Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: In a remarkable celebration of cultural harmony, Muhammad Huzaifa, a young Pakistani student, musician, and writer, was honored at an event hosted by the ECO Cultural Institute (ECI), the cultural arm of the ten-member Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO).

The event, held in Tehran, showcased Huzaifa's multifaceted talents, including his performance on the Baglama, a traditional Turkish musical instrument, and the presentation of his published essay, "Excavating A Forgotten Treasure from Trkiye". The essay recounts his journey to locate the burial site of the renowned Arab poet Imru' al-Qais in Ankara, Turkey, said a press release received here on Friday.

The gathering highlighted the ECI's mission to foster cultural and intellectual exchange among ECO member nations.

Huzaifa's performance, which blended Pakistani, Turkish, and Iranian cultural elements, was a centerpiece of the event. His ability to master the Baglama and perform it before an Iranian audience in Tehran was hailed as a symbol of unity and shared heritage.

Dr. Saad S. Khan, President of the ECI and a distinguished Pakistani diplomat, historian, and music expert, praised Huzaifa's achievements. 'A Pakistani boy performing a Turkish instrument before an Iranian audience in Tehran is a testament to the power of cultural diplomacy,' Dr. Khan remarked. 'This event underscores the ECI's commitment to bringing nations together through the arts, history, and literature.'

Dr. Ali Shaheedi, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Ancient Iranian Languages at Tehran University, emphasized the deep historical connections between literature and music. He noted that events like these serve as a bridge between nations, fostering mutual understanding and appreciation of shared cultural legacies.

The event also featured speeches by prominent figures, including Mr. Rashid Naqvi, Dr. Ali Bayat, Wafa Yazdanmanesh, and Hassan Naqvi. Each speaker echoed the sentiment that the gathering reinforced the ECI's mission to promote cultural exchange and intellectual dialogue among ECO nations. They lauded Huzaifa's efforts as a shining example of how art and literature can transcend borders and bring people closer together.

The evening concluded with a sense of optimism, as attendees reflected on the importance of preserving and celebrating cultural diversity. Huzaifa's performance and his scholarly work were seen as a powerful reminder of the rich, interconnected histories of Pakistan, Turkey, and Iran, and the potential for continued collaboration under the ECO platform.

This event not only celebrated the talents of a young artist but also served as a beacon of hope for deeper cultural ties among nations, proving that art and literature remain vital tools for building bridges in an increasingly interconnected world.

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Friday chaired a review meeting on the implementation of reforms in the power sector.

Speaking at the meeting, he said by the grace of Allah, the ongoing reforms in the power sector were yielding positive results.

He said it was a good sign that the ministry and the relevant departments were cooperating to rectify defects of the last seven decades.

The prime minister, "We promised to the public from day one that low cost environment friendly electricity will be provided to them."

He pointed out that the revisiting of agreements with the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) led to saving for the national exchequer and reduced the price of electricity for consumers.

He said the reduction in deficits of distribution companies due to campaign against electricity theft was made possible because of hard work of the ministry of power and supporting institutions.

The prime minister vowed to bring down losses of the distribution companies, caused by power theft, by 100 percent by speeding up the campaign against stealing of electricity.

He pointed that the performance of the distribution companies was improving after appointment of board members of good reputation, from the private sector.

More members of good reputation would be hired from the private sector soon for constituting boards in the remaining companies, he said adding the reduction in losses during electricity transmission was evident of the positive result of the reforms.

The tariff rate for domestic consumers and industries would be further reduced with the ongoing reforms in the power sector, he continued.

The meeting was briefed about the targets for the next three years in the power sector and on the performance of the sector.

It was told that the receipts of the distribution companies reached 93.26 percent by December 2024, as a result of the reforms and the campaign against electricity theft.

The participants were also informed about the strategy to reduce the circular debt in phases, establishment of competitive markets for transmission of electricity and about the timeline for reduction in power tariff and other reforms.

The meeting was told about the progress on the 500 kv Matiari-Moro-Rahim Yar Khan transmission line and Ghazi Barotha-Faisalabad transmission line.

They were also apprised about the dissolution of National Transmission and Despatch Company and on progress for formation of new Energy Infrastructure Development and Management Company (EIDMC).

The prime minister instructed to complete all reforms and projects within the stimulated timeframe.

Federal ministers Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Ahad Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar, Dr Musadiq Malik and Sardar Awais

Leghari, Special Assistant to PM Muhammad Ali and high level officers concerned attended the meeting.

Islamabad: In a bid to tackle the widespread issue of counterfeit stamp papers, the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration has introduced a new system requiring biometric verification for their issuance.

This step was expected to enhance security and prevent fraudulent activities in legal and financial transactions.

The ICT administration has announced that stamp papers will no longer be issued without biometric verification.

