AJK President urge media to play its role to highlight Kashmir cause

Sun, 9 Jul 2023, 9:48 PM

MIRPUR (AJK), Jul 09 (APP): Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry said that the media should play its role to highlight the issue of Kashmir at the global level.

Talking to a delegation of journalists which called on him in the federal metropolis on Sunday, Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry, while referring to the media’s role, said that the media can play an important role in shaping up world opinion regarding the early resolution of the Kashmir dispute by highlighting the dire human rights situation and exposing Indian atrocities before the world.

Given the dire human rights situation in Indian Illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the AJK President said that it was imperative that the media, civil society and leadership across the political spectrum should join hands to promote
the Kashmir cause both at the national and international level.

The delegation was comprised of senior journalist Basharat Abbasi, Javed Soomro, Waqar Abbasi, Kashan Akmal, Zaheer Mughal, AD Khan and others Hurriyat Conference leader Abdul Hameed Lone, Muslim League (N) leader Wajiha Khan, Sardar Imtiaz Khan and others were also present on the occasion.

President PGA Open Golf Championship from Monday

Asim Usman

Sun, 9 Jul 2023, 9:46 PM

By Sohail Ali

LAHORE, Jul 09 (APP):The Inaugural President PGA Open Golf Championship endorsed by Punjab Golf Association will swing into action here from tomorrow, Monday at the PAF Skyview Golf Course

This event stretches over six days from 10th to 15th July, with first three days reserved for competitive golfing activity amongst golf professionals while from 13th to 15th July it will be a race for success between amateur golf players, men amateurs, senior amateurs and ladies .
Noticeable is a change in the format of the Open Championship and henceforth all open championships held as per PGF Annual Golf Calendar will have separate segments for professionals exclusively and the amateur category golfers will be in action on other days .
Over the first three days, from 10th to 12th July, the golf professionals are expected to beam in terms of golfing excellence and reap cash rewards. A revealing and purposeful characteristic of this Open Golf Event is that eligibility for participation is restrictive and open only to the top hundred ranked golf professionals of Pakistan, top 30 senior professionals who are aged 50 years and above and top 15 junior golf professionals falling in the age bracket 21 years and below.
That makes this competition an all professional entanglement between dexterous, skillful and masterly golf playing torch bearers of the national golf scene, who have time and again proved their competence and artistry.
As a result of the introduction of this format the top golf professionals feel admired and acclaimed and hope that with this facilitation the flow of the golf game during the three rounds of golfing hostilities will become high spirited and lively .
And in the past when there was a mix of professionals and amateurs competing together the more prominent leading players would yearn for an unruffled flow of game which yields assured shot making and other elements like perfectly timed fairway shots, accurate chipping to the greens from short distances and above all sublime putting on the greens.
To make the event appealing and gripping, Kashif Bhatti of Punjab Golf Association shared that this championship represents a lucrative source of livelihood for the golf professionals of the country. While the prize money is wholesome and on offer is the sum of 6.5 million rupees to the top performers, an ancillary allurement is a car for the first hole in one and a Honda 125 for the second hole in one.
The Tournament Director, Air Cdre Mohammad Imran Pervez confirmed that right now all players who matter on the golf circuit of Pakistan have converged to the PAF Skyview Golf Course and have gone through the practice routine, measuring up the contours of the golf course, assessing hazards like bunkers and water pools, and finding ways and means of how to avoid out of bounds shots. As golfers know that in a competitive round of golf every shot has to be planned meticulously and those seeking top positions have to be alert and apply their skills in a way that their shot making reflects total excellence.
The Pakistan Air Force managed PAF Skyview Golf Course is in prime condition and the Organizing team of Kashif Bhatti, Sqn Ldr Muhammed Faizan, Amjad Ali and M.Zakir responsible for the arrangements hope to see fulfilling and commendatory performances in the event.

A beautiful view of under construction Multan museum being built at a cost of over Rs. 80 million (Match the picture with the story slugged) ‘Multan museum: A celebration of Multani history and culture’ already released by

Zia Ur Rehman

Sun, 9 Jul 2023, 9:07 PM

Ashrafi terms interfaith dialogue essential in current times

NNPS Desk

Sun, 9 Jul 2023, 8:29 PM

Ashrafi terms interfaith dialogue essential in current times — LAHORE: July 09 - Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Religious Harmony Maulana Tahir Ashrafi addressing a seminar on Hazrat Usman Ghani (R.A) at Press Club. APP

LAHORE, Jul 09 (APP): Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman and Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Interfaith Harmony and Middle East, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, on Sunday strongly condemned the recent incident of Quran burning in Sweden.

Addressing a seminar, held here in Lahore Press Club in honor of the martyrdom of Hazrat Usman Ghani (RA), he emphasized the urgent need for interfaith dialogue and global legislation against blasphemy or desecration of any celestial religion or scripture.

