FARUKH SHEHZAD

ISLAMABAD, AUG 5: Pakistan on Thursday urged the international community to hold India accountable for human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir.

In a message on the second anniversary of India's annexation of the disputed region, Prime Minister Imran Khan said New Delhi has failed to break the will of the Kashmiri people.

"Today marks two years since India's illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019 in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK)," he said. "These actions were followed by an unprecedented military siege and restrictions on fundamental rights and freedoms of the Kashmiri people to perpetuate Indian occupation in the occupied territory."

He added that Kashmiris face unabated extrajudicial killings, custodial torture, and death, arbitrary detentions, burning and looting of houses to inflict collective punishment, and other worst forms of human rights abuses.

Kashmir is held by India and Pakistan but claimed by both in full. On Aug. 5, 2019, the Indian government revoked Article 370 and other related provisions from its Constitution, scrapping the country's only Muslim-majority state with its autonomy. It was also split into two federally administered territories.

Khan accused India of bringing demographic changes to the disputed territory through domicile and land ownership laws.

He said India's "unilateral actions" are aimed at changing the region's demographic structure, and converting Kashmiris into a "minority in their own land."

He called the measures a blatant violation of international law, including the UN Charter, UN Security Council resolutions, and the Fourth Geneva Convention. "Pakistan, the Kashmiris, and the international community forcefully rejected these steps," he said.

The Pakistani prime minister reaffirmed his country's commitment to the Kashmir cause. He assured all possible assistance to Kashmiris until the realization of their right to self-determination and a just resolution of the dispute in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

'COLLECTIVE PUNISHMENT'

In a separate message, President Arif Alvi said Kashmiris are being subjected to "collective punishment by Indian occupation forces," which have turned the territory into the "world's largest militarized zone."

"For the past 24 months, Kashmiris have suffered the worst human rights violations inflicted by Indian occupation forces, including a military siege and unprecedented restrictions on fundamental freedoms of Kashmiris," he said.

"To this day, the senior Kashmiri leadership remains incarcerated under trumped-up charges. Extrajudicial killings and arbitrary arrests and detentions also continue unabated."

He said Pakistanis stand by the "Kashmiri brothers and sisters" in their struggle, and will continue to highlight the dispute to the international community.

"Our ultimate objective remains the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute as per relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people," the president concluded.

RALLIES

Rallies to show solidarity with the Kashmiris were held in cities across Pakistan, including Azad Kashmir. The main rally was organized in the capital Islamabad and led by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi from the Foreign Ministry to the parliament.

President Alvi, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, other Cabinet members, and lawmakers also joined the gathering.

The participants, carrying flags of Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, raised slogans in support of the Kashmiri cause.

"The entire Pakistani nation and Kashmiris reject the illegal and unilateral steps of Aug. 5, 2019," Qureshi said, urging the UN and the international community to take "immediate action" and stop India from "bringing demographic changes in the disputed valley."

"Two years ago, today, India acted illegally & unilaterally. With state-backed terrorism, the Modi regime is sparing no attempt to subjugate the Kashmiri people. But, their indomitable spirit cannot be broken in their just struggle for self-determination," the foreign minister said in a separate tweet.

"We will not relent in our moral & diplomatic support for Kashmiris' right to self-determination in accordance w/ UNSC resolutions. The int'l community must hold [India] accountable for its crimes, to reverse its illegal & unilateral actions & cease all terrorism."

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COURTESY Anews

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ANKARA, AUG 5: Forest fires are a global threat just like the COVID-19 pandemic, Turkey's president said Wednesday.

The whole world is currently facing this challenge, which is like a "terrorist threat," Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said in a live television interview.

He said 187 forest fires have erupted in Turkey in the past eight days, with 15 of them yet to be put out.

Some 51 helicopters and 20 planes are engaged in operations to douse the wildfires, the president said.

He added that Turkish intelligence and police personnel are thoroughly investigating the fires.

Erdoğan said Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev told him that his country will send another amphibious aircraft, which is currently undergoing maintenance, to Turkey to support its ongoing battle against the forest fires in its southern provinces.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said Wednesday that Azerbaijan will send a new team to help Turkey in its firefighting efforts.

A total of 160 personnel, 40 fire trucks and a plane will arrive from Azerbaijan early Thursday, Cavusoglu said.

This will be the third team Baku has sent to assist Turkey's fight against the wildfires.

According to official figures, at least eight people have lost their lives since the fires started in south and southwestern Turkey last Wednesday.

TURKOVAC COVID-19 VACCINATION TO GET EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION

Turning to the global coronavirus pandemic, Erdoğan said Turkey aims to get emergency use authorization for its indigenous Turkovac COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible for its widespread use in the country.

"Phase 1 and Phase 2 of our domestic vaccine Turkovac have been successfully completed," he said, adding the clinical and research phase started in June.

He also said that the Turkish economy will see 7% growth this year and inflation and interest rates will drop in the coming period.

