ISLAMABAD
Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq, chairs the meeting of the Special Committee to Monitor Implementation of Anti-Rape ( Investigation and Trial) Act, 2021
ISLAMABAD
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain addresses press conference after attending the 48th Grand Hajj Symposium, organized by Saudi Ministry of Hajj
MAKKAH AL-MUKARRAMAH
Saudi officials welcome the Hajj pilgrims from different countries on their arrival
MAKKAH AL-MUKARRAMAH
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MAKKAH AL-MUKARRAMAH
Federal Minister for Industries and Production, Rana Tanveer Hussain chairs a meeting of the Sugar Advisory Board
ISLAMABAD
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar addressing a press conference
ISLAMABAD
British High Commissioner calls on Planning Minister
ISLAMABAD, Jun 10 (APP): British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott here on Monday met with Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal and discussed ongoing and future collaborations between the two countries.
During the meeting, High Commissioner congratulated Ahsan Iqbal on assuming the Federal Minister for Planning for the fourth time.
Minister Iqbal reflected on the Vision 2025 initiative, introduced in 2015, which serves as a strategic roadmap for Pakistan’s economic and social development.
He highlighted that this vision was presented during a period of severe challenges, including frequent suicide attacks and an energy crisis that greatly impacted the country’s socio-economic sectors.
Despite these hurdles, the government consulted over 2,000 experts to formulate Vision 2025, aiming to steer the country towards growth and eliminate social inequalities.
Ahsan Iqbal expressed concern that from 2018 to 2022, unfortunately Pakistan lacked solid planning and vision, which hampered progress.
However, he emphasized the role of the Ministry of Planning as a key national and economic planning institution and think tank, committed to modernizing and aligning with global trends. This includes integrating talented individuals with advanced knowledge and introducing new sectors within the ministry.
In response to the 2022 floods, the Ministry swiftly formed the 4RF enabling the country to adopt sustainable infrastructure and strategies to combat climate change and natural disasters. Additionally, a framework based on the 5Es – Economy, Energy, E-governance and Digitalization, Environment, and Social Equity – was developed to provide a robust foundation for Pakistan’s growth.
The Minister elaborated on the 5Es framework, noting its role in creating a roadmap from short-term strategies to long-term plans, guiding principles for social justice, equitable resource distribution, and inclusion of women and youth in the national mainstream.
He also highlighted efforts to eradicate basic education deprivation through public-private partnerships, provincial cooperation to enhance capacity in education, health, and human resources, and significant budget increases for higher education. From 2013 to 2018, the higher education budget was increased by 108%, and within 16 months from 2018 to 2021, funds allocated for higher education promotion and modernization of universities were doubled.
The Minister noted the establishment of university campuses at every district headquarters, which provided significant opportunities for female students.
He pointed out that at the University of Narowal, 5,000 out of 7,000 students are female. The government is committed to modernizing the higher education curriculum and skilling university students.
Moreover, world-class technology centers have been established for artificial intelligence, big data, cybersecurity, automation, and robotics.
The Ministry of Planning has also launched the Young Development Fellow and National Internship programs to provide practical experience to the youth. The Young Development Fellow Program is a flagship project for capable and talented youth under the Ministry.
The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their commitment to fostering stronger ties and collaborative efforts for mutual growth and development.
3 suspects arrested in journalist Nasurllah Gadani murder case: Memon
KARACHI, Jun 10 (APP): Sindh Senior Minister for Information, Transport, Mass Transit System, Excise, Taxation, and Narcotics Control Sharjeel Inam Memon on Monday said that three suspects had been arrested in the murder case of journalist Nasurllah Gadani.
While talking to media persons at the Karachi Press Club (KPC), he said they were saddened over the tragic death of Gadani, which was, in fact, a part of the mindset that sought to suppress press freedom. However, it was the responsibility of governments to combat this thinking.
Shajeel Memon said that due to the efforts of the Ghotki Police and DIG Sukkur three suspects in connection with his murder had been arrested, and the media would be kept informed regarding the case.
He said that on the instructions of the Sindh chief minister, a cheque of Rs10 million was being given to the heirs of the martyred journalist. Though the money could not compensate the loss of a loved one, however, it was an effort from the Pakistan Peoples Party and its Sindh government to provide some financial assistance to the family.
Memon said that a campaign had been launched against the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) to tarnish its image. However, even today, the party stood shoulder to shoulder and firmly with journalists, as it was the only party that demonstrated the tolerance and patience.
He said that accused involved in all the incidents against journalists in Sindh had been arrested. The killers of Shaheed Aziz Memon were apprehended from the desert area, he added.
The minister said PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari personally visited the house of Shaheed Jan Muhammad Mahar.
The Sindh Police had made a significant progress in his the case and his killers would be nabbed soon, he hoped.
Memon highlighted the concerted efforts of Chief Minister Sindh, Interior Minister, and IG Sindh to improve the law and order situation in the upper Sindh. He also announced the release of funds for the second phase of the Safe City project in Karachi.
He claimed that province-wide crackdown on drugs continued with recent arrests of drug peddlers in Karachi and Hyderabad. One notable arrest was of a significant dealer known as the “grandmother of the drug world,” involved in trafficking ice and crystals.
He lamented the increasing prevalence of drugs in educational institutions nationwide and highlighted their misuse as a status symbol in some circles. Despite this, a robust crackdown against drugs was underway while echoing President Asif Ali Zardari’s stance against drugs as a top priority.
