News Desk

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Sunday was briefed about the ongoing rescue and relief operations being carried out by the Pakistan Army in telephone conversations with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and National Disaster Management Authority’s (NDMA) chairperson Lt Gen Akhtar Nawaz. 

In a telephonic conversation with COAS Gen Bajwa, the prime minister talked about the situation of flood affectees and relief and rehabilitation operations in the flood-hit areas, especially in Sindh.

According to the PM Office, the premier stressed upon acceleration of the efforts.

The army chief apprised the prime minister of the army’s full cooperation in the process while PM Shehbaz appreciated the army’s cooperation and passion.

Observing helicopters to be helpful in the operations since the linking roads between Sindh and Balochistan provinces had been eroded, the prime minister directed for provision of helicopters in the province.

General Bajwa also informed that he had issued special direction to the commander southern command over the relief activities in Balochistan.

The premier directed the relevant authorities of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) to immediately distribute support funds among the flood affectees of Sindh.

On the other hand, NDMA Chairperson Lt Gen Akhtar Nawaz apprised the PM of the latest situation of rainfall and floods in Sindh including the cooperation extended during the ongoing rescue and relief operations in two provinces and measures taken so far.   

Says his struggle against this corrupt system will continue; slams cubs on certain media houses

Irshad Ali

RAWALPINDI: Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Sunday asked the “neutral” why he was ousted through a ‘foreign-funded’ vote of no-confidence in parliament, saying that his only crime is that he has not accepted the “imported” government.
“Now Pemra is also in the game. What has Imran khan done? His only crime is that he is not accepting this imported government,” he said while addressing a public gathering at Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi.
Imran revealed that people who come to his residence to support him get calls from agencies, asking why they were there. “I want to ask whether you are neutral or not. If not then why are you damaging this country so much? Why do you want to stand with these people (the current government)? Do you think the nation will believe these people who have been looting this nation for the past 30 years,” he questioned.
He said that when police resorted to violence on PTI’s May 25 rally, they were informed that they had orders to do so. “It means they were under pressure from the neutrals,” he added.
Imran said that the chief election commissioner is giving all his verdicts against PTI as they wanted to disqualify him but when they seek information they get replies that they are under pressure from the “boots”.
“Now in Shahbaz Gill’s case, police say they are under pressure… whatever is happening in Pakistan will be blamed on you,” he said while addressing the “neutrals”.
During his address, a video clip was also played in which Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leaders can be seen issuing statements against the military and judiciary. Imran asked why Shahbaz Gill is being treated any differently.
“I’m saying all this today because I know their plan. I know what Mr Y is planning but let me tell you today that Imran Khan will not budge even if you throw me in jail… I will never go abroad… I will live and die in this country.”
He said whatever is being planned including his disqualification will damage Pakistan. “PTI is the only federal party in Pakistan right now. PTI has the power to unite. Army alone cannot keep a country united… political parties do that. If you weaken PTI you will weaken the country,” he added.
The former premier said that if PTI is pushed against the wall, the country will face a situation similar to Sri Lanka. “If we step aside who will stop these people from making the current situation even worse in the country? There is only one way out and that is free and transparent elections,” he added.

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan on Sunday booked for threatening Islamabad police officers and female magistrate under Section 7 of anti-Terrorism act (ATA) regarding his statements at the PTI rally, a day ago.

Sources privy to the matter said that the Margalla police have registered a case under the complaint of magistrate Ali Javed against the former prime minister on charges of hate speech in an attempt to disturb the peace.

According to the FIR, he threatened and terrorized state organs and tried to pressurize the judiciary and the police. During the rally, he threatened the Islamabad IG, a woman magistrate, and the DIG, the FIR added.

A day earlier, Imran Khan while addressing the rally held in favour of Dr Shahbaz Gill at F-9 Park said that his party is going to file cases against PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, IG Islamabad and female judge.

the former prime minister lauded his workers, saying that people have come out in large numbers on 24 hours notice. Regarding the matter of Dr Shahbaz Gill, the PTI Chairman said that his party will go to the Supreme Court
Comparing the current situation of the country with the era of Genghis Khan, the former prime minister said that Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, Asif Ali Zardari, Fazlur Rehman and Khawaja Asif made stronger statements as compared to Shahbaz Gill.

Imran claimed that Shahbaz Gill was captured and tortured to send a message and scare people that if he can be mentally broken then anyone can, adding that a private channel was shut down to throttle freedom of speech, adding that by shutting down the private channel, fear has been spread among other channels.

