ISLAMABAD (APP): Amidst a spike in the Covid-19 cases, Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority again updated its travel advisory putting a complete travel ban for international travellers from 22 Category C countries.
The Civil Aviation Authority withdrew all earlier exemptions given to Pakistani passport holders, Pakistan Origin Cardholders, and those having National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP).
“The temporary measure is being introduced in continuation to the steps being taken to contain the spread of Covid-19 in Pakistan,” the revised letter said.
The Civil Aviation Authority modified the list of the countries placed in Categories A, B, and C for all international passengers, or all those arriving on chartered private aircraft flights, in view of the third wave of the deadly pandemic.
A CAA letter available with the APP said the Revised Categorized Country List would be effective from April 06, 2021, till further notice.
Category A countries: (20)
Australia, Bhutan, China, Fiji, Japan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Mauritania, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago, Tajikistan, and Vietnam.
International travellers from Category A countries can travel to Pakistan and do not require a Covid19 PCR Test to enter the country.
Category B countries:
All those countries not included in either Category A or C, fall in Category B.
Travellers from all these countries require a Covid19 PCR Test before the commencement of travel to enter Pakistan, and it should not be more than 72 hours old, the CAA instructions say.
Category C countries: (22)
South Africa, Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Comoros, Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Malawi, Seychelles, Somalia, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela.
“There will be a complete travel ban on inbound travel to Pakistan from Category C countries including withdrawal of exemptions earlier provided,” the Travel Advisory says.
The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) Friday clinched both the crucial positions for the Chairman Senate and the Deputy Chairman, in a knife-edge competition against the eleven-party opposition alliance.
Sadiq Sanjrani of PTI got 48 votes against 42 of Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani of PDM to win the coveted seat of Chairman Senate, while Mirza Mohammad Afridi won the seat by getting 54 votes against the 44 of Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidari, a joint candidate of PDM, out of a total of 98 votes.
For the seat of Chairman Senate, a total of 98 votes were cast through secret ballot, of which eight votes were rejected. Seven of these ballot papers had a stamp on the name of the candidate and not in the required space – in front of the name of the candidate, while one ballot paper had stamps in front of the names of both the candidates.
Senator Farooq H Naek objected to the rejection of the ballots saying it was not mentioned anywhere in the instructions where to stamp the ballot. He demanded that the votes be counted in favour of their candidate.
The presiding officer Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah in a ruling said keeping in view the clear instructions given for the voting, seven votes, polled for Yusaf Raza Gilani were rejected.
Rejected ballot paper in Senate Elections 202, where the voter stamped on the name instead of the empty space in front
The ruling of the chair was welcomed by the government benches with the thumping of the desks. Later Sadiq Sanjrani took the oath of his office as Chairman for a term on the next three years. The Presiding Officer Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah administered him the oath of office.
Senator Mushtaq Ahmed of Jamaat-e-Islami abstained from the voting process, while Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Ishaq Dar was suspended by the Election Commission of Pakistan due to his absence.
The election for the Deputy Chairman was held after Sanjrani’s election, and this time around the PTI-backed Senator Mirza Mohammad Afridi won the joint opposition candidate Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri of the JUI-F, by ten votes, reflecting that seven opposition members voted for the PTI candidate.
The newly elected Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani thanked the Senators who voted for him and again elected him as their chairman. He also thanked Prime Minister Imran Khan and Jam Kamal Khan, leader of the Balochistan Awami Party, and assured to run the house by keeping everyone together.
Earlier in the day, the Senate session began with the recitation from Holy Quran.
Senator Raza Rabbani pointed that spy cameras have been installed in the polling booths and termed it a violation of Article 226 of the Constitution. These were spotted by Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar of PPP and Dr Musadik Malik of PML-N
Later it transpired that these were the CCTV cameras installed in the Senate for security purposes and the polling booth was set up in close proximity.
Senator Sayed Muzaffar Hussain Shah, who had been nominated as Presiding Officer for a special sitting of the House asked for the setting up of new polling booths.
Later Presiding Officer Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah, Presiding Officer administered the oath to the new members, who later signed the roll.
The new Senators included; Kamil Ali Agha of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), Afnan Ullah Khan of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Aon Abbas of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Ejaz Ahmad Chaudhry (PTI), Sajid Mir (PML-N) and Irfan-ul-Haq Siddiqui (PML-N), Azam Nazeer Tara (PML-N) and Syed Ali Zafar (PTI), Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur (PTI), Saadia Abbasi PML-N, Mohsin Aziz (PTI), Liaquat Khan Tarakai, (PTI), Syed Shibli Faraz (PTI), Hidayatullah Khan (ANP), Faisal Saleem Rehman, (PTI), Atta-ur-Rehman (JUIP) and Zeeshan Khan Zada (PTI), Dost Muhammad Khan (PTI), Muhammad Hamayun Mohmand (PTI) , Sania Nishtar (PTI), Falak Naz (PTI), Gurdeep Singh, Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani (PPPP) , Fawzia Arshad (PTI), Sheher Bano Sherry Rehman (PPPP), Syed Faisal Ali Sabzwari (MQM-P), Saleem Mandviwala (PPPP), Taj Haider (PPPP), Muhammad Fesal Vawda (PTI), Shahadat Awan (PPPP), Jam Mahtab Hussain (PPPP), Farooq Hamid Naek (PPPP), Saifullah Abro (PTI), Palwasha Mohammed Zai Khan (PPPP), Khalida Ateeb, Muhammad Abdul Qadir, Muhammad Qasim (BNP), Molana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri (JUIP), Prince Ahmed Umer Ahmedzai (BAP), Umer Farooq (ANP), Manzoor Ahmed (BAP), Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti (BAP), Kamran Murtaza (JUIP), Saeed Ahmed Hashmi (BAP), Samina Mumtaz (BAP), Naseema Ehsan (Independent), and Danesh Kumar (BAP).
ISLAMABAD, Jan 5 (APP): The civil aviation authority on Tuesday updated its travel advisory and the list of countries whose passengers would not require any Covid-19 test reports for arriving in Pakistan from January 6.
According to the updated Standard Operating Procedures announced by the authority, the passengers arriving in Pakistan have been divided into three categories, with different procedures for each.
The passengers arriving from Category A countries would not be requiring any mandatory pre-boarding Covid test. The countries included are; Australia, Cote d’Ivoire, China, Cuba, Fiji, Finland, Ghana, Iceland, Iraq, Madagascar, Maldives, Myanmar, New Zealand, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Togo, Vietnam, and Zambia.
The travellers from all other countries would have to submit a Covid-19 PCR Test, before boarding their flight to Pakistan, which should not be over 96 72 hours old. While no country has so far been included in Category C.
CAA – Covid-19 Travel Restrictions
CAA – Covid-19 Travel Restrictions
Passengers from the UK and South Africa
Meanwhile, for the inbound passengers from the UK and South Africa, certain restrictions would be applicable, as per the decision of the National Command and Operations Center (NCOC).
