Pakistan Observer - Islamabad News

Islamabad

A farewell to arms

Liaqat Toor

Islamabad—Saying farewell to arms, his colleagues, mediamen and friends, Major General Athar Abbas, the outgoing Director General of Inter services Public Relations has said his four and a half years tenure as military spokesman were full of challenges. Speaking at a dinner hosted by Secretary Information Taimur Azmat Osman to bidding farewell to him and giving a warm welcome to the new ISPR Chief Major-General Asim Saleem Bajwa, Athar Abbas said he received full cooperation of Pakistani media which is patriotic and has a nationalistic approach. He also thanked foreign media which was also responsive and cooperative.

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After CNG stations, petrol pumps closure leaves commuters high, dry

Zubair Qureshi

Islamabad—Most of the traffic, especially public transport in the federal capital remained off road Sunday after majority of the petrol pumps joined the CNG stations in the ongoing strike. Islamabad gave a haunted look as roads were deserted and one could see large numbers of cabs parked in front of a number of petrol pumps and CNG stations. A day earlier on Saturday, there was a rush at the petrol pumps of the city after the rumours that petrol pumps were joining the strike from Monday (today) and they (the commuters) might face shortage of petrol as well. This added to the agony of the commuters and they got their petrol tanks filled with extra quantity of fuel thus putting extra burden on the petrol pumps owners.

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Nature photography, posters competition

Islamabad—Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH), a subsidiary organization of Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF),celebrated the International Environment Day by arranging different activities for schoolchildren,here today. The winners of Nature Photography and Poster Competitions, organized by PMNH on April 24 in connection with the celebration of International Earth Day, were also awarded cash prizes and certificates at an impressive ceremony at PMNH. Besides scientists, a large number of students and teachers from the public and private sector educational institutions attended the prize and certificates distribution ceremony.

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SBTP organize cultural programme for blood donation awareness

Staff Reporter

Islamabad—The Safe Blood Transfusion Services Programme, Ministry of Capital Administration & Development, organized a cultural programme in collaboration with the PNCA to raise blood donation awareness in Islamabad as part of celebration of the World Blood Donor Day. The Chief Guest on the occasion was the former Surgeon General, Lt. Gen (Retd.) Mustafa Kamal Akbar. The three hour long function was greeted with an overwhelming response of 300 participants, mostly young students.

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Coffee linked to heart attack for persons with certain gene variation

INDIVIDUALS who have a genetic variation associated with slower caffeine metabolism appear to have an increased risk of non-fatal heart attack associated with higher amounts of coffee intake, according to a study in the March 8 issue of JAMA. Studies examining the association between coffee consumption and risk of myocardial infarction (MI ? heart attack) have been inconclusive. Coffee is a major source of caffeine, which is the most widely consumed stimulant in the world and has been implicated in the development of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack, according to background information in the article. However, coffee contains a number of other chemicals that have variable effects on the cardiovascular system. It is not clear whether caffeine alone affects the risk of heart attack or whether other chemicals found in coffee may be responsible.

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Pakistan week Need to enlighten youth with culture stressed

Staff Reporter

Islamabad—Federal Minister for National Heritage and Integrity Ms Samina Khalid Ghurki attended the closing ceremony of “Pakistan Week” at Pak-China Friendship Centre Islamabad. National Assembly speaker Dr. Fehmida Mirza was the chief guest on the occasion. Ministry of National Heritage and Integration in collaboration with Lok Virsa had launched weeklong celebrations of ‘Pakistan Week’ with the objective to revitalize the spirit of nationalism through cultural activities. “Pakistan Week” was started on the instructions of Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr. Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani. It was an initiative on the part of the government to involve the masses, especially youth in a campaign which can touch their hearts through projection of their culture and heritage. It was also aimed to give a message of unity and brotherhood.

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Moneychangers, traders lose trust in police Businessmen condemn ‘Karachi-style’ robbery incidents

Zubair Qureshi

Islamabad—Federal Capital’s business hub ‘Blue Area’ is left to the mercy of dacoits and extortionists and Islamabad administration as well as police have failed to provide security to the traders, businessmen and moneychangers of this business mall. Addressing a crowded press conference at the National Press Club Sunday, representatives of the Islamabad Moneychangers Association, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Islamabad Welfare Association and Traders’ Welfare Union said this seeking proper security measures from the Islamabad administration and police.

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Plan chalked out for containment of dengue fever

Islamabad—Health Directorate under instructions from the Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) has developed a comprehensive plan for containment of Dengue Fever in Islamabad. The CDA Director Health Services has appealed the general public to eradicate the breeding sites of dengue mosquitoes inside their houses. “In order to control the entire operation, Dengue Control Monitoring Teams have also been constituted to monitor the activities effectively” he said. All chemicals procured for the campaign are verified for quality assurance, said a press release.

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