ISLAMABAD, Mar 14 (APP):Pakistan will send a strong outfit to feature in the World Taekwondo Junior Championship at Hammamet, Tunisia from April 9-13.
“This will be a great opportunity for our athletes to showcase their skills in their respective weight categories,” a spokesman of Pakistan Taekwondo Federation said in a statement on Wednesday.
He said Pakistan athletes would also compete at the Taekwondo Qualification Tournament for Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games, which would be taking place in Tunisia shortly before the commencement of Championship, from April 6 to 7.
Strong Pakistani outfit to feature in World Taekwondo Junior C’ship
Italian businessmen keen to explore business opportunities
ISLAMABAD, March 14 (APP):Italian Ambassador Stefano Pontecorvo on Wednesday said that Italian investors were being informed about the investment potential in various sectors of Pakistan’s economy and they had expressed keenness to take advantage from these opportunities.
The Ambassador called on Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance Miftah Ismail and apprised the Adviser regarding
various bilateral cooperation initiatives underway between the two countries.
The Adviser on Finance appreciated the dedicated efforts of Italian Envoy for promoting Pak-Italy economic
cooperation.
He said that the steady economic growth was creating greater economic opportunities for the investors.
He said that the improved security and greater economic opportunities had led to a renewed interest of the
international investors.
He said all possible facilitation would be offered to potential Italian businessmen under Pakistan’s liberal investment regime.
9 killed, 19 injured in Raiwind suicide attack
LAHORE, March 14 (APP): Nine persons including five policemen were killed while 19 received injuries when a suicide attacker blew himself up at Nisar Haveli police check-post near Raiwind Tableeghi Ijtma site on Wednesday.
According to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Dr Haider Ashraf, a suicide bomber blew himself up when police jawans stopped him at a police check-post 600 meters from the Raiwind Tableeghi Ijtma site.
As a result, five policemen including two sub-inspectors and three constables died in harness and four civilians embraced martyrdom while 19 others including ASP Raiwind Zubair Nazir received injuries.
The injured were rushed to Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital Raiwind, Sharif Medical City Hospital and General Hospital Lahore.
The martyrs are: Muhammad Aslam (SI), Tanvir (SI), Saeed (Constable), Amir Afridi and two unidentified while injured are identified as M Naeem (Cop), Sabir (Cop), Manzoor (Cop), Israr (Cop), Karamat (Cop), Abid Hussain (Cop), Babur Hayat (Cop), Muhammad Farooq (Cop), Muhammad Akram (Cop), M Yaseen, M Saeed, Fareedullah, Zeeshan, Asim Afridi and five unidentified persons.
Talking to mediamen at the crime scene, the DIG said the police had recovered the body-parts of the suicide bomber, adding the suicide attacker had appeared from the open fields around the Raiwind Tableeghi congregation site.
He said the police had set check-posts at main entrance areas.
Paying tribute to the martyred policemen, Dr Haider Ashraf said the policemen had saved the lives of many through their sacrifice, adding police were constant in their resolve to protect life and property of the citizens.
“We have been in a state of war. The police have ensured combing operations and snap checking, and security will be further beefed up,” he responded.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Capt (Retd) Muhammad Arif, Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Lahore Amin Wains, DIG (Operations), Deputy Commissioner Lahore Sumair Ahmed Syed
visited the crime scene.
Meanwhile, the security in provincial capital has been beefed up, whereas the police officials have been directed to ensure strict checking at exit and entry points of the city.
According to Rescue 1122, the 19 injured had been shifted to Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital Raiwind and Sharif Medical City Hospital. The condition of some of the injured is stated to be critical.
The law enforcement agencies had cordoned off the area and started investigation.
Probing horse-trading in Senate elections is constitutional obligation of ECP: Marriyum
ISLAMABAD, Mar 14 (APP):Minister of state for Information, Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage Marriyum Aurangzeb, talking to media persons here Wednesday after attending the ECP hearing about horse-trading in the Senate elections, said that it was the constitutional obligation of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold a probe into the matter.
She said that Article 218(3) of the Constitution mandated the ECP to conduct elections that were free, fair and devoid of corrupt practices and Article 220 conferred wide powers on the ECP to seek assistance from all executive authorities for discharge of its obligations, including law enforcement and intelligence agencies. She said that clause 219(5) of the Election Act also reflected similar obligations of the ECP.
Marriyum said that Senate election is an indirect election and when a political party of candidate gets votes disproportionate to its representation in the respective electorate (Provincial Assemblies etc) there is a natural inference to be drawn that members have voted against party policy due to illegal consideration, especially of such party members who have not defected from the party. This is what happened in the Senate elections, she added.
In view of the voting formula and stated party positions, the ECP must place onus on the winning candidates to establish how they won the votes of members of other parties to secure seats, the minister emphasised.
