UNITED NATIONS, Dec 20 (APP): Worldwide major wood production has undergone a revival over past year as it has seen the greatest leap since the global economic downturn of 2008-2009, according to the latest data released by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Weaving craft workshop for students from Monday
ISLAMABAD, Dec 20 (APP): National Institute of Folk and traditional Heritage Lok Virsa, will start a Weaving craft workshop here Monday under its Craft of the Month programme with the theme of Harnessing Culture with Education for students and young children to learn and know about the history and techniques of unique crafts.
Pakistan can be among top 10 economies by utilizing youth talent: Ahsan
ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 (APP): Minister Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal on Saturday said that Pakistan can move to top 25 five econnomies of the world by 2025 with the passion of people of Pakistan and the talent of its youth, which can even take the country in top ten econnomies of the world by 2047.
Yasir upset Aqeel to win Governor KP National Ranking Tennis title
PESHAWAR, Dec 19 (APP): Four seeded Yasir Khan upset Pakistan No. 1 and top seed Aqeel Khan in all family affairs final of the first Governor KP National Tennis Championship played here at PAF Officer Mess Tennis Courts on Saturday.
Aqeel Khan, who is going to tie-the-note on Dec 27 here in Peshawar this year, is beaten by his younger brother Yasir in the marathon 2-1 final lasted for two hours and 21 minutes.
“I have lost the final here after 1999 in Peshawar,” Aqeel Khan informed APP in a post match talks. “I have won 400 titles and I have my longer desires that the youngsters should come up and beat me so as Yasir did by playing very attacking game,” Aqeel, who steer Pakistan to reach to Group-1 after nine year while teaming Pakistan with Aisamul Haq.
Pakistan recorded historic win at the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Zone Group II final by winning the deciding rubber against Chinese Taipei’s Jui-Chen Hung in a four-setter at, Izmir in Turkey. Pakistan defeated Chinese Taipei 3-2 in the final and booked a place in Group I after nine years.
“It is a great moment for Pakistan, but it is also sad that Pakistanis are not able to see what we did because we played our home-tie on the neutral venue,” Aqeel added.
Both Yasir and Aqeel went all-out by giving each other a tough fight in the marathon three sets battle, the score was 6-4, 2-6 and 6-4 in favour of Yasir. Winning the first Governor KP Tennis Cup is amazing,” young Yasir told this agency.
Shoaib Khan beat top seed Aqib Umer by 2-0, the score of the Under-14 final was 6-2 and 6-1. In the Under-18 category final Muzamil of Punjab upset top seed Barkat Ullah of KP in another thrilling final 3-0, the score was 6-4, 3-6 and 6-2.
It was the doubles final Shehzad Khan and Yasir Khan defeated Haria Ashaq and Aqeel Khan by 6-4.
Additional Chief Secretary FATA Muhammad Aslam Kambo was the chief guest on this occasion who gave away trophies and cash prizes. Base Commander Peshawar Air Commodore Naveed Haider Minhas, former World Champion Qamar Zaman, Patron-in-chief of PTF Senator Dilawar Abbas, former Sports Minister Syed Aqil Shah, President KP Tennis Association Dr. Tahir, Director PAF Sports Control Committee Asghar Awan, players, officials and large number spectators were also present on this occasion.
PM briefed on law & order in the Punjab
LAHORE, Dec 19 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was briefed here on Saturday about the law and order situation in the Punjab.
Home Secretary Punjab Maj (Retd) Azam Suleman Khan and Inspector General Police (IGP) Mushtaq Ahmed Sukhera briefed the Prime Minister on the overall law and order situation in the province.
Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan and Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar also attended the meeting.
CM Punjab briefs PM on development projects
LAHORE, Dec 19 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was briefed by Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif on various development projects in the rural and urban Punjab .
In a meeting here on Saturday with the Premier in the chair, CM Shahbaz Sharif informed about the ongoing development initiatives like the clean drinking water, rural roads network and rehabilitation of water supply system in the urban Punjab.
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif appreciated the development projects carried out by the provincial government and expressed his satisfaction over the pace of the development work.
The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Ch Nisar Ali Khan, Khawaja Asif and parliamentarians from the Punjab Assembly.
