Govt. vows to take strict action against elements involved in smuggling of essential items

Wed, 12 Apr 2023, 5:50 PM

ISLAMABAD, Apr 12 (APP): The government on Wednesday vowed to take strict action against those elements involved in smuggling of essential items and to make border control system more active and monitor inter-provincial transportation.

These decision were made in the meeting co-chaired by Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah Khan and Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif which reviewed the measures regarding the prevention of smuggling of wheat, sugar, fertilizer and other essential items.

Minister for Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister for National Food Security Tariq Bashir Cheema, Minister for Industries Makhdoom Murtaza Mehmood, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Revenue Tariq Mehmood Pasha, Interior Secretary Ali Murtaza, Chairman Federal Board of Revenue Asif Ahmed and representatives of federal and provincial institutions also attended the meeting.

Minister for Interior reiterated the government’s resolve to take strict action against elements involved in smuggling and their facilitators. He directed to ensure the implementation of a track and trace system on essential items so that the elements involved in the smuggling of these items can be checked.

He instructed to prevent the excessive supply of essential commodities in the border districts and take action against those involved in the excessive stocking. The minister said strict action will be taken against officers and staff involved in smuggling. For this purpose, he stressed the need of lunching joint operations and intelligence sharing of the institutions

He said that the smuggling of essential commodities out of the country needs an emergent step to control it. He asked representatives of institutions to ensure strict action against those who are involved in this illegal activity as well as their facilitators.

The minister said that the implementation of joint check posts and joint patrolling should be ensured as soon as possible. He said there is a need to make the border control system more active and monitor inter-provincial transportation to check smuggling of essential commodities.

Minister for Interior said that measures would have to be taken to stop smuggling from its point of origin to its en-route along with border areas. He said there is a need for amendments in the laws and the Ministry of Law and Federal Board of Revenue should quickly complete the task of legislation in this regard.
The meeting also reviewed the progress on the decisions taken in the previous meeting.

G20 meeting in Occupied Kashmir not acceptable: Ashrafi

NNPS Desk

Wed, 12 Apr 2023, 5:17 PM

ISLAMABAD, Apr 12 (APP): Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Interfaith Harmony and Middle East Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi on Wednesday said that the India’s decision to convene the G20 meeting in Occupied Kashmir was not acceptable.

In a talk with APP, he urged the G20 countries not to join the meeting called by India in the Occupied Kashmir as it was continuously violating the international laws and United Nations resolutions.

According to the reports, the third meeting of G20 Tourism Working Group under India’s G20 Presidency would be held from May 22 to 24 in Srinagar.

Ashrafi who is also the chairman of Pakistan Ulema Council, informed that Ulema and religious leaders of other faith were planning to hold a world conference here in November in which Pope Francis, Sheikh Al-Azhar, Imam of the Holy Kaaba and important leaders of the Islamic world would be invited.

He said the Council had an important role against extremism, terrorism and sectarianism and urged the leaders of all religions to pay attention on the situation in Palestine and Kashmir as practical steps were needed to stop the atrocities being committed by India and Israel in the Occupied Kashmir and Palestine respectively.

He said that India wanted to create unrest in the region as its atrocities were increasing in the Occupied Kashmir with every passing day.

He expressed the hope that India would not be able to take religious scholars included in G20 in the Occupied Kashmir. The Pakistan Ulema Council in consultation with government official and institution concerned would announce a future strategy soon in this regard, he maintained.

Ashrafi said Ulema and Mashaykh would observe as an ‘Ashra of reverence of Haramain Sharifain and Al-Aqsa’ from Ramazan 21, to 29 across the country.

IHC dismisses Gill’s plea against special prosecutor

NNPS Desk

Wed, 12 Apr 2023, 5:13 PM

ISLAMABAD, Apr 12 (APP): The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday rejected a petition against appointment of special prosecutor in sedition case against PTI leader Shehbaz Gill.

Chief Justice Aamer Farooq issued a four-page written order in the case against the appointment of Rizwan Abbasi as special prosecutor.

The court dismissed the petition and declared the appointment of Rizwan Abbasi as lawful.

