Minister asks for new schemes for SMEs in KP

peSHAWAR aziz buneRi

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Caretaker

Minister for industries Adnan Jalil

Monday said that there is an urgent need to start new business schemes for Small and Medium enterprises (SMes) and directed the SMeDA to play an important role in this regard. During a meeting, the minister while appreciating the participation and interest of women in business activities, urged Women’s Chamber to play its role in providing loans and creating awareness to boost their businesses. he said that he will try to resolve problems and difficulties of business community on a priority basis.

Managing Director of the Bank of Khyber (BoK) Muhammad Ali Gulfraz, Chief Commercial Officer of the KP economic Zones Company Adil Salahuddin, Deputy Managing Director KP Small industries

Development Board, Provincial Chief SMeDA Rashid Aman, Vice President of Women Chamber of Commerce and industries Anila Khalid and other officials participated in the meeting.

The caretaker minister was briefed on efforts for the promotion of SMes, micro financing, business registration, provision of business loans by the bank, effectiveness of Chamber of Commerce and awareness campaign and other issues in the province. There was a special discussion on loans for youth and women. Chief executive BoK Gulfaraz briefed in detail regarding the provision of loans to youth and other facilities by Bank of Khyber. Appreciating the role of the BoK, Jalil said that the bank should open a facilitation center so that people do not face any difficulty in availing loans and other facilities. The minister also directed to convene a meeting of Women’s Chamber of Commerce next week.

Pakistan Navy lifts the Men’s title while Pakistan Army grabs women ‘s category crown of National Rowing Championship concluded here at Rawal lake islamabad organised by Pakistan Rowing Federation (PWF). Teams of Pakistan Army, Navy, Wapda, Police, heC, KBC and islamabad Rowing Association participated in the championships. A number of elite level and emerging athletes (men and women) showed the mastery of their respective skills during the championship. in men rowing events, Navy won 5 gold and 2 silver medals to win the championship while Army got the second position with 2 gold and 5 silver medals. in women rowing events, Army grabbed 7 gold medals to clinch the women’s title while Wapda won 7 silver medals, Navy grabbed 5bronze and heC grabbed 2 bronze medals respectively.

indian passenger plane lands in Karachi for medical emergency

ISLAMABAD staff RepoRt

A flight of india’s private airline indiGo made an emergency landing at the airport in Karachi on Monday, the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) said. The PCAA said in a statement that the landing was carried out at the Jinnah international Airport after midnight due to a medical emergency when a 60-year-old Nigerian passenger on board had lost his breath and pulse. The pilot requested to turn the flight to Karachi for the treatment of the sick passenger, said the statement, adding that the flight was going from india’s Delhi to Qatar’s Doha. however, the sick passenger’s life was not saved, according to the statement. later after several hours, the flight went back to its actual destination, said the statement. A total of 163 passengers were on board the flight, according to the PCAA.

pti announces power show at Minar-ipakistan on sunday

CoNtINueD fRoM pAge 01

“i’m sending a message on my nation’s behalf to those people [behind his death] that i and the nation will never forget this or forgive you. Until those police officials and those who tortured him are not brought to justice, [we will not rest] and will get them sentenced”. The PTi chief said he was not striving for his personal sake but for the people. he alleged that the “big criminals” in power were attempting to run away from the elections and registering cases against him and PTi officeholders to “somehow disqualify us from elections”. he also addressed the recent public release of the Toshakhana gift records and said it was now made clear “who was actually looting the Toshakhana”. Videos shared by the PTi showed people thronging imran’s vehicle and showering it with petals. The rally thereafter turned back for imran’s Zaman Park residence.

Imran to be ‘arrested soon’ as courts put out arrest warrants

CoNtINueD fRoM pAge 01 last week, the ihC suspended the non-bailable arrest warrants issued against Khan by Additional Sessions Judge Zafar iqbal in the case related to the purchase and sale of gifts from the Toshakhana until March 13. in response to the warrant, the capital police reached Khan’s residence in Zaman Park to arrest him, but he reportedly “dodged” them. in a speech to party workers, Khan demanded a public hearing of the case and criticized the coalition government for its incompetence and mismanagement.

The Pakistan electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PeMRA) subsequently banned television channels from broadcasting his speeches and news conferences, accusing him of attacking state institutions and promoting hatred. however, the lhC later suspended the PeMRA notification. The court has summoned Khan for indictment in the case.

JUDGE THREATENING CASE: in the second case, arrest warrants were issued for Khan on charges of hurting the dignity of the judiciary.

The charges are related to an emotional speech by the former prime minister in which he allegedly threatened police and a junior judge, Zeba Chaudhry, last year after one of his close aides, Shehbaz Gill, was tortured in custody and denied bail in a sedition case.

A conviction against Khan would mean disqualification from politics for life since under Pakistani law, no convicted person can run for office.

According to judge Rana Mujahid Rahim, Khan must be arrested by the police and presented before the court by March 29.

During the hearing, the opposition party filed a plea requesting an exemption from personal appearance for Khan. however, the judge warned that non-bailable arrest warrants could be issued for the former prime minister if he did not appear before the court Monday. it is the second time that Khan faces contempt charges. After elections in 1993, he was summoned but pardoned by the Supreme Court after describing the conduct of the judiciary as “shameful” and saying it did not ensure free and fair elections.

Following a brief recess, Khan’s counsel, Naeem haider Panjutha, filed another petition seeking his client’s acquittal in the case. Panjotha argued that personal appearance was not mandatory for the acquittal plea.

After hearing arguments, the judge reserved judgment on the exemption plea and announced that it would be revealed later today. in the next hearing, the court will hear arguments regarding Khan’s petition seeking to be dismissed from the case.