Student giving Final touches to her painting during Independence Day Painting Competition
Farmer is busy preparing his farm field with the help of a tractor
Visitors seeing the model of Bab-e-Pakistan Monument, the first stay of refugees in 1947
HR Ministry, HelpAge Int’l partner to develop rules for ICT Senior Citizens Act
ISLAMABAD, Aug 13 (APP): The Ministry of Human Rights (MoHR) and HelpAge International have collaborated to organize the second consultative meeting on the Rules and Regulations for the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Senior Citizens Act, 2021 which is going to be a landmark legislation to protect the rights of elderly people living a less empowered social life.
The meeting was held here attended by stakeholders including retired government officials and representatives from relevant ministries and departments, a news release said.
The discussions focused on the draft rules and regulations for three key areas of Senior Citizens Card, Establishment of Old Age Homes, and Privileges provided to senior citizens under the Act: (20% discount on the medical facilities and retirement benefits for the older people).
The first meeting on the rules and regulations was held in June 2023, during which the Recruitment Rules for the Senior Citizens Council were finalized. The second meeting is part of a series of consultative meetings that will be held to finalize the rules and regulations and ensure the implementation of the ICT Senior Citizens Act, 2021.
The Chief Guest Director General (MoHR) Abdul Sattar in his closing remarks said, “The MoHR and HelpAge International are committed to ensure that the rights of senior citizens are protected and that they have access to the services and benefits that they need. The development of the Rules and Regulations for the ICT Senior Citizens Act is an important step in this process.”
The meeting was attended by retired government officials and representatives from civil society organizations who had worked to make the Act a reality. Representatives from the relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Health, Planning Commission, NADRA, Bait-ul-Maal, and the MoHR, also attended the meeting and provided their recommendations and suggestions.
Chinese Embassy condemns terrorists’ attack on Chinese Convoy in Gwadar
ISLAMABAD, Aug 13 (APP): Chinese Embassy in Pakistan on Sunday strongly condemned the terrorists attack on a Chinese Convoy in Gwadar and asked Pakistani authorities to conduct a thorough investigation of the attack, severely punish the perpetrators and take effective measures to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
According to a statement issued here by the Chinese Embassy, “A convoy carrying Chinese citizens was attacked near the port of Gwadar in Balochistan, Pakistan. The incident caused no casualties on the Chinese side, and the relevant personnel have been properly placed in safety. The Embassy and the Consulate General in Karachi launched an emergency response immediately”. The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan strongly condemns this terrorist act, the statement said.
China will continue to work with the Pakistani side, to jointly counter the threats of terrorism and earnestly protect the safety of Chinese personnel, institutions, and projects in Pakistan.
Given the current security situation, the Chinese Embassy reminds Chinese citizens in Pakistan to be vigilant and take preventive measures against security risks, to ensure the safety of their lives and property, it added.
All set to celebrate Pak I-Day in AJK with traditional zeal, fervor
MIRPUR AJK, Aug 13 (APP): All is set in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to celebrate the 76th Independence Day of Pakistan on Monday, August 14, with traditional zeal and fervor and with the renewal of the pledge to continue all out individual and collective efforts for the safety, solidarity, integrity and prosperity of the country and to translate the ideology of accession of Jammu and Kashmir to Pakistan into reality through making the Kashmir freedom struggle complete success.
Like every year, the Kashmiris are fully prepared to celebrate the Independence Day of Pakistan, their ultimate destination in all respect, with great enthusiasm and devotion coupled with the renewal of the pledge to continue the ongoing struggle for the right of self-determination till it reaches to its logical end.
The day will dawn with special prayers in the mosques all over AJK for the stability, prosperity, security and speedy progress of Pakistan and for the early success of the Kashmiris indigenous struggle for the achievement of their legitimate right to self-determination.
