ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has agreed to work with China on a project to build a research station on the South Pole of the moon. The two countries signed an agreement to cooperate on the project.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar and Chinese Premier Li Qiang witnessed the signing of an initial cooperation agreement in Beijing.
China is aiming to become a major space power by 2030, and it has already secured cooperation from Russia, Venezuela, and South Africa.
China wants to land its astronauts on the moon by the end of this decade.
The timeline for building the research station coincides with NASA’s Artemis program which aims to put US astronauts back on the moon by December 2025.
Further, China is gearing up for its Cheng E6 lunar mission set to launch in the first half of 2024. What makes this mission even more noteworthy is the inclusion of a Pakistani satellite among its payload.
The China National Space Administration (CNSA) recently announced on social media platform Weibo that the Cheng E6 mission is on track for its moon-bound journey.
This mission is also promoting international cooperation by carrying payloads from several countries, including Pakistan, the European Space Agency (ESA), France, and Italy.
Among the scientific instruments onboard Cheng E6, French equipment will be used to test for radioactive gas.
The ESA’s Negative Ion Detector and Italy’s Valle Brett Radar System will also hitch a ride on this lunar adventure.
Of special significance is the inclusion of Pakistan’s CubeSat satellite, which will be dispatched to orbit the moon.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif is expected to depart for Islamabad today on Monday.
In Islamabad, he is slated to hold meetings with party leaders and legal experts.
The Sunday has been marked by a series of meetings at Nawaz Sharif’s residence with key party figures.
During these discussions, Nawaz Sharif conveyed the sentiment that they have been targeted for political reasons. “It is hoped that legal avenues will offer respite, with their overarching focus remaining on Pakistan’s economic well-being,” he added.
Former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif and former Punjab chief minister Hamza Shehbaz held a meeting with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif on Sunday.
On the occasion, the PML-N top brass discussed the matters in line with the country’s political situation at Jati Umra residence.
The meeting between Shehbaz Sharif and Nawaz Sharif lasted one hour.
Moreover, Azam Nazeer Tarar briefed the PML-N supremo on the legal cases against the latter.
ISLAMABAD: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has handed over 12,000 Pakistani passports that were being used by Afghan nationals to Pakistani Embassy as the government launched a probe into the allegations of issuance of identity cards and passports to illegal migrants, media reports said.
Federal Government soonafter it received the huge number of fake passports has launched probe into matter and a committee has been formed to investigate the recovery of fake Pakistani passports from 12,000 Afghan nationals in Saudi Arabiam the reports further said.
The Interior Ministry has formed a five-member committee under the chairmanship of Mustafa Jamal Kazi, Director General, Passport and Immigration.
Besides Mustafa Kazi, the committee includes senior officers of the ministry, the National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). An officer of the directorate will perform the duties of secretary for the committee.
The investigating committee has been given 15 days to make suggestions on how to prevent the problem in the future. It will also fix responsibility on NADRA, FIA and passport officers involved in the scam.
Last week, authorities in Saudi Arabia recovered 12,000 Pakistani passports from Afghan nationals.
The development came as law enforcement agencies launched a crackdown on unscrupulous elements involved in issuing fake citizenship documents to illegal migrants in the country, especially Afghans.
The Saudi authorities had informed the Pakistani embassy of recovering a large number of Pakistani passports from Afghan citizens.
Back then it was reported that as a result of the investigations, the main suspect Umar Javed had been arrested in Lahore for making fake passports.
Javed’s arrest came after a former officer and a serving grade-15 officer of the Passport Directorate were arrested and probed. Pakistani passports were issued to Afghan citizens on fake identity cards.
The same week, NADRA Chairman Lieutenant General Munir Afsar informed senators that some of his organisation’s staff were involved in the issuance of fake Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs).
The NADRA chief made the revelation while addressing the Senate Committee on Interior when it took up the issue of fake CNICs, availability of citizens’ family data in the black market and issuance of multiple SIMs on a single CNIC, which are being used in illegal activities.
