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PM Shehbaz committed to AJK’s development: Amir Muqam

By
Asif Jalal
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MUZAFFARABAD, Dec 04 (APP): Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and SAFRON, Engineer Amir Muqam, presided over a review meeting regarding the implementation of the agreement between the Federal Government and the Jammu & Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee.
During the meeting, a detailed assessment was conducted on the implementation of the points agreed upon between the Federal Government and the Joint Awami Action Committee. Federal Minister Amir Muqam listened to the concerns of the committee members and assured immediate implementation of the remaining points.
He said that the development of Azad Kashmir and the welfare of its people are top priorities of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. He added that the Federal Government has allocated substantial development funds for Azad Kashmir and will utilize all resources for public welfare and regional development.
The meeting was attended by Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, AJK Government Ministers Dewan Ali Khan Chughtai and Chaudhry Qasim Majeed, Secretary Kashmir Affairs Zafar Hassan, AJK Chief Secretary Khushhal Khan, and representatives of the Joint Awami Action Committee—Shaukat Nawaz Mir, Imtiaz Aslam, and Umar Nazir Kashmiri.
During the briefing, AJK Chief Secretary Khushhal Khan provided a clause-by-clause update on the progress of the agreement, stating that most of the points related to the AJK Government had been implemented, while work on matters pertaining to constitutional amendments was also underway.

Commissioner orders clean-up of vacant plots within 15 days

By
Asif Jalal
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0
FAISALABAD, Dec 04 (APP): Divisional Commissioner Raja Jahangir Anwar has directed owners and custodians of unoccupied, neglected government and private vacant plots, lands, industrial areas and offices to carry out self-cleaning and take effective steps for their proper utilization within 15 days.
He said that such abandoned and unattended places often turn into garbage dumping points, animal shelters and breeding grounds for mosquitoes which are posing serious health and environmental hazards for surrounding populations.
He urged the citizens to act as responsible members of the society and avoid negligence that could endanger public health and civic beauty.
He announced that after the expiry of 15-day grace period, the teams of Municipal Corporation Faisalabad would carry out inspections and legal action would be taken against the violators. Under the law, a fine of Rs 25,000 will be imposed on the owners and responsible persons found in violation of the directives, he warned.
The commissioner said that divisional administration is fully active in ensuring cleanliness, environmental safety and urban beautification. Strict enforcement of civic laws would continue to improve living environment for citizens and promote a culture of responsibility and order across the division, he added.

KP CM presented province’s case in NFC effectively: Shafi Jan

By
Asif Jalal
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PESHAWAR, Dec 04 (APP): Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Shafi Jan on Thursday said that CM Sohail Afridi has presented the province’s case in National Finance Commission (NFC) meeting effectively.
He said the chief minister alongwith his team, participated in the NFC meeting with full preparation and presented the province’s case effectively, logically, and strongly.
In a statement here, he said that the chief minister also raised in detail the matter of NFC shares and the outstanding payments of net hydel profit. The CM clearly expressed his concerns regarding the insufficient allocation of funds and the inadequate resources for the war against terror.
In the 11th NFC meeting, he said the chief minister demanded an increase in the share allocated for the former FATA from 1% to 3% to support its financial merger, and raising the province’s overall NFC share from 14.62 to 19.62.
The Special Assistant said the province’s rights would be strongly advocated at every forum.
Shafi Jan said it was promised to provide 100 billion rupees annually at the time of the merger of the former FATA.
Out of the promised 700 billion rupees, he said that 532 billion rupees are still outstanding.
Around 3,500 billion rupees in net hydel profit and other dues are owed to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Despite the administrative merger, the NFC share was not increased, which has severely affected the development of tribal districts.
The chief minister also demanded a reassessment of the province’s NFC share by including the population and land area of the merged districts.
The financial delays are also giving rise to law and order issues in the merged districts.
The Special Assistant said it is encouraging that both the government and the opposition in the province hold a unified stance on the NFC Award share.
He said every possible effort will be made to secure the province’s rightful financial entitlements.
He said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the province that has endured severe economic pressure due to terrorism, unrest, and natural disasters, yet despite all challenges it has always played a key role in the country’s overall development.
Shafi Jan said that the Chief Minister’s participation in the NFC meeting and the strong presentation of the province’s case is a historic moment.
Under the CM’s instructions, awareness seminars on NFC shares and the financial challenges faced by the province were also held in universities, with the aim of educating youth about provincial resources, NFC shares, and financial issues so that every segment of society can play an effective role in securing the province’s rightful financial rights.
He expressed hope that the federal government will accept the province’s demands regarding outstanding dues and other legitimate financial rights, because protecting the constitutional and financial rights of provinces is the foundation of national unity within Pakistan’s federal structure this is why the NFC Award holds central importance.

