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Inauguration of sculpture of Quaid held at PUCAR

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Pakistan not be made as Quid’s’ vision, Senator Faisal Javed

DNA

RAWALPINDI, DEC 25 – Senator Faisal Javed has said it was very unfortunate that as a nation they could not make Pakistan according to vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

He was addressing at inauguration of sculpture of Quaid-e-Azam made by international fame sculptor Aftab Ahmed Changezi and cake cutting ceremony to mark birth anniversary of Quid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah under auspices of Punjab Council of the Arts.  He said that Quid-e-Azam was blessed to make impossible to possible. He said that Pakistan was leading to a developed state and would be made Quid’s Pakistan.

He added that Naya Pakistan would be free from corruption. Senator Faisal Javed also paid tribute to Aftab Changezi for making sculpture of Quiad-e-Azam. Chairperson Peace and Culture Mushaal Hussein Mullick said that Kashmir is unfinished agenda of Pakistan. She said that true meaning of  liberation are known to the people of Indian occupied Kashmir.

DNA 25-20

Naheed Manzoor said that Pakistan can be made a developed country by following footsteps of  Quiad-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Aftab Ahmed Changezi said that it was great honor for him to make sculpture of Quiad-e-Azam. The ceremony was anchored by Naeem Akram Qureshi. Director PUCAR Waqar Ahmed thanked distinguished guests.

CDA completes grand operation against land grabbers, illegal constructions

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Land mafia has illegally constructed houses at the said area. Notices have been issued to them to leave the land themselves otherwise CDA will do operation and demolish the constructions.

DNA

ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) completed preparations for a grand operation against land grabbers, encroachments, and illegal constructions here on Friday. Notices have been issued to those who have grabbed the government’s lands in Jabba Tili, Bhika Syedan, Saidpur, and other areas. However, operation against encroachments is continued in the city.

According to detail, CDA has fastened its pace of operation against encroachments. During last one week, CDA demolished two rooms at IJP road, 5 under construction rooms in sector C-16, 3 under construction boundary walls at Saidpur, 02 DPC, 02 rooms and a grill at Bari Imam. Encroachments at the roads of sector G-7 and G-8 have been removed and the recovered goods have been captured. Similarly a mega anti encroachment operation conducted at Khhana pull and 5 trucks of goods were captured. In collaboration with BCS 2 buildings were sealed in the industrial area I-9 and I-10.

Illegally constructed rooms in Muslim Colony have been demolished. Notices have been issued to 30 homes in Jaba Tili. CDA has allotted plots in Bhika Syedan but could not give occupation yet.  Land mafia has illegally constructed houses at the said area. Notices have been issued to them to leave the land themselves otherwise CDA will do operation and demolish the constructions.

2 UK returned passengers test positive for coronavirus in KP

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PESHAWAR: Two people, who recently returned from the United Kingdom, have tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

KP Health Secretary Imtiaz Hussain Shah said a total of 149 passengers have recently arrived in the province from Britain. The government has traced 44 people and 32 of their contacts.

Another 54 passengers have been identified across seven districts including Peshawar, Swabi and Nowshera. The district administration has been tasked to trace them.

The government has been unable to trace 46 people because they provided incorrect residential address.

“In the first batch of testing, four people tested negative while results of 25 passengers are awaited,” the health official said.

The SARS-CoV-2 was identified in two passengers who have been quarantined. One of the patients has been identified in Peshawar while the other is in Abbottabad.

Shah said further tests will be conducted at the National Institute of Health in Islamabad which will determine the nature of the strain.

Webinar discusses Pakistan’s role in UN peacekeeping efforts in Africa

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DNA

ISLAMABAD, DEC 25 – Pakistan’s noteworthy contributions for UN peacekeeping missions across the world, especially Africa, provide an opportune area to strengthen its diplomatic and trade relations with the countries provided with the support.

