Latest news with #PDM
Washington Post
28-04-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
Piedmont Office: Q1 Earnings Snapshot
ATLANTA — ATLANTA — Piedmont Office Realty Trust Inc. (PDM) on Monday reported a key measure of profitability in its first quarter. The Atlanta-based real estate investment trust said it had funds from operations of $45.5 million, or 36 cents per share, in the period. Funds from operations is a closely watched measure in the REIT industry. It takes net income and adds back items such as depreciation and amortization.
Zawya
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
President Museveni Tasks Journalists to Promote Regional Integration, Defend Parish Development Model (PDM) Initiative
According to the President, the journalists should use their platforms to promote national development. While meeting journalists of Greater Mubende at State Lodge- Mubende, the President emphasized that the media has a critical role to play in shaping public discourse and building a unified, economically viable region. The meeting was part of the Presidential Assessment tour of the Parish Development Model (PDM) in the Greater Mubende which commenced on April 15th, 2025. 'You, the journalists, should be at the forefront of promoting regional integration. Sensitize the public through radio and media platforms. Those who are still focusing on Buganda, Ankole, or other regions in isolation are making a mistake. Uganda alone is not enough,' President Museveni said. He gave a personal example, saying that although he is a cattle keeper from Ankole, it is people in other regions like Kampala who create demand for his milk and beef, not fellow Banyankole who also produce the same goods. 'We need the East African market. Internal markets are limited. That's why we always tell you that this is not just about economics, it's also about politics. Regional integration will help us get better prices through a wider market,' he added. Switching focus to the Parish Development Model, President Museveni challenged journalists to act as watchdogs, educating the public about the program and exposing those misusing the funds meant for the poor. 'We brought PDM money to help the poor. How do leaders come in and take it? You must defend your people's money. Use your media platforms to expose those who are not serving. Tell the people that some of these problems come from voting in the wrong leaders,' President Museveni said. He explained that the PDM funds are meant to flow from the Ministry of Finance, through banks to SACCOS, and questioned the involvement of parish chiefs who are only supposed to support community mobilization. 'You journalists should explain how this program is supposed to work. Mobilize the people, expose the corrupt. This is your role in protecting national development,' he emphasized. On broader economic issues, the President addressed the recent collapse in maize prices, saying that the solution lies in long-term strategies like value addition, subsidies, and regional market access. 'The price drop cannot be solved overnight. We need more value addition to turn cassava into posho or ethanol. If Kenya wasn't blocking our maize, the demand would be there. That's why we need East African integration,' President Museveni said. He concluded by urging journalists to remain patriotic and push the National Resistance Movement (NRM) agenda of Patriotism, Pan-Africanism, Socio-economic transformation, and democracy. 'Your job is not just reporting it's building the nation. Love Uganda, love Africa, and use your voice to uplift the people,' he said. On his part, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, also clarified on the structure and function of the Parish Development Model implementation committees, emphasizing the importance of transparency and community involvement. He explained that there are two distinct committees involved in the management of PDM funds. 'The first is the SACCO Committee, formed by local residents themselves. This committee consists of five members, elected by the community, and it is responsible for identifying and selecting the beneficiaries of the PDM funds,' Dr. Baryomunsi said. 'The second is the Parish Development Committee, which plays a supervisory role. It is chaired by the LC2 Chairperson and includes the Chairperson of the Women's Council and the Chairperson of the Youth,' he added. He further explained that when funds are disbursed, they are sent directly to the SACCO's bank account, and only designated signatories from the SACCO Committee have the authority to access the funds. 'The money is sent to the SACCO's bank account, and only the authorized signatories who are members of the SACCO leadership are allowed to handle it. This structure is designed to ensure accountability and community ownership,' Dr. Baryomunsi stated. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Uganda.
