LAHORE, Feb 21 (APP):Newage/BJJ Pipes, Army and Barry’s carved out contrastive victories in the Huaneng Shandong Ruyi Aibak Polo Cup 2018 matches played here at the Lahore Polo Club (LPC) ground on Wednesday.
The first encounter of the day was contested between Newage/BBJ Pipes and Master Paints Black, which was won by the former with a margin of 10½-6. Hero of the day turned out to be Salvador Ulloa, who hammered 8 out of 10 goals for Newage/BBJ Pipes, which had half goal handicap advantage, while the remaining two came from Ahmed Zubair Butt. From the losing side, Gerardo Mazzini hammered scored a hat-trick and Hissam Ali Hyder a brace.
Newage/BBJ Pipes dominated the first half as they scored a brace through Salvador to take 2-0 lead. Master Paints Black struck their first goal in the second chukker through Mazzini to make it 2-1. But Newage hammered a hat-trick through Ahmed Zubair (one goal) and Salvadaor (2 goals) to stretch their lead to 5-1. Hissam then fired a field goal to reduce the deficit to 5-2, but the lead was once again enhanced by Salvador who converted a spot penalty.
The third chukker was evenly poised as two goals each were banged in by both the sides. Salvador and Ahmed Zubair hit one goal each for Newage while one goal each were converted by Mazzini and Hissam for Master Paints Black. Same was the case with the fourth and last chukker, where once again two goals each were scored by both the teams. But this time, Salvador struck a brace for Newage and Mazzini scored the brace for Master Paints Black, as the final score 10½-6 was in favour of Newage/BBJ Pipes. Howard George Smith and Jason Dixon were the field umpires.
Heroics of Ignasio Negri helped Army outpace Rizvi’s/Master Paints by 5-2 in the second match of the day. Ignasio turned out to be star of the day for Army as he fired four out five goals while Major Omer Minhas struck the remaining one. From the losing side, Saqib Khan Khakwani and Hamza Mawaz Khan scored one goal each.
The first chukker of the match was evenly poised as both the sides scored one goal apiece with Ignasio scoring from Army and Saqib from Rizvi’s. Hamza gave Rizvi’s 2-1 lead which was soon equalized by Major Omer by the close of the second chukker. The third and fourth chukkers were fully dominated by Army as they struck one in the third and two in the fourth chukker – all the three by Ignasio to win the match by 5-2. Howard George Smith and Jason Dixon were field umpires.
Barry’s overpowered Rijas Aces/PAF 9-6½ in the third and last encounter of the day. Star of the day for Barry’s was Juan Maria Ginazu (Tito) who slammed in 8 out of 9 goals for the winning side while Bilal Haye hit the remaining one. From the losing side, which had one and half goal handicap advantage, all the six goals were banged in by Deigo Araya, but his efforts couldn’t bear fruit for his team.
Juan Ginazu struck the opening goal to give Barry’s 1-0 lead but Deigo then pumped in fabulous four goals to provide Rijas Aces healthy 4-1 lead. Juan Ginazu then bounced back in style as he hammered a hat-trick to level the score 4-4. In the dying moments of second chukker, Bilal Haye hit one to help Barry’s take 5-4 lead.
Juan Ginazu once again smashed in an impressive hat-trick to further enhance their lead to 8-4. Deigo then converted two – one in the end of third chukker and another in the beginning of the fourth chukker – to reduce the margin to 8-6, but by the close of the match, Juan Ginazu struck one more to finish the match with Barry’s wining the match by 9-7½. Howard George Smith and Jason Dixon were umpires.
Three matches decided in Aibak Polo Cup
Rajwana assures businessmen of resolving their issues
LAHORE, Feb 21 (APP):Punjab Governor Muhammad Rafique Rajwana Wednesday said that business community was the backbone of economy and it must be facilitated for sustainable economic growth of the country.
He was talking to Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Malik Tahir Javaid, Senior Vice President Khawaja Khawar Rashid and Executive Committee Members here at LCCI.
The Governor agreed with business community that prices of gas and other industrial inputs should be identical throughout the country.
He said that protests and sit-ins at Mall Road had become major issues for the business community, students, patients and the masses. Politicians and civil society should show responsibility and avoid disturbing trade and economic activities.
He said that recommendations regarding parking plazas had been forwarded to Punjab government.
Rafique Rajawan said that effective measures would also be put in place to remove mistrust between the taxpayers and the tax collector.
