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Beating England on home soil will be a tough task: Afridi

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ISLAMABAD, Jun 14 (APP): Former Twenty 20 skipper Shahid Afridi believes beating England on their home soil would be a tough task for Pakistan but even a drawn series will be a big achievement.

Pakistan’s next assignment is a full tour of the United Kingdom where they will play four Tests, five one-day internationals and a T20. In addition to that there will be two ODIs against Ireland in Dublin. The tour starts with a Test match at Lord’s from July 14.

Afridi who stepped down after Pakistan’s dismal performance in the World Twenty20 and Asia Cup this year but changed his decision to retire from T20 said beating England on their home turf will be a herculean task for Pakistan, with even a drawn series a rewarding result.

“To beat England in their conditions is a huge achievement,” he told cricket.com.au.

He said the amount of domestic cricket they (English players) play is massive and that is the reason their batsmen and bowlers are so familiar with the pitches in the country. “These factors will favour England in the coming series,” he said.

“Even if Pakistan manages to draw the series I think it will be a big achievement. Pakistan’s Test team however is very stable and has done well lately in the subcontinent but to win in England the players will have to put in hard yards,” he said.

Afridi said he has also spoken with the chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq and told him that it is good to have youngsters in the team but in case he (Inzamam) needs me I will be available.

“I am very focused on cricket and want to continue it. I am looking after myself very well and working hard on my fitness. I still feel that I can play for the next couple of years whether it is for Pakistan or PSL (Pakistan Super League), Big Bash or England (domestic) T20s,” he said.

Afridi also hinted at a change of franchise for the second edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in February 2017, having played this year’s tournament with Peshawar Zalmi, who had traded a pick with Islamabad United in the league’s draft in a bid to get him in the team.

He was one of the five marquee players and very first pick in the draft.
“I am a professional cricketer and whichever franchise needs me I am available for it. It is not that I am confined to Peshawar Zalmi only,” he said.

“No doubt that my current team is Zalmi but before moving forward I need to sort out some things with Javed Afridi (owner and chairman of Peshawar Zalmi),” he said.

No compromise on nuclear programme: Amir Muqam

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SWABI, June 14 (APP): Advisor to Prime Minister Engineer Amir
Muqam Tuesday said the nation would not compromise on its nuclear
programme.

Talking to media after attending a funeral here, he said United States was creating tensions by distorting balance of power in South Asia.

The steps of United States would endanger peace of the world.
he added.

He said Pakistan wanted permanent peace in the region and
would not tolerate terrorism from across the Afghan border.

He said Pakistan built a gate for Afghanistan in its area and
always played a role for progress and prosperity of its neighbour.

Pakistan hosted millions of Afghan refugees but Afghanistan
resorted to violence against Pakistan which was unfortunate, he
added.

He said the world had accepted that nuclear programme of
Pakistan was in safe hands, adding nefarious designs of the enemy
would be defeated.

To a question about health and return of Prime Minister Nawaz
Sharif, he said the Prime Minister was recovering fast and would
return to Pakistan after gaining full health.

He said those who were doing politics on Panama Leaks were
losing steam, adding these elements were just talking and did not
have anything to offer for progress and prosperity of the country.

These elements only disappointed people with their actions, he added.

SECP amends NBFC Rules and NBFCs and notified entities Regulations

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ISLAMABAD, Jun 14 (APP): In light of strong determination of the Commission to promote “ease of doing business” in all the areas under its ambit, SECP has approved draft amendments in Non-Banking Finance Companies (Establishment & Regulation) Rules, 2003 and Non-Banking Finance Companies.

In this connection , the commission has notified entities regulations, 2008 for smooth transition of Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) into Non-Bank Microfinance Companies (NBMFCs), a statement issued by SECP here today said.

In order to provide operational flexibility for the smooth transition of MFIs into NBMFCs, the major amendments include relaxation in cross directorship requirement for NBMFCs for specified periods of time.

SECP said that insertion of experience and knowledge in professions such as economics, social sector, development sector, microfinance sector for persons to become directors of NBMFCs in the Fit and Proper criteria.

Similarly, changes related to obtaining of CIB Report and minimum investment in microfinance related assets have also been proposed.

Notifications with regards to the amendments are placed on SECP website at the following links:
http://www.secp.gov.pk/notification/pdf/2016/SRO-530-
2016-Amendments_in_NBFC_Rules_2003.pdf
http://www.secp.gov.pk/notification/pdf/2016/SRO-531-
2016-Amendments_in_NBFC_Regulation_2008.pdf

Moreover, considering the distinct operational nature of MFIs, SECP has exempted certain provisions of rules for those NBMFCs whose microfinance assets are less than 30% of their total assets.

