Asad to lead PTI rally against media curbs, journalist harassment today

DNA

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) gave finishing touch to the arrangements for the much-needed two-day activities to express solidarity with the journalist community and to ensure safeguard and protection of freedom of expression and freedom of media.

Under the two consecutive days planned program, PTI would hold a protest demonstration today (Wednesday) and a big seminar would be organized under the title “Freedom of Expression and Protection of Media” on August 18.

PTI Central Secretary General Asad Umar issued special instructions to party officials on Tuesday in this regard.

In the two-day activities, the issue of the worst crackdown in the country against independent media and freedom of expression would be raised, as media and journalists have been facing worst harassment and curbs since the imported government seized the power through conspiracy.

The PTI’s protest demonstration to be held in the federal capital against the harassment of media and journalists would be led by Asad Umar to express solidarity with the media persons.

Similarly, the national seminar would be organized in Islamabad on August 18, where Imran Khan would give an important address. Key personalities from print, electronic and social media were also specially invited to the seminar.  Moreover, people from all walks of life would attend the important event, which would also be addressed by various intellectuals and senior journalists.

DNA

Islamabad: The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) in collaboration with National Press Club (NPC) organized an “All Parties Conference for Revival of Economy”. Ahsan Iqbal Federal Minister for Planning & Development, Miftah Ismail Federal Minister for Finance, Qamar Zaman Kaira Advisor to Prime Minister on Kashmir Affairs & Gilgit Baltistan, Shazia Marri Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation & Social Safety, Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, Senator Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri of JUI(F), Himayat Ullah Mayar of ANP, Mian Muhmmad Aslam, Jamaat e Islami, Presidents of Karachi, Quetta, Faisalabad and Islamabad Women Chamber Chambers of Commerce and a large number of business attended the Conference.

Addressing the Conference, Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning & Development appreciated ICCI for organizing APC and termed three Es, education, enterprises and exports as key for reviving Pakistan’s economy. He said that all political parties should agree on a common agenda to turn around the economy of Pakistan.

Miftah Ismail, Federal Minister for Finance said that diverting domestic manufacturing to exports, improving agricultural productivity, providing education to the out of school children, focus on science & technology and living within our own means was very important to revive the economy.

Qamar Zaman Kaira, Advisor to PM on Kashmir Affairs & Gilgit Baltistan said that improving agro productivity, encouraging investment in productive sectors, promoting industrial exports and enhancing manpower exports should be the way forward to revive the economy.  

Shazia Marri, Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation said that the GDP of Pakistan could be increased by 30% by enhancing the share of women in labor force equal to the men and 25% participation of women in labor force would enhance the GDP of Pakistan by 9%,

Senator Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri said that the country should adopt the economic model of the Prophet (PBUH) and Khulafa-e-Rashdeen to revive the economy. Himayat Ullah Mayar of ANP said that resolving issues like poverty, unemployment, local & foreign debts., terrorism, political tensions should be addressed to revive the economy.

Muhammad Shakeel Munir, President ICCI welcomed the representatives of all political parties and said that the purpose of organizing APC was to bring all stakeholders at one platform to develop a future roadmap with consensus for reviving the economy.

Khalid Iqbal Malik Chairman Founder Group, Zubair Ahmed Malik former President ICCI, Zubair Motiwalla former President Karachi Chamber of Commerce, Presidents of Karachi, Faisalabad, Quetta Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Naima Ansari President Islamabad Women Chamber of Commerce, Haji Ghulam Ali former President FPCCI, Umar Khan Vice President FPCCI, and others also spoke at the occasion and gave useful suggestions for reviving the economy. 

ISLAMABAD, AUG 16 /DNA/ – The Government of Pakistan expresses deep sorrow on the passing away of Dr. Nafis Sadik, Special Adviser and Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for HIV/AIDS in Asia. Dr Sadik was one of the most accomplished Pakistanis and a leading international voice on population policies, and maternal and child health.

Dr. Sadik’s contributions in the field of medical research and advocacy for human rights protection are significant. She won numerous awards globally in recognition of her extra- ordinary services. At the United Nations, she served at important positions most notably as the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund becoming the first woman to head a UN major voluntarily funded program. She was a torch bearer for women and girls from around the world, breaking glass ceilings during her career and showcasing women empowerment in true sense.

Dr. Sadik served her motherland with dedication and professionalism. We offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Dr. Sadik and pray for the departed soul.

ISLAMABAD, AUG 16 /DNA/ – Pakistan Navy Ship TAIMUR visited Colombo, Sri Lanka as part of Goodwill and Flag Showing mission. Upon arrival at port vicinity, Pakistan Navy Ship was welcomed by Sri Lankan Naval units and received by Defence Attaché of Pakistan at Colombo and Officials of Sri Lankan Navy. On this occasion, the military band of Sri Lanka played tunes as part of welcome gesture.

During the port visit, Commanding Officer of PNS TAIMUR called-on Commander Western Naval Area (COMWEST). During the interactions, matters of mutual interests were discussed and enhancement of bilateral ties in all spheres was re-affirmed. The Commanding Officer conveyed good wishes of Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi for the people of Sri Lanka.

