ISLAMABAD, Apr 4 (APP): National Security Advisor Lt Gen (R) Nasir Khan Janjua Wednesday said terrorism required International and global response as it could not be fought individually or state or group of countries.
“Despite losing children, senior leadership and thousands innocent people in war against terrorism, our resilient is intact,” he said while speaking at a session “Dynamic of Internal Security” at International Counter Terrorism Forum (IICTF) organized by National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA).
The NACTA is organizing the Forum to provide an ample opportunity to portray the country’s positive and soft image and a nation of courage, perseverance and resilience.
He said there was dire need to work to gather to purge the menace of terrorism.
Appreciating NACTA for organizing such an even, he said the whole world was suffering from terrorism and Pakistan was a victim country of it.
He said unfortunately despite main suffer in war against terrorism, Pakistan was being blamed for playing double standard.
He said Pakistan remained at front line state against terrorism and its people and personal of security forces rendered matchless sacrifices in this war.
He said unfortunately USA and its allied forces abandoned Afghanistan after the collapse of former Soviet Union (USSR) resulting creation of vacuum. Later the vacuum was filled by radical groups, he added.
Janjua said Pakistani leadership formulated National Action Plan (NAP) to tackle the menace of terrorism, adding all the provinces and other stakeholders contributed well and stood like a rock.
He said various operations including Zarb-e-Azb and Raddul Fasad were launched to get required results and now all FATA and others areas had fully been cleared from terrorists.
He said Karachi operation had also normalized life in the port city.
Afrasiab Khattak while speaking on the occasion said that Pakistani people and personnel of armed forces made supreme sacrifices and defeated the terrorists.
He said it was a common struggle for all Pakistani. He said in 1980, the West had cleared agenda to defeat communism and they radicalize the society.
He said Pakistan had showed strength and perseverance of its people through political leadership who stood united in dealing with menace of terrorism.
He said it was high time to look forward for cooperation for big and small powers. He said Chinese were very serious for peace and their good well should be used.
He said political leadership supported NACTA in all its endeavours to make Pakistan a country free from extremism and
violence.
It is pertinent to mention here that basic objective of the Forum is to highlight Pakistan’s endeavors and achievements in war against terror.
The Forum engaged diplomats, governmental officials, parliamentarians, politicians, United Nation
Agencies, international organizations, aid agencies, media, civil society and world community
at large.
Earlier, one minute silence was observed for victims of terrorism.
A documentary, depicting efforts of people, the government and security agencies of the country against terrorism, was also shown on the occasion.
Global response required to fight terrorism: Nasir Janjua
Lok Virsa Mandwa Film Club to resume film screening
ISLAMABAD, Apr 4 (APP):The Mandwa Film Club of Lok Virsa will resume weekly screening of national and international films at its Media Center.
An official of Lok Virsa said on Wednesday that Mandwa film club would continue its effort to promote Pakistan film industry and its artists by projecting their work.
“We are promoting the soft image and projecting the positivity of our country in the world,” he said.
Still more films from glorious past which related to our folk culture and traditions, more glimpse of international cinema, more dazzling presence of movie celebrities and more fun was in the priority list of our film club, he added.
He said that new talent could learn from the film industry of golden era. For the last two years, Mandwa Film Club had been screening local and international classic movies every Saturday.
“These free movie screenings are accompanied by movie trivia and celebrity guest appearances making Mandwa a great family entertainment spot within the twin cities,”
Ahsan inaugurates academic block at Malakand University
CHAKDARA, Apr 04 (APP):Interior Minister, Ahsan Iqbal here Wednesday inaugurated academic block costing Rs300 million here at Malakand University in Dir Lower District.
The Minister soon after arrival unveiled the plaque and obtained a briefing from the NESPAK KP consultants and university administration.
The Minister also inaugurated Teachers Service Centre and Examination Hall of the University.
Briefing the Federal Minister, architect of NESPAK, Muhammad Waqas said academic block would be completed at cost of Rs 300 million in 18 months that would add beautify of the university besides provide excellent environment to students, research scholars and faculty members.
He said the Project was funded by Higher Education Commission, Islamabad.
The Project was the long awaited demand of people and students of Malakand division that was fulfilled today by the PMLN government.
