ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday strongly condemned the extrajudicial killing of 13 Kashmiris in a single day by Indian occupation forces in the disputed territory, ramping up tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi.
A statement by the Foreign Office said Pakistan was deeply concerned over unabated extrajudicial killings of Kashmiri youth in fake encounters and so-called “anti-infiltration” operations.
“While the international community is preoccupied with fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, India is busy intensifying its brutalisation of the Kashmiri people,” it said, adding that the killing of the Kashmiris speaks volumes about Indian government’s continuing crimes against humanity.
“To hide these crimes, the Indian authorities use the oft-repeated, unsubstantiated allegations of “training” and “infiltration” of Kashmiri resistance fighters,” the Foreign Office said. “India must realize that its malicious propaganda carries no credibility with the international community. The RSS-BJP combine stands exposed before the world for its illegal and inhuman actions and extremist ‘Hindutva’ agenda.”
The Foreign Office added, “India must realize that neither can its brutalisation break the will of the Kashmiri people nor can its anti-Pakistan propaganda divert attention from India’s state-terrorism and egregious violations of human rights in occupied Kashmir.”
It added the martyrdom of each Kashmiri will further fortify people’s resolve for freedom from Indian occupation. “Kashmiris will never give up their inalienable right to self-determination as enshrined in the UNSC resolutions and the leadership and people of Pakistan will never flinch in their commitment of full support for the Kashmiris towards that end”, Geo News Reported.
The Foreign Office further urged the international community to take immediate steps to stop India from committing serious crimes against the Kashmiri people and hold it accountable under international law and relevant human rights Conventions.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on National Health Services Dr Zafar Mirza says wearing masks at crowded places has been declared mandatory to prevent spread of Coronavirus.
Addressing a news conference in Islamabad this afternoon, he said in view of growing number of Corona cases and deaths due to this disease, the government has left no option, except to declare wearing of masks a must at mosques, markets, shopping malls, public transport, and other crowded places. He appealed the masses to strictly follow precautionary protocols and other measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr Zafar Mirza said that 78 people, including four health workers, died of Coronavirus in last 24 hours, which is the biggest tally in a single day in Pakistan. He said health workers are the frontline force in fight against COVID-19 and the government has taken a number of measures to protect health workers under ‘we care’ programme.
Regarding some messages, circulating on social media based on disinformation, the Special Assistant urged the opinion makers to guide people how to prevent the contagion instead of forwarding and promoting fake news on digital platforms. He also urged families of COVID-19 patients to demonstrate patience, while interacting with health workers at hospitals, who are treating Corona affected people.
The Special Assistant said recovery rate of Corona patients is 36 percent, while locally transmission rate stands at 92 percent and despite rise in Corona cases, only around 25 percent of our health system has been engaged so far.
Speaking on the occasion, Special Assistant on National Security Moeed Yusuf said we have brought back 33 thousand stranded Pakistanis from over 55 countries after the outbreak of Corona virus.
He said from 1st to 10th of next month, 20 thousand more overseas Pakistanis will be brought back home.
Moeed Yousuf said facilitating laborers in gulf countries is our priority.
He said taking care of balance between health and economy, Civil Aviation Authority has opened outbound flights.
He said a comprehensive policy to facilitate the stranded Pakistanis will be announced soon.
Talking abound land borders, he said our frontiers with China and India are closed while goods transport has been allowed on Torkham and Chaman border for six days a week.
LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb has on Saturday demanded removal of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The PML-N leader said the missing premier is in charge of the health department which has been given on contract by the federal government.
“There are more than 2,100 positive cases of coronavirus in Islamabad but the hospitals in the federal capital are in temporary charge along with DG Health and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).
“The incompetent and corrupt government has changed four health secretaries in three months. The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has become a victim of Imran Khan’s ego and has not yet become fully functional.
“The inept government has destroyed the health department just like all other sectors.”
He was posted at Air Headquarters, Islamabad and was traveling to Karachi to celebrate eid with his parents.
