ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 (APP): The Meteorological Department on Saturday forecast mainly cold and dry weather in most parts of the country during the next 24 hours.
However isolated rain or snow is expected in Malakand division and Gilgit-Baltistan during night while shallow foggy and misty conditions are likely over plain areas of Punjab, Peshawar and Sukkur divisions during night and morning hours.
On Saturday’s lowest Temperatures recorded as Astore -10øC, Skardu and Kalam -08øC, Kallat, Parachinar and Gupis -07øC, Hunza and Gilgit -06øC, Quetta and Dir -05øC, Chitral, Rawalakot and Malamjabba -04øC, Dalbandin -03øC,
Kamra and Mirkhani -02øC, Drosh, Bunji and Kakul -01øC, Balakot and Lower Dir 00øC.
Meanwhile, falling mercury in the prevailing cold dry spell has raised chest infections, flu and fever in twin cities of the countries.
Frost in morning with chilly winds in morning and evening has increased out door patients in public and private hospitals suffering from seasonal diseases.
Executive Director, Poly clinic hospital, Dr. Zahid Hussain here on Saturday told APP, severe dry cold weather is quite harmful for people and advised them to cover their bodies properly while going out especially in evening and morning.
He said allergy diseases are also on rise in these days and allergy patients are strictly advised to go out in day time only and restrict their activities after sunset.
He asked them to use mask and avoid going out if not so urgent. Secondly he said, patients of chest infections and pneumonia are also on rise these days and people should go for vaccination.
For flu and viral infections, ED Poly Clinic hospital said those suffering from flu should avoid interacting with others and other should go for vaccination as a precautionary measure in advance.
He added that there is a visible change in indoor and outdoor temperatures as mostly people warm their houses with heaters, stoves etc. but all of a suddenly when they step out, cold wave affect them badly. He urged people to use woolen clothes, warm caps, mittens, socks and shoes
rather than open sleepers to keep them save from cold.
Mainly cold, dry weather expected in most parts of country
ECNEC approves Rs 404 bln for Neelum Jhelum power project
ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 (APP): The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved on Saturday the revised PC-I of Neelum Jhelum hydropower project at a total cost of Rs 404.321 billion.
The ECNEC in its meeting chaired by Finance Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar here considered and approved proposals in energy, communication and
higher education sectors.
ECNEC was apprised that the financial issues of the project were discussed in the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCOE), following which a sub-committee headed by the Finance Minister was constituted to resolve these issue.
The sub-committee noted that the existing PC-I of the project had no provision for certain items including interest during construction.
The Committee therefore directed the WAPDA to prepare a revised PC-I and include all the project related costs inclusive of IDC, taxes and duties etc.
The revised PC-I was accordingly submitted to Central Development Working Party (CDWP) which recommended it to ECNEC for approval. While approving the project, the Committee directed that the NJHPP related schemes of AJK be implemented at the earliest.
On a proposal of Ministry of Communications, ECNEC also approved the revised PC-I of Sukkhur-Multan Section (392 KMs)of Peshawar- Karachi Motorway Project at a total cost of Rs 314.997 billion.
The section covers the areas of districts of Sukkhur, Ghotki, Rahimyar Khan, Bahawalpur and Multan in the provinces of Sind and Punjab.
The committee was informed that the project was being implemented on EPC basis and therefore there would be no cost escalation during the implementation of the project. The meeting was informed that despite upward revision of the project cost, a saving of Rs. 112 billion has still been achieved through deep scrutiny.
ECNEC also discussed and approved the revised PC-I for KKH Phase-II (Havelian to Thakot 118.057 KM) project at a total cost of Rs.136.659 billion.
The meeting was informed that increase in cost of the project owed to a number of reasons.
The proposed scope of work includes high level bridges as well as tunnels under poor soil support which requires special treatment and needs heavy spending.
Further the area is prone to seismic activities which require additional safety measures.
Due to poor strata along the alignment, excessive material is required from far off places which needs haulage roads resulting in substantial increase in cost of earthwork.
The road will be built on Chinese standards applicable to similar terrain.
