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PM directs to remove all obstacles in way of foreign investment in country

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed to remove all obstacles in the way of foreign investment in the country.

Chairing a high level meeting in Islamabad on Monday, he constituted a committee to address the problems faced by foreign companies especially those investing in Gwadar Free Zone. The committee will present its report and recommendations to the Prime Minister within ten days.

The Prime Minister said the Chinese investment companies should be facilitated on priority basis. He directed to remove all the hurdles in acquisition of visa by the Chinese workers. He said the visa procedure should be simpled and fast tracked.

The Prime Minister was given a detailed briefing about the companies interested to invest ten billion dollars in energy, infrastructure, railway, port infrastructure and other projects.

The meeting was informed that in the first phase, an immediate investment of one to two billion dollars investment is expected. These projects will not provide forty five thousand jobs but will also improve Pakistan’s Ease of Doing Business Index.

The Prime Minister directed the Investment Board and the Ministries of Planning and Finance to collectively frame a comprehensive plan regarding these projects.

 

Source: Radio Pakistan

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NA passes Pakistan Tobacco Board Bill, Inter-Governmental Commercial Transaction Bill

The National Assembly resumed its session at the Parliament House in Islamabad on Monday evening with Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf in the chair.

The House offered fateha for the departed souls of 13 people, who killed in a road accident in district Rahim Yar Khan, and four soldiers of Pakistan Army, who embraced martyrdom in recent incidents of terrorism.

Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali led the fateha.

The House on Monday passed two bills. These include; “The Pakistan Tobacco Board (Amendment) Bill, 2022” and “The Inter-Governmental Commercial Transaction Bill, 2022.”

The House has now been prorogued.

 

Source: Radio Pakistan

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PM directs to provide cash assistance worth Rs50,000 per family to flood-affectees

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed to provide cash assistance of fifty thousand rupees per family to the flood-affected people within three days.

He was chairing a meeting of the Flood Relief Coordination Committee in Islamabad on Monday.

He said an amount of 50, 000 rupees instead of 30,000 rupees should immediately be provided to all the flood-hit families.

He directed Benazir Income Support Programme to provide the cash assistance of 50, 000 rupees under the supervision of the National Disaster Management Authority.

The Prime Minister also emphasized on ensuring transparency in the provision of relief assistance to the affected people. He said the cash assistance should be provided through electronic transfer to ensure that the beneficiaries get their right.

The Prime Minister directed that a joint survey in cooperation with provinces for assessment of losses due to recent floods should be completed in three instead of five weeks.

Shehbaz Sharif said that the provincial governments should ensure coordination with the NDMA at the earliest regarding the joint survey to ensure timely assistance of the flood affected people.

The Prime Minister said that federal government will ensure relief and rehabilitation of the flood victims from its own resources.

The meeting was further informed that the federal government is in contact with international donors and other welfare organizations in this regard.

It was also informed that Asian Development Bank and the World Bank have assured the government for the provision of necessary funds for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of flood-affected areas under the Emergency Disaster Relief Fund.

 

Source: Radio Pakistan

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PM orders round the clock monitoring of rescue, relief measures in flood-affected areas

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has ordered round the clock monitoring of rescue, relief and rehabilitation measures in the flood-affected areas.

He gave these directives during a briefing by the officials concerned in Islamabad on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister also ordered an update regarding the relief and disbursement of funds to the flood victims through the submission of a report every 48 hours.

The Prime Minister instructed the concerned authorities to speed up distribution of relief funds in Balochistan, especially in areas of Bolan, Quetta, Zhob, Dakki, Khuzdar, Kohlu, Kech, Mastung, Harnai, Qilla Saifullah, and Sibi.

The Prime Minister also directed to speed up relief and rehabilitation work in the flood-affected areas of Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab.

He said that negligence in the supply of food, medicines, and accommodation would not be tolerated.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed to ensure proper cleaning, sanitation, and fumigation of the flood-hit areas to avert the spread of diseases including dengue.

He also directed for the provision of clean drinking water to flood victims to control gastric diseases.

