Category: Pakistan

F.P. Report

LAHORE: Senior Minister Abdul Aleem Khan has said Overseas Pakistanis always play pivotal role in the development of Pakistan.

Talking to UK Member Parliament Mr. Faisal Rasheed who called on him here in Lahore on Monday, he told him that the present government had already started to fulfill its promises and especially in Punjab such system of Local Bodies is being introduced which would be fully delivering to the masses.

He said that at the pattern of developed countries and village councils and neighborhood councils are being established.

The Senior Minister said that now 10 to 20 thousand people would be having representative in local bodies and even Councilor would be having financial and administrative powers to execute development projects. He told that in new system mayor and deputy mayors would be elected directly.

Abdul Aleem Khan further said that vision of Premier Imran Khan is to get people out of the 70 years’ old traditional and corrupt system. Senior Minister exchanged views with Member Parliament UK Faisal Rasheed and welcomed him in Lahore. He said that right of vote for the Pakistanis abroad was the basic demand of Tehreek-e-Insaaf and through this development overseas Pakistanis would be more contributing towards to their motherland.

Abdul Aleem Khan expressed hope that in the present regime overseas Pakistanis would also be fully supporting to minimize the problems facing Pakistan.

In his conversation, UK Member Parliament Faisal Rasheed congratulated Abdul Aleem Khan on getting majority in the recent general elections.

He briefed the Senior Minister on the local bodies system in United Kingdom. He told that he himself started his politics from Councillor, Mayor and then elected as Member of Parliament.

Faisal Rasheed thanked Abdul Aleem Khan for hospitality by Lahortis. Provincial Minister Mian Khalid Mahmood, ex-Secretary Local Govt. Chaudhary Farooq and Chairman Walk line Ch. Waheed Farooq were also present in the meeting.

F.P. Report

MUZAFFARABAD: A protest demonstration was held in Muzaffarabad, Monday, under the auspices of Pasban-e-Hurriyat Jammu and Kashmir against the threatening remarks of the Indian Army Chief about Pakistan.

Hundreds of people participated in the protest demonstration, who were holding banners and placards inscribed with anti-India slogans. They also raised high-pitched slogans against the Indian Prime Minister and the Army Chief.

Addressing the demonstration, the Chairman of Pasban-e-Hurriyat Jammu and Kashmir, Uzair Ahmad Ghazali strongly condemned the remarks and demanded of the United Nations to take notice of it. He said that India had implemented draconian laws in occupied Kashmir and were killing innocent people on daily basis there. He said that hundreds of Kashmirs were behind the bars in the jails of India and the occupied territory.

Uzair Ahmad Ghazali said that the people of Kashmir had been struggling for their right to self-determination guaranteed to them by the international community and the United Nations but India was crushing their movement by use of brute force. He said that the United Nations should stop India from destroying peace in the region and settle the lingering Kashmir dispute according to its own resolutions and will of Kashmiri people.

The Vice Chairman of International Forum for Justice and Human Rights Jammu and Kashmir, Mushtaq ul Islam, PPP leader Javaid Mir, Qazi Shahid Hameed of Jamat e Islami, Maulana Atique Ahmad Danish, Qari Bilal Ahmad Farooqi, Abu Siyaf, Usman Ali Hashim, Tanzeer Iqbal and Mehfooz Inqilabi also addressing the demonstration highlighted the Indian state terrorism in occupied Kashmir.

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan Takashi Kurai called on the Federal Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen M Mazari here in Islamabad on Monday.

According to a press release issued by the rights ministry, the two discussed matters related to mutual relations and cooperation for the protection of human rights including the rights of women and children.

Besides, Secretary Human Rights Rabiya Javeri Agha, high officials of the ministry were also among the attendants.

They discussed the matters related to the mutual relations and cooperation for the protection of human rights including the rights of women and children. During the meeting, Shireen Mazari also raised the issue of the Japanese-India civil nuclear deal. Ambassador Takashi Kurai said we are eager to collaborate for the protection of human rights and showed his interest especially in non-formal education for adults.

The Human Rights Minister apprised the Ambassador about the steps which the government has taken for the protection of human rights and informed him about the facilities provided to women including Women shelter adding that there is a need to further provide them technical work skills to make them economically sound. She said we are enthusiastic to work collectively to further promote this relation particularly for the protection of human rights.

