Day: September 9, 2020

COVID situation: Six more died, 146 infected: Sindh Chief Minister

Karachi, September 09, 2020 (PPI-OT): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said Wednesday that six more coronavirus patients lost their lives in Sind province, raising the death toll to 2, 436 since the outbreak of the disease in February. This he informed in a statement issued from CM House. Shah said that the virus death ratio in the province had been recorded at 1.9 percent. He added that 168 had patients recovered while the number of patients recovered so far had reached 126,603 that came to a 97 percent recovery rate.

The CM said that 9,292 samples were tested which detected 146 new cases that constituted two percent detection rate. So far 1082,367 samples have been tested which diagnosed 131,115 cases all over Sindh that came to 12 percent overall detection rate. According to Shah, currently, 2076 patients are under treatment, of them 1767 in home isolation, six at isolation centers and 303 at different hospitals. The condition of 152 patients was stated to be critical, including 20 shifted on ventilators, he said.

Shah said that out of 146 new cases of coronavirus, 62 had been detected from Karachi, of them 32 from Korangi, nine Malir, six each from Central and East and three West. He added that Thatta has 15 cases, Hyderabad seven, Ghotki six, Larkana five, Umerkot and Badin three each, Dadu, Shaheed Benazirabad and Sukkur two each. The chief minister urged people of the province to stay safe by wearing masks, washing hands, using sanitizer and observing social distancing.

For more information, contact:
Press Secretary,
Chief Minister House, Sindh
Tel: +92-21-99202019(Ext: 336)
Website: www.cmsindh.gov.pk

Al-Shifa Trust provided more than 60 physiotherapy sessions on the occasion of World Physiotherapy Day

Karachi, September 09, 2020 (PPI-OT): On the occasion of World Physiotherapy Day, Al-Shifa Trust, a Special School and Rehabilitation Centre provided more than 60 physiotherapy sessions on the day, which is a record number of therapies conducted by the Trust.

Muhammad Shuaib, President Al-Shifa Trust expressed his satisfaction on the performance of the team members specially in providing physiotherapy sessions which were earlier suspended due to COVID 19 pandemic. A cake was also cut to commemorate the World Physiotherapy Day.

The Al-Shifa Trust is a Flagship CSR activity of PIA existing since 1967. Al-Shifa Trust provides special education, therapies and rehabilitation services to children. It also provides therapeutic treatment on subsidized rates and even pro bono in deserving cases to outpatients.

For more information, contact:
General Manager
Public Affairs
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)
PIA Head Office Airport
Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-99043823
Fax: +92-21-34572225, +92-21-34570419
Cell: +92-322-7420707
Website: www.piac.com.pk

Ambassador of Japan congratulates Pakistan for successfully handling COVID-19 pandemic; hails reopening of educational institutions

Islamabad, September 09, 2020 (PPI-OT): Congratulating the Government and the people of Pakistan on the successful handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, H.E. MATSUDA Kuninori, the Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, has hailed the decision of gradual reopening of educational institutions in Pakistan from 15th September.

The Ambassador paid rich tributes to all those involved in these endeavours and also stressed the need for further collaboration between the governments of Japan and Pakistan to successfully handle any future challenge with collective efforts. “The reopening of educational institutions in phases after a long break due to the coronavirus is a welcome step and it is hoped that students will be back to their schools, colleges and universities very soon” said the Ambassador.

He emphasized that the education sector is the priority for the Government of Japan. Partnering with JICA, the Government of Pakistan, UNHCR, UNICEF and non-governmental organizations, the Government of Japan has continuously offered support for improving Pakistan’s educational infrastructure through the provision of school buildings, teaching materials and training to promote schooling for the youths in Pakistan including refugees and girls.

