KARACHI, Apr 10 (DNA): Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto
Zardari has demanded immediate withdrawal of the PTI government’s
decision to drastically cut the number of scholarships from 265 to just
29 for the students of formerly FATA areas and Balochistan.

In a press statement, the PPP Chairman said that students from ex-FATA
and Balochistan have the right to quality education because these areas
have suffered gravely due to terrorism. “This withdrawal of scholarship
quotas by the PTI Government is tantamount to snatching pen from these
poor students and giving gun in their hands,” he added.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said depriving these students of scholarships
proves the ugly face of the Imran Khan regime, which is bent upon to
destroy the higher education through cutting the funds. PTI government
had announced education and health emergency but its attitude displays a
lethal approach to ruin these key sectors of the country, he added.

He said that PPP won’t tolerate injustice and discrimination by the
regime against the students from backward and remote areas of ex-FATA
and Balochistan.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari strongly condemned the approach of PTI government
and demanded that higher education scholarships to the students from
ex-FATA and Balochistan should be restored and further increased.

PPP Chairman expressed solidarity and sympathy with these students
holding protests in Islamabad nowadays. DNA

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ISLAMABAD – Former secretary general of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and sugar baron Jahangir Tareen on Saturday called for a free and fair investigation into the money laundering and fraud charges against him.

The estranged PTI leader was speaking to the media outside a sessions court in Lahore. During today’s hearing, the court extended the bail of Tareen and his son, Ali, who have been charged with money laundering and alleged fraud, till April 22.

Once again, Punjab lawmakers from the ruling PTI appeared alongside Tareen. Around 22 MPAs and eight MNAs were present to support the sugar baron, including PTI MNA Raja Riaz, provincial minister Nauman Langrial, MPA Nazir Chohan and Khurram Leghari.

Speaking to the media outside the court, Tareen said: “Conduct an inquiry by all means. But the team carrying out the inquiry is biased. It is carrying out the investigation on someone’s directions.

“I demand that a fair team be constituted for the investigation which is not mired in controversy and works according to the law, and not on someone’s phone call.”

Tareen clarified that he was not trying to escape the clutches of the law. “The PTI is my party. It is our party. If we don’t stay within the party, where else will we go? But right now we want justice,” he said, reiterating that the investigation against him should be fair.

“New people should be brought in [and] a new team should be constituted. Look at this again, it will not make a difference. You have a lot of time. But do not entrust the responsibility to those that give orders on telephone calls.”

Tareen, however, did not elaborate who was involved in these phone calls.

He stated that the FIRs registered against him were drawn up in Islamabad and sent to Lahore on a USB where they were signed.

“This should not happen. The investigation should be carried out in a fair and objective manner.”

‘We are not blackmailers’

Meanwhile, PTI MNA Raja Riaz said that the lawmakers standing alongside Tareen stood in solidarity with him, adding that Prime Minister Imran Khan was their “leader and captain”.

“All those lawmakers that have gathered here today have one request to make. PM Imran there are people around you that are targeting Tareen, an extremely valuable asset to the party.”

Fake cases have been registered against him, Riaz said.

“Don’t think we are trying to blackmail you. We are not blackmailers, we are sympathisers. We want to see the party become strong. We want to see the PTI government and PM Imran be strong and secure.”

He said that those conspiring against Tareen were also conspiring against the PTI and the prime minister.

“That is why there is no need to get emotional or angry,” he said, adding that they were asking for insaaf from the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf.

Provincial minister Nauman Langrial said that the lawmakers had gathered in solidarity with Tareen and to support him. He said that Tareen had helped those gathered during tough times and made them a part of the PTI.

He stated that all Punjab lawmakers gathered alongside Tareen would support and help him while also working to strengthen the party.

“We can’t see beyond the party. We want to strengthen it,” he said, adding that there were elements that wanted to weaken the party and the country.

He appealed to “friends” of the PTI to lend their support to Tareen. “We want justice,” he said.

MPA Nazir Chohan said that the lawmakers gathered here were the same that had stood alongside the prime minister during his dharna and had worked day and night for the party. “We stand here today for one of your workers because we value each PTI worker and leader more than our own lives.”

He called on the premier to come and listen to their demands. “You are our elder and the prime minister. Who else do we approach if not you?” He also dismissed rumours of a “forward bloc”.

“You were the one who taught us to stand up for what is right. When you have taught us this, then how can we move back? Please call all of us [to you] and hear our grievances. “

He added that the lawmakers were members of the PTI. “Do not think of us as other. We are not working on someone’s agenda.”

He also questioned the role of Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Interior and Accountability Mirza Shahzad Akbar. “I am an MPA from Lahore. I will live and die here. What is Shahzad Akbar’s qualification,” he asked.

“These people will leave the country and only we will remain,” Chohan, urging the prime minister to hear their complaints.

