Peoples Party settles for seats in Punjab cabinet

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) seems content with three ministries in Punjab and does not appear to be pushing the PML-N leadership for the governor’s and speaker’s slots, which the latter is keen on keeping for itself.

PPP’s Makhdoom Ahmad Mahmood, who was earlier nominated for the governor’s post by his party, is reportedly upset with the decision.

In the first summary Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif sent to the president on April 17, he had recommended the name of Mr Mahmood as the Punjab governor. However, when President Dr Arif Alvi returned that summary after holding it for 15 days without a decision, the premier re-endorsed the advice on Saturday asking for the removal of incumbent governor of the PTI, Omar Sarfraz Cheema, and appointment of a PML-N loyalist from Bahawalpur, Balighur Rehman.

Citing the Constitution, the PML-N says if President Alvi does not act on the premier’s recommendation within 10 days, Mr Rehman will automatically become the governor. “The prime minister has sent a summary to the president recommending my name for the Punjab governor. And hopefully the president will accept the summary,” Mr Rehman, who remained a minister in the Shahid Khaqan Abbasi cabinet.

“Before the allied parties took over the government, the PML-N had agreed to give the slot of the governor to the PPP, but after coming to power it backtracked. The PML-N is known for this kind of politics,” a source in the PPP said.

On Saturday, Opposition Leader in the Senate Yousuf Raza Gilani, National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Adviser to the PM Qamar Zaman Kaira and Punjab Assembly parliamentary leader Hasan Murtaza of the PPP called on Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz here and discussed the power-sharing formula in the province.

“The meeting discussed the PML-N and PPP top leadership’s arrangements with regards to power sharing in Punjab. PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had withdrawn his party’s earlier claim on the Punjab governorship on the wish of PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif.

As per the latest understanding between the two parties, the PPP delegation forwarded the names of its three MPAs to CM Hamza for their induction into his cabinet, which is yet to be constituted. The formation of a new provincial cabinet has been delayed till the removal of Governor Cheema after his stated stance that he would not administer the oath to office-bearers in an “illegally constituted government”.

The insider said the PPP probables for the cabinet were Hasan Murtaza, Mr Gilani’s son Ali Haider and Makhdoom Usman Mehmood. The party has also suggested the names of Shazia Abid, Ghazanfar Abbas Langa and Raees Nabeel for parliamentary secretaries of various standing committees. PPP Punjab information secretary Shahzad Saeed Cheema could be made adviser to the chief minister.

“Besides, the PML-N has also assured the PPP of giving it some positions in various departments in Punjab,” he said, adding the PPP had also been promised the Senate chairman’s slot in the future scheme of things.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Qamar Zaman Kaira said the party leaders had come here to congratulate Hamza upon assuming the chief minister’s office. “Since we have to go along together (in the government) we held consultations on various matters. As in the Centre, in Punjab too we will go along with mutual consultations,” he maintained.

To a question about power sharing in the province, Mr Kaira said: “Along with power sharing, we will be burden-sharing as well.”

Mr Gilani said: “Everything” had already been settled between the two parties in the London meeting between party chairman Bilawal and PML-N supremo Nawaz.

 

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/YRwHW0M

Our govt should've been replaced by more competent people: Imran Khan

PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Saturday said that if his government was to be removed, then it should have been replaced with "more competent" people.

While addressing overseas Pakistanis, Imran Khan said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the people in his party have cases against them that are under trial.

"Father [Shehbaz] is on bail and son [Hamza Shehbaz] used to take small amounts of money," he alleged.

Criticising the incumbent government, the PTI chairman said that the "most corrupt man and his party leaders have been imposed on the nation," adding that "this is not only a conspiracy" against Pakistan but also an "insult".

Talking about the Masjid-e-Nabawi incident, the PTI chairman said that people will chant slogans of chor (theives) and ghaddar (traitors) wherever the Opposition leaders go.

"People chanted slogans against them and they filed a blasphemy case against us," said Imran Khan.

The former prime minister further said he has never been anti-America nor anti-Europe.

"We want to have friendships with other countries and not be their slaves," he added.

Addressing the overseas Pakistanis, he had good relations with former US president Donald Trump and his administration. "America is used to get their work done from here," adding that "I have been opposing the war for 15 years but one of our leaders threatened and involved our country in their war."

He went on to say that "Pakistan had no concern with the 9/11 war" but the Pervez Musharraf involved the country after the US threatened Islamabad.

Imran Khan said that the PTI government had received an invitation from Russia and the governments were already in talks regarding gas and the US was angry with Russia for fixing oil at low prices.

Talking about his ousted government, Imran Khan said he knew what was happening against him back in July as the meetings with the Opposition leaders and dissident members of PTI at the US embassy increased. He claimed that removing a government through a conspiracy is the cruellest thing to do.

He said that the US threatened that Pakistan will have to face the consequences if Imran Khan survived and later, "a no-confidence motion was tabled after the threat".

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/ohY8fl5

Present Govt taking measures to immediately reduce load-shedding: Finance Minister

Minster for Finance and Revenue Miftah Ismail says the present government is cognizant of load shedding problem and is determined to provide relief to the masses by ending load shedding.

He was chairing a meeting on funding for power and petroleum sector in Islamabad.

Read more: Murad orders preparation of investment policy to attract investment

The chair was briefed on power plants with fuel positions and funds required for optimal working of these power plants.

The Finance Minister stressed that required steps should be taken immediately for efficiently reducing load shedding.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/t0TwynZ

Russia-Ukraine crisis: Dozens evacuated from steel plant as US sends more weapons

US President Joe Biden announced another package of military assistance for Ukraine on Friday as dozens of civilians were evacuated from Mariupol s besieged steelworks, the last pocket of resistance against Russian troops in the pulverized port city.

Worth $150 million, the latest US security assistance for the "brave people of Ukraine" would include artillery munitions and radars, Biden said. A senior US official said it included counter-artillery radars used for detecting the source of enemy fire, and electronic jamming equipment.

Read more: Fighting traps civilians in Ukraine plant as Putin urges defenders to disarm

Friday s new batch brings the total value of US weaponry sent to Ukraine since the invasion began to $3.8 billion -- and the president urged Congress to further approve a huge $33 billion package including $20 billion in military aid, "to strengthen Ukraine on the battlefield and at the negotiating table."

Biden, other G7 leaders, and Ukraine s President Volodymyr Zelensky, are to meet virtually on Sunday to discuss Western support for Kyiv in its struggle against President Vladimir Putin s invasion.

Zelensky said more than 40 women and children had been evacuated on Friday from the Mariupol steelworks after spending two months in underground shelters and that "diplomatic options" were underway to "rescue our soldiers."

The Russian defense ministry gave a figure of 50 civilians evacuated, including 11 children, saying they were handed over to the UN and Red Cross, which are assisting in the operation.

It said the "humanitarian operation" would continue on Saturday.

About 200 civilians, including children, were estimated to still be trapped in the Soviet-era tunnels and bunkers beneath the sprawling Azovstal factory, along with a group of Ukrainian soldiers making their last stand.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/aPzK15N

Governor Punjab, Mr. Omar Sarfraz Cheema, calls on President Dr. Arif Alvi at Aiwan-E-Sadr

Governor Punjab Omar Sarfraz Cheema called on President Dr Arif Alvi at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, Islamabad on Friday.

