Chennai, OCT 18: New Zealand continued their impeccable form and defeated Afghanistan by 149 runs in the 16th match of the ICC World Cup 2023 at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, India, on Wednesday.
The Black Caps — led by Tom Latham — recorded their fourth consecutive win in the mega event and seem to be leading the race to the event’s semi-final.
Trent Boult and Matt Henry gave early blows to Afghanistan who were chasing a massive 289-run target on the tricky wicket of Chennai, which troubled the New Zealand batters in the first innings as well.
The Afghans had high hopes from their star opener, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, but the 21-year-old looked hopeless against Henry and was bowled out for just 11 runs.
Rahmat Shah top scored for his side with 36 off 62, while the other batters couldn’t deliver with the bat. Azmatullah Omarzai was the second top-scorer with 27 runs.
The entire Afghanistan team were all out for just 139 runs, losing the game by a massive 149-run margin.
The Black Caps’ bowlers gave an all-round performance with all of their bowlers — other than Glenn Phillips — taking at least a wicket.
Mitchell Santner and Lockie Ferguson picked three while Boult, Henry and Rachin Ravindra bagged one each.
Batting first, New Zealand managed to post a colossal 289-run target and Hashmatullah Shahidi’s men have no one, but themselves to blame.
Afghanistan’s fielders dropped catches on five different occasions, giving more and more chances to Glenn Phillips and Tom Latham — who rescued the Kiwis from 110-4 and built a significant 144-run partnership.
Phillips scored 71 off 80 while Latham contributed to 68 off 74 runs. The remaining damage was done by Mark Chapman, who played a quick knock, scoring 25 off 12 with three boundaries.
Afghanistan got into the front seat after Omarzai took two wickets in an over but dropping catches took all their chances away.
Afghanistan entered this match on a high note after beating England by 69 runs but losing this match can take them back to where they were in the World Cup.
On the other hand, New Zealand play India next, another unbeaten team, and it is surely a candidate for the match of the tournament.
WASHINGTON, OCT 18 /DNA/ – President Biden announced today that the United States is providing $100 million in humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank. This funding will help support over a million displaced and conflict-affected people with clean water, food, hygiene support, medical care, and other essential needs. The United States provides humanitarian assistance through trusted partners including UN agencies and international NGOs.
Civilians are not to blame and should not suffer for Hamas’s horrific terrorism. Civilian lives must be protected and assistance must urgently reach those in need. We will continue to work closely with partners in the region to stress the importance of upholding the law of war, supporting those who are trying to get to safety or provide assistance, and facilitating access to food, water, medical care, and shelter.
The BRI’s concept of shared future for mankind is not about road and railway infrastructure, but also to create linkages among civilizations and nations,” he said
DNA
BEIJING: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Wednesday said Pakistan was committed to working with China and other regional partners in achieving the ideals of an open global economy and promoting connectivity on a trans-continental scale. Both sides have also singed the contract for ML I Project. The project will cost USD 6.7 billion. The cost of the project has been reduced from USD 9 billion to 6.7.
“With shared responsibility and by embracing the vision of working together, we can create a brighter, peaceful, and sustainable future for ourselves and for our generations,” he said in his address at the high-level event of the Third Belt and Road Forum (BRF) on ‘Connectivity in an Open Global Economy’.
The two-day forum, which marked the 10 years of the multi-billion dollar cross-regional Belt and Road Initiative, kicked off in China’s capital Beijing with representatives from 140 countries in attendance.
PM Kakar said Pakistan endorsed China’s vision of global connectivity and also looked forward to joining hands with other partners across borders and regions to materialize the projects.
“I am hopeful that together we can shape a world with the bonds that unite us together, rather than the forces that divide us,” he said.
The prime minister congratulated President Xi Jinping for his revolutionary idea of the Belt and Road Initiative launched 10 years ago that proved instrumental in bringing common development and shared prosperity.
He termed enhanced connectivity a profound factor in development and progress in the modern age of globalization.
“The BRI’s concept of shared future for mankind is not about road and railway infrastructure, but also to create linkages among civilizations and nations,” he said.
He mentioned that the world faced a number of challenges including post-pandemic effects, the divide between the developed and the impoverished, peace, and food security.
