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Pakistan ambassador assures Afghan traders removal of bottlenecks at Torkham, Chaman borders

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KABUL, Aug 24 (APP):A delegation of Pak-Afghan Joint Chambers of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday called on Pakistan’s ambassador to Afghanistan Mansoor Ahmed Khan here and discussed with him problems facing the Afghan traders at Torkham, Chaman borders and Karachi Port.

The ambassador assured the delegation that Pakistan government would provide full support to the Afghan traders to increase bilateral trade between the two countries.

The ambassador also assured them to remove bottlenecks in bilateral trade, Pak-Afghan Transit Trade, banking and customs sectors.

The ambassador said Pakistan was ready to work with the upcoming new government in Afghanistan and private sector for uninterrupted trade between the two countries.
Mansoor Ahmed Khan told the delegation there were unlimited opportunities of bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan and it should not be wasted.

The delegation was headed by President Pak-Afghan Joint Chambers of Commerce and Industry Khan Jan Alkozai, President Kabul Chambers of Commerce Younas Momand, Babrak, Khan Muhammad Safi, Naqeeb Safi and Achakzai.

Welfare of overseas Pakistanis a top priority: FM

Welfare of overseas Pakistanis a top priority: FMISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (APP): Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday said welfare of the overseas Pakistanis and prompt redress of their problems was the top priority of the government.

The foreign minister expressed these views as he held separate meetings with High Commissioners-designate Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri (Australia) and Ameer Khurram Rathore (Canada), here at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).

Welfare of overseas Pakistanis a top priority: FM
High Commissioner-designate to Australia Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri called on Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

FM Qureshi lauded the services of the diplomats and expressed confidence that they would help strengthen bilateral ties with Australia and Canada during their respective assignments in Canberra and Ottawa.

Qureshi lauded the services of Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri as Spokesperson MoFA and Ameer Rathore as Additional Secretary.

Welfare of overseas Pakistanis a top priority: FM
High Commissioner-designate to Canada Ameer Rathore called on the Foreign Minister at MoFA.

The High Commissioners-designate assured the foreign minister to perform best of their abilities for promoting Pakistan’s positive image abroad.

Chairman EU Pak Friendship Federation calls on Interior Minister

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (APP):Chairman EU Pak Friendship Federation Europe, Chaudhry Perveiz Iqbal Losar called on Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmed here on Tuesday.

Losar apprised the Interior Minister about federation’s activities in European countries to highlight Indian armed forces’ atrocities in the Indian Illegal Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K).

He briefed the minister about various issues of overseas Pakistanis particularly passport issues of dual nationality.

Losar also apprised the minister about his recent meetings with various MEPs from different political parties in the EU wherein he briefed them about human rights violations by Indian armed forces in IIOJ&K particularly after revocation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution.

As a result of his meetings, 16 MEPs had written a letter to the President of European Commission on human rights violations in IIOJ&K, he added.

He briefed the minister about his contributions for the extension of GSP Plus Status to Pakistan.

Sheikh Rashid appreciated the efforts and moral support of Losar and his federation for Kashmir cause, overseas Pakistanis and GSP Plus Status.

The minister assured the Chairman EU Pak Friendship Federation Europe that dual nationality issue will be resolved in next two weeks.
Losar thanked the minister for his support to overseas Pakistanis.

Citizens of age group 17-18 years eligible for COVID-19 vaccination: Dr Faisal

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (APP):Special Assistant to Prime Minister on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Dr Faisal Sultan Tuesday said that citizens of age group 17 and 18 years would be allowed to get COVID-19 vaccine from September 1st.

Addressing a press conference, Dr Faisal said that with this decision all young people of this age group will be eligible for vaccination against coronavirus, who were earlier not included in the list of eligible for vaccination.

He said that the government would soon start vaccination for age group 15-16 years and they would be allowed to get vaccinated. He added the date in this regard would be announced soon.

He said that those Immunocompromised citizens of age 12 years and above would get special recommended COVID-19 vaccine on mega vaccination centers. He said their medical record would be maintained.

Similarly, he said those Pakistanis who want to travel abroad and they need specific vaccine as per respective country’s requirement, now would be able to get such vaccine. He added this vaccine would be allowed not on the basis of medical ground but for their traveling requirement.

He said that for this purpose they have to show their visa of respective country while this vaccine would be allowed on nominal charges. He said this category would be allowed for vaccination from September 1st.

He said that payment would be charged only in this category as the government wants to facilitate all those students or businessmen or tourists who want to visit abroad, but they are facing hurdles due to not having required vaccination.

