ISLAMABAD, FEB 19 /DNA/ – COMSTECH, ICESCO and Songhai Center, in Benin jointly organized 5-day international training workshop on innovative practices for the development of a sustainable agri-business for the future at Songhai Center in Porto-Novo the capital city of Benin.

H.E. Mr. Gaston Cossi Dossouhoui, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, H.E. Mr. José Didier Tonato Minister of Living Environment and Sustainable Development, H.E. Mayor Oumar Ba, President AMS/CCT-UMOA, Dr. M. Sharif, Advisor, Science and Technology, ICESCO, Dr. Salimane Karimou, President, National Commission in Benin, and H. E. Prof. Dr. Godfrey Nzamujo, Director General Songhai Center addressed the inaugural session held on Monday.

Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General COMSTECH said that the idea of organizing this field based, hands on training course was discussed in Niamey Niger where he had the honor of hosting legendary Prof. Dr. Godfrey. He readily agreed, and now we are pleased that we have plan to take “Songhai Phenomena” to other OIC member states. He said that we consider Songhai a miracle, an unparalleled story of human perseverance, dedication, and intellect.

Prof. Choudhary informed that this training workshop has participation from over 10 OIC member states with physical participants from Benin, Togo, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Senegal, and Chad, and we also have virtual participants from Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Turkey, Togo, Mali, Cameroon, and Chad.

He said that this training will address the challenges in achieving food security through sharing of knowledge and experiences, application of science, technology and climate smart agricultural technologies.

He said that this innovative workshop is planned to build broad-based and sustainable solutions to the challenges of our present food and agricultural systems and make participants discover a holistic vision of the world that is foundational to the SDGs. He said that the participants will be able to discover that how Songhai was able to envision and build a regenerative agriculture and agro-ecological development system.

Prof. Choudhary highlighted the COMSTECH initiatives, and announced new initiatives for African countries in collaboration with ICESCO and Songhai Center.

Prof. Dr. Godfrey Nzamujo welcomed the participants of the International training workshop and emphasized the need of the human capacity building in the fields of science and technology for achieving financial and economic goals. The director ICESCO said that we are committed to build capacity of OIC member states in the fields of science and technology for the socio-economic development. He said that the development of the workforce is vital for development.

THATTA, Feb 18: Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has announced that President Asif Ali Zardari will be his party’s candidate for the upcoming presidential elections, as only he can save the federation and democracy by extinguishing the fire in the country. He stated that his party was also subjected to rigging in the recent elections, and against this, the relevant forums will be approached. However, no step will be taken that would divide society and harm the federation and democracy.
He pointed out that even after the victory of Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in the 1977 general elections, there was a hue and cry of rigging by the opponents, similar to today. After that, the people had to endure dictatorship for 11 years.

Addressing the mammoth public gathering to express gratitude to the people for voting his party in the recent elections, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the people have once again proved that “the chain of the four provinces is Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s PPP.”
Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari stated that his party has decided not to be part of the cabinet at the Center. Instead, they will ensure that the federal government addresses the problems of the people. He added, “We have decided that those parties who approached us after the elections, we will collaborate with them. Our aim is not personal gain but to work for the benefit of the people.”

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari informed the participants that he rejected a power-sharing formula offering him the position of prime minister in the last two years of the new assembly’s term. “I was told to let them become prime minister for the first three years, and I would be the premier for the remaining two years. However, I refused, as I did not want to be such a prime minister. Instead, I will sit in the National Assembly as the voice of the people. I did not contest the election to occupy the chair in Islamabad; I fought the election for the people of Pakistan to protect their rights.

Chairman PPP said that the recent elections have been held in such a way that all political parties are protesting, adding that there are three types of political parties in the country: some parties that cannot win without rigging are also protesting. There are some parties that have not won despite rigging, and they are also protesting. “The third party is the one that wins despite not rigging and that is your (people’s) PPP. He said that today there is a hue and cry everywhere on the issue of Form-45, adding that there are also Forms-45, according to which the PPP candidates had won, but their opposite candidates were declared winners. “The result of a Form-45 is one where the PPP candidate has won, but an independent candidate (by the ECP) has been declared successful. He said that all the complaints of PPP candidates will be collected and then approached to the relevant legal platform, and if justice is not done on the legal platform, then he will go to the public.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the country and the people are facing the most difficult situation at present. On the one hand, the country is suffering from a political and economic crisis, on the other hand, the society has been divided. Inflation, unemployment and poverty have also reached historic levels in the country. “It should be that all parties think of the interest of the people rather than their personal interests. The rest of the politicians who are older than me only think about themselves, which is harming the federation, democracy and the people,” he pointed out.

