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Sindh Governor for concerted efforts for welfare of people

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Governor Sindh appeals philanthropists to donate charities to help downtrodden communities

KARACHI, Jan 27 (APP): Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori on Friday stressed on working together for the welfare of the people.

“The Marigold festival will add to the splendor of the city and the citizens will enjoy the festival,” the Sindh governor said while talking to media representatives after inaugurating the third Marigold festival at Frere Hall here.

Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Administrator Karachi Dr. Syed Saifur Rehman, Municipal Commissioner KMC Shujaat Hussain, Director General Parks Junaidullah Khan, Syed Tariq Mustafa, Muhammad Yaqoob Attari of Faizan e Madinah, departmental heads of KMC and a large number of citizens were also present on the occasion.

Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tessori said that he was “trying to restore the splendor of the city and trying to resolve the problems of the city with all his energies”.

He said that “everyone has to work together so that the problems are resolved and the city moves towards improvement”.

“All of us should take responsibility and improve the city,” Tessori said.

Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said that the Sindh government had written a letter to the Election Commission regarding the delimitation of constituencies, but we had to listen to the Election Commission and hold local bodies elections.

Administrator Karachi Dr. Syed Saifur Rahman said that the festival would continue for a week and more than 60,000 flower plants had been placed in the exhibition.

He said that Marigold enjoys religious devotion in neighboring countries.

The administrator requested the citizens to come to the exhibition and said that hundreds of thousands of people had participated in the festival in the past.

He said the citizens can visit the exhibition from 10 am to 11 pm.

On the occasion, certificates were distributed among the officers and employees of the Parks Department for the successful organization of Marigold festival.

Voting for by-polls in 33 constituencies of NA on March 16

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Central Control Room set up to monitor Sindh LG by polls

ISLAMABAD, Jan 27 (APP): The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday announced that by-polls for 33 National Assembly seats would be held on March 16, 2023.

The seats were vacated after NA Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf accepted the resignations of PTI lawmakers and Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid, pending since April 2022.

According to a notification issued by the electoral watchdog, the returning officers (RO) would issue a public notice in this regard on Feb 3. Candidates can file nomination papers with ROs from Feb 6 to 8. Names of candidates would be published on Feb 9. The last date for scrutiny of nomination papers by ROs is Feb 13.

The lastt date for filing appeals against the decisions of ROs rejecting/accepting the nomination papers is Feb 16.

The last date for filing appeals against the decision of appeals by appellate tribunals is Feb 20.

Publication of the revised list of candidates is February 21. The last date for withdrawal of candidature and publication of a revised list of contesting candidates is February 22.

Election symbols will be allotted to contestants on Feb 23.

The by-polls would be held in the following constituencies including NA-04 Swat-III; NA-17 Haripur-I; NA-18 Swabi-I;NA 25 Nowshera-I; NA-26 Nowshera-II; NA-32 Kohat; NA-38 D I Khan-I;NA-43 Khyber-I; NA-52 Islamabad-I; NA-53 Islamabad-II; NA-54 Islamabad-III; NA-57 Rawalpindi-I; NA-59 Rawalpindi-III; NA-60 Rawalpindi-IV; NA-62 Rawalpindi-VI; NA-63 Rawalpindi-VII; NA-67 Jhelum-II; NA-97 Bhakkar-I; NA-126 Lahore-IV; NA-130 Lahore-VIII; NA-155 Multan-II; NA-156 Multan-III; NA-191 Dera Ghazi Khan-III; NA-241 Korangi Karachi-III; NA-242 Karachi East-I;NA-243 Karachi East-II; NA-244 Karachi East-III;NA-247 Karachi South-II; NA-250 Karachi West-III; NA-252 Karachi West-V; NA-254 Karachi Central-II; NA-256 Karachi Central-IV and NA-265 Quetta-II.

