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APNS slams govt intention to curtail media freedom

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LAHORE: The Executive Committee of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society held its meeting on June 21, 2021 at Lahore chaired by Mr. Sarmad Ali, President, APNS. The Committee considered the recent decision of the Federal Government wherein a Coordination Committee has been formed under the PIO to take over the advertising of Punjab and KPK governments under its control. The APNS rejected notification as the stipulated action is not only a gross contravention of 18th amendment and curbing the provincial autonomy but devastating attempt to curtail the quantum of advertisements for print media. The formation of the Committee is aimed at to strangulate the freedom of press and independence of media. It was apprehended that it would be used to silence the dissenting voices in the press through the use of advertisements of federal as well as provincial governments as a lever through the Central Federal Government Committee. The Executive Committee urged upon the Federal Government to withdraw the notification immediately.

The Executive Committee noted that earlier the Ministry of Information issued a Concept Paper for the establishment of Media Authority which was also an attempt to tighten the Federal Government control over the media from one platform despite the fact that the electronic and print media are separate entities with their own defined features. The move was rejected by the APNS and other stakeholders as unconstitutional and a fetter on the freedom of press. The Concept Paper proposed a licensing system which is prior restraint on the freedom of press. The Concept Paper also envisages councils and media tribunals to replace Press Council of Pakistan, Wage Board for employees and the ITNE. The Executive Committee of the APNS unanimously rejected the proposal to establish the Pakistan Media Development Authority.

The Executive Committee expressed its grave concern over the non-payment of dues of member publications against the ads released by the Punjab Government despite assurances by the provincial information department. The members observed that the APNS avoided legal recourse for recovery of dues as a gesture of cooperation but the provincial government failed to reciprocate positively. The Executive Committee therefore, authorized the President and the Secretary General to file a suit for recovery against the Punjab Government if the dues are not cleared by June 30, 2021.

The Executive Committee noted that the Balochistan based newspapers were consistently deprived of their due share in the Federal Government advertising. The members, in a resolution, urged upon the Ministry of Information to increase the quantum of ads for Balochistan based newspapers.

The Executive Committee adopted a special resolution to condole the sad demise of veteran publisher and Editor Mr. Zia Shahid and acknowledged his services for the promotion of the profession. The members also offered Fateha on the demise of the mother of Mr. Najamuddin Sheikh, Chief Editor, Daily Deyanat and Mr. Ghalib Mansoor, Deputy Managing Director, M/s. Adarts Karachi (Pvt.) Ltd.

The Executive Committee adopted the report of the Advertising Committee on the applications of advertising agencies. The Executive Committee granted provisional accreditation to M/s. Sound and Vision (Pvt.) Ltd., Lahore and M/s. Exuberance Advertising (SMC) Pvt. Ltd., Karachi. The application for confirmation of accreditation of M/s. Adage Communications (Pvt.) Ltd., Islamabad was granted subject to provision of additional guarantee.

The Executive Committee also granted associate membership to Daily Tehalka, Gujranwala, Daily Jurat, Muzaffarabad, Daily Islamabad Post, Islamabad, Daily Wahdat, Rawalpindi, Daily Karnama, Vehari and Daily Sahafat, Muzaffarabad.

Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister, Punjab joined the meeting of the Executive Committee and elaborated the media policies of the Government of the Punjab. She stated that the DGPR is very much active to expedite the payment of dues of print media and has already paid Rs.18 crores to advertising agencies whereas a substantial amount will be paid by June 30, 2021. The remaining amount is also be realized from clients departments.

The following attended the meeting:

Sarmad Ali, President, Jamil Athar, Sr. Vice President, Shahab Zuberi, Vice President, Nazafreen Saigol Lakhani, Secretary General,  Mohsin Bilal, Joint Secretary, Muhammad Awais Khushnood, Finance Secretary, Syed Sajjad Bokhari (Daily Abtak), Mumtaz A. Tahir (Daily Aftab), Waseem Ahmed (Daily Awam, Quetta), Hamayun Tariq (D/Business Report), Naveed Chaudhry (Daily City 42), Muhammad Waqaruddin (Daily Dunya), Syed Akbar Tahir (D/Jasarat), Faisal Shahjehan (Daily Jiddat, Karachi), Javed Mehr Shamsi (Daily Kaleem), Imtinan Shahid (Daily Khabrain), Syed Ayaz Badshah (Daily Mashriq, Peshawar), Syed Mumtaz Ahmed Shah (Daily Mashriq, Quetta), Ms. Zahida Abbasi (Daily Nau Sijj), Dr. Farooq Rasheed (Monthly Naya Rukh), S.M. Munir Jilani (Daily Paigham), Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami (D/Pakistan, Lahore), Faisal Zahid Malik (D/Pakistan Observer), Humayun Gulzar (Daily Sayadat) and  Syed Haroon Shah (Daily Wahdat),

The following attended the meeting on Zoom:

Ansar Mahmood Bhatti (Monthly Centre Line), Fauzia Shaheen (Monthly Dastak), Kazi Asad Abid (Fortnightly Ibrat), Aslam Leghari (Daily Kawish), Dr. Waqar Yousuf Azeemi (M/Roohani Digest),

Khushnood Ali Khan (Daily Sahafat) and Malaika Ayaz (Daily Mashriq, Peshawar) attended as special observers.

