Pakistan Times : September 2018

Sunday, 30 September 2018

Daily horoscope for Monday, October 1, 2018

Daily horoscope for Monday, October 1, 2018. What kind of day will you have today? To find out what the star say, read the forecast given for your birth sign.ARIES(March 21-April 19)Ego battles with bosses and authority figures are likely today, because you feel highly independent t. (In truth, Aries people don’t like to be told what to do.)TAURUS(April 20-May 20)Quarrels about secrets or something that was hidden from you might erupt today. You are probably dealing with someone who refuses to help you, which is why you are upset.GEMINI(May 21-June 20)Quarrels with others, especially in group situations, might arise today because people are hotheaded and not willing to compromise. Avoid nastiness by staying light on your feet. (You’re clever with words.)CANCER(June 21-July 22) Disputes with people in authority are hard to avoid today. Perhaps this will give you a chance to clear the air and put your cards on the table.LEO(July 23-Aug. 22) Avoid controversial subjects like politics, religion and racial issues today. People are just looking for a reason to have a fight.VIRGO(Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Differences about how to share something or divide an inheritance might arise today. This is a poor day to discuss jointly held property. But it’s a good day to get rid of what you no longer need.LIBRA(Sept. 23-Oct. 22)Be patient with partners and close friends today, because arguments can easily erupt. Who needs this? Not you.SCORPIO(Oct. 23-Nov. 21)Don’t force your views on others today. Instead, use your strong energy to clean up your workplace. Get rid of what is surplus and no longer necessary.SAGITTARIUS(Nov. 22-Dec. 21)Be patient with children. This is also a rocky day for romance, so try to avoid arguments, because they will be nasty. Take it easy.CAPRICORN(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)You might want to clean up garbage areas or attack plumbing problems at home today. It’s agood day to recycle and get rid of useless stuff.AQUARIUS(Jan. 20-Feb. 18)You have a lot of mental energy today if you want to study something. However, don’t coerce others to agree with your point of view. Easy does it.PISCES(Feb. 19-Mar 20)Avoid arguments about money and possessions today because they will arise easily. In part, it’s because you are so hung up on one idea that it crowds out everything else in your mind.

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Missing child Iman Ali recovered from North Karachi

KARACHI: A seven-year-old boy, who had gone missing two days ago, was found on Sunday night from Noth Karachi.Iman Ali, the resident of Qasba Colony, was recovered from Power House Roundabout, where according to him, he was left by the kidnappers two days after he had gone missing while on way home from a Madrassah.Speaking to Geo News, the boy said that he was kept in a room by the kidnapper, where he was given food and a 'syrup'. He was later left stranded near Power House Roundabout. Ali said he was kidnapped by a man named Fareed.In this regard, the boy's father claimed that Fareed Baig, alleged kidnapper, had to return Rs4 million to him, which is why, in order to get rid of the loan, Baig kidnapped his son.Earlier, Ali's parents, alongside neighbours and other residents of the area, had staged a protest at Five Star Chowrangi after he was reportedly abducted.

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Fire erupts in Karachi's Techno City building

KARACHI: A fire broke out on the fourth floor of Techno City building located at I.I Chundrigar Road early on Monday. As per details, fire officials responded to a call of smoke emanating from a building located at Karachi's busiest street of around 05:30 am.According to rescue services, the fire broke out due to a short circuit, while no causality was reported till filing of this report.At least four engines one snorkel and a ladder truck were making efforts to extinguish the fire. A heavy contingent of law enforcers was also deployed to avert any untoward incident.The video, captured by The News team, shows thick grey smoke billowing from the building.

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Pakistan Festival in Paris raises funds for dams construction

PARIS: The second edition of grand Pakistan Festival France concluded here Sunday with a launch of fund raising campaign for the dams fund and a splendid display of Pakistan’s culture, handicrafts and cuisine.People from various walks of life, including local French officials, diplomats, members of civil society, media and expatriate Pakistanis attended the festival.Ambassador of Pakistan to France Moin ul Haque, member of French Parliament Francois Pupponi and Mayor of Sarcelles town Ms Annie Péronnet were the guests of honour.The ambassador congratulated the festival management for bringing the community on a single platform to celebrate and introduce Pakistani cultural diversity and folk heritage to the French.He also thanked the Pakistani community for generously donating in the Prime Minister/Chief Justice Fund set up to raise funds for construction of the dams to mitigate shortage of water due to climate change.He specifically thanked Abrar ul Haq, the renowned Pakistani singer who specially flew in from Pakistan to entertain the audience with his heartwarming songs, and sufi music.He appreciated him for his motivation to the expatriate Pakistanis to generously contribute in the dams fund.Senator Faisal Javed, the convener of Pakistan-France Friendship Group in the Senate of Pakistan, who was also present in the festival, urged the community to participate in the national cause.Member of French Parliament, Francois Pupponi and Mayor of Sarcelles town Ms.Annie Péronnet praised the Pakistan community as hardworking, peaceful and friendly.They said the festival had not only provided the French public a rare chance to experience a mini Pakistan in France but also helped in improving bilateral relations between the two countries.The festival programme included performances by young boys and girls, tableaus, speeches to pay tribute to Quaid-e-Azam and leaders of the independence movement.More than 100 stalls offering Pakistani products, handicrafts and authentic food were also set up.

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KP Govt completes 255 mini hydropower projects, proposes 7 projects for inclusion in CPEC

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakthunkhwa Government has completed 255 mini macro hydro-power projects and work on 67 others were in full swing in 12 northern districts of the province to provide inexpensive electricity to people as per vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan.The KP government has also proposed seven mega projects for inclusion in CPEC include Mujigram-Shghor 64MW, Istaru Booni 72MA, Turen More Kari 350MW, Jamshill Turen More 260MW, Ghrait-Swir Lasht 277MW, Torcamp-Guddubar 409MW, Kari-Mushkur 446MW and power evacuation from Chitral to Chakdar through a transmission line that after completion would help arrest energy and water problems.The Government has signed MoU with Chinese companies for construction of these seven gigantic hydropower projects of 1978 MW proposed under CPEC in Chitral, officials in KP energy department told APP.Till August 2018, the official said KP government with help of NGOs has completed 255 out of 356 mini macro hydropower projects (MMHPPs) in 12 northern districts of the province whereas work on 67 others were in full swing.As per contract of 356 MMHPPs, the feasibility studies of 333 have been approved by the competent forum out of which 255MMHPPs with 13445 kilowatts power generation capacity has been completed.Out of 255 MMHPPs, 15 were completed in Abbottabad, 51 Batagram, 44 Chitral, 40 Swat, 28 Kohistan, 21 Shangla, 37 Upper Dir, four Lower Dir, 13 Buner and one each in Torghar and Manshera districts.As many as seven MMHPPs are being constructed in Batagram, 11 in Chitral, five in Swat, seven in Kohistan, three Shangla, 12 Upper Dir, five Buner, two Lower Dir and nine in Manshera with help of NGOs.The official said litigants and shifting of heavy machinery to mountainous areas besides others factors contributed to delay in construction of remaining MMHPPs.“The electricity transmission from most of these MMHPPs had already been started to communities living near it with a significant positive socio-economic changes are being witnessed in their lifestyle,” the official said.The KP government is taking a lead role by capitalizing on an excellent work made by previous PTI government to complete ongoing dams and hydropower projects on different rivers and tributaries on war footing basis to provide affordable energy and clean drinking water under Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision to all.KP government accelerated work on five ongoing small medium and big hydropower projects (HPP) with overall 215.8megawatt (MW) capacity costing Rs64980.1million, which would be completed by May 2019, officials in KP Energy Department told APP.These projects include 10.8MW Jabori Manshera HPP costing Rs3798.26million with completion of 70pc work whereas on Karora HPP in Shangla with 11.2MW capacity costing Rs4620.06 million, 65pc work was completed.At least 30pc work on Koto HPP Dir Lower with 40.8MW costing Rs14252.84 million, 25pc work on 84MW Matiltan HPP Swat worth Rs20722.94 million and 30pc work on 69MW Lawi HPP costing Rs21586m were completed by previous PTI government.“We have offered seven sites of 668MW to private sector for investment and response of investors are highly encouraging,” the official said, adding Sharmai HPP with 150MW capacity, has been awarded to a company while six others projects namely Nardam Dam in Manshera 188MW, Shigokach HPP in Lower Dir 102MW, Arkari Gol HPP CHitral 99MW, Batakundi HPP in Manshera 96MW and Nandihar HPP Batagram would be awarded soon.These gigantic projects would be completed with USD 1435 million, which would provide inexpensive electricity and uninterrupted water supply to people and agriculture besides giving enormous boost to business, industrial and infant industries.Three mega hydropower power projects of 506MW capacity including Shushgai-Zhendoli 144MW, Shogo-Sin 132MW and Laspur Marigram 230MA in Chitral have been awarded to FWO to ensure its speedy construction.The official said negotiations were underway with Asian Development Bank (ADB) for construction of Balakot Manshera project of 300MW capacity.CWDP has approved concept papers of Barikot Patrak HPP in Lower Dir with 47MW capacity, Patrak Shangrail HPP Lower Dir with 22 MW and Gabral Kalam Swat 110 MW for which negotiations was held with World Bank for its construction.Under development of mini-macro hydropower sites initiative , the Energy Department has identified 160 hydropower sites on canals costing Rs3301mln and 512 hydropower sites on rivers and tributaries costing Rs8495.41mln to fully tap KP’s hydel generation and water potential.The official said consultants were hired for these mega projects after it was approved by PDWP on November 11, 2017.To save energy, KP Govt has started focus on solarization of schools and basic health units and decided to solarize 8000 schools including 30pc girls schools and 187BHUs with an estimated cost of Rs4347m for which services of consultant was hired.The KP government has also decided to solarize 100 villages in southern and central districts of the province and under this mega project, 2900 solar system has been provided to people of these districts.“We have started implementation on this key project costing Rs300mln under which each household will get 30watts solar panel, three LED lights, one each ceiling and pedestal fan, one mobile phone charging slot and two batteries,” the official elaborated.The KP Govt has completed survey and hiring of consultant to solarize 4440 mosques in the province besides solarization of remaining blocks of Civil Secretariat and Chief Minister Secretariat, Peshawar.