These measures would be effective from January 05, 2021, 0001 Hours, the CAA said and would supersede the earlier instructions of Dec 28, 22, and 21.
According to the CAA; all Pakistani Nationals with the short-term UK and South African visit visas and Pakistani Passport Holders including work permit holders, having any type of Visa issued by the British / South African Authorities, may travel to Pakistan./
They may travel in accordance with applicable rules and regulations and Standard Operating Procedures while in possession of a negative PCR Test Result conducted within the 72 hours prior to commencement of travel to Pakistan.
However, any or all passengers traveling to Pakistan from the UK and South Africa will be subjected to PCR Testing, Quarantine and or Isolation, and other stipulations as specified by the Health Authorities upon arrival in Pakistan
Diplomats and families
Diplomats and their families may also travel to Pakistan from the UK and South Africa while in possession of a negative PCR Test Result conducted within 72 hours prior to commencement of travel to Pakistan.
However, such Diplomats and their families will be subjected to PCR Testing upon arrival and Quarantine, and or Isolation with their respective Embassies or High Commissions for a time period as specified by the relevant Health Authorities
Measures to be effective January 09, 2021, 0000 Hours – January 31, 2021 2359 Hours
NICOP and POC Holders
In addition to the exemption provided above, passengers holding valid National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) or Pakistan Origin Card (POC) and having stayed in the UK or South Africa in the last ten (10) days prior to travel to Pakistan, may travel to Pakistan in accordance with applicable rules and regulations and Standard Operating Procedures while in possession of a negative PCR Test Result conducted within the 72 hours prior to commencement of travel to Pakistan
However, any or all passengers falling in the above categories will also be subjected to Rapid Antigen Tests upon arrival in Pakistan whereby all negative testing passengers will be allowed to leave the airport with the advice to self-quarantine, and or isolate for a period of 5 days.
Any, or all positive testing passengers will be subjected to PCR Testing by the relevant Health Authorities with the advice to ensure strict self-quarantine at home till the results of such PCR Tests. Further action will be taken by the relevant Health Authorities as per SOPs in light of subsequent test results.
Any or all passengers fulfilling any criteria as mentioned above, arriving in Pakistan from the UK or South Africa or having stayed in the UK or South Africa within the last ten (10) days prior to travel to Pakistan may also be subjected to additional stipulations as specified by the relevant Health Authorities upon arrival in Pakistan.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority, these measures will remain in effect until January 31, 2021, 2359 hours and may be reviewed.
Travel Advisory by CAA Pakistan for passengers from the UK, South AfricaTravel Advisory by CAA Pakistan for passengers from the UK, South Africa
A massive operation to serve Indian interests by targeting international institutions, through a systematic disinformation campaign against Pakistan and China has been uncovered by a EU based organisation.
“The operation’s mission is to discredit nations in conflict with India in Asia, in particular Pakistan but also China to a lesser extent,” a study conducted by EU DisinfoLab, an independent NGO said. The operation was a follow up to a preliminary investigation published in 2019.
Eds Note: Owing to the huge amount of information related to the clandestine disinformation operation the post has been reviewed with additional information. More information will be added soon.
This network is active in Brussels and Geneva in producing and amplifying content to undermine – primarily – Pakistan. The operation codenamed “Indian Chronicles” resurrected dead media, dead think-tanks and NGOs. It even resurrected dead people, the report revealed.
The network is part of the sinister propaganda campaign, part of its Fifth Generation Hybrid Warfare – 5GW, against Pakistan with an objective to create chaos in the country.
According to the EU DisinfoLab – the Indian Chronicles is a 15 year-long operation running since 2005; under which over ten UN Human Rights Council accredited NGOs, were resurrected including the resurrection of Prof. Louis B. Sohn, a prominent figure in human rights, who died in 2006. The report has been dedicated in his name.
“Louis B. Sohn, who passed away in 2006, seemingly attended a UN Human Rights Council
meeting in 2007 …”
The study discovered several identity thefts, including the names of Martin Schulz, former president of the European Parliament or the photo of James Purnell, a former UK Government minister. It also included over 750 fake media outlets, covering 119 countries; and over 550 domain names registered.
The NGO – EU DisinfoLab focuses on researching and tackling sophisticated disinformation campaigns targeting the EU, its member states, core institutions, and core values, said the operation began in 2005 and was still ongoing till this date.
India Chronicles – Summary
The study, of the 15-year influence operation, was conducted through open-source investigation and shows that the operation led by the Srivastava Group was amplified by Indian news media outlet – Asian News International – ANI.
Other long-term objectives of the plan included reinforcement of pro-Indian and anti-Pakistan, and anti-Chinese, feelings, within India. While internationally it aimed at consolidating the power and improve perception of India, to damage reputation of other countries and ultimately benefit from more support from international institutions such as the EU and the UN.
To achieve this objective the operation focused on the support to minority and human rights NGOs and think-tanks, use of Members of the European Parliament to create a mirage of institutional support from European institutions to these minority groups, in favour of Indian interests and against Pakistan and China.
It also had an active presence in Geneva and the United Nations’ Human Rights Council through: side-events and demonstrations in support of minority rights; impersonation of extinguished UN-accredited NGOs or use speaking slots reserved to various NGOs whose original missions seem totally unrelated.
The creation of fake media in Brussels, Geneva and across the world and repackaging and dissemination via ANI and obscure local media networks in at least 97 countries – to multiply the repetition of online negative content about countries in conflict with India, in particular Pakistan.
Indian Chronicles- Fake International News Outlets
According to the details provided by the EU DisinfoLab, last year, a network of 265 fake media in 65 countries reproducing negative content against Pakistan online was uncovered.
The network was created by malicious actors who were behind “EP Today”, a fake European Parliament magazine active in Brussels since 2006.
One of the characteristics of Indian Chronicle is its propensity to create and maintain a high number of fake
media outlets: EP Today, EU Chronicle, Times of Geneva, 4 News Agency.
The self-proclaimed “magazine for the European Parliament in Brussels” was serving as a “honeypot” for Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and other politicians
who could use it to publish their views – particularly those that serve Indian interests and undermine Pakistan.
Some of these MEPs and other politicians attended United Nations side-events, press conferences and demonstrations in Geneva organised by minority-rights NGOs all set-up by the same actors, such as the European Organization for Pakistani Minorities.
The organisations created by the Srivastava Group in Brussels organised trips for Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to Kashmir, Bangladesh and the Maldives.
“Delegations of MEPs were often presented as
official EU delegations when they were in fact not
travelling on behalf of the Parliament”
Some of these trips led to much institutional controversy, as the delegations of MEPs were often presented as official EU delegations when they were in fact not travelling on
behalf of the Parliament.
The actors orchestrating Indian Chronicles are directly tied – and again not at all transparently – to the creation of three informal groups in the European Parliament,
namely the “South Asia Peace Forum”, the “Baloch Forum” and “Friends of Gilgit-Baltistan”. They hold press conferences and events within and in front of the European Parliament.
