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Best Marble in the World

Blessed with a variety of rare and precious marble and mineral resources, Pakistan stands out as a unique country, which offers immense opportunities for domestic and international investors to earn maximum returns on their investments in this vital sector in the wake of multibillion dollars CPEC investment. Pakistan’s western belt including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, erstwhile FATA and Balochistan besides major areas of Gilgit Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, parts of Sindh and Punjab have plenty of marble deposits including Granite, Chromite, Dolomite, Manganese, Nephrite, Feldspar, Ziyarat, Limestones, Silica Sand, Quartz, Coal and Emerald. This huge variety of marble is a great opportunity for investors to explore in the pursuit of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) government investor-friendly economic and industrial policies which give upward boost to industrialization, SMEs, trade, and mineral sectors despite COVID-19 pandemic. Marble Production areas in Pakistan Entire erstwhile FATA especially Bajaur, Khyber and Mohmand, KP’s Malakand division mostly Buner, Shangla and Swat districts and Khuzdar, Loralai, Mastung, Dal Badin and other western districts of Balochistan bordering with Afghanistan, are naturally rich in world-class marble, granite and others mineral resources and investment in this profit-oriented sector would help create employment opportunities for hundreds of thousands of people besides taking the country’s industrial and economic growth to new heights. Read the full article

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OIC’s Niamey Declaration calls for Kashmir settlement as per UNSC resolutions

As another manifestation of its support to the cause, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) 47th Session of Council of Foreign Ministers, in its declaration, called for peaceful settlement of Kashmir dispute as per United Nations (UN) Security Council’s resolutions. Named as Niamey Declaration, the document was issued on the conclusion of the 47th Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) held in Niger on Saturday. The document explicitly reiterated “the OIC’s principled position on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute for a peaceful settlement in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions,” said a foreign office news release. According to the Foreign Office spokesperson, the inclusion of Jammu and Kashmir dispute in the Niamey Declaration – being an important part of the CFM’s outcome documents – “was yet another manifestation of the OIC’s consistent support to the Kashmir Cause.” Earlier on Saturday, the CFM also unanimously adopted a resolution reaffirming its strong support for the Kashmir cause and categorically rejected illegal and unilateral actions taken by India since 5 August 2019. The resolution demanded India to “cancel the issuance of domicile certificates to non-Kashmiris” as well as other unilateral and illegal actions, including “Jammu & Kashmir Reorganization Order 2020”, “Jammu & Kashmir Grant of Domicile Certificate Rules 2020”, “Jammu and Kashmir Language Bill 2020” and amendments to the land ownership laws. Read the full article

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2nd wave of COVID-19; Protecting vulnerable, needy people need of the hour: EU Envoy

EU Ambassador to Pakistan Androulla Kaminara on Sunday said that the European Union was trying to help the most vulnerable segments of the society by ensuring basic amenities of lives at their doorsteps, including health, clean drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene environment amid the surging second wave of COVID-19. Profile photographs of the Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan H. E. Mrs Androulla Kaminara Talking to APP, she said in that regard the EU signed a memorandum of understanding with UNHCR and committed to provide Euro10 million to boost the latter’s assistance operations for Afghan refugees and their host communities in Pakistan. The funding was aimed to focus on mitigating the short and medium-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, besides expanding UNHCR’s health efforts for refugee and host communities, she added. Another important component of the new project, Androulla Kaminara said, would be implementing activities for empowering vulnerable Afghan refugees and host communities by ensuring livelihood opportunities. Profile photographs of the Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan H. E. Mrs Androulla Kaminara The three-year project would be implemented across the country and was expected to benefit some 370,000 Afghan refugees and Pakistani host communities, she added.Meanwhile, Read the full article

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edotco strengthens commitment in Pakistan with new leadership

Islamabad / Kuala Lumpur— edotco Group Sdn. Bhd. (edotco), the leading regional integrated telecommunications infrastructure services company, today strengthened its commitment to Pakistan with the appointment of Abdul Aziz as the new Country Managing Director of edotco Pakistan. Arif Hussain will be leaving the organization to pursue other opportunities. With a steadfast promise to create a digitally inclusive Pakistan, this new leadership will see edotco playing a significant role to meet the nation’s digital ambitions through enhancing the country’s telecommunications infrastructure and accelerating the deployment of next generation solutions. “Pakistan has been and will continue to be a key emerging market for edotco. With our broad portfolio of infrastructure offerings alongside the country’s exponential digital growth, we are constantly uncovering new and improved ways to boost its connectivity capabilities, further ensuring the people of Pakistan have greater access to reliable and affordable connectivity. Today, with approximately 2,000 tenancies across our sites, we are able to connect over 30 million people in Pakistan. Through Abdul Aziz’s appointment, we are set to drive our commitment to building our business in the country and partnering with the nation even further. Read the full article

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Bilawal Bhutto Zardari tests positive for Covid-19

Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Thursday said he has been tested positive for Coronavirus and was self-isolating. https://twitter.com/BBhuttoZardari/status/1331822320160268288 “I have tested positive for #Covid-19 and am self isolating with mild symptoms,” Bilawal said in a tweet. “I‘ll continue working from home & will be addressing PPP foundation day via video link.” He advised his supporters and the masses to “Wear a mask everyone.” Bilawal’s political secretary Jamil Soomro earlier tested positive on Nov 25, prompting Bilawal to have his tests, that too came positive. Read the full article

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Pakistan civil-military relations have always been problematic: Prime Minister

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan says the country has always had problems when it comes to it civil-military relations. We all know the history, he says. The PM asked, however, that if mistakes were made in the past by an army chief, do we have to call them wrong forever? He was speaking on SAMAA TV’s programme Nadeem Malik Live in an interview with anchorperson Nadeem Malik on Thursday. “If Justice Munir made a wrong decision. Do we have to call the judiciary wrong forever?” he asked Malik, saying that if politicians steal money and get it out of the country, does it mean all should be called bad? “The point is that the past is just to learn. We learned that the military’s work is not to run the country. If democracy is harming the country, it doesn’t mean that martial law replaces it,” he said. The PM said we have to fix democracy. “If the judiciary is taking the wrong decision then it doesn’t mean we condemn the judiciary,” he said. “Our military has evolved. The current civil-military relations are the best they’ve been in Pakistan’s history,” he said. “The reason is that the Pakistan Army is completely standing behind the democractic government,” he said. The PM spoke about former prime minister Nawaz Sharif too. “Nawaz Sharif was never a democrat. First, they were nourished by the army. It started from General Jilani and then General Zia,” he said. “He has now become a super democrat. His first problem was with Ghulam Ishaq, Asif Janjua, then Pervez Musharraf and Raheel Sharif and Qamar Javed Bajwa,” the PM said. he praised Pakistan’s security agencies ISI and MI and called ISI a world-class agency. “They come to know of their thievery,” he said. “They control the civilian institutions. They attacked the supreme court. There problem was that the army was not in their control.” “I was watching a programme… Zaheer-ul-Islam told me to resign. You are the prime minister, how dare he say it to you? Go taken on them.” The PM said when Nawaz went to Sri Lanka, he called General Zia and said he is making him the army chief. “If any army chief had attacked Kargil without asking me, I would have summoned him before me and sacked him,” the PM said. “You are sitting outside and asking people to come out to save your thievery. The public doesn’t come out its way and they can’t bring the public on the roads,” he said. “They are hitting our institutions while sitting outside . They are hitting our army and our judiciary,” he said, questioning what their motive is. “They are trying to put pressure on the institutions to get an NRO,” he said. “What’s the difference between me and General Musharraf? General Musharraf gave them an NRO to save his power. If today, someone asks me whether I want to protect my power or give them an NRO, I would say I am ready to leave power but won’t give them an NRO,” he said. “They know I won’t give them an NRO. I had predicted earlier that they will all come together and will pressure Pakistan’s institution… they will put pressure on me but they know I won’t buy it,” he said, adding they would pressurise the judiciary, NAB and army. He said if any kind of compromise is made, there will be a moral collapse. “When you come under pressure from such thieves and make compromises, the country gets destroyed,” he said. The premier spoke about the recent controversy surrounding Lieutenant General (retd) Asim Saleem Bajwa and his assets. “An accusation was leveled against him. He produced a detailed document with answers. If anyone disputes it, give it to us and we will get it investigated,” the premier said. He emphasised on the moral power of a democratic government. “I am the only Pakistani politician who was given everything by god,” he said. The PM said he had enough money for his lifestyle. “I live in my home and I bear my own expenses,” he said, adding that when he came to power, he had said he won’t do any business while in power. “My assets have come down. I have sold the plot that I was given by my father. All my assets are declared. When you do business after coming to the power, it is corruption,” he said. Coming back to the opposition, the PM said they say they are not seeking an NRO. “They tried to change 34 clauses of the 38 clauses of the FATF bill and all of them were related to NAB,” he said, adding that they have a right to hold a peaceful protest. “The moment they break the law, I will send each one of them to jail.” “Pakistan’s 17 million people elected me prime minister. I won the elections on five National Assembly seats. Why would I resign on the demand of such thieves?” he asked. “They said Imran Khan is a selected prime minister. I asked them to investigate rigging in four constituencies. We went to every forum for investigation for a year but they didn’t open any constituency for investigation,” he said, adding that he did not mean the army when he referred to the umpire’s finger. The PML-N government had given General Raheel Sharif the role of a mediator during the 2014 sit-in, said PM Khan, adding that General Raheel asked them to end the dharna and they said they wouldn’t. “If the opposition resigns, we will hold elections on their seats again,” said PM Khan. The PM says he is ready for anything. “They can do whatever they want,” he said. “When the money of your leaders is stashed outside the country, they can never take an independent stand. I am not worried because my living and dying is in Pakistan. I would never leave Pakistan.” After the senate elections, legistation will be easy for us, he said, adding that democracy works when the opposition protects the people’s interest by keeping a check and balance on the government. Read the full article

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Dr. Abdullah Abdullah arrives on a 3-day visit

 Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR) of Afghanistan Dr. Abdullah Abdullah arrived here Monday on a three-day visit. Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razzak Dawood, Special Representative for Afghanistan Muhammad Sadiq, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan Mansoor Ahmed Khan and Director General Afghan Division at Ministry of Foreign Affairs Asif Memon received Dr Abdullah Abdullah. Dr Abdullah Abdullah is accompanied by a high-level delegation including prominent members of the High Council for National Reconciliation. This is Dr. Abdullah Abdullah’s first visit to Pakistan in his capacity as Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation. During the visit, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah will call on President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan and would have interaction with the Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani, Speaker of the National Assembly Asad Qaisar, Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi and other dignitaries, Foreign office spokesperson said. Dr Abdullah would also deliver a key-note address at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISS) and also have interaction with the media. “The visit will provide an opportunity for wide-ranging exchange of views on the Afghan peace process and strengthening of Pakistan-Afghanistan bilateral relations and people-to-people interaction,” he said. Read the full article

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Chakwal, three other districts should be declared calamistrate: Ch Parvez Elahi

Speaker Punjab Assembly Ch Parvez Elahi has said that there has been massive destruction in Punjab areas, adding that the damages must be compensated. He said due to current heavy rains and flood in Chakwal, Lawa, Klar Kahar, Talagang and Khushab have been severely affected, the 75-year record of rains has been broken, all crops have been destroyed in these districts, dams have broken, roads have been cut off, schools have collapsed, and people’s businesses have fallen down. He said that these areas should be declared disaster-prone and the damage caused here should be compensated. Read the full article

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Defence Day of Pakistan commemorated in Turkey

ANKARA— Pakistan Embassy Ankara on Sunday organized an event to mark the Defence Day of Pakistan. Due to measures in place to control  the spread of COVID-19, officials of the Pakistan Embassy, their families and Turkish media representatives attended the event. In his remarks, Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkey, H.E. Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi, highlighted the significance of the Defence Day. Noting that 6 September  holds a significant place in the history of Pakistan, for it was on this day in 1965,  he recalled that our valiant Armed Forces and the entire nation stood united to  thwart the nefarious design of the adversary, who had dared cast an evil eye on  the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our beloved homeland. “We pay homage to our Shuhada and Ghazis who stood steadfast in the face of  heavy odds to defeat an adversary which had numerical and technological  advantage,” said Ambassador Qazi. “It is a day which marks the resolute will and determination of the Armed Forces and people of our country to ensure and impregnable defence and a strong and prosperous Pakistan.” Ambassador Syrus Qazi underlined the importance of the spirit of 1965, which was the need of hour to meet all challenges faced by Pakistan. Earlier, Acting Defence Attaché, Capt (PN) Mazhar Bashir, read out messages of  the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan, who paid glowing tributes to  Pakistan Armed Forces and the resilient Pakistani nation for their immense  sacrifices. While referring to the growing Indian atrocities in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), Pakistani leadership in their messages reaffirmed the pledge to continue to support the people of IIOJK in their struggle till the realization of their right to self-determination in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions. Read the full article

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Junaid Khan signs next for Hum TV with Hira Mani and Armeena Khan

ISLAMABAD— Actor par excellence and powerhouse performer, Junaid Khan, is now set to enthrall viewers in a new project for HUM TV, where he would be seen alongside Hira Mani and Armeena Khan. The drama recently went on floors and is slated to go on-air in October. Starring Khan in the lead, the actor will be seen essaying the role of a man who has an ideal relationship with his partner and lives a happy life with his family. Things take a turn when an outsider intervenes in their content lives, and he ends up facing some struggles which start a journey of self-contemplation and healing for him. Directed by Ali Hasan, the drama is being produced by MD productions. Talking about his character, the actor shared, “My character is of a perfect family man whose life turns upside down when some individuals start intervening - from there, he starts the journey of self-discovery.” Currently starring in Kasak and Kashf, Junaid Khan seems to have his plate full this year as he is also gearing up for the highly anticipated, KhudaAurMohabbat 3. He also recently launched his YouTube motivational series titled ‘Keh Do’, where he can be seen sharing his personal experiences and views with fans. Read the full article

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UNHCR rep inaugurates skills development project for refugee, local women

