Pakistan Day was celebrated with traditional fervor and national spirit across Balochistan like elsewhere in the country. Flag hoisting ceremonies were held in Turbat, Makran, Kharan, Taftan and Dasht where special prayers were offered for progress and prosperity of the country. Sacrifices of the martyrs and national leaders for the motherland were remembered in these ceremonies. Special programs for students of educational institutes and youth were organized where they presented traditional songs, speeches and tableaus. The students of Girls Cadet College Turbat visited the FC headquarters where they witnessed a display of weapons and offered Fateha for the martyrs. In Panjgur, general public and FC Balochistan (South) Panjgur Rifles jointly organized a program to mark the day and took out a car rally. Dalbandin Rifles organized a flag hoisting ceremony in the city which was followed by a joint rally of FC and local people. A cricket tournament was also organized by FC for children. Source: Radio Pak istan
PM orders upgrade of road network to link Reqo Dik project with Gwadar
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has emphasized appropriate planning regarding the communication infrastructure, especially the railway line, to take full advantage of minerals in Balochistan. Chairing a meeting on Mines and Minerals of Balochistan with special context to Reqo Dik Project in Lahore today, he instructed the up-gradation of the existing road network at the earliest to connect the Reqo Dik project with Gwadar by road. Shehbaz Sharif said also advised to consult all stakeholders at the official level as well as to remove obstacles regarding the project. Regarding the protection and safety of the workers associated with the Reqo Dik project, the Prime Minister said security will be ensured for those working on the project and logistics and transport from Reqo Dik to the port. Besides, Shehbaz Sharif instructed to expedite the completion of under construction roads. He said a strategy should be evolved regarding the feasibility of a railway network from Reqo Dik to Gwadar port. He added that Reqo Dik to Gwadar rail project will ensure easy and swift access as well as reduce distance as compared to Bin Qasim port. He said the mineral-rich district of Chaghai will benefit a lot from the new railway line and help promote mining industry. The Prime Minister, on the occasion, also sought a detailed briefing next week on Reqo Dik and Rail Connectivity. The Prime Minister also directed to remove all the hindrances at the official level to complete the Environment and Social Impact Assessment regarding the Reqo Dik project. The Prime Minister was briefed that feasibility of Reqo Dik project will be completed by the end of this year. It was said 6,000 containers will be transported to the port every month from Reqo Dik. The meeting was informed that the concentrate pipeline of the project will be the second longest slurry pipeline in the world. It was said that the mining company will construct a link road from Reqo Dik to National Highway-40. The meeting was briefed that fifty eight percent construction work on 103 kilometers long road from Naukundi to Mashkhel has been completed to connect Reqo Dik with Gwadar. Among others, a delegation of Barrick Gold Company led by its Chief Executive Officer Mark Bristow attended the meeting Source: Radio Pakistan
Pak Army organizes free medical camp in Kasur
Pakistan Army organized a free medical camp for people of Allahabad and it neighbouring villages in Chunian tehsil of district Kasur. Specialist doctors and paramedical staff examined and treated hundreds of people. Along with free medicines and nutritional supplements, ECG and ultrasound test services were also provided. More than 1300 patients benefited from the free camp. Doctors and paramedical staff also gave awareness lectures on hygiene, balanced diet, prevention and treatment of various diseases including dengue. People appreciated and thanked Pakistan Army for the free medical camps organized frequently in the rural areas throughout the year. Free Medical Camps are organized by Pakistan Army to provide modern public health facilities and free medicines to the poor people in remote areas. Source: Radio Pakistan
President confers military awards upon serving, martyred armed forces’ personnel
President Asif Ali Zardari has conferred military awards upon serving and martyred armed forces' personnel for rendering meritorious services for defence of the motherland. These awards were conferred in an investiture ceremony held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad on Sunday These awards include forty-one Hilal-e-Imtiaz Military and one Sitara-e-Basalat posthumously. Source: Radio Pakistan
Pakistan Day celebrated at High Commission, Consulates Canada
Pakistan Day was celebrated with traditional fervor in Canada with ceremonies at the High Commission in Ottawa and the Consulates in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. Pakistan's High Commissioner in Canada Zaheer A. Janjua hoisted the national flag to the tune of the national anthem. A large number of Pakistani diaspora and Canadians including member of the parliament Yasir Naqvi, attended the ceremony. Messages of the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan were read out on the occasion. In his message on the occasion, the Ambassador paid tribute to the nation's founding fathers for their vision and untiring struggle for creation of Pakistan. He highlighted the resilience and resolve of Pakistanis to bounce back stronger in the face of challenges. He also lauded the contributions of dynamic and vibrant Pakistani diaspora across Canada for serving as a bridge between the two countries and promoting Pakistan in their adopted homeland. Source: Radio Pakistan
FM urges int’l organizations to cooperate in coping energy crisis
Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar has urged international organizations to cooperate with Pakistan help to cope it with energy crisis. Addressing a news conference in London, he said government would implement a five year road map to put Pakistan on path of economic progress and bring down inflation to lessen economic difficulties of common man. He said Pakistan had a vision for nuclear energy since 1960s and despite scrutiny of the world it continued to harness benefits of this clean form of energy. To a question, Ishaq Dar said Pakistan believes in peaceful neighberhood and wants peace in region. He said Pakistan and Afghanistan have strong bilateral ties and it is need of hour to go forward with mutual consultations. The Foreign Minister said that he has requested for aggressive financing from international financial institutions and multilateral institutions. Source: Radio Pakistan