Day: August 16, 2021

Islamabad, August 16, 2021 (PPI-OT):Honourable Federal Minister, Syed Fakhar Imam chaired a meeting with delegation of Food Agriculture Organization (FAO) of United Nations which was headed by FAO representative in Pakistan Ms. Rebekah Bell. Meeting was also attended by Syed Anwar-ul-Hasan Bukhari, Additional Secretary (P and T), Mr. Rashid Mahmood, Additional Secretary (D/IC) and senior officers of M/o NFS and R.

Minister said that we need to revitalize the agricultural research in Pakistan. He said that Pakistan needs to create public-private partnership to enhance and make viable the agricultural research in the public sector. He said that it is pertinent to link the industry needs with the core of agricultural research in the public sector. Federal Minister emphasized that only “Innovative Agricultural Financing Models” can lead Pakistan’s agriculture into the future. Fakhar urged FAO to bring agriculture research experts into Pakistan from USA, Japan, China, Australia and Brazil.

He said that we need to transform the quality of the human resource in our national research centres so that overall agriculture sector can be led to prosperity. Fakhar stated that the curriculum of agricultural universities in the country needs to be revamped so that word class scientists can be produced locally. Both parties agreed to hold workshops to chalk out a plan to revamp the research sector of the country. Federal Minister also said that we need to better protect intellectual property rights in Pakistan so that foreign companies can come and invest in the country.

In the end of meeting Honourable Federal Minister appreciated the quick response of FAO attending this very important meeting. The meeting ended with the vote of thanks from Honourable Federal Minister for NFS and R Islamabad.

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

New Delhi, August 16, 2021 (PPI-OT):The Supreme Court today said that an affidavit filed by the Indian government on the issue relating to alleged snooping by the government has not satisfied allegations whether or not Pegasus spyware was used and asked whether it will file an additional affidavit.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India N V Ramana posted for tomorrow the hearing on a batch of pleas seeking a court-monitored probe into reports of the government allegedly using Israeli spyware Pegasus to spy on politicians, activists, court staff, and journalists.

“We will continue tomorrow. If you have a change of mind, let us know tomorrow. If Tushar Mehta may decide to file an affidavit, then we have nothing to say, else we will hear all of you,” said Chief Justice Ramana, while adding that it cannot compel the centre to file an affidavit if it is “reluctant”.

Solicitor General, Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Indian government, said that the issue involved aspects of national security and was not simple enough to be addressed through affidavits. Mr Mehta asked if the petitioners will withdraw petitions seeking an independent probe into the issue if the government files an affidavit denying using Pegasus.

“We are dealing with a sensitive matter but an attempt is being made to make this sensational. This matter will have national security implications. This matter cannot be handled like furnish an affidavit etc. Minister concerned with this department has given details as to how the Pegasus issue has been raging fire over the past few years. The placing of facts will involve national security issues,” Mr Mehta told the bench. During the hearing, the petitioners’ lawyers repeatedly told the bench that the Indian government has evaded answering the question if it or any of its agencies have ever used the spyware and urged the court to direct the government to come clean.

Earlier in the day, the Indian government filed an affidavit and apprised the top court that it has decided to constitute a Committee of Experts which will examine the issue. The government also denied all the allegations of snooping and maintained that the petitions are based on conjectures and there is no substance in the accusations.

For more information, contact:
Kashmir Media Service
Phone: +92-51-4435548, +92-51-4435549
Fax: +92-51-4861736
Email: info@kmsnews.org
Website: www.kmsnews.org

Ahmedabad, August 16, 2021 (PPI-OT):With more than 50 percent deficit in monsoon rainfall till August 15, Gujarat appears headed for a drought. The State has not received significant rainfall in any of its regions except a few pockets that received showers from mid-June to mid-August.

So far the State has received only one spell of rain in June and two in July against the normal four rain spells that it receives every year. Earlier in May, due to cyclone Taukte, a few pockets in coastal areas had received rain but the cyclone had caused massive damage, with more than 60 people killed and extensive destruction.

“It is a huge concern for the State because the monsoon so far has been disappointing. There is a possibility of monsoon revival in the last week of August otherwise it will be very bad for agriculture,” a senior official said, adding that the government is monitoring the situation.

Normally, the southwest monsoon reaches Gujarat in mid-June and remains active till mid-September during which time, the State receives several spells across all regions. Gujarat had received 449.3 mm rainfall till August 9 last year while the figure is 304.7 mm till August 15 this year.

What is aggravating the situation for farmers is the lack of water in either rivers or reservoirs. “Our reservoirs have just 35-40% water as on August 12,” a State Irrigation Department official said, ruling out any further release for irrigation if there is no substantial rainfall.

Recently the State government was forced to release Narmada water for two weeks for irrigation in the Narmada canal command area.

In Saurashtra’s groundnut belt, the worries of the farmers are mounting each day as the dry spell continues. “If there is no rain in one week, we will be hit very badly because our crop will fail now. No rain and no irrigation water to save the crops,” said Bavanaji Patel, a farmer with 30 acres of land in Junagadh district.

