ISLAMABAD: August 12 People busy in purchasing national flags other related stuff in connection with Independence Day as nation starts preparation to celebrate in befitting manners. APP photo by Saleem Rana
Asad Umar praises public for ‘successful fight’ against COVID-19
ISLAMABAD, Aug 12 (APP): Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar on Wednesday appreciated public’s mature attitude for “successful fight” against COVID-19.
Talking to PTV news channel, Asad Umar said Pakistan’s efforts against coronavirus pandemic has set an example before the world as it understood the seriousness of the disease and took timely steps to break the chain of infections.
Entire world is praising PM Imran Khan the way he is handling COVID-19 global pandemic, taking care of nation and helping the world community in such challenging times.
He further appealed for national unity and urged the public to continue adopt preventive measures against coronavirus as lifting lockdown or reopening of all sectors in the country did not mean that the COVID-19 pandemic has ended.
He said Public must continue their commitment to the measures to reduce the burden on the health sector and give researchers time to develop an active vaccine.
“The government is now shifting towards a ‘micro smart lockdown’ strategy and Home isolation to target only specific locations affected by the coronavirus pandemic”,he concluded.
NA passes resolution to write Khatam-un-Nabiyyin with name of Holy Prophet (PBUH)
ISLAMABAD, Aug 12 (APP): The National Assembly on Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution to write Khatam-un-Nabiyyin with the name of Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) in all textbooks, official and non official documents.
State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan said that all parliamentary parties had supported the resolution.
The house also passed a resolution to include Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s speech of August, 11, 1947 in the curriculum.
The resolution was moved by MNA Dr Darshan.
National development rests on meaningful engagement of youth: Usman Dar
ISLAMABAD, Aug 12 (APP): Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Youth Affairs Muhammad Usman Dar Wednesday said his government fully believed in meaningful engagement of the youth to attain development, prosperity and real change for the country.
“68 per cent population of the country comprises on youth which is a national asset and our major strength,” Usman Dar said in a video message released by his office in connection with the ‘International Youth Day 2020’.
He said Prime Minister Imran Khan had taken remarkable initiatives for well-being of the youth after recognizing their capabilities.
“It is the first time in history of the country that a comprehensive and detailed policy for the youth empowerment has been formulated in the shape of ‘National Youth Development Framework,” he remarked.
The SAPM said the government has been taking practical steps for the youth under the framework, which identified targets for their social, political and economic development.
Usman Dar said the government had rolled out the ‘Hunarmand Pakistan’ (Skill for All) programme with a cost of Rs 10 billion under its flagship project of the ‘Kamyab Jawan Programme’.
The project was meant to impart modern techniques and technologies to the youth in addition to the skills in conventional trades, he added.
He said an amount of Rs 100 billion had been allocated under the ‘Kamyab Jawan Programme’ to provide financial support to the young people for starting their own businesses.
The historical programme was being implemented across the country in transparent manner, he added.
The SAPM said the Prime Minister’s ‘Kamyab Jawan Programme’ was aimed at imparting education and skills to the youth. It would eventually empower the youngsters and help them to avail job opportunities.
Urging the youth for active participation in the programme, Usman said he could assure them that the soft loans were being issued on the basis of merit.
Farrukh Habib says PML-N’s attack on NAB was preplanned
ISLAMABAD, Aug 12 (APP): Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Farrukh Habib Wednesday condemned yesterday’s Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz and her party members’ attack on NAB office and claimed that it was committed under a “pre-planned and targeted” agenda to harass a national respectable institution.
Talking to a private news channel, he said if someone will be involved in corruption then definitely NAB is independent to take actions against the alleged persons, adding that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was an independent and sovereign institution and worked on its own without any interference of the government against the corrupt mafia.
He assured that legal action would be initiated against those involved in the NAB attack incident and said no one could be allowed to take the law into one’s own hand as rule of law would be fully ensured.
He criticized that PML-N leader Maryum Nawaz under her leadership attacked on NAB office, which was totally planned agenda of her party to blackmail government and harassed a respectable national institution to escape from accountability process with unconstitutional ways.
