Rain/Snow predicted in upper/central parts of the country during the coming week

Islamabad, December 29, 2018 (PPI-OT): Met Office informed that a shallow westerly wave is likely to enter western parts of the country on Monday evening/night and likely to grip upper parts on Tuesday. The system would be followed by another westerly wave on Friday. Under the influence of these weather systems

Rain with snowfall over the hills is expected at scattered places in Quetta, Zhob, Kohat, Malakand, Hazara divisions, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir, while light rain is also expected at isolated places in Peshawar, Mardan, Bannu, D.I.Khan, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Lahore, Rawalpindi divisions and Islamabad during Tuesday/Wednesday.

More rain with snowfall over the hills is expected at scattered places in Malakand, Hazara Rawalpindi divisions, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir, while at isolated places in Peshawar, Kohat, Mardan, Bannu, D.I.Khan, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Lahore divisions from Friday(04 January) to Sunday(06 January). Dense foggy conditions are likely to subside during the period.

For more information, contact:
National Weather Forecasting Centre (NWFC)
Pakistan Meteorological Department
Headquarter Office, Sector H-8/2,
Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9250360
Fax: +92-51-9250368
Email: pmd@pmd.gov.pk
Website: www.pmd.gov.pk

Green Line Bus Project in Karachi needs to be completed on priority with quality construction: Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui

Islamabad, December 29, 2018 (PPI-OT): Federal Secretary Communications Mr. Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui has said that Green Line Bus Project in Karachi needs to be completed on priority with quality construction. As per directive of Federal Minister for Communications Mr. Murad Saeed, he was presiding over a high level meeting at Ministry of Communications here today participated by senior officers from Ministry of Communications and Karachi Infrastructure Development Company Limited (KIDCL).

Secretary Communications Mr. Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui said, Federal Minister for Communications Mr. Murad Saeed desires timely completion of all the ongoing communications projects throughout the country including Green Line Bus Project in Karachi. To this effect, he will personally pay visits to various development schemes to review construction activity there.

Secretary Communications further said, the present government is making practical advancement to gear up pace of economic uplift. Communications sector plays vital role for socio-economic development of the country and that all the available resources require to be used in the best possible way to ensure timely completion of road building schemes in various parts of the country, he added.

For more information, contact:
Chairman
National Highway Authority (NHA)
NHA HQ, 27, Mauve Area, G-9/1,
Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +9260417
Fax: +9260404
Email: chairman@nha.gov.pk
Website: www.nha.gov.pk

Public Hearing on Environmental Impact of NHA schemes

Islamabad, December 29, 2018 (PPI-OT): A public hearing on environmental impact regarding construction of Rajanpur-D.I.Khan section as 4 Lane highway and dualization and rehabilitation of Dera Ghazi Khan-Dera Ismail Khan Section of Indus Highway was held at Tehsil Municipal Administration office, main Indus Highway, Prova Tehsil, District D.I.Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Both the projects are being undertaken by the National Highway Authority. On this occasion Tehsil Nazim Prova Sardar Imtiaz Ahmad Khan Baloch said, both the schemes will bring about healthy change in socio-economic conditions of the project areas. Chief ecologists Dr. M. Ashraf Bodla and Mr. Ehsan-ul-Haq Farooqi briefed about the developing schemes of road infrastructure with specific reference to environmental impact of construction activity.

Dr. Amjad Ali Khan Director (Environment) KP said, both the projects are being assessed in detail in light of environmental laws. The Representatives of the civil society desired earlier issuance of the NOC by the Environment Department of KP, so that construction activities could be started. Proposal and recommendations presented by the experts were noted for consideration.

For more information, contact:
Chairman
National Highway Authority (NHA)
NHA HQ, 27, Mauve Area, G-9/1,
Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +9260417
Fax: +9260404
Email: chairman@nha.gov.pk
Website: www.nha.gov.pk

CM Balochistan Jam Kamal Khan meets Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa

Rawalpindi, December 29, 2018 (PPI-OT): CM Balochistan Jam Kamal Khan met Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa today. Security situation in the province was discussed during the meeting. CM Balochistan appreciated efforts of Pak Army towards provision of enabling security environment for execution of socio-economic development projects as part of Khushal Balochistan program.

