Two army pilots martyred in helicopter crashes in Siachen: ISPR

December 6, 2021

RAWALPINDI: Two pilots embraced martyrdom after a Pakistan Army aviation helicopter crashed at Siachen in Gilgit-Baltistan‘s (GB) Ghanche district, according to a statement issued by the military’s media affairs wing on Monday.

The martyred pilots were Major Irfan Bercha and Major Raja Zeeshan Jahanzeb, the Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) said, adding that search and rescue helicopters and army troops had reached the site of the accident following the crash.

The ISPR did not give a reason for the accident.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister of Gilgit Baltistan, Khalid Khurshid Khan issued a statement, expressing grief over the incident and extending his condolences to the families of the martyred pilots.

Later, PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz also expressed sorrow over the incident in a tweet.

“I and the [entire] nation salute the brave sons of the country,” she said, referring to the martyred pilots.

Meanwhile, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif tweeted: “It deeply pains me to learn about the martyrdom of two officers of the Pakistan Army in a chopper crash in Siachen. The nation remains in eternal debt to our brave soldiers whose sacrifices ensure our safety and future.”

Two similar incidents of aircraft crashes were reported in August this year. However, no loss of life was reported following either of the incidents.

The first incident had taken place near Attock in Punjab when a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter trainer aircraft had crashed during a routine training mission on August 6.

According to a statement issued by a PAF spokesperson at the time, both the pilots had ejected from the jet successfully and no loss of life or property was reported on the ground.

Few days later on August 12, a Mushshak aircraft had crash-landed in the fields of Chammala village near Jhelum due to a technical failure and both the pilots inside the aircraft had received minor injuries.

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Web portal containing anti-tobacco information launched

Our Correspondent

December 6, 2021

ISLAMABAD: Working to make Pakistan tobacco free, Chromatic has announced the launch of a consolidated web portal for all anti-tobacco campaigns related information.

The website serves as a collective portal having all relevant information about the campaign, its progress, research and policy regarding it, says a press statement.

The website www.PakistanPact.com reflects not just Chromatic’s work, but also the ethos of anti-tobacco activism in the country.

The website conveys information to get better understanding of growing tobacco issues in the country. The platform is geared around more actionable information regarding tobacco control policies and the menace of smoking.

One of its kind; the website serves as a national portal and a go to place for any journalist, policy maker, or anyone who is looking for information on tobacco control.

This will greatly help in consolidating every one’s effort in a single place which can be transparent and accessible for each and every citizen of the country.

The website will also serve as national representation tool to help international community understand how seriously determined Pakistan and its people are for not only to have strengthened tobacco control in future but also to have effective policies and strategies that can portray healthier image of Pakistan in the global sphere.

Chief Executive Officer of Chromatic Shariq Khan, speaking at the launch event of the website said that the platform represents first step towards a much more ambitious advocacy work around anti-tobacco initiatives and to promote Chromatic’s vision for revolutionizing digital technology to fight growing tobacco menace in the country.

“Keeping in view of the increasing sale of tobacco and its effects on human health and social consequences, it was the need of the hour that an exclusive and consolidated portal must be lunched that not only gives authentic tobacco information but also gives an insight of the issue through researches, studies and creative content that is stimulating for the audiences, enriching and enlightening for other activists working on tobacco control, and ultimately giving an opportunity for policymakers to delve into and improve policies and law for better future of the country, ” Shariq added.

Representative of Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, Ms. Sophia Mansoori said according to research reports, the tobacco use in Pakistan has become lethal as everyday 1200 children (age between 12 to 15) start smoking which is disastrous sign for the youth. She said high cigarette prices and applying strict rules regarding its point of sale can help in discouraging use of tobacco in Pakistan.

Former head of the Tobacco Control Cell Pakistan Dr. Ziauddin Islam said that the tobacco industry continues its attempts to obstruct effective measures, either through cultivating direct relationships with government officials or resorting to legal mechanisms to intimidate governments.

Dr. Zia said the government should also take concrete steps to thwart the influence of tobacco lobby over the officials, so that taxes on the product should be increased significantly.

