UNITED NATIONS, Nov 20 (APP): With more than 3,400 people losing
their lives on the world’s roads every day, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki moon marked the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims with a strong call to scale up action to prevent these deaths.
“That means improving the quality and safety of roads and vehicles, preventing speeding and drunk driving, and vigorously promoting the use of seat belts, motorcycle helmets and child car seats,” the secretary general said in his message on the World Day, in which he also cited the need to focus on post crash response, as timely emergency care, better medical treatment, psychological support, and early rehabilitation for the injured can save lives and reduce disability.
He also expressed concerns over the failure of many countries to
provide effective care for road traffic victims after crash, and failure to investigate crashes thoroughly and provide fair settlements for the injured.
“Worldwide, there is great disparity in access to emergency care.
Some 90 per cent of the world’s road fatalities occur in low and middle income countries. It is estimated that if emergency care systems
for seriously injured patients in these countries could be brought up to the levels of high performing nations, an estimated 500,000 lives could be saved each year.”
Finally, the Secretary General addressed the importance of achieving Sustainable Development Goal target 3.6 to reduce by 50 per cent by 2020 the number of people killed and injured in road traffic crashes.
“On this World Day of Remembrance, in honour of those killed and
injured each year, let us take the necessary steps to make our roads safe for all,” he said.
UN chief calls for stepped up action to prevent vehicle related deaths and injuries
UN requested to investigate killing of four kids: Nafees
ISLAMABAD, Nov 20 (APP): Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nafees Zakaria Sunday said the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) was requested to investigate into killing of four kids in Khoi Ratta by unprovoked Indian firing along the Line of Control.
On his official Twitter account, the spokesman said a dossier containing all details about the ceasefire violations by the Indian forces was handed over to the Observer Group representative in the General Headquarters (GHQ).
Later in a PTV programme, he said Pakistan was taking up at the international level, the issue of escalation on its border with the
repeated aggression by the Indian forces.
He said the whole situation was directly linked with the Indian Occupied Kashmir issue and the regional peace.
50% of India’s defence spending go waste
ISLAMABAD, Nov 20 (APP): India is the world’s fourth largest military spender but over half of it is going to waste, inefficiency, corruption and bad purchases, “netbig future”, a web based publication reports.
India previously had ‘finalised’ an agreement to buy 126 Rafale
aircraft at a total cost of US$10.2 billion but this cut down to 36 aircraft at a cost of US$8.7 billion. So India is getting 30% of the original order for 80% of the cost. Three squadrons were phased out in January 2016, the IAF has had just 32 operational squadrons against an authorized capacity of 45.
Five squadrons of the early MiG 21 variants nearly 100 aircraft will be phased out in early 2017. The first Rafale aircraft in the present transaction will be delivered in 2019, and the last of these two and a half years later. Around this time, unless radical steps are taken to correct the existing anomalies, the IAF may well be down to an operational strength of just 25 squadrons. Even under the most optimistic estimates, the IAF’s capacity can only rise to about 38 squadrons.
All three arms of the Indian Armed Forces are hobbled by enduring and endemic deficits. There are shortages of battleships and submarines through to fighter planes and helicopters (a combined deficit of more than 1000), even down to mundane supplies such as ammunition, assault rifles and boots.
According to one estimate, the Indian military has a US$400
billion equipment deficit, and even more would be required ‘to raise the military to necessary force levels and to modern standards’.
Despite its status as the world’s fourth largest military spender, India spends a little over 1.7 per cent of its GDP on defense.
This is in spite of the defence services Long Term Integrated Perspective Plan’s projection of at least 3 per cent though a
succession of agreements on major acquisitions may kick up the defence allocation to nearly 2.5 per cent of GDP in the current financial year.
The current share of capital expenditure in the relatively meagre defence budget has shrunk to about 35 per cent of total expenditure, from 36.3 per cent in 2015 16 and 41.3 per cent in 2014 15. Astonishingly for those unfamiliar with the vagaries of India’s lethargic bureaucracy, a significant proportion of these allocations remains unspent each year: about 15 per cent in 2015 16, 13 per cent in 2014 15 and 9 per cent in 2013 14.
On January 20, 2004, after years of negotiations, Russia and India signed a deal for the sale of a used Russian aircraft carrier. The ship would be free, while India would pay US$800 million for the upgrade and refit of the ship, as well as an additional US$1 billion for the aircraft and weapons systems. The announced delivery date for INS Vikramaditya was August 2008. India finally agreed to pay an additional US$1.2 billion for the project, more than doubling the original cost. However, ongoing delays with the Vikramaditya’s delivery schedule, pushed the delivery to 2013.
MCI formulates strategy for promotion of sports in capital: Mayor
ISLAMABAD, Nov 20 (APP): Mayor of Islamabad, Sheikh Anser
Aziz, Sunday said that Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI)
has formulated comprehensive strategy for promotion of sports including traditional, regional and new emerging sports in the federal capital.
