A view of final match as the Blasters Women Team defeats Dynamites Women Team by seven runs in the final of the T20 Women’s Cricket Tournament 2022-23 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium
Sanaullah asks Imran, Shahzad Akbar to apologise to nation
LAHORE, Dec 09 (APP):Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has demanded Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and Shahzad Akbar to apologise to the nation for using negative tactics to facilitate the British newspaper, Daily Mail, for publishing an article against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Addressing a press conference here on Friday, he said that negative tactics were used to harm the Sharif family’s repute. He also called upon people to recognise such faces which go to any extent for their vested interests, adding that the PTI chairman caused an irreparable loss to the country through his actions.
Rana Sanaullah said that negative propaganda was created over money-laundering issue, but no charges were proven against any member of the Sharif family. He said that even Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA) closed the investigation against Shehbaz Sharif after failing to find any evidence. He said that Imran Khan had been exposed fully in Toshakhana case, adding that all receipts submitted to the courts by him proved to be fake.
He said that Imran Khan was not even in a position of giving clarification about the accusations he was facing.
He said that Farah Gogi was facing corruption allegations of Rs 12 billion, adding that Al-Qadir Trust and Toshakhana were big stories of corruption.
He said that the National Accountability Ordinance 1999 law had been improved, so that it might not be used in future for political victimisation. A decision had been taken at the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Punjab level to actively contest the Punjab Assembly election, and preparations in this regard had been launched.
With regard to the party’s election campaign, Rana Sanaullah said the party had divided the nine divisions of Punjab into three regions, adding that committees had been formed to meet the party leaders and nominate two candidates in each constituency within two weeks.
He said, “The committees will consist of senior PML-N parliamentarians. They will meet the sitting MPAs and those interested in contesting the election. They will visit every constituency and finalise two candidates from each constituency within two weeks.”
He said that then the committees would forward their recommendations to the party leadership, who would make a decision on the candidacies.
He said that Imran Khan tried his best in the last seven months to create instability in the country and challenged the PTI chief to implement his decision of dissolving the [Punjab and KP] assemblies and stop giving dates. He said the PML-N was ready to deal with any political situation. The interior minister said that the next elections in Punjab would clear all doubts of Imran Khan.
He said that preparations had been launched to give a warm welcome to Mian Nawaz Sharif on his return in the country. He said that committees would be formed at the union council level to welcome Nawaz Sharif. “The PML-N workers, under the union council name and banner, would reach Lahore to welcome Nawaz Sharif,” he added.
He said, “We want assemblies to complete their constitutional tenure as we believe in democracy.”
To a question, he said that general election would be held on time, but if assemblies of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab were dissolved, election would be held in 90 days.
He said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had talked about charter of economy in the larger interest of the country, but the PTI chief had never taken it seriously. He said when Imran Khan was levelling baseless corruption allegations against PML-N leadership, he himself was also committing corruption at that time.
To a query, he said that FIRs [first information reports] against Azam Swati and Shahbaz Gill were not registered on political basis.
To another question, he said if Suleman Shehbaz extended his support to the PML-N in politics, it would be a good addition for the party.
Azma Bokhari was also present.
Pakistan bowling dominates on 1st day of 2nd test match against England
MULTAN, Dec 09 (APP):Spin bowling enabled Pakistan’s Cricket team to restrict the visiting English side on a minimum total of 281 in the first inning and started chasing the target with a confident batting by the skipper Babar Azam on the first day of the second test match being played at Multan Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Babar Azam hit a counter-attacking 61 not out as Pakistan reached to 107/2 at stumps against the rival team on the opening day of the second test match in Multan.
However, Pakistan still trail England by 174 runs with Saud Shakeel batting on 32, along with Babar Azam. Both Pakistani openers returned to pavilion as Imam-Ul-Haq caught behind wickets on Anderson’s ball at a total of five runs while Abdullah Shafiq dismissed when the total score was 51 on Jack Leach’s ball.
Earlier, the debutant Pakistani leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed bagged seven wickets in his 22 over spell for 114 runs and Pakistan bowled England for 281. Abrar Ahmed dismissed Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Ollie Pope, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes and Will Jacks while Zahir Mahmood took last three wickets of the rival team.
For England, Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope played knocks of 63 and 60 runs respectively.
Earlier, England skipper Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bat first.
Reception held to celebrate Turkish national day , 75 years of Pak-Turkiye friendship
PESHAWAR, Dec 09 (APP):Ambassador of Turkiye to Pakistan Mehmet Pacaci has said Pak-Turkiye friendship is exemplary and people of both the countries accords much honor and respect to each others.
