ISLAMABAD, Jan 31 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Wednesday said education was the key to a nation’s progress and development and country cannot move ahead without a well educated and fully trained human resource.
Addressing a ceremony here at the Benazir Income Support Program Headquarters for the expansion of Waseela-e-Taleem program, the Prime Minister said any child without education was a burden on the society and the nation and the parents need to play their critical role in ensuring that their children were not a drop out.
Under the Waseela-e-Taleem program each beneficiary child receives a cash transfer of Rs 750 a quarter, on conditional completion of 70 percent attendance in schools in 32 districts across the four provinces and Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan. The program would be extended to 50 districts and add another one million children to the current enrollment of 1.9 million.
The Prime Minister said the BISP program for the poorest of the poor, was totally non-political in nature and extended beyond the provincial boundaries. He said it empowers the women and focuses on her critical role in sending her children to school and not to work. He asked the participants from 32 districts of the country, and particularly the women to ensure that there was no child in the neighbourhood also that was deprived of education.
Abbasi said it was the only government program, which he hoped would end, after enabling the poorest and the most vulnerable families stand on their feet. He said the government was committed to the provision of education for all as it believed that without any knowledge, the society would not be able to fight the ills of extremism and terrorism.
He was appreciative of the role of the BISP and its partners, the World Bank and the Department for International Development (DFID) of the UK for helping the country achieve its target of universal education for all commitments, under the Millennium Development Goals.
He said the government definitely needs to do more for education and said despite the fact that it was a provincial subject, still the federal government was obligated to provide them the guidance and vision to ensure 100% enrollment, retention and graduation. Abbasi was optimist that the target of adding another one million children to the already enrolled 1.9 million would be achieved. He however asked the BISP to ensure that quality education was imparted.
Chairperson BISP and Minister of State Marvi Memon lauded the vision of the PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and said the program has gradually enhanced scope from Rs 40 billion annually to Rs 121 billion and would further expand in the days ahead. She was appreciative of her team for their hard work and making the various initiatives undertaken, a success.
Country head DFID Joanna Reid said the United Kingdom was partners with Pakistan in its progress and development over the past 70 years and committed to make it prosperous. She noted the strong and sustainable social network initiated by the BISP and said the UK was particularly pleased to be part of a program, half of whom were female.
She was also appreciative of the fact that now more women were registering as voters and would play their key role in strengthening democratic traditions in the country.
The World Bank Country Head Illango Patchamuthu termed Waseela-e-Taleem as a flagship safety net program and said it was amongst the top rated such programs in the world. He stressed continued good governance to ensure the success of the program and said the World Bank would continue to extend support to the BISP.
Secretary BISP Omar Hameed Khan said BISP was extending support to 504 million families and was spending Rs 111 billion per annum. He said the program was very transparent and ensured that only the eligible receive the payment after biometric verification. He hoped the conditional cash transfer would help add more children to the schools.
Education key to nation’s progress, development : PM
KP deserves fair opportunities to overcome economic losses faced due to war against terrorism; Pervaiz
PESHAWAR, Jan 31 (APP):Federal Minister for Commerce and Textile, Muhammad Pervaiz Mali said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has suffered huge economic losses due to country’s ongoing war against terrorism and the province deserves to be provided fair opportunities for overcoming the damage.
He expressed these views while talking to business community of KP during a visit to Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) here on Wednesday.
President SCCI, Zahidullah Shinwari, Executive Members of the chamber, former Presidents of chambers and prominent businessmen were present on the occasion.
Talking to businessmen, Federal Minister for Commerce held out assurance of extending full cooperation to KP businessmen in formulation of policies aimed at providing economic gains to the trading community of the province.
He said federal government believes that promotion of trade and commercial activities will help in bringing economic boost in the country and for this purpose taking several steps.
“Revival of peace due to gains made in war against terrorism and drastic reduction in load shedding of electricity and gas are helping in promotion of business activities in the country,” he added.
Federal Minister said government has succeeded in overcoming economic decline and due to prudent policies export of the country has shown an improvement of 14 to 15 percent.
The economic growth of the country has reached to figure of 5.2 which is a good sign and reflects better performance of government, he continued.
He also assured SCCI members that instructions would be issued to Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) to give due representation to businessmen of KP in business delegations of the country.
