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CMYk in today’s issue

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22 August, 2021 I 13 Muharram, 1443 I Rs 25.00 I Vol XII No 52 I 32 Pages I Karachi Edition

MusliMs should show solidarity with afghans, Qureshi tells oiC seCretary general g

oiC To Convene SeSSion on KAbuL SiTuATion ToDAY

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news desk

oreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday held telephonic conversation with organisation of islamic Cooperation (oiC) Secretary general Yousef bin Ahmad Al-othaimeen and said that the Muslim world should show its traditional solidarity with the Afghan people in their quest for a peaceful, united, stable, and prosperous country. During the conversation, both sides exchanged views on the rapidly changing situation in Afghanistan, a statement from the foreign office said. The foreign minister emphasised that

the international community needs to remain engaged with Afghanistan by supporting the country’s economy, reconstruction, rehabilitation, and humanitarian needs. He added that Pakistan would continue to play its constructive role in promoting sustainable peace and stability in Afghanistan. Yousef bin Ahmad Al-othaimeen apprised Qureshi that the oiC will convene an extraordinary session of the oiC executive Meeting in Jeddah on Sunday (today) to discuss the situation in Afghanistan. He said that the meeting would gather ambassadors and permanent

representatives to deliberate on the rapidly changing situation in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, in telephonic conversations with his russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov and german Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, Qureshi said that Pakistan always supported the Afghan peace process. He said in the present situation, the security of Afghan citizens and the protection of their rights should be a top priority. He said Pakistan is committed to the early implementation of the Stream gas Pipeline Project with russia. Qureshi noted that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan is important not only for Pakistan but also the entire region. The foreign minister said that Pakistan is extending full facilitation to the different governments in evacuation of their citizens. Talking to his german counterpart Heiko Maas, the foreign minister said peace in Afghanistan is essential for stability in the region. He also invited his german counterpart to visit Pakistan. While sharing Pakistan’s perspective, the foreign minister said that the situation has changed significantly within a short span of time. He added that in the prevailing circumstances, it is extremely important to ensure safety and security of the Afghan people and protection of the rights of all Afghans. He emphasised the importance of inclusive political settlement as the best way forward. Qureshi added that it is equally important for the international community to remain engaged in support of the Afghan people. Along with requisite humanitarian assistance, it would be essential to maintain economic engagement. The foreign minister said that Pakistan would remain engaged with germany and other international partners in promoting efforts for peaceful and stable Afghanistan.

Abbasi rejects govt’s proposed electoral reforms, use of EVMs news desk Pakistan Muslim League-nawaz (PMLn) leader and former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Saturday termed the government’s proposed electoral reforms, including the use of the electronic voting machine (evM), as “unilateral” and “in contradiction with the Constitution and laws”. Abbasi expressed these remarks while speaking to the media after the meeting of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), an alliance of opposition parties, in islamabad. earlier this week, Prime Minister imran Khan had invited the opposition parties to hold talks with the government on electoral reforms as it had decided in principle to use evMs in the next general elections in 2023. “The prime minister has categorically told the cabinet that all stakeholders should be consulted for finalising electoral reforms as the use of evMs is imperative for holding free, fair, transparent and dispute-free elections,” information Minister Fawad Chaudhry had said.

on Saturday, Abbasi said, “All the parties [in the PDM] have once again rejected the unilateral electoral reforms today as they are tantamount to rid people of their freedom of speech.” Prime Minister imran Khan had suggested the use of evM in the general elections of 2023. Abbasi further said that the current government is involved in corruption and the PDM plans to present a white paper on the current government’s performance over the past three years in order to expose it. “The proof is in front of the people. We will present a white paper regarding this after collecting all the facts,” he said. He added that the accountability process that the PTi government has started is actually a way to distract the people. He also made an allegation that there had been attempts to rig all elections. Lastly, he mentioned PDM’s executive committee will reveal its schedule for countrywide rallies on August 28.


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