PTI chief says he is in touch with the president over the matter.
SC bans displaying politicians’ images on public offices, documents
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) Wednesday imposed a ban on the display of images of politicians and public office holders on government buildings, projects, and documents.
The court issued these orders in a five-page judgment authored by Justice Qazi Faez Isa in the Rawalpindi slums case.
The verdict questioned why the photographs of then Chief Minister Chaudhary Pervez Elahi were printed on the certificates of properties located in a Rawalpindi slum.
The apex court held that personal advertisement could not be allowed at the expense of official resources, while this is also in contravention of one’s oath of office.
Affixing photographs for personal publicity on government property offends moral values, the court said in the order.
“Pakistan is not anyone’s domain where the people bow before the rulers,” the SC judge said adding, ”In order to uphold the country’s democratic reputation, we have to be vigilant”.
The Supreme Court, in the verdict, ordered all chief secretaries and federal administration should ensure the implementation of the court decision.
FIFA World Cup 2022: Japan stun Germany in second upset in as many days
Just over 24 hours after Saudi Arabia set the FIFA World Cup alight with a stunning upset of Argentina, Japan did the same, holding off Germany’s furious attempts to salvage a point from the Group ‘E’ opener for both teams on Wednesday.
Upon receiving the ball wide out on the right from a free-kick in his own box, Takuma Asano took Nico Schlotterbeck out of the equation with a first touch for the ages. With the goal in his sights, Asano kept running but the angle for a shot kept getting tighter. Asano needed a ripper of a shot to beat Manuel Neuer.
Asano, on as a substitute just before the hour mark, did exactly that. The connection was pure, the ball crashed into the roof of the net and brought down the roof at the Khalifa Stadium.
Japan were seven minutes away from sealing a stunning victory against Germany and the hordes of their fans behind that goal, beating their drums, were now willing them on to complete a famous victory.
This, just like on Tuesday, saw the Asian side come from a goal behind in the second half to win. Japan had levelled matters just eight minutes before Asano’s winner. It was another substitute who did that. Japan had been knocking and the chance came when Neuer parried away a cross from Takumi Minamino and Ritsu Doan, who had been on the pitch for less than four minutes, was the quickest to react to plant a shot into the back of the net.
Following Japan’s equaliser, Germany coach Hansi Flick threw on striker Niclas Fuellkrug and attacker Mario Goetze, the man who scored the stunning extra-time winner for Die Mannschaft in the 2014 final in Brazil, to provide a moment of inspiration and stem the Japanese flow.
But when Asano scored, the Germans had been well and truly floored. They heaped pressure on the Japanese goal but the defence and goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda held on.
“I believe it’s a historical moment, a historical victory to say the least,” said Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu, when asked about the influence of Germany on Japanese football. “We have seven players who feature in the Bundesliga and that has contributed to this.”
Time was supposed to have healed Germany. Refreshed, reinvigorated and under a new coaching setup, they seemed to have done away with the staleness that had settled in. The infusion of new blood with some older heads reinstated under Hansi Flick had been revitalising and they arrived for the World Cup in Qatar having lost just once in their last 16 games.
But the demons of Russia don’t seem to be going away. Then, as holders, they’d limped out of the World Cup at the group stage; the imagery of Neuer scrambling to get back into his box as Son Heung-Min raced away to score and seal a famous win for South Korea and hammer the final nail in the holders’ coffin is still fresh.
Facing another East Asian side at the 45,000-capacity venue in the heart of the Qatari capital, Germany had started brightly but got a scare when Japan had the ball in the back of the net in the eighth minute, only to see that being ruled off-side.
Gonda was keeping Japan in the game, repelling shots one after the other but it was his error that saw Germany take the lead. Just past the half-hour mark, Gonda tried to collect a ball in the box but in doing so, he brought down David Raum.
“He fell without much contact,” said Gonda, who was named player of the match, although he did not have any complaints about the referee’s decision.
Ilkay Gündoğan stepped up from the spot and once they had the lead, Germany came in waves and waves at the Japanese goal but had nothing to show.