The event was attended by distinguished scholars including Allama Abdul Haq Mujahid, Maulana Muhammad Rafiq Jami, Maulana Asad Zakaria Qasmi, Maulana Nauman Hashir, Maulana Muhammad Shafi Qasmi, Maulana Assadullah Farooq, Allama Zubair Abid, Maulana Islam Siddiqui, Qari Abdul Hakeem Athar, Allama Tahir Hassan, Maulana Muhammad Ashfaq Pitafi, Maulana Aziz Akbar Qasmi, Mufti Falk Sher, Mufti Syed Naseem-ul-Islam, Mufti Rehmat Din, Qari Abdul Majid Haqqani, Qari Kifayatullah, Maulana Abdul Jabar, Qari Muhammad Islam Qadri, Maulana Qari Mubashir Rahimi, Maulana Abdul Ghaffar Farooqi, and Maulana Nasir Haqqani.

Ashrafi highlighted that the teachings of the Holy Quran and the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) promote interfaith dialogue.

He expressed gratitude towards Pope Francis, Christian leaders, and leaders of other non-Muslim faiths in Sweden for their condemnation of the Quran burning incidents.

He further affirmed the Pakistan Ulema Council’s full support for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and its agreements under the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

He urged the government to take immediate action against individuals involved in promoting campaigns against the
armed forces and the nation.

He demanded swift justice for the perpetrators of the May 9 incidents and the release of innocent individuals who have been detained without evidence.

He emphasized that extremist and foreign ideologies had caused the most damage to Islam and Muslims.

The seminar, chaired by Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, also deliberated on the necessity of global legislation
to protect the sanctity of holy sites.

The scholars highlighted the exemplary rights granted to non-Muslims during the era of the Rashidun Caliphs. The non-Muslim community in Pakistan expressed strong condemnation of the events in Sweden, they added.

They said Hazrat Usman Ghani (RA), revered for his sacrifices for peace in the City of the Prophet (Madina), played a
vital role in the compilation and preservation of the Quran, ensuring its safety until the Day of Judgment.

The scholars emphasized the responsibility of Muslims to follow in his footsteps and propagate the message of Islam
and the teachings of the Quran, which promote peace, love, and righteousness.

The Pakistan Ulema Council, in collaboration with the International Interfaith Harmony Council, has announced the upcoming World Interfaith Conference scheduled to take place in Islamabad during the final week of November. The conference aims to gather global leaders of all faiths, including Pope Francis, the Sheikh of Al-Azhar, and the Imam of
the Kaaba, along with other prominent Muslim and non-Muslim leaders.

During the seminar, they called for immediate action against those propagating against the Pakistan Army and the Chief
of Army Staff.

“It has been two months since the May 9 incidents, and the nation continues to mourn. The martyrs, who hold the highest status in Islam, are being targeted at their memorial sites across the country,” they lamented.

The scholars emphasized the urgency for the judiciary to expedite decisions on matters like the May 9 incidents, considering their impact on future cases.

The seminar concluded with a unanimous call for immediate action against elements involved in promoting campaigns against the Pakistan Army and the Chief of Army Staff, as well as justice for the innocent.

Syed Naveed Qamar, Federal Minister for Commerce Visited H/P Bund and issued directive regarding repair and maintenance of H/P Mulaktiyar Bund Bulri Shah Karim

Zia Ur Rehman

Sun, 9 Jul 2023, 8:27 PM

People from different walks of life making Quran Chain organize by the Muslim Talba Mahaz Pakistan at Abpara against the desecration of Holy Quran in Sweden

Zia Ur Rehman

Sun, 9 Jul 2023, 8:17 PM

CPEC projects rapidly ushering Pakistan’s development landscape: Experts

Asim Usman

Sun, 9 Jul 2023, 8:11 PM

Dr. Saeed Ahmad Ali

LAHORE, Jul 09 (APP):Experts on Sunday said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was playing a key role in transforming the development landscape of Pakistan with the launch of several multi-billion-dollar projects.

