ISLAMABAD, July 11 (APP): An earthquake measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale jolted Quetta, Chaman and adjoining areas on early Monday morning.
According to a Private news channel , people came out of their homes in panic.
No loss of life was reported due to earthquake till filing of this report.
ISLAMABAD, July 11 (APP): A Pakistani 24 years old youngster, Attshan Ali Abbasi has broken a current world record of “fastest time to recite the names of all countries of Asia & middle East in only 1 Breath (12 seconds)”.
Universal Record Database website “RecordSetter.com” accepted Attshan Ali Abbasi’s world record and they also uploaded official video of his new world record on their official website link https://recordsetter.com/world-record/recite-all-countries-asia- breath/47898 Attshan Ali Abbasi, a M-Phil Scholar was born in a small village of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, District Abbottabad, Pakistan and serving as head of Coordination, National Youth Assembly of Pakistan
has made the World record “Fastest Time to recite all 50 Asian & Middle East Countries in one Breath at National Library of Pakistan Islamabad.
Record Setter World Record Keeping Book (USA) confirmed his record through Email.
Attshan Ali Abbasi is the only man in the world can recite
world countries name in 50 seconds, he has also skill to recite European 47 Countries in One Breath, African 54 Countries in One Breath & American Countries in One Breath.
Attshan Ali Abbasi Public Policy Scholar is exploring Parliament of Pakistan, through his final year M-Phil research.
While talking to APP, he dedicated his record to poor people of the world, saying he wants to do something unique in Academia and this record will boost up his confidence.
Further, he added that he has a memory to save things very
quickly, and he is very much interested in sharing his knowledge with students which are living in backward areas of Pakistan.
He said he had presented his talent in various universities,
colleges and schools of Islamabad, Lahore, Abbottabad and Peshawar.
He had also displayed his skills of reciting the names of all 127 districts of Pakistan in fifty seconds at an annual function of ANF’s Youth Convention held last month in Rawalpindi.
ISLAMABAD, July 10 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Sunday expressed his deep shock over the killing of Kashmiri leader Burhan Wani and many other civilians in the Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir by the Indian military and paramilitary forces.
“It is deplorable that excessive and unlawful force was used
against the civilians who were protesting against the killing of
Burhan Wani,” the Prime Minister said in his statement.
He said such oppressive measures could not deter the valiant people of Jammu and Kashmir from their demand of exercising their right to self determination in accordance with the resolutions of the UN Security Council.
The Prime Minister expressed serious concern over the continued detention of the Kashmiri leadership in Indian Occupied Kashmir and called upon the Indian government to fulfill its human rights obligations as well as its commitments under the UN Security Council’s resolutions.
ISLAMABAD, July 10 (APP): Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid Sunday said Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari should avoid hurling stones on others while sitting in a ‘house of glass’.
Talking to a private news channel, he said while criticizing others, Bilawal should better study the policy adopted by his maternal grandfather, mother and father on Kashmir.
He said the late grandfather (Zulfikar Ali Bhutto) used to talk of waging a 1,000 year war to liberate Kashmir. He was the man behind the operation Gibraltar, but later he went to Shimla to sign the agreement (with India). The 1,000 year war ended with the signing of Shimla accord, he added.
Pervaiz Rashid said it would be appropriate for Bilawal to criticize others, if he was abreast of the above mentioned historical facts.
“Bilawal should better not throw stones on others while sitting in a house of glass,” the minister maintained.
LAHORE, July 10 (APP): Federal Finance Minister and Chairman Data Darbar Religious Affairs Committee Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar Sunday appreciated all the departments which made proper arrangements during
the holy month of Ramazan at Data Darbar to facilitate the people.
Presiding over a meeting at 90 Shahrah e Quaid i Azam here to review the arrangements made during Ramazan, he said that all the departments which worked dedicatedly to ensure better facilities to the people at Data Darbar during the holy month of Ramazan deserved appreciation.