CADD to purchase 200 busses for ICT students, Senate told

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ISLAMABAD, Jun 14 (APP):The Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) would purchase 200 busses for schools and colleges of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), State Minister CADD Dr Tariq Fazl Chaudhry told Senate on Tuesday.

Responding to a Calling Attention Notice of Senator Muhammad Atteeq Shaikh, he said the busses were being purchased under Prime Minister’s Educational Reforms package to provide pick and drop facilitate to far flung area students.

A total of 139 busses are providing pick and drop facilities to the students of ICT educational institutes of Federal Directorate of Education.

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has accorded approval to purchase 200 more busses for facilitating the students of especially far flung areas in phases.

The tendering process for the purchase of 70 busses has already been kicked off.

Likewise 130 more busses would be purchased in the next phase.

Under the PM’s package, he said the renovations/upgradation of 22 educational institutes have already been completed.

The educational institutes are being provided necessary facilities including toilets, boundary walls, barbed wires, clean drinking water, white boards, IT labs etc.

The PC-I for renovation/upgradation of 200 more buildings of educational institutes is ready. The school buildings would be renovated with the cost of over Rs 50 million.

Vice President ADB to visit Pakistan on June 15

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ISLAMABAD, Jun 14 (APP): Vice President of Asian Development Bank is scheduled to undertake a week-long visit to Pakistan from June 15.

This was announced by Country Director, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Werner Liepach at a meeting with Minister for Finance Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar here.

Mr.Liepach briefed the Minister regarding the visit of ADB Vice President to Pakistan from June 15 to 20, a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance here said.

He informed that the Vice President among other official engagements would also participate in the signing ceremony for additional financing for M-4, Shorkot-Khanewal highway project.

Dar said that he was looking forward to receive the ADB Vice President.
Liepach also discussed matters relating to the upcoming Ministerial meeting of the Central Asian Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC), to be held in Islamabad later this year.

It was noted that the arrangements for the meetings were progressing smoothly.

Pakistan has been actively participating in the CAREC activities, since joining the group in 2010.

ADB is supporting development of trade and transportation corridors in Central and South Asian region, promoting regional connectivity.

The ADB’s current portfolio for Pakistan also came under discussion.
Liepach informed the Minister that most of the projects were progressing as per the timelines.

He also stated that ADB’s financing programme in Pakistan for the next three years was presently being discussed with the Economic Affairs Division.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar appreciated the continued support of Asian Development Bank for the socio-economic development of Pakistan.

Senior officials of Ministry of Finance attended the meeting.

COAS visits forward locations in North, South Waziristan; spends day with troops, tribesmen

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RAWALPINDI, June 14 (APP): Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General
Raheel Sharif on Tuesday visited forward locations in North and
South Waziristan and spent whole day with the tribes and troops busy
in consolidation phase of Operation Zarb-e Azb.

According to ISPR, COAS was given detailed briefing on ongoing
Operations and comprehensive Rehabilitation work and its effects on
the social landscape of area.

While acknowledging exceptional achievements, courage,
determination and sacrifices of troops in achieving the Operational
gains, COAS said Zarb-e-Azb was launched against terrorists of all
hues and colour and sanctuaries of terrorists have been dismantled
without discrimination.

COAS said that operation Zarb-e-Azb is in its final stage in the
fewer left out pockets.

Pakistan Army with support of the entire nation has achieved
unparalleled successes in fight against terrorism, he said.
COAS inaugurated multiple projects as part of the post operation
comprehensive rehabilitation plan for Federally Administered Tribal
Area (FATA).

He also inaugurated 72 km long Miranshah – Razmak- Makeen dual
carriage Road as part of the 705 Kms Central Trade Corridor.
The newly constructed road by FWO will considerably reduce
traveling time between North and South Wazirstan.

Later, COAS commissioned state of the art 100-bed Sheikha Fatima
Binte Mubarak hospital at Sholam, in South Waziristan Agency.

On the ocassion, COAS said development of Fata is a priority
task being undertaken by the army as a comprehensive plan. These
projects will improve the quality of life in tribal areas, usher a
new era of economic prosperity and address the problem of militancy
on a long term basis, COAS emphasized.

Pakistan Army has undertaken 567 projects so far in the social
sector, communication infrastructure and power sector in Waziristan.
General Raheel Sharif appreciated the support of the tribal
brethren in combating terrorism and acknowledged their sacrifices.

He assured them that terrorists would never be allowed to
return and Army will not go back till the job is fully done.

As return of Temporarily Displaced Persons (TDPs) and their
resettlement works continue so as to complete by end of current
year, our focus within FATA will now be on more efficient border
management to prevent cross border movement.

For enduring stability, Intelligence Based Operations (IBOs)
and combing operations will continue with same vigor across the
country.

Major Ali Jawad embraces shahdat following unprovoked firing by Afghans

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RAWALPINDI June 14 (APP): Major Ali Jawad Khan who had sustained injuries at Torkham due to unprovoked firing by Afghan forces on Monday, succumbed to the injuries at Combined Military Hospital Peshawar on Tuesday.