CWDP approves seven development projects worth Rs 22.16b

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Some miscreants want to sabotage census: Ahsan Iqbal
File Photo

ISLAMABAD, Jan 27 (APP):The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) approved seven development projects worth Rs 22.16 billion during its meeting held on Friday under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal.

The meeting was attended by the Secretary Planning Ministry, Chief Economist, Members Planning Commission and representatives from the various ministries and divisions. The forum considered seven projects related to the Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives, Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination and HEC, said a press release issued here.
 
The forum approved Balochistan Urgent Response for Food Security Project at the cost of Rs 1,100.000 million, Maintenance Dredging of Navigation Channel of Gwadar Port at the cost of Rs 4,669.762m, Social Sector Accelerator SSA for Health, Nutrition, Education, Youth and Gender, National Priority Initiatives (2nd 9revised) at the cost of Rs 4,825.05m, Provision of Academic & Research Facilities and Girls Hostel at Quaid-e-Azam University at the cost of Rs3,860.355m, Establishment of Partnership between Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and GOP to address grand challenges in Health Sector at the cost of Rs 220.000m, King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud Hospital at Tarlai, Islamabad, at the cost of Rs 2,499.993m, and Sanitary Sewerage System with Treatment Plant in Gilgit city at the cost of Rs 4,988.704m.
       
The CDWP approved Social Sector Accelerator SSA for Health, Nutrition, Education, Youth and Gender (HNEYG), National Priority Initiatives (2nd Revision) at the cost of Rs 4,828.05 million. The Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives is the sponsoring agency of the project.
 
To address this key issue, the Ministry of Planning and Development proposed a one-year “Prime Minister Youth Internship Program” for fresh graduates in Pakistan. Under the program, the Ministry will award paid internships to all eligible applicants that qualify for the program through the proposed selection criterion for a duration of six months.

Following their selection, the Ministry will facilitate the placement of interns in positions relevant to their skills and job function in host organizations spanning across the public, private and development sectors. 

Furthermore, the Interns will receive a stipend of Rs 25,000/month.

A total of 30,000 internships will be awarded through the one-year program.

Upon the successful completion of their internship, interns will be awarded an internship certificate by their host organization and by the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives.

The six-month internship program will include three online mentorship sessions culminating in an individual career development plan, one online training course on soft skills, one online training course on industry-relevant technical skills, one two-day voluntary activity, recurring monthly work plans and monthly progress reports, and one final internship report along with internship outputs.

The forum approved Balochistan Urgent Response for Food Security Project at the cost of Rs 1,100.000 million.

The Ministry of Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs is the sponsoring agency of the project.

The project envisages the revival of agriculture production in the severe flood-affected districts of the Nasirabad Division which is considered the granary of the province. The project will support the provision of rice seeds for increased productivity to 60,000 farm households in the target districts. Each beneficiary farmer will receive 40 kilograms of rice seed which will be sufficient for cultivating rice on 2 to 2.5 acres (0.8 to 1.0 hectares) of land.

Furthermore, the project will provide climate adaptive (resilient) certified rice seeds such as short-duration varieties having tolerance to abiotic drought, heat and biotic disease-free stress to ensure resilience.

The project will provide small farming toolkits for agricultural activities and gumshoes for safer rice transplanting for at least 60,000 women. 

Maintenance Dredging of the Navigational Channel of Gwadar Port at the cost of Rs 4,669.762 million was also approved by the forum. The Ministry of Maritime Affairs is the sponsoring agency of the project.

The revised Project envisages, Maintenance Dredging of a 4.70-kilometre-long Navigational Channel, basin and berthing area of Gwadar Port.

Its Internal Navigational Channel and Turning Basin design depth is 13.8 meters for safe navigation of deep draft vessels and the Berthing Area and Outer channel are dredged to 14.5 meters to permit safe berthing and sufficient clearance from the bottom in low tides. The channel is designed for the navigation of 50,000 DWT ships during all weather.
 
