Weather to be cold and windy on Election Day

Wed, 7 Feb 2024, 7:44 PM

ISLAMABAD, Feb 07 (APP): The upper parts of the country will remain under the grip of cold wave conditions on the Election Day on Thursday as per Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecast.

Cold winds will also blow in upper Punjab during the next 24 hours.
According to the synoptic situation, continental air was prevailing over most parts of the country.

“Mainly cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country while very cold weather conditions are expected in upper parts”, the PMD said

Shallow fog may likely occur at isolated places in northeast Punjab during morning hours.

During the last 24 hours, cold and dry weather prevailed over most parts of the country. However, rain occurred at isolated places in south Punjab, northeast Balochistan and Thatta. Shallow fog prevailed over a few plain areas of northeast Punjab.

The rainfall recorded was Punjab: Bahawalpur (city 04mm, Airport 02), Multan (Airport 03, City 01), Dera Ghazi 03, Khanewal, Rahim Yar Khan 02, Karoor (Layyah), Khanpur 01, Balochistan: Barkhan 04, Sindh: Thatha 01mm. The snowfall recorded was Ziarat 01 inch.

The lowest minimum temperatures recorded were Leh -16 C, Kalam -13, Astore -08, Gupis, Skardu -07, Bagrote -06, Malamjabba -05, Gilgit, Hunza and Rawalakot -04 C.

CM chairs 3rd Chambers of Commerce Coordination Committee meeting

Zaka Ullah Ch

Wed, 7 Feb 2024, 7:43 PM

LAHORE, Feb 07 (APP): Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi presided over the 3rd Punjab Chambers of Commerce Coordination Committee meeting held at CM office, here on Wednesday.

Punjab Cabinet, Chief Secretary, IG Police and secretaries concerned specially participated in the meeting. The participants in the Chamber of Commerce Coordination Committee accorded a standing ovation and paid tributes to the exemplary performance of the CM.

They credited CM Naqvi for the establishment of 6 Business Facilitation Centres in Punjab. Kashif Anwar President LCCI acknowledged that the day and night work being undertaken by the CM for the well-being of the masses has set a unique example of rendering public service. President Sargodha Chamber of Commerce and Industry Imtiaz Dogar said that neither any Chief Minister has done such a huge amount of work since the inception of Pakistan nor “we have seen such an amount of work being done by any other”.

President Federation of Pakistan Women Chambers said that Mohsin Naqvi before the completion of his tenure has set an emulating precedent for the coming government.

Shamim Aftab Women Chamber Sargodha said that no caretaker government had shown such an exemplary performance as of CM Mohsin Naqvi, adding that Mohsin Naqvi rendered his exemplary services with an extraordinary speed.

Ansar Ali President Jhang Chamber said “We have not seen such an excellent CM in the history of Punjab.”

The CM while addressing the meeting stated that the traders and industrialists can play a pivotal role for bringing improvements in the national economy.

“We would review establishing a ‘Resource Centre’ for the women entrepreneurs. We are going to establish Business Facilitation Centres in every division of Punjab while 6 Business Facilitation Centres have been made functional in only 45 days,” he said.

Mohsin Naqvi apprised that 22 provincial departments and 2 federal departments are providing services at the Business Facilitation Centre counters. The industrialists would be provided 124 NOCs under one roof with the establishment of Business Facilitation Centres.

The industrialists and presidents along with office bearers of various chambers put forth their proposals and recommendations for the promotion of business activities across the province.

The CM noted all their proposals and assured them complete implementation on their practicable recommendations.

Provincial Ministers SM Tanveer, Amir Mir, Bilal Afzal, Azfar Ali Nasir, Dr. Javed Akram, Mansoor Qadir, Ibrahim Murad, Advisers Kanwar Dilshad, Wahab Riaz, Chief Secretary, IG Police, concerned secretaries, senior office bearers of the chambers of commerce participated in the meeting.

