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PM Kakar interacts with students at Oxford Union; visits Islamic Studies centre

By
Ishtiaq Rao
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LONDON, Sep 26 (APP): Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Tuesday interacted with the students at the prestigious Oxford Union, engaging with an enthusiastic audience of academics and students.

The Oxford Union, known for hosting influential leaders and thinkers, warmly welcomed the prime minister.

Oxford Union President Disha Hegde moderated an interactive Q&A session with the prime minister, providing valuable insights into his vision on important national, regional, and global issues.

Following this engaging discussion, Prime Minister Kakar took questions from Oxford University students, connecting with the next generation of leaders and scholars.

During the interaction, the prime minister spoke in detail on Pakistan’s economy, politics, security, and relations with neighbours.

At the Oxford Union office, the prime minister signed the Visitors’ Book, recognizing the institution’s pivotal role in shaping global discourse and leadership.

Earlier, Prime Minister Kakar also visited the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, where he was received by Dr. Farhan Ahmad Nizami, the Centre’s Director.

Dr. Nizami gave the prime minister a tour of the Centre and briefed him on its efforts to promote intercultural understanding and the study of Islamic civilization.

The event marked a significant moment of intellectual exchange and dialogue, highlighting the prime minister’s commitment to fostering global partnerships and intellectual growth.

SC grants custody of two minor girls to mother

By
Amjad Shafique
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Supreme_Court
ISLAMABAD, Sep 26 (APP):The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday granted the custody of two underage girls to their mother in a family dispute pertaining to their guardianship.
The court, however, instructed that the father of the girls would be permitted to meet them every Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 pm.
A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa heard the case and announced the decision. The court said that a contempt of court proceeding would be initiated if the father of the minor girls disobeyed its orders.
At the outset of the hearing, the chief justice remarked that the children should live with the mother as per ‘sharia’.
He remarked that one could be a Muslim when his practices were also as per Islam, adding that offering prayer, fasting, and Hajj was not enough but humanity and moralities were also compulsory to be a Muslim.
The chief justice noted that there was no divorce between the parents, adding that the conflict between them would spoil the future of the kids.
Earlier, the counsel for the girls’ father adopted the stance that the children should be allowed to go with the father as the mother had no time to look after them. The court announced the verdict after hearing arguments.

CM for timely completion of Shahdara flyovers project

By
Amjad Shafique
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LAHORE, Sep 26 (APP):Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi conducted a late-night inspection of the Shahdara flyovers project, which is currently at an impressive 88 percent completion.
During his visit, he carefully examined the ongoing construction efforts and assessed the project’s progress, said a handout issued here on Tuesday.
The CM paid particular attention to the protective walls of the Shahdara flyovers and emphasized the need to accelerate construction activities.
Additionally, he provided guidance to the contractor overseeing the bridges’ construction, urging them to adhere to the project’s established timeline.
Expressing full support from the Punjab government, the chief minister conveyed a strong message that the project should be wrapped up by the middle of the upcoming month, and any delays attributable to adverse weather conditions should be countered by deploying additional resources. He stressed the importance of sustained hard work to ensure the timely completion of the Shahdara flyovers project. Naqvi underscored that once finished, the project would bring a lasting solution to the traffic congestion issues plaguing the city’s primary entry and exit routes.
Furthermore, the successful conclusion of the Shahdara Chowk flyover project is expected to significantly ease the movement of approximately 300,000 vehicles daily.
During his visit, the CM received detailed briefings from Chief Engineer LDA and the project contractor, providing valuable insights into the progress achieved thus far.
Provincial ministers Amir Mir and Azfar Ali Nasir, along with the Deputy Commissioner and other relevant officers were present.

Caretaker CM meets Canadian High Commissioner

By
Amjad Shafique
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KARACHI, Sep 26 (APP):Canadian High Commissioner Ms. Leslie Scanlon called on  Caretaker Chief Minister Sindh ,Justice (Retd.) Maqbool Baqar  here on Tuesday.
According to a Spokesperson for CM House, they discussed bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest in the meeting.
The chief minister and the high commissioner also discussed the rehabilitation of flood victims in the province.

