President Zardari expresses solidarity with Iran

Sun, 21 Dec 2025, 12:17 AM

ISLAMABAD, Dec 21 (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari Saturday, expressed solidarity with brotherly Islamic country Iran during a flight to Iraq.

According to the President House, when the President’s plane entered Iranian airspace while en route from Islamabad to Baghdad, the President of Pakistan sent a message of goodwill to the Iranian leadership.

The message was sent to the Iranian Supreme Leader and the President of Iran.

The President stressed the need for mutual respect and promotion of relations in the region.

President arrives in Baghdad on four day official visit

NNPS Desk

Sat, 20 Dec 2025, 11:36 PM

BAGHDAD, Dec 20 (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari Saturday arrived in Baghdad on four-day official visit to Iraq.

The President was warmly welcomed by the Iraqi authorities upon his arrival.

He was received by the Iraqi Minister of Culture and Tourism Prof Dr Ahmad Fakkak al-Badrani, Pakistan’s ambassador to Iraq Muhammad Zeeshan Ahmed and other senior officials.

During the visit, discussions are expected to be held with the top Iraqi leadership to enhance cooperation in various fields.

The President’s visit will further promote the brotherly relations between Pakistan and Iraq.

Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination, Syed Mustafa Kamal, addresses the 17th Convocation Ceremony of Dadabhoy Institute of Higher Education (DIHE).

Wajid

Sat, 20 Dec 2025, 10:57 PM

Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination, Syed Mustafa Kamal, addresses the 17th Convocation Ceremony of Dadabhoy Institute of Higher Education (DIHE). — APP50-201225
KARACHI: December 20 –

APP47-201225
KARACHI: December 20 – Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination, Syed Mustafa Kamal, presents a degree to a graduating student during the 17th Convocation Ceremony of Dadabhoy Institute of Higher Education (DIHE). APP/SDQ/FHA

Peace collective responsibility: Abid Sher Ali

Zaka Ullah Ch

Sat, 20 Dec 2025, 10:55 PM

FAISALABAD, Dec 20 (APP):PML-N central leader Senator Abid Sher Ali said that the maintenance of law and order and promotion of religious harmony was a collective responsibility and Faisalabad Peace Committee always played an exemplary role in this regard.

Addressing a peace seminar organized by the Peace Committee at Municipal Corporation central hall here on Saturday, he stressed the need for sustainable peace and brotherhood in the city.

He said that for a major industrial and commercial hub like Faisalabad, peace and stability were imperative as they guaranteed national development, investment and social cohesion.

He said that Faisalabad Peace Committee had consistently acted responsibly in challenging situations and safeguarded the city from unrest by promoting interfaith harmony.

Senator Abid Sher Ali said that such peace seminars conveyed a positive message to society and reminded people that despite differences, all citizens were united as one nation.

He emphasized that the responsibility for maintaining peace did not rest solely with the government or law enforcement agencies, but required the collective efforts of every citizen, community and school of thought.

Speaking on the occasion, MPA Tahir Jameel said that the government was taking comprehensive measures across the province to ensure law and order, adding that bringing all schools of thought onto a single platform was need of the hour.

Later, special prayers were offered for national security, peace and stability in addition to the progress and prosperity of Faisalabad.

Chief Organizer Sufi Mukhtar reaffirmed the committee’s resolve to continue its efforts for promoting brotherhood, tolerance and peace in the city.

Members of Peace Committee, religious scholars from different schools of thought, civil society representatives and a large number of citizens attended the seminar.

Renowned Poet Gohar Azmi’s poetry collection “Aaina-e-Tamsaal launched at ACP

Zaka Ullah Ch

Sat, 20 Dec 2025, 10:51 PM

KARACHI, Dec 20 (APP):Arts Council of Pakistan (ACP) Karachi organized the book launch ceremony of renowned poet, writer, and intellectual Gohar Azmi’s poetry collection titled “Aaina-e-Tamsaal” at Haseena Moin Hall.