QUETTA – The UNHCR Representative in Pakistan, Ms. Noriko Yoshida on Thursday inaugurated a skills development project aimed at improving the skills and income-generating capacity of local and Afghan refugee women in Quetta. UNHCR Pakistan had signed its first-ever agreement with NAMA Women Advancement Establishment (NAMA), a private sector partner based in the United Arab Emirates, to conduct a project to support and empower marginalized Afghan refugee and local women through skill development and enhancement in Balochistan. The project – being implemented by UNHCR’s partner Taraqee Foundation – will benefit 100 Afghan refugee and Pakistani women. These women will not only be trained but also be given monthly stipends to support their family while they are working. NAMA’s affiliate, IRTHI Contemporary Crafts Council, and UNHCR will be working in partnership to provide artisanal training. The project will be implemented in two skill centres including at Ghoasabad and Hazara Town. Some 100 skilled and semi-skilled women will receive the advanced trainings in the carpet weaving trade. Of the total 70 per cent are Afghan refugees while 30 per cent are Pakistani women. The UNHCR Representative, Ms. Noriko Yoshida visited the skill training centre at Ghoasabad in Quetta and formally inaugurated the project where the female artisans will be trained and guided to produce Emirati-inspired designs. Other partner staff were also present on the occasion. Ms. Yoshida interacted with refugee and Pakistani women and exchanged views on how this project will make a difference in their lives. The Representative assured that UNHCR will continue to implement such projects that empower women. She commended the NAMA’s contribution and its role in empowering women socially and economically through such projects. “The outcomes and impact of such initiatives are always beneficial. The project will enable these women to stand on their own two feet as well as support their families in a dignified manner,” she said adding the initiative will also enhance their future economic prospects upon return to Afghanistan. Ms. Noriko further said that one of the main objectives of UNHCR’s livelihood strategy is to make women empowered and self-reliant. She reiterated UNHCR’s commitment to continue supporting and implementing projects that are beneficial for women. = Read the full article

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PCB announces match officials' panels