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SC summons Model Town case report

LAHORE: Pakistan’s top court has summoned the report of Model Town violence case from anti-terrorism court, Geo reported on Sunday.A two-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar, heard the case at the Supreme Court's Lahore Registry. PAT representative Khurram Nawaz Gandapur appeared before the apex court. Basma, a victim of the incident, as also present for the case's hearing. Basma told the Supreme Court that the Lahore High Court had rejected a petition to summon former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and former Punjab chief minister Shehbaz Sharif.Justice Nisar said that the court would look into the matter if an appeal against the high court's verdict was filed. He later summoned a report regarding the incident from an anti-terrorism court and adjourned the hearing. At least 14 people were killed and 100 others injured during daylong clashes between police and supporters of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) in Lahore's Model Town area during an 'anti-encroachment operation' on June 17, 2014.

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Another girl falls prey to stray bullet in Karachi

KARACHI: A seven-year-old girl passed away on Sunday morning after being hit with a stray bullet in Karachi's Saeedabad area. Aqsa was under treatment at National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD). after a bullet hit her during the assembly session at her school. The injured child was initially rushed to Civil Hospital before being moved to NICVD.According to medics, the bullet had damaged Aqsa's lungs.Karachi Police Chief DIG Ameer Sheikh told Geo all stakeholders in the case should determine why incidents involving stray bullets were so common. The incident will be made a test case, he said, adding police would find the culprit. The incident happened soon after a ten-year-old, Amal Umer, lost her life after she was hit by a bullet in the metropolis.

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Govt plans to take over KP Ehtesab Commission

PESHAWAR: The PTI government is planning to take control of assets of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ehtesab Commission, Geo News reported on Sunday.Quoting sources, the report said that the assets will be handed over to KP Establishment and Administration Departmen and its cases will be transferred to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Directorate of Anti-Corruption.The regular staff will either be given a golden handshake or added to the surplus pool, whereas the fate of 41 contractual employees will be decided by the provincial cabinet, according to the report.KP Secretary Establishment Arshad Majeed told Geo that implementation on the provincial government's decision to close down the commission was under way."In this regard, a repeal act will be sent to the government for approval," Majeed said. The commission was established in 2014 through the Ehtesab Commission Act.

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Khawaja Saad warns PTI against attempts to rig NA-131 by-election

LAHORE: PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Rafique has warned Prime Minister Imran Khan against attempts to influence the by-election of NA-131, adding that the PTI chairman may face a similar situation one day. Speaking to supporters in NA-131, Lahore, Saad Rafique said that government is well aware of the that it cannot win the by-election through free and fair means and that is why it is trying to corner us. He called on Imran Khan to contest the election instea dof resorting to political victimization. “The government and our rival know that they cannot win the by-election.“We would not have to contest the by-election if our request for vote recount had been accepted in the first place,” he lamented. The PTI government, he said, was trying its level best to steal the by-election.The former railway minister said that his rival candidate was in PML-N only a month back and people know that he had done absolutely nothing in the constituency. He also lashed out at Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid, saying that honest officers were being punished. “No civil servant will sign any file under such circumstances,” he said. He said that prices of electricity and gas had surged in Naya Pakistan, adding that PTI was unable to manage the affairs of the state due to its incompetence.

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Pakistan allows export of 150 falcons to UAE

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has unrestricted the export of falcons from Pakistan to the UAE on Sunday.In a notification issued by the ministry on September 27, an export of 150 falcons was permitted from Karachi Airport for the personal use of Dubai’s ruler Mohammad bin Rashid al-Maktoum as a cordial gesture for the Embassy of UAE in Islamabad.“The esteemed Embassy may export one hundred and fifty (150) falcons from Pakistan to UAE, for personal use of His Highness Sheikh Muhammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.” Presently the country is holding a ban on the blood sport of uncommon and migratory birds including in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where hunting of Shaheens was banned by now Prime Minister Imran Khan.

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DG ISI among five three-star generals retiring tomorrow

RAWALPINDI: Five three-star generals of Pakistan army including the chief of premier intelligence agency ISI Lt-Gen Naveed Mukhtar are retiring on the 1st of October.Just two days before these retirements, six majors general were promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general. The Army Promotion Board headed by Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa approved the promotions.The five three-star generals – Commander Army Strategic Force Command Lt-Gen Mian Hilal Hussain, Military Secretary Lt-Gen Ghayur Mehmood, Commander 11 Corps (Peshawar Corps) Lt-Gen Nazir Ahmed Butt, ISI DG Lt-Gen Naveed Mukhtar and IG (Training and Evaluation) Lt-Gen Hidayatur Rehman are going to retire on October 1.The officers who got promoted are: Maj Gen Nadeem Zaki Manj, Vice Chief of General Staff Maj Gen Shaheen Mazhar, ISI DG (Planning) Maj Gen Abdul Aziz, Military Intelligence DG Maj Gen Asim Munir, Maj Gen Syed Muhammad Adnan and Frontier Corps IG Maj Gen Waseem Ashraf.It is highly expected that Gen Asim Munir would be appointed as ISI DG.Maj Gen Adnan also served former presidents retired Gen Pervez Musharraf and Asif Ali Zardari as ADC and military secretary respectively. Of the promoted officers, Maj Gen Nadeem and Maj Gen Shaheen are from Armoured Corps (75 PMA Long Course), Maj Gen Abdul Aziz Artillery (75 PMA Long Course), Maj Gen Asim Frontier Force (17 OTS), Maj Gen Adnan Punjab Regiment (76 PMA Long Course) and Maj Gen Waseem Frontier Force (76 PMA Long Course).

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Death toll on the rise as three more children die in Thar

THARPARKAR: The death toll is on an incessant elevation as three more children in Sindh’s Tharparkar region died due to malnutrition in the past 24 hours.According to the Sindh health department, the children breathed their last at Mithi’s Civil Hospital taking the death toll in the impoverished region to around 50 in the month of September and 476 this year.The health department further revealed that around 1,500 children die due to malnutrition each year as a result of infections and a shortage of proper medicinal services in the remote part of the province. The United Nation’s Children Fund, in a report released in April, states Pakistan remains one of the countries in the world with the highest infant mortality rate stating: “Pakistan is the riskiest place to be born as measured by its newborn mortality rate. A baby born in Pakistan is almost 50 times more likely to die during his or her first month than a baby born in Japan, Iceland and Singapore.”

