DNA

ISLAMABAD, JUNE 22 –  On Pakistan’s call, an Emergency virtual meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu & Kashmir was held at the Ministerial level, today, focused on the worsening situation in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K).

The OIC Secretary General, Dr. Yousaf Al-Othaimeen, chaired the meeting. The Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and senior representative of Niger attended the meeting and made statements. Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi led the Pakistan delegation. The President of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and True Representatives of the Kashmiri People also participated in the deliberations and shared their perspective. The OIC-Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) presented a report on the deteriorating human rights situation in IOJ&K.

In his opening remarks, the OIC Secretary General stressed the OIC’s commitment to finding peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir disputein accordance with the relevant resolutions of the UN, Islamic Summits and CFMs. He called on “the international community to strengthen its efforts to assist the people of Kashmir to decisively practice their legitimate rights denied for decades.”

In his statement, Foreign Minister Qureshi apprised the participants of the worsening situation in IOJ&K and India’s illegal and unilateral steps of 5 August 2019. He stated that the RSS-BJP dispensation in India was bent upon perpetuating India’s illegal occupation of IOJ&K to pursue its Hindutva agenda. Highlighting the plight and agony of the people of Kashmir, he stated that 8 million Kashmiris continued to face lockdown, military siege, communications blockade and unprecedented restrictions for over 10 months.

The Foreign Minister stated that Indian occupation forces were operating brutally with complete impunity to suppress the legitimate struggle of the Kashmiris for their inalienable right to self-determination. There are repeated instances of extra-judicial killings in fake “encounters”, “cordon-and-search” operations, indiscriminate use of pellet guns and “collective punishment”.  At least 30 young Kashmiris have been martyred in the last 20 days. The Kashmiri leadership remains incarnated. Such actions represented India’s state-terrorism in its worst form. He deplored that in the garb of COVID-19 crisis, India was imposing even more stringent lockdown in the occupied territory.

Foreign Minister Qureshi conveyed Pakistan’s deep concerns over recently introduced new domicile rules to change the demographic structure of IOJ&K which clearly violates the relevant UN and OIC resolutions and international law, including the 4^th Geneva Convention.

The Foreign Minister highlighted that India has intensified ceasefire violations along the LoC and Working Boundary, 1440 since January 2020, and in order to divert world’s attention from its unacceptable actions in IOJ&K, India may resort to “false flag” operation and undertake some other misadventure which could imperil regional peace and security.

Foreign Minister Qureshi appreciated the OIC’s consistent and unequivocal support on the Jammu & Kashmir dispute- which can only be resolved in accordance with the UNSC resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people.  He welcomed the important pronouncements of the OIC and its human rights body, IPHRC, rejecting India’s illegal actions in IOJ&K.  He highlighted that the adoption of the Ministerial Communiqué by the Contact Group further manifested the OIC’s commitment to the Kashmir cause.

In the Communiqué,unanimously adopted, the Contact Group:

•     Reaffirmed its support for the legitimate struggle of the Kashmiri people for realization of their inalienable right to self-determination and freedom from Indian occupation;
•     Emphasized that the question of Kashmir was of utmost importance for the Muslim Ummah;
•     Rejected the newly-notified “Jammu & Kashmir Reorganization Order 2020” and “Jammu & Kashmir Grant of Domicile Certificate Rules 2020” aimed at changing the demographic structure of IOJ&K; and
•     Expressed concern over India’s intensified ceasefire violations on the Line of Control (LoC).
•     The Contact Group demanded from India to:
•    Rescind its unilateral and illegal actions, and allow the Kashmiri people to freely exercise their right to self-determination through a UN-supervised plebiscite;
•   Halt its human rights violations; stop indiscriminate use of force; lift the unabated military siege and inhuman lockdown; repeal its draconian emergency laws; allow exercise of fundamental freedoms; and release all illegal detainees;
•    Stop any moves towards changing the demographic structure of IOJ&K, as they are illegal and in violation of international law, particularly the 4th Geneva Convention;
•    Provide unhindered access to the OIC, IPHRC and UN Fact Finding Missions, OIC Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Jammu and Kashmir, and international media to investigate into human rights violations in IOJ&K; and
•     Agree to the call made in the OHCHR’s report to establish a Commission of Inquiry to conduct comprehensive independent international investigations on human rights violations.
•         Requested the Office of UN OHCHR to continue to monitor and report on the situation of human rights in IOJ&K.
•       Requested the Humanitarian Department of OIC to examine and analyse the egregious violations of human rights and humanitarian standards in IOJ&K – with particular reference to the COVID-19 pandemic – with a view to evolving ways and means to address its gravity and adverse impact on the lives and livelihoods of Kashmiris.
•      Called upon the OIC Member States to raise the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in their bilateral engagements with India with a view to safeguarding the fundamental human rights of the Kashmiri people in the occupied territory, and ensuring expeditious implementation of the relevant UNSC resolutions.
•      Requested the OIC Secretary General to highlight the worsening situation in IOJ&K at various international fora including the UN and call for immediate steps for amelioration of humanitarian situation and peaceful resolution of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute.

Veteran World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) star The Undertaker has said that he has no plans to return to competition inside the squared circle at the moment.

“It was a perfect moment,” the sports-entertainment legend — whose real name is Mark Calaway — said about his recent Boneyard match at WrestleMania 38 with AJ Styles. “You don’t necessarily always get those. If there was ever a perfect ending to a career, that right there was it.”

The 52-year-old veteran has said that he might make a return to in-ring competition but only time would tell.

