Day: May 24, 2021

ISLAMABAD:  Prime Minister Imran Khan launched Ehsaas Saving Wallets (Ehsaas Bachat Bank Account) Initiative at a ceremony here on Monday.

 

It is aimed at financial and digital inclusion of women. Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister termed it a very significant program saying financial inclusion of women will help in their mainstreaming and reduce the poverty.

 

He said through Ehsaas Bachat Bank Account, the women will be able to better utilize the cash assistance being given to them under Ehsaas Program. The Prime Minister was confident that like other programs of Ehsaas, this will also prove to be a success.

 

Imran Khan pointed out that Ehsaas Cash Emergency program has been ranked amongst top four social protection interventions by the World Bank. He said in the wake of Covid-19, cash assistance was delivered to the deserving families in the most transparent and apolitical manner.

 

The Prime Minister said if timely assistance was not delivered, the situation arising out of the pandemic would have added to the woes of the poor lot. He noted that no nation can become great until and unless it takes care of the poor people.

 

He once again expressed the commitment to uplift the weak segments of the society as per the principles of State of Madina. On the occasion, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Dr Sania Nishtar briefed the Prime Minister about the Ehsaas Saving Wallets.

 

Under this program, Ehsaas Kafaalat beneficiaries will have the option of either drawing their money or saving money into the digital wallets. The beneficiaries of Kafaalat program can open these accounts at agent shops or ATMs. Initial transactions through these accounts will include balance inquiry, cash in and cash out, transfer funds received from Ehsaas to mobile accounts, mobile top up, utility bill payments and money transfers.

 

In her remarks, Dr Sania Nishtar said the social safety net will be further expanded and one window facility will be opened at Tehsil level to integrate all Ehsaas programs under one roof. She said the first one window facility will soon be opened in Islamabad. She said Ehsaas Saving Wallets will prove to be an important milestone for the economic empowerment of the women. She said this program has been framed keeping in view the best international practices.

 

ISLAMABAD:  Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib has said there is sustainability in the country’s economy due to government’s effective policies. Interacting with the media persons during a ‘Meet the Press’ program in Islamabad, he said our model is based on bolstering exports and production.

 

He pointed out that there is record increase in exports and remittances. Twenty four billion dollars have been received in remittances in a period of ten months. He said the exports are expected to touch twenty six billion dollars by the end of this fiscal year. He said there is also record sale of tractors, cars and motorcycles. He said there has been record production of wheat and sugarcane.

 

Farrukh Habib said the economic growth figure cannot be rejected as Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) uses the latest methodology for evaluation of data. He said the data of the PBS is authentic. To a question, Farrukh Habib said the government is prioritizing the agriculture sector to ensure food security. He said steps are also being taken to check inflation.

 

He said providing homes to the low income groups is the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan. He said the banks are providing loans for this purpose on low interest rates. He said the journalists’ community will also be made part of this scheme.

 

ISLAMABAD:  Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed grief and sorrow over the death of Liaquat Khan, the brother of Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan.

 

In his condolence message, he prayed for the departed soul and commiserated with the bereaved family.

 

ISLAMABAD:  In Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ and K), All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has appreciated the sincere efforts made by Pakistani government to highlight the Kashmir dispute on international fora and to expose India’s sinister designs to change demography of the territory.

 

In a statement in Srinagar, the APHC spokesman said it is an opportune time to approach the United Nations for initiation of an appropriate action against the use of brute force, mass killings and gross violation of human rights by Indian occupational forces in Kashmir.

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Religious Affairs Noor-ul-Haq Qadri has said the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has not yet taken final decision about the number of pilgrims for Hajj 2021.

 

In a video statement, he said Saudi Minister for Hajj and Umrah in a telephonic conversation with him has confirmed that media reports about the number of pilgrims are just recommendations from the Saudi Ministry of Health. The Minister said Pakistan will announce Hajj policy after final announcement of Hajj Policy by the Saudi government.

 

KARACHI: Convener, KMC Retired Employees Action Committee, Dr Saeed Akhtar, on Monday urged the Sindh government to announce a comprehensive policy to pay dues of pensioners instead of issuing handouts.

 

He shared these views during a meeting with Central President of Sajan Union (CBA) KMC, Syed Zulfiqar Shah, at his office. He said the authorities concerned of Sindh finance department had been seen reluctant to resolve this matter and were misleading the court.

 

Akhtar welcomed establishment of All Pakistan Local Government Pensioners Association and congratulated Syed Zulfiqar Shah for becoming its Central General Secretary. He also discussed a strategy of sit-in at CM House before budget with the participation of pensioners.

 

ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of Palestine in Pakistan Ahmed Rabei on behalf of the Palestinian leadership and people has expressed gratitude to the government of Pakistan and nation for expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people.

 

The Ambassador in an open letter conveyed his heartfelt gratitude for the remarkable efforts of Pakistan to support the Palestinian freedom and condemnation of the Israeli atrocities against the unarmed Palestinians.

 

He said that they will not forget the observance of May 21 as Palestine solidarity day across Pakistan and the decision of the parliament passing unanimous resolution, condemning the Israel’s systematic oppression of the people of Palestine and demanding the UN to probe the human rights violations.