Kakar highlighted that BRI’s flagship project China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) played a crucial role in generating new economic opportunities in Pakistan.
Underscoring its salience for Pakistan’s robust economic development, he endorsed the Chinese proposal for developing CPEC as a corridor of growth, innovation, livelihood, green economy, openness, and inclusiveness.
The prime minister underlined the need for a united global response to address complex transnational challenges faced by humankind and to prevent backsliding on the gains achieved under the UN Sustainable Development Goals and 2030 Agenda.
He emphasised the urgency of addressing infrastructure gaps in the developing world by investing in transportation, energy, and digital economy.
In Pakistan, he said CPEC’s 50 projects worth $25 billion investment resulted in the creation of modern highways, seaports, airports, and rapid mass transit systems.
He said the government of Pakistan had taken steps to make the country a trade hub by connecting Gwadar with the landlocked countries, thus opening new vistas to the west and beyond.
Kakar expressed confidence that as CPEC crossed its decade of launch, the next phase would be poised to accommodate rural farmers, students, and small tradesmen and ensure improvement in living standards, poverty alleviation, and jobs creation.
He said Pakistan’s collaboration with China in the information technology sector and CPEC’s green corridor would ensure modernization, food security, and agricultural and environmental protection.
“This vision promotes cooperation, collective security, inclusive and sustainable development, and a balanced eco-system as the only way to address global challenges,” he said.
The BRF was opened by Chinese President Xi Jinping this morning where he highlighted the concept of working with all participants to draw a new blueprint for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.
Xi said China looks forward to strengthening ties, engaging in dialogues, forging new partnerships, and promoting regional connectivity for a brighter future.
“The BRF is about planning together, building together, and benefiting together,” he said, adding that the project had established a new framework for international cooperation.
ISLAMABAD: The Embassy of Azerbaijan in Pakistan renewed & enriched the Azerbaijan Study Center & Heydar Aliyev Corner operating in the National Library of Pakistan.
At the event organized on this occasion, Ambassador Khazar Farhadov spoke about the great work done by the National Leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev for the protection of independence and development of Azerbaijan, the visionary policy of President Ilham Aliyev, and the liberation of our territories from Armenian occupation under his leadership, as well as the Azerbaijan-Pakistan relations and Western Azerbaijan Community.
JEDDAH, OCT 18 /DNA/ – The Executive Committee of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, in its extraordinary open-ended meeting held at the level of foreign ministers on Wednesday, 3 Rabi’ al-Thani 1445, corresponding to 18 October 2023, upon the joint invitation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Chair of the current session of the Islamic Summit and Chair of the Executive Committee, and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, to discuss the ongoing Israeli military aggression against the Palestinian people,
Recalling the principles and objectives contained in the Charter of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation,
Emphasizing all resolutions issued by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation regarding the issue of Palestine and the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif,
Reaffirming its emphasis on the centrality of the Palestinian issue for the entire Islamic Ummah; Supporting the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, most notably their right to self-determination and the return of Palestinian refugees, their right to independence, and the embodiment of the independent and sovereign State of Palestine on the borders of June 4th , 1967, with its capital, Al-Quds Al-Sharif, As well as his legitimate right to self-defense to confront the Israeli aggression that targets their lives, their sanctities, and their properties.
In light of the blatant and unprecedented Israeli aggression in the occupied Palestinian territory and the heinous massacres perpetrated against civilians in Gaza Strip by the Israeli occupation forces, which led to hundreds of innocent civilian casualties, thousands of injuries, and the displacement of hundreds of thousands through the demolition of their homes,
1. Calls for the immediate cessation of the barbaric aggression of the Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinian people and the immediate lifting of the siege imposed to the Gaza Strip; Reaffirms its strong condemnation of the unprecedented aggression against civilians in the besieged Gaza Strip and the entire occupied Palestinian territory by killing, bombing, deliberately destroying infrastructure, threatening to commit atrocities and to exterminate them, as well as the absolute rejection of targeting civilians under any pretext or displacing them from their homes, or starving and depriving them of safe access to humanitarian aid in contravention of all international norms and laws, and of the most basic humanitarian principles and values;
2. Calls upon all countries to quickly provide humanitarian, medical and relief aid, water and electricity, and to open humanitarian corridors immediately in order to safely deliver urgent aid to the Gaza Strip, including through the United Nations institutions particularly the United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and support its efforts in this regard ; Warns of the danger of continuing the policy of deliberate targeting of civilians and collective punishment accompanied by policies of starvation, water deprivation, and the stopping of the only power generation station in Gaza Strip suspended due to the prevention of fuel access, portending a real disaster for all health and humanitarian services, in contravention of international humanitarian law and amounting to the commission of international crimes, including the crime against humanity.
