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PM Imran launches Ehsas Saylani Langar Scheme in Islamabad

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Our Correspondent
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Photo credits: Radio Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has launched langar scheme in collaboration of Saylani Welfare International Trust here Monday to provide free food to the needy people.

The premier inaugurated the first center before leaving for China.

Speaking on the occasion, PM Imran Khan said that this program is aimed at elimination of poverty to develop country as Naya Pakistan.

While touching upon traders well being, he said the government aspires that the business community‘s earnings and incomes augment.

Meanwhile, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation Dr Sania Nishtar told the langar center that was established in 10 days will serve quality food to over 600 people daily on the directives of the PM.

She further hoped to open 112 langar centers across the country next year.

Langar scheme is an important component of government’s social protection program Ehsaas. The scheme, currently being launched from the federal capital, will later be expanded to the entire country.

Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said that a charity meal will be offered to the poverty-stricken people under this program.

This nobel deed of the premier will help to promote the spirit of compassion for the weak segments of the society by serving the humanity, she added. (With additional input from INP)

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PM Imran cautions AJK residents against crossing LoC, says will aid Indian narrative

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Our Correspondent
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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday again cautioned the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) against crossing the Line of Control (LoC) to support the struggle of the people of Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK).

On August 5, India revoked occupied Kashmir’s autonomy, dividing the disputed territory into two regions to be controlled by New Delhi. A draconian lockdown was imposed in the region and all communications were cut. The clampdown has entered its third month with reports of mass detentions and human rights abuses.

The premier, in a tweet, said he understands the anguish of the people of AJK seeing their fellow Kashmiris in IOK under an inhumane curfew for over two months.

Advising the people not to play into the hands of Indian narrative, he said any attempt to cross the disputed border to provide humanitarian aid or support “will give India an excuse to increase violent oppression of Kashmiris in IOJK & attack across LoC”.

The prime minister added that Indian narrative tries to divert attention from the indigenous struggle of the Kashmiris against brutal Indian occupation by trying to label it as “Islamic terrorism” being driven by Pakistan.

Earlier in September, the premier had said that any bid to “wage jihad in Kashmir” would be an act of extreme enmity towards the Kashmiris, he said, adding: “Anyone, who thinks that he will cross the border to join the Kashmiris [fighting for their right], is a big enemy of them and Pakistan.”

Related: US envoy Alice Wells to testify before congressional committee on occupied Kashmir

After the August 5 illegal move, India sent in tens of thousands of extra troops and detained thousands of people including minors as young as nine.

Many of the region’s top politicians remain in custody. UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said last month she was “deeply concerned” while Washington has called for a “rapid” lifting of restrictions.(Additional Input From INP)

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EU allocates € 300,000 to provide emergency relief to earthquake victims in Pakistan

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Our Correspondent
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Earthquake relief. Google Image

ISLAMABAD: The European Union (EU) has allocated 300,000 euros to provide emergency relief to Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) quake victims.

According to a press release issued by the European Consulate on Friday, the funds will help in addressing the most pressing needs of around 3,000 vulnerable people in some of the hardest quake-hit areas.

Earlier, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has also extended its help for the quake victims and the Japanese government had also offered to help the earthquake victims.

The help was offered by the Japanese ambassador to Pakistan in a telephonic conversation with Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lt. General Muhammad Afzal.

On September 24, a strong earthquake of 5.8-magnitude brought disasters to different parts of AJK. The eartquake hit some urban and rural parts of the AJK including Mirpur, Muzaffarabad, Kotli and many other scattered places.

Read more: Govt will provide Rs500,000 each to heirs of those killed in earthquake: Firdous

“We are acting fast to channel emergency aid to those most affected in Pakistan,” said the Head of the EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations Office in Islamabad, Bernard Jaspers-Faijer.

“Our funding will assist the most vulnerable and help provide shelter to those who have lost their homes and belongings in the aftermath of the strong tremor. Our thoughts are with all the victims and first responders working around the clock to save lives.”

The assistance will also ensure access to clean water for the communities in the affected areas. Special attention will be paid to those most in need, including people with limited sources of income.

