UNITED NATIONS, Dec 14 (APP): With nearly 13.5 million Syrians in need of help, the top U.N. relief official Monday urged the international community to generously support the world body’s $3.2 billion humanitarian operations plan for thewar-torn country.
Work on TAPI pipeline starts; a trailblazing project for regional integration: Nawaz
MARY, Turkmenistan, Dec 13 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Sunday joined the regional leaders to formally launch work on the historic Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline, the largest gas pipeline project in the region.
The ground breaking ceremony of, what Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called the ‘trailblazing project’, was held near the city of Mary, the fourth largest and industrial city of the Central Asian state.
The Prime Minister was joined by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimohamedow and Indian Vice President Muhammad Hamid Ansari in inaugurating the work on the 1814-kilometer pipeline by pushing the button.
The four leaders also put their signatures on the pipeline to record the historical moment.
Upon completion by 2019, the project will supply Pakistan 1325 mmcfd (million cubic feet per day) supply of natural gas to help mitigate its energy crisis.
Addressing the ceremony, the Prime Minister said the presence of regional leaders at the ground-breaking ceremony clearly signalled the importance they attached to this ‘game changing project’ and their commitment for its early completion.
He said it was a momentous day that an achievement had been made possible through the perseverance, patience and collective endeavours of all stakeholders.
He also thanked the Turkmen President without whose involvement and keen interest, the project could not have seen rapid progress.
He also congratulated the Indian and Afghan leadership for their commitment to make the gas pipeline a success.
“TAPI is not just a gas transit initiative connecting energy-rich Central Asia with energy starved South Asia but a trailblazing project,” the Prime Minister said, adding it would open up door to regional economic progress and integration.
Nawaz Sharif said the flagship project would usher a new era of transformation of the lives of millions of people making the TAPI a symbol of shared prosperity and socio-economic development.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the TAPI was of great significance for Pakistan’s energy outlook, besides being a vital component of his government’s efforts to mitigate the country’s energy crisis through import of natural gas and electricity.
He said his government was also working on additional power projects as work on CASA-1000 was being carried out expeditiously.
“Regional connectivity subject is close to my heart. It is through the projects like TAPI, we can join hands for pursuing a common goal of strengthening of peace and prosperity in our region,” he added.
Referring to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the Prime Minister said the most promising element of regional connectivity was recently launched as a package of multiple infrastructure and development projects.
He said that Pakistan also encouraged other countries in the region to take advantage of this project that would provide the shortest route through its seaports to Central Asia.
On the occasion, presidents of Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Vice President of India also spoke and said that it would create a win-win situation for the component countries by opening new vistas of economic opportunities.
Starting from Turkmenistan’s Galkynys gas field, the pipeline will pass along Kandahar-Herat Highway, and moving through Pakistan, it will culminate at the Indian town of Fazilka, near the Pak-Indian border.
It will benefit around 1.5 billion people in the area and the ‘blue fuel’ known in the Turkmen’s local dialect will continue flowing by 33 billion cusec meters per annum.
A memorandum of understanding for supply of power from Turkmenistan to Afghanistan and Pakistan was also signed by leaders of the three countries.
Earlier, at Mary city airport the Turkmen President received Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
The four leaders also had a brief meeting and discussed matters of mutual interest.
Traditional performance of Akhalteke horses and art masters on the occasion added colours of jubilation to the historical event.
Women Distress and Detention Fund to be functional soon: Special Assistant
ISLAMABAD, Dec 13 (APP): Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Human Rights (HR) Barrister Zaffar Ullah has said that the Women Distress and Detention Fund would be functional soon to help out imprisoned women.
The fund, currently having an amount of around Rs 46.6 million, was established in 1996 but remained dysfunctional because of the changing status of the Human Rights Wing, which was first made a ministry from a division and then a wing.
Barrister Zafar Ullah told APP that after reattaining the status of HR Ministry, the required legislation would be made and the Fund would be soon functional.
A ‘Child Rights Commission’, which had been also under consideration for long, would also be set up soon to secure rights of the future generation, he said, adding that the Juvenile Ordinance System Reform was also on the agenda of the government.
Replying to a query regarding the functioning of National Commission on Human Rights (NCHR), he said the building for the Commission’s office on Margalla Road was being renovated.”Three rooms have been renovated while work on others is underway,” he said.
He said steps were being taken to finalize the salary structure of NCHR employees.
Barrister Zaffar Ullah said a new human rights policy with a plan of action would be announced soon. “For the first time in the country’s history a comprehensive plan of action for the implementation of the HR policy within a specified timeframe would be announced.”
He said the policy would focus on three key areas. Firstly, protection of rights of human beings according to the teachings of Islam would be ensured as the religion emphasized on securing rights of the vulnerable on priority.