3. Strongly condemns the blatant targeting by Israel’s brutal occupation forces of Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza Strip, which killed and injured hundreds of innocent sick, injured and displaced innocent civilians, which represents a war crime, extermination and a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, ethics and international and humanitarian instruments, Calls upon the international community to act swiftly and to hold the Israeli occupation accountable for these heinous war crimes against the Palestinian people and humanity as at large, and calls for immediate intervention to halt this massacre;
4. Israel, the occupying power, bears full responsibility for the fate of civilians in the Gaza Strip and the real tragedy they are subjected to under bombardment, siege, and starvation, without electricity, food, or clean water, while being forced to abandon their homes, and for the policy of indiscriminate collective punishment that it applies in a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law, as well as its legal responsibilities as the occupying power in accordance with the Geneva Conventions;
5. Stresses the importance of preserving the lives of all civilians, and not targeting them in any way being inconsistent with international law and international humanitarian law, as well as divine laws.
6. Rejects categorically calls to displace the population of Gaza Strip and affirms its support for the steadfastness of the Palestinian people on their land; Stresses the importance for the international community to play its role in preventing any attempt of forced displacement of the Palestinian population from their land, transferring the crisis to the neighboring countries and exacerbating issue of Palestinian refugees whom right to compensation and return must be met with in the framework of a comprehensive solution to the conflict that addresses the final status issues in conformity with the pertinent UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative; stopping the military escalation, lifting the siege on the Gaza Strip, and contributing urgently to the entry of relief and humanitarian aid for civilians;
7. Expresses its strong regret and condemnation of the failure of the United Nations Security Council and its inability to discharge its responsibilities by taking a decisive decision to halt the war crimes carried out by the Israeli occupying forces against the Palestinian people in Gaza Strip and all Palestinian territory, which negatively affect the Security Council’s role in maintaining international peace and security and protecting unarmed civilians;
8. Calls upon the United Nations and the UN Security Council to assume its responsibilities, to take all urgent measures to ensure an end to the brutal and barbaric aggression against the Palestinian people, particularly in the Gaza Strip and the entire Palestinian territory, to allow the entry of humanitarian aid, to provide protection for defenseless Palestinian civilians, and to stop the escalating humanitarian catastrophe carried out by the forces of the illegal Israeli occupation;
9. Warns of the escalation of attacks by the Israeli occupation army and settler terrorism weaponed and protected by the occupation forces in Al-Quds Al-Sharif and the West Bank in their continuing aggression against the civilian population and their properties, including killing, destroying, displacing, building and expanding settlements, within the framework of its brutal colonial campaign aimed at annexing the occupied Palestinian territory and affirms the importance of preserving sanctity of holy sites in Al-Quds, and the full protection of Al-Aqsa Mosque as well as the prevention of the violation of the status and sanctity of sacred places in Al-Quds;
10. Stresses the support of the Government of the State of Palestine at all levels, including the political, economic and financial levels, as well as its international and legal endeavors, to halt the heinous crimes, including the crime of genocide against the Palestinian people; National Authority those perpetrated by the Israeli occupation authorities;
11. Deplores the international positions that back the brutal aggression against the Palestinian people, and grant Israel impunity, taking advantage of the double standards that provide cover for the occupying power and fuel the conflict, which will only lead to increased violence and destruction, and seek to punish the Palestinian people, including cutting off humanitarian aid to them;
12. Reaffirms that peace, security and stability in the region will not be achieved without putting an end to the Israeli colonial occupation and its oppressive practices against the Palestinian people and by empowering the Palestinian people with their inalienable rights, particularly their right to self-determination, independence and return, on the basis of the international law and the resolutions of international legitimacy;
13. Calls upon international actors to engage in sponsoring a serious political path to achieve peace based on ending the illegal Israeli occupation that had begun in 1967 and implementing the two-state solution, within a clear time frame, as stipulated in the rules of international law and United Nations resolutions, and referring to the Peace process and the Arab Peace Initiative;
14. Calls upon the missions of the member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in the capitals and international organizations to take immediate action to convey the OIC’s position to the capitals of the countries and organizations to which they are accredited and to work with the necessary speed up their endeavours towards condemning and stopping the aggression, and ensuring the provision of the necessary humanitarian supplies to the Palestinian people;
15. Calls on Member states to apply all feasible and effective diplomatic, legal and deterrent measures, to stop the occupying power Israel’s crimes against humanity.
