Renewal of GSP Plus: EU expresses concerns over human rights, enforced disappearances

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September 9, 2021

ISLAMABAD: European Union’s Ambassador to Pakistan Androulla Kaminara said that the protection of human rights, press freedom and enforced disappearances in Pakistan were some of the union’s major concerns, while no official text related to the Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority (PMDA) was made available.

Addressing a news conference at the launching of the first ever EU-Pakistan Business Forum for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) in Islamabad, the ambassador said that the compliance report for gauging Islamabad’s progress on 27 United Nations conventions was currently under preparation, while the existing arrangement of GSP Plus (GSP +) for Pakistan and other countries was going to expire by the end of 2023.

“All recipient countries, including Pakistan, will have to apply for renewal of GSP Plus status beyond December 2023 as 27 conventions with addition of a few more form the eligibility criteria for its extension,” she added.

She said that Pakistan had ratified and signed 27 conventions prior to getting the GSP Plus back in 2014 and a compliance report was being released periodically, reviewing progress on the desired objectives. She said that the EU was implementing 100 million Euro grants for different sectors in Pakistan.

To a query about the possibility of extending GSP Plus beyond December 2023, she said it would entirely depend upon Pakistan’s progress in achieving the 27 UN conventions.

She said that Pakistan’s exports are going up by 7.5 billion Euros every year in the aftermath of GSP Plus, providing millions of jobs. The EU, she said, would prepare an objective compliance report that would be released soon, forming the basis for an extension of GSP Plus incentives for an extended period. She said the draft policy about extension of GSP Plus would be prepared by the European Commission but it was the domain of the EU Parliament to approve the new policy.

Earlier, during the conference, the DG EU told the participants that the EU would provide a window of 45 million Euro for SMEs in Pakistan till 2023. He said that Pakistan’s SME sector could replicate experiences of the EU markets on account of placing policy framework, access to finance and transfer of technology. The payment delays could prove an important issue for SMEs, he added.

According to a press statement issued by the EU office in Islamabad, the EU delegation launched the first ever EU-Pakistan Business Forum for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) in Islamabad on Wednesday. It was attended by representatives of local SMEs from Gems, Jewellery and Mining, Information Technology, Handicrafts and Fashion-wear as well as Travel and Tourism.

The initiative of the EU-Pakistan Business Forum provides opportunities for both EU and Pakistani businesses to work to become engines of development and partnership and contribute to enhancing bilateral trade.

During the first Islamabad session, the participants were apprised about how they could benefit from the European Union’s GSP Plus Scheme, which provides duty free access of two-thirds of tariff lines to the EU market with the rest on preferential duties.

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Woman commits suicide by jumping into river

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Our Correspondent

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September 7, 2021

BALAKOT: Disappointed over the domestic disputes, a woman committed suicide by jumping into River Kunhar near Kaghan Hospital in village Kaghan of tehsil Balakot.

According to details, 20-year-old Batool Bibi d/o Ghulab Shah, hailing from main Kaghan village was upset domestic quarrels. She ended her life by jumping down from suspension bridge into River Kunhar.

The rescue personnel was engaged in search for the body of the girl.

With input from INP

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Tragedy of Pakistan is separate rules for poor and rich: PM Imran Khan

By

Tanzeel Ahmed

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September 7, 2021

ISLAMABAD: The tragedy of Pakistan is that there have been separate sets of rules for the poor and rich, believes Prime Minister Imran Khan.

He expressed this belief during his speech at the groundbreaking of the Islamabad District Courts building today (Tuesday).

The prime minister spoke at length about the rule of law, speedy justice and development, highlighting where Pakistan went wrong.

We used to see Pakistan moving forward and then it started moving backwards, Prime Minister Imran Khan said, recalling that the country was moving towards development in the sixties, but then things gradually started going downhill.

Comparing Pakistan with other poor countries like India and Bangladesh, he said we were far behind and that these countries have taken the lead.

