Palestine crisis worries global community: Solangi

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Thu, 21 Dec 2023, 2:38 PM

QUETTA, Dec 21 (APP): Balochistan Caretaker Chief Minister Mir Ali Mardan Khan Domki on Thursday welcomed the militants who joined the national stream and were associated with the anti state activities for a long time but today they are convinced it has nothing to do except destruction.
In a statement issued here, the caretaker chief minister said the practical efforts of the tribal leaders participated in the Jirga started to emerge.
The Jirga has openly invited all the disgruntled Baloch people to join the national mainstream and play a constructive role in the development of the country.
He said on other day, 70 anti-state people joined the national mainstream and it is hoped that more people will surrender to the state soon.
Ali Mardan said the doors of dialogue are open for every one as the state is like a great mother and a kind father.
He added that the resolution of the problems is possible only through mutual dialogue as nothing has been kept in the anti-state movements.
He called the people to take collective efforts to find ways to resolve the basic problems of Balochistan.
In a major development towards restoration of peace in Balochistan, Commander of Baloch Nationalist Army (BNA) Sarfaraz Bangulzai, alias Murid Baloch, along with his 70 companions on other day surrendered to the State and joined the national mainstream.
The Grand Tribal Jirga of Balochistan held two weeks ago, was appealed to the disgruntled Baloch to join the mainstream and play their role in the development of the country while emphasizing the resolution of conflicts for sustainable peace in the province.

Pakistan to attend conference on Palestine in Tehran on Dec 23

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Thu, 21 Dec 2023, 2:38 PM

ISLAMABAD, Dec 21 (APP): Pakistan will participate in a consultative conference on Palestine being held in Iran’s capital Tehran on December 23, the Foreign Office said Thursday.

“We will continue to support international efforts to bring an end to Israel’s ongoing campaign against the Palestinian people,” Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said at a weekly press briefing.

The FO spokesperson said Pakistan remained deeply concerned over the ongoing campaign of brutality and large-scale massacre unleashed upon the Palestinian people.

“We strongly condemn Israel’s ongoing war on hospitals and its barbarous bulldozing of tents in the courtyard and vicinity of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza that crushed to death numerous Palestinians including women, children, and wounded patients under treatment,” she said.

She said the crimes against humanity in occupied Palestine were a “haunting stain on the conscience of humanity”.

Bloch said Pakistan called for holding Israel accountable for its actions and the United Nations Security Council to take immediate effective action to impose a ceasefire and lift the inhumane siege against Gaza.

She expressed concern over the recent statements made by senior Israeli officials rejecting the creation of a viable and independent Palestinian state.

“Such statements, especially the comments on the “Oslo Accords”, reflect the true intentions of the Israeli occupation authorities, their disregard for International law and commitments and rejection of a just resolution of the Palestinian question,” she said.

The FO spokesperson said Pakistan firmly believed that the only just solution to the Palestinian question was the creation of an independent, viable, sovereign, and contiguous Palestinian State along pre-June 1967 borders with Al-Quds-Al-Sharif as its capital.

Baloch said Pakistan’s High Commission in New Delhi this month issued 166 visas to Indian Hindu pilgrims for visits to Shree Katas Raj Temples in Punjab and for participation in annual celebrations at Shadani Darbar Hayat Pitafi, Sindh.

Pakistan, she said, also issued visas to 3,000 Sikh pilgrims from India on the occasion of the 554th birthday celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak this month to visit Pakistan from November 25- December 4, 2023.

“Under the Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974, Pakistan welcomes and facilitates thousands of Sikh and Hindu pilgrims from India to visit Pakistan to attend various religious festivals and occasions every year,” she said.

She said the issuance of pilgrimage visas was in line with Pakistan’s commitment to facilitate visits to religious shrines and promote interfaith harmony. This year, 6824 visas were issued to Indian pilgrims visiting Pakistan.