According to sources, the current political situation in Punjab came under discussion during meeting between Governor Punjab Omar Sarfraz Cheema and President Dr Arif Alvi

Read more: PM Shehbaz Sharif extends Eid greetings to civil and military leadership

Sources also informed that Omar Sarfraz Cheema also took Arif Alvi into confidence on important issues.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/tkOd6gV

Shehbaz, Miftah discuss public relief steps

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif Friday held a meeting with Minister for Finance Miftah Ismail and discussed measures for providing relief to the people.

The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction about the present price of sugar and said the price of sugar came down after three years which was relief to the people.

Read more: PM Shehbaz Sharif calls Imran Khan "Press freedom predator"

He issued direction to provide cash credit to Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO) for buying of wheat. The Secretary Finance was also present in the meeting.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/wX0TlUf

Blinken: US, Pakistan committed to strengthen relationship

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday said that the United States and Pakistan as committed to strengthening relationship.

In a message on Twitter, Antony Blinken said that this year marks the 75th anniversary of US-Pakistani relations.

He said that we are committed to strengthening our relationship and our cooperation on stability in Afghanistan, combating terrorism, and expanding commerce.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/I9OCJB8

Murad orders preparation of investment policy to attract investment

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah directed the provincial investment department to prepare investment policy so that investment in different sectors and economic zones could be invited.

“We have vast investment opportunities in different sectors in the province, but we have to open them with the best policy, Sindh CM said in a meeting at CM House on Thursday.

The meeting was attended by CM Special Assistant on Investment Syed Qasim Naveed, Chief Secretary Sohail Rajput, Chairman P&D Hassan Naqvi, Special Secretary to CM Sohail Rajput, Additional Secretary Finance Asad Zamin and others.

The chief minister directed the Investment department to prepare an investment-friendly investment policy. “We have special economic zones at Khairpur, Dhabeji and now Education city’s all issues have been addressed and are ready to launch,” he said.

Shah directed the chief secretary to chair a meeting on Education City located on the Link Road, Karachi and resolve all its remaining issues so that it could be launched properly. “we will invite the best educational institutions of the world to invest in the education sector in the city,” he said.

The chief minister was given a detailed briefing on Khairpur Economic Zone which was ready for investment. ‘Shah said that the Khairpur Zone was located on the main National Highway and had all the necessary facilities and opportunities to attract investment,” he said.

Shah said that the Special Economic Zone Dhabeji is one of the best zones in the region with its best location near Karachi and seaport. “We have to launch its detailed plan and policy so that Investment pledges could be attracted along with its development,” he said.

Murad Ali Shah directed the investment department to prepare a detailed list of the projects such as desalination, waste to energy power plant, water treatment and tap water distribution system for Karachi so that investment could be invited.

The chief minister also issued directives for exploring investment in value addition for mangoes, guava, and vegetables so that they could be exported.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/ObCJtK7

Fighting traps civilians in Ukraine plant as Putin urges defenders to disarm

Scores of Ukrainian civilians including women and children remained trapped on Thursday (May 5) in a Mariupol steel works that has been rocked by heavy explosions as Russian forces fight for control of Ukraine s last stronghold in the ruined port city.

The United Nations said a new operation was underway to evacuate more people from Mariupol and the Azovstal steel plant, where an estimated 200 civilians are still holed up in underground bunkers with little food or water.

President Vladimir Putin said Russia was prepared to provide safe passage out for civilians, but reiterated calls for Ukrainian forces inside to disarm. Clinging on desperately, Ukrainian fighters have reported fierce battles with Russian troops.

Putin declared victory over Mariupol on Apr 21 and ordered his forces to seal off the Soviet-era plant but not venture inside its underground tunnel network. The Kremlin denies Ukrainian allegations Russian troops stormed the plant in recent days.

Aerial footage over the plant, released Thursday by Ukraine s Azov Regiment, showed three explosions strike different parts of the vast complex, which was engulfed in heavy, dark smoke.

Reuters verified the footage location by matching buildings with satellite imagery, but was unable to identify when the video was filmed.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council that a third operation was underway to evacuate civilians from Mariupol and Azovstal. In joint efforts with the Red Cross, the UN has helped nearly 500 civilians flee the area over the past week.

"I hope that the continued coordination with Moscow and Kyiv will lead to more humanitarian pauses to allow civilians safe passage from the fighting, and aid to reach those in critical need," Guterres said.

"We must continue to do all we can to get people out of these hellscapes." Guterres declined to give details on the new operation "to avoid undermining possible success."

Ukraine s deputy prime minister, Iryna Vereshchuk, said people would be evacuated from Mariupol on Friday at noon, but gave no further details.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/2mbKeiS

Murtaza Syed to assume charge as acting SBP governor as Reza Baqir's term ends

Dr Murtaza Syed, an eminently qualified economist with rich IMF experience, will assume charge as Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Friday (May 6) following the end of Dr Reza Baqir s three-year tenure.

Dr Murtaza Syed, the senior most Deputy Governor SBP, will take over as Governor of the central bank following the three-year term of Dr Reza Baqir as Governor, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) came to an end on May 04 (Wednesday).

Dr Murtaza Syed, an eminently qualified economist with rich IMF experience, will assume his responsibilities as the governor SBP today (Friday).

According to the SBP, Dr Syed has more than 20 years of experience in macroeconomic research and policy making and worked with the IMF for 16 years before resigning to join the State Bank of Pakistan. Dr Syed has a PhD in economics from Nuffield College at the University of Oxford and has delivered lectures on public policy at Cambridge and Oxford Universities.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/OsgtUkz

Mir Jafar and Mir Sadiq became facilitators in external conspiracy, Imran Khan

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan has said that Mir Jaffer and Mir Sadiq were facilitators in foreign conspiracy in the country.

The PTI chairman, while addressing a podcast, shared his views on what are the difficulties ahead for Pakistan. He said that he did not come to power to make money. The elected government was overthrown through a conspiracy.

He said that those involved in this conspiracy could never have imagined that the people would take to the streets like this. But I have never seen in my life that how people have stood against them.

Imran Khan said that an independent foreign policy does not mean it is against the United States and added that he wants good bilateral ties with the United States without Pakistan’s interests compromised.

He said that United States wanted Pakistan to limit its ties with China and the US administration was against his visit to Russia and wanted to stop Pakistan’s economic relations with them.

Imran Khan said that said the United States wants Pakistan’s airbases to monitor the situation in Afghanistan. He said that we should not join anyone’s war, we should join peace.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/XI02qD4

Pakistan issues demarche to India over IIOJK "Delimitation Commission" report

The Indian Charge d Affaires was called to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday and handed over a demarche conveying the Government of Pakistan s categorical rejection of the report of the so-called ‘Delimitation Commission’ which was aimed at disenfranchising and disempowering the Muslim majority population of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

The Indian side was conveyed that this entire exercise was farcical and had already been rejected by the cross-section of political parties in IIOJK. Through this effort, India only wanted to lend legitimacy to its illegal actions of August 5, 2019.

