ISLAMABAD: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was warmly welcomed a=in Islamabad at his arrival on a two-day official visit of Pakistan.
Turkish President is accompanied by a high-level delegation, which included ministers, senior officials, and prominent business personalities.
During his stay, President Erdoğan was expected to hold significant talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari.
According to sources, discussions would revolve around strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations.
PM Shehbaz and the Turkish president will chair the seventh meeting of the Pakistan-Turkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC).
President Erdogan was scheduled to address the Pakistan-Turkey Business and Investment Forum. President Erdogan was warmly greeted at the Noor Khan Airbase by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
A ceremonial 21-gun salute was fired in honour of President Erdogan’s arrival, while schoolchildren, dressed in traditional attire, welcomed him with great enthusiasm. A military band also played traditionally to celebrate his visit.
Upon entering Pakistan’s airspace, the Pakistan Air Force’s JF-17 aircraft carried out an aerial salute, escorting the Turkish leader’s plane into Islamabad with their protection.
WAHINGTON: Newly appointed US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio will visit Israel, Saudi Arabia and the UAE from February 15 -18 as part of a six-day trip focused on Israel, Gaza and Iran’s “destabilising activities”, the US State Department said.
“Freeing Americans and all other hostages from Hamas captivity, advancing to Phase II of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, and countering the destabilizing activities of the Iranian regime and its proxies,” will be the main focus of the trip, the office said in a statement.
His “engagements with senior officials will promote US interests in advancing regional cooperation, stability, and peace”, it added.
Rubio will first travel to Munich, where he will participate in the Munich Security Conference and the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
ISLAMABAD: In light of the lawyers’ strike call at the time of Supreme Judicial Commission meeting, security was beefed in Islamabad.
As per the advisory issued by the Capital Traffic Police, all entry and exit points to the Red Zone have been closed due to potential law and order situation in the city.
The traffic advisory stated that the internal and external routes to the Red Zone would remain closed due to security concerns.
The roads leading to Red Zone, including Serena, NADRA, Marriott, Express Chowk, and T-Cross Bari Imam, would be temporarily closed from 6am until further notice.
The police advised the public to use Margalla Road as an alternative to avoid any travel difficulties.
The Judicial Commission of Pakistan is set to hold a meeting today to discuss the appointment of eight new judges to the Supreme Court.
Senator Ali Zafar, member of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the Judicial Commission of Pakistan, has written a letter to Chief Justice Yahya Afridi requesting him to postpone the commission’s meeting.
He said the session be deferred until the issue of seniority is settled in the Islamabad High Court. In the letter, he said due to the recent transfer and posting of the judges, the seniority list of the IHC has changed. These developments, he opined, could have serious effects on the justice system.
Earlier on Feberuary 3, lawyers from the Islamabad Bar Council, Islamabad High Court Bar Association, and District Bar Association boycotted courts in protest against the transfer of judges from other high courts to the IHC.
PARIS: Kashmiri diaspora in France is all set to hold a protest demonstration with active support of Pakistanis against the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Paris, today.
The protest will take place at Place de la Bataille de Stalingrad, 75019 Paris, near Metro lines 2, 5, and 7 (from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
The organizers, under the banner of the Pakistani and Kashmiri Community France, have urged all individuals, irrespective of political differences, to join the demonstration. The event aims to condemn Modi’s policies and actions in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, while expressing solidarity with the oppressed Kashmiris.
ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation has arrived in Pakistan to evaluate efforts to strengthen anti-corruption institutions and improve governance reforms.
The delegation will stay in Islamabad until February 14 and hold meetings with key officials.
According to officlas, the IMF team will meet with representatives from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Ministry of Finance, State Bank of Pakistan, and Ministry of Law, among others.
The discussions are expected to cover judicial independence, legal and financial transparency, and the process of appointing judges.
The primary objective of the visit is to review rule of law measures, anti-corruption strategies, suspicious transactions monitoring, banking regulations, and transparency in development projects. Special focus will be placed on NAB’s role in combating corruption and ways to enhance its effectiveness. The delegation will release its assessment report in July.
Officials from the Ministry of Finance have refrained from commenting on the visit. However, they have indicated that an IMF mission will soon arrive to assess Pakistan’s overall economic performance from July to December.
The anti-corruption and anti-money laundering measures are also part of the $7 billion bailout package Pakistan secured from the IMF.
