ISLAMABAD, OCT 26 (DNA) – Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has urged the UN to take notice and action against the hate based narrative against Islam. In a statement on Monday, he said there is resentment in the world over the blasphemous caricatures.

He said irresponsible statement of the French President has added fuel to the fire. He said nobody has the right to hurt the sentiments of millions of Muslims under the garb of freedom of expression.

The Foreign Minister said the seeds of hate that are being cultivated today will polarize the society and have serious consequences. Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the French Ambassador to Pakistan has been summoned to the foreign office to register protest.

On the instructions of the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister said a comprehensive resolution will be presented at the next meeting of the OIC foreign ministers, proposing to observe 15th March as the international day against Islamophobia. = DNA

===========================

DNA

Islamabad: Oct 26 – A high level meeting was held on Monday with Justice Javed Iqbal  Chairman NAB in the chair. Hussain Asghar deputy Chairman NAB, Asghar Haider, prosecutor general, Accountability, Zahir Shah,Director General operations. DGs of all bureaus attended the meeting via video link.

The meeting reviewed the overall performance of bureau and expressed satisfaction over it.
The meeting reviewed under trial cases and decided that the prosecution and operation divisions would pursue the cases in coordination with after collecting evidence, verified documents and in the light of witnesses’ statements.

The meeting also reviewed improving the standard of conducting complaint verifications,inquiries and investigations.The meeting decided to further improve the functioning of forensic Science laboratory.It was decided to impart on job short courses for capacity building of investigation officers and prosecutors to enable them to meet modern day requirements as per law.

Chairman NAB directed to utilise all available resources for concluding the mega corruption white collar cases on scientific basis so that the corrupt elements could be punished.

Chairman NAB directed that the complaint verifications, inquiries and investigations should be taken to logical conclusion by taking the benefit of the collective wisdom of Combined Investigation Team (CIT). Proper monitoring of the performance of NAB headquarters and all regional bureaus would be ensured on the directives of chairman.By ensuring persistent  vigilance the required legal assistance could be provided if required.

Chairman NAB said right now 1230
Corruption references are under trial in different Respected Accountability courts of the country. The relevant DGs should ensure that the cases should be pursued in an effective way and make possible the recovery of looted money from corrupt events and subsequently deposit in the national exchequer.
Chairman NAB said that NAB is a national institution making sincere corruption elimination efforts.The performance of NAB has been lauded by reputed national and international institutes.The increase in receipt of complaints as comparing to last year’s shows enhanced confidence of people on Bureau.
He said NAB officers should utilise their energies on concluding  investigations, inquiries on merit in a transparent way. He said that the faith of NAB is corruption
Free Pakistan.NAB officers should ensure implementing zero tolerance policy sans caring about any propaganda or pressure as per law. He said that NAB is a people friendly institute . All the people visiting NAB should be dealt with respect and no laxity will be tolerated in this regard.

ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) in collaboration with the State Bank of Pakistan signed a MoU with 1Link to launch a mobile application for facilitating the masses in online banking here on Monday.

The MoU signed upon the special directions of the Chairman CDA, Aamir Ali Ahmad.Members Finance CDA, Members Administration, Director Generals, and Directors of CDA attended the signing ceremony.

From 1 Link side the Chief Executive Officer, Najeeb Agrawalaa was present at the occasion.Speaking at the occasion, Members Finance CDA said that whole world has been digitalized, therefore CDA has also decided to provide best facilities to masses.

The current era is the era of the digital transactions. Citizens will be able to pay their property taxes, sales taxes, revenue, water sanitation charges, land transfer charges, and other bills through this app. People will be able to pay their bills through branches of the State Bank while sitting at their homes.

They will also be provided with the receipts. CDA is committed to provide best facilities to the masses of capital, they added.CEO 1Link, Najeeb Agrawalla said that 1Link will provide three facilities to the customers including internet, mobile banking, and ATM banking.

KARACHI, OCT 26 (DNA) – The Pakistan Navy, in continuation to its efforts for uplift of health standards along the Coastal areas prominently under COVID-19 scenario, have established a Free Medical and Eye Camp here at Mubarak Village in collaboration with Rotary Club International, Al-Mustafa Trust & Sahil Welfare Association.

A qualified and dedicated team of doctors comprising Eye Specialist, Medical Specialist and GDMOs examined the patients on modern diagnostic equipment and extended free consultation, said a press release issued here on Monday.

The patients were also provided with free medicine and minor surgical and dental procedural treatments, if further stated. In addition, Patients were comprehensively briefed and enlightened about common infectious diseases and their preventive measures particularly on COVID-19 pandemic, it said.

Beside, patients were also educated about maintaining personal health & hygiene, child health care and sanitation of living areas. A large number of women and children suffering from various diseases benefited from the Medical/ Eye camp, the statement said.

Pakistan Navy as a manifestation of its commitment, provide continued quality medical treatment along Coastal belt. The present medical assistance drive is another demonstration of this Nobel resolve. = DNA

===========================

LAHORE, OCT 26 (DNA) – The Punjab Emergency Service (Rescue 1122) responded to 998 Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) in all 36 districts of Punjab during the last 24 hours.

In these RTCs 15 people died, whereas 1092 were injured. Out of this, 655 people were seriously injured who were shifted to different hospitals. Whereas, 437 minor injured victims were treated at the incident site by Rescue Medical Teams thus reducing the burden of Hospitals.

The majority (69%) involved Motorbikes, therefore effective enforcement of traffic laws and lane discipline are essential to reduce this increase in the number of Road Traffic Crashes.

