Fiaz ch
ISLAMABAD, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Shibli Faraz Tuesday said the political actors had staged a drama for the last few days with the aim to save their corruption done in the past tenures.
In a tweet on social media platform Twitter, he said these people were national criminals as they had looted the national exchequer.
They should know that Imran Khan will not come under any pressure and will hold them accountable for every penny.
Lahore’s Shahdara police on Tuesday registered a case against PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, her husband retired Captain Mohammad Safdar and other party leaders and workers for damaging public order by “causing trouble for citizens, blocking roads, unnecessarily using loudspeakers and microphones and violating coronavirus standard operating procedures (SOPs)” in the run up to the October 16 rally of the Pakistan Democratic Movement in Gujranwala.
The first-information report (FIR), a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, was registered under sections 269, 270, 290 and 291 of the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960, and sections 6 and 16 of the Punjab Sound Systems (Regulation) Act, 2015.
It said that three policemen of the Shahdara police station — Mohammad Imran, Amir Ali and Sajjad Ahmed — were present at the Begum Kot Chowk when they were informed that PML-N leaders had set up a stage on a trawler to welcome participants of the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s first rally in Gujranwala.
Malik Riaz, Samiullah Khan and Capt Safdar were present on that stage and they, along with 800 to 900 workers, were chanting slogans against the government and its institutions, the report added.
The policemen said when they reached the site, a caravan of 80 to 90 cars, led by Saleem Butt and Ali Pervez Malik had also arrived. Meanwhile, the main PML-N caravan also reached Shahdara Chowk via the Niazi Shaheed Chowk.
“There were two big cranes and a truck in front of the caravan, because of which, the traffic on Shahdara Chowk, coming from all directions, was disrupted and a painful situation was created for the public.
“The organisers of the caravan were asked to remove the cranes and truck but they refused to do so. Meanwhile, Capt Safdar, Riaz and other party leaders were illegally using loudspeakers and microphones to rouse party workers by raising incendiary slogans against the government and law enforcement agencies,” the FIR reads.
It added that despite multiple threat advisories issued by security agencies to the PML-N leadership, party vice-president Maryam Nawaz came out of her car and addressed workers.
“Maryam then ignored security SOPs and addressed the workers, exposing herself and putting her life in danger.
“In this way, Maryam, Safdar and other leaders and workers collectively violated the law by sloganeering against the government, causing trouble for citizens, violated SOPs by not maintaining social distancing, blocking roads and [through] unnecessary use of loudspeakers and microphones.”
The FIR further added that Maryam, in her address, asked party workers and leaders to “be ready to send Imran Khan’s government home”, adding that it incited them and they started “extreme sloganeering against the government”.
“Malik Riaz, Samiullah Khan, Pervaiz Rashid, Rana Mohammad Iqbal, Rana Mohammad Hayat, Rana Sikandar Hayat, Rana Mubashir Iqbal, Mohammad Zubair, Mirza Javed, Bilal Yasin, Saiful Malook Khokhar, retired Colonel Mubasir and Capt Safdar along with 2,000 to 2,200 party workers were present in Shahdara Chowk in blatant violation of the government’s coronavirus SOPs.”
According to the FIR, none of the leaders or workers were wearing a mask or maintaining social distancing. Traffic was also badly blocked from New Ravi Bridge to the matchsticks factory on GT Road and from Shahdara Chowk to Begum Kot Chowk [because of the rally], it said.
The registration of the case comes a day after Safdar was arrested and then granted bail for “violating the sanctity of the Quaid’s mausoleum” in Karachi.
Both Maryam and Safdar were in Karachi to attend the second major rally organised under the banner of PDM on Sunday.
Maryam had tweeted early Monday morning that her husband retired Captain Mohammad Safdar had been arrested by the police from their hotel in Karachi.
“Police broke my room door at the hotel I was staying at in Karachi and arrested Capt Safdar,” Maryam said via tweet.
He was later granted bail by a judicial magistrate against surety bonds of Rs100,000 in Karachi.
