A senior Indian diplomat was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today to register Pakistan’s strong protest over ceasefire violations by the Indian occupation forces along the Line of Control (LoC) on 17th September 2020, resulting in serious injuries to three innocent civilians.
Due to indiscriminate and unprovoked firing by the Indian occupation forces in Hotspring and Jandrot Sectors of the LoC, 15 year old Irum Riaz s/o Muhammad Riaz; 26 year old Nusrat Kausar w/o Abdul Rauf; and 16 year old Mukheel s/o Muhammad Hussain, residents of Andrala Nar Village, sustained serious injuries.
The Indian occupation forces along the LoC and the Working Boundary (WB) have been continuously targeting civilian populated areas with artillery fire, heavy-caliber mortars and automatic weapons. This year, India has committed 2280 ceasefire violations to date, resulting in 18 shahadats and serious injuries to 183 innocent civilians.
Condemning the deplorable targeting of innocent civilians by the Indian occupation forces, it was underscored that such senseless acts are in clear violation of the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding, and are also against all established humanitarian norms and professional military conduct. These egregious violations of international law reflect consistent Indian attempts to escalate the situation along the LoC and are a threat to regional peace and security. It was added that by raising tensions along the LoC and the WB, India cannot divert attention from the grave human rights situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK).
Indian side was called upon to respect the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding, investigate this and other such incidents of deliberate ceasefire violations and maintain peace along the LoC and the WB. The Indian side was also urged to allow the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) to play its mandated role as per the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions.
LAHORE : With an aim to facilitate the construction sector and ensure approvals by a time-bound process through one window operations, the Punjab government has launched a web portal service.
Highlighting the features of the web portal, Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar in his statement said that now the builders, developers can get permission letters with one click only through the portal.
“The government has launched E-goverance reforms in the department.” The web portal has been developed with the collaboration of the Information Technology Board.The chief minister said that his government is taking revolutionary steps to provide services to the masses at their door steps and added that earlier, the same work was taken months and years in some cases.
On July 25, Punjab Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar had said the provincial government announced splendid packages for the construction industry in order to increase employment opportunities amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
LAHORE : The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to present former director-general Punjab Excise and Taxation general, Muhammad Akram Gondal before an accountability court today (Friday).
Muhammad Akram Ashraf Gondal was taken into custody on Thursday in liquor licence case.
According to NAB sources, the anti-graft body apprehended Akram Ashraf Gondal on the charges of issuing a liquor license to a private hotel illegally.
The sources said the NAB will soon release details about the detention and charges against Akram Ashraf Gondal soon. It is pertinent to mention here that the former director-general had appeared before the NAB several times but he failed to prove his innocence in the liquor licence case. Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar and Principal Secretary have appeared in the case before NAB earlier.
Earlier on August 12, two government officials had shown their consent to become approver against Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Usman Buzdar in liquor licence case.
Former director general Excise and another person, whose name had been kept secret had filed a plea to National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to become approver against CM Usman Buzdar, sources had said.
The approvers in their initial statement had stated that they were forced to issue liquor licence to a private hotel from the chief minister house Punjab.
Karachi : 32nd edition of Pakistan Scrabble Championship (masters) will start here today [September 18].
According to the details, the registration of the event will start at 11:00 am and will continue till 12:00 pm. After the opening ceremony, as many as seven matches will be played on an opening day.
As many as 40 of the country’s top players will be participating. 15-year-old Hasham Hadi Khan will be defending his title while Pakistan’s No. 1 Waseem Khatri will be vying for a record 9th national title.
Other major title contenders are the Hadi twins, former national champion Sohaib Sanaullah and the teen sensation S. Imaad Ali
The championship will be streamed live on the internet. Former World Champion Craig Beevers of England will be doing the running commentary
Interested candidates from across the city can register themselves at the venue (PharmEvo Guesthouse, 84 Jinnah Housing Society, Block 7/8 PECHS near Tipu Sultan Road, Karachi) before 12:00 pm. The three-day event will end on Sunday.
Complete schedule:
Friday, 18th Sept:
11.00 – 12.00: Registration
12.00: Opening Ceremony
1.15 – 2.15: Namaz and lunch break
2.15 – 8.30: 7 matches
Saturday, 19th Sept 8.30 – 1.00: 6 matches
1.00 – 2.00: Namaz and lunch break
2.00- 6.30: 5matches
Total: 18 matches
Sunday, 20th Sept
8.30 – 1.00: 5 matches
1.00 – 2.00: Namaz and lunch break
2.00- 6.00: – 4 matches
6.00 – 6.30: Closing ceremony and prize distribution.