He assured the business community of resolving all their issues pertaining to energy prices, taxation, and parking problems around
markets, and the protests/sit-in hampering the business activities.
LCCI President Malik Tahir Javaid said the government had largely overcome the energy shortfall as there was a considerable decline in electricity load-shedding, citing that it was an obvious result of concerted efforts from government side which was really praiseworthy.
He said that business community would be much relieved if per unit price of electricity was further brought down that would decrease
cost of production and enhance Pakistani products’ competitiveness in international market.
While calling for uniformed rate for gas, he said that it was not fair to keep comparatively high price of gas for Punjab.
He said that law and order situation in Punjab in particular was better than other parts of country but there was still a lot of room for improvement.
Malik said that there were almost 1200 industrial plots available in industrial estates whereas more or less 40,000 industrial units
were located on main roads of Lahore city.
Aftab Ahmed Vohra, Tahir Manzoor Chaudhry, Mian Muhammad Nawaz, Adeeb Iqbal Sheikh, Khamis Saeed Butt, Aurangzeb Chaudhry, Naeem Haneef, Nadeem Qureshi, Shahid Nazir Chaudhry, Bao Bashir, Nasira Taskeen, Mudassar Masood Chaudhry, Awais Saeed Piracha and others attended the meeting.
APO pledges to support Pakistan in improving productivity to meet global challenges
ISLAMABAD, Feb 21 (APP):Secretary General of Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Dr Santhi Kanoktanaporn Wednesday vowed to support Pakistan in skill development for innovation in productivity through its technical expert services for different sectors.
During his meeting with Minister for Interior and Planning Prof Ahsan Iqbal here on Wednesday, the Secretary General of APO said the APO will promote bilateral and multilateral alliances among its 20 member countries.
He also added the private sector needs to be taken on board to run an effective productivity movement in Pakistan, a statement Wednesday said.
Prof Ahsan Iqbal appreciated APO for providing support to develop a framework for Pakistan Productivity, Quality and Innovation (PPQI) initiative by deputing Dr Woon, Kin Chung from Singapore in January 2017.
Dr Santhi proposed that Pakistan should have a Strategic Foresight Unit in order to cope with the future challenges like Singapore developed such unit in 1996.
The minister appraised the proposal of Dr Santhi and said it can be developed under the umbrella of Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform with the support of technical expert services from APO.
In another meeting with Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Sartaj Aziz, Dr Santhi highlighted the importance of NPOs in the developing countries.
He stressed that National Productivity Organizations (NPOs) are playing a pivotal role in the national development of APO member countries such as NPOs in Singapore, Japan and Malaysia are playing a vibrant roles in the growth of their countries. Similarly, NPO Pakistan should also be given a leading role for productivity improvement in Pakistan.
Chief Executive Officer, NPO Pakistan Abdul Ghaffar Khattak, shared that they are working on multiple direction for productivity enhancement in the country such as NPO Pakistan has acquired APO technical support for developing Demonstration companies in Pakistan to eliminate waste by selecting organizations from hospitality, food and engineering sectors, where handsome saving has been achieved.
These Demonstration companies will become role model for other similar organizations and will be replicated to achieve productivity.
He also added that during first phase of PPQI initiative NPO intends to develop around 600 Productivity Practitioners which can later be utilized as consultant on the subject and introduce an excellence award in Pakistan.
The deputy chairman thanked SG for visiting Pakistan and showed his willingness to develop the Strategic Foresight Unit with APO technical and to launch PPQI initiative with spirit.
17th Sindh Games to commence on March 28: Dr. Niaz Abbasi
KARACHI, Feb 21 (APP):The 17th Sindh Games will commence form March 28 while the concluding ceremony will be held at PSB National Coaching Center here on March 31.
At least 3000 players and officials from the six divisions of the province including Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Larkana, Sukkar,
Benazirabad and host Karachi will participate in four-day event.
Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Dr. Niaz Abbasi while briefing the journalists on Wednesday said that 30 competition of male and 17 competition of female will be the part of event.
He said that on the directives of Chief Minister Sindh, healthy sports activities are being promoted at the district level.
Dr. Niaz said that Rs 4.5 billion has estimated for the Sindh Games and currently we have Rs 3 billion and for the remaining amount the application has been forwarded to the Finance Department.
He said foolproof security arrangements have been made for the event.
He said various committees and sub committees have been set up for smooth conduct of the event.
He said from each division 242 male and 142 female players will participate in the event while 15 different venues have been located for the Sindh Games.