An FIR was also registered against Maryam, Safdar and 200 others for violating the sanctity of the Quaid’s mausoleum. The complainant, Waqas Ahmed, alleged that the PML-N leaders, along with 200 of their followers, reached the Quaid’s grave where Safdar jumped over the grill surrounding it.
The complainant said that he tried to stop him from doing so but Safdar “got out of control” and started threatening him and his fellows that he would kill them. He added that Safdar later damaged government property before leaving the site with his followers.
“My complaint is that Safdar and his cohort violated the sanctity of the Quaid’s mausoleum and his grave. A case [should be] registered against him for raising political slogans inside the mausoleum complex, death threats against me and for damaging government property.”
According to the FIR, a case has been registered under section 6, 8 and 10 of The Quaid-i-Azam’s Mazar (Protection and Maintenance) Ordinance, 1971.
AGENCIES
BEIJING, China on Tuesday lauded Prime Minister’s Advisor on National Security, Moeed Yusuf for his remarks about the situation in Xinjiang and upholding a fair and objective stance on the relevant issue.
“China commends this position. It proves that seeing is believing. China commends Pakistani side for upholding a fair and objective position on relevant issue,” Chinese Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said during his regular briefing held here.
He said, in fact, the international community knows very well that what the truth is on Xinjiang related issues.
“As many as 48 countries made a joint statement at the third committee of the UN General Assembly expressing just stance on relevant issue.”
He said, these countries showed their understanding and support to China’s position and opposed politicizing and applying double standard on human rights issues and also opposed groundless accusations against ChIna.
“This shows people know what is true and what is false,” he added.
Zhao informed that since 2018, more than a thousand people from more than 90 countries and regions have visited Xinjiang. They have seen themselves that Xinjiang is stable, prosperous and enjoying rapid development.
He said, all spoke highly on counter terrorism and de-radicalization efforts in Xinjiang. They believe these efforts are worth learning.
“We welcome all people upholding objective and fair stance to visit Xinjiang where they can see what is happening in Xinjiang on ground,” he added.
Zhao said that the Chinese side believes that more countries will speak for truth and for justice just like Pakistan has done.
Ntional Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf said in a recent interview that Pakistani delegations visited Xinjiang and saw the real situation there. People of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang enjoy equal rights protected by law and lead happy lives.
One is greatly touched by hospitality and humbleness of Indonesian people that, in my view, plays central role in their success in all spheres. We could see people walking around and saying “hello” and other greeting to us while we were either visiting a shopping place or a tourist destination. Even we came across people in civil dress but actually from the police department. They came to us asking about our nationalities and then revealing their identity that they were from the police and were here to protect tourists and visitors
Ansar Mahmood Bhatti delivered this speech during a function arranged by the Indonesian embassy for FAMTRIP participants, tour and travel industry. Here is the text of the speech.
Ansar Mahmood Bhatti
ISLAMABAD: Charge d Affaires of Indonesian embassy Andi Bastari giving souvenir to Ansar Mahmood Bhatti after speech. DNA
”Well, first of all please forgive me if I make too many fumbles in my speech because frankly making a speech is an art and I do not know this art, at all.
But, since I have been asked to share my experiences and thoughts about these trips so I am here to share with you what I have observed and seen during these trips. I had the honour of visiting Indonesia THREE TIMES. First time I went alone to take part in a conference in Bali and then in 2018 and 2019 I visited this wonderful country as part of FAMTRIP. Courtesy, the Indonesian embassy in Islamabad.
The way the entire trip is executed right from the beginning to the end, is just amazing. I have participated in a number of such FAMTRIPs but the way this trip is organized is indeed praiseworthy. Everything is in order. Schedules are prepared and executed keeping in view the convenience of the participants, which seldom happens in such kind of trips.
We found people of Indonesia extremely warm though I often wonder why people who are otherwise so warm eat extremely cold food. But, then it was quite an experience of having cold food and now we are used to it.
One is greatly touched by hospitality and humbleness of Indonesian people that, in my view, plays central role in their success in all spheres. We could see people walking around and saying “hello” and other greeting to us while we were either visiting a shopping place or a tourist destination. Even we came across people in civil dress but actually from the police department. They came to us asking about our nationalities and then revealing their identity that they were from the police and were here to protect tourists and visitors.
