DNA

Islamabad, January 15, 2020: Engaging in a group interaction with students from various organizations, Parliamentary Leader of the PPP in the Senate, Senator Sherry Rehman said, “ we are always very happy to meet with student leaders and youth associations who want to engage in constructive politics and build on democratic institutions . She said Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has always been keen to support student bodies, youth leaders and the PPP is committed to creating a culture of critical thought, progressive politics and openness for the huge youth cohort of Pakistan as they are the future of our country”.

The meeting was also attended by Central Information Secretary PPP Faisal Karim Kundi, Parliamentary Leader of the PPP Punjab, Hasan Murtaza and Malaika Raza from PPP.

Students from Balochistan, GB, Punjab, AJK and Pashtun Hazaras demanded that student unions must be reinstated in all universities. They discussed the need for nationwide politicization of students and asked for campus demilitarization. They shared their concerns regarding hostels, administrative issues, lack of scholarships and budget slashes. The students demanded that sexual harassment committees in universities should be established and implementation of the law must be made effective.

The meeting was attended by representatives from Progressive Students Federation (PSF), Revolutionary Students Front (RSF), National Students Federation (NSF GB), All Baltistan Movement (ABM), Baloch Students Organisation (BSO), Jammu Kashmir National Students Federation (JKNSF), Qauid e Azam university (QAU) and Baloch Students Action Committee (BSAC). The students appreciated PPPs support for students and the progress on the Student Union Bill in Sindh.

Parliamentary Leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in Senate and the party’s Vice-President, Senator Sherry Rehman thanked the students for sharing their concerns said that “We appreciate you all using your voices and we want to amplify your legitimacy and power as stakeholders in rebuilding Pakistan in the crisis it is facing today. We have to keep fighting for what we mutually believe in”.

By Nazir Siyal

KARACHI: A heavy taxpayer Industrial Mehran Highway completely damaged and destroyed both sides due to road condition and incidents of loaded vehicles and blockage is routine.

Since decade, the road heavily damaged at different locations and witnessed traffic block with heavy dust smoke in air, as well incidents of ditches occupied with drainage water. The Highway was build to improve connectivity to Landhi and Korangi, Port Qasim and Bhains colony via Shahrah-e-Faisal, Model Colony, Malir, Link road to the M-9 and Thatta dual carriage.

Most tax payer industrial zone Karachi roads infrastructure completed destroyed and ugly look of both side encroachment Bhains Colony along with Bin Qasim leading to Karangi and Landhi industrial areas.

Sindh government had announced to maintain and repair few patches of the Mehran highway but since decade could not be completed since its construction.

Hundreds of loaded vehicles divert from Qaidabad, Landhi, Korangi, Malir, Bin Qasim and other connecting national highway road facing pressure, which result the incidents of human lives lost.The people of locations are suffering from physical and psychological issues due to undeveloped Mehran highway and other Link road connecting to M-9 motorway.It is vital to mention here that the traffic police SSP lady directed his staff to take action and remove at Qaidabad and Razakabad sections, the pressure horns in the heavy vehicles particularly in the Trallers and Trucks on the roads banned immediately.

UNITED NATIONS, JAN 15 (DNA) – Senior UN officials have called on the US to reverse a decision to designate Yemen’s Houthis as a terrorist organization, saying the move will cause a large-scale famine in the Arab country already suffering the worst humanitarian crisis in the world.

The call from UN’s Humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock, head of the World Food Programme (WFP) David Beasley and UN’s Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths were made Thursday at the virtual U.N. Security Council meeting on Yemen.

Lowcock, a British economist, called for the reversal of the terrorist designation, which is expected to go into effect Tuesday, saying he is already seeing food suppliers that help contribute up to 90 percent of Yemen’s imports flee from doing business with the country over fear of US sanctions.

“Some suppliers, banks, insurers and shippers are ringing up their Yemeni partners and saying they now plan to walk away from Yemen altogether,” Lowcock said. “They say the risks are too high. They fear being accidentally or otherwise caught up in US regulatory action which would put them out of business or into jail.”