The premier blamed the lack of rule of law for the state Pakistan is in today. “We have been left behind due to lack of rule of law,” he said, highlighting that the powerful and influential segments of society always want to be above the law.

PM Imran Khan said former military ruler General (retired) Pervez Musharraf had no right to promulgate the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) under which cases against many politicians, political workers and bureaucrats were withdrawn.

“The biggest injustice Gen Musharraf did to the country was giving NRO,” the premier said, adding that Musharraf didn’t have a right to give NRO to the powerful because the looted money was not his but the nation’s.

“Only a society that upholds the rule of law is prosperous,” Prime Minister Imran Khan said.

The weak want justice and the strong want to be above justice, PM Imran Khan said, assuring to extend every possible cooperation to the judiciary in dispensing speedy and inexpensive justice to the common man.

The PM noted that supremacy of law is important to take forward to uplift the society.

The provision of justice to the masses is our priority, he said.

The premier said he was proud of being part of the 2007 lawyers’ movement which was aimed at strengthening democracy and ensuring rule of law.

He called it a “historic” struggle. The premier, however, regretted that the movement could not achieve its desired results.

Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Athar Minallah, in his remarks, appreciated the premier for the initiative of the Islamabad District Courts’ building, which aims to facilitate judges, lawyers and litigants. He said the district courts are the guarantor of the rights of weak segments of society.

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No more violence or extremism will be allowed in Pakistan: Army Chief

By

Nuzhat Aftab

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September 7, 2021

RAWALPINDI: Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has said that no person or group will be allowed “to blackmail the state on the basis of regionalism, linguistics, ideology or religion.”

“There is no room for any more violent behaviour or extremism in Pakistan,” he said.

On the occasion of Defence Day, a function was organised at the GHQ in Rawalpindi where President Arif Ali was the chief guest while all the three service chiefs and cabinet members were also present.

The President, along with the Army Chief, laid flowers at the Martyrs’ Memorial and offered Fateha.

Addressing the ceremony, Gen Bajwa said that the protection of the homeland is undoubtedly a sacred duty “which is dearer to us than life itself”.

“The sacrifices of our martyrs are an expression of the same spirit of love for our homeland,” he said. “Our elders lit the candle of freedom with their sacrifice, which faced severe trials from the beginning, be it 1948, September 1965, or the 1971 war, the Battle of Kargil or the long-running war on terror.”

He added: “During all these testing times, the Pakistani forces proved that they know how to defend the country under any situation and are ready to pay any price for it.”

The Army Chief assured the families of the martyrs that the sacrifices of their loved ones will “never be forgotten.”

“The purpose of today’s ceremony is to renew the promise that we will never forget our martyrs and it is our responsibility to look after their heirs.”

Bajwa maintained that the security and peace of this country “are dear to us under all circumstances”.

He said that the love for the homeland is beyond all personal groups formed on the basis of linguistic, ethnic and prejudices, adding “we will not shy away from any sacrifice for the security, development, and peace of Pakistan.”

Pakistan’s armed forces “are ready for any kind of internal and external threats.”

He added: “We have the capacity to fight conventional and non-conventional warfare, open and hidden enemies, if anybody wants to test us, they will find us ready at every moment and on every front.”

The Army Chief added that Pakistan’s enemies want to achieve their nefarious aims through unconventional tactics, including propaganda and misinformation.

“We all have to deal with the fact that some people are being used under the banner of anti-national elements, it is called hybrid or fifth-generation war, and its purpose is to hollow out the roots of Pakistan and damage the country’s integrity.”

He said that in the 21st century, “we must work on geo-economic priorities, regional integration and the acquisition of modern technology to promote people’s development, prosperity and regional cooperation, rather than the traditional negative thinking of geopolitics against each other.”

The COAS added: “I believe that education, health, infrastructure development, population control, and climate change should be our priorities.”