Secretary Auqaf Muhammad Iqbal Nayyar and Director General Auquaf Muhammad Tahir Bukhari briefed the minister about the arrangements.
The finance minister said that he had directed the Auquaf
Department Secretary and Director General to make proposals about the expansion of the Data Darbar Mosque, which would be presented in the development committee.
The minister said the services of the Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh (RA) were unprecedented for this region and it was “our duty to keep working for the Data Darbar.
Arrangements are being reviewed with the aim to bring more improvement in future for providing more facilities to visitors at the Darbar.”
The participants of the meeting congratulated Ishaq Dar on the recovery of Prime Minister’s health. The minister said, “it is the blessing of the Almighty Allah and the prayers of the masses that the Prime Minister has returned to the country after recovering from open heart surgery.”
He said that the PML N government kept on working under
the able leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and the tax collection had increased to 60 percent in three years whereas foreign reserves had also risen.
Pakistan was emerging as a growing economy and it
would keep moving forward with same pace, he added.
He said that good governance, transparency and dedication
were required to ensure progress and prosperity in the
country.
He said the promise to overcome electricity loadshedding
would be fulfilled. Work on 12000 MW electricity generation projects was in progress and it would strengthen the economic progress of the country, he added.
“We need to gear up the economic progress of the country
and have to achieve seven percent growth domestic product (GDP) growth rate”, he added.
Later talking to media, Ishaq Dar said that it was good if
matters related to Terms of Reference (TORs) were settled through talks. If it did not happen the documents of the government and opposition would be made public, he added.
He said the government’s intentions were clear, which wanted to investigate the matter transparently.
Responding to a question regarding the appointment of
four members of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the minister said that the matter would be completed within the timeline given in the constitution.
To another query, he said that the politics of sit ins
had given nothing. Such things just impeded the development and progress of the country, he added.
He said the progress of the country was being
acknowledged internationally. All the parties should sign a Charter of Economy under which the country should keep on working to strengthen its economy.
Earlier, prayers were also offered for the health of the Prime
Minister and development of the country.
ISLAMABAD, July 10 (APP): Minister for Information,
Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid on Sunday said the AJK Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) should play a role to ensure holding of free, fair and transparent elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
It was the responsibility of the AJK CEC to make such
peaceful atmosphere where elections could be held in a peaceful manner without interference of the local administration, he added.
The minister was talking to the media along with Special
Assistant to the Prime Minister Dr Asif Kirmani after visiting the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) to enquire after the health of injured PML N candidate from Haveli (AJK), Chaudhry Muhammad Aziz.
He said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidates were
using government resources openly in their election campaigns with the support of local administration.
With the support of sitting AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry
Abdul Majeed, he said the PPP had started violent politics prior to elections, realizing its confirmed defeat in the upcoming elections.
Ch Abdul Majeed’s statements were on record showing his
threatening attitude to promote abusive and violent politics in the AJK, he added.
The minister said besides this incident in which two Pakistan
Muslim League Nawaz (PML N) workers lost their lives and many including the PML N candidate received injuries, there was life attempt on Mushtaq Minhas, another PML N candidate, in Bagh by the PPP supporters while they also damaged property of PML N supporters in Nakiyal.
He said in the presence of PPP government led by Chaudhry
Abdul Majeed, holding of free, fair and transparent election was doubtful as local official machinery was busy to fully back the PPP candidates.
He said those local administration officials, who were appointed by the AJK PPP government, were supporting the PPP candidates being shareholders of its corruption.
The minister said despite all the threats and use of government machinery, the AJK people would not vote for the PPP candidates and the PML N would win the elections.
He said it was the responsibility of local administration
to avoid such incidents and take action against culprits, but the biased AJK police had failed to arrest those who were behind the incident.
He demanded of the AJK CEC to appoint those in administration who were not part of any political party and stop allowing political supportive and biased administration to do nepotism.
