ISLAMABAD: June 06 –
Governor Gilgit-Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah calls on President Asif Ali Zardari, at Aiwan-e-Sadr.
ISLAMABAD: June 06 –
Govt. strategy ensured transparency in wheat procurement process: Minister
PESHAWAR, Jun 06 (APP): Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Food, Zahir Shah Toru Thursday said the government has procured high quality wheat adopting a flawless and corruption free purchasing procedure.
He expressed these views in a meeting on the completion of wheat procurement target 2024. The meeting was also attended by Advisor on Information and Public Relations Barrister Dr. Muhammad Ali Saif, Secretary Food, Zarif Al-Maani, Director of Food, Yasir Hassan and other relevant officials.
The meeting was told that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government introduced online application to ensure transparency and efficiency in wheat procurement. Local farmers of KP and other provinces were registered through the app and wheat was procured on a first-come and first-served basis.
The meeting was informed that 22 procurement centers across the province were monitored through CCTV cameras and a five-member committee was formed to assess the quality of wheat.
This committee was included representatives from District and Assistant Food Controllers, District Administration, Agriculture, Revenue Department, Flour Mills Association, as well as officials from NAB and Anti-Corruption as observers.
Secretary food told that nine officers had been suspended for violating rules and regulations, and inquiries against them are underway.
Food minister commended the successful procurement and stated that the campaign enhanced food security and economic activities in KP.
He directed the relevant officials to develop a procurement strategy based on current year campaign to ensure a comprehensive plan for future wheat procurement.
Advisor Barrister Dr. Saif appreciated the efforts of Food Department for completing wheat procurement process in a transparent way and said that our efforts resulted in low prices of wheat benefiting the underprivileged.
A group of officers under training at the Civil Service Academy visits the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly
GIlGIT, Jun 06 (APP):A group of officers under training at the Civil Service Academy visited the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly today where they were warmly welcomed by Speaker Nazir Ahmed Advocate.
During the visit, the officers were briefed by the Assembly Secretariat about the history, structure, and functions of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly.
The Speaker shared insights into the legislative process, the role of Members, and the Assembly’s contributions to the region’s development.
The Speaker presented a commemorative shield to the officers on behalf of the GB Assembly.
Pakistan wins non-permanent seat on UN Security Council with big majority in UNGA vote
UNITED NATIONS, Jun 06 (APP): After months of hectic campaigning, Pakistan Thursday was elected, with a massive majority, as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, the world body’s power centre, pledging to make its contribution in meeting the grave challenges facing the world.
Pakistan, which was unopposed, garnered 182 votes in the 193-member General Assembly — far more than the required 124 votes representing two-third majority.
Loud applause rang out in the iconic hall of the General Assembly when its president, Dennis Francis, announced the winners of the five non-permanent seats — Pakistan, Denmark, Greece, Panama and Somalia –to replace
Japan, Ecuador, Malta, Mozambique and Switzerland whose terms end on December 31. He congratulated them on their victory.
Pakistan will replace Japan, which currently occupies the Asian seat, on January 1, 2025, to begin a two-year term, its eighth.
As an elated Munir Akram, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN, emerged from the hall, APP correspondent asked him about Pakistan’s priorities and goals as a member of the 15-member Council’s.
He said Pakistan’s election “represents the confidence of the international community in Pakistan’s ability to promote the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.”
Pakistan, Ambassador Akram, said would actively work with other member countries of the Council to advance the shared objectives.
In this regard, he especially highlighted Pakistan’s ambition to contribute meaningfully to the prevention of conflicts and their peaceful settlement in line with the UN Charter.
Pakistan’s earlier terms on the Council were in 2012-13, 2003-04, 1993-94, 1983-84, 1976-77, 1968-69 and 1952-53.
Pakistan is joining the Security Council at a time of great international upheaval and challenges and plans to pay special attention to:
• Promotion of peace and security in South Asia;
• Upholding the principle of self-determination for the people of Palestine and Kashmir;
• Promotion of normalization in Afghanistan;
• Promotion of equitable solutions to the security challenges in Africa, and,
• Enhance the effectiveness of UN peacekeeping operations.
As a non-permanent member of the Security Council in the past, Pakistan had made significant contribution to its work aimed at strengthening international peace and security
Over the last 50 years, Pakistan has been a leading contributor to United Nations Peacekeeping Missions. Currently, it has over 4,000 troops and other personnel deployed in UN Peacekeeping Missions around the world. ”
The new members will join the five veto-wielding permanent members — the United States, Russia, China, United Kingdom and France — and the five countries elected as non-permanent members last year — Algeria, Guyana, South Korea, Sierra Leone and Slovenia.
