ISLAMABAD: November 25 Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar joint meeting with delegation of Sialkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry led by Minister of Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif along with President Sialkot Chamber of Commerce Mr. Abdul Ghafoor Malik at Finance Division in Federal Capital. APP
ISLAMABAD, Nov 25 (APP):Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar Friday held a meeting with delegation of Sialkot Chamber of Commerce Industry (SCCI) led by Minister of Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif along with President SCCI Abdul Ghafoor Malik.
SAPM on Finance Tariq Bajwa, SAPM on Revenue Tariq Mahmood Pasha, Finance Secretary and other senior officers also attended the meeting, said a press release issued here.
The delegation of SCCI apprised the finance minister about their contribution in the economic development of the country.
They also briefed about various issues being faced by them especially related to Special Economic Zone, adding that these issues were hugely impacting the overall productivity and efficiency of their chamber. The delegation requested Ishaq Dar for resolving their issues at earliest time possible.
The finance minister welcomed the delegation and acknowledged their contributions in the economic growth of the country.
He shared that present government was well aware of the challenges being faced by various sectors of the economy and was proactively taking all pragmatic measures for smoothing out the operational anomalies for ensuring the greater ease of doing business in the country.
Ishaq Dar further apprised the delegation of various policy measures being undertaken by the government which would further improve the business friendly environment in the country. He urged the delegation to work for the enhancement of value added exports for sustainable economic growth of the country. The delegation thanked the finance minister for cooperation and support.
ISLAMABAD, Nov 25 (APP): Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Friday said induction of MILGEM warships into the Pak Navy arsenal would augment Pakistan’s efforts to maintain peace in the region.
“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Tayyep Erdogan jointly launched combat ship PNS Khyber, induction of MILGEM warships into Pak Navy arsenal will augment Pakistan’s efforts to maintain peace in the region,” Marriyum tweeted.
PM @CMShehbaz and Turkish President Tayyep Erdogan jointly launched combat ship PNS Khyber, induction of MILGEM warships into Pak Navy arsenal will augment Pakistan's efforts to maintain peace in the region. #PMShehbazinTurkeypic.twitter.com/scJQAlEe24
ISLAMABAD, Nov 25 (APP): First Lady Samina Alvi on Friday said as Pakistan was ranked fifth among the Tuberculosis (TB) high-burden countries, it was necessary for all stakeholders and partners to make the disease an essential element of all primary healthcare and communicable disease control strategies and mechanisms.
The first lady, in her address at the “Tuberculosis Community Rights and Gender Advocacy Seminar”, said it was extremely saddening to learn that there were still 600,000 new TB cases emerging every year.
“48,000 lose their lives which means every single day we are losing 131 precious lives. Based on these statistics, Pakistan is ranked fifth among TB high-burden countries accounting for over 60% of the burden in WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region,” she remarked.
She expressed confidence that the Government of Pakistan would ensure its full commitment and determination to bring about a meaningful difference in the fight against TB.
The seminar was organized by DOPASI Foundation in cooperation with End TB Pakistan.
Samina Alvi told the audience that she has been leading the awareness campaign on Breast Cancer which unfortunately was considered a taboo in Pakistan a few years back and women affected by Breast Cancer felt guilt in coming forward or never even realized that they had it until it was too late.
“I am aware that TB has a similar stigma attached to it through my recent interactions with Dopasi Foundation and the Stop TB Partnership, Geneva who have supported in integrating Breast Cancer Module in the One Impact mobile platform for empowering and engaging affected communities,” she added.
The First Lady confirmed that there has been progress, adding, although, slow and steady – efforts channelized towards the cause have resulted in getting closer to achieving TB control targets, which was an encouraging sign for all of them who hold TB prevention and control close to their heart.
“It is, however, extremely saddening to learn that there are still 600,000 new TB cases emerging every year. 48,000 lose their lives which means every single day we are losing 131 precious lives, she remarked, adding, it clearly indicated that there was still space for more to be done in delivering healthcare services to a sizeable proportion of TB affected population.
