Restaurant Owners Accuse Sindh Food Authority of Corruption

Reports have emerged that the Sindh Food Authority has been accused of corruption by restaurant owners. A private news channel’s team uncovered this corruption during a raid on a bakery in North Nazimabad, which was sealed by the Sindh Food Authority.

The team’s reporter went to the Sindh Food Authority office and was asked for Rs. 70,000 by a man named Tahir Baloch to unseal the bakery.

The investigation aimed to expose the corruption of Deputy Director Khadim Hussain. The team secretly recorded their conversation with Baloch, who took the money and promised to provide an affidavit to de-seal the bakery. When the reporter informed the team of this, Deputy Director Hussain denied involvement and claimed he was not in the office at the time.

Further investigation revealed that Baloch was a private individual and also Hussain’s driver. The team found that the bakery had been sealed without any samples being taken.

Despite their attempts to confront Deputy Director Hussain with their findings, he avoided their questions. The team pointed out that the Sindh Food Authority’s main duty is to ensure food quality, but they are instead engaged in corruption and neglecting their responsibilities.

Source: Pro Pakistani

Islamabad High Court Stops CDA From Auctioning 1,800+ Tea Stalls and Tuck Shops

In a significant development, the All Pakistan Trade Union (APTU) has made substantial headway in its petition challenging the auctioning of tea stalls and tuck shops in Islamabad. The Islamabad High Court has issued a restraining order against the metropolitan corporation, prohibiting the auction from taking place.

The court’s decision came in response to a request made by the APTU, represented by President Ajmal Baloch and his legal team. The case was heard by Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb, who carefully considered the arguments put forth by APTU.

During the proceedings, the court rejected a request to amend the statement made by the Director of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) during the previous hearing. APTU firmly challenged the legality of the auction, emphasizing that it violated the city’s master plan.

The Metropolitan Corporation had advertised the auction of 1,807 tea stalls and tuck shops in Islamabad. However, the APTU’s efforts resulted in a restraining order being issued by the court. As a result, the scheduled auction dates of May 15, 16, and 17 have been postponed indefinitely.

This development is a significant win for APTU and their fight to protect the rights of tea stall and tuck shop owners. APTU has been steadfast in its commitment to upholding the interests of its members and ensuring that proper regulations and protocols are followed.

APTU’s efforts highlight the importance of engaging in legal channels to address grievances and challenge decisions that may have adverse effects on the livelihoods of small business owners. APTU’s determination and advocacy have played a vital role in securing this temporary victory, pending further legal proceedings.

APTU remains committed to pursuing this case until a satisfactory resolution is achieved. Their unwavering dedication to safeguarding the rights of tea stall and tuck shop owners reflects their commitment to upholding justice and fairness in Islamabad’s business landscape.

Source: Pro Pakistani

Naila Kiani Becomes First Pakistani Woman to Summit 5 of World’s Tallest Peaks

Naila Kiani, an accomplished climber from Pakistan, achieved a remarkable feat on Sunday as she successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest, proudly hoisting her country’s flag.

This significant accomplishment makes her the second woman from Pakistan to conquer the world’s highest peak, following in the footsteps of Samina Baig, who achieved this extraordinary feat in 2013.

On Sunday, at precisely 8:02 am, Naila Kiani reached the summit of Mount Everest, an awe-inspiring height of 8,849 meters. This remarkable achievement further solidifies her position as a highly skilled and resilient mountaineer.

Naila Kiani’s accomplishments extend far beyond conquering Mount Everest. She is a remarkable individual who, despite being a mother of two and a dedicated banker in Dubai, has managed to scale four other eight-thousanders, mountains that exceed an elevation of 8,000 meters.

This outstanding feat includes conquering Annapurna I in Nepal, K2, Gasherbrum I, and Gasherbrum II.

117 Pakistani Athletes Set to Take Part in Special Olympics 2023 in Berlin[/relatedpost]

Undeterred by her extraordinary achievements thus far, Naila Kiani has set her sights on a new goal. During her current expedition in Nepal, she aspires to conquer Lhotse, an imposing mountain that stands at a towering height of 8,516 meters, ranking as the fourth tallest peak in the world.

Source: Pro Pakistani

Mickey Arthur Also Responds to Imam’s Controversial Tweet

Pakistan team director, Mickey Arthur, has finally responded to a controversial tweet by Imam-ul-Haq before the fifth match of the ODI series against New Zealand.

In an interview, Mickey Arthur said that there was nothing negative about excluding the left-handed batter from the playing XI for the last two encounters of the series.

Arthur revealed that Imam had felt hamstring pain after the third game, and the management was unsure whether he would be able to play in the fourth and fifth games.

Arthur, who was appointed national team director last month, added that he had personally contacted the opening batter after the matter and clarified everything.

