ISLAMABAD, Apr 25 (APP): Minister of State for Board of
Investment Dr Mifta Ismail met here Monday with the Ex Chairman Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Mushtaq Malik along with the CEO of a French Company ENGIE Raphael Colas and discussed the prospects of setting up solar projects/plants in Punjab.
Minister of State Mifta Ismail said that government is
planning to set up a 1000MW capacity of Solar plants in Quaid e Azam Solar Park, 300MW has already been installed in that.
Sindh also has some similar plans regarding alternative
energy.
Setting up of solar projects in Punjab discussed
Dar-ul-Tarjuma to be set up for promotion of Urdu
ISLAMABAD, April 25 (APP): The government on Monday decided to establish ‘Dar-ul-Tarjuma’ for the promotion of national language and translation of selected international literature in Urdu.
The decision was taken in a meeting held here at National
History and Literary Heritage (NH&LG) Division with Advisor
to Prime Minister on NH&LG Irfan Siddiqui in the chair.
Senior officials of NH&LH and Pakistan Academy of Letters
(PAL) briefed the Advisor on the legal and technical issues of
the Dar-ul-Tarjuma.
Panama leaks issue aimed at disturbing economic agenda :Ahsan Iqbal
ISLAMABAD, April 25 (APP): Federal Minister Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal on Monday said that Panama Papers leak aimed at disturbing the economic agenda of the country after present government steered the country out of economic crisis to move towards economic stability during the last two and a half years.
In a statement, Ahsan Iqbal said PTI Chief Imran Khan was
creating hurdles in the way of this economic agenda without realizing the heavy price country might pay in terms of economic losses.
He noted that Imran Khan’s protest against present government carries no weight after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif wrote to Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) for constitution of judicial commission to probe into Panama leaks.
NA Speaker visits PR headquarters
LAHORE, Apr 25 (APP): National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq Monday visited Pakistan Railways headquarters and also met Federal Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique.
PML-N Lahore President Pervaiz Malik MNA also participated
in the meeting.
Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and MNA Pervaiz Malik were briefed about various ongoing development projects of the Railways.
Korean ambassador pays farewell call on Shehbaz Sharif
LAHORE, April 25 (APP): Korean Ambassador to Pakistan Song Jong-Hwan paid a farewell call on Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, here on Monday.
Matters of mutual interest, promotion of bilateral ties and cooperation in social sectors were discussed on the occasion.
The Chief Minister expressed good wishes for the Korean diplomat.
Saad directs to expedite work on upgradation of railway stations
LAHORE, April 25 (APP): Federal Minister for Pakistan Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique on Monday directed the authorities concerned to expedite the work for upgradation of railway stations.
He directed this while presiding over a meeting at Railways
Headquarters, which discussed matters related to the upgradation of railway stations.
It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan Railways was working with National Engineering Services Pakistan (Pvt) Limited (NESPAK) on the railway stations upgradation.
UNMOGIP chief visits Gyari, lays wreath at shahuda monument
ISLAMABAD, Apr 25 (APP): Chief of United Nations Military
Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) Maj Gen Delali Johnson Sakyi on Monday visited Gyari sector in Siachin.
The UNMOGIP chief laid wreath at Gyari shahuda monument during his visit.
On April 7, 2012 over 120 soldiers of Pakistan army besides
civilians had lost their lives as result of avalanche struck the
base camp in the area.
Pakistan to continue supporting Kashmir casue: Raja Zafarul Haq
ISLAMABAD, April 25 (APP): Leader of the House in Senate
Raja Muhammad Zafarul Haq on Monday said Pakistan would
continue to extend moral, diplomatic and political support to
Kashmiri people for their unprecedented struggle for right to self-determination in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.
He was addressing a seminar which was organized by All
Parties Hurriyat Conference here.
He said the PML-N government wanted meaningful and result-oriented dialogue to resolve the Kashmir issue peacefully.
COAS reaches Jordan; meets country's leadership; decorated with most prestigious award
RAWALPINDI April 25 (APP): Chief of Army Staff General
Raheel Sharif arrived in Jordan on a two days official visit,
ISPR news release stated here.
The COAS was given unprecedented reception on his arrival at Jordan and was received by Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, Jordanian Armed Forces, Gen Mashal Al-Zaben and Chief of Royal Jordanian Air Force, Major General Mansour AlJobour.
Later, the COAS met Prince Al-Hassan bin Talal and also called on Chief of Royal Jordanian Air Force, Major General
Mansour AlJobour.
Pak Ambassador to Lebanon presents his credentials to Cyprus President
ISLAMABAD, Apr 25 (APP): Aftab Ahmad Khokher, Pakistan’s
Ambassador to Lebanon, who is also concurrently accredited to the Republic of Cyprus, presented his credentials to Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades in a traditional ceremony held at the presidential palace in Nicosia.
Foreign Minister of Cyprus Ioannis Kasoulides and Chief of
Protocol Marious Kountaurides were also present at the ceremony, a message received here Monday from Beirut said.
Following the ceremony, Ambassador Khokher held a meeting with the Cyprus President and conveyed greetings from the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan. The Foreign Minister also attended the meeting.
France, Pakistan relations to be further strengthened: Envoy
SIALKOT, April 25 (APP):- Ambassador of France to Pakistan Martine Dorance on Monday said that France and Pakistan were enjoying high cordial relations since long and would be further strengthened with passage of time.