His dead body was identified with the help of DNA and was handed over to the PAF authorities for burial. Air Vice Marshal Ahmad Hassan,
Deputy Chief of the Air Staff ( Engineering) and Air Vice Marshal Abbas Ghumman, Air Officer Commanding, Southern Air Command along with large number of PAF personnel, civil and military officials and relatives of the martyred officer attended the funeral.
Later, the martyred soul was laid to rest at PAF graveyard, Korangi Creek with full military honours.
ISLAMABAD: President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) Muhammad Ahmed Waheed has called upon the government to reduce power tariff in proportionate to the cut made oil prices that would bring down cost of doing business and help in reviving falling exports.
He said that government had reduced prices of petroleum products in the wake of fall in oil prices in international market that was a laudable decision while there are indications that OGRA may propose further cut in the prices of petroleum products.
However, he urged that government should also make a proportionate cut in power tariffs that would reduce manufacturing cost and make our exports more competitive in regional/international market.
Muhammad Ahmed Waheed said that Covid-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented losses to business and industrial activities in the country due to which our fragile economy is struggling.
the only best solution to overcome economic challenges is to give boost to industrial activities
Since the cost of production has a major component of electricity cost, lowering power tariff would bring down production cost leading to better revival of business activities.
The ICCI President said that coronavirus has badly hit the businesses across the world due to which major importers/customers of our products were demanding discounts. However, it was not viable for exporters to give them discount without reduction in production cost and this situation could lead to cancellation of many export orders.
To cope with such challenges, Pakistan should adopt two-pronged strategy vis. reduce manufacturing cost and increase volume of exports.
He said that the best way to enhance volume of exports is to make exportable products cheaper and more competitive while could be made possible by reducing power tariff.
Muhammad Ahmed Waheed further said that share of hydropower increases during summer season due to increased inflow of water that also provides good opportunity to the policymakers to make a decision for cutting power tariff.
He said that reduced power tariff would bring multiple benefits to the economy as it would bring down production cost, make manufactured products cheaper, improve exports volume, reduce inflation and accelerate the pace of economic activities leading to early revival of overall economy.
ISLAMABAD: An accountability court in Islamabad has issued arrest warrants for former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in the Toshakhana reference filed by the National Accountability Bureau after no one appeared on his behalf to represent him in Friday’s hearing.
The accountability court was hearing a reference filed against former prime ministers Yousuf Raza Gilani, Nawaz Sharif and ex-president Asif Ali Zardari.
During today’s hearing, former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani appeared before the court. However, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and ex-president Asif Ali Zardari did not appear despite the summons issued to them.
NAB during today’s hearing asked judge Syed Asghar Ali to issue arrest warrants for Nawaz, Zardari and Abdul Ghani Majeed.
“Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari had received their summons at their houses,” the NAB prosecutor told the court. He added that the Anwar Majeed could not receive the summon as he was under treatment at a hospital.
However, the defendants’ lawyer interjected and stated that Yousuf Raza Gilani and Abdul Ghani Majeed were represented before the court today. He added that if the accused are present then they ought to be allowed to leave after recording their appearance.
“When chairman NAB has not issued the warrants then how can the NAB prosecutor ask for the same?” asked the defendants’ lawyer.
When Judge Ali remarked that Asif Zardari’s summons was received by his guards, NAB’s Deputy Prosecutor General Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi told the court that a servant of the accused can receive the warrants on behalf of the accused under the law.
“Asif Ali Zardari is under treatment at a hospital,” said the former president’s lawyer while filing a plea seeking his client be excused from appearing in today’s hearing.
The judge also asked about the details of who had appeared on behalf of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. However, the NAB prosecutor told the court that no one had appeared on his behalf.
The court after hearing the arguments issued arrest warrants for Sharif and accepted the plea filed by Zardari’s lawyer.
“I’m only excusing Asif Ali Zardari for today’s hearing,” remarked the judge while issuing the orders. He added that the former president has to appear before the court at all costs in the next hearing and summoned all the accused to appear before the court on June 11.
