Day: September 12, 2021

SHIKARPUR: A woman was killed and her two sons were injured in a road accident within the jurisdiction of New Faujdari police station here on Sunday.

According to rescue sources, a speeding trailer coming from Sukkur hit a motorcycle on the National Highway near Shikarpur, resultantly, a woman identified as Imam Zadi, aged 40, wife of Shaukat Ali Shar, died on the spot while her two sons Zulifqar Ali and Allah Dino suffered severe injuries.

Local police with the help of passersby shifted the body and injured to RBUT Civil Hospital Shikarpur for medico-legal formalities and treatment, respectively. The body was handed over to her relatives after conducting a postmortem examination. New Faujdari police arrested the trailer driver and impounded his vehicle. No FIR was registered till filing of this story.

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi received a telephone call from Jeppe Kofod, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark on Sunday. The two foreign ministers discussed the latest developments in Afghanistan as well as bilateral relations.

Foreign Minister Kofod reiterated gratitude for Pakistan’s role in facilitating evacuation of their nationals and personnel, noting that their evacuation endeavours were continuing, according to a statement issued from PID Islamabad.

Qureshi said that Pakistan would extend all possible help in this regard. He added that, overall, Pakistan had facilitated the transit of more than 12,000 people from 30 countries and international organizations. He further said that Pakistan was committed to further upgrading bilateral cooperation with Denmark, particularly in trade and economic relations. In this context, Qureshi acknowledged Denmark’s support for Pakistan’s GSP+ status. He added that both countries needed to enhance people-to-people exchanges by taking steps to facilitate genuine travelers.

Qureshi extended an invitation to the Danish Foreign Minister to visit Pakistan, which he accepted. This was the third telephone conversation between the two foreign ministers in recent weeks. Besides, the Danish Prime Minister spoke with Prime Minister Imran Khan and State Secretary Steen Hommel met with Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood. Pakistan and Denmark enjoy excellent bilateral relations, including growing collaboration in the areas of renewable energy and green transition, according to the statement.

KARACHI: Governor Punjab Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar on Sunday urged the international community to play an effective role for ensuring peace and stability in Afghanistan and implementation of UN resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir for bringing sustainable peace in the region.

He expressed these views while speaking to media persons along with the Central Vice President PTI and Leader of the Opposition in Sindh Assembly Haleem Adil Sheikh at latter’s residence. PTI members of Sindh Assembly were also present on the occasion. Mr Sarwar said that Afghanistan was going through rapid changes, and Pakistan since the first day had a clear policy of non-intervention in internal affairs of any other country.

Prime Minister Imran Khan had stated 18 years ago that war was not a solution to Afghan issue and dialogue among all the stakeholders was the only way to reach at a sustainable solution, Sarwar said adding that he, as a then member of British Parliament, also opposed the invasion of Afghanistan and stressed on peaceful solution.

He appealed to the international community to play an effective role in that regard as peace and stability in Afghanistan was in greater interest of Afghanistan and peace in Pakistan, the region and the entire world. Highlighting the plight of people of occupied Kashmir, Sarwar reiterated the commitment that Pakistan would keep raising voice against oppressive and barbaric actions of occupying forces over innocent people of the valley.

He stressed on the international community to ensure implementation on United Nation’s resolution on Jammu and Kashmir and granting right of self-determination to Kashmiri people so that they could be saved from atrocities of occupying Indian forces and decide their own future.

He said that PTI government was focused on strengthening economy as it was evident that strong economy was imperative for sovereign foreign policy and ensuring relief to masses. He observed that due to prudent measures of federal government during COVID-19 situation, Pakistan’s economy showed positive indicators.

Despite economic pressures, Pakistan’s exports has increased from $20 billion to $25 billion while current account deficit that was $20 billion when PTI assumed the power had lowered to $ 2 billion, he informed. Federal government was taking measures to provide maximum relief to people of Karachi as well, he added.

