PESHAWAR : Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan announced on Friday that the provincial government will rebuild Karak’s Hindu temple that was vandalised and burned by a mob.

In a statement, the chief minister said the government will ensure the temple is rebuilt without delay and that the authorities concerned have already been issued directives for the purpose.“We will ensure protection of sacred places of minorities at any cost,” he reiterated, adding those involved in the tragic incident have been apprehended and strict action will be taken against them.

CM Mahmood declared that no one will be allowed to take law into their hands.

A day earlier, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed took notice of the tragic incident and directed the KP chief secretary and the provincial police chief to submit a report in this regard by Monday.

LAHORE : The leaders of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) are meeting today at Jati Umra in Lahore to make final decisions regarding the future course of action of its anti-government campaign.

The 11-party Opposition alliance will deliberate upon en masse resignations from the assemblies and contesting the Senate elections and by-polls. The meeting has assumed significance after the PPP decided to take part in the election process.

PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has already arrived in Lahore, while PPP leaders Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari will join the meeting via a video link.

Jamiat Ulema Pakistan head Shah Owais Noorani will lead a delegation of his party. The Qaumi Watan Party will be represented by Aftab Ahmed Sherpao and Hashim Babar.

 ‘PML-N to contest by-polls’

The PML-N has decided in principle to contest the by-polls, sources within the party said on Thursday.

According to the sources, a day earlier when PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz met PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, she discussed contesting by-polls.

The sources added that if the PPP decides to “stick to its decision of contesting Senate elections, then PML-N will also consider the same”.

They said that the party will deliberate on the matter further after January 31 — the “deadline” given by the PDM to Prime Minister Imran Khan to step down.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said that each party must decide on its own whether or not it wants to contest the by-elections, the sources said, adding that the matter will be taken up by the PDM in their meeting on January 1.

According to the sources, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari ” will be persuaded to not pursue contesting the Senate elections as yet”.

‘PDM to hear PPP’s stance’

On Wednesday, the PDM said it will hear from Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari about the party’s stance on various options in the ongoing anti-government campaign.

In a press conference in Islamabad, PDM chief Fazlur Rehman and Maryam Nawaz expressed their willingness to hear from the party chairman himself what PPP’s stance is on matters such as participation in the Senate elections and resignations from assemblies.

Their remarks come in the backdrop of a PPP Central Executive Committee meeting held on Tuesday following which speculation was rife that legal experts have advised party heads against untimely resignations from the national and provincial assemblies.

Bilawal, in a media briefing following the meeting, put to rest such rumours, saying that although the CEC is in favour of challenging the PTI government at every forum, including Senate elections, nothing final has been announced.

The PPP chairman also said the party would collect all of its lawmakers’ resignations by December 31 and will put all matters discussed in the CEC meeting before the PDM leadership in the meeting on January 1.

ATTOCK,  (DNA): Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam said the Federal Government was trying to ensure provision of basic facilities to the people especially of far flung areas Prime Minister Imran Khan was giving special preference in allocating funds for the uplift of less developed districts in that regard, he said, citing allocation of Rs 4 billion for provision of
gas facility to different villages in Attock district.

Talking to newsmen after holding an open kutchery in Hasanabdal , he said work on s 28 kilometre long pipeline of 24 inches diameter would start soon at the cost Rs 1.6 billion, which would help overcome to overcome low gas pressure problem of the areas of NA-55 constituency (Attock , Hazro and Hasanabdal).

He said Rs 3 million had been allocated for overcoming low gas pressure in Hazro City and work in that regard would be completed in next two weeks.

The work order for provision of gas facility to additional areas of Attock, Hazro and Hasanabdal had been issued, which would cost Rs 500 million, he added.

Replying to a question, Amin Aslam said the summary for approval of Rs 1.8 billion had been forwarded to the ECC (Econimic Cooperation Council) for provision of gas facility to 35 villages of Jand, Pindigheb and Fatehjang.

The villages of NA-56, which would get the gas facility, included Ziarat , Pariot, Khariot, Bela, Dhok Loharan, Bhandar Tahli, Rangli and Uchhri of Jand Tehsil, Surg, Maghian and Saidran of Pindigheb Tehsil, and Garhi Hasu Khan, Bhal Syedan, Burj, Kharala Khurd, Ajuwala, Charat, Kharala Kalan, Ferozwali, Makial, Gulyal and adjoining areas of Fatehjang Tehsil, he added.

He said 45 water filtration plants are also being installed in different areas of Attock, Hazro and Hasanabdal districts to ensure provision of clean drinking water to the people.