Express Tribune
12-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
NP slams injustice against Balochistan
Senator Jan Muhammad Buledi, a central leader of National Party, on Friday lamented that Balochistan's long-standing democratic commitment continues to be repaid with betrayal and silence. He accused the federal system of treating the province like a "stepchild of the state". Speaking at the Lahore Press Club, Buledi vehemently blasted the historical and ongoing injustices faced by Balochistan, adding that people of the province have made a prolonged and sincere contribution to democratic development in Pakistan, but they remain neglected. "This democracy we see today is the outcome of decades of political struggle," he said. "But our federal system has failed to respect the political, economic and cultural rights of the nations that reside in this region." Buledi said a particular mindset in the country has repeatedly attempted to suppress and deny the existence of different national identities, their languages, cultures and history. "This very mindset led to the disintegration of Pakistan in 1971," he added. He pointed out that successive civilian governments, operating under a majority-rule mindset and a bureaucratic system unwilling to accommodate diversity, have further alienated Balochistan. "Our establishment believes a presidential system is more suitable and even wants to divide the country into 32 or 48 provinces. This is a long-standing battle," Buledi said, accusing the military of repeatedly undermining democracy during its stints in power. "If Pakistan is to remain stable and united, the existence of its nations must be recognised, their control over natural resources respected, and the country must be run within constitutional limits," he stressed. Buledi noted that while parliament exists and a parliamentary system is in place, neither the media nor the public enjoys true freedom of speech. "The PDM was formed to end institutional interference and ensure free and fair elections, and that remains the only way to resolve issues, including those of Balochistan." He also criticised politicians for making compromises once in power. "The Baloch issue has become so chronic that it has reached a critical state. Baloch leadership has tried time and again to explain the province's concerns to Islamabad, but we're seen only as 16 seats in the assembly." "Two days ago, a political market was held in Islamabad where Balochistan was sold," he said about recent political developments.
Zawya
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
President Museveni Hosts Iftar Dinner at State House, Praises Muslim Community for Ramadan Observance and Emphasizes Unity and Economic Empowerment
During the dinner, the President congratulated the Muslims for successfully fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. 'We are left with only a few days for Ramadan to end. We pray that God keeps us safe until the end,' he said. President Museveni also urged believers that as they worship God, they should also think about working towards improving their household incomes. 'You the religious leaders, I think you should begin helping your people to develop the thinking of worshipping and working as well,' he said. President Museveni further lauded the Muslims for finally embracing the Parish Development Model (PDM) initiative. 'I'm glad that you finally accepted my PDM money because some people had misinterpreted that money, saying that it has riba (interest). I'm not profiteering from you, the government of Uganda is our grandparent, and this grandparent gives you money every year per parish and this money is yours, it's not going back to the government so that's not profiteering,' he said. 'The five percent we are putting on the Shs1m for each year is in order to keep the value for that money so that it is able to maintain the purchasing power of a product.' Furthermore, the President commended Muslims for listening to the NRM message of unity. 'I want to thank you for listening to our message of unity. You can see how the world is in chaos because of misinterpreting religion. I don't think God said the Catholics and Protestants should fight Muslims or vice versa. I have never read it anywhere when God is saying that you must have sectarianism,' he noted. 'Those people who do discrimination are really greedy people. The way you have been introducing yourselves, the Sunnis, Shia, Ahmadiyas are all here. I think that's very good; that's the spirit of God in my view.' President Museveni also cautioned against interfering in the freedom of worship. 'Why do you interfere in the freedom of worship? Let them worship as long as they don't break the law.' President Museveni also contributed 10 tractors to the 10 Muslim regions in Uganda. The Vice President, H.E Jessica Alupo thanked President Museveni and the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni for their generosity in extending an invitation to the Muslim community to celebrate the State Iftar dinner annually. 'Your Excellency, Uganda is one of the countries where all religious denominations are respected, honoured, valued and given maximum freedom of worship,' she said. 'In fact, freedom of worship in Uganda is Constitutional and all this, Your Excellency, is due to your strategic and visionary leadership and the NRM good practice of non-discrimination. We thank you very much Your Excellency for permitting all the people of Uganda to worship where they feel comfortable.' The Vice President also thanked the Muslim community for supporting President Museveni and the NRM government. Representing the Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Ramathan Mubajje, the First Deputy Mufti, Sheikh Waiswa Muhammad Ali thanked President Museveni for hosting the Muslim community for an Iftar dinner annually. 'We do not take this for granted,' he said. Sheikh Waiswa also commended the President for standing with the Muslim community in fostering unity, patriotism, democracy and socio-economic transformation through various government programs. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Uganda.
Express Tribune
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Court acquits Rana Sanaullah in 2020 PDM rally case
Listen to article A judicial magistrate on Wednesday acquitted Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah in a case related to a Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) rally held in Gujranwala in October 2020. Sanaullah was accused of allegedly attempting to run over police personnel and removing a container during the opposition alliance's protest. The case was filed under the then-Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. Judicial Magistrate Sidrah Gill Nawaz ruled that the prosecution failed to substantiate the allegations, leading to Sanaullah's acquittal. The case was registered at the Satellite Town police station. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader had previously faced a non-bailable arrest warrant in December for repeated absences in court. The first information report (FIR) included charges under the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), specifically Sections 149, 147, 186, 353, and 324. Several other accused, including Salman Khalid Butt, Imran Khalid, and former federal minister Khurram Dastgir, had already been acquitted. Police had initially delayed submitting the challan against Sanaullah, and a report filed by investigators was rejected by the court before summoning the politician.
