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Speakers for evolving
comprehensive energy security plan
ISLAMABAD: Speakers here at a
seminar called for evolving comprehensive security plan in order
to minimise energy shortages in the country.
“Currently the shortest possible
way to minimise the energy shortage is to stop theft of
electricity and gas which can be done with better management and
leadership”, Khurram Dasatgir Khan, member of National Assembly
said in ‘Seminar on Energy Crisis’ at National Press Club on
Thursday.
He said over all line losses in
electricity sector were 19 per cent of the total consumption
whereas in gas sector it was 6 per cent costing billions of
rupees to the national economy.
He urged all political parties
to sit together in the national interest for resolving this
issues as early as possible saying that there was no other issue
bigger than the energy crisis.
Senator Haroon Khan on the
occasion was of the view that Pakistan was endowed with rich
natural resources but it was facing situation of energy crisis
due to inconsistent policies and lack of decision power.
He said the leadership should
have to take bold and unpopular decisions for the development
and prosperity of the country.
“There are number of resources
in the country available including solar, wind, nuclear, coal
and hydel energy sources with which we can produce the required
energy”, Haroon Khan observed.
He said by using ethanol in
producing electricity, the country can save huge amount of
foreign exchange.
Haroon was of the view that
there were number of new dams in the pipeline but their process
was slow due to lack of funds.
He urged the private sector to
invest in the projects of energy production so that the country
may get out of the crisis as early as possible.
Former Director General
Petroleum, G.A. Sabri however, said theft of electricity and gas
was not the only problem, but there were number of other reasons
due to which the shortage of gas and electricity was created.
Opposing the use of CNG in the
vehicles, Sabri observed that it was not a matter of pride that
the country was the world’s second largest consumer of CNG. -
APP
Arfa Karim commemorative postage stamp issued
ISLAMABAD: Sardar Muhammad Umar
Goragaje, Federal Minister for Postal Services said that Arfa
Karim was a daughter of this nation who at a very young age not
only established her name but brought laurels for the whole
nation.
“Not only Pakistan but the whole
world appreciated her talent”, Muhamad Umar expressed these
views at ceremony organised to pay her a tribute and to issue
commemorative stamps in recognition of her outstanding flair.
Arfa Karim passed away on
January 16 at the age of 16 after suffering an epileptic stroke.
The launch of her commemorative stamp coincides with her
birthday.
Arfa became the world’s youngest
Microsoft Certified Professional at the age of nine in 2004.
Federal Minister in his speech
further said that her aptitude and performance is exemplary for
our youth. It is not everyday that gifted children with the
ability to change the destiny born in our country. Losing her is
an agony but I want to pay tribute to her parents who raised
their daughter in such an admirable way. Federal Minister paid a
cheque of Rs.100, 000/- to her parents in order to continue her
mission. Secretary Postal Services Raja Muhammad Ikram ul Haq
paid tribute to her and in his address read the message of the
Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Additional Director General
Fazal Sattar Khan paid homage to Irfa Karim and declared that in
recognition of her talent, innocence, sincerity, courage and
patriotism Pakistan Post has issued a commemorative stamp. Prime
Minister of Pakistan has approved the issuance of these stamps.
2500,000 stamps have been printed. This commemorative ticket
will spread the message of patriotism.
On the occasion, Malala
Yousafzai stated that Arfa was among those few who recognize the
aim of their lives. What she achieved in 17 years life, very few
could accomplish in 70 years. Irfa Karim was ahead of her time,
she was not aware of her surroundings but knew herself very
well. - INP
Shujaat for recovery of missing persons from Balochistan
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim
League Quaid-i-Azam (PML-Q) President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain
Thursday called for more confidence building measures (CBMs) for
restoring the confidence of Balochs and also ensuring the early
recovery of missing persons.
"To resolve the issue, recovery
of all the missing persons in Balochistan should be the first
confidence building measure which may be followed by other
measures to restore confidence of the people of Balochistan in
the federation," he said in a statement issued here on Thursday.
Condemning in strongest terms
the brutal murder of the grand daughter of Nawab Akbar Bugti and
her 13-year-old son in Karachi, Chaudhry Shujaat said that such
incidents would only fuel further hatred and gulf between the
federation and the civilians.
He termed the killing a national
massacre and expressed solidarity with the bereaved family. He
asked the government to conduct an impartial inquiry into the
gruesome incident and bring the culprits to justice.