World Environment Day: Seminar stresses proactive efforts to handle climate change problem
LAHORE, Jun 06 (APP):Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Khalid Mahmood has emphasised the global challenge of climate change, urging everyone to actively participate in addressing it.
He made these remarks during a seminar, organised by the PU College of Earth and Environmental Sciences (CEES), in collaboration with the Bargad Foundation, to commemorate the World Environment Day’. Secretary Environment Punjab Jahangir Anwar, CEES Principal Prof. Dr. Sajid Rashid Ahmad, Sabiha Shaheen from Bargad Foundation, faculty members, environmental experts, and a large number of students attended the event.
Prof. Dr. Khalid Mahmood highlighted the global recognition of research conducted at the PU, with several departments, including environmental sciences, being ranked in the QS. He stressed the significant role human populations play in environmental pollution and emphasised the responsibility to mitigate it. He encouraged CEES students to engage with other university departments to raise awareness and reduce plastic usage and environmental pollution.
Jahangir Anwar outlined the Punjab government’s concrete efforts to combat pollution by addressing plastic waste. He highlighted the lack of awareness regarding proper plastic use in Pakistan, contributing to its status as one of the world’s countries that improperly disposes of plastic. He mentioned the detrimental effects of plastic consumption on animals in countries like India and Kenya, expressing the government’s commitment to establishing ‘no-plastic bag zones’ in government offices to curb environmental pollution.
Prof. Dr. Sajid Rashid emphasised the urgent need for collective action from academicians, researchers, students, and government institutions to address climate change. He affirmed college students’ support for government-led environmental awareness campaigns and stressed the importance of reducing plastic consumption to ensure clean drinking water and alleviate air pollution. He stressed reduction in the staggering rate of one million plastic bottles sold every minute in Pakistan and emphasised universities’ role in facilitating applied research to find solutions to environmental challenges.
Sabiha Shaheen highlighted the potential of PU CEES students in contributing to a healthier environment through their skills.
An awareness documentary on environmental pollution was presented during the event, followed by an awareness rally on ‘No Plastic’ by the participants.
Massive teacher training in Federal Capital to begin soon: Minister
ISLAMABAD, Jun 06 (APP): Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, informed the National Assembly on Thursday that a massive training program for teachers, with the assistance of international institutions and local universities, will be started soon in the federal capital.
Responding to a calling attention notice regarding inadequate facilities in schools under the Federal Directorate of Education in Islamabad and the shortage of teachers, he said that the process to appoint new teachers in the federal capital will be completed soon.
Addressing the issue of out-of-school children, he said that the government is taking all possible steps to enroll children in schools. He acknowledged that poverty is a significant reason behind children not attending school.
He highlighted that providing breakfast incentives in federal capital schools has increased student attendance from 40 percent to 80 percent. If this incentive proves successful in the federal capital, it will be expanded to the rest of the country.
Regarding the Daanish schools in the federal capital, he said that work on the project has already begun. Daanish schools, initially launched by then-Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif in 2010, provide free quality education and boarding facilities for underprivileged children in Punjab.
He added that the initial allocation of 10 acres for the Daanish schools project has been increased to 30 acres.
3 killed, 6 injured in Mianwali firing incident
ISLAMABAD, Jun 6 (APP): At least three people died and six were injured in a firing incident occurred in the Mianwali on Thursday, police said.
According to a private news channel, a personal feud led to a tragic incident where opponents fired on a van, resulting in the deaths of three people and injuries to six others.
The assailants fled the scene following the attack.
Spokesperson for the Mianwali Police confirmed that the shooting occurred within the limits of the Isa Khel police station.
The police stated that the clash appears to stem from a personal grudge between Nazlikhel, a resident of Mandakhel, and the Kalo community.
District Police Officer (DPO) Mianwali, Matiullah Khan, promptly reached the scene upon receiving the information and has formed teams to ensure the immediate arrest of the culprits.
The bodies have been shifted to a hospital for post-mortem examinations, and the injured are receiving medical treatment.
Robina convenes meeting with Gates foundation, Karandaaz to improve livelihoods of its beneficiaries
ISLAMABAD, Jun 06 (APP): Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Rubina Khalid Thursday convened a formal meeting with representatives of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Karandaaz to discuss critical initiatives aimed at improving the livelihoods of its beneficiaries and enhancing the programme’s operational transparency.
