LAHORE: November 09 - Pakistan (Navy) and Pakistan Rangers performing at Changing of Guards Ceremony at Mazar-i-Iqbal to pay homage to the national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal on his 145th birth anniversary.APP
LAHORE, Nov 09 (APP): A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Navy assumed the charge of guards in an impressive Change of Guard Ceremony held at mausoleum of Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal on Wednesday as the nation celebrates 145th birth anniversary of the National Poet.
The poet of East with the vision of independent state inspired the creation of Pakistan, said a Pakistan Navy media release.
The contingent of Pakistan Navy assumed ceremonial guard duties with traditional spirit and enthusiasm.
The outgoing Pakistan Rangers Punjab ceremoniously handed over the guard duties to Pakistan Navy.
Pakistan Navy Station Commander at Lahore, Commodore Sajid Hussain graced the occasion as the chief guest, who presented a mark of respect at Allama Iqbal mausoleum.
The ceremonial Guard mounting was followed by floral wreath laying at the mausoleum by Chief Guest on behalf of Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi, Officers, Sailors and Navy Civilians of Pakistan Navy. Later on, Station Commander offered Fateha and recorded his remarks in the visitor book paying rich tribute to the National Poet.
The ceremony was attended by civil and military dignitaries and large number of general public.
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LAHORE: November 09 - Student participating in painting exhibition to pay homage the national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal on his 145th birth anniversary at Al Hamra.APP/AHF/ABB
LAHORE, Nov 09 (APP):Pakistan cricket team may become the only team to win two cricket World Cup finals at the same venue if they manage to win the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Melbourne on November 13 (Sunday).
It was on March 25, 1992 when Imran Khan-led Pakistan won the ICC Men’s ODI Cricket World Cup in Melbourne while Babar-led Pakistan T20 squad may write their destiny with another sterling performance.
The first semi-final has already witnessed many records on a day which belonged to the Babar-led Pakistan contingent who outclassed New Zealnad in almost all departments in a match for the T20 World Cup glory.
Pakistan became the first team to qualify for the third finals of the ICC men’s T20 World Cup after they beat New Zealand by seven wickets in the chase of 153 runs in the first semi final at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Wednesday.
Captain Babar Azam and wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan scored yet another 105 runs for the first wicket to break the back of a daunting total on a sluggish SCG pitch. In the process of becoming the only pair to score nine century-run partnerships in T20I competitions, Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan became the only pair to strike three century-run partnerships in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup matches.
Babar Azam (53 off 42 ) and Mohammad Rizwan (57 0ff 43 balls) both hit their maiden half-centuries of the global event in Australia while returned to form in the all important semi-final after he had scored 39 runs in the previous five innings of this year’s tournament. Babar repaid the confidence of the team mentor Matthew Hayden who had said the other day that Babar was a big match player and perform in the big match like the semi-final against New Zealnad. Mohammad Rizwan was adjudged Player of the Match for his all-round performance with the bat and the gloves.
The hard-hitting sensation Muhammad Haris scored useful 30 runs off 26 runs and was out in the penultimate over off the bowling of Mitchell Santner with Pakistan needing 2 runs off 6 balls in the last over. Shan Masood hit the winning runs to ensure there were no more blips in the chase.
Trent Boult and Mitchell Santner were the only successful bowlers for New Zealand who claimed two and one wicket respectively for 33 and 26 runs each. Lockie Fergusan conceded 37 runs in his quota of four overs while Ish Sodhi also returned wicketless for 26 runs. Tim Southee gave away 24runs in 3.1 overs without success.
Earlier, Pakistani bowlers stood true to their reputation of the best bowling attack of the ICC Men’s T20 WC 2022 Australia when they restricted New Zealand to 152-4 after New Zealand won the toss and decided to bat first. Shaheen Shah Afridi was the destroyer-in-chief who claimed two wickets for miserly 24 runs off his quota of four overs while the other successful bowler was Muhammad Nawaz (1 for 12) who claimed the wicket of Glenn Philips (6 off 8 balls).
