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US ambassador awards certificates to students completing yearlong academic exchange

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ISLAMABAD, Jul 17 (APP): American Ambassador in Pakistan David Hale awarded certificates of completion to 66 students from Punjab,Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and northern Pakistan who recently returned from a yearlong academic exchange in the United States.

Ambassador Hale also met with 105 Pakistani secondary school students who will spend the 2016 2017 academic year in the United States, said an embassy’s press release Sunday.

“I have seen firsthand how exchanges can generate new ideas, challenge old stereotypes, build mutual understanding, and spark new friendships,” Ambassador Hale said.

He said together, the American and Pakistani governments were committed to expanding their educational cooperation, fortifying Pakistan’s education system, and building connections between people.

The 171 students from all across Pakistan earned the
opportunity to participate in the Kennedy Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program on the basis of written applications, English proficiency tests, and interviews.
The YES Programme, funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, gives secondary school students from 37 countries the opportunity to study at American high schools and live with American host families for one academic year.

In addition to attending academic classes, participants also
engage in extracurricular activities such as community service projects and youth leadership training.

The participants also act as cultural ambassadors, helping
Americans gain a better understanding of other countries and
cultures.

The International Education and Resource Network (IEARN)
Pakistan selects YES programme participants in coordination with the American Embassy.

The YES programme is one of a wide range of exchange programmes supported by the American Embassy in Islamabad; every year, more than 1,300 Pakistanis travel to America on academic and professional exchange programmes.

World must shun double standards to ensure peace: Rana Tanveer

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World must shun double standards to ensure peace: Rana Tanveer

LAHORE, July 17 (APP): Federal Minister for Defence Production and Science & Technology Rana Tanveer Hussain said on Sunday that international community would have to shun double standards for ensuring peace in the world.

He said this while addressing the inaugural ceremony of a road at Sharaqpur, says a press release issued here.

He said that Pakitsan could not stay silent at the
atrocities the Indian Army was committing against the innocent Kashmiris, adding that the incumbment government had raised the issue at all international forums.

Rana Tanveer said that it had officially been decided to observe July 19 and July 20 as the “Youm-e-Ilhaq Kashmir” (accession day) and ‘black day’, respectively. A decision in this regard was made in the recent federal cabinet meeting, presided over by Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.

He said that the PML-N would hold rallies across the country
to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir.

The minister said that the killing of innocent Kashmiris and
violation of human rights in the held valley should be stopped, adding that Pakistan’s desire for peace should not be considered as its weakness.

He said that progress and prosperity of the country was
the focus of the PML-N politics, adding that there was no exmaple of the development which took place during the last three years in the country.

Rana Tanveer said that billion of rupees had been spent
on development works in NA-131 and NA-132, adding that mega projects had been completed in Muridke, Narang Mandi, Ferozwala and Sharaqpur. These projects include water filtration plants, provision of Sui-gas and electricity,
construction of new schools and colleges, upgradation of
Tehsil Headquarters Hospitals and construction of new roads.

He said that now the people of Sharaqpur would be given a
gift of a motorway from Lahore to Karachi and soon Prime
Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif would inaugurate work on it.

Earlier, talking to the media, he said that dictatorship
could never be an alternative of democracy and added that all problems were being solved with concensus.

President summons Senate session on Monday

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President summons Senate session on Monday

ISLAMABAD, Jul 17 (APP): President Mamnoon Hussain Sunday summoned the next session of the Senate to meet on Monday.

According to the schedule, the Upper House of the Parliament would meet on July 18, 2016 at 1600 hours in the Parliament House.

The President summoned the Senate session approving a summary initiated by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs containing the Prime Minister’s advice on the matter.

Five new projects to be launched under CPEC this year: Chinese official

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ISLAMABAD, Jul 17 (APP): Deputy Chief of Mission, Chinese Embassy in Islamabad, Zhao Lijian said on Tuesday that five new projects, in addition to 30 infrastructure and energy projects being completed by the Chinese companies in Pakistan, would be launched under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework this year.