President delivered speech in Urdu at Wuzhen Internet Conference
ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 (APP): President Mamnoon Hussain made history by delivering his speech in Urdu language in the 2nd World Internet Conference held at the river town of Wuzhen in Zhejiang province of China from December
16 to 18.
It was for the first time that a Pakistani President addressed an international event abroad in Urdu, which would not only help promote the national language and pride but would also highlight the rich cultural heritage.
The conference organized by the Cyberspace Administration of China and the Government of Zhejiang province was also addressed by President of China Xi Jinping in Chinese language.
President Mamnoon Hussain in his speech at the forum highlighted the need to make collective global efforts to check the abuse of cyberspace and Internet by terrorists and criminals.
Besides addressing the Internet conference, the President also had a bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and attended a cultural event hosted in his honour by the Government of Zhejiang province.
Economic stability linked to cohesion among political, social institutions: President
ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 (APP): President Mamnoon Hussain Saturday said that the economic stability could not be achieved without cohesion among the country’s political and social institutions.
Addressing the concluding session of three-day conference on ‘Vision 2025:
Effective Strategies for Transformational Growth’ held by Pakistan Institute of Development Economics here, he said the the Vision 2025 addressed the subject of pursuing development goals by creating harmony among different
institutions.
Lauding the role of Pakistan Society of Development Economists for the country’s economic stability and public prosperity, the President hoped that the conference would help carry forward the same goals.
He observed that the recommendations coming out of the conference could help promote good governance by ensuring institutional reforms. This goal could only be achieved by investing in the fields of education, health and human resources, he added.
The President was satisfied to note that economic experts were also paying attention to the issues reasoned by climate change and energy crisis. In this way, any loss to the components of the national economy, including
agriculture, industry, food safety as well as the business could be averted, he added.
He said in the past, various factors, including law and order situation, political instability besides other infrastructural issues confronted the national economic progress.
“I am pleased to say that Pakistani nation has braved all these challenges boldly and sagaciously. The sacrifices rendered by our armed forces and law enforcement agencies and their performance also remained praiseworthy.
Consequently, the lawlessness pervading different parts of the country, terrorism and extremism are now receding. Law and order situation is improving gradually,” the President remarked.
He said consequently, the trust of the investors was reviving and the economic activities were also increasing. President Mamnoon said likewise law and order, the national prosperity and economic stability were also linked with the political situation.
The political ups and downs occurred frequently in the developing countries which begot uncertainty thus decelerating the economic growth, he added.
However, the President said the country’s political situation remained encouraging and except few minor crises, no upheaval hit the national economy.
He assured the audience, comprising the economists coming from across the country, that the country would see further improvements in the years to come and the economic indicators would also bring positive news.
The President said better economic infrastructure could only bring in meaningful development in the fields of industry, agriculture and other sectors. But unfortunately, the sector faced neglect in the past that affected the productivity and exports besides increasing the cost of production.
He said the government was addressing this issue as availability of skilled manpower was improving.
Terming China Pakistan Economic Corridor ‘Monument of the Century’, the President said after its completion, Pakistan would be able to benefit its geographical importance that would also bring stability to the national economy.
He said the Central Asian states were mulling to link their infrastructural projects with the CPEC. He also called for national unity to ensure completion of this historic project and stand united against the obstacles in this regard.
He advised the youngsters to pursue their goals with passion and ambition.
Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal and Vice Chancellor Pakistan Institute of Development Economics Dr Asad Zaman also addressed the conference.
Later, Ahsan iqbal also presented a souvenir to the President.
Mainly cold, dry weather expected in most parts of country
ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 (APP): The Meteorological Department on Saturday forecast mainly cold and dry weather in most parts of the country during the next 24 hours.
However isolated rain or snow is expected in Malakand division and Gilgit-Baltistan during night while shallow foggy and misty conditions are likely over plain areas of Punjab, Peshawar and Sukkur divisions during night and morning hours.
On Saturday’s lowest Temperatures recorded as Astore -10øC, Skardu and Kalam -08øC, Kallat, Parachinar and Gupis -07øC, Hunza and Gilgit -06øC, Quetta and Dir -05øC, Chitral, Rawalakot and Malamjabba -04øC, Dalbandin -03øC,
Kamra and Mirkhani -02øC, Drosh, Bunji and Kakul -01øC, Balakot and Lower Dir 00øC.
