Jamat-e-Islami workers holding the protest against Sweden government at Hyder chowk
A view of wreckage hiace after plunged into deep near Nasirabad check post resulting 2 person died and 8 persons injured
Quran’s desecration in Sweden: Govt announces countrywide protests on July 7; to convene joint parliamentary session
ISLAMABAD, July 4 (APP): The government would observe Yaum-e-Taqaddus-e-Quran on July 7 to hold countrywide protests demonstrations against the desecration of Holy Quran in Sweden and convene a joint parliamentary session a day earlier.
The decision was made on in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif here to discuss the issue of the desecration of Holy Quran in Sweden.
It was decided that protest rallies would be held on Friday across the country to condemn the act.
The prime minister appealed to the nation, including all the political parties, to participate in the protest to convey a united message to the mischievous minds.
Besides, the government would also convene a joint session of the parliament on July 6 to formulate a national strategy on the issue and represent the nation’s sentiments and feelings through the parliamentary forum.
The joint session would also adopt a resolution to condemn the desecration of the Holy Quran.
The prime minister, also the president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, instructed the party to participate in the Yaum-e-Taqaddus-e-Quran and hold countrywide rallies.
He told the meeting that the sanctity of the Holy Quran was a part of the Muslims’ belief for which all of them were united.
He said that the astray minds were toeing a nefarious agenda of fanning the negative trend of Islamophobia.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said that nations and leadership believing in peace and co-existence should contain the violent forces infested by the Islamophobia and religious biases.
He believed that the violent mindset targeting the religion, sacred personalities, beliefs and ideologies were in fact the enemies of the world peace.
He said that the forces believing in peace and interfaith harmony should play their role at the international level to get rid of such negative trends.
Commerce Minister, former MNA call on PM
ISLAMABAD, July 4 (APP): Minister for Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar Tuesday called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.
During the meeting, they discussed the matters related to the ministry and the political situation of the country, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.
Separately, Raja Javed Ikhlas, a former member of the National Assembly, also called on the prime minister and discussed the political situation.
Iran officially becomes member of SCO family
BEIJING, July 4 (APP): Iran on Tuesday officially became a member state of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
The flag of Iran was raised at the SCO Secretariat during an impressive ceremony attended by Secretary General SCO, Zhang Ming, Iranian Ambassador Mohsen Bakhtiar and the envoys and senior officials of the SCO member states.
Addressing participants of the ceremony, Secretary General of SCO, Zhang Ming expressed confidence that Iran’s full membership will help enhance mutual trust and solidarity among the member states, safeguard regional security and stability and create a new possibility of expanding and deepening cooperation in the economy and trade, transportation, investment, tourism, energy and other areas of common interest of the SCO.
Over the years, the Shanghai Spirit has united us all and become our common guidance on the path ahead, he added.
He believed that with the joint efforts of member states, the SCO member states will continue to carry forward the Shanghai spirit, turn challenges into opportunities, and make greater contributions to international and regional peace, security, development and prosperity.
The Secretary-General, on behalf of the SCO Secretariat, extended warm congratulations to the Iranian leadership and people.
In his speech, Iranian Ambassador to China, Mohsen Bakhtiar said that his country as a full member of the SCO will work together with the other member states for regional peace and security.
He said that Iran will promote closer economic integration with SCO countries and forge cooperation with them in various sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, technology and contribute to sustainable growth.
The decision to admit Iran as a full-time member of the bloc was announced during the 21st SCO leaders summit in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on September 17, 2021.
Iran signed a memorandum of commitment to obtain the status of an SCO member state at the previous SCO summit in Samarkand in September 2022.
Prior to its membership in Iran, the SCO was an eight-member transcontinental political, economic, and security organization.
The organization was founded by China, Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan at a summit held in Shanghai in 2001.
Pakistan and India became full members in 2017.
PM for priority to completion of public welfare projects
ISLAMABAD, Jul 4 (APP):Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday stressed on according high priority to the public welfare projects, besides maintaining quality and transparency of the ongoing development projects.