During the meeting, Rubina Khalid highlighted the importance of skill development in lifting beneficiaries out of poverty. “We want a better lifestyle for our beneficiaries,” said Khalid. “Our goal is for them to emerge from poverty and play an active role in the economy of the country.”
Emphasizing the need for technical assistance in digitalizing the payment mechanism for BISP beneficiaries, Chairperson BISP stated, “We want to ensure transparency with minimum human involvement in the disbursement process.” This move towards digitalization aims to enhance efficiency, reduce the risk of fraud, and ensure that beneficiaries receive their payments promptly and securely.
Deputy Director, Focus Country Implementation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Jason Lamb, commended the initiatives of BISP, recognizing it as the largest social safety program in the country.
He expressed the Foundation’s full support and agreed to organize further meetings between BISP, the Foundation, and Karandaaz officials to discuss the technical modalities in detail.
Country Lead for Pakistan, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Syed Ali Mehmood, CEO of Karandaaz, Waqas ul Hassan, Associate Director of Digital Transformation at Karandaaz, Usman Kokab Khan and Head of DFS at Karandaaz, Taimoor Ali also attended the meeting.
In a separate meeting with the Country Director of the World Food Program (WFP), Coco Ushiyama, the chairperson emphasized BISP’s unwavering commitment to improving the health and nutrition of women and children in Pakistan.
“Our main focus is on the health of women and children,” stated Mrs. Khalid. “Through the Benazir Nashonuma Programme, we are actively addressing the critical issues of stunting and malnutrition. A healthy mother can give a healthy nation.”
Ms. Coco Ushiyama praised the BISP for its impactful initiatives and reiterated WFP’s commitment to supporting Benazir Income Support Programme’s health-related projects. “WFP has collaborated with BISP on various projects, and
we are committed to providing full support for health initiatives under BISP,” said Ushiyama.
She commended the significant strides made by BISP in addressing malnutrition and enhancing food security for vulnerable populations.
PM visit to push forward Pak-China all-weather strategic cooperative partnership: Ataullah Tarar
BEIJING, Jun 6 (APP): Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting, National Heritage and Culture Attaullah Tarar Thursday said that the visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would further deepen all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between Pakistan and China and expedite construction of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a pilot project of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Before leaving Pakistan for the five-day visit of China, the prime minister talked highly about Pakistan-China friendship and the CPEC flagship project, he said while talking to media here on the sideline of PM Shehbaz Sharif visit.
This is new era of Pakistan-China friendship and the prime minister attaches great importance to this friendship and terms the friendship between Pakistan and China higher than mountains, deeper than sea and sweeter than honey.
He said that the prime minister’s acknowledges positive role of China in socio-economic development of Pakistan and the future cooperation between the two countries.
Attaullah Tarar said that the prime minister highly appreciates Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visionary leadership and supports the Belt and Road Initiative and Global Development Initiative which are helping the developing countries to achieve prosperity and development.
He said that the prime minister under his able leadership would guide the country towards economic prosperity.
The relationship between Pakistan and China is entering a new era and under the CPEC Phase 2, Pakistan is offering more incentives to the Chinese enterprises for investment in various sectors.
The information minister said that during a meeting with Huawei in Shenzhen yesterday, the Chinese leading technology company agreed to impart training of IT education to 200,000 Pakistani youth.
Regarding safety of Chinese citizens and institutions, he said that the prime minister attaches great importance to it and has assured the fool proof security to the Chinese personnel, institutes and projects in Pakistan, adding, it is a big step as the prime minister takes personal interest in this issue.
The minister expressed the confidence that the Phase 2 of the CPEC would move forward at a fast pace and it would benefit the people of two countries.
About prime minister’s vision to develop Gwadar Port, he said that the Chinese entrepreneurs have reposed complete confidence into the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and appreciated his efforts to speed up different projects under the CPEC.
DC directs magistrates to ensure display of price list of essential items in all markets
ATTOCK, Jun 6 (APP): Deputy Commissioner (DC) Attock Rao Atif Raza on Thursday directed the price control magistrates to enforce government directives regarding display of price list of essential items in all markets.
Speaking to participants of the meeting at DC office, Raza emphasized the critical role of the officials who were trying to forward relief to the public.
The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Zahoor Ahmad Mir, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Dr. Mudasir, Assistant Commissioner Development Abdul Rasheed Dass, and other senior district officers.
During the session, the performance of the eight price control magistrates was evaluated.
Raza highlighted the Punjab government’s ongoing efforts to lower food prices in the market.
He said that general public must have benefits given by the government on essential items.
He warned the officials concerned of strict action on failing to deliver the expected results.