Armenian and Azerbaijani troops once again clashed on Wednesday over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region killing three Armenian troops.
The Defence Ministries of both countries have confirmed the clashes.
Last year, thousands of people in both countries were killed during the weeks-long clashes that ended in November after a Russia brokered peace agreement.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has emphasized for an inclusive political settlement in Afghanistan.
In an interview with a US media outlet, the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), he said the Afghan government that includes all sorts of different factions will be the best outcome. He said there is no other outcome as the military solution has failed.
The Prime Minister said from Pakistan’s point of view, a protracted civil war in Afghanistan will be a worst case scenario. He said Pakistan is already hosting over three million Afghan refugees and we fear the civil war will bring more refugees to Pakistan. Our economic situation is not such that we can have another influx.
Secondly, he said, the worry is that the civil war will flow into Pakistan, because the Taliban are basically ethnic Pashtuns and those on our side will be drawn into it. He said this is last thing we want.
Reaffirming support to the Afghan peace process, the Prime Minister made it clear that Pakistan want to be a partner in peace but not in conflict.
Imran Khan recalled that Pakistan was devastated by joining the US war on terrorism. He said seventy thousand Pakistani people died in this war and the economy suffered losses to the tune of 150 billion dollars. He said the aid provided to Pakistan was minuscule compared to the amount of money the country lost in the economy. He regretted that Pakistan still is blamed for the failure in Afghanistan.
The Prime Minister said the US really messed up in Afghanistan.
He said Pakistan’s position is very straightforward. We want to help and we have helped getting the Taliban to talk to the U.S. We have done our bit.
Responding to a question, the Prime Minister said Islam gives great respect and dignity to women. He said his comments on rape were taken out of context, clarifying that anyone who commits rape is solely responsible for the crime.
KOTLI, JUL 28 (DNA) – Police in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) have arrested the son of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin in a case pertaining to the murder of two PTI activists on the election day.
The police said that they had arrested Shahnawaz Yasin in connection with the murder of the PTI activists after the FIR lodged by the family of one of the victims alleged that Chaudhry Yasin and his sons were behind the murder.
The matter was also raised during the federal cabinet meeting on Tuesday and besides prayers for the deceased souls, the prime minister also directed the concerned officials to pursue the matter and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Other than this, the Federal Minister for Communication Murad Saeed also traveled to AJK to meet the families of the victims and console them besides also assuring them that justice would be ensured in the matter.
It is pertinent to mention here that violent incidents have been reported on the polling day and during the election campaign, which saw PTI clinching a simple majority in the Legislative Assembly with victory on 25 seats, followed by PPP becoming the second largest party with 11 seats.
The PML-N, which previously ruled the region, could only bag 06 seats despite a vigorous campaign launched by the party’s vice President Maryam Nawaz in the region. = DNA
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KARACHI, JUL 28 /DNA/ – The APNS expressed profound grief on the sad demise of Salahuddin Haider a senior journalist and former Minister for Information Govt of Sindh.
Sarmad Ali President and Ms Nazafreen Saigol Lakhani Secretary General All Pakistan Newspapers Society in a press statement have acknowledged the services of Mr Haider for the newspaper industry during his tenure as Sindh Information Minister.
The APNS office bearers offered their condolences to the bereaved family and prayed that Allah may rest the departed soul in eternal peace and give patience to his family and friends to bear the loss.=DNA
RAWALPINDI /DNA/ – 5 Afghan Soldiers have been returned to Afghan govt authorities today at Nawapass, Bajaur at 17 : 45 after due procedure. These Afghan Soldiers were given safe passage into Pakistan, on their own request, by Pakistan Army in Arundu Sector of Pak-Afghan International Border, Chitral, on 26th Jul. After necessary clearance, the Afghan soldiers crossed into Pakistan. The said soldiers have now been returned to Afghan authorities on their request .
RAWALPINDI. /DNA/ – A special photo exhibition was organized under the auspices of Punjab Arts Council on the occasion of completion of 70 years of Pak-China friendship here on Wednesday. Member National Assembly and Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Narcotics Control Sheikh Rashid Shafiq along-with Director Arts Council Waqar Ahmad inaugurated the exhibition. The exhibition featured photographs covering seven decades of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China and visits of heads of states of both the countries. More than 50 rare photographs were put on display in the exhibition. Addressing the function, Sheikh Rashid Shafiq said that Pak-China friendship was an example to the world. China has stood by Pakistan in every difficult time. On the issue of Occupied Kashmir and FTF, China supported Pakistan in the United Nations and other international forums.