For more information, contact:
Embassy of Japan in Pakistan
53-70, Ramna 5/4, Diplomatic Enclave 1,
Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9072500
Fax: +92-51-9072352
Email: culture@ib.mofa.go.jp
Website: http://www.pk.emb-japan.go.jp

IG Punjab Inam Ghani took charge of the designation; A well-armed squad of police saluted on arrival at CPO

Lahore, September 09, 2020 (PPI-OT): Inspector General of Police Punjab Inam Ghani has said that maintaining law and order in the province, ensuring prompt solution to the problems of citizens and ensuring uniform rule of law is my top priority. In order to meet the expectations, all the Principal Staff Officers posted in the Central Police Office and the Command Officers posted in the regions and districts will have to play their effective role in the best possible way.

He further said that the officers and personnel who would bring the oppressors to justice and support the oppressed would be the vanguard of my team so all the officers should keep themselves active for further improvement in the process of public safety and service delivery to improve the image of the police in the society with the their positive attitude so that the image of the Punjab Police as a supportive force can become stronger. “I will make sure that transfer postings are based solely on performance and good reputation, so that all officers should make selfless service to citizens without any pressure and rooting out criminal elements their motto,” he added.

He further said that the policy of Zero Tolerance on Harassment and Corruption would be strictly implemented and the Additional IG IAB would be fully independent to take suo moto action on corruption cases as well as complete the inquiry and punish those responsible. He further said that corruption, abuse of power and killing and torture in police custody at any level in administrative and professional matters would not be acceptable and action under zero tolerance should be ensured against the officers and personnel involved in such irregularities.

He asserted that, restoring the writ of the state while ensuring uniform enforcement of the law is one of my top priorities and in this regard, adherence to merit, discipline and strict following on issued SOPs will be ensured in all case. He further said that besides speeding up the free registration of FIRs, special attention would be given to improve the quality of investigation so that the society could be made crime free by punishing the professional accused involved in serious crimes.

By making an ethical change in the behaviour of the police force and transforming it into a public friendly force is an important part of my policy and in this regard, along with making the recruitment policy more effective, further upgrading the training system and transfer, posting and promotion merit observance will be ensured in all cases so that the Punjab Police as an institution is made stronger and stronger by changing the public perception. He expressed these views while talking to media after assuming charge of the designation of Inspector General of Police Punjab at the Central Police Office here today and issuing instructions in the first formal meeting with the officers.

While answering the questions asked by media correspondents IGP Inam Ghani further said that the team of officers working in all the regions and districts of Punjab consists of the best professional officers out of which no officer will be replaced for any reason but all the field officers including CPO have been empowered for supervision. He further said that in order to make the working system of the Central Police Office more functional, the focus would be on reorganization and up gradation so that the departmental affairs could be carried out more efficiently and diligently. He further said that the Central Police Office is the home of the police officers and any meeting of the officers in it is an internal matter of the police force.

He further said that there was no grouping in Punjab Police and all reports regarding grouping of seniors and juniors were contrary to the facts and baseless. He further said that CCPO Lahore, all RPOs, CPOs and DPOs are committed to protect and serve the lives and property of the people by ensuring implementation of government orders and police as a disciplined force. He further said that illegal detention, torture or death during detention is not acceptable and prompt departmental and legal action against the officers and personnel involved in such incidents would be taken on priority basis.

He further said that special attention would be paid to the process of punishment and the best performing officers and personnel would be encouraged while those who committed non-professionalism and irresponsibility would be punished according to the discipline matrix. He further said that timely provision of information would improve the relations with the media so that the media would continue to identify crimes as well as publicize the good works of the police.

He further said that equal focus on operations as well as investigative matters would be ensured in all cases and special attention would be given to rooting out serious crimes in all major cities including Lahore. He further said that the new vehicles provided by the government would significantly improve the patrolling of police and the functioning of police stations as well as continue the recruitment process without any hindrance to meet the shortage of personnel.

On arrival at the Central Police Office, a well-armed squad of police extended salutations to IG Punjab Inam Ghani while other officers including Additional IGs and DIGs posted in the CPO welcomed IG Punjab. Responding to questions from the media, the IG Punjab said that no political or administrative pressure would be tolerated in ensuring the rule of law but action would be taken on merit against anyone who violated the law. He further said that the mission of public service and safety would be continued under the best working relationship with all field officers including CCPO Lahore so that the police as smart and community police could provide all possible protection and service delivery to the people.