“Eight coal, solar, wind and hydro power energy projects are also under construction to meet the energy requirement of the country,” he told APP here.

Chinese companies are also implementing two mega projects including Thakot Havailian section of Karrakurm Highway (KKH) and Sukkur Multan section of Lahore Karachi motorway at a cost of US$ 3 billion, he said.

Zhao Lijian said, prior to signing of CPEC between China and Pakistan in 2013, China was at number 16 in terms of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Pakistan, adding, now China is the largest investor in Pakistan after initiating multi billion dollars project under the CPEC framework.

He said, this project would not only change the life of people of Pakistan in days to come but also prove beneficial for the whole region.

Referring to the celebrations of 60th anniversary of Pak China Diplomatic Relations, he said, the relations between the two friendly countries are touching new heights after the signing of CPEC.

“The flower of China Pakistan friendship will become more beautiful in future,” he commented.

It may be mentioned here that energy, road infrastructure, railway and Gwadar airport projects are being completed under CPEC framework.

BISP, Cheezmall hold exhibition under E Commerce initiative

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ISLAMABAD, Jul 17 (APP): Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) in collaboration with Cheezmall held an exhibition of handicrafts made by BISP beneficiaries for their encouragement and open new doors for their products.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, chairperson BISP, Marvi
Memon said investing in women’s economic empowerment sets a direct path towards poverty alleviation and financial inclusiveness.

“BISP is a social safety net that not only lends a hand in
poverty management but endeavors to harness entrepreneurial potential of its beneficiaries by marketing the products of beneficiaries so that they may graduate out of poverty”, she stated.

She said this was a historic beginning which will change the
lives of the poorest women of Pakistan.

Marvi Memon reiterated that through BISP E Commerce, the
products of beneficiaries are already available online giving international recognition to the traditional products of the country.

She further added that market access to the handicrafts of
marginalized segments would contribute in their financial empowerment.

The exhibition was held through mutual collaboration of BISP
and Cheezmall at Darbar Hotel Ground, Karimabad, Hunza.
Cheezmall, originating from China, is an online shopping
website created by professionals of E Commerce who have past experience of managing and running Alibaba, a global leader in the field.

In order to replicate the successful model of Alibaba,
Cheezmall utilizes expertise of Alibaba for training of their
managers.

It started its operation in Pakistan last year. The
collaboration between BISP and Cheezmall, entering into its pilot phase in seven districts of the country, one in each province and territory.

Starting from Gilgit Baltistan Hunza, aims at online promotion and sale of BISP beneficiaries’ products at international level. Cheezmall deals directly with the beneficiaries for purchase of products; BISP being only the facilitator.

The event was marked by the presence of minister of State/
Chairperson BISP, Deputy Speaker Gilgit Baltistan Assembly Jafarullah Khan, Senior Minister Dr. Mohammad Iqbal, Gilgit Baltistan local politicians, Director Cheezmall Ghazanfar Ali Khan, large number of beneficiaries and local public.

During the exhibition, BISP beneficiaries showcased a large
variety of products which were purchased by Cheezmall immediately and visitors and on spot payments were made to beneficiaries.

Products worth approximately half million rupees were
purchased by Cheezmall which would further market the products bought on their website to ensure international and national sales.

The visitors took great interest in the wide range of
exhibited products that included caps, shoulder bags, wall hangings, wallets, key chain, door bells, pouches, cushion covers, wooden products, carpets, jewelry items, gems, shawls, local dresses and shoes.

Director Cheezmall Ghazanfer presenting the message of
Cheezmall on behalf of Chief Executive Officer Aurangzeb Khan and Co founders Wang Qu and Lichenglong, said Cheezmall was highly interested in promoting and maximizing the profits for the products of poverty ridden BISP beneficiaries.

He added that this exhibition was a first step towards long
term cooperation between BISP and Cheezmall focusing on the betterment of the poor beneficiaries in all provinces of Pakistan.

5 killed,7 injured in roof collapse incidents

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LAHORE, July 17 (APP): Five people, including three
children, were killed and seven others injured in roof
and wall collapsed incidents due to heavy rain in the
city on Sunday.

