ISLAMABAD, Aug 7 (APP):The third Apex Committee meeting of Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) initiative was held here on Monday to continue the positive momentum to attract investment in various sectors of economy.

The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and attended by Chief of Army Staff, Chief Ministers, Federal and Provincial Ministers and high-level government officials.

The Prime Minister appreciated the expeditious operationalization of SIFC in a short span and its efficient functioning through a collaborative approach. The Apex Committee appreciated the global impact of the ongoing outreach strategy through seminars and project inaugurations; which will be augmented by SIFC’s website, being launched shortly.

The Apex Committee gave final approval of projects, presented by the ministries, for attracting investments from friendly countries, under the umbrella of SIFC, in key sectors of agriculture, livestock, mining, minerals, information technology and energy.

The Apex Committee showed all-out support for successful conduct of the upcoming visit of a high-level delegation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan through SIFC platform. The Prime Minister directed to make this inaugural visit a momentous event. At the end, Apex Committee showed resolve for continuous support to SIFC initiative and urged the interim government to maintain the impetus for a positive contribution.

ISLAMABAD, Aug 07 (APP): Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Pakistan H.E. Dr. Reza Amiri Moghaddam called on Federal Minister for Human Rights Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada Monday in Islamabad. Both sides discussed centuries-old deep strategic and brotherly relations between two countries.

Welcoming the ambassador, Minister said that Pakistan greatly values its relations with Iran rooted in cultural, historical and religious bonds.

He emphasized to enhance these relations in various areas particularly in economy, energy, culture and human rights.

Ambassador H.E. Dr. Reza Amiri Moghaddam also reciprocated the same about historical bilateral relations and expressed that the people of Iran and Pakistan are tied with the knot of love.

They have been living peacefully for centuries without any dispute. Both countries have been supporting each other in the UNO and Iran is now supporting Pakistan in IMF.

He said that Iran has been facing sanctions and pressure from the US due to its upright foreign policies and now this pressure has become an irritant in bilateral relations between Iran and Pakistan.

During the call, Minister expressed that the trio of Muslim countries i.e.; Iran, Pakistan and Turkiey, is continuously advocating for the rights of Palestinian and Kashmiri people who have been living under oppression and facing gross human rights violations for decades.

He further said that Western countries cannot dictate us on human rights if they keep an eye close to such flagrant human rights violations and suppression just because of their own economic interests. He added that Pakistan, besides having its weak economy, has always raised its voice against this oppression.

Ambassador stated that there is huge potential in the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline that is the way Iran can help its neighboring energy-starved country but international powers are hindering the energy blessings to the people of Pakistan.

There is urgent need for two governments to find its way out and we would respect every decision taken by Pakistan.

He also stressed to make Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) more effective forum to promote trade and economic cooperation among member countries.

Minister hoped that after fresh elections in the country, upcoming regime, having public support, would introduce public-oriented international policies.

He said that this government has hardly pulled the country out of chaos and desperate situation under the leadership of Mian Muhammad Shabaz Sharif.

He said that this region has become an arena for power politics among superpowers due to CPEC but the current regime in KSA under the dynamic and progressive leadership of Prince Mohammed bin Salman has introduced a shift in policy that can further the autonomy of this region by bringing it out of the influence of the West and the USA.

While concluding, Minister said that OIC must be a forum that may raise effectively the concerns of Muslim world in this wave of Islamophobia where heinous occurrences of publishing insulting caricatures and burning of the holy Quran have severely injured the emotions of over 1.8 billion Muslim population in the world.

He said that Iran is our second home and very close to our hearts and we always share love and respect for its people.

ISLAMABAD, Aug 7 (APP): A local court on Monday rejected the interim bail petition of Somia Asim, the wife of a civil judge, in a case of torturing a minor maid.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Farukh Fareed announced the verdict after which the accused was arrested from outside the courtroom.

During the course of proceedings, the Islamabad Police submitted the case record to the court, praying to dismiss the bail petition of the accused.

The defence lawyer, however, prayed the court to adjourn the case, saying that his client Somia Asim was being trapped in the case as the parents of the victim girl wanted to blackmail her.

He said the accused had appeared before the joint investigation team (JIT) and denied charges against her. There was no need to arrest her as she had joined the investigation and there was nothing to recover from her, he argued.

The lawyer said his client had handed over the minor girl to her mother in a normal condition at the bus stop. The girl’s parents had also not been involved in investigation process, he added, praying the court to extend the interim bail of Somia Asim.

However, the prosecutor prayed the court to dismiss the bail petition of the accused. Her arrest was necessary as it was a serious crime.

