February 7, 2023 – Page 5 – PPI News Agency

PM appeals people to generously donate for earthquake victims in Turkiye

Islamabad, February 07, 2023 (PPI-OT):Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has decided to establish Prime Minister’s Relief Fund to support the earthquake victims of brotherly country Turkiye. The decision was taken at a meeting of federal cabinet which met in Islamabad today with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the chair.

The Prime Minister appealed the people to generously donate for the earthquake victims in Turkiye. The cabinet members also announced to donate their one month salary to the relief fund. The meeting decided that government employees from Grade 18 to 22 will donate their one-day pay to the fund.

The Prime Minister briefed the cabinet members about his telephonic conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan immediately after the earthquake, in which he expressed his deep grief over the devastation caused by the earthquake and assured of his full cooperation to the government and people of Turkiye.

The Prime Minister said PIA and Pakistan Air Force flights carrying relief goods, rescue teams, doctors and paramedics have left for Turkiye and delivery of more relief supplies will continue. At the outset of the meeting, the Cabinet prayed for the victims of earthquake in Turkiye and Syria and speedy recovery of the injured. The Cabinet also set up a committee headed by Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar to review the Criminal Laws Amendment Bill 2023 sent by the Ministry of Interior.

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

Qatar envoy Sheikh Saoud Abdul Rahman Al-Thani calls on Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Sajid Hussain Turi

Islamabad, February 07, 2023 (PPI-OT):Ambassador of Qatar in Pakistan H.E. Sheikh Saoud Abdul Rahman Al-Thani called on Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Mr. Sajid Hussain Turi on 7th February, 2023 in his office. The discussion revolved around creating employment opportunities for Pakistanis in Qatar, measures to further deepen the economic ties and strengthening the bilateral relations. Federal Minister for OPHRD congratulated Qatar for hosting not only their first FIFA World Cup but the first ever to be staged in the Arab world and Muslim world.

“Qatar’s hosting of the FIFA World Cup and exemplary security and logistical arrangements are commendable”. Minister said. Mr Turi applauded Qatar embarked on a massive construction project to build the necessary infrastructure for the tournament.

The project included the construction of seven new stadiums and the expansion and renovation of existing ones. “Sports activities like FIFA promote international peace”. Mr. Turi said Ambassador of Qatar in Pakistan H.E. Sheikh Saoud Abdul Rahman Al-Thani commended Pakistani security forces for providing foolproof security during FIFA World Cup.

“Qatar is keen to further expand relations with Pakistan. Qatar enjoy a strong relationship of mutual respect and deep affection for Pakistan and its people”. H.E. Sheikh Saoud Abdul Rahman Al-Thani said. Highlighting the government efforts on diplomatic front, Federal Minister elaborated that Qatar’s Ministry of Interior has approved two more visa centers in Pakistan.

These visa centres will be established in Pakistan at earliest. There is a need to increase the number of visa centers in Qatar to facilitate Pakistanis residing in Qatar. Mr. Turi said increased job opportunities in Qatar for Pakistani manpower would pave the way for making the national economy stronger and vibrant. It is high time to transform the relationship between the two countries into a solid economic partnership.

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

Chief Economist of Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank Mr. Erik Berglof calls on Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar

Islamabad, February 07, 2023 (PPI-OT):SAPM on Finance Mr. Tariq Bajwa, SAPM on Revenue Mr. Tariq Mehmood Pasha and Senior officers from Finance Division participated in the meeting. Finance Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar welcomed Mr. Erik Berglof and shared the current economic outlook of the country and further apprised the economic policies and reforms of the government for sustainable economic development and social uplift of the poor segment of society.

He informed that despite economic challenges, the government is determined to set the things in right direction and put the economy on positive trajectory. The Finance Minister also apprised the delegation about the economic losses due to the devastated floods in Pakistan and rehabilitation and reconstruction in the flood affected areas.

Mr. Erik Berglof, Chief Economist, AIIB appreciated the economic policies and reforms of the present government for social uplift of the masses. He highlighted the role of AIIB in infrastructure development projects and investment and in Pakistan discussed future cooperation in development projects especially eco- friendly and climate resilience. In conclusion, the Finance Minister expressed gratitude to Mr. Erik Berglof, Chief Economist AIIB for his support to Pakistan.

No case against hate monger, Delhi police sends notice to news website for reporting hate speech

New Delhi, February 07, 2023 (PPI-OT):In yet another biased act, the Delhi police have sent a notice to a news website for reporting hate speech of Hindutva members against Muslims instead of taking action against the hate-mongers. The Delhi police sent a notice to the news website Molitics for reporting hate speech made by the rightwing Hindus against Muslims during an event at Jantar Mantar on Sunday (February 05, 2023). The police have called the reports published by the news website “offensive malicious and inciting posts”.

However, no case has been registered against the Hindutva who issued open threats to Muslims and Christians. The notice tweeted by DCP (Deputy Commissioner of Police) New Delhi, warned the website to refrain from reporting such events otherwise strict action will be initiated against it.

For more information, contact:
Kashmir Media Service
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Website: www.kmsnews.org

Parliamentary advisory committee convenes to plan commemoration of constitution

Islamabad, February 07, 2023 (PPI-OT):The first meeting of the Parliamentary Advisory Committee on the commemoration of the golden jubilee of the 1973 Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan was held today in the Parliament. The meeting was attended by prominent parliamentarians and government officials, and was convened by Senator Main Raza Rabbani, the Convener of the committee.

