Settlement plan termed as open aggression

Srinagar, May 08, 2016 (PPI-OT): In occupied Kashmir, the All Parties Hurriyet Conference Chairman, Syed Ali Gilani and other Hurriyet leaders have strongly opposed the establishment of colonies for former Indian soldiers in the territory, and have vowed to resist the move, tooth and nail.

Syed Ali Gilani in a statement issued in Srinagar termed the plan as an open aggression and hooliganism as Jammu and Kashmir was a disputed territory and was waiting for its final settlement. He said that the most important part of the conspiracy was to change the demography of the territory.

The Chairman of his own Hurriyet forum, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq addressing a meeting in Srinagar said that the settlement of Kashmiri Pandits in satellite colonies would damage the atmosphere of mutual brotherhood and respect in Kashmir.

APHC leader Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Jamaat-e-Islami, Muslim Deeni Mahaz, Center for Social and Development Studies and High Court Bar Association in their separate statements said the proposed colonies were a part of India’s wicked plan to create a state within the state in Jammu and Kashmir. Meanwhile, as most parts of the world are observing Mother’s Day, today, thousands of Kashmiri women continue to wait for the return of their sons killed in fake encounters or subjected to disappearance in custody by Indian troops in occupied Kashmir over the past 27 years.

A report released by the Research Section of Kashmir Media Service on Mother’s Day, today, said that the continued Indian state terrorism had resulted in the killing of over 90,000 Kashmiris including children since 1989. It pointed out that the troops had subjected over 8,000 Kashmiris to custodial disappearance during the period.

International Forum for Justice and Human Rights Chairman, Muhammad Ahsan Untoo led a protest at Press Colony in Srinagar against use of pellet guns, pepper gas and teargas shelling by Indian army and police on protesters in the territory.

On the other hand, complete shutdown was observed in Pulwama for the second consecutive day, today, against the killing of three youth during a siege and search operation at Panzgam in the district. Tehreek-e-Hurriyet Jammu and Kashmir set up a blood donation camp under the banner of Syed Ali Gilani Blood Bank in Kupwara, today. Over 130 youth and activists donated their blood on the occasion.

For more information, contact:
Kashmir Media Service
Email: info@kmsnews.org
Phone: 92-51-4435548, 4435549
Fax: 92-51-4861736

Undefined Gilgit-Baltistan status harmful for country: Traders

Islamabad, May 08, 2016 (PPI-OT): Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders on Sunday asked the government to give status of province to resource-rich Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) to enrich Pakistan and accelerate Chinese investment in Pakistan. Undefined status of GB has resulted in dears among some Chinese investors which must be allayed immediately in the national interest, said Patron of the chamber Shahid Rasheed Butt.

GB must be empowered without delay which can also change the fate of Pakistan as it has matchless hydel power potential estimated to be fifty thousand megawatt, he added. Pakistan can get fifty thousand megawatt of electricity from GB resulting in increased economic activity, revenue, production and exports.

Shahid Rasheed Butt said that people of GB should no more remained deprived of their full rights as citizens of Pakistan which can have a negative impact on fate-changing China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The people GB got their region liberated and opted to become part of Pakistan in a bid to get their rights which couldn’t become a reality after almost seven decades.

A legislative assembly was formed in GB in 2009 and the area was given status of a province but deprived of full membership of the federation which is injustice. The legislative assembly has passed resolutions for full acknowledgement of the region’s membership in the federation but to no avail. FBR should not surpass its legal limits to slap federal taxes on people GB when it’s not full member of the federation, said Butt.

For more information, contact:
Jahangir Akhtar
Secretary General
Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industry
Office No, 9 Block E, Super Market, Islamabad
Cell: 0344-5111174

National Assembly Speaker and Deputy Speaker condoles death of Nephew of Majeeb Ur Rahman Shami

Islamabad, May 08, 2016 (PPI-OT): Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker and Murtaza Javed Abbasi Deputy Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan have condoled the passing away of nephew of Majeeb ur Rahman Shami, Chief Editor Daily Pakistan.

In their separate condolence messages to Majeeb ur Rahman Shami, Speaker and Deputy Speaker expressed grief and sorrow over the passing away of his nephew. They prayed to Almighty Allah to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved family to bear the loss with equanimity.

For more information, contact:
Karamat Hussain Niazi
Secretary
National Assembly of Pakistan
Automation Centre,
National Assembly Secretariat,
Parliament House,
Islamabad – Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9221082-83
Fax: +92-51-9221106
Email: assembly@na.gov.pk
Website: www.na.gov.pk

High powered OIC delegation on Kashmir visits Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir

Islamabad, May 08, 2016 (PPI-OT): OIC Secretary General’s Special Representative on Jammu and Kashmir, H.E. Ambassador Abdullah Alim is visiting Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir from 8 to 12 May 2016 on the invitation of the Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs. He will be accompanied by a high level delegation from the OIC Secretariat, Islamic Solidarity Fund (ISF), Islamic Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) and Islamic Development Bank (IDB).

The delegation will call on the President of Pakistan, the Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, the Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan and the Chairman and the Members of the Special Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir. The delegation will also call on the President and the Prime Minister of AJK.

