Day: October 1, 2021

Islamabad, October 01, 2021 (PPI-OT):Federal Minister for National Food and Security Syed Fakhar Imam addressed the orientation programme for the honourable members of the legislative assembly of Azad Jammu and Kashmir on 1st October, 2021 at the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services in Islamabad. Fakhar said that it is absolutely necessary that the legislators work in an independent and impartial manner in order to further the progress of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

He said that the economy is the driving force of status in the comity of nations. Minister said that through focusing on education and health and by following the progressive and forgiving policies of Nelson Mandela, Pakistan as a nation can prosper. Fakhar Imam praised the services of Syed Ali Geelani and reiterated that the decision of Quaid-e-Azam to create Pakistan has once again been validated by the Hindutva policy of Indian PM Narendra Modi regarding Kashmir. He said that PM Modi is trying to change the demographics of Kashmir.

Federal Minister said that United Nations has on numerous occasions discussed the issue of Kashmir in the aftermath of the illegal and unilateral action of India on 5th August 2019, which proves that Kashmir is a disputed territory. He reiterated that the status of Kashmir is as a disputed territory. The minister said that India’s narrow and myopic outlook has ostracized 8 million Kashmiris.

He said that the world should immediately act to avoid any untoward incident since these two nuclear powers i.e Pakistan and India are looking at each other eyeball to eyeball. Fakhar said that the world has started to open its eyes to the human rights violations in Kashmir which have been highlighted by international media such as NY Times, Washington Post, Wallstreet Journal etc.

Fakhar said that the emerging strategic partnership between USA, Japan, Australia and India has allowed India to expand its hegemonic designs in the region. Fakhar said that India’s ethos has completely changed under the RSS ideology of the Modi government. Minister said that Imran Khan has raised the plight of the Kashmiris on every forum and will continue to do so in the future.

He said that the government of PTI will continue to expose India as an oppressor and aggressor denying the Kashmiris their right of self-determination in violation of the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. Fakhar said that India has the highest civilian to military ratio (9:1) in Kashmir to suppress their freedom. India should know that the government of Pakistan and every Pakistani fully support the people of Kashmir.

Minister said that Imran Khan has raised the plight of the Kashmiris on every forum and will continue to do so in the future. He said that the government of PTI will continue to expose India as an oppressor and aggressor denying the Kashmiris their right of self-determination in violation of the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.

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Islamabad, October 01, 2021 (PPI-OT):Pakistan High Commission in London hosted the launch of the “Oxford Pakistan Programme.” The initiative, spearheaded by Pakistani students, academics and alumni of Oxford University establishes a framework for support, scholarships and facilitation for students from Pakistan for academic and research pursuits in the world renowned University.

In addition to promoting Pakistan-centric research, the Programme will also sponsor a lecture series on eastern philosophy. The event was attended by a large number of Oxonians, senior Oxford academicians, scholars, and writers including Malala Yousafzai; former editor of The Guardian, Alan Rusbridger; President of Wolfson College, Sir Tim Hitchens; Principal of Lady Margaret Hall, Prof. Christine Gerrard; and Principal of Linacre College, Prof Nick Brown; and renowned author Victoria Schofield.

Professor Adeel Malik, the academic lead for the Programme, and two Oxford alumni and founders of the initiative, Haroon Zaman and Talha Pirzada gave an overview of the Programme, its aims and objectives, and the ways and means proposed for achieving these.

Warmly welcoming the strong contingent of Oxford academics and students, High Commissioner of Pakistan to the UK, Moazzam Ahmad Khan said that Pakistan had abiding linkages with Oxford and counted among its luminaries many eminent personalities including leadership.

He termed the Oxford Pakistan Programme a timely initiative that would help address the critical challenges of lack of resources and guidance faced by many bright Pakistanis aspiring to secure admission in the prestigious University. It would, he said, help cement academic relationships and foster understanding through in-depth research.

Articulating his expectations from the Programme, he said that he wished to see it achieve its objective by allowing an increasing number of Pakistani students to break down barriers, exceed expectations and realise their potential. On behalf of the High Commission, he assured the Programme of all possible support.

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Islamabad, October 01, 2021 (PPI-OT):President Dr Arif Alvi has asked the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP), Mr. Muhammad Ajmal Gondal, to take steps for enforcing financial discipline in governmental organizations so as to put an end to irregularities in the government departments.

He emphasized the need for adopting the latest IT based-audit techniques that would greatly help in overseeing the management of public finances as well as bringing an end to corruption. The President stated this during a meeting with the Auditor General of Pakistan, who called on him, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, today. The AGP briefed the President about the role of AG’s Office in ensuring fiscal transparency and accountability in governmental organizations.

The President highlighted the need to further facilitate the retired government employees in getting their pensions and asked the AGP to ensure the fact that the retired employees did not face any difficulty in getting their pensions.

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Islamabad, October 01, 2021 (PPI-OT):Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi held wide-ranging talks with Foreign Minister of Denmark, Jeppe Kofod, today. Recalling their earlier telephone conversations, the two Foreign Ministers had extensive exchange of views on the latest developments in Afghanistan as well as on bilateral cooperation.

