FAISALABAD, Aug 10 (APP):Preparations for Jashn-e-Azadi [Independence celebrations] are gaining momentum in the city as three days are left to celebrate the 76th Independence Day with national zeal and zest.
Shopkeepers and vendors have set up stalls with colorful lights at roadsides, streets and mohallas to attract people to sell decoration material like green flags, bounties, badges, caps, etc.
Three bazaars of Clock Tower Chowk — Ameenpur bazaar, Jhang bazaar and Bohawana bazaar — besides book shops, markets in Jhal Chowk, D-ground, Jalvi Market, Samanabad, Ghulam Muhammad Abad, Raza Abad Millat road have flooded with decoration material, national flags, bounties, variety of badges, stickers, children caps, portraits of founder of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Iqbal and other national heroes.
Shopkeepers and vendors at Regal Road outside Anarkali bazaar, Jhal chowk, Madina bazaar in Ghulam Muhammad Abad are giving a green look due to display of green shirts and white apparels.
The national flags are being sold for Rs 250 to Rs 5,000, depending on their size and quality.
Meanwhile, a ‘Green Flag-Lush Green Faisalabad’ campaign has been launched in connection with Jashn-e-Azadi celebrations. Under the campaign, plants were being distributed free of cost among people.
The district administration is displaying national flags at all government offices, multistory buildings, billboards and signboards to give a beautiful look to the city as part of Jashn-e-Azadi celebrations.
Fireworks will also be displayed on the night of 13th of August, while a musical programme comprising national songs is also part of the celebrations. Sports events have also been planned to create the atmosphere of Jashn-e-Azadi in rural areas also. Steamers of heroes will also be displayed at public places while art and craft exhibitions will also be held. At least 25 floats are ready for installation in the canal. Motor rally, Kabaddi match, marathon race, cricket match have also been scheduled. Wall paintings, highlighting cultural sites, plantations, and a musical event from August 12-14 at Bagh-e-Jinnah are also part of the Jashn-e-Azadi schedule.
76th Jashn-e-Azadi preparations begin in city
JUI-S chief hails bill safeguarding honour of Prophethood, sacred figures as historic step
AKORA KHATTAK, Aug 10 (APP): Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam (Sami) Chief Maulana Hamid-ul-Haq Haqqani on Thursday lauded the recent approval of protection of the honour of Prophethood, companions, and Ahl al-Bayt bill from the Senate.
Stressing the importance of respecting Ahl al-Bayt and companions, he described this decision as a historical milestone and a positive step towards the future.
In his statement, Maulana Haqqani drew parallels to his late father’s efforts, mentioning that Hazrat Maulana Sami-ul-Haq had also introduced the Shariah Bill in the Senate. However, the bill was misused by past rulers to suppress it, mirroring the circumstances surrounding the protection of sacred figures, sanctities and values.
He highlighted that this bill, despite facing opposition, stood as a commendable action in designating disrespect towards companions, Ahl al-Bayt, and the honour of prophethood.
He expressed optimism that the implementation of this bill would lead to a reduction in societal discord, intolerance, and slander.
He emphasized its potential to foster unity among different sects and serve as a deterrent against violent and hateful behaviours.
Stressing Pakistan’s identity as the Islamic Republic, he noted that the Constitution already safeguard the protection of the finality of prophethood and the honour of prophethood.
The acceptance of the protection of the honour of companions and Ahl al-Bayt bill, according to Maulana Hamid-ul-Haq Haqqani, reinforced Pakistan’s ideological identity as an Islamic state.
As the nation moves forward, this historic decision stood as a testament to Pakistan’s commitment to upholding Quranic principles and the Sunnah, he maintained.
Ministry seeks applications for annual Urs of Hazrat Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer Sharif
ISLAMABAD, Aug 10 (APP): The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has opened its doors to fervent Pakistani pilgrims, encouraging them to seize the opportunity and apply for participation in the annual Urs of the revered Sufi saint, Hazrat Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti, held in Ajmer Sharif, India.
The Ministry’s Spokesperson Muhammad Umar Butt on Thursday informed that pilgrims could submit their applications through the dedicated Ziyarat form until August 31, 2023.
He said the Urs ceremonies, a cherished tradition among followers, were set to grace the holy city of Ajmer Sharif from January 13 to 23, 2024. Devotees from Pakistan and beyond would have the privilege to engage in this spiritually uplifting event, he added.
He said in anticipation of an overwhelming response, if the number of applications surpass the available slots, a selection draw would be conducted on October 10, 2023. This impartial process would determine the fortunate individuals who would embark on this auspicious journey, he maintained.
