FARUKH SHEHZAD

ISLAMABAD, AUG 5: The Government of Japan has decided to offer 70 training programmes, which are held in Japan or implemented online for Pakistani nationals every year, as a part of development cooperation for the further development of Pakistan.

The programmes widely cover various sectors from social needs such as education, health, water resources, environment and human development, to industrial needs such as agriculture, energy, transportation and ICT. Governance, disaster risk reduction and gender are also covered.

The number and condition of participants and terms are set according to the target of each course. The programmes for Pakistan have been implemented since 1957 and approximately 6,000 Pakistani people participanted during long history.

The programmes are implemented by JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency), thanks to the support by Japanese ministries, municipalities, universities and relevant organizations. Under the restriction on overseas travel by the COVID-19 pandemic, JICA is utilising alternative methods such as online communications so that opportunities to participate in the training will not be lost.

MATSUDA Kuninori, the Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, citing his optimism on the training programmes in Japan, stated that these exceptionally wide variety training programmes can be achieved as a result of a long succession of more than 60 years track record. “I would like all participants to make maximum use of this opportunity, even in challenging times”, said the Ambassador.

The Ambassador hoped that these participants who will broaden their knowledge in Japan could contribute towards the bright future of Pakistan and further strengthening of Japan-Pakistan relations.

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TOKYO, AUG 4: Fans, officials, as well as athletes, have praised javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem for producing an outstanding performance in the qualifying round.

The 24-year-old topped his group with a throw of 85.16 metres, just behind India’s Neeraj Chopra (86.65) and Germany’s Johannes Vetter (85.64).

That performance earned him a place in the medal round which will take place on August 7.

Soon after his impressive show on the field, praised pour in for Nadeem who is now the only hope for Pakistan to secure a medal in the Tokyo Olympics.

Previously, the Khanewal-born has won a bronze medal for Pakistan in the 2018 Asian Games which were organised in Indonesia with a throw of 80.75 metres.

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COURTESY SAMAA NEWS

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ISLAMABAD, AUG 4: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s Abdul Qayyum Niazi was on Wednesday elected the 13th prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

He received 33 votes in the newly formed Legislative Assembly of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, whereas joint opposition’s candidate Chaudhry Latif Akbar garnered 15 votes.

Niazi succeeds PML-N’s Raja Farooq Haider, whose tenure in the AJK PM’s office had ended on July 30.

Earlier in the day, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry announced that Prime Minister Imran Khan had nominated Niazi as the ruling party’s candidate for the position. In a tweet, the minister said that PM Imran had made the decision after extensive consultations and reviewing all the proposals. “He is a dynamic and genuine political activist and his heart beats for the people,” he said.

Azhar Mashwani, Punjab chief minister’s focal person for digital media, added that Niazi was a member of the AJK Legislative Assembly from border area Abbaspur Poonch.

“He is also the central joint secretary of the PTI,” he said.

Imran Khan had on Friday and Saturday interviewed no less than seven candidates for the position of AJK premier. The prime minister had put various questions to them, relating to their future strategy and views on environment, tourism and national and international issues.

According to a source, PM Imran had expressed displeasure over the fact that he was being contacted by different quarters that were exerting pressure to select particular candidates.

Niazi — who won the recent AJK polls from the LA-18 constituency — was not among the leading candidates for the position initially.

PTI clinches most seats to form next govt

According to the official results of the July 25 polls, the PTI clinched 26 general seats of the AJK Legislative Assembly, followed by 11 by the PPP, six by PML-N and one each by state-based AJK Muslim Conference (AJKMC) and Jammu Kashmir Peoples Party (JKPP).

Three more PTI candidates were elected unopposed on Sunday against five seats reserved for women, in addition to one each from the PPP and the PML-N.

On Monday, the ruling had secured another three reserved seats, raising its strength to 32 in the 53-member house. Following the PTI’s victory, PM Imran had congratulated the successful candidates and thanked the people of AJK for placing their trust in the PTI, which resulted in the PTI’s electoral victory.