16. Calls for an Extraordinary CFM meeting at the GS Headquarters to discuss the ongoing crimes of Israel against the Palestinian people.
17. Request the Secretary-General to identify the possible set of effective and concrete measures as soon as possible and present it to the next Extraordinary CFM meeting.
18. Stresses the need to provide international protection for the Palestinian people, in conformity with international humanitarian law standards as has been repeatedly advocated by the United Nations General Assembly, including in resolution ES-10/20 of 13 June 2018 and in line with the Final Communique of the 7th Extraordinary Islamic Summit, by dispatching an international protection force to protect innocent lives from ongoing attacks by the occupation forces and the extremist colonialist settlers ;
19. Assigns the Secretary-General of the Organization to communicate with the five permanent members of the Security Council / the Secretary-General of the United Nations / the High Commissioner for Human Rights / the President of the European Union, and to continue coordination with regional and international organizations, including the League of Arab States, the Gulf Cooperation Council, the African Union and the Non-Aligned Movement in order to take the necessary steps aiming to compel Israel to stop all its violations, attacks and crimes and to work to provide international protection for the Palestinian people;
20. Mandates the Secretary-General to follow up on the implementation of the present final communiqué and to report thereon to the next meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers.
ISLAMABAD, OCT 18 /DNA/ – The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) and Iran’s Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS) held Annual Dialogue on bilateral and regional issues today. The Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East & Africa (CAMEA) facilitated this dialogue.
The distinguished speakers included Dr. Muhammad Hassan Shaykh al-Islami, Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran and President IPIS; Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General ISSI; Dr. Omid Babelian, Research Fellow IPIS; Amina Khan, Director CAMEA, Ambassador Hamid Reza Arshadi, Senior Research Fellow, IPIS, Ambassador Riffat Masood, Former Ambassador of Pakistan to Iran; and Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman ISSI.
The dialogue was divided into three working sessions. The first session was titled “Pakistan-Iran Bilateral Relations”, moderated by Ms. Amina Khan, Director CAMEA. The second session was titled “Changing Dynamics in the Middle East: Prospects for Regional Integration and Connectivity ” and was moderated by Arhama Siddiqa, RF CAMEA. The third session was titled “The Evolving Situation in Afghanistan” and was moderated by Sarah Akram, RF CAMEA.
In the Inaugural Session, Director General ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood and Deputy Foreign Minister/President IPIS Dr. Muhammad Hassan Shaykh al-Islami, made opening statements –noting the unprecedented flux, fragility and polarization in the global environment and the profound changes taking place at the international and regional levels. They underscored the importance of close Pakistan-Iran consultations in this milieu and expressed satisfaction at the positive trajectory of the bilateral relationship. The two principals also exchanged perspectives on the situation in Afghanistan and the tragedy unfolding in Palestine. They underscored the need for the world community’s urgent intervention to stop unabated oppression against Palestinian civilian population and provide immediate relief assistance. The proactive role of the UN and OIC in ensuring urgent action to address the current unacceptable situation was emphasised.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood and Dr. Shaykh al-Islami also underscored the value attached to the institutional relationship between ISSI and IPIS and reaffirmed their commitment to intensify mutual exchanges and expand the scope of mutual collaboration between the two think-tanks.
During the first working session, speakers highlighted recent progress in the Pakistan-Iran bilateral relationship, including bilateral trade surpassing $2 billion, despite the challenge of sanctions. Collaboration on opening border crossings, opening of border market and importance of Iran-Pakistan Pipeline (IPI) gas were further highlighted. Pakistan-Iran mutual cooperation collaboration in ECO, SCO, OIC, UN and other multilateral fora was also positively evaluated.