“We had good opportunities to score after we got the opening goal but I think that Japan were very efficient,” said a despondent Flick. “We have to avoid those mistakes, we have to do better. We have an important game coming up against Spain and we have to bounce back from this.”
Germany’s campaign in Russia unravelled after they fell to Mexico in their opening game. Flick brushed off suggestions that this defeat in any way resonated with that game four years ago. What reverberated through the Khalifa Stadium, though, was Japan’s boundless energy — one that Flick wished his side had shown.
CM KPK visits Shangla, upgrade University campus
From Our Correspondent
PESHAWAR
Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan has formally inaugurated the University of Shangla, which is a milestone project towards addressing the shortage of higher educational facilities in the district to a great extent.
Addressing media persons and a public gathering after the inaugural ceremony, the Chief Minister announced free education for children of coal mine workers at the university, adding that the incumbent provincial government is focused on the uplift of backward districts of the province to ensure uniform development. The establishment of Shangla University was a much needed project which will contribute greatly towards human development not only in Shangla but the whole adjacent region. It is the desire and effort of the provincial government to ensure that the youth of this area are imparted with quality higher education instead of working in coal mines.
Mahmood Khan clarified that his government is committed to establishing tourism as an industry in the province in order to provide livelihood opportunities and enable people to earn their living in their respective districts. Regarding the kidnapping of coal mine workers from District Shangla in Baluchistan province, the Chief Minister clarified that the government is in touch with the government of Baluchistan and expressed hope that the kidnapped workers will be recovered soon.
The Chief Minister stated that despite the financial constraints created by the imported federal government, the provincial government is fully committed to completing the development activities in the province within the stipulated time frame. However, he said that his government has already communicated its concerns to the federal government and made it clear that if we do not get the legitimate rights of the province, we will not refrain from staging a sit-in in front of the national assembly.
He also announced that the true independence march from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would move on Saturday towards Iqbal Park in Rawalpindi and said that provincial ministers and MPAs would be leading the march from their respective constituencies.
He said that the provincial government is going all out to ensure that everyone has equal access to higher education, adding that the provincial cabinet, in its 83rd meeting held the other day, has formally approved the launching of education card scheme with the aim of imparting free education in government colleges.
Touching upon the development projects in district Shangla, the Chief Minister said that the construction of 27 km long Chakisar and Karora to Ajmir roads has been reflected in the portfolio of the Asian Development Bank, which on completion will provide an all-time solution to traffic congestion in the area. He further stated that the notification regarding the establishment of Kana Tehsil in district Shangla has also been issued, which was a longstanding demand of the local people.
With regard to the proposed independence march, the chief minister said that the people from all over the province would participate in the true independence march with zeal and zest.
In a separate event held here at the Chief Minister’s House, Peshawar, a delegation of local bodies representatives called on the Chief Minister at his office. Issues related to local government were discussed in detail during the meeting. The Chief Minister on the occasion reiterated that the issues being faced by the local bodies representatives would be resolved on priority basis. In his statement issued after the meeting, Mayor Mardan Himayatullah Mayar said that a high level committee has been constituted in order to resolve the issues after which the call for protest in District Peshawar has been withdrawn.
Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad celebrates Armed Forces Day
ISLAMABAD, NOV 23 /DNA/ – Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad on Wednesday celebrated the Armed Forces Day with a vow to uphold the image of Bangladesh Armed Forces and boosting the country’s positive image across the world.
Chief Guest State Minister for SAFRON Senator Talah Mahmood, High Commissioner of Bangladesh Ruhul Alam Siddique, Defence Attache Brig. General Abdul Fazal Sanaullah and others cut cake to celebrate the Armed Forces Day of Bangladesh.
The Bangladesh High Commissioner and the Defence attaché wished to have even more robust relations with Pakistan.-DNA
Shahrukh Jatoi freed from jail after 10 years
KARACHI: Shahrukh Jatoi — main accused in the high-profile Shahzeb Khan murder case — has been freed from the Malir Jail after 10 years, according to jail authorities.