“I will focus on bringing the people out of poverty through our Ehsaas and Kamyab Pakistan programmes; and establish accountability and transparency in government,” he had said.

“As an ambassador for Kashmir, I will continue to raise my voice on all international forums including the United Nations to ensure the international community fulfills its commitment of self-determination to the Kashmiri people through a UN-sponsored plebiscite,” he had vowed.

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COURTESY DAWN NEWS

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ISLAMABAD, AUG 3: In late June, the “Bridge of Friendship & Ambassadors of Culture – Build a Dream for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics”2021 China Soong Ching Ling Foundation’s “Junior Cultural Ambassadors” campaign was launched around the world.

This campaign is sponsored by the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation and supported by various Overseas Chinese Cultural Centers. With the full support of the Cultural Office of the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, the China Cultural Center in Pakistan elaborately organized and planned the event, and invited relevant educational institutions across Pakistan to participate.

After the details of the campaign were published on the China Cultural Center Pakistan’s Official Facebook page, Pakistani teenagers enthusiastically participated in the activity.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the event was organized online. Sticking to the theme of the event, the participants expressed their understanding and feelings of cultural exchange, their blessings to the young people from home and abroad, and their wishes for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games by singing, reciting, writing, painting and playing musical instruments.

After the launch of "Junior Cultural Ambassador" campaign, many young people from Pakistan actively participated in the event. China Cultural Center in Pakistan received the registration form and their carefully recorded videos. By July 31, 2021, Cultural Center submitted the relevant participation material of qualified contestants to the jury panel after conducting primary selection.

This “Junior Cultural Ambassadors” campaign aims to promote the culture and educational exchange, showing colorful real life and upward spirit of Pakistani youth, and their wishes for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

Meanwhile it also highlights the extensive and profound Chinese history and culture of deep friendship, praise for China's economic and social development. All the contestants expressed their hope to serve as "Junior Cultural Ambassadors" of China-Pakistan friendship in the future.

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ISLAMABAD, AUG 3: Retired Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa was on Tuesday replaced by Khalid Mansoor as the authority to lead the affairs of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

A notification issued by the Prime Minister’s Office said Mansoor had been appointed as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on CPEC Affairs with immediate effect. The appointment will be in an honorary capacity, it added.

Bajwa announced his departure in a tweet, saying Mansoor was “fully equipped” to lead the authority in the future.

“I bow my head before Almighty for giving me an opportunity to raise and steer the important institution of CPEC Authority as one window for all CPEC projects, charting the future direction,” he said, adding that his work “wouldn’t have been possible without [the] full confidence and support” of Prime Minister Imran Khan and his government.

“The course is set for future progression of CPEC, this journey will go on. My best wishes to Khalid Mansoor sb, who is fully equipped to take it forward.”

Bajwa termed CPEC as a “lifeline for Pakistan”, saying it would “transform us into a progressive and fully developed country”.

Federal Planning Minister Asad Umar paid tribute to Bajwa for his services “in moving CPEC forward and playing a vital role in broadening of the CPEC scope with a transition to [the] second phase of CPEC”.

He welcomed Mansoor as the special assistant to the prime minister for CPEC affairs.

Mansoor’s “vast corporate experience, with extensive work with Chinese companies and his direct involvement in leading some of the biggest CPEC projects makes him an ideal person to lead the next phase of CPEC”, Umar said.

The government had appointed Bajwa as chairman of the CPEC Authority in November 2019 amid the opposition’s criticism of formation of the authority.

He was also appointed as special assistant to the prime minister on information and broadcasting in April 2020. He stepped down from that position in October last year.

Bajwa had served as Commander Southern Command before his retirement from the army. He remained director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations from 2012 to 2016.

Who is Khalid Mansoor?

Khalid Mansoor has more than 32 years of experience in energy and petrochemical sectors in leading roles for mega-size projects’ development, execution, management and operations. He recently re-joined the board of the Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC) as a director, according to his profile available on Engro Energy’s website.

