Category: Pakistan

Pakistan

Complete Walton Road Upgradation In Two Months: Prime Minister Pakistan

Posted on by news update

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir)

Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, visited the Kalma Chowk Remodeling CBD Punjab Boulevard project site in Lahore. The project, which is being carried out by Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (PCBDDA), also known as Central Business District Punjab (CBD Punjab), aims to remodel the Kalma Chowk area, including the underpass, road networks, water supply and drainage lines. The Prime Minister was briefed about the project by CEO CBD Punjab, Imran Amin and other senior officials.

The project, which started on December 4, 2022, was originally scheduled to be completed on June 2, 2023, with a contract price of Rs 4.2 Billion However, the project will be completed one week ahead of schedule, with no revision of PC1 and well within the allocated budgets and estimates. The contractor for the project is NLC Engineers, and the consultant was NESPAK.

The Kalma Underpass, which has a total length of 925m, has been remodeled, along with the Ali Zeb underpass, with a barrel length of 377 meters, and the CBD Quaid District, with a barrel length of 280 meters. The road networks, totaling 4.98km, have also been rehabilitated. The main Kalma Underpass and allied at-grade roads Ali Zaib Road with Service Lanes are now functional for traffic.

During his visit, the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the development pace of the project and lauded the contractor. He also ordered the hiring of a third-party technical validation consultant for the Kalma Chowk remodeling project and also gave the directive to complete the upgradation of Walton Road in two months

In addition, the entire Kalma underpass was opened for traffic on February 24, 2023, upon the instruction of the Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab, Syed Mohsin Naqvi. All the water supply, sewerage and drainage lines, and two wells, falling under the project area, have been upgraded. A water retention tank with wells at Saint Mary’s Park has also been constructed. The underpasses’ width, Ali Zeb Road width, Main Boulevard width, and Saint Mary’s Road width have been expanded for the easy flow of ongoing traffic.

Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Commissioner Lahore Division, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, COO CBD Punjab Brigadier (R) Mansoor Janjua, Directorate heads of CBD Punjab, MD Nespak Dr. Tahir Masood. Brigadier Umar Farooqi PD NLC, officials of NLC, NESPAK, and senior government officials were present during the visit.

CBD PUNJAB BOULEVARD And Underpass Project Underway To Provide Relief To Daily Commuters

Posted on by news update

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (PCBDDA), also known as Central Business District Punjab (CBD Punjab), has been prioritizing the development of the CBD Punjab Boulevard and Underpass project. With the directives of Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, the project is being fast-tracked to provide maximum relief to the general public in their daily commute.

Mr. Imran Amin, CEO of CBD Punjab, visited the CBD Punjab Boulevard and Underpass site to review the progress of the project. During his visit, he lauded the efforts of the CBD Punjab team and contractor National Logistic Cell (NLC), for making the main underpass and adjoining roads functional for traffic.

The construction of Ali Zaib Road barrel raft concrete pouring is currently in progress and will be completed soon. The Ali Zaib Road barrel will be a gift for the general public. To combat environmental hazards, CBD Punjab is also planting 10,000 plants in the vicinity of the project which will have a clean and green impact on the project.

While expressing his views CEO of CBD Punjab, Mr. Imran Amin, said, “Our utmost priority, as per the directive of Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab, is to provide maximum relief to the general public in their daily commute. I am pleased to report that the CBD Punjab Boulevard and Underpass project is 90% complete, and we have opened all the adjoining roads for traffic. Just like PSL 8, CBD Punjab has taken all the important measures for smooth traffic flow during the Pakistan Vs New Zealand T20 series.”

Several high-ranking officials of CBD Punjab, including Executive Director Commercial Mr. Mohammad Omer, Executive Director Technical Mr. Riaz Hussain, Director Project Management Mr. Asif Iqbal, and senior officials of CBD Punjab and NLC were also present during the visit.

The CBD Punjab Boulevard and Underpass project will be a significant development in the province of Punjab. It will provide much-needed relief to daily commuters by easing traffic

congestion and improving travel times. The project will also benefit the environment by planting thousands of trees in the vicinity, making it a sustainable initiative.

11th ArtBeat–National Child Art Competition and Exhibition

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Pakistan’s biggest Child Art contest entitled “ArtBeat–National Child Art Competition” is in its 11th edition now and is ready to get exhibited. The annual competition was initiated in 2012 by The LITTLE ART with a vision to promote visual culture, understanding of issues among children and youth from their own perspective, celebrate children as artists and present children’s views as a point of discourse for adults and the community.

Mastermind of the contest and director of The LITTLE ART Shoaib Iqbal briefed that, in the past 10 years, nearly 100,000 children have participated as artists in ArtBeat and despite the covid outbreak, response of the students was amazing this year too. In total we have received nearly 3500 artworks, digital designs, photos and stories online from more than 185 schools from across the country and 24 community organizations participated this year in the competition.

