ISLAMABAD: Mayor Islamabad Sheikh Ansar Aziz was summoned by the Supreme Court on Thursday where he was grilled by the Chief Justice of Pakistan for an underwhelming performance in the federal capital.
The Chief Justice during the proceeding remarked that the city’s cleanliness is an obligation of the Mayor Islamabad and district government.
CJP Gulzar Ahmed said that the city should have a standard and that standard should be maintained, the city needed to be exemplary in all aspects.
The Chief Justice emphasised that people of Islamabad deserved for amenities along with more footpaths, parks and benches.
The apex court judge also asked the Mayor Islamabad to ensure that all resources are exhausted to keep the city clean and green.
At a point during the proceeding, Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed asked Ansar Aziz that why there was no cheap transport mechanism available for people to commute around the city.
He said that at least rickshaws should be readily available across the city so that people could commute with ease.
The mayor said that dearth of funds had been a major hindrance in implementing his ideas for development projects in the city.
The Chief Justice retorted that the city does not merely need roads, one should now focus on underground trains and transportation via the sky as the next logical step.
CJP further stated that all the provinces complain in unison claiming of not being empowered enough.
ISLAMABAD: China will assist Pakistan in combating the menace of locust by providing 50 drones and 300,000 litres of pesticides to carry out spray in affected areas of Sindh, Balochistan and Punjab.
Gwadar Pro App, quoting a local media’s report stated that the first batch of drones will reach Pakistan on March 9.
The use of fixed and rotary wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), commonly called drones, are potential means of improving desert locust monitoring, early warning and rapid control, and reducing costs of survey and control operations.
The Chinese authorities would also send technical staff to carry out operation and train staff of the Plant Protection Department and concerned provincial departments.
The government is negotiating with a mission of the Chinese aviation industry for the supply of aircraft to carry out aerial spray in the locust-affected areas. The government would acquire six aircrafts on lease for three to four months to completely eliminate locusts from agricultural fields of the country.
According to preliminary assessment carried out by the agriculture department in Sindh and Balochistan, the locust attack has damaged crops cultivated on 80,000 hectares of land besides causing serious damage to grazing fields and forest areas.
A Chinese technical team completed its two-week mission to Pakistan and left for Beijing on Wednesday.
The team visited the locust-affected areas of Sindh, Balochistan and Punjab and had final wrap-up meetings at the ministry of national food security and the national disaster management authority.
The Chinese assistance is part of strengthening the national action plan to combat the locust attack.
QUETTA: Baloch Culture Day was celebrated with lively colours and vibrant events throughout the province, honoring the unique culture, sweet languages, centuries’ old traditions and customs, and a heritage preserved.
Colorful festivities to highlight the Baloch culture were organised in various areas and towns of Balochistan.
With crowds congregating at numerous events, a huge number of people also turned up at Expo Centre at the University of Balochistan in Quetta to celebrate the lifestyle and heritage of the province.
Singer Safdar Ali Sarosh sings a song during Jashan-e-Balochistan ceremony organised by Balochistan Government at Pakistan National Council of Arts in Islamabad. Balochi folk singer Liaqut Ali sings a song during Jashan-e-Balochistan ceremony organised by Balochistan Government at Pakistan National Council of Arts in Islamabad
Artists perform during Jashan-e-Balochistan ceremony organised by Balochistan Government at Pakistan National Council of Arts in Islamabad. Many young people were garbed in traditional clothes, showing off the artistry and customary designs. Some others donned the famed Baloch turbans.
On this occasion, locals also partook in Raqs Do Chaap, a traditional dance.
ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) issued 1,092,14 fine tickets to motorcyclists driving their bikes without helmets and also fined 1,647 amateur drivers during the ongoing year for driving cars and motorbikes without licenses, a police spokesman said.
He said that ITP is endeavoring to maintain exemplary traffic system in the city and check those involved in negligence on roads. He said that 1,092,14 fine tickets were issued to motorcyclists driving their bikes without helmets.
Meanwhile, 1,647 amateur drivers were fined for driving cars and motorbikes without license. While appreciating this overall performance, SSP (Traffic) Farrukh Rasheed has appreciated it and said that vigorous campaign of ITP had been launched as per directions of IGP Islamabad Muhammad Aamir Zulfiqar to create awareness among citizens about traffic rules.
As per directions of IGP Islamabad Muhammad Aamir Zulfiqar, he said that ITP personnel has been directed to ensure implementation on traffic rules and regulation irrespective of status and rank and demonstrate patience and politeness while issuing traffic violation tickets to the road users.
