ISLAMABAD, SEPT 8 (DNA) – Islamabad police, being a professional force, is making efforts to promote relations with community and win public support through resolving issues at their door steps.

It was stated by the Superintendent of Police ( Saddar-Zone ) Sarfraz Ahmed Virk while speaking to the participants of `Open Kutchery’ at Sector G-13  on Tuesday. The Open Kutchery was organized following directions of Inspector General of Police Islamabad Muhammad Aamir Zulfiqar Khan and Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations) Waqar Uddin Syed who asked for effective interaction of police with people. It was attended among others by SDPOs ,Station House Officer, members of conciliatory committees and a large number of notables as well as people of the area.

SP Sarfraz Ahmed Virk listened to the problems of the people residing in areas of Saddar-Zone police stations. He gave directions to immediately resolve them so that public can trust police and culture of friendly policing can be ensured as per prime objective of Islamabad police.

He said that Islamabad police is taking every possible step to maintain peace in the city and the force requires the cooperation of citizens to ensure fool proof security.  He said public cooperation is vital for effective policing and crime can be controlled through involving community in policing affairs fairly.

He appealed citizens for checking activities of the people in their surroundings and inform the police in case of observing the suspects.  He said that effective policing is only possible through cooperation of public and trust between police and citizens would be ensured through resolving their problems at their door steps.

Mr. Sarfraz Ahmed Virk said that Islamabad police launched effective crackdown against those involved in drug peddling, land occupation and criminal activities in their respective areas.

He said that conciliatory committees would be made more effective and appealed more cooperation of citizens with police to resolve public issues.

The people thanked IGP Islamabad Muhammad Aamir Zulfiqar Khan, DIG (Operations) Waqar Uddin Syed for directions to arrange such activity. They appreciated policing efforts to maintain law and order and ensured their cooperation when needed. DNA

==============

ISLAMABAD, SEPT 8 (DNA) – The family of Sajid Gondal, a former journalist and an official of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan who had gone missing in Islamabad on September 3, staged a protest outside Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad on Tuesday.

His vehicle was found abandoned outside the Agriculture Research Centre in Shehzad Town, according to the police. The vehicle’s doors were open and the key was in the ignition.

Gondal’s wife, parents, and children along with others held placards and chanted slogans for his immediate release.

Talking to the media, Gondal’s wife Sajeela Sajid said, “I request the prime minister, army chief, and the chief justice to at least inform us what he has done wrong.” If there’s a case against him, he should be presented before the court, said Sajeela Sajid. He is a Pakistani citizen, she said.

On the other hand, investigators from Islamabad Police visited the spot from where Gondal went missing. Police said

that SECP employees have also been included in the investigation. DNA

=============

DNA

ISLAMABAD, SEPT 8 – Pakistan Navy celebrated 55^th anniversary of ‘Navy Day’ to honour heroic achievements of our Ghazis and Shuhadas who fought gallantly against a much bigger adversary with absolute courage and profound faith in Allah SWT. The Navy Day is a glorious reminiscence of daring operation ‘SOMNATH’, when Pakistan Navy Warships destroyed important shore installations and inflicted irreparable damage to the Indian pride. Pakistan Navy lone Submarine Ghazi reigned and remained unchallenged at sea throughout the war.

In his message on the occasion, Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi said that 8^th September, marks a golden chapter in our rich naval history and rekindles hope and pride in our new generation. On this day, Pakistan Navy acknowledges the sacrifices and spirit of our Naval heroes who epitomized grit, courage and valour during the 1965 War. Today, Pakistan Navy being potent naval force in the region is alive to its growing responsibilities and role to vigilantly guard country’s maritime interests. The Naval Chief also underlined that Pakistan Navy is spearheading various initiatives to jump start Pakistan’s Blue Economy in line with the Govt’s renewed focus on the maritime sector and its decision to declare 2020 as the ‘Year of Blue Economy’. He added that all ranks of Pakistan Navy reiterate solidarity with their Kashmiri brethren and denounce the blatant annexation of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK).

The day dawned with special prayers offered in all Naval mosques for peace and prosperity of the country and particularly for the success of Kashmir struggle. Quran Khawani was arranged for eternal peace of Shuhada of the 1965 war. Flag hoisting ceremonies were held at all Naval units and establishments. Other activities of the day included Navy Day Boat Rallies prominently in Karachi.

Moreover, on the occasion of Navy Day, Pakistan Navy also released a special docufilm, ‘SURKHRU’ which features the story of Pakistan Navy’s successful detection of Indian submarine and deterring it from entering into Pakistani waters on 4^th March, 2019. The story of the docufilm demonstrates the rundown of action and sequence of the incident and pays tribute to its heroes for displaying the true professionalism and valour in safeguarding maritime frontiers.

LAHORE : Inam Ghani has been appointed as new police chief after the federal government decided to remove Inspector General (IG) Punjab Shoaib Dastagir from his post.

