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YSDO organizes awareness seminar on budget transparency

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Young Star Development Organization
Chitral, Dec 19 (APP):Center for Peace and Development Initiative (CPDI), in collaboration with Young Star Development Organization (YSDO), on Tuesday conducted a one-day seminar in Upper Chitral, focusing on stakeholders dialogue on transparent budgeting.
According to the report, Former Nazim Union Council Rashun Amirullah and Subedar Major Mirza Alam graced the event.
On this occasion, Chief Guest, speakers and Chairman of YSDO Asfandiar Khan expressed his concern and highlighted the importance of public network in the process of public participation in the budgeting process and accountability.
The Chairman YSDO emphasized the importance of citizen participation in the budgeting process.
He further said that YSDO organizes such awareness seminars and workshops on public opinion and their involvement in the budgeting process in collaboration with these partners’ organizations.
The aim to organize the event was to include public opinion in the budgeting process because Budget is prepared for the welfare and development of the people, in which if public opinion is also taken, its transparency will be further improved.
People from diversified areas attended the seminar in which aims and objectives of this event were highlighted.

No vehicle to be allowed on road without NOC from VICS; Commissioner

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Liaqat Ali Chatta
RAWALPINDI, Dec 19 (APP):Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Liaqat Ali Chatta on Tuesday said that no vehicle would be allowed on road without a NOC of engine checking from Vehicle Inspection and Certification System (VICS) Punjab.
 He said this while visiting various areas of the city to review the arrangements made for controlling smog.
Laiqat said that the provision of a hygienic environment to the residents was the responsibility of the district government and no negligence would be tolerated in this regard.
He said that Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC) had launched a campaign against smog by washing Murree Road late night.
The Commissioner said that all city roads would be washed and cleaned to remove the dust as blowing of dirt was the major cause of  smog formation.
He also asked the residents to ensure the spraying of water to prevent dust and to use masks and glasses,adding the promotion of tree plantation was vital for avoiding smog and checking environmental pollution.
He also inspected the smog awareness camp set up by the RWMC and added that 6th Road, Laiqat Road and Fawara Chowk would be washed tonight.
Laiqat urged the residents to throw garbage in the dustbin installed in each Union Council of the city and cooperate with the RWMC staff to make the city clean.

Sohrab advocates for increased employment opportunities in Greece for Pakistani Workforce

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Mr. Jawad Sohrab Malik

ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 (APP): Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Jawad Sohrab Malik, held a productive meeting with Minister of Labor and Social Security of Greece, Adonis Georgiadis aimed at fostering cooperation in skilled migration and knowledge sharing, and advocated for the need to enhance employment opportunities for Pakistani workforce

During the meeting at the Global Labor Market Conference (GLMC) in Riyadh, both parties explored potential collaborations to facilitate the migration of skilled manpower from Pakistan to Greece, a news release said.

The meeting focused on a keen interest in enhancing cooperation through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) employing a Government-to-Government (G2G) framework.

One of the key points of discussion centered around addressing Greece’s current demand for skilled labor in the construction industry. According to the Greece Minister for Labour, the country is in need of approximately 500,000 skilled workers in the construction sector.

SAPM, Jawad Sohrab Malik, took this opportunity to brief the Greek delegation about the availability and priority of the Pakistani Government to export skilled manpower to Greece and other countries experiencing a workforce shortage.

The proposed collaboration aims to create a win-win situation, benefiting both nations by facilitating the export of skilled Pakistani workers to meet the growing demand in Greece. This initiative aligns with the vision of the Pakistan Government to actively contribute to the global workforce and strengthen diplomatic and economic ties with friendly nations.

The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development remains committed to fostering partnerships that promote international cooperation and facilitate the exchange of expertise and skills between nations.

Tractor assembling grew by 55.58 percent in four months

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Tractor

ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 (APP): Tractor assembling in the country during first four months of current financial year increased by 55.58 percent as compared the assembling of the corresponding period of last year.

