Govt to review decision of placing 172 names on ECL

Govt to review decision of placing 172 names on ECL

ISLAMABAD, DEC 31 – Federal government on Monday has decided to review its decision of including the names of 172 people being investigated for their alleged involvement in case pertaining to fake bank accounts.

A meeting of the federal cabinet summoned on January 10 to review the matter.

The federal cabinet meeting to be held on January 3 has been postponed following Prime Minister Imran Khan’s first official visit to Turkey after taking office.

The federal cabinet meeting will review matter pertaining to inclusion of the names of 172 people in fake bank account case.

Govt to review decision of placing 172 names on ECL

It is pertinent here to mention that Supreme Court had asked the federal cabinet to review its decision to place the names of 172 suspects of JIT report on ECL.

A two-member bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar hearing fake bank accounts case had expressed concern over placing the name of Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and other politicians on the ECL before a proper review and directions from the apex court.

At the very outset the Attorney General informed the court that the JIT had recommended placing the suspects  names on the ECL. 

The CJP observed the JIT should work as per its mandate.

Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Afridi appeared before the court on being summoned to explain the matter. 

He assured the court that no cabinet minister will give any statement on the subjudice case.

The court directed all concerned parties and media not to comment on the subjudice matters.

Supreme Court also ordered PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari and PPP MPA Faryal Talpur to submit their reply in the fake banks accounts case this week.

During the proceedings, the court rejected the plea of Asif Ali Zardari and Faryal Talpur s counsel, Farooq H Naek to recuse himself from the case on being placed on the ECL.

The Court directed him to continue advocating the case. The next hearing of the case will be held on Monday next.

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France committed to boost ties with Pakistan: envoy

France committed to boost ties with Pakistan: envoy

ISLAMABAD, DEC 31 - Ambassador of France in Pakistan, Marc Barety has said his country is keen to develop strong business contacts with Pakistan, and also focusing on the promotion of the small and medium enterprises in Pakistan.

He expressed these views while giving a message on the occasion of the start of 2019 New Year celebrations.

Ambassador said the year 2018 marked the enhanced cooperation between France and Pakistan and bilateral resolve to explore new opportunities to further our relationship.

As we round up year 2018 we remember the visit of Secretary General of French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Maurice Gourdault-Montagne, to Pakistan in July in connection with 13th round of Bilateral Political Consultations.

A delegation of six major companies of France visited Karachi in September to explore the investment opportunities in Pakistan.

French and German embassies in Islamabad jointly organized the musical tour of “Stradivaira” in different cities of Pakistan.

French Senator and President of France-Pakistan Friendship Group in Senate, Allizard Pascal participated in the Standing Committee meeting of Asian Parliamentary Assembly in Gwadar in October.

Embassy of France in Pakistan stands committed to boost further our bilateral relationship in 2019.

An important delegation of renowned French universities will visit Pakistan in April 2019 as part of our resolve to increase our contributions towards higher education in Pakistan.

Our economic agenda for Pakistan includes the visit of bilateral trade commission of ministerial-level and the visit of French companies led by French Business Council and the largest French Chamber of Commerce in Middle East based in Dubai.

The French Alliances in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi will continue to play important role in furthering our cultural cooperation in the country he added.

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AIOU new admissions to begin on February 1

AIOU new admissions to begin on February 1

ISLAMABAD, DEC 31 - The new admissions (Spring 2019) of Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) will begin on February 1.

Admissions will be available from Matric to PhD level. Teachers’ training programs will also be introduced.

As per the policy of the Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Zia-Ul-Qayyum, major focus will be laid on the quality education, improving contents’ development and delivery system.

In carrying out the academic programs, smart use of new technology will be applied intensively. 

The AIOU primarily focuses on the educational needs of masses by providing quality education at their doorsteps all over the country and by blurring spatial and temporal boundaries.

Currently, the university offers unique educational opportunities to a huge proportion of nearly 1.4 million students in a diverse and dynamic range of programs starting from Matriculation to the PhD level.