She said that the ECP should further require law enforcement and intelligence agencies to conduct inquiries regarding use of money/Illegal consideration in the election. It had the mandate under Article 220 to do so and it must do so in discharge of its obligations under Article 218(3), she reiterated.
Marriyum said that it was the demand of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) that the ECP should hold a probe into the horse-trading done during the Senate elections and those, who had pummeled the sanctity of the vote, should be duly punished.
She said that when a party with 30 seats in the assembly obtained 44 votes it created doubts about the fairness of the election, as securing more votes by a candidate than the strength of the party in the legislature was clearly tantamount to horse-trading. She emphatically claimed that the PML-N had neither indulged in horse-trading nor had allowed it to happen, which was an essential ingredient of the elections.
She said that reports and comments in the media also indicated horse-trading in the Senate elections and the PML-N was also of the same view and consequently adopted the stance that the ECP should take notice of it. She had been summoned by the ECP in the same connection, she added.
Marriyum said that both Imran and Zardari were masters of horse-trading and the show put up by them during the Senate elections was witnessed by the entire nation. Those, who danced at the finger of the umpire, and the ones, who talked of demolishing everything, should also be held accountable, she said, adding that the people would seek answers from them in the 2018 elections by rejecting them.
The minister said that Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, who was thrice elected prime minister of the country, was disqualified for not drawing salary from the company of his son and on the basis of ‘Iqama’. Boxes were brought on trolleys supposedly containing incriminating evidence against Nawaz Sharif but they failed to ferret out any corruption against him, she added.
She said that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) initially filed four references against Nawaz Sharif and when nothing emerged from them, supplementary references were being brought up, adding that they would not be able to substantiate any allegations of corruption against him.
Marriyum said that Nawaz Sharif was made to appear before the court twice a day and after no proof regarding corruption was found he took upon himself the responsibility to fight for the legitimate cause of restoring the sanctity of the vote. Nawaz Sharif had only one objective and even yesterday he reiterated the narrative of ‘respect and sanctity of vote’ and it was not a crime to expound one’s disposition on an issue, she added.
She reiterated that Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was the most popular leader while the PML-N was the largest political party of the country.
Responding to a question the minister pointed out that the constitution had delineated the functions and powers of all the constitutional bodies, including parliament, executive and judiciary.
PSL final match tickets on sale from March 15
KARACHI, Mar 14 (APP):Tickets for the final match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season Three will be on sale from Thursday. The event is scheduled to be held on March 25 at the National Stadium.
Online sales for tickets on ‘Yayvo.com’ will go live at midnight (12:00 am) on March 15 and at 32 Express Centers in Karachi from 9:00 am onwards the same day. Details of TCS Express Centers are available on the TCS website (www.tcs.com.pk), said a statement on Wednesday.
Due to security reasons, there is a maximum cap of five tickets per CNIC and buyers will have to bring their original CNICs for the same.
As set by Pakistan Cricket Board, tickets will be available in denominations of Rs 1,000, Rs 4,000, Rs 8,000 and Rs 12,000.
TCS’s Director Marketing and Public Affairs Naiyar Saifi commented, ‘ We are confident TCS and we will facilitate cricket fans by offering smooth and hassle-free sale of tickets to let them enjoy thrilling moments of the PSL Final in Karachi.’
The tickets for the two eliminators are already available online on ‘Yayvo.com’ and TCS Express Centers.
Haris wins national junior squash championship title
LAHORE, Mar 14 (APP):Haris Qasim exhibited high quality squash to win the U19 title of the All Pakistan National Junior squash championship beating Oan Abbas 11/3,119/9,11/6 in the final here on Wednesday,
In an all Punjab final Haris seemed in hurry in wrapping up the
one sided tue spending just 22 minutes in the court.
Haris thrilled the audience with his agility and vast reach in
far corners of the court, specially close to the tin by by picking
up some some low balls.
Oan tried to engage Haris in rallies but the winner cut down
all such efforts with aggressive shooting with mid court play.
“It was a easy win, I was expecting a tough challenge from him (Oan) who could not sustain the pressure which I mounted with my aggressive approach”, said a jubilant Haris while talking to APP after the match.
He said he is confident to show consistency by producing good
results in coming national junior squash events.
Farhan Hashmi of SNGPL won the U17 title by routing Saqib Iqbal
of KPK in straight sets 11/9,11/3,11/7.
Farhan labored for 31 minutes to sniff a weaker challenge of
Saqib who fell short of expectations in the ultimate showdown.
Farhan was ahead in all departments of the game underling his
squash talent with anticipation and commitment. He displayed superb
back and fore hand shots to leave his opponent helpless on occasion.
Saqib adopted a defensive approach which let him down in the
match and he was never on right path in the match to prove himself
a visible threat to his rival.