The thoughts were shared in a webinar titled ‘Pakistan’s role in UN peacekeeping missions in Africa’, which was jointly organized by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad, Centre for International Peace and Stability Studies-National University of Science and Technology (CIPS-NUST), and Centre for Asian African Studies (CAAS), Bradford-UK, as part of the Institute’s ‘Understanding Africa’ project.

The session was chaired by Executive President IPS Khalid Rahman, moderated by Dr Tughral Yamin, associate dean, CIPS-NUST and non-resident fellow at IPS, and addressed by Brig (r) Mirza Salim Baig, Brig (r) Imran Rasheed and Brig (r) Azam Agha from NUST, Islamabad.

The speakers shared their eyewitness accounts of Pakistan’s contributions in UN peacekeeping missions in Africa  in the form of three case studies.

Brig (r) Salim Baig shared his experiences and observations from the Democratic Republic of the Congo where Pakistani troops were not only engaged in peacekeeping efforts, but also identifying gaps and imparting trainings to other potential peacekeepers, whereas its Female Engagement Teams (FET) were delivering lectures to the community’s over English language, computer skills, sanitation hygiene, mental hygiene, gender equality and legal rights of the women.

Rasheed homed on the activities of Pakistani peacekeepers in the Central African Republic sharing there were over 1200 personnel of Pakistani contingent in United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), including an Infantry battalion, an aviation unit and two engineering companies. They are tasked with restoring normalcy in the region through, providing aviation support and repair and maintenance of roads etc., he added.

Agha apprised about the contribution of Pakistani troops in ONUCI (The United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire) in Ivory Coast through their contingents of field engineering company, transport battalion, staff officers and MILOBS (Military Observers).

Speaking of the condition of African states in general, the speakers were unanimous that the exploitation of natural resources, such as gold, diamond, cobalt, etc. by outside players and former colonial powers for their vested economic interests, and not any ethnic, religious and political rifts, was a major reason behind the prevailing conflicts and deprivation within the African region. They stressed that the UN ought to show more political will to stop such external interference by putting an embargo on the export of all mineral and natural resources from the conflict zones, as following any such measure, the conflicts may not take very long to end.

Yamin too rued over the apparent lack of will or purpose at the part of the UN in bringing about peace, stating that sometimes it feels that the UN agencies are competing more with each other for recognition than to strive for the real objectives. He also pointed that it was the African and South Asian countries that were among the top ten contributors to UN missions in terms of troops whereas the developed countries were not seen contributing that much to the cause, which could also be seen as an indicator of the lack of intent at their end.

Rahman, in his concluding remarks, said that the accounts shared by the speakers were not only the eye-witnessed case studies but also a representation of today’s global governance context. The endeavor of peacekeeping has many dimensions associated with it e.g. political, social, cultural and economic, but it’s the humanitarian aspect that should always serve as the real motivation behind any such work. He maintained that Pakistan’s participation in peacekeeping endeavors has exposed the country and its armed forces to diverse conflict dynamics, also equipping them with the expertise required at the ground level to deal with such issues and disputes. This gained knowledge, expertise and experience should be used to initiate some kind of political and diplomatic campaign, he added, aimed at addressing bigger issues related to world peace, and in turn playing its role in improving global governance.

The session’s chair also pointed out that Pakistan has contributed more than 200000 troops in more than 50 UN missions in diverse roles so far, and while it has gained good name for its efforts in the concerned regional and international quarters.

MQM-P decides to “take a stand” against PTI govt

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ISLAMABAD: /DNA/ – The Muttahida Quami Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) on Friday said it has decided to “take a stand” against the PTI-led government while reiterating its demands regarding the 2017 census.

Speaking on the issue, MQM-P leader Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said that his party has decided to reach out to the people of Karachi and other urban areas of Sindh to seek their opinion regarding a future course of action.

“MQM voters reside in several areas [population blocks] of Karachi, but their number was shown to be zero in the controversial 2017 census,” he claimed.

