ISLAMABAD: Secretary Information & Broadcasting Shahera Shahid inaugurating the Diamond Jubilee Book Fair organized by ISA and Directorate of Electronic Media and Publications in collaboration with "Mr. Books".
RAWALPINDI: Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi Zahir Farooq is reviewing the performance of health workers regarding the eradication of dengue in Dhok Syedan.
Pakistani rupee takes another big bite off US dollar
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani rupee bulldozed the US dollar once again as the intrabank trading resumed on Wednesday morning after an extended weekend coupled with Muharram holidays. As soon as the forex dealers opened their trade, the rupee skyrocketed by Rs2.54 taking down the US dollar’s value to Rs221.50 by 10:45am. The Pakistani rupee has continued its recovery drive against the US dollar for a sixth consecutive working session in the interbank market. The greenback closed at 224.04 Pakistani rupee on Friday from 226.15 Pakistani rupee a day earlier when the local currency appreciated by 1.17 percent as compared to the previous day. The Pakistani rupee gained as much as 8.5% in the first few days of August, rising the most in over five years, after it plunged to a record low towards the end of July. The US dollar lost more than six percent of its value against the rupee during the last five trading sessions, with the Pakistani rupee making huge single-day gains against the US dollar on Wednesday when it appreciated by more than nine Pakistani rupees in the interbank market. Earlier, the currency had slumped by more than 13 percent in the prior 10 consecutive working days, with an all-time low closing at 239.94 Pakistani rupees on July 28, according to the SBP statistics.
Eight criminals including two snatchers held
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Capital territory police have arrested eight outlaws including two members of a snatcher gang from different areas of the city and recovered snatched mobile phone, drugs and weapons with ammunition, a Police Public Relation Officer said. He said that, following the directions of Inspector General of Police Islamabad Dr. Akber Nasir Khan, DIG (Operations) Sohail Zafar Chatha had categorically ordered all zonal officers to curb the crime in their respective areas and arrest those involved in looting innocent people and involved in illegal activities. Following these directives, Tarnol police station team arrested two members of a snatchers gang namely Ikram and Khan Zaib and recovered snatched mobile phone and two pistols along with ammunition from their possession and cases were registered against them in Tarnol police station. While police team also arrested a drug peddler namely Lajber Khan and recovered 4450 gram hashish from him. Similarly, Kohsar police team apprehended a lady drug peddler namely Sassi and recovered 1045 gram heroin from him. Aabpara police arrested accused Aadil Khan and recovered 1150 gram heroin from him. Moreover, Shalimar Police team apprehended a lady drug peddler namely Perveen and recovered 1516 gram hashish and 125 gram heroin from her. I-Area police arrested accused namely Muhammad Ilyas and recovered one 9mm pistol along with ammunition from him. Cases against all the nominated accused have been registered and further investigation is underway.
Coordinator General COMSTECH calls on Executive Director INTROM and Director IMR, in Kuala Lumpur
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Coordinator General COMSTECH, Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary invited the head of Inter-Islamic Network on Tropical Medicine (INTROM), Dr. Murizal Zainol, and Director Institute of Medical Research (IMR), Dr. Tahir Aris, at a breakfast meeting on August 10, 2022 at Concorde Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Dr. Ahmad Faudzi Yusoff of International Collaboration Secretariat, IMR, National Institute of Health, Ministry of Health, Malaysia also attended the meeting. The issues related to the activation of INTROM and potential collaboration with the IMR were discussed in detail. It was agreed that INTROM will submit the Act for establishment of its secretariat to the Malaysian parliament again to support and establish the permanent secretariat and provide regular annual funding from the government of Malaysia. It was decided that further discussions on the collaboration between COMSTECH, IMR and INTROM will remain continued. COMSTECH will help IMR/ INTROM to disseminate information about their activities including seminars, webinars, and online lecture series, and the Director IMR, Dr. Tahir Aris will identify some tropical medicine experts from different OIC member states as COMSTECH distinguished scholars, agreed in the meeting. COMSTECH will provide travel support to scientists from Cote de Ivoire and African least developed countries for participation in IMR/ INTROM short training courses, and COMSTECH will also help INTROM to expand its membership.
