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SFJ blocks Indian consulate in San Francisco

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NNPS Desk
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ISLAMABAD, Jan 07 (APP): Sikh for Justice (SFJ), a pro-Khalistan group, blocked and besieged the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, challenging India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) team visiting America with a float depicting the assassination of Indira Gandhi.

The Khalistan freedom car rally marked the 35th anniversary of the martyrdom of Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh as they journeyed from Berkeley Marina to the Indian Consulate in San Francisco.

With over 1,000 vehicles, the rally commenced at Marina Berkeley, proceeding towards the San Francisco Indian Consulate, reports reaching here from San Francisco on Sunday said.

Participants, predominantly from the Sikh community, exuded enthusiasm as they passionately chanted slogans in support of Khalistan. According to Indian media reports, an NIA team is currently in the United States. The Khalistan Freedom Car Rally, organized by the secessionist group SFJ, featured a float depicting the assassination of Indira Gandhi by Satwant Singh and Beant Singh.

According to the reports, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, General Counsel of SFJ on this occasion pointed out that Indian Prime Minister Modi, who instigated the cycle of violence through the orchestrated assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, should be mindful of the historical response of Sikhs to the violence unleashed by the Indian state on October 31, 1984.

Major winter snowstorm hits America’s Northeast

By
NNPS Desk
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0

NEW YORK, Jan 07 (APP): The first major storm of the winter season has dropped more than a foot of snow in parts of America’s Northeast, and more was on the way.

Heavy to moderate snow is continuing to fall over New York and New England on Sunday before dwindling by Monday morning, forecasters said.

More than 15 million people from the northeastern United States to Northern Arizona were under winter storm warnings on Sunday.

Nearly 700 flights were canceled nationwide Sunday due to the heavy snow blanketing much of the Northeast, according to the FlightAware website.

Meanwhile, a second cross-country system is coming on the heels of this weekend’s storm.

In New York City, flurries fell down before melting, while upper regions saw blankets of snow settle as the first storm of 2024 develops.

Residents of the Northeast have been bracing themselves for a snowstorm that was predicted to bring blizzard conditions and up to 12 inches of snow to major cities.

But while many expected fluffy snow, the reality for New Yorkers was sleet, freezing rain and snow that quickly melted as it touched the ground.

New York City has nearly faced a 700-day snow drought – and this weekend’s flurries aren’t expected to break the streak.

Essence of Deen lies in the love of Holy Prophet (PBUH)

By
Zaka Ullah Ch
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Holy Prophet
ISLAMABAD, Jan 07 (APP): Islahee Jamaat & Aalmi Tanzeem ul Arifeen of shrine Hazrat Sultan Bahoo (RA) organized the Annual Melaad-e-Mustafa & Haq Bahoo Conference at Jinnah Convention Center, Islamabad. Patron-in-chief of Jamaat and Tanzeem Hazrat Sultan Muhammad Ali presided over the conference.
Ambassadors of the republics of Palestine, Azerbaijan, Sudan, and Indonesia participated in the conference, said a press release here on Sunday.
Secretary General of Jamaat and Tanzeem Sahibzada Sultan Ahmad Ali while addressing the auspicious gathering said that the vitality of the message of Sufis has increased manifold nowadays. Sufis unfold the teachings of Islam in letter and spirit. The essence of Deen lies in the love of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
Islam not only guides our material life but also grants a complete code of spiritual life. The Holy Quran draws social principles to bring social order to a society.
Elimination of social unrest and the creation of a balanced society is what the Quran instructs. The fundamental message of Deen is to follow the commandments of Allah through the injunctions of the Holy Quran and obedience of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
The love for the Holy Prophet (PBUH) is the fundamental prerequisite of Deen. One can never attain the actual essence of Deen unless he loves the Holy Prophet (PBUH) more than anything.
It is manifested in the Holy Quran as a human being needs to strengthen their relationship with Allah, it needs to strengthen their relationship with the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in the same proportion. The Holy Quran teaches manners of the court of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
The will of God is the will of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). One who fulfills the will of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) fulfills the will of God. Society secures an important position in Deen. Holy Prophet PBUH said if one wants to complete one’s Emaan, one has to surrender himself in front of the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah.
In this respect, love, peace, and harmony are the message of the Holy Prophet PBUH and we must ponder today what we have learned from the teachings of the Prophet PBUH.
Do social and all other types of media present today teach the same message? Do actions on these channels depict our love and followership with the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The answer is very disappointing. Our social media is flooded by hate every day.
Holy prophet never hated, abused, or blamed anybody in his entire life. The recent Gaza and Ukraine war has exposed the hypocrisy of the world.
Moreover, the silence of Ummah on the issue of Gaza has badly exposed our spiritual decline. On the occasion, Haji Muhammad Nawaz Qadri, Nazim-e-Ala of the Jamaat emphasized that the teachings of Sufis prioritize the purification of self and the adoption of Islamic values in letter and spirit.
It has been the method of Sufis to learn the Holy Quran and apply its commandments in our daily lives. He further endorses the fact that zikar (remembrance of Allah) strengthens our relationship with God.
Foreign delegates, academicians, university students, parliamentarians, and people from different walks of life participated in the conference.