The decision has been taken by the federal government after differences emerged between the IG Punjab and Lahore Capital City Police Officer (CCPO).

Sources claimed that Prime Minister Imran Khan has approved the decision for the removal of Shoaib Dastgir as the provincial police chief.Meanwhile, CCPO Lahore Umar Shaikh has been directed to continue his duties as CCPO Lahore, while notification in this regard is said to be issued today, sources added.

The main reason behind the removal of  Inspector General (IG) Punjab Shoaib Dastagir has also surfaced as former police chief expressed reservations over the appointment of Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Lahore Umair Shaikh over action against the land mafia.

The IGP was allegedly not in favour of strong operation against the land mafia, while the CCPO was neglecting his opinion in this regard and was carrying out a stern operation, well-informed sources said.

ISLAMABAD : The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday sought the complete record of the appointment of Special Assistant to PM (SAPM) on Overseas Pakistanis Zulfi Bukhari as the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) chairman.

Justice Aamir Farooq of the IHC was hearing a petition challenging the SAPM’s appointment as the PTDC chairman.

Advocate Hafiz Arafat stated before the court that Prime Minister Imran Khan appointed his aide the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation chairman. Bukhari held the position previously on a temporary basis but was later appointed on a permanent basis, he added.

A notification regarding his appointment was also issued with the government initially stating that it was the cabinet’s decision to appoint the SAPM the chairman of the PTDC but later, it was said that the prime minister made the decision.

Justice Farooq questioned whether legal requirements for the appointment of the PTDC chairman were fulfilled or not.

He directed the government to submit the complete record of the appointment within ten days’ time.

The hearing was adjourned until September 29.

ISLAMABAD, SEPT 8 (DNA) – Several studies have shown that Pakistan’s air is not safe for human health and causes thousands of premature deaths annually.

Ironically, we don’t have ample facilities to measure air quality all over the county and control vehicular and industrial pollution. On the other hand, we have coal plants for energy and cement production adding more pollutants to the air.

Well-known environmentalist and Executive Director Development Communications Network (Devcom-Pakistan) Munir Ahmed remarked while speaking to a webinar as chief guest, organized by the IDCLC, on Tuesday to mark the first ever International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies.

Encouraged by the increasing interest of the international community in clean air, and emphasizing the need to make further efforts to improve air quality, including reducing air pollution, to protect human health, the General Assembly decided to designate 7 September as the International Day of Clean Air for blue.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is responsible for facilitating the observance of this Day, recognizing the need for increased awareness and international cooperation to reduce air pollution.

Ahmed said: Air pollution is the single greatest environmental risk to human health, causing 7 million premature deaths annually from diseases like stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.

It is responsible for a substantial amount of disability for those living with these diseases. Many air pollutants are also powerful climate forcers, harming the health and well-being of those living today and making the world less safe for future generations.

He said despite citizens’ concerns over the increasing air pollutants causing glaciers melt and pacing up the climate impact, governments worldwide behaving irrationally to control air pollution. Sufficient investments are not made in this regard by the developed world that is responsible for the compromised air quality.

Munir Ahmed said we immediately need to work on the air quality of Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Muridke, Bahawalpur, Gujranwala, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi. This is ironic to note that Islamabad is 7th most polluted city in Pakistan despite all tall claims of a clean and green city.

IDCLC founding president Shaaref Munir said  air comprises certain elements that need to stay in their respective proportions. Any changes in it would lead to pollution or making the air harmful to breathe in.

Clean air is primarily a source of sustaining growth and life. By breathing cleaner air, one can reduce the risk of getting a stroke, any heart disease, lung cancer and/or respiratory diseases such as asthma.

In the opposite scenario, living in a polluted area would lead to catastrophic short and long-term effects on human health – especially to their respiratory tract.

Children and infants’ health is most likely to be affected by their surrounding air quality, compared with the other age groups, and may grow up with a number of breathing problems if they’re brought up in a polluted environment.

Therefore, maintaining air quality is a must for sustaining good human health and the surrounding environment to live in – especially for a country like Pakistan where 35-40 percent of its population comprises children under the age of 15.

Sadaf Yasin said the air we breathe knows no borders and envelopes and sustains all living things. Yet our relationship with this most basic life-giving substance has changed. Nine out of 10 people around the world breathe air that does not meet World Health Organization guidelines for clean air. We have the solutions and must take the necessary actions to improve air quality.

President IDCLC Haares said that his club members have planted more than 10,000 plants in different parts of the city to contribute their role in improving the air quality and environment.

He said it is our responsibility to maintain quality air because every living thing on earth is dependent on quality clean air.

From humans to wildlife to trees, one of the most important factors for their survival is clean air. All living things on Earth are interlinked. Bad air quality can lead to air pollution, which could further result in human and wildlife diseases. Air quality is a must to immensely reduce the negative effects it could have on living and nonliving creatures on earth. DNA

==================