He questioned why CEC AJK didn’t take notice of firing
incident and that why he was reluctant to ensure arrest of culprits.
He questioned as to why the CEC was unable to control
the situation and ensure transparency in upcoming elections.
The CEC would be held responsible “if the tense situation continues and the local government machinery continues its support to the PPP candidates,” he added.
The minister said such unlawful activities could weak the
Kashmir cause at international forum.
He assured full support of the federal government to the AJK
CEC in ensuring peaceful atmosphere and holding free and fair elections.
He said during last two days grave human rights violations had been witnessed in held Srinagar by Indian forces.
He said the United Nations and international human rights organizations should take notice of these incidents in which 20 Kashmiris lost their lives and some 300 were injured.
Later, the minister along with party leadership and workers
offered Fateha for the departed soul of Abdul Sattar Edhi.
KARACHI, July 10 (APP): The ‘Soyem’ of eminent social worker Abdul Sattar Edhi was held here at New Memon Masjid on Sunday.
Quran Khawani was organized for ‘Isal-i-Sawab’ for the departed soul. ‘Fateha’ was also offered.
A large number of people from all walks of life attended the Soyem. Arrangements for women were made at the Mithadar residence of Abdul Sattar Edhi.
The law enforcement agencies (LEAs) had made strict security arrangements.
Abdul Sattar Edhi passed away in Karachi on Friday night at
the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) and was laid to rest at the Edhi Village on the Superhighway here on Saturday afternoon after a state funeral.
Meanwhile, people from all walks of life met Faisal Edhi, son of late Abdul Sattar Edhi, to offer condolences on the demise of his father.
Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, Sindh Assembly Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani, Farooq Sattar of Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Arif Alvi of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf also met Faisal Edhi and offered Fateha for the departed soul.
They paid rich tribute to Abdul Sattar Edhi for his immense services for the cause of humanity.
ISLAMABAD, July 10 (APP): Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Dr Asif Kirmani Sunday alleged that the sitting Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government had made a plan to rig the upcoming general election by creating an environment of terror through professional killers.
Dr Kirmani, in a statement, urged the AJK Chief Election
Commissioner and the administration to ensure protection to public lives and property for peaceful and transparent conduct of the polls, demanding early arrest of the killers of two Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML N) workers.
He strongly condemned life attempt on PML N candidate Chaudhry Abdul Aziz in which the two party workers were killed. Chaudhry Abdul Aziz was seriously injrued in the indiscrimnate firing by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) goons in Haveli, he alleged.
This was not the first incident as the PPP men had already
attacked the PML N workers and leader Mushtaq Minhas in Nakiyal and Bagh, he further alleged.
“Where are the AJK administration and CEC?” he questioned.
The Majeed government, Dr Kirmani said, was afraid of the
PML N’s popularity in AJK and that was why it was resorting to ‘terrorism’.
He recalled that threats by AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry
Abdul Majeed of gunning down federal ministers had already
published in the media and were ‘part of the record’.
He said the PML N leaders approached the AJK people with
its manifesto for the upcoming elections like those belonging to other political parties and “it is our right.”
“We go to the AJK under the same law, under which Yusuf
Raza Gilani, Qamar Zaman Kaira and Raja Parvez Ashraf have been visiting the area,” he said.
ISLAMABAD, July 10 (APP): PAF C-130 aircraft participating in Royal International Air Show-2016 has become the center of attraction and drawing large crowds at the show.
The especially painted aircraft is a tribute to the resilience of our nation and has aptly portrayed the sacrifices of Pakistani people and the Armed Forces in fighting the menace of terrorism in general and in Operation Zarb-e-Azb in particular, said a PAF press release.
Thousands of visitors from all across the world are taking keen interest in the artistically painted PAF C-130 aircraft.
Various documentaries and promos are also shown to the visitors regarding Pakistan Air Force which are appreciated by the people of all ages.
To majority of the visitors, this Pakistani aircraft is the star of the show and likely to be the winner of this mega event. More than 50 countries from across the world with more than 200 aircraft are participating in the show.
