ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa Wednesday said the emerging geo-strategic paradigm in the region necessitated Pakistan and Azerbaijan to have close cooperation and collective response against common challenges. The Chief of Army Staff made these remarks during his official visit of Republic of Azerbaijan where he called on Minister of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan Colonel General Eyvazov Vilayat Suleyman Oglu, Chief of State Border Service (SBS) of Azerbaijan Colonel General Elchin Guliyev and Chief of State Security Service Colonel General Ali Naghi Oglu Naghiyev at Baku, said an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) media release here received. The COAS also reiterated for increased mutually beneficial engagements at all levels and forums. During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, bilateral defence and security cooperation, regional peace and stability and cooperation in energy, trade and connectivity projects between both brotherly countries were discussed. The dignitaries also acknowledged high standards of professionalism of the Pakistan Army and contributions for conflict prevention in the region especially efforts for bringing peace in Afghanistan
Category: Pakistan
Pakistan
British State Minister Lord Tariq calls on Governor Punjab
LAHORE: The British Minister of State for South Asia, Lord Tariq Ahmad called on Governor Punjab Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar and hailed Pakistan”s role for world peace, besides efforts to contain novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic in the country. During a meeting at the Governor”s House here on Wednesday Pak-UK relations, Afghan Peace Process, war against terrorism, COVID-19 situation and matters of mutual interest, besides Kashmir and Palestine issues came under discussion. British High Commissioner Christian Turner was also present during the meeting.
Lord Tariq and Christian Turner commended the steps taken by Pakistan to curb the spread of coronavirus pandemic. Governor Punjab Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar, speaking on the occasion, said Pakistan Army and people sacrificed more than 70,000 lives during war against terrorism. He said Pakistan, under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan, supports regional peace and stability and stands against terrorism.
Urging the British government to play a more active role in resolving Kashmir and Palestine issues, Governor said the resolution of these issues was essential to regional peace, adding that Pakistan always played its positive role for regional peace and stability. Governor Sarwar said Pakistan has been playing its due role for establishing durable peace in Afghanistan from the beginning of the conflict. Hailing British government”s support for health and education sectors, Governor Punjab Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar said bilateral relations between Pakistan and the United Kingdom grew stronger during the Pakistan Tehreek e Insaaf (PTI) government, adding that the visit of Lord Tariq Ahmad to Pakistan will further strengthen the ties.
British Minister of State Lord Tariq Ahmad said that UK will play its role for prosperity of Pakistan and stressed the need to stand united against global challenges.
PTI partner Pervaiz Elahi meets Zardari
LA HORE: In a rare move, Punjab Assembly Speaker and senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim LeagueQuaid (PML-Q) Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi called on former president Asif Ali Zardari here on Tuesday.
A press release issued after the meeting said both sides discussed matters of mutualinterestandnational political scene without giving any more details.
However, insiders said the two sides agreed to meet again shortly over a dinner to be attended by PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat too. They claimed that the reestablished contacts between the two former allies, which ruled the country from 2008 to 2013, are aimed at forming a future alliance along with the Awami National Party, a third ally of the past coalition government, besides other nationalist parties.
A close aide to the Chaudhrys of Gujrat sayd that some quarters were seeing snap polls by the year-end and the meeting should be taken in the context of exploring possibilities of political cooperation in that scenario. He claimed that Prime Minister Imran Khan cancelled his scheduled UK visit knowing the political storms in the making, both within his Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and in the ruling coalition.
The PML-Q is presently an ally of the PTI in Punjab and relations between the two parties have been seeing ups and downs for quite some time as the former complains that the latter has been ignoring, or refusing to accept, its certain demands.
PM against Kabul`s military takeover by any Afghan group
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday reiterated Pakistan`s opposition to a takeover of Kabul by force by any of the warring groups and again called for a negotiated settlement of the long-running conflict under which Taliban could be included in Afghanistan`s future government.
In an opinion piece published in the Washington Post, Mr Khan explained Pakistan`s position on the Afghan conflict and potential of cooperation with the US on the issue.
`We oppose any military takeover of Afghanistan, which will lead only to decades of civil war, as the Taliban cannot win over the whole of the country, and yet must be included in any government for it to succeed,` the prime minister wrote.
Violence in Afghanistan has intensified since the US began pulling out its troops from the country on May 1.
Taliban have captured large areas from the demoralised Afghan security forces. The insurgents have captured over 70 district centres over the past two months, according to Tolo News.
Many believe that Taliban`s military campaign is aimed at capturing Kabul although the insurgents have in their interactions with Western governments assured them that they would not do so.
