An elderly vendor selling rings and beads at Bari Imam in Federal Capital
Labourers busy in laying sewerage pipe at Bari Imam during development work in Federal Capital
A young worker preparing tea for customers in a local hotel
Drivers of tricycle rickshaw loaders waiting for customers at roadside to shift luggage from one place to other
Pak-China collaboration around poverty alleviation on the anvil
ISLAMABAD, Mar 02 (APP):Pakistan and China will collaborate on poverty alleviation through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to be signed soon.
This was stated by the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong in a meeting with the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Sania Nishtar on Wednesday.
Secretary Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division (PASSD), Muhammad Ali Shahzada was also present on the occasion.
Sharing her views, Dr. Sania said, “We congratulate Chinese government and leadership for momentous achievement of eradicating extreme poverty from China. It is unprecedented in human history that 770 million people have been taken out of extreme poverty in a span of over 40 years.”
During the meeting, Chinese Ambassador and Dr. Sania discussed the draft of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which was being framed between the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division of Pakistan aimed at establishing a platform for collaboration around poverty eradication.
Speaking to the press after the meeting, Dr. Sania said, “We are working on the final details of the MoU. The Framework will provide both countries an opportunity to capitalize on sharing of experiences in poverty eradication”.
“The collaboration established as a result, therefore, will enable Pakistan to benefit from evidence and lessons in poverty eradication from the China’s experience on the one hand. On the other hand, it will enable Pakistan to disseminate lessons from Ehsaas, which is a unique multi-sectoral approach to tackling poverty”, she said.
Dr. Sania also congratulated Nong Rong on his appointment as China’s Ambassador to Pakistan.
Dr. Sania reiterated the importance of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for poverty eradication. “Not only is CPEC a remarkable demonstration of our time-tested friendship, it is also an ideal milieu for socio-economic development which will contribute to uplifting people and graduating them out of poverty”, she said.
Further, Dr. Sania congratulated and reiterated the close iron brother ties between China and Pakistan.
She termed the upcoming collaboration as a good initiative.
While commenting on the importance of CPEC, she said that CPEC was a paradigm of development and that socio-economic development under CPEC would contribute to poverty alleviation in Pakistan.
PTCL introduces Balochi Language on its CSS
ISLAMABAD, Mar (APP):Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has introduced Balochi language in its Customer Support Services (CSS) through its automated helpline 1218.
The deployment of the Balochi Language is testament to PTCL’s commitment to serve its customers in their local dialects across Pakistan, said a news release.
Recently, PTCL had also introduced Sindhi language customer support in their service portfolio to serve its customers more effectively.
The company’s philosophy is based on equality and service quality for all regions of the country that includes customers from all walks of life.
Expressing his views on this initiative, Chief Commercial Officer and Group Chief Strategy Officer, PTCL, Ufone Moqeem ul Haque, said, “PTCL, being a national company, is continuously striving to provide quality services to its customers across Pakistan.
Introducing Balochi language in our Customer Support Services is a step in the right direction as we believe in serving all communities and segments of our society.
Moreover, PTCL endeavors to bridge the communication gap and provide more customer friendly channels to engage with its customers. We will continue with our efforts to cater and incorporate more regional languages.”
As Covid-19 is still prevalent, PTCL’s customers can easily continue to enjoy uninterrupted services from the safety of their homes, while also being served in their regional languages.
PIA pensioners seek redressal of grievances
ISLAMABAD, Mar 02 (APP):Retired employees of Pakistan International Airline (PIA) have sought redressal of their grievances as the recent inflation has added to their miseries.
“The pension has not been increased since long and the retired employees are not getting any relief especially inflating prices of daily use items and other essential commodities,” said a press statement issued here by the former General Manager Public Relations Bashir Ahmed of the state owned flag carrier.
He said that pension of the retired employees was increased only twice in 2013 and 2019 despite unprecedented price hike of the essential commodities. He urged the PIA board to give the raise as being given to retired employees of federal and provincial governments in annual budgets.
He requested the government to review the existing pension calculation formula and the policy regarding the payment of commuted amounts so that the retired employees could get maximum relief.
Bashir said he had already attracted attention of the quarters concerned in writing to get relief for the retired employees. He expressed confidence that the government would take up the matter to help resolve their issues amicably.
