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

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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

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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

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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

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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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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

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Amjad Shafique
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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.

Development of blue economy in Balochistan to end economic slump: Governor

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NNPS Desk
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QUETTA, Sep 26 (APP): Governor Balochistan Malik Abdul Wali Khan Kakar on Tuesday said that the development of the blue economy in Balochistan could end the economic stagnation of the areas.

Utilization of marine resources in the long coastal belt and development of related economic activities will prove to be the forerunner of a new economic revolution, he said adding that in this regard, it was necessary that all the public sector universities of Makran belt including the University of Gwadar should make blue economy revenue generation an integral part of their strategic plan.

The Governor of Balochistan praised the tireless efforts of University of Gwadar Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Abdul Razzaq Sabir and his entire team.

He expressed these views while presiding over the first Senate meeting of the University of Gwadar.

On this occasion, Justice Hashim Khan Kakar, Judge of Balochistan High Court, Vice Chancellor the University of Gwadar Prof. Dr. Abdul Razzaq Sabir, Provincial Secretary Dostain Jamaldini, Vice Chancellor Lasbela University Dr. Dost Muhammad Baloch, Principal Secretary to Governor Balochistan Hashim Khan Ghalzai, Pro Vice-Chancellor Mir Chakar Khan Rind University Sibi Dr. Mushtaq Shah, Additional Secretary Finance Mumtaz Longo, Additional Secretary Shakeel, Director General of Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr. Zahoor Ahmed Bazai and all members of Gwadar University were present in the meeting.

While presiding over the Senate meeting of Gwadar University, Governor Balochistan Malik Abdul Wali Khan Kakar said that the purpose of the university is to promote modern education based on research and the goal of a self-sufficient and developed Balochistan could be made possible only by equipping the new generation with modern scientific knowledge.

He said that in order to run the affairs of the university in a better way, it was necessary to make timely wise decisions and only good decisions would yield good results.

The Governor said that you could build a new future by properly evaluating your objective situation.

He also emphasized to the Vice Chancellor that there is an urgent need to improve the performance of the syndicate and bring better changes in it because the decisions of the Syndicate come to the Senate.

Several important decisions were made in light of the recommendations and suggestions of the participants.

Caretaker CM suspends services of 4 professors

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NNPS Desk
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KARACHI, Sep 26 (APP): Caretaker Sindh Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar has placed the services of four officers, including the Director General of Colleges, Principal and Vice Principal of Girls Degree College Al-Noor, District Central under suspension for their negligence, lack of interest, and failure to promote educational activities.

He took this decision just after visiting Government Girls Degree College Al-Noor, District Central where Education Minister Rana Hussain and Secretary Colleges Sadaf Anees on Sept 26.

The CM paid a surprise visit to the girl’s college in District Central and found neither the classes were running properly nor the condition of the classes, furniture, lab, and washrooms was satisfactory.

The newly constructed auditorium and function Hall had become so dirty and dilapidated due to negligence that the fall ceiling was caving in and the color of the walls was peeling due to layers of dust.

The CM visited Labs but not a single lab was functional, and the equipment placed there was in broken and precarious condition. The washrooms had no door and were in filthy condition. The CM asked the DG College Shadab Hussain if he had ever visited the girls’ college located in the Central district over an acre of land.

The DG replied negatively which enraged the CM and asked how the students would prefer to get admission tin the college where the washrooms have neither doors nor running water.

When the CM inquired about the number of students enrolled in the college Principal Zahida Begum replied 300 and when he checked the registered the number of enrolled girls students was 390.

The principal had no knowledge of the sanctioned strength of the teaching staff the Vice Principal was called but she was also blank about the number of staff. Most of the staff members were not present on duty.

The CM was told that a Teacher of Islamic Studies Ishratul Ain did not perform duty for the last year. When she was asked to take the classes and attend the duty she called out her brothers who had misbehaved with the Principal.

The CM went from class to class and found that out of 390 students only 40 or 50 were present there. Only a teacher of English was seen teaching in the class and the CM appreciated her and lauded her method of teaching and spirit, otherwise all the classes were empty and were given such a look as if they had never been used.

The CM learned that it was a degree college, but education was imparted up to the Intermediate level.

The CM expressed displeasure and asked how the college has been made Degree College when it has no courses for B. A and B.SC to offer.

The CM witnessing such a state of negligence, inefficiency, and irrelevance of the Director General Shadab Hussain, BS-20, the Principal of the College Ms Zahida Begum of BS-20, and the Vice Principal of BS-19 ordered the suspension of their services.

He also ordered the suspension of the services of Islamic Studies lecturer Ishratul Ain for not performing her duty.

The CM during his visit to District Central visited two parks- Baghe Saman and Noorani Park where a weekly Bazaar was being organized. The CM expressed his displeasure in witnessing the condition of the Baghe Saman saying that its land has been vacated on the order of the Supreme Court but even then, it has not been developed.

