ISLAMABAD, Feb 20 (APP):The National Assembly on Tuesday passed two bills including The Health Services Academy (Restructuring) Bill, 2017 and the Islamabad Healthcare Regulation Bill, 2017.
According to details, the National Assembly passed two bills including The Health Services Academy (Restructuring) Bill, 2017 and Islamabad Healthcare Regulation Bill, 2017 both presented by the Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination.
The Prevention of Drugs in Educational Institutions Bill, 2018 presented by the MNA Shahida Rehmani and The Compulsory Drug Test of Students Bill, 2018 regarding the students of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) both were clubbed and deferred for further deliberation.
Minister for Education Engr Muhammad Baligh ur Rahman speaking on the said above bills told the assembly that it is impossible to take drug test of all students and it is not happening in any country.
While, The Minorities Access to Higher Education Bill, 2018 presented by the MNA Asiya Nasir was referred to the standing committee for further consultation on the request of the minister for education.
The National Assembly also adopted the six motions in the house presented by the different Members of National Assembly.
According to details, the motions regarding the Federal Witness Protection Bill, 2015 and the Religious Scholars, Ulema and Pesh Imams (Prayer Leaders) Welfare Bill 2017 both moved by the Chairman Standing Committee on Interior, Rana Shamim Ahmad Khan were adopted.
The motion regarding the Criminal Law Amendment Bill 2017 moved by the Rana Shamim was also adopted.
While, the motion regarding the Protection of Journalists Bill, 2014 moved by the MNA Pir Muhammad Aslam Bodla was adopted.
The National Assembly also adopted another two motions including the Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2016 presented by the Dr Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharal and the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, (Amendment) Bill, 2016 moved by the Dr Hafeez-ur-Rehman Khan Drishak.
NA passes two bills regarding health services on Tuesday
Shipping Activity at Port Qasim
KARACHI, Feb 20 (APP):Five ships, MSC Rachele, MSC Joanna,
Express Black Sea, Chemroute Sun and Golar Maria carrying Containers, Palm oil and LNG were allotted berths at Qasim International Container Terminal, Liquid Cargo Terminal and Pakistan Gasport Consortium Terminal respectively on Monday.
Meanwhile two more ships MSC Heidi and Daranee Naree
scheduled to load/offload Containers and Cement also arrived at
outer anchorage of Port Qasim during last 24 hours.
Berth occupancy remained at the port at thirty five percent
on Monday where a total of six ships namely, MSC Rachele, MSC
Joanna, Express Black Sea, Star Sirius, Golar Maria and Chemroute
Sun are currently occupying berths to load/offload Containers,
Canola seeds, LNG and Palm oil during last 24 hours.
Cargo throughput during last 24 hours stood at 121,682
tonnes, comprising 89,496 tonnes import cargo and 32,186 tonnes
export cargo inclusive of containerized cargo carried in 3,830
Containers (TEUs), (2,136 TEUs imports and 1,694 TEUs exports)
was handled at the port during last 24 hours.
Bulk cargo carrier Star Sirius sailed out to sea on Tuesday
morning, while three more container ships MSC Rachele, MSC Joanna
and Express Black Sea are expected to sail on same day in the
afternoon.
A total of five ships, MSC Heidi, Northern Magnum, Daranee
Naree, Panorama and Contantinos scheduled to load/offload
Containers, Cement, Soya bean seeds and Diesel oil are expected
to take berths at QICT, MW-2, FAP and FOTCO respectively on
Tuesday. while four more ships, Container vessel ‘Marie Delmas’
Gas carrier ‘British Emerald’, oil tanker ‘Al-Soor-II’ and Bulk
cargo carrier ‘Secon-7’ are due to arrive at Port Qasim on
Wednesday.
Tariq terms parliament a supreme national institution
ISLAMABAD, Feb 20 (APP):Minister of State for Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry Tuesday said that the parliament was supreme and mother of all national institutions.
Talking to a private news channel, he said that it was the right of the parliament to make legislation on all national issues, adding that the parliamentarian also have the right to discuss or debate the matters at this forum.
He said all national institutions were effectively working under the parameters of constitution and assured that no person-specific law would be made.
Replying to a question, he said former Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was disqualified on having an Iqama and no corruption charges were proved against him.
He said bogus cases had been lodged against politicians in the past. He said that Nawaz Sharif knew how to struggle for stability of the country as he had launched China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to bring about revolution for the people of the country.
PSL final in Karachi will send a positive message to the whole world: Afridi
ISLAMABAD, Feb 20 (APP):Former skipper Shahid Afridi believes the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final to be held in Karachi will send a positive sign and message to the whole world.
