RAWALPINDI, FEB 20 (DNA) – The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) organized the National Health Summit 2024-Dental Hygiene at Chamber House here on Tuesday. President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi was the chief guest on the occasion.

Addressing the inaugural session of the Summit, Dr. Arif Alvi said that the entire nation had set a precedent in the world with their collective efforts during Covid-19 pandemic and stressed that such a display of unity was critical to address disconcerting issues in education, health and economic sectors.

The president said that during Covid-19 pandemic when the deadly wave was hitting the globe, Pakistan emerged as the third best performing country in the world to avert the damages in health and economic sectors.

He said it was all possible due to the collective efforts and cooperation of the people and all stakeholders who displayed unison in their efforts to ward off the spread of the pandemic.

“That precedent has carved a path for the future which can guide us in our endeavours to overcome the contemporary challenges,” he opined.

Highlighting the importance of physical hygiene, the president said that from the Islamic teachings, it stood proved that personal hygiene was linked with spiritual purity.

He said about 90 percent dental cases could be cured if prevention habits were developed by the people including regular brushing of teeth, similar was the case with communicable diseases.

The president urged all the stakeholders and the business community to play their parts in creating awareness among the masses over health-related issues including mental stress and population growth.

RCCI President Saqib Rafiq in his keynote address said President Dr Arif Alvi was the first head of state who visited the chamber’s building and encouraged the business community for their involvement in different initiatives taken for the health of the general public.

He said almost 90 per cent of people could not afford the expensive treatment of dentistry, adding the dental related diseases could be avoided with just due care and prevention.

He said the chamber was making all possible measures to extend better health facilities in every nook and cranny of the Rawalpindi division, under which it had arranged mobile dental units for diagnosing chronic disease caused by bad oral hygiene.

Besides, it was carrying out water testing and data collection in 74 union councils of the Rawalpindi division, he added.

RCCI Group leader Sohail Altaf said, “a strong economy guarantees the strong national defence that comes from political stability and consistency in policies.” There is need to end current uncertainty in the country and asked Dr. Arif Alvi to play its role.

Earlier, Chairman RCCI Standing Committee on Health Dr Shimail Daud Arain stressed the need for creating awareness among the masses about oral health as around 90 percent of Pakistanis were suffering from dental-related diseases.

By Faisal Munir / DNA

ATTOCK: Celebrating the rich tapestry of Pothohari culture, journalist and poet Faisal Irfan unveils his third literary gem, “Hoshay.” Published under the esteemed banner of Pothohar Rahtal Usar Publications Rawalpindi, this 240-page book offers a captivating exploration of the region’s wedding rituals, from the vibrant hues of Mehndi and Mayon to the grandeur of Gharoli and Barat ceremonies.

Within its pages, “Hoshay” breathes life into the timeless melodies of Pothohari folk songs and sthanis, echoing across generations and resonating with the essence of tradition. Faisal Irfan’s previous works, “Potohari Akhanrh Tay Muhawaray” and “Parjahat Mahahari Anni,” have already garnered acclaim, cementing his status as a revered chronicler of Pothohari heritage.

As anticipation builds for his upcoming book, “Chahotay Laray,” accolades pour in from academic, literary, and journalistic circles across Potohar. With each publication, Faisal Irfan illuminates the cultural landscape of Pothohar, weaving narratives that both honor the past and inspire the future.

Muhammad Faisal Munir – Correspondent – Daily Islamabad Post & DNA – Attock

ISLAMABAD: After the fifth session of the coordination committees of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) failed to result in any major progress, the former remains hopeful of reaching a consensus over matters pertaining to the government formation in today’s meeting.

Speaking to Geo News, PPP’s Information Secretary Faisal Karim Kundi reiterated the decision made by the party’s central executive committee against being a part of the federal cabinet in the future government.

“[Our] experience with the PML-N during the 16-month alliance was not pleasant,” Kundi said while stressing that there’s no formula for holding the office of the prime minister for three years and two years by either party’s candidates.

However, he underscored that the party holds the right to contest for other constitutional posts.

The bilateral talks between the PPP and the PML-N, after none of the parties was able to secure a simple majority in the February 8 polls, have dragged on for days with the former maintaining its stance against being included in the cabinet, The News reported on Tuesday.

On Monday, the parties held a three-hour session and were initially set to meet for a second round later in the day, which was later deferred to Tuesday (today).

Though the draft of recommendations was finalised a day earlier, both parties decided to consult their respective leadership before the meeting slated for today.

However, the PPP’s committee did not come up for the meeting, and later it was decided to hold talks on Tuesday.

Sources said the Bilawal Bhutto-led party was of the view that when party Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari had made the commitment that the PPP would support the PML-N in the election of prime minister, the party would fulfil the commitment without being a part of the cabinet.

The PML-N and PPP committees, sources added, had prepared a draft of recommendations regarding government formation and are likely to convert the draft into a written agreement today.

Talking to the media persons on Monday, senior PML-N Senator Azam Nazir Tarar said talks were going on positively and the two sides would meet again today.

Tarar underscored that they have decided on certain aspects regarding the PPP’s inclusion in the federal cabinet during the meeting attended by PML-N’s Senator Ishaq Dar, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan whereas the PPP was represented by Syed Murad Ali Shah, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Saeed Ghani, Nadeem Afzal Chan, Nawab Sanaullah Zehri, Shuja Khan and Sardar Bahadur Khan Sehar.

