Police prepared to fight terrorists, criminals: Additional IG South Punjab
MULTAN, Feb 02 (APP): Additional Inspector General Police (AIGP) South Punjab Maqsoodul Hassan on Thursday ordered all district police chiefs to step up security arrangements encompassing all important places and routes.
He said that police were fully prepared and on alert to fight terrorists and criminals for peace in society.
During a visit to Dera Ghazi Khan, AIG Police South, accompanying RPO Captain (R) Sajjad Hasan Khan, held a meeting with the district police chiefs including DPO DG Khan Muhammad Akmal, DPO Muzaffargarh Ahmad Nawaz Shah, DPO Kot Adu Tanveer Ahmad Malik, DPO Layyah Muhammad Nasir Sial and directed them to take all measures necessary to deal with the terrorist elements.
The RPO briefed the AIGP South on security arrangements and law and order situation while DPOs apprised him of the sensitive places in their respective districts, police arrangements to deal with terrorists and the overall crime situation, AIGP spokesman said in a statement.
Taking notice of incidents of terrorism, Additional IGP South Punjab ordered tougher security measures at sensitive places, for the security of foreigners, religious places of worship, public places, police and other important government offices and check posts.
He said that additional personnel should be deployed at important and sensitive places, adding that the officers and personnel posted on security should remain alert around the clock.
Maqsood ul Hassan also ordered officers to conduct occasional security checks and mock exercises to deal with any emergency situations. He advised that search, sweeping and combing operations should be conducted on a daily basis along with intelligence and other law enforcement agencies while the inter-provincial and inter-district check posts should ensure strict checking of individuals and vehicles.
All citizens and vehicles be allowed to leave only after identification and clearance at the entry/exit check posts, he ordered.
Addl. IGP south hailed police officers and officials’ passion to serve society and added that sacrificing their lives for the cause of peace in society and the safety of people was the pride of police.
He also reviewed the crime situation in all the districts and ordered essential steps to reduce the incidents of theft and robbery.
He added that merit and compassion were the characteristics of an exemplary officer, adding that honesty and diligence in duty performance could establish the dignity of the police and improve the image in public view.
He also warned police employees of action in case of negligence in the performance of duty and abuse of authority.
Success comes when women exit BISP, become self-reliant: Kundi
ISLAMABAD, Feb 02 (APP): Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Faisal Karim Kundi Thursday said the success of the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) depends on making women self-reliant.
“For us, a success would be when women exit the program and become self-reliant”, Kundi said while addressing the symposium titled “Promoting Shared Knowledge for Continued Actions to Support Gender Justice and Equality”.
The knowledge-sharing symposium was arranged by the Human Resource Development Network (HRDN) and Oxfam in Pakistan under the Global Affairs Canada-funded project Women’s Voice and Leadership – Pakistan (WVL-P).
The SAPM talked about the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) which has a total of 8.7 million beneficiaries, all of whom are women from poor households.
He discussed the ways in which the BISP team was trying to innovate and streamline the cash distribution system.
He also talked about using technology to make the process of cash transfers smooth and transparent.
During his address, Kundi appreciated the work of HRDN and Oxfam in promoting gender justice, and equality and their overall struggle for social and economic protection of women and girls.
Kundi expressed hope that the work of alliances under HRDN and Oxfam can continue in uplifting women out of economic hardship by strengthening skills, and supporting income-generating grants and social safety programs.
The knowledge products launched during the event are part of the issue-based research grants initiative integrated under the Women’s Voice and Leadership – Pakistan project.
The event provided an excellent opportunity for HRDN members, community practitioners, women / human right experts, academia as well as policymakers to come together and establish shared learning and knowledge on existing gaps in women-related laws and policies in a changing world and contribute to formulate suggestions and transform our collective actions as a way forward.
Interim minister Abdul Haleem Kasuria condemns Peshawar blast
Dera Ismail Khan, Feb 02 (APP): Provincial Caretaker Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Abdul Haleem Khan Kasuria on Thursday strongly condemned the terrorist act in Peshawar Police Lines and expressed solidarity with the victims of the blast.
The minister who holds the portfolio of Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives, and who is also the chairman District Peace Committee, said the pain of the grieving families could not be described in words as the sheer scale of the human tragedy was unimaginable.
He, however, said the perpetrators of despicable incidents could not underestimate the resolve of the people of Pakistan.
“This is an inhuman act as killing one person means killing of the whole humanity,“ he said.
He called for national unity to fight terrorism as he termed the attack on the mosque and worshippers an extreme form of cruelty. He prayed to Allah Almighty to grant higher ranks to the martyred and patience for the heirs of the victims. He prayed for the early recovery of the injured.
He added these terrorists are misinterpreting Islam to fulfil their hidden agendas and using it as a shield for their nefarious activities.
The minister said that the Peshawar suicide blast was a great national tragedy and made it clear that the perpetrators, facilitators and planners would be severely punished.
“The institutions are jointly investigating this sad incident on modern scientific bases and very soon the perpetrators will be brought to justice,” he said.
Abdul Haleem Khan Kasuria said the peace was the first and foremost foundation for the real development of the society and the whole nation, the Pakistan Army, the police and all the law enforcement agencies had sacrificed their precious lives to maintain peace and protect the lives of people.
He said, “We will root out every conspiracy and propaganda of the elements that weaken our national institutions with our national unity and we would not allow the enemies to fulfil their nefarious designs.”
KP Governor for announcement of elections date in consultation with APC
PESHAWAR, Feb 02 (APP): Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Ghulam Ali on Thursday reiterated that he wanted to hold elections in the province in 70 to 90-day but emphasised on conducive and peaceful environment for the polls.