NHA informed the meeting that a saving of Rs. 58 billion has been achieved in the project cost through a reduction in the bid following technical negotiations. The meeting also considered and approved the National Highway N-70, Rakhi Gajj-Bewata, East-West, Road Project at a revised cost of Rs. 22.994 billion.
The road is an important link between Balochistan and southern region of Punjab.
The project envisages revamping of a stretch of 32. 651KM long two lane single carriageway of N-70 from Rakhi Gajj to Bewata in the districts of Dera Ghazi Khan and Loaralai.
The construction work also includes building of a steel bridge which will be one of its kind once completed.
ECNEC also considered and approved the Fulbright Scholarship Support Programme (Phase-II), which will be funded mainly by the USAID. The project involves a total funding of Rs. 12.567 billion.
Under the programme 550 Master/M.Phil and 141 doctoral scholarships will be offered to Pakistani scholars in US universities in specific disciplines focused mainly on science and technology.
The awardees are selected on merit from all over the country, with preference being given to less developed areas as well as to women.
Pakistan can be among top 10 economies by utilizing youth talent: Ahsan
ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 (APP): Minister Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal on Saturday said that Pakistan can move to top 25 five econnomies of the world by 2025 with the passion of people of Pakistan and the talent of its youth, which can even take the country in top ten econnomies of the world by 2047.
Pakistan is successful emerging state, which can be developed economically through self-belief and postivity by defeating the negativity.
He was speaking at the concluding session of Conference on Vision-2025:
Effective Strategies for Transformational Growth” organized by Institute of Development Econnomies.
Ahsan Iqbal said that Pakistan needs seven to eight percent transformational growth in next ten years to mobilize the resources for social uplift of backward areas of the country and create jobs for growing youth population.
He believed that passion of Pakistani people would make this dream true. He said Vision-2025 and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor would help to realize the dream of economically developed Pakistan.
The minister appreciated the research papers presented at the conference and noted their quality speaks of hard work of researchers. He assured that workable recommendations of research papers would be utilized in policy making.
Professor Ahsan Iqbal, said that in a nation progress ambition plays a pivotal role because to reach for the stars one must have ambition and Vision 2025 is the roadmap to achieve that very ambition.
He said that productivity, quality and innovation, which he called ‘PQI’, would be the slogan for the year 2016 to highlight the importance of these variables for development.
He said that emotional capital is as important as other factors, such as human capital, physical capital, etc. for progress.
COAS visits North Waziristan Agency, spends day with troops, tribals
RAWALPINDI, Dec 19 (APP): Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Raheel Sharif visited North Waziristan Agency (NWA) and spent his day with troops and tribals of NWA on Saturday.
COAS was briefed in detail by the formation commander about recent progress of ongoing Operation Zarb-e-Azb, IBOs and return of TDPs.
Appreciating the progress, he vowed to continue operation till total elimination of terrorists, said a release issued by Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR) here.
While talking to troops on the occasion, COAS commended all officers and men for their courage, determination and spirit of sacrifice displayed by them in war against terrorism.
Appreciating intense hard work by intelligence agencies and Law Enforcement Agencies, COAS said that terrorist networks and their linkages are being unearthed across the country and this nexus will be broken at all cost to bring enduring peace.
COAS was also briefed on the ongoing rehabilitation work, and its effects on the socio-economic landscape of the area. He was satisfied with the pace of progress of rehabilitation work and directed all concerned to ensure a dignified return of TDPs to a better built and rehabilitated area.
Later, COAS interacted with tribal elders and recently returned TDPs, and assured them that Army will continue to remain in the area till completion of resettlement process.
Tribal elders paid rich tribute to Army for successful operations, and affirmed that with the help of the Army, terrorists will never be allowed to return in the area.
He also inaugurated 110 bedded Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Mir Ali, which has been equipped with state of the art equipment. He appreciated Army Engineers for their dedicated efforts in executing quality construction work.
To enhance education standards and help locals benefit from the emerging economic opportunities, COAS announced construction and opening of a Cadet College around Mir Ali for children of Waziristan.
Earlier on arrival, COAS was received by Corps Commander Peshawar, Lieutenant General Hidayat Ur Rehman.
According to data provided by ISPR of temporary displaced persons (TDPs), out of total 2,91,827 families, 1,08,503 (38%) families returned back while the agency wise percentage of returned TDPs was as NWA 15%, SWA 15%, Kurram 35%, Orakzai 34% and Khyber 78%.
