Greece pledges 5-year visa for Pakistani travelers

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February 7, 2022

ISLAMABAD: A gateway to Western Europe, Greece has pledged to issue a 5-year visa under a new immigration policy for Pakistani travelers allowing them nine months stay in a year.

The Greek federal minister for migration and asylum, Notis Mitarachi on Monday called on Advisor to the premier of Pakistan on overseas affairs Ayyub Afridi at his office and discussed ways to promote legal migration channels for Pakistani travelers.

Greece is determined to introduce a new settlement policy for the ongoing year 2022 for legal channels of immigration from Pakistan.

He said that Greece has put strict border control and decreased illegal immigration in the past two years.

The goal of the new policy will be to provide visas for 5 years; each year the emigrant can stay in Greece for 9 months and spend the rest back home.

The three major objectives of the policy included: the issuance of new visas through legal channels, the legalization of illegal immigrants, and eradication of smuggling and illegal migration.

He also assured that legal migration will increase revenues for Pakistan and will promote Pakistan International Airlines’ direct flights to Greece.

The Greek minister stated that his country has more than 60,000 registered and unregistered Pakistanis and both countries have a long history of emigration.

Greece has had immigrants from within Europe too, like Ukraine, Albania, and Turkey.

Unfortunately, Greece and Pakistan didn’t have strong communication regarding migration in the past and, therefore, Pakistanis in Greece have been suffering.

The Advisor to the prime minister, Ayyub Afridi told the guest minister that Pakistan is making a database to provide countries with specialized human resource according to their demand.

The Advisor to PM said that smuggling and human trafficking also promote terror financing and money laundering, which Pakistan is striving to eradicate. He also conveyed to the Greek Minister the tourist potential in Pakistan and said that the country is ready to host Greek tourists.

The Greek minister said that it will be a good initiative for Pakistan to become a partner in migration by providing specialized human resources through legal channels.

He said that a successful migration policy is to ensure that these emigrants will one day come back to the country and bring back investment.

A Declaration of Intent was also signed between them to continue efforts for a firm migration policy to promote legal border crossing for Pakistani travelers.

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Saudi Interior Minister to reach Islamabad today

By

Tanzeel Ahmed

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February 7, 2022

ISLAMABAD: On a special invitation of Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdul Aziz bin Saud bin Naif will arrive Pakistan on a day-long visit today (Monday).

Saudi Interior Minister would meet key government and security officials during his day-long visit to Pakistan. The Saudi Interior Minister would also meet President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan.

He would also meet his Pakistani counterpart Sheikh Rashid Ahmed. Issues of regional situation, release of Pakistani prisoners in Saudi Arabia and other important matters would come under discussion during the meeting, it further said.

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Kashmiri leaders thank Pakistan for its all-out support to Kashmir cause

By

TNT Monitoring Desk

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February 5, 2022

SRINAGAR: On the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day, Kashmiri Hurriyat leaders while thanking the government and particularly the people of Pakistan for expressing complete solidarity with the struggling people of occupied Kashmir have said that a strong and stable Pakistan was guarantor to the success of Kashmiris’ freedom struggle.

In a joint statement issued here, Hurriyat leader Ch. Shaheen Iqbal, Hakeem Ab. Rasheed, Ershad Ahmed, Ghulam Nabi War and Shafiq-ur-Rehman expressed their sense of gratitude over Pakistan’s continued political, moral and diplomatic support to Kashmiris’ legitimate struggle for right to self-determination.

The observance of Kashmir day, they said, demonstrated Pakistan’s consistent policy, its unwavering commitment and allegiance towards the cause of Kashmir. “The people of Indian occupied Kashmir deeply appreciate this enduring support on the part of Pakistan that despite facing many daunting challenges never hesitated in advocating Kashmir cause at important world forums”, they said.

Lauding Pakistan’s role for championing the cause of Kashmir at world level they said that Pakistan has always played pivotal role in providing every possible support at regional and international level to the ongoing liberation struggle of the Kashmiri people.

Seeking peace, prosperity and economic stability for the people of Pakistan the Kashmiri leaders said a politically stable and economically strong Pakistan was guarantor to the success of Kashmiris’ freedom struggle

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Earthquake tremors felt in Islamabad, other parts of Pakistan

By

Tanzeel Ahmed

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February 5, 2022

ISLAMABAD: Federal Capital Islamabad and other parts of the country experienced tremors on Saturday as an earthquake of magnitude 5.9 struck the Hindukush region, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).