Secondly, the provision of fundamental rights to every citizen of the country without any discrimination would be ensured. Sections 8 to 28 of the Constitution addressed rights of the people which should be implemented properly, he added.
Thirdly, he said, the policy would encompass a number of international treaties and conventions to safeguard rights of the people, which had been ratified by Pakistan.
Barrister Zafar Ullah said restructuring of the HR Ministry had been initiated. New wings would be set up to help protect rights of the marganalized segments of society, especially women, children, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, minorities etc.
He said professionals would be hired for new wings to work exclusively for safeguarding the rights of the people. The focus would be on building a professional and expert human resource as bureaucratic system would not be encouraged in the new set-up.
He said a ‘Law Reforms Committee’ had already been constituted which would follow legislative bills from initial stages to the the last for speedy law making process in the best interest of the people.
PM back after two-day visit to Turkmenistan
ISLAMABAD, Dec 13 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif returned here Sunday after completing his two-day visit to Turkmenistan to attend the ground breaking ceremony of TAPI gas pipeline and an international conference.
During his visit, at the invitation of Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimohamedow, the Prime Minister was accompanied by his Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi and Minister of State for Petroleum Jam Kamal.
The Prime Minister joined Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimohamedow and Indian Vice President Muhammad Hamid Ansari to formally launch work on the 1735 kilometer Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline.
The Prime Minister also addressed an international conference to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s Permanent Neutrality.
Besides, the Prime Minister also held one-on-one meetings with the Turkmen President and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
22 dead, 55 injured in Parachinar blast
PARACHINAR, Dec 13 (APP): As many as 22 persons were killed and 55 injured in a remote control bomb blast at old bus terminal near Landa Bazar here on Sunday.
According to Assistant Political Agent Kurram Agency Naik Muhammad, some unknown miscreants had planted a remote control bomb at the old Thall Ada (bus terminal).
The dead and the injured were rushed to a nearby hospital. Some 20 injured were stated to be critical.
The political administration has announced compensation of Rs 300,000 each for the heirs of those who had lost their lives and Rs 100,000 each for
the injured.
Member of the National Assembly Sajid Tori and other political and social activists also visited the site of the blast and condemned the incident.
Blackmailing will not hamper Karachi operation: Abid
ISLAMABAD, Dec 13 (APP): Minister of State for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali Sunday said that blackmailing and political influence would not be allowed to hamper the ongoing operation in Karachi.
Abid Sher Ali said Rangers did not get extension in policing powers as a result of possible ill-intention of Sindh government, a news channel reported.
He advised the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) to remember the martyrdom of its leader Benazir Bhutto, saying blood of martyrs would not go waste.
Karachi operation was against criminals and terrorists which would be expedited, he added.
Dar reviews progress on power projects
ISLAMABAD, Dec 13, (APP): Minister for Finance, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar chaired a meeting of the senior officials of the Ministries of Finance, Water and Power and Petroleum and Natural Resources here and reviewed
progress on power projects in the country.
Federal Minister for Water and Power, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Federal Minister for Petroleum & Natural Resources, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Secretary to Prime Minister, Fawad Hasan Fawad were present in the meeting.
The meeting reviewed progress about the ongoing power projects besides having detailed deliberations on energy projects which are in the pipeline.
Officials of the Ministry of Water & Power gave the meeting an update on energy projects and also dilated on the arrangements for evacuation of the electricity to be produced in future.
Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources gave an overview of the supply of natural gas that would be required to facilitate the upcoming power projects.
Ishaq Dar on this occasion said that it was Prime Minister’s
resolve to overcome the problem of energy shortage. It was therefore imperative that all ministries concerned put in their best efforts to achieve the objective of resolving the energy problem.
The meeting also welcomed the progress achieved in the CASA-1000 project and observed that it would supplement efforts for enhanced power generation in the country besides promoting regional connectivity.
Ayaz says ECP referred writ on ‘votes transfer’ to ET without hearing him
LAHORE, Dec 13 (APP): National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Sunday alleged that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) did not hear him while referring the petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf to the election tribunal on “votes transfer”.
Talking to the media after inaugurating a newly constructed hospital here in Samanabad, he said the votes of the people of his constituency NA-122 were transferred by the ECP and not by him, and the Commission was answerable for it.
He said he would continue to highlight the ECP’s mistakes. He wanted to convey a message to the ECP that the people across the country had shown keen interest in the NA-122 by-election, which was held in a free and fair manner under the supervision of army.
Talking about the hospital, he said doctors had already been posted and all facilities, including emergency, would also be provided to the people. He urged the people of the area to cooperate with the hospital staff and administration to resolve the health issues.
He said the hospital constructed on 5 kanal land was completed at a cost of Rs 200 million with the sincere efforts of Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.
To a question regarding APS Peshawar tragedy, he said the whole nation had paid tribute to the sacrifices rendered by the students and teachers of the Army Public School (APS) The tragedy, he added, had changed the direction of the country and the Zarb-e-Azb operation was launched to eliminate terrorism.
