Home Blog Page 11234

Time to place parliament at core of national life per Constitution: PM

0

ISLAMABAD, Apr 10 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz on Monday said the time had come to place the parliament at the core of national life in letter and spirit.

“Rules of the game framed in light of the Constitution show us the way forward,” he wrote on Twitter.

The tweet came as the country marked the golden jubilee of the formulation of the 1973 Constitution.

PM Sharif said the Constitution of Pakistan continues to be central to shaping the national character, identity, and future trajectory.

He termed the 1973 Constitution a sacred document that weathered many storms over the past 50 years and held the federation together.

“We pay our rich tribute to the framers of the Constitution for their political foresight,” he said.

Prominent Imam stabbed as he led prayers in a US city

0

NEW YORK, Apr 10 (APP):A prominent Imam was stabbed in the back while leading prayers at a mosque in Paterson, a city in the US state of New Jersey, on Sunday, according to media reports.

The Imam, Sayed Elnakib, was beginning the fajr prayers at the Omar Mosque in South Paterson when the assailant — a person named Serif Zorba — stabbed him twice at around 5:30 a.m. local time, (2:30 a.m. PST), the reports said.

The attacker was quickly restrained by other worshippers at the mosque.

Imam Elnakib, 65, was taken to nearby St. Joseph’s Medical Center where he was listed in serious but stable condition.

About 200 people were at the mosque, when the prayers began.

Authorities said the attacker was not a member of the mosque but had prayed there before, according to a New Jersey TV station.

The mosque will increase security but remain open, a spokesman for the mosque said.

Zorba, the alleged assailant, was later charged with first-degree attempted murder and two weapons offences. He was scheduled to make a first appearance in court on Monday afternoon, according to the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office.

The City’s Mayor, Andre Sayegh, told reporters that he visited the Imam in the hospital and appreciated “the immediate apprehension of his assailant.”

Councilman Al Abdelaziz, who represents the neighborhood in which the attack happened, said that the community must “come together to support one another and denounce all forms of hate and violence.”

“While it is unclear what motivated the attacker, there is no justification for violence of any kind, especially in a sacred space,” Abdelaziz said.

Authorities believe the Imam’s attack was an isolated attack and not a hate crime.

The stabbing comes the day after the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) called for a hate crime investigation into vandalism targeting the Dr. Hani Awadallah public school in Paterson, according to a press release.

The word “Allah” in Dr. Hani Awadallah’s name on the sign in front of the school was defaced with an unknown dark substance.

“While the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unknown, the smearing of the word ‘Allah’ in Dr. Awadallah’s name is apparently intentional, with the remainder of the sign left untouched, making an immediate hate crime investigation into this incident necessary,” CAIR Executive Director for New Jersey Selaedin Maksut said.

“This incident is one of many throughout New Jersey. In 2022, we’ve recorded the highest number of complaints of anti-Muslim prejudices, at 152. Over the years, our records have shown that complaints increase around and during Ramadan, in part because Muslims are more visible and take up more space — physically and metaphorically.”

Paterson is reportedly one of the largest Muslim communities in the state of New Jersey, which has more Muslims per capita than any other state in the nation.

All available resources to be utilized to resolve people’s problems: AJK President

0

MIRPUR (AJK): Apr 09 (APP):: Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry on Sunday pledged to utilize all available resources to resolve the problems being faced by the people of the valley.

Speaking at an Iftar dinner hosted in his honour by City Mayor Chaudhry Usman Ali Khalid, here, the AJK president said that resolving the problems of Mirpur city was his first and foremost priority. He said that the remaining work on Rathoa Hariyam bridge would be completed soon and water supply problems in Mirpur city would be addressed on a priority basis.

Referring to several development projects initiated during his tenure as the prime minister of Azad Kashmir, Barrister Chaudhry said that he utilized all his resources to get Lakeview City rid from the menace of encroachment and widened the roads within the city.