It was emphasized that the ulterior motive of the Indian government was evident from the fact that, under the garb of so-called delimitation, the representation of Muslims in the re-designated constituencies had been reduced to their disadvantage. This shattered the rationale pushed by the Indian Government that the delimitation effort was aimed to empower the local population. However, in reality, the new electoral boundaries would further disempower, marginalize and divide the people of the occupied territory. It would only pave the way for installing yet another puppet regime backed by the BJP-RSS combine.

It was underscored to the Indian Charge d Affaires that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute was an internationally recognized dispute and a long-standing item on the agenda of the UN Security Council. Any illegal, unilateral and mischievous attempt by India to allow disproportionately higher electoral representation to the Hindu population to the detriment of the Muslim population, is a mockery of all norms of democracy, morality and India’s obligations under the UN Security Council Resolutions and international law.

It was also stressed that the Indian Government must refrain from bringing about any illegal demographic changes in the occupied territory, stop forthwith its oppression in the IIOJK, and let the Kashmiri people determine their own future through a free and fair plebiscite under the UN auspices as enshrined in the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/h8AsRam

WhatsApp allows adding 32 people to one voice call

WhatsApp has introduced another feature to facilitate its customers.

People can now add up to 32 people at a time to one voice call.

Meta-owned instant messaging app WhatsApp keeps working to provide new features to its customers according to their needs so they can enjoy the messaging service without any difficulty.

Pro-tip: Now you can put 32 of your favorite people in ONE voice call.

Sharing good news with your whole family means hearing all the joy and laughter in one easy call.

— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) May 3, 2022

WhatsApp is currently working on several new features, which includes one where users can view status updates within their chat list and another allowing the ability to change the app language for some beta testers.

With WhatsApp’s latest feature, customers can add any of their 32 favourite people to ‘ONE’ voice call.

WhatsApp further added on its Twitter handler, “Sharing good news with your whole family means hearing all the joy and laughter in one easy call".

A month earlier, WhatsApp had rolled out a new set of emojis. There were 34 new emojis that had been released on the platform but some of the most interesting emojis were the equals to sign, alien and melting faces, pointing finger, and heart hands.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/R5vOA4z

Imran Khan announces power show in Mianwali

Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan, while announcing a rally in Mianwali on May 6, said that he was about to start a real independence movement.

The PTI chairman while issuing a special message to the people said that he will address a grand public meeting on May 6 in Mianwali.

Read more:  PM Shehbaz Sharif calls Imran Khan "Press freedom predator

Imran Khan further said that the corrupt government was imposed on us and for this they were preparing for the long march towards Islamabad.

“Mianwali had given me a seat in the National Assembly for the first time,” he said and added you have to participate fully in it to send a message to the whole Pakistan that Mianwali stands by me.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/umsUyEd

Asif Ali Zardari: Imran Khan would himself fall

Former president and Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari said on Wednesday that promises made with allies will be fulfilled and he had already said that Imran Khan himself will fall.

Addressing the workers at the dinner of MPA Tariq Masood Arain in Nawabshah, he said that the fun of being in public is nowhere to be found.

Read more: PM Shehbaz Sharif extends Eid greetings to civil and military leadership

“I cannot become Bhutto and Benazir but can follow their footsteps,” he said adding that my vision is only to serve the people as I pledged to continue Benazir Bhutto s mission after she was buried in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh.

The former president further said that he considers politics as worship and have fought every conspiracy against the people s power and will continue to do so. “I have always been at war with the powerful forces and the people s power is with me.”

He said, “I had already said that Imran does not need to be ousted, he will fall himself, adding that the country’s economy is in a deep crisis and only the PPP can run the country’s development and economy in a better way.”

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/D1uS39c

Governor urges COAS to play his 'role' in implementation of Constitutional framework in Punjab

Governor Punjab Omar Sarfraz Cheema in a letter written to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that you created political crisis by unconstitutional use of power and Hamza Shehbaz took unfair advantage of being your son.

A letter written by Punjab Governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema to Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif about the political crisis and constitutional stalemate in Punjab stated that no force can stop him from stopping illegal things.

Read more: PM Shehbaz Sharif calls Imran Khan "Press freedom predator"

According to the text of the letter, the Governor of Punjab said that the unconstitutional and illegal forgery of the Chief Minister has taken the province hostage and has officially informed the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the heads of other constitutional bodies about the situation.

Cheema further stated in the letter that he was aware of the political and legal impasse in the province and consider it his responsibility to inform you of some important reasons in this regard. He said Usman Buzdar s resignation as Chief Minister is controversial and the PML-N won the disgusting support of de facto members for a majority in the Punjab Assembly, while members of parliament who changed allegiances were presented to the media.

The Governor Punjab further wrote in the letter that the Lahore High Court (LHC) has been moved for the disputed election of the Chief Minister, adding that the main figure in all this unconstitutional process is Hamza Shehbaz, who has taken advantage of being the son of the Prime Minister.

The Governor Punjab stated that the Punjab Assembly Secretariat had also sent him report on CM s disputed election and the Secretary Assembly informed about the legal violations related to fraudulent elections in the report, while media also showed controversial election to the world and Advocate General Punjab also declared the election of Chief Minister illegal.

The Governor in his letter stated that the recent election is a black mark on the 100 year history of the Punjab Assembly, while the Chief Secretary and the IG Punjab also played a vicious role in this matter. Prior to the handover ceremony, he said the Governor House was cordoned off in the name of security and the Chief Secretary tried to put pressure on the Governor by justifying the High Court orders.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/JgcsSya

Sri Lanka opposition declares no confidence in government

Sri Lanka’s main opposition party on Tuesday issued a no-confidence declaration aiming at ousting Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and his Cabinet and blaming them of failing in their constitutional duty to provide a decent living standard amid the island nation’s worst economic crisis in memory.

A group from United People’s Force party, led by leader Sajith Premadasa, delivered the motion demanding the no-confident parliamentary vote to Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.

The move came amid countrywide protests demanding the resignation of Rajapaksa and his younger brother, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who the demonstrators hold responsible for the economic crisis.

A majority vote in the 225-member parliament would be needed to remove Rajapaksa and the cabinet from power. The United People’s Force can only count on 54 votes but hopes to win votes from smaller opposition parties and defections from the ruling Sri Lanka People’s Front party. The ruling party had nearly 150 votes but that strength has declined amid the economic crisis and defections in a no-confidence vote are possible.

A decision on when to hold the no-confidence vote is expected to happen after members of parliament start meeting on Wednesday.

The United People’s Force also delivered a no-confidence motion targeting the president but it would not force him to leave office even if a majority of lawmakers vote against him.

Sri Lanka is on the brink of bankruptcy after the country’s recent announcement to suspend payments on its foreign loans. The country faces repayments of $7 billion of foreign loans this year of the $ 25bn it is scheduled to pay by 2026. Sri Lanka has less than than $1bn in foreign reserves.

The foreign currency crisis has limited imports and caused severe shortages of essential goods like fuel, cooking gas, medicines and food. People stand in long lines for hours to buy what they can and many return home with little, if any, of what they were seeking.

The United People’s Force’s motion also accuses top government officials of excessively printing money, hurting agricultural production by banning chemical fertiliser to make the production fully organic, failing to order Covid-19 vaccines in a timely manner and buying them later at higher prices.

