DNA

Islamabad: AUG 15 – Fifth death anniversary of slain home minister of Punjab Colonel (retd) Shuja Khanzada observed on Sunday. Khanzada and 16 others had killed in a suicide blast on August 16, 2015, at his political office in Shadi Khan, near Attock. Khanzada, 71, was holding a meeting with locals when a suicide bomber blew himself up.

The home minister and several others were buried under the rubble after the blast brought down the roof of the house. The Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), a banned religious extremist outfit claimed, responsibility for the attack.
On the other hands, the victims family including widows and orphans didn’t get any financial help from the government.

DNA

FAISALABAD, AUG 15 – Music industry had been orphan when he died in a hospital of London on August 16, 1997 at the age of 49. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was born on October 13, 1948 in Faisalabad.

Ghulam Ghaus Samdani changed his name to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan from Pervaiz.  His father, Ustad Fateh Ali Khan, and two of his uncles, Ustad Mubarik Ali Khan and Ustad Salamat Ali Khan, were famous qawwals belongs to the Patiala gharana originated from Basti Sheikh, Jalandhar today in India. He followed the 600-year old Qawwali tradition of his family.

The Singing Buddha’s legacy is very enchanting. He toured extensively, performing in over 40 countries including US, Europe East Asia and Middle Eastern countries. He was given the title of Ustad (the master) after performing classical music at a function in Lahore on the anniversary of his father’s death.

He became the head of the family qawwali party in 1971 after the death of his uncle Ustad Mubarik Ali Khan. In 1987 he received Pride of Performance Award for his contribution to Pakistani music from President of Pakistan. 1990s he contributed to the soundtracks of several popular films. In 1992 to 1993 academic year, Khan was a Visiting Artist in the Ethnomusicology department at the University of Washington, USA.

He received the UNESCO Music Prize in 1995and next year in 1996 he was awarded Grand Prix des Amériques at Montreal World Film Festival. Khan’s album Intoxicated Spirit was nominated for Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album in 1997. Night Song was also nominated for Grammy Award for Best World Music Album In 1995. His art were researched in Europe and many books were written. Time magazine added his name to the list of Asian Heroes in 2006.

A book called Emperor Qawwali was published in Japan and he was given the title of “Singing Buddha” in 1992. A.R Rehman said he was very generous man and good friend of me. He composed a song “Tere Bina” for the film Guru as a tribute to Khan in 2007. Michael Brook helped increase the accessibility of Nusrat’s shortly before his death, and composed several songs in collaboration. Khan also composed music for three Bollywood films, and other famous indian artist like Lata Mangashkar, Asha Bhoslay, R. D Burman and A.R Rehamn also sang his composed songs.

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s nephew Muhammad Ali Sheikhu expressing similar feelings, he said, “Really 23 years?” no every day, every minute and every second one of his fans is listening to him, the legend never dies. Because of them, our family is known around the globe. When Nusrat Khan’s Qawwali or a song is sung somewhere; the heart becomes happy to hear it. Mirza Abubakar of LSC Foundation Faisalabad celebrated his 23rd death anniversary by lighting the candles.

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s ancestral home at Lasori Shah Road Jhang Bazar Faisalabad was sealed due to circumstance after his death. Locals are demanding from PM Imran Khan and department of Archeology to take the possesion of his home and founding the music academy and gallery on his name.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, AUG 15 – A senior Indian diplomat was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today to register Pakistan’s strong protest over the ceasefire violations by the Indian occupation forces along the Line of Control (LoC) on 14^th August 2020, resulting in serious injuries to one innocent civilian.

Due to indiscriminate and unprovoked firing by the Indian occupation forces in Dhudhnial Sector of the LoC, 03 year old Zulekha d/o Mushtaq, resident of Village Tejian, 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 more than 1980 ceasefire violations to date, resulting in 16 shahadats and serious injuries to 161 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 and 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.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, AUG 15 – Former President ICCI Shahid Rasheed Butt on Saturday said business community of Pakistan unconditionally support steps taken by Prime Minister Imran Khan to reduce the tariff of electricity.

The government has successfully negotiated reduction in the price of electricity by many IPPs and Wind Power Projects which will give relief to the masses and business community, he said.

Shahid Rasheed Butt said that reduced tariff of electricity will trigger production, employment, exports, and revenue.

He said that former governments promoted crooked businessmen in the name of bridging power shortfall and entered into highly controversial agreements which damaged the economy and eroded the buying power of masses.

Now the incumbent government is reversing the shady deals finalized under 2002 Power Policy but it should also look into the other projects finalized under other power policies and special arrangements, as their tariff is very high.

He said that there are reports that remaining IPPs are also considering signing new agreements which are not against national interests.

Mr. Butt said that power tariff in Pakistan is almost 25 to 35 percent higher than the regional countries making exports uncompetitive in the international market.

He said that the decision of the Supreme Court regarding GIDC is good and according to the ground realities which will give the benefit of Rs405 billion to the government.

The levy was imposed in 2011 to raise funds for gas infrastructure development while the total GIDC accumulated so far is Rs700 billion of which about Rs295 billion has been collected and Rs405 billion will be recovered now.

DNA

RAWALPINDI, AUG 15 – General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Bill Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Spoke on telephone about Pakistan’s COVID-19 response and resumption of polio campaign .Mr Gates conveyed appreciation for Pakistan Army for supporting national polio drive, ensuring proper reach and coverage.

COAS said it was a national cause and national effort for a polio free Pakistan and Credit goes to the grassroots workers including mobile teams, Law Enforcement Agencies and healthcare representatives.Both also discussed the safe start and efforts needed to effectively conduct polio campaign under COVID environment.

Mr Gates also appreciated Pakistan’s success against COVID-19 despite resource constraints. COAS attributed the success to a true national response, executed through the mechanism of NCOC which allowed optimisation of resources.

Mr. Gates reiterated the Gates Foundation’s ongoing commitment ‘to fight pandemics’ around the world, and to support Pakistan in its goals of ending polio and improving health for every child.