Day: February 13, 2021

KARACHI: Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi visited foreign ships of navies participating in 7th Multinational Naval Exercise AMAN-21.

Upon his arrival on board foreign visiting ships, the Naval Chief was warmly welcomed by senior officers/ commanding Officers and was presented Guard of Honour by smartly dressed out contingents.

The Naval Chief visited Indonesian Navy Ship KRI BUNG TUMO, Russian Navy Ship ADMIRAL GRIGOROVICH and Sri Lankan Navy Ship GAJABAHU, amongst the platforms participating in Multinational Naval Exercise AMAN-21.

The admiral interacted with senior officers/ commanding Officers and was given briefings on board ships. During interactions, the Admiral highlighted that Pakistan as a responsible maritime state is persistently contributing in peace and stability in the region. AMAN Exercise demonstrates Pakistan’s commitment to peace, reinforce regional maritime security and enhance interoperability between regional and extra regional navies.

The Naval Chief further expressed that camaraderie generated herein will grow in future and shall bring us closer to the mutual goal of peace and prosperity and appreciated their participation in AMAN Exercise to fulfill common resolve of “Together for Peace”.

The Senior Officers/ Commanding Officers of the respective ships highly acknowledged the persistent efforts of Pakistan Navy to bring global navies towards shared commitment of maritime peace, stability and lawful order at sea.

During the other activities of the day, three-days International Maritime Conference (IMC-21) was organized on the theme of ‘Development of Blue Economy under a Secure and Sustainable Environment: A Shared Future for Western Indian Ocean Region’ by National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA) under the auspices of Pakistan Navy. The President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi graced the Opening Session of IMC as Chief Guest.

Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi was also present on the occasion. The Chief Guest underlined that government is cognizant of the importance of blue economy and has initiated major policy reforms to support the maritime industry and maritime stakeholders. The President also appreciated Pakistan Navy for actively promoting maritime thought in the country and spearheading efforts for the development of Blue Economy in the country. The Naval Chief highlighted Pakistan Navy’s efforts for promoting maritime awareness and the Blue Economy through a variety of initiatives and in enhancing regional maritime security through its contributions in international and regional collaborative security mechanisms.

Friendly sports matches between officers and men of participating countries and Pakistan Navy were also held during the day. In order to provide an opportunity to observe the varied cultures of contributing countries, an International Food Gala and Cultural Show was also organized for officers and sailors showcasing food stalls and cultural items. Personnel from participating navies, observers, foreign diplomats and senior officials of Pakistan Armed Forces attended the event.

KARACHI: Sindh Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah has said that neither new tax had been imposed nor tax had been increased, adding however, the revenue of local bodies had been increased significantly and expenditure decreased.

“Record savings have been made after the posting of administrators in local bodies. We are trying to ensure that the tax money goes to the government treasury and not to anyone’s personal pocket and it should be spent on the welfare of the people,” he said while addressing a function to distribute pension and arrear checks to 594 retired employees of DMCs in Central district on Saturday. He added that the retired employees of DMC Central should had got their dues earlier. “I apologize for the delay.”

He said that the development works worth Rs 1 billion had been approved for Central District in current financial year, out of which DMC had got the first trench of Rs 18 crore. He said that development works worth Rs70 crore were being carried out under click project and they were focusing on drainage, sewerage, street lights, roads and playgrounds of the district.

He said that PPP had always respected the mandate of others and we have allowed local bodies to complete their term in the province on the directives of chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, despite the fact that Mayor Karachi and chairman of four DMC’s in Karachi belonged to MQM Pakistan.

He added that, those who raised the slogan of new Pakistan and change, had terminated local bodies in other provinces two years ago. He said that Rs1007 million was spent on salaries in Central District in four months last year, while Rs 917 million was spent on salaries of administrators in four months. This saved Rs 80 million only in salaries. He said that when the salaried employees are the same, where did these 80 million go? Besides, he told that, Rs 182 million was spent on POL and contingency expenditure in four months. But now Rs 32 million has been spent.

He said that revenue of Rs 141 million was generated in the four months last year while Rs223 million was generated in the last four months of the administrator. He said that 600 garbage bins had been notified in the district.

“Around 63 minor roads had been improved. Parks and playgrounds have been vacated and are being improved, he said. Rs 207 million has been saved in Central district DMC.” They have installed 1873 street lights. He said that they had promoted transparency in the tax system in local bodies which had saved Rs 1 billion in Karachi division alone.

