NDMA, Save the Children signed MoU to strengthen disaster risk reduction

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Thu, 13 Jul 2023, 6:01 PM

ISLAMABAD, Jul 13 (APP): Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik on Thursday witnessed the signing ceremony of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NDMA and Save the Children, International (SCI,UK) organization to extend partnership to enhance emergency preparedness, response, rehabilitation and recovery initiatives in the country.

The agreement was signed by Member Disaster Risk Reduction from NDMA, Idrees Mehsud and Country Director from Save the Children, Muhammad Khuram Gondal, a press release said.

Under the MoU, NDMA and SCI will work on capacity-building programs, joint advocacy efforts, awareness campaigns, and institutional strengthening activities, ensuring that children’s unique needs and vulnerabilities are adequately addressed- ultimately minimizing the impact of disasters on children.

The Chairman NDMA emphasized the significance of local community engagement in order to enable disaster resilience. He highlighted the need for an efficient Early Warning System (EWS) in place to mitigate the adverse impacts of such disasters.

He also emphasised the importance of the region-wise grouping of humanitarian organisations to enhance coordination during emergencies and better disaster preparedness.

Country Director Save the Children, Pakistan chapter, Muhammad Khuram Gondal appreciated the envisioned National Emegencies Operation Centre (NEOC) and assured every possible cooperation in the fields of disaster risk reduction.

He reiterated strengthening emergency preparedness and response mechanisms to safeguard the rights and needs of children during disasters through collaboration with NDMA.

The signing of the MoU represents a significant milestone in combining the expertise and resources of NDMA and Save the Children, Pakistan to make a tangible difference in protecting the lives and futures of Pakistani children in times of crisis.

Wheelchair Cricket Asia Cup 2023 pushed to September

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NNPS Desk

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Thu, 13 Jul 2023, 5:51 PM

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ISLAMABAD, Jul 13 (APP): The second edition of the Wheelchair Cricket Asia Cup 2023 has been pushed to September due to the expected heavy rains in Nepal during the ongoing month, the Pakistan Wheelchair Cricket Council (PWCC) said on Thursday.

The event, being hosted by Pakistan at the neutral venue of Kathmandu, Nepal, was earlier scheduled to take place during the ongoing month.

“The month of July is considered a rainy season in Kathmandu. Hence, we have decided to move the tournament to September,” PWCC President Rookhsana Rajpoot told APP on Thursday.

Earlier, the PWCC had said that it was all set to host the event in Pakistan but due to some issues, it was decided to shift it to Nepal.

Rookhsana said every effort would be made to make the event a real success. “We will try to ensure fans enjoy exciting contests during the event,” she added.

The matches will be played at the two grounds in Kathmandu. Teams from Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will participate in the Asia Cup.

Meanwhile, a PWCC delegation met Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori at the Governor House. Member of the National Assembly Kishwar Zahra of Muttahida Qaumi Movement was also present on the occasion, said a press release.

Wheelchair Cricket Asia Cup 2023 pushed to September

The PWCC delegation was comprised of captain Muhammad Zeeshan, vice-captain Syed Arslan Ahmed, Sajid Ali Abbasi, Imran Amin and Warseemuddin Sheikh.

Promotion of wheelchair cricket, holding of tournaments at the regional level, encouragement of wheelchair cricketers and other issues were discussed in the meeting.

The Sindh governor said the PWCC’s efforts for the promotion of wheelchair cricket were commendable. He assured all-possible support for the development of wheelchair cricket. He said the preparation of world-class players was the need of the hour.

Rookhsana told him that Pakistan was the reigning Asian champion as it won the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2019. “We are confident our team will repeat their past feat to retain the title,” she added.

Kashmir Martyrs Day observed to pay homage to Muslim protesters killed on Jul 13, 1931

By

Najam ul Hassan

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Thu, 13 Jul 2023, 5:26 PM

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ISLAMABAD, Jul 13 (APP):Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and world over on Thursday observed the 92nd Youm-e-Shuhada-e-Kashmir (Kashmir Martyrs Day) to commemorate the martyrdom of 21 Kashmiris, who sacrificed their lives while braving the brute and indiscriminate firing of Dogra forces in 1931.

On that day, the Kashmiri people were protesting against the Dogra ruler over a case registered against the Freedom Movement leader Abdul Qadeer Khan Ghazi.

Police killed a young man when he tried to offer Azan (Zuhr prayer’s call) during protest outside the Central Jail, Srinagar where proceeding of the case against Abdul Qadeer was in progress.

Meanwhile, another person stood up to offer Azan, who also was killed by the police. While completing Azan (prayer’s call), as many as 21 Kashmiris embraced martyrdom.

