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04 NEWS BuzdAr lAudS ArMy’S SuPPort In fIgHt AgAInSt CovId-19

LAHORE STAFF REPORT

CORPS Commander Lahore Lt Gen Majid Ehsan held a farewell meetingwithChiefMinisterPunjab Sardar Usman Buzdar at his office on Monday.

The chief minister paid tributes to the services of Lt Gen Majid Ehsan as corps commander of Lahore and expressed good wishesforhisfutureresponsibilities.Hesaid that the nation is proud of the armed forces which have written a new history of maintaining peace in the country. The peace has beenrestoredduetothepreciousbloodofthe martyrs, he added. He also said that excellent support was extended by the army during the corona pandemic and work is done while maintaining best coordination between the civil and the military leadership, the CM added. The meeting, which was also attended by other civil and military leaders, expressed concern over the nonimplementation of the SOPs during the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic. The meeting agreed to launch joint efforts for saving the lives of the public, besides having a consensus over implementing strict Covid-19 measures if the ongoing situation aggravates. Itwasagreedthathospitals would be equipped with facilities aimed at dealingwiththeCovid-19situation,further ensuring strict implementation of wearing masks in offices and public places.

It was further decided that the SOPs would be implemented while avoiding the shutdown of business activities.The meeting called for imposing strict restrictions in areas under micro or smart lockdown.

Masood spurns Indian propaganda against Turkey

MUZAFFARABAD STAFF REPORT

Spurning India's propaganda againstTurkey, theAJK President Sardar Masood Khan has said that Turkey ’s support to the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people has left the Indian rulers perturbed and frustrated.

Commenting on the Indian media reports that accused Turkey of preparing to send Jihadi fighters to Kashmir, Masood said that the freedom struggle in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOK) is indigenous and Turkey or any other country of the world has nothing to do with it.

“India’s propaganda is rubbish and a crude attempt to undercut Turkey ’s political and diplomatic support for Kashmiris struggling against Indian oppression and tyranny. It won’t happen, ” said the president.

He maintained that the Indian media reports that the Turkish fighters fighting in eastern Syria were now preparing to fight the Indian Army in occupied Kashmir, is not only unfounded and baseless but also a deep-rooted conspiracy to malign the indigenous liberation movement of theKashmiripeople.SuchIndiantrickshavenotsucceeded in the past and will not succeed in future as well, he added.

The AJK president said that India would not be allowed to hide its crimes against humanity and its gross violation of human rights in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Instead of unleashing false and unfounded propaganda, India must fulfil its international obligations, stop repression in occupied Kashmir, prevent its army from trampling human rights, and immediately cease the settler-colonialism in the disputed territory of Kashmir.

“India must fulfil its responsibility towards creating conditions conducive for a fair and a free plebiscite in accordance with the UN resolutions to determine the will of Kashmiri people regarding their future, ” he asserted.

TheAJKpresidentwhiledescribingcrackdownagainst the social media users in occupied Kashmir as illegal and undemocratic said that the IndianArmy had set up torture cells and interrogation centres in the different parts of the occupiedValley including Srinagar where thesocial media activists raising their voice against the repressive actions of the Indian regime are severely tortured.

According to reports pouring in from the occupied territory, the cyber police of IOK monitors social media posts of the youth studying in colleges, universities and educational institutions,andthosewhospeakagainsttheIndianstateterrorism, liberation of Kashmir, and the right of self-determinationarearrested.Theyaretorturedinvariousconcentration centres,andtheircellphone,laptopsandotherequipmentare seizedinordertopreventthemfromshowingtheouterworld the true picture of occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

IHC rejects plea against appointments of advisers, SAPMs

ISLAMABAD TLTP

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday dismissed a plea challenging appointments of the prime minister’s advisers and special assistants.Atwo-member bench of the IHC comprising JusticeAamir Farooq and Justice GhulamAzam Qambrani released the reserved verdict in the open court. The verdict was reserved on September 9, after the completion of arguments from both sides. Earlier, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had released a written order that stated there was no restriction of appointing persons having dual nationality as special assistants to the prime minister (SAPMs). The order read, “It is pursuant to the said powers that the Federal Government has made the Rules of 1973 and has described the “Organizations of Divisions” in rule 4 ibid. Sub-rule 6 of rule 4 enables the Prime Minister to appoint SpecialAssistant or SpecialAssistants and to determine their status and functions. ” It also read the premier is answerable to the nationals and the parliament and he is authorised to appoint officials and other persons for assistance. There is no restriction regarding the number of special assistants by the prime minister.

