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Regional Tax Office Rwp seals fake cigarette manufacturing factory

By
Shumaila Andleeb
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RAWALPINDI, Jan 24 (APP):Regional Tax Office Rawalpindi here on Wednesday sealed a fake cigarette manufacturing factory in Jhangi Syedan area.
On the instructions of Chief Commissioner Regional Tax Rawalpindi Tehmina Amir and under the supervision of Additional Commissioner Headquarters, Riaz Khan, Assistant Director Shujaat Khan and his team conducted a raid and took action against the fake cigarette manufacturing factory in accordance with the law.
The Regional Tax Office team also recovered cigarette manufacturing machinery and fake cigarettes worth millions of rupees.
The factory was working in the basement of a building where cigarettes of various brands were being manufactured. Fake cigarettes were being supplied across the country.

Minister Shahid Ashraf orders thorough security measures for elections

By
Ali Ali
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LAHORE, Jan 24 (APP):Federal Caretaker Minister for Communications Shahid Ashraf Tarar on Wednesday directed all departments concerned to craft a comprehensive and thorough security plan for general election 2024, leaving no issues unresolved, aiming to reassure the public of their safety.
He said that with the arrangements of caretaker setup, a clear message should reach masses that “they are safe”. He was chairing a meeting regarding preparations for general election 2024, held here at Chief Secretary (CS) Punjab office on Wednesday. CS Zahid Akhtar Zaman, Inspector General Police Dr. Usman Anwar, Secretary Local Government Dr. Ahmed Javed Qazi, Special Secretary Interior Fazlur Rehman, representatives of other law-enforcement departments also attended the meeting.
The minister emphasised extraordinary coordination among departments and urged sharing of data between provincial and federal authorities in line with preparations for providing a conducive environment to the public.
He also directed the departments to focus on social media and prepare themselves to counter any type of fake news during and after election process; a comprehensive strategy should be chalked out in this regard so that any type of anarchy be avoided, he added.
The Punjab chief secretary said they were providing full support to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for conducting free, fair and transparent elections and administrative officers had been directed to ensure the best arrangements, and a handbook had been prepared to guide the staff performing election duties at every district, the chief secretary added.
During the meeting, IGP Punjab Dr Usman Anwar gave a detailed briefing on security arrangement for general election. He said that some 49,817 polling stations had been set up in 34,228 buildings. “Every polling station will have three personnel while six-layer security would be provided to each polling station with deployment of 147,800 personnel in the province, while extraordinary arrangement would be made for sensitive polling stations,” he added.
The meeting was told that the first phase of training for polling staff had been completed, while the second phase was in process. Installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras had been completed, special election cell and control room had been formed, and district hand book with important phone number would be available with all deputy commissioners in case of internet failure.
The federal minister assured the Punjab government representatives of full support from the federal government regarding general election.

China ready to work with Pakistan to upgrade CPEC: Wang Wenbin

By
NNPS Desk
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Wang Wenbin

BEIJING, Jan 24 (APP): China on Wednesday said it was ready to work with Pakistan to upgrade the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and accelerate the building of an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era.

“China stands ready to work with Pakistan to deliver on the important common understandings between the leaders of the two countries, deepen political mutual trust, and expand practical cooperation,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said during his regular briefing on a question by APP correspondent.

About the recent visit of Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong to Pakistan, he said that Sun Weidong visited Pakistan from January 20 to 22.

He paid courtesy calls on President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chief of the Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir and Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani to have in-depth exchanges of views on the bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest, the spokesperson added.

Wang Wenbin said that the Chinese vice foreign minister co-chaired the Fourth Meeting of the CPEC Joint Working Group on International Cooperation and Coordination with Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi.

“China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners,” he said. “China appreciates Pakistan’s firm commitment to the one-China principle, supports Pakistan in defending its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and supports its unity, stability, development and prosperity.”

During the visit, the Chinese vice foreign minister and Pakistani leaders renewed commitment for the success of CPEC and expressed the desire for enhanced cooperation in the areas of information technology, economy, agriculture, and human resource development.

Governor for ensuring compliance of 2% admission quota for minorities in public sector varsities

By
Ali Ali
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Governor KP
PESHAWAR, Jan 24 (APP):Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Haji Ghulam Ali has said that compliance over two percent minority quota for minorities in public sector universities of the province will be ensured.
He expressed these views during a meeting recently held at Governor House with a delegation of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) representatives under the chairmanship of Qamar Naseem, Programme Manager of Blue Veins organization.
Other members of the delegation included Muhammad Rizwan, Provincial Coordinator National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) and Sana Ahmad, Programme Coordinator, Blue Veins.
During the meeting, Governor Haji Ghulam Ali was informed that in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa there are 27 public sector universities whose administration is bound to abide by the decision taken by the government of providing two percent quota to minorities in admission for different courses and degrees.
Similarly, all the government colleges offering Associate Degree Programme are bound to provide one per cent quota for minorities in all these courses.
However, compliance with minority quotas in public sector universities and colleges is a big challenge, depriving a large number of youngsters from the minority community in availing this opportunity offered by the government.
Even in the online portals of different universities of KP, the offer of two per cent quota for minorities is missing, they added.
The delegation members requested Governor Haji Ghulam Ali to take notice of it and issue directives for the implementation of the decision.
Speaking on the occasion, Governor KP said compliance of two percent quota for minority communities would be ensured in all the universities.
He said minorities are an integral part of the society and all the facilities allocated for them would be provided to them.
He also directed delegation members to send him a formal request in this regard and he would seek compliance report from all the public sector universities regarding the implementation of minorities quota in admissions.

