Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, the acting prime minister, stressed on Wednesday the significance of concentrating on science and technology in order to meet the nation’s rapid growth objectives. Speaking at the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences (GIKI) in the Topi neighbourhood of Swabi, he stated that the institute was preparing excellent graduates in a variety of engineering science subjects, which was helping to promote science and technology. The prime minister remembered how, upon his initial visit to GIKI in the 1990s, he was struck not just by the institute’s physical attributes but also by the calibre of instruction and enthusiasm of the student body. He claimed that humans were created by Allah Almighty for a good purpose. He went on to say that what sets humans apart from angels is our capacity for thought, our capacity for conceptualization, and our pursuit of knowledge. According to the prime minister, Pakistan was established in order to have esteemed academic institutes like GIKI. He emphasised the importance of creating this institute’s equivalents across the nation. He pledged to do everything in his power to open GIKI campuses in every province in the nation. The prime minister also praised the excellent work that the institute’s faculty had done. He gave the institute his word that the government would fully support any initiative it took.
According to the military’s media wing on Wednesday, Pakistan avoids bloc politics and aims to maintain balanced ties with all friendly nations, including China and the United States. This is according to Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir. According to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the army commander made these comments in Washington during an open conversation with representatives of well-known US think tanks and the media. According to the COAS, Pakistan is a significant nation from a geopolitical and economic standpoint. It aspires to become a hub of connectivity and a gateway to Central Asia and beyond, but it rejects bloc politics and favours keeping amicable relations with all friendly countries. The head of Pakistan’s army emphasised that the country wants to establish a long-term multi-domain collaboration in order to increase bilateral interaction with the US. He emphasised that he had had extremely excellent encounters with the political and military leadership during his tour to the US, and that they were looking forward to further improving their partnership going forward. According to the COAS, which the ISPR cited, Pakistan has long been a bulwark against transnational terrorism, protecting both regional stability and international peace and security. He declared that Pakistan “will continue to fight till the logical end, in line with the aspirations of people of Pakistan,” acknowledging the nation’s extraordinary contributions and sacrifices made in the long-running war against terrorism.
Murtaza Solangi, the federal minister for information, broadcasting, and parliamentary affairs, stated on Wednesday that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which was formally inaugurated in 2013, has significantly improved Pakistan’s socioeconomic situation by resolving the country’s severe energy crisis and deteriorating infrastructure. “In the 8th China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Media Forum, Solangi stated as her keynote speech that the CPEC has given the people of Pakistan hope, trust, and confidence.” He said that in 2013, Pakistan faced severe difficulties that included 10-hour blackouts, a 2500 MW electricity deficit, and a $250 billion economic loss. Later, he added, the CPEC projects had a significant positive impact on the lives of the locals by creating job opportunities.
Mansoor Usman Awan, the Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP), told the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday that no intelligence agency had been given permission by the government to record audio conversations. He made this revelation at the hearing of a lawsuit submitted by Bushra Bibi, the wife of former prime minister Imran Khan, asking for action against a discussion that was purportedly leaked and included her and PTI leader Latif Khosa. The former first lady claimed that the recording violated the right to privacy and dignity guaranteed by Article 14 of the Constitution when she contacted the IHC on December 6. The principal secretary to the prime minister and the secretaries of defence and interior were named as respondents in the application, which was submitted through Khosa to the IHC.
Quaid of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has lamented the changes that the nation endured under the Tehreek-e-Insaf government and emphasised the difficulties that the country is currently facing, including historically high inflation. He was giving a speech at the PML-N’s 14th parliamentary session, which was held at the Model Town Secretariat. There were also former federal ministers Ishaq Dar, Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Sanaullah, Khawaja Asif, Rana Tanveer, Ataullah Tarar, Hamza Shehbaz, Khurram Dastagir, and others, along with PML-N President Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Organiser Maryam Nawaz. It was a joy to see his colleagues again after a long absence, Nawaz said, adding that the PML-N was thoroughly preparing for the next elections. He expressed optimism that the party would win a sizable majority nationwide. Nawaz underlined the significance of women’s involvement in national advancement and stressed that developed nations have placed a high priority on the advancement of women. He urged women to take an active role in the fields of health, work, and education, arguing that their special contributions may aid in the accomplishment of goals for national development. Nawaz Sharif detailed the stereotypes that society has against women, emphasising the need to eradicate them. He praised the part women played in the establishment of Pakistan and acknowledged the safety Islam offers to women. He promoted women’s participation in decision-making processes and made the case that they could perform better than men in societal progress....