Following a comprehensive review and annual appraisal process, the Pakistan Cricket Board Thursday announced its panel of match officials for the 2020-21 domestic season, which will commence with the National T20 Cup from 30 September. The first round matches of the double-league competition will be held in Multan, while the second round will be played in Rawalpindi. The six-member PCB Elite Panel of Match Referees include Ali Naqvi (Lahore), Iftikhar Ahmed (Karachi), Muhammad Anees (Lahore), Muhammad Iqbal Sheikh (Hyderabad), Nadeem Arshad (Faisalabad) and Prof. Mohammad Javed Malik (Multan), while 14 members of the PCB Elite Panel of Umpires are Ahsan Raza (Lahore), Aftab Hussain Gillani (Bahawalpur), Asif Yaqoob (Islamabad), Faisal Khan Afridi (Sargodha), Ghaffar Kazmi (Lahore), Imran Javed (Karachi), Nasir Hussain Snr (Lahore), Qaiser Waheed (Lahore), Rashid Riaz Waqar (Lahore), Saqib Khan (Abbottabad), Shozab Raza (Lahore), Syed Imtiaz Iqbal (Karachi), Waleed Yaqub (Lahore) and Zameer Haider (Lahore). These 20 elite officials will be on 12-month retainer contracts and will be responsible for sharing officiating duties in the First XI Cricket Association and HBL Pakistan Super League matches. In the 2019-20 season, the PCB had offered contracts to 18 elite match officials. Mohammad Iqbal Sheikh and Nadeem Arshad, are the two additions in the match referees panel, while Aftab Hussain Gilani (promoted from the development panel), Imran Javed, Nasir Hussain Snr, Qaiser Waheed, Syed Imtiaz Iqbal, Waleed Yaqoob (promoted from the development panel) and Zameer Haider are the umpires who will be offered contracts for the first time. The PCB has introduced supplementary panel for the first time, which includes the match referees and umpires who were unable to find places in the elite panel. They will be offered season contracts, which includes match fees and daily allowances. This panel will be responsible for officiating in the Second XI Cricket Association matches and will set-up for First XI and HBL Pakistan Super League duties as and when required. The 72-member PCB Development Panel of Umpires has been equally divided into two groups, with the first group to officiate in the PCB-organised age-group matches and the second group to stand in club, grassroots and school fixtures. The playing control team in these matches will be led by the PCB Development Panel of Match Referees, which comprises 15 officials. The PCB Development Panel of Match Referees includes a female official, Saman Zulfiqar from Sheikhupura. This is the third successive year she has been named in the panel as the PCB continues to encourage its women officials to get involved with the game if they have any aspirations of representing the country at the international level. Similar process was followed and adopted while finalising women umpires for the 2020-21 domestic season, who will be offered season contracts. These women officials will be involved in officiating women's domestic matches, schedule of which will be shared in due course. The notable inclusion in the eight-member PCB Panel of Women Umpires is the addition of Sabahat Rasheed, who played 13 One-Day Internationals for Pakistan from 2005 to 2007. The 37-year-old from Lahore was a right-arm off break and is a graduate of Arts and Education. Bilal Qureshi, Manager, Umpires and Referees: "I want to congratulate all the match officials on their inclusion in the 2020-21 domestic panel and hope they will have a good season in which they will perform their duties to the best of their abilities. "This year's assessment and appraisal process was transparent and merit-based in which two independent former ICC match officials reviewed the performances of all the officials, while accessing their self-assessments and video decisions during the season (where available) as well as presentations, interviews, knowledge and understanding about the Laws, decision-making and man-management skills. Separately, the match officials also underwent fitness tests, which are mandatory and as per international standards. "This robust process was carried out to ensure the best match officials can officiate in the PCB-organised tournaments and through their good knowledge and understanding of the Laws and regulations, contribute in enhancing the standard and quality of the 2020-21 domestic cricket. "At the same time, we have provided a pathway to the supplementary and development panel umpires with the incentive being a place in the elite panel. I understand this is a challenging pathway but such is the role that only the best of the best can move up the ladder and this can only happen through determination, consistent performances, correct application of the Laws and regulations, and good match management." PCB Elite Panel of Match Referees - Ali Naqvi (Lahore), Iftikhar Ahmed (Karachi), Muhammad Anees (Lahore), Muhammad Iqbal Sheikh (Hyderabad), Nadeem Arshad (Faisalabad) and Prof. Mohammad Javed Malik (Multan) PCB Elite Panel of Umpires - Ahsan Raza (Lahore), Aftab Hussain Gillani (Bahawalpur), Asif Yaqoob (Islamabad), Faisal Khan Afridi (Sargodha), Ghaffar Kazmi (Lahore), Imran Javed (Karachi), Nasir Hussain Snr. (Lahore), Qaiser Waheed (Lahore), Rashid Riaz Waqar (Lahore), Saqib Khan (Abbottabad), Shozab Raza (Lahore), Syed Imtiaz Iqbal (Karachi), Waleed Yaqub (Lahore) and Zameer Haider (Lahore) PCB Supplementary Panel of Match Referees - Ahmer Saeed (Karachi), Aleem Khan Moosa (Karachi), Ali Gohar (Karachi), Aziz-ur-Rehman (Lahore), Kamran Chaudhry (Lahore), Khalid Jamshed (Lahore), Muhammad Aslam (Quetta) and Tanveer Afzal (Faisalabad) PCB Supplementary Panel of Umpires - Abdul Moqeet (Lahore), Ahmed Shahab (Lahore), Aley Haider (Karachi), Aslam Bareach (Quetta), Farooq Ali Khan (Abbottabad), Ghulam Sarwar (Sibi), Kashif Sohail (Khanewal), Khalid Mehmood Sr. (Karachi), Majid Hussain (AJK), Mir Dad (Islamabad), Muhammad Asif (Lahore), Muhammad Imran (Sargodha), Muhammad Sajid (Charsadda), Tariq Rasheed (Lahore) and Zulfiqar Jan (Charsadda) PCB Development Panel of Match Referees - Abu-al-Hasnat Rao (Lahore), Allah Ditto (Islamabad), Athar Laiq (Karachi), Bilal Moinul Haq Khiljee (Lahore), Fazal Akbar Shah (Peshawar), Ghulam Mustafa (Kasur), Inamullah Khan (Lahore), Masood Anwar (Khanewal), Muhammad Amiruddin Ansari (Karachi), Muhammad Jawed (Karachi), Mujahid Jamshed (Lahore), Saman Zulfiqar (Sheikhupura), Samiul Haq (Faisalabad), Sohail Idrees (Lahore) and Sohail Khan (Lahore) PCB Development Panel of Umpires (I) - Aamer Atta (DG Khan), Abdul Wasay (Kohat), Ahmed Nadeem (Peshawar), Akmal Hayat (Faisalabad), Asif Farooq Awan (Gujranwala), Farooq Anwar Bajwa Faisalabad), Farooq Jan (Charsadda), Ghayyur Hussain (Peshawar), Hassan Mahmood (Lahore), Imran Ullah Aslam (Bahawalpur), Irfan Haider (Islamabad), Javed Ashraf (Lahore), Kamran Khalil (Lahore), Khalid Mahmood Jr (Quetta), Mesam Turabi (Gujjar Khan), Muhammad Fayyaz (Peshawar), Muhammad Irfan Dilshad (Lahore), Muhammad Kaleeem (Lahore), Muhammad Waqas (Lahore), Nadeem Ghouri (Lahore), Nadeem Iqbal (Multan), Nasar Khan (Mardan), Qaiser Khan (Lahore), Rafiq Ahmad (Dadu), Rana Muhammad Arshad (Faisalabad), Raweed Khan (Charsadda), Raza Asghar (Sheikhupura), Saifullah Khan (Sargodha), Saleem Butt (Rawalpindi), Shamim Ansari (Karachi), Sohail Khan (Charssada), Sohail Zaman Khattak (Peshawar), Sultan Mahmood (Loralai), Syed Fahim Ahmed Bukhari (Karachi), Waqar Ahmed (Islamabad) and Waseemuddin (Kohat) PCB Development Panel of Umpires (II) - Asim Alvi (Karachi), Abdul Karim (Naseerabad), Abdul Qayoom (Karachi), Abrar Ahmed (Kasur), Adnan Rashid (Lahore), Akhtar Ali (Karachi), Ameen Abbasi (Bahawalpur), Anser Mahmood (Pattoki), Aqeel Aadil Khan (Karachi), Azizur Rehman (Karachi), Dilshad Ali (Multan), Hameed Khan (Quetta), Haroon Malik (Sargodha), Hashim Ali (Lodhran), Hidayatullah (Pishin), Jaffar Hussian (Peshawar), Jamshid Iqbal (Peshawar), Khalil Ahmad Siddiqi (Kasur), Maqbool Ahmed (Faisalabad), Muhammad Aamir Sharif (Kohat), Muhammad Arif (DI Khan), Muhammad Basit Siddiqi (Lahore), Muhammad Nazir Butt (Karachi), Muhammad Yousaf (DG Khan), Mumtaz Ali (Loralai), Munir Ahmed (Kasur), Naik Muhammad (Kohat), Naseer Ahmed (Chakwal), Naushad Khan (Peshawar), Naveed Khan (Nowshehra), Noor ul Hakam (Buner), Sagheer Ahmed (Lahore), Saifullah (Lahore), Shahid Qayyum (Faisalabad), Waqas Zeb (Lahore) and Zeeshan Arif (Mirpur, AJK) PCB Panel of Women Umpires ��� Afia Amin  (Lahore), Hummairah Farah  (Lahore), Nazia Nazir (Lahore), Nuzhat Sultana (Karachi), Riffat Mustafa (Kasur), Sabahat Rasheed  (Lahore), Saleema Imtiaz (Karachi) and Shakila Rafiq (Kasur). Read the full article

