Details presented in National Assembly
This news report was published in Daily Waqt dated December 06, 2013
Showing posts with label karachi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label karachi. Show all posts
Friday, December 6, 2013
Friday, November 29, 2013
Pakistan Breaks Ground on Nuclear Plant Project With China
Pakistan Breaks Ground on Nuclear Plant Project With China
By SALMAN MASOOD and CHRIS BUCKLEY
Published: November 26, 2013
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday ceremonially broke ground on a $9.59 billion nuclear power complex to be built in Karachi with China’s help, seeking to ease Pakistan’s long-running energy crisis and signaling a new step by China in becoming a top nuclear supplier.
The deal, which officials said was still being finalized, is a major new
advance in energy cooperation between the two countries, dwarfing
previous reactor projects built along with China at Chashma, in
Pakistan’s interior. And it establishes a growing counterpoint to a
nuclear axis between the United States and India in recent years that
Pakistani officials have seen as an irritant and Chinese officials have
seen as a geopolitical challenge.
“The beginning of the 2,200-megawatt power project is indeed a proud
moment in the energy history of Pakistan,” Mr. Sharif said at the
ceremony, adding that the construction was to be completed in six years.
The Chinese ambassador to Pakistan, Sun Weidong, and officials from the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission attended.
Energy supply remains one of the most pressing concerns in Pakistan, and
it was a major issue in the general elections last May, when Mr. Sharif
promised to end crippling shortages. After taking office, his first
visit was to China, where he discussed the nuclear power plant project.
Officials said the new project is to be built around two new-model
Chinese ACP-1000 nuclear reactors, with China also providing enriched
uranium for fuel.
However, Pakistani officials have provided few details of how they plan to finance it.
In September, the International Monetary Fund approved a $6.6 billion loan to help stabilize Pakistan’s struggling economy and tackle the energy crisis.
Mr. Sharif did not mention financing in his speech, but he said that he
has assured the Chinese investors that his government “will support them
in every way.”
China has signaled its intent to expand nuclear energy cooperation with
Pakistan in joint statements from their leaders, said Zhang Li, an
expert on Pakistan at the Institute of South Asian Studies at Sichuan
University in southwest China.
“Both countries have expressed their willingness to expand cooperation
in civilian nuclear energy,” Mr. Zhang said in a telephone interview.
“In that sense, you didn’t need a crystal ball to see this project
coming.”
The new project is not without potential controversy. In the years since
China and Pakistan agreed to build the first reactor at Chashma, China
has joined both the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and the Nuclear Suppliers Group, an agreement by 47 countries to limit exports of nuclear technology and materials.
Mr. Zhang said that China is almost certain to deem the new projects as a
“grandfathered” extension of the countries’ earlier nuclear deals
signed before China joined the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
“My analysis is that this issue won’t trigger too much controversy,” Mr.
Zhang said. “The Indian government will certainly respond, but I don’t
think that this will fundamentally harm Sino-Indian relations, because
it’s not something that has come out of the blue. China and India have
exchanged views on this many times.”
On the supplier group’s likely response, Mr. Zhang said: “I don’t think
the N.S.G. will formally raise this issue, because the experience in the
past was that the members would reach an implicit understanding, and so
this issue never caused a big fuss in previous N.S.G. meetings.”
One of the main events considered to have weakened the Nuclear Suppliers
Group, in fact, was the 2005 commercial nuclear deal between the United
States and India, which like Pakistan developed nuclear weapons in the
face of global pressure. The deal has been a lasting source of outrage
for Pakistani officials.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not commented on the project
with Pakistan. Yet in the past, it has said that China’s nuclear
cooperation with Pakistan is entirely peaceful and comes under
International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards.
Pakistan has also sought to bridge its energy shortfall through a gas
pipeline deal with Iran. That has been hung up by international
sanctions against Iran, but Pakistani officials have continued to push
for it. On Tuesday, Mr. Sharif’s chief foreign policy adviser, Sartaj
Aziz, was in Iran to discuss the project.
Mr. Sharif on Tuesday also announced plans to build six more civilian
nuclear plants in other parts of the country. But Mr. Zhang said that
China was unlikely to build any more nuclear reactors in Pakistan beyond
the two units in Karachi.
The choice of Karachi is significant because it is considered Pakistan’s
economic and trade center, and its coastal location also provides ample
water for use in reactor cooling.
