ISLAMABAD, Apr 21 (APP): Pakistan on Thursday expressed concern over the latest Indian test of submarine, capable of firing nuclear ballistic missiles, terming it an act to impact the delicate strategic balance of the region.
Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria in a weekly press briefing said the launch of India’s nuclear submarine was a “serious development” and had resulted in nuclearization of Indian Ocean.
The Spokesman termed it a “worrisome development” for the region and the international community.
India's nuclear-propelled ballistic missile submarine to impact region's strategic balance: FO
264 killed in recent rainfall, floods: Senate told
ISLAMABAD, April 21 (APP): Minister for Climate Change Zahid Hamid Thursday informed the Senate that 264 people were killed in recent
rainfall, flood and landsliding in various areas of Gilgit-Baltistan
and Khyber Pakhtukhwa.
Replying to a calling attention notice regarding performance of
Disaster Management Authorities (NDMA) in recent rainfall and floods,
the minister thet NDMA had issued advanced warning to all the
organizations concerned about rains advising them to finalize
preparations for possible floods.
He said the NDMA distributed 1600 tents, 10 ton food and 1800
blankets in Khyber Pakhtukhwa. Relief assistance was also given
in affected areas of Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir, he added.
Govt taking steps to remove illegal encroachments from Capital: Dr. Tariq
ISLAMABAD, April 21(APP): Minister for Capital Administration
and Development Division (CADD) Dr Tariq Fazal Chudhary on Thursday told the Senate that government was taking steps to remove illegal encroachments from residential and commercial sectors of the Capital.
While answering questions in Senate he said, Capital Development Authority (CDA) Enforcement Directorate was entrusted with removing encroachments across the city.
He said arrangements were being made to remove the encroachments
from residential and commercial areas in all sectors of Islamabad as
12 dedicated teams were deployed across the city headed by the
Inspector level officer in this regard.
Process of economic stability should not be stopped: Ishaq Dar
ISLAMABAD, Apr 21 (APP): Minister for Finance, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar Thursday said the present government has ensured good governance and trying to bring more transparency in the national institutions.
“We have launched several development and welfare projects in the
country. Not a single case of corruption has been surfaced against the incumbent government,” he said while talking to a news channel.
He said the country has achieved immense success to further strengthen the national economy, adding the process of economic stability should not be stopped in the country.
Ahsan for formulating Strategic Framework-2025 for transforming higher education
ISLAMABAD, Apr 21 (APP): Minister for Planning, Development
and Reform Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday asked the Higher Education
Commission (HEC) to devise a Strategic Framework-2025 for higher
education to make it compatible with the worldwide evolving trends.
The fast changing developments and technology are re-defining
the paradigm in higher education and Pakistan needs to catch up with
the changing paradigm through a new vision for higher education like
the one present government introduced in the form of Vision-2025 for
sustained economic growth and inclusive development.
Chairing a meeting to review the higher education projects in
the country he said the strategic framework-2025 would set the
direction and destination of higher education for next ten years.
Toxic sweet incident: death toll rises to 9
LAYYAH, April 21 (APP): At least nine persons, including
five real brothers, died after consuming poisonous sweets at Chak 105/TDA near Fattehpur.
According to Rescue 1122 spokesperson Inayat Ali, the
incident took place when a resident of Chak 105 TDA namely Umar Hayat brought sweets from a shop owned by Tariq Mahmood and Khalid Mahmood located at Chowk 111 Morh Toil Indus to celebrate the birth of his grandson and distributed them among the people of the area.
As a result, nine persons died including five real brothers
namely Shahbaz, Irfan, Ramzan and Sikandar besides Abdul
Ghafoor, Muhammad Ameer and Hafeez.
National Book Day to be observed on Friday
ISLAMABAD, Apr 21 (APP): National Book Day would be observed
across the country on Friday with an aim to promote the book reading
culture among the people particularly youth.
Advisor to Prime Minister on National History and literary Heritage
Division, Irfan Siddique would participate in the inaugural ceremony of the three-day Book Festival arranged by National Book Foundation in connection with the National Book Day.
Pakistan Post has issued NBF memorable ticket on the National Book Day which would be released tomorrow.
Rain likely on Friday
ISLAMABAD, Apr 21 (APP): Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Thursday predicted rain-thunderstorm for scattered places of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan and FATA during the next 24 hours.
The synoptic situation indicates that the prevalence of a westerly wave would affect upper parts of the country till Friday.
Mainly rain-thunderstorm is likely at scattered places of Malakand, Hazara,Peshawar, Mardan, Sargodha, Rawalpindi divisions Islamabad, FATA, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Italy, ready for close cooperation with Pakistan on counter-terrorism: Italian FM
ISLAMABAD, Apr 21 (APP): Italian foreign minister Paolo Gentiloni on Thursday said Italy was on “same page” with Pakistan in its fight against terrorism and was ready for close cooperation in counter-terrorism.
In a joint press conference with Advisor to Prime Minister Sartaj Aziz here at the Foreign Office, following their meeting, the Italian foreign minister said Italy and Pakistan had a defence agreement in place since 2009 and were exchanging expertise and sharing information in fighting terrorism.
The Italian foreign minister expressed condolences on behalf of the Italian government over the incidents of terrorism that took place in Pakistan over the years.
Visit of SAI Indonesia's delegation key to promote ties: Rana Assad
ISLAMABAD, April 21 (APP): A delegation of Audit Board of Republic of Indonesia called on the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) Rana Assad Ameen here Thursday and discussed ways and means for further strengthening cooperation between the two audit institutions.
The six-member delegation of Audit Board of Indonesia, headed by Chairman Harry Azhar Azis, is on a three-day visit to Pakistan.
Speaking on the occasion, Rana Assad Amin said,”The office of the Auditor General of Pakistan and Audit Board of Indonesia share the similarity of being very old and historical institutions carrying rich traditions.”