The forum also approved the Provision of Academic and Research Facilities and a Girls’ Hostel at Quaid-e-Azam University, at the cost of Rs3,860.355m.

The HEC is the sponsoring agency of the project. The prime objective of the project is to strengthen PhD/MPhil programs and to strengthen newly started BS programs.

This requires expansion in basic infrastructural facilities within the university. It will include expansion in physical infrastructure (Academic Block, Examination/Services Block, Students Hostels, Centralized Laboratory, Boundary Wall, Cafeteria and Laboratory Equipment for graduate students.

The forum approved the Establishment of a Partnership between the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and GOP to address grand challenges in the Health Sector at the cost of Rs 220.000 million. The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination is the sponsoring agency of the project.

It is a new project with the purpose to provide grants for improving the health sector (management and delivery) in ICT, AJK and GB using innovative approaches and technologies from researchers, entrepreneurs, scholars and practitioners in Pakistan, in alignment with the goals of the global grand challenges program.

Accordingly, all the projects to be taken up will be developmental interventions that have seldom been tried before warranting. During the first round, the projects will function over a period of 5 years, which is the most critical period from the perspective of attaining the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the year 2030.

The forum approved a project of King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud Hospital at Tarlai, Islamabad, at the cost of Rs 2,499.993m. The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination is the sponsoring agency hospital.

The hospital will be established in ICT and it will accommodate a 200 beds facility for the specialities of Medicine, Surgery, Gynecology, OPD and Emergency Services including residential accommodation for doctors and nurses and a mosque.

Most senators propose to boycott “made in Sweden, Netherlands products”

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Senate offers Fateha for earthquake victims of Türkiye, Syria

ISLAMABAD, Jan 27 (APP): Majority of senators on Friday urged the Muslim world to boycott the ‘made in Sweden and Netherlands products’ giving a strong message to the desecrators of the Holy Quran that disrespect against the holy book in the wake of freedom of expression would not be tolerated.

Taking part in the debate on the floor of the upper house of the parliament, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani, call for ‘say no to Sweden and Netherlands products’ and proposed to call the ambassadors meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to cope with the burgeoning sacrilegious issues, particularly in the European countries.

He said the disgraceful incident could be an international conspiracy to create religious chaos and portray a negative image of Islam worldwide.

Minister for Law and Justice Senator Azam Nazir Tarar said Islam was a complete code of life and the Holy Quran had changed the social spectrum of life for its believers at every nook and cranny of the world.

Criticizing the extremist mindset of the so-called civilized society, he said “we must register our protest against this heinous crime being in the moral and constitutional parameters”.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Senator Mushtaq Ahmed termed this vile act as “terrorism” and hinted that the series of desecration incidents of the Holy Quran could be a plot to impose a third world war.

He said besides condemning the sad incident, it had better follow the teachings of the Holy Quran and implement the Quranic system in the state in letter and spirit.

He said the government should call the ambassadors of Sweden and Netherlands and register their protest in the strongest terms.

Balochistan Awami Party (BAP)’s Senator Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar suggested writing condemnation letters to the governments of Sweden and Netherlands.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl)’s Maulana Faiz Muhammad said the Holy Quran was a divine constitution and all Muslims are commanded to spend their lives accordingly.

He said non-Muslims who went through it (nderstanding Holy Quran) thoroughly, embraced Islam and that’s why the ratio of Muslims was significantly increasing in western countries.

He said Islam provided equal rights to all people regardless of their religion, color, and creed including fauna and flora.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)’s Senator Irfan-ul-Haque Siddiqui quoted A K Brohi, former high commissioner of Pakistan to India as saying that half of the world could be converted into Muslims if they read the Holy Quran in its actual context.

PPP’s Senator Taj Haider said we should spread the teachings of the Holy Quran effectively because it not only belonged to the Muslims but it was for all kinds of species on this planet.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s Senator Faisal Javed said non-Muslim countries also condemned the loathsome act of desecration of the Holy Quran on many occasions such as: Russia, Canada and New Zealand etcetera.

