GILGIT: May 03 –
GILGIT: May 03 – Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Haji Gulbar Khan inquiring about the health of injured persons at PHQ as a passenger bus faced an accident near Chilas in a result 22 died and other injured. APP/AHS/ABB
Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Haji Gulbar Khan inquiring about the health of injured persons at PHQ as a passenger bus faced an accident near Chilas in a result 22 died and other injured.
GILGIT: May 03 –
GILGIT: May 03 – Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Haji Gulbar Khan inquiring about the health of injured persons at PHQ as a passenger bus faced an accident near Chilas in a result 22 died and other injured. APP/AHS/ABB
Pakistan marks World Press Freedom Day
ISLAMABAD, May 3 (APP): The World Press Freedom Day observed across the world including Pakistan on Friday to celebrate hard work, dedication and services of the journalists for bringing positive change in the society by unearthing truth.
A number of walks, events and special ceremonies were held across the country including Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) to uphold the international right of press freedom and promoting responsible journalism.
In Islamabad, the Press Council of Pakistan (PCP), National Press Club and other media organizations held seminars, walks and special events to recognize the contributions of journalists’ community to the society, and also highlight importance of responsible journalism.
President Asif Ali Zardari has emphasized the need to initiate measures for the safety and security of the journalists enabling them to freely report on important issues, without fear.
“The Constitution of Pakistan guarantees the freedom of the press; however, it is also the responsibility of the media to abide by journalistic ethics and report responsibly and accurately, keeping in view the national interest,” the president said in his message on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his message, assured that the incumbent government would make all-out efforts to uplift the media industry and resolve the issues confronting it.
The prime minister also reiterated the resolve for government’s maximum cooperation to protect the rights of media industry as well as the media workers.
He paid tribute to the journalists, media workers, writers and cameramen and lauded their fight for truth.
Chairman Senate Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani called for collective working for the collective rights and welfare of the journalist community.
On the World Press Freedom Day, the Senate Chairman extended his profound acknowledgement and commendation to journalists in Pakistan and across the globe for their invaluable contributions to society.
“On this important day, let us reaffirm our shared commitment to guarding and sustaining freedom of the press which plays a pivotal role in upholding democracy, promoting accountability, and providing a platform for diverse voices”, he said.
Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has extended sincere solidarity to journalists and media professionals worldwide on World Press Freedom Day.
Emphasizing the paramount importance of press freedom, he reaffirmed his party’s staunch support for the invaluable role of a free and independent press in fostering democracy.
PM felicitates nation on Pakistan’s first lunar satellite mission launch
ISLAMABAD, May 3 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday congratulated the Pakistani nation on the historic milestone of Pakistan’s first lunar satellite mission launch, in collaboration with China’s Chang’e-6 mission.
“Today marks a momentous leap for Pakistan space science programme. We are proud of our scientists and Pakistan collaboration with China,” he wrote on his X timeline.
“This achievement will inspire young minds in science and research, strengthen our Lunar Programme and expand our knowledge of the Moon,” the prime minister added.
President approves Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill 2024
ISLAMABAD, May 3 (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday approved the Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill 2024 under Article 75 of the Constitution.
The bill aims to amend taxes and duties’ related laws, a President House news release said.
The amendments made through the bill include changes to sections 30DDD, 43, 45B, 46 and 47 of the Sales Tax Act 1990.
Similarly, through the amendment bill, changes to sections 29, 33, 34 and 38 of the Federal Excise Act 2005, and sections 122A, 124, 126A, 130, 131, 132, 133, and 134A of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001 have also been made.
The Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill 2024 was passed by the National Assembly on April 29, 2024.
The president approved the bill on the advice of the Prime Minister.
High-level Saudi business delegation due on May 5
ISLAMABAD, May 3 (APP): A 50-member high-level business delegation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is due in Pakistan on May 5 to explore investment opportunities in different sectors as well as to forge strong bonds with local entrepreneurs.
Some 30 Saudi companies representing different economic sectors, including information technology, telecoms, energy, aviation, construction, mining exploration, agriculture and human resource development would be part of the delegation, which would be led by the Assistant Minister of Investment, a Ministry of Commerce official said on Friday.
The ministry had selected a large number of Pakistani companies in the respective sectors whose officials would have business-to-business meetings with their Saudi counterparts, and would hopefully enter into business and investment deals,
he added.