Replying to a query about election reforms, the Punjab governor said that election reforms were a complex issue and all political parties needed to sit together, discuss in detail and reach at a solution with consensus of all the political parties and civil society. It was observed that after every election, defeated parties made hue and cry of rigging and irregularities so we required a foolproof electoral system that could bring an end to such practices, he opined.

On another question he said that Prime Minister Imran Khan had nominated Usman Buzdar as CM Punjab and he got vote of confidence from PTI and allied parties in the assembly. He would keep serving as chief minister until he enjoys confidence of majority of the assembly, he remarked.

Haleem speaking on the occasion welcomed the Punjab Governor and said that Chaudhry Sarwar earned laurels for the country in the world. He also lauded his proactive role in provision of humanitarian assistance to people of Sindh after flood the previous year. Haleem said that governor Punjab was also working on provision of clean drinkable water in Sindh and Balochistan.

KARACHI: Builders, developers and makers of construction material banked on the opportunity by increasing the prices of plots and building material making it impossible for poor and middle-income groups to own a house. Builders, developers and land mafia whitened their black money and increased prices of plots across the country which went up to 80 percent in the major cities.

This was stated by former President of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Dr Shahid Rasheed Butt in a statement on Sunday. He said the amnesty scheme for the construction sector and tax breaks did not benefit masses but the business tycoons, adding real estate barons misused amnesty scheme.

Now the dream of owning a house by the middle-class has become dearer due to spike in prices of property and building material, he observed. Purpose of the construction amnesty scheme and providing status of industry of this sector was to promote housing and generate jobs and to fill in the gap of shortage of millions of housings units but not a single objective was achieved as thought.

He said that weak laws and collusion of influential has made real estate one of the most profitable businesses in Pakistan. Trillions of rupees have been invested in this sector with almost no documentation or taxation. A study shows that land tax collected in the province of Punjab is less than the land tax collected in one Indian city of Chennai, he said.

The industrial sector is facing many problems; therefore, many industrialists have started avoiding expansion or setting up new units in favour of investing in the real estate market for higher returns which is a very dangerous trend. The business leader said that speculation is rife for industrial plots which is threatening the process of industrialization which should be noticed and curtailed.

Economic development should be balanced by axing the amnesty scheme, taxes should be increased as soon as the value of the property goes up, a ban should be imposed on holding plots for profit or such plots should attract double tax, all related rules and regulations should be improved while keeping the interest of masses in mind, he demanded.

CHACHRO: A 45-year-old man allegedly committed suicide by jumping into a well near village Rajoro on Sunday.

According to rescue sources, Long, son of Jumo Kumbhar, allegedly committed suicide by jumping into the well near village Rajoro, where he died. The villagers pulled out his body from the well.

The deceased was shifted to a local hospital for medico-legal formalities and later handed over to the heirs. The incident has created a mourning atmosphere in the village. Police said that the cause behind the suicide could not be ascertained, however, they were investigating the incident.

RAAUNTY: A man was killed in firing within the limits of Ubauro police station on Sunday. According to rescue sources, a hunter opened fire to kill birds near a pond in Daho Phull locality near Ubauro. As result, a bullet hit a boy Zaffar Solangi that killed him on the spot.

The deceased was shifted to a local hospital for medico-legal formalities and later handed over to the heirs. The incident has created a mourning atmosphere in the village. The police have started a probe into the incident. No arrest could be made till filing this report.

QUETTA: Brewry Road police Quetta claimed to have seized seven kilograms of highway quality hashish from an accused in an operation conducted in Brewry road area of the provincial capital on Sunday.

Following the directions of SP Saddar Qazi Ali Raza and DSP Asif Mastoe, a team of Brewry Road Police Station, Quetta, led by Station House Officer Ehsan Marwat, intercepted Indus Corolla vehicle bearing registration number AZN-601 at Brewry road area of Quetta.

Upon search, seven kilograms of the hashish was recovered from the vehicle. Police arrested alleged accused Fasihullah son of Muhammad Shah Noorzai, a resident of Gunj Eastern Bypass. The accused was handed over to investigation staff for conducting investigation after lodging a case against him. Further investigation was underway.