ISLAMABAD, Dec 10 (APP): Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique on Thursday said that Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Malik Baloch will be replaced in accordance with Murree agreement.
PM launches education reforms programme
ISLAMABAD, Dec 11 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Friday launched his Educational Reforms Programme aimed at upgrading facilities in 422 schools
and colleges in the Federal Capital.
Creation of Asian Parliament inevitable to deal with major challenges: Rabbani
ISLAMABAD, Dec 11 (APP): Chairman Senate Mian Raza Rabbani on Friday said the initiative to set up Asian Parliament has become inevitable to collectively deal with major issues of region.
He made these remarks while addressing the 8th Plenary Session of Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA), in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, which concluded today, according to a press release which received here.
Mian Raza Rabbani in his address, highlighted the significance of desired unity within the Asian States.
Rabbani criticized the West for maintaining double standards in dealing with Muslim and Asian countries.
Pakistani delegation led by Chairman Senate Mian Raza Rabbani highlighted Pakistan’s point view on issues being faced by Asian region and gave a way forward to work for regional integration and overcome challenges by making collective efforts.
Raza Rabbani said that chaos and mayhem, being faced by many countries, is a result of forced regime changes by foreign state and non-state actors.
He also presided over the Executive Council Meeting of the APA, endorsed and recommended 18 Draft Resolutions of the three APA Standing Committees which were adopted at the closing of the Plenary Session.
The Chairman Senate also held a meeting with Samdech Vibol Sena Pheakdei SAY Chhum, President of the Senate of Kingdom of Cambodia and discussed means to enhance parliamentary relations between the two countries.
Both the leaders of the Upper House, agreed to translate the existing potential in all areas of mutual cooperation.
Besides, Mian Raza Rabbani also exchanged views with the Prime Minister of Kingdom of Cambodia Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen.
Both sides agreed to enhance parliamentary cooperation and collaboration in different fields for mutual benefits of the two countries.
The Chairman Senate stated that Pakistan places its bilateral relations with Cambodia in high esteem and desires to further strengthen cooperation at parliamentary, trade and economic levels.
He pointed out that Asia is passing through an important phase and is faced with common challenges.
APA, he added, is a forum which provides an opportunity to the parliamentarians to discuss and debate the mutual challenges.
He underscored the need to chalk out a viable strategy to counter these challenges and resolve issues through dialogues and discussions and make collective efforts for progress and prosperity of the people of Asia.
The Chairman is accompanied by Senator Nuzhat Sadiq, Senator Rubina Khalid and Senator Muhammad Ali Khan Saif.
Indo-Pak drawn in same group of ICC World Twenty20
KARACHI, Dec 11 (APP)- Arch-rival Pakistan and India are drawn in the same super ten group of next year’s ICC World Twenty20 being staged at vaious venues of India from March 8 to April 3, International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Friday.
A total of 58 tournament matches, including 35 men’s matches and 23 women’s matches, will be played in the 27-day tournament in Bengaluru, Chennai, Dharamsala, Kolkata, Mohali, Mumbai, Nagpur and New Delhi.
New Delhi and Mumbai will host the semi-finals on March 30 and 31 March, respectively, while Eden Gardens in Kolkata will be the venue of the April 3 finals.
The women’s semi-finals and final will be followed by the men’s knock-out matches. There is a reserve day for the finals.
Zimbabwe to face Hong Kong in tournament opener in Nagpur; Sri Lanka to launch title defence in Kolkata on 17 March; India-Pakistan to go head to head in Dharamsala on 19 March “India is a country where cricket is a religion and not many places can match the passion for the game like India “ said ICC Chairman Shashank Manohar at the inauguation ceremony.
ICC Chief Executive David Richardson: “The ICC World Twenty20 is an event which puts the world’s best cricketers in the shortest format of the game against each other in a nation versus nation contest.”
The men’s event will carry a total prize money of $5.6 million, which is an 86 per cent increase from the 2014 tournament, while the total prize money for the women’s event is $ 400,000, which is a 122 per cent increase from the Bangladesh event.
