ISLAMABAD, Jun 16 (APP):Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz Sharif Friday said PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif would personally lead the party’s campaign for election which were expected during the current year.

Addressing the PML-N’s General Council meeting here, she said,”We will take part in the election with full force.”

She congratulated Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for his election as PML-N President unopposed, saying he had never taken any decision without the consent of his elder brother Nawaz Sharif.

She commended Shehbaz Sharif for saving the country from economic collapse which was on the verge of default when he took over as prime minister in 2022.

Maryam, who was elected as PML-N’s Senior Vice President and Chief Organizer in the intra-party elections, said the PML-N was the only party that followed the principles of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and also the only custodian of his legacy and principles.

She said it was Nawaz Sharif who had made the PML-N a popular political party because of his vision of a developed Pakistan. Whether it was the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the title of Asian Tiger, or socio-economic development, all were accomplished by the PML-N and
Nawaz Sharif, she added.

All the development carried out in Pakistan was only during the years when the PML-N was in power, she said.

Maryam said Nawaz Sharif was removed from government but he never asked his supporters or instigated youth to take to streets, set houses on fire or vandalize public and private property. At the same time, he never abandoned moral values despite facing revenge, cruelty, and discrimination, and even did not name those who had mistreated him.

Likewise, his party leaders never made a hue and cry despite facing hardships, she added, lauding the party workers and ticket holders for their unwavering support to Nawaz Sharif through thick and thin.

Maryam said Nawaz Sharif had never sought any assistance or favourable statements from abroad, including the US or the UK for regaining power. He never made any such appeal, rather he always sought justice from the Almighty.

She said the PML-N leadership never compromised on national interests and cited the example of nuclear tests when Nawaz Sharif (as prime minister) did not pay heed to any “threats or offers” while making Pakistan an atomic power.

The PML-N Chief Organizer said Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, Hamza Shehbaz, and other PML-N leaders were imprisoned, but they never quit the party or politics.

“The party’s biggest asset is Nawaz Sharif being its leader as he is the mainstay of its existence,” she added. He faced every challenge, and even went to the Adiala Jail with his daughter, but did not put his workers in trouble, she recalled.

On the other hand, she said, “Qasim and Suleman are enjoying their lives abroad, while the children of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers are left in jails by their leader to rue.”

The PTI chairman stated that Pakistan was not safe for his sons, she said, asking whether he had the same feelings for the children of his party workers.

She said Nawaz Sharif had never asked anyone to save his daughter, rather he had never prioritized his daughter’s safety over that of his workers.

She stated that the May 9 riots and subsequent developments showed the difference between the PML-N and the PTI as the latter faded into oblivion.

Maryam said the martyrs belonged to the entire nation, but it was the PTI chief, who had done politicking on the Lasbela helicopter crash. It was her belief that such elements met their logical fate.

She urged PML-N Secretary General Ahsan Iqbal to initiate a talent hunt programme for taking the talented individuals into the party fold. A merit-based mechanism should be adopted to appoint individuals to party positions based on their qualifications and performance, she stressed.

“Rana Sanaullah and Ameer Muqam are active leaders, and I request the other party presidents from other regions to emulate them and promote the party in their respective regions,” she added

She mentioned that Sanaullah had entrusted the charge of party’s various wings, including religious, minority, and labor, to her and she wanted to expand them.

“The PML-N was the past, is the present, and will be the future of Pakistan.”

She welcomed the youth joining the PML-N. “We don’t want to see 60% of the country’s population (youth) holding petrol bombs. Instead, we will provide them with education and training in the fields of science and IT.”

MIRPUR (AJK): Jun 16 (APP) :: Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar ul Haq has said that the officers should use all the resources for the betterment of the people, treat them with the best attitude, and solve their problems immediately.

In his policy statement issued here on Friday, the AJK premier said that we will uproot the outdated and corrupt system.

The system has to be changed according to the expectations of the people, all the officers should consider their services as public servants, and people-friendly behavior, and by simplifying the most difficult processes, the problems of the people should be solved at their doorsteps.

He said,” There should not be any negligence in the execution of official matters. The system of making rounds in the offices by the common man should end now,”.

“We are all servants of the people. Everyone has to work with honesty and integrity according to their position. Our government has trashed retaliatory exchanges and actions. For us, what is most respectable is what works best for the people,” he said.

He further said,” We want the strength of the institutions, the state will be strengthened by the strength of the institutions, where there is a complaint against someone, we will take action keeping the facts in front.

He said that whoever takes the path of good for the people, Allah opens the path of development for him, so the state machinery has to serve the people under the missionary spirit and create convenience for the people.

He said that there should be facilities for the public from the office of the Deputy Commissioners to the SSPs office, these offices should resolve the complaints of the people in their respective areas. Grievances of the people should be consolidated.

ISLAMABAD, Jun 16 (APP):The Federal Government has assigned the additional responsibility of Chairman of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to Asad Rehman Gilani (PAS/BS-21) on an interim basis.

