Day: January 17, 2022

Lahore, January 17, 2022 (PPI-OT):Punjab Health Minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid said here on Saturday that the breast cancer treatment unit is part of the Ganga Ram Mother and Child block. The Health Minister called up a meeting of the project implementing team at the Fatima Jinnah Medical University to monitor progress. Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Amir Zaman Khan, MS Ganga Ram Hospital Dr. Athar, Chief Engineer C and W and other officials. The Minister reviewed the Master plan and the project director shared progress.

The Health Minister said, “New departments have been added based on need assessment. Waiting area for attendants is being developed. Facility of private rooms will be available and modern water and electrification system is being developed. Most modern security system is also being introduced. Special counter for the Naya Pakistan Qomi Sehat card will be set up. A study room for students is part of the plan. A proper parking facility is also being set up. This project shall be completed as per deadline.”

For more information, contact:
Directorate General Public Relations,
Government of the Punjab
Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-9201390-86
Website: www.punjab.gov.pk

Lahore, January 17, 2022 (PPI-OT):Chairman Planning and Development Board Mr. Abdullah Khan Sumbal gave a press briefing about budget utilization after completing six success months of the current financial year. He apprised the media about the ongoing development projects with the use of funds. He also said that the total budget of Punjab has been increased from 560 billion to 646 billion which is historically the biggest development budget of Punjab. 170 billion has been spent on various development projects.

P and D has targeted all departments on the use of funds and will ensure the use of funds up to Rs 200 billion in the current month, he added. While briefing to the media, Chairman P and D Board said that Rs 104 billion has been released and Rs 49 billion has been spent on new schemes. There are currently 4433 new schemes and more than 3000 existing schemes in the province.

The P and D health sector has so far released Rs 60 billion. He also said that departments that are slow to use the funds are directed to utilize on fast track. He, while discussing the progress of the Planning and Development Board said that out of 238 schemes, 170 schemes have been approved at the Provincial Development Forum.

The government is keen to work on Punjab Public Private Partnership and a budget of Rs 25 billion has been set aside for public-private partnership this year. He further added that the government is committed to the maximum completion of schemes and therefore 52 PDWP meetings have been held in P and D so far.

For more information, contact:
Directorate General Public Relations,
Government of the Punjab
Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-9201390-86
Website: www.punjab.gov.pk

Lahore, January 17, 2022 (PPI-OT):Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar chaired a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between the prisons department, Punjab Energy Efficiency and Conservation Agency and Telephone Industries of Pakistan at his office Wednesday to solarize the prisons under the energy service company model. A 35-megawatt solar power plant would be installed for this purpose.

The MoU was signed by IG Prisons Mirza Shahid Saleem Baig, CEO Telephone Industries of Pakistan Syed Amir Javed and MD Punjab Energy Efficiency and Conservation Agency Abdul Rehman. Talking on this occasion, the CM said the solarisation would ensure an uninterrupted supply of electricity in jails.

This would help in significant savings in electricity bills while ensuring prisons’ security, he noted. Meanwhile, the solarisation of universities has been started while the solarisation of other educational institutions was also in progress as the remotely situated schools and BHUs in south Punjab were being shifted to solar energy, he mentioned. Provincial Minister for Energy Dr Akhtar Malik, chairman P and D, Principal Secretary to the CM, irrigation secretary and others were also present.

For more information, contact:
Directorate General Public Relations,
Government of the Punjab
Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-9201390-86
Website: www.punjab.gov.pk

Lahore, January 17, 2022 (PPI-OT):Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar and Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar met at the Governor House and agreed to intensify the ongoing measures for the development and prosperity of the people of the province. Governor Punjab appreciated the efforts of CM Usman Buzdar in providing Insaf cards in the province.

Both termed opposition parties’ obstacles to hinder economic development as undemocratic and added that the government was not going anywhere. The PTI government led by PM Imran Khan would complete its term. Governor Ch Sarwar advised the political opponents to avoid point-scoring on every issue.

March 2022 and March 2023 will also pass but the government will prevail. Opposition must give priority to national interests, he added. He said the purpose of every project including the sehat Insaf card is to provide relief to the people. CM Usman Buzdar enunciated that the agenda of the opposition was to save its swag.

The opposition has lost its repute and the people are with PM Imran Khan, he noted. The dream of elections before 2023 would not be fulfilled and the government would continue to counter negative politics with public service, he added.

For more information, contact:
Directorate General Public Relations,
Government of the Punjab
Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-9201390-86
Website: www.punjab.gov.pk

Islamabad, January 17, 2022 (PPI-OT):Prime Minister Imran Khan has appreciated Russian President Vladimir Putin’s statement that insulting Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be upon Him) does not count as an expression of artistic freedom but is a violation of religious freedom.

In a telephonic conversation with the Russian President, the Prime Minister said he has been regularly highlighted the appalling rise in Islamophobia and associated hatred in his addresses to the UN General Assembly, pointing towards its serious ramifications.

The Prime Minister underscored that Pakistan’s bilateral relationship with Russia is on an upward trajectory, with an increased focus on trade and economic ties and energy cooperation. He reiterated the government’s resolve for early realization of the Pakistan Stream Gas Pipeline Project.

Both leaders agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in different areas, increase high-level exchanges, and remain in close contact on matters relating to Afghanistan. The Prime Minister underscored that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan is pivotal for regional stability.

He said Afghanistan is facing dire humanitarian and economic challenges and support of the international community to the people of Afghanistan at this critical juncture remained vitally important. The Prime Minister also underscored the importance of release of Afghanistan’s financial assets for addressing the dire needs of the Afghan people. Imran Khan said he looks forward to President Putin’s visit to Pakistan as well as his own visit to Russia at an appropriate time.

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

Islamabad, January 17, 2022 (PPI-OT):President Dr. Arif Alvi has called for developing and training human resource of the country in the field of emerging technologies such as blockchain technology, artificial intelligence, cyber security and Big Data to meet requirements of 4th Industrial revolution.

He expressed these views during a meeting with a delegation of blockchain experts, in Islamabad on Monday. The President underlined the need for creating awareness about the importance and utility of blockchain technology so that the public and private sectors could benefit from it.

President Arif Alvi noted that blockchain technology could become a powerful tool for tracking transactions, reducing corruption and increasing transparency in public and private sectors. He highlighted the fact that during the past year, Pakistani startups had been able to attract valuable international investments in the IT sector.

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

Islamabad, January 17, 2022 (PPI-OT):Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed for completion of public welfare and development projects in the stipulated time on priority basis. He was talking to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Shah Farman and Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, who called on him in Peshawar on Monday. Political situation, administrative affairs and law and order situation in the province were discussed in the meeting.

They reviewed the ongoing public welfare and development projects, particularly implementation of agriculture transformation plan, forest conservation projects and public appreciation of health cards. The Prime Minister was also briefed on the measures being taken to control inflation and the operation against hoarders.

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

Islamabad, January 17, 2022 (PPI-OT):Commander Royal Navy of Oman Rear Admiral Saif Nasser Mohsen al Rahbi called on Naval Chief Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi in Islamabad on Monday. Matters pertaining to mutual interest and promotion of bilateral naval cooperation were discussed in the meeting.

The visiting dignitary was briefed on Pakistan Navy’s responsibilities and capabilities. He commended Pakistan Navy’s role in maritime security. According to the spokesperson for Pakistan Navy, the visit of the Command Royal Navy Oman will help promote the bilateral cooperation.

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