On International Women’s Day, a Kashmiri human rights defender asked international community to notice Kashmiri women who “have been carrying the heaviest burden” in the ongoing three-decades-long conflict.

In a letter addressed to the UN Security Council, the International Court of Justice, UN Commission on Human Rights and the EU, Ahsan Untoo, chairman of the International Forum for Justice Human Rights JK, exemplified the plight of Kashmiri women through the stories of four women whose sons or husbands have either been killed or jailed.

Untoo said Rafiqa Begum, wife of jailed pro-freedom leader Ayaz Akbar, has been suffering from stage four cancer. At her home in Maloora, in the outskirts of Srinagar, Rafiqa told Untoo:

“I can die any time. I want to see my husband before that. We have seen a lot of hardships. My daughter got divorced. My sons are struggling for livelihood. My husband was jailed on fake charges by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) for his political beliefs. I often see (Indian prime minister Narendra) Modi posting pictures of his meeting with his mother. Can’t my husband see what is happening to his family?”

While Rafiqa pines for a meeting with her husband, Rafia Begum, a resident of the restive Pulwama district, has asked the Indian government to return the body of her son, Athar Wani, who the Indian forces claim was a militant killed in a gunfight last December in Srinagar along with two other youngsters from southern Kashmir. The families of the deceased have said the three were killed in a staged gunfight, and they had no links with militants.

“The pain of losing a son is unbearable. I do not want to live anymore. They also snatched his body. Let them return his body at least. He was innocent,” Untoo has quoted Rafia in his letter to the world bodies.

Maroofa Mehraj Kalwal, a mother of four children, has told Untoo that she slipped into depression after the arrest of her husband Mehraj-ud-din Kalwal, a pro-freedom leader, in July 2017. Kalwal has been jailed at Tihar Jail in the Indian capital on trumped-up charges, Maroofa told Untoo.

“My four daughters (aged 7-21) are depressed. They want to see their father. Our relatives have been helping us in these tough times, but this can’t go on forever. When he was free, we always feared he would be arrested. Now, when he is in jail, we fear for his life,” Maroofa told Untoo.

Akhtara Begum was in a state of shock for long after the arrest of her husband, Bashir Ahmad Bhat, a pro-freedom leader, in July 2017. Bhat is also lodged at Tihar Jail. Before his arrest, Bhat alias Peer Saifullah had been operated upon for a brain tumor.

Incarceration in jails outside of Jammu and Kashmir has made it difficult—and costly—for the families to meet their imprisoned kin.

Akhtara’s teenaged son Faisal told Untoo that his mother barely steps out of the home and talks less.

“She is in a shock. She used to do things when her father was around. Now she is lost. Our family has been ruined. This is a political vendetta against my father. The NIA is yet to produce the charge sheet because they have nothing concrete against him. We demand justice. The world should intervene,” Faisal said.

Untoo told Anadolu Agency that the world has largely been callous towards the suffering of Kashmiri women.

“Kashmiri women have been raped, killed and jailed. They also carry the burden of their men who have been killed, maimed, jailed or subjected to enforced custodial disappearance. Their suffering is not accidental but a result of a policy of suppressing the voices of freedom,” Untoo said.

Kashmir is held by India and Pakistan in parts and claimed both in full. China also holds a small sliver of Kashmir.

Since they were partitioned in 1947, the two countries have fought three wars — in 1948, 1965, and 1971 — two of them over Kashmir.

Some Kashmiri groups in Jammu and Kashmir have been fighting against Indian rule for independence or unification with neighboring Pakistan.

According to several human rights organizations, thousands of people have reportedly been killed in the conflict in the region since 1989.

‘Islam is protector of women rights’, Ulemas-Mashaikh announce to support PM Imran khan to make Pakistan on the pattern of state of Medina

ISLAMABAD, MAR 8 – Religious scholars and leadership of different religious schools of thought said that Islam is protector of women’s rights and advocated stern action against all those elements responsible for underage marriages and depriving girls from their rights of  education.

