NAB’s “Our Faith-Corruption Free Pakistan” policy remained success

Islamabad, December 01, 2018 (PPI-OT): Honorable Justice Mr. Javed Iqbal, Chairman NAB chaired a meeting to review latest progress on NAB’s Awareness, Prevention and Enforcement policy on ”OUR FAITH-CORRUPTION FREE PAKISTAN” at NAB Headquarters.

The Chairman NAB said that NAB’s “OUR FAITH-CORRUPTION FREE PAKISTAN” awareness, prevention and enforcement policy remained very successful which will continue in future. Under NAB’s Awareness, Prevention and effective Enforcement policy across the country, NAB has been engaging different Governmental, Non-Governmental Organizations, media, Civil Society and other segments of society in order to join NAB’s awareness and prevention campaign in order to aware people especially to students in Universities/Colleges at an early age.

He said as per the positive feedback received from various segments of society, NAB’s Awareness campaign on ”OUR FAITH-CORRUPTION FREE PAKISTAN” has been effectively highlighted by NAB’s media wing in print, electronic and social media throughout the country which has appreciated by all segments of society. He said that the present management of NAB has taken various measures including effective Awareness and Prevention Campaign to aware people about the ill effects of corruption.

He said that NAB’s top most priority is to eradicate corruption from Pakistan by using all its resources. He said that due to NAB’s proactive anti-corruption strategy “Accountability for All” today, NAB has become a vibrant and reputable organization. Reports and Surveys of different reputable national and international organizations like PILDAT, Mishal Pakistan, Transparency International and World Economic Forum have appreciated the performance of NAB.

NAB has not only opened its door for citizens related to their corruption related complaints but received not only 44315 complaints which were thoroughly scrutinized in complaints scrutiny committees but on the basis of prima facia evidence, 1713 complaints converted into complaint verifications which were against scrutinized and after both sides views, converted into 877 inquiries and subsequently 227 investigations were ungraded.

On the basis of across the board accountability, NAB has not only arrested 503 accused persons during one year but also recovered Rs. 2580 million from corrupt elements which is record achievement. The recovery made by NAB was then returned to hundreds of affectees and some government departments but not a single rupee has been paid to any NAB employee as NAB officers/officials. NAB has convened various Executive Board meetings in which various important decisions were taken. NAB has filed 440 corruption references in various Accountability Courts as per law during last one year.

He said that due to across the board actions of NAB, today eradication of corruption has become voice of the whole nation. NAB strongly believes in “Accountability for All” policy across the board as NAB is not for victimization against anyone. NAB has no affiliation with any party as NAB officers have their first and last affiliation with state of Pakistan. He said that besides World Economic Forum, the Gallup and Gilani recent survey in which 59 percent people have shown their confidence on NAB’s performance, testifies people’s confidence and trust over NAB’s performance across the board as per law.

For more information, contact:
National Accountability Bureau (NAB)
Attaturk Avenue G-5/2, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-111-NAB-NAB (111-622-622)
Fax: +92-51-9214503
Email: chairman@nab.gov.pk, infonab@nab.gov.pk
Website: www.nab.gov.pk

UNESCO has adopted Pakistan’s ‘Suri Jagek’ as Intangible Cultural Heritage

Islamabad, December 01, 2018 (PPI-OT): Pakistan’s first independent nomination ‘suri jagek’ was successfully adopted for inscription as Intangible Cultural Heritage ( ICH ) in need of urgent safeguarding at the ongoing 13th Session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee being held in Mauritius, says a press release received here from High Commission for the Islamic Republic of Pakistan at Mauritius. ‘Suri Jagek’ (observing the sun) is a traditional meteorological and astronomical practice based on the observation of the sun, moon and stars in reference to the local topography.

This practice plays a pivotal role in the Kalasha community as significant social events like festivals, feasts, rituals; animal husbandry and farming practices are governed by the position of the sun, moon and stars. It is predominantly carried out in the Hindukash range in local observatories called ‘Suri Jagaekein’ located in three Kalasha valley villages, Bamburet, Birir and Rumbur. It is also used to forecast weather and predict natural disasters. ‘Suri Jagek’ was a fast disappearing element of indigenous Kalasha Knowledge of nature and universe and therefore was proposed to be put on list of intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding.