GB’s stunning beauty to be unveiled at 7 day winter sports festival

By
Zaka Ullah Ch
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0
Citrus festival
ISLAMABAD, Jan 07 (APP): In an unprecedented move to boost tourism and showcase the stunning landscapes of Gilgit-Baltistan, the Government, along with private partners, is set to host a seven-day winter festival from January 15 to 25, 2024.
The event, organized by the Department of Tourism, Sports, and Culture, aimed to highlight the region’s potential as a year-round destination, starting with winter sports events in all ten districts with an emphasis on promoting national ice hockey championships and local cultural activities, the festival is a significant step toward putting Gilgit-Baltistan on the global tourism map, Director Tourism GB Sajid Khan said while talking to APP on Sunday.
GB's stunning beauty to be unveiled at 7 day winter sports festival
Minister for Tourism, Sports, and Culture, Ghulam Mohammad, expressed the region’s commitment to showcasing its beauty through sports in all seasons. This initiative follows the success of the Sarfa Ranga Skardu festival in autumn. The festival’s expansion to all ten districts, including the hosting of the National Ice Hockey Championship, marks a strategic move to attract tourists from around the world.
Minister for Planning and Development, Raja Nasir Ali Khan, emphasized the government’s efforts to position Gilgit-Baltistan as a year-round tourist destination. The goal is to organize events aligned with each season, with the winter festival set to become a regular highlight. Gilgit-Baltistan, already hailed as the hub of Pakistan’s tourism, seeks to convey a positive image globally through such initiatives.
Despite being one of the world’s most beautiful regions, Gilgit-Baltistan faces underappreciation, according to Additional Chief Secretary Captain Mushtaq Ahmed. The seven-day winter festival aimed to spotlight the positive aspects of Pakistan, especially Gilgit-Baltistan, through local winter sports and cultural events. The organizers aspire to dispel misconceptions and showcase the region’s potential as a premier winter sports destination.
GB's stunning beauty to be unveiled at 7 day winter sports festival
Captain Mushtaq Ahmed stressed the importance of dispelling the misconception that Gilgit-Baltistan is environmentally neglected. Instead, the region is grappling with the global effects of climate change. The festival seeks not only to attract tourists but also to draw attention to the environmental challenges faced by Gilgit-Baltistan.
Vice President Winter Sports Air Commodore (Retd) Shahid Nadeem highlighted the participation of both domestic and foreign tourists in Gilgit-Baltistan’s winter sports events. The aim is to showcase the region’s prowess in winter sports and nurture athletes for international competitions like the Asian Games and the 2026 Olympic Games.
Secretary of Tourism, Sports, and Culture Asifullah Khan revealed that the second edition of the festival aims to showcase the unique beauty of all four seasons in Gilgit-Baltistan. From the receding glaciers to reintroducing cultural games, the event is set to be a comprehensive celebration of the region’s rich offerings.
With the successful organization of last year’s events attracting around 400 million foreign tourists, Gilgit-Baltistan is poised for even greater success. The collaboration between the government and private partners remains crucial for the continued success of such initiatives, ensuring that the region’s untapped potential is recognized on a global scale.
In summary, the Gilgit-Baltistan Winter Festival stands as a testament to the region’s determination to showcase its year-round beauty, promote winter sports, and create a positive global image. The event promises to be a blend of cultural richness, sportsmanship, and environmental awareness, inviting the world to explore the hidden gem that is Gilgit-Baltistan.

Fog reigns most district of KP, people facing hardship

By
Zaka Ullah Ch
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0
increasing cold during winter weather on Thursday, December 06, 2018. (Fahad Pervez/PPI Images).
PESHAWAR, Jan 07 (APP): The heavy fog reigns over most districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Peshawar, and makes visibility. Due to fog in Peshawar, citizens are advised to use fog lights. The M1 Motorway from Peshawar to Rishkai and Burhan Interchange is closed due to heavy fog, Motorway officials said here Sunday.
The Swat Express Motorway has been temporarily closed due to fog, Motorway officials said. Weather in Peshawar has become colder due to fog, an official of the Meteorological Department said when contacted on the phone.
The minimum temperature of Peshawar city is 4 degrees while the maximum temperature is 11 degrees Celsius, he said, adding, that 80 percent humidity in the city of Peshawar is recorded. The temperature in Kalam is minus 4, the temperature in Dir is minus 3, and the temperature is minus 2 in Chitral.
Looking after the present cold situation and heavy fog, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has increased the holidays of public and private primary schools. Now the primary schools will be closed for another week, a notification issued by the Education Department said here.
The Middle, high, and higher secondary schools will open from Monday with a different time change. The working hours of middle, high, and higher secondary schools will be extended by 1 hour. Attendance in schools that have been opened will be 1 hour late while leave will also be 1 hour late.
In view of the increase in the severity of winter, it has been decided by the Education Department, the notification said. The opening times of the schools are 9.30 am while the closing time is 3.30 p.m.