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Emergency service bill named after Amal Umer to be presented in Sindh Assembly

KARACHI: An emergency service bill named after Amal Umer will be presented by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lawmaker Seema Zia in the Sindh Assembly.The 10-year-old girl who had fallen prey to a stray bullet in Karachi on Independence Day’s eve during an encounter will have an emergency service bill named after her upon the request of President Arif Alvi.On his official Twitter handle the President had announced his request to PTI lawmaker Seema Zia for renaming the ‘Sindh Emergency Service Bill’ after Amal."After my visit to Amal's house for condolence, @DrSeemaSZia MPA informed me that she was going to move a bill she had prepared called the 'Sindh Emergency Service Bill'. On my request she gladly named it the 'Sindh Amal Emergency Service Bill' in her memory. Amal will save lives," read the tweet.The minor girl was shot dead during an encounter on August 13 by a police officer who was aiming to shoot the robber who had mugged Amal’s family a few minutes prior to the incident. Talking to local media outlet, Amal’s mother Beenish revealed: "We don't want any compensation for our daughter's death. We just want to make sure that what we faced does not happen with anyone else."Amal’s father Umer also expressed remorse and stressed on the need for things to change saying: "Our daughter will not come back to life but we want the problems [that led to her death] to be eradicated. We want laws to be passed to solve the issues, be them at the police’s end or the hospitals."

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KP Governor House now open for public as well

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor House was also opened for public for the first time on Sunday, reported Radio Pakistan.The governor houses in Punjab and Sindh had already opened the doors for the public, the KP official building was also made accessible to the masses today. The decision had come following Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) government getting hold of the office and announcing to open the official buildings for commercial use. A large number of people from all walks of life thronged the governor house.After being given a chance by the government to visit the KP Governor House, the public expressed their delight and lauded the decision with one student saying: “This is the first time we have a chance to see what is inside the building. I am looking forward to it.”

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Saudi delegation to arrive today

ISLAMABAD: A high-level Saudi delegation will be signing five significant Memorandums of Understandings (MoUs) with Pakistan during their visit following Prime Minister Imran Khan's successful meetings with King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman earlier this month. Minister of Information Fawad Chaudhry said the delegation reaching today also include Saudia Arabia’s ministers for finance and petroleum. The delegation is also expected to discuss the likelihood of establishing oil refineries in Gwadar.Sources said that the probability of Saudi officials signing an agreement to sell petroleum products to the country on deferred payments is also on the cards.Furthermore, sources stated that the delegation’s six-day trip will also include the signing of an MoU for investments in the Reko Diq gold and copper mines of Baluchistan.Two power plants of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) are also expected to get privatized through agreements during the meetings while sale of phosphate-containing fertilizers to Pakistan is also in the offing of getting signed by the officials."As I had said earlier on our return from Saudi Arabia, the kingdom has expressed interest in investing with us for CPEC projects as well as infrastructure development and to that end is bringing major investments here. The first step has been taken (three grant agreements have been signed) and this is a very positive step and bodes well for relations between the two countries," the information minister said earlier.

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Saturday, 29 September 2018

Who deposited Rs2.25 billion in Karachi falooda vendor?s account?

KARACHI: The sources in Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) have revealed that the hefty amount of Rs2.25 billion discovered in a bank account of a Karachi falooda vendor is linked with multi-billion rupee money laundering scam involving PPP co-chairman Asif Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur.Also: Karachi's falooda seller discovers he's become an instant billionaireAbdul Qadir, a resident of Orangi Town, Karachi, learned that he has Rs2.225 billion in his bank account which he says he never opened.He only came to know about the hefty amount when he got a letter from the FIA. “My brother told me that there’s a letter from the investigation agency in my name and that I have been summoned,” he told media.“I am the world’s number one unlucky person. I have, as they say, billions in my account but I cannot use some of it to at least somewhat improve my state of living,” said visibly frustrated Qadir. “They say it will be gone. At the end, I will still be the same falooda farosh [seller].”Sources say the deposit was unearthed during investigations related to the biggest money laundering scam in Sindh’s history.“[The discovery] is a part of our investigations pertaining to the money laundering case involving the Omni group,” a senior FIA official claimed.“There are many persons like Abdul Qadir who do not know about existence of accounts in their names with hefty amounts,” he said, adding that the investigators have found dozens of such accounts opened in the names of people belonging to the lower strata – mostly labourers.The official claimed that there are over 500 such accounts in the country and the investigators are tracing them.A joint investigation team, formed by the Supreme Court, has been inquiring into the money laundering of Rs35 billion through fake bank accounts in the first week of September.FIA Additional Director General Ehsan Sadiq is heading the team while Tax Commissioner Imran Lateef, State Bank of Pakistan’s Majid Hussain, Inter-Services Intelligence’s Brigadier Shahid Pervaiz, National Accountability Bureau’s Noman Aslam and Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan’s Muhammad Afzal are the other members of the team. The apex court has been hearing a suo motu case regarding a 2015 inquiry into suspicious transactions through 29 ‘benami’ accounts of various banks.Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur have been nominated in the case along with former Summit Bank president Hussain Lawai, Omni Group of Companies chairperson Khawaja Anwar Majeed and his son, and others. Lawai, Majeed and his son are already in the FIA’s custody while Zardari and Talpur have also been interrogated by the agency.

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Video: Statement by Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi at UN

Complete text of statement by Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi at UN

