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Proclaimed offender wanted in double murder case arrested

By
Iqra Yousaf Iqra Yousaf
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RAWALPINDI, Dec 28 (APP): Police on Thursday claimed to have arrested a proclaimed offender (PO) wanted in a double murder.
According to a police spokesman, Chontra police conducted a raid and rounded up a PO Usman Khalil who killed two citizens Adnan and Numan over old enmity while Rafaqat was critically injured in firing.
A double murder case was registered in 2015 in Chontra police station. Police working on scientific lines managed to trace and net the accused.
Superintendent of Police, Saddar, Muhammad Nabeel Khokhar appreciated the police team directed to arrest POs and other criminals wanted in different cases.

Spices exports increase 19.21% to $45 mln

By
NNPS Desk
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ISLAMABAD, Dec 28 (APP): The exports of spices witnessed an increase of 19.21 per cent during the first five months of the financial year 2023-24, as against the exports of the corresponding months of last year.

The spices exports from the country were recorded at US $45.179 million during July-November (2023-24) against the exports of US $37.898 million during July-November (2022-23), according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

In terms of quantity, the exports of spices also surged by 82 per cent going up from 8,478 metric tons to 15,431 metric tons, according to the data.

Meanwhile, year-on-year basis, the exports of spices increased by 4.29 per cent during the month of November 2023 as compared to the same month of last year.

The exports of spices from the country during November 2023 were recorded at US $10.428 million against the exports of US $9.999 million in November 2022.

On a month-on-month basis, exports of spices however decreased by 5.13 per cent during November 2023 when compared to the exports of US $10.992 million in October 2023, the PBS data revealed.

Shaheen Afridi, Mir Hamza impress with ball on day three of MCG Test

By
NNPS Desk
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ISLAMABAD, Dec 28 (APP): Left-arm fast bowling duo of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mir Hamza succeeded against the experienced Australia batting line-up as both registered three wickets to push the opposition on the back foot.

At stumps, Australia’s scorecard read 187-6 after they had earlier dismissed Pakistan for 264, according to information made available here by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Pakistan resumed from their overnight score of 194-6 with Mohammad Rizwan and Aamir Jamal at the crease. The 45-run stand between the two was the second-highest partnership for Pakistan. Rizwan (42, 51b, 1×4, 1×6) was the first batter to walk back on Day Three when Australia captain Pat Cummins struck early to break the seventh-wicket partnership.

A 25-run eighth-wicket partnership between Shaheen and Aamir further helped reduce the deficit. Then, Shaheen (21, 28b, 4x4s) was trapped LBW by Nathan Lyon, with Pakistan slumping to 240-8 in the 70th over.
Cummins later dismissed Hasan Ali to complete his 10th five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Mir Hamza (2, 3b) was the last batter to fall in the innings. Lyon, who bagged four wickets, closed the innings as Pakistan were dismissed for 264 in 73.5 overs.

In turn, Shaheen produced magic with the new ball as opening batter Usman Khawaja was caught behind in just the first over and Marnus Labuschagne fell in the same manner on the last ball of the third over.
Hamza bowled a double wicket maiden soon after lunch and Australia were reduced to 16-4. The left-arm pacer rattled David Warner’s stumps on the first ball of the over and then castled Travis Head for a duck on the next delivery.
Steven Smith and Mitchell Marsh stitched a perfect recovery for their side. The two batted together to add 153 runs to the total, ensuring Australia remain in the game after the early setback.

Hamza ended the partnership when Salman Ali Agha caught Marsh during the third session of Day Three. The Australian all-rounder was denied a century, falling for a 130-ball 96 studded with 13 boundaries.
Smith completed a gritty half-century (50, 176b, 3x4s) before he gloved it to Salman fielding at gully, falling to the trap set by Shaheen. Smith’s dismissal proved to be the final ball of the day.
Wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey (16 not out, 42b, 2x4s) remained unbeaten on the crease as Australia ended Day Three at 187-6 in 62.3 overs, leading by 241.
Action will resume on day four at the Melbourne Cricket Ground at 0430 PKT.
Scores in brief:
Australia 318 all out, 96.5 overs (Marnus Labuschagne 63, Usman Khawaja 42, Mitchell Marsh 41; Aamir Jamal 3-64, Mir Hamza 2-51, Hasan Ali 2-61, Shaheen Shah Afridi 2-85, Salman Ali Agha 1-22) and 187-6, 62.3 overs (Mitchell Marsh 96, Steven Smith 50; Mir Hamza 3-27, Shaheen Shah Afridi 3-58)
Pakistan 264 all out, 73.5 overs (Abdullah Shafique 62, Shan Masood 54, Mohammad Rizwan 42; Pat Cummins 5-48, Nathan Lyon 4-73, Josh Hazlewood 1-43)

National Tech Lancer Summit held at IUB

By
Iqra Yousaf Iqra Yousaf
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BAHAWALPUR, Dec 28 (APP):Faculty of Computing and Directorate of Students Affairs the Islamia University of Bahawalpur organized the National Tech Lancer Summit.