Farrukh said that the PTI government and NAB would not succumb to such tactics and cases against the corrupt people would be pursued till their logical end.
Responding to a question, he also admired the Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar who was appeared before NAB on August 12 in person without any protocol in liquor license case.
He said he sets a new example for other political parties and completed consultation with his legal team on the issue of appearance in NAB.
Senate to meet on Thursday
ISLAMABAD, Aug 12 (APP): President Dr Arif Alvi summoned the Senate session to meet in the Parliament House on Thursday at 6:00 pm.
The President has summoned the session in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (1) of Article 54 of the Constitution. said a notification issued here Wednesday.
CM inaugurates anti-polio campaign
PESHAWAR, Aug 12 (APP): Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mahmood Khan here Wednesday inaugurated anti-polio campaign after a break of four months.
During the campaign,children below five years of age would be vaccinated against polio in 21 high-risk districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A target of 4,562,000 children has been set for vaccination against the crippling disease.
For the purpose over 19,000 teams have been constituted to vaccinate the children and monitor the campaign.The squads include 17859 mobile and 1237 fixed teams to make the campaign a success story.
The campaign was restarted after a four-month break in the wake of the coronavirus situation in the country.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government was determined to purge out the curse of polio virus from the province and for the purpose and all available resources were being utilized.
The Chief Minister urged upon Ulema,media and elected representatives to add their share in Government’s endeavors to eliminate polio virus from the society.
Ehsaas Nash-o-Numa program to be formally launched on Thursday
ISLAMABAD, Aug 12 (APP): Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Sania Nishtar on Wednesday announced that the first-ever ‘Ehsaas Nash-o-Numa’ program to address the issue of stunted growth faced by 40 percent of the children in Pakistan would formally launch on August 13.
In a news briefing, she said Prime Minister Imran Khan would formally launch the ‘Ehsaas Nash-o-Numa’ program along with her by visiting the Ehsaas Nash-o-Numa Center in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Khyber tribal district.
Dr. Nishtar said the issue of stunting among children in Pakistan had always been among the top priorities of the prime minister as in his initial address to the nation soon after assuming he responsibilities, he showed the CT scan of a child affected by stunting and highlighted the gross issue.
She said around 40 percent of children in Pakistan suffered from stunting due to malnutrition and other reasons.
The highest incidence of stunting disease in Pakistan in terms of provinces and regions was in the tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and Sindh, she added.
Ehsaas Nash-o-Numa program has been launched to prevent stunting due to malnutrition in children under the age of two years, pregnant women and lactating mothers.The deserving Nash-o-Numa beneficiary women will be given a quarterly stipend including Rs 2,000 for girls and Rs 1,500 for boys besides providing healthy food sachet.
She said the program being implemented with the support of World Food program is the result of a year and a half of comprehensive planning, technical consultation and public-private partnership.
In the first phase, a total of 33 development centers are being set up in nine districts across the country including Khyber, Upper Dir, Bagh, Ghizer, Hunza, Kharmang, Kharan, Badin and Rajanpur under the program. All the 33 development centers of the first phase would be made functional by the end of August, she said.
The four Nash-o-Numa centers have been set up in Rajanpur district of Punjab province, six in Upper Dir and three in Khyber district of |Khyber Pakhtunkhwa while six centers will be set up in Badin district in Sindh.
Three Nash-o-Numa centers are being established in Kharan district of Balochistan province, three in Bagh district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and eight in Gilgit-Baltistan.
She pointed out that a number of facilities would be provided to the women and their children at every ‘Nash-o-Numa’ center. A separate registration desk has been set up at each center to facilitate the deserving women.
The ‘Nash-o-Numa’ app has been developed to keep track of the health of the beneficiaries while a special guidebook has also been prepared to guide them.
The deputed staff at the registration desk will register pregnant and lactating women and their newborns in the development app and conduct a detailed examination of the height, weight and health of women and their children less than two years of age.