The Mayor who is also Chairman, Capital Development Authority
(CDA) said this while addressing the players and spectators of the
league match of Fourth Service Rugby League played between Islamabad Jinns and Lahore Rugby Federation Club.
He said in this connection not only existing sports grounds would
be up graded but also more grounds would be constructed particularly in thickly populated sectors, so that provision of recreational and sports facilities could be provided to all residents of the city.
Sheikh Anser Aziz said that provision of the state of the art sports facilities to the residents of Islamabad was among the top priorities of MCI.
He said, soon after the formulation of the MCI and taking charge of the affairs of the Sports and Culture Directorate, illegal occupations of private individuals of different sports grounds got vacated.
He said that now standard operating procedures (SOPs) are being
finalized for the operation and maintenance of the sports grounds. According to the new SOPs, he said, Chairman of the respective union council along with officers of the Sports and Culture Directorate will be responsible for management and maintenance of these grounds.
The Mayor said that presence of the youth, in such a large number, in the grounds indicates that how much youth of Islamabad love sports.
He appreciated the efforts of Pakistan Rugby Union and Islamabad Rugby Association for promoting Rugby in the country, particularly in the federal capital.
Rugby helps youth in preparing them to meet the tough challenges
of the future, he added.
Anser Aziz said that more grounds including Rugby grounds would
be constructed to provide modern sports facilities to the residents.
Saudi govt pays SAR 40b to contractors
RIYADH, Nov 20 (APP): After the announcement of Deputy Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammad Bin Salman, chairman of the Consul for Economic and Development Affairs regarding outstanding payments of contractors, the Saudi government has paid SAR 40 billlion owed to contractors.
This payment to contractors was late due to a sharp decline in oil revenue and the new measures taken by the Kingdom to reduce spending on several projects.
“The Saudi government is expected to pay up to 80 per cent of the
total dues to contractors during remaining few weeks of this year by disbursing another SR 100 billion,” Chief of the National Contractors Committee at Council of Saudi Chambers, said here. The funds released by the Kingdom would help the companies to pay what is owed to foreign workers and create cash flow in the market, he added.
He said 80% backlogs payment would be clear with in weeks. He said
the most of the projects those were stopped due to the payments issue would be revived and implemented in order of priority.
The contractors, which are receiving payments are not all from Saudi Arabia. They also belong to Germany, Turkey, Spain and India.
Pak Navy wins 1st Shooting Championship
ISLAMABAD, Nov 20 (APP): Pakistan Navy won 1st National Air gun
Shooting Championship 2016 while Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air
Force got 3rd and 4th position respectively.
Chairman, Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Mayor, Islamabad Sheikh Ansar Aziz was the chief guest on the concluding ceremony and gave away the medals and certificates. The championship was arranged by Federal Rifle Association, and Gun and Country Club, Islamabad.
Director General, Pakistan Sports Board, Dr. Akhtar Nawaz Ganjera, Executive Vice President, Federal Riffle Association, Col ® Agha Abbas Raza, Secretary, Gun and Country Club Athar Rauf Bhatti, Organizing Secretary, Yasir Javed and Media Coordinator, Raja Nauman Afzaal and a large number of shooters were also present at the occasion.
Pakistan Navy won the championship with 4 gold, 5 silver and 3 bronze medals, Pakistan Army got 2nd position with 4 gold and 3 silver medals, Pakistan Air Force obtained 3rd position with 3 bronze medals and Punjab secured 4th position with 2 bronze medals.
Six teams from all over Pakistan took part in the championship including Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force, Punjab, KPK and Islamabad. Some 82 shooters including 50 men and 32 women participated in the championship.
State Minister visits residence of A Nayyar, offers condolences
LAHORE, Nov 20 (APP): Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Marriyum Aurangzeb Sunday visited the residence of the late singer A Nayyar for offering condolence to his family.
She expressed her grief with the wife and brother of the deceased.
She termed A Nayyar an asset of the country and said that the vacuum created by his demise would not be filled for long.
She said the singer was a symbol of inspiration for the new generation as he earned a name in the singing when no channel existed other than Pakistan Television.
She said that the government would provide all out support to the family of the deceased.
Political stability essential for economic take off: Ahsan
ISLAMABAD, Nov 20 (APP): Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal has said political stability and continuity of policies were essential for economic take off and development in the country.
This was the lesson Pakistan had learnt the hard way and today
no political party wanted to derail the democratic system, the minister said while speaking as chief guest at the Future of Pakistan Conference held at the London School of Economics (LSE) on Saturday.
The event was organized by the LSE Pakistan Development Society in collaboration with Pakistan Society and the High Commission for
Pakistan in London, according to a message received here from the United Kingdom on Sunday.
