DNA

BEIJING, June 24 : Fifteen units of 3D printed isolation wards set off from Shanghai and Suzhou for Pakistan, Gwadar Pro reported on Wednesday. After one month’s sea transportation, these printed wards will arrive in Islamabad for local COVID-19 prevention and cure.

This batch of 3D printed wards valued about $123,300 is voluntarily donated from Ying Chuang Building Tech (Winsun) after contact and coordination with Consulate General of Pakistan in Shanghai and National Disaster Management Association.

The ward’s design is specifically for Pakistan, which shows excellent heat-proof quality. These wards have already been installed with water and electricity utilities, doors, windows and inner decoration.

As soon as arriving at the destination, after assembling and connecting with water and electricity supply, they can be put into use promptly.

It is learned that 3D printed isolation wards had been used in Hubei and Shandong, China during the most difficult time and achieved satisfactory feedback.

The isolation ward can be transformed into hotel, park lounge, cafe, guardroom, toilet, emergency room for disaster relief, etc. Furthermore, the wards are printed from recycled materials.

After crushing, sorting, grinding and high-temperature treatment, these wards can be turned into materials again for printing other new buildings, the report added.

LAHORE, JUNE 24: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday sought a reply from the federal government, Punjab government, others on a petition filed to make sugar, wheat inquiry reports public.

As the hearing went underway, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) submitted a reply in the court over the investigation into sugar, wheat scandal.

The LHC adjourned the hearing till July 7 and also sought a reply from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). The court directed Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan to submit a progress report in the next hearing.

It may be noted that FIA was asked to investigate the sugar subsidy issue and it had submitted a report, which was made public by Prime Minister Imran Khan, last month.
Earlier on June 10, Shahzad Akbar had said that the federal government has prepared an action plan in light of the recommendations tabled by the inquiry commission as the authorities will now begin efforts for the recovery after the massive financial irregularities.

“Few matters are given in hands of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Securities Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The government is not working behind closed doors and everyone will be apprised for what we are going to do now.”

The special assistant said that the anti-corruption watchdog will analysis the aspects of subsidies which went against laws. He added that the present government has also presented itself for the accountability of Rs2.4 worth subsidy on sugar.

On Saturday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) dismissed the petition filed by the Sugar Mills Association challenging the sugar inquiry commission report.

ISLAMABAD, JUNE 24 (DNA) :  Federal Minister for Aviation, Ghulam Sarwar Khan on Wednesday has presented initial investigation report on the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane crash in the National Assembly (NA).

Speaking in the House, the minister blamed plane’s captain, crew members and the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) for the crash, while PIA and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) have also been declared responsible because of their inaccuracies in preventing such accidents.

He said that the pilot neglected instruction given by Air Traffic Controller. Action against the responsible people will be taken according to the law, he pledged.

Ghulam Sarwar told CCTV footage showed that the ill-fated plane hit the runway after which, the pilot chose to go around (re-take off). Evidence of damages caused to both engines of the plane due to failed landing was also found, he told.

According to the report, the plane was fit for take-off and its landing gears were also working properly. The captain and first officer of the aircraft were well experienced and the weather at that time was also suitable for flying.

The preliminary investigation report has further blamed plane’s captain, crew members and the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) for the crash, while PIA and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) have also been held responsible because of their inaccuracies in preventing such accidents.

The airport administration had told that the plane was flying at high altitude at the time of landing, the report revealed.
The inquiry report was prepared while keeping in view the investigation record, statements of staff and Airbus team’s report. Data flight recorders, cockpit voice recorders and flight records obtained from air traffic control are also part of the report.

PIA plane crashes in Karachi

It is pertinent to mention here that all but two of the 99 people on board a PIA passenger plane were killed when it crashed into a residential neighborhood of Karachi.

The PIA plane had made multiple approaches to land at Karachi airport when it came down among houses.

The national carrier’s flight PK-8303 took off from Lahore Allama Iqbal International Airport and crashed in Model Colony area in Malir, approximately 4 kilometers away from the airport.

The plane came to rest about 2:39pm in a narrow alley in the poor and congested residential area known as Model Colony between houses smashed by its wings.

KARACHI JUNE 24 : Emirates Air has announced that it has temporarily suspended its flight operations from Pakistan, from June 24 (today).

A spokesperson for the airline said in a press statement on Tuesday night: “We regret to temporarily suspend passenger services from Pakistan, from 24 June 04:00 AM, until early next week.”

“In the meantime, Emirates will continue to operate repatriation flights into Pakistan as per the announced schedule, and continue to operate cargo services that support the trade and movement of goods between Pakistan, UAE and our global network,” the airline said in its statement.

“We remain in contact with the relevant authorities on requirements to resume services for travelers, and look forward to operating our flights again soon. Affected customers will be contacted directly by our service team. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.”
The flight operations from Pakistan will remain suspended till July 04 and the airline will reconsider restoration of the operations afterwards, sources said.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Pakistan had allowed the Emirates airline to operate 12 flights from the country in a week.

DNA

RIYADH, JUNE 24 : Pakistan strongly condemns multiple missile and drone attacks towards Riyadh, Najran and Jazan by the Houthi militia. Pakistan appreciates the successful interception of the missiles and drones, which prevented the loss of innocent lives.

We call for immediate cessation of these attacks. Pakistan reiterates its full support and solidarity with Saudi Arabia against any threats to its security and territorial integrity.

Karachi, 23^rd June 2020: As the Government of Pakistan continues to assist beneficiaries across the country under the Ehsaas Emergency Cash Disbursement Programme2020, Bank Alfalah has introduced an innovative solution to cater to benficiaries whose biometric verification is not possible for multiple reasons, thus ensuring support for such beneficiaries for cash withdrawal from their account.

Many beneficiaries of Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir as well as migrated beneficiaries from these regions who were facing problems in biometric verification can now visit any of the designated Bank Alfalah branches open to facilitate them with their CNIC and phone. The CNIC number is verified using NADRA’s Verisys system, and a two-part One-Time Password (OTP) is generated. Entering the code and the Verisys report into the database confirms the identity of the Ehsaas beneficiary and subsequently they can immediately withdraw their funds from their account from the branch itself.

“We understand that the demographics of our remote areas are diverse, and we acknowledge the need to leverage technology to assist all our beneficiaries,” said Yahya Khan, Group Head – Digital Banking. “With this facility, elderly beneficiaries or those with a physical disability can continue to benefit from the Government’s scheme; Bank Alfalah is proud to be an innovator grounded in empathy for its citizens in this challenging time.”

The Ehsaas Emergency Cash Disbursement is claimed to be the largest social welfare fund in Pakistan’s history, valued at over PKR 144 billion. Bank Alfalah, an exclusive partner of the program serving the northernmost areas of the country, has so far disbursed over PKR 28.3 billion.