ISLAMABAD, Feb 15 (APP):A three-member delegation of Food Fortification Programme (FFP) Pakistan headed by Diane Northway called on Minister of State for Finance Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan here on Thursday.
She was accompanied by Technical Director Dr Tauseef Akhtar Janjua and National Advocacy and Communications Manager Laila Rubab Jaskani, a press release said.
The delegation briefed the minister on objectives of the programme.
The FFP initiative of UK Government (DFID), launched last October, focuses on improvement of nutrition in the country, including fortification of wheat flour, edible oil and ghee across Pakistan, starting in Punjab.
The FFP aims to improve the production, access and consumption of wheat flour fortified with iron, folic acid, vitamin B12 and zinc, and edible oil and ghee fortified with vitamins A and D. Women of children bearing age and children would especially benefit from the programme.
Northway said provincial and district level food departments, health departments, Pakistan Flour Mills Association and Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association have an important role to play in achieving the objectives of the programme.
The government’s help in improvement of the Food Fortification Regulatory system through effective policy making is also vital, she added.
The minister said improvement of nutrition for the people was also among priority areas for the government.
He appreciated the initiative and expressed support for the FFP, wishing the whole FFP team complete success in their endeavours.
Rana Afzal briefed on Food Fortification Programme
UAE stresses upon joint venture between IIUI and UAE varieties
ISLAMABAD, Feb 15 (APP):Ambassador of United Arab Emirates (UAE) Hamad Obaid Alzaabi Thursday stressed upon joint ventures between International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) and UAE varsities.
He expressed his desire during a visit to Faisal Masjid campus of the IIUI, a news release said.
The ambassador met with IIUI Rector Dr Masoom Yasinzai and President IIUI Dr Ahmed Yousof Al-Draiweesh.
During the meeting, issues pertaining to mutual interests and enhancing bilateral educational ties were discussed in the meeting.
The meeting was also attended by IIUI Vice President, Dr Muhammad Munir.
He said that collaborations from both sides would help in improvement in academic excellence.
IIUI Rector thanked UAE for infrastructural support of UAE since inception of the university and vowed that UAE students would be provided best opportunities of education at IIUI.
The IIUI President briefed the envoy about the university faculties, its research units, constituent units and its roadmap for internationalization and dissemination of Islam’s message of peace.
Later, UAE Ambassador also visited Islamic Research Institute photo gallery and Publication Press.
Journalists delegation visits ISPR
RAWALPINDI, Feb 15 (APP):A delegation of journalists from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Hazara Division visited Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) here on Thursday.
The delegation apprised ISPR Director General Major General Asif Ghafoor about media efforts in those areas, a press release said.
The ISPR DG acknowledged and appreciated their contributions and assured them full support.
200 more NADRA registration counters to be established at Post Offices
ISLAMABAD, Feb 15 (APP):Pakistan Post and National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish 200 NADRA registration Counters at Post Offices across the country.
The contract signing ceremony was held at the NADRA Headquarters, Islamabad. Federal Minister for Postal Services Molana Ameer Zaman Bokhari was the chief guest on the occasion.
Director General Pakistan Post Rubina Tayyab and Director General Operations NADRA Nisar Ahmed also attended the MOU signing ceremony.
After successful completion of pilot project of establishing 10 NADRA counters at various post offices, the project would be further extended to 200 post offices across the country.
Federal Minister for Postal Services Molana Ameer Zaman appreciated the officials of NADRA and Post office for successfully completing the pilot project. He said that this collaboration is very good initiative between the two government departments. He said that the project would benefit people of rural areas and they easily can renew their National Identity Cards and marriage registration.
DG Operations NADRA Nisar Ahmed said that NADRA will further expand its service delivery to citizens at their doorsteps, even in the remotest areas of the country without any hassle and long queues.
In particular, the relationship helps enhance the infrastructure of the NADRA, which will subsequently augment service delivery and improve customer care in a befitting manner.
The vast network of post offices across the county would be utilized for issuance of “duplicate”, “renewal” and modification (address and marital status only) cases of the CNIC/NICOP through the NADRA online application “Pak-Identity.”
He said that till June, 100 counters would be established in various parts of the country and the remaining 100 counters would be established after June.
