KHEWRA (The Land of Dignity)

PTDC is hosting 8-days visit of Beyaz TV Team from Turkey, who reached Pakistan to make a documentary Film in Turkish language, says a press release.

The three-member coverage team of M/s Beyaz Television Network is headed by Seyda Aydin, Production Coordinator, accompanied by Dogukan Sangun and Akif Sulou, cameraman & the reporter. They are visiting the historical and cultural sites of Lahore, shall watch Wagha Flag Ceremony, Lahore Museum, Old City etc. Then they will travel from Lahore to Islamabad, Taxila, Kaghan Valley and Ayubia. They will also cover Khewra Salt Mines and important tourist sites of Rawalpindi and Islamabad besides visiting famous lake Saif-ul-Muluk.

The documentary and programme shall be aired by Beyaz TV across Turkey. This will be the first tourism documentary on Pakistan ever made and aired by a Turkish TV Channel in Turkish language.

In a dinner hosted by Mir Shahjahan Khetran, Managing Director PTDC, the Production Coordinator Syeda Aydin briefed that World Tour is a programme, which is broadcasted on Beyaz TV Channel every Saturday at 10:55. Beyaz TV is a popular TV channel that broadcast nationwide in Turkey and Europe.

THE NEWS (International) REPORT:

http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-6-136157-Turkish-team-making-tourism-documentary

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr. Asim Hussain Tuesday said that Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC) should not concentrate only on production and marketing of salt and coal but also apply for prospecting/exploration licenses and mining leases for other minerals to expand their operations and exploit the mineral resources of Pakistan.

The minister visited PMDC Head Office, Islamabad and addressed the Board of Directors. The Managing Director PMDC briefed the Minister on the affairs of the Corporation.

The minister appreciated the efforts of the Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC) management in increasing the production and sale of salt and coal.

He directed that the tourist resort at PMDC Salt Mines Khewra should be developed to a world class standard through reputed consultant.

He was briefed that the Board of Directors has already taken this decision and shortly an advertisement would be given in the National News Papers with the objective to create a facility of international standard.

He further advised that PMDC should develop and mechanize its coal and salt mines by following the modern technologies and methods of mining. The Minister advised that PMDC management should find new avenues to increase the export of rock salt and its value added items.

The minister reiterated that while expanding the role of PMDC by operating new projects, the job opportunities for technical and professionals will be created.

NEWS REPORT APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2012

CHAKWAL: Chakwal police has arrested three drug peddlers and seized Chars and liquor from their possession.

Police sources said that City and Saddar Police conducted surprise raids upon secret information in several parts of the City and arrested six outlaws.

City Police recovered 112 gram Chars from the possession of Muhammad Shiraz S/o Muhammad Riaz resident of Muhalla Rehmania, ten bottles liquor from Babar Ashiq S/o Ashiq Masih resident of Christian Colony.

Saddar police in other raid against drug smugglers arrested Abid Hussain resident of Khewra and seized 160-gram chars.

Police separate filed case against the drug smugglers and started further investigation.

The incident took place in the hilly area near Pind Dadan Khan, which is located on the confluence of the border between Jhelum and Chakwal districts.

Sources told The Express Tribune that army troops mounted a secret undercover operation after they were tipped off about the presence of suspected terrorists in the Pir Chunbbal shrine on a hilltop.

It was a Military Intelligence-led operation in which four officials were killed, military sources said, identifying three of them as Major Afaq, Hawaldar Nazir Abbas and Naik Fiyyaz. They belonged to MI Punjab 204 Rawalpindi detachment of Jhelum and Chakwal.

One of their civil informants was also killed in the incident. Sources said that four terrorists were also killed in the raid. But it wasn’t confirmed officially.

Foreign media gave a different account. Quoting security officials, the BBC reported that the four intelligence officials were kidnapped by terrorists a few days back. And the kidnappers were demanding the release of their 20 comrades who were arrested during operations in the tribal regions.

