Sherry condemns terrorist attack on Karachi Police Chief’s Office

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Sat, 18 Feb 2023, 3:53 PM

MIRPUR (AJK): Feb 18 (APP): Veteran Kashmiri thinker and Adviser to ex-Premier of AJK Hameed Shaheen Alvi has said the Prophet Mohammad’s (Peace Be Upon Him) Ascension to Heavens symbolizes that conquest of the upper spaces is within the human reach.

“In fact the Ascension (Mairaj-un-Nabi) is an invitation to humanity to concentrate their thoughtful energies not only on earthly changes and improvements, this pious event calls on humans to devote their God-given knowledge and abilities to conquer the upper spaces. Quran clearly says the upper atmospheres have been conquered for human beings”, he added.

Addressing a gathering after Jumma prayer here Friday afternoon, he stressed for developing the habit of deeper thinking on the part of astrophysisicts and planets life analyzers of the country especially of all universities.

Alvi suggested an International Astrohysics and Upper Spaces Research and Study Center of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at Madinah, Saudi Arabia to instill the knowledge of sciences into the youth minds.

He urged on ulema to learn modern science along with their enlarged religious education to convey to the younger generation true meaning and worth of human life on planet earth.

Pakistan stands in solidarity with quake-affected people of Turkiye, Syria: Pak HC

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Sat, 18 Feb 2023, 3:20 PM

Pakistan stands in solidarity with quake-affected people of Turkiye, Syria: Pak HC

ISLAMABAD, Feb 18 (APP): Pakistan High Commissioner to Canada Zaheer A. Janjua on Saturday said that the people of Pakistan stood in solidarity with their Turkish and Syrian brethren in the wake of the devastating earthquake.

He said the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) was actively engaged in mobilizing all available resources, including winterized tents, blankets and other critical life-saving supplies to support relief efforts in Turkiye and Syria.

The Urban Search and Rescue teams, trained to operate in disaster-hit areas, had been dispatched from Pakistan to the affected areas, the high commissioner was speaking as a chief guest in a fundraising event for the victims of the devastating earthquake in Turkiye and Syria.

The event was organized by the International Development Relief Foundation (IDRF), in collaboration with the Turkish and Syrian diaspora in Ottawa, a press release said. IDRF is a Canadian non-profit charity organization working with partners around the world to facilitate relief and development programs.

Addressing the audience, the high commissioner expressed deep condolences over the loss of precious lives and extensive damage to property caused by the massive earthquake that hit parts of southern Turkiye and northern Syria on 6^th February.

“Pakistan stands ready to extend all possible support in the relief efforts in the earthquake-affected areas in Turkiye and Syria. We are confident that the brave people of Turkiye and Syria will overcome this natural calamity with characteristic resilience and determination,” the press release quoted the high commissioner as saying.

He also urged the audience and the Pakistani diaspora living in Canada for making generous donations for their brothers and sisters in Turkiye and Syria.

Janjua also recounted and appreciated the humanitarian work done by IDRF in Pakistan during the recent climate-induced rain.

Weather balloons key to Global Observing System, UN agency asserts amid ‘spy balloon’ controversy

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Sat, 18 Feb 2023, 2:02 PM

Weather balloons key to Global Observing System, UN agency asserts amid 'spy balloon' controversy

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 18 (APP): Weather balloons play an important part of a vast, intricate global observation system, providing vital information for climate monitoring and forecasters, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a Geneva-based UN agency, said Friday.

On the heels of recent news reports about Canada and the United States shooting down several flying objects, including an alleged Chinese “spy balloon”, inside their borders, WMO points out that weather balloons provide just a tiny fraction of the millions of observations gathered worldwide daily.

On Thursday, US President Joe Biden made public remarks after days of speculation over three unmanned aerial objects shot down last weekend by the US military, saying that they were most likely tied to private companies, recreation or research institutions.

More than 50 satellites collect information from space, and about 400 aircraft operated by some 40 commercial aircraft companies gather input from the skies, WMO says.

About 400 moored buoys, 1,250 drifting buoys, and 7,300 ships help from the seas in addition to 10,000 automated and land-based observing stations across the planet, the agency highlights.