The arrangements for immunizations of affected children and women have also been made in the centers. It has been made mandatory for women beneficiaries of ‘Nash-o-Numa’ program to participate in the awareness sessions which have been specially arranged in regional languages, Dr. Nishtar informed.
Special charts, posters and informative videos on food, hygiene and health had been compiled for the awareness of the women beneficiaries, she added.
ATM machines are being specially installed at all the Nash-o-Numa centers for biometric payments of quarterly stipends to the women beneficiaries. After getting healthy food packets, women will be able to get Nash-o-Numa stipend from the ATM machine set up at the center, she added.
Ministry to launch ‘Run for Kashmir’ app by August 14
ISLAMABAD, Aug 12 (APP): Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan will launch a tele marathon application to promote Kashmir cause globally.
The app ‘Run for Kashmir’ was expected to be launched by August 14, Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan, Ali Amin Khan Gandapur told media persons after chairing a meeting here on Wednesday.
The initiative was meant to express solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) by highlighting the plight of innocent Kashmiris internationally through use of modern technologies, he added.
He also hinted at inclusion of foreign missions, provincial governments, all political parties and sports boards in the application.
The minister informed that the application would be launched in divisional headquarters of all the provinces.
He said fascist policies of Indian Prime Minister Narendera Modi had been exposed globally due to persistent efforts of the present government.
The government would continue to extend moral, diplomatic and political support to the people of Kashmir.
Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) Dr Fehmida Mirza welcomed the launch of telemarathon app and said it was a good initiative by the ministry to show solidarity with the people of IIOJK.
Hailing the efforts of ministry, Chairman Kashmir Committee, Shehryar Afridi said the initiative would help to highlight the case of Kashmiris in more effective manner.
He urged all political parties to make sure their participation in telemarathon to convey a strong message to the world over the issue of national interest.
The meeting was also attended by Minister for information Shibli Faraz and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Minister for Information Raja Mushtaq Ahmed Minhas.
Pakistan Navy provides relief assistance, evacuated Dadu rain affected
KARACHI, Aug 11 (APP): Pakistan Navy Rescue and Emergency Response teams had conducted disaster relief operation in collaboration with civil administration in rain-hit areas of district Dadu, Sindh.
Due to torrential rains and breach of Nai Gaj Dam, many villages have been flooded in the area, said a Pakistan Navy press release.
Pakistan Navy rescue teams, having motor boats and life saving equipment reached out to areas hit by heavy rain and flash floods since Sunday morning.
“The teams have evacuated large number of local inhabitants stranded in adjoining areas of Johi Goth. Relief goods and ration have also been provided to over 400 families.”
Besides, medical camp has been established with necessary medical facilities for rain affected people. In order to extend rescue efforts to far flung inundated areas, a Hovercraft has also been stationed at Johi Goth to further augment relief efforts.
Pakistan Navy has always been at the forefront to conduct Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Operations (HADR) during disasters and natural calamities.
NA passes five government bills related to FATF
ISLAMABAD, Aug 12 (APP): The National Assembly on Wednesday passed five government bills related to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) after developing a consensus between opposition and treasury benches.
The bill passed by the House were the Anti-terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (Sections 6, 11EE, 11J, 11N, 11O, 11OO, 11Q, 19 and 21EE); the Limited Liability Partnership (Amendment) Bill, 2020; the Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2020; the Control of Narcotic Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2020; and the Islamabad Capital Territory Trust Bill, 2020.
The Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) bill aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of the implementation of the orders passed by the Federal Government under the Anti-terrorism Act, 1997 and the United Nations (Security Council) Act, 1948.
The amendments were considered essential in the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.
The scope of the application of the penalties needs to be extended to those who are involved in terrorism in any manner outside the boundaries of the country’ in addition, it is considered essential to match the penalties, fines and restrictions for same kind of punishments and to provide legal powers to the law enforcement agencies for speedy trial and disposal of cases.
Furthermore, the facilities required for meeting the necessary expenses through exemptions are also required to be incorporated in detail.
