An aerial view of Jinnah Sports Complex
A visitor aiming the target during Chrysanthemum, Marigoldm & Autumn Flowers Show, 2021 at Rose and Jasmine Garden arranged by Islamabad Horticultural Society and CDA
Visitors viewing displayed stuff during Chrysanthemum, Marigoldm & Autumn Flowers Show, 2021 at Rose and Jasmine Garden arranged by Islamabad Horticultural Society and CDA
Interior Minister pays tribute to Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed on martyrdom anniversary
ISLAMABAD, Dec 05 (APP):Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has paid tribute to Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed Nishan-e-Haider for his sacrifice for the country.
In his message on 50th martyrdom anniversary of Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed on Sunday, he said, Major Akram Shaheed presented the supreme sacrifice in the 1971 war with India while defending the motherland in the Zafarwal sector.
The Minister said great sacrifice of Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed for the country and nation would always be remembered.
Vehicles traveling on Lahore-Islamabad Motorway, must be M-Tagged from Dec 7
ISLAMABAD, Dec 05 (APP):To travel on Lahore-Islamabad Motorway, vehicles must be M.Tagged by December 7 as per the decision of Lahore High Court.
In a statement, Spokesman National Highway Authority (NHA), said that passengers traveling on Lahore-Islamabad Motorway were requested to apply M-Tag on their vehicles without any delay to avoid any inconvenience.
He said that motorists should visit the Motorway Customer Care Center with their vehicle’s for registration book or card and ID card to apply the M-Tag. They can also call 1313 for more information and guidance. M-Tag will help in safe and eco-friendly travel, he added.
Whole nation condemns the Sialkot incident: Dr Fehmida
ISLAMABAD, Dec 5 (APP):Federal Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) Dr Fehmida Mirza Sunday said the whole nation condemned the Sialkot incident in which a 49-year-old Sri Lankan factory manager Priyantha Kumara Diyawadanage was lynched by a mob over blasphemy allegations.
“Sialkot incident was a source of embarrassment for Pakistan. All political parties, the whole nation and the Overseas Pakistanis have also strongly condemned the tragic and sad incident. I have been getting messages from people who want to support the deceased’s family financially.”
“Islam teaches us a message of peace and we are peaceful people,” she said at a press conference in regard with the Kamyab Jawan Sports Drive here at the Pakistan Sports Complex.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Youth Affairs Usman Dar and Director General Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Col (R) Muhammad Asif Zaman were also present on the occasion.
Coming to sports, she said the year 2021-22 has been declared as the sports year. “It is the job of the federal government to promote sports and that is why successful youth sports program was being organized,” she said.
The minister said that players cannot flourish until we give them the sports infrastructure and facilities as per international standards and we would provide them.
“No federation can go out and say that we are representing Pakistan without the permission of the government therefore we are bringing in a National Sports Policy,” Dr Fehmida Mirza said and added that the sports facilities here at the Pakistan Sports Complex and in provinces were also being upgraded.
She said we have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the SAPM on Youth Affairs Usman Dar for the uplifting and encouragement of the youth in sports.
“The MoU is aimed for working with coordination (IPC & Youth Affairs) for the promotion and encouragement of youth in sports,” she said and added that through the Kamyab Jawan Sports Drive beginning here on December 6 the youth would come to the grounds and indulge themselves in healthy sports activities.
To a question, athletes Arshad Nadeem and Talha Talib, the minister said ministry and Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) would provide them all out support at all levels and were proud of them for displaying superb performance at the Tokyo Olympics.
Sports can lead our younger generation on right path: Fawad
ISLAMABAD, Dec 5 (APP):Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain Sunday said sports can lead our younger generation on right path through utilizing their potential in constructive and healthy way.
The minister was addressing a presser along with Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC), Dr. Fehmida Mirza and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Youth Affairs, Usman Dar.
The minister termed the decline of politics and democracy in our country as the reason of decline of sports and said that the Olympics performance of Pakistan was heavily criticized in the past while hockey and squash were almost eliminated.
About the Kamyab Jawan Sports Drive to be launched on Monday, the minister said that around 6000 athletes between the ages of 15-25 were participating in the sports games under this drive for which every division has been declared a region.
As many as 3300 boys while 2700 girls are participating in the games and the ratio of girls reflect they are equal partners in sports like politics, economy and other fields.
About the recent incident of mob lynching of the Sri Lankan Factory Manager, the minister said that the way Pakistani nation has shown its reaction over this incident reflect that they are united in their stance against such extremist and heinous act and wanted to cope with.
This was the second such incident after the attack on Army Public School on which the whole nation was grieved and ashamed, he said.
“The reaction of our nation shows that majority of the people among the 220 million populations are tolerant citizens except few thousands or lacs of such extremist people, which is the ray of hope for us to move forward”, he said.
He said that the Prime Minister, Imran Khan conveyed his grief and pain over this incident while talking to the Sri Lankan President and also issued a message after
the incident.