Undertaker would make his WWE debut at the 1990 Survivor Series. He would then go on to become win the World Heavyweight Champion, WWE Champion, WWE Hardcore Champion, WCW Tag Team Champion, WWF Tag Team Champion and the Royal Rumble.

He would also participate in several innovative matches such as Last Ride match, Hell in a Cell match, Buried Alive match and the Inferno match.

DNA

Islamabad: June 22, 2020: Capital Development Authority will auction New Blue Area commercial plots on 15^th, 16^th,and 17^th July. The auction proceedings will be held at Jinnah Convention Centre Islamabad from 10 am onwards on all three days. Capital Development Authority has issued advertisements to this effect in print media.

The auction of New Blue Area plots was earlier scheduled to be held April of current year but was postponed due to Covid-19 related lock down. Now CDA Administration has decided to hold open auction of same plots in the mid of July.

“Blue Area, New Vision” is the badge of Capital Development Authority which reflects foresight of Capital Development Authority Administration regarding upcoming auction of New Blue Area plots because this will provide a unique opportunity for businessmen and investors to promote their businesses and brands in the newly developed business hub of the capital. Capital Development Authority Administration has taken special initiatives for prospective bidders which include dedicated team to facilitate investors at every step, first installment of 25% within 30 days of bid acceptance letter, building plan approval facility after first installment construction to start on full payment, 10% discount on full payment in advance, advance income tax on pro rata basis, 100% coverage for less than 1000 Sq.Yd. plots, 70% to 75% ground coverage for plots above 1000 Sq. yd, every plot with all round circulation strip, Ample public parking and application of newly developed building bylaws.

The auction of New Blue Area plots is a reflection of commitment by CDA Administration to be part of government’s efforts to promote business and investment opportunities in the country. The income from the auction of plots will be mainly spent for funding development projects in Islamabad. Further details of the auction of plots is available at CDA website .Details and brochures are available at One Window Directorate CDA and designated branches of MCB Bank, Askari Bank, HBL and Bank of Punjab.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, JUNE 22 – Chairman HEC Tariq Banuri has condoled the death of the renowned academic and the Vice Chancellor of Sukkur IBA University, Prof. Nisar Ahmed Siddiqui, who passed away in Karachi on Monday morning.

Mr. Banuri, on behalf of higher education fraternity, sent heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, faculty and students. He prayed for the departed soul and his family and said that the “thoughts of entire academic community are with his family at this sorrowful time.” Mr. Banuri observed that Mr. Siddiqui was one of the most respected academic leaders and reformers in the country. He had developed and introduced new approaches into education, enhanced the standard of service to society, and transformed a nascent institute to a leading national university.

Prof. Siddiqui, who was also a Member of the HEC’s governing body as representative of the Government of Sindh, became the Director of Sukkur Institute of Business Administration in 2004, after gaining wide experience in management, administration and academia at national and international levels. His commitment, foresight and leadership led Sukkur IBA to deliver high quality teaching, applied research, and focused training and capacity development. He focused on strengthening university-industry relationships, promotion of entrepreneurship, technology-transfer and commercialization activities.

A career civil servant with an MBA from Boston University, Mr. Siddiqui had served the Government in various capacities, including as Managing Director SITE (Sindh Industrial Trading Estate). His research interests were equally varied, and spanned such issues as the marketing of dates in Pakistan, the conflicts over devolution of power to local governments, and factors responsible for the low standards of education in Sindh. In recognition of his valuable services to education, the Government of Pakistan bestowed upon him Sitara-i-Imtiaz in 2015.

DNA

Islamabad, 22 June, 2020. The Standing Committee on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs in its meeting held on Friday took up the Finance Bill 2020, containing the Annual Budget statement presented in the House on 12 June, 2020. The Committee took up issues of traders and Industrialists that had been submitted to the Committee for review and deliberation.   Recommendations made by Senators were reviewed as well.

Chaired by Senator Farooq Hamid Naek, the meeting was attended by Senator Mohsin Aziz, Senator Zeeshan Khanzada, Senator Mian Muhammad Ateeq Sheikh, Senator Senator Talha Mehmood and senior officers from the Ministry for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs, Ministry of Commerce and Federal Board Revenue.  Senator Kulsoom Parveen, Senator Seemee Ezdi, Senator Muhammad Ali Khan Saif, Senator, Senator Ghaus Muhammad Khan Niazi were present as well.

While deliberating over the various recommendations made the Committee allowed to companies involved in the manufacture of PPEs and masks certain relaxations.  Raw materials used in the manufacture of these products were exempted from Customs Duty for a year as well.

The noose was tightened around cigarettes and other tobacco products.  A 10 percent raise for Civil Servants as well as the Armed Forces was recommended.  Sales tax on textiles was reduced to 4 percent.  State Bank relief for PM Youth Program was recommended.  Recommendations  suggesting HEC be granted more funds for assisting online university education all over the country was approved as well. Expediting the process of privatization of ailing enterprises was recommended.

Senator Kulsoom Parveen, who along with some other Senators had recommended a 10 percent raise for Civil Servants was of the view that this was imperative due to inflation. She also recommended that Excise Duty must be increased on expensive cigarettes and that Excise Duty on cement must be decreased to 40 percent.

Senator Seemi Ezdi, opined that the Government has allocated PKR 50 billion under the Corona Stimulus Package for fertilizer subsidy, loan remission and other relief to farmers, keeping in view of the COVID-19 situation and food insecurity on account of locusts attacks, this allocation is insufficient, hence it must be increased to 50 percent.