Ashrafi calls political parties to join hands for Charter of Pakistan for country’s stability

Sat, 19 Nov 2022, 5:18 PM

MULTAN, Nov 19 (APP): Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Religious Harmony and Chairman Ulema Council Pakistan Maulana Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi on Saturday stressed political and religious parties to be united and work for Charter of Pakistan.

‘All political and religious forces should sit together for economic and political stability in the country, suggested Maulana Tahir Ashrafi while addressing a news conference here today.

Maulana Tahir Ashrafi commented that if religious forces can join hands together under Paigham-e-Pakistan, why political parties can’t get united for economic survival of the country, he asserted.

He reminded that Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif had offered the same road map in the parliament four years ago as leader of the opposition.

Appointment of COAS is the constitutional right of the prime minister, Mr Ashrafi said and added that national security issues should not be discussed on social media.

He said that the country was passing through a very tough time and there was a dire need to eliminate extremism and of promotion of inter-faith harmony.

He said that anti-state elements wanted to create a rift between Pakistani nation and law enforcement institutions, adding that these were destined to fail.

“Polarization is not in the favour of Pakistan,” Mr Asharfi noted.

He lambasted the PTI saying that it was not the right time for holding a long march but to help the 30 million vulnerable citizens of the country devastated by the natural calamity.

Mr Ashrafi commended banks for withdrawing petitions against interest and hoped that there should be a complete focus to create interest-free environment in the country.

He suggested a four-point agenda for the prosperity of the country which includes, the culmination of interest, rule of law, election reforms and 25 years political stable plan.

To a question, he said that the visit of Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman was on cards and hoped that Crown Prince would come to Pakistan soon and clarified that all the projects including the oil refinery would continue.

He said that Pakistan Ulema council had strongly condemned the assassination attempt on Imran Khan, the murder of journalist Arshad Sharif.

Asif Ali Zardari condoles death of Rafi Usmani

Raiq Qureshi

Sat, 19 Nov 2022, 4:17 PM

Role of BB, Nusrat beacon for country’s women: Zardari

ISLAMABAD, Nov 19 (APP):President Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) and former president of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday expressed deep sorrow and grief over the demise of the cleric, scholar, and patron of Darul Uloom Karachi Mufti Rafi Usmani.

In a condolence message, he said that late Mufti Rafi Usmani was a moderate religious scholar and his services in the field of religion and education would always be remembered.

Asif Zardari prayed to Allah Almighty to show His countless bounties on the departed soul for the deceased eternal peace.

Mufti Rafi Usmani was born in July 1936 in the town of Deoband in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Mufti Usmani migrated to Pakistan with his family in 1947.

His students and admirers who were well aware of his personal and family history said that Mufti Usmani memorized Quran in 1948 and then completed Darse Nizami degree from his father’s seminary, then located in the old city area of Nanakwara.

Annual international cultural gala held at Pakistan Embassy College Beijing

NNPS Desk

Sat, 19 Nov 2022, 4:15 PM

BEIJING, Nov 19 (APP): Around 27 countries set up their national stalls to exhibit their cultural handicrafts, products at the annual International Culture Day of the Pakistan Embassy College (PECB) held here on Saturday.

This year’s event was dedicated to the celebrations of the 75-year of independence of Pakistan. A part of the proceeds collected during the event would also be donated to the flood victims of Pakistan.

Ambassadors and senior diplomats, officials, media representatives, and students along with their families participated in this cultural gala.

China, Iran, Egypt, Sudan, Bulgaria, Cuba, Bangladesh, Nepal, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and several other countries showcased their cultural handcrafts, products, and traditional cuisine.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Moin ul Haque visited stalls and exhibitions set up by students and their parents and appreciated them for representing handicrafts, foods, and culture of their respective countries.

There were fun areas and a gaming zone for children. Cultural performances of various countries were also presented which were greatly enjoyed by the guests.

In his address at the event, Ambassador Moin ul Haque appreciated the school management and the students for the successful organization of the event which had become PECB’s signature and popular event for the diplomatic and international community in China.

He noted that PECB was the first and the oldest international school in Beijing dedicated to imparting high-quality education to children of the expatriate community.

Moin ul Haque said that students are the future leaders of our nations and encouraged them to continue their studies with diligence, determination, and honesty.

He thanked diplomats from different foreign missions for their enthusiastic participation and also expressed his deepest appreciation to the school team and everyone who was involved to make the event a success.

Principal, Shazia Amjad welcomed the audience and expressed gratitude for their keen interest and enthusiastic participation.

Some exquisite dance performances on tunes of Sufi and China’s Xinjiang music, stunning Pakistani folk songs and cultural dress show mesmerized the audience.

Pakistani food, handicrafts and traditional dresses showcased to highlight and promote Pakistani culture attracted a lot of attention from the participants.

Pakistani food and snacks were also a favorite item and attracted the attention of the visitors.

