CDA chairman leads anti-encroachment campaign

Islamabad, February 08, 2023 (PPI-OT):On the instructions of CDA Chairman Capt.(retd.) Noor-ul-Amin Mengal, DG Enforcement today not only instructed the anti-encroachment staff to carry out anti-encroachment operations in different areas of Islamabad, but also Most of the mega operation was led by himself. The operation was started from Lahtrar Road to Tramri Chowk to Panjgaran and after demolishing dozens of shed sand gravel bases and dozens of shops, the road up to 2 km was cleared from encroachments.

Under his supervision, a full-scale operation was carried out in collaboration with the Motorway Police and the district administration, in which the illegal depots of wagons, container depots, several shops and rooms were demolished and the goods confiscated. According to the details, the first operation was started from Lahtrar Road, Tirami Chowk, where there was often a road block due to encroachment and most of the time of the public was lost due to being stuck in the traffic rush.

While withdrawing, he directed that this long-standing issue should be resolved on an urgent basis and the encroachments should be removed. DG Enforcement led the operation in which 11 rooms, 53 additional sheds, 2 block factories, 35 fruit and vegetable stalls, 19 signboards were demolished and 6 trucks of goods were seized and the road was cleared for about 2 km. done.

The second operation started from GT Road Tarnool 26. No. Chongi and as earlier this operation was supervised and led by the DG Enforcement himself. 11 tire shops, 14 additional gates, 14 containers, 14 walls, 10 washrooms and 4 shacks were demolished and 3 truckloads of goods were confiscated and nearly 3 kilometres of road cleared from encroachment. The third operation was conducted in Sector F-11 center where people had created encroachment by installing additional gate grill in the corridor due to which people were facing difficulty in coming and going.

And all the corridors that were closed in the center were cut and opened with the help of Gitender operators, besides the carriage drivers and stall holders in the center occupied the public parking lot of the center due to which the citizens visiting the center had to park their cars. Due to non-existence, the vehicles used to park on the road, which would have blocked the road, while taking full action against these encroachments, 11 truckloads of goods were confiscated and the parking area and the public passage were freed from encroachment.

A similar operation was carried out in the Sector F-10 center where the Grenadier Squad also cut additional doors and grills from several corridors and opened public access. Here too, encroachment mafia ruled the parking lot and many people used to park their vehicles outside on the road or in the street.

The anti-encroachment staff acted on the report of construction and encroachment in Bari Imam and foiled the attempt to occupy the government land by demolishing 2 rooms and a boundary wall. On the other hand, operating on both sides of Park Road from Chatha Bakhtawar to Rawal Dam Chowk, dozens of fruit stalls were demolished and 3 truckloads of goods were confiscated from the fish stall owners.

For more information, contact:
Public Relations Directorate
Capital Development Authority (CDA)
Main Office, G-7/4, Islamabad
Tel: +92-51-9252614
Email: getreply@cda.gov.pk
Website: www.cda.gov.pk

Finance Minister commends services of member 

Islamabad, February 08, 2023 (PPI-OT):Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar visited Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Headquarters today and met senior officers of the Board. During this meeting, Minister appreciated the services of Member (Administration), Dr. Faiz Ilahi Memon, who is going to superannuate on 15th of the ongoing month.

He also commended the contribution of the Member in improving the infrastructure of FBR and for ably managing the human resource. During the occasion, the Minister also gave an honorary shield to the Member and expressed optimism that he will continue to work for the betterment of the country in the light of his rich experience. The Minister wished the Member good luck in his future endeavours.

For more information, contact:
Second Secretary (Public Relations)
Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)
FATE Wing, Federal Board of Revenue,
Constitution Avenue, Sector G-5,
Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone: +92-51-9217267
Fax: +92-51-9208456
Email: mujeeb.talpur@fbr.gov.pk, talpur35@gmail.com
Website: https://www.fbr.gov.pk/

President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi and Chairman Senate, Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani, President International Parliamentarians Congress in a group photo with participants of First Ever Road Safety Conference for Parliamentarians Hosted by The International Parliamentarians Congress in Islamabad 

Islamabad, February 08, 2023 (PPI-OT):The President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi while addressing the inaugural sessions of the Road Safety Conference for Parliamentarians here at Serena Islamabad today said that the conference is being convened at a very critical point in time, when the country has faced numerous consecutive road accidents in the recent days resulting in tremendous loss of life and injuries.