The Foreign Minister noted that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan was in Pakistan’s best interest as well as the region. The Foreign Minister hoped that the new setup in Afghanistan would make concerted efforts for peace and stability as well as work towards the betterment of all Afghan people.

The Foreign Minster emphasized the importance of international community to remain engaged with Afghanistan and support the Afghan people. There was an urgent need to provide assistance to prevent a humanitarian crisis and to take steps to ensure economic stability. Foreign Minister Qureshi also briefed the Danish Foreign Minister on his interaction with his counterparts from the European countries and said that the views on both sides were largely convergent.

The Foreign Minister apprised the Danish Foreign Minister of his regional outreach on the situation in Afghanistan and to evolve a coordinated approach. In the context of bilateral relations, Foreign Minister Qureshi reaffirmed the resolve to further expand the growing cooperation, particularly in the fields of trade and investment and renewable energy. Foreign Minister Qureshi appreciated the ongoing energy cooperation with Denmark.

Both Foreign Ministers looked forward to the early conclusion of the Green Partnership Framework Agreement between Denmark and Pakistan. The Foreign Minister also highlighted the importance of high-level exchanges, parliamentary visits and enhanced people-to-people contacts for furthering bilateral ties. Foreign Minister Kofod reiterated profound gratitude for Pakistan’s facilitative role in evacuation of their nationals and others from Afghanistan.

The Foreign Minister said that Pakistan had facilitated the transit of more than 14,000 people from over 30 countries and international organizations. Foreign Minister Kofod extended an invitation to the Foreign Minister to undertake a visit to Denmark, which the Foreign Minister accepted. Pakistan and Denmark enjoy longstanding friendly relations and diverse bilateral cooperation. A sizeable Pakistani origin community acts as a bridge between the two countries.

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Islamabad, October 01, 2021 (PPI-OT):Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod called on Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad today. The Prime Minister recalled his earlier conversation with Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Fredericksen and said that they had a fruitful exchange of views on the situation in Afghanistan as well as bilateral relations. Prime Minister Imran Khan stated that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan was vitally important for Pakistan and the region.

He stressed the need for international community’s constructive engagement to prevent humanitarian crisis and economic collapse in Afghanistan and to help build durable peace and stability in the country. The Prime Minister underlined that an inclusive political structure was important for stability of Afghanistan.

The Prime Minister stressed that positive messages and constructive measures by the international community would help prevent instability and mass exodus of refugees. Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed satisfaction at the growing cooperation between the two countries.

He added that Pakistan was committed to further diversify bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade and investment and renewable energy besides increasing people-to-people contacts between the two countries. There was detailed exchange of views on Climate Change and the need for concerted efforts by the international community to mitigate its adverse effects.

The Danish Foreign Minister appreciated Prime Minister’s 10 billion tree initiative and a range of measures taken by Pakistan towards climate resilient development. The Prime Minister also underscored the significance of mobilizing scaled up and predictable international climate finance to support climate actions in the developing countries.

The Danish Foreign Minister conveyed gratitude of Danish Government for Pakistan’s support and facilitation for evacuation of their nationals and others from Afghanistan. Foreign Minister Kofod also reaffirmed Denmark’s commitment to further strengthen bilateral ties and briefed on cooperation between the two countries, including through the proposed Green Partnership Agreement.

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Islamabad, October 01, 2021 (PPI-OT):A detailed briefing about progress on Model Panahgahs was given to the Prime Minister by Dr. Sania Nishtar. The Model Panahgah concept focuses on sustainability and service delivery under the same roof whereby the execution of the plan has already been started.

The plan includes 4 purpose built Model Panahgahs with adjacent Ehsaas One Window centers, Cash for Work Program and Section of Commercial area to make the facility financially independent and sustainable. Ehsaas one Window centers will ensure easy access to Ehsaas program and Cash for Work program will help the daily wagers to get work as well. Land for purpose built Panahgahs have been identified and the facilities will be constructed in one year.

A central advisory board has already been constituted and a 4 member operational monitoring board for each Panahgah will be constituted soon. Moreover the deployment of the Digital Monitoring system will also be completed in the coming week. In addition to the above the infrastructure repairs of the existing facilities will also commence in a couple of weeks and donation management system is expected to be completed and deployed till the year end.

Prime Minister Imran Khan emphasizing the significance of the Panahgah initiative, said that the government is striving to present Model Panahgahs as an example whereby not only the residents are given food and shelter, but also they have easy access to social protection and poverty alleviation initiatives of the government.

Model Panahgahs will have trained staff at par with international standards of hospitality. Once the Model Panahgahs are complete overseas Pakistanis and domestic donors will cooperate with the government in their operations, he added.

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Islamabad, October 01, 2021 (PPI-OT):Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a review meeting on the current situation in Afghanistan. Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi briefed the Prime Minister on his participation in the UN General Assembly Session and sideline meetings with other world leaders.

In these meetings, the current situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan’s position on human rights violations by India in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir were fully highlighted. The Prime Minister said that Pakistan wanted lasting peace in Afghanistan and desired a representative government there in line with the aspirations of the Afghan people?

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