Shoaib Iqbal added that The LITTLE ART has decided to showcase the art works produced by children in National exhibitions. The first exhibition will be held at Gallery 11, Pakistan National Council for the Arts, Islamabad on Friday, January 21, 2022. Mr. Bryce Hutchesson, Charge d’Affaires, Australian High Commission, Islamabad will inaugurate the exhibition. After the Islamabad, The Little Art will bring the children art works exhibition in Alhamra Art Council Lahore and in Karachi during February, he concluded.

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FIA launches money laundering probe against Tik Tok star Hareem Shah

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

The Federal Intelligence Agency (FIA) has launched a money laundering probe against Tik Tok star Hareem Shah. 

FIA officials have decided to write a letter to the British National Crime Agency to request the body to investigate after video evidence showed the social media star confessing to carrying large sums of currency.

“Action is being taken against Hareem Shah under foreign exchange laws,” an FIA official said.

“Unlawful transfer of foreign currency comes under money laundering.”

Shah, who’s real name is Fizza Hussain as per documents obtained by Geo News, had traveled from Karachi International Airport to Doha on the night of January 10.

Speaking about the ordeal, the Tik Tok star said that she was dealing with large sums of currency of the first time and warned others to be cautious adding that she had safely reached Doha. 

“I was bringing a large amount from Pakistan to the UK for the first time. When bringing the amount, take care because you might land yourself in trouble. No one stopped me nor can they stop me. I reached safely,” she said. 

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Green Line Bus service becomes fully operational

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

The wait is over for Karachiites as the Green Line bus service has become fully operational from today (Monday).

According to details, 80 buses will cover a track of 21 kilometers from 6 in the morning till 10 at night. 22 bus stations have also been completed. The administration of the project said a bus will arrive at the station after every three minutes.

The door of the bus will remain open for the passengers for 20 seconds at every station, the administration added.

The green line bus service will be made fully operational from January 10 and its duration will be from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm.

The bus service will start from KESC Powerhouse Chowrangi in Surjani Town and terminate at Municipal park after passing through Nagan Chowrangi, North Nazimabad, Nazimabad and Gurumandir, with 25 stations along its route. The bus service will cater to 300,000 passengers on a daily basis.

80 buses will be operated by 200 drivers who have completed their training. Around 22 stations between Surjani Town and Numaish Chowrangi have been completed. Another three stations to extend the service to Municipal Park are yet to be constructed.

Ticket prices

The government has yet to announce the ticket prices for the Green Line BRT project. However, according to experts, the government will set Rs15 minimum and Rs55 maximum prices for bus service.

The Green Line project

Karachi’s Green Line BRT project with intersections is 22 km long which includes 12.7 km elevated, 10.9 km at grade, and 422 meters underground, and has 25 stations.

The phase-II common corridor from Gurumandir up to Municipal Park with a length of 2.5 km has two underpasses at M.A Jinnah Road.

The state-of-art underground bus terminal with a parking facility and the commercial mezzanine floor was also constructed at Numaish intersection. The construction work on Phase-I of the project was started in 2016.

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Omicron-fuelled fifth wave: Pakistan announces new travel advisory

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

As a looming fifth wave of the coronavirus epidemic, this time fuelled by the Omicron variant, sends alarm bells ringing, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has made PCR testing mandatory for everyone flying in from overseas. The test has to have been conducted a maximum 48 hours before every traveller’s flight.

The CAA has said all travelers aged 15 and up will be required to present a negative coronavirus test report upon arrival in Pakistan.

All travelers flying from European countries will be required to take a Rapid Antigen Test upon arrival, while half of the flights from Saudi Arabia and UAE will also have to take Rapid Antigen Test.

Following are the new guidelines as announced by the CAA:

  • Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination and possession of proof of COVID-19 vaccination. This is applicable for all passengers above 15 years of age.
  • Valid negative PCR test result conducted within the 48 hours prior to commencement of travel to Pakistan. This is applicable for all passengers above 06 years of age.
  • Rapid Antigen Testing upon arrival for all direct flights from Europe
  • Rapid Antigen Testing upon arrival of a minimum of 50% inbound flights from KSA, UAE and Qatar
  • Selective Rapid Antigen Testing for all inbound flights other than flights mentioned at (c) and (d) above.

According to the CAA, passengers will be required to be quarantined for 10 days if they test positive.

Passengers will have the option of isolating themselves at their own expense in hotels or other locations. The CAA stated that travellers will not be charged for expenses incurred at quarantine centres set up by the health department.

The new travel advisory will take effect on January 5 at the direction of the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), according to CAA.

The fifth wave of COVID-19, which is driven by the Omicron variant, is spreading at a rapid pace in the country, the National Command and Operation Centre said Monday as Pakistan reported its highest number of daily infections in over two months.

While addressing the epidemic curve chart data, the national immunisation plan and disease prevalence across the country in a morning session on Monday, the NCOC confirmed that the positivity rate in Karachi has risen from 2% to 6% in the last three days, with the highest number of positive instances.

