GILGIT, Dec 20 (APP): Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Marvi Memon on Sunday said a special committee has been constituted to provide legal rights to people of Gilgit Baltistan (GB).
Addressing BISP beneficiaries here she said that Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has tasked Sartaj Aziz to supervise the committee which would work out recommendations for protecting legal rights of the people of the region according to their aspirations.
She also lauded GB government for taking proactive steps for the development and prosperity of the region.
She said the present government was taking maximum measures for the development and promoting the culture of the GB.
Marvi said the BISP served as social safety net and leading upholding self-respect the respect of people. The literacy rate in the region was encouraging but there was always a room for improvement as a number of children are still deprived of education.
She said those women who have not yet got the money under the BISP should check their particulars with the nearby designated offices to avail the facility.
She said on the directions of the Prime Minister, the government would give interest-free loans to the 24,000 women in GB.
She asked the women to properly utilize the money they got under the BISP programme for better nutrition of their children besides spending it on households.
Provincial Minister for Works Dr Iqbal appreciated the BISP chairperson for taking interest in provision of relief to the poor.
He said she had always worked for the welfare of the underdeveloped areas, adding the BISP would go a long way in empowering womenfolk.
Govt taking measures for development of GB: Marvi
No plans to privatize PIA – Ishaq Dar
ISLAMABAD, Dec 20 (APP): Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar Sunday said the PML-N government has no plans whatsoever to privatize the national flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
He said the government, in fact, only intends to seek a strategic partner for the airline and added efforts would be made to invite credible and reputed international strategic partners to the extent of 26%, in only the core business of PIA.
The process of selecting the strategic partners would be carried out ensuring complete transparency, he said in a statement issued here.
The Finance Minister said there will be no layoffs in PIA and the employees would continue their jobs and careers without any change in their normal terms and conditions of employment.
He said even if a strategic partner for the airline could not be found, the government remained committed to ensuring that PIA regained its lost glory in the shortest possible time.
The PML-N government, the Minister emphasized, actually initiated the restructuring exercise for PIA immediately after assuming office in June 2013.
As a result of government’s efforts, there has been a visible improvement in the overall working of the airline, he added.
He said number of operational aircraft available with PIA has increased from 18 in June 2013 to 38 at present. This figure will rise to 40 by the end of this month, he added.
Similarly, the average aircraft age has been reduced from 14 years to 9 years and the government is aiming to bring it further down to 6 years, he said.
In addition, he said, the on-time performance of PIA has improved to 82% which is comparable with the top Middle Eastern airlines.
He said the Ordinance issued by Government recently was aimed at freeing the PIA management from government control and enabling it to take its decisions promptly and independently in a transparent manner in the best interests of the company and ensuring early implementation of those decisions.
As the same time, conversion of PIA from a corporation to a company will ensure higher protection to all shareholders which will increase investor confidence, leading to higher investment in the company, he added.
PIA, he said, will now follow the Code of Corporate Governance which will help create a better environment for the management by reducing legal problems and chances of fraud.
All this will ultimately lead to availability of better human resource and healthier financial position, thereby ensuring more aircraft, more routes and better services for PIA’s customers.
The Minister reiterated that, with concerted efforts, PIA will Inshallah, regain its past glory.
He also expressed the confidence that all its employees would put in their best to help ensure that PIA achieved international service standards.
Interior Minister takes notice of airlifting Australian cricketer without visa
ISLAMABAD, Dec 20 (APP): Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan Sunday directed to take action against Emirates Airlines for airlifting of an Australian
cricketer Dean Jones to Pakistan without visa.
The minister said all the international airlines should ensure to
follow the concerned laws as Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was also bound to observe these laws while flying to other countries, says a press release.
He rejected the mis-perception that Interior ministry could allow any foreigner to travel Pakistan without having visa documents.
He said everyone who was willing to travel to Pakistan or any international airlines shall obey the state and international travel laws for flying to Pakistan.
“Gone were the days, when the laws were violated, but now, the laws, sovereignty and respect of the country would be upheld, at any cost.”
Meanwhile, the minister also took notice of travelling of a lady from Lahore to Dubai with the passport of her son.
He said the responsible officers of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has been dismissed after an inquiry.
Nisar said it should also be ensured that if the PIA staff show any kind of laxity to check travel documents of any passenger, the FIA officials should not allow the traveller to fly abroad without complete checking of his or her travel documents.
AIOU encourages youth to develop community-based projects
ISLAMABAD, Dec 20 (APP): Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) will soon hold a national exhibition providing an opportunity to young researchers to display their community-based projects comprising new invention in the field of science and technology.
Private educational institutions made education a commercial commodity
By Mudassar Iqbal
ISLAMABAD, Dec 20 (APP): The staggering increase in number of private schools and academies in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad shows that education sector has rapidly becoming one of the leading commercialized sectors of the country.
LGS unveils Islamabad United’s logo for PSL
ISLAMABAD, Dec 20 (APP): LEONINE Global Sports (LGS) on Sunday unveiled their logo for Islamabad United’s team for the first edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL), saying that it is the mark of the unity of entire country.
Dry weather forecast for Karachi
KARACHI, Dec 20 (APP): The Met Office has forecast dry weather with cool night and hazy morning for Karachi during the next 24 hours.
12th Convocation of Bahria University held at its Karachi Campus
KARACHI, Dec 20 (APP): The Bahria University Karachi held its 12th Convocation on Sunday at its Campus here.
PML-N govt committed to serve people: CM
LAHORE, Dec 20 (APP): Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday said that solid economic policies of Pakistan Muslim League-N government were yielding positive results and economy had improved.
Massive foreign investment shows success of Zarb-e-Azab, Karachi operation: LCCI chief
LAHORE, Dec 20 (APP): Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Sheikh Muhammad Arshad on Sunday said inflow of massive foreign investment in the country showed success of opeeration Zarb-e-Azab by Pakistan Army in tribal areas and Rangers’ operation in Karachi.