ISLAMABAD, Mar 01 (APP):Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued directions
to allow media in the parliament house for Senate election coverage on March 3.
According to ECP, the commission has asked the media to go to
press gallery of the parliament house on senate election day as they use it on
routine basis.
In this regard, the Speaker National Assembly has made a contact
with the Secretary ECP Babar Yaqoob. It added Chief Election Commissioner
Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza while taking notice of the matter immediately withdrawn
the restriction of media coverage of all four provincial assemblies and the parliament
house Islamabad.
ECP asks media to cover Senate election
Chinese envoy lauds Pak army for their sacrifices in war on terror
RAWALPINDI, Mar 1 (APP):Chinese ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing Thursday called on Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat here at the Joint Staff Headquarters.
During the meeting, matters related to changing geostrategic environment and further strengthening of security and defence cooperation between the two countries came under discussion, an Inter Service Public Relations press release said.
Both the sides reaffirmed the resolve for furtherance of deeper strategic ties.
The ambassador applauded the professionalism of Pakistan armed forces and acknowledged sacrifices rendered by Pakistan in war against terrorism.
Work on 38km Darra Adamkhel-Hayatabad gas pipeline to start this month
ISLAMABAD, Mar 1 (APP):The Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) would start construction work on 38-kilometer Darra Adamkhel to Hayatabad pipeline during the current month to ensure smooth supply of gas to Industrial Estate Hayatabad, Peshawar.
“The company is trying its best to ensure supply of gas to all industries of the Estate for which it carried out necessary maintenance of gas pipeline network and all consumer meter stations to ensure uninterrupted supply of the commodity,” official sources told APP.
During the current fiscal year, they said ample gas had been supplied to all industries including Compressed Natural Gas stations, Captive power units and cement industries, which is evident from the fact that consumption of industrial consumers had increased by 904 million cubic feet (mmcf) during the first four months as compared to the corresponding period of previous year.
“Peshawar industries’ gas consumption stood at 4,899 mmcf during the period from July-October-2016, while in July-October-2017 at 5,804 mmcf, which shows an increase of 904 mmcf,” the sources said.
PML-N doesn’t believe in politics of blame game: Nawaz Sharif
ISLAMABAD, Mar 1 (APP):Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif said on Thursday that Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) does not believe in the politics of blame game.
Talking to private news channel Nawaz Sharif said he is reviewing the ongoing controversy regarding Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s Bani Gala residence.
He will make a statement on the matter after reaching a conclusion on the subject, he added.
Nawaz said he has heard that the Supreme Court will take up the case at 1pm today, adding that he will see how the apex court proceeds on the matter.
To a question, he said that it was the beauty of democratic process that the elected government was bound to face opposition’ criticism patiently.
He said that PTI should do whatever they want but winning will be with PML-N in next general election 2018.
Peace in Afghanistan prerequisite for peace in region: Iranian air force commander
ISLAMABAD, Mar 1 (APP):An Iranian delegation headed by Commander of Iran Air Force Brigadier General Hassan Shahsafi accompanied by Iranian Ambassador Mehdi Hoonardost Thursday called on National Security Adviser Lt General (R) Nasser Khan Janjua here and exchanged views on bilateral relations.
They discussed options for further improving the bilateral relations and matters pertaining to regional security.
The NSA said for Pakistan, Iran is an important country as Iran is not only a neighbour but also a brotherly country from historic, cultural and religious perspectives. “We believe that Pakistan and Iran share a common future and need to enhance their cooperation.”
The commander reciprocated the same sentiments and agreed that Pakistan and Iran need to come much close as possible.
He stressed on the importance of identifying and removing all the impediments affecting bilateral relations.
The NSA elaborated on the challenges faced by both the countries at regional and international levels and said solution lies in the cooperative framework.
Discussing the prospects of peace and stability in Afghanistan, the commander said Iran shares Pakistan’s views and believes that peace in Afghanistan is prerequisite for peace in the region.
He stressed on the need of unity in the Muslim World which is suffering the most these days.
The NSA acknowledged the concerns of the commander and highlighted the role of Pakistan in the region and in the Muslim world.