Mansoor, who holds a degree in chemical engineering, served as the chief executive of the Hub Power Company Limited (Hubco) and is the chairman of Laraib Energy Limited, a subsidiary of Hubco.

He has also previously held the position of chief executive officer of Algeria Oman Fertiliser Company (AOA) and prior to that, remained the president and CEO of Engro Fertilisers Limited, Engro Powergen Qadirpur Limited (EPQL), Engro Powergen Limited (EPL) and SECMC, the profile says. During the span of his career, he has held various key assignments at Engro and Esso Chemicals Canada, serving as a director on the boards of Engro Corporation, Engro Fertilizers Limited, Engro Polymer & Chemicals Limited, Engro Foods (Pvt) Limited, Engro Vopak Terminal Limited, EPQL, EPL and SECMC.

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COURTESY DAWN NEWS

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ISLAMABAD, AUG 02: Kashmir Committee Chairman Shehryar Khan Afridi on Monday said despite Indian conspiracies against Kashmir Premier League (KPL) all the league matches would be held as per the schedule.

In a news release, Afridi said that the KPL would provide an opportunity for Kashmiri youth to showcase their talent globally.  International players Herschelle Gibbs and Tillakaratne Dilshan will arrive in Pakistan on Tuesday to participate in the Kashmir Premier League.

Afridi paid tribute to the players, their cricket boards and governments for supporting cricket in the world. He said “It is hoped that the Pakistan Cricket Board will soon issue NOCs to Fakhr Zaman, Shadab Khan, Usman Qadir, Imam-ul-Haq and Muhammad Hasnain to participate in the KPL.”

The Indian government is requested to keep sports separate from the politics, said Afridi.

“Games connect people while hatred breaks people. The Indian government and the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) is requested that cricket is a gentleman’s game, don’t contaminate it with your dirty politics,” Shehryar said.

The International Cricket Councils (ICC’s) clear response to the Hindutva government is another setback on India’s diplomatic front, he said. Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) is all set to hold first-ever CrickFest, KPL, from August 6, in Muzaffarabad.

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ISLAMABAD, AUG 1: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday criticised the partial coronavirus lockdown imposed by the Sindh government against the federal government’s wishes, explaining that doing so would break the back of the common man.

He expressed his views on the issue while conversing with the people of Pakistan in a live question-and-answer session via telephone.

The premier began the session by thanking the people of Pakistan for cooperating with the government over the first three waves of the Covid-19 pandemic, and urged them to again adhere to the SOPs to curb the spread of the ongoing fourth wave.

He then addressed the government of Sindh’s decision to impose a partial lockdown to curb rising Covid-19 cases, saying it hadn’t taken into consideration the hardships of the poor.

“We had a small problem between the federal government and Sindh,” the PM admitted. “Sindh government wanted to impose a lockdown, which is the correct decision and will curb the spread of virus.

“But on the other hand, the thing to see is that will we be able to save the economy from the lockdown? Then there is the issue of hunger … the daily wage earners and especially the poor section of our society … how will they make ends meet during the lockdown?”

The prime minister cited the example of “destruction in India” to tell Sindh government “never to impose a lockdown until you have the answers to these questions.”

“Their (Indian) government imposed a lockdown at once without thinking anything of the public. They only thought of the upper class and elite like us,” the PM said. “Sindh government should know that when you force a lockdown you are going to keep people hungry. You cannot keep hungry people under a lockdown if you do not have the resources to bring them food.”

PM Imran said that the policy of smart lockdowns and mass vaccinations was the way to go, as he stressed that the economy that has “survived very difficult times and is headed on an upwards trajectory” should not be hurt at any cost.

‘Free media is a blessing’

The first caller was a woman who told the PM that she was defrauded by a man for Rs6 million over 10 years ago, and complained that the authorities had arrested the suspect and a case filed but no recovery was ever made. To this, the prime minister instructed that her details be taken assured that full efforts would be made to assist her.