Dry ports staff strengthened; one-day examination ensured: Chief Collector

By
Asif Jalal
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0
LAHORE, Dec 04 (APP): Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Thursday praised key reforms in the customs appraisement system, including enhanced staff capacity and the successful implementation of the faceless assessment mechanism for improving efficiency and transparency.
During a meeting here at the LCCI, attended by Chief Collector Customs (Appraisement) Naveed Elahi, alongside the Chamber’s leadership and senior officials, LCCI President Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigol said that steps taken to address challenges of importers are commendable, as they have enhanced the confidence of the business community and discouraged illegal valuation practices and bribery.
He proposed that a dedicated Complaints Cell should be established at the Lahore Dry Port to ensure immediate access of business community concerns to the authorities, along with a Dispute Resolution Committee, if needed, in which LCCI is ready to participate to secure swift and effective resolution of importers’ issues.
The meeting was also attended by Collector Appraisement Faisalabad Dr. Rizwan Basharat, Collector Customs Lahore Umar Shafique, former Senior Vice President of LCCI Zafar Mahmood Chaudhry, members of the LCCI Executive Committee, and other distinguished participants.
Chief Collector Customs Naveed Elahi said that the number of examination staff at all dry ports has now been increased, enabling all checking procedures to be completed within a single day, eliminating delays and opportunities for bribery. He informed that the government has installed advanced scanners at all ports, checkpoints, and borders for complete and accurate scanning of goods to improve efficiency in transit trade. He further stated that a comprehensive strategy is being developed to prevent misuse of the Export Finance Scheme and SROs, and steps are being taken to avoid any damage to goods during checking.
President LCCI Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigol highlighted that all issues related to the faceless assessment system have now been resolved, which has made the business community satisfied. With this system in place, those who used to interfere in valuation or offered bribes for early assessment have been permanently blocked. He appreciated the role of the Chief Collector in enhancing transparency and boosting business confidence.
He added that the Lahore Chamber had earlier requested the Chairman FBR to increase the number of staff for examination in Lahore, as staff shortages caused delays in routine processing and clearance of goods, sometimes taking several days. He welcomed the approval of this request, which has resulted in timely and transparent valuation.
President LCCI further pointed out that in certain cases, genuine arguments of importers are ignored and customs officials exercise undue discretion, causing delays of 15 to 30 days. Eventually, officers admit their mistake, but during that period, the business community suffers loss through demurrage charges. He stressed that importers’ legitimate viewpoints must be recognized immediately to avoid disputes and business disruptions.
He also highlighted another major concern that customs appraisement officials should assess imported goods based on net weight instead of including packing weight, as explicitly stated in Section 25 of the Customs Act 1969. He said the current method of including unnecessary packing weight results in additional financial burden on the business community and must be corrected.