PSL 2018 will kick off on February 22 in the UAE and finish off on March 25 in Pakistan. The two eliminators and the final of the tournament will be played in Lahore and Karachi, respectively.
Afridi said he has started to practice for the PSL. “I have reduced my other activities and I am focusing more on the PSL. Hopefully, the upcoming season will be good for me,” wisdenindia.com quoted him as saying.
He said the situation in Pakistan is much better now and it is good to know that cricket is returning to Pakistan.
“This year, there will be two playoffs in Lahore and then the final in Karachi. It’s going to be a huge moment for the people of Karachi,” he said.
Speaking about the Pak-India bilateral ties, he said sports can be used as a tool to improve relations between India and Pakistan. Afridi drew on his recent experience of playing alongside Indians in an exhibition Ice Cricket tournament in Switzerland, suggesting that cricket could play a role in melting the ice.
“Due to lack of international cricket between the two countries, we now play either in the ICC tournaments or the events such as Ice Cricket,” he said.
He said politics should be kept away from sports. “It should rather be used as a tool to improve relations between the countries. Sports is something which can play a big role in bringing peace,” he said.
Afridi captained the Royals in a series of two 20-over matches played at 1800 metres above sea level and in below zero degrees Celsius temperatures in St Mortiz, Switzerland. The Indian players who featured in the event were Virender Sehwag, Mohammad Kaif, Zaheer Khan, Joginder Sharma, Ajit Agarkar and Ramesh Powar. “It was nice to meet and play with players from India after a long time,” he said.
Indian DHC summoned over ceasefire violations on LoC
ISLAMABAD, Feb 20 (APP):Director General (SA & SAARC), Dr Mohammad Faisal Tuesday summoned the Indian Deputy High Commissioner JP Singh to condemn the unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Indian occupation forces along the Line of Control (LoC) on 19 February in Khuiratta Sector, Jijot Bahadar village resulting in the shahadat of Ayan Zahid, an 8 years old boy.
Despite calls for restraint, India continues to indulge in ceasefire violations. In 2018, the Indian forces have carried out more than 335 ceasefire violations along the Line of Control and the Working Boundary, resulting in the shahadat of 15 innocent civilians and injuries to 65 others, said a statement issued here by foreign office.
“This unprecedented escalation in ceasefire violations by India is continuing from the year 2017 when the Indian forces committed more than 1970 ceasefire violations,” it said.
It is said that the deliberate targeting of civilian populated areas especially children is indeed deplorable and contrary to human dignity, international human rights and humanitarian laws.
Director General urged the Indian side to respect the 2003 Ceasefire arrangement; investigate this and other incidents of ceasefire violations; instruct the Indian forces to respect the ceasefire, in letter and spirit and maintain peace on the LoC and the Working Boundary.
He urged that the Indian side should permit UNMOGIP to play its mandated role as per the UN Security Council resolutions.
Earlier, on 15 February, the Indian occupation forces also deliberately targeted a school van leaving the children severely traumatized and martyring the driver. The ceasefire violations by India are a threat to regional peace and security and may lead to a strategic miscalculation.
Parliament cannot make law in conflict with Constitution: CJP
ISLAMABAD, Feb 20 (APP):Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar Tuesday observed that the parliament was a supreme institution, but it could not make a law which could conflict with the Constitution.
The apex court held the right to review any legislation, he said while heading a three-member bench, which heard the Media Commission case.
The chief justice remarked that he had repeatedly stated that the parliament was a supreme institution but the Constitution was more supreme.
“In one of the cases, we didn’t give any remarks but only asked if a certain person was eligible to hold a public office,” he added.
The CJP asked as to how the court’s remarks could amount to an insult to parliamentarians. “I don’t want to give an impression that I am furnishing an explanation,” he said. “We need to be savvy of the administration’s measures and basic rights of people.”
He observed that the recommendations made in the Media Commission report and the promises made by the government remained unfulfilled. “We have to make PEMRA (Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority) an ideal and autonomous body,” he stressed.
The chief justice remarked that inexperienced persons were being appointed in institutions, though appointment of professionals was necessary to run them in a better way.
He observed that headlines were made when they even asked about something whereas they gave remarks to understand the stance of both parties.
He said, “We will fully utilise the powers of Constitution and law.”
The chief justice also asked the media persons not to report the remarks of apex court judges out of context.
Later, the case was adjourned for 10 days.
20 candidates in run for senate elections from Punjab: ECP
ISLAMABAD, Feb 20 (APP):Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has finalized 20 candidates from Punjab to contest senate elections, which are scheduled to be held on March 3.
According to ECP, two candidates will contest for Non-Muslim seats, 10 candidates on General seats, three for women seats and five candidates were in the run for Technocrat seats.