This vital tradition will now be protected as part of shared human heritage of the entire world and will continue to serve its spiritual and utilitarian purposes. Earlier in 2015 in conjunction with other member states, Pakistan submitted ‘Falconry’ and ‘Nowrouz’ to UNESCO for inscription on the ‘Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Humanity’ as multinational nominations, which were approved by the Intergovernmental committee at its meeting held in Addis Ababa on 2 December, 2016. ‘Suri Jagek’ is Pakistan’s first ever independent nomination at this forum. Moreover Pakistan’s second country report on compliance and implementation of UNESCO’s Convention of 2003 was also successfully adopted during the ongoing session.

Pakistan’s delegation at the 13th Session of UNESCO’S Intergovernmental Committee on Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage was led by of Mr.Zahid Ahmed khan Jatoi, Pakistan’s Acting High Commissioner in Mauritius. Other delegates included Mr. Naushad Khalique, Section officer at National History and Literary Heritage Division, Islamabad, and Mr. Faisal Idris, Education and Cultural Attache at the High Commission for Pakistan, Mauritius. We wish to thank UNESCO’ Intergovernmental Committee on Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Evolution Committee, UNESCO Secretariat and all Member States for supporting our nomination.

We would also like to acknowledge the contributions of the officers of our Mission at UNESCO, Paris, the officers of National History and Literary Heritage Division Islamabad and the NGO THAAP in preparing our nomination in accordance with the criterion of UNESCO. Inscription of ‘Suri Jagek’ as an independence nomination of Pakistan is a great milestone towards ensuring better visibility of our rich folklore traditions and diverse cultural heritage. Adoption of this nomination and our second country report are also significant accomplishments for Pakistan and manifestation of its successful diplomacy at international fora.

For more information, contact:
Principal Information Officer,
Press Information Department (PID)
Tel: +92-51-9252323, +92-51-9252324
Fax: +92-51-9252325, +92-51-9252326
Email: piopid@gmail.com
Website: www.pid.gov.pk

HR Minister inaugurates a separate ward for transgender at PIMS hospital

Islamabad, December 01, 2018 (PPI-OT): Human Rights Minister Dr Shireen M Mazari along with Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Aamir Mehmood Kiyani on Saturday inaugurated the separate ward, first of its kind for transgender at PIMS hospital in Islamabad. New ward has been allocated for the transgender where they will be treated for free; separate doctors for transgender patients will be available. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Shireen Mazari said that securing human rights of people is our top priority. She said that the government is taking indiscriminate measures to ensure human rights and provision of basic health facilities to all our citizens.

This step of establishment of separate ward for transgender has been taken as part of Transgender Law 2018, she added. Shireen Mazari appreciated the Health Minister Aamir Mehmood Kiani for taking the step. She said all provincial health ministers have been asked to establish separate wards for transgender and ensure best possible health facilities. Dr Mazari further said role of nurses cannot be ignored adding that those nurses and female doctors who face any problem or harassment can call on Ministry of Human Rights’ helpline 1099 and lodge complaints to seek legal assistance.

For more information, contact:
Principal Information Officer,
Press Information Department (PID)
Tel: +92-51-9252323, +92-51-9252324
Fax: +92-51-9252325, +92-51-9252326
Email: piopid@gmail.com
Website: www.pid.gov.pk

JKML condemns harassment of party leaders in IOK

Srinagar, December 01, 2018 (PPI-OT): In occupied Kashmir, the Jammu and Kashmir Muslim League (JKML) has strongly condemned the raids on the houses of its leaders, Abdul Ahad Parra, Feroz Ahmed Khan, Abdul Hameed Wagay and harassment of their families by the Indian men in uniform and termed it political vendetta.

The JKML spokesman, Sajad Ayoubi in a statement issued in Srinagar said that the forces’ personnel raided the house of illegally detained party leader, Feroz Ahmed Khan, and harassed his family in the name of search operation and ransacked their household goods and took away their mobile phones.

