Press Information Department – Page 1104

January 26, 2018

Provinces are united and working as a team in Management of CPEC: Ahsan Iqbal

Islamabad, January 26, 2018 (PPI-OT):Minister for Interior and Planning, Development and Reform, Ahsan Iqbal has said that the broad consensus amongst the federating units has provided an opportunity to expedite China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects and ensure its successful completion. “All the provinces are fully on board and eager to pluck the fruits of CPEC” said Minister, while responding to CPEC Special Committee reports in Senate of Pakistan. He said that provincial leadership’s is fully contributing in the decision making process since launch of this multi-billion initiative, irrespective of their political affiliation.

“Chief Ministers and their teams have ensured their full participation in Joint Working Groups and Joint Cooperation Committee of CPEC, a manifestation of government’s will to guarantee transparency, inclusiveness, national cohesion and sense of equality”. Minister said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a project of inclusive development in Pakistan, undoubtedly, offers huge dividends for the provinces and regions of Pakistan, opening new avenues of opportunities for the people of the country, particularly, under developed regions.

The transport infrastructure projects of CPEC will give a boost to economic activities in far flung areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Sindh thus would help in emergence of new urban and economic centers, he added. “Economic activities at smaller level starts cropping up in the form of huts, hotels and new markets on roadside to cater the needs of traffic on completed links of the Western Route from Quetta to Gwadar-a glimpse of a bright future when the region would be “center of focus” of local and foreign investors to benefit from the economic potential of these areas” Minister highlighted. Minister underlined that Western Route project, approved by All Parties Conference held on 28th May, 2015, is under execution as decided by the national leadership.

Ahsan Iqbal said that a number of provincial infrastructure projects, Mirpur Mansehra Road, Nokundi Mashkhel Panjgur Road and Gilgit Chitral Chakdara as well as development of Keti Bandar Port have been included in CPEC which would further enhance connectivity in the province. He further said that under CPEC, circular railway projects are being implemented in all the four capitals. Ahsan Iqbal said that CPEC’s Special Economic Zones in the provinces would enable to attract investment different sectors thus would boost the overall economic status of the provinces.

SEZs would help in creation of thousands of jobs for local youth, he added. “Government is planning two to three road shows in China to attract investors to ensure early population of these SEZs, he told the Senate. This cooperation would be completed from 2020 to 2025 and it is open for all investors, Minister informed. Minister highlighted that the 820 km long fiber optic that passes through GB and KP to connect Rawalpindi and Khunjerab is planned to be completed this year.

“The project will not only turn the trade corridor into a digital corridor and would bring boom to IT related industry in this region along the route”. Ahsan Iqbal further told that under CPEC, government was able to attract US $ 5 billion to explore Thar Coal resources for the first time in the history of Pakistan. China has proved as a trust worthy friend of Pakistan by investing and completing mega energy projects in the country that helped in overcoming energy crisis. “All the power plants meet international environmental standards as it is based on new and super critical technology power plants”, he highlighted.

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January 26, 2018

Sardar Mahtab Ahmed Khan expresses deep condolence and grief over sad demise of Muhammad Azam Saigol

Islamabad, January 26, 2018 (PPI-OT):Adviser to the Prime Minister on Aviation Sardar Mahtab Ahmed Khan has expressed deep condolence and grief over the sad demise of Muhammad Azam Saigol, a leading industrialist and a former Chairman of the Pakistan International Airlines. In his condolence message, while showing sympathies with the other members of bereaved family, the Adviser has prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and courage to the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss with patience.

The Adviser has also paid rich tributes to the services which the deceased had rendered for the country and said that Azam Saighol had professional capability and he headed PIA with great commitment. Adviser said his services for the betterment of National Carrier and for the country would be remembered forever.

January 26, 2018

President of Indonesia arrives in Pakistan

Islamabad, January 26, 2018 (PPI-OT):President of Indonesia Ir. H. Joko Widodo along-with First Lady of Indonesia Mrs. Iriana Joko Widodo has arrived on an official visit to Pakistan. He is also accompanied by an official delegation. President Mamnoon Hussain and First Lady Begum Mehmooda Mamnoon Hussain welcomed the Indonesian President upon his arrival at Nur Khan Airbase, Islamabad. Minister for Energy Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq and senior officials were also present on the occasion. Indonesian President was greeted with a 21- guns salute on his arrival at Nur Khan Airbase.

January 26, 2018

Young girl Hania appreciated by Minister for Climate Change for planting 14 trees at her fourteen birthday

Islamabad, January 26, 2018 (PPI-OT):A ceremony was organized at Ministry of Climate Change to appreciate a young girl named Hania Imran who planted 14 trees on her fourteenth birthday and wrote a letter to Federal Minister for Climate Change highlighting issue of climate change and planting trees. “There is a great need to create awareness among young generation to save our country from effects of climate change. Hania is such an individual who set an example for young kids to plant trees”, said by the Federal Minister for Climate Change. Every kid must plant a tree on her birthday. These small initiatives would help to mitigate the effects of climate change in our country.

Ms. Romeena Khursheed Alam Parliamentary Secretary for Ministry of Climate Change also appreciated the girl and highlighted that parents also deserve appreciation for their brought up and developing such thinking. The mother of Hania Imran also said that while she floated this idea of planting fourteen trees on her fourteenth birthday, her friends mocked her. She also thanked the Ministry of climate Change for recognizing her effort. Planting a tree is the most fore longing charity of all good deeds. Out of 193.2 million people in Pakistan Hania Imran, 14 years stands out as an exemplary individual indeed.

