August 26, 2022 – Page 4 – PPI News Agency

FO rejects aspersions of PM’s meeting with Israelis in Doha

Islamabad, August 26, 2022 (PPI-OT):Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar has categorically rejected the aspersions of having any meeting of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif or any of Pakistani officials with Israelis in Doha. He was responding to a question during his weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Friday regarding parking of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s plane alongside an Israeli jet at Doha during his recent visit to Qatar.

The Spokesperson said some media reports are casting aspersions on the co-incidence of the timings of the visit of an Israeli delegation with the visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Qatar. He categorically rejected such aspersions and termed them as baseless and unfounded.

Regarding Pakistan’s position on Arab-Israel dispute, Asim Iftikhar said Pakistan steadfastly supports Palestinians’ inalienable right to self-determination. He said having a viable, independent, and contiguous Palestinian State with pre-1967 borders and with Quds Al-Sharif as its capital is vital for lasting peace in the Middle East.

About India’s announcement of the findings of an internal Court of Inquiry regarding the incident of firing of a rogue supersonic missile into Pakistani territory and their decision to terminate the services of three Indian Air Force officers, the Spokesperson said Pakistan categorically rejects India’s purported closure of the highly irresponsible incident and reiterates its demand for a joint probe.

Answering a question, Asim Iftikhar said India is committing grave human rights violation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir by issuing domiciles and granting voting rights to non-Kashmiris in a bid to convert Muslim majority into minority in the IIOJK.

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

Briefing Session of the Foreign Secretary with Pakistan’s Ambassadors in various capitals regarding flood relief efforts

Islamabad, August 26, 2022 (PPI-OT):Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood had a briefing session with Pakistan’s Ambassadors/Head of Missions in various capitals regarding the current calamity faced by the nation due to unprecedented monsoon floods. He highlighted the efforts led by the Government of Pakistan with the help of development partners including the United Nations, IFIs and many countries and organizations to address the daunting challenges posed by the devastating floods.

The Foreign Secretary emphasized the importance of coordinated and concerted efforts for rescue and relief in the immediate phase to be followed by reconstruction and rehabilitation in the long term. The holistic needs assessment carried out by the Government of Pakistan in coordination with the UN Country team was shared along with details of loss of life and damage done to infrastructure and property. It was important to mitigating the inter-related impacts of the floods including food shortage, communicable diseases, loss of shelter, non-availability of water and sanitation facilities, etc.

The Foreign Secretary urged the Missions to play a proactive role in mobilizing resources and humanitarian assistance from Pakistani diaspora and the international community to support the national efforts. The Ambassadors were also briefed about the UN Flash Appeal to be launched on 30 August simultaneously in Geneva and Islamabad.

The Ambassadors briefed on the wide range of activities being undertaken by them to enhance international awareness and garner support for rescue and relief efforts of the Government. Views were exchanged on close coordination, swift information-sharing, and range of actions to be taken in support of the ongoing operations.

The people of Pakistan have always shown exemplary resilience, brotherhood, compassion, generosity and commitment in the wake of such natural disasters. Pakistan is amongst top ten disaster-prone countries due to climate change and the recent flash floods are another manifestation of this fact. It is important that the international community shows solidarity with Pakistan and reinforces its national efforts in combating the impacts of such natural disasters.

For more information, contact:
Spokesman,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Government of Pakistan
Tell: +92-51-9205494
Fax: +92-51-9204202
Cell: +92-336-5644459
Website: www.mofa.gov.pk

Ghulam Nabi Azad quits Congress party

Srinagar, August 26, 2022 (PPI-OT):In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad has resigned from all positions including primary membership of the Party. According to Kashmir Media Service, Azad’s resignation from the Congress party comes over a week after he quit as chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir unit of Congress Campaign Committee and Political Affairs Committee hours after appointment to the twin posts.

The All India Congress Committee (AICC) has recently appointed Vikar Rasool Wani as new president of Jammu and Kashmir unit of the party. “The Indian National Congress has lost both the will and the ability under the tutelage of the coterie that runs the AICC to fight for what is right for India,” wrote Azad in his resignation letter to Sonia Gandhi.

“It is therefore with great regret and an extremely leaden heart that I have decided to sever my half-a-century-old association with the Indian National Congress,” wrote Azad in a five-page resignation letter, as per a media report. Azad’s resignation follows a series of exits of senior leaders from the party, including Jyotiraditya Scindia, Jaiveer Shergil, Jitin Prasada, amongst others.