It was further informed that contingent of Pakistan Air Force will demonstrate sky diving on concluding ceremony of the event to be held on March 31.
Chief Engineer Aslam Mahar, Chairman Media Committee Asif
Azeem and Director Sports Sindh Shahzad Pervez were also present
on the occasion.
PM to attend TAPI ground breaking ‘link up’ ceremonies
ISLAMABAD, Feb 21 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, on the invitation of presidents of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan, will pay an official visit to Turkmenistan and Afghanistan from February 22 to 23 to participate in the ground-breaking (link-up) ceremonies of Turkmenistan- Afghanistan, Pakistan, India (TAPI) gas pipeline project, lines of electricity transmission and fibre optics.
During his visit, he would be accompanied by Minister of State for Energy Jam Kamal Khan, PM Office media wing in a press statement Wednesday said.
The ground-breaking ceremonies will be jointly attended by prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Malikgulyevich Berdimuhamedov, President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani and Indian Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar.
The first leg of the ceremony would be held in Serhetabat, Turkmenistan.
During his stay, the prime minister will hold a bilateral meeting with the Turkmen president and also attend an arts and culture exhibition showcasing cultural performances and artistic pieces from the four member countries, including Pakistan, followed by the link-up ceremony where he would make a statement along with leaders of other member states.
He will then proceed to Herat, Afghanistan on the same day to attend the Afghan leg of the groundbreaking ceremony.
The prime minister will also hold a bilateral meeting with the Afghan president after the groundbreaking.
Lahore Qalandars get main sponsor for PSL
LAHORE, Feb 21 (APP):EcoStar has become the title sponsors of ‘Lahore Qalandars’ – one of the best teams competing in Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 2018.
The Lahore Qalandars team is led by legendary New Zealand Cricketer Brendon McCullum and consists of many other famous players.
Official press conference and signing ceremony held at Dubai last evening., aid the information made available to APP here on Wednesday.
CEO Muhammad Farooq Naseem, COO Rizwan Butt and Director Zaka Naseem of Gree& EcoStar also attended Press Conference.
They showed great support for team and wished captain for a great captaincy and advised other team players to promote true spirit of game and discipline.
Gree and EcoStar’s support is extremely valuable in promoting cricket in Pakistan with enthusiastic participation of international players. DWP group will continue to support many kinds of sports in the country. It wishes best of luck to the ‘Lahore Qalandars’.
Education and economic prosperity important to address violence in society: PM
ISLAMABAD, Feb 21 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Wednesday said focus education and economic prosperity were important to address the problems relating to violence in the society.
The Prime Minister expressed these views in a meeting with a delegation of students from Headstart School during their visit to the PM Office.
The interaction with the students was part of the initiative to invite young leaders and students from various public and private sector institutes, all across the country, to the Prime Minister’s Office, brief them about the working of the highest office of the government and to provide them an opportunity to interact with the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister said the government was taking all possible steps including legislative measures for the protection of vulnerable segments of society.
He said steps were being taken to curb incidents of domestic violence and to protect vulnerable communities like transgenders.
The Prime Minister had a candid discussion with the visiting students who raised questions on host of issues ranging from the political issues to the foreign policy matters and from economic issues to various social issues.
Responding to a question about China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, the Prime Minister said the project with its connectivity infrastructure and industrial development would not only provide easiest connectivity to the entire region especially to the western China and the Central Asian republic, but would also generate huge economic and employment opportunities for the people of the country.
On challenges faced by the country on international front, the Prime Minister said that Pakistan was actively engaged with the international community to highlight its viewpoint on various issues.
Discussing economic issues, the Prime Minister said that the government was making every effort to strengthen economy through putting in place businesses friendly policy regime and attracting greater investments in various sectors.
He said that a large market and a growing economy of the country was attracting the international community and investors to undertake profitable business ventures in the country.
Talking about overall situation, the Prime Minister noted that marked improvement can be seen in various areas since the PML-N government took over power in 2013. He said that the achievements and the progress made during the present tenure of the PML-N government surpasses any period of the past. He said the PML-N government had delivered and fulfilled its promises made to the people of the country.
The students thanked the Prime Minister for providing them an opportunity to have a candid discussion with him.
Cellular companies are depositing withholding taxes in National Exchequer: Finance Minister
ISLAMABAD, Feb 21 (APP):Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan on Wednesday said that the cellular/mobile phone companies (Telcos) are withholding taxes from their subscribers, and depositing the same on weekly basis in the National Exchequer.
