Firdous Ashiq Awan downplays being denied entry to Punjab Assembly

PTI leader Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan on Monday downplayed being denied entry to the Punjab Assembly for the oathtaking ceremony of PTI MPA Ahsan Saleem Baryar.

Videos circulating on social media showed Awan being stopped by security personnel at the entrance of the provincial legislature. The officials showed her a list of guests who were allowed for Baryar's oathtaking ceremony, from which her own name had been struck off, after which she left the premises.

Talking to the media outside the provincial legislature, she said she was late to the oathtaking ceremony and the session had already ended, therefore "there was no need for me to go there. That is why I felt appropriate to not go to the assembly so there is nothing like this that anyone targeted me and stopped me from going inside".

She said the PML-Q was an ally of the PTI and the speaker of the Punjab Assembly, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, had the right to permit or refuse entry as the custodian. "Whatever issues of our House are there, we will settle them among ourselves," she said.

Referring to her former role as special assistant to Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar (SACM) on information, she said her statements were not personal but the government's stance and policy so "if there are any reservations then I will resolve them together with the speaker".

Pressed by journalists on the Punjab Assembly speaker reportedly being angry with her, she said she was the "strongest voice" in advocating and strengthening the PTI-PML-Q alliance. "Today we think too ... that we have to move forward together and resolve any reservations if there are any."

Awan explained that she had not informed anyone of her visit when questioned on why no minister or official had come out to receive her. "The purpose for which I was coming was the oathtaking and that ceremony had already ended and the session adjourned so we can make small talk outside as well," she said.

Questioned again on whether she had been personally targeted due to the PTI and PML-Q's political relations, Awan responded: "These are all ups and downs of politics ... I think the stance you're pointing to, if it exists, then it is a petty stance and big people have big thinking and they don't get involved in such things and I don't think this would be in the speaker's notice."

She praised Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi as a man of "grand" thinking and vision, saying that his connection with the nation was very strong. "I don't think he will target any current or former member and malign them ... I expect big thinking from him," Awan said.

Regarding her future political role in the PTI, Awan said she would perform whatever role the party deemed appropriate with honesty and trustworthiness under Prime Minister Imran Khan's leadership.

Awan had resigned from her position on Friday, less than a year after being appointed to the position, citing "unavoidable personal grounds".

 

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PM Imran on launching Miyawaki urban forest in Lahore

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday inaugurated “the world’s biggest” Miyawaki urban forest in Lahore, terming it “just the beginning” of the steps being taken towards implementing his government's vision for a green Pakistan.

The forest, initiated under the 10 Billion Tree Tsunami project, has been developed on over 100 kanals and will feature around 165,000 plants that will grow 10 times quicker than in a normal forest owing to the unique Miyawaki technique. The method uses specialised land preparation as well as indigenous varieties with varying growth rates to produce fast growing urban forests.

Another 53 Miyawaki forests are being developed in different parts of Lahore to create sinks for carbon as well as for better pollution abatement in the city. All have been geo-tagged to monitor their growth and development.

Speaking on the occasion of the forest's inauguration today, the prime minister stressed that Pakistan had gone way beyond its capacity and had made full contribution to mitigate the effects of global warming.

“This Miyawaki forest will absorb carbon emissions at a faster pace which in turn will considerably reduce the impact of emissions on the environment.”

He noted that a mere 640 million trees were planted across the country since independence till 2013. “But, from 2013 to 2018 we planted one billion trees in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alone,” said Prime Minister Imran, adding that “we aim to plant 10 billion trees now.”

He recalled that Lahore used to be one of the cleanest cities of the country, but had now become Pakistan’s most polluted city.

“What we have now done is the beginning. Miyawaki is the world’s biggest forest and we dedicate it to Miyawaki, the professor of Japan who died last month,” said the premier.

The prime minister regretted that a report by the world’s top scientists released today highlighted blatant “wastage” of natural resources by humans.

“The report indicates that the sea level has risen to a point of no return, and that citizens must take immediate steps to prevent further damage due to climate change,” he added.

The premier also urged every citizen of Pakistan to plant a tree each. “We must ensure upkeep of trees that we plant. All citizens especially students should strive for the country’s future in this regard.”

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Corona: Indoor weddings compeletly banned in major cities of punjab

Punjab government on Monday has notified changes in the lockdown imposed from Augu

According to the amended notification issued by the provincial health department, the lockdown will remain enforced in selected areas of Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan and Faisalabad. Indoor weddings are completely banned in the said district from August 9 (today) until August 31.