Pakistan-China cooperation provides stable, safe operation of CPEC project

NNPS Desk

Wed, 7 Feb 2024, 7:41 PM

BEIJING, Feb. 7 (APP): Okasha, a 24-year-old electrical engineer, feels delighted to drive the Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT) built in Pakistan’s eastern Lahore city under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework.

“It’s a wonderful experience, I am so proud that I am serving the nation by working as a driver in Pakistan’s first-ever mass rapid urban transit train service. I consider it a public service,” he told Xinhua.

As an early-harvest project of CPEC, the Orange Line project was jointly constructed by China Railway Group Corporation and China North Industries Corporation, and it was put into operation on Oct. 25, 2020 in the capital city of the eastern Punjab province.

The young engineer has been working on the project for the last three years. He started driving the train following a six-month-long training course designed and taught by Chinese instructors, which included technical and safety components.

“We are made so perfect in it that we can expect and handle all types of fault or crisis situations,” he said, emphasizing their ability to manage operations independently.

Haseeb Ahmed Janjua, operations planning manager at OLMT, praised the guidance provided by Chinese experts in a conversation with Xinhua, saying that the Pakistani staff are well prepared with the skills needed to efficiently operate the country’s first-ever modern rail transit system.

“I can proudly say that I am working with one of the most hardworking people in the world,” he added.

According to the management department of the OLMT, the project has operated safely and stably for a total of 1,119 days since its opening up till the end of last year.

With 323,000 train journeys covering a total distance of 40.89 million kilometers, around 130 million passengers have been served through the train network. “If I travel by road, it takes 40 to 45 minutes, while with the orange line it just takes 15 minutes,” Shanzay Fatima, a 24-year-old Lahore-based student who travels almost daily by train, told Xinhua.

It’s more convenient, time-saving and greatly benefits the public, she added.

Talking to Xinhua, a middle-aged man who runs a car-renting business said that the Orange Line reduces his commute time to work from 1 to 1.25 hours to just 45 minutes compared to other modes of transportation, including driving his own vehicle. It saves time and money and offers good facilities.

Also, it’s neat and clean while local rickshaws are not clean. The project especially benefits the poor people of Pakistan since an individual can travel from one end of the city to the other at a very cheap price, said Janjua, emphasizing its role in alleviating the economic pressures faced by people amid high inflation.

The punctuality of the trains is 99.99 percent while the operation chart has been fulfilled. The efficiency is 99.99 percent, and the operating indicators are maintaining the advanced international levels, according to the project’s management department. In this project, the Chinese companies relied on their rich experience of urban transit in China and combined it with local characteristics to carry out highly localized operations and maintenance, said Ren Xin, manager operating control center.

As per the management department, various difficulties such as large-scale power outages across the country, heavy fog, heavy rain and extreme weather conditions were mitigated through a collaboration of the Pakistani and Chinese staff.

In the face of such obstacles, they achieved a safe and stable operation through the formulation of special emergency plans and close cooperation mechanisms. Highlighting the cooperation of the Chinese and Pakistani employees, Ren said that Pakistani staff are diligent in asking questions, respecting others and good at learning.

“When we communicate with Pakistani employees, the communication is smooth. When we give them guidance or teaching, they are also modest and accept and adapt to our teaching methods,” he added.

Launched in 2013, the CPEC, a flagship project of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, is a corridor linking the Gwadar port in southwestern Pakistan with Kashgar in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, which highlights energy, transport and industrial cooperation.

ECP issues notice to Daniyal for violating code of conduct

Zaka Ullah Ch

Wed, 7 Feb 2024, 7:40 PM

ISLAMABAD, Feb 7 (APP): The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Wednesday issued notice to Daniyal Aziz, a candidate NA-75 Narowal for violating the code of conduct and fixed the hearing of the case on February 10.

According to Spokesman, the commission had decided that if Daniyal Aziz would be declared successful in the general election, the issuance of his final notification would be subject to decision of the ECP.

