WASHINGTON — President Trump’s cautious distance from Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement has left him politically isolated from both parties in Congress, the State Department, European allies and his most hawkish advisers at the White House.Despite ringing declarations of support for the protesters from leading Democrats and Republicans as well as European officials, Mr. Trump has shown little sympathy for the mass demonstrations against China’s encroaching political influence on the former British colony. And in his almost-singular focus on his showdown with Beijing over trade and tariffs, Mr. Trump is ignoring the view of his conservative advisers, who believe that China’s authoritarian model threatens American interests worldwide.
Indonesia celebrates 74th anniversary of Independence Day
ISLAMABAD, AUG 17 (DNA) – An impressive flag=hoisting ceremony was held at the Indonesian embassy on the occasion of 74th anniversary of Independence Day of Indonesia.Ambassador of Indonesia Iwan S Amri along with embassy staff presided over the flag-hoisting ceremony.Indonesia proclaimed her Independence on August 17th 1945.This year the Indonesian nation is celebrating the 74thanniversary of theIndependence of their homeland. Every year this historic event is celebrated with great patriotic zeal and numerous exciting events throughout the archipelago and around the world.Like in all international capitals, the pinnacle celebration commemorating Independence Day was held in the morning of the 17th August at the Indonesian Embassy in Islamabad.
‘World must take notice of Rajnath Singh’s irresponsible statement’
ISLAMABAD (DNA) – Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan on Saturday stated the United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) meeting on Kashmir has proved that it is considered as a disputed territory at the international level.In a series of tweets, she said the Council’s meeting has exposed Indian claims that Kashmir was an internal matter of India.Firdous said the voice of the Kashmiris, which had been suppressed by India, resonated at the world’s highest diplomatic forum.“Prime Minister Imran Khan has emerged as the true spokesperson of Kashmiris.” She said: “The statement of Rajnath Singh is a threat to the [peace] of the entire world.”
Islamabad Marriott Hotel goes plastic bag free
ISLAMABAD (DNA) -The Islamabad Marriott hotel has started its ‘Plastic-Free’ campaign to help reduce its plastic footprint in collaboration with Plastic Miracles, “a social enterprise which aims to be society’s change agent and to pioneer innovations that benefit society.“We are committed to working on a plan to reduce plastic bags usage at the hotel. Infact we have already taken an initiative to reduce 70 % of plastic consumption at the hotel. This step was taken as soon as the ban on plastic bags was announced in the Federal Capital territory from the 14th of August 2019. Our management and colleagues are excited to lead the way and to make a difference, “said Maurizio Romani, the General Manager of the Islamabad Marriott Hotel.
People of Jammu and Kashmir should not be treated as pawns: Amnesty International
Human rights watchdog Amnesty International, following Modi-led Hindu nationalist Indian government’s human rights’ abuses in occupied Kashmir, asserted that the international community must come together to call for the human rights to be respected.Kumi Naidoo, Secretary General of Amnesty International in a statement issued on its website, said, “The actions of the Indian government have thrown ordinary people’s lives into turmoil, subjecting them to unnecessary pain and distress on top of the years of human rights violations they have already endured.””The people of Jammu and Kashmir should not be treated as pawns in a political crisis, and the international community must come together to call for their human rights to be respected.”
‘OIC demands India to immediately lift curfew in Kashmir’
ISLAMABAD (DNA) – In what is being considered as another diplomatic achievement for Pakistan, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has demanded India to immediately lift the stringent curfew in occupied Kashmir that has paralysed human life across the entire region for 13 days.Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi revealed the OIC decision in a video message. “It is another diplomatic achievement for Pakistan that the OIC has demanded that India immediately lift curfew from occupied Kashmir.”Qureshi said he had engaged OIC members in the recent past and participated in a meeting of the organisation in Jeddah and discussed the issue with them. “As a result, the OIC also issued a press statement.”
‘Jammu and Kashmir status to be settled in accordance with UN Charter’
UNITED NATIONS (DNA) – United Nations has maintained its stance on the Kashmir dispute between Pakistan and India, and has been following the situation in Jammu and Kashmir “with concern” while appealing both sides to exercise “maximum restraint”.According to a statement issued by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on August 8: “The position of the United Nations on this region is governed by the Charter…and applicable Security Council resolutions”, said the statement. “The Secretary-General also recalls the 1972 Agreement on bilateral relations between India and Pakistan also known as the Simla Agreement, which states that the final status of Jammu and Kashmir is to be settled by peaceful means”, in accordance with the UN Charter.
England demands investigations of human rights violations in IoK: Maleeha Lodhi
NEW YORK, (DNA) – Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dr Maleeha Lodhi said that England has demanded independent investigations of human rights violations in Indian-occupied Kashmir (IoK).Dr Maleeha Lodhi told that India tried to stop the UN Security Council (UNSC) meeting in New York over Kashmir issue, and its occurrence itself is a major development.Dr Maleeha Lodhi said the UNSC session admitted that Kashmir is an internationally recognized dispute. Kuwait also stressed on implementation of the UN resolutions over the issue, she added.
The Kashmir crisis isn’t about territory. It’s about a Hindu victory over Islam.
For two weeks, Kashmir, India’s sole Muslim-majority state, has existed in a surreal state of nonexistence.Since a presidential decree abolished the state, revoked its autonomy and partitioned it into two federally administered territories, the Internet has been shut down, cellular networks have been disabled, and even landlines went dead. Public assembly is banned, and citizens are under curfew. A soldier has been stationed outside every house in some villages.Eight million people have been cut off from the world — and from one another. Pharmacies are running out of medicine, households are low on food, and hospitals are clogging up with injured protesters. Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister, insists that all this is for the good of the Kashmiris.
Indian envoy again summoned over LoC violations
ISLAMABAD, AUG 16 (DNA) -The Director General (SA & SAARC), Dr. Mohammad Faisal, summoned the Indian Deputy High Commissioner Mr. Gaurav Ahluwalia today and condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Indian occupation forces along the Line of Control (LoC) in Lipa and Battal Sectors, resulting in shahadat of two civilians, Mr. Muhammad Aziz and Mr. Muneeb and one armed forces personnel, Sepoy Ramzan.
