Author: Auhtor Web

Law Minister rejects baseless propaganda regarding Transgender Bill

Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar has rejected the baseless propaganda regarding the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill.

Addressing a joint news conference, along with Prime Minister’s Advisor Qamar Zaman Kaira, in Islamabad on Thursday, he said it is not a new law as it was enacted in 2018. He said all the political parties, including PML-N, PPP, PTI, and others, approved this law in 2018. He said Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan of Jamat-e-Islami has proposed an amendment in the law to prevent its misuse.

The Law Minister said transgender persons are also human beings and this legislation is meant to protect their rights, including inheritance, education, employment, health, and purchasing a property. He said use of transgender persons for begging shall be punishable under the law.

Azam Nazir Tarar said opinion of the Chairman Islamic Ideology Council was also sought with regard to Transgender bill. He said it is a wrong interpretation that intersex marriages have been allowed through this bill.

Speaking on the occasion Qamar Zaman Kaira said we support Senator Mushtaq’s amendments in the bill. He said one should refrain from disgracing a person in the name of criticism.

Answering a question, Qamar Zaman Kaira warned PTI Chief Imran Khan that organizing peaceful march is a democratic right of the opposition, but no one will be allowed to violate law. He said protestors will not be allowed to enter the Red Zone and strict action will be taken against the violators.

To another question, the Advisor said the Federal Government reserves the right to take legal measures if a provincial government conspires against it.

Replying to a question, he said the government is considering regulating social media to stop its misuse. He also advised PTI Chief Imran Khan to shun the politics of agitation and adopt a democratic and civilized way of bringing a no-confidence motion against the government or wait for the next general election.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Assistance of int’l partners vital for rescue, rehabilitation of flood affected people: COAS

Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa says assistance of international partners is vital for rescue and rehabilitation of the flood affected people in Pakistan.

He was talking to Ambassador of Japan Wada Mitsuhiro who called on him in Rawalpindi on Thursday.

During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security situation and collaboration in humanitarian measures were discussed.     

Thanking Japan for its support to flood affected people of the country, the Army Chief said Pakistan values Japan’s role in global and regional affairs and looks forward to enhance its bilateral relations with it.

 Speaking on the occasion, the Ambassador expressed his grief over the devastation caused by floods in Pakistan and offered sincere condolence to the families of the victims.

He offered full support to the people of Pakistan.

He appreciated Pakistan Army’s efforts in assisting civil administration in rescue and relief efforts in flood affected areas.

Source: Radio Pakistan

FM Khar thanks US for providing assistance worth $55M for flood-victims

Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs of the United States Department of State Victoria Nuland held a meeting with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, on the side lines of the UNGA.

The MOS thanked the U.S. Government for the solidarity it expressed with the flood victims by assistance of 55 million dollars and underscored that the recent visits of the US Congressional delegations and the members of Administration to Pakistan were a manifestation of the empathy that the United States had for the flood victims and the people of Pakistan.

She apprised the Under Secretary on the devastation caused by the ravaging floods which directly affected 33 million people with punitive losses to Pakistan.

The MOS stressed that even though Pakistan is responsible for less than 1 percent of global emissions it was bearing the brunt of climate crisis. She also highlighted the relief efforts of the Government and emphasized that reconstruction and rehabilitation would require long-term commitments on part of the international community.

The MOS underscored that there was enormous potential for deepening and widening the Pakistan-US bilateral ties, particularly in the areas of trade and investment and in reinforcing people-to-people relations- based on mutual trust and mutual respect.

The MOS highlighted the deteriorating situation of the human rights in India and, in particular, how it was affecting the plight of the Kashmiris in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and emphasized the centrality of the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute for the regional peace and stability.

The Under Secretary offered condolences over the loss of precious lives in Pakistan due to the super floods. She maintained that the U.S. would support Pakistan in the reconstruction and rehabilitation process. She also reaffirmed that the US would widen its engagement with Pakistan in various areas including climate change, health, energy, and trade and investment.

The MOS also discussed the regional situation and emphasized the need for peace, development, and stability in Afghanistan and beyond.

