Sanctity of holy places kept under consideration during raids: Sindh Rangers.

     

According to Rangers Sindh Spokesman, the pictures on social media by miscreants are aimed at creating hurdles in the operation carried out by Rangers.

                                                                                                       

Have received many marriage proposals: Bilawal Bhutto.

The young and single Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who recently returned from United Kingdom opened up on his marriage plans.

“I have received many marriage proposals but I have rejected all of them,” Express News quoted the bachelor as saying. He added that he will marry a girl of his sisters’ choice, “And the girl who my sisters choose will be lucky.”

Bilawal responds to those who ‘don’t appreciate’ his tears

Bilawal was addressing the media in Obaro, Sindh, where he further said that any girl who wishes to marry him will face difficulties.

Last week, Bilawal addressed his emotional press conference and people’s harsh reactions to it, saying he hopes his critics never experienced the pain he has experienced.

“To those who don’t appreciate my tears; I pray u never have to experience the pain I’ve experienced, I pray u never have to shed such tears,” he said in a tweet.

When Bilawal cried…

Bilawal broke down in tears as he spoke about his late mother, Benazir Bhutto, during a visit to inquire after injured victims of the police training centre attack in Quetta last month.

“My family and the people of Balochistan share the same pain… I am no ordinary politician. I am the son of Benazir Bhutto. I am also a victim of this terrorism,” he said.

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SARAH BEL

How Social Enterprises and Impact Investors Can Move the Needle to Achieve the SDGs

Last month the UNDP and Impact Hub organized the first Social Good Summit in Geneva, bringing together impact investors, international organizations and entrepreneurs to discuss how to scale up and finance impact-driven ventures to accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

There was a great appetite at the summit to exchange ideas. Investors were looking to meet with innovative ventures and discuss how to create a reliable pipeline of investable entrepreneurs. Bilateral and international agencies were eager to learn how to increase funding sources and leverage their resources to implement the SDGs. Not to mention the presence of five entrepreneurs, selected through the rigorous #Accelerate2030 programme, who hoped to identify partners and supporters to scale up their respective ventures.

SDGS ARE GOOD FOR BUSINESS, HOW DO WE PUT THAT IN MOTION?

Betting on social entrepreneurship to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs makes sense from an impact and a financial return perspective, but the sector requires both financial and non-financial support. To put it simply, entrepreneurs need to unlock three doors: finance, market and talent.

When asked about key impediments to growth, Verena Liedgens, CFO of Agruppa, sees the key challenge as professionalization. “Everything related to back office – accounting, HR and IT – is a barrier to scale,” she said. “Social entrepreneurs in Europe and the U.S. can at times access pro bono services. This is not the case in emerging markets where companies often don’t have the resources to buy them but need them to grow.”

A 2014 report from the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs shows the value of incubators and accelerators providing early- and growth-stage companies with leadership skills, operational support and access to technology, and facilitating peer mentoring. The need to strengthen that part of the picture was certainly one of the main conclusions of the summit discussion on scale, as the demand for support exceeds largely what is freely available.

Smog causes closure of motorway across various locations.

FAISALABAD: The motorway was closed across various points due to the dense fog. However, motorway authorities claimed that the fog was less intense as compared to a couple of days ago. 

According to details, the motorway was closed from Lahore to Sialkot, Motorway M3 Pindi Bhattian to Faisalabad and Motorway M4 from Faisalabad to Sial Mor, Gojra-Shorkot section. 

Motorway police stated that the closure of the road was due to the dense fog and lack of visibility on the roads. The fog is also reportedly very dense from Lahore to Khanewal and the visibility has been estimated at 50-150 meter. 

Motorway police have issued cautionary advice and instructions to drivers, urging them to drive slow and avoid unnecessary travel. Use of fog lights has also been recommended. 

ATC indicts Dr Asim, Waseem Akhtar, others.

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KAACHI: An Anti-Terrorism Court of Karachi on Saturday indicted former state minister for petroleum Dr Asim Hussain, close aide of former president Asif Ali Zardari, in a case pertaining to providing medical treatment to the militants.

Mayor Karachi Waseem Akhtar, MQM Pakistan Leader Rauf Siddiqui, PPP leader Qadir Patel, Pak Sarzamen Party (PSP) leader Anees Qaimkhani and Usman Moazzam have also been indicted in the same case.

