The Islamabad gets water from three sources including supply from Khanpur Dam, hundreds of Tube Wells being established in different sectors and household Bore-water 

Waheed Hussain

ISLAMABAD: Water resources are really depleting in the country and Islamabad is bitterly hit by the same. No doubt Islamabad is one of the beauteous capital cities in the world, however, the growing population and regular construction of housing colonies on its green land are devastating its natural beauty as well as resources.

The Islamabad gets water from three sources including supply from Khanpur Dam, hundreds of Tube Wells being established in different sectors and household Bore-water.

Yet need is not fulfilled. In the summer season citizens face problem, in winter the shortage is worse. There is a tanker mafia with the connivance of CDA make millions. Well who cares? If you contact CDA gays deputed for the water issues they would simple say either the dam is empty or the area tube well is out of order. When you ask them from where these tankers are being filled and supplied they would simply say we don’t know. The water supply to the residential area is disconnected to make money by tankers. This is not the problem of only Islamabad but most of the big cities like Karachi face this problem on the regular basis. Few years back the CDA out-sourced water filtration plants to the private companies.

These plants were constructed near the tube wells in various sectors of the city so that people could get the clean drinking water.Unfortunately, today many of these filtration plants are either not being operationalized or out of order. When you talk to the Tube Well operators about their bad condition they reply that these plants are being managed by the private parties not by the CDA.

Surely those who had been awarded the contracts must have made lot of money or maybe CDA might not made required payments to them. Whatever is the case main responsibility lies of the CDA and MCI. There is another administrative issue regarding powers and responsibilities between CDA and Islamabad Metropolitan city administration.

ISLAMABAD : An accountability court here on Tuesday sought arguments on an application filed by former president Asif Ali Zardari seeking to quash the Thatta water supply reference filed against him and others by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

The accountability judge adjourned the hearing of the case until September 17 after an associate of Faroof H Naek, the former president’s lawyer, appeared in court and sought time on his behalf to forward arguments in the case.

The court, granting the request, adjourned the hearing with directions for the counsel to forward arguments on next hearing.

According to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the case pertains to illegal award of a contract by Special Initiative Department for water supply scheme, Thatta to a private contractor, Harish & Co.

Zardari was released after being granted bail by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Dec 11, last year, on medical grounds.

LAHORE : Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has approved launching of Punjab Rozgar Scheme for providing soft loans programme worth Rs30 billion for new and running businesses.

Punjab CM Usman Buzdar said that businesspersons and entrepreneurs could acquire up to Rs10 million loan under the new scheme. He added that transgender persons could also avail the easy loans facility, whereas, the government finalised plan for low mark-up to women.

The chief minister directed relevant authorities for launching the employment scheme this month. He said that the provincial government is providing financial relief to the affected businesses amid COVID-19 crisis.

He also announced that the provincial government will review plans for further reducing the mark-up. CM Buzdar said that the young generation will not only groom their skills but also be provided employment.
Earlier in January last year, the Punjab IT Board and Ministry of Youth Affairs had jointly launched a three-month free E-Rozgar Training Programme for the youth, aimed at imparting vocational training to the jobless, enabling them to earn their livelihood honourably.

The 25 technical training centres throughout Punjab will impart training to the aspirants.

ISLAMABAD (DNA). PML N leader Mian Nawaz Sharif and the President of Pakistan Muslim League Mian Shahbaz Sharif have approved appointment of Sh. Arslan as Vice President China and Central Asian states.

Sh. Arslan in his new capacity will be responsible to cultivate friendly relations with China and Central Asian states in order to further strengthen international affairs wing of PML N.

Ishaq Dar has issued a formal notification in this regard.

Sh. Arslan enjoys excellent relations with the diplomatic community. The diplomatic corps has welcomed his appointment and assured him of its full support. DNA

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ISLAMABAD, SEPT 7 (DNA) – 8th September, the Navy Day, is celebrated by Pakistan Navy to acknowledge the sacrifices and spirit of our Naval heroes who epitomized grit, courage and valour during the 1965 War.

