ABU DHABI
Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid, Secretary General, Khalifa International Award for Date Palm & Agriculture Innovation met Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan’s Envoy to United Arab Emirates at Pakistan Embassy
ABU DHABI
Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja chairing meeting on upcoming ‘GSMA Digital Nation Summit’
ISLAMABAD
A meeting of the Committee to assess and facilitate the reconstitution of Board of Korangi Fisheries Harbour Authority (KoFHA) held under the Chairmanship of Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh. Federal Minister for Industries & Production Rana Tanveer Hussain and Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal also present as members of the committee
ISLAMABAD
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar meets with UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the high-level conference on “Urgent Humanitarian Response for Gaza”
JORDAN
SBP injects over Rs 329 billion into market
KARACHI, Jun 11 (APP): The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Tuesday injected Rs 329.7 billion in the market through Reverse Repo Purchase and Shariah Compliant Mudarabah based Open Market Operation (OMO).
The SBP conducted Open Market Operation through Reverse Repo Purchase (Injection) for a 3-day tenor and received 13 quotes amounting to Rs 239.7 billion offered at the rate of return ranging between 20.55 to 20.62 percent. The SBP accepted all the 13 quotes at 20.55 % rate of return.
The central bank also conducted Shariah Compliant Mudarabah based Open Market Operation for 3-day tenor, and accepted the only one quote amounting to Rs 90 billion received at 20.59% rate of return.
Punjab govt not giving funds to MPAs, clarifies Uzma
LAHORE, Jun 11 (APP):Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari on Tuesday clarified that the Punjab government was not allocating funds to any Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA).
In a press statement issued here, she said the government had saved 530 billion rupees for the people of Punjab by discontinuing unnecessary schemes. She made these remarks in response to Miftah Ismail’s statement alleging the distribution of funds to MPAs.
Azma Bokhari emphasised that there was no practice of utilising government funds for political interests in Punjab and assured that such practices would not be allowed in the future.
She expressed disappointment over Miftah Ismail’s statement, considering it irresponsible and unexpected from someone of his stature.
Mining, quarrying sector records growth of 4.9%
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
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
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.