ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 (APP): Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is heading to revive the country’s economy with a $21 billion electricity plan, which is a centerpiece of his economic aspiration.
More than 10,000 Chinese workers are now building at least 10
partly Beijing-financed energy projects across Pakistan that are set
to grow the country’s energy output by 60 percent within two years
in the first major boost to supply in two decades, according to an
article published in Wall Street Journal.
The article mentions that when Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
came to office in 2013, rolling power outages across the country
were plunging homes and businesses into darkness for up to 12 hours
a day.
Sharif’s government plans to inaugurate a nuclear plant this
month and a pipeline network in January that will carry large-scale
gas imports upcountry.
“Never in the history of Pakistan has there been such a big
package of electricity plants in the pipeline,” said Syed Akhtar
Ali, in charge of energy at the Planning Commission Ministry.
“Pakistan’s economic growth has risen to almost 5% annually
under Mr. Sharif and his government set a 7% target for the years
ahead. That, his government hopes, will boost the moribund private
sector, reduce unemployment and provide youth with more alternatives
to extremism,” the article said.
The government’s energy plan depends on China to a large
extent, which is translating its long-term strategic ties with
Pakistan into an economic partnership.
The article mentions that China was financing many plants as
commercial investments, however to expedite projects, the Pakistani
government was funding some power stations including three gas-fired
plants in Punjab. The eventual aim is to more than double Pakistan’s
current output of around 16,000 megawatts.
The plan is to add 10,000 megawatts of the new China-backed
infrastructure, a mixture of coal, gas and hydro electricity, by
early 2018 at a cost of $21 billion.
About activities at Karachi’s Port Qasim, the article states
that a $2 billion coal-fired plant is taking shape. After only 1.5
years under construction, one 400-foot high cooling tower is up and
the second is almost complete.
The hulking metal frames for the boilers are in place and a
jetty for imported coal is taking shape.
Around 4,000 people worked on the site, 24 hours a day-half of them Chinese workers, the article added.
Twenty one-billion dollar energy plan a centrepiece of Nawaz Sharif’s economic aspiration: WSJ
Unity among Muslim world, need of hour: Religious Minister
ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 (APP): Minister of Religious Affairs and
Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousuf believes the unity of
Muslim Ummah is the most urgent need of the hour and it is the
sensibility of all Muslim nations to work for the unity.
In an interview with IRNA, Sardar Muhammad Yousuf said, ‘The
Muslim world must play its role for bringing peace in the world.
All Muslim countries whether it is Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan,
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, etc., they should play their roles according
to the spirit of Islam and guide the humanity.’
He praised the efforts of Iranian Embassy is Pakistan to
hold a recent conference to help bring unity among Muslim world on
the occasion of birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and
reiterated that Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs and
Interfaith Harmony is also working on the same agenda.
Sardar Muhammad Yousuf expressing his views said that
creating unity among Ummah is the collective responsibility of all
Muslim states.
The minister further stressed that success of Muslim Ummah
lies in its unity.
“Every effort to bringing Muslims together must be lauded
because it is the message of Islam and Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be
Upon Him),” he said.
He urged Islamic scholars to show Muslims right path because
it is their responsibility. “It is unfortunate that today we are
divided into different sects,” the minister said.
Ch Nisar met PDC over its leadership’s request
ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 (APP): Minister for Interior and Narcotic
Control Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had met with Pakistan Defence
Council (PDC) on the request of PDC’s leadership, said Spokesperson
of Ministry of Interior.
According to a statement issued by the ministry here Sunday, it was
told that some people were mixing the facts with false information.
The spokespeson negated all the assertions that Chaudhry Nisar Ali
Khan met with the PDC members on his own intend.
He said the record of the meeting had also been kept.
NAB committed to come up to expectations of nation for corruption-free Pakistan: Chairman NAB
ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 (APP): Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Qamar Zaman Chaudhry said father of the nation Quaid-e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in his address to the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan had termed bribery and corruption as “One of the biggest curses and we must put it down with an iron hand”.
