Day: October 25, 2022

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EU Ambassador calls on CM Ch Parvez Elahi 

Lahore, October 25, 2022 (PPI-OT):The ambassador of the European Union Dr Riina Kionka met the Chief Minister Punjab Chaudhry Parvez Elahi at his office and discussed the promotion of cooperation in various fields, especially the construction of new water reservoirs and small dams on Tuesday. They also discussed measures taken for workers’ and minorities’ welfare, elimination of child labour and human rights situation.

The CM thanked the EU for its support during the corona pandemic and mentioned that it is a major trade partner of Pakistan. We appreciate the support provided by the EU countries in various fields; he added and stated that the Punjab government has planned to build two dams on the river Chenab. Similarly, small dams will be built for the hill torrents of Koh-e-Sulaiman to save the rainwater for agricultural purposes. EU’s technical support for these projects would be appreciated.

The Punjab government has also planned to build houses for the flood victims through Akhuwat and the European Union can also support this project. Meanwhile, road repair work has been started in the flood-affected areas; the CM added and pointed out that laws were enacted to eradicate child labour. The government was also making laws more stringent to curb this menace.

Alongside this, the implementation of labour laws has also been ensured while taking steps to protect workers’ rights and the welfare of their children. Social security hospitals have been built for the workers and their families, where the treatment is free, he noted. The children of the workers are given a marriage grant on marriage and the amount of this grant has also been increased, he said. I had started the work on prison reforms in my previous tenure but the subsequent government stopped the work on it.

Now, we are working afresh to provide the necessary facilities to the detainees in the jails; conveyed Parvez Elahi while saying that the food menu for the prisoners has been improved. Schools have been built to educate children confined with their mothers in jails and a free legal aid system has been introduced for hapless inmates, the CM further said. The jail reforms package will be approved by the cabinet and its bill will be approved by the assembly, he added.

The CM said that the Punjab government has taken effective steps to protect human rights. All minorities have equal rights in Pakistan and special funds have been allocated for their welfare. A quota has been fixed for minorities’ educational admissions and jobs. A Pakistan based on the principles of patience, tolerance and brotherhood is our destination. The CM said that Pakistan and the European Union countries have very friendly relations and the government values the EU’s cooperation regarding the improvement of social sectors. It also wants to further strengthen these relations.

The EU ambassador expressed regret for the loss of life and money in floods and said that assistance in the dams projects will be reviewed. Cooperation with the Punjab government in the fields of textiles, manufacturing, and small and medium enterprises will be increased. CM Parvez Elahi is taking good measures for the welfare of the people of the province. The first consular of the European Union Mr Daniel Clauss, Advisor Hasnain Iftikhar, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Muhammad Khan Bhatti, finance secretary and related officials were also present.

For more information, contact:
Mediacell, Pakistan Muslim League
30-C, Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi Road,
Gulberg-II, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-35878428
Fax: +92-42-35877329
Website: www.pmlmediacell.com

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Akhuwat Founder calls on CM Ch Parvez Elahi 

Lahore, October 25, 2022 (PPI-OT):Chief Minister Punjab Chaudhry Parvez Elahi appreciated the societal role of Akhuwat during a meeting with its founder Dr Amjad Saqib at his office. In collaboration with Akhuwat, the government would fulfil the dream of owning a house for low-income people as the government was going to relaunch the loan program of house construction for the low-income stratum.

The CM approved the renewal of the agreement between the Punjab government and Akhuwat and 800 million rupees through the Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency. The CM said that the Akhuwat microfinance organisation would provide loans to necessitous people for the construction of houses. Loans will be given on a priority basis for the construction of houses in flood-affected areas; he added and asserted that providing a roof to the flood victims is a priority.

The provincial government would lend support to building houses as the federal government has not given anything to the flood victims and they would be given possible resources to build houses. Amjad Saqib said that 100 percent recovery has been ensured in Akhuwat loans given to 2. 5 million families. Low-income families were assisted to build 36 thousand houses; he said and stated that Chaudhry Parvez Elahi’s passion for resolving the common man’s problems is commendable. Provincial Minister Mian Mehmood-ul-Rashid, Principal Secretary to CM Muhammad Khan Bhatti, secretary housing dept and others attended the meeting.

