XI’AN: June 08 –
XI’AN: June 08 – Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif visiting Pakistan Pavilion at the display center in Yangling Agricultural Demonstration Base.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif visiting Pakistan Pavilion at the display center in Yangling Agricultural Demonstration Base.
XI’AN: June 08 –
XI’AN: June 08 – Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif visiting Pakistan Pavilion at the display center in Yangling Agricultural Demonstration Base.
SHRC launches research paper on flood rehabilitation, warns of heavy rains during 2024
KARACHI, Jun 08 (APP): Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has launched a research paper titled “Rights of People and State of Flood Rehabilitation in Sindh” in program held here at a local hotel.
Speakers emphasized the urgent need for precautionary measures ahead of this year’s monsoon season as the Meteorological Office predicted that Southern Pakistan may receive heavy rains comparable to the 2022 deluge, which caused devastating floods in Sindh, Balochistan and Southern Punjab.
Sindh Minister for Rehabilitation Makhdoom Mehboob Zaman, the event’s chief guest, assured that the provincial government was making every effort to rehabilitate those affected by the 2022 floods. He noted that the Sindh government is constructing millions of houses in flood-affected areas, affirming, “Sindh government will not leave people alone.”
Chairman of the Sindh Human Rights Commission, Iqbal Detho stated that according to the UN and the Constitution of Pakistan, flood affectees have the fundamental right to rehabilitation and must be provided with basic facilities like education, health and safe drinking water.
Following the 2022 floods, SHRC members visited various affected districts and initiated a comprehensive study focusing on the floods in the province. Detho noted that the rural areas of Sindh were severely impacted by the 2022 floods. He emphasized SHRC’s role as a bridge between civil society and the government, committing to protecting the rights of vulnerable members of society.
Researcher Naseer Memon highlighted the extensive impact of the 2022 floods, which affected 24 districts.
The research focused on the human rights of vulnerable communities including persons with disabilities, minorities, women and children, and covered three key districts i.e Khairpur, Dadu and Mirpurkhas to provide a comprehensive cross-section of the affected areas and populations. The study involved direct communication with local communities and government officials to gather firsthand insights.
“People were actively engaged in the process, and their inputs have been incorporated into our recommendations,” Memon said. The study found that the extraordinary rains and subsequent disasters disproportionately affected women and vulnerable sections of society, who received no special consideration in the relief efforts.
Many people lacked basic shelter for several days after the flood and drinking water sources remained heavily polluted, research paper stated.
Alarmingly, there is no comprehensive data available on the health impacts of the floods, though there were abnormally high cases of malaria and other waterborne diseases reported.
The education infrastructure also suffered significantly, with 35% of girls’ schools damaged, and only half of these schools have been repaired, mostly during election periods.
While 500,000 houses have been constructed, marking a significant improvement with many being ‘Paka” houses, those displaced at the time of the floods often missed out on compensation. Moreover, one and a half years later, floodwaters still stand in parts of Khairpur district, he pointed out.
Memon underscored the urgent need for District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) to become more active, noting significant gaps in their current operations.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and the Pakistani delegation visiting different sections of Yangling Agricultural Demonstration Base.
XI’AN: June 08 –
Turkish envoy visits University of Faisalabad
FAISALABAD, Jun 08 (APP): Turkish Ambassador Dr. Mehmet Pacaci, along with his team, visited The University of Faisalabad (TUF) here on Saturday and stressed the need to strengthen more bilateral relations in education, culture and other fields.
He went to Medical and Dental Sections of the University where he was briefed about educational programs and research initiatives of the university.
During a meeting with university management and faculty members, he discussed the potential for scholarships and joint research projects and said that it would benefit the students and faculty from both countries.
He also expressed gratitude for the assistance provided by Alpha team of the university during earthquake in Turkey last year. He also appreciated the university efforts for providing quality education to its students and said that its programs would play a pivotal role in women empowerment.
Later, he also planted a sapling in the university lawn under TUF’s Go Green program. Durmus Bastug Turkish Consul General Nurettin Demir Commercial Counselor and Ghazanfar Mahmood Director Ambassadorial Office at Turkish Embassy in Islamabad were also present on the occasion in addition to Dr. Hamza Amin Vice Chairman Board of Governors TUF, Prof Dr Syed Aamir Gilani Rector TUF, Ms Zahida Maqbool Registrar, Prof Dr Aman Ullah Malik Director ORIC and Dr Amna Javed Head Office of International Linkages.
AJK Premier approves Principal appointment for Cadet College Muzaffarabad
MUZAFFARABAD, Jun 08 (APP): The Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Ch Anwar ul Haque has approved Principal appointment for Cadet College Muzaffarabad while chairing a Board of Governors Body Meeting here on Saturday.
The Meeting was attended by Speaker AJK Legislative Assembly Ch Latif Akbar, Minister for Higher Education Malik Zaffar Iqbal, Secretary Revenue AJK Islam Zaib Khan, AJK Chief Secretary Dawood Muhammad Badaich, Secretary Higher Education Muhammad Tayib and other concerned high officials attended the Board Meeting.
The Secretary Higher Education Ch.Muhammad Tayib on the occasion briefed the participants of the Meeting regarding the Cadet College. The approval for the Principal of Cadet College Muzaffarabad was formally given in the Board of Governors.
The Prime Minister Anwar directed to Higher Education to ensure all possible facilities to Cadet College including the faculty, he stressed.
Deputy PM Dar, Malaysian FM review bilateral cooperation in diverse sectors
ISLAMABAD, June 08 (APP): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Foreign Minister of Malaysia Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan on Saturday discussed bilateral cooperation between the two countries in areas of mutual interest, working towards further strengthening ties.