Earlier, SAPM Amin Aslam listened to individual and collective problems of the people and issued on the spot orders for their solution.

He also inaugurated water filtration plants in Ghourghushti and Jalalaia village, besides visiting Rural Health Center Ghorghushti. DNA

Islamabad, Dec 31, 2020 : Rejecting the PTI government’s decision to shift the head office of the national flag carrier from Karachi to Islamabad, Parliamentary Leader of the PPP in the Senate, Senator Sherry Rehman said, “Section 7 (2) of the PIAC Act clearly states that, “The Headquarters of the Company and any of its subsidiary companies carrying on air-transport business shall be at Karachi. The decision to shift the PIA head office cannot be taken by the PM or CEO since the authority lies with the parliament of our country. Why is the Parliament not been taken into confidence?”

“Last year the Committee was assured that no such decision is being taken and now they have suddenly decided to shift the headquarters. Only the Parliament has the authority to amend the Pakistan International Airlines Corporation (Conversion) Act, 2016.How can this be done without Parliament’s approval?” she asked.

The Senator said, “PIA management has not given a single valid justification for their decision. Why was the staff not taken on board for this decision? This is a political move with an ulterior motive”.

“We are fighting a pandemic and people are struggling to make ends meet. Yet the government is going ahead with its plan to cut PIA’s existing workforce by half. Employees are being forced to take the Voluntarily Separation Scheme (VSS). Instead of providing relief and job opportunities, they are taking away people’s livelihoods,” she added.

Rehman said, “It is because of this government that PIA is on the verge of collapsing. Of all the 262 pilots named by the federal minister for their ‘fake’ licenses, 180 have been cleared so far as they were wrongly named. Europe has still not lifted the ban, other airlines are taking our routes and PIA’s reputation is tanking. Incorrect statements and wrong decisions have contributed to PIA’s destruction. This incompetent government has no plan or policy to run the country and our institutions”.

Parliamentary Leader of the PPP in the Senate, Senator Sherry Rehman concluded by saying that, “Since shifting PIA’s headquarters to Islamabad without parliament’s approval is illegal and unconstitutional, the government must reconsider it’s decision and take it back. PPP will ensure that the workers protected in these unprecedented times”.

KARACHI : The Leader of Opposition in Gilgit Baltistan Assembly, on Thursday said that transparency is the key issue presently faces the democracy in the country.

Advocate Amjad Hussain was addressing Karachi Bar during his visit of the bar association office.“We were thinking that problems will be solved with stabilization of democracy, but one step forward for democracy was pushed four steps back,” he said.

“Only politicians are not corrupt and all others honest, but whoever holds power in the system exercise it wrongfully,” GB opposition leader said. “Though politicians could not refute charges against them.”

“Corruption could be checked with division of power,” he said.

“We are striving for constitutional rights of the GB region,” he further said.

Talking on natural resources in the region, Advocate Amjad Hussain said Gilgit-Baltistan have immense resources for energy and as per estimates 50,000 megawatts electricity could be generated in this territory.

The GB opposition leader was earlier received by the officials of the bar association and presented traditional gift of Ajrak and Sindhi cap.

Karachi, 31 Dec 20 :  Pakistan Navy Fleet Annual Efficiency Competition Parade was held at Pakistan Navy Dockyard, Karachi. Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi graced the occasion as Chief Guest. Upon his arrival, the Chief Guest was received by Commander Pakistan Fleet, Rear Admiral Naveed Ashraf.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief of the Naval Staff expressed complete satisfaction over operational readiness of Pakistan Navy Fleet and lauded the dedication and professionalism of officers and men for successfully achieving significant operational objectives and milestones. The Admiral commended PN Fleet’s efforts and contributions towards regional maritime security and protection of Pakistan’s Sea Lines of Communication. He highlighted Pakistan Navy’s endeavors to ensure seaward security of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Gwadar Port and maritime related projects of CPEC. Chief of the Naval Staff reiterated that Pakistan Navy is fully cognizant of changing geopolitical realities in the region and stands resolute to defend country’s sea frontiers.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Commander Pakistan Fleet highlighted/ underlined/ accentuated Fleet operational activities undertaken during the year 2020, encompassing multi-dimensional events related to operational preparedness particularly conduct of Live Weapon Firings, Major Maritime Exercises SEASPARK 20, Regional Maritime Security Patrols and Over Seas Deployments.

Later, Chief of the Naval Staff gave away Efficiency Award shields to best performing units of various Squadrons of Pakistan Navy Fleet.