A birds sitting on the statue of Allam Mohammed Iqbal at Alhamra
A volunteer distributing free food among deserving people as mercy at a roadside F-7 Markaz
Islamabad Police introduce Dolphin Unit for enhanced citizens’ protection
ISLAMABAD, Jul 21 (APP): The official inauguration of the Islamabad Police Dolphin Emergency Response Unit took place here Friday, signaling a significant stride in curbing street crime and bolstering citizen protection in the capital city.
The inaugural ceremony was graced by Minister for Interior, Rana Sanaullah Khan, who marked the occasion by officially initiating the operational activities of the Dolphin Unit of Islamabad Police.
The minister appreciated the Islamabad Capital City Police Officer (ICCPO) Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan for establishing this unit in a short time to ensure public safety.
Addressing the personnel of the Dolphin Force, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan emphasized the noble duty entrusted to them, stating, “Your duty is the protection of the citizens, which is a form of worship.” He expressed the hope that they would diligently safeguard the lives and property of the citizens.
The minister lauded the establishment of the Dolphin Force and commended the entire team especially, ICCPO Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan for their commitment to ensuring public safety and security. He highlighted the importance of the Force in controlling street crime and bringing perpetrators to justice.
Rana Sanaullah Khan expressed the confidence in the capabilities of the Force and their ability to significantly reduce street crime in the capital city.
The inspiration behind the establishment of the Dolphin Force came from the success of a similar initiative first introduced in Lahore. Witnessing the increasing street crime in Islamabad, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, driven by the vision of safer communities, provided funds for the formation of the Dolphin Emergency Response Unit.
The Dolphin force, consisting of 900 skilled police officers, will actively patrol the streets of Islamabad to gain control over street crime and swiftly respond to emergencies.
The force will also play a vital role in securing religious places and processions, ensuring a safe and peaceful environment for citizens during religious events. To commence the operations, the Dolphin Force has been equipped with 40 vehicles and 200 motorbikes, facilitating their rapid response to incidents across the city.
As the Dolphin Emergency Response Unit takes charge, citizens of Islamabad can look forward to enhanced security measures, reinforcing the efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat street crime and maintain public safety.
A street vendor displaying dates to attract customers in the Federal Capital.
Heavy machinery being used to build new lanes on Islamabad Expressway
JUI-S chief advocates for peaceful observance of Muharram across country
AKORA, KHATTAK, Jul 21 (APP): Chairman of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (S) Maulana Hamidul Haq Haqqani, on Friday urged the scholars and leaders nationwide to maintain a peaceful atmosphere throughout Muharram-ul-Harram.
Addressing a gathering at Jamia Darul Uloom Haqqania, he emphasized the essence of Islam as a religion of peace and harmony, advocating for moderation and tolerance.
He drew inspiration from the historical martyrdom of Imam Hussain (RA), highlighting its profound message of standing against injustice.
The events of Karbala, Maulana Haqqani stressed, offer invaluable lessons of patience and resilience.
With these principles in mind, he passionately appealed to all religious scholars and leaders to ensure that congregations and processions during Muharram remain free from discussions on controversial issues and disrespectful dialogues about Islamic sacred figures.
He firmly advised against engaging in any activities that could disrupt the peace and harmony of the holy month.
“Let us, as Muslims, come together and wholeheartedly cooperate with the government and authorities to maintain peace and security during Muharram,” he urged, addressing the faithful.
Given Maulana Haqqani’s immense respect and influence, his heartfelt appeal is expected to resonate widely across the country, encouraging a peaceful and respectful observance of Muharram as it reinforces the importance of unity and mutual understanding among all Muslims during this significant period.
As the faithful prepare to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (RA), Maulana Haqqani’s message serves as a powerful reminder of the timeless principles of Islam – love, peace, and harmony – that hold immense relevance in the contemporary world.
Muharram-ul-Harram, being the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar, holds great significance for Muslims worldwide, and its observance should be a time of reflection, compassion, and reverence.
President for providing tech aid to differently-abled persons
ISLAMABAD, Jul 21 (APP):President Dr Arif Alvi on Friday stressed the need to focus on providing assistive technology for the rehabilitation and convenience of special and differently-abled people.