The EU funding is made available via the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) through its Small Scale Response mechanism.

Nearly 40 people were killed and more than 700 others injured when a strong, 5.3-magnitude, earthquake struck eastern parts of Pakistan in the afternoon of 24 September. The earthquake, which was followed by a number of aftershocks, caused extensive damage to houses and infrastructure.

According to government data, more than 8,600 houses, as well as a number of roads and bridges, sustained severe structural damage. Mirpur, the largest city in the Pakistan-administered territory of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, is the most affected area with the epicentre located only one kilometre from the city.

The tremor was also felt in several neighbouring provinces, including Islamabad, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. An estimated 100,000 people have been severely affected by the disaster.

(With additional input from INP)

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World Teachers’ Day, AIOU vows to promote teachers education

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Our Correspondent
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World Teachers’ Day, AIOU vows to promote teachers education

ISLAMABAD: Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) reiterated its pledge on the World Teachers’ Day, being celebrated on Octobers 5, that it would lay greater focus on the capacity-building of teaching community through the use of new technology.

The AIOU will continue to play its leading role for professional development of the teachers, as well as enhancing their respect and dignity in the society through formal and non-formal educational activities, said Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Zia-Ul-Qayyum in his message on the occasion.

As this year, the World Teachers’ Day is being celebrated with the theme, “Young Teachers, he said, they wish to provide maximum opportunities to the new comers in the profession, enabling them to do their best in their teaching discourses.

Upholding respect and dignity of the teachers in the society is the most important one and it is hoped that the Day will help to create necessary awareness to this effect. The AIOU has recently redesigned its teachers’ training curriculum, so as to make the learning practices more effective in proper brought-up of the new generation.

The AIOU at its own is striving to ensure that an inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities become a reality by producing capable teachers’ work force.

Dr. Zia-Ul-Qayyum asserted that teachers should develop themselves as role-models for the students by achieving excellence in their respective fields.

They could make themselves prominent by adopting an affectionate and friendly behavior towards their students since the right attitude made a real difference in the teaching process, he added.

According to Dr. Nasir Mahmood, Dean Education, the University has recently launched various degree programs and short-courses for promoting teachers’ training at various levels.

A certificate course for teachers of literacy and Non-Formal education has also been introduced with the support of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and UNESCO.

It was first kind of teachers’ training program in the country that was organised by the University’s Department of Distance and Non-Formal education for promoting teaching quality in Literacy and Non-Formal education.

Meanwhile, the University has re-launched its teacher training programs from the new semester, Autumn 2019 in line with the guideline, set by the Higher Education Commission (HEC).

It was announced that the admission in these programs will remain open until October 15. The MEd one year comprises five categories, Elementary Teacher Education, Teacher Education, Distance & Non-Formal Education, Science Education and Special Education.(Additional Input From INP)

Related:AIOU announces to receive admissions’ form till October 15

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Manmohan Singh to attend inaugural ceremony of Kartarpur Corridor: Indian media

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TNT Monitoring Desk
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NEW DELHI: Former prime minister of India Manmohan Singh will visit Pakistan and attend the inaugural ceremony of the Kartarpur Corridor, Indian media reported on Thursday.

According to details, the visit of erstwhile premier is contingent on Indian government’s approval. Manmohan Singh will reach Kartarpur on November 9, and he has also conducted a sitting with Indian Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh in this regard.

Pakistan had invited Manmohan Singh on the inaugural ceremony of Kartarpur Corridor. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had said that the decision to invite Singh was taken after high-level consultation.

Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan. Former prime minister of India Manmohan Singh will visit Pakistan and attend the inaugural ceremony of the Kartarpur Corridor.
Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan. Google Image

The minister had further stated that Sikh pilgrims will also be welcomed in the inaugural ceremony that will be held on the 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak.

It is to be mentioned here that Prime Minister Imran Khan will inaugurate the project on November 9, three days before the 550th birth anniversary Baba Guru Nanak that will be celebrated on November 12. 

Read More: Pakistan to allow 5,000 Sikh pilgrims to visit Kartarpur this year: FO

Last month Governor Punjab Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar had said that let it be war or peace, the Kartarpur Corridor Project will be completed till November, under any circumstances.

