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G20 summit: Ashrafi dispels propaganda surrounding Saudi Crown Prince’s visit to India

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NNPS Desk
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Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi

ISLAMABAD, September 10 (APP): Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi on Sunday addressed the concerns and disinformation surrounding the visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to India during the ongoing G20 summit.

In a video statement, he clarified that the visit should not be misinterpreted and emphasized the strong relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

Ashrafi mentioned the G20 summit taking place in India, where leaders from various countries, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, were participating. He dispelled propaganda surrounding the visit and revealed that the Saudi Crown Prince was expected to visit Pakistan soon, accompanied by members of his cabinet. During this visit, they were anticipated to announce further investment plans in Pakistan, bolstering economic ties, he added.

Paying tribute to Chief of Army Staff, General Syed Asim Munir, he attributed the foreign investments from Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries to his unwavering efforts.

Addressing the concerns of certain disillusioned elements about the visit, Ashrafi stated that the R20, a group of religious leaders representing G20 countries, had not convened in India due to reservations regarding human rights violations against minority communities, especially Muslims, in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Pakistan played a crucial role in bringing this issue to the attention of the religious leadership of R20 countries, he added.

Furthermore, Ashrafi noted that Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Egypt did not participate in the G20 Working Group’s meeting held in India, underscoring the complexities of the situation.

In conclusion, he reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong identity and fraternal ties with Saudi Arabia, expressing hope that these relations would continue to thrive and reach new heights with each passing day. He stressed that the bonds between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia would remain unshaken despite false notions and disinformation circulating in some quarters.

Nilofer for proactive role of media to mitigate GBV issue

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NNPS Desk
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ISLAMABAD, Sep 10 (APP): Chairperson National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) Nilofer Bakhtiar said media can significantly contribute towards change by raising the awareness about the societal norms surrounding Gender Based Violence (GBV) and its reshaping.

Talking to APP on Sunday, she said that NCSW exhorts media to play a positive, ethical and responsible role in highlighting these critical issues of GBV through their various platforms.
She said the NCSW called upon the criminal justice system to end the prevailing culture of impunity regarding cases of gender-based violence.

NCSW would take relevant measures including the establishment of inquiry committees, awareness-raising in their institutions, displaying the Code of Conduct and Anti-Harassment Act at Workplace on their website as well as at prominent spots on campuses, and equipping female students with necessary skills and knowledge to report and take action against such incidents, she added.
Nilofar Bakhtiar added that the students unions can safeguard the interests of students and hold academic institutions accountable when students’ rights are transgressed. The restoration of student unions within universities and academic institutions is advised, she added.
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CDA taken all possible steps for fulfilling religious needs of minorities

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NNPS Desk
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ISLAMABAD, Sep 10 (APP): The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has taken all possible steps to fulfill the religious needs of minority communities in the federal capital.

“The CDA has allocated two cremation grounds, measuring 0.49 acres and 0.50 acres, for the Hindu and Buddhist communities respectively in Sector H-9,” an official in the authority told APP on Sunday.

Moreover, the official said that graveyards have been provided for Christians (9.01 acres), Bhais (1.70 acres) and Qadianis (3.424 acres) in Sector H-9 and Sector H-8 of the capital.

He said this move aims to ensure that all communities have access to appropriate facilities for their burial rites. The CDA has also addressed the issue of sewage treatment and water recycling, highlighting its commitment to environmental sustainability.

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4,126 cases reported in crackdown against power theft during last 4 days

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NNPS Desk
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ISLAMABAD, Sep 10 (APP): To reduce the growing circular debt in the power sector, the Interim Government under an ongoing crackdown campaign for power theft reported 4,126 cases in the country.

To bring the culprits involved to justice as per statistics of four days (September 7 to 10) of the Ministry of Energy (Power Division) Electricity Anti-Theft Campaign Live monitoring of several areas across the country, so far 51 people have been arrested in this regard and 1,164 First Information Report (FIR’s) have been registered.