The day reminds us of the heroic deeds and daring achievements of our Ghazis and Shuhadas who fought gallantly and humbled a much bigger adversary with their absolute faith in Allah SWT and profound self-belief. This day marks a golden chapter in our rich naval history and rekindles hope and pride in our new generation.

On the night of 7/8 September 1965, a Flotilla comprising seven ships of Pakistan Navy, in a daring operation code named ‘SOMNATH’, bombarded Indian port of Dwarka. The swift and accurate action not only destroyed important shore installations which included Indian radar station and a radio beacon directing Indian Air Force Bombers for attacks on Karachi, but also inflicted irreparable damage to the Indian pride. PN lone Submarine Ghazi reigned supreme and remained unchallenged at sea throughout the war. Her ominous presence in the vicinity of Indian port, kept the Indian Navy Ships including their Aircraft Carrier, besieged in the harbour and rendered it ineffective to play any role or influence the course of war.

Today PN is recognized as a potent naval force in the region. It is a key partner of international navies in collaborative maritime security initiatives and has also launched its own initiative of Regional Maritime Security Patrols (RMSP) to provide secure maritime environment for the good of global commons. With the realization of CPEC Project, PN is alive to its growing responsibilities and role in the success of this project of vital national importance. The security in and around the port of Gwadar, which is the lynchpin of CPEC is under special focus. The Navy is fully capable and vigilantly guarding country’s maritime interests.

PN is also spearheading various initiatives to jump start Pakistan’s Blue Economy in line with the Govt’s renewed focus on the maritime sector and its decision to declare 2020 as the ‘Year of Blue Economy’. In a significant development, PN in collaboration with China Geological Survey (CGS), the leading Chinese organization in offshore marine scientific research is facilitating complete and systematic geological investigation within Pakistan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for mapping and exploration of offshore hydrocarbon resources. Two exploration surveys by CGS Ships have been conducted so far and preliminary findings are promising, indicating presence of various geological features associated with hydrocarbon reservoirs. Third joint expedition with CGS is planned  during 2021. PN besides its core task of maritime defence of the country is committed to the development of maritime sector and bringing the dividends of Blue Economy to the nation.

As we commemorate the spirit of Navy Day, all ranks of Pakistan Navy reiterate solidarity with their Kashmiri brethren and denounce the blatant annexation of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK). Pakistan will continue to support Kashmiris’ just struggle till the resolution of Kashmir issue, in accordance with the aspirations of Kashmiri people and relevant UNSC Resolutions.

Today, Officers, Men and Women of Pakistan Navy renew their resolve and commitment to stand firm in the face of any adversity and defend our beloved motherland, to the last man and the last drop of our blood.

LAHORE, SEP 07  (DNA) – Pakistan Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PCMAEA) Chairman Muhammad Aslam Tahir on Monday stressed the need for formation of strategic policy to increase the volume of exports through consultation of stakeholders.

He expressed these views while talking to a delegation who called on him on Monday. Carpet Training Institute Chairperson Pervez Hanif, Vice Chairman Sheikh Aamer Khalid, Senior Central Leader Abdul Latif Malik, Senior Member Riaz Ahmed, Saeed Khan, Malik Akbar, Ijazur Rehman, Major (R) Akhter Nazir and others were also present on this occasion.

Muhammad Aslam Tahir appreciated the government’s decision to search new international markets for the products of made-in-Pakistan and for this, it is inevitable that the government should help sending delegations of exporters to other countries besides holding single country’s exhibitions

He said it is very appreciable decision taken by the government to end the role of FBR in refunds and indeed this would help the traders if the system would be transferred on automation after termination of all kinds of complexities in the system.

He said despite this, there are many difficulties for traders to reclaim refunds and the government should take further steps to remove these issues. He said the government has taken many steps for promotion of exports and for providing facilities to exports; however, he said the government should take further steps in this regard.

Muhammad Aslam Tahir also appreciated Advisor to Prime Minister on Trade Abdul Razak Dawood for his stance that the government would not wait for the next fiscal year for supporting exporters.

He demanded the government to induct stakeholders in policy making process to finalize the strategy so that positive results could be attained. =DNA

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