September 21, 2020

Resolution of all contentious issues including Kashmir and Palestine is inevitable for sustainable world’s peace: National Assembly Speaker

Islamabad, September 21, 2020 (PPI-OT): Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser has said that Islam stresses upon propagation of peace in the world as the central message of Islam has always been the peace for all. He said that the last Prophet Peace be upon him has been the symbol of peace and tranquillity. He expressed these views while addressing the Seminar on “Piecing Peace Together for a shared future for humanity “organized by the Kashmir Committee to observe the international Peace Day at PIPS today.

The Speaker remarked that hegemonic designs have put the peace of the world at stake. He mentioned that the world and regional peace is at stake due to unresolved issues of the Kashmir and Palestine. He stressed on the regional and world organizations to resolve the Kashmir issue as per the aspirations of the Kashmir people and in accordance with the united Nation Security Council resolutions. He said that Indian Army has been brutalizing the Kashmiri since more than seven decades and the UNO and other International Organizations have failed to save the Kashmiri people from the suppression of Indian Army. He urged the international and regional organizations to take notice of the stark violations of the human rights in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine.

Speaker Asad Qaiser appreciated the initiatives taken by Chairman Parliamentary Kashmir Committee and expressed confidence that he has all capabilities to highlight Kashmir issue at every forum. He assured his all-out support to make Kashmir Parliamentary committee more proactive and also resolved to make Parliament a central forum to highlight this issue.

Addressing the seminar Minister for Food and Security Syed Fakhar Imam said that peace in the region and resolution of the Kashmir issue are interlinked. He said that the Prime Minister Imran khan’s dream of peace and prosperity would ensure peace in the country as well as in the world. Chairman Kashmir Committee Sheryar Afridi said that the world has realized the violation of the basic human rights in occupied Kashmir (IIOJK).

He said that the movement of Kashmiri people for self-determination has entered into its logical point and soon the world would recognize the legitimate struggle of the Kashmiri people. He said that nothing can suppress the freedom movement of the Kashmiri people. President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Masood Khan highlighted the Indian brutalities on the Kashmiri people in IIOJK. He resolved that the freedom struggle of the Kashmir cannot be suppressed by the brutalities and atrocities of the Indian Armed Forces. He mentioned that Kashmir and Palestine issues needed to be resolved through peaceful means in order to bring peace and tranquillity in the region.

For more information, contact:
Secretary
National Assembly of Pakistan
Automation Centre,
National Assembly Secretariat,
Parliament House,
Islamabad – Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9221082-83
Fax: +92-51-9221106
Email: assembly@na.gov.pk
Website: www.na.gov.pk

September 21, 2020

Ulema term sectarian violence as un-Islamic

Islamabad, September 21, 2020 (PPI-OT): Ulema, belonging to various schools of thought, have declared terrorism, extremism, sectarian violence, and killings of innocent people in the name of religion as un-Islamic. To this effect, a joint declaration was adopted at Wahdat-e-Ummat Conference in Islamabad on Monday.

It said no orator from any school of thought, in any pretext will be allowed to utter disrespectful words against Prophets of Allah, Ahl-e-Bait, Sahaba, Khulafa-e-Rashideen, wives of the Holy Prophet, Imams, and Hazrat Imam Mehdi. The declaration said that all religious sects will unanimously denounce such a person who is found indulging in any of the above acts and strict action would be taken against him.

The declaration said no sect of Islam will be declared infidel and neither a Muslim nor a non-Muslim will be declared as liable to be killed extra judicially. It demanded complete ban on publication of hate material, including books, pamphlets, or spreading hatred through cassettes, internet and social media.

It pledged to organize joint gatherings at public level to express solidarity and brotherhood among people of different schools of thoughts. The declaration also called upon the government to take stern action against those, involved in desecration of worship places and sacred things of non-Muslims as protecting the lives minorities, their places of worship and property is the responsibility of the state of Pakistan.

