ISLAMABAD, May 28 (APP): President Mamnoon Hussain Saturday summoned the sessions of the National Assembly and Senate on May 31 and June 02, 2016 respectively.
The President summoned the sessions while approving the
summaries initiated by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs containing the Prime Minister’s advice.
The National Assembly will meet on Tuesday, May 31 at 1700 hours at Parliament House while the Upper House of the Parliament will meet on Thursday at 1030 hours.
ISLAMABAD, May 27 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has said it is our national responsibility to have full preparedness to protect Pakistan from external threats so that no one could dare to look towards it with bad intention.
“Pakistan’s atomic programme was developed to make country’s defence impregnable. It is a guarantee to peace in South Asia. This programme created balance of power, which was necessary to make this region safe,” the Prime Minister said in his message on the occasion of Youm e Takbeer, being celebrated throughout the country on May 28 (Saturday).
The Prime Minister while congratulating the nation on the
historic event of May 28, when a matching response was given to Indian nuclear tests, said that this day would always be remembered an important milestone in the history of Pakistan like the Day of Independence.
He said on May 28, 1998 Pakistan became the first Muslim
nuclear state and added that the Youm e Takbeer was indeed a day of pride for the Pakistani nation and the Muslims all over the globe.
The credit for making the country’s defence impregnable
during 1998, went to the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML N) government, laying strong foundations for a stable and prosperous Pakistan.
The Prime Minister said the countries of South Asia came out
of instability due to Pakistan’s nuclear programme.
He said Pakistan believed in peace and our nuclear programme was a symbol of Pakistan’s strong defence besides it was a proclamation of courage, steadfastness and bravery of this nation.
“Our nuclear programme depicts the ability of Pakistan nation that they have the ability to face all challenges,” he added.
He said Operation Zarb e Azb was the continuation of this
pledge to make Pakistan’s defence impregnable. Our defence forces stand like a rock before external threats while they were also countering all those elements who wanted to destabilize Pakistan, the Prime Minister said.
Presently, Pakistan is tackling the serious challenges
of terrorism, extremism and sectarianism and foiling the enemies’ designs that are aimed at destabilizing the country.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the entire nation was united
on the issue of terrorism and the ongoing operations against terrorists were getting unprecedented successes.
He said all out efforts were being made to strengthen Pakistan economically and expressed the hope that the nation would also prove its ability in this field as they did in the defence field.
The Prime Minister said the government was committed to make Pakistan economic power.
He said various projects had been initiated
under China Pakistan Economic Corridor project which would be a game changer and would be another feather in the present government’s cap because strong and sound economy was prerequisite for invincible defence.
LAHORE, May 28 (APP): Federal Minister for Railways
Khawaja Saad Rafique on Saturday directed the relevant
authorities to upgrade the racks of trains so that passengers can be provided better facilities.
He said this while presiding over a meeting at Railway
Accadmey Walton.
He said that upgradation of the racks
would not only help in increasing the income of the railways
but also restore confidence of people in the department.
The minister termed upgradation of Railway Walton
Academy on modern lines and setting up of research and
development department necessary.
A committee has been formed under the supervision of
railways Chief Executive Officer and railways advisor which
would give its recommendations regarding setting up of
Research and Development department.
Saad Rafique also directed for improvement of railway
walton academy organizational structure by removing its
defects.
Chief Executive Officer Javed Anwar, Anjum Pervaiz,
Ghulam Mustafa and other railway officials were present on
the occasion.
ATTOCK, May 28 (APP) : Federal Minister for Parliamentary
Affairs Sheikh Aftab Ahmad marking Youm e Takbeer Saturday said that Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML N) government in 1998 made Pakistan undefeatable by conducting nuclear explosions.
He was of the opinion that this time, PML N led government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, was going to make Pakistan a peaceful and properous country on the globe.
“We are proud of being the only atomic power in
the Islamic world”, he maintained.
ISLAMABAD, May 28 (APP): Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on Saturday decided to put its recent decision to ban advertisements of contraceptives on TV channels and FM radios for vetting to its Board for further deliberations.
In larger public interest, PEMRA is recognizing both shades
of opinion in our society and said until a final decision by the Board (The Authority) on this issue, there will not be a blanket ban on these advertisements.
The understanding would be that these ads would not be aired during primetime (children viewing time), special care would be given to use of language and visuals to conform to our cultural values which are going through a slow evolutionary process.
WASHINGTON, May 28 (APP): Prayers were offered in several mosques in the capital Washington and the neighbouring state of Virginia and Maryland for early recovery of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif who will undergo an open-heart surgery in London next week.
At Friday prayers, worshipers prayed for the successful operation and early recovery of the Prime Minister and for the prosperity of Pakistan.Washington and the surrounding states of Virginia and Maryland are home to a large number of Pakistani American community which keenly observe happening in their motherland.
ISLAMABAD, May 28 (APP): Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar on Saturday said the government was willing to extend all possible facilitation to poultry farmers but expected them to provide maximum relief to the general public in terms of poultry prices, especially during the holy month of Ramazan.
The Finance Minister was talking to a delegation of
Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA) led by its Chairman Dr
Khalid Saleem Malik, which called on him here.