“Today people look with envy toward cities like Dubai, Hong Kong, Kuala
Lumpur and Singapore,” Mr. Sharif said in his speech, which was
broadcast live. “I wish to see Karachi in this list of harbors and
industrial hubs.”
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
#KarachiOperation |
PM vows to restore peace in Karachi
Radio Pakistan- Nawaz Sharif has directed immediate implementation of "Protection of Pakistan Ordinance" to deal wit
PM vows to restore peace in Karachi
Nawaz Sharif has directed immediate implementation of "Protection of Pakistan Ordinance" to deal with the heinous crimes and offenders.
Chairing a meeting to review Law and Order Situation at Governor House Karachi on Tuesday‚ the Prime Minister said that Karachi operation will continue till fulfillment of its objectives.
Prime Minister directed immediate implementation of "Protection of Pakistan Ordinance" to deal with the heinous crimes and offenders. He further directed the law enforcing agencies and the Sindh Government to shift terrorists to other provinces for trial so that safety of prosecutors and witnesses is ensured.
The Prime Minister was briefed that since September this year 63‚475 raids and 455 encounters have been conducted while as 74 criminals including target killers and terrorists have been arrested.
During the meeting‚ Prime Minister was updated that request for establishment of new Anti-terrorism Courts and appointment of new Judges has been sent to Chief Justice Sindh High Court. It was also informed that 41 proxy prisoners have been identified after NADRA verification and these persons were in prisons instead of the real criminals.
At this occasion‚ the Prime Minister said that high value and hardened criminals should be tried in other provinces and mafias inside jails should be dismantled. He further directed that all illegal Mobile SIMs should be blocked and biometric system should be henceforth used for issuance of new SIMs.
Monday, November 25, 2013
#PMLN leadership to rid country of crises: Saad
Monday, November 25, 2013 - Karachi—The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz
(PMLN) had not deviated its directions towards the resolution of key national issues but after taking up the government amid terrible crises, the PML-N had acquired the responsibility to run the state sanely and not only as just a political party
so it was a mater of safeguarding the interests of the state. The PML-N
leadership was fully determined to rid the country of the crises and
challenges and put the country on the path of progress and enlightenment
and hence a little time was sought to put the things in order.
The Minister said that it was the constitutional privilege of the federal government to appoint its own Governor in Sindh but the government had sacrificed that constitutional privilege for the sake of the state and the people of the metropolis. As a political party, the PMLN could have changed the Sindh Governor but as the party in federal government, some decisions are deferred for people’s betterment and above all for the interest of the country in the long run of state’s affairs.
The metropolis had been ruled by the TT (pistols) while the PMLN office-bearers and workers had stood to the challenges like man and kept the PMLN’s colours hoisted for which they deserved due applause. Te PMLN was fully aware of the problems of the people of the city and the PMLN workers and office-bearers and that the PMLN would utilize all the available resources to put thing in order, said Khawaja Saad Rafique.
Khawaja Saad Rafique, the Minister for Railways expressed these views while addressing a press conference he had addressed at the PMLN provincial headquarters at Karsaz, Karachi Sunday. PMLN Sindh chapter General secretary Saleem Zia Awan advocate, Information Secretary Ali Akbar Gujjar, Nehal Hashmi, Arif Kiyani, Azhar Sayani, Saeedullah Afridi, Michael Jawaid, Karamat Chohan, Malik Riyaz, Zahid Shah Mir, Nisar Shah, Aman Afridi, Malik Taj, Sultan Bahadur and Asif Khan were present with the Minister.
The Minister said that the PMLN hated the drone attacks and Pakistan Tehreek-e Insaf chairman Imran Khan and those that had taken to streets were in fact assisting the government on that serious national issue.
He said that the credit went to the PMLN-led federal government for bringing the military dictator under court trial for his constitutional violence and offences and it was then the responsibility of the judiciary to say its words and deeds.
As far as the issue of Karachi Circular railways was concerned, the Minister said that he wanted that the KCR project should be commenced, completed and run with indigenous resources; however, it would depend upon circumstances ahead and then the government would take appropriate decisions while keeping the national interests abreast.
http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=224696
The Minister said that it was the constitutional privilege of the federal government to appoint its own Governor in Sindh but the government had sacrificed that constitutional privilege for the sake of the state and the people of the metropolis. As a political party, the PMLN could have changed the Sindh Governor but as the party in federal government, some decisions are deferred for people’s betterment and above all for the interest of the country in the long run of state’s affairs.