Later, IG Punjab Inam Ghani held the first formal meeting with the officers at the Central Police Office and issued important instructions to the officers regarding his policy, priorities and performance of professional matters. Add IG PHP captain retired Zafar Iqbal Awan, Additional IG IAB Azhar Hameed Khokhar, Additional IG Training Shahid Hanif, Additional IG R and D Ghulam Rasool Zahid, Additional IG Establishment BA Nasir, Additional IG Safe City Rao Sardar, DIG Legal Jawad Ahmed Dogar, Additional IG Logistics and Procurement Ali Amir Malik and Additional IG Operations Zulfiqar Hameed, Additional IG CTD Muhammad Tahir Rai, DIG Zaeem Iqbal Sheikh and other officers were also present in the meeting.

For more information, contact:
Punjab Police
Punjab Police Computer Bureau,
5th Floor, Central Police Office (CPO),
Punjab, Lahore
Tel: +92-42-99213019, +92-42-99213013
Fax: +92-42-99213012
Email: sapcb@punjabpolice.gov.pk
Website: www.punjabpolice.gov.pk

Capital Development Authority is carrying on the repair, maintenance and patch work of roads across the city

Islamabad, September 09, 2020 (PPI-OT): Capital Development Authority is busy with repair, maintenance and patch work of all major roads of Islamabad affected by recent heavy monsoon rains. MPO Directorate on directions of Chairman Capital Development Authority is carrying on the repair, maintenance and patch work of roads across the city.

On Wednesday, MPO Directorate carried out repair, maintenance and patch work on Service Road (North) sector H-11, different streets of sector G-11, different streets of Sector G-7 and major roads of sector F-8.

On Tuesday , MPO Directorate carried out repair , maintenance and patch work on areas including Islamabad Expressway, Faizabad Interchange, Kashmir Highway, I.J Principal Road from Golra Morr to Saidpur Road, Nazim-ud-Din Road sector F-8, 9th Avenue Junction with I.J Principal Road, Ibn-e-Sina Road sector G-11, Service Road North sector I-10, Constitution Avenue and other areas.

The CDA Administration which is alive to problems of common citizens has issued these special directions taking into account difficulties being faced by commuters due to damages caused to Islamabad Expressway by recent spells of heavy monsoon rainfalls. The recent spell of heavy monsoon downpours had caused damage to road infrastructure in the city. Islamabad Expressway which accommodates a huge chunk of Islamabad traffic including heavy traffic has particularly been affected by these rains.

For more information, contact:
Public Relations Directorate
Capital Development Authority (CDA)
Main Office, G-7/4, Islamabad
Tel: +92-51-9252614
Email: getreply@cda.gov.pk
Website: www.cda.gov.pk

Federal Board of Revenue uploads income tax returns forms for tax year-2020

Islamabad, September 09, 2020 (PPI-OT): Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has uploaded the Income Tax Returns Forms for Tax Year-2020. FBR has further simplified the Income Tax Returns for salaried class and small retailers. The small retailers having turn over up to 10 million will now file simplified one pager Income Tax Returns for Tax Year-2020. The Income Tax Returns can be filed through web portal and Tax Aasaan application.

This was announced in a press conference by Spokesperson FBR Syed Nadeem Hussain Rizvi, Member IR Policy Ch. Muhammad Tarique and Member IT Asim Ahmed here at FBR HQ. It was also informed that wealth statement form had also been further simplified and any ambiguity or confusion being faced by the filers had been removed in the Tax Returns Forms for Tax Year-2020. Moreover, the taxpayers are provided guidance on filling all the required particulars. “It is like a guided tour,” said Member IR Policy Ch. Muhammad Tarique.

