SAUDI ARABIA
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SAUDI ARABIA
Pilgrims are pelting stone at Satan as a part of the Hajj procession
SAUDI ARABIA
Pilgrims are going to Jamarat for throw stones at Satan
SAUDI ARABIA
APP07-180624
SAUDI ARABIA
MCL intensifies operation, shuts down 39 Siri-Paye burning points
LAHORE, Jun 18 (APP):The Metropolitan Corporation Lahore (MCL) intensified field operations on the second day of Eid al-Azha and closed down 39 points for burning ‘Siri-Paye’.
Under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner/Administrator Lahore Rafia Haider, the city administration remains active across all zones. MCL Chief Officer Ali Abbas Bukhari implemented an unrestricted and stringent crackdown in all zones during Eid.
From the second morning of Eid until now, 39 burning points of ‘Siri Paye’ have been targeted out of which, 9 points were closed in Allama Iqbal Zone, 7 in Nishtar zone, 5 in Samanabad zone, 4 in Ravi zone, 6 each in Gulberg and Shalamar zones and 3 each in Data Ganj Bakhsh zone and Aziz Bhatti zone. Strict action is being taken against violators of Section 144.
Additionally, continuous patrolling is being conducted on the Canal Road to ensure strict enforcement against throwing animal waste and offal into the canal. Social media complaints related to burning points of ‘Siri Paye’ have also been promptly addressed.
President Zardari visits Baloo ja Quba, offers fateha at his parents’ graves
NAWAB SHAH, Jun 18 (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday visited his ancestral graveyard at Baloo Ja Quba in Nawabshah.
President Asif Ali Zardari visited the graves of his parents, showered flowers and offered Fatiha.
The president offered Fatiha at the graves of his mother Begum Bilqis Sultana and late father Hakim Ali Zardari.
The president also placed flowers on the graves of other loved ones and relatives in Baloo Ja Quba Cemetery and prayed for the recompense of the deceased.
Faryal Talpur, the sister of the president, also accompanied him.
Diafat Al Madinah Association delivers over 1.7 million services during Hajj
ISLAMABAD, Jun 18 (APP): The Saudi Diafat Al Madinah Association delivered over 1.7 million field services to pilgrims and visitors at numerous popular sites during the current year’s Hajj season.
The association, preparing to offer services to visitors in Madinah during the post-Hajj season, reported that their efforts included 720 volunteer hours from the beginning of Hajj until Dhul-Hijjah 7, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The volunteer work involved providing 176,610 meals to pilgrims and 1.80 million bottles of water as part of the Soqia (distributing water) Programme for pilgrims and visitors at dispatch centers. About 93,432 pilgrims also benefited from the services of the “Tirhab” (welcome) programme provided by the association as part of the pilgrims’ reception programmes.
The association reported that the volunteer services encompassed distributing more than 10,000 umbrellas to pilgrims and visitors at service sites, while 260 pilgrims benefited from the services of the “Kiswa” (clothing) programme.
The total number of pilgrims who benefitted from “Al- Mosanda” programmes to support older people and people with disabilities reached 29,500 pilgrims, in addition to 674 pilgrims who received services within the “Diwaniyah Diafa” (hospitality) programme.
The Diafat Al Madinah Association presents its services in coordination and partnership with the relevant authorities, which include receiving pilgrims at arrival ports and pick-up centers and providing them with many forms of care, such as distribution of meals, guidance work, hospitality programmes, welcoming pilgrims and visitors upon arrival, bidding them farewell upon departure, and ensuring the welfare of pilgrims.
PM reaffirms government’s commitment to GB’s development, prosperity
ISLAMABAD, Jun 18 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reiterated the government’s resolve to the development of Gilgit Baltistan saying that prosperity and welfare of the region’s people was the government’s top priority.
He said this during a telephonic conversation with Governor Gilgit Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah.
During the conversation, the two leaders exchanged Eid-ul-Azha greetings and best wishes for each other.