The amount of detection recovered by the ministry during these days was Rs 24,991,298 while the amount of detection charged is Rs 3,20,745,749. As per data of discos, the number of cases was 4,126 and units charged were 7,794,283.

In Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO), the number of cases was 1,133, the total units charged were 3723996, the amount of detection charged was 159271653 and the amount of detection recovered was 9068210. The FIRs requested were 1,131 while registered are 685 and 18 persons have been arrested.

In Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO), the number of cases was 1,133, and the total units charged were 3,723,996. The amount of detection charged was Rs 1,59,271,653 and the amount of detection recovered was Rs 9,068,210. The FIRs requested were 1,131 while registered are 685 and 18 persons have been arrested.

In Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO), the number of cases was 117 the total units charged were 238,239. The amount of detection charged was Rs 6,946,480 and the amount of detection recovered was Rs 795,000. The FIRs requested were 117 while registered are 13 and 5 persons have been arrested.

In Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO), the number of cases was 168 the total units charged were 507,737. The amount of detection charged was Rs 18,872,797 and the amount of detection recovered was Rs 1,020,000. The FIRs requested were 168 while registered are 39 and 1 person has been arrested.

In Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), the number of cases was 84 the total units charged were 168,121. The amount of detection charged was Rs 7,571,114 and the amount of detection recovered was Rs 1,089,961. The FIRs requested were 36 while registered are 6.

In Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO), the number of cases was 1,148 the total units charged were 1,638,284. The amount of detection charged was Rs 66,641,249 and the amount of detection recovered was Rs 7,491,609. The FIRs requested were 1,142 while registered are 398 and 10 persons have been arrested.

In Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO), the number of cases was 1,148 and the total units charged were 188,234. The amount of detection charged was Rs 9,141,249 and the amount of detection recovered was Rs 2,191,609. The FIRs requested were 1,142 while registered are 398 and 10 persons have been arrested.

In Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO), the number of cases was 281 the total units charged were 154,009. The amount of detection charged was Rs 9,180,744 and the amount of detection recovered was Rs 2,159,749. The FIRs requested were 208 while registered are 15 and 6 persons have been arrested.

In Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO), the number of cases was 480 the total units charged were 619,572. The amount of detection charged was Rs 20,485,703 and the amount of detection recovered was Rs 912,211. Meanwhile, the FIRs requested were 196.

In Sukkur Electric Power Company (SEPCO), the number of cases was 235 the total units charged were 228,984. The amount of detection charged was Rs 10,606,912 and the amount of detection recovered was Rs 1,131,630. The FIRs requested were 182 while registered are 4 and 2 persons have been arrested.

In Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO), the number of cases was 433 the total units charged were 299,905. The amount of detection charged was Rs 16,685,755 and the amount of detection recovered was Rs 602,928. The FIRs requested were 387 while registered 4 and 9 persons have been arrested.

In Tribal Areas Electric Supply Company (TESCO), the number of cases was 47 the total units charged were 215,486. The amount of detection charged was Rs 4,483,342 and the amount of detection recovered was Rs 720,000 while 10 FIRs were requested.

Implementing principles of Quaid-e-Azam will lead Pakistan on path of development: NA Speaker

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NNPS Desk
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ISLAMABAD, Sep 10 (APP): While paying heartfelt and rich attribute to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on his 75th death Anniversary, Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervez Ashraf said, “following the principles outlined by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in letter and spirit will lead Pakistan on the path of development and progress.”

In a message on the death anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, he said that Pakistan was passing through a challenging time and surpassing these challenges required implementing the Quaid’s teaching in their true spirit.

Raja Pervez Ashraf said that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah never compromised on his principles.

He also said every Pakistani needs to follow the principles of tolerance and forbearance for peaceful coexistence of a pluralist society.

He also said that Quaid-e-Azam always followed principles of democracy and his struggle was constitutional.

He stressed on the need to follow the principles of democracy and tolerance to transform Pakistan into a prosperous and welfare state.

