FO summons Indian envoy over LoC violations

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October 2, 2019

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Wednesday summoned India’s top diplomat in Pakistan over unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Indian forces along the Line of Control (LoC).

A statement said FO Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal summoned the Indian Deputy High Commissioner Gaurav Ahluwalia and condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Indian forces along the Line of Control (LoC) on October 1, 2019.

A 50-year old woman was martyred while three civilians sustained injuries in Indian shelling on Pakistani villages.

“The Indian occupation forces along the LoC and Working Boundary have continuously been targeting civilian populated areas with artillery fire, heavy-caliber mortars, and automatic weapons, which still continues,” added the press release.

“The deliberate targeting of civilian populated areas is indeed deplorable and contrary to human dignity, international human rights, and humanitarian laws.”

Underscoring that the ceasefire violations were a threat to regional peace, the foreign ministry warned of a strategic miscalculation in the region.

Faisal, who is the director-general for South Asia and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), urged New Delhi to honour the 2003 ceasefire arrangement between the two nuclear-armed nations.

He further called on India to allow the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) to play its mandated role as per the UN Security Council resolutions.

Tensions between the neighbours escalated sharply following New Delhi’s move to revoke the autonomy Indian Occupied Kashmir in August.

Pakistan expelled India’s ambassador and suspended bilateral trade soon after and launched an international diplomacy campaign in an attempt to draw global condemnation of India’s treatment of Kashmiris.

Prime Minister Imran Khan made an impassioned address at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 27, saying there would be a bloodbath once India lifts a curfew and that any all-out conflict between the nations would reverberate far beyond their borders.

India says its revocation of autonomy is an internal matter that will allow its portion of Kashmir to develop economically. (With additional input from INP)

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

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October 2, 2019

WASHINGTON: A sub-committee of the United States House of Representatives will hold a hearing on the human rights violations being carried out by India in occupied Kashmir on October 22 .

According to a press release issued by Chairman of the House Sub-committee on Asia, Congressman Brad Sherman, the hearing will focus on the prevailing situation in the Kashmir valley.

According to Sherman, many political activists have been arrested in Kashmir and daily life has also been interrupted after India banned the internet and telephone communications in the occupied valley.

According to reports, the hearing will review the humanitarian situation in Indian occupied Kashmir and whether Kashmiris have adequate supplies of food, medicine, and other essentials.

Detailing the specifics of the hearing, Congressman Sherman said that Assistant Secretary Alice Wells, who oversees all US State Department policy towards South Asia, will testify at the hearing.

“Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Scott Busby, who overseas human rights efforts is South Asia, will also testify,” Sherman added.

The congressman further elaborated that the sub-committee has invited other State department officials, along with private human rights activists, to the hearing.

The Congressman, in the press release, noted that he had met Americans, originally from the Kashmir valley, in the San Fernando area, along with Congressman André Carson, a few weeks ago.

Detailing that encounter, Sherman detailed how the two US lawmakers heard stories of difficulties encountered by their constituents and others, and the fears they had for their loved ones.

“Since then I have had several additional meetings with Kashmiri Americans. I look forward to learning more about human rights in Kashmir,” Sherman maintained. (With additional input from INP)

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90% dengue patients don’t need to be admitted in hospital: officials

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October 2, 2019

Rise in dengue across Pakistan, highest number of cases reported from Karachi — Google Image

ISLAMABAD: The Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health, Dr Zafar Mirza, on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting to review anti-dengue measures made by the health ministry and hospital administrations, a private news channel reported.

A briefing was also given to the special assistant here today by the officials which claimed that 90 per cent of the dengue patients does not need to be admitted in hospitals. They added that the care of such patients is possible at their homes.

Dr Mirza ordered concerned officials to record residential addresses of the patients being brought to hospitals. He said that the authorities should ensure anti-dengue spray in the surroundings of the patients’ houses who are admitted in the hospitals.

The special assistant said that the government is making all-out efforts to eliminate breeding of dengue mosquitoes. He asked officials of the ministry to double the number of the surveillance teams tasked to search areas where dengue larvae are breeding.