Sheikh Rashid Shafiq said that Pak-China eternal friendship is the guarantor of peace and stability in the region. Billions of dollars invested in Pakistan in the Pak-China Economic Corridor is a sign of the height of China’s Pak-China friendship. He further said that CPEC is a game changer not only for Pakistan but for the entire region. CPEC will accelerate economic activities and provide employment to thousands of people, he said. Rashid Shafiq said that China gifted millions of Corona vaccines in difficult times. Director Arts Council Waqar Ahmed said that Pak-China friendship is the most valuable strategic asset of both the countries. Both the countries are inseparable from each other. Pakistan can make tremendous progress by increasing trade with China. A large number of people from different walks of life participated in the inaugural ceremony. At the end of the inauguration ceremony, Dr. Azmatullah Sultan offered special prayers for the progress and prosperity of the country. The exhibition will continue for a week.
ISLAMABAD: /DNA/ – President D Watson Lion Club Islamabad Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari has said that if the patient is treated continuously with timely diagnosis of hepatitis, it is possible to eradicate it in a few weeks. Precaution is the best way to avoid hepatitis. The government’s measures for the prevention of the disease are commendable. Citizens should cooperate with the health department officials who have come for vaccination. He expressed these views while addressing an awareness campaign and free tests at the Islamabad DWatson Lion Club on World Hepatitis Day. Free hepatitis tests were also performed on the occasion.
Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari said that we must all work together to support the government’s efforts to prevent hepatitis. With the provision of accurate information and awareness, we can prevent the further spread of hepatitis. Special programs for prevention and treatment are underway, in addition to door-to-door immunizations, vaccinations are being conducted in every hospital, to prevent the disease.
It is very important to take some precautions to avoid this deadly disease. Be sure to get tested for hepatitis before transfusion. Make sure you have a blood test and a complete medical checkup at least twice a year so that all deadly diseases can be controlled at an early stage. Parents must vaccinate their children against hepatitis B after birth. According to experts, the main causes of the spread of hepatitis include substandard blood transfusions, contaminated syringes and surgical instruments, dental instruments, used shaving blades.he stated that hepatitis is a deadly disease but it is possible to get rid of it with timely diagnosis and treatment.
ISLAMABAD – The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) held its first bilateral dialogue with the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) based in Malaysia today. The theme of the dialogue was Food Security Cooperation under the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) framework. ISSI side was led by Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry and ISIS Malaysia was led by Mr. Shahriman Lockman, Director of Chief Executive’s Office ISIS. Meanwhile, distinguished panel of speakers included; Assistant Professor Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi; Professor Fatimah Mohamed Arshad Head Agriculture and Food Security Cluster, Academy of Professors of Malaysia (APM); Ms. Yanitha Meena Louis Researcher at ISIS; and Ms. Ume Farwa, Research Associate ISSI. Dr. Talat Shabbir, Director China-Pakistan Study Center (CPSC) at the Institute moderated the dialogue.
Ambassador Aizaz Chaudhry, Director General ISSI, in his opening remarks stated that earlier “OIC focused more on political issues but recently there has been much talk on non-traditional issues, and food security is one such topic which is a win win subject for discussion and dialogue”. For ensuring food security, Ambassador Chaudhry stated that, “we need to increase yield, supplies and for that we need to invest more in R&D in the context of food sufficiency, crop production, climate change etc.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Shahriman Lockman, Director of Chief Executive’s Office ISIS, speaking on behalf of Mr. Herizal Hazari Chief Executive said that “COVID-19 pandemic has been the worst nightmare for food security in several conflict ridden OIC countries”. And for OIC countries critical challenge is ensuring “supply chain stability”.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, Dr. Talat Shabbir Director CPSC, said that sustainable food security is at the core of economic development of any country, and OIC-2025 Plan of Action strongly emphasizes on the development of agriculture sector to attain food security and enhance growth and prosperity across the Muslim world.
This was followed by a working session where four learned experts made presentations and exchanged views on the theme. Speaking at the occasion, Ms. Ume Farwa, Research Assiociate, stated that “the most important source of food security is agriculture, yet in many countries agricultural sector is still not utilized to its potential. She also highlighted the crucial role being played by the OIC for promotion of food security and argued that OIC should treat its members preferably according to their needs.”