IHC sacks judge over brawl with MPA’s husband

ISLAMABAD TLTP

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday dismissed Additional Sessions Judge Malik Jahangir Awan after finding him guilty of misconduct during a brawl with Member of the Punjab Assembly (MPA) Abida Raja’s husband in September. According to a notification issued by the IHC registrar, Additional Sessions Judge Malik Jahangir Awan had appeared before an inquiry commission investigating a road-rage fight between him and the MPA’s husband at a petrol pump near the Foreign Office (FO) in Islamabad. After completing its investigations, the inquiry commission, in its report, declared the additional sessions judge guilty of misconduct. In light of the inquiry commission report, the IHC dismissed the judge from service. Earlier on September 14, police had booked the husband of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MPA in a case under charges of assault against an additional session judge of Islamabad court. According to police, they had registered a case citing the medical report of the assistant session judge. “We have arrested an accused Bilal, ” a spokesman for the Islamabad police had said.

Cabinet to decide allocation of land for construction of Federal Courts Complex

ISLAMABAD AHMAD AHMADANI

The Ministry of Law and Justice has decided to construct a Federal Courts Complex in Karachi and has sought approval of the federal cabinet for allocation of a space of about 5 acres, situated on University Road, Pakistan Today learned on Monday.

The cabinet meeting scheduled for Tuesday is likely to take a final decision in this regard.

The Ministry of Law and Justice is seeking approval for allocation of a plot of land measuring 5.069 acres, situated at K-28 Trans Layari Quarters, University Road, near old Sabzi Mandi, Karachi, for the construction of Federal Courts Complex, Karachi.

Currently, almost 40 federal courts and tribunals of various disciplines are operational but are scattered across the port city. Previously, a courts complex could not be constructed due to the non-availability of a suitable piece of land.

The Ministry of Law and Justice has already constructed a judicial complex in Islamabad and Peshawar, but efforts to do the same in Karachi have so far not shown tangible results.

The land sought after by the Law Ministry is part of the 18.43 acres occupied by the Department of Stationery and Forms (Cabinet Division). The approval is subject to the fulfilment of codal formalities, determination of the ownership of land and approval of the competent authority. While the area is free from encroachment, some structuresofwarehousesandofficesoftheDeputyControllerStationery and Forms would have to be razed before construction.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Defence, in a summary, has sought approval of the federal cabinet for grant of MPhil allowance worth Rs2,500permonthtothearmedforcespersonnel.TheMPhilallowance

CABINET TO GRANT MPHIL ALLOWANCE TO ARMED FORCES PERSONNEL

is presently only admissible to civilian employees.The financial effect of the proposal would amount to Rs12.3 million per year.

The federal cabinet in its Tuesday meeting would also take the final decision regarding a proposed amendment in the policy of import of arms and ammunition.

The Ministry of Commerce, after consulting concerned stakeholders,floatedtwoproposalsinasummaryandsoughtapprovalofthefederal cabinet on proposed amendments in the policy of import of arms and ammunition. Prime Minister Imran Khan, in this regard, has authorizedthesubmissionofthesummarytothefederalcabinet.The federal cabinet onTuesday will take up 15 agenda items, including posting of Executive Director in State Life Insurance Corporation (SLIC), amendment in the policy of import of NBParms and ammunition, permission for import of Montanide Oil from Seppic France in favour of M/s Alternative Chemicals (Pvt) Ltd, Lahore for supply to Livestock & Dairy Development Department, Government of Punjab, grant of M.Phil allowance to the armed forces personnel, appointment of Managing Director, Housing Building Finance Company Limited (HBFCL), allocation of quota for seats of Schools of Dentistry, Constituent College of Shaheed ZulfiqarAli Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad, reconstitution of Board of Directors (BoDs) of six DISCOs (FESCO, HESCO, LESCO, PESCO and QUESCO), revision/reconstitution of Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC), the appointment of the post of Managing Director, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC).