UN drug agency warns of growing methamphetamine trafficking from Afghanistan

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NNPS Desk
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methamphetamine

UNITED NATIONS, Sep 10 (APP): Methamphetamine trafficking in and around Afghanistan has surged in recent years, even as the Taliban has curbed heroin trafficking since taking power, according to a UN report published Sunday.

“The surge in methamphetamine trafficking in Afghanistan and the region suggests a significant shift in the illicit drug market and demands our immediate attention,” Ghada Waly, executive director of the UN Office of Drugs and Crime, a Vienna-based agency, said in a statement.

The Taliban, who returned to power in August 2021, announced a ban the following April on the production of narcotics in Afghanistan.

“Regional coordination targeting the diversion and smuggling of chemical precursors is essential to stopping the continued expansion of illicit methamphetamine manufacture in and around Afghanistan,” Waly said.

“This new UNODC report aims to provide the international community with vital information to tackle the growing synthetic drug threat”.

UNODC findings of a drastic, nearly twelvefold increase in seizures of the drug in five years from 2.5 tons in 2017 to 29.7 tons in 2021, further suggest that heroin trafficking has continued, although at a lower rate. Methamphetamine trafficking, however, has intensified since the ban, indicating a rapid expansion of the drug’s manufacture and a possible reshaping of illicit drug markets long dominated by Afghan opiates.

Seizures of methamphetamine of suspected Afghan origin have been reported in places as far away as the European Union, the Near and Middle East, South-east Asia and Eastern Africa, it was pointed out.

The report, ‘Understanding Illegal Methamphetamine Manufacture in Afghanistan’, analyses the different precursors used to produce the drug.

Coverage of suspected methamphetamine manufacture in Afghanistan has often focused on the use of the ephedra plant, which grows abundantly in the region and contains ephedrines that can be extracted to make the drug, the report said.

Although cheaper to use in the short-term, the large amount of ephedra needed, unreliable harvests and the intensive labour involved make it unlikely that the rapidly expanding methamphetamine trade in Afghanistan can depend on the ephedra plant alone. Common cold medications and industrial-grade chemicals are more efficient and cost effective for the manufacture of methamphetamine and thus pose a far bigger threat, the report warns.

Such chemicals are legally produced and traded in large quantities in the region and could be accessible to methamphetamine producers, according to the report. The emphasis on ephedra risks undermining effective law enforcement responses, which need to be regionally coordinated and focus on preventing and curbing the diversion and smuggling of bulk chemical precursors.

Different regions and countries are affected by different levels of trafficking of heroin and methamphetamine, it said.

Overall, South-West Asia was identified as having a transshipment role for methamphetamine to onward wholesale markets, while South-East Europe maintains an important transshipment role in the trafficking of heroin towards the main market in West and Central Europe.

Federal Health Minister Dr. Nadeem Jan addressing National Health research conference

By
Zia Ur Rehman
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Federal Health Minister Dr. Nadeem Jan addressing National Health research conference
APP19-100923 ISLAMABAD: September 10 - Federal Health Minister Dr. Nadeem Jan addressing National Health research conference. APP/FHA/ZID
Federal Health Minister Dr. Nadeem Jan addressing National Health research conference
APP19-100923
ISLAMABAD: September 10 –

Punjab cabinet to meet first time in Multan on Monday

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NNPS Desk
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MULTAN, Sep 10 (APP): For the very first time, the Punjab government’s cabinet meeting will be convene in the city on Monday, with a primary focus on reviewing various projects, particularly those originating from South Punjab.
Official sources have indicated on Sunday that the Caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab, Mohsin Naqvi will preside over this significant meeting. Additionally, it has been reported that the CM Punjab will personally inspect various construction sites during his visit. This inaugural cabinet meeting in Multan holds immense significance for the overall development and progress of the region.