He said that it is time that we seriously and collectively address the huge mortality and health impact of road traffic crashes, and an urgent need for cooperation by the stakeholders across many relevant sectors – safe mobility for people (public transport), adequate safe road infrastructure, and pathways for pedestrians and cyclists.

He was addressing the conference being held with the collaboration of Pakistan Parliman (A project of GIZ) at Islamabad. IPC brought together international parliamentarians from 9 countries and international organization to address the pressing issue of road safety, in Islamabad- Pakistan.

Arif Alvi while lamenting the rapid increase in devastating road accidents taking away lives of many, and leaving behind many injured said that the rescue teams and the traffic law enforcement bodies should thoroughly investigate such incidents as well as follow up by the supporting health units on the rehabilitation of road traffic crash victims, he added

“Legislators must take an immediate review to the subject and come out with recommendations that can actually contribute to the global plan of halving the increasing number of deaths and injuries by road crashes” Alvi commented while addressing the global conference.

“We must work together across many sectors as governments, parliamentarians, international agencies, civil society organizations, donors and the private sector to contribute to curtail this menace. He said that improving road and vehicle standards, and implementation on speed limits and use of seats belts should be improvised. He also stressed in alternate modes of transport.

Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani, President International Parliamentarians Congress while lauding the tireless efforts of the Secretary General, IPC the entire team of the IPC and the pioneer members of this Forum for investing their trust in IPC’s vision and mission.

The Chairman Senate also expressed gratitude for the cooperation and support extended by the current Vice Presidents of the IPC, H.E Ms. Sahiba Gafarova, Chair of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan, and H.E Mohammad Ali Houmed, President of National Assembly of Djibouti.

President Arif Alvi and Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani while addressing the Global Conference expressed deepest condolences and sympathy for such a tragic loss of life and property in Turkiye and Syria due to the devastating earthquake. Sanjrani said that we must converge the efforts of enhancing road safety and to use them to our benefit through forums such as the IPC.

Chairman Senate showed his confidence in the IPC in achieving the Global Road Safety Performance Targets as identified by the UN General Assembly in 2017, cutting down road and traffic related deaths by 50% by 2030. “I believe it is surely attainable. Along with SDGs target 3.6 and other global efforts, it is time that we must work together to achieve these goals and targets to save precious lives” he added.

Sanjrani on the occasion introduced ParliTalk, an initiative of IPC in collaboration with The Truth International. He said that its aim is to achieve short-term and long-term goals by framing important topics for debate by parliamentarians under the thematic areas of the IPC. “The presentations and ideas under ParliTalk will showcase the innovative and out of the box approach to our global challenges” he added.

The Secretary General, International Parliamentarian Congress (IPC) Sitara Ayaz welcomed the August gathering and thanked Chairman Senate for extending full support to IPC in making their endeavours come to life. She thanked the President for addressing this important topic at this crucial point in time, while the world is going through natural disasters

The European Union to Pakistan, Team Leader, Governance and Education Dr. Riina Kionka and the President Inter Parliamentary Union Duarte Pacheco also addressed the meeting to and emphasized on implementation of road safety measures and mentioned the UN resolution on Improving Global Road Safety. Director General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and the United Nations Secretary General’s Special Envoy on Rod Safety, H. E. Jean Todt also participated in the conference through video link.

The Parliamentarians from Chad, Uganda, Jorden, Spain, Guinea, Libya and Algeria addressed the conference, shared their experiences and perspectives on road safety issues in their respective countries and engaged in discussions with experts and stakeholders from around the world.