Pakistani bowlers kept the New Zealanders under pressure from the beginning after Afridi claimed the all-important scalp of Finn Allen in the opening over of the match while Conway fell to a superb throw by Shadab Khan on the last ball of the power-play in the sixth over.
Captain Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell coined 68 runs in 50 balls but Williamson (46 off 42) fell to a well-disguised slower ball by Shaheen Shah Afridi in the 17th over. Mitchell played an aggressive knock of 53 n.o. off 35 balls and helped New Zealand post a competitive total of 152 runs on a sluggish pitch. James Neesham hit 16 runs off 12 balls.
Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim and Shadab Khan remained wicket-less and conceded 30, 32, 15 and 33 runs in their quota of four overs while Mohammad Wasim bowled two overs only.
Pakistan will meet the winner of the second semi-final to be played between India and England at the Adelaide, Oval on November 10 (Thursday).
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LARKANA: November 09 - People watching First Semi Final Twenty20 World Cup Cricket Match between Pakistan and New Zealand on TV at a Local Hotel. APP/NAS/ABB
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LARKANA: November 09 – People watching First Semi Final Twenty20 World Cup Cricket Match between Pakistan and New Zealand on TV at a Local Hotel. APP/NAS/ABB
RAWALPINDI, Nov 09 (APP): Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Wednesday visited Peshawar and directed the troops to always stay focused on their professional duties in the service of the nation.
On arrival at Corps Headquarters, the COAS laid a floral wreath at Shahuada (martyrs) monument, an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) news release said.
Later, the COAS addressed officers and men of the Peshawar Corps.
The COAS appreciated the formation for its monumental efforts in achieving peace and stability.
“We owe it to the sacrifices of our Shuhada for providing secure and enabling environment for socio-economic development in Newly Merged Districts in particular and KP in General,” the COAS said.
Earlier, on arrival at Corps Headquarters, the COAS was received by Commander Peshawar Corps, Lieutenant General Hassan Azhar Hayat.
ISLAMABAD, Nov 9 (APP): Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Egyptian Foreign Minister, Sameh Hassan Shoukry discussed bilateral relations and exchanged views on the regional and international issues of mutual interest.
They held a meeting on the sidelines of COP27 World Leaders Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release on Wednesday.
During the meeting, they also discussed the way forward for enhanced bilateral engagement to further strengthen cooperation in political, trade, economic, cultural and commercial domains.
Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman was also present in the meeting.
The foreign minister congratulated the Egyptian foreign minister for excellent arrangements for the COP27.
He invited FM Shoukry to visit Pakistan early next year to commence bilateral activities for celebrations of 75 years of friendly relations.
“Pakistan and Egypt have longstanding cooperative relations rooted in common faith, culture and values. The year 2022 marks the 75 years of Pakistan-Egypt,” the spokesperson said in the press release.
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LAHORE: November 09 - Station Commander of Pakistan (Navy), Sajid Hussain pays homage to national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal on his 145th birth anniversary, during the changing of guards ceremony at Mazar Iqbal.APP/AHF/ABB
ISLAMABAD, Nov 09 (APP): Former pacer Shoaib Akhtar who was overjoyed by Pakistan’s win against New Zealand in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 semifinal on Wednesday, said it looks like the 1992 mega event’s history was repeating itself, in the this year’s tournament.
“New Zealand, you lost the semifinals in 1992, 1999 and 2022. A couple of mistakes were done by them which cost Kiwis the game. I want to congratulate Pakistan on the win,” he said ecstatically.
The Rawalpindi Express said after Pakistan’s defeat from Zimbabwe he never felt that they would qualify for the semifinal. “But it’s prayers of the whole Pakistani nation which did it. The Netherlands defeating South Africa paved the way for the green-shirts into the semifinal,” he said in a video on his YouTube channel.
The former speedster said as a country and as a nation we have a habit of making a comeback. “Cricket teaches us the character of nations and Pakistan team has shown what the players and whole nation is capable off,” he said.