During the period from July-October, 2023 about 17,259 tractors were locally produced as compared the production of 11,093 tractors of the same period of last year, according the data of Large Scale Manufacturing Industries (LSMI) released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

As compared to the corresponding month of last year, tractor production in the country during the month of October, 2023 grew by 80.74 percent as 5,536 tractors were locally assembled as against the assembling of 3,063 tractors of the same month of last year.

During the period under review, the overall output of LSMI in the country witnessed a negative growth of 0.44 percent as compared the production of the same period of last year.

The output of the industries including food, beverages, wearing apparel, coke, petroleum products, chemicals, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, non-metallic mineral products, machinery and equipment witnessed growth during the period under review.

Where as the output of tobacco, textile, iron & steel products, electrical equipment, automobiles, other transport equipment and furniture areas decreased during the period under review.

Rescue-1122 issues recommendations about burning gas heaters, coal-stoves

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Gas-Heaters
MULTAN, Dec 19 (APP):Rescue-1122 administration has issued a set of recommendations in the wake of potential risks associated with gas heaters, coal-burning stoves, and gas leaks during the winter months.
In a meeting about the community safety programme, chaired by Dr Kaleem Ullah, the district emergency officer, aimed to address safety concerns during the winter season, was held here on Tuesday. Due to gas leakage, several persons
lost their lives during the winter seasons. Dr Kaleem Ullah, however, stressed the need for citizens to adopt certain precautionary measures to ensure their safety.
He outlined several safety guidelines, including the importance of regularly cleaning gas heaters and checking for leaks. Proper ventilation in rooms for effective air circulation was emphasized, along with maintaining a safe distance between heaters and flammable items.
Other key recommendations included not leaving burning heaters unattended, securing heaters before leaving a room or house, limiting the use of gas heaters, and preferring warm clothing. Dr. Kaleem Allah also urged citizens to be aware of gas load-shedding schedules to prevent gas accumulation in rooms.
Additionally, the public was advised to avoid drying clothes directly on heaters and restrict the use of heaters for heating purposes only. The citizens should be cautious of the continuous burning of heaters, which can produce harmful carbon monoxide.
For those using electric heaters, special attention to wiring, sockets, and switches was recommended. Proper disposal of ash and ensuring fresh air intake during the use of coal or wood-burning stoves were also highlighted in the meeting.
In case of emergencies, citizens were instructed to contact Rescue 1122 promptly at the following numbers: 0619220305, 0619220302. The officials also underscored the importance of swift communication to ensure timely response and assistance during any unforeseen events.

ECP to start receiving nomination papers for crucial 2024 General Elections on Wednesday

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Election commission of pakistan
ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 (APP):The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will begin receiving nomination papers from prospective National and Provincial Assembly candidates on Wednesday, (December 20), as the country gears up for a crucial general election on February 8, 2024.
Detailing the oath-taking process, an ECP official explained that provincial election commissioners would administer the oath to District Returning Officers (DROs), who, in turn, would administer the oath to each Returning Officers (ROs) and Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) within their respective districts.
Likewise, the ROs would administer the oath to each presiding officer under their jurisdiction, and the presiding officer would then administer the oath to each member of the polling staff under their control before the upcoming poll. Additionally, the head of the law enforcement agency or an authorized officer would administer the oath to every official from that agency assigned to election duties.
After the oaths taking, the process is scheduled to commence, following the requirements of the Elections Act 2017.
A total of 859 ROs have completed their three-day training, and 144 DROs are set to undergo training on Tuesday.”
The nomination papers will have to be submitted to their respective ROs from December 20 to December 22. And all matters, including scrutiny, will also be conducted there.
According to the schedule issued by Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the scrutiny of nomination papers will be from December 24 to 30 and objections can be filed till January 03 while appeals against nomination papers will be heard till January 10.
The revised list of candidates will be released on January 11, 2024, election symbols will be allotted to the candidates on January 13, while the general elections across the country will be held on February 8, 2024.
On the other hand, more than 22.630 million voters have increased for the 2024 general elections compared to 2018, reaching the total number over 128.585 million.

