ISLAMABAD
National Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Tourism, Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan addressing during a distribution of Super Nova School Celebrates Record-Breaking Results “High Achievers Ceremony 2025″at local hotel
ISLAMABAD
Students pose for a photograph with their medals and certificates during the “High Achievers Ceremony 2025” organized by Super Nova School to celebrate record-breaking results at a local hotel
ISLAMABAD
Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Tourism, Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, in a group photograph with gold medalist students of Super Nova School, during the “High Achievers Ceremony 2025” organized by Super Nova School to celebrate record-breaking results at a local hotel
ISLAMABAD
Speakers voiced grave concern over Indian government’s settler-colonial policies aimed at altering Kashmir
ISLAMABAD, Sep 20 (APP):Speakers at a seminar jointly hosted by the Community Human Rights and Advocacy Centre (CHRAC) and the Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR) voiced grave concern over the Indian government’s settler-colonial policies aimed at altering the demography of Jammu and Kashmir — a disputed region that has remained in the vortex of violence for decades.
Held on the sidelines of the 60th session of the UNHRC, the seminar was attended and addressed by international law experts, academicians, and rights activists from different parts of the world, including Dr. Muzmil Ayub Thakur, Advocate Parvez Shah, Tahreem Bukhari, Dr. Shugufta Ashraf, Syed Ali Raza, Mirza Asif Jarral, and others.
The event was moderated by Dr. Raja Sajjad Khan, according to a press release received here from Geneva.
Distinguished panelists noted that demographic change has emerged as a critical driver of global stability. However, in the case of Kashmir, the systematic demographic engineering pursued by the Indian state has not only fueled political instability but also led to the annihilation and marginalization of the indigenous population, pushing it to the edge under settler-colonial policies.
They said that the redefinition of the state’s age-old domicile law has been used by India as a conduit to enforce demographic change in the Muslim-majority region by settling non-state subjects in the territory.
Alongside massive political and administrative machinations, the speakers highlighted that demographic engineering through settlement policies and disenfranchisement has undermined the region’s cultural identity as well as its political autonomy.
Such practices, they warned, not only threaten peace and human rights but also violate international norms and risk fueling long-term instability — not only within Kashmir but across South Asia.
The panelists emphasized that addressing these concerns requires urgent international attention to ensure that demographic shifts are not weaponized as tools of domination but are instead guided by respect for peoples’ rights, dignity, and regional harmony.
The speakers urged the UN Human Rights Council to take cognizance of the situation in Indian illegally occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJ&K) territory and hold Indian government accountable.
“Altering the demography of a disputed territory constitutes a violation of the UN Charter, which strictly prohibits an occupying power from manipulating the demographic composition of the region under its control,” the speakers remarked.
Public outrage as WSSCA Abbottabad issues inflated water bills despite rollback assurance
ABBOTTABAD, Sep 20 (APP): The Water and Sanitation Services Company Abbottabad (WSSCA) has triggered widespread anger by issuing inflated water bills to residents of four urban union councils, despite earlier assurances that recently imposed taxes would be withdrawn.
According to details, WSSCA increased charges for five, ten, fifteen marla and one kanal plots under a slab system, adding water, sewerage and sanitation taxes. For ten marla households, the bill was nearly doubled from Rs 750 to Rs 1,350, while fifteen marla and one kanal properties received even higher charges. This sudden hike has left citizens in shock and frustration.
Earlier, members of the Tehsil Council were assured by the Secretary of Local Government and Rural Development that the additional taxes would be withdrawn. However, WSSCA distributed the revised bills anyway, sparking a wave of public resentment. Citizens have threatened to protest at Fawara Chowk and outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office if the issue is not resolved.
WSSCA spokes Umar Swati stated that due to the council’s decision to roll back the taxes, residents have been instructed not to pay the new bills for now. He added that the bills were categorized under a slab system across the four affected union councils.
Citizens, however, expressed outrage, recalling that the Tehsil Municipal Administration previously charged only Rs 60 for water bills, which has now risen to Rs 300 per month, with additional conservancy and sewerage charges pushing the total even higher.
They also criticized the misuse of the Japanese-funded gravity flow water scheme, which was designed to provide free water to Abbottabad’s urban areas. Residents claim that what was meant as a public welfare project has now been turned into a source of “organized overcharging,” creating a wave of anger across the city.
Gold, silver prices rise in local market
ISLAMABAD, Sep 20 (APP):The price of 24-karat gold per tola rose by Rs2,800 on Saturday, reaching Rs390,300 compared to Rs387,500 the previous day, according to the All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA).
Similarly, the rate of 10 grams of 24-karat gold increased by Rs1,458, now priced at Rs334,619, against Rs333,161 a day earlier. The price of 10 grams of 22-karat gold also moved up by Rs1,337, reaching Rs306,745, compared to Rs305,408 yesterday.
