RAWALPINDI, MAR 21 /DNA/ – Terrorists opened fire on Police check post in general area Khutti, DI Khan District. On receipt of the information, security forces immediately cordoned the area, blocking all possible escape routes. Fleeing terrorists were intercepted in general area Saggu, Dera Ismail Khan District. After intense exchange of fire, three terrorists were sent to hell. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed terrorists.

However, during intense exchange of fire, Havaldar Muhammad Azhar Iqbal (age 42 years, resident of Lodhran), Naik Muhammad Asad (age 34 years, resident of Khanewal) and Sepoy Muhammad Essa (age 22 years, resident of South Waziristan) having fought gallantly, embraced Shahadat.

Sanitization of the area is being carried out to eliminate any terrorists found in the area.

Pakistan Army is determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, MAR 21: The British High Commission organised a reception on Tuesday, 21 March for returning Chevening scholars who were awarded the scholarships for the year 2021/22.

Through a rigorous recruitment process, 42 Pakistanis were selected for the Chevening scholarship last year. Half of those selected consisted of female scholars who went to study master’s programme at the UK Universities. Acting British High Commissioner, Jo Moir, congratulated the returning Pakistani scholars and welcomed them into the Chevening alumni family, which is an influential network of over 2000 alumni across Pakistan. The event was attended by officials of the British High Commission, returning scholars, and Chevening alumni.

Chevening scholars returned at a time when the UK is focusing on supporting education in Pakistan which is also a Commonwealth priority. In the last 10 years, the UK has spent over £900m on education development in Pakistan – directly allowing 5.8m children to gain a decent education including 2.1m girls.

Last week the British High Commission marked Commonwealth Day with a range of activities. Many of the UK’s current development initiatives in Pakistan, including education, were committed to at Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings.

British Acting High Commissioner Jo Moir said:

“Congratulations Cheveners for completing a master’s degree from the world-renowned universities of the UK. Education is central to development and to the improvement of the lives of young people including women and girls.

“The UK is proud to support wider education efforts in Pakistan, including on girls’ education and through the British Council.

“The UK will keep engaging with the young people of Pakistan from the platform of the Commonwealth to ensure global stability and growth”.

Lahore, MAR 21 /DNA/ – Pearl-Continental Hotel Lahore chefs won four gold medals, two silver medals and two trophies in the fifth season of Pakistan International Culinary Championship (PICC) held at Royal Palm Golf and Country Club, Lahore.

The Chefs Association of Pakistan (CAP) along with its strategic partner, the College of Tourism and Hotel Management (COTHM) Pakistan and Dubai, and co-organizers The World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) launched the fifth season of PICC 2023 to challenge the potential of Pakistan professional chefs from hotels, restaurants, catering companies, bakeries, fast-food restaurants etc.

The objective of the Championship was to showcase Pakistani cuisine, unveil the potential of the hospitality industry, and recognize the creativity, innovation, and style of professional chefs in Pakistan. Participants from various regions of the country competed in the event.
Pearl-Continental Hotel Lahore emerged as the leading establishment, earning four gold medals, two silver medals, and two trophies. The PC Lahore team’s exceptional talent resulted in a clean sweep of the awards, earning them high praise from both international chefs and the judging panel.

The Executive Chef of PC Lahore, Nauman Iftikhar Khan said that “It has been a very challenging period for us as a culinary competition of this level is both emotionally and physically intense. The team has sacrificed their time and sleep.”

Mr. James Wilson, the General Manager of Pearl-Continental Hotel Lahore, hosted a celebratory dinner for the victorious chefs. The executive team, including Mr. Vangelis Boulis, EAM F&B, as well as other heads of departments, also participated in honoring the accomplishment. On occassion, Mr. James expressed that “Having such an exceptional team of chefs together at Pearl-Continental Lahore was a remarkable accomplishment and a source of pride for the establishment. As a leader in the hospitality industry in Pakistan, Pearl-Continental Lahore has once again demonstrated its excellence through the success of its team”.

ISLAMABAD, Mar 21 (DNA): President Arif Alvi on Tuesday felicitated the newly elected members of All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), an organization of major Pakistani newspapers and publishers.
The president congratulated Naz Afreen Sehgal Lakhani and Sarmad Ali as the unanimously elected president and secretary general, Imtenan Shahid as senior vice president, Muhammad Aslam Qazi as vice president, S.M. Munir Jilani as joint secretary, and Shahab Zuberi as finance secretary of the APNS.
President Alvi expressed hope that the newly elected APNS body would take steps for the promotion of mass media in the country.
He urged the media to work towards ensuring peace and tolerance besides promoting ethical and democratic values.
The president emphasized the role of newspapers in eliminating fake news and raising public awareness on issues concerning social problems, especially women, and persons with different abilities.
BISP Board approves piloting new payment model for beneficiaries.

ISLAMABAD, Mar 21 (DNA): National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Tuesday emphasized the crucial role of media in combating the spread of false information, urging them to take responsibility for preventing dissemination of fake news to avoid harmful effects on society.

He congratulated the newly elected officials of All Pakistan Newspapers Society [APNS] and called for unbiased dissemination of information and urged media organizations to foster inclusion and tolerance.

The Speaker also highlighted the media’s role in addressing economic and social problems facing the country, combating moral decline, intolerance, and societal uncertainty.

The Speaker expressed optimism about the newly elected officials of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) and their dedication to the development of media in the country. He encouraged them to continue their efforts towards a vibrant and responsible media landscape that serves the interests of the people of Pakistan.

He congratulated the newly elected officials of the APNS, including Naz afreen Sehgal Lakhani as President, Sarmad Ali as Secretary General, Imtanan Shahid as Senior Vice President, and Muhammad Aslam Qazi as Vice President.

Additionally, SM Munir Jilani was congratulated for being elected as the Joint Secretary, and Shahab Zuberi was congratulated for being elected as the Finance Secretary of APNS.

ISLAMABAD, MAR 21: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Secretary General Asad Umar on Tuesday told envoys in Islamabad that the party is seeking free and fair elections to end political instability in the country.

The PTI leaders held a “breakfast meeting” with the diplomatic corps in Islamabad organised by Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan Neil Hawkins. The ambassadors of European and Muslim countries were also present during the meeting.

“We exchanged views on the regional and overall political situation of the country during the meeting,” Qureshi said.

Both leaders informed the envoys about the PTI’s demand for transparent elections as per schedule and bringing the atmosphere of ongoing political instability in the country to an end.

“We are deeply grateful to the Australian High Commissioner Neil Hawkins for organising this breakfast meeting,” Qureshi added.

The PTI — led by Chairman Imran Khan — has been campaigning for general elections in Pakistan for months since its government’s ouster through a vote of no-confidence in April last year.

To press for their demand for snap polls, the party dissolved the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies — the provinces where it was in power.

On the other hand, the former premier has also been embroiled in various legal challenges. The matter of his appearances in courtd has since caused immense chaos with his party workers taking to the streets, confronting security personnel that led to violent clashes in Lahore and Islamabad.