It is pertinent to mention here that Azad is one of the groups of 23 leaders who were vocal about a leadership change in the Congress and not being dependent on the Gandhi family for every major decision of the Congress party. Meanwhile, as per reports, at least six Congress leaders have resigned from the party. While five of them tendered a joint resignation, one R S Chib submitted it separately but all of them have done it in support of Azad.

Those who tendered joint resignation include GM Saroori, Choudhary Muhammad Akram, Muhammad Amin Bhat, Gulzar Ahmad and Abdur Rashid Dar. On the other hand, media reports quoting sources said that Ghulam Nabi Azad is all set to float a new political party in IIOJK. Sources said that he would launch the party in September.

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

Canadian High Commissioner to Pakistan calls on Federal Secretary Iftikhar Ali Shallwani

Islamabad, August 26, 2022 (PPI-OT):H.E. Ms. Wendy Gilmour, Canadian High Commissioner to Pakistan, called on to Iftikhar Ali Shallwani, Federal Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Works here today in his office. Welcoming the delegate, Iftikhar Ali Shallwani discussed various bilateral mutual issues including Pakistan-Canada long-standing relationship which is marked by cordiality and friendship.

Secretary Housing extended a cordial invitation to Ms. Wendy Gilmour to attend the upcoming first International Housing Expo-2022 in which she showed her interest and therefore, intends to attend. Also, she said that she is glad that Canadian companies will attend the Expo.

The High Commissioner appreciated the efforts of current government for providing low cost housing schemes for the vulnerable and poor segments of the society. She also stated that the Canadian companies would be encouraged to explore low cost housing opportunities in Pakistan.

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

Federal Minister Sajid Hussain Turi chairs a meeting

Islamabad, August 26, 2022 (PPI-OT):Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Sajid Hussain Turi has directed the establishment of new protector offices in Bannu, Abbottabad, Sukkur, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir to facilitate and expedite the process of emigration and protection. He has also directed the abolishing of Overseas Employment Corporation’s fees and has said that summary for approval in this regard shall be sent to cabinet.

He said this while chairing the meeting of the Bureau of Immigration and Overseas Employment (BI and OE), Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) and others today on Friday in which he was briefed by Secretary Ministry of Overseas Pakistani and Human Resource Development Zulfiqar Haider, DG BE and OE, DG OEC and other senior officials of Ministry.

The minister directed to digitize the BEOE, OEC and particularly the protector office as E-Protector to make the process of protection faster, transparent and easier. He expressed that strict actions will be taken against officials involved in illegal activities and corruption adding that it is their prime responsibility to facilitate the emigrants. Minister informed that since he has taken the charges of Ministry, dozens of overseas promoter licenses were issued and renewed which were pending for last more than three years.

He also directed to prepare a summary to fill up the vacancies so that the efficiency of the institutions could be enhanced. While discussing the issues of overseas Pakistanis in various countries, Sajid Hussain Turi said that directives should be issued to all Community Welfare Attachés (CWAs) to improve their performance for the welfare of overseas Pakistanis.

He also directed that a fortnightly online meeting of all Community Welfare Attachés (CWAs) will be held onward to review the performance and every CWA has to send monthly performance report to his office listing the solved problems and grievances of overseas Pakistanis in their respective countries.

He said that any negligence in redressing the grievances of Overseas Pakistanis will not be tolerated. The Welfare Attachés should provide easy access to overseas Pakistanis to their offices, he added. The Ministry’s doors are always open for all kinds of cooperation and issues of overseas Pakistanis, said Sajid Turi.

He said that on the instructions of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, an online complaint portal is being established for overseas Pakistanis so they can lodge their complaints and make their contact with relevant authorities easy. He directed that workers proceeding to various foreign countries through OEC shall be sent free of cost and the fees ranging from 50,000 to 1, 000, 00 Rs should be abolished for which a summary should be moved to cabinet immediately.

He said that for new manpower export, the OEC must explore markets in various counties. He said that OEC shall focus imparting trainings and devise courses in foreign languages shall such Japanese, German, Chinese, Korean and Arabic. He directed that OEC’s Job-Portal be given expansion and it should be linked with all relevant stakeholders.

Masood Khan urges Pak-American Community to help flood affectees in Pakistan – Appeals his compatriots to contribute towards “Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund 2022”

Islamabad, August 26, 2022 (PPI-OT):Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Masood Khan has made an impassioned appeal to the members of Pakistani-American community to step forward and help flood affectees in Pakistan who have been hit by unprecedented monsoon rains and floods, says a press release received here today from Washington DC. In his letter to compatriots residing in the United States, the Ambassador said that the unprecedented rainfall, widespread flooding and landslides have affected most parts of the country.