Referring to his recent visit to
Balochistan, Chaudhry Shujaat said that he had been time and
again demanding of the government to resolve Balochistan issue
through talks which was the only way forward rather than talking
the matter through strong actions. He said that Bloch people
needed a healing touch and the government should immediately
launch efforts to resolve the issue which was a challenge to the
federation. - APP
Around 4,000 students participate in Wetland competitions
ISLAMABAD: Around 4,000 students
from various schools of twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad
took part in the celebrations of World Wetlands Day 2012 held at
Islamabad College for Girls (ICG) F-6/2 on Thursday.
The event was arranged by
Pakistan Wetland Programme (PWP) in which students actively
participated in the art competition, story writing and poem
competitions.
The event was aimed at creating
awareness about the vital connectivity between tourism, wetlands
and the people, highlighting the importance of protection and
conservation of wetlands.
Secretary Ministry of National
Disaster Management M. Javed Malik was chief guest on the
occasion.
Javed Malik appreciated the
efforts of PWP for arranging such event and also acknowledged
the talent of the students who participated in various
competitions enthusiastically.
National Programme Manager PWP,
Dr Ghulam Akbar briefed the participants about the various
activities of the programme.
A range of activities were
organised to enable the students to express their views on the
subject through arts, debate, play and poetry competitions,
among other activities.
This event served as a knowledge
sharing avenue where students along with their families and
friends had the opportunity to exchange their views and also
learn from environmental experts about the significance of
forests and wetlands.
The closing ceremony will be
held on February 15 where the winning participants will be
awarded with gifts and souvenirs.
A similar campaign was organised
at Gilgit, Chitral, Peshawar University KPK, Khabbeki Khushab,
Kot Adu, Faisalabad, Lahore Punjab, Sukkur, Keenjhar Lake, and
Karachi, Sindh, Gwader Balochistan other towns and villages of
Pakistan.
The Pakistan Wetlands Programme
WWF has been a trend setter in developing a firm base for
mainstreaming the values of wetlands across Pakistan.
The Programme, being implemented
by the WWF, World Wide Fund for Nature, Pakistan, once again organised
the celebration of one of its mega events being held each year
on February 2nd, 2012, to mark the date of adoption of the
International Convention on Wetlands in
Ramsar, Iran in 1971.
This year, the World Wetlands
Day celebrations focused on the theme Wetland and Tourism' with
a slogan ‘Wetland Tourism: A Great Experience'. - APP
Fraud, misappropriation cause Rs410.91m loss to Pak Post Office
ISLAMABAD: Minister for Postal
Services Sardar Mohammad Umar Goreij on Thursday informed the
Senate that during the last three years around 142 cases of
misappropriation and fraud were unearthed in various post
offices involving a loss of Rs.410.91 million.
Replying to a question during
the question hour, he said a sum of Rs.72.27 million was
recovered from the involved officials, while Rs.338.64 million
were yet to be recovered.
He said that efforts were
underway for recovery of remaining loss departmentally as well
as through FIA and NAB. - APP
Cutting of trees goes on unabated
in Sector G-9/3,
9th Avenue
ISLAMABAD: The cutting of trees
in Sector G-9/3 and Ninth Avenue continues allegedly with the
support of Capital Development Authority (CDA) environment
department.
According to details, people cut
trees from the jogging track located between G-9/3 service road
east and Ninth Avenue and then shift them to Rawalpindi in broad
day light after being loaded on vehicles.
Citizens said that theft and
cutting of trees in Margala hills forest area was common but
such incidents in city have astonished them.
They complained that concerned
authorities have turned a blind eye towards the matter.
The citizens demanded Member
Environment Mian Waheeduddin and Chairman CDA Farkhand Iqbal to
stop the trend of cutting trees and take stern action against
those involved in the practice. - INP
Daniyal warns about tsunami of price-hike
followed by grave social disorder violence
ISLAMABAD: Chairman of Jeevay
Pakistan Jeevay Muqami Hakoomat (JPJM) Daniyal Aziz has warned
the rulers that the recent increase in petrol and gas prices
would lead to tsunami of price-hike that may result in serious
economic, social and political crisis in the country.
In a statement issued from the
JPJM Secretariat Thursday, Daniyal said that quarterly report of
State Bank of Pakistan is an eye-opener for the greedy and
incapable rulers of the country. He said that the SBP report had
already predicted killing price-hike in near future and had
advised the government to take appropriate measures to control
the situation. But, the so-called democratic and pro-people
rulers worked adversely and announced increase in petrol prices
just to suck blood out of poor masses, added Daniyal.