Russia in favor of cooperation with Europe: Putin

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MOSCOW – Russia is in favor of restoring a comprehensive partnership with Europe, Russian president announced on Tuesday.

In an article written for the German weekly newspaper Die Zeit on the occasion of Nazi German invasion of Russia, Vladimir Putin said Russia and Europe have “many topics of mutual interest”.

“These include security and strategic stability, healthcare and education, digitalization, energy, culture, science and technology, resolution of climate and environmental issues,” he wrote.

Putin recalled that after the end of the Cold War, Russia has sought to develop its relations with the Europeans and that “both Russia and the EU have done a lot on this path.”

However, NATO‘s expansion eastward despite verbal promises not to do it became the reason for the beginning of mutual distrust in Europe.

“Many countries were put before the artificial choice of being either with the collective West or with Russia. In fact, it was an ultimatum,” Putin wrote.

Putin set “the Ukrainian tragedy of 2014,” “actively supported” by Europe as an example of the consequences that this aggressive policy has led to.

“This unconstitutional armed coup in Ukraine was where it all started. Why was it necessary to do this? Then incumbent president Yanukovych had already accepted all the demands of the opposition. Why did the USA organize the coup and the European countries weak-heartedly support it, provoking a split within Ukraine and the withdrawal of Crimea?” Putin asked.

Currently the whole system of European security has significantly degraded, tensions are rising and the risks of a new arms race are becoming real, he added.

“We are missing out on the tremendous opportunities that cooperation offers-all the more important now that we are all facing common challenges, such as the pandemic and its dire social and economic consequences,” he said.

Putin stressed that Russia is one of the largest countries in Europe with “inseparable cultural and historical connection to Europe”.

“We are open to honest and constructive interaction. This is confirmed by our idea of creating a common space of cooperation and security from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean which would comprise various integration formats, including the European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union,” he said.

Malaysian NGOs urge Muslim members of ASEAN to stand firm against Israel

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KUALA LUMPUR – A group of Malaysian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) has urged Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam to remain consistent with their stance on Palestinian issues.

The call was made by the Consultative Council of Islamic Organizations of Malaysia (MAPIM), the World Mosque for Defending Al-Aqsa (MANAR), the Secretariat of the Association of Asian Regional Scholars (SHURA) and the Palestinian Secretariat of Malaysia in a joint statement released Monday.

“We insist that the governments of the three Islamic countries in the region must not compromise in any way with the Israeli Zionist regime,” they said.

“Israel‘s statement that it wants to forge ties with Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei is a sign that the illegal state is drawing up a special focus agenda for the three Islamic countries in the region.”

They stressed that the position of no formal or informal affiliation of the three countries with Israel should be maintained.

“There are no negotiations that can be done with Israel. Israel needs to be disbanded, Palestinian land needs to be liberated. This is the only solution,” they added.

The statement did not rule out the possibility that embassies in other member countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) such as Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar and the Philippines may be used by Israel to conduct espionage operations in the region.

But people will always be vigilant to warn governments against such compromising.

“Israel‘s efforts to forge ties with governments of Islamic countries will always be monitored. We strongly reject any attempt to normalize with the Zionist regime,” it said.

In a recent interview with the Jerusalem Post, the Ambassador of Israel to Singapore, Sagi Karni, revealed that Israel is ready to establish relations with three Muslim countries in Southeast Asia, although these countries condemned Israel’s offensive strikes on the Gaza Strip last month which killed more than 250 Palestinians.

“We are willing to talk. We are willing to meet, and the door is open as far as we are concerned. I don’t think it’s so hard to find us,” said Karni.

ISRAELI LOBBY TO INDONESIA

In 1993, former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin visited the Jakarta residence of Soeharto, the second president of Indonesia, who like many Indonesians used only one name.

In his statement, Rabin told reporters that he sought support from Soeharto, then chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement, in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

In addition, in 2017, seven Muslim delegations from Indonesia met with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin at his official residence, Beit HaNassi, in Jerusalem.

Their visit was initiated by the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council.