A vendor arranging and displaying oranges to attract the customers at his roadside setup
ECP publishes returned candidate name from PP-51
ISLAMABAD, Mar 02 (APP):Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday published the name of returning candidate to the Provincial Assembly as a result of bye-election held on February 19 from the constituency PP-51 Gujranwala.
According a notification issued by ECP, Tallat Mehmood from Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) remained the successful candidate in bye-election.
It added the notification has been issued in pursuance of the provision of sub-section (1) of Section 98 of the Election Act, 2017 (XXXIII of 2017).
Parties using money in Senate polls to face defeat: Dr Firdous
LAHORE, Mar 02 (APP):Special Assistant to Chief Minister (SACM) on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan Tuesday said that the political parties using money in politics would face defeat in Senate elections on March 3.
Addressing a press conference here, she said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) would emerge victorious in the elections as Wednesday would be the day of truth and democracy.
She said that the PTI-led government under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan was determined to end tradition of horse-trading in politics and to promote true democratic norms.
The SACM said that the so-called PDM [Pakistan Democratic Movement] alliance would be disappointed tomorrow. The PDM member parties, on the one hand, had been talking about supremacy and respect of the vote, and on the other were using money in politics.
PTI’s journey would continue for a real change in the country as it had put the country on the way to positive change under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
She expressed the hope that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) would ensure holding of Senate elections in a transparent manner, as directed by the Supreme Court.
For transparent elections, joint efforts were needed by the government as well as the opposition, and the government was always ready to sit with the opposition parties on electoral reforms.
She said that digital Pakistan was the future of the country and the government was moving towards use of the latest technology in the government departments.
The Punjab Information Commission was playing its role in creating awareness regarding laws, right to information and sensitising people on using its legal rights. Dr Firdous said under leadership of Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, Punjab was speedily moving towards journey of change and the Information Commission had resolved more than 5,600 cases in a year which was a record.
The commission was becoming a voice for journalists, and their genuine concerns were being taken up. Protection of rights of journalists was a priority of the commission, she added.
Durable peace in Afghanistan common goal of Pakistan, US: Sheikh Rasheed
ISLAMABAD, Mar 2 (APP):Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed Tuesday said Pakistan had rendered unmatched sacrifices for achieving the lasting peace in Afghanistan, which was the common goal of Pakistan and the United States (US).
“Pakistan has rendered immense human and financial sacrifices for durable peace in the Afghanistan,” he expressed these views during a meeting with acting US Ambassador to Pakistan Angela P Aggeler who called on him here, a news release said.
The minister said Pakistan would continue extending its full support to the new US administration for securing lasting peace in Afghanistan.
During the meeting, the minister and envoy also discussed the existing ties and the matters related to mutual interest.
Sheikh Rasheed said Pakistan and US were enjoying old relations and hoped that there would be considerable improvement in these ties under the new US administration.
The acting ambassador said there existed ample opportunities to bring improvement in the existing bilateral ties under the new US administration.
The envoy said Afghanistan also valued Pakistan’s efforts it made for achieving the durable peace.
The meeting also discussed the case of American journalist Daniel Pearl and the accused involved in it.
The envoy said it was expected that the family of Daniel Pearl’s was get justice from Pakistan’s court.
The minister said the courts in Pakistan were functioning with absolute independence and he was confident that their decision in this particular case would be based on justice and in line with the law.
The US envoy appreciated Pakistani measures for effectively controlling the spread of deadly coronavirus in the country.
Federal Interior Secretary Yousaf Naseem Khokhar was also present in the meeting.
Shehbaz, Kh Asif to go to Islamabad to cast their Senate vote
LAHORE, Mar 02 (APP):Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif and senior PML-N leader Khwaja Muhammad Asif has been allowed to go to Islamabad for casting vote in the Senate elections.
Accountability Court Judge Amjad Nazir Chaudhry allowed Shehbaz Sharif to go to the federal capital, on an application filed by the Kot Lakhpat Jail authorities. whereas Accountability Court Judge Akmal Khan allowed Kh Asif on an application submitted by the jail authorities for the purpose.
The jail authorities had sought permission for taking both under-trial prisoners – Shehbaz Sharif and Khwaja Asif – to Islamabad on March 3 for fulfillment of their constitutional responsibilities.
