Tuesday, 11 August, 2020 I 20 Dhul-Hijjah, 1441 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XI No 42 I 12 Pages I Lahore Edition
PM Meets unGa President-eleCt, urGes un to resolve kashMir disPute g
BoZkir says kashmir disPute resolution key to sustainaBle Peace in south asia
ISLAMABAD staff report
P
rime minister imran khan on monday met united nations general assembly (unga) president-elect volkan Bozkir, who called on him at his office during his visit to Pakistan, and stressed that the united nations (un) must play its rightful role in addressing the grave situation in indian occupied kashmir (iok) and ensuring that kashmiris exercise their right to self-determination promised to them in the relevant united nations security council (unsc) resolutions. the premier highlighted the dire human rights and humanitarian situation in iok since august 5, 2019, as well as the ongoing gross and systematic violations of human rights of the kashmiri people and the attempts to change the demographic structure of the occupied territory. he apprised the president-elect of his government’s initiatives to mitigate and suppress the socioeconomic impacts of covid-19 pandemic, focused on saving lives, securing livelihoods, and stimulating the economy. Pm imran said that his government deployed an $8 billion stimulus package for
Pakistan
CONFIRMED CASES:
284,660
15
NEW CASES:
516
RECOVERED:
DEATHS:
SINDH:
PUNJAB:
260,764 6,097
123,849
94,477
KP:
BALOCHISTAN:
AJK/GB:
ISLAMABAD:
34,692
fm Qureshi tells visiting dignitary that he wants unga to discuss kashmir
the poor and the needy, which was the highest social security coverage by any government in the history of Pakistan. he further highlighted his call for ‘global initiative on debt relief’ and stressed the need to provide greater fiscal space to the developing countries to overcome deleterious socioeconomic impacts of coronavirus pandemic. he also highlighted the high importance he attached to addressing climate change, countering islamophobia, and combating illicit financial flows from developing countries. the premier extended warm felicitations to Bozkir on his election as the president of the historic 75th session of the unga. later, the unga president-elect, while addressing a news conference along with foreign minister shah mahmood Qureshi, stressed that resolution of Jammu and kashmir dispute is key to sustainable peace in south asia. Bozkir said that regional security should be maintained through political and diplomatic means. he said that difficult challenges can be resolved peacefully through meaningful mutual engagements. he said that fm Qureshi and Pm imran khan presented their approach to the issue
Coronavirus in
DAY'S DEATH TOLL:
g
11,906
2,141/2,334 15,261
during talks. “if my assistance is requested by the parties, i will be ready to provide contributions within his mandate,” he said. fm Qureshi said that the unsc has deliberated on the lingering dispute three times in a year which is unprecedented and Pakistan is grateful to it. he said that Pakistan desires that the discussion on the dispute is also held in the unga as it is the pulse of the world that highlights the views of the comity of nations. the foreign minister said that the people of iok are concerned over the demographic change taking place there. he said that if the kashmir issue is not resolved, peace in the region will remain disturbed, and its implications will even go beyond the region. he added that kashmir has become a flashpoint, and the un must act now on the issue. responding to a question about the un military observer group in Pakistan and india, fm Qureshi said that Pakistan has given freedom to the un observers and they share their reports, while on the other, he said, india has obstructed the working of the un observers. he called upon the un to play a role in this regard. the minister said the number of ceasefire violations along the line of control (loc) had been very high last year, and this year so far, india has committed 1,845 ceasefire violations, targeting innocent civilians. Bozkir said that Pakistan is a key country at the united nations which makes extensive and substantial contributions to the world body’s work including the peace operations. he said that the un looks forward to close cooperation with Pakistan. referring to his meeting with Pm imran, the president elect of the unga said that imran is a well-known political figure in the world who has a vision for the region and the world peace and security as well as also other important issues faced by the world including climate change and problems of least developed countries.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 05
Amid decline in cases, provinces revert to pre-pandemic routine LAHORE/KARACHI staff report
with coronavirus infections observing a steep decline across the country, provincial governments announced easing of total restrictions, which were imposed in march this year to curtail the pandemic, allowing the businesses to follow their pre-crisis routine but directed them to adhere to standard operating procedures (soPs) to avoid a second wave. all business activities have resumed across the country with strict enforcement of standard operating procedures (soPs). Business hours and weekly holidays have been reverted back to pre-covid19 routine. the Punjab and Balochistan government lifted the lockdown on monday, allowing all sectors except marriage halls and educational institutes to operate under safety measures outlined by the government. the Punjab Primary and secondary healthcare department issued a notification following the decisions made in the august 6 meeting of the national coordination committee (ncc) wherein it was decided to lift the restrictions on all sectors on august 10 and resume educational activities from september 15.