COAS said that maintaining security situation of Balochistan is focus of Pak Army. COAS said that progress of Pakistan is linked to peace, stability and progress of Balochistan. Fencing of Pak-Afghan border and enhanced security coordination on Pak-Iran border shall further improve the security situation.

For more information, contact:
Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR)
Hilal Road, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9271605
Fax: +92-51-9271601
Email: ispr@ispr.gov.pk
Website: www.ispr.gov.pk

President inaugurates exhibition showcasing Jamil Naqsh’s artwork

Karachi, December 29, 2018 (PPI-OT): President Dr Arif Alvi said that aesthetic expression adds more value to a culture, by raising awareness in the society about social-justice and harmony, quality of life, patriotism etc. He stated that rich history of South Asia and the centuries old traditions of Pakistan have grown out of the world’s oldest civilizations like Mehergarh, Moen-jo-Daro and Harappa. These ancient archaeological sites are priceless treasures for our nation and must be preserved at all cost.

This inspirational heritage must also be shared with the global art community, by portraying it through artistic ambassadors, like Jamil Naqsh, he added. The President said this while addressing the inauguration ceremony of Paintings exhibition at Jamil Naqsh Museum titled “Fisher Woman of My Moenjo-daro” today. The President highlighted that masterpieces created by our contemporary painters, sculptors, writers, musicians, culinary experts and other artists are also appreciated globally, as these arts and crafts beautifully reflect the refined talents, scenic-landscapes and diversity of experiences offered by this land.

He underlined that despite the exposure to technological advancements, professional migrations and geo-political diversity, our people have remained connected to their strong roots in this fertile soil. Our distinct culture has been nurtured with strong relationships of humanitarian love, while our food and flavours also carry the aroma of generous hospitality, he said. The President also expressed his admiration for Mr. Jamil Naqsh – who has earned international fame along-with the “Pride of Performance” award in 1989 and the “Sitara-e-Imtiaz” Award in 2009.

He added that his work depicts the different aspects of our society, with deep insights to enrich the minds of his audience. He stressed that we must take more opportunities to celebrate the accomplishments of our national heroes, who are portraying a softer image of Pakistan, with their great successes in every arena, around the world. The focus of this exhibition is to highlight the lifestyle and romantic charms of the Indus valley civilization, which continues to attract and amaze many great archaeologists and scholars of arts and cultures, from all over the world.

One prominent element in the creative legacy of Naqsh, is the female face and form. He has now redefined the classic bronze sculpture of the ‘Dancing Girl of Moenjo Daro’ – portraying her as a ‘Fisherwoman’. His theory is; “This civilization flourished along the Indus River, back in the year 2500 BCE, so their primary occupation was fishing”. This series of paintings also features other creatures and ancient composite artifacts of Moenjo Daro, like the ‘Fish’ and the ‘Bull’, along with several ancient ‘Scripts’ found in this archaeological site.

For more information, contact:
Principal Information Officer,
Press Information Department (PID)
Tel: +92-51-9252323, +92-51-9252324
Fax: +92-51-9252325, +92-51-9252326
Email: piopid@gmail.com
Website: www.pid.gov.pk

President attends 6th Convocation of KMDC

Islamabad, December 29, 2018 (PPI-OT): President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi was Chief Guest at the 6th Convocation Ceremony of Karachi Medical and Dental College (KMDC) here on Saturday. Speaking on the occasion, President congratulated the graduates, faculty and administration of the College and said that convocation is an important milestone in the life of graduates. Advising the graduating doctors, he said, “Moving towards the professional life, you should realize that people have a lot of expectations from you as doctors and people come to you in a state of grief, therefore you should treat your patients with compassion and it is a fact that treatment with compassionate feeling brings out the best of results”.

He further said that medical profession is developing at a fast pace; therefore your quest for knowledge should continue in your professional life as well. Stressing the importance of prevention in the healthcare system, he said that the majority of diseases and health issues can be prevented through adoption of a healthy lifestyle. He advised the students to educate people on prevention of diseases and thereby help reduce the disease burden.

