Federal Govt releases Rs35b to NDMA to start work on KTP: Governor Sindh

Governor Sindh Imran Ismail says federal government has released 35 billion rupees to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to start work on Karachi Transformation Plan (KTP).

In a series of tweets on Monday, he said all three big Nullahs of Mehmoodabad, Gujjar and Orangi are being cleaned and revamped with these funds.

The Governor said federal government has provided sufficient funds to Sindh government and Karachi Municipal Corporation for removal of encroachments in the city.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Governor Macca hands over Kiswah to senior caregivers in Kaaba

The Holy Kaaba Kiswa have been handed over to the senior caretaker of the Holy Kaaba Dr. Saleh bin Zain Al-Abidin Al-Shaibi on behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The Kiswa is made of special natural silk that is dyed black.

The height of the Kiswa is 14 meters, and consists of 16 pieces surrounded by a square shape of Islamic decoration.

Source: Radio Pakistan

First DG Radio Pakistan ZA Bukhari being remembered

The 47th death anniversary of renowned broadcaster, poet and the first Director General of Radio Pakistan, Zulfikar Ali Bukhari is being observed today (Monday).

Bukhari’s books include Sarguzasht, an autobiography, Jo Kuchh Main Ne Kaha, a collection of his verses and Raag Darya, a book on music. Z.A. Bukhari died in Karachi on July 12, 1975.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Buzdar orders WASA to stay alert amid monsoon rains

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has directed WASA and administration to remain fully alert to deal with the situation arising due to monsoon rains.

In a directive issued from Lahore today (Monday), he said early disposal of rainwater from low lying areas should be ensured as no negligence will be tolerated in this regard.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Yasmin urges public to get vaccinated, wear face masks

Punjab Health Minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid has stressed for the use of wearing face masks and urged the public to get vaccinated as cases of the Delta variant continue to rise in many countries.

Talking to a private news channel, she urged the public to strictly observe coronavirus precautions and show compassion towards the poor while celebrating the upcoming Islamic festival of Eid-ul-Azha.

She said citizens should follow government strict guidelines to protect themselves and their loved ones from the 4th wave of pandemic.

She said wearing masks, keeping social distance and other precautions can only prevent the people suffering from 4th wave of Covid -19 virus.

Source: Radio Pakistan

PM will address United Nations High-Level Political Forum tomorrow

Prime Minister Imran Khan will address the United Nations High-Level Political Forum tomorrow (Tuesday) to review the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

The Prime Minister will outline his vision for dealing with the triple challenge faced by the world today, which includes the COVID-19 pandemic, the reversal of economic progress, and the existential threat posed by climate change.

He would suggest measures that need to be taken at the national and international level for an effective response to ‘build back better.’

The theme of the 2021 HLPF is achieving a sustainable and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that puts us on a path for achieving the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.

The Prime Minister has been regularly addressing this theme at various international fora and has put forth several practical recommendations in that regard, many of which are in the process of implementation.

The HLPF will discuss the policies that have been implemented so far to respond to the pandemic and its impacts.

Many countries will also present their Voluntary National Reviews on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in the context of the ongoing crisis at the Forum.

A Ministerial Declaration will be adopted by the HLPF to make recommendations on how to address the impacts of COVID-19 while making the transformation needed to achieve a more sustainable and inclusive economy, building robust and universal healthcare and social protection systems, and protecting the planet.

The HLPF is convened every year under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council, which is currently presided over by Ambassador Munir Akram, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN in New York.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Emir of Kuwait vows to expand bilateral ties with Pakistan

Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has reiterated to expand relations between Kuwait and Pakistan for mutual benefit.

Replying to President Dr. Arif Alvi’s letter, he expressed satisfaction over the strong relationship between Kuwait and Pakistan. He accepted the invitation from the President to visit Pakistan.

He thanked Pakistan for appreciating Kuwait’s role regarding issues of Muslim Ummah especially Palestine.

In the letter, he expressed hope that world will soon get rid of this Coronavirus pandemic.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Negotiated peace settlement is only solution to Afghan issue, Senate informed

Session of the Senate began at the Parliament House in Islamabad this afternoon with Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani in the chair.

A number of bills were introduced in the House today (Monday).

These include: The Constitution Amendment Bill 2021 (Amendment of Article 130), The Constitution Amendment Bill 2021(Amendment of Article 9), The Constitution Amendment Bill 2021(Insertion of Article 38A), The Constitution Amendment Bill 2021(Amendment of Article 89), The China Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority (Amendment) Bill 2021, The Pakistan Penal Code Amendment Bill 2021 and the Constitution Amendment Bill 2021(Insertion of Article 17A and Amendment of Articles 51 and 106).

The chair referred the bills to the standing committees concerned.

The House passed “The Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention and Punishment) Bill 2021”.

The Bill was introduced by Senator Sherry Rehman.

Leader of the House Shahzad Waseem said a negotiated peace settlement is the only solution to Afghan issue.

Speaking on a motion, he said Pakistan wants people’s chosen government in Afghanistan. He said in result of emerging situation in Afghanistan, planning should be completed to contain the refugees in border areas.

The leader of the House said we are fully prepared to deal with terrorist activities that are being planted by spoilers of the peace in the region. He said cybercrimes are major challenge which demands unity. He urged parliamentarians and Ulemas to play their role in this regard.

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan said Pakistan wants a peaceful Afghanistan and the way forward to forge peace and stability in the region.

Winding up debate on a motion, he said our institutions are fully vigilant to deal with threats being staged by our enemies to spoil the peace. The Minister said we need to address the genuine issues of the country to deal with hybrid war tactics. He said Prime Minister Imran Khan has taken steps in this regard by resolving the issues of Balochistan.

The House passed three resolutions recommending the government to look into the matter of water crisis, expanding Metro Bus Service operation to Rawat, and to divert more funds to the merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The first resolution urged the government to formulate an emergency national action plan to fight the impending water crisis through reliable data gathering, improved efficiency of existing reservoirs, reduced water losses and improved sowing all over the country.

The House also recommended the Government to start metro bus service from Faizabad to Rawat on priority basis. It said since Islamabad Expressway is a wide road, the service can be started without any delays by plying metro buses on a dedicated lane at the Expressway.

The third resolution demanded of the government to ensure provision of three percent share in the NFC Award and 100 billion rupees annual development package for the merged districts of erstwhile FATA as committed by the Federal Government at the time of 25th Constitutional Amendment and merger of EX-FATA with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in order to carry out development programme in the said districts during the next financial year 2021-2022.

The house will now meet tomorrow (Tuesday) at five pm.

Source: Radio Pakistan