Police arrest 960 criminals in May

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Mon, 2 Jun 2025, 5:02 PM

ISLAMABAD, Jun 02 (APP): Chairman Senate of Pakistan, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, and Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan, Rashid Meredov, Monday discussed avenues for strengthening bilateral relations and advancing shared regional goals.

During the meeting, Gilani expressed his appreciation for the warm hospitality extended by the Turkmen side and reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong support for Turkmenistan’s policy of permanent neutrality, said a news release received here.

He emphasized the importance of deepening political, trade, and economic engagement between the two brotherly nations.

Highlighting the critical need to enhance bilateral trade, the Chairman advocated for greater collaboration in key sectors and underscored the potential of regional connectivity in promoting mutual prosperity.

He specifically encouraged Turkmenistan to utilize Pakistan’s strategic Gwadar and Karachi seaports more extensively to enhance trade and connectivity.

The two sides held detailed discussions on major regional projects, including the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP) power transmission line, and the regional fiber optic initiative. Chairman Gilani reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to these initiatives, which are vital for regional energy security and digital connectivity.

Foreign Minister Meredov, while appreciating Pakistan’s continued support, proposed the implementation of practical measures to advance strategic objectives.

These included increasing high-level visits, expanding economic cooperation, and exploring the import of Pakistani marble for the construction sector of Turkmenistan.

Both sides expressed confidence that ongoing collaboration and strategic dialogue would lead to stronger, mutually beneficial ties between Pakistan and Turkmenistan.

Man held with drugs

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Mon, 2 Jun 2025, 5:01 PM

LODHRAN, Jun 02 (APP): Galewal police claimed to have arrested a drug peddler and recovered over 1 kilogram hashish from his possession.

According to a police spokesperson, the operation was carried out on the special directions of District Police Officer (DPO) Capt (R) Ali Bin Tariq. SHO Galewal police station Irfan Sukhaera along with his team raided and apprehended the suspect, identified as Imtiaz Sarla and recovered 1060 gram hashish from his possession.

A case was registered against the accused and an interrogation launched.

DPO Ali Bin Tariq said that the police would continue its crackdown on drugs.

DPM Dar for full utilization of allocated resources to ensure timely outcomes of development targets

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Mon, 2 Jun 2025, 4:57 PM

ISLAMABAD, Jun 02 (APP): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister (DPM/FM) Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Monday emphasized the importance of full utilization of the allocated resources before the close of the current financial year, underscoring the need to deliver results within the stipulated timelines.

The deputy prime minister while chaired the 46th Steering Committee meeting of the Sustainable Development Goals Achievement Programme (SAP) directed all stakeholders to expedite efforts to ensure timely development targets, a DPM’s Office news release said.

The meeting focused on reviewing the utilization of savings and available funds with executing agencies, and streamlining implementation to ensure timely completion of ongoing schemes.

The DPM/FM noted the government’s resolve to aligning development efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), for inclusive and meaningful progress that reflects the development priorities of the nation.

The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including Federal Ministers for Interprovincial Coordination, Planning & Development, Power, Parliamentary Affairs, SAPM Tariq Bajwa; Federal Secretaries; Members of the National Assembly, and representatives of Provincial Governments.

Auction of Bahria Town properties scheduled for June 12 under anti-corruption law

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Mon, 2 Jun 2025, 4:51 PM

ISLAMABAD, Jun 02 (APP): The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) will auction several immovable properties of Bahria Town on Thursday, June 12 at 11:00 AM at its Regional Office near Lal Masjid, Islamabad.

The auction is being held for the recovery of a defaulted plea bargain amount under Section 33-E of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999.

The properties up for auction include the Bahria Town Corporate Office at Plot No. 7-E, Park Road, Phase 2, Rawalpindi, and the Bahria Town Corporate Office II at Plot No. 7-D, Park Road, Phase 2, Rawalpindi.

Other properties include Robesh Market and Lawn in Bahria Garden City near the Golf Course, Bahria Town, Islamabad, and Arena Cinema at Plot No. 984, Board A, Bahria Town Phase 4, Rawalpindi and Safari Club at Plot No. 27, Safari Villas One, Bahria Town Rawalpindi.

NAB has arranged a briefing for interested buyers two days before the auction at its Regional Office near Lal Masjid, Islamabad.

Cement exports increase 24.04% to $253.711 mln in 10 months

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Mon, 2 Jun 2025, 4:42 PM

ISLAMABAD, Jun 2 (APP):The exports of cement witnessed an increase of 24.04 percent during the ten months of the fiscal year 2024-25, as against the exports of the corresponding period of last year.

The cement exports from the country were recorded at US $253.711 million during July-April (2024-25) against the exports of US $204.546 million during July-April (2023-24), according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

In terms of quantity, the cement export also rose by 34.51 percent from 5,302,543 metric tons to 7,132,655 metric tons, the data revealed.

Meanwhile, year-on-year basis, the cement exports witnessed a decrease of 5.70 percent during the month of April 2025 as compared to the same month of last year.

The exports of cement from the country during April 2025 were recorded at US $23.644 million against the exports of US $25.074 million in April 2024.

On a month-on-month basis, cement exports however surged by 7.45 percent during April 2025 when compared to the exports of US $22.004 million in March 2025, the PBS data revealed.