It emphasized on the government to fully implement the National Action Plan without any discrimination. Speaking on the occasion, President Dr. Arif Alvi urged the Ulema to play their role to curb sectarianism, promote inter-faith harmony and demonstrate patience. He said Pakistan has faced many conspiracies but it was the people of the country who stood against enemies’ designs.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

September 21, 2020

Government making all out efforts to reform system of subsidies: Prime Minister

Islamabad, September 21, 2020 (PPI-OT): Prime Minister Imran Khan has said it is top priority of the government to ensure that subsidies are reaching to the deserving people. He was chairing a meeting in Islamabad on Monday on making the system of subsidies provided by the government in various sectors transparent and systematic.

The Prime Minister said the government is making all out efforts to reform the system of subsidies in different sectors for the purpose. He said subsidies provided from the state exchequer are aimed at supporting the weaker sections of the society and promoting socio-economic development.

The Prime Minister said taking advantage of the loopholes in the subsidy system by the undeserving people is not only wastage of government resources but also a waste of the rights of the deserving. The Prime Minister appreciated the efforts of think-tank and directed that a roadmap be drawn for each viable proposal, keeping in view government’s priorities so that they can be implemented in a phased manner.

September 21, 2020

Government asks opposition to refrain from dragging national institutions into politics

Islamabad, September 21, 2020 (PPI-OT): Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has asked the opposition to refrain from dragging national institutions to politics as it will not serve interest of Pakistan.

Addressing at a joint news conference in Islamabad on Monday, along with Information Minister Syed Shibli Faraz, Planning Minister Asad Umar, and Minister for Science and Technology Chaudhry Fawad Hussain the Foreign Minister said yesterday’s conference of the opposition reflected their desperation for not getting any concession or National Reconciliation Ordinance from the government.

He rejected opposition’s objections on foreign policy of the country saying that the entire world is acknowledging Pakistan’s role as facilitator in the Afghan Peace Process. Shah Mehmood Qureshi said it is a great achievement that now intra-Afghan negotiations have begun for lasting peace in the country.

Regarding Kashmir issue, the Foreign Minister said Prime Minister has vociferously raised the issue of Jammu and Kashmir at the UN General Assembly, Organization of Islamic Countries, world human rights bodies and other global forums.

He said it seems strange that on the one hand, the opposition is criticizing government’s Kashmir policy; while on the other hand, they had supported government to get passed resolutions on Kashmir unanimously from the parliament. Refuting opposition’s claim that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is being rolled back, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said all the projects of CPEC are rolling on and will be completed within the stipulated time period.

September 21, 2020

Ambassador Munir Akram’s address at the high-level commemorative meeting as the President of the UN Economic and Social Council

Islamabad, September 21, 2020 (PPI-OT): Seventy-five years ago, the United Nations was established to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war” and also to promote “better standards of life in larger freedoms”: Ambassador Munir Akram -The fundamental principles of the Charter have served as the foundations of the post-1945 order. Against all odds, the world’s nations have avoided another global conflict: Ambassador Munir Akram The last 75 years, has been a “golden age” – in economic growth and productivity; the reductions in poverty and maternal and child mortality; the rise in life expectancy; and scientific and technological advances. Ambassador Munir Akram As the Secretary-General has observed “inequality is the hallmark of our times”.

The COVID-19 pandemic has starkly revealed the reality of inequality among and within nations. It is the poorest who have suffered the most from the pandemic. The richer countries have mobilized $11 trillion while the developing countries are struggling to find even a small fraction of the resources needed to keep their people alive and their economies afloat: Ambassador Munir Akram. We are confronted with a triple challenge: recovering from the COVID pandemic; realizing the SDGs; and avoiding the looming threat of a climate catastrophe: Ambassador Munir Akram. The response to these challenges must be collective.

No one will be safe until everyone is safe from the virus: Ambassador Munir Akram. A vaccine against COVID-19 – once developed – must be available to everyone, everywhere, at affordable prices, without discrimination: Ambassador Munir Akram Our response to the triple crisis must be composite and synergetic. And, our response must leave no one behind: Ambassador Munir Akram This will require unprecedented levels of international cooperation. Such cooperation cannot be promoted anywhere, except within the UN and its family of organizations. The UN is more indispensable today than ever before: Ambassador Munir Akram At no time has the ECOSOC’s mandate been so vital.