According to him, the groundnut crop requires maximum water in July and August and so far, both months witnessed a deficit which is growing with each passing day.

As a staple cash crop, groundnut cultivation area this year is around 1.9 million hectare while last year, it was two million hectare. Average groundnut production in the state is around 3.5 million tons.

Similarly, farmers who have cultivated cotton are also now anxiously waiting for monsoon revival otherwise they are staring at crop failure. “We need heavy rainfall in this month or else we will not be able to save the crop,” said Samatbhai Ahir, a farmer who has cultivated cotton in 20 acres in Jamnagar district. In this season, the area under cotton cultivation is around 2.2 million hectare. Both cotton and groundnuts are staple kharif crops as Gujarat is among the largest producers of both oilseeds.

For more information, contact:
Kashmir Media Service
Phone: +92-51-4435548, +92-51-4435549
Fax: +92-51-4861736
Email: info@kmsnews.org
Website: www.kmsnews.org

Srinagar, August 16, 2021 (PPI-OT):In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the Chairman of Islami Tanzeem-e-Azadi Jammu and Kashmir, Abdul Samad Inqilabi has expressed concern over the plight of illegally detained Hurriyat leaders and activists and demanded their immediate and unconditional release.

Abdul Samad Inqilabi in a statement issued in Srinagar said that the authorities were not only treating the detainees inhumanly in jails but they are intentionally prolonging their illegal detention by not presenting them in courts. He deplored that the Indian troops were even not sparing elders and children of the territory and they were also being harassed and victimized.

Abdul Samad Inqilabi said that there was no legal or moral justification to keep Kashmiris in prisons for a long period. He added that the authorities were using such undemocratic tactics to break the freedom sentiment of the freedom-loving Kashmiris but would never succeed in their sinister designs.

For more information, contact:
Kashmir Media Service
Phone: +92-51-4435548, +92-51-4435549
Fax: +92-51-4861736
Email: info@kmsnews.org
Website: www.kmsnews.org

Srinagar, August 16, 2021 (PPI-OT):In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the Chairman of Pir Panjal Peace Foundation (PPPF), Muhammad Hanif Kalas met the leaders of Jammu and Kashmir Muslim League (JKML) in Srinagar and discussed the latest situation in the territory. Muhammad Hanif Kalas discussed the Kashmir freedom movement and especially the latest situation of Jammu region with the JKML leaders, including Molvi Asadullah Parray, Abdul Ahad Parra and Feroz Ahmad.

On the occasion, they expressed concern over the continued illegal detention and deteriorating health condition of party Chairman, Masarat Alam Butt and demanded his immediate release along with other illegally detained Hurriyat leaders and activists, languishing in different jails of India and the territory. They also reiterated the Kashmiris’ resolve to continue Kashmir liberation movement till taking it to its logical conclusion.

For more information, contact:
Kashmir Media Service
Phone: +92-51-4435548, +92-51-4435549
Fax: +92-51-4861736
Email: info@kmsnews.org
Website: www.kmsnews.org

Hyderabad, August 16, 2021 (PPI-OT):The staff members of the Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad gang-raped two sisters, coming with the patient in the hospital, continuously for four days. A computer operator of the Gandhi Hospital and three security personnel are involved in the heinous crime. According to reports, a person belonging to Mehboob Nagar, who was suffering from kidney problem, admitted in Gandhi Hospital two weeks ago

His wife with her sister was also in the hospital to take care of the patient, but during treatment, the patient was shifted to the other ward. The two sisters did not know the new ward and they received information about the ward from the computer operator. The computer operator made them hostage in the storeroom and continued to rape them with three security personnel for four days.

For more information, contact:
Kashmir Media Service
Phone: +92-51-4435548, +92-51-4435549
Fax: +92-51-4861736
Email: info@kmsnews.org
Website: www.kmsnews.org

Thiruvananthapuram, August 16, 2021 (PPI-OT):Despite an appeal made by Food and Civil Supplies Minister G.R. Anil, a section of ration dealers remained firm on their move to hold a Statewide demonstration tomorrow (Tuesday) in protest against the non-payment of dues of 10 months for distributing food kits.

The All Kerala Retail Ration Dealers Association has called for a hunger strike from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the first day of the Malayalam month of Chingam in the State capital, district centres and taluk centres. The ration dealers will observe betrayal day as part of the protest.

Association State president Johnny Nellore and general secretary T. Mohammed ali said that ration dealers would not resort to any measures that would adversely affect the public. Ration distribution would not be affected. However, they threatened to launch an indefinite strike in September if the government refused to disburse the dues before Onam. They claimed the government owed them nearly ₹55 crore for distributing the food kits.

They also criticised the government for failing to compensate the families of 55 ration dealers and salesmen who succumbed to COVID-19. Though the government had planned to complete the Onam-kit distribution on Monday, only 39.71 lakh out of the 90.96 lakh ration card holders have received the kit. The dealers demanded the drive be extended further to ensure maximum coverage.

For more information, contact:
Kashmir Media Service
Phone: +92-51-4435548, +92-51-4435549
Fax: +92-51-4861736
Email: info@kmsnews.org
Website: www.kmsnews.org