LAHORE, JUN 30 (DNA) – 723 new cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) were reported in Punjab in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of infections in the province to 75,501.

According to the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department, 46 more people died due to complications related to the virus, taking the death toll in the province to 1,727. Thus far, 27,147 patients have been cured of the disease in the province. 723 fresh cases were detected after 7,729 tests were conducted in the previous 24 hours.

According to district-wise details of cases, Lahore has so far reported 38,173, Nankana Sahib 285, Kasur 533, Shiekhupura 945, Rawalpindi 5,826, Jhelum 331, Attock 365, Chakwal 206, Gujranwala 2,730, Sialkot 1,940, Narowal 193, Gujrat 1,984, Hafizabad 502, Mandibahuddin 243, Multan 4,600, Khanewal 251, and Vehari 367.

Faisalabad has reported 4,855, Chiniot 251, Toba Tek Singh 488, Jhang 287, Rahim Yar Khan 962, Sargodha 790, Mianwali 354, Khushab 169, Bhakkar 165, Bahawalnagar 358, Bahawalpur 1,168, Lodhran 192, DG Khan 1014, Muzaffargarh 781, Rajanpur 150, Layyah 277, Sahiwal 579, Okara 259, and Pakpattan 142. = DNA

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ISLAMABAD, JUN 30 (DNA) – National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Tuesday has decided to challenge acquittal of former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and other accused in Rental Power corruption case.

According to details, the anti-graft watchdog has requested to annul release order of Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and other accused as evidence against them is present.

Earlier, accountability court, while announcing the verdict, had accepted acquittal plea of former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and other suspects in the reference.

It is to be mentioned here that three RPPs (Reshma Power Generation Private Limited, Gulf Rental Power Private Limited and Young Gen Power Limited) case was about private power companies that faced allegations of receiving more than Rs22 billion mobilisation in advance from the government to commission the projects, but failed to set up the plants.

A few of them had set up the plants, but only after an inordinate delay. Raja Pervaiz Ashraf was accused of misusing his authority during his tenure as power minister for approval of increasing down payment to the rental power companies from 7 to 14 per cent, amounting to about Rs22 billion= DNA

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ISLAMABAD, JUNE 30 (DNA) – PNCA is starting online puppet show for children daily at 3:30 pm on Facebook. Such kind of shows are not only source of entertainment but also education for kids. These shows will be followed by learning the techniques of puppet making through on line workshop of puppet making from this month.

PNCA’s National puppet theater has its own history of entertaining children and elders equally over the last four decades.

NPT has played a pivotal role in training children for good values through its message oriented entertaining stories and songs. It has also developed dance performances on folk songs from all region of the country to symbolize and present all colors of our national diversified cultures.

Children and elders are thrilled and amused with excitement while watching our puppet shows. We had planned our outreach program (to hold puppet shows in various schools of Islamabad and Rawalpindi in first phase, then schools of other  Districts and provinces in phase wise), international puppet festival and many new stories for year 2020, unfortunately we had to postpone our all planned activities after outbreak of Covid19. We hope Covid19 will end and we will back to our routine life soon.

In the current scenario when everyone is advised to be isolated at home to stay safe, Pakistan National Council of the Arts is bringing a series of puppet snippets from 1st July, 2020 at 3:30 pm extracted from our archives

Followed by this, PNCA has also scheduled WORKSHOP ON PUPPET MAKING every Monday at 4:30 PM for children and elders. This workshop will be conducted by renowned trainer and expert puppeteer on rod puppet.

 we also feel honored that  renowned puppet artist and  pioneer of the puppetry art in Pakistan,  Farooq Qaiser sb having his own unique style of producing message oriented contents, shows with a blend of satire, comics and soft and lovely songs for all age groups will be guiding children to take precautionary measures from aversion to Corvid 19. PNCA is committed to inherit legacy of Farooq sb by introducing live puppets and animated characters in our puppet shows.

We hope children and elders will visit PNCA’S Facebook page to be entertained from our puppet shows and learn the_ art of puppet making. We also welcome the feedback of all viewers.1.DNA

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ISLAMABAD, JUNE 30 – Pakistan national council of the arts is starting online music and art classes for young enthusiasts from July  1st 2020. Classes of Rubab guitar and drawing will start from today.

During this 10-week course Rubab classes will be held every Saturday and Sunday 11am-1pm. Guitar classes are scheduled at 5pm-7pm on same days. Drawing on Monday and Thursday from 5pm-7pm. Tabla and flute will also be offered shortly. PNCA planned these classes for students who are at home due to COVID19 and hot summer to utilizer their precious time for learning something new of their choice.

PNCA remained active during the pandemic and acted as a bridge between artists and art enthusiasts by arranging multiple art activities including online Calligraphy classes and artists live performance from remote areas. These efforts of PNCA were highly appreciated and people enjoyed every bit of it.

