KARACHI, Feb 24 (APP):President Mamnoon Hussain Saturday said certain astray elements in the past had created lawlessness in Karachi, but with a sound strategy and timely measures, the government fully restored peace in the port city.
He said now Karachi and the country were put on the path of progress and prosperity and nothing could halt this journey. The direction of the country was on the right track and improvement was witnessed with the performance of the government.
The president was expressing his views during a visit to Khatoon-e-Pakistan Girls School established by Madre Millat mohtarma Fatima Jinnah. The president was briefed about the curriculum and educational activities and the contributions made by Zindagi Trust in this regard, said a press release.
On the occasion, Zindagi Trust founder Shahzad Roy, and senior federal and provincial authorities besides, a number of philanthropists were also present.
The president observed that challenges and problems could emerge, but there was no need to worry as the country had been on the path of progress and prosperity.
He noted that human resource development was not possible without extending facilities for spread of literacy. In the past, several sectors including education were neglected whereas the nationalization drive had created different issues.
He observed that private sector in education could play an important role in the promotion of education. He also lauded efforts of Zindagi Trust and Shahzad Roy, saying the private sector could emulate their services in spread of literacy.
He said due to existence of ghost schools, literacy graph had declined in the past, but now the government resolved on a policy to eliminate ghost schools by promoting and facilitating the education sector.
He linked the national prosperity with promotion of female education and maintained that the primary education section should be completely managed by the females. The education ministry had been working on this plan, he added.
The president advised the students to equip themselves with the maximum knowledge in the subjects of their inclination and should not desist from traveling abroad in this connection. But at the same time, they should not blindly follow the alien civilizations as it could create serious social problems.
The president said Karachi was home to philanthropists who contributed largely for the welfare deeds. Due to their contributions, major welfare projects had been completed which deserved accolades.
Later, the president took round of different sections of the school and inquired about the method of imparting education.
He also interacted with students of different classes and advised them to work hard and gain knowledge under an urge to contribute for the progress of country.
He also wrote his expressions in the visitors’ book and distributed gifts among the students.
Govt. restores peace in Karachi: President
PML-N govt completed record number of social welfare projects: Ahsan
SIALKOT, Feb 24 (APP):Federal Minister for Interior Prof.
Ahsan Iqbal said on Saturday the PML-N government had completed a record number of social welfare and human development projects across the country.
Addressing a public meeting at village Aliabad near Narowal,
he said that PML-N government’s effective economical policies
were bearing fruits and the desired results, besides bringing
day by day betterment in national economical indicators.
He said that politically matured masses would again give
heavy mandate to the PML-N and bring the party into power with
the power of their votes during the 2018 general elections in
the country.
Prof. Ahsan Iqbal said that relationship between PLM-N and
Public was the relation of prosperity and progress, saying that
the PML-N government was fulfilling all its promises made with
the public.
He claimed that uninterrupted power supply was being provided
to people for 22-hours.
“There used to be a 22-hour load-shedding schedule in the
country in past, but now the situation has changed”, he said.
He said that armed forces of Pakistan had broken the backbone
of terrorism, adding that Pakistan would continue to play its
frontline role in weeding out terrorism, extremism, insurgency
and militancy.
Ahsan Iqbal said that Pakistan was committed to root out
terrorism, adding the whole nation stands united in this regard
and was ready to sacrifice even their lives to defend the
motherland while battling against terrorism shoulder to shoulder
with the armed forces.
MPA Rana Abdul Manan, Union Council Chairman Ch. Shafique Iqbal
and Vice Chairman Ch. Jamil Ahmed were also present on the occasion.
State institutions emanate from Parliament : Ahsan
LAHORE, Feb 24 (APP):Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Saturday stressed the need to ensure dignity
and respect of Parliament as it was the centre from where state institutions
ultimately take powers and owe their existence.
Talking to the media after addressing the 2nd All Punjab Workshop on
Young Peace Development Corps (YPDC) here at Lahore College for Women
University (LCWU), he said all politicians must get united on national issues
to tackle major challenges.
Today, he said, one of Pakistan’s neighbouring countries was threatening
to carry out surgical strikes for which all segments of society must get united
to confront the situation.
On the FATF grey list, Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan had already taken
several measures to curb the money-laundering and putting Pakistan on
the watch list would not affect its economic development.
He said the resolution in this regard had been moved by the US to
apparently pressurize Pakistan. Pakistan’s steps against money-laundering
were far better than many other countries, he added.