The NADRA chairman informed the lawmakers that action was taken against the employees engaged in any form of illegal activity, with around 84 officials suspended, so far.
“However, employees escape punishment due to the absence of a law dealing with privacy matters,” he told the committee. The Senate panel recommended modern measures to address these issues.
JEDDAH: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has issued a strong condemnation of Israel’s recent attack on the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in central Gaza, describing it as an act of “organized state terrorism” and a “war crime.”
In a statement released late on Wednesday, the OIC expressed its outrage at the “brutal Israeli massacre” that occurred in the Baptist Hospital within the Gaza Strip.
The OIC, which represents a 57-member bloc of Muslim nations, held the Israeli occupation responsible for the severe consequences of its actions, including what it deemed “terrorist practices and brutal attacks against the Palestinian people.”
The organization highlighted that these actions not only contradicted fundamental human values but also constituted a blatant violation of international humanitarian law.
In its statement, the OIC emphasized the urgent need for accountability and punishment for such instances of “organized state terrorism.” It called on the international community, particularly the United Nations Security Council, to swiftly intervene and put an end to the war crimes committed by the Israeli occupation in Gaza. The organization also called for the provision of international protection for the Palestinian people who have been caught in the crossfire.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Caretaker Foreign Minister, Jalil Abbas Jilani, has strongly condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza and called for an immediate ceasefire, along with the lifting of the siege of Gaza. He expressed his concerns during an urgent open-ended Ministerial Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held in Jeddah, which was co-convened by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Foreign Minister Jilani denounced the Israeli aggression and the humanitarian blockade of Gaza, which have led to death, destruction, and displacement. He stressed that Israel’s actions are in clear violation of international humanitarian and human rights law, constituting war crimes and crimes against humanity. He called on the international community to hold Israel accountable for these crimes.
Jalil Abbas Jilani also highlighted the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire, the prevention of forced evacuations of Palestinians from their homes, and the establishment of humanitarian corridors to ensure the safe and unrestricted delivery of humanitarian and relief supplies to Gaza.
The foreign minister pointed out that the root cause of the recent conflict lies in the non-implementation of the two-state solution. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination, advocating for the establishment of a viable, secure, contiguous, and sovereign state of Palestine based on the pre-June 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Meanwhile, the United States exercized its veto power in the United Nations Security Council, blocking a resolution, drafted by Brazil, that called for humanitarian pauses in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian Hamas militants. The intended purpose of these pauses was to enable the delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
Despite extensive discussions and two previous delays, the US remained determined to secure aid access to Gaza through diplomatic efforts. The vote saw twelve members of the Security Council voting in favor of the draft resolution, while both Russia and Britain abstained from the vote.
US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, emphasized the importance of diplomacy in the region. She stated, “We are on the ground doing the hard work of diplomacy. We believe we need to let that diplomacy play out.” She highlighted the significance of actions aligning with facts on the ground and supporting direct diplomatic initiatives to save lives.
Traditionally, Washington has used its veto power to shield its ally, Israel, from Security Council actions. This was another instance of that practice.
Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia criticized the US veto, pointing to what he perceived as hypocrisy and double standards. A Russian-proposed resolution seeking a humanitarian ceasefire also failed to pass earlier.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres joined the call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to facilitate the release of hostages and humanitarian aid access to Gaza.
Russia has requested an emergency special session of the 193-member UN General Assembly to discuss the conflict. Unlike the Security Council, the General Assembly does not have veto-wielding members. Although its resolutions are non-binding, they carry political significance.
UN Middle East peace envoy Tor Wennesland expressed deep concern about the situation, stating that there is a very real and extremely dangerous risk of the conflict expanding. He warned of a potential shift in the trajectory of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the broader Middle East.
China’s UN Ambassador Zhang Jun criticized the US for leading other council members to believe the resolution was likely to be adopted, only to exercise a veto. He described the situation as “unbelievable.”