PARCO’s COAsTAl OIl ReFIneRy TO helP BOOsT lOCAl PROduCTIOn: PM

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

PRIME Minister Imran Khan said on Monday that completion of the oil refinery project by PakArab Refinery Limited (PARCO) would help the country enhance its capacity to produce petroleum products at local level. Presiding over a meeting on the establishment of Coastal Oil Refinery by PARCO, the PM termed the addition of PARCO’s refinery as a “good omen” for the country ’s petroleum sector. Power Minister Omar Ayub Khan and Special Assistant to PM on Petroleum Nadeem Babar were also present on the occasion. The meeting was informed that work on the construction of the [refinery] terminal would start within the next six months, while that on the establishment of the refinery would commence after a year. ENERGY SECTOR REFORMS: Meanwhile, in another meeting on Monday,PrimeMinisterImranKhandirected the concerned authorities to take all necessarystepstobringimprovementsinthe energy sector. While reviewing the progress on reforms in the energy sector, the PM emphasised that all stakeholders mustfulfiltheirresponsibilitiesinthisregard within the stipulated period. He said a mechanism should be evolved so that the subsidy on electricity is only available to the poor and deserving people. Energy Minister OmarAyub Khan, Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Information Minister Shibli Faraz,Adviser to PM on Commerce Abdul Razzaq Dawood and Planning MinisterAsad Umar also attended the meeting.

Balochistan govt developing 13 new border markets

ISLAMABAD APP

Balochistan government has initiated the development work on as many as 13 border markets at frontier areas to boost significant business activities in the province. In this regard, the government has initiated development work on the Pak-Iran border and newly inaugurated gateway at Badini at the Pak-Afghan border to create and promote economic activities in the province.An official of the Balochistan government on Monday said that the government plans to set up 13 border markets at adjacent border areas of Iran andAfghanistan. He said that work on the border trade junction at Gabad and Mand Redig of Gwadar district will be carried out in the first phase. “The land acquisition process has completed while work has for developing infrastructure including communication network, water supply and electricity in the market areas has also been initiated, ” he added. He said that with the establishment of border markets, employment opportunities will be created for 20,000 locals from each market and the entire province would benefit from its associated benefits.

KP govt releases another Rs1bn for TMAs

PESHAWAR AZIZ BUNERI

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has released another Rs1 billion to the local government department for compensating Tehsil MunicipalAdministrations (TMAs) against losses incurred due to the coronavirus pandemic. Earlier, the provincial government had sanctioned Rs4bn for all TMAs in the province as compensation for losses incurred in term of property tax waiver due to the closure of businesses due to the Covid-19 and whereas the provincial cabinet had also waived the 2pc property tax for one year to provide relief to businesses in the province. Of the concession demanded from the provincial government, Rs1.5bn was released earlier whereas Rs1bn has been released now, while Rs1.5bn is expected to be released by the provincial government by June next year.According to sources in the Local Government, funds have been withheld instead of being transferred to the accounts of TMAs and will be released after appointing an officer on the level of a deputy secretary to retain the authority to utilise the funds.Due to this situation, all TMAs in the province are facing difficulties in meeting day to day expenses. It may be mentioned here that in the light of the decision taken by the KP Cabinet on February 3, the Local Government had reduced stamp duty, tax on property transfer, registration fee and local council tax.

