ISLAMABAD, Nov 13 (APP) Minister fir Finance, Revenue, Economic
Affairs, Statistic and Privatization Ishaq Dar on Friday informed the
Senate that the Federal Government wanted to finalize the next
National Finance Commission (NFC) Award as soon as possible.
Govt desires to finalize NFC award early: Senate Told
Sharif, Rahmon’s Murree talks focus CASA-1000, infrastructure projects
MURREE, Nov 13 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon on Friday held a second round of exclusive talks here, agreeing on the early implementation of CASA-1000 and infrastructure projects between their countries.
Senate session prorogued sine die
ISLAMABAD, Nov 13, (APP): The 121 session of the Upper House has been prorogued sine die on Friday after completion of business.
Senate admits motion about PSM’s outstanding gas bill
ISLAMABAD, Nov 13 (APP): Chairman Senate Mian Raza Rabbani on Friday admitted a motion regarding the government’s announcement that dues of the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) amounting to Rs 37 billion against the Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) would be settled by transferring its land to the company.
Minister for Petroleum and Natural Recourses Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said
that PSM was asked to pay the dues for restoration of gas connection
but its administration in reply said a piece of land could be given
SSGC to adjust the bill.
Abbasi said the PSM administrant was asked to look into legal aspects
of the offer but it did not give any reply in this regard so far.
Senate passes Anti-Money Laundering bill unanimously
ISLAMABAD Nov 13 (APP) Senate on Friday passed unanimously a bill to
amend the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2010 [The Anti-Money Laundering
(Amendment bill), 2015].
NAB pursuing zero tolerance policy to eradicate corruption: Acting Chief
ISLAMABAD, Nov 13 (APP): National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has adopted zero tolerance policy across the board to eradicate corruption by using all its resources, Acting Chairman, National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Muhammad Imtiaz Tajwar said.
He said this while addressing a workshop on Fraud Awareness
and Prevention in USAID funded projects, organized by USAID and
Transparency International here on Friday.
He said under chairmanship of Qamar Zaman Chaudhry, NAB drives
its legal mandate from National Accountability (NAB) Ordinance 1999
which authorizes NAB to take cognizance of acts constituting the
offence of corruption and corrupt practices.
The NAO, he said, is providing effective measures for
detection, investigation, prosecution and disposal of cases
involving corruption, corrupt practices, misuse of authority,
misappropriation of property and taking of kickbacks and
commissions.
Considering huge amount spent on public procurement
expenditure, the Acting Chairman said, it has turned to be
a strategic planning activity from a mere operational decision
making. It is considered as an important tool for poverty
alleviation and aid effectiveness, he said, adding that this
overall planning ensures social, political and economic development
of the country.
Imtiaz Tajwar said Pakistan realized way back in year 2002
that corruption in public procurement and contracting is a serious
impediment to efficient and effective utilization of resources.
The government, he said, implemented one of the Reports’ key
recommendations, by creating the Public Procurement Regulatory
Authority (PPRA) in May 2002 to serve as repository of procurement
expertise.
NAB takes cognizance of cases of mis-procurement under section
9 of NAO 1999.
With regard to violation of procurement rules, necessary
instructions have been issued to concerned departments to make the
procurement processes transparent.
Earlier, in their address, Dan Altman of USAID, John Graarke,
Mission Director, USAID and Saad Rashid, Executive Director,
Transparency International (TI) said they have signed a five-year
cooperative agreement for “Anti-Fraud Hotline” Project.
The objective of the project is to ensure transparency and
prevention of fraud, wastage and proper utilization of aid provided
by USAID.
Govt must provide protection to labourers: AWP
ISLAMABAD, Nov 13 (APP): Federal and Provincial government must provide the proper protection to labourers throughout the country.
WAPDA organises session on water security issues
PESHAWAR, Nov 13 (APP): Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has organised the 5th Consultative Session on Water Security Issues here, in line with the directive of the Prime Minister.
Malaysian ambassador urges for enhancing people to people contact
ISLAMABAD, Nov 13 (APP): Amabassador of Malaysia to Pakistan, Dr Hasrul Sani Mujtabar said on Friday that both Pakistan and Malaysia believe in unity, diversity and tolerance as both have historical identity and rich biodiversity of flora and fauna.
Tahir Zaman hopes improved performance by juniors in Asia Cup
ISLAMABAD, Nov 13 (APP): Pakistan junior team coach Tahir Zaman is
optimistic that his Under-21 team will do well in Asia Cup, especially
after playing several test matches against Pakistan Whites recently.
Pakistan juniors, who performed poorly in the Sultan of Johor
invitational event, held in Malaysia last month must be among the top three nations in the Junior Asia Cup to qualify for Junior World Cup.Being the host, India has already qualified for the event.Junior Asia Cup which starts on Saturday in Kuantan.
“The matches in Johor Baru were the first for many in my young squad …
the six games (in the Sultan of Johor Cup) helped the players to know where they stand. We went back home and had another four matches with our senior side … these matches have been very useful,” Tahir, who is in Malaysia with junior hockey team for Asia Cup was quoted as saying by Malaysian website www.thestar.com on Friday.
“We’ve got the structure, now it’s all about putting them into
practice and perform.”Pakistan reached in Kuantan on Tuesday and had a game with China on Wednesday.
Although they lost 2-1, Tahir was happy that they had a chance to
acclimatise to the conditions in Kuantan.
He said Pakistan had two targets. “The first is to qualify for the
Junior World Cup (in New Delhi, India, next year). Once we’ve achieved that, we’ll look at regaining the Junior Asia Cup,” he added.
The coach also believed that new skipper Ahmad Shakeel Butt could use
his experience to guide the younger players.
“Ahmad was not available for the Johor tournament. His return is a major
boost as he is a very experienced player. Like Mohamed Dilber, he is a member of the senior team”.
“The changes to the team have been minimal. This will allow us to have
greater experience in the side and they will be in a better position to understand our style of play.”
Besides Ahmad, the other two new players in the team are Mohamed Adnan
and Mohamed Adnan Anwar. The three players from the Sultan of Johor Cup dropped are Shah Faisal Shah, Mohammad Naveed and Sikandar Mustafa.
Pakistan are in Group B with South Korea, Oman and Bangladesh. Group A
comprises Malaysia, India, Japan and China.
Pakistan will start their campaign against Bangladesh.”The group phase
is not that important, but we’d like to finish in the top two so that we can have an easier quarter-final,” said Tahir.
“Under this format, all the teams will make the quarter-finals. So, that
one quarter-final match is the cruncher. A win will take us through to the Junior World Cup. It’s the same with all teams”.