadership.
He said, the Chinese leadership also acknowledged the hard work of Shehbaz Sharif. He said that CPEC projects had been promoted in a transparent manner and they were an example of its own. China was standing alongside you in the journey of development, he added.
Shehbaz Sharif said that Pak-China relations had turned into strong economic ties and bilateral relations between both the countries were touching new heights in present era. He appreciated the fact that Chinese leadership had proved its friendship by supporting Pakistan in every hour of trial. He said that Pakistani economy had been strengthened due to Chinese investment to the tune of billions of dollars.
He said, “Not only Pakistan but the whole region will benefit from CPEC which is a project of unusual development and prosperity and it has also changed the dynamics of the region. Our friends are happy over the CPEC, while the enemy is in pain due to this marvelous project.” No conspiracy could encumber the CPEC and due to the completion of energy projects, Pakistan had got rid of the darkness of load-shedding, he added.
Chinese Consul General also hosted a banquet in honor of Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Pak-Turkey have exemplary ties in all fields: Turkish Ambassador
ISLAMABAD, Feb 14 (APP):Ambassador of Turkey to Pakistan Mustafa Yurdakul said Wednesday that both the countries had exemplary ties in all fields including education and these relations would be further enhanced in future.
He stated this during a call on meeting with the Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, Engr. Muhammad Baligh Ur Rehman, a news release said here.
The Minister welcomed the visiting dignitary and discussed matters related to education and pledged to enhance cooperation in the this sector.
Baligh Ur Rehman said that both Pakistan and Turkey were brotherly countries and enjoying cordial relations.
The Minister lauded Turkey for its progress in all fields including technology, education, economy etc.
The promotion of quality education is the priority of Pakistani government, he said adding that funding for education sector in Pakistan has been increased.
The number of out of school children has phenomenally reduced in the country and enrollment has accelerated, he added.
He said that students from other countries are studying in different educational institutions in Pakistan.
Turkish Ambassador noted that Pakistan is peaceful and established country. He said that Turkish students are studying in Pakistan and they are satisfied with the quality of education here.
Turkey will also offer scholarships to Pakistani students to study in Turkey, the ambassador added.
Dead bodies of 11 Pakistani nationals arrived home
ISLAMABAD, Feb 14 (APP):Eleven dead bodies of Pakistani nationals, who died in the tragic boat incident in Libya,
arrived at Benazir Bhutto International Airport on Wednesday.
Special Secretary (Administration), Ambassador Shah M. Jamal received the dead bodies from
the airport authorities, a foreign office press release said.
After fulfilling required identification and documentation processes, the bodies were handed over
to the relatives of the victims, and were transported via ambulances to their respective hometowns.
The Government of Pakistan has borne all expenditure for the safe transportation of the deceased.