Last month, the Supreme Court of Pakistan had ordered the acquittal of culprits in the Shahzeb murder case.
The top court had annulled the Sindh High Court’s verdict to uphold the punishment of the accused individuals in the case and ordered their release following reconciliation with the bereaved family.
On October 18, the SC had acquitted death the row inmate Jatoi along with other convicts in the case.
At the outset of the hearing on October 18, the accused party’s lawyer Latif Khosa told the three-member bench, headed by Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan, that the parties in the case have already reached a settlement.
Khosa told the bench that his clients had no plans of spreading terror, adding that the murder case was painted as a terrorist activity.
After the acquittal from the SC, the Attorney-General’s Office decided to file a review petition related to the decision and prepared a draft letter to convey its concerns to the apex court.
Per the letter, the opinion of the Attorney-General’s Office was not sought before acquitting Jatoi. It added that decisions related to such important constitutional matters should not be taken without consulting the AGP’s Office.
Shahzeb, 20, was shot dead on the night between December 24 and 25 in 2012 in Karachi’s posh locality.
Couple gives birth to ‘oldest babies’ from embryos frozen 30 years ago
In what is believed to be a new record for the longest-frozen embryos and “the oldest babies born”, twin babies were born in Tennessee, United States after being frozen at the embryonic stage three decades ago.
The embryos were stored 30 years ago, being frozen at around -128C (-200F) in liquid nitrogen on 22 April 1992, reported the BBC.
The father of the twins Philip Ridgeway said he was shocked at the “mind-boggling” event after Rachel Ridgeway, now a mother of six gave birth to the infants on October 31.
The Ridgeway family from Oregon named their twins Lydia Ann and Timothy Ronald Ridgeway. The National Embryo Donation Center (NEDC), which is a private organisation that has assisted over 1,200 births from donated embryos, believes that Lydia and Timothy have set a new record.
The previous record-holder is no less shocking. Molly Gibson, who was born in 2020, had been stored and frozen as an embryo for 27 years.
The medical professional who transferred the embryo to Dr John David Gordon said that these twins should be an example for other people who are sceptical about adopting frozen embryos.
“The decision… to adopt these embryos should reassure patients who wonder if anyone would be willing to adopt the embryos that they created 5, 10, 20 years ago,” the BBC quoted him as saying.
“That answer is a resounding yes!”
The NEDC said in a statement that it hoped that this would “encourage others to experience the blessings of embryo adoption for themselves”.
Thirty years ago, twin embryos had been developed for a married couple via in-vitro fertilisation (IVF). Later in 2007, the couple decided to donate the embryos to the faith-based organisation.
At the time the couple got the embryos created, the man was in his 50s and the embryos were stored in a fertility lab on the US west coast.
Once the twins reached the NEDC in Knoxville, Tennessee for another couple to use them, they were kept safe there.
Earlier this year, experts from NEDC and partner clinic Southeastern Fertility transferred the twins to Mrs Ridgeway’s uterus.
The Ridgeways had four children prior to the twins. Other children are aged between one and eight. This is the first time the couple gave birth through IVF and donors.
“I was five years old when God gave life to Lydia and Timothy, and he’s been preserving that life ever since,” Philip Ridgeway told CNN.
“In a sense, they’re our oldest children, even though they’re our smallest children.”
“There is something mind-boggling about it,” he remarked.
No doubt that there is immense threat to Imran’s life: Asad Umar
Tells Pindi residents to “get ready” for Imran’s arrival, and confirms that the venue will be Murree Road.
ISSI, IPIS hold annual bilateral dialogue
ISLAMABAD, NOV 23 (DNA) — The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) and Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS), Iran held their annual dialogue on bilateral and regional issues.
The Dialogue was facilitated by the Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East & Africa (CAMEA) at ISSI. The dialogue was divided into two sessions. The first session was titled Pakistan-Iran Bilateral Relations and was moderated by Ms. Amina Khan, Director CAMEA.