The ceremony was presided over by eminent educationist Dr Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui, while Dr Sarosh Hashmat Lodhi attended as the chief guest. Noted literary figures Sohail Shafiq, Rizwan Siddiqui, Akhtar Saeedi, Tajdar Adil, Shair Ali Shair, and Owais Adeeb Ansari shared their views on the poet’s literary stature, intellectual depth, and poetic contributions.

In his presidential address, Dr Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui said that the evening was dedicated to Gohar Azmi, who represents truthfulness, integrity, and principled living in society. He added that Gohar Azmi’s greatest strength lies in his consistency in writing and the strong continuity of thought reflected in his work.

Chief guest Dr Sarosh Hashmat Lodhi stated that Gohar Azmi has authored 24 books over a period of 457 months, which reflects his extraordinary dedication and tireless efforts. He further said that Gohar Azmi is a devoted lover of the Holy Prophet Muhammad and that his poetry prominently reflects religious and moral values.

During the ceremony, Sohail Shafiq recited selected verses from Gohar Azmi’s poetry collection, while Akhtar Saeedi presented a poem that was highly appreciated by the audience. At the conclusion of the event, Gohar Azmi expressed his gratitude to the participants, shared insights into his life and literary journey, and captivated the audience by reciting selected verses from his poetry collection “Aaina-e-Tamsaal.

AJK PM Rathore describes free, responsible media as the cornerstone of a democratic society

Zaka Ullah Ch

Sat, 20 Dec 2025, 10:45 PM

MIRPUR, Dec 20 (APP):Azad Jammu Kashmir Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore has said a free and responsible media stands as the cornerstone of a healthy democratic society.

He was addressing the oath-taking ceremony of the All Kashmir Newspaper Society, a forum of the regional press of the AJK State, held at the Jammu Kashmir House in the federal metropolis on Saturday.

Prime Minister Azad Kashmir Faisal Mumtaz Rathore earlier administered the oath to the newly elected office bearers of the All Kashmir Newspaper Society (AKNS). The ceremony was attended, among others, by government ministers, advisors, senior government officials, and journalists, including Chaudhry Rafique Nayyar, Ahmed Sagheer, Taqdees Gilani, Information Secretary Sardar Adnan Khurshid, Information Director Raja Amjad Hussain Minhas, DGPR, and other dignitaries.

Those who took the oath included AKNS President Sardar Zahid Tabassum, Senior Vice President Ramzan Chughtai, Vice Presidents Abid Abbasi and Nisar Kayani, Secretary General Zulfiqar Butt, Deputy Secretary Khalid Anjum Chaudhry, Secretary of Finance Ijaz Ahmed Khan, Secretary of Information Dilawar Bukhari, and members of the working body.

The Prime Minister noted that the government was taking practical steps for the welfare of journalists and the promotion of the media. He praised the media and journalists for highlighting the facts in adverse circumstances and presenting the Kashmir issue effectively at the international level.

The Prime Minister assured the AKNS office bearers that their demands would be resolved within three days through mutual consultation, saying that the Information Department has been directed to issue a half-page advertisement on the government’s performance. Stressing the significance of digital media, the PM emphasized adopting modern technology in view of the growing role of digital media. Congratulating the newly elected office bearers of the AKNS, he urged them to promote journalistic values, responsible reporting, and objectivity.

PM Rathore said that the present government considers the media as its partners. Referring to the politically volatile situation under which the PPP took the reins of government, he said that when he was entrusted with this responsibility, the state was facing political uncertainty and a climate of distrust. The government, he said, restored public confidence, revitalized the bureaucracy, opened the Prime Minister’s Secretariat to the public, and initiated a process to reconnect with the people and address their grievances.

He added that due to long-standing issues spanning seventy years, the people had fallen into a state of despair; however, political activity and the democratic process have now been revived in the state. Referring to initiatives undertaken by his government, he said that ad-hoc employees were regularized, drivers’ pay scales were increased, and practical steps were taken to redress public grievances.

Speaking on this occasion, the newly elected President of AKNS, Sardar Zahid Tabassum, thanked the Prime Minister and expressed his commitment to continue cooperation in resolving the problems of the journalist community.