Fawad said that Pakistan is a progressive country with strong institutions and democratic values. “No country has witnessed restoration of democracy in the way as Pakistan after passing from long eras of dictatorship”.
He said that the way Ahsan Iqbal and Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar responded to the Maulana Fazl-ur-Rahman statement reflect that leadership exist in all the political parties who can realize the severity of the situation and wanted to cope with.
The minister said that the political process and democracy can only flourish in the country when law and order situation is improved.
Fawad said that the crowd involved in this incident was between the ages of 15-25 and emphasized on engaging youth in constructive and healthy activities like sports.
The minister congratulated SAPM, Usman Dar and Federal Minister for IPC, Dr, Fehmida Mirza for launch of this much needed sports drive.
Indian forces carry out bloodshed in Nagaland killing over a dozen civilians
ISLAMABAD, Dec 5 (APP): As the Narendra Modi government continues to vigorously pursuing Hindutva agenda by targeting non-Hindu communities, the Indian forces Saturday carried bloodshed in the Christian majority Nagaland state killing over a dozen civilians.
The incident took place in and around Oting village in Mon district, bordering Myanmar, during a counterinsurgency operation conducted by members of the Assam Rifles, a part of Indian security forces deployment in the state, according to a senior police official.
The army soldiers fired at a truck killing six coal miners who were returning from home.
Local sources said that volunteers from the village had gone searching for them as they had not returned for several hours and found their bodies in the van.
As villagers reacted by burning two army vehicles, the soldiers fired at them, killing nine more people, according to media reports.
Nagaland police officer Sandeep M Tamgadge told AFP that the situation in the district was “very tense right now”, with nine other civilians wounded in the second incident now being treated in local hospitals.
After killing the innocent people and witnessing harsh public reaction, the Indian authorities are trying to cover up the incident calling it as a result of mistaken identity.
Nyamtow Konyak, a local community leader, said those killed were coalminers returning home from work.
The army officer said the soldiers had laid an ambush for a week following intelligence that insurgents were planning to attack soldiers in the area, 250 miles (400km) east of Gauhati, the capital of Assam state.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also attacked the Centre over the killing of civilians in Mon district of Nagaland, saying the government must give a “real reply” as to what is the home ministry doing when “neither civilians nor security personnel are safe in our own land”.
PTI cited a local police official in Nagaland as saying the exact number of fatalities is yet to be ascertained as 11 people died on the spot and several others succumbed to their injuries in hospitals in the neighbouring state of Assam.
A statement issued by the headquarters of the army’s 3 Corps said several of its personnel have suffered severe injuries in the incident and one soldier succumbed to the injuries.
“Based on credible intelligence of likely movement of insurgents, a specific operation was planned to be conducted in the area of Tiru, Mon District, Nagaland. The incident and its aftermath are deeply regretted. The cause of the unfortunate loss of lives is being investigated at the highest level and appropriate action will be taken as per the course of law,” the statement said, according to PTI.
Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio condemned the incident and promised a high-level probe as he appealed to all sections of the society to maintain peace.
“The unfortunate incident leading to killing of civilians at Oting, Mon is highly condemnable. Condolences to the bereaved families & speedy recovery of those injured,” the chief minister tweeted.
Locals in Nagaland have frequently accused forces of wrongly targeting innocent locals in their counterinsurgency operations against rebel groups.
In recent years India has tried to persuade Myanmar to evict rebels from bases in the thick jungles of the region, which borders Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.
Nagaland MLA TR Zeliang condemned the incident and said “there is no excuse for such massacre”. He called for the formation of an enquiry commission headed by a retired judge.
Local organisations have demanded action against the guilty personnel and threatened to approach national and international human rights organisations. Members of the victims’ families refused to receive their bodies if justice is not delivered fast.
Reacting to the incident, the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) announced the withdrawal of six tribes it represents from the annual Hornbill Festival ongoing at Kisama near State capital Kohima.
The ENPO had a few months ago adopted a resolution against bloodshed in its area.
“How can we dance at the festival when our people are getting killed?” the ENPO said in a statement.
APP Digital Report by Ishtiaq Ahmed
Footballs exports witness record 17.22% increase
ISLAMABAD, Dec 5 (APP): Football exports during the first four months of fiscal year of 2021-22 grew up by 17.22 per cent as compared to the exports of the corresponding period of last year.
During the period from July-Oct 2021, Footballs worth US$ 50,148 exported as compared to exports worth US$ 42,780 during same period of last year.
According to the data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the exports of Sports Goods increased by 20.73 percent, worth of US$ 105,120 were exported as compared to the exports of US$ 87,070 of same period of last year.
Meanwhile, Gloves exports also increased by 6.00 per cent as the exports during current fiscal year recorded at worth US$ 24,552 as compared to the exports during the same period of last year which recorded US$ 23,163.