He said that the construction of the bus stand, vegetable market, public parks, and library named after renowned Sufi poet Mian Muhammad Bakhsh had made the city more attractive and clean.

Moreover, the AJK president said that conducting the local body elections in the region was one of the promises he had made while taking the oath of his office. Stressing the need for effective and across-the-board accountability, the AJK president said that sustainable development and progress were not possible without the elimination of corruption from the state.

“In today’s democratic era, no society can prosper sans justice and fairness,” he said, adding that a transparent accountability process was imperative to root out corruption from the society. Meanwhile, the AJK president also thanked the newly elected Mayor Chaudhry Usman Khalid for hosting a grand iftar dinner in his honour.

AJK’s Minister for Energy and Water Resources Chaudhry Arshad Hussain, Minister for Physical Planning and Housing Chaudhry Yasir Sultan, DG Mangala Dam Housing Authority Chaudhry Muhammad Mansha Naqshbandi, Chairman District Council Raja Naveed Akhtar Goga, Mayor Municipal Corporation Usman Ali Khalid, Deputy Mayor Muhammad Ramzan Chaghtai, and others also attended the ceremony.

Imran Khan can’t justify his ‘tenure of destruction’ with any white paper: Marriyum

0

ISLAMABAD, Apr 09 (APP): Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Sunday said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman could not justify his evil deeds including “corruption and incompetency” by simply issuing a white paper.

“Whether he issues white, red or yellow paper, nothing can help Imran Khan cover up his corruption and incompetency, besides the violation of the Constitution he committed during his government’s tenure,” the minister said in a news statement while reacting to the PTI’s chief remarks.

She said it was the ruling alliance which had made concerted efforts to steer the country out of economic crises created by the previous government of Imran Khan.

“How can Imran Khan, who himself plunged the country into an economic quagmire which ushered in sheer poverty, extreme inflation and massive unemployment, question the performance of a government which came into power just one year ago,” the minister wondered.

She said a person who brought the country at the brink of default issued a white paper which ironically had no mention of circular debt in the power sector, which jumped to Rs 2400 billion from Rs 1100 billion during his own government’s tenure.

There was also no mention of circular debt in the energy sector which soared to Rs 1400 billion during the PTI’s government tenure, she added.

Marriyum said Imran Khan had not also dared to mention the wrong policies of his government which resulted into a whooping increase in the prices of wheat and sugar that went up to Rs 100 from Rs 35 per kg and Rs 120 from Rs 52 per kg, respectively.

She said he also forgot to highlight the increase in the prices of electricity and gas which were raised to Rs 25 from Rs 11 per unit and from Rs 600 to Rs 1400 per MMBTU, respectively.

The minister said the PTI government had taken record loans of Rs 20,000 billion which was also not mentioned in the white paper. It was the coalition government which had repaid $11 billion debt in one year.

No mention of the budget deficit was also found in the white paper which was nothing but pack of lies, she remarked.

Marriyum said Imran Khan had angered almost every friendly country by pursuing wrong policies during his four-year rule.

There was no mention of the policies which rendered 6 million people jobless and pushed 20 million below the poverty line.

She said Imran Khan, who made Pakistan the third most expensive country in the world should be ashamed of him for issuing a white paper on the one-year performance of the government.

Terrorism was resurrected due to the wrong policies of Imran Khan government which was marred by corruption with direct involvement of his wife Bushra Bibi and her friend Farah Gogi, she said, adding in the white paper, he (Imran Khan) should have published pictures of an expensive wrist watch which he stole from Toshakhana and the five karat diamond ring which was demanded by her wife from a business tycoon as corruption.

In the white paper, there was no mention of the IMF agreement which was violated by Imran Khan to bring the country at the brink of default as part of a conspiracy hatched by him against the country, she stressed.

