ISLAMABAD, Dec 3 (APP): Oil and Gas companies operating in
different parts of the country have deposited around $2.544 million under the social welfare fund during the last three years.
“Exploration and Production (E&P) companies are required to deposit
social welfare fund in the joint account with Deputy Commissioners,
maintained in concerned districts,” official sources in the Ministry of
Petroleum and Natural Resources told APP.
They said around $ 2.544 million had been collected in last three
years,which were judiciously utilized for well being of the local residing in oil and gas producing districts.
Answering a question, the sources informed that currently the Ministry
of Petroleum and Natural Resources was revising social welfare guidelines for carrying out the development schemes in oil and gas producing Tehsils and Districts across the country.
Under the new strategy parliamentarians were being given important
role in identification and execution of social welfare schemes of oil and gas E&P companies operating in their respective constitutencies.
“Under the revised guidelines, social welfare schemes will be based
on the requirement of areas and identified by concerned MNAs of districts in consultation with representatives of local bodies or local administration,”they said.
Facilities like health, education, water supply, improved drainage
and sewerage system would be the key features of welfare projects, they said and added that practice of cash donations to patients would be discouraged to end reported complaints of malpractice.
They informed that E&P companies would open a joint bank account
with District Coordination Officers (DCOs) and Deputy Commissioners (DCs) concerned and deposit the social welfare contribution fund within one month of signing Petroleum Concession Agreement (PCA) and subsequenty by January 31 every year.
“DCOs/DCs and E&P companies will sign cheques within a week
after receving complete requisition from the concerned agency,” they said adding that MNAs and other concerned would get input of locals in welfare schemes, make publicity of development projects and ensure their timely completion besides holding public hearings in project areas.
They said the companies would provide audit certificates annually
from their statutory auditors that the due amount of social welfare obigation had been discharged by tranferring to the joint account as per PCA and social welfare guidelines.
The sources said provincial governments would send a report in
respect of completed schemes to Federal and Provincial Ombudsmen and the Human Rights Cell of Supreme Court twice in a year by end of July and Janaury each year.
On completion of the work, a prescribed ‘completion certificate’ would be issued by concerned DCOs/DCs within 30 days, while annual
progress report of the previous calendar would be forwarded to the
Ministry by March 31.
E&P companies deposited $2.5mln under social welfare fund
Samar, Riffat to clash in 7th ICMS National Women Squash final
PESHAWAR, Dec 3 (APP): Pakistan No 1 Samar Anjum and Riffat Khan both from Wapda will clash in the final of the 7th ICMS National Ranking Women Squash Championship being played here at PAF Hashim Khan Squash Complex on Saturday.
Executive Member KP Squash Association Wazir Gul was the chief guest on this occasion. Chief Referee Pakistan Squash Federation Munawar Zaman, players and spectators were also witnessed the matches.
In the first semi final top seeded Samar Anjum shocked Faizai Zafar of Sindh in a thrilling encounter, the score was 11 3, 11 6 and 11 8. Faiza Zafar did some resistance but overall Samar, whose international ranking is 98, easily eliminated Faiza Zafar who made two upset in the Championship.
Faiza first upset Zoya Khalid of ZTBL and in the quarter final recorded thumping victory against Saima Shoukat from Wapda.
Samar fully utilized her abilities and stroke play did not give much time to Faiza to strike back. Samar finished it so quickly and marched into the victory.
In the second semi final seeded 3rd Riffat Khan of Wapda defeated Muqqadas Ashraf in a marathon and thrilling five sets battle.
The score was 11 8, 12 10, 4 11, 8 11 and 11 5. Both Riffat and Muqqadas exhibited excellent display witnessed by capacity crowd present on this occasion.
Earlier, Faiza Zafar of Sindh, Muqadas Ashraf and Rifat Khan of Wapda took berth into the semi finals after registering victories against their respective rivals.
International Samar Anjum, who recently represented Pakistan in the US Circle, eliminated Komal of Pakistan Wapda in straight sets, the score was 11 4, 11 5 and 11 7. Samar fully dominated the proceedings and did not give much time to Komal to strike back.
