ISLAMABAD, Sep 17 (APP):Minister for National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination Aamer Mehmood Kiani Monday said the present government under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan is determined to improve the health status in the country.
Addressing the degree awarding ceremony to graduates of Federal Medical Dental College Islamabad, he said recognizing the importance of medical profession, the government will not only improve the quality of medical education and training but also promote culture of health research in medical students.
He said university graduation is one of the biggest achievements towards carriers. It is the culmination of one sweet chapter in life and the beginning of another great chapter.
He said the importance of graduation is not only recognizing an important accomplishment, but it is viewed as the gateway to next stage in lives.
“I believe that medical graduates are unique in the sense that regardless of your chosen area of practice, all of you have the opportunity to enrich the lives of those around you. As you embark upon and progress through your careers, I urge you to always remember why you chose your respective field and to serve our communities and improve the quality of life and health of its members with compassion, honesty and integrity.”
He appreciated the parents and teachers of graduates for their patience, understanding, sacrifices and support during these challenging, but rewarding, years at the college.
He said despite challenges, the college faculty has been focusing on good quality education to students within the limited means.
He assured that the problems will be sorted out on urgent basis. He appreciated the remarkable change and improvement curricula and teaching methodology.
The minister said, “We are determined to enhance the importance of research and development throughout doctors’ working lives with special emphasis on the medical academics.”
This can deliver important medical innovations that improve patient care and deliver in the longer term.
“Our patients deserve the best-trained doctors and nurses in the world and this is what our government believes. We will support our doctors to deliver compassionate care through providing them with the training, support and skills they need to take this agenda forward.”
He said it is time to implement vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan that he has struggled for last 22 years.
“We must make all out effort to resolve the problem that had been highlighted and we will bring major improvement in Federal Medical and Dental Collage within one year and will take up the matter of FMDC building with prime minister.”

ISLAMABAD, Sep 17 (APP):Outgoing Canadian High Commissioner to Islamabad Perry John Calderwood Monday said his government was keen to expand bilateral trade and investment relations with Pakistan and has appointed a full time Trade Commissioner in Islamabad, to work closely with the business community for achieving desired objectives.
The Canadian High Commissioner called on Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi here at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The foreign minister appreciated contributions of the outgoing Canadian high commissioner in improvement of Pak-Canada ties and wished him good luck for his future assignment.
Calderwood congratulated Qureshi on assuming office and briefed him about the ongoing Canadian assistance programmes in Pakistan.
Given the potential of bilateral relations the two sides agreed on enhanced engagement at political and senior officials level.

ISLAMABAD, Sep 17 (APP):Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain Monday said 70 vehicles of Prime Minister House had been auctioned above the market price while the remaining bomb proof and bullet proof vehicles classified as protected would be auctioned in the next phase.
Talking to media here at Parliament House, he said it was a successful auction and its objective was to send a message to the public that their elected prime minister was from them and the public money would not be wasted.
He said the government undertook the austerity drive and opened the Governor Houses, adding the public responded well and 25,000 persons visited these places.

ISLAMABAD, Sep 17 (APP):Minister for Petroleum Ghulam Sarwar Khan Monday said gas prices had be increased by 10 to 20 percent for majority of the consumers using 50-200 cubic meter of gas per month, having an impact of less than hundred to few hundred rupees on most of the low income people.
Talking to media along with Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain here outside the Parliament House, he said Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet had approved increase in gas prices and decided to create seven slabs instead of the present three slabs to spread the cost.
He said when the government of Pakistan Muslim League – N was formed in 2013, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC) were in profit but both of them were in deficit of Rs152 billion when the government left.
The minister said the 23 percent consumers used the gas network system and 60 percent consumers used Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) while remaining 17 percent used Kerosene, firewood and cow dung.
He said bill of the 38 percent of the people who were using 50 cubic meter gas per month, would increase from Rs252 to Rs275. Bill of the 28 percent of the people who were consuming 100 cubic meter of the gas, would rise from Rs480 to Rs550. Bill of the 19 percent of the consumers who use 200 cubic meter of the gas, would hike from Rs1,851 to Rs 2214. The new prices would come into effect from October.
The price hike for consumers who use upto 300 cubic meters of gas every month would be 25 percent, while consumers who use upto 400 cubic meters of gas would get a 30 percent increase in their bills.
The minister said the price of LPG cylinder was Rs1,600 and the government would abolish taxes and impose only 10 percent GST to reduce the price of LPG cylinder to Rs1,400.
The gas prices for export sector and zero rated industry including manufacturers of jute, leather, sports goods, textile, carpet, surgical instruments and others would not be increased.
The subsidized LNG worth billions of rupees would be provided to the export oriented industry so that it could remain competitive and millions of people who lost jobs would get back employment in the textile sector, he informed.
Ghulam Sarwar said prices of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) were higher in Punjab as compared to prices in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa so prices in these two provinces would be raised to bring parity.
He assured that hike in gas prices would not be passed on by the electricity companies to the consumers.