Addressing at ‘Pakistan Stability Ulemas- Mashayakh Convention’ which held here on Monday in aegis of Pakistan Ulema Council, the clerics said that Islam and teachings of Quran-o-Sunnah commands for girls education and there is no space for undrrage marriages in Islamic Shariah.Islam does not allow forceful conversions, said clerics.The clerics and religious scholars also pledged to support and endorse Prime Minister Imran khan to make Pakistan a state on the pattern of Medina Munawara.Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, Chairman Pakistan Ulema Council, Special Aide to Prime Minister on Religious Harmony and Middle East chaired the Pakistan Stability Ulemas-Mashaykh Convention.

The religious scholars speaking with the convention said that registration process of seminaries will be completed ahead of new academic year for seminaries. They said that establishment of new examination boards for seminaries will strengthen the Madaris. The clerics also demanded of Chief Election Commissioner to stop the use of money in elections.Addressing the Pakistan Stability Ulema-Mashaikh Convention, the clerics said that Islam and teachings of Quran-o-Sunnah have stressed on education for girls and underage marriages are not permissible in Islam.

Among keynote religious scholars present at Ulemas-Mashaikh convention include Maulana Tahir Aqeel Awan, Maulana Muhammad Aslam Siddiqui, Qari Aqeel-ur-Rehman Zubair, Maulana Tanveer Chauhan, Qari Mohabbat Ali Qasmi, Maulana Abdul Rauf Dogar, Rao Muhammad Tufail, Qari Mubashir Rahimi, Maulana Nigah Mustafa Chishti, Maulana Abdullah Saeed Hashmi Maulana Muhammad Saleem, Maulana Abbas Elahi Zaheer, Father Pervez Shali, Pir Abdul Waheed Dogar, Qari Ahmad Ali Nadeem, Qari Waqar Usmani and others also addressed the convention.The clerics said that anti-Pakistan forces wanted to create chaos in Pakistan. Ulemas-Mashaikh with unity will foil all such conspiracies and would thwart all such bids for stability of the country.

Among the purposes of the arrival of the Holy Prophet, one was to give honor and dignity to women,said clerics adding that Islam is protector of the rights of women.The clerics said that the strict punishments should be imposed on all those who obstruct the education of girls and hold underage marriages of girls.Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, Chairman Pakistan Ulema Council and Special Representative to the Prime Minister for Interfaith Harmony and Middle East speaking with the convention said that the dream of making Pakistan a state on the pattern of Media  belongs to Allama Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam, which will be fulfilled. He called upon the opposition to work together for the eradication of usury, corruption, ignorance, extremism and terrorism. He said that if Syedna Umar bin Khattab (R.A) could be questioned then why today’s politicians and scholars could not be questioned by any other person.He said that registration process of  Madaris will be completed ahead of new academic year of seminaries. He said that 3000 seminaries have so far registered with Ministry of Education adding that any change in curriculum of Madaris is not being made.He said that the rights of minorities would be protected in all circumstances and no one would be allowed to make discrimination in the country. He said that anyone should not be allowed in the country to insult the creed, faith and sanctity of others by following their own creed and belief.Following the convention, while talking to media, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi said that Imran Khan has the confidence of the people, and Prime Minister Imran Khan has become more stronger with the vote of confidence.He said that leadership of all the  religious schools of thought will be approached to address their issues without any discrimination.

LONDON – Passengers travelling internationally from Monday will need to carry a new form that sets out their trip is permitted under the stay-at-home restrictions, the government has announced.

The form must be downloaded, signed before travel and carried, or is downloaded onto a mobile phone.

Carriers will be checking the forms have been completed before boarding, either at check-in (online or at the check-in desk) or the departure gate.

Passengers who do not have a valid form may be denied access to their booked service.

Carriers will also be legally obliged to set out on their website that the form must be completed before travelling.

Police have been stepping up their presence at ports and airports in recent weeks to enforce ever evolving travel restrictions.

