Players of Lahore Qalandars participating in a practice session for the upcoming PSL 8 at Multan Cricket Stadium
UN chief calls terrorism ‘an affront to humanity’; underscores extra vigilance
UNITED NATIONS, Feb 12 (APP): With extremist groups expanding their reach, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday called on the international community not to lower its guard against terrorism.
The appeal came in his message to mark the first-ever ‘International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism’, established in December by the UN General Assembly.
The UN chief described terrorism as an “affront to humanity as it undermines the values that bind us together.”
Terrorism also threatens collective efforts to promote peace and security, protect human rights, provide humanitarian aid, and advance sustainable development, Guterres said.
“We must be more vigilant than ever,” he said, noting that “terrorist and violent extremist groups are finding fertile ground on the internet to spew their vicious venom.”
He said neo-Nazi, white supremacist movements are becoming more dangerous by the day and now represent the top internal security threat in several countries, as well as the fastest growing.
Countries must act to confront the challenge through prevention, and by addressing the underlying conditions that drive terrorism in the first place, he added.
He highlighted the importance of inclusion and ensuring that counter-terrorism strategies reflect a wide array of voices — especially minorities, women, and young people.
Human rights must be at the core of all counter-terrorism policies, he added.
“Today and every day, let us work together to build more peaceful, inclusive, and stable societies in which terror and violent extremism have no home,” the secretary-general said.
AJK PM announces housing project for members of Kashmir Journalist Forum
MUZAFFARABAD, Feb 12 (APP): Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan has said that a housing project for the members of the Kashmir Journalist Forum (KJF) will be launched within 45 days.
Talking to journalists on Sunday, the PM said that in the first phase, land has been allocated in Kotli for the project where plots would be allocated to the KJF members accordingly.
He said that the groundbreaking of the project would be held soon. “In the second and third phases, land will be allocated in Islamabad and Muzaffarabad,” the PM said, adding that the initiative would be taken after due consultations with representatives of the forum, which consists of Islamabad-based Kashmiri journalists.
The PM said that the government was painstakingly working to improve the standard of living of people by providing basic amenities of life. Referring to the launching of the Pink Bus service in Muzaffarabad, he said that the bus service for women would be started soon in Rawalakot and other cities.
Regarding the promotion of small industry in the state, the PM said that it was heartening to see that goods produced at the local level were getting acceptance everywhere. He said that different kinds of rosaries (Tasbeeh) being made at Muzaffarabad were being acknowledged everywhere and becoming the identity of AJK in the Muslim world.
He said that production of high-quality jeans would start from Muzaffarabad soon. Similarly, he said, pet food being imported in bulk quantity would be prepared locally. The government would start a project to breed Angora rabbits for the production of original Pashmina shawls, he said, adding that “sericulture (production of silkworm) will be promoted to get raw silk,” he said.
It is worth mentioning that as a result of the revolutionary measures taken by AJK PM, the local industry is providing decent and dignified employment to thousands of people.
Over five hundred women working in different vocational institutes have been preparing garments at the local level under the auspices of the Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA). Likewise, wooden rosaries from local white olives, granite and other precious stones are among the top-quality goods being produced at the local level.
Meanwhile, AJK PM made a passionate appeal to philanthropists to make generous donations to help quake victims in Turkiye. He said that Turkiye has always provided sincere and generous help to Pakistan and Azad Kashmir.
“The government and people of Turkiye have always helped us in every difficult time, especially in the deadly earthquake of 2005”, the PM said, adding that it was their responsibility to extend a hand of support to the people of Turkiye in this situation. In this regard, the government has established a relief fund, he informed.
Journalists rendering best professional services deserve appreciation: Aasma Butt
RAWALPINDI, Feb 12 (APP): President of All Pakistan Chinese Overseas Youth Federation (APCOYF), Aasma Ismail Butt, on Sunday said the journalists who have rendered the best professional services in every era would be appreciated as they always raised the voice of truth with their pens as the fourth pillar of the state and the mirror of the society.
She was talking to senior journalists at the First Media Awards 2022-23 held here at Rawalpindi Arts Council on Sunday.
She said that it was a good tradition to appreciate the services of journalists who were doing professional services for years so that the upcoming young journalists respect their seniors and promote journalism with the same responsibility as given by their seniors.
She said that encouraging the journalist community would continue in the future as well, adding, “we stand with our journalist community, our stars and national heroes.”
On this occasion, Aasma Ismail Butt presented Jinnah Cap and awards to journalists to acknowledge their valuable professional services. More than 200 awards were given to Journalists in the ceremony.
On this occasion, senior journalist, TV anchor Nasir Aslam Raja said that recognition of the services and abilities of journalists was aimed to motivate them, which they deserve.
Senator Taj Haider, former Naib Tehsil Nazim Sajjad Khan, Director of FM Radio Channel Friendship Hoping Ping, Chairman of Pai Khurshid Barlas, social and political leader Jamshed Khan, promoter of cultural events and ex-bureaucrat Tayyab Khan, Tariq Mughal, executive member of Pindi Chamber of Commerce, Secretary of Pakistan Newspaper Sellers Federation and former federal minister Tikka Khan, former president of PFUJ, senior journalist Nasir Zaidi, President PFUJ, Afzal Butt, President National Press Club, Anwar Raza, Finance Secretary Nayer Ali and TV anchors participated in the ceremony.
A large number of journalists’ families were present on this occasion.
Farmer is ploughing his field with a tractor for cultivation next crop on the outskirt in the city
An old man preparing clay made pots at his workplace
Women Farmers are busy working in their field at Jhang road
A farmer washing radish for making bundles and delivers to the vegetable market at Jhang road
A thirsty crow trying to drink water from pipe to fulfill thirst
Racing jeeps in action during Last day of Stock Category race of 18th PTDC Cholistan Desert Jeep Rally 2023