The University exclusively focuses on enhancing female literacy ratio in the country so that women can perform their vital role in the process of national progress and development.

The university takes same special initiatives for the underprivileged and marginalized segments of the society not only for their economic empowerment but also for poverty alleviation in the country.

The university’s academic staff is constantly engaged in the process of curriculum revision to meet the challenges of ever changing dynamics of higher education.

The University is committed to provide state of the art facilities to our students by opening up new portals of academic and professional excellence.

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Kyrgyzstan important destination for businessmen: Faisal Niaz Tirmizi

Kyrgyzstan important destination for businessmen: Faisal Niaz Tirmizi

RAWALPINDI, DEC 31 - Kyrgyzstan is an important destination for Pakistani traders and they must explore new avenues of cooperation in different fields including fruits, vegetables, pharma, sports goods and services sector.

Situated on the Pamirs and the Tian Shen range; the Kyrgyz Republic is the 4th largest country amongst the Central Asian States offers great opportunities for businessmen and Pakistan can double its exports as last year it has signed a protocol during 3rd session of Pak-Kyrgyz Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC).

These views were expressed by Faisal Niaz Tirmizi Ambassador Designate to Kyrgyzstan during his visit to the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) on Monday.

Kyrgyzstan important destination for businessmen: Faisal Niaz Tirmizi

He appreciated RCCI efforts in promoting trade activities and promoting positive image of Pakistan through exhibitions.

He assured his full cooperation and assistance for sharing relevant trade information for the promotion of trade ties between the chambers of both countries.

He urged chambers to work hard and must took extra mile for enhancing exports.

 

RCCI president Malik Shahid on this occasion said that regional trade ties with Central Asian Republics (CAR) including Kyrgyzstan are imperative to boost exports.

“Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Central Asian states can become a new economic zone which if connected with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) can take Pakistan economy to new heights,” said the RCCI President.

He said CPEC is an unique opportunity for traders and investors of not only Pakistan and China but also for the entire regional countries especially for Central Asian states.

He also exchanged views on promoting bilateral cooperation in sectors including Pharmaceutical, marble, Rice, sports goods, textile and information technology.

Senior Vice President Muhammad Badar Haroon, Vice President Fayayz Qureshi, members of the executive committee and members were also present on the occasion.

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Polling underway for by-election on Balochistan Assembly seat PB-26

Polling underway for by-election on Balochistan Assembly seat PB-26

QUETTA, DEC 31 -  The polling for by-election for Balochistan Assembly seat PB-26 has been underway in Quetta on Monday amid strict security measures.

The polling will be continued without any break till 5:00 PM, the election commission said.

The seat had fallen vacant after the Election Commission of Pakistan had declared Hazara Democratic Party (HDP) member Ahmed Kohzad as disqualified for being a foreign national.

Kohzad was elected from PB-26 in the 2018 general elections by defeating a candidate of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F).

The rival candidates had challenged the Pakistani citizenship of Kohzad. According to the election commission, 18 candidates have been in the field. 

But the main contest is expected between Qadir Nail of the HDP, Maulana Wali Turabi of the JUI-F and Syed Mohammad Raza of the Majlis Wahdatul Muslimeen.

Earlier the provincial election commission, handed over the election material to presiding officers of 49 polling stations in the constituency, where 57675 registered voters would cast their votes.

All polling stations in PB-26 have been declared sensitive and nine of them very sensitive.

Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code have been imposed in the constituency and no one, except police and Frontier Corps personnel, will be allowed to carry weapons.

The contingents of police and FC have been deployed in the polling stations and army troops will help them in case of any untoward situation.

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PSQCA issues notice to beauty cream manufacturers over health concerns

PSQCA issues notice to beauty cream manufacturers over health concerns

ISLAMABAD, - Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) has issued notices to beauty cream and cosmetics manufacturers over serious health concerns and has termed a leading beauty cream brand which is being produced in the country, a major health hazard.