Another from a minority community called for a quota in jobs to be provided. The prime minister told her he would instruct the provinces for such quotas.

During the session, a broadcast journalist also called and told the prime minister that he wanted to verify if the QnA session was indeed genuine and live. At this, Prime Minister Imran replied that only those rulers that “break the law or believe in the rule of power rather than the rule of law or are corrupt are fearful of free media”.

“A free media [and] freedom of expression is a great blessing for a country,” he said, adding that it was the role of media to act as a “watchdog”.

He explained he only disagreed with the media when “fake news and propaganda” was spread, referring to the revelations in the EU DisinfoLab report that uncovered an Indian disinformation network against Pakistan.

“Journalists from Pakistan are feeding fake Indian accounts that are doing propaganda against the Pakistan Army and prime minister. I only have a problem then [otherwise] real journalism and criticism is a big blessing for a country.”

The prime minister was then relayed more personal problems by two retired soldiers and a farmer. He assured them all that help would be provided to them.

‘No one being saved in Noor murder case’

Answering a question by a woman about the grisly murder of Noor Mukadam in Islamabad and what steps the government would take for women’s safety, Prime Minister Imran said he had been following the Noor murder case from the first day and termed it a “horrifying” incident.

Citing details provided to him, the premier said the “tragedy” had occurred over the course of two days in front of the whole domestic staff of the alleged killer, Zahir Jaffer.

He denied the impression that the suspect would be saved because he belonged to a powerful family. “I want to tell you that no one is being saved in this. Even if he thinks he is a dual national and has American citizenship so he will get away, that is not the case,” he said.

The prime minister noted that the case had “shocked everyone”, saying everyone had been pained by it and it had had “a big impact”.

“Noor’s murder is a big tragedy and I want to reassure [the nation] that no one, no matter how powerful they are, will escape full punishment in the case.”

Recalling the alleged brief abduction of the Afghan ambassador’s daughter in Islamabad, the premier said he had followed the case “as if she was my own daughter”.

“Afghans are our own people, we consider them brothers so we saw the [incident] in the same manner,” he said, crediting the capital police for following “every single thing” in the case and interviewing the suspects after identifying them through CCTV footage.

Vertical cities

Talking about urban and civic issues, Prime Minister Imran said a major problem afflicting Pakistani cities was that their master plans had not been made, while those that were made were “destroyed”.

He gave the example of Islamabad, saying its master plan was repeatedly violated despite it being the only planned city in the country. “No one saw where water would come from and where the trash would go,” he said, adding that this was why he had ordered that city masterplans be made.

“This means a city won’t grow beyond a certain extent; instead of that, it will go up,” the premier said. “Dubai has gone vertical and so has New York, if they started expanding then they would never be able to provide water, electricity and amenities.”

Referring to the Ravi Riverfront Urban Development Project that the government plans to launch, Imran said a new city will be built to save the water of Ravi, which he said had turned into “a dirty nullah”.

“Similarly we had thought of Bundal Island in Karachi but unfortunately the Sindh government is not letting us make it and I dont understand that because all the benefit [of the project] is to Sindh,” he added.

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COURTESY DAWN NEWS

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ISLAMABAD, JUL 31: Pakistan has “welcomed” a letter written by a group of European parliamentarians to the European Commission on the “humanitarian situation” in Indian-occupied Kashmir (IoK), calling it “yet another demonstration of the global censure” of India’s human rights violations in the valley.

Sixteen European lawmakers had addressed a letter on Friday to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Vice President Josep Borrell, urging the European Union to raise its voice on human rights violations in IoK and take action.

“We believe that the EU should use all its leverage and tools to cooperate with our Indian and Pakistani partners to honour the pledge made to the Kashmiris by the international community and create an environment conducive to the implementation of the United Nations resolutions,” the letter reads. The Foreign Office (FO), in a statement issued on Saturday, welcomed the letter, saying: “This letter is yet another demonstration of the continuing global censure of the ongoing human rights violations and humanitarian crisis in IoK.”