For more information, contact:
Second Secretary (Public Relations)
Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)
FATE Wing, Federal Board of Revenue,
Constitution Avenue, Sector G-5,
Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone: +92-51-9217267
Fax: +92-51-9208456
Email: mujeeb.talpur@fbr.gov.pk, talpur35@gmail.com
Website: https://www.fbr.gov.pk/

Meeting of Executive Board of National Accountability Bureau held

Islamabad, September 09, 2020 (PPI-OT): A meeting of the Executive Board of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chaired by Honourable Mr. Justice Javed Iqbal at NAB Headquarters. Deputy Chairman NAB, Prosecutor General Accountability, Director General Operations, and NAB, Rawalpindi, DG Rawalpindi, While DG NAB Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, DG, NAB, Sukkur and DG NAB, Karachi attended the meeting through video link besides senior officers also attended the meeting. It is a year long considered policy of NAB to provide details of the Executive Board Meeting to the people, which does not aim to hurt the feelings of anyone. All inquiries, investigations are started on the basis of alleged allegations which are not final. NAB decides to proceed ahead after getting the point of view of all accused as per law in order to meet the ends of justice.

The EBM authorized filing of a corruption reference against Asim Murtaza Khan, former Director/Chief Executive Officer/ Member Board of Directors, Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) and others. The accused has allegedly been awarded oil and gas contracts to Ms Moranoftodo, which caused heavy losses to national exchequer.

The EBM authorized conducting of seven investigations including four separate investigations in Billion Tree Tsunami Project, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, investigation against management of Almas Model Town and Professor Model Town and others, investigations against officers/officials, others of the Text Book Board, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, investigations against Mirza Khan Soherani, officers/officials of Education Department and literacy department, Government of Sindh.

The EBM approved 12 inquiries including six separate inquiries against Billion Tree Tsunami Project, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, management and others of Sugar Mills in Sugar Subsidy Scandal, inquiries against Abdul Raheem Khan, Zahoor Ahmed, Azmat Ali Shah, Hamza Khan, Arash ur Rehman, Additional Controller ,Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan and others, officers/officials of Bannu Sugar Mills Limited, Archaeology Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sardar Khan Chandio, member Provincial Assembly, Burhan Khan Chandio, Member Provincial Assembly, Officers/officials and others of Revenue Department.

The EBM has closed inquiries against Qaiser Wali Khan, former member Provincial Assembly, officers/officials and others of Pak PWD, officers/officials of LGE and RDD, TMA Town, officers/officials, others of Gomal University, Dera Ismael Khan, former district Nazim Peshawar and others, officers/officials of local government department , Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Dilawar Hussain Memon, CEO, SEPCO, Sukkur, Nazir Soomro, CTO, Sukkur and others owing to absence of evidence as per law.

The EBM accorded approval to Sarir Muhammad, former DGPDA, Muhammad Tariq, Former General Manager, PDA, Abdul Haleem Paracha, former Director PDA, Mirza Khan Housing Officer PDA and others due to absence of evidence in accordance with law.

Honourable Mr. Justice Javed Iqbal, Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) said that NAB is making serious efforts to eradicate corruption with the realisation to make the country corruption free. He said that NAB’s topmost priority is to take mega corruption cases to logical conclusion. He said that NAB has recovered record Rs 468 billion directly and indirectly from corrupt elements since its inception and deposited the amount into national exchequer.

The performance of NAB has been appreciated by reputed national and International organizations, which is an honour for NAB. The bureau has affiliations with only the state of Pakistan. He said NAB is utilizing all possible resources to recover the looted amount from corrupt elements. Measures are being taken to arrest proclaimed offenders as per law of the land so that the corrupt elements could be pushed to the dock. Law will make its course.

Chairman NAB directed all Regional Bureaus of NAB to conduct all complaint verifications, inquiries and investigations within the prescribed time frame as per law. He directed investigation officers and prosecutors to pursue the cases in accountability courts after complete preparation on the basis of solid evidence as per law, so that the corrupt elements could be brought to justice as per law.

For more information, contact:
National Accountability Bureau (NAB)
Attaturk Avenue G-5/2, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-111-NAB-NAB (111-622-622)
Fax: +92-51-9214503
Email: chairman@nab.gov.pk, infonab@nab.gov.pk
Website: www.nab.gov.pk