“Although TB is a sad reality that continues to tarnish lives – it is to be acknowledged that it is not a problem that cannot be avoided. TB is a preventable and curable disease and the sooner we realize this the better,” she added.
Samina Alvi was of the view that the best possible protection against the disease was provided by the vaccine available for infants and children, adding, however, in certain circumstances, medication can also be used to prevent the disease.
“We must never forget the inordinately high costs in terms of human suffering borne by the marginalized in our society. TB can dissolve relationships, stigmatize women and render them as outcasts due to an eminently curable health problem,” she added.
The First Lady said that today’s event for her had highlighted that “TB does not affect everyone equally – it puts some of us more at risk than others.”
“Our friends have established through their CRG assessment that the ones most severely affected as evidence suggests are Key Vulnerable Populations like coal miners, prisoners, transgenders, adolescent girls and many more,” she added.
Furthermore, she stressed, the seminar had developed their understanding of how social and cultural barriers related to community, rights and gender can heavily influence TB risk, exposure and ability to access services.
“The recommended key actions can surely help us to overcome the CRG-related barriers prevailing in Pakistan, in line with the targets of the UN-High-Level Meeting of 2018 and our national commitment to End TB by 2030,” she added.
Parliamentary Secretary Health Dr. Shahzia Sobia Aslam Soomro said that Pakistan was targeting to bring the TB-related deaths down by 95% till 2023, adding, however, there was a need to adopt a people and community centric approach to achieve the target and completely eliminate TB.
Ms. Kinz ul Eman, Director Program DOPASI Foundation and Ms. Caoimhe Smyth, CRG Expert – Stop TB Partnership in their presentations on the occasion highlighted the objectives of the seminar, overview of the CRG Assessment as well as the key findings from the Rapid Assessment and the JPRM on CRG.
They told the audience that over 11,000 Lady Health Workers have been trained in Punjab to provide TB care, prevention and support effort.
Faysal Qureshi, screenwriter and actor in his capacity as End TB Goodwill Ambassador in his remarks on the occasion stressed that since Pakistan was among the few countries having high incidence of TB, there was a need of creating awareness about the disease through various means of communication.
Dr. Lucica Ditiu, Executive Director Stop TB Partnership in her virtual address highlighted the importance of strong partnerships among Civil Society Organizations as well as public and private sectors.
ISLAMABAD, Nov 25 (APP): The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Friday announced that the crescent of Jamad-ul-Awwal, 1444 AH has been sighted.
In pursuance of the decision of Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, the first Jamad-ul-Awwal shall commence from Saturday, November, 26 .
The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee’s Chairman Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad chaired the Zonal Ruet-e-Hilal Committee’s meeting along with other members in Lahore.
Announcing the crescent of Jamad-ul-Awwal, he said the weather condition was clear in most of the areas of the country.
He said due to clear weather condition, the committee received a number of testimonies of crescent sighting from Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Sargodha, Sahiwal, Jhang, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Karak, Quetta, Peshawar and Azad Kashmir’s Kotli and Rawalakot and other areas of the country.
In the end, Maulana Azad prayed for the prosperity and stability of the country besides the liberation of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine.
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KARACHI: November 25-Associate Professor Abbasi Shaheed Hospital Dr. Amna Najeeb along with others Decorators addresses a Press Conference about Iron Deficiency in Pakistan on the occasion of the World Iron Deficiency Day at Karachi Press Club .APP /AMH /SSH
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ISLAMABAD: November 25 – Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar joint meeting with delegation of Sialkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry led by Minister of Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif along with President Sialkot Chamber of Commerce Mr. Abdul Ghafoor Malik at Finance Division in Federal Capital. APP/SSH
Istanbul: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan jointly launch PNS Khyber, third of the four MILGEM Corvette ships for Pakistan Navy ( 25 November, 2022)
ISTANBUL, Nov 25 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said that the promotion of defence cooperation between Pakistan and Türkiye was meant for peace and to ward off aggression.
“Pakistan and Turkiye are deeply engaged in promoting our defence capabilities for peace and to ward off aggression. As they say, if you want to live in peace, you must be prepared for war,” he said addressing the launching ceremony of the third of the four MILGEM Corvette Ships for the Pakistan Navy, PNS Khayber, at the Istanbul Shipyard here.