“Milk Marketing and Social Mobilization” workshop begins at UVAS
LAHORE, Mar 02 (APP):The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) in collaboration with the University of Melbourne Australia organised a three-day the sixth farm advisors training workshop on “Milk Marketing and Social Mobilization” here at the
City Campus on Tuesday.
Pro Vice Chancellor/Dean Faculty of Veterinary Sciences Prof Dr Masood Rabbani
presided over the inaugural session of the workshop while Project Manager
Dairy-Beef Project Team Dr Humera Iqbal and 40 participants from 22 public and private
sectors organizations besides officials of the livestock department Punjab & Sindh
participated.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof Dr Masood Rabbani said such trainings were necessary
for learning innovative knowledge and experience from each other.
He acknowledged the role of Dairy-Beef Project Team who provided advisory service
to facilitate the livestock farming community.
The objectives of the training workshop were to initiate reflection of farm advisor`s field
experiences, opportunities and challenges to implement Whole Family Extension
Approach (WFEA), engage farm advisors in training modules focused on the milk marketing
and social mobilization.
NAB disburses Rs13.958 bln among Fazaia Housing Scheme Karachi affected persons
ISLAMABAD, Mar 2 (APP):The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has refunded Rs13.958 billion to 4,779 affected persons of Fazaia Housing Scheme, Karachi from out of a total 5,410.
Briefing a meeting presided over NAB chairman Justice (Retd) Javed Iqbal, Director General (DG) Karachi Dr Najaf Quli Mirza, said the bureau had refunded the money to most of the affected persons in compliance with the direction of Sindh High Court (HSC), said a press release on Tuesday.
The looted money of the remaining affected persons would be refunded after the sale of 16 acre project land worth Rs1.08 billion. The SHC had given two months’ time to complete the refund process.
The NAB DG Karachi informed the meeting that the Karachi bureau had conducted an investigation against Fazaia Housing Scheme Karachi regarding cheating the public at large on the basis of complaints of the general public.
The investigation had revealed that out of 8,083 housing units, the management of Fazaia Housing Scheme sold out 5,732 housing units to the general public and collected an amount of Rs18.2 billion from affected persons.
The project was still incomplete since 2015 except some basic structure work. The management of Fazaia Housing Scheme refunded Rs2.15 billion to the general public and released an amount of Rs2.336 billion to the Maxim Properties.
At that moment, an amount of Rs13.5 billion including bank profits was available in Fazaia Housing Scheme accounts of Habib Bank Limited and Meezan Bank. Two accused persons namely Tanvir Ahmed and Bilal Tanvir, both partners of M/s Maxim Properties and members of Project Management Executive Committee of Fazaia Housing Scheme, were arrested on December 28, 2019 and subsequently, sent on judicial custody by the Accountability Court on March 11, 2020.
Despite the issues and disputes between Directorate of Estate Projects and M/s Maxim Properties, the land on which the project was being built involved a hefty chunk of government land measuring 193-38 acres. In order to reach out to the affected persons of Fazaia Housing Scheme, NAB Karachi published a public notice in leading newspapers.
In response to the notice, a large number of affected persons submitted their claims/applications and they demanded their money back/refund.
It was informed that the investigation was completed and sent to NAB headquarters for filing of reference.
Meanwhile, Directorate of Estate Projects/Management of Fazaia Housing Scheme
submitted an application to NAB, along with land documents and estimates of current project assets available at the project, that it could not continue the project namely Fazaia Housing Scheme Karachi and willing to settle general public liabilities.
Furthermore, both Directorate of Estate Project and Maxim Properties filed petitions in the SHC to stop NAB from filing a reference, praying therein to direct NAB to disburse refund amount to the affected persons of Fazaia Housing Scheme.
In connection with Directorate of Estate Project settlement agreement with M/s Maxim Properties regarding refund of amount to allottees of Fazaia Housing Scheme through NAB, SHC passed order dated May19, 2020 in CP No.7,804 of 2019 and connected petitions whereby NAB Karachi was directed to supervise and ensure that all the allotted persons were repaid in full within the shortest period of time.
Capital’s air quality improves after repeated polluted days of February amid dry weather
ISLAMABAD, Mar 02 (APP):The air quality of the federal capital was recorded healthy on Tuesday as islooites witnessed first clearing in the sky after repeated days of polluted air due to increased ratio of pollutants since February amid persistent dry weather.
A Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) official told APP that the average ratio of particulate matter of 2.5 microns also PM 2.5 was recorded below safer limits. It was the most hazardous air pollutant causing serious respiratory chronic diseases and premature deaths.
PM2.5 was recorded 16.43 micrograms per cubic meter in Islamabad, which is much lower than the National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) of 35 micrograms and the World Health Organization (WHO) standard of 20 micrograms per cubic meter.
The air quality data revealed the presence of 19.43 micrograms sulphur dioxide and 13.73 micrograms nitrogen dioxide per cubic meter against the NEQS of 120 micrograms and 80 micrograms per cubic meter respectively.
During the month of February, average PM 2.5 ratio was recorded 50.32 microgrammes per cubic meter whereas SO2 was 36.3 microgrammes and NO2 24.8 per cubic meters.
According to the EPA official, prevailing dry weather and increased vehicular emissions were the main reasons for the bad air quality, caused due to presence of PM2.5 above the NEQS limit.
It was the most health damaging environmental pollutant causing chronic respiratory diseases and premature deaths as it could easily penetrate into human blood through lungs cells, she said.
The official said sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide were released from industrial emissions and car engines at different concentrations that accumulated into the ambience causing air pollution.
She mentioned that the Federal Capital’s air quality was commendable during the lockdown as vehicular emissions had drastically reduced.
The main reason of air pollution was a large number of vehicles on the Capital’s roads emitting combustion gases, she added.
She said the EPA regularly monitored the Capital’s air quality, which was found was unhealthy during dry weather, storm or pre-rain like situation. The people should wear face masks and sunglasses during outdoor visits when the pollution level was recorded high, she added.
A senior pulmonologist of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences expressed his serious concern over the presence of hazardous pollutants in Islamabad’s air as they caused respiratory diseases and serious health complications.
The air with high pollutant ratio was injurious to the health of children, teenagers and old people while the patients of lungs and heart diseases were at high risk, the medical practitioners said.
He said the people should be careful during the dry weather and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities.
Use of face mask or covering was the best remedy to avoid air pollution contact, while sunglasses during day time helped prevent eye rashes or allergy due to dust and pollutants, he added.
Private sector approval for Covid vaccine import underway, NCOC told
ISLAMABAD, Mar 02 (APP):The National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) on Tuesday was told that the private sector pharmaceutical companies and healthcare facilities have applied with the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) to import Covid vaccine where the process was underway.
The NCOC meeting chaired by National Coordinator Lieutenant General Hamood Uz Zaman Khan took detailed review of epidemic curve chart data and national vaccine strategy.
The Forum was briefed that private entities had applied for the authorisation to import Covid vaccine whereas the federal cabinet had also given its assent for private sector to procure Covid vaccine and administer at fixed prices.
The Forum was informed that over 181,000 front line healthcare workers have been vaccinated so far. However, average daily vaccination needs to be enhanced to achieve desired results of the national vaccination drive, it added.
The Forum was told that the provinces were improving their daily vaccinations with varying ratios which would help in meeting the set targets.
PTI to comprehensively win Senate elections: Senator Faisal
ISLAMABAD, Mar 2 (APP):Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting chairman Senator Faisal Javed Khan Tuesday said the PTI under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan would win Senate elections comprehensively and comfortably.
In a tweet, he said panic was obvious in Pakistan Democratic Movement camp as its all curtains for them.
He said they would regret fielding a candidate in Islamabad. The PTI and its allies would be the winner of this contest, he added.
Saturday on for students of ICT institutions perturb parents
ISLAMABAD, Mar 2 (APP):The decision of Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) to keep Saturday working in all its educational institutions is putting extra burden on the students as well as their parents who were unable to manage transport for sending their children to school, causing thin attendance.
According to an official source, the decision of keeping Saturday working was taken without any prior planning and consultation with the parents, Parent-Teachers Associations (PTA), the heads of institutions and teachers who are directly concerned and affected by the decision.
The dearness-struck parents who had hardly managed transport for their children find it almost impossible to manage transport on Saturday which is an additional day.
It is notable, during the whole week; many people drop their children in schools and colleges on their way to offices.
Many of the lady teachers and girls also go to schools and colleges with male members of the family who are at home due to Saturday off. This additional burden on these people is a great source of mental and physical agony for them and affects badly on their performance in rest of the days of the week.