Every day, free-rising latex balloons are released simultaneously from almost 900 locations worldwide. Nearly 1,000 balloons gather daily observations that provide input in real-time.

Weather balloons are crucial for global weather and climate monitoring. Launched from 900+ locations worldwide daily or twice daily, they collect data on pressure, wind, temp and humidity up to 35 km high. Learn more: https://t.co/gp30Sdu1pk pic.twitter.com/AyoMSdFwx8
— World Meteorological Organization (@WMO) February 18, 2023

The valuable information gathered contributes to computer forecast models, local data for meteorologists to make forecasts and predict storms, climate monitoring and data for research to better understand weather and climate processes.

Computer forecast models that use weather balloon data are used by all forecasters worldwide, WMO said.
Equipped with battery-operated radiosondes that capture observations, the floating information collectors are airborne for around two hours.

They measure pressure, wind velocity, temperature and humidity from just above ground, to heights of up to 35 kilometres, sustaining temperatures as cold as -95Â°C (-139Â°F), before bursting and falling back to Earth under a parachute.

Playing a key role as part of the world’s global observing network for decades, they are the primary source of above-ground data. More than two thirds of weather balloon stations make observations twice a day and another 100 and 200 report daily.

Their valuable input feeds the Global Observing System, among the most ambitious and successful instances of international collaboration of the last 60 years, WMO said.

The system consists of individual surface and space-based observing systems owned and operated by a plethora of national and international agencies, it added.

President inquires after health of injured personnel of Police Office attack

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Sat, 18 Feb 2023, 12:58 PM

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President inquires after health of injured personnel of Police Office attack

KARACHI, Feb 18 (APP): President Dr Arif Alvi on Saturday visited Jinnah hospital to inquire after the health of police and Rangers personnel who got injured during an operation against terrorists at the Police Chief office.
On the occasion, the president lauded valour and bravery of the officers and personnel, President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release.

He paid tribute to the sacrifices of the forces and commended the forces for fighting with bravery.
He also prayed for the early recovery of the injured.

PM appreciates security forces on successful operation against terrorists

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Sat, 18 Feb 2023, 12:42 PM

PM appreciates security forces on successful operation against terrorists

ISLAMABAD, Feb 18 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday appreciated the security forces for their successful operation against terrorists at the office of Karachi Police Chief.
The prime minister expressed his condolences to the bereaved families of police, Rangers personnel and a civilian who embraced shahadat during the incident, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.
The prime minister also announced Shuhada package for the martyred personnel.
He paid tribute to the sacrifices of martyred security personnel.
The prime minister also lauded the professionalism and response of the security forces which they displayed during one-hour operation.
He also stressed upon immediate professional preparedness and enhancement of capacity building of the police force.
The prime minister observed that the strength of state and collective mechanism would be completely utilized to root out the scourge of terrorism.
He also directed for the provision of best medical treatment to the injured and prayed for the high ranks of the departed souls.
Meanwhile, the prime minister also contacted Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah and appreciated his presence and prompt response on the occasion.
The chief minister apprised the prime minister of the details and facts of the incident.
The prime minister said that major loss was averted due to the valour of the security forces who had eliminated terrorists.
He also assured assistance of the federal government in the capacity building of the provincial governments to eradicate terrorism.

China firmly supports Pakistan in maintaining security: Wang Yi

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Sat, 18 Feb 2023, 11:40 AM

BEIJING, Feb. 18 (APP): China firmly supports Pakistan in maintaining security and stability, as well as achieving development and revitalization, and stands ready to provide assistance to the best of its ability to help Pakistan overcome temporary difficulties.

Wang Yi, Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made these remarks during a meeting with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on the sidelines of the 59th Munich Security Conference, which opened here on Friday, Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua reported.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said China and Pakistan were “all-weather strategic cooperative partners” and “China-Pakistan friendship is rock solid.”

“China is ready to work with Pakistan to implement the strategic consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and build an even closer community of shared future in the new era”, he said.

Bilawal expressed satisfaction over the development of Pakistan-China relations. He stressed that China was Pakistan’s all-weather friend and “an important pillar of Pakistan’s foreign policy is to strengthen relations with China and promote the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.”