He said in such worst situation
the government should have cut down its own lavish expenditures
but the rulers are taking loans from local banking sectors to
fill their pockets, causing alarming inflation in Pakistan which
would double the volume of price-hike this year. He said
load-shedding is also a major cause of price-hike and
unemployment, adding that the local investors are also looking
for other venues to invest because they are unable to meet
market's demand while living in Pakistan. He warned that
price-hike victims and jobless youth may turn into hardened
criminals or mercenaries if they are not given relief by the
government. - INP
Annual Naat Competition held
ISLAMABAD: All Pakistan Annual
Naat Competition was held at the National Broadcasting House in
Islamabad Thursday as part of the Eid Miladun Nabi (SAW)
celebrations.
It was jointly hosted by
Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation and Pakistan Television
Corporation.
Federal Minister for Religious
Affairs, Syed Khurshid Shah who was the chief guest gave away
prizes to the winners.
The competition was held in four
categories - boys and girls under-15 and boys and girls between
15 and 25 years of age.
Winners of Naat competitions
earlier held in all the four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and
Azad Kashmir and Federal capital
Islamabad took part in the all
Pakistan contest.
In the first category of Boys
under 15, Muhammad Faizan of
Punjab got first position,
Muhammad Hashim of Sindh secured second Afaq Aalam of
Gilgit-Baltistan stood third.
In the second category of girls
under the age of 15, Noorina Imtiaz of Punjab got first position; Noorish Khalid of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa secured second
position while Arooba Fatima of Sindh stood third.
In the third category of boys
between 15 and 25 year of age, Muhammad Ishaq of Balochistan got
the first position; Asim Munir of Punjab secured second position
while Muhammad Faizan of Islamabad stood third.
In the fourth category of girls
between 15 and 25 year of age, Asmat Tahira of Punjab got first position; Amina Ataullah of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa secured second
position while Syeda Siara Anjum of
Islamabad stood third. The first
position holder in each category was awarded a copy of Holy
Quran, set of books on Seeratun Nabi (SAW) and cash prize of
twelve thousand rupees. - Online
Zardari made PM scapegoat: PML-N
Islamabad:
Senior leader of PML(N) Ahsan Iqbal has said that President
Zardari has made Prime Minister Gilani a scapegoat to ‘conceal
his own corruption’.
Talking to a private TV channel
on Thursday, Ahsan Iqbal said that if Prime Minister would have
been written a letter to the Swiss authorities earlier, he might
be secured from facing music. “Now he would have to deal with
the situation”.
He said that the government is
responsible for all the situation that arises now . If the
rulers would not implement the court orders , then how rule of
law would prevail in the country, and how common man would
respect the law.
“PML(N) has been giving advice
to the government since last two years that should writer the
latter to Swiss authorities by complying with the court orders”,
he added. - Online
44 most wanted human traffickers nabbed during last 30 months
ISLAMABAD: Federal Investigation
Agency (FIA) took stern action against human smugglers,
facilitators and sub-agents and arrested 44 Most Wanted
Traffickers (MWTs) during last two and half years.
As per data, 26 MWTs were
arrested in 2009, 16 in 2010 and 02 were nabbed till June during
2011.
An official source while
mentioning the steps undertaken to bring illegal migration at
zero level, said establishment of Anti Trafficking Units at
Provincial Police HQs and Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) had
helped to combat internal human trafficking.
Around 10703 illegal migrants
were intercepted in 2008, 5601 in 2009 and 3434 in 2010.
The Agency also arrested 4,334
human traffickers during last two and half years which included
1755 human traffickers during 2009, 1779 in 2010 and up to June,
800 human traffickers were arrested.
He said due to these measures
Pakistan’s position was upgraded from Tier-2 Watch List to
Tier-2 in US State Department’s Trafficking In Persons (TIP)
Report-2010 and the same position was maintained in TIP
Report-2011.
The number of deportation has
gradually decreased which is done with the international
cooperation.
Bilateral Joint Working Groups
were also established such as Pakistan- Oman,
Pakistan-UK, Pakistan-Turkey and
Pakistan-Australia. - APP
Governor inaugurates 110-km Tank-Jandola-Makin road
JANDOLA: The Governor Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa Barrister Masood Kausar on Thursday visited South
Waziristan Agency where he inaugurated a newly constructed 110
KM Tank-Jandola-Makin road and attended the passing out ceremony
of first batch of 58 trainees at Waziristan Institute of
Technical Education (WITE).