Officers will now be conducting spot checks and have the power to ask travellers to produce a completed form.

It will be an offence to fail to produce a completed form and individuals could face a £200 fine.

Stay-at-home rules are still in place, which means it is illegal to travel abroad without a permitted reason, such as for education or work, officials said.

The police will undertake spot checks at UK ports across the country to ensure passengers are complying with domestic lockdown rules.

Passengers who are identified by police as attempting to travel internationally for reasons that are not currently permitted will be asked to return home and risk receiving a fixed penalty notice for breaking stay-at-home rules.

These fines start at £200 and ladder up to a maximum of £6,400.

The Home Office announced an additional £60 million for police in February – including £2 million to cover the costs of extra activity by police at airports and ports – which brought the total amount of funding available to forces since the start of the pandemic to nearly £200 million.

Stay-at-home rules are still in place, which means it is illegal to travel abroad without a permitted reason, such as for education or work, officials said.

The police will undertake spot checks at UK ports across the country to ensure passengers are complying with domestic lockdown rules.

Passengers who are identified by police as attempting to travel internationally for reasons that are not currently permitted will be asked to return home and risk receiving a fixed penalty notice for breaking stay-at-home rules.

These fines start at £200 and ladder up to a maximum of £6,400.

The Home Office announced an additional £60 million for police in February – including £2 million to cover the costs of extra activity by police at airports and ports – which brought the total amount of funding available to forces since the start of the pandemic to nearly £200 million.

DNA

Islamabad, MAR 8 – Pakistan Microfinance Investment Company Limited (PMIC), the country’s foremost organization serving as a vital pillar to support the National Financial Inclusion Strategy, prides itself in creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that encourages greater ingenuity, innovation, and correlation to the communities that we serve. On this auspicious day, we are honored to celebrate the International Women’s Day along with the organization’s independent women who are challenging conventional roles in society.

PMIC aims to create an enabling environment for the multiplicity of communities where it operates, while leading and advocating for a brighter future. In order to achieve an equal future in a COVID-19 world, PMIC encourages and celebrates women tremendous efforts to create an equal future for all. Hoping for a future free of COVID-19, and full of equal opportunities.

PMIC for long has been a proud supporter of women’s empowerment, with its 82% active borrowers out of the total loan portfolio, being women around Pakistan. Women’s empowerment has been on top of PMIC’s priority list since the beginning, as it elevates them financially, economically and socially. According to PMIC’s research, women also spend a higher portion of their earnings on their families, resulting in increased prosperity and healthier communities across the country. In order to fully realize the true potential of women’s empowerment, it’s important that girls today are provided the tools necessary for them to become the leaders of tomorrow.

Today, PMIC celebrated the International Women’s Day 2021 and honored several incredible women both internally at work and externally amongst communities that are striving single handedly to improve their own, and the lives of those around them. PMIC aims to continue enabling women who have contributed to the socio-economic development of their communities, and played a large role in bringing about stability, peace, and prosperity despite incredible adversity.

“PMIC has always been a proud supporter of gender equality, whether it’s in the workplace or not. The female segment of any society is capable of so much more than they are given the opportunity to and we focus on being advocates to aid gender equality at the sector as well as individual level in the country,” CEO, PMIC, Mr. Yasir Ashfaq commented while highlighting what his organization stands for. “This international day stands for more than just a tribute to women around the world, It celebrates their accomplishments throughout the world’s history and showcases for young boys and girls, what the ideal society should be like. Women’s economic empowerment in the changing world must include bridging the gender gaps in leadership, entrepreneurship and access to social protection and ensuring gender-policies.PMIC being an equal opportunity employer always strives to provide a relaxed, comfortable and safe working environment for all employees particularly women”.

Through PMIC’s network of more than 23 Microfinance Providers in more than 65 districts of Pakistan, more than 82% of the borrowers are women. PMIC also focuses development of women centric financial products and initiatives leading to financial inclusion, financial literacy, empowerment and sustainable livelihoods for women contributing towards achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 and the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS).

