Author: dailybalochistantimes.com

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PSL holds court at Hazoori Bagh to draft players for 10th edition

Lahore: Staged in the majestic backdrop of the 16th century architectural masterpiece Lahore Fort, the player draft for the 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) was held at sprawling lawns of the iconic Hazoori Bagh on the sunny Monday afternoon in the historic city of Lahore.

History was made as the PSL entered its 10th year of life and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chose a momentous venue to mark decade of cricketing excellence. The selection of the venue to mark historic moment was significant in the way that Hazoori Bagh itself unveiled history in every nook and corner of it.

Hazoori Bagh - formerly a caravan serai during the Mughal rule - was designed on the pattern of the Mughal gardens during the reign of the then Punjab ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The 'baradari' (a pavilion where Maharaja held court) in the center of the garden was built in the year 1818 to celebrate capture of koh i Noor diamond by the Sikh ruler from Shuja Shah Durrani in 1813.

As the sports is about diversity, cultural understanding, the Hazoori Bagh was picked as a venue to showcase to the world diversity, cultural heritage and harmony of Lahore as it is surrounded by Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque, Samadhi of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Roshnai gate. Besides the religious harmony exhibited in conservation of sacred relics of the minority communities, the Roshnai gate and other sites symbiose the architectural grandeur of the magical Lahore.

As the PSL 10 drafted players from across the globe to exhibit their prowess on the fields of cricket, the venue also drew attention of the world to the rich cultural, architectural and political history of the city of Lahore.

Keeping pace with history, PCB invited former Pakistan great Zaheer Abbas as the guest who distributed souvenirs among the franchise owners and the representatives of the broadcasters.

Former English fast bowler Dominic Cork and former Pakistan woman team captain Sana Mir conducted the Player Draft ceremony during which the six franchises picked players in the platinum, diamond, gold, silver, emerging and supplementary categories.

Prominent among the drafted players are Australian batsmen David Warner (Karachi Kings), Matthew Short (Islamabad United), Max Bryant (Peshawar Zalmi), all rounder Benjamin Dwarshuis (Islamabad United); New Zealanders Dary Mitchel (Lahore Qalandars), Adam Milne (Karachi Kings), Mark Chapman (Quetta Gladiators), Michael Bracewell (Multan Sultans), Finn Allen (Finn Allen), Tim Seifert (Karachi Kings), Kyle Jamieson (Quetta Gladiators); West Indian Jason Holder (Islamabad United) Gudakesh Moti (Multan Sultans); Sri Lankan Kusal Prera (Lahore Qalandars); Afghani Najeebullah Zadran (Peshawar Zalmi); Irsihman Josh Little (Multan Sultans); American Andries Gous (Islamabad United) and Bangladeshi Nahid Rana (Peshawar Zalmi), Rishad Hussain (Lahore Qalandars) and Liton Das (Karachi Kings).

In the supplementary category, the overseas players included Australian Riley Meredith (Islamabad United) Sean Abbott (Quetta Gladiators); West Indian Alzarri Joseph (Peshawar Zalmi), Johnson Charles (Multan Sultans, Shai Hope (Multan Sultans); Englishman Tom Curran (Lahore Qalandars), Sam Billings (Lahore Qalandars); Sri Lankan Kusal Mendis (Quetta Gladiators); New Zealander Kane Williamson (Karachi Kings); (Peshawar Zalmi); South African Rassie van der Dussen (Islamabad United); Afghani Mohammad Nabi (Karachi Kings).

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Eight spokespersons of Sindh govt appointed

Karachi: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has appointed eight spokespersons of the provincial government with immediate effect.

A notification to this effect was issued here on Tuesday.

Those who were nominated as spokespersons of the government include Nadir Nabeel Gabol, Sukhdev Assardas Hemnani, Buland Khan Junejo, Syeda Tehseen Abidi, Here Sohu, Syeda Aqraba Fatima and Mustafa Abdullah Baloch.

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Balochistan CM for protection of rare forests, wildlife

Quetta: Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti on Monday chaired a review meeting of the Forest Department for the protection and sustainability of rare forests and wildlife in the province.

The meeting was attended by Provincial Minister Mir Muhammad Sadiq Umrani, Chief Secretary Balochistan Shakeel Qadir Khan, Secretary Pirkani and other relevant officials.

The meeting was briefed by the Forest Department officials on the measures taken for the protection of forests and wildlife.

Addressing the meeting, the Balochistan Chief Minister has directed to take measures for the protection of forests and wildlife effective saying that there are reports of the brutal killing of rare wildlife in some areas. He said that some rare wildlife is facing threat of extinction due to reckless illegal hunting.

The CM also directed that a committee consisting of tribal elders and local tribes should be formed for community monitoring for preventing illegal hunting and safety of the wildlife. 'Strict legal action should be taken against the hunters involved in illegal hunting', he instructed.

The CM said that the restoration of the International Funds for Protected Areas would be discussed with the Federal Ministry of Climate Change. Secretary Forest Department Noor Ahmed Pirkani said that in briefing that three accused involved in illegal hunting in Takto have been arrested. He said that all three accused are government employees, legal action is being taken against them for safety of Forest Department.