Addressing executive body members of Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) she said, “We are making adequate efforts for extending full cooperation and support to Pakistan in various fields.”
She underscored the need of collective efforts for enhancing the volume
of bilateral trade between the two friendly countries.
Saudi Arabia wants CPEC’s extention to Red Sea, Africa
ISLAMABAD, April 25 (APP): Saudi Arabian Minister for Economic Planning Engineer Adil Al Faqih on Monday said that his country was keen to work with Pakistan and China and desired that the mega project of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) should be extended to Red Sea and Africa.
He was talking to Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal in Riyadh, said a message received here from Saudi Arabia.
The two sides discussed economic cooperation between the two countries.
Two-week drama workshop starts at PNCA
ISLAMABAD, Apr 25 (APP): Two-week drama training workshop arranged by Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA), Repertory Theatre started here on Monday.
The workshop is conducting, renowned Drama Director Salma Dilawar Mir at PNCA Lecture Hall.
Students from different universities is participating in two weeks workshop.
Pakistan economy grows despite challenges: Indicators show
ISLAMABAD, April 25 (APP): Despite challenges, Pakistan’s economy continued to pick up in the first three quarters of current fiscal year (July-March 2015-16), as reform and stabilization measures resulted in higher foreign exchange reserves, low inflation, low fiscal deficit as compared to same period of last fiscal year.
“The majority of economic indicators are positive and are showing marked improvement during the first nine months of current financial year,” Ministry of Finance sources told APP.
Giving details about various performing indicators, the sources said that Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) during July-March 2015-16 had collected a provisional revenue of Rs 2,103 billion as compared to Rs 1,753 billion realized during the same period of last fiscal year, showing a growth of around 20 per cent.
KP Men win gold as girl takes bronze medal in squash in Quaid-e-Azam Games
PESHAWAR, Apr 25 (APP): Khyber Men grabbed gold medal as Komal win bronze medal in the ongoing First Quaid-e-Azam National Youth Games being played at Jinnah Sports Complex on Monday.
Mehran Javed won individual gold medal after defeating Nouman of Sindh in the final while Asghar Khalil got bronze medal. Komal on the other hand won bronze medal when she was beaten by Zarab Khan in the third position match.
Mehran Javed recorded victory against Nouman in a marathon five sets battle, the score was 11-9, 7-11, 11-9, 11-13 and 11-9. In the women Team event Khyber Pakhtunkhwa marched into semi-final after recording victory against Gilgit-Baltistan in their first match. Asgha Khan beat Amamd Fareed by 3-0 in the third position match.
Sacrifices of Pakistani soldiers at Gallipoli remembered on ANZAC Day
ISLAMABAD, April 25 (APP): The sacrifice and service of Pakistani servicemen attached to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) in the 1915 Gallipoli campaign were remembered here at a Service at the Australian High Commission.
The day also saw the first contingent of former Pakistan Servicemen march in the ANZAC Day parades in Australia’s national capital Canberra, state capitals Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, and the NSW regional city of Armidale.
The event at the Australian High commission was attended by Director General Artillery Major General Farhan Akhtar, who accompanied the members of 7 Mountain Artillery Brigade, that were attached to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) in the 1915 Gallipoli campaign.
Shahnaz wants Pakistan hockey fraternity to sit together for CT
ISLAMABAD, April 25 (APP): Former Olympian Shahnaz Sheikh wants the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and former Olympians to sit-together and chalk-out a strategy for persuading the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to review its plan on scrapping the Champions Trophy (CT).
Talking to APP, Shahnaz asked PHF to hold a seminar for developing a consensus to press FIH abandon its plan of doing away with the Champions Trophy.
“All the former Olympians are concerned at the FIH’s decision to scrap this prestigious event. I think we need to hold a seminar to convince the FIH that this event has a long history and its abolishment will only have negative effects on the game of hockey,” he said.
Hasil Bizenjo endorses formation of Judicial Commission
ISLAMABAD April 25 (APP): Senator Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo Monday showing complete faith in the Prime Minister fully endorsed his decision of formation of a Judicial Commission.
Mir Hasil Bizenjo who called on called on Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif here at PM House lauded the leadership of Prime Minister for initiating massive infrastructure development projects and welfare schemes for the residents of Balochistan.
Mir Hasil Bizenjo said under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the consolidation of gains made through revival of peace and security in the Province has started.
Nisar in London, to hold important meetings
ISLAMABAD, April 25 (APP): Minister for Interior, Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan will hold meeting with his British counterpart, Theresa May in London on Tuesday to discuss situation relating to regional security.
The Minister, who has reached London after attending a Special Session of United Nations General Assembly on World Drug Problem (UNGASS) in United States, will also discuss matters relating to bilateral Pak-United Kingdom ties and ways and means to further strengthen them.
According to a message received here on Monday, Ch. Nisar would address British Think Tanks at International Institute for Strategic Studies and highlight security situation in Pakistan, sacrifices rendered by people and Pakistan Armed forces in fighting against terrorism.
Food imports up by 2.68 percent in 3 quarters
ISLAMABAD, April 25 (APP): The food imports into the country increased by 2.68 percent during the first three quarters of the current fiscal year compared to the corresponding period of last year.
The food imports into the country during July-March (2015-16) were recorded at $3.983 compared to the imports of $3.835 million during July-March (2014-15), according to latest data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
During the period under review, the imports of milk, cream and milk food increased by 2.44 percent, from $188.655 million to $193.254 million.