ISLAMABAD, Feb 1 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Monday, terming the national resolve to fight terrorism and extremism as “unflinching”, said every effort would be made to root it out from every nook and cranny of the country. “Those threatening our kids from going to schools, will be defeated,” the Prime Minister remarked at a high-level meeting held to review the implementation of National Action Plan (NAP). The meeting was briefed about different stages of the implementation of NAP across the country.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 1 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Monday appreciated the role of Pakistan Navy with regard to the national defence. He said the government would take all possible steps to further strengthen the Pakistan Navy. He was talking to Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah, who called on him at the PM House. The Naval Chief apprised the Prime Minister on matters pertaining to Pakistan Navy including its professional preparedness, said a press release.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 1 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Monday extended the Essential Services Maintenance Act 1952 to Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) for six months. According to a statement from the PM’s Office, the Prime Minister approved the summary of the Aviation Division. The PIA employees had announced a strike against the proposed privatization of the national flag carrier from Feb 2.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 1 (APP): Minister for Information,Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid Monday said the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML N) government had revived PIA during the last two and a half years. Talking to reporters after inaugurating the 4th Art and Cultural Exhibition here at Lok Virsa, being held to commemorate the 37th anniversary of Iranian revolution, he said the PIA losses had touched Rs 30 billion mark in 2013, and the government during its tenure had improved its health.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 1 (APP): Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Monday said issuance of new notification in next few days, will give a strong and positive message about Karachi operation. He said said powers of Rangers Sindh regarding anti terrorism operation, were due to end in four days and it would be appropriate that a new notification was issued with mutual consultation in the next few days. The minister was talking to Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah on phone after a high level meeting.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 1 (APP): Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi Monday underlined the need to further enhance intellectual exchanges and linkages between the academics and researchers of the two countries. He said this in his meeting with Cai Fang the Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) in Beijing, said a press release received here. Both sides also discussed ways and means to evolving an effective mechanism for enhancing regular exchanges of academia and research scholars.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 1 (APP): Minister for Finance, Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar on Monday reached Dubai to participate in 10th review talks between Pakistan and International Monetary Fund (IMF).According to official sources in the Ministry of Finance, Pak-IMF talks are in progress at Dubai and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has joined his team for leading the talks.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 1 (APP): Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastagir Khan on Monday said that the government would establish Pharmaceutical Export Development Council (PEDC) to boost its exports. “The PEDC will comprise representatives from ministries of Industries and Production, Commerce and Health Regulation,” he said while talking to a delegation of Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Association which called on him here.

WASHINGTON, Feb, 1 (APP): Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will attend the Nuclear Security Summit being held in Washington on March 31- April 1, at the invitation of US President Barack Obama. Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry travelled to San Francisco this week where he attended a preparatory conference that discussed procedural matters relating to the summit, which will be attended by the heads of government and states of 35
to 45 countries. Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US, Jalil Abbas Jilani also attended the preparatory meeting.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 1 (APP): Pakistan Railways has leased out 1556 acre land in Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through fair and transparent method during last two years to earn more revenue.Pakistan Railways has collected an amount of Rs. 366.58 million from the leases so far, a senior official in the Ministry of Railways told APP. The land was leased out though advertisement in the newspapers to ensure transparency and though auction process, the official added.