In 2018, Yahya Cholil Staquf from Nahdlatul Ulama, Indonesia’s largest Islamic organization, also met with then-Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the Palestinian-Israeli peace process.

Yahya, who was also a member of Indonesian President Joko Widodo‘s Advisory Council, visited Israel for four days from June 10-14.

He emphasized that his visit to Israel was not for meeting with Netanyahu but to attend a global forum organized by the American Jewish Committee as a keynote speaker.

President Widodo also clarified that Yahya’s trip was not part of the Indonesian government‘s diplomacy.

Govt appoints Aslam Khan as new PIA chairman

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ISLAMABAD, JUN 22  (DNA) – The federal government on Tuesday appointed Aslam R. Khan as the new chairman of Pakistan International Airline (PIA).

The decision for the appointment of new chairman was taken at the cabinet meeting held at Prime Minister House. The meeting was presided over by Prime Minister Khan. Last year, Aslam Khan had been appointed as Chairman of the PIACL Board.

With over three decades of multi-faceted airline experience, Aslam Khan had also been served as the Managing Director of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Investments Limited for 14 years.

Moreover, the federal cabinet gave a go-ahead to the import of one million tonnes of wheat to meet rising demand of the commodity in the country. Briefing the media on the decisions taken by the cabinet in today’s meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan in the chair, Information and Broadcasting Minister Fawad Chaudhry said that the approval to import more wheat was given due to the ballooning population.

Besides, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said the cabinet approved the draft Public Property Encroachment Bill 2021 and the appointment of the executive director of the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission. He said the government will bring in a new law to remove encroachments from its pricey properties. = DNA

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General Robert Kariuki of Kenya lauds professionalism of Pakistan Armed Forces

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DNA

RAWALPINDI, JUN 22: General Robert Kariuki Kibochi, Chief of Defence Forces, Kenya, who is on official visit to Pakistan, called on General Nadeem Raza, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, at Joint Staff Headquarters, Rawalpindi.

Matters of bilateral professional interest and further strengthening of security and defence cooperation between the two countries were discussed during the meeting. Both sides also deliberated upon prevailing international and regional security environment.

General Robert Kariuki Kibochi lauded the professionalism of Pakistan Armed Forces and acknowledged their sacrifices in fight against terrorism.

Earlier, on arrival at Joint Staff Headquarters, a smartly turned out tri-services contingent presented ‘Guard of Honour’ to the visiting dignitary.

RCCI VITF Chapter Asia-Pacific, Asia Ociana

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DNA

Rawalpindi, JUN 22 – The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) has organized the Virtual International Trade Forum (chapter Asia-Pacific and Oceania ). Addressing the opening session of the Forum, Chamber President Mohammad Nasir Mirza said that the purpose of the trade forum was to explore trade and export business community in Asia-Pacific countries. Pakistan is the second largest economy in South Asia after India. With a growing middle class, and an affinity for the Asia Pacific and Oceania region, products and brands, there are good opportunities to increase our exports of goods and services in this competitive region.

He said that the Chamber was trying to strengthen these contacts through virtual platforms where contacts with other countries have been affected due to the COVID-19.

Vice President Shahrazi A Malik said that exploring new markets are of great importance with respect to Pakistan Economic Development and with the help of trade and commercial counselors in these countries we can tap new markets.

Zeeshan Khanzada, Chairman, Senate Standing Committee on Commerce also joined the session and lauded RCCI efforts for organizing the trade forum and added that the Government is focusing on exploring new markets.

Fahad Raza, Deputy Secretary, from Ministry of Commerce,  Muhammad Ashraf, Consul General, Trade & Investment in Sydney, Australia, Ms. Fouzia Chaudhry, Trade and Investment Minister in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tahir Habib Cheema, Trade and Investment Counselor in Tokyo Japan, Muhammad Farukh Sharif, Trade and Investment Counsellor in Bangkok Thailand,  Shafqat Ali Khan Niazi, Trade & Investment Counsellor in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Ali Qayyum Raja, Trade and Investment Attaché in Hanoi, Vietnam,  Imran Razzak, Trade and Investment Counsellor in South Korea attended the forum as guest speakers and shared their views regarding, bilateral trade, investment, challenges and opportunities in Asia Pacific and Oceania Region.

Chairman VITF, Khurshid Berlas in his address informed that this the eighth edition of trade forum series aiming to provide a platform for improved networking and enhancing trade activities.

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FM QURESHI CHALLENGES INDIA TO HOLD AN OPINION POLL OF ASPIRATIONS OF KASHMIRIS

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DNA

ISLAMABAD, JUN 22 – Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has challenged India to hold an Opinion Poll of aspirations of Kashmiris around the world about its illegal and unilateral steps taken in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir on 5 August 2019.