The metropolis had been ruled by the TT (pistols) while the PMLN office-bearers and workers had stood to the challenges like man and kept the PMLN’s colours hoisted for which they deserved due applause. Te PMLN was fully aware of the problems of the people of the city and the PMLN workers and office-bearers and that the PMLN would utilize all the available resources to put thing in order, said Khawaja Saad Rafique.
Khawaja Saad Rafique, the Minister for Railways expressed these views while addressing a press conference he had addressed at the PMLN provincial headquarters at Karsaz, Karachi Sunday. PMLN Sindh chapter General secretary Saleem Zia Awan advocate, Information Secretary Ali Akbar Gujjar, Nehal Hashmi, Arif Kiyani, Azhar Sayani, Saeedullah Afridi, Michael Jawaid, Karamat Chohan, Malik Riyaz, Zahid Shah Mir, Nisar Shah, Aman Afridi, Malik Taj, Sultan Bahadur and Asif Khan were present with the Minister.
The Minister said that the PMLN hated the drone attacks and Pakistan Tehreek-e Insaf chairman Imran Khan and those that had taken to streets were in fact assisting the government on that serious national issue.
He said that the credit went to the PMLN-led federal government for bringing the military dictator under court trial for his constitutional violence and offences and it was then the responsibility of the judiciary to say its words and deeds.
As far as the issue of Karachi Circular railways was concerned, the Minister said that he wanted that the KCR project should be commenced, completed and run with indigenous resources; however, it would depend upon circumstances ahead and then the government would take appropriate decisions while keeping the national interests abreast.
http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=224696
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Back on track:
Nandipur power plant picks up speed
KARACHI: The Nanidpur power plant which had been experiencing severe delays in construction has finally picked up speed. Almost all of the construction material of the 425 megawatt (MW) cycle power plant, that had been abandoned at Karachi Port since 2010, has been transported to the project site in Gujranwala so as to complete the power plant promptly.
China's Dong Fang Electric Corporation Limited has agreed to complete the project as swiftly as possible.
Captain (retd) M Mehmood, Managing Director (MD) of the project monitoring unit of Nandipur power plant has expressed immense interest in the plan. With this increased pressure Dong Fang Electric Corporation Limited company has promised to complete one unit of the power plant by the end of May 2014.
The whole power plant is expected to be completed ahead of its schedule in December 2014 at around November 2014.
The PML-N government is giving the power sector top priority and is making huge investments in order to reduce the power shortage. The government has made all the efforts to remove any obstacles in the execution of the plan. The project will cost $329 million and will produce 425 MW of electricity.
Dong Fang Electric Corporation Limited had previously left the country due to unexpected delays in the project. However, their return highlights the prospects of the project finally being completed.
The Nandipur Power Project is a combined cycle project, consisting of four turbines: three turbines run on furnace oil and one on steam. Officials said that the plant will create 400 new jobs in Sindh and three other provinces. The plant is located on the left bank of Upper Chenab Canal in Nandipur, Gujranwala. It will enhance industrial production and bring a new era of development in the country.
End.
China's Dong Fang Electric Corporation Limited has agreed to complete the project as swiftly as possible.
Captain (retd) M Mehmood, Managing Director (MD) of the project monitoring unit of Nandipur power plant has expressed immense interest in the plan. With this increased pressure Dong Fang Electric Corporation Limited company has promised to complete one unit of the power plant by the end of May 2014.
The whole power plant is expected to be completed ahead of its schedule in December 2014 at around November 2014.
The PML-N government is giving the power sector top priority and is making huge investments in order to reduce the power shortage. The government has made all the efforts to remove any obstacles in the execution of the plan. The project will cost $329 million and will produce 425 MW of electricity.
Dong Fang Electric Corporation Limited had previously left the country due to unexpected delays in the project. However, their return highlights the prospects of the project finally being completed.
The Nandipur Power Project is a combined cycle project, consisting of four turbines: three turbines run on furnace oil and one on steam. Officials said that the plant will create 400 new jobs in Sindh and three other provinces. The plant is located on the left bank of Upper Chenab Canal in Nandipur, Gujranwala. It will enhance industrial production and bring a new era of development in the country.