IMF Board Approves $498 million tranche for Pakistan
WASHINGTON, Dec 19 (APP):The International Monetary Fund on Friday approved the immediate disbursement of about $498.1 million to Pakistan, appreciating the government’s prudent economic policies and its commitment to strengthen the fiscal position and lower public debt.
The approval to release the loan installment was given by the IMF Executive Board which met in Washington today to complete the ninth review of economic performance under a three-year program.
The approval of the latest installment brought the total disbursement to about $4.98 billion of a $6.64 billion loan extended to Pakistan under the Extended Fund Facility in 2013.
“Economic growth remains robust and near-term vulnerabilities have receded. The Pakistani authorities have taken corrective measures to foster the achievement of program objectives,” said Mr. Mitsuhiro Furusawa, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair in a statement issued after the meeting in Washington.
“Prudent macroeconomic policies and sustained implementation of the reform agenda are important to reinforce gains in economic stability and generate a strong and sustainable growth,” he said.
He welcomed the commitment of the government to further strengthening the fiscal position and lowering public debt.
“The focus is appropriatelyplaced on revenue mobilization, including broadening the tax base and improving tax collection and compliance, with a view to creating fiscal space for pro-growth spending and greater social protection.”
The statement noted the efforts underway to strengthen coordination with the provinces and improve public financial management to reduce fiscal risks.
In completing the review, the Executive Board also approved the authorities’ request for waivers of non-observance of the end-September 2015 performance criteria on the ceiling on overall budget deficit and the ceiling on net domestic assets of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), as well as modification of the end-December 2015 performance criterion on net domestic assets of the SBP.
“Low oil prices present a unique opportunity to strengthen external stability. Further accumulation of foreign exchange reserves would help enhance the economy’s resilience,” the IMF said.
The IMF board welcomed the establishment of an independent monetary policy committee and said that sustained efforts were needed to further improve the monetary policy framework, reduce fiscal dominance, and strengthen central bank independence.
The authorities remain committed to safeguarding financial stability. Priorities include reinforcing the supervisory framework, boosting bank capitalization, and improving access to finance.
The IMF said that preparatory work has progressed well for the introduction of credit bureaus and a deposit insurance scheme. It will be important to continue to strengthen corporate restructuring, insolvency, and collateral frameworks, as well as Pakistan’s regime against money laundering and the financing of terrorism, the statement added.
“The momentum of structural reforms must be maintained to achieve higher, sustainable, and more inclusive growth.
Critical priorities include reducing arrears and increasing supply in the energy sector, restructuring and privatizing loss-making public enterprises, improving the business climate and competitiveness, further strengthening social protection, and increasing female labor force participation.”
Anusha lauds US Global Internet Connect Initiative
ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 (APP): Minister of State For Information Technology and Telecom Anusha Rahman Khan on Saturday appreciated the Global Connect Initiative being launched by the US to support growth of internet access and connectivity across the globe.
The initiative will provide internet access to more than 1.5 billion unconnected global citizens by 2020.
Anusha Rahman Khan made these remarks during her meeting at the US Mission to the United Nations, said a message received here from New York on Saturday.
In an event organized by Catherine Novelli, Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, on the sidelines of the High Level Meeting of the UN General Assembly in New York, the minister appreciated the programme and the role it is expected to play in the achievement of the targets set by the Sustainable development Goals of the UN.
Anusha Rahman highlighted the initiatives being pursued in Pakistan for connecting the underserved and unserved. The meeting was also attended by senior officials from Global corporate like Google, Microsoft and others.
The minister stressed the need for addressing all the components of the value chain in order for the initiatives like these to bridge the digital divide within and between nations.
She termed the innovative use of development financing and particularly meaningful and adequate allocation of Universal Service Funds available to most countries, as an element of major importance to bring about universal global connectivity.
Equally important, however, she said were the community use computer hardware, local networking, and training software and citizen centric applications to take maximum utility of connectivity to these new targeted users which in most cases will be from truly marginalized communities.
All stakeholders in governments, international financing agencies, private sector operators and civil society needs to play their role to complete this value chain, she added.