Meanwhile, during question and answer session media persons were explained about newly launched website in detail and their queries were answered about understanding of tobacco industry’s tactics to influence the government for their monetary gains by misleading government into overestimating the share of illicit market, in order to evade legitimate taxes.

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Pakistan sees rise in gender-based violence during COVID-19

Our Correspondent

December 6, 2021

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has seen a sharp increase in the cases of gender-based violence during the COVID-19 pandemic, recent studies have shown more than 2,297 cases of gender-based violence were reported across the country during 2020.

2020 bi-annual report of Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO), the Tracking Numbers State of Violence Against Women and Children revealed 158 cases of domestic violence were reported during the initial months of 2020, with Punjab as the worst-affected region followed by Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A total of nine cases of violence against women in January increased to 165 cases in June 2020.

Another SSDO report from January-June 2021 revealed 325 cases of violence against women were registered in the first half of 2021 in Punjab, however, only 158 were reported by media. Similarly, 58 out of 346 cases were reported by media in Sindh — which is a huge contrast between official numbers and the numbers reported by media.

Gender-based violence is a global pandemic that has affected one in three women in their lifetime. According to the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Gender Gap Report 2021, Pakistan ranks at 153 out of 156 countries on gender inequality, standing seventh among eight countries in South Asia, only better than Afghanistan. Gender inequality, patriarchal norms and abuse of power that have risen dangerously over the past few years are the main causes of gender-based violence.

Addressing a symposium on Gender-Based Violence titled “Women as Drivers of Change” at Kinnaird College for Women Lahore, Economic Policy Analyst at UNDP Punjab, Maheen Rashid said gender equity is at the heart of the SDG agenda which is a crucial goal of the Sustainable Development Agenda.

“If you invest in the education and health of women, it will not only help women with their due rights but will have positive effects on the society as women not only lift themselves but they also lift societies”, she said.

Speaking on the occasion, the founder of The Current, Mariam Chaudhry also added that there is a huge demand for ‘masala content’ in Pakistani media which reflects what our society is teaching us and thus aggravating violence against women in Pakistan.

It is evident that increasing cases of violence against women in Pakistan have further marginalised women in Pakistan and there is a dire need to provide safe spaces for women to operate in.

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PDM vows to start ‘Mehangai March’ on Pakistan Day

Nuzhat Aftab

December 6, 2021

ISLAMABAD: Opposition parties alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) on Monday announced to hold ‘anti-inflation march’ (Mehangai March) on March 23rd to protest against against ever increasing inflation and government’s failure to tackle issues confronting the country.

The day is marked as Pakistan Day to commemorate passing of resolution by Muslim League in 1940 to carve out a new country from undivided India.

PDM President Maulana Fazlur Rehman, addressing a press conference after a summit of the party chiefs of the multi-party opposition alliance, said: “People from across the country will gather in Islamabad. A huge protest will be held in the [capital] against inflation.”

PDM’s provincial chapters will hold meetings to prepare for the march, he added.

In Punjab, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif will call a meeting, Fazl will hold a meeting in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) President Mahmood Khan Achakzai in Balochistan, while JUI-P President Shah Owais Noorani will hold a meeting in Sindh.

“A seminar will also be held. But before that, I will meet the lawyers’ committee, Supreme Court Bar Association, Pakistan Bar Council, and hold consultations,” he said.

The PDM chief said the seminar’s date will be finalised after consultations not only with lawyers but civil society, business, and other communities as well so that they can be taken into confidence over the alliance’s motives.

Fazl said that the alliance had a “unanimous policy” over the resignations of lawmakers from assemblies, but PDM would decide when is the right time to “use this card”.

Responding to a question about the date of the protest, he said: “We are also a part of the nation. The nation owns the state, and Islamabad is the place to resolve commoners’ problem.”

“Frist see what happens on March 23 and then wait and watch,” he said when asked whether the march would be held for a day or would it continue over a prolonged period.

To a reporter’s question on boycotting from the assemblies’ sessions and seeking PPP and ANP’s help, Fazl said matters which are highlighted in the media might not necessarily be discussed in PDM’s meetings.

All the meeting’s participants have condemned the Sialkot incident, noting that no card allows anyone to resort to violence and take the law into their hands.