Punjab Information Technology Board and National Freelance Training Program besides more than 60 IT institutions, software houses, and freelancers from across the country participated in this mega event organized in the main auditorium of the university.

Senior Dean Prof. Dr. Shazia Anjum inaugurated the summit, said that the development in information technology, especially the promotion of freelancing, can boost the country’s economy. By holding this mega event at the Islamia University of Bahawalpur, our teachers and students will get an opportunity to access the global market in the field of information technology, especially freelancing.

She congratulated the Dean Faculty of Computing Prof. Dr. Dost Muhammad Khan, the Director of Student Affairs Prof. Dr. Abdul Rauf, and the Focal Person Dr. Faheem Mushtaq for successfully organizing the Tech Freelancers Summit. Dr. Faheem Mushtaq Advisor of IUB Freelancing Society while explaining the aims and objectives of the summit said that the Islamia University of Bahawalpur has become a big name in the field of IT at the global level.

This university is providing manpower in the IT sector as well as providing quality products. The purpose of this conference is to bring together freelancers, tech leaders and experts, teachers, researchers, and students from the private and public sectors on one platform so that IT experts and investors can come together in one place and start mutual development projects.

This mega summit will open new chapters of economic development and technological expertise along with employment opportunities.

The interaction of the IT community and the presence of all these people in Islamia University Bahawalpur will certainly create new opportunities for development in this field in the region. Dr. Faheem Mushtaq expressed special thanks to the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Naveed Akhtar for his special guidance and patronage in organizing this mega summit.

After the inaugural session, in networking and panel discussions, IT experts from across the country informed the students about the immense career and business opportunities in the IT sector. Prominent IT and software companies set up stalls in a special exhibition area adjacent to the conference hall.

Solangi, Iranian envoy emphasize importance of mutual cooperation in diverse sectors

By
NNPS Desk
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Murtaza Solangi

ISLAMABAD, Dec 28 (APP): Pakistan and Iran on Thursday emphasized the importance of mutual cooperation in trade and economic sectors, especially in the scope of ECO organization, corridor from East to West, bilateral cooperation on the ports and
expansion of relations between two brotherly countries.

During a meeting between Caretaker Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi and Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam, multiple important issues, including cooperation
in the fields of media, exchange of cultural delegations, bilateral trade relations, Iran Expo 2024, were discussed.

The minister and Ambassador expressed the willingness on the part of both countries to explore opportunities for promoting bilateral relations.

Minister for Information Murtaza Solangi said that Pakistan valued the brotherly relations with Iran as both were bound by deep religious, cultural and linguistic relations.

“Cooperation between the two countries in the fields of media is the need of the hour,” Murtaza Solangi said adding
Pakistan was keen to promote cooperation with Iran in the fields of film and drama.

He said a memorandum of understanding has already been signed between the Associated Press of Pakistan and
the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). Additionally, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) and Iran’s Audio Visual Media Regulatory Authority (SATRA) and the Directorate of Electronic Media and Publications,
Pakistan Television and Iran’s audiovisual and cinema sector, had been working on the MoUs to promote bilateral cooperation, he added.

They agreed to expedite the process of agreement between Pakistan Television Corporation and Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting.

The visit of Iran’s cultural delegation to Pakistan was also discussed in the meeting.

The minister said that the visit of Iran’s cultural delegation to Pakistan was welcome since these visits would promote cultural relations between the two countries.

The Cultural delegation of Iran would be visiting media houses, press clubs and other cultural institutions of Pakistan, he added.

The Ambassador of Iran informed the minister about the opening of Bureau Office of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting in Islamabad.

The Bureau Office of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting will start its working in the third week of January next year, he added.

The establishment of the Bureau office of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting would further promote cooperation in the field of information between the two countries, Mortaza Solangi said.

He said several such agreements were under discussion to enhance cooperation between television, films, cinema, literary and linguistic institutions with Iran.