He added further details of this category would be shared soon by the ministry for awareness of general public.

Dr Faisal said that the government has started consideration to initiate booster after six month of second shot to above 50 year frontline healthcare workers. He said after consultation this booster was likely to start from October 1st.

He added there was also plan to start booster to Immunocompromised persons after six month of their second dose.

He said that National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) has developed a mobile app with the support of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to provide vaccine certificate at their mobile after submitting required details.

He added foreign vaccinated Pakistanis can also get their vaccine certificate at NADRA website from August 26. He added people can download valid vaccination certificate from NADRA website.

He said that the government has taken serious notice of matter of fake vaccination certificate and crackdown has been initiated against those involved in this crime. He said strict action has been launched through FIA and police.

COVID-19 claims 91 more lives, active cases tally cross 91,000

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (APP):As many as 91corona patients lost their battle of life in last 24 hours, touching the highest tally of deaths in a day due to the fatal virus during the forth wave of COVID 19.

The national tally of total active COVID-19 cases was recorded as 91,046, on Tuesday with 4,075 more people were tested positive and 2,857 people recoved from the disease during this time span.

77 of the deceased were under treatment in the hospitals and 14 were perished in their respective quarantines or homes, according to the latest update issued by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC).

Most of the deaths were occurred in Punjab followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
Out of the total 91 deaths occurred, 34 of them were on ventilators.

There were 5,513 Covid infected patients under treatment in critical condition with 123 infected people admitted during past 24 hours in various Covid dedicated healthcare facilities of the country.

The National Covid positivity ratio during past 24 hours was recorded 6.79 percent.
The Covid positivity ratio is the percentage of actual positive cases appearing in every 100 tests performed to identify infected individuals.

The maximum ventilators were occupied in four major cities including Islamabad 44 percent, Bahawalpur 66 percent, Peshawar 40 percent and Multan 67 percent.

The maximum Oxygen beds (alternate oxygen providing facility other than ventilator administered as per medical requirement of COVID patient) was also occupied in four major cities of Abbottabad 69 percent, Swat 71 percent, Gujranwala 63 percent, and Swabi 73 percent.

Around 507 ventilators were occupied elsewhere in the country while no COVID affected person was on ventilator in Balochistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

Some 59,943 tests were conducted across the country on Tuesday, including 18,495 in Sindh, 21,217 in Punjab, 10,003 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 5,436 in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), 3,413 in Balochistan, 602 Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and 777 in AJK.

Around 1,015,519 people have recovered from the disease so far across the country making it a significant count with over 90 percent recovery ratio of the affected patients.
Since the pandemic broke out, a total of 1,131,659 cases were detected that also included the perished, recovered and under treatment COVID-19 patients so far, including AJK 30,865, Balochistan 31,865, GB 9,687, ICT 96,771, KP 157,721, Punjab 382,332 and Sindh 422,418.

About 25,094 deaths were recorded in country since the eruption of the contagion.
Around 6,627 people perished in Sindh, 13 of them died in the hospitals and two out of the hospitals on Monday.

11,605 people died in Punjab died with 48 deaths occurred in past 24 hours. Some 38 individuals died in the hospitals and 10 out of the hospitals.

As many as 4,819 people expired in KP, 20 of them died in hospitals and two out of the hospitals on Monday, 852 individuals died in ICT, 336 people died in Balochistan, one of them died in the hospital on Monday, 170 infected people perished in GB, and 685 people died in AJK, five of them succumbed to the deadly virus in the hospital on Monday.

A total of 17,336,393 corona tests have been conducted so far, while 639 hospitals are equipped with COVID facilities across the country.
Some 6,060 corona patients were admitted to hospitals.

 

FM to begin four-nation tour tomorrow with Afghan situation high on agenda

FM to begin four-nation tour tomorrow with Afghan situation high on agendaISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (APP): Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi will begin his four-nation tour to Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Iran from Wednesday to exchange views with the leadership on the evolving situation in Afghanistan.

The foreign minister will commence his visit from Tajikistan followed by two other Central Asian States and then Iran.

“During the visit, the Foreign Minister will have high-level interactions to exchange views on the evolving situation in Afghanistan and on enhancing bilateral relations,” the Foreign Office said on Tuesday.

During the consultations from August 24 to 26, Qureshi will share Pakistan’s perspective on the latest developments in Afghanistan.

The Foreign Office said Pakistan believed that the neighboring countries have a vital stake in the peace, security and stability of Afghanistan and the region.