For more information, contact:
Mediacell, Pakistan Muslim League
30-C, Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi Road,
Gulberg-II, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-35878428
Fax: +92-42-35877329
Website: www.pmlmediacell.com

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The US Ambassador called on Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari 

Islamabad, October 25, 2022 (PPI-OT):The US ambassador to Pakistan, Donald Bloom called on the Foreign Minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari at the Foreign Office Islamabad. Both the leaders discussed the issues of rehabilitation of flood affected people in Pakistan. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari thanked the United States for the assistance to the flood victims on the occasion of his meeting with the US Ambassador. Foreign Minister and the US Ambassador discussed the advancement of mutual relations. Foreign Minister and the US Ambassador also agreed on further increase in trade relations between the two countries.

For more information, contact:
PPP Media Cell (Sindh)
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)
Peoples Secretariat Shikarpur Colony,
Behind Mazar-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Karachi, Pakistan
Cell: +92-305-3370383
Email: contact@ppp-tu.com
Website: https://www.ppp.org.pk

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75 male and female athletes from four divisions – Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Rawalpindi demonstrate their sports skills in five disciplines 

Lahore, October 25, 2022 (PPI-OT):The Paralympic sports events of the 73rd edition of Punjab Games were conducted at National Hockey Stadium on Tuesday. Director General Sports Punjab Muhammad Tariq Qureshi visited National Hockey Stadium to witness interesting Paralympic events. He was introduced to male and female para-athletes on this occasion. He also appreciated the fighting sports skills of male and female para-athletes.

Talking to Director General Sports Punjab Muhammad Tariq Qureshi, male and female para-athletes expressed their gratitude for giving a chance to participate in a mega event like Punjab Games. As many as 75 male and female athletes from four divisions – Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Rawalpindi demonstrated their sports skills in five disciplines.

In the Men’s clutches race, Nazim Ali got first position followed by Nouman and Imran, who got second and third positions respectively.

In the Powerlifting event, M Azhar, M Anees and Shafiq got top three positions respectively.

In Blind Archery event, M Salman was adjudged triumphant while the second and third spots were taken by M Usman and Tayyab Zulfiqar respectively.

In Women’s wheelchair event, Anam Khan was declared winner while Atia Butt finished runners up followed by Rafia Akram.

In the Men’s wheelchair event, the top three positions were shared by Ishaq, M Mukhtar and Razzaq respectively.

For more information, contact:
Sports Board Punjab
Government of the Punjab
National Hockey Stadium, Ferozepur Road, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-99232501, +92-42-99232502
E-mail: info@punjabsportsboard.com
Website: http://sportsboard.punjab.gov.pk

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HBL Pakistan Super League 2023 local player categories renewed 

Lahore, October 25, 2022 (PPI-OT):The categories of eight players were upgraded following the local player category renewal process for the HBL Pakistan Super League 2023 as the Pakistan Cricket Board also opened registration window for the foreign players. The player lists have been shared with the six franchises for the tournament to be played across four venues from 9 February to 19 March 2023.

This includes seven players who are presently in Australia for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022. They are: Mohammad Wasim Junior (Islamabad United, from Gold to Diamond), Shahnawaz Dahani and Shan Masood (Multan Sultans, from Gold to Diamond), Haider Ali and Mohammad Haris (Peshawar Zalmi; Haider from Diamond to Platinum, Haris from Silver to Gold), and Mohammad Nawaz and Naseem Shah (Quetta Gladiators; Nawaz from Diamond to Platinum, Naseem from Gold to Diamond).

Aamer Jamal of Peshawar Zalmi is the other player whose category has been enhanced following his debut for Pakistan against England in the home T20Is. The all-rounder featured in the fifth and sixth T20Is in Lahore, helping Pakistan to win the fifth T20I after conceding eight runs in the final over when England needed 15 runs for victory.

Meanwhile, categories of five cricketers have been downgraded. They are: Hasan Ali (from Platinum to Diamond), Faheem Ashraf (Diamond to Gold) (both Islamabad United), Sohaib Maqsood (Multan Sultans, from Diamond to Gold), Wahab Riaz (Peshawar Zalmi, Platinum to Diamond) and Sarfaraz Ahmed (Quetta Gladiators, Platinum to Gold).

The teams will now put forward relegation requests for the players before finalising retentions. After relegation requests are floated, all teams are given an opportunity to meet the player’s base category. If the player’s base category is not matched, the player may be relegated to a category below his base category.

U23 players cannot be part of a squad as an Emerging player for more than two years unless they have played nine or less matches in those two years.

