OSLO, SEPT 13 (DNA) – Members of Sinsen Cricket Club Oslo, Norway posing for a group picture after winning the Norway Cricket League.
Executive Editor of Daily Islamabad Post, CNETRELINE Mubashar Bhatti also seen in picture. (2nd from right standing). Sinsen cricket club won Norwegian cricket league three years in a row. DNA
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Shujaat Hamza
ISLAMABAD, SEPT 13 (DNA) – In a major breakthrough, terrorist commander Ihsan Ullah alias Ihsan Sanray along with 3 other terrorists killed during an Intelligence Based Operation (IBO) in Ghariom, Shaktu near the inter district boundary of North and South Waziristan.
Ihsan Sanray masterminded numerous terrorist activities. More recently he was involved in planning and execution of terrorist attacks in Shaktu area which led to martyrdom of several soldiers & offrs including Lt Nasir (Shaheed) and Capt Sabih (Shaheed). DNA
ISLAMABAD : The federal cabinet session has been summoned by Prime Minister Imran Khan on September 15 to discuss a 16-point agenda.
The federal cabinet will decide over the recommendation of hiking electricity tariff up to Rs2.89 per unit for K-Electric approved by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC). The approval of ECC’s decisions taken in its session held on September 2 was also included in the agenda of the upcoming meeting of the federal cabinet.
The cabinet members will also mull over the issues of suspension of pilots’ licences. Moreover, a draft of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2020 will also be presented in the session for its approval.The summaries for the appointments of chief executive officers (CEOs) of National Disaster Risk Management (NDRM) and National Fertilizers Corporation (NFC); as well as a summary for deputing a member in Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) will be presented.
The matters related to Civil Service Academy and amendment in Islamabad’s master plan for the construction of a modern jail will also come under consideration. The summaries regarding the appointments of judges in special courts of Peshawar, Lahore and Rawalpindi will be presented before the federal cabinet members for final approval.
ISLAMABAD, Sep 13 (DNA): Federal Minister for Information and
Broadcasting Shibli Faraz has said peace talks between Afghan
government’s representatives and Taliban are historic and beginning of
the new era.
Taking on micro-blogging website, Twitter, the minister said that
commencement of peace talks is the success of Prime Minister Imran
Khan’s stance about solution of Afghanistan conflict.
20 years ago Khan Sahab said that there is no military solution of the
Afghan conflict, he stated and prayed for the prosperity and development
of people of Afghanistan.
Historic peace talks opened between the Taliban and the Afghan
government on Saturday, with the warring parties meeting face to face in
Qatar even as violence continued on the ground in Afghanistan.
the former chief executive for Afghanistan who is
heading the peace process for Kabul, had called for an immediate
ceasefire and highlighted the ongoing toll of the war, saying 12,000
civilians have been killed and another 15,000 wounded since the US and
the Taliban signed a deal in February.
“We have to use this exceptional opportunity for peace,” Abdullah had
said at the talks’ opening ceremony in Doha. “We have to stop violence
and agree on a ceasefire as soon as possible. We want a humanitarian
ceasefire.”
Abdullah was joined at the opening ceremony by Taliban co-founder Mullah
Abdul Ghani Baradar and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
The reaction came after Afghan government representatives and Taliban
insurgents gathered for historic peace talks aimed at ending two decades
of war that has killed tens of thousands of combatants and civilians.
Ahead of face-to-face negotiations in coming days, the warring sides
were urged by various countries and groups to reach an immediate
ceasefire and forge an agreement that upholds women s rights.
The government of U.S. President Donald Trump, who is eager to claim an
end to America s longest conflict as he seeks re-election, expressed its
intention to use aid as leverage for a deal.
The opening ceremony came one day after the 19th anniversary of the 9/11
attacks on the United States that triggered its military involvement in
Afghanistan. DNA
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ISLAMABAD, SEPT 13 (DNA) – Environmental experts from China, Japan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Tanzania, and Thailand were gathered by the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South to mark the first ever UN’s day of Clean Air for Blue Skies.
Organized by COMSATS Centre for Climate and Sustainability (CCCS), the event resulted in important knowledge sharing on good practices, and experiences with regard to various dynamics of air pollution, and impact of deteriorating air quality on sustainable development and growth.
The webinar speakers included senior officials and representatives from Asia Pacific Clean Air Partnership of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), Japan; International Centre for Climate and Environment Sciences (ICCES), Institute of Atmospheric Physics (IAP), China; Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU), Kazakhstan; Ministry of Climate Change (MoCC), Pakistan; and Tanzania Industrial Research and Development Organization (TIRDO), Tanzania.
The event was opened by Ambassador Shahid Kamal, Head of CCCS, and moderated by Dr. Anjum Rasheed, Assistant Professor, Centre for Climate Research and Development (CCRD), COMSATS University Islamabad, Pakistan.
