Mining, quarrying sector records growth of 4.9%

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Tue, 11 Jun 2024, 7:02 PM

ISLAMABAD, Jun 11 (APP): The Mining and Quarrying sector has recorded a growth of 4.9 percent in the first nine months of the Financial Year 2024, against a dip of 3.3 percent during the same period last year.

According to the Economic Survey launched by Federal Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, in the period of July to March FY 2024, the production of major minerals such as coal, chromite, iron ore, soapstone, magnesite, and marble increased by 37.7, 36.9, 63.9, 29.3, 34.4, and 23.2 percent, respectively.

However, some minerals experienced negative growth, including natural gas (-2.0 percent), dolomite (-2.1 percent), sulphur (-20.3 percent), barytes (-10.9 percent), and ocher (-24.8 percent).

Balochistan to establish data bank of all departments: Dr. Rubaba

By

Waseem Iqbal

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Tue, 11 Jun 2024, 7:02 PM

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QUETTA, Jun 11 (APP):Advisor to the Chief Minister Balochistan for Women Development Department Dr. Rubaba Khan Buledi has announced that a data bank will be established in Balochistan with the cooperation of NADRA.

This data bank will contain verified data of all departments and sectors in Balochistan, which will be used for future planning and development.

Dr. Buledi expressed these views during a meeting with Director General NADRA Balochistan, Kashif Iqbal. She emphasized the importance of accurate data for effective planning and development. The Advisor also appreciated NADRA’s initiatives, including the decision to waive fees for the first-time issuance of identity cards and the establishment of special registration desks for women, transgender persons, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

The CM aide noted that a significant number of women in Balochistan do not possess identity cards, which excludes them from government benefits, including the Benazir Income Support Program. She expressed satisfaction with NADRA’s cooperation in establishing special registration centers for women in Balochistan and allocating two days exclusively for women at general registration centers.

The establishment of a data bank in Balochistan with NADRA’s cooperation is expected to improve data collection and planning in the province.

BISP disburses Rs 117 billion under Benazir Taleemi Wazaif since inception

By

NNPS Desk

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Tue, 11 Jun 2024, 6:59 PM

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ISLAMABAD, Jun 11 (APP): The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) has overall disbursed Rs 117 billion and enrolled 14.8 million children under the Conditional Cash Transfer intervention of Benazir Taleemi Wazaif, since its inception.

According to the Economic Survey 2023-24 unveiled by the Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, the internationally acclaimed BISP had disbursed a total of Rs 36.9 billion under the Benazir Taleemi Wazaif initiative during July-March FY2024 with enrollment of 2.2 million children.

The stipend rate of students has been raised during FY 2024 up to Rs. 2000 for boy child per quarter and Rs. 2500 for girl child at primary level.

While the stipend rate has been increased up to Rs 3,000 for boy child and Rs 3500 for girl child at secondary level.

For higher secondary level, the stipend has been increased up to Rs 4,000 for boy child and Rs 4500 for girl child.

A one-time bonus of Rs 3,000 is also given to the girls upon their graduation from primary education.

The government is dedicated to achieving universal primary education that aligns with the SDGs.

To address the issue of children from BISP beneficiary households not attending school, the government introduced a Co-Responsibility Cash Transfer in October 2012, providing additional cash per quarter for primary education.

Since July 1, 2021, the program has been expanded to include secondary and higher secondary education, gradually rolling out nationwide.

Railways’ earning recorded as Rs 53,703.78 mln: Economic Survey

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NNPS Desk

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Tue, 11 Jun 2024, 6:59 PM

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ISLAMABAD, Jun 11 (APP): The gross earning of Pakistan Railways (PR) was recorded as Rs 53,703.78 million during the financial year 2023-24 (July-March) as compared to Rs 39,950.00 million during the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year showing an increase of 34.4 percent.

According to the Economic Survey 2023-24 launched by Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb on Tuesday, the Railways’ passenger and freight traffic was 29.36 million and 5,037 million kilometers respectively during the ongoing fiscal year.

The rail transport network of Pakistan Railways with 451 locomotives has a route length of 7,791 km and plays an important role in national integration and economic growth.

Sindh government working to restore natural waterways: CM Murad

By

NNPS Desk

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Tue, 11 Jun 2024, 6:57 PM

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KARACHI, Jun 11 (APP): The Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah Tuesday said that in the wake of the 2022 floods and the impact of climate change, Sindh government was working to restore natural waterways so that rainwater can be disposed of naturally.

This, he said while talking to Ambassador of the Netherlands Mrs Henny de Vries who called on him here at the CM House.

The CM emphasized the need to strengthen our canal system, irrigation network, and drainage system in response to the floods of 2010, 2011, and 2022, in order to mitigate heavy damage from flash floods or riverine floods.

Ambassador de Vries said that the heavy rains that caused floods in Pakistan, particularly in Sindh were the result of climate change, therefore the onward development needed to make climate resilient.

At this, the CM said that his government was working to restore natural waterways so that flood water could be disposed of in its natural gravity.

The chief minister and the Dutch ambassador discussed investment opportunities in Sindh.

Mrs Henny de Vries said that the Dutch Agriculture Bank was interested in advancing loans for agriculture development and added that flood-resilient crops were needed for the ongoing climate change era.

The CM thanked the ambassador and said that his government’s investment department would contact the Dutch Embassy and discuss the modalities for agricultural support.

The CM offered Dutch firms to come over and invest in wastewater treatment plants in Karachi. The treated water would be used for industrial purposes and investment in the treatment of water would give good returns.

The Dutch Ambassador urged the CM to share the list of the projects for Dutch investors. She also offered technical and financial support for livestock and fisheries development in Sindh.

The CM directed the provincial Investment department to start meetings with the Netherlands ambassador and her team so that investment could be brought in.

The CM presented ajrak made by Special Children as a gift which she lauded a lot.