DG Pakistan Post said that Pakistan post has network of 12,500 post offices across the country, adding that Pakistan Post intends to initiate more such projects with NADRA in future.
Shehbaz felicitates Chinese over start of their new year
LAHORE, Feb 15 (APP):Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad
Shehbaz Sharif has congratulated Chinese President Xi Jinping,
Prime Minister Li Keqiang and the Chinese people over the
commencement of new Chinese year.
In a message issued here on Thursday, he extended
felicitations to Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing, Chinese
engineers, technicians and other workers engaged on different
projects in Punjab and other parts of the country.
It is heartening that thousands of Chinese engineers,
technicians and workers while remaining away from their
families on the occasion of this auspicious festival, are
engaged in completing national development projects in
Pakistan, he said.
This passion of Chinese engineers and other workers is
highly commendable because the completion of these projects
will help to strengthen national economy along with increase
in investment, he added.
He said that splendid manifestation of Chinese engineers
and workers for Pakistan will be written in golden words in
the annals of history.
He said that Chinese engineers and workers have given a
strong message of love, affection, hard work and dedication by
remaining away from their loved-ones on this occasion of joy
and we are proud of it.
Work is more important for Chinese engineers who are
rendering yeoman service for Pakistan than their personal
happiness, he added.
He remarked the both countries have consensus point of
view on different global issues including upholding of peace
and mutual respect and honour.
The Chief Minister said that the solid foundation of a
new journey of development and prosperity has been laid in
Pakistan in shape of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
projects with Chinese collaboration.
The relationship of friendship between Pakistan and China
is even stronger today and mutual relations are touching new
heights, he added.
He said that CPEC will not only benefit the whole of
Pakistan, but other countries of the region as well, adding
that the speed with which work is being carried out on these
projects is unprecedented.
Pakistan is proud of its friendship with China as this
friendship is immortal and the relationship of friendship is
going stronger with the passage of time, concluded the Chief
Minister.
Dar moves LHC against rejection of his Senate nomination papers
LAHORE, Feb 15 (APP):Former finance minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday approached the Lahore High Court’s election tribunal against rejection of his nomination papers for Senate elections.
Ishaq Dar, in his appeal, submitted that the returning officer dismissed his nomination papers without any valid
reasons, though he had fulfilled all legal requirements for the purpose. He pleaded the tribunal to set aside the returning officer’s decision and accept his nomination papers.
It may be mentioned that Ishaq Dar had submitted his nomination papers for technocrat and general seats, which were by the returning officer on Monday.
CM condemns Florida school firing incident
LAHORE, Feb 15 (APP):Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad
Shehbaz Sharif has strongly condemned the horrific incident of
shooting in a school of Florida State in the USA.
In a statement on Thursday, he expressed deep sense of
sorrow and grief over the deaths of children and other people
and extended sympathies to the bereaved families.
He prayed for early recovery of the injured. Targeting
innocent children and other innocent people is high
condemnable act and all our sympathies are with the bereaved
families, concluded the chief minister.
World Food Program to establish Warehouse in AJK
MIRPUR (AJK), Feb 15 (APP):Prime Minister of Azaf Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Raja Muhammad Farooq Haider Khan said Thursday that World Food Program would establish its Warehouse in AJK.
Lauding the sincere endeavors of World Food Program, Farooq Haider said that his government will cooperate with WFP for the program of construction of their warehouse.
Prime Minister made these assertions while talking to a delegation of WFP on Thursday. The delegation comprised WFP Director Fin Barr Curran, Deputy Country Director Miss Katrine Groh and head of supply chain Mie Kataokay.
Farooq Haider admired the steps taken by WFP to strengthen the stability and capacity of the independent government institutions besides their services in health sector.
PM AJK said that AJK is the region which often faces natural disasters like earthquakes, thunderstorms, floods and land sliding, adding “government utilizes all of its resources in case of any disaster, State Disaster Management Authority, Rescue 1122 and other relief organizations are established in this regard.”
“After the earthquake, international organizations have played a starring role in the maintenance, rehabilitation and reconstruction of the earthquake affected areas besides its victims and they served on the basis of humanitarian sympathy which will be remembered forever.” Prime Minister maintained.
