ISLAMABAD, Dec 15 (APP): Minister for States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) Abdul Qadir Baloch on Tuesday informed the National Assembly that Rs 5 billion have been released to the Reconstruction Rehabilitation Units (RRUs) for tribesmen whose houses were destroyed and damaged during military operation in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
PM urges SCO members to collectively confront challenges of extremism, terrorism
By Muhammad Ilyas Khan
ZHENGZHOUS (China), Dec.15 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Tuesday urged the SCO members to join forces and develop comprehensive strategies to collectively confront the challenges of extremism and terrorism.
Anusha receives top U.N. award, vows to step up efforts for women empowerment
NEW YORK, Dec 15 (APP): Pakistan’s Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunications Anusha Rehman Khan Monday evening received a prestigious U.N. prize, known as “GEM-TECH Global Achievers” award, with the pledge to continue her work for the cause of women empowerment through technology.
“I dedicate this award to the people of Pakistan, specially the young girls and women of my country,” she said at an impressive ceremony at New York’s Civic Centre.
The event was held jointly by two United Nations bodies—UN Women and International Telecommunications Union (ITU) — on the sidelines of a high-level session of the U.N. General Assembly aimed at narrowing the digital divide and harnessing the power of information technology.
The award was conferred on Mrs. Rehman Khan in recognition of her work on the development of the ICTs and, especially the practical initiatives for the cause of women and girls.
Handing over the awards were Malcolm Johnson, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Standardization Bureau and Lakshmi Puri, Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations and Deputy Executive Director of UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women.
Organizers said 150 individuals and organizations from 55 countries were nominated for the award. The selection process was difficult, but finally Anusha Rehman Khan was among the three winners, they said.
The two others were: U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mission in Geneva, Ambassador Pamela Hamamoto and Nancy Hafkin of the United States, a champion of gender equality.
Three organizations dedicated to women’s empowerment, one a global body and two others from Thailand and Senegal also won awards.
“Today I stand here as one of the millions of emancipated women of Pakistan who undoubtedly if provided the right opportunities are capable of rising to any level of success,” the minister told the large and distinguished audience.
“I would not have been here if it were not for the confidence and opportunity provided by my political leadership.Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Finance Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar provided me a platform to deliver on our collective dreams for the people of Pakistan,” she said.
“There are billions of women who, if provided the right opportunities, have the potential contribute to the achievement of the ambitious global development agenda that the nations have collectively set for themselves.”
The Minister’s initiatives of direct significance include technical ICT skill development and capacity building program particularly for disadvantaged women from the lowest strata of the society to enable self employment opportunities for them. In her special initiative for Girls, she said the Ministry of Information Technology (MoIT) has partnered with Microsoft Corporation to increase access for all girls particularly those extremely disadvantaged, to learn computer and communication skills.
Besides, the bedrock component for improving digital literacy of young girls particularly focused trainings will be delivered to these girls, at purpose specific facilities and infrastructure being funded by the Universal Services Fund (USF), for commercially relevant certification in software coding and simple application development through intuitive and simple and non-complex interface.
This programme, which in its inaugural year 2016 will enable economic opportunity for thousands of girls every year, and will be replicated for hundreds and thousands of youth and women through institutionalization in more 500 purpose built Telecenters also being launched by the USF program in the next two years through Public Private Partnership with the industry through a subsidy funding, the minister said.
PAC refers case of imported vehicles irregular procurement to NAB
ISLAMABAD, Dec 14 (APP): The Sub-Committee of the Public Accounts Committee on Monday directed the Secretary Planning and Development Division to refer the case of irregular expenditure on procurement of imported vehicles to the National Accountability Bureau for an inquiry within 15 days.
The Committee also asked the NAB to inquire the matter and submit report to the PAC within three months as around Rs 85.71 million was spent on the purchase of vehicles.
The meeting of the Sub-Committee was held under the chairmanship of Ashiq Hussain Gopang at Parliament House and reviewed the audit paras of Planning and Development Division and Ministry of Kashmir Affairs for the fiscal year of 2007-8.
During the meeting, Director General Audit informed the committee that the National Logistic Cell imported 86 vehicles which include six Land Cruisers, 38 Double Cabin Toyota and 42 Single Cabin Toyota) during 2006-07, out of Government of Punjab Funds, placed at the disposal of NLC for Education and Health Sectors and Reforms Projects.
Audit found the expenditure of Rs 85.71 million incurred on the import of foreign vehicles was incurred irregular, he added.
To this, Ashiq Hussain observed displeasure and remarked that the case had been referred to NAB in 2012 but it seems that the department was not complying on directives of the PAC.
To this, General Manager Procurement of NLC apprised the committee that the department had requirement of more than 120 vehicles and that was the reason to import.
Ashiq Hussain, observed that vehicles were imported in violation of prescribed rules and regulations added that the committee had no reservation on import but rules should be followed.
Senate panel for creation of consensus on journalists protection,welfare bill
ISLAMABAD, Dec 14 (APP): A sub-committee of the Senate
Standing Committee on Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage (IBHN)Monday examining the bill related to protection of journalists and their welfare decided to try to create consensus among the stakeholders.