Lowcock warned that moving forward with the terrorist designation is likely to cause a mass-famine on a scale not seen in 40 years.

Beasley, a former governor of US state of South Carolina, echoed Lowcock’s statement saying that the implementation of the terrorist designation will be “catastrophic” and called for its reversal.

“We are struggling now without the designation. With the designation, it’s going to be catastrophic. It literally is going to be a death sentence to hundreds of thousands, if not millions of innocent people in Yemen,” he said.

Griffiths, a British diplomat, also called for revoking the terrorist designation and said that on top of the immediate humanitarian emergency, the designation is harmful to hard-fought and “cumbersome” diplomatic discussions to end the civil war.

“I am extremely concerned about the impact of the decision from the United States to designate Ansar Allah (Houthis) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. We fear that there will be inevitably a chilling effect on my efforts to bring the parties together,” he said. “I strongly associate myself with his view that the decision would contribute to famine in Yemen and thus should be revoked based on humanitarian grounds at the earliest opportunity.”

Yemen’s six-year civil war between Houthi rebels in the north and the government in the south has caused a humanitarian crisis the United Nations describes as “the worst in the world.”

Three-quarters of Yemen’s population requires humanitarian aid and protection, while food insecurity, malnourishment and starvation contribute to countless preventable deaths and suffering

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced late Sunday night that the Trump administration would designate the Houthis a terrorist organization, despite pushback from bipartisan lawmakers, regional experts and outside aid organizations warning of the devastating impact on delivering humanitarian assistance.

Pompeo said the State Department is planning on setting up channels for delivery of certain humanitarian goods and imports, but critics argue that those plans are nonexistent and ineffective.

Experts say that President-elect Joe Biden will be able to reverse the decision after it takes effect, but warned that the disastrous consequences of the implementation will already have taken place.

“First, what is the likely humanitarian impact? The answer is a large-scale famine on a scale that we have not seen for nearly forty years,” Lowcock said in his remarks Thursday.

“Second, would licenses and exemptions for aid agencies prevent that? The answer is no. Third, well, what would prevent it? A reversal of the decision,” he said. =DNA

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DNA

Islamabad, Jan 15 – Member AJ&K Legislative Assembly Abdul Rashid Turabi called on Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser in Islamabad on Friday.  Jamaat-e-Islami leader Asif Luqman Qazi was also present in the meeting.Speaker Asad Qaiser while talking to the Kashmiri leader said that Pakistan stands by the Kashmiri people and will continue to provide diplomatic and moral support to the Kashmiri people at the international level till a lasting solution to the Kashmir issue as per the aspirations of the Kashmiri people is realised. He said that the move by the Indian government on August 5, 2019 has exposed India’s so-called democratic face. He said that the Kashmir issue stands at the map of the world as an incomplete agenda of partition of India since last seven decades.

He is said that peace in South Asia cannot be achieved till resolution of the Kashmir issue.The Speaker said that the brutality and barbarism that India has inflicted on occupied Kashmir is unprecedented. He said that silence of international human rights organisations on state sponsored commission of grave human rights violations in Occupied Kashmir was incomprehensible. He further said that India has tried to deprive the Kashmiri people of their basic rights by changing the demography of the illegally Occupied Kashmir. He said that the UN Security Council should take Immediate notice of deprivation of basic human rights. The Speaker further said that the present government has fully highlighted the issue of Kashmir at the parliamentary and diplomatic level. 

He said that Parliamentary Kashmir Committee, Standing Committees on Foreign Affairs and Human Rights have been asked to further highlight issue of human right abuses in occupied valley. He said that the time is not far when the Kashmiri people will be blessed with freedom.Member Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly Abdul Rashid Turabi said that steps taken by the Speaker National Assembly for raising the Kashmir issue at the parliamentary level are praiseworthy. He said that Kashmiri people welcome Pakistan’s deep commitment to freedom of Kashmir through moral and diplomatic support. He said that the oppressed people of occupied Kashmir have sacrificed thousands of their lives in the freedom movement for their right to self-determination. He said that the blood of Kashmiri people will never be in vain. 

