TANK, Jul 03 (APP):Minister of State for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Faisal Karim Kundi has said free and fair elections were the only solution to economic challenges and political instability of the country.
He stated this while talking to media after a public gathering here in Gul-e-Imam area in which local leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf announced to join PPP. On this occasion, the state minister was accompanied by PPP District President Sardar Hidayt Ullah Khan Gandapur, Divisional General Secretary Fateh Sher and other party representatives.
Faisal Kundi, who is also Central Information Secretary of PPP, said that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) believed in democracy and support in time elections in the country. He said that his party has started its preparations for elections across the country after the announcement of party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari during his visit to Swat.
He vowed that PPP would succeed in the upcoming elections and make governments in center as well as in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He said the previous government played an active role in making the IMF program a failure. However, he added, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar finalized a deal with IMF through a team work.
He said PPP, if succeeded to make government in center, would try to move the country towards development without the dependency on IMF.
Replying to a question, the state minister said it would take time to clean the wrong doings of the previous government.
To another question, he said the workers of PPP never crossed the red line even then when the party’s founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was judicially murdered and his daughter Benazir Bhutto were assassinated in Rawalpindi. He said the PPP always preferred national interest and said that democracy was the best revenge.
The incumbent government inherited the inflation due to the wrong policies of the previous government, he said and added that the steps were being taken to give relief to the people by ending inflation.
Replying to a question about PTI, Faisal Kundi said that PPP was not in favor of banning any political party.
About Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), he said that 32,000 families of Tank were currently benefiting under this program and the efforts were being made to increase this number up to 60,000.
“More BISP offices were being established in different areas of Tank for the convenience of citizens,” he said. The state minister said “the PPP will end the deprivations of Tank.”
KARACHI, Jul 03 (APP):Pakistan Test squad will train in the Sindh metropolis from July 4 to July 7 ahead of their departure for Sri Lanka for the two-match series on July 8.
According to a Pakistan Cricket Board spokesman, it would be Pakistan’s first assignment in the third cycle of the ICC World Test Championship.
All training activities would be held here at the Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre, the spokesman said.
KARACHI, Jul 03 (APP):Chairman of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Monday congratulated Pakistani mountaineers Naila Kiyani and Samina Baig for scaling Nanga Parbat Peak. He said, “I offer my wholehearted congratulations to Naila Kiyani and Samina Baig for their historic achievement”.
He said that it was a proud moment for the entire nation when the Pakistani mountaineers scaled up one of the top peaks of the world.
The PPP chairman said that the commitment and determination of Pakistani women were above the tall peaks of the world.
He said that it was the dream of Shaheed Mohtrama Benazir Bhutto to see Pakistani women at the front lines of every field.
ISLAMABAD, July 3 (APP): The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), in an extraordinary meeting, held at Jeddah General Secretariat, has strongly condemned the recent despicable aggression against the sanctity of the copies of the Holy Quran, on the first day of Eid al-Adha, outside the central mosque in the capital city of Stockholm, Kingdom of Sweden.
In an open-ended meeting convened at the invitation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Chair of the 14th Islamic Summit, and Chair of the Executive Committee of the OIC, the Executive Committee deplored the recurrence of acts of desecration of the copies of the Holy Quran, and deeply regretted the issuance of a permit by the authorities allowing that action to occur.
“Condemns all attempts to denigrate the sanctity of al Mushaf ash-Sharif as well as other sacred values and symbols of Islam under the garb of freedom of expression, which is contrary to the spirit of Articles (19) and (20) of the ICCPR; and calls upon the international community to stand against those provocative attempts,” a final communique of the meeting issued on Monday said.
It called upon all governments to fully implement their existing legal and administrative framework and adapt new legislation, if needed, consistent with their obligations under international law, norms, and standards to protect all individuals and communities against hate and violence based on religion and faith and to ensure the protection of places of worship.
The participants expressed grave concern at the increasing incidences of intolerance, discrimination, and acts of violence in the world.
It noted with concern that Islamophobia was on the rise in many parts of the world as evidenced by the increasing number of incidents of religious intolerance, negative stereotypes, hatred, and violence against Muslims.
The OIC also expressed its deep concerns by the resurgence of racist movements and far-right extremism in multiple regions of the world through repeated acts of provocation by supporters of the far-right insulting Islamic religious symbols and sanctities, including the desecration of the copies of the Holy Quran.
It also condemned any advocacy of hatred that constituted incitement to discrimination, hostility, or violence, whether through the use of printed means, audio-visual or electronic means, social media, or any other means.
The members reiterated the importance of promoting dialogue, understanding, and cooperation among religions, cultures, and civilizations for peace and harmony in the world and that spreading the values of tolerance and peace was the best way to confront hate speech, fanaticism, extremism, violence, and incitement.
It also stressed upon the commitment made by all states under the UN Charter to promote and encourage universal respect for the observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without discrimination based on race, gender, language, or religion.
“Underscoring that the exercise of the right to freedom of expression entails special duties and responsibilities in the light of Article 19 (3) and Article 20 (2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the role played by the exercise of those rights in countering all forms of religious intolerance,” it further added.