Local category player renewals (team-wise):

Islamabad United – Asif Ali, Shadab Khan (both Platinum), Hasan Ali, Wasim Jr (both Diamond), Azam Khan, Danish Aziz, Faheem Ashraf, Musa Khan, Waqas Maqsood, Zafar Gohar, Zahid Mehmood, (all Gold), Athar Mahmood, Mohammad Akhlaq, Nasir Nawaz (all Silver), Mohammad Huraira, Mubasir Khan and Zeeshan Zamir (Emerging)

Karachi Kings – Babar Azam, Imad Wasim (both Platinum), Mohammad Amir (Diamond), Amir Yamin, Mir Hamza, Sahibzada Farhan, Sharjeel Khan, Usman Shinwari (all Gold), Mohammad Ilyas, Muhammad Imran Jr, Rohail Nazir, Umaid Asif (all Silver), Faisal Akram, Mohammad Taha, Qasim Akram and Talha Ahsan (all Emerging)

Lahore Qalandars – Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi (all Platinum), Mohammad Hafeez (Diamond), Abdullah Shafique (Gold), Ahmad Daniyal Latif, Akif Javed, Imran Randhawa, Kamran Ghulam, Maaz Khan, Sohail Akhtar, Zeeshan Ashraf (all Silver), Syed Faridoun Mahmood and Zaman Khan (both Emerging)

Multan Sultans – Mohammad Rizwan (Platinum), Khushdil Shah, Shahnawaz Dahani, Shan Masood (all Diamond), Anwar Ali, Imran Khan Snr, Rumman Raees, Sohaib Maqsood (all Gold), Rizwan Hussain (Silver), Aamer Azmat, Abbas Afridi and Ihsanullah (Emerging)

Peshawar Zalmi – Haider Ali (Platinum), Shoaib Malik, Wahab Riaz (both Diamond), Aamer Jamal, Amad Butt, Arshad Iqbal, Hussain Talat, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Haris, Sohail Khan, Usman Qadir (all Gold), Ali Majid, Khalid Usman, Mohammad Amir Khan, Mohammad Umar, Salman Irshad, Sameen Gul, Tayyab Tahir (all Silver), Arish Ali Khan, Sirajuddin and Yasir Khan (Emerging)

Quetta Gladiators – Mohammad Nawaz (Platinum), Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah (all Diamond), Ahsan Ali, Mohammad Irfan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Akmal (all Gold), Ali Imran, Ghulam Mudassar, Hassan Khan, Khurram Shahzad (all Silver), Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, Ashar Qureshi and Mohammad Shahzad (all Emerging)

For more information, contact:
Media Manager,
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 54600, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-5717231-4
Fax: +92-42-5711860
Website: www.pcb.com.pk

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NBP earns naming rights for National Stadium

Lahore, October 25, 2022 (PPI-OT):The Pakistan Cricket Board and National Bank of Pakistan have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the naming rights of one of the country’s most iconic Test venues, the National Stadium in Karachi. As such, the venue will now be known as the National Bank Cricket Arena.

Besides the naming rights agreement, the PCB and NBP will also collaborate and partner on sponsoring initiatives to promote and develop grassroots cricket across the country, including supporting the PCB initiatives of scouting local talent in the rural areas of Pakistan.

PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja: “I want to welcome National Bank of Pakistan back in the PCB family after having supported Pakistan cricket in the past. NBP again partnering with the PCB is a great news as this reflects that prestigious organisations are willing to be associated with the Pakistan cricket brand as they see a lot of value in it for themselves.

“Additionally, I am grateful to the National Bank of Pakistan for also extending support to the PCB Pathways Programme. I have always emphasised on creating processes for the raw talent that can be professionally channelized into the national framework. In this background, this partnership with NBP is a significant movement in that direction.”

NBP President and CEO Rehmat Ali Hasnie: “We are delighted to partner with the Pakistan Cricket Board. The National Stadium, Karachi is one of the most iconic cricket venues in the world and has hosted some of the legends of all eras since Test cricket was first played there.

“We are honoured to associate with such an incredible cricket venue, our endeavour during the next five years would be to help the PCB further uplift the venue while making contributions to Pakistan cricket across the country at the grass root level simultaneously.”

As per the MoU, the National Bank of Pakistan will be allowed to use the venue nomenclature and signage outside the playing area.

For more information, contact:
Media Manager,
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 54600, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-5717231-4
Fax: +92-42-5711860
Website: www.pcb.com.pk