December 15, 2021 – Page 2 – Madagascar Newswire

December 15, 2021

Dr. Faisal urges provinces to implement Universal Health Coverage service packages

Islamabad, December 15, 2021 (PPI-OT):Special Assistant to Prime Minister on National Health Services, Dr. Faisal Sultan has urged the provinces to implement Universal Health Coverage service packages. He was addressing a function in connection with the Universal Health Coverage Day in Islamabad today.

He said Pakistan is signatory to Sustainable Development Goals and health related SDG entails that Pakistan achieves UHC Service Index score of 80. Speaking on the occasion, WHO Country Representative Dr. Palitha Mahipala said the Universal Health Coverage is about overcoming the systemic barriers which people face when seeking health care, whether geographic, financial or discriminatory.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

December 15, 2021

Govt taking all measures to ensure smooth supply of essential commodities: Tarin

Islamabad, December 15, 2021 (PPI-OT):Adviser on Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tarin says that the government is taking all possible measures to ensure smooth supply of essential commodities across the country. Chairing the National Price Monitoring Committee meeting in Islamabad today [Wednesday], he expressed satisfaction over the stability in the sugar prices in the market.

The Adviser appreciated the efforts of Sindh Government and stressed to ensure availability of wheat flour at government prices in Karachi and Hyderabad. The Secretary Finance briefed the NPMC about the weekly SPI situation which has been decreased by 0.07% during the week under review.

December 15, 2021

Pakistan will provide all out support for Afghanistan to avert humanitarian crisis: Prime Minister

Islamabad, December 15, 2021 (PPI-OT):Prime Minister Imran Khan says Pakistan will provide all out support for Afghanistan to avert humanitarian crisis. Chairing the second meeting of Apex Committee on Afghanistan in Islamabad today [Wednesday], he said disengaging with Afghanistan would be disadvantageous for the world.

He expressed the hope that the world would not repeat the mistake of disengaging with Afghanistan. He urged the international community to support the vulnerable people of Afghanistan. The Prime Minister highlighted that Pakistan has already committed to immediate relief of in-kind humanitarian assistance worth 5 billion rupees.

December 15, 2021

Extremism, terrorism biggest enemies of the country: Interior Minister

Islamabad, December 15, 2021 (PPI-OT):Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad says extremism and terrorism are the biggest enemies of the country. Addressing a ceremony in connection with Christmas in Rawalpindi today [Wednesday], he said Sialkot incident has defamed the image of Pakistan. He lauded the Christian community for playing key role in development of the country.

December 15, 2021

President hails One Window Ehsaas Center in Islamabad congratulates Ehsaas Team on Safeguarding Transparency across Ehsaas Operations Nationwide

Islamabad, December 15, 2021 (PPI-OT):President Dr. Arif Alvi visited the One Window Ehsaas Center in Sitara Market today. Senator Dr. Sania Nishtar, SAPM welcomed the President and briefed him on the One Stop Shop operations of Ehsaas which integrate all benefits and services for 14 different target groups in one space. Secretary Ismat Tahira, DG Khalid Siddique, DG Naveed Akbar, DG Meer Anwar and other senior officials of Ehsaas were also present on the occasion. At the Center, President took stock of the wide ranging One Window Ehsaas services and met with beneficiaries.

He was also informed that with all Ehsaas benefits and services in one space, One Window Ehsaas Center resourcefully facilitates Ehsaas recipients who previously had to go to many offices to get their problems fixed. “It is heartening to see that all Ehsaas services can be accessed at this facility in a well-coordinated manner, and this is the real demonstration of a welfare state”, said President. He highly commended the integration of all Ehsaas services and facilities under one roof and lauded that for the first time in Pakistan, a single window service has been developed to serve those in need.

He also congratulated Dr. Sania and Ehsaas team for running a multitude of Ehsaas programmes with utmost integrity and transparency. “To assist Ehsaas beneficiaries nationwide, One Window Ehsaas operations are being upscaled in all districts of the country while miniaturized version centres will be set up at Tehsil level”, said Dr. Sania.

The one window center offers wide ranging services including Ehsaas Kafaalat, ATM machines of partnering banks for Ehsaas cash payment, NADRA office for biometric verification, and desks for Ehsaas School Stipends, Ehsaas Nashonuma, Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarship, Ehsaas Amdan and Ehsaas Interest Free Loan, Ehsaas Digital internet café, Ehsaas Langar, Ehsaas Tahaffuz along with a desk to serve differently abled, shuttle service to take people to Panahgahs, Ehsaas Utility Store for the Ehsaas Rashan Riayat, fully equipped training room, survey registration desk, retiring room for women, information and complaint desks and several others.

One Window of Ehsaas is articulated in six pillars: firstly, a one stop shop, the Ehsaas Center; secondly, back office digital interface; thirdly, a public facing digital information and services platform; the fourth component is a mobile app; the fifth component is cognitive API architecture – the integrated database; and finally, the Ehsaas One-Window Beneficiary Selection and Targeting Policy.

For more information, contact:
Principal Information Officer,
Press Information Department (PID)
Tel: +92-51-9252323, +92-51-9252324
Fax: +92-51-9252325, +92-51-9252326
Email: piopid@gmail.com
Website: www.pid.gov.pk

December 15, 2021

Environment friendly material including Smart Trees, blue roads, energy efficient construction materials be used in Central Business District Lahore: Prime Minister

Islamabad, December 15, 2021 (PPI-OT):Green urbanization will help in reducing the adverse impacts of pollution and these models should be replicated in other cities of the Country, stated the Prime Minister while chairing a meeting regarding Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) and Central Business District (CBD) Lahore projects today.