He said preference should be given to commencement of those projects which were aimed at development and prosperity of youth and women’s empowerment.
The prime minister issued these directives while chairing a high- level meeting on uplift projects under the current fiscal year.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar, Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, PM’s Adviser Ahad Khan Cheema, PM’s Special Assistants Malik Ahmad Khan and Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and other relevant authorities, the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.
The meeting was apprised of the progress on the development work during the fiscal year 2023-24 and a detailed briefing was also given about the steps for the progress and prosperity of youth and women, and development of agriculture, industries, infrastructure and other sectors.
The prime minister directed for completion of all the projects within the stipulated period of time and the submission of a comprehensive report over the related mechanism.
He said the PM’s Merit Scholarship initiative was being launched across the country, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir.
The meeting was further briefed that under the PM’s Youth Programme, distribution process of laptops among the talented youth would commence soon.
The prime minister observed that for the development of agriculture sector, solarization process of tube wells should be initiated soon, besides directing that pace on the public welfare mega projects should be expedited.
He also stressed upon attaching special focus on the uplift of the backward areas during the current fiscal year.
PML-N will not go for political alliance with any political party in general elections: Mian Javed Latif
ISLAMABAD, Jul 04 (APP):Pakistan Muslim League (N) stalwart and Federal Minister Mian Javed Latif on Tuesday ruled out the possibility of entering into a political alliance with any other political party in upcoming general elections in the country.
Addressing a press conference, Mian Javed Latif said that the seat adjustment with political parties is possible however the final decision will be made by Mian Nawaz Sharif.
He predicted his party’s overwhelming victory with two third majority votes in the general elections on the basis of the performance of Mian Shahbaz Sharif as Prime Minister of the country.
Mina Nawaz Sharif is doing his best to get the country out of economic debt trap for which he meeting with stakeholders in Dubai, said the federal minister.
He said that many questions would be raised on institutes ensure provision of justice if the case is not registered against Pakistan Tehereek-e-Insaf (PTI) for its role in the incidents of May 9th.
Imran Khan himself admitted that all member of the core committee were well informed with the decision taken in the meeting convened to planed reactions after his arrest in corruption case.
Appreciating the role of Pakistan Army of self accountability after May 9th incidents, Mian Javed Latif also appealed to the Apex Court to take notice of May 9th incidents.
He said, Mian Nawaz Sharif always served his country to the best of his abilities and eliminated the terrorism, end the load shedding and brought CPEC for the economic prosperity of the country.
No Power can stop Mian Nawaz Sharif from coming back to his country said the federal minster adding Mian Nawaz Sharif was imprisoned along with this daughter for the protection of sanctity of the vote.
He said Mian Nawaz Sharif will be welcomed by the nation at his return and break all the previous records of reception.
Direct air flight between Kazakhstan- Pakistan to start from July 8: Envoy
ISLAMABAD, Jul 04 (APP):Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan Yerzhan Kistafin on Tuesday said that direct air flight operation between Kazakhstan and Pakistan would start from July 8 this month, which would increase economic, social and cultural integration of both countries.
Addressing a round table on ‘Kazakhstan and Pakistan bilateral ties and way forward, he said a direct air flight between Almaty and Lahore would start on July 8.
The Ambassador of Kazakhstan said that direct air flights between the two countries were crucial for regional economic and trade integration in Kazakhstan and Pakistan.
He said that duration of the direct flight between the two countries would be 2 hours, which would promote mutual economic and trade relations and the possibilities of cooperation in the field of tourism would be brighter.
The envoy said that after success of direct flight operations in these two cities, such air service would be started between other big cities including Islamabad and Karachi.
He said that just last week; there was a phone conversation between the President of Kazakhstan, Kassim Takayov, and Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif during which issues of mutual interest between the two countries were discussed.
The Ambassador said that the top leadership of both the countries was determined to strengthening and promoting of bilateral economic, trade and diplomatic relations.
