ISLAMABAD, Jul 21 (APP): Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Friday expressed deep grief and sorrow over the death of the brother of senior journalist Sanaullah Khan.
In a condolence message, the minister expressed her heartfelt condolences to Sanaullah and his bereaved family.
The minister sharing her thoughts prayed for the rest of the departed soul in eternal peace and grant of courage to the bereaved family to bear this loss with fortitude.
KARACHI, Jul 21 (APP): Following are the selling/buying rates Of major currencies issued by the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), here on Friday.
CURRENCY SELLING BUYING
USD 288.30 282.10
GBP 371.22 363.20
EUR 321.03 314.68
JPY 2.0562 2.0120
SAR 76.95 75.11
AED 78.51 77.31
UNITED NATIONS, Jul 21 (APP): A delegation of OIC countries, including Pakistan, Thursday called on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to apprise him of the intense feelings of anger in the Muslim world over the “vile” acts of desecration of the Holy Quran, most recently in Sweden.
During the meeting, Pakistan’s UN Ambassador Munir Akram, together with envoys of Egypt and Bangladesh as well as chargé affairs of Saudi Arabia and Mauritania, urged the UN chief to take action aimed at preventing such “abhorrent” acts.
Ambassador Akram conveyed to the Secretary General that the Parliament of Pakistan had recently adopted a resolution condemning the “despicable” act of desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden and handed over a copy of the Resolution, according to a press release issued by the Pakistan mission to the UN in New York.
The Pakistani envoy also underlined the need for those countries, in the light of the resolution recently adopted by the Human Rights Council on the issue, to outlaw deliberate acts of provocation such as the burning of the Holy Quran, which can lead to violence.
He also conveyed to the UN chief that the OIC would wish him to adopt a Plan of Action against Islamophobia.
The Secretary-General referred to the acts of desecration of the Holy Quran as both condemnable as well as “stupid”. He agreed that the resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council should be implemented by all Members States.
“The Secretary-General expressed solidarity with the Muslim community, condemning acts of intolerance, violence and Islamophobia which exacerbate tensions and contribute to discrimination and radicalization,” his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said in a statement.
Later, the Ambassadorial Group also met the President of the Security Council for the month of July, Ambassador Barbara Woodward of the United Kingdom, to convey the OIC’s concerns over this outrageous act.
The 15-member Council President was also requested to issue a statement condemning the recent acts of desecration of the Holy Quran.
ISLAMABAD, Jul 21 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday strongly condemned the desecration of Holy Quran in Sweden and vowed to launch a campaign to seek a reversal of the decision of allowing the sacrilege of holy books.
The prime minister, in a statement, said that from the platform of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the government would help create a common strategy to get rid of evil.
He said the OIC has to play a historic role in representing the sentiments of the Muslim Ummah and to do away with this evil.
The prime minister said that he would campaign to reverse the decision to allow the desecration of the Torah, the Bible and the Holy Quran.
He said the permission to desecrate the holy books, persons and rituals was not the freedom of expression but rather a way to constantly torment the world.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said that the sequence of events evidenced that this was not a freedom of expression but part of a political and satanic agenda.
“The whole world of Islam and Christianity must collectively stop this conspiracy. Satan’s followers are blaspheming the holy book which gave human beings dignity, rights and guidance,” he remarked.
The prime minister said that the decision to allow the desecration of the Torah and the Gospel encouraged desecrators.
This is the promotion of hatred which is not allowed under international law.
He said such attitudes of religious incitement, provocation to terrorism and violence were fatal to world peace.
These behaviors are highly abhorrent and condemnable both legally and morally, the prime minister remarked.
ISLAMABAD, Jul 21 (APP): Ambassador Shauqat Mukadam, the father of slain girl Noor Mukadam on Thursday appealed to the Supreme Court of Pakistan to take up and expedite the case of his daughter’s murder for being a matter of great public interest.
At a commemorative meeting marking two years since the tragic passing of Noor Mukadam, Ambassador Shauqat Mukadam addressed a gathering here.
Prominent civil activists, lawyers, diplomats, and members of civil society spoke at length about the dire need to counter the femicide epidemic rampant in Pakistan.
Ambassador Shauqat Mukadam remarked upon the two-year-long torturous journey since July 2020.
He talked about his family’s pursuit for justice, subsequent convictions, and the overwhelming amount of support in Pakistan and across the World.
