Pir Syed Riaz Hussain Shah receiving Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif upon his arrival at Idara Talemat-e-Islamia
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif addressing to the students of Idara Talemat-e-Islamia
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif addressing to the students of Idara Talemat-e-Islamia
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif addressing to the students of Idara Talemat-e-Islamia
Minister proses PIA privatisation to avert Rs 259b projected losses
ISLAMABAD, Aug 04 (APP): Minister for Aviation, Khawaja Saad Rafique, on Friday, warned that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) may endure alarming losses of Rs 259 billion by the year 2030 if urgent corrective measures are not implemented, which includes the transfer of its administrative control to the private sector.
While presenting “The Pakistan International Airlines Corporation (Conversion) (Amendment) Bill, 2023” for passage in the Senate, the Minister emphasized the necessity of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and granting administrative control to the private sector to sustain PIA. The airline is facing a daunting debt burden of Rs 742 billion.
However, due to severe opposition from Senators, the Senate Chairman referred the standing committee concerned, stating that the injection of FDI and administrative control to the private sector was essential to make PIA a profitable entity.
Former minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan’s reckless statement has resulted in PIA incurring losses amounting to Rs 71 billion in the European Union and United Kingdom sectors.
Amidst the proceedings, PTI lawmakers raised the issue of quorum, leading the chairman to call for a fifteen-minute bell ringing. However, once the quorum was satisfied, the House proceedings resumed.
The Senate Chairman referred the bill to the relevant standing committee for further perusal.
Pakistan debunks as a ‘myth’ India’s claims about Kashmir situation being normal
NEW YORK, Aug 04 (APP): Marking the fourth anniversary of India’s brutal siege of occupied Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan Friday described as “a fantasy and a myth” New Delhi’s claim of progress, development and normalcy in the disputed territory.
Speaking at the Kashmir solidarity webinar, Ambassador Munir Akram said that since August 2019, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, sexual and gender-based violence and restrictions on freedom of expression and religion, among others, had accelerated, debunking the myth of normalcy.
“In the occupied territory, there is only one normality, i.e., normalization of violence,” the Pakistani envoy remarked, as the “Youm-e-Istehsal” was observed with fervour.
At the same time, he said that the Kashmir dispute must be resolved on the basis of United Nations Security Council resolutions that had granted the people of Kashmir the right to self-determination.
Participating in the webinar, organized by the Pakistan Mission to the UN in New York, representatives of key OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) countries also reaffirmed their support to the Kashmiri people’s UN-pledged rights to self-determination.
They Included Saudi Ambassador Abdulaziz Alwasil, Azerbaijan Ambassador Yashar Aliyev, OIC Ambassador to the UN, Hameed Opeloyeru, and the Turkish Charge D’affairs, Onar Akran.
Among other panelists were: Dr. Imtiaz Khan, a prominent Kashmiri leader; Abdelhamid Siyam, UN correspondent for al-Quds and university professor; and other Kashmir activists, including Dr Waleed Rasool, Dr Mujahid Gilani, Ahmed Bin Qasim, Wajid Sawar, and Ms Farrukh Avais.
A moving documentary on the Kashmiris’ struggle for freedom, produced by the Pakistan Mission, was also screened.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Akram said, “As part of the ‘final solution,’ the Indian Government is not only imposing demographic change on Jammu and Kashmir but also promoting myth of normalcy in the name of promoting trade and tourism in the IIOJ&K in violation of international law, including the Security Council resolutions.”
Abusing its G-20 presidency, he said, India organized a meeting of the group on tourism in Srinagar in May amid extraordinary security, but nothing was “normal” there, noting a UN Rapporteur comment that India was “seeking to normalize….military occupation.”
Pointing out that Kashmiris were being persecuted due to their ethno-religious identity, Ambassador Akram said, “The brutal campaign of oppression is driven by the ideology of ‘Hindutva’ which asserts the religious and ethnic supremacy of Hindus and hate against Muslims. India’s disinformation campaign in Kashmir is further turbo-charged by Islamophobia.
“Considering the continuing massive violations of human rights in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, including the danger of genocide, the absence of any dialogue for the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, and the ever-present threat of conflict between two nuclear-armed States, the international community cannot continue to neglect the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the accompanying threat to international peace and security.”
The Pakistan envoy called for preventive measures to stop abuses in occupied Kashmir and hold the occupying country accountable.
He added, “Millions of Kashmiris have suffered for too long. To end their suffering, they demand peaceful resolution to the conflict. It is time to shatter the myth of normalcy and make peace a new normal.”
Parliamentarians must submit asset statements by Dec end: ECP
ISLAMABAD, Aug 04 (APP): Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has asked all members of parliament and provincial assemblies to submit their statements of assets and liabilities including those of their spouses and dependents by December 31.
According to ECP, all parliamentarians have to submit their yearly statements of assets and liabilities including similar details of their spouses and dependent children as on the preceding June 30 on Form B for the financial year 2022-2023.
The Commission, on the first day of January each year will publish names of members, who fail to submit the requisite statement of assets and liabilities within the period specified under sub-section (1).
The commission will on January 16 by an order suspend the membership of a member of an Assembly or Senate, who fails to submit the statement of assets and liabilities and such Member shall cease to function till he files the statement of assets and liabilities.
The ECP further said that any member submitting fake statement of assets and liabilities under this section in material particulars may, within 120 days from the date submission of the statement, be proceeded against for committing the offence of corrupt practice.