Elaborated programs have been chalked out with major national flag hoisting ceremonies, rallies, processions and colorful functions under the aegis of various public and private sector, social and political organizations in all small and major towns and cities of Azad Jammu and Kashmir will be the hallmark of this national day of exceptional importance.
The major national flag hoisting ceremony in AJK will be held in the capital city of Muzafferabad where AJK President will hoist the national flags of Pakistan and AJK at the President House to mark the Day with great enthusiasm and devotion.
Similar flag hoisting ceremonies will be held in all other nine district headquarters of AJK including Mirpur, Kotli, Bagh, Sudhanoti, Bhimbher, Rawalakot, Havaili, Hattiyan and Neelum valley besides all tehsil headquarters as well as subordinate towns and villages, private and public buildings.
A great enthusiasm is being witnessed among the people including children found hectically busy in purchasing the national flags of Pakistan from the bazaars for hoisting atop their houses and vehicles on the national day.
The private and official buildings are being beautifully decorated with colorful buntings and national flags of Pakistan.
The participants of the colorful flag hoisting ceremonies will sing the national anthem simultaneously with the nationwide programs for fluttering of the national flag at the stipulated time when the traffic on all roads will also come to a halt and the nation will join singing the national anthem.
Well dressed contingents of police and the boy scouts will salute the national flag of Pakistan in the flag hoisting ceremonies to be held at district and tehsil headquarters, local organizers of the scheduled Independence Day of Pakistan ceremonies told APP on Sunday.
In Mirpur district, the major national flag hoisting ceremony to mark the Day will be held under the auspices of the National Events Organizing Committee with the coordination of various social, political and public representative organizations at the Municipal Corporation lawn where the national flag of Pakistan will be unfurled at the Corporation’s lawn at 8.30 p.m, it was officially said.
“A continent of AJK Police and the Boy Scouts will present guard of honor besides saluting the national flag during the flag hoisting ceremony”, Divisional Information Officer Javed Mallick told.
The school children on this occasion will sing the national songs on musical instruments to express their fullest love and solidarity with Pakistan from the core of their heart.
An identical national flag hoisting ceremony will be hosted to mark the Independence Day of Pakistan celebrations at the office complex of Deputy Inspector General of Police Mirpur Division at. 9.00 a.m Monday.
DIG Police Mirpur division Dr. Khalid Mahmood Chouhan will hoist the national flag of Pakistan and AJK on this occasion.
A well-uniformed police contingent will salute the national flag besides presenting the march past on this occasion, to be attended by the officials of AJK Government besides notables from all walks of life.
Besides the AJK government, various social, political and public representative organizations have given final shape to the arrangements for celebrating Jashan-e-Azadi-e-Pakistan with traditional enthusiasm and devotion.
APP/AHR
The National flag of Pakistan on the WAPDA House building in celebration of August 14 Pakistan Day in the Provincial Capital
Governor KP visits Jahanzeb’s house, expresses condolence
PESHAWAR, Aug 13 (APP): Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Haji Ghulam Ali on Sunday visited the residence of the slain Danyal Zeb, who was tragically murdered the other day, and expressed his condolences to his father Jahanzib and grandfather senior journalist Hazrat Khan Mohmand.
The Governor said this heartbreaking and regrettable incident has deeply saddened him and the area.
Governor Haji Ghulam Ali emphasized that such incidents could not be tolerated and affirmed that strict action would be taken against those responsible and no leniency would be shown to those involved in such incidents. Those who committed the crime will face the consequences of their actions, he said.
Highlighting the importance of maintaining peace and security in the province, the Governor reiterated that the province was already faced with security challenges and such incidents that further disrupt the peace could not be tolerated.
He said that the local police were actively investigating the incident and were determined to apprehend the culprits.
The occurrence of such an incident within the city is a challenge for our law enforcement agencies, the Governor added.
Punjab Assembly building is decorated with the lights in celebration of Independence Day
District Council chowk is decorated with the lights in celebration of Independence Day