By Muhammad Aslam
ISLAMABAD, July 10 (APP): The nature has bestowed Pakistan with a vast potential of mineral ores including a good range of precious and glittering gemstones, which need appropriate attention of the government, especially investors to exploit them.
Different varieties of minerals like Peridot, Aquamarine, Topaz in different colours of violet, pink, golden and champagne,Ruby, Emerald, rare-earth minerals Bastnaesite and Xenotime, Sphene, Tourmaline, besides many types of Quartz make the country prominent in the mineral world.
The northern and northwestern parts of the country are shrouded by three world-famous mountain ranges called Hindukush, Himalaya, and Karakorum, from where nearly all the minerals, which Pakistan is currently offering to the world market, have been found so far.
Although the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources is consistently offering investment opportunities in the mineral sector
but it could not make significant progress due to one reason or
the other.
Official sources told APP that out of 25 precious, semi precious stones and mineral specimens, seven were intermittently exploited and marketed all over the world.
“These are Emerald of Swat, Rubies of Azad Jammu and Kashmir
(AJK) and Hunza-Ishkoman, Gilgit, Pink-Topaz of Katlang-Mardan,
Aquamarine and Tourmaline of Gilgit and Chitral, Peridot of Kohistan
and Pargasite of Hunza, ” they said adding that all these gems have
beautiful attractive colours, excellent crystal clarity and a range
of size as well as weight, meeting any international standard.
Inviting investors, they said tremendous potential existed for investment in the subject of scientific mining, cutting and
polishing for value addition of gemstone from the known localities
and exploration for further findings.
Highlighting specifications of the Ruby of Kashmir, Hunza and
Gilgit, the sources informed that it was transparent to translucent
and brownish pink to pinkish-red and deep red in colour.
“The deposit is being mined and the potential resources are estimated at about 24.9 million grams, ” they added.
The Ruby of Hunza and Gilgit have a slight touch of pinkish hue.
The main ruby deposits occur in a dolomitic marble belt spanning over 100 kilometers from Hunza valley to Ishkoman, close to the main Karakorum thrust.
While Topaz of Mardan and Dassu-Skardu, pink to red and colourless, have their own attraction for the jewel-lovers. The best known deposits of Emerald are located at Mingora, Malakand Division, 160 kilomters northeast of Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“The Swat deposits are producing excellent quality gems, which are considered some of the finest emeralds in the world. The stones
have become famous for their brilliance, medium to deep green colour
and unique transparency,” the source informed and added that in
the belt emeralds had been discovered at Gujar Kili and Shamozai
areas.
They said gem quality tourmaline was found in the Kohistan
magmatic arc Zone-6 at Haraosh near Gilgit, Stak Nala between
Gilgit and Skardu, Bulecli and Shingus in Gilgit division and
Garm Chashma in Chitral.
Tourmaline at Haraosh is discovered in pink, blue, and green
varieties, whereas the Stak Nala is now famous for bicolour and
tricolour tourmaline.
Gem grade tourmaline also occurs at Buleclhi and Shingus,
Gilgit, they said adding that Indicolite (blue tourmaline) was found
in pegmatite of Garm Chashma (Chitral). Green tourmaline has also
been found in pegmatites of Donga Nar in Azad Kashmir.
“Peridot of Indus Kohistan is one of the most beautiful gemstones of Pakistan and is sporadically being mined at different localities.
It has already captured market both locally and abroad,” the sources remarked.
Despite the presence of concerned bodies including Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, All Pakistan Commercial Exporter Association and Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation, besides holding of regular gems and stones exhibitions at different level, no significant development is taking place to tap the exploited potential in the gemstone sector.
There is the need, on part of the government, of conducting surveys in the potential areas in collaboration with reputable institutes to attract foreign investors in this sector, which can significantly contribute to the national kitty.