According to Rescue 1122 spokesman, four children
were coming homes from a seminary when the wall of a house  collapsed and fell on them on Bund Road.

On information, Rescue 1122 reached the spot and pulled
them out from the debris but Hamza, Umer and Mehak (five
to 10 year old) died instantly while six year old Affaq was
injured and shifted to the Jinnah Hospital.

Meanwhile, the roof of a house collapsed in Icchra
as Yousaf and his wife Naila came under the debris. Rescue
1122 shifted the injured to a local hospital where
Yousaf died.

Separately, the roof of a house collapsed on Wahdat
Road, Multan Chungi and six people trapped under
the debris.

Rescue 1122 reached the spot and shifted the injured to a
local hospital where Ali,20, died.

The injured have been identified as Iqbal,35, Akhtar,32,
Arshad,23, Munir, 50, and Taimoor,25.

Ten priority areas identified under NDMP to improve response capacity

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ISLAMABAD, Jul 17 (APP): National Disaster Management
Authority (NDMA) has identified 10 priority areas under NDM Plan (2013 2022), aimed at enhancing capacity to respond natural disasters such as floods, landslides and earthquakes.

National Disaster Management Plan (MDMP) a strategic plan
which provides for enhancing capacity of country to prepare for and respond to disasters such as floods (urban/flash riverine), landslides, earthquakes, drought, tsunami, cyclone, glacier lake outburst flood (GLOF), avalanches and tropical sea storms by defining measures necessary for disaster management.

Giving details, official sources on Sunday said the plan has
identified 10 priority areas, 41 strategies and 122 projects in domain of institutional development, capacity building, awareness, early warning system, human resource development, hazard and risk assessment etc.

The sources said NDMP identifies roles and responsibilities
of various stakeholders involved in disaster management and facilitates various organization/agencies to undertake interventions as identified in NDMP to achieve desired results.

Moreover, NDMA has also formulated National Disaster Risk
Reduction (DRR) Policy which provided an overall guiding frameworkfor building resilience of the country to disasters.

The policy aims at strengthening disaster preparedness and
response capabilities, improving the early warning system, building capacities of disaster management practitioners at all levels and that of communities as well as strengthening structural and nonstructural resilience of infrastructure.

As per NDM Act 2010 Provincial Disaster Management
Authorities (PDMAs) and District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) have been assigned to examine vulnerability of different parts of the provinces to different disasters and specify prevention and mitigation.

NDMA progressively attained the capacity to support about 300,000 people all over the country through its well stocked warehouses located on regional basis in any kind of disaster.

Highlighting important aspects of NDMP, the sources said
national hazard and vulnerability assessment, macro level risk assessment for entire country has been completed, while micro level assessment under progress.

Similarly, drought assessment has been carried out in
districts of Balochistan, early warning and evacuation systems for communities have been established through SMS alerts, enforcement of building codes being pursued through Ministry of Housing and Works while National Fire and Life Safety Codes are being developed for first time in country with collaboration of Pakistan Engineering
Council (PEC).

Moreover, the sources said awareness and advocacy was
conducted through public service messages during monsoon as well as during earthquake 2015 while NDMA implementation roadmap is in focus with respect to preparation of Multi Hazards Vulnerability Risk Assessment (MHVRA), Capacity Building of Community through Mobilization of Voluntary Emergency Response (MOVERE) and capacity building of government officials through concept of Government Officials Emergency Response Exercise (GOERE).

The sources said National Fund for Disaster Management is
being established, major part of which will be used for DRR activities i.e. Early Warning System (EWS) and flood mitigation, comprehensive national guidelines for school safety are being prepared to bring awareness as well as to ensure safety of children and gender and child cells have been established at NDMA and PDMAs to grant much needed attention to vulnerable groups during entire spectrum of disaster.