Umar Butt said for comprehensive information and updates on the Urs, interested applicants were encouraged to visit the official website of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, as well as their dedicated Facebook page.
He said it’s important to note that no applications would be entertained via the old application forms; all pilgrims were urged to use the provided Ziyarat form for consideration.
He said this esteemed event presents a unique opportunity for pilgrims to connect with their spiritual roots and experience the profound significance of Hazrat Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti’s legacy in the heart of Ajmer Sharif, India.
Two drug-peddlers held with narcotics in Sialkot
SIALKOT, Aug 10 (APP):The district police have arrested two alleged drug-peddlers with narcotics.
According to a spokesperson, Muradpur police, during a crackdown on drug-peddlers and criminal elements, detained Adnan Ashraf with 1,420-gram hashish from Gohadpur Chowk, and Muhammad Raza with 2,100-gram hashish from Madina Chowk, Marala Road.
Police have sent the accused behind bars after registering separate cases in this regard.
Marriyum urges journalists, media workers to remain united for implementation of PEMRA Amendment Bill 2023
ISLAMABAD, Aug 10 (APP): Information Secretary of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and former Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Thursday urged the journalists and media workers to remain united and ensure implementation of PEMRA Amendment Bill 2023, which would replace the 2002 PEMRA Ordinance, a black law introduced by Pervez Musharraf.
Marriyum Aurangzeb thanked all the media organizations including All Pakistan Newspaper Society (APNS), Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), Parliamentary Reporters Association (PRA), Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) for their guidance and support in the preparation of the PEMRA Amendment Bill 2023.
During her visit to National Press Club here, she said that for the past over 12 months, consultations were held with all stakeholders for the preparation of the Bill.
She said that the rights of working journalists and media workers have been protected in the Bill as the issuance of government advertisements has been linked to payment of salaries and dues of the journalists and media workers. Moreover, the rule of minimum wages would now be applicable for media organizations, she added. The former minister said that the outgoing government had introduced Health Insurance Card scheme for journalists and media workers and had created a fund for payment of Rs 4 million to the families of those who die in the line of duty.
She ruled out the impression given by a certain lobby that the Bill was prepared in haste or it was being passed on the instructions of someone.
The former minister also rubbished the impression that she had withdrawn the Bill from the Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting under pressure of some persons. Citing the examples of slogans against her by workers of a political party, she said that she never bowed to pressure.
She said that some people had been opposing the Amendment Bill without bothering to read it thoroughly. She said that in the National Assembly and its standing committee, each and every clause of the Bill was discussed and then it was approved.
Criticizing the impression that the Bill was meant to impose restrictions on the media, she said as a political worker, she could not even think about curtailing freedom of expression.
Marriyum Aurangzeb said that PML-N leadership had always faced censorship and restrictions on their media coverage and they could not think about imposing any bill against the interest of the media industry. The PML-N Secretary Information said that she was shocked when a person alleged that she was strangulation the media and imposing gag on freedom of expression through this Bill.
She said that she decided to withdraw the Bill as she did not want that the coalition government should be blamed in any way for bulldozing a bill to curb media freedom. She said the protection of journalists and media workers rights were linked with the PEMRA Amendment Bill 2023 as a lot of efforts were put in the Bill in this regard.
She said that the positive aspect of these efforts was that all the industry stakeholders joined hands for approval of the Bill as it was meant for the betterment of the entire industry and the pro-worker bill was prepared by keeping in view the needs of changed media landscape.
She thanked the former minister for law and justice Azam Nazeer Tarar for providing legal guidance for ensuring that there was no legal lacuna in the bill.
She said that the past couple of days, the efforts of journalists and media workers for protection of their rights were historic.
Workers knitting a traditional bed (Charpai) at his workplace
Labourers offloading sacks of vegetables from delivery truck at vegetable market
A couple arranging and placing apricot on a traditional wooden tray for drying purpose as a stock for winter and selling in markets.
PM, opposition leader to meet again tomorrow to reach consensus on caretaker PM’s selection
ISLAMABAD, Aug 10 (APP): Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Raja Riaz met with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday as part of the consultation process for the selection of the caretaker prime minister.
After detailed deliberation, the two leaders decided to meet again tomorrow (Friday) to reach a consensus on selecting a name for the caretaker prime minister.
As per the constitution, the prime minister had invited the opposition leader to a meeting regarding the appointment of the caretaker prime minister.
The meeting to consult the name of the caretaker prime minister was held in a cordial environment, said a press release issued by the Prime Minister Office.