It is pertinent to mention here that the overall exports from the country increased by 6.40 percent during the ten months of the current fiscal year as compared to the corresponding months of last year.

Exports during July-April (2024-25) were recorded at $26.896 billion against $25.278 billion during July-April (2023-24), it added.

On the other hand, imports into the country went up by 7.55 percent by growing from $44.900 billion last year to $48.292 billion during the first ten months of the current year.

IFA launches safety campaign ahead of World Food Safety Day

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Mon, 2 Jun 2025, 4:36 PM

ISLAMABAD, Jun 02 (APP):In connection with World Food Safety Day 2025, the Islamabad Food Authority has kicked off a city-wide campaign to promote food safety in restaurants.

The initiative aims to ensure food handling practices meet official standards and to raise awareness among food workers and management.

Talking to APP, Deputy Director of IFA, Dr. Tahira Siddique said that the campaign included a series of awareness seminars in major restaurants across Islamabad.

As part of this effort, Dr. Tahira Siddique and her team visited a private restaurant where they conducted a seminar on the importance of food safety. The session focused on educating kitchen staff and restaurant workers about proper food handling procedures and the relevance of food safety standards. The team also emphasized the global importance of World Food Safety Day and how local businesses can contribute to ensuring safe meals for the public.

During the visit, the IFA team inspected the kitchen facilities. They assessed hygiene practices, food storage conditions, and overall cleanliness. According to officials, this inspection is part of a broader campaign targeting restaurants throughout the capital. The aim is to make food businesses more aware of their role in public health.

Speaking after the inspection, Dr. Tahira Siddique said that the authority has completed preparations for World Food Safety Day. She confirmed that awareness seminars will continue to be held in restaurants across Islamabad. These seminars are designed to educate restaurant staff on how to maintain food safety according to national regulations.

She further added that the authority is committed to supporting businesses in improving food quality. According to her, the campaign is not just about enforcement but also about guidance and training.

The Islamabad Food Authority’s food safety campaign is aligned with the goals of World Food Safety Day, which is observed annually to highlight the importance of food safety at every step — from production to consumption. By involving restaurant workers directly through in-person visits and discussions, the authority hopes to build a culture of safe food practices across the city.

This year’s focus is to create direct engagement with food handlers and kitchen teams. The authority believes that such efforts can bring about real improvements in food hygiene and reduce risks to public health.

The IFA has also announced that it will continue monitoring restaurants even after World Food Safety Day to encourage long-term improvements in food safety.

HEC, UET Peshawar empower 275 Afghan students with tablets

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Mon, 2 Jun 2025, 4:34 PM

PESHAWAR, Jun 02 (APP):In a prestigious ceremony held here at the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Peshawar free tablets were distributed among 275 Afghan students studying in Pakistan under the Allama Muhammad Iqbal Scholarship Program.

The distribution of tablets was aimed at enhancing access to digital learning resources and enabling Afghan students to participate more effectively in the academic landscape of Pakistan.

The initiative was part of the Government of Pakistan’s efforts, facilitated by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), to support Afghan students in higher education.

The event’s chief guest Syed Qasim Ali Shah, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Social Welfare thanked the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for their support and emphasized the deep historical, cultural, and religious ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

He stated that geographical borders should not hinder Afghan children’s access to education and reaffirmed Pakistan’s continued commitment to supporting Afghan refugees’ education.

UET Peshawar Vice Chancellor Dr Saeed Khattak welcomed the guests and reiterated the university’s commitment to cooperate with HEC in all initiatives.

“We believe that education knows no borders, and providing a conducive learning environment for Afghan students is our top priority,” he said.

Prof Dr Jameel Ahmad, Vice Chancellor of Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, represented the HEC and highlighted the importance of digital learning.

He praised the initiative as a transformative step towards bridging the digital divide by equipping Afghan students with modern educational tools.

Other notable attendees included Kofi Doumo, Head of UNHCR Peshawar; Prof Dr Zia-ul-Haq, Vice Chancellor of Khyber Medical University; Dr Nasir Shah, Director General of HEC Regional Center Peshawar; Jehanzaib Khan, Project Director of the Allama Iqbal Scholarship Program; Prof Dr Misbahullah, Advisor Finance at UET Peshawar; and senior officials from UET, HEC, and various universities

NPO to organize webinar on “Root Cause Analysis”

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Mon, 2 Jun 2025, 4:29 PM

ISLAMABAD, Jun 2 (APP):The National Productivity Organization (NPO) is going to organize a webinar titled “Root Cause Analysis” on June 11 (Wednesday).

The workshop will provide information about five step to route cause analysis with correction action, the root cause and its analysis, the principle of RCA, three basic causes of non-conformance, ISO requirements about RCA, and why RCA is important, said the NPO document shared here on Monday.

The learning outcomes include why RCA is important in solving problems, and recognize common barriers to root cause analysis and apply techniques to overcome those barriers.

The webinar is designed for everyone doing supervision at all levels, heads of departments, departmental managers, shift in charge, HR managers, middle management, HSE officers, production engineers, warehouse in charge, lab managers, quality managers, managers and executives of all functions.

Notorious mugger arrested in Iqbal Town

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Mon, 2 Jun 2025, 4:27 PM