The students and teachers besides young researchers will get state of the art facilities with completion of the projects besides improving overall standards of education and research works.
The students and teachers highly appreciated the efforts of government and HEC in improving standards of education besides significantly enhancing standard of infrastructure in the public sectors universities, which has benefited students of higher studies immensely.
Int’l community urged to play role in resolving Kashmir conflict
GILGIT, Apr 04 (APP):Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman Wednesday strongly condemned atrocities of the Indian forces against innocent Kashmiris, urging the international community to play role for resolving the issues and stop the Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir.
In a statement, the GB CM said Indian state and armed forces were committing external judicial killings in
Kashmir valley, necessitating intervention by the international community to play part for resolving the conflict which had put at stake peace in South Asian region.
He said that Indian state was committing genocide in the Occupied Kashmir under a well thought plot to change Kashmir’s status and innocent Kashmiris had been subjected to barbaric acts, but the international community stood onlooker, he added.
The GB CM said that people of Kashmir would continue their struggle for achieving right to self-determination despite odds, adding it was genuine demand of Kashmiri people for right to self determination.
He said India could not suppress indigenous struggle in Kashmir valley in which millions of Kashmir people laid their lives for the just cause of independence.
He said that Indian state wanted to replicate in occupied Kashmir atrocities against Muslim
community of Gujrat, adding shedding blood of innocent Kashmiris substantiate the Indian rulers as being terrorists.
He said all the political parties were same page regarding Kashmir issue and the international community should play role in resolving the issue.
Autonomous, de-politicised and accountable police force stressed for effectively coping challenges
ISLAMABAD, Apr 4 (APP):The police force must be made autonomous, de politicized and accountable for coping the present day challenges being confronted by the country, said experts and former high ranking police officers while addressing three day International Counter Terrorism Forum (IICTF-2018) here on Wednesday.
Speaking in a discussion forum titled ‘Improving the Law Enforcement, Policing and De radicalization,’ the speakers said good governance and rule of law is imperative for a healthy and crime free society.
They said the country badly depends on military in every emergency or disaster. Counter terrorism is not military’s job. Police force should be first line of defence. The main difference between police and military is their flawless training. As a nation we never invested in civilian law enforcement agencies.
Professor of International Security Studies, National Defence University’s College of International Security Affairs, former police officer, Hassan Abbas said a strong military needs a strong police. We must ensure capacity building of Police force and promote friendly policing.
Country Head UNODC, Cesar Guedes while speaking on topic titled “Rule of Law and De radicalization of prisons’ said United Nations was providing technical assistance and coherence for counter terrorism initiatives. UN offers training to criminal justice officials to enhance their capacities to combat the menace of terrorism and extremism.
He said prison administration must ensure positive environment to inmates, avoid overcrowding.
Legal Expert, Criminal Justice System Former Registrar Supreme court of Pakistan Dr Faqir Hussain spoke on topic titled ‘Reforming the Criminal Justice System,’ said the enactment of 21st constitutional amendment was virtually no confidence on country’s justice system.
Addressing the forum former police officer Tariq Khosa stressed ensuring capacity building of law enforcement agencies, good governance and rule of law for a healthy and crime free society.
Donors pledge $2 bln to boost aid delivery in war-torn Yemen
UNITED NATIONS, Apr 4 (APP):An appeal that raised some $2 billion to help millions of people in Yemen was a remarkable success of international solidarity for the country’s war-weary people, but aid alone will not provide a solution to the conflict, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said.
Speaking to reporters in Geneva on Tuesday after opening a pledging conference for Yemen, Guterres said that more than $2 billion had been promised by Member States before the end of the event.
Above all, the UN chief said, ” we need a serious political process to lead to a political solution because there was never a humanitarian solution for any humanitarian crisis. The solution has always been political and in Yemen what we need is a political solution for these pledging conferences not to be repeated in the future.”
Describing the situation in Yemen as catastrophic, where every 10 minutes, a child under five dies of preventable causes, the Secretary-General stressed that while humanitarian resources are very important, they are not enough; it is essential, he said, that they reach the people in need. “And for that, we need unrestricted access into Yemen; we need unrestricted access everywhere inside the country.”