UNITED NATIONS: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Saturday delivered the new Pakistani government’s first policy statement at the United Nations in Urdu, saying that while it desired good relations with India, New Delhi repeatedly suspended dialogue with Pakistan on “flimsy grounds”.“They (Indian leaders) preferred politics over peace,” he told the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly taking place in New York in a wide-ranging speech.It was the first time Pakistan delivered its address in its national language at the UN and the world body provided simultaneous translations in all UN official languages — English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Russian and Arabic.Following is the complete text of Statement by Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi at the General Debate of the 73 rd Session of the UN General Assembly on 29 September 2018.Madam President,Excellencies,Distinguished Delegates,Ladies and Gentlemen,May I begin by felicitating Madam Maria Fernanda Espinosa Graces upon her election as President of the General Assembly.The stewardship of this session by an accomplished leader of her ranking and stature, would undoubtedly lend to the proceedings of this Assembly greater credence and strength.I also commend Miroslav Lackjack for his able guidance of the previous session.We appreciate Secretary General Antonio Gutteres for his exemplary leadership of the organization, and support his efforts to instill a new sense of mission and direction in the United Nations.Our profound condolences over the passing away of former Secretary General Kofi Anan, who was a leading light and a driving force in taking the UN agenda forward into the twenty first century.We expressed deep sympathy and condolences to the government and people of Indonesia for the damage caused by the earthquake and subsequent Tsunami.Madam President,Two months ago, the people of Pakistan voted for change, for reform and for a fundamental shift in their paradigm of governance.They opted for a Pakistan, confident and compassionate, open and articulate, peaceful and principled.A Pakistan that will engage with its neighbourhood and the world on the basis of equality and respect; a country that will seek resolution of conflicts and convergence of interests; and a state that will build upon common understandings, reciprocal commitments and shared ideals.Pakistan will brook no compromise on the interests of the nation, the sovereignty of the State, or the security of its people.Our Government is keen to pursue a policy of partnerships for peace, security and prosperity in our immediate neighbourhood and beyond.We seek a peaceful environment to promote our development agenda both at the national level and in our region.Madam President,I stand before this Assembly as the representative of a quintessential developing country, that has at its heart, the welfare of its people.Under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan, we have begun giving shape to the vision of a new Pakistan through a set of integrated policies and programmes.Madam President,The world faces a moment of inflection. The very foundations, the very principles on which the edifice of global order is constructed are under assault.Inequality within and among nations is on the rise.Forces of protectionism, populism and isolationism are gaining currency. Intolerance is ascendant over acceptance; rhetoric over reason, and power over principleWhere the world needs bridges, we see fortifications; where it needs highways, we see blockades, and where it yearns freedom, we see cages.New forms and manifestations of imperialism are appearing. Multilateralism is on a path of retreat. Unilateralist tendencies are growing. Long standing legal norms are being eroded for strategic and commercial considerations.Dark clouds of trade wars are looming large on the horizon. Challenges of climate change, environmental degradation, pandemics, transnational organized crime and sustainable development are becoming ever more complex.The post-world war idealism is giving way, slowly but surely, to a hardened, militaristic approach. This trend, Madam President, is not only regressive, it is downright dangerous.Madam President,We note with concern seismic shifts in the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. As existing conflicts exacerbate, new threats have emerged. Competing interests of regional and extra regional powers are deepening long standing fissures, and widening the fault lines, even as the tragedy of Palestine continues to fester.In these uncertain times, the global community appears to be in desperate quest for leadership, a vision, and an order.Madam President,Consider the issue of striking the right balance between freedom of expression and sentiments of a people.Where there ought to be empathy, understanding and compassion, we see caricatured, ill informed, jaundiced judgments.Recently, Muslims across the world, were pained at a planned competition of cartoons of our Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). This deeply hurt Muslim sentiments and sensibilitiesOn its part, Pakistan will continue to collaborate with friends and partners, on the UN and OIC platforms to reverse the growing tide of bigotry, build crosscultural understandings, and promote dialogue amongst civilizations.Madam President,The theme of this year's General Assembly session is not only apt but also mirrors the priorities of my Government.As we embark upon our journey of change and reform, Pakistan stands ready to strengthen its partnership with the UN family of institutions.Alongside like-minded States, we will continue Madam President, to be a leading voice for comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council, to make it more democratic, representative, transparent and effective. We will continue to oppose the creation of new centres of privilege and prestige, in defiance of principles of democracy, and the Charter's core tenet of sovereign equality of member states.Madam President,Since its inception, Pakistan has been an ardent adherent of the UN Charter, and an active participant in the UN processes. Pakistan has served seven terms on the UN Security Council, five Presidencies of the Economic and Social Councils and four terms at the Human Rights Council. This is reaffirmation of faith of the international community in Pakistan.We have championed the cause of the peoples of Africa and Asia to exercise their inalienable right of self-determination and wrest independence from the yoke of colonial rule.As we pay tribute to the memory of Nelson Mandela Madiba, we are reminded of the high ideals he sacrificed so much for. The best way to honour the legacy of this great leader is to continue to fight the good fight, for freedom, for dignity and for equality.Madam President,Pakistan remains one of the oldest, largest and most active contributors to UN Peacekeeping operations the world over. The Pakistani blue helmets have laid lives in the cause of global peace. We are proud of their sacrifices.Pakistan remains also host to one of the oldest peace keeping Missions, the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP). We greatly value UNMOGIP's contribution in monitoring ceasefire along the Line of Control in Jammu & Kashmir.Madam President,Pakistan desires a relationship with India based on sovereign equality and mutual respect. We seek resolution of disputes through a serious and comprehensive dialogue that covers all issues of concern. We were to meet on the sidelines of this UNGA Session to talk about all issues with India- India called off dialogue the third time for the Modi Government — each time on flimsy grounds. They preferred politics over peace. They used the pretext of stamps issued months ago, of a Kashmiri activist and depicting grave human rights violations, including pellet gun victims, as an excuse to back out from the talks.Dialogue is the only way to address long standing issues that have long bedeviled South Asia, and prevented the region from realizing its true potential.The unresolved Jammu and Kashmir dispute hinders the realization of the goal of durable peace between our two countries. For over seventy years now, it has remained on the agenda of the UN Security Council and a blot on the conscience of humanity.For seventy years the people of occupied Jammu & Kashmir have struggled for their rights of self-determination in the face of overwhelming oppression and gross violations of their fundamental human rights by the Indian occupation forces.There can be no lasting peace in South Asia without a just settlement of the Kashmir dispute based on the UN Security Council resolutions and the will of the Kashmiri people.Pakistan welcomes the recently released report by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The report rightly lifts the veil from decades of obfuscation and chronicles the massive ongoing violations of human rights in Indian Occupied Kashmir. It vindicates our position. No longer the excuse of terrorism can be used to continue to systematically oppress the Kashmiri people.Pakistan endorses the UN Report and calls for early institution of a Commission of Inquiry under UN auspices to investigate and fix responsibility. We will welcome the Commission to Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and hope that India too, will do the same.To divert the world's attention from its brutalities, India frequently violates the ceasefire along the Line of Control in Kashmir. Despite numerous violations Pakistan has acted with restraint. But if India does venture across the LOC, or acts upon its doctrine of "limited" war against Pakistan, it will evoke a strong and matching response.Madam President,Strategic stability in our region has been and continues to be undermined. This is evident in different ways-by introduction of destabilizing weapon systems, pursuit of discriminatory approaches by certain states to supply advanced military hardware and sensitive technologies, and adoption of offensive force postures and doctrines, that imagine conflict beneath a nuclear threshold.Under the circumstances, Pakistan has no option but to maintain a minimum credible deterrence.We have been advocating for many years now, a Strategic Restraint Regime for South Asia.Pakistan is ready to engage with India for meaningful confidence building, risk reduction and avoidance of arms race.Madam President,Let me also reiterate Pakistan's continued support for strengthening of regional organizations as a platform for poverty alleviation and socio-economic uplift. The regional body for South Asia, SAARC has been rendered in effective due to the intransigence of one country. We remain fully committed to a functioning SAARC that can improve the lives of the people of the region.Madam President,Afghanistan and together with it, Pakistan, has suffered heavily at the hands of global power play, strategic miscalculations and cognitive dissonance.That there is no military solution to the war in Afghanistan is now a foregone conclusion. It is time to act upon that conclusion. A negotiated settlement has assumed urgency in the face of the worrisome and growing presence of Daesh in Afghanistan.Pakistan will continue to lend its support to an Afghan owned and Afghan led process of peace and reconciliation.On the bilateral plane, our two countries have operationalized the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity. It lays down the blueprint for extensive engagements in all areas of common interests.Pakistan has hosted the longest protracted refugee presence of modern times.Our role and sacrifices can perhaps be better appreciated when juxtaposed against the rising tide of anti-immigrant sentiments in nations, more resourceful and developed than ours, that have faced the brunt of fewer immigrants, over a shorter timescale.Because of this protracted situation, Afghanistan's security has a direct spill over impact on our own security and stability. We look forward to the safe, dignified and voluntary return of Afghan refugees to their homeland.Madam President,For the past seventeen years, Pakistan at great cost of life and resources, has been combating the fires of terrorism and extremism.By the determined operations of our armed forces, and the full support of our people, Pakistan has turned the tide against terrorism. With the deployment of 200,000 troops, Pakistan has conducted the largest and most effective counter terrorism campaign in the world.Peace and security have returned to our cities and towns.In our own national interest, and in line with our National Action Plan, we will continue to strengthen our counter terrorism frameworks and regimes.Pakistan continues to face terrorism that is financed, facilitated and orchestrated by our eastern neighbour. We wanted to sit with India to discuss all issues, including terrorism, that have created violence in our cities and towns, and have led to tens of thousands of casualties of innocent Pakistanis. Pakistan shall never forget the mass murder of more than 150 children in a Peshawar School, the terrible Mastung attack and many others that have links with terrorists supported by India. And we will never forget the terrorist attack in India against Samjhota Express carrying innocent Pakistanis and now its confessed perpetrators are being allowed to walk free.We wanted to share this evidence with India and the international community on who supported these acts of violence and terrorism. We have already shared this evidence with the UN. We have in our custody a serving Indian Naval officer, Commander Kalbhushan Yadav, who has provided us with the most incriminating evidence by accepting that he, on the instructions of his government, financed, planned and executed acts of terrorism and violence in Pakistan. This is but one Indian state sponsored official terrorist. Many more are launched inside Pakistan to create terror and mayhem by our eastern neighbour.And it is India, that in plain sight of the international community, perpetrates state sponsored terrorism in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of India. It is the concern of the United Nations, as Jammu and Kashmir remains on the agenda of the UN Security Council. And it is a matter of concern for the international community as humanity is being crushed and human rights being violated all over India, where people have stood up against oppression, occupation and to demand their fundamental rights.It is also a matter of concern of the international community that India has sponsored terrorism and aggression against all its neigbours.Madam President,The strongest antidote to the poison of terrorism is development that yields dividends.The vision of Belt and Road is a path-breaking initiative by a world leader of great sagacity and foresight to create a community of common destiny.It is a global common good beneficial to all.Our vision for China Pakistan Economic Corridor is to help translate our geo-strategic potential into geo-economic dividend.Pakistan looks to offer the vital connectivity nodes linking the Middle East with western China, and affording Central Asia the shortest most feasible access to the Sea.Madam President,The challenges of our times have enhanced, not diminished, the relevance of the United Nations. The United Nations must remain the central platform for dialogue and diplomacy. For the UN to remain relevant to the needs of the people and respond to the demands of the twenty first century, we believe that:One: Sustainable development goals must be pursued in order to reduce inequality within and among nations. We hope the Secretary General 's highlevel event on Financing the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda, earlier this week, will serve as a catalyst for rapid progress towards realizing the SDGs.Two: Corruption is a grave crime. Those who provide safe haven to illgotten wealth, are partners in the crime, and equally culpable. Existing international conventions on corruption do not go far enough in addressing this malaise. It is time to return the looted wealth to their rightful owners, the people, and to take to task, both the perpetrators, and their abettors.Three: Climate change poses serious challenges to all States. The Paris Agreement must not be allowed to become hostage to sectoral interests. Even as Pakistan contributes minimally to global emissions, our country remains among the most vulnerable. Our Government completed the plantation of a billion trees project in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. We have now launched an ambitious project of planting 10 billion trees across Pakistan.Four: A rules-based global order is vital for promotion of international trade in goods and services as well as global nuclear commerce and governance mechanisms. Carving out exemptions and bending established rules to suit partisan interests must be eschewed.Five: An objective and transparent criterion must be evolved to facilitate trade in strategic goods and membership of groupings governing it. This is essential for countries pursuing economic growth and development.Six: Sanctity and integrity of international agreements must be maintained. Strategic stability must be nurtured by policies of restraint and responsibility, not by considerations of profits and politics.Seven: Technology and innovation are key to reshaping our states and societies. We must strike a prudent balance between guarding against misuse of emerging technologies and facilitating their access to developing countries. It is essential to develop universally agreed legal frameworks in the area of cyber security, lethal autonomous weapons system, Artificial Intelligence and weaponization of outer space.Eight: Dislocation of people in recent years, primarily because of wars but also due to pervasive poverty, has energized the global debate on refugees and migrants. The deliberations leading to the Global Compacts on Refugees and Migrants represent a step in the right direction. The true litmus test of these compacts lies in the effective implementation of commitments.Madam President,Pakistan believes that a new consensus on peace, security and development, can and should be developed. A new paradigm for universal peace and prosperity is both desirable and achievable. Pakistan will be a willing and able partner of the international community in this worthwhile pursuit.Madam President,The challenges ahead are daunting; the road forward, untraveled, the route uncharted. These times call for deliberation and diligence, but also cooperation and concerted action. They call for a truly united, United Nations.The Kashmiri wife who lost her husband; the Kashmiri school boy who lost his eye sight and his future to pellet gun Injuries; the Syrian father who saw his child drown, the Palestinian girl who suffocates under siege, the African migrant willing to risk all for a better life, continue to look to this, the United Nations for support and succor.Let us not fail them any longer.