He said no parents could torture their daughter in such a brutal way. The girl was tortured by the accused many times, he claimed, adding both the civil judge and his wife should have known that employing minors was a crime.

The girl had received 14 injuries as per the medical report, the prosecutor added.

After hearing arguments from two sides, the court dismissed the interim bail petition of Somia Asim.

ISLAMABAD, Aug 07 (APP): The Senate on Monday passed a unanimous resolution, terming August 5, 2019, as a ‘Black Day’ and expressing unwavering support for the innocent people of Kashmir residing on the other side of the line of control.

The resolution was presented by Senator Kamran Murtaza of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl.

Recalling the historic moment, the Senate highlighted the abrogation of Articles 35-A and 370 of the Indian Constitution by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government on August 5, 2019. The move effectively stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its autonomy and led to the division of the state into two Union territories.

The Senate firmly rejected India’s actions, deeming them illegal and in direct violation of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions.

The Senate expressed its deep concern over the blatant violation of human rights by the Indian government and the escalation of human rights violations by Indian occupation forces in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). These actions were deemed to infringe upon the civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights of the Kashmiri people.

Reaffirming the principles enshrined in the UN Charter, the Senate emphasized the importance of self-determination for all peoples. It underscored the significance of several unimplemented UNSC Resolutions on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, asserting that the final resolution of the state’s status should be determined by the will of the people.

The Senate strongly condemned state-sponsored terrorism and crimes against humanity perpetuated by Indian occupation forces in IIOJK. It acknowledged the efforts of international human rights organizations and the media, as well as international parliamentary fora, particularly the European Parliament, for their steadfast concerns regarding the severe human rights violations in the IIOJK.

Calling upon the global community to support the freedom struggles of the Kashmiri people, the Senate drew parallels to the international support extended to Ukraine during the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

In light of these developments, the Senate recommended that the government of Pakistan should intensify its diplomatic endeavours to spotlight the Kashmir issue at the UNSC. It advised the government to regularly provide updates and issue joint communications to international human rights bodies regarding the evolving situation in the IIOJK.

The Senate’s unanimous resolution served as a resounding affirmation of Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the people of Kashmir and its commitment to advocating for their rights on the international stage.

Meanwhile, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Kashmir Affairs Qamar Zaman Kaira praised Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for passionately presenting the Kashmir case during his recent visit to India and voiced the issue in all forums he attended, raising global awareness about the severe human rights violations and annexation in the IIOJK.

He said, “Pakistan stands firmly with the Kashmiris until they achieve their right to self-determination.”

APP/rkg-szm

ISLAMABAD, Aug 07 (APP): Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Monday said the entire leadership of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz had been on the forefront to fully support the journalists’ struggle for freedom of expression during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf regime.

Talking to the media after the meeting of Senate’s Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting in the Parliament House, the minister said she personally fought for the freedom of media along with journalists when the “media predator” was in power.

Marriyum Aurangzeb said as a minister she had always faced criticism with a smile. She faced shouting incidents even at Masjid Nabawi (SAW) and in London too without being intimidated.

She recalled her struggle for freedom of expression, citing her protests along with the PML-N leadership outside Kot Lakhpat Jail and Attock Jail.

The minister said consultations on the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill 2023 with all stakeholders continued for over 12 months.

The minister said the bill was meant to protect the rights of journalists,and media workers. Besides, Article 19 of the Constitution, definition of misinformation and disinformation were also added in the PEMRA (Amendment) Bill 2023.

All the media organizations, including All Pakistan Newspapers Society, Council of Newspaper Editors and Pakistan Broadcasters Association were involved in the consultation process, she added.

The minister said an attempt was made in the past to implement the black law of Pakistan Media Department Authority, but all the then opposition parties stood against it along with the media organizations.

She said the government was cognizant of the medical issues of journalists and media workers so it had launched the health insurance card scheme for them.

Marriyum said as per the PEMRA (Amendment) Bill 2023, it was mandatory for media houses to pay all dues of journalists and workers in two months. An objection was raised over payment of the dues in two months was a violation of labour laws, which was contrary to the facts, she added.

Under the amended bill, she said, all the powers of PEMRA chairman had been entrusted to the Authority as a whole, represented by the Council of Complaints.

She said the government would not have carried out comprehensive consultations of 12 months if it had any desire to implement a black law.

The minister said it might not be possible to incorporate the proposed amendments in the bill as as the National Assembly would be dissolved after two days.

She thanked the journalistic community for standing with her in the preparation of the bill.