BEIJING, Aug 20 (APP): A group of diplomats and delegates from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) began visit of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China.
In the city of Kashgar, they visited a residential community, a village known for planting mushrooms, and the ancient city. The group praised the progress made to the development of the city and region, CGTN reported on Sunday.
Diplomats from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation gain first-hand insight into the efforts of the local government during a visit to the Kunlunjiayuan residential community, in Xinjiang’s Akto County.
The government was forced to relocate the community, as the residents faced water scarcity in the mountains and relied on herding for income. But now their lives have been transformed, and at no cost to themselves.
Syed Mohammad Fawad Sher, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to OIC said, “The visit to China is indeed a very thoughtful initiative, providing us with the opportunity to see its remarkable transformation. The visit to Xinjiang, and the cities of Kashgar and Urumqi, provided us with the opportunity to see the reality, and will help to address the misconceptions attached with the region. It will also help the OIC to dismantle the misconceptions associated with the region.”
Zhou Yixin, Akto County said, “The people who moved to this residential community learned how to grow vegetables in greenhouses, creating a stable income for themselves.
Some opened shops and restaurants. Others went on to work for different companies. Life here has offered up a host of new opportunities.”
The delegates praise the policy to relocate the residents for free, saying it has clearly improved the quality of life of residents.
Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama, Permanent Representative of Djibouti to the OIC Ambassador of Djibouti to Saudi Arabia said, “Our visit this morning covers many areas of this region. We are very glad about what we saw. We saw the development of the region. And I hope this development will be continuing in this region and all parts of China.”
The delegates’ next stop was Noquchi-Eriq village, known for growing mushrooms. The village now has over fifty greenhouses for growing them, allowing farmers to drastically increase their income.
The delegates also visit the Kashgar Old City Protection and Management Memorial Hall, where they learn about people’s lives in the city before and after its transformation.
Infrastructure in the city used to be poor, including a struggling sewage system. But since 2010, authorities have renovated about 50,000 dilapidated homes as well as water, heating, electricity, gas, roads and other critical infrastructure across 28 districts. The delegates say they’re glad to see the area transformed.
The delegates also visited the ancient city of Kashgar and the Id Kah Mosque.
The group praised the preservation of the historic architecture, saying they’re impressed by the modern infrastructure and facilities at the mosque.
APP/asg
OIC delegates praise improvements to people’s livelihoods on Xinjiang tour
Labourers are busy unloading tomatoes on the delivery trucks at the vegetable Market
MULTAN: August 20
Vendor displaying old footwear to attract customers at Bank of Canal
MULTAN: August 20 –
A person enjoying buffalo riding in the water pond at Site area
HYDERABAD: August 20 –
A view of truck over loaded with green fodder on the way may cause any mishap and needs attention of the concerned authorities at Fateh Chowk road
HYDERABAD: August 20
A beautiful aerial view of flyover at Latifabad
HYDERABAD: August 20 –
A large number of people purchasing vegetables from vendor at vegetables market
HYDERABAD: August 20 –
Railways retrieve 1,007 acres land from illegal occupants
ISLAMABAD, Aug 20 (APP): Pakistan Railways has retrieved as many as 1,007 acres of its land worth millions of rupees from illegal occupants during various anti-encroachment operations across the country.
“Around 491 acres retrieved in Punjab, 145 acres in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 339 acres in Sindh and only 32 acres in Balochistan,” an official in the Ministry of Railways told APP on Sunday.
He said that about 3,287 acres in Punjab, 832 acres in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 5,180 acres in Sindh, and 687 acres of land in Balochistan were being encroached.
The official said that in light of the directives of the Supreme Court, the anti-encroachment operations for retrieval of encroached railway land all over the Railway network were initiated and a joint procedure order was issued to all divisional superintendents for retrieval of Railways land from encroachment, adding, the anti-encroachment schedules, on a three months basis, are being prepared and sent to all concerned in line with the joint procedure order.
He said that Pakistan Railways had also decided to accelerate its ongoing anti-encroachment operation against land grabbers across the country to recoup its land from different individuals, groups and even business organizations who were using it for residential, commercial and agriculture purposes for decades.
“The encroachment operation will be launched with the assistance of Railway Police and district administrations of the relevant provincial governments,” he added.
He said the organization was taking several steps to retrieve encroached land from the land grabbers including a detailed survey being carried out to identify the encroached land, occupied by the individuals and under illegal occupation by various government departments.