Imran tops off-shore companies owners: Muqam

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Muqam inspects floods destroyed infrastructure in Shangla
Muqam inspects floods destroyed infrastructure in Shangla

PESHAWAR, July 17 (APP): Adviser to the Prime Minister Amir Muqam Sunday said Pakistan Tehreek-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan topped the list of off-shore companies owners.

Criticizing both Imran Khan and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, he suggested Jamat-e-Isami chief Siraj Ul Haq, coalition parters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), to have a train march for a corruption-free KP where he claimed more than Rs 50 million corruption was done in different government departments every day.

Muqam was addressing a workers convention and Eid Milan Party of Pakistan Muslim League-N here. Thousands of PML-N workers, including women and leaders attended the convention, who raised vociferous slogans in favour of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.

He termed the presence of large number of people in the convention showed their trust in the Prime Minister and his policies for a prosperous Pakistan. The life standard of the common man had improved and with the grace of Allah Almighty, Pakistan was now out of the crises and was the track to become a progressive nation of the world.

The people of other countries, he said, were now calling Pakistan as the Asian Tiger due to to its economic progress.
He said the people had reposed their trust in the Prime Minister by voting for PML-N candidates in the by-polls.

He said Nawaz Sharif would be Prime Minister even after 2018 on the basis of his performance.

Amir Muqam said those making hue and cry for accountability of others should come forward and present themselves for the process as the PML-N
already wanted a broad-base Ehtisab (accountability).

Corruption, he said, has decreased during the present PML-N government.

He said Imran’s politics of ‘Darna’ (sit-in) was not for seeking
solution of problems being faced by the people, rather it was aimed at to become prime minister. The top slot, he said, could only be achieved by serving the people and not through creating problems for them through staging sit-ins.

He said Imran Khan had bought a flat in London through an offshore company. He himself admitted that he formed the offshore company to buy the flat in 1983 to evade British taxes.

Evading taxes, whether in London or Pakistan, was a crime which was committed by Imran, he added.

Muqam said the KP people had given his (Imran’s) party mandate in last general election but his party failed to serve the people.

He said despite publishing of an advertosement in the media against one KP minister by the Managing Director of Khyber Bank, Imran did not take any action aginst him. Rather more incentives were given to the
minister by Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, he added.

He asked Imran to tell the people who was responsible for the corruption as both BoK MD and the minister concerned were still on their posts.

He reminded Imran of talking construction of 360 dams in the province.

It was just a castle in the air, he should rather to take practical steps, he added.

Amir Muqam said Shakeel Durrani had resigned due to rampant corruption and same was the case with the Director General Ehtisab Commission Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who alleged that things were not going in a right direction.

He said all the claims of the PTI government of providing free education, free health facilities, facilities at the hospitals to the public, changing in polive culture andgiving power to local government elected representatives were just hallow slogans.

He also asked PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to bring back his father. “There is neither any Mr 10 percent or any Raja Rental in the PML-N government,” he added. The PML-N believed in serving the people without any political affiliation and would continue by honouring
their mandate given to it, he added.

Amir Muqam urged the international community to take notice of the Indian-army atrocities in occupied Kashmir where hundreds and thousands of innocent Kashmiries lost their precious life for the just cause of the right of self determination under United Nation resolutions.

Criticizing the Indian army atrocities against innocent Kashmiries, he said Kashmir was on top of the PML-N agenda.

Amir Muqam also paid rich tribute to Abdul Sattar Edhi for rendering great sacrifices for the humanity.

He said all the promises the PML-N had made with the people of PK-8 would be fulfilled without any delay.

Federal govt positive policies to make a prosperous Pakistan: Minister

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Federal govt positive policies to make a prosperous Pakistan: Minister

PESHAWAR, July 17 (APP): Minister of State for Education and Professional Training Dr. Engr. Mian Muhammad Balighur Rehman Sunday said that due to positive policies of the federal govt Pakistan is come up from all crises and now going on a path of progress.

He said this while addressing a three-day International Conference on Earth Science Pakistan organized at Peshawar University Baragali Campus. Director of the Campus Dr. Irshad and Professor Irfan Ullah Jan and large number of participants were also present.