The official said the delegation would also participate in the Pak-Saudi Investment Conference.
He said that Saudi Arabia was an oil-based economy with strong government controls over major economic activities, however, it was now undergoing a transformation to reduce oil dependence, diversify income sources and enhance competitiveness under the Vision 2030.
Currently, he said, the major exports of the Kingdom included mineral fuels, mineral oils, plastics and organic chemicals, whereas it was importing machinery, vehicles, and agricultural products.
The official said that during the first half of the current financial year, bilateral trade between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia was recorded at $2,482.37 million, with Pakistan’s exports of $262.58 million and Saudi exports of $2.219 billion.
He said Pakistan’s major to the KSA consisted of rice, meat of bovine animals, fruits and vegetables, and tents and camping goods, whereas imports were petroleum products, and polymers of propylene and ethylene.
The official said Pakistan and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) had agreed on a Free-Trade Agreement. Pakistan, he added, was also planning to organize a Single Country Exhibition and Lifestyle Show in Saudi Arabia.
He said that Pakistan would welcome and fully facilitate investments and partnerships from Saudi Arabia in IT, minerals, textiles, food security, engineering and energy sectors.
Government taking measures to curtail school drop out ratio: Sardar Shah
KARACHI, May 03 (APP): Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah Friday said that School Education Department initiated concerted measures to prevent school dropouts, particularly for upgrading schools and providing transport to girls to facilitate them in continuing their education.
The minister, in a meeting with the delegation of Asian Development Bank, hoped that these measures would help more than 0.8 million girls in Sindh completing their high school education in the coming years, said a statement issued here.
Sardar Ali Shah said that model schools will be established at Taluka (Tahseel) level in Sindh and ensuring access of girls to those schools will be the first priority.
Seeking Asian Development Bank’s support for promotion of girls’ education in the province, he said that the Sindh government intended to arrange transport under the public private partnership mode to bring girls to schools by ensuring provision of quality commuting facilities.
The minster underscored the need of rehabilitation of 1600 flood-affected schools in Sindh and outlined that schools with high enrollment ratio will be given priority in the rehabilitation process.
Highlighting measures for preparation of curriculum in Sindh, the education minister informed that for the first time in Sindh, Middle Tech curriculum has been developed under which students would be imparted technical education along with formal education so that they could be able to get livelihood support based on their learned skills while continuing their further education.
Sindh government also needed support of international organizations for various projects aimed at enhancing literacy ration and development of education sector in the province, Shah said and proposed Asian Development Bank to prioritize education sector in the upcoming projects.
The ADB delegation assured the provincial minister of working together for the cause and to provide all possible support in the regard.
Planning minister stresses need for establishing digital corridor
ISLAMABAD, May 3 (APP): Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Friday stressed the need for establishing a digital corridor, acknowledging Pakistan’s role as a prime ground for digital economic expansion.
Talking to a delegation of Huawei Pakistan, who called on him led by Chief Executive Officer of the company Ethan Sun, the minister emphasized the pivotal role of digital advancement in shaping the future of the national economy, said a press release.
The minister said that the only path to sustained economic progress for the nation is through comprehensive digital transformation, adding that embracing digital technologies and infrastructure is vital to thrive in the global marketplace.
He apprised the delegation about various projects, which would be included within the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Phase II project list, along with collaboration opportunities concerning Pakistan’s Digital Economy Strategy.
Ahsan Iqbal said that establishing a robust digital corridor including connectivity, data centers, firewall protection and smart governance is essential to fueling economic growth and ensuring global competitiveness in the digital age.
The Planning minister proposed to initiate Islamabad as a model smart city, emphasizing the importance of digital infrastructure provision for the new age economy and highlighted the establishment of an Innovation Center at UET Narowal, inviting Huawei to be a technology partner in this endeavour.
Speaking on the occasion, CEO Huawei said that Pakistanis are the second biggest nationality employed in Huawei and highlighted Pakistan’s potential to emerge as a key player in the competitive digital economy.
He said that it is projected that developed economies will witness a significant surge in their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) stemming from digital advancements.
Deputy CEO Huawei Pakistan Ahmed Bilal Masood said that notable investments are already underway to bolster the digital infrastructure and technological capabilities of Pakistan.