According to a report, mostly non-professional residents of mining areas are actually the ones who mine these jewels of earth in their hazardous and traditional way of mining.
They usually form groups that initiate diggings and blastings in precious and semi-precious stones potential areas, damaging the
quality and quantity of the jewels.
Pakistan, based on its potential in mineral wealth, has the great potential to become a hub of the gemstone industry, on a scale comparable to that of Brazil, by taking a few essential steps to enhance the exploration of resources and growth of gemstone business.
ISLAMABAD, July 10 (APP): Pakistan on Sunday strongly condemned the extrajudicial killing of Kashmiri leader Burhan Wani and scores of other innocent Kashmiris in the Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) terming such acts as ‘deplorable and condemnable.’
“Such acts are a violation of fundamental human rights of Kashmiris and cannot deter the people of Jammu and Kashmir from their demand for the realization of the right to self-determination,” the Foreign Office said in a press release.
Pakistan also has serious concerns over the detention of Kashmiri leadership in the Indian Occupied Kashmir and called upon the Indian government to fulfill its human rights obligations as well as its commitments under the United Nations Security Council Resolutions.
“Pakistan reiterates that the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is only possible by the realization of the right to self determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, as per the UNSC resolutions, through a fair and impartial plebiscite under UN auspices,” it added.
PESHAWAR, July 10 (APP): The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Engr.Iqbal Zafar Jhagra has said that Abdul Sattar Edhi was a great philanthropist and benefactor of miserable humanity and social and community leader.
He said Abdul Sattar Edhi was the most deserving person for the award of Nobel Prize as he served the miserable humanity without any discrimination.
He said this while addressing the special prayer ceremony for the eternal peace of the departed soul of Abdul Sattar Edhi held at Governor House, Peshawar on Sunday. Prayers and Quran Khawani were also offered in this connection.
Governor stated that Abdul Sattar Edhi was not just a human being but an epitome of love for mankind and humanism, which will always live in our hearts adding that he could never be replaced.
Meanwhile, the Governor Iqbal Jhagra visited Edhi Centre at Qisa Khawani Bazar in Peshawar and met with the staff members and in charge of Edhi Centre. The Governor has also expressed his deep condolence on the sad demise of great community and social leader Abdul Sattar Edhi.
While showing sympathies with the workers of Edhi Foundation, the Governor has also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and courage to the bereaved family and his team to bear the irreparable loss with patience.
He expressed his heartfelt grief and sorrow on the sad demise. On the occasion, The Governor has also paid rich tributes to the services which the deceased had rendered for humanity and said that there was no example of it in the world and vowed that his mission will be continued.
He announced Rs. 1 million for the up gradation of Edhi Centre at Qisakhawani, Peshawar. He said that Abdul Sattar Edhi rendered service
for humanity without discrimination only for the sake of miserable humanity adding that the gap would never be filled which he had left.
He said Abdul Sattar Edhi was a national hero and resolved his life to serve the miserable humanity and to aiding the poor throughout his life, which is matchless.
KARACHI, July 10 (APP): Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on Sunday
paid rich tribute to the world acclaimed humanitarian and iconic social worker Abdul Sattar Edhi, who breathed his last here on Friday night.
A PAF contingent led by Air Vice Marshal Salman Ahsan
Bukhari, Air Officer Commanding, Southern Air Command, offered ‘Fateha’ and laid a wreath at the grave of Abdul Sattar Edhi on behalf of Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force.
The Air Chief, in his message expressed, his heartfelt grief
on the sad demise of Abdul Sattar Edhi, and said he was the pride of humanity, whose contributions and influence transcended borders and nationalities.
The Air Chief also said Edhi was indeed a pioneer in
the field of social service and the models of excellence set by him were replicated world over.
While heading one of the largest private social service in the
world, Edhi lived a very humble life with negligible possession
and wore his greatness lightly.
The Air Chief further said that he was the proud face of our
national character, who has left us a mission; to embrace the love of humanity and work for the well being of the destitute and downtrodden.