She said inflation went up to 25 per cent from 4 per cent and growth reduced to -0.4 per cent during the tenure of Imran Khan’s government, but he still had audacity to issue a white paper which did not point out the massive embezzlement worth Rs 1200 billion in the COVID-19 funds.

Neither he highlighted his foreign funding in the white paper nor there was any mention of Tyrian whom he had denied fatherhood, she noted.

Marriyum said Imran Khan had not also dared to explain in the white paper that how he had unleashed violence against the journalist community. He was also declared “predator” for journalism by the international organization.

He (Imran Khan) had also not mentioned about the loot of 190 million pounds which was committed during his government’s tenure, she added.

ICT clinches inter-departmental cricket tournament organized by CDA

0

ISLAMABAD, Apr 9 (APP): In a thrilling two-day event organized by the Capital Development Authority (CDA), the Islamabad Capital Territory Administration emerged victorious in the first-ever inter-departmental, floodlight cricket tournament.

The tournament witnessed fierce competition between the teams of CDA, Islamabad Police, ICT, and the Ministry of Interior, with each team putting up a tough fight.

In the final match against Islamabad Police, the ICT showed great sportsmanship and perseverance, successfully chasing down a total of 86 runs with ease.

The star of the match was none other than Chief Commissioner Islamabad Noor-ul-Amin, who scored a remarkable 37 runs innings, leading the team to victory.

The tournament brought together some of the best players from various departments, showcasing their exceptional cricketing skills and prowess on the field.

Two terrorists killed, one apprehended in Mach IBO: ISPR

0

RAWALPINDI, Apr 09 (APP): The security forces have killed two terrorists and apprehended one while intercepting a three-member terrorist party during an intelligence-based sanitization operation (IBO) launched in the general area Mach of West Sibi, Balochistan.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) news release on Sunday, an intelligence-based sanitization operation has been initiated from April 7 onwards to intercept a group of terrorists operating in the general area Mach, West of Sibi.

The terrorists were targeting civilians in the area, besides harassing the coal mine owners to extort money from them.

Based on credible information, multiple ambushes were laid along different routes in the area frequented by the terrorists for the last two days.

Resultantly, a party of three terrorists was intercepted while moving towards their hideout. On being blocked, they opened fire on the security forces. Meanwhile, during the ensuing exchange of fire, two terrorists were sent to hell while another had been apprehended. Moreover, a cache of arms and ammunition has also been recovered.

The clearance operation in the area continues to nab their remaining accomplices, the release added. “Pakistan Army remains determined to thwart attempts at sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Balochistan,” the ISPR said.

Hundreds rally in New York’s Times Square to condemn Israeli raids on Al-Aqsa Mosque

0

NEW YORK, Apr 09 (APP): Hundreds of people staged a rally in New York City to protest against the Israeli regime’s latest attack against the Palestinians praying at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem.

The crowd gathered in New York’s iconic Times Square, waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans such as “Free Palestine” to condemn the violent raid and demand an end to Israeli attacks.

The protesters criticized the silence of international bodies against Israel’s crimes and demanded an end to its attacks on Palestinians. They also called for global support for the oppressed people of Palestine.

The protesters carried placards reading “Defend masjid Al-Aqsa” and “Hands off al-Aqsa,” and chanted slogans such as “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” “Resistance is justified when people are colonized,” and “There is only one solution; Intifada (uprising) revolution.”

Heavily armed Israeli forces stormed the al-Aqsa Mosque’s compound on Tuesday night before firing tear gas and stun grenades into the Qibli prayer hall, where hundreds of men, women, elderly people, and children were staying overnight to pray. Some eyewitnesses said rubber-coated steel bullets were also fired.

Israeli forces have wounded and rounded up hundreds of Palestinians during the attacks that have seen a rise since the beginning of the fasting month of Ramazan. Illegal Israeli settlers have, meanwhile, been freely violating the compound under the Israeli military and police force’s protection.

