ISLAMABAD, Apr 7 (APP): Hamza Akbar won his first match in the Professional Circuit Tournament by defeating Wales’ Jamie Jones in the qualifying round on Thursday. The 22-year old, who has been striving hard in his professional career since September last year beat Jones in Betferd World Championship Qualifier 10-5 (45-67, 66-10, 64-22, 59-52, 48-14, 63-11, 42-68, 70-14(70), 17-53, 60-24, 0-125(125), 05-87(52), 63-07, 32-77, 55-29), said a press release issued by Pakistan Billiard and Snooker Association (PBSA).
Tahir, Rashad to attend FIH coaching, umpiring courses in Malaysia
ISLAMABAD, Apr 7 (APP): Former coach Olympian Tahir Zaman and former international hockey umpire and FIH Umpires’ Manager Rashad Mahmood Butt have been nominated by International Hockey Federation (fih) and Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) to attend two international courses for coaching and umpiring in Ipoh, Malaysia during the ongoing 25th Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament. Tahir shall lead the coaching course, whereas the umpiring course shall be conducted by Rashad Butt, respectively, said a press release issued by Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF). The two courses will help identify and train competent umpires and coaches for hockey, which would ultimately help in improving hockey standards at national and international levels.
Global food prices slightly up in March, annual cereal production outlook robust – UN
UNITED NATIONS, Apr 7 (APP): World cereal production in 2016 is set to reach 2,521 million tonnes, just 0.2 per cent below last year’s and the third-highest on record, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said Thursday. Large inventory levels and relatively sluggish global demand mean that market conditions for staple food grains appear stable for at least another season, the agency’s latest Cereal Supply and Demand Brief predicts. According to the FAO Food Price Index released Thursday, overall food prices rose 1 per cent in March on the month, as soaring sugar prices and continued increase in palm oil quotations more than offset plunging dairy product prices.
UN urges to halt rise in diabetes
UNITED NATIONS, Apr 7 (APP): UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon marked World Health Day with a strong call for stepping up global efforts to halt the rise in diabetes and improve the lives of those living with this dangerous but preventable and treatable disease. “We can limit the spread and impact of diabetes by promoting and adopting healthier lifestyles, especially among young people,”he said in his message on the Day, urging people to eat better and be physically active. He also stressed the need to improve diabetes diagnosis and access to essential medicines such as insulin. “Governments, healthcare providers, people with diabetes, civil society, food producers and manufacturers and suppliers of medicines and technology must all contribute to changing the status quo,”the secretary-general said.
Pakistan united against extremism, pursuing policy of peaceful neighborhood: Ambassador
WASHINGTON, April 7 (APP) Pakistan is witnessing a silent revolution with the nation united against extremism and the government’s foreign policy focused on building a ‘peaceful neighborhood’ to pursue a common agenda of peace and development, Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States, Jalil Abbas Jilani said on Thursday.
Speaking at Georgetown University to mark the inauguration meeting of the South Asia Policy and Research Initiative (SAPRI), in the capital D.C., the ambassador said the theme of the first meeting ‘South Asia: Re-imagining development for a better future’ was highly appropriate in the view of the important development taking place in Pakistan, the region and at the global level.
Sardar Mehtab calls on PM; discusses development schemes in KPK
ISLAMABAD, Apr 7 (APP): Former Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan called on Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif here at the PM House Thursday.
Matters of political nature and development of KPK were discussed during the meeting, a statement released from the PM House said.
Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan apprised the Prime Minister on the status of numerous development projects and welfare schemes underway in the province.
Federal Insurance Ombudsman effective in providing justice at doorsteps: President
ISLAMABAD, Apr 7 (APP): President Mamnoon Hussain Thursday said opening of regional offices of Federal Insurance Ombudsman would be effective in providing justice to people at their doorsteps.
Addressing at the inauguration of regional offices of Federal Insurance Ombudsman at Islamabad and Lahore, the President said federal ombudsman was a ray of light for people in redressal of their problems.
President Mamnoon said majority of people were unable to understand the complex legal procedures and to resolve their issues.
Pakistan's future linked with democracy: President
ISLAMABAD, Apr 7 (APP): President Mamnoon Hussain on Thursday said Pakistan’s future is linked with democracy and all institutions are on the same page for national development.
Addressing the participants of 104th course of National School of Public Policy here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, the President said if all institutions work within their own ambit, there would arise no problem.
The President said corruption had eroded the system of the country. He called upon the civil servants to play their role in eliminating corruption from the system.
PM stresses close collaboration with Canada on regional security
ISLAMABAD, April 7 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Thursday said that Pakistan and Canada should continue close collaboration in regional security, political and economic fields.
In a meeting with Canadian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ms. Heather Cruden here at the PM House, the Prime Minister called for greater people-to-people contacts and strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries.
The Prime Minister said relations between Pakistan and Canada were based on strong foundation of friendship, mutual respect and cooperation.
Govt accords priority to development in GB: PM
ISLAMABAD, April 7 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Thursday said the government accords high priority to development and progress of Gilgit Baltistan. He was talking to Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan Hafiz Hafeez-ur-Rehman who called on him here at the PM House. Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif while appreciating the performance of the Chief Minister said the mandate given by the people of Gilgit Baltistan to PML-N required that steps must be taken on priority to improve the standard of living of the people.