Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: Senator Irfan Siddiqui, a key member of the government's negotiating committee announced on Wednesday that the government will continue talks with PTI uninterrupted, as ordered by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and assured that dialogue with PTI will remain ongoing and reaffirmed the government's commitment to negotiations.

In an interview with a private news channel, Senator Irfan Siddiqui emphasized the importance of unity among all allied political parties and stakeholders in holding constructive and fruitful negotiations with PTI.

He assured that everyone is on the same page, committed to pursuing talks without interruption, as directed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

This commitment to negotiation is crucial in resolving conflicts and finding mutually beneficial solutions, he added.

Senator Irfan Siddiqui cautioned that the talks between the government and PTI will yield no results unless the PTI submits formal, written demands.

However, he also noted that even if the PTI fails to provide written demands, the talks will still continue, albeit without any substantial impact, he assured.

Responding to a query, Senator Irfan Siddiqui stated that regardless of any court decisions or punishments, the talks within the constitutional negotiation framework will continue uninterrupted by external factors.

He further mentioned while responding a query that when PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif appeared in public and released a pigeon, it symbolized peace, adding, additionally, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has consistently emphasized the importance of "Democracy" or "Charter of Democracy," highlighting the party's commitment to democratic principles and values.

To another question, he said that PML-N is the only party which has only focused on economy and for sake of this we want peaceful solution instead creating conflict and instability in the country.

Islamabad: High Commissioner of the Republic of Rwanda to Pakistan, Fatou Harerimana on Wednesday said that there is a need for a joint plan of action between Rwanda and Pakistan to deal with climate change and environmental challenges, for which both countries are ready.

Addressing the 'Inauguration of the First Green Road of Pakistan, under RCCI's Revive Pakistan Initiative,' organized by the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), she said Pakistan and Rwanda have a common commitment to mitigate the climate change and environmental issues, and the government of Rwanda has started a short, medium and long-term strategy to deal with these challenges.

The envoy said Rwanda also made a history to combat and banned the plastic pollution and added that now Rwanda got the status of cleanest country of the African region.

In his address, Chamber President Usman Shaukat underscored the importance of sustainable development, green energy initiatives, and collective action to mitigate these challenges. He informed the participants about the devastating effects of climate change on Pakistan.

The President RCCI emphasized that Pakistan is among the most vulnerable countries, facing severe challenges from natural disasters, floods, and agricultural crisis.

He said that over 2 million acres of crops have been damaged, impacting 22% of the population dependent on agriculture.

The RCCI leadership, including Group Leader Sohail Altaf, Senior Vice President Khalid Farooq Qazi, Vice President Fahad Barlas, former presidents, Chairman Climate Change Committee, Tallat Awan, Executive Committee Members and other officials were present on the occasion.

New york: At least six people have died in a deadly winter storm that has seized a swathe of the United States in its icy grip, leading to mass school closures, travel chaos and power cuts, according to media reports.

Seven US states declared emergencies: Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky and Arkansas.

More than 2,300 flights have been cancelled, with nearly 9,000 delays also reported owing to the extreme weather caused by the polar vortex of icy cold air that usually circles the North Pole.

Around 190,000 people had no power early on Tuesday across states in the storm's path, according to Poweroutage.us.

Snow and sleet is forecast to continue through the day in much of the north-eastern US, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

The winter storm prompted federal offices and local schools to close across the Washington DC area

While the precipitation will then dissipate, cold Arctic air is expected to keep conditions icy across a chunk of the country for several more weeks.

In Washington DC - where lawmakers met on Monday to certify Donald Trump's win in November's election - about 5-9 inches of snow fell, with up to a foot recorded in parts of nearby Maryland and Virginia.

Washington DC's weather emergency is declared until Tuesday as a result of the system, which was named Winter Storm Blair by the Weather Channel.

Children who had been due to go back to classes on Monday after the winter holiday break were instead enjoying a snow day as school districts closed from Maryland to Kansas.

In other parts of the US, the winter storm brought with it dangerous road conditions.