He said in the same way the army men from Chogam Shopian camp barged into the house of Abdul Hameed Wagay and misbehaved with the family members and threatened to kill them.

The spokesman condemned all these cruel and wicked tactics of the authorities and demanded that the repressive policies should immediately be stopped. India’s brutal tactics will not be able to suppress the Kashmiris’ genuine struggle for securing their right to self-determination, he added.

For more information, contact:
Kashmir Media Service
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Fax: +92-51-4861736
Email: info@kmsnews.org
Website: www.kmsnews.org

Kartarpur corridor initiative: FO rejects anti-Pakistan propaganda by Indian media

Srinagar, December 01, 2018 (PPI-OT): Foreign Office, today, expressed its disappointment at the relentless propaganda campaign by the Indian media against Pakistan on the Kartarpur corridor initiative. Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday performed the groundbreaking of the long-awaited corridor connecting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur area of Narowal district to Dera Baba Nanak in India’s Gurdaspur district.

The FO in a statement affirmed that it will not be deterred by unwarranted criticism from across the border. “We are convinced that those seeking to sow negativity around this initiative for partisan purposes or due to their known anti-Pakistan proclivities will not succeed in their designs,” it added.

It hailed the event as another moment of hope for the peoples of India and Pakistan and hoped that every effort would be made to preserve and take forward the Kartarpur Spirit.

“We have received overwhelmingly positive response from the Sikh community – not only in India and Pakistan but also from across the globe,” the FO said, adding, “The Government of Pakistan will continue to do what is right for advancing this noble initiative. We also look forward to working out necessary details and modalities with the Indian side concerning the passage through the corridor.”

For more information, contact:
Kashmir Media Service
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Fax: +92-51-4861736
Email: info@kmsnews.org
Website: www.kmsnews.org

JKLF chief taken to hospital, shifted back to police station

Srinagar, December 01, 2018 (PPI-OT):In occupied Kashmir, illegally detained Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), Muhammad Yasin Malik was, today, shifted from Maisuma police station to a hospital in Srinagar after he complained of severe back pain.

A party spokesman in a statement issued in Srinagar said that Yasin Malik, who is under detention from past several days, was shifted to a hospital in Srinagar where he had to undergo several diagnostic tests. “A team of doctors including his personal physician, Dr Upender Koul Ji examined him at the hospital,” said the spokesman, adding that the ultrasonography showed multiple stones in both his kidneys.

He said the doctors are of the opinion that lack of movement and continued confinements were responsible for his back pain. “After medical check-up, the JKLF chairman was shifted back to police station, Maisuma,” said the spokesman. He said the police raided the party office at Abiguzar, Srinagar, today, arrested party leader, Bashir Ahmad Kashmiri from there and shifted him to Kothibagh police station.

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Kashmir Media Service
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Fax: +92-51-4861736
Email: info@kmsnews.org
Website: www.kmsnews.org

TeH expresses solidarity with martyr Adnaan’s family

Srinagar, December 01, 2018 (PPI-OT): In occupied Kashmir, a Tehreek-e-Hurriyat delegation of Pulwama district led by Ghulam Mohammad Hurra visited the residence of martyr Adnaan Ahmed Lone and expressed solidarity with the bereaved family. Adnaan Ahmed Lone was martyred by Indian troops during a cordon and search operation in Khrew area of Pulwama district.

Addressing the mourners, Ghulam Mohammad Hurra paid glorious tributes to Adnaan Lone and said that the sacrifices of the martyrs would not be allowed to go waste. “Our brave martyrs not only scarifying their precious lives but their professional carriers as well for the betterment of our future. it’s our moral and collective responsibility to safeguard these unprecedented and unmatched sacrifices,” he added.

Tehreek-e-Hurriyat Chairman, Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai in a statement in Srinagar expressed grief over the demise of Sonaullah Magray and prayed for peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss. Meanwhile, Tehreek-e-Hurriyat General Secretary, Ameer Hamzah visited the family of mother-in-law of Dr Mohammad Shafi Khan (Shariati) and expressed solidarity with the bereaved family members.

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