Later, the Senior Minister handed over the cheque of Rs10 million to Muhammad Bakhsh Gadani, brother of martyred journalist Nasrullah Gadani.
TTP terrorist running kidnapping network in Karachi killed: SSP Keamari
KARACHI, Jun 10 (APP): A Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorist, who was operating a kidnapping-for-ransom network, was killed in a joint operation by the Keamari District Police, a federal intelligence agency and the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC).
SSP Keamari District Captain (Rtd) Faizan Ali told a press conference on Monday that the operation was carried out late on Sunday night on the tip off about the presence of most sought after terrorist Sadiq, also known as Bilal, Qari or Afghani, in the jurisdiction of Saeedabad Police Station.
He said the terrorist was killed during an exchange of fire. A hand grenade and a kalashnikov were recovered from his possession.
SSP Faizan Ali said that terrorist Sadiq was an important member of the TTP’s extortion network in Karachi, maintaining strong connections with a senior TTP commander in Afghanistan. He along with another terrorist Asmatullah, alias Masood, was running the TTP’s Karachi operations, and the network under him was involved kidnapping and extorting businessmen.
Sadiq was known for indoctrinating and recruiting youth for the TTP in Karachi, using ransom money from kidnappings to fund their training, he added.
SSP Faizan Ali said on December 12, 2023, Sadiq and his associates kidnapped a businessman named Haris-ur-Rehman from Karachi, and the next day, the demand for ransom was made from Afghanistan to his father. Sadiq had provided weapons to the kidnappers.
The kidnappers, including Shakirullah, Asmatullah, Abid Rehman alias Machhar, Shah Hussain alias Faqir Muhammad and Noor Qasim, held Haris at a house in Rehri Goth, provided with weapons by Sadiq.
A video of Haris with his mutilated ears was sent to his family to pressure them for ransom. The family paid Rs 8.8 million ransom, out of which Rs 4 million was received by Sadiq, the SPP said.
He said after the arrest of his accomplices in January and February this year, Sadiq fled to Afghanistan, from where he carried out terrorist activities using the ransom. He recently returned to Karachi to plan further kidnappings by reactivating his network.
The SSP said Sadiq was involved in five murder cases in Karachi. His gang employed a specific method for its crimes, including brainwashing youth, criminals, and unemployed individuals to carry out kidnappings and murders. They used multiple houses to keep hostages, often hiding them in underground tanks. To avoid detection, they disguised the kidnapped persons in veils and kept goats to simulate family life.
The gang used to receive constant instructions from their commander in Afghanistan, he added.
The SSP said Sadiq was wanted in eight cases registered at various police stations of Karachi. His close associate, Asmatullah, provided logistics, including transport, accommodation, and weapons, to the TTP terrorists. After Haris’s kidnapping, Asmatullah was arrested and revealed critical information about Sadiq and the network during interrogation.
Asmatullah, who joined the TTP in 2007, was a key figure in the TTP’s Karachi operations and closely associated with Sadiq.
SSP Keamari highlighted that the activities of this group posed significant threats to the business community and other important individuals in Karachi. The elimination of Sadiq Qari was expected to improve law and order in the city, he added.
He noted that preliminary investigations suggest the group was involved in numerous unreported kidnapping-for-ransom cases, which were currently under investigation.
Ambassador Tirmizi meets with Group CEO of Al Ansari Exchange
DUBAI, Jun 10 (APP):Ambassador of Pakistan to United Arab Emirates (UAE) Faisal Niaz Tirmizi on Monday held a meeting with Rashed Ali Al Ansari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Al Ansari Exchange in Dubai.
The Ambassador expressed his appreciation for the significant contributions made by Al Ansari Exchange in facilitating seamless and secure remittance services to Pakistani diaspora and other community members.
Al Ansari highlighted the vital role of the Pakistani community in the UAE including in economic activities as well as their contribution in forming the bridge between the two nations.
Rashed Al Ansari reaffirmed Al Ansari Exchange’s commitment to providing customer friendly services to its Pakistani customers.
Opposition Leader misrepresenting national perspective at Senate: Siddiqui
ISLAMABAD, Jun 10 (APP): Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Parliamentary Leader in the Senate, Senator Irfan Siddiqui on Monday derided the Opposition Leader for misrepresenting national perspective at the floor of the House by portraying alleged negative picture of the prevailing situation.
He was responding to the Opposition Leader’s speech at the conclusion of the Senate House business here.
Senator Irfan Siddiqui said the Opposition Leader casted darkness on the prevailing situation as he did not show any ray of hope and conceived hopelessness and destruction all around.
He said a survey from a reputed organisation claimed that hope graph for coming days among youth was facing a visible positive increase.
“The 39% inflation rate has dropped to 11% and our stock exchange reached 80%, institutions are working, the opposition is getting justice from the courts, addressing at the parliament and taking membership of its committees. There is no destruction in the country, but rather investment is coming and nations are coming to Pakistan for investment,” he added.
The Opposition was here for the strengthening of this system and the treasury benches honoured them and it will be achieved with their cooperation, he said, adding, “They should not promote hopelessness in the country.”
The Opposition Leader Shibli Faraz requested the Chairman Senate to issue production orders for Senator Ejaz Chaudhry.
Later, the quorum was pointed out which was not complete, and the session was adjourned to meet again on Tuesday July 11th, 2024 till 5pm.
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