Islamabad : Prime Minister Imran Khan has urged the international community to holistically counter Islamophobia.
In a tweet on Tuesday, he expressed his grief and sorrow over the killing of a Muslim Pakistani-origin Canadian family in London, Ontario.
Imran Khan said this condemnable act of terrorism reveals the growing Islamophobia in Western countries.
ISLAMABAD : The number of COVID-19 cases is on the decline with every passing day as the positivity rate in Pakistan has dropped to its lowest 2.94 per cent during the past 24 hours.
According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) data, 53 more people lost their lives and 1,383 new infections surfaced when 46,882 samples were tested during this period.
The number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 climbed to 935,013 after 1,383 people tested positive for the virus. 3,196 patients are in critical care in various hospitals across the country.
2,516 more people recuperated from the disease in the last 24 hours, taking the number of recovered patients to 867,447.
Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, Punjab has reported a total of 342,805 cases, Sindh 324,535, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 134,781, Islamabad 81,806, Balochistan 25,893, Azad Jammu and Kashmir 19,538, and Gilgit Baltistan 5,655.
Ottawa – June 8, 2021 : The Pakistan High Commission has received the tragic news of the deaths of four persons of a Canadian family of Pakistani origin in London, Ontario.
Initial reports indicate that the deceased persons were the target of a terrorist attack rooted in Islamophobia.
The Pakistan High Commission has requested both the provincial and the federal governments for facts of the case and called for stern action against the perpetrator(s).
Upon instruction of the High Commissioner of Pakistan, Consul General Toronto is visiting London Ontario today to offer condolences and all possible support on behalf of the Government of Pakistan.
The Pakistan High Commission offers its deepest condolences to the family of the victims. May Almighty Allah grant eternal peace to the departed souls and enable all their loved ones to bear this irreparable loss. Aameen.
The minister said the government had proposed forty-nine amendments in the Electoral Reforms Bill
Shujaat Hamza
ISLAMABAD, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain has said that the next general election will take place in Pakistan in 2023 under a new mechanism to ensure transparency in elections.
He was talking to the media along with Minister for Science and Technology Shibli Faraz, Adviser on Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Babar Awan and Adviser on Interior and Accountability Shahzad Akbar after having a meeting with the officials of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in Islamabad on Monday.
The Minister for Information said the government is discussing the features of this new mechanism with the ECP and also presenting the same at the Parliament. He said on Monday, they discussed with the ECP officials the proposed legislation for electoral reforms, electronic voting machines, biometric system.
Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said the government had proposed forty-nine amendments in the Electoral Reforms Bill tabled in the National Assembly in October last year, and they shared its details with the ECP.
He said it was decided on Monday that the Ministry of Science and Technology will present a demonstration on the EVM to the ECP, and then the Election Commission can appoint a consultant to get his opinion on the matter.
The Minister said the PTI government has promised to provide right to franchise to overseas Pakistanis, who have an important role in the national development. He said a report has been presented to the ECP in this regard.
Minister for Science and Technology Shibli Faraz said it is the vision of Prime Minister to ensure transparency in the elections to strengthen the democracy. He said only the genuinely elected representatives should come to the parliament.
The Minister said his ministry is working day and night on the election voting machines. Responding to a question, Shibli Faraz said Election Commission of Pakistan is an independent institution and the government fully respects it.
Adviser on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan said the government has sufficient majority in both the houses of the parliament to get the electoral reforms bill passed. He, however, said we want to take along the opposition parties and will welcome their suggestions on the matter.
Saifullah
ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said Monday Federal Minister for Railways should not be punished for former railways minister Saad Rafique’s mistakes after the two express trains collided in Sindh’s Ghotki — leaving at least 41 passengers dead and over 100 injured.
“I cannot immediately comment on the cause of the crash … rescue operations are underway at the site and a preliminary investigation has been launched,” Fawad said while speaking during a television program.
The minister said what can the minister do? The minister can only explain the flaws and the solution for them.
Fawad said the problems the incumbent government faces are due to the policies of the previous governments.
“They remained in power for such an extended period. what did they do to rectify the issues?” The information minister said once the ML-1 project completes, it will cause a reduction in accidents.
Nehal Miraj
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan held a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom, on Monday. The two leaders exchanged views on the current trajectory of bilateral relations, the Afghan peace process, the Covid-19 Pandemic and climate change.
The Prime Minister thanked Prime Minister Boris Johnson for his thoughtful video message for the World Environment Day event held in Islamabad on 5 June 2021.
Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed the hope that Pakistan and the UK would be able to forge an even stronger partnership going forward, particularly in the domains of trade and investments. The two leaders agreed on the importance of high level exchanges between the two countries.
The Prime Minister lauded efforts of Prime Minister Boris Johnson in effectively combating Covid-19 pandemic in the UK. He also briefed his British counterpart on measures taken by Pakistan to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic while saving lives, securing livelihoods, and stimulating the economy. The Prime Minister impressed upon the UK to revisit the decision of placing Pakistan on Red List of travel ban countries.
On Afghanistan, Prime Minister Imran Khan reiterated Pakistan’s support for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process. The Prime Minister reiterated his longstanding stance that there was no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan and that a negotiated political solution was the only way forward. Underscoring the importance of a responsible withdrawal, the Prime Minister apprised his British counterpart of Pakistan’s on-going efforts to support the Afghan peace process, as part of a shared responsibility.
Prime Minister Imran Khan apprised Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the progress made by Pakistan to strengthen its AML/CFT framework. He urged that the members of the FATF should recognize Pakistan’s achievements in complying with FATF benchmarks.
