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10 female school teachers jump to safety after van catches fire

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BUREWALA, Aug 23 (APP):A van carrying female school teachers caught fire while on the move, however, all the ten teachers jumped off the vehicle and remained unhurt, but the fire left the van blackened and burnt, rescuers said on Friday.
The incident occurred at Chak 263/EB in the suburbs of Burewala where the school van was transporting teachers of government girls high school Chak 263/EB back to their homes.
On the way, fire erupted suddenly due to short circuit forcing the school teachers to jump to safety. A team of Rescue 1122 reached the spot and extinguished the flames, however, by that time the van had turned charred.

Collective efforts imperative to ensure food security: UAF VC

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FAISALABAD, Aug 23 (APP):Vice Chancellor (VC) University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan has said that collective efforts are imperative to ensure food security in addition to fetching precious foreign exchange by addressing the challenges of agriculture sector.
Addressing the delegation of 7th Civil Services Training Programme of PMS Probationers of Training Management and Research Wing Services General Administration Coordination Department Government of Sindh, he said that the country imports the edible oil worth $2 billion. Hence, we should promote the oilseed crops in the country at maximum extent.
He expressed concern that in Islamabad, olive valley was developed and a huge amount of money was wasted because the olive is not used for cooking purpose but only on salad. It is a medicinal plant and Islamabad’s environment is not suitable for cultivating of the said plant.
He said that developing agriculture on modern lines is the prerequisite to make the dream of agriculture uplift and farmers’ prosperity come true.
He said that the UAF had introduced new varieties of soybeans which are being promoted among the farmers to get rid of its import and the University of Agriculture is determined for its promotion.
He said that the university has cultivated the soybean on land of 700 farmers and next year it will be stretched to land of 50,000 farmers.
He also called for joint efforts to address the problems of the farming community.

Three drug traffickers held with 17kg hashish, 2kg ICE

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MULTAN, Aug 23 (APP):Local police thwarted an attempt by drug traffickers to supply narcotics substances into the city of saints and arrested three alleged drug traffickers in an operation yielding recovery of 17 kilogram hashish and two kilogram ICE, police said on Friday.
In response to standing instructions from CPO Sadiq Ali, Delhi gate police planned two raid on a tip-off and stopped a jeep at Maswan Chowk. However, driver Ashfaq Mara escaped soon after noticing police while throwing his bag away but the second accused Ubaid was apprehended. Police recovered 10 kilogram hashish and two kilogram ICE from Ubaid while another three kilogram hashish was recovered from the driver’s bag.
In another operation, police arrested a drug trafficker Waseem from Manzoorabad Chowk and recovered three kilogram of hashish from his possession. Moreover, another accused Ghulam Yasin was also arrested and 1100 gram of hashish was recovered, police spokesman said.

Alfalah asset management secures CCP approval for strengthening market position

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 23 (APP):The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has granted approval for the acquisition of management rights of certain funds of M/s. Faysal Asset Management Limited by M/s. Alfalah Asset Management Limited.
This approval follows the execution of a Transfer of Management Rights Agreement between the two entities, said a press release issued on Friday.
Alfalah Asset Management Limited, a public unlisted company, is a prominent Asset Management Company (AMC) and investment advisor. The company operates under a license issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) in accordance with the Non-Banking Finance Companies (Establishment and Regulation) Rules, 2003.
Similarly, Faysal Asset Management Limited, also a public unlisted company, functions as an AMC and investment advisor under the regulatory framework of the SECP.
Under the terms of the Agreement, Alfalah Asset Management Limited will acquire the management rights of certain funds currently under the management of Faysal Asset Management Limited. The CCP, in its assessment, identified the relevant product market as ‘Asset Management Services’ and noted the horizontal nature of the transaction due to the overlap in operations between the two entities.
Following the completion of the transaction, the market share of Alfalah Asset Management Limited is anticipated to experience a slight increase, while the market share of Faysal Asset Management Limited will correspondingly decrease. Crucially, the CCP’s analysis has determined that this acquisition will not lead to market dominance by Alfalah Asset Management Limited in the relevant market.
The CCP’s approval underscores its commitment for maintaining a competitive landscape in the financial services sector while ensuring sustainable growth and financial innovation in the asset management industry.

