KARACHI, Nov 20 (APP): The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has
clarified media reports regarding an incident involving two PIA aircraft at Karachi airport.
The Spokesman PIA said here on Sunday that an ATR and an A-320 aircraft touched each other while being towed at the washing bay of Karachi airport on Saturday evening.
Due to this a winglet of A-320 was slightly bruised and was immediately
fixed.
The situation is completely under control, there is no damage to either
of the aircraft and there would be no repercussion on PIA’s flight schedule.
An inquiry has been ordered to find out how the two aircraft could come so close to each other, the spokesman of the national flag carrier further stated.

ISLAMABAD, Nov 20 (APP): National Highway Authority (NHA) has spent a total of 802.584 million on the maintenance of Makran Coastal Highway (N-10) during past three years.
An official of NHA told APP on Sunday that during fiscal year 2012-13 Rs 275.511 million were spent on the maintenance of Coastal Highway out of which Rs 31.355 million were spent under routine maintenance while under the Periodic maintenance Rs 244.756 million were utilized.
In 2013-14 a total of Rs 449.831 million were spent out of which Rs 86.713 m were spent on routine maintenance while , Rs 363.118 million were spent under periodic maintenance.
In fiscal year 2014-15 the total of Rs 77.242 million were under the routine maintenance.
To a question,he said that the Makran Coastal Highway (N-10) has passed its design life,since only 5 cm Asphaltic Wearing Course was laid, which was insufficient for road structure. The heavy vehicles have been plying on N-10 since last 6 years due to which the road has become dilapidated,he said. It requires complete rehabilitation in which 08 cm Asphaltic Base Course and 05 cm Asphaltic Wearing Course is required.
For this rehabilitation work of Makran Coastal Highway N-10, the amount in billions of rupees is required.
He said that the amount spent on maintenance during last three years was only to cope with the situation of severely distressed sections or pot holes/ patches to keep road in motorable condition.
The NHA official said that all the relevant rules and procedures have been followed while awarding the maintenance works of N-10.

MULTAN, Nov 20 (APP): Punjab Governor Malik Rafiq Rajwana
has said that the incumbent government is paying special attention to people’s welfare projects and all resources are being provided for solving their problem.
Talking to various delegations at Circuit House here on Sunday,
he said that providing health, education, clean drinking water facilities to people was government’s top priority.
The governor said that Pakistan is moving forward on the way to progress, adding that country’s economy would be strengthened through China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He said that economic
activities would be enhanced, and new opportunities would also be made available. He said that we should provide education to our youth on modern lines so that they could play thier role in country’s progress.
Rajwana said that a comprehensive strategy was being devised
for solution to city’s problems. He said that a master plan was being made for sewerage and hoped that the issue would be solve once and for all.
The governor also listened to people’s problems and issued orders for
thier solution.

ISLAMABAD, Nov 20 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif
has urged the federal ministries and provincial governments to sincerely undertake the required legislative, administrative and social sector reforms for creating an enabling environment for children in the country.
“I urge the civil society, NGOs, philanthropists, international development partners, media and corporate sectors to come forward as partners and play an effective role for protection of child rights to make Pakistan a child friendly country,” the prime minister said in a message on the occasion of Universal Children’s Day to be observed on Sunday.
The day is celebrated globally to sensitise the world on the crucially important aspect of everyone’s life.
The prime minister said Pakistan joined the world community to implement the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and its provisions in letter and spirit. The UN Convention provides the basic principles for the rights of children.
He said it was government’s responsibility to ensure children’s rights to survival, development, protection and participation as envisaged in the UNCRC.
“It is indeed our national and constitutional duty to protect the best interests of our children. Children are a vulnerable segment of any society and at the same time the most precious investment for ensuring a better future,” the prime minister said.
He called for reaffirming the commitment for protection of child rights to make children useful and productive citizens.
He said the government has promulgated the Criminal Law (Second Amendment) Act, 2016 with regard to Child Abuse, Child Pornography and enhancing the minimum age of criminal liability.
He said it was pleasing that Punjab and Sindh provinces had introduced amendments in the Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929.
The prime minister mentioned his approval of a National Plan of Action for Human Rights which addressed the issues of child protection, discrimination, labour, education and other measures for their wellbeing.
He also expressed the hope for establishment of an autonomous and independent National Commission for Child Rights in the near future.
“We recognize that there are immense challenges in improving
on ground situation for children in the country, but our government is continuously undertaking reforms to cope with these challenges,” he said.
The prime minister said the Ministry of Human Rights was also
making efforts for protection and promotion of child rights in collaboration with the relevant stakeholders and practitioners in the country.
He appreciated the UN agencies and NGOs for advocating and
highlighting the child rights and hoped that they would continue to pursue this important mission with the same zeal and vigour.