This call was also made by UN aid chief Mark Lowcock, who said during the event: “We need better access across the country. We want to see Sana’a airport reopen to commercial flights, notably for humanitarian cases.”
The event was co-chaired by the UN and the governments of Sweden and Switzerland. Pledges were made by 40 Member States and organizations, including the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), for humanitarian action in Yemen in 2018.
International pledges for nearly $2 billion represent almost double the amount raised in 2017 to fund humanitarian aid in the Arabian Peninsula country.
Conflict is ongoing there between an international coalition forces supporting President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi on the one side, and Houthi militias and allied units of the armed forces on the other, which seized control of the capital, Sana’a.
Aid agencies have repeatedly warned about the toll, this has had on non-combatants: forced and repeated displacement of families, massive food insecurity and the collapse of essential services including healthcare and education.
In 2017, the world’s worst outbreak of cholera to date affected one million Yemenis, and diphtheria is now on the rise in what was already one of the poorest and most vulnerable countries in the region before fighting erupted.
Latest UN data indicates that a record 22.2 million people some 75 per cent of the population now need humanitarian assistance. The UN chief added that a horrifying 8.4 million of these do not know how they will obtain their next meal.
Lowcock, who is the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, stressed the dire situation faced by millions of families in Yemen.
The $3 billion appeal target represented a substantial sum of money, he said, but it was small in relation to the needs of Yemenis.
Many now face a 25 per cent rise in the cost of food, the UN official said, explaining that the country imported nearly all of its daily requirements and had been hit hard by the sharp devaluation of the
country’s currency, the Yemeni Rial.
In total, some 190 organizations, 150 of which are Yemeni are involved in the UN-coordinated humanitarian response plan.
It has been responsible for scaling up food assistance to seven million people a month, and helped boost access to water, health services and sanitation.
Such support would not be possible without sufficient funding, Lowcock said, before listing other key conditions that needed to be met to enable an effective humanitarian response.
All ports in Yemen needed to remain open without restrictions, the UN official said, a sentiment echoed by Ambassador Manuel Bessler, Head of Switzerland’s Humanitarian Aid Department, who stressed that Yemenis needed help immediately.
“We heard it again and again, Yemen needs urgent help, it needs access for the people, it needs access for the markets, for the sea ports and airports.”
The end of last year saw severe delays in unloading basic foodstuffs caused by the enforced closure of much of the country’s air, sea and land ports by coalition forces.
Lowcock also called for public sector salaries to be paid across Yemen after months of non-payment; this would prevent another cholera outbreak by providing essential services, he said, and keep children in school, providing essential continuity for them.
Those comments were echoed by Isabella Lovin, Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden, who told journalists during a break in the pledging conference that every day the conflict drags on “is one day too many” for ordinary Yemenis.
There was the risk, she added, of an entire generation of children going without healthcare and education, while reports of children being recruited by armed groups were deeply disturbing.
In response to a question about the progress of UN-led efforts for peace, Guterres told reporters that his Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths had been very encouraged by his recent discussions with representatives of the warring parties in Sana’a and Riyadh.
The Special Envoy would also be going to the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Aden for talks, Guterres added.
These had brought about positive perspectives for an inclusive Yemeni dialogue, the UN Secretary-General said, adding that the opportunity for peace should be seized and not missed.
PM arrives Muzaffarabad to address AJK LA
MUZAFFARABAD, Apr 4 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi arrived Wednesday here to address joint session of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly (LA).
The PM was accompanied by Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif, Minister for Climate Change Mushahidullah Khan, Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer, Minister for Human Rights Mumtaz Ahmad Tarar and Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman.
The Prime Minister will also meet representatives of Hurriyat Conference.
Pakistan whitewash West Indies in T20Is
KARACHI, Apr 04 (APP):Pakistan have completed whitewash as Babar and Hussain comfortably chased down a respectable 154 runs total with eight wickets to spare.
Chasing 154, Sarfraz XI went off with a flying start as Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam put up 61 runs for the first wicket. However, after scoring 40 runs Fakhar went back to the pavilion after getting caught behind the stumps.
Meanwhile, in-form Babar and Hussain Talat continued their dominating run with the bat and took the team close to the target.
Babar after scoring his half century was caught in the deep by Walton. He made 51.