ISLAMABAD, July 10 (APP): Pakistan Army and
District Administration of Chitral are busy in carrying
out relief and rescue operation in the flood affected
areas.
According to the latest data of National
Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), as many as 16
persons were kiiled, four sustained injuries and 13 were
missing in flash flood in Chitral. Around 20 houses were
fully destroyed and 35 partially damaged.
The NDMA is overseeing and extending full support
in carrying out effective relief and rescue operation
and for early rehabilitation of the affected areas.
The National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC)
can be contacted through UAN: 111 157 157, 051 920503
for any kind of assistance.
ISLAMABAD, July 10 (APP): National Assembly Speaker
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Sunday said bilateral engagement between Pakistan and Germany would continue to broaden on the basis of mutual respect and interest.
Both the countries, he said, had the same stated
objectives of peace and stability in the region.
According to the message received from Germany, he
expressed these views while talking to President of
Bundestag (German Parliament) Prof. Norbert Lammert in
Bundestag, Berlin. The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere.
Both the leaders agreed for strengthening of Pak
German friendship through enhancing parliamentary and
people to people contacts.
Ayaz Sadiq said Pakistan valued its decades old
friendship with Germany and strongly desired to strengthen
its parliamentary and economic cooperation.
He said Germany had been vocal and staunch
supporter of Pakistan and had always extended assistance
when needed.
The Speaker also held meetings with various
committees of the Bundestag, including the Committee on
Economic Cooperation and Development, Committee on
Defence; Committee on Foreign Affairs and the South
Asia Friendship group.
The President of the Brandenburg, State Parliament
of Germany also hosted a lunch in honour of the Speaker.
Sardar Ayaz also delivered a lecture at the prestigious
think tank, Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP),
German Institute for International and Security Affairs
and expounded Pakistan’s position on key foreign policy
issues.
During his interactions in Germany, the Speaker
discussed full spectrum of relations with his
interlocutors.
Regional and international issues of mutual
concern also came under discussion.
The Speaker reiterated the resolve of the
government for a peaceful neighborhood and its desire to
settle all outstanding political and security issues in
the region.
The successful efforts of the Pakistani government
towards improvement of economy were highlighted.
UNITED NATIONS, July 10 (APP): The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has expressed serious concern for the estimated 300,000 people trapped in eastern Syrian city of Aleppo, due to heavy clashes along the Castello road, the only road in and out of that part of the city.
“Heavy fighting over the past few days has continued to put
civilians at risk of death and injury while effectively cutting off humanitarian’s access to people in need of assistance,” a UN spokesperson told reporters today in New York.
This follows intensified fighting by all parties to the conflict in Aleppo City and surrounding areas in recent weeks, including reports of airstrikes, shelling, and heavy clashes, causing many civilian deaths and injuries. It has also caused damage to schools, hospitals, and other civilian infrastructure, and hindered humanitarian aid operations.
The spokesperson reiterated the UN’s call on all parties to the conflict to take measures to protect civilians, as required under international humanitarian law, in order to safeguard the lives of all civilians living in Aleppo city and added: “We also call on all parties to the conflict to take all measures to facilitate humanitarian access, particularly to eastern Aleppo city, as required under international humanitarian law.”
PESHAWAR, July 10 (APP): Engr Amir Muqam, Adviser to the Prime Minister, Sunday said the long awaited Lowari Tunnel project on Nowshera Chitral Highway (N 45) would be completed by March next year nine months before its December 2017 deadline as directed by Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.
There was no hurdle, including provision of funds, in the completion of the tunnel according to the new deadline, he added.
Amir Muqam was talking to newsmen during his visit to see the ongoing work on the Lowari Tunnel project.
The project, which includes two tunnels of 8.6 and 1.9 kilometres respectively, besides four bridges, will cost around Rs 27 billion.
National Highway Authority (NHA) officials and people from
different walks of life were also present on the occasion.