Senator Maulana Saleh Shah, MNA
Maulana Abdul Malik, Additional Chief Secretary FATA Fazal Karim
Khattak and Chief Executive FDA Shah Rukh Arbab also accompanied
the Governor during his visit.
Speaking at the tribal jirga at
Jandola after inaugurating the Tank-Jandola-Makin road, the
Governor said the road would play a pivotal role in the socio
economic development of the area.
He said that change is taking
place in FATA, which will gain further momentum with the
beginning of political activities in tribal area. He said that
development activities in FATA particularly in South Waziristan
was the result of peace in the area and vowed that peace would
be maintained at all costs.
He warned that whosoever tried
to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere again would be dealt with
iron hand. He said that the tribal people and the security
forces had rendered valuable sacrifices for peace in South
Waziristan Agency.
He said that the avenues of
development in FATA could not be closed because the area had
been put on road to progress and prosperity. He urged the tribal
people and elders to play their role in the maintenance of
peace.
The Governor said that the
colonial era was over and now was the reign of the people and
their representatives.
In FATA too, he added the people
were being empowered and taken on board about the initiatives
for their welfare, wellbeing and prosperity.
He said that the tribal people,
elders and media would be given a role in the monitoring process
so that the development funds are utilised in a transparent
manner.
The governor said that
communication network in South Waziristan Agency was being
strengthened.
He in this regard referred to
the construction of two new roads; Tank-Jandola-Makin and
Tank-Gomal-wana road in the Agency and said that it was a
beginning and more such roads were being planned to be
constructed in the years to come.
He appreciated the Frontier
Works Organisation for the quality and speedy construction and
said that the technical and other related staff of the
organisation had worked in an odd circumstances and unpleasant
conditions which must be appreciated.
Presiding over the first
convocation of Waziristan Institute of Technical Education at
Chagmalai in South Waziristan Agency the Governor said that
development and economic stability could not be materialized
without education.
He said that the FATA youth
would be imparted technical education to enable them earn an
honorable livelihood for them and their families.
He said that employment
opportunities in the Middle East countries were also being
explored for the skilled workers from FATA and the FATA
Secretariat was working on a plan in this regard.
The Governor assured the tribal
elders present in the ceremony that their demands and
requirements would be fulfilled.
He said that it was a candied
policy of the government that the affectees would be
rehabilitated and fully compensated.
Waziristan Institute of
Technical Education is the first technical institution of its
kind established with in FATA, where less educated tribal youth
are being imparted technical training in different trades and
technologies.
The first batch of 58 students
with 4 months duration was trained in Auto Mechanic, Auto
Electrician, Building Electrician, Driving and Computer.
The Governor gave away
certificates to the passed out trainees and awarded prizes to
the students who topped the relevant course. The Governor also
went round various sections of the Institute and appreciated the
level of training being given to the students in the
Institution. - APP
Army to hand over parts of Swat to civil administration
MINGORA: GoC Swat Major General
Ghulam Qamar has said that the areas of Kalam, Bahrain and Madiyan will be
handed over to civil administration from March 1, followed by
Malakand Agency in June and Chitral and Dir by the end of the
current calendar year.
He was addressing a first-ever
Security and Development Conference in Malakand Division in
Khwazakhela. Besides Commissioner, Malakand Dr. Fakhar-e-Alam,
DIG, Malakand Division, Akhtar Hayat Gandapur, D.C.O Swat Kamran
Rehman, DCOs and DPOs and officials of security agencies
attended the conference.
The meeting held detailed
discussion on matters relating to security and development in
Malakand Division.
He said that with the grace of
Allah Almighty and sacrifices of Pakistan army, police and
general public, peace has been restored in the division.
The Commissioner Malakand on the
occasion said that the capacity of Chitral Police and Malakand
Levies will be improved. He said that Saudi Arabia will be
providing funds for the construction of Kalam Road while the
completion of Ayub Bridge will take another year.
D.I.G Police, Malakand Division,
Akhtar Hayat Gandapore said that for the facilitation of women,
women police personnel will be deployed at checkpost in Dargai.
- APP
Court awards life term to two brothers in murder case
SWABI: A local court awarded
life-tem imprisonment and Rs.100,000 fine upon two brothers
convicted in a murder case.
District and Session Judge
Swabi, Khwaja Wajihuddin Khan after hearing arguments, recorded
statements of the accused, witnesses and facts of the case ruled
the case has been proved against accused Azam Hussain and Abdur
Rashid son of Muhammad Faroosh, resident of Bamkhel and awarded
the sentence.