ISLAMABAD, Sep 17 (APP):Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Shafqat on Monday said that Pakistan would like to learn from the experiences of china who in spite of huge youth population, different languages and multiple ethnic divisions, introduced uniform education system.
He stated this during a called on meeting with the Chinese delegation led by Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Mr. Yao Jing, a press release said.
Talking to the delegation, Shafqat Mahmood said that Pakistan is facing myriad challenges in education sector and among them are; bringing the 2.5 million out of school children to schools, establishing a uniform education system and curriculum, ensuring quality education and working on the skill development. “I am here to implement the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan regarding the uplift of education in Pakistan and translate that vision into a reality”, he added.
The minister said that education though is a devolved subject but we will take a leadership role, work on the policy framework and will introduce uniform standards and certification in education system. He said, we will provide all out support to the provinces, will facilitate and coordinate with them to enable them to introduce the changes in education system in provinces purely in national Interest and bright future of entire youth. “We would also like the support of China in guiding us on skill and human development”, added the minister.
Shafqat Mahmood, who is also Minister of Heritage Division, told the Chinese delegation that a National Task Force on Heritage is working to look at the heritage buildings and to devise a strategy for them to put them to a better use. “We will do a heritage audit and analysis of all our national heritage sites and buildings to assess their current condition and will invest in these sites to turn them into greatest tourist attractions”. “Pakistan has some of the best heritage sites that if properly developed will become a source of attraction for tourists all around the globe”, Shafqat Mahmood told.
Mr. Yao Jing congratulated the Minister for on his appointment and appreciated the present government’s steps for education and ensured their full support. He informed the Minister that under the CPEC’s economic and development aspect, the Chinese government is working on introducing a social aspect and with that the Chinese government will work for the promotion of health, education, skill and human development and poverty alleviation in Pakistan.
It will be executed as per the wishes of the government and the people of Pakistan but our focus for social aspect will be more on Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other such areas, the Ambassador told. “It may include building schools infrastructure, health facilities, providing more and more scholarships to the Pakistani students and providing skill development trainings”, he added.
The Chinese Ambassador further said China will support the education in Pakistan and we will share our experiences and will guide the present government in introducing the changes in the education system.
He apprised the Minister on how the China shifted to the uniform education system.
Both sides agreed to stay in regular contact and to hold further meetings for the promotion of education.

MARDAN Sept 17 (APP):Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mehmood Khan Monday said the 81 kilometer Swat Expressway was expected to complete by December 2018, which would usher in a new era of socio-economic development of the area.
He expressed these views during his visit to the Swat Expressway project. The expressway will have seven interchanges.
Frontier Works Organization (FWO) officials informed the chief minister that 60 km long section of the expressway had been completed while work on the remaining portions was underway in full swing.
The chief minister said the Swat Expressway was a flagship project of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government that would boost economic and tourism activities, besides providing a comfortable mode of transportation to commuters from Swabi to Chakdarra
He said the provincial government was taking steps to complete Peshawar’s Bus Rapid Transit project, which had suffered delays due to litigation, at the earliest. Work on the BRT project was continuing on fast-track and its main corridor was likely to be completed by December, he added.

