Category: Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb has said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a route of peace and prosperity.

In a statement prior to leaving for China on a five-day official visit, she said CPEC will not only be a source of economic and infrastructural development but will also open new avenues of collaboration in the arena of art, culture and heritage.

Marriyum Aurangzeb said Pak-China partnership under CPEC is unique in the sense that it is meant to bring the fruits of development, opportunities of employment and provision of basic amenities for people.

ISLAMABAD: World Cancer Day is being observed today (Sunday) with an aim to raise awareness among people about the disease and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment.

Theme of the Day is Together We Can defeat cancer. A number of seminars, workshops and discussions will be held to spread awareness among masses about the deadly disease.

In a statement on the day, Punjab Chief Minister Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif said Punjab Government is taking effective measures for diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients.

ISLAMABAD:Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has emphasized the need for preserving and maintaining the country’s rich architectural heritage for the future generations.

He was speaking at inauguration of a conference and exhibition organized by Institute of Architects in Lahore on Friday.

The Prime Minister said architecture reflects the cultural heritage of the nation and public buildings reflect aspirations of the nation.

He said we have a legacy and history of architecture that needs to be made visible. Buildings especially of the era of Mughals enjoy a special unique status.

It is challenge for our architects to take forward the legacy of quality construction that we can be proud of.

The Prime Minister underlined the need for ensuring quality, standards and sustainability in the construction of buildings.

ISLAMABAD:Defence Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan says Pakistan wants peace in Afghanistan to exploit the economic benefits of regional connectivity.

In an interview with a New York based international news agency Bloomberg, he said Pakistan is committed to fighting terrorism and extremism and have not granted any safe haven to terror groups.

About relationship with the United States, the Defence Minister said Pakistan wants to retain a positive relationship with the United States despite President Trump’s decision to suspend military aid.

He rejected US complaints that Pakistan is not doing enough to stop militants that conduct cross-border attacks.

He said the United States continue to externalize their failures in Afghanistan by blaming it on Pakistan.

He said domestic security across Pakistan has vastly improved following anti-terror operations across the country.

ISLAMABAD:Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari has said that the present government has taken action to control line losses and electricity theft cases.

Talking to a private news channel, he said action has been taken against those distribution companies which are not producing results.

The Minister said besides government, it is also the responsibility of people to check power theft cases in their respective living areas.

He said four and half years had passed but Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf could not launch any mega project for meeting the demand of the consumers in the province.

To a question, he said, “We are taking measures to install solar projects in Balochistan so that subsidy and power theft issues could be addressed in a befitting manner.”

ISLAMABAD:Pakistan has signed agreements worth 305 million dollars with the World Bank.

Agreements to support projects in agriculture sector in Punjab and to improve the nutrition status of children as well as women in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were signed here in Islamabad on Friday.

The first agreement worth 300 million dollars loan pertains to Strengthening Markets for Agriculture and Rural Transformation in Punjab.

The SMART Punjab program is aimed to help the provincial government to promote transformational change in the crop and livestock sectors.

The second agreement worth 5 million dollars grant pertains to additional financing to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the Enhanced Nutrition for Mothers and Children Project.

The objectives of the grant are to scale-up nutrition intervention in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to improve the nutritional status of children under two years of age, as well as pregnant and lactating women.

Secretary, Economic Affairs Division Arif Ahmed Khan signed the Loan and Grant Agreements on behalf of Government of Pakistan while Country Director Patchamuthu Illangovan signed the Loan and Grant Agreements on behalf of World Bank.

The Secretary, Economic Affairs Division thanked the World Bank for extending its continuous support to the Government of Pakistan in its efforts to achieve sustainable economic development in the country.

ISLAMABAD:Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa called on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they discussed bilateral military relations as well as a number of issues of common interest and stressed the need for close ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

Saudi Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Defence were also present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, General Qamar Javed Bajwa also met Saudi Commander of Ground Forces, Lieutenant General Prince Fahd bin Turki bin Abdulaziz.

During the meeting, they discussed a number of issues of common interest between the two friendly countries.