Workshop held to strengthen Parliamentary practices

By
AHMD Raja
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Workshop
ISLAMABAD, Jan 24 (APP):A workshop titled “Parliamentary Interface: Learning Experience of Provincial Assembly Secretariats” commences at the National Assembly on Wednesday in order strength Parliamentary practices.
The workshop, jointly organized by National Assembly and Mustehkam-Parlimaan aimed at nurturing a constructive dialogue and deliberation among national parliaments’ on crucial issues influencing parliamentary and legislative agenda.
The participants received a comprehensive overview of the National Assembly, its functions, procedures, and a detailed explanation of the committee system and legislative processes from Muhammad Mushtaq, Special Secretary (Legislation) of the National Assembly in different sessions of the event.
During the session on ‘Committee System and Legislative Process’, Muhammad Mushtaq provided an in-depth briefing on the committee system and its importance in the legislative process.
He also conducted a walkthrough explaining how bills are introduced, reviewed, and passed within the National Assembly and joint sessions of the Parliament.
The senior officers from National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies of Balochistan, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are actively contributing to the dynamic exchange of knowledge taking place at Parliament House.
The Executive Director of Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) Muhammad Anwar shared valuable insights to foster collaborative learning environment in order to promote best Parliamentary practices.
He elucidated the technicalities of the committee system and legislative processes.
The session proceeds with a question & answer segment, where the officers from Provincial Assemblies actively seek clarification on the elaborated topics.
The officers from Provincial Assemblies were taken on a guided tour of the National Assembly, encompassing the National Assembly Hall, Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Secretariat, library, media and various departments.
During the tour, they were briefed on the roles and responsibilities of different units within the Secretariat.
In the last session of the Parliamentary Interface, the participants from Provincial Assemblies recommended for organizing similar programs, workshops, and seminars to facilitate meaningful global exchanges among stakeholders and governance experts.
The event focused on knowledge-sharing, strategic discussions, and interactive learning to enhance governance at both the National and Provincial levels.
The session concluded with a vote of thanks. The officers expressed appreciation for the National Assembly Secretariat for providing the opportunity to visit this prestigious institution and gain insights into its procedures, functions, and key.

Aneeq asks students to contribute world by following footprint of religious values

By
Ali Ali
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FAISALABAD, Jan 24 (APP):Caretaker Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Aneeq Ahmed on Wednesday asked the young students to contribute world wholeheartedly by following the footprint of Islamic values.
Addressing students at the Mufti degree completion ceremony held at Jamia Salafia Faisalabad, he urged the Muslims to infuse every aspect of life in the world with Islamic principles. He said that true knowledge instills the fear of Allah. He emphasized the significance of embracing modern sciences and utilizing education to harmonize the world with religious values.  The minister conveyed appreciation to Madaaras for preserving religious sciences and announced to launch a mosque school. Advocating for a contemporary curriculum, he encouraged the young graduates to actively contribute to the world with the aim of promoting religious principles.
Maulana Yasin Zafar said that global influence of Jamia Salafia, showcases a varied curriculum encompassing comparative religion, economics, and political science. Later, certificates were awarded to students who successfully completed the Mufti degree.

SBP software application prepared to receive account holders complaints against banks, says SBP Multan chief

By
AHMD Raja
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SBP
MULTAN, Jan 24 (APP):Chief Manager State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Multan, Javed Iqbal Marth has said that the central bank has prepared a software application to enable account holders to file complaints against banks.
He was speaking at a ceremony organized by the Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) with industrialists notably MCCI president Mian Rashid Iqbal, former president Khawaja Muhammad Hussain, Naveed Ahmad Chughtai, Saleha Hassan, and others were present, according to a release issued by MCCI on Wednesday.
The SBP Multan chief said that account holders mostly do not speak against banks despite having complaints, however, added that the new software application would facilitate them to do so whenever they have any problem relating to the bank and it would trigger a process to resolve their grievances.
He said, no bank has ever usurped account holders’ money, even in case of default, due to stricter policies and monitoring by the State Bank of Pakistan.
He said that ongoing political activity and subsequent take-over by an elected government in the wake of the February 8 general elections would hopefully further improve economic conditions in the country substantially.
He said that SBP fixed the ceiling of auto financing to Rs 3 million adding that the earlier liberal financing had turned banks into showrooms and supermarkets and resulted in increasing national oil import bill and burdened highways and city roads with unbearable loads of vehicles.
Marth said that SBP facilitated a number of ordinary people particularly women and extended small loans to them at their doorstep during the last few years. Moreover, disabled persons also received small loans to begin their businesses and earn livelihood in a dignified manner.
MCCI president Mian Rashid Iqbal, speaking on the occasion, said that a help desk was set up by SBP with an additional director exchange policy department as its focal person to resolve problems concerning Letters of Credit (LCs) and asked SBP Multan chief to set up a similar help desk at Multan to resolve problems concerning LCs at local level.
He also requested the top SBP Multan banker to enhance the period from 90 to 365 days for payment of mark up under SBP short term financing facility. He further demanded that payment of mark up worked out this year be deferred to next year for payment in four instalments.

