ISLAMABAD, Nov 26 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Saturday returned after concluding his two day visit to Turkmenistan.
The Prime Minister visited Turkmenistan at the invitation of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
During his stay in Ashgabat, the Prime Minister led Pakistan delegation to the first ever Global Conference on Sustainable Transport which was held under the auspices of the United Nations.
Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and Turkmenistan co hosted the Conference and attended by around 1,500 participants, including Heads of State, Government, Ministers, private sector CEOs, civil society leaders and the UN officials.
The Conference discussed promotion and role of sustainable transport towards achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The Prime Minister held a bilateral meeting with the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to dicuss bilateral ties.
On the sidelines of conference, the Prime Minister also held a meeting with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.
PM returns home after concluding Turkmenistan visit
COAS pays farewell visit to Air Headquarters
ISLAMABAD, Nov 26 (APP): Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on nSaturday paid farewell visit to Air Headquarters, according to Pakistan Air Force (PAF) news release.
On his arrival at Air Headquarters, the COAS was received by Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman and was presented guard of honour by the smartly turned out contingent of PAF.
After having introduction with the Principal Staff Officers of PAF, both the Chiefs held meeting in office of the Chief of Air Staff.
The Air Chief lauded General Raheel’s services in strengthening the defence of the motherland and contributing towards an unprecedented Tri-Service synergy.
He said Pak Army and PAF worked together during Operation Zarb-e-Azb to root out the menace of terrorism from the country.
General Raheel appreciated the thorough professionalism and firm resolve of PAF personnel to safeguard the aerial frontiers of the homeland.
He expressed satisfaction on the seamless coordination between the sister services and wished to take it to further heights.
Pakistan condoles Fidel Castro’s death
ISLAMABAD, Nov 26 (APP): Pakistan on Saturday expressed grief and sorrow over the sad demise of former Cuban President Fidel Castro and condoled with the government and people of Cuba.
“We have received the sad news of passing away of the former Cuban President, Fidel Castro, with deep sense of grief and sorrow. On behalf of the government and the people of Pakistan, I would like to convey heartfelt condolences to the government and the people of Cuba on this irreparable loss,” Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz in a statement issued here said.
The Advisor said late President Fidel Castro steered his nation through numerous daunting challenges with statesmanship, honour and dignity.
Pakistan Cuba relationship, he said, took roots under his able leadership and has flourished ever since, adding that the late President would be missed by his friends and admirers in Pakistan for times to come.
“We wish the departed soul of late Fidel Castro to rest in
eternal peace,” Aziz said.
PHC arranges cultural festival in Sri Lanka
ISLAMABAD, Nov 26 (APP): The High Commission of Pakistan in Sri Lanka is organizing a three-day cultural festival starting from November 27.
The event titled “Pakistan Food, Shopping and Cultural Festival with painting & photographic exhibition” would be held at the Waters Edge Hotel.
The festival would be jointly opened by Sri Lankan Minister for Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Dr. Rajitha Senarathne and High Commissioner of Pakistan in Sri Lanka, Maj. Gen. ® Syed Shakeel Hussain, said a message received here Saturday.
Te primary aim to organize the festival was to showcase Pakistan’s best and rich cultural cuisine and other traditions to the friendly people of Sri Lanka.
The festival would offer Pakistani delicacies by prominent chefs, traditional musical performances and painting and photographic depiction by renowned Pakistani artists.
The visitors would have ample opportunity to shop Pakistani products including home textiles, footwear, garments and apparel, handicrafts, traditional food, rice, fashion wear etc.
MNAs being given role in E&P companies’ social welfare schemes
ISLAMABAD, Nov 26 (APP): Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) are being given important role in identification and execution of social welfare schemes of oil and gas exploration and production (E&P) companies operating in their respective constituencies.
Currently, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources is revising social welfare guidelines for carrying out the development schemes in oil and gas producing Tehsils and Districts across the country.
“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,” official sources told APP.
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 subsequently by January 31 every year.