The Limited Liability Partnership (Amendment) Bill 2020 has suggested various amendments to Limited Liability Partnership Act 2017 to ensure compliance with the recommendations on anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism issued by FATF. Pakistan’s 2019 Mutual Evaluation Report (MER) on FATF Recommendations issued by the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) highlighted lack of obligations for limited liability partnerships (LLPs) to hold ultimate beneficial ownership information. The report also highlighted lack of penalties for breach of AML/CFT requirements by LLFs.
Accordingly, the proposed amendments are being made to ensure compliance with FATF’s recommendation aimed at enhancing the transparency of legal persons, to fulfill the recommended actions in MER, and to enhance the country’s ranking against the aforesaid standards. These are also aimed to conform to the action plan approved by the National Executive Committee on AML/CFT for compliance with the FATF recommendations.
The Companies (Amendment) Bill 2020 has suggested various amendments to Companies Act 2017 to ensure compliance with the recommendations on anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism issued by FATF. Pakistan’s 2019 MER on FATF Recommendations issued by the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) highlighted certain deficiencies including lack of explicit prohibition on issuance of bearer shares or bearer share warrants, lack of obligations for companies to hold beneficial ownership information, etc.
The report also recommended that the persons who breach the required measures shall be made subject to effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions.
Accordingly, the proposed amendments are being made to ensure compliance with FATF’s recommendation aimed at enhancing the transparency of legal persons, to fulfill the recommended actions in MER and to enhance the country’s ranking against the aforesaid standards.
These are also aimed at conforming to the action plan approved by the National Executive Committee on AML/CFT for compliance with the FATF recommendations.
The Islamabad Capital Territory Trust Bill, 2020 aimed to enhance the effectiveness of the implementation of the Orders passed by the Federal Government to cater effective administration and financial monitoring and evaluation of the trusts relating to registration, administration and monitoring of trusts registered within the territorial limits of Islamabad Capital Territory.
According to the Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Control of Narcotic Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2020, Pakistan has been given final lifeline by FATF to meet the deficiencies with regard to Money Laundering and Terrorists Financing highlighted by Asian Pacific Group .
That vide para- 41 of recommendation No.3 of Mutual Evaluation/ Report (MER) 2019 FATF has observed a minor deficiency in Section 12 of Control of Narcotics Substances (CNSI Act 1997 that it restricts the acts of concealment or disguise by making false declaration.
It is highlighted that as per section 12 [c) of CNS Act1997, the scope / applicability of the said section has been confined to “making false declaration with regard to ownership, source, location or true nature of assets”. Moreover, during the meeting held at Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU), it was intimated that legal regime of Pakistan with regard to ML and TF is largely compliant, however, in case the deficiencies are not met, it may result into negative impact upon the efforts undertaken by Pakistan to comply with the requirements / observations of FATF.
Minister for Law and Justice Mohammad Farogh Naseem on the request of Maulana Akbar Chitrali a bill- the Islamabad Capital Territory Waqf Properties Bill, 2020 was deferred.
MoMA conducted a detail study of new Master Plan for Port Qasim
ISLAMABAD, Aug 12 (APP): Ministry of Maritime Affairs( MoMA) has conducted a detail study of the new Master Plan for the Port Qasim.
According to ministry, this will attract an inbound investment of up to 1.6 billion dollars by developing new terminals.
Master Plan has also been finalized to uplift the entire infrastructure of Port Qasim Authority (PQA) and its industrial area.
This include up-gradation of the roads, laying of sewerage line, water distribution channels and power supply, residential accommodation for PQA employees, Primary and Secondary School, State of the Art Sports Complex with a cricket ground fit to first class matches at an approximate combine cost of Rs. 3 billion.
Indian troops martyred one Kashmiri youth in Pulwama
ISLAMABAD, Aug 12 (APP): In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops in their fresh act of state terrorism martyred one Kashmiri youth in Pulwama district.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the troops martyred the youth during a cordon and search operation in Kamrazipora area of the district.
Earlier, one Indian soldier was killed and another injured in an attack in the same area.
The operation was going on till last reports came in.