ISLAMABAD, MAR 8 (DNA) – Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry said that the sports was an important source of generating economic activity as the global industry was valued at over USD 500 billion, therefore, he urged that the Sports Committee of ICCI should focus on promoting various sports activities for achieving beneficial results for the economy. He said that the progress of many industries was linked with sports, therefore, promotion of sports would boost their growth. He said this while presiding over a meeting of ICCI Sports Committee.

Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan said that ICCI Sports Committee should accelerate efforts for promoting all sports including cricket, hockey, tennis, badminton, kabaddi judo and others. He said that the Sports Committee should develop strong liaison with Pakistan Sports Board and other Sports Associations to explore opportunities for boosting sports activities in the region.

He said that ICCI has recently organized a very successful international cycling gala as part of promoting healthy sports activity and the Sports Committee should plan multiple sports events in coming days. He assured that ICCI would extend its full cooperation to the Committee in such pursuits.

Zareef Khan, Convener of ICCI Sports Committee briefed the ICCI President about the plan of his Committee for sports activities that would be organized in the coming days. He said that the Sports Committee would organize a cricket match in near future while many other sports events would also be organized in coming months.=DNA

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DNA

RAWALPINDI, MAR 8 – Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation and General Austin Scott Miller, Commander Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan called on General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) at GHQ today.

Matters of mutual interest, regional security and the ongoing Afghanistan Reconciliation Process were discussed during the meeting. The visiting dignitary greatly appreciated Pakistan’s role in the ongoing peace process .

ISLAMABAD, MAR 8 (DNA) – In connection with International Women’s Day celebrations, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) in collaboration with Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) Ministry of Climate Change, Embassy of Nepal in Pakistan, National Commission on Status of Women, Rural Support Programmes Network, Hashoo Foundation, Technology Times, International Islamic University, Roots Millennium Oxbridge Campus, local communities from Gilgit Baltistan and other local partners organized a seminar, which was attended by number of women social activists, educationists, entrepreneurs, researchers and workers from all walks of life. Women’s local handicraft exhibition was also the part of this seminar.

The objectives of the seminar was to highlight the issues women facing in leadership and their contributions towards nation building through education, health, commerce, science & technology, conservation, and development.

Chairman PARC, Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan views “we all are gathered here to appreciate, acknowledge and highlight the performance and commitment of women as health care workers, caregivers, innovators, community organizers and national leaders while combating the COVID-19 pandemic.  NARC is also taking part in varied women-focused initiatives including kitchen-gardening and agricultural inputs to provide economic substance to the women. he further added, households technology has also resulted in women inclusion and new concepts of business development in the country. Women inclusion can upscale country’s economic opportunities in post COVID era”.

Mr. Tapas Adhikari, Ambassador, Embassy of Nepal was the guest of honor at the occasion, “he admired the women work displayed at the stalls and said, Pakistan’s efforts in engaging women in economic activities particularly the government’s flagship programme of Ehsaas Aamdan Programme is a breakthrough to this part. The interest-free-loans to women has not only built the confidence of women but enhanced the output of the programme”.

Mr. Muhammad Ismail, Country Representative, ICIMOD “appreciated the women empowerment initiatives of development partners and believed that, the social and development sector organizations can ensure women inclusion, gender mainstreaming and imparting new skills to women in rural and far-flung areas of the country. He further said that, women can achieve many milestones if provided equal opportunities and confidence”.

At the occasion Ms. Humaira from Aga Khan Development Network, Dr. Fauzia, IIUI, Ms. Nomeena Anis from FAO and Ms. Ayesha from Hashoo Foundation were also among the guests, while talking about the role of women in leadership in and out of house they told our girls are actively engaged in behavioral change and acceptance of new trends in their societies. Everyone has a leaders inside we should encourage them and encourage young women leadership and in this regard, their respective organizations are engaging community women in participating development work and learning new skills to earn livelihood for their families.”=DNA

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