LAHORE, May 23 (APP): A delegation of Chinese companies, China Railway and NORINKO working on Lahore Orange Line Metro Train project called on Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at Chief Minister’s Office, on Monday where matters regarding progress of the project were discussed in the meeting.

The Chief Minister gave approval to the design of Lahore Orange Line Metro Train project.

Speaking on the occasion, Shehbaz Sharif said that Lahore Orange Line Metro Train was of vital importance for provision of modern transport facilities to the masses and the project was being implemented speedily.

He said that people of Pakistan could never forget that gift of Chinese government and leadership.

Provincial Ministers Rana Sanaullah Khan, Bilal Yasin, Dr. Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Pervaiz Malik MNA, Members Provincial Assembly, Khawaja Ahmed Hasaan, Chief Secretary, MD Punjab Mass Transit Authority and concerned officials were present on the occasion.

The delegation included Deputy General Manager China Railway-NORINKO Liu Dongyang and other senior officials of the Chinese companies.

ISLAMABAD, May 23 (APP): The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would help exploit the great trade potential existing between the two neighboring and friendly countries, China and Pakistan.

The Business community of twin cities of Rawalpind and Islamabad have been striving hard to boost the trade relations between the two countries and has been organizing trade events to tap this potential.

The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), recently organized ‘China Week’ at its premises, which was inaugurated by Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong.

ISLAMABAD, May 23 (APP): The major chunk of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) energy projects’ investment would go to Sindh province, wherein as many as $12.461 billion would be spent on development of various energy projects to overcome power shortage.

In total, as many as $34.570 billion would be spent on the development of energy sector all across the country under CPEC to develop power plants, coal mines, power transmission lines, LNG and other infrastructure.

This investment would result in generation of 17,045 Megawatt electricity through development of power projects, official source told APP.

ISLAMABAD, May 23 (APP): Minister of State for Capital Administration & Development Division (CA&DD), Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry Monday said that under the Polyclinic Extension project, a 1200 bed facility state of the art hospital is proposed to be built.

Chairing a meeting of steering committee on Polyclinic Extension Project, he said that this hospital would have world class medical facilities for common man.

ISLAMABAD, May 23 (APP): A meeting of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) was held here Monday and discussed the issue of Direct To Home (DTH) and constituted a sub committee of the Authority to examine all relevant documents and submit report.

The sub committee would submit its recommendations in the next meeting of the Authority schedluded to be held on June 1,2016 to formulate its strategy about DTH in the light of recommendations.

The Authority also approved the decision to suspend the Neo
TV transmission from May 16 at 4 p.m if the imposed fine Rs 100,000 was not paied and apoloty was not tendered by the management of the channel for airing derogatory remarks for Pakistani nation by a model namely Qandeel Baloch in a programme “Ajeeb Sa”.

The Authority also approved distribution rights of CCTV News and CCTV 9 documentary in Pakistan given to a Pakistani Television Foundation. Pakistani viewers would be able to watch transmission of official television channel of China and it would helpful in further strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries Pakistan and China.

The Authority also granted approval to ARY (Pvt) Ltd for
change of ARY Zinagi category from cooking to entertainment channel.

The Authority also renewed the licences of non commercial
radio licences of National University of Modern Languages, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Allama Iqbal Open University, University of Karachi, Lahore College for Women University, Islamia University Bahawalur, Bahauddin Zakria University Multan and Gomal University D I Khan.

Chairman PEMRA Absar Alam presided over the meeting and attended among others by Secretary Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Imran Gardezi, Chairman Federal Board of Revenue Nisar Muhammad Khan, Chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Dr Ismail Shah, Shaheen Habibllah and Nargis Nasir.

ISLAMABAD, May 23 (APP): Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM) had benefitted over 832,858 deserving persons through its various people friendly programmes, Managing Director Barrister Abid Waheed Sheikh said on Monday.

Talking to APP, he said the deserving had been benefitted from individual financial assistance, medical aid, education,etc.

PBM is determined to provide wheel chair to each disable person. Special persons are also being provided white canes and hearing aid.

ISLAMABAD, May 23 (APP): Chairman, Board of Investment (BOI) Dr. Miftah Ismail has said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project was a gift for Pakistan and it would bring economic prosperity in the country.

While talking to Radio Pakistan, he termed the CPEC, a gigantic milestone in the history of Pak-China relations which would help a lot to meet energy shortage in Pakistan.

CPEC project would provide a shortest way to China to reach Arabian Sea, whereas it would boost up our economy by providing massive employment opportunities, the chairman added.

ISLAMABAD, May 23 (APP): Shab-e-Barat, the night of reverence, fervour and divine blessings for the Muslims was observed across the country on Sunday night.

Faithful offered night-long special prayers, while various gatherings included Mahafil-e-Na’at were also arranged in mosques to mark the holy night and win divine blessings.

Ulema and religious scholars in their sermons highlighted the true teachings of Islam and various aspects of the life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).  The houses, streets and especially mosques were decorated with colorful pennants and bunting which are Illuminated at nights.

ISLAMABAD, May 23 (APP): A sub-committee of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat will meet here tomorrow (Tuesday) to review the performance of legal department of Capital Department Authority and completion of road between Sector G-1 and G-11.

The meeting will be chaired by Malik Ibrar Ahmed, MNA while its members include Seema Mohiuddin Jameeli and Nighat Parveen Mir.

ISLAMABAD, May 23 (APP): Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab Ahmed on Monday said that democratic system is the only system where all institutions get power and guidance from the Parliament.

In an interview to APP, after welcome ceremony at ministry of Parliamentary Affairs here, he said Opposition and Parliament are at same page for the progress and prosperity of the country.

He said opposition and government’s difference of opinion is
part of democracy and PML N respects the suggestions of opposition for the sake of national interest.Prosperity of democracy is common cause of both opposition and government.