ISLAMABAD, SEPT 23 /DNA/ – Arif Alvi, President of Pakistan and Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, caretaker Prime Minister have issued their messages on the occasion of National Newspaper Readership Day being celebrated on September 25.

The President has stated that reading newspapers has a greater educative value as they provide us knowledge and information about social, economic, and political issues as well as sports, culture and broaden the mental horizon of the readers. Besides, newspapers play important role in shaping public opinion and influencing and guiding the decision-makers by providing their input and insight.

The President emphasised that the world is facing multiple economic and social challenges and to address these challenges, newspapers need to educate the readers and raise awareness among them about the social issues. The President states that the society is facing the dilemma of moral and ethical degradation and it is the responsibility of all means of communication to promote good values, tolerance, mutual respect, brotherhood and unity among the people.

Dr. Arif Alvi stated that in today’s world, fake news is the greatest challenge being faced by the world and it requires the collective efforts of all segments of the society, including media, scholars, writers and religious leaders to discourage the menace of fake news. Furthermore, the journalistic ethics demands to avoid biased reporting and publish news stories with truthfulness, accuracy and impartiality. “We must preserve this important source of information that keeps us informed about the important events and developments taking place across the globe” the message stated.

The Prime Minister Mr.Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar acknowledged the utility of reading newspapers as a reliable source of news and information and stated that newspapers have long been a cornerstone of democracy, which provides us with valuable information, diverse perspectives, and a platform for public discourse.

The Prime Minister said that despite the growth of electronic and digital media, newspapers still play a significant role in creating awareness and educating the people about various economic and social issues. Currently, the world is facing the challenge of fake news. The role of newspapers has become even more important to discourage the spread of fake news. By objective reporting and adhering to the principles of responsible, truthful, impartial and accountable journalism, newspapers are the best tool to fight disinformation and fake news.

Anwaar-ul-Haq stated that the Newspapers also provide an in-depth analyses, investigative reporting, and thought-provoking opinion pieces that contribute to a reasonable understanding of the world around us. This feature distinguishes newspapers and make the print medium more credible source of information.

Anwaar-ul-Haq urged upon the fellow citizens to encourage reading habit of newspapers to gain access to reliable sources of information.

The President and Prime Minister congratulated the APNS for their commitment to celebrate the National Newspaper Readership Day. This initiative will significantly contribute to nurturing the habit of reading among our people, empowering them with the knowledge and insight to make informed decisions for a better future, they concluded.

WhatsApp is discontinuing support for Android 4.1 to Android 4.4.4 on October 24. This means that users with older Android phones will need to upgrade their devices in order to continue using the messaging app.

This change may seem sudden, but it’s important to remember that Android 4.1 and 4.4.4 are very old.

They were released in 2012 and 2014, respectively. Google and Apple have long since stopped providing security updates for these versions of Android, so using a phone that runs them is risky and should be avoided.

What should you do?

If you are running Android 4.1 or below, you will need to upgrade your device to Android 5.0 or higher.

You can check your Android version by going to Settings > About > Android version.

If you are unable to upgrade your device, you will no longer be able to use WhatsApp after October 24, 2023.

How to upgrade your Android phone

Upgrading your Android phone is a relatively simple process. Most phones can be upgraded over-the-air (OTA).

To check for an OTA update, go to Settings > System > System update. If there is an update available, you will be able to download and install it from this screen.

If your phone is not eligible for an OTA update, you may be able to upgrade it manually.

To do this, you will need to download the firmware update file from your phone manufacturer’s website. Once you have downloaded the firmware update file, you will need to transfer it to your phone and install it manually.

The specific steps involved in doing this will vary depending on your phone manufacturer and model.

Why is WhatsApp doing so?

WhatsApp is discontinuing support for older Android phones in order to ensure that the app is secure and reliable for all users.

Older versions of Android are more vulnerable to security attacks. By discontinuing support for these versions, The app can help to protect its users from these attacks.

Additionally, older versions of Android may not be able to support the latest features and functionality of WhatsApp.

By discontinuing support for these versions, WhatsApp can ensure that all users have access to the best possible experience.

For iPhone users

iPhone users rejoice! WhatsApp will continue to work on devices running iOS 12 or later.

KARACHI: Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori on Saturday claimed that the market will see a further decline in the dollar rate, adding that the greenback will fall to Rs250-255 against the local unit in the coming days.

A day earlier, Pakistani Rupee witnessed the 14th consecutive recovery session as it gained Rs 1.01 against the US dollar in the interbank trading and closed at Rs291.76 against the previous day’s closing of Rs292.77. However, according to the Forex Association of Pakistan, the buying and selling rates of the dollar in the open market stood at Rs 292.1 and Rs 295, respectively.