There have been five different winners of the men’s event while the England women’s team won the inaugural tournament at home in 2009 before Australia won three straight titles in the West Indies, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in 2010, 2012 and 2014, respectively.
According to the men’s event format, eight sides in two groups of four, will feature in the first round matches with the group winners joining eight sides in the Super 10 stage (two groups of five teams).
The top two sides from both the Super 10 Groups will then qualify for the semi-finals. In the women’s event, the 10 sides will be divided into two groups and the top two sides from each group will progress to the semi-finals.
The first round matches in the men’s event will take place in Dharamsala and Nagpur from 8-13 March and will feature Bangladesh, Netherlands, Ireland, debutant Oman (all in Group A), Zimbabwe, Scotland, Hong Kong and Afghanistan (all in Group B). In a double-header on the opening day on 8 March, Zimbabwe will face Hong Kong in the afternoon match, to be followed by the evening match between Scotland and Afghanistan. Both the matches will be played in Nagpur.
The group winners will join Australia, England, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies and host India in the Super 10 stage, which will be played alongside the women’s event from 15-28 March.
Men’s defending champion Sri Lanka has been placed in Super 10 Group 1 along with South Africa, West Indies, England and the Group B winner. It will open its title defence against the Group B winner in Kolkata on 17 March, and play West Indies in Bengaluru on 20 March, England in New Delhi on 26 March and South Africa in New Delhi on 28 March.
Host India, which won the inaugural tournament in South Africa in 2007, is in Super 10 Group 2 along with 2009 winner Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand and the Group A winner.
India will launch its campaign in Nagpur against New Zealand on 15 March, while it will go head to head with Pakistan in Dharamsala on 19 March. Its other matches will be against the Group A winner in Bengaluru on 23 March and Australia in Mohali on 27 March.
2009 champion Pakistan will take on the Group A winner in Kolkata on 16 March, before locking horns with traditional rival India in Dharamsala on 19 March. Its remaining two matches will be in Mohali against New Zealand and Australia on 22 and 25 March, respectively.
England, which won the 2010 tournament in the West Indies, takes on 2012 winner the West Indies in Mumbai on 16 March, followed by matches against South Africa (18 March in Mumbai), the Group B winner (23 March in New Delhi) and Sri Lanka (26 March in New Delhi).
After taking on England in its tournament opener, the West Indies will square off against Sri Lanka (20 March in Bengaluru), South Africa (25 March in Nagpur) and the Group B winner (27 March in Nagpur).
Meanwhile, in the women’s tournament, 2009 champion England is in Group B alongwith the West Indies, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, and will start off against Bangladesh in Bengaluru on 17 March. Its other matches will be against India (22 March in Dharamsala), West Indies (24 March in Dharamsala) and Pakistan (27 March in Chennai).
Australia women, who will be bidding to win the title for the fourth straight time, is in Group A along with South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Ireland.
Their opening match will be against South Africa (18 March in Nagpur), followed by matches against New Zealand (21 March in Nagpur), Sri Lanka (24 March in New Delhi) and Ireland (24 March in New Delhi).
The ICC World Twenty20 trophy was also present at the ceremony before it leaves Mumbai for Scotland on 13 December, as part of the Nissan Trophy Tour. The trophy will return to New Delhi on 1 February after visiting 11 countries.
Schedule (Men’s) First round (group winners to progress to second round) Group A – Bangladesh, Netherlands, Ireland and Oman Group B – Zimbabwe, Scotland, Hong Kong and Afghanistan Second round groups:
Super 10 Group 1 – Sri Lanka, South Africa, West Indies, England and winner group B (Q1B) Super 10 Group 2 – India, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand and winner group A (Q1A)
Women’s:
Group A – Australia (A1), South Africa (A2), New Zealand (A3), Sri Lanka (A4) and Ireland (A5)
Group B – England (B1), West Indies (B2), India (B3), Pakistan (B4) and Bangladesh (B5)
Tournament schedule (M denotes men’s match; W denotes women’s match;
PM means afternoon match and Eve. means night match. Match timings to be confirmed in due course)
8 Mar – Zimbabwe v Hong Kong (PM), Nagpur; Scotland v Afghanistan (Eve.), Nagpur 9 Mar – Bangladesh v Netherlands (PM), Dharamsala; Ireland v Oman (Eve.), Dharamsala Thu, 10 Mar – Scotland v Zimbabwe (PM), Nagpur; Hong Kong v Afghanistan (Eve.)