Minister of State for Education and Professional Training Dr. Engr. Mian Muhammad Balighur Rehman said the country is going on the path of success because of the long last policies introduced and implemented by the federal govt.

He said now things have been changing with a positive outcome of the policies introduced by the PML-N Govt. He said the country is going towards a complete normalcy and the crime ratio has drastically been decreased all across the country including tribal areas, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Karachi and Balochistan.

Dr. Engr. Mian Muhammad Balighur Rehman said that the present govt has achieved a record collection of the revenue of tax collection and in the current fiscal year the govt has allocated Rs. 79.5 million for higher education, an increase of 11 percent from the last year’s budget.

He said the govt has intended to further increase the grant for higher education with the aim to make every child literate and encourage the students to go for higher education in various fields.

It is the vision of the govt to make ensure quality of education to every child, which is also the basic right of the youth as far as the govt is concerned, Engr. Balighar Rehman added.

While lauded the efforts being put in for holding International
Conference of Earth Science could help out in learning about climatic changes, geographical information system, water resources and environmental changes.

He said Pakistan is geographical situated in the heart of Himalayas’ range due to which it has to face national disasters and ever changing climatic situation for which such like Conferences would help the govt to prepare a comprehensive plan and guide line for the govt to face such situation well in time.

In Oct 2005 earthquake we had lost precious human life besides damages of millions of rupees to properties and govt buildings that cannot be forgotten.

He said besides climatic changes in the region, Pakistan is facing scarcity of national resources and with the holding of such conference it would give a guideline to the scientists to look into that direction.

He urged upon the participants to prepare a comprehensive report for the govt out of the Conference so that the govt could be able to prepare policies in its light in order to address the future chances coming up due to climatic changes.

At the end, the Dr. Engr. Mian Muhammad Balighur Rehman lauded the Dr. Irshal and Irfan Ullah Jan for holding the Conference on this key subject.

‘Accession to Pakistan Day’ to be observed on Tuesday

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ISLAMABAD, Jul 17 (APP): Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) would observe Accession to Pakistan Day on Tuesday to rededicate all energies and resources to continue liberation movement.

Every year the day was celebrated by Kashmiris living on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) and Pakistan.

On July 19, 1947, the Kashmiris adopted a historic resolution
from the platform of All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference in Srinagar, demanding accession of the state of Jammu and Kashmir to Pakistan in accordance with the Partition Plan and two-nation theory.

The resolution reflected the aspirations of the majority of
the people of Jammu and Kashmir to protect their religious, economic and political rights.

Kashmiris want that India should withdraw its forces from the occupied territory and allow the people to decide their own destiny in accordance with the resolutions of United Nations (UN) but India had been denying them this right.

Consequently the freedom struggle launched by Kashmiris is
still going on unabated. Kashmir issue has also become a flash point for the international community.

In this regard, special meetings including seminars and
symposiums would be held in all district and tehsil headquarters of AJK including in the state’s metropolis of Muzaffarabad and in Mirpur, Kotli, Bhimbher, Bagh, Rawalakot, Sudhanoti and Neelam valley districts.

The day would start with special prayers in the mosques for
the liberation of all occupied lands including Indian-held Jammu Kashmir and Palestine.

Meanwhile, Black Day against the recent atrocities being
committed by the Indian Occupied forces in the IHK would also be observed on Wednesday.

Pakistanis safely return from Istanbul

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ISLAMABAD, July 17 (APP): All the Pakistanis stuck at
Istanbul airport in the wake of recent developments in Turkey were facilitated and safely returned to Pakistan.

The Pakistan Embassy and Consulate General in Istanbul
immediately established two emergency helplines and deputed a team of officers at the Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul to expedite the process of return.

The missions closely liaisoned with the Turkish Airlines
(THY) and arranged deployment of bigger aircraft and
additional flights to bring back these Pakistani nationals
numbering several hundred, said Foreign Office in a press
release on Sunday.

Accordingly, a total of four Turkish Airlines flights
were operated last night (16 July) to Karachi, Lahore and
Islamabad and the Foreign Office kept the media and the public abreast about the latest information.