“These agreements will help to present our culture and traditions in true light”, he added.

The Minister also informed the Iranian Ambassador about the steps regarding the upcoming elections in Pakistan.

The primary mandate of the caretaker government, he added, was to assist in the electoral process.

Conducting fair, transparent and impartial elections was the priority of the government which was providing all possible facilities to the Election Commission of Pakistan in this regard.

The Iranian ambassador appreciated the caretaker government’s resolve to hold fair, transparent and impartial elections in Pakistan.

Discussion regarding Iran Expo 2024 was also held in the meeting.

Iran Expo 2024 is an important opportunity to promote trade relations between the two countries as Pakistan was determined to work with Iran to promote mutual economic relations.

Iran Expo 2024 will provide a dynamic platform for businesses from both countries, the Iranian ambassador said.

 

KP Minister inaugurates IT skills training center at Qadafi, Utmankhel

By
Iqra Yousaf Iqra Yousaf
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0

PESHAWAR, Dec 28 (APP):Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Caretaker Minister for newly merged districts affairs, Industries, Commerce and Technical Education Dr. Aamer Abdullah has paid a day long visit to District Bajaur and formally inaugurated the Information Technical Skills Training Center at Qadafi, Tehsil Utmankhel.

The project was established under the mega IT project of “Digital Connect” launched by the provincial government, for the youth of merged districts. During his visit, the caretaker minister also took briefings at district headquarters Khar, from the administration, police and line departments on the overall situation of administrative affairs, law and order and development process in the district.

On this occasion, he also interacted with the local journalist community and the president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Deputy Commissioner Bajaur Anwar Haq, District Police Officer Kashif Zulfiqar, Additional Deputy Commissioner Hamza Zahoor and other officers were also present.

During inauguration the IT Training Center established under the KP Information Technology Board, the Caretaker Minister in his address to the ceremony composed by training participant students and local elders, said that the youth in the merged districts will be given IT skills training and an opportunity for them to work in the relevant sector avenues.

He added that such centers are being set up in seven districts as these districts remained behind other regions in digital literacy. He further said that this initiative has been started from Bajaur while such a training center is also ready in Orakzai and this project will be spread in other merged districts in which IT training will be given according to the needs of the market. Similarly separate arrangements have been made for women in these IT hubs, the Minister said.

He said that in the project, not only the facility of the training center has been provided, but facilitation for the youth under training to work together or create a project and an ICT community center to fulfill the ICT needs of these youth free of charge will also be available here.
Similarly, monthly stipend will also be given to these trainees. The Caretaker Minister expressed that this center will be the main source for the youth of Bajaur to start their own online and IT businesses and transfer their skills to others.

Earlier, on his way to Bajaur, the Caretaker Minister inspected the under-construction road from Dhando Sar to Pir Qila in Mohmand district and directed that special care should be taken in the quality of the construction of the road as it is the main highway of this area.

While getting briefings regarding district administration, police and other sectoral departments the minister gave a 10-day deadline to the district administration for completion of a small industrial estate in Bajaur.

He said that the issue of release of funds for the staff of outsourced hospitals in the merged districts is being resolved. The Caretaker Minister also sought information about the implementation of additional BS programs in the Bajaur Women’s Degree College as per his instructions, while directing the Deputy Commissioner to look after the olive grafting project in the district for achieving better targets in a short period.
He directed the district administration to solve the problem of grievances, problems and disputes regarding mining in the district as soon as possible while also directing to provide a report in this regard.

On this occasion, the Caretaker Minister said that the Prime Minister has been approached several times regarding equipping the police of the merged districts with the necessary equipment.

Responding to a question from the journalist, the Caretaker Minister said that the financial merger of the merged districts is still incomplete because the funds for these areas come from the federal government, however, the provincial government is in contact with the federal government in this regard to bring the funds for these areas such as it promised by the federal government at the time of merger.
He said that in this regard, the Prime Minister has agreed to form a committee to formulate the procedure.

MoFA committed to promote Pakistan’s interests at global level: FM

By
Shumaila Andleeb
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ISLAMABAD, Dec 28 (APP): Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani on Thursday said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Pakistan’s missions abroad would continue to promote the country’s external relations and protect its interests at the global level.

The foreign minister expressed these views in a year-end interaction with the beat reporters held here at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

FM Jilani gave a roundup of the achievements made by Pakistan in the domain of global foreign policy and highlighted the high-level visits of the leadership that led to the strengthening of ties with key States.

