Solangi grieved over demise of poet Ahmed Salim

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Mon, 11 Dec 2023, 12:01 PM

ISLAMABAD, Dec 11 (APP):Caretaker Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi on Monday expressed deep grief and sorrow over the demise of well-known intellectual, poet, novelist, translator and editor Ahmed Salim.

Using his X account, formerly Twitter, the minister said that during his entire life, Ahmed Salim remained steadfast and glued to his values of serving the working class, democracy, marginalised, vulnerable, oppressed people and the wretched of the earth.

Solangi said he equally shared the grief of the bereaved family and Ahmed Salim’s death was a personal loss for him.

He prayed to Allah Almighty to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved family to bear this loss with fortitude.

Foreign media, transportation celebrities visit Zhongshan in Cuiheng New Area

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NNPS Desk

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Mon, 11 Dec 2023, 11:59 AM

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BEIJING, Dec 11 (APP): A delegation consists of translation celebrities and foreign media hosted by the CICG Academy of Translation and Interpretation – “Experience the Vitality of Zhongshan Tour” went to Shenzhen-Zhongshan-Passage, Real Scene Exhibition Hall of the Cuiheng New Area, Hongrita Precision Components (Zhongshan) Co., Ltd. among other places.

The members of the visiting delegation deeply felt that Zhongshan is a city full of innovative opportunities and youthful vitality, and there is great room for future development.
The delegation drove under the guidance of the staff to the middle section of the Zhongshan Bridge in the Shenzhen-Zhongshan-Passage. As soon as they got off the coach, they were deeply overwhelmed by the magnificent project.

The paved deck spans east and west, wide and flat, and the main tower of the bridge towers high and spectacular at the Lingdingyang Bay. The staff of the Management Center of Shenzhen-Zhongshan-Passage introduced that the Shenzhen-Zhongshan-Passage is a cross-sea cluster project integrating “bridges, islands, tunnels, and underwater interconnection”.

With a total length of about 24 kilometers, it has created a number of “the world records”, and is the underwater steel box girder suspension bridge with world’s largest span and the world’s highest cross-sea bridge in terms of navigable clearance.

At present, the construction of Shenzhen-Zhongshan-Passage is sprinting towards the goal of opening to traffic in mid-2024.

“The structural engineering design has a service life of 100 years. Considering the future development of the port, if sufficient altitude is not reserved, it will affect the navigation of large ships, so the net navigation height will be increased to the current altitude.”

The staff said that the steel shell concrete submerged pipe tunnel with the characteristics of “ultra-wide, deep buried and widened” is also the first large-scale application in the world, and will become the world’s first extra-long two-way eight-lane concrete submerged tunnel with steel shell after its completion.

It is understood that as the only direct road connection between the two major urban agglomerations in the Pearl River Delta, the Shenzhen-Zhongshan-Passage is the transportation link between the Guangdong Pilot Free Trade Zone (Nansha in Guangzhou, Qianhai in Shenzhen and Hengqin in Zhuhai) and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao GBA, which is of strategic significance for accelerating the integrated development of the urban agglomerations in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao GBA.

In the exhibition hall of Zhongshan Cuiheng New Area, located on the 21st floor of Cuiheng Plaza, the delegation visited the Shenzhen-Zhongshan-Passage from a distance and overlooked the cityscape of the eastern area of Cuiheng New Area.

Through images and texts, they have learned about the past, present and future of Cuiheng New Area: Cuiheng New Area, a provincial-level new area in Guangdong that serves as the landing point of the west bank of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan-Passage, is located in the two “concentric circles” of Nansha, Qianhai, Hengqin three national-level new areas and the four major cities of Guangdong and Shenzhen, and sits on the “1-hour commuting circle” of the GBA.

Grasping the historical opportunity of opening up the Shenzhen-Zhongshan-Passage, Zhongshan Cuiheng New Area will create an innovative, industrial and talent highland on the west bank of the GBA in the future.
By 2035, it will be an international, modern and innovative coastal new city, and become the city gateway for the development of Zhongshan.

Railways to restore Awam Express in next week

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NNPS Desk

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Mon, 11 Dec 2023, 11:59 AM

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 11 (APP): Pakistan Railways has finally decided to restore Awam Express next week which was closed by the department after the deteriorating flood situation of 2022 in Sindh and other parts of the country.

“The decision to reinstate this crucial train service has been made after the suspension due to the severe flood situation in 2022, promising a renewed connection between major cities,” an official in the Ministry of Railways told APP.

He said the Awam Express, operating on the route from Karachi to Lahore and Lahore to Peshawar, is set to resume operations following directives issued to the carriage factory officials at the Railway Headquarters.

The official said that the department would prepare 18 bogies, accommodating economy class, lower AC, and AC business class coaches for the relaunch scheduled in December.

