Syed Ali Nawaz Gilani Secretary General PCFA Khyber Chapter mentioned that for further strengthening the Pak-China Relations in all fields of life PCFA Khyber & PDF have joined hands for this Pak-China Friendship Tree Plantation 2020 initiative which was launched by Chinese Ambassador Mr. Yao Jing on 24^th August 2020 at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House, Islamabad 

STAFF REPORT

KOHAT – September 04, 2020: The Pakistan Development Foundation (PDF) and Pakistan China Friendship Association (PCFA) have started planting trees under the banner of Pak-China Friendship Tree Plantation Campaign in Kohat Division. A humble ceremony was held at the Commissioner’s Office which was attended by Commissioner Kohat Division, Syed Abdul Jabbar Shah as Chief Guest. Other than him, the Chairman of the PDF, Muhammad Bilal Sethi, General Secretary PCFA, Syed Ali Nawaz Gilani, President PCFA, Tasleem Hussain Advocate and other notables from different fields were present on this occasion. The commissioner planted a sapling in the premises of the Commissioner’s Office in Kohat.

While addressing the audience, the Commissioner Kohat Division, Syed Abdul Jabbar Shah appreciated the efforts of PCFA & PDF. He expressed his hopes that this initiative will further enhance Pakistan China Relations and announced his support for the two partner organizations. He also said that the CPEC will bring positive developments in socio economic developments across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Speaking on this occasion, Syed Ali Nawaz Gilani Secretary General PCFA Khyber Chapter mentioned that for further strengthening the Pak-China Relations in all fields of life PCFA Khyber & PDF have joined hands for this Pak-China Friendship Tree Plantation 2020 initiative which was launched by Chinese Ambassador Mr. Yao Jing on 24^th August 2020 at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House, Islamabad and appreciated this initiative and efforts made by both the PCFA & PDF to further strengthen these exemplary relationships.

Similarly, the Chairman of the PDF, Muhammad Bilal Sethi added that this plantation move that initially started in Divisional Headquarters of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would eventually be spread to all District Headquarters of the province. He said thatthis initiative willproof helpful in decreasing environmental pollution and creating awareness among the masses on the importance of trees.

Towards the end,souvenir was presented to the Chief Guest by the Chairman of the PDF, Muhammad Bilal Sethi and Secretary-general PCFA, Syed Ali Nawaz Gilani.

ISLAMABAD : Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood tweeted on Friday that some fake social media accounts in his name are peddling false news claiming that schools will remain shut until Oct.

“Not true. Education ministers meet on 7th to finally decide [on reopening of educational institutions] with likelihood of opening on Sept 15 in a phased manner,” he said.

On Aug 21, Shafqat Mahmood had said a final decision to reopen schools that were closed in March to prevent the spread of coronavirus would be taken at an interprovincial education ministers’ conference on Sept 7.

Speaking at a press conference, he said the Ministry of Health will devise standard operating procedures (SOPs) for educational institutions to follow to prevent the spread of the virus. Schools will reopen from Sept 15 given that the coronavirus situation improves, he added.

LAHORE : Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Usman Buzdar has directed Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) and local administration to immediately drain out rainwater from low-lying areas of Lahore.

Weather in Lahore and its adjoining areas turned pleasant after heavy monsoon rain lashed the provincial capital of Punjab. Heavy downpour in different areas inundated roads and streets in Lahore.Taking notice of the situation CM Usman Buzdar directed WASA and administrative officers to remain on the ground till draining out of rainwater from low-lying areas of the city.

He directed the authorities to utilize all measures to ensure immediate draining out of accumulated rainwater.

CM Buzdar warned the authorities that no negligence would be tolerated in this regard and special arrangements to ensure smooth flow of traffic should also be ensured.

The Punjab chief minister has also asked the authorities to send report regarding draining out of the rainwater with timeline.

At least eight people lost their lives in two separate roof collapse incidents in Chakwal,Punjab.

According to rescue sources, the incident occurred due to heavy rainfall in Lakhwal and Gagh area of Chakwal. Both the incidents claimed eight lives including six women and a children.

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday took notice of fraudulent housing societies and ordered authorities concerned to launch a crackdown against housing societies cheating overseas Pakistanis.