He said Pakistan, under the National Action Plan, had also taken a number
of measures against the menace of terrorism. He said sarcastically that “surgical
strikes” were somehow benefiting Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), adding
anti-PML-N initiatives had enhanced party’s popularity among masses.
Addressing the workshop, the interior minister said the youth were the future
of the country and empowering them was the responsibility of government, asserting
that familiarizing the youth with contemporary education and research was the need
of hour.
Unfortunately, he added, propaganda was being done against the country’s
development and integrity, while a perception of disappointment was being spread
among some of the youth, which was not fair.
He advised the youth to create self-confidence and keep themselves away
from all such matters, which could affect their future.
Ahsan Iqbal said the world was appreciating Pakistan’s economic development
during the last five years and national media should also highlight this development
and positive changes.
In 1947, Pakistan was not given its share of resources, but today Pakistan is
one of the 10 major countries, having digital technology and 3-G and 4-G technology
infrastructure, he added.
The minister said continuity of policies and political stability was a must to
achieve economic development goals, adding that in this way, Pakistan could
rectify and remove its faults of 70 years within the next 20 years.
Next 10 years, he added, were more important for Pakistani youth, as they
would have to play a lead role to develop the country.
“Today lack of knowledge is the main cause of Muslim’s downfall and we have
to improve our knowledge and strengthen our economy”, he said and added “for
which the youth and universities will have to play the role of Engine of Research
and Knowledge. We do not have to promote sit-ins and chaos but quality, invention
and an increased growth.”
Pakistan wants peaceful relations with its neighbours: Khawaja Asif
SIALKOT, Feb 24 (APP): Minister for Foreign Affairs Khawaja Muhammad Asif has said that Pakistan has ever wanted to have
peaceful relations with its neighbours, but they are not giving positive response to its peace initiatives.
He was addressing party workers’ convention at Mianapura here late Friday evening. He said that Pakistan would continue its role for establishing peace in world and weeding out terrorism, militancy, insurgency and extremism from Pakistan by securing its
eastern and western borders.
Kh Asif said that there was no doubt that the defence of Pakistan was in very strong hands, as the government had made
national defence hard to beat. No one could dare to see Pakistan with an evil eye, he added.
He said that the armed forces of Pakistan had full capabilities to defend every inch of the motherland, adding that the nation stands united against terrorism and was ready to sacrifice their lives for weeding out terrorism.
The foreign minister said that Nawaz Sharif was still ruling the hearts of masses, adding that people still consider Nawaz
Sharif as a great leader of the country, who put the country on the road to development, prosperity and economical stability.
Kh Asif strongly criticised political opponent Asif Ali Zardari for using objectionable language against Nawaz Sharif and the top leadership of the PML-N.
He said that the PML-N was the biggest political party in the country, which would again come into power with the power of vote.
He said that the PML-N was ensuring the sanctity of vote and respect of voters and their mandate, adding that only the ‘thumb
impression’ on the ballot papers could change the destiny of the nation, and not the finger of any umpire.
Khawaja Muhammad Asif said that politically mature people have rejected the ongoing negative politics and confrontation by political jugglers in the country.
He said that the PML-N government was fulfilling all its political promises, saying that only the PML-N had the capability to serve
the nation and the country in a better way.
He said that this time people would vote the PML-N on the basis of its performance in every sector during the general elections. He said that only the PML-N government had delivered by honouring all
its commitments and political promises, especially ending the inherited energy crisis and load-shedding of electricity in the country.
Khawaja Asif inaugurates tuff tiles laying project
SIALKOT, Feb 24 (APP):-:Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad
Asif inaugurated the project of tuff tiles laying project from
Lunda Phaatak to Defence Road locality in city’s congested
Mianapura locality.
Provincial Minister for Local Bodies Punjab Manshaullah
Butt, local MPAs Ch. Muhammad Ikram, Ch. Muhammad Ikram and
Mayor Toheed Akhtar were also present on this occasion.
Terrorist killed, 11 held in IBOs in Quetta, Khahan areas
RAWALPINDI, Feb 24 (APP):FC Balochistan conducted intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Quetta , Sherazi/ Sanny Sibi and Khahan areas of the province.
During the operations, a terrorist was killed while 11 suspects were apprehended, said a press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations here Saturday.
Cachesof arms and ammunition, including RPG rockets, sub-machine guns, mines, explosives and ammunition were also recovered.
Minister attends rescuers passing-out ceremony
LAHORE, Feb 24 (APP):Minister for National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination Saira Afzal Tarar Saturday said that rescuers were the brave sons of soil, who put their lives in danger to save the lives of others.