Protesters on Tuesday were in their 25th day of their occupation of the entrance to the president’s office, demanding the resignations of Rajapaksa family members who have ruled Sri Lanka for the last two decades.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/IhLvueH

Facebook-owner Meta opens access to AI large language model

Facebook-owner Meta Platforms Inc is opening up access to a large language model for artificial intelligence research, the social media company said on Tuesday.

Meta said its model was the first 175-billion-parameter language model to be made available to the broader AI research community.

"Large language models" are natural language processing systems that are trained on massive volumes of text, and are capable of answering reading comprehension questions or generating new text.

In a blog post, Meta said the release of its "Open Pretrained Transformer (OPT-175B)" model would improve researchers' abilities to understand how large language models work.

Meta said restrictions on access to such models had been "hindering progress on efforts to improve their robustness and mitigate known issues such as bias and toxicity".

Artificial intelligence technology, which is a key area of research and development for several major online platforms, can perpetuate humans' societal biases around issues like race and gender. Some researchers have concerns about the harms that can be spread through large language models.

Meta said it "hoped to increase the diversity of voices defining the ethical considerations of such technologies."

The tech giant said to prevent misuse and "maintain integrity," it was releasing the model under a noncommercial license to focus on research use cases.

Meta said access to the model would be granted to academic researchers and people affiliated with the government, civil society, and academic organizations, as well as industry research laboratories. The release will include the pre-trained models and the code to train and use them.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/8DuET4p

Pakistan urges UN to fight burgeoning disinformation on social media platforms

Pakistan, speaking on behalf of the Group of 77 — a coalition of 134 developing countries and China — has called on the United Nations Department of Global Communications (DGC) to fight the proliferating "fake news" and disinformation on social media platforms, and pay greater attention to the promotion of sustained economic growth and sustainable development in the coronavirus and conflict-hit countries.

“The United Nations remains the indispensable foundation of a peaceful and just world — its messages must be heard in a clear and effective manner,” Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Munir Akram told the Committee on Information, a subsidiary body of the UN General Assembly, on Tuesday.

Describing the Committee as vital in that regard, he said that following the challenges of the last two years, many countries now face the serious threats of food, energy and supply chain disruption.

Pakistan is the current chairman of G-77 and China, which now has 134 members and is the United Nations’ biggest intergovernmental group of emerging countries.

In his remarks, Ambassador Akram said the world at large faces severe stress due to proliferating conflicts, a new arms race, rising xenophobia and hate speech, violence and disinformation. He noted that against that backdrop, the Department has worked relatively well.

The Pakistani envoy emphasised that the growing trend of “fake news” and disinformation on online platforms demands that the Department intensify its support for efforts across the United Nations system to fight disinformation while disseminating factual, clear, accessible, multilingual and science-based information. It must also pay greater attention to the promotion of sustained economic growth and sustainable development, in accordance with relevant resolutions and commitments, he said.

The Group of 77 is deeply concerned about digital disparities emerging as a new form of inequality between and among States, he said. “The international community, led by the United Nations, should take the necessary steps in rectifying the imbalances.”

Ambassador Akram called for efforts to leverage digital technologies to enable socio-economic development and facilitate more effective and efficient governance as well as delivery of public services, saying the Department remains well-positioned to bridge the gap between the developed and developing countries in the crucial field of public information and communications.

He went on to underline that multilingualism and cultural diversity are cardinal values of multilateralism, enshrined in the UN Charter.

In that regard, the Pakistani envoy encouraged the Department to mobilise adequate resources to promote multilingualism and maximise its outreach at the grassroots level, including by exploring innovative financing options and voluntary contributions.

While welcoming the Department’s promotional campaigns and the work of United Nations information centres, he urged it to further strengthen partnerships with new and traditional media around the world.

Opening the debate, Melissa Fleming, UN under-secretary-general for global information, said that her department was spearheading robust efforts to stem the tide of disinformation, counter-attacks on human rights and tell the human stories on the front lines of conflict.

Fleming said that, since her last briefing to the Committee in 2021, inequalities have widened across the globe, the climate crisis is worse and war is now raging in Ukraine. That conflict is sending shock waves around the world, driving food, energy and commodity prices to historic highs, while fueling hunger and possibly unrest, she added.

Meanwhile, the coronavirus pandemic is still not over — particularly for the one-third of the world’s population that has not received a single dose of the vaccine — she emphasised, while warning that the mis-disinformation that proliferated during the pandemic is still rising in social media news feeds, threatening truth and posing an existential risk to humanity.

Stressing the serious repercussions of all those interlinked crises, Fleming said the principles underpinning the Charter of the United Nations are “under the greatest strain” since the Organization’s founding.

Against that backdrop, the Department is advocating for multilateralism and driving a communications response that is strategic, coordinated, audience-based and impact-focused.

Spotlighting some of those initiatives, Fleming said the Department aligns United Nations communications through “cells” to speak in one voice, and with agility, on issues ranging from the climate crisis to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Since the start of that conflict, the Department has worked around the clock from New York, Ukraine and across the region, she added.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/hNzpX5R

Reza Baqir’s tenure as SBP governor expires as govt decides against extension

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Miftah Ismail Tuesday announced that no extension has been granted to Reza Baqir as State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) governor as his three-year tenure expires today (Wednesday).

Taking to his official Twitter handle on Tuesday, Ismail revealed that SBP Governor Dr Reza Baqir’s three-year will expire May 4.

“I have spoken to him and told him of the government’s decision," he wrote, acknowledging his efforts during these three years.

“I want to thank Reza for his service to Pakistan. He is an exceptionally qualified man [and] we worked well during our brief time together. I wish him the very best,” the finance minister wrote.

Tomorrow Governor SBP Dr Reza Baquir’s 3-year expires. I have spoken to him and told him of the government’s decision. I want to thank Reza for his service to Pakistan. He is an exceptionally qualified man & we worked well during our brief time together. I wish him the very best.

— Miftah Ismail (@MiftahIsmail) May 3, 2022

Earlier, citing sources, The News had reported that the government was considering an extension in Dr Baqir’s tenure until a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is finalised.”

Sources had confirmed the publication that efforts were underway for securing a second term for Dr Baqir, a former executive of IMF, and the government was likely to consider, “a few months” extension in his tenure as a "stop-gap arrangement”.

Who is Reza Baqir?

Dr Baqir was appointed as the governor of the central bank by President Arif Alvi on May 4, 2019, for a period of three years from the day he assumes the office of the Governor. He assumed his responsibilities on May 5, 2019.

In addition to his regular responsibilities overseeing financial and monetary stability in the country and promoting sustainable economic growth, Dr Baqir had led several key new initiatives at the State Bank since assuming office.

He had also held positions as IMF’s Mission Chief for Romania and Bulgaria, Division Chief of the IMF's Debt Policy Division, Strategy, Policy and Review Department, overseeing IMF’s work on debt relief and sovereign debt restructuring, head of the IMF delegation to the Paris Club for four years, and Deputy Division Chief of the Emerging Markets Division overseeing IMF’s loans and policies in emerging markets, amongst other roles.

Dr Baqir represented the State Bank of Pakistan on the Board of Directors of the Asian Clearing Union, the Board of Governors of the Economic Cooperation Organization Trade and Development Bank, the Council of Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB), the Financial Stability Regional Consultative Group for Asia, and the IMF’s Board of Governors.