The court said that the interior ministry had appointment Rizwan Abbasi on the recommendation of Chief Commissioner ICT. It said that a prosecutor could be appointment under section-492 of criminal procedure code.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif visits free flour distribution point.

Wajid

Wed, 12 Apr 2023, 5:06 PM

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif visits free flour distribution point.

Wajid

Wed, 12 Apr 2023, 5:06 PM

IHC seeks arguments on plea for Imran Khan’s attendance thru video link

NNPS Desk

Wed, 12 Apr 2023, 5:05 PM

ISLAMABAD, Apr 12 (APP): The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday sought arguments on legal points pertaining attendance of PTI Chairman before courts through video links.

Chief Justice Aamer Farooq heard the case, filed by Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan.

Petitioner’s lawyer Abuzar Salman Khan Niazi argued that they had given applications to club all cases for hearing at Judicial Complex Islamabad and marking attendances of former prime minister through video links.

The chief justice remarked that the matter related to club all the cases was the jurisdiction of sessions court.

The court questioned the additional attorney general that whether the appearance through video links was enough at all stages of a case. It asked that if the signatures of an accused were essential at the time of indictment and whether attendance through video links, could be possible at this stage.

The chief justice remarked that the purpose of cross-examination in the presence of an accused was necessary so that he could witness the proceedings. Whether the appearance through video link could fulfil such requirements, he asked.

The chief justice said that he wanted to appoint a neutral lawyer as amicus curiae in this matter. The court then adjourned further hearing of the case till April 18.

Sanjrani lauds China for bringing peace in region

NNPS Desk

Wed, 12 Apr 2023, 5:03 PM

ISLAMABAD, Apr 12 (APP): Pakistan and China have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation in various fields for mutual benefit of the two countries.

The need for collective efforts to promote peace, prosperity and development in the region was emphasized by both sides during a meeting between Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani and a three-member delegation of the Chinese Embassy, including Charge de’ Affaires Ms Pang Chunxue, Political Counselor Ms Bao Zhong and Third Secretary Ms Dong Wenli held here Wednesday, said a news release.

The meeting also underlined the importance of enhancing cooperation in all fields, including Information Technology.

During the meeting, the Chairman Senate congratulated President Xi Jinping, the Chinese government and the people on his re-election as President for the third consecutive term. He also praised China’s efforts to establish peace in the region, noting that China played a key role in bringing together Saudi Arabia and Iran, which is commendable.

Sanjrani highlighted that both countries had stood by each other in all kinds of situations and supported each other on every platform.

He also acknowledged China’s investment in Pakistan, which had provided new employment opportunities for youth, and noted that with the completion of CPEC, the entire region would develop and open new avenues for further investment.

The chairman reiterated that Pakistan was committed to the timely completion of the CPEC project, which had enormous potential to contribute to the socio-economic development of Pakistan.

Ms. Pang expressed her country’s desire to further strengthen bilateral cooperation with Pakistan, noting that Pakistan is China’s closest friend. She added that her country would share its experiences with Pakistan, which would help in its social and economic prosperity.

The Chairman Senate underlined that the “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership” between the two countries would take the bilateral relationship to new heights, and both time-tested friends had always stood by each other through thick and thin.

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the commitment to further strengthen and deepen the bilateral relationship between Pakistan and China in various fields, which would contribute to regional peace, stability, and development.

Pakistan, Turkiye agree to keep up cooperation in multiple fields

Ishtiaq Rao

Wed, 12 Apr 2023, 5:03 PM

ISLAMABAD, Apr 12 (APP): Pakistan and Turkiye on Wednesday agreed to keep up bilateral cooperation in multiple fields including trade, investment, defence, education and culture.

The bilateral ties were discussed in a meeting between Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and the Ambassador of Turkiye in Islamabad Dr Mehmet Paçaci, who called on him here.

The foreign minister said that Pakistan and Turkiye enjoyed fraternal brotherly relations as both countries stood by each other in the hour of distress.

The Turkish envoy thanked Pakistan for extending support following an earthquake in his country. Foreign Minister Bilawal also thanked Turkiye for supporting Pakistan following the devastating floods.

Both sides also resolved to continue cooperating with each other on bilateral as well as multilateral forums.