Brides and grooms sit together during a mass marriage ceremony held in Railway ground, a total of 122 couples from the Hindu community across Pakistan took their wedding vows during the mass wedding ceremony organized by the Pakistan Hindu Council

By
Khuram Maryam
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0
Brides and grooms sit together during a mass marriage ceremony held in Railway ground, a total of 122 couples from the Hindu community across Pakistan took their wedding vows during the mass wedding ceremony organized by the Pakistan Hindu Council
APP21-070124 KARACHI: January 07 - Brides and grooms sit together during a mass marriage ceremony held in Railway ground, a total of 122 couples from the Hindu community across Pakistan took their wedding vows during the mass wedding ceremony organized by the Pakistan Hindu Council. APP/SDQ/FHA
Brides and grooms sit together during a mass marriage ceremony held in Railway ground, a total of 122 couples from the Hindu community across Pakistan took their wedding vows during the mass wedding ceremony organized by the Pakistan Hindu Council
APP21-070124
KARACHI

An attractive and eye catching view of thick clouds hovering over the sky of the city

By
Khuram Maryam
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0
An attractive and eye catching view of thick clouds hovering over the sky of the city
APP17-070124 GILGIT: January 07 - An attractive and eye catching view of thick clouds hovering over the sky of the city. APP/AHS/FHA
An attractive and eye catching view of thick clouds hovering over the sky of the city
APP17-070124
GILGIT

Perpetrators of May 9 incidents facing judicial process: PM

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NNPS Desk
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PM

ISLAMABAD, Jan 07 (APP): Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Sunday said the incidents of May 9 were still being investigated and action should be taken against those involved in them.

Speaking in a private television channel programme, he said those who perpetrated the incidents on May 9 were facing the judicial process.

Many persons were still avoiding the courts and were in hiding, he said adding they should have surrendered before the law to avail their legal rights but now they would face obstacles in carrying out their political activities related to the elections.

He said the Election Commission would ensure that nobody should get the impression that any person was made a target for his political affiliation.

To a question, he said the leader of the house and leader of the opposition in the National Assembly agreed to his name and he was appointed as the caretaker prime minister.

He said he was supported by many people including his teachers to reach the level of attainment in his life.

The prime minister said the people of Pakistan would elect their representatives on February 8 and his government would carry out a peaceful transfer of power to them.

By the morning of February 9, it would be known whom the people had elected, he observed.

He said the government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) failed to resolve problems of governance during its tenure as it lacked political maturity and got involved in confrontation with the institutions.

Talking about the issues of Balochistan, he said once militants realized that they would have to lay down their arms, the problems would be settled.

PM Kakar was of the view that the sanctity of the state should be observed as it was above any individual.

He said Pakistan lost 90,000 of its citizens in the war against terrorism but not even nine persons were convicted in courts for the deaths.

The issue of terrorism could not be addressed, he said adding that horrific incident like an attack on the Army Public School occurred and personnel of law enforcement agencies, citizens and politicians had been martyred since 2008.

“The criminal justice system is not working and it is a fact,” he said adding reforms in the system could not be made by the last three parliaments.

He said democracy would move forward gradually and would bring its fruits to the people as happened in Europe.

He said he believed in pure democracy but the democratic government should improve governance and perform to gain moral strength from the people of Pakistan.

The military institutions were supporting the government in disaster management, economic issues, database management, education, health and space technology, he noted.

He said the Special Investment Facilitation Council was formed to help the prime minister in taking informed decisions about the economy with the support of institutional input.