Pakistan would resolutely fight terrorism and spare no effort to ensure the safety of Chinese enterprises and citizens in Pakistan, he said.

The two sides also exchanged views on strengthening mutual support under the current international situation.

PM pledges to continue assisting quake-victims of Turkiye

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Sat, 18 Feb 2023, 11:15 AM

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 18 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday reiterated that Pakistan would stand by its Turkish brothers and sisters in the wake of a devastating earthquake with all possible relief assistance.

In an interview with Anadolu news wire, the prime minister said they were deeply grieved at this very difficult situation and expressed the hope that the Turkish people with their resilience under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan would overcome the post-quake challenges.

He said President Erdogan was leading from the front along with his team. Undaunted by the extreme weather conditions, they were marching forward with a sense of purpose.

“Things are extremely difficult, but the resolve of the Turkish nation is strong,” he said adding, the Turkish nation, in the past, had fought for their freedom by offering sacrifices.

“Out of this challenge, there is an opportunity, and no doubt, they will convert this destruction into a wonderful construction,” the prime minister opined.

The prime minister said Pakistan and Turkiye were like two souls and one heart.

He said that after the earthquake, he spoke to President Erdogan on the telephone and offered condolences and everything they had in Pakistan for their Turkish brothers and sisters.

He said Pakistan had already sent 500 tons of relief goods through different commercial flights and via Pakistan air force planes.

So they hoped by the end of this month, they would be able to send something like 1300 tons of relief goods and in the month of March about 1700 tons of relief goods, he added.

The prime minister said the bulk of it would be comprising winterized tents.

He informed that he had already directed for speedily manufacturing of the winterized tents which would be sent to Turkiye.

“Our rescue teams are able to rescue 14 people from the rubble. But this devastation is beyond imagination,” he added.

The prime minister said the federal cabinet and parliament of Pakistan had donated one month’s salary in the relief fund established for the earthquake-affected Turkish people.

He said that he had also requested people of Pakistan to express complete solidarity with the people of Turkiye.

The prime minister recollected that during the earthquake of 2005, floods of 2010 or last year floods in Pakistan, President Erdogan and Turkish people went extra mile to help people of Pakistan with huge generosity.

“It’s a colossal loss, so no amount of aid would be enough,” he observed while referring to the vast devastation caused by 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck different regions of Turkiye and Syria.

He said more than 30,000 people had died and they offered condolences at this devasting loss of lives and properties.

“We are in a deep sense of grief and sorrow and prayed for the departed souls”, he added.

To serve the suffering humanity in Turkiye, the prime minister said that Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) should immediately convene a meeting, assuring that he would request the OIC secretary general to convene an emergency meeting, so that all the Muslim countries could decide immediate relief package for Tukiye.

He also urged the international community to play its role, as Turkiye needed their support.

The prime minister cautioned that a similar situation could arise out somewhere else, so the global community should accept the challenge and with collective efforts, support the quake victims.

He said that it was not a question of point scoring or taking sides.

“It is a high time for the international community to come forward and contribute whatever they can for the rehabilitation of the earthquake-affected people,” he added.

Lauding the leadership qualities of President Erdogan, the prime minister expressed the optimism that his government would come out of the crises, adding the people of Pakistan stood in complete solidarity with the Turkish people.

He said Turkish people had also donated billions of dollars for their quake victims.

About the close ties between the two countries, the prime minister said that their hearts beat together, though they spoke different languages, but understood each other. They were like families.

“That is the spirit and motivation, it goes back to centuries,” he further elaborated.

Some people said that the friendship formed during Khilafat Movement, a movement which was led by Johar brothers in the Indo-Pak sub-continent, in which the Muslims had contributed whatever they could for their Turkish brethren.

“But the relationship goes back to centuries. It is unique in this world,” he observed.

During last year flood in Pakistan, Turkiye had donated millions of dollars for the flood victims, with the provision of tents, medicines and construction of schools. Turkish first lady also contributed her bracelet for the flood victims which reflected the highest level of empathy. It could only be done by the brothers and sisters.

UN condemns terrorist attack at office of Karachi’s police chief

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Sat, 18 Feb 2023, 12:52 AM