Day: June 15, 2024

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a telephonic conversation with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of the Sultanate of Oman, today, to extend warm greetings and best wishes on the auspicious occasion of Eid ul Adha. The Prime Minister expressed his heartiest felicitations to the Sultan, the government, and the people of Oman, and prayed for their well-being, prosperity, and happiness. The Sultan reciprocated the greetings and best wishes and expressed his appreciation for the Prime Minister's thoughtful gesture. On this blessed occasion, both leaders also prayed for peace and unity among the ranks of the Muslim Ummah. During the conversation, the two leaders reaffirmed the strong bond of friendship and brotherhood between Pakistan and Oman, rooted in shared values and mutual respect. They also discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields. The two leaders also discussed the regional situation, particularly developments in Palestine and agreed to continue to work together to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and beyond. The Prime Minister reiterated his cordial invitation to His Majesty to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at his earliest convenience.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that development of the province has been focused in the budget by earmarking a huge amount of nine hundred fifty six billion rupees for the purpose. Addressing a post-budget press conference in Karachi today, he said minimum wage has been increased to 37 thousand rupees and same procedure would also be applied on government employees in the province from grade 1 to 6 to bridge gap in salaries and fixing there initial pay from 37 thousand rupees. He said thirty percent increase in the salaries of grade 1 to 6, 25 percent from grade 7 to 16 and 22 percent from grade 17 to 22 has been made in the provincial budget. He said alleviation of poverty, ensuring social protection of low income people are the main points of the provincial budget.

US Consul General Kristine K Hawkins met Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan in Lahore today. During the meeting, they discussed ways to boost cooperation in education, agriculture, environment protection and trade. The Governor appreciated US cooperation for work to protect historical buildings in Pakistan. Speaking on the occasion, the US Consul General said cooperation will be boosted further with Pakistan in trade, environment protection and education.

President Asif Ali Zardari has arrived in Nawabshah to celebrate Eid-ul-Adha. Upon his arrival at the airport, he was received by Sindh Minister for Prisons Ali Hassan Zardari and district officers. The President is scheduled to offer Eid-ul-Azha prayer in Nawabshah and hold meetings with local leadership.

Upon directives of Prime Minister of Pakistan, Minister for Housing and Works Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada chaired a meeting for transition plan for winding-up Pakistan Public Works Department. During the meeting, the committee deliberated on developing a comprehensive transition plan for the PWD, aimed at ensuring the efficient utilization of resources and the seamless continuation of public sector development projects. Furthermore, discussions were held regarding the maintenance of assets currently under charge of the PWD.

Around two million pilgrims from across the globe are converging at Mount Arafat, the Jabal ar-Rahmah on the second day of the pilgrimage to perform the major Hajj ritual. Radio Pakistan's correspondent in Maidane-Arafa Bilal Khan Mehsud reports that countless pilgrims are making their way from Mina to the plains of Arafat, utilizing buses and trains as their mode of transportation. Hundred percent of the Pakistani pilgrims were allocated train tickets participating in the government scheme. This elevated hill holds great historical significance as it served as the location where Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) delivered his Farewell Sermon to the Muslims. Standing on the expansive plains of Arafat, this significant granite hill serves as a remarkable symbol of that crucial moment in Islamic history. Pilgrims devote the entire day at Arafat to supplicating to Allah, seeking forgiveness for their sins, and praying for personal strength in the future. Pakistan's Minister for Religious Affairs Chaudhary Sali k Hussain is also present at Arafat to perform Hajj. Pilgrims will make their way to Masjid Nimrah on the grounds of Arafa, where they will listen to the Hajj sermon amid continuous chanting of "Talbiyah". After the sermon, Hajj pilgrims will stay till Maghreb prayer here and then they will move towards Muzdalifah. Upon sunset, they will then head to Muzdalifah to spend night in open sky and collect pebbles for the symbolic stoning of the devil ritual. After the stay at Muzdalifah, the Hujjaj will perform the stoning of the devil on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah. The Pilgrims are praying from Allah Almighty for forgiveness of their sins. The people can listen live to the Hajj sermon in with Urdu translation through this link. https://manaratalharamain.gov.sa/arafa/arafa_sermon/ur

National Logistics Corporation has crossed an important milestone to promote regional trade. NLC's first truck carrying six tonnes of cherries has reached China while the second consignment will depart from Gilgit-Baltistan next week. Last year, under the TIR system, the first export cargo of two trucks carrying medicines from Pakistan had reached Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. In April this year, a consignment of potatoes was dispatched through NLC trucks which covered the journey from Okara and Rahim Yar Khan to Dushanbe in just seven days.

Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps North have inaugurated a social welfare home and boys hostel in Buner. This is aimed at empowering the local women and providing education to the children. Various facilities have been provided in the Social Welfare Complex. The local population have thanked Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps North for constructing the Social Welfare Complex.