During the period under review, Others exports increased by 43.99 per cent, worth US$ 30,420 exported in current fiscal year as compared to the exports of valuing US$ 21,127 of same period of last year.
Asia Youth Forum on “˜Technology innovation and smart city” held in Guangzhou, China
BEIJING, Dec 5 (APP): The government officials, enterprise leaders and scholars from Asian countries gathered at Asia Youth Forum held in Guangzhou, China and discussed role of smart cities in changing future life and cooperation among the Asian countries in this field.
The speakers shed light into the topic “Technology innovation and smart city” at the Forum.
A smart city utilizes all of the technologies such as AI, block-chain and 5G to provide more efficient and easier services to people, said Kashif Sharif, Associate Professor of Beijing Institute of Technology.
He mentioned the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as an example, saying, “Guangdong cities, Hong Kong and Macao could be smart by using different technologies but they can be super smart if they link all these cities and their technologies together. If so, people can travel seamlessly while such things as virus tracking can also be done equally as seamlessly.”
In term of the data flow between countries, he said it is possible and very beneficial for all the neighboring countries. But,it has to be first standardized and legalized either by the industries themselves or by the governments before providing people with services.
Liu Zhicheng, General Manager of Guangzhou Metro Group, said Guangzhou Metro aims to be “smarter’. “Firstly, it means smart manufacturing which is safer, greener and more efficient. Secondly, it means smart travel for passengers through automatic operation, smart safety checks and quick payment. Last but not least, we keep optimizing production efficiency and cost control through cloud platform, IoT and big data technologies.”
Chng Ken Wei, Centre Director (China) at Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore, explained that Singapore has implemented a smart city plan, the iN2015 Masterplan, in 2015. “The plan has three simple goals, that is, to bring citizens a comfortable and happy life, to help enterprises achieve their full potential and to improve efficiency of governance.”
He highlighted that the development of smart city would also bring new social problems.
“For example, the development of robotics will reduce the demand for jobs such as taxi drivers, factory workers and cleaners while deepening the shortage of high-end talents. It requires lots of training and retaining which we have offered lots of investment and subsidies,” he said.
As for talent pool development, Muhammad Ammar, Vice Secretary General of Beijing Global Talent Exchange Association, said there have been more foreigners wanting to study in China and work here after graduation instead of going to the US, Canada and Germany.
“For instance, many Pakistani students came to study mechanical engineering, automobile engineering, software engineering. They enter the AI and automobile industries after graduation.”
He said that many cities have launched platforms to improve foreigner services. He was impressed by a foreign community center in Shenzhen as it provides amazing services to foreign professionals.
He hope there could be more platforms like this, and more relaxed and favorable policies for foreigners to stay and work in China.
Fawad grieved over loss of lives in school coaster accident at Dina
ISLAMABAD, Dec 5 (APP):Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Chaudhry Fawad Hussain on Sunday expressed deep grief and sorrow over loss of precious human lives in tragic accident of a Lahore private school trip coaster at Dina.
The incident with innocent children was really tragic, Chaudhry Fawad said in a statement.
The federal minister shared the grief of the families of teachers and students who lost their lives in the road mishap.
The minister prayed to Allah Almighty to rest the departed souls in eternal peace and give courage to the bereaved families to bear this loss with fortitude.
The minister also prayed for speedy recovery of the injured.
Great sacrifice of Major Akram Shaheed for defence of country will always be remembered: Fawad
ISLAMABAD, Dec 5 (APP): Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said on Sunday that great sacrifice of Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed for the defence of the motherland would always be remembered.
In a message, on the 50th Martyrdom anniversary of Major Akram Shaheed, Fawad said that the nation pays homage to Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed (Nishan-e- Haider), the brave son of Jhelum.
Fawad said that Major Muhammad Akram was martyred on December 5, 1971 while fighting against India in the East Pakistan.
During the 1971 war, he said Major Muhammad Akram fought the enemy with determination and courage inspite of all difficulties.
Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed was the epitome of patriotism, intellect and human courage, said Chaudhry Fawad.
ICT Police fail to arrest robbers as victims await recovery of millions
ISLAMABAD, Dec 5 (APP): The residents of the federal capital still await recovery of their millions of rupees as the Islamabad Police is dilly-dallying to arrest the robbers who looted them in multiple incidents on their way from banks.
Moving from pillar to post, the victims have been left just to hear the false hopes from the police officers.
On September 23, 2020, the robbers had looted Rs 800,000 from Ishtiaq Ahmed, a senior reporter of Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) outside his residence in sector I-8/1 after he drove from a bank in I-8 Markaz.
Despite the passage of over a year, the police claimed to have arrested only an accused who, too, died in the custody, which the victims believe had raised even more doubts.
“I had also registered a complaint at Pakistan Citizen Portal. My complaint was reopened thrice and again closed. But at the end, I got the same typical reply as efforts were underway to arrest the criminals,” Ishtiaq said.