ISLAMABAD, Nov 20 (APP): Minister for Human Rights, Senator
Kamran Micheal has said that Pakistan stands firm in its commitment
and accords top priority to children in ensuring their survival,
protection, development and participation rights.
In his message on the eve of Universal Children’s Day, he said
it is heartening to note that Pakistan joins the international
community to celebrate the Day with great fervour and enthusiasm.
“The celebration of this Day reminds us of our obligations and
commitments for the rights of our children,” he said.
“At the regional level, Pakistan is also signatory to the SAARC
Convention on Regional Arrangements for the Promotion of Child Welfare
in South Asia; and SAARC Convention on Preventing and Combating
Trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution”, HR minister said.
Despite the fact that Pakistan is facing many challenges, a number
of policy, legislative, administrative and programmatic measures have
been taken by the Ministry of Human Rights, Senator Kamran said.
The Ministry is implementing a National Plan of Action on Human
Rights which has an exclusive chapter on child protection, child Labour,
education and other measures for ending discrimination and violence
against children.
On March, 18th the Ministry of Human Rights has promulgated the
landmark legislation Criminal Law (Second Amendment) Act-2016 which
has raised the age of criminal responsibility from 7 year to 10 years
and set the upper threshold from 12 to 14 years, the minister added.
“Similarly, the new law has introduced punishments for cruelty to
child and child pornography for the first time. The implementation of
the law is a challenge ahead for which we are all prepared,” he further said.
“The Ministry of Human Rights has already drafted Islamabad
Capital Territory Child Protection Bill, 2016. The Juvenile Justice
System Bill, 2015 has also been drafted after elaborative consultations
at national and provincial levels”, he said
In order to effectively address the child protection issues, all
the stakeholders must put their efforts to ensure healthy growth and
development of children, he said. “This is our national duty to protect
the interests of children and provide them equal opportunities,” he
added.
The minister said, “I hope that the relevant UN Agencies,
corporate sector, civil society organizations and media will play
proactive role in creating a protective environment for children.
May Allah bless us in this noble cause, Ameen”.

ISLAMABAD, Nov 20 (APP): President Mamnoon Hussain while re
affirming the commitment and determination to safeguard children’s
rights, said the Government has undertaken all necessary measures to
ensure better livelihood, education, healthcare and protection of
children.
“Let us re affirm our commitments to provide our children with a conducive environment in helping them become useful citizens of
this country as well as productive members of the global village,”
he said in a message on the Universal Children’s Day being celebrated on November 20.
He said as a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), Pakistan remained in the forefront to advocate, protect and promote child rights.
“Our resolve towards child welfare continues to reflect in our state policies,” he added.
The President said Islam enjoined upon them the sacred task of care, protection and development of children.
“Pursuant to our religious and international obligations, the Government is fully cognizant of the need for protection and
development of children, who are our greatest asset,” he noted.
He said as an Islamic Republic, they were obligated to promote best interests of children and provide them with access to
development opportunities without any discrimination.
The President emphasized that the protection of child rights and ensuring equal opportunities to them required a strong and robust partnership between public and private agencies.
He called upon the parents, teachers, members of civil society, NGOs, volunteers, philanthropists, international development partners, media and corporate houses to play their constructive role towards promotion and protection of the rights of children.
The President appreciated the efforts of Ministry of Human Rights for promulgating the Criminal Law (Second Amendment) Act, 2016, which explicitly provided for stringent and deterrent punishment for offences against children including exposure to seduction, child pornography, sexual abuse and human trafficking.
He also appreciated non government organizations for advocating and highlighting the child rights as well as related issues and expressed the hope that they would continue to pursue this important mission with the same zeal and spirit.