“The government must answer why they are not doing anything to address our concerns despite having the constitutional option to do so?” he asserted.

He said that the MQM wants to show to the government that Sindh’s urban areas were the biggest victim of the 18th Amendment.

“The 18th Amendment was a farce,” he said. “The last census was conducted after a gap of eight years, I guess the next one will also take place with a gap of eight years,” he said.

The remarks follow a Thursday press conference in Islamabad during which Siddiqui had claimed that the population of Sindh’s major cities was shown to be 25% less than the actual count in the 2017 census.

“Our doubts related to the inaccuracy of the 2017 census have proven to be true now,” he had said. “We had gone to courts to register our concerns even before the census had begun.”

Siddiqui’s comments came after the federal cabinet on Wednesday authorised the submission of the Sixth Population and Housing Census 2017 report for final approval before the Council of Common Interests.

The cabinet also decided to bypass an agreement with parliamentary leaders of the Senate to correct controversial results through a recount of the population in 5% randomly selected population blocks.

“We demand the government form a judicial commission to probe the rigged census,” Siddiqui had said.

“Right now, we are standing with the government, but we also have the option to part ways because we cannot protest against the government while staying in a coalition with it.”

He had also said that the option to cooperate with the government has ended after the cabinet’s approval of the controversial census, adding that the “census is a matter of life and death to [the people of Sindh’s urban centres].”

US ‘concerned’ over SHC ruling in Daniel Pearl case

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DNA

WASHINGTON: The United States on Thursday expressed concern over the Sindh High Court’s (SHC) ruling directing the release of the accused in the Daniel Pearl case, saying that they will be “closely following” the case.

“We are deeply concerned by the reports of the December 24 ruling of Sindh High Court to release multiple terrorists responsible for the murder of Daniel Pearl,” said the State Department’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs in a series of tweets.

The bureau said that they were “assured” by Pakistan that the “accused have not been released” as of yet. It also acknowledged that the case was ongoing adding that they will be following it closely.

“We continue to stand with the Pearl family through this extremely difficult process. We continue to honour Daniel Pearl’s legacy as a courageous journalist,” said the State Department.

VUI- a new challenge

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The world was battling COVID 19 when a new virus emerged. British scientists had already alerted the World Health Organization (WHO) about a new strain of coronavirus, calling the virus VUI-202012/01 (short for the first “variant under investigation” in December 2020). It is said to cause 23 different mutations in human body. 62% of new cases in London are related to the virus, which has reached three more countries other than the United Kingdom.

Fifty countries have suspended all passenger flights from Britain until January 01, due to the threat posed by the new virus. According to the World Health Organization, after the United Kingdom, nine such cases have been reported in Denmark, a number of others in the Netherlands, two in Australia, and one case has been diagnosed in Singapore. In light of this situation, scientists around the world are trying to determine whether the vaccines developed so far will be effective against this new virus, with global experts warning that the next six months could be the worst for COVID-19, as it is fear that 30 million people will die.

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Coronavirus’ new variant-VUI has caused panic across Europe, with people fleeing the UK, but other countries have imposed travel bans. The World Health Organization has already instructed European countries to take steps to prevent a new outbreak in Britain. A spokesman for WHO Europe said scientists were trying to determine if the new strain could spread more rapidly, the disease could be serious in humans and whether vaccines would be effective against it? Most scientists were skeptical when British Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced the presence of the new strain of the virus. However, as the situation has changed in the last few days, several scientists say that preventing this new epidemic could be a serious challenge.

The influx of VUI virus with coronavirus is a major challenge in the world. In this context, Pakistan which has been under second corona attack since early last month and is gradually intensifying these days may face severe difficulties while the majority of the population in the country is still not following the SOPs. We need to make SOPs a part of our daily routine to prevent the spread of new variant with the coronavirus. Several countries, including Britain, Germany and France, have again come to a complete lockdown and the UK has cut off air links with many countries, including Pakistan, and has also banned residents of other countries from entering the UK by land. Similarly, South Asian and Arab countries are now returning to lockdown, and until the coronavirus is completely eradicated, all countries will continue to adhere to SOPs.