11 Mar – Netherlands v Oman (PM), Dharamsala; Bangladesh v Ireland (Eve.), Dharamsala 12 Mar – Zimbabwe v Afghanistan (PM), Nagpur; Scotland v Hong Kong (Eve.), Nagpur 13 Mar – Netherlands v Ireland (PM), Dharamsala; Bangladesh v Oman (Eve.), Dharamsala 15 Mar – India v Bangladesh (W) (PM), Bengaluru; New Zealand v Sri Lanka (W) (Eve.), New Delhi; New Zealand v India (M) (Eve), Nagpur 16 Mar – West Indies v England (M) (PM), Mumbai; Pakistan v Q1A (M) (Eve.), Kolkata; West Indies v Pakistan (W) (Eve.), Chennai 17 Mar – England v Bangladesh (W) (PM), Bengaluru; Sri Lanka v Q1B (M)
(Eve.), Kolkata
18 Mar – New Zealand v Ireland (W) (PM), Mohali; Australia v New Zealand (M) (PM), Dharamsala; South Africa v England (M) (Eve.), Mumbai; Australia v South Africa (W) (Eve.), Nagpur 19 Mar – India v Pakistan (W) (PM), New Delhi; India v Pakistan (M)
(Eve.), Dharamsala
20 Mar – South Africa v Q1B (M) (PM), Mumbai; West Indies v Bangladesh (W) (PM), Chennai; Sri Lanka v Ireland (W) (Eve.), Mohali; Sri Lanka v West Indies (M) (Eve.), Bengaluru Mon, 21 Mar – Australia v New Zealand (W) (PM), Nagpur; Australia v Q1A (M) (Eve.), Bengaluru 22 Mar – England v India (W) (PM), Dharamsala; New Zealand v Pakistan (M) (Eve.), Mohali 23 Mar – England v Q1B (M) (PM), New Delhi; India v Q1A (M), (Eve.), Bengaluru; South Africa v Ireland (W) (Eve.), Chennai 24 Mar – England v West Indies (W) (Eve.), Dharamsala; Australia v Sri Lanka (W) (PM), New Delhi; Pakistan v Bangladesh (W) (Eve.), New Delhi 25 Mar – Pakistan v Australia (M) (PM), Mohali; South Africa v West Indies (M), (Eve.), Nagpur 26 Mar – Australia v Ireland (W) (PM), New Delhi; Q1A v New Zealand (M) (PM), Kolkata; England v Sri Lanka (M) (Eve.), New Delhi; South Africa v New Zealand (W) (Eve.), Bengaluru 27 Mar – West Indies v India (W) (PM), Mohali; India v Australia (M) (Eve.), Mohali; England v Pakistan (W) (Eve.), Chennai; Q1B v West Indies (M) (PM), Nagpur;
28 Mar – South Africa v Sri Lanka (W) (PM), Bengaluru; South Africa v
Sri Lanka (M) (Eve.), New Delhi
Tue, 29 Mar – Rest/travel day
30 Mar – Women’s semi-final (2nd group A v 1st group B) (PM), New Delhi; men’s semi-final (Super 10 Group 1 2nd v Super 10 Group 2 1st)
(Eve.), New Delhi
31 Mar – Women’s semi-final (1st group A v 2nd group B) (PM), Mumbai;
men’s semi-final (Super 10 Group 1 2nd v Super 10 Group 2 1st) (Eve.),
Mumbai
1 Apr – Rest/travel day
2 Apr – Rest/travel day
3 April – Women’s final (PM), Kolkata; men’s final (Eve.), Kolkata
All provinces have representation in Population Census Board: NA told
ISLAMABAD, Dec 11 (APP): All the provinces including Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan have representation in the Population Census Board and Special Committee set up for carrying national census in country.
State Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Jam Kamal Friday informed National Assembly while responding to a Calling Attention, moved by Dawar Khan Kundi and others regarding the non-representation of three provinces in the Population Census Board on behalf of Minister of Finance and Revenue.
He said that the Chief Secretaries of all provinces, AJK and GB are members of the Board and they are representative of their respective governments.
He said “The Chief Secretaries can raise issue in the meeting of the committee.”
The minister said that the Council of Common Interests considered the summary for carrying census in the country.
He said it was also decided that census would be held under the monitoring of Armed Forces along with house census.
The funds for the census would be shared from the divisible pool of the provinces, he added.
I can do well at any level of cricket: Salman Butt
ISLAMABAD, Dec 11 (APP): Former batsman Salman Butt Friday said that he could do well at any level of cricket adding that he needed an opportunity to prove him and he would not disappoint anyone.
Butt believed that his final hurdle to return to cricket was removed on December 5 when the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman announced that Butt and Mohammad Asif would both be allowed to take part in the National One Day cup, starting in early 2016.
“I am relieved to have reached this stage and am thankful to God for this second chance. I cannot thank the PCB enough for allowing me this opportunity and I am now looking forward to the next year where I can once again start playing the game I love,” Pakpassion.net quoted him as saying.
He said the desire and hunger to play the game (cricket) I love is alive in him. “I strongly believe that I can still do well at any level of cricket. All I need is an opportunity and I will make sure I don’t disappoint anyone,” he said.
Butt said he is fit and have been able to keep his fitness going through these five years.
“I am very thankful to Wapda for backing me and giving me the opportunity to perform and I hope and pray that I can help them win domestic competitions,” he said.
Speaking about the 2010 unfortunate incident Butt said we had had a mountain to climb before all Pakistani supporters would trust us in Pakistani colors again.
“I will be offering my apologies to them when I see them. I will try and convince them that despite all that have happened in the past. I will do my utmost to once again win the hearts of Pakistan fans,” he said adding a person who intends to do good in future deserve a second chance.
Quacks playing havoc with public health
By Taj Nabi Khan
ISLAMABAD, Dec 11 (APP): Rise in number of unskilled and illegal medical practitioners (Quacks), including dispensers, paramedics, uncertified hakeems and faith healers, who use doctor with their names, is posing serious threats to public health.
Some of the quacks are allegedly found involved in using veterinary drugs on their patients as these medicines are much cheaper in price in comparison to those used to treat humans.
Moreover, it is also a common phenomenon that instead of curing a disease, the quacks often make it more complicated by spreading diseases either by using a single syringe on several patients or injecting it in a wrong way.
But, on the other hand, if we take a look at qualified doctors, they too are minting money instead of serving humanity which should be their top priority. They not only prescribe expensive medicines but also send their patients to private laboratories and extract commission from medical stores and laboratories.
Talking to APP, Shahid, a resident of Sector I/10 said quacks were using uncertified drugs without any check from the concerned authority in various parts of the country. Majority of them had not passed even matriculation exam but run their clinics after having some experience with qualified doctors, he added.
The quacks also run their advertisements on local cable networks, claiming that they could successfully treat hepatitis or any other chronic disease in a couple of days.
But they actually end up in spreading more diseases by prescribing medicines without diagnosing the actual disease.
Dr. Nasir Khan, a medical practitioner said quacks and sellers of fake medicines were violating the clear directives of the Supreme Court which had directed the authorities concerned to take concrete steps against them, he added.
Mudassar Iqbal, a working Journalist based in Islamabad said, “A hakeem in Rawalpindi, sitting alongside railway road, is expert in befooling simple and innocent citizens as he is used to persuade fatty persons to get weight reduction tablets at Rs 400 with a guaranteed result within a week.
Mohammed Asghar, a patient outside a quack’s clinic, told the scribe that he had no choice but to visit the quack because senior and qualified doctors in the city were charging huge amount for check-up.
A quack, requesting anonymity, said he had remained attached with a qualified doctor for over seven years before starting his clinic.