The Pakistani rupee massively recovered against the US dollar since the government launched a crackdown against currency smugglers, hoarders and black marketers.

Addressing a joint press conference, flanked by Caretaker Commerce Minister Gohar Ejaz, the Sindh governor said that the government was taking effective measures to address significant issues. 

He made the remarks following a meeting with a delegation of Karachi’s business community. 

He maintained that the government was taking steps to provide cheap electricity and uninterrupted gas supply to industries and domestic consumers.

The governor said that they have also discussed the illegal Afghan refugees’ issue. 

“Addressing the traders’ problems is the top priority of the government.” He said that ministers will hold meetings with the traders on a monthly basis to address their issues.  

On the other hand, the caretaker commerce minister hoped that the petrol prices will fall on October 1 due to the appreciation of the rupee.

Amid back-breaking inflation, the caretaker government on September jacked up the petrol price by more than Rs26 and diesel price by over Rs17 per litre in its fortnightly review.

Ejaz blamed dollar’s flight for the recent spike in inflation, adding that the greenback’s value continued to decline due to effective steps taken by the government.

“Reduction in dollar’s value will have an impact on the current inflation.”

Dollar’s value slashed in interbank and open market, he said, adding that it will provide relief to the masses.

Earlier today, interim Information Minister Murtaza Solangi hinted at the reduction in petroleum prices in the next fortnight’s review — scheduled for September 30.

Speaking to the media at the Karachi Press Club, the information minister responded to the news report saying that the rupee gained Rs30 to Rs35 against the greenback due to administrative measures taken by the interim government in the last few days.

He was referring to the military-backed crackdown launched by the authorities against hoarders, currency smugglers and black marketeers after the rupee fell to a historic low of Rs308 in interbank and beyond Rs330 in the open market earlier this month.

The crackdown has helped the rupee gain significantly, recovering to 291.76 per dollar in the interbank market, its highest level since Sept 5.

The currency has gained 5% or Rs15 since then, supported by dollar inflows from exporters and remittances, as well as measures by the central bank to encourage legal channels for foreign exchange transactions.

“There are enough chances that the oil prices will be reduced in the next [fuel prices] announcement,” the minister said adding that the interim government has no role in fuel prices as they are linked with international oil rates.

“[…] people will get some benefit of reduction in the value of the dollar,” he remarked.

ISLAMABAD: /DNA/ – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Spokesperson urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to shun the useless practice of hiding behind the technicalities to avoid the announcement of a cut-off date for the general elections, insisting the electoral watchdog to play its constitutional role to ensure holding elections within the constitutionally mandated timeframe of 90 days.

PTI spokesperson criticized the ECP for its dillydallying tactics to announce a specific poll date and demanded the electoral body to shun the approach of deviating from the constitution.

He said that election watchdog, through its officials, was trying to use technical reasons as an excuse to avoid announcement of the exact elections date, adding that the system of Pakistan was built on the foundations of democracy; hence the ECP should focus on exercising of its constitutional duty to conduct fair and transparent elections within the constitutionally defined framework.

PTI spokesperson said: “The electoral body is not willing to give constitutional rights of vote to 240 million after the dissolution of the National Assembly on August 9.” He flayed that the ECP adopted of approach of criminal negligence towards the serious efforts of the President of the country to ensure polls within the constitutionally defined time limit.

PTI Spokesman said that the entire nation was in great anxiety pertaining to the electoral watchdog’s attempts to rob the nation of their rights to vote under the guise of technical tricks and misinterpretation of the constitution.

He went on to say that the ECP should immediately shun the shameful efforts to dig the grave of democracy and make Pakistan weak internally and the land of lawlessness before the world and should give the poll date within 90 days.

ISLAMABAD, SEPT 23 /DNA/ – Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) on Saturday  organised a puppet show aimed at entertaining families that featured folk dances, stories, theme-based speeches, and skits for children and adults.” The colourful puppet show revolved around current issues including gender disparity, discrimination in education, and environmental challenges and an exclusive infotainment show for kids based on the theme.

The role of such events in providing the required boost to puppetry and spreading awareness among people especially the younger generation regarding this craft.

The traditional art of puppetry was dying and PNCA has been struggling for a long time to revive this art, adding that such events would help in reviving this traditional art form.

“The art of puppetry and puppet shows have been a part of Pakistani culture for years and an effort to bring back this art form can be useful for both entertainment and education purposes.”

DNA

Islamabad, Sept 23 – Over 100 posters depicting hope for world peace, social justice and equal human rights put on display at the Government Polytechnic Institute for Women (GPIW), H-8, Islamabad on Saturday to mark the International Peace Day. Themed on ‘actions for peace’, the art works are mostly designed, painted and prepared by the girl students from different schools and colleges of the twin cities of Rawalpindi-Islamabad.

