Asif urges unity among political forces to defeat terrorism

Tue, 31 Jan 2023, 7:57 PM

ISLAMABAD, Jan 31 (APP): Minister for Defense Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Tuesday urged all political forces to unite against the hostile elements as terrorists were targeting not a sect or any particular segment of society but the entire nation.

Speaking on a point or order in National Assembly, he said the internal differences were posing serious threats to our country, adding “We must put our House in order first.”

He said “Soul searching and self accountability has become imperative due to our own follies and blunders as the seeds of terrorism were sown during the dictatorial tenures.”

The country has already endured over 126 billion dollars economic losses and 83,000 people including, armed forces personnel, Police officials and other martyred but the world does not acknowledge our sacrifices.

He said over 450,000 Afghans had been settled in Pakistan after crossing the Pak-Afghan border on valid document. They did not return to their country and had now occupied transport business in Pakistan, he added.

He said Afghan authorities had already committed in Doha agreement that their land would not be used against Pakistan.

The minister said Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) brought the country on path of progress, prosperity and peace in its tenure by eliminating terrorism from the country.

He criticised Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan for portraying negative picture of the country.

NA offers ‘Fateha’ for Peshawar mosque blast martyrs, others

NNPS Desk

Tue, 31 Jan 2023, 7:55 PM

ISLAMABAD, Jan 31 (APP): The National Assembly on Tuesday offered ‘Fateha’ for the police officials and civilians martyred in Peshawar’s mosque blast, martyrs of the boat capsizing in Kohat, the bus accident in Balochistan and others.

Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf asked Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali to lead the Fateha.

The House also offered Fateha for the departed souls of the brother of Minister for National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination, Abdul Qadir Patel, and father of Member National Assembly (MNA) Qadir Khan Mandokhel.

APP/szm-rkg

KP Caretaker CM visits blast site; reviews losses, rescue activities

Raiq Qureshi

Tue, 31 Jan 2023, 7:39 PM

PESHAWAR, Jan 31 (APP): Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Caretaker Chief Minister Muhammad Azam Khan on Tuesday inspected the blast site in Police Lines, Peshawar and reviewed losses caused by the deadly blast and rescue activities being carried out.

Chief Secretary Dr Shahzad Bangash, IGP Muazzam Jah Ansari, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Amjad Ali Khan, and other concerned officials were also present.

The IGP, on the occasion, briefed the chief minister in detail about the wreck and losses caused by the deadly blast.

Azam Khan offered fateha and prayed for the eternal peace of the martyrs.

Addressing the personnel of KP Police, KP CM said the caretaker provincial government stood by the victims of the brutal incident and would not leave them alone at this testing time. Every possible support and assistance would be extended to the bereaved families of the martyred and injured ones, he added.

He said the incident has sunk the whole nation in gloom and grief. However, he said, such inhumane attempts cannot shatter the resolve of the KP Police.

“The KP police has faced the tough time bravely in the past and is capable of dealing with any untoward situation in the future”, he remarked.

Meanwhile, talking to media persons, the caretaker CM said when the blast took place the other day, he was in a meeting with the Prime Minister of Pakistan to discuss the law-and-order situation of KP. He said the caretaker government would take pragmatic steps to equip the police with the latest arms and weapons on a priority basis.

Azam Khan made it clear that the incident was in no way linked with the general election in KP, adding that unfortunately, the province has faced such incidents in the past too. He advised the people to stay calm and while assuring them that the situation would return to normal.

He maintained that the people of KP have rendered matchless sacrifices in the war against terrorism and that their sacrifices would be remembered forever.

He said that the heirs of the martyrs and injured ones would be provided with all possible support, adding that a summary with regard to the provision of compensation packages was ready. “Nothing can replace precious human life, however, the government will not leave the martyrs’ families alone and will go all out to condole their pain.”

Gandhara Festival 2023 opens

Raiq Qureshi

Tue, 31 Jan 2023, 7:36 PM

ISLAMABAD, Jan 31 (APP): A week-long Gandhara Festival 2023 was formally opened here Tuesday with cultural attractions and performances at Punjab Council of the Arts, Rawalpindi.

Commissioner Rawalpindi Division, Liaquat Ali Chatta visited Gandhara Festival and attended Dastan Goi (storytelling) program. Speaking on the occasion, he said meaning of Gandhara is the land of fragrances. Through these fairs, we will spread the fragrance of tolerance and peace in our country, which will stand out as a message of peace and love for humanity.