He said that ITP is utilizing all available resources to facilitate the general public. He has appealed the parents not to allow their children to drive bikes or cars till age of maturity.
The personnel of the force issue traffic violation tickets not as a punitive measure but the purpose is to ensure safe road environment in the Capital and secure the lives of the people, the SSP (Traffic) maintained.
ISLAMABAD: Government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is offering subsidy and financial support in different sectors to provide relief to weaker segments of the society, said Prime Minister, Imran Khan on Friday.
He was chairing a review meeting on the impact of government’s subsidy in different sectors for provision of relief to low-income and weaker segments of society in Islamabad.
The prime minister said apart from provision of subsidy, it should be ensured that the amount proves beneficial for the concerned people and the specific purpose.
He directed Minister for Power to pay special attention on busting big power thieves.
QUETTA: Balochistan and Sindh provinces after confirmation of two coronavirus cases, have shut down schools.
Schools and educational institutes throughout Balochistan would remain closed till March 15 as part of the measures being taken to prevent coronavirus and for the safety of children, the provincial government said in a notification.
The notification clarified that all public and private educational institutes, as well as madrassas, would remain closed after two coronavirus cases were confirmed in Pakistan — one each in Karachi and Islamabad. The notification was approved by Secretary Secondary Education Department.
“Matriculation Examination under Balochistan Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education are also being postponed and the remaining papers will be organized in due course of time,” it added.
In a message, Balochistan education minister said: “The ongoing examinations of Grade 9 and Matriculation are also suspended. We want to keep our children safe”. “This step has only been taken as a safety measure and no one needs to panic,” he added.
On the other hand, Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani also announced that the schools in the province would remain closed on Thursday and Friday.
Sindh Govt has decided to close all the schools of province for Thursday & Friday (27th & 28th Feb).
The provincial minister said: “We took this step as a preventive measure for coronavirus as parents are concerned about their children”. “We have shut down schools for two days, which will be followed by Saturday and Sunday. The situation will remain stable and we will reopen schools on Monday,” he added.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza confirmed late Wednesday that two coronavirus cases were reported in Pakistan. “Both cases are being taken care of according to clinical standard protocols & both of them are stable,” he wrote on Twitter.
Dr Mirza emphasised that there was “no need to panic [as] things are under control” and that no one should “share information of the patient”. The patient in Karachi, as well as his family, was immediately placed in quarantine at a private hospital on the National Stadium Road while the one in Islamabad was moved to the capital’s Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).
The first confirmed coronavirus patient, a 22-year-old man, had arrived in an aeroplane from Iran and has a history of travel to Tehran from where he reportedly acquired the virus, a spokesperson for the Sindh health department said.
The health department was, as of reporting time, examining the passengers he has traveled with. It was also set to dispatch a team to inspect his residence as well as his neighborhood.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has settled a 40 year old trade dispute with Russia after Islamabad paid an amount of $93.5 million (Rs. 1.442 billion) to Moscow.
A report appeared on Wednesday stated that the issue between Russia and Pakistan was a major hurdle in boosting the country’s trade ties with Russia. The dispute resolution is likely to improve trade between the two countries, an official said.
According to the official, the payment of $93.5 million against the Russian exporters’ claims pending since the disintegration of the Soviet Union would now pave the way for billions of dollar investments by Russian investors in Pakistan, Geo News reported.
Earlier last year, the government had authorised its Ambassador to Russia to sign the deal. Under the agreement, the Pakistani government was bound to return $93.5 million to Russia within 90 days.
Islamabad was liable to clear pending exporters’ claims to the tune of $23.8 million as per the settlement agreements reached on October 6, 2016 and December 27, 2017.
Russia had late last year said it was willing to expand cooperation with Pakistan on multiple fronts, including the industrial sector, agriculture, energy, medicine and railways, Radio Pakistan had reported.
The remarks were made by Russian Trade Minister Denis Valentinovich Manturov during the sixth meeting of Pakistan-Russia Inter-governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific Technical Cooperation at the Foreign Office in Islamabad.
AHMEDABAD: America has very good relationship with Pakistan and that Washington was working with Islamabad in a very positive way, said United States President Donald Trump on Monday.
Trump made the comments while addressing the Namaste Trump event in Ahmedabad alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Since taking office, my administration is working in a very positive way with Pakistan,” Trump said, according to Indian media.