In response to his complaint at the Portal, the I-9 police informed in January this year that arrest warrants of two accused had been obtained and efforts for their arrest were underway. Exactly 11 months after in November, he again got the same reply with no substantial progress.
In fact, they have learned how to dodge the senior authorities overseeing the Portal, which obviously hurt people’s trust in this great idea of Prime Minister Imran Khan to address public grievances, he said.
Muhammad Arshad, who was looted of Rs 1 million, after he arrived from an F-10 bank at his residence in G-9 on September 10, 2020, is also awaiting any action by the police.
“I also raised the issue during online Katchery of IG Police. Later they called me to the Police Lines and apprised me of their performance. But my only concern is the recovery of my money,” he told APP.
Nasreen, whom the robbers deprived of Rs1 million outside her residence in I-9 on February 8, 2021, is also losing hope of any positive development.
“We are getting no response. We approached DIG Police office but were not given time to meet him. Once they arrested a guy and called us for identification. Police were insisting us to confirm him despite our refusals as he was shorter than the one who looted us,” said her sister Tasnim who accompanied the applicant at the time of the incident.
All three above said victims were robbed on their return from Standard Chartered Bank – two from the I-8 branch and one from the F-10 branch.
Another victim Aatir Ijaz, whom the robbers looted Rs 1.5 million at gunpoint in I-8 Markaz on September 30, 2020, also expressed his utmost dissatisfaction over the police’s performance. What to talk of recovery, they never contacted me for any development or regarding any query, he added.
LB Elections in KP: A momentous political process to improve public service delivery
By Fakhar Alam
PESHAWAR, Dec 05 (APP): Providing an inclusive political base to organized democratic system for an enhanced service delivery to people at the grassroots level, the local bodies councils empower the ordinary citizens to participate in decisions-making process by improving public services in their respective municipal areas and get an instant relief in trying times.
To form local bodies’ councils for a better health of democracy, speedy socioeconomic development, political culture and improved public services, the local bodies’ elections play vital role to include general public in decision-making affairs related to finance, administration and planning of projects at tehsil, local and neighborhood councils and resolve their problems such as waste management, pavement of streets, drainage system, street lights, and local disputes through their elected chairman, mayor and councilors at their doorsteps.
“Local bodies’ councils, which come into existence through a free and transparent election, serve as a political nursery for a future democratic setup in a country believed in supremacy of democracy,” said Abdul Rauf Khan, Chairman, Political Science Department, University of Peshawar while talking to APP.
“The main objective of the parliamentarians in a democratic Government is making legislation while local bodies’ representatives implement civic and public services projects on ground by ensuring its speedy implementation,” he said.
Dr Rauf said democracy can’t flourish unless establishment of a strong local bodies system with financial autonomy and holding of its elections on regular basis, adding people have pinned highest expectations from local bodies’ candidates of KP whose fate would be decided on December 19.
Keeping in view of the significance of the local bodies’ institutions and fulfilling the constitutional obligation, local bodies elections are being held in 17 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where about 37,752 candidates are contesting for different seats including mayor, chairman, general councilor, youth, labour, farmers, minority and woman in the first phase to be held on December 19, 2021.
Provincial Election Commission officials told APP that 1,006 candidates had submitted nomination papers for seats of chairman and mayor of tehsil councils in Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda, Khyber, Mohmand, Mardan, Swabi, Kohat, Karak, Hangu, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, DI Khan, Tank, Haripur, Buner and Bajaur districts out of whom the nomination papers of 977 candidates approved, 29 rejected, 284 withdrawn and now only 689 are left in the electoral race.
Similarly, 19,282 candidates are contesting for the seats of general councilor in 20,648 village and neigbourhood councils in these districts. The nomination papers of 20,648 candidates approved, 1,140 rejected and 1,599 withdrawn after 21,788 nomination papers were submitted for general councilors.
For women seats, the nomination papers of 3,943 candidates approved, 277 rejected and 151 withdrawn against 4,220 submitted nomination papers and now 3,905 candidates are left in the election race. Out of the total 8,078 submitted nomination papers for the seats of farmers and labourers, as many as 7,513 candidates are flexing muscle after rejection of nomination papers of 419 candidates and withdrawal of 322 candidates and approval of 7,659.
As many as 6,804 candidates have filed nomination papers out of which 6161 accepted, 643 rejected and 180 withdrawn. Likewise, 328 candidates submitted nomination papers for the minority seats out of which nomination papers of 292 candidates accepted, 36 rejected, eight withdrawn and now 282 candidates are engaged in electoral battle heating up with each passing day.
The eyes are on Peshawar where political parties including PTI, PPP, JUIF, ANP and Jummat-e-Islami have fielded political heavyweights and business tycoons to clinch the coveted Metropolitan mayor seat.
PTI had awarded ticket to business tycoon, Muhammad Rizwan Bangash, who has a rich experience in social and public services including waste management and sanitation, and others municipal related projects. PTI has a large vote bank in Peshawar where mega devoloping projects completed by the ruling party especially the BRT, health and education reforms will benefit him.
