KARACHI : The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Wednesday directed National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)  to clean all Karachi nullahs and remove encroachments around them in three months.

A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Gulzar Ahmed and comprising Justice Faisal Arab and Justice Ijazul Ahsan, held a hearing on the petition of illegal encroachments on drains at the SC Karachi registry.

As the hearing went underway, the CJP Gulzar asked Commissioner Karachi Iftikhar Shallwani about the ongoing cleaning work on Karachi sewerage drains.The Karachi commissioner informed the court that NDMA has cleaned city’s three main storm nullahs. “There are 38 big and 514 small drains in Karachi. NDMA has cleaned Karachi’s three major storm-water drains.

At which, the CJP Gulzar asked why NDMA hasn’t completed cleaning work of other Karachi drains?

“This was the responsibility of Sindh government to clean Karachi’s nullahs, but the centre intervened after the provincial government failed to clean Karachi drains,” the chief justice remarked.

Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Javed Khan told the apex court that the federal government is deliberating on different legal and constitutional options to save Karachi.

“Karachi has become an orphan city at the moment. Pakistan will be destroyed if Karachi is ruined.”

While expressing displeasure over the performance of the provincial government, the chief justice said that the government has ruined the city in the last 10 years and did nothing for the better of people.

“What is the responsibly of the Sindh government if everything has to be done by Supreme Court?” the CJP remarked and further said, “SC should run Karachi Circular Railway, we should build road, remove billboards and garbage from the city. If SC has to do everything then what’s left for the government”, he questioned.

The SC directed NDMA to clean all Karachi drains and remove encroachments around them in three months. The court also ordered the Sindh government to fully assist NDMA in the cleaning process and encroachments drains.

It is pertinent to mention here that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) was tasked to clean the sewerage drains in Karachi by Prime Minister Imran Khan, last month.

RAWALPINDI : Metro Bus service in twin cities (Islamabad, Rawalpindi) has resumed prescribed Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs).

The administration has issued the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). There is a ban on traveling on Metro Bus without having a seat, whereas, wearing face masks has been declared mandatory.

The operations of Metro Bus service were suspended on March 23 after the government imposed lockdown in the wake of coronavirus pandemic.It is pertinent to mention here that Punjab had lifted the lockdown on Monday, allowing all sectors except marriage halls and educational institutes to operate under safety measures outlined by the government.

The Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department issued a notification following the decisions made in the August 6 meeting of the National Coordination Committee wherein it was decided to lift the restrictions on all sectors on August 10 and resume educational activities from Sept 15.

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Renowned intellectual Malik Habibullah Bhutta has stressed upon the people to adopt spiritual ways to avoid coronavirus threat.

The well-known social activist from Bahawalpur said that performing ablution and offering prayers five times a day helps avert the threat of coronavirus. He said the people who perform ablution and offer prayers five times a day are most likely to stay safe from the disease. He urged the people to seek forgiveness as well as help from Allah Almighty who is the Most Beneficent and the Most Merciful.

It is pertinent to mention here that some 531 persons tested positive for Covid-19 and 15 persons lost their lives across the country due to deadly virus during the last 24 hours. The nationwide tally of coronavirus cases has jumped to 285,620, out of which 261,246 patients have already recovered.

RAWALPINDI, AUG 11 (DNA) – Trade and Investment counselor in Japan Tahir Habib Cheema has said that “Our trade office is focused on trade, investment, skilled manpower and tourism, and a number of steps are being taken to promote investment and bilateral trade.

Addressing Webinar on Pak-Japan trade, organized by Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) here on Tuesday, the trade counselor said, joint ventures can be made in leather, textiles, food, agricultural machinery, auto parts and livestock.

Chambers can play an important role in providing information and exchanging bilateral delegations.

The Embassy is in touch with various chambers of commerce in Japan. Two companies are also participating in RCCI virtual Rawal Expo 2020, he added. He thanked the Rawalpindi Chamber for organizing webinar and said that it was an unique idea.

The event organization, Reed Exhibitions (Japan Chapter) has also given a presentation on it by the embassy and they were very impressed.

Earlier, RCCI president Saboor Malik in his brief address said that the purpose of the webinar was to provide an opportunity for exhibitors and visitors to explore the investment opportunities, facilities and import-export existing in Japan. Get important information about Japan is an important country for bilateral trade. Japanese technology has a reputation for automobiles, spare parts and machinery, he added.

