ISLAMABAD, Dec 4 (APP):President Dr Arif Alvi Saturday appreciated the immediate step of Prime Minister Imran Khan and the government of Pakistan on the incident of Sialkot.
In a tweet on social media platform Twitter, he said, “The incident of Sialkot was certainly very unfortunate and shameful and was not related to religion as Islam is a religion which established the system of decision making on the basis of justice instead of mob lynching.”
ISLAMABAD, Dec 4 (APP): Samina Alvi, wife of President Arif Alvi on Saturday called for collective efforts to make differently abled persons useful and productive members of society.
While speaking at an event of Association for Rehabilitation of the Physically Disabled (ARPD), she said, “We need to take steps to help differently abled persons and make them useful members of society.”
It should be ensured that these persons were accepted by the society and they had mobility and access to facilities, she added.
She told that the Thar Foundation in Sindh was doing a commendable job and helping out persons with disabilities.
The foundation trained youth so they could get proper jobs and become productive members of society, she noted.
There was a need to connect social welfare organizations and youth who wanted to get training and jobs, she commented.
She underlined the need to end deprivation among differently abled persons and protect their social and economic rights.
She lauded the positive role played by non governmental organizations in supporting needy and vulnerable sections of society.
She told that the government had taken a number of initiatives to make differently abled persons economically independent, adding the government was making efforts to ensure inclusive education for persons with disabilities and to upgrade their facilities.
She called for setting up of vocational training centers for youth who could not get early education.
She said it was responsibility of every citizen to take care of the needs of special persons, adding these persons were immensely talented and could contribute to the economic well being of society.
Samina Alvi said efforts were underway to make buildings accessible for differently abled persons.
Ramps were made in the Parliament and about 4000 bank branches gave access to persons with special needs.
She said the government had initiated a project to build ramps in old buildings to make it easy for special persons to enter them.
She said laws for persons with disabilities would be implemented with the efforts of all concerned.
According to an estimate, 14 percent of the population in Pakistan had some kind of disability and everyone needed to work together to let this segment of society move forward in life, she added.
She urged that differently abled persons should get themselves registered to avail facilities offered by the government.
The persons with disabilities should seek loans being given by banks to set up businesses and live with dignity.
Senator Faisal Javed, Provincial Minister Yawar Bukhari and chairperson ARPD Anjum Anwar also spoke on the occasion and shared their experiences and suggestions for improving lives of persons with disabilities.
RAWALPINDI, Dec 04 (APP):Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Capital Development Authority (CDA) Affairs Ali Nawaz Awan Saturday said the Tenth Avenue road connecting Islamabad and Rawalpindi would be completed in record 18 months at a cost of Rs 12 billion.
The SAPM was addressing the project foundation ceremony held here.
Speaking on the occasion, he said that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government was committed to fulfill the promises made with the nation.
He underscored that four major development projects were inaugurated in a week adding that more development projects were in the pipeline. Ali Nawaz Awan said that work on Margla Avenue, Golra Mor under pass, PWD underpass in full swing and would be completed soon.
He said Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar is taking keen interest in development projects.
He added that no water shortage problem was reported in Islamabad last summer. He claimed that there was no water shortage in Islamabad.
He said mega projects worth billions of rupees were underway with a special focus on rural areas of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).
Awan informed that mega development projects worth Rs100billion were started in Islamabad which were neglected by the previous governments who did not think for the uplift of the federal capital.
The SAPM added that special measures were being taken for the development of local villages in the ICT.
KARACHI, Dec 04 (APP):FIA Cybercrime Sindh’s Head Imran Riaz on Saturday claimed to have arrested eight persons including NADRA employees for their involvement in the sale of ‘Illegal SIMs’ by sealing cellular franchises in Kashmor and Ghotki.
While addressing a press conference at FIA Cybercrime Zone Sindh, he alleged that busted NADRA’s employees were running the franchises.