He reiterated that Pakistan has played a positive and balanced role in the region and in Muslim world. Both Pakistan and Iran required deliberation and strategic patience to overcome the prevailing difficulties and to strengthen their bilateral relations and to move ahead together towards a brighter future.
Both sides agreed to increase engagements at all levels in multiple areas including political, defence trade and economics.
Is kite flying a necessary evil ?
ISLAMABAD, Mar 1 (APP):Despite over the years debate and uncertain action against lethal recreational activity, the authorities concerned are at their wits end and seem to have accepted kite flying as a necessary evil.
Senator Taj Haider of Pakistan People’s Party, while talking to APP stressed legislators, educationists and rational segment of civil society to launch a comprehensive campaign against kite flying, terming it “the only way forward to deal with it.”
He however said it was responsibility of state to protect public lives by completely banning such a death-dealing activity.”Only legislation may not help unless people are not sensitized about their obligation on the issue,” he suggested.
A Supreme Court Lawyer and member of Pakistan Bar Council, Maqsood Buttar, said that Homicide chapter of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) must be used against manufacturers of kite and fatal string. “There was no alternate for a human life and anti-kite flying laws should be implemented in letter and spirit”.
“Had there been a forceful ban years back after strict legislation and its implementation the activity may have vanished up till now,” he noted.
Mian Muhammad Tariq Mehmood MNA, however had his own view regarding “Basant”, he said banning a recreational activity is not a solution to the issue. “The incidents of deaths/injuries can be curtailed by taking some certain pre-emptive measures.
“Some spots must be designated far away from the populous areas but this festivity must be allowed as a day of enjoyment for people”, he added.
“The “Basant” a controversial kite flying festival was being celebrated over the years across the country. The majority of the enthusiasts of this festivity belongs to the Punjab province. The deadly chemical coated string, ariel-firing and on road traffic accidents of youngsters catching the kites has made it a murderous and controversial activity”, he deplored.
Kite flying goes on everywhere and neither it is completely banned nor fully authorised due to a mixed public reaction over the activity. However it was imperative to form a result-oriented strategy by the authorities concerned to get an out of the box solution to the issue
More permanent seats will not enhance UNSC’s effectiveness: Pakistan
UNITED NATIONS, Mar 1 (APP):A top Pakistani diplomat has blamed the lack of any progress in the long-running negotiations to restructure the UN Security Council on a group of countries — obviously meaning India, Brazil, Germany and Japan — who, she said, have remained “inflexible” in their push for permanent seats on the 15-member body.
“Responsibility for this deadlock for over 10 years lies with those who have not budged from their inflexible positions,” Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi. permanent representative of Pakistan to the U.N., said on the second day of the interactive session of the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) aimed at making the Security Council more effective, representative and transparent.
Despite a general agreement on enlarging the Council, as part of the UN reform process, member states remain sharply divided over the details.
Known as the “Group of Four” — India, Brazil, Germany and Japan — have shown no flexibility in their campaign for expanding the Security Council by 10 seats, with 6 additional permanent and four non-permanent members.
On the other hand, Italy/Pakistan-led Uniting for Consensus (UfC) group opposes any additional permanent members.
As a compromise, UfC has proposed a new category of members — not permanent members — with longer duration in terms and a possibility to get re-elected once.
The Security Council is currently composed of five permanent members — Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States — and 10 non-permanent members that are elected in groups of five to two-year terms.
“The UfC has always been willing to look for common ground, revise our original proposal and to show flexibility,” Ambassador Lodhi said in a debate convened to break the impasse in the reform process.
“None of this can be said of those delegations who have adopted a take-it-or-leave-it position,” she said.
Dealing with the Group of Four proposal for additional permanent members, the Pakistan envoy wondered how would it enhance the Security Council’s accountability.
“If the Council needs to adapt to changing realities, how can a so-called solution, fixed in time, such as permanent seats, account for this transient global reality; and, if the Council remains paralyzed to accommodate the interests of five permanent members, how will an enlarged Security Council with more permanent member, calibrate the interests of all these permanent members and yet, operate at an optimal level, to address the increasingly fraught and complex global peace and security landscape,” she asked.