Eight MNAs, over 10 MPAs attend Tareen’s dinner

A day earlier, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had grilled Tareen and his son Ali Tareen on the money laundering and fraud charges in the sugar scam and got 36 bank accounts of his (Tareen) and his family members frozen.

Unlike his appearance before a special court for banking offences for the extension of his pre-arrest bail a few days ago, Tareen chose to visit FIA’s Lahore headquarters alone on Friday and threw a dinner for around two dozen party lawmakers, including two ministers, at his residence in the evening.

DNA

Kakul: 10 April 2021: Passing out parade of cadets of 143rd Long Course, 62nd Integrated Course, 11th Mujahid Course, 17th Lady Cadets Course and 2nd Basic Military Training Course held at Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul today. Cadets from Srilanka, Iraq, Maldives and Nepal were also among the graduating cadets. Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Nadeem Raza was chief guest on the occasion.

CJCSC reviewed the parade and gave awards to distinguished cadets. Coveted Sword of honour awarded to Academy Senior Under Officer Abdul Samad Khan Khattak, President’s Gold medal to Company Senior Under Officer Waqas Khurshid, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Overseas Gold Medal to Company Junior Under Officer Ismail Hizwath Saeed from Maldives and Chief of Army Staff cane was awarded to Course Under Officer Muhammad Ghazan from 11th Mujahid Course. Commandant Canes were awarded to Company Junior Under Officer Ammar Haider from 62nd Integrated Course,  Course Under Officer  Ammar Ahmed from 2nd Basic Military Training Course and Course Under Officer Hajira Khan from 17th Lady Cadets Course.

While addressing , CJCSC congratulated the passing out cadets  for successful completion of training and commission into Pakistan Army. CJCSC said that Pakistan is committed to peace and has contributed towards regional peace and stability. Today, the entire nation stands united against terrorism and extremism. Chairman JCSC also said that the world must recognise Pakistan’s consistent peace overtures and take notice of the human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

CJCSC advised passing out cadets to keep themselves abreast with latest challenges . The only way to meet these challenges is through professional prowess and dedication as the Nation pins high hopes on Armed Forces of Pakistan.

Earlier, upon arrival,  Chief Guest was received by Major General Omer Ahmed Bokhari, Commandant PMA.

MULTAN, APR 10 (DNA) – Foreign Minister, Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday said Pakistan was ready for dialogue if India ensured conducive environment.

Talking to media after inaugurating Ramzan Relief Package at Utility Store, Qureshi said Kashmir was the main hurdle in talks with India, adding that he would be ready to go to Delhi for talks if India would stop brutalities in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K).

He said, there were issues with India including Kashmir, Siachen, Water, Sir Creek and others. He said that dialogues would only possible when India would show some flexibility, adding that Pakistan was not in a hurry.

The Foreign Minister stated that war was not solution of issues rather dialogue should be conducted to settle problems between both the countries. BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) government could not change the ideology and feelings of the Kashmiri people, the minister said adding, the whole world including European Union, and international human rights organizations were raising questions over India.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that he and Indian foreign minister were together at Doshumbe recently but he (Qureshi) did not express any wish for conversation with his Indian counterpart. He said that the recent ceasefire with India was benefiting people across LOC (Line of Control).

He said Pakistan had opened the Kartarpur corridor as good will gesture and would be ready to welcome the Sikh community for ‘Vaisakhi’ if the Indian government would allow them.

To a question about recent visit of Russian Foreign Minister to Pakistan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said both the countries decided to further cement their ties. He said a meeting would be held at Moscow this year to promote economic relations and the prime minister has issued special directives for its preparations.

Qureshi said Russia has offered cooperation in defense, and provision of equipment to enhance counter terrorism capacity, adding that Russia has also offered cooperation for uplift of railways infrastructure, energy sector and revival of steel mills which was installed by Russia.

The foreign minister said Russia fully supported Pakistan’s strategy towards Afghanistan. Due to our successful foreign policy Pakistan also enjoyed good relations with Central Asian republics, he said. = DNA

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DNA

Islamabad, APR 10 – Under the directive of Prime Minister of Pakistan, Utility Stores Corporation of Pakistan, (USC)launches a historic Ramadan Relief Package 2021 on April 10, 2021 through provisioning of subsidy on 19 essential items including wheat flour, sugar, ghee, rice, cooking oil, pulses, white gram, dates, tetra pack milk, tea, spices, and gram flour.Under the relief package, USC is offering hefty discounts on more than 1500 products as well.

In this relief package, wheat flour of 20-kilogram bag is available at Rs. 800; sugar per kilogram is available at Rs. 68; Ghee per kilogram will be available at Rs. 170 whereas subsidy on black tea is Rs. 50 per kilogram; oil will be Rs. 20 per litre; subsidy on pulses is from Rs. 15 to Rs. 30 per kilogram; subsidy on white gram is Rs. 25 per kilogram; subsidy on dates is Rs. 20 per kilogram; subsidy on rice is from Rs. 10-12; subsidy on squashes and syrups ranges from Rs. 20-25;subsidy on milk (UHT) per litre is Rs. 20 and subsidy on spices is 10 percent.