This tragic day is an important milestone in the struggle against the occupation of Kashmir.

Despite the anger and resistance of the Muslims, the British sold Jammu and Kashmir to the Hindu Maharaja Gulab Singh for Rs 750,000. The anti-Islam Maharaja had banned the preaching of prayers, allowed the desecration of the Holy Quran and evicted many Muslims from their lands.

The 100-years era of the Dogra rule remained a dark chapter of the history of sufferings of the Jammu and Kashmir’s Muslims.

In Jammu and Kashmir, 13th July was officially observed as Kashmir Martyrs’ Day since 1949, but after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, New Delhi removed it from the list of public holidays.

The Kashmiris are not allowed by the brutal Indian government to commemorate the day but they always remember the importance of the day.

Banning the commemoration of this day in Occupied Kashmir since 2019 is part of India’s plan to alienate Kashmiris from their history and culture.

However, in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the Kashmir Martyrs’ Day is observed with fervor by organizing different activities.

Even today, Kashmiris, with the spirit of freedom, are sacrificing their lives against the Indian occupation of their land.

Pak Shaheens to face Nepal on Friday

By

NNPS Desk

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Thu, 13 Jul 2023, 5:22 PM

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ISLAMABAD, Jul 13 (APP):Defending champions Pakistan Shaheens were all set to open their campaign in the ACC Men’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup when they take on Nepal at the Colombo Cricket Club Ground in Sri Lanka on Friday.

The eight teams in the 50-over tournament are divided into two pools. Afghanistan A, Bangladesh A, Oman A and Sri Lanka A are a part of Group A, while Pakistan Shaheens along with India A, Nepal and UAE A are in Group B.

After taking on Nepal, Mohammad Haris-led Shaheens would take on UAE A on July 17 at the P Saravanamuttu Stadium, while their last group match will be against India A on July 19 at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium. Top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals which will be played on July 21. The final of the tournament will take place on July 23.

Before arriving in Colombo on Tuesday night, Shaheens were involved in a six-day training camp at Lahore’s National Cricket Academy. They also underwent two-day training sessions in Colombo under the coaching panel led by Mohammad Masroor.

The previous edition of the ACC Men’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup was held in Bangladesh from 14 to 23 November 2019. Pakistan Shaheens won the 2019 iteration of the tournament beating hosts Bangladesh in the final by 77 runs at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

In the first semi-final of that competition, they defeated India Emerging Team in a thriller by three runs at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. In that match Omair Bin Yousuf and Amad Butt – the only two players part of the current Shaheens squad for the forthcoming tournament – contributed significantly to the team’s win. Opening batter Omair scored 66, while right-arm fast Amad took one for 43 including a brilliant death overs spell to help his side reach the final.

On the eve of Shaheens’ opening match, Omair and Amad shed light on the team’s preparations as they looked forward to the tournament. Amad said, “We have prepared well for this event and are excited to be in action.

“This is a very important tournament for each one of us. This presents a comeback opportunity for me and I will strive to utilise it in order to gain a spot in the national side.”

Omair said, “I am eager to repeat the same performance that I have produced in Shaheens recent tour to Zimbabwe. I will try to execute my plans on the match day that I have practiced in the nets here.

“We will focus on executing our plans effectively and making every effort to emerge victorious.
“This tournament provides a great opportunity for any youngster to perform and get a chance to represent the national team, so I will too try to grab it with both hands by giving good performances.”

Squad includes Mohammad Haris (captain, wicketkeeper) (Peshawar), Omair Bin Yousuf (vice-captain) (Karachi), Amad Butt (Sialkot), Arshad Iqbal (Swabi), Haseebullah (Quetta), Kamran Ghulam (Peshawar), Mehran Mumtaz (Rawalpindi), Mubasir Khan (Islamabad), Mohammad Wasim Jnr (North Waziristan), Qasim Akram (Lahore), Sahibzada Farhan (Charsadda), Saim Ayub (Karachi), Shahnawaz Dahani (Larkana), Sufiyan Muqeem (AJK) and Tayyab Tahir (Gujrat).
Non-traveling reserves – Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Junaid and Rohail Nazir.
Player support personnel: Shahid Aslam (manager), Mohammad Masroor (head coach), Hanif Malik (batting/fielding coach), Umar Rashid (bowling coach) and Imtiaz Ahmed (physiotherapist).

Pakistan’s fixtures in ACC Men’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup: Group B: v Nepal- July 14, Colombo Cricket Club Ground (10am local time); v UAE A- July 17, P Saravanamuttu Stadium (10am local time); v India A- July 19, R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium (2pm local time).