He said that five thousand illegal SIMs had been issued through the ten thousand thumb impressions.
Sharing the details, he said that a team of the Cybercrime Sukkur raided the franchises and seized the thumb impressions.
He claimed that the SIMs were being used by the dacoits of Katcha areas, criminals and child pornographic rackets.
Replying to a question, he said that they were writing a letter to the cellular mobile operator to block the aforesaid illegal SIMs.
Imran Riaz said that the SIMs were activated through the thumb impressions, which were collected from the NADRA’s data as those were of high resolutions.
He also suspected the high scale usage of illegal SIM’s across the country.
The Cybercrime Sindh’s Chief said that a comprehensive report would be prepared on the matter to share with the high-ups.
He also announced the launching of ‘Operation Cyber Storm’ to curb the menace of crime through the computer and internet.
By Sohail Ali
LAHORE, Dec 04 (APP):The Brighto Paints High Goal Exhibition Polo Match, that was played between Pakistan and Argentina in celebration of 70 years of Diplomatic Relations between the two countries, ended in a 5-5 draw here at the historic Lahore Polo Club (LPC) ground on Saturday.
The enthralling and action-packed match was organized by Lahore Polo Club in collaboration with Foreign Ministry and Embassy of Argentina, Islamabad, and was witnessed and enjoyed by the ambassadors of more than 40 countries, their families, top national and international players and polo enthusiasts.
Both the teams displayed high-quality polo skills and techniques and matches fire-with-fire till the end and the ultimate result of the hard-fought exhibition match was 5-all.
From team Pakistan, Saqib Khan Khakwani and Ahmed Ali Tiwana played superb polo and banged in two goals each while the remaining one goal was converted by Hamza Mawaz Khan. From team Argentina, Andres Lorentte thrashed in two goals while Tomas Reinoso, Mannuel Carranza and Ernesto Trotz slammed in one goal apiece.
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi graced the occasion as chief guest while Ambassador of the Argentine Republic, Mr. Leopoldo Francisco Sahores and Deputy Head of Mission, Mr. Camilo Ernesto Silberkasten were guests of honour.
At the prize distribution ceremony, the chief guest and guests of honour gave away shields and trophies to the winners and top performers. Other notable ones also present on the occasion were Imran Akhtar Special Advisor to FM, Chairman Brighto Paints Kh Ejaz Ahmed Sikka, Lahore Polo Club President Umar Sadik and LPC executive committee members.
Sharing his views, chief guest Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said: “Sports unite two countries and strengthen their relations. Pakistan and Argentina enjoy good and strong relations and polo and hockey are the games, which bring further closer to each other.
We are improving our relations as many of Argentine’s polo players and ponies are part of Pakistan polo season every year, and our players also visit Argentine occasionally to play polo. We are looking forward to very strong relations between the two countries through sports.”
Speaking on the occasion, Lahore Polo Club President Umar Sadik thanked the foreign minister and all the honourable ambassadors, where were on the occasion to witness the high-quality polo match.
“I hope the Lahorites enjoyed the challenging and exciting match between Argentina and Pakistan, which was conducted to celebrate and further strengthen the 70-year Diplomatic Relations between the two countries.”
FAISALABAD, Dec 04 (APP):State Minister for Information & Broadcasting Farrukh Habib has said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government is heavily investing in health sector in addition to promoting close liaison and seeking help of the private sector for ensuring best healthcare facilities to the masses.
He was addressing a function after inaugurating angiography machine in Faisalabad Institute of Cardiology (FIC) donated by local industrialists and philanthropists here on Saturday.
He said that FIC was an important institution of Faisalabad which has provided much relief to the patients suffering from heart related ailments. He also mentioned flagship health card programme of PTI government and said that in Punjab every family would get health card within next couple of months. “It will enable each family to spend at least one million rupees on the free treatment of their loved ones from any hospital,” he added.