ISLAMABAD: Spinach is a distinguished food choice during winter, rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that enhance immunity, promote heart health, support bone strength, and boost skin hydration, said a report published in a science magazine.
A research paper published in ‘The Journal of Nutrition’ revealed that the low calorie content and high nutritional value make it ideal for managing weight and energy.
During winter, Vitamin D levels drop, impacting bone health. Spinach provides a good source of Vitamin K, essential for bone metabolism. A recent study found that individuals consuming higher amounts of Vitamin K had stronger bones and lower fracture risks. Consuming spinach alongside Vitamin D-rich foods like fortified dairy can further support bone density in winter.
Cold winter air can reduce skin moisture, leading to dryness and irritation. Spinach’s antioxidants, including Vitamin E, Beta Carotene, and Vitamin C, help protect and hydrate the skin. Additionally, Vitamin A in spinach aids in skin cell regeneration and repair, contributing to a rejuvenated appearance.
Winter often brings fatigue, partly due to lower sunlight and physical activity. Spinach, a natural source of iron and magnesium, enhances energy levels and reduces fatigue. The iron in spinach helps transport oxygen to muscles and cells, crucial for maintaining energy throughout the day.
The report also stated that individuals who included more iron-rich vegetables like spinach in their diets experienced less fatigue and improved endurance, offering a natural remedy for winter sluggishness.
For those managing their weight during the winter months, spinach is a valuable addition to the diet. Its fibre content promotes satiety and regulates digestion, helping prevent overeating and supporting weight control.
ISLAMABAD: Educational institutions across various districts of Punjab, including the federal capital Islamabad, will remain closed on December 16.
According to details, the Islamabad district magistrate Irfan Nawaz Memon announced the closure of educational institutions in the capital without specifying any particular reason. According to the notification, all schools and colleges in Islamabad will be closed on December 16.
Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema also issued a similar notification, confirming that all public and private educational institutions in the district will remain closed.
The notification further stated that exams scheduled for December 16 have been postponed, though no specific reason was provided. However, when contacted, Rawalpindi district administration officials stated that the closure is due to the prevailing law and order situation.
Lahore Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza confirmed the closure of both public and private schools and colleges across the city. He clarified that all universities will remain open.
“The holiday is being observed to pay tribute to the martyrs of the APS Peshawar tragedy and the fall of Dhaka. The sacrifices of APS martyrs will never be forgotten,” he said in a statement. “The tragedy of December 16, 2014, has left an indelible scar, and the loss of innocent children united the nation in strength,” he added.
The Sialkot district administration also announced the closure of schools and colleges on December 16. A notification issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Sialkot confirmed the holiday, stating that it was to honour the martyrs of the APS tragedy.
ISLAMABAD: Tensions escalated on Monday night as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protesters clashed with security personnel at various locations in Islamabad.
Miscreants rammed a vehicle into Rangers personnel on the Srinagar Highway in which four personnel were martyred, while five Rangers and police officials were seriously injured, security sources said.
So far, four Rangers and two police personnel have been martyred in the attacks on law enforcement agencies by PTI protesters on their way to Islamabad to stage a protest sit-in.
The sources said that over a hundred police personnel have been injured so far, many of them seriously.
Earlier on Monday evening, a Rangers official was injured at Chungi No 26 in Islamabad in an alleged attack by PTI workers.
According to security sources, protesters pelted stones and fired at Rangers and police personnel, which injured one Rangers officer. He was shifted to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) for treatment.
The sources said that all the miscreants involved in the attack were being identified. “All malicious elements will be brought to book,” they insisted.
Previously, as the procession of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Bushra Bibi moved toward Islamabad, incidents of violence intensified in several areas.
Miscreants reportedly attacked law enforcement personnel under the guise of protests, leading to significant casualties. Police Constable Mubashir, 46, died of a head injury sustained during a violent confrontation at Hakla Interchange. He was under treatment at a hospital.
The constable, a resident of Muzaffargarh, leaves behind two daughters and a son.
Moreover, over 100 police personnel have been injured in the violence at the hands of miscreants in various areas. The injured personnel suffered wounds on their heads, arms, and legs, while the process of identifying the suspects through CCTV footage is underway.
In Attock, the situation escalated further when three police officers were critically injured in a shooting incident near Katti Pahari. Constable Wajid, hailing from Faisalabad, sustained a bullet wound to the neck and remains in critical condition, while Constable Samiullah, from Sargodha, was shot in the leg.
