Category: Islamabad

Islamabad:: Indus River System Authority (IRSA) on Thursday released 27,100 cusecs water from various rim stations with inflow of 39,400 cusecs.

According to the data released by IRSA, water level in River Indus at Tarbela Dam was 1473.05 feet and was 75.05 feet higher than its dead level of 1,398 feet. Water inflow and outflow in the dam was recorded as 17,500 cusecs and 6,000 cusecs respectively.

The water level in River Jhelum at Mangla Dam was 1132.90 feet, which was 82.90 feet higher than its dead level of 1,050 feet. The inflow and outflow of water was recorded 4,800 cusecs and 4,000 cusecs respectively.

The release of water at Kalabagh, Taunsa , Guddu and Sukkur was recorded as 15,100, 20,000, 10,700 and 1,100 cusecs respectively. Similarly, from River Kabul, a total of 11,100 cusecs of water released at Nowshera and 6,000 cusecs released from River Chenab at Marala.

Islamabad:: The Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony convened its 3rd meeting here on Thursday, under the chairmanship of Malik Muhammad Aamir Dogar, MNA, to discuss the Service Provider Agreement (SPA) for Hajj 2025 and address concerns raised by stakeholders involved in the event.

The Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony briefed the committee on the comprehensive Hajj Policy 2025, highlighting measures taken by the ministry for smooth coordination between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia (KSA)," according to a press release.

The Secretary also provided an update on the progress of the SPA 2025. The committee discussed the roles of various stakeholders in the Hajj arrangements and noted improvements in the draft of the SPA.

Aamir Dogar emphasized the need for the Ministry to address stakeholders' concerns and ensure their cooperation in line with the cabinet-approved Hajj Policy 2025 and the directives of the KSA to ensure the timely and smooth conduct of the event.

In this regard, the Committee appointed a Sub-Committee to hear the point of view of both the Parties and submit its report to the main Committee within 5 days. Tyed Imran Ahmed Shah, MNA, with Shagufta Jumani, MNA, and Asiya Naz Tanoli, MNA, as members.

The Committee was also directed to invite Mr. Sher Ali Arbab, MNA, as a special invitee in the Sub Committee meetings.

The committee also raised concerns regarding the hiring process of Moavineen and Nazim for Hajj 2025 through the National Testing Services (NTS), urging the Ministry to ensure the training of selected personnel in 'Hajj Ahkamaat' to maintain high standards.

The meeting was attended by several MNAs, including Syed Imran Ahmad Shah, Shahnaz Saleem Malik, Asiya Naz Tanoli, Muneeba Iqbal, Dr Nelson Azeem, Mussarat Rafique Mahesar, Shagufta Jumani, Ahmed Saleem Siddiqui, Muhammad Ijaz-ul-Haq, Muhammad Bashir Khan, Mujahid Ali, and Syed Sami Ullah, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony. The Honorable Federal Minister, Secretary, and senior officers of the Ministry were also present at the meeting.

Islamabad:: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb on Thursday chaired the 3rd meeting of Revenue Mobilization, Investment and Trade Programme (REMIT) Steering Committee.

The meeting was aimed at reviewing the status and progress on the implementation of decisions taken by the Committee in its earlier meetings with regard to revenue mobilization, investment climate, trade and macro-economy, according to press release issued by finance ministry.

British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Ms Jane Marriott and senior leadership from key government ministries, including Ministry of Planning, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Industries and Production, Board of Investment, FBR and REMIT's implementing partners - World Bank, GCSI and ASI were also present.

The committee discussed the progress made by stakeholders across various sectors, focusing on strengthening macroeconomic stability and creating conditions conducive to high and sustained inclusive growth.

Areas reviewed included revenue mobilization, trade, investment climate, and macroeconomic governance, with a particular emphasis on addressing climate change challenges.

Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb commended the overall progress of the Programme and called for a more proactive and coordinated approach among implementing partners.

He urged the effective use of management and monitoring tools to ensure the successful completion of the Programme's objectives.

The Minister also emphasized his personal commitment to overseeing the progress of activities and deliverables, ensuring that the Programme stays on track.

Islamabad:: Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Reza Amiri Moghadam, has said that despite the abundance of information available on the internet, the importance of books remained intact.

He expressed these views during the book launch event of the Urdu translation of Qaisar Aminpur's selected poetry titled Shikasta Aarzooain (Shattered Dreams), organized by the National Language Promotion Department (NLPD), here late Wednesday.

He further stated, "Translators' work is highly commendable, and there is also a need for Persian translations of Urdu literature, for which he is optimistic."

Director General (DG) of NLPD Prof. Dr. Muhammad Saleem Mazhar thanked the Iranian ambassador, the translators, and other participants.

He said, "Qaisar Aminpur is one of the most prominent poets of the revolution. We must honor scholars to encourage them to produce more remarkable work."