Candidates for Non-Muslim seat included Kamran Michael and Victor Azariah while Saadia Abbasi, Andleeb Abbas and Nuzhat Sadiq will contest election for women seats.
It said five candidates on Technocrat seats included Ch Naseer Ahmad Bhutta, Hafiz Abdul Karim, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Muhammad Nawazish Ali Pirzada and Malik Muhammad Asif Javaid.
Similarly,10 candidates who were contesting elections on General seats included Ch. Muhammad Sarwar, Dr Asif Kirmani, Rana Mahmood ul Hassan, Zubair Gul, Shaheen Khalid Butt, Shahzad Ali Khan, Kamil Ali Agha, Musadik Masood Malik, Maqbool Ahmad and Haroon Khan.
Spiritual leader of Sikh community calls on CM Punjab
LAHORE, Feb 20 (APP):Spiritual leader of Sikh community and chairman of Nishkan Group Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia called
on Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, here on Tuesday.
During the meeting, issues related to the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak Devji were discussed.
The chief minister pledged full cooperation of the Punjab government with regard to birthday celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak.
The chief minister said that complete protection of constitutional rights of minority communities including Sikhs had been ensured in Pakistan. Historic steps had been taken for wellbeing and prosperity of the Sikh community living in Punjab.
He said that all possible steps were being taken for maintenance, protection and upkeep of Sikh
gurudwaras and other religious places of all minority communities.
In fact, protection of fundamental rights of the minority communities, along with protection of their life and property, is part of Punjab government’s priorities. It is sanguine that Sikhs, as well as all the religious minorities, enjoy complete religious freedom along with constitutional rights.
It is governmental policy to ensure protection and provision of different facilities to the Sikh community and other minorities for performing their religious rituals. Along with it, implementation of minority quota in public sector recruitments was also being ensured, he added.
The Punjab government is following the golden principles of Islam including inter-religious harmony and tolerance, concluded the chief minister.
Chairman of Nishkan Group Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia said that they are thankful to Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif for providing different facilities to the Sikh community along with maintenance of religious places and their beautification.
The steps of Punjab government taken for wellbeing of the Sikh community are laudable and credit of complete religious and inter-faith harmony goes to Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Shehbaz Sharif is a visionary leader who is loved not only in Pakistan but abroad as well.
The chief minister presented a gift of carpet to Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia. Phaldeep Singh Khela, Bhupinder Singh Minhas, Sohail Ahmad and others were also present on the occasion.
27 candidates in run for senate elections from KP: ECP
ISLAMABAD, Feb 20 (APP):Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday finalized the names of 27 candidates from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to contest senate elections against 11 vacant seats, which is scheduled to be held on March 3.
According to ECP, 14 candidates will contest for General seats, eight for women seats and five candidates were in the run for Technocrat seats.
It said five candidates on Technocrat seats included Dilawar Khan, Muhammad Azam Khan Swati, Muhammad Yaqoob Shaikh, Moulana Sami Ul Haq and Nisar Khan.
Eight candidates for Women seats included Anisa Zeb Tahirkheli, Sobia Shahid, Rubina Khalid, Raeesa Daud, Shagufta Malik, Mehr Taj Roghani, Naeema Kishwar Khan and Naureen Farooq Khan.
Similarly,14 candidates who were contesting elections on General seats included Bahramand, Khial Zaman,Syed Muhammad Sabir Shah, Abdul Latif Yousafzai, Ali Afzal Khan Jadoon, Fida Muhammad and Faisal Javed.
Senate elections: 23 nomination papers for FATA General seats declared valid
ISLAMABAD, Feb 20 (APP):Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has declared 23 nomination papers as valid for elections to Senate General Seats from Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
According to ECP, the commission also rejected the nominations papers of four candidates for FATA Senate elections.
It said that the validly nominated candidates for elections to senate from FATA’s General seats included Sajid Hussain Turi, Hidayat Ullah, Shammim Afridi, Mirza Muhammad Afridi, Hillal ur Rehman, Malik Najam-ul-Hassan, Shoaib Hassan, Tahir Iqbal, Abdul Raziq, Syed Akhonzada Chittan,Saleh, Faiz ur Rehman, Said Jamal, Shahid Hussain, Pir Muhammad Aqal Shah, Shahban Ali, Haji Khan, Zia ur Rehman, Malik Afzal Din Khan, Syed Ghazi Ghazan Jamal, Farhad Shahbab, Jangriz Khan and Nizam Uddin Khan.
It said that the nomination papers of four candidates have been rejected by the commission for FATA Senate elections included Irfan Ullah, Haider Shah, Adnan Sattar and Shah Khalid.