ISLAMABAD: December 15 –
A street vendor on his way carrying oranges on a wheelbarrow at Islamabad Fruit and Vegetable market
ISLAMABAD: December 15 –
An aged man on his way with a handbarrow loaded with dry woods, collected for domestic use in the Federal Capital
ISLAMABAD: December 15 –
Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Jamal Shah addresses the seminar of International Iqbal Conference 2023 organized by Iqbal Academy Pakistan at Aiwan Iqbal Complex
LAHORE: December 15
LAHORE: December 15 – Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Jamal Shah is giving Presidential Award to the participants in the seminar of International Iqbal Conference 2023 organized by Iqbal Academy Pakistan at Aiwan Iqbal Complex. APP/MHA/MAF/ABB
First Lady Begum Samina Arif Alvi visits Shalimar Bagh
LAHORE: December 15 –
No one can dare cast an evil eye on Pakistan; change status of Kashmir: PM
MUZAFFARABAD, Dec 15 (APP):Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Friday, reiterating Pakistan’s principled position and support on the Kashmir issue, categorically said that no one could dare cast an evil eye on Pakistan and that its desire for peace should not be misconstrued as weakness or hesitation to face any aggression.
“Pakistan is not a war-mongering nation. But if anyone thinks that we are weak, shying away or hesitating, they should remove this misunderstanding. Muzaffarabad is not Gaza and New Delhi is not Tel Aviv…No one can dare to kill 4,000 children here,” he said in an interaction with the students of different colleges and universities of Azad Jammu and Kashmir during his two-day visit.
Expressing his confidence in Pakistan’s defence capabilities in the context of the Indian aggression, he said though Narendra Modi and Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel had same attitudes, but they had different implementing capability and response mechanisms.
To a question, the prime minister strongly rejected the rumours of any change in Pakistan’s policy to follow suit India to merge the AJK in it, he said, “No one can think of such a stupid act. Nobody can dare.”
He said that the rumours were spread by the enemies to create misunderstandings and that Pakistan had a principled journey with the Kashmiris for decades, backed by the sacrifices of 90,000 people.
He said Pakistan had fought three wars with India on Kashmir and was ready to face any kind of aggression.
“Are we fighting the wars to make Kashmir (part of)KP (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)? This is out of question,” he commented and reiterated Pakistan’s resolve of not budging an inch from its principled position.
To a suggestion about a corridor between the AJK and the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK), he said India was not allowing the Kashmiris move freely even from their homes in Srinagar, what to talk of traveling to the AJK. It would be possible when the Kashmir question would go to its final settlement.
“We should strive to take the issue to the final settlement,” he added.
He said the only solution to the Kashmir dispute was to hold a plebiscite as per the United Nations Security Council’s resolutions.
He said during the visit, he held detailed consultations with the AJK parliamentarians across different political parties and Hurriyat leadership, and mulled over how to project and exploit the matter in collaboration with the society and the diaspora.
Coming to the Gaza situation, the prime minister said Pakistan would continue to raising the voice against Israel which was using brutal force against the Palestinians. He said Pakistan had sent a field hospital and doubled its humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people.
He said the immediate focus should be to achieve ceasefire and establishment of a humanitarian corridor.
“Gaza is close to our hearts… Israel earned nothing but hatred. Israel earned no fame,” he remarked.
About the repatriation of foreigners, Prime Minister Kakar reiterated that only the illegal foreigners were being repatriated as they had been posing security challenge for the country.
About the brain drain, he reiterated his earlier position of not discouraging it as the diaspora would become an asset in the form of remittances and projecting Pakistan’s image. However, he called for improving education quality and fill the gaps to enhance the number of graduates to fulfill domestic and global supply needs.
Regarding the increasing interest rate, the prime minister said the State Bank, being an autonomous body, determined the interest rate as well as the monetary policy with no government control.
However, he said the government remained in contact with the central bank and expressed the hope that the situation would improve with the improvement of economic indicators.
About different education-related issues, including frequent changes of syllabi, quota in educational scholarship and other schemes, salary structure of new doctors and physiotherapists, he assured to take up the matter with the AJK government and relevant departments and playing his role wherever required.
SC issues written order pertaining to Z.A. Bhutto reference
ISLAMABAD, Dec 15 (APP): The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday issued a written order regarding the hearing on a presidential reference pertaining to the sentence of former prime minister Zulifqar Ali Bhutto.
The order said : “The reference No. 1 of 2011 was filed by the President of Pakistan under Article 186 of the Constitution with regard to the late Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s criminal trial and conviction.
A number of hearings took place till 12 November 2012, but thereafter the Presidential Reference was not fixed in Court. This Reference remains pending, therefore, it merits determination as early as possible.”
It said Mr. Farooq H. Naek referred to an application filed on behalf of Mr. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the grandson of the late Mr. Bhutto and states he wants to be represented herein. We are informed that there is only one surviving daughter of the late Mr. Bhutto and he has eight grandchildren.
The application is allowed and learned Mr. Naek may represent Mr. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and assist this Court. If Mr. Bhutto’s daughter and any of his grandchildren also want to be represented, they may engage counsel, the order said.
It said the Attorney-General for Pakistan was asked whether any of the successive Presidents or the federal government sought to withdraw the Reference or wants to do so now, and the AG stated that this was not done nor is this sought to be done now.
The order said a number of amici curiae were appointed, some of whom have passed away and others we are told are indisposed. The court is informed that amicus Mr. Ali Ahmed Kurd, Mr. Makhdoom Ali Khan will be rendering assistance. Notice had also been issued to the Supreme Court Bar Association (‘SCBA’) and the late Ms. Asma Jahangir represented SCBA.