Any stamp paper lacking this verification will be deemed invalid. This decision comes as part of efforts to address the long-standing problem of fake stamp papers, which have caused significant issues for citizens, particularly in legal and revenue-related matters.

A spokesperson for the ICT administration explained that the new system involves attaching a biometric slip to each stamp paper, simplifying the verification process. This measure is designed to ensure that all transactions involving stamp papers are secure and transparent.

Authorities have issued clear instructions to stamp vendors, mandating compliance with the biometric verification requirement. Vendors who fail to follow these guidelines will be barred from issuing stamp papers. Islamabad's Deputy Commissioner, Irfan Nawaz Memon, highlighted that this initiative is a crucial step toward eliminating counterfeit stamp papers from the city.

Previously, the use of fake stamp papers led to numerous fraud cases, creating challenges for both individuals and institutions. The introduction of biometric verification is expected to provide a more reliable system, allowing residents to conduct transactions with greater confidence.

Irfan Memon emphasized that the new system will ensure the complete eradication of fake stamp papers, streamlining processes and reducing fraudulent activities. This development is anticipated to benefit both the government and the public by fostering a more secure and efficient environment for legal and financial dealings.

The move marks a significant shift in how stamp papers are issued and verified, aiming to restore trust in the system and protect citizens from potential fraud.

Islamabad: Senior Supreme Court Judge Syed Mansoor Ali Shah on Friday urged institutions to utilize all available resources for tackling climate change hazards.

Talking to a private news channel, he said that there must be a strategy for strengthening economy so that we should combat the bad effects of climate change in this part of the region.

Although, the donor organizations have pledged to contribute some amount for helping underdeveloped and most affected countries that are facing the bad effects of climate change.

He suggested that the government should seek funds from Islamic and local finance organizations to support controlling climate change effects in the country.

He said that climate change is a global issue, but Pakistan agriculture community is confuting with multiple challenges due to climate change effects on this part of the region.

Islamabad: In a bid to tackle the widespread issue of counterfeit stamp papers, the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration has introduced a new system requiring biometric verification for their issuance.

This step was expected to enhance security and prevent fraudulent activities in legal and financial transactions.

The ICT administration has announced that stamp papers will no longer be issued without biometric verification.

Any stamp paper lacking this verification will be deemed invalid. This decision comes as part of efforts to address the long-standing problem of fake stamp papers, which have caused significant issues for citizens, particularly in legal and revenue-related matters.

A spokesperson for the ICT administration explained that the new system involves attaching a biometric slip to each stamp paper, simplifying the verification process. This measure is designed to ensure that all transactions involving stamp papers are secure and transparent.

Authorities have issued clear instructions to stamp vendors, mandating compliance with the biometric verification requirement. Vendors who fail to follow these guidelines will be barred from issuing stamp papers. Islamabad's Deputy Commissioner, Irfan Nawaz Memon, highlighted that this initiative is a crucial step toward eliminating counterfeit stamp papers from the city.

Previously, the use of fake stamp papers led to numerous fraud cases, creating challenges for both individuals and institutions. The introduction of biometric verification is expected to provide a more reliable system, allowing residents to conduct transactions with greater confidence.

Irfan Memon emphasized that the new system will ensure the complete eradication of fake stamp papers, streamlining processes and reducing fraudulent activities. This development is anticipated to benefit both the government and the public by fostering a more secure and efficient environment for legal and financial dealings.

The move marks a significant shift in how stamp papers are issued and verified, aiming to restore trust in the system and protect citizens from potential fraud.

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday reiterated his call for more predictable, flexible, and grant-based financial support for developing countries to enable them to build resilient infrastructure and invest in sustainable development.

"Without such support, the path to climate adaption and green transformation will remain elusive," the prime minister said in a video message at the two-day "Breathe Pakistan International Climate Change Conference, organized by the Dawn Media Group.

He told the international gathering that Pakistan's climate story embodied a "cruel paradox" as its emissions were less than one percent and yet it was one of the most climate-affected countries with climate change-induced floods, glacial meltdown, blistering heatwaves and soil-craking droughts.

He recalled that two years ago, one-third of Pakistan was submerged in floodwaters, displacing 33 million people and claiming 1,700 innocent lives. This tragedy transformed climate change from a distant threat to an urgent call to action, he added.

Lauding the organisers for hosting the conference to contemplate 'one of the most pressing challenges of our times', the prime minister said that his government had inherited robust frameworks including the "National Climate Change Policy 2021" and the "National Adaptation Plan 2023" which alone were not enough.

He said that after recognising implementation gaps, the government prioritised governance reforms, policy execution, and capacity-building initiatives.

"The initiatives like the 5Es and 5Cs are rooted in our homegrown transformation plan, Uraan Pakistan. We are integrating climate resilience into energy, equity, connectivity, and development," he remarked.

The prime minister concluded by emphasising to make the event a resounding call to action to ensure a cleaner, greener, and more resilient Pakistan for generations to come.