Japanese Ambassador appreciated the steps taken by the incumbent government for the protection of Human Rights in the country and assured his full support in this regard. Dr Mazari also sent her congratulations to the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on his re-election again.

Separately, Ms Mazari met with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Representative for Pakistan Ms Ruven Menikdiwela.

They discussed the matters related to mutual cooperation and the problems relating to the Afghan refugees settled in Pakistan.

The UNHCR Representative while appreciating the efforts of Pakistan for hosting the millions of Afghan refugees for the last four decades and providing them support and assistance has said Pakistan has taken several steps to protect Afghan refugees in the country.

Meanwhile, Ambassador of Ukraine to Pakistan, Volodymyr Lakomov also paid a courtesy call on the Federal Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen M Mazari here in Islamabad on Monday. During the meeting, they discussed mutual relations between the two countries.

F.P. Report

LAHORE: The flood risk increased in adjoining areas located at the bank of Rivers Ravi, Sutlej and Chenab after India released water in these rivers.

According to details, the rescue teams evacuated these villages and the residents are being taken to relief camps on higher ground.

According to Ministry of Water and Power, water level began to rise suddenly in rivers near Kasur, Narowal and Marala due to excessive water released by India.

Sources said that India opened gates of Ferozepur Headworks which resulted in the rise of water by two feet in Ganda Singhwala area near Kasur.

They further informed that India released water in River Ravi from Madhupur Headworks which entered Pakistan in Jassar area. Tawi River and Jammu River, two contributory rivers of Chenab, are also in high flood.

F.P. Report

LANDIKOTAL: At least four women were killed after landslide fell on them on Monday Landikotal tehsil of Khyber district.

Khasadar forces told local media that, the ill-fated women were collecting sand for renovation of a house in Mukhtar Khel area of Landikotal tehsil when landslide fell on them.

The deceased included a woman and her three daughters, whose bodies were pulled out by locals.

Landikotal is a tehsil situated in Khyber Agency on the tribal belt that has now been merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The agency is situated close to Peshawar, the main metropolis of the province.

Peshawar comprises three tertiary care hospitals where patients from all over the province are brought for medical treatment, especially when there is a lack of facilities in their respective areas.

F.P. Report

TIMERGARA: Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar reiterated that Bhasha Dam will be built at any cost as construction of dams was need of the hour.

Talking to local journalists at the Chakdara Fishing hut during his brief stay the CJP reaffirmed he wanted to serve the people of Pakistan. He was on the way to Swat from Chitral.

The Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar  appreciated Pakistanis for their contribution in fund raising for the dam and said that the dam would be constructed whatever the cost may be.

He said the Bhasha dam was essential for development and prosperity of the country.

He said that no one could match the spirit of Pakistanis who donated billions of rupees for dam’s construction.

“I am grateful to those who donated for the dam,” Justice Saqib Nisar said.

When asked about the speedy trials of cases in the court, the CJP said the procedure had been expedited and people would soon see its fruits.

He said the courts would provide relief to seekers of justice in the country.

A local journalist draw his attention toward the construction of Sanam dam in Adenzai Lower Dir and informed the Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar  that the project had been tendered but construction work on it was yet to start.

 

 

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Communications Murad Saeed here on Sunday reiterated the government resolve for bringing transparency, efficiency, maintaining standards and quality in mega infrastructure development projects and ensured their completion with in given time frame to make them cost effective.

Addressing a press conference here, the minister said that Ministry of Communications had decided to introduce e-tendering, and e-billing system with in 60 days in order to bring the transparency and accountability across the board as according to the vision of  Prime Minister Imran Khan to eradicate the menace of corruption from the country.

The minister said that it was also decided to conduct 3rd party audit of six mega development projects in first phase, adding that the cost of these projects had witnessed unprecedented increase and dented in the national exchequers in tune of billion of rupees.

Murad Saeed said that another 34 projects, which had witnessed increase in their cost due to delay in the work and completion with in the given time frame, adding that the reasons behind the delay in these projects would be determined and the responsibilities to be fixed.

In order to implement the Prime Minister’s austerity drive,the Ministry of Communications would auction all its 42 luxury vehicles alongwith 177 others, which were used by the high officials of the ministry and would save Rs 30 million used for the maintenance of these vehicles.

