ISLAMABAD, Feb 13 (APP):Foreign Office Spokesperson, Dr Muhammad Faisal on Tuesday denied Indian allegations about “Pakistan refusing visas to 173 Katas Raj pilgrims” terming them as completely baseless.
He underscored that Pakistan had made all the arrangements for the visit of the pilgrims, who, regrettably, were forced to withdraw their applications from the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi due to non – issuance of NOC by the Ministry of External Affairs of India.
Recently, India has also denied the visits of Sikh pilgrims, followed by that of Zaireens from Pakistan, and now Katas Raj Pilgrims, the opportunity to participate in their religious festivals, said a statement issued here.
Indian actions run counter to the letter and spirit of the 1974 Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines and an obstruction for the people to people contacts.
Such steps violate the basic human right to religious freedoms and are indicative of the escalatory ladder on which the government of India has embarked. ‘These are against the spirit of peace and tranquility that Pakistan has been trying to promote’, it added.
India denies visit of Katas Raj Pilgrims to Pakistan
PML-N to win next general election with majority: Talal
ISLAMABAD, Feb 13 (APP):Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry Tuesday said 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.
Replying to a question, he said services of Asma Jahangir would be remembered forever. She was the voice of weak and helpless people, she said, adding that she always worked for the supremacy of law
Pakistan UN Mission opens Book of Condolences in memory of Asma Jahangir
NEW YORK, Feb. 13 (APP):A Book of Condolences in honor of the memory of Asma Jahangir, a leading Pakistan lawyer and United Nations human rights rapporteur, was opened for signature on Tuesday at the Pakistan Mission to the UN in New York.
Ms. Jahangir died of heart attack in Lahore on Sunday, aged 66.
“Deeply committed to the cause of universal human rights and fundamental freedoms, Asma Jahangir has left an abiding legacy of selfless devotion and unwavering commitment to the advancement of these ideals,” the mission said.
During her illustrious career spanning over four decades, it said, she served as the founding Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, and the first female President of the Supreme Court Bar Association.
Pakistan contemplating to issue E-Visa soon: Ahsan Iqbal
LONDON, Feb 13 (APP):Minister for Interior Prof.Ahsan Iqbal has said that Pakistan was contemplating to issue Electronic Visa (E-Visa) soon like other countries, to facilitate visitors and investors, in order to make the country member of the global economy and best investment and tourist destination.
“We are in the process of issuing E-Visa soon in consultation with our foreign office like other countries to the genuine visitors and investors soon thus making Pakistan a member of the global economy and the best investment and tourist destination in the world”, he said while addressing the Pakistani community here at a reception hosted in his honour in Pakistan high commission on Monday night.
Pakistan’s Deputy High Commissioner to United Kingdom Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri , Lord Qurban, Members of the UK Parliament Illyas Amin Qureshi and Muhammad Yasin, officials of Pakistan High Commission London and a large number of the members of British Pakistani community and journalists attended the reception.
Prof Ahsan Iqbal who is currently on an official visit to the UK said that due to prudent policies of the PML-N government Pakistan’s economy was on the takeoff position and poised to become one of the fastest growing economies of the world.
The Minister said that when PML-N government came into power after May 2013 elections, Pakistan economy was in shamble, there were 18-20 hours load shedding and industries were also not getting the electricity,Pakistan’s economy was frozen at 3 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) while the law and order situation was also alarming with dozens killed in bomb blasts on daily basis.
The Interior Minister was of the view that Newsweek at that time in a report had declared Pakistan as the most dangerous country than Iraq besides dubbing Pakistan a stone age country due to nonavailability of electricity.
The PML-N government under the leadership of former Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and his team worked day and night to overcome these issue, he added.
Ahsan Iqbal said that after the hectic efforts of four years and prudent policies and initiation of energy projects by the government not only ensured supply of 24-hour electricity to domestic consumers but also supplied electricity to industrial sector besides adding 11000 megawatts of electricity in the national grid.