Gwadar Port to be activated at transit route soon: Ali Mardan Domki

By
NNPS Desk
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Ali Mardan

GWADAR, Sep 26 (APP): Balochistan Caretaker Chief Minister Mir Ali Mardan Khan Domki on Tuesday said that Gwadar Port will be activated as a transit route soon which will not only bring positive change in the lives of the local population but open a gateway of prosperity for the whole country.

Ali Mardan said the vessel monitoring system of the Fisheries Department would be fully activated with the support of Coast Guard and Navy personnel to prevent illegal trawling in Gwadar’s water.

Talking to media persons, he said that the development work was in full swing to complete all the projects being executed under CPEC without any delay which would boost economic activities in the region and would also create employment opportunities for the locals.

He said that the Election Commission has announced to hold the general election in the last week of January, but no final date or schedule has been released.

Ali Mardan said that the Balochistan government has further expedited its efforts to take strict action against the boats involved in illegal fishing in its coastal waters and would also take assistance from the federal government to bring illegal trawling to zero in the future to curb the activity.

India involved in state-sponsored terrorist activities in various countries:AJK President

By
NNPS Desk
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AJK President

MIRPUR ( AJK): Sep 26 (APP) : Azad Kashmir President Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry has said that India was not only involved in terrorist activities in the Indian-occupied Jammu & Kashmir but also in other countries.

The AJK president said this while speaking to a delegation of British Members of Parliament at Jammu Kashmir House in the federal metropolis on Tuesday.

The delegation was comprised of British MP and Chairman of Labor Friends of Kashmir UK Andrew Gwynne, Naz Shah, Sam Terry, and others.

Referring to the killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada by the agents of Indian spy agency RAW, he said, “The incident has proved beyond any reasonable doubt that India is a terrorist state that uses terrorism as a tool to achieve its objectives.

He said that the cold-blooded murder of the Sikh leader evoked widespread condemnations. He said that many countries of the world, including the United States, Britain, and Europe have voiced their anguish over the killing and demanded an independent investigation into the incident.

Referring to the precarious situation in the Indian-held territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the president said that it was high time the United Kingdom took a tough stand against the systematic human rights violations being committed by the Indian forces against the Kashmiris.

He said that there was a dire need to counter India’s negative propaganda against Kashmiris’ legitimate struggle.

He said that the Modi government was in the habit of spreading lies to whip up anti-Muslim sentiment in India to boost its electoral gains.

During the meeting, it was decided that a resolution on Kashmir would be passed in the Labor Party conference to be held in Great Britain on October 8.

SECP amends AML/CFT Regulations, 2020

By
Amjad Shafique
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SECP
ISLAMABAD, Sep 26 (APP):The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has introduced important amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Regulations, 2020.
The notified amendments aim to enhance the scope of regulations to effectively combat financial crimes, control money laundering, and combat the financing of terrorism (CFT) while ensuring the integrity of its financial system, according to a press release issued here on Tuesday.
The amendments to the SECP AML/CFT Regulations 2020 are the outcome of the National Risk Assessment 2023, in which SECP conducted a self-assessment of its AML/CFT regulatory framework against the criteria used in the FATF Assessment Methodology for assessing technical compliance of its AML/CFT regulatory framework. The amendments, introduced after post-stakeholder consultation, demonstrate SECP’s commitment to enhancing the country’s regulatory framework and aligning it with international best practices.
The amendments to the SECP AML/CFT Regulations 2020 primarily focus on expanding the regulatory framework to encompass measures specifically tailored for customer due diligence (CDD) requirements related to the opening of accounts for mentally ill persons. Under the revised regulations, an account will be classified as dormant after three years of inactivity, as opposed to the previous threshold of five years. Furthermore, the updated provisions encompass guidelines regarding the reliance on third parties for CDD as well as specific requirements applicable to the foreign branches of regulated entities and their subsidiaries.

Kashmiris hold big rally near UN denouncing India’s atrocities in Kashmir; call for freedom

By
NNPS Desk
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NEW YORK, Sep 26 (APP): Hundreds of Kashmiris from across the U.S. and their supporters Tuesday staged a demonstration in front of the U.N. building to renew their call on the world body to implement its pledge for the exercise of their right of self-determination, as India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, addressed the General Assembly.