During the visit, the delegation will be briefed about the latest Human Rights situation in the Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and will hold meetings with the leaders of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference and the representatives of United Nations Military Observer Group for India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP).

The delegation will visit the Line of Control at Chakothi to get first-hand knowledge about the loss of lives and property caused by the indiscriminate firings of the Indian Security Forces. The visit is highly important especially in backdrop of the strong message on Kashmir dispute contained in the Communique of 13th OIC Summit held at Istanbul in April 2016.

For more information, contact:
Mr. Aizaz Ahmad Ch
Spokesman
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Government of Pakistan
Tell: +92-51-9205494
Fax: +92-51-9204202
Cell: +92-336-5644459
Website: www.mofa.gov.pk

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s message on World Thalassemia Day

Islamabad, May 08, 2016 (PPI-OT): “Today I call upon every Pakistani citizen to express resolve to prevent thalassemia. Thalassemia is a genetically inherited disease and it passes on through a carrier. If a parent carries the genes of the disease, they can pass it to their children. So it is necessary to have appropriate tests before marriage, whether the boy or the girl is carrying any gene of this deadly disease or not.

It is very important for the people who attained marriageable age to go through scanning to determine whether they are carrying the gene. I urge people from all walks of life specially parents perusing marriage of their children to encourage tests of thalassemia in the country.”

For more information, contact:
Haji Ahmed Malik
Principal Information Officer
Press Information Department (PID)
Tel: +92-51-9252323 and +92-51-9252324
Fax: +92-51-9252325 and +92-51-9252326
Email: piopid@gmail.com

Pakistan is 4th country to establish Climate Change Authority: Zahid Hamid

Islamabad, May 08, 2016 (PPI-OT): Federal Minister for Law, Justice and Climate Change Mr. Zahid Hamid held meeting with Mr. Jean-Francois Cautain, Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to Pakistan along with Mrs. Martine Dorance, Ambassador of France on implementation of Paris agreement at Ministry of Climate Change.

“Pakistan is committed to implement Paris agreement. In this regard Pakistan is establishing Climate Change Council under the chairmanship of Prime Minister”, said by the Minister for Law, Justice and Climate Change Mr. Zahid Hamid. Pakistan is the fourth country in the world to establish Climate change authority. It will be a professional body responsible to monitor climate change in all development sectors”, highlighted by the federal Minister.

“Green Pakistan Program is being launched with the specific objective to ensure implementation of Paris Agreement. This includes both mitigation and adaption initiatives like promotion of forestation, renewable energy etc. along with awareness, informed by the Federal Minister to the delegation.

“National Climate Change Policy Implementation Committee has been activated to oversee the progress of implementation of policy recommendations at federal and provincial levels. A framework has also been developed to facilitate Implementation process”, said by the Federal Minister.

“Pakistan is at 135th in Global emitters but still Pakistan is putting its efforts and doing preparations to grab its part from Green Climate Fund. Second National Communication Study and Technology Need Assessment under CTCN has been initiated”, highlighted by the Federal Minister. It was told to the delegation that many wind and solar projects are being in initiated as part of China Pakistan Economic Corridor.

For more information, contact:
Haji Ahmed Malik
Principal Information Officer
Press Information Department (PID)
Tel: +92-51-9252323 and +92-51-9252324
Fax: +92-51-9252325 and +92-51-9252326
Email: piopid@gmail.com

Kashmir solution key to peace in South Asia: Salim Gilani

Srinagar, May 08, 2016 (PPI-OT): In occupied Kashmir, Hurriyet leader and the Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir National Peoples Party, Syed Salim Gilani has said that no power can scuttle Kashmiris from freedom struggle adding that Kashmir solution is key to peace in South Asia.

Syed Salim Gilani speaking to Executive Committee meeting of his party said: “The implementation of United Nations resolutions over Kashmir seeking opinion of Kashmiris can only harbinger peace and stability in South Asia. If India does not adopt a realistic path on Kashmir dispute peace will evade South Asia and all efforts will prove paper tigers”.

Syed Salim Gilani said that Kashmiris would not allow the establishment of separate colonies in the territory as it was aimed to change the Muslim majority status of Kashmir. Meanwhile, Hurriyet leader Javaid Ahmad Mir in his statement paying tributes to Ishfaq Ahmad Dar, Ishfaq Ahmad Baba and Haseeb Ahmad Pahla, who were martyred by Indian troops, yesterday termed their sacrifices as the priceless asset of freedom struggle.

He stated that Kashmiris were offering sacrifices of their lives and property from decades onwards, adding, the best tribute to the martyrs would be to show complete commitment and resolve towards the freedom struggle to take their mission forward to the logical conclusion. Democratic Political Movement, Muslim Political League and Kashmir Freedom Front in their statements issued in Srinagar also paid glowing tributes to the three youth martyred by Indian troops in Pulwama.

For more information, contact:
Kashmir Media Service
Email: info@kmsnews.org
Phone: 92-51-4435548, 4435549
Fax: 92-51-4861736