KP CM launches Rs.1bn Youth Entrepreneurship Programme
PESHAWAR, May 03 (APP): Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sardar Ali Amin Khan Gandapur has decided to launch “Youth Entrepreneurship Programme” under which, soft loans would be provided to skilled youth to enable them to initiate their own business.
The decision was taken during a meeting of Sports & Youth Affairs Department held here with Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur the other day, said an official press release issued here on Friday.
It was decided in the meeting that the proposed program, initially, would be launched at a cost of Rs. 1.00 billion. It is imperative to mention here that the soft loans under this program, would not be provided to any individual but to the clusters of skilled youth interested in initiating their own business. Each cluster of professionals will be able to avail loan ranging from Rs. 2 million to Rs 10 million.
The chief minister has directed the relevant quarters to finalize the strategy for implementing this flagship program of the provincial government, adding that ultimate purpose of this program is to assist the talented and skilled youth interested in initiating their own business in accordance with their professional skills and capabilities.
He said that promoting employment opportunities in the province is one of the priority areas of his government; skilled youth across the province would be provided with full support in this regard. Similarly, the chief minister gave go ahead to launch Youth Skill Development and Employment Programme as well, and directed the authorities concerned that youth from all the districts across the province, should be provided with this opportunity, adding that quota of each district be allocated according to its population for this purpose.
Under the program, initially 20,000 youth would be imparted with specialized technical and vocational trainings. It will also be integral part of the program to ensure that the youth being trained under this program, are provided with employment within country and abroad.
Apart from this, the chief minister accorded approval to the proposed initiatives under Youth Education Program, through which, merit based scholarships would be provided in IT, modern technical and digital sectors, in addition to establishing Incubation Centre, Learning facility, Career Counseling and providing access to educational institutions worldwide.
Certification in advance courses in Digital Skills and provision of Merit Based Internships in market driven disciplines are also the parts of this program.
The chief minister has termed merit-based internships in markets driven disciplines as need of the hour and directed the quarters concerned to devise proper policy for this purpose.
He, on this occasion, also directed the authorities to ensure implementation of the project regarding establishment of playgrounds at Tehsil Headquarters across the province and added that in the first phase, available government lands/sites should be utilized for this purpose. “Where there such sites are available, should be notified as playground immediately”, he directed and added that formal letters should be sent to the Deputy Commissioners of all districts to identify suitable land in the remaining tehsils for this purpose.
Similarly, the chief minister directed them to devise a plan for promoting polo and other traditional games of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, further directing them to form a provincial polo team without any delay and make sure that the polo team has participated in the upcoming polo festival. While deciding to hold Horse and Cattle Show in Peshawar this year, the chief minister has directed to complete all the necessary arrangements in this regard.
He underlined the need for pragmatic steps for promoting tent pegging, archery, horse riding, swimming and all other traditional games of the province, adding that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has rich talent in all traditional sports, we just need to brand this talent in an effective manner.
Moreover, he directed them to take necessary steps for providing shooting club, riders club and other necessary facilities in the province. He also directed for speedy completion of remaining works of Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium Peshawar and said that the funds required for this purpose would be provided on priority.
He further directed to ensure completion of ongoing development projects including Hayatabad Cricket Stadium, D.I.Khan Sports Complex and Kalam Cricket Stadium adding that available resources must be utilized in a judicious and useful manner.
He also directed that the development projects of sports sector should be made part of the development portfolio being assisted by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank. He emphasized to have a special focus on promoting sports and other recreational activities in the merged districts and said that all available options should be utilized for the purpose.
The chief minister, on the occasion, was also briefed about the upcoming sports events in the province and was told that inter-regional games would be held by the end of this month.
These games would be arranged at sports complexes of Peshawar, Charsadda and Kohat. Immediate after these inter-regional games, provincial coaching camps would also be arranged, in which, the players would be trained and prepared for participation in the upcoming event of inter-provincial games.
A large number of people participating in Clean & Green Pakistan Cleanliness Drive organized by SOS foundation Pakistan at H-9 sector
ISLAMABAD: May 03 –
British High Commissioner to Pakistan Ms Jane Marriott in a group photograph with the participants of Meet the Press during the World Press Freedom Day 2024 seminar on “Freedom of Expression & Challenges in Pakistan” at National Press Club.
ISLAMABAD: May 03 –