Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: Parliamentary Secretary for Finance and Revenue, Saad Waseem Sheikh, informed the National Assembly that the Accountant General Pakistan Revenues (AGPR), Islamabad, has updated all records of Federal Government employees on the SAP (System Application Product) system with unique personnel numbers.

Responding to a question during the question hour, he said that all key events, including appointments, promotions, upgradations, transfers, retirements, revisions of pay and allowances, and service verifications, are recorded in the SAP system as well as in employees' personal files in the pre-audit sections.

He highlighted that the AGPR currently manages records for 79,380 employees, with nearly all employee data updated in the system.

The responsibility for providing accurate employee details lies with the respective administrative ministries, divisions, and departments. In case of any discrepancies, the updated information provided by the concerned departments is continuously incorporated into the SAP system.

He further said that the AGPR ensures the timely sharing of General Provident (GP) Fund statements with Federal Government employees through their designated Gmail accounts. Additionally, monthly salary slips are regularly sent to employees.

He said that AGPR has recently initiated payments via the RAAST/MPG (Micro Payment Gateway) system, for which employees are required to provide their 13-digit CNIC or IBAN number. The relevant departments have been asked to submit updated information to facilitate this process.

The AGPR offices maintain timely communication with concerned departments regarding employees and retirees to ensure swift resolution of cases.

Furthermore, pension cases submitted through the Pension Facilitation Centre (PFC) or online can be tracked via a designated tracking system available at various ministries, divisions, and departments.

He assured that the entire process of pay and pension payments is conducted in accordance with the Finance Division's instructions, which are regularly updated to enhance transparency and efficiency.

Islamabad: The Prime Minister's Coordinator for Climate Change, Romina Khurshid Alam stressed the importance of engaging women in sustainable industries, particularly in the area of recycling fashion.

She called for creating proper channels to involve women in this emerging sector, which can provide both economic empowerment and environmental benefits.

'By integrating women into industries such as recycling and sustainable fashion, we can build a greener economy while lifting up women and ensuring their contributions are recognized,' she added and emphasized the urgent need to empower women in the fight against climate change, citing their heightened vulnerability to environmental challenges.

In a meeting with the Ambassador of Sweden, Alexandra Berg von Linde, who called on her on Friday, Romina Khurshid Alam shared her dedication to addressing the intersection of gender equality and climate resilience.

Romina Khurshid Alam referred to the valuable insights gained from the Stockholm conference on gender and population, where she had the opportunity to learn from global leaders about the critical role women.

Building on the knowledge gained at this international forum, she organized a similar conference in Islamabad last year, which brought together regional countries to discuss strategies for empowering women in the green economy.

The PM's Coordinator underscored the vital role women play in mitigating and adapting to climate change, stressing that their involvement in climate action initiatives should be prioritized to create a more inclusive and sustainable future. 'Women, especially in vulnerable regions, are disproportionately affected by climate change. Their empowerment is key to not only addressing their specific challenges but also driving broader climate action efforts,' said Romina Khurshid Alam.

Romina also highlighted her ongoing work in Balochistan, where she is focusing on empowering girls, adolescents, and women financially. She aims to create a pathway for financial independence while also addressing the impacts of climate change in one of Pakistan's most climate-sensitive regions.

Ambassador of Sweden extended an invitation to Climate Coordinator, Romina Khurshid Alam to attend a seminar to be held in Islamabad on February 26. The seminar will feature Swedish tech experts who will share their knowledge on innovative solutions for textile industry.

Islamabad: Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Muhammad Shoaib Khan conducted a surprise visit to Khanna Police Station on Thursday to inspect administrative affairs, security measures, and service delivery.

An official told reporter that during the visit SSP Shoaib checked the records, front desk, record room, lockup, investigation officers' rooms and residential barracks.

SSP Shoaib said that inappropriate behavior toward citizens will not be tolerated under any circumstances. He directed the police officials to utilize all available resources for the convenience of citizens.

Effective steps should be taken immediately for the prevention of serious crimes, apprehension of accused and recovery of stolen goods, he added.