Many parents drop their children in their schools and reach their office as a routine. To get up early on Saturday, exclusively to give pick and drop to the children is not only an extra burden on them but also makes their relaxing holiday completely busy and exhausting.
A principal of a Girls School, on the condition of anonymity, said that the decision has nothing to do with the coverage of courses because keeping in view the previous academic routine with Saturday off, the duration of periods had already been enhanced and the teachers on their part were following the routine to complete their courses well in time.
Instead, most of the students feel an additional burden and their working efficiency have been decreased, the principal said while talking to APP on Tuesday.
Another principal of a college said that there was extremely low turnout of the student in my college on Saturday so it was not a good decision to keep Saturday on.
To me, engaging students in institutions on Saturdays is wastage of resources and additional burden on the students and their parents.
Muhammad Adnan, a father of a student of class V, criticized the decision and said that in the previous routine, his daughter showed better performance and felt fresh on the beginning of the week.
Moreover, the aggregating homework from the rest of the week, she would complete on weekends. With Saturday on, the recreational period of the child has been reduced which may leave adverse effects on his physical and mental growth.
Shagufta Naeem, another parent said, when all the government departments were enjoying the facility of Saturdays off, why the students and teachers were compelled to attend schools and colleges on the off day.
“My son studying in the Grade-I gets exhausted while going to school six days a week,” she said while urging the concerned authorities to at least give some relaxation to the students of smaller grades.
Three-day mega Islamabad Tourism Fest to start from March 5
ISLAMABAD, Mar 2 (APP):Cutting Edge Group in collaboration with partners would organize a three-day mega Islamabad Tourism Festival from March 5, featuring different program to entertain the participant from twin cities.
The event would include air shows and adventure sports like para gliding, accuracy landing, wing suite flying, trike flying, sky diving and power para gliding as part of field marshal Paragliding Championship.
Furthermore, it will be colored with vintage cars and bike roadshows, horse parade, corporate and educational expos, food court, concerts, and much more, chief executive cutting edge group Ch Shehzad Akhtar told APP on Tuesday.
He said that “Islamabad Tourism Festival” will be a family festival of tourism adding he said that Ali Azmat, Sahir Ali Bagga, Aima Baig, Abdullah Qureshi, NirmalRoy Alizbath Roy, Sid (Mr.Rapper) and many others will perform in the mega festival.
He said that Cutting Edge Group would also organize Kashmir Premier League (KPL) from April 1-10, 2021 in Mirpur and Muzaffarabad.
The league, sanctioned by Pakistan Cricket Board and to be played on T-20 format will see six outfits clashing for the top honors.
The teams included Muzaffarabad Tigers, Mirpur Royals, Kotli Panthers, Rawalakot Hawks, Bagh Stallions and Overseas Warriors.
The league is an initiative to promote the domestic cricket in Pakistan and highlight the talent and natural magnificence of Kashmir.
Senate polls to be conducted on established legal pattern: ECP
ISLAMABAD, Mar 02 (APP):The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Tuesday said due to time constraints, Senate election would be conducted as per past practice prescribed in the Constitution and law.
The commission decided in a meeting presided over ECP Chairman Sikandar Sultan Raja. ECP Member Justice (R) Altaf Ibrahim Qureshi, Justice (R) Mrs Irshad Qasir, Shah Muhammad Jatoi and Nisar Ahmed Durrani attended the meeting.
According to the ECP official, the commission after deliberating over opinion of the Supreme Court given in the Presidential Reference No.1/2020 decided to implement it in letter and spirit.
The commission was taking all possible steps and measures to fulfill its constitutional obligations for checking corrupt practices in the Senate elections, he said.
He informed that the commission had so far not received detailed order of the apex court but in its short order it had mentioned that the ECP was required to use technology and develop mechanism under Article 218(3) of the Constitution.
He said the commission could hire services of some technical organizations into the matter.
The commission had also decided to constitute a committee comprising special secretary as convenor, director general (IT) and member Saeed Gul, JPEC Punjab, member, he added.
He said the committee would prepare recommendations regarding use of technology in the Senate elections in four weeks’ time.
The committee could also seek assistance from National Database and Registration Authority, Federal Investigation Agency and information ministry, he said adding any person from the following organizations could co-opt in the committee for better recommendations.