As per details, PM Imran Khan chaired an important meeting regarding investment in the real estate sector here in Islamabad and directed authorities to take measures in protecting the investment of overseas Pakistanis in real-estate.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Overseas Pakistanis, Zulfi Bukhari, taking to twitter said that major crackdown will be launched on all illegal housing societies selling to Overseas Pakistanis through external channels (expos, digital, overseas offices).” No one will be allowed to cheat innocent overseas Pakistanis,” he said and added that he will share mechanism to provide better real estate investment channels.

On August 16, the federal government had announced to provide digital banking facilities to the overseas Pakistanis within the country.

The digital banking facility under Roshan Digital Account programme will enable overseas Pakistanis to open their accounts in the country and operate it from abroad.

ISLAMABAD : The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday gave another chance to India to engage defence counsel for spy Kulbhushan Jadhav.

A larger bench of the high court comprising Chief Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Amir Farooq, and Justice Mian Gull Hassan Aurangzeb heard the case.

“The Government of Pakistan shall once again convey the orders passed in this petition to the Government of India to enable the latter to consider taking appropriate measures in order to ensure compliance with the judgement of the International Court,” the bench said in its verdict issued after the hearing.Attorney General (AG) Khalid Javed Khan stated before the court that the Government of Pakistan offered Delhi third consular access to the RAW agent to ensure implementation of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) judgement in letter and spirit but received no response. India still has the option to accept or reject the offer, he added.

He submitted that the federal government wants Indian High Commission in Islamabad to appoint legal representative for Jadhav but Delhi doesn’t want to benefit from legal assistance extended to the spy. He informed that Jadhav has also not changed his decision of not engaging any defence counsel.

The hearing was put off until Oct 6.

On July 22, the federal government filed a petition in the IHC seeking appointment of defence counsel for Kulbhushan Jadhav.

ISLAMABAD : The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has filed a supplementary reference against former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in the LNG scam, making startling revelations about transfer of funds to his account from a UAE-based firm.

According to the reference, the PML-N leader had been receiving funds from Trinity Company located in the UAE, said to be working with an India-based firm, Siddhart Private Limited.

A sum of $538,895 was transferred to Ex-PM Abbasi’s account in three installments from a Dubai bank, the reference revealed, adding that the UAE government provided the national graft buster with evidence in this regard as the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) also confirmed these transactions.

However, NAB added, the former prime minister, when confronted, was unable to give a satisfactory explanation as to these transactions. It disclosed that more than Rs637 million funds were transferred to the accounts of Abbasi and his son Abdullah.

Former prime minister Abbasi, Miftah Ismail, ex-PSO MD Imranul Haq and others are facing charges of corruption over awarding a LNG import contract allegedly at exorbitant rates in 2015, which caused a big loss to the national exchequer.

NAB sources said that Abbasi, in 2013, had awarded a LNG import and distribution contract to the Elengy Terminal in violation of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules and relevant laws.

ISLAMABAD : September 3, 2020

Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue chaired a meeting here at the Finance Division with Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation (SP&PA) Dr. Sania Nishtar for an update on the preparations of release of second tranche of Ehsaas Cash Assistance package in response to Covid-19.

SAPM briefed the Adviser that during the first phase of the program as response to the Covid-19 pandemic, an amount of Rs.175 billion was disbursed by BISP to 14.6 million beneficiaries @ 12000 as one time assistance during 2019-20. Now under the instructions of the Prime Minister the second phase has to be started to provide additional cash relief to those who need it most urgently. The Special Assistant on SPPA briefed that there are 4.6 million regular beneficiaries of Kafalat program, and one time Emergency Cash Assistance was provided to 11.6 million beneficiaries during the pandemic to look after their cash needs.

The Special Assistant said that for the second tranche a revised list of Emergency Cash Assistance beneficiaries will soon be prepared (as the number might be reduced due to control in the spread of the disease and opening on businesses and markets) and all the necessary details will soon be shared with the Finance Division.

The Adviser appreciated the efforts of the Poverty Alleviation Division in looking after the poorest of the poor in the unexpected times and said that for the second tranche of the cash assistance program, Finance Division shall provide all possible help after the SP&PA Division works out the exact requirement of funds for the Kafalat Program, Emergency Cash Assistance and for paying bank Service charges. He also directed to provide an update to the Finance Division about the transparency standards and expenditure already made under round-1 of Ehsaas Emergency Cash Assistance Program.