ISLAMABAD, April 24 (APP): Minister for information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Peraiz Rashid Sunday said Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan was nothing but a “political beggar” in public view.
Imran Khan could not transform his “Tehreek-e-Ilzam” into a real democratic Tehreek-e-Insaf even after lapse of 20 years since the party was formed, he said in a statement here.
He said the people of Punjab hated Imran Khan as he persistently criticized the provincial government for launching development projects.
Imran nothing but a 'political beggar': Pervaiz
Pessimism, intolerance mark Imran's speech: Saad Rafique
LAHORE, Apr 24 (APP): Federal Minister for Pakistan Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique has said that the Imran Khan’s address, on the occasion of foundation Day of PTI, was marked by pessimism, lies and intolerance.
In a statement issued here on Sunday, the minister said it is a pity that PTI Chairman Imran Khan failed to give any constructive road-map to PTI workers on party’s foundation day.
PML-N senior leader said the only target of Imran Khan is to obliterate PML-N and to wield power for himself by hook or by crook.
Honest to welcome, dishonest to reject commission: Pervaiz Rashid
LAHORE, April 24 (APP): Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid Sunday said the commission on Panama Papers Leaks was a litmus test of character as the honest would welcome it and the dishonest would reject it to save themselves and their companions.
Speaking at `Meet the Press’ alongside Barrister Zafarullah Khan here at the Lahore Press Club (LPC), he said Imran Khan’s refusal to accept the commission was the victory of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. Had Imran Khan’s companions not been involved in corruption cases, he would not have refused to accept the Terms of Reference
(ToRs) of the commission on Panama Papers, he added.
To a query, the Information Minister said most of the investors of Imran Khan’s political campaign and `fun-fairs’ were involved in different scams like the EOBI, graveyard land and writing-off loans.
Imran's speech disappointed nation
ISLAMABAD, Apr 24 (APP): Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad
Rafique Sunday said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan’s speech disappointed the nation which was based on lies and cunningness.
Talking to a news channel, he said,”I thought that Imran Khan would give future strategy and visionary statement during his speech on party foundation day ‘Youm-e-Tasees’.”
He lauded Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif announcement of forming a judicial commission under the Chief Justice of Supreme Court on Panama Papers.
Sharmeen says Pakistan women making progress despite challenges
CHICAGO, Apr 24 (APP): Pakistani women are doing very well despite the immense social challenges they are facing, renowned filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy has said.
Speaking at an event held in her honour, she said the recent achievements of mountaineer Samina Baig, Nobel laureate Malala Yusufzai and outstanding performance of the Pakistani women team in the recent Cricket World Cup reflected the progress Pakistani women are making.
Organized by the Skinless Project in collaboration with The Citizens Archives Project of Pakistan, the event attracted people from all walks of life, including members of the Pakistani-American community.
Commission can summon from peon to President: Barrister Zafarullah
LAHORE, Apr 24 (APP): Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Human Rights Barrister Zafarullah Khan Sunday said that the Terms of Reference (ToR) of the commission of Panama Papers were comprehensive and the commission could summon a peon to the President for investigations or witness.
Underlining legal aspects of the ToR at `Meet the Press’ programme alongside Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid at the Lahore Press Club, he said the commission, set up under 1956 law, would look into different issues including the illegalities of offshore companies, commissions, kickbacks and cases of written off loans.
Barrister Zafarullah said the commission was set up to investigate Pakistani citizens, people of Pakistan origin abroad and legal entities, partnerships and offshore companies, besides public office-holders who were involved in cases of commission, kickbacks and written off loans.
Govt. to continue supporting writers
ISLAMABAD, Apr 24 (APP): President Mamnoon Hussain has said that Pakistani writers and their works were gaining international recognition and assured that the government would continue supporting their endeavours.
He said intellectuals and writers played an important role in identifying and addressing various social ills afflicting a society, besides contributing in its intellectual and moral growth.
The President was speaking at a ceremony arranged for intellectuals, writers and academicians here at Aiwan-e-Sadr who attended the 7th National Book Day Festival.
