PARlIAmeNTARIANS deCl ARe THAR ‘bulwARK Of eNeRgy SeCuRIT y’

Islamabad

S ta f f R e p o Rt mE M B E R S of Parliament of Pakistan have termed the Thar as bulwark energy security and said that the country s natural wealth is key to revive the national economy instead of relying on IMF

Headed by Chairman Senate Defence Committee, Senator Mushahid Hussain

Syed, a delegation of Parliamentarians paid three-day visit to CPEC projects in Sindh

The visit was organized by Pakistan-China Institute (PCI), in cooperation with Power China in Port Qasim and Shanghai Electric and Sindh Electric Coal Mining Company

(SECMC) in Thar

During the 3-day visit the delegation first visited the Power China project at Port Qasim, which generates 1320 megawatts of e l e c t r i c i t y P o w e r C h i n a C E O G u o w e lcomed the delegation and briefed them on the project

The Port Qasim power plant an Early Harvest project of CPEC, provides electricity to over 4 million homes through clean energy and it emits environment-friendly white smoke, using supercritical technology

The project has generated jobs, provided revenue to Pakistan worth over $ 600 million in taxes and duties, and contributed to resolving Pakistani chronic energy shortage

On day two of the Sindh CPEC projects tour, the delegation flew to Thar where it first toured the Sindh Electric Coal Mining Company (SECMC), which is a joint private-public partnership with support of the Sind government and China witnessing the driving of dumper trucks by Thar women, in a living example of Women empowerment

The delegation also visited the newly established 1320 megawatts power plant established with investment from Shanghai Electric China s total investment has been $26 billion, generating 85,000 jobs, including 12,000 in Thar, plus 28,000 Pakistani students now study in China, resulting in a huge socio-economic transformation of the country, thanks to CPEC

Over 5000 megawatts of electricity have been added to the national grid and some 700 kilometres of road infrastructure have knit the Federation of Pakistan closer together facilitating easier and faster travel

Speaking to the workers of CPEC projects in Port Qasim and Thar, Senator Mushahid Hussain termed CPEC as single most transformative initiative for economic development in the last 30 years, as it provided a basis for energy security, employment and changing lives and livelihoods of the people of Pakistan

The Senator said that Pakistan huge natural resources, including mineral wealth, natural gas and maritime wealth which needs to be exploited for the blue economy Thar alone has 175 billion tons of coal reserves, more than the oil reserves of Iran and Saudi Arabia put together Thanks to CPEC, this black gold is now contributing to the national economy The natural gas reserves in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are several times higher than these reserves in Sui Senator Mushahid further stated if we truly exploit and utilise our mineral wealth, natural gas, and offshore blue economy, cumulatively worth almost a trillion dollars Pakistan can bid goodbye to the IMF handouts, which we have received for 23 times, without bringing about quality change He urged the need to change national economic priorities instead of policies that undermine national sovereignty and people s dignity Parliamentarians belonging to different political parties lauded CPEC as a guarantor of a better tomorrow for Pakistan and thanked China, as a trusted all weather friendly, for reposing such confidence in the future of Pakistan by investing in CPEC projects in Pakistan They also lauded the role of these companies in promoting people-centric development through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

SOUTH WAZIRISTAN

S ta f f R e p o Rt

SWA DPO reviews sec urity measures in A zam Warsak NAVTTC organizes walk to express solidarit y with Kashmiris

District Police Officer Shabbir Hussain Marwat visited the Azam Warsak area near sub-division Wana and checked the security situation in the bazaar

According to a police spokesman the DPO was briefed about the security situation by the Additional SHO of Azam Warsak Police Station Usman Khan Mehsud over which the former expressed his satisfaction During the visit, the district police chief also met with the tribal elders and traders of Azam Warsak bazaar and mingled with the people

India set worst example of HR violations in IIOJK , says Sanjrani

ISLAMABAD

S ta f f R e p o Rt

Senate Chairman Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani has said that the Indian government has set the worst example of human rights violations by snatching the special status of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIoJK) through an illegal move on August 5, 2019 to suppress the freedom struggle of the people Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani in his message on Kashmir Solidarity Day, said India would not be able to sustain its illegal occupation through such draconian laws and actions Expressing complete solidarity with the people of IIOJK, he said the people of Pakistan were firmly supporting Kashmiri brethren in struggle for their just cause The increasing Indian brutalities, cruelties and the worst violation of human rights in Kashmir have exposed the ugly face of India to the whole world he added He said now the time has come that human rights leaders, institutions and organizations should take steps to resolve the Kashmir issue in accordance with the United Nations resolutions The Senate Chairman said that Kashmir is the jugular vein of Pakistan and all the political parties of Pakistan have taken steps for a peaceful solution to the lingering dispute Senate Deputy Chairman Mirza Muhammad Afridi said that February 5 is a day of solidarity for the sacrifices made by Kashmiris for freedom He said that all the political parties, institutions and the entire nation of Pakistan are of the same language regarding the Kashmir dispute

