ISLAMABAD, Oct 09 (APP): Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) is continuing its efforts to provide humanitarian aid to flood-hit Pakistan.
KSrelief has distributed 3,028 food baskets over flood-stricken people in Pakistan.
The KSrelief teams distributed 3028 food baskets, 150 tents, 1.308 mosquito-protect fine nets, in Swat, Dera Ismail Khan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Diamir and Ghanche District in Gilgit-Baltistan, Nasirabad in Balochistan, Nelum region in Azad Kashmir and Sindh province benefiting 21,196 flood-hit people throughout Pakistan, SPA reported.
The torrential rains and flooding, which began in mid-June and lasted for weeks, has killed over 1,600 people and affected nearly 33 million people Pakistan.
KSrelief last month launched a campaign to support flood-affected people in Pakistan as the administration in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad called for more international aid to deal with the situation.
In recent weeks, Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki and KSrelief Director Dr. Khalid Al-Thmani also visited the flood-hit area of Sehwan Sharif in Sindh and distributed rations and other necessary items among people.
International aid continues to pour into Pakistan since August, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE establishing air bridges to deliver relief goods to affected people in the South Asian country.
At least 10 planes carrying Saudi humanitarian aid have arrived in Pakistan since last month.
BEIJING, Oct 9 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s deep gratitude to the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Chinese Government and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) for assistance in the floods is another lifelong demonstration of China-Pakistan iron-clad friendship, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Mao Ning said on Sunday.
“The relevant statement of Prime Minister Shehbaz is another lifelong demonstration of China-Pakistan friendship,” she said in her regular briefing while responding to a question asked by APP regarding PM Shehbaz’s remarks on the Chinese assistance to flood victims in Pakistan.
“Our Chinese friends continue helping the flood victims in Pakistan. Total volume of aid has increased from 400 million RMB to 644 million RMB. We are deeply obliged to Chinese govt, CPC, Red Cross Society of China, sister provinces and People’s Liberation Army for the assistance,” Shehbaz Sharif recently tweeted.
Mao Ning said, in the wake of the floods in Pakistan, China has responded immediately and promptly. The Chinese leadership sent message of condolences to their Pakistani counterparts and the Chinese government and people felt deeply for that.
“In accordance with the situation on the ground and Pakistani side needs, we have supported Pakistan in its relief efforts,”she added.
The spokesperson said that China’s disaster relief action reflected the outstanding characteristics of the whole government, the whole society with notable speed, scale and intensity.
“Facts have repeatedly proved that China and Pakistan are true friends of adversity and good brothers of joys and sorrows,” she added.
Mao Ning said that the friendship between the people of China and Pakistan had gone through international changes and the test of time, and had become a common and valuable asset of both sides.
She said that at present, China and Pakistan were maintaining close communication on the implementation of disaster relief materials and post-disaster reconstruction.
“We believe that the Pakistani people will defeat the flood as soon as possible, and the Sino-Pakistan brotherhood and relations will scale new heights,” she added.
After the floods in Pakistan, the Chinese government immediately announced 100 million yuan of emergency humanitarian assistance, including 25,000 tents and other materials urgently needed.
Considering the huge losses, the Chinese government provided an additional 300 million yuan. In conclusion, the total amount is 400 million yuan, ranking first in the world.
China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) coordinated relevant Chinese government departments such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Emergency Management, Chinese Air Force, China Meteorological Administration besides local and provincial governments, social organizations, enterprises and Chinese embassies abroad provided assistance to flood-stricken people in Pakistan.
In addition, China appealed to the international community to provide more helps and works with relevant organizations to use the Global Development and South to South Cooperation Fund to provide more support to Pakistan.
As per reports, over 1,700 people lost their lives and 13,000 were injured during devastated floods in Pakistan. Thirty-three million, including 16 million children are estimated to be affected by heavy rainfall.
“The total estimated damage caused by the floods is US$ 32 billion, 10 per cent of Pakistan’s GDP.”
KARACHI, Oct 09 (APP): PPP Chairman and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that the adaptation of a resolution on climate catastrophe in Pakistan by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) was a big achievement.