The idea of tourist police is unique and now in vogue in many countries. I first experienced this in Uzbekistan where tourist police has been taking care of tourists since 2017. The main task of this department is to monitor the tourists’ safety, inform guests about potential threats in real time, as well as help in protecting their rights and interests. This I think is yet another feather in the cap of Indonesian tourism ministry when it comes to protecting visitors.
Indonesian people too are keen to come to Pakistan for especially religious tourism purposes. It is now up to our side to reach out to them and invite them. It can be a major source of income for the government also. On way back from Umra or Hajj they can visit Pakistani places. Here the travel agents have a role to play.
EXPO
Since the FAMTRIP coincides with the TRADE EXPO. This is in fact a good idea because in this way participants can have knowledge about what Indonesia has to offer. The influx of potential buyers who attend this expo is a clear manifestation of its success and utility.
SUGGESTIONS
Frankly, I don’t have anything particular to add when it comes to recommendations to further improve the program. The FAMTRIPS trips are always planned and conceived professionally and as per the SOPs devised by the FAMTRIP experts.
What I can add or suggest here is that since the purpose of such trips is to provide more and more information to the visitors about Indonesia therefore it would be ideal if more and more destinations can be covered during the stipulated period. Of course, it may be a bit hectic to move from one place to another in a short span of time but then that is perhaps the true spirit and purpose of such trips.
SELECTION OF ACCOMODATION
Then selection of accommodation is yet another area that can either make a guest happy or otherwise. Participants, especially media people would prefer an accommodation in the city center and fully equipped with communication tools such as Wifi etc. During my first visit in 2018, we had to experience some accommodation and communication issues maybe because that particular trip was outsourced to a third party. But in 2019, it was executed perfectly because this time officials from the tourism ministry were taken on board. I think this experience proved a success and may be continued for future trips.
AIR TRAVEL WITH LESS TRANSIT
Another important aspect that can contribute positively or negatively to a FAMTRIP happens to be the selection of air route. The shortest possible air route with convenient transit time can surely make a guest happy and thus trip starts on a positive note. The same may apply for return journeys as well. By and large, shortest possible routes are selected for Indonesia FAMTRIPS. However, last year due to some connection issues, the trip was organized thru Qatar and from there to Jakarta, which was obviously quite a long route. And participants had just a few hours before their first official meeting the same day. As we have been told that Lion Air, the budget airline of Indonesia, is planning to start its operations from Pakistan. I think it would be easy to get to Indonesia after start of direct flights.
BANGKOK ROUTE
There is another suggestion to make this trip more interesting, at least from the participants’ point of view. The group has a transit in Bangkok on both ways. Maybe on way back, a short stay of one or two nights can be arranged in Bangkok. Indonesian and Pakistani embassies in Bangkok may also be taken on board in order to make the short stay official also. This proposal can be given a try at least once. If it works, it may continue and if it does not, just forget about it.
But as I said the Indonesian FAMTRIPS are organized in professional manner that one can hardly find any shortcomings. I am sure thru such programs the Indonesian authorities have successfully projected a positive image of their country outside of Indonesia. Those who take part in such programs then serve as representatives and ambassadors of Indonesia in their respective countries, and I believe, that is the purpose a country would like to achieve through such an exercise.
Before I close my words, I have to recognize services of Ambassador Iwan S Amri, whose personal interest made these trips memorable. And Ambassador Amri could do all this through his executive arm which in this case happens to be Mr. Denny and his team. Of course, it was great team work that made the project of FAMTRIP a total success.
I wish and pray that this success story continues even in the coming days and I and my organizations are always there to fully support and encourage all such future endeavours”.
The writer is the Editor Daily Islamabad POST, CENTRELINE magazine and DNA News Agency.He can be reached at [email protected]
A.M.Bhatti
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi had a telephone conversation with the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov. The two Foreign Ministers discussed bilateral relations and the ongoing conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia on Nagorno-Karabakh region.
The Foreign Minister expressed deep concern on the deteriorating security situation in Nagorno-Karabakh (NKB) and expressed full solidarity with the brotherly nation of Azerbaijan and its people at this difficult time.