A report by the authorities concerned informed the Prime Minister that the arrangement of food, medical camps, and shelter has been made in the flood-hit areas of Balochistan.

The report said that relief activities have been increased in collaboration with the provincial government of Balochistan, while work was in progress in other provinces with the cooperation of the respective provincial governments.

 

Source: Radio Pakistan

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Study Reveals Shocking Health Impacts of Rainwater

A new study has found that rainwater on the ground is linked to multiple diseases, including cancer, because of contamination with hazardous, artificially-created chemicals.

Researchers from Stockholm University in Sweden conducted a study that was published in the international research journal, Environmental Science and Technology.

It was revealed in the study that man-made chemicals (also known as ‘Forever Chemicals’), that never vanish after they are mixed with rainwater, have detrimental effects on human health.

These chemicals are present not only in industrial regions but also in snow and rain, and in remote and barren areas like Antarctica and Tibet, according to the research.

The experts also detailed that artificially created chemicals such as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are used in firefighting foam, the non-stick coantig of cookware, and textile, are the culprits. Years of research have revealed that PFAS have severe toxic impacts on human health and can take millennia to biodegrade.

They also noted that PFAS are not being washed away from the environment because the natural cycle returns them back into the environment via rainfall.

Rainwater is generally regarded as safe to drink in many places around the world but chemical contamination has rendered it harmful and it may cause a number of diseases, including cancer, the experts said.

They have also cautioned that the natural limitations of the Earth’s ecology have been crossed and there is no area on the planet where humans are safe from the damaging effects of these chemicals.

 

Source: Pro Pakistan

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Quetta Helicopter Crash: Funeral prayers of Pakistan Army personnel offered

The funeral prayers of Pakistan Army officers and soldier martyred in a helicopter crash during the flood relief operations in Balochistan were offered in their native towns.

According to Inter Services Public Relations, the Namaz-e-Janaza of Major Talha Shaheed was offered in Rawalpindi.

Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Azhar Abbas, Commander Rawalpindi Corps Lieutenant General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, senior serving and retired military officials, relatives of the Shaheed and people from all walks of life attended the prayer.

Major Talha Mannan was buried with full military honour.  Pakistan Army contingent presented guard of honour.

The funeral prayer of Naik Mudassar Fayyaz was offered in Shakargarh, Narowal.

The General Officer Commanding Sialkot Garrison, senior military and civil officials attended the funeral.

A Pakistan Army contingent presented guard of honour to the Shaheed.

The Namaz-e-Janaza of Shaheed Major Saeed Ahmed was held in Larkana.

The Commander Logistics Pannu Aqil Garrison, serving senior officers, soldiers, relatives and a large number of people attended the prayer.

 

Source: Radio Pakistan

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President calls for mainstreaming women population in national economy

President Dr Arif Alvi has called upon the business community to launch Corporate Social Responsibility projects to create awareness for resolving social, health and environment related issues.

He was talking to a delegation of Faisalabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by its President Nighat Shahid, in Islamabad on Wednesday.

The President said our dream to make Pakistan an economically and financially independent country would remain elusive if we fail to mainstream the women population in the economy.

He expressed concern over the low level of disbursement of loans for women entrepreneurs and business persons.

He called upon all the Chambers of Commerce to encourage and motivate women entrepreneurs and skilled women to avail these loans from designated banks by proactively helping them in the documentation process and managing other issues faced by them.

Earlier, the delegation apprised the President of the achievements of the Women Chamber of Commerce and the difficulties faced by its members in terms of taxes, rising costs of the business inputs and the requirement of lengthy procedures of documentation while applying for business loans.

 

Source: Radio Pakistan

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IIOJK: Indian troops launch CASO in Kulgam

In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops launched a cordon and search operation (CASO) in Kulgam district, today (Wednesday).

The Indian troops and paramilitary forces launched cordon and search operation in Brayihard Kathpora area of the district.

The troops fired upon the particular spot which triggered a gunfight while search operation and firing was going on till last reports came in.

 

Source: Radio Pakistan