MQM-P eyes NA deputy speaker post, three ministries
Meanwhile, a delegation of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) also held a meeting with a PML-N team where the two sides agreed to continue to remain in touch for the formation of government in the Centre.

The MQM-P delegation comprised Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, Senior Convener Syed Mustafa Kamal and Dr Farooq Sattar, while Dar, Sadiq and Malik represented the PML-N.

After the meeting, the MQM-P spokesperson said that they had sought the support of PML-N in Parliament on a three-point package of amendments to the Constitution.

“On top of our priorities is get constitutional protection to devolution of powers and resources at the grassroots level,” he said.

Meanwhile, the sources said that the MQM-P with 17 seats in the National Assembly is set to add another four women’s reserve seats, taking the tally to 21. It has also been learnt that so far no agreement has been reached on the share of MQM-P in the federal government.

However, the MQM-P leadership is interested in a deputy speakership in the National Assembly and at least three ministries including the Port and Shipping, Housing and Works and Information.

In addition, the leading party in Karachi would also get the chairmanship of some standing committees of the house.

The MQM-P spokesperson said that during the meeting, the two sides discussed matters particularly the problems being faced by the Sindh population both in rural and urban areas.

PML-N, PPP, BAP finalise formation of Balochistan govt
Meanwhile, the PML-N and PPP leadership in consultation with the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) finalised details for the formation of government in Balochistan province. These three parties have a decisive majority in the Balochistan Assembly.

The sources said that it had also been finalised the Balochistan chief minister would be from the PPP. However, unlike in the past, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), having 10 seats in the province, has already announced it will become part of the Balochistan government.

In the meantime, the PPP leadership has called all Balochistan Assembly members belonging to the party in Islamabad as the party succeeded in roping in three independent members Liaquat Lehri, Asfand Yar Kakar and Maulvi Noorullah in Balochistan after the trio met with Zardari.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, FEB 19: Senator Sherry Rehman, Vice President of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), on Monday strongly opposed the proposal by Jamat-e-Islami’s Senator Mushtaq Ahmed to introduce public executions for rapists through amendments to the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and Criminal Procedure Code, calling it a counter effective measure in deterring sexual crimes and urged improved prosecutions and investigations to address the matter.

Speaking during a session of the Senate, she said: “The Peoples Party has always had a principled stance against the death penalty, whether public or private. While the PPP staunchly condemns rape as a heinous and grave crime, calling for the death penalty or public executions, as seen in various countries, have not proven to be effective in deterring sexual crimes. We must prioritize enhancing prosecutions and investigations rather than resorting to barbarism and violence within society.”

She added that there have been historical attempts at public executions during Ziaul Haq’s era which failed to reduce crime.

“If public hanging is advocated for one crime, it will be demanded for other offenses as well. The PPP focuses on the importance of addressing the prevailing anger towards violence and sexual crimes through comprehensive measures, including improved funding for the police, enhanced criminal investigations, and better training for officers handling rape cases.”

Further stressing the PPP’s commitment to human rights principles, Senator Rehman advocated for comprehensive solutions and the reallocation of resources to better support survivors.

“We reject the notion that public hangings serve as an effective solution and call for careful consideration of crimes, fair trials, and increased conviction rates as more practical deterrents,” she said, adding that Pakistan already has life-sentence punishment for rape.

“There is a need for a nuanced and well-thought-out approach to address crimes against women, focusing on comprehensive legal reforms and cultural changes rather than resorting to public executions. In contemporary 21st-century society, we cannot revert to medieval practices, as public executions to eliminate crimes; instead, they will have other detrimental effects on society.”

ISLAMABAD, Feb 19 (APP/DNA): Caretaker Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi Monday said that the caretaker government had strived to ensure equal treatment to all political parties.

Addressing the Senate House Business Advisory Committee, he said that the caretaker government’s primary task was to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections in the country, which required the cooperation of all political parties.

The caretaker administration endeavoured to foster close coordination with all stakeholders in that regard, he added.

Murtaza Solangi extended his gratitude to the Senate chairman and senators for their steadfast support to the caretaker government.

Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani and members of the House Business Advisory Committee commended Solangi for his role during the Senate sessions.

The Senate chairman praised the minister for his important contribution to smooth functioning of the Upper House of Parliament.

The senators hailed the minister for responding to questions in detail during the question hour sessions.

DNA

ISLAMABAD: In a recent development, on the recommendation of Grievance Redressal Committee, a body formed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to address grievances within the journalism community the MoIB put a temporary halt to the allotment process of plots to journalists. Committee has recommended that the process be suspended until the Grievance Redressal Committee finalizes its recommendations.

Furthermore, the Committee recommended the Ministry that revised lists of allotment for residential plots under the quota in the Federal Government Employees Housing Scheme, Bhara kahu Green Enclave-I and Phase-II (F-14/ 15) will be made available subsequent to the completion of the Grievances Redressal Committee’s deliberations and the submission of its report.

This move underscores the Ministry’s commitment to addressing any concerns or grievances raised by journalists and ensuring a fair and transparent allotment process for residential plots under the designated quota.