ISLAMABAD
ISLAMABAD
ISLAMABAD
ISLAMABAD
Vehicles passing through the stagnant water at IJP Road during heavy rain in Federal Capital
ISLAMABAD
ISLAMABAD
ISLAMABAD
ISLAMABAD
Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan’s Envoy to UAE addresses an event arranged by Index Exchange
DUBAI
Two-day tourism summit concluded
ISLAMABAD, Aug 17 (APP):2nd Two-Day Tourism Summit , organised by the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) concluded with a resolve to boost the tourism sector of the country.
The summit was held at Skardu from August 13-15, which brought together ambassadors and diplomats from 10 friendly countries along with business leaders and media representatives. The event was organised with an aim to showcasing Pakistan’s soft image and attracting tourists from around the globe, said a press release.
On this occasion, the ICCI also honoured the visiting ambassadors and diplomats with awards in a dignified ceremony, acknowledging their significant contributions to promoting business relations and tourism between Pakistan and their respective countries.
This recognition highlighted the ICCI’s gratitude for their ongoing support and cooperation in exploring innovative opportunities for tourism growth and economic collaboration.
ICCI President Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, while congratulating the diplomats said that this recognition is a testament to their invaluable contributions in fostering tourism connections between their respective countries and Pakistan. He expressed his optimism that they will continue to play a pivotal role in strengthening people-to-people contacts among nations, promoting cross-cultural understanding, and enhancing tourism cooperation.
He also urged the government to announce a civil award for Mohammad Ali Sadpara in recognition of his services.
Last survivor of PIA’s 1965 Cairo air crash passes away
ISLAMABAD, Aug 17 (APP):The last survivor of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) 1965 Cairo air crash, Salahuddin Siddique, has passed away in London at the age of 93.
A former General Manager of Public Affairs at PIA, Salahuddin Siddique was among the six passengers who survived the tragic crash. He retired from PIA in 1980.
According to family sources, Salahuddin Siddique had been living in London for many years. He is survived by a son and a daughter.
His funeral was held in London, where a large number of relatives, friends, and well-wishers attended.
The PIA plane, which was on its inaugural flight from Karachi to London via Dhahran and Cairo, crashed on May 20, 1965, about 20 kilometres from Cairo airport. A total of 128 people were on board, including passengers and crew.
Tragically, 122 lives were lost, including PIA air hostess Momi Gul Durrani and 21 journalists, including A.K. Qureshi, Administrator of the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), and Major General Hayatuddin, Chairman of the National Press Trust.
In a statement, a PIA spokesperson expressed condolences on behalf of the airline’s management to Siddique’s family, saying, “Today, we have lost a cherished colleague. Salahuddin Siddique’s contributions to the national airline will always be remembered.”
MDA demolishes illegal constructions during crackdown
MULTAN, Aug 17 (APP):The Enforcement Team of Multan Development Authority (MDA) demolished various illegal constructions and removed encroachment from roads during a special crackdown launched here on Saturday.
In line with special directives of the Director General MDA Rana Saleem Ahmed, the enforcement team launched a special crackdown at Aziz Hotel Chowk, Dera Adda Chowk, Nawan Shehr Chowk, Officers Colony, LMQ Road and Chowk Kumharanwala. During the operation, the team demolished various illegal constructions and removed encroachments from the road by taking material into custody.
The MDA sources said that the action has been taken after receiving various complaints regarding encroachments causing problems in uninterrupted traffic flow.
PFA imposes heavy fines over hygiene rules violations
LODHRAN, Aug 17 (APP):Food safety teams inspected various food points and imposed heavy fines for violation of hygiene rules.
The teams under the supervision of Director Operations South, Asif Iqbal, made inspections of sweets and bakers, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and various other food points.
According to details, three sweets and bakers near Bahauddin Zakariya University Bosan road, Adda Billi Wala, and 17 Kassi in Multan were fined a total of Rs 80,000 due to improper food storage, presence of expired ketchup, contaminated ovens and other machinery, and lack of medical certificates for food handlers.
Similarly, a supermarket near Sabzazar Metro Station was fined Rs 40,000 for having expired food items. Additionally, in 22/10R Kacha Khoh, a bakery and a restaurant at Adda Talamba were fined Rs 35,000 for having expired confectionery items, lack of labelling on sweets and other food items, and the use of Chinese salt in their dishes.
Furthermore, a grocery store in Pathan Wala, Lodhran, was fined Rs 20,000 for having an infestation of insects in the storage area, selling china salt and expired spices.
NHA Chairman launches tree plantation campaign
ISLAMABAD, Aug 17 (APP): Chairman of the National Highway Authority (NHA) Muhammad Sheheryar Sultan has inaugurated a Tree Planting Campaign on the NHA road network by planting a sapling on the Thalian Airport carriageway.
According to an NHA spokesman, the campaign aims to plant over 46,000 saplings and wild plants along the Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M-1) this year.