During the second working session, speakers underlined the imperative for dynamic regional leadership, alongside the recognition of the pivotal importance of addressing the prevailing energy disparities within the region. A wide array of potential areas for regional collaboration was deliberated upon and the presenters called for concrete actions, self-sufficiency, and the political resolve to harness the region’s considerable potential for substantial collaboration through relevant regional multilateral platforms.
During the third working session, the speakers pointed out that Afghanistan plays a pivotal role as a junction connecting Pakistan, Iran, and the Central Asian Republics, rendering it a potential foundation for mutually-beneficial regional cooperation. It was also underscored that despite ongoing bilateral engagements, the absence of a coherent regional framework for addressing Afghanistan related issues highlights the necessity for comprehensive a regional initiative. The imperative of sustained engagement was emphasized, as the continued reliance on bilateral engagement may become the prevailing norm without a transition towards a regional mechanism.
Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman BoG ISSI, made concluding remarks highlighting the fruitful exchanges during the working sessions and the important contribution that the ISSI-IPIS Dialogue makes to overall bilateral cooperation.
ISLAMABAD, OCT 18 /DNA/ – A delegation led by General Ziya Cemal Kadioğlu, Commander Turkish Air Force, called on Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force in his office today. The meeting covered a wide array of matters related to geo-strategic situation, progress of current joint ventures and exploration of further avenues of collaboration in the aviation industry. The discussion also involved an exchange of insight from both dignitaries on the operational training of their respective air forces in the backdrop of PAF’s on-going mega aerial exercise, Indus Shield 2023 which is being witnessed by dignitaries from around the globe. Both the commanders also agreed to explore further avenues of bilateral cooperation including collaboration for joint production of military hardware with special focus on unmanned aerial platforms.
On his arrival, a smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Air Force presented guard of honour to General Ziya Cemal Kadioğlu. Later, the visiting dignitary was introduced to the Principal Staff Officers.
During the meeting, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, shared the framework of PAF’s comprehensive modernization strategy involving procurements of technological equipment from allied countries, bolstering critical infrastructure and a comprehensive restructuring of its training set-up, in order to address contemporary air warfare challenges. The Air Chief highlighted that both the brotherly countries enjoy long-standing religious and historic ties which are manifested through unprecedented strategic partnership. Appreciating the participation of Turkish Air Force in Exercise Indus Shield, the Air Chief reiterated his resolve to further enhance the existing bilateral relations in military-to-military cooperation, strategic alliance and the training domain. The Air Chief further remarked that PAF pilots are playing an active role in providing basic and tactical level training to Turkish aircrew. He reiterated Pakistan Air Force’s commitment to provide training and capacity-building assistance to the Turkish Air Force.
General Ziya Cemal Kadioğlu, Commander Turkish Air Force, who is on his maiden visit to Pakistan, commended the professionalism of Pakistan Air Force and acknowledged its rising indigenous capacity in the aviation industry. He also expressed keen interest in the National Aerospace Science and Technology Park and appreciated the unwavering commitment of the Air Chief in making this project a huge success. The visiting dignitary further affirmed that the on-going exercise Indus Shield hosted by PAF, would be a way forward to further consolidate the existing bond of brotherhood and military ties between the two countries in addition to enhancing the operational readiness of the participating air forces.
During his visit, the Turkish Air Force Commander also visited various installations and technological infrastructure established at Air Headquarters, Islamabad including PAF’s National ISR and Integrated Air Operations Centre and PAF’s Cyber Command. General Ziya Cemal Kadioğlu also visited National Aerospace Science and Technology Park, which is a major landmark in Pakistan’s journey towards progress and is all set to play a pivotal role in shaping the country’s aerospace industry, fostering strategic partnerships and contributing to the economic growth of Pakistan.
The visit of Turkish Air Force Commander to Pakistan signifies a resolute commitment from both nations to reinforce their strategic partnership through fostering collaboration and promoting robust relations between their respective Air Forces.
LAHORE, OCT 18 /DNA/ – The representatives of all the political and religious parties of the country have urged the Organization of Islamic Cooperation(OIC) to take practical measures on the situation in Palestine and announced to support the oppressed Palestinians at all levels, stating that the countries, which support the Israeli terrorists are also responsible for genocide of the Palestinians.