PM joins regional leaders in TAPI’s ground breaking
Erfan Khan
MARY CITY, Turkmenistan, Dec 13 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Sunday along with other regional leaders performed the ground breaking of 1814 kilometre Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project.
The Prime Minister along with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimohamedov and Indian Vice President Muhammad Hamid Ansari jointly broke the ground of multi-billion TAPI gas pipeline project, tipped as one of the major natural gas supply conduit, vital to meet ever increasing energy needs of this region.
They jointly announced start of TAPI construction by pressing a button one by one and signing a memorial note.
The venue at some distance from Mary City continued reverberating with thunderous sound of clapping by a huge gathering.
A very large number of residents on all the roads warmly welcomed the guests by waving colourful flags.
The TAPI pipeline starting from natural gas reserves of Galkynys will pass through Afghanistan to Pakistan and then to India. About 33 billion cusec meter of natural gas, also called blue fuel in the local dialect, will be supplied to three countries annually benefiting about 1.5 billion people in the energy starved South Asia.
With completion of this project, Pakistan will get 1325 mmcfd (million cubic feet per day) supply of natural gas as one of the main components of the mega project linking Central Asian States with South Asian countries. It will be helpful in overcoming energy deficits in Pakistan.
A memorandum of understanding for supply of power from Turkmenistan to Afghanistan and Pakistan was also signed by leaders of the three countries.
Earlier, at Mary City airport the Turkmen President received Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. A brief discussion was also held among the leaders on the TAPI project.
Traditional performance of Akhalteke horses and art masters on the occasion added colours of jubilation to the historical event.
World’s future hinges on this region teeming with trade opportunities: PM
ON BOARD PM’S AIRCRAFT, Dec 13 (APP): Prime Minister
Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Sunday said the world’s future hinged upon this region due to its fast growing trade potential and greater connectivity linking Central Asian Republics with South Asia and China.
During an interview with media persons on board the aircraft during his return journey after ground breaking ceremony of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, the Prime Minister said the project had created a ‘win-win situation’ for the economies of its component countries.
He said about 2 to 3 billion people lived alone in South Asia and China with unprecedented potential to rise as a hub of the world’s rapid growing economies.
It was his cherished dream to forge strong connectivity and relationship with energy rich Central Asia and South Asia, he added.
With the completion of TAPI, the Prime Minister said, the energy requirements of Pakistan would be met. It would be a ‘game changer’ as the country would be able to get 1.3 billion cubic feet gas annually from it.
“With the clean energy supply, the power plants would work efficiently producing inexpensive power when compared to oil-run units. About 70 per cent energy needs would be met with this project,” he added.
Annually 1 billion dollar could be saved, which was by no means a little saving, he said.
To a question, the Prime Minister replied that he had also talked to the presidents of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan over his vision of enhanced connectivity, and they also appreciated and supported it.
“Every country should safeguard its economic interests and nations work for peace. Nowadays, the economic interests rule the world. Politics revolves around economy and without a sound economy, there is no progress,” he added.
About recent developments on Pak-India ties, Nawaz Sharif said they had taken a firm stand on the interests of Pakistan.
He maintained that Pakistan wanted good ties with all neighbours, including Afghanistan and India. The relationship with these countries unfortunately remained uneven in the last 65 years, but now it was hoped that the same would be settled.
“The issues can be settled on a negotiation table. On our principles, we are firm. In Paris, I told Indian PM Modi if you wanted to talk, we would also talk. It was followed by a meeting of NSAs (national security advisors) in Bangkok and then a visit of Indian External Minister Sushma to Pakistan improved things. The joint declaration was good and it is hoped that it would move forward,” he added.
About Afghanistan, the Prime Minister said that he had told Afghan President Ghani that they would help in bringing the Taliban to the negotiating table.
But he made it clear that they had absolutely no control over them, only through influence to some extent, they could bring Taliban to the negotiating table, he added.
Nawaz Sharif said he had held bilateral, trilateral and quadlateral meetings with heads of different countries on the Afghan issue, which were a part of Pakistan’s continuing efforts.
He, however, said it was not the sole responsibility of Pakistan, other countries should also share their responsibility in that regard.
He wondered how could Pakistan tolerate terrorism in someone’s country when it had remained a victim of the menace itself in which the nation rendered unprecedented sacrifices, besides its economy suffered colossal loss.
He said the Zarb-e-Azb operation was launched by his government as its moral obligation and not under any outer influence.
The Prime Minister said that under a wide political consensus in the shape of National Action Plan, the Constitution was amended and now the military courts were delivering verdicts.
Peace had been restored in Karachi and the residents there bore witness to it. The world leaders had also appreciated the government’s efforts in rooting out terrorism, he added.