Farrukh Habib said that government had also taken a bold initiative to upgrade health facilities in the existing hospitals and as a result, people were getting tangible results in this segment of life.
“It is worth mentioning that public-private partnership has played a key role in enhancing health facilities to the poor segments of the society,” he said and appreciated the provision of costly angiography machine for FIC by local industrialists and hoped that this cooperation would continue in future.
He also visited different sections of FIC and personally reviewed the facilities offered by this hospital. He also enquired about satisfaction of the patients from their attendants.
Later, the state minister also visited Langar Khana established in the hospital and appreciated the quality of food provided to the attendants of indoor patients.
ISLAMABAD, Dec 04 (APP):Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Saturday Predicted rain likely to lash different parts of the country which would help subside the smoggy conditions.
Light rain / wind-thunderstorm and snowfall over hills is expected in Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Potohar Region and North East Punjab.
Smog/fog is likely to decrease in plain areas of Punjab during morning/night hours.
Cold and dry weather is expected elsewhere in the country.
According to the synoptic situation, a weak westerly wave entering western parts of the country on Saturday is likely to persist in upper parts of the country till Sunday.
During the last 24 hours, cold and dry weather prevailed over most parts of the country, while very cold in hilly areas.
However, light rain occurred in Saidu Sharif.
The rainfall recorded during the last 24 hours was Saidu Sharif 01 mm.
The lowest minimum temperatures recorded during the period were Leh -07 C, Skardu -06, Gupis -05, Astor, Babusar top -04, Gilgit -03, Kalam, Rawalakot -02 and Kalat, Dir -01 C.
In the federal capital, partly cloudy weather with light rain is expected on Sunday.
ISLAMABAD, Dec 4 (APP):Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar on Saturday said the government is expecting five percent economic growth this year due to its prudent policies.
In a video statement, he said the government made the national economy stable and a record increase in foreign remittance is being witnessed.
Pakistan has dealt with Corona pandemic in an effective manner and the whole world is acknowledging the policy decisions taken by Prime Minister Imran Khan in tackling the global epidemic, he expressed these views in response to a statement made by Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif on
economy and inflation.
Commenting on inflation in the country, the minister said the nation was facing this problem due to rising prices of all items in the international market.
Hamad Azhar said that Shehbaz Sharif has always and still sharing inaccurate figures about the economy of the country.
Hammad Azhar said the government will immediately pass on to the people the benefits of reduction in prices inthe international market and the general public will feel relief soon.
He said that according to the World Bank, the poverty rate in Pakistan has decreased and the economy is growing at a rate of five percent.
He said a five per cent growth rate means that unemployment is declining and the economy is growing.
The minister said that with the reduction in prices in the international market, the prices in the country will also come down.
LAHORE, Dec 04 (APP):Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar said on Saturday that there is no room for violence and extremism in Islam and scholars should play a positive role in curbing extremism.
In his tweet and statement on the incident of killing a foreign national in Sialkot, he said that taking the law into one’s hands on the basis of mere accusation is contrary to Islamic teachings.
Sialkot incident is a disgrace to the whole nation. Those who are responsible for this heinous incident will be brought to law at any cost. Prime Minister Imran Khan is supervising the investigation, those responsible will not be able to escape.
Ch Sarwar said that there is no doubt that the Sialkot incident is very unfortunate and an insult to Islam and human dignity. Those involved in such incidents are bringing Pakistan into disrepute in the world.
This tragic incident is being condemned by scholars from all schools of thought but there is a need for all political and religious parties to unite in order to protect the country from extremism as well as religious extremism.
The governor said that Prime Minister Imran Khan has clearly stated that those involved in this incident will not be forgiven under any circumstances. The arrests have begun already and those responsible will be punished as soon as possible according to the constitution and law. The minorities in Pakistan will be protected according to the vision of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, he added.
The Punjab governor said that killing of a foreigner on the pretext of religious sacrilege was very sad and embarrassing for 220 million Pakistanis. The government agencies have taken timely action against those responsible.