It also recalled various relevant resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) which had called for global efforts to promote tolerance, peace, and dialogue among civilizations and referred to the UNGA’s Resolution 76/254 that designated 15 March as the “International Day to Combat Islamophobia”.
The OIC also recalled relevant resolutions and declarations by the Islamic Summit Conference and Council of Foreign Ministers in this regard.
The meeting requested the Secretary-General to send a letter on behalf of the OIC Member States to the Swedish government and to consider conducting an official visit to Stockholm and the European Union Commission to express the condemnation of the incident of burning the copies of the Mushaf ash-Sharif and call on them to take the necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of that criminal act under the pretext of freedom of expression.
It called upon the ambassadors of the OIC Member States in the respective capitals where vile acts against the copies of the Holy Quran and other Islamic holy symbols took place to collectively make efforts concerning the national parliaments, media, civil society organizations as well as the governmental institutions, to express the OIC’s stance and to induce the relevant authorities to take the necessary legislative actions to criminalize such attacks, cognizant of the fact that the exercise of freedom of expression carried with it special duties and responsibilities.
It also called on Muslim civil society organisations to work with their counterparts in those countries where Islamophobic attacks against the copies of Mushaf ash-Sharif and other sacred values took place to resort to local courts and exhaust domestic remedies, with the guidance of professional legal counsel, before taking their cases to international judiciary bodies, where applicable.
The OIC further reaffirmed the essential role of political commitment at the highest level towards the full and effective implementation of UN Human Rights Council Resolution 16/18 and encouraged states to pay particular attention to the importance of criminalizing incitement to violence based on religion or belief while recognizing the positive role of open, constructive and respectful debate and interfaith dialogue in this regard.
The OIC meeting also called on the Secretary-General to send a letter to the UN Secretary-General and the Chair of the Security Council, urging them to issue statements of condemnation to reject insults to religious symbols and sanctities, which stirred hatred, promoted the growth of violent extremism and fueled terrorism, and called for mutual respect for all religions and beliefs and the promotion of a culture of peace and tolerance.
The OIC member states called for placing the desecration of copies of the Holy Quran and the Islamic symbols and sanctities on the agenda of the coordination meeting of the foreign ministers of member states on the sidelines of the upcoming UNGA in New York and the upcoming Islamic Summit in Gambia to take more measures to address this negative phenomenon against Islam and Muslims.
It welcomed the convening of an international conference on Islamophobia and Anti-Muslims Discrimination being held from 22 to 23 August in Kuala Lumpur, in coordination with the OIC General Secretariat.
ISLAMABAD, Jul 3 (APP): Chairman of Damascus Chamber of Industry, Ghazwan al-Masry during a meeting with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Syria, Shahid Akhtar, discussed means of enhancing and developing industrial cooperation between the two countries.
According to the SANA news agency, during the meeting held at the Chamber’s building in Damascus, Al-Masry stressed that the chamber was ready for full cooperation with the Pakistani side.
He said the chamber would also facilitate communication between businessmen and industrialists in both countries and provide everything necessary for raising economic relations in a way that reflects positively in the interest of the two sides.
The chamber’s Chief appreciated Pakistan’s stances in support of Syria and its just issues, it added.
On the occasion, Ambassador Akhter said that the meeting aimed to discuss issues related to the development of industrial and commercial cooperation and the establishment of partnerships and joint investments between the two countries.
He pointed out the possibility of benefiting from the progress achieved by his country in the manufacture of medicines, medical materials and surgical tools, including dental ones, in addition to agricultural tools, equipment, heavy machinery and sports equipment.
ISLAMABAD, Jul 3 (APP): Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar said on Monday that the Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation came down to 29.4 percent during the month of June 2023 as compared to 38 percent recorded during May 2023.
“As per the data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the CPI inflation for Jun 2023 clocked in at 29.4 percent compared to 38 percent YoY for May’23,” the federal minister said in a tweet.
Ishaq Dar said the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) had also performed well “as 2,334 points were added to the index by 1:00 p.m on Monday whereas at the exchange rate of Pak Rupee vs Dollar in open Market was recorded at Rs.270/272.”
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported that the CPI-based inflation reached 29.4 per cent on a year-on-year (YoY) basis in June 2023 as compared to 38 percent in the previous month and 21.3 percent in June 2022.
AlhamdoLilah—Mubrook
1. CPI Inflation clocks in@29%: As per the data released by PBS, CPI inflation for Jun’23 clocked-in at 29.4% compared to 38% YoY for May’23.
On a month-on-month basis, it decreased to 0.3 percent in January 2023 as compared to an increase of 1.6 percent in the previous month (May 2023) and an increase of 6.3 percent in June 2022.