Hazrat Shah Hamdan Conference held at PAC

By
AHMD Raja
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Punjab Arts Council
RAWALPINDI, Jan 24 (APP):Punjab Arts Council(PAC) in collaboration with International Shah Hamdan Association organized a conference to mark the 728th birth anniversary of Hazrat Shah Hamdan.
Distinguished scholar and International Shah Hamdan Association chairman Dr. Ghazanfar Mehdi presided over the conference.
Speaking on the occasion, Mehdi said that Hazrat Shah Hamdan had a great link between Pakistan and Kashmir and the death anniversary of Hazrat Shah Hamdan should be celebrated officially in all the cities of Pakistan, Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan on 6th Zil Hajj.
Allama Syed Mohsin Ali Hamdani on the occasion demanded that one hundred best works of Hazrat Shah Hamdan should be translated into Urdu and be sent to all the universities, colleges and other educational institutions of the country.
Prominent historian Prof. Dr. Riaz Ahmed said that Hazrat Shah Hamdan’s rare work “Zakhiratul Maluk” was a guideline for government officials and political leaders and should be republished.
Hazrat Shah Hamdan’s work and other Sufism antiquities were kept in Islamabad, which can be used by research scholars.
Director of Punjab Arts Council Rawalpindi Mr Waqar Ahmad said that Punjab Arts Council was playing a significant role in promoting Sufism.

Trade and Investment Officers appointed abroad visit SCCI

By
AHMD Raja
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0
SCCI
SIALKOT, Jan 24 (APP):Trade and Investment Officers, appointed by the Ministry of Commerce to missions abroad, visited the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) on Wednesday for an interactive session with the business community of the region.
SCCI President Abdul Ghafoor Malik, Senior Vice President Wahub Jahangir and Vice President Amer Majeed Sheikh welcomed the guests.
Speaking at the event, the SCCI president said, “I believe the occasion would provide an invaluable platform for officers to engage with the business community to promote trade. Today’s meeting would undoubtedly enable a better understanding of Sialkot’s export-based industry.”
He said the business community of Sialkot has expectations of these officials to help increase exports from Pakistan. He said officers visit to Sialkot would serve as an essential component of their training to familiarise themselves with the city and its industrial setup. He hoped these officials would function as facilitators, aid producers and exporters in gathering market intelligence, identify areas for market expansion, and provide necessary support for international trade fairs and exhibitions.
Malik said in the current economic landscape, marked by challenges and uncertainties, it was imperative to take substantial steps to transform the economic order to overcome the prevailing crises. He said the export sector of Sialkot, to maintain its international market share, required comprehensive support from all segments of the government, particularly bureaucracy in trade-related ministries and all relevant departments of Pakistan.
The SCCI president said “I propose the establishment of a robust working relationship between the Sialkot Chamber and Trade Officers to create synergy and achieve common objectives in both conventional and non-conventional markets.
“The Sialkot chamber plans to send trade delegations to key markets, including the USA, Australia, Brazil, Japan, and Canada this year. We trust that appointed officers in these regions will play a pivotal role in the success of these visits by arranging B2B meetings and generating significant business through their support.”
Moreover, he added, a delegation to the UK was being sent in third week of February and hoped that the existing trade setup at the Pakistani Mission would play an instrumental role in its success.
Director General Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) Punjab-I Shahzad Ahmed said that it was a group of 39 officers who were going to be post at different parts of the world. Officers had been selected from different occupational groups.
Director General Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) Punjab-I said that Sialkot was a city of leaning. “Every time you visit Sialkot, you lean a new thing.” He said Sialkot was a city of innovation, SMEs and export hub of Pakistan.
The meeting was attended by Sialkot business community.

Four drug peddlers nabbed, Hashish recovered

By
AHMD Raja
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0
MULTAN, Jan 24 (APP):Police claimed on Wednesday to have apprehended four drug peddlers and recovered Hashish from their possession during a crackdown launched across the district in the last 24 hours.
According to police sources, a special crackdown was launched against the drug peddles, during which, four drug peddlers Muhammad Shakir, Muhammad Akbar, Bilal and Waqas respectively by City Jalalpur Pirwala and Kup police stations respectively. Police have also recovered over four kilogram Hashish from their possession.
Separate cases have been registered against the criminals with the concerned police stations, however, the City Police Officer (CPO) Sadiq Ali has directed officers to continue the crackdown without any discrimination, police sources added.
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