JUIF has fielded Zubair Ali, son of former city district nazim Haji Ghulam Ali and son-in-law of JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. He is eying on the religious votes bank of JUIF in Peshawar and his father past performance as District Nazim, Peshawar besides support of Qumi Watan Party.
Arbab Zarak Khan, who is fielded by PPP has a strong Baradari and can surprise many due to sufficient votes bank of his party in the Peshawar City. Sher Rehman, an ANP loyalist, is mainly concentrating on the nationalists votes and has started addressing public gatherings to woo voters.
Behrullah Khan Advocate has been fielded by Jumaat-e- Islami due to his long services and loyalty for the party. Political observers believe that fielding of separate candidates by JUIF and JI were likely to split religious votes that may benefit others candidates.
These political heavyweights are among 125 candidates who filed nomination papers for mayor and chairman seats of different tehsils out of which 49 candidates have withdrawn their nomination papers and now 76 are left in the election race.
Great hustle and bustle and political mobilization is being witnessed in Peshawar and Nowshera districts where candidates are participating in almost every activity from funeral to wedding and engagement to settling local disputes in a bid to muster voters support ahead of the D- Day.
The candidates have started even visiting local courts with litigants and public offices, who may be their potential voters, to help them sort out matters at earliest. Great enthusiasm are being witnessed among young voters in Nowshera district where 22 candidates are left in election race after withdrawal of 19 candidates out of the total 41 candidates who filed nomination papers.
“I am very excited to cast my first vote on Dec 19,” said Ehtisham Khan, a young voter and resident of Wapda Town Nowshera. I will vote for the candidate after reading his election manifesto and past service record,” he said. “My priority would be provision of clean drinking water, improving civic services and waste management if elected,” said Ashfaq Khan, PTI candidate for Tehsil Pabbi mayor seat while talking to APP.
ANP candidate, Ghafoor Khattak said that pavment of drainage system, restoration of streets lights and shifting of cattle market from Pabbi bazaar would be his priority areas if voted to power. In Charsadda, 32 candidates have started flexing muscle for mayor seats after withdrawal of 12 candidates out of total 44 submitted nomination papers.
In Khyber, 75 candidates filed nomination papers out of whom 22 withdrawn and 53 are contesting. As many as 35 candidates are left in electoral race after six candidates have withdrawn nomination papers against the total 41 nomination papers in Mohmand tribal district.
In Mardan, a total of 76 candidates filed nomination papers out of which 31 withdrawn and 45 are contesting election. In Swabi, 20 candidates withdrew their nomination papers out of total 50 submitted nomination papers and now 45 are left in election field.
In Kohat, 41 candidates are contesting election following withdrawal of 12 candidates against the total 53 submitted nomination papers. In Karak, as many as 43 candidates are left in election race following withdrawal of 20 candidates against total 63 submitted nomination papers.
In Hangu, 11 candidates have blowup election whistle after withdrawal of 4 candidates out of the total submitted papers of 15 while 46 candidates left in election race out of the total 67 nomination papers in Bannu following withdrawal of 21 candidates. A total of 72 candidates filed nomination papers in Lakki Marwat out of whom three candidates withdrawn and now 69 are left in election race.
Tough electoral battle is expected among 73 candidates in DI Khan after withdrawal of seven candidates out of the total 80 submitted nomination papers while 30 candidates are in run in Tank after withdrawal of four candidates out of total 34 filed nomination papers.
In Haripur, a total of 32 candidates filed nomination papers and 24 candidates are left in electoral battle after withdrawal of eight candidates while in Buner district, 45 candidates blew up whistle after withdrawal of 29 candidates against total submitted papers of 74. In Bajaur, a total of 31 candidates filed nomination papers out of which papers of 14 accepted and 17 withdrawn.
In Khyber Pakthunkhwa, 3,624 village and neigbourhood councils have been formed including 227 village and 130 neighbourhood councils in Peshawar, 195 village and 14 neigbourhood councils in Abbottabad, 120 village and seven neigbourhood in Bajaur, 111 village and 5 neigbourhood councils in Bannu, 79 village and 11 neigbourhood councils in Batgram, 105 village councils in Buner, 126 village and 20 neigbourhood councils in Charsadda, 39 village councils in Upper Chitral, 56 village and five neigbourhood in Lower Chitral, 150 village and 36 neigbourhood in DI Khan, 50 village and 12 neigbourhood in Hangu, 155 village and 25 neighbourhood in Haripur, 57 village and 5 neighbourhood in Karak, 130 village and 17 neigbourhood councils in Khyber, 85 village and 23 neigbourhood councils in Kohat, 62 village and one neigbourhood council in Upper Kohistan, 47 village councils in Lower Kohistan, 52 village Kolai Palas, 67 village and 14 neighboorhood councils in Kurram, 94 village and seven neigbourhood councils in Lakki Marwat, 182 village and 16 neigbourhood councils in Lower Dir, 67 village and 15 neigbourhood councils in Malakanad, 174 village and 20 neighbourhood in Manshera, 178 village and 73 neigbourhood in Mardan, 58 village and seven neighbourhood in Mohmand, 75 village and six neigbourhood in North Waziristan, 129 village and 24 neigbourhood in Nowshera, 42 village and four neighourhood in Orakzai, 105 village in Shangla, 82 village and 15 negibourhood in South Waziristan, 133 village and 27 neigbourhood in Swabi, 170 village and 44 neigbbourhood in Swat, 39 village and one neigbhourhood in Torghar and 177 village and five neigbourhood councils in Upper Dir.