He was appointed as Chairman of the General Assembly of the prestigious Islamic Financial Services Board for 2022.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/S4ONRYG

Heavy fighting in Ukraine; Mariupol evacuation delayed

Russia’s offensive in the east of Ukraine continued with “active and heavy” fighting on Monday.

After failing to take the capital Kyiv in the first few weeks of the war, Moscow’s army has refocused on the east of Ukraine, notably the Donbas region, which includes the pro-Russian separatist areas of Donetsk and Lugansk.

Fighting is particularly intense around Izyum, Lyman and Rubizhne, as the Russians prepare their attack on Severodonetsk, the last easterly city still held by Kyiv, Ukraine’s general staff said.

“The situation in the Lugansk region can be described in a few words — active and heavy fighting continues,” the defence ministry added.

The governor of Lugansk has said he expected more intense battles ahead of May 9, the day Russia celebrates the 1945 surrender of Nazi Germany to allied forces, including the then Soviet Union.

However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Italian television late on Sunday that Moscow’s forces “will not artificially adjust their actions to any date, including Victory Day”.

`Relentless fear’

Russia has moved to solidify its grip on areas it controls and from Sunday introduced the Russian rouble in the region of Kherson -- initially to be used alongside the Ukrainian hryvnia.

“Beginning on May 1, we will move to the rouble zone,” Kirill Stremousov, a civilian and military administrator of Kherson, was cited as saying by Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti.

He said the hryvnia could be used during a four-month period, but then “we will completely switch to settlements in roubles”.

On the frontline in the east, Russian troops helped by massive use of artillery have advanced slowly, but steadily.

But Ukrainian forces have also recaptured some territory in recent days, including the village of Ruska Lozova, which evacuees said had been occupied for two months.

“It was two months of terrible fear. Nothing else, a terrible and relentless fear,” Natalia, a 28-year-old evacuee from Ruska Lozova, said after reaching Kharkiv.

Evacuation from Azovstal

In coordinated efforts between Ukraine, Russia and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), over 100 Ukrainians stranded at the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, now under Russian control, were evacuated on Sunday. Another evacuation had been hoped to start first thing on Monday, but there was no sign of movement when we went to press.

Several hundred Ukrainian soldiers and civilians have been sheltering in the maze of Soviet-era underground tunnels underneath the steelworks, many of whom require medical attention.

“For the first time, there were two days of real ceasefire on this territory. More than 100 civilians have already been evacuated — women and children first of all,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said late on Sunday.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/rAHISjf

In Eid message, Biden renews pledge to respect all faiths

US President Joe Biden used his Eid message on Monday to renew the commitment to respecting all faiths and beliefs.

The US leader also underlined the need to help those “millions of displaced persons and refugees around the globe who are spending this sacred holiday separated from their families and unsure of their future”.

Mr Biden pledged to resume the tradition of celebrating Eid at the White House this year to “honor the inspiring Muslim Americans who are leading efforts to build greater understanding and unity across our nation”.

The tradition was discontinued by the Trump administration, apparently because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Pakistan’s US Ambassador Masood Khan also noted in his Eid message that President Biden would hold a special Eid event at the White House during the Eid holidays.

Mr Biden’s first two points — respecting all faiths and helping refugees and displaced persons — are also key points of his administration’s foreign policy. In March, the United States endorsed a UN resolution that declared March 15 as the anti-Islamophobia Day. It was on this day in 2019 that a right-wing extremist murdered over 50 Muslims in a terror attack on two mosques in New Zealand.

Pakistan had moved the resolution which was cosponsored by 55 — mainly Muslim — countries.

Mr Biden noted in his message that Eid marks the completion of a holy month dedicated to devotion and reflection, when families and communities come together to celebrate their blessings.

“And Eid is also an occasion for Muslims to remember all those who are struggling or impacted by poverty, hunger, conflict, and disease, and to recommit to building a better future for all,” he said

As Muslims across the United States celebrate Eid, “let us renew our dedication to our foundational commitment to respecting all faiths and beliefs”.

President Biden noted that the Holy Quran urges people to stand firmly for justice and “reminds us that we were created as nations and tribes so that we may get to know one another”.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/jwFpGTk

Imran Khan ready to sit with PM Shehbaz on early polls issue: Sheikh Rashid

Former in­­terior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has said he is making efforts to clear “misunderstandings” between the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and the establishment, claiming that ex-premier Imran Khan is ready to sit with incumbent Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the issue of holding early elections if (early polls are) guaranteed by “powerful quarters”.

Mr Rashid, who as the head of the Awami National League-Pakistan remained part of the PTI-led coalition government, said that the PTI would stage a long march to the federal capital by the end of this month and the marchers would stay in Islamabad till the announcement of election date.

He was of the opinion that the PTI should not have confronted any state institutions rather the party should sit with the Election Commi­ssion of Pakistan (ECP) so that it could convince the commission on early polls.

“I have started efforts yesterday to remove misunderstanding between them (PTI and the establishment),” he said in an interview with VOA correspondent Ali Furqan on Monday.

“I am in favour of peace with army, but in case of ‘war’ I will stand by Imran Khan,” Mr Rashid said.

He agreed that there was something wrong [in the last regime] due to which allies like the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) parted ways with the PTI. However, he said, “I was not expecting this from MQM.”

He said Mr Khan was ready to hold talks with the Sharif government for early general elections, but it required the guarantee of “powerful quarters”.

However, he dismissed the impression that PTI’s long march was aimed at inviting martial law. “Imran Khan does not want to shake hands with the leaders of Shehbaz Sharif’s coalition government, but there can be talks regarding elections if the establishment guarantees,” he added.

When the PTI was in power, Mr Khan had said multiple times that he would never sit with Sharif-like “corrupt” leaders on “any issue”.

After the no-confidence vote against Mr Khan last month, the former opposition parties have formed a coalition government with PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif as its prime minister.

Mr Rashid said the army wanted to maintain the continuity of democracy and the only way to maintain it was to hold early elections, otherwise, neither PTI nor the PML-N-led government would survive.

The AML chief said: “Imran Khan is going to gather millions of people in Islamabad and in that case the country would go into a state of uncertainty which may lead to civil war.”

PTI chief Imran Khan earlier on Saturday announced a march towards Islamabad in the last week of May.

Mr Rashid said that if Mr Khan succeeded in bringing a large number of people to Islamabad, his politics would reign while his only demand was early elections. “The PTI does not want to topple the government, but the marchers will not return from Islamabad without announcement of the date of general elections,” he added.

Talking about the fall of the PTI government, he said there were “some misunderstandings with the institutions” which should not have happened. He said he was against a conflict with the army and still wanted “reconciliation”.

When asked to elaborate specific reasons that had caused differences between Mr Khan and the army, the minister refused to reply. However, he said, he had started making efforts from May 1 to remove the “misunderstanding”.

Mr Rashid said he had nothing to do with the Masjid-i-Nabwi incident, but he was clear that the present rulers would be “welcomed in a similar way wherever they go”.