Meanwhile, falling mercury in the prevailing cold dry spell has raised chest infections, flu and fever in twin cities of the countries.
Frost in morning with chilly winds in morning and evening has increased out door patients in public and private hospitals suffering from seasonal diseases.
Executive Director, Poly clinic hospital, Dr. Zahid Hussain here on Saturday told APP, severe dry cold weather is quite harmful for people and advised them to cover their bodies properly while going out especially in evening and morning.
He said allergy diseases are also on rise in these days and allergy patients are strictly advised to go out in day time only and restrict their activities after sunset.
He asked them to use mask and avoid going out if not so urgent. Secondly he said, patients of chest infections and pneumonia are also on rise these days and people should go for vaccination.
For flu and viral infections, ED Poly Clinic hospital said those suffering from flu should avoid interacting with others and other should go for vaccination as a precautionary measure in advance.
He added that there is a visible change in indoor and outdoor temperatures as mostly people warm their houses with heaters, stoves etc. but all of a suddenly when they step out, cold wave affect them badly. He urged people to use woolen clothes, warm caps, mittens, socks and shoes
rather than open sleepers to keep them save from cold.
ECNEC approves Rs 404 bln for Neelum Jhelum power project
ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 (APP): The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved on Saturday the revised PC-I of Neelum Jhelum hydropower project at a total cost of Rs 404.321 billion.
The ECNEC in its meeting chaired by Finance Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar here considered and approved proposals in energy, communication and
higher education sectors.
ECNEC was apprised that the financial issues of the project were discussed in the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCOE), following which a sub-committee headed by the Finance Minister was constituted to resolve these issue.
The sub-committee noted that the existing PC-I of the project had no provision for certain items including interest during construction.
The Committee therefore directed the WAPDA to prepare a revised PC-I and include all the project related costs inclusive of IDC, taxes and duties etc.
The revised PC-I was accordingly submitted to Central Development Working Party (CDWP) which recommended it to ECNEC for approval. While approving the project, the Committee directed that the NJHPP related schemes of AJK be implemented at the earliest.
On a proposal of Ministry of Communications, ECNEC also approved the revised PC-I of Sukkhur-Multan Section (392 KMs)of Peshawar- Karachi Motorway Project at a total cost of Rs 314.997 billion.
The section covers the areas of districts of Sukkhur, Ghotki, Rahimyar Khan, Bahawalpur and Multan in the provinces of Sind and Punjab.
The committee was informed that the project was being implemented on EPC basis and therefore there would be no cost escalation during the implementation of the project. The meeting was informed that despite upward revision of the project cost, a saving of Rs. 112 billion has still been achieved through deep scrutiny.
ECNEC also discussed and approved the revised PC-I for KKH Phase-II (Havelian to Thakot 118.057 KM) project at a total cost of Rs.136.659 billion.
The meeting was informed that increase in cost of the project owed to a number of reasons.
The proposed scope of work includes high level bridges as well as tunnels under poor soil support which requires special treatment and needs heavy spending.
Further the area is prone to seismic activities which require additional safety measures.
Due to poor strata along the alignment, excessive material is required from far off places which needs haulage roads resulting in substantial increase in cost of earthwork.
The road will be built on Chinese standards applicable to similar terrain.
NHA informed the meeting that a saving of Rs. 58 billion has been achieved in the project cost through a reduction in the bid following technical negotiations. The meeting also considered and approved the National Highway N-70, Rakhi Gajj-Bewata, East-West, Road Project at a revised cost of Rs. 22.994 billion.
The road is an important link between Balochistan and southern region of Punjab.
The project envisages revamping of a stretch of 32. 651KM long two lane single carriageway of N-70 from Rakhi Gajj to Bewata in the districts of Dera Ghazi Khan and Loaralai.
The construction work also includes building of a steel bridge which will be one of its kind once completed.
ECNEC also considered and approved the Fulbright Scholarship Support Programme (Phase-II), which will be funded mainly by the USAID. The project involves a total funding of Rs. 12.567 billion.
Under the programme 550 Master/M.Phil and 141 doctoral scholarships will be offered to Pakistani scholars in US universities in specific disciplines focused mainly on science and technology.
The awardees are selected on merit from all over the country, with preference being given to less developed areas as well as to women.