NAB is committed to come up to the expectations of the nation for
a corruption free Pakistan, he said in a press release issued here Sunday.
He said NAB was essentially a complaint driven organization
which was established to eradicate corruption and recover looted money from the corrupt.
NAB had chalked out a comprehensive operational methodology for
proceeding of cases, complaint verification, inquiry and investigation, he said.
The Chairman said NAB’s investigation officers strictly
follow Code of Conduct and zero tolerance policy on the basis of
evidence as per law.
He said to close the possibility of any single NAB
officer/official influencing the discharge of official business, the
concept of a “Combined Investigation Team” (CIT) was introduced
where two investigation officers and a legal consultant were working
as a team for a fair, transparent and unbiased inquiry/investigation.
He said NAB had recovered Rs. 280 billion since its
inception. NAB had received 326,694 complaints which were all
disposed off according to law.
The Chairman said NAB had authorized 10992 compliant
verifications, 7303 inquiries, 3648 investigation and filed 2667 in
the respective Accountability Courts to proceed against allegedly
corrupt people since its inception.
Due to this reason, Transparency International had rated
Pakistan in 2014 from 175 to 126 and in 2015 from 126 to 117. This
was because of an effective Anti Corruption Strategy of NAB which had
started yielding dividends.
Similarly PILDAT, World Economic Forum and Mishal Pakistan
had rated reduction in Pakistan’s Corruption Perception Index.
He said the figures of complaints, inquiries and
investigations were almost double as compared to the same period of
2014 to 2015 and in the six months of 2016.
The comparative figures for the latest two and a half year were
indicative of the hard work being put in by all ranks of NAB staff
in an atmosphere of renewed energy and dynamism, where fight against corruption was being taken as a national duty.
NAB with improved infrastructure and rationalized workload,
timelines had been prescribed for efficient, effective and
expeditious disposal of case putting a maximum limit of 10 months-
from complaint verification-to-inquiry-to investigation and finally
to a reference in Accountability Court, he added.
NA Deputy Speaker expresses grief and sorrow over loss of lives in van accident
ABBOTTABAD, Dec 19 (APP): Deputy Speaker National Assembly, Murtaz Javed Abbasi Monday expressed shock and grief over the loss of five precious lives in result of unfortunate van accident at Battala near Havelian.
Deputy Speaker in his condolence message, conveyed his heartfelt grief
and sincere sympathies with bereaved families.
He prayed to Almighty Allah to rest the departed souls in eternal
peace and grant courage to the bereaved families to bear the irreparable loss with equanimity.
He also prayed for the early recovery of the injured and asked the
concern authority to provide best treatment facilities to them.
He also directed the officials of Ayub Medical Hospital to provide
best treatment to the injured of persons of Battala accident.
According to details on Sunday a Suzuki High roof van carrying eight
teachers coming from Makool Pain to Havelian plunged into a deep ravine when driver lost his control over the vehicle.
Five teachers including Syed Masood Shah, Qari Younus, Abdul Wali,
Muhammad Riaz and Muhammad Shakeel, teachers of Middle School Samwala died at the spot while three other including Nazir Khan and van driver Abdul Hafeez seriously injured.
International golf M. Munir wins 26th KP National Ranking Open Golf Championship
PESHAWAR, Dec 18 (APP): International golfer M. Munir clinched the trophy of the 26th KP National Ranking Open Golf Championship with his gross seven under 137 over 36 holes played here at PAF Golf Course on Sunday.
Munir, who recently won the Pakistan Open, added three under 69 to his overnight four under 68 to make seven under 137 over 36 holes with one day attributed by the golfer to the martyred of APS.
My putting was so good as I hit all regulations which made my task easy as far as my putting were concerned,ö Munir said. Current Pakistan team member and international golfer Muhammad Naeem got second position with his gross four under par 138, by adding four under 68 to his overnight score of two under 70. Naeem carded two under 34 at front and back nine, scoring five birdies with one bogy. Ansar Mehmood of Islamabad Gymkhana with his gross score three under 139, by adding two under par 70 to his overnight three under 69. He carded three under 33 at front nine and one over par 37 at back nine, hitting three birdies and one bogy.