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‘Awareness, capacity building, key for women empowerment in law’

ISLAMABAD – Federal Minister for Law and Justice, Barrister Dr. Muhammad Farogh Naseem has said that awareness regarding the laws enacted to help women and capacity building of women in the legal profession is vital for women empowerment in the country. He was addressing a virtual launching ceremony of "Increasing Women Representation in Law" at the Australian High Commission. The ceremony was live-streamed on Facebook. The Law Minister further said that there are brilliant judges as well as highly educated and competent women in legal profession in the country. He said although we admit we are not gender neutral, however Pakistan's Constitution and the laws do not discriminate against women in any way. The Supreme Court judges are eager to have a female colleague elevated to serve with them at the Supreme Court. He said last year Judge Lubna Saleem Pervaiz was sworn in as the first female judge of Islamabad High Court and the Chief Justice is very happy with her performance. The overall mindset in Pakistan has changed and women in judiciary are being given the space, for which there was a dire need. He said the incumbent government has done a lot on women empowerment agenda. “We have enacted law to safeguard women's property rights. The law if implemented in letter and spirit, will guarantee right of a woman on her property within three months of filing a complaint with the Ombudsperson,” he said. He said there is a need to create awareness regarding this landmark legislation and the other such laws so that no one usurps on the legal rights of a woman, and also so that the women are fully aware from where they can have the redressal.  He expressed his support for 'Increasing Women Representation in Law' initiative and said the symposia will help in capacity building of young men and women in the legal profession. Parliamentary Secretary for Law and Justice Barrister Maleeka Bukhari too, hailed the women empowerment agenda of the incumbent government. She said there is a dire need to address the gender gap in the legal profession and women should have a place in the decision making quarters. The present government has enacted laws to support women and children with legal aid in criminal cases. She said the web portal/App on women in law will help identify women lawyers in Pakistan. Increasing Women's Representation in Law is a joint initiative of Australian High Commission, Group Development Pakistan (GDP), Women in Law Network and British High Commission while Ministry of Law and Justice will also collaborate and facilitate the initiative. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Ministry of Law and Justice, GDP and Women in Law Network for that purpose. The Project envisages three activities as deliverables that include; Women in Law Awards, Symposia on increasing women's representation in law and other aspects of gender, child justice and diversity in law, and a web portal and an App to highlight the achievements of women in Law. Parliamentary Secretary for Law and Justice Barrister Maleeka Bukhari, Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan Dr. Geoffrey Shaw, Deputy British High Commissioner to Pakistan Mrs. Alison Blackburn, Executive Director of GDP, Ms. Valerie Khan, Ms. Nida Usman Chaudry, Head of Women in Law Network and Ms. Ambreen Abbasi from the Ministry of Law and Justice also participated in the launching ceremony of the project.  Read the full article

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President Xi's visit to Pakistan rescheduled, new date to be announced soon

ISLAMABAD – Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Pakistan has been rescheduled due to coronavirus. The leader was scheduled to visit Pakistan this year. This was announced by Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing in a conversation with the media on Thursday. He said that President Xi Jinping’s visit to Pakistan this year has been rescheduled due to Covid-19. The Ambassador said the two governments were working on deciding a new date for President Xi’s visit to Pakistan and that it would be announced soon. Prime Minister Imran Khan had invited the Chinese President to Pakistan during his visit to China.  aid that the Chinese government is satisfied with the progress of CPEC and both governments are aware of the dangers facing the economic corridor. Together, Pakistan nd China will defeat these threats, he added. He said that we will not allow our enemies to succeed in their nefarious designs and CPEC projects will continue despite the challenge of Covid-19 on both sides. The Chinese Ambassador said that the steps taken by both the countries to deal with the pandemic were commendable. He reassured China’s confidence in CPEC saying that negative elements cannot stop both countries from cooperation. The people of both the countries will be able to benefit from this project, he added. =DNA Read the full article

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10,988 beggars nabbed during ongoing year