“So this [MILGEM corvette ships] is not for aggression. This is for defence,” he explained.
He said it was high time the two countries transformed their ties into a strategic partnership as the world was “envious” of the relationship between two brotherly countries.
On his arrival at the venue, the Turkish president welcomed the prime minister who was accompanied by a high-level delegation. The prime minister was given the guard of honor as the national anthems of the countries were also played.
Accompanied by Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the prime minister launched the ship which he said manifested deep bilateral engagement in defence cooperation.
The MILGEM project, based on joint collaboration between the two countries, represents a significant milestone in the Pakistan-Türkiye strategic partnership that continues to progress on an upward trajectory.
The PNS Khaybar was launched with a prayer by both leaders for its safe functioning. Both leaders also jointly performed keel laying and steel cutting of the offshore patrol vessels for the Turkish Navy.
The launching ceremony for the first Corvette for the Pakistan Navy, PNS Babur, was performed in Istanbul in August 2021while the groundbreaking for the Second Ship, PNS Badr, was held at Karachi in May 2022.
He called for further strengthening of joint defence production capabilities as Pakistan-Türkiye strategic partnership was a source of stability for the entire region.
He cited a huge potential in the field of alternate energy in both countries and called for Turkiye and Pakistan to join hands for the production of solar, wind and hydel energy to cut the carbon emission and open up new avenues of investment cooperation.
Calling Turkiye his “second home” the prime minister recalled the support extended by the people of Pakistan at the time when Turkiye was fighting for freedom.
He said while supporting the Turkish people, our forefathers never knew that Turkiye would stand by Pakistan through thick and thin and all international platforms instead, they had done so out of their religious brotherhood.
He appreciated the “visionary leadership” of President Erdogan, the prime minister said he had transformed Turkiye into a modern society. He also spoke highly of the social welfare projects executed by the Turkish government even in far-flung areas besides transforming the agriculture and industrial sectors.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif addresses the launching ceremony of PNS Khyber, the third of four MILGEM Corvette ships, in Istanbul on 25 November, 2022
The prime minister also urged the defence experts from both sides to enhance their defense production capacity with a view to strengthening cooperation for peace in the region.
He appreciated the role of President Erdogan in brokering a deal between Russia and Ukraine for wheat export for the benefit of developing countries like Pakistan.
He told the gathering that Pakistan was recently hit by one of the most devastating flood and within no time, Turkiye sent 13 goods trains carrying 72,000 tons of humanitarian goods and 15 Turkish military aircraft carrying food, tent, medicines and medical teams.
In his address, Turkish President Erdogan said Turkiye had achieved great things in the field of defence cooperation. He told the gathering that four corvettes were being produced under MILGEM project – two locally and two in Pakistan. The final ship will be delivered in February 2025, he added.
“MILGEM is one of our major projects of cooperation which crown our relations with the brotherly Pakistan in defense industry,” President Erdoğan underlined.
Underscoring that the Turkish nation never forget their Pakistani brothers and sisters support during the National Struggle, President Erdoğan said.
“Pakistan has always had an exceptional place in the Turkish nation’s heart. The images that emerged following the flood that affected a significant part of Pakistan made our hearts bleed… We always have and always will stand with Pakistan so that it can overcome these difficult days.”
Noting that 2022 marked the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties with Pakistan, President Erdoğan said: “Our solidarity continues to grow stronger with a strategic perspective in a way befitting our two countries’ history, friendship and potential. Defense industry is a major pillar of this cooperation.”
Group photo of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and dignitaries from both Pakistan and Turkiye during launching ceremony of PNS Khybar, a MILGEM Class Corvette, built by M/s ASFAT at Istanbul on 25 November 2022.
The Turkish president said his government would carry Turkiye to first place in the world’s defence industry super league as the country was expanding its domestic naval and air military projects. In 2023, Turkiye’s new homegrown drone and fighter jet will be launched, he added.