The conference is expected to result in a number of important outcomes, including the adoption of a declaration on road safety, the establishment of a network of parliamentarians committed to promoting road safety, and the identification of priority areas for future cooperation and action. The conference will continue for one more day, providing a unique opportunity for international parliamentarians, delegates, experts, and stakeholders to come together to address the critical issue of road safety.

For more information, contact:
Senate of Pakistan
H.No.7, Cat-II, G-8/2, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9204564534
Fax: +92-51-9205703
E-mail: senate@comsats.net.pk
Website: www.senate.gov.pk

Pakistan should follow world’s best practices to ensure safety on roads: President

Islamabad, February 08, 2023 (PPI-OT):President Dr. Arif Alvi has said Pakistan should follow the world’s best practices and innovations in order to ensure safety on the roads. Addressing a Road Safety Conference for Parliamentarians organized by the International Parliamentarians Congress in Islamabad on Wednesday, he said road accident is one of the biggest issues which needs to be tackled through better planning and implementation of relevant laws.

The President also emphasized for creating awareness amongst the masses about the importance of observing traffic rules and regulations. He pointed out that accidental deaths, though preventable, are very traumatic for the families. Hence it is very important to practice self-discipline while the society as a whole should also pay attention to curb such incidents.

President Arif Alvi said there is dire need to promote public transport in order to reduce the rush of cars and vehicles on the roads. He said there should be such urban planning wherein mobility is reduced from residence to workplace. In his address, President of Inter Parliamentary Union Duarte Pacheco said road accidents are one of the main causes of deaths every year across the world. He said we should reduce accidental deaths for the sake of our society and economies. He said minimum safety standards should be ensured in the vehicles.

Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani regretted that the road safety is not accorded much priority. He pointed out the United Nations General Assembly has set a target of halving the global number of deaths and injuries from road traffic crashes by 2030. He said it is high time to take steps to meet these targets through concrete steps including through enacting road safety laws, awareness and strengthening emergency health services.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

President urges youth to equip themselves with latest technology 

Islamabad, February 08, 2023 (PPI-OT):President Dr. Arif Alvi has urged the youth to equip themselves with the latest technology including artificial intelligence. Talking to a student delegation of Cadet College Kohat in Islamabad on Wednesday, he emphasized the need for the enrolment of out of school children. The President also asked the youth to inculcate in themselves moral values and lend a helping hand to the downtrodden segments of the society.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

Pakistan Navy’s multinational Maritime Exercise begins in Karachi from Friday

Islamabad, February 08, 2023 (PPI-OT):Pakistan Navy’s multinational Maritime Exercise AMAN-23 will begin in Karachi from Friday. The five-day exercise will involve participation of over 50 countries with ships, aircrafts, Special Ops Forces Marine teams and observers. Briefing newsmen about the exercise, Commander Pakistan Fleet Vice Admiral Ovais Ahmed Bilgrami said this is the 8th edition of the exercise and has been divided into harbour and sea phases.

The harbour phase involves activities such as seminars, operational discussions, professional demonstrations, and international get together and pre-sail planning of evolutions at sea. The sea phase would include tactical manoeuvres, exercises related to maritime security such as anti-piracy and counter terrorism, search and rescue, gunnery firings and air defence exercises. The Commander Pakistan Fleet emphasized that the exercise is aimed at providing a forum for understanding maritime concepts and operational cultures, enhancing interoperability as well as identifying ways and means to combat common threats at sea.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

Dar apprises Korean envoy of potential investment areas 

Islamabad, February 08, 2023 (PPI-OT):Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has said that present government is focusing on various other avenues of mutual interest so that the existing bilateral relations could be extending to a new level. Talking to Ambassador of South Korea Suh Sangpyo in Islamabad, the Finance Minister shared the depth of friendly relations between Pakistan and South Korea.

He highlighted the bilateral ties between both the countries in areas of trade, investment, human exchange and development cooperation. He apprised the ambassador about the potential investment areas. Senior Korean diplomat expressed a keen interest in enhancing and strengthening the bilateral ties between both the countries especially in trade and investment.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk