DNA

Islamabad, OCT 3 – Sardar Masood Khan, President Azad Jammu and Kashmir, in a meeting with Siraj-ul-Haque, Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami, discussed in detail the human rights violations and rapid demographic changes taking place in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

The President said that despite the condemnation of India’s moves on 5 August last year, India continues unabated with its plans to colonise and strengthen its illegal occupation of IOJK. He added that not only this, the India government is economically starving the Kashmiris by awarding existing businesses contracts of the Kashmiris to non-State Hindus from all over India; and under dubious historical records and mappings is planning to build thousands of temples all over IOJK. “What took decades under the Balfour declaration is being replicated and implemented in a matter of two-three years in IOJK under the New Domicile Rules. The unique identity of Kashmir is being totally be wiped out and we will have no Kashmir to defend”, he said.

The AJK President on behalf of the Kashmiri thanked the Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan and AJK chapters, and other international organisations working under its umbrella like Tahreek-e-Kashmir for engaging masses, organising massive rallies and creating awareness on Kashmir.  He said that political mobilisation is a key factor in raising the profile of the Kashmir dispute, in helping stop the illegal settlement of non-State Hindus and the massacre of Kashmiris in IOJK. “Through political and diplomatic efforts, we must transform the Kashmir issue into an international movement, which the global community cannot overlook”, he maintained.

Siraj-ul-Haque reaffirmed the support of the Pakistani people towards the realisation of the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people. He said that liberating Kashmiris from Indian occupation is our topmost priority and we will continue to advocate and strive for this just cause. He said that in the face of Indian repression and subjugation, the people of IOJK have not shown any signs of giving up and we will not give up on their Kashmiri brothers and sisters.

Both the leaders expressed their commitment to intensify awareness-raising on the Kashmir issue and continue to mobilise support for the cause both nationally and internationally.

DNA

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan participated at the highest level in the opening segment of the UN General Assembly’s annual session from 21 September to 1 October 2020.This year’s session was of enhanced significance due to the United Nations75^th anniversary celebrations.

Prime Minister Imran Khan reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to multilateralism; exposed egregious violations of human rights and international law in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK); called for realization of the Kashimirs’ right to self-determination; and articulated Pakistan’s perspective on a host of contemporary global and regional challenges.

The limitations imposed by COVID-19 necessitated the conduct of meetings in a virtual format. The world leaders participated through video statements in the various events.

Prime Minister Imran Khan addressed High-Level Segment of the General Assembly on 25 September 2020. The Prime Minister also participated as one of the key speakers in four other high-level events organised on the side-lines,pertaining to Poverty Alleviation; Illicit Financial Flows;Financing for Development; and Bio-diversity Summit.

Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi took part in numerous activities including the high-level Plenary meeting of the General Assembly to commemorate the 75^th anniversary of the UN and the 25^th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, as well as the Ministerial meetings of SAARC; “Uniting for Consensus” group; and the UN Alliance of Civilisations.

Prime Minister Imran Khan highlighted the three inter-linked dimensions of the developments in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), namely the gross and systematic violations of human rights being perpetrated by Indian occupation forces; the unilateral and illegal changes being implemented by India, inter-alia,to alter the demographic structure of the occupied territory; and the threat to peace and security posed by India’s ceasefire violations and bellicose rhetoric. The Prime Minister demanded the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

The Prime Minister also shared Pakistan’s perspective on a wide array of issues confronting the international community such as the COVID-19 pandemic; debt relief measures for developing countries; financing for development; climate change; Islamophobia; the rise of extremist BJP-RSS ‘Hindutva’ ideology; the Afghanistan peace process; Palestine; and a comprehensive reform of the United Nations.

In order to address the most pressing challenges currently faced by the international community,the Prime Minister offered concrete proposals including the following:

• Rich countries should support the creation of at least US$500 billion in new Special Drawing Rights and reallocation of unutilized SDRs to developing countries to allow fiscal space to deal with socio-economic challenges posed by COVID-19.
• The General Assembly should take the lead in efforts to build a global framework to stem the illicit financial flows and ensure speedy repatriation of stolen wealth.
• Commitments made through the Paris Agreement (on climate change) must be fulfilled, in particular the commitment to mobilize US$ 100 billion annually as climate finance.
• Wilful provocations and incitement to hate and violence must be universally outlawed.
• The General Assembly should declare an “International Day to Combat Islamophobia” and build a coalition to end the scourge.
• UN Secretary-General should convene Summit-level meetings to address regional hot spots and resolve outstanding disputes.