Dr Asim, who has recently suffered a paralysis attack, was brought in the court in a wheelchair.

In the court he pleaded not guilty.

He said, “Those who have charged me with crime should also be indicted.”

The court has summoned the witnesses in the case.

 Chinese Consortium to launch new airline in Pakistan

| Says it will bring in $3 billion investment

ISLAMABAD - Praising the country’s economy as capable of absorbing and capitalising the direct foreign investment, the Chinese investors have expressed their interest in launching a new airline in Pakistan for which they would be discussing modalities with the Government of Pakistan.

The representatives of a consortium of Chinese investment companies comprising China Huarong International Holdings Limited, China Innovative Finance Group Limited, Hong Kong Tian Group, Chandong Hi-Speed Group and China Road & Bridge Group yesterday met Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif at the PM House.

Warmly welcoming the delegation, the Prime Minister appreciated the Chinese delegation’s fruitful interaction with Ministries of Finance, Petroleum & Natural Resources, Water & Power and Capital Development Authority.

The Prime Minister expressed hope that members of the Chinese delegation will have a productive visit in the backdrop of briefing by various ministries about immense potential for investment in Pakistan’s infrastructure development, energy and communication sectors.

Appreciating the prudent and practical measures taken by the government for the revival of the national economy, the members of the delegation said that Pakistan is fully ready as well as capable of absorbing and capitalising the Foreign Direct Investment.

The delegation apprised the Prime Minister that they are bringing $3 billion Investment Fund to Pakistan because of the vision of the Prime Minister that focus on infrastructure development and energy sectors.

The Chinese delegation also expressed its intent to explore possibility of starting a new airline in Pakistan after the permission from the Government of Pakistan.  The Chinese side said that it is actively pursuing its investments in infrastructure, power, aviation and tourism sectors of Pakistan.

“We fully appreciate the vision of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif which enunciates that economic prosperity is an offshoot of infrastructure connectivity and self-sufficiency in the energy sector,” the members of the delegation stated.

The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to the leadership and brotherly people of the People’s Republic of China for their all weather support that is getting stronger with each passing day. The CPEC is a game changer that is going to transform the lives of the billions of people of the region, the PM said.

He said that the economic outlook of Pakistan has altogether changed in the last three years, which is being acknowledged globally. Standard and Poor’s (S&P) has also upgraded Pakistan’s ranking to B from B-; Pakistan is among this year’s global top 10 improvers in Doing Business 2017, the Prime Minister expressed with satisfaction.

Inflation is continuously on downward trend while reduction in petroleum prices also helped in decreasing inflation, he further added. He said the Foreign Exchange Reserves have now increased to over $24 billion. 

“Our Investment Policy has been designed to provide a comprehensive framework for creating a conducive business environment for the attraction of FDI,” the PM said. Pakistan's policy trends have been consistent, with liberalisation, de-regulation, privatisation, and facilitation being its foremost cornerstone, he stated. The Law of Special Economic Zones (SEZ) has been made to meet the global challenges of competitiveness to attract Foreign Director Investment (FDI). 

Finance Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Chairman Board of Investment Miftah Ismail, Mayor Islamabad Sh. Ansar Aziz and other senior government officials were also present during the meeting.

CPEC WESTERN ROUTE TO BE

COMPLETED BY 2018: MINISTRY

APP adds: The spokesman of Ministry of Planning and Development and Reforms said on Friday that work on the Western corridor of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is progressing in full swing and reaffirmed that the route would be completed by 2018.

The 650 km long Gwadar-Quetta section of the Western route has already been completed which according to the given time line was to be delivered in December 2016, this shows the work pace is not only smooth rather we are moving on fast track and ahead of time.

He made these remarks while clarifying a news item appeared in a section of the Press regarding CPEC and maintained that the points raised by honourable members in a meeting of Senate Committee on CPEC are inappropriate based on lack of information.

In a statement issued here, the spokesman stated that completion of the Western route would bring a new era of development and prosperity for the people living in the underdeveloped areas.

He said that construction work on the 285 km DI Khan-Hakla Road has also been commenced.

The spokesman said, CPEC is a multi-sectoral cooperation between Pakistan and our all weather friend China.

All decisions regarding CPEC projects and its execution are made with mutual consultation keeping in view the interests and well-being of the people of Pakistan, he said.

