Day: July 15, 2022

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Youth Affairs Shaza Fatima Khawaja has said the government plans to restart Prime Minister’s youth laptop scheme this year under which laptops will be distributed among high achieving students of universities.

According to a Radio Pakistan’s report, she said this on the occasion of World Youth Skills Day being observed today (Friday). She said laptop is a tool that enables youth to have access to latest skills, online work and businesses. She said World Youth Skills Day is important as Pakistan is a country with 68 percent of the population comprising youth.

Shaza Fatima stressed on enriching the youth with modern vocational and technical skills as advancement in modern technology has advanced all sectors including agriculture, textile and manufacturing.

She said the PML-N government in 2013 started Prime Minister’s youth program under which 100,000 scholarships were given annually. She said that the government will soon advertise the scholarships for this year.

The SAPM said loan schemes for young entrepreneurs will also be revived under the Prime Minister’s Youth program through which loan up to seven point five million rupees can be acquired on easy installments. She said special awareness programs and business plan trainings will be conducted to encourage the youth to start entrepreneurship and become job givers instead of job seekers.

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi has approved the appointment of the members of the senate of the Pakistan Air Force’s Air War College Institute.

The President, also the patron under the 2021 Act of the PAF Air War College Institute, made the appointments in line with Section 8(3) of the Act.

According to a Radio Pakistan’s report, the senate members include the President of Pakistan, Chief of the Air Staff, and the PSO Training and President of Air War College as ex-officio members.

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi has approved the establishment of Rahmatul-Lil-Aalameen Authority Bill, 2022.

Under the bill, the Rahmatul-Lil-Aalameen and Khatam-un-Nabbiyyin Authority will be established. Earlier on June 9, 2022, the Senate had unanimously passed the National Rahmatul-Lil-Aalameen Wa Khatam-un- Nabbiyyin Authority Bill 2022 which was moved by Minister for Federal Education, Professional Training, National Heritage and Culture, Rana Tanveer Hussain.

According to the statement of objects and reasons of the legislation, establishing National Rahmatul-Lil-Aalameen Wa Khatam un Nabbiyyin Authority was aimed at promoting research in practical and theoretical aspects of Seerat for addressing contemporary social challenges and inculcating positive changes in the Pakistani society, while, inter alia, providing illustrations about the life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

ISLAMABAD: Upon the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Minister for Energy Khurram Dastagir Khan visited the Embassy of Japan here in Islamabad on Friday.

He condoled with the staff of the embassy over tragic assassination of former prime minister of Japan Shinzo Abe and wrote his comments in the condolence book.

He expressed deep sorrow and grief over the murder of Shinzo Abe on the behalf of Federal Cabinet, government as well as people of Pakistan. Speaking on the occasion, the minister lauded the role of former premier of Japan for promoting cordial relation between Pakistan and Japan.

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Cabinet has approved constitution of a special committee to make recommendations on implementation of Supreme Court’s detailed judgment in the suo-motu case regarding former Deputy Speaker National Assembly Qasim Suri’s controversial ruling on the no-trust move against then Prime Minister Imran Khan.

This was stated by Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb while briefing media about the decisions taken by the Federal Cabinet, which met here on Friday with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the chair.

She said the special committee to be headed by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar will have representation of all the coalition partners. She said the special committee will deliberate whether action should be taken against the PTI leadership under Article 6 of the Constitution.

Article 6 of the Constitution states that any person who “abrogates or subverts or suspends or holds in abeyance, or attempts or conspires to abrogate or subvert or suspend or hold in abeyance, the Constitution by use of force or show of force or by any other unconstitutional means shall be guilty of high treason”.

The Information Minister said the cabinet also welcomed Supreme Court’s decision that rules out any foreign conspiracy for regime change in Pakistan. She said it was also approved to constitute an independent and transparent Inquiry Commission under Commission of Inquires Act 2017 to probe the complaints of Ms Tayyaba Gul regarding her alleged abduction and harassment by the then Prime Minister Office.

She said Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar has been asked to finalize Terms of Reference (TORs) of the Inquiry Commission. She further said the commission’s inquiry will be time-bound to make it result-oriented.

Marriyum Aurangzeb said the cabinet also reiterated to complete the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme for development and economic self-reliance of the country. She said the meeting validated the decisions taken by the Economic Coordination Committee that met on July 5.

She said these decisions include import of three million tons of wheat and permission to import luxury items lying on ports by paying additional duty of five percent and 15 percent as per their arrival at ports after the ban on import of luxury items.

The Minister said the cabinet approved an amnesty on overstay for foreign citizens till December 31, this year. She said an awareness campaign will also be launched by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting regarding this amnesty.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has reaffirmed solidarity and strong support for the brotherly people and government of Turkiye as they mark their 6th Democracy and National Unity Day.

In a statement on Friday, the Foreign Office said the heroic struggle of the brave Turkish people against the treacherous coup attempt of 15 July 2016 shows that with unity, courage, resolve and commitment, nations can overcome all odds and challenges. The Foreign Office said people and government of Pakistan join the fraternal people and Government of Turkiye in paying tribute to all those martyrs who laid down their lives in defence of Turkiye’s democracy and stability.

It said the exceptional relations between our two peoples embedded in common religious, cultural, linguistic, and spiritual heritage date back to centuries and have withstood the tests of times. Noting the resolve of the political leadership on both sides, the Foreign Office said the historic, multi-faceted strategic relationship between the two countries will continue to grow from strength to strength.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed his resolve to provide relief to the people.

In a tweet on Friday, he said in line with his commitment to the nation, the coalition government is swiftly transferring the benefit of reduction in oil prices to the people. The Prime Minister said the government will continue giving relief to people as soon as it has financial cushion to do so. He said he believes in honest conversation with the nation.