Turkey has administered more than 74.33 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines since it launched a mass vaccination campaign in January, according to figures released Wednesday.

The country is continuing its intensive vaccination campaign to curb the spread of the coronavirus, with everyone 18 and over eligible for vaccine shots.

Amid a nationwide drop in cases and an expedited vaccination drive, Turkey entered a new normalization phase on July 1, lifting almost all virus-related restrictions.

However, seeking to limit the spread of the Delta variant of the virus, the country suspended flights from India and required arrivals from the UK, Iran, Egypt and Singapore to have negative COVID-19 test results taken within 72 hours prior.

Since December 2019, the pandemic has claimed nearly 4.25 million lives in 192 countries and regions, with more than 200 million cases reported, according to US-based Johns Hopkins University.

TURKEY CONSIDERS ORGANIZING INTERNATIONAL MEETING ON CYPRUS ISSUE

On the Cyprus issue, Erdogan said Turkey is considering an international meeting to discuss issues regarding the region in the fall. The scope of the meeting will be about the Eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus and mainly the town of Maras, also known as Varosha.

Cyprus has been mired in a decades-long dispute between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, despite a series of diplomatic efforts by the UN to achieve a comprehensive settlement.

Ethnic attacks starting in the early 1960s forced Turkish Cypriots to withdraw into enclaves for their safety.

In 1974, a Greek Cypriot coup aimed at Greece's annexation led to Turkey's military intervention as a guarantor power to protect Turkish Cypriots from persecution and violence. As a result, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) was founded in 1983.

It has seen an on-and-off peace process in recent years, including a failed 2017 initiative in Switzerland under the auspices of guarantor countries Turkey, Greece and the UK.

The Greek Cypriot administration entered the European Union in 2004, the same year Greek Cypriots thwarted a UN plan to end the longstanding dispute.

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COURTESY Anews

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Editor-In-Chief

Exclusive by Farukh Shehzad

Cultural Morality is one of the key factor in character building of a child and of a human being in any society.

According to experts men and women who have been married over the past 40 years, they have absolutely failed in transferring of light of Islam to their children.

It has now become normal to see battling with each other in families in our society.

During the discussion, a question was asked that after Noor Mukadam case took place in Islamabad now girls have fear in going out in the field... Expert says that this fear of girls is good for them, this fear is actually a blessing for the girls.

Experts advised girls that take this fear as a blessing and 'stay home and stick with your parents and do not try to make friendship with boys' because it is also against the teaching of our beautiful religion Islam.

In the light of the teachings of Islam if women need to go out in any important case then they must fully cover up their body to get a safe environment around her, experts added.

Experts further said that 70% parents are responsible for children diverting towards bad habits. They also said that cultural morality has been destroyed badly over the past 40 years.

Solution for this problem:

Cultural Morality can only be improved by sitting and spending time with pious people in your life and it is mandatory for the both boys and girls.

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• Learning new skills through an online knowledge platform is an opportunity for freelancers and technology enthusiasts to capture global business prospects. Extreme Commerce launches Pakistan’s digital platform with 150+ skills.

ISLAMABAD, AUG 5: World Economic Forum in its Future of Jobs Report identifies new skill sets required in the post pandemic economic recovery for Pakistan. Digital Skills are the key to harness market appropriate opportunities.

Developing and enhancing human skills and capabilities through education, learning and meaningful work are key drivers of economic success, of individual well-being and societal cohesion.

The global shift to a future of work is defined by an ever-expanding cohort of new technologies, by new sectors and markets, by global economic systems that are more interconnected than in any other point in history, and by information that travels fast and spreads wide.

Yet the past decade of technological advancement has also brought about the looming possibility of mass job displacement, untenable skills shortages and a competing claim to the unique nature of human intelligence now challenged by artificial intelligence.

The coming decade will require purposeful leadership to arrive at a future of work that fulfils human potential and creates broadly shared prosperity.

Extreme Commerce, Pakistan’s foremost institution working to grow in the arena of E-commerce and digital skills, while creating a learning platform for the “Jobs of Tomorrow”, Extreme Commerce has created interactive learning tools for the new generation of Entrepreneurs and Freelancers. As Pakistan’s foremost EdTech with a focus on e-commerce and digital skills, it aims to bring innovation and quality along with tech, altogether under the same roof and ultimately make Pakistan the hub for Tech practitioners.

Pakistan has been ranked as the 4th fastest growing markets in the world for freelancers, Pakistan is among the top five countries in the world when it comes to freelancing and generates a significant calculated amount of $0.5 billion entirely from freelancing.

Pakistan’s e-commerce industry grew tremendously during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is amongst the fastest growth globally. The progressively evolving entrepreneurs in the ecommerce industry are breaking the barriers of feudal mindset. The Future of Jobs Report by the World Economic Forum also signifies that new knowledge capital around jobs on Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence and Deep Data Mining and Analysis are key to foster economic progress.