The minister gave a detailed overview of the government’s development agenda and China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
He said as promised in its election manifesto, the government of
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif at the very outset developed a
roadmap for socio economic development of the country and came up with the Vision 2025.
The four key areas of this vision, popularly known as 4 Es, were Economy, Energy, Extremism and Education, he added.
Speaking on the economic turnaround of Pakistan, he said,” In
the last three years, the economy has seen a steady growth from 2.5%
in 2013 to 4.8% last year. In 2013, the inflation was in double digit whereas it is the lowest currently. Karachi Stock Exchange is considered one of the best performing stock exchanges in the region. The international financial institutions and credit rating agencies are showing confidence in Pakistan economy. The international media that used to run stories about Pakistan’s economic collapse, is today calling Pakistan the next emerging market. Political stability and right economic policies bring about economic development.”
Ahsan Iqbal updated the audience on the improved energy situation
in Pakistan and said from 18 20 hours daily load shedding in 2013, it had come down to 6 8 hours.
He said, “The biggest ever investment in the country is being made in energy sector, which is US $35 billion out of US$46 billion portfolio of CPEC. Not only is the government focusing on power generation, but its current priority includes setting up new transmission lines and efficient distribution system. Energy alone is a big multiplier as it increases growth, production and job opportunities.”
Speaking about Pakistan’s successful fight against extremism and terrorism, Ahsan Iqbal said in 2013, the state was hostage to extremism
and was on defensive whereas now the extremists were on defensive and the
state on offensive. Peace in Karachi had been restored and the city was again becoming the hub of commercial activities.
The minister commended the role of civil and military intelligence agencies in fighting extremism.
On fourth priority area of the government i.e. education, the minister said after the 18th Amendment, the education had become a provincial subject but the federal government was still assisting the provinces to modernize the education system.
Earlier in his inaugural address, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to
the UK Syed Ibne Abbas said the conference was being held at a very opportune time when the narrative about Pakistan in the world was
changing fast as its economy was growing with security situation improved significantly.
This was happening due to the vision of the Prime Minister, he added. of Pakistan.
He congratulated the students and South Asia Centre at LSE for holding the conference and assured them of the High Commission’s support for their future events.
Dr Miftah Ismail, Minister of State Board of Investment, spoke on
the topic of ‘Economics: Challenges for CPEC and the Taxation System’
and apprised the audience about tax reforms. He said the enforcement capacity of the state to collect taxes was being improved and the economy was being formalized and documented.
Dr Miftah Ismail said the CPEC would build infrastructure and develop trade linkages. Investment in the energy sector under the CPEC would remove energy shortfall that would automatically boost GDP growth by 2%, he added.
Naval chief witnesses Pak China naval exercise
KARACHI, Nov 20 (APP): Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad
Zakaullah visited Chinese Navy Ship Handan on Sunday at the sea during the ongoing PN PLA (N) bilateral exercise.
A Pakistan Navy statement here said the exercise was being held in
Arabian Sea between the two brotherly navies from November 19 to 21. The exercise covers wide spectrum of maritime and naval operations by ships,
helicopters, maritime patrol aircraft, joint boarding operations by special forces, air defence exercises, communication drills and joint manoeuvers by ships from both navies.
Commander Pakistan Fleet, Vice Admiral Syed Arifullah Hussaini also accompanied the CNS during the visit.
During his visit onboard, the Naval Chief interacted with the PLA(N) ship’s crew and appreciated their operational competence.
The Admiral expressed his satisfaction over the regular visits of PLA(N) ships and conduct of bilateral exercises between the two navies.
The Naval Chief said Pak China friendship was highly valued and the continued cooperation between them had proven to be a source of strength for both the countries.
He said regular conduct of PN PLA(N) bilateral exercises would
further enhance the level of cooperation and inter operability between the two navies that would contribute towards the regional peace and stability.
Thereafter, Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah visited PN Fleet Units and
showed satisfaction over their readiness in keeping vigil over the PN area of responsibility.
During interaction with officers and men onboard, the Admiral commended their morale, preparedness and resolve to defend the maritime frontiers of the motherland.
“Pakistan is a peace loving country and wants peace and stability in the
region. However, any act of aggression will be answered befittingly,” he said.
Marriyum visits residence of Jaferi, offers condolences
LAHORE, Nov 20 (APP): State Minister for Information and Broadcasting and National Heritage Marriyum Aurangzeb visited the residence of senior photographer late Syed Azhar Hussain Jaferi here on Sunday.
She expressed her condolence on the sad demise of the photographer with his family and prayed to Allah Almighty to rest the deceased in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved family.
Later, while talking to the media, she said an exhibition of the photographs produced by the late Jaferi would be organised soon to pay tribute to the deceased.
“I visited the Jaferi family on the direction of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif,” she said.