A man taking selfie with Pakistan Map model during Independence Day in the Federal Capital
Kashmiri rights activist felicitates Pakistani nation on 76th Independence Day
MIRPUR AJK, Aug 13 (APP):On the evening of 76th Independence Day, veteran Kashmiri rights activist and Hurriyat leader Altaf Hussain Wani has extended his heartfelt felicitations to the people and the government of Pakistan.
In a statement issued here on Sunday, the APHC leader said that the creation of Pakistan was no less than a miracle of the 20th century.
“This miraculous development, which happened under the visionary leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah has not only changed the course of history in the region but also its geography”, Wani said, adding that what’s happening with religious minorities in India, today, speaks volumes about the vision and political farsightedness of Jinnah and other leaders of the Pakistan movement whose relentless struggle ultimately led to creation of a separate homeland for Muslims of the subcontinent.
Referring to Pakistan’s role in promoting the Kashmiris’ just cause, he said, “We owe a debt of gratitude to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for its all-out moral, political and diplomatic support to our just and legitimate struggle”.
Extending his best wishes for peace and stability, progress and prosperity of Pakistan, Wani said that a strong and stable Pakistan was a guarantor for the freedom of Kashmir.
He expressed optimism that the incumbent government would leave no stone unturned to help Kashmiris seek their internationally recognized right, the right to self-determination for which they have offered unprecedented sacrifices.
Terming the Kashmir issue as an unfinished business of the partition of the Indian subcontinent, the APHC leader said that the dream of a vibrant, stable and prosperous Pakistan would remain elusive unless Kashmir was freed from Indian bondage.
Islooites to observe 76th Independence Day celebrations amid cleanliness motto on festivity
ISLAMABAD, Aug 13 (APP): The markets of the Federal Capital were decked in Green and White portraying the colours of Pakistani flag, as the country celebrates its 76th Independence Day on August 14 (Monday) whereas the civic agencies and public at large have been cognizant to keep the scenic metropolis clean and tidy on the occasion.
Just like every year, this year too, the Jashan-e-Azadi preparations were booming at their peak with only a day left.
The buildings, markets, roads almost anything one can get hands on were decorated with green and white as to celebrate the big day and honour our country in the best possible way and also keeping the city clean.
There were stalls placed everywhere on the roads selling flags, badges, balloons, t-shirts other accessories related to the Independence Day.
A visitor at Sitara Market Khalil Ahmed said, “He loves to takes his children out on August 13 to show the colourful buildings, markets and all other places decorated with green and white as to mark the big day. They love to see the colourful buildings and we celebrate the Independence Day with full passion and zeal.”
Another visitor Shahnawaz said, “I decorate my bike and car with green and white as to mark the Independence Day. We take our bikes and cars on the eve of August 13 with friends to celebrate the big day.”
A stall holder at Aabpara Market, Wasim Khan said every year he especially sets up a stall for the Independence Day as to sell August 14 related merchandise. “People throng to the stalls every year to buy flags, badges, balloons, t-shirts other accessories related to the Independence Day,” he said.
A visitor Junaid Khan said, “We decorate our homes for the big day as it is just like a festival for us. We love to go out at night to see the fireworks of the Independence Day. August 14 also teaches us sacrifices and difficulties our forefathers and elders have faced for the formation of our motherland.”
The civic agencies have ensured elaborate arrangements to keep the major thoroughfares and public places clean and trash free and urged the masses to act as responsible citizens and observe no littering behaviour while visiting outdoors or participating in the Jashan-e-Azadi rallies and activities.
The sanitary workers of the Capital Development Authority and Municipal Corporation Islamabad would ensure cleanliness operation across the federal capital.
Youngsters busy in selecting and purchasing National flag and related stuff from vendor in connection with Pakistan Independence Day celebrations
CPWB launches social media campaign against child employers
LAHORE, Aug 13 (APP):Child Protection and Welfare Bureau (CPWB) Chairperson Sarah Ahmad has announced launching a social media campaign against child employers, under the title of ‘Social Boycott of Child Employers’.
