Islamabad: /DNA/ – A delegation of KOPIA Korea led by Administrator KOPIA, Mr. HUR Taiwoong visited PARC headquarters today. They were warmly welcomed by Chairman PARC Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan. The delegation visited to inaugurate KOPIA Pakistan Centre and Aeroponic potato seed production system in Pakistan.

While presenting the development and functions of PARC to Korean delegation,Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan briefed that, “Since its inception PARC through its various research divisions, is working for the research and development of Pakistan agriculture. It is gaining momentum in the areas of livestock and seed multiplication development with international assistance and linkages. He particularly mentioned the technical support of United Stated through USAID and USDA. He added “we are raising the capacity of existing plant genetic resources for food and agriculture conservation and acquired a large number of various crop accessions from ICARDA. Recently we have acquired and cultivated Kiwi germplasm from Nepal which proved to be a quality production in mountainous regions of GB. We have 4 million hactares land suitable for olive cultivation and till now olive has been cultivated on 40 thousand acres area.

In his concluding comment Dr. Khan expressed deep gratitude to Korean government for technological and financial support and lauded their assistance in providing chilli dehydration unit and aeroponic potato seed production,while emphasizing the importance of further cooperation in farm machinery, livestock and crop diversification sectors.

ISLAMABAD, AUG 03 (DNA) – Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry while taking a blunt government stance has said that we will not talk to the fugitives but to the leadership in Parliament.

Briefing the media after the federal cabinet meeting, Fawad Chaudhry said that Mian Nawaz Sharif, Fazlur Rehman and Maryam Nawaz are not part of the parliamentary system. Nawaz Sharif and Muttahida Bani ran away from the law adding that the accused have no right to lead the party.

Fawad Chaudhry said that PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz did not want to see the system become powerful. If democracy is to survive, a system must be devised. He said that every party after losing the election alleges of rigging. If the opposition does not agree on the voting machine, it should bring suggestions.

 “If you disagree with our proposals on electoral reform, bring your suggestions,” he said. Minister said that we are working with the opposition on the Electric Voting Machine (EVM), which is also one of the electoral reforms adding that how will democracy move forward if everyone accuses of fraud in the elections.

In his press conference, Fawad Chaudhry also slammed the Sindh government, saying it needed to improve its governance. Murad Ali Shah s government is lagging behind in every field, he added. He said that the process of Coronavirus vaccination in different cities of Pakistan is in full swing but even on this important issue, big cities like Karachi and Hyderabad are lagging behind.

Fawad said that Sindh government should look into its own affairs and improve governance. The federal government has the power to draw the attention of the provinces to governance. Talking about the returning Pakistani prisoners from Saudi Arabia, the Federal Minister said that it was part of Prime Minister Imran Khan s effort.

Minister said that hundreds of repatriated prisoner were locked behind the bars for petty crimes. Embassy staff suspended for mistreatment of prisoners and laborers. It is the duty of a diplomat to consider Pakistanis abroad as his family, he added. He said that the federal cabinet has rejected the increase in the salaries of ministers, only the salaries of civil servants will be increased.

Fawad Chaudhry said that the Prime Minister will write a letter to the Leader of the Opposition for the appointment of members of the Election Commission, it was not necessary to meet the Leader of the Opposition in this regard. = DNA

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QUETTA, Aug 3: President Dr Arif Alvi on Tuesday said Gwadar in near future would become an important trade hub by connecting Balochistan with Central Asia and result in economic development of the region.
Talking to parliamentarians here at the Governor House, the president said regional connectivity would result in economic activity and ensure win-win prosperity for all countries.
President Alvi said in view of the progress on projects under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), there was a need to train youth on modern professional lines.
In Balochsitan, he said, immense potential existed for promotion of diverse sectors including agriculture, fisheries and livestock.
He called for the need to take steps in the right direction to achieve the goals of progress and development of the province.
The president stressed utilization of resources for the benefit of people, which he said, would also improve their living standards.
The meeting, attended by Governor Balochistan Syed Zahoor Ahmed Agha and Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan, focused on overall security situation, ongoing development projects, border trade and establishment of border markets, land digitalization management and new labour laws in the province.
Other areas, particularly promotion of tourism in Balochistan and the economic and political situation also came under discussion.

ISLAMABAD, AUG 3 /DNA/ – ​A delegation of the Republic of Korea of the Department of Rural Development and Administration (DRDA) led by Mr. Hur Taewoong, Vice Minister of the Department called on Prime Minister Imran Khan today.Welcoming the visiting delegates, the Prime Minister appreciated the multidimensional and friendly ties existing between the two countries. He commended the role of DRDA in the development of crop-specific agricultural technologies, provision of training and capacity-building of the researchers and farmers, and supporting sustainable development of agriculture sector in Pakistan.The Prime Minister added that agriculture being the mainstay of Pakistan’s economy and especially considering its role in rural development, the sharing of experiences and technology by the Korean side in the field of agriculture would help in achieving food security and also improving the overall income of the small-scale farmers in the country.The Prime Minister hoped that both countries will work together to fully realize the immense potential existing in diverse fields for further deepening the overall bilateral cooperation.The Vice Minister, who is on a two-day visit to Pakistan, thanked the Prime Minister for receiving him. He lauded the importance of cooperation between Pakistan and South Korea in diverse fields and reiterated his country’s continuous and firm support to Pakistan in agriculture sector and rural development.

Rawalpindi: /DNA/ – The three day exhibition on interior, construction, electrical and electronics (ICEE 2021) being organized by the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) ended on a high note.