Considering earth’s protection and climate mitigation as her prime responsibility Hania recently, on her 14th birthday celebration has planted 14 plants as a mark to earth love. In a letter written to Minister Mushahidullah she suggested to take this initiative to next level of implementation and education by taking professional teachers into account. According to her if every individual plants the same number of plants as his/her age, planet earth is definitely going to turn out better, greener and beautiful.

Ministry of Climate change considering her little act of responsibility and spark of concern appreciable, arranged a small ceremony to appraise her. Federal minister for Climate Change Senator Mushahidullah Khan awarded her a shield with a book on tree in Pakistan and appreciation letter. The Ms. Naina Malik from Gharana Group of Companies with Amazon Mall also chose Hania as their Children Floor Ambassador for climate change and awarded her a certificate as token of appreciation at the occasion.

Mr. Shahid Minhas from Sustainable Development Policy Institute announced a summer internship Program called “Hania’ Vision” to train children on environmental and climate change issues. The heads of wings and department of Ministry of Climate Change and Hania’s family were invited to attend the ceremony.

January 26, 2018

Federal Health Minister tells Press Conference in Davos that Government successfully introduced unprecedented health sector initiatives and reforms in last four and a half years

Islamabad, January 26, 2018 (PPI-OT):Federal Health Minister Saira Afzal Tarar who is accompany the Prime Minister at World Economic Forum in Davos told a Press Conference addressed by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Thursday in Davos that federal government in the last four and a half years achieved major health sector reforms with no precedent in the last seventy years. She said immunization program for children and mothers in Pakistan was on upward trajectory and Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization has presented Pakistan as a model country for undertaking sweeping reforms to improve the efficiency and coverage of immunization program.

She said Pakistan’s support from Global Fund and GAVI are products of World Economic Forum. She highlighted the successful implementation of The Fund-Single Streamline Funding Round of 10 grants worth US Dollars 30.2 million. She said the country secured 52 million US Dollars to implement the Malaria interventions in 48 endemic districts of Pakistan under New Funding Model of The Global Fund.

Federal Health Minister shared that Pakistan has launched its largest ever health program for the poor and marginalized the Prime Minister’s National Health Program which is a model for others to emulate and is providing best quality health services to 3.1 million families across Pakistan and is in the process of covering the entire population living below the poverty line. The country despite immense challenges has had its lowest ever cases last year and is close stopping poliovirus transmission.

Federal Minister informed the forum that tremendous progress has been achieved towards eradicating polio which has been acknowledged by highest monitoring bodies like Independent Monitoring Board and Technical Advisory Group. She said though health is a devolved subject under the 18th constitutional amendment, the federal government took major initiatives to mobilize resources, regulate the health sector and coordinate with the provinces to achieve shared goals and standardized services. National Health Vision in line with Sustainable Development Goals was major landmark that provided strategic direction to all stakeholders including Provincial Governments.

January 26, 2018

Federal Minister shows concern over FBISE’s absence in Inter Board Sports Competitions

Islamabad, January 26, 2018 (PPI-OT):Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada has requested Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training, Engr. Muhammad Baligh Ur Rehman to initiate an inquiry into the matter of FBISE’s staying out Inter Board Sports Competitions at Sports Complex, Islamabad. In a letter to Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training, Federal Minister for IPC Riaz Hussain Pirzada said Pakistan Sports Board organizes Inter Board Sports Competitions every year, wherein, almost all the Boards of Technical and Intermediate Secondary Education participate in different sports disciplines.

The event posses high significance and provides best opportunities to our youth to show muscles and demonstrate their skills in different games. It is not only a sports event but an expression and demonstration of solidarity by the youth participating across the country. Surprisingly this time Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE) is not participating in the current event due to the reasons unknown, Federal Minister Riaz Pirzada said.

He said it is a matter of serious concern that the FBISE has chosen to stay out of these games which is counterproductive because so many talented players have been deprived of showing their potential. The irresponsible act of FBISE warrants an inquiry. It is therefore requested that an inquiry may be initiated in to the matter which has done a lot of harm to the cause of sports, said the Federal Minster for IPC.

January 26, 2018

Democracy Biggest Bulwark against terrorism; Defence Minister’s Briefing at Egmont the Royal Institute of International Relations on Pakistan’s Contribution to War against Terrorism

Islamabad, January 26, 2018 (PPI-OT):The Federal Minister for Defence Mr. Khurram Dastagir Khan who is currently visiting Brussels as the head of four member parliamentary delegation of Pakistan–EU Friendship Group briefed the experts on ‘Pakistan’s Contribution to War against Terrorism’ at the highly prestigious Egmont Institute, the Royal Institute of International Relations of Belgian Foreign Office, says a press release received here today from Brussels.

The Minister explained to the group of experts from the Belgian Foreign Office, Ministry of Defence, Counter Terrorism Department and academics, that how Pakistan was bearing the burden of war against terrorism not only in terms of financial resources but also the sacrifices of nearly 70,000 lives of civilians and army personnel. The Minister said that that the best protection against terrorism is strong democracy.

He stated that with the consolidation of democracy in Pakistan incidents of terrorism have been controlled and with improvement of internal peace and security situation the economy has also seen an upward trend in the past few years. He said that the peace in Afghanistan was imperative for the peace in Pakistan and vice- versa stating that involvement of Pakistan in any kind of peace process was necessary for attaining peaceful settlement of situation in Afghanistan.