Shehbaz pledGeS Support to fiGhtinG iSlamophobia Globally

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed the country’s commitment to support global efforts to end Islamophobia on Wednesday, as the world celebrated the international day to “stamp out anti-Muslim hatred.”

In a tweet marking the day, he said that Pakistan stands with the world community in seeking an end to all forms of hatred, profiling, and discrimination against Muslims based on their faith.

Sharif emphasised that Islam, like other religions, advocates for tolerance, respect, peace, and human development.

The observation follows the unanimous adoption of a resolution, submitted by Pakistan on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), in 2022 that proclaimed 15 March as the International Day, calling for global dialogue that promotes tolerance, peace and respect for human rights and religious diversity.

pti moves lhC against posting of iG police, CCpo lahore, others

LAHORE

Staff RepoRt others.

The resolution marks the day when an Australian militant entered two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, killing 51 worshippers and injuring 40

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday moved the Lahore High Court (LHC) against the posting of the Punjab IG Police, the CCPO Lahore and 13 other officers. PTI Secretary General Asad Umar filed the petition in the Lahore High Court, contending that the notification regarding the posting of the Punjab IG Police, the CCPO Lahore and 13 other officers issued by the caretaker government on Feb 27 and 28 was a violation of the law. He pleaded the caretaker government had no authority to make posting to important positions after the dissolution of the assembly. He further argued these police officers had also been involved in illegal activities against Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf. The PTI leader urged the court to suspend the posting of the Punjab IG Police, the CCPO Lahore and 13 other officers. Earlier, the caretaker Punjab government removed Ghulam Mahmood Dogar from the post of Lahore Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) and as convener of Joint Investigation Team (JIT), constituted to investigate the assassination attack on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.

5G, 6G at ‘forefront’ for high-quality development, digital transformation

ISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

China’s intensified push for the development of superfast wireless technology including 5G and 6G will further promote industrial upgrading and digital transformation in traditional sectors, providing new momentum for the country’s economic growth, industry experts said. They added that 5G technology has been widely combined with artificial intelligence and the internet of things, with a wide range of applications in fields such as virtual reality games, online education, unmanned vehicles and smart logistics. They also called for efforts to actively participate in the formulation of 6Grelated international standards. Their comments came after the top industry regulator said that China will accelerate the construction of 5G networks, expand the application of 5G technology in more fields, especially in manufacturing, and promote the research and development of 6G. “Currently, China is at the global forefront of 5G development. The country has built more than 2.54 million 5G base stations, with the number of 5G smartphone users surpassing 575 million,” said Jin Zhuanglong, Chinese minister of industry and information technology, adding China will build 600,000 5G base stations this year. Jin made the remarks on the sidelines of this year’s two sessions. Noting that 5G has been used in more than half of the major industrial sectors, including mining, ports, electricity and aviation, Jin called for efforts to expand the application of superfast wireless technology in more fields like manufacturing, China Daily reported.

Pakistan Urges Planning To Consider Climate Risk For Vulnerable Nations

UNITED NATIONS

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres affirmed the move is “a call for action to stamp out anti-Muslim hatred”.

“Discrimination diminishes us all. We must stand up against it,” he said on Twitter. “Today [and] every day, we must counter the forces of division by reaffirming our common humanity.”

Separately, UN General Assembly President Csaba Korosi also noted that “Islamophobia is rooted in xenophobia, or the fear of strangers, which is reflected in discriminatory practices, travel bans, hate speech, bullying and targeting of other people,” and urged countries to uphold the freedom of religion and take action against the hatred.

“All of us carry a responsibility to challenge Islamophobia or any similar phenomenon, to call out injustice and condemn discrimination based on religion or belief – or the lack of them,” said Korosi. Last week, the Turkish ambassador to the UN said that Islamophobia has become a “major threat to democracy” and desecration of the holy Quran and mosques is “on the rise”. Sedat Onal said: “Islamophobia is a real and a rising threat.”

Rulers will pay heavy cost if anything happens to Imran: Rashid

RAWALPIND Staff RepoRt

Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid warned on Wednesday that the government will have to pay a heavy price if anything bad happens to PTI Chairman Imran Khan as clashes between party workers and law enforcers underway in Lahore over ex-prime minister’s possible arrest.

In a series of tweet, former interior minister said situation in Lahore had worsened enough that former US special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad had reacted to it, adding that US Special Envoy for Biodiversity and Water Resources Monica Medina was also due to reach Pakistan.He said that International Monetary Fund (IMF) had agreed to $6 billion external financing assurance but on ground situation showed the country was heading towards uncertainty. He said people had taken the streets over the possible arrest of Mr Khan.

The AML chief warned that the political turbulence would heighten further if the Supreme Court’s order regarding holding of elections are defied. He asked Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah to introspect his motives.