The official said that First Information Reports (FIRs) were being lodged and cases were registered and sent to PR Judicial Magistrates for expeditious trial.
The issue regarding illegal occupation and possession of Pakistan Railways’ land by government departments and institutions has also been taken up with the concerned departments, he added.
The official said PR owned 167,690 acres of land across the country, of which 90,326 acre was in Punjab, 39,428 acres in Sindh, 28,228 acres in Balochistan, and 9,708 acres in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
SAPM Malik, EU Ambassador join efforts to strengthen Pak-EU relations
ISLAMABAD, Aug 20 (APP): Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Overseas Pakistanis, Jawad Sohrab Malik, met with EU Ambassador Dr. Riina Kiosks to discuss improving Pak-EU economic ties, regional security, GSP+ benefits for sustainable development and aiding Overseas Pakistanis in the European Union.
In a tweet, Malik expressed joy in welcoming EU Ambassador Dr. Riina Kionka at his house.
Malik mentioned, having an amicable conversation about various matters, encompassing economic relations between Pakistan and the EU, we shared aspirations for regional security and stability cooperation.
He stated that Pakistan receives a distinct incentive through the EU’s GSP+ program to encourage sustainable development and good governance. A committed effort is underway to formulate a sturdy and lasting solution to tackle the challenges faced by Overseas Pakistanis in the EU.
Jawad Sohrab, has been designated as the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) for Overseas Pakistanis in the interim cabinet led by Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar.
Using his charitable arm, the Sohrab Foundation, Jawad Malik assists the most vulnerable parts of society. He was honored by the Pakistan Army for his relief contributions, earning national recognition.
Since the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) coalition took control after Imran Khan’s vote of no-confidence, Jawad Sohrab has worked alongside PM Sharif’s cabinet on various assignments. He’s been appointed as SAPM to enhance government governance, entrusted with key responsibilities related to government operations and special tasks designated by the PM.
Jawad Sohrab Malik comes from a prominent and respected business and political family in Pakistan, based in Islamabad. He is the nephew of Mohammed Mian Soomro, who has held positions such as Governor of Sindh, Chairman of the Senate, Prime Minister, President of Pakistan, and Minister for Privatisation. Jawad Sohrab is also the grandson of the former Nazima of Jacobabad, Begum Saeeda Soomro. His mother, Maliha Malik, wields political influence in Jacobabad.
Jawad Sohrab Malik completed his legal studies in London, obtaining a law degree from the University of Cardiff. Following his education, he dedicated himself to his businesses, working to modernize and innovate. He has effectively overseen a thriving business presence spanning London, Pakistan, and Dubai.
Jawad Sohrab Malik’s business ventures cover real estate, trading, and technology, among other areas. He splits his time between London and Islamabad, having established valuable international connections with American Congress members, British parliamentarians, global business leaders, Gulf royals, and political parties in Pakistan. He earned praise as a pandemic hero during Pakistan’s Covid lockdown.
On August 15, 2016, Fahad Malik, Jawad’s brother and a British-Pakistani lawyer, was tragically murdered by a gang of criminals in the Shalimar area of Islamabad’s F-10/3 police station.
Jawad Sohrab Malik spearheaded the quest for justice following the tragic loss of his brother, Barrister Fahad Malik. The London-educated lawyer was brutally murdered in August 2016 by a notorious gang involved in land grabbing in Islamabad. Despite numerous challenges and threats from powerful mafia groups, Jawad Sohrab fearlessly championed his brother’s cause for justice. His efforts led to discussions about the murder in the UK Parliament and the influential UK Home Affairs Parliamentary Committee. The UK Home Secretary addressed the killing and called for justice on behalf of the family. Ultimately, all the perpetrators were sentenced to life imprisonment.
Pak trio bag 3 medals in Asian Jr Squash C’ship
ISLAMABAD, Aug 20 (APP): Pakistani trio of Nauman Khan, Ahmad Rayyan Khalil, and Abdullah Nawaz bagged three medals in the Asian Junior Squash Individual Championship at Dalian, China.
Nauman Khan and Ahmad Rayyan both played in the final of the U13 category. Nauman Khan beat Ahmad Rayyan with a game score of 9/11, 11/8, 6/11, 11/3, and 11/9 in the final, said a press release issued here on Sunday.
Nauman bagged a gold medal while Ahmad won a silver medal in the championship. Meanwhile, Abdullah Nawaz grabbed a bronze medal in the U17 category.
President, Pakistan Squash Federation, the whole squash family, and squash lovers have congratulated the players on winning medals.