 

THE COCA-COLA FOUNDATION PROVIDES FUNDING FOR UNHCR’S HUMANITARIAN ACTIVITIES TO ASSIST DISPLACED AFGHANS

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

The Coca-Cola Foundation, the global philanthropic arm of The Coca-Cola Company, is supporting UNHCR efforts in delivering humanitarian aid for displaced people impacted by the recent conflict in Afghanistan.

A USD 300,000 grant to USA for UNHCR has helped support efforts by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, to assist over 500 families (with an average of 7 members per family) with immediate humanitarian relief, including core relief kits and shelter items to protect Afghan families during the harsh winter season.

“This is a multi-faceted crisis disproportionately affecting women and girls,” said Saadia Madsbjerg, president, The Coca-Cola Foundation. “We hope this grant will be meaningful in providing displaced Afghan families with critical support.” 

UNHCR’s Representative in Pakistan, Noriko Yoshida, welcomed the timely support from The Coca-Cola Foundation. “Having assistance reach displaced people in Afghanistan is saving lives. Many are without shelter, struggling to feed families, unable to cope, and need support urgently”, she added.

Afghanistan is facing a growing economic, humanitarian and food-security crisis endangering millions of Afghans. Almost 80 percent of the Afghans newly displaced by conflict this year have been women and children.

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Dr. Asaf Riyaz Qadeer crowned with the award of Most Popular Overseas Pakistani

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (Muhammad YASIR)

Renowned intellectual writer and poet Dr. Asaf Riyaz Qadeer has been given the award of Most Popular Overseas Pakistani in a ceremony held at Governor House. Writer Dr. Asaf, a writer from a Pakistani literary and social family, has lived in Houston, USA for the past 40 years.

He is also an important leader and as a poet he authored ten books including Riaz Sokhan, Rare and Unique, Selected Humorous Poetry, World Fiction, Sanjhan Aarte Par Diyan, My Favorite Fiction, Humorous Parade, and Modern Mention of Punjabi Poetry. Talking to the media, the poet Dr. Asaf Riyaz Qadeer said that as a surgeon, the writer has been trying to play his full role for the betterment of humanity.

 

Love He said that he was very grateful to the government of Pakistan for giving national awards to other Pakistanis for their services and encouraged them at the national level. He said that he has organized many events in Diyarbakir where Allama Iqbal, the poet of the East, Sofia Ikram and famous literary personalities have been celebrated.

Everyone should play their role for the development of the society whether it is Prime Minister Imran Khan as a physician or other sports showbiz literary personalities who have offered their services for him as a therapist. He said that after the publication of ten books on one more book My work is in progress and will be published after completion.

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IG Punjab honors the citizen for his Honesty.

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Inspector General of Police Punjab Rao Sardar Ali Khan has said that citizens who have attribute of honesty and spirit of service to people are real assets and heroes of our society. He said that honest man is honored by Allah and Adeel Ashraf’s honesty is a role model for whole nation.  Rao Sardar Ali Khan invited Adeel Ashraf, who had returned Rs 3 million rupees found in shopping bag in Khayali at Gujranwala to its original.

Upon this act of honesty, Adeel Ashraf was invited to Central police office. He was offered tea and an appreciation certificate by Rao Sardar Ali Khan.  IG Punjab also rewarded Adeel Ashraf out of his own pocket.  He said that co-operation between police and citizens is essential for betterment of society and police should encourage citizens to do good deeds.

Adeel Ashraf had found Rs 3 million rupees  in a shopping bag on the road a few days ago, which he handed over to  police and  police delivered it safely to real  owner.  Adeel Ashraf thanked IG Punjab for encouragement and said that he was sure that police would return full amount to the said citizen, so he handed over the money to police

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PTV takes Nauman Niaz, Shoaib Akhtar off-air till inquiry concludes.

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Following an on-air spat between former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and PTV Sports anchorperson Nauman Niaz, the state broadcaster has decided to take both personalities off-air.

According to a statement issued by the PTV, “neither Akhtar nor Dr Nauman will not be allowed to appear in any programme on PTV,” until the completion of the inquiry into the matter. 

Sources had earlier told that the decision was taken upon the recommendation of an inquiry committee formed by the PTV to investigate the episode.

The recommendation was presented during a meeting of the inquiry committee in which the managing director of the state broadcaster, along with other higher-ups, was present.

During the meeting, the unpleasant episode that occurred between legendary bowler Shoaib Akhtar and Niaz was thoroughly discussed and a report prepared in this regard was also reviewed, sources said.

The inquiry committee said that it had interviewed Niaz regarding the spat after which it forwarded the recommendation of taking Niaz off-air. Meanwhile, the inquiry committee had also summoned Shoaib Akhtar to appear before it, but Akhtar refused, saying that the committee should review the videos instead of asking him to appear it. 

It should be recalled that on Tuesday, Akhtar and Niaz were embroiled in a spat during the PTV Sports show “Game on Hai”. 

The two were discussing Pakistan’s victory over New Zealand when tensions between Niaz, the host of the show, and Shoaib Akhtar, one of the many decorated panellists on the show, escalated.

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