Zardari indicted in Park lane reference g
Bilawal, Bakhtawar and aseefa say their father has Been framed on ‘Bogus charges’ ISLAMABAD staff report
an accountability court in islamabad on monday indicted former president and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman asif ali Zardari in the Park lane estate reference through video-link. Zardari, who had joined the hearing though video-link from Bilawal house in karachi, pleaded not guilty. he informed the court that his counsel, farooq h naek, was at the supreme court (sc) and he could not be indicted in his absence. however, dismissing his stance, the court ordered for Zardari to be indicted and marked his legal team absent. other accused in the case including omni group chief anwar majeed were also indicted. all the accused pleaded not guilty. Zardari has been facing trial for being involved in obtaining loans and its misappropriation by m/s Parthenon Private limited, m/s Park lane estate Private limited and others. his counsel earlier argued before the court that Zardari was a director of m/s Park lane, but
“all sectors except marriage halls/marquees and educational institutions are hereby allowed to operate from 10th august 2020 subject to adoption of soPs/ guidelines,” read the notification. religious congregations will be allowed after approval of authorities concerned under health guidelines. Business hours and weekly holidays have been reverted back to pre-covid-19 routine. all kinds of public transport have also been allowed to operate under soPs. the sindh government also allowed restaurants and other businesses to remain open till 9 pm throughout the week. the government also gave permission to hold events for non-contact sports. all air, train and road transport is being resumed. it is pertinent to mention here that all restaurants, shopping malls and shops were closed following the lockdown imposed in the country in march to curb the spread of the coronavirus. on august 6, Planning and development minister asad umar had announced that the government has decided to reopen dine-in restaurants, cafes, cinemas, parks and gyms from august 10 after a nearly fivemonth closure due to the covid19 pandemic.
more inside
Flash floods kills nine in Balochistan; 142 houses destroyed STORY ON PAGE 02
6 killed, 20 injured as bomb rips through chaman he resigned from the company in 2008 before assuming the office of president of Pakistan in 2008. he said the board of directors of the company accepted the resignation of Zardari though it could not communicate the matter to the securities and exchange commission of Pakistan (secP) in time. ’BOGUS CHARGES’: PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari retweeted a post of his sister Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari while reacting on the indictment of their father Zardari, that stated, “Bogus charges framed on President asif ali Zardari without his lawyer present (in sc today which takes precedence).” Bakhtawar, in that tweet, said, “media tipped over weekend already. Judge did not care
for proceeding without lawyer. deprived of constitutional right to legal counsel. all charges denied but why the rush.” Bakhtawar, in another tweet, said, “when he is already on the exit control list (since selections 2018), already did 6 months in jail and more than 1 year after his arrest courts are scrambling to frame an actual charge. will fight all. nothing to hide. Persecuted for democracy and 18th amendment. going nowhere.” aseefa wrote, “charges framed against my father today without his legal counsel present in court. he has spent 6 months in jail already and has been on ecl for 2 years now. injustice prevails as judge rushed through indictment, trampling on his constitutional and legal rights.”
STORY ON BACK PAGE
NCOC warns of spike in Covid-19 cases if guidelines ignored STORY ON PAGE 03
sc orders removal of billboards from karachi STORY ON PAGE 02