ISLAMABAD – Islamabad Police have nabbed 10,988 beggars during the ongoing year in its crackdown against professional alm seekers and their handlers with the purpose to curb this menace, a police spokesman said on Thursday. Following directions of IGP Islamabad Muhammad Aamir Zulfiqar khan, DIG (Operations) Waqar Uddin Syed constituted teams to ensure arrest of beggars' handlers while legal process is ensured to register FIRs against the professional alm-seekers. During efforts to curb this menace, police arrested 10,988 professional beggars from various areas of the city during current year. Waqar Uddin Syed has said that this social evil would be curbed and those backing the professional beggars would be dealt with an iron hand. He said that strict action would be taken against beggars those found around commercial centers, signals and other business areas. During the ongoing year, a total of 10,988 beggars were arrested and `Qalandarajat' were compiled against 702 women, 511 men and 32 transgenders.  A total of 78 cases were also registered against the beggars and cases were forwarded to the relevant courts.   A total of 129 children were shifted to Child Protection Center while 2941 boys, 1788 girls, 2797 men, 1882 women and 206 transgenders involved in begging were shifted to Edhi Home. DIG (Operations) said this campaign against the professional alm-seekers will be made more effective and strict action to be taken against those who force children and women to adopt the ugly business.  He directed all officials to take legal action against those involved in begging at traffic signals, worship places, streets and main chowks. He directed strict action against those groups and criminal gangs involved in backing the professional alm-seekers and depriving the deserved persons from assistance.  Read the full article

[diplomatstime]

Mandviwalla for enhancing trade with Kuwait

ISLAMABAD– Deputy Chairman Senate Saleem Mandviwalla has underlined the need of enhancing trade with Kuwait which also offers good potential for export of many Pakistani products. He expressed these views in a meeting with Ambassador of Kuwait Nasar Abdul Rahman J. Almutairi at the Parliament House on Thursday. He said that Kuwait has tremendous potential, especially for Pakistani Halal food products and a serious attention towards this particular sector could give a quantum jump to our exports. He emphasized close collaboration between the two sides in various other fields of mutual interests including agriculture, energy, trade, commerce and investment and proposed strong linkages between trade chambers to explore new avenues of mutual collaborations and interactions with right counterparts. He observed that Pakistani businessmen are interested to explore Kuwait for business prospects, but Kuwait's strict visa regime for Pakistani nationals was a major hindrance in pursuit of such efforts. He called for resolving this issue at the higher levels to ensure easy visas for Pakistani entrepreneurs so that they could step up efforts for promoting trade with Kuwait.  He opined that Pakistani missions abroad need to identify export potential of Pakistani products in foreign markets and pass on such study reports to local Chambers that would help in boosting up our trade and exports.  Kuwaiti businessmen can explore Pakistan for investment and joint ventures, especially in solar energy, coal mines, rice and other sectors. He thanked Kuwait government and people of Kuwait for their support to Pakistani community during pandemic and said that both countries enjoyed cordial relations based on mutual trust and respect. He also underlined the need for enhanced people to people contact and enhanced exchange of parliamentary delegations to bring people of the two sides more close. He said that parliamentary diplomacy is an effective tool to promote bilateral and multi-lateral cooperation in diverse areas. " Pakistan places its ties with Kuwait at high esteem and desires to further expand the fraternal relations in vast areas" , Saleem Mandviwalla. The Ambassador thanked the Deputy Chairman Senate for the warm welcome at the Parliament. He assured his cooperation in boosting bilateral ties.  He said that Kuwait is keen to further strengthen cooperation with Pakistan. He also expressed his condolences on the loss of lives and properties due recent rains. He said that Pakistan is close to our hearts and both the country have a shared dream to work toward promotion growth and economic development.  Senators Sajjad Hussain Turi and Dr. Jahanzeb Jamaldini were also present during the meeting.  Read the full article

[diplomatstime]

Ehsaas initiative reflective of PM’s socioeconomic relief, protection of fundamental rights