“We are grateful for the cooperation and assistance
extended to our Missions by the Turkish Airlines and the other relevant Turkish authorities,” the Foreign Office said.

As a result of these intense efforts, the backlog of
Pakistanis in transit had been fully cleared and several
hundred Pakistani nationals safely travelled back to Pakistan.

The Prime Minister, who had issued special instructions
to assist the Pakistanis at Turkish Airports, was kept
informed by Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq
Fatemi, it added.

It expressed the hope that as the Turkish Airlines
completely resumed its normal operations, the residual issues, if any, would also be resolved.

Civil Society Forum of Pakistan stages protest rally against Indian atrocities in IHK

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MUZAFFARABAD, July 17 (APP): The Civil Society Forum of
Pakistan here on Sunday staged a protest rally against the Indian atrocities in Indian Held Kashmir (IHK).

The speakers on this occasion strongly condemned the Indian atrocities in Indian Held Kashmir unleashed by Indian brutal forces and called upon the UN and five Vito powers to intervene on Kashmir issue and pressurize India for implementation of UN resolutions as per the wishes of Kashmiri people and also stop India from its
continued massacre and genocide of Kashmiri people.

The speakers demanded the government of Pakistan to speed up its diplomatic efforts all over the world and unveil the Indian so called secular and democratic face and highlight the Kashmir issue and inform the world community about the recent Indian atrocities and gross human rights violations perpetuating against innocent Kashmiri people by its tyrannical forces in IHK.

The speakers denounced the continued curfew imposed by local puppet administration for the last consecutive 10 days which badly paralyzed the day to day life of the people due to shortage of medicine and necessary commodities and asked India to stop terrorizing Kashmiri people by using heinous tactics.

On this occasion, the Civil Society Forum of Pakistan passed
a resolution and demanded the world community not to become silent spectators and move forward and take serious note of Indian brutalities in IHK and send their representatives in the held state to witness the recent gross human violations.

The resolutions also demanded the government of Pakistan to remain in touch with APHC leadership to evolve the strategy with their consultation for resolving the Kashmir issue amicably.

Members of Civil Society Forum of Pakistan including Admiral
(Retd) Fasih Bukhari, Major (Retd) Ghulam Sarwar, Pundit Chundun Lal, Maria Iqbal Tarana and leaders of (APHC) AJK Chapter including Ghulam Muhammad Safi, Mushtaq Ul Islam, Muhammad Farooq Rehmani and others also spoke on this occasion.

Black Day against Indian atrocities in IHK to be observed actively: CM

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LAHORE, July 17 (APP): Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said on Sunday that black day against Indian cruelties in occupied Jammu & Kashmir would be observed actively.

Talking to members of national and Punjab Assembly here, he said elected representatives and workers should take active part in the functions on the occasion of black day for the right of self-determination of Kashmiris and exposing Indian cruelties.

Shehbaz Sharif said that India could not deprive the Kashmiris of their right of self-determination through brutalities. “We salute the struggle of independence of Kashmiri sisters and brothers,” he said and added that Indian government should fully understand that it could not crush spirit of independence of Kashmiri people through bullets.

The chief minister said the policy of violence and atrocities of Indian government had further increased the desire of freedom in hearts of Kashmiri people. He said freedom was a basic right of Kashmiris and India could not deprive them of right of self-determination for a long time through state-terrorism.

Shehbaz Sharif said he saluted the brave mothers of Kashmir whose sons and daughters had embraced martyrdom for independence. He said that there was no moral justification for silence of world community against the bloodshed of innocent Kashmiris.

He said that international community should pressurize India to stop bloodshed in Kashmir as murder of unarmed Kashmiris was open violation of human rights. World community should take immediate practical steps for checking Indian cruelties against Kashmiris, he added.

Pakistan would continue its diplomatic and moral support for
Kashmiris, he resolved.

Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafiq, MNAs Pervaiz Malik, Mehar Ishtiaq Ahmad, Shaista Pervaiz Malik, Provincial Ministers Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, Malik Nadeem Kamran, MPAs Khawaja Imran Nazir, Zaeem Hussain Qadri, Manshaullah Butt and other elected representatives were also present.

PTI chief in state of frustration, disappointment: Talal

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PML-N to take legal action against Imran Khan: Talal

ISLAMABAD, July 17 (APP): Member National Assembly Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Talal Chaudhry Sunday said that Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan was criticizing the PML-N government in a state of frustration and disappointment while addressing empty chairs in front of him.

“Imran Khan has today acknowledged that he can not compete with the PML-N leadership,” he said while talking to a private news channel.

He said Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif lived in the
hearts of people as he believed in the politics of development not that of levelling allegations.

He said PML-N government had delivered in three years by
launching energy projects, China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and operation against terrorism.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) would win the AJK general elections like it had won in Gilgit-Baltistan, he added.

AJK elections 2016: 427 in the run for 41 seats

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PML N wins LA 39, LA 40 seats

MUZAFFARABAD, July 17 (APP): As many as 427 candidates of different political parties as well as independent ones, are in the run for the upcoming Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative  Assembly elections, scheduled for July 21.

According to the final list issued by the AJK Election
Commission, 328 contestants will be vying from 29 constituencies of AJK’s nine districts, while 99 will be competing from 12 constituencies of Kashmiri refugees, spreading over four provinces of Pakistan.

The highest number of candidates in the run is from AJK’s
Capital Muzaffarabad where 67 candidates are in the run for the six constituencies, which have a total of 429,276 votes, including 191,112 female votes.

President PML N Azad Kashmir Raja Farooq Haider is contesting from LA XXVIII, Muzaffarabad V, where 12 other candidates are also in the run.

Muzaffarabad is followed by district Poonch where 51 candidates from four constituencies will be trying their luck. The total registered voters in district Poonch are 310,968, which include 141,334 female voters.

Candidate wise Mirpur district stands at number three where
48 contenders will be challenging each other from four constituencies, which have a total of 233,518 voters 127,274 males and 106,244 females.

AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Abdul Majeed is contesting from
LA II, Mirpur II, where in total 16 candidates are in the run.
While President Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) Azad Kashmir Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry is in the run from LA III, Mirpur III, where in total seven candidates are contesting.

A total of 47 candidates will be competing from five
constituencies of District Kotli, which also surpasses AJK’s all districts in number of voters with 442,839 people (246,230 males and 196,609 females) to exercise their right to vote.
Sardar Farooq Sikandar Khan, the son of top PML N Azad
Kashmir leader Sardar Sikander Hayat is contesting from LA IX, Kotli II.

From the three constituencies of Bhimber district, which
have a total of 243,165 votes, 45 candidates are in the run.

District Sudhnoti with 166,143 votes will see 29 candidates
facing each other from its two constituencies, whereas from district Bagh, which has three constituencies for its 232,572 voters, a total of 25 candidates are in the run.

All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference’s President and
former AJK Prime Minister Sardar Attiq Ahmed Khan is vying from LA XIII, Bagh I.

District Neelam and district Havelli (Kahuta) have one
constituency each for their 96,584 and 80,637 voters, respectively. From Neelam eight candidates are competing, while the same number of candidates is also in run from Havelli.

A total of 99 contestants are running for the 12 constituencies, spreading over four provinces of Pakistan where overall 438,884 people will cost their votes.

Dr Asif Rafique joins PML-N

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LAHORE, July 17 (APP): Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)
Azad Jammu and Kashmir (Punjab) Convenor Dr Asif Rafique on Sunday announced to join the PML-N.

He made this announcment here at a PML-N central office
in the pesence of PML-N Lahore President MNA Pervaiz
Malik, general secretary Khawaja Imran Nazir and other party leaders.

Dr Asif Rafique said the PTI was not a political party
but a group of looters, adding that he had joined the PML-N
unconditionally and fully trusted in the PML-N leadership.

Pervaiz Malik and Khawaja Imran Nazir welcomed him and
said there was complete contrast in Imran Khan’s words and
actions.