T h e p u b l i c e x p r e s s e d h a p p i n e s s a n d s a t i s f a ct i o n b y s e e i n g t h e d i s t r i c t p o l i c e c h i e f a m o n g t h e m They were of the view that if the DPO himself was visiting the market and assessing the security situation it proved that peace has been established in the area They assured full cooperation with the police department in every possible way for maintaining the peace in the area

Speaking on the occasion, the DPO said no one would be allowed to disturb the peace adding that police would not hesitate in rendering any type of sacrifice in that regard

Islamabad

S ta f f R e p o Rt

The Excise, Taxation, and Narcotics Control Department, Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) in collaboration with the Ministry of National Health Services on Sunday continued the enforcement campaign for tobacco vendors’ licensing in the federal capital Director Excise, Taxation, and Narcotics Control, Bilal Azam said that the drive was launched to enforce the tobacco vendors’ act in the capital

Under the act, tobacco retailers are bound to get licenses and follow several conditions including not selling tobacco products to teenagers or near educational institutions, he added

He said that the Excise and Taxation office Islamabad, in collaboration with the Ministry of National Health Services project Tobacco-Free Islamabad issues licenses to point of sale every year

He said it was the responsibility of the police to protect the lives and properties of the citizens which will be fulfilled at any cost The tribal leaders paid tribute to the hard work and sacrifices of the DPO and said the public was f e e l i n g s e c u r e a f t e r h i s a r r i v a l M o r e o v e r, t h e y said, the people s trust in the police has increased T h e D P O w h i l e t a l k i n g t o t h e t r i b a l e l d e r s s a i d y o u p e o p l e a l s o h a v e a n i m p o r t a n t r o l e i n m a i n t a i n i n g p e a c e T h e p o l i c e w i l l a l w a y s b e t h e r e t o s e r v e a n d p r o t e c t y o u ” h e a d d e d H e stressed on the collective efforts of police and elders to suppress anti-social and anti-peace elements

Project Manager, Tobacco-Free Islamabad, Muhammad Aftab Ahmed appreciated the efforts of the Islamabad administration to make Islamabad a tobacco-free city

He said the health department considers precautionary measures as its priority He said that the campaign was aimed at controlling, regulating and discouraging the sale of tobacco He said that the civil administration in collaboration with the health ministry was determined to make Islamabad a smoke-free city He said that the World Health Organization already recognized Islamabad as a smoke-free city The move, he said, would not only help in compiling shopkeepers’ data but also increase the revenue of the department, besides controlling tobacco sales to youth He said that licensing of tobacco sellers has proved to be a very effective way to curb the illicit sale of cigarettes in the capital

Nine killed, 1,092 injured in 1,053 accidents

LAHORE

S ta f f R e p o Rt

National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) under the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training on Sunday organized a walk on Kashmir Solidarity Day from Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) to D-Chowk Islamabad

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o Rt

A large number of NAVTTC officers and staff participated to express solidarity with the Kashmiris

Participants of walk were carrying placards inscribed with slogans of condemnation of state terrorism by India, Kashmiris’ right of self-determination and appreciation for their freedom struggle

On the occasion Chairman NAVTTC, Shahid Khan highlighted the Kashmir issue in the light of its regional and global implications

He said the human rights violations, remained a big challenge to the conscience of the international community He said the Kashmir issue is a long standing issue on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council Resolving the Kashmir issue in accordance with the UNSC resolution would pave the way for peace and long stability for all of South Asia and help the region attain its true economic potential NAVTTC management also launched a campaign on its social media handles i e NAVTTC Pakistan (@NavttcP) / Twitter and https://www facebook com/navttchqs/ to express solidarity with Kashmiri people Kashmir Solidarity Day stresses the fact that people of Indian occupied Kashmir are not alone in the struggle against tyrannical Indian occupation and entire Pakistani nation is with them in true letter and spirit

At least nine people were killed while 1 092 injured in 1,053 traffic accidents in Punjab during last 24 hours Out of the total injured, 601 people were seriously injured who were shifted to different hospitals, whereas, 486 minor injured victims were treated at the incident site by rescue medical teams said spokesman for Rescue 1122 here on Sunday underage drivers, 187 pedestrians, and 450 passengers were among the victims of these road traffic crashes The statistics showed that 238 accidents were reported in Lahore which affected 247 persons placing the provincial capital at top of the list followed by 92 in Faisalabad with 86 victims and at third Multan 64 with 67 victims

As many as, 991 motorcycles, 87 rickshaws, 113 cars, 14 vans, 11 buses, 23 trucks and 79 other vehicles and slow-moving carts were involved in aforesaid road traffic accidents

The analysis showed that 558 drivers, 32

This day is being commemorated since 1990 to draw the attention of international community towards the Kashmir issue Basically, Pakistani nation celebrates Kashmir Solidarity Day to express its commitment to the cause of Kashmir Kashmiris pay deepest regards to Pakistan for advocating their case on international arena On this particular day the whole nation pays tribute to Kashmiri people of their struggle for self-determination, their struggle for their fundamental right which is given by International Law and to their rightful liberation against Indian occupied armed forces Every nation has right to exercise political freedom according to their collective will