Earlier in the day, the dengue virus claimed another two lives in Rawalpindi, taking the death toll to 27 in the city.

As per details, both of the deaths were reported from Holy Family Hospital. The first victim was Najma, a 55-year-old woman hailing from Rawalpindi, the other was man named Pervez, 50, from Islamabad.

On Sunday, as many as 596 more people were diagnosed with dengue fever in Islamabad within a span of 24 hours. Sources relayed that 526 people were diagnosed with the mosquito-borne disease at government-run hospitals and 70 at private medical facilities.

Meanwhile, in Sindh, the number of deaths owing to dengue fever has reached 12.

The mosquito-borne disease which may prove fatal if not diagnosed and treated in time has spread rapidly throughout Pakistan and has caused serious concern among the masses.

Sources have claimed that the federal government has decided to conduct an investigation into the outspread of dengue fever. The government would engage global institutions for holding a probe into the spread of the deadly disease across the country. (With additional input from INP)

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Former deputy speaker Qasim Suri challenges his disqualification

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October 1, 2019

ISLAMABAD: Former deputy speaker Qasim Suri has challenged his disqualification from the National Assembly seat in Supreme Court, a private news channel reported on Tuesday.

An election tribunal last Friday declared his victory from National Assembly seat NA-265 (Quetta-II) as null and void and ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold re-polling in the constituency.

Advocate Naeem Bukhari filed a petition in the supreme court pleading to declare the decision of the election tribunal as void.

The counsel said in the plea that irregularities in the electoral process could not be attributed to his client.

The petition also requested for an early hearing of the matter on tomorrow (Wednesday).

An election tribunal presided over by Justice Abdullah Baloch had ECP for re-election in the Quetta constituency.

Balochistan National Party’s (BNP) Lashkari Raisani had challenged the victory of Qasim Suri, who contested the 2018 general election on a ticket of the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP).

The tribunal had reserved its verdict after hearing arguments of both the parties on Sept 14.

During the court hearings, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) had submitted a report on the orders of the tribunal, which suggested it could not verify more than 52,000 votes cast in 2018 poll.

Raisani, brother of former Balochistan chief minister Aslam Raisani, was not present at the court when the tribunal, headed by Justice Abdullah Baloch, announced the verdict. Suri, a flamboyant leader of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was also conspicuous for absence in the court.

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China wishes to expand scope of CPEC: Cheng Xizhong

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October 1, 2019

BEIJING: China wishes to expand the scope of corridor construction in Pakistan to support the government in its efforts, improving the living conditions of their people.

Through mutual consultation, China will actively help Pakistan carrying out projects in the field of people’s livelihood, said Cheng Xizhong, a visiting professor of Southwest University of Political Science and Law.

According to Mr. Xizhong, the construction of the CPEC is progressing smoothly. 22 projects with a total investment of dollar 19 billion in the first phase have been completed or are close to completion.

This has alleviated Pakistan’s energy shortage and partially built transportation infrastructure, thus laying a good foundation for Pakistan`s future comprehensive social-economic development.

Now, the CPEC construction has entered the second stage, focusing on industrial cooperation, agricultural cooperation, Gwadar Port construction and socio-economic development, of which 27 new projects will be launched within this year.

Cheng Xizhong who is also special commentator of China Economic Net, pointed out that Prime Minister Imran Khan has recently acknowledged that China has provided Pakistan with tremendous opportunities for development.

China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic partners. They have always trusted, understood and supported each other. The friendship between the two countries is unbreakable.

The construction of the CPEC has yielded fruitful results, produced positive social and economic benefits, and effectively promoted Pakistan’s national development and improved people’s livelihood.

The friendly cooperation between China and Pakistan is not only in the common interest of the two countries, but also conducive to maintaining international peace, stability, fairness and justice.

China is willing to work with Pakistan to promote the continuous development of the CPEC and build a closer community of shared future in the new era.

The successful CPEC development has made governments and enterprises in many countries see great potential investment value.

Therefore, recently, enterprises from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, as well as major investment countries in the world such as China, the United States, Germany, Japan, South Korea and Singapore, have sent delegations to Pakistan for feasibility studies, and are actively considering large-scale investment in Pakistan’s industrial parks.