“Imam and I have a great relationship. He is a wonderful guy and I love him. Let’s just say there was a lot of love in that conversation and a little bit of bamboo as well,” he added.

Just hours before the last encounter of the series, Imam wrote on Twitter, “Life is an unexpected journey, so never expect anything from anyone. Be patient, Allah is watching!”

The cryptic post created controversy on social media and raised questions over the selection as Imam had won the Man of the Match Award in the third ODI for his fifty.

When Babar Azam was asked about the tweet, the captain said that he had not seen what Imam had posted as he had not checked social media.

Last week, Rashid Latif said that it was the decision of Imam to take a rest in the fourth game while the management was keen to include Shan Masood instead of Fakhar Zaman.

Source: Pro Pakistani

Govt Approves PC-I for National Language Processing Lab to Promote Urdu Language

The Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives has approved a revised PC-1 at Rs. 78.186 million for the project “Establishment of National Language Processing Laboratory (NLP) to implement and promote Urdu as the national language.

The Ministry of National Heritage and Culture Division is the sponsoring agency, while the National Language Promotion Department (NLPD) will execute the project.

The core objective of the project is to elevate Urdu to the status of languages with extensive digital data resources and equip it with modern technology applications? said Dr. Rashid Hameed, Director General NLP, Lab working under NLPD which was established in October 1979 to advance and promote the Urdu national language.

While sharing the details of the project Dr. Rashid Hameed, explained the project includes the development of several applications, such as Machine Translation (MT), Speech Recognition (SR), and Optical Character Recognition (OCR), that will make language learning more accessible, facilitate cross-border communication and commerce, enable people to access online content, promote cross-cultural understanding, and help preserve language resources. Dr. Hameed believes that only languages that adapt to the latest technology will survive in today’s world.

In 2015, the Supreme Court ordered the government to implement Urdu as the official language in all government departments under Article 251 of the constitution. To comply with the apex court’s order, the government has expedited its efforts and approved the revised PC-I of the project worth Rs. 78.186 million.

Since assuming power in April 2022, the government has taken several steps toward implementing digital transformation in the country. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has been a driving force behind these efforts, with a focus on shifting from manual to digital processes.

Last month, the Planning Minister established a Steering Committee composed of experts from the Information Technology and private sectors. The committee aims to facilitate the implementation of digital transformation and increase the country’s export volume.

Syeda Roshana Ali Naqvi, Program Manager for Research and Development at NLPD, while sharing further details of the project explained that the Machine Translation (MT) module uses computer algorithms to automatically translate text from English to Urdu. This module will efficiently provide translations of all current official documents from English to Urdu, including policies, press releases, economic surveys, annual reports, long-term plans, newsletters, public notices, tenders, and advertisements.

Naqvi emphasized the importance of the lab for the survival, growth, promotion, and development of the national language. The program Manager NLPD also shared details about the Speech Recognition (SR) and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) modules of the project.

She explained that the SR module will enable digital devices to recognize and transcribe human speech into Urdu text. This technology will help digitize Urdu audio resources, such as parliamentary speeches and meeting minutes. Additionally, speech recognition technology can increase accessibility and inclusivity for those with hearing and speech impairments. The OCR module, on the other hand, will convert printed text into editable digital text. This will help to digitize previously printed records and save a significant amount of time and effort compared to manual typing. The OCR module will make the text searchable, making it easier to access and use.

The experts believe that this technology can make Urdu text accessible to visually impaired people in the form of audiobooks. With these and other AI-based applications, Urdu can become more accessible and usable across different platforms.

Advocate Kokab Iqbal, who filed a landmark case before the apex court in 2003, has hailed the decision as a significant moment in the country’s history. In 2015, a three-member bench, headed by then Chief Justice Jawad S Khawaja, ordered the government to implement the decision. “There is a dire need for the promotion of the Urdu language across government offices,” he remarked.

Source: Pro Pakistani

NA passes two resolutions expressing unwavering solidarity with armed forces

The National Assembly on Monday unanimously passed two resolutions expressing unwavering support and solidarity with the armed forces and security agencies.

The two resolutions moved by Sabir Qaimkhani and Wajeeha Qamar said they stand shoulder to shoulder with them.

The house condemned unequivocally the acts of vandalism and burning of infrastructure following the arrest of a nabbed accused Imran Khan.

The resolutions voiced serious concerns and outrage over the negative impact of the violent acts on the socio economic development, public welfare and stability of the country.

Strongly condemning the attacks on Jinnah House, the GHQ, memorials of the martyrs, historic buildings, mosques and schools, the resolutions recognized and appreciated the vital role played by the armed forces and security agencies in upholding the sovereignty, safeguarding public order and ensuring the safety and security of the people.