He added that due to actions were taken against the terrorists, the law and order situation has been restored besides ensuring peace in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
He said that peace has also been restored in Karachi which is the financial capital of Pakistan.
The Interior Minister said that PML-N government signed the US $ 46 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with China and so far the US $ 29 billion projects have been energized.
He said that credit of exploiting and exploring the Thar coal project went to present government which was ignored for the last seventy years.
Highlighting the potential of Thar coal reserves, he said that the area has the potential to the energy values equal to Saudi Arabi and Iran.
He said that Thar coal mines can fulfill the energy requirements of Pakistan for the four hundred years (400) years.
Pakistan, he said under CPEC would build Gawadar Maritime port making it one of the best maritime ports in Aian region.
He said that last year Pakistan has achieved a GDP growth rate of 5.3 percent, besides industrial growth and growth in remittances were also the highest of the last nine years.
Ahsan Iqbal told the Pakistani diaspora that Pakistan has now become one of the best investment-friendly destinations for investors with an attractive market of 207 million people with emerging middle class.
He called upon them to take benefit of maximum investment opportunities in various sectors of the economy including the Information Technolgy sector and play their vital role in the socio-economic development of Pakistan.
He also urged them to invite UK investors to come forward and take maximum investment opportunity being offered in various sectors of the economy in Pakistan through their investments and government would fully facilitate them in this regard.
Ahsan Iqbal also urged Pakistani diaspora of UK to send maximum remittances to Pakistan through official and banking channels and also participate in the development of their motherland through making investments.
He assured them that their genuine problems which they indicated would be looked into and resolved them on a priority basis.
Ahsan Iqbal said that government was making efforts to boost exports, attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) and remittances from overseas Pakistanis for the economic prosperity of the country.
Pakistan, he said was now on road to progress and in a take-off position owing to the restoration of peace in the country and good economic policies initiated by the present government.
Replying to a question, he said that people of Indian occupied Kashmir (IOK) were facing worst kind of atrocities at the hand of occupation forces and called upon the international community including the UK to play their vital role in the provision of justice to the people of IOK.
He said Pakistan was now a strong and stable democracy and stressed the need for political stability and continuity of policies for the prosperity of the country.
In his opening remarks, Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri welcomed the Interior Minister and appreciated his leading role in the formulation of Vision 2025 and CPEC for Pakistan.
He said that Minister has returned from successful Washington visit and come to Pakistan High Commission London to meet the Pakistani community living in the UK.
He hoped that visit of the Minister would help further strengthen the bilateral relations between Pakistan and the United Kingdon.
Agriculture sector lifeline of national economy, needs more attention: Daniyal
ISLAMABAD, Feb 13 (APP):Minister for Privatization Daniyal Aziz Tuesday said agriculture was the lifeline of the national economy and a lot more was needed to be done for the promotion of this sector.
According to press release issued here, while chairing a meeting of inter-ministerial committee on Loans for Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Purposes Act, 1973 here, he said “We need to revamp the entire policy regarding loans for opening the doors to allied sectors for sustainable development of national economy.”
It was proposed in the meeting that agriculture advisory committee must be formulated in order to streamline the matters relating to agricultural loans.
He also suggested the requirement for provision of produce index unit (PIU) for agriculture loan was to be removed in order to simplify the procedure.
The minister directed the heads of financial institutions to pay attention to provide financial services to other sectors of national economy for rapid and balanced economic growth in the country.
He called upon the financial institutions to enhance their outreach in rural areas of the country to tackle their financial requirements, stressed the need for channelizing the remittances and utilizing them for productive measures.
The minister said that all banks, micro-finance institutions would also be taken on board to prepare a comprehensive report which would be submitted in cabinet meeting for approval.
The meeting, attended by the advisor to PM on Revenue, Haroon Akhtar Khan, senior officials of State Bank of Pakistan, ZTBL and Ministry of Finance, deliberated upon the future course of action regarding proposed amendments in the act.