Similarly, he continued, KP would also be given proper representation in heading different companies formed by Ministry of Commerce and Industry for promotion of commercial opportunities in the country.
Responding to a point raised by president SCCI, Zahidullah Shinwari, Federal Minister said Free Trade Agreements with different countries would be reviewed and strict decisions will be taken in this regard in future.
Zahid Shinwari had raised point that by giving more concessions under free trade agreements to different countries is causing de-industrialization in the country due to slump in business and because of this practice imports are also increasing.
In reply to a complaint about demand of quarantine by Plant Protection department ensuing in delay to transportation of export goods to Afghanistan, Federal Minister said two officers each have been sent on emergency basis to Torkham and Chaman border posts for early clearance of goods loaded vehicles.
Earlier in his welcome address, President of SCCI, Zahidullah Shinwari urged the Federal Minister to take a review over imposition of regulatory duty on import of different items.
The imposition of regulatory duty has highly affected business with Afghanistan which has reduced to dollar 500 million from existing dollar 2.5 billion.
He said the duty must be imposed on non-essential and luxury items while essential items including fresh and dry fruit and other items be exempted.
President SCCI also suggested federal government to opt for Trade Diplomacy with Afghanistan by sending a delegation of businessmen to Afghanistan to talk with concerned officials for restoration of business with the neighbouring country.
He demanded diversification of items to which government gives priority while formulating Trade Policy of the country.
He said apart from textile, surgical instruments, rice and others, government should find new items for giving them priority for increasing country’s export.
In this regard, he suggested for exploring the potential of Hunting and Sports arms through promotion of which billions of dollars of foreign exchange can be earned.
All-Pakistan Inter-University Men Football Championship begins
PESHAWAR, Jan 31 (APP):All-Pakistan Inter-University Men Football Championship carrying a total of 19 universities teams got under way simultaneously under the aegis of the Directorate of Sports University of Peshawar at three
different venues – Islamia College, University Campus Ground and Islamia Collegiate grounds here on Wednesday.
Vice Chancellor University of Peshawar Professor Dr.Muhammad Asif Khan was the chief guest who formally inaugurated.
Ex-Pakistan team coaches Akhtar Moinuddin (Punjab), Masood Kasi (Balochistan), President
PUTA Professor Dr. Asif, Secretary General PUTA Prof. Dr. Salman, officials,
players and large number of spectators were also present.
The first match played at University Campus ground, the
players of Leads University Lahore and Institute of Business Administration Karachi
were introduced to the chief guest. Leads University Lahore played well and
succeeded in defeating IBA, Karachi on penalty shoot-out by 6-5. The two teams
were tied a goal-less draw and even tied on five each penalty shoot-out before
stretching to sudden death battle. Thus Leads won the match by 6-5. In the
second match played on the same venue Sarhad University of Information
Technology Peshawar defeated Superior University Lahore by 4-2. Irfan and
Imtiaz scored one goal each for Superior Lahore while for Sarhad University
Jehanzeb, Siraj scored two goals each. In the third match Punjab University
defeated Balochistan University by 4-0, Yasir, Imran, Gul Zaman and Javed
scored one goal each.
In the matches played at Islamia College Govt College
University Faisalabad recorded victory against University of Sindh, Jamshoro in
a one-sided affair, the score was 3-0, Murad Ali, Shehzad and Afzal Iqbal
scored one goal each.
In the second match on the same venue University of
Sargodha defeated Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University Sheringal by 3-1. Taimur,
Babar and Yousaf scored one goal each for the winners while Ajmal reduced the
margin.
In the third match played at Islamia College ground
University of Malakand defeated Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad on penalty
shoot-out before playing a goal-less draw. University of Center Punjab defeated
COMSATS Islamabad by 3-2. Leading by 1-0 at half-time by COMSATS Islamabad
failed to click in the remaining session and lost the match by 3-2. University
of Central Punjab scored three goals in the second session through Bilal, Wajid
and Aamir while for COMSATS Ibrar was the scorer.
Islamia College Peshawar defeated Lasbela University of
Agriculture Balochistan by 1-0. Saqib was the scorer while Sarhad University
defeatred defeated Agha Khan University Karachi on penalty shoot-out.