Recognizing the importance of bringing the criminals to justice and upholding the rule of law, the resolutions called for swift and impartial investigation into these incidents and urged the government to take severe action against the perpetrators regardless of their affiliation or political background.

The house condemned the baseless allegations being levelled by a political party against the Defence institutions, stressing that such elements should be given strict punishment as per the law.

Voicing concerns over the recent decisions of the Supreme Court, the house noted that these have undermined the institution’s credibility and impartiality.

The house recognized the constitutional imperative of an impartial and independent judiciary in upholding the rule of law, ensuring justice and safeguarding democratic principles of the nation. The resolutions noted that it is essential that the judiciary functions without biasness and favouritism to maintain the trust and confidence of the people.

The National Assembly today also passed a motion, constituting a special committee to prepare and forward reference or references under article 209 to the Supreme Judicial Council on the ground of misconduct and other facts available against any judge or judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

The motion to this effect was moved by Shazia Sobia

Members of the committee include Mohsin Nawaz Ranjha, Khurshid Ahmad Junejo, Salahuddin Ayubi, Salahuddin and Shehnaz Baloch.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif speaking in the National Assembl said a committee of the National Assembly should be constituted to review the conduct of the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP).

He said if the misconduct is proven, a reference should be filed against him before the Supreme Judicial Council as per the constitution. He said nobody can be allowed to play with the law and constitution.

The Defence Minister said that a section of the judiciary is not doing justice but politics, and is supporting a political group.

He said this section of judiciary is not delivering judgments in accordance with the constitution but on the basis of politics. He said the constitutional powers rested with the judiciary are being breached.

Khawaja Asif emphasized that the time has come when the parliament asserts its power and sends a strong message to defend its territory.

He said a particular group of judiciary is giving unprecedented concessions and relief to PTI Chairman Imran Khan in corruption cases.

Khawaja Asif said this not only amounts to violating the constitution but also backing the one who is behind ransacking of Corps Commander Lahore residence and monuments of martyrs.

He said the nation and the system have given respect to the judiciary which should fulfil the responsibility of dispensing justice.

The Defence Minister said a committee should also be formed to review the hundreds of thousands of cases pending before the courts.

Strongly condemning the violent attacks on the monuments of martyrs, Khawaja Asif said the security personnel have sacrificed their lives for our better future. He said they continue to render lives in the war on terrorism.

In his remarks, Leader of Opposition Raja Riaz strongly condemned the recent violent acts in the country. He said those who attacked the Corps Commander house in Lahore and the monuments of martyrs are enemies of the state.

He said the trained elements of the PTI were behind these despicable acts. He emphasized the need for expressing complete solidarity with the armed forces of Pakistan.

Salahuddin of MQM said the recent violent acts are intolerable. He said the judiciary is giving concessions to PTI Chairman Imran Khan at whose behest public and private properties were ransacked.

Maulana Salahuddin Ayubi said nobody is above the law but regretted that a person who is behind the recent acts of violence and involved in corrupt practices is being provided relief by the judiciary. He said the PTI chairman wants civil war in the country.

Qadir Khan Mandokhail said the way the monuments of martyrs were desecrated and vandalized is condemnable.

Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said the Supreme Court is the guardian of law, and hence, it should be independent and impartial.

He said the conduct of a few judges is making the apex court controversial. He also stated that a reference should be filed against the Chief Justice of Pakistan as his conduct has become a threat to the justice system.

Ahsan Iqbal said we consider the Supreme Court a sacred institution and we want to protect its impartiality and independence.

He said Al-Qadir Trust is an open and shut case of sixty billion rupees corruption against PTI Chairman Imran Khan. He regretted that former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was disqualified in a fake case.

In his remarks, Khalid Hussain Magsi said the recent violent acts damaged the image of Pakistan in the outside world. He said an investigation should be carried out into the excesses.

Minister for Communications Maulana Asad Mehmood said that PTI Chairman Imran Khan was imposed on this country through rigged elections in 2018.

He said we ousted him through a vote of no confidence in accordance with the constitution. He said we stand for supremacy of law and constitution, and that the rights of the people of Pakistan will be protected by the parliament.

Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman said the incidents of arson and vandalism over the arrest of Imran Khan were pre planned. She said the PTI had hired certain elements to carry out violent acts in the country. She said the leaders of PPP and PML-N were arrested in the PTI government but nobody took notice of them. She said the favors are only being provided to the PTI Chairman and that too in corruption cases such as that of Al-Qadir Trust.

Others who spoke on the occasion included: Akhtar Mengal, Akbar Chitrali, Qaiser Ahmad Sheikh.

The House has now been adjourned to meet again tomorrow at eleven am.

Source: Radio Pakistan