With the completion and operation of more and more projects in the CPEC, social and economic benefits have started to emerge.

On the one hand, the tax revenue of the Pakistani government is increasing, the long-standing financial difficulties are gradually alleviated, and on the other hand, more and more tangible benefits are brought to the Pakistani people.

China has invested tremendously in the construction of the CPEC. China sincerely helps Pakistan to develop. The Pakistani people not only express their gratitude from the bottom of their hearts, but also cherish the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Pakistan government and people have recognized that the construction of the CPEC is making Pakistan enter the fast track of development and Pakistan is now faced with unprecedented development opportunities, he added.

INP

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Pakistan to invite ex-Indian PM Manmohan Singh on Kartarpur Corridor inauguration

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September 30, 2019

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday expressed its willingness to invite former Indian Prime Minister (PM) Manmohan Singh on the inaugural ceremony of Kartarpur Corridor.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that the decision to invite Manmohan Singh was taken after high-level consultation. However, a formal invitation will soon be dispatched to him, he added.

The minster further stated that Sikh pilgrims will also be welcomed on the event 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 Nanank that will be celebrated on November 12.

Kartarpur Corridor Project Director Atif Majeed said that the prime minister had laid foundation stone of the project last year on November 28. 5000 Sikh pilgrims will arrive and stay in the initial phase while later, more 10,000 pilgrims will come, he added.

Atif Majeed said that Pakistan’s biggest Gurdwara Baba Guru Nanak comprises of 42 acres of land while Panja Sahib Gurdwara comprises of four acres of land and Nankana Sahib Gurdwara comprises of 14 acres of land.

The work on the project is underway 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, he went on to say.

Pakistan is building the corridor from the Indian border to the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, while the other part from Dera Baba Nanak up to the border is being constructed by India.

India is constructing a bridge at the zero point and has urged Pakistan to build a similar bridge on its side that will provide safe and secure movement of pilgrims.

INP

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Anti-adulteration Drive: 33 eateries sealed in Islamabad

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September 30, 2019

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration sealed 33 food outlets and registered 25 First Information Reports (FIRs) throughout the city in its ongoing anti-adulteration drive during last six months.

The city administration had also imposed a fine over Rs1.7million by conducting as many as 3,430 inspections to several outlets, besides serving 1,363 notices for different violations during the same period, an official in ICT told on Monday.

He said the ICT teams comprising assistant commissioners (AC) and magistrates had carried out raids to check the food quality, hygiene, working environment and food safety standards by ensuring the implementation of Pure Food Regulations.

To ensure the provision of contamination-free milk in the Federal capital, the official said, the ACs had discarded over 96,140 liters sub-standard milk and 240 kilograms (kgs) Khoya after placing screening pickets early morning at the entry and exit points in the city.

During operations against butchers and illegal slaughterhouses, the officials had disposed of 750 kg sub-standard meat and 70 kg unhygienic chicken. The department also confiscated 20 kg Chinese salt (Ajinomoto) that had banned in the country last year after the authority’s scientific panel found it hazardous for health, he said.

Meanwhile, the capital dwellers complained that food outlets in commercial areas had gone unchecked despite knowing the fact that a number of people especially labour approached to those eateries.

They said majority of the outlets had been operating in unhygienic conditions, using damaged crockery and dirty tables. Some restaurants even have tables near open drains, they regretted.

“It is strange that nobody bothers to visit such restaurants as they were selling low quality food in open environment, putting public lives at risk,” Anwar Raza, a retailer at Mehrabadi said.

The rates at those restaurants were quite high too, Ramzan a visitor at the same area said.

The authorities only check those restaurants that were registered with it and others were overlooked, he blamed.

While contacted, Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Hamza Shafqaat denied that action had only been taken against high-end outlets.

He said the raids were being carried out by ACs and magistrates randomly in their respective sub-divisions without any discrimination.