The ECP said that the prescribed form, along with instructions and guidelines prepared in this regard, can be obtained free of cost from the Election Commission of Pakistan Secretariat, Islamabad, offices of provincial election commissioners in each province, Senate Secretariat, National Assembly, and secretariats of provincial assemblies. Form B can also be downloaded from the ECP’s website www.ecp.gov.pk.
Saudi Fund for Development inaugurates King Abdullah Campus project at UAJ&K
ISLAMABAD, Aug 04 (APP): The Saudi Fund for Development, Director General for Asia Operations, Dr. Saud bin Ayed Al Shammari, on Friday officially inaugurated the King Abdullah Campus project at University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (UAJ&K).
The inauguration ceremony took place in the presence of President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry, along with dignitaries including Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman of Higher Education Commission, and Professor Dr. Mohammad Kaleem Abbas, Vice-Chancellor of University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, said a press release issued by the Saudi Embassy here.
The King Abdullah Campus project, funded by a generous grant of $90 million from the Saudi Fund for Development, marks a significant milestone in enhancing educational facilities in Pakistan. Covering an expansive area of 365,000 square meters, the campus features 15 faculties across various disciplines including Sciences, Engineering, Arts, Economics, Linguistics, Islamic Studies, and Law. It also includes accommodation for students with six hostels and several other prominent buildings such as an auditorium, a grand mosque, and a services center.
The primary objective of this project is to contribute to the development and expansion of the university, enabling a higher influx of students and providing them with modern facilities.
The project includes the provision of technical laboratories, classrooms, and equipment for administrative departments. With a capacity to accommodate over 10,000 students, faculty members, and staff, the campus is poised to make a positive impact on education and research in Pakistan.
During the inauguration ceremony, the President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir expressed gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its unwavering support in realizing the project.
He emphasized the importance of the project in promoting standard education, socio-economic development, and sustainable growth in Pakistan.
Dr. Saud bin Ayed Al Shammari, Director General for Asia Operations at the Saudi Fund for Development, highlighted the collaborative efforts between the two countries.
He recalled the Fund’s longstanding commitment to Pakistan’s development, dating back to post-earthquake reconstruction in 2005.
He praised the campus as a testament to the strong partnership and the shared goal of achieving sustainable progress.
University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Muhammad Kaleem Abbas, stated that the Saudi government had provided unwavering support to tackle challenges and presented a progressive model.
He said through Saudi funding, the Kingdom established a modern educational institution by transforming the King Abdullah Campus into a center for advancement and collaboration. The campus was now fully equipped, symbolizing hope and strengthening the close fraternal ties between the two nations, he added.
It is noteworthy that Saudi funding for development plays a crucial role in Pakistan, aiding fundamental infrastructure and key sectors. Since 1976 in Pakistan, these funds have contributed significantly, providing financial assistance for various projects and developmental programmes, including soft development loans amounting to approximately $1.1 billion.
Additionally, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has generously granted grants of nearly $500 million, supporting 23 diverse development initiatives. This assistance, totaling $3 billion, in conjunction with $44.5 billion for oil aid, further enhances Pakistan’s social and economic prosperity.
This aid strengthens Pakistan’s socio-economic growth and contributes to its developmental framework, paving the way for a more robust and prosperous future.
Senate chairman refers PEMRA Bill to standing committee for fine tuning
ISLAMABAD, Aug 04 (APP): Senate Chairman Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani on Friday referred the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2023, to the Standing Committee on Information and Standing Committe for further refinement and improvement in response to the concerns raised by the senators.
The amended PEMRA bill, drafted after in-depth debate and consultations with all the stakeholders and presented by Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb, has already been passed by the National Assembly.
Under the bill, the powers of the PEMRA chairman have been given to the Council of Complaints.
Senator Tahir Bizinjo suggested that the bill should be sent to the standing committee to address the concerns of media persons.
Senator Mushtaq Ahmed stated that the journalists organizations had rejected the bill.
The Upper House of the Parliament also passed 14 bills, including The National Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism Authority Bill, 2023, presented by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar;
The Gas (Theft Control and Recovery) Bill, 2023, introduced by Minister for Energy, Khurram Dastgir Khan; The Federal Urdu University of Arts, Sciences, and Technology, Islamabad (Amendment) Bill, 2023, presented by Minister for Finance and Revenue, Muhammad Ishaq Dar; The National Skills University Islamabad (Amendment) Bill, 2023, moved by Minister for Finance and Revenue, Muhammad Ishaq Dar; The Imports and Exports (Control) (Amendment) Bill, 2023, presented by
Minister for Law and Justice, Azam Nazir Tarar; The Trade Marks (Amendment) Bill, 2023, brought forward by Minister
for Law and Justice, Azam Nazir Tarar; The Hajj and Umrah (Regulation) Bill, 2023 and The Pakistan Ruet-e-Hilal Bill, 2023, both bills presented by Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Talha Mehmood; The Emigration (Amendment) Bill, 2023, introduced by Minister for Law and Justice, Azam Nazir Tarar; The Press Council of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill, 2023 presented by Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Marriyum Aurangzeb; The Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals (Amendment) Bill, 2023; The Press, Newspapers, News Agencies, and Books
Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2023; The Gun and Country Club Bill, 2023; and The National Logistics Corporation Bill.
For the passage of the Press Council bill, the chairman had to order a count. The outcome of the count showed that 16 senators voted in favour of the bill, while nine opposed it.
Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori participates in a conference on “Opportunities and Challenges of Economic Relations between Iran and Pakistan