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Over 307 blood donor agencies linked with PSCA Blood Bank

Lahore: Over 300 individuals and 7 blood donor agencies have linked up with the Safe City Blood Bank to provide blood donations to the citizen in any emergency.

According to a spokesperson of the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA), in just a few days, citizens calling 15 are connected to donors via conference calls. The spokesperson stated that within a few days of its launch, Safe City has facilitated blood donations to over 60 citizens. Following the special instructions of the Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Safe City Emergency Virtual Blood Bank was established.

Citizens can easily connect with the Safe City Emergency Blood Bank by pressing 4 on call 15. Over 10,000 Punjab Police officers have already registered as donors with the Safe City Blood Bank. Blood donor agencies, NGOs, and college and university blood banks have been linked with the Safe City Blood Bank database.

Citizens, students, and civil society members can register as blood donors by calling 15 or visiting the website.

Citizens can also request to donate or receive blood at police service counters established in all government hospitals.

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FDA to develop Model Central Park on 84-kanal area

Faisalabad: Faisalabad Development Authority (FDA) has decided to develop a state-of-the-art Model Central Park on 84 Kanals area in FDA City.

Director General FDA Muhammad Asif Chaudhry reviewed the project and said that this park would have salient features including a picturesque lake, Miyawaki forest and various recreational facilities designed to meet modern architectural standards, environmental needs and aesthetic appeal.

He issued necessary directions to improve design and development of the project and said that the park should be completed on urgent basis in addition to ensuring use of advanced scientific horticultural techniques for tree plantation.

He expressed satisfaction on the construction of jogging track and said that the park should be attractive to provide entertainment facilities for the children and adults equally.

He directed to plant diverse species of ornamental plants in addition to filling the flower beds with seasonal blooms.

He directed to install swings and other playing equipment for the children according to international standard and play equipment.

He also asked the project director to ensure regular monitoring of the project and provide its progress reports on daily basis for its speedy completion.

He also inspected other parks and green belts in various blocks of FDA City and directed to maintain a green and vibrant environment by protecting existing trees and plants in addition to planting more saplings.

He stressed the need of preparing an effective and comprehensive plan by keeping seasonal factors in view to further enhance greenery of the area.

Additional Director General FDA Yasir Ejaz Chattha, Chief Engineer Mehar Ayub, Project Director/Director Estate Management-II Sohail Maqsood Pannu, Deputy Director Engineering Talha Tabassum and others were also present on the occasion.

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CM Bugti, Iranian Ambassador vow to promote bilateral relations

Quetta: Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran Dr. Reza Amiri Moqadam called on Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti here on Monday at the CM Secretariat

The discussions were held on promoting trade, educational and cultural relations between Pakistan and Iran during the meeting.

Welcoming the Iranian delegation, the Chief Minister of Balochistan said that he valued the centuries-old long-standing relations between Pakistan and Iran, the two countries have always shared each other's joys and sorrows.

It is the need of the hour to further strengthen trade, cultural and social relations between the two countries, he said.

In the meeting, the Iranian Ambassador offered cooperation in various fields of social development including increasing trade volume, educational scholarships, and technical education.

The Chief Minister said that exchange of delegations and trade relations between Balochistan and Iran at different levels would be further promoted saying that prevention of illegal smuggling, effective measures could be taken for and a lasting solution to be found to the problems being faced by traders.

He said that efforts would be made to resolve the problems of the border adjacent to Balochistan in collaboration with the central government so that facilities could be provided to the traders.

The CM said that the establishment of law and order in the areas would increase trade activities and it could be possible to eliminate smuggling.

In this regard, a meeting will also be held in Islamabad in which representatives of the Chambers of Commerce will be invited, he said.

The Chief Minister assured of facilities for Iranian traders and said that no legal commercial container or truck would face any kind of problems in Balochistan.

For timely resolution of such problems, the Iranian Consulate should appoint its, a representative who will be in touch with the relevant authorities of the provincial government to assist the traders, he said.

While offering educational scholarships, the Iranian ambassador said that Iran is keen to start various programs for Pakistani students.

The CM also appreciated the offer and said that the Iranian Consulate and the officials of the Balochistan government would jointly prepare a plan for the scholarship program.

Mir Sarfraz Bugti said that under this offer, a special educational scholarship program would also be launched for the Hazara community living in Quetta.

He said that for the first time in the history of Balochistan, the Benazir Bhutto Scholarship Program has been launched adding that under which students are being given scholarships for higher education in two hundred prominent universities around the world.

Providing technical training and employment is among the priorities of the provincial government, he maintained.

He accepted the invitation to visit Iran at the invitation of the Iranian Ambassador and said that he would soon visit Iran with a delegation.

During the meeting, the Iranian Ambassador informed the Chief Minister of Balochistan about the appointment of a Baloch governor in Sistan.

On which the Chief Minister expressed happiness and termed it a good omen.

At the end of the meeting, the two leaders reiterated their commitment to further promote bilateral relations and exchanged souvenirs.