ICT admin set to regulate restaurant open spaces

Thu, 15 Aug 2024, 7:08 PM

ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (APP): The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration is taking steps to ensure that restaurants operating in open-air spaces do so within a regulated framework, addressing the concerns of citizens.

In a significant meeting led by the Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad, representatives from the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) and Capital Development Authority (CDA) discussed the growing issue of restaurants using open-air spaces. The meeting focused on creating a code of conduct to manage these spaces effectively.

The DC emphasized that all Assistant Commissioners have been instructed to conduct regular measurements of open-air spaces used by restaurants. These areas will only be approved if they do not cause inconvenience to the public. The Deputy Commissioner also made it clear that no encroachments will be tolerated under the pretext of open-air dining.

He added that any restaurant found to be using more space than approved will face strict action. The new regulations aim to balance the needs of businesses with those of the community, ensuring that open-air spaces are used appropriately.

Senate body on IT discusses issue of recent internet disruptions

Kamran Muraad

Thu, 15 Aug 2024, 7:04 PM

ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (APP):The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications Thursday discussed the issue of recent internet disruptions across the country causing real-time hindrances for individuals running e-commerce businesses.

Senator Palwasha Muhammad Zai Khan chaired the meeting.

Secretary for the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications, Aisha Humera Chaudhry, explained that there is no issue with broadband connections; however, mobile operators using mobile data are facing disruptions.

The PTA is assessing the issue, and the ministry will be in a better position to provide an overview once the assessment is completed in two weeks.

The committee addressed the complaint of MNA Ali Jaan Mazari regarding poor internet service in Kashmore.

He said that internet services have been crawling for the last four months, and despite several requests, no action has been taken so far.

PTA officials highlighted that there are around 156 sites of three major service providers in the area and that internet services are mostly down due to unannounced load shedding.

However, the PTA is assessing the issue and will submit its report in the next 15 days. The committee also directed the PTA to submit its quarterly survey report at the next meeting.

Shaza Fatima Khawaja, State Minister for IT, while informing the committee said that the proposal was moved forward by the Establishment Division and that the ministry will brief the committee on the matter in the upcoming week.

The committee deliberated on the Bill titled “The Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023.” Senator Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan, the bill’s mover, said that the primary purpose of the bill is to protect the data of citizens because, as of now, there is no law in place for this purpose.

Officials of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications informed that the ministry has consulted with over 100 local and international stakeholders and is working on a final draft to address the grievances of stakeholders.

The draft will be completed in the next fifteen days, they added.

The committee, considering the importance of the bill for the country, recommended that the ministry to complete the draft as soon as possible.

Furthermore, the committee was briefed by the Virtual University regarding its performance and operations.

The Rector of Virtual University, Arshad Saleem Bhatti, informed that Virtual University was the country’s first university to start the flipped classroom model in 2002, aiming to benefit working students.

Virtual University is the only university that provides quality education at an affordable fee, charging only Rs.150,000 for the entire BS program and offering 400 courses for free.

The university generates revenue of Rs. 7.25 billion from fees and services and bears no burden on the exchequer.

NDMA forecast high-level flood alert on River Chenab

NNPS Desk

Thu, 15 Aug 2024, 6:42 PM

ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (APP): The National Emergencies Operation Center of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Thursday anticipated that rain, wind and thundershower with isolated heavy rainfall was anticipated in the catchment areas of River Chenab till August 18.

“Consequently, the Chenab River is expected to reach High to Very High level flows which may result in inundation in low lying areas & damage of infrastructure,” the NDMA news release said.

All villages and towns or settlements near Marala, Khanki, Qadirabad, especially along the flood plain, could be affected by increasing flows.

A strong Monsoon spell was active in catchment areas of eastern rivers, particularly in catchment areas of River Chenab including Sialkot, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Chiniot, etc. Similarly, in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) including Reasi, Akhnoor, Salal, Rajouri, Jammu, etc.
Heavy rainfall is anticipated in isolated places until August 18, which will result in significant increase in the flow of River Chenab as well as local nullahs. Urban flooding is expected in the urban centers, however, high to very high flood levels are likely in River Chenab. Rainfall intensity is expected to taper down after August 18; however, more rains can be expected till August 25 with gaps in catchment areas of Chenab.