“It was a one sided final but I enjoyed playing it and the win
has made me happy”, said Farhan after the match. He said his strategy
to keep Saqib under pressure right from the beginning was the key
factor of his victory.
FPCCI for immediate removal of hindrances to Pak-Turkey FTA
KARACHI, Mar 14 (APP):Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Senior Vice President Syed Mazhar Ali Nasir has called for urgent meeting of the Joint Business Council (JBC) of Turkey and Pakistan’s national Chambers of Commerce to discuss and find solutions to impediments in finalizing and signing of Fee Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries at the earliest.
This will include removal of non-tariff barriers on the both sides and to reduce tariffs to the rational level in the best interest of the two nations, said a statement issued by the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry here on Wednesday.
The FPCCI Senior Vice President speaking in a meeting with Consul General of Turkey in Karachi Tolga Ucak here at the Federation House, said that although a lot of work had been done on FTA yet both the governments would have to reach consensus on certain issues before signing FTA.
He said, if Turkish government reduced the tariff, the bilateral trade would increase significantly. It would also create environment for joint ventures in various sectors and transfer of Turkish technology to Pakistan.
Turkish investors would also be able to re-export their products to Turkey from Pakistan.
He said that Pakistan and Turkey were time tested friends and their economic ties were based on long-standing and deep rooted bilateral relationship providing economic and political support to each other.
Huge potential for trade existed on the both sides and the two Muslim countries would benefit by signing the FTA, senior FPCCI leader said.
Syed Mazhar Ali Nasir said that unfortunately the volume of bilateral trade had decreased to dollars 675 million in 2017 from more than one billion in 2011.
Turkish Consul General appreciated the suggestions of the FPCCI and said the FTA between Pakistan and Turkey would further enhance and strengthen the bilateral trade relations between the two countries.
He said that the existing trade volume which was undoubtedly far below the existing potential between both the countries could be increased through joint efforts and increased interaction between the two business communities.
He was confident that the bilateral trade would jump once the FTA was finalized. He said that Pakistan was very attractive country for Turkish investors and there were great opportunities for joint ventures.
Punjab Sports Minister visits training camp
LAHORE, Mar 14 (APP): Punjab Minister for Sports, Jahangir Khanzada here on Wednesday visited Punjab’s wushu training camp at Nishtar Park Sports Complex Gymnasium.
During his visit, Jahangir Khanzada expressed his satisfaction over the preparations of Punjab contingent for 4th Inter-Provincial Games scheduled to be staged at Peshawar from March 18t to 21.
On this occasion, Punjab Minister for Sports said the preparations
and training of Punjab athletes have entered in its final stage.
“Our coaches are imparting best possible training to camp probables. They are put tong special emphasis on the fitness of athletes because without perfect fitness no one can achieve handsome results in any game
or sport. In a game like wushu, an athlete must be in an ideal physical shape if he wants to win laurels both at national and international level”, he added.
Regarding title winning prospects at Peshawar Games, Punjab Minister for Sports Jahangir Khanzada said: “Punjab has plenty of potential in all games and Sports Board Punjab has provided best facilities during the camp training and that’s why we are quite confident that Punjab will top the medals tally and retain the title of Inter-Provincial Games”.
Peshawar Small Chamber delegation meets Minister of State for Finance
ISLAMABAD, Mar 14 (APP):A delegation of Peshawar Small Chamber, led by Dilawar Ihtisham called on the Minister of State for Finance Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan here on Wednesday.
The delegation requested the Minister that a simple tax return form may be developed for small traders. The delegation proposed that withholding tax on bank withdrawals should be applicable from Rs 500,000.
They also emphasized simplification in audit procedures. These steps, the delegation opined would greatly benefit small traders and provide them due encouragement to expand their businesses.
The Minister said the proposals submitted by the delegation would be given appropriate consideration.
The delegation thanked the Minister for providing them the opportunity to discuss their proposals ahead of the upcoming budget for the general good of small industries in Peshawar.
IMF Resident Representative calls on Rana Afzal
ISLAMABAD, Mar 14 (APP):Newly appointed Resident Representative of International Monetary Fund (IMF) to Pakistan, Maria Teresa Daban Sanchez called on Minister of State for Finance Rana Muhammad Afzal here on Wednesday.
The minister welcomed the IMF representative and wished her a successful tenure in the country.
He exchanged views with her on the current macro- economic situation in Pakistan and said all efforts were afoot to keep up the momentum of economic growth.
Maria Sanchez lauded efforts of the government for improving security situation in the country which had given boost to economic activities and enhanced confidence of the business community.
She also appreciated the government’s endeavours to increase exports that would help bring down trade deficit.
During the meeting, the IMF representative also discussed with the minister the spring meetings of the IMF and World Bank scheduled in April.
She expressed the desire to work in close cooperation with the government during her term.