Speaking about the Afghanistan situation, the COAS said that “we are keeping a close watch on the situation in the region, especially after the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan, where the situation provides an opportunity for peace and stability, as it is a prelude to further threats and difficulties.”

Bajwa said that as it turns out, “we want the security and development of the Afghan people” and expect the major powers in the region and the world, including the United Nations, to play a positive role in bringing lasting peace to Afghanistan.

“We are not only aware of the devastation of the war and the resulting hardships and sufferings of our Afghan brothers, but we can also feel the pain,” he said, adding that Pakistan wants the Afghan leadership to resolve all issues through understanding and bring peace and prosperity to the Afghan people.

“We also expect a stable and representative government in Afghanistan, respect for human rights, including women’s rights, and no use of Afghan soil against any other country, Bajwa maintained.

“At the same time, we expect that the world will not leave the Afghan nation alone in this difficult time, nor will it allow the country to fall victim to any humanitarian crisis. In this regard, Pakistan is ready to cooperate with every country in the world,” the Army Chief maintained.

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Veteran Kashmiri leader Sheikh Tajamul Islam is no more

By

Ishfaqullah Shawl

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September 6, 2021

Sheikh-Tajamul-Islam - The News Today - TNT

ISLAMABAD: Sheikh Tajamul Islam, veteran leader of freedom struggle and among pioneers of Kashmir indigenous freedom movement has passed away in Islamabad on Monday morning after brief ailment.

Sheikh Tajamul Islam was 67 and was buried in Islamabad with wet eyes of his companions and Kashmiri from around the capital of Pakistan.

Sheikh Tajamul Islam was admitted on a hospital in Islamabad for around a month. He is survived by his widow and daughter. Sheikh had done his LLB and masters in Urdu from the University of Kashmir.

Sheikh Tajamul Islam was chief of Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba Kashmir from 1979 to 1984 and was forced by Indian occupational forces to migrate after Jamiat was banned for arranging an Islamic Conference on Kashmir and Jamiat’s patron organization Jamat e Islami withdraw its support to Jamiat once its student body and its chief Sheikh Tajamul Islam was left alone and forced to migrate.

Later Sheikh Tajamul Islam migrated to this part of the Line of Control (LoC) when Kashmiri youth raised arms against illegal Indian occupation.

Sheikh Tajamul Islam, was a fiery orator who had organized the students of Kashmir under the Jamiat plat form during the early eighties. He was among top leaders of Kashmir freedom struggle.

Though the Jamiat Talaba, was initially patronized by Jamat e Islami as its student’s organization, but later Jamiat snapped all ties with its parent organization over sharp differences in politics. It was quickly banned by the Jammu and Kashmir government after Sheikh said his party wants to emulate the Iranian revolution. Despite giving support to Sheikh Tajamul Islam and his struggle, Jamaat e Islami to avoid Indian pressure created a new group to organize its students under the new name of ‘Shouba e Tulba’, let by Peer Muhammad Yousuf Shah now called as Syed Salahuddin, the supreme Commander of Hizbul Mujahideen.

Sheikh Tajamul, a resident of Batamallo Srinagar, was living in Pakistan and was a senior executive of Kashmir Media Service.

After his migration to Pakistan, Sheikh Tajamul Islam worked with news Section of PTV from 1998 to 1999. He headed the Institute of Kashmir Affairs from 1992 to 2000. Later, he joined Kashmir Media Service as Executive Director in 1999 and remained associated with it till his last breath. He was also Chief Editor of Kashmir Insight magazine..

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Four die of electrocution as heavy rains lash Karachi

By

Sameena Umar

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September 4, 2021

KARACHI: Different areas of the port city continued to receive moderate to heavy showers on Saturday under the influence of a monsoon system that is present in the south southeast of Karachi.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, Saadi Town received the highest amount of rainfall where around 81 millimetres of rain was reported, Gulshan-e-Hadeed recorded 73mm of rain , PAF Base Faisal received 70mm, Karachi University road 69mm, North Karachi 48mm , Quaidabad 35mm, Surjani Town 38.8mm and Orangi Town 11.6 mm till the filing of this report.

