Ester Perez Luis, the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) resident representative, calls on the finance team of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), including Syed Naveed Qamar, the Federal Minister for Commerce, and Senator Saleem Mandviwala
Pakistan Ulema Council urges int’l action against Quran desecration in Sweden
ISLAMABAD, Jul 07 (APP): The Pakistan Ulema Council, in a strong response to the recent incident of burning the Holy Quran in Sweden, observed Quran Sanctity Day on Friday, calling for swift international action against blasphemous act.
The Council’s Chairman and Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Interfaith Harmony and Middle East, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, condemned the desecration and emphasized that disrespecting any religious site, sacred book, or prophet should not be considered freedom of expression.
He highlighted the core beliefs of Islam, stating, “For us, the Oneness of Allah Almighty, the finality of the prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH), the greatness and truthfulness of the Holy Quran, and the sanctity of Haramain Al-Sharifeen and Al-Aqsa are like the red line.”
He further emphasized that the desecration of the Holy Quran and the honor of the Holy Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him could not be justified as freedom of speech.
The Pakistan Ulema Council unequivocally expressed that the desecration of holy books, prophets, and heavenly scriptures was unacceptable to Muslims worldwide.
They called upon the international community to take prompt and effective measures to address such acts, which deeply hurt the sentiments of Muslims and violate the principles of religious tolerance and respect.
They said Quran Sanctity Day served as a reminder of the importance of respecting religious symbols and values, fostering understanding among different faith communities, and upholding freedom of religion while promoting harmony and peaceful coexistence.
The Pakistan Ulema Council’s strong stance against the desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden reflected the sentiments of Muslims globally, urging a collective effort to prevent such incidents in the future and protect the sanctity of religious beliefs.
Pakistan wins gold, 2 bronze medals in SA Bodybuilding C’ship
PESHAWAR, Jul 07 (APP): Pakistan claimed one gold and two bronze medals in the South Asian Bodybuilding Championship in Male, Maldives on Friday.
Shahzad Qureshi of Pakistan won the gold medal in the 80 kg category and handed an upsetting defeat to two strong Indian bodybuilders.
Pakistan’s National Anthem and Green Flag fly high in the Maldives when Shehzad gets his much-deserving gold medal.
Shahzad Qureshi had also won the gold medal in the previous event. It was his second gold medal for Pakistan in the South Asian Bodybuilding Championship.
Ibrahim Khan of Pakistan won the bronze medal in the 75 kg category of the junior category. Shahidullah of Pakistan won the bronze medal in the 75 kg category.
Pakistan Bodybuilding Federation Secretary Sohail Anwar congratulated the three bodybuilders for showing their excellent performances. The High Commissioner of Pakistan in Maldives and Sports Minister of Maldives were also present on the occasion of the event.
A view of Accumulated water on the streets after heavy rain in the city
Protest being held against desecration of Holy Quran in Sweden and strongly condemning it under Khatam Nabuwat force in front of Quetta Press Club
Pakistan Markazi Muslim League workers protesting against desecration of Holy Quran outside a Stockholm Mosque in front of Press Club
Activists take part in a protest demonstration at Karachi Press Club against the burning of holy Quran outside a Stockholm Mosque
Pak cricket squad for IBSA World Games announced
ISLAMABAD, Jul 07 (APP): The Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) on Friday announced a 20-member squad for the 2023 IBSA World Games, taking place from August 17 to 27 in Birmingham, UK.
According to a statement issued here, Syed Sultan Shah, PBCC Chairman, has approved the team and also deputed the following team officials.
Zafar Iqbal (B1), Riasat Khan (B1), Muhammad Shahzaib (B1), Fakhar Abbas (B1), Muhammad Salman (B1), Muhammad Asif (B1), Nisar Ali (Captain), (B2) Badar Munir (V. Captain) (B2).
Shahzeb Haider (B2), Anees Javed (B2), Moain Aslam (B2), Naimat Ullah (B2), Matiullah (B2), Mohsin Khan (B3), Kamran Akhter (B3), Akmal Hayyat (B3), Israr Hassan (B3).
Team Officials:
Muhammad Jameel (Head Coach), Maher Muhammad Yousaf Haroon (Coach), Tahir Mehmood Butt (Trainer/Umpire).
Syed Sultan Shah will tour with the team in the capacity of President World Blind Cricket and the head of Pakistan blind cricket delegation.