He said the Awam Express is one of the longest continuous running services, covering a published distance of 1,721 kilometres along the Karachi–Peshawar Railway line.

The train journey typically spanned approximately 33 hours and 30 minutes, serving as a crucial link between these prominent cities, the official added.

To a question, he said the department has granted a one-month extension in services of the Shalimar Express train that operates on the Karachi-Lahore route. In May 2023, Pakistan Railways revived the high-speed Shalimar Express passenger train after eight months.

Exchange rates for currency notes

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NNPS Desk

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Mon, 11 Dec 2023, 10:21 AM

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KARACHI, Dec 11 (APP): CURRENCY SELLING BUYING
USD 287.14280.96
GBP 360.13 352.34
EUR 309.10 302.99
JPY 1.97471.9322
SAR 76.56 74.90
AED 78.20 77.02

LIBOR
LIBOR FOR CALCULATING INTEREST ON SPECIAL USD BONDS
LIBOR 1M 5.47187
LIBOR 3M 5.63344
LIBOR 6M 5.72984

US DOLLAR Indicative FBP Rates

CURRENCY SIGHT/
15 DAYS1M2M 3M4M 5M 6M

USD282.29280.84277.65274.22271.42268.29265.26

EUR 304.02302.76299.66296.32293.73290.72287.84

GBP 354.03252.30348.35344.10340.65 336.76332.98

NBP exchange rates

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NNPS Desk

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Mon, 11 Dec 2023, 10:15 AM

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KARACHI, Dec 11 (APP): Treasury Management Division of National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) on Monday the following exchange rates.

CURRENCY SYMBOL TT Selling TT Buying
U.S DOLLAR USD 284.30 283.80
EURO EUR 306.61 306.07
JAPANESE YEN JPY 1.9552 1.9517
BRITISH POUND GBP 356.56 355.93
SWISS FRANC CHF 323.24 322.67
CANADIAN DOLLAR CAD 209.05 208.68
AUSTRALIAN DOLAR AUD 186.52 186.19
SWEDISH KRONA SEK 27.27 27.22
NORWEGIAN KRONE NOK 26.06 26.01
DANISH KRONE DKK 41.05 40.97
NEWZEALAND DOLLAR NZD 173.91 173.61
SINGAPORE DOLLAR SGD 211.83 211.46
HONGKONG DOLLAR HKD 36.55 36.48
KOREAN WON KRW 0.2156 0.2152
CHINESE YUAN CNY 39.70 39.63
MALAYSIAN RINGGIT MYR 60.76 60.65
THAI BAHT THB 07.97 07.96
U.A.E DIRHAM AED 77.96 77.82
SAUDI RIYAL SAR 75.80 75.67
QATAR RIYAL QAR 77.96 77.82
KUWAITI DINAR KWD 921.65 920.02

CONVERSION RATE FOR FROZEN FCY DEPOSITS
USD 283.743
GBP 356.4379
EUR 305.8465
JPY 1.9684

SETTLEMENT DATE: 13-12-2023

Foreign exchange rates

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NNPS Desk

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Mon, 11 Dec 2023, 10:07 AM

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KARACHI, Dec 11 (APP): The Exchange Rates Committee of Financial Markets Association of Pakistan issued the following Exchange rates bulletin, here on Monday.

CONVERSION RATES FOR DECEMBER 11, 2023 FOR FOREIGN CURRENCY FOR FORWARD COVER FOR DEPOSITS (EXCLUDING FE 25 DEPOSITS)

SBP SETTLEMENT VALUE DATE DECEMBER 13, 2023

USD 283.7430
GBP 356.4379
EUR 305.8465
JPY 1.9684

UN chief says he will not give up on his push for ceasefire in war-ravaged Gaza

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NNPS Desk

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Mon, 11 Dec 2023, 12:01 AM

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UNITED NATIONS, Dec 10 (APP): UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Sunday pledged that he would “not give up” on appealing for a humanitarian ceasefire in war-ravaged Gaza, adding that inaction on the part of the Security Council was undermining its credibility.

“The preeminent forum for the peaceful resolution of international disputes is paralyzed by geostrategic divisions”, he told the Doha Forum taking place in Qatar, following Friday’s meeting in New York during which the United States vetoed a resolution demanding that Israel and Palestinian militants end the intense fighting across the enclave which erupted on 7 October, according to a press release issued at UN Headquarters in New York.

Nearly 18,000 Palestinians have so far been killed and 49,500 wounded in deadly Israeli bombardments, including 297 in the past 24 hours.

“I urged the Security Council to press to avert a humanitarian catastrophe and I reiterated my appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire to be declared”, said the UN chief.

“Regrettably the Security Council failed to do it but that does not make it less necessary. So, I can promise I will not give up”, he told delegates to the global platform in Qatar, which brings world leaders together to discuss collective security and other challenges.