Similarly, Ms. Yanitha Meena, an expert at ISIS deliberated on OIC initiatives for empowering South Asia and South East Asian countries in the realm of food security. She highlighted that OIC member states are engaged in multilateral cooperation and can leverage their respective experiences. She emphasized on the need to have greater political will, cooperation and synergy among members’ states of OIC for achieving food security for all.
Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, Assistant Professor at Arid Agriculture University, in his presentation made the case for effective policy coordination between member states. He stated that OIC countries accounts for 28.8% of agricultural area of the world and 13.5% of the world’s total renewable water resources. And effective and sustainable agricultural management and policy-making could play a pivotal role in enhancing the development efforts of the Member States.
Meanwhile, Professor Fatimah Mohamed Arshad Head of Agriculture and Food Security Cluster at APM, stated that “food systems are left behind in economic growth so we need a new virtuous cycle to affect the performance of whole food systems”. As for OIC members “various challenges faced by OIC include, every country for itself thinking, thus, no ‘one’ measure fits all, and coordination at all levels is required to prioritize short-term and long-term priorities”
These presentations were followed by a brief Q&A session. The discussion was insightful and constructive.
Dr. Talat Shabbir, Director CPSC, concluded the dialogue by thanking speakers and participants for their valuable input.
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD, Capital Development Authority (CDA) has cleared all major roads and markets of rain water after an overnight heavy downpours on Wednesday in the federal capital that had caused flooding in various areas of the city.
It was a cloud burst that caused flooding in various localities, now the situation is under control as teams were mobilized to respond the situation on war footing, said a senior official of the authority.
He recalled that an unprecedented rainfall had occurred In Islamabad Rawalpindi in 2001, resulting in 620 mm of rain in a span of about 10 hours.
On the contrary the federal capital received around 350 mm in three hours, he said adding it was a massive cloud burst since 2001 Rawalpindi flooding, but response by the authorities was quick and water passed.
“It was a challenge, a natural calamity, but we were on roads since 6 AM and clearing stuff wherever required,” he said.
he said the federal apex agency had tasked the Engineering Wing to supervise the drainage of water as results of rain spells.
Similarly, he said various formations of the authority including Roads Directorate (North), Road Directorate (South), Markets and Road Maintenance Directorate and others remained busy in draining water accumulated due to heavy rain fall.
All staff was on high alert as more rains are expected in coming days, while a flood cell has been established with the help of Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad and federal capital administration to swiftly respond any emergency situation, he added.
The federal capital police was also deployed across the city to avoid any untoward situation.
CDA management had removed wild shrubs and trimming of grass especially along the road drainage system which was affecting the proper drainage of rain water, he said.
Meanwhile, at least two people, including a minor, were drowned when water entered homes in Islamabad’s Sector E-11, confirmed an official of Islamabad administration.
He said the administration rescued three children while one child and the mother died.
The flood situation in Sector E-11 was created due to the poor performance of the management of a housing society, he added.
“They do not have the machinery to deal with the flood situation,” he said, adding that Islamabad’s sector E-11 is not managed by the Capital Development Authority (CDA).
CDA had managed to clear the accumulated water in sector E-11 without any support from anywhere.
Meanwhile Islamabad administration has announced opening of Rawal Dam spill ways at 1500 hours as water level in Korang nullah has dropped in last two hours and blockages have been cleared by District Administration.
Spill ways will be opening at minimum level to ensure smooth flow of water. All rescue teams are deployed along Korang Nullah to cater for any unforeseen situation.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Army troops on Wednesday started relief and rescue efforts after heavy rainfall lashed out the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad in order to assist the civil administration.
Heavy rains have caused high water level in Nullah Lai in Rawalpindi and water accumulation in E-11 sector of the federal capital, said an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) news release.
The Army troops were busy in assisting civil administration in rescue and relief efforts, it said.
It further said that the contingencies plans were in place to meet any flood situation.
MINSK, JUL 28 /DNA/ – Additional Secretary (Europe), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Muhammad Tariq, called on the Foreign Minister of Belarus, Mr. Vladimir Makei, in Minsk. The Additional Secretary was in Minsk for the 5th round of Bilateral Political Consultations with the Belarusian side.
Moreover, the Additional Secretary conveyed an invitation by Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi to the Belarusian Foreign Minister to visit Pakistan.
The two sides expressed satisfaction at the growing bilateral cooperation and agreed to maintain this momentum across all fields of mutual interest.