INP

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Construction of three wetlands in capital to be completed in next few weeks

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September 29, 2019

Courtesy google

ISLAMABAD: Project of construction of three wetlands being supervised and financed by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and executed by the Sanitation Directorate of MCI is in progress which would be completed within next few weeks. Wetlands are being constructed to treat the contaminated water before it entrance to Rawal Dam.

Three wetlands at Muslim Colony Bari Imam, Banigala and Bari Imam Shahan are being constructed under this project and purpose of the project is to treat the contaminated water before its entrance in Rawal dam.

Under constructed wetland treatment, contaminated water of nullahs would be diverted to specially designed tanks for sewerage treatment.

Under constructed wetland treatment, contaminated water of nullahs would be diverted to specially designed tanks for sewerage treatment. At this stage sediment would be carried out in the tanks and the 90% water contamination would be done at this stage. After treatment in the tank water would be again released in the nullahs.

After the tanks special plants, soil would be implanted on the way which will further purify the water before it entrance in the dam. In order to control seepage of contaminated water from the tanks, special plastic membrane has been laid at the bottom of the tanks.

In this connection, work on the wetland being constructed in the Muslim Colony has been completed except construction of wall which has not yet been started due to rain spells. It is expected that wetland at Muslim Colony will be functional within couple of weeks. Similarly, wetland being constructed in the Banigala will also start functioning within the same period. However, due to heavy water flow in the nullah at Shahaan Bari Imam, work on the retaining wall will be started after rain spells which is also likely to be completed within few weeks.

Read More: “Clean Karachi Campaign” is guarantee of clean-up Karachi. Minister

In a similar move to explore alternates to waste disposal, biogas plant is also to be set up for waste from Sabzi Mandi at the STP area by market committee.

It is pertinent to mention here that in order to cater water contamination in Rawal Dam CDA earlier allocated land for construction of wetlands which was subsequently handed over to MCI for construction of Wetlands to treat the water coming from seasonal nullahs. CDA has reiterated that Authority will continue its support and role in every initiative aimed at public welfare.

INP/SB/AK

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Speaker returns home after Kazakhstan visit

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September 28, 2019

ISLAMABAD: Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser returned home after participation in the 4th Meeting of the Speakers of Eurasian Countries’ Parliaments held from September 23 – 25, 2019 in Nur Sultan, the capital city of Kazakhstan.

The deliberations of the Summit focused on the theme of Greater Eurasia: Dialogue. Trust. Partnership.

The objective of the Eurasian Conference, an initiative of Russia, was to increase the dialogue and trust among the parliaments of Europe and Asia for greater participation and cooperation. The Presiding Officers of the Eurasian Countries’ Parliaments emphasized on the need for paving the way to build a shared vision and suggest way to ensure sustainable development of the Eurasian region.

Speaker National Assembly, Asad Qaiser shaking hand with Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Vyacheslav Volodin on the sidelines of Eurasian Conference at Nur Sultan (Astana) in Kazakhistan

During his address at Forum, the Pakistan Speaker highlighted the opportunities and challenges facing the region in the context of globalization and highlighted that Pakistan’s policy towards promoting regional cooperation was quite coherent. While expressing his concern over the Indian atrocities in the Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir, he urged the global community to exercise pressure on the Indian government to revoke its unilateral decision of refuting special status of the IOJ&K.

Asad Qaiser also condemned the complete clampdown in the occupied territory for almost two month and alarmed the participants that it can turn into humanitarian crisis in the region. During his speech, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha of India, Harivansh Narayan Singh tried to disrupt the process by raising his baseless point of order but the attempt was declined by the Chair of Conference and the Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan continued to expose the real face of India before the parliaments of the world.

Alongside the participation in the Conference, the Speaker of Pakistan also met his Counterparts from various countries including Kazakhstan, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and UAE.

The Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Mustafa Shentop said that Turkey will extend it all out support to Pakistan against India. He referred to the telephonic conversation between the President of Turkey and Prime Minister of Pakistan immediately after August 5 development and said that it reflected the concern of Turkey over the human rights violations in the Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir.

