PIA announces discount for students traveling to China

ISLAMABAD s ta f f R e p o R t

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will give a 27 percent discount to students traveling to China to pursue academic degrees, an official with the flag carrier has said

The PIA first announced 22 percent fare reductions for students in December last year to facilitate students flying to China

According to a customer care official at the PIA s official helpline the price of a regular ticket from Islamabad to Beijing is Rs272 000 and the students can avail discount on it

The official said that the PIA currently flies to two destinations in China, including Beijing Capital International Airport and Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport

In conversation with Xinhua, students from Pakistan who will be flying to China in the coming days termed the PIA’s discount a great help for them as the airlines fares skyrocketed due to the devaluation of the currency

PM Shehbaz asks for cooperation from Kenya leader on Arshad Sharif murder

ISLAMABAD s ta f f R e p o R t

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has spoken to the leader of kenya about the issue of the murder of journalist Arshad Sharif in nairobi, his office said Sharif held a telephone conversation with William Ruto on Monday, during which the former thanked the latter for the cooperation extended to investigation teams from Pakistan so far

He emphasised that Pakistan attached great importance to the case, requesting further cooperation from kenya during the course of the investigation in bringing the matter to closure for the family and the people of Pakistan

President Ruto assured the premier of full support and cooperation in the matter

During the conversation, the two leaders also discussed bilateral cooperation and issues of mutual interest

Highlighting the significance Pakistan attached to its relations with Africa, the premier conveyed the nation s strong desire to strengthen its historical ties with kenya in all areas of cooperation

The assassination of the journalist has gained significance in Pakistan and the government has sent a special joint investigation team (JIT) to kenya to collect facts surrounding the gruesome murder

Last week, the Supreme Court had asked the JIT to submit the complete fact-finding report of Sharif s murder within a month before adjourning the hearing till March

Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial told the investigating team to “do what you have to do but get to the facts”

LAHORE s ta f f R e p o R t

Pursuant to the order of Punjab Ombudsman retired Maj Azam Suleman khan, in response to public grievances about the illegal occupancy of government lands, three properties worth Rs13 6 million have been reclaimed in different districts The properties include a 40,837 5 square feet plot in Sargodha valued at Rs3 5 million, a 2,994 76 square feet plot in Jhang worth Rs7 million, and a 34,848 square feet plot in Burewala tehsil with a market value of Rs3 1 million, a spokesman for the agency confirmed in a statement on Tuesday

While giving details of the relief provided to the plaintiffs, the spokesperson added the Sialkot administration has given possession of a 5 445 square feet plot of Rs14 million to its rightful owner, Farnaz Jillani, after he approached the ombudsman office for the same Meanwhile, the spokesman informed the ombudsman office moderated to ensure that the ownership of 114 889 5 square feet of land belonging to one Muhammad Maqsood of Pasrur tehsil was accurately documented in the revenue record The market value of this land was assessed to be over Rs5 5 million Alongside, the assistant commissioner of Pasrur has initiated a departmental enquiry against the relevant patwari under the Punjab Employees, Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability (Peeda) Act, 2006 for issuing the wrong fard badar (proof of ownership) and sought a report from the tehsildar within 60 days

In addition, the Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency (PHATA) has granted possession of an 816 752 square feet plot in Dera Ghazi khan to Sobia Iqbal, a complainant based in Multan, following the intervention of the ombudsman office, said the spokesperson