Further, the analysis showed that 445 drivers, 18 underage drivers, 161 pedestrians, and 501 passengers were among the victims of these road traffic crashes. The statistics show that 242 RTCs were reported in Lahore which affected 249 persons placing the Provincial Capital at top of the list followed by 75 in Gujranwala with 88 victims and at third Faisalabad with 67 RTCs and 81 victims 

The details further reveal that 1107 victims were affected by road traffic crashes including 885 males & 222 females, while the age group of the victims shows that 195 were under 18 years of age, 594 were between 18 and 40 years and rest of the 318 victims were reported above 40 years of age. According to the data 884 motorbikes, 124 auto-rickshaws, 89 motorcars, 40 vans, 09 passenger buses, 24 trucks and 113 other types of auto vehicles and slow-moving carts were involved in aforesaid road traffic accidents. = DNA

===========================

DNA

KARACHI, OCT 26  – Faysal Bank in partnership with Hashoo Group has invited Overseas Pakistanis to open their Faysal Islami Roshan Digital Account. When maintaining a minimum deposit in their account, customers will be able to avail exclusive discounts at Pearl-Continental Hotels & Resorts and Hotel One properties across Pakistan.

In Phase one, customers may avail exclusive packages at all Hotel One and Pearl-Continental Resorts in Muzaffarabad, Gwadar, Bhurban, and Malam Jabba, with access to all Pearl-Continental and Marriott city hotels to be included soon after.

Hashoo Group is the leading owner and operator of hotels in Pakistan, running Pearl-Continental Hotels & Resorts, Marriott Hotels, and the Hotel One in the country, whereas Faysal Bank Limited is amongst the most significant and progressive Islamic banks  in Pakistan’s banking industry offering a wide range of Sharia compliant banking and investment solutions.

In this connection, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Hashoo Group and Faysal Bank Limited at Pearl-Continental Hotel Karachi on Monday, 26th October 2020.

At the MoU signing ceremony, Hashoo Group Deputy Chairman and CEO Mr. Murtaza Hashwani, expressed: “Working in line with the government’s mission to promote tourism – be it domestic, or international, we are pleased to collaborate with Faysal Bank Limited and offer their Pakistani clientele abroad a unique opportunity to explore the natural beauty and warm hospitality that our country is recognised for.”

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr. Yousaf Hussain, President & CEO – Faysal Bank Limited, said, “Faysal Bank is fully committed towards the State Bank led national cause of promoting the Roshan Digital Accounts.

Through Faysal Islami’s Roshan Digital Accounts, Overseas Pakistanis can now easily avail a range of Shariah compliant banking and investment solutions such as Islamic Naya Pakistan Certificates with only a few clicks on their mobiles or computer while in the comfort of their homes.

By joining hands with Hashoo Group we are happy to collaborate and promote fantastic deals to our Overseas Pakistani customers, so when they visit their homeland, they can explore and enjoy some of Pakistan’s top tourist attractions with ease, comfort and affordable rates that no one else is offering.”

This collaboration aims to make travel and tourism to some of Pakistan’s most exciting destinations more accessible for both individuals and families among Overseas Pakistanis and Faysal Bank Limited customers when they return to their native country.

DNA

Rawalpindi, OCT 26 – State Minister for Climate Change Zartaj Gul paid a visit to the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) here on Monday. During her visit she was given a briefing on the rain water harvesting system. She lauded the RCCI efforts in taking lead in making RCCI first green chamber of Pakistan by adopting rainwater harvesting and recharge system along with installation of Solar Panels for energy conservation.

The other chambers and organizations should follow the same, she added. She assured full support to RCCI for its key initiatives for promoting regional trade and advocating on clean and green Pakistan.

She said that the Clean Pakistan goal can only be achieved through public private partnership and the chamber of commerce can play a vital role in bridging the gap here..

Later in her address with the traders community she said that Pakistan is one of the water stressed countries where the ground water table has dangerously dropped to a lower level. Plastic bag ban was another initiative of her ministry which needs full support of the masses and mainly business community.

Pollution is one of the main issues that the PTI led federal government aims to tackle through initiatives like Clean and Green Pakistan. The PTI government has launched many projects including 10 Billion Trees Tsunami project on patron of the Billion Trees Project of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and expanded it across Pakistan.

Earlier President RCCI Mohammad Nasir Mirza in his welcome address said that traders are ready to join the Government for its efforts to address climate change through various steps including tree plantation, ban on plastic bags and use of renewable energy. He said the chamber was implementing the prime minister’s vision of a green Pakistan. Rainwater, through the newly-installed system, can be collected as it has the capacity to recharge 3,000 gallons of groundwater per hour.

He also gave a short briefing on RCCI current activities and ongoing programs.

Group Leader Sohail Altaf said that there is a need to link green initiative with incentives and suggested that tax rebates shall be introduced for adopting rain water harvesting.

Senior Vice President Osman Ashraf, Vice President Shahraiz A Malik, former president Raja Amer Iqbal, members of the executive committee, women members and RCCI members attended the meeting.

QUETTA, OCT 26 (DNA) – A man who presented a traditional Balochi chador to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice-President Maryam Nawaz in Quetta has several criminal cases registered against him.

Ali Hassan Birohi had presented Maryam with the chador as per Balochistan’s tradition of respect in the provincial capital where she arrived to attend the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) third power show. He is nominated in several FIRs registered at various police stations and had also been arrested.

The opposition’s PDM held a third anti-government rally in the Balochistan capital on Sunday, defying a government warning that the public gathering can be targeted by militants. Maryam Nawaz, PPP chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazl ur Rehman and other opposition leaders addressed the rally.

Addressing the public meeting at Ayub Stadium in Quetta, Maryam had said that the real reason behind Balochistan’s problems was that the vote was not given respect. She said that the PML-N government, in its tenure, had given scholarships to students from Balochistan in Punjab’s universalities but the current government abolished scholarships. = DNA

===========================