Prime Minister said that the World Food Program is serving Azad Kashmir for several decades, “even before the earthquake, the WFP has completed human welfare projects within the AJK region and is still continuing a human service plan” he added.
He expressed, “The ongoing WFP project for the mother and child’s health care is an ideal program that results in encouraging, and WFP services in health sector are remarkable.”
WFP delegation welcomed the interest of Prime Minister Azad Kashmir in the organization’s welfare programs and said that WFP will help for the completion of the health projects in Azad Kashmir.
Meanwhile the delegation welcomed the assurance of cooperation for the construction of WFP ware House by Prime Minister Azad Kashmir.
Governor praises role of engineers for country’s development
PESHAWAR, Feb 15 (APP):Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Engr
Iqbal Zafar Jhagra highlighted the role of Pakistan Engineering Universities and
said that engineers’ community has played pivotal role in development, progress
of national coherence of our country.
He expressed these views in a ceremony in connection with
Engineers Day at governor’s house here on Thursday. Besides others, Chairman
Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), Engr. Jawad Salim Qureshi, Vice
Chairman PEC Engr. Zahod Arif, Chief Executive PESCO Engr. Dr Zakaullah Khan
Gandapur and distinguished engineers were also present on the occasion.
Addressing the ceremony governor said that improvement in engineering discipline is need
of modern technological advancement. He further added that Parliamentary Act of
1976 was a major step that paved the way for more vibrant role of engineers in country’s
development.
He appreciated efforts of Engineer Jawed Saleem Qureshi for
his role in molding PEC on modern and scientific lines.
He also distributed performance Excellence Award to
various engineers on their worthy performance. He congratulated engineers on
winning awards. Chairman PEC also addressed the ceremony.
SC forms committee to prepare legal guidelines for retrieval of money from abroad
ISLAMABAD, Feb 15 (APP):The Supreme Court Thursday formed a three-member committee to prepare Terms of Reference (TORs) that could help the government to recover money smuggled out of the country and deposited in foreign countries’ accounts.
According to details, the committee will be headed by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Tariq Bajwa and comprising Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Mohammad Irshad and Federal Finance Secretary Arif Ahmed Khan.
A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar comprising Justice Umar Ata Bandial and Justice Ijazul Ahsan gave one week to the committee to work on the process.
During the course of proceedings, SBP Governor Tariq Bajwa said Pakistan had signed a treaty with the Swiss government to share information of Pakistani citizens who had opened their bank accounts there. Swiss authorities would share information in this regard in December this year, he added.
He said the government of United Arab Emirates (UAE) also started providing information about Pakistanis who have properties abroad.
The chief justice remarked that the court did not want to create panic as the departments could use multiple ways to bring money in Pakistan.
The FBR chairman said out of 444 people whose names were revealed in the Panamagate papers, 78 people had yet to traced out. The FBR also issued notices to 293 individuals, he added.
The FBR chairman also informed that Rs6.6 billion had been recovered from two individuals.
The bench also sought details of vehicles used by the FBR officials.
The FBR also submitted report highlighting the legal difficulties being faced by the FBR.
According to the report, even though the FBR was investigating Pakistanis that were named in the Panama Papers, there was no legal framework available for the provision of information regarding foreign assets and accounts. However, an amendment could enable authorities to gain details of the money and assets stashed abroad, the report said.
The chief justice remarked that while there were citizens who had used legal means to transfer money abroad, a majority of people smuggled the money into foreign countries.
The court directed the committee to investigate the amount of money that had been transferred from Pakistan to foreign countries accounts.
Justice Bandial asked the committee to investigate how much money was transferred illegally and at the same time warned that the investigation must not exceed legal boundaries.
The chief justice expressed his confidence in the committee officials and said the nation would hail them as heroes if they succeeded in paving a legal channel for bringing back the money stashed abroad.
He observed it was said that all debts of country would be paid if the money stashed abroad was brought back to the country.
Justice Umar Ata Bandial remarked that the investigation should not create any panic in the country.
Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar formed the committee after the FBR claimed there were no legal guidelines available for the tax authority to retrieve money deposited in banks abroad.