President for enhancing national forest coverage to mitigate impacts of climate change

PESHAWAR, Aug 18 (APP): Secretary Health Adeel Shah, accompanied by DG Health Dr. Muhammad Saleem, visited Bacha Khan International Airport and Police Services Hospital to review the arrangements for Mpox screening and isolation.

At the airport, the Secretary Health reviewed the screening arrangements and received a detailed briefing from Incharge Border Health Services, Mian Fayazuddin. He directed for strict screening of travelers arriving from foreign countries.

He also visited the isolation ward established for Mpox patients and directed the deployment of 7 doctors and 8 technicians to the airport to address staff shortages.

Later, the Secretary Health visited the dedicated isolation ward for suspected Mpox patients at Police Services Hospital. MS Police Hospital, Dr. Niaz, gave him a detailed briefing on the arrangements.

He directed that all safety measures be strictly implemented and that suspected patients be provided with all necessary facilities. He added that isolation wards were being activated at the district level to control the spread of Mpox.
He assured that every possible facility would be provided to the public in this regard.

Pindiites initiate sighting cosmos, astronomical exploration for children, general public

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Sun, 18 Aug 2024, 7:57 PM

Ali Jabir

ISLAMABAD, Aug 18 (APP):The residents of Rawalpindi under the vast skies have started sighting cosmos and astronomical exploration for children and general public through a community-led initiative of Rawalpindi Astronomy Society (RAS).

Yasir Ali Awan, head of RAS has been organizing astronomy-based activities for the past three years once in a month with dates selected near weekends within ten days before the full moon.

Awan a professional astronomer told APP that the activities were held with the main goal of nurturing a lot of children interested in astronomy and sciences to feed their minds with relevant and interesting information that remained completely unavailable and inaccessible for common people in the past.

He added that it was his personal vision and goal to make information related to astronomy and cosmos common and easily available for the masses and children.

He had created the Rawalpindi Astronomy Society group that was active on Facebook, where other groups created for activities on space sciences were operating. Awan used to participate in those groups.

“Rawalpindi-related activities’ purpose is that countries working on astronomy used to have such observatories and societies supported by the government which is unfortunately not existing but many initiatives are done by the public on its own and we are also doing the same. We are trying to create awareness among the mases and share knowledge to the young students that may lead to create one of the future science leaders,” Yasir Ali Awan said.

He said since most of the activity involved astronomy and physics and it might be fruit of the RAS efforts to help students progress in science and astronomy that would help bring laurels to the country.

Awan said the once in a month activity was free of cost and announced two days prior to the event on Facebook and also proclaimed in various other social media groups.

To a query, he said people have interest but due to lack of awareness the turnout was very low as 30-40 people participate in the 2.5-3 hours session.

He added that moon sighting activity was done recently but there was no planet visible with it as the latter emerge late in the system.

“We sighted craters, mountain range, marine area, and plains on the Moon. However, we also observe planets through telescope and show it to children as Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn at different times,” he said.

Yasir Ali Awan explained that after Fajr time, Jupiter was visible, Saturn at mid night and in between Mars was visible as Jupiter was near Mars. “After that you also see Venus which is briefly visible after Maghrib prayer timings. We observe and search nebulae and orion constellation personally which is visible in winters as it is more technical and harder to comprehend for children,” he added.

Milky Way Sagittarius was commonly visible during a clear sky and it was observed with bare eyes but due to more light in the urban cites astronomical objects were less visible and therefore the RAS had to shift to outer places other than the urban places, he said, adding, “But we are more focused to hold activities that are possible within cities within limited time as families and children participate in our activities.

I try to spread the word through Facebook and I have my YouTube channel under the name of Ali Space Astro on astronomical knowledge explained in simple Urdu to learn differentiate between stars and planets, galaxies, blackholes and basic topics of space sciences.”

