Day: September 14, 2021

ISLAMABAD:The present Nawab of Junagarh Mohammad Jahangir Khanji has appealed to Prime Minister Imran Khan to become an ambassador of Junagarh as he did in the case of Kashmir and highlight the issue of liberation of the state from Indian occupation, at all international forums.

According to a Radio Pakistan report, in a statement, the Nawab said India and Pakistan should discuss the issue and settle it peacefully through dialogue. The Nawab of Junagarh said the Government of Pakistan should also actively pursue the Junagarh on the same footing as Kashmir issue and work for its settlement.

He said “Junagarh is Pakistan” is not only a slogan of Junagarh State but also a dream seen by the ancestors of both Quaid-e-Azam and Nawab of Junagarh Nawab Mahabat Khan. Now it is time for Pakistan to highlight the serious concern to world community regarding Indian forces’ occupation of Junagarh as this was against the international law.

At the time of independence of Pakistan, the Junagarh State was under the Muslim rulers and Nawab Mahabbat Khanji the Nawab of Junagarh had signed the Accession with Governor General of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

BAHAWALPUR:Vice Chancellor, Islamia University of Bahawalpur Prof Dr Athar Mahboob, said that by the grace of God Almighty, the internal and external conditions of the beloved homeland are being strengthened, which is a very welcome sign for the promotion of tourism.

The government has taken extraordinary steps to promote tourism, which has made the future of tourism in Pakistan very bright. The Vice Chancellor expressed these views while speaking in the morning show of a private channel working for the promotion of tourism. He said that Islamia University of Bahawalpur was taking all possible steps to promote tourism in line with the government’s vision. A tourism management department has been set up at the university.

Similarly, the tourism society is fully functional at the level of students. The Islamia University of Bahawalpur has been playing a key role in organizing Cholistan Jeep Rally and Bahawalpur Trade Fair for the last two years in collaboration with Tourism Development Corporation Punjab and Bahawalpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry which are very important for the promotion of tourism in the region.

Talking about Islamia University of Bahawalpur, he said that recently Times Higher Education has ranked Islamia Bahawalpur among the 1000 best universities in the world. The Islamia University of Bahawalpur offers high quality education up to PhD level in Engineering, Nursing, Medicine, Agriculture, Veterinary, Sciences, Social Sciences, Arts and Islamic Studies. Due to agricultural research, especially cotton, intercropping technology and solar energy projects, domestic and foreign universities are increasing cooperation and collaboration with Islamia University of Bahawalpur. Now Islamia University of Bahawalpur is also taking steps to offer admission to international students. He said that Cholistan region is very important from research point of view as the natural life here is very unique.

Similarly, the ancient forts here, the relics of the Hakkra civilization and the Lal Sohanra National Park are very important for tourism. He said that Islamia University was taking steps along scientific lines for the resettlement of Bahawalpur Cholistan so that the desert could be re-cultivated with artificial rains. Similarly, practical steps are being taken for excavation and research of 7000 years old Hakkra civilization. The host of the program described the history of Bahawalpur as very unique and appreciated the efforts of Islamia University Bahawalpur in promoting tourism.

BAHAWALPUR:The National Center for Rural Development (NCRD) Islamabad conducted a three-day training workshop on sustainable development of eco-tourism.

Salman Qureshi, Director IUB Directorate of Sustainable Tourism also participated. He presented a case study on the potential of eco-tourism in Cholistan which was appreciated by all the participants. On this occasion, Dr Abdul Rehman Khan Niazi, Director (Training) National Center for Rural Development Islamabad in collaboration with Islamia University of Bahawalpur discussed the mutual on-campus training program.

PESHAWAR:Energy and Power Department Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has completed 8 different Hydro Power Projects with total capacity of 161 MW through which Rs. 3.98 Billion annual revenue is expected.

Similarly, under the solar project, five different schemes of 3.12 MW have been completed which have resulted in annual saving of Rs. 86 Million. Work is also in progress on the construction of other seven hydro power projects with total capacity of 232 MW and 7 solar projects with total capacity of 43 MW as well. These projects are expected to generate annual revenue of Rs. 9 Billion and saving of Rs. 865 Million respectively.

This was told in a meeting of Energy and Power Department held here with Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan in the chair on Tuesday. Special Assistant to CM for Energy Taj Muhammad Tarand, Secretary Energy Muhammad Zubair, Chief Executive Officer PEDO Muhammad Naeem and other concerned officials attended the meeting.

The forum was briefed about the major achievements and overall performance of the department and was told that so far 8 hydro power projects had been completed in the province that include 81 MW Malakand-III Hydro Power Project Dargai, 18 MW Hydro Power Project Pehur, 1.8 MW Shishi Hydro Power Project Chitral, 4.2 MW Reshun Hydro Power Project Chitral, 2.6 MW Machai Hydro Power Project Mardan, 36.6 MW Daral Hydro Power Project Swat, 17 MW Ranolia Hydro Power Project Kohistan and 10 mini micro projects on Canals.