Chairman Rawal Expo Nasir Mirza briefed the participants about Virtual Rawal Expo. He said that due to the Corona epidemic and lockdown, the Rawalpindi Chamber took an important step and organized the expo on a virtual platform which is the first of its kind in Pakistan.

The expo will help us to promote the positive image of Pakistan and strengthen trade ties and networking with the world. An online platform is provided in seven different languages. The expo will run until August 16. DNA

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ISLAMABAD, AUG 11 (DNA) – Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi demanded on Tuesday to hold an investigation into the incident of clash between Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) workers and police teams outside the office of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in Lahore.

Reacting over the statement of PML-N lawmaker Khawaja Asif, Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that a thorough investigation must be launched to ascertain the motives behind the incident.

While speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, the foreign minister said that for what reason for the hooliganism as it did not happen in the past during the appearance of other PML-N leaders including Khawaja Asif before NAB.

“This kind of foolish act can be made by anyone but a sensible person would never commit such mistakes.” Qureshi continued that Punjab government would not get any benefit of the incident. He urged scrutinising the facts to avoid facing such incidents in future.

Moreover, the police department always tried to avoid creation of such circumstances, he added. “It would be a misunderstanding of PML-N if its leadership thinks for getting any advantage from such incidents. PML-N leaders should advise their workers to show patience.”

Khawaja Muhammad Asif, while speaking on the floor of the National Assembly during question hour earlier in the day, launched criticism against the government for alleged mishandling of PML-N workers and said that the tradition of violence will affect the political traditions.

He also demanded the authorities to immediately release the detained PML-N workers.

Chaos was witnessed outside NAB office on Tuesday afternoon after PML-N workers clashed with police personnel ahead of party leader Maryam Nawaz’s appearance before the bureau.

The PML-N leader had to turn back home after the corruption watchdog cancelled her scheduled hearing owing to the tense situation outside its office.

The police personnel deployed outside NAB office fired teargas shells to disperse the party workers and activists when they tried to force their way through the barricades placed there for security purposes.

They pelted the policemen and the office with stones turning the area into a virtual battlefield. More than 15 policemen and NAB officials sustained injuries as a result of stone-pelting.

Keeping in view the law and order situation, the corruption watchdog cancelled Maryam Nawaz’s hearing. However, the PML-N leader initially refused to turn back and insisted on appearing before the bureau today but later she relented and returned home. = DNA

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DNA

ISLAMABAD, AUG 11 – The Islamabad Policy Research Institute organized a special webinar on “The Contrast: Indian Hegemonistic Policies in South Asia and Pakistan’s Quest for Regional Peace and Stability” here in the capital today. The session included Keynote Address by Senator Sherry Rehman, followed by Dr Liu Zongyi and Ambassador (R) Ashraf Jehangir Qazi as the speakers.

In his Opening Remarks, Acting President IPRI, Brig. (R) Raashid Wali Janjua highlighted the jingoistic posturing of a Hindutva driven Indian government that has put the peace and security of South Asia in a confrontational limbo. He added that India has problems with every neighbor and has come a long way from its Nehruvian legacy of secular Indian nationalism. “The tactical strategy of BJP was straight out of the playbook of Nazis. Indian government has tried to marginalise and ostracize the muslim community through Citizen Amendment Act and National Register for Citizens”, he averred. The Acting President also mentioned that bilateral attempts for promoting neighbourly relations have been spurned by India. Instead of responding to peace, the Indians have been racketing up tensions and even resorting to cross border attacks on LOC.”

Senator Sherry Rehman talked about how Pakistan is a particular thorn in Modi’s side because it notionally challenges and impedes Modi’s ascent as South Asia region’s hegemon. She pointed out that India is using external threats to cover up its internal failures and like a Janus faced entity showing a different image to the world while acting as a misanthropic bully domestically and an implacable hegemon bilaterally. Pakistan’s foreign policy as per her needs to be more nuanced and proactive based on a consistent approach backed by a domestic consensus.

Ambassador (R) Ashraf Jehangir Qazi stressed on the need for a two tracked policy. Track one should aim at employing diplomacy, lawfare and moral suasions whereas track two should focus on prevention of cultural genocide through all means at disposal of Pakistan.

Dr Liu Zongyi of Shanghai Institute for International Studies highlighted the change in Indian approach towards border dispute with China due to militant Hindutva ideology of Modi. He pointed out that India is stoking the fire of conflict in the region on the encouragemenr of another global power. India as per him was neither capable of winning a war against China nor making peace under the current Indian regime.