They said the PML-N had arranged machines to find out
fake identity cards to stop rigging in the AJK elections.

They said whosoever would try to cast bogus vote would
be arressted on the spot.

“We have constituted teams of our political workers who
will stop rigging and with the grace of Almighty Allah the PML-N will win on July 21”, they added.

Turkey coup an int’l conspiracy against Muslim world: Fazl

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PESHAWAR, July 17 (APP): Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Sunday strongly condemned military coup in Turkey.

Talking to the media here at JUI-F secretariat, Maulana Fazlur Rehman termed failed military coup in Turkey an international conspiracy against the Muslim world. The JUI-F, he said, fully supported Turkish President Recep Tayyep Erdogan and the continuation of democracy there.

He said the parliamentary committee on Kashmir was highlighting the issue. But the committee was unjustifiably criticised for the atrocities committed by Indian army people on people in held Kashmir.

The media should better highlight the Kashmir issue and the Indian barbarity in the occupied valley, he added.

Maulana Fazl said the JUI-F had also recorded their protest on the ongoing human rights violations in held Kashmir.

He said terms of reference (for commission to probe Panama Papers) should not be decided on roads. There was constitution and judiciary for the purpose. Coming to roads was an immature approach, he added.

Responding to a question, he said displaying of banners and posters regarding the Army Chief was an unconstitutional act and against the democratic norms. Those involved in it should be dealt according to thelaw, he added.

Two cops killed, one passerby injured in Pefiring

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RAWALPINDI, July 17 (APP): Two policemen were killed and a passerby was injured in firing by unidentified assailants on Peshawar Road near Kohinoor Mills here in the wee hours of Sunday.

Head Constable Nadir Khan and Constable Imran were on partolling duty on Peshawar Road in the precincts of Naseerabad Police Station here. They signalled two suspected motorcyclists to stop. They instead
of stopping opened fire killing the two policemen and injuring a passerby.

Reportedly one of the killers was crushed by a vehicle and the other managed to flee from the scene.

Meanwhile, Namaz-e-Janaza of the slained cops was offered at here Police Lines. Regional Police Officer Fakhar Sultan Raja and other officials attended the funeral prayer.

Jam Kamal meets Shehbaz Sharif

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LAHORE, July 17 (APP): State Minister for Petroleum
Jam Kamal called on Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif here on Sunday.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that
the PML-N government was taking all out steps for the progress of the country and prosperity of the people, adding the development projects of billions of rupees were being completed speedily in a transparent manner.

He said that improving situation in Pakistan was also
being acknowledged by international institutions.

Shehbaz said that some political elements once again were
out to stop the journey to progress of the country, adding that the sit-ins of these defeated elements were failed and their designs would not be fulfilled in future as well.

Jam Kamal congratulated the chief minister on saving
national resources of billions of rupees in the projects and
said that its credit goes to the determined leadership of Punjab Chief Minister.

Ashraf Ghani phones PM; conveys killing of APS mastermind

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Pakistan stands by Afghanistan over Kabul tragedy: PM

ISLAMABAD, July 16 (APP): President of Afghanistan Ashraf
Ghani on Saturday telephoned Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and informed him that few days back, the coalition forces had killed Omar Khorasani, the mastermind of the Army Public School (APS) massacre in Peshawar, along with four accomplices.

According to a PM House statement, the Afghan President said the APS massacre was a great tragedy for Pakistan and the world, and the perpetrators got the ultimate response.

President Ashraf Ghani also inquired after the prime minister,
who underwent an open heart surgery last month in London.
The prime minister thanked Afghan president on the elimination of TTP terrorists from Afghan soil, responsible for the APS tragedy.

He said that Pakistan was fighting against terrorism and was
fully committed to eliminating the last terrorist from its soil.

While doing so, Pakistan’s security forces had given unequalled sacrifices, he added.

“I will lead the campaign to eliminate every terrorist from
the soil of my country. Terrorism is a common threat for both the countries and must be eliminated through better coordination,” the prime minister said.