Sources said that the MI had kept the undercover operation secret and not even the police were taken into confidence. But the BBC report said that the action was conducted in coordination with the police.

Sources said that police had alerted the militants about an earlier swoop, indicating that extremist groups have infiltrated the police force. Following that incident, the Punjab police chief had suspended a senior police official.

A group of the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, led by Dr Arshad, had set up hideouts in the hilly areas near Khewra and Pir Chunbbal regions. These heavily armed militants had started kidnapping affluent people for ransom. Dr Arshad is wanted by the police in at least 10 cases of terrorism. Interior Minister Rehman Malik told the BBC that action was taken because militants have set up hideouts in these areas. He did not give details.

Sources said that MI officials mounted the undercover raid impersonating devotees at the Pir Chambal shrine. However, the suspicious militants searched them and found army identity cards. The militants killed the intelligence officials and fled the area unchallenged, according to sources.

Following the killing, Army helicopters launched a search operation. The army has thrown a security cordon around the area and, according to sources, a major search operation is expected today (Sunday). However, sources said that the militants were seen escaping from the area using the Rawalpindi-Lahore Motorway.

پاک چائنہ انڈسٹریل زون کھیوڑہ ، پنڈدادنخان ، جلالپور اور ان سے منسلک اضلاع کیلیے بہت ہی اہم ترقیاتی منصوبہ کی حثیت رکھتا ہے- ایک لاکھ چھ ہزار ایکڑ پر بننے والا یہ منصوبہ ضلع جہلم کی تاریخ کو بدلنے میں نہایت اہم کردار ادا کرے گا- اس کے قیام سے نہ صرف لاکھوں خاندانوں کو روزگار کے مواقع میسر ہوں گے بلکہ علاقہ کی ترقی میں بھی خاطر خواہ اضافہ ہو گا- لحمہ فکریہ یہ ہے کہ اس خواب کو حقیقت کا رنگ کون دے گا

• کچھ لو اور دو کی سیاست کو فروغ دینے والے مفاد پرست وڈیرے ہر طرح کے ہتھکنڈے استمعال کر کے اس سکیم کو ناکام کرنے کی بھرپور کوشش میں سرگرم عمل ہیں- دوسرے اضلاع سے منتقل ہونے والے اس ترقیاتی پروجیکٹ کے تحت علاقے کی معدنیات کا صیح معنوں میں استعمال کر کے ملک کے ریونیو میں اضافہ کیا جا سکتا ہے- مگر جانے کیوں کچھ سیاستدانوں اور وڈیروں کیلے چند روپوں کی زمین ہزاروں غویبوں کی بھوک اور جان سے زیادہ اہمیت رکھتی ہے-

اس میگا پروجیکٹ کے تحت علاقہ میں جدید ترین انڈسٹریل پلانٹس سے علاقے میں موجود معدنیات نمک ، کوئلہ ، جپسم اور چونے کا پتھر وغیرہ کے صیح معنوں میں استعمال کو اہم بنایا جائے گا- فوٹو گرافک سروے کے مطابق تحصیل پنڈدادنخان میں پاک چائنہ انڈسٹریل سٹیٹ کا قیلم ہر لحاظ سے ممکن ہے مگر چند شرپسند عناصر اس کے تفصیلی زمینی سروے میں روکاوٹ بن کر ہماری تحصیل کو ترقی کے میدان سے پچھے دھکیلنے میں اپنی تمام تر کوششیں جاری رکھے ہوئے ہیں اور دوسری طرف چند سیاسی جماعتیں اس انڈسٹریل زون کے قیام کو علاقے کی غریب عوام کا حق سمجھتی ہیںجن میں “پاکستان تحریک انصاف“ سر فہرست ہے- ضلع جہلم کی اس پسماندہ تحصیل پنڈدادنخان میں پاک چائنہ انڈسٹریل سٹیٹ سے علاقہ کی بےروزگاری میں زبردست کمی آئے گی- اس کے قیام سے نہ صرف غربت بلکہ علاقہ میں موجودہ سابقہ پانی ، بجلی ، صفائی اور صحت جیسے دیگر مسائل کو حل کرنے کے مواقع بھی میسر آئے گے-