He said that Pakistan believed in restoration of territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan over NKB and Azerbaijan’s occupied territories. He expressed deep concerns over the reprehensible targeting and killing of civilians by the Armenian forces and hoped for a peaceful resolution of the crisis, in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.
Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov appreciated Pakistan’s support to Azerbaijan and briefed on the latest situation.
Foreign Minister Qureshi also recognized Azerbaijan’s valuable support to Pakistan on Jammu and Kashmir dispute at various international fora, including the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir.
He briefed his counterpart on the grave human rights violations and other repressive actions being perpetrated by the Indian occupation forces in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu &Kashmir (IIOJ&K).
The two Foreign Ministers expressed satisfaction at the state of bilateral relations and agreed to further strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including trade and economic, cultural and educational fields. They agreed to remain in close contact. Foreign Minister Qureshi reiterated his invitation to the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan to visit Pakistan.
ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Imran Khan has chaired the session of the federal cabinet for reviewing the political, economic and security situation of the country.
The federal cabinet members will review the government steps for elimination of inflation, whereas, the session’s participants will be apprised about the latest situation of wheat and sugar imports.
PM Imran Khan will take the cabinet member into confidence over the responsibilities assigned to Tiger Force. A briefing will be given to cabinet members over the spread of novel coronavirus and steps being taken by the health authorities to curb it.
It is likely that the cabinet will give approval to the constitution of a temporary management committee for Gun and Country Club. Moreover, the members will approve the decisions taken by the institutional reforms committee on October 7.
The appointment of the chief executive officer (CEO) of Sindh Infrastructure Development Company will be given in the meeting. The cabinet will also approve the decisions of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) taken on October 14.
Karachi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sought visas’ assurance from International Cricket Council (ICC) for its players and officials for the T20 World Cup 2021, scheduled in India.
PCB CEO Wasim Khan told PTI that the board expects a response by January 2021 to avoid any problems leading up to the main tournament.
“This is an ICC matter. We have discussed our concerns,” Khan told PTI. “There is a ‘Host Agreement’ that states very clearly that the host nation (India, in this case) will have to provide visas and accommodation for teams that are due to participate in the T20 World Cup, and Pakistan is one of them,” he said.
“We have sought assurances from the ICC that our players will receive visas and ICC is now taking this up with the BCCI because that directive and confirmation will clearly need to come from their government,” he added.
PCB believes that if there was a problem with getting visas for the world cup, then ICC will have to take up the matter directly with the Indian government.
“We have asked for a deadline till December-January, which we believe is the right thing,” he said. “We expect a response from the ICC on whether our players and officials will receive visas to participate in the tournament.
“If it (visa) isn’t (there), then like any nation would expect, we would also expect ICC to take that up directly with India and the Indian government through the BCCI to resolve this matter.”
It must be noted that India has denied visas of Pakistan athletes participating in global events held in India. In 2019, Pakistan’s shooters could not get visas for a World Cup in Delhi.
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar said on Tuesday that the indiscriminate accountability will continue against corrupt elements under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Usman Buzdar said in a statement that the opposition leadership adopted the agenda of hiding its looted resources and those delivering statements against national institutions are enemies of the country.
He added that anti-state rhetoric exhibited a deteriorated mental state of the so-called leaders. He continued that creating chaos in the country could not be called running politics but to serve the nation with good spirits.
The Punjab chief minister said that the nationals are well-aware about the difference between truth and lie, whereas, the unnatural alliance of eleven opposition parties is worthless in front of PM Imran Khan.
DNA
BEIJING, October 20 : Pakistan’s cotton yarn has attracted the Chinese market in recent years, says a report published by China Economic Net on Tuesday.
This was mainly because of Pakistan’s good quality yarn that can be used as woven yarn or knitting yarn, especially combed yarn can be used to produce high-quality textiles.
Second, Pakistan’s cotton yarn has price competitive advantage in the international market.
Third, China is a textile giant, which needs to import a large quantity of high-quality cotton yarn.
Fourth and most importantly, China and Pakistan have signed the second phase Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which went into effect on December 1, 2019.