Pakistan cannot afford sedition or chaos: Salman Rafique

By
Asif Jalal
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LAHORE, Dec 04 (APP): Punjab Health Minister and Chairman Cabinet Committee on Law and Order Khawaja Salman Rafique has said that Pakistan cannot afford any form of sedition or chaos, stressing that maintaining peace and unity is essential for the country’s stability.
He expressed these views during a meeting with a delegation of scholars belonging to the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat at the Home Department on Thursday. The meeting was part of a series of consultations with religious scholars initiated on the instructions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
The discussions focused on the prevailing law and order situation and the promotion of inter-Muslim unity. Rafique said that constructive engagement with scholars is yielding positive results and helping bridge gaps between different schools of thought. “Scholars of every sect are respectable to us. These meetings provide an opportunity to understand their perspectives,” he said.
He added that the Punjab government is committed to fostering both interfaith harmony and inter-Muslim unity across the province, with the goal of ensuring lasting peace. “Making Punjab peaceful is the top priority of the government. Today, Pakistan is being recognized globally as a strong state,” he remarked.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Punjab Home Dr. Ahmed Javed Qazi said that the series of meetings with scholars is continuing as per the directives of the chief minister, emphasizing that the government values their input and sentiments.
The scholars acknowledged the importance of peace, stability, and security in the current environment and assured their full support to the Punjab government in promoting inter-Muslim unity. They also put forward recommendations for improving coordination between government institutions and the madrassa system.
Those who attended the meeting included Secretary Auqaf Socrat Aman Rana, Additional IG Operations, SSP Special Branch, SSP CTD, Chief Executive Officer Punjab Charities Commission, Additional Secretary Abdul Rauf and other officials.
The delegation of scholars was led by Nazim-e-Ala Tanzeem-e-Madaris Ahle Sunnat Pakistan Sahibzada Abdul Mustafa Hazarvi. Other members included Abdul Mustafa, Muhammad Ali, Tahir Shahzad from Jamia Nizamia Lahore; Vice President Majlis-e-Ala Nizamia Pakistan Mufti Muhammad Imran-ul-Hasan Farooqi; Mumtaz Ahmed Rabbani of Mustafai Tehreek Pakistan; President Pakistan Sunni Tehreek Ulema Board Muhammad Abdullah Saqib; Nazim-e-Ala Idara Ruhol-ul-Islam Muhammad Naeem Javed Noori; Zulfiqar Mustafa Hashmi; Ehsan Siddiqui from Darul Uloom Muhammadiya Ghousia; Pir Muhammad Hafeez Azhar of Jamaat Ahle Sunnat Shamli Lahore; and others.

Commissioner reviews RDA, HA progress; stresses timely, citizen-centred development

By
Asif Jalal
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0
RAWALPINDI, Dec 04 (APP): Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Engineer Aamir Khattak on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting at the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) to review progress on ongoing development schemes and assess key urban planning challenges, including proposed changes to the bike lane on Old Airport Road, construction of residential units for RDA officers, and upgrades to the e-Biz Portal and e-FOAS systems.
He praised RDA’s efforts across multiple initiatives and underscored the need for timely execution of projects that directly affect residents.
Delays, he cautioned, disrupt service delivery and undermine wider urban planning goals, adding that improved coordination among departments was essential for expediting public-oriented schemes.
Director General RDA Kinza Murtaza presented a detailed briefing on the progress and challenges of various projects. She highlighted the authority’s focus on adopting modern planning tools, improving transparency and ensuring high-quality standards in all development works. She described the e-Biz Portal and e-FOAS as key instruments for strengthening governance and facilitating public services.
Director General of Horticulture Agency(HA) Ahmed Hassan Ranjha also briefed the meeting on HA-led beautification works, including landscaping, greenbelt development and ongoing citywide maintenance aimed at enhancing Rawalpindi’s visual environment.
Senior RDA and PHA officials, including Director of Engineering Muhammad Anwar Baran, Chief Planner Muhammad Tahir Meo, Director of Administration Iftikhar Ali, Director of Finance Shahid Yaqoob, and Director MP&TE Atif Chaudhry, attended the meeting.
Participants reaffirmed their commitment to stronger interdepartmental coordination, efficient project delivery and continued improvements in public services for the city’s development.