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“Our relationship with Pakistan is a very good one. Thanks to these efforts we are beginning to see signs of big progress with Pakistan and we are hopeful for reduced tensions, greater stability and the future of harmony for all of the nations of South Asia,” Trump added.
During his speech, Trump also announced defence deals between the two countries worth 3 billion dollars, reported the Indian Express. Calling PM Modi a “tough negotiator”, Trump also announced that both the countries are chalking out “the biggest every trade deals” on his visit to India.
Trump arrived in India earlier on Monday for his maiden visit to the country. The president was accompanied by his wife Melania, daughter Ivanka, son-in-law Jared Kushner and top brass of his administration, reported Indian Express.
Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were due to address a huge rally of around 100,000 people at the world’s biggest cricket stadium in Modi’s home state before Trump and First Lady Melania fly to the Taj Mahal.
Ahead of his departure to India, the US president tweeted, “I hear it’s going to be a big event, some people say the biggest event they ever had in India. That´s what the prime minister told me”.
Things could hardly be going better for the Republican as his campaign for reelection in November gathers pace, following his acquittal earlier this month after the House impeached him for abuse of power related to pressure on Ukraine.
Read also: Trump leaves for India visit expecting ‘biggest event’ of the country
Despite a first term dogged by near constant scandals and investigations, Trump feels he can win against the growing Democratic frontrunner, leftist Bernie Sanders, and he is clearly chuffed at the idea of huge crowds in India.
“I look forward to being with the people of India,” Trump said as he left the White House on his first trip to India. “We’re going to have many millions and millions of people,” he said. “I hear it’s going to be a big event, some people say the biggest event they ever had in India. That’s what the prime minister told me.”
Trump has something of an obsession with big crowds, frequently boasting about the size of his rallies, compared to those of his Democratic opponents.
Enormous crowds are guaranteed during the one-night trip, given Modi’s own prowess at staging mega-rallies. But Indian officials said they didn’t expect more than 100,000 people at any one time. The figure of millions touted repeatedly by Trump may be the result of a misunderstanding or translation problem, experts said.
Modi visited the United States last year, when he and Trump made a joint appearance before tens of thousands of Indian-Americans at a football stadium in Houston.
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ISLAMABAD: Crackdown around the country has been launched against black marketing of respiratory masks and other items used for protection from Novel Coronavirus (NCV) by Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), spokesperson of the Ministry of Health said.
Drug Regulatory Authority has conducted raids at five pharmacies in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar over sale of protection items on inflated rates, spokesperson said.
A large number of respiratory masks, and disposable gloves recovered from these pharmacies.
Legal action will be taken against those involved in violation of the law, the spokesperson said.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister on National Health Services Dr Zafar Mirza has said that the medical stores and the wholesale dealers were earlier warned against black marketing of these items.
The government, won’t allow anyone to sell these items on inflated rates above then the fixed prices.
The prices of the masks and gloves, face shields and other items will be kept at the prices of December 2019, Dr Mirza said.
The government closely monitoring the situation related to the coronavirus and will allow any person or entity to indulge in black marketing, he said.
The government is taking all possible measures for protection from the coronavirus outbreak and will use all resources at hand to protect the people from it, he added.
LAHORE: Sufis like Mevlana Rumi and Sultan Bahoo are real preachers of human friendship, peace, tolerance and peaceful co-existence in the world. Through their poetry, they are bringing humans close.
These were unanimous words of participants of a two day international conference organized by MUSLIM Institute, in collaboration with University of the Punjab, at university’s campus.
The conference titled as ‘Mevlana Rumi & Hadrat Sultan Bahoo: Preachers of Human friendship, Peace, Tolerance and Coexistence in the world’ was chaired by. Dr. Naushad Ali Khan, VC, Islamia College, Peshawar and among distinguished speakers including Dr. Muhammad Osman, President Sudanese Community in Pakistan, Prof. Dr. Faleeha Zahra Kazmi, Chairperson Persian Department LCWU Lahore, Abdul Rehman Mehmood Charge d’Affairs Embassy of Sudan Islamabad, Nadeem Bhabha Poet Writer & Critic, Dr. Z. A. Awan Author of books on Hadrat Sultan Bahoo USA, Prof. Dr. Bushra Mirza VC Lahore College for Women University, Prof. Dr. Zakaria Zakar VC, Okara University, Prof. Dr. Zia ul Qayyum VC AIOU, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali VC, QAU, Islamabad and concluding remarks were presented by Sahibzada Sultan Ahmad Ali Chairman MUSLIM Institute, Islamabad.