The poster exhibition was organised by the Devcom-Pakistan (Development Communications Network) in collaboration with the Dazzler, Islamabad Crescent Lions Club (ICLC), Islamabad Devcom Centennial Leo Club (IDCLC) and Government Polytechnic Institute for Women H-8 Islamabad.

Devcom-Pakistan Executive Director Munir Ahmed while introducing the peace poster exhibition said: A competition was organised among the students to inculcate passion to understand the concepts of peace in society and globally. They have painted many meaningful images of hope through their creative expression in different mediums including oil on canvas, acrylics on canvas, charcoal, pastels, watercolours and sketching with colour-pencils.

Munir Ahmed said “We believe the emerging youth is the only future hope in maintaining peace and tolerance if educated and groomed on the actual philosophies of living and working together. Peace is not the absence of conflicts but the acceptance of difference of opinion, diversity of ethnic and religious identities. The older generation has segregated the society based on the conflicting thoughts of the so-called socio-religious leadership for their vested interests instead of integrating different factions on the common discourse. The youth need to understand the realities and connotations of the actual social and religious theories and practices.”

Well-known artist and the senior teacher Cambridge Art and Design at the Westminster Riffat Ara Baig was the chief jury. She said the students have shown their creative skills and thoughts in meaningful compositions. The strong visuals quite effectively communicate the message of peace and tolerance. The youth have successfully highlighted the peace disrupting elements and forces too that shows their understanding level of the issues in depth.

The GPIW principal Kausar Parveen highlighted the initiatives that the government has taken to empower young girls to narrow down the economic disparity. Several steps have been taken to enhance vocational education and youth grooming through a variety of initiatives and programmes, she said. Youth cannot be engaged in peace restoring activities until they are taught the actual meaning of peace that may be derived out of our religion. The creative pursuits would certainly lead the youth to well-groomed citizens.

The president ICLC Brig (retd) Muhmmad Aslam Khan said without ensuring the fundamental human rights to every citizen, peace cannot be restored and maintained in our society. He said our religion Islam has defined the rights of every citizen and the same are reflected in the universal charters, we only need to implement these charters and practice the actual Islamic teachings.

Separately, the ICLC and partners organized a national peace conference the other day to mark the International peace day. Caretaker Federal Minister Human Rights and Women Development Khalil George was the chief guest. The speakers included former MNA Asiya Nasir, CEO Economy Watch Dr. Murtaza Mughal, Pir Azmat Sultan, CEO Dazzler Adnan Saeed, ICLC Secretary Sibtain Raza Lodhi, Mahrukh Shaikh, chairman National Peace and Justice Council Mian Waheed and others.

The speakers urged for national interfaith harmony through developing understanding among the communities and promoting tolerance for diverse and conflicting opinions. Different interfaith harmony youth initiatives shall be launched in different parts of the country, especially at the hotspots. The clubs shall groom the young leadership and jointly engage them in the community services and environmental management.

The first prize winner Amber Malik from the Quaid-i-Azam University said that it was a big opportunity for the students to show their peace of mind for the peace in society. More such types of activities shall be given to the students across the board to groom them as positive thinking active citizens.

Reminds caretaker govt primary mandate to hold free, fair polls within 90 days

ISLAMABAD: /DNA/ – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) spokesperson made it clear that the primary mandate of the caretaker government was to hold free, fair and transparent polls in the constitutionally defined time limit of 90 days instead of focusing on privatization of the Sate-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in such a short term.

Reacting to the interim government’s privatization plan, PTI spokesperson said that the caretaker setup wanted to tackle the losses being incurred by SOEs by undertaking sale of these entities that raised suspicions on the intent of the interim setup regarding its tenure, besides creating a legal challenge.

However, he reminded: “The best thing the interim government can do is to expedite the election process and ensure elections are held within 90 days, so that the process of fixing SOEs can then be undertaken by an elected government with a mandate.”

“PTI believes that the government has no business running businesses. Therefore, it is in favour of an orderly and transparent exit from these companies through strategic sale of their shares by the privatisation commission, but with an elected government in place,” PTI spokesperson added.

He went on to say that given that the interim government’s term was short and its primary mandate was to hold free and fair elections, the only thing they can do was to help SOEs was to improve their efficiency and cut losses.

“Focusing on privatisation and trying to expedite it in such a short tenure raises suspicions on the intent of the interim government with regards to its tenure, opens the government up to allegations of impropriety, and also makes any privatisation activity subject to legal challenge, further complicating a sensitive process,” he remarked.