The deputy prime minister met Malaysian foreign minister on the margins of the Meeting of the D-8 Council of Foreign Ministers held in Istanbul, Turkiye, a post on X said.
The Malaysian foreign minister congratulated deputy prime minister on Pakistan’s election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
The deputy prime minister expressed Pakistan’s appreciation for Malaysia’s support and the desire for working together to uphold international law and the UN Charter.
PM arrives in Pakistan after wrapping up his visit to China
LAHORE, June 08 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday arrived in Pakistan after concluding his five-day official visit to People’s Republic of China.
The prime minister had undertaken the visit at the invitation of Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, said in a press release.
During his visit, the prime minister accompanied by his high-level delegation, held meetings with the Chinese leadership, authorities; and business and investor companies.
An aged person making embroidery work on the bed sheet and pillow to attract customer at his road side setup near Ramzan Hotel.
GILGIT: June 08 –
Pak, China reaffirm to strengthen strategic relationship, safeguard common interests, promote socio-economic development
ISLAMABAD, June 08 (APP): Pakistan and China on Saturday reiterated that they would continue to view the relationship between the two countries from a strategic height and a long-term perspective, take effective measures to safeguard the common interests of Pakistan and China and promote socio-economic development and well-being of the two peoples.
The two sides agreed to work together to jointly uphold regional peace, stability, development and prosperity, and accelerate the building of an even closer ‘Pakistan-China Community with a Shared Future in the New Era’, said a joint statement between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the People’s Republic of China issued at the conclusion of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s five-day visit to China.
The two sides had candid and in-depth exchanges of views on the entire spectrum of bilateral relations as well as regional situation and international landscape and reached extensive consensus on further strengthening the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promoting practical cooperation in various areas, and on international and regional issues of mutual interest, a press statement of the Foreign Office said.
The two sides agreed that Pakistan and China are All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partners and ironclad friends, and the two countries have always understood, trusted and supported each other.
Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 73 years ago, Pakistan-China relations have stood the test of changing international environment and have been as solid as a rock, and as unshakable as a mountain.
The Chinese side reiterated that the Pakistan-China relationship is a priority in its foreign relations. The Pakistani side underscored that the Pakistan-China relationship is the cornerstone of its foreign policy.
The two sides enjoy unbreakable strategic mutual trust, fruitful practical cooperation in various fields, and maintain close coordination on international and regional affairs.
The Chinese side congratulated Pakistan on holding successful general elections, and expressed best wishes for the new Pakistani government in leading the Pakistani people in their endeavors to achieve socio-economic development, prosperity, unity, stability and security.
The two sides will explore avenues to deepen experience-sharing in state governance and synergize their development strategies.
The Pakistani side spoke highly of China’s major development achievements in the New Era, and expressed good wishes to the Chinese people that under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, China will realize the second centenary goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in every dimension.
The Pakistani side spoke highly of and supports China’s all-round efforts to advance the building of a strong country and achieve national rejuvenation through a Chinese path to modernization, believes that the Chinese path to modernization provides a new option and practical solution for developing countries to achieve independent development.
The two sides reaffirmed their unyielding support for each other on issues concerning their respective core interests. Both sides stressed that the authority of the UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 brooks no dispute or challenge. Pakistan reaffirmed its firm commitment to the one-China principle, and reiterated that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China’s territory, and that Pakistan firmly supports the Chinese government’s every effort to achieve national reunification and opposes any form of “Taiwan independence.” Pakistan firmly supports China on issues concerning Xinjiang, Xizang, Hong Kong and the South China Sea.
The Chinese side reiterated its steadfast support for Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty, national independence and territorial integrity, in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions and in its efforts to safeguard national security, stability, development and prosperity, in firmly combating terrorism, and in playing a bigger role in regional and international affairs.
The two sides reiterated their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations with a “zero tolerance” attitude, and agreed to further strengthen cooperation in counter-terrorism and security through a comprehensive approach.
Calling on the international community to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation, the two sides expressed their firm opposition to double standards on counter-terrorism, and opposed the politicization and instrumentalization of counter-terrorism.
The two sides stood ready to work with the international community to strengthen multilateral counter-terrorism cooperation within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations.
The two sides recognized that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has been a pioneering project of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Since the launch of CPEC, the two sides have adhered to the principle of “planning together, building together, and benefiting together,” and promoted the construction of CPEC to achieve fruitful results, which has changed the development landscape of Pakistan, benefited its people’s well-being, and promoted the integrated development of Pakistan and China.
Both sides underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability in South Asia, the need for resolution of all outstanding disputes, and their opposition to any unilateral action.
The Pakistani side briefed the Chinese side on the latest developments of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. The Chinese side reiterated that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is left over from history, and should be properly and peacefully resolved in accordance with the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements.
The two sides jointly advocated an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.
“Both sides opposed hegemony, domineering and bullying, exclusionist approaches, opposed power politics, as well as unilateralism in all forms. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to jointly upholding the international system with the United Nations as its core, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms governing international relations underpinned by the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, adhere to true multilateralism, work for a just and more equitable international order, safeguard the peace and stability of the region and the world,” it was added.
The two sides agreed to further strengthen communication and coordination in the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and other multilateral platforms.
The two sides reiterated that the fundamental way out of the current crisis in Gaza lies in the Two-State solution and the establishment of an independent State of Palestine.
The resolution adopted by the UN Security Council is legally binding, and should be enforced effectively to achieve an unconditional and lasting ceasefire immediately.
The two sides called on the international community for increasing political input into the Palestinian question with a greater sense of urgency, stepping up efforts to facilitate the early resumption of peace talks between Palestine and Israel, and strive for enduring peace.
A mason making building blocks from stone on the road side of Chinar Bagh River View Road.
GILGIT: June 08 –