Addressing the passing-out ceremony of around 1,300 male and female rescuers from Punjab, held at Emergency Services Academy here, she said that she herself witnessed excellent professionalism, exhibited by rescuers during accidents, floods and other disasters.
She congratulated Director General Punjab Emergency Service (Rescue-1122) Dr Rizwan Naseer and his team over devotion and continuous struggle to provide timely emergency care to the victims of accidents, emergencies and disasters.
She said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, the province was moving towards prosperity.
The minister said that the credit goes to the Punjab government that emergency service had been established at district level, and further expansion was continuing at tehsils level rapidly.
She said that the Punjab government had ensured merit and transperancy due to which performance of provincial departments
had significantly been improved, adding that Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif was putting in all efforts to serve the people of province.
Saira Afzal Tarar urged the rescuers to perform their duties with responsibility and courage, adding that training standard could further be raised to meet requirements of international standards.
Speaking on the occasion, Rescue 1122 DG Dr Rizwan Naseer congratulated the rescuers on completion of their professional emergency management training and appreciated Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif for expansion of the service to all districts and tehsils of the province.
He said that the Emergency Services Academy had trained over 20,000 rescuers from Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Balochistan and Aman Foundation from Karachi since its establishment.
On this occasion, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was
signed between National Ambulance Service College (NASC),
Ireland and the Emergency Services Academy to maintain
emergency service as per the international standards through
third party evaluation by NASC, Ireland.
Under this agreement NASC would monitor the ongoing training of emergency medical technicians, carry out examination and practical evaluation of the courses on non-profit basis.
Another MoU was also signed between National Highway & Motorway Police (NH&MP) and Rescue 1122. Both departments
would provide technical assistance in training.
Earlier, the passing-out cadets demonstrated their professional skills of emergency management during mock exercises of deep well rescue, water rescue, firefighting,
urban search and rescue, rescue from confined spaces & rescue
from height. These Cadets have been given specialized medical,
rescue, firefighting and height rescue training in 1st phase and specialized training courses were arranged for them in the fields of communication, medical first responder (MFR), collapsed structure search and rescue (CSSR), communication & incident command system.
Provincial Parliamentary Secretary Asghar Ali Manda, NH&MP DIG Farhan Baig, Prof Education Manager of National Ambulance Service College, Dublin, Ireland Dr Shane Knox also spoke on the occasion.
Rana Sanaullah condemns Imran Khan’s criticism on bureaucracy
LAHORE, Feb 24 (APP):Provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan said on Saturday that Imran Khan did not know how to respect others as he crossed all limits through his indecent criticism against civil officers.
Addressing a press conference at 90 Shahrah-e-Quaid-i-Azam, he said: “Imran Khan manipulates things without evidences and never ever proved what he claims”.
Unfortunately, such a person got popularity who was immodest, Rana Sanaullah said adding that there was a level of opposition
in politics all over the world but the type of language the PTI chairman today used against civil officers was condemnable.
The persons, including Fawad, Umar Rasool, Aftab Sultan, and others about whom Imran Khan talked, had been serving for the last 25 to 30 years and were doing their job on merit.
He said the government could not work without civil bureaucracy as it was an integral part of the system and using
such language against the bureaucracy was condemnable.
The minister said the officers must not feel bad and keep discharging their duties with dedication as people know their credibility.
The minister said that the PTI chairman number of times levelled baseless allegations of corruption in the Lahore Metro
project when he was challenged to prove it, he never talked about it again.
Rana Sanaullah said that Imran Khan was in habit of levelling allegations and always tried to mislead people.
The minister said, again an allegation had been levelled that Ahad Cheema had been given plots worth billion of
rupees. Rana Sanaullah challenged Imran Khan to prove this allegation and give all details in this regard.
He said that in 1998 plot culture was abolished by law and challenged Imran should prove allotment of a single plot, adding if he fails in doing so, he must apologise.
Commenting on persons who were involved in fraud case in Multan Metro, he said the Punjab government also held an
inquiry into the allegations and learnt that Yabait Compamny had never worked for the Multan Metro project nor any project
contractors had acquired its services at any stage. The Chinese government also investigated the matter and imposed a heavy
fine on the company.
He said that all fake documents were recovered from the involved persons in this fraud and they were arrested.
To a question, he said that proper procedure should be followed and things must regulated as per law.
Punjab Government Spokesman Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan was also present on the occasion.