In the circumstances, Ambassador Lodhi urged the co-chairs of the Inter-governmental Negotiations — Kaha Imnadze of Georgia and Lana Nusseibeh of the United Arab Emirates — to help build on and enlarge the range of convergences of the conflicting positions taken by different groups.
Full-scale negotiations to reform the Security Council began in the General Assembly in February 2009 on five key areas — the categories of membership, the question of veto, regional representation, size of an enlarged Council, and working methods of the council and its relationship with the 193-member Assembly.
Imran Khan who was declared Sadiq and Ameen submitted fake NOC in the SC: Marriyum
ISLAMABAD, Feb 28 (APP):Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage Marriyum Aurangzeb while addressing PML-N Youth Social Media Convention here Wednesday said that Imran Khan who was declared Sadiq and Ameen, submitted a fake NOC of the district administration in the Supreme Court in regards to the construction of his house in Bani Gala.
She said that the person who had not learnt to talk properly during the last four and a half years, how could he deliver to the masses?
Those who hurled allegations of submitting fake documents were now submitting themselves in the court, the
minister added.
The minister said that the PML (N) was up against a person who attacked the parliament, sent curses on the parliament and votes of people and hurled insults at others. She said that as against it the leader of the PML (N) had always advised them to exercise tolerance and sangfroid and nobody from PML (N) had ever indulged in using abusive language and insulting treatment to others.
Marriyum said that Muhammad Nawaz Sharif had taken upon himself the responsibility to fight the war for democracy and sanctity of the vote and he was not afraid of anybody except the Almighty. She said that a party which had a leader like Nawaz Sharif, President like Shehbaz Sharif and people as its soldier did not need anything except the blessings of Allah.
The minister said that every project of public welfare including making Pakistan a nuclear power, building of network of motorways, CPEC for economic development, health care programme and Prime Minister’s educational reforms programme bore the stamp of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and PML (N).
The minister said that Maryam Nawaz was fighting the case of Nawaz Sharif on the social media, and she would be given rousing welcome on March 11, on her arrival in Rawalpindi adding that the youth all over Pakistan were her soldiers in that struggle.
She said that since ’90s different kinds of allegations had been levelled against Nawaz Sharif but in spite of references in the Ehtsab Court, Supreme Court cases and investigations by JIT no allegation of corruption could be established against him.
She said that Imran Khan who claimed to build Metro in Peshawar with Rs.74 billion could not accomplish it even with Rs100 billion as he lacked the required vision. Marriyum said that it was the same Imran Khan who had boasted in 2013 that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would produce so much electricity that it would offer it to other provinces after meeting its own needs but unfortunately it was being produced only through MOUs.
She said that all the districts and cities in Punjab had schools, colleges, universities and hospitals without any exception. She said that Hanif Abbasi who was a lion of Shehbaz Sharif had made Rawalpindi an exemplary city through the development projects that were executed under his stewardship.
The minister said that Shehbaz Sharif had made Punjab a model province and the people of other provinces also wished to have a Chief Minister like him. Marriyum said that even the reports compiled by international agencies
ranked Punjab high in regards to transparency in carrying out the development projects.
She said that the leader of PML (N) had rightly observed that very few people were fated to serve the masses. She said that Muhammad Nawaz Sharif built the roads and Imran was talking of coming out on them. The minister said that this was his slogan in 2013 and even today he was obsessed with the same rhetoric.
Marriyum observed that Imran Khan who was a darling, was granted exemption from appearing in the court on his very first request whereas Nawaz Sharif was not allowed exemption from court attendance for visiting his ailing wife.
The minister said that the people came in thousands to listen and have a glimpse of Nawaz Sharif wherever he went including Jaranwala, Kot Momin , Sargodha and Peshawar because they knew that whenever he came into power he set new records of serving the people.
She said that PML (N) would also win the 2018 elections with a thumping majority and form the government to continue the journey of development with the same momentum.
UN welcomes Afghan govt’s proposal for peace talks with Taliban
UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 28 (APP):The United Nations mission in Afghanistan on Wednesday welcomed the Afghan Governments renewed call for unconditional peace talks with the Taliban and expressed strong support for its vision for peace.