Led by prominent Kashmiri leaders, including Ghulam Nabi Fai, Ghulam Nabi Mir and Sardar Sarwar Khan, they denounced India’s “illegal” measures of 5 August 2019 that revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, amid vociferous anti-India slogans and waving of placards.

Their placards read: “India: Honour UN Resolutions”, “Freedom for all, Freedom for Kashmir”, “Indian Forces: Out of Kashmir”, “Demilitarize Kashmir”, “UN: Wake UP”, “No Justice, No Peace”, “We Demand Justice for Yasin Malik”; “India: Release All Political Prisoners.”

Separately, a large number of Sikhs, led by Dr. Amarjit Singh, the head of Washington-based Khalistan Affairs Center,
also staged a demonstration, which came days after Canada’s allegation about India’s involvement in the murder Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil.

Speakers at Kashmiris’ rally condemned the Indian government’s attempts at changing the demographic status of Jammu & Kashmir by introducing politically motivated laws. They also called for the release of Kashmiri leaders,
including Muhammad Yasin Malik, one of the most prominent leaders of Kashmir, and Chairman of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF).

A memorandum, signed by 11 Kashmiri leaders, was submitted to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, saying that the denial of the right to self-determination to the people of Jammu and Kashmir is a great threat to international peace and security.

“Nonresolution of Kashmir dispute has brought both India and Pakistan to the brink of nuclear catastrophe,”
the memorandum said.

It also said that Kashmir is the only region in the world which shares its borders with three nuclear countries – India, Pakistan, and China.

“As you know very well that India is fighting with China on one side, and with Pakistan on the other. That makes Kashmir the most dangerous place on earth, the memorandum said.

It added, “Jammu & Kashmir is now undergoing a rapid transition from illegal occupation into an Indian settler-colonialist and apartheid project. Since August 5, 2019, Indian-occupied Kashmir is facing an existential threat and the inaction of world powers will facilitate the execution of this evil design.

“Everyday killings, molestation of women, stealing of valuables by occupation forces are continuing with impunity. A genocidal and ethnic cleansing plan is in place. Under the new Domicile Law, 4.2 million Indian Hindus have been issued domicile certificates. Floodgates to demographically dilute the Muslim majority population into a minority have been opened.

“There is a deep conspiracy to erase the most treasured tradition of Kashmiri Muslim creed, culture, and legacy. This atrocity is starting to run deeper and deeper under the Modi regime. It is what amounts to crimes against humanity. Even in the academic space, our history books, or any reference to Kashmir’s struggle for self-determination are being removed,”

“It is beyond doubt that the longer the uncertainties continue and the longer the United Nations and world powers ignore Jammu & Kashmir, the more dangerous and intractable the crisis becomes. The crisis requires immediate diplomacy that recognizes the explosive situation on the ground in Jammu and Kashmir and takes immediate measures to avert it before it explodes.

“We hope that your Excellency will persuade Government of India to rescind the Domicile Law which is designed to change the demography of Kashmir; and to prevail upon India to repeal all draconian laws, including Unlawful Activity Prevention Act (UAPA), Public Safety Act (PSA) which are being used to forcibly silence the people into submission.”

The memorandum was signed by Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Dr. Ghulam Nabi Mir, Sardar Sawar Khan, Sardar Haleem Khan, Sardar Zarif Khan, Sardar Taj Khan, Raja Razzak , Imtiaz Khan Garalvi, Sardar Zufiqar Roshan Khan, Raja Mukhtar and Sardar Zubair Khan.