In the second quarter final Faiza Zafar of Sindh, a strong title contender, upset former Pakistan No. 1 Saima Shoukat in straight sets, the score was 11 6, 11 7 and 11 4. Faiza Zafar came up strongly and handed an upsetting defeat to Saima Shoukat. Faiza Zafar exhibited classical display of attacking and forceful shorts. It was a second upset as earlier she upset Zoya Khalid in her first match.
In the third quarter final Muqadas Ashraf beat Amina Latif of Punjab 3 1 in a thrilling match. Amina Latif of Punjab got the first set 6 11 against Muqadas Ashraf but she (Muqadas) staged a strong come back and won three consecutive sets by 11 7, 11 8 and 11 9.
In the last quarter final Rifat Khan of Wapda recorded victory against Amina Fayyaz in straight sets, the score was 11 8, 11 7 and 11 4. The final will be played on Sunday at 3 pm.
Nadeem Omar vows to change scope of cricket in Pakistan
KARACHI, Dec 3 (APP): The Quetta Gladiators owner Nadeem Omar has vowed to change the scope of cricket in Pakistan given sponsors come and support the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises.
Nadeem stated that PSL has emerged as one of the biggest products in
the country and urged the corporate sector to support it.
He expressed these views during the sponsorship signing ceremony
with Master Oil, who have joined them as sapphire sponsor, said a statement on Saturday.
“We’re pleased to sign Master Oil as our sapphire sponsor and hope they will provide us much needed fuel to go one step further this time around,” Nadeem said while addressing media here at a local hotel.
“The brand value of PSL and its franchises have increased compared to first season and it will grow further. I would request both the public and private sector to support it as much as they can because this is about future of Pakistan cricket.”
Gladiators Head Coach and 1992 World Cup winner Moin Khan also graced the ceremony alongwith Master Oil Managing Director Tabish Javed, Sohail Omar—CEO Flagship representatives of Master Oil, renowned businessman Arif Habib, former chief selector Salahuddin Sallu, Mr. Asim Omar, Gladiators manager Azam Khan and new gladiators Hassaan Khan and Noor Wali, who were picked up in emerging category of PSL. Nadeem thanked Master Oil for joining hands with Gladiators and added that PSL is currently the best platform for sponsors to market their brands in the country and worldwide.
Gladiators finished as runner-up of the first edition of PSL and have brought in changes for second season.
Former Test cricketer Abdur Razzaq has been roped in as assistant/bowling coach recently while likes of Carlos Brathwaite, Tymal Mills, David Willer and Rovman Powell were picked in the draft to beef up the squad.
The second edition of PSL will be played in UAE next year starting from February 9 while the final is expected to take place in Lahore.
PR to change Railways Act, reform service structure
LAHORE, Dec 03 (APP): Pakistan Railways Saturday decided to change Railways Act and restructure the service structure of the department at a meeting, presided over by Railways Minister Khwaja Saad Rafique at the PR headquarters here.
The minister ordered regular meetings of human resource committee for implementation of the decision. He ordered for changing the Railways Act in line with the modern requirements. The current Act was introduced by the British regime in Subcontinent in 1890. The minister said that consultation should be done with legal experts including Ahmar Bilal Sufi in this regard.
Regarding the need for more employment to meet the challenge of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the minister said an induction policy should be formulated for recruitment of eligible persons without unnecessary financial burden on the department.
The minister thanked the parliamentarians for haling performance of the railways in the previous session of the National Assembly.
PR Chairperson Parveen Agha, CEO Javed Anwar, PR Advisor Anjum Pervaiz, CPEC team leader Ashfaq Khattak, IG PRP Munir Ahmad Chishti and other senior officials attended the meeting.
PIA to kick off fourth flight for Beijing from Saturday
BEIJING Dec 3 (APP): In wake of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, fourth flight of Pakistan International Airline will fly from Karachi to China on Saturday.
The route of the new flight (Airbus PK 855) will be from Karachi to Islamabad and then to Beijing, said Sohail Mehmood Station Manager of PIA in Beijing talking to APP.
He said that the numbers of passengers for Beijing are increasing day by day and for this PIA is also planning to replace Airbus 310 with Boeing 777 in January.