The Convener, while addressing the meeting, highlighted the significance of the Constitution and the reasons for commemorating it. He expressed that the committee would work diligently to pay tribute to the pioneers of the Constitution and to engage the public with the document’s history and significance.

The National Assembly’s Additional Secretary for Special Initiatives Syed Shamoon Hashmi provided an overview of the proposed activities and events aimed at commemorating the Constitution, including photo exhibitions, book displays, painting exhibitions, a three-day international convention, focus discussions, seminars, and other educational and cultural activities.

During the meeting, the Convener and the members of the committee appreciated the Secretariat’s efforts and put forth valuable suggestions for the commemoration of the Constitution. Ex-Senator Farhat ullah Babar proposed a national commemoration that includes all segments of the society, a wreath-laying ceremony at the democracy monument at Parliament, and an event to recognize and honor all those involved in the making and protection of the Constitution.

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ms. Marriyum Aurangzeb suggested integrating the Constitution into the educational curriculum through legislation, a nationwide quiz competition regarding the Constitution, and utilizing digital media to raise awareness among the masses. MNA Engr. Sabir Hussain Kaim Khani proposed spreading awareness through mobile messages, while Ms. Wajiha Qamar suggested utilizing digital spaces to engage citizens.

Mr. Zafarullah Khan, a special invitee, also made valuable contributions during the meeting. In his comments, Convener Main Raza Rabbani proposed holding a joint sitting of the Parliament with reference to the Constitution, printing and distributing pocket-sized copies of the Constitution, and organizing a two-day convention. He also endorsed the suggestion of a monument and the integration of the Constitution into the educational curriculum after consulting relevant stakeholders.

The committee decided to continue its deliberations on all the proposed suggestions and to design a roadmap based on the inputs received. The next meeting of the committee is scheduled for February 21, 2023.

APHC, LKF to send relief for affectees of devastating earthquake in Turkiye, Syria

Islamabad, February 07, 2023 (PPI-OT):The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and Legal Forum for Kashmir (LFK) on behalf of the people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir have expressed condolence with the peoples and governments of Turkiye and Syria on the death and destruction caused by the devastating earthquake. The APHC and LFK in a joint statement on the behalf of people of IIOJK announced contribution towards rescue and relief in Turkiye and Syria. The statement said, the first batch of help is on its way to the affected countries.

The statement said, “Our towering leaders and teachers Shaheed Syed Ali Geelani and Shaheed Ashraf Sehrai have left us with the legacy of humanity and compassion. We, the volunteers of All Parties Hurriyat Conference Jammu and Kashmir on behalf of our incarcerated leader Masarrat Alam Butt and Shabbir Ahmad Shah, our people and leadership and Legal Forum for Kashmir will be in wholeheartedly with all the affected people.” “We understand that this is the time when India has muzzled our voices. That India has killed and jailed our people. That fascist Indian state is destroying our land and homes. But we continue to be committed to humanitarian duties and nothing can deter us. Please accept this help from your occupied and enslaved brothers from Indian occupied Kashmir,” it added.

The statement said, the Kashmiris are indebted to the people of Turkiye and Syria as they have always kept the Kashmiri people in their prayers and pledged support for them in resisting the Indian illegal occupation. We therefore are duty bound to help you in this hour of grief and mourning, it added. Meanwhile, the APHC-AJK Convener Mahmood Ahmed Saghar, General Secretary Sheikh Abdul Mateen and Secretary Information Imtiyaz Wani in a joint statement in Islamabad also expressed grief and sower over the loss of lives and material due to the earthquake in Turkiye and Syria. They said the Kashmiris are standing in solidarity with the affected people of the brotherly countries in this hour of trial.

For more information, contact:
Kashmir Media Service
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AI demands immediate halt to demolitions in IIOJK, compensation for affectees

New Delhi, February 07, 2023 (PPI-OT):The world human rights watchdog Amnesty International has demanded that demolitions in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir must be immediately halted and those affected compensated. Aakar Patel, chair of board for Amnesty International, India, in a statement, today, said, the ongoing demolitions appear to be an extension of the brutal human rights violations the region of Jammu and Kashmir, the Muslim majority region, has historically witnessed. These demolitions, he said, could amount to forced evictions which constitute a gross violation of human rights.

He said, under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to which India is a state party, everyone has the right to adequate housing which includes a prohibition on forced evictions. No one should be made homeless or vulnerable to other human rights violations because of evictions, he said. “The Indian authorities must immediately halt the demolition drive and ensure that safeguards against forced evictions as outlined in international human rights standards are put in place before any evictions are carried out. They must offer adequate compensation to all those affected without discrimination, ensure that victims of forced evictions have access to effective remedy, and those responsible are held to account,” Patel said.

Pertinently, the district municipal corporation and revenue authorities of IIOJK in collaboration with the police have demolished the homes and properties of residents in several districts of the territory including Srinagar, Badgam, Islamabad and Baramulla in the last few days. Residents said that they did not receive any prior notices from the administration. Many of them also said that they had documents proving ownership of their properties, but the authorities did not give them an opportunity to present their claims before running bulldozers over their homes.

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