Day: December 23, 2020

ISLAMABAD:Foreign Office on Wednesday summoned Indian Charge d’Affaires to register Pakistan’s strong protest over ceasefire violation by the Indian occupation forces along the Line of Control (LoC) on Tuesday.

In a statement, Foreign Office Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said one innocent civilian was martyred and three other injured in indiscriminate and unprovoked firing by the Indian occupation forces in Hotspring and Jandrot Sectors of the LoC.

The Spokesperson said the Indian occupation forces along the LoC and the Working Boundary have been continuously targeting civilian populated areas with artillery fire, heavy-caliber mortars, and automatic weapons.

He said in 2020, the Indian occupation forces have carried out 3012 ceasefire violations to date, resulting in 28 shahadats and serious injuries to 253 innocent civilians.

Condemning the deplorable targeting of innocent civilians by the Indian occupation forces, it was underscored that such senseless acts are in clear violation of the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding, and are also against all established humanitarian norms and professional military conduct.

The Spokesperson said these egregious violations of international law reflect consistent Indian attempts to escalate the situation along the LoC and are a threat to regional peace and security.

ISLAMABAD:Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed has announced a crackdown against petrol pumps, found involved in selling smuggled petrol, after seven days.

Talking to media here on Wednesday, he said Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed the Ministry of Interior to seal all petrol pumps in seven days across Pakistan, which are selling smuggled or stolen petrol.

He said owners of such petrol pumps will never be allowed to do petroleum business in future as well. He said seven billion dollars can be saved by eliminating petrol smuggling. He said an extensive awareness campaign against the smuggled petrol will be run on the electronic media.

ISLAMABAD:As many as 84 more people died of Coronavirus in the country during the last twenty-four hours.

According to the latest data shared by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), 2,142 people tested Covid positive during this period after tests of 35,621 people.

The figure of active Covid cases in the country is 462,814 while 415,352 people have been recovered from the virus.

ISLAMABAD:President Dr Arif Alvi has emphasized the importance of women contribution in overall development of the country.

He was speaking at a conference on National Initiatives to address gender based discrepancies and for the promotion of legal, economic and social empowerment of women here on Wednesday.

He said women cannot be empowered without their economic empowerment. He said women need to be encouraged in their economic activities. He also stressed for social protection of the women. The President said the constitution of Pakistan fully guarantees rights of the women.

ISLAMABAD:Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on National Security Division and Strategic Policy Planning, chaired a session of Pakistan-Afghanistan Track-II dialogue where the peace process in Afghanistan was discussed.

An Afghan delegation arrived in Islamabad amidst signs of improving relations between the two countries. Dr Moeed said Pakistan and Afghanistan are neighboring countries with shared interests.

Pakistan has an unwavering belief that economic prosperity for both nations is interlinked. Dr Moeed affirmed Pakistan’s support for an economically thriving Afghanistan and reiterated Prime Minister Imran Khan’s belief that there is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan.

He mentioned that Pakistan is working on an economic security agenda which consists of three pillars: connectivity, development partnerships, and peace within the region and beyond. He said peace in Afghanistan is vital for connectivity with Central Asia, from which both the countries will prosper.

He highlighted the steps being taken by Pakistan to strengthen economic relations and people-to-people exchanges comprising of visa facilitation, enhancing trade, and assisting transit for the welfare of Afghan people by creating two border markets at Khurram and Chitral.

The Afghan delegation appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to ensure peace and stability in Afghanistan. The meeting conveyed a great deal of hope for further progress in trade relations and people-to-people contact between the two countries.

ISLAMABAD:Australian High Commissioner Dr Geoffrey Shaw has reiterated to continue cooperation with Pakistan especially in its efforts to successfully ward off effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The resolve was expressed during a virtual meeting between Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and Australian High Commissioner Dr. Geoffrey Shaw on Wednesday.

The Finance Minister commended Australia’s support to Pakistan. In his remarks, the Australian High Commissioner said Pakistan is at the heart of a regional market, and would like to explore further opportunities for enhancing trade relations between the two countries.

He said the Australian Government invests in the people of Pakistan through Australian Aid Programs in the spheres of health and education.