In Amateur 10 and below national team player international golfer Taimur Khan of PAF got first position with his gross score three under 141, 71 and 73 on both days. Ghazanfar Mehmood got second position with his gross score 142, two under par, and M. Rehman of Royal Palm with his gross score 147 remained at third.
In the Net category M. Ashfaq with his gross score 140, Zubair Hussain of PAF with his gross score 142 and Sr. Tec Malik Pervez of PAF with his gross score 142 took first, second and third position respectively. In the Boys Under 14 Master Ahmed Raza of Mardan got first position, followed by Shazil and Hamza and in the Net Darmal got first position, followed by M. Zoyan and M. Danyal. In the Boys Under 17 Abdullah Sultan got first position, followed by Shehriyar and M. Ahmad and in the Net Mobeen got first position, followed by M. Sanan and Sharik.
In the HCP 11 18 Amateur Bilal Bali got first position, followed by Hamza Khattak and Qadeer Durrani while in the Net Najaf Ali got first position, followed by Dr. Sami and Shinwari and Brig Muhammad Ghulam Hassan.
In the Ladies Net Miss Mashal Shah got first position and in the gross Amna got first position, followed by Mrs. Col. Tariq. In the Veteran Dr. Wilayat Saeed got first position in Net, followed by Col « Syed Mushtaq and Younus Marwat.
In Senior Amateur international golfer Col. « Saud Khan got first position, followed by Sq. Ldr Idrees Khalid and Dr. Abdul Haq while in Net Maj . Shahzad Ibrahim got first position, followed by Syed Zahir Shah and Azhar Ul Habib.
In the Junior Pro Minhaj won first position, followed by Zeeshan Khan and Junaid Khan while in Senior Pro Iftikhar of Lahore Gymkhana, followed by M. Akram and Manzoor Ahmad of Pakistan Police.
IG Frontier Corps Maj Gen Shaheed Mazhar Mehmood was the chief guest who gave away trophies and cash prizes. AVM Athar Shams, Air Officer Commanding Northern Air Command, Station Commander Peshawar Muhammad Ghulam Hassan Joya, Organizing Secretary international golfer Arshad Mehmood, former Pakistan team skipper Mehmood Aziz, golfers, officials and good number of spectators were also present.
UN chief stresses human rights of migrants on International Day
UNITED NATIONS, Dec 18 (APP): The United Nations is marking International Migrants Day with a worldwide call for more cooperation and a resolute rejection of intolerance and policies driven by xenophobic rhetoric towards migrants.
“We have seen the continued devastating effect of armed conflict on civilian populations, witnessed the unacceptable loss of thousands of lives of people in transit in the Mediterranean and elsewhere, and the rise of populist movements that seek to blame (refugees and migrants) them for various ills of society,” UN Secretary General Ban Ki moon said in his message on the International Day.
Yet, within this turbulence there are rays of hope, with concerned citizens and communities opening their arms and hearts, the UN noted. There has also been a promising international response, culminating with the New York Declaration adopted in September at the UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants.
“It is now crucial that governments honour and build on their commitments to govern large movements of refugees and migrants in a way that is compassionate, people centred, gender responsive and rooted in fundamental human rights,” Ban said, calling the Declaration a critical step towards the adoption of a global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration in 2018.
Underscoring that “every migrant is a human being with human rights,” the UN chief said that to protect and uphold those rights stronger international cooperation is needed among countries of origin, transit and destination that is guided by international law and standards. “We must reject intolerance, discrimination and policies driven by xenophobic rhetoric and the scapegoating of migrants. Those who abuse and seek to harm migrants must be held to account.”
Picking up that thread, William Lacy Swing, Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN focal point agency on the issue, said: “The upheaval we see all around in our politics should serve as a wake up call to prepare rather than panic. We need to mould the future rather than ignore it [by] embracing the inevitability of migration, changing the perceptions of migrants among our publics and better integrating migrants in our societies.”