Rescue sources said that a four-year-old girl named Tania died of electrocution when she was playing outside her house amid rain in Shah Rasool Colony area of Clifton. While three others died of electrocution in Baldia Town, Light House and Sharifabad areas, said the rescue sources.

Meanwhile, the Met Office predicted more rain coupled with thunderstorm in the port city on Saturday (today).

Moderate to heavy showers are expected in the metropolis till this evening as the monsoon system persists in the southeast of Karachi, said the PMD.

The city’s weather will remain partly cloudy today while the maximum temperature is expected to remain between 33 and 35 degrees Celsius in Karachi, said the met office.

Immediately after the rain started, power outages were reported in multiple areas of the city, such as Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Nazimabad, North Nazimabad, Surjani Town, Boat Basin, Korangi, Shah Faisal Town, Ranchore Line, Keamari, Khadda Market, Sultanabad, North Karachi, areas of Defence Housing Authority (DHA), Akhter Colony, and Lyari. The power supply to more than 270 feeders was reportedly suspended.

Massive traffic jams were also reported on Sharae Faisal, University Road, Rashid Minhas Road, NIPA, Sharae Pakistan and other main or small arteries of the city. The traffic jam was also reported at Metropole Chowrangi later in the evening. Baloch Colony, Nursery, Karsaz were also clogged for traffic movement.

Rainwater still accumulated at different locations of the city’s main artery, Shahrah-e-Faisal, hampering the flow of traffic and causing impediments for commuters. Water also accumulated near Qayyumabad Chowrangi, Korangi Expressway, Baloch Colony Expressway, Shah Faisal Colony Liaquatabad and other areas of the port city.

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‘Naya Pakistan’ cannot be built with a push of button: PM Imran

By

Nuzhat Aftab

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September 4, 2021

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that ‘Naya Pakistan’ cannot be built with a push of button but it is the name of a struggle and it takes time to bring changes in the system.

Addressing the inaugural function of Pakistan Property, Housing and Construction Expo in Islamabad, the premier said that the people do not pay taxes but ask for facilities. Pakistan has never had a policy for the weaker segment of the society but, “Our mission is to improve the living standards of the poor”, he added.

“We will do everything possible to help the housing sector, as the poor people in Pakistan need houses”, Imran promised.

He said no one has provided the facility for the poor people to build houses but now the banks will provide loans to the poor people to build houses.

Earlier today, addressing virtually a forum on 20th Anniversary of Juncao Assistance and Sustainable Development Cooperation being held in Beijing, Imran Khan expressed his strong commitment to international cooperation aimed at poverty alleviation, sustainable growth and addressing climate change.

He said COVID-19 has triggered an economic meltdown and slowed down global progress. The extreme poverty rose last year for the first time in over 20 years.

The prime minister said achievement of food security, and improved nutrition, have become an even greater challenge for developing countries. Sustainable ways of achieving economic recovery, growth and development are critical, during the pandemic.

“Juncao technology is one such way which helps small-scale farmers to develop low-cost and commercial-scale mushroom cultivation,” he said.

PM Imran further said that China is a role model for developing countries in poverty alleviation. He said its stellar growth has brought eight hundred million people out of poverty over the last four decades. He said China’s leadership role in climate change is also highly appreciated.

He commended President Xi’s vision of a prosperous, clean and beautiful world and initiative to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

“Poverty alleviation and tackling climate change are his government’s key priorities, the prime minister said and added we have launched a wide ranking social safety program Ehsaas with an objective of uplifting marginalized people, eradicating poverty and supporting vulnerable households.

Imran Khan said our Ehsaas Emergency Cash program cushioned the most vulnerable part of population from the economic shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said Pakistan being one of the most climate vulnerable countries, fully supports international efforts to combat this scourge.