 

HESCO recovers Rs1.88 billion from consumers, electricity thieves

By
Amjad Shafique
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0
Electricity thieves
HYDERABAD, Sep 26 (APP):The Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) has recovered Rs1.881 billion since September 7 out of Rs169 billion in payable dues over the public and private sector consumers as well as in fines from the electricity thieves.
The company’s spokesman Sadiq Kubar informed here on Tuesday that Rs36.57 million out of Rs161.73 million fines imposed against the power theft had also been collected during the ongoing crackdown against theft and for the recovery.
According to the spokesman, the officials of HESCO had submitted 908 letters for the registration of FIRs against the people involved in stealing electricity while 317 FIRs had been lodged so far besides the arrest of 31 persons.
He said that the power supply from 900 pole-mounted transformers had been disconnected so far including the removal of 157 PMTs because of default in payment of bills and the theft.
He said the highest recoveries of Rs318.28 million and Rs274.75 million were made on September 18 and September 15, respectively, from the defaulting consumers while the lowest recovery of Rs36.9 million was done on September 12.
Kubar apprised that on the directives of the caretaker Prime Minister Awaarul Haq Kakar and the Energy Ministry, the clampdown continued in all the 13 districts of Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, and Benazirabad divisions which were powered by HESCO.
He said the company was not only taking action against the theft but was also providing hassle-free connections to the people who want to become their consumers.
He added that HESCO would continue the crackdown against the theft and even if its employees were found conniving in the theft the company would not spare them.

Babar Azam eyes ICC Men’s ODI World Cup glory for Pakistan

By
Amjad Shafique
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0
LAHORE, Sep 26 (APP):Pakistan Cricket Captain Babar Azam on Tuesday said that no less than a victory in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 in India was his ambition and he was not satisfied with less than that.
Responding to the former South African batting great Hashim Amla’s comment in which he had included Pakistan among the four likely semi-finalists at the mega event in India, Babar said it was too low a expectation from the Pakistan team at the ICC ODI World Cup and the Men in Green will lift the trophy.
At a pre-departure press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium here, the ODI top-ranked batsman said he had more confidence in his team than himself, adding that he was confident the men in green would win laurels for the country despite below-par performances during the last two games of the Asia Cup 2023 in Sri Lanka.
Pakistan Cricket team was due to leave for Hyderabad (India) via Dubai in the wee hours of Wednesday morning to take part in the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023 which starts from October 5, 2023. Pakistan team was scheduled to play two warm-up matches against New Zealand and Australia before it faces-off Netherlands to kick-start their campaign.
On the team-selection for the World Cup in India, Babar said he believed in consistency and continuity, adding that, after all, it was the same team which catapulted the team to World No. 1 ICC rankings. He said Chief Selector Inzimamul Haq and team Director Mickey Arthur had also reposed confidence in the team.
On Naseem Shah, he said Naseem Shah would be missed as he made up a formidable bowling duo with Shaheen Shah Afridi and gave Pakistan team an edge, adding it was not easy to pick his replacement. He said Hasan Ali’s experience made him an ultimate choice of the team management for the world cup, adding, Hasan had already played a world cup and was a good exponent of the old and new ball.
On the below-par bowling performances in the middle overs during the Asia Cup 2023, Babar Azam said,”The issue has been taken up during the team meetings and we will come up with new plans during the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup in India.”
About the spin bowling department, he said there had been a lot of criticism on the spinners, adding that the Pakistani spinner had had few bad days but they were not ordinary players. He said it was not easy to play for the Pakistan team and all of them had got here on the back of their performances, adding he had full faith in them.
On playing in India with minimum Pakistani spectators at the stadiums, Babar said the team would miss their presence, adding he had heard all the games were sold out and ‘we will be playing in jam-packed stadiums’. “Although our fans will not be there, I know they will make sure their love is heard on social media. I have heard that the fans in India also show their love, although I have not experienced that as of yet but I am excited to play in India as well,” Babar responded.
About playing for the first time on the Indian soil, the Pakistan Captain said the playing conditions were similar to Pakistani playgrounds, adding he had spoken to former players on the Indian tracks and stadiums and ‘we have shared knowledge on it’. He said, “Playing conditions will not make a difference for the team as we are used to such conditions.”
On his personal goals for the ODI World Cup, Babar said he was proud of leading the Men in Green at the world stage for the first time, adding that he always set high goals as batsman and the world CUP in India was not an exception.
Babar Azam, to another query, said he had given a pep talk to the team and reminded them how the World Cup provided a bigger stage to the young cricketers to become a hero overnight through their performances.
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