The Prime Minister stated that development of green spaces in new plans and preservation in existing urban areas is necessary for mitigating impacts of pollution including smog. The Prime Minister directed Punjab Government to take strict legal action against elements involved in illegal encroachments and illegal housing societies. He also directed to expedite process of lands’ transfer for RUDA and CBD projects. The Prime Minister also emphasized that urban development projects are being initiated for attracting investments and should not be criticized and hindered for political reasons. He highlighted that these projects are for improving the socio-economic conditions of the common man.

Earlier, the meeting was apprised that physical work on both RUDA and CBD projects is in full swing and land acquisition process is near completion. It was informed that Rs. 100 billion investment is expected in CBD in the first year. The meeting was informed that 1,900 low-cost housing units are included in the master plan of Ravi Urban Development scheme. The meeting was attended by Minister Information Fawad Ahmed, Advisor Finance Shaukat Tarin, SAPM Dr. Shehbaz Gill, Chairman Naya Pakistan Housing and Development Authority Lt. Gen. (R) Anwar Ali Haider, Chief Secretary Punjab and senior officials.

December 15, 2021

Pakistan would continue to provide all possible assistance to Afghanistan for the development of its education sector and capacity building of its educational institutions: President Dr Arif Alvi

Islamabad, December 15, 2021 (PPI-OT):President Dr Arif Alvi has said that Pakistan would continue to provide all possible assistance to Afghanistan for the development of its education sector and capacity building of its educational institutions. He stated that Afghanistan direly needed educationists, professionals and technical experts to contribute towards its reconstruction and development. He made these remarks while talking to the Minister of Higher Education of Afghanistan, Maulana Abdul Baqi Haqqani, who along with members of his delegation, called on him, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, today.

Talking to the delegation, the President said that Afghanistan was passing through a very difficult phase and the international community needed to provide economic and humanitarian aid to save it from a human catastrophe. He recalled that during the recent ECO Summit in Turkmenistan, he urged the member countries and international community to address the humanitarian and economic needs of Afghanistan which had been a victim of war for over four decades. Both sides agreed to increase collaboration between the higher education institutions of the two countries.

The President remarked that the Allama Iqbal Open University and Virtual University of Pakistan would assist Afghan universities in their digital transformation and providing online education to their students. It was also agreed that National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) would arrange vocational training programmes for Afghans in various technical fields. The Afghan Minister for Higher Education thanked the Government of Pakistan for its role in the reconstruction and education development of Afghanistan. He termed his meetings with Pakistani authorities, including the Education Minister of Pakistan, very fruitful, saying that it would help increase cooperation in the education sector.

December 15, 2021

Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tarin presides over the National Price Monitoring Committee meeting

Islamabad, December 15, 2021 (PPI-OT):Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue, Mr. Shaukat Tarin, presided over the National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC) meeting held at Finance Division, today. Secretary Finance, Secretary Industries and Production, Secretary NFS and R, Additional Secretary Commerce, Provincial Chief Secretaries, Chief Statistician PBS, Chairman TCP, MD Utility Stores Corporation, and other senior officers participated in the meeting. National Price Monitoring Committee reviewed the prices of daily commodities and essential food items in the country. The Secretary Finance briefed the NPMC about the weekly SPI situation which has been decreased by 0.07% during the week under review.

While reviewing the price trend of essential commodities, the Secretary Finance apprised that prices of 09 essential commodities registered decline whereas prices of 23 items remained stable during the last week, while prices of 19 essential commodities have shown slight upward trend, he added. The Secretary Finance also apprised the meeting that prices of essential commodities Tomatoes, Potatoes, Chicken farm, Sugar, wheat flour bags have registered significant decline during the week. The Secretary Finance further updated NPMC that the prices of the wheat flour bags remained consistent at Rs. 1100 per 20 kg due to the proactive measures of the Punjab, KP Governments and ICT administration.

The daily release of wheat by all the provincial governments will further ease out wheat prices at national level. The Adviser appreciated the efforts of Sindh Government and stressed to ensure availability of wheat flour at government prices in Karachi and Hyderabad. While reviewing the price of sugar in the country, the Secretary Finance informed that prices are decreasing. The new stocks of sugar are arriving in the market which will further reduce the prices. The Advisor expressed satisfaction over the stability in the sugar prices in the market.

Chairman TCP gave a presentation on the various options for availability of imports of edible oil on low prices. The meeting deliberated in detail on consumption pattern of branded and unbranded edible oil. The meeting also noted the price difference between both the categories and directed to remove the anomalies to ensure supply of edible oil on reasonable prices. While reviewing the production of Pulses in the country, it was informed that prices of Pulses have shown slight increase in the week under review.

The Adviser directed Ministry of National Food Security and Research to monitor the movement of international prices of Pulses and accordingly plan import to avoid price hike in the country. NPMC also reviewed milk prices in the country and observed variations in milk prices across the country. The adviser directed all the provincial chief secretaries to keep a check on the undue price hike of milk. In his concluding remarks, the Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue stated that the Government is taking all possible measures to ensure smooth supply of essential commodities throughout the country.