Sohail further said that due to the CPEC project, the business community of both countries is frequently visiting each country and beside this a large number of Pakistani students are also coming to study in Chinese Universities.
He also hoped that the increased flights to Beijing will also help in increase of the airline revenue.
Two-day Young Leaders Summit starts at AIOU
ISLAMABAD, Dec 3 (APP): The two-day Young Leaders Summit
arranged by Positive Pakistan, a non-profit organization, started here at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) on Saturday.
Managing Director Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Masood Malik was the chief guest in the opening session of the two-day event.
Addressing the participants, Masood Malik lauded the the organizer for arranging such an informative and interactive sessions for the youth and specially students of various universities.
He highlighted the theme of session, while giving the references of Islamic teachings and in this regard, gave examples of Prophet Mohammad (SAW), being a great leader and role model for the whole humanity.
Managing Director APP Masood Malik urged the students to live purposefully and work hard for a strong character building and their bright future.
Earlier, President Positive Pakistan welcomed the participants in the two-day summit. He said that the participants would share their experiences during two-day interactive event.
Jamil Kiyani presented the introduction of the young leaders summit.
A large number of university students, people from different walks of life attending the two-day event.
During the two-day summit, experts would train the participants about leadership skills, while a presentation would also be given on the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The objective of the event is to instill leadership, provide mentoring and promote our past and patriotism in Pakistani youth.
The conference will prepare youth to face challenges of life, bear responsibilities as a citizen to work for a developed Pakistan.
At the end, president “Positive Pakistan”, Abid Iqbal Khari presented a gift of book to Managing Director APP Masood Malik.
Special persons to be brought in mainstream for economic development: Tahira Aurangzeb
ISLAMABAD, Dec 3 (APP): Member National Assembly Tahira Aurangzeb on Saturday said that incumbent PML-N government is endeavoring its best to bring special persons in mainstream for economic development and prosperity of the country.
She was speaking here at National Press Club in the event about Participation of Women with Disabilities in Decision Making Process-Observance of International Day of Persons with Disabilities ‘Achieving 17 Goals for the Future We Want’.
The event was organized in connection with International Day of Persons with Disabilities to discuss critical actions needed to counter social innovations for gender perspective in disability policies as well as disability rights perspective in gender policies.
Tahira Aurangzeb said special persons are playing vital role at present in various fields of life and important steps would be ensured for their further positive contribution.
She said that legislative proposal is under consideration in National Assembly for giving easy access to special persons in buildings of Islamabad. She said that amendment in the bill would be hopefully passed in the upcoming session of the House during the ongoing month.
She termed it unfortunate that there had been no survey in the country since 1998 to know about the population of special people in the country. However, she said that NADRA is issuing special CNICs to special persons to facilitate them in routine affairs of daily life.
Tahira Aurangzeb appealed the media to run special campaign in support of special persons to muster up their courage and effective role towards economic prosperity.
Fariha Bajwa from National Commission on the Status of Women highlighted the performance of her organization towards women issues and paid tributes to encouraging special persons handling their life affairs successfully.
Program Director Abia Akram from Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP) said there is a pressing need to understand disabled persons as main component of large work in poverty reduction, education, health and other key development areas.
Others who spoke on the occasion included Saima Aslam, Maria Zia, Ms. Nagina and others. In the end, the recommendations were made for concrete measures to promote empowerment of those with disabilities through education and employment.
BOI to hold Pak-Italy Business Investment Forum on Dec 6
ISLAMABAD, Dec 3 (APP): Board of Investment (BOI) is organizing a
Pakistan-Italy Investment Business Forum here at a local hotel on December 6.
BOI sources said that in this connection, Deputy Minister for Economic
Italy along with a high level business delegation to visit Pakistan.
During the forum both the countries would discuss ways and means for
further enhancing investment and trade relations between the two countries.
Both the sides during the forum are also likely to ink memorandum of
understanding for collaboration between the private sector of the two countries.
At the conclusion of the forum both sides would also hold a press
conference and announce decisions for enhancing trade and investment relations between the two countries.
The visiting Deputy Minister of Economic Italy will also called on the senior government officials for discuss collaboration in various sectors of economy.