Speaking at a press conference in Lahore on September 23, Ch. Sarwar said in the Kartarpur Corridor project India is acting rigid since the day one but despite of all the hurdles Pakistan is working on Kartarpur Corridor project and InshAllah before the 550th Birthday celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak Pakistan will complete Kartarpur Project.

To mark Baba Guru Nanaks 550th Birthday celebrations, an International Sikh convention will be organized at Governor House which will be attended by Sikhs coming from all over the world, he added.

He assured Sikh pilgrims who coming from all over the world they will be provided with fool proof security in Pakistan and government will ensure the provision of other facilities. According to the vision of Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah minorities will be given their due rights in Pakistan, he added.

(With additional input from INP)

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Dialogue only way forward for resolving Afghan conflict: FM Qureshi

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Our Correspondent
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SHAH MEHMOOD QURESHI
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Thursday reiterated that the ongoing Afghan war can only be resolved through dialogue.

The minister passed the remarks in a meeting with the Afghan Taliban delegation held at the Foreign Office.

According to a press release issued by the FO, Qureshi welcomed the delegation at the ministry. The minister told the delegation that Pak-Afghan ties are based on brotherly relations, historical, religious and cultural links.

Qureshi said, “Instability in Afghanistan is impacting both Islamabad and Kabul.” He added that Pakistan believes that war is not the solution to the situation in Afghanistan and dialogue is the only way forward.

The foreign minister said that Pakistan was glad that the world has finally accepted their stance on the situation in Afghanistan.

The foreign minister said that Pakistan has played an honest role in search for peace in Afghanistan. He added that a peaceful Afghanistan is necessary for regional stability.

Meanwhile, the Afghan Taliban delegation also lauded Pakistan’s role in the Afghan peace process and urged for the resumption of dialogue with the United States.

Afghan Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen, while speaking to media persons ,said, “We are negotiating with Pakistan on a peaceful solution to the Afghan conflict.”

Related: Afghan government reacts to Taliban delegation’s visit to Islamabad

The spokesperson added that issues of Afghan refugees and problems faced by Afghan traders was on their agenda.

The Afghan delegation is being led by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. The visit also coincides with United States Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad visit to Pakistan. It is expected that the two have agreed to hold a meeting in Islamabad on their visit.

(With additional input from INP)

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Afghan government reacts to Taliban delegation’s visit to Islamabad

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Our Correspondent
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TALIBAN
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KABUL: The Afghan government on Wednesday warned that no progress would be imminent if a peace process was not owned and led by the Afghan government.

Presidential spokesperson Sediq Sediqqi said in Twitter post “Peace is our priority. A peace process led and owned by the Afghan government will only lead to lasting and dignified peace in Afghanistan.”

Sediqqi further added “No progress will be imminent if a peace process is not owned and led by the Afghan government.”

He apparently made the remarks in reaction to the travel of a delegation of Taliban political leaders to Islamabad.

A delegation of political leaders of Taliban led by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the deputy political chief of Taliban, reportedly travelled to Islamabad today.

Suhail Shaheen, a spokesman for the political office of Taliban in Qatar said in a Twitter post the Taliban delegation will visit Islamabad on an official invitation.

Shaheen further added that the Taliban leaders will hold talks on some important issues with the Pakistani officials. He did not disclose further information in this regard.

According to Shaheen, the Taliban delegation’s visit to Islamabad would be the 4th such trip to regional countries after the delegation’s visit to Russia, China and Iran.(With additional information from INP)

Afghan elections update: Second round to decide the winner

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Kabul reacts to Taliban delegation’s visit to Islamabad

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Our Correspondent
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Kabul reacts to Taliban delegation’s visit to Islamabad
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KABUL: In reaction to the travel of a delegation of Taliban political leaders to Islamabad, the Afghan government on Wednesday warned that no progress would be imminent if a peace process was not owned and led by the Afghan government.

Presidential spokesperson Sediq Sediqqi said in Twitter post “Peace is our priority. A peace process led and owned by the Afghan government will only lead to lasting and dignified peace in Afghanistan.”