According to the spokesman for Bilawal House Karachi, the Foreign Minister had said that China, the United States of America and Russia had come on one page for the people of Pakistan. Bilawal said, at a time of great geo-political divides, we are particularly grateful for this unity. He said that UNGA’s 141 members passed the resolution unanimously.
He thanked China, US and Russia for being part of the resolution and their support of it. He also thanked the UN General Secretary, UNGA President and Pakistani Mission to UN.
ISLAMABAD, Oct 9 (APP): On the invitation of German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had undertaken an official visit to Germany on October 6-7.
During his stay in Berlin, the foreign minister held delegation-level talks with his German counterpart and the two leaders reviewed the whole gamut of bilateral relations and discussed regional and international issues of common interest.
“Underscoring the high importance Pakistan attaches to its longstanding ties of amity and cooperation with Germany, the Foreign Minister reaffirmed keen desire to further strengthen the multifaceted bilateral cooperation, particularly in the fields of trade, investment, education and energy,” Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release on Sunday.
Thanking Germany for its substantial support to flood relief efforts, the foreign minister said that the cataclysmic devastation caused by the flash floods in Pakistan had underlined the need for working together to address common challenges such as climate change and food security.
The delegation talks were followed by a joint press briefing that covered a whole range of issues from bilateral cooperation to regional and global issues including Jammu and Kashmir and Afghanistan. Germany also announced an additional 10 million € for flood relief assistance.
Great work teamMOFA for short but productive first trip to 🇩🇪. Keeping Pakistan floods at the top of our agenda we had fruitful conversation about climate Justice. 🇩🇪 & 🇵🇰 bilateral issues discussed at length, our relationship moving from strength to strength. pic.twitter.com/32wx8JVe9N
The foreign minister also met the President of the upper house of the German parliament, Bodo Ramelow.
They discussed ways to enhance parliamentary exchanges, deliver assistance to flood affectees in Pakistan, the situation in Afghanistan, and Germany’s continued support for Pakistan’s GSP Plus status.
The foreign minister also highlighted the potential for using digital technologies to showcase Pakistan’s tourism sites and rich cultural heritage while inaugurating a “Digital Tourism Corner” at the Pakistan Embassy in Berlin.
Visited our Embassy @PakinGermany_ & inaugurated innovative #Pakistan Digital Tourism Corner which will provide opportunities to explore 🇵🇰 beautiful landscape, historical landmarks & discover the depth of Allama Iqbal’s poetry through virtual reality. pic.twitter.com/3QLPpFH61p
KARACHI, Oct 09 (APP):Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that the teachings of the last Holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) can lead us to the path of peace and prosperity.
He urged the Pakistani nation and Muslim Ummah to contemplate on why we were forgetting lessons taught by our Prophet (PBUH).
He expressed these views while congratulating the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of 12 Rabiul Awwal, also known as Eid Miladun Nabi (SAWW), the birth anniversary of the Holy Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).
Bilawal said that the people regained their lost high-values and ethics on the arrival of Hazrat Mohammed (PBUH) in this world.
He said that the world could come out of controversies and problems by following the teachings of the holy Prophet (PBUH).
He also prayed to Allah Almighty to fill our hearts with Islamic teachings.
SUKKUR, Oct 09 (APP):Eid Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) was celebrated here on Sunday with religious zeal and fervor under tight security arrangements.
All the roads, streets and main buildings in the town were decorated with colorful lights and buntings.
A number of programmes were chalked out to celebrate the birthday of Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) with great reverence and devotion.
Different Naat committees organized Naat competitions to celebrate the Eid Milad un Nabi.
Like every year, the government and religious organizations arranged a number of activities to celebrate the annual event. As a tradition, Milad-un-Nabi processions were held in all areas of the Sukkur division.
Around 100 Eid-i-Milad-un-Nabi processions were taken out from different parts of the district.
The main procession of Milad-un-Nabi started in the morning from Jamia Masjid, Bundar Road, which passed through its traditional route of Barrage Road, Bhutta Road, Station Road, Minara Road, Clock Tower, Workshop Road and other areas.
Besides, big processions were also brought out from Rohri, Saleh Putt and Pano Aqil talukas. Similarly, dozens of big and small processions appeared from other localities.
