ISLAMABAD: August 19 –
Gypsy people take out their belongings from rain-soaked huts near Miro Khan Road.
LARKANA: August 19 –
APP23-190824
LARKANA: August 19 – A view of stagnant rain water accumulated in front of quarters near Government Boys Degree College after heavy rain in the city.
A vendor displaying sweet potatoes (Shakarkandi) to attract the customers at Kambar Road.
LARKANA: August 19 –
Tree Plantation is virtuous act, national necessity: Shafqat Shah
SUKKUR, Aug 19 (APP): Prominent Political and Social figure, Advocate Sayed Shafqat Ali Shah has instructed his workers and subordinates to plant a tree as part of the “Plant a Tree for Motherland – Green Pakistan” campaign, as tree plantation is a virtuous act and a national necessity.
Speaking to workers and civil society members through video conference here on Monday, Shafqat said that district administrations, government and private institutions and the public, are planting millions of trees, marking a new chapter in history. He said tree plantation is extremely important in Pakistan for several reasons.
He directed his staff and workers to make all out effort for the government’s climate change mitigation efforts. He encouraged them to engage school children, non-governmental organizations, private institutions, and schools, providing guidance and support to foster environment-friendly citizens. This initiative will raise awareness about the importance of trees among children, inspiring their parents to plant trees as well.
Advocate Shah further said that Trees help combat climate change, prevent soil erosion, and reduce air pollution. Trees provide habitats for various species, helping to protect Pakistan’s rich biodiversity, he added.
Shah further said that trees can be harvested for wood, fuel, and fruit, which support the local economy adding that trees ensure soil preservation by holding the soil in place with their roots, preventing landslides and soil degradation. For water cycle regulation, trees assist in maintaining the water cycle and play a crucial role in ensuring water availability. He further said that fruit-bearing trees play a key role in food security and nutrition. To mitigate climate change, trees absorb carbon dioxide, helping to reduce Pakistan’s carbon footprint, he added.
Tree plantation provides natural beauty and recreational spaces for communities, he said and added that caring for tree plantations and forests creates employment opportunities. Trees hold cultural and religious significance in Pakistani society, he added.
By recognizing the importance of tree plantation, Pakistan can work towards a greener, more sustainable future, he said.
Syed Shafqat Ali Shah emphasized that this message should be conveyed to every individual, and all citizens should be urged to plant trees. Our younger generation should also plant trees in the name of their parents. The need of the hour is for every individual, regardless of their background, to actively participate in the campaign. Educational institutions should also join this initiative to give new life to the nation, as deforestation is a major cause of climate change.
KP, GB & AJK vulnerable to landsliding, flash flooding risk amid GLOF events: NDMA
ISLAMABAD, Aug 19 (APP): The National Emergencies Operations Center (NEOC) of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Monday anticipated landsliding and flash flooding risk amid active glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) in parts of the Gilgit Baltistan (GB), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
The NEOC anticipated heavy rainfall in GB and AJK from August 19 to 24 whereas river discharge was expected to increase due to rise in temperature, increased snow melt and heavy rains, a news release said.
The NEOC anticipated heavy rainfall in Chitral, Dir, Charbagh, Malakand, Hazara, Mirpur, Mansehra, and Abbottabad Districts of Khyber Pakhunkhwa while Gilgit, Diamir, Nagar and Hunza districts of Gilgit Baltistan. Rains may trigger localized landslides at Karakuram Highway along Hunza, and at risk areas of Nagar, Gilgit, Diamir, Lower and Upper Kohistan.
The NDMA urges all relevant authorities and the public to take necessary precautions to mitigate the potential impacts of flooding and landslides. NDMA issued instructions to all relevant departments and mobilize resources to ensure a swift response to any arising situation. Tourists are advised to avoid traveling to these areas during forecast season.
The public is advised to remain vigilant and follow instructions from local authorities. NDMA advises the public to stay informed and download ‘Pak NDMA Disaster Alert’ mobile app for timely alerts and closely monitor weather reports.
PM views completion of IT Park Islamabad as milestone to achieve $25 bn export mark
ISLAMABAD, Aug 19 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said that the completion of Information Technology Park project in Islamabad would help boost country’s exports in this sector and prove as significant milestone in achieving $25 billion IT exports target.
The prime minister while chairing a meeting to review the ongoing projects of Information Technology, digitization and steps to increase IT exports, termed the progress on IT project in Islamabad as satisfactory.
He further directed for taking steps to reduce its completion timeframe after consultation with the Korean experts, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.
The meeting was attended by Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Ahad Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Attaullah Tarar, Minister of State for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Deputy Chairman Planning Jehanzaib Khan, PM’s Coordinators Malik Mukhtar Bharath, Rana Ahsan Afzal and relevant senior officials.
The meeting was apprised that work on the IT park project was in full swing and the Korean company had reset its completion date to February 2025 from earlier June 2025.
The Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) teams were regularly visiting and monitoring the project site.
The meeting was further briefed over the digital smart cities and the commencement of its pilot project from Islamabad, which would enable the residents of the city to get easy access to 150 government’s services through City Super Application.
Through this mobile application, the governmental and administrative services including CDA, Islamabad Police, health and educational services would be made available.
The prime minister said that the citizens should be encouraged to use mobile application for availing of the government’s services.