• “سب سے اہم اور ضروری بات یہ کہ یہ انڈسٹریل زون تحصیل پنڈدادنخان کو ضلع کا درجہ دینے میں اک اہم سنگ میل کا کردار ادا کرے گا جسکی کوششوں میں علاقہ کی عوام کافی عرصہ سے ہمہ تن جوش ہے“

خدایا ! ملک کے اندھے حکمرانوں سے ہر غریب کی التجا ہے کہ اپنی جیبوں کو بھرنے سے فرصت لے کر غریب عوام کی سسکیوں کے بارے میں بھی سوچا جائے اور موجودہ لوٹ گھسوٹ کی سیاست کو ختم کر کے ملکی مفاد کومد نظر رکھا جائے- اونچے اعوانوں میں بیٹھنے والے یہ مت بھولیں کہ جس غریب کا ووٹ انھیں اونچی سے اونچی کرسی پہ بٹھا سکتا ہے تو اسی غریب کا احتجاج اس کرسی سے زمین پہ بھی لا سکتا ہے-

Hundreds of passengers suffered badly on Thursday after Pakistan Railways halted the functioning of more than eight trains running on different routes due to the shortage of fuel.

According to sources, Kohat Passenger Train, Attock City Passenger Train, Khewra Passenger Train and Pind Dadan Khan up and down trains were halted because of non-availability of fuel. “If arrangements for fuel are not made then there is a possibility of closing down all 22 passenger trains operating from Rawalpindi,” sources added.

Sources said that all halted trains were operating when they were stopped after covering some distance from the starting point. As a result, the passengers on board suffered badly for long hours till they were accommodated in other coaches coming from different routes.

At present, the Pakistan Railways is facing a problem of old engines and locomotives, which stops functioning of trains only after half an hour of their operation. The shortage of fuel is another problem. It is high time for redressing these major problems to save the Pakistan Railways from total collapse, sources said.

The railway officials, including DCO Imran Hayat Khan, admitted the fact that the operation of trains had to be stopped because of shortage of fuel. “There is no fuel left for operating trains. If the government or headquarters do not provide us with fuel there is a possibility of closure of the remaining trains running from the Rawalpindi division,” the official said. Divisional Superintendent Railways (Rawalpindi Division) Tariq Khan, however, gave a different statement when contacted by ‘The News’. He said that the service of trains were not stopped rather in order to save fuel and cope with the crisis-like situation, the coaches of two trains were attached to one engine. The passengers on board did not suffer, he claimed.

Moreover, freight trains carrying fuel are on their way to overcome the problem. They would reach Rawalpindi on Friday morning. The DS said that the Pakistan Railways had to pay over Rs800 million to the Pakistan State Oil as dues against fuel. An amount of Rs1 billion is spent on fuel by the department. However, over last six months or more, the Pakistan Railways is not receiving the total amount in one phase. Delay is made in the payment of fuel bills by the concerned quarters, he stated.

He admitted that there is a possibility of closure of the railway transport if these problems continue and remedial measures are not taken immediately. Effective and practical measures are needed to save the railway transport from total collapse, he added.

LAHORE, Feb 4: The Pakistan Railways has restored and renovated the entire historic Khewra railway station with the assistance of a private firm.

According to a handout issued here on Friday, the renovated station was inaugurated by General Manager Operations Muhammad Ashfaq Khattak.

Mr Khattak said a tourist train would be plied from Rawalpindi to Khewra on Feb 27. Another such train would also be run from Lahore to Khewra afterwards. — Staff Reporter (DAWN NEWS)