The two sides agreed to continue to work together to further strengthen relations and advance the common objective of regional and global peace and stability.
ISLAMABAD – India’s High Commission has sent condolences to the victims of the Ghotki train accident, which left 50 people and dozens other injured.
Taking to its official Twitter account, the Commission wrote: “We are saddened at the tragic train accident that took place in Ghotki, Sindh today morning. We offer condolences to families of the deceased and wish a speedy recovery to the injured.”
According to Railways officials, Sir Syed Express collided with the Millat Express between Raiti and Obaro Railway stations and fourteen bogies derailed.
Four bogies of Millat Express completely destroyed in the accident.
Relief and rescue efforts are in progress by Pakistan Army at the train incident site near Ghotki.
According ISPR, Pakistan Rangers troops, Army Urban Search and Rescue team, carrying cutter, hydraulic spreaders, life locators and search cameras specially flown from Rawalpindi, are busy in relief and rescue efforts.
Between 2013 and 2019, 150 people died in such train disasters.
Zubair Ahmad
ISLAMABAD, President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday expressed deep shock over the train accident near Daharki in Ghotki district that killed at least 30 people.
In their separate messages, both extended sympathies with the victims of the train crash. President Alvi expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and prayed for the departed souls to rest in peace.
The Prime Minister in a tweet on Monday said he was “shocked by the horrific train accident at Ghotki early this morning leaving 30 passengers dead”.
He asked the Railway Minister to reach the site and ensure medical assistance to injured and also support for families of the dead. He also ordered a comprehensive investigation into the railway safety faultlines.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi also expressed his grief over the loss of lives in the accident. He said every possible help was being provided to the injured.
In a tweet, Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Haider Zaidi expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the Ghotki train accident and said, “A full investigation must be conducted.”
The minister said Pakistan Railways must think out of the box and raise its bar both for service and safety. He also thanked Pakistan Army and Sindh Rangers for the rescue and relief operation at the site.
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Monday expressed his deep grief and sorrow over the horrific train accident in Ghotki, that killed about 30 passengers and wounded several. “Extremely saddened by the train accident in Ghotki, the tragedy is heart-wrenching,” minister said while speaking to a Private news channel.
“My deepest condolences with the families of those who lost their loved ones and I pray that the injured recover quickly. Have asked officials to provide immediate assistance that is required”.
In a tweet on social media platform, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib on Monday expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of lives in the train accident in Sindh’s Ghotki that killed around 30 people.
He said the injured were being shifted to nearby hospitals by the rescue teams. “Apart from Ghotki Hospital, the injured have been shifted to nearby Sadiqabad’s hospital and Rahim Yar Khan’s Sheikh Zayed Hospital for medical treatment,” he said.
In a statement, Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday expressed heartfelt grief over the loss of precious lives in Ghotki train accident and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives and stand by the bereaved families in this hour of immense grief,.”
Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that all possible assistance including the best medical facilities were being extended to the injured passengers. He expressed heartfelt condolences to the relatives of the deceased and prayed for early recovery of those injured in the train accident.
He prayed, may Almighty Allah grant forgiveness and a place in Jannah to the departed souls and give courage to the bereaved families to bear this irreparable loss.
Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani has expressed deep grief and sorrow over the Ghotki Train accident. “Precious lives are lost due to the accident which is very unfortunate”, he said.
DNA
ISLAMABAD: International Webinar on Armenia’s Deadly Harvest in Karabakh: Mines, War Crimes and the Peace Process, jointly organized by the Washington Outsider and Scarab Rising, inc, was held. Ms. Irina Tsukerman, President of Scarab Rising, inc. & Editor-in-Chief of the Washington Outsider was the moderator.
Mr. Khalid Taimur Akram, Executive Director, Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabadwas the guest speaker in the webinar. He stated that the Second Karabakh War was the turning point. It has changed the whole landscape of the Caucasus region. Azerbaijan liberated its towns and nearly 300 settlements from the Armenian occupation. While stating about Armenia atrocities in the liberated Karabakh region, Mr. Khalid told the audience about his visit to the liberated cities of Azerbaijan. He discussedthe war’s repercussions on the liberated region by brutal actions of the Armenian forces.The Armenian forces had been destroying cities and districts of Azerbaijan since their occupation.
Mr. Khalid Taimur stated that since the early 1990s, the occupied region has been littered with mines and unexploded ammunition. It has been referred to as a carpet of land mines. Mr. Khalid discussed that this is yet anotherdreadful manifestation of Armenian ruthless and irresponsible demeanor of not providing maps of located mined areas. Mr. Khalid Taimur stated that Armenia has attempted to violate the ceasefire, hampering peace process and add fragility to the region’s stability.Therefore, constructive role of the neighboring and ally countries of Azerbaijan is highly significant to engage in meaningful efforts for the humanitarian cause.
While concluding, Mr. Khalid Taimur praised the visionary leader, His Excellency, President Ilham Aliyev, who, with a firm resolve guided his country into an exceptional path of prosperity. He stated that there is hope and high moral among Azerbaijan’s people that they will rebuild and return to their homes as the war is finally over. Mr. Khalid also highlighted pivotal role of Pakistan as a great ally of Azerbaijan for its support during the conflict.
Other Speakers of the webinar were:
· Mr. Qaiser Nawab, Founder Pakistan-Azerbaijan Alumni Association
· Dr. Pat Walsh, Historian and Political Analyst
· Ms. Anastasia Lavrina, Deputy Chair of Russian Community of Azerbaijan
· Dr. Ali Askerov, Associate Professor, Director of Graduate Studies, Ph.D. in Peace & Conflict Studies, University of Manitoba