The second session was on the ‘Regional Developments: with a focus on current developments in Afghanistan and changing dynamics in the Middle East’ and was moderated by Dr Hossein Moulla Abdoullahi, Director for Asian Studies, IPIS. The welcome remarks were given by Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Director General ISSI and Dr. Mohammad Hassan Sheikholeslami, President, IPIS.
The distinguished speakers included Ambassador Hossein Ebrahim Khani, Senior Research Fellow, IPIS; Ambassador Khalid Mahmood,Chairman BOG ISSI and former Ambassador of Pakistan to Iran; Dr Hossein Moulla Abdoullahi, Director for Asian Studies, IPIS; Ms. Amina Khan, Director, Center for Afghanistan, Middle East and Africa (CAMEA), ISSI; Ambassador Javed Hafeez, Former Pakistani Diplomat and Dr Alireza Miryousefi, Senior Research Fellow, IPIS. =DNA
US ambassador highlights broad partnership with people of Balochistan
Islamabad, NOV 23: U.S. Ambassador Donald Blome visited Quetta, Balochistan, on November 23 to meet with Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, local partners working to advance climate change adaptation, representatives of higher education institutions, leaders of local NGOs, and Afghan refugees. During his visit, Ambassador Blome discussed U.S. efforts to combat the effects of climate change through a Green Alliance with diverse partners in Pakistan and underscored the strong cooperation between the United States and Pakistan on promoting economic development through higher education and women’s empowerment.
Ambassador Blome participated in a community tree planting drive that will become part of a larger project to develop an urban forest in the city of Quetta. The project, led by youth activists, aims to advance climate change adaptation, raise climate risk awareness, and increase community resilience to climate change by providing a platform to bring diverse groups together for collective societal benefit.
At the event, the ambassador highlighted that the U.S. government has provided more than 97 million dollars in flood-related assistance to Pakistan this year, including to individuals and communities in need in Balochistan. “But we know that the effects of the flooding are far from over, and every nation faces the threat of climate change. So, we’re working with diverse partners to increase Pakistan’s resilience to climate change through a Green Alliance,” he said.
During the trip, Ambassador Blome also met with leadership from the Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences and the Sardar Bahadur Khan Women’s University to discuss how U.S. government support has helped them respond to local economic development needs in their academic programs. The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has provided scholarships to almost 300 students—56 percent of them women—to pursue higher education at the institutions and further their communities’ economic development.
In remarks at the launch event of “Entrepowered—Women Can Do,” a program that will provide $350,000 of seed funding to women entrepreneurs in Balochistan, Ambassador Blome said, “The United States believes that empowering women is a strategic investment in the future for both private citizens and the global economy. By working together on projects like Entrepowered, we can advance women’s equality in the business sector and unleash a vast potential that will help bring prosperity to Quetta and Balochistan.”
The United States is also proud to support the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ (UNHCR) livelihoods program in Quetta, which fosters economic development for Afghan refugees and local artisans. Since 2009, UNHCR, with U.S. funding, has implemented 251 projects in Balochistan to provide infrastructure upgrades to schools, water and sanitation improvements, and health facility upgrades for both Afghan refugees and Pakistani host communities.
Ambassador Blome also visited the Command and Staff College in Quetta and met with Commandant Major General Amer Ahsan Nawaz, XII Corps Commander Lieutenant General Asif Ghafoor and mid-career army officers to discuss the long history of U.S.-Pakistan relations in diverse areas and to emphasize opportunities to work together today, including to build a Green Alliance to support Pakistan’s transition to cleaner and sustainable forms of energy, and to advance our shared interests in trade, investment, health security, climate change, inclusive governance and regional security.
The United States has a broad, deep, and long-term partnership with the people of Balochistan Province spanning the education, economic, health, and rule of law sectors and beyond. We look forward to continuing to deepen and expand these relationships over the coming years. Together we can promote a more stable, secure, and prosperous future for both our nations.