A joint declaration issued at Palestine Solidarity Conference held here on Wednesday in the aegis of Pakistan Ulema Council, stated that the Muslim countries, which established relations with Israel should immediately sever relations with Israel and announced that the entire Muslim Ummah would observe Friday, October 20 as Palestine Martyrs’ Day. In this regard peaceful protests will be demonstrated and boycott will be made of the products of Israel and its supporting countries.
So far, more than 3500 Palestinians have been martyred including children in Israeli bombardment and more than 13000 Palestinians have been injured.
The conference was chaired by the Chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi and leading representatives of religious and political organizations including Maulana Abubakar Hameed Sabri, Maulana Abdul Haq Mujahid, Maulana Asadullah Farooq, Allama Zubair Abid, Allama Tahir Al Hasan, Maulana Tahir Aqeel Awan, Maulana Aziz Akbar Qasmi, Maulana Muhammad Ashfaq Patafi, Maulana Muhammad Aslam Siddiqui and others also addressed the conference.
Leaders of various religious and political parties, foreign ambassadors of the Muslim countries also addressed the conference.
The Charge’ d Affairs of Palestine Embassy in Pakistan, Nader Khamis Al-Turk, while addressing the conference said that more than 15000 Palestinians have been injurer so far and 3500 Palestinians have been martyred.
“We only ask the Muslim Ummah to stand with our rightful position, we don’t want weapons from Muslim Ummah but simply wants from the Islamic world to take courageous stance for the cause of Palestine”, said Nader Khamis.
He said that more than 1000 Palestinians were martyred in a missile attack on Tuesday night in a brutal attacks on a Hospital in Gaza.
October 7 has buried Israel’s terror, arrogance, and pharaohism, said Nader Khmis Al-Turk,Charge d’ Affair of the Embassy of Palestine to Pakistan adding that We are grateful for the constant stand of the government, security forces and people of Pakistan on Palestine issue.
Pakistan has never changed its position on the issue of Palestine and Pakistan’s stance is the same as that of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. In the last ten days as many as 3500 martyrs including 1000 children have been martyred in Gaza and 12000 injured.
Speaking at the conference, Chairman of the Islamic Ideological Council Qibla Ayaz said that the American attitude is regrettable on the issue of Israel and approach adopted by the American foreign minister is undiplomatic.
Palestinians cannot be kept as slaves, Pakistan is with the people of Palestine, said joint declaration of Palestine Solidarity Conference.
The position of the President of Egypt and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia on the Palestine issue is bold, but the Muslim Ummah wants more practical steps on the prevailing situation in Gaza.
Through a resolution adopted in the conference, while appreciating the position of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and Pakistan, the head of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz and his Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, were demanded to immediately call a meeting of the heads of Russia, China and the OIC and decide on practical measures against Israeli terrorism as per their stance on Palestine issue.
The center of the Muslim Ummah is the Harmain Al- Sharifain, and the entire Muslim Ummah responds to every voice that comes from the Haramain Al-Sharifain.
In the current situation, as the kingdom of Saudi Arabia has taken a clear position, it is necessary to move towards practical measures with the same stance.
In another resolution, while appreciating the position of Muslim World League and Islamic scholar, Sheikh Al-Azhar, it was said that the leadership of Pakistan Ulema Council is in contact with the Ulemas-Mashaykh of Muslim world and unanimously agreed steps will be taken on the Palestine issue, God willing.
Addressing the conference, Chairman Pakistan Ulema Council and President International Interfaith Harmony Council Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi said that the position of Pakistan is clear and we consider the position of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Iran and Qatar as the representation of the entire Muslim Ummah.
Israel and its followers want to create a situation in which anarchy spreads within the Muslim countries and misunderstandings arise between Muslim governments and Muslim people, and extremist and terrorist organizations re-emerge in power, said Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi.
He pointed out that why is Lebanon and Syria being bombarded? Tahir Ashrafi stated that, under a systematic planning, Israel and its guardians want to wage a long war, but this war will not benefit anyone.
While appreciating the joint declaration of the corps commander meeting yesterday, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi said that what the Commander-in-Chief of Pakistan said yesterday is the interpretation of the state and the people of Pakistan.