On cases of incitement to violence at the holy mosque, he said he had spent many years in jail in fake cases in the past and was still ready for arrest. He said he had intended to retire from politics, but in the present circumstances he would take part in the elections at Mr Khan’s behest.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/I7jNZXE

With all eyes on economic cooperation, high-powered UAE delegation due in Pakistan today

A high-powered United Arab Emirates (UAE) delegation is due in Pakistan today to explore opportunities on the economic front after Islamabad sought a multibillion-dollar investment from Abu Dhabi.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on his return from Saudi Arabia, had stopped in the UAE last week to hold a meeting with President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and other top officials.

In the meeting, the premier requested the emirates senior officials to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan. The UAE has already rolled over its deposits of $2 billion lying with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

“A high-level delegation of the UAE is coming to Pakistan to meet their counterparts on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s request to the ruler of UAE. A number of proposals will be discussed and explored during this visit.

Federal Minister for Finance Miftah Ismail confirmed that the UAE delegation was coming to Pakistan to explore investment opportunities. He made it clear that the visit was not meant to seek any further aid package from the UAE.

During their visit, the UAE’s economic experts would also meet PM Shehbaz Sharif in Lahore today. The delegation will also interact with the government’s economic team and deliberate on ways to accelerate the economic activities between the two countries.

The prime minister will also host a dinner reception for the delegation, which will be held to discuss the promotion of economic and trade relations as well as investment.

The members of the delegation will be apprised of a conducive atmosphere for investment in Pakistan. The discussion on cooperation in the fields of energy, economy, and petroleum industry is also on the agenda.

 

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/G97kJw8

Pakistan celebrates Eidul Fitr with traditional zeal and fervour

Pakistanis are celebrating Eidul Fitr with traditional zeal and fervour today (Tuesday) without COVID-19 restrictions for the first time in two years.

Three separate Eids were celebrated in the country — North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkwa, and the rest of Pakistan — as the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee's decision was not unanimously accepted across the country.

The day witnesses traditional food items being prepared at home. Large prayer gatherings were held to mark the auspicious occasion, while special prayers were made for the country's stability and prosperity.

PM urges showing compassion to people in need

In his message on the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended greetings to the nation as well as Muslim Ummah on Eidul Fitr and urged the countrymen to show compassion and take special care of the people in need while celebrating the festival.

The prime minister said Allah had awarded Muslims with Eidul Fitr after the month of Ramadan.

He said considering Ramadan’s spirit of patience, sacrifice and compassion, it was incumbent upon the followers to be extra cautious about the needs of the poor and needy while celebrating the Eid.

The prime minister said his government was committed to ensuring the country’s deliverance from the load shedding and was making all-out efforts to achieve the objective.

He also directed the authorities concerned to refrain from carrying out power outages for the three days of Eid-ul-Fitr to allow the people to enjoy the occasion.

He said keeping in view the Eid pleasures and the hardships of the inflation-hit people, the government had also decided not to increase the oil price.

The prime minister assured the nation that every moment of his tenure and all of his capabilities would be utilised to bring ease to the people’s lives.

In the coming days, the people would also feel the reduction in their hardships "as an outcome of the government’s efforts".

The prime minister also asked the countrymen to remember the people of Palestine and the Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir on the occasion of Eid and pray for their liberation from oppression.

He also expressed his good wishes for the people of Afghanistan and prayed for durable peace, progress, and prosperity in the war-torn country.

President's message

Separately, in his message, President Dr Arif Alvi, while greeting the countrymen on Eidul Fitr, said it was a day of giving, blessings, and forgiveness.

The president prayed to Allah to make the day a source of joys and eases.

The president said Eid required the celebrators to share their joys with the poor by fully supporting them to achieve real happiness and exercise the true spirit of the festival.

President Alvi prayed to Allah to inculcate, in our personalities, the characteristics of love for worship, self-control, and passion to sacrifice, which we had been practicing throughout Ramadan.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/HF7tY1O

Court allows two-day remand of Sheikh Rashid Shafiq

A district and sessions court in Attock on Monday granted the police a two-day physical remand of MNA Sheikh Rashid Shafiq, nephew of former federal minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed, in a case relating to hooliganism and chanting slogans against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation at Masjid-e-Nabwi in Saudi Arabia.

A day earlier, Sheikh Rashid Shafiq was arrested at the Islamabad International Airport upon his arrival from Saudi Arabia.

At the outset of today’s hearing, the police produced Sheikh Rashid Shafiq before the court amid tight security. The police pleaded with the court to remand the suspect to their custody so that they could interrogate him.

Giving his nod to the request, Judicial Magistrate Jamal Mehmood granted the police a two-day remand of Rashid Shafiq and directed to present the suspect before the court on the second day of Eid.

Meanwhile, the judge adjourned the hearing till May 4.

In the wake of the incident of slogan chanting at Masjid-e-Nabawi against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation, former federal minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed's nephew MNA Sheikh Rashid Shafiq had been taken into custody at the Islamabad airport upon his arrival from Saudi Arabia early Sunday morning.

Some protesters, allegedly belonging to the PTI, violated the sanctity of the Masjid-e-Nabawi (PBUH) in Madinah on Thursday by loudly catcalling Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and members of his delegation.

Sources affiliated with the airport staff said that Shafiq flew to Pakistan through a private airline.

Confirming the arrest, Rasheed had said that his nephew had just touched down in Islamabad after performing Umrah, at the time of his arrest.

"None of us was in Saudi Arabia, but cases were still registered [against us]. Residences are being raided after the registration of the cases," Rasheed had said, condemning the arrest.

He had further stated that people would "harass them wherever they went". Sources privy to the matter said that Shafiq had been shifted to a Federal Investigation Agency cell.

A case had been registered against Shafiq at Faisalabad's Madina Town on behalf of Muhammad Naeem. A total of 14 known and 100-150 unidentified people, including PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Fawad Chaudhry, Shehbaz Gill, Sahibzada Jahangir and other PTI members had been nominated in the case.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/MxGrBIp

Uninterrupted power supply to be continued during and after Eid holidays: Power Division

The Power Division says load shedding in the country has been reduced to zero from 5 a.m. today as per announced by Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif.

In a tweet on Sunday, the Division said more than 2,500 megawatts of additional electricity has been added to the system.

It said that the Ministry of Energy is constantly striving for uninterrupted power supply during and after Eid holidays.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/WfAD8zI

PM Shehbaz extends Eid greetings to Muslims and overseas Pakistanis across the world

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has extended Eid greetings to Muslims and overseas Pakistanis across the world.

In a tweet today [Monday], the Prime Minister also extended warm Eid greetings to his fellow Muslim leaders over the close of holy month of Ramazan, reaffirming Pakistan's resolve to further strengthen ties with them.

As the holy month of Ramazan draws to a close, I want to wish a happy & blessed Eid Mubarak to Muslims & overseas Pakistanis across the world. I also extend warm Eid greetings to my fellow Muslim leaders & reaffirm Pakistan’s resolve to further strengthen our ties.

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) May 2, 2022

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/tUjPxSX

PM Shehbaz, UAE Crown Prince discuss bilateral, regional, int'l issues

In a meeting with United Arab Emirates Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held extensive consultations over the prospects of propelling cooperation and a range of bilateral, regional and international issues.

The premier met the crown prince in Abu Dhabi during his brief stay in the state after concluding his three-day visit to Saudi Arabia.