The US Ambassador reiterated their disappointment that the draft resolution failed to address Israel’s rights of self-defense and placed blame on Hamas for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The focus of international diplomacy remains on achieving a humanitarian pause near the Rafah border crossing to facilitate aid delivery.
UN aid chief Martin Griffiths emphasized the urgent need for a mechanism agreed upon by all relevant parties to ensure the regular provision of emergency necessities throughout Gaza.
Iran’s Ambassador to a UN, Reza Amiri Moghadam, has criticized the United States’ use of its political veto power at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), claiming that it is employing the UNSC as a tool for its political objectives. Ambassador Moghadam voiced concerns over the US’s unwavering support for Israel and its obstruction of a “ceasefire for humanitarian goals” in Gaza and Palestine.
In a statement on a social media platform, Ambassador Moghadam asserted that the US’s actions highlight the inefficiency of the United Nations in upholding international law, human rights, and humanitarian rights. He questioned the UN’s role in such circumstances and whether more innocent lives must be lost before it takes appropriate action.
He emphasized that the US’s veto at the UNSC effectively gives Israel the green light to continue its actions in Gaza, which he referred to as a genocide. Ambassador Moghadam called for Israeli war criminals to be brought before the International Court of Justice to ensure justice for the innocent Palestinian people. He urged the Muslim world not to wait for further loss of life but to take action.
ISLAMABAD: In an apparent change of plan, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif is expected to land at Islamabad International Airport instead of Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport, as per legal sources in the party familiar with the development.
The former prime minister will likely land in Islamabad instead of Lahore and subsequently appear before the Islamabad High Court (IHC). Consultations regarding Nawaz’s arrival in Islamabad are final, they said.
The sources said Nawaz will land in Islamabad on FlyDubai flight FZ-4525 AT 1pm.
“The appeals {in cases} are pending in IHC where Nawaz Sharif would surrender and plead suspension of sentence in IHC,” the legal team sources claimed.
Meanwhile, the PML-N has cancelled an event it had planned to launch an anthem regarding the return of party supremo Nawaz Sharif.
The event has been cancelled in view of Israel’s gruesome rocket attack on a Gaza hospital that killed more than 500 people.
PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif was scheduled to launch the new party anthem.
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) sought permission from the deputy commissioner of Islamabad to hold a “peaceful” public gathering here in front of National Press Club on upcoming Friday (October 13) to express solidarity with the war-ravaged and besieged Palestinians.
PTI General Secretary Islamabad Region Tanveer Qazi filed an application with the district administration seeking a no-objection certificate (NoC) to organize a gathering in the federal capital to show support for the embattled Palestinians.
“I want to intimate that the PTI has decided to organize a peaceful public gathering to show solidarity and support with the people of Palestine on Friday, October 13,” reads the application.
It was said that the peaceful public gathering would be held in front of Islamabad Press Club.
A large number of the general public including women are expected to participate in the scheduled gathering against Israeli aggression to express support and solidarity with Palestine, he added.
“Therefore, I request you to grant NoC and also undertake necessary measures in terms of provision of venue, specialized security along with other related required steps,” PTI general secretary demanded.
The PTI Core Committee, in its meeting, held earlier this week, had decided to mark Friday as a ‘Palestine Solidarity Day’ across the country so as to highlight the “state terrorism and atrocities unleashed by the occupying Israeli forces on the innocent and oppressed people of Palestine before the world.”
RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan Rangers troops deployed along the international border with India have apprehended six Indian nationals inside Pakistani territory between July 29 and August 3, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
According to the statement, the Indians were trying to smuggle “narcotics, weapons and ammunition” into Pakistan.
“It shows likely complicity of BSF troops in narco and weapons smuggling,” the ISPR said. “In addition, it is also surprising that Indian BSF troops have so far failed to report six missing citizens.”