Wagons, Suzuki, motorcycles, cycles, rickshaws, trucks and cars were included in the processions while thousands of faithfuls were on foot to show love with Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH).
BEIJING, Oct 9 (APP): Tang International Education Group signed an MoU with National Skills University (NSU), Islamabad on dual-degree joint education programme and the establishment of the China-Pakistan International Industrial Academic Integration Alliance.
According to Tang International Education Group, the two sides will also carry out in-depth cooperation in the development of information-based vocational and technical courses and the introduction and certification of China’s vocational education standards.
In the next September, the program will enroll students in various technical fields. Students will learn in Pakistan for the first two years and in China in the third year and obtain degrees from both sides, China Economic Net (CEN) reported.
At the ceremony, Wang Baowang, Director of Tang International Education Group, said the group would seek the support of relevant provincial education authorities in China and match NSU with colleges and universities that offer higher vocational and technical education with undergraduate majors.
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Mukhtar, Founding Vice Chancellor of NSU Islamabad who attended the signing ceremony along with a team of academics, registrar as well as teachers concerned, expressed his anticipation towards the cooperation with first-rate Chinese vocational and technical education institutions and enterprises and cultivate high-quality Pakistani technical talents who can speak Chinese and understand Chinese culture, thus serving Pakistan’s industrial development and China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) construction.
NSU Islamabad is currently the only Pakistani university recognized by the UNESCO International Center for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (UNEVOC).
Tang International Education entered Pakistan last year and has been expanding its presence in Pakistan, especially Punjab and Sindh. It has selected 210 out of over 700 vocational majors in China to be introduced to Pakistan under the “CCTE” model (short for China-Pakistan Cooperation, Chinese Language & Commercial Cultural Courses, Technical Education & Training, Further Education & Employment).
ISLAMABAD, Oct 9 (APP): President Dr Arif Alvi on Sunday said that Pakistan could emerge as a strong and prosperous nation by following and promoting the Seerah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) as it was the best solution to overcome the socio-economic evils and challenges faced by the society.
Addressing the inaugural session of the two-day International Seerat-un-Nabi (PBUH) Conference, the president further called upon the Muslims and Muslim states to strive for establishing societies and governments based upon cherished Islamic principles of justice and equality to become living examples of good governance and high moral values for other countries to follow and benefit from it.
The two-day International Seerat-un-Nabi (Peace Be Upon Him) conference titled “Morality of Society, Reformation and Development: In the Light of Seerat-un-Nabi (PBUH)” was organized by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony.
Addressing the conference, the president said that in the light of the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), the society needed to grant women their due rights, be respectful and compassionate towards their fellow countrymen, uphold the rule of law, avoid back-biting, adopt cleanliness and purity, overcome corruption, be honest and trustworthy, and work for the uplift of poorer and weaker sections of society.
He said that Islam envisioned a society based upon humanity, ethical values of truth, trust, tolerance, equality, caring for the less fortunate, providing justice without fear or favour, respecting the privacy, shunning unverified and fake news, and fulfilling the oaths.
The president said that Islam had termed corruption as one of the biggest evils and our society needed to develop a spirit to fight and curb corruption in all its form and manifestations.
He said that corruption could be eliminated by creating resistance against corruption and corrupt practices at the societal level, clearly distinguishing between the right and the wrong, enacting new laws in addition to strengthening existing ones, and ensuring their implementation in letter and spirt.
He highlighted that inculcating piety and fear of Allah, enacting laws, implementing laws in their letter and spirit, and discouraging corruption and violations of law at the societal level were essential elements for a fair, just and rule-based society.
Secretary General of the Muslim World League, Dr Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony, Mufti Abdul Shakoor, international and national Islamic religious scholars, members of the diplomatic community, and people belonging to different walks of life attended the Conference.
While talking about back-biting and impacts of the social media, the president said that social media, especially mass messaging applications, had created many opportunities of producing and disseminating useful education, knowledge and information in almost all facets of life while also making it easier to spread unverified, fake and biased news and information.
He urged the relevant stakeholders to educate and train the society to forgo, disregard and avoid giving weight to fake news and information which was not in line with our socio-religious norms and using social media for education, business and gaining authentic knowledge.