Abdul Rashid Turabi said that the Indian government was following Modi’s fascist, brutal and barbaric ideology.  He said that human rights violations in Occupied Kashmir should be a matter of concern to the international human rights organisations and should take immediate notice of human rights violations in Occupied Kashmir.  He further said that the United Nations should play its role in liberating the Kashmiri people from Indian occupation through resolutions of its Security Council.

DNA

RAWALPINDI – General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) visited Corps Headquarters Peshawar today. COAS was given detailed update on security situation, border management including fencing, capacity enhancement of FC and police in newly merged districts as a result of transition to stability.

Appreciating officers and men of Peshawar Corps, COAS lauded efforts of Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) including FC and police for bringing stability in the Tribal Districts. Hailing sacrifices of local populace for peace and their earnest support to Armed Forces in war against terrorism, COAS said that ongoing consolidation efforts shall take the hard earned gains towards enduring peace and stability.

While highlighting the dividends of border control measures, COAS said that Pakistan will continue supporting the ongoing intra Afghan dialogue as peace in Afghanistan means peace in Pakistan.

Earlier, on arrival at Peshawar, COAS was received by Corps Commander Lieutenant General Nauman Mahmood.

ISLAMABAD, JAN 15 (DNA) – Administration of Capital Development Authority (CDA) has decided to reopen officers training academy. In the first phase there will be mandatory courses for senior assistants to promote them on 77 vacant seats of admin officers. Training courses of the officers were being delayed due to the closure of the academy.

However, the current administration of CDA has taken the decision to restore the training academy. Classes will begin at training academy from January 20.  Officers will be offered the mandatory courses of 8 weeks.

Those officers who would complete courses from academy will be promoted on the said seats. There are 77 seats of admin officers are vacant currently which will be filled by the officers who would complete the course in academy.

In the second phase, senior officers will have to do a mandatory course of 5 weeks. There would be 40 officers in each class of the course offered by the academy. The officers of CDA lauded the decision of CDA administration regarding the restoration of academy.=DNA

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Decision on junior classes on 20^th; KPK model may also be practiced: NCOC

Shujaat Hamza

ISLAMABAD: During special session of NCOC on Friday, review of opening of education sector was carried out. Federal and Provincial Health and Education ministers attended the session. After deliberate discussion, the following was decided: Class 9th to 12th and equivalent will be opened from 18th January, across the board (except Winter Zone).

Rest of the classes including pre- primary, primary, middle and higher education will be opened from 1st Feb 21. However, a review will be carried out on 20th January regarding following:

Whether the sector be opened across the board or Differentiated Approach be adopted from 1st Feb onwards (districts / cities with high positivity to remain close and rest of the country to be opened)

 In case of closure of schools, can 1 x day a week opening as practiced by KP be adopted?

Based on the review on 20th January on above mentioned aspects, the decision for opening from 1st February will be finalized.

ISLAMABAD, JAN 15 (DNA) – Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Qazi Jamil ur Rehman has assigned task to all police officials to make Capital `crime free’ city and ensure safety to the lives of people through high vigilance.

Chairing a meeting at Central Police Office (CPO) here on Friday, he directed for effective policing measures in the city and complete investigation of all pending cases and constitute special teams for raids in other provinces to ensure arrest of criminals at large . The meeting was attended among others by DIG (Operations) Waqar Uddin Syed, SSP (Operations), SP (Investigation) Zonal SPs, SDPOs, DSP (CIA) and other police officials.

The IGP was briefed about the security, law and order and overall steps to curb crime in the city. DIG (Operations) said that those criminals involved in heinous crimes have been atrested and efforts are underway to ensure strict action against street criminals and anti-social elements.

lamabad police chief Qazi Jamil ur Rehman directed to launch effective crackdown against criminal elements.