As per a report issued by PSQCA, Faiza Beauty Cream has been found to contain carcinogenic ingredients as analysed by public sector and private sector labs in Pakistan, causing hazards to both skin and health.

According to the report, Faiza Beauty Cream is being manufactured by M/s Poonia Brothers, Gujranwala since 2011, which is now the largest manufacturer of “Skin Whitening Cream” in Pakistan.

Interestingly, Faiza Beauty Cream contains mercury, hydroquinone and steroids and is sold all over Pakistan on wholesale, general stores as well as medical stores.

The open market surveillance conducted by PSQCA in Lahore and Karachi of Faiza Beauty Cream has reported higher values of mercury.

The PSQCA liaison office Gujranwala has issued notices to M/s Poonia Brothers over the value of mercury being greater than 60 mg/Kg (60 ppm) which is much higher than the limits set by World Health Organisation (WHO) at 1 mg/kg.

PSQCA issues notice to beauty cream manufacturers over health concerns

Mercury-containing skin lightening products are hazardous to health and as a result, have been banned in Pakistan.

In Pakistan Standards, PSQCA has already incorporated mercury, hydroquinone and corticosteroids limits in accordance with WHO. 

Moreover, Ministry of Science and Technology has issued Technical Regulation in the form of SRO 45 (KE)/2017 PS:3228/2017, dated May 19, 2017, to regulate “skin creams” all over Pakistan through PSQCA.

However, there are reports of such products still being available to consumers while also being heavily advertised on different media channels.

“M/s Poonia Brothers has invested millions in the advertisement for “Faiza Beauty Cream”.  Public awareness needs to be raised regarding the types of products and the specific products that contain mercury and the risks associated with mercury exposure,” the report said.

Meanwhile, this is not the first time PSQCA has raised an alarm over health hazard of such cosmetic products. PSQCA previously reported the availability of a mercury-containing beauty cream manufactured in Gujranwala several times.

“Keeping in view the above facts, that Faiza Beauty Cream’s manufacturing unit at 10 km Allam Chowk Hafazabad Road Qila Didar Singh Gujranwala should be seized/closed as per the law,” the PSQCA suggested.

Since the company has not followed various notices issued by PSQCA, the authority, which is the only government body to monitor the quality of such products, has issued its final notice to the company on November 26, 2018, asking the company to stop producing, selling and making the stock of the products.

When contacted for the official version on the issue, Faiza Beauty Cream, Head, Kashif avoided responding despite repeated attempts. Every time, when approached, he asked for more time to answer the notices and the allegations brought forward against the company.

No version was given by the company even after 20 days and despite repeated reminders.

A source at the Ministry of Science and Technology claimed that the company, instead of ensuring conformity of PSQCA standards, has been using political influences and tactics to bury the issue.

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Bangladeshi premier takes big lead as opposition rejects poll alleging vote rigging

Bangladeshi premier takes big lead as opposition rejects poll alleging vote rigging

DHAKA, DEC 30 -  Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ruling party took a big lead over the opposition in a national election on Sunday, early results and trends showed, in a poll that was marred by allegations of vote rigging and violence that killed 17 people.

A third straight term for Hasina’s Awami League was widely expected, but the main opposition led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) rejected the election and called for a fresh vote in the country of 165 million people.

The Election Commission said it was investigating complaints of rigging, even as at least three voters in southeast Bangladesh, including a journalist, said they were barred from entering polling booths or were told their ballot papers had already been filled in.

“Allegations are coming from across the country and those are under investigation,” commission spokesman S.M. Asaduzzaman said. 

“If we get any confirmation from our own channels then measures will be taken as per rules.”

But as results started coming in showing the Awami League winning 48 seats and one for the BNP, Asaduzzaman declined to comment if its investigation would have any bearing on the final outcome.

Hasina’s party was leading in 114 seats while the BNP was ahead in two. There are 300 parliamentary constituencies in Bangladesh.

 “The election is a cruel mockery with the nation,” BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said. 

