Fascist India govt banned freedom of expression in Kashmir, says Mushaal
RAWALPINDI, Oct 27 (APP): Punjab Arts Council (PAC) on Thursday organized a protest walk and photographic exhibition to mark Black Day centered on Indian atrocities.
Chairperson of Peace and Cultural organization Mushaal Mullick was the chief guest of the inaugural ceremony.
While addressing the ceremony, Mullick said that the pain of occupied Kashmir was the pain of Pakistan, highlighting that Pakistan and Kashmir were like “one soul in two bodies”.
She said that the fascist Indian government had entirely banned freedom of expression in the occupied Kashmir, where journalists were being massacred.
The chairperson further said that the brutal Indian forces had cramped the land for Kashmiris in the occupied valley.
India is violating Geneva convention and United Nations Security Council resolutions in Occupied Kashmir”, she added.
In the end, Mushaal said that the Punjab Arts Council had always presented the actual image of Indian illegally Occupied Kashmir (IIOJK) to the world.
Speaking on the occasion, former PAC director Naheed Manzoor said that 75 years ago, India occupied Jammu and Kashmir illegally. India’s atrocities were the darkest chapter in history, no matter how much it was condemned, she stressed, adding that the darkness of cruelty would disappear one day.
Director of Arts Council Waqar Ahmad said that Kashmir was an unfinished agenda of partition of India, adding Indian army was involved in the genocide of Kashmiris in the occupied valley.
“The international community’s silence on the violation of human rights in IIOJK was a cause for concern,” he underlined.
He added that the United Nations had failed to implement the resolutions of the Security Council.
The photo exhibition highlighted Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir, and pictures of Kashmiris who were victims of Indian forces’ cruelties were also shown, along with Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Syed Ali Geelani, Yasin Malik, Musrat Alam Butt, Abdul Samad Naqlabi, Mushtaqul Islam and Asia Andrabi.
India can never suppress Kashmir freedom movement: Kaira
ISLAMABAD, Oct 27 (APP):Adviser to Prime Minister on Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Qamar Zaman Kaira here on Thursday said that India could not suppress the passion of freedom among the Kashmiris.
Addressing the participants of a walk held to mark the Kashmir Black Day, he said every political party and the government of Pakistan had supported the Kashmir movement and they would continue in future till the resolution of this longstanding dispute.
He said the United Nations had already accepted the stance of Kashmiri people about right of self determination but did not take any practical step yet.
Kaira urged that international community should play its role for the resolution of Kashmir valley conflict for the regional peace, prosperity and development.
Indian authority, following the Israeli patten in Indian Illegally Occupied Kashmir, converted majority Kahsmiri population into the minority through the issuance of illegal domicile, delimitation and demographic changes, he added.
The PM aide said all governments, irrespective of their political affiliations, had voiced the plight of Kashmiris at home and internationally and that they would continue do so.
The Hindutva-driven regime had left behind all the extremes of barbarity and there was no denying the fact that the biggest role in keeping the struggle alive was that of the Kashmiris’ blood and sweat, he said.
Kaira called for keeping the youth aware of the government’s efforts for Kashmir and of the importance of Kashmir as the unfinished agenda of partition to keep Kashmiris motivated and save them from hopelessness.
Knowledge-based agriculture vital for overcoming environmental changes: Arif Alvi
FAISALABAD, Oct 27 (APP):President Dr Arif Alvi said on Thursday that knowledge-based agriculture is lifeline of Pakistan, which needs to be promoted to overcome environmental challenges, and address food needs, in addition to transforming the country from net food importer to net food exporting country.
He was addressing the inaugural ceremony of “Natural Agri-Innovation Centre”, near Sahianwala Interchange here. The president said that human intervention changed the natural balance between population and resources. “We must improve our demography by controlling population explosion,” he stated.
He said that climatic changes played havoc with Pakistan, and in particular mentioned billion tree tsunami campaign, saying that it was need of the hour to address environmental challenges.
He said some countries introduced drip and sprinkle irrigation to save precious water and Pakistan could follow suit. Those countries used genetic engineering to develop high yielding, disease as well as heat-resistant species of different varieties to enhance their agriculture production.
He cited that Netherlands was19 per cent smaller than Pakistan, but it became second largest food exporter of the world.
“We channelize 158 million acres feet water through glaciers and rains, out of it hardly 4 million acres is required to be drained into the sea to save coastal belt from the backlash of saline sea water,” he said adding that remaining water must be stored or utilised for irrigation in addition to replenishing our underground water reservoirs.
He said that hydroponic crops were successfully developed in some regions of the world. “We must utilise artificial intelligence to get maximum yield from different crops,” he suggested.
President Alvi, while highlighting various aspects of agriculture, said that apart from major crops of wheat, cotton, rice and sugarcane, farmers must grow vegetables in addition to exploiting the potential of floriculture. He also stressed the need for solarization of indigenous agriculture farms and said that it could return the capital invested within a short period of two years.
He said that tunnel farming over an area of one-kanal may cost only Rs 2.5 million, which could yield maximum dividends within two to three years.
The president said that the youth could also avail the financing facility under Kamyab Jawan programme.
He directed Provincial Agriculture Minister Hussain Jahania Gardezi to set key performing indicators and establish at least 500-600 modern agriculture farms. In this connection, academia could also be engaged on partnership basis.
He said that farming community must be invited to such modern farms to witness the maximum yields, achieved by progressive farmers through the latest means of agriculture.
Punjab Minister for Agriculture Hussain Jahania Gardezi welcomed President Alvi on the occasion, saying that agriculture sector needed investment to switch from traditional farming to the hi-tech agriculture. “We must promote high and low tunnels, particularly for vegetable farming, to meet our increasing needs and depleting cultivable land”.
The minister stressed the need for using artificial intelligence for agriculture sector as well in order to tackle the multiple challenges of climatic change and food shortage.
Malik Amin Aslam Khan, former minister for environmental changes, identified the perils of environmental changes and said that Pakistan was listed among top three countries which were vulnerable to big environmental changes.
“We could overcome emerging challenges of climate change through reliance on smart agriculture.”
He also appreciated adoption and localization of the latest technology by Natural Farms.
Earlier, Waseem Afzal, chairman Naturals Farms, welcomed the guests and introduced the latest Dutch model technology used in this farm sprawling over 2.5 acres of land.
The meeting was also attended by Provincial Minister for Communication and Works Ali Afzal Sahi, Divisional Commissioner Shahid Niaz, Deputy Commissioner Imran Hamid Sheikh, President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI) Dr Khurram Tariq, former parliamentarians Dr Nisar Jatt, Muhammad Afzal Sahi and Akram Sahi.
President Dr Arif Alvi formally inaugurated the Agri-Innovation Centre, and planted a sapling on the premises of Natural Farms.
The President and the First Lady visited the farms and witnessed various modern features.
