ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: As of September 14, 2024, 97 percent of the target children have been reached across all 115 districts of the Country during the ongoing polio vaccination campaign.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Health Dr. Malik Mukhtar Bharath reviewed the progress of the ongoing polio campaign, where catch up activities have commenced.
Dr. Malik Mukhtar Bharath appreciated the efforts of the polio teams on the ground who relentlessly delivered vaccines house-to-house despite many challenges.
The Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Health directed the national polio team to review the post campaign results and to prepare detailed plans to plug the gaps identified ahead of the next campaign in October.
September’s campaign has concluded in areas covered by mobile teams; however, extended catch-up activities will continue in selected areas where targets have not yet been met.
The Coordinator of the National Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication Muhammad Anwar ul Haq shared his observations from field visits to South KP and Sindh.
It was noted that the campaign faces challenges in South KP that need to be addressed, while the campaign in Balochistan is progressing well.
RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: The Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, who is on an official visit to the People’s Republic of China, held separate meetings the Chinese military leadership.
The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that the CJCSC held meetings with the Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) General He Weidong and Chief of CMC Joint Staff Department General Liu Zhenli.
General Sahir Shamshad Mirza also delivered a talk at the 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum on the Role of Pakistan towards regional peace and stability.
During meetings, both sides appreciated deep and historic relationship of Pakistan and China in multiple domains and acknowledged assuring progress on the bilateral strategic cooperative partnership and defence cooperation.
The Chinese leadership also reaffirmed their unfettered commitment to support Pakistan on its territorial integrity and sovereignty.
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan has termed the US decision to impose sanctions against commercial entities on allegations of links with Pakistan’s ballistic missile programme as “biased and politically-motivated”.
In response to media queries regarding the US decision, the Spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said on Saturday that “Pakistan considers this action as biased and politically-motivated.”
The Spokesperson said that similar listings of commercial entities in the past were based on mere suspicion; involved items not listed under any export control regime and yet were considered sensitive under broad, catch-all provisions.
Ambassador Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that it is widely known that some countries, while claiming strict adherence to nonproliferation norms, have conveniently waived licensing requirements for advanced military technologies to their favoured states.
“Such double standards and discriminatory practices undermine the credibility of global nonproliferation regimes, increase military asymmetries, and endanger international peace and security,” she said.
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Two police personnel embraced martyrdom when a blast went off near a police mobile on Bostan Road in Kuchlak, a town near Balochistan’s Capital Quetta.
In his statement, the Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi strongly condemned the blast near a police mobile in Kuchlak, and paid homage to the two police personnel who were martyred in the blast.
The interior minister expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
The interior minister said that we salute the sacrifices of the martyred personnels.
Mohsin Naqvi said that the Balochistan Police have made unforgettable sacrifices in the war against terrorism.
The minister emphasized that the nation’s unwavering resolve against terrorism cannot be defeated. He underscored that this war is the war of the entire nation and with the nation’s support, will continue until the elimination of last terrorist and their facilitator.
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Prime Minister’s Youth Programme has announced the formation of an interview panel tasked with evaluating candidates for the upcoming batch of the National Youth Council.
This panel comprises a group of esteemed professionals and leaders dedicated to foster youth development and engagement across the nation.
The interview panel includes the Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairperson of the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission Ms. Gulmeena Bilal Ahmed, Member of Parliament and Focal Person on Green Youth Movement and International Linkages Dr. Syeda Amna Batool, Rector of Superior University Professor Dr. Sumaira Rehman, Chairman of the Board of Governors University of Lahore Awais Rauf, Programme Analyst for Adolescents and Youth at UNFPA Zahra Jabeen, Resource Person at the British Council Iftikhar Ahmed, and Deputy Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Dr. Muhammad Ali Malik.
This panel has been carefully assembled to ensure a comprehensive and rigorous selection process, reflecting a commitment to excellence and innovation in the representation of youth across the Country.
Their collective expertise spans education, vocational training, parliamentary affairs, and international youth engagement, ensuring a balanced and insightful evaluation of candidates.
To ensure transparency and integrity in the selection process for Batch 3 of the National Youth Council, the following measures will be implemented: Selection criteria will be clearly defined and communicated to all candidates.
This includes detailed guidelines on the qualifications and qualities sought for the council member.
The interview process will be methodically structured to assess each candidate’s qualifications, experience, and alignment with the Council’s mission.
Standardized evaluation forms will be used to ensure consistency and fairness.
The criteria and procedures for the selection process will be made publicly available, ensuring that all stakeholders are informed and can follow the process.
The panel will adhere to principles of fairness and impartiality, ensuring that all candidates are evaluated on their merits without bias or external influence.
The National Youth Council will provide regular updates on the selection process and will address any feedback or concerns raised by candidates or stakeholders transparently.
The National Youth Council looks forward to a successful interview process and the selection of exceptional individuals who will contribute significantly to the Council’s mission of empowering and advancing youth interests.
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The 9th Round of Pakistan-China Bilateral Consultations on Arms Control and Non-proliferation was held on September 13, 2024 in Islamabad.
The Director General (Arms Control & Disarmament Division) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Ambassador Tahir Andrabi and General (Department of Arms Control) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs People’s Republic of China Sun Xiaobo Director led their respective delegations.
Ambassador Tahir Andrabi, Director General (Arms Control & Disarmament Division), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan and Mr. Sun Xiaobo Director General (Department of Arms Control), Ministry of Foreign Affairs People’s Republic of China led their respective delegations at… pic.twitter.com/OMdA3Q4pJB
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) September 14, 2024
The two sides held in-depth discussions on the entire spectrum of arms control & nonproliferation issues; global and regional security; new and emerging technologies; cyber-security; artificial intelligence; outer space; and bilateral cooperation in the peaceful applications of nuclear technology.
