DNA

ISLAMABAD, AUG 21 – Monsoon Plantation drive 2020 has commenced on Friday at Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) Islamabad.

Like previous years, Quaid-i-Azam  University Alumni Association, in collaboration with Environmental Protection Agency, Government of Pakistan, Directorates of Estate Management and Student Affairs QAU Islamabad, under Green and Clean Pakistan campaign, would plant three thousand plants at QAU campus at its affiliated Colleges across federal capital. The plantation drive was 9 inaugurated by Vice-Chancellor Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali Shah along with Farzana Altaf Shah, Director General Environmental Protection Agency, members of QAU Syndicate, faculty, employees and senior members of QAU Alumni Association.Speaking on the occasion, Vice-Chancellor appreciated two decades the long contribution of Quaid-I-Azam University Alumni Association for its alma mater.

He emphasised over active participation in making Pakistan green and clean individually and collectively. He said that the massive tree plantation would further add to the natural scenic beauty of Quaid-I-Azam University Islamabad. Regards Murtaza Noor Secretary General QAU Alumni Association Pakistan Cell number 0300-9840120.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, AUG 21 – Former President ICCI Shahid Rasheed Butt on Friday said the government disappointed masses and businesspersons during the last two years.

Not a single promise was fulfilled, there was no move towards Naya Pakistan while runaway inflation continued to hit masses badly, he said.

Shahid Rasheed Butt said that political and economic instability has increased, confusion over critical national and international issues persists, and mafia remained uncontrolled despite tall claims.

He said that the government has failed to deliver on promises and it is unable to carry the heavy burden of its expansive promises while the clarity of ideas and policies is still a far cry for it.

The business leader said that PTI has not ensured consistency in policies; it lacks the will to take bold steps, while frequent policy reversals have damaged the economy.

The economy was a strong point of PTI before elections which proved otherwise while the claim to establish a corruption-free society also proved pointless as exploitation has increased while an uncontrollable mafia has made the life of people a living hell.

NAB was used against political opponents while added to the political divisions while relations between center and provinces worsened.

Incompetence was shielded through slogans against corruption but musses are not ready to buy it anymore and reforms in the institutions remained confined to speeches and media statements.

Now the majority of the people and businessmen think that the PTI government has failed to stabilize the country’s economy and deliver according to its manifesto or people’s expectations.

Some people are of the opinion that all pledges made with the voters during 2018 elections had been ignored by the PTI leadership and it may not be able to deliver during its remaining tenure.

The only thing in which the government deserves some praise is supporting the poor through Ehsaas programme, he said.

ISLAMABAD : Parliamentarians paid tribute to National Party chairman Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo who passed away on Thursday night after a prolonged battle with lung cancer.

PML-N MNA Khawaja Asif paid tribute to the principled politics of Mir Hasil Bizenjo, telling the Speaker to obtain the lower house’s consent to postpone the session in light of the politician’s passing.

PML-N’s Senator Mushahidullah Khan said that those people who do not stray from their principles never die but always remain alive in the hearts of the people.

“It is normally very difficult for someone whose father is such a towering personality to carve out his own legacy,” he said, adding that despite that Hasil Bizenjo had managed to make a name for himself in politics.

He said that the Bizenjo family had always spoken the truth and never thought about the price they would have to pay. “They did keep paying a price all their lives for telling the truth,” he said.

“Did you ever see hatred in his eyes for anyone? He was merciful and loving towards everyone,” said Mushahidullah. “Where do we find someone like Hasil?”

PPP leader Sherry Rehman said that Bizenjo lived according to his terms just like he said he would. “People like me, women, were always provided encouragement and support by Bizenjo,” she said. “He told me to remain steadfast and not listen to people who thought I did not belong in mainstream politics,” added the PPP senator.

Rehman said that Bizenjo was like a ray of light at a time of darkness in Pakistani politics.

PTM MNA Moshin Dawar said it was very difficult to fill the void left by Bizenjo’s death. “I think this session [of the National Assembly] should be postponed to honour his memory,” he said, describing it as a “huge loss” for the country.

“The lot of politicians that he belonged to are decreasing day by day in Pakistan,” he said.

PTI MNA Ramesh Kumar said that he had known the late politician for the past 20-22 years as a friend. “Ever since I stepped into politics, I was his friend,” he said. “Even till this day, I remember the things that he talked about with me.”

