A large number of motorcycles parked in the premises of Shah Faisal Masjid as people visit on weekend
Indonesia’s Lombok, Bali Islands fascinate tourists from Pakistan
Dr. Furqan Rao
ISLAMABAD, Jul 2 (APP): Indonesia’s amazingly beautiful islands Bali and Lombok, surrounded by lush green mountains and blue-green waters are emerging as two fascinating tourist destinations that have been gravitating foreign tourists from Pakistan and worldwide again after the Covid-19 pandemic is over.
Both islands have distinctive featured with their natural beaches, providing beach lovers with coral reefs for snorkeling and scuba diving, exploring culture and offering people a place for religious tourism including historical mosques and temples.
Lombok, an island in West Nusa Tenggara province, is a majority Muslim destination that is appealing tourists to explore the charming landscape, blue water, beautiful sea sights and scenenic vallies that provide unique experiences.
Halal services’ excellence has led Lombok to achieve the first rank for the World’s Best Halal Tourism Destination, according to the Global Muslim Travel Index in 2019. Lombok would be the next popular destination for Pakistani tourists because of its natural beauty and delicious food. The traditional villages like Sade showcase the island’s unique architecture and way of life.
Lombok is not only beautiful in terms of natural beauty and is perfect for travelers seeking a serene escape but also food is similar to Pakistan, said a tourist Hassan Aftab while talking to APP.
Another tourist Ms. Lucia from England who was in Lombok for vacation, told APP that the Kuta Beach and Gili Islands were the most eye-catching places which were more peaceful and calmer for enjoying holidays. She said that atmosphere of Gili Island was amazing as the beaches, the sunlight and the people were welcoming.
Nicolo from Italy said that he prefers to stay in Lombok to Italy during his holidays because he likes blue water and pristine sandy shores. Similarly, Bali has no comparison as Legian, Seminyak, and Kuta Beaches are having picturesque landscapes, and vibrant arts scene.
From the stunning rice terraces of Ubud to the iconic sea temples of Tanah Lot and Uluwatu, Bali boasts a rich tapestry of cultural and natural wonders, he added.
Bali is a place where adventure enthusiasts can surf the famous waves of Kuta and Uluwatu as well as they can explore the volcanic peaks of Mount Batur.
Abdul Zahir Abassi a travel agent, who came to attend Bali and Beyond Travel Fair in Indonesia told APP that the number of tourists from Pakistan to Bali and Lombok was increasing swiftly and the opening of direct flights would further enhance this flow of tourists as it would be more economical and convenient.
He said that similarly, Indonesian people were visiting Pakistan’s northern areas, therefore direct linkages would enhance the tourism economy of both countries.
Both Bali and Lombok offer an immense cultural experience that allows visitors to delve into the rich heritage of the Indonesian people.
There are also several similarities between Pakistan’s and Indonesia’s cultures and tourist sites. Pakistan and Indonesia have distinct identities and cultural characteristics. Both destinations offer a glimpse into vibrant cultures. Pakistan’s historic sites like the ancient city of Taxila and the architectural marvels of Lahore showcase its diverse heritage. Indonesia’s Bali and Lombok are home to ancient temples and traditional dances.
Explaining cultural similarities, Ambassador of Indonesia to Pakistan Adam Tugio termed distinctive cultural-historic heritage as a treasure trove for the two brotherly countries that have continuously been preserved during history. He said, “Indonesia and Pakistan are heirs of one of the oldest civilizations in the world, with a marked history of religious-cultural communication.
To enhance tourism between both countries, he said that Indonesia and Pakistan are working to start direct flights which ultimately increase linkages among people.
Talking to APP, Ni Made Ayu Marthini, Deputy Minister for Marketing, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Republic of Indonesia, said that there were multiple common characteristics culturally and religiously between Indonesia and Pakistan that could help enhance people-to-people exchanges as both countries had majority of Muslim populations.
Indonesia is developing rapidly and providing a secure and comfortable atmosphere of tourism for international tourists. Moreover, it is also trying to promote its Islamic heritage and Tourism in Muslim-majority islands such as Lombok. Bali and Lombok, with their breathtaking natural beauty, and vibrant cultures, continue to fascinate tourists from around the world. For Pakistani people, both Bali and Lombok can be more attractive tourist places, especially for newlywed couples.