India Chronicles – network of disinformation
Organisations like WESTT – the Women Economic and Social Think-Tank – have drafted and suggested parliamentary questions to the European Commission, along with
articles for fake EU magazines such as EP Today. These served as a honeypot to attract a growing number of MEPs into a pro-India and anti-Pakistan discourse, often using
causes such as minorities rights and women’s rights as an entry point.
EU Chronicle – the new “EP Today”
India Chronicles – EU Chronicle
A new fake media with fake journalists supposedly covering European affairs, yet essentially providing a platform for MEPs to sign pro-Indian articles. In less than 6 months of existence, already 11 MEPs have written or endorsed op-eds at a remarkably high pace for EU Chronicle.
The role of ANI: Repackaging and amplifying the content produced in Brussels & Geneva
Back to EU Chronicle. The only valuable coverage these op-eds receive, comes from an immediate repackaging by an Indian press agency – ANI (Asian News International), often quoting these op-eds as genuine articles from “independent media EU Chronicle”.
Without Times of Geneva and 4 News Agency which stopped their activities following our previous investigation, ANI – which is considered as one of the biggest news agencies in India and the largest television agency of India – remains the only press agency to extensively cover the activities of dubious
NGOs in Geneva
While following the coverage – and often distortion – by ANI of its content produced in Brussels and Geneva, the DisinfoLab discovered the Big News Network and the World News Network – an entire network of 500+ fake local media in 95 countries that helped reproduce negative iterations about Pakistan and or China.
India Chronicles NGOs
The content produced was primarily targeted at Indian nationals, with an extensive coverage of these barely known “media”, MEPs and “NGOs” in Europe.
The investigation revealed how the activities of a fake “zombie-NGO” and that of a fake specialised media can be repackaged, distorted and amplified by malicious actors to influence or disinform globally, using loopholes in international institutions and online search engines.
How it happens – Step 1
On 17 September 2020, an article is published in EU Chronicle about a letter sent by several MEPs. The letter was sent to “the President of the European Council Charles Michel, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, the Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel and to the President of France Emmanuel Macron. It requests that the European Union meaningfully addresses, through strong action, China’s Human Rights atrocities at the EU-China Summit”.
It is important to note that this is simply a letter signed by a group of individual MEPs, and this is NOT an official position of the European Parliament. The article is titled rather in a soft manner: “Meaningful address and strong action needed against China’s human rights atrocities”.
Step 2
The article by EU Chronicle is then covered by ANI, and retitled with a slightly harder tone: “Members of the European Parliament urge EU to take strong action on China for Human Rights Violation”.
Part of Indian Chronicles’ dissemination operations revolve around the Big News Network, a self-proclaimed “news agency” owning more than 450 media outlets. While most sites are basically copy-pastes of each other, their content is not remarkably original either. Most of the time, the network syndicates content from newswire companies, some international media outlets and… the ANI press agency.
Another fake media, the “Times of Geneva” – along with an equally fake, allegedly Geneva-based press agency called 4 News Agency – would then produce written and video content.
This content was reused online by NGOs and disseminated via the global fake media network and/or via an Indian press agency (ANI).
Step 3
The coverage by ANI is then distorted by the Big News Network in dozens of fake local/regional media and is now titled “EU to take strong action on China”, in Europenews.net for instance.
This operation was attributed to the New-Delhi based Srivastava Group which – in partnership with the Women’s Economic and Social Think-Tank (WESTT) – sponsored the trip of 27 MEPs to visit Kashmir and met with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The investigation led to the finding of 10 UN-accredited NGOs directly controlled by the Srivastava Group, which the full report introduces at length. Their common trait?
The fact that they all rose from the ashes of real NGOs. Indian Chronicles effectively benefited from the track record of these organisations while pursuing their own agenda:
discrediting Pakistan and promoting Indian interests at UN conferences and hearings.
India Chronicles – How Copy Paste works for Indian fake media outles
A look at the history of these NGOs clearly showed that the topics and issues at their very heart were not much of a concern for Indian Chronicles. The operation takes just about any defunct NGO it can find and revives it to promote Indian interests.
Examples include organisations defending peace, protecting the environment or even… promoting canned food, the report said.
Before it ceased to exist in 2007, the Canners International Permanent Committee (CIPC) was all about the canning industry. Its reincarnation does not seem so concerned
with food anymore: It mostly dispatches Geneva-based students to the UN to talk about Pakistan, and even organised side events on human rights at the UN.
Centre for environmental and management studies (CEMS)
The year CEMS was created is unknown, but what is known is that it was created in New-Delhi and was already active in the 1980s to promote seminars for industrialists and educationalists on environmental issues.
Traces of an address in New-Delhi have been found, but the current address given to the UN is in Canada and leads to a Regus office.
The domain name linked to the organisation was registered on January 20, 2016 – on the same day as the registration of other accredited NGOs domain names. It is also hosted on the same IP address than several other Srivastava-owned websites. It can be confidently assumed that this organisation had long become inactive and was in fact resurrected by Indian Chronicles.
At the UNHRC, the organisation is also represented either by Geneva-based students or by Pakistan minorities representatives, conveying pro-Indian and anti-Pakistan messages.
The CEMS also organized side events on “human rights in South-Asia” and “Democracy and secularism” at the UN.
Interestingly, ANI and the network of fake local media outlets disseminating ANI’s articles present the Centre for Environmental and Management Studies as a “UK-based rights group” headed by Amjad Ayub Mirza, who is said to be as an “activist from PoK” (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir). Amjad Ayub Mirza presents himself as the Executive Director of the NGO and as a Consultant for the “Jammu Kashmir Peace and Development Institute.” He is also featured in many articles of the ANI News agency.
India Chronicles ANI
The core theme of the original NGO – environment – was hijacked by Indian Chronicles to undermine Pakistan.
A solid example: “Under CPEC our rivers are being diverted for hydropower projects and these projects are causing water shortages. The projects would forever destroy the ecology of our region. Scores of young men from Gilgit-Baltistan are serving 70-90 years of imprisonment for protesting against the plunder of our national resources.”
The ABCD of Indian Chronicles – Ever heard of the disinformation ABC?
The ABCD of Indian Chronicles – Ever heard of the disinformation ABC?
In a paper released in September 2019, Camille François, Graphika’s Chief Innovation Officer, pointed to three key vectors for viral deception: manipulative Actors, deceptive Behaviour, and harmful Content. To these the EU DisinfoLab added the D, standing for information Distribution.
The Indian Chronicles network is a perfect illustration of the ABCD disinformation framework.
The EU DisinfoLab concluded its report by expressing concern over “the continuation of Indian Chronicles which – despite our first report and wide press coverage – has pursued its 15-year long operation and even recently launched EU Chronicle, a fake EU outlet.”
“This should serve as a call to action for decision-makers to put in place a relevant framework to sanction actors engaging in disinformation and abusing international institutions. It is possible that the absence of messages from the institutions affected by Indian Chronicles provided the space and opportunity to reinvent itself.”