According to ISPR, Namaz e Janaza of shaheed will be offered at Peshawar Garrison and his body will be taken to his home town Quetta, Balochistan for burial with full military honor.

COAS, others attend Major Jawad’s Namaz-e-Janaza

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PESHAWAR June 14 (APP): Chief Of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif and other senior Army officers including the Corp Commandar Peshawar Tuesday attended Namaz-e-Janaza of Major Ali Jawad Changezai who embraced Shahadat in the unprovoked firing of Afghan forces at Torkham border in Khyber Agency.

Major Ali Jawad Changezi who got bullet injuries on in the firing incident and was brought to the Combined Military Hospital Peshawar on Monday but he succumbed to his wounds.

The funeral prayer of the Shaheed officer was offered at Peshawar Garrison. Chief of Army Staff, General Raheel Sharif, Corps Commander Peshawar and senior military and civil officers attended the funeral prayer of Shaheed Ali Jawad Changezi.

Meanwhile, Governor KPK, Engr. Iqbal Zafar Jhagra expressed profound grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of Shaheed Major Ali Jawad and termed his sacrifices in high esteem.

The entire nation would always remember the sacrifices of our valiant security forces and Pakistan army, the Governor said.

The Governor also expressed sympathies with members of the bereaved family and prayed Allah Almighty to grant them courage to bear this irreparable loss with patience and fortitude.

Lok Virsa aims to make regional literature avail in national language: Dr. Fouzia

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ISLAMABAD, Jun 14 (APP): Lok Virsa Publishing house aims to make regional folk literature available in the national language to promote greater understanding and closer fraternity amongst Pakistanis and to make cultural literature available to schools, colleges, universities and social scientists

This was stated by Dr. Fouzia Saeed, Executive Director Lok Virsa while talking to APP, she said that it would not be unjust to call Lok Virsa the cultural storehouse of literature pertaining to country traditions.

“Original research works in all regional languages of Pakistan along with Urdu renderings of the Regional text are published,” she said, adding that patronage has expanded from scholars to the general public.

Virsa Research and Publication Center also conducts field surveys and village to village recordings of folk traditions.

It conducts and commissions research in all sub-fields of folk and traditional heritage like oral traditions (folk songs, romantic folktales, nursery rhymes; etc), children games, celebrations at birth and weddings and others.

Int’l rights body urges Pakistan to prosecute rampant “honour” killings

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NEW YORK, June 14 (APP): Human Rights Watch, a prominent international watchdog body, has called on Pakistan’s government to urgently investigate and prosecute those responsible for the recent jump in reported “honour” killings in the country.

“So-called honor killings have been a long-festering problem in Pakistan, and the recent escalating trend makes it clear they won’t go away on their own,” Brad Adams, Asia director, said in a statement, referring to a series of incidents around the country.

“The government needs to step up its prosecution of these horrific cases and send a message of zero tolerance.”

Pakistani law allows the family of a murder victim to pardon the perpetrator, HRW said. This practice is often used in cases of “honour” killings, where the victim and perpetrator frequently belong to the same family, in order to evade prosecution. The 2004 Criminal Law (Amendment) Act made “honour” killings a criminal offense, but HRW said the law remains poorly enforced.

In February 2016, a documentary about “honour” killings by Pakistani filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, “A Girl in the River,” won an Academy Award. The film prompted Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to speak out publicly on “honour” killings, stating that he would look into the issue and seek reform.

In March, Pakistan’s senate passed an anti-honour killing bill, which is now pending National Assembly approval. HRW urged Prime Minister Sharif to support the bill, which seeks to eliminate the option of murder committed in the name of “honour” to be “forgiven.”

“Pakistani law literally allows killers to get away with murdering the women in their families,” Adams said. “The law should be protecting women from these vicious acts “ not enshrining an escape clause for their killers.”

Legislative changes are only a part of the solution, HRW said, adding the Pakistani government should ensure that police impartially investigate “honour” killings without bowing to political or other pressure from local and religious leaders. The government should also ensure that safe emergency shelter, protection, and support is available to any woman or girl who may be at risk from her family.

In May 2016, HRW noted the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) proposed that men should be allowed to “lightly” beat their wives, “if needed,” and prohibited the mixing of genders in schools, hospitals, and offices.

During a June 10 television program, a senator from an Islamist political party, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F), verbally abused and attempted to physically assault Marvi Sirmed, a human rights activist, for criticizing the CII.

“Statements from the governmental Council of Islamic Ideology are making an already toxic environment for women in Pakistan worse,” Adams said. “The Pakistani government should act quickly and decisively to ensure that no interpretation of religious or cultural norms prevails over basic rights.”

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