This initiative is part of PNCA’s efforts for provision of opportunities to the art learners to be active and take advantage of the lockdown as an opportunity of learning something new. For registration contact:  [email protected] and 03215051951.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, JUNE 30 – The Specialized Committee Meeting of Transportation of ECO Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ECO-CCI) was held via video link and attended by representatives of the Chambers of Commerce & Industry of member countries including Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kyrgyz Republic, Turkey, Uzbekistan and Pakistan and ECO Secretariat. Shaikh Sultan Rehman, Vice President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Baber Iqbal FPCCI Convener of the Specialized Committee on Transportation (Pakistan Chapter) attended the meeting from Pakistan.

Shaikh Sultan Rehman Vice President FPCCI stated the development of an efficient transport system in ECO region will lower the transportation costs and improve the competitiveness of member countries. He also emphasized on the operationalization of Islamabad Tehran Istanbul cargo train project, KTAI project by completing rehabilitation and construction of missing links of the existing railway routes. He urged the member countries to implement ECO- Transit Transport Framework Agreement (TTFA) and which will reduce transportation cost and acceleration of the transport services through harmonization and modernization of transit transport,  facilitation of movement of goods and passengers, ensuring the safety of goods and passengers and avoiding unnecessary delays during the transit traffic, avoidance of incidence of customs frauds, tax evasion and harmonizing necessary administrative affairs  in the region.

Mr. Baber Iqbal Convener of the Specialized Committee on Transportation also highlighted the issues faced by Pakistan during COVID-19 which affects the border and air cargo trade. He also discussed CPEC which will bring prosperity and development in the region by providing transit to Central Asian countries through Pakistan to Middle East and Africa through shortest route and low cost of trade to the land locked member countries.

During the meeting, the participants shared the experience of pandemic and measures taken by their government for facilitating the transportation and discussed in details the issues of operationalizing of TIR convention which may help in reducing cost of transportation and increase competitiveness, ITI, KTAI train, cross border transport agreement, Afghan transit trade agreement, transit cargo were emphasized. Moreover, the participants suggested training session for trader and transporter on TIR by TOBB and sharing of Border gate experience by TOBB.

DNA

Islamabad, June 30, 2020: A special online condolence reference was held for late Prof. Nisar Ahmed Siddiqui, a renowned educationist and founder Vice Chancellor of Sukkur Institute of Business Administration (IBA) who passed away on June 22, 2020. He was a former senior civil servant with Master’s from Boston USA.

Dr. Fateh Marri, Executive Director HEC, conducted the session. Among many other scholars, it was also attended by Dr. Ishrat Husain, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Institutional Reforms and Austerity, Tariq Banuri, Chairman HEC, Ms. Naheed Durrani, Federal Secretary Climate Change, Mr. Fazalullah Qureshi, former Federal Secretary, Dr. A. Q. Mughal, former Chairman UGC, ED HEC and others.

Prof. Nisar Siddiqui, who was also a Member of the HEC’s governing body as representative of the Government of Sindh, became the Director of Sukkur Institute of Business Administration in 2004, after gaining wide experience in management, administration and academia at national and international levels. Later he became, founder VC of Sukkur IBA University which is now considered among leading institutions of higher learning in Pakistan.

In his remarks, Dr. Ishrat Husain said that the best way to remember Prof. Siddiqui is to sustain and improve his institution. “His personality was all about leadership, integrity, compassion and commitment, so his successor will have to keep these things in mind and to be strictly followed if the institution has to move forward as Prof. Siddiqui envisioned.” Dr. Ishrat said that if the team at Sukkur IBA is not motivated, it will disperse. He emphasized that this is not a 9 to 5 job, it needs commitment and real leadership. He said that now employers, while hiring, do not differentiate between IBA Karachi and Sukkur

Chairman HEC Tariq Banuri said that Mr. Siddiqui was one of the most respected academic leaders in the country who had developed and introduced new approaches into education, enhanced the standard of service to society, and transformed a nascent institute to a leading national university. He assured that every possible effort will be made to continue Prof. Siddiqui’s legacy.

Ms. Naheed Shah Durrani, Federal Secretary, Climate Change Division said that filling the void created by departure of Prof. Siddiqui was a big challenge. While praying for his family, faculty, staff and students, she said that Prof. Siddiqui was Sir Syed of his time. “He was an amazing human being, a teacher, an effective team manager, a doer and a visionary leader. He has left priceless contributions,” she said.

Mr. Nazar Mehar, former Federal Secretary said that Prof. Nisar Siddiqui proved how milestones are achieved through commitment and hard work. “He literally started from zero and took Sukkur IBA to such great heights. He had the perfect vision for every aspect of the institution. His thinking was that any student with talent should be able to continue his studies, funds should not be an issue.” Mr. Mehar said that now the biggest challenge is how to sustain his efforts and this institution.

Dr. A. Q. Mughal, former Chairman, University Grants Commission and former ED HEC shared an old memory with Prof. Siddiqui when during a visit to US institutions, the latter was focusing on the functioning of community colleges in US. “He not only observed their system keenly but, through his commitment, implemented the same in his area. Nobody could believe that such an institution can be built and run in Sukkur.”