Speakers highlighted that Sufi teachings have the capacity to address the widening gap between the West and Islam as their teachings aim to promote peace, tolerance and moderation. Along with interfaith harmony, inter civilizational cooperation has also become indispensable with respect to today’s growing prejudices among societies.
Historically, Sufis have played a crucial role in spreading Islam not only in the subcontinent but also across the globe. Through their pluralistic vision of Islam, they propagated peace love and interfaith harmony among societies encompassing diverse socio-cultural values.
Expert of inter civilizational studies, Dr. Piotr Klodkowski from Poland emphasized that in 21st century, Sufi message should be conveyed in the way that people should understand the essence of their message. However, creativity and innovation in the propagation of Sufi message is the need of the hour.
It is for the first time that the two people from Pakistan Dr. Muhammad Akram Shah sb and Dr. Saleem Azhar who rendered valuable service to the Persian language is granted life time membership by the Academy of Letters Tehran, Iran. A Sufi empowers local masses to better deal with the menace of extremism and sectarianism very effectively. Man is the combination of body and soul. However, growth and development of both is inevitable for a balanced life. How a man can achieve the status of self-actualization?
A Sufi through his kalam and thought helps us in achieving the status of self-actualization. By dint of their invaluable services and literary contribution, they are present today among ourselves and guide us in every walk of life. They not only guide masses during their time but also guiding us today by dint of the universality of their message.
They are the true ambassadors of the message of Quran and Sunnah. Even after the lapse of eight centuries, Sufi message is as relevant today as this was decades ago. It is high time that we should make the teachings of these Sufi an integral part of our syllabus. Such conferences must be result oriented.
Speakers encouraged the Youth to play an active role in the propagation of Sufi message.
America has a very good relationship with Pakistan, Trump tells huge crowd at India rally
AHMEDABAD: America has very good relationship with Pakistan and that Washington was working with Islamabad in a very positive way, said United States President Donald Trump on Monday.
Trump made the comments while addressing the Namaste Trump event in Ahmedabad alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Since taking office, my administration is working in a very positive way with Pakistan,” Trump said, according to Indian media.
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“Our relationship with Pakistan is a very good one. Thanks to these efforts we are beginning to see signs of big progress with Pakistan and we are hopeful for reduced tensions, greater stability and the future of harmony for all of the nations of South Asia,” Trump added.
During his speech, Trump also announced defence deals between the two countries worth 3 billion dollars, reported the Indian Express. Calling PM Modi a “tough negotiator”, Trump also announced that both the countries are chalking out “the biggest every trade deals” on his visit to India.
Trump arrived in India earlier on Monday for his maiden visit to the country. The president was accompanied by his wife Melania, daughter Ivanka, son-in-law Jared Kushner and top brass of his administration, reported Indian Express.
Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were due to address a huge rally of around 100,000 people at the world’s biggest cricket stadium in Modi’s home state before Trump and First Lady Melania fly to the Taj Mahal.
Ahead of his departure to India, the US president tweeted, “I hear it’s going to be a big event, some people say the biggest event they ever had in India. That´s what the prime minister told me”.
Things could hardly be going better for the Republican as his campaign for reelection in November gathers pace, following his acquittal earlier this month after the House impeached him for abuse of power related to pressure on Ukraine.
Read also: Trump leaves for India visit expecting ‘biggest event’ of the country
Despite a first term dogged by near constant scandals and investigations, Trump feels he can win against the growing Democratic frontrunner, leftist Bernie Sanders, and he is clearly chuffed at the idea of huge crowds in India.
“I look forward to being with the people of India,” Trump said as he left the White House on his first trip to India. “We’re going to have many millions and millions of people,” he said. “I hear it’s going to be a big event, some people say the biggest event they ever had in India. That’s what the prime minister told me.”
Trump has something of an obsession with big crowds, frequently boasting about the size of his rallies, compared to those of his Democratic opponents.
Enormous crowds are guaranteed during the one-night trip, given Modi’s own prowess at staging mega-rallies. But Indian officials said they didn’t expect more than 100,000 people at any one time. The figure of millions touted repeatedly by Trump may be the result of a misunderstanding or translation problem, experts said.
Modi visited the United States last year, when he and Trump made a joint appearance before tens of thousands of Indian-Americans at a football stadium in Houston.
Read more: Pakistan wants peace in Afghanistan: PM Imran Khan