“Such incidents should be curbed, and it cannot be appreciated in any manner,” he added.

A Sri Lankan national and a manager at a factory in Sialkot, Diyawadanage Don Nandasri Priyantha, was lynched by hundreds of people, including workers from the factory on Friday.

Reiterating that the 2018 general elections were “rigged”, the PDM chief said that as a result of those polls, a government was formed without the “mandate of the people.”

“A government which came into existence through rigging […] is facing failure, but the people are bearing the brunt of it in the form of inflation, poverty, unemployment, and restlessness,” he said.

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Coronavirus Pandemic: Pakistan reports 10 more deaths, 336 infections in 24 hours

Ishfaqullah Shawl

December 6, 2021

ISLAMABAD: Coronavirus epidemic is gradually showing downward trend in Pakistan as it reported 10 more deaths and 336 people were tested positive to deadly virus during last 24 hours.

According to the latest figures appeared on National Coronavirus Dashboard of the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) during last 24 hours authorities have confirmed 336 new positive case of the COVID-19 that took the infections overall tally to 1,287,161.

As far the fatalities by the Coronavirus are concerned Pakistan have seen 10 more deaths that took the tally of fatalities to 28,777 on Monday morning.

According to Province-wise figures of the NCOC Punjab remains the worst-hit province in terms of deaths followed by Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The overall tally of the deaths recorded all over country was 28,777 out of which 13,041 individuals have lost their lives to the epidemic in Punjab, 7,626 in Sindh 5,862 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 960 in Islamabad, 742 in Azad Kashmir, 360 in Balochistan, and 186 in Gilgit-Baltistan.

The overall toll of positive cases across Pakistan was 1,287,161 out of which 476,830 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Sindh, 443,519 in Punjab 180,383 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 107,930 in Islamabad, 34,579 in Azad Kashmir 33,507 in Balochistan and 10,413 in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Pakistan has so far conducted 22,252,342 coronavirus tests and 42,944 in the last 24 hours. 1,246,464 patients have recovered in the country whereas 862 patients are in critical condition.

The COVID-19 positivity ratio was recorded at 0.78 per cent.

So far, 81,076,341 people have received their first dose of coronavirus vaccine including 296,563 in last 24 hours. 51,163,078 citizens have been fully vaccinated while 427,334 received their second dose in last 24 hours.

The number of total administered doses has reached to 124,760,553 with 706,253 in the last 24 hours.

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Lahore to host PSL seventh edition final on February 27

Palwasha Mustafa

December 6, 2021

LAHORE: The seventh edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) will kick off on January 27, 2022, with the draft slated for next Sunday (December 12). The league has been pushed forward by about a month to make room for Australia’s upcoming tour in March-April.

With the curtain raiser between defending champions Multan Sultans and 2020 winners Karachi Kings, the first 15 games of the season will take place in Karachi from January 27 to February 9, and the last 19 in Lahore including the final on February 27.

The draft will also see player categories rejigged for Mohammad Rizwan, who led Multan Sultans to the title last year, Islamabad United batter Asif Ali and Lahore Qalandars bowler Haris Rauf, who are all now in Platinum bracket.

Each of the six sides come to the draft with a maximum of eight retentions from the last tournament. Following the finalisation of player categories, the transfer and retention window closes on December 10.

“I am delighted that the HBL PSL 7 schedule has been announced,” said Ramiz Raja, the PCB chairman. “This will now get the ball rolling with teams planning and finalising their line-ups and the PCB increasing the pace of the operational delivery to ensure they provide quality playing facilities for the players as well as five-star experience to the fans and our valued commercial partners.

“The HBL PSL 7 will also kick start what will be a bumper year for Pakistan cricket with the Australia men’s cricket team to play a full series in March-April with England men’s cricket side to tour Pakistan twice for white-ball and red ball cricket.”

Among other changes, the schedule has been drawn up to ensure all teams get equal games in Karachi and Lahore – the only two venues picked as hosts this edition – and likewise, equal number of games under lights.

