AsiaNet-Pakistan

Lahore, In a significant engagement with the police workforce, Inspector General of Punjab Police, Dr. Usman Anwar, met with police employees and their families at the Central Police Office, where he addressed their concerns and expedited orders for immediate relief based on their submissions.

According to Punjab Police, Dr. Anwar reviewed and acted upon several requests from employees across different districts, demonstrating a strong commitment to employee welfare and procedural justice within the force. For instance, the reinstatement request of driver constable Muhammad Nawaz from Chakwal and the employment of his son as a constable were forwarded to the DIG of Establishment for prompt action. Similarly, relief measures were ordered for Warden Adeel of Lahore Traffic Police concerning his NOC application, which was directed to the DIG of Welfare.

Further actions included directives to address the recruitment of a retired sub-inspector’s son in Faisalabad and promotion requests for sub-inspectors in Rawalpindi and Gujrat, highlighting a broad spectrum of personnel issues being promptly addressed. Dr. Anwar emphasized that the welfare of the police force remains a top priority and assured that all decisions would be made on merit to ensure fairness and efficiency within the department.

Karachi, In a significant political meeting held at Governor House, Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tesori met with Dr. Asim Hussain, former Federal Minister and senior leader of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).

According to Sindh Governor House, Dr. Hussain extended Eid-ul-Fitr greetings and commended the ongoing welfare projects spearheaded by Governor Tesori. The discussion also covered the broader political climate of the country and other pertinent issues concerning the welfare of the province’s residents. Dr. Hussain’s visit included a tour of the IT marquee, showcasing technological advancements and initiatives under the current administration.

Governor Tesori expressed his gratitude towards Dr. Hussain for his appreciation and support of the welfare projects, highlighting the meeting as a productive exchange on furthering provincial and national development.

Muzaffargarh, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Naresh Tikait has expressed disappointment with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), stating that the party did not meet the expectations set during its support in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Tikait criticized the BJP-led government for not addressing the concerns of farmers, particularly pointing out the lack of acknowledgment for the deaths of approximately 750 farmers during the prolonged protests at Delhi’s borders in 2020-21. He described the party’s approach as indicative of a “dictatorship.”

Tikait, who holds a significant position as the Chaudhary of the Balyan Khap in the Jat community of western Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, indicated that the BKU, which was a major participant in the 2020-21 demonstrations against agricultural marketing laws, remains open to backing candidates from various parties in the forthcoming elections. He noted that the BKU’s diverse membership, with personal and community ties to different political candidates, makes it challenging to endorse a single party.

“The Bharatiya Kisan Union is a big organization where every member has some relation or link with one or the other party. Some are relatives of the candidates, some belong to the same community (as that of a candidate) or have ties at individual levels with them. So we are not very successful in making such decisions (for the BKU members) on whom to support,� Tikait explained during an interview at his family home in Sisauli village, Muzaffarnagar.

Karachi, Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tesori attended an Eid dinner hosted by the United Arab Emirates Consul General Bakhit Atiq Rumithi, which was marked by the participation of consul generals from 17 countries and discussions on economic cooperation in Sindh.

According to Sindh Governor House, the dinner provided a platform for discussions on the Sindh Industrial and Facilitation Corporation (SIFC) projects. Delegates from UAE, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain expressed significant interest in these initiatives, viewing them as pivotal to strengthening economic ties and enhancing regional stability. The consul generals assured that the SIFC projects in Sindh would receive full protection and support, highlighting their potential role as economic catalysts for the province.

Karachi, On the second day of Eid, the gates of Governor House saw a significant gathering of residents arriving to receive rations distributed as part of the Eid celebrations.

According to Sindh Governor House, the initiative was part of ongoing efforts to support the community during the festive season. The distribution was aimed at ensuring that the festivities could be enjoyed by all segments of society, particularly those in need.

Islamabad, Inspector Muhammad Aslam was honored with a farewell ceremony at Safe City Islamabad, acknowledging his years of service and contribution to the capital’s police force.

According to Islamabad Capital Police, the Chief of Police Operations Safe City/Traffic served as the chief guest at the event, which was also attended by senior officers and officials. The CPO commended Inspector Aslam’s commitment throughout his tenure and reflected on the inevitability of retirement as a phase in a public servant’s career.

Emphasizing the value of service, the CPO encouraged active officers to strive for excellence and integrity to bring honor to the department. He acknowledged Inspector Aslam’s significant contributions to the force and wished him well in his future pursuits, marking the occasion by presenting a bouquet to the retiree.

New Delhi, Christian schools throughout India are experiencing increased difficulties under the current BJP-led government, as per reports of heightened concerns regarding religious freedom and safety among the community.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India has expressed significant worries about the policies imposed by the Hindu nationalist BJP government. These policies reportedly add unnecessary burdens on Christian educational institutions and have intensified tensions with Christian leaders. Denials by bishops against accusations of forced conversions have not alleviated a growing atmosphere of suspicion and hostility.

Over the past year, there has been a reported rise in hostile incidents against Christians, with more than 600 cases of violence documented in 2023. Incidents such as unfounded allegations against a Christian teacher in Tripura and threats to remove Christian symbols from schools in Assam underline the precarious situation for the community. Extremist groups like RSS and Bajrang Dal have been involved in several attacks on Christian institutions, exacerbating the strain.

These conditions have left Christian leaders feeling increasingly frustrated and vulnerable, particularly concerning the safety of their students and staff. Cases of harassment and the wrongful imprisonment of Christian monks have intensified the fear and uncertainty within the community.

Critics of the BJP government argue that its policies are eroding India’s secular foundations, pushing the nation towards becoming a de facto Hindu state. The disproportionate impact of discrimination and violence on Muslims and Christians has sparked further debate over the inclusiveness of Indian society.