Unlocking economic potential, PBF advocates regional trade agreements for growth

By
Zaka Ullah Ch
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0
ISLAMABAD, Jan 07 (APP): In a push for economic growth, the Pakistan Business Forum (PBF) has highlighted the crucial need for regional trade agreements among South Asian nations, as Chaudhry Ahmad Jawad, the Vice President of PBF, stressed the vital role of friendly relations with neighboring countries in promoting sustainable and inclusive development.
This call to action comes as Pakistan grapples with sluggish economic performance, characterized by a modest 4 percent average annual growth between 2010 and 2023, coupled with a growing debt-to-GDP ratio, Director PR said on Sunday while talking to APP.
Jawad asserts that embracing trade with neighboring countries, currently at near-nonexistent levels, could be a transformative step. Citing World Bank research, he posits that Pakistan’s exports could surge by 80 percent, significantly impacting GDP and employment, with normalized trading relationships. This, coupled with deeper economic engagement, is seen as a remedy for acute issues such as inflation, a rent-seeking private sector, and the longstanding energy crisis.
The PBF official advocates for a comprehensive approach, utilizing the gravity model of trade to unlock the full potential. Highlighting the significance of variables like GDP, distance, and Regional Trade Agreements (RTA), Jawad argues that trade is directly proportional to the product of economies’ GDPs and inversely proportional to the distance between them. The gravity model suggests that even a modest change in tariffs can have notable effects on Pakistan’s total trade.
Looking back at the trade landscape, PBF notes that in 2021–22, the United States, China, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Netherlands were major trading partners for exports, while China, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, the United States, and Saudi Arabia led in imports.
He said that, shifting focus to Afghanistan, PBF advocates for enhanced trade facilitation to unleash the true potential of commerce between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
He emphasized that with trade between the two nations fluctuating over the years, from $2.5 billion in 2010 to $1.6 billion in 2022–23, PBF calls for streamlined payment settlements, improved insurance mechanisms, and simplified processes in visa issuance, trade financing, tax collection, and documentation to revitalize and expand trade ties.

GRCP hosts 2nd annual Gandhara Citrus festival to boost agricultural tourism

By
Zaka Ullah Ch
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0
GRCP
ISLAMABAD, Jan 07 (APP): Gandhara Resource Center Pakistan (GRCP) proudly unveiled the Second Annual Gandhara Citrus Festival on Sunday with a dynamic celebration held in Taxila.
This event aimed to stimulate agricultural tourism by showcasing the distinct citrus offerings of the region while highlighting its rich Buddhist heritage, GRCP public relations officer said.
The festival, sponsored by PTCL-Ufone and the Center for Culture and Development (C2D), among others, featured primary objectives. Firstly, it sought to promote a diverse range of oranges from Khanpur, fostering enduring connections between orange producers and exporters nationally and internationally.
Secondly, it aimed to spotlight and exhibit the ancient stonework of the Gandhara civilization, fostering connections between artisans and exporters.
The festival offered many activities, including live painting sessions, exhibitions, and promotions of locally harvested citrus fruits and homemade products. Additionally, it served as a platform to showcase the intricate Stone Carving Art of the Gandhara civilization, contributing to the advocacy and promotion of local heritage.
In a dedicated effort to promote environmental preservation and food security, the festival engaged the private sector, exporters, researchers, and academia to establish connections that support the preservation of the Gandhara-themed civilization and stonework.
The vibrant marketplace at the festival boasted numerous food stalls, handicrafts, and agricultural product displays, attracting a considerable number of vendors, he added.
The event was expertly orchestrated by stage secretary Sadia Atta and featured distinguished speakers, including Malik Fateh Khan- Advisor National Rural Support Program-Environment & Natrual Resource Management, Khwaja Mazhar from agri-tourism, Dr. Waseem (Director Undergraduate Studies-University of Haripur) Dr. Riaz Alam-Director Pakistan Agricultural Research Institute-PARC Tarnab Farm Peshawar, Yosuf Shah- Pak Olives, Nighat Un Nisa (Foreign Commonwealth Development Organization), Imran Siddiqui (Additional Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs), and Ahmed Khan (President Welfare Adventure Societies-HITECH University Taxila).
The speakers emphasized the significance of branding local farm products, underscoring its pivotal role in elevating the agricultural sector. To ensure the seamless execution of the event, a dedicated team of 50 volunteers from HITECH University supported the core committee of GRCP.
The Gandhara Citrus Festival witnessed a diverse turnout, with active participation from thousands of women, children, and adults from Taxila, Haripur, Wah, Mansehra, Chakwal, Talagang,Rawalpindi, and Islamabad. Attendees commended the meticulous efforts of the GRCP core committee, consisting of Sara Mehmood, Riaz Ahmad, Iftikhar Ahmad, Malick Ushtar and Iftikhar Siddiqi, for organizing such a unique festival. The event is anticipated to propel Taxila into the spotlight as a hub for heritage and agritourism.
GRCP official further said that for those unable to attend in person, Asif Farid and Sania Shah ensured widespread coverage by broadcasting the event live on social media platforms, contributing to the festival’s broader reach and impact.
He said that with cooperation of district administration particularly Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi, Assistant Commissioner Taxila and security provided by local police department, the event went very smoothly. GRCP appreciate and extends their deepest gratitude towards cooperation of government officials in execution of 2nd Gandhara Citrus Festival.
The Gandhara Citrus Festival stands as a testament to GRCP’s unwavering commitment to promoting the cultural and agricultural treasures of Taxila, offering a promising vision for the region’s future in the realms of heritage and agritourism.
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