Mainly cold, dry weather to persist in most parts
ISLAMABAD, Dec 3 (APP): Mainly cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country in next 24 hours while foggy conditions to continue over plain areas of Punjab during night and morning hours.
Continental air is prevailing over most parts of the country,
an official of Met office told APP.
In last 24 hours weather remained cold and dry in most parts
of the country.
Minimum temperatures recorded on Saturday remained Skardu 06C, Hunza 05C, Kalat 04C, Astore, Gupis,
Gilgit 03C, Dir 00C, Quetta 01C, Murree 02C, Islamabad 04C, Chitral 06C, Muzaffarabad 06C, Peshawar 06C, Lahore 07C, Faisalabad 09C, Multan 12C, Hyderabad 16C and Karachi 17C.
NHA striving to expand, modernize road network
ISLAMABAD, Dec 3 (APP): Following the vision of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, National Highway Authority (NHA) has been striving to expand and modernize road network in the country to keep up with growing needs of the transport.
An official of NHA told APP Sunday that Pakistan’s present leadership
has made development of an integrated road network one of its top most priorities and game changer projects like China Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Peshawar Karachi Motorway are parts of the same effort.
The authority, he said, has been developing infrastructure projects
through private sector on Build Operate Transfer (BOT) basis.
He said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is the name of
building roads from Khunjerab to Gwadar. A number of sections of this mega project, he said, have been completed and remaining sections are under construction. The Corridor project comprises modern highway and railway transportation system; linking Kashgar in West China, to Khunjerab in the north and onwards to Karachi and Gawadar in the south of Pakistan through multiple routes.
He said that the 784 km segment from Khunjerab to Burhan consists of Karakoram Highway (KKH), out of which 335 km from Khunjerab to Raikot has already been upgraded. Remaining from Raikot to Islamabad is divided into three sub sections i.e. Raikot Thakot, Thakot Havelian and Havelian Islamabad.
He said that construction work on 120 km Thakot Havelian section of
Hazara Motorway has started after its ground breaking by the Prime Minister. He said that work on 59 km Burhan Havelian of Hazara Motorway going smoothly and it will be completed by end 2017, at cost of Rs 34 billion. This road link is part of Pakistan China Economic Corridor agreement.
The 60 km long expressway will reduce the drive time from Islamabad
to Havelian to just 30 minutes. Also, it will facilitate the Havelian Dry
Port project,he added.
Such projects act as guarantors of economic and social well being
while boosting employment, reducing cost of accessing markets, providing means of improved opportunities and ensuring the provision of basic services at the grassroots level, he said.
Karachi Hyderabad motorway (M 9) which connects Karachi to Hyderabad
is going to be 136 km long with 16 exits and will cost about Rs 24 billion. The Project was inaugurated on March 16, 2015 and it is expected to be completed by March 2017.
He said that during past three years the NHA has completed 58 km
Multan Khanewal Motorway which cost Rs 14 Billion, 150 km Qila
Saifullah Zhob Highway which cost Rs 8.3 billion, 68 km Sukkur Jacababad which cost Rs 8.5 billion.
Moreover he said that the NHA also completed Rs 10.3 billion Faisalabad Gojra section of Motorway which has the total length of 58 Km,384 km Raikot Khunjerab which cost 490 million dollar, 64 km WaighumRud Khjuri road at the cost of Rs 13 billion, 7.6 km Peshawar Northern Bypass (Package I) which cost Rs 22 billion.
Other projects completed during past three years include 41.5 km
Babusar Top Chilas Road which cost Rs 16 billion, 3.6 km Khushalgarh Bridge/Access Roads which cost Rs 12 billion, Earthquake Memorial Bridge, Muzaffarabad which cost Rs 15 billion and 193 km Gawadar Turbat Hoshab Highway which Rs 13 billion.
He said that Sialkot Lahore Motorway Project to be built in near
future, begins from Saahowala Sambrial and lead to Lahore along the banks of two local main canals namely Marala Ravi Link (MR Link )Canal through Motra Daska and Bambaanwala Ravi Baidian (BRB) Canal Daska.