France-based Pakistani company launches cricket bat brand ‘Ambassador’
ISLAMABAD, Aug 12 (APP): A Pakistani sports goods company Euro King Sports based in France launched a new brand of cricket bat named ‘Ambassador’, in Paris on Wednesday.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires M. Amjad Qazi said it would help popularize cricket in France as well as in mainland Europe.
He said Pakistani businesses would also gain a foothold in the European sports goods market, says a message received here.
He also appreciated the company for launching its own brand in a sport, which is most loved by the Pakistani people.
CEO of the company Amjad Sandhu said in addition to this professional cricket bat, his company had also introduced a tennis ball cricket bat.
He said this was the first cricket brand in mainland Europe made with Pakistan’s willow.
He said cricket was becoming increasingly popular in European countries like France, Austria, Germany, Italy, Spain, Holland and Belgium.
In France alone, there are around 35 cricket clubs registered with the Association Francaise de Cricket (French Cricket Association).
In addition to local players, immigrants from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh are also members of these club teams.
The Pakistan Embassy France sponsors the most prestigious annual cricket tournament held in France called Jinnah Trophy.
Govt taking all possible steps to reduce prices of flour, sugar: Shibli
ISLAMABAD, Aug 12 (APP): Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Shibli Faraz Wednesday said the present government was taking all possible steps to reduce the prices of flour, sugar and other daily use items.
Addressing a press conference here, the minister said Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a review meeting on inflation and prices of daily use items, including flour and sugar, and expressed his dissatisfaction on their prices.
He said the focus of the prime minister’s policies was welfare of the poor and backward classes, who were directly affected by hike in the prices of daily use items, whereas the past rulers made policies for personal gain and elite class.
He said the prime minister was regularly getting briefings on inflation and prices, and he had been issuing directives to the provincial government officials to taking steps for their effective control. The sugar and flour cartels were influential but hey would not be given any concession at the cost of consumers as they were not powerful than the people and the government.
Shibli Faraz said the meeting was informed that a 20-kg flour bag was being sold in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at Rs 900 to 1,150, in Punjab at Rs 860 to 950, in Karachi (Sindh) at up to Rs 1700.
The reason for the highest price of flour in Sindh, he said, was that the provincial government had not issued wheat quota to the flour mills. The disparity in flour price resulted from transportation of wheat from other provinces to Sindh, he added.
The minister said a comprehensive mechanism was being chalked out for ensuring equal price of flour in all the provinces. Advisor to the PM on Finance Hafeez Sheikh, Provincial Food Minister Aleem Khan and relevant food secretaries were working out a plan of action.
He said the government would reduce the prices of essential goods at any cost. Following the report of the Sugar Commission, the sugar prices were increased to pressurise the government, but it would not bow to any pressure from the sugar cartel.
Since the past rulers owned sugar mills so they formulated policies for their own interest at the cost of farmers and consumers, he added.
Shibli Faraz said it was a matter of satisfaction that even during the difficult times of corona pandemic, the supply of daily use items remained stable. Both public and private sectors were importing sugar to reduce its prices in the market. The Federal Government in collaboration with the provincial governments was introducing a new law to ensure timely start of the sugarcane crushing. Under the new law, the sugar mill that delayed crushing, would be fined Rs 5 million a day, which was presently Rs 20,000 for the entire season.
The government was also keeping a close eye on the elements trying to stockpile sugar, who would be taken to task. There were indications that some people were hoarding sugar in Karachi, he added.
Replying to the questions of media persons, the minister said there was no doubt that institutions not the individuals ran the country, but in the past, the institutions were paralyzed ,degraded and made dysfunctional.
The mafias were very strong and had great clout to use the institutions for their own benefit, he added.
He said in the case of sugar crisis, the related institutions were being investigated.
He pointed out that the coronavirus was a global issue but it was unfortunate that the Sindh government played politics on the issue despite the fact all the decisions to deal with the pandemic were made with consensus.
Unlike other provinces, the relics of the past still prevailed in Sindh, who would hopefully be erased by the people in the next elections, the minister added.
Shibli Faraz said the objective of import of wheat and sugar was to improve their supplies in order to bring down prices, which would ultimately provide relief to the masses. The government’s target was that the sugar price must come down by at least Rs 20-25 per kilogram.