Palestinian resistance movements in the nearby Gaza Strip have been warning the regime that it would have to bear the consequences of the flare-up that it has brought about in al-Quds and beyond.

Pakistan was among the countries that strongly condemned the raids on the sacred mosque.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a statement blamed “impunity granted to Israel”, which has “emboldened Tel Aviv to violate basic human rights [of Palestinians] with abundance”.

“I strongly condemn the Israeli police attack on Palestinian worshippers in the Al-Aqsa Mosque’s compound in Jerusalem. The brutal attack is violative of the sanctity of (the) holy month of Ramazan,” PM Sharif said in a tweet.

Since the start of the holy month, the Israeli regime has imposed strict restrictions on the entry and exit of Palestinians to and from the gates of al-Aqsa Mosque. Amid heightened tensions with Palestinian worshipers, Israeli settlers also press ahead with their frequent incursions and provocative rituals at the holy site.

On Thursday, at least 30 rockets were reportedly launched from southern Lebanon into the Israeli-occupied territories in retaliation against the Israeli aggression against al-Aqsa.

Resistance fighters based in Gaza also fired several rockets toward the occupied territories. Palestinian sources said the regime’s Iron Dome failed to intercept most of the retaliatory rockets.

Following the rocket attack, Israeli warplanes hit targets inside Gaza and positions of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas in Lebanon. The Israeli regime has in recent months stepped up its atrocities, killing around 100 Palestinians this year alone.

Constitution reflects country’s national agenda, binds units of federation: Bilawal

0

KARACHI, Apr 09 (APP): Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Sunday said that the 1973 Constitution was the reflection of the country’s national agenda and instrumental in binding the units of the Federation.

In his message on the Golden Jubilee of the 1973 Constitution, the PPP Chairman also extended the heartiest congratulations to the entire nation on the occasion.

He said that the Constitution of 1973 was the gift and trust of the first elected prime minister of the country Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

The foreign minister saluted all the political leaders who played their role in creating a unanimous Constitution for the nation, adding that after August 14, 1947, the second most important day in our national history was April 10, 1973.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the Constitution of 1973 is a true reflection of Pakistan’s identity.

“As Pakistan is a federal state, our Constitution links all the units of the federation together. Our country is an Islamic country, so the spirit of our constitution is Islamic teachings. We are a country founded on democratic principles, the Constitution is the reflection of that, and is the guarantee of our national solidarity and unity,” he added.

The PPP Chairman said that ever since the Constitution was made it had come under attack continuously. He castigated some elements for not giving the people their due rights enshrined in the Constitution.

He said that the history of the PPP in terms of making and safeguarding the Constitution was unparalleled. Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari restored the 1973 Constitution to its original form by successfully “removing dictatorial pollution” (referring to constitutional amendments) enacted by dictators Zia-ul-Haq, Pervez Musharraf.

The Chairman PPP said that the party stands resolutely against the elements that consider the Constitution as just a “piece of paper”.

Federal Minister for Interior Rana Sana Ullah Khan addressing to the public gathering after unveiling the plaque to inaugurate construction of a road from Makhan Wala Bridge to Bypass via Chak No.116-JB which would be completed with an estimated cost of Rs.81.607 million

0
Federal Minister for Interior Rana Sana Ullah Khan addressing to the public gathering after unveiling the plaque to inaugurate construction of a road from Makhan Wala Bridge to Bypass via Chak No.116-JB which would be completed with an estimated cost of Rs.81.607 million
APP42-090423 FAISALABAD:
Federal Minister for Interior Rana Sana Ullah Khan addressing to the public gathering after unveiling the plaque to inaugurate construction of a road from Makhan Wala Bridge to Bypass via Chak No.116-JB which would be completed with an estimated cost of Rs.81.607 million
APP43-090423 FAISALABAD: April 09 – Federal Minister for Interior Rana Sana Ullah Khan addressing after the inauguration of the road at 116 JB District. APP/ZID