Sediqqi further added “No progress will be imminent if a peace process is not owned and led by the Afghan government.”

A delegation of political leaders of Taliban led by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the deputy political chief of Taliban, reportedly travelled to Islamabad today.

Suhail Shaheen, a spokesman for the political office of Taliban in Qatar said in a Twitter post the Taliban delegation will visit Islamabad on an official invitation.

Shaheen further added that the Taliban leaders will hold talks on some important issues with the Pakistani officials. He did not disclose further information in this regard.

According to Shaheen, the Taliban delegation’s visit to Islamabad would be the 4th such trip to regional countries after the delegation’s visit to Russia, China and Iran. ( Additional input from INP )

Related :US Deal will not stop attacks on Afghan forces: Taliban

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Senate committee to review economic challenges, remedial measures

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Our Correspondent
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NA body unanimously passes “The National Information Technology Board Bill, 2019”
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ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Commerce and Textile Industry has taken notice of the prevailing economic situation and summoned a meeting on Wednesday to hammer out issues of the business community necessary for rapid economic development.

The meeting summoned by the Chairman of the Committee Senator Mirza Muhammad Afridi will be attended by top government functionaries and representatives of the business community.

The meeting has been summoned at a time when almost a million people have lost their jobs due to sluggish economy, local and foreign investment is at the lowest ebb, the business community is disappointed while the quarterly tax target has been missed by Rs111 billion.

The meeting summoned on the advice of textile expert Mian Muhammad Usman Zulfiqar will review issues faced by the largest foreign exchange earning sector of textile, stagnation of the economy, under-invoicing, heavy import duty slapped on import of apple and smuggling of fruit from Iran.

Deadlock over NIC condition, issues confronted by commercial importers including confusion over taxation and refunds, adjustment, exporters rebate and discouraging export of raw salt and encouraging the export of value-added salt will also be discussed in the meeting. 

The private sector will be represented by leading chambers of commerce and associations of textile exporters, ready-made garment exporters, towel manufacturers, power loom owners, yarn traders, etc.

Advisor to the PM on Finance Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Advisor, Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce, Textile, Industries and Production Abdul Razak Dawood, Chairman FBR Shabbar Zaidi, Secretary Commerce Sardar Ahmad Nawaz Sukhera and others will also attend the meeting.

Related: Senate Body asks PTET to resolve pensioners’ payment issue soon

The Senators who are scheduled to attend the meeting include Syed Shibli Faraz, Ahmed Khan, Dilawar Khan, Rana Mahmood ul Hassan, Dr. Ghous Muhammad Khan Niazi, Nuzhat Sadiq, Islamuddin Sheikh, Muhammad Tahir Bizenjo, Atta ur Rehman, Imamuddin, Khush Bakht Shujaat, and Gian Chand. (With additional input from INP)

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English education system in Pakistan propelled society into classes: PM Imran

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Our Correspondent
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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Wednesday said that English education system has divided society in different classes.

Addressing a ceremony regarding distribution of prizes among students of seminaries, the PM said that Holy Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) has laid utmost emphasis on seeking knowledge.

He said that lack of education has caused fall of Muslims and that Pakistani children are not conversant with Islamic history. Islam teaches lesson of being good humans, the premier added.

PM Imran asserted that Muslims had been among all top scientists for 700 years. He said Pakistan had been founded on particular goal therefore, Iqbaliat (philosophy of great poet Allama Iqbal) must be taught to students.

He said reforms are being introduced in the education system, which will help to uplift the lower strata of the society with the provision of equal opportunities to progress. Nation’s weak point is lagging behind in education, he added.

Prime Minister said that three varying curriculums are being followed at educational institutions in Pakistan which are leading to injustices and divisions in the society.

He said Pakistan, Malaysia and Turkey have decided to launch an English language channel to present Muslims’ stance to the world and project the Muslim history. We have also decided to collaborate to make films on Muslim history and heroes of Islam, he went on to say.

He said eight million Kashmiris have been locked in occupied Kashmir in an open jail for two months.

Read more: Lockdown in Kashmir a human catastrophe in offing: NA Speaker

INP

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