The accountability court also rejected NAB’s plea to arrest former prime minister Gilani and Abdul Majeed Ghani.
Earlier this month, the accountability court had summoned the accused to appear before it on May 29 in the Toshakhana reference.
NAB has alleged Zardari and Nawaz had received luxury vehicles from Gillani allegedly through unlawful means.
The Toshakhana is a department which stores gifts given to Pakistani heads of states and premiers by other countries.
According to the gift depository rules, the presidents and prime ministers have to deposit any gifts they receive in the Toshakhana as they are the property of the state — unless sold at an open auction. The rules, however, do allow officials to retain gifts with a market value of less than Rs10,000 without paying anything.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s nuclear program has not only ensured its national security and regional peace but also helped pursue 12 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promote socio-economic development.
Pakistan is one of only 13 countries that are effectively using nuclear technology to meet a variety of their own socio-development needs but are also capable of sharing its nuclear knowledge and expertise with other countries for peaceful purposes.
These thoughts were shared at a webinar titled ‘Youm-e-Takbeer 2020’ organized by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad to mark the 22nd anniversary of Pakistan’s nuclear tests that were conducted on May 28, 1998.
Kamran Akhtar, Director General Arms Control & Disarmament, Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the huge Indian defence acquisitions and developments in the areas of artificial intelligence, cyber security and space militarization are destabilizing for the region and the international community must exercise care and caution in sharing its advanced nuclear and other related technologies with India which is emerging as an extremist and anti-status quo State.
He further emphasized that the international community has a collective responsibility to dissuade India from engaging in any misadventure as any such India step will lead to grave consequences that will not remain limited to this region but will impact the entire world.
He further stated that Pakistan can be compared with any developed country in terms of its nuclear expertise, knowledge and capabilities, and is completely qualified to become an active and productive member of the strategic export control regime of the world.
Dr Ansar Pervez, former Chairman Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) said that the nuclear technology was being used for peaceful purposes all over the world in diverse sectors including medicine, health, agriculture, industry, pollution control, water resources management, safe and sustainable electricity production.
The nuclear technology, for instance, has allowed Pakistan to develop 100 new crop varieties, which have added Rs 1200 billion to our national exchequer, whereas Eight hundred thousand cancer patients are treated every year by hospitals using nuclear radiation.
Dr Naeem Salik said that Pakistan became a nuclear weapon State once its security needs were neither understood not met by the world and its several arms control initiatives were not reciprocated and expectations for security assurances were not met. Pakistan has a credible minimum deterrence posture which provides Pakistan security without engaging in a costly arms race with India.
Syed Muhammad Ali stressed that Pakistan’s strategic restraint must not be seen as a sign of weakness and any type or level of aggression against Pakistan in any domain will be swiftly and effectively responded through a quid pro quo approach. Pakistan’s nuclear programme has given security and pride to the nation and confidence to our leadership and diplomats.
The speakers maintained that the whole country is really proud of its scientists and engineers who have played the central role in the development of Pakistan’s nuclear programme.
Khalid Rahman, Executive President IPS said in his concluding remarks that the unparalleled success of Pakistan’s nuclear program is evidence that whenever the Pakistani nation and its leadership have resolved and consistently pursued any goal with strong commitment, then we can achieve it despite all hurdles and against heavy odds.
This aspect of the nature of the Pakistani nation provides us with a guiding principle to follow in policymaking to address various issues of national significance as well. If we understand this principles and pursue our other national goals with similar zeal, spirit, determination, consistency and unity, then we can effectively meet all other challenges that our nation faces.