He said we are progressing towards a Clean and Green Pakistan. We have already planted a billion trees as part of our ten billion tree project as part of one of the most ambitious efforts to expand and restore forests.

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At least 44 dead as flash floods slam New York area

By

TNT Monitoring Desk

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September 3, 2021

NEW YORK: Flash flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ida killed at least 44 people in the New York area overnight into Thursday, including several who perished in basements during the “historic” weather event officials blamed on climate change.

Record rainfall, which prompted an unprecedented flash flood emergency warning for New York City, turned streets into rivers and shut down subway services as water cascaded down platforms onto tracks.

“I’m 50 years old and I’ve never seen that much rain ever,” said Metodija Mihajlov whose basement of his Manhattan restaurant was flooded with three inches of water. “It was like living in the jungle, like tropical rain. Unbelievable. Everything is so strange this year,” he said.

Hundreds of flights were cancelled at LaGuardia and JFK airports, as well as at Newark, where video showed a terminal inundated by rainwater.

“We’re all in this together. The nation is ready to help,” President Joe Biden said ahead of a trip Friday to the southern state of Louisiana, where Ida earlier destroyed buildings and left more than a million homes without power.

Flooding closed major roads across New Jersey and New York boroughs including Manhattan, The Bronx and Queens, submerging cars and forcing the fire department to rescue hundreds of people.

At least 23 people died in New Jersey, Governor Phil Murphy told reporters.

“The majority of these deaths were individuals who got caught in their vehicles,” he said.

A state trooper died in the neighboring state of Connecticut.

Thirteen died in New York City, including 11 who could not escape their basements, police said. The victims ranged from the ages of two to 86.

“Among the people at risk during flash floods here are those living in off-the-books basement dwellings that don’t meet the safety codes necessary to save lives,” lawmaker Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted.

“These are working class, immigrant, and low-income people & families,” she added.

Three also died in the New York suburb of Westchester, while another four died in Montgomery County outside Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, a local official confirmed.

Ida blazed a trail of destruction north after slamming into Louisiana over the weekend, bringing severe flooding and tornadoes, Geo News reported.

“We’re enduring an historic weather event tonight with record-breaking rain across the city, brutal flooding and dangerous conditions on our roads,” New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said late Wednesday.

State emergencies were declared in New York and New Jersey while the National Weather Service issued its first-ever emergency flash flood warning for New York City, urging residents to move to higher ground.

“You do not know how deep the water is and it is too dangerous,” the New York branch of the National Weather Service (NWS) said in a tweet.

The NWS recorded 3.15 inches (80 millimeters) of rain in Central Park in just an hour — beating a record set just last month during Storm Henri.

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Man arrested for ‘raping’ classmate in Rawalpindi

By

Our Correspondent

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September 3, 2021

RAWALPINDI: In yet another incident of sexual harassment, a girl was allegedly raped by his classmate in Rawalpindi after being called for a group study in connection with examinations.

The woman in a statement recorded to police alleged that she was raped by her classmate who called her at his home for a group study.

Police have arrested the accused and started further investigation.

The medical examination will prove rape allegations, said police.

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KP cities to maintain 50pc attendance in schools

By

Palwasha Mustafa

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September 3, 2021

PESHAWAR: All public and private sector schools in nine major cities of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) will follow the 50 per cent attendance policy in light of the decision by National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC).

A notification issued by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Elementary and Secondary Education Department said that all public and private schools in Peshawar, Swabi, Abbottabad, Haripur, Mansehra, Lower Dir, Swat, Chitral and Malakand will now follow the policy of allowing 50pc students to attend classes each day (each student to attend school three days a week) till September 15.

Taking to Twitter, the KP Education Minister said, “Classes will be arranged in a staggered fashion and 50pc of students will attend school in 3 days of the week while the other 50% will do in the other 3 days.”

A further review in the decision will depend on the Covid situation, he added.

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