The Advisor said the project after its completion would bring
prosperity for the people of Chitral as they would remain directly connected with the rest of the country throughout the year. They would not have to travel via Afghanistan during the winter season when the Lowari Top remained closed, he added.
Now Chitral remained virtually inaccessible during the winter but the completion of the tunnel would facilitate all weather transport from the down country, ensuring easy availability of edibles items, he remarked.
Moreover, he said, the tunnel would reduce the current 14 hour drive from Chitral to Peshawar by half.
He said Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif wanted early completion of the project, that was why he was taking personal interest. The Prime Minister, he said, was very keen to provide all facilities to the people of Chitral like those in the rest of the country.
The Advisor said serving the masses was the mission of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz government, which it would continue without any discrimination. It had taken a number of measures to improve the living standard of deprived segments of the society. Billions of rupees were
being spent the welfare of the poor and downtrodden, he added.
He said Chakdara Chitral and Chitral Gilgit roads would also be constructed which would help promote tourism in the the area. Work on a feasibility report of a road linking Chitral with Central Asia states via Afghanistan was also underway, he added.
The Advisor directed the NHA to complete all ongoing development projects, including Lowari Tunnel within stipulated time period.He also lauded NHA Chairman Shahid Ashraf Tarar and his team for their efforts to complete many road projects of national importance.
LAHORE, July 10 (APP): Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has said that all out resources have been provided for the provision of quality and modern medical facilities to common man and required funds will be made available in future as well.
He expressed these views while addressing a high level meeting through video link, here Sunday.
Shehbaz Sharif said that he is visiting the hospitals to review provision of health facilities and will go to last limit for providing these facilities to common man. He lamented over the incident of falling of a swing and injuring the children in Sahiwal and said that despite not granting permission by district administration, installation of swing is the negligence and inefficiency of the administration. Contractors will not be allowed to play with the lives of innocent children for a few pennies, he added.
The meeting reviewed in detail the inquiry report of falling of swing and situation of medical facilities at District Headquarters Hospital Sahiwal. The Chief Minister ordered complete ban on installation of swings throughout the province until evolution of a comprehensive system and said that soon an effective system be devised in this regard.
The Chief Secretary should evolve a system with regard to
installation of swings and protective arrangements and present the same within next few days, he added.
Shehbaz Sharif said that protection of life and property of the people is responsibility of the government, which will be fulfilled. Although no loss of life occurred, however, some children have been injured which is regrettable, he added.
The Chief Minister ordered immediate suspension of DCO Sahiwal in the light of inquiry report and directed Chief Secretary to take strict action as per law against the responsible of negligence.
Shehbaz Sharif said that provision of quality and modern
health facilities to the people is top priority of the
government and billions of rupees have already been earmarked for this purpose. He said that free medicines of billions of rupees are being provided to the patients at government hospitals every year.
He said that there is no shortage of resources and if field officers and concerned authorities work hard then situation of hospitals will be changed. He also directed to present immediate plan for repair and maintenance of District Headquarters Hospital Sahiwal. He said that a comprehensive system should be evolved for the appointment of hardworking and intelligent EDOs Health and Education throughout the province. Acquiring the services of hardworking and capable persons from market for this purpose should be considered, he added.
The Chief Secretary informed that amounts of financial
assistance have been paid to the families of the children injured due to falling of a swing in Sahiwal. He said that two lakh rupees each have been provided to the families of seriously injured and one lakh rupees each to minor injured child. Chairman Inquiry Committee constituted regarding Sahiwal incident, Secretary Local Government and Rural Development presented inquiry report in the meeting.
Advisor Health Kh. Salman Rafiq, Secretaries of
Communication and Works, Law, Housing, Public Prosecution, Local Government, Health and Member Chief Minister’s Inspection Team participated in the meeting through video link from Civil Secretariat while Provincial Minister for Zakat and Ushr Malik Nadeem Kamran, Members National Assembly Imran Ahmed Shah, Ch. M. Ashraf, Commissioner and RPO Sahiwal and administrative officers attended the meeting through video link from Commissioner Office Sahiwal.