To a question about subsidies to the Utility Stores Corporation, the minister contended that the Punjab government was providing Rs 6 billion subsidies per month and everyone, the rich or the poor, was benefiting from the relief.
However, he added, that by utilizing the Ehsaas Programme data, targeted subsidy would be given only to provide relief to the deserving persons.
The minister said emphatically that the back of hoarders and profiteers would have to be broken to provide cheap flour and sugar to the people and it was the prime concern of Prime Minister Imran Khan, as he still expressed his dissatisfaction over the commodities rates, though some of them had come down in recent days.
US Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden asks India to restore Kashmiris’ rights
NEW YORK, Aug 12 (APP): US Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has renewed his concern over the deteriorating situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IlOJK), saying restrictions on dissent, such as preventing peaceful protests or shutting or slowing down the internet, weakens democracy.
In an online meeting with the head of American-Pakistani Political Action Committee (APPAC), Dr. Ijaz Ahmad along with prominent members of the Muslim community, the former vice president called on the Indian government to “take all necessary steps to restore rights for all the people of Kashmir”.
India scrapped the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of its constitution on August 5 last year in violation of UN Security Council resolutions and international law, bifurcating the disputed territory into two Union territories – Ladakh, and Jammu and Kashmir.
Dr. Ahmad assured Biden of Muslim community’s full support as he faces President Donald Trump in the November presidential elections, lauding his commitment to bring America back to its values.
Biden assured that he would give an enhance role to the Muslim community in his administration and address their concern and needs. “Never before we have so many Muslims in position of influence in a presidential campaign,” he pointed out.
“A hadith from the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) instructs, ‘Whomever among you sees a wrong, let him change it with his hand’,” Biden quoted. “‘If he is not able, then with his tongue. If he is not able, then with his heart.’”
Meanwhile, “Muslims for Biden” announced that they have raised $ 1.3 million in a virtual fundraiser with the former vice president.
On its part, APPAC has already donated $ 320,000 that includes a personal contribution of $120,000 by Dr. Ijaz Ahmad, who heads the group.
Biden picks Sen. Kamala Harris as his 2020 vice presidential running mate
NEW YORK, Aug 12 (APP): US Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has picked Senator Kamala Devi Harris, the daughter of a Jamaican father and an Indian mother, as his running mate for the November election, a historic decision that elevates the first Black woman to run for vice president at a moment when this country is grappling with its racial past and future.
“I have the great honour to announce that I’ve picked @KamalaHarris — a fearless fighter for the little guy, and one of the country’s finest public servants — as my running mate,” Biden tweeted on Tuesday afternoon.
Sen Kamala Harris, who early on was a Biden opponent for the nomination, will join the former vice president in delivering remarks Wednesday in Wilmington, Delaware, as they kick off their joint campaign. The New York Times reported Tuesday that that an event was being set up at Hotel DuPont’s famous ballroom.
Senator Harris wrote in a tweet shortly after the announcement that Biden “can unify the American people because he’s spent his life fighting for us.”
“And as president, he’ll build an America that lives up to our ideals,” she tweeted. “I’m honoured to join him as our party’s nominee for Vice President, and do what it takes to make him our Commander-in-Chief.”
Amid nationwide protests for racial justice and a reform of policing, Ms. Harris served five years as attorney general in California and as a prosecutor in San Francisco. In the Senate, Ms. Harris bolstered her reputation as a shrewd debater and questioner of administration officials such as Attorney General William Barr.
But during a June 2019 Democratic debate, when Ms. Harris was still running for the nomination, she challenged Biden over his remarks about working with segregationist senators. Harris described herself as part of the second class to integrate her school as a child after mandatory school busing, which forced Biden to apologize for his earlier comments.
Ms. Harris ended her own presidential bid in December 2019. Biden said “of course” he would consider Harris as a running mate.
