ISLAMABAD, SEPT 18 (DNA) – President Asif Ali Zardari has categorically rejected the elections for the Legislative Assembly of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), asserting that these polls are no substitute for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination. He emphasised that such elections are unacceptable to the people of Kashmir and called upon the international community to hold the Modi government accountable for ongoing human rights violations in IIOJK. He further urged the need to take concrete steps toward conducting a plebiscite in line with relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions.

The President expressed these views while talking to a delegation of migrants from IIOJK, residing in Pakistan since 1989, led by Mr Uzair Ahmed Ghazali, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, on Wednesday.

Welcoming the delegation, the President condemned the Legislative Assembly elections in IIOJK, terming them as part of India’s broader strategy to consolidate its illegal occupation of the region. He highlighted that such measures could neither legitimize India’s occupation nor suppress the freedom struggle of the Kashmiri people. He stated that India was trying to alter the demographic structure of IIOJK by turning the Kashmiri Muslims into a minority and transforming them into a disempowered community in their own land.

The President said that Pakistan greatly valued the sacrifices made by the Kashmiri people for their rights and would continue to stand in solidarity with them. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to provide moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people till the realization of their right to self-determination.

The delegation apprised the President about the atrocities being committed by the Modi regime in IIOJK. It was highlighted that the entire Kashmiri leadership had been imprisoned to suppress the voice of the Kashmiri people. The delegation also apprised the President about the issues of the refugees in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

The President underscored that a protest should be lodged over the illegal steps and atrocities being committed by the Indian Occupation Forces in IIOJK. He said that Pakistan was committed to the socio-economic uplift of refugees and resolving their issues. He assured the delegation that the Government of AJK would be asked to enhance subsistence allowance as well as provide other relief measures to Kashmiri refugees. He further assured that Pakistan’s social safety net would be extended to include 8000 migrant families through the Benazir Income Support Programme.

The delegation thanked the President for Pakistan’s continued moral, political and diplomatic support for the Kashmiri people. The delegation also commended the efforts and role of the Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party, Mr Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who strongly advocated the cause of the people of IIOJK at various fora during his tenure as the Foreign Minister of Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD, SEPT 18 (DNA) – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar welcomed the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexei Overchuk, on his arrival at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad.

They will discuss areas of multi-faceted bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and the Russian Federation including trade, energy and connectivity.

ISLAMABAD, SEPT 18 (DNA) – The King formally invited the Prime Minister to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa in October. Accepting the invitation, the Prime Minister said that the CHOGM in Samoa would be a significant moment in the history of the Commonwealth, being the first summit that the King would chair since becoming Head of the Commonwealth.

Prime Minister Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the Commonwealth and the values enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter. He said that the CHOGM in Samoa would provide a forum to discuss opportunities for enhancing intra-Commonwealth cooperation on a number of important issues, such as fostering sustainable development, strengthening democratic institutions, and empowering Commonwealth youth.

Noting the King’s longstanding interest in environmental issues and various initiatives for climate sustainability, the Prime Minister said that he particularly looked forward to engaging with Commonwealth leaders on climate change, especially as Pakistan is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

The Prime Minister also inquired after the King’s health and conveyed his best wishes for Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales, who had successfully completed her treatment.

Recalling the fond memories of the King’s last visit to Pakistan, when he was the Prince of Wales, the Prime Minister hoped that the King and Her Majesty The Queen would visit Pakistan soon.

ISLAMABAD, SEPT 18 (DNA) – The highly anticipated Study in Malaysia Education Fair in Pakistan is set to take place in Islamabad on 18th September 2024, at Hotel Ramada by Wyndham. This event, Organised by Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) aims to provide Pakistani students and their parents with a unique opportunity to explore the diverse range of educational Programmes offered by leading Malaysian universities.

The fair will be officially officiated by the H.E. Ambassador Dato’ Mohammad Azhar Mazlan, the High Commissioner of Malaysia to Pakistan. A distinguished lineup of Malaysian universities will be participating, including University Putra Malaysia (UPM), Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU), UCSI University, INCEIF University, Multimedia University (MMU), University Kuala Lumpur (UniKL), University Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), University of Cyberjaya (UoC), University Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and University Malaya (UM).

Visitors to the fair will have the chance to interact directly with university representatives, learn about the various courses and programmes available, understand the admission requirements, and explore the vibrant Malaysian student life. Additionally, the event will feature informative seminars and workshops on topics such as scholarships, visa procedures, and career prospects in Malaysia.

Malaysia has long been a preferred destination for international students due to its high-quality education system, multicultural environment and affordable education and living costs. Based on the latest statistics from EMGS, Pakistan is among the top 5 countries for new applications received to study in Malaysia in 2024. International students from Pakistan have a growing interest in studying abroad in Malaysia, with more than 7000 applications received since 2020.

ISLAMABAD, SEPT 18 (DNA) – Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Alexei Overchuk, has arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan. He was warmly welcomed by Ambassador of Pakistan to the Russian Federation, Muhammad Khalid Jamali and Additional Foreign Secretary (Europe) Shafqat Ali Khan at the Islamabad Airport.

Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk will hold extensive talks with the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of Pakistan Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 and call on the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) supremo Maulana Fazlur Rehman and former president Dr. Arif Alvi reviewed the proposed proposals in connection with the constitutional amendment on Wednesday.

According to details, Alvi reached Rehman at the latter’s residence in Islamabad. On this occasion, both the leaders discussed the matters pertaining to the country’s political situation.

Prominent among those who attended the meeting were Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Salman Akram Raja.

– Abdul Ghafoor Haideri on Constitutional amendment –

Separately on Sunday, JUI-F leader Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri said on Sunday that it will take at least one month to read the proposed constitutional amendment.

Expressing his thoughts, Haideri said, “Was the government not providing us the draft if it really belonged to it? [government].”

Earlier, Haider stated that his party had not received a draft yet in line with the “constitutional package.”.

Speaking to media in Islamabad Haideri said: “We do not have received the constitutional amendment bill as of now. How can we opt to cast a vote without seeing the bill?”

“We should be given the opportunity to read the bill in detail once. We will present our opinion after ensuring our presence in the parliament,” he maintained.

“I don’t understand why this matter is being handled so quickly,” Haideri added.