ISLAMABAD, Jan 4 (APP): Light rain with light snowfall over the hills is expected at isolated places in Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir and its adjoining areas in next 24 hours.
Amateur artisans learn art of Block Printing
ISLAMABAD, Jan 4 (APP): As many as 50 amateur artisans and students started the training of Block Printing here Monday to learn the art from masters in the filed at National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage, Lok Virsa.
Arif Lohar starts production of video album
LAHORE, Jan 3 (APP): Famous folk singer Arif Lohar has started production of video album of 10 songs.
Earthquake jolts different cities
ISLAMABAD, Jan 2 (APP): An earthquake on Saturday jolted
Swat, Peshawar, Lahore, and adjoining areas with an intensity of 5.8 on Richer scale.
Met office reported that the epicenter of the earthquake
was in Hindu Kush Region of Afghanistan, with a depth of 175 Km.
The jolts were reported from Swat, Lower Deer, Peshawar,
Chitral, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Shaikhupura, Chinyot, Muzaffarabad, MuzaffarGarh, Noshera, Attock , Hangu, Dina, Shangla and adjoining areas.
Comedian Rangeela remembered on birth anniversary
ISLAMABAD, Jan 1 (APP): Saeed Khan Rangeela, one of the finest comedians of Pakistan film industry’s history was remembered Friday on the occasion of his birth anniversary.
Rangeela was not only a superb comedian; he was also an intellectual who knew the art of film-making inside-out. He was an actor, director, producer, writer and singer at the same time.
Born on January 1, 1937, Mohammad Saeed Khan he moved to Lahore at a young age in order to find work. In the early days of his career in Lahore, Rangeela painted billboards of the movies. But fate had some other perks lined up for him. One day, when a comedian was absent from the set, Rangeela was called upon to play his part and that he did with ease, leaving everyone on the set wondering.
However, his career formally started at the age of 21 from a
Punjabi feature film Jatti. Rangeela started to do comedy roles after this movie and soon became one of the most sought after comedians in the Lollywood. His funny faces, awkward gestures and hilarious dialogues made him a star. People started copying his style in public.
In 1958, Rangeela decided to start directing movies. His first
directorial was `Diya aur Toofaan’ that was released in 1969.
The song `Gaa Mere Manwa Gaata Ja Re’ is still fresh in the
memories of the music-lovers. The song was sung by Rangeela himself and it featured in Diya aur Toofaan.
Later he formed Rangeela Productions to produce his own
movies. He not only produced films but also directed his
productions, sang songs, and wrote some scripts as well.
His movies, to the surprise of many film industry stalwarts, attracted a large number of viewers. He directed numerous movies under the banner of Rangeela Productions. He died on May 24,2005 in Lahore.
PM announces Voluntary Tax Filing Scheme for traders
ISLAMABAD, Jan 1 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz
Sharif Friday announced a Voluntary Tax Filing Scheme for the traders and said it would help increase revenues and take the country forward on path of progress and development.
Addressing a large gathering here at the Prime
Minister’s Office to launch the Voluntary Tax Filing Scheme by
the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), he said the scheme would prove as a new positive era of close collaboration between FBR and trading community.
The Prime Minister lauded the resolution of a long-
standing dispute between the government and the different
trade bodies over the issue of taxation and said all the
stakeholders who played a part in the matter, deserved
appreciation.
He said the congenial atmosphere developed would help
take the country forward on the path of progress and
prosperity.
He said good government-trader ties would help end
poverty, counter terrorism, create employment and bring peace across the country, particularly in the country’s nerve centre of Karachi.
He said his government took head-on the major challenges
when it took over in 2013 and added that various sectors
resultantly witnessed a sea change.
He said there was a need to make progress in all areas
may it be the shortage of electricity and natural gas, road
infrastructure, poor economy, terrorism, or relations with
India and Afghanistan.
Prime Minister Sharif said his government believed in
addressing the issues with a spirit of tolerance,
understanding and statesmanship, so as to help take the
country forward on the path of development.