The renowned Greek philosopher Aristotle said, “Poverty is the parent of revolution and crime.”South African revolutionary leader Nelson Mandela said “Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity, and a decent life. As per Asian Development Bank (ADB) statistics, a total of 24.3 percent population of Pakistan lives below the poverty line, while 3.9 percent of employed class has the purchasing capacity up to U $ 1.90. The World Bank in its published-research findings has observed that the lockdown and restrictions amid-COVID-19 have severely affected low-income households in a country, wherethe persons who fall in this category earn an average, less than US $ a day. A new report of World Economic Situation and Prospects mid-2020, which the United Nation’s Department of Economic and Social Affairs on the world economic situation has released recently shows that global economic losses amid COVID-19 would likely cause an estimated 34.3 million additional people’s fall below the extreme poverty line in 2020. Combating the on-going economic impact due to spread of the coronavirus, the incumbent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government is playing an impressive and responsible role for the well being of marginalized and destitute strata of the country. To mitigate the pandemic’s socioeconomic damages, the incumbent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government has initiated an unprecedented Ehsaas Emergency Cash programme which is thelargest social-protection programme in the ruling history of the country. Talking to APP Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FPCCI) president Mian Anjum Nisar said that Ehsas Emergency Cash programme was a people-friendly relief initiative, adding that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government under the dynamic leadership of prime minister Imran Khan would steer the country out of the economic gloom. He said that it was for the first time that such a massive programme was providing relief to the destitute strata in Pakistan, in every walk of life. Here are some salient features of the ‘Ehsaas Programme’ under which the respectable living and socio economic condition of the poor strata in the country is being improved. Prime Minister Imran Khan on January 31, 2020 launched the innovative new Kafalat Programme, which is providing PKR 2,000 monthly cash payments to 7 million of the poorest women in the country. Following the vast objectives of this programme, a new Ministry for Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation has been established which would work on the coordination of the Ehsaas Programme’s implementation throughout Pakistan. Similarly, under Ehsaas Tahafuz programme’ , the government had announced that nearly 5.7 million women would be given savings accounts and mobile phones to make them able to access their bank accounts. “This will be the most transparent way to give them their money,”; Ministry for Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation sources told APP, adding that the cash transfers to the women will be increased from Rs5,000 to Rs5,500. Another document of the ‘Programme’ revealed that a “movement” for children who are forced to work under bonded labour, would be started and daily wage workers would also be facilitated through the Tahafuz programme. Under this programme, Bait-ul-Maal would be funded to build homes for 10,000 orphan children in the next four years, and to address the nutrition problems of minors “;multi-sectoral nutrition coordination body” has also been constituted. “This will be the most transparent way to give them their money,” the Prime Minister Imran Khan had said during the launch of this programme, adding that the cash transfers to the women would be increased from Rs5,000 to Rs5,500. A new identification Ehsaas Kafaalat ‘card’ has also been issued which is bearing only the picture of founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. In this connection the provision in its current form (Ehsaas Programme) is only a policy recommendation, the premier had noted, saying that the government would shortly bring an amendment in the Constitution to make it a “fundamental right”; so the state could guarantee five things under Article 38(D) of the Constitution, ensuring people of Pakistan with food, shelter, clothing, education and taking care of their health. The Ehsaas Programme document reveals that under the vision of the Prime Minister Imran Khan, the money spent on underprivileged segments of society was increased to Rs120bn during2020. Additionally, a ;”movement” for children forced to work under bonded labour would be started and daily wage workers would also be facilitated through the Tahafuz programme. Moreover street children would be assisted through public-private partnerships as well as the transgender persons who often suffer maltreatment in the society, the sources in Ministry of Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation told APP. They said that Bait-ul-Maal would be funded to build homes for 10,000 orphan children in the next four years. According to the vision of the prime minister, women in the villages would be provided with goats, desi chicken and vegetable seeds so that they and their children could have access to milk, as well as to ‘Desi’ chickens, they added. Additionally, the sources said that persons with disabilities would be given facilities such as special sticks, wheelchairs, crutches and whatever equipment they might require. A document of the Ministry of Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation said that Ehsaas Programme would ensure opening of 20 centers for persons with disabilities in the underdeveloped districts. Among other measures meant for the socio-economic uplift of the people, Rs5bn had been allocated as interest-free loans for those who were too poor to build houses, it said. Likewise, with regard to pensioners, incentives for them would be increased through a biometric system to avoid corruption. Additionally, Bait-ul-Maal will make five “Ehsaas homes” for elderly folk, which will then be extended as funding comes in. Similarly students from remote and underdeveloped areas would be ensured with quality education and provision of internet services and mobile phones so that they can get benefit of e-learning, the ministry document reads.  According to Ehsaas document statistics, a total of Rs3bn will be provided for higher education in underdeveloped districts of the country. Meanwhile, support for overseas Pakistanis particularly labourers and working class that reside abroad for work would be ensured with latest facilities, and all embassies in other countries would have community welfare attachés who would ensure, monitor and cater specifically to the needs of overseas Pakistanis, it adds. Ehsaas Programme has also developed a complete agriculture policy for farmers in villages,which will soon be shared with the public. And for the protection of labourers working in the informal sector in villages,will now be brought into the formal sector and their exploitation will be ended, Ehsaas Programme document said. As part of the plan, it revealed that a total of Rs50bn have been placed in the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund and the National Poverty Graduation Programme. “No government has so far spent so much money on poverty alleviation,” the document said. Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Poverty Alleviation, Sania Nishtar has said that Ehsaas programme was initiated soon after the lockdown began, it was delivering one-time cash grants totaling more than 1.2 billion U.S. dollars to more than 16.9 million households, covering around 109 million people, which is approximately 50 percent of the country’s total population. Themarginalized families were receiving Rs12,000 to cover their immediate subsistence needs. In her article published by China Global Television Network (CGTN) on  August 20,Sania Nishtar opined that prior to the delivery of Ehsaas cash, she saw unspeakable financialcondition and sufferings of the needy people from many walks of life. “There were daily-wage labourers and hawkers, vendors, hotel and restaurant employees,domestic servants, watchmen, security guards, and drivers. There were also laid-off public-transport employees, fishermen, miners, beauticians, barbers, and millions of shopkeepers, who all stood on the verge of hunger, with their savings used up,” she writes. “The new biometric payment system has been introduced, as  the cash transfer has been increased, inflation adjusted and the safety net Kafaalat now offers digital and financial inclusion opportunities since women will have bank accounts and better access to mobile phones,”Dr.Sania Nishtar added. Read the full article