Latest

PM Shehbaz welcomes Chinese investment to modernize Pakistan’s grain storage

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday welcomed a Chinese investment initiative to modernize Pakistan’s grain storage infrastructure, and said that stronger business-to-business partnerships between Pakistan and China would further deepen the two countries’ longstanding strategic relationship.

The prime minister was speaking during a meeting with a delegation led by Jack Chen, Chief Executive Officer of Chinese agribusiness company FAMSUN, here at the Prime Minister’s Office, a news release said.

PM Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan and China enjoy exemplary ties, with economic cooperation and bilateral relations continuing to strengthen over time. He welcomed FAMSUN’s plan to transform grain storage facilities in Pakistan into state-of-the-art centres. He described the project as an important step towards introducing modern agricultural technology and promoting commercial activity.

The prime minister directed that skills development and training for Pakistan’s workforce should be incorporated into the proposed projects to ensure local capacity building.

Jack Chen thanked the prime minister and the Government of Pakistan for their warm hospitality and recalled his meeting with Shehbaz Sharif during the latter’s recent visit to China, which led to the company’s visit to Pakistan to discuss practical initiatives in the field of food security.

According to the briefing, FAMSUN is interested in supporting Pakistan through improved grain storage facilities, technology transfer and training. The company will establish a demonstration centre for green silos in Pakistan, while existing storage centres will be upgraded into modern green silo facilities.

Officials also informed the meeting that a memorandum of understanding has already been signed between FAMSUN and the Green Pakistan Initiative.

Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar and senior government officials also attended the meeting.

Latest

Health minister orders probe into Sindh MDCAT complaints

ISLAMABAD:Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal has taken notice of alleged irregularities in the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) held in Sindh and ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the complaints.

According to official sources, the minister directed a five-member committee, including the President of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), to conduct a transparent investigation and submit its report within 15 days.

The committee has been tasked with examining the complaints and reviewing the circumstances surrounding the alleged irregularities during the examination, sources said.

The minister directed the committee to complete the inquiry within the stipulated timeframe and present its findings for further action in accordance with the applicable rules.

Latest

CDA chairman directs faster work on Expressway East project

ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Sohail Ashraf has directed officials to accelerate work on the Islamabad Expressway Service Road East project while ensuring strict compliance with approved designs and construction standards.

During an inspection of the project on Saturday, the chairman reviewed progress and was briefed on ongoing works and the next phase of development.

He directed the project director and relevant departments to maintain continuous field monitoring and quality control and ensure effective traffic management to minimise inconvenience to commuters.

The chairman described the Expressway East project as an important infrastructure scheme for improving connectivity, traffic flow and road capacity in the capital. He also stressed that construction quality should not be compromised in efforts to meet the project timeline.

During the visit, he was also briefed on an ongoing enforcement operation against unauthorised and illegal construction along the Islamabad Expressway.

According to the CDA, 377 buildings have been identified for action, including 281 commercial structures. So far, 58 buildings have been sealed, while 124 buildings between Sohan and Khanna bridges have been marked for demolition.

The authority said Rs234.685 million had been recovered through land-use conversion, unauthorised construction and de-sealing charges. Around Rs3 billion remained recoverable under applicable regulations in connection with land-use conversion and violations relating to unauthorised construction, setbacks, floor area ratio and covered area.

The chairman directed the relevant departments to ensure strict enforcement of building-control and land-use regulations, particularly mandatory fire-safety requirements.

The enforcement operation is being conducted by the CDA’s Building Control Section and Enforcement Directorate in coordination with the district administration and Islamabad police.

Latest

GB ministers call on Governor Kundi

PESHAWAR: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Saturday held a meeting with a delegation of Gilgit-Baltistan ministers at the Governor’s House here and discussed the country’s political situation and other matters of mutual interest.

The delegation comprised Gilgit-Baltistan Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Zulfiqar Ali Murad, Minister for Health Iqbal Hassan and Minister for Education Aman Ali Ameer.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on the prevailing political situation in the country and various issues of mutual interest. They also discussed the recent elections in Gilgit-Baltistan and the Pakistan Peoples Party’s success in the polls.

The visiting ministers were taken on a tour of the Governor’s House. Governor Kundi presented them with traditional shawls and caps.