in scrutiny of nomination papers

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

In another incident, PTI workers who allegedly hurled stones at cops on Expressway resulting in injuries to three police personnel, including Khana police station SHO, were booked under terrorism charges. Police have prepared lists under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) law, and raids were being carried out in different parts of the federal capital and suburbs till the last reports came in.

In Rawalpindi, a case was registered at the City police station against PTI workers on charges of attacking policemen during their protest. The case was registered on the complaint of DFC Hasnain Raza Bhatti. 14 party leaders, including former members of the Punjab Assembly Wasiq Qayyum Abbasi, Ejaz Jazi, Umar Tanveer, and Asif Mehmood, were named in the case, along with 16 unidentified workers.

Darban SEZ to trigger robust economic activity in KP

PESHAWAR Staff RepoRt

The Darban Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which is being set up in the Dera Ismail Khan district of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, is located at the juncture of the Punjab, Balochistan and the KP provinces, thus giving easy access to 78% of Pakistan.

The SEZ will cover an area of 3,000 acres of land just off the main ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor route. It will be the largest economic zone in KP, providing opportunities for investors to export products to Afghanistan, Central Asia and beyond.

Arbab Haroon, Marketing and Communication Officer at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zones

Development and Management Company (KPEZDMC), told the Darban SEZ was located at an ideal location, only two kilometers from the CPEC route, giving easy access to the markets of KP, Balochistan and Punjab, which together account for over 78% of the population of Pakistan. He said that CPEC is a shining example of cordial relationship between Pakistan and China. “The KP province stands to hugely benefit from the increased industrial activity and job prospects the Darban SEZ will create.”

He said that Draban SEZ development projects have been documented and land provided to industrialists. “The key features in the SEZ include a greater opportunity to attract new businesses through provision

Celebrities scared to speak up for imran khan: farhan Saeed

LAHORE Staff RepoRt of integrated infrastructure and a business-friendly environment for sustainable industrial growth.”

The face-off between police and Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI) supporters continued on the second day on Wednesday as law enforcers made a fresh push to arrest party chairman Imran Khan from his Zaman Park residence in Lahore. Police resumed firing tear gas rounds and used water canons against defiant PTI workers and supporters as fresh skirmishes broke out after law enforcers intensified their activities in the now more than 20-hour-long operation to arrest the PTI chief. Many PTI supporters have been taken into custody. Many of Khan’s supporters on social media have been actively lashing out at the authorities for such stern measures. Several celebrities have also expressed their anger on the same. Farhan Saeed took to Twitter and shared, “When Imran Khan became PM, all the actors, players were so quick to congratulate him, even go and meet him, today either they have changed their opinion about him which is fair enough, they have all the right or they’re scared to speak which is worrisome.” Adnan Siddiqui commented, “It’s incredible to witness people from all walks of life coming together with a shared sense of purpose, fueled by their passion and dedication. Such an outpouring of support for a leader is unprecedented in the history of our country.” Haroon Shahid claimed, “The shelling didn’t work, they’re all set to try the bullets! Catastrophe loading.” Singer Annie Khalid tweeted, “What is happening today is Jihad. Sitting in London I wish I wish I wish I could be there tonight standing with my people- to protect my leader. I salute this nation, you are all heroes!

Jinnah’s Pakistan.” Elan owner, Khadijah Shah, had been busy helping the protestors. “We took water and medicines for the heroes on the frontline – they are being shelled from the upper mall and need lots of water, you can hardly breathe the air is thick with tear gas – people keep going and distributing water, masks and Ventolin inhalers.” Mobile and internet services have been suspended in the Zaman Park neighbourhood and nearby areas. Educational institutions located around Mall Road remain closed while an emergency has been imposed in hospitals.

He further said that different types of industrial units would be established in Darban SEZ, including mineral, agrobased industries, food processing units, pharmaceutical and steel industries.

Prof Fakhrul Islam, the director of the Pakistan Study Centre at the University of Peshawar, said the projects for special economic zones need to be prioritised, and small and agro-based industries should be established there as opposed to large industries, which are not very successful in the province owing to different reasons.

He said the special economic zones could play a key role in promoting the development of the province provided they are executed as per the plan.

He believes that through SEZs the foreign investors will be able to tap the potential of CPEC and find export markets for their products, besides catering to the local needs.

“In order to make an SEZ sustainable, it should be built with the support of the local community to fit their needs, constraints, aspirations and vision of development,” he said.

The second phase of CPEC focuses on increased industrial and agricultural cooperation between the two countries.

After the successful execution of the first phase of the multi-billion-dollar project, both China and Pakistan are striving to complete the second phase to develop the region and improve people’s living standards.

Chinese Embassy hands over 250 bullet-proof jackets to ICT, Punjab, KP police

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

The Chinese Embassy on Wednesday handed over 250 bulletproof jackets for the police of Islamabad Capital Territory, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at the Central Police Office.

A Chinese Embassy delegation comprising Police Counselor Li Qingchun and second secretaries Xu Peng and Liu Xinhua visited the Central Police Office in that regard, an ICT Police spokesman said.

About 50 bullet-proof jackets were received by CPO Headquarters Islamabad Owais Ahmed Malik, 100 by Deputy Inspector General Logistics Punjab Police Athar Ismail and 100 by Deputy Commandant Elite Force Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Irfan Tariq at a special ceremony.

Additional Secretary Interior Muhammad Ayub Chaudhry, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said he was grateful to the Chinese Embassy for providing all kinds of assistance in the work of the police. Inspector General of Police

Islamabad Akbar Nasir Khan, DIG Athar Ismail and SSP Irfan Tariq also expressed their gratitude to the Chinese delegation and said providing assistance to the police was a living example of Pak-China eternal friendship.

The Chinese Embassy Police Counselor said the Pakistan Police had always made great sacrifices to eliminate terrorism and extremism. He said the Chinese Embassy was ready to provide all kinds of assistance to law enforcement agencies.