He said that innovation and progress on the technological front should not be resisted and its positive aspects should be adopted to ensure the growth and development of the country.
The president said that Islam had provided women with equal status, fixed their share in the inheritance and allowed them to adopt gainful professions.
He said that it was the duty of an Islamic society to provide a harassment-free environment to women to increase their participation in society.
He highlighted that until the late 19th and early 20th century, women were considered a property of men in the west, whereas Islam granted them the right to inheritance and own property 14 centuries ago.
He said that Islam enjoined uplifting the weaker and vulnerable sections of society, adding that Pakistan too needed to work for the development and uplift of its weaker and neglected sections of the population to become an ideal Islamic welfare state.
Talking about curbing the spread of communicable diseases, the president emphasised that Islam had declared cleanliness and purity as half the faith.
He said that most of communicable diseases could be contained by adopting better hygiene and cleanliness, adding that the importance of washing hands, keeping oneself clean and pure, and adopting better hygienic practices became evident during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Emphasizing the need to spread love and inter-faith harmony, the president said that Islam accorded great value to love and affection among the people.
He said that renowned Islamic Poet, Maulana Jalalludin Rumi, had highlighted eight stages of spiritual attainment which were: loving one’s self by following the virtues of piety; loving his family, neighbourhood, the nation and the country, the entirety of humanity, living and non-living things, the Holy Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and after these conditions were met, led to the ultimate spiritual attainment of love with Allah Almighty.
The president said that Islam emphasized treating all living beings equal, caring for the poor, respecting the privacy of others, inculcating humility and politeness, being kind and forgiving, adopting the virtues of truth and trustworthiness in our dealing and in trade and business, adding that without adopting these teaching of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), the establishment of a true Islamic society would remain a distant dream.
Secretary General of the Muslim World League, Dr Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, also addressed the conference.
He said that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) united the warring tribes of Arab and made them one nation. He termed the Treaty of Hudaibia as a lesson in peace-making and diplomacy.
He also appreciated the role of Pakistani Ulema in the promotion of education regarding the life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
He informed that a museum highlighting the different aspects of Seerat-un-Nabi (PBUH) and the different phases of his life would be established in Pakistan.
He also expressed his deepest condolences over the loss of life and property in the devastating floods in Pakistan and assured Pakistan of his full support in this regard.
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony, Mufti Abdul Shakoor, while addressing the occasion, emphasized the need to make the Seerah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) as the guiding light in order to overcome the problems being faced by the Ummah.
He said that Holy Prophet (PBUH) possessed high moral character and even his enemies and opponents termed him as “the truthful” and “the trustworthy”.
He said that etiquettes and high moral standards established by the Holy Prophet (PBUH) were eternal and the Pakistani nation also needed to take guidance from his Seerah and try to follow in his footsteps.
Senator Professor Sajid Mir and Allama Arif Wahidi also addressed the conference and highlighted different aspects of the life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), besides emphasizing the unity of Ummah, upholding justice and truth, respect for humanity, being compassionate and merciful, discouraging partisanship, sectarianism and hatred based on language or national identity.
Earlier, the president distributed cash prizes and certificates among the top position holders of the Seerah book competition.
PESHAWAR, Oct 09 (APP): The life and Seerah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is a beacon of light for mankind of all ages.
Like elsewhere in Pakistan, Naat and Durood o Salam besides Milad functions were held in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on the happy occasion of the birthday anniversary of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) celebrated with great religious enthusiasm on Sunday.
From Chitral to DI Khan and Kohistan to Waziristan, people of all 35 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa organized Naath and Durood o Salam competitions and Milad functions where the speakers paid glowing tributes to the matchless services of the last Prophet of Allah for humanity of all ages.
People have decorated their houses, shops, bazaars, markets and vehicles with colorful buntings and lights besides green color to express their immeasurable love to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Balahisar Fort, Governor House, Chief Minister House, FC Headquarters, Islamia College Peshawar, University of Peshawar, Chief Secretary Office, Deans Trade Center, PDA and State Life Buildings were beautifully illuminated in Peshawar while fireworks held at Islamia College Peshawar.