“If we bow our heads to the idol of fear, we will be left with the sole option of slavery,” the PTI chairman said. Imran further said that in his 26-year political career, he is seeing such an enlightened nation for the first time. The former prime minister said that the sleeping nation has woken up for the first time.

The former prime minister said, “Although we got independence from Britain, today thieves have been imposed on us through foreign conspiracy.” Imran further said that on May 25, police and rangers fired tear-gas shells during a peaceful protest.

Challenging the coalition government, Imran Khan said that whatever the government does, it will not stop the masses, because people want freedom. The former premier claimed that tactics have been used to intimidate social media activists.

Imran Khan said his party will not spare Islamabad’s IG and DIG, saying a vulnerable person was tortured. The former prime minister said they are reluctant to arrest JUI-F chief Fazl.

RAWALPINDI, AUG 21 /DNA/ – A Pakistan army vehicle met an accident and fell into a Nullah in Shaujabad, Bagh early this morning while on routine military duty. Resultantly 9 soldiers embraced shahadat while 4 are injured. The injured have been evacuated to CMH Rawalpindi. Funeral prayers of all Shuhada were offered at Mangla garrison. Lt General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Corps Commander Rawalpindi, military officials attended Namaze Janaza . Jasde Khaki of Shuhada will be sent to their native towns and buried with full military honours.

Ramallah, AUG 21: More than 100 days after Shireen Abu Akleh was murdered in Jenin, hundreds of Palestinians and supporters gathered in Ramallah to unveil a street named after the Palestinian veteran journalist.

The street is on the way that Abu Akleh used to travel daily to get to work at the Al-Jazeera network office in Ramallah and where she was reporting live coverage of incidents in Palestine.

Ramallah City Municipal Council announced the new street in the presence of Abu Akleh’s family and supporters, along with a monument where she stood during her reports.

The memorial reflects the symbolism of Abu Akleh in the collective memory of Palestinians since they still consider her as their voice. Ramallah Municipal spokeswoman Maram Totah said the street names are a way to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of the Palestinian cause as city streets are always named after martyrs and fighters who carried their message in their lives and deaths.

“Shireen was an exceptional giver. She held the voice of the Palestinians and never stopped telling the world about the crimes committed by the occupation against the Palestinian human being,” said Totah.

“She had a special, special place in the hearts of the city’s people. She was attending the social activities with them and this memorization of her in Ramallah is to honor her and all the martyrs of the Palestinian press,” Totah added.

In addition to Ramallah, many Palestinian cities have named streets and central squares after martyrs on the West Bank and Gaza strip.

Several universities have launched scholarships and prizes Abu Akleh’s name, including Birzeit University, Al-Quds University and the Arab American University in Jenin and Beirut.

Abu Akleh lived and worked in Ramallah.

Her photos and murals bearing her image are ubiquitous in the West Bank.

Families have also named their children in tribute to the veteran journalist and to express the endless effect and presence of her voice in their memories.
The Thabet family from Rafah in the southern Gaza strip named their twin daughters Shireen and Jenin, days after Abu Akleh’s assassination.

“We missed her voice during the last Israeli attacks against Gaza. She was our high voice and through her coverage, the world heard about our continuous suffering,” the girl’s father, Mohammad, told Anadolu Agency. “I honor her — her efforts during the hard nights in the streets and hospitals to make the pictures and news.”

Following the last Israeli attack on Gaza, Thabet’s house was slated for demolition and his 3-month-old daughters were injured.

“Despite this hard life under occupation, we are an endless nation. If the Israeli army killed Shireen, there are thousands of Shireen. I gave my daughter Shireen’s name because when you give your child a name of a martyr you ensure his upbringing,” added Thabet.

The family of Abu Akleh’s is still trying to get justice demanding a US investigation that they hope will lead to accountability.

The world marks Aug. 21 as International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism.

Despite global condemnation of terrorism, the victims of Israeli occupation in Palestine are in a continuous struggle to have their voices heard.

For them, Abu Akleh was their hope from being forgotten or neglected and she was killed while advocating for Palestinians.

The Israeli assaults against Palestinian journalists escalated during the last year.

The Palestinian Center for Freedoms and Development (MADA) documented 368 incidents against Palestinian journalists, with 155 direct violations that varied between injuries and murder.

Three journalists were killed during the last war against Gaza in August with 33 media headquarters attacked by airstrikes.