Mushaal asks G20 to focus on ending HR abuses in IIOJK, demands to press India to settle Kashmir dispute

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NNPS Desk
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Kashmir dispute

ISLAMABAD, Sep 10 (APP): Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Human Rights and Women Empowerment Mushaal Hussein Mullick has urged the G20 countries to use the opportunity to force the worst human rights violations in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and ensure a lasting solution to the Kashmir dispute.
Mushaal, the wife of incarcerated Hurriyat Leader Yasin Malik, in a statement on Sunday pressed the G20 member countries, including US, UK, EU, China, France, Russia, Canada, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Türkiye to play their proactive role to resolve the Kashmir dispute because regional peace could not possible without settlement of the issue.
She stressed that the international community should look at the ongoing human rights violations and massacres of innocent people instead of looking at their trade interests with India.
Mushaal demanded that the G-20 countries should make all political and social relations with India subject to the end of ongoing human rights violations in the occupied valley.
“Let’s say you had no G-20 statement, headlines would say G-20 is finished, G-20 could be replaced by blocs like BRICS and G-7. So in a way by having a statement we keep the platform and the organisation alive,” she said.
The SAPM said the Indian fascist government crossed all limits of barbarism and state terrorism and the world powers were well-aware of the fact that the occupied valley was turned into a largest open prisoner and torture cell.
She said many of the political figures, human rights defenders and journalists, including Yasim Malik, the Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), prominent political figures Shabbir Ahmad Shah, Farooq Dar and Khurram Parvez, the Program Coordinator of the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) and the Chairperson of the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) and Irfan Meraj (journalist/human rights activist) were illegally detained in frivolous, bogus and politically motivated cases.
Mushaal said the notorious occupation authorities unleashed a reign of terror and used the rapes of women as the weapon of war, besides committing the worst war crimes. The SAPM on HR and Women Empowerment said that the people of Kashmir had been facing these inhuman treatments for over seven decades due to their struggle for the right to self-determination.
She recalled that since August 2019, the Indian government alarmingly intensified and continued its repressive policies to hide the world’s worst human rights abuses and war crimes being committed by brutal Indian forces in the valley.
However, Mushaal said that the Kashmir was a disputed territory, and this dispute had been acknowledged through the United Nations resolutions but Indian occupation forces were trying to suppress the people through brutalities.
She called upon the G20 members to exert pressure on the notorious Narendara Modi-led supremacist Indian government to release the Kashmir prisoners and allow the international human rights organizations and international media groups to visit the blood-soaked Kashmir valley freely and independently and permit the people of Jammu and Kashmir to decide their political future through a plebiscite under international supervision.

Over 500 direct hooks removed, fine of 7mn charged against electricity stealers: PESCO

By
Amjad Shafique
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Peshawar Electric Supply Company
PESHAWAR, Sep 10 (APP):Peshawar Electricity Supply Company (PESCO) has so far removed over 500 direct hooks during ongoing operations against electricity stealers in the province.
“More than 500 direct hooks have been removed so far while fines for more than 7 million have been charged against electricity theft,” spokesman of PESCO told APP on Sunday.
As per the Govt directives, he said the anti electricity theft operations continued in the province on war footings basis and more than 250 requests to lodge FIR have been submitted.
Meanwhile, 10 superintendent engineers of PESCO were assigned the duties of focal persons with a direction to make contact with provincial task force and divisional commissioners to curb electricity theft and provide relief to all those consumers who pay electricity bills.
The Provincial Task Force with an assistance of police, district administration and other relevant departments were directed to remove direct electricity hooks and make recovery from defaulters on priority basis.
In this regard, the deputy commissioners would led the task force at their respective districts and report regarding removal of direct hooks and recovery of outstanding dues would be submitted to the caretaker Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on daily basis.
Directives were issued to the relevant authorities to take stern action against owners of hotels, traders, shopkeepers and vendors involved in taking illegal connections from the government departments, schools, hospitals, railways pattak and others.
The district administration and police were mobalized to assist PESCO field staff in removal of direct hocks and recovery of outstanding dues against domestic, agricultural and industrial consumers.
Strict disciplinary action were being taken against all those staff of PESCO involved in power stealing.
Meanwhile, the district administration of Khyber have registered FIRs against seven power stealers after they were caught red handed by stealing electricity through direct hooks.
The videos of power stealers and direct hooks were being prepared as evidence so that strong action should be taken against them.
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