According to the PMD, the earthquake occurred at 04:16:09 UTC and had a depth of 210 kilometres with its epicentre in Afghanistan. Its longitude was 71.10 East and latitude was 35.63 North.

Tremors were felt in the federal capital and adjoining areas including Rawalpindi and Taxila, as well as Sargodha, Chiniot and Hafizabad. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Peshawar, Charsadda, Swat, Mardan and other areas also experienced tremors along with various districts of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, according to the report.

No injuries or damages have been reported yet.

Tremors were also felt in parts of India, according to local media reports.

On January 14, an earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale had jolted Islamabad and northern areas of the country.

Earlier in the month, an earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale had struck Pakistan’s northern areas on Jan 1.

No casualty or damage was reported in the two quakes.

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Islamabadites move towards Kitchen gardening for better living

By

Palwasha Mustafa

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January 31, 2022

ISLAMABAD: The trend of Kitchen gardening is increasing in Islamabad as the dwellers of Capital are taking a keen interest to grow fresh and nutritious vegetables, fruits, and spices (Condiments) on their terraces and rooftops.

Faiza Warraich, a housewife in Islamabad was of the view that she was no more worried about spending hundreds of rupees on daily meals.

She grew 12 to 15 vegetables and condiments at home which would help her run the kitchen easily throughout the year. “Three years ago, I did not know anything about kitchen gardening.

Then, I started watching videos on YouTube and now I am a master in kitchen gardening. We live in a 5 Marla house and have enough space on the roof to place 20 pots for gardening” she told.

Umer Naseer, 20 years old student told that he had a great interest in kitchen gardening since childhood and he used the home’s terrace for growing mint, onion, tomatoes, gourd, lemons, and cucumber.

“Homegrown vegetable items not only provide hygienic food to our family but also help us save thousands of rupees monthly” he added. Naaima Afzal Zaki, a working lady in Islamabad, told that she lived in a hostel and faced great difficulty with healthy food, but since she started to grow vegetables and fruits on her balcony, her problems had been solved.

“Plants of strawberry, cucumber, bitter gourd, lemon at balcony not only provide me an opportunity to make fresh juices but also add more beauty to my ambiance which provides fresh vibes to me every day” she expressed.

Zeeshan Mirza, a dweller of the I-8 sector, said he was overweight and the doctor suggested him to eat uncooked vegetables as much as he could. “I daily take turnip, carrot, icicle radish, lemon and mint in the salad which I grow in pots at my roof that really helps me to lose my weight” he added.

Program Leader Vegetables, Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) Dr. Ghulam Jellani, told that the coming spring season is ideal weather for kitchen gardening especially for the growth of daily home used items like onions, tomatoes, green chilies, bitter gourd, cucumber, and capsicum in pots.

“Always try to use clay pots and avoid using plastics pots for kitchen gardening as high temperature affects the roots of plants in summer” he added.

He said PARC always encouraged kitchen gardening in Pakistan and in this regard we provide training to different groups, farmers, individuals and distribute seedlings as well.

“If you are a home Gardner enthusiast and you know nothing about home gardening, come to PARC, we will train you and provide seedlings as well,” he said.

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AJK PM urges UN, OIC to send their fact finding missions to IIOJ&K

By

Our Correspondent

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January 24, 2022

JEDDAH: Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi has urged the United Nations and the OIC to send their fact finding missions to Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir to monitor the gruesome human rights violations being committed by the brute Indian forces in the territory.

He expressed these views during a meeting with Pakistan Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Lt Gen (Retd) Bilal Akbar in Jeddah.

The AJK Prime Minister said India is involved in genocide of Kashmiri people through fake military encounters in the held valley.

He said India has enforced black laws in the illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir in order to crush the freedom movement of Kashmiris for attaining their fundamental right to self-determination.

Abdul Qayyum Niazi lauded the role of Pakistan for advocating the right of Kashmiris, particularly Prime Minister Imran Khan for effectively projecting the Kashmir issue in its true perspective at international fora.

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Coronavirus Fifth Wave: Pakistan reports 7,195 cases, 8 deaths in 24 hours

By

Ishfaqullah Shawl

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January 24, 2022

ISLAMABAD: Coronavirus fifth wave has again caused havoc all over Pakistan as with eight new deaths country reported 7,195 new positive caused during last 24 hours by novel coronavirus.

