Movie “Kazakh Khanate –Diamond Sword” screened at PNCA

ISLAMABAD, Jan 31: In a bid to further strengthen cultural relations, Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) and the Embassy of Kazakhstan organized screening of a movie titled “Kazakh Khanate –Diamond Sword” here at PNCA, auditorium on Wednesday.

Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi, Caretaker Minister for National Heritage & Culture Jamal Shah and Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan H.E Yerzhan Kistafin along with Director General PNCA Muhammad Ayoub Jamali and large number of people attended the movie screening.
Addressing the screening ceremony of a Kazakh movie at the Pakistan National Council of Arts, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi underlined the need for promoting cinemas in the country to foster cultural values of tolerance and harmony in the society.
He said, “Nothing impresses, educates and illuminates better than cinema. Probably hundreds of high-pitch, hyperbolic and hyper ventilating speeches cannot educate you like this movie, I am sure, can educate and sensitize you better.”

He expressed gratitude to the ambassador of Kazakhstan in Pakistan and Caretaker Minister for Culture and Heritage Jamal Shah for inviting him to speak on the screening of “Kazakh Khanate”. “Nobody probably in this auditorium can truly represent cinema better than Jamal Shah. He lives and breaths cinema,” he said while expressing the resolve to work with his cabinet colleague to promote the culture through cinema. “We will try both with and without the government to do our job to address the challenges people faced today,” he said while highlighting the urgency for the next elected government to address the poly crises such as culture of intolerance, extreme polarization amid the heavily divided global landscape. “We have huge challenges in front of us and one of those challenges in the domain of culture and perception is extreme intolerance, and personality cult and cult worship that won’t be cured by criminalizing things,” he noted. The minister said, “Law will and shall take its course but when it comes to dealing with long term consequences, there is nothing better than culture. In culture, cinema holds special place, so we must promote good cinemas. “ He assured the Kazakh envoy of all-out support of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and its attached departments. “Kazakhstan is not a far away land” as it was connected with Pakistan both geographically and culturally, he added. “There is a great future for cooperation between Pakistan and Kazakhstan,” he said, noting that the screening of the film “should be a learning experience and a point of departure to deepen our relationship to new heights.”

Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Jamal Shah said that it was a really educational movie, which specifies that honour, solidarity and dignity are above anything else.
The minister also noted that the movie screening reflects the growing cultural and collaborative ties between Pakistan and Kazakhstan. He emphasized the paramount importance of cultural exchanges, acknowledging the rich cultural heritage and picturesque landscapes of the region.

Jamal Shah expressed a keen interest in enhancing collaboration in film and cinema to further fortify bilateral cultural ties.

The Ambassador of Kazakhstan H.E Yerzhan Kistafin stressed that through the prism of the film, the life of the people of that time, the geopolitical conditions of the formation of the Kazakh Khanate, as well as details of costumes and battle scenes were conveyed.
He said that this is a movie based on footage for a great historical show. The Ambassador commended PNCA and National Heritage and Culture Division for collaborating Kazakhstan movie screening.

The movie was screened in the Urdu language.
Kazakh Khanate: Diamond Sword tells the history of fifteenth century Eurasia.

ISLAMABAD, JAN 31 (APP/DNA): Pakistan’s High Commissioner-designate to Sri Lanka Major General (Retd) Faheem Ul Aziz called on President Dr Arif Alvi on Wednesday.

During the meeting, the president said that Pakistan attached great importance to its bilateral relations with Sri Lanka, which spanned over seven decades of the strong bonds, according to a President House news release.

President Alvi stressed the need to further promote the people-to-people and cultural contracts between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, besides consolidating the ties in the fields of economy and education.

 He said that bilateral trade volume with Sri Lanka must be increased to its full potential, adding the goodwill feelings of the two countries towards each other should be converted into strong economic ties.

President Alvi said that Pakistan had Buddhist heritage sites which were of great importance for the promotion of tourism activities in the country. The president congratulated Major General (Retd) Faheem Ul Aziz on his appointment as Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka.

BAJAUR, JAN 31 /DNA/ – Unidentified assailants opened fire on Rehan Zeb Khan while he was campaigning Sadiqabad Phatak Bazar, say police.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed candidate Rehan Zeb Khan was shot dead on Wednesday in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Bajaur district, police said.