Prime Minister Prime Minister Imran Khan himself is monitoring the Sialkot incident and the government has a clear policy that no one will be allowed to take the law into their hands. Relevant agencies including the police will ensure that such incidents do not happen in Pakistan in future, he added.
ISLAMABAD, Dec 4 (APP):Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar on Saturday performed the ground breaking ceremony of 10th Avenue. Adviser to Prime Minister on Capital Development Authority Affairs, Ali Nawaz Awan also attended the ceremony.
Addressing on the occasion, Asad Umar said that the project would be completed at a cost of more than Rs10 billion and the work would start in few days. He said the project would be completed in 18 months. There are three requirements to complete the project on time, National Logistic Cell (NLC) will start the work on three points simultaneously at IJP road, Srinagar Highway and from center of the project.
He highlighted that the sectors I-9 and I-10 were the most congested areas and had not their own way. Asad Umar said the time of completion of this project, work of IJP principle road and Margalla Avenue toward Sangjani would also be competed. He said that government in collaboration with Pakistan Council of Research and Water Resoures (PCRWR) installed 100 new tube-wells in Capital Development Authority (CDA) sectors and 50 tube-wells in other housing sectors of the city.
He said that the government also brought two new big projects in health, one in Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and other in sector G-11 that is Polyclinic extension. Asad Umar said from January next year, every citizen of Islamabad and Rawalpindi would get the Sehat Insaaf Card under which they could avail medical treatments worth of up to Rs one million in one year.
He said that the current government was spending money on the people as compared to the previous governments, which always increased their properties adding that the way of progress was continued and we are fulfilling our promises. Asad Umar said that in Islamabad and Punjab we introduced local government system.
LAHORE, Dec 04 (APP):Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Saturday that the government had launched multiple initiatives to highlight the real and soft image of the country and bring people of other countries closer to the people of Pakistan through sports and other such activities.
Talking to the media after watching an exhibition polo match, played between Pakistan and Argentina in connection with celebrations of 70-year friendship between the two countries, here at the Lahore Polo Club, he said that like Pakistan, sports of polo and hockey were liked and played in Argentina also.
Qureshi said that the match was a diplomatic initiative of Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the government was also organising other such events to highlight the fact that Pakistanis are a sports loving nation.
He said the government recently celebrated 50 years of its relations with the United Arab Emirates on its national day as a goodwill message to the UAE government and its people.
Similarly, the Pakistan government also celebrated national days of Spain and some other countries as well.
The minister said that ambassadors of a number of countries were present at today’s polo match, which proved the fact that they feel themselves secure in Pakistan and travel in the country for such events.
To a question, Qureshi said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government had softened its visa policy and on-arrival visas were being granted to people of various countries.
He said that foreigners, who visited Pakistan or they were in the country currently, were giving positive feedback about Pakistan as they roamed freely across the country and also enjoy its natural beauty. The government is promoting cultural diplomacy as Pakistan has great potential in all fields including sports and culture, he added.
To another query, he said that Pakistan wants good relations with all regional countries including India. However, he added, Pakistan could not have good relations with India until and unless it stops atrocities and sheer human rights violations in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJ&K).
The minister also gave away shields and the trophy to the teams.
ISLAMABAD, Dec 4 (APP):The government is all set to launch ‘Kamyab Jawan Sports Drive’ here on December 6 (Monday) to revive sports culture for producing national heroes.
Two days left in the launching of the Kamyab Jawan Sports Drive at Jinnah Stadium Sports Complex, Islamabad, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Youth Affairs Muhammad Usman Dar said through his twitter account.
Usman Dar twitted a teaser video of the programme and lyrics of special song ‘Gali se ground tk … final round tk’ whereas he was also participated in the shooting of the song.
“Just wait for two days for the coming of great masterpiece, Usman Dar twitted. He said this would be the biggest and unique sports event in the country’s history which would be started 48 hours later.
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