“This type of election is harmful to the nation. The country has suffered so much through this election.”

a group of about 50 women chanting “Sheikh Hasina! Sheikh Hasina!” on a deserted street in Dhaka as election results started trickling in.

reporters across the country saw sparse turnout at polling booths during the election. In nine polling centers visited in Dhaka, posters bearing the Awami League’s “boat” symbol far outnumbered those of the opposition.

Mahbub Talukdar, one of the five election commissioners who stirred a controversy last week by saying there was no level-playing field for the parties, told he did not see any opposition polling agents near the Dhaka booth where he voted, suggesting they had been kept away.

Clashes in the Muslim-majority country broke out between workers of the Awami League and its opponents, led by the BNP of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. 

At least one of the victims was attacked by a machete-carrying group, police said, adding a man from a paramilitary auxiliary force also died.

Police spokesman Sohel Rana said seven victims were workers of the ruling party and five from the BNP. He said around 20 people were wounded.

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Mani is optimistic after meeting CSA, South African High Commission

Mani is optimistic after meeting CSA, South African High Commission

LAHORE, DEC 30 - Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman, Ehsan Mani is optimistic about a potential tour of South Africa’s junior, women or senior team to Pakistan after a successful meeting Cricket South Africa’s officials and South African High Commission.

“I reiterated that Pakistan is a safe country to come and play cricket and the security situation in the country is drastically improved,” said Mani. 

“We had talks about South Africa sending their senior, junior or women’s team to Pakistan in the near future.”

South African board will review International Cricket Council’s (ICC) report on the security situation in the country, moreover, they will send their own security experts as well.

“Cricket South Africa will review Internationals Cricket Council (ICC)’s report about the security situation in Pakistan while also sending their own security experts to Pakistan for the same purpose,” he added.

Pakistan team is currently touring South Africa, where they will play three Test matches, five One Day Internationals and three T20 Internationals.

In 2017, South Africa’s Faf Du Plessis, Hashim Amla, David Miller and Morne Morkel toured Pakistan with the World XI for a three-match T20I series.

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HEC, Tech provides MOS certification facility to AIOU

HEC, Tech provides MOS certification facility to AIOU

ISLAMABAD, DEC 30 - Higher Education Commission (HEC) in collaboration with Tech Education Foundation has provided Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) opportunity for (AIOU) Allama Iqbal Open University students, faculty, tutors, and staff.

To this effects, Exam center has been established at the Digital Lab, Computer Science Department, AIOU. Exams timing are from Monday to Friday between 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

According to Assistant Professor and /MOS Focal Person, Dr. Moziuddin the students and the faculty has a chance to get certified for globally renowned MOS free of cost.

Necessary detail has been placed at the AIOU website. 

All interested have been asked to contact Muhammad Asif (Jr. Programmer)/MOS administrator through his email: cs.asif1@gmail.com, or at his phone no.051-9057183 or the focal person at email: moiz.ahmed@aiou.edu.pk.

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NZ beat Sri Lanka by 423 runs, seal series with victory in Christchurch Test

NZ beat Sri Lanka by 423 runs, seal series with victory in Christchurch Test

WELLINGTON, DEC 30 - Trent Boult and Neil Wagner quickly wrapped up Sri Lanka’s second innings on Sunday as New Zealand clinched the series 1-0 with a dominant 423-run victory in the second test at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

Boult trapped Dushmantha Chameera in front after only 10 minutes of play on the fifth day, and while the batsman asked for a review third umpire Rod Tucker confirmed the onfield decision two minutes later to bring the match to an end.

With the first match in Wellington ending in a damp draw, Sunday’s victory saw the hosts win a fourth successive test series for the first time.

“A fantastic achievement,” said New Zealand captain Kane Williamson. “It’s exciting, the four series, even if I wasn’t aware of it.

“But it’s a proud achievement because we are playing in different conditions and having to adjust our games.”

The victory was even more impressive given New Zealand had been reduced to 64 for six on the first day, before Tim Southee produced a counter-attacking innings of 68 that pushed their total through to 178.