Pakistan, the prime minister recalled, was part of recent `Extended Troika` joint statements, along with Russia, China and the United States, that unambiguously declared `that any effort to impose a government by force in Kabul would be opposed by us all, and also would deprive Afghanistan (of) access to the foreign assistance it will need.
`We know that if the Taliban tries (sic) to declare a military victory, it will lead to end-less bloodshed,` Mr Khan maintained.
Reports from Afghanistan indicate that militias are being formed to counter the Taliban onslaught.
The prime minister urged the Afghan government to `show more flexibility` in the talks continuing in Doha without any progress.
Punjab Cabinet approves first provincial sports policy, 332 Sahulat Bazars
LAHORE: The Punjab cabinet on Tuesday decided to establish 332 Sahulat bazaars and counters across the province to provide 10-kg flour bag at Rs430 and provision of fruits, vegetables, rice and pulses at subsidised rates.
The cabinet, which met with Chief Minister Usman Buzdar in the chair, also approved the first provincial sports policy 2020. As ports endowment fund will be constituted along with the establishment of sports infrastructure, establishment of academies and geo-tagging of the database. An insurance scheme and sports medicines are also included in the policy.
Sports grounds are being developed in 200 villages and identification of lands has been completed for the establishment of 1,400 more grounds. Meanwhile, multipurpose sports complexes are also being constructed in 65 tehsils. The CM instructed to take every step to promote sports culture and provision of facilities to sportsmen.
The meeting approved Punjab Irrigation, Drainage and Users Act 2021 to identify irrigation rights and better management ofWarabandi [water allocation]. This act will also help in the construction of new dams, improvement in groundwater recharge and dam safety. The agriculture tubewells will be registered to maintain underground water level.
The CM directed to constitute a ministerial committee to review and submit its recommendations about the transfer policy of the irrigation department. A similar committee was constituted to submit recommendations after a review of affiliation procedure and guidelines for affiliation with public sector institutions under Private Sector Universities/ Institutions Punjab 2021.
It was also approved to abolish contradicting sections of contract appointment policy 2004 forrecruitment after reaching the age of superannuation. This will remove ambiguity between contract and reemployment.
The cabinet approved to include PCP airgun/ CO-II airgun/ silenced airgun in Section-9 of Punjab Wildlife Amendment Act 2007 so that these weapons could not be used for hunting. A ban has been imposed on using airgun with more than 800 meters per second velocity for hunting purposes.
Amendment in Punjab Industries (Control on Establishment and Enlargement) Ordinance 1963 was approved along with the decision to present PPSC report 2020 before Punjab assembly. The cabinet decided to devolve rights at the grassroots under Section 2(C) of The PunjabHotels and Restaurants Act 1976.
This will accord district management (district commissioner) specific rights of hotels and restaurants`management.
The Punjab Travel Agencies Rules 2021, Punjab Hotel and Restaurant Rules 2021 and Punjab Tourist Guide Rules 2021 were also approved along with the approval of the resignation of chairman Lahore Central Business District Authority.
The cabinet gave ex-post facto approval of the wheat procurement target and also decided to provide 100,000 metric tons wheat to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Punjab bank`s financial audit for 2017-18 and the decisions made in the 43rd, 44th and 45th meetings of the cabinet were also approved
50pc of Kasur cops found drugs `positive`
KASUR: As many as 24 out of 48 policemen selected for drug test in the district were found `positive` on Tuesday.
The drug tests of police officials are being conducted on the orders of the prime minister to bring reforms in the police department.
The Punjab inspector general of police (IGP) has issued directives to conduct the drug test of of ficialsranging from constables to the Police Service of Pakistan (PSP) officers.
Samples of 48 of ficials, including constables and assistant subinspectors(ASIs),werecollectedin the district a couple of days back for the drug test. Interestingly, no policeman above the ASI rank was listedforthe drugtest.
According to the district police, the officials were selected for the drug test on the basis of internal intelligence reports.
The district police got the samples tested from a private lab, instead of any public hospital`s laboratory.
Explaining the choice, District Police Officer Imran Kishwar said that private lab was more reliable as compared to those of public sector hospitals. As per sources, a majority of the policemen found using drugs were constables.
A police of ficial, requesting anonymity, said the process of drug test was similar to that used for declaring common suspects as addicts during the course of investigation at the police station level.
Sex viral video: Mufti`s sons get pre-arrest bail
LAHORE: A sessions court on Tuesday granted interim pre-arrest bail to three sons of religious leader Mufti Azizur Rehman [accused of sexually abusing a student of his madressah] in a case of frustrating arrest of their father and extending threats to the complainant.
Latifur Rehman, Waseemur Rehman and Wasiur Rehman appeared before Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Naeem along with their lawyer.