A total of 19 universities are taking part in the Championship
wherein the matches are being played on three different venues.
Glowing tributes paid to Munnu Bhai
LONDON, Jan 31 (APP):
The speakers including diplomats, writers and poets here at a reference paid glowing tributes to the renowned columnist, writer, social and political worker and poet for his services to the nation and Pakistan in the field of literature, journalism and democracy.
The event to pay homage to the great literary figure, late Munnu Bai (Muneer Ahmad Qureshi) was organized by Pakistan High Commission London in collaboration with Urdu Markaz , London here on Wednesday night which was largely attended by diplomats, writers, poets, journalists, friends of Munnu Bai and local Pakistani community.
Munnu Bhai died in Lahore (Pakistan) on January 19,2018 at the age of 84.
Pakistan’s Deputy High Commissioner to UK (London) Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, Dr.Javed Sheikh of Urdu Markaz London, Former Pakistan’s High Commissioner to London Wajid Shamsul Hassan, Muhammad Hissam Sham an artist, Mushataq Lashari, Poetess Shahida, Aqeel Danish, and Raza Ali Abidi a journalist/broadcaster spoke on the occasion.
After recitation from the Holy Quaran fatheha was offered for the departed soul of the renowned columnist, journalist, poet and writer Munnu Bhai.
Speaking on the occasion Dr.Javed Sheikh thanked Pakistan High Commission and its staff for organizing this reference in memory of late Munnu Bai to highlight his contribution to the country and people of Pakistan.
Paying rich tributes to late renowned writer and journalist, Dr.Sheikh said that late Munnu Bhai never compromised on principles and never took any benefit from any quarter and always worked and fought for the people’s rights, social justice in the society and upholding the supremacy of human values.Dr.Sheikh added that late Munnu Bhai received Pride of performance award which he deserved.
He called upon the young Pakistani generation to come forward and follow his footprints in this regard.
Speaking on the occasion Mushtaq Lashari said that late Munnu Bai was not only a columnist, drama writer, and journalist but also was a political worker and always struggled and fought for the supremacy of law, people’s rights and democracy.
He added that late Munnu Bhai was an honest and truthful person and was not a hypocrite.
Mushtaq Lashari said that Munnu Bhai was also a social worker and worked for a charity.
He recalled that Munnu Bai started practicing journalism in the 1950s and was associated with Newspaper Tameer. He was also a reporter of daily newspaper Imroze and on the advice of Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi, he started writing columns with the pen name of Munnu Bhai.
He added that late Munnu Bhai highlighted the issues of the poor people through writing dramas like Dashat and Sona Chandi besides writing columns on public issues.
He, on the occasion announced that columns of late Munnu bai would be collected in a form of a book for further highlighting his contributions in the field of journalism, literature and public service.
Speaking on the occasion Pakistan’s Deputy High Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri paid rich tributes to late Munnu Bhai for his literary services to the country and people of Pakistan.
He thanked the participants especially the writers, journalists, and poets for attending what he called “memorial reference” to pay homage to a renowned columnist, poet and writer of Pakistan.
He said that their presence in the reference was a manifestation of their love for Pakistan.
Speaking on the occasion Wajid Shamsul Hassan also lauded the services of late Munnu Bhai for the promotion of literature and journalism in the country.
He said that late Munnu Bhai was a really a very nice person and called for promoting and carrying forward his work as a mission for the betterment of society in the country.
The other speakers also paid tributes to late Munnu Bhai and termed him an upright and charismatic journalist who never compromised on principles.He always fought for the human and women rights and was a strong voice of the poor people.
They added that his services to the country and people of Pakistan would long be remembered.
They also appreciated Pakistan High Commission London for organizing this event to acknowledge the services of the country’s renowned literary figure late Munnu Bhai.
Socio-economic developement of Balochistan people priority of government: PM
ISLAMABAD, Jan 31 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Wednesday said socio-economic development of the people of Balochistan was the priority of the federal government and it would continue to provide every possible support to the provincial government for this purpose.
The prime minister said this during a meeting with Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, who called on him here at the prime minister’s office.
Overall situation in the province and developmental projects were discussed during the meeting.
The chief minister thanked the prime minister for the meeting.