Source: Radio Pakistan

President UNGA reiterates complete solidarity with Pakistan following massive floods

President of UN General Assembly Csaba Korosi has expressed his complete sympathy, solidarity and cooperation with Pakistan in wake of flood in the country.

In a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the 77th Session of the UNGA in New York, he noted that Pakistan is not responsible for this disaster and it needs world support. He said there should be a “global solution to a global problem”.

Drawing attention to the unprecedented rains that have triggered the worst natural disaster in Pakistan’s history, the Prime Minister stressed that the support of the international community was crucial to help the country respond effectively to this climate catastrophe, and to recover and rebuild, in a sustainable manner.

He also extended Pakistan’s support, as the current Chair of the Group of 77 and China, to advance the development agenda in the General Assembly and other relevant bodies and forums.

Emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council, the Prime Minister underscored the need for continuing transparent, consultative and constructive Intergovernmental Negotiations, which would respond to the positions and expectations of all member States.

The Prime Minister also briefed the PGA on Pakistan’s priority issues, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, Afghanistan, and Islamophobia.

Source: Radio Pakistan

OIC Contact Group reaffirms support to legitimate rights of Kashmiris

The Foreign Ministers of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir have reaffirmed their support for the legitimate struggle of Kashmiri people for realization of their inalienable right to self-determination and freedom from Indian occupation.

In a Joint Communiqué of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir, the Foreign Ministers reaffirmed the inalienable right to self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the recognized OIC position and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

They met today on the sidelines of the 77th United Nations General Assembly in New York on with its Secretary-General in the chair.

The Foreign Ministers denounced India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August and subsequent steps which are in direct violation of UNSC resolutions and are aimed at changing the demographic structure of IIOJK.

They rejected the issuance of fake domicile certificates to non-Kashmiris granting them the voting rights, and amendments in land ownership laws, and any other step to alter the existing demographic structure of the disputed territory.

They deplored that the Indian forces continue to perpetrate a vicious campaign of repressive actions, including extrajudicial killings of innocent Kashmiris in fake encounters, custodial killings and cordon-and-search operations.

They also condemned that the entire Hurriyat leadership, the true representatives of Kashmiri political aspirations, has been under continued detention for three years with most having been subjected to brutal and inhumane treatment at the hands of Indian occupation forces.

They paid rich tribute to the unflinching commitment of the Hurriyat leadership, including the late Syed Ali Geelani to the Kashmir cause in the face of persistent persecution and tremendous personal hardships.

The Foreign Ministers reiterated the call on the international community to hold India accountable for the heinous crimes being committed by the Indian forces in the IIOJK.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Pakistan, China reaffirm their commitment to further deepen strategic cooperation

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, on the sidelines of the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. 

Both had a comprehensive exchange of views on the entire spectrum of bilateral partnership and multilateral cooperation, including at the United Nations.

The Foreign Minister conveyed profound gratitude to the Chinese leadership, government and people for China’s prompt support and robust assistance to Pakistan in the wake of catastrophic floods.  

Recalling the summit meeting between Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and President Xi Jinping in Samarkand on Thursday, the two Foreign Ministers reaffirmed full commitment to further deepening of strategic cooperation, extending strong support for each other’s core interests and major concerns. They also expressed resolve to enhance economic engagement, accelerate high-quality development of CPEC, and strengthen bilateral security cooperation.

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto highlighted Pakistan’s close convergence with China on multilateral issues premised on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, multilateralism, free trade, and development.

Source: Radio Pakistan

FM proposes creation of separate loss & damage financing window by int’l financial institutions

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has proposed creation of a separate loss and damage financing window by the international financial institutions for generating an immediate response to climate induced natural disasters in the developing countries.

He was chairing a high level event on Loss and Damage: New and Additional Financing organized by Pakistan on the sidelines of the 77th UN General Assembly session in New York today.

The Foreign Minister emphasized that over the years, the developing countries have disproportionately suffered from the vagaries of climate change while contributing a miniscule amount to the Green House Gas Emissions. He expressed the hope that a decision would be reached for a financial mechanism to compensate developing countries for loss and damage.

In his remarks, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry agreed that loss and damage is a reality that would need to be addressed at the upcoming Climate Change Conference.

Source: Radio Pakistan