More than 100 assaults were documented against journalists since the beginning of 2022, with most in Jerusalem and Jenin in April.

KARACHI- Renowned artist and playback singer Nayyara Noor also known as ‘Bulbul-e-Pakistan has passed away in Karachi after protracted illness. She was 72.

She was born in Assam India in 1950 and migrated to Paksitan in 1957.

Nayyara Noor sang many film songs, ghazals and milli naghmas.

She was awarded presidential pride of performance award in 2005.

Her famous songs were watan ki matti gawah rehna, ‘Jalay tau jalao gori’ and Kabhi Hum Bhi Khoobssorat Thay.

Nayyar Noor funeral prayer will be offered in Karachi on Sunday afternoon.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed sorrow over the death of legendary singer Nayyara Noor.

In a tweet today, he said death of famous singer Nayyara Noor is an irreparable loss to the music world.

The Prime Minister said Nayyara Noor was especially known for melody in her voice.

Praising her singing, Shehbaz Sharif said Nayyara Noor sang songs and ghazals perfectly. He said void created after her death in the field of music will never be filled. He also prayed for her higher place in heaven.

Meanwhile, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb also expressed deep grief and sorrow over the death of the great singer.

In a tweet, she said Nayyara Noor’s melodious voice, unique style of singing and choice of lyrics is unforgettable. She said with Nayyara Noor’s death an era of music has ended.

The Minister said Nayyara Noor was the star of Pakistan showbiz industry’s horizon. She said Nayyara Noor’s melodious song “Wattan Ki Mitti Gawah Rehna” is still remembered. She said Nayyara Noor sang numerous songs on Radio Pakistan and Pakistan Television.

 “He who plants a tree, plants a hope” – Lucy Larcom

Hayah Bahroni

ISLAMABAD: Nature is God’s most beautiful creation. It facilitates the growth, development and nourishment of all its creatures. In order to pay tribute to our country on the 75^th Independence Day of Pakistan, Team Save Dreamshosted a plantation drive on 13 August, 2022in collaboration with Environment Wing of Capital Development Authority and Team Wefixers under the banner “Muhm Shajr-e-Sayadar”.

Considering the manifold benefits of trees, including that they provide us with oxygen, have given rise to sustenance, absorb unpleasant odors as well as harmful gases from the air and filter it, protect us from dangerous ultra-violet rays, provide us with food, give shelter to various species of animals; and the pivotal role played by trees in preventing soil erosion, maintaining ecological balance and most importantly in reducing the effects of global warmingand environmental changes, made us realize that it was about time that we initiate a project preserving the beauty of our capital city, Islamabad.

The drive “Muhm Shajr-e-Sayadar” was inaugurated in the presence of Miss Javeria Maqbool, Deputy Director Environment Wing, CDA. A total of 150 trees, including Lagerstroemia Indica, PongamiaPinnatacommonly known as SukhChayn, Bauhinia Variegata and Cassia Fitsula, were planted by the 15 enthusiasts of two teams at the event site; the grounds of Convention Center, Islamabad. 50 of these were provided to us by Team WeFixers and 100were provided by CDA Environment Team, who not only allotted us the site to carry out the event smoothly, but also provided us with their team of professional gardeners.

A Letter of Gratitude was also  presented by our team to Miss Javeria Maqbool who in return honoured our team members namely; Hayah Bahroni, Rafia Ali, Ayesha Siddique, Noor-ul-Huda, Omama Basit, Mohammad Ibrahim, Abdullah Siddique, Humayal Ahmed and QasimWaqar; withLettersof Appreciation acknowledging our hard work towards this noble cause.

Ecological disruptions or imbalances can lead to droughts, flooding and numerous other calamities and natural disasters that can cause immense harm and destruction to life and property alike, which is why it is imperative that we save trees and conserve them, so as to be able to maintain a balance in the ecosystem and ensure overall health and harmony. To make that happen, we must plant more and more trees to neutralize the damage already done. It’s about time that we all break the mold and start planting because the solution to saving Mother Earth; which is being destroyed at the hands of its own children by deforestation, littering and spilling oils & fuels into its once clear rivers and oceans; is to grow trees. Today, let us all make a pledge that we will actively contribute in giving rise to a healthy, green, clean, prosperous and self-dependent Pakistan, and that we will take at least one small step to protect our environment by PLANTING TREES. Let’s all Save Trees and Save Dreams.