The ECOSOC should take the decisions needed to overcome COVID, promote sustainable development and prevent climate change: Ambassador Munir Akram during Pakistan’s Presidency of ECOSOC this year, we will focus on practical steps and concrete actions: Ambassador Munir Akram. Mobilizing the requisite finances is vital to meet the triple challenge: (1) Debt restructuring; (2) new SDRs; and (3) Loan facility: Ambassador Munir Akram Greatly expanded investment in sustainable infrastructure which impacts on at least 90% of targets.

A Sustainable Infrastructure Investment Facility under the umbrella of the UN could accelerate such investment. : Ambassador Munir Akram The application and absorption of new technologies is imperative to evolve a dynamic and sustainable development paradigm. Thus, the Intellectual Property regime should be made compatible with the SDGs: Ambassador Munir Akram. Research and development should be directed to achieve specific outcomes that are vital to promote the SDGs and Climate goals.

The digital divide must be bridged: Ambassador Munir Akram. The UN Charter recognizes that prosperity and peace are interdependent: Ambassador Munir Akram The United Nations cannot be made “fit for purpose” if the Security Council is paralyzed; and if the General Assembly and ECOSOC are marginalized: Ambassador Munir Akram The United Nations cannot be effective if unilateral actions are preferred over multilateral solutions; if the United Nations is starved of the resources to fulfill its vital mandates for peacekeeping and peacebuilding; if the resolutions of the Security Council are flouted at will. : Ambassador Munir Akram.

The course upon which the world is drifting threatens to erode the structures that have been built to preserve peace and promote prosperity, including the United Nations. This would be a tragedy of epic propositions for all mankind. Let us commit ourselves in adopting the Declaration to reverse this course: Ambassador Munir Akram.

For more information, contact:
Principal Information Officer,
Press Information Department (PID)
Tel: +92-51-9252323, +92-51-9252324
Fax: +92-51-9252325, +92-51-9252326
Email: piopid@gmail.com
Website: www.pid.gov.pk

September 21, 2020

Pakistan strongly condemns attack by Houthi militia in Jazan Region of Saudi Arabia

Islamabad, September 21, 2020 (PPI-OT): Pakistan strongly condemns the attack by Houthi militia that resulted in civilian injuries and damage to civilian property in Jazan Region of Saudi Arabia. Pakistan reiterates its full support and solidarity with the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia against any threats to its security and territorial integrity.

September 21, 2020

Ambassador Yao Jing pays farewell call on the Prime Minister

Islamabad, September 21, 2020 (PPI-OT): China’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Mr. Yao Jing, paid farewell call on Prime Minister Imran Khan. During the call, Prime Minister lauded efforts of Ambassador Yao in further deepening and strengthening Pakistan-China “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership”. The Prime Minister conveyed that the people of Pakistan were keenly looking forward to welcoming President Xi Jinping to Pakistan. Appreciating priorities of Chinese leadership for its people, Prime Minister emphasized that the Chinese leadership had played a remarkable role in China’s socio-economic transformation and there was a lot to learn from Beijing’s example of economic development and poverty alleviation.

Prime Minister underlined that during Ambassador’s tenure, CPEC had entered the second phase focusing on industrialization, agriculture and socio-economic development and would play a key role in promoting regional growth and prosperity. Ambassador Yao thanked Prime Minister Imran Khan for the leadership role he had played in further solidifying and deepening Pakistan’s relationship with China which was greatly valued by the Chinese leaders at the highest level. Ambassador Yao underlined that the Prime Minister’s vision and leadership was instrumental in Pakistan’s transformation.

He emphasized that with Prime Minister’s personal focus on poverty alleviation and people-centred approach, CPEC had entered into its second phase and will deliver substantial and immense benefits not only to people of Pakistan but the entire region. Ambassador Yao stated that Pakistan’s policy of “smart lockdown” in containing COVID-19 was internationally recognized and could be followed as a model by others to deal with a possible second wave of COVID-19.

Ambassador Yao maintained that he will have very fond memories of Pakistan and would wish to see Pakistan-China relationship further strengthened. He emphasized that China would continue to support Pakistan in pursuit of its national development and objectives. The Prime Minister appreciated Ambassador Yao Jing’s overall contribution to the Pakistan-China partnership and wished him well in his future endeavours. Ambassador Yao Jing served in Islamabad from October 2017 to September 2020. This was his third assignment in Pakistan.