On the situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the FO spokesperson said Pakistan would continue to extend political, diplomatic, and moral support to the Kashmiri brothers and sisters for the just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions.

Aneeq stresses international collaboration for Ummah’s unity

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Thu, 21 Dec 2023, 2:38 PM

ISLAMABAD, Dec 21 (APP): Caretaker Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Aneeq Ahmed Thursday emphasized the necessity of restoring the concept of Ummah, urging increased efforts to unite the Ummah with the support of the international community.
This was discussed during a meeting with Malaysian Ambassador Mohammad Azhar Mazlan in the office of Religious Affairs Minister Aneeq Ahmad.

They engaged in an in-depth conversation on bilateral relations, economic stability and the promotion of religious harmony, including discussions on Hajj arrangements.

The minister emphasized the crucial need for restoring the concept of Ummah. There should be increased efforts to unite the Ummah, taking the international community into confidence, he said and highlighted that Pakistan and Malaysia had valuable lessons to learn from each other.

Malaysia’s provision of excellent service and facilities to its pilgrims is worthy of emulation, the minister said adding that there should be exchange of trade, cultural delegations between Muslim countries. Hussan-e-Qiraat, an international competition, will be held in Pakistan this year on the model of Malaysia, he added.

The minister also said that Malaysia’s impressive growth, economic stability and consistent policies served as models for emulation.

Ambassador Azhar Mazlan highlighted the stark difference in their Hajj quota compared to Pakistan. Prospective Hajj participants in Malaysia, both women and men, face prolonged waiting periods. Malaysia has prioritized providing the new generation access to modern science and achieving economic stability over the years. An independent and robust economy is a fundamental requirement for freedom and decision-making independence, he expressed.

Bus carrying wedding guests overturned into ditch, killed 5 in Balochistan

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Thu, 21 Dec 2023, 2:34 PM

ISLAMABAD, Dec 21 (APP): Atleast five persons including women were killed on the spot while other several injured when a speeding van carrying wedding guests has overturned into ditch near Nana Sahib of Tehsil Duki in Balochistan on early Thursday morning.

According to details, Rescue sources said that the accident took place in Duki area of Balochistan where an ill-fated van was returning from after attending a wedding ceremony overturned and claimed five lives, a private news channel reported.

Police said the deceased included women and children, adding, after being informed rescue teams rushed to the spot and bodies were shifted to a nearby hospitals.

The rescue 1122 emergency service said the accident was caused by a brake failure due to over-speeding.

Javed Akram highlights importance of maternal, child health

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Thu, 21 Dec 2023, 2:22 PM

LAHORE, Dec 21 (APP): Caretaker Punjab Health Minister Professor Dr Javed Akram stressed the role of ensuring health of mothers and children in preventing infectious diseases.

Speaking at the third International Maternity and Child Health Symposium as a chief guest at

the Services Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS) here on Thursday, he commended the

organizing committee for hosting an excellent international event.

Acknowledging Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi’s commitment to improving conditions

in government hospitals, Dr Akram emphasized the positive impact of revamping these institutions.

He stated that addressing maternal and child mortality during childbirth is a crucial goal for Pakistan.

Underlining the significance of early child development, Dr Akram highlighted challenges faced by the medical profession.

Guest speakers at the symposium, including Vice Chancellor King Edward Medical University Professor Dr Mahmood Ayaz, Principal SIMS Professor Dr Zohra Khanum, and Gynaecologist Professor Dr Tayyaba Wasim, shared their insights on maternal and child health.

The event attracted dignitaries and students from various institutions, making it a significant platform for discussions on advancing healthcare in the country.

