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Malik Mohabbat Awan condemns violence against local government representatives

Abbottabad: District President of Pakistan Muslim League N and former National Assembly candidate from NA-17, Malik Mohabbat Awan Thursday has strongly condemned the violent baton charge and tear gas shelling on local government representatives, including tehsil chairmen, allegedly carried out under the directives of the provincial government.

In a statement to the media, Malik Mohabbat Awan accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf led provincial government of exposing its 'malicious intentions' by resorting to violence against elected representatives.

He asserted that it is the constitutional right of tehsil members to receive funds for development and governance.

Calling for immediate action, Awan demanded the release of all detained local government representatives and an apology from the provincial government. He described the violence as an Attack on democratic principles and the rights of elected officials.

'The provincial government's actions highlight its incompetence, failure, and neglect of public issues,' Awan remarked. He urged the government to focus on resolving the problems faced by local representatives instead of suppressing their constitutional rights.

Terming the incident a clear sign of the government's 'panic and frustration,' Awan reiterated his party's commitment to defending the rights of the people and their elected representatives.

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Sub-committee formed to probe Hajj complaints

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.

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Pakistan Digital City project to transform digital economy: Shafqat Iqbal

Haripur: The Pakistan Digital City project Haripur, currently under construction, has been hailed as a transformative initiative for the country's digital economy. Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for Science and Technology Shafqat Iqbal expressed these views during his visit to the project site.

Speaking on the occasion, described the project as a milestone in realizing Pakistan's vision for digital development, he emphasized the project's potential to create extensive employment opportunities for the youth and strengthen Pakistan's position in the global digital economy. The advisor instructed all relevant departments to ensure transparency and maintain high standards throughout the project's execution.

The visit was also attended by prominent political figures, including the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Umar Ayub Khan, Provincial Minister for Local Government Arshad Ayub Khan, and Provincial Parliamentary Leader and Chairman DDAC Akbar Ayub Khan. Retired Colonel Tauqeer briefed the delegation on the project's progress and outlined its future goals.

Recognizing the importance of the initiative, Opposition Leader Umar Ayub Khan announced an additional PKR 200 million to ensure the project's timely and quality-driven completion. He termed the project a game-changer for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and a significant step toward elevating Pakistan's technological sector to global standards.

Provincial Minister Arshad Ayub Khan and Chairman DDAC Akbar Ayub Khan expressed their commitment to supporting the initiative, assuring that the government would provide all necessary assistance to ensure its success.

The Pakistan Digital City project is expected to serve as a driving force for technological and innovation-led development in the country, creating world-class opportunities for Pakistan's youth and establishing the nation as a hub for digital advancement.

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DIG Raza chairs meeting on crime prevention measures


Islamabad:: Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Syed Ali Raza chaired a key meeting on Thursday to address crime control measures and emphasized strict action against criminal elements.



A police spokesperson told reporter that the meeting, attended by Zonal SPs, SDPOs, and all SHOs, reviewed the performance of officers, with commendation certificates and rewards announced for those excelling in their duties.



DIG said that officers with unsatisfactory performance will face departmental actions.



DIG Raza directed the police teams to tighten their grip on criminal activities, particularly robbery, theft, and burglary. DIG Raza instructed officers to ensure the arrests of proclaimed offenders, habitual criminals, and court absconders, while making patrolling more purposeful and effective.



Raza further said that separate meetings would be held in each zone to enhance operational performance. Officers were urged to conduct comprehensive crackdowns against criminal elements to ensure their arrests.



DIG Raza reiterated that facilitating citizens and safeguarding their lives and property remains the Islamabad Police’s top priority. ‘There will be zero tolerance for any negligence in fulfilling these duties,’ he added.



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EPD campaign for environmental friendly shopping bags

Faisalabad: The Environment Protection Department (EPD) launched a motivational campaign by distributing environment-friendly shopping bags in commercial areas, here on Thursday.

The teams, headed by Deputy Director Usman Azhar, went to business and shopping centres and markets and distributed bags among traders and common people to motivate them to use such bags for protection of the environment.

The deputy director said that environmentally friendly shopping bags are imperative to save the atmosphere and urged the traders to extend coordination with the department in this regard.

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Pakistan records exponential growth in exports to Kenya in 2024: Jam Kamal

Islamabad:: Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan on Thursday lauded Pakistan's remarkable growth in exports to Kenya during 2024, from $310 million in 2023 to $421 million in 2024, calling it a testament to the country's efforts to diversify its markets and strengthen trade relations.

The increase in exports from January to December, 2024 is the highest recorded in the past five years,said a press release issued here.

It reflects the dedication and teamwork of the Ministry of Commerce (MOC), TDAP, and the Commercial Section of the High Commission in Nairobi,' said the minister.

According to the latest data, Pakistan's exports to Kenya witnessed a substantial surge from January to December 2024, marking a milestone in trade relations between the two nations.

This achievement is attributed to the relentless efforts of the Commercial Counsellor of Pakistan High Commission in Nairobi, Adeela Younis which under the guidance of Minister of Commerce Jam Kamal, Secretary Commerce, CE, TDAP, Secretary TDAP and High Commissioner of Kenya Ibrar Hussain Khan actively promoted Pakistani products across various regions in Kenya and facilitated connections with genuine buyers.

The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) also played a pivotal role by organizing exhibitions that provided a platform for Kenyan importers to engage with Pakistani exporters, leading to significant trade deals.

The collaborative efforts of MOC, TDAP, and the Commercial Section of Nairobi High Commission were instrumental in achieving this success.

Commenting on the development, the minister expressed optimism about the future of bilateral trade with Kenya. 'InshaAllah, this growth will not only enhance our trade footprint in East Africa but also help us offset our tea import bill.' he remarked.

This remarkable export growth underscores Pakistan's commitment to enhancing its global trade outreach and fostering economic stability through strategic partnerships and innovative marketing strategies.