On a year-on-year basis, the top few food commodities that witnessed an increase in prices as compared to the corresponding month of last year included cigarettes (129.20 percent), Tea (113.09 percent), Wheat Flour (89.89 percent), Rice (72.83 percent), Potatoes (64.69 percent), Wheat (62.27 percent), Chicken (57.72 percent), Wheat Products (56.81 percent), Pulse Moong (50.50 percent), Pulse Mash (49.92 percent), Beans (47.60 percent), Ready-made Food (43.04 percent), Sugar (41.64 percent), Fresh Fruits (40.31 percent), Beverages (38.17 percent), Eggs (36.96 percent), Bakery and Confectionery (36.83 percent), Gur (36.60 percent), Milk Fresh (31.8 percent), Condiments and Spices (30.04 percent), Gram Whole (28.42 percent), Pulse Gram (24.14 percent), Cooking Oil (19.62 percent), Meat (18.50 percent), Fresh Vegetables (13.71 percent), Vegetable Ghee (8.90 percent) and Mustard Oil (5.97 percent), while tomatoes came down by 29.57 percent and onion 16.53 percent.
The non-food commodities that witnessed an increase during the period on a YoY basis included
Textbooks (113.98 percent), Stationery (68.53 percent), Gas Charges (62.82 percent), Household Equipment (39.80 percent), Motor Vehicles (36.61 percent), Construction Input Items (35.62 percent), Solid Fuel (30.81 percent), Mechanical Services (25.96 percent), Marriage Hall Charges (25.29 percent), Tailoring (19.04 percent), Motor Fuel (18.54 percent), Household Servant (17.14 percent), Construction Wage Rates (16.88 percent), Medical Tests (16.16 percent), Household Textiles (16.15 percent), Dental Services (12.83 percent), Transport Services (12.47 percent), Liquefied Hydrocarbons (11.74 percent), Electricity Charges (7.97 percent), House Rent (5.34 percent), Water Supply (5.29 percent) and Footwear (1.96 percent).
The CPI inflation Urban, increased to 27.3 percent on a year-on-year basis in June 2023 as compared to an increase of 35.1 percent in the previous month and 19.8 percent in June 2022. On a month-on-month basis, it increased to 0.1 percent in June 2023 as compared to an increase of 1.5 percent in the previous month and an increase of 6.2 percent in June 2022.
The CPI inflation Rural, increased to 32.4 percent on a year-on-year basis in June 2023 as compared to an increase of 42.2 percent in the previous month and 23.6 percent in June 2022. On a month-on-month basis, it decreased to 0.8 percent in June 2023 as compared to an increase of 1.7 percent in the previous month and an increase of 6.6 percent in June 2022.
Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) inflation on YoY increased to 34.9 percent in June 2023 as compared to an increase of 43.0 percent a month earlier and 21.7 percent in June 2022.
On the MoM basis, it increased by 0.2 percent in June 2023 as compared to an increase of 1.3 percent a month earlier and an increase of 6.2 percent in June 2022.
ISLAMABAD, July 3 (APP): President Dr Arif Alvi on Monday said that he held good meetings with Bangladesh President Shahabuddin in Makkah, Mina and Madina.
On his Twitter handle, the president posted twin pictures and informed that in white was his childhood friend Salman Rehman, who is now a Member of Parliament, Minister and Advisor in Bangladesh.
“We met after 60 years (yrs). Blessings of Allah will do wonders for our relationship,” he further added.
The president has been in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj.
ISLAMABAD, Jul 3 (APP):Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Monday called on the Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo and discussed with him matters of mutual interests.
The foreign minister conveyed greetings from the Government and people of Pakistan, according to the ministry of foreign office’s spokesperson.
During the meeting, both leaders expressed the desire to further enhance bilateral engagement and cooperation in different fields.
ISLAMABAD, Jul 3 (APP):Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday felicitated the business community and the nation on the unprecedented surge of Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX).
He said as a result of staff level agreement and a $3 billion standby arrangement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the trust of investors and business community was rapidly reviving.
After Pakistan’s agreement with the IMF, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) opened with a surge of 5.38%, or 2,231 points on Monday. The PSX benchmark rose to 43,684 points in the opening session.
In a statement issued by the PM Office, Shehbaz Sharif said the government’s continued struggle and prudent policies had started bearing fruits as signs of the country’s economic revival were rising.
We are resuming the journey of the economic development and decline in inflation rate from the point where Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif had left.
Thanks God, the country has been put on the path of development again, he said adding that after severe disappointments, a new sun of hope is rising again.
Praying to Allah Almighty for further successes on economic front, the prime minister said the seeds of Pakistan’s development had started taking roots as a result of the government’s sincere efforts, honesty and truth.
He said the government once again had embarked upon Qauid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif’s vision of construction, development and people’s welfare.
He said just as between 2013 and 2018 the PML-N government succeeded to free Pakistan from energy crisis, terrorism and other problems, brought economic development, it would bring Pakistan on the path of development and prosperity with same spirit.
Shehbaz Sharif vowed to continue the journey of economic stability and national development with the same direction, spirit and struggle.
“Under the leadership of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, just as China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was launched, economy revived, inflation rate kept at around 4%, growth rate brought to 6.1% and policy rate was kept at 6%, we are coming back again to same journey of development,” he added.
He said now the development process in all sectors including agriculture, Information Technology and industry would be expedited. Then, he said the inflation would subside and youth would be empowered by providing them the employment and business opportunities.