The ambassador and his wife cut a cake along with the principal, teachers and students to mark the special occasion. The students were also given gifts through lucky draw.

Pakistani traders keen to buy tea, coffee from Ethiopia

Raiq Qureshi

Sat, 19 Nov 2022, 4:14 PM

Pakistani traders keen to buy tea, coffee from Ethiopia

ISLAMABAD, Nov 19 (APP):The Pakistani traders have expressed keen interest in buying tea and coffee from Ethiopia at affordable rates.

“There is a huge demand of tea and coffee in Pakistan, but connectivity, quality control mechanisms and institutional linkages between the two countries are the need of the hour,” said the members of a joint delegation of the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and Pakistan Tea Association in a meeting with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Jemal Beker Abdula.

The ambassador said work on establishing connectivity and institutional linkages between the two countries for social, economic, and political cooperation was underway intensively. The quality control was rigorous in Ethiopia and rest assured that there would be no compromise on export quality of tea and coffee from Ethiopia.

He said confidence-building measures would also be taken for Pakistani traders so that the bilateral trade between the two countries could go to the next level. The envoy said Ethiopia has surplus tea and coffee which could be exported to Pakistan at affordable rates.

“Currently, Ethiopian tea is coming from other channels, but we are working on different agreements in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce of Pakistan to enable Pakistan and Ethiopia to boost their trade in diverse areas”, he remarked.
He said his government was opening up Ethiopia by taking legal, institutional and economic reforms that ensure security, ease of doing business and support environment for FDI.

“The Ethiopian Airlines will start its operations in Karachi by the beginning of next year,” the ambassador announced in the meeting.

He said he had already announced visit of an inclusive business delegation of Pakistan to Ethiopia so they could understand business dynamics there and establish business-to-business ties.

“There will be no loss for Pakistan businessmen on visiting Ethiopia as this Ethiopia is a land of origin and going back to your ancestral land will give them at least a spiritual satisfaction, and reconnection.” H.E. Jemal Beker underscored that the main focus of Ethiopia’s embassy is economic diplomacy, investment, trade, tourism promotion, technological transfer and establishment of the institutional linkages between the two countries.

Both governments have so far working on many agreements which will be instrumental in increasing political cooperation, economic engagement and people-to-people contacts through tourism promotion.

The bilateral trade between the two countries is minimal and amounts to 78 million US dollars, however, my target is to take it to 300 million US dollars by the end of 2023, said the ambassador.

We have identified the products which will be exported to my country from Pakistan. Pakistani business community can contribute to the Pakistan’s economic development by exporting rice, pharmaceutical products, medical equipment, sports items and construction material to my country.

Moreover, the Government of Pakistan can import agricultural products such as coffee, tea, pulses, oilseeds, and vegetables from Ethiopia at affordable prices which will eventually help it mitigate the growing demand of the edible.

Above all, Ethiopia is closely working with the government of Pakistan on climate change issues which has recently brought one third of the country underwater and caused massive loss of life and economy.

He said the current government had developed green economy by establishing agro-processing Centers and utilizing technology to enhance agriculture productivity in his country.

To this end, the Pakistan Tea Association have expressed their interests to take part in business trade delegation to be held in Ethiopia between 16-20 January 2023 to explore the availed opportunities in various sectors.

105 policemen martyred in 151 militants’ attacks since January in KP, says report

NNPS Desk

Sat, 19 Nov 2022, 3:49 PM

PESHAWAR, Nov 19 (APP): As many as 105 police personnel were martyred in 151 militants’ attacks this year in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Moazzam Jah Ansari said that a total of 105 police personnel embraced martyrdom in 151 militants’ attacks since January 2022 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to a report issued by the office of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police, here on Saturday, a total of 109 police jawans sustained injuries during these attacks.

It said the weapons were used against KP Police, which was left behind by US-led forces in Afghanistan. It said “these weapons were operated by those terrorists, who were released after the change of power in Afghanistan”.

The report stated that 16 policemen were martyred in April and 19 injured in September. Police registered 151 cases in the first eleven months of this year.

The easiest target of militants was police mobile vehicles, the report added.

Northern, Sindh and Central Punjab in the hunt for Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final spots

Raiq Qureshi

Sat, 19 Nov 2022, 3:41 PM

Northern, Sindh and Central Punjab in the hunt for Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final spots

LAHORE, Nov 19 (APP):The tenth and final round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2022-23 season begins at three venues across the country tomorrow (Sunday).

Number two in the points table Sindh will take on Balochistan at the LCCA Ground, Lahore, fifth placed Southern Punjab play third placed Central Punjab in the Punjab derby at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore and top-ranked Northern face bottom placed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at the Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi.

The Sindh-Balochistan match is of vital importance for Sindh who are harbouring hopes of playing their first final of the prestigious domestic trophy since the tournament was revamped as a six-team competition in the 2019-20 season. In the ninth round, Sindh drew their high scoring home tie against Northern at the National Bank Cricket Arena (National Stadium, Karachi).