No possibility of seat adjustment with JUI-F; says Sherry

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Thu, 21 Dec 2023, 2:21 PM

ISLAMABAD, Dec 21 (APP): Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) senior leader Sherry Rehman said on Thursday that there was ‘no possibility of seat adjustment with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazal (JUI-F), as it did not want general elections to be held on time.
“The JUI-F was part of the collation government; however, this time the situation is different, but PPP doors are always open to other political opponents,” she told a private news channel.
Sherry reiterated that her party would launch a vigorous electoral campaign from Garhi Khuda Bakhsh on December 27, on the death anniversary of BB Shaheed.
She said that the PPP was the only party that stresses the need for holding timely elections in the country. The other political parties in the country are seemingly running away from the polls.
She deplored that different tactics were used in the past to create rifts in her party; their all attempts went in vein, and the PPP raised the slogan ‘Pakistan Khappay’ (Long live Pakistan). “We would never let anyone break Sindh,” said Sherry.
The PPP leader urged the politicians to abstain from politics of division as the country is going through tough conditions. She emphasized that the national interest must be above everything else.
Sherry Rehman was optimistic to form next government, saying that the PPP would contest elections from all constituencies across the country, and results in Punjab would be different.
She noted that the PPP wanted a level playing field for all the parties to contest the next polls in a free and fair manner.
In response to a query, she remarked PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto is a young politician and he will be the candidate of her party for the slot of prime minister in the upcoming elections.

FGEHA authorizes auction of 19 commercial plots in G-13, G-14

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Thu, 21 Dec 2023, 2:17 PM

ISLAMABAD, Dec 21 (APP): The Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA) has approved the auction of 19 commercial plots in sectors G-13/3, G-14/3 and G-14/4 of the federal capital to facilitate the resident of the sectors.

“A Petrol Filling Station in the Mauve area in G-13 also approved by the authority which will generate not only more revenues for the FGEHA but also attract the investors,” an official told APP.

The FGEHA has already shared the date for an open auction of various sizes of commercial plots (Class-III) in Sector G-13 and G-14 in leading newspapers, the official added.

He said in a bid to secure the future through safe investment opportunities with guaranteed profits, the open auction of various sizes of commercial plots is set to take place on December 27 and 28.

Additionally, the official said that a Petrol Filling Station plot would be auctioned on December 27 at Aura Grande, E-11,

Islamabad.

As per the details, the prime location of these plots makes them suitable for a range of purposes, including multi-use businesses, shopping centers, corporate offices, and banks.

The plots have ideal an ideal location like positioned along the Main Srinagar Highway, adjacent to Metro Stations, GT Road, & N-5, eight-minute drive from Motorway M-1 and M-2 while 12-minute distance from the New Islamabad International Airport.

Moreover, the official said the investors stand to benefit from a 10 percent rebate on advance lump-sum payments, making the opportunity even more attractive.

The reasons to consider these plots for investment include their ideal location, affordable pricing, and modern facilities, he added.

The official said the detailed terms and conditions for participation in the auction can be obtained from the relevant office, with brochures available for interested parties.

It’s important to note that both the general public and overseas Pakistanis, along with their authorized attorneys, are eligible to participate in this open auction, providing a broad spectrum of potential investors with the chance to secure prime real estate and make a sound investment for the future.

NPO to organize webinar on critical thinking & problem solving

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Thu, 21 Dec 2023, 2:06 PM

ISLAMABAD, Dec 21 (APP): The National Productivity Organization (NPO) will conduct a webinar on ‘critical thinking and problem solving ‘ on December 27 (Wednesday).

Problem solving and critical thinking refers to the ability to use knowledge, facts, and data to effectively solve problems, according to an NPO document shared here.

The workshop is aimed at evaluating , analyzing and synthesizing key concepts and experiences, and applying diverse perspectives to find creative solutions to problems concerning human behavior, society and the natural world.

The workshop will provide information about thinking fundamentals, logical reasoning and fallacies, problem-solving strategies, and practical applications and case studies.

The webinar has been designed for senior management, middle management, team leaders and supervisors

Govt. fully committed to ensure peace, equal rights for all communities: President

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Irfan Khan

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Thu, 21 Dec 2023, 2:05 PM