MoS Khar, Portuguese FM discuss ways to enhance Pakistan-Portugal collaboration in diverse fields

Wed, 23 Nov 2022, 7:25 PM

MoS Khar, Portuguese FM discuss ways to enhance Pakistan-Portugal collaboration in diverse fields

ISLAMABAD, Nov 23 (APP): Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar on Wednesday met Portuguese Foreign Minister Joao Cravinho on the sidelines of the 9th Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) being held in the Moroccan city of Fez.

Both leaders discussed ways to enhance Pakistan-Portugal collaboration in diverse fields, Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a twitter post.

The Minister of State and the Portuguese Foreign Minister also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, the Spokesperson added.

Haji Ghulam Ali takes oath as KP Governor

NNPS Desk

Wed, 23 Nov 2022, 7:21 PM

PESHAWAR, Nov 23 (APP): Haji Ghulam Ali on Wednesday took oath of his office as Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief Justice Qaiser Rasheed administered the oath to the newly appointed Governor KP Haji Ghulam Ali here at the Governor House.

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, federal ministers, provincial lawmakers, leaders of PDM parties and political and religious leaders attended were present at the occasion.

Confidence building measures should be initiated to restore trust in Baloch people: Mengal

NNPS Desk

Wed, 23 Nov 2022, 7:07 PM

ISLAMABAD, Nov 23 (APP): Convener Sardar Akhtar Mengal on Wednesday said the confidence building measures should be initiated to restore trust in the Baloch people.

Chairing a meeting of the Commission constituted in the light of Islamabad High Court order to investigate the grievances of Baloch students, he said the views of all sides including security agencies should be incorporated in the report and emphasized upon the significance of political solution over military approach.

He expressed his resolve that the Commission would make a sincere efforts to prepare and submit a comprehensive report covering the issue from all dimensions and suggesting a way forward.

The Secretary of the Commission briefed the members regarding the progress made so far in connection with compilation of the report to be submitted before the court in coming days.

The members held detailed discussion on the content of draft report in light of interaction with different stakeholders in particular during the recent visit to Quetta.

They were of the unanimous view that findings be made part of the report should reflect detailed analytical narration of facts in conformity with the ground realities whereas the recommendations, formulated, must stimulate cogent action on part of the federal and provincial governments, security agencies and other stakeholders towards solution of the issue.

The Commission decided to invite the representatives of media and human rights activists in the next meeting. It was further decided that members would provide further input on the draft report in the light of discussion held this day.

Mushaal blasts Indian govt for illegal detentions of Yasin, Parvez

NNPS Desk

Wed, 23 Nov 2022, 7:02 PM

ISLAMABAD, Nov 23 (APP): Chairperson of Peace and Culture Organisation Mushaal Hussein Mullick lambasted Narendra Modi-led Indian government for unlawful detention of thousands of innocent Kashmiris including senior Hurriyat leader Yasin Malik and human right defender Khurran Parvez, demanding the world to take notice of the alarming upsurge in human rights violations in the occupied valley since August 5, 2019.

Mushaal, wife of incarcerated Hurriyat Leader Yasin Malik, in a statement on Wednesday stated that the Hindutva regime converted the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) into a slaughter house and the world largest open prison, said a press release here Wednesday.

She said that Kashmiri Human Rights defender Khurram Parvez had been in illegal detention of Indian authorities for exposing human rights abuses being committed by the Indian forces in the scenic valley.

Mushaal was dismayed at the continued deprivation of liberty of Parvez and said that it was nothing but an act of retaliation against a human rights defender for his tireless work documenting and reporting serious human rights violations, including enforced disappearances and unlawful killings in IIOJK.

The chairperson expressed apprehension that Khurram Parvez, who is presently detained at the Rohini Jail in New Delhi, if convicted could face up to 14 years of imprisonment or even the death penalty like Yasin Malik in fake and fabricated cases.

She urged the world community and human rights activists to force the Indian government to ensure release of Yasin Malik and Parvez languishing in unlawful detentions. Mushaal said that Yasin Malik, who was facing serious health issues, but even then neither he was provided medical nor legal assistance.

Talking about the alarming upsurge in human rights violations in the valley, Mushaal stated that extrajudicial killings and fake encounters continued to surface from time to time in IIOJK.

She said that around 663 innocent Kashmiris fell to Indian bullets since August 5, 5 2019 in the scenic valley, besides arresting 17993 people arrested during the same period.