_: Minister Aurangzeb said that under Wave 2, the committee considered the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Commerce Division, the Ministry of Housing and Works, and the Ministry of National Food Security and Research. Out of their 60 entities, 25 would be wound-up, 20 reduced and nine merged or shifted.

He said that under the ongoing Wave 3, five ministries have been notified, including the Federal Ministry of Education and Professional Training, Information and Broadcasting, National Heritage and Culture, Finance Division and Power Division.

Sharing details about the committee, the minister said that in June of last year, the Prime Minister had constituted the committee, headed by the Finance Minister, with ministers, MNAs, representatives from coalition partners, the private sector, and high-level officials as its members.

He said the body's Terms of Reference (ToRs) were aimed at reducing federal government expenditures and improving its efficiency.

He said the committee was tasked with reviewing the performance of different ministries and their entities over the last thirty to forty years to decide whether they should be rolled-back or considered for improved efficiency.

Aurangzeb said that the committee decided to proceed in a phased manner for the efficient implementation of the recommendations, considering 5-6 ministries in batches.

He stated that all the ministries and representatives of attached departments were given a full opportunity to explain their points of view, adding that the discussions on each entity had taken several days.

The minister said that when a decision was made by the committee regarding any ministry/entity, it was forwarded to the Prime Minister to obtain endorsement from the FederalCabinet. After ratification, it came back for the implementation plan, he added.

In his opening remarks, the minister said that the government had achieved macroeconomic stability, which would now lead the country towards sustainable growth, steering it away from the 'boom and bust' cycle.

He said the incumbent government had changed the fundamental DNA of the economy towards export-led growth by engaging the private sector to lead the economy.

He also mentioned that the government was making structural reforms, improving taxation, and ensuring end-to-end digitalization.

Aurangzeb said that the Faceless Customs Assessment System (FCAS), under the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) transformation plan, would be formally inaugurated by the Prime Minister on Wednesday, adding its benefits had already started to materialize.

Islamabad: The federal capital's largest hospital- Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) was receiving more than 200 patients daily at its Outpatient Departments (OPDs) for the treatment of various seasonal diseases.

According to Dr Mubashir Mushtaq Daha, spokesperson to Executive Director PIMS, mostly patients were suffering from pneumonia, fever, difficulty in breathing, lungs diseases, and cough due to prevailing dry and cold weather.

He said that around 50 patients are being provided emergency medical assistance daily, while 20 to 25 elderly patients are being admitted to the hospital.

He said that the Executive Director of PIMS, Professor Dr Imran Sikandar, has also issued special instructions to the head of the Emergency Department, Dr Sharjeel to fully facilitate the patients.

He has also directed doctors in other departments of the hospital, especially pulmonology wards, to ensure the provision of best medical facilities to patients.

The Executive Director of PIMS Professor Dr Imran Sikandar has appealed to citizens to be careful due to the extremely dry and cold weather.

He said that citizens should take special precautionary measures to prevent from the cold weather and use a mask when leaving the house and take only lukewarm water for drinking.

He said that older people should also be especially careful during this dry and cold weather. He said that the provision of the best medical facilities to all patients is being ensured by utilizing all resources.

Islamabad: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi convened an important meeting with Sub-Divisional Police Officers (SDPOs) at the Central Police Office (CPO) on Tuesday.

A public relations officer told reporter that during the meeting, the IGP evaluated the performance of the SDPOs and issued important directives.

IG Rizvi emphasized the pivotal role of supervisory-level officers in crime prevention and stressed the importance of taking action against absconders. Additionally, they were instructed to seek assistance from Safe City for crime control.

He stressed that our responsibilities define our dignity, and while DIGs and SSPs are tasked with taking action, we are also accountable.

Similarly, SDPOs are directly responsible for their respective circles. He urged enhanced effectiveness in night patrolling, zero tolerance for social and moral crimes, and the prevention of drugs and beggary in Islamabad.

All SDPOs will conduct "Khuli Kachehri" (open court) in their areas, focusing on cracking down on drug peddlers and professional beggars.