He thanked the legal, diplomatic and journalistic fraternities that have supported his family.
UNITED NATIONS, Jul 20 (APP): The High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development concluded in New York on Thursday, with the world “woefully off track” to achieve the anti-poverty Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the 2030 deadline, according to experts.
The forum — held under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) — was held
to lay the groundwork for the crucial Summit on Sustainable Development goals (SDGs) in September.
Over the past ten days, world leaders, policymakers, and key stakeholders reviewed progress, shared experiences,
and discussed strategies for advancing sustainable development.
An 18-member delegation from Pakistan, led by National Assembly Deputy Speaker Zahid Akram Durrani, took part in the deliberations.
Durrani told the forum that Pakistan had assumed complete ownership of Agenda 2030 for SDGs, and was working
“relentlessly” to strengthen its parliamentary institutions.
The HLPF serves as a central platform for monitoring and reviewing the implementation of the SDGs, which were adopted by all UN Member States in 2015. These goals encompass a wide range of objectives, including eradicating poverty, promoting gender equality, ensuring access to quality education and healthcare, and protecting the environment.
Focused on the theme of Sustainable and Resilient Recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic, this year’s HLPF recognized the unprecedented challenges posed by the global health crisis.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching impacts on all aspects of society, exacerbating existing inequalities and hindering progress towards the SDGs. The forum aimed to identify solutions and strategies for building back better in a post-pandemic world.
Noting that the world was “woefully off track” to achieve SDGs by the 2030 deadline, top UN officials, ministers and policy makers as well as representatives of the private sector and major public groups discussed the ways to push forward the implementation of five out of the 17 SDGs.
They put under scrutiny progress made so far in universal access to clean water, sanitation and power, and reviewed ways to take advantage of new technology, also discussing the crucial role of urban development.
Lachezara Stoeva, President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), who spearheaded the work of the Forum, emphasized the importance of innovation, technology, and high-impact partnerships.
“We are halfway to 2030 and yet nowhere near to achieving the SDGs. The bad news is we’ve lost seven years. The good news is, we still have seven years and victory is within our reach,” she said.
One of the objectives that the ECOSOC President had for the Forum was to increase participation of young people.
“Needless to say, engaging young people in the discussion is not a courtesy, it is an absolute imperative if we are serious about meeting the Goals,” Ms. Stoeva underscored.
Throughout the HLPF, participants engaged in over 200 high-level panel discussions, interactive dialogues, and Voluntary National Reviews. Thirty-eight countries provided data on their progress towards achieving the SDGs – one of the key components of the development agenda. Notably, for the first time ever, the European Union presented its review.
One of the important takeaways from the HLPF was the recognition that achieving the SDGs requires a collective effort involving governments, civil society, businesses, and individuals.
It is crucial to foster multi-stakeholder partnerships and mobilize resources to accelerate progress towards the goals. The private sector, in particular, has a vital role to play in driving sustainable and inclusive economic growth through responsible business practices and investments.
As the HLPF ends, it is essential to carry forward the momentum generated during this week, participants concluded. The deliverables laid bare at the Forum, are crucial for the success of the SDG Summit in September.
“Together we must do our best to have our messages heard at the Summit. It is a critical opportunity we must not miss,” Lachezara Stoeva encouraged the HLPF participants, concluding the Forum’s session.
ISLAMABAD, Jul 20 (APP): Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Maryam Aurangzaib on Thursday announced the formulation of a new Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) law after extensive consultation of the incumbent government with all stakeholders during last one year having prime objective to benefit journalists and foster a free and responsible media environment in the country.
Addressing at the National Assembly after the introduction of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2023, the minister emphasized the current government’s unwavering commitment to a media landscape that is unbiased and accountable.
She expressed her appreciation to the august house and extended thanks to Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and the Cabinet for taking the matter of journalist-related legislation seriously since assuming power last year. This legislation marks a significant step towards empowering journalists and ensuring a media that operates with responsibility and integrity.
She said that amendments in the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority Ordinance, 2002 will play a crucial role in reshaping the media landscape in Pakistan, ensuring accuracy, fairness, and accountability in media reporting and safeguarding the rights of media professionals and citizens alike.
She said that the government has proposed amendments to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) law, introducing modifications in 9 sections and adding 5 new sections.
In the amended version, significant changes have been made to Sections 2, 6, 8, 11, 13, 24, 26, 27, and 29 of the PEMRA law. Additionally, 5 new sections, including Section 20, 20-A, 29-A, 30-B, and 39-A, have been included.