“It is important to coordinate closely with the neighbours to address common challenges and advance shared goals of peace, security, stability and regional connectivity,” it said.

In the bilateral context, the foreign minister’s visit to these countries will build on the recent high-level exchanges to further intensify close cooperative relations.

The FO said Pakistan desired to further deepen and broaden its multifaceted cooperation with these partners. ​

“The foreign minister’s visit would help promote a coordinated regional approach as well as strengthen Pakistan’s engagement with Central and West Asia,” it said.

FMs of Pakistan, Australia discuss current Afghan situation

FMs of Pakistan, Australia discuss current Afghan situationISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (APP): The foreign ministers of Pakistan and Australia on Tuesday held a telephonic conversation and discussed the current situation in Afghanistan.

In a call received from the Australian FM Marise Payne, Foreign Minister Qureshi shared Pakistan’s perspective on the inclusive political settlement in Afghanistan.

Qureshi stressed that it was essential for the world community to support the people of Afghanistan to address humanitarian situation and help for the economic sustenance.

He highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to facilitate evacuation of the diplomatic personnel and staff of international organizations and others from Afghanistan.

In the bilateral context, he said Pakistan highly valued its relationship with Australia, having several strands of collaboration including political, economic and cultural.

Expressing satisfaction at the current level of engagement, the two foreign ministers agreed on enhancing high-level interactions between the two countries.

The Australian foreign minister appreciated the government of Pakistan for its support and facilitation extended to the countries in evacuation from Afghanistan.

 

Soft loans amounting to over Rs22 billion disbursed among youth: Farrukh

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (APP):Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib Tuesday said that the government had so far disbursed soft loans amounting to over Rs22 billion among more than 18,000 young people under the Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme (YES) of Prime Minister’s Kamyab Jawan Programme (KJP).

Loan disbursement process under the KJP has been expedited in line with directions of Prime Minister Imran Khan who was striving to empower youth by creating massive employment opportunities, he said in a series of tweets.

The minister said the partnered banks of KJP were tasked to remove hurdles in the concessionary loans disbursement process at the earliest.

Regarding the KJP as flagship initiative of the government for employment creation in the country, he expressed delight over a marked increase in number of successful entrepreneurs in the job market.

Farrukh said the government had a clear policy for ensuring equitable resources to the youth. The government would continue to extend all sort of cooperation to youth till the fulfillment of the prime minister’s vision for youth empowerment.

Farrukh said the programme was being monitored at governmental level to ensure transparency and merit in the provision of soft loans.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Muhammad Usman Dar deserved congratulation on such steps, he added.

Meanwhile, the minister also shared a success story of Waseem Akram who succeeded in opening mobile shop in Attock after availing a soft loan amounting to Rs500,000 under the KJP.

Media organisations reject advertisement against PMDA

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (APP):The office bearers of various media organizations on Tuesday rejected the advertisement being run on various television channels against PMDA declaring it a unilateral campaign claiming to malign the proposed law.

Office bearers of media organizations including Fourth Pillar International, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (Professionals) and Young Journalists Association said this during a meeting with Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain and Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib here.

They categorically stated that all the media organizations had not rejected the PMDA draft. They said that in the past governments used to be blackmailed by media house owners, but the PTI was the first government which took this step for protection of media workers’ rights.

They said that they would not allow some organizations to protect the interests of the media owners and had decided to approach Competition Commission of Pakistan against the misleading advertisement and campaign being shown by various television channels.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said the greatest challenge being faced by the modern media was distinction between fake and genuine narratives.

The minister said that all the rules and regulations for media were made before the revolution of digital media as now cellular mobile phone set was newspaper, television and social media for the users.

He said that the owners media houses had the main objection on Pakistan Media Development Authority that there should be two separate regulatory authorities for print and electronic media.

He said that under the proposed PMDA, media complaints commission and media tribunals would be separate institutions, which should have no government control. An independent commission would appoint their members, he said.

The minister said that the government has paid Rs700 million outstanding dues to media houses but some of them have not paid salaries to their staff.

Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said that in 2018 he had written a letter to Finance Division that digital advertising should be brought under the tax net which was Rs 4 billion then and now it has crossed Rs 25 billion mark.

The minister said that Netflix and Amazon were earning $ 250 million from Pakistan every year.

He said the government was trying for inclusion of Pakistani content on these platforms. He said that for the first time the present government has allocated funds for digital media.

