ISLAMABAD, Apr 03 (APP): Renowned humorous poet Anwar Masood has called upon concerned official quarters to institutionalize the weekly gatherings (Mushairas) of poets of this genre. This, he told APP in an interview, would be a good mean for the promotion of culture and literature of Pakistan. He said not only homour-poets’ “Mushairas”, the government should also focus on other cultural and literary activities to give people a respite and diversion from everyday problems.
Pakistan committed to achieve SDGs to join upper middle countries y 2030: Ahsan Iqbal
ISLAMABAD, Apr 3 (APP): Federal Minister Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal said Sunday that Pakistan attached great importance to its commitments on Stainable Development goals (SDGs).”Pakistan has accorded the highest priority to goals which will enable it to join the league of upper middle class countries by 2030,” he said speaking at the Asia Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) Bangkok, according to pressstatement issued here. The forum being held from 3-5 April 2016 is being held on Regional priorities for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific.
Sri Lanka Blind team's visit to open doors of int'l cricket: Pervaiz
FAISALABAD, April 3 (APP): Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Pervaiz Rashid on Sunday said that visit of Sri Lanka Blind cricket team to Pakistan would highlight its soft image and open the doors for international cricket. The three-match T20 series would give a positive message to the world that Pakistan was a peaceful country, he said while inaugurating the first match between the blind cricket teams of Pakistan and Sri Lanka here at Iqbal Stadium.
640 sq kms, peaks over 9000 feet cleared in Shawal: ISPR
RAWALPINDI April 3 (APP): The valiant troops of Pakistan Army have got cleared around 640 square kms including all peaks of over 9000 feet in Shawal area of North Waziristan Agency (NWA) from the terrorists during the last two months of operation. “Since launch of last phase in February 2016, Army troops have been fighting valiantly and have cleared 640 Square Kilometers of Shawal area in North Wazirastan Agency,” Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) news update issued here on Sunday stated. Main terrorist hubs of the areas including Mana, Gurbaz, Lataka, Inzarkas and Magrotai have been cleared of terrorists while the battle to clear last pocket close to Pakistan-Afghan border has been continuing.
Govt pursuing concrete measures for people's welfare: Pervaiz
FAISALABAD, April 3 (APP): Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid said Sunday the government was making concrete measures for the development and welfare of the masses. Talking to reporters after inaugurationg the office of Faisalabad Union of Journalists (FUJ) here, he said some elements wanted to create conditions in the country like before 2013, but Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was committed to improve the socio-economic condition of the people by adopting prudent policies.
Pervaiz Rashid inaugurates T-20 Blind Cricket Series
FAISALABAD, Apr 3 (APP): Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid inaugurated the Twenty-20 (T-20) Blind Cricket Series at Iqbal Stadium here on Sunday. Winning the toss, the Sri Lankan captain Ravan Wasantha decided to bat first and the Federal Information Minister kicked off the cricket series by playing a ball. The cricket series will continue till April 5.
Shehbaz Sharif gives cash prizes to Dolphin Force jawans
LAHORE, April 3 (APP): Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif here Sunday gave away commendatory certificates and cash prizes to Dolphin Force Shadman Sector’s Jawans, who arrested criminal elements by taking timely action. Speaking on this occation, the Chief Minister appriciated Dolphin Force for performing their duties efficiently, adding that citizens had high expectations form the new force that had been brought to the field after getting best training with resources of billions of rupees to protect the people’s life and properties. Shehbaz Sharif said, the Dolphin Force became real protector of the people through its best performance with regard to controlling street crime, and hoped that they would work with same spirit in future as well.
PML-N govt successfully pulls country out of crises: Pervaiz Rashid
FAISALABAD, April 3 (APP): Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid on Sunday said that the PML-N government had successfully steered the country out of crises and now intelligentsia and conscious segments of society should play their role in promoting tolerance and positivity to further strengthen political, economic and social gains. He was addressing the launching ceremony of a book written by journalist Asghar Ali Tabassum in University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) here.
Pakistan’s steps for nuclear security appreciated by President Obama
WASHINGTON, April 3 (APP): Pakistan is strongly committed to the objective of nuclear security and its active engagement with the international efforts has been acknowledged and appreciated by US President Barack Obama, Minister of State Syed Tariq Fatemi said in an exclusive interview on Saturday. Talking to APP at the end of three-day Nuclear Security Summit, Fatemi said that on the floor and during the meetings, President Obama in his remarks acknowledged the fact that several countries, including Pakistan, have ratified the 2005 Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM). “Ratification of CPPNM by Pakistan has been seen as a step forward towards the operationalization of the Convention and to strengthen the security of NuclearMaterial worldwide.
PM expresses deep grief over loss of lives in KPK floods
ISLAMABAD, Apr 3 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Sunday expressed his deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious human lives due to flash floods, triggered by rains in different parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Prime Minister has directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and other concerned authorities to ensure timely relief activities for the victims, including provision of proper medical care, food and shelter for the affected. The concerned authorities were further directed to keep him updated on the situation, said a press release of the PM Office media wing.