Zahid Khan, a resident hailing from Mardan said, “My father Sher Alam Khan had died recently by using drugs recommended by a local dispenser.”
Director Operation, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Health Care Commission, Asif Naveed said, “More than 250 clinics of qualified doctors were issued show cause notices for not observing the medical code of conduct such as failing to keep the patient record, female attendant and display of service charges.”
He said, “In coordination with district administration, more than 20 private clinics of unqualified doctors were sealed last month in district Peshawar.”
The Commission was making efforts to limit the services of paramedics’ staff in clinics across the province to first-aid only, he added.
Media Coordinator, Punjab Health Care Commission, Javid Pasha, said the major function of the Commission was to register health centers across the province and issue them licenses. Out of 2500 health centers, only 600 were issued licenses, as the remaining were failed to meet the criteria, he added.
Pasha said Punjab Health Care Commission had sealed around 1700 private clinics of unqualified doctors in five divisions of the province.
On violation of the code of conduct, the Commission had imposed a fine of Rs. 15 million to health centers and recovered an amount of Rs. 11 million this year, he added.
PM lauds ICP role in promotion of quality education, terms ICP his own college
PESHAWAR Dec 11 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif here Friday lauded the role of Islamia College Peshawar (ICP) in promotion of quality education and urged the students to wholeheartedly concentrate on their studies to effectively shoulders future responsibilities.
Addressing a huge gathering of the academicians, alumni of ICP and students on the occasion of centennial celebrations of ICP, founded in 1913, the Prime Minister said he feelsimmense pleasure to attend the celebrations of this great historic institution whose educational services were recognized over the years in high esteem.
The Prime Minister said this college was very close to his heart and called it his own college. He said he immediately accepted the invitation of the Governor KP to attend ICP
100 years’ celebration. “Last night I was thinking how he will attend ICP function due to cloudy weather and rainy conditions.
However, I had decided to go even by road if the
weather condition did not improve by morning to attend this august function,” the Prime Minister recalled.
The Prime Minister said father of the nation, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, had a great love for Islamia College Peshawar (ICP) who visited this historic institute on a number of occasions including 1948 as first Governor General of Pakistan and was greatly impressed by the role of its students during Pakistan movement.
He said Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had laid great emphasis on unity, faith and disciplines and these are the golden principles for all of us including students to attain glory and achievements in respective fields.
The Prime Minister said his government accords high priority to education and is striving hard to provide quality education and bring educational reforms besides raising literacy ratio, renovation of government schools, and establishment of science laboratories adding the process has already started from Islamabad. He asked provinces to take pragmatic measures for introducing reforms in education sector.
He advised students to concentrate on their studies and use their energies in new emerging fields including IT, science and technology, engineering, business, commerce, technical education and trade which have great potential for them.
He said huge funds were being spent on education projects and it was imperatives that the results of these should be visible and fruitful. The Prime Minister said he had devoted
the whole day for education and he visited a government school in Islamabad early morning and later he came to ICP.
The Prime Minister said menace of terrorism was being eliminated from the country and successful measures by the government have resulted in significant improvement in law
and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa especially in Peshawar.
“The law and order situation in KP and Peshawar is far better today than that of two years before,” he noted.
He lauded the sacrifices rendered by security forces, people, and officials of Government departments including teachers and students and police for protection of the motherland.
The Prime Minister while announcing Rs.50 million grant for welfare of students and teachers of ICP directed Chairman Higher Education Commission to provide grant of Rs.1,000 million to ICP for development projects.
Meanwhile, Vice Chancellor of Islamic College University Ajmal Khan presented shield to the Prime Minister.
Governor KP Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan, State Minister for Education, Balighur Rehman, Vice Chancellor ICP University Prof Dr Ajmal Khan, Corps Commander Peshawar Lt Gen Hidyatur Rehman were also present on the occasion.
The Prime Minister later wrote his comments on the ICP visitors’ book. Earlier, the students of Islamic Collegiate School of ICP presented an impressive drill show and gave warm welcome to the Prime Minister.