He was of the view to constitute an international council based on learned and qualified scholars who must have comparative studies, particularly in various religions for spreading the true message of Islam across the world.

PML-N’s Senator Kamran Michael said certain extremist elements were trying to rob the peace of the world through such nonsense tactics.

PML-N’s Senator Saadia Abbasi said the desecration of the Holy Quran was a crime against humanity and it had nothing to do with the freedom of expression.

Balochistan National Party’s Senator Naseema Ehsan said the abhorrent act of desecration of the Holy Quran had hurt the religious feelings of millions of Muslims globally.

PML-N’s Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed said the Parliament of Pakistan was the first one in the Muslim countries which had taken up this gruesome issue at the government level.

He proposed to raise this issue aggressively in the upcoming meeting of United Nations Commission on Human Rights in Geneva next month.

Minister of Defense Khawaja Muhammad Asif said the Holy Quran was part and parcel of our faith and we should devise a combined policy to overcome such issues of religious degradation.

He said the west should take adequate measures to control such incidents to occur in the future alleging that it was promoting extremism in the garb of freedom of speech.

Awami National Party’s Senator Hidayatullah Khan said the Holy Quran was a divine command for all human beings and all times to come on this planet.

He said we must change our lifestyle and spend it according to the Islamic injunctions.

PTI’s Senator Fida Muhammad said Sweden and Netherland should seek an apology at the diplomatic level, adding that no official delegation should be sent to these countries anymore.

PTI’s Senator Sardar Gurdeep Singh said it was terrorism and if it was not controlled right now, it could have dire consequences on the global peace and tranquility.

BAP’s Senator Danesh Kumar said no religion on earth produced negative thinking among its followers adding that this particular incident of desecration not only hurt the religious emotions of Muslims but it had also disappointed the minority communities of the country.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s Senator Khalida Ateeb said the unity was required in all ranks of Muslim Ummah to defend the religious sanctities and values in the world.

National Party’s Senator Muhammad Tahir Bizenjo said all religions were branches of the same tree and nobody should express disrespect to any other religion.

PML-N’s Senator Dr Afnan Ullah Khan said Muslims were becoming weaker with every passing day adding that we should improve our economic condition to deal with such attacks on Islam.

PTI’s Senator Prof Dr Mehr Taj Roghani said we must follow the teachings of Islam to bring reforms in our lives and scientific advancement in the society.

PTI’s Senator Saifullah Abro said he said nobody could eliminate the Holy Quran, it would remain till doomsday.

He said the senators should go to Sweden and Netherlands embassies to register their protest.

PTI’s Senator Fauzia Arshad said Muslim countries should give a strong message from the platform of OIC against such insulting incidents creating disharmony around the world.

JUI-F’s Senator Kamran Murtaza said desecration of the Holy Quran was being done intentionally in a bid to ignite Muslims towards violence for portraying a negative image of Islam all over the world.

He said it had various aspects including social, political, religious and even economic adding that its one of aspects was to decrease the acceptability of Islam in the western societies.

PML-N’s Senator Pir Sabir Shah said expressing resentment was not the only solution of desecration some western countries were involved in this crime from time to time.

Minister of State for Law and Justice Shahadat Awan said this insulting act was condemned by Muslims as well as the civilized people around the world.

He said Pakistan could not compromise on the prestige of Islam and religious sanctities and values at at all costs.

High Commissioner for Pakistan to Bangladesh Mr Imran Ahmed Siddiqui speaking at the inauguration of the first Pakistan- Bangladesh Friendship Badminton Tournament.