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Book titled ‘Kuch Yadein, Kuch Nazmein’ launched

Our Correspondent

December 1, 2021

ISLAMABAD: The launching ceremony of ‘Kuch Yaadein, Kuch Nazmein’, a book comprising tributes by his friends and scholars and carrying the unpublished poems of late Ashfaq Saleem Mirza (1944-2020), was held in Islamabad. Ashfaq Saleem Mirza was a philosopher, thinker, critic, poet and translator.

The ceremony was attended by Mirza’s friends, colleagues, members of family, and readers of his works. The session was moderated by Saqib Siddique.

Mustansar Javed, a noted journalist and a close friend, recollected his memories of his time with Ashfaq Saleem Mirza in Lahore and Islamabad.

He said Ashfaq Salim Mirza was a seeker after the truth and concerned with leading a moral and principled life from the beginning. He was always interested in philosophy and wanted to write texts in philosophy, which he consistently did over the decades.

Renowned historian, Dr. Mubarak Ali said Ashfaq Saleem Mirza’s books were meticulously researched and thoroughly edited. “Mirza Sahib consulted original sources and discussed the lives of philosophers in a fresh and engaging manner. His translations were equally impressive and brought to Urdu readers the works of classical writers”, he added.

He said as a friend Ashfaq Sahib was always at hand to explain, in accessible terms, arcane philosophical terms.

Dr. Ravish Nadeem said Ashfaq Saleem Mirza was remarkably consistent as a thinker and a writer. Beauty was important to him and he saw aesthetics as the force permeating every sphere of life.

Dr. Sanober Altaf said Ashfaq Saleem Mirza was a polite and kind human being. He harbored prejudice against no one.

Dr. Noor Fatima said she met Ashfaq Saleem Mirza in 2002 when her association with Islamabad Cultural Forum began. His talent was multi-dimensional. His messaged were clear and took clearly articulated positions. Ashfaq Saleem Mirza was a humble person and never sought recognition from any forum or authorities.

Khayyam Mushir, son of a close friend of Ashfaq Sahib, Mushir Anwar, said he used to hold riveting discussions with him on philosophy.

Dr. Naazir Mahmood, a writer and social scientist, recounted his and his family’s association with Ashfaq Saleem Mirza. He said he felt welcomed when he moved to Islamabad in the mid-2000s and warmly received by Ashfaq Sab.

Harris Khalique, Secretary General HRCP and a poet, regarded Ashfaq Saleem Mirza as a romantic philosopher for whom it was natural to write poetry as well.

Poet Kishwar Naheed said Ashfaq Saleem Mirza’s death has left a void in our lives as well in culture. Ashfaq Saleem Mirza was a writer and an artist who also remained a part of the struggle for the democratic rights of the people of the country.

Famous novelist Mustansar Hussain Tarar paid tribute to Ashfaq Saleem Mirza in a recorded video message.

In the end, Yaser Ashfaq thanked the audience and said concluding words. He said his father was an ardent advocate of objectivity and advised against idol worship.

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ITP’s campaign in full swing to check violations of traffic rules

Our Correspondent

November 29, 2021

ISLAMABAD: The campaign of Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) launched to check major violations on roads and ensure safe road environment and traffic discipline in the city is in full swing.

Following directions of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Qazi Jamil ur Rehman Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Muhammad Umar Khan has constituted special squads to check major violation on various roads and ensure smooth flow of traffic in the city.

During this campaign, 64,754 motorcyclists were issued fine tickets over various violations while 51,521 others were fined for not using helmets during ride on bikes. Moreover, 495 motorcyclists were fined over lane violation,1500 for not having number plates, 1701 for violating one-way and 12 for involvement in one-wheeling. As many as 2862 bikes were also impounded at various police stations.

Police spokesman said that special campaign is underway to check violations while various teams headed by Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Muhammad Umar Khan are performing duties at main roads of the city and taking action against the violators.

SSP Traffic has said that strict action would be taken during campaign against those involved in violation of traffic rules. He said that the purpose of this campaign is to ensure better traffic discipline through cooperation of citizens and create traffic sense among them.

The force issues traffic violation tickets not as a punitive measure but the purpose is to ensure safe road environment in the Capital and secure the lives of the people, the SSP (Traffic) added.

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UK Premier’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan arrives on three day visit

Our Correspondent

November 24, 2021

ISLAMABAD: The UK Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Nigel Casey, reached Pakistan on a three-day visit to Islamabad and Karachi.