However, outdoor wedding ceremonies are allowed with maximum 300 people in attendance till 10 pm. All religious, cultural and other indoor ceremonies are banned in the aforesaid areas due to the coronavirus surge.
The district administration and police have been asked to ensure the implementation of the COVID-19 related SOPs.

Last week, the Punjab government had decided to close shrines in four districts due to a rise in the coronavirus cases.

After witnessing a spike in COVID-19 cases, the Punjab government decided to close shrines in four districts including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad and Multan.

A notification was issued by the provincial government which stated the closure of shrines till August 31.

On August 2, Punjab health authorities had issued threat alert to all government hospitals over the fourth wave of coronavirus in the province.

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Corona: Indoor weddings compeletly banned in major cities of punjab

Punjab government on Monday has notified changes in the lockdown imposed from Augu

According to the amended notification issued by the provincial health department, the lockdown will remain enforced in selected areas of Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan and Faisalabad. Indoor weddings are completely banned in the said district from August 9 (today) until August 31.

However, outdoor wedding ceremonies are allowed with maximum 300 people in attendance till 10 pm. All religious, cultural and other indoor ceremonies are banned in the aforesaid areas due to the coronavirus surge.
The district administration and police have been asked to ensure the implementation of the COVID-19 related SOPs.

Last week, the Punjab government had decided to close shrines in four districts due to a rise in the coronavirus cases.

After witnessing a spike in COVID-19 cases, the Punjab government decided to close shrines in four districts including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad and Multan.

A notification was issued by the provincial government which stated the closure of shrines till August 31.

On August 2, Punjab health authorities had issued threat alert to all government hospitals over the fourth wave of coronavirus in the province.

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Ruet hilal commite meets today for Muharram moon sightning

A meeting of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee to meet on Monday (today) at the Deputy Commissioner’s office of Quetta for sighting the Muharram 1443 AH crescent, reported.

Chairman Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad will preside over the meeting, which will also be attended by the members of the Karachi zonal committee along with the representatives of the ministries of Religious Affairs, Science and Technology, and SUPARCO.

The meetings of Zonal and District Ruet-e-Hilal committees are also expected to be held for collecting evidence in respect of sighting of the new moon at their respective offices.
Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had earlier predicted that there is a ‘good chance’ of sighting the new moon of Muharram 1443 AH on the evening of the 29th of Zilhaj.

Thus the first day of the new Islamic Lunar Year 1443 AH, 1st Muharram, will most likely fall on Tuesday, August 10 (tomorrow).

Thus the Youm-e-Ashur (10th day of Muharram), will fall on Thursday (August 19).

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Ruet hilal commite meets today for Muharram moon sightning

A meeting of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee to meet on Monday (today) at the Deputy Commissioner’s office of Quetta for sighting the Muharram 1443 AH crescent, reported.

Chairman Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad will preside over the meeting, which will also be attended by the members of the Karachi zonal committee along with the representatives of the ministries of Religious Affairs, Science and Technology, and SUPARCO.

The meetings of Zonal and District Ruet-e-Hilal committees are also expected to be held for collecting evidence in respect of sighting of the new moon at their respective offices.
Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had earlier predicted that there is a ‘good chance’ of sighting the new moon of Muharram 1443 AH on the evening of the 29th of Zilhaj.

Thus the first day of the new Islamic Lunar Year 1443 AH, 1st Muharram, will most likely fall on Tuesday, August 10 (tomorrow).

Thus the Youm-e-Ashur (10th day of Muharram), will fall on Thursday (August 19).

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Get 2nd corona vaacine sooner than shedueled: SAPM Dr faisal sultan

You can get the second dose of the Covid vaccine anytime after the minimum time interval has passed, said Monday Prime Minister’s aide on national health Dr Faisal Sultan.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on National Health Services tweeted earlier today that the masses don’t need a reminder and schedule and they can get their vaccinations by just walking into the centers once the minimum time has elapsed.
Second dose time for the two-dose vaccinations is different as the minimum time to wait for those getting Sinopharm shot is three weeks while for Sinovac and Astrazeneca, it is four weeks.

He said there was no need to wait for the SMS from 1166 to arrive to schedule you for the second dose as anyone can just walk into the canters and get themselves jabbed on their own.

Usually the messages take six- to 12 weeks to arrive for different vaccines, he said, adding that waiting too long after the minimum time is not necessary.

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