Mother of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and former Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif – Begum Shamim Akhtar passed away in London, Deputy Secretary General PMLN, announced in a twitter message. The cause of death was not given, however late Begum Akhtar was not feeling well for the past some time.
Late Ms Shamim Akhtar, 90 was residing with her son Nawaz Sharif at the Avenfield apartments since February this year.
میاں نواز شریف اور میاں شہباز شریف کی والدہ محترمہ وفات پا گئیں ہیں
Api jee Passed away
إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونَ
The news of demise of Begum Shamim Akhtar came at a time, when the Pakistan Democratic Movement – PDM was about to hold a rally at Peshawar. The PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz Sharif, who is spearheading a campaign against the government, along with ten other opposition parties arrived at the venue after attending a luncheon along with other PDM leaders at the Bilour House.
Mian Iftikhar of ANP interrupted the address of Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to let Maryam Nawaz share the sad news with the people. Maryam said she was not in a position to address the rally and asked the people to pray for her grandmother and his father. The participants later offered prayers for the departed soul.
Maryam Nawaz Sharif later in a message on twitter said she was not aware of the passing away of her grandmother as the mobile service was jammed and no government functionary did not even bother to inform her.
The PML-N media wing relayed the entire proceedings of the PDM rally live on Twitter and Facebook, and the party social media groups remained tight lipped, despite the social media abuzz with condolence messages from around the world.
میاں صاحب کے سر سے ماں کا دعاوں بھرا سایہ اٹھ گیا۔ دادی کے انتقال کی خبر مجھے فون سروسز معطل ہونے کی وجہ سے دو گھنٹے تاخیر سے ملی جس کے بعد میں فورا لاہور کی لیے روانہ ہو گئی۔ میرے والد اور گھر والے بار بار رابطے کی کوشش کرتے رہے مگر رابطہ نہ ہو سکا۔ pic.twitter.com/F4PmoB2T70
Immediately after the breaking of sad news condolence messages from across the political divide started pouring in. President Dr Arif Alvi in his condolence message conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the former Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz Sharif.
صدر مملکت ڈاکٹر عارف علوی کا سابق وزیراعظم میاں محمد نوازشریف کی والدہ کی وفات پر اظہار افسوس
صدر مملکت کا سابق وزیراعظم میاں نوازشریف کی والدہ کی وفات پر گہرے رنج و غم کا اظہار
صدر مملکت ڈاکٹر عارف علوی کا اہلِ خانہ سے دلّی ہمدردی اور اظہار افسوس
Prime Minister Imran Khan in a message also conveyed his heartfelt grief and said “My condolences and prayers go to the Sharif family on the passing of Mian Nawaz and Mian Shahbaz Sharif’s mother.”
My condolences and prayers go to the Sharif family on the passing of Mian Nawaz and Mian Shahbaz Sharif's mother. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un
Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Jawed Bajwa also conveyed his heartfelt condolences on sad demise of Begum Shamim Akhtar. “May Allah Almighty bless the departed soul in eternal peace – Ameen,” DG ISPR quoted the COAS as saying.
#COAS expresses grief and heartfelt condolences on sad demise of Begum Shamim Akhtar mother of Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif / Mian Shehbaz Sharif “May Allah Almighty bless the departed soul in eternal peace – Ameen”, COAS
Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar also conveyed his deep condolences over the sad demise.
وزیراعلیٰ پنجاب سردار عثمان بزدار کا شمیم اختر صاحبہ کے انتقال پردکھ اور افسوس کا اظہار
وزیراعلیٰ کا سوگوار خاندان سے دلی ہمدردی و اظہار تعزیت
“اللہ تعالی مرحومہ کو جوار رحمت میں جگہ دیں اورغمزدہ خاندان کو صبر جمیل عطا فرمائیں” – وزیراعلیٰ @UsmanAKBuzdar
President Azad Jammu Kashmir Masood Khan prayed to Allah Almighty “May the departed rest in eternal peace and be in an exalted place in the Hereafter.”
Express deepest condolences on the sad demise of the revered mother of Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif and Mian Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif. May the departed rest in eternal peace and be in an exalted place in the Hereafter. @NawazSharifMNS, @CMShehbaz, @MaryamNSharif. pic.twitter.com/mccsTIQ55R
ISLAMABAD, Nov 21 (APP): The leader of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi was buried here at Lahore, after a huge funeral attended by tens and thousands of his followers.
The funeral prayers were offered at the Minar-e-Pakistan and were attended by party workers and supporters who descended on the provincial capital since Friday from all over the country.
The funeral was led by late Khadim Hussain’s son Hafiz Saad Rizvi. The funeral scheduled to be held at 10 in the morning got delayed due to the huge gathering as the body was moved in an ambulance from his residence to the venue. Ambulance carrying the dead body of head of Tehreek-e-Libbaik Khadim Hussain Rizvi as a large number of people gather at Minar-e-Pakistan for the funeral prayers
Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi had ended his sit-in at Faizabad interchange, Islamabad on Monday to protest publication of blasphemous caricatures of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him). However he developed fever and complained of breathing problem, according to his party spokesman. He was rushed to the hospital, but expired on the way on Thursday night. Khadim Hussain Rizvi was laid to rest at Madrasa Abuzar Ghaffari. The 55 year old clerk is survived by his wife, two sons and three daughters.
Apart from the party followers, the funeral was attended by a large number of religious and political figures and the public in general.
After the funeral the Tehreek-e-Labbaik announced his son Hafiz Saad Rizvi as the new “Ameer” – leader of the party.
تحریک لبیک پاکستان کے نئے امیر دور مجدد شیخ الحدیث والتفسیر امیر المجاہدین علامہ مولانا حافظ خادم حسین رضوی رحمۃ اللہ علیہ کے صاحبزادہ حافظ سعد حسین رضوی صاحب مقرر#AllamaKhadimHussainRizvi#TLP
Video clips released by the TLP showed a huge crowd, being termed as the largest in city’s history.
Stringent security measures were put in place to ensure no untoward incident occurs. Lahore Police said 26 SHOs and 13 DSPs along with thousands of police force were deployed in and around the Minar-e-Pakistan. Snipers and cellular jammers were also deployed at key locations. The crowd peacefully dispersed after the funeral.
Additional traffic wardens were deployed, however owing to the huge crowds, traffic in the city remained stuck for hours on all roads leading to and fro from the venue.
Our Lahore Bureau adds: The DIG Operations commended the Lahore Police for fool proof security arrangements. He said the force played a key role in providing full security to the most important event in the city. He said all operational units of the police remained on high alert and showed excellent teamwork and coordination, along with the district administration, Safe City authority and other departments to ensure safety of the participants.
ISLAMABAD, Nov 19 (APP): Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi, the leader of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan breathed his last Thursday night at Lahore, his party announced. He was 55.
No reason for his death was given. His party officials said he was rushed to a hospital after he had problem breathing and had fever for past few days. However he was pronounced dead when he arrived at the hospital.