Pak-Saudia enjoy time tested bilateral relations: Ahsan
ISLAMABAD, Apr 24 (APP): Pakistan, Saudi Arabia enjoy time-tested, eternal bilateral relations as the countrymen considered Saudi Arabia as Pakistan’s “most strategic friendliest country, Minister for Planning, Development and reform Prof Ahsan Iqbal said on Sunday.
Talking to high-level Saudi delegation, led by Prince Turki Al Faisal, during his visit to Saudi Arabia, the minister said Prince Saud Al Faisal was “Great Friend of Pakistan.”
Prof Ahsan Iqbal also lauded the services of Prince Saud Al Faisal as Foreign Minister of KSA, which will always be remembered. He was of the view that late Prince Saud Al Faisal was a “Great Friend of Pakistan”.
PM to inaugurate Hazara Motorway 2nd phase on April 28: Sardar Yousuf
ABBOTTABAD, April 24 (APP): Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf Sunday said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would visit Mansehra on April 28 to inaugurate the second phase of Motorway and Sui Gas supply project for Oghi Tehsil.
Addressing a public gathering at Milad Chowk Oghi, the minister said the Prime Minister would also address a public gathering at the Hazara University ground Mansehra.
Speaking on the occasion, President PML-N Youth Wing Captain (Retd) Muhammad Safdar said the federal government had started many mega projects worth billions of rupees in Hazara division.
Rs 1m award in name of Intezar Hussain every year: Irfan Siddique
ISLAMABAD, Apr 24 (APP): Advisor to the Prime Minister on National
History and Literary Heritage Division Irfan Siddique Sunday announced
Rs 1 million award in the name of famous literary figure Intezar Hussain
every year to acknowledge his great services in the field of literature.
A committee consisting of poets and writers had been constituted to decide the name who would be given the award in view of his or her
services in the field, he told the concluding ceremony of a three-day National Book Day festival here at Pak China Friendship Center.
Irfan Siddiqui said the government would establish a translation
centre here to provide a facility to literary people.
Light rain-thunderstorm expected at few places in Malakand, Hazara divisions
ISLAMABAD, Apr 24 (APP): Light rain-thunderstorm is expected at a
few places in Malakand, Hazara divisions, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir and its adjoining hilly areas, however hot and dry conditions will grip most parts of the country during next 24 hours.
Low pressure area lies over South Punjab and adjoining upper Sindh.
Continental air is prevailing over most parts of country whereas a shallow westerly trough is also prevailing over extreme northern parts of the country and likely to persist 2 to 3 days.
An official of Met office told APP, hot weather likely to prevail in
Karachi during next 2 days.
NBF launches famous novel `Adhya Hudray khawab' at Book fair
ISLAMABAD, Apr 24 (APP): National Book Foundation (NBF) has launched famous Urdu fiction (Novel) `Adhya Hudray Khawab’ written by renowned educationist Prof. Dr. Shahid Siddiqui at a national book fair at Pak-China Center.
The writer presented a story of an ideal teacher and suggested a better mood of teaching through his literary skillful writing in a most impressive way.
He linked education with society while highlighting characters of teacher and a student, with some beautiful description and phrases, said eminent writers and poets Prof. Fateh Muhammad Malik, Muhamad Hameed Shahid and Dr. Sughra Sadaf while commenting on the novel.
Let's Transform; a plausible initiative by Iqra University to promote education
By Muhammad Atif Noor
ISLAMABAD, Apr 24 (APP): With less than 2.7 per cent of GDP being spent on education, Pakistan is spending least on the sector in comparison to 26 nations which are poorer than the country which is a real concern to address.
Education’s condition is despicable throughout the country having literacy rate of 58% with huge gender disparity. According to reports, 43% literacy rate is noticed in females while less than 3% females know how to read in FATA.
Punjab is leading all Provinces with 60% literacy rate while Balochistan has the least rate of 41% with a lot of infrastructural problems such as washrooms, classrooms and ghost schools etc.
Prime Minister has set unique precedent of self-accountabilty : Asif
SIALKOT, April 24 (APP): Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad
Asif on Sunday said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had set a unique
precedent of self-accountability by announcing establishment of a
judicial commission.