An important highlight of his meeting with the Russian Speaker, Vyacheslav Volodin was the Russian agreement on abstaining India from joining the Regional Conference on Countering Terrorism and Strengthening Regional Connectivity. The Speaker National Assembly said that the next meeting of the Regional Forum was scheduled next month in Istanbul and the participation of India in that Conference would derail the process. They also decide to establish Joint Parliamentary Commissions to constantly cooperation with each other on issues of mutual interest.

During his meeting with Dr. Abdullah Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the Majlis Ash Shura of Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Speaker assured of their full cooperation to Pakistan at all regional and international forums on the issue of Jammu & Kashmir. He further proposed that the Parliament of Pakistan may immediately convene a Conference on Kashmir so that the exact situation in the disputed territory could be placed before the participants of friendly countries and collective strategy could be devised for countering Indian aggression.

He also invited the Speaker National Assembly to lead a parliamentary delegation to Saudi Arabia during the month of November 2019 for signing a MoU between the Legislatures of two countries so that important issues like IOJ&K could be addressed through joint efforts.

The Speaker National Assembly also congratulated the Speaker of the Mazhilis (Parliament) of Kazakhstan, Mr. Nurlan Nigmatulin on successful hosting of the Conference and also thanked him for the hospitality. Speaker Asad Qasier lauded the idea of fostering dialogue, trust and partnership among the Eurasian Countries.

He referred to the Indian aggression in the IOJ&K and said that the recent acts of violence by India in the Occupied Jammu & Kashmir and also on the opposite side of the line of control has further aggravated the situation in the region. The Kazakh Speaker emphasized on the need for resolving the outstanding issue of IOJ&K and said that the dispute required a political solution rather than war. He, therefore, stressed upon resolving the issue through peaceful means.

The Speaker also said that there was a huge potential in enhancing relations, specifically in the fields of trade and investment, communication, defence and security. He said that the national carriers of the two countries should operate directly to each other’s cities for improving connectivity between the two friendly countries.

Top Story: PM Imran briefs UN secretary general on Kashmir situation

Immediately after return from Kazakhstan, the Speaker Asad Qasier has directed the Chairmen of the Standing Committees on Foreign Affairs and Commerce to immediately workout a befitting plan of action for promoting ties with Kazakhstan both at government and parliamentary levels for the benefit of the people of two countries.

INP

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Afghanistan Presidential Elections: Tourkham and Chaman borders closed

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September 28, 2019

torkham border — Torkham border -Google Image

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has closed Tourkham and Chaman border in wake of elections in Afghanistan that is being held Saturday.

According to sources, all types of transportation and trading activities are suspended while supplies for Nato forces are also being suspended.

Security sources said that both the borders will be opened on Sunday.

Voting is underway in Afghanistan’s presidential election, amid heavy security and threats from insurgents.

Tens of thousands of Afghan forces have been deployed across the country to counter Taliban militants who have vowed to target polling stations.

The twice-delayed vote is taking place after Taliban-US peace talks collapsed earlier this month.

Afghanistan Presidential elections. Google Image

The presidential election is being contested by 15 candidates, with incumbent President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah seen as the top contenders.

The polls opened at 7pm local time (2:30 GMT) on Saturday and were scheduled to close at 5pm (14:30 GMT).

The elections were originally scheduled for 20 April, but the Independent Election Commission announced on 26 December 2018 that they would be postponed until 20 July, in order to resolve problems that became apparent during the October 2018 parliamentary elections.

‘The additional time will be used to verify voter lists and train election workers on the new biometric identification system’.

On 20 March 2019, the IEC once again delayed the election, this time by two months from 20 July to 28 September. A spokesman blamed the delay on changes in election laws along with management and technical problems − the presidential vote will now coincide with local council votes and delayed parliamentary elections in Ghazni Province.

INP

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Tag: islamabad

FO summons Indian envoy over LoC violations

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

Former deputy speaker Qasim Suri challenges his disqualification

China wishes to expand scope of CPEC: Cheng Xizhong

Pakistan to invite ex-Indian PM Manmohan Singh on Kartarpur Corridor inauguration

Speaker returns home after Kazakhstan visit

Afghanistan Presidential Elections: Tourkham and Chaman borders closed

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