Commerce ministry proposes NOC condition for import of NPB arms, ammunition

ISLAMABAD SHAHZAD PARACHA

The Ministry of Commerce has proposed to make the condition of 'No Objection Certificate' (NOC) mandatory for the import of Non Prohibited Bore (NPB) and ammunition. According to sources, the MoC has proposed the federal cabinet to make amendment in the import policy of NPB arms and ammunition. "After consulting concerned departments as well as provinces, the commerce ministry has proposed that the import of NPB arms and ammunition would be subject to NOC from the Ministry of Interior for licence holders belonging to Islamabad, whereas those belonging to other cities would have to receive NOC from their respective provincial home departments, " an insider informed. In addition, import of arms and ammunition by individual and commercial dealers belonging to GilgitBaltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir would be subject to arm licence and NOC granted by the home department of governments of GB andAJ&K. It may be noted that the Import Policy Order (IP0) 2020 had banned the import of certain arms and ammunition; however, import of some arms and ammunition was allowed subject to conditions listed in the 1P0 2020. Sources said that the MoC used to authorise import of arms and ammunition before the notification of SRO 772(1)/2018.The said SRO had simplified the procedure for import of arms and ammunition by allowing licence holders to import arms and ammunition without the requirement of seeking any import authorization from the MoC. This procedure created some practical difficulties in the import of arms and ammunition especially for commercial dealers, as arms' manufacturers and dealers in some foreign countries were not willing to sell weapons to them without any import authorization by a government agency. Meanwhile, customs' authorities had also expressed concern regarding monitoring of imported weapons without any specific import authorization issued by a government agency. In view of the difficulties faced by commercial dealers in importing arms and ammunition, the ministry deemed appropriate to amend SRO 772(1)/2018 so that import of weapons allowed under the policy may be carried out without any hindrance.

District administration cracks down on Covid-19 SOPs violators

LAHORE SHAHAB OMER

The Lahore district administration launched an aggressive crackdown operation against violations of Covid19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) and most of the violators in the provincial capital, including restaurants, wedding halls, shopping malls and university campuses, were also sealed off, Pakistan Today learnt on Monday. Lahore Deputy Commissioner (DC) and the Assistant Commissioners had visited various places in the city and witnessed blatant violations of the SOPs taking place. The spokesman for the district administration said that various famous restaurant chains, shopping malls and wedding halls were openly violating SOPs, and these have now not only been sealed, but cases have also been registered against them. The spokesperson further informed that 59 shops, 28 restaurants, cafes and hotels while 19 marriage halls were sealed last night, adding that the crackdown is still going on. Similarly, Additional Deputy Commissioner General Shahid Kathia accompanied by Cantt assistant commissioner (AC) visited the Cantt area and, during the operation, sealed Ali Abbas Babar Shop, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Jedi Salad, Pan Bar, Al Faisal Restaurant and Yasir Broast Hotel Y Block DHA on violations. “During the checking, our team came to know that SOPs were being violated atYasir Broast Hotel, Ali Electric Shop, Waris Naan Shop and various other stores and shops and we have sealed them, ” AC Cantt said. Shalimar Town AC Mehdi Maloff informed Pakistan Today that he had sealed Golden Break Snooker Club GT Road, Gaming Zone, Nasir General Store, My Dollar Shop Baghbanpura and Amritsar Harisa in Gawalmandi. According to Maloff, he had sealed 13 wedding halls and marquees and 15 shops. Raiwind AC Adnan Rasheed said he had sealed two cafes in his area and as well as theAl-Jannat Fort Marriage Hall and Mujeeb Shinwari on Canal Road. Moreover, Rasheed also visited a private university campus situated in Raiwind where SOPs were being violated and students and staff were seen oncampus in spite of the closure of schools, and so the campus was also sealed off. AC Faisan Ahmed said he had sealed Al-Ghani Marriage Hall in Gulshan-e-Ravi and SH Catering on Sanda Road on violation. Furthermore, he had also sealed Cakes & Bakes Bakery in the Gulshan-e-Ravi area due to non-implementation of Corona SOPs.

China keen to enhance energy cooperation under CPEC: envoy

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong has said that his country was keen to enhance its engagement with Pakistan, particularly in the field of energy, and thanked the government of Pakistan as well as the Ministry of Energy for expediting work on power projects under CPEC. He said during a meeting with Energy Minister Omar Ayub Khan on Monday. CPEC Authority Chairman Gen (r) Asim Saleem Bajwa, Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Power Tabish Gouhar and Power Secretary Ali Raza Bhutta were also present on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, the power minister said the government will ensure early provision of electricity to the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) being set up under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He apprised the envoy of initiatives taken by the present government to curb distribution and transmission losses in the power sector, adding that the government’s was striving hard to lower the cost of power generation by increasing the share of renewable energy. “Sustainable and affordable structure of energy tariffs will be beneficial for positive economic trajectory of the country, ” he opined. Both sides reviewed the progress of power projects under CPEC and agreed to continue the cooperation in the field of energy.