He directed Municipal Commissioner KMC to develop the park and report him.

The directed DC Central Fawad Soomro to develop Noorani Park and open it to people of the area. The district Central is a most congested district and people have no such grounds or parks where they can take their children, he said and directed the DC to develop it within four weeks and report him.

The Chief Minister visited Abuturab Govt Secondary School for Boys and Girls but the school has no ownership. Earlier, the school was owned by the KMC and then devolved to the DMC Central and now to the Gulberg Town. The KMC, the officers of the defunct DMC, and the Town were present but none of them owned the school.

In the school, two classes were being run despite the fact the building had many classes empty. The CM asked the reason from the headmistress who had no answer to offer.

The headmistress told the CM that the water supply of the school has been discontinued and it has no sweepers to sweep the classes. The enrolment has also dropped considerably as it is not offering English medium education.

Interim CM talked to the Secretary of Local Govt Manzoor Shaikh and directed him to resolve the issues of the school and report him.

The Chief Minister while returning to the CM house on the way visited Sindh Govt Hospital Liaquatabad where he comparatively found better hygienic conditions.

The. CM visited the old COVID wards which were superb in terms of equipment and stretchers but have been closed for the last two years. He expressed his displeasure and directed the MS of the hospital to utilize the wards for other patients.

The CM went to the kitchen where food was prepared for 100 patients twice a day. The CM expressed his displeasure with the condition of the kitchen and directed the administration to renovate it and keep it clean properly.
Justice Baqar interacted with the patients visited different OPDs and Emergency wards and also checked their pharmacy store.

At the conclusion of the visit, the CM directed Secretary of Health Dr Manzoor Rizvi to uplift the entrance of the hospital which gave a gloomy and dull look enough to harass the patients right at the time of their entry. He said it must be properly renovated.

Progress on foreign funded projects in KP reviewed

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NNPS Desk
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PESHAWAR, Sep 26 (APP): An important meeting to discuss and review progress on foreign-funded development projects in the province including newly merged areas was held here on Tuesday with the caretaker Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Azam Khan in the chair.

Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhary, Additional Chief Secretary Zubair Asghar Quraishi, administrative secretaries of the concerned departments, and other high-ups attended the meeting.

The participants were given a detailed briefing about the progress made so far on the foreign-funded development projects and other related matters.

It was told that under the foreign-funded development portfolio, a total of 66 development projects worth Rs. 849 billion were reflected in the Annual Development Program of the current financial year, adding that Rs. 114 billion have been allocated for the aforementioned projects in the current fiscal year, out of which Rs. 10.9 billion have been released so far.

Briefing about the details of development projects in the various sectors, it was informed that five projects were reflected in the agriculture sector, three in Public Health Engineering, four projects in Elementary and Secondary Education, and seven projects in the sector of Power and energy, four projects in the Health, three projects in Local Government, five in Road Communication, two in Tourism, three projects in Irrigation, one project each in Forests, Home, Industries and Labour whereas nineteen in multi-sectoral development sector.

It was informed that as compared to other provinces, progress on the development projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was much better.

The Chief Minister, while expressing his satisfaction over the overall progress on these projects, has directed the quarters concerned to take necessary steps in order to further expedite the pace of work on these projects and to ensure their timely completion.

He directed the administrative secretaries of concerned departments to regularly review the progress of foreign-funded projects under their respective departments so that bottlenecks hindering the smooth implementation of those projects could be identified and removed timely.

He made it clear that no unnecessary delay would be allowed in the completion of these public welfare development projects.

The Chief Minister termed the Kurram Tangi Water Resource Development Project as of vital importance and directed the quarter concerned to convene a special meeting of all relevant authorities in order to find a way forward to accelerate the pace of work on this important project.

He also directed the concerned quarters to pay special attention to the completion of infrastructure development-related projects in the merged areas and said that the timely completion of those projects would help facilitate the public of the areas.

APP/fam/1905

IHC rejects FIA’s request for in-camera hearing

By
Amjad Shafique
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0
Islamabad High Court
ISLAMABAD, Sep 26 (APP):The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Tuesday rejected  request of prosecution seeking in-camera hearing on bail petition of PTI’s Chairman in cipher cases registered under Official Secrets Act.
Chief Justice Aamer Farooq issued a two-page written order pertaining to the matter.
The court said that the prosecutor of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had requested to conduct in-camera hearing on bail petition of the accused.
The prosecutor had stated that there were sensitive information and documents related to the case.
The court said that the prosecutor had adopted the stance that the trial court had also conducted in-camera hearing in the case.
It said that the petitioners lawyer gave arguments in open court and they also had no objection on it.
The court, however, said that the prosecution could file a separate petition for in-camera hearing into the matter.
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