This is what you need to know about Pakistan news right now, to find out what’s going on continue reading.
Sindh government plans to build two solar parks with a combined capacity of 350 megawatts
What happened: According to a statement released on Friday, the government of Sindh would build two solar parks with a combined capacity of 350 megawatts (MW) to provide clean and cost-effective electricity to meet Karachi’s power needs. Details: The project is being built under the Sindh Solar Energy Project (SSEP), with K-Electric (KE) acting as both a buyer and a distributor of the power generated at these solar parks. The deal was signed by Abu Bakar Madani, Secretary Sindh Energy Department, Monis Alvi, Chief Executive Officer KE, and Najy Benhassine, Country Director World Bank for Pakistan. Why it matters: Under a competitive bidding process, the agreement aims to establish and implement sustainable, cost-effective, and competitive utility-scale Independent Power Producers in Karachi. The Olympic Council of Asia held a seminar to empower athletes at Lahore Garrison University
What happened: On Friday, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) in conjunction with the Pakistan Olympic Association began a seminar to empower athletes at Lahore Garrison University. Details: Muhammad Inam, Chairman of the Pakistan Olympic Association’s Athletes Commission welcomed athletes from all sports and regions of Pakistan. The 3-day-seminar was also attended by students from Lahore Garrison University. Athletes’ Rights and Responsibilities, as well as Safe Sport and the Protection of Clean Athletes, will be discussed by experts. The national athletes will share their stories with the audience for inspiration throughout the following two days. Punjab’s law minister decides to divide the province in three tehsils to aim for a better administration
What happened: The government has planned to divide Rawalpindi into three tehsils: city, cantonment, and Saddar, according to Punjab Law Minister Mohammad Basharat Raja. Details: The minister told a public meeting in Dhamial that the PTI-led Punjab government wants to provide the best possible services to the residents of the garrison city, therefore it decided to partition Rawalpindi subdivision into three parts for better management. Citizens would have access to fundamental civic services right outside their front doors, he noted. What you need to know: Rawalpindi district is currently divided into seven tehsils, namely Rawalpindi, Gujar Khan, Taxila, Murree, Kahuta, Kallar Syedan, and Kotli Sattian. The city was partitioned into Potohar and Rawal towns during the military dictator Pervez Musharraf’s reign in 2001. In 2013, the PML-N administration abolished the two-town system and granted Murree a unique status as a municipal corporation. Two satellite events cancelled by Professional Squash Association because the federation didn’t allow it
What happened: Two international satellite events for Peshawar from December 13-15 have been cancelled by the Professional Squash Association. A source informed, “PSA declined to allow these events to take place on the grounds that the Pakistan Squash Federation is unaware of them and that previous authorization from the federation to host them was not sought.” Details: Local players are not being allowed to compete in international events, according to the source, because the national federation does not allow it. Megan Somers, PSA’s tour organiser, said they have an agreement with PSF in this aspect that cannot be amended when approached. “This is a PSA regulation that will, unfortunately, not be changed very soon. Before they register with PSA, all clearances must go through PSA,” Megan explained. What else: However, the event’s organiser stated that all issues have been resolved, and that the events will most likely take place next month. “The event’s sponsor has met with PSF authorities, and the festivities will now take place in January,” Tahir Iqbal stated. Schools have been reopened as the Ministry of Education promises to fulfill the demands of the faculties
What happened: Schools in the capital resumed after the Ministry of Education informed teachers and non-teaching employees that their concerns over the Local Government Ordinance would be addressed. Details: Teachers and non-teaching employees at all schools have been boycotting classes since last Tuesday in protest of the Local Government Ordinance 2021, which specifies that the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) that regulates schools and colleges, will be placed under the mayor’s supervision. Teachers protested the decree, and they were also criticized the Ministry of Education for removing 33 colleges from the FDE. What else: Naheed Durrani, the Secretary of State for Education, and Mohaiyyuddin Ahmed Wani, the Additional Secretary, played a key role in persuading teachers to end their protest, as over 200,000 pupils have been suffering since last Tuesday due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Health Department has begun door-to-door vaccinations after a suspected case of Omicron surfaced
What happened: On Friday, the health authority launched a door-to-door Covid-19 vaccination push in Jamshed Town, where an Omicron variant case was recently detected. Details: “A judgement in this regard will be made after the polymerase chain reaction test results of the 51 samples acquired from people living in the suspected female patient’s neighborhoods are received,” said Atif Vighio, a representative for the health department. In the interim, he said, the department was focusing on community education about Covid-19 vaccination and compliance with SOPs after inspectors discovered a substantial number of unvaccinated people in the area. More: Genome sequencing was performed on samples taken from the suspected patient and her two male relatives who are being treated at the AKUH for Omicron variant infection. Officials estimate that the results will take one to two weeks. “Islam says that giving relief to people is humanity”: Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Parvez Elahi asks the government to control inflation
What happened: Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly stated on Friday that the government must take action to stop inflation in the country. Pervaiz Elahi met with Zubair Ahmad Khan, the delegate of the political coordinator speaker of the Punjab Assembly and President of the Muslim League, Rawalpindi. He went on to say that because Islam is a religion of humanity and service to people, the government must take steps to meet the public’s demands. Details: Shehbaz Goshi served as the delegate’s main vice-president, while President PML-N Gujjar Khan Anjum Kiani and Chaudhry Bilal Waraich both served as presidents. According to Pervaiz Elahi, the government must devise a strong plan to curb the country’s rising inflation. To provide the public with respite from rising inflation, specific strategic strategies must be implemented. More: He urged that, in light of the initial Omicron case, all provinces should exercise extra vigilance when implementing preventive measures.