He said that there would be no compromise on the PMDA clauses on fake news and rights of the media community. The minister said the government would welcome proposals regarding other classes of the draft of PMDA.

 

‘Roshan Apna Ghar’ another great initiative for overseas Pakistanis: Faisal Javed

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (APP):Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting Senator Faisal Javed Khan on Tuesday said that ‘Roshan Apna Ghar’ is yet another great initiative for overseas Pakistanis by the State Bank of Pakistan and Ministry of Finance.

In a series of tweets, he said that “Roshan Apna Ghar’ by Roshan Digital Account offers a Digital & repatriable solution for overseas Pakistanis’ real estate investment & mortgage financing needs in Pakistan,”.

He said that on this Friday Prime Minister Imran Khan likely to address a ceremony in connection with the launching of Roshan Apna Ghar and also Roshan Digital Accounts reaching $2 Billion deposits mark in mere 11 months,”.

“Hats off to our overseas Pakistanis for their phenomenal response,” he added.

Pak envoy invites Lenovo Group to benefit from Pakistan’s favourable investment policy

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BEIJING, Aug 24 (APP):Pakistan Ambassador to China, Moinul Haque paid a visit to the headquarters of Lenovo Group Limited in Beijing and invited the group to benefit from Pakistan’s favourable business environment for investment in ICT and related sectors.

Lenovo Group Limited is a Chinese multinational technology company dealing in the design and development of laptops, personal computers, workstations, supercomputers and electronic storage devices.

During the visit, the Ambassador toured various sections of the headquarters and reviewed the state-of-the-art facilities of the Lenovo Group.

Ms Lu Bo, the Vice-President of the Group briefed the Ambassador on Lenovo’s development trajectory and potential for future growth in the region.

Vice-President Lu stated that as China’s strategic partner and iron-brother, Lenovo Group stood ready to explore Pakistani market for further expanding its footprints in Pakistan in research and development and ICT sector.

In his remarks, Ambassador Haque thanked the Vice-President for Lenovo’s interest in Pakistan and updated her about Pakistan’s growth potential in ICT sector.

He said that Pakistan has been actively developing its digital economy and rolling out new policies to make Pakistan an attractive destination for investment in the ICT industries.

Ambassador Haque encouraged Lenovo Group to benefit from Pakistan’s favourable business climate for investment in the ICT and related sectors in Pakistan.

PM chairs cabinet meeting

PM chairs meeting of Fedeal Cabinet
Prime Minister Imran Khan chairs the meeting of Federal Cabinet in Islamabad. File photo

PM chairs cabinet meetingISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (APP): Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired the meeting of the federal cabinet here on Tuesday.

The meeting discussed various agenda items on development projects and other issues of importance including the situation in Afghanistan, according to the PM Office.

 

Pakistan to move in lockstep with world community about recognizing Taliban govt: Munir Akram

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NEW YORK, Aug 24 (APP):Pakistan will extend recognition to the Taliban government in Afghanistan after consultation with regional countries and the international community, Ambassador Munir Akram has said.

“Pakistan will walk in lockstep with the international community,” the Pakistani envoy told BBC in response to question whether Islamabad would recognize the new Afghan government in Kabul on its own or move with the world community.

Ambassador Akram said he hoped the Taliban would form an inclusive government and that they will observe human rights and respect all the commitments that they have made to the international community.

“We are working with both the regional countries as well as the international community to ensure the next phase in Afghanistan can bring back peace and stability,” the Pakistani envoy said.

Pakistan, he said, was also helping in evacuating diplomats, employees of international agencies and journalists from Afghanistan. The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), he said, is flying in three flights a day to evacuate people.

Pakistani embassy in Kabul, Ambassador Akram said, was open and busy processing visas to facilitate the stranded people, and so far PIA has move 1,500 of them out of Afghanistan.

Also, he said, strict security arrangements have been enforced at Pakistan’s borders with Afghanistan to prevent any movement of terrorists.

Pakistan receives US$2.75 billion from IMF

Pakistan receives US$2.75 billion from IMF ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (APP): The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has received US$ 2.75 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as part of Special Drawing Rights (SDR) allocation announced by the fund recently, the central bank confirmed through a tweet here Tuesday.

“#SBP has received US$ 2.75 billion from the IMF, as part of SDR allocation announced by IMF recently,” the central bank tweeted Tuesday morning.

It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan was due to receive the amount on August 23 from International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) general allocations of $ 650 billion that had been approved to boost global liquidity amid the coronavirus pandemic across the globe.