The chairman said that tree plantation was a form of Sadaqah Jariyah (ongoing charity). He said that Pakistan was among the countries most affected by climate change and reiterated the NHA’s commitment to increasing greenery, reducing temperatures and mitigating the impacts of climate change through this national initiative.
The tree plantation campaign will be carried out in three phases; in the first phase, 23,000 saplings, including olive trees, local fruit-bearing and shade trees and forest plants, from the NHA Gate to the Thallian Interchange on the Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M-1) would be planted.
In the second phase, two 23,000 saplings around the road network near the Burhan and Brahma Bahtar Interchanges would be planted.
The third phase will focus on making the section of the motorway from the Islamabad Toll Plaza to Brahma Bahtar environmentally friendly, green, and aesthetically pleasing. This year, the country has set a target to plant over 100 million trees.
Deputy Chairman Senate commends NADRA’s efforts to simplify ID card issuance in Balochistan
ISLAMABAD, Aug 17 (APP):Deputy Chairman Senate Syedaal Khan Nasar Saturday praised the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) for its efforts to simplify the process of issuing identity cards for the people of Balochistan.
During a meeting with the Director General of NADRA Balochistan, he highlighted the challenges faced by the province, its big size and remote areas often make it difficult for residents to obtain identity cards. He suggested that NADRA could provide better services in these areas by deploying mobile teams and implementing other appropriate measures to facilitate the process.
The Director General NADRA assured the Deputy Chairman Senate that every possible effort would be made to address these concerns and to make the identity card issuance process more accessible for the people of Balochistan.
Deputy Chairman Nasar also extended his condolences to the DG on the passing of his mother-in-law. He prayed to the Almighty to grant the departed soul eternal peace and to provide the bereaved family with the strength to bear this loss with fortitude.
Surveillance, screening enhanced for Monkeypox: Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad
ISLAMABAD, Aug 17 (APP): Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Health Dr. Malik Mukhtar Ahmad on Saturday said that the government has formulated a comprehensive strategy to protect the people from the Monkeypox (Mpox).
Addressing a press conference, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad said that people need not worry as only one case of Mpox has been reported in Pakistan. He added surveillance and screening are in place at all airports and points of entry.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad said that in the provinces including the federal capital, laboratories are allocated for the diagnosis of Mpox. He said that cases of Mpox have been reported from Africa and people coming from Africa, America and the Gulf countries will be monitored.
He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, the Federal capital and the provinces have taken steps on a joint priority basis. He said that the Ministry of Health is ensuring continuous monitoring daily and the government is closely monitoring the situation.
He said that the ministry is in full contact with the provinces and on the instructions of the prime minister, a meeting is being conducted on daily basis. He appealed to the public to isolate themselves at home if their family has a travel history and Mpox symptoms.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad added in such a situation contact a qualified doctor and follow the doctor’s instructions in case of having any such symptoms.
He said that this virus has been found in 99,000 people in the world and only 200 patients died and all others recovered. He said that symptoms may take 10 to 15 days to appear and spending too much time with the patient can spread it.
It is better if the patient is quarantined, he said adding that fever medicines are used for Mpox.
Abrar, Kamran released from first Test squad
ISLAMABAD, Aug 17 (APP): Wrist spinner Abrar Ahmed has been released from the Pakistan Test side and he will now represent Pakistan Shaheens in the second four-day match against Bangladesh ‘A’, which will start at the Islamabad Club on Tuesday.
The decision has been made after the selectors have opted to go with an all-pace attack in the first ICC World Test Championship match against Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Wednesday (21 August). Instead of benching him for the Test, the selectors named him in the Shaheens squad so that he could gain some match practice ahead of the second Test, which will start on 30 August.
Uncapped top-order batter Kamran Ghulam is the other player to be released from the Pakistan Test side and has been retained in the Pakistan Shaheens side for the second four-day match. He has also been appointed as the captain.
This means the Pakistan Test squad has been trimmed to 15 players, but will be back to its original 17-player strength after the conclusion of the second four-day match when Abrar and Kamran will rejoin the side for the second Test.
Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Saud Shakeel, who were part of the Pakistan Shaheen side, have now joined the Test side, while Mohammad Rameez Jnr has been left out for the second four-day match. These eight players have been replaced in the Shaheens side by Abrar Ahmed, Ali Zaryab, Imam Ul Haq, Mohammad Awais Anwar, Niaz Khan, Qasim Akram, Rohail Nazir and Sharoon Siraj.
Pakistan Shaheens squad (for second four-day) – Kamran Ghulam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Ali Zaryab, Ghulam Mudassar, Imam-ul-Haq, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Awais Anwar, Niaz Khan, Qasim Akram, Rohail Nazir (wicket-keeper), Saad Baig (wicket-keeper), Saad Khan, Sharoon Siraj and Umar Amin