Governor reviews power distribution schemes of HESCO, SEPCO
KARACHI, Jan 31 (APP):Sindh Governor, Muhammad Zubair, here on Wednesday chaired a meeting to review the pace of work on federal government funded power generation and distribution projects for Hyderabad and Sukkur, respectively.
State Minister for Water and Power, Abid Sher Ali, Chief Executive Officer of Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO), Abdul Latif Anjum and his counterpart from Sukkur Electric Power Company (SEPCO) along with the chief engineers and other senior officials of the companies were also present on the occasion.
Addressing the meeting, Sindh Governor expressed his confidence that schemes initiated under HESCO and SEPCO will be completed within stipulated time period, ensuring uninterrupted electric supply to remote parts of the province connected through the two major companies.
“In fact different power generation schemes announced by the Prime Minister are fast on their way to completion and consequent improvement could be witnessed through marked decline in the load-shedding hours,” said the Governor of Sindh.
He also registered his satisfaction that energy generation schemes worth US$ 37 billion initiated under CPEC will soon help country overcome the issue of power shortage on permanent grounds.
“Situation has already been largely controlled and no part of the country is experiencing 16 hours of long load-shedding that at one point of time was a norm,” commented the governor.
With specific reference to Sindh, he said there are ample sources of power generation available in the province and the federal as well as provincial governments fully cognizant of the fact and encouraging local as well as foreign investment in the energy sector.
“We can already witness success achieved in the wind power generation projects around our coastal areas,” claimed the Sindh Governor.
He agreed with meeting participants that faulty power transmission lines are needed to be duly replaced so as to avert line losses.
“It is heartening to notice that the government is fully conscious of the problem and is fast working to address the shortcoming,” said Muhammad Zubair.
State Minister for Water and Power, Abid Sher Ali claimed that power requirements of the country have already been ensured, however, load-shedding is carried out in the areas with low recovery rate.
He announced that an open meeting will be held by him in Hyderabad and Sukkur to personally listen to public grievances (if any) and complaints so as to ensure prompt redressal.
Fifth player must have been in Davis Cup squad: Aisam
ISLAMABAD, Jan 31 (APP):Tennis ace Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi Wednesday said a fifth player should have been included in the Pakistan squad for the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Zone Group-I tie against South Korea, scheduled to take place from February 2 here at the grass courts of Pakistan Sports Complex.
While addressing a press conference here at a local hotel, Aisam said the best junior player must have been included in the squad as the fifth player but I don’t know why Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) has not thought of it.
Speaking about the tie, Aisam said the Korean team is stronger than us on paper but they are less experienced to the grass courts and we will take full advantage of it.
“The Koreans are playing very good tennis but we are going to give our best,” he said.
Instead of the previous practice of three-days, the two-day Davis Cup format would be an advantage to them.
“I was talking to Aqeel Khan the other day and we had planned to play attacking game in the tie,” he said and added we have more strength in the doubles.
Responding to a question, he said Shahzad Khan and Muhammad Abid should have appeared in the trials and booked their places in the squad.
Aqeel Khan said the responsibility also lies on the junior players to prepare them for the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania as to replace us in future. “The reduced Davis Cup format will benefit every country,” he said and added we had not received any incentives for the tie in which Hong Kong pulled its team out.
Non-playing captain Hameed ul Haq said juniors Yousaf Khan and Shoaib Khan must have been considered in the Davis Cup squad. “Aqeel and Aisam have never disappointed us in Davis Cup,” he said.
Abid Ali Akbar said tennis is his passion and he does coaching to make money for playing at international circuit.
Pakistan team includes Non-playing captain Hameed ul Haq, Aisam, Aqeel, Abid and Muzammil Murtaza.
On the occasion, the Korean team comprising Jae Sik Kim, Youngseok Kim, Minjong Park, Yongkyu Lim, Soonwoo Kwon and Seongchan Hong said we have been training in the national training centre prior to coming here for the tie.
“The tie will be a tough one as we don’t have any grass courts in Korea and we had been practicing on the clay courts,” they said.
They said we have young players in our squad as compared to the Pakistani team which will be an edge for us but Pakistani players are more experienced than us. “Singles will be our strength in the tie,” they said.