He said a nation which addresses all issues with
consensus, can achieve the most difficult of tasks.
The Prime Minister said his government believed that
taxes need to be brought down to a level, where the trading
community feel comfortable and encouraged to play their part in national development.
Prime Minister Sharif said his government believed in
addressing all issues with transparency and cited the example of setting of three new power plants that would cost only Rs 60 billion, against their stipulated cost of Rs 100 billion.
He said he was proud that the national exchequer managed
to save precious Rs 40 billion that would be spent on other
development projects. He said a number of power projects
were being setup that would help the country meet its energy shortage.
The prime minister also directed the Chairman FBR to
direct his staff to ensure that no person was pressurised
unjustifiably and the taxpayers are treated with respect to
encourage the people pay their taxes.
He said he was pleased to announce the tax amnesty
scheme for the trading community on the first day of 2016 and urged all to play their part in nation building.
The representatives of traders community presented a
gold medal to the Prime Minister for taking personal interest
in amicably resolving the issue of taxation between the
government and traders.
PAL to organise Int’l conference on language, literature, society
ISLAMABAD, Jan 1 (APP): Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) would organise a five-day International Conference on “Language, Literature and Society” (ICLLS) from March 2 to 6 in Islamabad.
The Academy would organize the conference in collaboration with Universities under the supervision of Chairman PAL Prof. Dr. M. Qasim Bughio.
The purpose of the said conference is to explore the contribution of literature and academia in bringing about positive changes in the society.
Writers, linguists, research scholars and academics from across the globe will participate in the said conference to exchange their research work and
developments in the field.
The conference aims to deepen understanding of contemporary literature being produced in context of peace building and social development of different countries around the globe.
The conference will bring together academics, researchers and scholars in the domain of interest. The interested candidates are invited from all over the world to present oral presentations, poster presentations and panel discussions at our conference.
Organizing Committee, ICLLS also announced its call for Papers for 5-day International Conference on “Language, Literature and Society” (ICLLS ). The main goal of the conference is to seek and explore new and innovative trends and challenges of research in Language and Literature across the world and its impact on society.
Pakistan Academy of Letters aims to develop academic relationship among the world researchers by providing the premier interdisciplinary forum for national and international researches of different backgrounds and languages.
The Conference will promote studies in the field of languages,
linguistics and society and will serve as an international forum for researchers, scholars, educators, practitioners, postgraduate students and experts in relevant fields to exchange ideas, research results and good practices.
COAS visits Makran Division: reviews progress on CPEC projects
RAWALPINDI, Jan 1 (APP): Chief Of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Friday visited Turbat, Talar and Gawadar and reviewed progress of projects being constructed by Army Engineers as part of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
COAS was briefed in detail about the law and order situation in Balochistan particularly in Makran division and progress on the ongoing development projects, said an ISPR press release issued here.
He was told that overall security situation in Makran division had improved, and graph of militancy had declined considerably. COAS paid rich tributes to Shuhada of Army, other Law enforcement agencies and civilians who laid down their lives for security and development of the area.
He expressed satisfaction over steps being taken for restoration of peace in Makran Division and directed all concerned to take stringent security measures for the security of engineers and labourers, particularly for Chinese nationals working on Gwadar Port and other projects.
While highlighting the importance of under construction projects linked with the CPEC and Gawadar Port, COAS said all possible measures in coordination with civil government would be taken to make Gwadar a safe city for local and foreign investors.
He said these projects will transform the lives of people of Pakistan particularly Balochistan and bring prosperity to the region. COAS appreciated army troops engaged in
various development works particularly FWO for their untiring efforts and sacrifices in construction of a vast road network across the length and breadth of Balochistan, against all odds, at an amazing pace.
Interacting with local elders, COAS also paid rich tributes to the proud and valiant people of Balochistan and thanked them for their unconditional cooperation and support for development projects, assuring them that they will be best served by these projects. COAS emphasized that the potential of Balochistan as a regional hub for trade in goods
and energy will only be realized with a whole of nation approach for its security and development.