Interior minister, IGP attend funeral prayers for martyred policemen

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RAHIM YAR KHAN, Aug 23 (APP):The funeral prayers for police personnel martyred in the attack by robbers in Machhka were held at the Sadiq Shaheed Police Lines Rahim Yar Khan.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Punjab IGP Dr. Usman Anwar and Punjab Home Secretary Noor-ul-Amin Mengal attended the funeral prayers. A large number of senior police and military officials, police personnel, public, and relatives of martyrs also participated in the prayers.
In the robbers’ attack in Machhka area the previous night, 12 police personnel were martyred and eight were injured. Three of the martyred police belonged to the Hindu community. A smart contingent of police paid tribute to the martyrs. After the funeral prayers, the bodies of the martyrs were sent to their native areas. The martyrs will be given full honors during their burial in their hometowns.
Mohsin Naqvi visited police personnel receiving treatment at Sheikh Zayed Hospital Rahim Yar Khan. Speaking to the media, he said the great sacrifices of martyrs would not go in vain. The federal government would provide complete support to the Punjab government in eliminating robbers from Kachha area. Mohsin Naqvi called the martyrdom of police personnel a tragedy for Pakistan and emphasised that those involved in the heinous act would be made an example and awarded the harshest punishment under the law.
The interior minister also stated that recommendations would be made to bestow high honors upon the martyrs.

China unveils new classification system for ‘new trio’ tech patents

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BEIJING, Aug 23 (APP):China’s top intellectual property regulator has introduced a new patent classification system for electric vehicles, lithium batteries, and solar products, the “new trio” sectors that have become significant drivers of the country’s export growth.
The National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) announced the initiative as part of efforts to align technological innovation with economic development. The system provides a more granular categorisation of patents in these fields, covering the entire value chain from raw materials and components to end products and related services.
For electric vehicles, the classification covers vehicle manufacturing, components production, facilities, and services. It encompasses everything from power systems and energy storage to charging infrastructure and maintenance, reflecting the sector’s full value chain.
The move comes as China’s exports in the “new trio” sectors surged nearly 30 % year-on-year in 2023, surpassing one trillion yuan for the first time. The country has also emerged as a leader in patent grants, particularly in the photovoltaic industry.
According to the official notice, the system aims to “strengthen the correlation analysis between ‘new trio’ tech patents and economic activities” and “cultivate new advantages in international cooperation and competition.”
Huang Weicai, IP analyst and chief executive of patent analysis startup MQPat, told China Economic Net that the system could improve efficiency in patent analysis and management. “If the classification aligns with international standards, these analysis results will be more easily recognised and applied globally,” Huang said.
CNIPA has been publishing bilingual data analysis reports, indicating efforts to increase international engagement in this area.
The system may also influence how companies approach their patent strategies. Firms might use the new classifications to map technological developments, predict trends, and guide their patent portfolios, the analyst revealed.

PSX gains 08 points

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 23 (APP):The 100-Index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) continued with bullish trend on Friday and gained 08.01 points, showing a slight positive change of 0.01 percent, closing at 78,801.43 points against 78,793.41points on the last working day.
A total of 682,409,886 shares were traded during the day as compared to 804,261,249  shares the previous day, whereas the price of shares stood at Rs 18.168 billion against Rs 16.975 billion on the last trading day.
As many as 451 companies transacted their shares in the stock market, 192 of them recorded gains and 199 sustained losses, whereas the share price of 60 companies remained unchanged.
The three top trading companies were Kohinoor Spinning with 81,711,384 shares at Rs 10.92 per share, K-Electric Limited with 71,849,431 shares at Rs.4.43 per share, Pace (Pak) Limited with 36,736,701 shares at Rs 4.15 per share.
Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited witnessed a maximum increase of Rs.323.00 per share price, closing at Rs 17,500.00, whereas the runner-up was Hoechst Pakistan Limited with a Rs 172.40 rise in its per share price to Rs 1,896.40.
Bata Pakistan Limited witnessed a maximum decrease of Rs.25.24 per share closing at Rs.1,703.64 followed by Philip Morris (Pakistan) Limited with Rs 24.43 decline to close at Rs.466.82.

