Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif distributing PM’s National Innovation Award among the successful candidates
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif distributing PM’s National Innovation Award among the successful candidates
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif distributing PM’s National Innovation Award among the successful candidates
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif distributing PM’s National Innovation Award among the successful candidates
Modi’s occupational policy failing in IIOJK badly: experts
By Dr. Saeed Ahmad Ali
LAHORE, Jun 19 (APP):Experts believe that Narendra Modi fascist regime’s suppressing and occupational policy was failing badly in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
They urged the international community to help implement the UNSC resolutions in IIOJK, by holding a free and impartial plebiscite under the auspices of the United Nations to let Kashmiris decide their own future.
Cruelty knows no bounds, and after the men were gunned down, their bodies were not returned to their families, they condemned.
Violating all fundamental rights, India had imposed a military siege on some 10 million Kashmiris in the IIOJK, by converting the territory into the biggest jail on earth, where over one million Indian forces had been deployed with no regard for human rights, they lamented.
Since 1947, Article 370 had given Jammu and Kashmir a semi-autonomous constitutional status. But the Modi-led regime abrogated the special status of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) on August 5, 2019 by repealing articles 370 and 35-A of the Indian constitution.
Former senator from Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Sehar Kamran (TI), told APP that the latest controversy had been reported by the international media that extrajudicial killings of a number of innocent Kashmiris had become a routine in Kulgam area of the occupied territory.
The Indian occupational forces’ state terrorism, war crimes, and human rights violations had made life a nightmare for over one million oppressed Kashmiris, especially women, senior citizens, and children in IIOJK, she regretted.
Moreover, the Indian forces were using molestation, rape and sexual violence against women and children as a weapon of war, besides giving collective punishment, in a bid to suppress the legitimate freedom movement in the occupied valley,” she informed.
Kashmiris have been telling the world for decades that India intended to settle paramilitary families in the held Kashmir and establish military settlements there. Narendra Modi government was all out to set up semi-military permanent colonies in help Kashmir, Ms. Kamran said while replying to a query.
Instead of implementing the UNSC resolutions, India was trying to muzzle the voice of Kashmiri people through the use of force and by perpetuating an illegal occupation, which had increased brutality and oppression after August 5, 2019, she added. Kashmir has been a burning issue since the Partition of the Indian Subcontinent in 1947.
Pakistan and India have fought three wars over Kashmir in 1948, 1965, and 1999, but have been unable to settle the dispute, she recalled.
Hurriyat leader Yasin Malik’s wife Mushaal Hussein Mullick told APP that the RSS-inspired Hindutva ideology was being pursued by the BJP-led Modi government, which was a major threat to ‘foreign investment’ in India.
Amid the Indian government’s move to seek a death sentence for incarcerated Kashmiri leader Yasin Malik, Mushaal Mullick said that the entire world would react if any harm came to her husband.
She said the Indian government was trying to commit a ‘judicial murder’ of her husband and warned that such a move will trigger a reaction from across the world.
Mushaal Mullick said that fascist Modi and the Indian Army were turning Kashmiris into a minority in the valley by issuing domiciles to Indian citizens. In Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. over 100,000 Kashmiris had been killed by Indian forces since 1989, while more than 7,200 people were murdered in custodial torture by the Indian army.
Replying to a query, she criticised India’s imperialistic and fascist approach to suppress every genuine and legitimate demand of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The Modi-led BJP government had imposed a lockdown in occupied Kashmir, allowing Indian forces to perpetrate unspeakable crimes against the masses, with complete impunity.
Vice Chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference Ghulam Ahmed Gulzar said that Narendra Modi-led Indian government had turned illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir into a gigantic prison ahead of the Hindu pilgrimage Amarnath Yatra in the name of security for the yateers, Kashmir Media Service in its report on Saturday said.
According to the KMS report, Gulzar said that the deployment of an additional 60,000 troops would further increase the miseries of the oppressed Kashmiris, who were under constant siege, since 5 August 2019. He said the Kashmiris were not against the Yatra, but deployment of more and more forces’ and extension in the duration of the pilgrimage was disastrous for the already fragile environment of IIOJK.
“In addition to that, the large inflow of people would also result in environmental pollution and melting of glaciers, which might result in scarcity of water resources and drought,” he added.
A prominent Kashmiri advocacy group has announced that Kashmiris and their supporters would stage a protest rally near the White House on June 22 when the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, will arrive there for a meeting with the US President, Joe Biden, in Washington, amid India’s escalating atrocities in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Secretary-General of the World Kashmir Awareness Forum (WKAF) Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, in his recent statement, said he was getting immense response from the community members as well as expressions of support from several other organisations in the effort to highlight India’s brutal atrocities and suppression of the oppressed Kashmiri people.
On the other hand, the US human rights groups have announced holding similar protests against Modi’s US visit over the deteriorating and worst human rights situation in IIOJK, various media reports revealed.
