Category: Pakistan

RAWALPINDI: Defence Minister of Tajikistan Colonel General Sherali Mirzo Wednesday called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa here at the General Headquarters. During the meeting, the two sides discussed matters of mutual interests, overall regional situation including recent developments in Afghanistan especially situation on Tajik-Afghan border, and the measures to further enhance bilateral defence collaboration between the two countries, an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) news release said. The COAS said that Pakistan valued its brotherly relations with Tajikistan, which were based on shared faith, culture and convergence on all important issues relating to regional peace, security and stability. The COAS also appreciated Tajikistan”s efforts towards regional connectivity and its inclination to achieve the same through Pakistan. The visiting dignitary appreciated Pakistan”s positive role for regional peace & stability, especially Afghan peace process and pledged to keep working for better relations between the two brotherly countries.

MULTAN: Thieves stole jewellery worth around Rs. 6,00,000 from the house of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in Wapda town, phase-I, Tuesday night in the limits of B. Z police station. According to police, DSP Hassan Raza Khakhi found door of his house opened when he returned back from outside with his family, who ran away on hearing voices of house mates. A Police official informed that the culprits made a hole in the kitchen to fled away from the crime scene. According to initial reports two gold bangles of six tola were found missing besides other valuables from the house. Police registered a First Information Report and started investigation. Meanwhile two robbers snatched Rs. 7000 cash with mobile phone from a citizen named Shahid on gun point at Chungi no. 21. In another incident three armed robbers looted Rs. 25,000 cash from Muhammed Waris at Adda Bun Bosan road. In another case, three robbers snatched a motorbike from a man named Yaryab Ali in the limits of B. Z police station. The respective police stations registered separate cases and started investigation.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday said the government was considering to bring in a new legislation against landgrabbers to ensure strict action against the illegal occupants. Addressing here at the groundbreaking of various development projects by Capital Development Authority, the prime minister mentioned the rise of ‘qabza groups’ in Islamabad and the rest of the country, and stressed a forceful check against them. The prime minister said the land mafia was acting with nefarious objectives to illegally or forcibly take possession of immovable properties of people. He pointed that the improper proceedings resulted in bail of land grabber and also the lesser penalty did not act as an effective deterrent against the crime. “The new law will help mitigate the sufferings of people fallen victim to illegal dispossession and ensure strict action against the qabza groups,” the prime minister said. To counter the negative impacts of rapid urbanization, he said the government had chalked out a strategy outlined as making city master plans, green areas and forestation, addressing traffic problems and elimination of land grabbers. He mentioned that launch of Miyawaki forestation in Islamabad and rest of the country was aimed at more growth of plants in lesser period. Also, the conversion of brick kilns on zig-zag is a step to reduce the high levels of pollution. Imran Khan emphasized on making Islamabad a model for rest of the country in terms of plantation. He expressed satisfaction that CDA had revamped several parks to provide citizens and families a place for leisure time. The prime minister lauded the performance of CDA for generating revenues worth Rs 136 billion compared with the deficit of Rs 5 billion at the time his government took to power. Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said CDA had revamped 200 out of 240 parks of the capital with four new to be established soon. He said an exclusive ‘Ladies Bazar’ would be set up with women-only shopkeepers and visitors. He highlighted that an emergency help service like Punjab’s 1122 was required in the capital as a prompt response to any untoward incident and accidents.

ISLAMABAD: More rain-wind/thundershower is expected in Islamabad, Kashmir, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan and Sindh during next 24 hours. According to Met office Islamabad, heavy falls are also expected in south Punjab, lower Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, upper Sindh and northeast Balochistan at scattered places during the period. A strong Monsoon currents from Bay of Bengal are penetrating in upper and lower parts of the country. A shallow westerly wave is also present over upper parts of the country.

KARACHI: A brief spell of heavy rain with strong winds was experienced in different areas of the city on Wednesday. The heavy rain with strong winds was received in the areas including Orangi Town, Saddar, I. I. Chandragar Road, M. A. Jinnah Road, Burns Road and surrounding areas. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Wednesday forecast hot and humid weather with chances of rain-thunderstorm at evening or night in the metropolis over the next 24 hours. The minimum and maximum temperatures are expected to remain from 29 to 31 and 36 to 38 degree centigrade, respectively with 65 to 75 percent humidity, in Karachi over the next 24 hours.

ISLAMABAD: Nine Chinese nationals and three Pakistanis lost their lives on Wednesday as a bus carrying them plunged into a ravine due to a mechanical failure, resulting in leakage of gas that caused a blast. The Foreign Office confirmed that according to preliminary reports, the Chinese workers in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa and the accompanying Pakistani staff were on their way to the workplace of an ongoing project. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is closely in contact with the Chinese Embassy for coordination and facilitation,” the FO said, adding the local authorities were providing all possible assistance to the injured. The Foreign Office expressed condolences to the families of the Chinese and Pakistani workers. “The government and the people of Pakistan extend sincere condolences to the families of Chinese and Pakistani workers, who lost their lives in the incident. We also pray for quick recovery of the injured,” it said. Pakistan and China are close friends and iron-brothers. Pakistan attaches great importance to safety and security of Chinese nationals, projects and institutions in Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Government Wednesday notified the transfer and posting of high ranking officers. According to a notification issued by the Establishment Division, Dr. Shaista Nuzhat, a BS-19 officer of Punjab Institute of Language, Arts and Culture, Department of Information and Culture, Government of Punjab, presently posted as Director, Pakistan Housing Authority (PHA) Foundation, under Housing and Works Division, under Section 10 of the Civil Servants Act, 1973, is transferred and directed to report to her parent department i. e. Punjab Institute of Language, Arts and Culture, Department of Information and Culture, Government of Punjab, with immediate effect. Likewise, Saqib Ahmed Khan, a BS-19 officer of Inland Revenue Service (IRS), presently at the disposal of Government of Balochistan, on deputation basis, is repatriated to his parent department i. e. Federal Board of Revenue, with effect from 04-06-2021.

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia has launched an awareness campaign for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. Saudi Arabia”s Ministry for Hajj and Umrah has already completed the registration of 60,000 pilgrims, including Saudi citizens and residents. Applicants were selected from the age group of 18-65, who already received the COVID-19 vaccine in accordance with the health and safety protocol of the pilgrimages. Deputy Minister of Hajj, Dr. Abdulfattah bin Suleiman Mashat, said the awareness campaign focused on educating the pilgrims about the precautionary instructions that must be adhered to before entering Makkah to ensure a healthy environment for performing the rituals of Hajj during this unprecedented situation, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. He added that the decision to limit the number of pilgrims comes out of the leadership”s constant concern for the health, safety, security and safety of pilgrims and their countries.

LAHORE: DIG Operations Lahore Sajid Kiani accompanied by DSP Qila Gujar Singh and other police officers visited Bibi Pak Daman Shrine here on Wednesday. A detailed briefing was given on installation of CCTV cameras, walk-through gates, checking mechanism of participants, parking and other arrangements. Sajid Kiani also met the Darbar organizers and inquired about the security provided. He gave necessary instructions to the police officers concerned to make foolproof security of visitors to Bibi Pak Daman shrine foolproof. He also directed to ensure operation, immediate removal of encroachments, provision of adequate lighting and other measures. The DIG said that all resources were being utilized for the security of citizens, adding that people should keep an eye on their surroundings and report any suspicious activity to the police immediately.