The speakers of the event, inter alia, highlighted the causes of air pollution and related social and policy issues; deleterious impacts of air pollution on human health in the Asia Pacific; emphasized the urgent need for relevant policy interventions; need for useful research technique, data bases, and monitoring systems.
Discussions took place on challenges and possible eco-friendly solutions in various areas including industries, transport, brick kilns, SMEs, agriculture, and waste management, among others. International financing mechanisms, technology platforms and investment channels were identified as some means to help fill critical funding gaps for climate action solutions. Introduction of Euro-V fuel in Pakistan in the backdrop of old vehicular fleet, non-compliant refineries and unprepared government machinery came up as a matter of concern.
The webinar resulted in useful recommendations with regard to science and research-backed solutions for combating air pollution; better integration of SDG on climate change in policies for greater benefit and strengthening necessary partnerships at the regional and international levels. DNA
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ISLAMABAD, SEPT 13 (DNA) – A condolence reference was held under auspices of the Institution of Engineers, Pakistan (IEP) to pay homage to late Mansoor Akhtar Siddiqui.
Late Siddiqui was the former IEP Central Council member.He died at Taxila on August 24. Chairman IEP Rawalpindi- Islamabad Engr. Hafiz M. Ehsan Ul Haq Qazi opened the reference with inaugural address and offered ‘Dua-e-Maghfarat’ for the departed soul.
Gp Capt (r) Engr Najamuddin, Secretary IEP Islamabad Centre conducted the reference
The reference was attended by representative engineers from different parts of the country. Prominent among them were Federal Secretary, IP and Telecom Engr. Shoaib Siddiqui, Chairman Pakistan Engineering Council Engr. Javed Saleem Qureshi, member National Assembly Engr. Najeeb Haroon, and a PTI’s leader Engr. Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry
The speakers shared personal association and memories of their relationship with deceased. Paying tribute to Late Mansoor Akhtar Siddiqui, Engr. Muhammad Ali Nasr, member IEP Islamabad Centre said that he was a visionary person who devoted his whole life for the cause of socio-economic uplift of the country and the engineering profession.
Remembering the departed soul Engr. Akmal Javed, member IEP Islamabad said that Mansoor was very passionate about the capacity building of young engineers of Pakistan.
Talking about the Late Engr. Mansoor Siddiqui, Federal Secretary Engr. Shoaib Siddiqui said that Engr. Mansoor was very humble and amazing personality and was committed for the welfare of Engineering Community. He was designated as “King Maker” in view of his strong connection with engineering community that accrued success in elections for his supported candidates in various institutions.
Engr. Waseem Nazir said that he was very close to him for last 10 years. He had lot of patience and always thought about the development of engineers.
MNA Engr. Najeeb Haroon said late was associated with him since 1973 and was one of the founding Members of a Party “PASBAN” and PTI. He added, late Mansoor motivated him to participate in the PEC’s elections.
Engr. Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry remembered him by saying that people like Engr. Mansoor are very rare. He had been a very loyal and passionate person, who had made a lot of efforts for the betterment of engineering sector of Pakistan.
Chairman PEC Engr. Javed Salim Qureshi, said that Engr. Mansoor was down to earth person, who loved to create resources for other people without taking any personal benefits. He announced that his point regarding amendment in PEC’s election procee of the GB’s members will be considered in the next meeting.
Engr. Amir Zamir Khan, Secretary General IEP remembered Engr. Mansoor by saying that Engr. Mansoor was very honest and diligent person, who introduced many people in national politics and worked day and night for the capacity building of young engineers.=DNA
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RAWALPINDI, SEPT 13 (DNA) – A stage play entitled ‘Doctor 2020’was presented at Punjab Arts Council Rawalpindi with aim to highlight social issues.
The play was written and directed by Naeem Toota while Hameed Babar, Naeem Tota, Shama Niazi, Sawera Shahzadi, Sajjad Khan, Shahid Kodo, Zahida Ch and others played wonderful role in the play. The play dealt with the curse of illegal transplantation of kidneys in Pakistan.
Director Arts Council Waqar Ahmed addressing at the occasion said that the drama highlighted social issues of the society and society cannot develop without overcoming social problems. “Artists are our precious asset,” Waqar Ahmed added.
The Arts Council always provided a platform for new talent to showcase their art. At the end of the play, Waqar Ahmed thanked the guests. DNA
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A suspect in the Lahore motorway rape case surrendered to the CIA Model Town police on Sunday. The suspect has denied any involvement in the rape of a mother in front of her children on Wednesday night and said he wasn’t even in the area.
The woman was raped in front of her children by two unidentified men on the motorway. She was driving to Gujranwala when she ran out of fuel near Lahore’s Gujjarpura. The woman was sitting in her vehicle when two men walked towards her car, broke her window, and made her park on the roadside. They then took her and the children to a nearby forest and raped her.