Participants present during the meeting showed their commitment to major initiatives like the Global Connect and all other efforts of similar nature being undertaken by the stakeholders and pledged innovative solutions to bridge the connectivity and internet access gaps for its achievement of the digital and knowledge economy objectives which are mutually shared.
Under Secretary Novelli also laid down the future engagement roadmap for the initiative.
ECNEC approves Rs 404 bln for Neelum Jhelum power project
ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 (APP): The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved on Saturday the revised PC-I of Neelum Jhelum hydropower project at a total cost of Rs 404.321 billion.
The ECNEC in its meeting chaired by Finance Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar here considered and approved proposals in energy, communication and higher education sectors. ECNEC was apprised that the financial issues of the project were discussed in the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCOE), following which a sub-committee headed by the Finance Minister was constituted to resolve these issue.
The sub-committee noted that the existing PC-I of the project had no provision for certain items including interest during construction.
The Committee therefore directed the WAPDA to prepare a revised PC-I and include all the project related costs inclusive of IDC, taxes and duties etc.
The revised PC-I was accordingly submitted to Central Development Working Party (CDWP) which recommended it to ECNEC for approval.
While approving the project, the Committee directed that the NJHPP related schemes of AJK be implemented at the earliest.
On a proposal of Ministry of Communications, ECNEC also approved the revised PC-I of Sukkhur-Multan Section (392 KMs)of Peshawar- Karachi Motorway Project at a total cost of Rs 314.997 billion.
The section covers the areas of districts of Sukkhur, Ghotki, Rahimyar Khan, Bahawalpur and Multan in the provinces of Sind and Punjab.
The committee was informed that the project was being implemented on EPC basis and therefore there would be no cost escalation during the implementation of the project.
The meeting was informed that despite upward revision of the project cost, a saving of Rs.112 billion has still been achieved through deep scrutiny.
ECNEC also discussed and approved the revised PC-I for KKH Phase-II (Havelian to Thakot 118.057 KM) project at a total cost of Rs.136.659 billion.
The meeting was informed that increase in cost of the project owed to a number of reasons.
The proposed scope of work includes high level bridges as well as tunnels under poor soil support which requires special treatment and needs heavy spending.
Further the area is prone to seismic activities which require additional safety measures.
Due to poor strata along the alignment, excessive material is required from far off places which needs haulage roads resulting in substantial increase in cost of earthwork.
The road will be built on Chinese standards applicable to similar terrain. NHA informed the meeting that a saving of Rs. 58 billion has been achieved in the project cost through a reduction in the bid following technical negotiations. The meeting also considered and approved the National Highway N-70, Rakhi Gajj-Bewata, East-West, Road Project at a revised cost of Rs. 22.994 billion.
The road is an important link between Balochistan and southern region of Punjab.
The project envisages revamping of a stretch of 32. 651KM long two lane single carriageway of N-70 from Rakhi Gajj to Bewata in the districts of Dera Ghazi Khan and Loaralai.
The construction work also includes building of a steel bridge which will be one of its kind once completed.
ECNEC also considered and approved the Fulbright Scholarship Support Programme (Phase-II), which will be funded mainly by the USAID. The project involves a total funding of Rs. 12.567 billion.
Under the programme 550 Master/M.Phil and 141 doctoral scholarships will be offered to Pakistani scholars in US universities in specific disciplines focused mainly on science and technology.
The awardees are selected on merit from all over the country, with preference being given to less developed areas as well as to women.
PM chairs high-level meeting on security
ISLAMABAD, Dec 18 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Friday chaired a meeting on internal security which was attended by high-level civil and military officials.
Pak-Russia ties will continue to expand in all fields including art and culture: Pervaiz Rashid
ISLAMABAD, Dec 18 (APP): Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage, Senator Pervaiz Rashid said on Friday that Pak-Russia relations would further strengthen in all fields of life including art, culture and education for mutual benefit of both the nations.
20 percent increase in Parliament House allowance approved
ISLAMABAD, Dec 18 (APP): The National Assembly Finance Committee in Parliament House on Friday approved 20 per cent enhancement of rate of Parliament House allowance admissible to the staff of National Assembly Secretariat.