ISLAMABAD, April 23 (APP): President Mamnoon Hussain Saturday
stressed upon the promotion of healthy activities among the youth
through cultivating a sports culture in the country.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of Quaid e Azam Inter-Provincial Games here, the President said there was no dearth of talent in the country and through consistent endeavours by all the stakeholders, the youth could excel in different domains of sports.
The President also called for collaborated efforts for promotion of traditional games, including kabbadi, wrestling, tent pegging etc, besides upgrading the standards in modern games.
President stresses upon promotion of sports culture
UNSC deplores tragedy in Mediterranean involving death of 500 migrants
UNITED NATIONS, Apr 23 (APP): The United Nations Security Council has deplored the recent maritime tragedy in the Mediterranean Sea that resulted in up to 500 deaths when an overcrowded boat capsized en route from Libya to Europe, emphasizing the need for better coordination of efforts to deal with the smuggling of migrants.
In a press statement, the members of the Council expressed “grave concern” at the proliferation of, and endangerment of lives by, the smuggling of migrants in the Mediterranean Sea, including off the coast of Libya.
“The members of the Security Council expressed their concern at the implications for regional stability posed by transnational organized crime and illicit activities such as human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants and condemned and deplored the said acts which undermine further the process of stabilization of Libya and endanger the lives of people,” the statement said.
Hot, dry weather to prevail in major parts, light rain at GB
ISLAMABAD, Apr 23 (APP): Hot and dry weather is expected over most
parts of the country however, partly cloudy conditions with light rain are expected at a few places of Gilgit-Baltistan in next 24 hours.
Continental air is prevailing over most parts of country whereas a
shallow westerly trough is also prevailing over Kashmir and
adjoining areas, an official of met office told APP.
Hot weather likely to prevail in Karachi during next 2 to 3 days. The day temperatures are expected to gradually increase from 38 C to 40 C and will start decreasing attaining the normal level from Tuesday.
First Quiad-e-Azam Games begin amidst thundering applause
ISLAMABAD, Apr 23 (APP): The first Quaid-e-Azam National Youth Games, featuring over 2700 athletes from across the country began in thundering applauses of the enthusiast athletes here at a well decorated Jinnah Sports Complex on Saturday.
President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain was the chief guest on this occasion, who declared the three-day Games open wherein players and officials from Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, FATA and Gilgit-Baltistan have a stunning March Past.
There was an eye-catching laser show, thrilling cultural songs and sky rocketing fire works with good and entertaining cultural dances by the performers wearing specially prepared costumes that depicted well traditional norms of each of the participating contingent.
Commission on Panama Papers only constituted in Pakistan: Tariq Fazal
ISLAMABAD, Apr 23 (APP): Minister of State for Capital Administration
and Development Division (CADD), Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry Saturday said that Pakistan was only country which constituted a judicial commission under the Chief Justice of Supreme Court on Panama Papers.
Talking to a news channel, he said, the name of several politicians of
the world were mentioned in Panama Leaks and they did not form a commission under their Chief Justice.
He said, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif had announced the judicial commission head by the Chief Justice on the demand of opposition parties.
No loan taken by Finance Minister from his sons
ISLAMABAD, Apr 23 (APP): The Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has not taken any loan or Qarz-e-Hasana from his son, clarified a spokesperson of the minister here Saturday.
According to a statement issued here, the spokesperson said most of the electronic and print media misread and wrongly reported that annual returns of assets and liabilities filed with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) show that Finance Minister, Ishaq Dar has taken loan from his sons.
“Ishaq Dar has not taken any loan/Qarz e Hasna rather he had given Qarz e Hasna to his sons and the same was duly declared in the annual returns filed for the year 2014 with the ECP.”, the statement added.
Denmark supports child art in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, Apr 23 (APP): Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of
Denmark in Pakistan Helle Nielsen has said that art and culture were
important means to bridge differences and to create tolerance in the
society.
She was speaking at the 5th National Child Art Competition
ceremony (Art Beat 2016) organized by the Little Art and co-funded
by the Danish Centre for Culture and Development (CKU) here.
This year’s theme for Art Beat 2016 was dedicated to teachers
of Pakistan with the title of “My Teacher – My Hero”.
British HC calls on Punjab Chief Minister
LAHORE, April 23 (APP): British High Commissioner Thomas Drew met Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif here Saturday and matters of mutual interest, strengthening of bilateral relations and increase in cooperation in different sectors were discussed in the meeting.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said there are best friendly and trade relations between Pakistan and Britain and British cooperation in education, health, skill development and other sectors
is laudable.
He said interaction between Punjab and Britain in different sectors has increased.
Govt committed to achieve 7 pc GDP growth rate by 2018: Dar
ISLAMABAD, April 23 (APP): Minister for Finance Muhammad Ishaq Dar Saturday said the government was determined to achieve 7 per cent gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate by 2018.
Addressing a pre-budget 2016-17 conference organized by Jang Group here, he said the government had achieved macro-economic stability which was recognized by 22 reputed international organizations.
Now it was focusing on upward growth trajectory and jobs creation in order to cater for the growing workforce of the country, he added.
Air Chief express satisfaction over steps taken by PAF Training Branch
ISLAMABAD, Apr 23 (APP): Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief
of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force has expressed his satisfaction
over the steps taken by the PAF Training Branch to improve the
quality of education and impart the spirit of compassion at Fazaia
institutions.
Addressing at the Annual Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Award
Ceremony of Fazaia Schools and Colleges which was held at Aftab
Auditorium, Fazaia Inter College here on Saturday, said a press
release issued here.
He urged the teachers to play their role as mentors of the
youth and builders of the nation.