The exhibition which was held at Pak-China Friendship Center Islamabad in collaboration with Naya Pakistan Housing Authority, more than 25 companies including marble, sanitary, tiles, cables, electronics and state-owned banks set up stalls.

 A conference was also held on the occasion. In a detailed presentation, Deputy Chairman Naya Pakistan Housing Authority Major General (r) Aamer Aslam Khan briefed about the latest developments on the housing project under the authority. He said that so far more than 37,000 applications have been received for loans amounting 127 billion. So far, loan applications worth Rs 46 billion have been approved.

He said that construction of low cost houses is an important task of the authority and an effective strategy has been adopted to implement it. We are also in touch with the private sector to meet the growing demand for building materials such as cement, tiles, sanitary ware, plastic pipes and cables. Addressing the closing ceremony, Chamber President Nasir Mirza said that the Expo Center was the hour of need for the promotion of exports and products. Instead of privatizing the convention center, convert it to an expo center, he suggested. Industrial zones should be set up along the Rawalpindi Ring Road to promote the industry which can be helpful in meeting high demands in the construction sector.

Prime Minister Imran Khan who was chief guest of the closing ceremony of the Expo, lauded RCCI on the successful exhibition on the subject of construction. “I have visited the stalls and taken feedback on the spot,” Khan said. He welcomes the RCCI’s proposal to convert the convention center an expo center. The city of Rawalpindi has also been converted into concrete structure. More and more trees will have to be planted to eliminate pollution. A master plan is being drawn up for each city and any construction in the future green areas will be prohibited, the PM added. Chairman NAPHDA General (r) Anwar Ali Haider also spoke on the occasion and shared the progress and strategy of housing authority on Naya Pakistan Housing Project.

The citizens have shown great interest in the exhibition. Minister for Railways Azam Khan Swati, Special Assistant Shahbaz Gill, Chairman Commerce Committee in the Senate Zeeshan Khanzada and Ambassador of Nepal Tapas Adikari also visited the exhibition and appreciated the quality of the products.

ISLAMABAD (DNA): The Department of Environment is conducting a tree planting campaign in the monsoon season on the direction of CDA management to make the Federal Capital more green, beautiful and attractive.

In this regard, the Department of Environment of the Capital Development Authority has set up Free Plants Distribution Center at Sector I-8 Markaz, Aabpara  Market, Sector F-6 Markaz, F-7 Marakz, F-10 Markaz, G-9 Markaz andother sectors of Islamabad, it has also been done in One Window located at CDA Headquarters, from where the process of providing various types of free plants to the citizens has been started.

In addition, the CDA administration urges citizens to participate in the tree planting campaign to make the Federal Capital more green, beautiful and attractive, as well as to plant trees in their homes to protect the environment to be kept clean

In addition, on the special direction of the CDA administration, the educational institutions of the Federal Capital are also being made a direct part of the tree planting campaign and free plants are also being provided to the students.

Last week, the CDA’s Environment Department also created Miyawaki forests in Sector I-8, 9th Avenue and Sector F-10 in Islamabad to keep the Federal capital’s land free from illegal encroachments and constructions, and to make the environment more beautiful and attractive.

RAWALPINDI: /DNA/ – Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Narcotics Control Sheikh Rashid Shafique has said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government led by Prime Minister Imran Khan is carrying out a digital revolution in the country. He said this as a chief guest at the inaugural function of Graphic Art Exhibition in connection with Independence Day celebrations organized by Punjab Arts Council here on Tuesday. In the exhibition, students of Arts Council’s graphic designing class have presented the beauty, history, famous personalities, culture and daily life of Pakistan in the form of digital art. Guest of Honor Member National Assembly and Parliamentary Secretary for Narcotics Control Sheikh Rashid Shafique said that children have brought the positive face of Pakistan to the world with the help of digital art. “The current era is a journey of technology and we need to train our young generation in digital arts as well as traditional arts,” he said. Naheed Manzoor said that the Arts Council has always encouraged new talent and provided them a platform. Director Arts Council Waqar Ahmed said that digital art is slowly replacing the traditional art. The children of Arts Council have created wonderful works of art using their creativity, he added. The one-day exhibition was attended by a large number of people from various walks of life.

ISLAMABAD, AUG 3 /DNA/ – Applications for the Chevening Scholarship to study in the UK has opened (August 3rd) until November 2nd, 2021. Applications should be submitted via www.chevening.org/apply

Chevening Scholarships are awarded to individuals from all backgrounds who can demonstrate that they have the commitment and skills required to create positive change, and can show how a UK master’s degree will help them do that. The scholarship offers full financial support for scholars to study for any eligible master’s degree at any UK university whilst also gaining access to a wide range of exclusive academic, professional, and cultural experiences.

Since the programme was created in 1983, over 2,000 professionals from Pakistan have had the opportunity to develop in the UK through Chevening.

The Head of Communication and Public Diplomacy at the British High Commission, Fouzia Younis, said:

‘If you want to inspire others, learn new ideas and help shape the future then the Chevening Scheme is for you.  Chevening provides opportunities for all. For the last two years, we have smashed our 50% target on gender with talented Pakistani women forming nearly 60% of our intakes; and I encourage even more applications from across Pakistan and minority groups.  There are no limits on ambition”

The call for new applicants follows the selection of 37 scholars from Pakistan, who won an award to study at a UK university this year. Successful applicants have been sharing their stories through the #ChosenForChevening hashtag on Twitter and Instagram.=DNA

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