He expressed these views while speaking at a reception hosted in his honor by seasoned politician, noted businessman of Pakistan and Honorary Consul General of Turkiye in Peshawar, former Senator Salim Saifullah Khan.
The reception was arranged in connection with the celebration of national day of Republic of Turkiye and 75 years of Pak-Turkiye friendship.
Former governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Zafar Iqbal Jhagra was the chief guest while the gathering was attended by people from different walks of lives, including politician, businessmen, diplomats, Honorary Consul General of South Korea Afan Aziz and others.
Turkish envoy said people of his country have great regard for people of Pakistan for role of their elders in our war of independence.
He thanked people of Pakistan for celebrating national day of Turkey and said 75 years of Pak-Turkiye friendship will be celebrated in a befitting manner.
While referring to generous aid and support from Turkiye in response to catastrophes in Pakistan, including the 2005 earthquake, the 2010 floods and the recent devastating floods, Mehmet Pacaci said it is religious and moral duty of our country to come for the help of brotherly country. “What we did was our duty which we fulfilled and will continue to respond in the same manner for helping our brothers.”
During talks with newsmen, Turkiye Ambassador called for enhancement of regional cooperation for economic stability in the region.
He said countries, including Pakistan, Turkiye, Iran and Central Asian Republics can form an alliance for economic betterment in the region.
Earlier, Salim Saifullah Khan, in his welcome address, highlighted the depth of Pak-Turkiye friendship and said people of both the countries have bond of connectivity on the basis of their common faith and cultural similarities.
Saifullah said next year, a grand function would be arranged for the celebration of 100 years of Independence of Turkiye which it obtained in 1923 under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. “Pakistan and Turkiye are like twin brothers who feels the sentiments of joy and sorrow of each others.”
He said in Turkiye, students are taught in schools about the role being played by elders of Pakistan in Khilafat movement and independence of Turkiye.
He also mentioned the name of Abdul Rahman Peshori, who belonged to Peshawar and is known in Turkiye as `Abdur Rehman Bey’. Peshori migrated to Turkiye in 1912 along with a group of volunteers medics to help Ottoman forces in the Balkan war and stayed there till his death, Saifullah added.
The former senator said he had also invited grand son of Abdul Rahman for attending the ceremony, but he excused due to his illness.
Saifullah requested Turkish Ambassador to enhance assistance of his country for Pakistan in fields of education and health.
He also requested for giving preference to people belonging to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in issuance of visa and start direct flights between Ankara and Peshawar.
Responding to demands of Salim Saifullah, Turkish envoy held out assurance of taking up these issues with the quarters concerned.
The gathering was also addressed by former governor KP Zafar Iqbal Jhagra who also threw light on strong bond of brotherhood and friendship between people of Pakistan and Turkiye.
Later, Mehmet Pacaci also cut a cake along with Salim Saifullah to formally celebrate the Turkish national day.
Govt urged to establish housing bank to promote low cost housing at EXPO-22
ISLAMABAD, Dec 09 (APP):Speakers at the 1st International Housing EXPO 22 urged the government for setting up a housing bank to promote low cost housing for the low income segments.
Many dignitaries visited the EXPO on its second day being organized by the Ministry of Housing and Works in collaboration with Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI).
Former Member National Assembly and PML-N leader Captain (R) Muhammad Safdar and Chakkrid Kraichaiwong Ambassador of Thailand, Nguyen Tien Phong, Ambassador of Vietnam, Khazar Farhadov Ambassador of Azerbaijan and Dilshad Senor, Ambassador of Northern Cyprus visited expo.
Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, President ICCI and Iftikhar Ali Shallwani Secretary Ministry of Housing and Works took the visiting dignitaries to various stalls put up for display in the EXPO.
The visiting guests took great interest in the products and projects displayed in the expo and highly appreciated the Ministry of Housing and Works and ICCI for organizing such a wonderful EXPO.
Bakhtawari briefed Capt. (Retd) Muhammad Safdar about the importance of establishing a new industrial estate in the region to promote industrialization and investment.
On the second day, panel discussions were also held on the sidelines of the EXPO.
The first session was held on ‘Low Cost Housing and Financing Frameworks’ and second session on ‘Urban Governance, Urban Development and Regulation’ with panelists Waseem Hayat Bajwa Member Planning and Design CDA, Emma Ahmed, Director Altair International, Naveed Iftikhar Co-Founder Atom Camp.
The panelists gave useful proposals to promote low cost housing in Pakistan and urged the government to consider setting up a Housing Bank to promote low cost housing for low income segments.