The  amount was directly transferred to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), which had further improved the country’s foreign exchange reserves and is expected to have good impact on the economy.

The Board of Governors of the IMF had approved a general allocation of SDRs equivalent to US$650 billion (about SDR 456 billion) on August 2, 2021, to boost global liquidity.

According to IMF statement, the allocation would benefit all members, address the long-term global need for reserves, build confidence, and foster the resilience and stability of the global economy.

It would particularly help most vulnerable countries struggling to cope with the impact of the COVID-19 crisis.

Meanwhile, IMF Managing Director, Ms. Kristalina Georgieva said in a statement that the allocation was a significant shot in the arm for the world and, if used wisely, a unique opportunity to combat this unprecedented crisis.

“The SDR allocation will provide additional liquidity to the global economic system – supplementing countries’ foreign exchange reserves and reducing their reliance on more expensive domestic or external debt. Countries can use the space provided by the SDR allocation to support their economies and step up their fight against the crisis,” she said.

She said that SDRs were being distributed to countries in proportion to their quota shares in the IMF. This means about US$275 billion is going to emerging and developing countries, of which low-income countries will receive about US$21 billion – equivalent to as much as 6 percent of GDP in some cases.

“SDRs are a precious resource and the decision on how best to use them rests with our member countries. For SDRs to be deployed for the maximum benefit of member countries and the global economy, those decisions should be prudent and well-informed,” she added.

She said that to support countries, and help ensure transparency and accountability, the IMF has been providing a framework for assessing the macroeconomic implications of the new allocation, its statistical treatment and governance, and how it might affect debt sustainability.

The IMF will also provide regular updates on all SDR holdings, transactions, and trading – including a follow-up report on the use of SDRs in two years’ time, she added.

IMF chief thanks Pakistan on staff’s ‘safe & swift evacuation’ from Kabul

IMF chief thanks Pakistan on staff's 'safe & swift evacuation' from KabulISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (APP): Managing Director International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva has sent a note of thanks to Prime Minister Imran Khan, expressing gratitude over the “safe and swift evacuation” of its staff from Afghanistan

“| wish to offer my deep and sincere gratitude on behalf of the International Monetary Fund and its staff for Pakistan’s assistance, in the safe and swift evacuation of Fund personnel and their families from Afghanistan,” reads the letter dated 23 August 2020, as shared by the PM Office on Tuesday.

The IMF head especially appreciated the “instrumental roles” played by Pakistan’s ministers of Foreign Affairs, Finance, and Defence, as well as the Governor State Bank of Pakistan.

“Pakistan’s efforts at the highest levels, amid immensely difficult and complex circumstances, to help the Fund by securing a corridor to the airport and arranging the convoy that included our staff, were absolutely critical to this successful evacuation,” she said.

IMF chief thanks Pakistan on staff's 'safe & swift evacuation' from Kabul
The letter written by the IMF head to Prime Minister Imran Khan – PM Office photo

“Thank you very much, from the bottom of my heart,” she added.

Georgieva said IMF was grateful for the partnership with Pakistan and looked forward to continuing the cooperation.

She also extended best wishes to Prime Minister Imran Khan and the people of Pakistan.

UN agencies sound alarm over emergency aid supply logjam in Afghanistan

UN agencies sound alarm over emergency aid supply logjam in Afghanistan

UNITED NATIONS, Aug 23 (APP):UN humanitarian agencies warned Monday that they are unable to bring urgently needed emergency supplies into Afghanistan, and called for a “humanitarian airbridge” to be set up immediately, to allow the unimpeded delivery of medicines and other aid supplies to the country.

In a media interview, Richard Brennan, the WHO Regional Director, said that the agency is unable to bring some 500 tonnes of medical supplies, scheduled to be delivered this week, into the country, because of restrictions at Kabul airport, which is struggling to cope with a massive evacuation effort.

Mary-Ellen McGroarty, the UN’s World Food Programme’s country director for Afghanistan, was also quoted in the press on Monday as calling for swift, coordination action; “otherwise, an already horrendous situation is just going to become an absolute catastrophe, a complete humanitarian disaster”.

Ms. McGroarty reportedly underscored the crucial need for immediate funds to enable more food, shelter and medical supplies to be brought into the country. “Delay for the next six or seven weeks and it’s going to start becoming too late. People have nothing. We have to get food in now and get it to the communities in the provinces, before roads are blocked by snow.”