“DCOs/DCs and E&P companies will sign cheques within a week after receiving 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 certificate annually from their statutory auditors that the due amount of social welfare obigation had been discharged by transferring 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 January 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.
GB, Xinjiang agreement to add sufficient power to national grid: Hafeez
KARACHI, Nov 26 (APP): Gilgit Baltistan (GB) Chief Minister Hafiz Hafeez ur Rehman Saturday said that the governments of Gilgit Baltistan and China’s Xinjiang province were going to make an agreement in the energy sector, which would add sufficient power to national grid.
Talking to media perons during his visit to Karachi Press Club, he said
that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would change fate of the region besides ensuring economic stability in Pakistan.
Both China and Pakistan were investing in the CPEC, he added.
Hafiz Hafeez ur Rehman said that the four of the five tunnels linking
China to Pakistan would be named after the four provinces of Pakistan, and the culture of these provinces would also be highlighted on these places.
He said that there was satisfactory law and order situation in Gilgit Baltistan, adding that culture of merit was being promoted in Gilgit Baltistan, as 1325 ineligible people had been dismissed from service after National Testing Service (NTS) test.
Two-day book bazaar concludes on Saturday
ISLAMABAD, Nov 26 (APP):A two-day weekly book bazaar concluded here on Saturday.
It was inaugurated on Friday at premises of Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL).
Books on various subjects were available at the bazaar on discounted rates.
Dar signs LoT to join Open Government Partnership
ISLAMABAD, Nov 26 (APP): Minister for Finance Mohammad Ishaq Dar Saturday signed the Letter of Intent (LoT) of the Government of Pakistan to join the Open Government Partnership (OGP).
Speaking on the occasion, Ishaq Dar said the government was fully committed to improve governance through bringing in more
transparency and integrity in its operations, and fighting against corruption.
That commitment, he said, was demonstrated by the fact that, in addition to initiation of the process to join the OGP, the the government had already signed the OECD Multilateral Convention
on anti tax evasion in September this year.
The OGP, consisting of 70 participating countries, is a multilateral forum where governments deliberate and work together to promote transparency, fight corruption and strengthen governance through new technologies, a Finance Ministry press statement said.
The minister said he had accepted the invitations of the United Kingdom and French governments to attend the 4th biennial OGP Global Summit at Paris from December 6 8.
The Letter of intent has been sent to the OGP Secretariat expressing the intention of the Government of Pakistan to join the OGP and commitment to respect the open government principles articulated in the Open Government Declaration of the OGP.
Education vital for overcoming challenges: Rafique Rajwana
LAHORE, Nov 26 (APP): Punjab Governor Malik Muhammad Rafique Rajwana said on Saturday that challenges could be faced only through acquiring education.
He said this while addressing the annual convocation of Forman Christian College (A Chartered University) here. He said that youth and people of the Pakistan could take the country to the level which was dreamt by Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal and Quaid i Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
“We can be among the developed countries only through education,” he added.
The governor said that the incumbent government was determined under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to keep education sector on priority.
Rafique Rajwana congratulated the students on completing their education and advised them to play their effective role in the development of the country.
Earlier, FCCU Rector Dr James A Tebbe threw light on the performance of the institute.
CPEC to change course of history: Shehbaz Sharif
LAHORE, Nov 26 (APP): Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Saturday said the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project would change the course of history and the entire region, including Pakistan, would get benefit from this mega project.
According to a handout issued here, he said the CPEC had laid the foundation of progress and prosperity in the region, including Pakistan.
He said work was being carried out speedily on the CPEC projects throughout Pakistan, including Punjab.
Shehbaz Sharif said one belt one road vision of Chinese President Xi Jinping was of paramount importance and interest by other countries in the CPEC projects augered well.
He said our friends were happy with the CPEC while foe was
trying to create hurdles in this project.
He said no conspiracy would be allowed to succeed against the CPEC and under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, journey of progress and prosperity of the country would be completed.