According to a notification issued by the Interior Ministry on Friday, his appointment will remain in effect until the recruitment process for a permanent Chairman of NADRA is completed in accordance with the rules.

Gilani, who also serves as the Secretary of the Board of Investment, resumed his additional responsibilities on the same day and visited various sections of NADRA.

During the visit, NADRA officials briefed him on the day-to-day activities and operations of the authority.

He instructed all employees to continue their regular activities diligently and ensure the uninterrupted provision of NADRA services and facilities to the public.

The newly appointed chairman expressed his determination to further improve the delivery of NADRA services to the citizens. “In this regard, I will personally visit the NADRA Regional Head Offices very soon to review the activities.”

He directed the heads of all NADRA departments to continue official activities even on weekends in order to eliminate the backlog related to the printing of ID cards as soon as possible.

ISLAMABAD, Jun 16 (APP): A large number of diplomats, officials, academics, scholars, representatives of civil society, think tanks, and media celebrated the 50th Foundation Day of the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) on Friday.

The Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, graced the occasion as Chief Guest.

Delivering welcome remarks, DG ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood dilated in detail on the Institute’s rich history, proactive contributions, and impressive achievements over the past 50 years since its establishment in June 1973.

The DG ISSI expressed deep gratitude to the previous Chairmen/Directors General and all scholars and researchers that have been part of the ISSI’s 5-decades journey. Several of them also attended the ceremony.

The DG ISSI emphasized the importance of recognizing think tanks as a vital component of the policy eco-system.
“They offer a vital platform to a range of stakeholders – most importantly scholars and policy-makers – to constructively engage, collaborate on ideas, generate research, and impact policy, he said.

He added that ISSI would continue its efforts to bridge the gap that traditionally existed between academics and practitioners.

Ambassador Sohail Mahmood outlined that it would focus its endeavors on strengthening its interface with all relevant national institutions, promoting interaction with the private sector, civil society, and the youth.

In the realm of the global situation, the DG ISSI said that the world is going through another defining moment in history, with great-power contestation being the most prominent feature and a specter of bloc politics and a new cold war haunting the world.

“Prudence demands that zero-sum perspectives are avoided, countries are spared the dilemma of making painful choices, and the main protagonists are convinced of the benefits of economic inter-dependence as well as the virtues of peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation,” he said.

The ceremony concluded with the cutting of a cake celebrating the Golden Jubilee and 50th Foundation Day of ISSI.

ISLAMABAD, Jun 16 (APP): Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Friday agreed upon signing the Green Field Oil Refinery agreement within the next two months.

The decision was made during a meeting between Minister for Petroleum Musadik Malik and Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf Bin Said Al-Malki.

Both the dignitaries discussed matters of mutual interest and the future course of action on the speedy implementation of the Green Field Oil Refinery project.

Musadik Malik extended his gratitude to the Saudi government on behalf of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
“This mega project has come to existence due to the great leadership of Crown Prince and Prince Abdul Aziz,” the minister added.

ISLAMABAD, Jun 16 (APP): Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that since the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was highly robust and well-organized throughout Punjab, “we will move forward with great courage and determination from now onwards.”

Addressing the PML-N’s general council meeting held at the party’s secretariat on Friday, he said that every district had a well-established organization within the party, and Chief Organizer Maryam Nawaz visited all divisions of Punjab, meeting officials at various levels.

As the president of PML-N’s Punjab chapter, Sanaullah expressed optimism that the country’s development and growth, which had halted in 2017, would now resume. He referred to the events following May 9 as the divine justice of Allah.

Regarding the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman, he commented that those who once considered themselves great leaders and political activists are now in a vulnerable position.

“Today, even those close to him are expressing indifference towards PTI, and the one who claimed immense popularity is now seeking meetings as a beggar.”

Sanaullah praised the resilience and fortitude of PML-N leaders, highlighting their unwavering commitment to the party. NO leader or worker left the party during challenging times, he added.

He further mentioned that whenever the PML-N’s supreme leader faced adversity, “he placed his trust in Allah, Who has bestowed success upon him”.

ISLAMABAD, Jun 16 (APP):Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Friday thanked Quaid Pakistan Muslim League(N) Mian Nawaz Sharif, party colleagues, office holders and workers for entrusting him with the responsibility of party presidency. 

In a statement on Twitter, he said, “I have no words to thank my Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif, party colleagues, office holders & workers for entrusting me with the responsibility of party presidency. The PMLN under the leadership of MNS has evolved overtime, emerging as the only federal party that has rid the country of multiple crises each time it was called upon to serve the motherland.”

“Thanks to the unbreakable bond between the leadership & party workers, the PMLN has demonstrated remarkable resilience & bounced back stronger each time it was written off. Today my resolve to serve the country has got even stronger. I want to be remembered as a dedicated worker of Mian Nawaz Sharif who did his best to serve the cause of Pakistan & her people,” he added.