Four of these smugglers, the ISPR said, belong to the Indian Ferozpur, namely Gurmeej, son of Guldeep Singh, Shinder Singh son of Bhora Singh, Juginder Singh son of Thakur Singh and Vishal son of Jagga. Rattan Pal Singh belongs to Jalandhar and Garvender Singh belongs to Ludhiana.
“These Indian smugglers will be dealt [with] as per law of the land for illegally entering into Pakistan and indulging in nefarious activities,” the ISPR said.
The military’s media wing added that the security forces of Pakistan “will continue to maintain vigil and expect that Indian BSF will act professionally and sever their ties with smuggling rackets operating from their territory”.
The Indian army violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) for the second time in as many months. According to the ISPR, Indian troops martyred a villager in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) while he was working in his field.
The ISPR had said the attack was “blatant Indian aggression” and in clear violation of the existing ceasefire understandings.
“Pakistan desires peace and tranquility at its borders, however, all necessary measures will be taken to protect the life and property of our citizens,” the military’s media wing added.
“Any misadventure against the people of Pakistan will be befittingly responded at the time and place of our choosing.”
The latest ceasefire violation by the Indian army was condemned in the strongest terms by political leaders in Azad Kashmir.
RAWALPINDI: Six Pakistani soldiers were martyred in an exchange of fire with terrorists in a northwestern region near the border with Afghanistan, the Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement issued here.
It was not clear which group was involved in the exchange of fire which also killed four militants, and there was no immediate claim of responsibility.
“During an intense exchange of fire, six brave soldiers, having fought gallantly, embraced martyrdom,” army media wing said, adding that the incident took place in the district of North Waziristan.
Two terrorists were injured in exchange of fire, ISPR said.
ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Noorul Amin Mengal along with Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari and Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Director General Farzana Altaf Shah visited Islamabad’s posh commercial centre, F-6 Markaz, and launched a tree plantation drive from markets by planting a sapling in the supermarket.
F-6 Markaz Traders Welfare Association President Shahzad Shabbir Abbasi, Secretary General Aqib Abbasi, Khalid Chaudhry, Saifur Rahman Khan, Akhtar Abbasi, Malik Shabbir Awan, Imtiaz Abbasi and others were also present on the occasion.
The CDA chairman took a round of the market along with Chamber President Bakhtawari, EPA DG Farzana and representatives of the traders association and reviewed the ongoing development works.
He issued instructions to the CDA officials to speed up the ongoing works and to advance other works as well. Speaking on the occasion, he said the development work will be reviewed by visiting other markets soon.
He also announced on the occasion that the Zero Point Bridge would be handed over to ICCI for its decoration and beautification. He directed the CDA’s director environment to carry out the plantation drive in the markets in collaboration with ICCI while he would visit the markets.
Speaking on the occasion, ICCI President Bakhtawari said the chamber had earlier planted thousands of saplings in Islamabad in collaboration with CDA and this year too, the ICCI in cooperation with CDA and concerned market associations, would carry out the plantation drive in the markets to make Islamabad greener and promote a healthy environment.
He said along with planting new trees, a strategy should be made for proper maintenance of old trees so that they can be kept safe. He said to determine the age of old trees in Islamabad, tags should be placed on them and special arrangements should be made for their proper maintenance so that they can be preserved for a long time.
He said only 10 to 15 per cent of the saplings survive while the rest are lost, so special attention should be paid to the care of the saplings. He urged the representatives of the market associations to fully cooperate with CDA in the plantation drive to make Islamabad more beautiful.
The EPA DG said there is a need to plant more trees to protect the cities from the harmful effects of climate change and it is commendable that the ICCI is promoting the tree plantation drive in the markets in collaboration with CDA and trade associations, which will make the environment of Islamabad healthier.
The Supermarket Association president assured of full cooperation to make the plantation drive successful.
He stressed that there is a need to replace the old sewage lines in the markets as the old lines are no longer able to bear the load due to the increase in population and often get blocked.