End.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Radio Pakistan | First Phase of Karachi Operation 2013
Ch. Nisar Ali Khan on Karachi Operation
By Haroon Baloch
The Senate was informed today that six hundred seventy-seven targeted raids have been carried out and around nine thousands criminals arrested in Karachi since 5th September in order to control the killings of citizens.
Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan told the House during question hour that main reasons of target killings in Karachi are ethnic‚ sectarian‚ fighting among various politico-religious groups‚ land grabbing under the umbrella of political parties and turf war among different groups also believed to be backed by major political parties. He said after the decision made by the Federal Cabinet on 4th September in Karachi‚ government has successfully carried out targeted operations. He said so far 36293 ammunition‚ 1252 other weapons have been recovered while 1586 criminals have been arrested.
He said Karachi police in coordination with Sindh Rangers and intelligence agencies has also carried out 5077 raids and 9000 criminals have been arrested. He said 330 encounters have also taken place in which 34 criminals were killed.
The Minister said that a committee headed by Chief Minister Sindh has been constituted to review the law and order situation in Karachi whereas an operational committee comprising DG Rangers‚ IG police Sindh and representatives of intelligence agencies has also been working on ground.
Lauding the role of political parties and intelligence agencies‚ Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said some elements have tried to damage the joint efforts of political parties‚ however‚ all of them have played constructive role in controlling Karachi situation despite the fact that there were some legitimate reservations of the political parties including MQM. He said the disturbing area comprises around 20 percent of the whole city‚ however‚ fallout of law and order situation affects other areas.
Replying to a question‚ the minister excused to disclose the timeframe of the operation due to security reasons. He‚ however‚ said operation has entered into second phase. He said the objectives of the operation have met as significant decrease in events of target killings and extortions has been recorded.
http://www.radio.gov.pk/newsdetail-57053
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Decency of Mian Nawaz Sharif | Shakeel Farroqi
Column | Shakeel Farooqi
This column was published in Daily express dated May 18, 2013
Monday, May 13, 2013
کالم کار - جاوید چودھری
کالم کار - جاوید چودھری
In the efforts to eradicate Dengue. Published on Daily Express dated November 09, 2012
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Better Pakistan | Wild Life and Tourism
Better Pakistan | Wild Life, Culture & Tourism
Pakistan is blessed with tremendous natural beauty and diversified culture. We are among the few nations in the world that are blessed with four seasons, the sky kissing mountains, the roaring rivers, the lush green outfields and large deserts with over 800 km long coastal belt. Such blessings provides the baseline for strengthening of economy through tourism. The tourism requires good infrastructure, specially quality roads in hill stations that no only facilitates the local population but appeals the foreign tourist to visit the breath taking areas of Northern Pakistan.
Pakistan Muslim League during its tenure has worked specifically on the infrastructure building for tourism. During the two tenures of PMLN Alhamdulliah the law and order situation was satisfactory therefore foreign tourists used to visit the archaeological sites of Pakistan especially the famous Mohinjadaro and Harrapa sites. The establishment of new and international standard airports at Lahore and Karachi also proved to be the first impression to the foreigners coming to Pakistan in various capacities. In this blog post, as the title implies, we are presenting from the arches of history the work of PMLN for tourism development and wild life of Pakistan.
Tourism is an area that can help us in earning a lot of revenue. In order to boost the tourism activities in the country PMLN during its two tenures worked on lot of issues. The culture and tourism are directly linked with each other. The efforts of PMLN for setting up international standard tourist resorts dates back to the time when Mian Nawaz Sharif was the Chief Minister of Punjab. In 1987 the Govt. of Punjab established Chinji National Park as a protected area of International Union of Conservation of Nature. It is located in Talagang Dist. Chakwal, Punjab. It has a total area of 15061 acres (Reference).
The Patriata chairlift project, a unique of its own kind was inaugurated by Mian Nawaz Sharif on July 12,1990. Furthermore, to improve the accessibility to the northern areas of Pakistan TDCP was advised to devised plans specially meant for tour operations. This resulted in strengthening the tourism based economy of northern areas like Kaghan, Swat and Neelam valley.
Landhi Korangi Zoo was also established during the first tenure of PMLN in 1990. It is a zoological garden located at Korangi, Landhi Town, Karachi. It is spread over an area of approximately 4 acres (16,000 m2).