Pakistani peacekeepers made ‘significant contribution’ to peace process in Liberia: UN
UNITED NATIONS, Feb 24 (APP):With the United Nations set to close its “successful” peacekeeping mission in Liberia by the end of next month,
the remaining unit of the Pakistani contingent — a well-equipped hospital — is now winding up its operations after
serving the people of the West African country for some 15 years.
The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) was deployed in 2003 to monitor a ceasefire agreement in
Liberia following the conclusion of a brutal civil war. At its peak it consisted of up to 15,000 United Nations
military personnel from and 1,115 police officers, along with a civilian component, from at least 10 troop
contributing countries.
Over the years, Pakistan, as UNMIL’s backbone, provided infantry battalions, a signal company,
engineering companies, military observers, police officers as well as the Level-II hospital . From
2005 to 2013, Pakistan contributed more than 2,000 peacekeepers to UNMIL per annum, with a
high of 3,400 in 2007 and 2008. The bulk of the Pakistani troops returned home in 2015, with
the medical unit remaining behind.
“We really have to acknowledge the significant contribution made by Pakistan to the peace
process in Liberia,” Waldemar Vrey, UNMIL’s deputy special representative, said in an interview
during which he commended the professionalism and sense of dedication of the Pakistani personnel
operating in difficult conditions.
“They have been with us from the beginning of the mission, particularly in the first difficult days
of the mission,” he said, noting that more than 20,000 Pakistani peacekeepers, both military and
police, have served in Liberia since 2003.
“Not only that, I also want to acknowledge that several of the Force Commanders who served in
Liberia were from Pakistan, and we have to acknowledge the good leadership that has been displayed
by the Pakistani generals over this period of time,” the mission’s deputy chief said.
For a long period of time at least up to 3,000 Pakistani troops were serving in Liberia per
year. “And we have to acknowledge the service and sacrifice of the Pakistani peacekeepers
and remember that 23 of them lost their lives serving under the UN flag in Liberia.”
The Pakistani peacekeepers, Vrey said, played a “crucial role” in the implementation of the
cease-fire agreement, as also in disarming of more than 100,000 former combatants during the
first years of the mission. “And since the disarmament process, I can tell you that up to this day
we have not had a significant arms-in-circulation challenge in Liberia: a very good factor that
makes peace and security durable and makes it easier for us to depart as having achieved
our Security Council-mandated instructions.”
The deputy chief of the mission said, “We had peacekeepers on the ground from Pakistan from
the beginning and we have them right up to the end in the form of the Pakistani Military Hospital
that is still with us on the ground, and they will be the last military unit, leaving us in Liberia.
“They have been providing a very professional service to us: expert doctors on the ground;
very good equipment that Pakistan has made available to us. They helped us deal with a lot of
tropical diseases, particularly malaria, and spare a thought for their contribution during the
dreadful period of Ebola epidemic as well.
They supported mission staff but they also made a significant contribution to Liberians and
played their part in overcoming this catastrophe that was brought about by Ebola. So, certainly
they have played a critical role in (the) success of the mission in Liberia.”
He said that the Pakistani medical unit reached out to prisons and local communities and
children at schools. “This is way beyond the call of duty. We have to acknowledge that Pakistan
through their medical contingent also reached out as a Member State to Liberia in helping the
Liberian people with the peace that they experienced.”
Lauding the work done by Pakistani military engineers, he said they built and repaired bridges
ensuring the strategic mobility that opened up the whole of the hinterland and helping outreach to
all the communities.
“We also have to acknowledge that Pakistani police also deployed in Liberia and made a
significant contribution with the mentoring and advisory support they provided over the years to
the Liberian national police.”
Vrey added, “All this is in the spirit of the United Nations, where Member States reach out
to each other and support each other during difficult times. And I’m sure this relationship that
was built through the United Nations would also be taken forward on a bilateral basis in the
future.”
People to cast votes in favour of those who served them: Saad
LAHORE, Feb 24 (APP):Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique Saturday said the people would cast their votes in favour of those who had carried out development done and reject conspirators.
He was addressing the concluding ceremony of two-day 63rd PR Athletics Championship here at the Railways Stadium.
The minister said as the next general elections were getting closer, anti-democracy activities were growing, but the voters, who were mature, would not fall prey to such propaganda and would elect those who had served them.
Earlier, Khawaja Saad Rafique was warmly welcomed by the audience after reaching the Railway Stadium.
President Railways Sports Board Dr Farhan Ibadat Yar Khan presented the annual report of sports arranged by the Board and thanked the minister for his cooperation.
Later, the minister gave Walton Trophy to Divisional Superintendent Workshop Division Salman Sadiq Sheikh on his
performance and distributed prizes among the players.