ISLAMABAD, July 10 (APP): Third spell of monsoon rains is
likely to lash in various parts of the country from Monday, which will continue till Thursday.
According to Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD),
widespread rain/dust thunderstorms with isolated heavy falls accompanied by windstorm are expected in Islamabad, upper Punjab at Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sargodha and Faisalabad divisions, Hazara, Peshawar and Mardan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmir, while at scattered places in Malakand, Kohat, Bannu, D.I. Khan, Sibbi, Naseerabad, Sahiwal, Multan, D.G. Khan, Bahawalpur and lower Sindh during next four days.
A PMD official told APP that Saturday’s well marked low
pressure area (LPA) over northeast Madhya Pradesh now lay over central parts of north Madhya Pradesh (India) and was likely to move further westward in next 24 hours.
Under the influence of this LPA, more monsoon incursion was very likely in Pakistan during the coming days, he said, adding that a fresh westerly wave was also likely to approach during mid of coming week.
He said,”Seasonal low lies over north Balochistan while a
shallow westerly wave is still affecting upper parts of the country and likely to persist during next 24 hours. Monsoon currents from Arabian sea are continuously penetrating central and upper parts of the country and likely to continue during next couple of days.”
During last 24 hours rain/ dust thundershower occurred at
isolated places in Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Hazara, Malakand, Sukkar, Hyderabad, Quetta divisions and Kashmir, whereas hot and humid conditions continued in other parts of the country.
Rainfall recorded during this time span was Okara 32mm, D.G. Khan 23mm, M. B. Din 12mm, Faisalabad, Mangla 11mm, Lahore A/P, Jhang 09mm, Lahore city, Kot addu, Gujranwala 07mm, Sialkot A/P 06mm, Murree 05, T.T. Singh 04, Sahiwal 03, Sialkot Cantt, Jhelum 01mm, Parachinar 15mm, Kakul 12mm, Balakot 10mm, Kalam 04mm, Garhi Dupatta 14mm, Muzaffarabad 02mm Barkhan 47mm, Sh. Benazirabad 04mm, Jacobabad 03mm, Rohri 02mm and Thatta 01mm.
Maximum Temperature on Sunday were: Dalbandin 47C, Panjgur 45C, Nokkundi, Sibbi and Turbat 44C, R.Y. Khan, Rohri 43C, Quetta 40C, Peshawar 39C, Multan 37C, Chitral and Hyderabad 36C, Islamabad, Gilgit and Muzaffarabad 35C, Dir 34C, Kalat 33C,
Faisalabad and Hunza 32C, Lahore, Karachi 31C and Skardu 31C, and Murree 24C.
ISLAMABAD, July 10 (APP): The technology giant
Google Sunday paid tribute to renowned social activist,
philanthropist and humanitarian Abdul Sattar Edhi by placing a link on its home Pakistan page.
Edhi breathed his last on Friday after prolonged
illness and was laid to rest in Karachi on Saturday.
The website placed a clickable link ‘Abdul Sattar
Edhi, 1928 2016’ on its main page that leads the
reader to another Google page showing top search trend of the great social worker.
It enables the surfer to find hundreds of the latest
news stories, social media posts, images, videos as well as other media contents about the legendary philanthropist who died at age of 88.
The link about Abdul Sattar Edhi has been placed
just below the Goolgle’s search bar showing his name as well as the years of birth and death.
Google is known for honoring the legendary figures
or commemorating different ongoing or historic events in its unique style by designing exclusive doodles or providing a special link.
Serving the nation since 1947 by providing an accurate, objective, uninterrupted flow of news to the people, the national news service is pursuing a comprehensive strategy to transform the existing news operations into a forward-looking service – APP Digital for its diverse subscriber-base and the public.
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