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LHC grants bail to 11 accused in May-9 case

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LAHORE, Feb 16 (APP):A Lahore High Court (LHC) division bench on Friday granted bail to 11 accused involved in a case of attacking the office of a sensitive institution in Faisalabad, during May-9 riots.
The court ordered the accused, Umair, Aqib, Mohsin Khursheed, Muhammad Ramzan, Abdul Rehman, Abdul Rasool, Muhammad Shahbaz, Bilal Akram, Tayyab Hussain, Naveed Sabir and Arslan Wazir to furnish surety bonds of Rs 200,000 each for availing the relief of bail.
The bench, headed by Justice Aalia Neelum, heard the post-arrest bail petitions, filed by the accused and announced the verdict on completion of arguments by the parties.
Earlier, the petitioners’ counsel argued before the court that his clients were behind bars for the last eight months. He submitted that the police had failed to prove any allegation against them so far. He submitted that no one could be kept behind bars for an indefinite period of time without any crime. He pleaded with the court to grant the benefit of bail to his clients.
However, the prosecution opposed the plea, adding that the accused were involved in the case and they were arrested with the help of videos and pictures of the incident.
The Civil Lines police, Faisalabad, had registered a case against the accused on the charges of attacking the office of a sensitive institution, during May-9 riots.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed visits Moscow

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 16 (APP):Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed paid a visit to Moscow to participate in the Constituent Meeting of the Forum of Supporters of the Struggle Against Modern Neocolonialism Practices for the Freedom of Nations on the invitation of United Russia Party (Ruling and Largest political party in RF).
As part of the visit program Senator MHS participated as a panelist in the Forum and held a tete-a-tete with Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia/Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Global Forum Against Neo-Colonialism and for Freedom of Nations Mr. Dmitry Medvedev (Former President of Russian Federation).
During the visit Senator MHS also delivered a lecture at the Russian Diplomatic Academy.
The topic of the talk was Pakistan and the changing regional scenario.
Senator Hussain during his talk also highlighted the growing relations between Pakistan and Russia especially in the field of energy, connectivity, regional security including Afghanistan and cooperation at multilateral fora including SCO and UN.
He also appreciated President Putin’s stance on Islamophobia.
The lecture was followed by a question and answer session from the students of the diplomatic academy. Senator Chizhov of the Russian Federation Council also graced the occasion.
Post the lecture the Senator held a meeting with the Rector of the Diplomatic academy to exchange views on the emerging trends in global politics as well as on bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Russia. The exchange of views proved to be constructive as both sides displayed congruence on a number of issues of mutual interest.
Overall Senator Mushahid Hussain had a very successful visit to Moscow and his engagements with the Russian leadership and intelligentsia were a great contribution towards strengthening Pakistan-Russia relations

National level operation against Non-Duty Paid/ counterfeit cigarettes

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 16 (APP):Inland Revenue Enforcement Network’s (IREN) has successfully conducted a nationwide operation against non-duty paid/counterfeit cigarettes.
During the two-day operation conducted on February 14-15, more than 679,000 Packerites (15,580,000 sticks) of non-duty paid/counterfeit cigarettes of various Local and Foreign Brands (Business Royal, H&P, Platinum, Milano and Olympic) have been confiscated, said a news release here on Friday.
The approximate value of seized goods is more than Rs 140 million.The criminal proceedings have been initiated against the manufacturers and transporters on the direction of Member (IR-Operations), Mir Badshah Khan Wazir.

Two killed in different incidents in Taxila

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WAH CANTT, Feb 16 (APP):Two persons were killed in different incidents in the limits of the Taxila Police Station on Friday, police sources said.
Arshad Ali reported to the police that Kashif shot dead his son Jamshaid Ali after exchanging hot words at a marriage ceremony in Shahpur area.
In the second incident, 28-year-old dirver Altaf Hussain lost his life in a road incident on the Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway near Sangjani toll plaza.

Miss Pakistan due in Mirpur for moot on ‘Climate Change & Global Challenges’

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MIRPUR-AJK, Feb 16 (APP): Miss Pakistan-2023 Shafina Patel Shah, a Pakistan-origin British national, will arrive in Mirpur on Saturday on a three-day visit to Azad Jammu & Kashmir.

Shafina Patel Shah along with Professor Gatrad, Officer of the British Empire (OBE) and Chief Executive of Midland International Aid Trust (MIAT), would inaugurate the international conference on “Climate Change & Global Challenges” on February 19 in the remote town of Kassguma, Mirpur, ex-DGPR AJK government Raja Azhar Iqbal told APP on Friday

The conference, being organized by the UK-based NGO Midland Aid Trust (MIAT) in coordination with local NGO ‘Kasgumma Health & Welfare Centre’, aims to raise awareness about the life-threatening consequences of air and plastic pollution on health in Pakistan, including AJK.

The event will delve into discussions on life-changing medical aid to Pakistan and launch a campaign to increase awareness among the public regarding the detrimental impact of pollution on health.

Professor Gatrad and Miss Pakistan, who have already arrived in Islamabad, are known for their passion for the environment and their dedication to helping the underprivileged.

They will also be chief guests at the opening ceremony of a new school in Kasguma on February 17. The school, funded by Kasgumma Health & Welfare Centre and Oak Tree Trust, will cater to 140 girls and special children. MIAT has provided special play facilities and safety matting for the school’s playground.