As political parties intensify their attempts to win over voters, Captain (retd) Safdar, the leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has stated that Nawaz Sharif, the head of the party, will run in the upcoming elections from Mansehra’s NA 15. Safdar, the husband of PML-N Chief Organiser Maryam Nawaz, told the media on Wednesday that the former prime minister would present his nomination papers by Thursday, December 21, for the National Assembly seat “NA 15 Mansehra-cum-TorGhar.” This incident occurs as the nomination papers from prospective candidates for the polls scheduled for February 8, 2024, are starting to arrive at the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). Nawaz’s name appears on the list of nomination forms given to the candidates for the aforementioned constituency, according to documents obtained by the media.
During his official visit to Jordan, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), had a meeting with King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussain. Both dignitaries covered a range of topics during the discussion, including the current state of regional security and bilateral military and political cooperation. In appreciation for his distinguished contributions, Jordanian King Abdullah Ibn Al Hussain awarded the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee the medal known as the “Order of the Star of Jordan.” Additionally, Major General Yousef Ahmed Al-Hnaity, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Jordanian Armed Forces, and Brigadier General Muhammad Hyasat, Commander of the Royal Jordan Air Force, met separately with the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee.
Karachi – The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) raised the electricity cost by Rs1.15 per unit on Wednesday as part of the quarterly adjustments, giving already burdened power users a further jolt. The power consumers would bear an extra financial burden of Rs22.29 billion as a result of the most recent pricing increase. The new rate is going to be in effect from January 2024 to March 2024. With the exception of lifeline, K-Electric, and electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS), all customer categories are expected to be impacted by this increase in power rate.
Gaza: According to the Palestinian organisation, Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas, arrived in Cairo on Wednesday to meet with Egyptian officials and discuss the latest developments in the conflict with Israel in the Gaza Strip. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) announced on Wednesday that more than 360,000 cases of infectious diseases had been reported in the organization’s shelters in the besieged Gaza Strip, amid a health system that is already in disarray. According to a UNRWA assessment cited by Al Jazeera, the Palestinian people’s worsening living conditions, inadequate sanitation, and lack of food are the main causes of the widespread spread of diseases such acute respiratory infections, meningitis, jaundice, impetigo, and chickenpox.
On Wednesday, 70 of his associates, including commander Sarfraz Ahmed Bungulzai of the proscribed militant group Baloch National Army (BNA), proclaimed their surrender. Jan Achakzai, the province’s information minister, was present at the announcement press conference in Quetta. According to Bungulzai, who made this statement during the press conference, he initially believed that his armed struggle was for Baloch rights but eventually learned that the Baloch people’s blood was being sacrificed for individual interests. “All of these conspiracies involve India. In light of all of this, we have made the decision to align with the national mainstream. I’ve joined the national mainstream along with seventy of my associates,” he declared. He added that 155 innocent Baloch people lost their lives in Awaran in 2014 as a result of their refusal to pay extortion money. He claimed that throughout the previous 20 years, thousands of Baloch had perished. He declared, “These people are only working on foreign agendas.” He mentioned the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of six Pakistani army personnel, including a general, last year and claimed that a technical malfunction was to blame. However, Balochistan Raaji Ajoi-R-Sangar (BRAS) accepted responsibility on behalf of India. He continued, “And they shed the blood of their own Baloch after taking money from India.” He exhorted the young people to give up violence by doing the same. “It’s better for parents to give their kids an education than a gun,” he advised.
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