He said after the toss when New Zealand came to bat they were trying to hit the ball but it wasn’t coming onto the bat. “But it was bad captaincy on part of New Zealand”.
Coming to Pakistan, he said the team effort has brought Pakistan in the World Cup’s final. “Pakistani Skipper Babar Azam, Muhammad Haris and bowling attack did very good.”
Akhtar said he was very happy for Pakistan as it came out of nowhere to the final. “India are you ready? We have done it. The feel is just like of the 1992 World Cup! So let’s see,” he said.
The second ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 semifinal will be played between India and England at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday.
Meanwhile, tweets pour in from former Pakistani Greats after Pakistan won the semifinal against New Zealand. Former Skipper Imran Khan tweeted, “Congratulations to Babar Azam and the team for a great win.”
Sultan of Swing Wasim Akram said, “Yay clinical performance congratulations to team Pakistan and of course to all Pakistanis. Now let’s enjoy the finals.”
Legendary pacer Waqar Younis said, “Alhamdullilah. Congrats to the entire Nation. We are in the Finals.”
Shahid Afridi said, “Off to the Final! Our boys outclassed the Kiwis in all 3 departments’ spin fielding! And Babar lead from the front we needed this! Mubarak to everyone.”
“Seems unreal but it’s Real. Final Pakistan Zindabad,” Muhammad Hafeez tweeted.
Former spinner Saeed Ajmal tweeted, “Pakistan into the finals. Congratulations Team Pakistan Great partnership by Babar and Rizwan superb spell by Shaheen and an excellent finish by Haris!! All we needed to win this Matchh!!”
“Congratulations Pakistan! Shabaash boys, our team definitely knows how to win games and hearts,” Pakistani pacer Wahab Riaz said.
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LAHORE: November 09 - Pakistan (Navy) and Pakistan Rangers performing at Changing of Guards Ceremony at Mazar-i-Iqbal to pay homage to the national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal on his 145th birth anniversary.APP/AHF/ABB
ISLAMABAD, Nov 9 (APP): The United Nations is set to examine the human rights record of India on November 10 as the human rights organizations, in their reports, have already exposed its ruse of a secular polity with “serious regression” in human rights and constitutional protections under the BJP-led government.
The UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group would examine India’s human rights record for the fourth time in its session taking place from November 7-18 which marks the beginning of the UPR fourth cycle.
India’s first, second and third UPR reviews took place in April 2008, May 2012 and May 2017, respectively.
The URP is a unique process involving a review of the human rights records of all UN member states which provides the opportunity for each state to declare what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries.
In its report submitted to the UN, the Indian government claimed it to being firmly committed to the promotion and protection of human rights with its constitution guaranteeing civil and political rights, justice, liberty, equality, fraternity and individual dignity within a secular democracy.
However, the joint submissions of reports by around 70 human rights organizations across different countries challenged the Indian official position by highlighting the human rights abuses by India including the escalated crackdown on independent and democratic institutions, and using draconian sedition, counterterrorism, and national security laws to prosecute and harass human rights activists and journalists besides growing attacks, discrimination, and incitement against religious minorities.
Out of 250 recommendation handed over to India during 3rd cycle of UPR in 2017, India accepted 152 but India has failed miserably to uphold its commitments. No progress made in any of the areas of concern, grave HR violations committed since then.#UNmakeIndiaAccountablepic.twitter.com/eS6cvhDJtb
Among those who submitted their reports to the UN included, among others, ActionAid Association, Amnesty International, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children, Human Rights Watch, International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, International Commission of Jurists, Islamic Human Rights Commission, Kashmir Institute of International Relations and National Campaign Against Torture.
In their statements, the human rights bodies called for the Indian government to enact a national anti-torture law, adopt legislation to criminalize hate speech and prevent communal violence, besides formulating rigorous anti-discrimination law and policies.
They recommended that the Narendra Modi-led government enact a national law to recognise and protect human rights defenders in compliance with the UN declaration on human rights defenders.
In its report, the European Centre for Law and Justice stated that despite its abolishment, the caste system was still very much prevalent, especially in rural areas and states that had anti-conversion laws.