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High Commissioner for Pakistan to Bangladesh Mr Imran Ahmed Siddiqui speaking at the inauguration of the first Pakistan- Bangladesh Friendship Badminton Tournament.
APP46-270123 DHAKA: January 27 - High Commissioner for Pakistan to Bangladesh Mr Imran Ahmed Siddiqui speaking at the inauguration of the first Pakistan- Bangladesh Friendship Badminton Tournament. APP/ABB
High Commissioner for Pakistan to Bangladesh Mr Imran Ahmed Siddiqui speaking at the inauguration of the first Pakistan- Bangladesh Friendship Badminton Tournament.
APP46-270123 DHAKA:
High Commissioner for Pakistan to Bangladesh Mr Imran Ahmed Siddiqui speaking at the inauguration of the first Pakistan- Bangladesh Friendship Badminton Tournament.
APP45-270123 DHAKA: January 27 – High Commissioner for Pakistan to Bangladesh Mr Imran Ahmed Siddiqui speaking at the inauguration of the first Pakistan- Bangladesh Friendship Badminton Tournament. APP/ABB

PML-N to complete IMF program with success: Attaullah Tarar

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SAPM Tarar reiterates call for former judges to avoid politics

ISLAMABAD, Jan 27 (APP): Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) Attaullah Tarar on Friday said that Pakistan Muslim League-N would complete International Monetary Funds (IMF) program with success.

Talking to a news channel program, he said Ishaq Dar had vast experience in the financial field, saying the credit
went to the finance minister for handling affairs with IMF in a proper manner.

He hoped that Pakistan would also be successful in the review program of IMF.

Commenting on tough decisions taken by the coalition government, he said, the government was taking all possible measures to provide relief to the poor masses.

He said that government would achieve the target of economic prosperity soon.

The SAPM said that friendly countries would also come forward for the financial help of Pakistan.

In reply to a question about high inflation, he said all out efforts were being made to extend maximum relief to people.

‘Economic hitman’ Imran Khan should be in jail: Marriyum

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ISLAMABAD, Jan 27 (APP): Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Friday said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan was an “economic hitman” as his government’s wrong policies had ruined the national economy, and caused extreme inflation and depreciation of the rupee.

“Time has come to bring the economic hitman out of his home and send him to the jail for his unforgivable crimes,” the minister said in a news statement while reacting to Imran Khan’s criticism of the coalition government’s economic policies.

She said Imran Khan was a “liar” and “foreign agent”, who had been trying to present himself as innocent. It was he who had caused extreme inflation by ruining the national economy during his government’s tenure.

“Imran Khan should be ashamed of himself while lecturing others on the economy,” she said while reiterating that he had failed to fulfill the promises of creating 10 million jobs, constructing five million homes, and ending corruption in 90 days of his government.

As regards the concerns expressed by Imran Khan on the current state of the economy, she said he should have been more concerned while looting the national exchequer and Toshakhana.

The minister asked Imran Khan why he did not get scared when both his wife Bushra Bibi and her friend Farah Gogi were minting billions for appointments at official posts in Punjab. “Why did he not get scared when he invested 3 million dollars of the Shaukat Khanum Hospital in a private business?” she questioned.

Imran Khan should tell the nation what were the rates of dollar, flour, sugar, petrol, and electricity in 2018, she added.
Every lie of the “foreign agent” had been exposed, she remarked.

Ironically, the “foreign agent”, who himself while in his home, was asking the people to come out of their houses, the minister concluded.

“The foreign agent knows that he will no longer have the freedom to churn out lie if he comes out of his home.”

Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Musadik Malik Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Interior and Legal Affairs Attaullah Tarar, former Member NA Saira Afzal Tarar, Shahid Hussain Bhatti and MD SNGPL Ali J. Hamdani offering dua at the inauguration of gas transmission project.