After the signing of the second phase FTA, the free trade rate between China and Pakistan has exceed 90%. As far as I know, Pakistan’s cotton yarn exports to China enjoy zero-tariff treatment.
However, this year, due to locust invasion and other serious natural disasters, Pakistan’s cotton production has dropped sharply and its price has risen.
As of September 15, the market volume of Pakistan’s cotton was only 1.4 million bales, with a year-on-year decrease of 820 thousand bales.
According to Chinese scholar Prof. Cheng Xizhong to maintain the status of traditional cotton growing country and textile producing country, and to keep cotton planting at an advanced level, there are two points worthy of great attention:
First, the government should introduce good policies to make farmers have the consciousness and enthusiasm of planting cotton, and in particular, the government’s policies should ensure that the farmers can make good money by planting cotton.
Second, the government should increase investment in scientific research, and strengthen scientific research and technological development for cotton planting.
And only in this way, can Pakistan’s exports of textile products and cotton yarn increase significantly, he added.
Despite the humanitarian truce agreed during the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Moscow with the mediation of the Russian Federation, as well as decision regarding the temporary humanitarian ceasefirefrom 00:00 local time on October 18, the armed forces of Armenia continues to attack the residential areas and civilian infrastructure in Azerbaijan
BAKU (DNA) -Since September 27, 2020 the Armed Forces of Armenia have been indiscriminately targeting the civilian population, private houses and other civilian infrastructure along the line of contact and in the regions located far away from the conflict zone in a gross violation of its obligations under international humanitarian law, including the 1949 Geneva Conventions and its Additional Protocols.
Despite the humanitarian truce agreed during the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Moscow with the mediation of the Russian Federation, as well as decision regarding the temporary humanitarian ceasefirefrom 00:00 local time on October 18, the armed forces of Armenia continues to attack the residential areas and civilian infrastructure in Azerbaijan.
On October 18, from 00:05 am to 04:00 am the Armenian armed forces units stationed in Chambarak and Berd regions of Armenia using large-caliber weapons fired at the positions of the Azerbaijan Army in Gadabay, Goyugol and Tovuz regions.
Ignoring to comply with the new ceasefire regime Armenia fired at the vicinity of the Jabrayil city, as well as the villages of this region liberated from the occupation and located along the Araz River and Aghdam, Aghdere, Fizuli, Hadrut regions using mortars and artillery. There are no losses among the military personnel.
On 18-19 October 2020, residential areas of Aghdam, Aghjabadi (Yukhari Qiyamaddinli, Qarakhanli and Poladli villages), Goranboy, Tartar (Alasgarli village) and Khizi were under constant mortar, rocket and artillery shelling of armed forces of Armenia.As a result of shelling of Tartar by Armenia city’s secondary school No. 1and cotton factory got seriously damaged.
On 18th of October, around 13:00, armed forces of Armenia launched missile to Khizi city of Azerbaijan, which is located 300 km away from the theatre of operations, aiming to hit Baku – Novorossiysk oil pipeline. Fortunately, this time missile was naturalized by the Air Defense Forces of Azerbaijan. ANAMA’s special mobile operation team went to the scene and found the remains of the S-300 missile in the Sitalchay area.
Search operations were conducted in Agdam, Agjabadi, Fizuli, Jabrayil, Tartar, Beylagan, Goranboy regions and Ganja by ANAMA. According to findings Armenia fired cluster munitions in Goranboy, Agjabadi and Yevlakh on October 4th and 5th. Also, a 122 mm artillery shell containing white phosphorus was found and confiscated in Fuzuli region. So far, a total of 11 Elbrus missiles were found.
As it was reported earlier, bodies of two missing children,Khalilli Maryam and Khalilli Orkhan, a minor sister and brother, were foundon 18th of October under the debrisin Ganja after missile attack launched by armed forces of Armenia.
Since Armenia’s new aggression against Azerbaijan on September 27, 2020, 343 civilians became victims of Armenia’s deliberate attacks including 61 civilians killed and 282 were seriously wounded. In total, 1846 private houses, 90 apartment buildings and 341 civilian infrastructures were damaged and became unserviceable as a result of Armenia’s indiscriminate attacks.