The relief package will equally be implemented nationwide on over4,800utility stores.

In line with the directive and vision of Prime Minister of Pakistan, the amount of subsidy on 19 essential items has been increased this year, as compared to previous years to provide maximum relief to the marginalised people of Pakistan.

In order to facilitate people of Pakistan and to provide essential commodities at their doorsteps, USC will increase number of Mobile Utility Stores under the relief package.

Since its inception, USC is serving the nation with an obligation of averting food shortage during thick and thin. Over the years, USC has proved itself to be a reliable support to the nation as it is successfully transferring Government’s subsidy on essential food items, deterring hoarding, black marketing and providing critical market intelligence to assist government in framing economic policies.

The role of USC specifically becomes critical during the pandemics and disasters as it has the largest retail network nationwide. Since the outbreak of Covid-19, as per its precedence of averting food shortage, all 4,881 retail outlets of USC remained open by strictly complying Standard Operating Procedures of Covid-19 to maintain continued supply of food items at prices lower than the open market.

The public is urged to take precautionary measures against the epidemic while shopping from the utility stores and co-operate with the sales staff in this regard. Moreover, USC ensures ample supply of all necessary items at its stores nationwide, so bulk buying and panic buying are not advised.

It is worth mentioning here that from January 2020, USChas successfullybeen providing continuous subsidy on five staple food items (sugar, wheat flour, ghee, rice and pulses), ensuring food security in Pakistan despite spread of Covid-19.During the year, USC achieved success at various fronts and acquired a turnover of around Rs. 100 billion, serving 45.8 million households during the year 2020. During the year, USC deposited Rs. 8.59 billion tax to the national exchequer and transformed itself into almost a self-reliant, self-sufficient and self-sustained organization.

Also, USC is the first in Pakistan to introduce poly/ shopping bags by using Oxo-biodegradable Additives for green environment as per Pakistan Environment Protection Agency rules for the betterment of people of Pakistan and has launched 64 products under ‘Own Brand’ umbrella. The products are of high quality and are up to the benchmark of Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority.

Sequel to Prime Minister of Pakistan’s vision of Digital Pakistan, USC will have a comprehensive technology upgrade to ensure fast, accountable and hassle free customer services using sophisticated technologies and automated processes till fiscal year 2021. USC has successfully established an Information Technology infrastructure by developing a modern data centre. The data centre has the capacity to meet future infrastructure requirements. Other initiatives include deployment of Online Stores Information System by geo-tagging all stores throughout the country. USC has also implemented a Demand-based Online Purchase Ordering System integrated with Finance Payable System. The automation will enable USC to start targeted subsidy for the poor segment of the society with the surety that subsidy is dispersed to the right individuals.

Pishin, April 10 (DNA). ‘Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) is striving hard to spread its educational network across the country, especially to those far flung areas of the country which presently lack formal educational system’,  said Prof Dr Zia Ul-Qayyum, Vice Chancellor, AIOU during his visit to Balochistan for extending AIOU educational facilities to different parts of the province.

The Vice Chancellor along with his team including DGRS, Anam Ullah Sheikh, Director Coordination , Maj (R) Umer Yunis, Regional Director Quetta, Mr Qamar visited various areas of Tehsil Khanozai of district Pishin yesterday and explored the possibility of establishing a Model Study Centre of the university there. During his meetings with the prominent figures of the area, he reiterated his firm resolve of educating every Pakistani child. Prof  Dr Zia Ul-Qayyum said that Balochistan is the largest province of the country with respect to its size, while on the basis of population-wise comparison with the other three provinces,  it is the smallest province of the country. Hence, as a matter of fact, due to the thin population distribution, it is difficult for any government to establish schools, colleges, and universities in all parts of the province. Owing to these circumstances, AIOU and its distance learning system may prove to be the best solution for provision of education facilities to people of the area, he maintained. The Vice Chancellor said that AIOU is already playing a key role by providing educational services to the people of Balochistan through six regional centres and one Model Study Centre. He informed that besides free matric education to people of Balochistan, AIOU offers various financial assistance schemes for poor, physically handicapped, and children of martyrs.

Prof. Zia while mentioning extension of AIOU to the remote areas of Balochistan as well as other provinces, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir urged upon the provincial governments and local administration to provide AIOU their due support, especially by allotment of land in the concerned areas.

Social elites and prominent figures of the area appreciated the role of AIOU in promotion of education in the country and hoped that construction of the proposed building of Model Study Centre of the university would help people of the area, especially the district of Pishin in getting education from matriculation to PhD level.