ISLAMABAD, Sep 17 (APP):Minister of State for Interior,
Shehryar Khan Afridi Monday assured Pakistan Workers Federation
(PWF) that the government would adopt exemplary measures to
protect rights of workers.
Addressing the concluding session of a two-day Strategy
Workshop: Promoting Labour Standards Compliance in Textile
and Garments Sectors, he said, “Our basic objective would be to
introduce such policies to benefit workers and improve their living
standards.
He said, “Pakistan is our homeland and we need to introduce
such reforms not only to improve our image across the globe but also
ensure development and prosperity.”
He said national security is our priority and there would be
no compromise on it.
The minister while assuring his cooperation to PWF, said
he would raise voice for their rights at any forums.
Besides others, Central General Secretary, Pakistan
Workers Federation (PWF), Chaudhry Muhammad Yaqoob, Central
Organizer PWC, Zahoor Awan, Aslam Wafa and Abdul Qadir,
Program Coordinator and Advisor, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES)
Pakistan also shared their views on various aspects of working of
trade unions in Pakistan and the overall situation of workers’ rights
in the country.
The workers’ leaders were of view that the textile and the
garment sectors were the largest sectors of the economy with
largest number of employees and workers but unfortunately, the
exploited sector of the country as well.
They added that almost 40% of all industrial workers in
Pakistan are linked with textile industry whereas their
contribution in overall exports is 62 %.
Therefore, the representatives said they are facing
numerous challenges that do not auger well for the sector which
is an important part of global value chain.

LAHORE, Sep 17 (APP):Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman
Buzdar has said that the government is the custodian of every
penny of the nation, adding that a culture of austerity and
simplicity is being promoted in the province.
The resources conserved due to simplicity will be utilised
on public welfare because a nation that is already in debt
cannot afford heavy expenses.
In a statement issued here on Tuesday, the chief minister
said that every step of the government is taken for public
welfare and the people would soon notice their country fast
moving towards development and prosperity.
A new and prosperous society will be constituted by
materialising the dream of change, he added. He said that
composite development as well as provision of basic necessities
of life to all people is a priority agenda of the government
and a comprehensive strategy had been adopted to implement
the 100-day plan.
He said that work had been started to introduce holistic
reforms in different sectors including health and education
and the benefits of change would be devolved to grassroots.
Now, Pakistan will earn a position of respect and honor in the
comity of nations and the green passport will be respected
everywhere.
He said that survival of the country lies in the construction
of new dams and the passion with which people are giving
donations is praiseworthy. People will soon realise positive
change in the new Pakistan, the chief minister concluded.

ISLAMABAD, Sep 17 (APP):Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Khusro Bakhtiar has rejected the statement of PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal regarding cut in finance bill of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Talking to a private news channel on Monday, he said CPEC is a long term plan having great potential for economic growth of Pakistan.
The Minister said the government wants investment of other countries in the CPEC including Germany, Japan and Korea. He said the prime focus of the government is to revamp economy, create employment opportunities and boost manufacturing base in the country