The guest speakers include Dr Naeem Salik, Senior Fellow CISS and former director of ACDA, Strategic Plans Division (SPD), Dr Ansar Pervez, former Chairman, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), and Mr. Kamran Akhtar, Director General, Arms Control & Disarmament (ACDIS), Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Khalid Rahman, Executive President, IPS, chaired the event which was moderated by Syed Muhammad Ali, Senior Research Fellow, IPS. Other participants included security analyst Brig. (Retd) Said Nazeer Mohmand, Air Commodore (Retd) Khalid Iqbal, Cdr (Retd) Dr Azhar Ahmad, HoD, Humanities & Social Sciences, Bahria University, Islamabad, and IPS Associate and former AJ&K Minister Ms. Farzana Yaqoob.
ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Accountability Barrister Shahzad Akbar on Wednesday exposed former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s role of giving Rs. 20 billion subsidy to the Sugar Mafia, in his tenure.
“Commission’s report is an indictment against Ex-PM Abbasi” Akbar addressing a press conference in Islamabad said, adding, total subsidy of Rs. 29 billion was given to sugar mills in last five years. Out of Rs 29 billion, Rs 2.4 billion subsidy was given by the incumbent Government of Punjab, Akbar said.
He exonerated the federal government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in giving any subsidy on Sugar in its tenure but only allowed to export the surplus sugar, adding, the investigation report of the sugar commission is comprehensive and an eye opener.
He said the credit goes to the government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) who probed sugar scam, collected evidence, made the report public and now going to take corrective measures.
The commission in its report wrote about the subsidy given in 2017 by Ex-PM Shahid Khaqan Abbassi that on the basis of superficial calculations, a subsidy of more than Rs. 20 billion was allocated from the public exchequer to the sugar mills.
He said Salman Shehbaz, son of opposition leader Shahbaz Sharif, was the facilitator who by leading a cartel of Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) manipulated the former PM Abbasi for giving subsidy of Rs. 20 billion.
He said irrespective of their party affiliation, the government would take action against all culprits exposed in the investigation report of the commission.
He said after the publication of the report, the Prime Minster Imran Khan would be briefed in the next week to direct the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and other concerned departments to file references in the court of law, in light of the commission’s report.
He said Shahbaz Sharif returned from London to lead the Nation but has self quarantined himself to avoid appearance in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) court to face corruption charges against him, adding, no matter what Shahbaz Sharif would have to submit before the court of law in corruption cases against him.
LAHORE: Four days after lockdown across the nation was lifted, Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi and other parts of the country will again go into three-day lockdown from today (Friday). Food outlets and other markets will reopen from Monday.
According to the government’s directive, aluminum industries, ceramics, paint industries, centrifuges and hardware stores in Lahore selling steel, PVC pipes and electrical products will remain closed for three days.
Shops and businesses will be open from 8am to 5pm during the week except on fridays, saturdays and sundays. Vegetable markets, dairy shops, grocery stores, petrol pumps, medical stores and tailor shops will remain open however supermarkets will only be allowed to open their grocery departments.
Islamabad will also be closed for the next three days starting from Friday. Medical stores will be allowed to remain open 24 hours a day and grocery stores will be open till 5 pm.
According to the SOPs issued by the district administration, Islamabad will be completely closed from Friday to Sunday and only construction industry, grocery stores, medical stores, auto workshops, dairy shops and bakeries will be allowed to open.
Medical stores will be open 24 hours a day while the rest of the business will be open until 5 pm. According to the district administration, strict implementation of SOPs issued by the government will be ensured.
In Karachi, business activities will again be shut down on Friday after a resumption of four days. Only medical stores, grocery stores and dairy shops will be allowed to remain open from 8am to 5pm.
The Sindh Home Department had issued a notification to open markets from 8 am to 4 pm from May 11, declaring Friday, Saturday and Sunday as safe days, meaning that there will be 100% lockdown during them.
However, movement of law enforcement personnel, medical and technical staff, courier workers, journalists, goods transport and social workers will be allowed.
Grocery shops, dairy shops and medical stores will be allowed to remain open from 8 am to 5 pm during these three days but prohibition of processions and public gatherings will remain in place.
Lastly, public transport, cinemas, sea-view and other entertainment venues, including barber shops, beauty parlors, gaming zones, cafes and gyms will remain closed.