It is to mention that Nawab Sir Sahibzada Abdul Qaiyum Khan had founded ICP in 1913, Islamia College Peshawar which has now attained the status of a University.
Khanna to sponsor Pakistani umpires for India
ISLAMABAD, Dec 11 (APP): Asian Tennis Federation (ATF), President, Anil Khanna Friday offered to sponsor Pakistani umpires to be sent to India for Level-1 umpiring courses.
This was stated by Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) in its Annual General Meeting (AGM) chaired by its president Salim Saifullah Khan held here at the PTF Tennis Complex, says a press release issued here.
The meeting was attended by the affiliated units and Management Committee members.
In the AGM, the President also briefed the House about the developments concerning Davis Cup venue for Pakistan vs China tie.
He also emphasized that all affiliated units should contribute to the cause of tennis as per mandate given to them as affiliated units of PTF.
It was decided that Inter Club events to be included in the tennis circuit at all regional level.
It was also decided in the meeting that as many as six players from Northern region (Punjab & KP) and four from Sindh may be given long-term training by the qualified coaches to groom them for future Davis Cup team.
The Coaching camps at Islamabad and Karachi will commence from January 1, 2016.
At least four international quality synthetic courts, Deco-Turf or Plexipave, will be built at the PTF Complex and the work on it will be initiated within few months. It was decided that 10 and under mandatory event may be included in all national tournaments as and it would be played using intermediary tennis balls recommended by the ITF for this cadre. The House was informed that the new PTF website is functioning now.
The House also approved ranking conversion system from
international ranking points to national ranking points. It was decided that one international ranking point will be equal to 10 national ranking points.
The processing fee for all combined national tournaments will be Rs 10,000 and for National Juniors it will remain the same Rs 3000. The House also decided that from January, 1, 2016 in all Grade 3 and above National Tournaments, best of five sets format will be adopted in the Men’s Singles.
It was decided to enhance the daily allowance to outstation players to Rs 700 per day from January 1st, 2016.
However, the next meeting will be held in Karachi.
Tobacco industry contributes Rs 100 bn annually in country’s revenues; Commerce Committee told
ISLAMABAD, Dec 11 (APP): The Senate Standing Committee on Commerce was informed here on Friday that the tobacco industry of the Pakistan contributed Rs 100 billion annually in term of revenues.
Chairman Pakistan Tobacco Board Peshawar, Farid Ullah Khan informed the committee that currently tobacco was being cultivated over the area of 50,373 hectares land which comprises of 0.27 percent of total cultivated area of the country.
“The average yield per hectare of tobacco in Pakistan is also the highest in the world”, he said adding the yield of tobacco in the country was 13 percent higher than the world average yield per hectare.
Similarly he said the maize production per hectare in the country was 31 percent lower than the average production of maize per hectare whereas rice production was 24 percent lower and wheat production was 12 percent lower as compared to the average world production per hectare.
He said the total annual economic activity of the tobacco industry was Rs 300 billion and about 1.5 million people were associated with this industry.
The committee was further informed that 80,000 farmer families were also linked with tobacco farming and 53000 people were employed in the 28 tobacco factories.
The Chairman PTB also informed that the Board was exploring areas to cultivate cigar which was a very profitable crop and gives 3096 kilogram per hectare.
He said trains of the crop in Mansehra, Gujrat and Rasool Abad (Sindh) had been conducted so far.
The committee which was held under the Chairmanship of Senator Shibli Faraz also discussed the matter of devolving of Tribal Chamber of Commerce and Industry in to a new body Mohmand Chamber of Commerce Industry.
Senator Ilyas Ahmed Bilour on the occasion said lot of illegalities were being in practice in the matter of issuing licenses of chambers of commerce.
Senator Shibli Faraz Directed the ministry of Commerce to look in to the matter and ensure that there was no irregularities in the matter.
Secretary Commerce Muhammad Shezad Arbab stated that it had been ensured that no irregularities had been done deliberately in this regard.
Senators, Naseem Ehsan, Hilal ur Rehman, Dr Muhammad Farogh Naseem, Saleem Mandviwala and Haji Saifullah Khan Bangash attended the meeting.