Category: Islamabad

Islamabad:Armed members of a land mafia opened indiscriminate fire on a police team in Margalla Orchard on Thursday as officers arrived to reclaim illegally occupied land.

A public relation officer told reporter that the incident occurred when Shehzad Town Police arrived at the scene to reclaim illegally occupied land in Margalla Orchard near COMSATS University. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.

He said Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Shoaib Khan promptly reached the location upon receiving information about the attack. Islamabad Police swiftly launched an operation, arresting the suspects involved in the firing and thwarting the land mafia's attempt.

SSP Shoaib stated that the Islamabad Police remain vigilant against land grabbers and their accomplices, vowing that no illegal occupation of citizens' properties will be tolerated.

SSP emphasized that strict legal action will be taken against violators without discrimination. "No one is above the law, and the police force will continue its indiscriminate operations against criminal elements," he added.

Islamabad:The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) on Thursday launched a significant humanitarian project to distribute 84,500 shelter, non-food items (NFIs) and winter kits across Pakistan, as part of its annual initiative to support vulnerable communities.

A formal launching ceremony was held here at the Sports Complex Islamabad. Saudi Ambassador Nawaf Bin Said Al-Maliki, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, along with Director of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), Abdullah Al-Baqami, officially dispatched the winter packages.

In the first phase, KSrelief will deliver 50,000 winter kits to residents of the 50 coldest and snow-bound districts in Pakistan. Distribution will be region-specific, targeting 16,000 kits in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 12,000 in Balochistan, 10,000 in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), 6,000 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), 4,000 in Sindh, and 2,000 in Punjab. These winter packages include 2 polyester quilts and a kit of warm shawls for both men and women, as well as warm clothing for children and adults.

The remaining 34,500 Shelter NFIs will be strategically allocated for disaster response, with distribution planned over three additional phases, set to conclude by December 2025.

To ensure transparency and effective implementation, the project will be carried out in close collaboration with key stakeholders, including the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs), Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA), State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), and local authorities. This joint effort is expected to benefit over 591,500 individuals, underscoring KSrelief's commitment to alleviating hardships and improving the well-being of those in need across Pakistan.

Islamabad:Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) held a 'Performance-Based Awards' ceremony yesterday under the chairmanship of Vice Chancellor, Professor Dr. Nasir Mahmood.

During the event, 119 teachers, officers, and staff members who provided outstanding services in 2024 were awarded cash prizes and appreciation certificates.

Congratulating the award recipients, Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Nasir Mahmood stated that the 'Performance-Based Awards' ceremony would now be a regular annual event at the university.

He emphasized that recognizing employees for their exceptional contributions would not only encourage hardworking individuals but also motivate others to enhance their performance.

The award checks and certificates were distributed by the Vice Chancellor, university deans, and the registrar.

In his address, Registrar Raja Umar Younis stated that the awards ceremony would foster a culture of healthy competition within the university, inspiring every employee to strive for excellence. He advised the university staff to contribute towards the institution's progress and work so diligently that their success becomes evident next year.

On this occasion, the registrar also announced that, under the special directives of the Vice Chancellor, the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for next year's 'Performance-Based Awards' were in the final stage of preparation. Once approved by the Vice Chancellor, these SOPs would be shared with the heads of all departments.

The recommendations for next year's nominations would be made based on these guidelines to ensure transparency and impartiality in the award process.

Islamabad:The Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research held its eleventh meeting on Thursday under the Chairmanship of Syed Tariq Hussain, MNA.

The Committee reviewed 'The Pakistan Animal Science Council Bill, 2024'.The Ministry informed the Committee that they had not conducted consultative meetings with all relevant stakeholders, including the Ministry of Law and Justice, as previously advised.

This delay was met with displeasure by the Committee, which directed the Ministry to ensure compliance by the next meeting.

The Committee also sought an update, following discussions with the Law and Justice Ministry whether the Bill is included in the Federal Legislative List, as per Article 144 of the Constitution. Additionally, the Ministry was asked to clarify whether a Private Member Bill requires approval from the Federal Cabinet. The Additional Secretary-I of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research was assigned the responsibility of investigating the matter and submitting a report within 15 days.

Another key topic of discussion was the decline of the cotton sector in Pakistan. The Committee reviewed the response from the Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) regarding the uniformity of taxes in the cotton sector, which was deemed unsatisfactory.

