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.
NBF launches famous novel `Adhya Hudray khawab' at Book fair
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.
PC-I of National Museum Project still awaits approval
ISLAMABAD, April 24 (APP): The PC-I for the project of establishing national level museum at Shakarparian to store the rare artifacts ruining at one or other place is still awaiting the approval from concerned authorities.
The artifacts retrieved from different historical places and recoveries made by the Customs were housed at the floors and almirahs in different small rooms of the Department of Archaeology and Museums (DOAM) due to lack of space at Sir Syed Memorial Museum Hall, an official of DOAM said.
Talking to APP, the official said these antiquities included unique sculptures of Buddhist era, clay utensils, guns of British era, oil lamps, jewellery boxes, mother goddess sculptures, lantern, handwritten Holy Quran scripts and many others.
UAE completes 12 water supply projects in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, Apr 24 (APP): The UAE Pakistan Assistance Programme, UAE PAP, has announced the completion and delivery of 12 water projects, costing more than $1.2 million, for the provision of clean drinking water to people living in 12 villages in Mohmand Agency and North Waziristan.
This is in implementation of the directives of the President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and the follow-up of Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Khaleej Times reported.
The projects are part of the second phase of the UAE PAP’s water assistance plan for Pakistan to support people there and contribute to the development of its regions and cities by providing modern developmental facilities.
CPEC to benefit three billion people through enhanced regional connectivity
By Muhammad Asghar
ISLAMABAD, Apr 24 (APP): China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a trans-regional project, would benefit three billion people of the region through enhanced regional connectivity with Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces of the country to play instrumental role integrating the whole region.
It is a 15 years long project to be completed in 2030 with special focus on infrastructure development, Gwadar Sea Port, Energy and Industrial Cooperation.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit to China in 2013. The ground breaking and launching of the projects under CPEC were held during the recent visit of Chinese President, Xi Jinping to Pakistan.
NHA taking steps to control fatal accidents on N-55
ISLAMABAD, April 24 (APP): National Highway Authority (NHA) has been taking steps to further improve the condition of Indus Highway (N-55) from Kohat to Lakki Marwat to control fatal accidents.
An official of the NHA told APP Sunday that about 78-km portion of the Kohat-Lakki Marwat 78-km are between good to fair condition whereas, about 57-km portion in very poor to poor state.
He said that fatal accidents happen at two locations Speena Mor, and Karappa Bridge.
Usage of clay-made coolers gaining momentum in summer
By Mudassar Iqbal
ISLAMABAD, April 24 (APP): Clay pottery is making a comeback with a vengeance, especially as a fancy substitute for water dispensers.
With style introduced in clay pottery industry along with its traditional touch and the added health benefits, people, particularly from middle and upper middle class, have started using clay-made utensils on large scale particularly for water storage.
The scientifically proven harmful effects of silver, steel and plastic crockery have also contributed in surge of clay-pots’ usage and sale in successive years.
Nawaz Sharif envisions region’s peace linked with socio-economic development
By Shafek Koreishi
ISLAMABAD, Apr 24 (APP): Resolution of Kashmir dispute and forging closer relations with Afghanistan have remained the priorities in Pakistan’s foreign policy since independence, for the sake of freeing the Sub-Continent from arms race and realizing the goal of socio-economic development of this heavily-populated region.
The successive Pakistani governments, especially the incumbent one, has made concrete efforts to normalize relations with India, albeit without giving up this country’s decade-old stance on Kashmir.
Before the PML-N government came into power, Pakistan’s ties with its immediate neighbors witnessed historic lows, but the Prime Minister immediately sent a message of peace and cooperation to all of its immediate neighbors – Afghanistan, Iran and India.
Mobile phone imports increases by 6.25 % this year
ISLAMABAD, April 24 (APP): Mobile phone imports in Pakistan increased by 6.25 percent during current financial year 2015-16 (July-March) as compared to same period of previous year.
Total imports of mobile phone stood at US $ 573.282 million while they were US $ 539.581 million in the same period last year.
According to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the import bill for mobile phones is likely to increase as smartphone adoption in Pakistan is expected to grow due to expanding 3G and 4G networks (currently 3G services are available in more than 200 cities and towns) as more affordable smartphones are available in market.
Plea to focus on energy sector, higher direct taxes, lower indirect taxes in next budget
ISLAMABAD, April 24 (APP): Investment in energy sector, higher share of direct taxes and lower slab of indirect taxes, ought to be focussed in upcoming budget for attaining key economic targets during fiscal year 2016-17.
Islamabad Industrial Area Association (IIAA) President Faridon Khattak on Sunday expressed the optimism that industries would be facilitated to the maximum in the next Federal Budget.
He said that the government should pay heed to industries and exports as country has the resources it needed to improve the economic conditions through these sectors.
Two-thirds of unimmunized children live in conflict-affected countries: UNICEF
UNITED NATIONS, April 24 (APP): Almost two-thirds of children who have not been immunized with basic vaccines live in countries that are either partially or entirely affected by conflict, UNICEF said ahead of World Immunization Week.
“Conflict creates an ideal environment for disease outbreaks,” UNICEF Chief of Immunization Robin Nandy said. “Children miss out out on basic immunizations because of the breakdown – and sometimes deliberate destruction – of vital health services. Even when medical services are available, insecurity in the area often prevents them from reaching children.”
Measles, diarrhoea, respiratory infections and malnutrition are major causes of childhood illness and death, and in conflict and emergencies, their effects can worsen, UNICEF said.
Govt to introduce tracking system for Hujjaj this year: Hasnat
ISLAMABAD, April 24 (APP): Minister of State for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Muhammad Aminul Hasnat has said that the government had decided to introduce a special tracking system this year to know about the exact location of each person.
Talking to PTV News, the minister said that for the purpose a device would be fixed in wrist watches, lockets or rings wearing by the Hujjaj (pilgrims) which would help the monitoring team keep their track.
Replying to a question, he said food would be provided to the pilgrims of Government Hajj Scheme during their stay in Makkah Mukarrammah, Madina Munawwarrah and Mashahir (Mina) as it was included in the package.
Gonzalez defends WBC flyweight crown
LOS ANGELES, April 24 (APP/AFP): Roman Gonzalez of Nicaragua enhanced his reputation as one of the world’s best pound-for-pound fighters here Saturday after easily defeating Puerto Rico’s McWilliams Arroyo to retain his World Boxing Council flyweight crown.
The 28-year-old champion improved his record to 45-0 (38 knockouts) to claim a unanimous decision over the game but outclassed Arroyo in a bruising 12-round contest at Los Angeles’s iconic Forum sports arena in Inglewood.
Two judges scored it 119-109 in Gonzalez’s favor with the third card marked at 120-108.The scores did not flatter the champion.