In his various engagements at the UNGA, the Foreign Minister echoed the concerns and proposals shared by the Prime Minister, especially with respect to IIOJK and the growth of Islamophobia worldwide including in Pakistan’s neighbourhood. Reaffirming Pakistan’s abiding commitment to multilateralism, the Foreign Minister underscored that Pakistan would continue to play a leading role in advancing the mutually reinforcing goals of peace and security, development, and human rights. He called for strengthening and democratizing the structures and performance of the United Nations.

Pakistan’s active and prominent participation, at the highest level, in the opening segment of this year’s General Assembly session and related meetings is a manifestation of its support and commitment to the United Nations and the purposes and principles enshrined in the UN Charter which are the foundations of the world order.

As noted by the Prime Minister in his address to the General Assembly, “the United Nations should be made fully responsive to the challenges of our times.” Pakistan will continue to participate actively in that endeavour, in cooperation with other Member States, to build a world where conflict is outlawed and equitable prosperity for all is pursued in conditions of peace and security.

Jalalabad, OCT 3 – At least 15 people were killed and more than 30 others wounded in a car bomb attack that targeted a government building in eastern Afghanistan on Saturday, officials said.

The explosion occurred at an administrative building that also housed some military facilities in the Ghani Khel district of Nangarhar province, the governor’s spokesman Attaullah Khogyani told.

“The car bomb detonated at the entrance of the district headquarters building. Several armed attackers tried to enter the building after the attack but were killed by security forces,” he said.

Provincial police spokesman Farid Khan confirmed the details.

He said most of the victims were Afghan security force members but several civilians were also among the dead.

No one had so far claimed responsibility for the attack but Khan blamed the Taliban.

ISLAMABAD, Oct 03 (DNA) :Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Shibli Faraz Saturday asked Nawaz Sharif to tell how he made assets and how he sent money abroad.

In a tweet on social media platform Twitter, he said Nawaz Sharif was changing his ideology like changing weather.

When Nawaz was out of power he became a revolutionary and when he was in power he became a dictator, he added.

He said Nawaz should not take revenge from Pakistan because he was deprived of power.

DNA

LAHORE,Oct 3 – Governor Punjab Muhammad Sarwar Ch Saturday greeted Veteran trade leader and chairman Founder Group Iftikhar Ali Malik for landslide victory in annual election of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Talking to Iftikhar Malik by telephone, Governor said  here today that PIAF Founder alliance candidates had a clean sweep on all seats which reflects its popularity in the business community.He said that Lahore after Karachi is second hub of economic activities and traders always played key role in national development and progress of the country.

He said that Lahore  chamber is the largest and the oldest in the country established in 1923 which produced eminent figures in Pakistan.He said that PTI government especially Prime Minister Imran always attached great importance to business community and had already issued directives to all federal and provincial departments to address the genuine grievances of the business community on top priority.

Muhammad Sarwar Ch said that “ he is all the time available to them and always not only extend cooperation but also take up their legitimate issues to concerned quarters for their redressal” he added.

Iftikhar Malik thanked Governor for his support and acknowledgment of democratically conducted fair free and transparent elections in chamber. He said it is indeed important to increase our exports and for that purpose we need to reduce our cost of doing business so that our products can remain competitive in the world markets.

He further said trade facilitation is the key to promote industries and we need to remove all the obstacles and create the culture of trade facilitation. “Our Country has tremendous potential as we have enormous talent. What we need is the consistency in the government policies and a clear roadmap to move forward,” he added.

Iftikhar Malik said Lahore Chamber always acts as a bridge between the government and the business community. It has always tried to ensure a business-friendly environment through sharing views with the government and by taking all the stakeholders onboard on all the economy related issues.

DNA

BEIJING, Oct 3 – China and Pakistan have agreed to step up the latest eye’s technology in Pakistan and make efforts to boost the health corridor.  According to Gwadar Pro, under the joint promotion of the Liaoning Provincial Development and Reform Commission and the Pakistan Embassy in China, a signing ceremony of the cooperation was held here.