The Committee appreciated APTMA for restarting the payment of CESS after a decade, a move that had been facilitated by the Committee and acknowledged by the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC).

The Committee requested APTMA to provide a clear timeline for the payment of the CESS arrears and directed FBR to submit detailed reports on several aspects of the cotton sector.

These include the sales tax collected and refunded in the cotton sector over the last five years, cotton import and export data over the same period, potential revenue losses due to the current tax system, financial and economic analysis of the sector, and updates on the implementation of the track and trace and RFID systems for controlling production hides. FBR was further instructed to consult with the Ministry of Commerce and engage with the IMF if current tax policies are not yielding positive results.

The Power Division gave an update on initiatives to ease the burden of high electricity costs on farmers, noting that a special committee, led by the Deputy Prime Minister, has canceled contracts with five Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and is set to implement additional reforms.

However, the Committee expressed dissatisfaction with the response and questioned why farmers continue to face higher charges compared to their counterparts in other countries that offer subsidies. The Committee recommended that the Ministry present proposals on how the agricultural sector could benefit in the short term.

Additionally, the Ministry was instructed to provide details on the overbilling criteria, the redressal mechanism, and the actions taken against those responsible for overbilling.

The Committee further directed that all CEOs of DISCOs attend the next meeting via Zoom to discuss the overbilling issue in detail.

The meeting was attended by the following Hon. Members of the Standing Committee: Rasheed Ahmad Khan, MNA, Rana Muhammad Hayat Khan, MNA,Waseem Qadir, MNA, Nadeem Abbas, MNA, Syed Javed Ali Shah Jillani, MNA, Zulfiqar Ali Behan, MNA, Usama Hamza, MNA, Muhammad Ameer Sultan, MNA, Faisal Amin Khan, MNA (on Zoom), and Mr. Keso Mal Kheal Das, MNA.

Senior officers and representatives from the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Ministry of Energy, the Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR), the Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA), Pakistan Cotton Ginners' Association (PCGA), Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC), Pakistan Kissan Itehad, the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council, and other related departments also attended the meeting.

Islamabad:The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed satisfaction with the public response to ticket sales for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 beginning next month (February).

Tickets for Pakistan vs New Zealand (February 19, Karachi), Australia vs England (February 22, Lahore), Pakistan vs Bangladesh (February 27, Rawalpindi) matches are completely sold out,said a statement issued here.

Initially, the PCB had made 30% of tickets available for online sale. Meanwhile, the tickets will be available for physical purchase starting February 3 at TCS Express Centers, with over 100 outlets across the country.

PCB officials have expressed satisfaction with the public response to ticket sales, noting that tickets sold out within hours. This strong demand reflects the excitement of Pakistani cricket fans.

The PCB has reassured fans that it will ensure as many spectators as possible can attend the matches, demonstrating its commitment to supporting Pakistani cricket enthusiasts.

Islamabad:Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan on Thursday welcomed Serbia's State Secretary of Foreign Affairs Damjan Jovic who is on an official visit to Pakistan.

The minister expressed his gratitude for his official visit and highlighted its significance in fostering stronger economic cooperation between the two countries, said a news release.

He appreciated Serbia's efforts in promoting collaboration and emphasized the untapped potential in trade and investment.

Jovic commended Pakistan's hospitality and extended an invitation for Pakistan's participation in Expo 2027, themed 'Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All,' the first specialized expo to be held in the Balkans.

He encouraged close collaboration on joint projects under the Expo and highlighted opportunities in skilled labor, IT, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals.

Jam Kamal reciprocated by inviting Serbian business representatives to participate in Pakistan's FoodAg Expo, scheduled next year in Lahore. He elaborated on Pakistan's innovative approach to organizing sector-specific matchmaking and B2B events to facilitate targeted business collaborations.

He also outlined Pakistan's strengths, including its status as the fourth-largest milk producer and the vast potential for meat exports. He emphasized opportunities in the services sector, particularly skilled labor such as nurses and IT professionals, supported by Pakistan's youthful and dynamic workforce.

Additionally, the minister praised Serbia's global achievements in sports, especially in tennis, and expressed interest in exploring sports collaborations between the two nations.

The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both sides reaffirming their resolve to strengthen economic ties, explore new areas of cooperation, and build on the shared vision of prosperity and partnership.