The meeting was also apprised of the IT sector performance over the past five months. Under the government’s steps, IT exports saw a growth of 30 percent when compared with the figures in the last year.
A total of 300,000 students had been registered to get training in IT skills programmes while four new incubation centers had been set up. Under the government’s steps, the manufacturing of mobile phones in the country saw a surge by 30 percent whereas the number of its users had increased by further 800,000.
Under the prime minister’s vision, all the relevant institutions and departments were collectively working on different projects to take Pakistan’s IT exports to $25 billion mark.
The meeting was briefed over investment in IT projects and the phased wise increase in IT exports. With government’s investment of $77 million in IT sector, an increase in IT exports upto $25 billion was expected.
About $13 billion foreign reserves from government’s steps in IT exports, $10 billion from country’s digital transformation and $2 billion foreign reserves in telecom sector were expected, the meeting was told.
The meeting was told that throughout the country, federal government’s services including financial, health, agriculture, education, administration and security were being made available to the citizens through mobile application and in this respect, a project was in the final stages.
The prime minister directed for accomplishment of all steps in the IT sector within the stipulated period.
IHC halts trial court’s proceeding in 190ml pound reference
ISLAMABAD, Aug 19 (APP):The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has halted the Accountability Court’s decision on the 190 million pounds reference against the PTI founder, citing that the trial court’s proceedings are still ongoing.
The IHC division bench, comprising Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb and Justice Babar Sattar, heard the PTI founder’s petition and the registrar office’s objections.
The petitioner’s lawyer, Salman Safdar, argued that the trial court had already testified 35 witnesses and that the cross-examination of the last witness, the NAB investigation officer, was still pending. The court noted that out of the eight individuals named in the reference, six were absconders, and the trial was only proceeding against two individuals.
The lawyer stated that the petitioner was accused of facilitating the 190 million pound scam, and that the NAB case claimed the amount was supposed to arrive in a bank but instead came into the Supreme Court’s account.
The court also observed that the Al-Qadir Trust was not a registered trust. The lawyer assured the court that they would provide information on this matter during the next hearing.
The reference was filed on December 1, 2023, and charges were framed on February 27. The court served notices to NAB and sought comments by Wednesday, warning the PTI founder’s lawyers not to use delaying tactics or the stay order would be withdrawn.
Govt taking measures to facilitate investments into country: Finance Minister
ISLAMABAD, Aug 19 (APP):Reiterating government’s commitment to provide a stable and conducive business environment, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb said here Monday that all necessary measures were being taken to facilitate investments.
The minister was talking to President and Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) Mashreq Bank, Ahmed Abdelaal, who virtually called on him to discuss the economic outlook and explore investment opportunities in Pakistan, according to press release issued by finance ministry.
The meeting was also attended by Minister of State, Ali Parvez Malik, and senior officers from the Finance Division and State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) the press release added.
The Finance Minister underscored the significant potential of Pakistan’s IT and Agriculture sectors, calling for increased investment from both local and international stakeholders to drive economic growth.
He expressed appreciation for Mashreq Bank’s interest in Pakistan’s financial landscape and expressed keen interest of the government to re-engage with Mashreq Bank.
The Minister provided an overview of the economic outlook of the country and mentioned the recent improvements in the macroeconomic indicators and stability of the currency and financial markets.
He also mentioned the economic policies and initiatives of the government, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to stabilize the macroeconomic environment and enhance investor’s confidence through key initiatives of the government such as broadening the tax base, improving the ease of doing business, digitalization within the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the privatization agenda of the government, and SOEs reforms.
On the occasion, Ahmed Abdelaal appreciated the policies and initiatives of the government towards improving the investors’ confidence and creating a business-friendly environment in the country.
He expressed Mashreq Bank’s interest in deepening its engagement in Pakistan’s financial sector and contributing to the country’s economic development, adding Pakistan was amongst one of the most strategic markets for investment opportunities.
He also discussed the potential areas for investment in Pakistan such as infrastructure, energy, technology, agriculture, and SMEs in order to enhance collaboration between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for remittances, trade, finance, and Islamic banking.
According to the statement the strong partnership between Pakistan and Mashreq Bank in promoting sustainable economic development was also highlighted in the meeting.
The dialogue reflected Pakistan’s commitment to prudent fiscal management, investor-friendly policies, and inclusive growth, marking a positive step forward in enhancing economic collaboration.
PCB chairman inspects upgradation work at Gaddafi Stadium
LAHORE, Aug 19 (APP):Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Monday visited the Gaddafi Stadium here to inspect the pace of construction work being undertaken under the upgradation project to enhance facilities and improve infrastructure as per international standards of the cricket stadium.
The three cricket stadiums in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi are being upgraded in anticipation of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy tournament scheduled to be held in Pakistan next February. The stadiums are designed to match the best in the world.
A London-based renowned firm in sports stadium design, BDP Pattern, has been awarded the contract to build the stadium
The PCB chairman directed to plan the excavation and construction work keeping in view the monsoon rains, adding that the project must be completed within the deadline by working round the clock.
Naqvi also reviewed the progress of excavation work on the basement in the newly designed stadium.
Later, Mohsin Naqvi chaired a meeting at the FWO Camp Office at the Gaddafi Stadium. He was briefed on the progress of work by the FWO, NESPAK and.PCB officials.
The PCB chairman directed to speed up pace of upgradation and desired that the first phase of the upgradation project be completed before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.