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Mother found guilty behind murder of minor girl in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD: Mother of seven-year-old minor killed earlier this week was found guilty behind the murder on Saturday.Seven-year-old Armish’s dead body was recovered from a plastic bag in Hyderabad’s Latifabad No. 10 area with CCTV footage showing a veiled individual dumping the body on Thursday night. The girl’s father had reported to the law enforcement authorities of her going missing while playing outside on the street. Through the help of a second CCTV footage, the authorities were able to identify a woman walking near the body as a probable suspect, revealed SSP Adeel Chandio.After showing the suspicious female in the footage, the minor’s father was able to recognize her as his wife, Shagufta. Furthermore it was revealed that Shagufta had confessed to killing her daughter by suffocating her to death after giving her sleeping pills.The suspect is believed by the police to be suffering from psychological problems."The suspect threw minor's body after killing her. She has been taken into custody,” SSP Chandio revealed.In her statement, the suspect revealed that her unemployed husband had been inflicting violence upon her."He took Rs0.6 million from my mother for business. There were daily spats between us," she revealed adding that she was going to commit suicide after killing her daughter.

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India called off dialogue on flimsy grounds, preferred politics over peace: FM Qureshi

NEW YORK: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said India in plain sight of the international community perpetrates state sponsored terrorism in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of India.Addressing the United Nations General Assembly's annual Session in Urdu language, Foreign Minister Qureshi said there can be no lasting peace in South Asia without a just settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute based on the UN Security Council resolutions and the will of the Kashmiri people.He said India called off dialogue with Pakistan multiple times on flimsy grounds, preferred politics over peace - used the pretext of stamps issued of a Kashmiri activist and depicting grave human rights violations, including pellet gun victims, as an excuse to back out from the talks."Pakistan continues to face terrorism financed and orchestrated by India - shall never forget the mass murder of more than 150 children in a Peshawar School, the terrible Mastung attack and others that have links with terrorists supported by India," he said. "If India ventures across the LoC, or acts upon its doctrine of “limited” war against Pakistan, it will evoke a strong and matching response," Qureshi warned. Serving Indian Naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhev provided evidence of Indian financed, planned and executed acts of terrorism and violence in Pakistan, he added.

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Fawad condoles death of senior journalist Jawwad Nazir

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain expressed his grief over the demise of senior journalist Jawwad Nazir.In a message of condolence here on Saturday, he said Jawwad Nazir was a writer of higheststandard and he proved his mettle in the world of journalism with his unique and magnificent style of writing.He said his departure would create a vacuum in the journalistic world which could not be filled for a long time to come.The minister prayed Allah Almighty to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved family to bear the loss with fortitude.

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Govt to formulate all inclusive policy for promoting tourism: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Saturday said the government would formulate an all-inclusive and comprehensive policy for the promotion of tourism in the country so that all allied sectors could benefit from it and the tourism sector could be further strengthened.He was chairing a meeting of Tourism Task Force here, which was attended by provincial ministers Yasir Humayun, Muhammad Atif and Abdul Khaliq Hazara, AJK Minister for Tourism Mushtaq Minhas, federal and provincial secretaries Ali Tauqeer Shah, Waqar Zekirya, Sirajul Mulk and Zulfiqar Ali Khan, and others.The provincial ministers briefed the prime minister about the steps being taken by the provinces for the promotion of tourism.The prime minister said tens of thousands of unemployed youth could get job opportunities by focusing on hundreds of tourism places spread over the length and breadth of country, particularly the Northern Areas, coastal areas, religious sites, and the historic places like Moenjodaro.The country’s tourism potential could easily be highlighted at home and abroad by using modern technology and especially social media, he said.Besides the promotion of eco-tourism, religious tourism and adventure tourism, the prime minister said special focus was required for the establishment of tourism resorts.He said handing over of the administration of public rest houses to the private sector through a transparent and set criteria would not only help promote tourism but also ensure the right use of those assets.The prime minister directed all the provincial representatives included in the Task Force to identify potential places in their respective provinces and areas within a week for the establishment of tourism centers.He directed all the provincial governments, including the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit Baltistan to formulate comprehensive plans and time-frames to achieve set targets by the next week, in line with the TORs (Terms of Reference) of the Task Force.The prime minister also called for identification of all hurdles in the promotion of tourism at the provincial levels, so that the federal government could provide assistance to the provincial governments in finding the actionable solutions of the bottlenecks.He said though the promotion of tourism was the responsibility of provinces, yet the federal government would extend all possible cooperation to remove hurdles in the promotion of tourism and in capacity building of the provinces.

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Opposition has no right to claim chairmanship of PAC: Fawad Chaudhry

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain Saturday said after the by-elections, the position of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) would further strengthen in the assemblies.Talking to media persons to provide details of a party meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan on the by-elections here, he said the PTI would participate in the by-polls with full preparations and would emerge victorious from all the constituencies."The meeting was in fact an introductory interaction of the by-election candidates with the prime minister," he said.The minister said the by-elections would be held in a free, fair and transparent manner. No administrative changes were made in any of the constituencies up for by-polls, he added.“We are not holding the elections in the way the same were held during the tenure of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). There will be no government interference," he said.Replying to a question, he said by-election candidates had been nominated keeping in view dynamics of the constituencies concerned.To another question, Fawad said the government had devised a strategy to allow the PML-N to conduct audit of all the development projects, which were initiated by the PTI.However, the PML-N itself could not be permitted to hold audit of the development projects launched by its previous government, he added.The opposition, he said, had no right to claim chairmanship of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).A decision to that effect would be taken with consultation in the party after the arrival of Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who was currently on an official visit to the United States in connection with the United Nations General Assembly session, he added.The minister the prime minister also chaired a meeting of Task Force on Tourism Development, during which issues relating to make Pakistan clean and green in general and mega city of Karachi in particular were discussed.He said the prime minister had directed the task force to frame a comprehensive policy to promote tourism in the country and identify new tourism spots.He also directed the provincial governments to prepare a detailed plan and remove all the hurdles in promotion of tourism, the minister added.Fawad said the government would soon launch a countrywide campaign to address environmental issues by planting more trees under the PM’s Clean and Green Pakistan.