The agenda and dynamics at multilateral forums such as the First Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, the Conference on Disarmament, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and various Conventions/Treaty Bodies related to disarmament were reviewed.
The Director General Sun Xiaobo also called on the Foreign Secretary Ambassador Amna Baloch.
Noting the positive trajectory of Pakistan-China bilateral relations, they underlined the importance of regular exchanges and consultations on arms control & nonproliferation as an important part of the Pakistan-China Strategic Dialogue.
Pakistan and China will hold the 10th Round of Bilateral Consultations on Arms Control & Nonproliferation next year in Beijing.
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has directed to finalize E-Vehicles Policy by November 2024 after consultations with all the federating units and stakeholders.
Chairing a meeting in Islamabad on Saturday, the prime minister directed to present a comprehensive financial model and improve licensing regulations regarding the manufacturing of electric vehicles in the Country.
Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chairs a meeting on the use of Electric Vehicles. pic.twitter.com/gD7HKL36UT
Shehbaz Sharif said that the government is taking priority steps to promote electric vehicles in the Country, noting these vehicles will not only save valuable foreign exchange in terms of import of petrol and diesel but will also be environment friendly.
The prime minister announced to provide E-motorbikes to outstanding students of government schools on the pattern of laptop scheme.
Shehbaz Sharif directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to prepare a comprehensive plan for electric powered public transport in Islamabad.
The meeting was informed that since 2022, 49 licenses have been issued for the production of two and three wheeled electric vehicles at the local level, of which 25 factories have started manufacturing these vehicles.
It was informed that the first license for domestic production of four wheel electric vehicles was issued in September 2024 and first indigenously manufactured electric car will come in the market by December.
The meeting was informed that recharging stations for electric vehicles will be set up on priority basis.
The salary of the para-medical staff in private hospital in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) varies based on their experience and job role within the healthcare establishment(s).
The salary package for the paramedical staff and nurses employed in private hospitals in the ICT fall within the following ranges:
Category
Salary Package
Nurses
Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000
Paramedical Staff (LHVs, Midwives, Technicians)
Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000
The Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA) has given directions to all private hospitals in the ICT for compliance of the government announced minimum wages i.e. Rs 37,000 per month.
Islamabad, Pakistan: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has written letters to Dutch Chipping Company MAERSK not to invest USD 2 Billion in Pakistan’s logistics business.
According to PTI circles, former prime minister and founding chairman of the party Imran Khan directed party leadership to write letters to MAERSK for not investing in Pakistan because future governments would not follow any contract sign by sitting government of PMLN.
Though PTI circles are very excited about their ‘political move’ their opponents consider this move ‘another attempt to harm Pakistan and another strike on the country’s economy’. It may be remembered that PTI had been saying that Pakistan would default economically and would become another Sri Lanka when Colombo became bankrupt.
“This again clearly shows the anti-state agenda of PTI and it is hell-bent that Pakistan does not develop and prosper. This Jewish and Indian sponsored and supported so-called leader is trying his best to cut down Pak; may it be through inviting resettling TTP terrorists (also known as Fitna Al Khawarij), flaming divisions within society and with Armed Forces or thwarting any economic positivity. The more he does, the more he (Imran Khan) gets exposed”, commented a retired officer of the Investment sector.
The water scarcity in Islamabad has become a pressing issue in recent years due to various factors.
The current population of Islamabad is 1.11 million with a water demand of approximately 120 million gallons per day (mgd). However, the maximum available water supply is only 80 mgd.
The resulting shortage of about 40 mgd is being addressed through rationing, water tankers, and private consumer boring.
The major source of water supply in Islamabad are as under:
Simly Dam = 34 mgd
Khanpur Dam = 9.6 mgd
Rawal Dam = 2.0 mgd
201 Tube Wells = 32 mgd
04 Water Works = 1.7 mgd
Total = 80 mgd
The following steps have been taken by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) as short term measures to address water scarcity issues in Islamabad;
Rehabilitation of existing outlived water supply network and repair of numerous leakages (major and minor) at various locations, saving about 8-10 mg water.
36 new Tube Wells have been installed.
02 mgd supplies from Rawal Dam have been restored for Islamabad after about 25 years.
Installation of about 95 drinking water filtration plants in Islamabad.
A pilot project Rainwater Harvesting for Ground Water Recharge 100 Recharge Wells have been constructed to preserve the rain water which will be implemented at household level to control the depletion of the ground water table.
The CDA Board has approved the proposal of conducting prefeasibility studies through WAPDA for the following projects to augment the existing water supply:
Dotara Carryover Dam upstream of Khanpur Dam.
Shandra Dam in ICT on a tributary of Korang River.
Chinot Carryover Dam upstream of Simly Dam.
Improvements in existing supplies from Khanpur Dam.
Furthermore, hiring of consultants for feasibility studies to explore groundwater recharge in Islamabad has also been approved by the CDA-DWP.
A project regarding “Conduction of Water from Indus River System at Tarbela Dam for Islamabad & Rawalpind” has been initiated by the CDA for developing a perennial source of potable water supply to meet the present as well as future water demand of the Twin Cities.
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan has termed the US decision to impose sanctions against commercial entities on allegations of links with Pakistan’s ballistic missile programme as...
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Prime Minister's Youth Programme has announced the formation of an interview panel tasked with evaluating candidates for the upcoming batch of...
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The 9th Round of Pakistan-China Bilateral Consultations on Arms Control and Non-proliferation was held on September 13, 2024 in Islamabad.The Director...
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has directed to finalize E-Vehicles Policy by November 2024 after consultations with all the federating units and stakeholders....