“I have illuminated my house with colorful buntings and vehicle with green color to express my immeasurable love for the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on His birthday anniversary,” said Azharul Haq, a notable of Tehsil Pabbi while taking to APP here Sunday. He said that his family also distributed sweets and rice among poor on the happy occasion of 12th Rabiul Awal.
Professor Dr. Hifazat Ullah Khan, Chairman, Islamiyat Department, Islamia College, Peshawar told that the arrival of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in that era of ignorance was a great blessing of Allah Almighty for the entire humanity.
He said before the advent of Islam, the Arabs were deprived of all political, social, human and economic rights in the Arabian Peninsula where inhuman customs of slavery, burial of baby girls alive, and tribal guerrilla warfare on petty issues were common phenomena, which had put lives of peoples’ miserable.
He said the absence of representative government, political organizations, law and order institutions including police, courts and infighting among Arab tribes over distribution of water, land and mountains ownership besides denying property rights to women had pushed poor people to the wall at that time of ignorance.
He said among the Arabs, there were extremely few individuals who could read and write, adding most of them were not eager to learn these arts. In pre-Islamic Arab peninsula, Arabs had never accepted any authority other than the chief of their tribes and cases were decided as per the sweet will of the chieftains, he told adding, the nonexistence of administration and judicial system had often led to infighting and bloody quarrels among tribes mostly started to bring offenders to justice by own, which caused anarchy, chaos and lawlessness in the Arab society.
The slavery was a common practice at Arab peninsula, where slaves were sold like animals and rate of interests charged on loans by capitalists were exorbitant, resulting poverty, backwardness and socioeconomic imbalances in the Arab society. Women were deprived of almost all rights including share in inherited property and maltreated besides the inhuman practices of burying of girls infants’ alive and worships of idols and statutes mostly built from stones and woods were in fashion, he expressed.
In that era of ignorance, he said the arrival of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had proved as a great blessing of the Allah Almighty for the entire humanity including Arabs and non-Arabs, who (PBUH) broke the shackles of slavery, inequality, cruelty, injustice and eliminated all inhuman practices including the worship of idols and statues and burying of girls’ alive forever.
In-spite of all the bitter experiences of the past, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) had set a unique and unprecedented example of tolerance and patience by announcing amnesty for everyone including rivals on the historic occasion of the conquest of Makkah. He (PBUH) had neither taken any revenge nor let others harm anyone and announced open amnesty for all, Dr. Hifazat Ullah said.
He said Islam had spread in the world after peaceful revolution following the conquest of Makkah. In the historical Hajjat-ul-Wida’s sermon, he said the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emphasized upon justice and equality of all human beings and socio–economic rights of women and declared racial supremacy as unacceptable.
Hifazat Ullah said that Hajjat-ul-Wida’s sermon was a perfect roadmap to establish peace, socio-economic stability and promote interfaith harmony besides ensuring justice, equality and righteous deeds in a society.
He (PBUH) gave the concept of Tauheed (oneness of Allah) that there was no one worthy of worship except Allah Almighty and Muhammad (PBUH) is the last Messenger of Allah.
Denouncing all sorts of discrimination among human beings, the last Prophet of Allah declared that there was no superiority of Arabs over the non-Arabs and vice versa on the basis of gender, colour and caste rather “Taqwa” (Good deeds) was the hallmark of superiority of an individual over others.
He (PBUH) declared that killing of a person and forceful possessing of one’s property was against the teaching of Islam and called for honoring of all human beings including women, minorities and senior citizens.
Dr Hifazat Ullah said, “The Holy Prophet (PBUH) had restored the dignity of women whether she is a mother, wife, daughter or sister and emphasized on people to treat their women with kindness as they have right over them. He (PBUH) also taught to treat slaves with kindness and give them what the owners eat and wear themselves besides others facilities.
In Peshawar, big Milad processions were taken out from Gulbahar and Milad Chowk Rampura Gate Hashtnagri where people paid Dorood o Salam and recite naaths on the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Sweats and rice were also distributed among people. The speakers and religious scholars highlighted the life and Seerah of the holy Prophet and said that success could be achieved by strictly adhering to Quran and Seerah of the holy Prophet in this world and hereafter.