The Government presented the proposal at an international conference aimed at creating a platform for peace talks.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) welcomes the Afghan Governments renewed call for unconditional peace talks with the Taliban and the outlining of a framework for peace, presented at the Kabul Process II conference in the Afghan capital today,said a UNAMA press release.
The Mission strongly supports the vision for peace through intra-Afghan dialogue and urges all parties involved to engage at the earliest time, the release said.
UNAMA commended the stated preparedness of Afghan authorities to discuss all issues as part of a peace process, including such key aspects as the constitution and the lifting of sanctions against persons and entities, as well as the release of prisoners.
The UN Security Council established UNAMA, a political mission, in March 2002. However, Afghanistan remains a country undergoing conflict, which threatens the sustainability of its achievements, according to the UN Department of Political Affairs (DPA).
Peace negotiations between the Afghan Government and armed opposition groups are the only alternative for ending the conflict, the DPA says, noting that the region and the broader international community have a stake and a role in helping to create the conditions for peace.
The conference, held in Kabul, brought together all of Afghanistan neighbouring States, along with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States as well as other parties, to establish a consensus among regional and international stakeholders on the imperative for an Afghan-led peace process.
UNAMA is encouraged by the active participation of the countries and organizations present; we look forward to increased cooperation to assist with Afghan peace efforts and to address the shared problem of terrorism and transnational crime, the release said.
Cabinet allows immediate balloting for 50% of total quota of Haj pilgrims for 2018
ISLAMABAD, Feb 28 (APP):The Federal Cabinet on Wednesday allowed the Ministry of Religious Affairs to carry out Haj balloting for 50% of the total quota of Haj pilgrims for 2018 immediately.
The cabinet took this decision after reviewing current state of legal proceedings and the need to communicate maximum number of Haj pilgrims to Saudi authorities before March 3, 2018 for finalizing flight schedules.
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi chaired the federal cabinet meeting held here at the PM Office. Secretary Ministry of Religious Affairs briefed the meeting on progress into arrangement for Haj 2018.
The Cabinet also directed the ministry to request Islamabad High Court for early finalization of legal proceedings as all the pending petitions had been referred to IHC by the Supreme Court in the last hearing.
The Cabinet considered Inquiry Report into corruption charges in the Kachhi Canal project. It was decided to constitute a Committee headed by the Minister for Water Resources for suggesting implementation mechanism of the findings of the report.
The Cabinet approved signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination and American Institute of Pakistan Studies, Inter-Provincial Coordination with a proviso that performance report of the Institute for last five years be presented before the Cabinet.
The Cabinet approved applicability of Islamabad Rent Restriction Ordinance, 2001 to Zone V of Islamabad and directed Interior Ministry to review the law.
It also directed Interior Ministry to place the case before the next meeting of the Cabinet for applicability of law in the remaining areas of Islamabad. A Committee for this purpose was also constituted under Special Assistant to PM on Law Barrister Zafarullah Khan with Secretary Interior, Chairman CDA, Chief Commissioner Islamabad and other stakeholders.
Rejecting a proposal for increase in the prices of CNICs of specified categories, the Cabinet directed Ministry of Interior and Chairman NADRA to review the proposal for the purpose of rationalization of cost of CNICs.
Appointment of Ms. Aalia Neelum as Judge Special Appellate Court under Section 46(1) of the Prevention of Smuggling Act, 1977, was approved.
Regarding the appointment of Chairman Evacuee Trust Property Board in compliance of the orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the Cabinet directed Ministry of Religious Affairs to expedite framing of relevant rules in the light of directions of the Hon. Court.
In the meantime, the Cabinet approved a proposal for grant of additional charge of ETPB to Muhammad Ashraf Lanjaar, Senior Joint Secretary of the Ministry till regular appointment is made.
The meeting also discussed Report of the Committee constituted under the Chairmanship of Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo on the naming of Islamabad International Airport. It was decided to name the new airport as “Islamabad International Airport”.
The Cabinet granted approval to notification for declaration of Islamabad International Airport as an “Airport”.
Appointment of S. A. Manan as Chairman Board of Management of Pakistan State Oil Company Limited (PSOCL) was also approved.
The Cabinet also approved execution of various development schemes prepared by the Cabinet Committee.