Mushaal shared further details that 2278 were injured and 1093 houses were destroyed as well as 125 women were molested by Indian troops.

The Chairperson urged the world powers to shun the duplicity and looked into the world’s worst human rights violations in the occupied territory and accelerated efforts to ensure a speedy and just resolution of the Kashmir dispute as per the UN agreed formula sans any further delay.

Afghan Refugee Sports Gala to start from Nov 29 in Peshawar

NNPS Desk

Wed, 23 Nov 2022, 6:52 PM

PESHAWAR, Nov 23 (APP): In collaboration with Afghan Commissionerate and UNHCR, a sports gala is being organized for Afghan refugee youth living in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The Afghan refugees will participate in cricket, futsal, indoor games and drawing and other events. In this regard, Director Education and Youth Development Cell Ehsanullah while talking to the media said that the Afghan Commissionerate Peshawar has been conducting various sports activities for the Afghan youth since 2016 jointly with UNHCR, which has been successful beyond expectations.

With the efforts of Afghan Commissionerate Abbas Khan and his team, once again on the request of representatives of Afghan youth, various events of the Afghan Refugee Sports Gala are starting from December 29, which will continue for two weeks.

In order to promote peace and harmony, co-curricular, sports and cultural events are being organized. An event of the Afghan Cricket League will be held from November 29, 2022, to December 6, 2022. A total of 10 teams from KP will participate in the event.

Members of the host community will also be part of the event. A total of 11 matches will be played in the knockout format. A futsal tournament with 6 teams will be organized in Peshawar from December 7, 2022.

A total of 6 matches will be played. He said there is a plan to organize three programs for Afghans and host community school children in three refugee villages. The event will cover traditional sports including indoor games and drawing competitions.

The dates of the events have not yet been decided. An art and painting competition will be organized in collaboration with the Department of Art and Design, University of Peshawar. The aim of the competition is to present the life of Afghan refugees in KP while also presenting the perception of the host community.

Islamia College University, Peshawar plans to organize an event, a cricket match, on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 03, 2022. Two teams will participate, one from the Afghan community and one from the host community.

The objective of this activity is to engage Afghan refugees and host community youth in KP in positive and healthy activities.

To facilitate this, the event will provide an opportunity for young Afghans and the host community to showcase their talents in their respective sports. Cash prizes, trophies and certificates will also be given to the successful teams at the end of the competitions.

US envoy participates in community tree plantation drive

NNPS Desk

Wed, 23 Nov 2022, 6:49 PM

ISLAMABAD, Nov 23 (APP): US Ambassador in Pakistan Donald Blome Wednesday participated in a community tree planting drive that will become part of a larger project to develop an urban forest in the city of Quetta.

The ambassador during his visit to Balochistan also meet with Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, local partners working to advance climate change adaptation, representatives of higher education institutions, leaders of local NGOs, and Afghan refugees, said a news release from the US embassy in Pakistan.

Ambassador Blome discussed US efforts to combat the effects of climate change through a Green Alliance with diverse partners in Pakistan and underscored the strong cooperation between the United States and Pakistan on promoting economic development through higher education and women’s empowerment.

At the event, the ambassador highlighted that the U.S. government had provided more than 97 million dollars in flood-related assistance to Pakistan this year, including to individuals and communities in need in Balochistan.

“But we know that the effects of the flooding are far from over, and every nation faces the threat of climate change. So, we’re working with diverse partners to increase Pakistan’s resilience to climate change through a Green Alliance,” he said.

Ambassador Blome also met with leadership from the Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences and the Sardar Bahadur Khan Women’s University to discuss how U.S. government support has helped them respond to local economic development needs in their academic programs.

The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has provided scholarships to almost 300 students—56 per cent of them women—to pursue higher education at the institutions and further their communities’ economic development.

In remarks at the launch event of “Entrepowered—Women Can Do,” a program that will provide $350,000 of seed funding to women entrepreneurs in Balochistan, Ambassador Blome said, “The United States believes that empowering women is a strategic investment in the future for both private citizens and the global economy. By working together on projects like Entrepowered, we can advance women’s equality in the business sector and unleash a vast potential that will help bring prosperity to Quetta and Balochistan.”

The United States is also proud to support the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) livelihoods program in Quetta, which fosters economic development for Afghan refugees and local artisans. Since 2009, UNHCR, with U.S. funding, has implemented 251 projects in Balochistan to provide infrastructure upgrades to schools, water and sanitation improvements, and health facility upgrades for both Afghan refugees and Pakistani host communities.