PNS TAIMUR also celebrated Diamond Jubilee of Independence Day of Pakistan at Sri Lanka. Commanding Officer of the ship attended Flag Hoisting ceremony at Pakistani High Commission.

Independence Day ceremony was also held onboard ship. The ship was attended by senior officials of Sri Lankan Navy along with a large number of diplomatic corps. PN Officers also visited Sri Lankan Navy Ship SINDURALA as exchange visit.

Upon completion of port visit, PNS TAIMUR conducted bilateral naval Exercise Lion Star-IV with Sri Lankan Navy Ship to enhance interoperability in maritime domain.

Visit of PNS TAIMUR to Sri Lanka provided an opportunity for both countries to further enhance the existing close diplomatic ties and cordial relations.=DNA

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ISLAMABAD, AUG 16: The Islamabad High Court on Tuesday decided to fix the prohibited funding case before a larger bench. The hearing is set to take place on August 18.In his remarks during today’s hearing, acting IHC chief justice Aamer Farooq said: “Let us constitute a larger bench to hear this case.”

“The larger bench will hear the case the day after tomorrow,” he said.Barristers Anwar Mansoor and Faisal Chaudhary appeared on behalf of the PTI, which was found by the Election Commission of Pakistan to have received prohibited funding. A notice was issued to the party asking it to explain why the funds should not be confiscated.

“We have challenged the Election Commission’s fact-finding report,” Mansoor said.

According to the lawyer, “it was not necessary to disclose accounts for various reasons”.”The money went from here (Centre) to provincial accounts, which was not necessary to disclose,” the counsel said.

He appealed to the court to not take any action as far as the show cause notice issued to the party is concerned.At this, Justice Farooq said that this matter, too, will be taken up by the larger bench.

The court then adjourned the hearing, before issuing directives for a larger bench to hear the case on August 18.In a unanimous ruling on August 2, a three-member bench of the election commission said it has found that the PTI received prohibited funding.

The case was earlier referred to as the “foreign funding” case, but later the election commission accepted the PTI’s plea to refer to it as the “prohibited funding” case.As per the 68-page order, the commission stated that the Imran Khan-led PTI did indeed receive funding from foreign companies and individuals, which it hid.

The ECP verdict states that the PTI received funds from 34 individuals and 351 businesses, including companies.

Says, IMF loan disbursement to start by August end

Shujaat Hamza

ISLAMABAD, ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Miftah Ismail defended on Tuesday the federal government’s decision to hike the price of petrol after backlash from his party’s supremo Nawaz Sharif and a strong coalition partner — PPP.

The government jacked up Monday night the price of petrol by Rs6.72 per litre for the next fortnight, taking it to 233.91 per litre, while the rate of diesel was also moved up to 244.44 per litre.

In his press conference today, the finance minister clarified that he had not stated that he would not be increasing the price of petroleum products.

Addressing a press conference, the minister said that Islamabad had received Letter of Intent (LoI) from the fund requiring some edits by State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and Finance Ministry, which were done after holding meetings with IMF.

The minister said new LoI has been received today (Tuesday) which he would send back after signing adding “We expect the board meeting would be held in August, hopefully 29 August then the disbursement would start.”

The minister said that rupee has been performing as best currency of the world following continuous appreciation against dollar for first 15 days of August. Earlier, US Dollar had gone out of control after July 17 and reached to Rs239 exchange rate.

He said, at that time when rupee was depreciating in July he had argued that there was need to control imports and bring it to the level of exports plus remittances to strike balance.

The minister said that the imports were recorded at $.80 billion during the fiscal year 2021-22 whereas the exports stood $ 31.7 billion, bringing trade deficit to $48.3 billion. During the year, the remittances were recorded at $30 billion. Consequently, the current account deficit (CAD), he said, was recorded at $17.5 last year despite the fact had PTI was specially focusing to bring it down.

He said, PTI had singularly focused on CAD and was not realizing the measures taken by Pakistan Muslim League government for improving growth rate, infrastructure improvements, building energy and communication.

He deplored that during its 4 years turn, PTI government took around Rs19,300 billion debt which is around 79 percent of total debt taken in 71 years.

He said, PTI gave $17.5 billion CAD, 1500 billion electricity circular debt, Rs.1400 gas circular debt, Rs200 billion losses in Sui Northern gas and left just 10.3 reserves at a time when the country was liable to pay $21 billion debt in 2022-23, $3 billion in June-July.

He question what real freedom the PTI has been talking about when there is $48 billion trade deficit while the PTI government was providing subsidy on fuel, giving amnesty to friends and bring defaults. He said, it was not only PTI, last government did the same citing 8.1 percent deficit in Musharraf regime.

He said, the incumbent government curbed imports including non-essential and luxury goods and then vehicles, air-conditioners, fridges, and locally assembly products that needed 90 percent imports.

He said the government was monitoring imports, exports and remittances adding that so far there had been $3.4 billion outflows and $4.1 billion outflows during the month of August. So more dollars are coming in than coming out, he added.

The minister said, imports reduced by 20 compared to last year while exports increased by 5 percent compared to last year.