PM Shehbaz Sharif had a warm welcome at Abu Dhabi by the crown prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces ahead of their meeting at Royal Palace, Qasr-e Al-Shatie.

During the meeting, the crown prince congratulated PM Shehbaz Sharif on his election as the premier of Pakistan and wished him great success serving the post. He also extended best wishes for the continued progress and prosperity of the people of Pakistan.

The prime minister paid tributes to the founder and first president of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (may Allah bless his soul) for his foresight and visionary leadership and his contribution to laying the foundation of Pakistan-UAE friendship. He expressed Pakistan's determination to strengthen mutually beneficial ties under the vision of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Noting the first 50 years of fast-track and remarkable development of the UAE, PM Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the UAE leadership and people and wished them more success in the decades ahead.

He also felicitated the UAE leadership and Expo Team on successful holding of the Dubai World Expo 2020, widely acclaimed as a resounding success.

Moreover, the prime minister expressed gratitude to the UAE for its long-standing support to Pakistan both bilaterally and multilaterally.

He, in particular, mentioned the humanitarian projects launched under the UAE-Pakistan Assistance Program in Pakistan as well as crucial support extended by the UAE during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also thanked the UAE for hosting 1.7 million Pakistanis with honour and dignity who are not only a bridge between Pakistan and the UAE but also pride of Pakistan.

Highlighting the noble initiative of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to eradicate polio worldwide, the PM Shehbaz Sharif lauded UAE's pivotal role in supporting global efforts to end this menace.

Reviewing bilateral cooperation in various fields, the two leaders resolved to further strengthen trade and economic ties, with particular focus on accelerating cooperation and building partnerships in areas encompassing, investments, economic development, energy, infrastructure and agriculture.

'Pakistan, UAE stood by each other': Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed
​

The crown prince assured the PM Shehbaz Sharif about making effective moves towards strengthening closer bilateral fraternal ties for the benefit of future generations of the two countries. He acknowledged with gratitude the constructive role played by Pakistanis in the development of the UAE when others had limited presence and contribution.

Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan said that Pakistan and the UAE stood with each other during good or bad times and would continue to extend support to each other in the future. He emphasised the importance of strengthening bridges between the two brotherly nations for the well-being of their people.

The two leaders also discussed issues of regional and international importance. They decided to remain in regular contact on all issues of mutual interest as well as coordinate positions at multilateral forums including the UN and the OIC.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/Cy0U3jH

KP, parts of Balochistan celebrating Eid today unlike rest of Pakistan

Unlike the rest of Pakistan, Eidul Fitr is being celebrated with religious zeal and fervour in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the northern districts of Balochistan today instead of tomorrow (Tuesday).

Eid prayers were held at open places, in mosques and Eidgahs in KP and certain districts of Balochistan.

On the occasion, special prayers were offered for the well-being of the country, while in sermons, scholars highlighted the significance of this Eid. The Ulema also condemned the incident of hooliganism at Masjid-e-Nabawi in their Eid sermons.

In KP, the main gathering of Eidul Fitr was held at Eidgah mosque alongside Charsadda Road. Chief Minister Mahmood Khan and the provincial ministers offered their Eid prayers at Governor House.

The Hazara Division will observe Eid tomorrow.

In Balochistan, Eid is being celebrated in Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Zhob and other areas.

KP to observe Eid on Monday

A day earlier, Chief Minister Mahmood Khan’s Special Assistant Barrister Dr Muhammad Ali Saif had announced that the province will celebrate Eid on Monday.

Taking to his Twitter, Saif said that the government had received 130 sightings from different areas of KP of the Shawwal moon.

“The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to officially celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr on Monday, May 2. Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated with religious fervour across the province tomorrow,” said the special assistant.

Moreover, the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee's zonal body in Peshawar, urged the central body to review it's decision.

Madni said that the zonal body had "examined the sightings" and considered them after through review.

On the other hand, following the decision of the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, the rest of the country will celebrate Eid on Tuesday, May 3.

Religious Affairs Minister Abdul Shakoor said that the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee was an independent body and that the federal government cannot "dictate" it.

“We can only request the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee to not ignore the sightings," Shakoor told journalists. He added that zonal committee had received the reports of moon sighting after the central body's meeting had ended.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/9v2MJNU

Masjid-e-Nabawi incident: Sheikh Rashid's nephew arrested upon return to Pakistan

Former federal minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed's nephew Sheikh Rashid Shafiq was arrested at the Islamabad airport upon his arrival from Saudi Arabia in the wee hours of Sunday.

The arrest has been made in connection with the incident of slogan chanting at Masjid-e-Nabawi against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation.

Sources affiliated with the airport staff said that Shafiq travelled to Pakistan through a private airline.

Rashid confirmed his nephew's arrest, saying that he had just landed in Pakistan after performing Umrah when he was arrested.

"None of us were in Saudi Arabia, but cases were still registered [against us]. Residences are being raided after the registration of the cases," Rashid said, condemning the arrest.

He further stated that people would "harass them wherever they went".

Sources privy to the matter said that Shafiq has been shifted to a Federal Investigation Agency cell.

A case had been registered against Shafiq at Faisalabad's Madina Town on behalf of Muhammad Naeem . A total of 14 known and 100-150 unidentified people, including PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Fawad Chaudhry, Shehbaz Gill, Sahibzada Jahangir and other PTI members have been nominated in the case.

On the night following the Masjid-e-Nabawi incident, Shafiq had posted a video from the holy site, supporting the hooliganism.

He had also hinted that the same would happen to the delegation when they visit the Holy Kaaba in Makkah.

Masjid-e-Nabawi incident

PM Shehbaz and his delegation had reached Saudi Arabia on Thursday for a three-day official visit at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz.

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Finance Minister Miftah Ismail, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Shahzain Bugti, Mohsin Dawar, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqi, Chaudhry Salik, and four members of PM Shehbaz Sharif's staff were accompanying the prime minister on his visit.

But as Marriyum Aurangzeb and Shahzain Bugti arrived at the mosque, the protesters started chanting slogans of "chor, chor (thieves)" when they saw the premier and harassed and raised objectionable slogans.

The protesters had also misbehaved with the JWP chief Shahzain Bugti and pulled his hair.

The protesters filmed the entire episode with their mobile phones.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/P8p3vQF

FIR lodged against Imran, others under blasphemy laws over incident at Masjid-e-Nabwi

An FIR was lodged on Sunday against former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and other top brass of the party in Faisalabad.

According to the report, the charges are brought against the leadership for involvement in the incident at Masjid-e-Nabwi, where Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and federal ministers were ridiculed by some Pakistani pilgrims.

The charges have been registered under Sections 295, 295-A, 296, and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code, also referred to as ‘blasphemy laws’. The sections relate to harming a place of worship with intent to insult a religion, deliberate and malicious intent to outrage religious sentiment, disturbing religious assembly and abetment.

PTI leaders named in the FIR include; Imran Khan, Shahbaz Gill, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and his nephew Sheikh Rashid Shafiq, Fawad Chaudhry, Qasim Suri, Sahibzada Jahangir, and Aneel Musarrat.

In the wake of the incident in Saudi Arabia, arrests will be made in Faisalabad against prominent leaders, in a case registered against more than 150 people.