Kumar paid tribute to Bizenjo, stating that those who did good deeds, their names used to remain alive long after they were gone.

Senator Sarfaraz Bugti said that the entire country was in mourning over such a huge loss and that Balochistan had been deprived of a great leader.

“I was in very close contact with him as home minister. Where he was in favour of dialogue, he was also a believer in establishment of the writ of the state,” added Bugti.

The Balochistan home minister said that Bizenjo continued his great legacy. “The more we pay tribute to him, the less it is,” he added.

Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo: A brief overview of the veteran politician’s career

Born in 1958 into a family that played a crucial role in Balochistan’s political landscape, Sen Bizenjo entered politics when he joined the Pakistan National Party (PNP). His father, Mir Ghous Baksh Bizenjo, was once the province’s governor and struggled for the rights of the Baloch people.

The senator, throughout his political career, spoke up for the Baloch people’s rights but categorically opposed armed resistance and militancy, choosing peaceful ways instead.

He also spoke in favour of a quick repatriation of the Afghan refugees, given that the situation in their home country has stabilised considerably.

A respected figure in Pakistani politics, he was elected a Member of National Assembly (MNA) twice in the general elections of 1990 and 1997.

He founded the Balochistan National Democratic Party (BNDP), which eventually merged with the Balochistan National Movement (BNM) in 2003, becoming the National Party (NP).

Interestingly, although his party boycotted the 2008 general elections in protest over the Balochistan situation, he was elected a senator in 2009.

Bizenjo became NP’s president in 2014 after the party came into the national spotlight with the PML-N’s help. His party faced considerable competition from the BAP, ANP, and the PPP.

The senator was again elected on the position in the 2013 general elections, with his party bagging 11 seats in the provincial assembly and one seat in the National Assembly.

He took office as the federal minister for ports and shipping on May 20, 2016, with then-president Mamnoon Hussain administering the oath.

Subsequently, during caretaker prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s tenure, he served as Federal Minister of Maritime Affairs, from August 2017 to May 2018. He did not contest the 2018 general elections.

Back in July 2019, when a no-confidence resolution was submitted against Senate Chairperson Sadiq Sanjrani, nine political parties of the Opposition-led Rahbar Committee had named Bizenjo as the joint candidate for the post.

ISLAMABAD : Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, rejecting speculations about Pakistan-Saudi ties, said on Friday the country’s relations with the Kingdom have invariably remained cordial and hoped that they will remain so in future as well.

In a statement, Qureshi, who is in China on a two-day official visit, hailed Riyadh’s categorical stance on Israel as historic.

He said he will represent Pakistan at the second round of Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers’ strategic dialogue.

He will also have an audience with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi with matters of bilateral cooperation in different sectors, including early completion of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, to come under discussion.

Foreign Minister Qureshi said the government brought the Kashmir dispute to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for debate for three times after a gap of 55 years with the cooperation of China.

He said Pakistan and China have brought under control coronavirus to a great extent, adding this is his first visit to the neighbouring country after a considerable decline in coronavirus cases.

Both countries are familiar with important regional changes that have taken place, he added.

World financial institutions were praising the prudent economic policies of the country and all economic indicators were giving positive signals for strengthen national economy, adding the government made hectic efforts 

STAFF REPORT

ISLAMABAD :  Leader of the House in the Senate Dr Shahzad Waseem on Friday said that  controlling COVID-19 pandemic, reduction in current account deficit and increasing foreign remittances were some of the achievements which reflect the success of the government policies.

In an informal interaction with media, he said international community was acknowledging the government policies against coronavirus.

He said world financial institutions were praising the prudent economic policies of the country and all economic indicators were giving positive signals for strengthen national economy, adding the government made hectic efforts in this regard.

The Leader of the House said the government would not get blackmailed from anyone and was fully committed to fulfil all promises which were made with the people during the general elections.

He said although the government  had handled coronavirus  effectively but there was need to do lot of in health sector. Replying to a question, he said the President’s joint session address was not an ordinary address but had a great importance.

He said Indian prime minister Narindra Modi  policies had unveiled the face of its secularism and destroyed the image of the larger democracy. He said India was isolating in the world now due to fascist policies of Modi’s government, adding Indian government  was openly violating human rights and committing atrocities not only against unarmed Kashmiris but all  the minorities which were living in India.

He said Kashmiri people had raised their flag of independence despite of facing barbarism of Indian forces against them in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).