Talking to APP in connection with the completion of 10 years signing of CPEC, the experts opined that the mega project helped Pakistan making progress in the region and the world.
The experts said the country, during the last one decade has ushered in a new era of development with the completion of hundreds of projects under the umbrella of CPEC, which included coal-fired power plants, the Orange Line mass transit project, and road infrastructure.
Dr. Nadeem Javaid Chief Economist and PD CPEC said that it was worth welcoming that the synergistic convergence of President Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s vision is going to transform Pakistan into an Asian tiger by 2025.
This collective vision aimed to shift the nation’s focus from geopolitics to geo-economics, harnessing Pakistan’s strategic location as a crossroads between South Asia, Central Asia, China, and the Middle East, he said.
The goal was to establish Pakistan as a regional hub for trade, commerce, manufacturing, and agriculture, he said, adding that the CPEC is all about a story of hard work and untiring commitment between the leadership of Pakistan and China.
Through industrial diversification, the long-term economic development of any country is dependent upon its productive material capabilities and the types of products which it produces for exports.
To a query Nadeem said that even, South-East Asian countries are now gradually moving up the industrial ladder and have developed capabilities for production of more complex and sophisticated products, which are much in demand in the global markets.
Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) former President Mian Nasser Hyatt Magoo told APP that in the prevailing situation, industrialisation has the potential to become a dynamic engine of economic growth for the country, adding that it would help make significant contributions to meeting Pakistan’s economic and human development goals.
Regarding development of industrial sector and Vision-2025, he said that Pakistan’s economic planning and policies should be formulated under a long-term productive development vision and modern technology capabilities in the sectors where there is a high scope of diversification and innovation, which would be attractive for the investors.
He appreciated the incumbent government for announcing the main pillars of GDP growth for the next fiscal year, including exports, construction, industries, agriculture, IT, poultry and foreign remittances.
In terms of geo-economic growth and regional connectivity, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is also a blessing for Pakistan’s extensive industrial revitalisation, as well as for other regional countries in South Asia, he remarked. .
Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Hashim Raza, while commending the vision and efforts of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, told APP that an effective policy amid the prevailing situation.
He said it is good omen that the government came up with an immediate planning on swift work on CPEC which will further boost up and save both the industry and the worker.
Hashim Raza lauded the government for boosting exports and industrial production to a considerable level.
Through industrial diversification, the long-term economic development of any country is dependent upon its productive material capabilities and the types of products which it produces for exports.
Even, South-East Asian countries are now gradually moving up the industrial ladder and have developed capabilities for production of more complex and sophisticated products, which are much in demand in the global markets, he added.
It is worth mentioning here that federal Minister for Planning Development & Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal in his recent media brief has said that after the consistent efforts of the federal government, the fruitful results of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor CPEC in (CPEC) projects particularly in Gwadar can be seen visibly from 2022 to till date 637,124 metric ton cargo have been landed in Gwadar which is high as compared to 2018 -2021 which was only 166,207 metric ton.
Minister Ahsan Iqbal lauded the swift completion of delayed projects within one year under Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s leadership.
Notably, he highlighted the resolution of unrest in Gwadar by addressing issues of electricity and water.
Through the construction of dams and desalination plants, Gwadar is now self-sufficient in water for the foreseeable future. Additionally, the transmission of electricity projects, as well as the connection of Gwadar with Iran and national-grade projects, were successfully completed within a year.
The minister emphasized that such accomplishments demonstrated the previous neglect of CPEC and the urgent need for attention.
He expressed optimism regarding recent efforts to restore confidence among Chinese companies and address economic challenges faced by these enterprises.
The Lahore Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) president Kashif Anwar appreciated China’s unwavering support during Pakistan’s economic crisis, highlighting the exceptional relationship between the two countries.
He lamented that the infrastructural loss during the last regime is irreparable, adding that CPEC stands as a game-changer project in the region, poised to revolutionize various sectors, create new opportunities for Pakistani youth, and solidify Pakistan’s place on the global stage.
Meanwhile it may be mentioned here that Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said that the last ten years were an inspirational story of how President Xi Jinping’s vision of “Iron Brotherhood” converted into the completion of projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework.
On his Twitter handle, the prime minister also praised the leadership role of his Quaid (former prime minister) Mian Nawaz Sharif in this regard.
“I am witness to how he oversaw the project implementation in energy & infrastructure sectors, spending hours on fine-tuning the details, reviewing progress & ensuring timelines,” he added.

UNA to hold virtual workshop on Global Media Congress

NNPS Desk

Sun, 9 Jul 2023, 7:26 PM

UNA to hold virtual workshop on Global Media Congress

ISLAMABAD, Jul 09 (APP): The Union of OIC News Agencies (UNA) is set to host a virtual workshop for news agencies introducing the Global Media Congress on Thursday (July 13, 2023) in cooperation with the Emirates News Agency (WAM) and the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC).

The workshop will aim to present the event in its second edition, which will be hosted by Abu Dhabi on
November 14-16, 2023, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, with the attendance of regional and international media industry pioneers, said a press release received here yesterday.

The workshop will also highlight available opportunities for news agencies participating in the congress, including how to book a space for exhibitions and side events.

UNA Director-General Mohammed Al Yami said the workshop is part of the union’s keenness to promote engagement among member news agencies during international media events, which will help to promote their performance and update their tools.

The workshop, the first event of its kind in the region, will also provide an opportunity for member news agencies to exchange ideas, especially amidst the rapid developments in the media sector.

Al Yami said the workshop will also highlight the efforts of member news agencies, most notably WAM, and their significant efforts in organizing similar major media events.

The Global Media Congress, in its second edition, focuses on three themes: environmental media, education in the field of media and innovation, and sports media.

After a successful launch edition, this year’s event will play an even more significant role in facilitating business connections globally and fostering brand reinvention in the new media landscape.

It is noteworthy that the first edition of the GMC was held during the period 15-17 November 2022 and witnessed a wide turnout from major media institutions and organizations around the world, with the participation of more than 1,600 media professionals and 141 countries and the presence of more than 13,556 visitors.