“There is a real demographic revolution going on today and it is up to us to manage it for the benefit of all,” he continued, noting that while most migrants simply want an opportunity and would welcome even a temporary one, with the right support, those that stay will contribute to whatever society they settle in, whether it is economically or culturally.
For its part, UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, noted that there are more than 244 million migrants in the world, almost half are women, and with ongoing movements of refugees and migrants, it is critical that the global community comes together with unified and gender responsive solutions that address both the opportunities and challenges that migration presents.
The New York Declaration underlines the need for promoting and protecting the rights of migrant women and girls at all stages of migration. Moreover, the global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration in 2018 is expected to become a dynamic vehicle for migration governance, which sees migrants, including women and girls, as agents of change with valuable skills, powerful voices and the potential for leadership.
Bhutto family’s name mentioned in Panama Papers, not PM’s : Marriyum
ISLAMABAD, Dec 18 (APP): Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Marriyum Aurangzeb Sunday said that Pakistan Peoples Party media cell should have told Bilawal Bhutto Zardari that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s name is not included in Panama Papers, while Bhutto family’s name is included.
In a statement, the minister said that it was achievement of the PML N government that those who could not organize public rallies during their own tenure were now holding public meetings openly.
She said holding of public rallies openly was victory of PML N. The minister said that perhaps Bilawal’s political tutors were not his well wishers.
She said that when Bilawal will use derogatory language, people will neglect him as a child.
She said today’s statement of Bilawal was a blot on his Oxford education.
COAS calls on Saudi King
ISLAMABAD, Dec 18 (APP): Chief of Army staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa who is on an official visit to Saudi Arabia held series of meetings and called on Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud on Sunday.
According to ISPR, the Saudi king and the COAS agreed that both the countries share great history of cordial relations and deep spirit of
brotherhood which has transformed into an enduring partnership.
It was also acknowledged that both Pakistan and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are vital players in regional stability, “with significant responsibility towards the entire Muslim ummah.”
Both leaders reemphasised on the need to continue working to eliminate the menace of terrorism and reinforce the mechanism to roll back extremism with even greater vigour.
The crown prince and foreign minister were also present in the meeting.
The COAS also held meeting with deputy crown prince and the defence minister HRH Muhammad bin Salman to discuss matters related to mutual interests and bilateral security cooperation.
The defence minster reassured the army chief that the kingdom supports peace and stability in Pakistan in every way.
The COAS reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the security and protection of the Holy Mosques and also the territorial integrity of the kingdom.
Later General Qamar Javed Bajwa met Chief of General Staff of Saudi Forces Gen Abdul Rehman bin Saleh Al Bunyan to discuss military to military relations, defence cooperation and regional security situation. Both leaders agreed to boost military cooperation and collaboration.
Revolutionary steps taken for uplift of dairy, livestock sector: minister
SIALKOT, Dec 18 (APP): Federal Minister for Development and Planning Ahsan Iqbal has said that the government has taken revolutionary steps for development of dairy and livestock sector.
He said that the sector had played a pivotal role in strengthening
the national economy.
He was addressing the participants in a ceremony after laying the foundation stone of the Veterinary School and Sub Campus of the
University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences in Narowal on Sunday.
Local MPA Khawaja Muhammad Waseem Butt, DCO Narowal Rafaqat Ali
Niswana, President PML N Narowal District Malik Tariq Mehmood Awan,
Chairman Narowal District Coucil Ahmed Iqbal and Vice Chancellor of University of Veterinary Animal Sciences Talat Naseer Pasha were also present on this occasion.
The minister said the government was developing the country’s
livestock and dairy development sector on modern lines, enabling
hundreds of thousands of people attached with this sector to boost
their business at international level by exporting their livestock
and dairy development products as well.
On this occasion, Vice Chancellor of University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences Talat Naseer Pasha said that the university sub campus
would be established on nine acres of land at an estimated cost of
Rs 198 million, saying that the project would be completed in 2018.