Governor expresses sorrow over martyrdom of security personnel
QUETTA, Jul 02 (APP):Balochistan Governor Malik Abdul Wali Khan Kakar on Sunday strongly condemned the hand grenade attack on the security forces check post at Dahanasar. He also expressed deep grief over the martyrdom of security personnel.
In his condemnation statement, he said that all available resources should be used to bring those who were spreading fear and terror in the society to sabotage the peaceful situation in the province.
“We have to show national unity and consensus to thwart the evil intentions of terrorists and saboteurs”, he said.
Governor Balochistan prayed Allah Almighty to rest the departed soul eternal pace and grant courage and strengthen to bereaved families of martyrs to bear the losses with fortitude and the speedy recovery of the injured.
Geneva Kashmir moot highlights plight of Kashmiri prisoners languishing in Indian, IIOJK jails
MIRPUR (AJK): Jul 02 (APP) : While voicing their grave concern over the continual illegal detention of Kashmiri prisoners in Indian as well as Occupied Kashmir’s jails, speakers at a seminar held on the sidelines of the 53rd session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNCHR) in Geneva late Saturday, said that thousands of detainees lodged in different jails in and outside the Valley was getting worse with every passing day.
“The seminar titled “Plight of Kashmir Prisoners” was attended and addressed by political activists, parliamentarians, public representatives, law experts and human rights defenders hailing from different parts of the world including Altaf Hussain Wani chairman Kashmir institute of International relations, Faheem Kayani, Hassan ul Bana, Mirza Asif Jarral and others”, says a message reaching and released to the media here on Sunday.
The speakers continued that thousands of Kashmiris who were arrested before and after 5th August 2019 have been languishing in India’s notorious jails like Tihar, which has become a death trap for Kashmiris.
They said that a sizable number of Kashmiris who were taken into preventive custody on 5th August 2019 continue to rot in Amphala, Udhampor, Hiranagar, Khatua and Kotbalwal jails. The speakers said that the Indian government has given a free license to its forces and agencies like NIA and Enforcement Directorate to arrest Kashmiris. They said that dozens of top rank political leaders including Muhammad Yasin Malik, Musarrat Aalam Bhat, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Nayeem Ahmed Khan, Asiya Andrabi and others were picked up from their homes and whisked off to prisons outside the valley.
“They have been actually abducted by NIA and ED and shifted to Tihar Jail under frivolous and concocted charges,” the speakers said, adding that scores of detainees including Dr. Qasim Faktoo, Dr. Shafi Shariati, Ghulam Qadir and many more were rotting in jails serving life terms.
The speakers, while referring to conviction of prominent Kashmiri leader Muhammad Yasin Malik, said that Malik’s conviction in a manifestly dubious and politically motivated case filed by the Indian National Investigation Agency, amply demonstrates how the Modi government was using judiciary as a weapon to silence legitimate Kashmiri voices.
Referring to India’s history of using the judiciary and other state apparatus to suppress the political and democratic dissent in the occupied Kashmir, the speakers said that India, which had deprived Malik of his fundamental right to defend himself in the court of law after implicating him in a concocted case, was now hell bent on eliminating him by using its judiciary.
Raising their concerns over the Indian investigation agency’s bid to seek the death penalty for Yasin Malik, the speakers said that the NIA’s malicious intention poses a grave threat to the life of Mr. Malik who has been leading a nonviolent movement, advocating for the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
They said that it was quite astonishing to note that the JKLF chief and other Kashmiri leaders were being penalised just for raising their voice for the voiceless Kashmiris.
They said that the Modi’s double edged onslaught against Kashmiris was aimed at whipping up anti-Muslim sentiments, polarise people and win votes. They said that the Hindu nationalist party-BJP-which played communal card to stoke hatred between the people to win elections was now using the same tactics to save its vote bank. They said that there were ample evidence which suggests that the Modi led apartheid regime, which thrives on communal divide and anti-Muslim sentiment, could use the unlawful execution of the Kashmiri leader Yasin Malik as a means to regain popularity and to bolster chances of retaining power in the upcoming Parliamentary Elections being held in 2024.