Extreme Commerce pursues to be the fulcrum of opportunity and potential via providing extension in income streams by making sales on international and national E-commerce platforms like Amazon, eBay, Shopify, Fiverr, Upwork, etc. with an aim to infuse $1 billion for each annum into the local economy.

To meet the global skills gap with Pakistani experts, Extreme Commerce has expanded its digital learning platform with (Video Boot Camp) VBC 150+. The organization has introduced more e-commerce and freelancing learning opportunities, with its Video Boot Camp revamped and enhanced to 50 additional courses to master the new challenges and opportunities.

Video Boot Camp 100 had an extensive range of e-commerce skills that enabled students to obtain sellable skills. But now the additional 150+ courses are designed to provide team building skills, soft skills, marketing, managerial and communication skills. With 50 additional courses comprised of ecommerce and digital skills & 60+ Zameen interviews, Extreme commerce is trying to make 2021 a remarkable year for big changes in the ecommerce industry of Pakistan.

Language has always been a barrier to entry for skill development. However, the extensive line of courses has been upgraded with SIX additional languages which will now help break past language obstructions. It has opened doors for fresh freelancers by providing them a detailed course on Fiverr and Upwork.

The VBC 150+ has stood out by introducing medical freelancing which is the newest addition to VBC. This offers a range of courses for health and fitness enthusiasts, nutritionists and practicing medical students. Understanding data analysis on medical related platforms is one of the most demanding skill globally. Human wellbeing has been identified as one of the major challenges for humanity in the COVID-19 pandemic, where the medical data has opened new prospects for information technology evangelists. Creating new pathways for emerging technologies to benefit the society at large.

The new paradigm of algorithms has automated businesses and can impact the job markets greatly, however this has created opportunities for freelancers to generate new models for business development and service delivery. The VBC has introduced a revamped program of digital marketing and multimedia as well which offers a new spectrum of skills. In Digital marketing there’s Lead generation, Chatbot & Manychat kind of courses which helps and guides all Entrepreneurs, Freelancers, Digital Marketers in general.

As the Future of Jobs Report identifies the Future of Technology is more mobile and personal, Extreme Commerce has launched the Video Boot Camp on mobile App and Play stores. The New VBC mobile app is ready to roll out with 150 courses and 60 Zameen on Android and iOS. The new 150+ courses are income generating streams that are to rewrite the fate of Pakistan’s economy. This will not only boost the economy but also reduce the unemployment rate.

Extreme Commerce is Pakistan’s first EdTech start up with a sole focus on skills development and capacity building within the ecommerce and digital arena. Founded in 2017, it is the largest community of its kind in Pakistan, with well over 750,000 members to date and with over 100+ courses and income streams to choose from. We estimate that by 2025, our community will be 1 million strong, generating well over $1 billion in inward remittance for Pakistan.

Mishal Pakistan and Extreme Commerce are working jointly to improve the awareness on the skills required for the “Jobs of Tomorrow”. Mishal Pakistan is the country Partner Institute of the New Economy and Societies Platforms, World Economic Forum.

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WASHINGTON, AUG 5: The United States wants Pakistan to keep its borders with Afghanistan open for Afghan refugees, a demand that could strain already tense relations between the two countries.

“So, in a place like Pakistan, it’ll be important that their borders remain open,” said a senior State Department official while briefing journalists on the new US refugee admission programme for Afghan nationals.

“Obviously, if people go north or if they go via Iran to Turkey …(they) have an opportunity both to enter the country as well as to register with either the government or with UNHCR,” the official added.

The new programme, announced on Monday, applies to those who worked on US-funded projects and to Afghans employed by a US-based media or non-governmental organisation (NGO).

Demand could strain already tense ties

An earlier programme, known as the Special Immigration Visa (SIV), covers interpreters and others who worked for the US government agencies, and their families.

Besides Pakistan, the US State Department has also asked Turkey to allow Afghans to stay in the country for up to 14 months before they are resettled in the United States.

National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf said at a briefing in Washington this week that arrangements should be made to keep displaced Afghans inside their country instead of pushing them into Pakistan.

“Why make them dar-ba-dar (homeless)? Make arrangements for them inside their country. Pakistan does not have the capacity to take more refugees.”

The Turkish government too has criticised the US plan to use third countries to resettle Afghans, saying the move would cause a “great migration crisis” in the region.

“We do not accept the irresponsible decision taken by the United States without consulting our country,” the Turkish Ministry Foreign Ministry said in a statement issued in Ankara.

“If the United States wants to take these people to its country, it is possible to transfer them directly to their country by planes.”

There are two countries that can play a pivotal role in this resettlement plan, Iran and Pakistan. Since the United States does not have diplomatic relations with Iran, US policy makers look at Pakistan to help them implement this programme.

Pakistan, however, appears reluctant to do so. Since 1979, Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghans and more than three million are permanently settled in the country. Pakistani officials argue that their economy is not strong enough to absorb more refugees.

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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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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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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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