He asked to accelerate efforts against those involved in street crime, bootlegging, bike and car lifting incidents. The IGP directed SPs to visit the crime scene themselves and conduct investigation of high-profile criminal cases under their own supervision by remaining in contact with complainants or victims.

He said that all SPs should curb crime in their respective areas and brief their subordinates while assigning tasks to them.

The IGP directed for cordoning certain areas from time to time and conduct snap checking in various locations. The IGP ordered to enhance patrolling in urban as well as rural areas of the city and conduct intelligence based search operations to ensure success. He urged all to accomplish responsibilities with dedication and professional manner. Those involved in indecent and irresponsible attitude would not be tolerated, the IGP said adding that those showing good performance would be encouraged.=DNA

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ISLAMABAD, JAN 15 (DNA) – Justice ® Javed Iqbal, Chairman NAB has said that Transparency International (TI) Pakistan and the World Economic Forum have appreciated NAB’s performance in eradication of corruption and corrupt practices which is a pride for Pakistan.

Chairman NAB’s anti-corruption drive has resulted in an excellent impact much needed since its inception. He said that NAB is the focal organization of Pakistan under United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) as Pakistan is signatory of UNCAC. Pakistan is the only country in the world to that China has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for eradication of corruption. Pakistan and China are now jointly working for ensuring transparency in China Pakistan Economic Coordination CPEC projects.

The World Economic Forum Report, Transparency International, Pakistan, PILDAT and Mishal Pakistan has lauded NAB’s efforts to aware people about the ill effects of corruption for corruption free Pakistan.  According to a survey of Gillani and Gallop Pakistan 59 people of Pakistan showed confidence in NAB. NAB is the chairman of SAARC Anti Corruption Forum. This was a reorganization of NAB’s excellent work as NAB is considered as a role model among SAARC countries.

NAB’s faith is Corruption free Pakistan; NAB has chalked out a national anti corruption strategy and recovered Rs. 714 billion directly and indirectly since its inception with an overall conviction ratio of 68.8 percent. The performance of seven regional bureaus of NAB under the dynamic leadership of Honorable Mr. Justice Javed Iqbal, Chairman NAB has started yielding excellent results as NAB during three years from January 2018 to Dec 31, 2020 directly and indirectly has recovered around Rs. 487 billion which is a record achievement. The details are as under:

NAB Rawalpindi has received 8057 complaints in 2018, 8727 in 2019 and 4287 in 2020 and all complaints were disposed of after due scrutiny and presently no complaint is under process. NAB Rawalpindi authorized 215 complaint verifications in 2018, 237 in 2019 and 255 in 2020.  NAB Rawalpindi authorized 162 inquiries in 2018, 172 in 2019 and 179 in 2020. NAB Rawalpindi authorized 71 investigations in 2018, 83 in 2019 and 64 in 2020.

NAB Rawalpindi has filed 213 in 2018, 233 in 2019 and 246 in 2020 in respected Accountability Courts as per law. NAB Rawalpindi has recovered Rs. 287.293983 million in 2018, Rs. 93473.16148 million in 2019 and Rs. 196222.736054 million in 2020 from the year 2018 to Dec 31, 2020 directly and indirectly.

NAB Lahore has received 10211 complaints in 2018, 14008 in 2019 and 5023 in 2020 which were disposed of after due scrutiny and presently 757 complaints are under process as per law. NAB Lahore authorized 326 complaint verifications in 2018, 243 in 2019 and 148 in 2020.  NAB Lahore authorized 213 inquiries in 2018, 103 in 2019 and 56 in 2020. NAB Lahore authorized 37 investigations in 2018, 36 in 2019 and 26 in 2020. NAB Lahore has filed 74 references in 2018, 55 in 2019 and 38 in 2020 in respected Accountability Courts as per law. NAB Lahore recovered Rs. 9631 million in 2018, Rs. 33554 million in 2019 and Rs. 29025 million in 2020 from the year 2018 to Dec 31, 2020 directly and indirectly.