IHC rejects PTI plea seeking immediate suspension of by-polls schedule on 9 NA seats
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court on Wednesday rejected Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) plea seeking immediate suspension of by-elections’ schedule announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan on nine vacant National Assembly seats. The PTI had moved the IHC asking the court to suspend the election schedule on nine NA seats. Justice Aamer Farooq heard the case and asked if there’s any legal ground for suspending the election schedule. The commission was told that the seats have fallen vacant so they have issued a schedule, it said. The lawyer representing the PTI said that we have been asking for by-elections since day 1. But we want by-elections to be held on all 123 seats that the party MNAs have resigned from, he said. The court, however, rejected the PTI’s request to immediately suspend the schedule for by-elections and issued notice to the ECP. It adjourned the hearing till August 16 and asked the election commission to submit a reply by then.
ICTP issues 2,04,053 tickets during last 02 months
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Capital Police (ICTP) has expedited strict action against traffic rules violators and issued 2, 04,053 fine tickets to road users over violation of traffic rules during last 02 months. Following the special directions of Inspector General of Police Islamabad Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan, ICTP is making renewed efforts to maintain traffic discipline in the city. Various teams of ICTP issued 2, 04,053 fine tickets over violation of traffic rules during last two months. Out of these fine tickets, 9629 challans were issued over lane violation, 15,236 for not fastening seat belt and 6,213 for using mobile phones during drive, 4940 for crossing red signal,, 5412 over violation of one-way, 28,088 for careless driving, 1766 vehicles for having pressure horns, 4670 for having tinted glasses, 1299 for emitting smoke, 56,846 bikers for riding without helmets. The SSP (Traffic) Syed Mustafa Tanweer said that strict action would be taken against traffic rules violators’ specifically one-way violation.
Masood Khan condemns killings of four Muslims in Albuquerque
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Ambassador Masood Khan has expressed his grief and sorrow over the loss of four precious lives, at least one of them of Pakistani descent, in a recent wave of hate killings in Albuquerque. The Ambassador has strongly condemned this hate crime which appears to be targeted against the Muslims, as per public information. Expressing his heartfelt condolences with the bereaved families, the Ambassador prayed for the departed souls and assured the families of all possible assistance from the Embassy and Pakistan Consulate in Houston at this difficult hour. The Ambassador said we are thankful to President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor New Mexico Michelle Grisham for their strongly worded statements denouncing these horrific incidents and assuring Muslim Community that such hateful attacks have no place in America. “I am angered and saddened by the horrific killings of four Muslim men in Albuquerque. While we await a full investigation, my prayers are with the victims’ families, and my Administration stands strongly with the Muslim community. These hateful attacks have no place in America”, tweeted President Joe Biden. Vice President Kamala Harris, in her statement, termed these as “heinous attacks” and reiterated strong assurance of standing with the Muslim Community. “We remain clear that we stand with the Muslim community in New Mexico and around our country. Hate has no place in America”, Vice President of the United States said in her tweet. Governor of New Mexico Michelle Lujan Grisham, in her tweets, said that the targeted killing of Muslim residents of Albuquerque was deeply angering and wholly intolerable. She stated that she was sending additional State Police officers to Albuquerque to work in close coordination with APD and the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) to bring the killer or killers to justice – and they WILL be found.