He said that Kazakhstan was currently a great destination for foreign investment which attracted $28 billion FDI this year.
He said that there was a lot of potential in the ports of Gwadar and Karachi of Pakistan, through which Kazakhstan, including Central Asia, can be accessed to the markets of Europe and Africa.
Ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin said that Kazakhstan had vast reserves of energy, gas and oil which Pakistan could take advantage of.
He said that Kazakhstan was currently the third largest exporter of wheat in the world, which had wide possibilities for cooperation with Pakistan.
Kazakhstan is an important member of the Eurasian Organization, which Pakistan can also benefit from, he said.
He said the role of media was very important in the relations between the two countries, which could open new avenues of cooperation between the two countries.
On this occasion, Director Pakistan China Institute of Strategic Studies and Central Asia, Dr. Talat Shabbir said that Kazakhstan and Pakistan had wide possibilities of economic, trade and diplomatic cooperation.
Dr. Talat Shabbir said that so far 35 bilateral MOUs have been signed between the two countries in various fields, most of which have been implemented.
Over Rs 47 bln disbursed among 5.2 mln beneficiaries under Benazir Kafaalat
ISLAMABAD, Jul 04 (APP): Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) has so far disbursed over Rs. 47 billion among over 52 million beneficiary women under Benazir Kafaalat.
The disbursement of the fourth quarterly tranche of Benazir Kafaalat for the financial year 2022-23 has again started after Eid-ul-Azha holidays through banks’ retailers.
Under Benazir Kafaalat, 90 lakh registered beneficiary families are entitled to a quarterly installment of Rs 9,000 per household.
BISP has already released over rupees 81 billion to its partner banks, that is, Bank Alfalah and Habib Bank Limited (HBL) for disbursement among the beneficiaries through their retail distribution network.
Along with Benazir Kafaalat, Benazir educational scholarships are also being given out to the children of registered families, however, 70 percent attendance in the school is mandatory to receive educational scholarships, said the spokesman of the programme.
In case of any complaint, beneficiaries can approach the nearest BISP Tehsil Offices or call on toll-free helpline number 080026477 of Benazir Income Support Program.
The BISP spokesman reiterated that any messages from Benazir Income Support Program are sent only from 8171 and message from any other number should not be trusted.
Bilawal terms July 5 as Black Day in national history
KARACHI, Jul 04 (APP): Chairman of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has termed July 5, 1977, as a black day in national history.
He said that this day will continue to remind us how a power-hungry dictator pushed the entire nation into the mire of extremism, terrorism, Kalashnikov and drug culture under the guise of religion, from which even after 46 years, we still could not get rid of them completely.
On July 5, 1977, the tin-pot dictator General Zia-ul-Haq seized power by unconstitutionally overthrowing the government of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the first elected prime minister of Pakistan and the most popular leader, and deprived the citizens of their basic rights. Since then, Pakistanis around the world observe the 5th of July as Black Day.
According to the statement issued by Media Cell Bilawal House, the Chairman of PPP further said in his message that dictator Zia is a culprit of the Constitution of Pakistan and the Pakistani nation.
He said that the way civil and human rights were violated during the dictatorship of General Zia and the way atrocities were committed on those who demanded the restoration of democracy, humanity will always be ashamed of such crimes.
Bilawal said that the nation is well aware of the fact that a handful of people who follow dictator Zia’s thinking are still busy making conspiracies against the people’s right to rule in their hunger for power, but failure is their destiny. “The era of dictators and puppets has become a thing of the past. Now there is only democracy in the present and future of Pakistan,” he added.
The PPP Chairman saluted the Jiyalas (party workers) who were flogged, endured the hardships of imprisonment and embraced martyrdom for the sake of democracy during the Zia regime.
He also vowed that his party will continue struggling with the same determination and courage to fulfil the mission of safeguarding the unanimous Constitution of 1973 and the parliamentary system of democracy and establishing a society based on equality as given by Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, just like Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was active and offered unmatched sacrifices throughout her life for this cause.