Senior TLP leader Syed Inayat-ul-Haq Shah also confirmed the news and asked the TLP workers to proceed to Lahore to participate in his last rites. The Tehreek-e-Labbaik announced that his funeral would be held on Saturday at 10 in the morning at Minar-e-Pakistan.
“عالم اسلام کیلئے عظیم سانحہ”
کروڑوں عاشقان رسول کے دل کی دھڑکن، امیر تحریک لبیک پاکستان قبلہ شیخ الحدیث والتفسیر امیر المجاہدین قائد عالم اسلام علامہ حافظ خادم حسین رضوی دارفانی سے وصال فرما گئے۔
إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
Videos on several social media accounts showed large number of his followers rushing to his home and crying over his sad demise.
The fire brand clerk was known for his protest marches, that often became violent and created law and order problems. His last protest was relatively shorter at Faizabad and ended only after a two day blockade of the twin cities on Monday.
Immediately after the confirmation of the news condolences poured in from all sections of society; including the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister, Information Minister, Chief of Army Staff, Chief Minister Punjab and political leaders of many parties.
Prime Minister Imran Khan in a tweet expressed his grief over the sad demise of Allama Khadim Rizvi and conveyed condolences to his family.
On the passing of Maulana Khadim Hussain Rizvi my condolences go to his family. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.
Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa also conveyed his condolences over the demise of the TLP leader.
General Qamar Javed Bajwa,#COAS, expresses heartfelt condolence on the sad demise of Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi. “May Allah Almighty bless the departed soul in eternal peace, Ameen” COAS.
Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Information in Punjab also expressed grief over his sad demise.
اِنَّا لِلّٰہِ وَاِنَّآ اِلَیْہِ رَاجِعُوْنَ
سربراہ تحریک لبیک پاکستان علامہ خادم حسین رضوی کی وفات پر انکے اہل خانہ اور چاہنے والوں سے دلی تعزیت کرتے ہیں
اللہ تعالٰی مرحوم کی بخشش فرمائیں اور تمام پسماندگان کو صبر عطا کریں۔ آمین
Amir Jamat Islami also expressed his grief and prayed to Allah Almighty to bless the departed soul.
علامہ خادم حسین رضوی کی اچانک وفات سے دلی صدمہ ہوا۔ اہل خانہ اور تحریک لبیک کے کارکنان و ذمہ داران کے غم میں برابر کے شریک ہیں، اظہار تعزیت کرتے ہیں اور اللہ تعالی کے حضور ان کی مغفرت کے لیے دعاگو ہیں۔ اللہ تعالی انھیں جنت الفردوس میں جگہ دے اور لواحقین کو صبرجمیل سے نوازے۔ آمین
ISLAMABAD, Nov 16 (APP): A sit-in by the Tehreek-e-Labaik (TLP) Pakistan at Faizabad has caused a massive gridlock in the twin cities, disrupting normal life and causing problems to commuters, office workers, students and in particular for those with medical conditions.
The TLP had planned to hold a march from Liaqat Bagh to Faizabad on Sunday to protest against the blasphemous caricatures, but was denied permission by the District administrations of both Rawalpindi and Islamabad, owing to its violent history.
The supporters of Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi despite the road blocks gathered at Liaqat bagh Sunday afternoon and after a prolonged confrontation with the riot police managed to reach Faizabad interchange, the central linkage between the twin cities and blocked the road.
Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Hamza Shafqaat in a tweet earlier in the day said the Islamabad Expressway was blocked for all north bound traffic from Khanna and appologized for the inconvenience. He also promised for early rectification of the situation.
Islamabad Expressway from Zero Point till Khanna Bridge will stay sealed. Everyone is requested to plz use alternate routes. Apologies for inconvenience. We are trying our best to clear the route.
The SSP Islamabad Traffic Police Farrukh Rashid in a tweet gave the detailed traffic diversion plan, however owing to the clashes many of the alternative entry points were blocked by the police as a precaution.
Aternative Route issued by Islamabad Police 161120 1430 hrs
People have demanded of the TLP leader to end their sit in as they have already registered their protest against the caricatures, however creating obstacles and roadblocks was also un Islamic and forbidden by the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon Him).
In an abortive attempt to create diversion from Narendra Modi’s human rights abuses in Kashmir, the Indian media went berserk by propagating fake news about a “civil war” like situation in Karachi, triggering a hilarious response from the twitterati in Pakistan, who enjoyed every bit of the ridiculous reports.
#CivilWarInPakistan and #KarachiCivilWar were in no time the top trends, with the young twitter users going crazy by posting video clips from action movies, comics, images of the Indian MiG pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, shot down by Pakistan Air Force inside Pakistan’s territory, as scenes from the Civil War, getting an equally enthusiastic response with numerous retweets and likes.
The arrest of PML-N leader Captain (Retd) Safdar on charges of political sloganeering at Quaid’s Mausoleum and leave applications by senior police officers was exploited by the top Indian news channels, who portrayed an administrative issue as a “civil war” and went to the extent of even reporting casualties, and armed clashes.
Indian Media ditches professionalism to dip at to its lowest
#FakeNews CNN18News
The news reports were part of a persistent barrage of fake news from Indian mainstream media and its RAW controlled assets on social media over the past few months. The trend has witnessed a sharp spike as part of India’s fifth generation war (5GW) against Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office on the “malicious and fabricated propaganda” by Indian mainstream and social media claiming civil unrest in Pakistan, said planting such baseless stories were reflective of the “Pakistan-obsessed BJP-RSS” mindset.
“Needless to say that Indian media continues to hit new lows,” he said, when asked to respond over the series of fake news flashed as breaking news across the Indian media about a “civil war in Pakistan”.
“Indian media continues to hit new lows”: FO
The Spokesperson said through “peddling fake news and running propaganda machinery”, India could not wash away the truth about its own gross and systematic human rights violations in Indian Ilelgally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
“Rather than reporting on humanitarian crisis in IIOJK, the Indian media chooses to spread fake and sensational news about Pakistan to detract from core issues,” he said.
#FakeNews – Yet another figment of imagination of Indian Media
The Indian media tried hard to appease its own consumers and to create a diversion from its human rights abuses in occupied Kashmir. However in its abortive attempt it created history by churning out fake news overpowered by the anti-Pakistan hysteria, undermining its professional ethics and credibility.
#FakeNews – India Today with its concocted news story
The unleashing of the Indian media did not go unnoticed, as Michael Kugelman, deputy director at the @AsiaProgram and South Asia senior associate @TheWilsonCenter in a tweet pointed that the Indian disinformation accounts were exploiting Pakistan’s current political crisis, and “falsely claiming that the country is no experiencing urban warfare.”
He described the trend as “dangerous and disturbing”, as several of these accounts were verified and had huge followings.
Indian disinformation accounts are exploiting Pakistan’s current political crisis and falsely claiming that the country is now experiencing urban warfare and other serious instability. Dangerous and disturbing; several of these accounts are verified, with large followings. Ugh.
Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari said the Indian media was in “hyper drive with fake news on Pakistan” and regretted that it was “unfortunate that Twitter is [deliberately ignoring it].”
All major media outlets in so-called world’s biggest democracy decimated all journalistic norms as none bothered to fact-check such a huge gaffe. India’s News18, India Today, Zee News, India.com and several others quoted the International Herald which showed old videos of bomb explosions in Pakistan and portrayed it as the ongoing civil war.
#FakeNews – Indian International Herald tweet
The Institute of Policy Research in a report said their data indicates a pattern of Indian propaganda against Pakistan on digital media that grew exponentially after 2018 General Elections in #Pakistan. The propaganda hovers around largely 4 key themes.
IPRI Timeline of Indian Propaganda
Minister for Ports and Shipping pointed that the Indian propaganda was at its peak and “sadly fueled by the PDM Circus.” He said the food inflation was artificially manufactured, but was being brought under control.
Indian media propaganda at its peak & sadly fueled by the PDM circus.
Both social & economic indicators of Pakistan are showing positive signs.
The artificially manufactured food inflation is being brought under control as well.
Pakistan on the rise under PM @ImranKhanPTI
Minister for Kashmir Affairs also lambasted the “fake, fabricated and malicious propaganda campaign to malign State institutions of Pakistan. He urged @Twitter to take action against Indian accounts for #FakeNews against Paksitan.
#Indian media is deeply involved in a fake, fabricated and malicious propaganda campaign to malign state institutions of #Pakistan.@Twitter needs to take action against Indian Social Media accounts who are involved in nefarious attacks of fake news against Pakistan.
However, this idiocy of Indian media gave the Twitterati a perfect chance to enjoy as the microblogging site was flooded with messages to ridicule the Indian media’s insanity.
“Karachi civil war has gotten so bad that my food panda delivery boy had to crawl through mine fields carrying his AK47, RPG & 9mm along with my nihari and Biryani. This thing is getting so serious. Multiple cows have been killed & people are dying of over eating. #IndianMedia,” commented renowned singer Fakhr-e-Alam.
Karachi civil war has gotten so bad that my food panda delivery boy had to crawl through mine fields carrying his AK47, RPG & 9mm along with my nihari and Biryani. This thing is getting so serious. Multiple cows have been killed & people are dying of over eating. #IndianMedia 😂
Besides numerous other fake photos, the Indian media also used an image of a building collapsed following a gas leakage blast in Karachi earlier in the day to substantiate its fake news of civil war.
“A little investigation would have informed Zee News that it wasn’t a bomb blast in ‘civil war’ in Pakistan but the result of a gas leak in Karachi. Whither truth, objectivity, balance and fairness in reporting?,” said Farhatullah Babr, former senator of Pakistan Peoples Party which rules Sindh province.
A little investigation would have informed @ZeeNewsEnglish that it wasn’t a bomb blast in ‘civil war’ in Pakistan but gas leak in Karachi. Whither truth, objectivity, balance and fairness in reporting? https://t.co/RaZ81Tx96C
“An Aircraft shot during civil war in Karachi… and the pilot captured…,” commented another Twitter user Fasihuddin while sharing the images of Indian aircraft MiG-21 and captured injured pilot Abhinandan following an aerial dogfight during India-Pakistan standoff in 2019.
An Aircraft shot during civil war in Karachi… and the pilot captured…
Indian media propaganda at its peak & sadly fueled by the PDM circus.
Both social & economic indicators of Pakistan are showing positive signs.
The artificially manufactured food inflation is being brought under control as well.
Pakistan on the rise under PM @ImranKhanPTI
BAHAWALPUR, May 28 (APP): Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Central Vice President Maryam Nawaz on Saturday said former prime minister Imran Khan had done nothing during his four years’ regime and the incumbent government had to go to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for assistance.
Addressing a huge public meeting here at Dring Stadium, she said the former prime minister was responsible for the price hike of essential items and recent increase in the prices of petroleum products.
“It was Imran Khan’s regime which had inked agreements with the IMF, under which the PML-N led government had no option but to raise the prices of petroleum products,” she added. But, ironically, Imran Khan was making a hue and cry over price hike, dollar rate and even in increase in petroleum products prices, she said.
“Why Imran kept mum during his regime over such issues?” she asked.
The PML-N leader said Imran Khan was using the religious card for his political gains. “The person, who uses religion for his political interests, poses danger to the the whole society,” she added.
Maryam claimed that the PTI leaders failed to bring considerable people for its recent long-march. The number was not more than 25,000. Not more than 200 persons joined the long march from any city. It was a totally flopped show, she added.
She alleged that Imran Khan was maligning the institutions, and trying to spread chaos in the country.
Remembering the Chagai atomic tests, she said it was his father Nawaz Sharif, who had rejected the offer of billions of dollars aid and decided to make Pakistan’s defence invincible. “India made five atomic tests and in response, Nawaz Sharif as the them Prime Minister of Pakistan went for six.”
Nawaz Sharif, she said, made Pakistan an atomic power and the enemy had no courage to cast even an evil eye on it. The nation today was happy to mark the Yaum-e-Takbeer.
Nawaz Sharif had never accepted foreign pressure over the nuclear issue, she added.
Maryam said Nawaz Sharif as prime minister had resolved the power load-shedding issue.
Today Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif was making efforts to bring Pakistan out of the crises, and soon the country would be back on path to progress, she hoped.
She said the PML-N led government was paying special attention to the South Punjab to make it a developed region. The Punjab province would have its governor from Bahawalpur, she added.
APP60-280522 LAHORELAHORE:MAY 27-Artists performing on the stage during a drama titled (Kaun ha ye Gustakh) written by Shahid Nadeem organized by Ajoka Theater in collaboration with Lahore Arts Council at Al-Hamra. APP Photo by Mustafa LashariAPP62-280522
LAHORE: May 28 – Artists performing on the stage during theater drama Kaun ha ye Gustakh written by Shahid Nadeem and organized by Ajoka Theater in collaboration with Lahore Arts Council at Al-Hamra. APP Photo by Mustafa Lashari
ISLAMABAD, May 28 (APP): Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Saturday ruled out any NRO-like concession for PTI Chairman Imran Khan over misuse of authority during his four-year rule, which was marred by corruption, nepotism, loot and plunder.
“Imran Khan Sahib, you will not get an NRO [National Reconciliation Ordinance] today,” she said while rejecting his negotiation offer based on dictations and threats to the government.
Addressing a news conference, the minister said talks with Imran Khan would be meaningless until he changed his attitude and abstained from using abusive language.
“Imran Khan stated that he would hold dialogue if the date of fresh election were given in June. I am giving you the date of election today, i.e., of August 2023,” she said, asking the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Inasf (PTI) chief to keep “that date” in his mind.
Marriyum reiterated that the election date would be announced by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and its allies after the completion of their government’s constitutional term.
“Nobody will be influenced by your dictations, threats, bullying and abuses,” she said, asking Imran Khan to wait for a date in 2023 when the general election would be held in the country.