In the case of non payment of
fine, the accused will remain in jail for another six months.
According to prosecution, the
accused was charged by police for allegedly attacking a house at
village Kalu Khan, killing a child Lubna Akhtar over women
dispute on May 4, 2011.
Meanwhile, FC constable, Ataur
Rehman, son of Syed Ahmed Shah, who was martyred during a clash
with outlaws in Quetta, was laid to rest here on Thursday.
A smartly turned out FC
contingent presented guard of honour to the coffin of the
Shaheed.
The funeral prayer was attended
by elected representatives and elites of the area.
Later, he was laid to rest at
his ancestral graveyard at Maneri Payan Swabi with full honour.
- APP
BISP launches skill development project in Faisalabad
FAISALABAD: As many as 6 million
families of Pakistan are living in extreme poverty that can be
redressed by providing technical skills to the people to lead a
balanced life.
This was stated by Benazir
Income Support Programme (Special Initiative) Director General
Jahangir Alim Chohan at the inaugural session of Skill
Development Project under Waseela-e-Rozgar Programme jointly
launched by Department of Continuing Education, University of
Agriculture, Faisalabad and BISP here
Thursday.
UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr
Iqrar Ahmad Khan was chief guest while BISP Director General
(Punjab Chapter) Shahid Aslam was guest of honour.
In the first phase of the
project, 249 people living in extreme poverty would be equipped
with the technical skills under nine short courses. Students
would be also given stipend of Rs6,000 keeping in view their
financial conditions.
The UAF vice chancellor said
that the around 80 million of the country population was
consisting of youth. It is a matter of the concern that only six
percent of them can get the higher education where 94 percent
did not have an access to higher education. He said that with
the vocational training, we can make the rest of the youth
useful citizens.
He said that UAF continuing
education had equipped 1 lakh 34 thousands students with the
technical education through short courses since its inception.
He stressed the need to promote the vocational education among
the people who cannot avail the regular education. He lauded the
steps being taken on the part of BISP in this regard.
BISP Director General (Punjab chapter) Shahid Aslam said that under the Waseela-e- BISP initiative is
a targeted scheme to provide loan amounting upto Rs300,000 to
the randomly selected beneficiary families currently receiving
the cash transfers. - INP
Girl, 14, dies at
PMC
Hospital allegedly by spurious injection
Nawabshah: A 14-year girl
Ameeran died at Peoples Medical College Hospital, Nawabshah on
Thursday morning due to spurious injection given to her, as
alleged by the heirs.
Ameeran, student of class VI and
resident of Bhangwar colony, was brought to the emergency ward
of Pediatric department, PMC Hospital last night where she was
given an injection and before the drug could be injected fully,
the girl started shivering and crying due to which the dispenser
fled from the scene.
The girl was rushed to ICU on
the protest of heirs where the doctors tried to save her life
but failed.
The heirs of girl staged
demonstration against the doctors alleging that spurious
injection was given to her.
When contacted, Medical
Superintendent of PMC Hospital Dr. Tufail Baloch said the
deceased girl was asthma patient. He denied that injection was
spurious and said medicines are purchased by inviting tenders.
He however has sent a letter to
Dr. Akbar Siyal, head of Pediatric Ward for inquiry. - PPI
Shutter-down in Balochistan
paralyses the routine life
QUETTA: Shutter down strike
against target killing of two women of Domki family in
Karachi paralyzed the routine
life across Balochistan province.
It should be mentioned that
Balochistan National Party (BNP), National Party and other
nationalist parties had announced to observe shutter down strike
across the province on Feb 02 and 03 against target killing of
wife and daughter of MPA Mir Bakhtiar Domki in Karachi, two days
ago.
Almost all the markets and
business centers in Quetta and other districts
remained closed on Thursday. Partial shutter down was observed
in far flung districts.
Protest demonstrations were also
held in various districts against the lawlessness and target
killing of Balochis. The protestors demanded the federal and
provincial governments to take steps for giving protection to
public lives and properties.
The citizens have to face
hardships due to shutter down strike. Attendance in offices and
educational institutions also remained thin as people preferred
staying indoors due to fear of violence and inconvenience.
The BNP and nationalists parties
have warned to continue shutter down along with wheel jam strike
on Feb 04 and 05, if the elements behind targeted killing of
Domki family women were not arrested. - INP |