The amendments were proposed on the initiative of Finance Division in the Cabinet meeting held on 29 January, 2018.
The inter ministerial committee was formulated by the cabinet after the submission of summary by Finance Division, related to the announcement made by Finance Minister in his budget speech for FY 2017-18, according to which it was proposed to enhance the rate of produce index unit (PIU) from Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 5,000.
The initiative was meant to facilitate the farmers in terms of credit incurred from banks. The proposal could be materialized only after the amendment in Section (5) 1 of the Loans for Agriculture Purposes Rules 1973.
Consequently, the PM formulated a committee comprising Minister for Power, Minister for Water Resources, Special Assistant to PM on Revenue and Secretary Finance headed by Minister Privatization Daniyal Aziz.
The newly formulated committee was directed by the cabinet to present its report within two weeks of its commencement.
Over two dozen Pakistani companies attend Texworld 2018 in Paris
ISLAMABAD, Feb 13 (APP):Twenty-seven Pakistani companies are showcasing a wide range of their high quality products including fabrics, garments, knitwear and denim at the 4 day 42nd edition of the Texworld exhibition being held in Paris from 11-14 February, 2018.
According to a message received here on Tuesday, the Ambassador of Pakistan to France Moin-ul-Haque visited the Pakistan Pavilion established at the exhibition and met various companies and thanked them for their participation.
He appreciated the variety of high end fabrics, cotton wears, jeans and other textile products which were specially designed to meet the taste and preferences of European clients.
The Ambassador also requested their feedback and recommendations to make participation of Pakistani companies more fruitful and result oriented in the upcoming fairs being held in Paris, .
The Ambassador noted with satisfaction that the Pakistan’s exports to France are following on upward trajectory since the launch of economic diplomacy initiated by the Embassy in 2016. In the year 2016, Pakistan’s exports registered an increase of 16% while preliminary data for 2017 is also indicating a good increase in the exports.
Later, the Ambassador also met with the Mr. Micheal Scherpe, President of Texworldon the sidelines of the exhibition and discussed with him the ways and means to further improve participation of Pakistani companies in the Texworldfairs being held twice every year in Paris.
Some of the major Pakistani textile groups/exporters like Nishat Mills, Kohinoor, Sapphire, Kamal Limited, Siddique Sons and Master Textile had established their theme based customized pavilions which attracted large numbers of potential buyers.
The Texworld held twice every year is a popular trade fair exclusively for professionals from the textile and fashion industry. It is a valuable and efficient gateway to the European market for international textile manufacturers.Over 1000 exhibitors from 27 countries are participating in the fair.
Corruption free Paksitan, a top priority of NAB: Javed Iqbal
ISLAMABAD, Feb 13 (APP):Chairman of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Justice (R) Javed Iqbal here on Tuesday said that NAB’s top most priority was to make the country corruption free as it was the largest institution of the country engaged in this activity.
The chairman expressed these views during a meeting to review the performance of Awareness and Prevention Division of NAB.
Clause 33-C of NAB law disseminate information among the people about consequences of corruption on country’s development.
According to clause 33-B of NAB, all federal, provincial public sector departments are bound to submit details of procurement, feasibility report , tendering of the contracts of over Rs 50 million to NAB.
Law authorises NAB to scrutinise the contracts of over Rs 50 million or above.
This helps ensuring adhering to PPRA rules and other rules before awarding any contract. This also helps ensuring merit and
transparency in awarding the contracts and saving losses to public exchequer, besides ensuring the completion of public sector projects in accordance with law.
Chairman NAB took notice of not submitting the details of procurement contracts and tendering of over Rs 50 million projects by
some public sector departments to NAB for scrutiny and directed relevant NAB DGs to ensure submitting the copies of over Rs 50 million for above projects to NAB by relevant departments.