“Senator Harris has the capacity to be anything she wants to be. I mean it sincerely,” Biden said in December shortly after Ms. Harris dropped out of the primary. “She is solid. She can be president someday herself. She can be the vice president. She can go on to be a Supreme Court justice. She can be an attorney general. I mean, she has enormous capability.”
At a news conference July 28, Biden held a note card full of points to make about Harris such as “talented” and a “great help to campaign” after reports of friction between the two. But he wasn’t asked about her. “Do not hold grudges,” the card said.
Ms. Harris was elected to the Senate in 2016 and assumed office in January 2017. Before being elected to the Senate, she was California’s first female attorney general. Before that, she was district attorney of San Francisco.
Ahead of announcing her presidential bid, Senator Harris drew the spotlight during the 2018 Supreme Court confirmation hearing for Brett Kavanaugh, a conservative who was President Donald Trump’s nominee. Kavanaugh was accused of sexual misconduct by California professor Christine Blasey Ford and fiercely denied the allegations.
Both Kavanaugh and Ms. Ford testified before Congress about the alleged incident, which Ford said happened when they were both in high school. Senator Harris assured Ms. Ford that she wasn’t on trial during the intense questioning. Harris’ history as a prosecutor made for a viral video of her questioning Kavanaugh.
Over the past several months, Senator Harris supported Biden, and he did nothing to discourage speculation about her joining the ticket.
In early March, Ms. Harris endorsed Biden before Super Tuesday, when he won 10 out of the 14 contests.
“I have decided that I am, with great enthusiasm, going to endorse Joe Biden for president of the United States,” Senator Harris said in a video statement. “I believe in Joe. I really believe in him, and I have known him for a long time.”
“I’m so lucky to have you be a part of this partnership going forward. Working together, we can make a great deal of progress,” he told Ms. Harris at a virtual fundraiser in April after she introduced him. “I’m coming for you, kid.”
Senator Harris in May emerged as an early favorite among Biden aides, top donors and surrogates, according to a report from Politico.
President Donald Trump’s campaign in a statement criticized Senator Harris as Biden’s vice presidential pick, saying the California senator embraces the “left’s radical manifesto.”
“At the ballot box, Americans will resoundingly reject the abysmal failures of Biden-Harris in favour of the America First strength of President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence,” Trump 2020 senior adviser Katrina Pierson said in a statement.
Pakistan needs to quickly jump digitization bandwagon to meet future challenges: President
ISLAMABAD, Aug 12 (APP): President Dr Arif Alvi Wednesday emphasized the educational institutions to focus IT education for enabling the country jump the bandwagon of digitization and cyber security for creating job opportunities and meet future challenges.
Addressing International Virtual Conference on Digitalization and Cyber Security organized by Virtual University of Pakistan, the president said there had been tremendous demand of IT graduates in the world and Pakistan, being a youthful country, could fill the gap.
The moot was also addressed by Minister for IT and Telecommunications Syed Aminul Haq, Secretary IT Shoaib Siddiqui and Rector of Virtual University besides IT experts from Pakistan and abroad who deliberated on the modern challenges related to the digitization and cyber security.
The president said Pakistan was arising in the field of IT and it was lucky to have a close collaboration between government and the private sector with both contributing to produce human resource through quality education providing them opportunities in the competitive world.
He said being non-resident sector, the IT sector had also created ample opportunities even for the women to work from home and earn revenue.
He said though the COVID-19 pandemic had created immense loss to lives and economies, it has simultaneously dragged the world into a virtual domain creating immense opportunities for Pakistan and many other countries.
Highlighting the modern trends in the field of IT like faster communication, exponentially increased data storage, use of artificial intelligence and modern research in medical and drug, he said all the modern developments were linked to each other.
“Once we have all these pathways and roads going to everywhere, there is an issue of security those pathways. Imagine there were two incidents of plane crash related to software. Imagine these softwares can be hijacked in all fields. We have seen happening it in hospitals…these matters are very important as far as governments are concerned,” the president remarked.
He said with the improvement of communication technology, there was need to secure data. He said Pakistan was efficiently protecting its tremendous data related to NADRA, health and telecom sector against the cyber criminals.