Professor Gatrad’s humanitarian work in 23 countries including Pakistan, has earned him global recognition. In 2016, he played a pivotal role in establishing the Cleft Hospital in Gujrat, providing life-changing operations, dental care, hearing, and speech therapy to children in need.

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Secretary Health reviews MNCH, MCH Nutrition programs

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QUETTA, Feb 16 (APP):Secretary Health Balochistan Abdullah Khan, on Friday, chaired a meeting to review programs including the Maternal and New Child Health Program (MNCH), Nutrition and MCH here at health department.
DG Health Farooq Hoot, Additional Secretary Health Arif Khan, Divisional Director Quetta Division Dr Lubna Khalil, Provincial Coordinator MNCH Dr Gul Sabin Azam Ghorizi, Provincial Coordinator Nutrition Dr Naeem Zarkoon, Provincial Coordinator MCH Dr Thimeen Gil were in attendance.
The provincial coordinators briefed the health secretary about the performance and working of their programs.
Abdullah Khan while talking to the program coordinators said the scope of quality medical facilities related to mother and child health may be enhanced.
“Multi-pronged initiatives are required to make more effective the efforts of all development partners and stakeholders to address maternal and child health and related issues, he added.
He stressed the need to create awareness about the importance and effectiveness of mother’s milk. “Breastfeeding is the best diet for a baby that strengthens kids’ immune system against diseases,” he maintained.

Seed processing industry negligible in country: experts

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FAISALABAD, Feb 16 (APP):Agricultural experts believe that the seed processing industry in the country is negligible, which is a matter of grave concern and the government should take immediate steps for promotion of the seed industry to enhance seed productivity and attain food security.
They were addressing a session on “Seed processing, challenges and opportunities in quality seed production”, arranged by the PSDP Seed Project team at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF).
Engineer Shabi Hassan, provincial project manager Punjab Seed Corporation, and Dr Aslam Yousuf, Seed Technology Consultant, were the speakers and Scientific Director PSDP Seed Project Dr Irfan Afzal from the UAF also spoke. Engineer Shabi Hassan said that out of 1,700 seed companies in the county, only few have the seed processing facility. He said that the seed processing ensures the quality in the stock of the seed given for processing. He elaborated basic principles and components of seed processing and highlighted recent technologies for pre cleaning, fine cleaning, grading and value addition of seeds. He briefed about the functioning of the state of the art machines with the audience.
Dr Aslam Yousuf said that seed processing did not improve the seed quality. It only takes low quality seed out of the bulk. He said that processing could add the seed’s physical purity, size uniformity, vigour uniformity, storage life, and seed treatment.
Dr Irfan Afzal called for tangible steps to flourish the seed processing units. He said that under the dynamic leadership of Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan, vice chancellor UAF, the main objective of PSDP Seed Project is to create an enabling environment with advanced seed research for the industry and also initiating seed science and technology program in four partner universities.
They will also establish model seed research and outreach centers in Narowal and Quetta, he added.

LHC stops implimentation of notification for transferring management of Data Darbar Hospital

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LAHORE, Feb 16 (APP):The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday stopped implementation of a notification for transferring the management of Data Darbar General & Eye Hospital from the Auqaf Department to the Anti-Narcotics Force, till further orders.
Justice Shahid Karim passed the orders while hearing a petition filed by Ayaz Habib of Anjuman Behbood-e-Marizan Data Darbar and others. The court also issued notice to the Punjab government and other respondents and sought reply.
The petitioners’ counsel Asad Manzoor Butt argued before the court that the Data Darbar Hospital was inaugurated in 1961 with an aim to provide free treatment to the pilgrims of Data Darbar and local community. He submitted that about 500,000 patients received free treatment annually from the hospital but now the caretaker government had handed over the hospital of the Auqaf Department to the Anti-Narcotics Force. He contended that the step was illegal as the autonomous institution of the provincial Auqaf Department could not be handed over to a federal entity.

SC to hear petition against general elections on Feb 19

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 16 (APP):A three-member bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan would hear the case on February 19, seeking to declare general elections of February 8, as void.
The registrar office of the top court has issued the cause list. Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa would preside the hearing while Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Musarrat Hilali would also be part of the bench.
A citizen Ali Khan has moved this case to the apex court and prayed for the re-elections.

Salman Raja using pressure tactics: Aoun Chaudhry

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 16 (APP):Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) leader Aoun Chaudhry on Friday alleged that his rival independent candidate Salman Akram Raja was using pressure tactics to get himself notified as the winner in the NA-128 Lahore election.
Salman Raja even attacked the office of returning officer for the purpose, he claimed while addressing a press conference.
Aoun Chaudhry said he had won the NA-128 election and the Election Commission had rightly issued the notification of his success. He would soon present the facts before the media, he added.
He cited a report of Senior Superintendent of Police Lahore that the workers of Salman Akram Raja had manhandled the employees of Metropolitan Corporation Lahore. Even a first information report was also lodged against him for kidnapping the MCL employees.
He cited another report that around 50 to 60 lawyers stormed the RO’s office on on the night between February 8 and 9, to get issued the desired result.
Aoun Chaudhry claimed that none of his family members visited the RO’s office on that night, while Salman Akram Raja along with his  family members and 70 lawyers was there to pressurize the pooling staff which led to commotion and disturbing environment.