ISLAMABAD, Sep 18:Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf MNA Kanwal Shauzab said that the opposition parties have no public agenda and All Parties Conference (APC) was being held to seek NRO-like deal but the government would not bow to the blackmailing tactics of opposition parties.
Talking to a private news channel, she claimed that the purpose of opposition parties to convene APC was only to put pressure on the government to get National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), adding, opposition just making APC a fun for safeguarding their personal interests.
She said Imran Khan’s government is not going to give any relaxation on corruption and actions against corrupt elements will be remain continue.
Prime Minister Imran Khan is an honest and hardworking leader and he will continue strict accountability, she said, adding, PM categorically said that the government will not bow down before blackmailing tactics.
She criticized that the Pakistan Peoples Party’s Sindh government had turned the mega city of Karachi into ruins, and the constituencies of the opposition parliamentarians are being especially targeted, adding Asif Ali Zardari should only focused it and work for the people in his own constituency.
ISLAMABAD : Chairman China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority Lieutenant general retired Asim Saleem Bajwa has termed the stay order by World Bank tribunal on $6bn award against Pakistan, a ‘great relief’.
In his tweet, terming the WB decision a big relief for Pakistan, he said that Prime Minister Imran Khan fully support the government of Balochistan to develop the mining sector.
The reforms in the sector will increase foreign investment and human resources, he added.
Yesterday, Pakistan was awarded a stay in Reko Diq case from World Bank tribunal.
Attorney General Pakistan (AGP) office had termed the development a ‘success’ for Pakistan and its legal team for earning a stay on the hefty fine that comes about two percent of the country’s yearly GDP.
The global arbiter International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) had in July last year, decided in favour of the Australian company in a case wherein Pakistan was made liable to pay off $6 billion in compensation.
However Pakistan, upon enforcement proceedings by Tethyan Copper Co. Pty Ltd on the litigation, filed a petition for a stay and initiated annulment. ICSID granted Pakistan a provisional stay earlier in April upon initiating proceedings for the annulment of the verdict.
DNA A farewell dinner in the honour of H.E Mr Yao Jing, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan was hosted by General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), today.During the interaction matters of mutual interest, regional security and enhanced bilateral cooperation came under discussion. COAS thanked Ambassador for his services and appreciated his contributions for fostering strong ties between the two countries and support towards defence/ security cooperation, handling of COVID Pandemic and stance on Kashmir.Ambassador appreciated and acknowledged Pakistan’s positive role in the region and pledged to play his role for further improvement in diplomatic cooperation between both countries.
ISLAMABAD: Ibrahim Almadani, Ambassador of Jordan has said both Jordan and Pakistan enjoy brotherly relations within the Islamic sphere based on solid foundation of mutual respect.
He added, continuous political consultation and constant meetings between the leadership of the two states have also held focusing on coordinating political views and efforts, bilaterally and multilaterally, in respect of major regional and international developments and issues.
The Ambassador of Jordan expressed these views in an interview with Daily Islamabad POST, CENTRELINE magazine and DNA News Agency.
Ambassador Almadani further said both countries have also been cooperating with each other on the issues of International Terrorism, the peaceful resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict according to International legitimacy and the Two State solution, and the adoption of political and peaceful solutions to regional crisis including the Syrian crisis.
He said this close cooperation demonstrates the important roles played by the two countries to support efforts to achieve peace and stability. Besides, the two governments work to upgrade and develop their bilateral relations in the parliamentary, economic and commercial fields and develop these relations to reach the desired level of cooperation.
While talking about the history of bilateral diplomatic relations the ambassador said, diplomatic relations began after Pakistan’s independence in 1947, where Jordan was the fifth country in the world to recognize the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Primarily Jordan Embassy was opened in Karachi and then moved to Islamabad after becoming the capital of the country.
He said Diplomatic Representation is on the level “Resident Ambassador”.
The ambassador said he presented his credentials as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on 26 November 2018.
While Rahmat Junaid Ambassador of Pakistan to Jordan is there since 11/12/2017- December 2019.
When asked to tell some details of political cooperation Ambassador Almadani saidbilateral political relations are considered deep and solid. HM King Abdullah II on his recent visit to Islamabad in February 2018 praised the deep and strong relations between the two countries, HM also affirmed Jordan’s keenness to strengthen its relations with Pakistan.