“The risk involved in the hijacking of security are tremendous. It can lead to wars. Cyber espionage and cyber attacks are already happening. There is phobia already building up in the world. Apps are being restricted, are being forced to be sold to reliable handlers… The governments are suspecting other governments for being involved in cyber espionage,” he said.
He said taking advantage of numerous opportunities in health and IT sectors, the country could achieve excellence and serve the world too.
He said as Pakistan had successfully handled the COVID-19 pandemic, the efficiency achieved to handle it through technology and educational programmes should be translated in the post COIVD situation.
The president also called for using the capabilities achieved during anti-COVID efforts to impart education and prevention of diseases.
He said the government had lot of plans to develop the technology sector as a special task force had also been created that would also look into holding e-poll for the overseas Pakistanis in pursuance of the Supreme Court directives.
Opposition positive suggestions incorporated in FATF bills: Qureshi
ISLAMABAD, Aug 12 (APP): Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Wednesday said positive suggestions from the opposition side had been incorporated in the bill related to Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
“I am glad with the contribution of the opposition members and some of their suggestions are very positive and the positive suggestions had been incorporated in the bill through long discussion, ” he said this while speaking in National Assembly.
He also appreciated the Law Minister Mohammad Farogh Naseem and his team for their efforts for evolving consensus over the bill related to FATF with opposition parties. “Long deliberations were held with the opposition parties to reach consensus on the FATF related legislation,” he added.
He said the terror financing and money laundering were the menace that Pakistan had to confront and eradicate.
Qureshi said that legislation on the money laundering and terror financing was in the best interest of the country.
He also endorsed the point of view of Naveed Qamar that legislations should be passed keeping in view fundamental rights of the people.
On Lahore incident, he said there were two points of view on the incident taken place during the hearing of Pakistan Muslim League (N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz.
He said according to the government, drama had been staged to divert the attention from the cases in which PML-N leader was summoned by the NAB.
About point raised by Khawaja Asif regarding registration of FIR against Rana Tanveer who was present in the House on Tuesday, he said that registration of FIR against Rana Tanveer should be investigated.
“Yes, we have reached an understanding as the government has accepted almost all our amendments,” said senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Syed Naveed Qamar.
He said the government had agreed to defer the remaining two bills — the Anti-Money Laundering (Second Amendment) Bill 2020 and the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill 2020 — and discussions on these two legislations would be held.
“We have cooperated with the government on basis of our thinking and belief on bills related to national interest,” he added. “We have reached understanding with government on six bills related to national interest,” he added. Shah Mehmood Qureshi said, “the national interest comes above all.”
Pakistan lodges strong protest over derogatory social media post against Holy Prophet (PBUH)
ISLAMABAD, Aug 12 (APP):Pakistan on Wednesday strongly condemned the derogatory social media post against Holy Prophet Muhammad ((PBUH) by an extremist from the majority Hindu community in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Pakistan conveyed its strong condemnation to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad over the “offensive post against Islam”, what the Foreign Office spokesperson said had hurt Muslims and reflected the rising Islamophobia and targeting of the minority communities in India.
“The Indian police instead of preventing this hate crime against Muslims and Islam, used brute force, killed at least three protesters, and injured many more. As an added injustice, the Muslim community in the area is being falsely framed for alleged vandalism and assault on police personnel,” the spokesperson said.
He said the rising incidents of religious hate crime in India were a direct and inescapable consequence of the RSS-BJP combine’s extremist ideology of ‘Hindutva’.
He said the incident had been viewed with concern and the civil society in Pakistan had called for justice for the minority Muslim community in India.
Pakistan called upon the Indian government to investigate the incident and take immediate action against the perpetrators of religious hatred.
The Indian government has also been called upon to ensure the safety, security and well-being of the minority communities, particularly Muslims, and take steps to ensure prevention of hate speech and hate crimes against Islam and protection of religious rights of Muslims.
The spokesperson also urged the international community, the United Nations and relevant international organizations to play their role against the rising tide of Islamophobia and ensure practical steps for the protection and religious rights of minorities in India.