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CPDI condemns unlawful removal of Punjab Information Commission’s members

By
Ali Ali
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0
ISLAMABAD, Jan 23 (APP):The Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) strongly condemned the unlawful removal of Chief Information Commissioner Mehboob Qadir Shah and Information Commissioners Dr Arif Mushtaq and Chaudhary Shaukat Ali from their positions within the Punjab Information Commission.
The removal, executed under section 5(8) of the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act 2013, through a notification by the Punjab Information and Culture Department is a matter of grave concern for the promotion of transparency and citizens’ right to access information.
In a press statement, Mukhtar Ahmad Ali, Executive Director of CPDI, emphasized that the removal of commissioners without providing a reasonable opportunity to explain any alleged misconduct is a direct violation of the provisions outlined in section 8 (sub-sections 9, 10, and 11) of the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act 2013.
These sections clearly stipulate that the government must provide commissioners the chance to present their positions, and if unsatisfied, may refer the case to the Provincial Assembly of Punjab for an open inquiry by a Special Committee.
As the Punjab Assembly is dissolved, in case of such matter the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly shall constitute a special committee and such special committee may exercise the powers of a special committee of the Provincial Assembly until the election of the new Provincial Assembly, as mentioned in Section 8 (12) of the Act, he further added.
The Punjab Information Commission plays a crucial role as a statutory and independent body responsible for implementing the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act 2013. The removal of information commissioners without adhering to the prescribed procedures poses a significant threat to citizens’ fundamental right access to information within the province.
Instead of unlawfully removing commissioners, the Punjab Government should initiate the process of appointing new Chief Information Commissioners, as the tenure of the unlawfully removed Chief Information Commissioner is scheduled to be completed in May 2024. This can be achieved by forming a research committee.
CPDI urges the government of Punjab to reconsider its decision, reinstate the commissioners, and adhere to due process in accordance with the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act, 2013.
The CPDI calls for the protection of the independence and effectiveness of the Punjab Information Commission in fulfilling its mandate to ensure transparency and uphold citizens’ right to information as guaranteed in Article 19-A of the Constitution.

Governor visits fire affected Time Center Plaza

By
Ali Ali
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0
Governor KP
PESHAWAR, Jan 23 (APP):Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Haji Ghulam Ali, was here Tuesday when the fire affected Time Center Shopping Plaza Saddar and listened to the complaints of people.
He expressed sympathies with shop owners and said that the government desires the restart of activities in the fire-affected plaza. Assuring cooperation to shop owners, he said that the provincial government would be contacted to provide financial assistance, including interest-free loans, to owners whose shops were gutted in the fire.
On the occasion, the governor was informed that 65 shops and 17 godowns in the time center have been turned to ashes, while 60 shops are gutted in United Market. Mobile phones and accessories worth millions of rupees were destroyed during the blaze.

‘We must work to build a society where everyone has opportunity, right to learn’: CM Baqar

By
Ali Ali
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Baqar
KARACHI, Jan 23 (APP):The Caretaker Sindh Chief Minister Justice (Retd) Maqbool Baqar has reaffirmed his commitment towards creating an environment where everyone regardless of their ability, can access quality education.
This he said while speaking at a ceremony organized to hand over 23 Toyota vans to Govt Special Education & Rehabilitation Center operating across the province. The program was organised at Boys Scout Ground here on Tuesday.
He said that this significant moment is the manifestation of our commitment to inclusivity and accessibility of Persons with Disabilities in Sindh. “Today, we gather here for this ceremony to hand over 23 Toyota Hi-ace Vans to the Government Special Education and Rehabilitation Centers across the Province which operate under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD), Sindh.
Baqar said that these vans symbolized more than just vehicles; they represented our continuous dedication and commitment to providing pick-up and drop-off facilities to differently-abled students. “As we extend our outreach to enhance accessibility,” he said.
The CM said that his government re-affirmed its commitment towards creating an environment where everyone regardless of their ability, could access quality education. “The empowerment of persons with disabilities has been a continuous key focus of the Sindh government and these vans will play a crucial role in ensuring that students with diverse needs can attend special education and rehabilitation centres without any barriers,” he said and added that by facilitating transportation, he wanted to bridge the gap and make education more accessible for every citizen of the province.
He appreciated the hard- work and dedication of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD) for following the vision of an inclusive society in Sindh. “Let us continue working together to build a society where everyone can have the opportunity and right to learn, grow, and contribute to the progress of our great country,” he added.

Mushaal calls for diplomatic boycott of India over Ram Temple inauguration

By
NNPS Desk
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Mushaal

ISLAMABAD, Jan 23 (APP): Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) for Human Rights and Women Empowerment Mushaal Hussein Mullick on Tuesday lashed out at the supremacist and RSS-inspired Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for inaugurating Ram temple at the site of demolished, five centuries-old Babri Masjid at Ayodhya, and called upon the Muslim world to announce diplomatic boycott of India for wiping out Islamic civilization from its soil.