The launch of the comprehensive project of eye health for children and adolescents in Pakistan by the He’s Eye Group and Pakistan’s DEA Group has added a new chapter for the deepening of China-Pakistan eye health cooperation.

Wang Zhuoming, deputy director of the Liaoning Provincial Development and Reform Commission, said that the “Liaoning Silk Road Health Cooperation” is a precise practice of Liaoning’s participation in promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

The Provincial Development and Reform Commission targeted Liaoning’s development in medical technology, medical equipment, medical products, and training of medical personnel.

“The Liaoning Health Silk Road Action Adolescents Eye Health Comprehensive Project in Pakistan have launched this time and It is an important public health cooperation project serving Pakistan’s society and people’s livelihood” he mentioned.

Ahmed Farooq, Deputy Chief of Mission at Pakistan’s Embassy in Beijing, said that the project plans to conduct eye health screening through smart medical methods and establish electronic eye health files for students, which will benefit 2 million children and adolescents.

The project will also train a local “eyes team” in Pakistan, and improve the eye health management level of Pakistani children and adolescents through basic equipment upgrades, medical technology introduction, and ophthalmology personnel training programs.

He further said that Eye Health Project for Children and Adolescents in Pakistan will boost our cooperation with China in the field of eye health, and help the Liaoning Health Silk Road Action to move forward to a high level of open cooperation. He further said Pakistan fully supports the Belt and Road initiatives.

Participants emphasize that BRI is a road of cooperation that unites and meets challenges, a healthy corridor to safeguard people’s health and safety.

The joint progress of cooperation and public health undertakings will benefit more people’s livelihoods in countries along the route.

ISLAMABAD, Oct 3 (DNA) : The 5th death anniversary of former senior justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and eminent philosopher Justice Javed Iqbal was on Saturday.
Born in Sialkot on 5 October 1924, Justice Javed Iqbal was internationally known for his acclaimed publications on philosophy of law and modern Islamic philosophy in international and national journals. He has published papers on Islamic political thought, political ideology in Pakistan and the philosophy of his father, Muhammad Iqbal, which were published in national and international journals. He also authored various books on Pakistan’s nationalism movement and political ideology. During the years 1960–62 and in 1977, he was the delegate of Pakistan to the United Nations General Assembly.
He began as an advocate in Lahore High Court and later became a judge in 1971 and then Chief Justice of the court. He was also elected as member in the Senate of Pakistan.
Javed Iqbal received BA (Honors) degree in 1944 from the Government College, Lahore; MA degree in English, and MA degree in Philosophy (Gold Medallist) in 1948; Doctor of Philosophy degree in Philosophy in 1954 from the University of Cambridge, UK; and Barrister-at-Law, Lincoln’s Inn, London, in 1956. He has received honorary doctorates degrees from Villanova University, United States, and Seljuk University in Jordan.

He was conferred on Hilal-i-Imtiaz in 2004.

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Imran Khan, during a review meeting on the Ravi River Front Urban Development Project (RRFUDP), was informed on Friday that besides investors and leading figures in the construction sector, celebrities have also expressed great interest in the scheme.

The meeting was attended by Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, Chairman New Pakistan Housing and Development Authority Lt Gen (retd) Anwar Ali Haider, Punjab chief secretary, FBR chairman, chairman Ruda (Ravi Urban Development Authority) and leading investors from the construction sector.

In this regard, the premier said that the RRFUDP was aimed at rehabilitating Lahore city, meeting the needs of a growing population, alleviating water scarcity and accelerating economic process across the province, including Lahore.

The implementation of the project within the stipulated timeline was a priority of the government, he said, noting that this very project was the key in this connection in opening new avenues of prosperity.

The prime minister added that the implementation of the project would not only meet the needs of Lahore city but would also create immense opportunities for jobs and economic activities.

Usman Buzdar informed PM Imran that keeping in view his vision and government priorities, the progress of the project was being monitored at the highest level and set targets for implementation and that timely completion would be ensured.

The meeting discussed in detail the progress made so far on the Ravi River Front Urban Development Project and the various stages regarding the implementation of the project and the timelines set by them.