“Stay at home if you want the dialogue on this issue [general election], and if you come out with arms, bullets, batons and announcement of a bloody march then there will be consequences…,” she observed.
The minister urged the PTI Chairman to abstain from further polarizing the society, and creating unrest, chaos and anarchy. However, “being in a critical mental condition, he
should better stay at his Bani Gala residence and take rest by taking a tranquilizer, and let the government serve the people, who want peace, development, progress, end of corruption, jobs and relief from the inflation left by his (Imran’s) government at the highest level,” she remarked.
“I also advise him to refrain from appearing on the TV screens in such a mental condition,” Marriyum said. He should better introspect as to why he had failed to deliver in the last four years when he had all the power and government offices at his disposal through which maximum relief could have been given to the masses.
Now his mourning of the bad performance would not make any difference as the people had rejected him and his politics of unrest, vandalism and arson, she added.
The minister asked Imran as to why he wanted to come into the power again after failing to fulfill all the promises he had made with the people, including ten million jobs, end of corruption, and transformation of the country into a Madina like state.
“Why do the people trust him again when he could not construct a road and build hospitals, schools and universities while in power?” she questioned.
Reacting to Imran’s statement of returning to the power with a two-third majority, the minister said the people would never give incompetent, corrupt, cartels and mafias the responsibility of running the state affairs again.
Those who were given the responsibility of running state affairs must have the credibility and track-record of performance, she added.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), she said, had all the qualities, as it was its leader Nawaz Sharif, who had made the country’s defence invincible on May 28, 1998.
“Today is the Youm-e-Takbeer and on this date India was given a befitting response by Nawaz Sharif conducting nuclear tests. He made it clear to India that there would be no compromise on the national security,” she added.
She also mentioned other milestones achieved by the PML-N governments in the past, including construction of motorways, road infrastructure, hospitals, public transport, power projects and many others.
The PML-N, she added, still had the capability to ensure development and progress of the country. Now, the country had Shehbaz Sharif as its prime minister who was working day and night to steer it out of the crises inherited from the PTI’s government.
Reacting to Imran’s statement on the Model Town incident, she said the matter had been decided. “If he had any reservation on it then why he did not pursue the matter while being into the power for four years?” she questioned.
Commenting on Imran’s claim of peaceful march towards Islamabad lately, she said Imran could not be trusted as the “massive brutalities of his party’s 2014 sit-in” were on the record.
The nation witnessed as to how “his party goons” had attacked the Parliament and PTV buildings, inflicted head injuries to policemen, and incited people for civil disobedience, she recalled.
“How can the people forget that the graves were dug at D-Chowk, announcements were made to kill the political opponents.”
Now again the people could not forget that it was Imran Khan, who announced a bloody march towards Islamabad after he was voted out of the Prime Minister House, she said. “It was Imran who had made preparations for vandalism, arson, and inflicting injuries to the policemen.”
After the apex court’s decision, she said, the PTI workers set the metro station on fire, besides burning trees and tyres at D-Chowk. Whether setting metro stations, official buildings and trees on fire, and giving call for a “bloody march” after amassing weapons and batons was a democratic right, she asked.
Ironically, she said, the leader was airborne, when he called his workers to reach D-Chowk and use brute force against the policemen. After descending from the helicopter, he (Imran) went into the container and remained on it till next day, but did not go to the D-Chowk, abandoning his workers abruptly.
He could not gather even 35,000 people despite dolling out Rs 3.5 million to every PTI member of the National and provincial assemblies by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for making arrangements of the long march, she added.
Marriyum said Imran Khan’s claim of hurdles created by the government was not based on reality. His convoy faced no blockade all the way from the Attock Bridge to F-8 as he had to make over half a dozen stops to wait for the arrival of supporters, but no one turned up, she added
The minister said his show was a total failure as he could not even hold a small public gathering at H-9 Park despite the permission of the apex court.
Recalling the political activities of Pakistan Democratic Movement during the tenure of PTI government, she said the country had witnessed as to how rallies and public gatherings were held in a peaceful way.
She asked Imran to name a single incident of baton charge on the police by the workers of PDM whose leadership faced “stinking accountability” under the Imran led government.
The minister said the PDM, Pakistan Peoples Party, PML-N and the party of Maulana Fazlur Rehman had held the collective as well as separate rallies and public gatherings, but nobody could point out a single episode in which the policemen were attacked and public properties vandalized.
She also lashed out at Imran for threatening the courts and institutions and said the court had already given a decision against the unconstitutional steps of the Imran-led government.
The court opened midnight to stop Imran from violating the constitution and reversed the ruling of the then deputy speaker over the vote on the no-confidence motion.
Marriyum said the current government was representing 90 per cent people of the country. Imran was ousted from the government in a constitutional way.
To a query, she said strict action would be taken against the PTI if it launched a smear campaign against the Law Enforcement Agencies on the social media.
APP44-280522 KARACHIAPP45-280522
KARACHI: May 28 – Sri Lanka’s Kaveesha Dilhari reacts after being bowled out during the third and Final T20 International Womens Cricket Match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the Southend Club. APP Photo by Syed Abbas MehdiAPP46-280522
KARACHI: May 28 – Sri Lanka’s Kaveesha Dilhari reacts after being bowled out by Pakistan Kainat Imtiaz during the third and Final T20 International Womens Cricket Match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the Southend Club. APP Photo by Syed Abbas Mehdi
ISLAMABAD, May 28 (APP):President Dr Arif Alvi Saturday visited Islamabad art gallery here at F9 Park and viewed the paintings and pictures of artist Amjad Shah Afridi.
The chief curator of the Islamabad art gallery briefed the President about the paintings and pictures of Amjad Shah Afridi. The President appreciated the work of the artist.
While speaking on the occasion, the President stressed the need for more art galleries in Islamabad. He said Amjad Shah was an honest and outstanding bureaucrat of the government and his paintings were contemporary and living art.
ISLAMABAD, May 28 (APP): The nation on Saturday observed the 24th Youm-e-Takbeer with prd and renewed zeal to confront all challenges with same courage and passion to remain steadfast against all odds for the safeguard of the country.
The 24th Youm-e-Takbeer celebrations were held ahead of the Diamond Jubilee 75th Independence Day celebrations whereas Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also announced to hold a 10-day celebrations to commemorate the Day under the theme “Never bowed and will never bend our heads down”.
The Armed forces also paid tribute to all those who worked selflessly and stayed steadfast against all odds to make the country’s endeavour possible for achieving nuclear deterrence.
It said in a message: “Twenty four years ago on 28 May 1998, Pakistan established credible minimum nuclear deterrence, restoring balance of power in the region”.
Congratulating the nation, leaderships and scientists on anniversary of nuclear tests, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb reiterated the commitment that there would be no compromise on Pakistan’s independence, sovereignty and national interests.
She said Youm-e-Takbeer was a golden and memorable day in history of the country, when Pakistan declared that no one can enslave it. Youm-e-Takbeer was an announcement that Pakistan was free country and will remain free.