In the international bullion market, gold prices rose by $17 per ounce to settle at $3,685, up from $3,668 recorded a day ago.
Silver prices also experienced an upward trend. The price of 24-karat silver per tola increased by Rs114, reaching Rs4,532 compared to Rs4,418 on Friday. Likewise, 10 grams of silver rose by Rs98, now available at Rs3,885, up from Rs3,787.
On the global front, silver prices climbed by $1.14, standing at $43.05 per ounce compared to $41.91 a day earlier.
Minister visits Jalalpur Pirwala, reviews gas line safety, relief efforts
MULTAN, Sep 20 (APP):Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervez Malik visited the Jalalpur Pirwala motorway breach site on Saturday to assess flood damage, review relief efforts, and ensure the continuity of gas supply.
He was accompanied by the Secretary of Petroleum, Managing Director of Sui Northern Gas, Deputy Managing Director of Operations, Commissioner Multan Aamir Kareem Khan, and Deputy Commissioner Multan Waseem Hamid Sindhu.
During the visit, officials briefed the minister on the emergency bypass line being installed to maintain uninterrupted gas supply. They informed him that, due to high flood levels in the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers, the affected pipeline had been proactively isolated as a safety measure. Field teams continue to monitor the situation, and repair and restoration work will commence on a priority basis once water levels recede.
Commissioner Aamir Kareem Khan also updated the delegation on the ongoing rescue and relief operations, including restoration efforts on the damaged section of the motorway using heavy machinery. A detailed damage survey of all affected settlements is planned once floodwaters subside.
Officials confirmed that gas supply across Punjab and upper regions remains unaffected, with no reported outages, thanks to a parallel supply line currently in operation.
SU Laar Campus holds first intra-departmental skill-oriented test
HYDERABAD, Sep 20 (APP):The Department of English Language and Literature (DELL), University of Sindh Laar Campus, Badin organized its first intra-departmental skill-cum-job oriented test for the second semester of 2025 batch, aimed at boosting students’ academic and professional development.
Conducted under the supervision of the Head of Department Prof. Dr. Muhammad Tufail Chandio and faculty members, the test assessed students’ knowledge and skills in line with professional requirements and competitive examinations.
The assessment was divided into two groups: Group one covered Language Studies, Grammar, Tenses, Punctuation and Literature, while Group two included Linguistics, English Literature, History of English Literature, Prosody and Literary Terms.
The initiative provided students with an opportunity to self-evaluate, strengthen preparation and build confidence for future academic and career pursuits.
Faculty appreciated the active and enthusiastic participation of students.
Nadeem Afzal Chan pays tribute to shaheed Mir Murtaza Bhutto on his death anniversary
ISLAMABAD, Sep 20 (APP): Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Central Secretary Information, Nadeem Afzal Chan, has paid glowing tribute to Shaheed Mir Murtaza Bhutto on his death anniversary, recalling his courage, resilience and lifelong struggle for democracy.
In his message on Saturday, Chan said Mir Murtaza Bhutto was a symbol of bravery and resistance who dedicated his life to opposing dictatorship and safeguarding democratic values. “His sacrifice is an unforgettable chapter in the history of Pakistan,” he remarked.
Highlighting the sacrifices of the Bhutto family, Chan stated that Mir Murtaza Bhutto’s martyrdom serves as a reminder that the Bhuttos never stepped back from the fight for democracy. He alleged that “Mir Murtaza Bhutto was martyred as part of a conspiracy to weaken the Bhutto family and to bring down Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s government.”
He further said that Mir Murtaza Bhutto’s steadfastness and love for the people will always be remembered, adding that his struggle remains a guiding light for PPP workers. “Until we turn the dreams of our martyrs into reality, their sacrifices will not be truly honored,” Chan emphasized.
Rescue 1122 holds first-aid training for girl students
BUNER, Sept. 20 (APP): Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rescue 1122 Monday organized first-aid training for the students of Government Girls School Swarai, tehsil Gagra.
The objective of the training was to train students for providing first-aid facilities to injure or burn persons before arriving rescue services in case of any emergency.
The students were also imparted various techniques for fire extinguishing to minimize human lives losses in fire eruption incidents. The students were also trained regarding standard operating procedures of coronavirus and how to tackle with patients of this pandemic.
The training was organized on the directives of Director General Rescue 1122, District Emergency Officer Swat Rafiullah Marwat.
On the occasion Rescue1122 jawans briefed teachers and students about the services of Rescue 1122 and informed that all the services have been provided to masses free-of-cost. They urged the participants to call 1122 in case of any mishap.