Election Commission has assigned the powers of the Ist Class Magistrates to all returning officers under Local Bodies Election Act 2017 and issued code of conduct for all the stakeholders including media, Govt officials and public representatives directing for strict implementation imperative for free, fair and transparent elections. The concerned officials have been directed to make CCTV cameras at all polling stations functional and install new one in case of its non availability to ensure transparent and free election.
Kamran Bangash, Provincial Minister for Higher Education told APP that KP Government was extending full support to Election Commission of Pakistan for holding of free, fair and transparent elections.
He said KP local bodies system was comprehensive with maximum powers to its elected representatives to address problems of people at grassroots level. The Minister said effective security arrangements would be put in place for ensuring safe atmosphere to voters on polling day.
Kaavan living happy life in new Cambodian jungle home
BEIJING, Dec 5 (APP): The 37-year-old Asian elephant Kaavan once dubbed “loneliest elephant in the world” is living a happy life in his new Cambodian jungle home a year after he was moved from a zoo in Pakistan.
Kaavan arrived here one year ago and change in him has been amazing and he is now thriving and living a happy life in the Cambodian Wildlife Sanctuary, Kaavan’s caretaker and Sanctuary Spokesperson Pedro Vella said in an interview with CGTN.
Talking about how Kaavan was transferred from Pakistan to Cambodia, he said that Kaavan was born in Sri Lanka and given to Pakistan when he was one year old.
“So he’s been in the zoo in Pakistan for that time until 12 months ago and moving him here was a huge effort. Basically, we flew him here so it was expensive,” he added.
Pedro Vella informed that an enclosure measuring 30 acres of jungle nature was built for the elephant where he could move freely.
Kaavan was gifted to Pakistan by Sri Lankan authoritiesss in 1985. The elephant previously spent 35 years at the Islamabad Zoo, and after a female elephant Saheli who was his only companion for 22 years died in 2012, he spent the past eight years alone.
The Islamabad High Court last year ordered that Kaavan be freed, thus starting his journey to Cambodia.
Kaavan was airlifted to Cambodia from his lonely existence. However, one year on from his moving, he is flourishing in his new home at Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary and living an elephant-worthy life.
Skilled workforce engine of economic growth, social development
By Taj Nabi Khan
ISLAMABAD, Dec 05 (APP): Substantial share in employment opportunities, sustainable economic growth and social development is closely linked with human resource development, market-oriented professional skills, relevant-to-industry technical education, and vocational training in the highly competitive environment.
No one can deny the importance of skilled workforce as both locally and globally they play a vital role in boosting the economy. The full-fledged and large scale technical education programs can multiply remittances by creating a promising skilled workforce.
The demand of IT experts, advanced digital skills, and trained resource persons have been increased manifold.
Human resource development improves economic growth and productivity as the socioeconomic development is not possible without catering the bulging youth of the country with skill development programs.
Therefore, the promotion of technical education and Information Technology has become imperative for sustainable economic growth, job opportunities and high volume of remittances. The global as well as the regional markets hire only skilled resource persons who can run factories, companies and industries.
Pakistan, the fifth largest young country on map of the world with more than 63 percent population comprised of youth aged between 15 and 33 has no other choice but to utilize the untapped potential of the youngsters.
The demographic power is the major driving force for economic growth and substantial social progress. The country has not yet fully utilized the potential of the youth. Instead of sending hard labors abroad, if Pakistan could dispatch skilled labor, the remittances would be doubled.
The workforce has slowly recognized that importance of technical education as it is linked with better chances of employability and higher economic rewards. Skilled labor and knowledge-based economy can accelerate economic growth and social development through entrepreneurship and industrialization.
The Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) sector can create the possibility of strong careers for the youth in national and global markets.
Only linking education with industry and training individuals with demand-driven skills as per the market needs would make them able to make valuable contribution to the economy and society at large.
With the required skills and professional trainings, the skilled resource persons can fully explore both the domestic and international markets.
India: trouble for China, other neighboring countries in region: Cheng Xizhong
BEIJING, Dec 5 (APP): India has always been a trouble for China, its other neighboring countries and regional peace and stability. Therefore, India is a regional troublemaker.