He was talking to a delegation of the World Health Organization and John Hopkins University led by WHO head in Pakistan Dr Palitha Mahipala, here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
The delegation appreciated the efforts of the president and the first lady on the uplift of special persons, breast cancer, mental health and other medical issues.
During the meeting, the president emphasized the need to provide skilled education to the special people to ensure their financial independence.
He said society needed to change its attitudes towards the people with different abilities and provide them assistive technology services at primary and community levels.
He called for providing high quality, safe and affordable rehabilitation services to the differently-abled persons.
The president lauded the World Health Organization for launching the Recovery 2030 plan and also appreciated the WHO and John Hopkins University for conducting the Restorative Leadership Course.
PM’s Public Affairs and Grievances Wing addresses 98pc complaints this year: Murtaza Javed Abbassi
ISLAMABAD, Jul 21 (APP): In-Charge Minister for Prime Minister’s Public Affairs and Grievances Wing, Murtaza Javed Abbassi said on Friday that over 98 percent of the complaints received by the Wing this year have been successfully resolved.
Talking to the media during the launch of a special WhatsApp number for the wing and the option to send text messages, the minister revealed that a total of 11,471 written complaints were received this year, out of which 11,280 (98.3 percent) have been resolved, with the remaining under process. The wing is also addressing complaints related to provincial matters and the provinces have been directed to appoint focal persons to ensure efficient resolution, he said.
The minister said that the introduction of the WhatsApp number and other social media platforms was aimed at providing an avenue for lodging complaints related to both federal and provincial institutions. These initiatives, he said are in line with Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s directives to further strengthen the Prime Minister’s Public Affairs and Complaints Wing.
To enhance the transparency of the verification process for complaints, necessary steps are being taken while open Kutcheries at the district and divisional levels will be organized to address complaints effectively, he said and added disciplinary actions will be taken against officials of institutions providing false statements about complaint resolution.
The minister emphasized that prompt resolution of complaints was a top priority and measures would be in place to verify the status of resolved complaints. Regular updates on complaints and their resolutions are provided to Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, he added.
He said the efficiency of the Complaint Cell has been thoroughly assessed and resolving complaints has been given the utmost importance. The Prime Minister has unequivocally instructed to prioritize the speedy resolution of people’s complaints and ensure their satisfaction, the minister expressed.
The minister said that he personally dedicated one day every week to listen to the people’s complaints at the Complaint Cell, which has significantly relieved the public.
Instructions have been given to institutions to ensure that people do not face the need to lodge complaints repeatedly. The service will follow the pattern of ECP and NADRA, enabling the people to send text messages to register their complaints, he added.
To raise awareness, the minister said that campaigns would be launched, especially in remote areas, to educate the people on how to register their complaints effectively.
PM urges OIC to put end to ‘abominable practice’ of desecration of holy books
ISLAMABAD, Jul 21 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called upon the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the civilized world to come forward and take steps to put an end to the abominable practice of desecration of the holy books.
“The attitudes that incite religious hatred, promote violence and encourage terrorism and militancy need to be checked,” he said in a tweet.
The prime minister said no civilized society would allow the desecration of the holy personages, symbols and the divine books in the name of freedom of expression.
“The grant of permission to desecrate the Holy Quran, Torah & Bible is part of a sinister, vile and despicable agenda whose sole aim could be to threaten world peace,” he said.
The prime minister said, “We should not let a handful of Satanic characters undermine our shared values of peace, and tolerance, pluralism.”
Rupee sheds Rs1.67 against US Dollar
ISLAMABAD, Jul 21 (APP): Pakistani Rupee on Friday witnessed Rs1.67 devaluation against the US Dollar in the interbank trading as it closed at Rs286.81 against the previous day’s closing of Rs285.14.
However, according to the Forex Association of Pakistan (FAP), the buying and selling rates of dollars in the open market stood at Rs289.5 and Rs292.5 respectively.
The price of the Euro decreased by 53 paisa to close at Rs 319.13 against the last day’s closing of Rs 319.66, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
The Japanese Yen went down by 02 paisa to close at Rs2.02, whereas an increase of 71 paisa was witnessed in the exchange rate of the British Pound, which traded at Rs369.12 as compared to its last day’s closing of Rs368.41.
The exchange rates of the Emirates Dirham and the Saudi Riyal increased by 45 paisa each to close at Rs78.08 and Rs76.47 respectively.