The PPP chairman said: “I want to tell those who are making allegations these days, that I also have doubts (regarding the elections). (But) let us sit down and address these complaints.” He said that even today there are politicians in the country who only want an authoritarian regime. He said that on the day of the polling, the opponents did not complain about rigging, but after three to four days they remembered that rigging had taken place.  “It is a joke for someone who calls himself Maulana to lie brazenly,” he added. He said that Pir Sahib is also blaming that there has been rigging, and added: “You tell me where the rigging took place? The facts are that we have defeated you two to three times. Pir Sahib did not win a single election in Sindh.” He said Maulana had demanded one seat in each division, while Pir had demanded 10 seats from across the province, adding that these were the seats from where the Jiyalas were clearly winning, in such a situation it was impossible to accept the demand of the rival parties.  

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that Pir Sahib and Maulana Sahib should bring Form 45 and prove that rigging has taken place. He challenged rivals saying that he has won from two seats, one of which he has to vacate (as per law), and added: “Come and contest against my candidate again on this vacant seat. Let’s see what your position is there. He said that the opponents, seeing their big rallies, fall prey to the misconception that they will win elections in this way. “(But) there is a big difference between rallies and elections,” he contended.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the time has come to save Pakistan once again, adding that the PPP Party is the only party that will foil all conspiracies due to the prayer and support of the public. “I appeal to all forces and political parties to think not for themselves but for the people. If there is politics of hatred, communalism and division in the society, then the federation will be in danger,” he urged. He said that if there is a threat to the federation and democracy, then he will call the workers to come out on the roads and in response, the people will have to come out like the times of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.

“We are blamed for rigging, while our workers were martyred and we were targeted with terror attacks,” he said. He said that he did not know about other provinces, but the government formed in Sindh would be based on Form-45. “We tried to convince (Imran) Khan to strengthen democracy, but even today his party is non-serious, (whose leaders) are claiming that they have won the election,” he said, adding that the truth is that no one is able to form a government without the PPP. He  said that during the 18-month coalition government, the promises regarding development projects were not fulfilled.

DNA

ISLAMABAD: The Chief of  Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) has formed PTI-backed independent candidates to join Sunni Ittehad Council, and MWM.

The Chairman PTI Gohar Khan announced this decision in a press conference.

PTI has decide to made alliance with Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen Pakistan (MWM), but some candidates have reservation to join that party.

Now, the candidates join the MWM and would made alliance with Sunni Ittehad Council in center and Punjab Province.

As per sources, PTI has instructed its candidates to sumbit their document to Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) as soon as possible. The PTI-backed independent candidates would submit their documents to ECP tomorrow.

PTI backed candidates contested the Feb 8 polls as independent candidates, it was necessary to join any party after winning the elections and made alliances to form government.

ISLAMABAD, FEB 19 (DNA) – Niaz Support, a social enterprise providing customized wheelchairs and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, hosted its first ever global outreach meeting on February 18, 2024 via Zoom, successfully connecting Honorary Ambassadors from nine countries.

Chaired by Honorary Director of Global Outreach, Mr. Aamir Nanawati, the virtual summit served as a platform to discuss strategies for expanding the organization’s impact and mobilizing more people to support their mission.

The collaborative session, leveraging the power of technology, focused on increasing the awareness, expanding the ambassador network and scaling sustainable employment opportunities.

The meeting was bolstered by the active participation of Honorary Ambassadors from diverse regions. Leading the charge from Pakistan were Fatima Mudassir and Zaigham Hamid, while Lubna Budhwani and Sehar Khemani represented the efforts in the USA. Shamaeela Butt championed the cause in Canada, while Awais Rafiq and Munira Raheem brought their perspectives from Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, respectively.

Imran Amjad ensured East Africa had a voice at the table, and Hussnain Tariq amplified the impact in the UAE. This dedicated group of individuals, representing various nationalities and backgrounds, came together virtually to strategize and elevate Niaz Support’s mission on a global scale.

Aamir Nanawati, the Honorary Director of Global Outreach, expressed his enthusiasm for the summit’s outcome: “I am incredibly honored to lead this talented team of Honorary Ambassadors and collaborate with such passionate individuals around the world.

 This meeting has been a crucial stepping stone in solidifying our global network and forging a united front to empower persons with disabilities. The shared insights and strategies discussed will undoubtedly propel Niaz Support’s reach and impact to new heights, and I am excited to witness the positive change we can collectively create.”