Talking to the newsmen at PML-N House here, he said it was for the first time in the country that a prime minister had come forward for his accountability.
He said the PML-N government did take a good and prudent decision of writing a letter to the Supreme Court for early establishment of a judicial commission.
Mansoor proposes to add Champions Trophy with GHL
ISLAMABAD, April 24 (APP): Former skipper national hockey team Olympian Mansoor Ahmed has urged Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) to strive for amendment of the new proposed Global Hockey League’s (GHL) name instead of asking the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to ascend its plan.
“I think the time has passed now. It won’t be possible for the FIH to change its plan.
But Pakistan can plead its case in another way, asking the world hockey governing body to name the GHL as GHL Champions Trophy or Global Champions Trophy League to recognize Pakistan’s services,” Mansoor told APP.
Yasir, Aqeel, two others reach CAS Khyber Open Tennis q-finals
PESHAWAR, April 24 (APP): Pakistan No. 1 Aqeel Khan, Yasir Khan, Mudassir Murtaza, Muzammil Murtaza, Usman Rafique, Muhammad Abid, Heera Ashaq and Shehzad Khan took berth into the quarter-finals of the 35th Chief of the Air Staff Tennis Championship being played here at Officer Mess on Sunday.
Pakistan No. 1 Adeel Khan who is also defending the title for the 12th consecutive years, defeated promising Barkat Ullah by 6-2 and 6-2 in a thrilling match. Barkat Ullah have some key shorts against his strong rival and Davis Cupper Aqeel Khan but overall Aqeel Khan dominated the proceedings.
In the second pre-quarter-final Muhammad Murtaza defeated Abbas Khan by 6-1 and 6-4 to reach the quarter-final. Muhammad Murtaza dominated the match and did not give much time to Abbas Khan to settle down.
Finance Minister approves incentive grant for provinces
ISLAMABAD, Apr 24 (APP): Finance Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar has approved release of Rs 2,214.5 million incentive grant for immediate apportionment among the provinces for the October-December quarter of current fiscal year 2015-16.
As approved, Punjab will receive Rs 574.6 million, Sindh Rs 440.7 million, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rs 411.3 million, while Baluchistan’s share is Rs 787.9 million, said a statement here Sunday.
It may be recalled that the Council of Common Interests on July 31, 2013 had decided that the provinces will be allowed rate of return on their surpluses at the rate of latest T-Bills rate, maintained for a minimum of three months.
Industries Ministry asked to prepare Special Ramadan Package
ISLAMABAD, Apr 24 (APP): Finance Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar has asked the Ministry of Industries and Production to prepare Special Ramzan Package.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance here on Sunday, the minister has asked for submitting the package for consideration of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet within ten days.
In this regard a letter has been sent to the Secretary, Industries and Production, it added.
Khawaja Asif holds open court
SIALKOT, April 24 (APP): Federal Minister for Defence, Water and Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif held an open court at the PML-N’s House here on Sunday.
He listened to problems of people besides issuing orders on various applications for an urgent compliance to provide early relief to applicants.
MPAs Ch Muhammad Ikram, Manshaullah Butt, PML-N Youth Wing Sialkot District president Muhammad Farooq Ghuman, Sheikh Hassan Arif, PML-N Women Wing Sialkot president Nusrat Jamshaid Malik and Mehmoodul Hassan were also present.
OP send US $ 83,792 million foreign exchange from July 2010 till date
ISLAMABAD, Apr 24 (APP): Pakistan has received valuable foreign exchange of US $ 83792.11 million from Overseas Pakistanis (OP) during the last five fiscal years and the three quarters of the current year.
The year wise break up of this huge amount reveals that US $ 11200.90 million were received in the fiscal year 2010-11, US $ 13186.58 million in 2011-12, US $ 13920.16 million in 2012-13, US $ 15,832.25 million in 2013-14, US $ 18454.04 million 2014-15 and US $ 11,198.18 till now in the current fiscal year, an official source told APP.
According to the data received to the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development from State Bank of Pakistan, the highest contribution was received from Saudi Arabia from which a total amount of US $ 24179.73 million has been received in the said period.