The meeting chaired by Senator Mushahidullah Khan, its convener decided to extend invitation to All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS),Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) and Council of Newspapers Editors (CPNE) and the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) for its next meeting.
The meeting was held here to examine the bill titled ‘The journalists protection and Welfare Bill 2011’.
The meeting was also attended by Senator Rubina Khalid, the member and Raja Zafarul Haq, one of the 22 movers of the bill.
Secretary IBNH, Saba Mohsin Raza said that the government was serious and sincere in taking practical steps to provide protection to the media houses and working journalists.
She said that recently Minister for Information, Broadcsting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid wrote a letter to the chief ministers of the four provinces for providing security to media houses and journalists in their respective
provinces.
Moreover she said that the meeting of the committee on journalsits security headed by the Minister for Information and Broadcasting would be held soon after his return from official visit abroad.
The sub-committee was informed that summery had been moved for appointment of Chairman 8th Wage Board Award and his name would be notified after approval by the competent authority.
The committee asked the government to expedite the process for appointment of the Chairman of 8th Wage Board Award.
The sub-committee was also given a briefing about the steps taken by the present government for protecting the media houses and journalists.
The sub-committee asked the ministry to point out those clauses of the draft bill which were related to the proprietaries of the media houses as it was mutual responsibility of the government and the owners to ensure safer working environment to the journalists.
Leader of the House Raja Zafrul Haq said that the bill was
moved in 2011 when situation was very bad adding that,now with the passage of time overall security situation had improved.
He said the second part of the bill was related to welfare of the media persons and implementation of wage board award was one of such issues.
He urged the media houses to play their due role in provision of security to media.
The committee was informed that after adoptation of 18th amendment, issued related to Wage Board and security of the media were devolved to the provinces.
However the committee opined that as per law, federal laws were applicable till the provinces did the their own legislation.
The ministry officials told the committee that security audit of 34 media houses had been done and most of them had been provided panic button facility for any emergency situation.
Moreover the security guards have been trained how to deal with emergency situations.
Similar facilities have been provided to media houses in all four provincial capitals of the provinces and the same will be expanded to other cities.
The committee was informed that the ministry had requested for Rs 224 million grant for creating endowment fund for the journalists.
The committee recommended that the funds should be released as early as possible.
Earlier President PFUJ Afzal Butt said that the media persons had high expectations with this sub-committee and expressed the hope something tangible would come out of its deliberations.
He appreciated Minister for IBNH Senator Pervaiz Rashid for sending the summery to PM House for approval of the name of Chairman Wage Board Award despite APNS did not name its representatives.
SMEDA to open its regional offices in Gilgit, AJK, FATA
ISLAMABAD, Dec 14 (APP): Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (SMEDA) will open its regional offices in Gilgit Baltistan, Azad Kashmir and Federally Administrative Tribal Areas (FATA) in order to extend its out reach to under served areas of the country.
ICC announces third round schedule of ICC Int’l Cup, WCL C’ship
ISLAMABAD, Dec 14 (APP): The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced third round schedule of the ICC Intercontinental Cup and ICC World Cricket League Championship.
Ireland is undefeated in the Intercontinental Cup with a maximum of 40 points from its victories over UAE and Namibia after round two of seven.
They stand 14 points clear of the Netherlands in second place, with Afghanistan five points back in third place on 21 points. Hong Kong will face Scotland, while UAE play host to the Netherlands (21-24 January) before leaders Ireland travel to face Papua New Guinea in round three of the tournament in Townsville, Australia (January 31-February 3), said a ICC press release issued on Monday.
The winners of the ICC Intercontinental Cup will qualify for the ICC Test Challenge, which will be played against the 10th-ranked Test side on a home and away basis in 2018.
If the ICC Intercontinental Cup winner wins the four-match ICC Test Challenge, then it will secure Test status until the next edition, which will take place in 2022.
Meanwhile, there is a four-way tie at the top of the ICC World Cricket League Championship between Hong Kong, Kenya, Netherlands and Scotland, who are all on six points after four games.
The top four sides of a total of eight participating in the competition will progress to the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier, which will be held in Bangladesh in 2018.
Two wet spells likely during last week of December
LAHORE, Dec 14 (APP): Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast normal rainfall in all over the country between December and February and predicted two wet spells during next 15 days.
According to a spokesman of the PMD, on the basis of
prevailing global atmospheric and ocean conditions, more than 20 percent above normal snowfall is likely over the hills of Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir and upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa during the season.
Dry and cold weather conditions are likely to prevail in most parts of the country during the current month while two wet spells of light to moderate precipitation are expected at isolated places of KP, Upper Punjab, GB and Kashmir during fourth week of December.
Dense foggy weather conditions, with 3-4 spells, likely to start in plain areas of Punjab, central & lower parts of KP and upper parts of Sindh from third week of December resulting low sunshine, he informed.
US forces fighting Taliban to save parts of Helmand province: NYT
NEW YORK, Dec 14 (APP): American Special Operations forces have secretly taken a “more central role” in the fighting to save crucial areas of Afghanistan’s Helmand province from falling to the Taliban, The New York Times reported Monday.
AFP constitutes committee for promotion of athletics
ISLAMABAD, Dec 14 (APP): The Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) has constituted a committee for the promotion of athletics in the country.