An all-time maestro: Remembering Tariq Aziz on 3rd death anniversary
By Dr. Saeed Ahmad Ali
LAHORE, Jun 19 (APP):The all-times maestro, iconic radio-television anchor Tariq Aziz was remembered by the artist and literary community in connection with his third death anniversary.
Three years ago, Tariq Aziz passed away on June 17, 2020, at the age of 84 due to a heart attack in Lahore.
Noted educationist Professor Dr. Fakhar-ul-Haq Noori summed up the tragic feelings of demise of Aziz through the exact replication of thought of the renowned classical Urdu poet and critic Meer Taqi Meer, who once had voiced his feelings in his famous verse: ‘Mat Sahl Hamein Jano, Phirta Hai Falak Barson, Tab Khak Ke Parde Se Insaan Nikaltey Hain [Consider us not as something trivial, heavens whirl for years, before earth splits its veil, and yields forth the man].
Tariq Aziz was born in Jalandhar (India) on April 28, 1936 to an Arain family, and he received his primary education from the same origin. After Partition in 1947, his family migrated to Pakistan and settled in district Sahiwal (Punjab), where he received his middle and secondary school education. He started his career with Radio Pakistan in 1960s as a host, and later on went to become Pakistan’s first male announcer and premier-television (PTV) host.
He was known for his work on the PTV’s Quiz Show Neelam Ghar, which was first aired in 1974, and later the same was renamed as the ‘Tariq Aziz Show’, and later was changed to ‘Bazm-e-Tariq Aziz’. Tariq Aziz, started his film career by working along with the film actor Waheed Murad and film actress Zeba, in a film “Insaniyat (1967)”.
Aziz also starred in another Pakistani film “Haar Gaya Insaan”, besides appearing in several television programmes and morning shows while organising telethons for charity purposes.
One of his famous movies was Salgirah (1969), which was a highly successful musical movie, and won two Nigar awards for the same year. His first film, Insaniyat was released in 1967, while other notable titles Aziz acted in included ’Qasam Us Waqt Ki’, ‘Katari’ and ‘Haar Gaya Insan’. As a radio, television anchor, writer, actor, social trainer and a politician, Tariq Aziz served his audience for decades through his impressive voice by disseminating universal message of peace, love, knowledge and humanity.
Paying tribute to Tariq Aziz, former chairman Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) Abrar-ul-Haq told APP that Pakistan’s entertainment industry would remain indebted to Tariq Aziz forever for being a lifelong source of knowledge to students community and entertainment to the country.
The legendary television anchor and host compered many live entertainment shows presenting various talented artists and literary icons of Pakistan, he added.
The Lahore Arts Council (LAC) director and spokesperson, Subah Sadiq, while talking to APP, said that Tariq Aziz introduced a new dimension of TV compering and he was known for his unique style and peculiar voice tone. Aziz, while serving as a true Muslim, patriotic Pakistani, played an unforgettable role of giving analytical, subjective, social and scientific knowledge to all the society quarters and would be remembered as a true patriotic Pakistani, he added.
He said Tariq Aziz was legend of his multitude talents, as he was a politician, anchor, actor, poet and above all, the pioneer of game shows in Pakistan. Aziz never compromised on national, ethical and cultural values over the entertainment factor, adding his slogan ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ would be remembered by every Pakistani, Sadiq added.
Talking to APP, Agha Qaiser, senior producer at the PTV Lahore, paid glowing tribute to Tariq Aziz, saying: “The legendary Tariq Aziz is a reminiscence of PTV’s golden era, as an icon host of the most famous game show and remained a household name. He was not just a character rather a strong personality, who educated our four generations and no doubt he was an icon.”
Tariq Aziz also remained a Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan from 1997 to 1999. As recognition of his services and contributions to the nation in entertainment, literary and political fields, Aziz was honoured with prestigious Pride of Performance Award by the Government of Pakistan in 1992. Tariq Aziz was a book-lover and was good at reciting poetry.
He was also a poet of Punjabi language and the author of his poetry book titled ‘Hamzad Da Dukh’. In his second literary contribution, Aziz wrote his prose book on Allama Muhammad Iqbal, titled Iqbal Shanasi (To Know Iqbal). In 2018, Aziz in an interview to a local English-language newspaper, had said that after marriage, he (Tariq Aziz) had no kids of his own, which was the will of Almighty Allah.
Tariq Aziz had announced and given all his belongings and earnings to Pakistan. His voice and wise decisions conquered the hearts of his fans, and surely, by announcing his will, he would always be remembered as a role model to all his fans.
Govt provides relief to masses by cutting expenditures: Abbasi
ABBOTTABAD, Jun 19 (APP):Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Javed Abbasi Monday said his government after coming into power provided relief to the masses by controlling the price of essential commodities and cutting expenditures.
“In 2018 when we handed over the federal government to PTI wheat flour price was 980 rupees while a year ago when PDM took charge wheat flour price was 2300 rupees and today once again the price is even 50 rupees less than the price of 2022,” said the minister.
He was addressing a public gathering here at Abbottabad after the inauguration of the Sui gas provision project worth 3.8 million rupees.
