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250 E-Rozgar centers to be established nationwide to empower youth

By
Ali Ali
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ISLAMABAD, Aug 19 (APP): The government has announced the establishment of over 250 E-Rozgar centers across the country in collaboration with provincial governments and private institutions.
These centers aim to provide essential facilities to hardworking and skilled youth in smaller cities, helping them access digital opportunities, according to an official from the Ministry of IT.
The E-Rozgar centers will be established in every district of the country. The distribution of these centers is based on the population of each province, as well as data from 1.2 million freelancers registered with Ignite.
Punjab leads the initiative with 149 centers, followed by Sindh with 51, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 28, and significant representation in other regions, including the federal capital Islamabad with 11 centers, Balochistan with 6, Azad Kashmir with 3, and Gilgit-Baltistan with 2.
Originally launched by Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Punjab, the E-Rozgar centers have proven to be highly valuable, benefiting millions of young people. These centers are particularly designed for those who cannot afford expensive office spaces, offering them a chance to leverage IT skills and enter the digital workforce.
The initiative is expected to enable even more young people to benefit from the growing IT sector.

ANF recovers 85 kg drugs in 11 operations

By
Ali Ali
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0
RAWALPINDI, Aug 19 (APP): Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) while conducting 11 operations across the country managed to recover 85 kg drugs worth Rs 25 million and arrested 11 accused, said an ANF Headquarters spokesman here on Monday.
He informed that 1 kg ice was recovered from a parcel sent to Qatar at a courier office in Rawalpindi.
In second operation, 250 grams ice was recovered from a passenger going to Bahrain at Faisalabad Airport.
In third operation, 189 grams ice was recovered from a passenger going to Bahrain from Lahore Airport.
40 kg hashish and 14.4 kg ice were recovered from a vehicle intercepted near RCD Road Lasbela and an accused was arrested during the operation.
9.6 kg hashish was recovered from a woman arrested near M-1 Islamabad.
7.2 kg hashish was recovered from a motorcyclist rounded up on GT Road, Attock.
In two operations conducted in Torkham, 7.4 kg hashish and 900 grams ice were recovered from the possession of an accused.
3 kg heroin was recovered from 3 drug pushers arrested near UET Gate-3 in Lahore.
In 10th operation, 1 kg ice was recovered from an accused netted near Sher Shah Toll Plaza.
In 11th operation, 300 grams ice was recovered from a woman arrested near Daska, Sialkot Road.
Cases under the Anti-Narcotics Act have been registered against all arrested accused and further investigations are under process.

UN slams soaring violence faced by aid workers, warns Israeli’s Gaza war fueling deaths

By
NNPS Desk
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UNITED NATIONS, Aug 19 (APP): Aid workers on the frontlines of the world’s conflicts are being killed in unprecedented numbers, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Monday as it marked World Humanitarian Day.

And OCHA warned that the Israeli war in Gaza is potentially fueling even higher numbers of such deaths this year.

With 280 aid workers killed in 33 countries last year, 2023 marked the deadliest year on record for the global humanitarian community, it was pointed out.

This outrageously high number represents a 137 per cent increase compared to 2022, when 118 aid workers were killed, OCHA said.

As of 7 August, 172 aid workers have been killed, OCHA said, citing the provisional count from the Aid Worker Security Database.

The UN agency said that more than half of the 2023 deaths were recorded in the first three months of the hostilities in Gaza, or from October to December. Most were due to airstrikes.

Since October, more than 280 aid workers have been killed in Gaza alone, the majority of them staff members of the UN agency that assists Palestine refugees, UNRWA.

Additionally, “extreme levels of violence” in Sudan and South Sudan have contributed to the death tolls in 2023 and 2024.

In all these conflicts, most of those killed were national staff. Meanwhile, many humanitarian workers also continue to be detained in Yemen.

Joyce Msuya, UN Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, called for action.

“The normalization of violence against aid workers and the lack of accountability are unacceptable, unconscionable and enormously harmful for aid operations everywhere,” she said.

Today, we reiterate our demand that people in power act to end violations against civilians and the impunity with which these heinous attacks are committed.”

World Humanitarian Day is observed annually on 19 August – the date in 2003 when a bomb attack at the UN’s headquarters in Baghdad killed 22 humanitarian workers, including Sergio Vieira de Mello, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq.

Each year, the commemoration focuses on a theme in efforts to advocate for the survival, well-being and dignity of people caught in crises, and the safety and security of aid workers.

The 2024 campaign, #ActForHumanity, aims to build public support to help pressure warring parties and world leaders to better ensure the protection of civilians, including humanitarians, caught in conflict zones.

Humanitarian organizations worldwide have also written to UN Member States calling for greater efforts to protect all aid workers, their premises and assets, as stipulated in UN Security Council resolution 2730 (2024), adopted in May.