Sindh at present have Central Punjab breathing down their neck, the two have a mere five point gap – Sindh are at 118 and Central Punjab have a 113 points tally at the conclusion of the ninth round. The Saud Shakeel-led Sindh cannot afford to slip-up in their last match. Both Sindh and Central Punjab would be playing their matches a mere 100-metre or less apart – LCCA Ground and Gaddafi Stadium to add another twist to the intriguing 10th round tale.

Sindh need to look for an outright win or ensure that they don’t lag behind Central Punjab in terms of the bonus points in case they draw the match, a loss can seal their fate in case of a win or a draw for Central Punjab with bonus points grabbed.

The Mohammad Saad-led Central Punjab played a rain-affected draw against Balochistan at the LCCA Ground in the previous round. They would have to make a big effort to push for a win against Southern Punjab to improve their chances of a final’s berth. The two sides had drawn the first match of the Punjab derby in October at the Multan Cricket Stadium.

Southern Punjab who are at the fifth spot would be hoping to salvage something out of what has been a disappointing season for them with a victory, they are yet to win a match in the season having drawn six games besides two defeats. Southern Punjab had their ninth round fixture against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa washed out in Abbottabad.

Northern have all but confirmed their place in the final following their draw against Sindh and only a big defeat and victories for Sindh and Central Punjab in the tenth round can halt their progress to the tournament decider.
Northern currently have a 132 points tally with three wins and six draws from the first nine rounds. Defending champions Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would be hoping to upset the table-toppers to finish on a high following their worst season to date in the revamped format. They languish at the bottom with a mere 53 points (three draws, four defeats, two abandoned matches).

Top performers
Openers Abdullah Shafique – Central Punjab and Mohammad Huraira – Northern, are the only two batters to have reached the 800-run mark so far. Abdullah tops the list of tournament run-getters with 867 runs at 72.25 (three centuries and four fifties).

Huraira who scored 173 and 58 not out against Sindh in the ninth round has now tallied 800 runs at 72.73 (three centuries, two fifties). Southern Punjab’s seasoned performer Usman Salahuddin is at number three with 733 runs at 61.08 (three centuries, three fifties).

Sindh’s Abrar Ahmed continues to mystify batters with his leg-spin in the ongoing season. Abrar is on the top of the bowling list with 43 wickets in six matches – five five-fers – at an average of 21.95.

Northern’s off-spinner Mubasir Khan is number two on the list with 26 wickets in nine games at 30.15 – one five-fer.

Central Punjab pacer Mohammad Ali is at number three with 24 wickets at 25.54 – two five-fers.
Cricket Associations Championship 2022-23.

Southern Punjab will take on Central Punjab at the UBL Sports Complex, Sindh will play Balochistan at the NBP Sports Complex and Northern will compete against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at KCCA Stadium in the fixtures beginning tomorrow – the tenth and final round.

In the ninth round matches Northern and Southern Punjab defeated Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa respectively.

Central Punjab have accumulated 170 points and have already bagged the championship. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are second placed with 124 points while Southern Punjab are at the third spot with 120 points.

Participants of PTI’s rally not allowed to block roads, raise anti-state slogans

Raiq Qureshi

Sat, 19 Nov 2022, 3:35 PM

Participants of PTI's rally not allowed to block roads, raise anti-state slogans

ISLAMABAD, Nov 19 (APP):District administration Islamabad has conditionally allowed the PTI rally to move towards Rawat from Koral Chowk and asked the organisers to ensure participants remain peaceful during the movement, Islamabad police said.

In a tweet, the capital police said section 144 will remain in place in areas other than the route permitted for the march.

Under the conditions, participants won’t be allowed to block any road, vandalise public property, or raise anti-state slogans.

Police warned of action if any of the rally participants were spotted carrying arms or violating the prescribed code.

A traffic plan would be also issued to ensure smooth flow of traffic.

It is to mention that PTI has been granted NOC by the Islamabad administration to hold a rally in the Capital but on 35 conditions.

PTI has been given the permission to hold peaceful rally on the application of party leader Ali Nawaz Awan.

A deal between PTI and Islamabad administration was made in which 35 conditions were made.

Islamabad Deputy Commissioner issued the NOC to PTI for holding a rally from Koral Chowk to Chak Beili Rawat.

The Islamabad DC cautioned the PTI that their rally is not allowed to alter the route fixed already.

Any deviation from the rally route will ultimately lead to cancellation of the NOC, the DC added.

Participants of PTI’s rally not allowed to block roads, raise anti-state slogans

NNPS Desk

Sat, 19 Nov 2022, 3:33 PM

ISLAMABAD, Nov 19 (APP): District administration Islamabad has conditionally allowed the PTI rally to move towards Rawat from Koral Chowk and asked the organisers to ensure participants remain peaceful during the movement, Islamabad police said.