A fateha was offered for the soul of former foreign secretary Riaz Khokhar who passed away in Islamabad on Wednesday.

Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, media persons from newspapers and television, foreign correspondents, and officials of the ministry attended the interaction.

Saudi Embassy in Jordan holds symposium to celebrate World Arabic Language Day

By
Iqra Yousaf Iqra Yousaf
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0

Amman, Dec 28 (spa/APP):Saudi Arabia’s Embassy in Amman organized a symposium today to commemorate World Arabic Language Day and emphasize the Arabic language as “the language of poetry and arts.”

The symposium was attended by Saudi Ambassador to Jordan, Nayef bin Bandar Al-Sudairi, as well as representatives from Jordan’s Ministries of Education, Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Culture.

During his speech at the symposium, Ambassador Al-Sudairi highlighted the global significance of World Arabic Language Day, observed annually on December 18, which underscores the Arabic language’s crucial role.

The ambassador commended the Arabic language as a vessel of heritage, cultural and diverse forms of Arabic thought. He also underlined how this commemoration reflects the language’s importance in human civilization and its profound influence on science, literature, poetry, and the arts throughout the centuries.

Al-Sudairi underscored the Kingdom’s commitment to promoting the Arabic language as a means of fostering cultural identity, preserving knowledge, and safeguarding historical heritage. He further highlighted Saudi Arabia’s pioneering role in promoting the Arabic language at local, regional, and global levels, driven by its dedication to serving the language of the Quran. Additionally, he shed light on the Kingdom’s extensive experience in teaching Arabic to non-native speakers.

Stable steel industry vital to economic growth: Meher

By
Iqra Yousaf Iqra Yousaf
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0

LAHORE, Dec 28 (APP):Steel industry needs to be strengthened for sustainable economic growth, a prerequisite for rapid development, progress and prosperity in the country.

This was stated by Coordinator to Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Meher Kashif Younis while talking to a delegation of industrialists led by Ahmad Waqar here Thursday .
Meher said that the iron and steel industry was the bottomline producer industry and the mother of all industries as it caters to other industries, thus contributing towards industrial and national development.

He said that worldwide, the steel industry was considered one of the vital aspects of stable growth and economic development. “Our industrial policy needs to be revisited to prioritize steel production over sugar, cola and cigarettes production,” he remarked.
There was definitely a dire need for promoting the steel sector as the demand for steel was higher than its production and the demand and supply gap was met through imports. “Even if the reverse were the case, we would have exported steel given its high demand world over,” he highlighted.

The FTO Coordinator said steel was also recyclable and, therefore, unlikely to run out like fossil fuels. “About 88 per cent of steel is recycled throughout the world and unlike other recycled materials, steel never loses its strength during recycling.”

“This is the reason that ship-breaking which is a part of the steel sector, is so important,” he said, citing that about 15 per cent of the domestic production of steel came from ship-breaking scrap.

Highlighting the significance of steel sector in national development, Meher said iron and steel sector was part of the large scale manufacturing (LSM); not only it had linkage with other industrial sub-sectors, but also with the agriculture and services sectors – which used implements made of iron and steel.

“It is impossible to think of any sector, which doesn’t benefit from steel sector. The per capita use of steel in Pakistan is only 35 kg as compared to the last year world average of 233 kg which is one of the key points the policymakers should consider, in order to tailor such a master plan to strengthen the industrial base rather than only focusing on traditional sectors,” he emphasized

HESCO anti-theft crackdown, 352 more connections detected

By
Iqra Yousaf Iqra Yousaf
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0
HESCO

HYDERABAD, Dec 28 (APP):The Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) in its ongoing anti theft drive identified 352 more connections involved in electricity theft in the HESCO region during the last 24 hours, including 11 commercial, one industrial and 340 domestic.

According to the power utility spokesperson, all apprehended connections were disconnected, and those involved in power theft have been issued detection bills totaling 175,054 units, valued at 5.127 million rupees.

The HESCO authorities also submitted letters against 309 individuals involved in electricity theft in various police stations for registering FIRs, out of those 27 cases had been registered. The HESCO spokesperson further highlighted that during the 113-day long crackdown, a recovery of more than 9535.478 million rupees has been made, and 2159 cases have been registered.

The HESCO chief vowed that the uninterrupted grand operation against will persist until complete eradication of electricity theft. Actions will also be taken against both electricity thieves and those supporting them, including HESCO officials and employees, he added

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