The SAMP for Human Rights and Women Empowerment in her strong reaction stated that the Indian PM Modi was using the inaugural of ‘Ram temple’ event as a political gimmick because his popularity graph did witness alarming decline due to his anti-minority policies.

She said that Hindus and Muslims had lived in Ayodhya town in peace for centuries, but since the PM Modi powers in office, the Muslim community had been facing extreme hardship.

She recalled that on December 6, 1992, a Hindu mob had razed the 16th century Babri Masjid in Ayodhya on the bogus claim that Muslims had built it over the place of an ancient temple.

Mushaal said that the world community should also take notice of supremacist Indian government’s coercive and genocidal policies and actions before it was too late.

TikTok shares election integrity measures on platform ahead of General Election

By
Ali Ali
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0
ISLAMABAD, Jan 23 (APP):TikTok on Tuesday shared its approach to upholding and protecting election integrity on its platform ahead of the Pakistan parliamentary elections slated for February 2024.
The initiative underscores TikTok’s commitment to being a responsible and reliable source of information, especially during critical civic events said a news release.
TikTok has robust measures in place to combat misinformation, violence, and hate speech in line with its Community Guidelines, available both in English and Urdu.
The platform is dedicated to removing misleading information about civic processes, including voter registration, candidate eligibility, ballot counting, and election results.
TikTok’s policies strictly prohibit content that intimidates voters, suppresses voting, or incites violence.
Over 40,000 personnel globally, in conjunction with advanced technology, are deployed to ensure user safety on the platform, complemented by collaborations with intelligence firms, industry partners, and civil society organizations.
To help counter misinformation, TikTok works with local and regional fact-checkers to help the platform consistently and accurately remove election misinformation.
Content under review or identified as unsubstantiated is restricted from the For You Feed recommendation, and both viewers and creators are alerted about the potentially misleading nature of such content.
A significant element of TikTok’s strategy is the launch of the Pakistan Election Center on the platform, available both in English and Urdu.
This hub will direct users to authoritative information on the election, including voting procedures and locations. Enhanced by advanced technology and local language support, the platform is poised to ensure a safe environment free from violations of its Community Guidelines.
In line with maintaining an authentic user experience, TikTok also reiterates its policy against political ads.
TikTok has designated policies for accounts belonging to a government, politician, or political party, which remove their ability to give or receive money through advertising, fundraising, or TikTok monetization tools.
TikTok’s efforts in safeguarding the integrity of its platform reflect its mission to inspire creativity and joy among its users.
Recognizing that global events often influence creative expression, TikTok remains dedicated to supporting its community in Pakistan and worldwide.

Senate hosts Parliamentary Interface for learning experience of Provincial Assemblies

By
Ali Ali
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0
Senate session
ISLAMABAD, Jan 23 (APP):The Parliamentary Interface regarding learning experience of the Provincial Assemblies Secretariat with Senate Secretariat of Pakistan was held on Monday here at the Parliament House, jointly organized by the Senate of Pakistan and Mustehkam Parlimaan.
The event focused on providing an overview of the Senate’s structure, legislative processes,  parliamentary research and overall work of the Senate of Pakistan  Secretary  Senate, Mohammad Qasim Samad Khan, welcomed the delegation and received a brief introduction from the members of the provincial assemblies accompanying the delegation.
Haris Rehman, Principal Secretary, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the structure, electoral college, and functions of the Senate of Pakistan. Muhammad Zubair Thaheem, Joint Secretary briefed the delegation about the reforms and key initiatives undertaken by the Senate to equip itself for modern challenges, a news release said.
Joint Secretary of Legislation in the Senate, Rafi Ullah briefed participants from the Parliamentary Interface on International best practices in the working of the Uper House of the Parliament . He also covered topics such as Senate House proceeding,Senate powers, its legislative role, accountability, and policy guidance.
During the session, members stressed upon ways to enhance the Senate’s relevance in terms of powers  to money bills. Muhammad Azam, Deputy Secretary Legislation also briefed on new Senate practices, including public petitions,  PAC, Senate assistance  in International Parliamentarian Congress and Women Parliamentarian Congress.
Additionally, Iffat Mustapha, Director  Research in the Senate, inquired about participants’ research scope in their provinces and provided insights into parliamentary research. She outlined the background of research, mentioning the creation of different specializations in the Senate over time. Mustafa emphasized that research not only assists the parliamentarians during their foreign visits but also benefits various departments as well.
The participants also visited the Senate Museum, Senate Library, Senate Hall, Data Center and received an informative briefings about them.  DG Coordination, PDU(Library), Mir Shai Mazar Baloch, stated that the aim of the Parliamentary Interface is to create a connection between Provincial Legislative units and the Senate of Pakistan.
He briefed the delegation about the role of the Parliamentary Development Unit (PDU), which is solely dedicated to informing the Senate Secretariat about new innovations and acquiring additional resources for the realization of such innovations.
He added that the Parliamentary Interface will serve as a platform for creating connectivity between provincial assemblies and the Senate of Pakistan, facilitating coordination efforts to resolve issues faced by any provincial units. Moreover, Iffat Mustafa, Director of Research, emphasized that an effective interface between legislative drafting units and parliamentary research units will contribute to creating quality legislation.
In Conclusion, Special Secretary of the Senate, Major (R) Syed Hasnian Haider, provided concrete clarification in response to the delegation’s queries and the delegation presents a summary of key takeaways from the visit.