Perpetrators must also be held to account, they added, noting that those who commit violations of international humanitarian law cannot go unpunished.

“We will continue to stay and deliver in humanitarian crises around the world – but the situation requires us to take a united stand to call for the protection of our staff, volunteers and the civilians we serve,” the letter said.

MPA Paras Dero urges for action against responsible of Rohri Canal breach

By
Ali Ali
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0
HYDERABAD, Aug 19 (APP): Member Sindh Assembly Paras Dero has said that efforts were underway to assist the people of the area, with a focus on shifting those affected by the breach in the Rohri Canal to their homes as quickly as possible.
He expressed these views during a visit to various villages including Achar Saand, Saand Mori, and Hashim Sand along with Deputy Commissioner Sanghar Dr. Imran ul Hassan Khuwaja.
Dero said that the breach in the Rohri Canal had caused damage to the local population, impacting crops and livestock.
He criticized the breach as a result of negligence by the concerned department and called for accountability for the responsible officials and staff.
He urged party leaders to assist the flood victims in Tando Adam and to establish a permanent system to address such disasters.
During the visit, the Deputy Commissioner Dr. Imran ul Hassan Khuwaja informed the media that efforts were in place to address the concerns of the flood-affected people and expedite their recovery.
He mentioned that around 25 pumps were currently being used to drain water, with plans to deploy larger turbine pumps due to the high volume of water, aiming to resettle affected individuals promptly.
Dr. Khuwaja added that over 3,000 people had been compelled to leave their homes, and even if we build five-star camps, still they cannot replace the comfort of one’s home
DC also reviewed the details of the rehabilitation efforts with the Assistant Commissioner of Tando Adam and other officials, instructing them to ensure that all necessary facilities are provided to the victims.
On this occasion, he inquired about the details of rehabilitation efforts from Assistant Commissioner Tando Adam and other officials and directed to provide all facilities to the affectees.

CM Punjab to meet position holder students

By
NNPS Desk
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RAWALPINDI, Aug 19 (APP): Chief Minister (CM) Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif will meet position holder students on Tuesday in Lahore.
According to a Rawalpindi board spokesperson, the students who secured prominent positions in annual matriculation examinations of Rawalpindi Board here on Monday left for Lahore.
Before leaving for Lahore, male and female students were presented guard of honour by a smartly turned-out contingent of Rawalpindi Police.
Along with the students, the Chairman, Rawalpindi Board Muhammad Adnan Khan, Secretary Board Muhammad Asif Hussain, the parents and teachers were also present.
The students were invited to Lahore on the special invitation of Chief Minister Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
The spokesman said that there would be a special ceremony at the Chief Minister Office, 90 Lahore Road, on Tuesday in which Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif would address the students. There would also be various programs to encourage the students, he added.
According to Rawalpindi Board spokesperson, the special guests of all the programs would be the position holders, male and female students.

Senate body takes notice of alleged malpractices in housing scheme

By
Waseem Iqbal
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ISLAMABAD, Aug 19 (APP):The Senate Functional Committee on Problems of Less Developed Areas has ordered an inquiry into widespread power theft across Pakistan and took notice of alleged malpractice by a NESPAK consultant involved in the Park Road Housing Scheme under the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA).
 The meeting, chaired by Senator Agha Shahzaib Durrani, scrutinized both the ongoing electricity theft concerns and the alleged corruption within the housing project.
During the session, the Committee reviewed the implementation of recommendations from previous meetings, particularly focusing on actions taken against corrupt officials of the Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) over the past five years.
Senator Shahzaib Durrani highlighted discrepancies in QESCO’s disciplinary actions, criticizing the seemingly inconsistent grounds for the termination of certain individuals.
He noted that while some individuals were dismissed for not showing enough interest in anti-theft initiatives, others received only minor penalties for more serious misconduct and corruption.
Despite the removal of these allegedly corrupt officials, power theft in QESCO’s jurisdiction persists. Consequently, the Chairman directed the Power Division to conduct a thorough examination of QESCO’s disciplinary actions and submit a detailed report within 30 days.
The Committee also received updates on ongoing projects in less-developed areas.
Managing Director NESPAK, Muhammad Zargham Eshaq Khan, briefed the Committee on NESPAK’s supervision of the construction of 83 roads across 11 districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including seven districts in the former FATA region. The total length of these roads is approximately 872.65 km, with an estimated cost of Rs. 25.7 billion. The Committee instructed NESPAK to provide comprehensive details of projects related to the rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
The meeting also addressed allegations of malpractice by a NESPAK consultant in the Park Road Housing Scheme of FGEHA. MD NESPAK disclosed that a Fact-Finding Committee had been formed to investigate the allegations, resulting in show-cause notices being issued to three officers and the suspension of four others pending the inquiry’s completion.
Senator Shahzaib Durrani questioned whether the Ministry of Housing had conducted an independent inquiry into the matter.
The Director General of FGEHA informed the Committee that an internal investigation had been conducted, leading to the termination of the Project Director found guilty of the fraud. The case has since been forwarded to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
Senator Shahzaib Durrani expressed concern that a single individual could orchestrate a fraud of Rs. 1.4 billion, suggesting that other officials might also be implicated. The Committee directed the Ministry of Housing to submit a full report of its internal inquiry.
The Committee expressed dissatisfaction with the briefing provided by the Sukkur Electric Power Company (SEPCO) and instructed both SEPCO and the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) to present a detailed report on unannounced load shedding and power theft in their respective areas, along with a comprehensive plan to address these issues, at the next meeting.