A third official, Constable Samiullah from Sargodha, was also seriously injured in Attock due to the stone-pelting by PTI protesters. He was admitted to a hospital in Hasanabdal for medical treatment. All three officers were deployed on special duty in the region.
Dozens of policemen have been injured at Katti Pahari and admitted to various hospitals. Authorities are using CCTV footage to identify and apprehend the culprits involved in these violent incidents.
At least 23 police personnel were injured during a violent altercation with PTI workers on the Ghazi Barotha Bridge, police officials reported on Monday.
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Government has deployed Pakistan Army in Islamabad under Article 245 of the Constitution to assist civil authorities in maintaining law and order amid escalating violence in the city.
Security sources said early on Tuesday that the deployment follows incidents of attacks on law enforcement agencies.
The sources said orders have been issued to deal with anarchists and miscreants with an iron hand, with clear directives to shoot such elements on sight.
They further said all measures are being taken to deal with any kind of terrorist act by anarchists and terrorist elements.
Meanwhile, miscreants rammed a vehicle into Rangers personnel on the Srinagar Highway in Islamabad, resulting in the martyrdom of four Rangers officials. Five others, including Rangers and police officials, sustained serious injuries.
Security sources also confirmed that two police officers have been martyred in similar attacks. Over 100 police personnel have also been injured, with many in critical condition in various areas since the PTI launched its protest march on Islamabad.
Article 245(1) of the Constitution states that the armed forces shall, under the federal government’s directions, “defend Pakistan against external aggression or threat of war, and, subject to law, act in aid of civil power when called upon to do so”.
It further states that the validity of any direction issued by the government under clause (1) shall not be called in question in any court. A high court shall not exercise any jurisdiction under Article 199 in relation to any area in which the armed forces are acting in aid of civil power in pursuance of Article 245.
In a media talk late on Monday night in Islamabad, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had hinted at the possibility of imposing a curfew, deplyoying the army or “any third option” if they were compelled by the PTI workers resorting to violence in Islamabad.
He had warned the PTI that they should go to the Sangjani area and hold their protest there, as they will not be allowed to enter Islamabad.
“If we have to impose a curfew, resort to Section 245 (seeking the army’s assistance) or a third option, we will take it. This is why we’re saying in advance that we will take extreme steps if we have to,” Naqvi said.
The interior minister said there are people involved and they are trying to ensure that there is no loss of life, adding that the protesters have tried every opportunity to create bloodshed. “When they open fire, the response will also be in the form of fire,” he remarked, adding that the PTI was given an option to shift the protest site to Sangjani.
PESHAWAR: Three days of bitter sectarian gunfights in Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtukhwa over 82 persons have been killed 156 more people have injured, local Police official said on Sunday.
Pakistan is a Sunni-majority country but Kurram district of KP, near the border with Afghanistan, has a large Shiite population and the communities have clashed for decades.
The latest bout of violence began on Thursday when two separate convoys of Shiite Muslims travelling under police escort were ambushed, killing at least 43 and sparking two days of gun battles.
“The clashes and convoy attacks on November 21, 22, and 23 have resulted in 82 fatalities and 156 injuries,” said a local administration official speaking on condition of anonymity.
“Among the deceased 16 were Sunni, while 66 belonged to the Shia community,” he told AFP.
Around 300 families fled on Saturday as the gunfights with both light and heavy weapons continued into the night, however no fresh casualties were reported on Sunday morning.
“The mobile network across Kurram remains suspended and traffic on the main highway is halted,” said the local administration official.
Police have regularly struggled to stymy violence in Kurram, which was part of the semi-autonomous Federally Administered Tribal Areas until it was merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2018.
A delegation from the provincial government held talks with the Shiite community on Saturday and is scheduled to meet the Sunni community later on Sunday.
A security official in the provincial capital of Peshawar told AFP the negotiators’ helicopter had come under fire as it arrived in the region, although no one was harmed.
“Our priority today is to broker a ceasefire between both sides. Once that is achieved, we can begin addressing the underlying issues,” provincial Law Minister Aftab Alam Afridi said Sunday.
Last month at least 16 people, including three women and two children, were killed in a sectarian clash in Kurram.
Previous clashes in July and September killed dozens of people and ended only after a jirga, or tribal council, called a ceasefire.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said 79 people died between July and October in sectarian clashes.
Several hundred people demonstrated against the violence on Friday in Pakistan’s second largest city of Lahore and Karachi, the country’s commercial hub.