The commission took the decision in the light of the report of the District Monitoring Officer Narowal, in which it has been stated that the above-mentioned candidate is repeatedly violating the code of conduct and neither respond to the notices issued by the District Monitoring Officer.

Daniyal was fined Rs 50, 000 for violating the code of conduct, which he did not pay, due to which legal action would be taken against him, he added.

No diplomatic relations with Israel unless recognition of independent Palestinian state, clarifies KSA

Zaka Ullah Ch

Wed, 7 Feb 2024, 7:39 PM

ISLAMABAD, Feb 07 (APP): In a recent discussion between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and the United States of America (USA), regarding the Arab-Israeli peace process, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reiterated its steadfast position on the Palestinian issue.

According to SPA, the ministry in response to a statement attributed to the U.S. National Security spokesperson, reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s unwavering stance on the Palestinian issue and emphasized the necessity for the Palestinian people to attain their legitimate rights.

The Ministry said Saudi Arabia has consistently conveyed to the U.S. administration its firm position that there will be no diplomatic relations with Israel unless the recognition of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Additionally, the Ministry said Saudi Arabia insisted on the cessation of Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip and the withdrawal of all Israeli occupation forces from the area.

The Ministry said the Kingdom reiterated its call to the permanent members of the UN Security Council, urging those who have not yet recognized the Palestinian state, to expedite recognition based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital.

The Ministry said this recognition is seen as pivotal in ensuring the fulfilment of the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights and in achieving a comprehensive and equitable peace for all parties involved.

Stringent security measures adopted for General Elections in Islamabad

Zaka Ullah Ch

Wed, 7 Feb 2024, 7:37 PM

ISLAMABAD, Feb 7 (APP): In order to ensure the safety of citizens and maintain peace during general election 2024, Islamabad Capital Police (ICP) to deploy a formidable force of 6,500 personnel in the federal capital.

This massive security operation will be further fortified by 1,000 Frontier Constabulary members, 1,500 Rangers, and officials from the Pakistan Army at polling stations across the capital, a public relations officer said on Wednesday.

He said that to guarantee the adherence to Election Commission regulations, a central control room has been set up in Safe City Islamabad. Islamabad Capital Police officials assigned to security duties have already taken their positions at the polling stations and will remain vigilant even through the night.

He further said that stringent measures are in place to deter any violations, with legal action promised against activities such as the display of arms, aerial firing, and any disruptive behavior by potential rioters. Authorities are also taking steps to ensure the smooth flow of traffic and efficient parking arrangements.

To bolster transparency, surveillance cameras are set to be installed at sensitive polling stations. In a move to support the work of journalists, foreign observers, and observation teams covering the elections, the Islamabad Capital Police commits to providing professional assistance throughout the electoral process, he added.

The topmost priorities for the Islamabad Capital Police are the safety of citizens and the successful execution of peaceful elections in the federal capital.

The masses are urged to stay connected with ICP authorities through emergency helpline 15 for more updates on this crucial security operation unfolding as the nation approaches the 2024 General Elections, he concluded.

Arrangements finalized for general elections: Minister Information

Zaka Ullah Ch

Wed, 7 Feb 2024, 7:33 PM

PESHAWAR, Feb 07 (APP): Provincial Caretaker Minister for Information, Barrister Feroze Jamal Kakakhel Wednesday said that all the necessary arrangements had been completed for general elections that was the mandate of caretaker government.

Addressing a press conference here, the minister said that control rooms had been established by election commission, home department and police to monitor the election process.

He said that Quick Response Force had also been deployed to meet any emergency in an effective way.

He said that steps had been taken for security of sensitive polling station adding that about 15000 polling stations had been established among which some are declared sensitive.

The minister said that strict action would be taken that were planning to challenge of state.

Regretting May 9 incident, he said that youth were misguided on the day by certain elements to fulfill their nefarious designs.

He said we must join hands to end mutual hatred and perception of mistrust.

He said that decision had not been taken to suspend internet service however the service might be suspended in areas where needed.