WPC launches public awareness drive through rickshaw banners

By
Asif Jalal
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0
FAISALABAD, Dec 04 (APP): Women Protection Center (WPC) Faisalabad has accelerated efforts to safeguard women’s rights and promote positive change in public attitudes to protect women from violence, with innovative awareness tools now being actively utilized across the city.
Women Protection Officer Madam Kanwal Shehzadi said here on Thursday that awareness banners have been displayed on the back of rickshaws prominently to reach a wider segment of the public in busy urban areas.
The initiative aims to sensitize citizens about women’s rights, intolerance towards violence and need for social responsibility in ensuring safety and dignity for women, she added.
She said that daily events are being organized under the ongoing 16 Days of Activism celebrations to keep the momentum of awareness alive. These activities included community outreach, information dissemination and public engagement to strengthen collective efforts against gender-based violence, she added.
She said that changing societal behavior is key objective of the campaign and continuous awareness through visible platforms like public transport is proving to be an effective tool.
The Women Protection Center would continue its mission to empower women, protect their legal rights and ensure that every woman feels safe and supported in her community, she added.

MWMC accelerates monitoring, operations to improve cleanliness, says CEO

By
Asif Jalal
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MULTAN, Dec 04 (APP): The Multan Waste Management Company (MWMC) has embarked on extensive monitoring and operational activities to upgrade the city’s sanitation network and bring it in line with modern urban standards.
This was stated by MWMC Chief Executive Officer Abid Hussain Bhatti during an inspection visit to several areas of the city on Thursday.
He said that the company has launched strict monitoring of contractors to ensure effective and timely sanitation services. To enhance cleanliness in densely populated and high-traffic zones, two-shift washing operations have begun in commercial markets, business centers, and major roadways.
The CEO MWMC stated that the mechanical sweepers and water bowsers are actively washing the city’s main corridors, significantly improving the urban environment and contributing to a healthier atmosphere for residents. During his visit, the CEO reviewed cleanup activities involving heavy machinery, including the removal of garbage heaps, construction debris, and other waste materials.
He maintained that washing operations using detergents are underway in congested neighborhoods, alongside a fast-paced cleanup drive. He also distributed awareness pamphlets at commercial sites and appealed to traders and civil society to support the city’s cleanliness efforts by avoiding littering on streets.
The CEO emphasized that citizens cooperation is essential to achieve the target of a waste-free city. He further revealed that a smart waste collection plan has been implemented to ensure timely removal of garbage from residential and central areas.
Meanwhile, the upgradation of waste enclosures and landfill sites is also progressing rapidly, a move expected to significantly strengthen the city’s overall sanitation system, the CEO added.

AFD mission reviews progress of French Project Phase-II

By
Asif Jalal
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0
FAISALABAD, Dec 04 (APP): A two-member mission of the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) held a detailed meeting with Managing Director of Water & Sanitation Agency (WASA) Faisalabad Sohail Qadir Cheema and reviewed the progress of French Project Phase-II for strengthening water supply infrastructure of the city.
Project Director and Deputy Managing Director Engineering Saqib Raza were also present in the meeting.
The AFD mission, comprised Task Team Leader Phillips and Urban Development Expert Ehsan Paracha, visited Faisalabad to assess the on-ground progress of the project.
The AFD delegation also inspected the French Water Treatment Plant project site and reviewed the pace and quality of construction work carried out so far.
During briefing, the WASA Managing Director informed the mission that construction activities under French Project Phase-II are progressing strictly in accordance with the approved timeline while challenges faced during implementation are being addressed promptly on a priority basis.
He said that both the project consultant and contractor are fully on board and that no compromise would be made on construction standards and quality.
Emphasizing significance of the project, Sohail Qadir Cheema said that the 30-million-gallon-per-day water supply project is of vital importance for the residents of Faisalabad. Upon completion, it would provide safe drinking water to more than 600,000 people, he added.
The AFD mission also held separate meetings with the project consultants and contractors and reviewed their performance and set future targets to ensure timely and efficient completion of the project.