It said that the court also appoints Messrs Khalid Javed Khan, Salahuddin Ahmed and Zahid F. Ebrahim, Mr. Yasser Kureshi, an academic working at Oxford University, United Kingdom, and Ms. Reema Omer of the International Commission of Jurists as amici curiae.
It said that “the first and foremost constitutional and legal points, in addition to those recorded in order dated 21 April 2011, that require consideration are: (1) Whether the Presidential Reference is maintainable under Article 186 of the Constitution; (2) Whether it requires a factual inquiry, and if so, whether under Article 186 of the Constitution an opinion can be given in this regard; (3) The constitutional-legal position of the trial and appeal, and its credibility/legitimacy when the person being tried was removed from power by a usurper who himself assumed power and then launched the prosecution of Mr. Bhutto in a criminal case which was filed as ‘untraced’; and (4) Were certain judge(s) removed from the trial and/or hearing the appeal to secure a particular result.”
If the aforesaid aspect is successfully attended to, then we will need to consider the trial and appeal which will require expertise in criminal law and procedure. Justice Manzoor Ahmed Malik, former Judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Assadullah Khan Chamkani, a former Judge of the Peshawar High Court, and Khawaja Haris Advocate are appointed as amici curiae.
It said “The Presidential Reference refers to an interview, which we are told was given to Mr. Iftikhar Ahmed of Geo television by Justice Nasim Hassan Shah, who was on the Bench of the Supreme Court which decided the appeal and review. Mr. Ahmed Raza Kasuri also refers to his application and states that he has filed extracts from a book written by the same learned Judge.
The order said: “Mr. Naek states that Justice Dorab Patel had also given an interview about the case. The office is directed to send copies of the Presidential Reference, all orders and the report of the Tribunal to the amici curiae who may attend to the questions noted above. The amici curia emay submit their respective written opinions on all or any of the said matters, and on any other aspect which they consider relevant, by Friday, 5 January 2024.
Notice be issued to Geo television to provide unedited-complete recording of the interview of Justice Nasim Hassan Shah conducted by Mr. Iftikhar Ahmed, and any other interview which it may have with any other Judge who had conducted the trial or the appeal of Mr. Bhutto’s case.
Wall City DG Kamran Lashari briefs First Lady Begum Samina Arif Alvi during her visit to Shalimar Bagh
LAHORE: December 15 – .
MoITT, JICA unveil ambitious project to boost Pakistan’s ICT industry exports to Japan
ISLAMABAD, Dec 15 (APP): The Federal Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is set to commence an EAD approved project to boost Pakistan’s ICT industry exports to Japan and promote collaboration between public and private entities.
The formal Record of Discussions was signed by Ali Asghar, Senior Joint Secretary MoITT\), Kinoshita Yasumitsu, Chief Representative JICA Pakistan Office, Zeeshan Khattak, Chief Commercial Officer, Pakistan Software Export Board and Hamid Karim, Deputy Secretary Economic Affairs Division, Japan, said a news release issued here on Friday,
The occasion was witnessed by Additional Secretary MoITT, Aisha Humaira, Asfand Yar Khan, Director General IT, MoITT, Raza Sukhera, Chief Industry Development Officer, PSEB and other officials from Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) and JICA.
This strategic partnership aimed to propel Pakistan’s ICT sector onto the international stage, fostering collaborations, joint ventures and export opportunities. The JICA-funded collaborative effort, titled “The Project for Strengthening the Business Collaboration of ICT Industry in Pakistan,” spans three years and will be executed by the PSEB.
The project aimed to increase Pakistan’s ICT industry exports to Japan, establish and operate a framework for promoting Pakistan’s ICT industry in Japan, develop a portal site for Pakistani ICT companies to facilitate business matching, promote the use of credit information for business matching with Japanese companies, strengthen the ICT export promotion planning capacity of the PSEB, and improve operational capacity for promoting business matching between Pakistan’s ICT industry and Japanese industries.
The JICA will provide insights into Japanese market dynamics, competition, and product positioning.
The collaboration will facilitate capacity-building programs, training workshops, and business networking events to enhance the skills of Pakistani ICT professionals, entrepreneurs, and startups.
The JICA’s expertise in digital marketing and branding will aid Pakistani ICT companies in developing effective online marketing strategies, optimizing their digital platforms, and enhancing their brand presence through SEO, social media marketing, content creation, and online advertising.
An aged man crossing road with his handbarrow loaded with dry woods, collected for domestic use in the Federal Capital
ISLAMABAD: December 15 –
Paediatricians emphasize personal hygiene of kids to prevent colds, flu
ISLAMABAD, Dec 15 (APP): Dr. Shehzad Haider, a paediatrician, emphasized the personal hygiene of kids to prevent flu and colds during the winter season.
“Hand washing might be the best defence against cold and flu viruses. Teach your child the proper process and keep reminding them to do it before and after eating, after using the bathroom, and after coughing or sneezing,” he told PTV on Friday.
Advising parents to keep children healthy during the winter, he said kids must be educated on cough and sneeze etiquette.
Teach your kids to cover their coughs and sneezes, he said, adding that the best practice is to cover the mouth and nose with a tissue. If they have a sneeze or cough, encourage them to keep tissues with them for this purpose, he added.
Moreover, he said getting sufficient sleep is important for keeping kids healthy all year, but it is especially important when they are more likely to encounter germs that can make them sick. Being well-rested is good for immunity.
Another way to keep kids healthy this winter, he said was to feed them a balanced diet full of foods that contain key nutrients.
“This will help keep their bodies running on good fuel and boost immunity. You can consider giving them more foods that contain vitamin C,” he noted.
Fruits and vegetables are the best sources, but you can supplement if you feel it’s necessary. Also, give probiotic foods like yoghurt, Shehzad remarked.