Addressing a joint press conference here at the Governor House along with caretaker Chief Minister Azam Khan, he said, “we are ready to hold elections in 70 to 90 days, but an all-party conference should be convened immediately to decide election day in consultation with the relevant institutions.”
The governor said that he had written a letter to the Election Commission and its interpretation was totally different. “I want to hold a peaceful election when the assembly was dissolved, the situation was not like this. It would be appropriated to announce the date of the election after consultation with all stakeholders.”
He said that during a meeting with the tribal elders, he came to know the situation in the tribal districts was not up to the mark, but a single party was not understanding the gravity of the situation.
The Governor deplored that despite the Peshawar Police Line blast, the PTI leadership was insisting on an election date, adding that nobody from PTI attended the funerals of the martyrs.
He said that Imran Khan was blaming him for delaying the elections and clarified that he asked the Election Commission to hold elections and suggested that consultations should be done.
Ghulam Ali said that from 2018 to 2022, there were 465 terrorist attacks, the districts in which these attacks took place included Peshawar, Mardan, DI Khan and Bannu but Maulana Fazlur Rahman didn’t do politics on the issue like Imran Khan.
He criticised Imran Khan over his politics and said that when he and his party members resigned from the assembly then how could they now protest against the approval of the resignation?
The Governor said that the election would be held and he would not postpone it by any means, adding that six mayors of his party won election at the time when PTI was in power.
He said the people of merged districts wanted seat allocation on the basis of the census and the representatives of local government were demanding funds and offices.
He held Imran Khan and former KP CM Mahmood Khan responsible for the issues and problems of the merged districts.
The Governor questioned where did the PTI government spend 471 billion rupees that were given by the federal government for security and peace in the merged districts; why were the police stations established in rented buildings?
He said that during the PTI government the budget of a district was equal to the budget of the entire province.
PM’s aide for collective efforts to overcome militancy
PESHAWAR, Feb 02 (APP): Advisor to Prime Minister on Political Affairs, Ameer Muqam Thursday said that collective and sincere efforts were needed to subdue and eliminate militancy.
Talking to media, he said that militancy was resurfaced again which was not restricted to any particular area. He said that nation should remain steadfast and show resilience to over the scourge of militancy.
Ameer Muqam said that at this critical juncture of time, we should refrain from targeting state institutions to show unity. He also accused the previous government for not taking effective steps to combat and eradicate terrorism.
He said that the past government failed to take timely steps for the revival of the economy. Now, the PML-N government is clearing the mess created by previous rulers, he added.
CM Sindh lauds MALC, health dept in controlling Leprosy ahead WHO target of Year 2000
KARACHI, Feb 02 (APP): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that the Leprosy Control Program started in the 1960s as a joint venture between the Sindh Health department and Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre (MALC) and within 55 years they successfully controlled Leprosy in 1996 making Pakistan the first country in EMRO (Eastern Mediterranean Region Office) region where Leprosy was controlled well ahead of WHO target of the year 2000.
He congratulated MALC and the Health Department for their incredible accomplishment in creating such an exemplary model of long association and collaborative efforts toward Leprosy Control in Pakistan.
This he said while speaking at the 70th World Leprosy Day organized by Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre (MALC) at a local hotel on Thursday.
The program was attended by CEO MALac Mr. Mervyn Lobo, German Ambassador Mr. Alfred Grannas, German Consul General Dr. Rüdiger Lotz, Parliamentary Secretary Health Qasim Soomro, Special Assistant to CM Sadiq Memon, Secretary Health Zulfiqar Shah and various others.
Syed Murad Ali Shah said that World Leprosy Day gave us an opportunity to acknowledge people who have experienced leprosy, raise awareness of the disease, call for an end to the stigma attached to it, and at the same time express gratitude for the commitment of millions of workers, professionals, and donors, including WHO in fighting the battle against leprosy.
He added that since Sindh was a highly leprosy-burdened area, it would be the prime time to ‘act now and end Leprosy,’ which was the theme for this year.
Recalling Dr. Ruth Pfau, the CM Sindh said that she was a true inspiration to everyone who knew her, she devoted her whole life to our country, especially for the poor people affected by Leprosy.
“Her tremendous efforts cannot be put into words – her demise is a great loss not only for Pakistan but for the whole world as she was a symbol of humanity and harmony between people of different religions,” he said and added that to keep her legacy alive her team was working with high spirits, venturing out into different disciplines such as Tuberculosis, Community Based Inclusive Development, Eye and Mother and Child Health Care.
The CM thanked the people of Germany for their generous support of a humanitarian cause for over 60 years.
He added that it was true that Germany and Pakistan shared deep ties and rich history.
He also thanked Dr. Saunderson and Dr. Fastinau for coming to Pakistan to support our national program to keep up with international standards.
Syed Murad Ali Shah said that his Government was continuously engaged in developing and strengthening the healthcare structure in the country.
He added that Pakistan was facing many health challenges, TB being one of top diseases. “I am pleased to know that MALC is also partnering in the Provincial TB Program and I am fully confident that like Leprosy, TB will also be controlled soon in the country,” he hoped.
A small documentary with a background song by Abida Parveen, ‘dondhoge agar mulkon mulkon Mille nahin nayab haien hum’ was played to pay tribute to Dr Ruth Pfau who devoted her life to the treatment of poor people affected by Leprosy.
In the documentary, her services were acknowledged through her photographs taken right from starting her services in Karachi to her funeral and burial.