The expected arrival of ambassadors from China, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Laos, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Indonesia is reflective of our commitment to promoting a soft image of Pakistan. The arrival of the Buddhist delegation from Sukkur shows the religious harmony.”

Executive Director Punjab Arts Council Muhammad Mehboob Alam and Director of the Arts Council Waqar Ahmed welcomed the Malaysian ambassador and informed him about the aims and objectives of the festival. Malaysian Ambassador Muhammad Adam Tugyu said on this occasion that there are long-standing diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Malaysia.

The civilization of Gandhara connects the two countries in a strong relationship. The teachings of Buddhism have traveled a long distance to reach Malaysia. The Government of Punjab, especially Punjab Arts Council’s initiative to highlight the culture of Gandhara is welcomed. The Malaysian Embassy will continue to play its role in presenting the culture of Gandhara to the world.

Executive Director Punjab Arts Council Muhammad Mehboob Alam said that civilization is a mirror of any country, nation and people. Fairs are being organized to bring the culture of Cholistan to the people. In the storytelling program of Gandhara Festival, Fazal Jatt won the applause of the audience by narrating folk tales in his unique style.

The event has been organized by Information and Culture Department, Government of Punjab and Punjab Council of the Arts to highlight the cultural heritage of the “Land of Fragrance”. The activities of the festival include master artisan at work, Gandhara art exhibition and book fair, folk dances, documentaries screening on Gandhara civilization, kids zone, traditional food stalls, panel discussions on Gandhara, performance of local singers, Mehfil e Samaa by Imran Aziz Mian, Mushaira, Folk Music night by Rahat Bano Multanikar, Sufi dance by versatile group, Sufi night by Sawaal band, and drama Ashoka The Great.

The opening ceremony was followed by a Folk music performance by Naeem Hazarvi.

Minister Health Qadir Patel offers health facilities to injured of Peshawar mosque blast

NNPS Desk

Tue, 31 Jan 2023, 7:26 PM

PESHAWAR, Jan 31 (APP): Federal Minister for Health Abdul Qadir Patel and Secretary Health Punjab Dr. Ahmed Javed Qazi on Tuesday in respective teleconversations with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Ghulam expressed deep sorrow over Peshawar’s mosque blast and offered healthcare facilities for injured from Islamabad, Punjab, and Sindh, said an official communique issued here.

The federal minister and secretary health said that Islamabad, Sindh, and Punjab governments were ready to extend all kinds of medical facilities for the injured persons of the deadly blast.

They said that the federal and provincial governments share the grief of the bereaved families in this hour of distress.

Governor Ghulam Ali expressed gratitude to the federal minister and the secretary for their respective sympathies and humanitarian support.

He said the whole nation was grieved over the deadliest blast and appreciated that Pakistani nation always remained ready to support each other in times of need and hours of the tragedy.

Martyred SHO buried amid touching scenes, mourners strongly condemn terrorists

NNPS Desk

Tue, 31 Jan 2023, 7:25 PM

PESHAWAR, Jan 31 (APP): The martyred Station House Officer (SHO) of Badabair, Irfan Khan was buried amid touching scenes at his native graveyard in Kotla Moshin Khan area while mourners strongly condemned terrorists for unleashing of a killing spree over innocent citizens.

Late Irfan Khan had received fatal injuries on his head as he was standing close to the suicide bomber in the first row of the Police lines mosque for offering prayers.

The ill-fated Police official had visited Police Lines on Monday for some official engagements and was returning back to Police Station, but stayed for fulfilling his religious obligation of offering Zohar prayers.

According to his relatives, Irfan was a regular visitor to masjid and preferred to offer prayer in the first row.

He had also survived a brutal attack by militants at a check post in Badabair area a week earlier and fought with exemplary audacity with attackers, compelling them to retreat and escape for safety. The attack claimed lives of three police officials including a Deputy Superintend of Police (DSP) and two constables.

Irfan left behind five children while his elder son, who was also present at the funeral, is a student in fifth grade.

He was first cousin of two prominent Islamabad based journalists including Imtiaz Gul and Ayaz Gul who were also present at the last rituals of Irfan Khan.

A large number of people of Kotla Moshin Khan, Police officials and relatives of Irfan Khan were present at the funeral.

Poignant scenes were witnessed while lowering down the body of young martyred Police official of 42 years age into the grave and people were cursing those responsible for the gruesome act leaving around 90 families losing their dear ones and injuring to around 170 persons.