ISLAMABAD, Sep 17 (APP):President Dr Arif Alvi Monday said the information and communication technology holds the key for future development of the country.
He said this while talking to Abid Zaidi, Microsoft Country Manager who called on him at the State Guest House, Karachi. Member Provincial Assembly of Sindh Rabia Azfar was also present on the occasion, a press release issued by the President Media Wing here said.
The president emphasized that proper utilization of modern technology will improve the performance of ministries/departments of the government and would help in efficient public service delivery.
He underlined the need for the promotion of research and education in this field. The president also welcomed the offer of Country Manager Microsoft to digitalize the Senate and National Assembly of Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD, Sep 17 (APP):An unprecedented auction of 102 vehicles Monday attracted large crowd of enthusiastic auto fans to the PM House, adding around Rs 200 million to the national kitty; however the most expensive lot of 21 luxury cars was postponed till correction of a tax anomaly.
Prime Minister Imran Khan in his first address to the nation on August 19, had announced the austerity drive and vowed to cut down on government expenses. He initiated the campaign by announcing auction of excess luxury and other vehicles used by the PM House. The federal cabinet later endorsed the decision of the prime minister and gave the formal go ahead.
The day-long auction on the rear grounds of the PM House, that once was used to as a polo ground, saw the sale of 61 vehicles including six protected vehicles. The auction of 21 armoured vehicles would be held at a later date owing to the higher rates of taxes imposed by the FBR. Around 20 low priced vehicles got a low bid and were not auctioned.
The buyers, hailing from all over Pakistan said though the prices of some vehicles were higher than the market value, still they were pleased to add in their share to the national cause. The authorities decided to auction the high value cars at a later date to adjust the rate of taxes imposed, after objections were raised by the buyers who said these were valued wrongly.
Muhammad Asif, the General Staff Officer of the Prime Minister Office said these vehicles would be offered again for auction, after re-evaluation of taxes and Prime Minister’s approval. He said the vehicles that were auctioned were sold at a good price, some even fetched a price even higher than the market value.
Some of the top of the line protected cars have been placed at a price as high as over Rs 160 million, while the buyers insisted these could be acquired for Rs 110 million.
The protected vehicle line-up of black, white and sliver luxury cars included three 7600cc BMW 760Li cars (2014 model) and three 5000 cc X-5 SUVs (2016), two Maybach S-600 and two S-600L Mercedes 6000 cc (2016), ten S-300 Mercedes cars, jeeps and a stretched limousine (2005), besides seven Land Cruisers V-8 and Lexus (2005-2015).
The remaining non-protected vehicles included Honda Civic, City, Toyota Corolla, Mitsubishi, Cherokee and Nissan jeeps, Suzuki cars and a Hino bus. Three of the vehicles were of 1986 model, while nine, including BMW, Maybach and Mercedes are of 2016 model.
The buyers hailing from all over Pakistan were excited to be able to inspect and bid for vehicles used by several former prime ministers including Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Mohammad Nawaz Sharif, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, Shaukat Aziz and Mir Zafarullah Jamali. Many of the vehicles were also used for foreign dignitaries who visited Pakistan.
The official account of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in a Tweet about the auction said it was “A reminder that all this recovery will go back into serving the people of Pakistan under PM Austerity Drive. It is these efforts that will add up to a revolution in leadership mindset in Pakistan.”
One of the 2005 model armoured Mercedes Jeep fetched the government Rs 14.5 million, while another 4600 cc Land Cruiser V8, 2015 model brought Rs 27.4 million.
According to the terms for the auction the successful bidders had to pay 25% of the amount as earnest money and deposit rest of the amount within seven days. The successful buyers would have to get the vehicle registered in their name, while the delivery of the protected vehicles would be conditional to the No Objection Certificate from the Ministry of Interior.

ISLAMABAD, Sep 17 (APP):Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Noor ul Haq Qadri Monday said International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) was providing quality education to the young minds in light of Islamic teachings.
He said this during a meeting with a delegation of International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI), according to a press release. He also hailed IIUI for its services to Muslim world.
Matters pertaining to religious education and role of educational institutions for maintaining peace and stability in the society were discussed in the meeting.
The IIUI Delegation was comprised of Rector IIUI Dr Masoom yasinzai, President IIUI Dr Ahmed Yousif Al-Draiweesh, Director General Islamic Research Institute (IRI) Dr Muhammad Zia ul Haq, and Executive Director Iqbal International Institute for Research and Dialogue Dr Husn ul Amin.
He assured of full cooperation to university in the matters related to the ministry especially religious education.
IIUI rector and president, while felicitating the minister on assuming his duties briefed him about university vision and activities.
They maintained educational institutions play significant role to curb the challenge of violence and IIUI was committed for the cause by nurturing young minds. The IIUI leadership reiterated his resolve that it would keep playing its role for creating a milieu of peace in the country.
On this occasion, Dr Al-Draiweesh also apprised him about university’s initiative of Paigham e Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD, Sep 17 (APP):Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday said finally the doors of Lahore Governor House were open to the people of Pakistan. “…Symbols of colonial rule come crashing down. Our nation will become invincible when our  people own their government,” the Prime Minister said in a tweet posted on his twitter handle.
Prime Minister Khan in his tweet also posted a picture showing a large number of general
public entering the Governor House, Lahore.