Black Soldier Fly potent but cheap source of poultry feed, Secretary orders pilot project launch

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MULTAN, Aug 23 (APP):Punjab Secretary Livestock Saqib Ali Ateel on Friday ordered to launch a pilot project to develop protein rich food for poultry from Black Soldier Fly, taking inspiration from an experiment conducted at the Air University, to enable poultry farmers have access to an alternative nutritious but cheaper poultry feed.
The secretary issued the order during his visit to Air University Multan where Vice Chancellor Dr. Ghulam Ali received him and later university officials and Director General Livestock South Punjab Dr. Muhammad Ashraf gave him detailed briefing on the new poultry feed that they believed it would be cost effective and nutritious compared to soybean.
Saqib Ali Ateel told APP he is planning to visit Poultry Research Institute Rawalpindi within next few days to assign the task to the researches there. He said, it’s an alternative source of poultry feed that should be tried.
The DG Livestock said that Black Soldier Fly (BSF) protein is a sustainable and highly nutritious protein source derived from the Larvae of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens). It has gained significant attention in recent years due to its potential to address global food security and sustainability challenges.
Elaborating benefits, officials informed the secretary that BSF contains up to 70% protein, making it an attractive alternative to traditional protein sources like soy, pea, or fishmeal.
Black Soldier Fly Larvae can be raised on organic waste, reducing the environmental impact of feed production and minimizing land use, they said, adding that its production requires significantly less water compared to traditional livestock farming.
They further stated that BSF protein is used as a nutritious feed supplement for poultry, aquaculture, and livestock, improving growth rates and reducing the need for antibiotics. It is also used in pet food formulations, providing a sustainable and healthy alternative to traditional protein sources and can open a new avenue for investment.
BSF protein offers a promising solution for sustainable protein production, waste reduction, and environmental conservation.
Assistant director Livestock Dr. Muhammad Ali Sabir was also present on the occasion.

No mpox case in Ahmadpur East: CEO health

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BAHAWALPUR, Aug 23 (APP):District Health Authority Bahawalpur Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Aamir Bashir has denied the presence of any monkeypox patient in Ahmadpur East.
According to a report issued by his office, no case of monkeypox disease has been reported in Ahmadpur East area. The CEO Health said that a blood sample from a suspicious patient had been taken and sent to Provincial Public Health Reference Lab in Lahore for test.
The results indicated that the patient was negative for monkeypox, and there were no patients suffering from the disease in the Bahawalpur district.

Legal Aid Society delegation calls on Azam Nazeer Tarar

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 23 (APP):A delegation of Legal Aid Society called on Federal Minister for Law and Justice & Human Rights, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar on Thursday and discussed issues related to sexual and gender based violence and the organization’s extensive work across Pakistan.
The representatives provided detailed briefings on the ongoing efforts to combat sexual violence and the challenges in delivering legal aid to victims.
The minister expressed his commitment for a strategic collaboration between the Legal Aid and Justice Authority (LAJA) and the Legal Aid Society, noting that reforms to LAJA are already underway to enhance legal aid services across the country.
He further emphasized the ministry’s commitment to introducing comprehensive reforms in the Qanoon-e-Shahadat and the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) to protect the rights of victims and witnesses, ensuring that criminal proceedings remain free from external influence.
Tarar reiterated that these legal reforms will ensure the protection of every victim’s rights and that no influential party can manipulate or subvert the law.
He also commended the Legal Aid Society for its significant contributions and tireless efforts in combating sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) across the country.
He said the Legal Aid Society has been at the forefront addressing SGBV by providing legal aid, enhancing protection mechanisms, and working to build the capacity of stakeholders. Their efforts in creating a safer environment for women and children, particularly those affected by sexual and gender-based violence, have been crucial to advancing justice and human rights in the country.