The PTI-backed candidate was contesting elections from NA-8 and PK-22 seats.

Rehan was present in Sadiqabad Phatak Bazar area of the tribal district in connection with the election campaign when unidentified assailants fired upon him, leaving him dead on the spot.

The attack comes in the backdrop of increased terrorist attacks that have plagued particularly Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provinces in recent months.

With more than 128 million voters, various circles have raised concerns over the deteriorating security situation in the country, especially in the aforementioned provinces, with some lawmakers even moving the Senate seeking poll delay in light of security threats.

Previous general election campaigns have witnessed spasms of violence, with scores of candidates and voters targeted by bombings and gun attacks and it seems that the 2024 polls are likely to be no different as the country has witnessed a significant surge in targeting of electioneering activities and candidates.

A day earlier, at least four people lost their lives after a blast targeted the former ruling party’s rally in Balochistan’s Sibi.

Rehan is not the first Imran Khan-founded PTI leader to have lost his life in the run-up to the polls as previously Shah Khalid was shot dead by unidentified men in the province’s Swabi district.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, JAN 31: The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) hosted the lunch in the honor of OIC Ombudsman Association and Ambassadors at a local hotel in Islamabad.

RCCI President Saqib Rafiq along with Group Leader and Chief Business Advisor FTO Sohail Altaf gave a warm reception to the visiting delegation.

Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Dr. Asif Mahmood Jah, President Seref Malkov of the OIC Ombudsman Association along with representatives from OIC nations, Ambassadors including  H.E. Mehmet Paçacı (Turkiye), H.E. Mohamed Karmoune (Morocco), H. E. Khazar Farhadov (Azerbaijan), H.E. Dr Ihab Mohamed Abdelhamid Hassan (Egypt) Defense Attaché Egypt. Muhammad Saad, Indonesia, Zimbabwe, Fauzia Viqar (FOSPAH), FTO Advisors, among others, graced the event.

Vice President RCCI Mr. Faisal Shahzad, Former Presidents, EC members, representatives from the trade associations, Mr. Tariq Jadoon, President of the Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industry Rawalpindi, Women members and distinguished RCCI members were also present on the occasion.

President Seref Malkov of the OIC Ombudsman Association paid gratitude for the warm hospitality and added that Pakistan is an important member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Ombudsman Association (OICOA) and can work proactively by expanding its mandate from addressing the issues of bad governance to taking up human rights violations, corruption etc and also for international peace and reconciliation.

He also expressed the association’s commitment to expanding its membership and collectively combating human rights violations prevalent across Muslim countries.

RCCI President Saqib Rafiq in his welcome remarks appreciated the role of OIC Ombudsman Association for enhancing capacity and providing member countries with a platform to exchange ideas for better governance.

Group Leader Sohail Altaf thanked the visiting delegation and remarked that it was an honor for us for hosting OIC Ombudsman members.

In his speech, FTO Asif Jah said that I am grateful to Saqib Rafiq, President of Rawalpindi Chamber and Group Leader Sohail Altaf, who made the best arrangements for the OIC delegation.

On this occasion, Chief Business Advisor FTO, Sohail Altaf also presented a resolution to condemn Israeli brutality and atrocities, which was supported by the participants by raising their hands.

The journalists have keenly noted a concerning trend where numerous seasoned journalists are being overlooked, purportedly due to their transition into ownership roles. Despite this narrative, it is noteworthy that several proprietors have been beneficiaries of plots in the Bara Kahu scheme

DNA

ISLAMABAD: Hundreds of journalists affected by the plots gathered in the National Press Club Islamabad to discuss the release of a controversial list against the allottees in the housing scheme by the Federal Ministry of Information and the Federal Housing Authority. A meeting was held in which, after coming up with different proposals, it was agreed that the case will be fought against the illegal allotments of government housing schemes Behara Kahu and Sector F 14 and 15 in all forums including the high courts.

Rules have been violated in them, the age, experience and seniority of the applicant have not been taken into consideration. It has been said in the resolution that senior journalists have been ignored in previous schemes including this scheme, incomplete lists have come to light, so complete lists should be provided.