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SC orders departmental action against two police officers

LAHORE: The Supreme Court (SC) on Saturday directed for departmental action against former CCPO Lahore Amin Wains and former Superintendent of Police CIA Umar Virk, accused of forcing sale of properties belonging to a deceased citizen at below market prices, in the light of an inquiry report into the matter.The two-member bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar passed the orders while hearing the matter at the Supreme Court Lahore Registry.A widow of deceased Sheikh Ajmal had filed application accusing the police officers of selling business entities of his husband through a forced agreement between the claimants.At the outset of proceedings, Inspector General of Sindh Police (IG) Dr Syed Kaleem Imam, who was till recently the IG Punjab, submitted an inquiry report and stated that both officers were found guilty of misconduct and recommendation had been made for a departmental action against them as theyexercised their influence in the matter.Advocate Zafar Iqbal Kalanauri, the petitioner''s counsel, submitted that retired justice Hamid Ali Shah also played role of an arbitrator for the sale.The bench was also apprised about various claimants (Investors) including former chief engineer Shaukat Shaheen to the business/properties.At this, the chief justice observed that Inspector General of Police Punjab should decide whether these officers be removed.The matter was related to two parties, how police get involve in it, he added.Subsequently, the bench sought tax record of the claimants from the Federal Investigation Agency to know whether their record confirms their claims or not and restrained former justice Hamid Ali Shah from interfering in the matter.The chief justice also expressed reservations over the involvement of Umar Virk in all such matters and observed that why not an inquiry of his whole service be ordered.The chief justice directed Additional Inspector General of Police Abu Bakar Khuda Bakhsh to nominate an appropriate officer for the purpose.Fauzia Ajmal, had previously stated that Wains and Virk had used their influence to get a decision in the favour of her rival parties regarding the transfer of the property of her late husband, Sheikh Ajmal.Ajmal had owned the Akbari departmental stores located in Kashmir and Hunza blocks of Lahore''s Iqbal Town, West Wood Colony and Jain Mandir.The complainant had said several people claimed their share in the properties, including sons from first wife of deceased husband, his partner and over a100 other people.She suffered huge financial losses due to the "dubious financial transactions" to the so-calledshareholders, Fauzia had alleged.

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PM chairs tourism task force in Peshawar

PESHAWAR: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday chaired a meeting of tourism task force to explore the massive potential in tourism industry.The task force has been tasked with exploring and working on bringing improvement in tourism. It will help build a positive image of Pakistan and generate revenues for the country.

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Innovative and cost-effective solutions urged to tackle plastic pollution

Karachi: Plastic was considered though as a blessing at the time of its invention which has now turned out to be disaster to the planet. Due to its light weight, low-rates and various uses almost every sector and industry has become dependent on plastic products. What we need is the simple innovative solutions to address this growing global issue. This was stated by speakers during a Green Innovation Challenge (GIC) event organized by WWF-Pakistan at a local hotel in Karachi. GIC was a competition that aimed to empower the next generation of social entrepreneurs by providing a platform to transform their ideas into ventures with a strong potential to reduce or eliminate plastic waste in Pakistan. WWF-Pakistan initiated a national competition of GIC in collaboration with UN Environment Programme’s Clean Seas campaign, powered by JS Bank and NIC Karachi. The campaign was a three-staged start-up competition aimed at supporting technology oriented solutions that provide innovative solutions for mitigation of plastic pollution. The campaign was also initiated with a joint effort of Reckitt Benckiser, Artistic Fabric and Garments Industries, Adamjee Group, The Nest i/o Pasha, NIC Lahore, travel partner Careem and media partners MangoBaaz and FM 91. Almost 100 competent teams from all over Pakistan participated in the competition, out of which 10 teams qualified for the final round. The grand finale of the competition took place in Karachi, where teams pitched their ideas live to a panel of judges under an 8-minutes timeframe, followed by a 7-minute question answer session. The winning team was awarded a seed funding of PKR 1.0 Million. Speaking on the occasion, Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General, WWF-Pakistan shared that many of sea creatures – birds, turtles, whales die because of the plastic suffocating our seas. He said that many marine animals particularly turtles and whales are found to possess plastics in their bodies. He deplored that around 800 million tons of plastics are dumped every year in oceans which are not only harming ecosystems, aquatic life but adversely impact human health. He shared that Only 10 rivers around the world are responsible for 85% of plastic pollution of the oceans, of which 8 rivers are located in Asia including Indus River. He emphasized that as individuals we can help by making lifestyle changes, like recycling more or avoid using single-use plastics. ‘You might think your contribution is small, but together our collective action is powerful’, he added. Followed by a video message by Eirk Sandnes Lindebjerg, Global Plastics Policy Manager at WWF International who thanked the partners for joining hands to combat marine plastics, teams presented their ideas to the jury consisting of experts from different fields. Presenting an idea to prevent plastic pollution, Mudasser Iqbal, an Aerospace Engineer from the UK said that the majority of plastic that ends up in the seas and oceans is through the freshwater rivers, and the River Indus is the second most polluted river in the world. He proposed that to mitigate plastic pollution transported by the River Indus to the Arabian Sea, floating barriers in critical areas at river should be set-up that can help trap plastic items. He also shared that it is a simple cost-effective solution that can help boost circular economy where the plastic collected from barriers will be reintroduced. ‘Through this solution, plastic pollution can be reduced 50 per cent by 2030’, he added. While, Ayesha Chundrigar, Founder and CEO of Ayesha Chundrigar Foundation (ACF) shared that the harnesses currently in the market are of poor quality that cause severe injuries and deaths of donkeys - the only source of livelihood for daily wagers such as donkey owners. This also leads to debts on the donkey owners as the available harnesses are very expensive. In order to eliminate the plastics from the environment and facilitate the community at the same time, Pakistan’s first humane donkey harnesses will be made from non-recyclable materials such as ghost-nets, plastic sacks, polythene bags, straws, jute sacks and straws. The ideas put forth by the participants ranged from innovations in materials and manufacturing processes to alternatives to single-use plastics. Some interesting porotypes were also demonstrated by the finalists. One team by the name of Bees Knees proposed a solution of replacing single use plastic food foils with cotton wraps covered in bee wax, which can last up to 8 months. Innovators proposed solutions on how ghost nets from the sea can be turned into attractive jewellery and clothes. All ideas revolved around reducing plastics by involving communities in Pakistan - a unique way of engaging them and lifting them out of poverty. The winner of GIC award was ACF as the idea appealed most to the judges and participants. This pilot project will only reduce plastics but promote animal welfare in Pakistan. Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General-WWF Pakistan; Nargis Latif, Owner-Gul Bahao, Sara Taher Khan, CEO- FM91; Ather Imran, CEO-Sybrid; Yawar Herekar, Head of Sustainable Finance- JS Bank; Najeeb Nayyer, Advisor-NIC Karachi; and Humayun Farooq, Marketing Director- JS Bank were a part of the judging panel.

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Karachi's falooda seller discovers he's become an instant billionaire

KARACHI: A falooda maker in Karachi has discovered that he has become an instant billionaire. Abdul Qadir, a resident of Orangi Town, Karachi, has a small Falooda stall selling the jelly ice-cream treat in the locality.Qadir has learned that he has Rs2.225 billion in his bank account which he says he never opened.He only came to know about the hefty amount when he got a letter from the Federal Investigation Agency.“My brother told me that there’s a letter from the FIA in my name and that I have been summoned,” he told media. When Qadir went to the FIA office, he was informed about the existence of Rs2.25 billion in bank account. "I run a small stall. How can I have that much money. They have seen it themselves," he said. Qadir said that the account had English signature while he can hardly sign even in Urdu. "I am an illiterate person," he said. Qadir said he had opened an account once when he bought a house in Surjani Town.Policemen have been deployed outside his house till the completion of inquiry.

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Woman sent on judicial remand for faking child abduction

KARACHI: A judicial magistrate on Saturday sent a woman on a judicial remand over faking the abduction of her eight-month-old daughter, Geo reported.Reports addressing kidnapping of an eight–month-old Fiza from Karachi’s Napier Road came September 12.Reports had earlier stated that a burqa-clad woman had snatched Fiza, while police quoted Fiza’s mother that djjins had abducted her daughter and will return her.However, the mother had denied recording such a statement.While addressing a press conference, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South Javed Alam Odho speculated that the mother willingly handed over her baby, adding that the team has tracked the suspect identified as Imran. He added that the mother did not inform her family members about the issue.The case was taken up today by a judicial magistrate, which summoned the woman and the suspect before the court where the police sought their remand.The court sent the woman and her accomplice to jail on a judicial remand till October 3.The court ruled that the infant will stay with her mother in jail and ordered that they e provided all necessities. The magistrate also ordered that DNA tests be conducted of the child and her parents.