Provincial Minister for Women’s Development Syeda Shehla Raza, Deputy Commissioner Central Dr MB Dharijo, PPP Central District President Zafar Siddiqui also addressed the gathering. Shah distributed checks among 594 retired employees.

KARACHI: Child marriages is a serious issue in Pakistan, badly affecting our society, says noted Human Rights Attorney of Pakistan and President of Lawyers for Human Rights and Legal Aid (LHRLA) President Zia Ahmed Awan, said in a statement here Friday.

He said the number of child marriage cases probably exceeds the number given by the WHO. He said early marriages mean snatching childhood from children. He said there are comprehensive laws in Pakistan against child marriages and forced marriages; however, these laws are not being properly implemented. He said as per law consent of marriage before attaining the age of 18 years is not allowed in law. He said marrying a girl who is below 18 years of age may fall in category of rape.

He said early marriages snatch the memorable days of childhood from young people and instead of giving focus to their education, physical buildup and career, they suddenly become burdened with heavy responsibilities of parenthood.

Zia Awan said forced child marriage is a crime, especially in our province Sindh and also in Balochistan. There is three years imprisonment for this crime. The people who facilitate child marriage including parents, relatives, witnesses and Nikah-khuwan, etc. could also be tried for this crime.

He said if someone knows that a child marriage is about to happen and he informs local magistrate about it, the magistrate can issue a stay order to ensure this marriage is not solemnized. The people who arrange this marriage could be arrested and sentenced for three years.

KARACHI: The Ambassador of Italy to Pakistan Andreas Ferrarese accompanied by the Consul of Italy to Karachi Danilo Giurdanella and other Attachés visited the site of ancient capital of Sindh i.e. Banbhore today.

Sindh Minister for Culture, Tourism and Antiquities Syed Sardar Ali Shah, Secretary Ghulam Akbar Laghari and Director General Antiquities Manzoor Ahmed Kanasiro welcomed the Italian delegation. The ambassador and the Consul General were on their first visit to Banbhore, and they were apprised about the historical significance of the site. They visited the excavation area, old mosque area, and the museum of Banbhore.

The Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah briefed them about the history of Banbhore as saying Banbhore was the ancient capital of Sindh, so there are thousands of stories lying under this site which are waiting to be unearthed.

Shah said that the archaeological mission of Italy under the supervision of Professor Valeria had worked tremendously on the site of Banbhore, and that of Makran as well. But due to the CoviD-19, they couldn’t visit Sindh previous year.” The Department is committed to get the research work published as soon as they come and resume the research work”, he further elaborated.

He said that Ranikot fort should also be researched as it’s still a virgin site, and nobody knows about its confirmed origin yet. He said that the fort is built by the stone, and the Italians are expert in this regard.

“We want to establish a Radio-Carbon laboratory in Jamshoro or Karachi with Italy, wherein the infrastructure would be provided by the Government of Sindh, whereas the scientific assistance would be sought from Italy.

He said that the cultural samples from the sites could only be decoded with the help of Radio-carbon scientific laboratories. The visiting delegation and the Minister Culture agreed that the cultural exchanges between Italy and Sindh would be initiated once the CoviD episode is over. The Minister said that after the 18th amendment in the Constitution of Pakistan, archeology and tourism is the provincial subject. And the Federal Government has nothing to do with archeology and tourism.

He lamented that the federal government had never been seriously concerned about the history of provinces as they had not paid a single penny to Sindh, and never supported them financially.

Secretary Ghulam Akbar Laghari briefed the Italian diplomatic delegation about the significance of Banbhore for its history, culture and folklore of Sindh. The ambassador and the Consul General took keen interest in knowing the historical and cultural aspects of Banbhore, and asked many questions from Secretary Culture Ghulam Akbar Laghari.

The Ambassador of Italy Andreas Ferrarese informed the Minister that there are a lot of cooperative works being done between Pakistan and Italy in different sectors including archaeology, energy, trade and commerce. He said that he was grateful for the hospitality as he has experienced in Sindh, and felt wonderful after knowing the civilizational history of Sindh that is quite similar than that of Rome.

The director general, Antiquities, Manzoor Ahmed Kanasiro, and Director Heritage Abdul Fatah Shaikh briefed the diplomatic delegation about the archeological work done at the site, and showed them the artifacts showcased in the Museum. Shah presented the delegation with cultural gifts of Sindh, the Ajrak and the trilingual Ganj of Shah Abdul Lateef Bhittai as republished by the department.