The journalists have keenly noted a concerning trend where numerous seasoned journalists are being overlooked, purportedly due to their transition into ownership roles. Despite this narrative, it is noteworthy that several proprietors have been beneficiaries of plots in the Bara Kahu scheme.

This observation raises questions about the fairness of sidelining senior journalists solely based on their newfound ownership status. The injustice lies in the failure to recognize the extensive contributions of these individuals, who dedicated their entire careers to the profession. It is crucial to acknowledge that even after assuming roles as publishers of newspapers or periodicals, these journalists continue to actively practice their craft.

Excluding them from considerations neglects their invaluable experience, knowledge, and commitment to journalism. The criteria for recognition and benefits should be inclusive, considering the enduring dedication these individuals have displayed to the field, rather than disproportionately focusing on their transition to ownership roles.

The participants of the meeting expressed no confidence in the Scrutiny Committee of Journalists and demanded the establishment of a new Scrutiny Committee in which the committee of affected journalists is also asked to be represented. In the resolution, the government agencies have been demanded to inspect the documents submitted by the applicants in both phases of Bihara Kahu and other proposed schemes, to investigate the submitted affidavits and service records, to check the submission of fake documents. The registration of those should be cancelled. Already beneficiaries of government schemes

In addition to the members of the coordination committee, the former president of National Press Club Shakil Qarrar expressed solidarity with all the affected journalists and announced to support them in every forum for the establishment of merit and rights.

IMRAN KHAN SAYS HE HAS BEEN CHEATED; BUSHRA BIBI SURRENDERS BEFORE COURT

ISLAMABAD/DNA

The legal woes of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan continue to multiply as an accountability court on Wednesday sentenced the former prime minister and his spouse Bushra Bibi to 14 years in prison with rigorous punishment in the Toshakhana reference.

Accountability court’s Judge Muhammad Bashir announced the verdict, also disqualifying the former prime minister for 10 years while handing over a fine of Rs1.573 billion — 787 million each — to the couple. 

During the previous hearing, which was also held at Adiala jail, the court recorded Bushra Bibi’s statement under Section 342.

Khan told the court that his wife had nothing to do with the case and was being humiliated by being forcibly dragged into it.

At the outset of the hearing today, Judge Bashir asked Khan if he recorded his statement. To this, the former premier said that he would submit his statement once his lawyers came.

“I have been deceived as I was only called to mark my attendance for the hearing,” said the PTI founder.

IHC declares jail trial notification correct

On the other hand, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) termed the notification of Khan’s jail trial in Toshakhana and the £190 million settlement cases as correct.

The court also dismissed the PTI founder’s petitions against the jail trial in the cases filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Apparently, the jail trial was in view of the threats to the life of the petitioner, adding that it was not “malice”.

IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Tariq Jahangiri issued a detailed verdict while also rejecting the petitioner’s objection over the appointment of the accountability judge.

“Section 352 of the Criminal Code is applied in the Official Secrets Act case in the absence of a clear law,” said the court. It added that the high court rules and Section 352 will be applied when the sessions court passes an order concerning the location.

The court said that the objection over the notification of jail hearing being issued before the reference was correct.

“The NAB prosecutor had said that at the time of the notification, the proceedings of bail and remand were underway,” the IHC said, adding that the proceedings cannot be declared null and void on the basis of an executive or trial court order.

RAWALPINDI, JAN 30 /DNA/ – On night 29/30 January 2024, multiple terrorists including suicide bombers attacked Mach and Kolpur Complexes in Balochistan, which was effectively responded by Law Enforcement Agencies.

Security forces in the vicinity were immediately mobilized who are carrying out ensuing operation. Nine terrorists including three suicide bombers have been sent to hell till now and 3 were injured.

However, during intense exchange of fire, four brave members of Law Enforcement Agancies, having fought gallantly, embraced Shahadat along with two innocent civilians.

Effective response by Law Enforcement Agancies is a testament of their unrelenting resolve in fight against terrorism.

Pakistan’s Security Forces stand shoulder to shoulder with other Law Enforcement Agencies to ensure peace & stability in the country.