In a talk with APP on Sunday, she emphasised the need to take a firm stand against those who employ children as domestic help, saying that the objective of the campaign was to liberate children from domestic labour and ensure a reduction in child exploitation among domestic helpers.
The CPWB chairperson said that so for 25 child protection units had been established in various districts of the Punjab province. She said the CPWB was committed to further extending the scope of its services to all districts, and ensuring effective protection of child rights across the province. She said that construction of the newly inaugurated building at Kasur had been started in November 2021 at Kutchehry Road, while the child protection office had been operating in Kasur since 2019.
She expressed her gratitude to the Punjab chief secretary, additional chief secretary (ACS) Home and the line departments for their cooperation in the endeavour.
Ms Munawar Sultana, National Project Coordinator, Asia Regional Child Labour (ARCL) project, recently said that around 160 million children aged 5 to 17 years were engaged in child labour in 2020, with 79 million children involved in hazardous work. About 3.3 million of Pakistani children are trapped in child labour, who are deprived of their childhood, their health and education, she said.
Meanwhile, the Government of Pakistan, through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), has so far enrolled 11.8 million children in schools under the ‘Benazir Taleemi Wazaif’ initiative, a document of BISP reveals.
According to the Economic Survey 2022-23, released recently, to eliminate child labour, a total of 3 million children had been enrolled under the scheme during July- March FY2023.
A document of the BISP revealed that so far, Rs 63.3 billion have been disbursed since the inception of the Benazir Taleemi Wazaif initiative, out of which Rs 23.4 billion have been disbursed from July to March, FY2023.
Vendor is displaying fruit Grapes to attract customers at the roadside
Labourers busy unloading vegetables on the delivery truck at the vegetable Market
Dry, hot weather forecast for city
BAHAWALPUR, Aug 13 (APP):The local Met Office has forecast dry and hot weather for the city for next 24 hours.
The highest maximum temperature 38 centigrade and the lowest minimum 28 centigrade were recorded during the last 24 hours.
Dry and hot weather has also been forecast for the rest of the region.
Rwp district admin extends Section-144 till Aug 19
RAWALPINDI, Aug 13 (APP):In an effort to maintain peace and avert any potential law and order issues, Rawalpindi district administration here on Sunday extended the imposition of Section-144 till August 19.
The decision to expand the scope of Section- 144 was announced by the Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Dr. Hassan Waqar Cheema, who issued a notification detailing the new restrictions. Under this order, there is now a complete ban on all kinds of assemblies, gatherings, sit-in, rallies, processions, demonstrations, protests and such like activities and the brandishing of weapons throughout the district.
This order shall take effect forthwith and remain in force for a period of seven days i.e. Aug 13 to Aug 19 within the revenue limits of District Rawalpindi.
The ban, however, comes with certain exceptions. Officers of Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs), police personnel, women, and children are exempted from the restrictions.
The administration clarified that these individuals are allowed to gather and participate in events, ensuring that necessary government operations and citizens’ rights are not hampered.
Under Section-144, the administration has also prohibited one-wheeling on motorcycles/cycles and riding of motorcycles without silencer.
This order shall remain in force for a period of two days i.e. Aug 13 & 14.
The DC has also imposed a ban on “Aerial Firing” throughout the Rawalpindi district for a period of seven days i.e. Aug 12 to Aug 18.
Under Section-144, the administration had also prohibit/ban pigeon homing/flying, aerial firing/fireworks, use of laser lights/drones and kite flying within the radius of 5 KM of PAF Base Nur Khan, Qasim Army Aviation Base and Islamabad International Airport (area falling in the territorial limits of Rawalpindi district).
According to the order issued on Aug 9, the ban will remain in force for a period of seven days i.e. Aug 9 to Aug 15.
Chinese Embassy felicitates Pakistani people on ‘Independence Day’
ISLAMABAD, Aug 13 (APP): The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan has congratulated all the Pakistani people around the world on ‘Independence Day’ to be celebrated on August 14 (tomorrow).
The embassy in a message on social media platform X, said, “May the spirit of freedom always shine. On the way to prosperity, China will always stand with Pakistan, China-Pakistan Dosti Zindabad.”