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| Mian Nawaz Sharif in Patriata | Inaugurating chairlift| dated 12 July 1990 (The Nation) |
In order to promote Sindhi culture Sindhi Language Authority was established by PMLN in year 1991. Sindh Tourism Development Corporation (STDC) was established in the year 1992 under the companies Act, 1975. This authority is working for the promotion of tourism in the province of Sindh. To highlight the importance of wildlife and tourism, in 1991, a three day celebration was observed in the Lahore Zoo, targeting only the youngsters.
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In July 1992, the NHA was directed to construct Thal-Parachinar road worth 418 Million PKR. This road was primarily made to facilitate the locals but its secondary objective was to uplift the tourism activities in the area. It is worth mentioning here that Parachinar was among the most peaceful areas of Pakistan during PMLN govt.
In 1992 Natural History Museum and raptile house, were renovated. It is one of the more famous attractions in Karachi Zoo. Lohi Bher Wildlife Park is located in Lohi Bher in Rawalpindi. Established in 1992, the area encompasses 687 acres. PTDC Reception Unit at Chaman was approved by DDWP on 24-9-1992 at a cost of Rs. 6.302 million. Motel at Baran Kalay, Swat was approved by DDWP on 19-7-1992 at a cost of Rs. 17.762 million. PTDC Motel at Bunni, Chitral was approved by DDWP on 15-11-1992 at a cost of Rs. 6.467 million.
Right in the start of second tenure of PMLN to uplift tourism and to provide easy transport excess to the local population, the construction of 172 kM long Mansehra - Naran-Jhalkhd road , worth 3118 Million PKR was initiated. The work for uplifting tourism is evident from the fact that during the second tenure of PMLN in 1997, the archaeological site of Mohinjodaro was set to work for conservation. The UNESCO provided funding for this long project of 20 year. The old castle of Sher Shah Sorri also known as ROHTAS fort was included in the UNESCO list of world heritage in the year 1997. The foundation stone of Pakistan Austrian Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management (PAITHOM), Guli Bagh, Swat was also laid down by PMLN govt in May 1997. Hingol National Park (HNP) located in Lasbella, Awaran and Gwadar districts of Balochistan was established by PMLN in the year 1997. It covers an area of 619,043 hectares with 5,000 households spread in more than 200 scattered villages.
The Govt. of PMLN in 1997 successfully held an international tourism convention in Lahore to highlight the Allah gifted beauty of Pakistan. The theme of that convention was "Pakistan a gateway to silk route". It was also planned to celebrate the year 1999 as the visit Pakistan year. These efforts brought 291.2 million USD to the treasury of Pakistan during the second tenure of PMLN (1997-1999)
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| A Newspaper clip dated Nov 02, 1997
In 1998 the Ayubia National park was expanded for two very good reasons. Firstly, it helped in conservation of the temperate forest, secondly it made a huge impact on the tourist activity in the area. It must be noted that this park was originally established in 1984 and its original area was 4161 acres which increased to 8184 acres of land. It is currently under the provincial department of wildlife. This park holds more than 100 species of plants and over 200 species of birds.
In July 1998, Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif set a baby tiger free in the jungles of Azad Kashmir as a mark of wildlife protection. In 1998 the PMLN lead Government of Pakistan approved the Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) .It was prepared by Ministry of Environment, IUCN, WWF and various other stakeholders.
In 1999 the govt.of Punjab allowed the people of Punjab to keep some rare animals in their home. However, it was mentioned that prior permission from Wildlife department is mandatory. In 2009, the PMLN lead government of Punjab did extensive renovation of Woodland wildlife park and renamed it Lahore Zoo Safari on January 21. The Government of Punjab in 2012 established the Parks and Horticulture Authority of Punjab via the act The Parks and Horticulture Authority Act 2012. Through this act it made possible for the government to declare an area as
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| Wildlife permission |
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| A view of Lahore Zoo Safari- |
Through these lines our basic aim is to highlight the work of PMLN in this area. It is worth committing here that all these works done are in the best interest of Pakistan. It was not as a token of greatness but our humble duty to return to the people of Pakistan the best we can. We are very much hopeful to do our best in the future too for a strong and prosperous Pakistan.
Thank you PMLN
~Hadeed Sher~
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