SSP Shoaib asserted that no effort will be spared in providing relief to the citizens, the protection of life and property of the citizens is among the top priorities of the Islamabad Police, he maintained.

Islamabad: At least five people lost their lives, while several others including children and women sustained injuries in a head-on collision between two cars on the Indus Highway in Jamshoro district on Friday.

According to Police sources, the accident occurred when two cars coming from opposite directions collided near the Jamshoro bridge and claimed five lives on the spot, private news channels reported.

Rescue teams and emergency services rushed to the scene.

The injured were shifted to nearby hospitals, where they are receiving medical treatment. The condition of some of the injured is reported to be critical.

Preliminary findings suggested that reckless driving and wrong-side crossing may have contributed to the head-on collision.

Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday issued judges duty roster for next week after the oath of Acting Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar.

IHC’s Justice Babar Sattar wouldn’t be available on February 18, while Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan would hear cases from the same date.

As per the roster, the first division bench for the next week would be comprising Acting Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Asif while Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani and Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan are included in the second bench which would hear cases from Tuesday.

The third bench is comprising Justice Babar Sattar and Justice Saman Raffat Imtiaz, in fourth bench Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Justice Azam Khan while the fifth division bench is comprising Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro and Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas.

The special division and larger bench would also available after the approval of Acting Chief Justice IHC. The Deputy registrar had issued the duty roster with the approval of acting chief justice.

Islamabad: Coordinator to the Prime Minister for Climate Change, Romina Khurshid Alam Friday emphasized the critical need for collaboration between the public and private sectors to address climate change and promote sustainable development.

Speaking to a three-member delegation of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), Ms. Romina underscored the importance of innovative green initiatives and stressed that vulnerable countries like Pakistan urgently need access to climate funding, not loans.

She highlighted the severe impacts of climate change on Pakistan, which is already facing devastating consequences such as flooding, droughts, and water scarcity. As the country grapples with these issues, the need for sustainable, climate-resilient solutions has become more urgent than ever and reaffirming Pakistan's commitment to fighting climate change and working with international partners to find practical solutions for a greener, more sustainable future.

Ms. Romina comments come as part of a broader call for strengthened collaboration between government, industry, and international organizations to address environmental challenges. She emphasized that the private sector has a vital role to play in driving investment and developing green technologies, and that governments must provide the regulatory frameworks and incentives to encourage this participation.

The meeting with the GGGI delegation also focused on the potential for joint projects to address key environmental issues, including renewable energy, water management, and the recycling of water.

She stressed the importance of prioritizing water conservation and management, highlighting that water scarcity is one of the most pressing challenges facing Pakistan. She called for the development of solutions that not only address the immediate water needs but also promote long-term sustainability by improving water-use efficiency and expanding access to clean water.

'Water is a priority issue for Pakistan, and we need to collaborate on innovative solutions that focus on efficient water management, water recycling, and the protection of our watersheds. Renewable energy, too, is at the forefront of our green transition. By working with organizations like GGGI, we can develop sustainable energy solutions that help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate the impacts of climate change,' she remarked.

In the meeting, both parties discussed potential collaborative efforts between the Pakistani government and the Global Green Growth Institute, with an emphasis on launching projects that address the country's water and energy challenges while ensuring that these solutions are sustainable, scalable, and resilient to future climate shocks.

Secretary of the Ministry of Climate Change, Aisha Humera Moriani highlighted the government's initiatives to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles.

She emphasized that the government is considering offering auto loans to facilitate the transition to renewable energy, particularly focusing on the growing demand for electric two-wheelers across the country.

Aisha Moriani outlined the importance of supporting sustainable transportation solutions as part of the national effort to reduce carbon emissions. "We are working towards a circular economy," she said, stressing the need for sustainable practices that minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency.

She suggested that GGGI could play a pivotal role in addressing water management challenges in Balochistan and Sindh, while also supporting Punjab's efforts in solid waste management. These initiatives aim to create a more sustainable future by aligning policy strategies with climate-resilient development goals.