He said a sclerotic Security Council where splits between the permanent members, China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the US have produced only one resolution narrowly focused on aid delivery, needed reform.

“We need a serious effort to bring global structures up to date, rooted in equality and solidarity and based on the United Nations Charter and international law”, he said, noting that the Council’s divisions were “undermining solutions from Ukraine to Myanmar and the Middle East.”

The horrific terror attacks by Hamas and resulting “relentless bombardment” of Gaza, have only produced a single resolution “which I welcome. But that delay comes at a cost”, he added.

“And the resolution is not being implemented”.

Also addressing the conference in Qatar, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said the dehumanisation of Palestinians has allowed the international community to tolerate Israel’s continued bombardment of Gaza, which has led to more than 17,000 deaths since 7 October.

“There is no doubt that a humanitarian ceasefire is needed if we want to put an end to the hell of the earth right now in Gaza”, said Philippe Lazzarini.

Together with other ‘forces of fragmentation’ gaining ground, Mr. Guterres said now is the time to build bridges and find shared solutions to global challenges. Beyond the Security Council, Mr Guterres said global governance is failing to manage two existential threats.

First, on the climate catastrophe, he said far more ambition was needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensure climate justice.

“Despite promises and pledges, our climate is in breakdown. Emissions are at an all-time high. And fossil fuels are a major cause,” he said and added: “Renewable energy is cheap, clean, and infinite,” and can meet the world’s growing energy demand without poisoning the environment and suffocating our planet.

He urged fossil fuel companies and their backers to use their enormous resources to lead the renewables revolution. And likewise urged leaders at COP28 in Dubai to agree on deep cuts to emissions, in line with the 1.5-degree limit.

“This is the only road not only to climate sustainability, but economic sustainability,” the Secretary-General said.

Multilateral Development Banks must change their business model and leverage far more private finance at a reasonable cost for developing countries to invest in climate action and Sustainable Development Goals.

Also, he highlighted the threat posed by new technologies, saying generative AI could provide solutions to many global challenges, but without adequate regulation, “it will also lead us into deep and troubled waters.”

“These technologies cry out for governance,” Guterres continued, lamenting that AI is already supercharging hate speech and division, enabling data harvesting and mass surveillance, and exacerbating vast inequalities.

To help advance the search for solutions, he has appointed a multistakeholder High-Level Advisory Body on AI which will provide preliminary recommendations by the end of this year. It met in New York last week.

He went on to say that reforms to global governance must be grounded in the Universal Declaration and the enduring values of the UN Charter.

Next September’s Summit of the Future is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for these important decisions.

AJK President calls for worlds’ role to end human rights violations in IIOJK

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NNPS Desk

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Sun, 10 Dec 2023, 11:51 PM

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MIRPUR ( AJK):, Dec 10 (APP) :: Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry has urged the international community to play its much-needed role to bring an immediate end to gross human rights violations being committed against Kashmiris by the Indian forces in the occupied territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

In his statement issued on the occasion of World Human Rights Day, observed on Sunday, the AJK president, while referring to the fast deteriorating political and human rights situation in the IOJK, said that it was high time that the world community should shun its duplicity and policy of indifference towards the plight of Kashmiris. He said that while world was celebrating Human Rights Day and 75 years of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of human rights today Kashmiris were reeling under India’s brutal suppression and belligerent occupation.

He said that there was a dire need for the human rights watchdogs should redouble their efforts to highlight the precarious situation in the troubled region and help stop bloodshed and violence in the region.

He said that India’s belligerent military occupation has been the major cause of unrest and human rights violations in the occupied Kashmir. Referring to the revocation of articles 370 and 35-A by the Indian government in 2019, the president said that since then the rights situation in the region has deteriorated to an alarming level. He said that the Indian government was trying to change the region’s demography and its political landscape.

Settling non-state Hindus in the IOJK, he said, was a deep-rooted conspiracy aimed at converting the Muslim majority into a minority. On the other hand, the president said that after redrawing the electoral boundaries and granting additional seats to the Jammu region a stage has been set to bring a Hindu Chief Minister in the state. Terming these moves as undemocratic, illegal and unconstitutional, the president said that the Indian government’s actions were not only against the spirit of the UN charter but also the UDHR and other human rights treaties.

Sultan said that the Kashmiri people in Occupied Kashmir were struggling for their freedom. Referring to the heinous crimes being committed against Kashmiris by Indian forces, he said that the government of Pakistan should take India to the International Court of Justice to hold it accountable for the crimes its forces have been committing against the people of Kashmir.
He said that the HR situation in Occupied Kashmir was highly disturbing. He also appealed to the international community, human rights organizations and influential world governments to stop Indian atrocities in Occupied Kashmir.