FAISALABAD
Cricket match playing between UMT Markhors and Dolphins teams during one-day Champions’ Cup 2024 at Iqbal Stadium
FAISALABAD
Farmers make bundles after harvesting the sesame crop at their farm
FAISALABAD
Gorakh Bike Rally promo released
ISLAMABAD, Sep 18 (APP):The much-awaited promo for the Gorakh Bike Rally has officially been released, building excitement for the highly anticipated event scheduled from September 29 to October 1.
Organized by Green Tourism in collaboration with the Sindh Tourism Development Corporation, this three-day event is set to bring bikers and adventure enthusiasts from across the country to the stunning Gorakh Hill Station, said a press release.
The newly launched promo showcases thrilling glimpses of the Gorakh Hill Station also known as the ‘Murree of Sindh’, capturing its rugged beauty and challenging terrains that will be part of the rally. Set against the backdrop of the Kirthar Mountain Range, the promo highlights the event’s blend of adventure, nature, and culture, sparking interest among bikers, tourists, and nature lovers alike.
With its release, Green Tourism and STDC aim to draw attention to the event’s focus on eco-tourism, promoting sustainable travel practices while experiencing the untouched beauty of Gorakh Hill. The rally will feature adrenaline-pumping off-road biking competitions, camping under the stars, and cultural performances showcasing the rich heritage of Sindh.
The Gorakh Bike Rally is expected to attract participants and spectators from all over Pakistan, making it a landmark event for local tourism.
The promo offers a sneak peek into the excitement, adventure, and camaraderie that await at this high-energy event.
NUML organizes seminar on Seerat-un-Nabi PBUH
ISLAMABAD, Sep 18 (APP):A seminar on Seerat-un-Nabi SAWW was organized at the National University of Modern Languages NUML (NUML) on Wednesday.
Prof. Dr. Habib ur Rehman Asim was the chief guest on the occasion, while Director General NUML Brig Shahzad Munir presided over the session.
Pro Rectors, Deans, Directors, heads of departments and a large number of students also attended the seminar.
Chief guest Dr. Habib ur Rehman highlighted the various aspects of the Seerat of Hazrat Muhammad SAWW and stressed that acting upon the Seerat is the key to success for the Ummat.
He was of the view that mere describing the Seerat with tongue is not enough we must act on it and tells the world through our actions that we are the followers of Holy Prophet SAWW.
At the end DG NUML Brig Shahzad Munir thanked all the honourable guest and expressed his views to adopt some aspects of Seerat in our lives.
He said that along with compulsory Ibadaat, we must adopt the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet SAWW who taught us about every aspect of life.
He further said that we must learn from the seerah that how to behave with the people around. DG NUML presented a shield to the worthy guest.
Pakistan, Nepal needs to jointly voice climate action on global climate forums: Pokhrel
ISLAMABAD, Sep 18 (APP):Chief Executive, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), Anil Pokhrel has urged the governments of Pakistan and Nepal to work jointly to raise effective voice for effective climate action at the global climate forums.
Pokhrel underscored that the joint efforts at global forums of Pakistan and Nepal should focus on demanding the world community to ensure accessible climate finance instruments for the developing countries facing adverse impacts of climate change.
In an exclusive interview with media at the sidelines of the regional climate dialogue, NDRRMA, Chief Executive, Anil Pokhrel said Pakistan and Nepal shared same Hindukush Himalaya region with similar landscape and monsoon patterns and also hazards like earthquakes, forest fires, floods, and landslides in its disaster-prone terrain in the Hindukush Himalaya Region.
He added that the NDRRMA was eager to learn more about the NDMA, Pakistan’s experiences during climatic disaster and also have an experience sharing opportunity.
“In Nepal, we have been tackling hazards from a single aspect of disaster and missing inter-sectoral links of disasters. We have seen GLOF (glacial lake outburst flood) events, whereas glacial lakes and moraine dams are weakening,” Anil Pokhrel said.
The 2005 Earthquake in Muzaffarabad was a massive earthquake and any such earthquake during monsoon would have more devastation like the glacial lakes’ explosion chances were increasing due to faster melting in the north, he added.
The NDRRMA chief pointed out that the forest fires’ suite was also aggravating the GLOF activity as its black surface absorbs more heat and accelerates melting as permafrost is melting faster in the entire Hindukush Himalya Region.
“We need start looking at its intersectionality and complexity of disasters that also cascades into larger devastations downstream,” he said.
The debate of least greenhouse gas emitter, he said was decades old, whereas the countries like Nepal and Pakistan sharing same risks need to come together as a one singular voice to negotiate more effectively at the forums like COP forums as the COP29 was ahead in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Pakistan and Nepal should work together to narrate the hazards and risks devastations faced by the two countries due to increasing global warming and climate change impacts on the region due to the historical emissions of the developed world driving glacial melt, droughts and forest fires in the region, he added.
“This is where the international finance structure has to be designed in such an effective way that it should be substantial, quick, and directly drawn by the climate vulnerable countries like ours that should help in recovery and reconstruction post disasters,” Anil Pokhrel said.