The men fled after the rape, taking with them three ATM cards, 100,000 in cash and jewellery.
The police have collected 53 DNA samples from residents of nearby villages and sent them to the PFA for testing. They said it would take 10 days for the results but the Authority also ran the DNA samples found at the crime scene through its system and got a match.
The match is of a 25-year-old man who raped a mother and daughter in 2013, according to police sources. He is a resident of Bahawalnagar. He is DNA was at three spots at the crime scene– the victim’s clothes, the smashed car window and inside the car itself.
The 36-year-old surrendered after his CNIC card and picture were flashed across multiple television channels.
He arrived at the police station with a relative at 11am on Sunday and surrendered before duty SP Hasnain.
Police sources say that the man has denied being near the crime scene at the time of the rape. The police are now interrogating him and will investigate further.
He has a criminal background and was released from jail two weeks ago.
DNA
KARACHI, SEPT 13 – The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) on Sunday said affordable and continued supply of electricity has become a dream for masses and the business community.
Costly electricity is not only hurting masses but also adding to the cost of doing business as well as cost of production and exports, it said.
Coronavirus and recent rains have played havoc with economy and masses, therefore, the policy of continued hike in power the tariff should be abandoned to provide some relief to masses, said Vice President FPCCI Qaisar Khan Daudzai.
Talking to a group of businessmen, he said that costly electricity is not only keeping country underdeveloped but also stoking poverty, he added.
In Pakistan, the vulnerability was significantly acute before the current crisis which has now made life further difficult for the people which must be noticed, he demanded.
Commenting on the power subsidy, Qaisar Khan Daudzai said that different government have provided subsidy worth billions of dollars but it could not provide relief due to errors in the subsidy regime.
He said that the government should divert focus on making electricity from imported fuel and start generating renewable energy to keep the environment clean and save a substantial amount of foreign exchange.
Cheap electricity production will reduce poverty and help Pakistan compete with rival nations in the international market, said Dawoodzai.
He noted that despite tall claims and a lot of efforts, the bleeding state-run companies could not be made profitable and the country spends trillions to keep them alive artificially, therefore, all such units should be sold without delay.
DNA
ISLAMABAD, SEPT 13 – The Pakistan Industrial and Traders Association Front (PIAF) has sought reduction in tax ratio on petroleum products to facilitate the trade and industry, as the government has been charging petroleum levy as well as sales tax on oil products to the record high level.
PIAF President Mian Nauman Kabir, in a joint statement with senior vice chairman Nasir Hameed and vice chairman Javed Siddiqi said that at a time when country’s GDP ratio was further stretched owing to slow exports growth amidst high cost of doing business, the trade and industry need maximum relief.
He said that Pakistan’s economy is going through a challenging phase due to the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic. With a view to improve the cash flow of businesses at this crucial time, the government will have to facilitate the business community through reduction in tax ratio on all items including the oil products, besides deferring the interest payments of the businesses for at least one year.
Mian Nauman Kabir observed that the government has already increased the general sales tax on all petroleum products to a standard rate of 17 percent across the board to generate additional revenues. Earlier, the government has been charging 0.5 percent GST on light diesel, 2 percent on kerosene, 8 percent on petrol and 13 percent on HSD.
He said that the Brent crude rates, during last six months period dropped to the lowest level, but the authorities, instead of providing full relief of massive fall in oil rates to the public further escalated the prices of petroleum levy on petrol by another 26% to the highest level along with the GST. Besides the 17 percent sales tax, the government lifted the rate of petroleum levy on HSD and petrol by around 400%, during last almost one and half years.
PIAF senior vice chairman Nasir Hameed observed that business-friendly policies should be adopted as other neighboring countries of the region are giving to trade and industry. He said that sizeable cut in oil rates would certainly bring down the cost of doing business and our products would get their due share in the global market.
Nasir Hameed called upon the government to address the key issues of trade and industry, facilitate the economic growth along with improving tax revenue of the government. He said that the impact of COVID-19 has badly affected business and industrial sector, stressing the government to bring down GST in order to ease the difficulties of businesses.
Vice chairman Javed Siddiqi said that the move would reduce the cost of doing business, attract new investment, promote industrialization and create new jobs.
He said that turnover tax should be reduced from current 1.5% to 0.25% or zero percent for the next 3 years for manufacturers and retailers. He said that to combat the impact of Covid-19, government should withdraw the requirement of CNIC for sales transactions of Rs.50,000.
Javed Siddiqi further said that government has provided exemption from Sec-111 of Income Tax Ordinance 2001 to investors in construction sector, which should also be provided to all other industrial sectors.
The PIAF leaders said that the government has made unprecedented increase in the ratio of tax, duty and Petroleum Levi ostensibly to earn billion of rupees in revenue. By jacking up the ratio of taxes, duties and PLs, the government has deprived the consumers of relief from the plunge in global oil prices.