Over the years, China has been releasing goodwill to India, so has Pakistan been. However, India’s asking price ranks higher and higher.
It is a chronic illness for India to charge its neighbors as enemies. It always wants to reap benefits through a hostile attitude. But the result is counterproductive and India has become more and more isolated in the region and suffered more and more losses.
These views were expressed by Cheng Xizhong, Visiting Professor at Southwest University of Political Science and Law, Special Commentator of China Economic Net, former Defense Attach in South Asian countries in an article issued here on Sunday.
According to a report by Hindustan Times on December 2, India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said the same day at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit (HTLS) that the India-China relations would reflect the border issue.
He further explained that “you can’t have a tense border situation and good relations in other aspects.”
Prof Cheng Xizhong recalled that in 1980, China put forward the idea of “shelving disputes and developing relations”, but India insisted on resolving the border issue first and then developing relations.
It was not until 1988 that India finally agreed to China’s proposal. Subrahmanyam Jaishankars remarks mirror Indias attitude in 1980, which presupposes the conditions for the normalization of the China-India relations.
China has repeatedly expressed that China and India are friends and partners, not threats and opponents. The border dispute is a legacy of history and not the whole of the China-India relations. It should be properly controlled. At the same time, through sustainable cooperation, favorable conditions could be created for the settlement of the border issue.
Prof Cheng Xizhong commented that India regards China’s goodwill as bargaining power. India’s so-called solution to the border tension first is to ask China to make concessions to India on the territorial issue, which is absolutely impossible. It is purely India`s crazy dream.
In addition, the continuous tension along the China- India border is entirely caused by India’s northward invasion of Chinese territory, the continuous increase of troops and the deployment of a large number of sophisticated weapons and equipment in the border areas.
Documentary film on Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan: Tracing roots of Gandhara Civilization
By Taj Nabi Khan
ISLAMABAD, Dec 5 (APP): The documentary film, “Gandhara: The Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan”, featuring rich Buddhist heritage has showcased the Gandhara civilization that flourished between the 1st century CE to 7th century CE in different parts of the country.
The documentary sheds light on historical roots of Gandhara civilization and captures the entire landscape of historical sites with the help of drone camera.
It shows the lush green mountainous regions of the country and visible intact structures of Buddhsit historical heritage sites with panoramic scenes of high altitude mountain peaks of Pakistan.
The architectural and artistic stone works of Gandhara such as statues, stupas, monasteries, temples, houses, and the zigzag tracks leading to the historical sites of the remains make eye-catching view.
Gandhara, literally mean the land of fragrance, the name of the region included Peshawar valley, Buner, Bajaur, and hills of Swat valley — the northwestern areas of present-day Pakistan. It was this region which gave birth to one the glorious and ancient world religion — the Gandhara civilization.
Subsequently, the civilization has started spreading in all directions including Afghanistan and Potohar plateau in Punjab and Sindh.
The Gandhara civilization represents human development, knowledge, religion, art, and history as the modern city of Taxila was a famous center of learning for art, architecture, medicine, and religion.
Similarly, according to archeologists, the city was a home to the world’s oldest recognized universities as thousands of students used to come here for education from Greece, China, Sri Lanka, Syria, and other parts of the world to study philosophy, politics, music, dance, mathematics, commerce, law, art of hunting, archery, elephant lore, and warfare, etc.
The film was screened at Temple Trees on November 16 as a follow up on bilateral discussions between Prime Minister Imran Khan and Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
It was jointly produced by the High Commission of Pakistan in Sri Lanka and Siddhivinayak Cine Arts (Private) Limited in collaboration with the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs of Srilanka was launched in Sri Lanka on visual journey of the Gandhara Buddhist heritage sites of Pakistan.
The documentary also focuses on rich historical collection of Buddhist remains discovered from different parts of the country. The artistic work of stone crafting, relics, utensils, and other artifacts take the onlookers on a centuries old long visual journey to recapture the lifestyle of the civilization from the past. The civilization has left indelible on the historical landscape of the world history.
The documentary was launched at the Temple Trees (Prime Minister’s office) by His Excellency, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, in the presence of Venerable Buddhist monks, honorable Speaker of Srilankan Parliament, Cabinet and State Ministers, MPs, ambassadors of Buddhist countries, as well as business, tourism and media fraternity of Sri Lanka.
One of the Tooth Relics of the Lord Buddha, discovered from the Gandhara region was preserved in Taxila Museum. It is the region where the Gandhara Buddhist civilization reached its pinnacle of glory from 1st century AD to the 7th century AD.
The first anthropomorphic statue of Lord Buddha was created in the region now called Pakistan. Also known for one of the world’s oldest Buddhist University, Thakshashila, Taxila in Pakistan is home to some of the most sacred Buddhist artifacts found during archeological excavations around the 12th century.