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Vice President Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman congratulated the nation on Youm-e-Takbeer and said the successful nuclear explosion carried out by the country in Chaghi on May 28, 1998 culminated Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s programme.
Minister for Narcotics Control Nawabzada Shahzain Bugti congratulated the nation on the occasion of “Youm-e-Takbeer” and said that May 28, 1998, holds a significant position in Pakistan’s political and defense history.
He said that the Pakistani leadership raised not only the nation but also the entire Muslim Ummah with pride. “This day will always be written in golden letters in the history of Pakistan”, he added.
Federal Minister for Human Rights Riaz Hussain Pirzada paid glowing tributes to former prime ministers Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and services of those scientists who made Pakistan’s defense strong.
“Youm-e-Takbeer is a day of honour for the Pakistani nation and the Muslims all over the globe”, he said.
Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Irfan Siddiqui said the former Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif would remain alive in the history of Pakistan for successfully conducting nuclear tests on May 28, 1998, to safeguard the interest of the country and strengthen its defence.
In an interview with APP, in connection with Youm-e-Takbeer, Irfan Siddiqui said “Youm-e-Takbeer is our identity and a great day when we nurtured our self respect, recognised status and rejected the pressure of the world”.
Members of National Assembly (MNAs) congratulated the nation on historic ‘Youm-e-Takbeer’ while paying rich tributes to those who made efforts to fulfill the dream of making Pakistan into an atomic power and restored balance of power in the region.
Pakistan Muslim League-N Mohsin Nawaz Ranjha and Pakistan People’s Party Senator
Taj Haider and PPP MNA Naz Baloch said that every year, May 28, remind of
Pakistan’s desire for peace as well as the nation’s unswerving resolve to defend its integrity, sovereignty and independence, adding, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was the key architect
of this programme.
The Pakistan Railways Lahore division organised a special ceremony to
celebrate Youm e Takbeer. PR Divisional Superintendent M Hanif Gul was the chief guest at the ceremony. Later, a cake was cut and sweets were distributed among the participants.
Adviser to the Prime Minister Engr. Amir Muqam said that Youm-e-Takbeer was being observed with national zeal and fervor to commemorate the day of historic nuclear tests at Chagai in 1998.
This day reminds us the services rendered by civilian and military leaders to make Pakistan a nuclear power, and this was the day when the then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif led the nation and Pakistan to become the 7th Nuclear Power in the world, he added.
Youm-e-Takbeer was also observed in Multan with national zeal and fervour to commemorate the historic nuclear tests at Chaghi in 1998.
To better appreciate the significance of Youm-e-Takbeer, the day was celebrated with a number of ceremonies in different nooks and cranny of the city.
One of the major ceremonies titled as Takbeer Conference was held by NGO, Young Pakistanis Organisation (YPO) in collaboration with a private group of colleges.
It was presided over by Prof. Muhammad Yasir Tahir, Prof Hameed Raza Siddiqui, educationist Abid Imam Shah. While religious scholar Allama Abdul Majid Wattoo, Social Leader Hafiz Moin Khalid, Rasheed Abbas Khan and President YPO Naeem Iqbal Naeem spoke to the participants among large number of students of the private college amassed to attend the event.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz lawyers’ wing DI Khan observed Youm-e-Takbeer day at Peshawar High Court bench building in D.I. Khan.
PML-N organized a function in the High Court Bar and cut a cake in connection with the day.
Nuclear Institute of Medicine and Radiotherapy (NIMRA) Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences (LUMHS) Jamshoro arranged a programme to mark Youm-e-Takbeer.
Addressing the participants, Vice Chancellor LUMHS, Prof. Ikram Din Ujjan expressed that on May 28, 1998, Pakistan conducted its nuclear tests to respond to India’s nuclear tests conducted on May 11, which created an imbalance in regional power setup. Amid sanctions and pressure, Pakistan tested its nuclear might and balanced the equation.
Adviser to Chief Minister Balochistan for Home Mir Ziaullah Langu said that the Youm-e-Takbeer was an important day in the history of Pakistan.
He expressed these views in a statement issued on the occasion of Yom-e-Takbeer, saying that the May 28 was a day of pride for the Pakistani nation and the whole Ummah.
PML-N Balochistan Senior Vice President Nawab Salman Khan Khilji said that the entire nation was proud to have a nuclear power as Pakistan’s defence had become invincible after nuclear tests in Chaghi on May 28, 1998.
District President Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Malik Mahabat Awan said that May 28 Youm-e-Takbeer was a day when in response to India’s nuclear blasts, our leader Muhammad Nawaz Sharif decided to make the country’s defense invincible despite all kinds of global pressure and tested nuclear explosions.
The Pakistan Center of Excellence in Nuclear Security (PCENS) while commemorating Youm-e-Takbeer reaffirmed the national resolve for the country’s defence and socio-economic development through safe and peaceful use of nuclear technology.
PML-N leadership has made country’s defense impregnable and no one can cast an evil eye towards Pakistan and its sovereignty, said the PML-N local leader and former MPA Tehseen Fawad on the occasion of Youm-e-Takbeer.
Member National Assembly of PML-N Chaudhry Hamid Hameed said former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif made the defence of the country invincible on May 28 after the nuclear tests.
He said: “We celebrate Youm-e-Takbeer on May 28 when Nawaz Sharif without accepting any kind of pressure made Pakistan a nuclear power”, adding that Pakistan was included in the ranks of nuclear countries of the world.
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo congratulated the entire nation including the people of Balochistan on the occasion of celebrating Youm-e-Takbeer.
Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz felicitating the nation on ‘Youm-e-Takbeer’ said
May 28 is an important day in the political and defense history of Pakistan.
In his message, he lauded Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif who made the defense of Pakistan impregnable.
PML-N leader Barrister Danyal Chaudhry celebrated Youm-e-Takbeer with party workers here at the party office and cut a cake to celebrate the successful atomic explosions carried out in Chaghi on May 28, 1998.
BAHAWALPUR, May 28 (APP): Chief Minister Punjab Hamza Shahbaz said that any person who would try to cause political chaos in the country in the disguise of long march would be sent to prison.
He was addressing to a public gathering at Dring Stadium Bahawalpur here on Saturday night.
The CM Punjab said that like previous sit-in of 126 days, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s chairman Imran Khan attacked the Red Zone in Islamabad with clubs and sticks, and added that Imran Khan was trying to ignite chaos like situation in the country.
He said that Imran Khan was announcing another long march towards Islamabad after six days, however Hamza warned, that this time Imran would be sent to jail if he went on with his intended plan .
Hamza also maintained that Imran Khan had caused destruction to the national economy.
About a leaked audio which revealed that “Khan” was seeking help, Hamza slammed the PTI chief for turning towards those against whom he used expletive language.
He said that Imran Khan did not fulfill his promise related to South Punajb, adding that PML-N led government would fulfill its promises made for South Punjab’s betterment.
He apprised the crowd that Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif had decided that Punjab would have governor from Bahawalpur district.
REVISED APRIL 04, 2021