Besides Pakistan, teams from Australia, England and India are featuring in cricket events of the games.
The 2023 World Games is the largest high-level international event for athletes with visual impairment, with more than 1250 competitors from 70 nations. The games staged every four years are the pinnacle of the international sporting calendar outside the Paralympic Games.
The sports taking place during the 2023 World Games include archery, chess, cricket, blind football, partially sighted football, women’s football, goalball, judo, powerlifting, showdown, tenpin bowling and tennis.
FPCCI, business bodies welcome direct link with Kazakhstan
ISLAMABAD, Jul 7 (APP): The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and other business bodies on Friday welcomed commencing of direct air link between Pakistan and Kazakhstan on Saturday as it would help enhance bilateral economic cooperation.
It would prove to be a milestone in forging mutual business and economic integration with Kazakhstan and other Central Asian states, FPPCI President Irfan Iqbal Malik said while talking to APP.
He said the direct flights would increase the possibilities of economic cooperation between the two countries. Two flights in a week from Almaty, the industrial hub of Kazakhstan, to Lahore, would help enhance economic activities.
Irfan Malik said Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan, Yerzan Kistafin, deserved appreciation for playing an important role in the launch of a direct air link between the two brotherly countries.
Karachi Chamber of Commerce (KCCI) President Muhammad Tariq Yousaf said with the start of direct flights, the economic relations between the two countries would improve further.
He said the business community of Karachi considered that the step would have positive impact on trade relations with Kazakhstan and Central Asia.
Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Kashif Anwar said Kazakhstan was an important country in Central Asia and the direct flights between Lahore and Almaty would strengthen business relations between the two countries and all the credit in that regard went Ambassador Yerzan Kistafin.
President of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Dr Khurram Tariq said besides trade relations, the direct flight link would also help in enhancing tourism and cultural ties between the two countries.
He said his chamber hailed the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Islamabad for commencing of direct flights between Lahore and Almaty and also including its national airline Scat in the operation.
President of Quetta Chamber of Commerce Wali Muhammad Nozai termed the commencing of Lahore-Almaty direct flights an important development.
He said such direct flights should be started between major cities of the two countries, including Quetta which had a historical connection with Central Asia.
President of Peshawar Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ijaz Afridi said the PCCI welcomed direct air link between Lahore and Almaty as “our businessmen are commercially connected with Central Asia”.
Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Ahsan Bakhtavari said Kazakhstan was the largest economy in Central Asia and the direct air flight connection would help boost trade relations between the two countries.
He said he would soon visit Kazakhstan with a large delegation of businessmen from Islamabad to explore business potential there.
President of Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Saqib Rafiq said they attached high value to relations with the Central Asian states, especially Kazakhstan. The steps like direct air links between the two countries would promote trade, he added.
The Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce and Industry president also appreciated the direct air flight between both nations from Lahore to Almaty.
PM attends Land Information & Management System ceremony
ISLAMABAD, Jul 7 (APP): Inauguration Ceremony of Land Information and Management System – Center of Excellence (LIMS – COE) was graced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as a chief guest here on Friday.
Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir was also present on the occasion.
The ceremony was also attended by Ministers of Finance, Defence, Planning Development & Special Initiative, National Food Security & Research, Information, Chief Secretaries of Provincial Governments, agricultural experts and Senior Army Officials.
According to the World Food Programme, 36.9 % of Pakistanis are food insecure and 18.3% of these are facing severe food crisis.
Cognizant of the prevailing food insecurity, mass malnutrition and widening import bill of agri related products vis-à-vis projected population growth and future domestic food needs, the national political, economic and military leadership has decided to undertake the decisive and meaningful steps to address this critical issue.
Establishment of LIMS is the first exceptional initiative, aimed at enhancing food security and improving agri exports thus reducing import burden on national exchequer by transforming millions of acres of uncultivated and low yield land within the country.
This state-of-the-art system will help optimize the agricultural production through innovative technologies and sustainable precision agricultural practices based on agro-ecological potential of land, while ensuring well being of rural communities and preservation of environment.
The GIS based LIMS will greatly improve the national agri yield by systemizing digitization of agriculture, providing real time information to local farmers about soil, crops, weather, water resource and pest monitoring through remote sensing and geospatial technologies as well as minimizing the role of middlemen through efficient marketing system.