Commenting on mega dams construction in the disaster Fault-line areas, the NDRRMA Chief Executive said the science and technology evolution around dams construction had evolved over the last few decades.
The countries undertaking such projects should not forget in addition to one time investment in risks assessment and designing alongwith long-term observation, monitoring and network systems as there is a need to design a disaster component for it as if it fails then what do in that scenario, he added.
Such projects, he said should have early warning systems and insurance for these dams in case of failure, whereas its design should be able to withstand these extreme events of earthquake, debris flow, GLOFs, forest fires that could damage these structures.
Rupee gains 08 paisa against dollar
ISLAMABAD, Sep 18 (APP): Pakistani rupee on Wednesday appreciated by 08 paisa against the US dollar in the interbank trading and closed at Rs 278.04 against the previous day’s closing of Rs 278.12.
However, according to the Forex Association of Pakistan (FAP), the buying and selling rates of the dollar in the open market stood at Rs 279.20 and Rs 280.70 respectively.
The price of Euro increased by 18 paisa to close at Rs 309.47 against the last day’s closing of Rs 309.29, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
The Japanese yen decreased by 03 paisa and closed at Rs1.95, whereas an increase of 39 paisa was witnessed in the exchange rate of the British Pound, which traded at Rs366.97 as compared to the last day’s closing of Rs366.58.
The exchange rates of the Emirates Dirham and Saudi Riyal decreased by 02 paisa and 03 paisa to close at Rs 75.70 and Rs74.07 respectively.
CM orders crackdown on overcharging transporters
LAHORE, Sep 18 (APP):Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed authorities to crackdown on overcharging transporters, ensuring that the recent reduction in transport fares, due to lower oil prices, benefits citizens.
“Every passenger, every citizen, and every student must receive full relief from the petrol price reduction,” she emphasized, instructing that any overcharged fares be returned to the public.
The CM tasked the provincial transport minister, commissioners, deputy commissioners, transport authority officials, and district administration to conduct strict field inspections to enforce compliance.
Earlier, the CM was briefed by the relevant authorities that after the announcement of reduction in transport fares by the federal government, the Punjab government has also issued a new schedule of reduction in private transport fares for 37 cities. As directed, the transport fares for passengers have been reduced
from Rs 40 to Rs 250.
Maryam Nawaz was briefed that vehicles in 41 cities of Punjab have been checked to learn about
fare collected from the passengers. She was apprised that once again, Rs 105,540 extra fare charged
from the passengers has been returned, and Rs 358,500 fine has been imposed on the over-charging
transporters.
The CM was also briefed that 30 vehicles had been stopped to operate, Niazi Express has been sealed
and Rs 1.5 Lakh has been slapped in fine on Niazi for not displaying fare list.
On the directive of the chief minister, a helpline has also been made active for citizens’ complaints and their redressal.
DC orders registration of differently-abled persons
KHANEWAL, Sep 18 (APP):Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ali Bukhari directed the relevant authorities to ensure prompt registration of special persons in socio-economic registry.
He said this while chairing a meeting, attended by special persons and some other officials. He discussed the measures for rehabilitation for special persons. Muhammad Ali instructed to department concerned to ensure timely payments to special persons working on temporary basis across the district.
The DC said that the Punjab government was taking every possible step to address the concerns of special persons to improve their living standard.
He said that ‘Himmat card’ initiative had been introduced for eligible registered differently-abled persons. He added that the government was committed to welfare of special persons.
Food commodities valued at %$1.011 bln exported in 2 months
ISLAMABAD, Sep 18 (APP):Food group exports from the country during the first two months of the current financial year grew by 42.39 per cent as compared to the exports of the corresponding period of the last year.
During the period from July-August, 2024, food commodities valued at $1.011 billion were exported as against the export of $710.651 million in the same period of the last year, according to the data of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
In the first two months of the current financial year, the exports of commodities including rice grew by 95.58 per cent as 340,703 metric tons of rice worth $646.667 million were exported as compared to the exports of 340,703 metric tons of $233.992 million.
The exports of fruits and vegetables increased by 11.20 per cent and 56.73 per cent respectively as the country earned $51.128 million by exporting 157,806 metric tons of vegetables and $96.159 million by exporting about 94,375 metric tons of fruits.
In the first two months of the current financial year, the exports of tobacco grew by 291.14 per cent as 4,831 metric tons of tobacco worth $20.003 million were exported as compared to the exports of 2,210 metric tons costing $5.114 million of the same period of the last year.
However, during the period under review the exports of fish and fish preparations decreased by 10.90 per cent as it was recorded at $35.106 as compare to the exports of $39.400 million of the same period of the last year.
Drive to carry out fumigation against dengue starts in KP
PESHAWAR, Sep 18 (APP):On the special instructions of Health Advisor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the district governments have started fumigation in five dengue affected districts of the province.
According to an official release issued here Wednesday, fumigation has been started in Peshawar, Abbottabad, Bannu, Swabi and Nowshera, adding that the spray would be carried out in hot spot union councils of the districts.
Fumigation would be carried out inside the houses of affected patients to prevent the further spread of the disease.
Additionally the district governments have been directed to launch awareness campaigns in affected areas for prevention of dengue spread.