No one can change the position of Pakistan and no one will be able to do so, said Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi and also appealed that the entire Islamic world should observe Palestine Martyrs’ Day on October 20 and express solidarity with the Palestinian people.
He said that the stance taken by the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Foreign Minister, President of Egypt in front of the US Department of State has strengthened the Muslims and encourage the hearts of the Muslims.
We hope and expect courage from the entire Muslim Ummah.
Addressing the conference, the ambassador of Syria condemned the attacks on Palestine and Syria and declared full support for the Palestinian people.
Leadership of all the religions, religious sects and ambassadors of the different Muslim countries in Islamabad participated in the conference.
ISLAMABAD, OCT 18 – President Arif Alvi has called for increasing cooperation with Morocco in the fields of trade, investment and economy. He asked Pakistan’s newly-appointed Ambassador to work for enhancing Pakistani exports to Morocco.
The President expressed these views while talking to Pakistan’s Ambassador-designate to Morocco, Muhammad Sami-ur-Rehman, who called on him, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, today.
Talking to the Ambassador, the President said that relations between Pakistan and Morocco were marked by common history and shared interests, and the two sides needed to increase the exchange of high-level visits to further strengthen bilateral cooperation. He further said that the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) had been constituted to provide a single platform to facilitate and attract investment and Morocco could benefit of Pakistan’s business friendly environment.
Earlier, Pakistan’s Ambassador/Permanent Representative-designate to the United Nations in Geneva, Dr Bilal Ahmad, also called on President Dr Arif Alvi.
Talking to the Ambassador, the President urged him to continue Pakistan’s positive engagement with the UN system to advance Pakistan’s national interest and priorities. He underlined that Pakistan needed to increase its engagement with the World Health Organization and International Labour Organization to build capacity of its public health system and uphold labour standards. He urged the Permanent Representative-designate to use the OIC platform in Geneva to project the perspective and voice of the Muslim Ummah on issues such as Islamophobia and the plight of the Kashmiri and the Palestinian people. He asked the Ambassador to expose the real face of India and highlight the human rights violations and atrocities being committed by India in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The President expressed his best wishes for the Ambassador-designates for their future responsibilities at their respective stations.
ISLAMABAD, OCT 18 /DNA/ – The Government of Japan has agreed to provide new grant assistance worth 794 million Japanese Yen (equivalent to around 5.3 million USD/ around 1,530 million PKR) for reconstructing educational facilities in flood-affected areas in Sindh.
On October 18, 2023, a signing ceremony for the assistance was held at the Ministry of Economic Affairs in Islamabad. WADA Mitsuhiro, Ambassador of Japan, KINOSHITA Yasumitsu, Chief Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Dr. Kazim Niaz, Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs, and other officials from both countries attended this ceremony.
Since June 2022, heavy monsoon rains have intermittently caused flooding that has submerged one-third of the country, resulting in more than 1,700 deaths and 33 million people affected. Damage in Sindh province has been severe, accounting for 66% of the total damage in the education sector. As medium- and long-term measures, the rapid reconstruction of damaged educational facilities are important to ensure that children have safe learning opportunities.
This is the fourth grant aid through which the Government of Japan supports the improvement of educational facilities in Sindh province. It has been reported that the school buildings assisted by Japan in the past projects suffered less damage and destruction from the rainfall and flooding in 2022 because they were designed and constructed based on analysis of the 2010 floods. The new project will also incorporate the concept of “Build Back Better” to reduce vulnerability of the target schools to future disasters and build resilience of communities where the schools are located.
This project aims to establish safe and disaster-resilient learning environment through reconstruction of elementary schools which were heavily affected by the flood and heavy rain in 2022. The assistance contributes to improving the school enrollment rate and gender equality in the target areas, contributing to the SDGs Goal 4 (Quality education) and 5 (Gender equality).
In the signing ceremony, H.E. Mr. WADA Mitsuhiro stated, ” I hope that the project this time will further contribute to creating an environment where children can continue to receive education even after the floods in the future”.
Mr. KINOSHITA, while speaking at the event said “we believe that the new grant aid project will build not only school buildings, but also it will build brighter and more resilient future for the next generation of Pakistan”.