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Senior journalist Jawwad Nazeer passes away

LAHORE: Senior Pakistani journalist Jawwad Nazeer passed away in Lahore on Saturday, Geo reported.The deceased had been associated with Daily Jang for 30 years and Geo News for 12 years. Jawwad Nazeer used to write his weekly column titled “Panchwan Darvesh” in Daily Jang.He had been serving as Executive Director News and Current Affairs, Geo TV.

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Babar Awan seeks documents from Shahbaz Sharif in civil suit

ISLAMABAD: Dr Babar Awan, the lawyer of Chairman Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan, has sought documents from Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in a civil suit, filed by him (Shehbaz) against Imran Khan in the court of Additional and District Judge, Lahore.According to Central Media Department of PTI, in the application filed by M/s Babar Awan in the court, it is stated that the title suit is pending adjudication before the court and the next date of hearing is September 29. Dr Babar Awan in the application stated that the plaintiff Shehbaz Sharif said that he was highly respectable individual who allegedly enjoys an excellent reputation in both national and international circles having a long and illustrious career in politics and public service to his credit.The plaintiff further alleged in the same paragraph that he is widely known and respected for his credibility, hard work, integrity and competence.Shehbaz Sharif is asked to produce documents which negate the said stance of the plaintiff and are in his possession.Dr Babar Awan asked for copies of notices under section 19 of NAB Ordinance 1999 in all pending inquiries and investigation in the National Accountability Bureau pending against the plaintiff.Record of all inquiries and investigation pending against the plaintiff in Federal Investigation Agency, Anti-Corruption Department and any other agency.Record of all criminal cases registered against the Plaintiff, record of Model Town case where number of innocent persons were killed, record pertaining to laptop scheme scam under inquiry before NAB including notices issued by NAB to the plaintiff, record pertaining to Sasti Roti scheme scam under inquiry before NAB including notices issued by NAB to plaintiff, record pertaining to Sasti Roti scheme scam under inquiry before NAB including notices issued by NAB to plaintiff, record pertaining to establishment of 56 companies scam under investigation before NAB including notices issued by NAB to the plaintiff, record pertaining to Ashiyana Housing scheme scam under investigation before NAB including notices issued by NAB to the plaintiff, original agreement of Orange Train Lahore and copy of notices issued by NAB to the plaintiff, original agreement of Metro Multan and copy of notices issued by NAB to the plaintiff and record of number of CM Houses in last 10 years in Punjab.He also sought record of expenses made by Model Town House and Jati Umra estate during the last ten years through supplementary grants, or other modes of provincial exchequer.The plaintiff is also asked to produce record of expenses occurred on Jati Umra Road and copies of notices/correspondence issued by NAB to the plaintiff and record of expenses from government exchequer on the construction wall around Jati Umra and law under which such an expense is allowed and permitted.Dr Babar Awan, the lawyer of the defendant sought the record under rule 16 of Civil Procedure Code.

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(Un)clean and (dis)honest: When karma paid a little visit to Jahangir Tareen and Imran Khan

The Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan has finally dismissed Jahangir Khan Tareen’s review petition, filed by him after being disqualified for life alongside former premier Nawaz Sharif. Tareen was found to be dishonest under article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution, read with Section 99(1)(f) of ROPA, due to him concealing SVL, an offshore company also known as ‘Hyde House’, which he failed to declare in his nomination papers. By submitting an untrue statement – that he had no beneficial interest in SVL – he proved his dishonesty in the eyes of the law. Tareen always maintained that the verdict against ...

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Former sessions? judge Sikandar Lashari handed death sentence

KARACHI: An anti-terrorism court on Saturday sentenced former sessions judge Sikandar Lashari to death.Lashari, seated at Mithi, was indicted for killing the 19-year-old son of Jacobabad district and sessions judge named Aqib Shahani in February 2014. He was serving jail sentence in Hyderabad and was presented before the court today that sentenced him to death. The second convicted in the case, Irfan Bengali, was also awarded death sentence. Aqib Shahani was gunned down in Hyderabad on 19th February, 2014.

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SIUT refutes reports of Dr Adib Rizvi's ill health

KARACHI: Reports terming Dr Adib Rizvi in a critical condition have been refuted by the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) on Saturday.The center in a statement clarified that reports afloat on social media of the center's founder's ill health are "false and baseless." The center's official announcement had read: "The public at large is informed that Dr Adib Rizvi is in the best of health."The statement had gone on to term the news "false and untrue" while also urging the public to avoid spreading such news without any verifications. One of the country's most esteemed and distinguished surgeons, Dr Adib Rizvi delivered a key part in bringing transplant surgery into the country.He also founded SIUT which initiated as an eight-bed surgery ward in Civil Hospital Karachi back in 1972 and went on to become a separate institution in 1992 providing free medical care to the needy.

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CJP takes suo moto notice taken of Punjab universities

LAHORE: Suo moto notice was taken of universities in Punjab by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar on Saturday. A case about a degree not being awarded to a student of University of South Asia's affiliate college was being heard by a three-judge bench headed by Justice Nisar where the Punjab advocate general was ordered to submit a report about the details regarding the provincial universities.During the hearing, the court was also informed by a representative of Higher Education Commission (HEC) that associations with colleges were made by the University of South Asia without authorization. “An institute should not only be issuing degrees but also have teachers to educate,” he had stated.In response, the CJP had stated: “They are defrauding people and have ruined the education system.” Furthermore he questioned: “Since when are these universities operating and how much fees do they charge?” It was then ordered by the chief justice that criminal cases be filed for establishing campuses unlawfully adding that "I will see who comes for their bail."

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Friday, 28 September 2018

Villagers fall gravely ill due to contaminated water in Punjab

LAHORE: Contaminated water is leading to inhabitants of village Kot Asadullah falling sick with bone and joint pains, reported Geo News.The village in close proximity to the provincial capital has been affected by unhygienic water being provided in the area with residents falling gravely sick with extreme bone and joint aches leading to an inability to move. One of the residents was cited by reports as saying: "The government needs to pay special attention and resolve this issue on an urgent basis.”Furthermore it was revealed by villagers that the contamination of the water supply was a result of chemicals emissions by factories in the area.It was reported that a water plant established in the year 2000 remains out of order to date resulting in long queues of villagers at a filtration plant put in by an NGO. “The land absorbs the chemicals from nearby factories which is why people are falling sick,” complained another inhabitant. In reference to the issue, spokesperson of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Naeem-ur-Rehman stated that a similar occurrence had come afloat 20 years prior as well due an elevated level of fluoride in the water, while adding that: “There are 12 districts of Punjab where there are high levels of fluoride.” Moreover, the villagers had urged the government to jump in and take stern measures to resolve the issue.

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FM Qureshi calls on his Russian, Egyptian counterparts

NEW YORK: Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi Friday called on his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in New York on the sidelines of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly.During the meeting, both the leaders discussed broader areas of mutual cooperation between Pakistan and Russia, including trade and investment, peace and security.Qureshi stressed the need for translating the gradually increasing multi-dimensional partnership between Pakistan and Russia.The Foreign Minister commended cooperation with Russia in the field of energy and termed it as a "strong pillar" of partnership between the two countries.The two leaders also discussed the on-going efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan.Meeting with Egypt FMForeign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi also held meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Hassan Shoukry. The two ministers discussed bilateral relations and efforts for strengthening meaningful cooperation in a number of fields using the already existing mechanisms. The two sides agreed to early convening of the Joint Ministerial Commission in this regard.

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PTI's Seema Zia apologizes for her remarks about Jahangir Tareen

KARACHI: PTI lawmaker in Sindh Assembly Dr Seema Zia, who had said Jahangir Tareen was rightly disqualified, later apologised for her remarks.Speaking to the media outside the Sindh Assembly on Friday, Zia apologised for her remarks about her party leader, saying “I highly respect Tareen and he has done a lot for the party and because of his sacrifices PTI has achieved a great success.” Clarifying her previous statement, the PTI lawmaker said; “I only meant to say that we respect courts and their decisions whether they be against me, our party leadership or anyone else.”Participating in a debate during PA session, Dr Seema Zia had said that hat PTI leader Jahangir Tareen was rightly disqualified and whoever gets involved in corrupt practices should be punished.The PTI MPA’s statement comes a day after the Supreme Court's verdict in which it upheld its December 2017 decision of disqualifying Tareen for life. A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar and comprising Justice Unter Ata Bandyal and Justice Faisal Arab, dismissed the review petition of Jehangir Tareen, challenging his disqualification.