The damage caused by the corona virus so far is one of the greatest tragedies in human history. More than 1.5 million people have been killed by the coronavirus until now, while the death toll in the affected countries, including Pakistan, has risen sharply and it has reached 9,500. A total of about 5 million people in the country have been infected with COVID-19. People were already scared of the spread of coronavirus, now report of possible arrival of a new variant and dangerous upsurge could also spread terror. The world is very worried about the deaths of COVID-19. In this context, if the reports of vaccine approval are considered, the situation seems to be particularly satisfactory. The Vaccine was given to several front line medical staff and arrangements are being made for its arrival and use in Pakistan as well. For this, the government has allocated Rs 1.5 billion.

Efforts by the Pakistan Ministry of Heath regarding coronavirus are encouraging, but there is a need for authorities and the Ministry of Health to be aware of the emergence of a new variant virus at the height of the second wave of COVID-19 and in its review report on the recent decline in the number of new cases, make the causes and results in part of the authentic data, because the people caught up in doubts and fears are in dire need of invaluable consolation and charity at this time. The growing death toll from COVID-19 could shake nation’s nervous stability and determination of frontline medical teams, therefore, the government must be determined to deal with the new Corona attack at all costs and take the nation into confidence, because it is impossible to fight the new COVID strain without the support of the people. The situation which is exacerbated by the gradual spread of the new coronavirus requires us to be fully committed to all possible precautions. We have to take care of the health of others as well because we now have to live with various coronavirus’ strains like the one being confirmed in South Africa recently. However, by making SOPs especially face masks, a part of our daily routine, we can save ourselves from major human tragedies.

Written by

Attiya Munawer

Turkey to start using China’s Covid-19 vaccine after strong results

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ANKARA, DEC 25 – Turkey will receive its first shipment of China’s Sinovac coronavirus vaccine within days as preliminary domestic tests showed it was 91% effective, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said on Thursday.

Ankara in the next few days will also sign a deal with Pfizer/BioNTech for 4.5 million doses, with the option to buy 30 million more from the US pharmaceutical giant and its German partner, Koca said

Turkey will initially receive three million doses of Sinovac and have the option for 50 million more as it begins inoculations next month, starting with healthcare workers and the most vulnerable.

Koca said the first shipments of the Chinese vaccine will be sent to Turkey on Sunday.

The preliminary tests on 7,371 volunteers in Turkey showed that the Chinese vaccine was 91.25 per cent effective, although phase three tests were still not complete.

Turkey “will be able to vaccinate 1.5 million or even two million people per day,” Koca said, adding that the “first stage” of vaccinations would cover nine million people.

The nation of 83 million has officially recorded 19,115 Covid-19 deaths and 2.2 million virus infections.

Would’ve been married to Alia if the pandemic hadn’t hit our lives, says Ranbir Kapoor

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Following rumours about hookups and breakups with multiple celebs from Bollywood, heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor has finally broken the silence on his relationship with Alia Bhatt, telling fans that he is ready to take the next step.

Kapoor, who has otherwise been protective about his personal life and shy about speaking too much about his current partner and superstar Alia Bhatt, revealed in an interview with Rajeev Masand how tying the knot was not only on the table and but also in the near future.

Amused, the host reminded him how during their first interview together around 13 years ago, the Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani star had revealed wanting to be married by 32, and settled with kids by 34.

Following rumours about hookups and breakups with multiple celebs from Bollywood, heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor has finally broken the silence on his relationship with Alia Bhatt, telling fans that he is ready to take the next step.

Kapoor, who has otherwise been protective about his personal life and shy about speaking too much about his current partner and superstar Alia Bhatt, revealed in an interview with Rajeev Masand how tying the knot was not only on the table and but also in the near future.