Founder of Niaz Support, Hussain Odhwani, expressed his deep gratitude to the Honorary Ambassadors: “The growth of Niaz Support has been incredible! We’re delighted to see it reach this level in just over a year. Thank you to our dedicated ambassadors and incredible supporters.

 This global meeting, bridging borders through technology, marks a pivotal step in our journey to empower more people with disabilities in Pakistan.” Niaz Support’s customized wheelchairs provide mobility and independence to individuals who lack access to standard options.

By integrating people with disabilities into the manufacturing process, the organization not only fulfills a critical need but also fosters meaningful employment and social inclusion.

This impactful virtual summit signifies Niaz Support’s commitment to scaling its reach and creating a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of ability.

• Omar calls rigging against PTI ‘mother of all rigging’
• Vows PTI to form govts in Centre, provinces
• PTI won 180 NA seats, ECP should notified them: Gohar
• Laments PTI’s victory diluted in Punjab, eradicated in Sindh fraudulently
• Says not demanding CJP resignation but inquiry must into commissioner’s allegations

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) demanded that an independent and empowered judicial commission should be instantly formed to probe the polls rigging allegations made by Liaquat Ali Chatha, former commissioner of Rawalpindi so as to punish the real characters involved in the historic electoral heist, ‘which is mother of all riggings’.

Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan and PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan, who was the party’s nominee for prime minister-post, demanded formation of a powerful judicial commission to investigate the polls robbery and the results of the inquiry should be shared with the public.

Speaking on the occasion, Omar Ayub Khan dubbed the rigging against his party “the mother of all rigging”. He said that PTI rejected this mega poll fraud in the strongest possible terms because the nation’s mandate was pilfered, which they given to their beloved leader PTI Chairman-for-life Imran Khan and PTI.

He called upon that there should be a judicial inquiry with independent judges and those named by the Pindi commissioner should not be part of the probe commission so as to ensure conducting a fair and transparent inquire in this regard.

Omar Ayub stated that since the top judge had been named by the commissioner, the party would request that he should not become a part of the bench.

He stressed that PTI was not demanding the annulment of the recent general elections but wanted the real mandate to be recognized, adding that the results of the February 8 polls should reflect the actual votes cast by the people.

PTI Secretary General further stated that all political parties including JUI-F, GDA and theirs declared the polls the most rigged elections, which was rigged to benefit PML-N, PPP and MQM.

Omar Ayub demanded that the party’s candidate should be notified on the original results as per form-45 forthwith and this process should be reversed by declaring PTI’s candidates as returned candidates.

He said that Commissioner Rawalpindi publically confessed of overturning winners with 70,000 vote lead into losers in Rawalpindi division by putting fake stamps, adding that the commissioner was a very important position; hence his confession was a testimony and endorsement of PTI’s stance regarding mega polls robbery in the general elections across the country to deprive people of their real mandate.

PTI Secretary General said that about 18 to 19 seats MQM have stolen in Karachi and several seats were snatched away from PTI in Peshawar as well as in Balochistan.

Similarly, he stated that PTI emerged as a lead political force in Punjab but its overwhelming majority was converted into minority through midnight polls robbery.

Therefore, he vowed that PTI would form government in the center and provinces because they had won 180 seats in the elections, which was historic victory, as about 30 million votes were polled to PTI’s affiliated candidates despite snatching iconic electoral bat symbol and facing all coercion and fascism. “I am grateful to PTI Founding Chairman and the party for the truth to nominate me for PM role,” he said.

Omar Ayub said that for past 10 months, PTI workers were harassed by the police, put against the wall and fake and frivolous cases were slammed against them to coercive them to leave their leader and PTI but all these coercive measures fell flat and PTI roared back with more strongly with the support of their workers, activists and the entire nation who stood firmly with the ideology of their beloved leader Imran Khan despite all odds because they believed that only he could pull the country out of the prevailing quagmire.

He lamented that even now, police were picking up their workers and leaders and pressuring them to change their loyalties, adding that this was not the job of any caretaker setup but unfortunately they exceeded their mandate.

However, PTI’s PM-post contender vowed that after forming government in the center, there first objective would be to ensure instantly released of their beloved leader Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, PTI President Pervez Elahi, courageous women leaders and brave party’s activists from incarceration.

About JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s statement, PTI Secretary General said that JUI-F chief endorsed Imran Khan’s stance regarding conspiracy of no-confidence motion, which ruined the country.

