BISP Temporarily Suspends Disbursements Amidst Heatwave

The Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) has decided to temporarily suspend cash disbursements to beneficiaries on 24th and 25th June 2023, Saturday and Sunday, in response to the ongoing heatwave affecting the country. This decision has been taken in the best interest of protecting precious lives, particularly women and children, from potential harm and inconvenience. The move to close the cash disbursement from the designated campsites comes after careful consideration of recommendations from relevant authorities. Despite the adequate arrangements made by BISP, in coordination with provincial/regional governments and partner banks, it has been determined that the existing measures may not be sufficient to ensure the convenient and safe delivery of funds to the beneficiaries during the heatwave. Cash disbursement on the same campsites will be resumed on Monday 26th June, 2023, and will continue until Wednesday, 28th June, 2023, across the country. The arrangements for disbursements will remain the same as those implemented on Friday, the 23rd June 2023. As of 6 pm today, June 23, over 2.9 million beneficiaries have already been served, with an impressive amount of Rs. 26.12 Billion disbursed from the campsites established nationwide. BISP acknowledges the inconvenience caused by the temporary suspension but remains committed to prioritizing the safety and well-being of its beneficiaries. The program appreciates the cooperation extended and understanding of all stakeholders during these challenging hours.

Dua Zahra, Zaheer recovered from Bahawalnagar

Dua Zehra and her husband Zaheer are now in police coustody the 14 years old missing girl has been recovered from Bahawalnagar, punjab along with her husband .

While hiding, they did not use cell phones and kept changing their location. Making their capture all the more difficult, they changed two houses in Lahore and moved around in Mansehra as well.

Dua's father has not been allowed to meet her as yet as she will be presented in court first on 10th June .

As per CIA, 45 raids were conducted and 16 people were arrested.

Police making arrangements to bring the teenage couple to karachi .

ICC Women’s World Cup: Hotels refuse to accommodate Pakistan team

CUTTACK - In the wake of protests and threats by radical outfits, the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) was forced to arrange separate accommodation for the Pakistan women’s team inside the Barbati Stadium in Cuttack, after five-star hotels showed reluctance to provide hospitality.

“The Pakistani players would have faced trouble while travelling from Bhubaneswar to Cuttack for the matches,” said OCA secretary Asirbad Behera. “So we have arranged for their accommodation on the Barabati Stadium premises.”

The women cricketers reached Cuttack from New Delhi on Sunday to participate in the ICC Women’s World Cup. The women cricketers, led by Sana Mir, were escorted by a heavy deployment which took them to the stadium.

According to the report, as most hotels in Bhubaneswar refused to host the Pakistani players under immense pressure and threats, the team will remain confined to the stadium throughout the tournament. However, the remaining group B teams playing their matches in Cuttack – Australia, New Zealand and South Africa – will stay in hotels in Bhubaneswar.

Right-wing outfits had warned hoteliers in Bhubaneswar against offering “hospitality to the Pakistani players”, following which posh hotels in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack withdrew, forcing the decision to house the players on the stadium premises.

However, the OCA promised the best lodging for the team at the stadium. “Accommodation for the Pakistan team became a headache,” an OCA official told The Times of India before adding that the decision was taken to ensure safety for the visitors.

“We will provide five-star facilities to the players at the Club House in the stadium. The Club House is equipped with a world class gymnasium and swimming pool", the official said. Nearly 600 security personnel, including officials, Special Security Battalion and Odisha police were deployed during the team’s arrival to ensure their safety on the way to the stadium.

Director General of Police (DGP) Prakash Mishra visited the stadium to review the security set-up and held discussions with OCA officials about the arrangements. Meanwhile, Pakistan team manager Ayesha Ashar said her side was well-prepared to put up an exciting performance in the World Cup. 

“I am grateful for receiving a warm welcome from all the fans,” said Ayesha after her arrival in Cuttack. “I will ask Indian fans to come in numbers to watch our matches.”

"The arrangements are more like we get in Pakistan," Ashar was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India news agency. "We are happy with the facilities provided to us by the organisers." Pakistan open their campaign against Australia at the Barabati Stadium on Friday.

The Barabati Stadium Club House was chosen by the International Cricket Council for the Pakistani women cricketers.  "The ICC considered all options and the best security for the teams," the ICC said in a statement.  Cuttack was added as a venue only this month to accommodate Pakistan, and remove it from Mumbai, where the entire tournament was to have been staged. The Women's World Cup starts on Thursday. Pakistan's move also forced organisers to shift fellow Group B teams Australia, New Zealand and South Africa to Cuttack, as well as some Super Six and playoff games. However, the final will be in Mumbai on Feb 17. (Nation)

SECP deplores incorrect reports, comments

ISLAMABAD: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has deplored recent reports and comments in a section of the press giving an impression that recent internal restructuring had abolished the legal function of the SECP and that all legal checks and balances had been removed.

The legal function continues to exist under a new name: Legislation and General Counsel Department (L&GCD). This move is completely in line with the best international practices followed by securities’ regulators in other jurisdictions such as such as the Securities Commission Malaysia, Australian Securities and Investment Commission, US SEC, etc.

The restructuring is the result of a well-thought-out decision made after thorough internal discussions and feedback from the SECP operating departments. It is aimed at improving the performance and efficiency of the organization. The SECP would like to emphasize that there is no change in policy with regard to any of the functions mandated to it under the laws administered by it.

The L&GCD will perform two important functions of legislation and giving legal advice to the SECP on the interpretation of laws administered by the SECP. The new structure will facilitate a focused approach on these two critical legal activities. The operating departments can solicit expert legal advice from the L&GCD on any legal issue.

Under the new structure operating departments have been provided with legal resources, enabling them to pursue litigation much more efficiently and rigorously. This will also improve quality and efficiency of these departments in other areas. This practice is not new to the SECP and existed before.

The SECP is striving for the development of a vibrant corporate sector and a capital market which is fair, transparent and efficient and in line with global best practices. Further measures are being taken to improve internal working and human resources of the SECP along with steps to develop sectors and markets.

First Women Bank and Pink Ribbon Pakistan join hands against cancer

The First Women Bank Limited (FWBL) and Pink Ribbon Pakistan (PRP) have entered into an agreement to promote the objective of PRP for providing cancer awareness among women through its branches across the country.

Shafqat Sultana, President First Women Bank and Omer Aftab, National Coordinator Pink Ribbon Pakistan signing the MoU.

The campaign stresses on women to undergo free clinical examination and free mammographic screening so as to be aware of the fatal disease ìcancer.î

The signing ceremony was also attended by Head of Legal Section Ms. Charmaine Hidayatullah, Company Secretary Ms. Shawana Yamin, Head of Marketing and PR FWBL Ms. Shaheen Zamir and Associate Pink Ribbon Pakistan Ms. Sameera Raja.