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Kuwaiti minister for commerce calls on PM Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD: Minister of Commerce & Industry of Kuwait, Khaled Nasser Abdullah Al-Roudhan here Friday paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Imran Khan and congratulated him on assuming the office and conveyed the best wishes of the Emir of Kuwait.The prime minister expressed the desire to work closely with Kuwait to enhance cooperation in the areas of trade, investment and economic development.He invited Kuwaiti investment in various sectors including agriculture, energy, livestock and oil exploration.The prime minister hoped that the visa hurdles faced by Pakistanis visiting Kuwait would be resolved on priority.On the occasion, regional issues of mutual importance were also discussed.The prime minister said that the Government and people of Pakistan wished to see early and amicable resolution of the Gulf crisis.The Kuwaiti minister was on a four-day visit of Pakistan to co-chair 4th Round of Pakistan-Kuwait Joint Ministerial Commission.Meeting with CEO of Qatar PetroleumPresident and Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Petroleum, Sherida Al-Kaabi, also paid a courtesy call on the prime minister here and briefed him on the Qatar Petroleum’s global portfolio and activities.During the meeting,Al-Kaabi showed keen desire to enhance the company’s investment in Pakistan.The prime minister welcomed investment by Qatar Petroleum in Pakistan’s energy and petroleum sectors. He assured Al-Kaabi of the government’s full support and cooperation in this regard.

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Private banks refuse to give more loans to PTI government

ISLAMABAD: The private banks have refused to give more loan to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, Geo News reported.A consortium of private banks refused to give more loans, saying they have already provided a massive loan of nearly Rs600 billion.The PTI government had asked for a loan of Rs50 billion from private commercial banks to pay off the circular debt of power sector.Over the refusal of the private banks, the finance ministry made final request for loan, saying the government will not ask anymore in future without paying off the previous amount.Over this recommendation, the officials of private banks will meet next week to deliberate on government request.

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Islamabad police granted permission to arrest Faisal Raza Abidi in Karachi

KARACHI: Pakistan People’s Party led Sindh government has granted approval to the Islamabad police to apprehend PPP leader and former Senator Faisal Raza Abidi in a case pertaining to using inappropriate words for Chief Justice of Pakistan.Sindh Home Ministry granted the permission to Islamabad police on Friday.The permission has been granted and it asked Islamabad police to assist in the arrest, the provincial home ministry said.Islamabad Police on September 21, on the complaint of the apex court's Public Relations Officer, had registered a case against Abidi for using inappropriate words for the CJP.The case was lodged under anti-terrorism act and PPC's sections 228, 500, 505(ii) and 34.

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Chakwal school principal flees after assaulting student

CHAKWAL: A school principal can be seen brutally thrashing a student in a viral footage subsequently drawing social media ire.The amateur footage shows the principal identified as Shafiq Awan of Ali Angel School in Talagang Tehsil of the district beating a young student with a stick while also scolding him. The video soon racked up ample views online while social media users condemned the act and urged authorities to take stern measures against the head of the school.Later, a statement was issued by the district administration notifying that while the principal has escaped, the school has presently been sealed. It was also stated that a case has been registered against him and squads have been sent off to seize him.

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Bilawal Bhutto pays glowing tributes to MRD martyrs

KARACHI: Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has paid glowing tributes the 16 martyrs of the MRD movement from village Punhal Chandio in Shaheed Benazirabad division on their 35th martyrdom anniversary being observed on Saturday.In his message on the occasion, the PPP Chairman said that MRD’s was very tough and nerve-wracking political struggle by the people after the independence movement where in the masses participated from Karachi to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and from Gwadar to Khunjerab Pass and made a history fighting for democracy and basic human rights under the leadership of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.Bilawal said that Pakistani nation was indebted to the 16 martyrs of village Punhal Chandio who sacrificed their lives for the People’s right to rule themselves and against the dictatorship of Gen Zia.He saluted to all the martyrs and those PPP leaders and workers who suffered torture and imprisonments during their struggle with steadfastness, commitment and loyalty and pledged that their mission would be carried on for the accomplishment of peace, progress and prosperity in the country as the it would be the people of Pakistan who will be the ultimate victors.It may be recalled that sixteen PPP workers were martyred during MRD movement on September 29, 1983 at village Punhal Khan Chandio Taluka Sakrand in Shaheed Benazirabad division. The martyrs were: Tharoo Khan Chandio, Rajab Ali Chandio, Ali Sher Chandio, Ghulam Mustafa Chandio, Peer Bux Chandio, Uris Chandio, Siddique Chandio, Gulab Chandio, Hashim Khaskheli, Janab Khaskheli, Meero Khaskheli, Ali Gul Khaskheli, Mohammad Ramzan Khaskheli, Mehboob Ali Solangi, Allah Rakhio Solangi and Hussain Bux Manganhar.

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Government decides to serve notices to 300-400 overseas Pakistanis

ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to send notices to 300-400 overseas Pakistanis holding properties abroad.Sources said out of 2700 overseas Pakistanis with assets abroad, the government has decided to serve notices to 300-400 in the initial phase.This was decided in a meeting attended by officials of FBR, SECP, NAB and FIA, sources privy to the development said.The notices will be served to those overseas Pakistani holding six or more properties registered with their names.Source said action would be taken against the investors who failed to prove their source of income, taxes they paid and evidence of transfer of money through legal ways.The notices will be served next week, the sources added.

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Kidnapping of children from schools termed untrue by Karachi police

KARACHI: Reports of children getting kidnapped from schools were termed untrue by Karachi police on Friday.Addressing a presser, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South Javed Alam Odho said the circulating news of children going missing from their schools is false. “No child has been kidnapped from outside a school,” he stated.The DIG went on to observe that an eight-month-old baby was snatched from her mother by a veiled woman in the spheres of Napier police station Hussianpura. The case against the incident was filed by the parents subsequent to which, a suspect was traced by the investigation team identified as Abdul Qader from Sarjani.During an interrogation, the suspect revealed that he still has the infant who was handed to him readily by the mother. His claims were later proven authentic following a probe while he further revealed that other members of the family were not informed of the act by the woman.DIG Odho concluded the presser asserting that the disappearances of children have been on the rise due to other reasons including forceful labor, physical abuse and fights that result in children fleeing from their homes. He also added that 126 children have returned to other homes as well.

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Bilawal takes notice of Sohail Anwar Siyal?s controversial remarks

KARACHI: Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has taken strict notice of former Home Minister Sohail Anwar Siyal’s controversial remarks in the provincial assembly.Sources said, Bilawal reprimanded Sohail Siyal and expressed annoyance over his Thursday’s speech in the Sindh Assembly.PPP can’t ignore ‘irresponsible’ remarks of former home minister.NNI Adds: PPP leader Sohail Siyal on Thursday heavily criticised the opposition party Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) for allegedly playing ethnic card.During his speech in Sindh Assembly, the PPP MPA said that those who were given asylum in Sindh after the 1947 partition and were provided lands, food and water are today speaking against the province’s interest which is unacceptable.

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Senator Mushahidullah seeks removal of info minister Fawad Chaudhry

ISLAMABAD: PML-N Senator Mushahidullah Khan called for Prime Minister Imran Khan to remove Fawad Chaudhry as information minister.The demand came after Mushahidullah moved a privilege motion in Senate against the minister’s controversial remarks in the National Assembly a day earlier.Speaking in National Assembly, Fawad had accused Mushahidullah of appointing his brother and cousin in top posts in Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).Responding to the allegations, Mushahidullah said, “His information is based on lies.” “Chaudhry said I used to load luggage in PIA but I just want to clarify for record purposes that I had completed BA-LLB before the information minister was born,” he added.Mushahidullah demanded that Chaudhry provide evidence that he appointed his brother and cousin on top posts. “If the information minister fails to provide evidence, then he will have to issue an apology on the floor of the House.”“Prime Minister Imran Khan will have to remove Chaudhry as minister,” the PML-N senator further asserted.Meanwhile, PML-N’s Murtaza Javed Abbasi said Chaudhry should be banned from attending Parliament proceedings for a month. “Is this the attitude of ministers in an Islamic welfare state?”It is reminded here that the information minister tendered an apology yesterday after his remarks created a ruckus in the lower house of the parliament.

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