“There has been tragic loss of life and livestock as well as serious damage to the infrastructure and properties in Pakistan. Livelihoods have been disrupted; crops destroyed; and entire neighbourhoods inundated. The magnitude of the calamity is too big; the losses enormous”, wrote the Ambassador. “I urge you to step forward to help communities in distress in Pakistan in this difficult hour to relieve their suffering and meet their needs for shelter, food, healthcare and rehabilitation”, the letter said.

To date, 66 districts in Southern Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan have been declared calamity hit. The rainfall in coming days is likely to wreak havoc in other areas, wrote the Ambassador. The Ambassador said that Pakistanis are a resilient nation and have been facing challenges and natural calamities with their characteristic courage and tenacity of purpose.

“The Government and people of Pakistan are mobilizing every resource to provide rescue, relief and recovery service to the flood-hit areas”, stated the Ambassador. Recalling past calamities of the 2005 earthquake and flash floods of 2010, the Ambassador said that Pak diaspora in the United States has always been at the forefront in helping their brother and sisters in Pakistan.

“We haven’t forgotten your timely support and generous philanthropy.” “I appeal to all of you to send whatever amount you can afford to the “Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund 2022” to help your Pakistani brothers and sisters.”

The letter informed the community that under instructions from the State Bank, major commercial banks in Pakistan have displayed specific Account information (IBAN) for wire transfers, transfer through money transfer services and exchanges on their websites. The amount donated shall be consolidated at the State Bank in a transparent manner. In addition, Roshan Digital Account (RDA) holders can make hassle free donation to Flood Relief Fund through Roshan Samaji Khidmat page/portal.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif briefs diplomatic community on the current flood situation in Pakistan

Islamabad, August 26, 2022 (PPI-OT):Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif convened a meeting of select Islamabad-based Ambassadors, High Commissioners and other senior members of the diplomatic corps, today. The purpose of the meeting was to brief on the situation resulting from flash floods across the country.

While underscoring that the ongoing monsoon spell has caused unprecedented damage and devastation in Pakistan, the Prime Minister mentioned that not just Balochistan, Sindh and South Punjab, which were badly affected, the current spell of torrential rains had also led to flooding in the northern regions of the KPK province.

Prime Minister Sharif added that more than 900 people including 300 children had lost their lives and 1300 were injured, so far. He said that as per the initial damage assessment, the losses caused by the floods were comparable to those Pakistan suffered during the flash floods of 2010-11.

The meeting was attended by Ambassadors and High Commissioners of Australia, Canada, China, Japan, Kuwait, UAE, Turkiye, South Korea, USA, Germany and senior diplomats of Bahrain, European Union, France, Oman, Qatar, UK, and Saudi Arabia. The Country Representative of World Food Programme (WFP) was also present in the meeting.

The Prime Minister underlined that 33 million people had been badly affected by the flash floods and torrential rainfalls. While expressing his Government’s firm resolve to overcome the deleterious impacts of the on-going floods in the country, the Prime Minister highlighted that he had already issued instructions to the Federal and Provincial Governments to provide people with tents, drinking water, mosquito nets, food items, medicines and other equipment.

The Prime Minister said that Pakistan’s carbon emission footprint was negligible but it was ranked at the 8th position among the countries exposed to the horrors of climate change. Noting that the climate change has made flooding worse, Prime Minister Sharif emphasized rehabilitation and reconstruction of climate resilient infrastructure in Pakistan.

The Prime Minister mentioned that given the urgency of the challenge, the Government has decided to reach out to the friendly countries, donors and the international financial institutions for their continued cooperation at this difficult time.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Economic Affairs Division gave briefings about the current status of the flood situation including rescue, and relief efforts as well as the need for immediate assistance. The Foreign Office and NDMA are closely working with the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Islamabad to launch a UN Flash Appeal on 30 August.

Speaking on the occasion, foreign diplomats expressed condolences and sympathies to the people and the government of Pakistan on the loss of precious lives and damage to infrastructure in the floods. They assured the Government of Pakistan of their respective Governments’ continued support to meet the requirements of the rescue and relief operations across the country.

Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman, Minister for Economic Affairs Division Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Minister for Finance Miftah Ismail, Minister for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, Advisor to Prime Minister Ahad Cheema, SAPMs Syed Tariq Fatemi and Fahd Husain and other senior officials of the government attended the meeting.