The statement said that despite “India continuously peddling false propaganda in futile attempts to push the sham narrative of so-called ‘normalcy’ in IoK”, criticism of Indian actions had only increased after “egregious violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms” in the wake of India’s “illegal and unilateral” actions to strip IoK of its special autonomy on August 5, 2019.

Article 370 of the Indian constitution had limited the power of the Indian parliament to impose laws in the state. By repealing it, people from the rest of India were given the right to acquire property in IoK and settle there permanently.

The FO statement noted that various international forums had now debated the issue with international media and human rights organisations were “consistently” raising the topic of humanitarian violations in the territory.

“India must realise that it cannot ignore the international community’s continuing calls to end its grave and systematic human rights violations of the Kashmiri people,” the FO added.

“India will have to ultimately give in to global conscience, end its unabated human rights violations in parts of Jammu and Kashmir under its illegal occupation and take steps for peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people.”

India has continued to impose strict restrictions on people in the region including on religious festivities. Local media had reported that Indian authorities had barred Muslims from offering prayers in major mosques on Eidul Azha and placed restrictions on ritual sacrifice. Meanwhile, the region’s political leadership including Ali Gilani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Muhammad Yasin Malik, Shabbir Ahmad Shah, Dr Hameed Fayaz, Masarrat Aalam Butt, Aasiya Andrabi, Nayeem Ahmad Khan and numerous other leaders and activists were in house detention or in jails.

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COURTESY DAWN NEWS

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ANKARA, JUL 31 – Turkish archer Mete Gazoz won the gold medal in men’s individual archery final at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and brought his country its first-ever Olympic medal in archery on Saturday.

Facing world no. 7 Italian archer Mauro Nespoli in the final, Gazoz, 22, won the match 6-4 and bagged gold.

Previously, the Turkish archer faced Japan’s Takaharu Furukawa, won the semifinal match 7-3 to reach the final.

World no. 4 Mete Gazoz has two individual Archery World Cup championships, one gold medal in recurve man at Mediterranean Games and has two gold medals in individual at European Youth Championships throughout his career.

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COURTESY Anews

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Exclusive/Editor-in-Chief

Farukh Shehzad

Sadaf Kanwal, The wife of Shehroz Sabzwari has rejected the agenda of Aurat March.

She said we are Muslim and our culture is to serve their husbands. She said I like to perform all the work of my husband on my own.

Sadaf Kanwal said as a wife it is my honour and duty to cook meal for my husband and washing his clothes and doing overall care of my husband is my responsibility and I am doing it the same.

People in large numbers on “TWITTER” liking remarks of Sadaf Kanwal on so-called feminism.

Sadaf Kanwal rejected the agenda of ‘Aurat March’ and advising Pakistani women to serve and take care of their husbands.

People of all walks of life lauded Sadaf Kanwal statement wholeheartedly.

These beautiful remarks of Sadaf Kanwal are circulating widely as “TOP TREND” on Twitter.

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ISLAMABAD, JUL 31: AAA Associates, a leading group of Companies, has announced completion of 6 out of 9 construction projects within a record period of 6 years. The remaining 3 Projects are under construction, to be completed within a year. AAA Associates holds great trust among the investors primarily because of the timely deliverance, acquiring land at prime location, designing and construction of state-of-the-art residential and commercial buildings with unparalleled amenities. 

The six delivered projects are AAA RIVERIA, AAA Akron, ARCADE I, ARCADE II, ARCADE III, and Haseen Arcade based in the heart of Bahria Town Islamabad. Under construction projects are AAA Thirteen and AAA Business Center, AAA OCTA offers great returns on investments with consummate facilities and adds unique architectural design to the twin cities. AAA Associates takes care of the most important element of property i.e. location. All construction projects are strategically located keeping in view the contemporary commercial and residential requirements.