Regional Final of Huawei ICT 2023-24 Middle East and Central Asia commences

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Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, and in partnership with the University of Bahrain and Bahrain Polytechnic, Huawei inaugurated the regional finals of the Huawei ICT Competition 2023-2024 today at Bahrain Polytechnic.

More than 27,500 students from over 600 universities across 21 Middle Eastern & Central Asian countries have participated in this year’s Middle East & Central Asia Huawei ICT Competition – marking the highest level of participation in the seven-year competition history. Since its launch in 2017, Huawei’s ME & CA ICT Competition has become the largest and most influential initiative in the region, a powerful program for cultivating ICT talent and improving ME & CA countries’ national competitiveness with ICT future leaders. The competition has received support and endorsements from UNESCO and more than 20 regional ministries, operators, and industry partners.

The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Bahrain said  “Focusing on future development and benefiting people around the world, the ICT Competition is a successful practice of Huawei. It creates opportunities for young people to learn advanced technologies and accumulate valuable experiences. It also provides a window for young people to have a deeper understanding of Huawei and China.”

Mr. Aziz Tang, CEO, of Huawei Bahrain, said, “As we stand on the verge of a bold future, Huawei is honored to be a driving force in developing ICT talent in the region. Huawei ICT competition 2023-2024 has become a beacon for nurturing ICT talent and shaping the future leaders of the digital economy. This endeavor would not be achievable without the help of a supportive and encouraging ICT talent ecosystem. Let us embrace the spirit of collaboration and innovation as we witness the birth of future ICT leaders and architects of the digital future. Together, let us propel Bahrain and the broader region towards a brighter, more empowered future.”

Mr. Osama Alsayed, Deputy CEO – Corporate Affairs – Bahrain Polytechnic, expressed, “Bahrain Polytechnic took the opportunity to be an academic partner for this competition, which is a testament to our institution’s commitment to creating an environment where young minds can flourish. It is an honor to collaborate with Huawei, a global leader in technology and innovation, to host such a prestigious international competition at our campus. This partnership signifies our shared vision of developing talent, fostering innovation, and advancing the field of information and communication technology.”

Twenty-two teams consisting of 66 national winners from 11 Middle Eastern & Central Asian countries, including Bahrain, Pakistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Kuwait, UAE, and Oman, will participate in exams, field trips and workshops in the Kingdom of Bahrain from December 19-21, 2023. Each team comprises of three students and one tutor. Iraq, Pakistan, Lebanon, and Saudi have three teams each, while Jordan, Kazakhstan, and Bahrain have two teams each. One team is participating from the UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait each.

During this period, the students will participate in the Practice Competition that includes the Network, Cloud, and Computing Tracks. They will be tested on their theoretical knowledge and hands-on ICT skills, as well as their ability to work in a team. Participants will be ranked according to their scores for lab exams. The ‘Instructor Summit’ will also take place on the opening day, where Huawei will host insightful discussions on the vital role of public-private partnerships in bridging the digital talent gap and preparing students for a successful transition into the workforce. The tutors from regional universities will also share their best practices and strategies for leveraging technology in education.

The best performing teams will be crowned regional winners of the Huawei ICT Competition Middle East & Central Asia 2023-2024. They will move forward to the global finals of the Huawei ICT Competition, which will take place in May 2024 in China. The Closing and Awarding Ceremony will be held on December 21, 2023, at the University of Bahrain. A panel discussion featuring regional ICT leaders on the topic “Building the ICT talent ecosystem” will be held during the event as well.

Huawei ICT Competition is targeted at working with UNESCO, government authorities, colleges, and universities in the Middle East & Central Asia to identify, support, and grow the future leaders of ICT. The program attempts to bridge the gap between the classroom and the workplace, thus enhancing students’ future employment opportunities in the ICT sector through knowledge sharing on the latest ICT developments, international trends, and hands-on skills development training at Huawei’s state-of-the-art labs, R&D centers, and facilities.