Omar Ayub said that during PTI regime, the country economy was thriving at growth rate was 6 percent, which was reduced to zero after regime change conspiracy.

Similarly, he recalled that after ousting PTI government, the economy was nosedived, triggering back-breaking inflation, besides horrifyingly increasing power tariff, compounding the inflation-weary people miseries. 

Speaking on the occasion, Barrister Gohar Khan said that PTI had won 180 seats in the National Assembly, and demanded that all 180 candidates be issued notifications by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

He stated that people cast their vote in favour of Imran Khan even though the party faced many obstacles. Giving a breakdown of the seats, PTI Chairman pointed out that the party actually won 115 in Punjab, 16 in Sindh, 42 in KP and four in Balochistan.

“In Balochistan we got one seat, three are due. In Sindh, we did not get even a single one. In Punjab, we are due around 50,” he added. PTI Chairman said that PTI’s victory in Punjab was diluted, while it was eradicated in Sindh and decreased in Balochistan.

Gohar made it clear that this was the first time that a commissioner delivers a press conference according to his conscience, adding that a judicial commission should be formed to investigate the claims of rigged election results and share the probe report with the nation.

PTI Chairman categorically stated: “We are not demanding the Chief Justice of Pakistan’s (CJP) resignation but a judicial inquiry must be held on the commissioner’s allegations to unmask the real orchestrators of polls robbery. 

By Faisal Munir / DNA

ATTOCK: Ambassador of Austrian to Pakistan Mrs Andrea Wicke visit to a Private College in Pindi Gheb Campus. The purpose of the visit was to provide opportunities to the talented students to pursue higher education in Austria on the basis of scholarship.

Malik Muhammad Ali Khan of Kot Fateh Khan, Director of Punjab College Khizr Abbas and Principal of the College Ehsan Danish welcomed the Ambassador of Austria and made her visit different parts of the institution. Ambassador Wicke met with a diverse group of students, each demonstrating an impressive understanding of their respective fields. Their proficiency in both theoretical concepts and practical applications left a lasting impression on the Ambassador. During his visit, he appreciated the facilities of the college and distributed prizes to students who excelled in various curricular and co-curricular activities.

Austrian Ambassador address to the college community, she commended the students for their dedication and commitment to their studies. I am impressed with the quality of education imparted in this college. The students are well-rounded and have a strong understanding of both the theoretical and practical aspects of their studies She added.

Mrs Andrea Wicke said that It is truly inspiring to see the level of understanding and passion displayed by the students here Their ability to grasp complex theories and apply them in practice is indicative of the high-quality education they are receiving.  Austria Ambassador  visit to the Punjab college in Pindi Gheb has sparked interest in promoting educational cooperation between Austria and Pakistan. She expressed his desire to facilitate cooperation between Austrian and Pakistani educational institutions for the purpose of promoting educational and cultural exchanges. I believe that strong educational partnerships can greatly benefit both our nations Austrian Ambassador stated. By sharing knowledge, resources, and best practices, we can help shape a brighter future for our students and our societies she added.

Ambassador Wicke said that as Punjab College Pindi Gheb students continue to strive for excellence, they look forward to opportunities to enrich their educational journey through international partnerships and exchanges.

During the visit, Ambassador of Austria, Mrs. Andrea Vicky, also announced the appointment of Mah Noor Sohail, a talented student who topped the medical field in the institution, as a one-day ambassador to the Austrian Embassy, while seeing the performance of the institution, in the educational institutions of Austria. He also assured to provide opportunities for higher education to talented students on the basis of scholarship.

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Muhammad Faisal Munir – Correspondent

Daily Islambad Post & DNA

Attock

ISLAMABAD, Feb 18 (APP/DNA):The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has notified the winners for 36 National Assembly seats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

The ECP, in a notification issued here, has asked the returned candidates to affiliate with a political party of their choice within the next three days.

Among the declared victors are Sibghatullah from NA-4 Upper Dir, Gohar Ali Khan from NA-10 Buner, and Umar Ayub from NA-18 Haripur.

The notification affirmed Asad Qaiser’s success in NA-19 Swabi and Shandana Gulzar’s victory in NA-30 Peshawar.

Shehryar Afridi clinched victory in NA-35 Kohat, while Sher Afzal Marwat secured success in NA-41 Lakky Marwat.

Additionally, the notification underscored the victories of a member each from the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), and MWM in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

The province contributed 45 seats to the National Assembly, including 10 reserved for women.