The breakout star of the series, Hussain Talat made unbeaten 31 and made sure Pakistan cross the winning line.
Emrit and Smith picked up one wicket each for West Indies.
Earlier, after winning the toss, West Indies captain Jason Muhammad decided to bat first. After two batting collapses, the visitors
again went off to a disastrous start with Walton went back to the pavilion without opening his account. However, Fletcher and Samuels batted with great responsibility as took the team total to 74. Samuels departed after scoring 31.
At this stage, West Indies again suffered a middle order collapse, as they lost three quick wickets including half centurion Fletcher.
Wicket-keeper cum batsman Ramdin did the recovery work and took the team’s total to 153/6. He made unbeaten 42.
Shadab Khan took two wickets each while Faheem Ashraf, Usman Shinwari and Nawaz took one wicket each for Pakistan.
With this victory Pakistan completed third whitewash, which is most by any team in T20I cricket.
Mamnoon desires to see Balochistan more developed than other provinces
QUETTA, Apr 3 (APP):President Mamnoon Hussain on Tuesday said it was his earnest desire to see Balochistan more developed than the other provinces and he was sure that its people would excel in all fields in near future.
The president was speaking to provincial ministers and members of the Balochistan Assembly here at the Governor House. Balochistan Governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai and Chief Minister Abdul Qadoos Bizenjo were also present.
President Mamnoon said there was a need to develop new cities in Balochistan with the purpose to provide maximum facilities to the people. He said maximum funds and efforts should be utilized for promotion of education in the province.
The China Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC) project, he said, was a golden opportunity for Balochistan. The youth belonging to the province could get prominent status in the CPEC by getting education in the fields of science and technology.
The president said the importance of CPEC could be gauged from the fact that a lot of other countries were desirious of participating in the mega project, which was not only beneficial for Pakistan but also for the entire region.
He said that it was before the brave people of Balochistan that foreign hands were involved in creating disturbance in the province but all conspiracies had been fizzled out.
Phenomenon reduction in violence in Balochistan: DG ISPR
ISLAMABAD, Apr 03 (APP):Director General of Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), Major General Asif Ghafoor said on Tuesday there was a phenomenon reduction in violence in Quetta and the entire province of Balochistan.
Talking to a private TV channel, he said that the situation had improved a lot in Balochistan as the security agencies were playing an effective role in restoration of peace in Quetta and other parts of the province.
Talking about the situation in Swat, he said peace had been restored in the area. He said in 2008 Pakistan Army had to launch Operation Rah-e-Rast in Sawat under Article 245 as asked by the government. There is peace, tourism and big fruit markets in Swat, he said adding that the situation of settled areas had been changed and improved.
Army only arrests suspicious persons and after thorough interrogation if someone is not found guilty he is released, he said.
To a question he said in 2016 there were around 55 check posts in Swat but that number had been decreased and at present there were only six check posts.
Replying to another question he said Pakistan had established peace on its side of the Pak-Afghan border. He said Pakistan was contributing and supporting the peace process in Afghanistan.
Asif Ghafoor said that American Principal Deputy Secretary had held meeting with Army Chief in which, they had discussed the security matters regarding Afghanistan and Pakistan.
To a question about Bajwa doctrine, he said that in a recent press conference he had already explained that Army had not issued any written or policy document on that. He said that it (Bajwa doctrine) had nothing to do with the 18th amendment and was related to the security aspect only and taking Pakistan towards peace.
He said that Parliament was the supreme and introducing or reviewing an amendment was its prerogative. He said that there was nothing good then empowering the provinces but if the 18th amendment could be further improved for capacity building then it should be done.
To another query whether the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi should be arrested, he said that if the court had ordered to do so then it was the duty of the government to implement that.
Director General ISPR said that Kashmiris had been struggling for their right to freedom for the last 70 years and their movement was not terrorism. Referring towards the horrendous Shopian killings, he said that the entire world had seen what had happened there. He said that Pakistan was providing diplomatic support to Kashmiris adding that the Kashmiris should be given their right to self-determination.
To a question for bringing Tehreek-e-Taliban Afghnistan (TTA) on negotiation table, he said that Pakistan Army had never said that it had influence on them (TTA). There is a set of environment inside Afghanistan and they would have to be brought for talks within that environment.