NAB Karachi has received 10561 complaints in 2018, 11381 in 2019 and 6483 in 2020 and all were disposed of after due scrutiny and presently no complaint is under process. NAB Karachi authorized 590 complaint verifications in 2018, 561 in 2019 and 382 in 2020. NAB Karachi authorized 387 inquiries in 2018, 422 in 2019 and 335 in 2020.

NAB Karachi authorized 189 investigations in 2018, 197 in 2019 and 135 in 2020. NAB Karachi has filed 46 references in 2018, 28 in 2019 and 30 in 2020 in respected Accountability Courts as per law. NAB Karachi recovered Rs. 8874.432 million in 2018, Rs. 3329.231 million in 2019 and Rs. 80975.781 million in 2020 from the year 2018 to Dec 31, 2020 directly and indirectly.

NAB KP has received 5756 complaints in 2018, 4397 in 2019 and 2474 in 2020 which were disposed of after due scrutiny and presently 307 complaints are under process as per law. NAB KP authorized 483 complaint verifications in 2018, 245 in 2019 and 121 in 2020.  NAB KP authorized 235 inquiries in 2018, 95 in 2019 and 52 in 2020.

NAB KP authorized 48 investigations in 2018, 18 in 2019 and 20 in 2020. NAB KP has filed 29 references in 2018, 20 in 2019 and 09 in 2020 in respected Accountability Courts as per law. NAB KP recovered Rs. 356. 780 million in 2018, Rs. 244.754 million in 2019 and Rs. 131.780 million in 2020 from the year 2018 to Dec 31, 2020 directly and indirectly.

NAB Balochistan has received 1191 complaints in 2018, 836 in 2019 and 473 in 2020 and all were disposed of after due scrutiny and presently no complaint is under process. NAB Balochistan authorized 112 complaint verifications in 2018, 169 in 2019 and 70 in 2020.  NAB Balochistan authorized 77 inquiries in 2018, 81 in 2019 and 53 in 2020. NAB Balochistan authorized 26 investigations in 2018, 25 in 2019 and 17 in 2020.

NAB Balochistan has filed 13 references in 2018, 17 references in 2019 and 24 references in 2020 in respected Accountability Courts as per law. NAB Balochistan recovered Rs. 1054.022 million in 2018, Rs. 71.658 million in 2019 and Rs. 48.728 million in 2020 from the year 2018 to Dec 31, 2020 directly and indirectly.

NAB Sukkur has received 20575 complaints in 2018, 26161 in 2019 and 29208 in 2020 and all were disposed of after due scrutiny and presently no complaint is under process. NAB Sukkur authorized 520 complaint verifications in 2018, 628 in 2019 and 701 in 2020. NAB Sukkur authorized 280 inquiries in 2018, 357 in 2019 and 401 in 2020. NAB Sukkur authorized 75 investigations in 2018, 119 in 2019 and 142 in 2020.

NAB Sukkur has filed 89 references in 2018, 108 in 2019 and 136 in 2020 in respected Accountability Courts as per law. NAB Sukkur recovered Rs. 748.672 million in 2018, Rs. 8.5 billion in 2019 and Rs. 16.882 billion in 2020 from the year 2018 to December 31, 2020 directly and indirectly.

NAB Multan has received 4695 complaints in 2018, 5555 in 2019 and 3063 in 2020 which were disposed of after due scrutiny and presently 165 complaints are under process as per law. NAB Multan authorized 214 complaint verifications in 2018, 285 in 2019 and 236 in 2020. NAB Multan authorized 75 inquiries in 2018, 127 in 2019 and 105 in 2020. NAB Multan authorized 30 investigations in 2018, 52 in 2019 and 44 in 2020.

NAB Multan has filed 80 references in 2018, 118 in 2019 and 117 references in 2020 in respected Accountability Courts as per law. NAB Multan recovered Rs. 1220.49 million in 2018, Rs. 2384.08 million in 2019 and Rs. 499.82 million in 2020 from the year 2018 to Dec 31, 2020 directly and indirectly.=DNA

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