Mickey must have more game-plans in mind: Miandad
ISLAMABAD, Jan 31 (APP):Batting legend Javed Miandad has urged coach Mickey Arthur to devise different strategies for the Pakistan team on the changing situations on the field in order to get better results.
It may be mentioned here that Pakistan was whitewashed by New Zealand in the ODI series however the
green-shirts clinched the Twenty20 series by 2-1, claiming No. 1 spot on T20 rankings.
Talking to APP, Miandad said the mentality of Pakistani players is different from foreigners and the coach needs to understand it.
“Don’t force your stuff on players, train them the way they want they understand and better results would come,” he asked Mickey.
Miandad said the coach must have four to five plans in mind according to the game’s changing situation. “At our times we used to send signals on the field to players for devising different strategies according to the situation,” he said and added now a days these things are lacking.
He said our top five batsmen must focus on taking singles and doubles instead of hitting poor shots and going back to the pavilion.
“Not taking singles and doubles over burdens the middle order batsmen resulting in losing the match,” he said.
Miandad said our top five batsmen must focus on playing maximum overs in a 50 over match. “If the other team can score 200 or 300 runs, then our players can also,” he said.
“Our players need to improve their fielding as saving runs can lead to a low total of the other team on the scoreboard,” he said.
Speaking about the T20 series, he lauded the players for making a superb comeback in the T20s after the ODI series loss.
Spokesperson to PM clarifies news about increase in petroleum prices
ISLAMABAD, Jan 31 (APP):Spokesperson to the Prime Minister on Wednesday said as the price for petrol had been increased by Rs. 2.98 per liter, the government would absorb additional burden due to increase in the oil prices internationally.
Clarifying news relating to increase in the prices of petroleum products, the spokesperson mentioned that the overall increase in international prices of crude oil had been around 8.07% with HSD (High Speed Diesel) 8.68% and Kerosene Oil by 8.09%.
Giving detail of increase in the prices of other petroleum products, the spokesperson said the price of High Speed Diesel Oil had been increased by Rs. 5.92/ltr as against the proposed increase of Rs. 10.25/ltr, Kerosene Oil increased by Rs. 5.94/ltr as against the proposed increase of Rs. 12.74/ltr and Light Diesel Oil increased by Rs. 5.93/ltr as against the proposed increase of Rs. 11.72/ltr.
Pakistan, China to enhance cooperation on cultural, literary fronts
ISLAMABAD, Jan 31 (APP):Advisor to Prime Minister on National History and Literary Heritage (NH&LH), Irfan Siddiqui Wednesday said Pakistan and China were enjoying strong relations based on mutual respect and friendship which could be
termed as an example in the world.
“This long standing friendship can be further strengthened through enhancing cooperation
on cultural and literary fronts”, Irfan Siddiqui said while speaking to the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Mr. Yao Jing who was called on at his office.
Welcoming the newly appointed Chinese Ambassador on his arrival to Pakistan, Irfan Siddiqui
hoped he would play an instrumental role in strengthening Pak-China relations
and enhance cooperation in the fields of arts, culture and literature.
Advisor to Prime Minister, Irfan Siddiqui briefed the ambassador of the working of
different departments under his division.
He informed that Urdu Dictionary Board has been working on compilation of a
quality Urdu-Chinese Dictionary which will also be available online.
Irfan Siddiqui presented a set of books to the ambassador carrying Chinese stories published
by National Book Foundation (NBF).
NH&LH was also working on a project of translation of Chinese
Literature into Urdu language which would help people of both the countries understand
each other’s culture, he added.
Irfan Siddiqui said the work on establishing a state-of-the-art museum at federal
capital was on cards and technical support from China in this regard would be
highly appreciable.
Speaking on the occasion, Chinese Ambassador, Mr. Yao Jing said he was aware of the valuable
role being played by NH&LH Division in promotion of arts, literature and
culture.
He expressed keen interest in the translation of Chinese stories and called for
enhancing cooperation in this section.
Chinese Ambassador, Mr. Yao Jing assured all possible assistance and guidance for
construction of museum facility at capital.
Chinese Cultural Counsellor, Mr. You Yi and Joint Secretary, NH&LH Division, Syed
Junaid Akhlaq were also present on the occasion.