The remains of the world’s largest Buddhist monastery exist in Takht-e-Bahi Mardan — it was a complex of buildings consisted of assembly halls, dining areas, and a courtyard and double-storied Buddhist living quarters. It also contained a portion of a temple with a number of stupas, a courtyard, and living cells.
In order to present this heritage to the Buddhist world in general and Sri Lanka in particular, the idea was conceived. The documentary will open up new avenues in religious tourism as well as strengthening cultural and people to people ties between the brotherly countries of Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
The Government of Pakistan, both local and foreign technicians including Director, Mateen Saherai and Production Controller Sajjad Mohommad (Gateway To Production, England) from England have contributed to the documentary.
The documentary is based on a screenplay that explores the historical ruins and artifacts captured in a realistic way while also exploring background historical information.
Ven. Agrahera Kassapa Thero is the Senior Adviser to the entire project. The concept and script has been prepared by the Project Consultant Director, Vidyajothi Prof. Nimal Silva.
The film is co-produced by Siddhivinayak Cine Arts (Private) Limited, known for producing, marketing, distribution and exhibition of international films. The sound and movie editing is done by local Srilankan artists.
According to a presser received to APP from the High Commission of Pakistan, Colombo, Sri Lanka, Ms. Kaushalya Wickramasinghe, the Chairperson of Siddhivinayak Cine Arts (Private) Limited said that the film is expected to be screened in local cinemas as well as on local TV channels and abroad in collaboration with international organizations.
The Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan, Mr. Tanvir Ahmad Bhatti said that “Gandhara” was conceptualized with the aim to bring people of Sri Lanka and Pakistan closer through their shared history and heritage.
Director Taxila Institute of Asian Civilizations, Quaid-i-Azam University, Dr. Ghani-ur-Rahman told the news agency, “The Ghandara Civilization, particularly the Buddhist statue has been influenced by the Greek Civilization as it has followed the face of Greek’s Apollo god.
He said it was claimed that the Greek-turned Buddhists have introduced the sculpture-making arts and the statue of Gautama Buddha in Buddhism. This influence was more visible due to the fact that the Buddhist sculptors and the artists have learnt a great deal of new techniques and skills from the Greeks, he added.
5th phase of referendum for Sikh homeland to be held on Dec 5
The fifth phase of the referendum for an independent Sikh homeland will be held in the United Kingdom on December 5 2021.
Sikhs had massively participated in earlier four phases of the Khalistan Referendum.
Khalistan referendum voting kick-started in London on October 31, 2021 and over 30,000 Sikhs took part in the phase of the Khalistan referendum.
Second phase of Khalistan referendum was held in Southhall & Gravesend in the UK on November 7 2021, more than 10,000 British Sikhs took part in second phase of referendum.
Third phase of the Khalistan referendum was held in Birmingham and Barking in the UK on November 14 2021 while fourth phase of the Khalistan referendum was held in UK cities of Leicester, Coventry and Derby on November 21, 2021.
Huge participation of Sikhs in a referendum for their homeland has unnerved India, India tried hard to stop the Sikh referendum exercise in the UK. India’s false propaganda against Sikhs failed to prevent Khalistan referendum. UK allowed Sikh referendum despite Indian diplomatic efforts.
Khalistan referendum has sent a strong message to Indian establishment to end discrimination against Sikhs and India should be prepared to give Sikhs their birthright of freedom.
Sikh referendum will also be held in future in the US, Canada, Australia, and the Indian region of Punjab.
Voting in Geneva will be held on 10th December 2021 and result of Khalistan referendum will be declared by the Punjab Referendum Commission after the final phase of voting will be held in next six months.
Findings of Khalistan referendum would be shared with United Nations and international bodies to create wider consensus.
Khalistan referendum was in complete consonance with the UN Charter, separate Sikh homeland in the name of Khalistan was the dream of every Sikh.
Sikhs For Justice had released a map of their vision of what Khalistan would entail, the map shows not just Punjab but Haryana and Himachal Pradesh as part of Khalistan.
Sikhs had been facing organized persecution and continuous exploitation at the hands of successive Indian governments and Khalistan movement gained momentum in the aftermath of ethnic cleansing of Sikh community in India.
Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale gave his life fighting Indian imperialism in 1984. Sikhs were committed to tread the path shown by Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
Separate homeland for Sikhs in the name of Khalistan was writing on the wall. The world community must break its silence on the oppression of Sikhs in India.
Sikhs’ fight against India was actually a war against Hindutva hegemony.
President Alvi appreciates immediate step of PM, govt on Sialkot incident
ISLAMABAD, Dec 4 (APP):President Dr Arif Alvi Saturday appreciated the immediate step of Prime Minister Imran Khan and the government of Pakistan on the incident of Sialkot.
In a tweet on social media platform Twitter, he said, “The incident of Sialkot was certainly very unfortunate and shameful and was not related to religion as Islam is a religion which established the system of decision making on the basis of justice instead of mob lynching.”