The public is advised to stay informed by keeping track of weather updates and alerts. NDMA has launched the Pak NDMA Disaster Alert application, available on Google Play Store and iOS App Store, to provide timely alerts, advisories, and guidelines to the public. Residents of these areas are advised to remain vigilant and follow guidance from local authorities.

The NDMA has issued instructions to all relevant departments to take necessary precautions to mitigate the possible effects of flooding and extreme weather.

South Waziristan fire exchange martyrs laid to rest with full military honour

NNPS Desk

Thu, 15 Aug 2024, 6:33 PM

ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (APP): The martyrs of fierce fire exchange occurred between the security forces and the Khawarji (TTP terrorists) on August 13th in South Waziristan District were laid to rest with full military honours in their native towns.

The martyrs were identified as Havaldar Nisar Hussain Shaheed (age: 34 years, resident of Kurram District), Naik Rashid Gul Shaheed (age: 34 year, resident of Kurram District), Naik Irfanullah Khan Shaheed (Age: 30 years, resident of Laki Marwat District) and Sepoy Usman Rafaqat Shaheed (Age: 21 years, resident of Haripur District), an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) news release said.

A large number of senior officers of Pakistan Army, soldiers, families of martyrs and elders of the area participated in the funeral prayer and burial of the martyrs.

“The armed forces of Pakistan are determined to eliminate the scourge of terrorism from the motherland at any cost,” it said.

Schools open after the summer vacations in the provincial capital, children are going to school in Sodiwal Quarters

Khuram Maryam

Thu, 15 Aug 2024, 6:28 PM

Schools open after the summer vacations in the provincial capital, children are going to school in Sodiwal Quarters — APP22-150824
LAHORE

Workers painting the wall of flyover at Kalma Chowk

Khuram Maryam

Thu, 15 Aug 2024, 6:28 PM

Workers painting the wall of flyover at Kalma Chowk — APP20-150824
MULTAN

Women walk in front of Faisal Masjid, sheltered under umbrellas in the Federal Capital

Khuram Maryam

Thu, 15 Aug 2024, 6:28 PM

Women walk in front of Faisal Masjid, sheltered under umbrellas in the Federal Capital — APP18-150824
ISLAMABAD

Female students wait for their college bus during a downpour in the Federal Capital

Khuram Maryam

Thu, 15 Aug 2024, 6:21 PM

Female students wait for their college bus during a downpour in the Federal Capital — APP15-150824
ISLAMABAD

UAE condemns storming of Al Aqsa Mosque courtyard by Israeli minister, settlers

Kamran Muraad

Thu, 15 Aug 2024, 6:19 PM

ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (APP): The UAE has strongly condemned the storming of Al-Aqsa mosque courtyard by an Israeli minister and settlers under the protection of Israeli police, and stressed the need for Israel to respect the historical and legal status of the city of Jerusalem.

According to UAE official news agency WAM, in a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), reaffirmed the UAE’s firm position on the need to provide full protection for Al-Aqsa mosque, and halt serious and provocative violations taking place there.

Furthermore, the Ministry emphasised the need to respect the custodial role of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan over the holy sites in accordance with international law and the historical status, and not to compromise the authority of the Jerusalem Endowment Administration that manages the affairs of Al-Aqsa mosque.

The Ministry also expressed UAE’s full solidarity and support for all measures implemented by Jordan to protect and preserve sites of religious significance.

The Ministry called upon Israeli authorities to halt escalation and avoid exacerbating tension and instability in the region, affirming the UAE’s rejection of all practices that violate resolutions on international legitimacy and threaten further escalation.

The Ministry called on the international community to intensify all regional and international efforts to find a political horizon that achieves a comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution, that fulfills the aspirations of the brotherly Palestinian people to establish an independent sovereign Palestinian state, in accordance with international law.