Similarly it was informed that 7 Hydro Power Projects were under construction in the different parts of the province including 10.2 MW Jabori Hydro Power Project Mansehra, 11.8 MW Karora Hydro Power Project Shangla, 40.8 MW Koto Hydro Power Project Dir Lower, 84 MW Mataltan Hydro Power Project Swat, 69 MW Lawi Hydro Power Project Chitral, 10.5 MW Chapri Charkhel Hydro Power Project Kurrum and 6.5 MW Barando Hydro Power Project District Torghar.

These seven projects would be completed with a total estimated cost of Rs. 73 Billion. The authorities told that an agreement had been signed with Asian Development Bank for the construction of 300 MW Balakot Hydro Power Project adding that an agreement had also been inked with World Bank for the construction of 157 MW Madain Hydro Power Project and 88 MW Gabral Kalam Hydro Power Project. They informed that under the Public Private Partnership, 188 MW Naran and 96 MW Batakundi Hydro Power Projects were also under construction whereas feasibility for 496 MW Spatgah Hydro Power Project was in progress. It was further informed that PCIs of three different projects having the total capacity of 564 MW had been prepared adding that these projects would be reflected in the next Public Sector Development Program.

It was also told that under the first phase of Mini Micro Hydro Power Projects, 356 mini micro Hydro Power Projects were being constructed in the different parts of the province out of which 266 projects had been completed and operationalized so far while under the second phase of the project more 672 mini micro hydro power projects would be constructed in the province. Briefing about the solar projects, the authorities informed that 2323 mosques had been solarized in the province adding that under the project a total of 4000 mosques would be converted on solar system.

Similarly, 8000 schools were also being solarized in the province out of which solarization of 3000 schools had been completed so far. They added that contract had been awarded for the construction of 13 mini solar grid stations in merged areas further stating that transmission and grid company of the province had been established. 10 years business plan has also been approved for the funding of power projects under the PEDO whereas E-Bidding system has been launched by the department.

Expressing his satisfaction over the performance of the Energy Department, the chief minister has directed the quarters concerned to prepare workable operational plan for operating completed mini micro hydel power stations further directing them to ensure participation of local community for the better management of these hydel power stations. He also directed to immediately initiate work on the phase-II of mini hydro power projects and solar projects as well. He further directed to finalized arrangements to perform ground breaking of Balakot Hydro Power Project and to start work on the construction of solar grid stations in the merged areas without any delay.

LARKANA:Members of Young Doctors Association (YDA) continued their boycott of OPD duties at the Paeds Medicine Department, of the Chandka Medical College Hospital here on Tuesday against what they called blackmailing by a so-called social activist, making video of a senior doctor and making it viral on social media. They held a protest demonstration at the main entrance of the hospital and then staged a sit-in while holding large placards in their hands and shouting slogans against the high-handedness of the activist.

Dr. Fazal Khoso, Dr. Fahim Khushk, Dr. Zaman Malano and others said that four days ago a so-called social activist entered the hospital and forcibly made a video of the Head of Department, Unit-III, Dr. Shanti Lal and made it viral on social media in which he alleged that the relevant doctor is not examining the child patients coming to the hospital but he is advising them to come to private medical centre which is baseless and concocted allegation against highly respected senior specialist doctor of children who has been serving the indoor and outdoor patients wholeheartedly.

They said we doctors serve the ailing humanity without any discrimination, caste or creed but through a conspiracy we are being blackmailed by unscrupulous persons who are unaware of the medical treatment facilities and rush of the patients at the hospital. They said this attitude will never be tolerated and demanded stern legal action against the so-called social activist named Arsalan Habib Chandio who seems to be an agent of a mafia. They also demanded that such acts should be stopped forthwith in public sector hospitals so that doctors could be able to discharge their fundamental duties diligently, honestly and dedicatedly.

Meanwhile, ailing children and their parents suffered a lot as none of them was examined by the protesting doctors for the second consecutive day. They demanded that if the doctors protest is true then action should be taken against the accused or else doctors should be directed to discharge their duties without fear and favour so that poor patients should not suffer for negligence of others.

Dr. Hassan Chandio, Additional Medical Superintendent, Children Hospital, told this Scribe on Tuesday that every fifth child patient is from Larkana and all four others belong to other districts. They reach here from far flung and remote areas of several districts, Dr. Chandio continued, hence they should not suffer in this scorching heat. He said the father of the accused activist has contacted him and told him that he will come to the protesting doctors on Wednesday and apologize for the behaviour of his son which he will never repeat again.

He said 27,466 patients attended OPD of this Hospital including ChildLife Foundation in the month of August alone out of which 3190 kids were admitted, 918 x-rays carried out including 441 ultrasounds. He said that these statistics show that Chandka Children Hospital is working smoothly for the betterment of the poor poverty-stricken patients of its catchment area of more than seven nearby districts. He hoped OPD will return to normalcy tomorrow (today).