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Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Musadik Malik Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Interior and Legal Affairs Attaullah Tarar, former Member NA Saira Afzal Tarar, Shahid Hussain Bhatti and MD SNGPL Ali J. Hamdani offering dua at the inauguration of gas transmission project.
APP43-270123 HAFIZABAD: January 27- Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Musadik Malik Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Interior and Legal Affairs Attaullah Tarar, former Member NA Saira Afzal Tarar, Shahid Hussain Bhatti and MD SNGPL Ali J. Hamdani offering dua at the inauguration of gas transmission project. APP/MAF/ABB /SSH
Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Musadik Malik Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Interior and Legal Affairs Attaullah Tarar, former Member NA Saira Afzal Tarar, Shahid Hussain Bhatti and MD SNGPL Ali J. Hamdani offering dua at the inauguration of gas transmission project.
APP43-270123 HAFIZABAD:

Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Musadik Malik inaugurates gas transmission project. Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Interior and Legal Affairs Attaullah Tarar, former Member NA Saira Afzal Tarar, Shahid Hussain Bhatti and MD SNGPL Ali J. Hamdani also present on the occasion

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Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Musadik Malik inaugurates gas transmission project. Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Interior and Legal Affairs Attaullah Tarar, former Member NA Saira Afzal Tarar, Shahid Hussain Bhatti and MD SNGPL Ali J. Hamdani also present on the occasion
APP44-270123 HAFIZABAD: January 27- Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Musadik Malik inaugurates gas transmission project. Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Interior and Legal Affairs Attaullah Tarar, former Member NA Saira Afzal Tarar, Shahid Hussain Bhatti and MD SNGPL Ali J. Hamdani also present on the occasion. APP/MAF/ABB /SSH
Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Musadik Malik inaugurates gas transmission project. Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Interior and Legal Affairs Attaullah Tarar, former Member NA Saira Afzal Tarar, Shahid Hussain Bhatti and MD SNGPL Ali J. Hamdani also present on the occasion
APP44-270123 HAFIZABAD:

Salik for UN’s proactive role to stop desecration of Holy Quran

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ISLAMABAD, Jan 27 (APP): Convener of the World Minorities Alliance (WMA) Julius Salik on Friday strongly condemned the incidents of desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden and the Netherlands, and demanded the United Nation’s proactive role to address the issue to avert an international crisis.

The veteran human rights defender, in a telephonic conversation with APP from Washington, United States, expressed his regret and remorse over the issue.

J Salik, who is also a former federal minister, said, “I have been indicating this issue across the world for the past four decades. I have been advocating that the UN has failed to implement its responsibilities. In the Second World there was a loss of almost 50 million lives due to the failure of the Nations League, a world body that was working prior to the establishment of the UN in 1946.

“We are at the brink of the Third World War, and if the UN failed to implement its role then it may lead to a serious disaster,” he feared.

The UN, he said, was not focusing on its efforts to ensure minorities’ rights the world over. “The desecration of Holy Quran in Sweden is highly regrettable and I call that man a cursed person.”

J Salik underlined that the respect of different faiths and minorities’ rights was important as all religions educated and preached the message of respect and tolerance for other religions and faiths.

“In Islam, the Charter of Madina is the biggest accord of its time that promotes tolerance and coexistence among different faiths and Bible also educates this message,” the veteran rights defender said.

“The UN is not building pressure on these states involved in defilement of the Holy Quran to ensure the right of minorities which is the major cause of its failure and the WMA is working for this cause around the globe,” he added.

He suggested that for achieving the goal of peace the Archbishop of Canterbury and Imam-e-Ka’aba should lead the drive to start a social boycott of such states, whereas the UN should support a world over social boycott and no aid should be given to those states involved in the regrettable attempt.

“Peace is possible with interfaith harmony and respect for others’ faiths and religions.”

J Salik said he was going to organize an interfaith conference through the platform of WMA in Washington on the cause to emphasise on the remedies to such incidents that were instigating violence among minorities of different faiths.

“If the UN did not pay attention to these incidents then it will further escalate. It’s not an ordinary issue and the UN should settle this issue in the International Court of Justice,” he added.

J Salik concluded that all forums across the world should strictly condemn the despicable act as the best way was to respect each others’ faith for a peaceful world.