Amused, the host reminded him how during their first interview together around 13 years ago, the Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani star had revealed wanting to be married by 32, and settled with kids by 34.

“I missed that deadline by 6 years,” Ranbir laughed, adding that the goal “would have already been sealed if the pandemic hadn’t hit our lives”.

“I don’t want to jinx it by saying anything. I want to tick mark that goal very soon in my life,” he continued, hoping the next year would be professionally and personally very exciting.

The duo’s upcoming project Brahmastra, which is their first release together, was initially set to release on December 4, but has been delayed due to the pandemic.

Revealing the process of choosing what films he works in, Kapoor defined it as a mixture of “instinct, gut feeling, timing, at what point in time the film has come, the director, story and character”.

“You can’t like something and confuse yourself by giving it to other people to read the material, but mostly it’s instinct,” he said, adding that he takes the decision as a personal one and doesn’t depend on guidance from other people, despite often being told to.

Mauricio Pochettino closing in on PSG job: Reports

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Paris Saint-Germain have sacked coach Thomas Tuchel with the club’s former defender and ex-Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino lined up as his replacement, according to various media reports on Thursday.

The French champions declined to make a statement when contacted to confirm the shock Christmas Eve axing as claimed by L’Equipe newspaper, news outlet RMC and German tabloid Bild.

“No idea” a club spokesman replied when asked when the news would be confirmed.

PSG forward Kylian Mbappe paid tribute to Tuchel on social media.

“Unfortuntately it’s the law of football but no-one will forget your time here,” the World Cup winner posted on Instagram. “You wrote a great line of the club’s history and I say thank you coach,” he added.

Pochettino, who spent two years and a half as a player at the club, could take his first training session on January 3 after the winter break.

Tuchel, 47, arrived at the Parc des Princes on a two-year contract in 2018, and guided the Parisians to their first Champions League final last season.

But now, if the reports are confirmed, less than three months on from the final defeat to Bayern Munich in Lisbon, the German has become the first PSG coach to leave mid-season since Antoine Kombouare was replaced by Carlo Ancelotti in December 2011.

Tuchel, who is set to depart six months before the end of his deal, guided PSG to a last 16 date with Barcelona in this season’s Champions League despite being plagued by injuries, suspensions and coronavirus infections.

And in contrast to his predecessors, Tuchel appeared adept at man-managing his band of superstar players, giving Neymar back the smile that was missing during the Unai Emery era.

The Qatari-backed club however are thought to be unhappy with recent comments in the press by Tuchel, the most recent an unauthorised interview which appeared in the German media on Wednesday.

“We missed winning the Champions League by one match. And we never had the feeling that we had convinced people and that they recognised our performance. Sometimes that makes you a little sad or angry,” he told Sport1.

He also complained about the demands imposed upon him.

“During the first six months I was asking myself ‘am I still a coach…or a minister of Sport?’”

He was reportedly given his marching orders less than 24 hours after Wednesday’s 4-0 win over Strasbourg which left them a point off the top of the table in Ligue 1 ahead of the winter break.

If his dismissal is confirmed he leaves PSG with two Ligue 1 titles, a French Cup and a League Cup.

In 2017, he lost his job as Borussia Dortmund boss three days after guiding the Bundesliga side to the German Cup and reportedly fell out with the club’s hierarchy.

The new man in the PSG dug out when the season resumes in the New Year will be Pochettino, RMC suggest.

The Argentine, a popular PSG centre-back between 2001 and 2003, left his position as Tottenham boss in November 2019, six months after leading them into their maiden Champions League final.

The 48-year-old transformed Spurs’ fortunes during his five-and-a-half-year reign but failed to win a trophy.

He has been heavily linked with a return to the Premier League with Newcastle if their proposed Saudi Arabia-backed takeover goes through, while speculation over the Manchester United job has never gone away.

But now it appears he will be leaving his London home and finding fresh accommodation across the channel.

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