The complainant Muhammad Naeem, a resident of Faisalabad, claimed that the incident at the holy site, videos of which went viral, was a "planned out scheme and conspiracy". He added that the videos shared on social media and speeches made by the PTI leaders prior to the coalition delegation’s visit were proof of the alleged crime.

According to a senior police officer, various cases have been registered against the PTI leaders in different cities of Punjab.

After the FIR was filed, former interior minister Sheikh Rashid's nephew Sheikh Rashid Shafiq was taken into custody on arrival at the new Islamabad airport from Saudi Arabia.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/0EOJyiW

Turkey, Saudi Arabia to revive great economic potential: Erdogan

Turkey and Saudi Arabia have a common will to "reactivate a great economic potential" between the two countries, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday, after his first trip to the kingdom since 2017.

Speaking to reporters on a flight back from Saudi Arabia, where he sought to mend frayed ties, Erdogan said the sides were determined to accelerate efforts for the common interests and stability of the region, Turkish media reported.

The media readout did not mention a possible currency swap line nor specifics of any other planned investments that could help relieve Turkey's economic strains.

"We agreed with Saudi Arabia to reactivate a great economic potential through organisations that will bring our investors together," Erdogan said.

On his two-day visit, Erdogan met Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and discussed various international, regional and bilateral issues. read more

"We announced that we, as Turkey, would support them in their bid to host EXPO 2030 in Riyadh," he added.

Erdogan's visit marks the culmination of a months-long rapprochement drive that included dropping a trial over the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul in 2018. Erdogan's office said the Saudi king invited him.

Analysts and officials say Saudi funding could help Turkey alleviate its economic woes, including soaring inflation, ahead of tough elections for the president next year. They said a swap line could help boost depleted Turkish reserves.

Relations soured after Khashoggi was killed and dismembered by a Saudi hit squad at the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul in 2018. At the time, Erdogan accused the "highest levels" of the Saudi government of giving the orders, but Ankara has since softened its tone.

"I believe my visit will herald a new era in the ties between our two countries. We have demonstrated our common will to enhance ties," he said.

Erdogan reiterated "the need for a new era in foreign policy" and said this was a process of making friends and not enemies with countries with whom "we share the same beliefs and thoughts."

Turkey has also been working to mend long-strained ties with Israel and Ankara's top diplomat is due to visit there in May.

Erdogan said a similar policy may be adopted towards Egypt and current low-level dialogue can be escalated.

"We already have relations at a low level, such as between our intelligence services. Relations between our business people continue, too. Positive results indicate that these steps can be taken at a higher level," Erdogan said of Egypt.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/ez40ta3

Real Madrid win 35th Spanish La Liga title

Real Madrid secured a 35th La Liga title on Saturday with four games to spare after a 4-0 home win over Espanyol fuelled by two goals from Rodrygo.

Needing just one point to clinch the trophy, Madrid struck twice through the Brazilian in the first half at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium before goals from Marco Asensio and Karim Benzema.

Madrid moved 17 points clear of second-placed Sevilla with four matches to play. Barcelona have a game in hand but are 18 points adrift.

Given they have been top since November, there was no surprise about Madrid winning a league they have dominated for months, but dips in form from Barcelona and Sevilla offered the chance for an earlier coronation than expected.

With La Liga wrapped up, Madrid can now turn their full attention to the second leg of their semi-final at home to Manchester City on Wednesday, when they will need to overturn a 4-3 loss from the opening game last week to advance to another European final.

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti rested Benzema and Vinicius Junior from the start for the visit of Espanyol, and Rodrygo seized his chance with two goals late in the first half.

He combined with compatriot Marcelo to put Madrid ahead on 33 minutes as he steered into the far corner for only his second league goal this campaign.

Mariano Diaz, handed a rare start in attack, then won the ball back deep in Espanyol territory and Rodrygo rolled in a second with a clinical finish past goalkeeper Diego Lopez.

Eduardo Camavinga played in Asensio to slam in a third for Madrid on the counter on 55 minutes, with Luka Modric then making way for Toni Kroos and Benzema replacing Casemiro on the hour.

Benzema notched his 42nd goal in as many games this season across all competitions to seal a runaway triumph for Madrid, as Ancelotti became the first coach to win all five major European league titles.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/1i4ctfM

No sanctions, but US wants Delhi to break from Russia

US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has suggested encouraging India to voluntarily disengage from Russia instead of slapping sanctions on New Delhi for buying oil and weapons from Moscow.

“Where we can, it is far preferable to get countries to voluntarily not engage in these practices, and that’s where our diplomacy is focused,” Mr Blinken said at one of his several congressional hearings in Washington this week.

Democratic senators urged Secretary Blinken at these hearings to put more pressure on India for continuing to do business with Russia despite its invasion of Ukraine.

“They go buy oil from Russia. They buy the S-400 [anti-missile system]. They abstain at the United Nations [on votes criticising Russia],” said Senator Bob Menendez, who heads the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

“But they are a member of the Quad,” he said, referring to a US-led alliance of like-minded nations for containing China’s influence in the Indian-Pacific region. “So, at some point messages that we send globally here are inconsistent. When we say we’re ‘troubled’ and ‘disappointed,’ that doesn’t cut it.”

Secretary Blinken, who was defending the State Depar­tment’s fiscal 2023 budget request, acknowledged this ‘uncomfortable reality’ but also urged lawmakers to see the broader picture.

“We’re at a very important strategic moment as various countries … are possibly reconsidering some of their other relationships, including with Russia,” he said in his first of four appearances in Congress this week. “As a strategic proposition, I think it’s very much in our interests to encourage that and work with that and see what we can do to … take advantage of other strategic opportunities that may present themselves as a result of Russia’s aggression.”

In another hearing at a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee, Secretary Blinken told the lawmakers that India’s relationship with Russia goes back decades.

“Russia, for India, was out of necessity a partner of choice when we were not in a position to be a partner,” he said in response to a question from Senator William Hagerty.

“Now, we are investing in that effort. I think there is a growing strategic convergence between the United States and India,” Mr Blinken said. “And of course, China is a big part of that,” as Beijing’s growing influence in the region brings India closer to the United States.

Mr Blinken said US President Joe Biden had spent “a lot of time directly engaging with Prime Minister Modi and India’s leadership”.

At the Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Menendez criticised the State Department for not forcefully calling out India’s decision to increase oil purchases from Moscow just as other US allies are curtail their own energy imports from Russia.

Senators said they could suggest sanctioning India if it didn’t stop buying Russian defence equipment, on which India has long relied.

The US media, while reporting their remarks, noted that before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, US lawmakers were more open to giving India a waiver for purchasing a Russian anti-missile system.

The US media reported that since the Russian invasion, India has imported more than double the amount of crude oil from Russia that it did in all of 2021.

“Why aren’t we applying secondary sanctions against countries … that are increasing their imports from Russian commodities?” asked Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat. “There are countries that are taking advantage of discounted Russian oil prices … which only helps (President) Putin.”

Secretary Blinken said Washington has “engaged with some countries” that are taking advantage of Russia’s discounted commodity exports.” But applying individual sanctions was inadvisable, he added.

from latest-news - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/4wNKBi3