Advisor to Prime Minister on Revenue Haroon Akhtar Khan
and Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Nisar Muhammad Khan were also present on the occasion.
The delegation members apprised the minister about the current trends in the poultry market. Encouraged by economic stability in the country, the poultry sector was exhibiting growth with increasing trend towards adoption of modern farming techniques, ensuring hygienically proven methods for rearing chicken and value addition, they added.
They also shared with the minister some issues faced by
the poultry sector and also presented their budget proposals for consideration.
The minister appreciated the proactive approach of
poultry farmers aimed at growth of the poultry sector as well as endeavours for value addition in line with international
standards.
He said the poultry sector had an important role to play
in terms of providing quality meat to consumers. He assured that genuine problems faced by the poultry
sector would be addressed.
Ishaq Dar added that proposals put forth by the delegation would be given due consideration in the ongoing
budget exercise.
The delegation expressed gratitude to the Finance
Minister for giving them a patient hearing and highly lauded
the government’s efforts aimed at achieving growth and
employment generation.
They assured that the Association would extend full
support for achieving the common goal of economic progress.
Further, they would make efforts to keep prices of
poultry items stable throughout the year and provide maximum possible relief to the public during Ramadan.
Senior officials of the Ministry of Finance and FBR
attended the meeting.
ISLAMABAD, May 28 (APP): Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar as Chairman of the Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet, has accorded approval for payment of seven month salaries to the employees of Heavy Mechanical Complex (HMC),
Taxila.
The decision has been taken on humanitarian grounds
keeping in view facilitation for employees during the holy month of Ramazan and Eidul Fitr festivities later, a Finance Ministry press statement said on Saturday.
ISLAMABAD, May 28 (APP): The government spokesperson Saturday clarified that in the performance of his functions under the Constitution, the Prime Minister may act either directly or through the federal ministers.
In a statement, he said Rules of the Business authorize the
Prime Minister to nominate a cabinet member to preside over cabinet meetings as well as of the National Economic Council and others.
The spokesman quoted the Article 48 of the Constitution saying that the President acts on advice of the Prime Minister or Cabinet as the case be.
He said that the Prime Minister may even assign Divisions to
a minister.
The Spokesperson said according to the Section 12(1) of the Prime Minister’s Salary, Allowances and Privileges Act, 1975: “The Prime Minister may avail himself of leave of absence during his term of office, at any one time or from time to time, for urgent reasons of health or private affairs, for a period not exceeding three months in the aggregate.”
Article 90 of the constitution “The Federal Government: (1)
Subject to the Constitution, the executive authority of the
Federation shall be exercised in the name of the President by the Federal Government, consisting of the Prime Minister and the Federal Ministers, which shall act through the Prime Minister, who shall be the chief executive of the Federation.
ISLAMABAD, May 28 (APP): Felicitating the nation on 65th anniversary of Pak-China diplomatic relations, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Prof Ahsan Iqbal has said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework would not only improve Pakistan’s economy but also strengthen its defence.
“The entire nation will have to play its role in the implementation of this vital initiative by exhibiting a
complete unity and solidarity besides giving a message to the world that Pakistan has now become a economically vibrant and politically stable country,” he made these remarks in an interview with APP here.
Ahsan Iqbal invited the foreign businessmen to come and invest as there was complete political stability and conducive environment for the foreign investment in Pakistan.
He said, Pak-China friendship had become a model for the
world, adding, “China has been supporting Pakistan unconditionally in the last 65 years while Pakistan responded positively to its time-tested friend at all the fora.”
Hence, Pak-China friendship was considered higher than
Himalayas, deeper than sea and sweeter than honey.
The Minister said, although both the countries were very close on the political front but the present government after coming into power, did transform this friendship into an economic partnership.
Pakistan, he said, had become number one country for the
Chinese investment in this region owing to CPEC initiative.
“The economic relations between the two countries are
progressing at a fast pace and owing to CPEC framework, these relations are now touching new heights,” he added.
Ahsan Iqbal hoped that Pak-China friendship would help resolve energy crisis and create employment opportunities besides connecting the four provinces and remote areas.
He said, a new era would usher in after connecting China with the Central Asia through Pakistan.
Responding to a question, he said, CPEC would not only change geo-economic situation of this region but provide a key position to Pakistan with regard to South Asia, Central Asia and China.
“With the improvement in economic situation, Pakistan would be able to strengthen its defence capability. That iswhy, enemies of the country are hatching conspiracies against this project of vital importance,” he added.
To yet another query, he said, it was collective responsibility of the political forces that only an economically strong country could ensure its sovereignty and respect in the comity of nations.
He said, it was high time to demonstrate unity and oneness
over country’s economy and political stability to make Pakistan an Asian tiger.
“We should desist from political point-scoring as the
political stability is a key to attract foreign investment,”he
added.
He opined that without foreign investment, no country could
progress on its own resources.
Ahsan Iqbal said: “As a strong and democratic country, we
should give a message to the world that there is a strong democratic system in Pakistan,particularly, the country has been progressing economically for the last three years.”
He said, the images of protests and boycott by some political parties, projected on world media,had put a bad impact on the investment climate in the country.
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