He also asked the graduates to focus on nutrition to reduce the incidents of stunting, to encourage mothers to breast feed their children and to educate women on early recognition of breast cancer. President also vowed to discuss and explore the possibilities of upgradation of KMDC to the status of University with Mayor Karachi.

Speaking earlier, Mayor Karachi, Mr. Waseem Akhtar praised the academic standards of KMDC and pledged his continuous support for future development plans of the College. Principal KMDC, Prof. Dr. Syed Mahmood Haider briefed the Chief Guest on the progress of the College and its future development plans. The convocation was also attended by Metropolitan Commissioner, Dr. Saif ur Rehman and Vice Chancellor Karachi University, Dr. Ajmal Khan.

For more information, contact:
Principal Information Officer,
Press Information Department (PID)
Tel: +92-51-9252323, +92-51-9252324
Fax: +92-51-9252325, +92-51-9252326
Email: piopid@gmail.com
Website: www.pid.gov.pk

Federal Minister for Postal Services Murad Saeed inaugurates Pakistan Post Mobile App

Islamabad, December 29, 2018 (PPI-OT): Federal Minister for Postal Services, Mr. Murad Saeed, inaugurated the Pakistan Post Mobile App for Services featuring Complaint handling, Real time track and trace, E-commerce Delivery, Parcel Collect, Complaints, Tariff, Post Office Locations, Post codes and Information about Postal Services. The Minister is committed to take complaints seriously for improvement of quality and service and improve performance of the Organization. He has a clear vision to change Pakistan Post viz the ever changing contemporary requirements.

Federal Minister apprised about the strength of Pakistan Post with its accessibility, foot prints and more than a century old legacy and credibility. Our postman is visiting at almost every household of the country including areas beyond anyone’s reach. Mr. Murad Saeed also announced a pilot project for microfinance loan disbursement of Khushhali Bank through Pakistan Post. He briefed about future initiatives of Pakistan Post which would be compatible with the contemporary needs of existing times. This would include an entry into the E-commerce business.

Pakistan Post has the capacity and commitment to deliver for online vendors for their cash on delivery products with proof of delivery and prompt reconciliation of their payments. Many international web portal operators have shown their interest to enter into the Pakistani market with Pakistan Post as their delivery partner. Apart from the business, Pakistan Post is expecting technology transfer and HR development from them.

Pakistan Post is also targeting the parcel export market worth $ 4 Billion which is catered by local and international Private couriers at very high rates. Pakistan Post has made necessary arrangements to target this market with a commitment to deliver internationally in 72 hours. The project shall be piloted by the first week of January, 2019 and shall formally be inaugurated by the 14th/15th of January.

Pakistan Post is also entering into the logistic market of Pakistan which at present is worth $34.2 Billion dollars and growing at a rate of more than 18% per annum. Pakistan Post is expecting upto $2.5billion FDI on Public Private partnership model for the capacity building of Pakistan Post in the logistic sector. The revenue share of Pakistan Post in this endeavour is expected up to rupees 100 billion per annum whereas the current loss of Pakistan Post is at Rupees 11 billion.

The Minister also has a vision of targeting the domestic money transfer market which was primarily the legacy of Pakistan Post as Money Order delivery but ironically was captured by private entrepreneurs. He envisages to bring technology and investment in this market and is working to have a bigger share for Pakistan Post for the electronic Money transfer Market. At present, the market stands at 80 billion and Pakistan Post only has 1 percent of the market share.

The Federal Minister Mr. Murad Saeed insisted that he is committed to improving quality and services while acknowledging the fact that tremendous business opportunities exists in the market. Once Pakistan Post establishes its credibly, Pakistan Post shall be converted into a profitable organization contributing significantly to the National economy of Pakistan.

For more information, contact:
Principal Information Officer,
Press Information Department (PID)
Tel: +92-51-9252323, +92-51-9252324
Fax: +92-51-9252325, +92-51-9252326
Email: piopid@gmail.com
Website: www.pid.gov.pk