Eleven injured in Lower Dir road accidents
LOWER DIR, June 18 (APP)::Eleven people were injured in two separate road mishaps that occurred in various areas of Lower Dir on Tuesday.
According to a police spokesman, in the first incident, a car went out of control and plunged into a ravine in Shadas Maidan. As a result, seven people sustained serious injuries.
In another incident, a car fell into a gorge when the driver lost control over the vehicle near Odigram. As a result, four people suffered serious injuries.
Meanwhile, workers of Rescue 1122 rushed to spots and shifted injured people to nearby hospitals.
China’s technology transfer empowers Pakistan Railways towards greater self-reliance
BEIJING, June 18 (APP): With China’s cooperation, 820 new wagons will be integrated into Pakistan Railways’ system by the end of the fiscal year 2025-26.
“The cooperation reflects Pakistan Railways’ dedication to modernization and efficiency, setting a new standard in the country’s transportation sector,” Xinhua reported quoting a statement issued by the Pakistan Railways.
Last week, Pakistan Railways inducted 40 high-quality freight wagons that were locally manufactured through a technology transfer from China.
“The Railways have taken a significant step towards self-reliance by adding the international standard wagons for freight trains,” the statement said.
The “modern wagons” were inaugurated at a railway station in Lahore by Chief Executive Officer Aamir Ali Baloch, who noted that local production marked a crucial step toward reducing dependency on imports and conserving foreign exchange.
“The new design allows freight trains to transport containers efficiently, enhancing their versatility,” he said. “In the past, the low speed of freight trains resulted in considerable delays in the transportation of commercial goods. The inclusion of these new wagons in our fleet will increase the speed of freight trains to 100 kilometers per hour.”
“This advancement will not only expedite freight services but also contribute significantly to the national economy,” he added.
The locally manufactured wagons were expected to boost Pakistan Railways’ freight revenue by over Rs 9 billion (about 32 million US dollars) annually, providing much-needed financial stability to the institution, he said.
Spain ambassador discusses investment with Punjab CM
LAHORE, Jun 18 (APP):Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said that the province has rich investment opportunities for the Spanish business community in textiles, food processing, agriculture and livestock.
In a meeting with Ambassador of Spain Mr. Josè Antonio de Ory, and the Honorary Consul of Spain Mr. Jalal Salahuddin, to discuss opportunities for the promotion of bilateral ties between Punjab and Spain in the fields of trade, investment, education, culture and tourism, the CM said foreign investors were being provided with best environment for safe investment in Punjab. The trend of increasing the trade volume between Pakistan and Spain is welcome, she said.
The meeting also discussed investment opportunities in infrastructure and renewable energy. The need to increase joint efforts in strengthening mutual relations was also emphasised in the meeting.
The Spanish ambassador expressed deep interest in promoting a strong economic partnership with Punjab.
Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and other relevant officers were also present.
Deputy PM Dar visits Jagran Hydropower Plant in Neelum District
ISLAMABAD, Jun 18 (APP):Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Tuesday made a surprise visit to Jagran-1 Hydropower Plant in Neelum District, Azad Jammu Kashmir.
The deputy PM expressed satisfaction at the smooth functioning of the 30.4 MW Jagran-I which was conceived, approved and financed during the 1997-1999 tenure of former Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif when he (Ishaq Dar) was the finance minister.
Ishaq Dar conveyed his best wishes for the engineers, technicians and workers employed in Jagran-1 and the full support of the government for the project, which is contributing to Pakistan’s energy security.
The Jagran-I Hydropower Project was first initiated in 1995 and progress gained momentum under the leadership of then Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz Sharif. Deputy PM Mohammad Ishaq Dar, serving as then Minister of Finance and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), fast-tracked the approval of the revised project and ensured its timely completion.
The Jagran-I Hydropower Project was inaugurated in October 2000 and began generating 132 million units of energy annually. The power plant is directly connected to the national grid via a 132 KV transmission line, significantly contributing to the country’s energy supply.