Therefore, the apprehensions expressed by the honourable members of the Senate Committee on CPEC are baseless and unfair, he added.

PTI cancels plan of Islamabad ‘lockdown’.

PTI cancels plan of Islamabad ‘lockdown’.

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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has postponed its planned ‘lockdown’ of the federal capital on November 2.

During his address in Bani Gala, PTI chief Imran Khan told party workers to go home rest and reach Parade Ground tomorrow (Wednesday) at 2 PM where Youm-e-Tashakur (day of thanks) would be celebrated.

“We will gather one million people in Parade Ground tomorrow,” Khan said.

Khan stated that the protest had been called off as the Supreme Court had started investigation of Panama Leaks.

The PTI chief praised the Supreme Court for summoning a reply from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on November 3.

“I am glad the Supreme Court has directed the prime minister to present himself for accountability,” Khan said.

The PTI chief paid tribute to party workers, especially Pervaiz Khattak and his team.

PTI had announced that it will ‘lockdown’ Islamabad on November 2 to pressurize the prime minister to hold himself accountable for alleged offshore accounts owned by his family named in the Panama Papers.

The Islamabad High Court in its decision last week asked the PTI to keep the sit-in at a designated area and not block state machinery. However, the PTI remained adamant over staging the sit-in.

Other parties including the Pakistan People’s Party which initially formed joint opposition with the PTI had asked it to wait for the Supreme Court hearing.

Imran Khan sounded like a defeated captain

Raliways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique said PTI chairman Imran Khan sounded like a defeated captain.

“Imran should first prove himself to be trustworthy,” Rafique said while speaking to media.

According to Rafique, the PML-N was evaluating what Imran Khan had said as he could not be trusted.

“We were heading towards what the Supreme Court did today,” Rafique said.

The federal minister added that if Imran Khan wants to go to Parade Ground he should contact Deputy Commissioner Islamabad.

Govt orders removal of containers

Following the PTI’s announcement, the government has ordered the removal of containers blocking streets in Islamabad.

The containers had been placed throughout the city in light of the PTI lockdown.

Imran, Nawaz agree to formation of commission

During proceedings of the Supreme Court, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan agreed to the formation of a commission to probe Panama Leaks.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has asked parties in the Panama Leaks case to submit the Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the formation of the commission on November 3 when hearing of the case resumes.

Khattak must not misguide masses, says Nisar.

Khattak must not misguide masses, says Nisar.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

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ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has eulogized Islamabad Police and Law Enforcement Agencies for establishing writ of the sate during critical period in the Federal Capital.

Addressing Police Darbar in Islamabad today [Thursday], he said that government is well aware of the responsibility of police and Law Enforcement Agencies.

He said the government has increased salaries and facilities of Police and Enforcement Agencies which will further be enhanced in future.

The Interior Minister rejected KPK Chief Minister’s assertion and said that Frontier Constabulary and other Law Enforcement Agencies belong to Pakistan and not to a particular province which maintained law and order. He said these agencies should not be dragged in politics.

He said extra security and full protocol were given to Pervez Khattak as KPK Chief Minster and added that he is welcomed to Islamabad as Chief Minister. Chaudhry Nisar asked him not to misguide the public to achieve the motives.

Ch. Nisar Ali Khan said that government in order to maintain law and order barred those groups who are bent to spread violence in the Capital. He said a particular group is not allowed to paralyze the capital as Pakistan is a nuclear state.

The Interior Minister rejected propaganda about permission given to Difa-e-Pakistan Council to hold a public meeting in Islamabad despite imposition of Section-144.

He said the Council sought permission and accepted conditions proposed by the district administration for the purpose. He also reminded critics that DPC is not a outlawed organization as it includes parties like PML(Q), Jamat-e-Islami and JUI(Sami).

Ch. Nisar Ali Khan said salaries of FC personnel are being increased by fifty percent immediately and remaining fifty percent would be hiked in June next year. He said a new recruit would get about thirty thousand rupees a month as against about seventeen thousand at the moment. He said FC personnel would also get internal security allowance irrespective of where they are deployed.

The Minister said it would be his endeavour to have a major hospital, colleges and university for children and families of the FC personnel.

He announced award of Commendation Certificates and prize of fifty thousand rupee each for the ten thousand FC personnel who were deployed for security duties in Islamabad and Punjab during political tension.