The judge allowed pre-arrest bail to them till June 30 and also sought details of the case from the police.
North Cantonment police had registered a first information report on charges of sexual assault and criminal intimidation against Mufti Rehman on the complaint of Sabir Shah, the student of Jamia Manzoorul Islam, Cantonment.
The cleric went into hiding after the registration of the case as police arrested him from Mianwali on Sunday.
Pakistan-Facebook collaboration to kill Covid-19
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Facebook have partnered to fight Covid-19 as the world`s prominent social media platform has provided Marketing Partner Support and Ad Credits for campaigns against the deadly virus and helped the government increase its engagement rates with the public on these posts.
As part of these campaigns, Facebook and some ministries focused on creating videos and messages for boosting `vaccine confidence` amongst the public.
The messaging campaigns helped the Ministry of Health increase its total number of page likes to 470,000, increasing the government`s ability to connect with the people and provide information to its stakeholders.
In a statement, Facebook has said it is important to come together as a community to protect each other through credible health information and support vaccine confidence in the community.
As Covid-19 vaccines are becoming morereadily available to larger groups, Facebook launched its new profile frames in partnership with the Ministry of Health that allow users to share their support for getting vaccinated with their family and friends.
What PTI women MNAs say about Imran’s rape remarks
ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul on Tuesday said the `liberally corrupt goons` should not dare to be the leader and representatives of Pakistani women.
She said the `liberal brigade` had made repeated attempts to distort Prime Minister Imran Khan`s strong efforts towards projecting a positive and progressing image of the country.
Flanked by Barrister Maleeka Ali Bukhari, the parliamentary secretary for law and justice, and Kanwal Shauzab, the parliamentary secretary for planning, development and reforms, the state minister at a joint press conference rendered aclarification to the opposition parties and so-called social media outcry over Mr Khan`s interview to a foreign journalist.
The minister rejected the allegations levelled by the purported critics that the prime minister had tainted the image of the victims bearing sexual violence.
`Mr Khan is the genuinesymbol of women empowerment, as for the first time five women parliamentarians have been made cabinet members. Besides, 12 parliamentary secretaries arewomen, including Maleeka Bukhari, Kanwal Shauzab and Aliya Hamza Malik, who represent their ministries in the parliament,` she explained.
Ms Gul said women like her were proud to be Pakistani, observing that their religion and culture gave them respect. She said they believe in the women rights that are enshrined in the teaching of Islam. `Islam gives me freedom and liberty and I am proud to have it,` she asserted.
The Pakistan Tehreek-iInsaf (PTI) government believed that without women empowerment, any legislation and its implementation was futile, she added.
Giving examples of how women were respected and honoured in Pakistani culture, the minister said that in long queues, men out of respect got aside so that women could be served before them. She said MrKhan was seriously concerned about women and girls and wanted to ensure all possible facilities and protection from facing sexual violence.
Af ter PakistanMovement, the ruling PTI was the only party that mobilised women across the country, she said, adding that the only precedent was that of the towering figure of Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah accompanied by Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
`I am a clear example in this regard where from a feudal tribal society I was elected as a parliamentarian and became the cabinet member, which has been possible only due to strong political support and backing of Prime Minister Imran Khan,` Ms Gul remarked.
Maleeka Bukhari said the prime minister`s first directive to the Ministry of Law and Justice was to enactlaws aimed at reducing discrimi-nation against women and sexual violence. `You [civil society and opposition parties] cannot decide the prime minister`s priorities for women by just interpreting any of his statements out of context,` she said.
Lowest Covid casualty rate in eight months
ISLAMABAD:The lowest number of deaths and cases of coronavirus infections was reported on Tuesday in the country for over eight months.
According to the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), 27 deaths and 663 cases of Covid-19 were reported in a single day. On October 20 last year, 660 cases were reported.
The number of active cases, which had topped 90,000 in April, stood at 33,452 as of June 22, while 271 ventilators were in use across the country.
Meanwhile, several people complained of errors in vaccination data and expressed fears this might become a problem for them in future.
However, an official of the Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) claimed that over 13 million doses had been administered and only a few hundred persons faced problems regarding data entry.
He urged them to contact the vaccination centre or the helpline to get their issue resolved. A man told media that he had received the first dose of Sinovac on May 20 and waited for four weeks to getthe second dose.
`As vaccine was not available across the country, I waited for a while. Later, I checked my status by sending SMS to 1166, but was shocked to see that according to it I got my second dose on June 17,` he said.
Another man lodged a complaint with the Ministry of NHS that the vaccination certificate downloaded from the official website showed that he got his second shot well before the first one.