Nigel Casey held meetings with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf, Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood, and Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Muhammad Sadiq to cover matters related to Afghanistan.

He discussed the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, for which the UK has already pledged £50m of funding for 2.5m Afghans, most of them women and girls, drawn from the UK’s £286 million aid commitment to Afghanistan this year.

Nigel also discussed areas of mutual concern, including inclusive politics, women’s rights, and the security situation.

In addition to his discussions on Afghanistan, the Special Representative will meet business leaders in Karachi to discuss trade opportunities between the UK and Pakistan.

The UK and Pakistan share strong business and people-to-people ties which are bolstered by the 1.6 million Pakistani diaspora in the UK.

The Special Representative Nigel Casey said UK has doubled its humanitarian and development aid to Afghanistan, which will provide urgent life-saving assistance to millions of people suffering from the conflict, drought and COVID-19.

This takes the total UK aid to Afghanistan this year to £286 million, one of our largest bilateral program. It means the UK’s total aid contribution to the country since 2001 is now around £3.5 billion, he added.

The new funding will build on previous support to Afghanistan which has already helped almost 10 million more children go to school compared with 2001, helped to reduce maternal mortality by more than 42%, and helped to clear more than 8 million landmines and other unexploded munitions.

“I am grateful to Pakistan for support to our efforts to evacuate at-risk Afghans affiliated to the UK from Afghanistan, Nigel Casey said, adding that the UK is committed to doing everything it can to ensure stability in Afghanistan, and our policy is one of pragmatic engagement. “We will continue to work together with Pakistan on matters of shared concern, including providing humanitarian support to the people of Afghanistan and to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a place where terrorism flourishes”, he added.

This is the third UK high-level visit to Pakistan in three months, after the then Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab came in September and the visit of the UK Home Office’s Permanent Secretary Matthew Rycroft last week. The Minister of State for South Asia and the Commonwealth Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon also visited Pakistan in June this year. HRH Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales, spoke to Prime Minister Imran Khan on the telephone last month.

Nigel Casey was appointed as the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan in May 2021. He was previously the British High Commissioner to South Africa from April 2017 to May 2021. He was the Prime Minister’s Private Secretary for Foreign Affairs from 2014-2016 and British Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina from 2011 to 2014.

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KIIR condemns arrest of prominent rights activist Khurram Pervaiz

Tanzeel Ahmed

November 23, 2021

ISLAMABAD: Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR) strongly condemned the illegal arrest of renowned Kashmiri human rights activist Khurram Pervaiz by India’s notorious National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Chairman KIIR, Altaf Hussain Wani on Tuesday took strong exception to the arrest of Khurram Pervaiz by NIA and termed it as the latest flagrant violation of international law and basic human rights.

“KIIR strongly condemns the ongoing persecution and reprisals by the Indian occupation authorities against civil society and human rights defenders, who played key role in highlighting the rights situation in the region in the aftermath of 5th August 2019 when the valley was turned into an information black-hole for the outer world”, Wani said, adding that Khurram has been one of those leading voices who refused to succumb under pressure tactics, risked their lives and tore into shreds India’s false and fabricated normalcy narrative on Kashmir by bringing to the fore the on-ground-realities in Kashmir.

The Indian occupation authorities, he said, have responded to the expression of dissent and the exercise of the rights to freedom of expression with arbitrary arrests, intimidation, and a campaign of misinformation aimed at discrediting the work of Kashmiri rights activists.

“Khurram Pervaiz is being victimized for his work and standing up for the rights of his own people, calling spade a spade and speaking truth to the power”, Wani said, adding the he has been under fire over the role he played in exposing India’s dodgy and destructive role in Kashmir.

Expressing his serious concern about the safety and security of Pervaiz, Wani said that the recent raids on the residence and office of the high-profile rights activist (Pervaiz) and his subsequent arrest was part of the Indian government’s nefarious game plan to enable complete silence on Kashmir.

Demanding urgent release of Khurram Pervaiz and other rights activists he said that it was high time the world human rights watchdogs should take effective cognizance of his unjustified and unwarranted arrest and play their due role in his early release.

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