According to the latest figures displayed on National Coronavirus Dashboard of the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) stated that 7,195 persons tested positive for COVID-19 across the country and eight new deaths were reported in the past 24 hours on Monday morning.

As per the figures of the NCOC 7,195 new positive cases were reported in the country which took the overall tally to 1,374,800. The nationwide tally of fatalities has jumped to 29,105, as during last 24 hours eight more people lost their lives to the deadly virus.

Giving the province wise data of the deadly disease the NCOC reported that Punjab remains the worst-hit province in terms of deaths followed by Sindh and coronavirus.

According to NCOC nation-wide toll of overall deaths jumped to 29,105 out of which 13,108 individuals have lost their lives to the epidemic in Punjab, 7,741 in Sindh 5,975 in coronavirus, 976 in Islamabad, 751 in Azad Kashmir, 367 in Balochistan, and 187 in Gilgit-Baltistan.

The NCOC data revealed that overall figure of the positive cases across Pakistan surged to 1,374,800, out of which 526,899 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Sindh, 464,431 in Punjab 185,340 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 118,292 in Islamabad, 35,400 in Azad Kashmir 33,941 in Balochistan and 10,497 in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Giving details pf the tests the NCOC stated that Pakistan has so far conducted 24,590,353 coronavirus tests and 57,401 in the last 24 hours. 1,269,078 patients have recovered in the country whereas 1,113 patients are in critical condition.

As per NCOC the positivity ratio of the coronavirus pandemic was recorded at 12.53 per cent on Monday morning.

Regarding the over vaccination the NCOC stated that so far, 102,975,552 people have received their first dose of coronavirus vaccine including 286,593 in last 24 hours. 78,860,543 citizens have been fully vaccinated while 470,601 received their second dose in last 24 hours.

The number of total administered doses was reported by NCOC has reached to 170,711,868 with 786,027 in the last 24 hours.

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PSL 2022: Lahore Qalandars unveil kit for upcoming edition

By

Qamar Malik

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January 22, 2022

LAHORE: Lahore Qalandars skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi launched the kit for the seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

The Qalandars have unveiled two new kits of light green and red colours. The green is for home, while the red one will be worn by players in away matches, as the tournament is scheduled to be played in Karachi and Lahore.

The seventh season of the country’s biggest cricket tournament will kick off on January 27 in Karachi and conclude a month after, in Lahore.

Newly-appointed captain Shaheen Shah Afridi unveiled the kits and said he was honoured to do it. “My team is preparing well and we will make it exciting, just wait and watch,” Afridi added.

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Alert issued after terror incidents in Lahore, Islamabad

By

Tanzeel Ahmed

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January 22, 2022

ISLAMABAD: The Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) have been directed to exercise “extreme vigilance” after the recent terror incidents in the country, a notification from the Ministry of Interior said Saturday.

The interior ministry, in the notification, asked the LEAs of all provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and Gilgit-Baltistan to take extra security measures to thwart any unforeseen incident.

“In view of recent terrorist attack in Anarkali Bazar, Lahore and threat posed by activities of anti-state elements, all provincial and special area governments/Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) are requested to exercise extreme vigilance and be on alert to deal with any untoward situation,” the notification said.

At least five people were killed and more than 25 injured in two different terror attacks in Lahore and Islamabad.

Three people died from Lahore’s Anarkali Bazaar blast, while the LEAs have arrested two facilitators from Ravi Road Friday morning and identified the terrorist involved in the gruesome incident, according to The News.

In Islamabad, a policeman was shot dead and two others were injured at a checkpoint during a gun battle with terrorists. The police also shot down two militants in the process.

“This was not an incident of dacoity or theft. Terrorists opened fire on them [police officials]. This is a signal for us that terror incidents have started taking place in Islamabad,” Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed had said on Tuesday.

A day back, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa had also reiterated the resolve of the Pakistan Army to fight against terrorism till the elimination of this mena

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New spell of rain, snowfall hits parts of country

By

Palwasha Mustafa

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January 22, 2022

ISLAMABAD: New spell of rain on Saturday has lashed different parts of the country including Lahore and Islamabad.

According to details, Bhakkar, Sangla Hill, Darya Khan, Pakpattan and other areas also received showers. Meanwhile, Rain emergency has been declared in Rawalpindi.

On the other hand, snowfall has also witnessed in Swat, Galyat, Murree, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and other hilly areas.

Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) stated that the current spell of rain and snowfall will continue for another two days.

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