National

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak has said that the PTI led coalition government was the most strong government, neither weak nor immature and that there is no difference amongst the coalition partners.

He expressed these views while chairing consultative meeting of the MPAs of coalition parties that was largely attended by the provincial ministers and MPAs of coalition parties.

He said all the coalition parties are on the same page with regard to the reforms agenda and policies of the provincial government.

All the four coalition parties wholeheartedly pursued the agenda of change in health, education, local government and all other sectors of social services, he added.

The Chief Minister said that he did not interfere in the internal affairs of any government department and the ministers had been given full powers of the administrative affairs of their respective departments.

He urged the ministers to resolve all the problems of the people relating to their respective departments at their own level.

The chief minister also called upon the coalition MPAs to attend the sessions of assembly on regular basis and well in time with full preparation so that the issues faced by the public could effectively be raised at floor of the house and addressed accordingly

ISLAMABAD: A three-member US Congressional delegation met with Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz at the Foreign Office on Friday.

Foreign Secretary and Ambassador-designate to the United States Jalil Abbas Jilani was also present in the meeting.

Members of the US Congress, Mr Adam Kinzinger, Mr Scott Perry and Mr Juan Vargas were accompanied by the US Ambassador Richard Olson.

The Adviser gave a brief overview of the policies and priorities of the Government of Pakistan and its efforts for improvement of peace and stability in the region.

He also expressed satisfaction at the upward trajectory in bilateral relations between Pakistan and the United States.

He shared Pakistan’s keen interest in increased trade and investment from the United States especially in the energy sector.

The need to strengthen people-to-people contacts including interaction between the US Congress and Parliament of Pakistan was emphasized.

The US Congressmen are on a two-day visit to Pakistan.

Earlier, they were given an aerial tour of the Gomal-Zam Dam and adjoining road projects built with the support of US Government.

LAHORE: Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Friday set up Trade and Tax Facilitation Centre (TFC) in its premises for the revival of economic activities.

LCCI President Engineer Sohail Lashari flanked by LCCI Senior Vice President Mian Tariq Misbah, Vice President Kashif Anwar and a large number of Executive Committee members inaugurated the centre.

Speaking on the occasion, the LCCI president said that the aim to setting up a dedicated centre for guidance and capacity building of LCCI members was felt keeping in view the range of members’ issues and multiplicity of trade information.

“The members of LCCI frequently approach us for guidance and support to get resolved their issues concerning local, provincial and federal authorities and to seek advice on tax and trade related matters. They also ask for latest local and global information about their sector to cope with market demands and challenges,” he said.

“Some members want personal guidance and face to face interaction with government officials through LCCI assistance and some prefer use of official means of communication e.g., letter, fax and email to forward their issues to concerned quarters,” he added.

The LCCI President said that services of an expert to trade-related issues have been hired solely for this purpose.

He said the TFC would assist LCCI members in planning, and designing of their business operations keeping in view their economic strength, and personal networking. Advisory services will be provided to draft federal and provincials budget proposals, make proposal for Export Development Fund, propose changes/amendments in trade related laws, to get assistance from foreign trade promotion agencies.

He said the Centre will also help businessmen in getting National Tax Number (NTN), Sales Tax Registration, Registration in SECP/Registrar of Firms, Registration of Logo/Brand, Certification of Products Engineer Sohail Lashari expressed the optimism that LCCI members will avail this facility to enhance their businesses.

Moreover, the TFC will also share its information with other chambers/associations and organise programmes for capacity building of the staff of other trade supporting organisations. The Trade Facilitation Centre initially would work for three days a week at the 3rd Floor of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he added.

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah visited Air Headquarters and held a meeting with President Pakistan Ski Federation Air Marshal Athar Hussain Bukhari, Acting Chief of the Air Staff.

According to an ISPR release here on Friday, both the dignitaries discussed matters pertaining to development of the Naltar Ski Resort. President Ski Federation of Pakistan briefed the Chief Minister on aims and objectives of Pakistan Air Force for the development and uplift of the area into an International Standards Ski City.

Chief Minister commended the efforts of Pakistan Air Force and the Ski Federation for their role in the general welfare of the people with special emphasis on education to the locals.

The Chief Minister assured all out support for the development of infrastructure namely Gilgit-Naltar road, electric supply for ski chairlift and planned uplift of ski resort surroundings.

Both the dignitaries also exchanged souvenirs at the occasion.

KARACHI: A two-month-old baby girl was kidnapped from Karachi civil hospital, media reported Friday.

Police said mother of the baby told hospital staff and the police that an unknown woman entered the ward this morning and took away her child on the pretext of administering an injection, but she never came back.

The infant was admitted to Karachi civil hospital’s children ward this morning, medics  confirmed that the baby is missing since morning. The staff claimed that hospital administration was investigating the alleged kidnapping.

Abduction of newborn babies from hospitals is common in Pakistan and the police recovered only a few in the past.