Punjab govt sends letters to DISCOs for relief in electricity bills

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Sun, 18 Aug 2024, 7:54 PM

LAHORE, Aug 18 (APP):The Punjab government has formally dispatched official letters to the electricity companies for providing relief to the Punjab and Islamabad electricity consumers at the rate of Rs 14 per unit.

On the direction of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, five distribution companies (DISCOs) have been dispatched official letters.

Secretary Energy Punjab Dr Naeem Rauf dispatched letters to DISCOs of Islamabad, Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Multan. In a letter, written by the Punjab government informed DISCOs to apprise the electricity consumers about the reduction amounting of Rs 14 per unit under the government package. IESCO, MEPCO, GEPCO, FESCO, LESCO will make reduction in the electricity bills of citizens using between 201 to 500 units.

The difference of amount between the real cost of electricity and provision of relief will be paid by the Punjab government. On the demand of electricity companies, the Punjab government will transfer the required amount to the DISCOs.

PML-N President Muhammad Nawaz Sharif along with Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced reduction in the electricity price at the rate of rupees 14 per unit on 16th August. The Punjab government will provide rupees 45 billion from its own resources in order to provide relief to the people of Punjab and Islamabad.

Under the relief package, the electricity price has been reduced for the consumers using electricity between 201 to 500 units in the two months of August and September.

Dolphin Squad arrests 20 ‘criminals’

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Sun, 18 Aug 2024, 7:52 PM

LAHORE, Aug 18 (APP):The Dolphin Squad arrested 20 suspects involved in robbery and theft cases and recovered two mobile phones, six motorcycles and Rs 7,000 in cash from the possession of the accused during one week.

Apart from this, Dolphin Squad also arrested five dangerous dacoit gangs and recovered 14 pistols, two rifles, dozens of cartridges, bullets and magazines from the arrested accused. Swift response was given on 1001 calls received on the helpline.

SP Dolphin Shah Mir Khalid said that during patrolling, 60 hardened criminals, 28 absconders, including 42 criminals were arrested. Liquor, heroin, hashish, ice were recovered from the drug dealers. Also, 196 suspicious vehicles and motorcycles were impounded at police stations while legal action was taken against 228 persons.

Apart from this, 69 accused involved in one-wheeling, four kite flying and four jubilant firing were arrested.

The Dolphin Squad also seized three fake number-plate motorcycles, while more than 127 persons were rescued in various heads under community policing.

Chairman Senate Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani awarding certificates and medals to the position-holder students during the Convocation of the Punjab College Mian Channu

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Sun, 18 Aug 2024, 7:51 PM

APP15-180824 KHANEWAL: August 18 - Chairman Senate Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani awarding certificates and medals to the position-holder students during the Convocation of the Punjab College Mian Channu. APP/SFD/TZD

Chairman Senate Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani addressing during the Convocation of the Punjab College Mian Channu

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Sun, 18 Aug 2024, 7:51 PM

Chairman Senate Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani addressing during the Convocation of the Punjab College Mian Channu — APP19-180824 KHANEWAL: August 18 - Chairman Senate Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani talking to media persons after the Convocation of the Punjab College Mian Channu. APP/SFD/TZD

President Asif Ali Zardari planting a “Neem” sapling at Bilawal House as part of the Monsoon Tree Plantation Campaign

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Sun, 18 Aug 2024, 7:51 PM

APP20-180824 KARACHI: August 18 - President Asif Ali Zardari planting a "Neem" sapling at Bilawal House as part of the Monsoon Tree Plantation Campaign. APP/TZD

President Asif Ali Zardari urging the nation to plant more trees as part of the annual Monsoon Tree Plantation Campaign at Bilawal House

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Sun, 18 Aug 2024, 7:51 PM

APP21-180824 KARACHI: August 18 - President Asif Ali Zardari urging the nation to plant more trees as part of the annual Monsoon Tree Plantation Campaign at Bilawal House. APP/TZD

Maryam, Nawaz discuss education, health, climate change issues with British HC

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Sun, 18 Aug 2024, 7:50 PM