The speakers appealed to the UN secretary-general to take swift and decisive action by demanding the Indian government to stop using its judiciary as a weapon to punish Kashmiri leaders who have been waging a peaceful struggle to achieve the fundamental rights guaranteed to Kashmiris by no less an authority than the United Nations.
They said that India being a signatory to the Geneva Convention on political prisoners was bound to respect the rights of prisoners.
They said it was high time that the world human rights bodies should mount pressure on India to release all illegally detained prisoners.
Hasaranga reprimanded for breaching ICC code of conduct
ISLAMABAD, Jul 02 (APP):Sri Lanka player Wanindu Hasaranga has been reprimanded for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier match against Netherlands on Friday at Queen’s Sports Club in Bulawayo.
Hasaranga was found to have breached Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match.”
In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to Hasaranga’s disciplinary record, for whom it was the second offence in a 24-month period, taking his number of demerit points to two, said a press release.
The incident occurred after Hasaranga was dismissed, when on return to the pavilion, he hit the boundary skirtings with his bat in an aggressive manner.
Hasaranga admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Shaid Wadvalla of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees, so there was no need for a formal hearing.
On-field umpires Martin Saggers and Greg Brathwaite, third umpire Jayaraman Madanagopal and fourth umpire Asif Yaqoob levelled the charge.
Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.
PFC to take part Imam Abu Hanifa 2nd International and National Expo, Trade Fair Kabul starting on July 16
ISLAMABAD, Jul 02 (APP):Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC ) will take part in the 3-days Imam Abu Hanifa 2nd International and National Expo and Trade Fair Kabul starting from July 16 to discover business opportunities and explore new market access for Pakistani products.
Chief Executive Officer PFC Mian Kashif Ashfaq talking to a delegation of industrialists led by Ch Zeeshan Elahi Arain CEO Marvel Cables here on Sunday said that PFC along with Chenone will be participating in this mega event, said a news release.
“Chenone will also exhibit its high-quality international standards products to capture their share in the global market besides it’s an excellent opportunity to showcase Pak products and develop business deals with international buyers”, he added.
Mian Kashif Ashfaq said that around over hundreds of Pak companies will be exhibiting their products which included furniture, textile, garments, leather garments, sportswear, sports goods engineering, etc.
He said this expo will also offer professional buyers a sourcing platform with a wide variety of products ranging from basics to the most creative and qualitative.
Mian Kashif Ashfaq said PFC and Chenone have already attended several other international fairs in the United States, China, Italy, Sri Lanka etc and introduced its products which are in great demand.
He hoped in getting orders from foreign buyers.
The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) is facilitating the manufacturers of export products.
He said he will also hold a series of marathon meetings with tycoons for investment to avail the government unprecedented special package for foreign investors.
Minister Talha strongly firmly condemns Holy Quran desecration in Sweden
MAKKAH MUKARMA , Jul 02 (APP):Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Senator Talha Mehmood vehemently denounced the desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden.
In a resolute statement, he emphasized that mere condemnation is insufficient.
Talha strongly stated, “Islamophobia is a stigma on the face of the Western world,” stressing that freedom of expression cannot be shielded by such heinous acts that have deeply hurt the sentiments of over 1.5 billion Muslims.
He called upon the OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) to actively engage in effectively addressing such issues.
Tourists asked to observe traffic rules to avoid mishaps in Murree
RAWALPINDI, Jul 02 (APP): City Traffic Police (CTP) on the directives of Commissioner Rawalpindi Division had finalized all the arrangements to ensure the security of the visitors and facilitate the tourists in Murree, particularly during the Eid ul Azha holidays while the tourists had been urged to strictly observe traffic rules to avoid traffic congestion and road mishaps, said a City Traffic Police spokesman.
He informed that the City Traffic Officer, Rawalpindi Tamoor Khan had requested the tourists to observe traffic rules on the roads of Murree to avoid traffic mess and any untoward incidents during summer season.
Special teams had been formed to facilitate the tourists and resolve their problems if any in Murree, he said adding, parking the vehicles were not being allowed outside the parking areas.
There was a complete ban on illegal parking on the roads in Murree particularly at exit and entry points besides restrictions on cooking at the roadside.
The spokesman informed that single, double parking was not being allowed on roads except designated parking places. The motorcyclists without safety helmets were not being allowed to enter Murree, he added.
