Day: April 7, 2024

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has directed to provide a proposal for solar electrification of small houses and assess the benefits of solarizing the hospitals. He was chairing a review meeting of the Sindh Solar Energy Project in Karachi. Addressing the meeting, he also sought proposal for the Village Solar / Wind Hybrid System under Public Private Partnership mode. Briefing the meeting, Provincial Energy Minister Syed Nasir Shah said Sindh Solar Energy Project has been launched with support of the World Bank with an estimated cost of 26.86 billion rupees. Source: Radio Pakistan

The Guardian, in a recent report, added weight to Islamabad's claims by revealing that the Indian government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, allegedly 'ordered killings' on Pakistani soil. In January this year, Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Syrus Qazi exposed what he described as a 'sophisticated and sinister' Indian campaign involving extra-territorial and extra-judicial killings. Qazi stated that Islamabad possessed 'credible evidence' linking Indian agents to the killings of two Pakistani citizens on Pakistani soil. The statement followed separate accusations by both Canada and the United States, implicating Indian agents in assassination attempts on their respective soils. 'These are killings-for-hire cases involving a sophisticated international set-up spread over multiple jurisdictions,' the foreign secretary had stated. A recent report from the UK daily newspaper alleged that the government in New Delhi 'assassinated individuals in Pakistan.' The publication, citing intelligence o peratives, reported that New Delhi has adopted a strategy of targeting individuals it considers as hostile to India on foreign territory. The reported actions, as per the article, escalated after the 2019 Pulwama attack when India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) started carrying out assassinations abroad. According to the reports, Indian agents have been involved in the deaths of 20 individuals on Pakistani territory since 2020. Furthermore, Sikh separatists associated with the Khalistan movement were among those targeted in these Indian foreign operations. The increase in killings in Pakistan in 2023 was attributed to Indian intelligence sleeper cells, according to the report. The report suggests that Indian agents recruited 'miscreants' to carry out the shootings, deceiving them into believing they were targeting 'infidels.' 'After Pulwama, the approach changed to target the elements outside the country before they are able to launch an attack or create any disturbance,' an Indian intelligence operat ive said. Intelligence sources reported a significant increase in targeted killings last year, attributing the deaths of 15 individuals to India, with most victims being gunned down at close range. India's Ministry of External Affairs denied all allegations, labeling them as 'false and malicious anti-India propaganda.' Source: Pro Pakistani

Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has achieved tax targets of the third quarter of the current fiscal year with the help of Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). According to the details, at the end of the third quarter of the current fiscal year, FBR collected 6.710 trillion rupees in taxes, which is 3 billion rupees more than the target of 6.707 trillion rupees. With this development, the government is likely to achieve its collection target of 9.415 trillion rupees in the current financial year. Source: Radio Pakistan

Zeeshan Rafique, the Minister of Punjab's Local Government Department, has pledged to uphold public safety by preserving the quality of underground water sources. In collaboration with the World Bank, the department is embarking on pioneering initiatives, including the establishment of wastewater treatment plants across 11 cities, marking a significant step forward in environmental protection efforts. Partnering with UNICEF, the Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company (PMDFC) has successfully concluded an innovative project aimed at cleansing wastewater ponds in Sheikhupura, demonstrating a commitment to improving sanitation infrastructure. The plan to repurpose sewage water reservoirs will be systematically expanded to address water management challenges more comprehensively. Minister Rafique outlined these initiatives during a seminar organized by PMDFC at the GOR Officers' Mess, where the focus was on wastewater pond purification strategies. The seminar was attended by key figures such as Asia Gul, Special Secretary of the Local Government Department, and Syed Zahid Aziz, Managing Director of PMDFC, alongside experts and educators from various institutions. According to a report by The News, Minister Rafique commended PMDFC for convening a seminar of such significance in his address. He underscored the government's dedication, under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, to combating pollution and ensuring the provision of standardized sanitation facilities for all. Source: Pro Pakistani

China has provided equipment of early warning system to Gwadar port to help mitigate detrimental impacts of natural disasters like catastrophic flood and torrential rain. The collaboration between China Meteorological Administration and PMD is a part of boosting China Pakistan Economic Corridor's capacity for emergency management of major metrological disasters under the Belt and Road Initiative. China Meteorological Administration is also assisting PMD for enhancing its institutional capabilities to meet the emerging hydro-meteorological challenges. Source: Radio Pakistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has renewed the commitment of his Government to provide and ensure health facilities for all of our population. In his message on World Health Day being observed on Sunday, he said we will partner and encourage provincial governments to expand and upgrade health facilities, launch mobile health clinics for enhanced access, re-energize immunization and improve mental health services. The Prime Minister said the establishment and operationalization of Medical City, establishment of Cancer Care Hospital and establishment of Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute facilities in each province remains our key priority. He said we take pride in having launched the Health Card during PMLN's 2013-18 tenure. The Prime Minister said we remain committed to universal health coverage and universal health insurance for our population, particularly providing free-of-cost healthcare services to low and middle-income families. He also applauded the services of our health professionals, paramedic al staff, nurses, and other health workers who selflessly work day and night to provide health services to the nation. Source: Radio Pakistan