Mr. Zahid Hussain Khand, Registrar, Sukkur IBA said that Prof. Siddiqui was their spiritual father. He gave a brief history of how a small institute affiliated with IBA Karachi became an independent and leading institution. “It was his dream to uplift the students who were not good in studies or could not afford education. His dedicated efforts led to transformation of families. He has created a team, including faculty and staff who are not only highly qualified but highly motivated to serve their community. Now his replacement is of utmost importance for future of this institution.”

Dr. Raza Bhatti, Vice Chancellor, Shaikh Ayaz University, Shikarpur and former Member (Operations) HEC said that Sukkur IBA has three big distinction from other universities in Pakistan. These are community colleges, a joint programme with OGDCL to bring poor students from all over Pakistan and the energy conservation at Sukkur IBA.

Dr. Madad Ali Shah, a senior faculty member from Sukkur IBA and VC Skills University Khairpur, said that Prof. Siddiqui urged him to come back from UK and serve his own people. Dr. Shah said that Sukkur is famous in the world due to IBA, which speaks volumes of the effort done by Prof. Siddiqui. Mr. Mumtaz Bukhari, a Sukkur based journalist, said that the work done by Prof. Siddiqui has a long-lasting impact. He wanted to bring a silent revolution through education. He had a clear vision and that was “no compromise on merit”.

Dr. Manzoor Soomro, former Chairman, Pakistan Science Foundation, said that Prof. Nisar Siddiqui was a man with a vision and strategy. “In addition to university education, he gave due importance to school education as well as university-industry linkages.”

Mr. Fayyaz Siddiqui, son of Prof. Siddiqui, shared various incidents from his father’s life as a bureaucrat proving that he never compromised on merit and always thought for welfare of the people. He said that Prof. Siddiqui was buried in the premises of Sukkur IBA, only after several requests from his team through his father wanted to get buried in their ancestral village. He hoped that the legacy of his father will continue and Sukkur IBA will prosper.

Dr. Fateh Marri thanked all participants for taking out time on Sunday, discussing upcoming challenges of Sukkur IBA and how these can be collectively addressed. He said that Prof. Nisar Ahmed Siddiqui’s commitment, foresight and leadership led Sukkur IBA to deliver high quality teaching, applied research, and focused training and capacity development. Imtiaz Solangi, Commissioner, Income Tax, Ehsan Laghari, former MD SIDA, Naseer Memon, MD, Thar Foundation, Dr. Juanid Alam Memon, PIDE, Islamabad and others spoke on the occasion.

DNA

LAHORE, JUNE 30 –  General Nadeem Raza, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, addressed the participants of Navy Staff Course at Pakistan Navy War College, Lahore. Chairman’s talk was mainly focused on evolving global order and National Security Challenges peculiar to South Asia; highlighted the increasingly fluid regional environment shaped by a dynamic mix of great power competition and Indian hegemonic aspirations. CJCSC said that warfare of 21st Century has evolved and morphed into Hybrid warfare / Grey Zone Conflicts which is a blend of subversion, terrorism, and irregular warfare.

Chairman JCSC also said that Pakistan Navy has a proud history of valour and sacrifices.  As a vibrant force, Pakistan Navy has always come up to the expectations of the Nation in defending maritime frontiers of Pakistan.

The talk was followed by a question & answer session. Earlier upon arrival, Chairman JCSC was received by Commandant Pakistan Navy War College, Rear Admiral Rear Admiral Muhammad Zubair Shafique. CJCSC also laid wreath at the Yadgar-e-Shuhada and offered Fateha. DNA

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DNA

ISLAMABAD – 30 June: In continuation of its COVID-19 relief efforts, Telenor Pakistan has extended its support for food distribution in partnership with Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) to the impacted families by handing over a cheque worth PKR 25 million at the PRC National Head quarter in Islamabad.

Telenor Pakistan has made this donation to step up its support to the citizens of Pakistan and assist with building economic resilience for the most vulnerable in society. Through this donation, PRCS will distribute food ration bags to 4,500 families in 9 districts across the country.

“Telenor Pakistan stands in unity with ‘Har Pakistani’ and this is a humble contribution towards ensuring that some of the most affected families get relief during this challenging time” said Irfan Wahab Khan, CEO Telenor Pakistan. “Pakistan Red Crescent Society is playing a pivotal role in on-ground execution of relief efforts across the country and Telenor Pakistan is pleased to partner with them to ensure the food ration bags reach the deserving individuals and families.”

Khalid Bin Majeed, Secretary General PRCS, acknowledged Telenor Pakistan’s contribution for COVID-19 in general and particularly for PRCS’ response. He further added that PRCS, being auxiliary to the government is on the forefront of fighting this pandemic and augmenting the government’s response to the disease. PRCS staff and volunteers are present all across the country, and are involved in awareness campaigns, distributions of PPEs and hygiene kits, quarantine facilities, screening and provision of food packs to the people affected by the pandemic with low or no economic activity.

This contribution is in continuation of Telenor Pakistan’s pledge of PKR 1.6 billion towards COVID-19 relief efforts. The company and its employees have also donated PKR 50 Million towards Prime Minister’s COVID-19 Relief Fund and has started initiatives that provide avenues for online learning/training and nurturing the entrepreneurial ecosystem.