The amendments in the bill she said, aimed at widening the scope of news coverage, allowing the inclusion of verified news, tolerance, economic progress, and child-related content in electronic media publications.
She said that according to the modified law, electronic media will be required to promote tolerance and inclusivity through authentic news reporting.
She said, the news content related to general development, energy, and economic progress are also included in the media publications.
She said, section 5 has been amended to ensure timely payment of salaries to employees in the electronic media sector. It required electronic media employers to make the required payments within two months.
Furthermore, Section 20-A enforces timely payment of salaries to employees in the electronic media and provides protection to the employees from non-payment by any broadcast media outlet.
Earlier ITNE covers only employees of newspaper, but now, in the new Section 20-B, electronic media has been mandated to promptly comply with all decisions and directives related to the timely payment of salaries for PEMRA and the Council of Complaints.
The minister said now the employees of electronic channels can challenge non payment of their dues/salaries. This measure will ensure the enforcement of these financial obligations to protect the rights of media employees.
In case of non-payment, she said, both the federal and provincial governments are prohibited from providing government advertisements to the relevant electronic media.
Maryam said under the new amendment, representation is being given to Pakistan Broadcasting Association (PBA), Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) in PEMRA and Council of Complaints. For the first time representation is also given to women in the PEMRA by law, she said.
The minister said, the position of the affected person will also be presented in the same manner in case of any disinformation against them. Section 12 also defines ‘misinformation’ as information that has been proven false or published mistakenly.
Any violation of Article 19, which protects freedom of expression, will be considered as ‘serious violation’ under this bill, she added.
The amended law will grant authority to the Chairman, any member, or officer of the commission to issue licenses for broadcast media outlets, but this will not include any power to issue, revoke, or terminate licenses for cable TV networks.
She said to resolve complaints and grievances, complaint councils will be established at the federal and provincial capitals, ensuring timely payment and government advertisement, and protecting media employees’ rights.
The minister said under the new section 29A, penalties of up to Rs. one million to Rs, 10 million can be imposed for serious violations. Concerned provinces can appeal against PEMRA’s decisions in the respective High Courts, she said.
She said that misinformation and disinformation impact the citizens of Pakistan. “We started working on the preparation of the PEMRA Bill in April 2022,” she added.
She said that the Joint Action Committee includes media owners, Broadcasters Association, PFUJ, and CPNE. She said that consultations with all stakeholders continued for a year on this law.
She said that Minister for Law and Justice Azam Tarar, played a significant role in the preparation of the bill.
The Minister expressed her appreciation to the media for their collaborative efforts in formulating the newly introduced law.
Recalling the then opposition parties protest during past government tenure, she said, they staged protest outside the parliament against the proposed Pakistan Media Development Authority (PMDA). The enactment of this controversial law was successfully prevented during that time she added.
She said that through amendments, the bill now incorporates a comprehensive definition of “Disinformation,” The Minister explained that “Disinformation” refers to news that is unverified, misleading, fabricated, or deceitful. Additionally, news created for personal, political, or financial gain or intended to harass someone will also fall under the category of “Disinformation,”.
The definition of “Disinformation” also encompasses the viewpoint of the affected person.
Furthermore, the perspective of the affected person will be presented or covered when addressing any case of “Disinformation,” she said.
ISLAMABAD, July 20 (APP): Pakistan on Thursday condemned in the “strongest possible terms” yet another Islamophobic act of public desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden.
“Permission to carry out premeditated and provocative acts of religious hatred cannot be justified under the guise of freedom of expression, opinion and protest,” the Foreign Office spokesperson said in a statement.
The spokesperson said that international law categorically obliged states to prevent and prohibit deliberate incitement to hatred, discrimination and violence on the basis of religion or belief.
The disturbing recurrence of such Islamophobic incidents, which have hurt the sentiments of over 2 billion Muslims worldwide, is both legally and morally reprehensible.
The spokesperson reiterated Pakistan’s call on the international community to unequivocally condemn these Islamophobic acts, isolate those who stoke religious hatred, build deterrence and promote mutual respect, tolerance and harmony among religions, faiths and cultures.
“We expect the Swedish authorities to take all measures necessary to stop such acts of hatred and incitement. Pakistan’s concerns about the latest incident are being conveyed to the Swedish authorities,” the FO spokesperson added.
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