NEWS 05 President Alvi for enhanced trade ties with Belarus

ISLAMABAD TLTP

President DrArifAlvi said on Monday that Pakistan highly values its ties with Belarus and wants to further enhance bilateral relations in all fields of mutual interest, including trade and investment, science and technology, culture and defence. The president stated this while talking to the outgoingAmbassador of the Republic of Belarus,Andrei Ermolovich, who paid a farewell call on him at theAiwan-e-Sadr. Talking to the ambassador, the president said that Pakistan is keen to promote trade and cultural cooperation with Belarus. He highlighted that Pakistan offered promising opportunities for joint ventures and investment and would welcome Belarusian investment in Pakistan. The president remarked that both countries have great potential for cooperation in the areas of culture, tourism and pharmaceuticals and emphasised the need for increasing cooperation in these areas for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

Committee formed to overhaul Pakistan's visa policy for tourism, investment

ISLAMABAD TLTP

Prime Minister Imran Khan has constituted a high-level committee to overhaul the visa policy of Pakistan so that tourism and foreign investments could be encouraged. The first session of the newly formed committee was held on Monday under the chairmanship of Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. The meeting was attended by SpecialAdvisor to PM on National Security MoeedYusuf andAdviser to PM on CommerceAbdul Razak Dawood. Stressing the need to realise the potential of tourism and investment in Pakistan, Qureshi said that the committee would strive to make the e-visa policy more effective and result-oriented, besides presenting its recommendations to the federal cabinet for approval. The National Database & RegistrationAuthority (NADRA) chairman on the occasion briefed the meeting on the huddles being faced in the country's visa policy. He informed that the e-visa policy has been functional for the past one-and-a-half-year in Pakistan.

Food prices continue to surge in KP

PESHAWAR AZIZ BUNERI

The district administration has failed to control the prices of food items in the provincial capital despite repeated instructions from the provincial government. In the provincial capital, the price for pulses and rice have increased by Rs30 to Rs40 per kg in a month while sugar prices are still on the rise despite the government’s claims of resolving the issue by the start of sugarcane crushing season. Sugar is being sold at Rs115 per kg, rice at Rs170 per kg and milk at Rs130 per kg while fruits and vegetable sellers in the city are also charging exorbitant prices. The prices of vegetables and fruits have gone up on a daily basis. Similarly, poultry in Peshawar is currently being sold at Rs236 per kg. In the last two months, the price of chicken has gone up by Rs80 per kg while the price of eggs has gone up by Rs81 per dozen. Farm eggs have gone up from Rs120 to Rs210 per dozen. Prices of fruits in the city have also skyrocketed as pomegranates are being sold at Rs300 per kg, grapes at Rs320 per kg, apples at Rs150 per kg, persimmon at Rs150 per kg and guava at Rs120 per kg. Similarly, vegetable sellers are also ignoring the official price list. Okra per kilogramme is being sold for Rs100, potatoes Rs90 per kg, onions Rs80 per kg, tomatoes Rs120 per kg, lemon Rs150 per kg, peas Rs300 per kg, ginger Rs600 per kg, green chilli at Rs200 per kg, garlic Rs250 per kg, and cauliflower at Rs50 per kg.

Imran to present plan for fighting drug abuse

COntInuEDfROMPAgE01

Citing information from a police chief, he said the frequency of the use of a synthetic drug, methamphetamine or ice, in school-going children as well as university students was alarming since it could leave a disastrous impact on their health and education. He said society had a significant role in the promotion of negative trends by accepting the earning of money through illegal ways and corruption. He lauded the services ofANF in eradicating drug abuse, however said the efforts of an institution alone could not produce results unless the efforts put in by society itself as the biggest deterrent.