Speaking in the Senate during question hour, the minister said that the government is conducting regular audits of cellular companies, and if any discrepancy is detected or noticed, action under various tax statutes is taken.
Moreover, the minister said that considering the challenge of examination of massive volume of mobile phone subscribers’ transactions are being generated by each Telco running into millions on daily basis.
Replying to a question, the minister said that presently 34 public and private sector banks are operating in the country.
Further, he said that 22.209 million PLS and 26.106 million Current Accounts are being maintained by the commercial banks as of 30th June, 2017 in the country. Muslim Commercial Bank (MCB), Islamic Bank and Bank of China-Pakistan were granted license to operate from 12-062014 and 11-05-2017 respectively, he added.
To an another question, he informed the Upper House that the inflation rate during the last five years are including 7.36 in 2012-13, 8.62 in 2013-14, 4.53 in 2014-15, 2.86 in 2015-16, 4.16 in 2016-17 and 3.75 during 2017-18 (Jul.-Dec.).
The government is taking measures to control inflation in the country including the ECC reviews inflationary trend/ prices and supply of essential commodities in its Meetings on regular basis.
He said that National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC) under the Chairmanship of Federal Finance Minister also monitor the prices and supply position of essential commodities in consultation with provincial governments and concerned federal ministries/ divisions and organization.
The Provincial governments also monitor the prices and supply of commodities through their District Price Control Committees and undertake remedial measures accordingly, he informed Senate.
The Federal Minister to a question said that the around 848596 children are enrolled and paid under Wassela-e-Taleem Financial Assistance for the last two years.
Ministry has no mandate to register medical colleges: Saira
ISLAMABAD, Feb 21 (APP):Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Saira Afzal Tarrar Wednesday assuring full cooperation to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), said the ministry had no any authorization to register medical and dental colleges.
Addressing a press conference, the minister said that it was totally unfortunate that the NAB’s executive board had included her name to examine the matter of registration of 12 medical and dental colleges despite fact that the ministry had only power just to notify any medical or dental college on the recommendation of PMDC.
“Me and my ministry will fully cooperate with the NAB to make it possible for the bureau to complete its inquiry on the matter as early as possible,” the minister said.
She said that like her leader former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, she too had presented herself for accountability. She requested the NAB to complete its inquiry in 15 days so that people might know about actual facts.
She said that NAB’s press release which was issued yesterday has badly damaged her political position in her constituency and allowed her opponents to raise questions on her credibility. However she added “I am satisfied as I did nothing wrong being Minster for Health.”
She said that all required documents will be provided to the NAB if required by it from the ministry.
She said that strict actions had been taken against those who were involved in sale of substandard and spurious drugs besides improving the standard of medical and dental colleges.
She said that PMDC actually run the affairs of medical and dental colleges and responsible to hold inspections to check standard of existing and new medical and dental colleges.
She said that the committee which was constituted to run affairs of PMDC on the order of Chief Justice Supreme Court should take further steps to improve quality of medical education and closing down substandard medical and dental colleges.
Chief of Royal Malaysian Navy visits Naval Field Commands in Lahore, Karachi
ISLAMABAD, Feb 21 (APP):Chief of Royal Malaysian Navy, Admiral Tan Sri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Hj Ahmad Badaruddin, who is on an official visit to Pakistan met with various Naval Field Commands in Lahore and Karachi, said a statement issued here by directorate of public relations of Pakistan Navy on Wednesday.
The visiting dignitary has already called on Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi at Naval Headquarters Islamabad on Monday. During that meeting discussions on professional matters and avenues of existing and future naval collaboration were focused.
In the second leg of the visit, Admiral Tan Sri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Hj Ahmad Badaruddin met with various Naval Field Commands in Lahore and Karachi. He visited Pakistan Navy War College, Lahore, and called on Commandant Pakistan Navy War
College, Rear Admiral Naveed Ahmed Rizvi.
During the visit to Karachi, Chief of Royal Malaysian Navy called on Commander Karachi, Rear Admiral Ather Mukhtar, Commander Coast, Rear Admiral Moazzam Ilyas and Commander Pakistan Fleet, Rear Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi in separate meetings.
During the meetings, besides discussions on professional matters and bilateral naval collaboration, the Chief of Royal Malaysian Navy lauded Pakistan Navy’s role and commitments in maintaining peace and stability in the region through persistent participation in Coalition Counter Terrorism and Counter Piracy Task Forces.
He also laid floral wreath at Mazar-e-Quaid. Later, the dignitary visited various PN establishments and ships.