Earlier, Minister for Defence Production Israr Tareen said the launch of the third MILGEM manifested brotherhood and strong defense collaboration. He appreciated the Turkish Navy and Istanbul Shipyard for ensuring the project’s completion within the timeframe.
He told the audience that Pakistan was blessed with immense resources and ongoing China Pakistan Economic Corridor was set to enhance regional connectivity and maximize trade with Gwadar Port being a focal point.
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi said the presence of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signified the importance of the close relations between the two countries.
He said Pakistan and Turkiye enjoyed long-lasting and deep-rooted ties resting firmly on trust and support based on the principles.
He said the induction of the MILGEM ship would strengthen the Pakistan Navy and acknowledged the commitment by the Turkish ministry of defense and the Turkish Navy for completing the project timely.
Speaker of Turkish Grand National Assembly Mustafa Şentop, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar, and Turkish Minister of Industry and Technology Mustafa Varank also attended the event.
From Pakistan side, Minister of Defence Production Muhammad Israr Tareen, Minister of Commerce Naveed Qamar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Maryum Aurangzeb, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Fahd Hussain, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi, and Chief of the Naval Staff of Pakistan Admiral M Amjad Khan Niazi attended the ceremony.
MUZAFFARABAD, Nov 25 (APP): All arrangements have been finalized to conduct the first phase of local government elections in Muzaffarabad division of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Sunday. This was said by Commissioner Masood ur Rehman and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) police Irfan Masood Kashfi during a joint presser here on Friday.
The election commission had decided a week earlier to conduct LG polls in three phases due to the unavailability of additional security personnel from the federal government. Polling in Muzaffarabad division is going to be held on November 27 (Sunday) while in Poonch division on December 03 and in Mirpur division on December 08.
The commissioner said the polling staff had been trained and assigned the duties at their respective polling stations in three districts of the division while peace and coordination committees had been constituted at each polling station comprising local people and government officials to maintain harmony during the polling.
He said 7,785 polling staff had been deputed on 1,323 polling stations in all three districts and polling material had been transported safely at the offices of returning and assistant returning officers from where will be handed over to staff on Saturday evening or Sunday morning.
He said the presiding officers had been empowered with magisterial powers to peacefully conduct the polling and implement the code of conduct issued by election commission under election laws and criminal procedure code (Cr.PC) and authorized for a summary trail.
He said any violation of code of conduct by any candidate or supporter of candidate could disqualify a candidate even after the election and called the administration and polling staff to strictly implement the code of conduct.
The DIG said all security arrangement had been made final with scheme of deployment according to category of the polling stations, besides quick response force at each sector and routine patrolling and policing by the police force.
He said more thousand troops will be deployed at polling stations besides the army would be ready to respond at any untoward situation.
He said the area had been divided into 13 zones and 125 sectors with a SP rank officer as commander at Zone and DSP rank as commander at sector.
ISLAMABAD, Nov 25 (APP): Pakistan cricket team started their practice session at the Islamabad Club Cricket Ground on Friday to prepare themselves for the three-match Test series against England.
England are scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on Saturday after their Test camp at the Abu Dhabi Cricket and Sports Hub. This will be England’s first visit to Pakistan in 17 years to play a Test series.
The first Test starts in Rawalpindi on December 1. The series is important for Pakistan to qualify for the finals of the ICC World Test Championship 2022-23.
Pakistan has selected two new players Mohammad Ali and Abrar Ahmed on the basis of their standout performance in the domestic cricket and they are likely to make debuts in the first Test.
Meanwhile, Leicestershire leg-spinning allrounder Rehan Ahmed has been officially added to England Men’s Test squad for the Pakistan tour. If selected during the three-match Test series, the 18-year-old will become the youngest player to play Test cricket for England Men, surpassing Yorkshire’s Brian Close, who represented the three lions at 18 years 149 days against New Zealand in July 1949.
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HYDERABAD: November 25 – Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tessori receiving shield from Tournament organizer Aazam khan during 1st all Sindh Abdul Munaf Nizamani Memorial Football Tournament at Akbari ground Latifabad. APP /AKS/ZID/SSH