‘It is worth mentioning that the Jordanian and Pakistani leaderships are in constant contact and exchange of views on regional and international issues, especially with regards to the Middle East issues. Both leaderships express their satisfaction with the development of bilateral relations in various fields’.
Ambassador Almadani further said, the Jordanian Senate formed the Jordanian-Pakistani Fraternity Committee on (22/1/2017) under the chairmanship of H.E. Eng. Atef Al-Tal.
Likewise, reconstitution of Pakistan-Jordan Parliamentary Friendship Group in the National Assembly was done on 7/3/2019 under MNA Ms. Shagufta Jumani, as its Convener.
Besides, reconstitution of Pakistan-Jordan Parliamentary Friendship Group in the Senate of Pakistan on 8/3/2020 under Senator Sussui Palijo, as its Convener.
While sharing details about military cooperation the ambassador said two sides regularly participate in the reciprocal sessions, exercises and intensive training courses, where memorandum of understanding for cooperation between King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB) and the Ministry of Defense Production of Pakistan was signed on (14/2/2012).
In November 2019 Special Forces Units from Jordan, Egypt and Pakistan concluded a joint drill called “Fajr Al Sharq 1” (Dawn of the East 1) in Pakistan.
To yet another question about economic cooperation he said Joint Jordanian-Pakistani Ministerial Committee was established in 1975, and a trade cooperation agreement was signed in 2000 to enhance trade and economic relations, but does not include any preferential treatment between the two sides.
The ninth meeting of the Joint Jordanian-Pakistani Committee was held in Amman during the period (29-30 April 2015), and four agreements were signed in trade cooperation, investment, specifications and standards and the recognition of maritime certificates between the two countries.
The main Jordanian exports to Pakistan are: fertilizers, metals, pharmaceuticals and drugs, plastics organic and chemical raw materials, seeds, agricultural products and industrial equipment and machinery.
Main Jordanian imports from Pakistan are: textiles and their accessories, seeds and agricultural products, electrical machinery and spare parts, essential oils, pharmaceutical products, juices and spices, cotton, plastics, fiber optics, fish and advertising materials.
Sharing some details of high level visits ambassadorsaid the last visit of His Majesty King Abdullah II Bin Al Hussein took place during the period from 8-9/2/2018.
While visits by Pakistani side includevisit of the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi to Jordan during (22-25/1/2019), Visit of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javid Bajwa to Jordan during the period (1-4/10/2018), Visit of the Chairman of Joint Staff of the Pakistani Armed Forces, Zubair Mahmoud Hayat to the Kingdom in April 2018, Visit of the Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan to the Kingdom in December 2017, The visit of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz during the period (18-19/5/2007), Visit of President Pervez Musharraf during the period (22-23/1/2007), Visit of Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in 2006.
Detailed interview shall be published in CENTRELINE magazine.
ISLAMABAD (DNA): The Ambassador of Iraq Hamid Abbas Lafta met with minister of Religious Affairs Pir Noor-ul-Haq Qadri on Thursday at Iraqi Embassy to review ways to send pilgrims to Iraq for Arbaeen.
“The government of Baghdad will announce a comprehensive policy in the coming days about the travel of Pakistani pilgrims to Iraq to mark the 40th day of martyrdom of Imam Hossein (AS),” the statement said.
The two sides discussed the facilities for Pakistani citizens to travel to Iraq and other necessary measures.
The Iraqi ambassador also briefed the Pakistani Minister on the pilgrimage policy and safety measures. The future policy of the Iraqi government regarding the pilgrimage of Arbaeen will be in accordance with the health protocols and the healthcare of the pilgrims.
Pakistan’s Minister of Religious Affairs called for effective measures to protect the health of Pakistanis at Iraqi airports, especially in Baghdad and Najaf Ashraf.
Pir Noor-ul-Haq Qadri added that the Pakistani government is also finalizing a new pilgrimage policy to facilitate the pilgrimage of its citizens.
Every year, more than 120,000 Pakistanis travel to the two countries by land to visit the holy sites in Iran and the holy shrines in Iraq.
Sistan and Baluchestan Province is the only way for Pakistan to connect to Central Asia and Europe, as well as to Iraq.
Despite the Corona epidemic, the great Arbaeen procession without the presence of foreign pilgrims, including the pilgrims of the Islamic Republic of Iran, has started in southern Iraq a few days ago.
