Audio, video leaks not in country’s interest: Ashrafi
ISLAMABAD, Oct 02 (APP): Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Interfaith Harmony and Middle East Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi on Sunday said audio and video leaks of any political leadership was not in country’s interest anyway.
In an exclusive talk with APP, Ashrafi who is also the Chairman of Pakistan Ulema Council said it had opened new Pandora’s box at a time when one third land of the country was inundated by monsoon rains and flash floods.
Despite of this national emergency, he lamented that the entire political leadership and media were engaged in audio and video tape controversies.
He said Pakistan was passing through a critical phase of economic recession and it could only be overcome by political stability in the country. The present government was making all-out efforts to revive the economic activities in a bid to bring the country on the road to progress, he added.
Ashrafi proposed to adopt the reconciliatory approach to get the country out of prevailing political and economic crisis.
Regarding Rabi-ul-Awwal, he said it was being celebrated as month of the ‘Paigham-e-Rehmatul-lil-Alameen’ across the country.
He said peace, affection and tolerance was message of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and it was the responsibility of every Muslim to spread this noble message in letter and spirit on the globe.
“Islam is spread worldwide through the best moral ethics, that is why; even the enemies of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) used to call him Sadiq and Ameen (Truthful and Honest),” he added.
He also appealed the nation and Muslim Ummah to help the flood victims generously, especially during the holy month of Rabi-ul-Awwal.
Ashrafi said following the teachings of Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), we should extend all out support to the affected people as the flood situation had hit approximately 33 million people who are in dire need of humanitarian aid.
He thanked the Muslim countries and rest of the world for standing by Pakistan at this hour of trials and tribulations and helping the flood affected people through all possible means.
To a query regarding the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018, he made it clear that no law could be enacted in Pakistan against the divine commands – the Holy Quran and Sunnah – as per the Constitution.
Ashrafi said being a sensitive issue, all the stakeholders should be taken board to remove all the shortcomings in the Transgender Rights Bill amicably.
Welcoming the government’s decision to form a committee on the following issue, he emphasized on the inclusion of Council of Islamic Ideology members and religious scholars from all schools of thought in the committee.
He said that the transgender community was one of the oppressed segments of the society, who should be given their due rights. However, no one should be allowed to exploit the matter for their vested interests as it is a sensitive issue and a matter of our religion, society, culture, youth and generations to come ahead, he added.
Indonesian Embassy organizes Blood Donation Camp in collaboration with PRCS
ISLAMABAD, Oct 2 (APP): The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia has organized a blood donation camp in collaboration with the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and members of diplomatic corps and Indonesian students volunteered in donating blood.
The Indonesian Embassy and PRCS have been cooperating to organize a blood donation camp to facilitate brothers and sisters of Pakistan since 2016, said a press release issued here on Sunday.
The Pakistan Red Crescent Regional Blood Donor Center is known for being very responsible in supplying safe quality blood to the community by implementing a safe blood program that embodies the spirit of “Altruism” and the principle of Voluntary, non-remunerated Blood Donation.
Ambassador of Indonesia to Pakistan, Adam M. Tugio said, “Saving one life is equivalent to saving humanity and blood donation raises awareness of the importance of regular blood donations to help patients in need”. Pakistan is currently facing a dengue outbreak, and demand for blood transfusion and platelets are significantly increased as a result all across Pakistan, he expressed. In addition, he said Pakistan has an additional requirement for blood supply because of thalassemia patients, and the challenge has magnified due to the lack of blood donors amid COVID-19.
Ambassador of Jordan to Pakistan, Ibrahim Almadani who volunteered in blood donation said that he was very happy to be a part of such an important drive, as it could help save or improve the lives of our Muslim brother or sister. Blood donation camps increase awareness among the general public and especially youth for “Blood Safety”, and prevention of the spread of transfusion-transmitted diseases, he said adding, it can also promote the concept of voluntary blood donation by removing the fears and superstitions associated with blood donation.
Ambassador Tugio expressed his appreciation to the entire team of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society and to all the blood donors, including youth for voluntarily donating blood and inspiring others to join hands and support a noble cause.
On this occasion, a team member of PRCS said, the collected blood will be distributed to critical patients with Thalassemia, Hemophilia, Cancer, Dialysis, and others who are in serious illness in hospitals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Mian Mansha meets PM, donates Rs 23 million for flood affectees
LAHORE, Oct 2 (APP): Renowned businessman Mian Muhammad Mansha along with his son Hassan Mansha called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif here on Sunday.
During the meeting, Mian Muhammad Mansha donated an amount of Rs. 23 million for Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund.
A shepherd guiding herd of camel towards field for grazing.
Flood affected women are receiving food from the Pakistan Red Crescent Society at Jinnah Bagh
Sherry Rehman condoles aggrieved family of martyred Pakistani peacekeeper
ISLAMABAD, Oct 2 (APP): Federal Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman sent her condolences to the aggrieved family of Havaladar Babar Siddique who embraced martyrdom in the line of duty during a UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the wife and children of Havaldar Babar Siddique and send my prayers in this difficult time. Losing a husband, father and son is heartbreaking and I wish the family strength and stand with them in this time of grief.” she said in a statement received here on Sunday.
Speaking about his dedication to his country, she said: “Our soldiers on the frontlines play a crucial part in upholding Pakistan’s duty to peacekeeping missions. Havaldar Babar Siddique’s martyrdom will not have been in vain as he was standing tall for his country.”
Remembering his sacrifice for his country, she said, “We stand with the family of this brave son of the soil and pray that he receives the highest standing in Heaven. His duty to his country was fulfilled and he will remain an inspiration to all those who had the honor of knowing him.”
Pakistan had always fulfilled its duty as a responsible member of the international community and upheld ideals of global peace and security. Pakistan has been serving a UN peacekeeping missions since 1960 in Congo and so far more than 200,000 Pakistani soldiers have participated in 60 missions in 28 countries. It has lost 171 personnel in efforts to restore peace and stability in some of the world’s most turbulent regions.
According to the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations, Pakistan is the largest military contributor to MONUSCO — the UN Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo — with 1974 personnel.
Laborer busy in arranging chaff (husk from wheat) at his workplace