He directed strict action against the departments not ready to submit Rs 50 million or above projects to NAB for scrutiny.
Chairman NAB directed the officers of NAB to utilize their energies for promoting merit and transparency which would enhance their
prestige besides augmenting reputation of NAB.
NA-154 result shows people rejected PTI’s politics: Jaffar
ISLAMABAD, Feb 13 (APP):Minister of State for Maritime Chaudhry Jaffar Iqbal Tuesday said people had rejected the politics of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and the results of NA-154 bye-election was a proof of that.
The people had great love for the former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and they had not accepted his disqualification, he said while talking to a private news channel.
Jaffar Iqbal said the people had reposed their confidence in the incumbent government and its leadership through voting for the PML-N candidates in all bye-elections.
He said the PML-N government had reduced terrorism incidents and power load-shedding, strengthened national economy, built motorways and provided modern transport facilities to the people across the country without any discrimination.
The minister said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had failed to restore peace in Karachi during its five-year government, but the PML-N government had established peace in the mega city.
Record applications submitted for 2018 Govt Hajj scheme: Sardar Yousaf
RAWALPINDI, Feb 13 (APP):Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf Tuesday said that due to excellent Hajj arrangements made last year by the government in Saudi Arabia, record number of applications were submitted this year by the citizens for government Hajj scheme.
He informed that the banks received over 375,000 applications for 2018 Government Hajj Scheme, out of which 120,000 intending Hajj pilgrims under the Scheme would be sent to Saudi Arabia.
He said this while talking to media at the groundbreaking ceremony of a Jamia Masjid Fatima-uz-Zahra here at Adiala Road.
He said, the government has formulated a policy to facilitate the intending hajj pilgrims.
Sardar Yousaf, to a question informed that a quota of 65,000 Hujjaj would be given to the private sector so that they could also send the intending Hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
He further said, the government had adopted a transparent policy for 2018 Hajj scheme, adding different committees formed in this regard were approved by federal cabinet.
The Minister hoped that the Supreme Court would soon announce a verdict in Hajj quota case. The minister said, the government is also striving for the resolution of the problems being faced by prayer leaders (Imam Masajid).
Sardar Yousaf said, all out efforts would be made to facilitate the Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia and best arrangements would be
made like last years.
Record number of applications reflect the citizens’ confidence on government hajj scheme as last year, the Pakistani Hujjaj were satisfied with the arrangements made in Saudia, he added.
To another question he said, uniform prayer timings (Nizam-e-Salat) was prepared for federal capital but, it could not be
implemented fully, adding, National Ulema and Mashaikh Council was constituted at central level to play a role in addressing the issues of Imams of Masajid.
He said, support of the citizens particularly traders and civil society was needed to implement uniform prayer timings in Islamabad.
Among others, Moulana Abdul Majeed Hazarvi from Jamia Farqania, Rawalpindi, Moulana Qari Wali ur Rehman Sajid, Shafqat Umar Bhatti and other ulema and Mashaikh were present on the occasion, .
Break up with plastic this V-Day: UN Environment chief
UNITED NATIONS, Feb 13 (APP):As the world prepares to mark Valentine’s Day, the UN Environment Programme head has urged people around the world to make a bold move and “break up” with plastic.
“This Valentine’s Day we are urging people to break up with throwaway bottles, straws, utensils and bags and help turn the tide on plastic waste,” the head of UN Environment Programme, Erik Solheim, said.
A two-minute Valentine’s Day film, “It’s not me, it’s you” explores dependence on single-use plastics through the story of a difficult break-up, but the video has a happy ending: A newfound love in sustainable alternatives.
“Our love-in with disposable plastics has a toxic side effect,” Solheim said about the film.
These environmentally unfriendly products ultimately end up in seas and oceans where they endanger fish, birds, turtles and other creatures who mistake it for food or become entangled.
Plastic waste has also entered the human food chain with health consequences that are not yet fully understood.