The minister further informed that the auction process of these luxury vehicles would be completed with in a week, besides opening the two guest houses for general public as a tourist resort after up grading these places in collaboration with the private sector on build, operate and transfer basis (BOT).

He said that the lake in front of these guest houses would also be used for the promotion of water sports and revenue generation, adding that anti-encroachment campaign would also be launched to free the properties and land of National Highways and Motor Way.

The minister said that his ministry would also contribute in Prime Minister’s billion tree programme in collaboration with other stakeholders, adding that special measures would also be put on place to ensure  the survival of these trees. He said that survival audit would also be conducted for these plants.

The minister said that in future the developmental projects would be initiated on BOT and public private partnership mode keeping focus on the agriculture development, tourism promotion and ensuring environmental protection.

The Communications’ minster further revealed that initiation of the development projects would help to provide job opportunities for skilled and semi-skilled workforce in the country which would also help in fulfilling the PM’s 10 million job creation vision.

Murad Saeed informed that the ministry is also launching mobile application (app) within 45 days,which would provide the details of the projects including their cost and time of completion and amount released for the projects in order to ensure transparency, enhance sense of ownership by the general public.

The NHA would also launch another mobile phone application ‘Pasban’, which would keep updated the road users about the weather and road conditions across the country to facilitate the passengers as well as make their journey more safe and square.

He said that NHA had also working in two development projects under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, adding that their completion within the given time would be ensured by maintaining the quality of the work.

 

 

F.P. Report

PESHAWAR: Minister for State Shehryar Afridi has said that Pakistan will give respect to those who give reverence to Pakistan and our doors are open for peace and dialogue every time.

Addressing a press conference here at Kohat Press Club on Sunday, Shehryar Afridi said that we offered invitation for peace dialogue to neighbor country but it rejected our sincere proposal adding that our offer should not be considered our weakness. He said that the Pakistani nation should not be challenged or threatened otherwise it results would be dangerous.

He said that we are in favor of peace dialogue but India did not accept and take U-turn. Afridi said that all people of Hindustan are fed up of Modi Sarkar. He said that we condemn the cruelty of Indian troops in Occupied Kashmir and would raise voice for Kashmiris on every available forum. He said that Pakistani people would support their country in every difficult time adding our countrymen and would not hesitate to give any sacrifice for their motherland.

 

 

F.P. Report

TIMERGARA: Pakistan People Party leader and former Federal Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira on Sunday said India was trying to sabotage peace building effort of Pakistan by rejecting the later offer of bilateral meeting on ministerial level. He was speaking at a news conference at Timergara here during his visit to the district where he met party local leaders and visited the scenic Kumrat valley in Upper Dir. The PPP district president and former provincial minister Mehmood Zeb, secretary information advocate Alam Zeb and others were also present on the occasion.

Terming the July general election as rigged, Mr Kaira said all the opposition parties including the PPP had expressed reservations on it but the PPP accepted it for the continuation of democracy.

The PPP leader said Imran Khan could not implement his 100 days plan and he was sure the Prime Minister would do nothing. He said the PPP wished to give enough time to the government and it did not plan to run an agitation.

“We will continue to play due role inside and outside of the parliament,” Qamar Zaman Kaira said. He said that opening of Prime Minister house and Governor houses for public could not solve people’ problems. He said that Imran Khan had included ministers and advisors against whom NAB cases were filed. He said he was not against the use of helicopter and special plane by Imran Khan as the Prime Minister had to reach his destination on time.

The PPP leader said his party would support good things of the government and condemn the wrong doings.

“It is not true the PPP has divided the opposition,” Mr Kaira said, adding his party was not ally of any party. He however; said the opposition could be united any time.

Mr Kaira said he visited the scenic Kumrat valley and was of the view that it was the most beautiful place in Pakistan. He said that he also visited Kalam in Swat.

 

 

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: Former president General (Retd) Pervez Musharraf has hit out against the Indian Army Chief threat cum warning to Pakistan. In social media, he has warned, “let India put something into practice first,” they will be taught a lesson.

He was responding in the wake of recent remarks from Indian army chief General Bipin Rawat:“talks and terrorism can’t go hand in hand” and that there is a need to take revenge against the Pakistan army. “Yes, it’s time to give it back to them in the same coin, not resorting to similar kind of barbarism. But, I think the other side must also feel the same pain,” he tweeted.