Southee then blasted the top off Sri Lanka’s reply, reducing them to 21 for three. The performance on the first day earned him man-of-the match honours.

“It was nice to get some runs,” Southee said. “We needed to post some sort of score and try and hang in there ... for as long as we could.

“I guess 170 in the first innings was a good score on that wicket.”

Boult followed up Southee’s cameo with a stunning burst of six wickets in 15 deliveries early on the second day, which swung the game in their favour as they took a 74-run lead.

New Zealand’s batsmen all got starts in their second innings with Tom Latham (176) and Henry Nicholls (162 not out) notching their first centuries on their home ground as Williamson declared at 585 for four.

“A couple of brilliant contributions from those two local boys,” Williamson said of Latham and Nicholls. 

“We required big runs and ...they went and put us in a really strong position.”

Sri Lanka put up a stronger second innings performance as they sought to either grind out an improbable 660 runs for victory , or bat for more than two days to save the game.

Their resistance was broken late on the fourth day.

After they had battled through to 231 for six at stumps the tourists faced the prospect of having their top batsman Angelo Mathews not appearing again after he retired hurt with a hamstring injury.

Boult wasted little time on Sunday in the overcast conditions as he bowled Suranga Lakmal for 18 on the third ball, before Wagner had Dilruwan Perera caught for 22 on the eighth.

Boult then wrapped up the innings at 236 for nine with Mathews unable to bat.

“Disappointed with the way we batted in the first innings but I’m happy with the way we played in the second innings as we fought hard as a team,” said Sri Lanka captain Dinseh Chandimal.

“We are a young team, but if we can show the same character as Kusal Mendis and Angelo Mathews then we should be able to compete.”

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Bangladesh goes to polls under tight security

Bangladesh goes to polls under tight security

DHAKA, DEC 30 - Bangladesh headed to the polls Sunday following a weeks-long campaign that was dominated by deadly violence and allegations of a crackdown on thousands of opposition activists.

Voting began at 8.00 am (0200 GMT) amid tight security in a vote that is expected to deliver a historic but tainted fourth general election victory for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Some 600,000 security personnel are deployed across the South Asian nation — including at 40,000 polling stations.

There was fresh violence on the eve of the vote when a ruling party activist was allegedly killed by supporters of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its Islamist ally, Jamaat-e-Islami.

“He was attacked with rocks. He died on the way to hospital,” Mohammad Niamutullah, police chief in the southern town of Patia, told.

The death brought to four the number of people confirmed killed by police since the timetable for the election was announced on November 8, marking the country’s 11th parliamentary election since independence in 1971.

The BNP claims eight of its activists have died.

Around 104 million voters are choosing between an alliance led by Hasina’s ruling Awami League party and a coalition headed by the BNP which was cobbled together only three months ago.

Opinion polls show Hasina, who has presided over impressive economic growth during an unbroken decade in power but who is also accused of growing authoritarianism, heading for a comfortable victory.

She needs 151 seats in the first-past-the-post system to win in the 300-seat parliament but experts say any victory would be sullied by accusations that she hamstrung her opponents’ campaign.

The opposition says more than 15,000 of its activists have been arrested, crippling its ability to mobilise its grassroots support.

Human Rights Watch and other international groups have decried the crackdown, saying it has created a climate of fear which could prevent supporters of opposition parties from casting their ballots.

The United States has also raised concerns about the credibility of the Muslim-majority country’s election while the United Nations has called for greater efforts to make the vote fair.

Seventeen opposition candidates were arrested over what they claim are trumped up charges while another 17 were disqualified from running by courts which are allegedly controlled by Hasina.

“This is not (a) free and fair election. It is more a controlled selection,” said a Western diplomat who has been monitoring the run-up to the polls and who asked not to be named.

Badiul Alam Majumder, the leader of a Bangladesh civil society group, said the alleged crackdown had “created a perception that the incumbent government will return to power”.

“Never in my life I have seen such kind of election. 

The election commission has totally failed to do its job,” he told.

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