Several roads including Bank Road, GPO Chowk to Kashmir Point, Hall Road, Lalazar to Kashmir Point, View Fourth Road, View Fourth Road to GPO Chowk, Guldana Road, GPO Chowk to Guldana Chowk, Dilkusha Road, Imtiaz Shaheed Road to Lari Adda via Dilkusha Hotel, Cecil Road, Imtiaz Shaheed Road to Cart Road via Cecil Apartments, and Pindi Point had been declared one-way roads to facilitate the motorists, he said.
According to a district administration spokesman, a main control room had been set up at Jinnah Hall in Unit office Murree, District Council, Municipal Committee Murree which could be contacted at 051-9269015-16-18.
He urged the tourists to cooperate with traffic police so that the traffic mess could be avoided.
The motorists should avoid wrong parking on roads which would help ensure the smooth flow of traffic, he said.
“The beautiful climate of Murree during summer attracts a large number of tourists so motorists face severe traffic congestion,” he said adding that traffic moves even slower due to heavy traffic load.
He said the DC had advised the tourists to avoid wrong parking, double lines, speeding, and taking selfies in the middle of the roads.
The spokesman informed that foolproof security was being provided to the tourists in Murree.
He said, all the security and traffic arrangements had been finalized to facilitate the tourists. The holidays of all the departments concerned including Murree administration had been canceled to make the arrangements foolproof.
A special plan had also been formulated for Murree under which nearly 1000 personnel including over 700 cops and 285 CTP officials were performing their duties to facilitate the visitors.
Around 40,000 people thronged ‘Lake View’ park during weekend
ISLAMABAD, Jul 2 (APP):As many as 40,000 thousand people thronged ‘Lake View Park’ to enjoy barbecue parties after Eidul Azha with their family and friends.
With its spacious location at the shores of Rawal Dam, Lake View Park has started attracting more visitors than other public parks and picnic spots in the twin cities, reported a private news channel.
Traditionally, people used to go to Ayub Park and Nawaz Sharif Park but now both the places seem too crowded and there is little for enjoyment,” there are also other attractions in the federal capital including Japanese Park, the Zoo and the whole track up to Pir Sohawa.
However, Lake View Park has all the facilities available in one spot, making it the most attractive place for visitors.
Thousands of merrymakers, including families and groups of youngsters, belonging to the twin cities and surrounding areas thronged the limited public places in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
Visitors also enjoyed boat rides in Lake View Park on weekend.
FTO Coordinator highlights potential of 5G to revolutionize industries, drive global economic transformation
ISLAMABAD, Jul 02 (APP): Coordinator to Federal Tax Ombudsman Meher Kashif Younis on Sunday said it is evident that 5G has the potential to revolutionize industries and drive economic transformation on a global scale.
Speaking at a seminar on “ The role of 5G in Economy” under the aegis of Gold Ring Economic Forum, a strategic think tank, he said the impact of 5G on the economy is expected to be significant, with numerous potential benefits across various industries, said a news release.
He said 5G technology will open up new possibilities for innovation and entrepreneurship.
“Startups and businesses will be able to leverage the high-speed and low-latency capabilities of 5G to develop and deploy new applications, services, and business models.
This will spur economic growth, create jobs, and drive technological advancements”, he added.
He said this improved connectivity will enable faster and more reliable communication between devices, leading to increased productivity and efficiency across industries.
He said the low latency and high reliability of 5G networks will enable real-time monitoring and control of machinery, improved supply chain management, predictive maintenance, and overall operational efficiency.
He said this will fuel the growth of mobile-based services, such as mobile gaming, streaming platforms, e-commerce, and mobile advertising.
Meher Kashif Younis said the widespread adoption of 5G is expected to contribute significantly to economic growth and productivity gains.
According to estimates by the World Economic Forum, 5G deployment could generate $13.2 trillion in global economic output by 2035. The increased efficiency, automation, and innovation brought about by 5G will create new business opportunities, attract investments, and drive economic competitiveness,he added.
It’s worth noting that the full impact of 5G on the economy will unfold over time as the technology matures and more use cases are developed.
It will also facilitate the growth of telemedicine, allowing healthcare providers to deliver remote consultations and remote patient monitoring, said adding that it also facilitate the growth of telemedicine, allowing healthcare providers to deliver remote consultations and remote patient monitoring.