Commending Army, FC and other Law Enforcement Agencies for extra ordinary efforts for security, COAS said completion of these projects is directly linked with law and order situation of the Province and vowed that the armed forces will take all necessary actions to help bring back normalcy.
VTCS to promote tax culture, strengthen economy: Ishaq Dar
ISLAMABAD, Jan 1 (APP): Federal Minister for Finance Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Friday said Voluntary Tax Compliance Scheme (VTCS) would promote tax
culture to expand tax net and further strengthen the national economy.
“VTCS was finalized on last week with the consultation of traders belong to various political parties and they (traders) appreciated the scheme which help in facilitating the traders and business community,” he said while talking to a news channel.
Ishaq Dar said it would be implemented after approval of the parliament with aimed to include those were not paying taxes.
He congratulated parliamentarians, FBR team and leadership of traders for holding marathon sessions over last 5 months to finalize it.
Commenting on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s opposition of VTCS, he said it was sorrowful as some elements were misinterpreting the tax scheme without reading it.
“Many PTI members acknowledged VTCS and told me to present it in the parliament for implementation,” he added.
The minister urged PTI leaders to come forward and play positive role in the country and do not waste their time in baseless issues.
National Health Programme, PM’s new year gift for poor: Pervaiz Rashid
ISLAMABAD, Jan 1 (APP): Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid on Friday said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s National Health Programme was a gift for the country’s poor living below poverty line.
Addressing a joint press conference along with Minister of State for Health Services Saira Afzal Tarar here he said that 2015 was year of political stability and the government launched several public welfare projects, including National Health Insurance Scheme, upgradation of public sector schools scheme and a modern public transport system.
He said that in 2014 some elements tried to
create political anarchy, but the government foiled the conspiracy by showing extreme patience and tolerance and
consequently political stability was restored in the country, economy was put on revival path and law and order improved.
He said that due to effective steps of the government, ailing economy was revived, long neglected social sector was paid attention, efforts were started to improve relations with the regional countries to ensure peace and stability. He said that in the new year more political stability would come to Pakistan, economy would take off, and peace in
the region would bring prosperity for all.
He said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz in its manifesto before 2013 general election had promised that with the collaboration of private sector better health facilities would be introduced and medicines would be provided at concessional rates. However he said the government had
done more in the National Health Programme than what was promised in the manifesto.
He said that in the party manifesto it was promised that Rs 150,000 insurance cover would be given per family but now the amount had been doubled and Rs 300,000 medical cover was being given to each family in the selected districts. Moreover, he said it was promised that medicines
would be provided on concessional rates but now free of charge medicines would be provided under the National Health Programme.
Wishing happy new year to entire nation he prayed may 2016 prove as the year of peace and happiness for all Pakistanis and the entire world.
In 2015 the government took several initiatives in the social sector including health and education, he said adding that those who do not have resources for medical treatment would benefit from the scheme.
Elaborating the government steps in social sector, he said that the Prime Minister also announced upgradation of public sector schools in federal capital territory. Moreover he said that the government introduced a respectable mode of communication for the residents of the twin cities, Rawalpindi and Islamabad, through which they could go to
schools, universities, offices, businesses, hospitals etc.
The newly launched transport system, he said, could be compared to luxury cars as far as facilities were concerned.
He said that during 2015,the federal government launched several mega projects, completion of which would help improve living standard of the people.
He said that without electricity, gas and a modern network of motorways and highways, the country could not make progress, and the government was focusing on these areas.
When the national income would increase, the life standard of the people would increase, he said adding that it was philosophy of the PML-N government and vision of the Prime Minister.
To a question about printing of the pictures of Prime Minister on the banners of newly launched National Health Programme, he said that it was not being done for personal publicity of the Prime Minister, rather it was done so that the institutions should realize importance of the project.