The main focus in recent days has been the evacuation of foreigners and vulnerable Afghans, with 300,000 people displaced in the country in the last two months alone, but the agencies pointed out that “The massive humanitarian needs facing the majority of the population should not – and cannot – be neglected”: even before the Taliban’s recent takeover of Afghanistan, the country required the world’s third-largest humanitarian operation, with more than 18 million people needing help.

Henrietta Fore, the head of the UN children’s agency, UNICEF, which has been providing aid and support to Afghan children for 65 years, said on Monday that she anticipates the humanitarian needs of women and children to increase over the coming months, amidst a severe drought and consequent water scarcity, and the ongoing consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Millions will continue to need essential services, including health, lifesaving vaccination drives against polio and measles, nutrition, protection, shelter, water and sanitation”, Ms. Fore said. “In recent years, significant strides have been made on increasing girls’ access to education – it is vital that these gains are preserved, and advocacy efforts continue so that all girls in Afghanistan receive a quality education.”

UNICEF said it is scaling up its life-saving programmes for children and women, and hopes to expand these operations to areas that could not previously be reached because of insecurity.

Taliban hold first Loya Jirga after taking-over Kabul

Afghanistan's biggest money exchange market opens

KABUL, Aug 23 (APP):After taking-over of Kabul by the Taliban on August 15, without firing a bullet , the Taliban on Monday held their first Loya Jirga here, and it was attended by more than 800 Ulema and the Afghan political leadership.

Taliban’s leader and an important member of Doha negotiators team Moulvi Amir Khan Mutaqqi chaired the Jirga. Speaking to the Jirga’s participants, Molvi Mutaqqi said that the Taliban wanted to set up such an inclusive government of Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan, which would be represented by all the political parties and ethnic groups.

Taliban’s Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid speaking to the Jirga said that there was no need of any fear as all were safe in Afghanistan and no one should leave the country.

He said men and women would work to help build the Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan. He urged those who wanted to leave the country to stay here and play their role in uplift of their country.

Meanwhile, there are reports in Kabul that Taliban are likely to postpone installation of government till August 31, a deadline for US troops’ withdrawal from Afghanistan. The Taliban seems worried about presence of US troops in Afghanistan.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid is addressing a Loya Jirga for formulation of inclusive government in Afghanistan

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid is addressing a Loya Jirga for formulation of inclusive government in Afghanistan
APP60-230821 KABUL: August 23 – Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid is addressing a Loya Jirga for formulation of inclusive government in Afghanistan. APP
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid is addressing a Loya Jirga for formulation of inclusive government in Afghanistan
APP60-230821

An attractive and eye catching view of Passu Cones in upper Hunza a very popular and attractive area for tourist

An attractive and eye catching view of Passu Cones in upper Hunza a very popular and attractive area for tourist
APP36-230821 HUNZA: August 23 - An attractive and eye catching view of Passu Cones in upper Hunza a very popular and attractive area for tourist. APP photo by Ashraf Hussain Nasiri
An attractive and eye catching view of Passu Cones in upper Hunza a very popular and attractive area for tourist
APP36-230821

Technology transfer, opportunities for youth govt’s high priority: PM

Technology transfer, opportunities for youth govt's high priority: PM

ISLAMABAD, Aug 23 (APP):Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday said technology transfer, strong partnerships among educational institutions, industrial sector and government and creating a suitable environment for youth was the top priority of the government.

He was chairing a high level meeting regarding the setting up of special technology zones in the country.

The prime minister directed to provide all facilities available in other countries to the investors and business community in those special technology zones.

He further instructed that one window operation should be ensured to facilitate the business community.

He asked the provincial governments to take benefit of the opportunities available in the international exhibition to be held in Dubai in October.

Pakistan should highlight before the world the opportunities available in its special technology zones, he stressed.

Minister for Science and Technology Senator Shibli Faraz, Gilgit Baltistan Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Dr Shehbaz Gill,

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Information Technology Atif Khan, Balochistan Minister for Industries Haji Muhammad Khan Toor, Punjab Minister for Information Technology Humayun Yasir and other senior officials attended the meeting.

Azad Jammu and Kashmir prime minister, Punjab chief minister, Balochistan chief minister and officials of different provinces attended the meeting through the video link.

Special Technology Zones Authority Chairman Amir Hashmi gave a detailed briefing about the special technology zones and the facilities and incentives available to investors in these zones.

The participants were told that the aim of those special zones was to encourage technology transfer, foreign investment and promote human capital, research and development, job creation, exports and import substitution.

The chairman told about the incentives given by the federal government to the investors in the special technology zones.