Cultural Counsellor at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Majid Mashki, remarked, "Translating poetry is not an easy task, as it requires preserving the essence, culture, rhythm, and theme of the original."

"The translators have performed this challenging task with great dedication, and their efforts deserve immense praise," he added.

One of the book's translators, Dr. Mehr Noor Muhammad Khan, shed light on Qaisar Aminpur, describing him as a modern Iranian poet, writer, researcher, and professor at Tehran University.

The other translator, Dr. Muzaffar Ali Kashmiri, mentioned, "Qaisar Aminpur lived for only 48 years but authored nine books, five of which have been translated into Arabic, Persian, and now Urdu."

Dr. Mohiuddin Hashmi of Allama Iqbal Open University highlighted that much of our civilization, language, and intellectual heritage was rooted in Persian.

Dr. Abid Sial, Head of the Department of Pakistani Languages at NUML University, attributed the introduction of a fine Persian poet's work into Urdu to the efforts of his mentors.

Dr. Amber Yasmeen, Head of the Urdu Department at NUML University, noted that while translations of Persian classical literature into Urdu exist, contemporary works were seldom translated. The translators had skillfully chosen words to render an excellent Urdu version.

Dr. Shagufta Yaseen remarked, "Qaisar Aminpur remains alive through his poetry even after his death."

She added, "Both translators, who are also her mentors, hold a prestigious status in her eyes."

The institution's Executive Director (ED), Dr. Rashid Hameed, inaugurated the event by stating, "Pakistan enjoys strong relations with Iran. Persian classical literature has been translated into Urdu multiple times, as translations serve as a bridge to bring the cultures and literature of the two nations closer."

The event was moderated by Dr. Rabia Kiani.

Islamabad:: A signing ceremony for the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) and the Rural Development Foundation (RDF) was held here yesterday.

Vice-Chancellor of Allama Iqbal Open University, Prof. Dr. Nasir Mahmood and the President, Rural Development Foundation, Brigadier (R) Muhammad Aslam Khan, signed the MoU.

The event was presided over by Prof. Dr. Nasir Mahmood.

In his address, he emphasized that in this era of information technology, acquiring skills alongside education held great importance.

"This partnership will greatly benefit students from the Department of Computer Science and the Department of Agriculture at Allama Iqbal Open University. They will gain opportunities to work and learn in areas such as artificial intelligence and modern sustainable agricultural practices," he added.

Brigadier (R) Muhammad Aslam Khan, the President of the Rural Development Foundation, shared his views, stated that rural development was their top priority to empower individuals.

He further mentioned that their organization had been serving various regions of Pakistan since 1978 in areas including education, healthcare, and agriculture.

The ceremony was attended by the Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences and humanities, AIOU, Prof. Dr. Abdul Aziz Sahir, Dean, Faculty of Arabic and Islamic Studies, AIOU, Prof. Dr. Mohyuddin Hashmi, former Vice-Chancellor of Virtual University, Dr. Muhammad Nawaz, faculty members, officers, and students.

Islamabad:: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa leader Ikhtiar Wali Khan stated on Thursday that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) threatened Pakistan's existence, ideology, and economy by working to destabilize the economy and attempting to push it towards potential default.

During a news conference, he stated that PTI is spreading extensive propaganda in the country, claiming its agenda is neither focused on Pakistan nor its security.

Ikhtiar Wali Khan stated that PTI opposes China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Gwadar and resents the nation's economic progress. PTI seeks the country's default, operates social media accounts from hostile nations, and spreads false propaganda against institutions. PTI has yet to establish itself as a political party. Now, the people of Pakistan must be mobilized against both patriots and traitors, as a small mistake could lead to significant damage, he expressed.

Ikhtiar Wali added that the country's economy was currently thriving, with investments coming from foreign nations like Saudi Arabia and the Unied Arab Emirates (UAE), but PTI is uncomfortable with this progress.

PTI demands the opposition leader be appointed chairman of the Public Accounts Committee in the National Assembly but refuses to implement this formula in their own province, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. These individuals, who have been caught embezzling over 2800 billion rupees, are now attempting to portray themselves as defenders, he said.

He said that hospitals and schools in KPK had been ruined, adding that in over three thousand schools, only one teacher was available to educate the children, who are forced to study on bare floors in poor conditions. The province faces a severe shortage of medicines, and residents are compelled to seek treatment from the federal government and Punjab, he added.

He stated that whenever PTI was in opposition, it invited external hostile forces and was willing to go to any lengths to achieve its personal goals. He said that after the PTI founder was removed from power through a no-confidence motion, his first statement was that Pakistan would be divided into three parts. He added that Pakistan's enemies would continue to suffer in the same way.

The PML-N leader further remarked that while the PTI founder once claimed his life was dedicated to Allah, it now appears it was dedicated to the empire.