Murtaza Abbassi said the federal government has also approved a huge amount of 800 million rupees for the reconstruction of the Karakoram Highway from Haripur to Mansehra which was badly damaged during the past few years and the then government did not pay any attention to this important road.
He stated that PTI lead government was the real enemy of the people of Hazara division particularly Abbottabad as during 2018 PML-N government allocated 500 million rupees in funds for the construction of the Abbottabad Interchange which was cancelled after 2018 when the PTI government came into power.
They have waisted 4 billion rupees on the so-called beautification of Abbottabad city while there was a dire need for football and cricket stadiums for the youth, unfortunately, the existing grounds were also closed to the general public, moreover, graveyard which was the major issue of Abbottabad city was completely neglected, he said.
While criticizing the PTI chief the minster said on 9th May he left his party workers to the destruction of the country and to fight with the law enforcement agencies, being a politician and a parliamentarian after the vote of no confidence he must have come to the parliament and inform us about the achievements of his government, but he started agitation and demanding re-election which was completely illegal.
Nation mourns loss of precious lives in Greece ferry disaster
Dr. Saeed Ahmad Ali
LAHORE, Jun 19 (APP):The nation observed a mourning day on Monday over the Greece boat disaster, in which dozens of precious lives were lost. An overloaded ferry had capsized in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Greece on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif had announced Sunday observance of a mourning day to share the grief of the grieving families. The national flag flew at half-mast across the country.
Various bar councils and civil society members held special prayers, ‘Ghaebana Namaz-e-Janaza’ (funeral prayers) and ‘Fateha khawani’ in the native villages, towns and cities of victims of the ferry disaster.
The United Nations Human Rights office said in a statement on Sunday that at least 500 people were still missing and that dozens of people were known to have perished. A good number of women and children were among the missing persons in the ‘horrific tragedy’ that left at least 78 people dead. The ferry boat was carrying up to 750 people that went down 50 nautical miles off Pylos in southern Greece, it further said.
In his condolences message on Saturday, PM Shehbaz Sharif expressed condolences with the bereaved families, who lost their loved-ones in the unfortunate ferry disaster. On his Twitter handle account, he said: “My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families who lost their loved-ones in the unfortunate ferry disaster in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Greece.” He further said Pakistan’s embassy in Athens had identified 12 Pakistanis rescued by Hellenic Coast Guard. The embassy was in contact with the Greek authorities for further updates.
Conditions on the boat were so bleak that even before the ferry sank, there had already been six deaths, after it ran out of freshwater, a noted British daily newspaper ‘The Guardian’, claimed on Sunday.
Meanwhile Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Chaudhry Anwarul Haq on Saturday expressed his profound grief and sorrow in a statement over the loss of precious human lives in boat disaster in Greece, in which dozens of Pakistanis including those hailing from Azad Jammu Kashmir, had reportedly died.
Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) on Sunday observed state mourning over the boat disaster in which at least 700 people, including over 50 belonging to AJK, feared drowned.
Meanwhile, according to the FIA sources, the anti-human trafficking circle on Monday made a big breakthrough by arresting one of the key suspects involved in the Greece boat tragedy. The travel agent, identified as Waqas, had taken over Rs2 million to send a victim to Europe.
Earlier, another man, Sajid Mahmood, wanted in connection with the ferry tragedy, was also offloaded and arrested by the FIA at the Karachi airport. The accused was making an attempt to fly to Azerbaijan. Sources informed APP that so far, a total of 12 human traffickers had been arrested.
A statement from the Foreign Office said on Monday that there was still no confirmed information about how many Pakistanis were aboard the vessel. However, the FO added the number could be in hundreds.
The FO said that 12 Pakistanis, who were confirmed to have survived, were in contact with the Pakistani authorities.
The spokesperson said that the Pakistan Mission in Greece was in a close contact with the authorities for carrying out identification of the 78 recovered bodies. The identification process would take place through DNA-matching with close family members included parents and children only.
The FO spokesperson also said that a helpline had been set up to allow families of victims, and hundreds of families had contacted the authorities already. The spokesperson said that apart from the Greek authorities’ own investigation with Interpol, the FIA was conducting its own investigation in Pakistan.
On the directions of the PM Shehbaz Sharif, a committee had been formed to probe the boat tragedy. Director General National Police Bureau (NPB) Ahsan Sadiq is heading the committee, whereas Joint Interior Secretary Faisal Nisar and Additional Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs Javed Imrani are members of the committee.
Political Secretary to PPP Chairman, Jameel Ahmed Soomro giving away shield to Nadeem Akhtar Soomro Photojournalist APP and Chairman Photography/Documentary Department Arts Council of Pakistan Larkana for providing excellent coverage of Sindh Theatre Festival 2023 during closing ceremony at ZA Bhutto Open Air Theater Art Council
Commissioner, Ghanwar Ali Laghari administering oath to newly Elected Mayor of Municipal Corporation, Adv Anwar Ali Luhur and Deputy Mayor Muhammad Amin Shaikh at Begum Nusrat Bhutto Auditorium Jinnah Bagh