Youm-e-Ashur observed with due solemnity across the country
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Youm-e-Ashura, the tenth of Moharram, was observed across the country on Tuesday with due solemnity to pay homage to the supreme sacrifice rendered by Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his devoted companions in Karbala. Taazia and Zuljanah processions were taken out in all major cities and towns. Hundreds of religious gatherings (Majalis) and processions were also held across the country. Various processions were taken out in different cities and thousands of security personnel were deployed to protect the mourners of the seventh-century martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), the grandson of the last Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). The mourning processions were taken out in all the cities and towns of the country as Muslims were performing mourning rituals to mark the Ashura. Strict security measures were ensured by the local management of different cities and some road closures were also in place to avoid any untoward incident. Law enforcers, including police, Rangers, FC and others have been deployed along the procession routes. The azadars (mourners) paid glowing tribute to sacrifices offered by Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions for the supremacy of Islam. Ulema and Zakireen highlighted the bright and candid teachings of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and various aspects of Karbala tragedy. Medical camps, Sabeels and stalls were also provided drinking water and food items to the participants. Mobile phone services were partially suspended as a security measure in different cities. President Dr Arif Alvi in his message said the supreme sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) was a beacon of light for the Muslims and it carried the message that against the apparatus of oppression and tyranny one should be the flag-bearer of truth and righteousness. In a message on the occasion of Youm-e-Ashur, he said in the Islamic history, Muharram-ul-Haram was a month of respect, dignity and blessings. Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), his family and loyal companions set a great example of bravery, courage and sacrifice, and gave a new life to Islam with their blood, he observed. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Islam was alive because of the sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions and these sacrifices give courage and hope to the faithful in the face of difficulties and challenges. In a message on the occasion of Youm-e-Ashur, he said this day reminded of the unparalleled struggle between good and evil, when a group led by Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) refused to show allegiance to evil and stood before a seemingly powerful faction. Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) became a symbol of courage, determination and bravery, he remarked. In Islamabad, the main procession emerged from Imam Bargah Qasr Zainibia in G-6/4 and culminated at Imam Bargah Asna Ashri in G-6. In Rawalpindi, the main Alam and Zuljinah procession was taken out from Imam Bargah Colonel Maqbool Hussain which culminated at Imam Bargah Qadeemi while passing through the designated routes. Over 2,500 security personnel were deployed to guard the main procession while 3,500 cops also provided security cover to other processions and majalis of the district. Besides, different processions emerged from various parts of the city and merged into the main procession.
Pakistan’s electricity shortfall reaches 5,944 mw
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The electricity shortfall in Pakistan has reached 5,944 megawatts (MW on Wednesday. According to details, the Power Division recorded the total power generation capacity has dropped to 23,556 MW against the demand of 29,500MW. As of today 7,520 MW was being generated from water, 10,950MW from Independent Power Producers (IPPs), 970MW from government thermal plants, 3,001MW from nuclear plants, 886MW and 141MW from wind and solar plants respectively. 7MW of electricity was being generated from bagasse power plants. They said decreased power generation has also led to an increase in unannounced load-shedding periods. Different parts of Pakistan currently facing loadshedding up to 10 hours. It is pertinent to mention here that the federal government has announced multiple deadlines previously to end loadshedding in the country, however, they have yet to materialize owing to multiple reasons cited by the ministers including higher fuel prices and delay in maintenance of the power plants.
Six more dengue patients reported in RWP
By Staff Reporter
RAWALPINDI: Six more dengue cases were reported in Rawalpindi during the last 24 hours, raising the tally of confirmed cases to 54. District Coordinator Epidemics Prevention and Control (DCEPC) Dr Sajjad Mehmood, on Wednesday, said that among the new cases, four patients had arrived from Chak Jalal Din, one from Adiyala road in the Potohar town, and one from Rawal town’s Ratta Amral area. During the last 24 hours, he said, around 12 dengue fever suspects were brought to the city’s hospitals, including nine at Holy Family Hospital (HFH)and three at Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH), out of which four tested positive at HFH and one at BBH. Dr Sajjad said that the district health authority had sealed 315 premises, registered 774 FIRs, issued 932 challans, 4,454 notices, and imposed fines amounting to Rs 2,577,000 on violations of SOPs in various areas of the district, so far this year. He added that prevailing weather was suitable for breeding dengue larvae and asked the concerned to remove stagnant water in outdoor and household settings to stop mosquitoes from breeding. Furthermore, the health official urged the residents to keep their water tanks clean and to remove stagnant water as water accumulation was a leading cause of mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue fever.