Huawei promotes innovation and creativity among Middle East & Central Asia ICT students as they compete to win the national and regional finals and then the coveted international finals in Shenzhen.

PTV Bolan fulfills Hazara community’s demand with Hazargi broadcast: Solangi

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Murtaza Solangi

QUETTA, Dec 19 (APP): Caretaker Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi said on Tuesday that long standing demand of Hazara community had been fulfilled by start of Hazargi language programmes at Pakistan Television Bolan from today.
Delivering his speech at the opening ceremony of “Hazargi language” programme on PTV Bolan, he said the PTV Bolan was already broadcasting programs in Balochi, Pashto and Brahvi languages.
PTV Bolan broadcasts were available on cable and satellite, Murtaza Solangi said adding it could also be accessed through terrestrial antennas that would help people in remote areas too.
“We are grateful to Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar for encouraging us to take this initiative,” Murtaza Solangi remarked.
The minister said that PTV Multan telecast’s duration had been extended to 24 hours earlier this month. With the addition of Kan Maitarzai Rebroadcast Center, the number of transmitters of rebroadcast centers has increased from 22 to 23.
“Our aim is to ensure equal representation of regional languages on PTV Bolan,” Murtaza Solangi maintained.

Drug peddlers held

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SIALKOT, Dec 19 (APP):Sialkot district police in a crackdown against drug peddlers claimed to have arrested two drug peddlers with narcotics,here on Tuesday.
According to a police spokesperson, SHO (Station House Officer) Saddar Sialkot along with police team detained Amir Latif Alias Panna and Zaheer Ahmed with 3.650kg hashish.
Further investigation was underway .

Islamabad police arrest 3,484 accused during last month

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Islamabad police

ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 (APP): Islamabad police arrested 3,484 accused during the last month for their alleged involvement in crime cases and recovered weapons, narcotics and other looted items worth Rs. 164.4 million from their possession.

According to a police spokesperson, Islamabad Police demonstrated their commitment to public safety by arresting 3,484 individuals in the past month. The arrests encompass a range of offenses, including cases related to weapons, narcotics, property crimes, burglaries and auto theft.

The law enforcement agency’s efforts led to the recovery of stolen property worth a staggering Rs. 164.4 million, revealing the extent of criminal involvement in various illegal activities.

Among the apprehended individuals are hardened criminals engaged in dacoity, armed robbery, stabbing incidents, theft, and the theft of cars and motorcycles. Islamabad Police, in November alone, successfully seized 45 cars and 82 motorcycles, dismantling criminal operations and enhancing public safety.

The crackdown extended to dismantling criminal gangs, as 114 individuals from 45 such groups were brought to justice during the same period.

Notably, November also saw Islamabad Police making significant strides in curbing drug-related offenses. A total of 232 drug dealers were apprehended, resulting in the confiscation of 60 kilograms of hashish, 77 kilograms of heroin, 1,460 grams of ice, and 1,054 bottles of alcohol.

Addressing the issue of illegal weapons, 160 individuals were arrested for possession illegal weapons, leading to the recovery of 12 Kalashnikovs and guns, 132 pistols, and a substantial amount of ammunition.
In a parallel effort, Islamabad Police targeted proclaimed offenders involved in serious and other crime cases and nabbed 334 absconders in November. Additionally, 788 beggars, including their one facilitator, were apprehended, contributing to the overall maintenance of law and order.

The Islamabad Police, committed to safeguarding the lives and property of residents, have reported a gradual decrease in the crime rate over the past months. Swift actions have been taken against criminal elements through search operations.

Citizens are encouraged to play an active role in maintaining community safety by reporting any suspicious activities to the helpline 15 or through the ICT 15 app.

As the city strives for a secure and peaceful environment, Islamabad Police call on all residents to join hands in making their city a bastion of peace.