In a statement on Tuesday, he said if Kashmiris around the world reject these unilateral measures in this referendum, India will have to reconsider its decisions.

The Minister said all Kashmiris, including those who had been sharing power with Indian government in the past, are united against these illegal steps.

He said India’s announcement to convene a conference on Thursday indicates that “all is not well”.

Referring to the current situation of Afghanistan, the Foreign Minister said Afghan internal stakeholders are not on one page for peace efforts, which is alarming. He said Pakistan wants peace and stability in Afghanistan. He said Pakistan is part of Afghan solution and ready to play a role in this regard. He said Islamabad is playing all possible roles to move forward the peace process to a successful stage.

CH. FAWAD SAYS GOVT IS DETERMINED TO GIVE VOTING RIGHTS TO OVERSEAS PAKISTANIS

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DNA

ISLAMABAD, JUN 22 – Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain has said the government is determined to give voting rights to overseas Pakistanis and to take steps to hold next general elections through Electronic Voting Machines.

He was briefing the media in Islamabad this afternoon about the decisions taken at the Federal Cabinet meeting held in Islamabad today (Tuesday).

The Minister said EVM is the best way to ensure transparency in the election process and the machines Pakistan wants to adopt will have both paper and electronic trail of the ballot. He said the Election Commission of Pakistan should take practical steps in this regard.

Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said overseas Pakistanis are a great asset for Pakistan as they contribute a lot to the national economy. He said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Government is determined to introduce I-voting for the overseas Pakistanis so that they can participate in electing the national leadership of the country. He said it seems strange that both the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Pakistan People’s Party are afraid of giving voting rights to the overseas Pakistanis as these parties know that Prime Minister Imran Khan is the most popular leader amongst the expatriate Pakistanis.

Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said the cabinet also approved the Public Property Encroachment Bill to recover state lands from illegal occupants across Pakistan.

He said it was also approved to have dual nationality with Luxemburg and now Pakistani citizens can adopt the nationality of Luxemburg as well.

To a question, the Minister said around 400,000 people are being vaccinated on a daily basis while we aim to vaccinate 70 million people till the end of this year. He said after achieving the desired target of vaccination drive, Covid situation will be much better in the country. He said our vaccination drive is being appreciated at various forums in the world.

Regarding issues faced by vaccinated Pakistanis going abroad, he said discussions are underway between various countries and the World Health Organization to accord approval of different vaccines.

Responding to another question, Fawad Hussain urged the opposition parties to utilize Parliament for making their suggestions for electoral reforms instead of constituting other political forums. He said in this regard we welcome the suggestions of all stakeholders.

He said Aslam Khan has been appointed as new Chairman of Pakistan International Airlines.

PAKISTAN, TAJIKISTAN REITERATE RESOLVE TO FURTHER DEEPEN, DIVERSIFY BILATERAL TIES

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DNA

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan and Tajikistan have reiterated their resolve to further deepen and diversify bilateral ties for mutual benefit.

An understanding to this effect came during the meeting of Pakistan’s National Security Adviser Dr. Moeed Yusuf with Secretary of Security Council of Tajikistan Nasrullo Mahmudzoda in Dushanbe this morning.

He highlighted that Pakistani seaports including Gwadar offered the most economic and efficient route to Tajikistan for its connectivity with the outer world through sea.

In the meeting, Tajik Secretary of Security Council, Mahmudzoda said that bilateral ties between Pakistan and Tajikistan are flourishing day by day and the recent visit of Tajik President to Pakistan has added yet another impetus to these ties.

Both the sides resolved to maintain the regular contacts for further boosting the bilateral ties.

The decision of federation election should be announced: Khalid Chaudhry

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According to the count, Khalid Tawab won but the AGM announced the opposite result.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, JUN 22 – Secretary Traders Action Committee Islamabad and former Senior Vice President ICCI Khalid Chaudhry has said that the elections of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry FPCCI were held on December 30, 2021 in which Khalid Tawab won according to the count but next In the morning general body meeting, the votes were won by casting two votes of Loralai Chamber.

In this way, the mandate of the traders was stolen. In the same meeting, the votes were counted equal to the Federal Area and the decision had to be taken by toss.

In the chaos, the toss could not take place. And Nasir Qureshi from the Federal Area was declared elected Vice President. Similarly, the complaint of the President’s election was also heard. The lawyers of both the parties were about to give their arguments and the verdict was about to be announced. Thus, the decision was suspended but the Sindh High Court has removed the stay.

Traders across Pakistan are deeply concerned about this. He appealed to Commerce Adviser Abdul Razzaq Dawood to remove the frustration in the business community and issue orders to deliver a reserved verdict.

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