The joint submission by Forum for UPR in Tamil Nadu; People’s Watch, Madurai (India) and Human Rights Defender’s Alert stated that the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes were economically deprived and socially marginalized, and lacked resources, access to education, employment and other income-generating opportunities.
The Kashmir Institute of International Relations stated that Jammu and Kashmir remained a blind side in the universal periodic review as under the Public Safety Act, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Armed Forces Special Power Act, Indian armed forces and police were continuously committing grave human rights abuses in Jammu and Kashmir with impunity.
The HRW also stated that Kashmiris were facing repression after the government had revoked the state’s special constitutional status, with many detained.
“The government regularly shut down the internet in the region. There were growing restrictions on media, a number of journalists and human rights defenders had been arrested on spurious terrorism charges, and authorities regularly harassed critics, including through the use of counterterrorism raids,” the HRW observed.
The human rights organizations observed that the Dalit communities were subjected to violent search and seizure operations, falsified charges, caste-based verbal abuse, severe beatings, inhuman torture, and sexual abuse following arrest.
The world body was told that many Adivasi/Tribal women in the custody of the police or other authorities were raped or sexually abused and during the UPR cycle, there had been a rampant misuse of counterterrorism legislation to persecute human rights defenders, journalists and persons critical of the government, such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the National Security Act and the Jammu & Kashmir Public Safety Act.
The UN’s attention was also drawn towards mob violence or lynching by Hindu nationalist vigilante groups targeting minorities with the Amnesty calling for the accountability of public officials who advocated religious hatred.
The lawyers’ bodies, in their submission, told the UN that human rights lawyers were the subject of physical attacks in connection to their professional activities.
Amnesty stated that independent media outlets, journalists and human rights activists were threatened and intimidated through the misuse of over-broad financial laws and censorship of dissenting reportage.
It was also reported that peaceful protesters had been charged with offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Indian Penal Code, including for sedition, hurting religious sentiments, and hate speech.
Several HR bodies reporting on Dalit community’s rights told the UN that Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims fared worst in terms of economic conditions.
Some organisations also highlighted the issues faced by the Indian farmers who were still struggling to get institutional credit and were debt trapped. They stated that in 2020 there had been 10,677 suicides in the farming sector.
The UN was told that forced evictions and demolitions of homes of the poor had continued unabated during the COVID-19 pandemic and almost 16 million people were currently threatened with the risk of displacement.
They told the United Nations that the prison conditions in India had worsened during the pandemic. Amnesty International stated that two-thirds of the prison population was in pretrial detention, with Dalits, Adivasis and Muslims being disproportionately represented.
ICJ urged the Indian government to amend the Citizenship Amendment Act to guarantee that there was no discrimination based on national origin or religion in access to citizenship.
The Human Rights Watch, in its submission, stated that at least 10 states in India forbade forced religious conversion, but in fact misused the laws to target Christians, particularly from Dalit or Adivasi communities. They were also used to harass and arrest Muslim men in relationships with Hindu women.
The HRW called for the Modi-led government to repeal directives that ban the hijab, and ensure that schools and universities were inclusive spaces, and safeguard girls’ and women’s right to freedom of religion and expression.
Amnesty International also highlighted that under BJP government, hate crimes against Muslims and other minorities had surged which were not even recorded in the official statistics.
The stakeholders pointed out a “deep-rooted” anti-minority bias among the police force and called for creating avenues for greater minority representation in the police force, civil service, justice institutions, and elected bodies.
The stakeholders expressed their concerns over the ongoing violations experienced by Christians in India, including false accusations and arrests, forced conversion to Hinduism, hate campaigns, assault, murder, illegal occupation of churches, forced displacement, disruption of religious gatherings, and vandalism of Christian homes, churches and other church-owned properties.
The stakeholders stated that the security forces and police in India had been engaging in extrajudicial killings or fake encounter killings and that the culture of extrajudicial killings was normalised in the country.
They stated that custodial torture and violence remained entrenched and routine law-enforcement strategy across India.