CPSC hosts fifth working session of Islamabad Conclave 2025

By
Asif Jalal
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0
ISLAMABAD, Dec 04 (APP): China-Pakistan Study Centre (CPSC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) organized the fifth working session of the Islamabad Conclave 2025 titled “Regional Connectivity in South Asia: Multilateral Pathways for Collective Growth”.
The session brought together an esteemed panel of regional experts, including Ambassador Masood Khalid, former Ambassador of Pakistan to China; Prof. Dr. Zhang Jiadong, Director, South Asian Studies, Fudan University; Dr. Aminath Sudha, Head of Department, MNU Business School, Maldives National University; and Syed Hassan Akbar, Chairman, Strategic Policy Planning Cell (SPPC), National Security Division (NSD).
The keynote address was delivered by Khurram Dastgir Khan, former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Energy, said a press release here on Thursday.
In his keynote remarks, Khurram Dastgir Khan underscored Pakistan’s strategic commitment to fostering inclusive, rules-based, and future-oriented regional connectivity rooted in geo-economic cooperation.
He highlighted that connectivity is a shared aspiration across South Asia, yet remains underdeveloped at multiple levels. Emphasizing the region’s vast economic potential, he noted that Pakistan’s vision aligns strongly with the growing demand for regional integration, particularly with the increasing engagement of Central Asian Republics (CARs).
He pointed out that hostile regional dynamics—especially challenges emanating from India and Afghanistan—continue to hinder meaningful regional integration. Stressing that credible leadership is essential for regional harmony.
Khurram Dastgir appreciated China’s pivotal role in promoting win-win cooperation and highlighted CPEC as a transformative model of partnership. He emphasized that Pakistan-China relations should be optimally leveraged to expand sub-regional connectivity and strengthen Pakistan’s long-term geo-economic posture. He concluded by noting that Pakistan’s recent diplomatic gains provide a strong foundation for advancing its regional connectivity agenda.
Earlier in his remarks, Dr. Talat Shabbir, Director CPSC and moderator of the session, emphasized the importance of structured regional cooperation in an era characterized by global fragmentation. He highlighted South Asia’s immense connectivity potential and underscored Pakistan’s strategic geo-economic location as a catalyst for regional transformation and shared prosperity.
Ambassador Masood Khalid highlighted BRI and CPEC as key drivers of South Asian connectivity and cooperation, urging Pakistan to build practical, inclusive frameworks with regional partners. He emphasized leveraging China-led mechanisms and regional platforms like CAREC and ECO to address development gaps. By fostering dialogue, trust, and economic integration, South Asia can transform rivalry into collaboration and unlock its full potential.
Prof. Dr. Zhang Jiadong discussed China’s Global Development, Security, and Civilization Initiatives, noting their significance for South Asia’s long-term stability and prosperity. He emphasized the need for strengthened sub-regional cooperation, climate partnerships, digital integration, and inclusive narratives to unlock the region’s full potential.
Dr. Aminath Sudha highlighted the value of robust multilateralism and inclusive regional institutions in accelerating South Asia’s economic rise. She noted that as one of the fastest-growing regions in the world, South Asia stands to benefit greatly from comprehensive connectivity frameworks built on complementarity rather than competition.
Syed Hassan Akbar emphasized that Pakistan can reinvigorate its geo-economics agenda by leveraging its strategic geography, maritime potential, and emerging partnerships to enhance technology, investment, and knowledge-driven connectivity across South Asia, Central Asia, and ASEAN. He observed that India’s reluctance to embrace an inclusive regional vision remains a key impediment to integration and commended China’s constructive role in promoting cooperative regional arrangements.
The session ended with presentation of mementos to the speakers by Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman BoG, ISSI.
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