Filmmaker Shaukat Rizvi remembered

By
Waseem Iqbal
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0
ISLAMABAD, Aug 19 (APP):Legendary producer, director and actor Shaukat Hussain Rizvi was remembered on his death anniversary on Monday.
Born in India in 1914, Rizvi is widely regarded as a pioneer of local cinema, having produced some of the earliest super hits in the sub-continental region.
Shaukat Hussain Rizvi was born in Azamgarh, British India, in 1914. He was widely regarded as a pioneer of local cinema, he produced some of the earliest super hits in the sub-continental region.
He directed his first film, Khandan, in 1942, which went on to become a super-hit at the time.  He released hits such as Nokar in 1943, Dost in 1944, and 1947’s Jugno, in which he launched the legendary singer Muhammad Rafi.
After partition, Shaukat migrated to Pakistan. His famous films are Gulnaar and Jaan e Bahaar.
Rizvi passed away on August 19, 1999, at the age of 86 years.

Medical facilities inspected at DHQ hospital Timergara

By
Ali Ali
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0
DIR LOWER, Aug 19 (APP): Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Arif Khan visited District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ)Teaching Hospital Timergara on Sunday evening to inspect medical arrangements.
Additional Deputy Commissioner General, Bashir Khan, accompanied him during the visit which aimed at reviewing implementation of the chief minister’s Awami Agenda Programme.
The deputy commissioner checked the attendance of doctors and paramedical staff and inspected the cleanliness of the hospital and the availability of medicines for patients.
He also met with the admitted patients and their attendants to inquire about the facilities provided in the hospital.
  During the visit, several doctors and nursing staff were found absent, prompting the DC to direct the department of health to submit a detailed report.
  Deputy Commissioner instructed the hospital administration to enhance the ambulance service and ordered the opening of Gate No. 2 to provide separate entry and exit routes for patients and attendants.
  DC added that there would be no compromise on healthcare services and that strict action would be taken against any health staff found neglecting their official duties.
He issued directives to establish a central computerized system in the hospital, implement a biometric system for all staff, fully computerize the OPD, and set up a database for the pharmacy unit.

World Humanitarian Day being observed today

By
Waseem Iqbal
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0
ISLAMABAD, Aug 19 (APP): World Humanitarian Day is being celebrated across Pakistan and around the globe on Monday.
This day was initiated by the UN General Assembly in year 2009 with the purpose of recognizing and encouraging the dedication of humanitarian workers and organizations committed to the welfare of humanity worldwide.
This year’s theme centers on protecting civilians from attacks during wars.
The United Nations promotes this agenda for the 2024 campaign using the hashtag #ActForHumanity.

CM’s Advisor lauds RIC’s health facilities

By
Waseem Iqbal
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0
RAWALPINDI, Aug 19 (APP): Adviser to Chief Minister Punjab on Health, Major General (R) Azhar Mehmood Kayani on Monday termed Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology (RIC) an exemplary cardiology hospital having world-class medical standard. He appreciated the services rendered by the hospital management to the patients.
“I appreciate the passion of the doctors, nurses and paramedical staff to serve the suffering humanity”, he said while sharing his views during a surprise visit to RIC.
The advisor instructed the medical officers to ensure attendance in their respective wards. He warned that carelessness committed by anyone would not be tolerated. The advisor said that CM Maryam Nawaz envisioned for provision of quality health facilities to the people.
He maintained that treatment in RIC’s emergency is completely free for all the patients.
He further said that quality and timely treatment is the right of every patient for which all the staff should work as a team to improve the treatment services.
Earlier, CM’s Advisor was given a briefing on medical facilities and the operational work currently being done by the hospital. The advisor made a detailed review of the provision of health facilities in various departments of RIC. He also met with inquired about the treatment facilities from the hospitalized patients. He instructed to ensure timely attendance of the staff in the OPD.
The advisor also admired the hospital’s cleanliness conditions.
At the conclusion of his visit, the advisor intimated that he would make surprise visits in future.
“I will take disciplinary action if found negligent and careless”, he said.
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