Tajik outgoing envoy in Pakistan calls on PM

By
Najam ul Hassan
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0

ISLAMABAD, Jan 23 (APP):Outgoing Ambassador of Tajikistan in Pakistan Ismatullo Naserdin Tuesday called on Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar.

The prime minister appreciating the role of Ismatullo Naserdin in promoting bilateral relations between the two countries, expressed his best wishes for him in future.

He hoped that the upcoming ambassador would also play key role in strengthening the bilateral relations.

Ismatullo Naserdin on the occasion termed the brotherly relations between Pakistan and Tajikistan as historic.

He also appreciated the hospitality of Pakistan during his stay. The outgoing envoy thanked PM Kakar for the best wishes for him.

PRCS, OGDCL forge strategic partnership to advance humanitarian initiatives

By
Ali Ali
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0
ISLAMABAD, Jan 23 (APP):In a dedicated effort to elevate collaboration in humanitarian endeavors and fortify mutual relations, the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The signing ceremony took place at the OGDCL central office in Islamabad on Tuesday.
Attendees at the signing ceremony included Chairman of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society, Sardar Shahid Ahmed Laghari, Brigadier (retd) Abdul Hadi, Managing Body Member, Muhammad Abidullah Khan, Secretary General, and representatives from OGDCL, including Abdul Razzaq Khattak, Shahzad Safdar, and Aamir Salim.
The MoU symbolizes the unwavering commitment to strengthen collaborative efforts between OGDCL and PRCS. Ahmed Hayat Lakh, Managing Director/CEO of OGDCL, and  Sardar Shahid Ahmed Laghari signed the document, highlighting the shared dedication to advancing humanitarian causes.
Of significant note is OGDCL’s financial support to the Red Crescent in 2016 and 2017, and their substantial contribution in 2023 toward the State-of-the-Art Ambulance service. This ambulance is currently deployed in flood-affected regions of Balochistan.
The chairman of PRCS underscored the critical importance of bolstering cooperation and nurturing relations between both organizations to effectively address pressing humanitarian needs on a broader scale.
In response, Ahmed Hayat Lakh acknowledged and commended the valuable humanitarian services provided by the Red Crescent.
He expressed OGDCL’s unwavering commitment to sustaining and expanding cooperation in the pursuit of shared humanitarian goals.

KP Caretaker CM launches Bannu Economic Zone

By
Ali Ali
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0
Syed Arshad Hussain Shah
PESHAWAR, Jan 23 (APP):Caretaker Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Justice (Retd) Syed Arshad Hussain Shah formally launched the Bannu Economic Zone here on Tuesday.
The launching ceremony was held here in the Chief Minister’s Secretariat wherein the Caretaker Chief Minister also distributed plot allotment letters among intending investors. Bannu Economic Zone is 14th zone of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Besides, Caretaker Minister for Industries, Commerce and Technical Education, Dr Amer Abdullah, Secretary Industries, Commerce & Technical Education, Zulfikar Ali Shah and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zones Development and Management Company (KP-EZDMC), Javed Iqbal Khatak, members of the Board of Directors also attended the ceremony.
The economic zone would be established on 415 acres land comprising 265 units. Beside attracting an investmnet of Rs.10 billion it will also generate 16000 direct and 48000 indirect employment opportunties.
Addressing the ceremony, the Caretaker Chief Minister Syed Arshad Hussain Shah said that Bannu Economic Zone would prove a milestone in the promotion of economic activities in the province, saying its commerial launching would new avenues of economic prosperity.
He said that due to its geographical location, the zone is of a higher importance and will play crucial role in the development of the southern districts and their adjacent newly merged districts.
The chief minister said that the caretaker government is taking steps for provision of employment opportunities for the youth of backward districts and added that addressing the backwardness of the southern and merged districts to bring them in the mainstream of develop is the need of the hour.
He said that the promotion of investment is included in the priorities’ list of the provincial government and said in this connection would extend all possible facilitation to the intending investors.

OIC condemns opening of “Ram Temple” on demolished Babri Mosque

By
Najam ul Hassan
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0
OIC

ISLAMABAD, Jan 23 (APP):The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Tuesday expressed grave concern over the recent construction and inauguration of “Ram Temple” at the site of the previously demolished Babri Mosque, located in the Indian city of Ayodhya.

In line with the OIC position expressed by the Council of Foreign Ministers in its previous sessions, the General Secretariat denounced these actions aimed at obliterating the Islamic landmarks represented by the Babri Mosque, which has stood tall in the exact location for five centuries, a statement issued by the OIC General Secretariat said.

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